Page 28 of Highlander’s Ancient Vengeance

“I am well enough, Mammy.” Malle was beginning to become annoyed. Her headache was beginning to return now that she was being assailed with questions, and she lay back on her pillow with her eyes closed, wishing everyone would go away. She noticed that Craig was gone too, probably supposing that Malle would want some privacy to talk to her parents.

“Why are you on this side of the Cut, Malle?” Kenneth asked, mystified. “How many times do you need to be told not to come here?”

Malle turned her head away, closing her eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was go into a detailed explanation of all Donnan’s letters and why she had to see Craig, and the ensuing battle in which a man was killed.

At that moment however, salvation arrived in the form of Jessie, who came in bearing a strong cup of willow bark tea. She curtsied to Laird and Lady MacEwan and greeted them politely, then bent down to feel Malle’s forehead.

“M’laird, Milady,” she said, “sometimes there is a wee bit o’ fever after a blow tae the head. The mistress needs her rest, but I will sit wi’ her, dinnae fash yersel’.”

Margaret looked doubtfully at Kenneth, but they could see the wisdom of Jessie’s words, so they each kissed Malle and turned to leave.

“I will be back to check on her soon,” Margaret warned.

“As ye wish, Milady,” Jessie replied, smiling at her kindly.

As soon as the door was closed, Malle opened one eye. “Is she gone?” she whispered.

“Aye,” Jessie replied briskly. “Noo dinnae get a’ excited,” she warned. “Ye’ve got a wee bit fever, but the tea should take care o’ that.”

Just then, Craig edged his way around the door. “Are you still not feeling well?” he asked, concerned.

“She has a fever,” Jessie said firmly. “An’ she is gaun’ back tae sleep. I jist chased her maw an’ paw oot the door. Go on, get oot!”

“A fever?” Craig asked, frowning. “Is she alright?”

“I am fine, I only have a headache,” she replied. “I am going to rest for a little while and then join you. Give yourself peace, lovie. I will be down soon.”

He kissed her softly. “I love you,” he whispered.

“I love you too.” She smiled. “I always will.”

Didnae realize he wis as smitten as a’ that! Jessie thought in amazement. This would make wonderful gossip with her friends for a rainy evening!

Craig limped downstairs to find his father and the MacEwans sitting beside the fire drinking spiced ale and giving every appearance that they were enjoying each other’s company. His father, not usually so outgoing, seemed to be going out of his way to charm Margaret, but although she was trying to be polite, he could see that she was anxious, and her mind was far away. Kenneth had a protective arm around her.

He watched the three of them for a moment, wondering why the feud had gone on for so long. It seemed that only Isobell and Donnan had tried to put an end to it, but this time it would be Malle and Craig’s turn, and they would not just try, but succeed.

Craig drew in a deep breath and limped into the room, smiling broadly. “Good evening, M’laird, Milady,” he said politely, bowing over Margaret’s hand and kissing it. “It is so good to see you again.” He thought briefly that Donnan must have felt like this when he entered the lion’s den.

Margaret would have begged him to tell her everything, but Kenneth gently restrained her by squeezing her arm.

“Are you ready to tell us what happened?” Kenneth asked. “While Malle is sleeping?”

Craig sighed. “It is not a pretty tale,” he began, “so yes, let me tell you while she is not here. I doubt she will want to relive it. I know you have been wondering what happened to us. Fortunately neither of us is badly injured, but it could have been much worse. Alan Bruce is dead—wait, Father.” He held up his hand as Malcolm tried to speak. “He is the cause of all the unrest that has been going on here.”

“I would rather sit with Malle for a while,” Margaret announced. “Kenneth can tell me later.” She left the room hastily.

“This injury of mine was caused by a knife being driven into my foot,” Craig began, “but it is not as bad as it looks. But Jessie, who put the bandage on, always says that if a job is worth doing it is worth doing well, and here is the result!” He had tried to begin on a lighthearted note but neither of the lairds smiled. “I am going to have to go back two hundred years to get to the beginning of the story, so I would be grateful if neither of you interrupted. It began with Isobell MacEwan and Donnan Dunbar…”

He went on to tell the story in as much detail as he could, and ended at the very moment when he and Malle had ridden into Dunbar Castle. “...the rest you know,” he ended, then went to get himself a tumbler of whisky. Reliving the events of the day had brought everything back vividly, and he felt rather shaky inside.

“Your ordeal sounds absolutely terrifying,” Malcom remarked, his eyes wide with horror. “Poor Isobell...as for Alan Bruce, the wolves are welcome to him. You did well to kill him Craig.”

“Craig-” said Kenneth with trembling voice “You saved Malle’s life! If you had not been there she would have been dead. I can never thank you enough.” Kenneth’s voice was husky with emotion. He loved his daughter more than anything. “We will spend the rest of our lives repaying you.”

“I could not have let Malle die. I could not let that happen,” Craig answered. “No man could.”

Malcolm looked at Kenneth. “Perhaps...you would both like to stay for dinner? We are quite plain eaters, but you are welcome to whatever we have.”