Highland Love Song (DeWinter's Song 2) (11 page)

"I was never anything but honest with you, my lady. It was you who chose to ignore the importance of a Marriage by Consent."

Arrian looked at her aunt for help but saw the expression of finality on Lady Mary's face. "You are a beast, my lord, and I do not honor you."

Warrick shrugged. "I had so hoped marriage would calm you, my lady—apparently it has not."

Anger boiled inside her, but she had no retort. "You will still allow my aunt to leave in the morning?"

"What's this?" Aunt Mary asked. "What are you saying, Arrian?"

Warrick answered in a kind voice. "Your leg needs medical attention, Lady Mary. You will be sailing to Edinburgh tomorrow morning."

"I'll not leave without my niece. And there is no way I'll step foot on another ship. I'd rather walk."

"You have no choice in this, my lady. I will not be responsible for your losing a leg, and you are not well enough to travel by coach."

"Then Arrian must accompany me."

"No, Lady Mary, she will not." He thrust the ruby ring at her, and she clasped it in her hand. "You will deliver this into the hands of Ian Maclvors with my wife's regrets. Tell him she now wears the wedding ring of a Drummond—and is the first lady of Clan Drummond."

Lady Mary stared at the young chief for a long moment. He was most certainly a handsome rogue, but haughty and decidedly too sure of himself. "It seems I have no say in this matter," she said at last. "But there will be grave consequences from this deed. Arrian is not some little unknown. Her father wields more power than you can imagine. I beg you to allow her to accompany me. You have what you want. She is legally your wife."

"If the duke of Ravenworth is as powerful as you say, he could easily have the marriage annulled. No, Arrian will remain with me to prevent such an action."

Arrian would have spoken, but her aunt silenced her with a glance. "How long do you intend to keep her a prisoner in your castle?"

"She will not be a prisoner. But I shall keep her until it suits me to let her go."

"I will expect you to honor her and not lay a hand on her."

Warrick smiled at Lady Mary, liking her in spite of the fact that she was Gille Maclvors's daughter. "You have my word that she will have a separate bedroom from mine, and a door that locks."

"Locked doors only keep out those who want to stay out," Lady Mary stated.

"I will not intrude on your niece. In marrying me, she has given me what I want from her."

Lady Mary stared into gray eyes and found herself believing him. "I'll hold you to that."

"Your niece will be safe from me, my lady—but who will save me from her?" He smiled at Arrian, who only glared at him. "I have found her to have a fierce temper, and she has demanding ways."

Lady Mary reached for Arrian's hand. "If that is so, you are the first person to evoke those distasteful emotions in her. Her temper was always sweet and her nature loving."

"It will be blood hate between us, my lord," Arrian said. "We are locked in a contest of the strongest."

His silver eyes looked cruel. "Your understanding is exceptional, my lady wife." He bowed slightly to Lady Mary and then to Arrian. "I'll bid you both good night. I know you'll have much to talk about since you are departing in the morning, Lady Mary."

After he'd left, Arrian could not stop the tears from falling down her cheeks. She could not imagine what life would be like after her aunt was gone.

This world was cold and unbearable, a hostile place where she had no friends.

10

Arrian stood silently, battling the conflicting emotions that ran through her mind. She wanted to rage at the man who had tricked her into marriage and had taken away her future with Ian. She so desperately wanted to leave with her aunt, but that would not be possible.

Trying to disguise her sadness, she turned to Lady Mary. "You're so pale. I fear this evening has been a strain on you. Shall I get your medicine?"

"That would be nice, child," Lady Mary said, wanting to be lost in forgetfulness. "I find the pain is almost more than I can endure."

Arrian picked up the vial and poured the liquid into a spoon. "I will be glad to have you in Edinburgh where you can receive proper care."

Lady Mary took the medicine and then caught Arrian's hand. "You did this for me, didn't you?"

Arrian avoided her aunt's eyes, hoping she could hide the truth from her. "Why would you think that?"

"Because it's my leg that's damaged, Arrian, not my mind. You came to Scotland to marry Ian and would never have agreed to marry a man you hardly know unless there was a good reason. I heard the exchange between you and Lord Warrick. You didn't marry him out of love. You only agreed to this marriage because I need medical attention."

"I never thought the marriage would be binding. I believed it was only a way to try to humble me and humiliate Ian."

"It is most certainly binding, Arrian."

"I know that now." She plumped up her aunt's pillows and tried not to cry. "I can only imagine what my parents will say when they hear what I've done."

"Dear child, why didn't you come to me before you agreed to go through with the wedding? I could have warned you."

"You were ill, Aunt Mary. I made the decision on my own, and I'm prepared to live with the consequences."

"I don't know how I will explain this to your mother and father. I fear there will be a terrible backlash. Raile will come thundering in here with a vengeance, you know he will."

"Aunt Mary, that's exactly what Father should not do. You must try to keep this from him as long as possible. Meanwhile, I shall try to escape, or perhaps Lord Warrick will release me. I don't want anyone to be hurt."

"If your father is in Scotland, no one will be able to stop him from coming to Ironworth." Lady Mary's eyes grew sad. "I don't know how this will all end, but there's bound to be much sorrow. I can't endure to leave you, Arrian."

"You heard Lord Warrick, he won't allow me to go with you—and you must go."

Lady Mary held out the ring she had clutched in her hand. "I can't think what Ian will do when I give this to him."

Arrian was tempted to take back Ian's ring, but she no longer felt that it belonged to her. "I pray he will not turn away from me because of what I've done."

The drug was already beginning to take effect, and Lady Mary was becoming drowsy. "The blame lies with Warrick and Ian, this is their fight. You have innocently become entangled in their feud."

"But I still love Ian and want to be his wife. Impress upon him that I will come to him as soon as I'm able."

"I will do that. But have a care, Arrian. Don't provoke this man, and don't forget for a moment that he is the enemy."

"I shan't forget that."

"I curse this weakness that prevents me from helping you. In days gone by, no young upstart would have gained the upper hand with me."

"Don't think about that, just go to sleep now. But try to send word of how you are doing, for I shall be worried until I know you are well."

"I will write." Lady Mary said, her mind growing unclear. "I find I am very sleepy now. You must rest also."

Arrian watched her aunt drift off to sleep. She would remain with her tonight. There was no way of knowing when they would meet again. She touched a white curl that lay against her aunt's cheek, praying that the doctors in Edinburgh would save her leg.

She went to the hearth to place wood on the fire and drew up a chair. She was so lonely, a tear trailed down her cheek. She had often dreamed of her wedding night, but Ian had always been the man in those dreams, not his enemy.

Warrick slid his booted foot into the stirrup and mounted Titus. He needed to put distance between himself and his new bride. Guilt lay heavily on his shoulders, but given the same choice again, he would have behaved no differently.

He headed Titus down the rutted bridle path on his way to the hunting lodge. Victory was his! He had struck at the heart of Ian Maclvors. But where was the feeling of elation he had expected? Was Mactavish right about him—was he no better than a Maclvors in forcing a woman into marriage against her will?

He halted his horse and turned back to the castle, which was barely visible under the cloudy sky. The act he had committed was vile and unworthy of the chief of Clan Drummond.

He nudged Titus forward, unmindful of the cold wind. Lady Arrian had conveniently fallen into his hands. What he would do with her, he did not know. But he would not free her until he was ready.

The moon shed its light on the solitary rider. There was torment in his eyes and heaviness in his heart. He could not forget the vision of tears in Lady Arrian's eyes. He had caused her a great deal of pain, and for that he was sorry. He had nothing against her—she had merely been useful to him.

When he reached the lodge he was surprised to find lights shining from the windows. Dismounting, he saw Mactavish standing in the doorway.

"Thought you'd be here, so I came ahead of you to lay a fire." Mactavish picked up a bottle of whiskey and poured a liberal amount into two goblets. "Thought you might also need a good friend and a strong drink."

"You know me too well, my friend," Warrick said, throwing off his coat and taking the offered glass. "Let's celebrate. I want to drink myself into oblivion so that I won't think about blue eyes swimming in tears."

Mactavish raised his glass in a toast. "To the new Lady of Glencarin. May she not live to regret this night, or you either, m'lord."

Warrick's expression hardened. "I thought you came as a friend, not as my accuser."

Mactavish downed his drink, and poured another. "So I did."

Warrick took a deep drink of the burning liquid. "To my bride," he said raising his glass. "May she and God forgive me."

Lady Mary tied a silk scarf around her head turban style. She fumbled through her jewels until she found a huge sapphire brooch, which she pinned to the middle of the turban.

"Just because one is ill doesn't mean that one should neglect one's appearance." Holding the hand mirror, she nodded in satisfaction. "Exotic, don't you think, Arrian?"

Her aunt was dressed in a white brocade gown with black velvet on the collar. "You look elegant as always. Does your leg pain you overmuch?"

"I could tell you it didn't, but in truth it never stops throbbing."

Arrian bent and kissed her aunt on the cheek and then slid her arms around her neck. "I shall miss you desperately, but I'll take comfort in knowing that you will have the best of care."

Lady Mary dabbed at the tears in her eyes. She had always taken pride in her strength of character, and crying was not in her nature. She knew that Arrian was putting on a brave face, so she could do no less.

"Highlanders like Lord Warrick are driven by stubborn pride, Arrian. I would beseech him to let you accompany me, but we both know it would do no good."

Arrian's jaw set in a stubborn line. "We shan't beg him for anything, Aunt Mary."

Lady Mary tried to find something hopeful to say. "I have learned from the housekeeper that my nephew Jamie kidnapped Lord Warrick's bride. Perhaps now his lordship will feel that his honor has been satisfied, and release you."

"Do you really believe Jamie is capable of such a deed?"

"I'd believe anything of Jamie."

"And Ian—do you think he was involved?"

Lady Mary saw the uncertainty in Arrian's eyes. "Has he been accused?"

“Y—es."

"I don't know if I can answer that, Arrian. But I'll find out."

Arrian placed her aunt's jewelry chest in a trunk and closed the lid, snapping it shut. "I'll never believe Ian capable of dishonor," she said.

There was a knock on the door and Mrs. Haddington entered. "It's time for your medicine, m'lady. Otherwise you'll not be bearing the pain when they take you to the ship."

Lady Mary took the offered medicine. "I'd never thought to find myself aboard a ship again. After this, I travel only by land."

Warrick appeared at the door. "If you will allow it, I will carry you downstairs, Lady Mary."

"Little say I have in the matter, I'm sure," Lady Mary said, resigned to her fate.

"I want to accompany my aunt as far as the ship," Arrian said, pulling on her leather gloves.

Warrick lifted Lady Mary gently in his arms. "I had anticipated that."

Lady Mary moaned in pain, and she was surprised to see Lord Warrick's silver eyes fill with compassion. "I'll be as careful as I can, my lady. Your ordeal will soon be at an end."

"What is the condition of the sea?" Lady Mary asked with concern.

"I am told by the captain that you should have smooth sailing all the way to Edinburgh."

"That's a blessing, anyway."

"If you will allow it, Barra has agreed to travel with you and remain until she is no longer needed," Warrick told her.

"It seems you have thought of everything, my lord."

By now they had reached the carriage, and Warrick placed Arrian's aunt gently inside and pulled a woolen robe over her legs. When he would have left, she clasped his hand.

"Tell me, Lord Warrick, would you have allowed my niece to leave if she had not consented to the marriage?"

He smiled. "We shall never know the answer to that, shall we?"

"Be good to her. This is her first time away from those who love her. Arrian is a rare jewel. Treat her as such."

There was sudden anger in his eyes. "I don't harm women, Lady Mary. I'll leave that to your nephews."

Arrian came down the steps, carrying her aunt's medicine, and Warrick helped her into the carriage beside Lady Mary.

The coach pulled away with Mactavish in the driver's seat, while Warrick, mounted on Titus, rode beside them. Arrian and her aunt were silent, partly because Barra accompanied them and partly because their emotions ran too deep to express in words.

Too quickly it was time to say good-bye. With a hurried hug, Arrian watched Warrick place her aunt in the longboat that would transport her to the waiting ship.

Arrian refused to cry as the small craft moved out to sea. Warrick stood beside her, but she refused to acknowledge him. In the distance her aunt was being helped onto the ship, and Arrian held her breath, knowing the pain Aunt Mary must be feeling.

"I pray the doctors in Edinburgh will be able to heal her."

"As do I, Arrian. I found much to admire in Lady Mary."

"I'm sure she does not return your feelings."

He laughed. "Nor would I, were I in her place."

After Arrian watched the anchor rising out of the sea, she returned to the coach. "I am ready now, my lord."

Warrick had expected, at the last moment, that Arrian would beg to go with her aunt. But she had not. He was discovering a strength in her he had not expected in one so pampered. Arrian would continue to fight him, and she would be a worthy adversary, but he would not want to see her wonderful spirit crushed.

He helped her inside the coach and noticed the circles under her eyes. She must not have slept the night before.

"Arrian, would you like me to ride in the coach with you?"

"No, my lord. I prefer my own company." Even while her lips trembled with the effort she was making not to cry, her eyes defied him.

Arrian was so bored, she wandered through the castle, inspecting the unoccupied rooms. Most of them were dusty and neglected, but the furnishings must have been grand at one time.

She was elated when she discovered steps leading to the battlements. Quickly she climbed to the top and stood with the wind in her hair, awed by the magnificent view of the valley. She watched as a brilliant sunset reflected against the iron gray mountains in the distance.

Suddenly she was overcome with a loneliness so intense, she cried out, "Mother, help me."

Arrian heard someone come up behind her and thought it might be Warrick. She turned to do battle with him, but her anger faded when Mactavish appeared.

"I was in the courtyard below and saw you, m'lady. I brought your cloak, thinking you might be cold."

She allowed him to place the cloak around her shoulders and was glad for its warmth. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

"It was my pleasure."

"This is a harsh country, isn't it, Mr. Mactavish?"

"Aye, that it is. You already know about the hazardous winters. But you will presently be surprised with the arrival of spring."