Chapter Five
CHAPTER FIVE
E ventide wasn’t entirely sure she had ever seen so many men in one place.
Hundreds of Highlanders had arrived over the course of the past two days, ever since her sister had fled with Luke, and it was clear that her father and Lares were building an army to do what needed to be done against Clan Cannich.
It was like an army from hell.
Men in long tunics, dirty, with swords and spears and clubs, had been filing into Blackrock’s ward to set up encampments so that on this cold and bright evening, the air smelled heavily of smoke and piss. All of those men relieving themselves in the bailey caused the ground to turn to mud, and the stench was enough to make her eyes water. She finally had to secure the oilcloths over her windows to keep out the smell. And no amount of begging her father to keep the men away from the living quarters had made a difference.
The men were there to stay.
Because these were unfamiliar men and some tended to be rough, Eventide remained in the keep, which was bolted from the inside, for her own safety. All of the female servants were in the keep as well. The only time they were allowed to go outside was to help with the evening meal, and they were moderately safe because the kitchen was tucked behind the keep, away from the bailey. But once their chores were finished, back into the keep they went for safety.
It was like living in a prison.
But something else was happening on this evening that was of note. Aurelius arrived just before sunset, riding escort with fifty or more Highlanders and a carriage built of iron and wood. News reached the keep that Darien’s mother had arrived. As Eventide went to greet the guests, her mother saw her and ordered her back to her chamber. Eventide was forced to retreat as Athole assumed her chatelaine duties. Even though Aurelius had told his mother about the runaway bride and even tried to turn her back for home, she wouldn’t budge. She was still coming, one way or the other. Therefore, Lady Torridon entered Blackrock’s keep with great displeasure. Unable to handle the woman’s foul mood, Athole was forced to send for her rebellious daughter.
Reinforcements were needed.
Eventide thought she would be assisting her mother, but that wasn’t the case. The moment she entered the small solar, her mother pleaded illness and fled, leaving Eventide to deal with the displeased guests. Facing three women who were looking at her in various stages of curiosity and annoyance, Eventide smiled weakly.
“Welcome tae Blackrock Castle,” she said. “Forgive my mother for her swift departure, but she’s a weak soul and this situation has upset her terribly.”
A woman with carefully coiffed, faded red hair tucked into an elaborate wimple fixed her with a gripping stare. “And you are, my lady?”
She had an English accent. Eventide faced her politely. “I am Eventide Moriston,” she said. “I am the youngest daughter of Fergus and Athole. Emelia is my older sister.”
“The one who ran away with yer betrothed,” the youngest woman spoke up. She was young, perhaps thirteen or fourteen years of age, but she was quite a beauty already, with her mother’s red hair and dark, flashing eyes. “My name is Zora. Darien is my older brother. And that’s Lilliana, my sister.”
She was pointing to an exquisite young woman who was perhaps ten or more years older than Zora. Lilliana dun Tarh had dark, silky hair and a delicate face, and when she stood up, Eventide could see that she was shorter and more petite than Zora was. She came straight to Eventide and reached out, taking her hand.
“Forgive Zora,” she said in a sweet, sultry voice. “She is young and foolish. When we were told what happened, she imagined it to be some romantic adventure, but I understand that it is not. There is nothing romantic about losing a betrothed.”
She spoke like her mother, with a cultured English accent. Regardless, Eventide wasn’t sure what to say. “It was certainly unexpected,” she said hesitantly. “I’m sorry ye had tae come all this way for nothing, but we’ll do our best tae ensure yer comfort while ye’re here.”
“That would be appreciated,” Lilliana said.
Not to be left out, Zora grasped Eventide’s free hand. “Tell me about yer betrothed,” she said. “Did he leave a note for ye? Or did he steal yer sister away without a word?”
“Zora,” the older woman snapped softly. “Stop asking such inappropriate questions. Come over here and sit down and be quiet.”
Zora sighed at her mother’s command and let go of Eventide’s hand, making her way back to the woman and dragging her feet the entire way. When she plopped down in a chair, head hanging, the older woman continued.
“I am Mabel dun Tarh, Lady Torridon,” she said quietly. “Will you sit, my lady? I should like to hear what happened from you. I only have Aurelius’ version of events, so please tell me why my son will not be marrying your sister. Your mother could not seem to explain it adequately.”
Mabel dun Tarh . Eventide knew of the woman. She’d heard her parents speak of her, as Darien’s mother. Something about ruling with an iron fist. She was certainly in control of her daughters and spoke in a way that made Eventide want to obey her as well. Promptly, she found a seat and faced the Countess of Torridon.
“This morning, we discovered my sister tae be missing, m’lady,” she said. “Some of my father’s men saw my betrothed, Luke Cannich, in Inverness and thought they saw my sister with him. With the two of them missing, we’ve come tae the conclusion that they ran off together.”
Mabel was listening seriously. “And why would they do this?”
Eventide sighed. “Because both Luke and my sister are known tae have a wandering eye,” she said. “Luke has the reputation of having many conquests, and so does my sister. If ye knew them, m’lady, then you would come tae the same conclusion we have. Somehow, my sister seduced Luke and convinced him tae take her away from here. She never liked Blackrock, anyway. Now she’s found someone to give her the life she wants.”
Mabel sat there for a few seconds, digesting what she’d been told. The wheels of thought were turning in her mind. When the wait began to grow awkward, she finally turned to Lilliana.
“Take Zora and go outside the door,” she said, pointing to the panel. “Close the door and stand there. Do not leave. Do not try to listen in. Do you understand me?”
Lilliana nodded and went to grab the hand of Zora, who didn’t want to leave the chamber. She had the curiosity of a cat and didn’t like the fact that a conversation was going to go on without her. But Lilliana managed to get her out of the chamber and shut the door. Once the panel was closed, Mabel spoke.
“I want to understand something clearly,” she said quietly. “You said your sister has had many conquests?”
“Aye, m’lady,” Eventide replied.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean that she’s no stranger tae a man’s bed, m’lady.”
Mabel’s eyes narrowed. “That’s what I thought you meant,” she said. “And your father was aware of this?”
Eventide nodded. “Aye, m’lady,” she said. “He is well aware, as is my mother.”
“I see,” Mabel said calmly, but if the fire in her eyes was any indication, the calm demeanor was only on the outside. Something big was stirring inside of her. “And you are telling me this not out of spite, are you? Because your sister fled with your betrothed?”
Eventide shook her head. “I am telling you because it is the truth, m’lady,” she said. “I never wanted tae marry Luke Cannich, so I suppose my sister did me a favor. But I dunna like what she’s done to Darien. He dinna deserve such disrespect and humiliation.”
It was clear that Mabel was lost in her own thoughts and opinions, but she managed to nod her head. “Nay, he did not,” she said. “Do you know where he is?”
“I can fetch him for ye, m’lady.”
“Please do,” she said. “My husband, too.”
Eventide stood up, opening the door to Lilliana and Zora, who were standing right outside as their mother had instructed. As the two younger women entered the chamber, Eventide spoke directly to Mabel.
“Please dunna stray from this chamber for now, m’lady,” she said. “There are a thousand men in the ward, and the women are instructed tae remain in the keep tae stay out of their way. I’ll send servants in with food and drink.”
Mabel nodded. “Thank you, my lady.”
Eventide shut the door, scurrying to the entry door, which had been bolted after Lady Torridon and her daughters entered. After throwing the two big iron bolts, she pulled the panel open as it creaked back on its hinges. The door was so old that even the wood creaked. In front of her lay the ward, full of men camping out, and the stench of human habitation caused her to pinch her nose. She kept an eye out for Darien or even Aurelius, but there was no sign of them.
Just a sea of men.
Against her better judgment, she left the keep and went in search of them.
The sun’s warm rays illuminated her way as she made her way toward the stables. She wasn’t sure where to look, so she thought she’d try the stables, since there were dozens of horses there, including Darien’s, so it was a place to start.
Off to her left was the kitchen yard, and she could see the cook and a couple of the female servants working swiftly. A few of her father’s men were in there with them, presumably as protection. Since Blackrock hadn’t seen action in years, they hadn’t had the burden of an unfamiliar army, even if they were allies, so the entire experience was a new one for them. Were they being overly cautious about protecting the women? Possibly.
Possibly not.
Because of all the animals in and around the stables now, the ground was muddy with water and urine. Eventide was wearing sturdy boots, the only pair of shoes she had other than some soft leather slippers her mother had given her, and she didn’t particularly want to soil them. Someone had spread grass and old rushes on the path leading into the stable to combat the mud, so she scurried over to the entryway, noting there were men inside the stable. It was relatively dark inside, so she had to enter in order to see who it was.
Immediately, she could see that it wasn’t anyone she knew. They hadn’t seen her, so she quickly turned around and headed for the door. But somewhere behind her, someone was shouting.
“Lass! Where are ye going?”
Eventide kept walking. “I am looking for my father.”
“Who’s yer father?”
“Fergus Moriston.”
She was nearly to the stable door when someone grabbed her by the hand and yanked her back into the depths.
“Ye must be old Fergus’ daughter,” the man said seductively, shoving her back against the stable wall. “I’ve heard about ye, lass. Have ye come looking for another conquest? I’ll make it simple for ye.”
He smelled of filth and mildew because the woolen tunic he wore was damp. Eventide didn’t even get a look at his face. She didn’t want to. But he was tall, because her face was nearly pressed into his chest as she tried to pull away.
“Let me go,” she demanded. “Do it now and I’ll not tell my father ye grabbed me.”
The man loosened his grip but didn’t let her go completely. He simply stood back a little and looked her over. “Ye’re a beauty,” he said. “Turn around and let me see the back of ye.”
Eventide yanked her hand away from him, daring to gaze up into his features. He was young, and not unhandsome, but she wanted no part of him.
“I’m not a mare tae be inspected,” she said, trying to move around him. “Get out of my way.”
He blocked her path. “Ye have fire,” he said. “I like that. And I know lads who have tasted that fire, so why do ye refuse me? I’ve heard ye like a good time. I’ll give ye one.”
It began to occur to Eventide what he meant. Who he meant.
Emelia!
The woman’s loose morals were no secret locally, but now her reputation had evidently spread. Clearly, this young buck wanted a piece of her, and if she hadn’t been so frightened, Eventide would have been furious.
“I’m the other sister,” she said frankly. “Look around ye, lad. Do ye see all of these men here? They’re going tae battle because the sister ye’re looking for, the one ye’ve heard of, has caused the trouble. Now, get out of my way. I’ll not tell ye again.”
Realization flickered over his features. “Who is yer sister?”
“Who did ye think I was?”
“Fergus Moriston’s daughter.”
“He has two daughters,” Eventide said. “I’m the younger daughter. Emelia is the eldest.”
“Emelia,” he said as if he recognized the name. “I think I heard that her name was Amy.”
Eventide shook her head. “Emelia,” she repeated. “And she’s the one who has caused all of this mess, so go about yer business and leave me alone.”
He was back to smiling seductively at her. “One sister is as good as the next,” he said, reaching out and trying to grasp her again. “Dunna be afraid of me, lass. I’ll not hurt ye.”
Eventide was trying to stay out of his range. “Ye’ll not touch me,” she spat. “Get out of my way, I said. If ye dunna, I’ll scream and everyone will come running.”
Clearly, he didn’t believe her. He suddenly moved toward her, and Eventide pealed off a piercing scream before he grabbed her and tried to kiss her. Panicking, she managed to get one hand free before he threw her into a bear hug. She shoved a finger into his eye. That had the desired effect, because he howled and released her, but only briefly. As she tried to run, he grabbed her by her hair and she screamed again, throwing her fists as he tried to trap her arms.
Somehow in the process, he managed to pierce her lip with his tooth, or perhaps her tooth. Eventide wasn’t certain, but she could taste blood. She could also taste more fear than she had ever known. He was closing in on her, trying to cover her mouth with his, and because he had a good grip on her head, she couldn’t avoid him. But she could bite, and she did, clamping his lip as hard as she could until he roared with pain and released her. But the moment she tried to run, he cuffed her on the side of the head.
Down she went.
Dazed from the blow, Eventide was helpless when he fell on top of her and began fumbling with her bodice.
“Ye’ll be sorry ye did that,” he growled. “This could have been pleasant for us both, but now ye’ll simply have tae let me have my way with ye.”
Eventide screamed again, but he slapped a hand over her mouth. She could feel him grabbing at her dress, trying to tear it off her. But that all ended when he suddenly lurched, his full weight collapsing on her, and his hand fell away from her mouth. Eventide drew in a ragged, panicked breath, trying to move out from underneath him, but someone dragged him off her. As she scrambled to get away, she could hear a voice in the dimness.
“Easy, Evie.” It was Darien. “Easy, lass. Did he hurt ye?”
She was on her knees, nearly digging through a wall to escape, but Darien’s soft, concerned voice had her quickly pausing. She turned to look at him, seeing that he was close but hadn’t touched her. She was panicked enough without him grabbing for her, and he knew it. In a heap several feet away lay the man who had attacked her.
He had blood coming out of his ears and nose.
Eventide burst into terrified tears.
“Nay,” she sobbed. “He… he dinna hurt me. But he tried.”
Darien knelt down in front of her, reaching out to gently cup her face. “Ye’ve got blood on yer mouth,” he said. “Did he strike ye?”
She was weeping uncontrollably. “Aye,” she said. “He thought I was Emelia. He said he’d heard about me and wanted… He said if I wanted another conquest, he’d make it easy for me.”
Darien grunted in disgust. He glanced at the man he’d brained with the butt of his sword, but Eventide’s sobbing had his attention. She was absolutely terrified. As a man with great empathy that he usually kept buried, he found that he couldn’t hide it when it came to Eventide. He could feel her fear. Not knowing what else to do, he carefully pulled her into his embrace and held her as she wept.
“He’ll not trouble ye again, I promise,” he said, his big hand in her hair, holding her head against his chest as his arms held her tightly. “Are ye sure he dinna hurt ye?”
Eventide was pressed up against him, quivering. “Nay,” she said. “But had ye not come when ye did, he would have.”
“I came because I heard ye scream,” he said. “I was over by the smithy’s stall. I thought it might have been a horse in distress at first, but I heard ye a second time, so I came tae see what it was. What are ye doing out here?”
Eventide was clutching him, gripping his tunic, and she wasn’t even aware of it. She was simply clinging to safety, and that safety happened to be Darien at the moment.
“Yer mother is in the keep and wants tae speak with yer father,” she said, finally lifting her head to look at him. “She asked if I would send for him.”
“But why not send a servant?”
“Because I couldna find one. They’re all busy.”
That was true. Blackrock was a hive of activity at the moment. Realizing she had ventured out because his mother wanted to speak with his father didn’t sit well with him.
“My mother could have waited,” he said, frowning. “She dinna have tae send ye out into a sea of men tae look for my da.”
“She dinna send me out intae a sea of men,” Eventide said, finally loosening her grip on him so she could wipe her nose. “She simply asked me tae send for yer da.”
“Did ye at least tell her ye were forbidden tae wander the ward?”
“Of course not,” she said. “She seems unhappy as it is. I dinna want tae irritate her further.”
He lifted a dark eyebrow. “Irritated, is she?” He shook his head. “We’ll see about that.”
Taking her by the hand and leaving the Highlander he’d clobbered still lying in a heap, Darien led her out of the stable and toward the keep. There were men everywhere, some paying attention to him and some not, and he kept a protective grip on Eventide because most attention was on her. She was hard to miss with that mass of glorious red hair. He took her all the way up the old stone steps that led into the keep, and when he asked where his mother might be, she pointed at the closed solar door.
With more force than necessary, he threw open the door.
Lilliana and Zora gasped as the door smacked back against the wall. Mabel sat up straight, her eyes wide at Darien, who was still holding on to Eventide. He pulled her forward, however, so his mother could see the blood smear on the corner of her mouth.
“Mother,” he said through clenched teeth. “I want you to see what yer demands tae see Father have cost Eventide.”
Horrified, Mabel stood up and went to her. “What happened?” she asked.
Darien was genuinely trying to keep his temper in check. “Ye know that there are a thousand Highlanders outside,” he said. “That is why ye and Zora and Lilli are in here—tae keep ye safe from them.”
Mabel inspected Eventide’s cut lip. “I know,” she said, eyeing him. “What is your point?”
Darien was forced to let go of Eventide’s hand because Mabel was directing the woman into a chair. “My point is that due tae yer impatience, ye sent this lass out intae a field of men, one of whom attacked her,” he said. “Ye know that Da would return tae ye at some point, but ye couldna wait for that, so ye would jeopardize Evie’s life just tae have yer wants fulfilled?”
Mabel stiffened. “I did no such thing,” she said. “At least, not knowingly. I asked to have your father summoned. I did not tell her to go out into the ward looking for him.”
Darien’s eyes narrowed. “She’s yer hostess,” he said. “Of course she’s going tae do yer bidding tae ensure it is done.”
“But—”
He cut her off. “There were no more servants in the keep,” he said. “Rather than disappoint ye, as her guest, she took it upon herself tae carry our yer wish. And she was attacked for it. So I’ve come tae tell ye not tae do that again, not while we have a thousand unfamiliar men in the ward. I’ll send Da tae ye, but ye could have waited. Ye should have waited. There is nothing so important that it could not have waited.”
Surprisingly, Mabel didn’t snap back. Her gaze moved from her son to Eventide with a most regretful expression.
“It was not my intention to put you in danger, my lady,” she said quietly. “I am truly sorry if you were injured. I hope you will allow me to tend you.”
Eventide wasn’t so sure about a guest taking the role of helping her. “It would be ill-mannered for me tae allow it,” she said, smiling weakly. “Ye’re our guest, after all. I truly dinna think anything would happen if I remained away from the ward, but someone mistook me for my sister. It happened quickly.”
That brought Mabel’s attention back to Darien. “The sister,” she hissed. “That is why I wished to speak with your father. Were you aware of Lady Emelia’s reputation when your father betrothed the two of you?”
Darien was coming to understand why his mother had sent for his father. Clearly, someone had told her something beyond the polite overview of the situation, which was Emelia fleeing with her sister’s betrothed. In fact, Aurelius had been as ambiguous as he could be when he told his mother what had happened, knowing how upset she would be. But Mabel, true to form, had done some digging on the absent bride.
And she was livid.
“I was aware of her reputation,” Darien said after a moment. “But if ye want tae know if Da was, ye’ll have tae ask him.”
That didn’t ease Mabel in the least. “Rest assured that I will,” she said sternly. “But you… you knew, yet you did not refuse this marriage?”
Darien’s irritation at his mother was easing a little. “What could I say?” he said. “Tae refuse would be tae shame him. And I am not in the habit of shaming my da.”
Mabel shook her head in disgust. “He shall hear about it from me, then,” she said. “I cannot believe he would pledge you to a woman with a less-than-savory reputation.”
“Dunna be too angry with him,” Darien said, an odd stance considering how angry he had been at his father, too. “I’m a second son. I willna inherit. He was trying tae secure me a future and a fortune.”
Mabel knew that. “But a woman like that ?”
Darien sighed sharply. “Mam, he has seven sons tae provide for,” he said. “Not every marriage is going tae be perfect. Not everyone can have what you and Da have, so just… leave him alone. He was only doing what he felt best.”
She regarded him carefully. “You are defending him.”
He averted his gaze. “I’ve already told him that if they manage tae bring her back, I’ll not marry her,” he said. “We’ve had our words about it, but I willna change my mind.”
Mabel showed visible relief. “Good,” she said. “At least I will be able to sleep tonight knowing that. But now I hear you are going off to war to punish the family of the man your bride ran away with?”
Darien held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “That was decided by Da and Fergus Moriston, so dunna lecture me over it,” he said. “As I told Da, the man did me a favor by ensuring I would not marry Emelia, so I genuinely have no quarrel with him. But Da says that I am shamed, as is Fergus, so the men gathered in the ward are the army that will raze Moy Castle in the name of vengeance.”
Mabel wasn’t happy. “That’s what your brother said, more or less.”
“Speaking of brothers, I’ve seen the rest of the lads outside,” Darien said, changing the subject because he didn’t want to get into a verbal tussle with his mother more than he already had. “I should go to them, but I came tae tell ye not tae send any more women outside. Evie was lucky that I heard her when I did.”
As he’d hoped, Mabel’s attention shifted back to Eventide, still sitting in the chair and looking at both of them with big, concerned eyes.
Mabel forced a smile.
“And I’ll take good care of her,” she said, reaching out to put a gentle hand on Eventide’s head. “Darien, will you send a male servant to me, please? I need things, and since no women should venture outside the keep, I’ll need a man to do it.”
Darien’s gaze was fixed on Eventide even as he answered his mother. “Aye,” he said, but he went to Eventide and took her soft hand in his. “I am glad ye weren’t terribly hurt. My mother will take good care of ye now.”
Eventide simply nodded, watching him kiss her fingers and give her an encouraging smile before he quit the chamber. She remained in the chair, her thoughts lingering on Darien even as a male servant appeared and Lady Mabel took charge of the situation. The woman knew exactly what to do and how to do it, and Lilliana and Zora jumped at their mother’s bidding. When it should have been Eventide tending to her guests, circumstances saw the guests become the caregivers. She still wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about that, but she did know one thing—
Darien dun Tarh was heavy in her thoughts, no matter how much she tried to shake him.
Perhaps she wasn’t trying very hard.
Perhaps she didn’t want to.