She slid off her mare and rushed to the closest burned out hut, calling for the women she knew. “Elizabeth? Suzanne? Tara?”
No one answered.
She searched cottage after cottage, hoping to find someone. But everything had been destroyed.
There were no bodies. No signs of violence. Perhaps a cooking fire had been left unattended? Or one of the children accidently set the fire? Regardless of the cause, her heart ached for her friends. A strange feeling settled over her then. For some reason, she could feel the pain and suffering that had happened, and she dropped to her knees and prayed fervently. “Dear God… have mercy on these poor people. On the MacKays. Let whoever did this face holy justice.”
“Justice?” a man’s voice sounded from behind her. “Ye seek justice in the wrong place, lass. Ye’ll find only death and sorrow.”
Startled, Keely rose to her feet and found a guard on horseback. “Where are the people?”
He stared at her for a long moment before he spoke again. “Are ye a kinswoman? Did yer ma and da live here?”
She shook her head. “I am a friend. Gone for longer than I ever should’ve been.”
“Tis a bad time to visit, lass. Go home. Violence awaits anyone who comes here.”
“Who did this?” she asked.
“Ye ask too many questions. Tell me yer name, lass.” He dismounted.
“Keely…” What name should she use? Though she didn’t recognize the warrior, he wore the MacKay tartan.
“Yer da’s name?”
“I’m Keely… MacKay.”
“The lass who left our laird on his wedding night?”
“Aye,” she admitted. “The very woman.”
He frowned, studying her. “Ye’ve heard the news, then?”
“What news?”
“Ye better come with me, lass. It isna safe here.”
She hesitated, not wanting to go anywhere with anyone she didn’t know and trust. “Who torched the village? Where are the tenants? The animals?”
The guard ignored her questions and retrieved her mare. “Climb up. The answers ye seek will come from the MacKay himself.”
“I am more than capable of finding my own way.”
“I willna leave a helpless woman here. Especially a MacKay. I have orders and intend to carry them out.” He gestured for Keely to mount.
Living with the Earl of Sutherland had taught her many things. The most important lesson was: once ye cede control, the chance of ever recovering yer independence may never come. On the other hand, she wanted to see her estranged husband. What difference did it make if she arrived with an armed escort or by herself? She sized up the guard, knowing she’d lose the wrestling match if she tried to escape.
“I will accompany ye.” She climbed atop her mare. “What is yer name?”
“Andrew,” he said, guiding her horse to a spot next to his. “Ye willna protest if I keep yer sweet mare close, will ye?”
A kind way of saying she had no choice. Keely was now in the custody of the MacKays.
Many people watched with curiosity as they entered the inner courtyard of the keep. Before Keely had fled this place, she’d lived amongst the MacKays for over a year. Twas no surprise she recognized several of the women and their now quite grown up children. To say she didn’t feel embarrassed and hurt when several turned their backs on her would be dishonest.
She’d expected a cold reception, had even prepared for it, or so she thought.
When the word “traitor” filled the air around her, coming from a single voice first, then growing into a chant, she lifted her hood to cover her face. If they only knew the truth of it, they’d thank her for leaving.
