Chapter 10
They had traveled less than a mile when the rain descended, finally, in a fury. The storm felt ominous to Sheena, as if it portended her destiny. As one mile turned into many, that thought haunted her.
The Highlander unwrapped his plaid as the storm began and gave it to her. She took it gladly, and used it to cover her head.
After that, she couldn’t see where they were going. The lad was in a hurry, appearing to race the storm. The miles melted away, and more than twenty were gained before the rain stopped and he slowed down.
Sheena threw off the wet plaid. It had rained so hard that she was soaked clear through despite its protection.
It was undoubtedly afternoon, but so gloomy she couldn’t be sure just what hour.
On either side of them were mountains, big gray masses with dark clouds surrounding them.
They were in a deep valley between two mountain ranges, riding along the river’s edge.
Sheena shivered as she began to understand that they were in the Highlands, going deeper into them.
She wanted to cry. Tears stung her eyes, but she held them back fiercely.
She wouldn’t show her young captor how helpless she felt.
They were moving along slowly, for the horse was winded from his long journey. Sheena turned around to face her abductor, then turned back to stare straight ahead.
“You’ve no right to keep me. My family will be very angry about this.”
“You’ve already admitted you’ve no one,” he said smoothly.
“I didna say that! You did!”
“Well, no matter,” he said cheerfully. “A beggar’s family can have no power. You’re mine to keep—and lucky you are I’m having you.”
“Lucky?”
“Aye,” he boasted. “’Tis fine clothes I’ll be giving you, and jewels to match your deep blue eyes. You’ll never have to beg again. Can’t you see how glad you should be?”
Sheena felt her frustration mounting. “Does it no’ occur to you that you have stolen me?”
“When we’re wed, you’ll be glad of it,” he laughed.
“Wed?” she gasped, turning again to look at him.
“Of course, wed,” he replied. “You dinna think I’ll shame you with less than marriage?”
“You dinna know me! You canna want to wed me!”
“But I do. You’re special, and no mistake. I know that well enough.”
“Well, I’ll no’ wed you, and that’s that!” Sheena said, furious and helpless to do anything about it.
“You’re stubborn now, but you’ll change your mind,” he said confidently.
Her fear had been overcome by anger, but fear returned as she saw a great stone castle appear ahead, dark clouds floating around its tall towers.
They had traveled fifteen to twenty miles since midday, but at a much slower pace.
The last mile or so before they reached the castle was straight up into the mountains.
It was now nearing night, and the Highland fortress ahead was a gloomy place indeed.
“Your home?” Sheena asked, her voice tremulous.
“Aye,” he declared proudly. “It looks cold, I know, but ’tis pleasant enough inside.”
“But such a big castle,” she said, awed. “Are you related to the laird here?”
“I’m his brother.”
Sheena didn’t know whether to take hope or not. Surely the laird could see that she was returned to Aberdeen. But perhaps the laird indulged his younger brother.
“I’ll have to hide you for a while,” the boy said, sounding uneasy for the first time as they approached the large gatehouse in the center of a long wall. The wall was flanked by round towers.
“I’ll need to get my brother’s approval ’afore he knows I have you,” he explained.
“Are you afeared of your brother?”
“Afeared?” He laughed, but she was not convinced. “But you need his permission to marry me, don’t you?”
“Aye.”
“And what makes you think he’ll let you wed a beggar?” Hope was growing.
“When he knows how much I want you, he’ll agree.”
But the lad now lacked his earlier self-assurance, and Sheena began to get some of her confidence back.
The gate was opened, and they rode into a large inner courtyard.
Ahead was a great hall with a tower at each end.
Connected to it on the left was a square building three stories high, with two outside stairs leading up to the second floor.
There were many arched windows. There were other round towers, as well, and a stable to the right, as well as smaller buildings near the walls.
“I bid you welcome,” the lad said congenially. Sheena said nothing.
A ginger-haired youth came for the horse. “You’re back so soon, Colen.”
“Aye. Is my brother about?”
“He’s in the hall,” the lad answered. “And where are the others?”
“I left them to their sport. I was in a hurry to be home, so I didna wait for them.”
“And what have you there, Colen?”
This was a new, deeper voice. Sheena tried to turn to see who it was, but her abductor shielded her. She felt his nervousness.
“’Tis none of your concern, Black Gawain,” the young man said testily.
“A secret, eh?” The man chuckled. “Does your brother know you’ve brought someone back with you?”
“Nay, and I’ll thank you no’ to tell him. I’ll tell him myself when I’m ready.”
He swept Sheena off the horse and carried her away from Black Gawain before she could see the man. She did not like this furtiveness of Colen’s.
“Colen, is it?” she said, wishing he would put her down. But she knew how difficult walking would be after the long ride.
“Aye.”
“Where are you taking me?” she asked.
“To my room. You’ll stay there.”
“I’ll no’ stay in the same room with you,” she said firmly.
“You’ve naught to fear. Dinna fash yourself. I’ll no’ touch you ’afore we’re wed.”
She wasn’t convinced. “I’ll no’ stay with you. ’Tis no’ proper.”
“There’s nowhere else you can stay,” he said in exasperation. “I canna give you a room to yourself without my brother learning of it.”
“Then let him learn of it!”
She struggled, and he put her down on her feet, one arm around her neck and a hand covering her mouth, for she had tried to scream. He dragged her along with him up the outer stairs of the large square building.
Black Gawain watched until they were out of sight, then shook his head as he moved off toward the hall.
It was not his concern if young Colen wanted to keep a mistress, even an unwilling one.
But he couldn’t see why he should keep it a secret from his brother.
The laird wouldn’t mind. He had enough women of his own.
Gawain chuckled, wondering how long a secret like that could be kept from the leader of the clan.