Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Eilean Donan Castle
Ewan rose to his feet.
“Come, let us find our ladies and seek some refreshment.”
Edmund nodded as he stood. “I am most grateful fer yer hospitality. I speak fer us both when I say we have much enjoyed this short sojourn with ye.”
They strolled the passageway, heading for the solar where Annora and Tyra were keeping company and Tyra was listening to all the latest gossip from Scorrybreac.
“I will be sure tae send a contingent of soldiers from me garrison as soon as I return.”
Ewan nodded. “I thank ye. We are sorely in need of reinforcements here.”
“It is more than a gesture of goodwill between our clans. I wish tae ensure me sister’s safety as much as yerself and I ken the additional patrols ye’ve ordered will stretch yer household.”
Ewan’s jaw tightened. Once word reached Harris MacDonald of the marriage between himself and Tyra, he imagined the lad’s fury would ignite. All restraint – although there had been little of that – would be gone.
They greeted Annora and Tyra in the solar.
“This is such a beautiful castle, Laird Ewan,” Annora said. “It has been most pleasant fer us during our stay here.”
From the corner of his eye, he saw that Tyra was beaming proudly and his heart lifted. He was glad she was there with him and her safety meant everything to him.
Several maids trooped in bearing platters of cold roast chicken, cheese, boiled eggs and oat bread accompanied by an ewer of ale. It was a fine repast and, again, there was satisfaction for Ewan in being able to offer his hospitality to Tyra’s kin.
“I would like ye tae see the island, if ye’ve an inclination before ye leave on the morrow. Mayhap we could take horses from the stables fer a brief excursion.”
They all smiled at this prospect.
“The weather remains cold, but it is a clear day and ye will be able tae appreciate just how bonnie it is here.”
He had no intention of venturing beyond Eilean Donan, for the surrounding woodlands posed a serious threat of ambush – as he had unfortunately discovered.
As they finished their meal, Tyra and Annora headed back to their respective chambers for warmer clothing and their cloaks, while Ewan and Edmund strolled to the stables.
“If we’re nae venturing far afield, I’d enjoy sharing a steed with the Lady Annora.” Edmund said, smiling.
Ewan nodded approvingly. He, too, would enjoy the proximity that sharing his horse with Tyra would afford.
Once they had mounted, the portcullis was raised and they trotted out along the path leading to the woods, at the opposite end of the island to where the causeway crossed to the mainland.
“There’s little chance we will be disturbed in this peaceful place,” Ewan whispered to Tyra. “We’re safe here from any incursions MacDonald might attempt.”
She nuzzled into his chest, murmuring contentedly. “It is glorious here. I am happy tae be riding wi’ ye and me braither and sister.”
He smiled to himself as her scented hair tickled his chin and her warm body melded against his. He tightened his arm around her as the horses strolled lazily beside the dark blue waters of the loch.
All the same, he kept a close watch as they rode.
From there he could see the path leading from the village down to the shore where the ambush had taken place.
Today, there was no sign to suggest there were any intruders at large.
Birds wheeled unconcerned in the clear blue sky, and only a soft breeze rattled through the still leafless trees.
“May we stop soon and dismount,” Tyra asked. “I would love tae stretch me legs and stroll along this rocky shoreline in the sunshine.”
“Of course.” Ewan was happy to agree to whatever she asked, enjoying the sparkle in her eyes and the color returning to her cheeks after so long. They’d never been together so peacefully – distanced from worries and the fear of attack.
For the first time, Ewan was able to simply enjoy being with Tyra without all their troubles weighing them down.
They dismounted, tethered the horses and strolled beside the calm waters of Loch Duich, relishing the warmth of the sun on their faces and filling their lungs with the cool, clear air. This was a welcome respite for all four, after the non-stop events of recent days.
Finding a sheltered spot, Annora and Edmund sank onto the grass in a puddle of sunshine, while Tyra and Ewan continued on, hand-in-hand, scarcely noticing that the others had stayed behind.
Ewan bent and picked up a smooth rock and skipped it across the water. Tyra looked on admiringly as it bounced several times before sinking.
“How did ye dae that? I’ve ne’er seen such a thing.”
He chuckled. “Of course. Ye were nae raised beside three lochs as I was.”
“Well, now I am tae make me home here, ye’d best show me how ‘tis done.”
They scoured around for a handful of rocks Ewan declared to be suitable and after he’d demonstrated with a graceful throw of his arm and a bouncing stone, Tyra endeavored to do the same.
He stood at her shoulder, taking her in his arms, reveling in her soft warmth and the press of her back against his chest, steadying her elbow, directing her gaze over the loch.
“Now, wi’ yer wrist, move so.” He moved her hand a little so that she could give it a twist as she threw. He drew back her arm, keeping an arm at her waist.
“Now. Throw.”
She flicked the stone across the water. It bounced once before it sank, causing her to laugh with delight.
“If ye practice every day, ye’ll be able tae make it bounce ten times before it sinks.”
Head down she was scanning for rocks when her feet slipped on the pebbles and she went sliding toward the water.
Ewan flung out an arm to grab her and just managed to save her from plunging head first into the water.
“D’ye wish fer a swim, Lady Tyra?” he said, laughing.
She squealed. “Nay, I would surely freeze tae death in minutes.”
“Ah, come now, surely ye’d enjoy a dip.” He seized her in his arms, lifting her so that she was suspended over the water.
“Put me down, ye big beast.” She squealed again, kicking her legs, while he insisted on teasing her some more, raising her in his arms as if to drop her into the icy water.
“Dinnae ye dare, Ewan Mackenzie, fer I’ll ne’er speak wi’ ye again if ye commit such a barbarous act.”
Laughing, he carried her up the bank to a grassy spot and lowered her. “Ye’re nay fun.”
She harrumphed. “Well, unless ye’re wishing fer yer wife tae die of cold-shock, I wouldnae call it fun?”
At that moment a wave from Annora caught their eye. Ewan hurried down to see if there was a problem, while Tyra leaned back against a large boulder, sheltering in the sunshine, closing her eyes.
Ewan was by her side again in a matter of moments, grinning broadly.
“Is all well?”
“Aye. Annora and Edmund are returning to the keep. Annora claims she’s tired and wishes tae rest in the castle, but I caught her wink and think she is simply wishing tae leave us alone together fer a change.”
Tyra took his hand and pulled him down to sit beside her.
Suddenly serious at the touch of her small hand in his, he raised it to his lips and pressed them to her softness. He looked up, catching her gaze, his heart thundering in his chest, enfolding her in his arms
“Nay, me sweet lady, I dinnae wish me wee wife tae die of cold-shock. I wish her tae be warm and soft in me arms as she is now.”
She took his large, calloused hand and bent to press it to her lips. “It is where I wish tae be, husband. Held, like this, in yer embrace.”
Her eyes were sparkling, her shapely lips smiling at him, and he felt something inside him give way, a dam of feelings bursting and rushing through every fiber of his being. She was more than precious to him. She was everything.
His gaze swept the loch and he turned to her.
“’Tis because I care so much fer ye, little one, that I wish tae protect ye by keeping me distance from ye.
” He swallowed, a lump forming in his throat.
It was so much more difficult than he’d ever dreamed, yet it was time he told her everything about his previous marriage and its tragic ending.
She looked at him, her brows drawn tight, a question on her lips.
Holding tight to her hand, trying to keep the deep sorrow from his eyes, he began his story.
“I was married tae Marjorie MacRae. She and I played together as children and it was always assumed we’d wed. Ranald MacRae was me faither’s dearest friend, the chief of Clan MacRae, our closest ally.”
Tyra nodded without speaking, as he continued.
“I always had great affection fer Marjorie, not as a lover, but as the dear friend as she had always been tae me.”
He toyed with Tyra’s hand, tracing circles in her palm with his finger.
“We were both well aware of our obligation tae our clans. The alliance was more important than either of us, and there was great pressure on us both tae produce a wean who would one day continue the leadership of the clan.”
“And was there a wean?” Tyra whispered so softly he could scarcely make out her words.
He shook his head. Even now, after years had passed, the memories were still raw and painful.
“There was great happiness when Marjorie became with-child. Both our clans were overjoyed and it was a happy time. We truly cared fer one another and wanted naething more than tae bring a bairn intae this world, fer us and fer our clans.” He twisted a strand of dried grass between his fingers, feeling the press of tears behind his eyes.
“When the wean was lost after a few months had passed, it was as if a dark cloud had passed over us all. But…” he paused, taking a deep breath and breathing out slowly, “dark clouds pass, and the day came when Marjorie was again with-child.”
“This time the rejoicing was muted. We were all afraid tae be loud in our celebration. So, we kept tae ourselves. All was well and then her pains began and the wean was ready tae be born.”