Part 7 (1/2)
Eva Macpherson had inherited the chiefs.h.i.+p of Clan Chattan from her father and thus transmitted it to her husband and son. The sticking point came when Angus chose to keep his own name, rather than become Macpherson. This did not sit well with her male relatives, for chiefs.h.i.+p and name were meant to be inseparable.
A compromise had been reached whereby each clan kept its respective name and came together as Clan Chattan. But not everyone had agreed with the decision, and his opponents now saw Adam's weakness as a means to return a Macpherson to the position.
No sooner had the door closed than she turned to him. ”Can ye not speak to the boy without shouting?”
”He's no' a boy, but a man. A mighty stubborn one at that.”
”Aye, and I wonder where he got that particular trait?” Her smile softened her accusation. ”Yer tired, love. Talk with the la.s.s tomorrow.”
He ignored her. ”Ye've met her?”
Eva nodded.
”What do ye think of her?”
With a sigh, Eva sat closer and took his hand. ”I think she's been frightfully a.s.saulted and not likely to welcome a man's touch again in this lifetime.”
Angus thought about this for a moment. ”Judging from the look on Adam's face when he spoke of her, I'd wager he's thought about touching her, and more.”
” 'Tis just his tender heart.”
”Perhaps.” For the first time in months, Adam had shown fire and spirit. Had the defenseless woman brought out Adam's natural inclination to protect and defend? If so, then Angus would fuel that fire and speed his son's healing.
”Are ye mad, ye ol' fool? After Suisan's rebuff, do ye think he'd take on a damaged woman like this Gwenyth and face rejection again?”
”Adam is good at healing hurting creatures, is he not? He is drawn to her. Perhaps 'tis time for someone to heal Adam.”
”You want her to heal him so he can fight Leod.” Eva's shoulders slumped. ”It always comes back to that, doesn't it?”
”Eva, the boy needs more than to regain his fighting arm. He needs the wholeness that only love and forgiveness can give.”
She reached for his hand and smiled. ”You are right, as usual.”
Gently he said, ”He will still have to fight, my love. Leod has always acted as if the world owed him something. And he believes he has been cheated of his birthright.”
Eva stood and paced the room before coming to stand next to him. ”How can we protect our son?”
Angus shook his head, knowing the time had come for Adam to stand on his own. He prayed he'd prepared the boy well. ”We cannot, my love. He must use his head, heart, and hands to defeat Leod.”
”How much support does Leod have among the clan?”
”In numbers, not many. I'll speak to Ian. I believe the council will approve Adam, despite the la.s.s's accusation. But so long as Leod lives, Adam's life is in danger. It only takes one well-placed sword thrust, one man to do the deed.”
”But surely Leod knows he would forfeit any hope of becoming captain of the federation if he kills his laird.”
Eva paced again, and Angus longed to pull her to him, to ease her mind and make her forget. Make them both forget the cares of this world in each other's arms. But those days were gone, and now he had to prepare her, and Adam, to go on without him. The thought pained him, but he pushed it away. He didn't have time for such maudlin musings.
”Aye. Who would do Leod's will to the point of killing our son?”
”Who?”
”I don't know. And I fear I'll no' live long enough to be of any help.” He saw a shadow pa.s.s across her face and again it grieved him to remind her of his impending death. ”I've spoken with Adam and he has taken precautions.”
”And the girl?”
”We must wait for Seamus to return.”
She drew a deep breath. ”Will Adam be able to fight, if it comes to that?”
All the worry of a mother for her child lay open in that question. ”Whether he can or not, he's going to have to.”
She sat beside Angus once more and took his hand. ”If belief alone could win the day, yer son would be able to fly.” She smiled. ”Now then. Ye need to rest, and the la.s.s does, too. Talk to her tomorrow.”
”Nay. I don't have the luxury of putting things off, Eva.”
”For her sake, then.”
He relented. ”All right. Tomorrow.”
Eva kissed his brow. ”Goodnight, love.” She stood and walked to the door. ”I'll check on ye before I retire.” She closed it quietly behind her.
Angus closed his eyes, resting his weary body. The harsh words with his son still rang in his ears, but none so loud as Adam's anguished cry that he could not fight. Angus refused to believe it. Men far weaker in body and spirit had successfully led this clan in the past. He smiled. Even I.
With pleasure, Angus thought of his strong, fine son, the only male child of his and Eva's who had survived to adulthood. Those four small graves in the churchyard still grieved him. Although Adam and his two sisters pleased him, those graves were a reminder that only the strongest in body and will survived the harshness of the highlands.
Aye, only the very strongest survived.
'Twas a grievous shame he couldn't climb the stairs and learn for himself if his daughter-in-law was a survivor.
SEVEN.
DARKNESS SURROUNDED HER. Must not fall asleepa”stay awake. Nothing to be afraid of, save the rats scurrying through the straw. No light but a pale sliver beneath the door of the damp, fetid chamber. Watch the light; keep your eyes on the light. But the saving light faded as sleep overcame her.
Now she was warm, lying in a soft bed with gentle voices. Safe.
Nay, not safe. Never safe.
A hand came out of the darkness, clamped upon her mouth, and m.u.f.fled her screams of terror. She heard them, tearing her soul even as he tore her clothing. She fought, twisting her body and tugging at his beard. But he was so strong. Still she struggled, to no avail. She closed her mind to all thought and feeling. Why were the bedclothes coiled? The screams echoed in the small room and then ended abruptly, leaving her weeping.
”WAKE UP, La.s.s,” a woman's voice crooned. ”Come, 'tis only a bad dream. Ye are safe.”
As the nightmare and its terror faded, Gwenyth fearfully opened her eyes to see a woman sitting by her bed. Gwenyth touched the covers, to see if they were real and not straw, to know the dream was truly over. The reality of the warm, soft bed and the sweet-smelling chamber sank in and her sobs quieted.
She remembered where she was. And how she came to be here. She was not safe. Not here, not anywhere in Scotland, for he might return at any time.
She raised herself up, eyes gradually focusing on the woman beside her bed. Adam's mother put a pillow behind Gwenyth's back, and she sank gratefully into its softness.