Taken by Graeme (The Pirates of Barra: Highland Raiders Book 1) Read online

  “Never?”

  Graeme’s smile widened. “Never. Across the water is Castlebay village, that’s where we’ll rest our heads tonight. Bess always keeps a room fer me.”

  Elspeth hummed in acknowledgment and joined him on the landing, following his gaze to the village on the shore. “’Tis beautiful,” she admitted grudgingly.

  “Aye, that it is,” he started. “But the Barra can be a dangerous place fer those who are nae accustomed to its rule. I must speak with the laird inside, and it would be best if ye came along with me.”

  Elspeth’s eyes widened. “Do ye think it wise? I’m nae sure the laird would welcome…an outsider.”

  “It’s because ye’re an outsider that the introduction is so important,” Graeme assured her. “Laird MacNeil would have my guts to lace his boots if I brought a stranger to the village without announcing them ahead of time. Besides, I’m sure he’ll be honored to meet the lass who performed surgery on the open sea. Our clan has been without a healer fer quite a while.”

  She eyed him curiously and asked, “What happened to the last one?”

  Graeme winced at her inquiry and explained, “A few years ago an illness swept through the island, taking some of the inhabitants with it. In fact, I almost died myself. Morag did her best to protect the most vulnerable and saved dozens of lives in the process. However, there were still some who dinnae make it. Both she and her infant son caught the illness themselves and succumbed to the fever within a month. It was a horrible tragedy when they died.”

  “That’s terrible.”

  “Aye, but the time has long since passed. I hope ye understand how grateful we are to have ye. Now, let’s go inside and speak with him.”

  “But—”

  “It was nae a request,” he whipped out brusquely, cutting her off. “Ye’re coming with me and that’s final. I ken how the laird is accustomed to doing things and we won’t be taking any chances.”

  The edges of her mouth turned down into a frown, but she nodded in agreement. Graeme turned and led her through the stone battlements, his boots echoing throughout the corridor. Behind them, crew members carried the crates from the Josefina, unusually subdued.

  The courtyard of Castle Kisimul bustled with excitement from the news of their arrival. The delicious smell of cooking wafted out from the kitchens and elaborate tapestries hung along on the walls adjacent.

  When they made it to the great hall, Laird Thomas MacNeil and his daughter, Claire, were waiting for them. Graeme bowed to each of them and waited for permission before he spoke.

  Laird MacNeil wore a blue and green tartan across his chest with a silver brooch securing it in place above the shoulder. He was shorter than Graeme by about four inches and had shoulder length, brown hair tucked neatly beneath a feathered cap.

  Claire stood beside him, with her eyes cast toward the floor. Rumors of her ladyship’s beauty had spread throughout the islands, reaching faraway as Clan MacLeod, but Laird MacNeil kept her hidden inside the castle. Even though she was but ten and four, there had been offers of marriage throughout the years from men seeking to win Claire’s hand. In the end, however, she was promised to a Mackenzie despite her opposition. Everyone knew her heart belonged to one of their own, though no one dared to speak his name.

  Graeme had never longed for her himself, but she was indeed a vision to behold. Her long black hair was woven into an elegant braid pinned on top of her head. She had pale skin the color of milk, and clear blue eyes clouded with mystery.

  “I understand ye return from yer trip successful,” the laird said, interrupting Graeme’s trail of thoughts. “Tell me what ye’ve brought back to our humble shores.”

  Graeme cleared his throat. “We came across a merchant ship, my Laird—the Josefina. In her hold we found sixty blades of various make and size, all forged from the coast of Spain.”

  The chieftain raised an eyebrow and turned to face him. “Spanish steel, ye say? I would like to see these blades. Bring them closer fer my inspection.”

  Seamus and Iain brought the wooden crate they’d been carrying and opened the lid for him to see. The inside of it was lined with hay for transport, but when the Laird caught sight of the weapons his eyes sparkled with delight. The shining, silver blades glistened in the sunlight and reflected onto the wall beyond.

  Claire picked up her skirts and stepped over toward the crate. Her movements were so graceful and delicate they could have been mistaken for a dance. When she saw the gleaming metal, Claire gasped in childish delight. “Oh, Da! They’re beautiful.”

  Thomas smiled and turned to Graeme, asking, “How did ye learn about this ship to ken to follow it?”

  “Good luck,” he responded honestly. “I won a useful tip in a game of cards while we were resting in Oban. The men of the village were drinking freely at the time, and it loosened their tongues more than they intended. I’m nae sure what else to say.”

  The chieftain laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “Ye dinnae give yerself enough credit, Graeme. I hardly think any of my other captains would have taken the risk of going after a vessel of the crown. Ye’ve outdone yerself, Lad. I could nae be prouder.”

  “Thank ye, my Laird.”

  The man’s eyes flickered to Elspeth, finally taking notice of her for the first time since they arrived. “And who is this enchanting lass?”

  Graeme smiled. “Forgive my rudeness, of course introductions are in order. Allow me to present, Elspeth MacDougall. She accompanied us on our journey as the ship’s surgeon.”

  “A surgeon?”

  “Aye, we ran into some trouble with our encounter. Believe me when I say I’ve never seen such a skilled healer in all my life. She saved Jack’s life and removed a bullet from his stomach in the heat of battle. He would nae be with us if Elspeth hadn’t been there.”

  Thomas offered Elspeth his hand and smiled. “Well then, it’s a pleasure to make yer acquaintance, dearie. Those in the healing arts are always welcome in the Barra.”

  “Thank ye, though I wish my presence here was under different circumstance. I was recently informed that ye’re clan is without a healer.”

  He nodded. “Aye, ‘tis been a difficult time fer all of us since Morag’s passing. I’m most interested to hear how this situation came to pass. What brought ye to joining Graeme’s crew?”

  Elspeth’s cheeks turned pink. “I’m afraid my da owes Captain MacNeil a massive debt, one he cannae afford to pay. I offered to come in his stead and repay the sum by working as a surgeon. I have a bit of experience in the area, and it seemed to be an arrangement best suited fer everyone.”

  Thomas grinned. “How interesting. A most unusual circumstance indeed. I’ll be most curious to see how the arrangement turns out.” The laird turned his attention back to Claire and said, “This is my daughter, Claire. She’s to marry soon and will inherit this castle, and all of my estate. I’m sure she’s delighted to meet ye, too.”

  The laird’s daughter smiled again and gave them each a curtsy. Her exquisite brocade gown was laced tight against her figure, allowing a hint of womanly curves before flaring out around her waist. She beamed at Elspeth while taking her by the hands, saying, “A female surgeon, I’ve never even heard of such a thing. It must be fascinating to sail with the men and be part of their adventure. Ye must be a remarkable lass. I’m sure we could become great friends if ye ever make it out to the castle.”

  Elspeth’s cheeks warmed as she smiled at her. “Thank ye. I would like that very much.”

  “Yer men must be anxious to get back home,” the laird reminded him. “So I won’t detain ye further. Give Bess my warmest regards and send word of how Jack is doing once ye’ve had the chance to get properly settled.”

  “I will. Thank ye, my Laird.” He placed a hand on the small of Elspeth’s back and nudged her toward the door. Her eyes widened and she curtsied to the laird and his daughter.

  As they turned to leave the chieftain added, “Oh, and Graeme? Take one of the sword
s fer yer own personal use. I have a sense ye’ll be needing it in the future, especially if ye keep bringing back stock like this.”

  Graeme bowed to him and said, “Yer offer is extremely generous, and I accept.”

  He glanced into the open crate and examined the swords inside before picking out a rapier with leather pommel around the hilt. The guard surrounding it was designed to look like a clam shell and provided the most protection for his hand. It was not the most extravagant, but a practical choice nonetheless.

  He lifted the rapier from the wooden crate and held it up to acknowledge the laird in thanks before striding off down the hall. When they were out of eyesight, Graeme pursed his lips and urged her to pick up the pace.

  “What’s wrong?” she demanded angrily, yanking her arm from his tight grasp.

  Graeme slowed his steps and paused near a quiet alcove. “I’m nae sure,” he conceded. “But I have a strange feeling…I need to get ye out of here.”

  “The laird seemed perfectly pleasant,” Elspeth argued, glancing back over her shoulder.

  He sighed at her naiveté. “Dinnae let his pleasant demeanor fool ye. I’ve seen the laird perform unspeakable acts of violence—he’s every bit a pirate as the rest of us.”

  The color drained from Elspeth’s face and she gave him a shaky nod.

  Once they passed the gate to the landing his men finished unloading the crates and carried them to the armory. Graeme and Elspeth returned to the ship and sailed across the harbor to the village of Castlebay. Women and children awaited them on the docks, embracing the sailors with cries of joy. Graeme watched Alistair lift his son into the air and kiss him on both cheeks with his wife beside them smiling. The child had red hair like his father and wore a dimpled grin as he wrapped his arms around Alistair’s neck. He and the rest of the men joined their families, going back home to spend time with the ones they loved.

  Graeme dropped anchor in the village harbor and secured the boat himself while the others were busy celebrating. Elspeth came over to assist him, her golden hair blowing carelessly in the wind as they tied off the final ropes. “Dinnae ye have a family?” she asked him quietly.

  Graeme snorted. “I never saw myself as the marrying sort. No lass has ever tempted me enough to want to try that sort of commitment. That dinnae stop me though from enjoying a woman’s company though, or inviting them to my bed, but they were brief encounters at best.”

  Elspeth scoffed. “How romantic.”

  “I never said I was,” Graeme reminded her. “The man who raised me died a couple years ago, he was the only family I ever knew.”

  She paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words sink in. “I’m sorry. Everyone should have a family.”

  He sighed, squinting his eyes against the gray clouds looming over the horizon and said, “Come with me. I’d like ye to meet someone.”

  Elspeth followed him down the dirty road to a stone tavern around the corner. Stone cottages lined the village square but were in poor repair and had wooden beams nailed across the windows. A few men lurked in the shadows and whispered to each other when they walked past. Everyone was watching them, clearly interested in the new visitor.

  On the road ahead, a fight had broken out. A handful of men threw punches at each other and rolled in the dirt while screaming vile obscenities. No one paid them any mind and walked around them as they passed. It was common enough in Castlebay and it was easier for them to let the men work it out themselves than hire guards to keep the peace. Men were loyal to their captain, and if he had an issue with another sailor things got ugly fast.

  He could only imagine what Elspeth thought, shying behind him as they walked through the tumbledown village. Eventually, they made it to the village tavern, The Salty Wench, a rambling building with a wooden sign featuring a busty woman holding a jug of ale. The smell of baked goods came wafting out the door when they arrived. Graeme breathed it in, resting his hands on his hips and smiled.

  He was home.

  It was a breath of fresh air compared to the reckless ambiance of their village. He barely had time to look around before the kitchen door swung open and a stout, large-breasted woman came walking across the room. She had long auburn hair braided on the side, and deep brown eyes. Over her linen dress was an apron, dusted with flour and grease from working in the kitchen. Her brown eyes lit up when she saw him.

  “Graeme! Ye’re back earlier than I expected.”

  He laughed and embraced the woman with a hug. “It’s good to see ye too, Bess.”

  The woman grinned once she released him and cocked her head toward Elspeth curiously. “Ye’ve brought me company, I see. Who is this?”

  Elspeth dropped into a neat curtsy.

  “Bess, this is Elspeth. Elspeth, Bess runs the tavern and I stay with her when the men are home.”

  The woman nodded, though her eyes never left the blonde-haired lass who arrived with him. A smile crept across the tavern owner’s face as she observed her, then turned her attention back to Graeme. “And will she be staying here with us?”

  “Aye, fer an extended stay I’m afraid. I can put her in the room across from mine. I hope ye dinnae mind, there wasn’t much time fer preparation.”

  Bess chuckled. “There rarely is. Well, go make yerself at home then. I’m glad to have ye back. Ye’ve seen the laird, I trust?”

  “Of course. He asked me to send ye his regards and wish ye well.”

  Bess walked back into the kitchen with a swish of her skirts and called over her shoulder, “Dinner will be served at six.”

  Graeme chuckled, watching her walk away. Bess always had a way of getting directly to the point and keeping him in his place. Graeme adored her.

  “Come, I’ll show ye to yer room,” he told Elspeth.

  Elspeth followed him through the kitchen to a staircase in the back. The exposed beams across the ceiling made the interior seem smaller than it was even though the room inside was ample. As they walked up the narrow stairwell the wooden stairs creaked beneath them. When they reached the top, Graeme led her down the hall and motioned to the first door on the right. Elspeth didn’t speak, and watched him carefully open the door to a private room that had a window overlooking the bay.

  The room was simple and provided everything Elspeth would need: a clean bed with linens, and a table next to it with a chair for her to sit in. There was even a peg on the wall to hang her clothes and a wooden chest.

  Graeme stepped back to let Elspeth enter and she glanced around thoughtfully, taking in the small space. The corners of her mouth curved into a smile when she set her chest of tools on the bedside table. “It’s lovely, Captain.”

  “I’ll leave ye to get settled. If ye need anything, I’ll be in the room next door.”

  Graeme excused himself to go outside. He walked down the stairs into the dining area and found Bess sitting at the bar. She glanced up from cleaning some of the dishes and told him, “Ye need to keep an eye on her.”

  “Who? Elspeth?”

  Bess chuckled and set the mug down on the counter. “Who else would I be talking about?”

  “Dinnae fash yerself about her, Bess. She’s a smart lass, I think ye’d rather like her actually.”

  The woman’s smile faded. “I dinnae mean she intends to cause ye trouble. I was referring to what Duncan might do when he sets his eyes on her.”

  “What does he have to do with it?” Graeme asked, half to himself and half to the woman who took care of him like an aunt.

  Bess raised an eyebrow. “Ye ken perfectly well what I am talking about. Whatever happens to that wee lass is yer responsibility, dinnae say I dinnae warn ye.”

  Graeme whipped his head around to face her. “I will nae indulge that wretched drunk in any of his self-destructive exploits.”

  Without another word, Graeme turned and headed out the door.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Castlebay Village, The Barra

  Later that afternoon, Elspeth came down from getting se
ttled and Bess brought them a jug of ale. They sat down at one of the tables in the dining room and Elspeth sipped her drink while nibbling on a piece of bannock. She and Graeme had only arrived hours ago, but she felt the need to check on Jack.

  Elspeth hadn’t seen him since the guard rowed him home from Kisimul and his health had been weighing on her mind. She didn’t like the idea of venturing outside the tavern by herself, but now that they were on solid ground it was the perfect opportunity to check on his stitches.

  “Would one of ye be able to tell me where Jack lives? I haven’t seen him since we got off the ship and I’d like to check on him.”

  Graeme nodded as he finished with his drink and glanced back toward the door. “It isn’t far. I’d take ye there myself, but there are things around the tavern that still need my attention. I can find someone else to take ye there—ye shouldn’t be wandering about the village without an escort.”

  Elspeth was about to protest when Graeme got up from his seat and walked over to the doorway. He glanced out into the road and called, “Seamus!”

  A sailor Elspeth recognized as one of his crew came walking up and met him in the doorway. “Aye, Captain?”

  “Miss MacDougall requires an escort down the road to visit Jack. Be a good lad and see that she arrives there safely, won’t ye? After she’s finished, help her find the way back to the tavern.”

  “But I was—”

  Graeme cut him off with a tone that could make a grown man wither. “I ken it’s out of yer way, but I appreciate yer support, brother. We’re all concerned about Jack’s health, and seeing how Elspeth is the only person capable of treating him, I’m sure ye’ll do everything ye can to aid in the endeavor. Are we clear?”

  Seamus hung his head and nodded. “Aye.”

  Graeme turned back into the tavern and said, “Problem solved.”

  Elspeth gaped at him for a moment, setting down her cup and then swiftly walked over to the door. When she met Seamus in the doorway he asked, “Shall we be off?”