Highlander's Bride (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 1) (18 page)

"Da, when Alexander returns, he could come
live at our home. He could—"

"No. You must stay here, under the protection
of the MacGregors." 

Katherine saw her parents exchange a vivid look
and nod to each other. Icy fear whispered across her skin. Was there more to
the secret than they told her? She hated the quiver in her voice, but was
unable to stop it. "What are you not telling me?"

Monique grasped Katherine's hands. "If you
are married and living apart from us, should the duke find me, he still would
not find you. We would take the secret of your whereabouts to our graves."

"Sweet mother of God! You can't think I would
accept such a fate for you two! Alexander and I will stay with you. We will add
to the defenses of the castle. Hire mercenaries. Anything."

"Listen to me, sil vous plait! No matter what
happens, the duke is your legal father. If he found you with us, he could take
you. The courts would not condone my life with Angus. We would have no chance
to protect you."

Angus stood behind Monique, put his hands on her
shoulders and faced Katherine. "Lass, the only thing that will prevent the
duke from taking control of your life is your marriage to Alexander. 'Twould be
honored in a court of law. Would you endanger him, perhaps the whole MacGregor
clan, by asking him to live with us?"

Before she could answer, her mother gently
squeezed her hands and said, "Please,
cheri
. Stay here. Do it for
Angus and me."

Tears streamed down Katherine's cheeks. Sweet
Jesus. How could she stay behind and let them go, knowing what she did? She
looked at the love and determination in their eyes. Aye, and how could she not?

Chapter Twelve

Alexander's fist connected with the man's jaw
sending him sprawling to the floor with a bemused expression on his face.

"God's blood, mon! What was that for?"
Devon asked as he stood up, gingerly rubbing his jaw.

"Your insinuation of impropriety between my
brother and my wife is insulting. You will apologize for what you have said.
Now. Or I will wring it from you with my bare hands."

"Your wife? But… but… I thought William was
joking when he told me the woman was your wife. I hadna heard you'd married and
since you werena there, and them so friendly like, I decided 'twas a joke being
foisted on me. Och mon, I meant no harm. You know our clans have been loyal
allies for many years now."

Laird Drummond hurried over as their angry words
carried across the room. "Alex, what ails you?"

Alexander growled, "'Tis naught I care to
discuss." With that, he turned to a wench serving usquabae and thrust his
goblet out for her to fill. The two men beside him lowered their voices, but he
could still hear their words.

 "Och, Davey, I dinna know what to think. Is
Alexander married or no? When I stopped at During Castle on my way here, his
brother introduced me to a verra bonnie lass as Alexander's new bride. 'Tis
bemused I am. If he is a newly married mon with such a bonnie wife, why is he
no there instead of leavin' his wife to the care of his brother? If I had such
a bonnie wife, we wouldna even leave my chamber."

"Aye, Devon. 'Tis true Alexander married the
lass, but as to the rest of it, I dinna know. He may not quite understand it
himself yet. Come, let us find a drink and a willing lass. He willna thank us
for interfering."

Alexander spun around and glared at them.
"Aye, you have it aright." Annoyed, he watched as the two men wrapped
an arm around a buxom serving maid and left the hall.

A comely wench approached him with drink and a
knowing smile. "Is there aught you need, m'lord?"

"Aye, but not here." He tossed back the
rest of his drink and walked to his chamber alone.

**

Alexander pushed an empty jug off the bed and sat
up. God, his head hurt. He looked at his disheveled clothes and saw he still
wore his boots. Damn. He'd drunk so much he'd not even undressed before he'd
passed out on the bed. Last night when a serving wench had come to his chamber
with a jug, compliments of Davey and Devon, he'd drunk a full mug of usquabae
as she toyed about his chamber straightening things. He had watched with
quickening lust as she bent down to move a small trunk, showing off her
ponderous breasts. Seeing his look, she had responded by running her hands from
her plump hips up over her large breasts and down again. Lifting the hem of her
skirt to expose her calves, she had wriggled provocatively, and brushed up
against him.

When he'd pulled her closer to nuzzle her breasts,
the wench's linen cap had fallen away. A length of deep chestnut hair fell
across her shoulders. Seeing the dark hair, rather than the golden halo he'd so
often dreamed of, had totally banished all feelings of lust. He'd given her a
sovereign for her trouble, kept the usquabae and sent her away. The rest of the
night, he'd alternately yearned for and cursed Katherine as he drank himself
into unconsciousness.

Now, by the glaring light of day, he felt a
growing hunger for her that rivaled the pounding in his head. 'Twas time he
returned to During Castle. In truth, he had meant to return before now, but
rain had made the roads nigh impassable for over a fortnight after they had
arrived. And, though he could have pleasured the days away, his guilty memory
of Katherine's gracious acceptance of his leave taking, kept him from doing so.
Like it or not, he was wed, and he wouldn't dishonor his marriage vows.

Aye, he would return, make love to her, and given
time and an affable wife, make amends for his duplicity. After he had satisfied
his lust, he would take Katherine to Castle Ironwood. 'Twas best he remove her
from the attentions of his foolish young brother. If Devon had not known she
belonged to him, others might misunderstand as well. A woman of her beauty was
capable of turning hearts and he didn't wish to tempt fate. At Ironwood, she
would be for his eyes and touch alone. Later, if he still felt the need for freedom,
he could leave her behind under the protection and scrutiny of his loyal
servants. Aye, he'd leave today. With fair weather, he would be at During
Castle in four day's time.

**

The long ride had been pure torture but even the
heavy rain hadn't stopped him as he'd traveled alone, pressed on by his need to
return. For five straight days and nights, he'd ridden with only short stops
for necessary food and rest.

Chilled and weary beyond belief, Alexander nudged
Tursachan forward over the last knoll. The cold rain had finally ended during
the night and During Castle lay ahead of him in the pale dawn. As the sun
limned the castle towers in gold, Alexander thought yet again of Katherine's
lush flaxen hair. It would be good to be home. Aye, the journey had been rough,
but he'd soon enjoy his reward. He would be with her again. See her. Speak with
her. Touch her.

A sense of pleasure filled his thoughts. But
surely the feeling was mere passion. No, 'twas more than that. Anticipation
surged through him. He drew his stallion to a halt in front of the castle
entrance and shouted. "Ho, lads, 'tis Alexander McGregor! Open the gates
and raise the portcullis."

As he rode into the courtyard, he scanned the
scene before him. More than three weeks had passed, yet everything looked the
same as the day he'd left. His wedding day. Remorse gnawed at him for his
deceit. At the time, he'd felt compelled to remove himself from her, for fear
of falling prey to her charms. Yet during his absence, her memory had never
left him. Could this be what it felt like to love a woman? Perhaps now he and
his wife could begin to enjoy their future together.

Wearily, he dismounted at the stable and walked
into the castle. Servants scurried past him as they performed their morning
chores. He noticed a few surprised looks cast his way, but didn't stop to speak
as he made his way to his chamber. Although he was exhausted, the thought of
Katherine renewed his energy.

Finally, he would have her all to himself. Could
he really blame Devon for not understanding she was his wife when he had left
her behind as he'd done? She might be cool to him at first. But he would coax
her growing passion. Hadn't she shown a budding fondness for him by the day
they had spoken their vows? Aye, there had been that misunderstanding about
Fiona, but he would show Katherine he had forgiven her and she had naught to
worry about. He had come home to her, no one else.

He hurried into his chamber only to find it empty.
He'd seen Katherine's mare in the stable and she hadn't been in the hall as
he'd walked through. Alexander rubbed his unshaven jaw and remembered how she
was wont to arise early each morn. But where should he look for her? He glanced
out his chamber window at the empty garden and heard the chapel bell toll the hour
for mass. Och, of course. She'd be there. He walked back outside and up the
steps that led to the small chapel where they'd been wed. Alexander knelt and
made the sign of the cross as he entered. Rising, he walked down the chapel
aisle, searching for Katherine. There was no sign of her, only the priest
preparing for mass.

"Father Micheil, 'tis glad I am to see you.
Ah, but 'tis good to be home. I came here to escort my wife to the great hall
to break my fast with her."

The priest gaped, open-mouthed. "God's
welcome to ye m'lord, but Lady MacGregor isna here. Have ye brought her back so
soon from Ironwood?"

"No, Father, I have just returned from court
and haven't been to Ironwood. My wife and I will travel there after I have
rested from my journey." He looked at the priest's bemused expression.
With a growing sense of unease, he asked, "Where might I find my lady wife
this morn?"

"But my son, Lady MacGregor left fer Castle
Ironwood, escorted by yer brother and two of his men over a fortnight ago! We
thought she left to meet ye there. None here has heard aught from them since
they left."

"What? I sent no request for her to meet me
at Ironwood. By whose authority did they leave?"

"Why, the Lady MacGregor, herself, bid the
castle staff to prepare her belongings fer the journey. Yer brother and two of
his men went to act as escort. They left but three days after ye were summoned
to the king's court." The priest wrung his hands. "Did ye no get word
of their journey to Castle Ironwood?"

"No. I have received no message."

"Fie, my lord, I fear somethin' is gravely
amiss. I pray no harm has befallen them. I will light candles and say a special
mass this morn fer their welfare." Already heading to the altar, the
priest called over his shoulder. "My son, the laird left here but moments
ago, to break his fast in the great hall. I pray God he can assure ye all is
well with yer wife and brother and his men."

"Aye, Father, so do I!" Alexander
whirled around and ran out of the chapel toward the great hall.

Before he could reach it, Ian met him, a look of
obvious concern upon his face. "Och, Alexander, I didna believe it when I
was told you'd returned alone. What say you of William and your wife? I have
been vexed to hear naught from them."

"Why did no one send me word of their
departure? I knew naught of this before Father Micheil told me just now."

"Damn it, lad, with Lady Katherine wishin' to
leave almost on your heels and William insistin' he give her safe escort, all
here thought 'twas at your command. None here felt need to send word."

Weary and in no mood for this turn of events,
Alexander sighed and rubbed his eyes in irritation. "'Twould appear my
wife has chosen not to wait, but gone ahead to establish her rights as lady of
the keep."  He shook his head in irritation at her refusal to wait as she
had vowed to do. Did the lass's word mean naught to her? He looked back at his
father. "Have you sent word to them at Ironwood?"

"Nay, son, I—"

"Laird Ian!" interrupted a man who ran
to a halt before him. "The wool merchant from the village has stopped to
tell of seeing signs of a bloody skirmish on the road not a day's ride from
Ironwood."

Concern for Katherine's safety fed the fiery
remorse already churning in Alexander's belly. "Da, send a messenger to
all of the villages within a day's ride from here. Offer a reward for any word
of Katherine and William. My men and I will search for them as soon as horses
and food can be made ready."

He spun on his heel and headed for his chamber to
don battle gear. Something about all of this was not right.

As he fastened the last strap on his iron studded
hauberk, there was a knock at the door. Alexander jerked it open and stepped
back. "Fiona?" What was she doing here? "I have no time to talk
now, lass."

She smiled, stepped inside, and closed the door.
"I didna come to talk. I came to comfort ye, as only I can, fer yer cold
homecomin'." She slid the bolt in place on the chamber door and stepped
toward him, unfastening her skirt and letting it fall as she walked.

Nearly naked, she sauntered up to him. "Ye
and I were meant to be together." As she spoke, she pulled off her tunic,
dropped it to the floor and wrapped her arms about his neck. Standing on
tiptoe, she shoved her lips to his and pressed her body against him.

As if the hard metal on his hauberk biting into
her flesh excited her, she rubbed her breasts over his chest. She grasped his
hand, pulled it down to the junction between her thighs and then reached for
the straps to unfasten his body armor. "Let me help ye shed this cold,
stiff sheath that enfolds ye and give ye one of hot, willin' flesh
instead."

He flung off her grip. "My God, Fiona! What
are you doing? Have you gone mad? I have spoken vows of marriage with Lady
Katherine. I will not be forsworn."

As he thrust her away, she tripped over her tunic
and fell sprawled out before him. Struggling to stand, she raked her disheveled
hair out of her eyes and her lips curled in an ugly snarl. "Ye are a great
fool of a mon, Alexander. I offer ye my body and my love and ye refuse it fer a
bitch who betrays ye with yer own brother!"

The words struck him like a mace's blow. He
clenched his fists to his sides to keep from harming her. "How dare you
accuse them of wrong doing? You are the one who stands before me like a wanton
slut!" 

Her laugh turned shrill. "Have ye not
wondered why Lady MacGregor left ye in secret and took yer brother to escort
her? Would a lovin' wife and brother leave together on such a journey and no
tell ye the reason? A mon is easy to cuckold whilst he is away."

"You lie! If anyone else spoke those words, I
would run him through with my sword. I warn you, never speak such blasphemous
lies again or you will rue the day you were born. Now get out of my
sight." He grabbed up her discarded clothing and threw it at her. Turning
his back on her, he sloshed wine into a clay goblet with shaking hands, quickly
swallowed its contents and filled it again. The uneasy feeling he'd felt in the
chapel returned three-fold.

Her voice rose to a screech as she yanked her
tunic over her head and threw on her skirt. "So, 'tis true. I heard Lady
MacGregor brag to her maids of havin' yer heart on a chain alongside that of
yer brother's. I didna believe it till I saw it, myself."

Alexander spun back to face her. "No! 'Tis
not so! My wife has gone to take her place as lady of Castle Ironwood and
William went only to ensure her safety on the journey there." The wool
merchant's words echoed in his head. "That we haven't received word from
them speaks of trouble along the way, not deceit. They may be in danger and in
need of my help."