Highland Warrior (27 page)
Authors: Connie Mason
Determination hardened Ross’s features. “I refuse to allow your selfish disregard for your family to end the hard-won truce that both clans sought.” He started forward. “You are coming home with me.”
Angus gave a barely discernible signal to his archers, who immediately readied their bows. Nearly frantic with fear, Gillian cried, “Doona come any closer, Ross.” Then she flung herself into Angus’s arms and kissed him.
“Well-done,” Angus murmured against her lips. Then he kissed her back, nearly gagging her with his tongue as he thrust it into her mouth.
Gillian wanted to spit out his taste, to wash out her mouth, but she forced herself to accept his kiss as well as his hand on her breast. Whatever it took to save Ross’s life, she would do. But once Ross left, she would kill Angus if he ever touched her in that way again.
Angus broke off the kiss. “Listen to the lass, MacKenna. Accept that we are lovers and let the feud resume. My kinsmen and I will fight beside the MacKays, just as we always have.”
As if he hadn’t heard, Ross drew his claymore and continued walking toward the gate. Angus nodded to one of his archers, who immediately raised his bow and pulled back the string. Gordo, who had been watching the wall walk closely, yelled a warning and pushed Ross aside. The arrow missed Ross by scant inches. Gordo pulled Ross back toward the main body of his men.
“She’s not worth it, lad. ’Tis obvious you misjudged the MacKay lass. She was just waiting for the chance to betray you. Come away. Send for MacKay and discuss this latest development with him. The peace terms were agreed upon by both clans. If you decide they have been broken and the feud should resume, then so be it. We will answer the call to arms.”
When Ross had seen Sinclair place his hands on Gillian, he wanted to howl in outrage. And when Gillian kissed the other man, he had been ready to scale the wall and kill Sinclair first and then his faithless wife. The arrow that narrowly missed him drove home what Ross had known for some time: Sinclair wanted him dead. Had his kinsmen been right all along? Had Gillian helped Sinclair plan his death?
Reluctantly Ross turned away and mounted his horse. He would waste no more time on the woman who had betrayed him. He never wanted to see the flame-haired witch again.
Gillian felt Angus’s fingers tighten on her arm as Ross turned and rode away. She wanted to call him back, to beg him not to leave her, but she couldn’t live with being responsible for Ross’s death.
But Angus hadn’t won yet. She would find a way to foil his plans and return to Ravenscraig, to the man she loved.
“You were wise to send MacKenna away,” Angus sneered as he caressed her arms.
Gillian pulled herself free from his loathsome embrace. “Never touch me again!” she spat. Her fierceness must have startled him, for he removed his hand. “I canna bear your hands on me.”
“Get used to it,” Angus snarled. “When we wed, you
will
give me an heir.”
will
give me an heir.”
A hint of malice tinged Gillian’s chilling words. “Mayhap you willna live to touch me again.”
Angus seemed taken aback by her venom. “Gillian,” he cajoled, “we were betrothed; at one time you were eager to wed me.”
“I am wed to Ross, Angus. There is no way those bonds can be broken short of—”
“... death,” Angus finished. “Exactly. I am a patient man. I can wait.” He grinned. “I doona think it will be too long a wait.”
He grasped her arm and began pulling her back toward the keep. Gillian’s teeth were chattering in the cold air, and she didn’t resist. Her day would come, and when it did, she would be ready.
Seana met them at the door. “That went well,” she gloated. “Ross’s expression when you caressed his wife was priceless. He deserved that and more for abandoning me and wedding MacKay’s daughter.”
Angus pushed Seana aside. “Move, woman; make room for my future wife.”
Seana followed them into the hall. “I doona ken why you still want the MacKay wench after MacKenna used her.”
“I intend to wed Gillian after her husband’s demise.”
Seana sidled up to him. “Why do you want an unwilling woman when you can have me? We both know Niall willna want me back in his life. You and I are two of a kind. Your keep would be well managed if you wed me.”
Angus let his gaze rove over her. “You are good between the sheets, Seana, but you would bring naught to me in marriage. ’Tis likely your father has already disowned you. But mayhap I will keep you as my leman.”
Gillian watched Seana’s face closely. Her sour expression told Gillian that Angus’s words did not sit well with her. Did Seana now hope to wed a chieftain, since she’d failed to find a laird for herself?
“You are welcome to Angus,” Gillian said, sniffing in disdain. “I already have a husband; I doona need another.”
Seana stared at Gillian, her eyes narrowed. Tossing a glance at Sinclair, she turned and left in a fury.
“You and Seana are perfect for each other, Angus,” Gillian ventured. “You are wasting your time on me. I loathe you.”
Angus gave her a violent shove. “We’ll see about that. Up the stairs with you. You will reside in the tower until my plans come to fruition. Meanwhile, prepare yourself for a visit from me tonight. ’Tis time I availed myself of your charms.”
Gillian rounded on him. “Over my dead body”
Angus sent her a disparaging look. “You are unarmed and at my mercy. You will submit to my will, for you have no other choice. Besides,” he gloated, “your husband already thinks we are lovers.”
He gave her another shove toward the stairs. Since Gillian had no choice but to obey, she started up the winding staircase, her thoughts spinning wildly out of control. In a moment of desperation she considered turning abruptly and plowing into Angus, sending him hurtling down the stairs. She almost put that thought into action, until she considered that Angus might pull her down with him. She flattened her hand over her stomach. She had missed her woman’s time and had begun to suspect that she was carrying Ross’s heir. She could not dare risk harming her bairn.
When she aimed a sidelong glance at Angus over her shoulder, he growled, “Doona even think it.”
Sighing, Gillian continued up the stairs. When they reached the tower, Angus opened the door, shoved her inside the chamber, and slammed the door behind her. She heard the key turn in the lock and Angus say, “Mayhap going without your supper will make you more amenable to my advances.”
“Not bloody likely,” Gillian muttered beneath her breath.
Gillian stared at the closed door, wishing she were a wisp of smoke that could slide under the door to freedom. She sat down on the narrow bed, rested her elbows on her knees, and cupped her chin with her hands.
Try though she might, she failed to understand the logic behind Angus’s actions. She knew he wanted Ross dead, but why did he want the feud to resume? None of it made sense. Even if Ross died, she still had a father and three brothers to defend her honor. Surely not all of them would die in battle. What made Angus so certain her entire family would perish?
The supper hour came and went. Gillian began seriously to consider ways to thwart Angus’s unwanted attention. Without a weapon, she had no hope. But as long as she possessed determination and will, she would defend herself as best she could. She would make sure Angus understood that bedding her would be akin to bedding a wildcat.
The cruel reality of darkness followed close on the heels of twilight. Gillian stared at the door, inwardly preparing for Angus’s entrance. Though she nearly went mad waiting, the delay gave her an opportunity to form a plan of sorts. She wouldn’t submit easily. Mayhap Angus would lose interest and seek Seana’s bed instead.
Refusing to let sleep claim her, Gillian remained awake and alert. The candle had burned down to a stub when she heard the door latch rattle. She stiffened and rose to meet Angus, determined to stand on her own two feet instead of cowering like a weakling.
The door opened, but the figure that slipped inside was not Angus.
“Seana! I thought you were Angus. What are you doing here?”
Seana smiled thinly. “Angus is dicing, drinking, and bragging to his kinsmen about bedding Laird Ross’s wife. We doona have much time.”
“Time for what?”
“I’ve come to set you free.”
Stunned, Gillian stared at Seana as if she had just grown horns. “Liar. You doona like me. Did Angus send you to torment me?”
“Forget Angus. You are a distraction to him. I want Angus for myself, and that willna happen as long as you remain here. I am no longer welcome at Ravenscraig after what I did. I have no home, for my father willna allow me to return.”
“What did you do?”
“It doesna matter now. But if I canna have Ross, Angus will do. He may not be an important laird like Ross, but he is a chieftain. Once Angus beds you, he willna turn to me again.”
“I willna let Angus bed me,” Gillian vowed. “I want naught to do with him.”
“Then you will be pleased to be free of him.”
“Aye, verra pleased.” Gillian narrowed her eyes. “But why not just kill me? Why are you offering me freedom?”
“Your death wouldna endear me to Angus. He would know immediately that I was responsible.”
“Angus will still punish you if I disappear. He will guess you were involved.”
“Think you I am stupid?” She walked to the window and flung open the shutters that Gillian had closed against the cold. “You are going to leap to your death.”
A look of horror appeared on Gillian’s face. “You are mad. I may be desperate, but not desperate enough to leap to my death.”
“No one will die. Rip off a portion of your gown.”
“What?”
Impatience colored her words. “Hurry! Angus will tire of dicing soon, and his thoughts will turn to bedding you.”
Curious but still wary, Gillian ripped the hem of her gown and handed it to Seana. She watched curiously as Seana walked to the window and tossed the material through the opening. Gillian ran to the window and watched the cloth flutter down and land close to the riverbank on the rocks below.
“That should do it,” Seana said. “Angus will think you leaped to your death and that your body was carried out to sea. Follow me.”
“Where are we going?”
“There’s another set of stairs that leads to the kitchens. Servants sometimes use them. I’ll show you to the postern gate, where a horse is waiting for you. The horse willna be your own, for that would ruin the ruse. ’Tis a horse I purchased for you in the village earlier today. Here,” she said, pulling off her cloak and handing it to Gillian. “Wear this.”
“How will we leave without being seen by the guards?”
“There is no guard at the door. Angus no longer saw any need. The door to the tower is locked from the outside, so he thought there was no way you could escape.” She crept out the door and motioned for Gillian to follow. The moment Gillian cleared the door, Seana closed and locked it.
“This way,” Seana whispered. “The servants are abed. We shouldna encounter anyone about in the kitchen.”
Seana located the staircase and led the way down the narrow passage lit by wall sconces. When they reached the bottom, Seana stepped into the kitchen, looked around, and motioned for Gillian to follow.
The cavernous kitchen was deserted, just as Seana had predicted. Gillian followed her out the door and into the dark garden.
“Is there a guard at the postern gate?” Gillian whispered as they made their way through the frosty night air.
Aye, but you need not worry about him. He should be sleeping soundly. I slipped a sleeping draft in his ale before he went on duty.”
“You’ve thought of everything,” Gillian muttered.
“I am naught but thorough when my sights are set on something I want. Angus may suspect, but no proof exists that would point to me.”
Snow crunched beneath their feet as Seana led Gillian through the cold winter night to the postern gate. Gillian stopped abruptly when she saw a guard leaning against the wall. He appeared to be sleeping soundly, if his snoring was any indication.
Ignoring him, Seana found the latch and swung the gate open. Gillian froze at the squeal of rusty hinges and then relaxed when the guard remained oblivious. Gillian stepped out through the gate and spied the horse, its reins tethered beneath a rock.
“I want my sword,” Gillian said, turning back to Seana.
“I couldna steal one and had no coin to buy one. Mayhap you willna need a weapon. Braeburn isna far. But you must hurry. The guard will awaken soon, and I want to be in the hall when Angus decides to join you in the tower.”
Fearing that Seana was up to some kind of trickery, Gillian pulled the reins from beneath the rock, flung herself atop the horse, and galloped off into the darkness.
Seana shut and latched the gate and returned to the keep the same way she had left. From the kitchen she entered the hall and seated herself beside the hearth, where Angus could see her. Quietly, she picked up a piece of embroidery she had left there earlier. If she were lucky, Angus wouldn’t realize she had left while he and his kinsmen caroused.
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