April Holthaus - The MacKinnon Clan 02 (17 page)

“How long will it take to arrive there?”

“Only a couple of days if the weather holds. We will have to camp fer one night as we do no’ pass a village. We will be taking the high roads through the mountains. Only the horses can get through the marshlands and handle climbing the steep hills. It is no’ suited for a mon to travel on foot. We will need to take two horses as it would be too much fer just a one of ‘em.”

“How soon will be leave?”

“As soon as the sun rises in the sky.”

Ewan crawled back into bed and held Jacqueline in his arms.

“Ye haven’t mentioned anything about how I came across ye on the road. Ye said that two men came after ye. Did ye ken who they were?”

“Yes. Nial and Malcolmus but it isn’t what you think. They were hired to kidnap me by James.”

“James? Your beloved.”

“Yes, but not anymore. He betrayed me. Everything he ever said was a lie. He came for me to take me to France. Said that we could run away together and be safe.”

“How did he find ye?”

“He had been tracking us. He bargained with Effie from the inn for your name. I am not sure why Nial and Malcolmus wanted it as badly as they did. If they know that I am with you, Ewan I fear that something bad will happen. ”

“Ye dinna have to worry about me, love. We should get some sleep. We have a long journey ahead of us.”

Jacqueline and closed her eyes and fell asleep in his arms.

“Good morning, Husband.”

Ewan opened his eyes and looked at his beautiful wife. Sitting on the bed covered only by the blanket wrapped around her body, she kissed the top of his head and smiled.

“We should grab a bite to eat and be on our way,” Ewan said as he stretched his arms wide.

“I will get ready and start packing, but I must get dressed first.”

“Well, we do have a wee bit of time,” Ewan said in a suggestive tone as he grabbed onto Jacqueline before she stood up from the bed and rolled on top of her to make love to her one more time.

Gathering their things up and finishing their meal, they thanked Robert and went out to the stable. Each mounted a horse and rode out the gates. Riding north, they headed towards MacKinnon land.

Chapter 17

With the sun beginning to set, heaven’s light shined down upon the land. The sun had turned from blinding yellow to a deep orange as it hovered above the horizon. The sky was lit with an array of colors from reds to golds and the shaded side of the mountains turned into deep blue. The Highlands were exactly how Jacqueline dreamt they would be.

The vast mountains and green foliage covered the land for miles. And in the middle of this glorious scene, Dunakin Castle was situated right in the middle of it. Resting on a small incline from the village and adjacent to the clearest blue body of water Jacqueline had ever seen, she was overwhelmed with a sense of belonging.

Jacqueline couldn’t tell where the waters of the loch had ended and where the sky began. It looked like a sailor’s paradise. Even though she had never sailed in a ship before, she could imagine what it would have been like had she made the journey to France. She assumed that this beauty is what drove people to sail across the ocean. To travel and see the world just as her parents had.

Jacqueline observed the quiet peaceful village as she trailed behind Ewan. Several stone dwellings lined next to each side along the dirt road. Jacqueline could smell the delicious aroma of steamed broth with vegetables and meat cooking over a lit fire pit. Hanging on four wooden posts several dead rabbits and hides draped over the sides.

The villagers kept to themselves unaware of her presence, which for the moment Jacqueline found as a blessing. She was amazed by the number of them. Jacqueline had not realized how large the MacKinnon clan was. What information she knew about Douglas MacKinnon, she knew little about his clan.

At the end of the road, Dunakin Castle was a tall, gloomy structure. Shadowing over the village, it looked daunting. Jacqueline directed her horse to walk parallel to Ewan’s as they crossed the bridge towards the heavy rusted iron gates.

Ewan looked over to his bride as he felt her horse scuff against the side of his leg. He imagined that she was feeling apprehensive as Dunakin is rumored to give one a sense of intimidation. At least, that was how Lady Annella had described it when she had first arrived.

The guards at the gate spotted Ewan riding up and began lifting the gate door. As it opened, Ewan grabbed onto Jacqueline’s reigns leading her towards the stables. As they got there, Ewan jumped down and walked around to the front of Jacqueline’s horse to assist her down as well.

Lifting her into his arms, he held her close to him and kissed her, hard and passionately as if it were his last. Jacqueline wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her. She felt utterly embarrassed showing such a display of affection in public.

“Come. Someone I want ye to meet,” Ewan said as he folded her arm around his and began walking towards the main entrance of the castle.

Ewan felt proud with Jacqueline hanging on his arm. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen and he did not mind others believing that as well, as long as they knew that she was his. Ewan pushed open the door and stepped into the great hall.

Rory was sitting in one of the chairs in front of the hearth with Annella sitting at his side with her babe in her arm suckling on her breast. Ewan grabbed onto Jacqueline’s hand and walked over to them.

“My Laird, my lady,” Ewan said as he bowed.

“We had wondered when ye were going to return. Ye took off wit out a word and we have no’ seen ye in days. But I see that ye have brought home a guest. Hello, my name is Annella. I am the lady of this manor,” Annella said.

“My lady,” Jacqueline spoke softly.

“I would like to introduce ye to Lady Jacqueline Margaret Renold MacKinnon, my wife,” Ewan said proudly.

“Wife? Ye ran off and married?” Annella said astonished.

“Wife, haud yer wheesht, ye will wake the babe,” Rory said. “Lady Jacqueline, I have heard many a great things about ye. It is a pleasure meeting ye. Dinna fash yerself, lass, about hiding yer accent. We ken that ye are English born, but ye have no’ need to be afraid. Ye are safe here as long as ye are under my rule and my lands. I am Laird Rory MacKinnon.”

“Many thanks, My Laird for your hospitality. I am aware of the dangers that may follow if my presence here is known.”

“Ye no’ worry about the English. Let me deal wit them. Besides ye are now family, and I protect my family.”

Jacqueline bowed in appreciation.

“I will show ye yer room. It will be nice having another woman here wit me in the castle. I am sure that we will become fast friends,” Annella excitedly said as she got up from the chair and hurried next to Jacqueline.

Jacqueline had not been close to many women before and the thought of having another woman to talk to made her smile. She looked over to Ewan for reassurance as he nodded to her.

“I will meet ye in our bedchamber soon,” he said.

Ewan watched as Annella eagerly grabbed onto Jacqueline’s hand and led the way up the stairs showing her around the castle and talking to her about her newborn son. Racking his fingers through his hair, he knew that as of today things were going to be different. He was a husband now and finally felt a part of him whole.

“She is bonny,” Rory said.

“Aye, that she is.”

“Tell me that ye dinna just marry the lass because she is wit child,” he teased.

“Nay. Of course she is no’ wit child. I love the lass,” he said as he jokingly punched Rory in the arm for his comment.

“What news of the English?”

“I dinna ken. They haven’t been on her trail fer days, maybe e’en weeks.”

“Perhaps they gave up the search. One lass isnae worth sending an entire army after her.”

“I cannae believe that Ewan is married. I worried he had sworn off marriage all together. He is such a good mon. I am so glad that he met ye. We must have a celebration fer yer marriage. Since we have lost Bram, me husband’s brother, there has been nothing but gloom and mourning around here. I think that a celebration is just what this clan needs. There are so many people who will want to meet ye, including Lady Kenna,” Annella said.

“Lady Kenna?”

“Aye, me husband’s mother. Ye will like her. She is a healer. Rory’s father Duncan died some years past so she often spends time far away, helping out those who are verra ill. I dinna mean to be rude but I noticed that ye dinna bring a trunk wit your belongings. Are they en route?”

Feeling ashamed to mention why she had nothing of possession, Jacqueline shook her head, “No, I did not bring anything of my own. I do have a few coin to buy a roll of fabric to have new ones fashioned.”

“That is a wonderful idea. Tomorrow I can take ye to the market. They have lovely colors and I was hoping to pick up a few things myself. If you like, ye can wear one of my nightgowns fer tonight. It is only befitting that ye dress in one of my finest as tonight will be yer first night here alone wit yer husband.”

Husband
. The word sounded so strange to Jacqueline. “Thank ye.”

“If ye wait here, I will go get one. Can ye hold onto wee Duncan fer me?”

Jacqueline looked at Annella and down at the sleeping babe in her arms. Hesitantly, she reached out for the babe. Jacqueline felt nervous holding onto the babe in her arms. She had never held one before.

“You are so tiny,” she quietly said to him.

Jacqueline wondered what it will be like when Ewan and she have a child of their own. She could see Ewan being a great father. Then it suddenly dawned on her. She could already be with child. She had lost her virginity to Ewan on their wedding night and it was possible. Not wanting to worry herself now, she brushed off the idea and sat down in the chair in the center of the room and rocked the wee bairn. Annella soon came back with an arm full of dresses.

“I see that he likes ye. Ye are good wit babes.”

“Actually, this is my first time holding a child. He is so small and precious.”

“Aye, he is, but he is a handful, like his da,” Annella giggled. “I found ye a few dresses that ye can wear until ye fashion yerself new ones. I can set them over here if ye like,” she said as she pointed at the wooden dresser.

“Yes, please.” Jacqueline stood up and handing Duncan back to Annella.

“We will see ye in the morning. Good night.”

“Good night.”

Jacqueline turned as Annella closed the door and studied the room. The room had a large four-post bed with a wide headboard that matched the engraved carvings on the dresser. Jacqueline believed that the artist who had created the set must have taken him a long while for such fine detail. Along the far wall, Jacqueline could hear the fire crackling in the hearth. Above it on the shelf, she had noticed three tiny little wooden figurines of beautifully carved horses. She placed one of them into the palm of her hand lifting it to eye level and admired its craftsmanship. Gently, she placed it back down not wanting to damage it.

Slipping her shoes off, Jacqueline grabbed onto the borrowed nightgown and began slipping off her gown. The nightgown was a beautiful light blue. Once she finished dressing, she let out a big yawn and walked over to the bed to lie down. Resting her head upon the pillow, she took in a deep breath of its scent. It smelled like Ewan, musk and leather. Feeling the wear on her muscles and the drowsiness beginning to take over, Jacqueline closed her eyes to rest and quickly fell sleep. 

Ewan cracked the door open to his bedchamber to find Jacqueline in a deep sleep in the middle of the bed. Quietly, not to wake her, he tipped toed across the room to the chair to kick off his boots. Removing his clothing, he scooted onto the side of the bed and covered himself with the covers.

Jacqueline rolled over and cuddled alongside Ewan by resting her arm across his chest and her head in the crook of his arm. Ewan wrapped his arm under her head and held her close. Of all the women he had been with, Jacqueline was the first lass whom he had ever brought home; the first lass to ever share his bed.

Chapter 18

The next morning, the village was buzzing as news spread throughout the clan of Ewan’s marriage. Chatter of joy and happiness came from many as tears of disappointment came from the lasses who had hoped to one day be Ewan’s future bride. Only the elders seemed disturbed by the match. Bringing an English lass into their clan was not against their rule or decree but some wished it had been. They felt that the blood of their clan would become spoiled. Ewan stood in attendance as many of them voiced their concern to their laird, but Rory had dismissed their protests.

“We are an ever-growing and accepting clan to all. She is my cousin’s bride and I will no’ hear anymore of yer old ways and nonsense. Ye had followed my father’s judgment. I ask that ye now follow mine. I will no’ lead our people down a path of destruction. Remember, ye had the same fears when I had married Lady Annella. Our marriage was no’ arranged and I declined the marriage to the daughter of Connor MacDonall whom my father had signed a treaty wit. Ye have offered me guidance these past few years, but I am still yer Laird and that ye can no’ deny.”

Ewan was grateful for his cousin’s defense. He knew the risks of bringing an English lass into the castle but damn the consequences.

Feeling nervous, Jacqueline bit her nails as she waited for Ewan as he attended the clan meeting. She worried that they would not accept this marriage or her. While she waited, a woman with long black hair came walking down the stairs. The red dress and tartan she wore across the shoulder made her look regal.

“Ye are Ewan’s bride, Lady Jacqueline Renold. Forgive me for staring. It’s just…, ye look so much like yer mother,” she said.

Jacqueline looked at the woman with curiosity as her mother had died so long ago. Jacqueline barely even remembered what she had looked like. She knew that she was blond and had a small frame but the details were blurry.