Chapter Seven #2
Lachlan reversed the challenge. ‘Yer turn.’
Cuthbert shook his head and threw his hands up in defeat. ‘I don’t have the advantage of living near a loch on which to practise.’ He pointed to one of the satchels with food. ‘I propose we eat.’
*
Helene enjoyed a palatable picnic of bannocks, cheese, meats, and wine under a perfect summer sky. Had she not partially witnessed the altercation between Lachlan and Cuthbert, she’d never have known they’d crossed swords. Curiously, both men behaved as if nothing had happened.
Lachlan and Grizel had their audience in fits of laughter as they recounted childhood memories and shenanigans of growing up in the Highlands.
Cuthbert and Agnes told of happy holiday visits to Drumocher and confessed to the joys of running amok with their cousins along castle corridors, exploring the deep cavernous craggy landscape, and of learning to swim in the loch.
‘The Highlands are not without hardship, mind,’ said Lachlan to Helene. ‘Clan warfare is vicious—new grudges are formed, and blood feuds carry from one generation to the next. Then there’s the winters, bitterly cold and unforgiving.’
Helene agreed that no matter where one lived, life and freedom did not come without a price. However, talk of clan warfare troubled her. She cast her gaze around them, wary of their vulnerability outside the castle walls. ‘Are we in danger of being attacked?’
‘I’ve nae quarrel at present with neighbouring clans, but MacLanoch scouts are ever present safeguarding our clan lands. ’Tis poachers, cattle thieves, and miscreants on the run that are top of my mind.’
‘And redcoat deserters,’ said Grizel, yanking a tuft of grass from its rich soil. ‘They take what they want, when they want. If ye get my meaning.’
Lachlan bolted upright from his reclined position on the rug. ‘Grizel?’
‘Dinnae be alarmed, brother. My virtue is intact. Ye might think me naive to such things, but there’s much to be learned from whispers in castle corridors.’
‘Ye would tell me if ye see or hear something I ought to ken?’
‘Aye.’
The girl was wise to her world. One surreptitious glance at Lachlan and Helene saw how his sister’s words had rattled him. Despite the beauty of the Highlands, danger in all its forms lurked here, just as it did in the so-called civilised realms of London society.
‘Speaking of cattle,’ said Cuthbert. ‘Does all go well at the shielings, Lachlan?’
‘Aye. I’ve men patrolling the pasture perimeters.’
‘Shielings?’ Helene queried.
Lachlan lifted his arm and pointed to higher ground.
‘In the summer, before harvesting, cattle are taken to where they graze on fresh pastures. They grow fat, thereby increasing their sale value. Drumocher draws an income from the sale of its cattle, and drovers walk them to markets in Lowland Scotland and beyond.’
Grizel was eager to elaborate. ‘’Tis mainly the womenfolk and girls outwith the castle walls and in the wider countryside who visit and live at the shielings. Some boys go to tend the herds, but for everyone ’tis a time of much fun and excitement.’
‘Might we have the opportunity to visit these shielings?’ said Helene.
Agnes looked aghast at the suggestion. ‘I doubt very much you’d find comfort sleeping inside small huts with dry peat fires and heather for bedding!’
Helene looked to the mountains. A sense of strange longing overcame her. ‘On the contrary, I’d welcome the experience.’
Agnes sputtered, ‘Are you mad?’
‘No. I simply yearn for something more than being forced to sit still and learn needlepoint, languages, and the pianoforte! The scope of my life is limited to mastering every nuance and trait of a marriageable young lady. Such a boring life pales in comparison to the entertaining stories spoken by each of you just now.’
Honesty forced Helene to admit she wished, if only for a moment, to shake off the oppressive guilt of having forever destroyed her sister’s future and quality of life.
She took a deep breath and aired her frustration.
‘I don’t know what it is to run as fast as my legs can carry me, or to explore caves or learn to swim in a loch like you have!
I’ve led a life mostly closeted indoors, and now that I’m here, in the clean-aired Highlands, I want to know what grass feels like underfoot, or to stand with bare feet in the shallows of a running stream.
I want to immerse myself amongst the life and the benignity of nature’s beauty.
I’ll never be granted this opportunity again. ’
The gusto of her passionate outburst left her audience momentarily speechless.
Grizel’s face lit up with a smile. ‘Have ye ever slept on the ground with a blanket of stars above ye?’
‘Good gracious! Never.’
‘Would ye like to?’
Helene pressed her palms together, prayer-like. ‘Most definitely!’
Grizel swung pleading eyes on her brother. ‘I see nae reason why we cannae honour our guest’s request. It’s a pretty walk, and I for one would like to visit the shielings again. Will ye take us, Lachlan?’
‘’Tis not up to me. Ye best seek approval from Mother and Auntie Elspeth. There’s also Helene’s reputation to consider, and—’
‘Come now,’ interrupted Helene. ‘We’re far from the prying eyes of London’s gossips. You’d be my escort in the capacity of chaperone and protector, just as you’d do so for your sister.’
Grizel grinned at her brother. ‘Ye cannae argue with that. So if Mother and Auntie Elspeth approve, will ye take us?’
The laird turned his gaze to the sky as if making a study of the weather. ‘It would take us the best part of a day to trek to the shieling grounds, and that’s if we trek at a sprightly pace.’ He glanced at Helene. ‘Are ye fit enough to walk far and over uneven ground?’
Pride had Helene sit tall and straight. ‘Do I look unfit?’
Lachlan swept his gaze over her. ‘Nae, but it takes stamina to walk through dense woodland and take on the mountain’s incline.’
Agnes gave an unladylike snort. ‘It’s not the same as taking a leisurely stroll in London’s Royal Parks, Helene. It’s a strenuous climb in the wilderness. I don’t encourage it, and I most certainly will not join you if you go.’
‘I’ll be perfectly fine,’ insisted Helene. ‘In fact, I’d welcome the challenge.’ She caught Lachlan appraising her footwear. ‘My boots are sturdy enough.’
He raised a brow in question. ‘If not, then have Grizel loan ye a pair. Ye look to be of similar size.’
Grizel slapped a hand on her brother’s sleeve. ‘Does that mean ye’ll take us?’
‘I dinnae see why not.’
Excitement surged through Helene. ‘When? Tomorrow?’
‘Nae. I’ve matters to address.’ Lachlan looked to the sky above. ‘Weather pending, we’ll go the day after tomorrow.’
Cuthbert stretched long legs out in front of him. ‘A sojourn at the shielings where the women are in charge is not quite my cup of tea. Nor do I desire trekking up a mountain and sleeping roughshod in a hut or under the stars.’
Grizel pulled and then threw a tuft of grass at him. ‘Yer London life has sent ye soft, cousin. Won’t ye change yer mind?’
‘I think not. I’ll stay put at Drumocher and keep an eye on things while you’re away. I’m happy for Lady Helene to experience her heart’s desire.’
Helene understood the underlying message in Cuthbert’s comment and inflection. She was to use this opportunity to cosy up to Lachlan and seal her end of the deal.
Cuthbert tossed the grass tuft aside and stood. ‘For now, my dear Grizel, I need you to give me some expert tips on skimming stones. I’ll not have you or your brother best me on that front, and I’ll be sure to practise while you’re both away.’
It was all the encouragement Grizel needed. ‘Ye’ll ne’er best me, cousin!’ She jumped to her feet and ran to the loch’s edge.
‘Agnes, come join us,’ said Cuthbert.
‘No, thank you. I’ll pack away the remains of the picnic, and then I intend gathering wildflowers to take home to Mother and Auntie Caitrin.’
‘As you wish.’
Helene felt the pull of Lachlan’s gaze on her. He rose from the picnic blanket and offered her his hand. ‘Might ye take a wee stroll with me? I wish to show ye something.’
She glanced up to see him towering over her, strong and commanding in stature. She placed her hand in his, and he pulled her to her feet with no more effort than if he were to gently pluck a flower from the woodland floor. He let go of her hand and indicated the way forward.
They walked a well-trod path along the loch’s perimeter, surrounded by nature’s conversations. Birds twittered, leaves rustled, branches sighed in the gentle breeze, and hidden insects chirped in chorus.
In this moment, all was peaceful and right with the world, and yet Helene’s state of mind stood at odds with the surrounding tranquillity. She suddenly stopped, hands wringing, and gazed at the ground.
‘What’s wrong, lass? Something ails ye?’
‘No.’ She looked up at him. Guilt had her look away. ‘No, I . . .’
‘Something troubles ye, then.’
She could have laughed out loud. It wasn’t just one thing, but many things troubling her. Strategic reasoning gave her courage to look him in the eyes and say what weighed heavy on her mind. ‘You and Cuthbert quarrelled.’
He raised a brow at her direct statement. ‘Aye. ’Tis not the first time.’
‘Is it the first time you’ve held a blade to his throat?’
Anger flashed in his eyes, overtaken by regret sitting heavy on the planes of his face.
It brought Helene undone. Lachlan and Cuthbert were cousins.
Nothing could ever change that, but no matter what she thought of them, it pained her to have seen their close bond and friendship fracture because of her.
The damage done was not part of her plan.
His shoulders lifted and fell. ‘Aye,’ he said on a sigh. ‘I’m sorry ye had to witness that, but ye needn’t worry. We’ve sorted our differences.’
His attempt at a smile to allay her concerns made it all the worse for Helene. ‘If I’m right, you quarrelled because of me, and for that I’m sorry.’
‘Why would ye think we quarrelled over ye?’