Page 10 of Seduced By the Reckless Highlanders
“One thing at a time, Addie.” Keira took a sip of her wine and paused for a moment, calling back the memory of the awful events of the last time she had seen her mother. “I have to tell you a story first, but I think I will need more wine.”
Once the wine was in her hands, Keira began to tell the story of the horrific night her mother had died. When she had finished, there were tears streaming down her face and dripping into her wine. Relating the events to Adaira had brought back the whole jumble of emotions that had beset her that night. She had felt fear that her father would kill her too, and fear for her mother’s safety. There was horror at Malcolm’s untimely and unnecessary death, but above all, hatred for her father and a bitter anger that had lasted until the present day and still persisted.
Adaira moved to sit beside Keira and put her arm around her shoulders, then she held her close while rocking her like a baby. To Keira, the warmth and closeness of another human being was the balm she needed to soothe her loneliness and hurt. As her sobbing slowly abated, she was almost reluctant to leave Adaira’s embrace.
However, she drew away at last, wiped away her tears, and sighed, then tried to smile. “Do you feel better now?” Adaira asked gently.
Keira nodded. “Thank you, Addie. I am sorry for being such a baby.”
“You were not being a baby,” Adaira assured her. “I don’t know how you stayed sane all these years. I have always admired you, Keira, but I admire you even more now thinking of the burden you have had to carry. I hate your father even more now, and I will do whatever it takes to get out of this place and away from him.
“Now, I will have our supper sent up here, and we can talk further and make some plans. I cannot wait to get started!” Adaira was almost bursting with excitement.
Keira was amazed to see the unashamed malice in Adaira’s eyes. She hated him just as much as Keira did, and while the rebels did what they knew had to be done, and no more, it looked as though Adaira was going to enjoy it very much.
“First things first then,” Keira announced. “You must find yourself a suit of boy clothes.”
“Boy clothes?” Adaira was mystified. “Why?”
“Because we cannot go out dressed like the ladies we are,” Keira answered. “We are obviously not farmers’ wives or field hands. We have to be something completely different. I chose boy…or, rather, young men’s clothes because I can lay my hands on quite a few that are almost worn out. From a distance we can pass muster, although I would not risk a close look.”
“Do your men know you are a woman?”Adaira asked.
“Yes, they do,” she replied. “They are very respectful, though.”
Adaira chuckled softly. “You are amazing, Keira,” she remarked. “How long has this been going on?”
“Four years,” Keira answered. “It all began a few years after all the terrible things my father had done. I was absolutely in pieces, and for a while I could not function properly. Then they contacted me, and as it happened, I was able to help them. Well, we helped each other.”
She told Adaira the story of her induction into the company of rebels and how she soon became its leader while the young woman stared at her in admiration.
“And all this was going on under my nose!” Adaira marveled. “Tell me how you laid hands on the boy clothes?”
Keira chuckled. “Moira, my maid, has four sons, and they all grow out of their clothes and are passed on to the next son. I picked out the old ones that I needed and paid her for them, and you have no idea how delighted she was!”
“Can you do the same for me?” Adaira asked eagerly.
“I can try, and I am sure we will sort you out with something, whatever it takes.” Keira smiled at her.
“This is really happening,” Adaira said incredulously. “You know, Keira, I feel better already. I know that whatever he does or says that there will soon be an end to it.” Her smile was radiant.
“I think you are going to make a good addition to our band.” Keira was smiling happily.
Adaira clapped her hands. “So when is our next meeting?” she asked eagerly. “I cannot wait to meet everyone!”
“They are equally eager to meet you too,” Keira assured her. “We have not decided on the next meeting yet, but you will bethe first to know, and in the meantime you can make yourself ready.”
“Where do you meet?” Adaira asked.
“You do not have to know that until the day it takes place,” Keira replied. Seeing Adaira’s disappointment, she added, “It is safer that way, Addie.”
Just then, a maid came in with a tray bearing their evening meal.
“No more talking!” Adaira ordered. Then she laughed and held up her ale glass. “Sláinte Mhath!” she cried. “To rebellion!”
“Rebellion! Sláinte Mhath!” Keira cried. “And to us!”
5
