Her Highland Devil (Scottish Highlander Romance), page 23
“What does your leaving the Highlands do for Malcolm? He cannot have you still.”
Gabby thought for a while. “Yes, he cannot have me, but he could have Callum overpowered and rendered unfit to lead the clan. The rescue happened at a time that we were both not home, when Callum was not prepared. Nobody expected it. If Callum is unable to lead the clan for several days or weeks, Malcolm will win the hearts of the people. I have seen him once, as he tried to ridicule Callum’s authority before his men. He can do it again and this time, he might be successful.”
Sophie sighed. “Then if his plan is to become the leader of the clan, Erlyn can marry Callum, right?”
“Yes, she can seduce her way back into his arms again.”
“But then, he wouldn’t be the Laird anymore, would he?” Sophie asked.
Gabby raised her brows as everything became clearer to her. “Oh! Then that means, Malcolm is also deceiving Erlyn. This is it!”
“Well, now that this has been settled, what are you going to do about it?”
Gabby thought for a while, but then she shrugged. “I don’t know. My parents would never allow me to leave this place. Father already told me that if I ever leave, I must forget that I have a family here and I just want to make things better.”
Sophie inhaled. “Well, perhaps, you need to come up with a good plan, because your mother has started preparing for your wedding.”
Gabby was not surprised when she heard this. “I know. She made mention of it downstairs yesterday when she came to speak with Ronnie and me.”
“He is such a good man.”
“I know. I feel bad that I do not share his feelings. I never did share his feelings, remember?”
Sophie nodded. “Yes, I do. You were planning on perhaps growing to love him after you were wed.”
“Looking at him feeling miserable makes me feel so guilty and so sad. I miss my best friend so much and I need him badly. I do not need a lover in Ronnie at all. I need my partner, childhood friend. I have missed him for so long and I don’t think he will forgive me if I break his heart again.”
Sophie sighed. “You really need to come up with a plan.”
“What plan?” she asked.
“If you do not want him to hate you and if you want to return to the Highlands to make things better while making sure that your family do not hate you for it, you need a good plan!”
***
Erlyn waited anxiously in her room. Malcolm was yet to give her feedback on everything that had happened. Five days ago, the English had attacked their home, since then she had not even gone out. She kept hearing several rumors that Callum was dead but she wasn’t certain. She needed entrance into the castle and only Malcolm could grant her that.
A knock sounded on the door and she jumped up to open it.
“My lady, Lord Malcolm is here,” said Anne.
Quickly, she rushed out of the room into the drawing room where Malcolm stood. He had a mischievous grin plastered on his face.
“Ye bastard! Ye killed him didn’t ye?” she demanded, rushing towards him and attempting to hit him.
Malcolm however caught both her arms and twisted it behind her. “Calm down! He is not dead!”
When she heard this, she was relieved. “But everyone kept saying that the Laird was dead.”
“Well,” said Malcolm, walking to one of the drawings on the wall. “Well, ye know what? The English made him look like death itself.”
“What does that mean?”
He shrugged and turned to face her. “One of his arms is broken and right now, the physician thinks he is blinded…”
Erlyn gasped in shock, then she sank to her knees. “Oh, no, no! He is no good tae me that way!”
“Well, I think he is perfect that way. His heart is broken because he believes that his wife betrayed him. He is also physically broken, just like he was when Isabella died. What other way would ye get him tae love ye again if not when ye try tae fix him up. The only time he can love ye is when he is broken, ye and I both know that. So, ye can come tae the castle anytime ye want or ye can remain here. I already told the servants tae let ye in anytime they see ye.”
Erlyn wept, she was furious but she also knew that Malcolm was right. Yet, a voice in her head hinted that this would be a great mistake.
“Are ye still thinking about it?” he asked her one more time.
“Ye are such an evil man, Malcolm!” she stated, pointing finger at him.
Malcolm only laughed. “Now, why would ye call me that? If anything at all, I thought ye would be grateful. This is exactly what ye want, isn’t it?”
She made no reply and stood up.
“Thank ye for yer cooperation,” Malcolm said, tipping his hat in her direction. Then he smiled and walked out of the house.
***
When he got to his carriage, two of his men, Bareth and Darach were in the carriage with him.
“So, what next, my Lord?” asked Darach.
“Now, we are going tae let everyone know that his wife betrayed him and that he is in a very bad position. He cannot be the Laird anymore. Let them know that he is blinded and…”
“But I thought the physician said he is not blind and that it is just temporary,” Darach interrupted.
Malcolm grinned and gripped Darach’s neck. “The people will only know what they are told. We are the ones who will determine what they are told. Also, if you ever interrupt me again,” he said, tightening his grip around his neck. “I shall strangle ye tae death!”
Darach nodded with all his effort before Malcolm released him.
“Now, go, both of ye!” he shouted and both men left the carriage.
The carriage began to move and he leaned back to stretch his legs. He was happy, satisfied and relieved. Everything was working perfectly. In the next few days, there would be a meeting to determine who will become the next Laird and who else but the dutiful brother that is lending himself to taking care if the casualties. Everyone will hate the son of the man who brought in an English woman.
He laughed more.
Erlyn was so stupid; no wonder Callum never liked her. Once she moved into the castle, he might even set her up as the person who poisoned the Laird and she wouldn’t even know!
He had worked hard for this joy, he enjoyed every moment of it.
***
Erlyn watched as the carriage drove away. She was not sure whether to trust Malcolm or not to. That bastard only thought of himself. This was why he was never considered as the Laird.
She thought of Callum and she couldn’t but feel a pang of deep regret. If anything was to happen to Callum, she would never forgive herself.
She walked to her room but left the door slightly opened. Then she walked to her dressing table and opened the drawers. She scanned through the numerous papers that were in the drawer. Then she brought them out and scattered them on her bed.
As she did this, she was also wiping the tears on her face. The letters were the different letters she had written to match those that the lass had written. She went back to her table and lifted the basket of flower on the table. Underneath it were two letters that were neatly folded in an envelope. These were the real letters.
The door opened suddenly and she jumped.
“I am so sorry, my Lady,” said Ann as she came in with her cleaning materials. “The door was open.”
She inhaled deeply and stood up. “Yer attitude sometimes, Anne, is quite alarming.”
Erlyn folded the papers back into the drawers and pushed it back in before locking it. “I shall be going tae the castle tonight. Arrange all the things that I will need while I am there.”
Anne nodded and watched as Erlyn walked into the bathroom and shut the door after her. The maid began to remove the furs that served as the bed cover. While she removed everything, a paper dropped from the bed. She frowned, looked towards the bathroom and realizing she was not coming out any minute; Ann picked up the letter and began to go through it. For a while, she couldn’t understand anything, but then she gasped, covering her mouth with her hands.
That instant, she heard a movement as if Erlyn was coming out and she quickly tucked the letter inside her dress before continuing with her cleaning.
***
Aodh Castle
Several men were seated in the courtroom in front of Sir Rory and Efgerald who were addressing them. The elders were seated at the front.
“We know that the Laird is severely injured,” said Sir Moroch. “But we cannae say that because our Laird is not capable of leading, we should not have another leader, can we?”
The rest grumbled a ‘no’.
Efgerald attempted to reply but sir Rory gave him a cautious look, then he relaxed.
“Let them all voice out their grievances,” Sir Rory said. “Then we will know how tae address it.”
Efgerald nodded and signaled to the men to continue talking.
Another older man stood up.
“We all love our Laird but twice now, the English people have hurt him terribly. Are we still going tae fold our hands and watch them get away with it?”
“No!” the men shouted again, and another stood up.
“My Lords, I think we need tae be patient regarding this situation. We all love our Laird, and this is the time when he needs our patience and support the most. If we chose another Laird so quickly, how can we trust him?”
There was no reply to this, and the man sat down.
“Note the man that has just spoken in Callum’s favor,” sir Rory whispered to Efgerald. “We need as many allies as possible, this is where we will get tae see those who is with us and those who are nae.”
Efgerald nodded, acknowledging his wisdom.
“Why is Lord Malcolm not here?” asked another.
“He is busy taking care of the wounded men.”
“When did he become a physician? This is an important meeting!” Shouted another man. The whole place became rowdy and Efgerald stood up.
“Thank ye everyone. Ye have all spoken well and being our Laird’s advisor and spokesman, I suggest we put our decision tae a vote.”
The men started grumbling again.
“The voting will be done at the next meeting which will happen here in ten days! If our Laird is still not capable or strong enough by that day, then ye can all suggest the names of whoever ye want as the Laird and we shall then choose a day tae vote. Have I spoken well?”
“Aye, that is a good plan!” shouted one of the men, then another until almost everyone in the room agreed to it.
With this, he stood up with Sir Rory and they exited the courtroom.
“Dae ye think I did the right thing?” He asked as they walked out.
“That was good thinking. Ye have not only given them time tae think, ye have also given us time tae make plans and also time for Callum to recover. I can see why he cannae dae without ye.”
Efgerald smiled with pride but quickly brought himself back to the matter at hand. “I have noted the names of our allies, when do we start reaching out tae them?”
“Not now,” sir Rory replied. “After the tenth day, let us hope that Callum would have at least gotten better. If the people can see for themselves that he is not dying and that he can go back to the way he was, we will have more supporters and more allies.”
Efgerald nodded. As they were talking, Rory saw a man waiting at the entrance of Callum’s study.
“Who is he?” Sir Rory asked.
“He is the brother tae my wife’s closest friend, no one know he is related to me. He is one of Malcolm’s men, but he secretly tells me anything he knows about their plans,” Efgerald replied and walked up to the man with Sir Rory.
They opened the door of the study and walked in together.
“Now, Bareth, what do ye have for me?” he asked the man.
Chapter 27
“Well, I know that he is making attempt tae convince everyone, especially the men of the clan, that the Laird is incapable of leading,” Bareth explained.
Efgerald wasn’t surprised about that. “How many of ye did he send on that task?”
“Just myself, Darach, and two other men,” Bareth replied.
“This is not good,” said Sir Rory. “Did he tell ye any more of his plans?”
“No, he didn’t,” Bareth replied.
“He will soon hear about the latest decision, we need tae act fast,” said Efgerald. “Ye need tae go back, no one must see ye here, or with me.”
Bareth nodded and left the two men.
“Good job working with Bareth. Now what?” Sir Rory asked.
“Well, now we wait and pray that Callum recovers quickly.”
***
Callum opened his eyes slowly as he perceived a movement beside him.
“Efgerald?” He asked in a weak tone.
“No, my love. It is I, Erlyn. I hae come tae take care of ye.”
He could faintly see Erlyn looking at him as she bent slightly over him.
“Oh! What have they done tae ye?” She cried and that was the last thing he heard.
***
Efgerald passed through the corridor that led to Callum’s room and he heard voices. He listened attentively before pushing the door opened.
There, beside Callum, lay Erlyn. She had a hand on his chest while she lay beside him.
“What are ye doing in here?” He demanded as he saw her.
“I came tae take care of him,” she replied, sitting up.
“He doesn’t need ye, Erlyn,” he stated.
“But he does. No matter what ye say, I am not leaving this place, and the servants cannae throw me out either,” she said, standing up. “After everything, I am still the one that is here for him. Haven’t ye realized that? Isabella, Gabby, where are they? This is me, here, for him. I am going tae be here for a long time so ye should get used tae seeing me around.”
Efgerald was quiet, he said nothing more and left. If she didn’t have a high standing in their clan, he would have thrown her out himself. While he passed through the corridor, he ran into Erinda who was carrying a tray.
“My Lord,” she said with a bow.
“Hold on, where are ye going?”
“Tae the Laird’s room,” she replied.
“Did Erlyn ask ye tae bring these tae her?” He asked.
“Yes,” she replied.
“Are ye not worried about Gabby? Ye seem tae have forgotten her so easily. Why are ye answering tae Erlyn all of a sudden?”
Erinda sighed. “Lady Gabby has betrayed us all. She is not who we thought she was,” she said sadly. “Lady Erlyn is here, and Lord Malcolm has given me clear instructions tae dae whatever she asks.”
Efgerald sighed. “I see. Malcolm is now ordering everyone around. Where is he?”
“I dae not know, my Lord.”
“Well then, ye may go.”
***
Back in Hawkshire
“So, have you thought of any plan yet?” Sophie asked the next morning.
Gabby nodded. She was dressing up. “Aye, I have,” she replied.
“Aye?” Sophie asked, surprised.
“I mean, yes.” Gabby explained.
“Please, do not tell me you are leaving for the Highlands,” Sophie pleaded.
“Of course not,” Gabby replied. “I do not even know my way back to the place.”
“So where are you going?”
“To Ronnie. I am paying him a visit.”
Sophie gasped. “You are paying Lord Ronnie a visit? That has never happened before.”
“Yes. Everyone is saying I have changed, well, maybe I have. But I want them to think that everything is alright, until I can come up with a better plan. For now, I need to make Ronnie happy. He at least deserves that for all his troubles.”
“So, what happens after? You will eventually leave for the Highlands?”
Gabby sighed. “I have not thought of that yet. If there is any chance for me to go back and help Callum clear up the confusion and thereafter return here to marry Ronnie, I will take it, just to make everyone happy. But for now, I need to have that letter. I need to know the content.”
