Highland Abduction Page 3

  As they approached the gates, David turned to Sweeney. “You were right. The gates are closed, something unusual for midday.”

  “I cannot see that far. Tell me more about what you see,” his sire whispered. His eyesight had started failing of late, something he wasn’t eager to share with the guards.

  “There isn’t much to tell, Papa. There are several guards at the gates, many more on the wall, but the cottages around them are quiet. The people are working the fields, but there is no chatter.” The closer they moved, the worse he felt, a gnawing feeling in his gut digging in ever deeper. Clan MacGruder was smaller than Clan Drummond or Clan Ramsay, but they had plenty of clanmates to tend the fields or work in the lists. This day, many were absent. Why?

  He could only hope they’d gone out to search for Anna and found her.

  “They are staring at you, Drummond,” Sweeney said, the first comment he’d made during their desperate ride. “All of them.”

  This was the first time he’d studied MacGruder land in quite some time. He had to admit that his mind usually focused on Anna and only Anna. Otherwise, he would have noticed the sparse number of huts packed in together. Because they were so close, he’d been deceived into thinking there were more, but he’d been blinded by his betrothed. The Drummond and Ramsay clans were forever growing, but were the MacGruders? He couldn’t be sure, but he vowed to pay more attention to what took place on MacGruder land.

  As they moved down the path between the huts, David realized Sweeney was correct. Anna’s people gave him a strange look. Why? They couldn’t possibly suspect him, could they? Hadn’t his mother said his visit to Edinburgh had allayed any suspicion? He lifted his hand in greeting to some, but they ignored him.

  His father murmured, “Do not take it to heart. When one of the laird’s family is hurt or missing, they take it verra seriously. Any clanmate could interpret it as a blight against their kin.”

  David trusted his sire’s opinion, so he nodded and continued on his way, not wishing to anger anyone. When they arrived at the gates, David spoke to one of the guards he knew, only to be immediately shut down. “Go home, Drummond.”

  He waved to the man in charge of the portcullis. “Raise it. We wish to enter.”

  The guard said, “Not today.”

  David wasn’t going away. “I know Anna is missing. I wish to talk to someone who can tell me what happened before we head out in search of her ourselves. She’s my betrothed and I will find her, but ‘twould be helpful to know where the MacGruder patrols have gone.”

  The guard finally looked him in the eye. “She’s been found, and you’re not to see her. No one is allowed inside. Orders from our laird.”

  The lump in his throat kept him from speaking. He was pleased when his sire took over for him. “She’s alive?” his father asked.

  “Aye, she’s alive, but ‘tis all we know. She was not in good shape when she was found in the forest. MacGruder says he’ll visit you himself when the time is right.”

  Not in good shape? What the hell did that mean? He glanced at his sire and Sweeney, but they had no answers for him. Found in the forest? What forest? Had she been beaten, maimed, attacked? What? How could they not give him more information? Every part of his being tensed as the endless list of possibilities blossomed in his mind.

  “Hellfire, I’m not leaving until I see my betrothed with my own eyes. Open the gates!” he shouted.

  Her brothers appeared on the curtain wall. “Go away, Drummond,” Filib said. “She’s alive and ‘tis all we can tell you. We have a healer tending her.”

  Ossian, as antagonistic as ever, shouted, “How do we know you weren’t her attacker, Drummond?”

  “I was in Edinburgh, but you already knew that. Stop casting suspicion my way when I was nowhere near your land.”

  “But your clan would be quick to lie for you. We all know that.” Ossian spoke loud enough for all to hear him.

  MacGruder’s second, Struan, appeared on the top of the wall. “Leave it be, Ossian. Anna has already confirmed you were not her attacker, Drummond. But she is in much pain. The MacGruder will visit you on the morrow.”

  That just wasn’t good enough for David. He had to see her to believe she was hale. “I’m sure she’s asked for me. Allow me to see her for a moment and I’ll leave. I need to know how she fares.” He had to know her injuries could be healed. What had happened to cause her pain?

  “Nay, she hasn’t asked for you. Go home. We’ll update you on the morrow.” Ossian’s harsh voice carried down from the wall.

  David wished to argue more, but his sire stopped him. “We’ll expect to see your sire on the morrow, lads. Should be enough time to assess the situation and advise her betrothed of her condition. If there’s aught we can do in the meantime, please advise us.”

  Filib nodded. “Fair enough. On the morrow.” His voice was barely audible.

  David knew he would not get one minute of sleep.

  Chapter Three

  Not long after Anna’s father left, the MacGruder healer entered the chamber, bending at the waist as she stepped through the doorway.

  “Torra, I’m so glad you could make it. How is your hip?” her mother asked, rushing to the healer’s side.

  “Och, my joints are always aching, but I must take care of our wee one. How is she?” Anna’s mother closed the door behind Torra and ushered the healer to a stool near the bed. The old woman shuffled over, the fingers of both hands bent at odd angles from an unknown ailment. Despite all of her physical complaints, the dear woman’s mind was as sharp as ever. She sat down with a grunt, took a few breaths, then began her inquisition. “What happened to you, my dear?”

  Anna didn’t know how to answer other than to be honest. “I don’t know what happened. I recall naught until I awakened alone in the forest.”

  Torra clucked her tongue a few times as she took in the muddied garments on the floor of the chamber. “Someone must have given you a potion or hit you over the head. Which was it?”

  Anna’s confusion continued. “My head does not hurt as such…” Her hands reached up to feel for lumps hidden by her hair but found nothing. “But I’m having difficulty thinking clearly. I’m verra tired.”

  “Potion is most likely.” Torra’s gaze narrowed on Anna’s face and ran down the length of her body. Anna’s mother let out a little sob, and the old healer shifted to look at her. “What is it?”

  She cleared her throat and answered, “Anna has some bloodstains on the back of her gown. Lorne fears she may have lost her maidenhead. We were about to get her into the tub. She’s a filthy mess.”

  “Oh dear. Allow me to take a quick look.”

  Torra asked her to lie down and then spread her legs in a most indecent manner, something that embarrassed her so much she closed her eyes until the healer restored the fabric. “Aye, it seems you could have lost it. I’ll not be telling anyone, but you have quite a bit of blood there. Are you sore at all, lass?”

  Tears misted her eyes as she nodded. “My bottom feels as if I’ve been tossed off a horse.”

  “Your legs are bruised, as well.” She patted Anna’s hand, something everyone wished to do apparently, then tipped her chin up and whispered, “Did he rape you? Do you remember if he forced himself on you?”

  “I don’t know what happened.” She shook her head, still unable to recall anything about the night. Her entire body trembled at the implications of what Torra had said. She’d lost her maidenhead, and it hadn’t been to David. How could she possibly explain this to him, especially when she had no memory of the event?

  Her whole body shook as she reached for her mother’s hand to help her off the bed, the thought of another man’s hands on her making her feel as if there were a thousand bugs under her skin trying to get out. “Bath. I need my bath.” Whoever had touched her didn’t matter, she had to wash him away, get rid of him before she saw David again.

  “That’s right. Get her into the tub and wash away the evidence. You
need not look at it again. I’ll make you a warm draught for you, something to help you sleep, child.”

  All while she bathed, scrubbing as hard as possible, Torra and her mother whispered over in the corner. She did her best to ignore them, not wishing to listen to any of their guesses as to what had transpired in the forest. She couldn’t consider the full meaning of it—the possible repercussions.

  Torra brought over a warm drink and set it on the stool next to the tub. Anna sipped away at it for lack of anything better to do, needing something to occupy her hands, her mind. Her head fell down toward the side of the tub, resting on her shoulder, so she closed her eyes.

  A few moments later, she bolted straight up in the water, surprised to see Torra had left the room.

  “I remember,” she cried, turning to look at her mother. “I do remember, and ‘twas not David.” She couldn’t be more certain. A few brief moments from the night before had returned to her in her sleep—a vague recollection of a man grabbing her and tossing her over a horse, then a clearer glimpse of him as he pulled her off the beast. The long scar traveling from his right ear to his chin gave him a wicked look. Nothing else would come back to her, and part of her was grateful for that.

  She squeezed her eyes shut.

  “Mama, ‘twas not David for certes. I remember the face of the man who did it, and I’ve never seen him before in my life.” Anna climbed out of the tub, frantic, and when her mother wrapped a linen around her, she fell into her arms sobbing.

  ***

  David paced the great hall for the umpteenth time that morn. How his brother could sleep through all this, he didn’t know. Daniel was as fond of Anna as they all were, but he was too young to understand how crushing and all-consuming love could be.

  “David, you’re disturbing my new rushes,” his mother reminded him. “I understand your need to pace, but mayhap you could do it in a larger circle.”

  He sighed, not wishing to upset his mother, but could she not see how upset he was? He had no idea what had happened to the woman he loved. His sire came up behind him and clasped his shoulder. “I understand how you’re feeling, son…”

  “How could you possibly understand how I’m feeling?” He stopped in his tracks, letting the frustration that welled inside him bubble out.

  “Because your mother put me through something similar. She ran off to Edinburgh Castle after that fool Baines, and I had no idea where she’d gone. I remember it so well that I think I can conjure up exactly how you’re feeling.” He put his finger to his lips as if deep in thought. “Helpless yet furious. Lost and anxious. And I’ll bet you’d gladly hang yourself upside down from the beams above us if it would settle this problem. How am I doing?”

  David had to smile at the image of his sire hanging upside down from a beam in the hall. His mother clucked her tongue. “Och, forgive me, Micheil. I had no idea you cared back then.”

  His father glanced back at her, his hands still on his hips. “I know. ‘Tis a good thing I paid attention to what you were doing, because you surely did not.”

  And to David’s complete surprise, his mother threw her head back and giggled, her long mane of dark red hair loose and full. She had some white strands, but she was still a beautiful woman, and David couldn’t help but admire his parents’ relationship. He hoped he and Anna would be as happy when they were at their age. In fact, Anna often remarked about how much happier they seemed than her own parents.

  His father turned back to him, exasperated. “There is naught worse than the feeling of being powerless, especially when you’re in love.”

  He considered his sire’s words for a moment, then said, “Suppose you do know what I’m feeling. Then what would you do?” How he wished he could give him some insight on his problem. “How long must I wait? Can we not return to their land to press for an answer?”

  The door to the great hall flew open and Sweeney stood there, out of breath. “They’re nearly at our gates, my lord.” The words were addressed to Micheil. Even though he was not the laird of the Drummonds, he was still considered of noble status. In addition to being Diana’s husband, he was brother to the laird of the Ramsays, Quade, and their other brother, Logan, was a spy for the Scottish Crown. Stories about the three brothers and their children ran rampant throughout the Highlands.

  David jerked in response and ran toward the door, his father’s voice echoing over his shoulder. “He’ll not speak with you until you are behind closed doors.”

  His sire was probably right, but he couldn’t bear to simply stand and wait for the man. He had to see the approaching group with his own eyes. As soon as the door closed behind him, David asked Sweeney, “Who is with him?”

  “Both of his sons plus about a dozen guards.”

  “Are the gates open?” He hurried across the courtyard, doing his best not to appear daft to any of his clanmates. His friend easily kept pace with him.

  “Aye. I had the gates opened and sent two guards out to greet them.”

  David made it to the gates just as the MacGruders arrived. “Greetings, Chief MacGruder.” He pointed in one direction. “Our stable lads await you.”

  “We’ll not be coming inside, lad,” Lorne MacGruder said, still atop his horse. David had never seen him so drawn and harried. “I’ll give you the necessary information here. I care not who overhears us. ‘Tis for all to know. They already do on my land.”

  David couldn’t help but stare at the older man’s grizzled appearance, something rare for the chieftain. Perhaps he was as concerned for Anna as David was. He glanced at Sweeney, then motioned for another guard to go to the hall and retrieve his parents. They would wish to hear this.

  “No need,” MacGruder said. “It saddens me to say this, but my daughter has been compromised. Out of respect for you and yours, I have sent a missive to our king canceling the wedding. My apologies if any accusations were leveled at you. We know you were not the culprit, and I formally release you from your betrothal to my daughter.” He nodded his head, then said, “I have naught more to say on the matter. ‘Tis a sad day at our castle.” He turned his horse around to leave.

  “MacGruder, is she hale?” David called after him. “I must know how she fares. Was she hurt?”

  The older man turned his horse back, his face showing his pain and fatigue. “She has no lasting physical effects. Emotionally, she is in pain. I ask you to stay away, Drummond. All of you. You will not help this situation by visiting her.”

  “But I must see her,” David shouted for all to hear.

  “Do not waste your time coming to my keep. I’ll not allow you entrance. ‘Tis simple. You are freed from the betrothal. Find yourself another.” The slump in the man’s shoulders told him much. “I will do what’s best for my daughter and my family, so stay away.”

  David had always considered Lorne MacGruder a strong chieftain. Today, he looked defeated and old. He could only stare after the MacGruders’ retreating backs in shock as they moved away from the gates. The betrothal was off without even a discussion. Anna’s father had not even given him time to process the news.

  His sire appeared next to him. “I caught his last words,” he said. “Did I hear correctly? The betrothal is off?”

  “Aye.” He could think of nothing else to say.

  “She’s alive?”

  “My interpretation is she lost her maidenhead in an attack. He has relieved me of my promise to marry her, but what if I don’t care?” He spun around to face his father, suddenly furious at how this had been handled. Anna had been hurt and he wasn’t allowed to go to her. To comfort her. To hear about the incident from her own lips. “This is deplorable. I don’t accept his decision. I have to talk with her. He has no right to make that decision for us.” His voice continued to rise as he watched the distant horses continue their retreat. Everyone within hearing distance had stopped to listen to him.

  His mother appeared behind his sire. “David, we will discuss this inside. You are not thinking clearly at the mom
ent. You will tell us exactly what was said, and we’ll go from there.”

  Micheil nodded. “I want you and Sweeney both inside.” His gaze scanned the area. “Daniel? Are you out here, son? You’re to come inside as well.”

  At ten and six summers, David’s brother had a habit of mimicking his uncle Logan, listening and spying on others. He was quite adept at hiding from view.

  “Aye, Papa. I’ll be there in a moment.”

  David barely registered what was happening as his friend led him inside. Before he knew it, he was sitting beside his brother in his mother’s solar, across from his mother and father. Sweeney had volunteered to tend the door. He stood beside it but remained within the room. Despite MacGruder’s breach of social niceties, this kind of situation was best discussed in private.

  “Repeat everything,” Micheil instructed from behind the desk. Diana nodded.

  David did as he asked, leaving out nothing, then fell silent to give them a moment to absorb the information. When he thought they were ready, he declared, “Whatever has happened, I still wish to marry her.”

  His mother asked, “Do those of you who were within hearing distance believe what the MacGruder said is true? That the betrothal is being called off because Anna lost her maidenhead?”

  Daniel and Sweeney both nodded. Sweeney added, “He was not happy about having to deliver the message.”

  “I saw him before he came close enough to be seen by the guards at the gates,” Daniel added. “He seemed troubled, but not as distraught as he was in front of you.”

  “What are you suggesting?” Diana asked.

  “I’m not sure—” Daniel shrugged his shoulders, “—but it seemed strange to me.”

  David stored this information in the back of his mind to revisit later.

  “And they don’t know aught about her attacker?” Micheil asked.

  “I don’t think so,” Sweeney answered, “though the MacGruder did make it clear he knew it wasn’t David. He apologized for any implication that he might have been responsible.”