Page 19 of Stolen Highland Dreams (The Highlanders #9)

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B anging on Dashiell’s bedchamber door was accompanied by, “My laird! I need to speak with you. My laird!”

“Paden?” Dashiell had been in a deep sleep.

“Aye, aye, my laird!”

Paden, a lad of ten, often brought him news when urgent matters needed to be resolved.

Mina tried to stop him at the door, but Dashiell said, “Come. What news have you?”

Dashiell was already awake; he might as well learn what was so urgent that the lad wanted to see him.

“Ruadh told me to get Quinn or Fallon right away.”

Dashiell raised a brow. He was neither man.

“But, laird, the request was from the Nymph of the Forest. Her cousin Michael follows her everywhere. Ruadh said it was of the utmost importance.”

That concerned Dashiell. What was Michael here for? Dashiell instantly wondered if Michael’s da believed he would take Ella and the others under his wing. Dashiell wouldn’t allow it unless she wanted to go there, but he didn’t want her to leave. Not any of them. Especially after her uncle was banished from the clan, Dashiell didn’t trust him or his son.

“Find Quinn or Fallon and have him bring Ella here at once,” Dashiell said.

“Aye.” Paden rushed out of the bedchamber.

“Och. Lennox will surely take them and make them stay with him until he can marry Ella off to someone who would benefit him in battle,” Mina said, wiping Dashiell’s brow again.

“No’ if I have any say in it,” Dashiell said.

“She willna want to leave here. This is her home,” Mina said. “‘Tis her castle.”

Dashiell smiled at Mina.

“‘Tis true,” Mina said, unsmiling, serious.

Paden was quick; before long, he was bringing Quinn and Fallon to Ella, concern etched in their furrowed brows and unsmiling lips.

“Come with us at once,” Quinn said to Ella. To Michael, he said, “You stay here.”

“I wish to speak on Laird Lennox Gunn’s behalf,” Michael said.

“Stay. Here,” Quinn said.

Ella loved hearing Quinn’s commanding Michael to obey when her words had fallen on deaf ears. Most likely, Michael felt he was the chief in his da’s place, and no one would ignore him . Then she saw another guard arrive to watch over Michael.

She, Quinn, and Fallon headed back up the stairs. “Nay,” she said. “The laird…needs…his…rest.”

“He insists. If he falls asleep, you may sit beside him until he wakes. He’ll heal even more quickly if you are by his side,” Quinn said.

“Michael says his da…his da will make…my brother…and Amelda…wards of his.”

“He is gravely mistaken,” Fallon said. “I ken my cousin well enough, and he will no’ allow it.”

Ella still didn’t want to disturb Dashiell. When she arrived at his bedchamber, and Quinn opened the door, she saw he was awake, waiting on her. She hurried into the chamber. “You should be sleeping.”

“You are more important. What has Michael said to you?”

Ella explained what he had said.

“Nay, you are no’ going anywhere.” Dashiell sounded tired.

Then she sat beside him, wishing they had not disturbed his sleep. He reached for her hand. She held his hand and felt his strength, warmth, and protectiveness. “Aye. But I know he will go to the king about it. He is my kin.” She loved Dashiell for taking them in, but she was afraid there was no way out of this nightmare for her or her brother and cousin.

“But you will be my wife.”

Her jaw dropped. She couldn’t help it. She cared about Dashiell and wanted to be with him more than anything else, but she had never expected him to marry her. Not when she would bring nothing to the marriage.

“If ‘tis what you wish, but maybe we should discuss this at another time,” Dashiell said because she didn’t jump at the chance to say she wanted to marry him.

“Nay,” she quickly said. He would be her husband and protect her and her family. She would be the lady of the castle, just like Mina said she should be. She would care for him and his people whenever they needed healing because she loved him with all her heart and soul.

Her mother had already taught her some of the duties of being the lady of the manor when she was young. Even Mina had taught her some of the things she had seen Ella’s mother do when Mina had been at the castle taking care of the sick, wounded, and mothers giving birth.

She thought Dashiell was a good man, never having seen him act harshly toward anyone. And she knew he was the only one for her.

“You dinna want to discuss it later?” Dashiell asked.

“I will marry…you…and…gladly. I dinna…need…to think…on it.”

He smiled and squeezed her hand.

Fallon folded his arms and shook his head. “Several of our kinsmen were interested in the lass. They will be sorely disappointed. Even I had high hopes.”

“Nay, you dinna,” Quinn said. “You ken as soon as our chief was searching for the lass day and night, she would be his.”

Ella laughed. “As long…as…I had…been…out here, no…one…had ever…intrigued me…like…you…do.” Not to mention, she had only ever dreamed of him as if he was the man who was the one for her, making love to her, loving her as she loved him in return.

Paden came to the bedchamber and knocked on the door frame. “Michael has left with his men.”

“Good,” Dashiell said.

Ella worried they hadn’t heard the last from her uncle.

When Dashiell was asleep, Ella left his chamber with her guard to see Amelda and ensure she was fine. She also wanted to check on her brother. She found Amelda weeding the garden with a maid, her guard watching out for her.

“I am Agnes,” the maid said. “Your cousin has been teaching me about the plants in the forest.”

“Good. But she must no’ go there.”

“Nay. Quinn brought all the things from the abode where you were living, and she was showing me the dried herbs and other plants.”

Ella smiled, glad her cousin proved helpful even at her young age. Then a beautiful fair-haired woman headed their way, dressed in a blue gown and looking like she was someone of importance.

“That is Lady Lantana,” Agnes said. “She’s concerned about the laird’s injury and no’ happy that he willna speak to her about sending her on her way.”

It appeared to Ella that the woman intended to speak to her instead. “Aye. Amelda, keep up the good work. I’m off to see Finnegan and learn how he is doing.”

“He is all dirty,” Amelda said.

Ella chuckled. “From working as the blacksmith’s apprentice.” She knew he loved the work and was glad for it. “I will see you later. If you need to see me before that, tell your guard.”

“Aye, Momma.”

Then Ella headed for the blacksmith’s workplace, which took her in a different direction than Lady Lantana was coming. She didn’t mean to avoid her but wished to see her brother. If the lady wanted to join her, that would be fine.

The lady took a detour and quickened her pace to catch up to her. “Excuse me, Lady Margery, is it?”

Ella glanced at her. “Aye, but you may call me Ella.”

“The fey from the forest,” Lantana said. “I’ve been told you are why Dashiell wants me to return home.” She eyed Ruadh for a moment. “Must you attend us?”

“Aye,” Ruadh said. “It is my laird’s wish.”

Lantana shook her head. “Rumors are that you are the daughter of a former clan chief who had been in charge of Cairn Castle.”

“Aye. Coinneach Gunn was my da.”

“Do you believe it is your place to retake the castle?”

Ella smiled at Lantana. The woman was pleasing to look at and not unpleasant to talk to. If the circumstances had been different, she might have even been a friend.

“This is my home, aye. I have no illusions that the castle is mine to ‘take over.’” She wasn’t about to tell Lantana that she and Dashiell loved each other. That was not for her to say.

She continued to walk to the blacksmith’s shop, and Lantana kept up with her.

“I have heard you have…influenced the chief using some magic,” Lantana said, but she sounded a little worried her words might annoy one of the fey kind.

“I am just like you, I suspect, Lantana. Raised as a clan chief’s daughter, taught how to manage a castle staff, learning the skills of sewing and song.”

“No’ living off the land, learning to fend for yourself, fighting with a sword, keeping your young cousin and your brother safe from those who would want you dead,” Lantana said.

Was that admiration in the lady’s words?

“When my family was murdered, I was fortunate to have Mina show me how to live off the land, or we would never have survived.” Ella would always credit Mina for the kindness and knowledge she had shared freely with them.

Lantana let out her breath. “I dinna know if I could have survived, living like that.”

“Aye, you would have. If you’d had the kind and helpful assistance that Mina provided.”

Lantana smiled at her. “You are no’ as I had envisioned. A waif of a woman, poorly spoken, with no sense of decorum. You are educated in ways I have never been, and I wish you the best. I dinna know how you could have managed in the forest as long as you did, even with the healer’s help. You and Dashiell truly care for each other?”

“Aye.”

Lantana shook her head. “I have heard it said that he is a kind and fair man. It appears I have been too late in coming. My da waited to send me until he had learned Lady Lynette had been rejected.”

“Oh, the woman is a viper,” Ella said before she could stop her words. “I mean?—”

“I ken what you mean. I have met her before. She is spoiled beyond repair, and she would be any man’s nightmare who wished to wed her.”

Ella smiled. “I like you. I hope that we can be friends.”

“Aye, I wish it too. Though it seems danger follows you wherever you go.” Lantana glanced at the guard with them to make her point.

“Until MacAfee is held accountable for his reprehensible actions, aye.”

“Where…are we going?”

Ella was amused that Lantana was following her all this time, as if they were friends and having a nice chat. “To see my brother. He is the blacksmith’s apprentice, and I have not seen him in a while.”

“You dinna mind if I meet him also?”

“I appreciate the company.” Then they reached the blacksmith’s workshop, and the blacksmith smiled at Ella and Lantana.

“I am truly humbled to welcome two ladies to my workshop. I am Theo.”

“Thanks be to thee for taking time out of your day to welcome us. How is Finnegan doing?” Ella asked.

“He is a superb apprentice, except for the time he slipped away with you into the forest, and I was sorely lacking for an assistant. But I understood his reasoning. I’m glad to have him back.”

She was glad to hear it.

Finnegan came running out of the back of the workshop when he heard Ella speaking and hugged her.

She should have objected, as dirty as he was, but she loved his hugs no matter what and hoped he would never be too old or think himself too manly to share them. She hugged him back. “I hear you are doing good work, and I’m proud of you.”

“I have made my first sword. Master Theo said it was mine to keep.” Finnegan darted off to the back of the shop and, quick as a deer, bounded back to her with the sword in hand.

She took the sword from him and turned it over, studying its quality. “Well done, Finnegan.”

He beamed. “I have to get back to work.”

“Aye. You have much to learn.”

“He is scheduled for sword practice this afternoon,” Theo said. “And then back here to work.”

“Thank you for taking him in when he needed to learn such a skill.”

“He had learned much from his previous master in the village. I am just honing his skills. He is a good lad and like the son I never had. You must be proud of him after having instilled such a great work ethic in him. Most young men his age are no’ so inclined.”

Ella smiled. “He has always been eager to help, even when he was too young to do the tasks. I will let you get back to work before I am in trouble for keeping you from it.”

Theo smiled. “I believe you could get away with anything as far as his laird is concerned.”

Ella laughed. Then she and Lantana walked back to the keep.

“I can see your home is here. No’ just that the castle is your home, but you have truly won the people over. That is something that oft canna be done easily.”

Ella appreciated Lantana for saying so.

“I see it in everyone’s expressions as they look at you. Some women, like Lynette, inspire fear, and people will revile her. I’ve seen her kind treat others with disrespect and lie to get their way. Staff members would avoid someone like her altogether.”

“Aye.” Ella knew Lynette would have been a horrible person to live with.

“But with you, everyone smiles and greets you, eager to have a word. I heard Lynette lied about you, saying you had injured her.”

“I wanted a friend, someone my age, a woman I thought I could trust. Since losing my kin and friends, I hadna had a friend like that again.” She didn’t want to think of what had become of her friends who had played with her and spoken mischievously about which lad they wanted to kiss or even wed someday.

At the time, though, she knew her da would decide her fate.

“Lynette was envious and hated that you intrigued Dashiell. You have my friendship. I will admit I might be a wee bit envious of your relationship with the laird, but?—”

“You wouldna treat me ill. If you wish it, I will see if Dashiell will speak with you.” Ella was thrilled that Lantana wanted to be her friend and would do anything she could to encourage their friendship.

Lantana sighed. “I would like to hear Dashiell tell me that he wishes me gone, but I know he is gravely wounded. Men in such a position of power dinna like to show weakness to outsiders. Even among their own people. If it is all right with you, I will stay for a few more days, only because the journey home will take so long.”

“Aye, he would wish it, and I can visit with you longer.” Ella knew Dashiell wanted Lantana to leave, not wanting her to believe he had any interest in marrying her.

But she understood Lantana’s reasons for wishing to stay a bit longer. Maybe by then, Dashiell would feel more himself and speak with Lantana.

Lantana hugged Ella, surprising her, but she quickly hugged her back. “Thank you.”

“Aye. I’m glad. I havena traveled on horseback for many years, but I remember the last time I went such a long distance, I didna want to return right away. Would you like to join me in the solar where I was working on embroidering a gown?”

“Aye. I would like that.” Lantana cleared her throat. “Because of your issue with MacAfee, do you think he will continue to come after you?”