Page 32 of Unforgotten
“The unruliness upon the isle gets worse … as ye and I well know. MacKinnon wants something done about the outlaws and thieves.”
Ella pursed her lips, remembering their journey to Scorrybreac. “Is it really that serious … has Skye turned lawless?”
“Not yet … things are worse on MacKinnon lands, but throughout the isle folk are restless. A meeting between the clan-chiefs and chieftains is long overdue.” Gavin pulled a face. “I just wish MacKinnon wasn’t hosting the gathering.”
Ella’s brow furrowed. Although she’d never met him, she’d heard plenty about Duncan MacKinnon. She also knew that many folk within MacKinnon territory, in which Kilbride sat, loathed him. “Perhaps he’d find it less of a problem controlling those on his land if he didn’t rule them with an iron fist,” she pointed out. “He increases the taxes every year.”
Gavin raised an eyebrow. “I’m sure that’ll be pointed out to him during the meeting. Have ye ever been to Dunan before?”
Ella shook her head.
“Well then, ye should find it interesting. The broch sits on the site of an ancient fort. It’s a bonny spot … in a wooded valley.”
“How long will we remain there?”
“Not long,” he replied, still watching her. “I’m hoping our business should be concluded within a day or two.”
Ella left the solar and descended to the ground level of the keep. Despite the grey weather, she knew she’d find Gordana in her garden. She needed to tell her friend that she was leaving.
Frowning, Ella made her way down the spiral stairwell, taking care this time. She wasn’t happy about the detour to Dunan. She’d already been away from Kilbride long enough. With the breaking weather, there were fruit and vegetables to be harvested. She needed to be there to oversee the work. Still, part of her was curious to see Dunan, for she’d never visited the MacKinnon stronghold. The other sisters would be full of questions about it when she returned home.
Ella left the keep and stepped outdoors once more. Light drops of rain splattered against her face, brought in by the wind, and in the distance, Ella caught the forbidding rumble of thunder.
Gordana wouldn’t be at work in her garden for much longer.
Ella found Gavin’s sister on her knees weeding an onion bed when she arrived. Although flowers and herbs filled the garden, Gordana had squeezed a few vegetables into the corners.
“A storm’s coming,” Ella advised her friend as she settled herself onto the willow seat and watched her work. “Hopefully, it’ll spend itself overnight … I don’t fancy traveling in the rain.”
Gordana stopped weeding and sat back on her heels, glancing over her shoulder. “Are ye sure ye should leave so soon?” she asked, concern edging her voice. “Ye must still be grieving for yer mother?”
Ella favored her with a brittle smile. She knew that Gordana meant well, yet the last thing she needed was to prolong her visit to Scorrybreac. “God’s work calls,” she replied. “Gavin and his men are riding to Dunan tomorrow … and I shall go with them. When they have concluded their meeting there, we will continue on to the abbey.” Ella paused, seeing the disappointment filter over Gordana’s face. In the days since her arrival, they had struck up their old friendship as if they’d never been apart.
“I will miss ye,” Gordana said, her gaze shadowing. “As ye have seen, I spend little time with the other ladies in the keep … but ye and I have always understood each other well.”
Ella smiled once more. “Then ye must visit me at Kilbride, Gordana. I know ye aren’t interested in taking the veil, but we have a guest house at the abbey, and ye would be welcome whenever ye care to visit.”
Gordana’s eyes gleamed at this. She rose to her feet and brushed the dirt off her fingers before crossing to the willow seat. Lowering herself down next to Ella, she took hold of her hands, squeezing tightly. “I would love that,” she murmured.
15
Unchaste Thoughts
“I WISH YE would stay a little longer, lass.” Stewart Fraser squeezed his daughter tightly against him. “I feel like I’ve hardly seen ye, and now ye are off again … ye are all I have now.”
Ella blinked back tears before drawing away. Her father appeared to have aged years over the past few days. Deep lines bracketed his mouth, his expression looked care-worn, and his once vibrant hair seemed far more grey than red. However, it was the sadness in his eyes that cut Ella to the quick.
“I have to return to Kilbride, Da,” she murmured, her voice suddenly choked. “Ye know I must.”
He looked so forlorn then that Ella nearly broke down. Blinking rapidly, she stepped close to her pony and checked its girth. Only when she’d mastered herself, did she glance in her father’s direction once more.
Stewart still looked bereft. He was gazing at Ella as if he was about to lose her forever.
“Please, Da,” Ella whispered. “Ye know I will be alive and well at Kilbride.” She drew in a deep breath. “I have invited Lady Gordana to visit … why do ye not join her?”
His expression brightened just a little. “Are men allowed to visit the abbey?”
“Aye … if they’re kin,” Ella lied. The abbess generally dissuaded the sisters from inviting family to stay. She said that it made transitioning into a nun’s life much harder. But she’d make an exception in this case, Ella hoped. After all, Ella had resided for nearly two decades in the abbey without seeing anyone.
