Every Heart Has Its Day (24 page)

His hand fell to his side. He dropped the flower, then crushed it with his boot. He immediately regretted his unbridled action. His heart felt the same as the petals. “Why did ye go down the kitchens this morn?”

“I wished to gather fare to share in yer chamber afore ye tended yer duties.” She sprang to her feet. “My apologies, milord. I dinna intend to waste yer precious time.”

Connor sat on the rock and tugged her onto his lap. “Naught of more import awaits me. Why did ye not tell Payton ye be my wife?”

Kasey hung her head. “Yer claims of the life awaiting me seemed too good to be true. When Payton assumed I be a servant, I believed ye lied to me.”

He could not blame her for her distrust. For too long after they reunited, he had hidden behind a wall of silence and deceit. “Would my promise to forevermore tell ye the truth resolve our problem?”

“The trouble be not yers.”

“We share the difficulty, Kasey.” She tried to stand, but he tightened his hold. “What more can I do to prove myself?”

“Ye be aught I ever dreamed of in a husband—handsome, abiding, protective, and, despite my accusations otherwise, honest. What more could I ask?”

“I sound perfect.”

One corner of her mouth turned up. “Did I fail to mention arrogant and stubborn?”

“Blame my obstinance for our reunion.” His stomach tightened with his thinning patience. “My faults aside, why do we have this problem?”

“I be not worthy.”

Connor set her on her feet and walked toward the water’s edge. “Ye insult me.” He glanced over his shoulder. “When ye degrade yerself, ye abase me, too.”

“I dinna understand.”

“It be yer opinion that not only have I settled for less than I deserve, but I have also saddled my clan with an unfit lady.” He turned to face her. “Ye canna see that I take all my vows seriously, can ye? Ye believe I allowed the king to keep us apart far too long, yet ye fail to accept I, too, grew impatient. I disobeyed him, and I risked my youngest brother’s life to see us together agin.

“If that still be not enough to prove my love, remember this: I allowed my duties to lapse whilst I waited outside the Cameron holding to reclaim ye. And then I spent more time by yer fevered side, begging God to take me in yer stead.Ye fail to see all I have endured to assure our future. Instead ye dwell upon the scars left by Cameron’s abuse, and we both pay the price. Ye expect me to behave as he, and I must constantly prove ye wrong.” He fisted his hands by his side. “It be a shame yer dagger missed the mark, Lady Mackintosh.”

“What?”

“Mayhap it will prove a blessing.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her through the copse.

“Where do ye intend to take me?”

“To see Laird Cameron.”

“I have no need to see his grave.”

Connor stopped and pulled her around. “Did ye not hear me? Ye dinna kill him, but after ye confront him, I intend to remedy yer lapse.”

His anger drained along with the color in her face. “He canna move his limbs, Kasey. He will never hurt ye agin.”

“If he can move his lips—”

“He will only spite himself.”

“I thought I killed him.”

“Mayhap I should have told ye sooner. I hoped if ye thought him dead, his actions could no longer haunt ye.” He pulled her into his arms. “But I see I be wrong. I ken ye suffered greatly at his hand, and for that I be truly sorry. But yer present and yer future lie in yer hands, Kasey. Until ye truly understand ye did naught to merit his abuse, ye will never be free to accept my love.”

He kissed the top of her head and released her. “When ye listed my faults, ye forgot to mention my greed. I want ye, Kasey—heart and soul—but my desire matters not.

“All ye despise about yer relationship with Laird Cameron ye now do to me. No matter what I offer, I canna earn yer love, and I tire of trying. Someday ye will realize that love be a gift. When given freely, it comes back tenfold.”

Moisture clouded his vision. “Until that time, I give ye leave to live as ye wish. If ye would like to see Laird Cameron, I will arrange an escort to the MacPherson holding on the morrow. For now, I have duties to attend, and the seamstress awaits ye in our chamber.”

He walked toward the castle praying she would call him back, but as the distance grew, so did his despair. His heart felt as if a boulder lay upon it. But how could he mourn the loss of something he never had?

Chapter Twenty Four

“I never took ye for a fool, milady.” Dillon stepped out from behind the foliage. “I guess I know ye not as well as I thought.”

Kasey dashed away her tears. “Leave me be.”

“Nay, I canna. I care too much about ye and my brother to allow this foolishness to continue.” He strode over, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her to her feet.

He ignored her questions as he dragged her along the path. Never had he met a more stubborn woman. Except Ciara. Two of a kind. Both had the eternal love of a Mackintosh man, and neither had the sense to appreciate that devotion. Well, his patience had reached its end. As soon as he got Kasey and Connor straightened out, he would deal with Ciara.

“Could ye please slow down, Dillon?”

“Nay.” He tightened his grip when Kasey stumbled, but did not slow his stride. “As the youngest son, I canna marry until my brothers be settled. I grow older and more impatient each passing day, milady.”

“Yer hair turns gray afore my eyes.”

“I see no humor in this, milady.” Dillon towed her up the final hill toward the hunter’s lodge. He prayed the open door meant Ciara had succeeded as well.

He slowed his pace, and Kasey dug her heels into the soft ground. “I shall go no further until ye tell me why ye have brought me here.”

“Someone inside be in dire need of healing, milady.”

“Why did ye not tell me this afore?”

Dillon pulled her behind him as he crossed the threshold. “I shall trade ye.” He flung Kasey forward and then pulled Ciara out.

Connor caught Kasey.

Dillon slammed the door and wedged it with the fallen tree they used to keep out winter snow. For extra measure, he straddled the bole. He wiped the sweat from his brow and looked over at Ciara. “Did ye enjoy yerself as much as I?”

The tree trunk bucked. A thud echoed through the forest. “Release me, brother, and I will forget yer insolence.”

Ciara furrowed her brow. “Will the door hold?”

“Longer than Connor’s feet and shoulders.” Dillon smiled as he searched her eyes. “Ye have yet to answer this morn’s question.”

“I would prefer to stay in the copse.”

Pottery smashed against the inside of the door.

Dillon winked and reached out for her hand. His heart swelled at the warmth of her delicate fingers. Aught else swelled when she fell willingly into his embrace. He pulled her across his lap. “The copse willna serve our purpose.”

“Dillon!” Connor and Kasey shouted in chorus.

“At least they agree on my name.” He smiled down at the woman in his arms. “Do ye remember years ago when I threw ye in the pond?”

“How could I forget? I took to my bed for a week.”

“Mayhap I should have waited until summer.”

“I swear I will break every bone in yer body, Dillon.” Connor stressed his threat with another thud to the door.

“Ye will have to get out first, milord.” He smiled at Ciara. “Remember when we rode through the orchard?”

She smacked his shoulder. “I will never forgive ye that day, Dillon Mackintosh. Ye made more turns than the River Tay. I feared I would never find my way out.”

Dillon refused to acknowledge the constant beating on the door behind him. “Do ye ken why, Lady MacPherson?”

She shook her head.

“I wanted to prove ye needed me.” He noticed Ciara’s blush at the same time all grew silent behind him. He looked over his shoulder. “Aboot time. Yer noise makes courting difficult.”

“Dillon?”

He sighed at the sweetness in Kasey’s voice. “Yes, sister?”

“Please let me out. I wish not to be in the company of this insensitive oaf.”

“Insensitive oaf? I, wife, have been more than patient with ye and yer blindness.”

“My what?”

“Aye, Kasey. Ye canna see the difference atween me and yer previous laird.”

“I dinna think this be a good idea, Dillon.” Ciara stared past his shoulder.

“Ye have a better suggestion?” He nipped her ear, then took possession of her lips.

She moved her hand up to his neck.

His sword forged as his tongue stroked hers. Need stole his breath. He had never loved another and needed to hear her say the same. “My sweet, I refuse to live a life of discontent as Connor and Kasey now do.”

Her shoulders sagged.

“I ken yer da wanted ye to marry Connor. I will know now if he has ever been yer choice.”

She shook her head.

“Has yer brother betrothed ye to another?” He took the tear that rolled down her cheek as his answer. “Do ye love this man?”

She nodded.

A knife stabbed his heart. He attempted to pull her hand from his shoulder, but she dug in her nails. Finger by finger, he pried her hand free. He removed her from his lap and rose. “Why be ye here with me if ye love another.”

She flinched as though he had struck her, then, within a breath’s time, she fisted her hands on her hips. “I love no other.”

“But ye just said...” He crossed his arms. “Ye said ye loved him.”

“Who?”

“I asked ye if yer brother pledged yer hand to another.”

“And I dinna answer ye.”

“But I thought...” The woman would make him daft. “Tell me now. Has he?”

“Nay. He kens who I wish to marry and awaits the coward’s request.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Who be this coward?”

“If ye have to ask, then I have naught more to say to ye.” She spun on her heel and stomped away.

She gained four steps before he grasped her arm. “Ye dinna think me a coward, do ye?”

“Not until this day.”

He drew her to him. “I have always loved ye, Ciara.”

“Aboot time ye said the words, Dillon.”

He released her arm and slid his hand down to hold hers. He raised a brow. “And ye have aught to say in return.”

She pursed her lips.

He tightened his grip.

“I be thinking.”

“Mayhap this will help.” He captured her lips and kissed her as he had never kissed another. “Have ye aught to say now?”

“I love ye, too, Dillon. I always have and always will.”

He swung her into his arms and carried her towards the hunter’s lodge. He kicked the tree trunk away and flung open the door. “Get out!”

Kasey, who sat at the table by the door, obeyed anon. Connor glared at him from the far corner, but made no move to leave.

Dillon placed Ciara on the pallet and turned to face his brother. “I told ye to leave, milord.”

“I heard ye.” His brother walked over to a chair and sat.

“God’s teeth, Connor, what be ye doing?”

“I thought to ask ye the same thing.”

“I would think a married man would ken.” Dillon held up a hand. “But wait, although ye be wed less than a pair of days ye have already forgotten yer wife’s needs.”

Connor crossed the room in three strides. “Take care, brother, for ye know not what ye say.”

“I be well aware of my words, milord. Yer wife lived her entire life under the heel of a tyrant, and ye expect her to forget it in one night.” Dillon reached out to grasp his brother’s shoulder, but Connor knocked his hand away. “She needs time, Connor. Ye will no doubt spend the rest of yer life proving yerself. I wonder if ye be up to the challenge.”

“As do I.” Connor nodded towards Ciara. “Why have ye brought her here?”

Dillon smiled. “Why did ye make sure Lady Shaw learned Kasey had no escort when she tended ye at the hunter’s lodge?”

“Ye ken Lady Shaw be the worst gossipmonger. I wanted all to believe I ruined Kasey, so the king could not deny my petition.”

“Nay!”

Dillon spun around in time to see Kasey flee. He turned to Connor. “My apologies, brother. I thought she ran off.”

Connor shook his head.

“Mayhap after ye calm her, ye can do us the favor of playing Lady Shaw’s role.”

Connor looked at Ciara. “Ye want this, lass? Ye dinna ken him as well I.”

“I know him better than ye, Laird Mackintosh. We ken no other way to force my brother to accept Dillon’s pledge.”

“I doubt ye wish to wait the twenty years or so until I smooth my wife’s feathers. I shall send Evonne to witness yer downfall.” The corners of Connor’s lips turned up, but the smile did not reach his eyes.

****

The well cast a long shadow as Kasey leaned against it and gulped water from a ladle. The day had barely begun, yet she had already thrice made a fool of herself.

She accepted the blame for the misunderstanding with Payton—she had needed but to give her name. She would even accept fault for the confrontation with Connor—she should have voiced her concerns to him.

But she would not accept the responsibility for this latest confusion. She slumped to the ground and rested her throbbing head in her hands. Dare she believe he had purposely ruined her? Her cousin would no doubt have forced Connor to marry her, but to discover Connor had used impropriety to support his petition. Her heart took flight.

But ye have changed.

Nay, fear had tempered her actions, but her will remained strong. The time had come to show Connor the truth.

He strode across the lawn then disappeared into the castle. She should follow him and demand a few moments of his time.

His time be committed.

Aye, but he loved her. He would be better able to attend his duties if he no longer despaired about her feelings. She held her head high as she entered the kitchens. She smiled at Payton and continued on to the great hall.

“Kasey?” Connor’s battle stance could intimidate an entire army.

She would not allow him to prostrate her. She curtsied. “Milord.”

“Where have ye been?”

“Thinking.” She looked at the man seated at the table. “I hoped to have a bit of yer time, but I can wait until ye be through.”

“Do ye remember my father?”

Caedmon started to rise, but a coughing fit overtook him and forced him back into his seat. She walked over and lifted his chin. His bronzed skin and clear eyes allayed her concern. She walked behind him, put her ear to his back and listened to the deep rumbling in his chest. She looked up at Connor. “Do ye ken where my dorlach be, milord?”

He nodded and called for a servant to retrieve it. “If yer potions be too old, ye may use the kitchens to make fresh.”

“Do ye think that wise? I fear I offended Payton.”

“She feels worse than ye. As we speak, she makes her honeyed biscuits to appease ye. Eat many and praise her.”

“Aye, milord.”

“After ye finish with my da, meet me in our chamber.”

The warmth of his gaze melted the frost off his command. “I no longer need to meet with the seamstress?”

“I delayed her until the morrow.” He leaned down and brushed his lips across hers.

Caedmon’s cough broke the spell her husband had cast upon her. She turned to him and said, “Ye should be abed.”

Connor leaned down and whispered, “So should we.”

Her cheeks blazed like a hearth on a winter’s night.

Caedmon rose. “I disturb ye.”

Kasey pushed him down into his chair. “Yer son can wait. Ye canna.”

“Yer gall returns quickly.” Caedmon chuckled, then lapsed into another round of coughing. He pounded his chest. Once he caught his breath, he said, “Ye remind me of Connor’s mother.”

Connor glared at his father. “Dinna interfere, old man.” After Caedmon grinned, Connor threw his hands in the air. Without so much as a nod, he passed the maid returning with her dorlach.

Kasey studied the lass’s flawless face as she took the satchel. She quirked a brow as the shapely woman walked away. How could Connor ignore her beauty?

“He has eyes only for ye.”

Kasey looked at Caedmon. “How did ye ken my thoughts?”

“As I said, ye remind me of my Rowena, rest her soul.”

“Tell me aboot her.” Kasey placed her dorlach on the table and sat in the chair next to Caedmon.

“Her laird treated her poorly, too, though not nigh as bad as yers treated ye.” Caedmon cleared his throat then took a drink. “I pray ye and my son dinna put each other through the same hell we endured.”

“I dinna understand.”

“Because Connor has recently taken the clan’s reins, he must don a mask of full command. Unfortunately, he will no doubt forget to remove it when speaking to ye.”

Caedmon coughed again.

She rummaged through her dorlach in search of the right vessel.

“Part of ye will appreciate his control because ye have lost faith in yerself. Yet most of ye will resent his high-handedness because ye fear he will bind yer spirit.”

Though the man hardly knew her, he voiced what she could not put into words.