Highland Soldiers: The Betrayal (14 page)

Without a word, Jenny hastily pulled on her bodice and skirts as she worked to keep pace with the others.

Duncan stopped along the way and drew her into his arms. Making sure that his back concealed it, he smoothed his hand down the center of her bodice. “Do you have it still?”

With a soft smile, Jenny said, “I do.” She slid the busk from its center channel between rows of stays in her bodice.

Duncan ran his thumb over the crudely carved whalebone scrimshaw he had made while at sea. “I had lost you, but my heart would not let go.” Whatever he had meant to say after that was lost to unutterable emotion.

Jenny put her hand over his hand, still grasping the busk, and she whispered the words carved in it. “My heart can be nowhere else.” She slipped it back into its place.

*

Late into the night, Jenny tiptoed across the cottage floor, flinching as Brodie let out a shuddering snore. Duncan stifled a laugh as he steadied Jenny and led her outside. With the door closed behind them, they snickered and ran away as if they were children. The full moon lit their way. Duncan scooped Jenny up by the waist and spun her about. Then he kissed her.

They made their way kissing and stumbling to a stack of barley, where Duncan wasted no time pulling off Jenny’s shift. As he did so, she pulled his leine up until her skin met his.

Duncan said softly, “I have wanted to taste you since you walked out of the water. All of you.” With hands and mouth he touched her and teased her until she was panting and clutching at him. Jenny wrapped her legs around him and reveled in the physical power of his need for her. She needed him, too, as much then as after, when they lay suspended in bliss. Later, long after they lay on their backs watching the stars, they would need the fullness and the trust of that moment. It bound them together.

Elspeth set down a loaf of barley bread made from the first grains of the harvest. Beside it were smoked salmon, kale and baked apples. The men offered hearty approval as Brodie brought in one of the last bottles of the whisky he had brought from home. Lively talk went back and forth across the table, and laughter filled the croft. Duncan grinned and muttered something that made Charlie laugh. Jenny looked at her family and friends, and she thought of how good her life was.

Brodie said, “With the harvest done, we can start on your croft, lad.”

Duncan nodded appreciatively.

“We’ve enough hands here to have it done in a sennight,” said Alex.

Charlie shook his head slightly. “Och, less than that.”

“Perhaps.” Alex turned to Callum for his opinion, but instead paused to study him. “What is it?”

Callum exhaled. “I dinnae want to talk about this until after the harvest.”

“Well, the harvest is over, so tell us.” Alex could see this would not be good news.

Callum smiled with false cheer. “It’s too fine an evening. Let us talk in the morning.”

The room was still. No one spoke. Mari watched her husband, while the others shared questioning glances.

Finally, Duncan spoke up. “There’s no use, Callum. We know that there’s something on your mind. Until you tell us, we’ll think of nothing else.”

“Aye,” said Callum. “There is something, but I dinnae like it.” He studied his hands for a moment. “As chief, my father has a duty to the king.”

“To raise troops.” Alex said bluntly.

Elspeth let out a small moan. Brodie put a comforting hand on hers.

“What has happened?” Jenny asked. “I thought you put down the Covenanter rebellion.”

“Not enough, so it seems.” Callum shared a look with Mari, and then looked frankly at Jenny. “The king has asked the Glengarry to raise troops. I will go. Will you go with me?”

“Not Duncan.” Jenny turned to him. “Duncan, you dinnae have to go.”

Duncan met her gaze with eyes full of his own inner struggle.

“I almost lost you once. How can I let you go now?” Jenny could not contain her emotions. She rose quickly and went outside.

Duncan watched her and then turned to Callum. “I will go.”

Callum nodded his thanks.

Duncan excused himself to go out to Jenny. He did not see her at first.

“I’ll not leave your side, Duncan,” she vowed. She was leaning against the trunk of a tree, staring out at the sea. Waves of water rushed toward the land with insistent rhythm.

Duncan went to her side. “I must go, darlin’.”

Jenny’s self-control crumbled. “I know.” She turned and threw her arms about his neck, and she pressed her body against his.

Duncan wrapped his arms tightly about her and cradled her head against him.

“I’m sorry,” she said, as she cried.

“No, love. You’ve nothing to be sorry for.”

Jenny ran her hands over his shoulders and chest. “You’re mine. Why must they take you from me?”

He had no answer. Duncan held her until she stopped crying and wiped the tears from her face.

They went back inside. Elspeth watched Jenny with sympathy.

Alex said, “When do we leave?”

Callum gave a weak smile, and said, “I wanted to make sure that the harvest was in.”

“Thank you for that,” Brodie told him.

Callum turned to Alex. “We must leave tomorrow.”

Jenny shut her eyes and tamped down her emotions.

Callum went on. “The rest of the men will be waiting for us at the castle. We’ll assemble there, and then we’re for Stranraer. The Sheriff of Galloway has been replaced by John Graham of Claverhouse.”

“Bluidy Clavers?” Charlie caught a sharp look from Callum and leaned back with remorse for his outburst in front of the women.

“We’re to report to John Graham of Claverhouse.”

Charlie caught Alex’s eye, but looked away. He had already said too much.

*

It was fittingly gloomy the following morning as they readied to ride. Jenny came out of the croft, bundle in hand, and went straight to Duncan. She lifted her chin and said boldly, “I’m riding with you.”

Taken aback, Duncan took a moment to react. “Are you daft? No, you will not.”

“Mari is going.”

“Mari is going to her home, and you will stay in yours,” Duncan said firmly.

Jenny would not back down. “I lay awake all night thinking about it.”

“Not all night,” he said under his breath, as he led her away to speak in private. They had spent much of the night, clinging together as they made love in the box bed. “Now be a good girl, and gie us a goodbye kiss.”

“I will do neither!”

Duncan’s eyes darted over to Mari and the men, who were packed and ready to go. He spoke in an awkward hush. “Dinnae do this. The others are waiting.”

Jenny held her ground boldly. “I will go where you go.”

Duncan’s nostrils flared as he held back his anger. The others waited, and he had to go. Duncan glared at Jenny, and the fire in her eyes. The wind lashed them both and tugged the kertch from Jenny’s face, freeing her hair to blow wildly about. Without thinking, Duncan reached out and smoothed the hair back from her face. This was the Jenny he would recall in the lonely hours away. He yanked her to him, and he kissed her. She was fuming and struggled, but her lips betrayed her and opened to his. After her arms softened and her body was formed against his, Duncan whispered, “Do you know how I love you?”

He stepped away, holding her hand, and with one last look, turned and let go.

She shook her head and whispered, “Don’t go.”

He mounted his horse.

Jenny said, “If you go without me, I will follow on foot.”

Duncan steeled himself and urged his horse on without looking back. The others offered sorrowful glances, and then turned to follow.

Bereft, Jenny turned to Duncan’s parents. “I must go.”

Brodie started to protest, but Elspeth silenced him with her hand on his arm.

Brodie said, “Alright. Let her have her long walk, and then I’ll go bring her home.”

Elspeth nodded.

Jenny swallowed back tears and started to walk. The riders disappeared over a hill. Jenny held back her shoulders and lifted her chin. They could leave her behind, but she would not stay there.

From over the hill came a horseman. “Duncan,” she whispered.

Duncan brought his horse to a stop beside her. His eyes burned. “God’s teeth, woman. Get on.”

Jenny stepped on his foot in the stirrup as he pulled her the rest of the way onto the horse. As she wrapped her arms around his waist, she turned back. Elspeth and Brodie waved as Duncan and Jenny rode over the hill.

*

While the women lagged behind, talking, Callum and Duncan spoke of the task before them.

Duncan said, “The lowlanders call him Bluidy Clavers.”

“Aye, so I’ve heard.”

“They say he’s a brutal man.”

Callum stared gravely ahead. “They say what will serve their cause.”

Duncan said, “Do you not think it’s true?”

Callum’s expression was grim. “I pray to God it is not.”

Mari rode up to keep pace beside her husband. “Callum,” she said sweetly enough to arouse Callum’s suspicion.

He looked at her and waited.

“If Jenny is going with Duncan–”

“You will wait for me at home.” It came out like an order to his soldiers. With one caustic glance, Callum thanked Duncan for bringing this on him. He turned back to Mari. “As you will recall, I had no choice but to bring you with me the last time. You suffered much for it, which grieves me to this day. But we had no choice, then. We do now, and that choice is for you to stay at home where you belong.”

Mari bristled but calmed herself. “Husband, you are my home.” Mari did not speak to Callum again until they stopped at midday to rest the horses.

Callum found Mari sitting on a fallen log. Prepared for battle, he sat down beside her.

“You’re right, of course,” Mari told him. “I would be safer at home.”

Callum said, “I cannae imagine what I would do if harm came to you.”

She nodded. “That would be terrible for you.”

“Aye, just so.”

Mari said gently, “And that is what matters most, is it not? How you feel?”

Callum looked at her sideways.

Mari said, “To wait and not know whether you’ve been shot or run through with a sword should not bother me, as long as I am safe at home.”

She had dealt a blow to his heart. Callum turned his warm gaze upon her. “I would not have you worry about me.”

“I know that. Nor would I have you worry about me.”

“But, Mari, I must keep you safe.”

She took hold of his hand and studied its strength and its scars. “I’d rather live by your side than be home safe and lonely.” She lifted his hand to her cheek.

Callum held close and kissed her forehead. “Mari, will it ever be easy for us?”

She looked up at him. “I did not marry you for the easy life you offered me.”

Callum had to smile.

Mari said, “I fell in love with your strength and your passion. I have always felt at home in your arms. Let me stay here, where I feel safe.”

Callum circled his arms about Mari and held her. The words caught in his throat. “You are dear to me, Mari.”

With a kiss, they made an unspoken promise never to part.

They arrived at the castle in the market town of Stranraer, where Captain Claverhouse was now headquartered. Callum went inside to report, while the rest went in search of some lodgings. A pair of local young ladies caught Charlie’s eye, so he lingered behind to entertain them with his charm. There was an inn that was humble but habitable, but the rooms were all taken, but one. They might have a second room in a week, the innkeeper told them. Until then, he could bring in some linen and straw for a pallet. So they took the room, grateful for someplace to stay. Alex and Charlie would try to find quarter with the other troops.

When they returned to the castle for Callum, they found him talking to a soldier near the entrance. Callum, who was facing them, smiled, but it was forced. As they neared Callum, the Lieutenant turned to face them.

Tavish MacLean greeted them with a smug smile. “What, no salute for your officer?”

Duncan’s arm tensed as Tavish eyed him and then settled his gaze upon Jenny. Jenny squeezed Duncan’s arm and then slipped her hand away while Duncan saluted Tavish.

Tavish barely noticed. His eyes were on Jenny. He nodded. “Lady–” he grinned as he corrected himself, “Mistress… do you even have a last name?”

Jenny’s lips parted to answer.

Duncan said tersely, “Mrs. MacDonell.”

Tavish nodded. “Ah, yes. You look different from when we last met.” His gaze trailed down her plain bodice and skirts.

“As do you.” Jenny lifted her chin.

His mouth quirked up at the corner, just short of a sneer.

With a withering look that brushed past Duncan, Tavish turned his attention to Callum. “You and your men will report to me in the morning. I will give you your orders then.” His flinty eyes darted to Jenny for an instant, while Callum saluted and turned away, leading the way to anywhere Tavish was not. When they’d gone a safe distance, Callum said, “I’m sorry, Duncan. I dinnae know about Tavish.”

“Lieutenant MacLean, to you.” Charlie said, smirking.

Alex mimicked Tavish. “What, no salute?”

Charlie leapt in front of them, leaving them with no choice but to stop. “I beg your pardon! Lieutenant, I salute you!” With that, Charlie bent over and started to pull up his plaid.

Duncan gave him a good-natured kick in the backside. “Not in front of the ladies, you wild Highlander!”

Charlie staggered a bit but recovered his balance. “Och, ladies, I’m sorry.” He lifted Mari’s hand to his lips and then raised his eyes to meet hers. Callum growled a warning, which made Charlie smile.

He then turned to Jenny, but Duncan swatted his hand away. “She accepts your apology.”

Charlie laughed. “Och, I’m fair thirsty. I’m away to yon tavern. Will anyone care to join me?”

*

The next morning, Charlie moaned and rolled over, spreading his arm across the warm body beside him. It was promptly thrown off.