Page 4 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai (The MacKai Brides #5)

D ungarob Keep on the Scottish Northwest Coast

Lord Rhuad, Sir Dougal and twenty MacKai men at arms stood by their horses listening to Raeb MacKai give orders to his men about treating the MacKai seneschal, now Lady MacFearann, with the same respect they would show their laird. He finished his remarks and turned to MacFearann.

“Where is your sister, MacKai? I’m certain she is as eager to begin this journey as I.”

“I cannot say. If Seona delays, she has good reason.”

Was she delaying out of vanity? His mother and sister were both prone to force people to wait long stretches of time just to perfect the way a curl lay or the drape of a bliaut.

“If my mother and sister suffer from her bad timing, you’ll hear about it.”

“You would certainly be within your rights should that happen, but since your parent and sister have been imprisoned for more than two years, another small wait will matter very little. You’ve had no word from the abbey or any English of a ransom demand?”

“Only the one unsigned missive suggesting I might want to follow my brother’s treasonous example.”

“The English are probably waiting to have a response from you.”

“Silence is all the reply I will give. Once I’ve rescued my mother and sister, I’ll lead every man I can muster into battle with the Scots Hammer and see him so broken that he’ll never be able to harm another Scot.”

“You would do battle with Edward himself?”

“If I get the chance. Yes.”

“What of your mother and sister? You would leave them unprotected again and risk having them taken hostage once more.”

“Nay. I have already made arrangements for their security. My sister will marry, and her husband will accept responsibility for her safety and that of our mother.”

“Are your negotiations complete?”

“Not quite, but I have agreement from the clan she will marry into that the marriage will take place. All that remains is to work out the details and sign the documents.”

“Ah, so you won’t name the clan until the documents are signed. Very wise. Much less risk of interference from other directions if no one knows who is involved.”

The sound of horses moving over stone drew their attention. Both men looked in the direction of the stables.

At that moment, Seona, mounted on a destrier, rounded the corner into the inner bailey. Behind her came two sturdy, heavily ladened pack horses followed by a stick thin woman riding a palfrey.

He resisted the urge to rush to the side of the beautiful woman who was his wife.

When they’d first met, she’d been all gawky arms and legs with an abundance of unkempt black hair surrounding a face that showed promise of some attractive features once she grew into them.

Her MacKai gray eyes had shown no interest in him, and her upturned nose had always been buried in some ledger or book.

Two years had made a world of difference.

Her hair was tamed. Her torso had intriguing curves.

She’d learned to look a man in the face rather than hide in a book.

That keen gray gaze intrigued him, yet she’d shown little sign of returning his interest. Did she still prefer ledgers to men?

As concerned as he was for his mother and sister, learning more about Lady Seona might help to pass the time until he could rescue his family.

However, at the moment, Lady Seona was anything but intriguing.

“She can’t mean to bring a servant and those animals with her. They will slow our pace too much.”

“Sister, how do you fare this morning?”

“Very well, brother. Laird MacFearann, why aren’t you and your men mounted? I thought you were in a hurry?”

Rhuad’s face burned. How dare she imply he somehow caused the delay that was entirely her fault.

“I was saying my farewells to your brother and thanking him for his help. Men, as the lady suggests, mount up. Sir Dougal will get you started on your way to Castle MacFearann. I must have a word with my handfasted wife before we depart. We will join up with you soon.”

The men mounted and left in quick order.

Seona looked down on Rhuad from her mount. “You wish to converse with me, Laird MacFearann? Can we not do so as we ride?”

“Not when the topic of conversation is those pack animals. They must be returned to the stables immediately, and your servant must be dismissed from this journey. I will not have our be forced to crawl across Scotland by carrying unnecessary items with us simply to satisfy feminine vanity.”

Raeb coughed and whispered to Rhuad. “You’ve just made a serious mistake, my friend.”

“Laird MacFearann.”

The voice she used had Rhuad standing straighter and paying attention. ’Twas the same sort of tone his nursemaids had used when he misbehaved as a small child. He suppressed a resentful frown.

“These animals carry supplies to ease our journey. There are food stuffs, medicaments, and gear for cooking as well as maintaining armor and weapons,” she continued.

“That servant, as you call her, is Mistress Auchmuty, who has been trained by our own, Mistress Findlay. I believe no finer pair of cooks can be found in all of Scotland. Further, I’ve no wish to go hungry as we travel, and unless you imagine that I have need of bandages or pots and pans to satisfy my vanity, I would caution you about leaping to conclusions. ”

“I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Lady Seona.” He spoke slowly, taking care to restrain his irritation.

“However, these animals will slow our progress. As for fine cookery, we’ve no need for such.

I planned to have the men hunt as we traveled to provide for our meals.

They are all capable of heating meat over an open fire. ”

“Now they won’t have to. They will arrive at Castle MacFearann well rested, well fed, and ready to perform the tasks needed to rescue your mother and sister.

You, sir, will be able to use the time while we ride to plan your strategy for the rescue.

Any reasonable person would see the greater benefit in traveling with supplies. ”

Rhuad considered himself reasonable. How was it this imp of a woman could ignite his fury with such an argument? “Hmpfh. I will not slow our travel for your cook and pack animals. They must keep to the pace I set.”

Seona issued a single nod. “Of course, Laird MacFearann.”

He frowned. “I am your husband, Lady Seona, you may use my first name.”

She stared back smiling in response.

There was no reasoning with her.

Rhuad turned his back on his wife, mounted his steed, waved farewell to Raeb, and cantered out of Dungarob Keep.

***

“I SUGGEST YOU FIND a way to make peace with Rhuad, sister. Your task will be that much easier if you do.”

“Fare you well, brother. I’ll consider your advice carefully.” She gave her horse the office to leave. Cook and pack animals followed in her wake. Laird Rhuad MacFearann would do well to find a way to see the logic of her methods. That would be the key to an easier task.

The sun was low on the horizon when Lady Seona, her animals and cook rode into the camp Rhuad and his men had made in a grassy field near a stream.

“Where are Laird MacFearann and Sir Dougal Aitken?” She asked one of the men standing guard on the near side of the clearing.

“They and the other men have gone to scout our route forward. ’Tis rumored that MacTavish raiders are in the area.”

“Laird MacTavish is my brother-in-law, and we are still on land belonging to Earl Marr who is also my brother-in-law. These lairds signed a peace accord along with my brother, Laird MacKai. None will be happy to learn that reivers are breaking the peace between these clans.”

The man shrugged. “Not all men are as loyal as they swear to be.”

“True,” she agreed, as she dismounted. “Would you please see to our horses then assist my cook with her preparations for our supper.”

“I should not leave my post, my lady.”

“I will stand your post for you. My brother taught me how.”

“I’m not sure...”

“You have been in MacKai service for some years. Do you recall how my sisters and I defeated the King of England’s army when my brother was away?”

He smiled. “Aye my lady. ’Twas a grand sight to see all those Sassenachs in chains. Your brother generously shared the ransom for the captives with each of the MacKai guards.”

“And do you think six women could defeat an army without knowing how to stand guard?”

“No, Lady Seona. You have reminded me that you are more than capable of taking my post. I will tend the horses then assist your cook as you ask.”

“Excellent. Mistress Auchmuty will tell you what she needs.”

The man took charge of the horses and handed over his spear to Seona.

Confident that he knew how to do his work, she marched off to a small hillock about ten yards distance from the tree line.

The hillock would give her better vantage over the perimeter of the camp.

The distance from the trees was sufficient to give her time to call out a warning if any attackers appeared.

***

T HE SHADOWS LENGTHENED , and dusk loomed as Rhuad, Dougal and their men made their way back to camp.

“I’m almost sorry we did not find the reivers,” Dougal said.

Like the other men, he kept his mount to a walk. The day had been long, and the horses were tired.

“I’m not. We may still encounter them as we travel. We’ll be more than a week on our journey and will have God’s own luck if we make it all the way to Castle MacFearann without a fight. The longer we can avoid such an encounter the better, especially with two women to escort.”

“Don’t let Lady Seona hear you imply that she cannot defend herself or her cook. All of the MacKai sisters are well trained in most weaponry. Laird MacKai made sure of that,” Dougal cautioned.

“Why would he do such a thing? Everyone knows women are not strong enough to do battle, nor have they the stomach to kill an opponent when necessary.”