Page 49 of Claimed Highland Brides

ABANDON ALL HOPE

Simon sat with other members of the garrison after their morning exercises, trying not to answer all the questions they threw at him, and failing miserably.

“But why was he arrested? What did he do?”

He could hear the anxiety in their voices. Daividh was known as one of the most proficient fighters amongst them. If the laird had found cause to punish him for something, how safe would the rest of them be?

“’Tis nothing to do wi’ us, or fighting,” Simon tried to reassure them.

“Then wha’? Is it the lassie?” Simon looked up, unsurprised that it was Mackenzie Fingall who asked the question. The man was a consummate gossip and if anyone was going to notice how much time Daividh spent with Lady Fiona, it was him.

“What lassie? I dinnae ken wha’ ye’re on aboot.”

Mackenzie gave a leery smile. “Och. Everyone has noticed how she watches ‘im. Is that not so?” He looked around as if waiting for others to acknowledge the veracity of his words.

“What lassie?” Hendry Stewart asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Th’ one tha’s to be wed,” Mackenzie replied at once, always happy to share his tidbits of gossip.

“Och? Why would she do tha’?”

“Ye ken he’s th’ one that went to fetch her frae her home. God kens wha’ they got up tae on th’ way.”

There were amused murmurs among the men, along with impressed whistles. Not many men would dare do such a thing, especially against their employer’s wishes.

“It wasnae like tha’!” Simon tried to stem the tide but no one was listening.

“But why put him in the dungeon though? If he has dishonored th’ lassie should he no marry her?”

“Nobody has been dishonored!” Simon thundered in annoyance.

Hendry shrugged. “Seems like the laird thinks so.”

“He doesnae. His dispute wi’ Campbell is something else.”

But he could see that no one believed him.

* * *

Dand knocked on Padraig’s door and waited to be invited in.

“Enter.” Padraig turned from his table and got to his feet. Being a man diminutive in stature, he liked to stand in the presence of others who might be taller than him. He blinked at Dand expectantly.

“Sir, I have overheard in the courtyard that the McCormick arrested one of his men. He suspected that the man was in flagrant wi’ his niece. They dinnae say which one by name but they did say she was to be married.”

Padraig’s eyes narrowed. “Did ye get the name of the soldier?”

“Aye. His name is Daividh Campbell.”

Padraig walked slowly and sat back down in his chair. He leaned back, looking thoughtful.

“Thank ‘e Dand. Ye may gang the noo.”

Dand nodded and left without another word.

Padraig decided that there was only one thing to be done. He needed to go and confront Lady Fiona and he needed to do it now. He was seething inside but he kept his outward appearance cold and unruffled. It would not do to let the girl know just how much this union meant to him. He walked up to the east wing where they were housed and right up to her chambers, knocking imperiously on the door. One of her sisters came rushing out of the opposite chamber, looking flustered and red-faced.

“Sir, wha’ are ye doing here?”