Page 10 of The Lone Wolf's Bride

‘I don’t know. The matter got out of hand and your Uncle William ended up on the wrong side of a skirmish. A stray shot, that’s all it took to end Morag’s happiness, though mercifully it was a quick death, so I’m told.’

‘That’s small comfort to aunt Morag.’

‘Ilene it saddens me so, for William was a good man. Morag has changed a great deal since his death, and I should hardly have known her since she has come to us.’

‘How so?’

‘There is bitterness in her which I cannot seem to ease. My sister is a gentle person but this blow seems to have driven that out. She’s turned harder somehow and it grieves me to see her worry for her sons and the future of her clan. I fear she will never fully recover.’ She frowned. ‘Grief can kill you, Ilene, if it takes hold.’

‘Then we must try and do our best to console her. Perhaps between us we can raise her spirits and give her hope. I will find things to cheer her. Why don’t I ask her to ride out with me tomorrow, if the weather is fine it will be good to get out?’

‘That’s kind of you Ilene, I think Morag would like that.’

Ilene tried to concentrate her mind on the needlework in her hands. Oh why this confusion and anger inside her? Aidan had not come as he’d promised, just that other one. The lanky boy she had once adored had returned a strapping six- foot man, with muscle and sinew piled on and years of struggle and experience etched on his features. Why did Murray have to come back?

Over the years Ilene had thought of Murray often, and secretly as if acknowledging the pain of him going to anyone would just intensify it. When her parents would talk of him in hushed tones, she would overhear, more than they thought. She wanted him happy and safe and that was how she preferred to imagine him. After a while, she had accepted the fact he may never return, but now that he had, it made her uneasy. He would have no wish to know a stupid young woman like her for he was a man now, and one who had been out in the world, one who had looked on her as if she was a disappointment. It had definitely been there on his stern face. They would have nothing in common now, no matter how much childish affection she had once held for him. So why did she feel she wanted his good opinion?

Ilene sighed heavily as she bent her head back to her embroidery. Yes, it would be good to get out and put her efforts into cheering her aunt. And all this waiting was fraying her patience. The longing to see Aidan was so great that she could not sit still before the fire. She had to get out so that her mother would not see that longing on her face.

Chapter Three

The next morning brought little warmth to Cailleach castle but Murray rose as the sun softened the frost from its walls. He took the stairs, two at a time, up to the battlements and looked out at the imposing mountains beyond. It felt good to be back, in triumph, a far cry from the angry young man he had once been. He could finally take pride in what he had achieved out of nothing and in the wealth he had amassed whilst in exile. He breathed the bitterly cold air deep into his lungs, watching it flood out again in a white fog.

He saw movement in the courtyard below. There was Ilene setting out from the castle towards the loch, snuggling into her fur-collared cloak. Murray watched her intently. She reached the bridge spanning a narrow waterway between the castle and the wooded hills beyond and stopped to stare down into the water coursing through below, deep in thought. Suddenly she turned and picked up leaves and started to throw them into the water, running across the bridge to see them come out the other side. It was a carefree thing to do and it made him smile.

Last night he had supped quietly with Ailsa and Duncan and their sons Conall and Jasper. Sleep had soon claimed Jasper, who was but a lad of ten years. Conall, however, would not let him rest and insisted on being regaled with tales of his exploits long into the night. At fifteen he was aching to become a man, his eyes lighting up at the thought of battles and glorious adventures. Murray resolved to find a time to explain to the lad the dangers of the life he had led, and the darkness of the path he had followed. He was no one’s hero and needed to make that clear.

Ilene had not joined them, having taken to her room, afflicted with a sudden headache, or so Ailsa said. Murray suspected the real reason was that she was avoiding him. Perhaps she was shy or still resented the manner of his leaving all those years ago. Pride refused to let him believe that she could have forgotten him, for he had not forgotten her and had nurtured a lingering affection for her all these years. He was troubled that his memory of her as a sweet, adopted sister was so at odds with who she was now. The fact that he found her attractive was something his conscience grappled with, but he pushed that thought aside and resolved to put things to rights between them.

***

As he approached the bridge the sound of his feet crunching on frozen puddles made Ilene turn in surprise.

‘Forgive me, I startled you.’

She said nothing, just looked down awkwardly at the damp leaves in her hand.

‘I remember you playing that game when you were a little girl.’

‘It’s a silly game,’ she replied letting the leaves fall.

‘This is a harsh wind you are standing out in.’

‘Aye, it’s too cold for most, which is how I like it.’

‘You enjoy solitude?’

Her eyes met his and they were defiant. ‘Aye sometimes, like now, I have a need to be alone.’

Murray did not take the hint. ‘Why? Does something trouble you? Perhaps I can help.’

‘Help? See here, I do not wish to be rude, and mother has told me to make you welcome, but why would I confide in you when we are strangers now.’

She was definitely as forthright as he remembered.

‘I see, well you are quite right, we do not know each other as we once did,’ he said walking closer to her, ‘but I would like to, very much.’

‘Why, so that you can leave again and break everyone’s hearts like before?’

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