Wed to a Highlander

Chapter 2

  Far away south of the battlefield, the more peaceful McGraws resided the beautiful old castle sitting atop a hill which cast its morning shadow upon the industrious town. The land was vibrant and rich therefore attracting many a person to its pastures. But also... many a person became frustrated with the Laird's youngest offspring.

Three boys one coming one year after the other. Their names, Angus, Stephen and Lachlan, And Angus, being the oldest of the three, would become Laird when their father died. His older sister by five years, was the fragile beauty of the five children of Laird Andrew McGraw. Her mother named her Gwen. Now the oldest of these five children was a woman named Lauren. Being three years older than shy, beautiful Gwen, she was very protective of her younger siblings, being the 'mother-figure' to the three boys but enjoying her independence her father freely gave her while she still had it.

Every man that took up that took up lodgings in the McGraw house and the young men if the village had always taken a fancy to the lovely Gwen. And why not? She was everything a man wanted in a wife. Unfortunately, a few proposals of marriage came along to take what they wanted. And whenever that happened, Lauren was there to protect her sister. Skilled in the arts of male training, she was feared by men and male guests had gruesome thoughts of taming the wild lass... but, none succeeded.

But this day had started soundly, like any other day. The three boys would be up to their tricks around the castle, infuriating the nurse maids and agitating the rest of the staff while the men would look on amusedly, remembering their own childhood.

Laird Andrew watched the three boy's wave a dead mouse at a maid who was running around the courtyard, that being her desperate attempt to get away from them. Great grins were on their cheeky faces.

Andrew laughed and had good reason to be happy. The English lord, John Balium, had cancelled his forced engagement with the young Gwen McGraw as Andrew had just heard. The man had forced the betrothal with bribery, demanding that he have Gwen for his wife instead of having the debt owed to him by the McGraw Laird. Andrew had grudgingly agreed and then, early that morning, he had received a letter of the English lord's withdrawal from the arrangement. He sensed, or rather, knew, that Lauren had a major hand in this sudden affair. But how could she have paid the debt off? Well, all that mattered was that his little Gwen was safe.

His beautiful daughter now sat in the courtyard gardens, picking herbs for the kitchens. Her mass of red waves had been left loose this morning as she was safe within the walls, away from prying eyes. As if sensing his eyes on her, she looked up and smiled at her father. "Good morning, Papa!"

"Good mornin', my beauty," he called down to her. "Have yer seen yer sister this morn?"

"No, I haven't, Papa. She may be at the stables."

He nodded before turning away from the window and starting through his old castle. Yes, he would confront his eldest daughter on the matter but he would also thank her for saving her sister from a life of sorrow.

The stable-hands acknowledged their Laird entering the stable yard in search of his eldest child. Michael, one of his middle aged warriors, approached him instantly knowing what his Laird was in search of. "My Laird, she is no' here."

The man's brow furrowed. "Then where is she?"

Hoping to give a clue, Michael pointed out, "Her horse ain't here either, Laird."

"Right." Andrew nodded his head in understanding and looked out at the open castle gate, hoping to see Lauren come galloping through the opening at any moment. "Where are ye', lass?" he enquired to the open air, his fists on his kilt-clad hips.

He watched a few more people enter the open gate before he heard the rhythmic clacking of hooves on the cobbled road. Some of the men in the stables lifted their head, the very person they were expecting cantering into the courtyard on her enormous chestnut stallion. She smiled fondly at her father when the horse stopped. Tossing back his head as his rider dismounted casually, the stallion then trotted into its stall, ignoring the servants as always. The dark daughter of the McGraw Laird moved forward to her father, a triumphant smile planted on her full lips. "Da."

Andrew crossed his arms over his broad chest. The Laird was a large man. Muscular wise; always had been. Lauren reckoned that was one, probably major, reason why dear Ma had been so attracted to him. Lauren chuckled inwardly at that. Dear ole' Ma. If only she was here.

"Where have ye' been, Lauren?" he inquired, a dark tone to his voice.

"Oh, Da, I've only been out for a ride."

The Laird said slowly, "Aye."

And without another word, he took his daughter by the arm and entered the manor, the confused young woman in tow. "What is it, Da?"

Entering the castle's great study, Andrew halted his daughter in front of the oak desk, then turned to face her. "What did ye' do?"

Feigning innocence, Lauren furrowed her eyebrows. "What do you mean, Da?"

"What have ye' done to break up the engagement between Gwen and Lord Balium?"

Lauren lifted her strong jaw. "I don't know what you're talking about," she claimed tartly.

"I think ye' do." He watched the young woman's features, hoping to see maybe a little sign of surrender. There was none to be had. The lass was too equal to him to break down so easily. "No-one may know but me, lass. How did you persuade the persistent lord to turn his attention elsewhere?"

Laurens eyes shifted over the room, making sure no other soul was listening. "No' anything too drastic, Da. I merely paid the debt."

"Paid the debt? You didn't sell anything, did you?"

Her bottom lip was now clamped between her teeth nervously. "I did sell a few dresses," she answered quietly. "Sorry, Da. But it worked, didn't it? Gwen is free of that bastard."

"Aye." He suddenly moved forward, wrapping his great arms around his daughter's tense frame. "Thank ye', lass."

"It's alright, Da," she replied, returning his embrace.

They stayed in this position for a few more moments until finally parting on Andrew's words, "Be off with ye', lass. The boys are causing havoc in the grounds again."

She tutted in a frustrated manner. "Why can't you look after them for once by myself?"

He shook his head, laughing ruefully. "Nay."