The Rebel (Highlander short story) by Julianne MacLean

Author:Julianne MacLean [MacLean, Julianne]
Language: eng
Format: epub

“Elizabeth! My word, is it really you?” Her Uncle Charles came bounding down a creaky set of stairs with an open book in his hand. “What are you doing here?”

He was still as tall and slim as she remembered, but he had aged since she saw him last. His hair was bone white and pulled back in a queue, his skin had grown wrinkled, and he wore spectacles perched on his nose.

Carefully he navigated his way around tables piled high with dusty books and approached her. “You look so much like your mother.”

Elizabeth’s heart swelled with a mixture of sorrow and joy as her uncle pulled her into his arms and embraced her.

“I am so happy to see you,” he said.

“And I you,” she replied, weeping and laughing at the same time.

Eventually he stepped back. “I learned of your father’s death,” he said, “fighting for King George. I am deeply sorry, Elizabeth.”

“Thank you, but I am afraid there is more bad news. James was killed as well, three weeks ago. I am the only one left of our family – alone now.”

Charles laid a hand on her shoulder and shook his head. “No, Elizabeth. You are not alone. You have family here.”

She clung to her uncle’s steady gaze. He tapped her nose with the tip of his finger, just as he used to do when she was a child. Then he glanced toward the door where Alex was waiting.

“Who is this man?” her uncle asked. “And why does he carry such a big sword into my bookshop?”

Alex strode forward. “My apologies, sir. I am Alexander MacLean of Duart Castle, and I fought in the battle at Sherrifmuir. That is where I met your niece.”

“He has been my protector, Uncle,” she quickly explained. “I was lost and alone after James was killed. Alex found me on the battlefield and saved my life. He has delivered me here safely, so I owe him a great debt.”

“As do I, it seems.” Charles reached out to shake Alex’s hand. “Thank you for bringing my niece home. I should like to repay you somehow.”

Alex shook his head. “There is no debt, sir.”

“My wife is upstairs tending to our children,” Charles replied. “Will you at least stay for supper?”

Elizabeth’s heart began to pound, for she knew what Alex’s answer would be. The time had come. He was going to leave her now, and she would have to say goodbye.

But she was not ready. She did not want him to go…

Alex paused. “I’m afraid I must return to Perth as soon as possible.”

Every breath in her body came short. Her knees went weak under the weight of her anguish.

His eyes locked with hers, and neither of them spoke for what seemed an eternity. He palmed the hilt of his sword, and she wet her lips, feeling as if someone was slowly ripping her heart out of her body. She should say something. She should beg him to stay, just one more night…

“I wish good fortune to you both.

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