Scottish Beauty

Chapter Seven - Scottish Beauty

Chapter Seven

It has been two weeks since Emma had been found left for dead and brought to Castle McKenna, two weeks and still she had no knowledge of her past.    Everything was still a blur to her, she could not remember anything.    She was slowly finding out things that she could do or knew about.  She could ride a horse, stitch a fine gown, and even embroider.    She found that she even had knowledge of herbs for when she visited the gardens with Margo, she was ecstatic that she knew which herb was which.   She even knew what to usage a particular herb was for.  Margo thinks that she may be a healer because of her extensive herbal knowledge.

She loved being at Castle McKenna, everyone was so welcoming.   Angus was such a wonderful man, he treated her like the daughter that he never had.   The brothers were wonderful as well.  Ian spent as much time with her as possible, so did Andrew for that matter.  Robert still spent time with her, but had started to keep his distance lately.   For that, she did not mind.  She liked Robert, but it was Andrew that made her heart race and her toes tingle.  Ian, well...Ian was the brother that she never had, always looking out for her, getting her anything that she needed or wanted.

It was one evening, Emma was embroidering by the fire in the great hall, Angus was chatting among clansmen, Andrew and his brothers were dicing amongst themselves when the announcement came that there were a score of riders approaching the castle.

“Laird Angus ‘tis a score of riders from the McDonald Clan asking for shelter for the night,” a clansman told Angus as he raced into the great hall.

“Aye, well then let them into the courtyard Dougal and allow only their leader into to greet us,” Angus told him.    Turning towards his sons now, “Ian, I have heard of the McDonald’s, I don’t know what this is about.    Alert the sentries and have the archers prepared.”

“Aye Da,” and off Ian went out the back way of the castle.

“Da,” Andrew called to him, “Do ye think they are here for Emma?”

“Nae Andrew.  The McDonald’s are a Highland Clan, nae Lowlander’s, but I don’t trust them, “Angus replied looking towards the entrance doors to see who was wanting shelter at his castle.

“A bit late in the eve to be asking for shelter Da, I don’t trust them either,” said Robert looking as concerned as his Da and Andrew, already his hand was hovering over the hilt of his sword.

As two of Angus’ sentries escorted a man into the great hall, the three of them rose to their feet.  One of the sentries relieved the man of his sword and placed it by the front doors.

The man was of medium built not broad of shoulder, not very tall either, especially for a Highlander.   He walked towards the high table with a swagger, a little too much arrogance for the McKenna’s liking.  He wore the McDonald plaid over English breeches and as he reached Angus, he made a bow that was almost insulting.