Page 67 of Highland Jewel
As Cinaed turned and backed away, Niall saw his gaze flicker toward the stairwell. He glanced over.
Isabella stood quietly on the steps, watching them.
CHAPTER25
Maisie dressed quietly in the early morning light. Morrigan was still sleeping, though she’d certainly be waking up soon.
She herself had barely slept at all. With Niall still in the dungeon and everything she’d heard from Isabella later, it was hardly surprising.
Maisie had been hearing murmurs about Cinaed ever since they arrived at Dalmigavie. She’d seen the deference with which the clan treated him. He was called “son of Scotland” as if it were a name. Or a title. Seeing the way Searc and the laird treated him, it was clear they had great plans for him. She believed that was part of the reason why, despite the fact that they were already married, Isabella and Cinaed were to have another wedding celebration at the end of the month, when clan chiefs from all over the Highlands would be in attendance.
Last night, she finally learned the true significance of the name… and the reason for their worries about his safety.
After leaving the dungeons, Maisie had gone upstairsto her sister, armed with questions regarding what she might know of the reason for Niall’s arrival in the Highlands. It was then that Isabella told her Cinaed’s mother was Queen Caroline. And if that weren’t startling enough, his father was the unacknowledged son of Charles Edward Stuart. Niall was part of the envoy sent by the queen to arrange a meeting.
Bonnie Prince Charlie. The son of Scotland.
Everything made sense now. The northern lands were already a tinderbox because of the unjust laws, the continued military occupation by English forces, the violent clearing of the Highlands, and the repression of the Highlanders’ language and way of life. A charismatic leader with a claim to the throne could easily be the spark to set all of Scotland ablaze. King George, unpopular throughout the realm as Prince Regent and even more so now, could be driven from the throne. A dynasty could fall.
And the Mackintosh clan was not about to let anything happen to Cinaed.
Quickly, Maisie told her sister what Niall said about Fiona. How he didn’t know where she was.
“Searc and the laird already know about that. Rainey and Woelk were both aware of Lieutenant Campbell’s troubles regarding his sister, and they were quick to talk about it,” Isabella explained. “Woelk told them that Fiona had been arrested for passing on flyers to women regarding the Six Acts. The two of them said they believe she’s awaiting trial right now.”
Maisie thought of her own doubts.
“So his companions knew everything, and they still trusted him to come north with them. This means the queen had to know it too. He wasn’t hiding anything.” The words she spoke were as much for her own peace of mind as for her sister’s.
“Rainey told them he didn’t learn this from the lieutenant, but from his own sources.”
“Niall spent weeks asking everyone openly if they knew anything about Fiona’s whereabouts. It was no secret, and that kind of news travels. The queen and her people would never have made him part of this envoy unless they trusted Niall.” Maisie wrung her hands. “They must release him.”
“The decision is in Searc and the laird’s hands.”
“Can I talk to them, at least? I want to take back what I said. Take back my accusation.”
“You know Searc. The man will not be pushed. You’d best wait until morning.”
Wait until morning.
The night had dragged on interminably. Finally, hearing the sounds of morning activity outside the window, Maisie hurried downstairs, looking for Searc or Lachlan or Cinaed. She needed to press her case and get Niall out of that dungeon.
She looked into the Great Hall but saw none of them. She turned to go as John Gordon’s aunt, Auld Jean, shuffled up behind her. It was at Jean’s cottage that Isabella and Cinaed met. She was the one who helped them flee from the villagers who would have murdered them both after the shipwreck. When they arrived at the castle, Isabella had made sure the girls understood that Jean was now family. Afflicted with the shaking palsy, the tough old woman struggled with many simple tasks, and worry for her nephew only seemed to make her condition worse.
“I’ve seen nary a one of them,” Jean said in response to Maisie’s question.
“How is John doing today?”
“Them blasted curs at the fort tried to break the lad’s spirit, but we’re a tough lot. He’s mending, as themistress said he would, bless her. But it’s slow going. As ye know, he’s got his good days and bad. Today, not so good.”
After his arrest, John Gordon had been taken to Fort George. Cinaed and the Mackintosh men had been able to free him and bring him here, but not before he’d suffered horribly. Over the past weeks, John’s body had been slowly healing, but his mind was still troubled by the nightmare he endured.
“I’ll go and read to him later,” Maisie offered. “And I know Morrigan was planning to visit him today too.”
“Yer good lasses, the two of ye.” The old woman brightened. “It cheers him to see yer bonnie faces, I’ll grant ye.”
John had traveled with them for weeks, and Maisie’s family would never be able to repay the young barrister for his help in getting them out of Edinburgh and for what he’d suffered afterwards.
