Highland Love Song (DeWinter's Song 2) (21 page)

"Elspeth," Kassidy asked, "is Aunt Mary still in Edinburgh?"

"No, Your Grace. She said I was to tell you she's gone on to her father."

"Has there been any word of my husband and son?"

"I heard they're still in England waiting for the
Nightingale
to come for them."

Kassidy instructed Captain Norris. "Sail directly for London and deliver this letter to His Grace. I have asked him to come to Scotland with all haste."

Captain Norris took the letter and nodded. "I'll pray for a swift wind, Your Grace."

Arrian turned her face upward and closed her eyes. She felt the warm sun, but there was no warmth in her heart. She had started her voyage as a young woman looking forward to marrying the man she loved. Now she doubted that Ian would want her, and she wasn't certain how she felt about him.

She wasn't the same innocent girl who had fallen in love with Ian when he'd come to Ravenworth.

Kassidy took Arrian's hand, and they walked down the gangplank together to the carriage where Elspeth was waiting for them.

"We must first visit the shops, Arrian, to find you suitable attire. Then we shall go directly to Davinsham. I have a feeling we should make haste."

Arrian nodded. "After I've talked to Ian and seen Grandfather, I'll want to go home."

20

The carriage rolled along at a steady pace, and Arrian became aware that it was a glorious spring day, with leaves sprouting on the trees and wildflowers dotting the countryside. She thought of other times when she had joyously made this journey with Michael and Aunt Mary. There was no joy in her heart today.

She glanced at Elspeth, who slept in the corner, her head rolling back and forth with the motion of the coach.

"Look, Arrian," her mother said, trying to cheer her, "you will be able to see Davinsham Castle from the next rise."

Arrian pretended interest. "The castle always reminds me of Great-grandfather . . . strong, sturdy, and defiant."

"Yes, that's a good description of him. But I learned long ago that Grandfather was not as gruff as he would have people believe."

"Aunt Mary says that you're his favorite."

"I believe he has a great fondness for you also, Arrian. But he can be harsh with those who do not find favor with him. I always thought he was a bit stern with Ian."

At last Arrian put into words what they had both been pondering. "I want to be alone with Ian when I tell him what happened, Mother. I have decided to tell him I won't marry him."

Kassidy studied her for a long moment. "If that's your decision. Don't allow Ian or Grandfather to press you, because you know they both want the marriage. I've sent Captain Norris for your father, so he'll be here soon."

"I need Father. I want to lay my head on his shoulder and have him to tell me that everything is well."

"Arrian, when you were small and a favorite doll got broken, your father could mend it for you. And when someone had been unkind to you, your father could make you smile. But I fear your father cannot make this disappear for you, Arrian. Your healing will have to come from within yourself."

"I know for certain that I love Warrick even though what he did was wrong. To leave him was like tearing out my heart."

"But you also thought you loved Ian," Kassidy reminded her. "You must examine all your feelings carefully."

"What I felt for Ian was a childish emotion when compared to the love I feel for Warrick. My love for Warrick is consuming, and I can only think of him. After all that's happened between us, I don't want to see him hurt. Is that not love, Mother?"

Kassidy closed her eyes, willing herself not to cry. "How well I remember what it feels like to know true love for the first time, Arrian. Like you, I did not believe he returned my love, and yet I still wanted him."

"You speak of Father?"

"Yes."

"But your story has a very different ending than mine."

Kassidy remembered the haunting look she had seen in the eyes of the young lord of Glencarin. Had he been feeling love or remorse? She did not believe they had seen the last of him. She knew he had deliberately allowed them to leave, although she had not said this to Arrian.

Arrian leaned back against the seat. "I shall love him until I die."

Kassidy was silent, wondering if the pain Lord Warrick had inflicted on Arrian had wounded him as severely. Perhaps he was not the villain she had first thought.

Ian sent riders to the far reaches of his grandfather's land with instructions for the clan to gather at Davinsham. Slowly they began to arrive at the castle, where they were armed. They waited only for word to ride for Glencarin.

Hate coiled inside Ian like a poisonous snake. This time he would not stop until he saw Warrick Glencarin dead, but not before he was tortured. He wanted to hear him beg for mercy, and cry out for death to release him.

Ian had just come from the stables when the carriage pulled up to the front of the castle. Thinking it would be more members of the clan, he was shocked to see Kassidy step down.

"Cousin Kassidy, I'm so distressed by what has happened. You should know that I have called the clan together and we will ride on Glencarin within the hour. I will rescue Arrian—"

Ian was struck silent as Arrian stepped to the ground. For a long moment he could only stare at her. There was an air of uncertainty about her, and she had not yet met his eyes. With one big step he grabbed her and hugged her to him.

"Arrian, Arrian, you are safe. You have been returned to me."

Kassidy saw the misery in Arrian's eyes and came to her rescue. "I'm sure you will understand, Ian, that my daughter has been through a great deal. She will need to rest before she talks to anyone."

He released Arrian and saw the paleness of her cheeks. "Of course you must rest, my dear. And don't worry, we will soon make Lord Warrick regret what he's done."

Arrian shook her head. "You must do nothing, Ian. I demand that you send the clan members away until we have had time to talk."

"This is men's business, Arrian. I must do what I know is right."

Kassidy intervened. "I ask you to do nothing until I have spoken to Grandfather."

"The men are restless, but I'll hold them here for a while."

Arrian's eyes were pleading. "Please don't let there be bloodshed because of me. I could not live with that."

"When can we talk?" Ian asked. "I'll want to hear all that's happened. I must know what he did to you."

"Tonight after dinner," she said, moving to stand beside her mother.

Kassidy looked at her nephew, reading anger and confusion in his eyes. She would not allow him to turn his anger into a war. "Is Aunt Mary here?" she asked.

Ian nodded, his eyes still on Arrian. She had changed. She had not seemed happy to see him. "Yes, Aunt Mary's here. I'm afraid there is sorrow here, Kassidy. Grandfather is gravely ill."

Kassidy turned and ran up the steps with Arrian right behind her. They hurried straight to Gille Maclvors's room and found family and clan members gathered around his bed.

Everyone moved aside when they saw Kassidy and Arrian. Kassidy approached her grandfather with pain in her heart. His eyes were closed, and she dropped down on the floor beside him and laid her head against his bed. She took his hot hand in hers and raised it to her cheek. Arrian knelt beside Kassidy to lend her strength, knowing that her mother loved the grizzled old man.

"I'm here, Grandfather. It's Kassidy."

His dull blue eyes stared at her from a sunken face, and his hot fingers clasped hers. "Now that I have looked upon your dear face, I can die," he whispered in a trembling voice. "I told them I would not go until you came. You, my dearest granddaughter, with golden hair so like your grandmother's."

He smiled slightly and took a deep breath that came out like a hiss. Kassidy knew the exact moment Lord Gille died, because his hand fell away from hers and dangled lifelessly over the side of the bed.

The doctor came forward and shook his head. "The chief's gone."

Lady Mary, Kassidy, and Arrian stayed at his side while the others filed sadly out of the room. The three women who had loved him hugged one another and cried tears of grief.

The bagpipes played a mournful tune as they had all day. Ian stood at the window of the study, staring out at the rain that had begun to fall. When he turned to his brother, Jamie, he was frowning. "Can't someone stop those damned pipes? They are beginning to annoy me."

Jamie shook his head. "They're a tribute for our grandfather. You know that."

Ian sat down in a chair and ran his hand through his tousled hair. "I thought that old man would outlive us all." His voice was bitter. "Look around you, Jamie, and tell me what you see."

"I see Grandfather's study."

"No, not Grandfather's. Not anymore. Everything you see here is mine. I'm the chief of Clan Maclvors."

"Yes, you are. But for now I feel only sadness at Grandfather's passing."

"You can't tell me you cared for that old man? My God, Jamie, he never gave you a passing thought."

"I respected him. I can't imagine a life without him. Didn't you love him, Ian?"

"No. I only waited for the day when I could stand in his shoes. I had my life planned for a very long time. Did you know that I had decided to marry Arrian when she was only a child? I only waited for her to grow up. There were many times I could have married, but I wanted the best—Arrian's the best."

Jamie stared at Ian. "Why are you ungrateful for all Grandfather did for you? He taught you everything and made you his heir."

"He taught me nothing, and I would have been his heir in any event." Jamie shook his head. "I once admired you, Ian. But lately I'm not so sure you are worthy of the trust Grandfather placed in you."

"It matters little what you think, Jamie. I'm chief and will answer to no one. I'll need your help, and damn it, you will do as I say."

"You didn't plan on Warrick Glencarin spoiling your plans, did you? You know why he did it, don't you? To lash out at me for taking Helena away from him." Jamie was silent for a moment. "I'm not sorry I married Helena, for she is a gentle soul and has given me a fine son. But I do rue the way I forced her to marry me—she deserved better."

Ian looked at Jamie in disgust. "You're getting soft."

"Perhaps, but you're getting hard, Ian. How can you not grieve at Grandfather's passing?"

Ian wasn't listening to his brother. "Lord Warrick will pay for what he's done to my Arrian." He shuddered, wondering if the man had touched her in any way. "I'll see him rot in hell."

"You should feel some satisfaction, Ian. Arrian and Kassidy escaped from that man. So his revenge on you was not quite a total victory."

"Yes. He didn't expect me to get her back. I'll petition the king and we'll have that mockery of a marriage annulled, and then Arrian and I shall be married. Lord Warrick has dug his own grave this time. The punishment will come swiftly from the king because of Adrian's importance. She's not just some little Scottish noblewoman, and this is not just another feud."

"Aunt Mary says there can't be a wedding or any celebrating for a year because of Grandfather's death. You'll have to bide your time."

Ian slammed his fist down on the desk. "Will you stop telling me what Aunt Mary says! She isn't chief here—I am. It's my word that will be obeyed, not hers."

Arrian had been dreading the meeting with Ian, but it could no longer be delayed. She was prepared to face his displeasure and recriminations.

She chose to meet him in the garden where she had often played as a child. When she approached him, he was standing with his back to her. She felt pity for him, knowing how he must be grieving for their grandfather and that she must add to that grief.

"Ian," she said, watching him turn around to face her. "Are you all right?"

"I'm holding up." He took her hand and raised it to his lips. "I have been thinking of you."

"Ian, I'm so sorry about Great-grandfather. Will you accept my condolences?"

He lowered his dark eyes. "We shall console each other, Arrian, for he was dear to us both."

"I didn't know Grandfather as well as you did, but I loved and admired him."

"Grandfather was a hard man, Arrian, although you would not have seen that side of him. He expected much out of his family, and more from me."

"Yes, I can believe that."

"He loved your mother more than anyone. I believe Kassidy could have asked anything from him and he would have given it to her."

"Mother is very distressed. She loved him a great deal. I'll be glad when Father arrives so he can comfort . . . us all. He can help you put your affairs in order if you wish."

"I want you to know that your father will always find a welcome at Davinsham Castle. Unlike my grandfather, I respect him and will welcome his advice in many matters."

She knew they were both talking of trivial things to keep from saying what was on their minds. Now that she stood before Ian, she knew that whatever she had felt for him had been only a young girl's fancy. But she could not tell him this. She could not hurt him any more than he'd already been hurt.

She gathered her courage. "You know that I agreed to a marriage with Warrick Glencarin?"

"Yes, and I understand why. Aunt Mary explained it to me. It wasn't your fault, Arrian, and it isn't a real marriage."

"I am told that it is legally binding."

"Yes, but I'll deal with that." He searched Arrian's face. "Aunt Mary assured me that you didn't share Lord Warrick's bedroom."

She felt laden with guilt. "No, Ian, I didn't share his bedroom." She lowered her head, feeling as if her heart would break at what she must tell him.

He forced her to look at him. "Something happened between you, didn't it?"

She took a deep breath. "I want to be honest with you, Ian. I am no longer a maiden."

Arrian watched Ian's eyes fill with rage before he turned away from her. She watched his shoulders droop, and she felt such remorse for hurting him.

At last he turned back to her, his face contorted in fury. "How dare that bastard touch what belongs to me! You were to be mine, pure and sweet, untouched by any man. I waited for years for you. There were times when I wanted you so badly I ached. But I controlled the urge, knowing that you would one day belong to me alone."