“I did not ken she left the clan. Did her father say when she intends to return?”
“Nae, he did not. He didn’t recall the woman’s name either. He said Elayne left him a note and expected to be gone a few months, but that she planned to return.”
“I do not ken the woman’s name, but the laird or yer mother may remember it. I heard about it and hoped it would convince yer father of Elayne’s true identity so ye could wed if ye wished. Elayne suffered while ye were away as she missed ye fiercely. I ken she worried ye might return with a lass ye had chosen for yer bride while ye were away. She ken yer father would never agree to yer marriage to her since he was so keenly interested in making powerful alliances. I ken she didn’t think the woman’s testimony enough to sway him. Perhaps she traveled to see if she could find documents or testimony of others to convince the laird.”
“I visited the Grant clan and obtained sworn testimonies of many people who kent her as a bairn. I even found the midwife who delivered her. Her clan members want her to return to lead them. When I presented the documents to my father, he agreed to give his blessing to us. But now, Elayne is nae here, and I don’t ken where she is. I am worried about her safety.”
“Aye, I ken. Yer mother may help ye so ye can write to this woman and others in her clan to find Elayne.”
“Thank ye, Bessie. If ye hear any news or gossip concerning Elayne, will ye let me ken?”
“Aye.” Cailean departed the kitchens, leaving Bessie staring into her whiskey glass.
Bessie worried for Elayne.Elayne, did ye do what I think ye did? I ken ye love Cailean and would do anything for him, but did ye sacrifice yer future life to save him? Did ye go to the Cameron laird and trade yer skills for his release?
The warriors were released for nae reason, out of the blue. It does nae make sense. What will happen when Cailean learns nae one has seen ye in the Grant lands? I ken it was nae only for Cailean but for the clan. Ye wanted to avoid bloodshed and men losing their lives. What bargain did ye strike with the Devil of Cameron? God save ye, lass, if they should discover ye are a woman.
Cailean felt anxious and restless, so he walked to the training yard to work off his frustrations before he met with his mother or sisters. Unleashing his anger on his training partners, he went through several partners before he felt calm again. He bathed before dinner and dressed. Cailean ran his hands through his still damp hair as he stood in front of the hearth.Elayne, why couldn’t ye wait until I returned home before ye left to see yer family?He would have escorted her to anyplace she wished to visit. He could nae believe she’d left and wouldn’t come back for a long while. Ye may have felt abandoned after I left, but ye ken I had my duty to my laird and the clan.
At dinner, Cailean sat next to his mother and learned more news of the family and clan. He let his mother talk, knowing it was important to her to convey the nuances of what had occurred in his absence.
“Mother, I heard a woman at the fair announced Elayne was the very likeness of her mother, Lady Catherine of Clan Grant. Do ye recall if she mentioned any other family members?”
“Aye, I remember the woman. She was convincing and remembered playing with Elayne, who she claimed as her cousin, when she was a bairn. She did not mention any other family members.”
“What was her name, Mother? What clan does she live in now?”
“She lives in the Mackintosh clan. Her name is Mary and she is married to John Graham. Why do ye ask, son?”
Cailean gazed deeply into his mother’s eyes and into her heart. “I ask because I love Elayne and wish to wed her. I presented documents today to Father that bore testimony to Elayne’s true identity, and he gave me his blessing to wed her, if she agreed. Her clan wants her to return and lead them as their laird would do. If we wed and lived there, it would create another powerful alliance for the clan.”
“I am happy for ye, son. Elayne is a strong and caring woman. No doubt she would be a good wife to ye and leader for her clan. Have ye seen her since yer return?”
“Nae, I have nae seen her. I spoke to William, her father, and Elayne is not here in the clan. She left him a note about visiting family. She anticipated being away for a few months. She left a few days after word reached her that we were prisoners in the Cameron clan dungeons. I dinna ken where to reach her or search for her. I looked forward to seeing her again as soon as I returned.”
His mother clasped his shoulder, her eyes filling with tears as she felt her son’s pain. “I’m sorry Elayne is nae here to meet ye. Write to the people ye met and this woman to identify who Elayne may be visiting. It must be important for her to travel then, otherwise I am certain she would be here.”
Cailean kissed his mother and thanked her. She always made him feel better, giving him the encouragement he needed and instilling hope in him. In his bedroom later that night, he spoke from his heart to Elayne, wishing he could tell her now in person. “Elayne, I love ye, lass, and I miss ye. Where are ye? I wish ye were here. My father has given us his blessing. We could handfast and travel to yer clan in the summer. Return soon, my love.”
In her room, Elayne gazed into the bright flames of the fire. “Cailean, I ken ye are home, safe at last with yer family. I am happy for ye and yer family and clan. I wish to be with ye. But I must honor the pledge I made to free ye. Even if we are never able to marry, I will always love ye.” Tears streamed down her cheeks, facing a bleak future without Cailean. “I am happy for yer freedom to live yer life as ye choose. I love ye, Cailean. Be safe and be well.” So much could happen in six months. Cailean would most likely be married by the time she returned. If that happened, her heart would never recover.
Chapter Twelve
Months Apart
The next day, Cailean spent hours writing letters to people in the Grant clan and to John and Mary Graham in the Mackintosh clan. Red wax sealed the letter and bore his seal. He had thanked them for their hospitality. Then invited them to visit his clan again and inquired about Elayne. The laird dispatched messengers with guards when it stopped snowing. Cailean counted the weeks until he received any replies, training daily outside whenever possible.
Inconceivably, months passed and still he had received nae word. In the dead of winter with incessant snowstorms, Cailean kent it delayed messengers, impeding safe travel.
Cailean rode deep into the forest to the loch, where he and Elayne had spent many a summer’s day. It was agony not knowing where she was.
With the mists from the silver loch swirling around him, he yelled out in anguish. “Elayne!” Her name echoed back without an answer. Haunting shapes shifted in the mist and fog, and he half-expected for Elayne to materialize magically out of the haze to him.
The disquiet intruded on his thoughts, and he worried for Elayne’s safety. A striking and loving woman, many men would seek to claim her for her beauty alone. Cailean couldn’t bear thinking about another man marrying her. He loved Elayne with all his heart. But what could he do when he had no replies to his letters and queries?
William, Mrs. Logan, and Thomas kept their own counsel as the winter months passed. Memories of Elayne in the forge and garden kept them company. If possible, William would have jumped on a horse and rode to the Cameron clan to see to his daughter’s welfare. But he didn’t want to jeopardize her well-being.
William couldn’t bear to lose Elayne after he had lost his first wife and daughter. Elayne had been his soul’s redemption, bringing joy into his life. Before her, his life felt barren and empty.
