Highland Love Song (DeWinter's Song 2) (18 page)

"Don't think about that. We shall just take one day at a time. Things are not as hopeless as they seem, Arrian."

Kassidy looked around the room. "I suppose I should begin acting as your maid. We don't want anyone to become suspicious."

"What will you do?"

Kassidy walked over to the door that led to a small dressing room and glanced inside. "I'll go below and demand to have a bed set up in there."

"But Mother, you can sleep with me."

"No, I can't. Arrian, I must warn you to be on guard and make certain no one suspects who I am. If we are going to escape, we'll have to be very careful. We don't want to do anything that will put Lord Warrick on alert."

17

It was early morning when Barra knocked on the door and entered carrying a breakfast tray. She gave Arrian a sour look. "I had little contact with that English maid of yours, m'lady. But it appeared to me she's caught up in her own importance."

Arrian sat up in bed, looking over Barra's shoulder at her mother. "You are right, Barra, Tuttle can indeed feel her importance. You'll have to overlook her ways. I'm afraid I've been too lenient with her."

Barra placed the breakfast tray on a side table and turned to the maid. "Here's her ladyship's breakfast. If you want anything, you'll have to go to the kitchen."

Kassidy unfolded a napkin and handed it to Arrian while they both tried not to laugh. "Yes, Tuttle," Arrian said with mischief dancing in her eyes, "go along to breakfast."

"I'd rather not," Kassidy said.

"There you have it, Barra, she is too obstinate. But I am accustomed to her and will keep her as long as she doesn't test me too far."

Barra sniffed. "It seems to me, m'lady, that she's far too disrespectful."

As Barra sailed out of the room, Arrian fell back against her pillow in a fit of laughter. "She doesn't seem to approve of you, Mother. I wonder why?"

"Eat in the kitchen, indeed," Kassidy said. "What kind of a household is this? If I asked Elspeth to eat in the kitchen, she'd let her views be known."

"Ironworth is in bad repair, Mother, and Warrick has no one capable of helping him. Most of the rooms are closed off and covered with dust. Although Mrs. Haddington tries, she is too fragile for the responsibility of a home this large."

Kassidy took a muffin from the tray and bit into it. "The cook is to be complimented. This is delicious." Then she looked at Arrian. "Lord Warrick's troubles are not yours, Arrian."

"When I sailed for Scotland, Mother, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted. All I could think of was Ian and our life together. Now, I'm sorry to say a whole day can go by and I don't think of him. Is that wicked, Mother?"

Kassidy thought of the handsome young lord she had seen with Arrian the previous night. "No, you are not wicked, Arrian. But you must remember that Warrick Glencarin is only using you to hurt Grandfather and Ian. Remember how he tricked you into marriage."

"Is it inconceivable that he could love me?"

Kassidy shook her head. "No, my dearest daughter, it is not inconceivable that he could love you. But you don't understand what you have fallen into here. These blood feuds are stronger than any emotion—even love. Make no mistake about this, Arrian, Lord Warrick would use you, even if he did love you, to hurt a Maclvors."

Arrian let out a shuddering breath. "I know what you say is true, Mother."

"Take a long look at him, Arrian. I learned much about the feud between the Drummonds and the Maclvors in Edinburgh. I will admit that my family is much at fault. But that doesn't give Lord Warrick the right to use you. I'll never allow that to happen again."

"What will we do if he demands to see me again, Mother?"

"Just leave that to me."

"Will we get through this?"

"Yes, we shall."

"I can only hope Grandfather and Ian will understand when they learn the truth."

"Arrian, I have learned some things that make me ashamed of my Maclvors relatives."

Arrian's eyes widened. "What did you learn, Mother?"

"You know that Lord Warrick's sister married my cousin, Gavin?"

Arrian nodded. "I have learned of it since coming here."

"Well, it seems that my grandfather asked for a large dowry and land besides. Apparently the girl died under suspicious circumstances. It's a sad business, and I don't think the Maclvors were totally innocent."

"I know something about that. In a way, I can understand why Warrick is so bitter. You can see, can't you, Mother, that he would want to regain his honor?"

"Of course I see. But I'll not have him regain it at your expense. The feud has nothing to do with you. Don't pity Lord Warrick too much, Arrian."

"But I am involved, whether I want to be or not."

"Only as long as it takes for me to get you out of here," Kassidy said.

Arrian's eyes were sad. "I want to go, and yet I think he will be lonely if I leave."

"I am furious with that man for preying on your emotions. He knows exactly what he's doing. As for him being lonely, Arrian, it's well known he has many women to comfort him. I heard in Edinburgh that the ladies flock around him. It's said he could have married several titled and wealthy women. We know why he chose you."

Arrian lowered her eyes. "Yes, I suppose you are right." She had forgotten for the moment that she had reason to detest Warrick.

There was a knock, and Kassidy quickly swallowed the muffin and went to answer the door. Barra was standing there with a sullen expression on her face. "His lordship wants to see you at once in his study."

"Me? He wants to see me?" Kassidy asked.

"That's his order."

"Tell him I'll be right down."

"I wouldn't dawdle if I were you."

Kassidy closed the door with a puzzled look on her face. "I wonder what this is all about?"

Arrian took a sip of tea and spread butter on a muffin. "I can't guess. Will you go?"

"Of course." Kassidy made certain her hair was tucked beneath the cap and walked to the door. "I shall just have to see what he wants with me."

Warrick was going over a ledger when Kassidy appeared in the doorway. "You asked to see me, m'lord?"

"Yes, come in, Tuttle."

Kassidy shuffled forward, keeping her eyes downcast.

"I wanted to inquire about Lady Mary's health. I know you said she was well, but I was concerned that there might have been lasting damage to her leg."

"She's faring nicely," Kassidy said in clear Cockney. "She's a strong one."

"I'm glad to hear that. I liked Lady Mary and was concerned about her."

Kassidy could see how charming he could be. "Her ladyship didn't speak too highly of you, m'lord."

Warrick looked quickly at the maid and for the first time noticed the golden hair that had escaped from her cap. She was as obstinate as Barra had said, and she always looked at her feet rather than the person to whom she was speaking.

"How long have you known the Lady Arrian, Tuttle?"

"All her life, m'lord. Mine were the arms that comforted her since she was a baby. I wouldn't like to see anyone hurt her—again. I'll see that don't happen."

"Tuttle, has anyone complained that you are far too recalcitrant and forward to be a proper maid?"

"Oh, no, m'lord, not me. I live only to serve m'lady."

"Very well, go back to your lady and ask her if she would like to ride this morning at eleven."

"She won't, m'lord. She didn't sleep well last night, and a ride would be too much for her."

He came to his feet with a rush of impatience. "Tuttle, suppose you tell your lady what I said and allow her to make that decision. Wait, tell her I insist that she ride with me today."

Kassidy clamped her lips together to keep from making an angry retort. "Yes, m'lord, I'll tell her."

Warrick watched the maid shuffle out of the room. He never thought he would tolerate an English maid in his house. Although this one behaved humbly, she was far from it. Of course, as the woman had been with Arrian since birth, that would give her the right to speak plainly. God knew Haddy never spared him her opinions.

It was almost an hour later when Kassidy came downstairs with word that Lady Arrian would ride with his lordship. She had agreed with her daughter that they dared not refuse, lest it make Lord Warrick suspicious.

*                                                        *                                                        *

The air was crisp, and the sun was warm as Warrick led the horses out of the stable with Mactavish beside him.

"I don't understand women, Mactavish."

"I don't doubt it—not this one, anyway. You force her to stay with you against her will, and then you expect her to thank you for the privilege? I don't like what you're doing to her—she doesn't deserve it."

"Have a care that you don't say too much, Mactavish. I do what I must."

Mactavish draped the reins over the horse Lady Arrian was to ride. "I feel responsible for her since I'm the one who brought her to Ironworth. I say let her go."

Warrick set his lips in a unyielding line. "That's my decision to make."

"Aye, it is. But this goes beyond injured pride and a need to right an old wrong. I say no good can come of this. There's going to be bad trouble."

"Mactavish, you worry like an old woman. After I let her go, she'll forget about Ironworth, and I can assure you I'll put her out of my mind."

The old man looked as if he'd like to oppose Warrick, but he said nothing.

"Suppose I asked her to stay of her own free will?"

"Then you would have to bury the past and make a life with her. Knowing you as I do, I don't think you can do that."

"I have a long memory."

"Then you have your answer, Warrick. You must allow her ladyship to leave as soon as possible."

"What about the marriage?"

"It is a farce and can be easily annulled."

"You like her, don't you, Mactavish?"

"Aye, I do. She's a bonny lass. If you don't see her worth, I certainly do. She's what you need, if you'd but admit it."

Warrick frowned. "I don't understand you, Mactavish. You tell me to let her go, then in the next breath you say she's what I need. Which is it?"

"There we have the problem. I doubt she'll have you, Warrick. She has no reason to think well of you."

By then they had reached the front of the house, where Arrian stood on the steps with her maid. Warrick circled her waist and placed her on the horse. "I believe we shall make a day of it, my lady."

Arrian was strangely silent and acknowledged Mactavish only with a nod of her head.

As they rode away, Mactavish stood beside Kassidy. "You're her ladyship's maid?"

"Yes, I'm Tuttle," she said absently, never taking her eyes off Arrian.

He could sense she was troubled. "Don't worry about your charge. He'll not harm her."

Kassidy spoke before she thought. "I think we both know he's already harmed her."

"I'd not like to think so."

"Why should you care?"

"Have you thought those two might bring the Drummonds and the Maclvors together after generations of hate?

She glared at him. "I will not see her sacrificed to settle an old blood feud."

Mactavish watched the woman enter the house. He had a suspicion that she was more than she seemed. Her speech was refined, and there was nothing about her that would make one think she was merely a maid. He must warn Warrick to watch this woman.

Arrian said nothing as she rode beside Warrick. After the horses had galloped across the sandy beach for a while, he halted his and looked at Arrian.

"I've been worried about you," he said. "Are you well?"

She refused to look at him. "I am well."

"I have wanted to talk to you to—"

"Look," she said, pointing in the distance. "A sailing ship, probably bound for France."

"Will you not look at me, Arrian?"

She turned to look directly into his eyes. "Satisfied?"

"I wish it had been different between us, Arrian."

"Are you feeling guilty, my lord?"

He shifted in his saddle. "Perhaps."

"I'm glad. I hope you feel so remorseful that your sleep is disturbed. I hope you—"

He held up his hand. "Spare me. You probably wish I would fall off Titus and break my neck."

"Your words, not mine," she snapped, wondering how she could appear detached when she was so aware of his presence.

"Will you never forgive me?"

She blinked her eyes, wondering if this was another of his tricks. "I don't believe so, my lord."

He looked at the sailing ship that was little more than a tiny dot against the horizon. "Perhaps we should leave. It's turned quite cold here by the sea."

She whirled her horse around and raced toward Iron-worth. She had to escape. How could she bear to be near a man she had every right to hate? But then, could she deny the love that was as consuming as a raging fire?