Ladies, Lasses and Chevaleresses: The Loch Carron Series, #5

By Janet Heads

Through the years of 1321 to 1326, Duncan MacDonald, Constable, of the clan and castle is always in control, always on guard. He is the clan chess player moving his family from square to square when necessary, but he in turn is also a pawn on a much larger chessboard.

Both males and females have to make their own way from child to adult, through the dangerous maze of life. It is a course they must negotiate.

Hormones run riot as the Squires try their skills on young ladies in the castle, but it will not end happily for some. Not only the young have lessons to learn, so have the older, as Katherine realises how protected she is. Gerald’s heart is split once more.

MacDonalds Knights and squires, travel from the Highlands of Scotland to the back streets of Paris. They are going for knowledge, but most for pleasure and passion. Others are sent for dangerous mission for Scotland, and Lady Fyonia shows what she is truly made of and can hold her own as a Chevaleress and worthy of order of the garter.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janet Heads
• Release date: Dec 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9780473314996

Book preview

Chapter One

1321

A dove circled the MacDonald’s castle before coming to rest on the windowsill outside the ladies’ solar. Lady Helen Urquhart, wife of the MacDonald’s Constable, Sir Duncan, smiled at the creature, and threw the bird some breadcrumbs. The dove ate hungrily as Helen closed the window, stopping the breeze from coming in. She glanced around the solar. Ladies and their ladies–in-waiting were playing games, sewing and chatting among themselves. Lady Katherine’s eighteen year old, Mairead Fraser, and thirteen year old Claire MacDonald, sat beside her sewing. Shelia Matheson and Elizabeth Chisholm were playing draughts on a table beside them. Elizabeth was Lady Francesca’s fifteen year old lady-in-waiting. Shelia was a year older and her sister’s Lady Lauranne’s.

Heather MacNicol entered the room. The seventeen year old disliked her mistress, Lady Christina who was Gerald’s wife. The poor child always looked hassled and unhappy, but brightened up when she saw the others and joined Joan MacKail and Deidre Grant in a game of tic-tac- toe on the floor. The girls used different shaped stone shapes as tokens. Joan was Lady Fyonia’s lady-in-waiting while Deidre was Lady Louisa’s. Helen was listening to Fyonia’s conversation with Lauranne when Joan caught her eye. She was a small child, and was thirteen, but looked like a ten year old. Her fifteen year old opponent screamed with laughter as she won another game.

Helen’s own protégée, Rachael Fraser, sat staring out into space and Helen wondered what the sixteen year old was thinking. Her heart sunk when she remembered that all the girls would be going soon. They would be matched with someone they did not know, to be married until death parted them. The sad thing was that death would come to at least one of the pair, either by being killed in a battle or dying in child birth. Ruth, James’s wife, came to mind. She rested in her room. Heavy with child, the girl was but a child herself but thank goodness everything was going well.

The conversation moved on to the time when a woman had been raped. Lady Lauranne, Sir Fergus’s wife, and a knight herself, glanced at Fyonia, another female knight, then back to Katherine once more. Katherine commented that the woman must have placed herself in a compromising position and she should fight back. Helen was not pleased as spoke,

‘Katherine, do nae be naive. Many woman are raped these days. Do you remember the village we came across when we came here? If our men had not turned up those woman would have been raped. A woman soldier captured in battle would have suffered the same fate.’

‘As I said, the woman should fight back and as for female soldiers they should nae put themselves in that position.’

Fyonia angrily replied,

‘No, yer were nae sixteen, tied up and raped by yer first husband and yer have never had a knife at yer throat or yer bairns, and ordered to obey or die. And when our men go to other castles, I mean our husbands, because of their status they are offered women to bed and the women can nae say no. I know, I have seen it. The chief or constable will procure a woman for them to bed.’

‘Lachlan, would nae do that!’ Katherine exclaimed. Lauranne turned to her.

‘Oh, that is where yer are wrong, all of them do, and yer know it. Lady Aimee said as much years ago.’ Lauranne stated, as she rubbed her thirty–one week pregnant stomach.

‘I do nae believe yer. Women can fight to stop the man from taking her,’ Katherine snapped back.

Lauranne had had enough and her tone changed.

‘What do yer know Katherine? Yer were always protected before and after yer marriage by walls and men ready to guard yer. Yer know nothing. Yer have never, ever experienced the fear of battle as our men do and Fyonia and I have experienced in a battle!’ Throwing her sewing down. she left the room. There was silence until Fyonia spoke,

‘Katherine, on the battlefield and in other situations when their womenfolk are far away, the men think it may be their last day on earth. They need to forget about what has happened and what may happen the next day, as they may not be alive come sundown. I have seen men who would normally not do these things, so full of...of... how can I explain? They are full of something which makes them do things. They will rape, maim and kill without hesitation, without feeling for the people they are attacking. Then the next instant they will be tender and thoughtful to someone who means something to them. I know, I have had the same feelings. Do nae be quick to judge, as one day yer may be on the other end of a man that is full of this thing...’ As Fyonia searched for a word, Helen interrupted.

‘Janet called it adrenaline. They are full of adrenaline and mass hysteria which makes them do things they would nae usually do.’ Katherine sighed and shrugged her shoulders as Fyonia went over to Lauranne’s sewing, picked it up and went find her. Helen was cross,

‘Katherine, yer better hold yer tongue as one day it will get yer into trouble.’ Katherine turned to her cousin.

‘I will nae understand why these women have to fight.’ Helen shook her head. ‘Yer will keep,’ she thought to herself.

Fyonia found Lauranne looking out of a window across the loch.

‘Yer alright Lauranne?’ she asked as she came up behind her. She heard a sniff and saw the woman wipe away tears.

‘She is our chief’s wife but has no idea about what goes on out there,’ Lauranne said angrily.

‘Allan said she was protected, and locked up in a castle until she married.’ There was silence.

‘What makes yer fight, Fyonia? What made yer want to go and kill?’

‘I was raped by my first husband. I wanted revenge. My lover was killed. I considered there was nae another man for me. Then I met Allan, but he still gets the look when he is fighting. What about yer?’ Lauranne sighed,

‘I feel it is nae fair for the men to do all the fighting. If there were nae men around, someone has to know what to do. I am able, strong. I can defend myself and like you, I also have been raped.’ Lauranne turned to look at Fyonia as she rubbed her stomach

‘Iain Campbell?’ Fyonia asked. Lauranne looked around in case others were listening as she nodded and sobbed.

Fyonia placed her arms around Lauranne’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze.

‘No one will hear from me, but I am sure Fergus will love the child whether or nae it is his,’ Lauranne nodded and sniffed once more as she spoke,

‘We are knights but in the eyes of other women and men we will never be the same as our male counterparts.’ Fyonia nodded, she remembered saying the same thing to someone else. Smiling, she hugged Lauranne once more.

‘Hmm, I must like the adrenaline as Helen mentioned earlier. It is what makes us fight, and defend ourselves, and it also makes us want to make...’ She checked the corridor. ‘...makes us want to make love to either our lovers or to the one who has captured us. Sir Robert and Gautier talked about in the last meeting.’ Both women nodded. Fyonia laughed to herself as there had been many a time when after Allan and she had practiced with their swords, they would make love. Not calmly, but with extra energy and more violence.

‘Ouch!’ Lauranne frowned. ‘This bairn has kicked me.’ Fyonia laughed,

‘This is one thing our men will never be equal in. We are the ones who give life. We are the ones who grow the bairns, and we have to be stronger to have them or why else did god give us this job to do, as our men can nae.’ Lauranne smiled at her fellow knight. ‘Come, time for yer to have a rest, I think.’  Fyonia took her by the shoulders and escorted her back to her room. Standing in the hallway Fyonia closed the door and rested her hand on the latch for a few moments as she planned how to express her opinion to Lachlan.

Later, Lachlan had sharp words with Katherine.

‘Who told yer what I said?’

‘It does nae matter who told me, but yer had nae right to say what yer did.’

‘Have yer ever?’ Katherine snapped back.

‘Have I what?’

‘Raped a girl?’

‘That is nae a question yer ask of yer husband.’

‘Well?’ Lachlan did not answer but glared back at her.

‘Usually the girl comes to me if yer must know.’

‘And are they all willing?’ Lachlan recalled Susan and several other incidences and lied.

‘Aye.’ They contined to glare at each other.

‘Yer are a liar. How many?

‘Katherine! That is none of yer business. I do nae want yer to say anything more about this subject. Do yer understand?’ Katherine’s lips tightened

‘Yer take these woman often?’

‘Nae, I do not!’ Lachlan was furious and snatched up his sword and moved towards the door. ‘If it was nae for those woman, yer would be pregnant all the time. It is to yer advantage, is it not?’ He walked out and slammed the door. Katherine watched him go. Feeling frustrated, she picked up a jug and threw it across the room, smashing it into smithereens. Helen heard the noise and entered just as Katherine burst out crying.

‘Do yer remember what Lady Aimee said all those years ago? About the men needing to release the pressure and as how she said it was nae for love. She said that it would prevent yer getting pregnant all the time, and was a way for the men to release tension.’ Katherine nodded sulkily. Helen left her to go and find her husband, thinking of what Katherine had said.

Helen sat up in bed, finished plaiting her hair and leant against her pillows. She watched Duncan as he got undressed and climbed into bed and then snuggled down beside her under the blankets and closed his eyes. She glanced at him. Helen wanted to say something but did not know how and did not want an argument. Without opening his eyes, Duncan sighed and spoke,

‘What is the matter, woman?

‘Nothing.’ Sighing once more, Duncan spoke again,

‘Hmmm, there’s no such thing as a woman wanting nothing.’ Plucking up courage, she spoke,

‘Have yer ever raped anyone?’ Duncan opened one eye, then the other and looked up at her.

‘Where did this come from?’ Helen shrugged her shoulders. He sat up on his elbow and reached up with the other hand and touched her face.

‘Nae, I have nae ever taken a woman by force.’ Helen searched his face for any hint of a lie but could none.

‘How about the others?

‘I will nae speak of what others do. It is nae their consciences I have to live with, but my own.’

‘When yer take them, the other women, does it mean anything to yer?’

‘There have been only two ...nae, three women who mean something to me. Two I have already made love to and one of them I will make love to now, if she is willing. The third ...I will be honest, I do nae think I will ever have the pleasure.’ Helen stared at him. She knew exactly who he was talking about but did not say who. He slipped his hand down the back of her and pulled her on top of him,

‘Now lass, are yer willing?’ he said with a smile on his face.

‘Nae I am not, as I do nae want another bairn-not at the moment anyway.’

‘We will have to do something else then, will we not.’ Duncan tickled her and pushed her down towards his groin. Giggling, Helen did not object as she wiggled lower, and her lips came to rest on him.

It was several weeks later when Lachlan decided the castle needed a party to celebrate the mid-winter solstice. Katherine realised that she had drunk too much and made her way back to her room. She signalled to Lachlan and left the hall. Because of the festivities, she could not get to the main doors, and proceeded out through the smaller west one. Finding herself in the corridor, Katherine felt she needed fresh air. Walking over to the west tower doors, Katherine flung them open. Stepping outside, she looked up and watched snowflakes drifting down from the sky. They caught the light which made them shine and sparkle. Putting her tongue out to catch several snowflakes, she reminded herself that she used to do this as a child before her father locked her up. They would not let her out in case she caught a cold. Wrapping her arms around herself to keep herself warm, she closed her eyes.

Katherine felt the warmth of a body behind her. A hand came across her mouth. She tried to struggled but an arm held her across her chest, pinning her arms. Struggling, she saw a knife  come up to her throat and felt the sharpness of the point as it dug into her skin as a  blind fold was placed over her eyes.

‘Do nae move,’ came a deep voice, one she could not recognise ‘Nae a word,’ the voice said again as a gag was placed in her mouth. Katherine felt sick; her body tingled with fear. She tried to kick out but more arms held her. Two were around her shoulders and two held her feet. She was lifted up and put in the back of the cart. A strange smell made her want to cough, then a blanket was placed over her. She felt dizzy, then her eyes closed, and then nothing.

Katherine woke sometime later, to find herself standing up. Her hands had bound above her head, while her legs tied apart around her ankles. The gag was still in place as was the blindfold. Katherine’s heart pounded, she felt very frightened and tried to struggle free. A voice whispered in her ear and the warmth of his breath on her neck made her shiver.

‘Now Lady Katharine, yer are mine. You will do as yer are told.’ Once more she felt the knife digging into her jaw and travelling down across to the shoulders of her dress. There was a tugging sensation and she felt cool air on her shoulders. Both her dress and underclothes fell down around her waist and caught on her hips, exposing her breasts. The gag was removed, and soon afterwards lips touched hers and kissed her. Katherine did not respond, her body trembled at what would happen next. She felt fingers touching her arms and moving down to cup her breasts, the finger rolling her nipples. She thought she knew the hands.

‘Do nae touch me!’ she shouted.

‘I told yer to nae to make a sound.’ The voice whispered as her nipples were pinched. Once more she felt the knife at her throat. The voice she could not recognise, but it seemed familiar. There was the warmth of his breath and the touch of his lips and a kiss. Lower they went until they rested on her breasts where they suckled her nipples, causing the pain to go away.

‘I will scream.’

‘Scream all yer like, but nae one will hear yer.’ Moving over to the other breast, his hand came up between her legs lifting her gown. She felt his fingers inside her, causing her to gasp as he massaged her with his finger. She wanted him to stop, but also to continue. She was confused, she should be terrified, but he excited her. He stopped. Something about his aroma sent a shiver of excitement through her; she knew that smell. No, it could not be. She moved her head from side to side and heard liquid being poured and felt a cold goblet placed near her lips.

‘Drink this,’ the voice whispered. At first she refused, but his hand came around the back of her neck and the fluid was forced into her mouth and she swallowed it. Katherine felt the liquid trickling down her chest. After a few moments she felt sleepy, then there was nothing

Katherine sensed the presence of another in the room, no one came near her. She stood up, trying to release the pressure off he wrists and shoulders. It helped, but not much. She jumped as she felt his palms on her skin once more. They gently travelled over her waist to her hips, then across her stomach, as the person went behind her kissed her on her neck. Once again his hands played with her nipples. She felt helpless and scared. Katherine want to hit him-but she was not in control.

Her legs were released and the gown slipped off her hips and legs. There was a tug at her wrists, her arms cut down and she gasped with the pain in her shoulders caused by the change in position. She tried to move but strong hands grabbed her hands, holding them in front of her.

‘Please, please do nae hurt me!’ she begged. Her tone changed. ‘He will hunt yer down. Lachlan will find yer and kill yer for what yer are doing to me. Please do nae hurt me,’ she begged again. Katherine jumped when he spoke,

‘That will depend on you. Yer better behave yerself. I know yer bairns. I could take them if I wanted to.’ Katherine tingled with fear all over, terrified at the thought of her children being harmed. She was pulled toward the bed and thrown onto her back. Katherine tried to lash out with her hands but connected with nothing. The man was on top of her and her hands once more above her head. Katherine struggled but he was strong and her scream was silenced by his lips.

‘Nae one can hear yer. Nae one is near,’ the man whispered. ‘Co-operate or I will kill one of yer bairns.’ Her legs were pushed apart by his knees, her hands held down on the bed. She tried to twist her hips but it was no good, and as he entered her, she gasped. He kissed and sucked her nipples slowly, gently moving within her. He did not hurt her except for her arms, and it felt like he was only using half his strength. How dare he do this. Katherine felt terrified, defiled, angry and powerless. Confused, half of her wanted to repel the man but something was familiar about him. His touch and his smell excited her. He lay on top of her before withdrawing and grabbing her arms, pulled her up to a sitting positon.

‘Drink.’ he said. She tried to refuse but once move her head was held firm and the liquid was forced down her throat. She felt him getting onto the bed, then the strangest thing happened. He rolled her over onto her side, kissed her neck and held her arms close so she could not take off her blindfold. Katherine tried to fight the feeling of sleepiness, but it was no use, and her eyes drooped and she slept deeply.

Katherine’s head was hurting when she finally woke. Her room came into focus and she saw Lachlan asleep beside her. She sat bolt upright,

‘Lachlan!’

‘What is it woman it is nae time to get up.’ Katherine glanced around the room, looked at her wrists and saw faint bruising. It must have happened.

‘Lachlan, what time did yer come to bed?’

‘Late, after you, why?’ Lachlan sleepily looked up.

‘I had the strangest dream last night. I was tied up and was...taken.’ Lachlan reached out and pulled her back down on the bed, and looked down at her.

‘Tell me about the dream. What happened?’

‘It was terrible. I tried to struggle but it was nae use. I was scared. A knife was held to my throat like the lady yer talked about before.’

‘And what did yer say?’

‘I said... she should have fought him off.’

‘Could yer? Could yer fend him off.’ Katherine shook her head and cried.

‘He made love to me like you. It was as though yer were there. At one time I was excited as I thought of yer but the feeling went away.’ Lachlan reached up and brushed a hair out of her eyes. She continued to sob. Her lips felt dry and her head ached.

‘See, see my wrists they have bruises on them.’

‘Yer did move around last night. Yer hit me a couple of times.’

‘Could yer please get me some powders for my head.’ Lachlan nodded and mixed the powders in a goblet of water and sat on the bed.

‘Drink this,’ he said. Katherine reached up and took the goblet as he reached up and supported the back of her head, exactly like the man the night before had done. A tingling sensation shot through her. She stopped looked up at him as he removed his hand and looked slightly guilty.

‘How could you? How could yer? That was you last night? I was nae dreaming it at all!’ Furious, she hit him. Lachlan retaliated, grabbing her arms and forcing her down on the bed and lay on top of her as he spoke,

‘Aye woman, it was I. Now when yer say those things about how a woman can or should fight off a man, maybe this lesson will teach yer it is not so straightforward. Any man could take yer if they wanted to. Yer are protected in this castle. The guards on the floors are nae there in case we are attacked but to protect yer when we are nae here. Woman are raped all the time out there, particularly when their husbands were away!’ He shouted at her. ‘Once yer leave these walls, anyone could take yer. Remember when yer disobeyed me and went down to the fair? Those men could have done anything to you. It does not matter how much adrenaline is surging through yer veins, men are still stronger than you and they have the power to hold yer down and have their way.’

Katherine continued to struggle and like the night before he pushed her legs apart and entered her. She fought back as he kissed her neck, her nipples. He was not hurting her and may be because it was Lachlan, the feelings returned and she stopped. She answered his kisses and moved in time with him. Several minutes later, exhausted, they collapsed in each other’s arms. Katherine had learnt a lesson; she was a protected woman and much loved by her man, but any man could take her given the right circumstances. Her opinion of both Fyonia and Lauranne now changed. Maybe it would be better if all the ladies in the castle learnt to protect themselves and she now owed an apology to two of her ladies.

Katherine rose and went about her dressing duties but as the minutes went by, her anger returned. Every time she saw Lachlan she did not know what to say to him, as she knew they would argue. But there was one thing she wanted to know. As she left their room, she paused and turned to look at him,

‘Who was the other man?’

‘That is just for me and him to know.’ Katherine, furious, went out, slammeding the door behind her.

All morning she kept thinking about the night before. How dare he do that to her? How could he? She reacted this way because all the time she knew it was him, but what if it had been someone else? Katherine felt sick. By dinner time she was fuming once more.

At the table she glanced around at all the knights, especially Robert and Gerald, as she knew one of them could have been the one who helped him. Katherine hardly said a word as she ate her meal of stew and jellied tarts. Nothing was to her liking and she told off a couple of the staff as they brought her a dish.

‘Enough Katherine!’ Lachlan whispered but it made her even angrier. Katherine stood and was about to leave, while Lachlan was busy talking to Duncan. His hand shot out and grabbed her hand, squeezed it and gave her a quick glance. He nodded to her seat, hinting that she sit down again. His hand tightened slightly, twisting her wrist. She sat, her lips tightly closed, as she waited for him to stop talking. He did, but only to turn and eat his meal, glancing once at her then away again.

‘Lachlan, may I go?’ she hissed.

‘Nae,’ he said as he placed another piece of food in his mouth. The meal progressed and all left to go about their duties.

‘Katherine, may I see yer this afternoon regarding the nursery?’ asked June, her nanny. Katherine was about to speak but Lachlan spoke first.

‘Nae, she will be busy this afternoon, June. Lady Helen will speak with yer.’

‘Thank yer, Sir Lachlan.’ June curtseyed and gave Katherine a curious glance. Katherine’s chest heaved and her lips turned white as she held them tight together. She wanted to hit out at Lachlan and to scream but they were in the hall in front of everyone. Lachlan stood and held out his hand. She continued to sit and stared defiantly back at him. His hand remained extended as he waited, his face defiant as hers. People noticed and glanced at each other.

‘I wish to speak with yer in our room, now Katherine,’ he emphasised. Lachlan squeezed her hand tight, hurting her slightly as he gently pulled her up the stairs to their room.

Opening the door, he flicked her into the room closing it behind them. He sighed as he leant against it, arms folded across his chest, pausing for a few moments before pushing himself off and comng over to her.

‘Yer will never, ever behave like that outside this room. What goes on in here, stays in here!’ He pointed to her. ‘Yer will never show yer are in a mood with me again, do you understand?!’ Katherine glared back. She felt confused and hurt.

‘Yer had nae right to do that to me!’ Tears flowed down her cheeks. ‘Why did yer do it?’

‘The fear yer felt. Think about it. I hope yer will never feel it again but we experience it every day when we go to war. The knights do nae have to have a young lass like you telling them how to behave!’

‘I have told nae anyone that!’

‘Nae but yer implied it and Gerald was upset about it. Remember? As for the lady, she was a knight and she could nae fight. You said yerself, it is a funny feeling yer get when yer know it is hopeless. Robert talked about how sometimes captives, after a long time, become attached to their captors. Now I want yer to stay here and think about what has happened. We must always show we agree over everything when we leave this room.’ He calmed down and brought up his hands to cup her face, forcing her to look at him. ‘I am yer husband and I do nae have to listen to yer, but I love yer so much I do, but remember, I will always have the last say.’ Leaning forward, he kissed her which infuriated even her more. Lachlan released her and walked out of the room leaving her standing, staring at his back. Katherine clenched her fists then as the emotion seemed to subside, she relaxed them. At first, feeling numb, she stood still. Finally, a sense of exhaustion came over her. Climbing onto the bed, she fell asleep. She did not want to face anything or anyone at the moment.

Knock, knock. Katherine was awoken by soft knocking on her door. She blinked. It was dark and she obviously had slept all afternoon. Her stomach grumbled. Clearing her throat, she called out,

‘Come in!’ the door was opened by Helen carrying a candle, followed by Marie from the kitchen, carrying a tray of food and drink.

‘We were told yer were nae feeling well. Marie, put the tray over there. I will deal with it.’ Marie placed the tray down on the table before doing a quick curtsey and leaving the room.

‘How are yer feeling?

‘I am fine. I was nae sick,’ Katherine said as she twisted herself off the bed and went over and washed her face.

‘I know,’ said Helen.

‘What do yer mean?’

‘Yer know the conversation we had in the kitchen years ago with Fyonia and Lauranne. They are in the men’s club remember. Lachlan gave yer a practical demonstration, I believe.

‘Who told yer?’ Helen paused,

‘Duncan, and he said Gerald helped.

‘I knew it was him.

‘Hmm.’

‘He raped me, Helen. He held me down and did what he wanted to and I could nae stop him.’

‘It is frightening and terrifying when something happens and yer can nae change it or have no power to stop it.’

‘Like when yer were whipped?’

‘Aye Katherine and when my husband spanked me, I was powerless as they did what they wanted to. We have had only had a few scary moments. Our men and our lads get terrible feelings in their guts whenever they leave this castle.’ Katherine sighed as Helen took a piece of bread and handed to her.

‘He still had no right to do what he did. I know Lachlan gets scared. He did not want to be the chief. Does Duncan?’

‘Oh aye, Katherine. He has his moments and they do nae need us to...what did Robert say the other day?...to make waves. They want a compliant wife, who does what she is told.’ Katherine laughed,

‘They have picked the wrong lasses.’ Helen smiled.

‘Hmm I suppose so, but I feel we are more compliant than other women and if our daughters are like their fathers and us, I feel they are in for a lot of being locked in their rooms and spankings.’ Helen passed Katherine a goblet of wine, and took one for herself. They toasted each other and exchanged sympathetic smiles.

It was several days later and Katherine was trying to push what had happened into the back of her mind. She remained cool with Lachlan, cuddling him sometimes, giving him a kiss here and there, but nothing else. On the night of the fifth day, Lachlan sighed as he placed his arm around her. She tried to dismiss his aroma as he whispered,

‘Now woman, I think yer have sulked enough. I love yer Katherine with all my heart and I will defend yer, and the bairns with my life as will all the men and some of the women in this castle. Please, I am tired of fighting. I want to make love to yer, as only a man who loves his wife can.’ He kissed her neck, moving up to her ear, licking and suckling the lobe. Katherine tried to resist him, but he continued to kiss and tease until, as usual, she could not resist and the pair made love, like lovers do.

Chapter Two

The new year announced its arrival, and year’s snow was thick on the ground when Lauranne, now nine months pregnant, plus two weeks, did not feel well and lay down. Alone in her room, Lauranne felt the first niggling pains, low down in her stomach. At first she regarded it was one of those other pains, until it came back slightly stronger and then came again.

She managed to get herself off her bed and walked over to the door. Opening it, she looked out but no guard was to be seen. She waited until the next pain had passed before moving once more. She cursed, you would think with the number of people in this bloody castle there would be someone close to me. Down the hall to the solar she opened, but still no-one was to be seen. Once more she paused as the contraction tightened. William, she must get to William. Turning, Lauranne moved back the way she came and walked down the flight of stairs to the infirmary.

Howard was studying a script as she entered, and stood up.

‘Lady Lauranne, what can I help yer with?’ She looked at him, a tear in her eye.

‘I think the bairn is coming, I am so scared.’ Howard smiled as she once more she breathed through a pain. Placing his hand on her back he rubbed it gently as the contraction took hold and slowly went away.

‘Come, we will get yer back upstairs to yer bed and send for yer husband.’ She nodded

‘How long can this go on for?’

‘A wee while.’

‘Where is William?’

‘I will send for him. He likes to deliver all the ladies’ bairns.’

‘Have yer never delivered them yourself?’

‘I have delivered a lot of others, but no, none from the ladies in the castle.’ They moved up the stairs.

‘Howard, yer saved my life when I came to the castle. Do yer remember?’

‘Aye, of course I do.’ They paused at the top of the stairs for her to catch her breath and cope with another contraction.

‘I ... I can remember what you said to me...and now I believe yer. Yer have seen all of me. I trust yer and I want yer to deliver my bairn, nae William.’ Howard smiled.

‘Thank yer but we better talk about it with Sir Fergus and William.

‘It has gone now,’ she said breathlessly as they moved to her room. He helped her onto her bed and told her to lie on her side

‘I will go and get William and Sir Fergus.’

‘Go, go!’ she said as the pain returned. Howard waited, rubbing her back until the contraction had finished and then left to find the others.

Howard glanced around the great hall and spied Fergus, who was in a spar with his father. Neither were giving the other an inch, as they twisted and turned, practicing their blows. Duncan smiled as he considered he had him, but Fergus twisted away.

‘Well old man, nae as fast as yer thought yer were.’

‘I will nae be too sure, lad.’ Duncan struck again but once more Fergus repelled his blow and returned two more.

‘How long have they been at it?’ Howard asked Robert.

‘Oh, they have just started. It could be an hour yet. Come to have a practice, Howard?’ Robert drew his sword and held it out. Howard shook his head,

‘No, nae. I am a heeler, nae a soldier. I only use one if I have to. I am here for Sir Fergus. Please will you stop the bout Sir Robert, as Lady Lauranne wants her husband. The bairn is on its way, and she is labouring strong. It will nae be long.’ Robert continued to hold his sword out further to Howard.

‘Take my sword and stop them.’

‘What! No way. I am nae brave enough,’ Robert smiled as Howard shook his head

‘If yer are looking for William. He is in the laird’s solar, something to do with Sir Lachlan.’ Howard nodded and disappeared. Robert sighed, walked over to the sparring pair.‘Sir Duncan, Fergus pull up yer swords.’ He pointed his sword at the two and waited. Fergus hit it out of his hand.

‘Hey, that was nae fair!’

‘Oh I think it is, two against one,’ replied Fergus. Robert smiled at Duncan, receiving a why did you do that look back.

‘Nae it was not, but yer have something else to do. Yer wife is having yer bairn and would like yer there.

‘What did yer say?’

‘Lauranne wants yer now!’ A pause, before Fergus realised what he had said. Handing his sword to Calum his squire, he ran out of the hall. Turning left, he ran up the stairs two at a time. His heart pounded as he entered the room. Lauranne grabbed his hand as sweat poured off her brow as another contraction arrived. Five minutes later Helen, William and Howard arrived to check on the woman.

‘Fergus, I want Howard to deliver him. Please.

‘How do yer know it is a lad?’

‘I know.’ She smiled but it faded as yet another contraction occurred.

Lauranne laboured into the night and into the early morning,

‘I want to be sick,’ she said.

William glanced at Howard.

‘Lad, it is over to you if Sir Fergus allows it.’

‘Aye, aye,’ Fergus said as he was too worried to care. Howard helped Lauranne to stand and hold onto her husband and checked on the labour’s progress. He saw a lot of blood and mucous. After one more contraction, she wanted to push and squatted.

Half an hour later, Howard help deliver the first of many the MacDonald chief’s family bairns. With a smack on his bum, Matthew Fergus MacDonald, made his presence known.

Fergus stared at the boy, glanced at Lauranne and then at the baby again. He leant forward and kissed the child on his forehead and then kissed his wife’s.

‘I love yer.’ he said.

‘And I you,’ she replied as tears fell down her cheeks. Both pondered about who the father may be, but as far as Fergus was concerned the baby was his.

Duncan remembered Howard coming into the hall. It was been sometime since he had seen Howard practicing with his sword. He may be a healer, but Howard may have to defend himself, or others, more to the point. Next morning, Duncan entered the infirmary. On seeing William and Howard sitting at a table looking at parchments, Duncan sat on the edge of the table waiting to be acknowledged. Without lifting his head, William spoke,

‘And what can we do for you, Duncan.? Poorly this morn, are we?’

‘Nae William, not at all. It is Howard I wish to speak to.’ With a frown on his face, Howard glanced at Duncan.

‘Sir Duncan?’

‘I noticed yer in the hall the other day when yer did nae accept Robert’s sword.’ Howard turned to the constable.

‘Yer must joking. Stop yer two!’

‘Hmm I suppose it was a lot to ask, but I have nae seen yer practising lately. I feel yer need to practise at least every week.’

‘Why? William does nae have to.’

‘William is, shall we say,...is nae from around here. He did nae practise as a bairn, and nae longer goes out on patrol. Lachlan said yer conducted yerself well when out, but I would like to see yer more at garrison practice. Let us say the more we have to defend ourselves, the less work there will be for you.’ Howard sighed. He did not like sword play at all. It is why he became a healer.

‘Tomorrow morn, if yer please. I will be in the hall after breakfast waiting for yer. Bring yer sword.’ Duncan pushed himself off the table and left the room. Howard watched him go before turning to William.

‘William, have yer never used a sword?’

‘No, I never had to.’ William placed down the parchment. He was sixty-five and his health was failing and he may only have one or two years left. In case something happened, he needed to tell Howard about where he had come from. William paused before speaking.‘Howard, do you ever wonder why I know things which seem strange. Do you ever wonder about the methods I use and the medicines and procedures I have taught you about and where I got the information?’

‘Yer studied in Greece and Egypt.’ William sighed.

‘What I am going to tell you may seem strange. Listen, but do not say a thing until I have finished. As a physician here I feel you need to know this. Only a few do, such as Duncan, and the other senior knights, but none of the woman as yet except...except for Lady Janet.’ William proceeded to tell Howard about how he had arrived at the MacDonald’s. The future and where Alexander, Robert and Gautier and, of course, where Janet is now.

William stopped talking to stare at Howard who had not taken his eyes of him. He studied Howard’s face, waiting for his reaction. Howard glanced at the parchments, then at William, took a big breath, stood up and left the room. As William watched Howard leave, a pain started in his chest. Rising, he took a potion and after several doses, the pain eased.

Next morning, Howard faced Duncan, sword in hand. Duncan tapped Howard’s sword and then they practised. Duncan forced Howard beyond his own expectations. Duncan was pleased.

‘Well done, Howard.’

‘Thank...thank... yer, my laird.’ Howard said, out of breath.

‘Yer are nae too bad at the sword but it is yer fitness which will let yer down. I feel yer need to go on a few runs.’

‘Aye Sir,’ Howard replied. Robert came up and was about to congratulate Howard, but Duncan interrupted him,

‘Robert, I want Howard to be part of yer section regarding fitness. Tell him when yer will be doing it and he is to go with yer.’ Howard gave Duncan an irritated look as Duncan walked away. Howard wanted to say something, but not here.

‘Sir Robert, could I have a word with yer?’ Howard glanced around. ‘This way Sir.’ Robert followed out of the hall to the alcove by the garderobe. He turned to face Robert, and paused before he spoke,

‘William has told me something I am finding hard to believe. I need yer to confirm it.’ A man came around the corner. Robert took Howard by his elbow and guided him into the alcove for more privacy.

‘What did he tell yer?’ Howard informed him. Robert licked his lips and replied

‘Aye Howard, it is all true. I am three years older than they all think I am here. I am thirty-six, Sir Alexander is sixty–four and Gautier is nae forty, but forty three.’ Robert studied his reaction. If Howard does not accept what William had said, it could cost Howard his life. They could not afford to have someone going around saying the wrong thing. Howard sat down on the window seat and leant forward resting his elbows on his knees with his head in his hands. He felt weak at the knees and sick. Robert placed his hand on his shoulders.

‘Sir Robert, I do nae know about yer, but I feel exhausted.’ Howard glanced up at Robert. ‘I think I need to get fit as I will have to learn as much as I can from William, and I need to make sure when I am out on patrol I keep myself alive as once William has gone, we will lose a great man.’ Robert nodded.

‘I think William will be around for a while yet.’

‘Nae Sir Robert, William is nae well. He is becoming short of breath, and his skin is changing colour at times. I fear it is his heart. Also based on what he has told me, he could disappear at any time.’

‘Aye Howard, yer are right.’ Howard held back a tear, as Robert rubbed his shoulders giving him support.

‘Sir, I best be off and I will see yer at what yer call fitness training.’ Robert smiled.

‘Aye Howard. I will inform yer when it is on.’ Howard stood, gave Robert a quick bow and walked to the infirmary. Robert let out a big breath of relief. The thought of killing Howard, a physician, a friend, would be disastrous for the MacDonalds.

In March another bairn announced its presence.

‘James , James, wake up I am all wet.’

‘What, what did yer say,’ James was disturbed by Ruth digging him in his side. He rolled over and felt the wetness.‘What is it ?’

‘I do nae know, but look I am all wet.’

‘Oh,’ James flicked back the covers discovering a wet patch on the sheets.

‘I think yer waters have broken. Are yer in any pain?’ She shook her head.

‘Yer change and sit by the fire. I will go and get William and someone to come and change the bed.’

‘William! William, wake up. I think Ruth is having the bairn as her waters have broken.’

William opened his eyes, adjusted to the light from the candle. He sighed but did not say a word, paused then said,

‘Go and wake Howard.’ The old man dragged himself out of bed. I am too old for this, he thought as he dressed.

‘Do yer want me?’ asked Gay.

‘Nae, I will call for you if I need you, go back to sleep.’ He completed dressing and proceeded to go to Ruth.

Howard entered the room.

‘What is happening?’ he asked.

‘Nothing they think her waters have broken so now what?’ William asked.

‘Yer are asking me?’

‘Aye lad, you will be taking over from me. What do you think you should do?’

‘She is nae contracting?’

‘No. What should you do now?’

‘I will have a look and confirm it is her waters. Wait for twenty-four hours, then if she does nae start give her a peccary.’ William nodded.

‘Aye, what else during the twenty-four hours?’

‘Oh, check her temperature, that goes without saying. Induce if there is any sign of infection.’ William smiled at his protégée.

‘Good lad. Now I am away to my bed, come and get me if you want me, but I doubt that.’

A day later Ruth was still not in labour. Howard, with James’s permission, inserted a peccary .and half an hour later she went into labour. The fifteen year old was brave and strong but by the next night she was still labouring. Her mother was concerned. Howard consulted with William.

‘Is she progressing ?’

‘Aye, but slowly.’

‘What will you do.’

‘She has laboured for twenty hours, is eight centimetres dilated. Leave her two hours longer.’ William nodded and left the room. Ruth continued to labour. Howard checked and she only needed another fraction before she could push. Howard was pleased. Twenty-four and a half hours later, Ruth was pushing but was exhausted. Howard ordered an examination table to be brought up from the infirmary and they placed Ruth on it. William gave James something for Ruth to drink and a cloth with a funny smelling chemical.

‘What is it William?’ Howard asked.

‘It is a new concoction I have been working on. It is not new, the Ancient Egyptians used it-it is a mixture of opium, belladonna, cannabis and mandrake to make an anaesthetic. I have got the right proportions. It will work, but do not hold it over her nose, let her. When it falls off leave it until she can hold it again. It will help with the pain.’ William had years earlier made forceps and watched as Howard used them to deliver the infant. James was horrified as he held his wife on the table as Howard tried to extract the child. Ruth’s mother panicked. She had never seen anything like it before, and was convinced they were would kill her daughter. Duncan arrived and hassled her out the room so the doctors could get on with their work.

William continued to instruct Howard, until the child was pulled out. At first there was no sound, then came a cough, a splutter and a scream, and Rosemary Claire MacDonald announced her arrival in the world. All were relieved. Ruth was tired but happy,as she cuddled her little one. Her mother dried her tears as she looked down at her new granddaughter. Duncan smiled as he took his first grand-daughter into his arms. After a few moments he kissed her on the head, and passed her back to her mother and shook his son’s hand then kissed Ruth on her head. Duncan smiled and left the family alone to get to know each other. Two weeks later, Louisa announced she was with child,