Page 18 of Stolen Highland Dreams (The Highlanders #9)

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T he next morning, Dashiell was burning up, sweating, chilling, and hot again. Now he knew how Ella had felt after he had wounded her—miserable. To his surprise, he saw she was asleep in the chair beside his bed, a fur blanket covering her.

Then he noticed Mina preparing something for him to drink. It appeared Mina had relieved his healer to care for him, which he appreciated.

Mina whispered, “Ella wouldna leave your bedside, but alas, she could no longer stay awake. I would have had one of your men move her to the guest chamber’s bed, but I feared she would wake.”

“Tell me more about the family and what was going on. Why would MacAfee kill her family?”

“I dinna know. I wasna at the castle when the massacre took place. Ella was clueless.”

Dashiell couldn’t believe it. “But Ella and her brother and cousin escaped.”

“Aye. I was in the forest gathering herbs and making poultices for anyone who needed them: the farmers, the villagers, and those living in the castle. I also delivered babies.”

He hadn’t thought of sending his healer to the village to take care of people there also. Ella’s da was a good leader.

“MacAfee and his people were there at the castle at a feast. When I returned from the village, the castle gates were closed. I went to my hut to dry herbs. And then I heard the screams and fighting.”

“You were lucky to have been away from the castle, and Ella and her family were fortunate to escape,” he said.

“Aye. I heard the fighting and wanted to help my clansmen however I could. That’s when I found Ella, her brother, her cousin, and the blacksmith making their way across the stream. I’m a healer, no’ a fighter, though I know how to fight. The blacksmith wasna privy to what had happened either. He had been working at his forge.”

“Ella carries a sword.”

“I had learned how to defend myself, no’ to go into battle, unless I had to. My da taught me. I watched the young lads learn how to fight and wanted to learn. I taught Ella, who taught her brother.”

“MacAfee must have planned the siege, so he brought a large enough force to overwhelm her da’s people at the feast. What was her da’s name?” Dashiell said.

“Coinneach Gunn.”

“Ella believes MacAfee wants to murder her because she was a witness to the whole massacre,” Dashiell said, trying to remember who Coinneach was, but he didn’t believe he had ever met him.

But Coinneach had a brother up north, and Dashiell had met him. Lennox had a son named Michael, who would be Ella’s cousin, and Lennox, her uncle.

“I’m sure once MacAfee learned she might live in the forest, he was afraid you would find her first and fight him next to protect her.”

“Would he believe I might marry her? He would be right in thinking so,” Dashiell said.

Mina smiled.

“Does Ella remember everything that happened that fateful night?” He realized Ella had been staring at the tapestry on the wall.

The bed had been here when he had bartered for the castle. Had they been her parents’ things then? Had it brought back any memories?

“As far as I know, Ella doesna remember everything that had happened unless she is no’ speaking of it. She cries out in her sleep or is crying in the middle of the eve. When I’ve comforted her in the past, she says ‘tis naught, but I ken differently.”

“Have you been here in this bedchamber before? When her da and mother were still here?”

“Aye.” Mina looked sad, tears filling her eyes. “‘Tis the same furnishings as when her mother and da were alive, if that is what you seek to ken.”

“Aye.” He rubbed his chin in thought. “Since her da was Coinneach Gunn, Ella has other kinfolk. Her da has a brother named Lennox, who has a castle up north,” Dashiell said.

“They were no’ on good terms. Her uncle led an uprising against Coinneach when Lennox still lived at Cairn Castle. Coinneach was the eldest of the two brothers and took over as chief of the clan when their da died. Their mother had died giving birth to Lennox, and their da had never remarried.”

“The brigand.”

“Aye. Lennox was furious that Coinneach was put in charge. His son, Michael, was close in age to Ella, and they adored each other like a brother and sister would. Once Lennox led the revolt against Coinneach, he and those who had sided with Lennox were banished. Michael left with his da and the others.”

“Then Lennox eventually married a woman, whose da was chief, and once the woman’s da died, Lennox took over the clan,” Dashiell said.

“I dinna ken that. I had spoken to Ella about living with them, thinking he would provide her protection against MacAfee. When the uprising was carried out, she said Lennox was spiteful. She didna trust him and had even cut him when he tried to cut her da. She’d even wondered if he had been behind MacAfee killing her family.”

Dashiell wondered about that. “And the reason MacAfee was living here for so long?”

“For four and a half years, he had been searching for Ella. They hadn’t found her body, nor her brother’s, or their cousin’s. I believe he felt they had lost her for good, and mayhap he didna feel comfortable where he wasna wanted.” Mina wiped Dashiell’s brow with a damp, cool cloth.

“Can you elaborate?”

Mina just gave him an elusive smile. “The ones who were so grievously set upon.”

“Spirits?” Dashiell shook his head. He didn’t believe in such a thing. “But MacAfee or some of his men returned and battled with us in the woods.”

“I’m sure he still had spies searching for Ella since you took over the castle. I’m certain there have been rumors about the young woman who hasna spoken since the time her kin were murdered.”

Ella suddenly opened her eyes and appeared shocked that she had fallen asleep. She quickly sat up and saw Dashiell smiling at her. She was beautiful, and he realized just how much he wanted her for his own.

Someone knocked at the door, and Dashiell said, “Come.” However, his voice sounded much weaker than he wanted to admit.

Quinn stepped into the room. “Laird, we have another visitor. What do you want me to do about Lady Lantana? She is concerned for your health and wishes to see you.”

Dashiell thought about the situation, knowing there was no way he would wed the lady when the Nymph of the Forest had stolen his heart. “Give the lady my sincerest apologies and tell her there will be no match between us.”

Quinn glanced at Ella as if she was the reason for the upset in the plans.

“Who is the visitor?” Dashiell asked.

“Michael Gunn. He’s?—”

“My…my cousin!” Ella exclaimed.

Quinn just stared at her.

“Is his da with him?” Dashiell asked, for the moment forgetting that Ella was barely speaking and had spoken more words than ever. Though her voice was still soft, as if she was unsure how to speak or her voice was so unused to being used that she was having difficulty relearning how to talk, every word she spoke was precious to him.

“Nay. He came with three armed men. We disarmed them.”

Dashiell began to rise from his bed.

“Nay!” Mina said, Ella rushing back to the bed to ease him back against the mattress.

“We…we sewed you up. You’re…feverish. Stay in…bed until…you’re better,” Ella said with authority.

Dashiell was so surprised that she had spoken so many words, and they had been so much clearer now that he was slack-jawed. In fact, so was Mina. Quinn only smiled. Maybe he had forgotten she wasn’t speaking but a word occasionally. Or mayhap he was just amused that Ella had taken charge of Dashiell as if she was the chief of the clan!

Dashiell was so taken aback that he rested his head against the pillow and stared at her. For the first time ever, he was completely speechless.

Ella must have realized she should have addressed him with more respect when he said nothing, but then she turned to Quinn. “I…I must…see him.”

Again, her voice was soft and sweet, yet it didn’t matter how she spoke; she had the voice of an angel, as far as Dashiell was concerned.

“Bring him here.” Dashiell normally would never have had a guest come to his bedchamber when he was wounded or ill, but he hated admitting that he didn’t want Ella out of sight. As far as her cousin was concerned, Dashiell wished to meet him and see what he had to say.

How had Michael, most likely his da, known Ella was here? Was he in collusion with MacAfee, as Ella had wondered?

“Aye.” Then Quinn left the bedchamber and hurried off.

“Stay, Ella,” Dashiell said because she looked desperate to see Michael immediately, and he wanted her safely by his side. He hoped Quinn would bring a couple of guards with him and Fallon to ensure her safety and his if Michael or his men were up to mischief.

Ella took over Dashiell’s care. “Mina, why…dinna you…get some…rest?”

Mina sighed. “Aye. I’ll lie down for a wee bit.” She hugged her. “I knew you would speak again.” Then she walked slowly out of the room.

“Ella,” Dashiell said, reaching for her hand. “You’re talking.”

She nodded and took hold of his hand.

“Speak the words,” he said, encouraging her to use her voice more.

“‘Tis…‘tis hard…to remember…to speak…sometimes. I forget I can.”

“I’m sure, but I love hearing your words.”

Fallon ushered Michael into the bedchamber, accompanied by two guards. Quinn was also there.

Michael had the same blond hair as Finnegan and the same blue eyes. Dashiell could see the resemblance at once.

Michael inclined his head.

Ella held back, appearing to want to run to him, yet she stayed next to Dashiell’s bed as if willing herself to remain calm.

Michael smiled at Ella. “Margaret.”

That may have been the name her mother and da had given her, but to Dashiell, she would always be Ella.

No one had called Ella by her real name in the five years she’d lived in the forest. It sounded strange to her ears, yet it seemed oddly familiar. Michael had grown so big, from a fifteen-year-old boy to a man she didn’t know.

Yet she could see the resemblance in his smile, the color of his windswept hair, and clear blue eyes, and she thought her brother would look so much like him when he was that age. Then she remembered—the shirt that she was so fond of that Dashiell had worn was like the one she had made for Michael for his fifteenth birthday.

“Margaret, I dinna ken what to say. I learned from the villagers that you were here,” he said.

She supposed that word might have gotten to someone in the village, but she wondered if her uncle had a spy at the castle. What if one of the men Dashiell had hired worked for her uncle?

“Why…are…are you…here?” she asked, her voice so hesitant and soft. She realized she was afraid to speak the words incorrectly. She needed to practice speaking every chance she got, but she felt it was a struggle every time she spoke.

“Margaret, you’re speaking! ‘Tis a miracle,” Michael said.

“Why are…you…here?” she asked again, annoyed. She realized she didn’t trust him. Not after the uprising Michael’s da had created, and because Michael had remained loyal to him.

She understood why he would have because he had only been seventeen, but still, he worked for his da even now and never once had come to seek out the rest of their kin. At least, she didn’t think so.

“I wanted to make amends to Coinneach. ‘Twas a long time in coming. I had no idea that all the rest of our kin were gone .”

“Dead. Murdered…by…by MacAfee,” she said, her words angry despite being hushed. They were not just gone.

“MacAfee?” Michael sounded surprised.

She still didn’t trust her cousin. What if Michael was pretending to be surprised? She wanted to ask if he knew MacAfee was now searching for her and that his men had injured Dashiell.

“May I have a word with Ella alone?” Michael stood tall and imperious as if he didn’t have to ask but was doing so for Ella’s benefit. He looked just like his uncle would when he wanted his way.

“Nay,” Dashiell said.

“Why…did you…steal Dashiell’s…bride away?” Ella pointedly asked.

“It wasna like that.” Michael sounded annoyed with her.

“Then you fell…hopelessly in…love with her…and…stole her…from her intended.”

Ella watched to see what Michael would say. Dashiell had probably never had the chance to question Michael himself.

“It’s no’ a matter that I need to discuss with you.”

She recalled now how Michael could be so haughty with her. He was somebody important while she was just the daughter of a chief at the time.

“But you are here seeking me to grant some concession, and you owe me an explanation,” Dashiell said.

“Then Lady Margery will need to leave the chamber.”

“She stays,” Dashiell countermanded.

Michael appeared frustrated. “Aye, we fell in love.”

“You…couldna live…without her? Or…her dowery?” Ella asked.

Michael’s stern gaze turned worried as he glanced at Ella.

“It seems to me that Ella knows you better than you think.”

“ You didna love her!” Michael countered.

“Nay. The marriage was arranged. But I lost an important alliance as well, you know. In any event, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I am weary,” Dashiell said. “You can speak with the lady later.”

Ella was surprised that he didn’t tell her to go with Michael to talk further.

Michael inclined his head and left with the guards.

“What do you want us to do with them?” Fallon asked.

“They can eat and stay with us, but I want them watched while they’re here,” Dashiell said. “I want a guard on Ella and her kin, Mina too, at all times.”

“Aye.” Fallon left to carry out his orders.

“What about Lady Lantana?” Quinn asked.

“Has she no’ left here with her entourage already?” Dashiell sounded annoyed.

“Nay, she says she wishes to remain here until you are well enough to speak to her and tell her yourself that you wish her to go home.”

“That is what I have you for.” Dashiell sounded exasperated.

Ella didn’t blame him. She knew he had to be in pain and feeling out of sorts from his injury. She sat on the chair beside him, put her hand over his forehead again, and concentrated, trying to ease his suffering. At once, he relaxed against the bed, and she was glad she could help him in some small way.

Dashiell closed his eyes, and he seemed to drift off to sleep.

Quinn studied her with Dashiell for a moment, then bowed his head and left the chamber, shutting the door.

A few minutes later, the door opened, and Dashiell’s healer entered the chamber. “I am relieving you, my lady.”

Ella glanced at Dashiell, confirmed he was sleeping, and then she stood. “Tell…me…if he needs me.”

Mai smiled. “Oh, aye, he needs you.”

Ella smiled at her, left the bedchamber, and checked on Mina and Amelda. She was surprised that a man was following her everywhere.

“Guard duty, my lady,” the red-haired man said. “My name is Ruadh. I’m on the first detail.”

She inclined her head. In the chamber where she would stay, she found Mina sound asleep, and a guard was posted there. Amelda wasn’t there. “Where is Amelda? And my…brother?”

“I dinna ken, but I’ll take you to see Fallon and mayhap he kens where they are.” Ruadh took her downstairs, and he asked another man where Fallon was.

“In the inner bailey,” the man said, smiling at Ella.

They headed outside and she saw Amelda helping a couple of maids gather dried laundry. As soon as Amelda saw Ella, she raced to hug her, the task at hand all but forgotten. Ella saw a guard watching her cousin, and she was glad that Amelda was being protected, just in case there was any trouble.

“Ella, I’ve been helping the washerwomen. They said I didna have to but ‘tis fun.”

Ella smiled. “I am…glad.”

“I canna believe you can talk. Your voice, ‘tis strange.”

“You…you have…never heard…it…before.”

“Aye.”

Then Ella saw Michael heading their way. Immediately, Ruadh and Amelda’s guard were there to protect them.

Michael said, “I want to speak with you further.”

Ruadh looked at Ella to see if she was agreeable.

“Aye,” she said.

“Is there somewhere that we can talk?” Michael asked. “The garden?”

“Aye.”

The two guards went with them while Michael smiled down at Amelda. “And who is this?”

“I’m Ella’s cousin.”

“A cousin. Then you’re my cousin also.” Michael patted her head.

She looked up at Ella as if waiting for her to say he was. “Aye,” Ella said to Amelda. But she didn’t say it in a giddy, cheerful way.

Amelda took her cue and held onto Ella’s hand. Ella couldn’t believe that Michael was here after all that had happened, which made her suspicious.

When they walked into the herb garden, she saw a bench to sit on, and a feeling of joy and loss hit her all at once. She had sat with her mother on that bench, held Amelda as a baby there, and even sat with Finnegan there when he was younger.

One of the maids was snipping herbs for the meal, and Amelda asked Ella, “Can I go help her?”

“Aye.” Ella was proud of her cousin for wanting to assist everyone with their chores, just like she did when they lived in the forest.

Ella sat while the guards stood nearby, and Michael sat beside her on the bench. “Speak.”

Michael cleared his throat, glancing at the guards, and then took a deep breath. “Da wants you to leave here with me. Your brother and cousin also. You are our kin, and you belong with us. You, Finnegan, and Amelda will be his wards.”

“Nay,” she said.

“You dinna have any choice. Da is already speaking with the king on the matter.”

“Nay.” She rose to her feet.

Michael quickly stood. “‘Tis good that you are speaking. When you are wed?—”

“What?”

“My da will decide this for you. And for Amelda.”

Her uncle would not decide this for either of them.

“He’ll decide what training your brother will have,” Michael continued.

Ella’s heart was beating so hard that she felt like she had been running from danger. “Nay.”

“You havena any choice.” Michael reached for her hand, but she wouldn’t let him take it.

She didn’t want him to believe she would agree to her uncle’s plans. She felt sick to her stomach. She wanted to speak with Dashiell about ensuring he wouldn’t let her uncle take them away.

“Why…did you…come here?” she asked.

“I told you. I’m taking you home.”

“This…is…my home.” Not really, but if Dashiell would allow them to stay here, they would make it their new home. Then she walked over to speak with Amelda. “This man…will watch…out for you. You are no’ to…leave the…castle…grounds without…my permission. You must hear…it from…me.”

“Aye,” Amelda said.

“Tell me…what…I said.”

“No’ to leave the castle without you saying so.”

“Aye.” Then to Amelda’s guard, Ella said, “Dinna…let her…leave the castle…grounds.”

“Aye, my lady.”

“Can…can…I see the laird’s advisor?” Ella asked Ruadh.

“Aye, my lady. Come this way.” Ruadh started walking back toward the castle, Michael following them.

Ella turned to Michael and said, “You have…told…me what…you wished. And I have…told…you we…willna leave…with you.”

“You havena choice,” Michael said. “We were best of friends when we were young.”

“That…was before…your…da tried…to…have my…da and…others murdered,” Ella reminded him.

They ended up inside the castle, but Michael was still following her. Once they were in the great hall, Ruadh motioned to a lad, and he ran to join them. “Find Quinn or Fallon and tell them the lady wishes to speak with them about something of the utmost importance.”

“Aye.” The boy raced off.