“Very well, lads, but Colin wanted it thisway. He wanted Tess’s mother to see him not as a threat. He istruly hoping to gain her trust…for the lassie’s sake.”
“But what if things do not go as he’splanned?”
“Then we take her castle down, stone bystone.”
In spite of the seriousness of the laird’stone, it was obvious that neither of the two younger men feltcomfortable with the idea of waiting.
“I know what you two are thinking. You’rewondering where the harm is in following along? We could be there,nearby, if Colin needs us.”
Alexander and James both noddedwholeheartedly.
“But that won’t be allowing him to make hisown decisions. He’s a man now and entitled to make his ownmistakes.” Alec Macpherson put a hand on each of his sons’shoulders and turned them toward the circular stair that led intothe keep. “But I’d prefer that younotbring this up with your mother.”
CHAPTER 15
The Burnett warriors were indeed a surlygroup, and their hostility grew less veiled the farther theytraveled from Benmore Castle.
Colin couldn’t care less, though, for he andTess had chosen their own pace for most of the day, forcing theLowlanders to slow down. But with nightfall approaching, Colin senta couple of his own men ahead with several of the Burnetts insearch of a suitable place to settle down until morning. As theywaited for the scouting group to return, they continued onslowly.
Despite their apprehension over meeting with Evelynin only a few days time, Tess and Colin had had a truly enjoyableday. He had told her much of the history of the Highlands as theyhad passed across the lands of the clans. She had questioned himabout ways that she could bring more prosperity to people of theLindsay clan. The conversation had turned to family. Colin had toldTess about his own immediate family.
“I am ashamed to think how little I know about myown kin,” Tess said. “Lord Alec told me that my father had nosiblings and that both his parents were gone before I was everborn. And I know now that my mother was from the Fleming family, ofthe Borders.” She lowered her voice and glanced wearily at thecompany of Lowlanders riding at some distance ahead of them. “Butas far as the family connection between the Flemings and theBurnetts, I don’t remember anything of them.”
Colin nodded. “My mother mentioned that there areFlemings on both sides of the Tweed, in the Lowlands and the hillsof the Borders…and in England, as well. And what my fatherremembers of Edward Fleming, your grandfather, is that he had fivedaughters. Before his death, he managed to arrange profitablemarriages for all of them.”
“I do vaguely remember Lady Evelyn speaking of herolder sisters. There were times, I think, when she missed thembadly. But I believe she also resented them for having eitherEnglish husbands or husbands from the Borders.” Tess shook her headsadly. Since that morning at Ravenie Castle, the lost pieces of herchildhood memory kept falling into place. It was like an intricatepuzzle. The more pieces she added, the clearer the solution became.“’Tis upsetting to think of my mother’s prejudice against theHighlanders. I cannot believe she ever gave her new people…or herhusband…a chance.”
“People change.” Colin pushed his horse nearer hersand affectionately took Tess’s hand. “She has been living under theprotection of this man, her cousin…this David Burnett…for elevenyears now. He must be a good and honorable man to shoulder such aresponsibility. Evelyn very well could be a different person thanthe one you remember. Greet with her with an open mind, Tess. Giveher a chance.”
Her eyes, dark and beautiful, glowed with newfoundhope when she smiled at him. “All I have to say, though, is thatshe’d better treat you well. If she doesn’t, she’ll learn quicklyhow muchIhave changed.”
Colin couldn’t stop himself. He leaned over andkissed her, and the reins slipped forgotten through hisfingers.
The sound of approaching horses jarred them back toreality. He drew back and looked along the ridge on which they weretraveling. The group of men who’d ridden ahead were cantering backto the main party. He glanced over at Tess. A deep blush had spreadover her perfect skin. Colin brought her fingers to his lips andsmiled.
“We have found a place,” came the shout from aBurnett warrior. Colin and Tess both turned to look at the man.
The place they had found was a deserted cottagebeside a loch. A pine forest to the south of the place wouldprovide wood for their fires and a windbreak besides. Tess wouldsleep in the cottage, such as it was, while everyone else couldcamp by the edge of the forest.
As they descended into the glade where the smallcottage sat, Colin ordered his own men to join with the Burnetts insetting up a watch on two small hills overlooking the area. Hehadn’t expected the place to be so isolated, and the mist risingfrom the loch did nothing to dispel the feeling of gloom thatpervaded the abandoned farm. But night was already upon them, andthere wasn’t any time to search out a better place.
Colin dismounted and surveyed his surroundings. Asconfident as he’d been before in not asking for more Macphersons toaccompany them to the Borders, he was now having his doubts. Inanother day they’d be out of the Highlands, and Tess’s account ofcoming face to face with her father’s murderer kept echoing in hismind. It was possible that the murderer was still out there.Perhaps he had even heard that Tess was alive. He could be bidinghis time, waiting for the right moment to cause Tess harm. Betweenthe Macphersons and Burnetts, there were plenty of men to defendher, but Colin didn’t know much about either the courage or thefighting ability of these Lowlanders.
Some of the men had already started fires and weresetting up camp by the trees. Colin helped Tess down from her horseand asked her to stay with the others as he went inside to checkthe cottage.
There was a door and a narrow window in the front ofthe place. The walls appeared solid enough. A hole in the thatchedroof served to let out the smoke from an open fire pit in thecenter of the packed dirt floor. Colin started a fire immediately,for the cottage was damp and cold. With the exception of a pile ofold straw in the corner, there was nothing else in thebuilding.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay here withme?”
Colin turned to find Tess standing by the door. Shelooked bone tired, and he had a feeling her question was notintended to tease him. He sensed she was genuinely uncomfortableabout this place.
“Do you feel it, too?” he asked, looking hard ather.
“’Tis just that…I don’t know what I’m feeling,” shemurmured, stepping in as a loud rumble of thunder rolled in acrossthe hills. “’Tis not as if we haven’t been alone before. On theIsle of May, we managed to sleep—”
“I know. But there are too many men here who willhappily carry back to your mother any story that might smack ofimpropriety.” He looked at her and tried very hard to soundreassuring. “I’ll be right outside of your door. Just call me ifyou need me.”
She nodded with a sigh of resignation and leaned herback against the wall. He went outside and carried back a couple ofblankets. She insisted on making up her own bedding, and then sherefused any supper. Right after Colin kissed her goodnight, though,and turned to leave the cottage, she touched his arm. “Youwillbe near.”
