Kate Robbins - The Highland Chiefs Series (17 page)

There were no words for what had just happened. She didn’t understand it herself and her body still raged for release.

“Please, talk to me. Did you and he, you know, was there—penetration?”

“What?” How could she know? Aileana was going to be sick.

“I’m sorry. I just assumed. It’s just—your clothes are all askew, and the way he stormed out of the carriage. He practically yanked me off his horse. You’d have to be blind to miss his passionate state. His tunic lay open at the waist and did not cover his hose. I could tell—by the bulge.”

“It was visible?” Dear God would her mortification and shame never cease? She’d acted like a wanton tramp no better than the common wenches in her kitchen who’d ogled him before the betrothal.

“Oh hush, I’m sure I’m the only one who knew how aroused he was. And he tore off so fast I’m sure no one else will.”

“He’s gone?” Incredible! The slow burn of shame in the pit of her stomach disappeared
and her entire body stiffened.

“He rode off like his life depended on it.”

Her fury knew no bounds. “Is he a man or a child? Stop the carriage!” Those were the only words she could manage. She would not let him confide in her, seduce her, and leave her too confused and upset to meet Scotland’s monarchy alone.

Gwen tapped the floor and they came to an abrupt halt. Aileana jumped out and began walking back toward Perth.

“My lady, where are you going?”

“Home. I will not be subject to any further abuse. If that man wishes me in anyone’s company, he can bring them to me!” Her stride was fierce. She was a strong and could make good time back to the inn at this pace. It would be dark, but she’d get there eventually. Too bad she never thought to carry a dagger, or one of those small knives
honourable men displayed upon entering a friend’s home, and dishonourable men kept hidden.

Walking was good. It helped calm her frayed nerves. Irritated with her hair, she pulled pins out one by one as she strode along. If anyone had happened upon her, she was sure they’d run the other way, she must look a fright. Let them come. Let the whole damned country come and see what the high and mighty James Ma
cIntosh to could do to a woman.

Bastard
.

The sound of hooves behind her did not break her stride or her determination to get the hell away from him. She’d been walking for an hour and her legs were still mid stride when he scooped her up and placed her face down across the horse. He would not dare!

“Put me down this instant or I swear I will—”

“You will do nothing!” He didn’t leave her any room to argue and in her current predicament, she had no rebuttal.

The horse slowed and turned around. Would he slow enough to toss her inside the carriage or did he expect her to jump? He allowed for neither, but keep right on going past the carriage and on toward the palace. The palace! He couldn’t mean to present her like this.

“My lord! You cannot mean to arriv
e at Linlithgow in this style!”

She was fuming and struggled to reposition her body so that at least she would be in a more dignified position before they met anyone. His hand p
ressed down hard on her bottom.

“Be still and I will consider it.”

There was fury in his voice, but she wasn’t afraid to push it further. He was the reason for all of this, not her and it was high time he learned to admit when he was wrong.

“You cannot think to blame me for your brutish, narrow-minded, pig-headed ways!” The words felt good as they spewed from her, and speaking them to the horse’s sweat-sheened forequarter shielded her from the glare James no doubt wore by now.

“Be quiet and be still.”

“I shall not be quite whilst you hold me in such an undignified manner, sir! If my uncle were here he would flog you to within an inch of your life. You uncivilized, dim-witted, philandering oaf!”

The horse stopped. Her stomach clenched. She could feel movement from him. Shaking? Was he reaching for something to hit her with? She turned to see his head bowed low, eyes closed and—laughing?

This time when she tried to reposition herself, he did not prevent her. In fact, he dismounted and assisted her with her footing. He was still smiling and laughing at her. It was true. He was a lunatic.

“Have you lost your wits?”

This sent him into a further fit of laughter. Calum caught up to them and she could only shake her head in reply to his questioning expression. Gwen and Calum slipped off his horse and approached. Their eyebrows raised.

“James, are you well?” Calum asked.

After a few moments to compose himself he produced the most spellbinding smile she’d ever seen - for her.

He turned to Gwen, “Please take your lady inside the carriage and see to her presentation. We will have to abandon it near the peel and ride the horses across the drawbridge. The palace is only a short distance away and we can leave the carriage in a secure area just up ahead.”

He smiled at her. Perhaps the king’s surgeon would be available at the palace to help him.

“Lady Aileana, there are four horses, but I would be honoured if you would ride into the palace atop Arion with me.”

He waited for an answer to a question he’d never asked. Arion appeared agreeable and he nudged her back and snorted. The man and his horse were too tiresome for their own good. She only had energy enough left to nod at him
and walk back to the carriage.

“My lord, where are we staying tonight?” She thought to ask.

“At the palace,” he said.

Of course they were. Beca
use his torment knew no bounds.

Chapter Fifteen

Linlithgow, Scotland

Arion really was the largest horse she’d ever seen, yet considering how tight James pressed against her, she’d swear they were atop a much smaller young mare. His proximity added to her battle between confusion and mortification. His complete change in demeanour was impossible to explain and neither she nor Gwen had come to any conclusion except that he had truly lost his wits.

She’d lost more than that. She was tainted now. A fresh set of tingles meandered their way down her spine at the thought of what they’d almost done. His broad chest and rock hard thighs rammed up behind her didn’t help either. As much as she regretted her unfortunate behaviour, she couldn’t deny the man’s effect on her. It was no wonder he’d been rumoured to have had so many women, for who could refuse him when he was so determined? Well, she would. With every ounce of convincing she could muster, the king would agree they were mismatched. After that she would have no choice but throw herself on the man’s mercy and hope for the best.

Each step Arion took was like an extra weight pressing down on her. The torment seated behind her was one thing, but she was about to face the man responsible for her father’s death. Did she have the strength to resist accusing him? She’d have to. Even after everything she had been through she would need to keep her thoughts to herself.

They rounded the bend and the palace came into view. Her jaw dropped. It was hard to believe only six years ago a tragic fire had laid the area to waste. The structure standing so proud overlooking Linlithgow Loch was likely the most beautifully situated dwelling in all of Scotland. Aye dwelling, if one could call it that. The east entrance was the like she’d never seen. A large drawbridge was flanked on both sides with canopied niches housing statues of a bishop and a noble. The central niche above the drawbridge housed the Stewart crest and an angel with outstretched wings. She’d heard the palace was like none other and if the inside was anything like this grand entrance, she could believe it.

“You’re trembling,” James said.

“’Tis beautiful.”

“Are you nervous?”

Why did he have to give voice to her inner turmoil? To hell with keeping her thoughts to herself, he needed to know just how affected she was by these events! “Of course I’m nervous. My fate is about to be set by the man responsible for my father’s
—”

“Do not speak those words inside these walls,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

“And why not?”

“Because you will end up in the dungeon with Fergus and his men and there won’t be a thing I can do about it.”

“Why do you care? You’re only here to dump me at the man’s feet aren’t you?”

When he didn’t speak she turned to see if his expression might offer some clue to his bizarre behaviour. She was not prepared for the hurt in his eyes.

“You will come to no harm while under my care. Do you understand me?”

“Aye, I understand you are the only one permitted to abuse me. I understand that all too well.”

Just before ascending the bridge, he stopped Arion and turned her to face him.

“How have I abused you?”

“You ask me that after accusing me of being faithless and impure? Even after you discover that I—when we—”

“That you didn’t share your body with Gawain?”

Put like that, his words were much less cutting than when he first accused her.

“Aileana, I am sorry I accused you of lying with him.”

“And?”

“And what?”

“And the rest of it! I didn’t run away with him either, yet you still treat me like I did.”

“What’s past cannot be undone. I am willing to forgive you.”

“Forgive me? For what?”

He sighed. “For deceiving myself and countless others. Aileana, I don’t know why you continue this
pretence. I said I am willing to forgive the past. Doesn’t that please you?”

She couldn’t speak. Perhaps he thought because she was still a maiden he was in a better position to barter with her life. No wonder he was almost giddy. After all, it wasn’t damaged goods he peddled any longer.

She turned to face the yawning drawbridge. “What will please me is to be brought directly to the king and be done with this business.”

“As you wish, my lady.” There was a definite hint of laughter in his voice. What the hell did he find so funny?

The sound of Arion’s hooves clip clopping over the planked bridge grew louder and she mused this was like being sentenced, but without a trial. Well she’d let him tell all the lies about her he wanted. The sooner she was done with him the better.

They passed under the portcullis, through a wide archway and on to the inner courtyard. After they dismounted, a young stable
boy took Arion’s reins and scurried off to tend to the beast. She took note of the bustling activity around her. Dozens of soldiers trained horses and each other; there was no doubt of the palace’s security.

James led her to a doorway on the left. She looked back once to see Gwen and Calum following a distance behind. They were deep in conversation and looked almost…oh! She recognized the look on Gwen’s face. So she was seeing someone new. Before the day was done, she intended to find out just how deep her friend’s feelings ran. Gwen’s throaty laugh was the kind only meant for her lover’s ears. Aileana sighed. Would she ever know such a feeling?

They ascended a winding staircase which led through a narrow hallway and into the great hall. Were the circumstances different, seeing it for the first time may have evoked a feeling other than resentment. The grandeur was almost sickening. She stopped, forcing James to as well.

“My lady, we must address our host.”

He was right, they must, but she couldn’t budge one inch from where she was rooted to the stone floor. For all the courage she had a few moments ago, the well was empty.

James turned her to face him again. “Aileana, I promise you, this will all turn out for the best. You told me in the carriage you trusted me. I’m asking you to keep that trust for just a while longer.”

He seemed so sincere she didn’t know how to reply. She wished he trusted her. She nodded and the smile she received as a reward took her breath away. Would he ensure she was taken care of? He hadn’t seemed as cold since the carriage and so, had his opinion of her changed so much because she was a maiden still? Her nerves were far too frayed to speculate on what he might have planned and so she would have to act as sheep to the shepherd for this meeting. She’d have her answers though.

Just as she was about to agree, she realized everyone in the room had become aware of their presence. Far too many eyes scrutinized them, or was that just her imagination?

“MacIntosh! How good to see you, my lord.”

A plump and pleasant looking fellow practically bounced over to them and grasped James’s hand. His brocade tunic worked hard to cover his ample gut; his hose just beneath the skirt leaving little to the imagination.

It was then she noticed James was much more formally dressed than his usual attire. The belted tunic he wore today had a full skirt and his hose were barely visible between it and his high leather boots. He towered over the man and she was struck by how regal James appeared. Regal and breathtaking. How could any woman refuse him?

“Norrington,” James said. “How fares your work for his Majesty?”

“Good, but never mind that.” Norrington turned his gaze to Aileana. “Where did you find such a delicious creature?”

James curled his arm around her waist and pulled her close. It seemed odd behaviour considering why they were here. Norrington didn’t appear threatening in any way.

“Norrington, may I introduce Lady Aileana Chattan of Inverness-shire? Lady Aileana, this is Joseph Norrington, the most infamous and shrewd solicitor in Lothian.”

“In Lothian? Why you insult me my lord. I’d rather you boasted in all of Britain.” He turned his attention to her and said, “My lady, it is my deepest pleasure to meet you at last.”

“At last, sir?”

“Aye. Didn’t his lordship tell you?”

She turned to James. “Tell me what, my lord?”

James opened his mouth to speak, but Norrington cut him off and cl
aimed her waist in the process.

“Tell you that it was my council he sought in order to test the validity of your uncle’s contract right after he signed it. A
clever man, your uncle. Only the king can break this arrangement, you see, and James wouldn’t believe me at the time. I told him I’ve never seen this kind of written, signed and sealed document broken in any other manner. If our Laird MacIntosh here were not a baron and vassal to the king, well—”

She knew James wanted to break it now, but didn’t realize he’d wanted to do so right from the beginning. Oh what a fool she’d been! He must have thought her too young and naïve to match his worth. And he would have been right, at first. Somehow since, she’d grown her mettle and this little game Norrington played didn’t intimidate her.

“Oh aye, well those details are insignificant, Mr. Norrington, for we will have the king’s blessing momentarily. Won’t we, my lord?”

James studied her face. He looked displeased, but that was not her problem. “Not exactly,” he said.

“What do you mean not exactly?” Her temper flared and the slow burn returned to her belly. Norrington squeezed her waist and led her forward toward the people gathered around the dais at the far end of the hall.

“My lady, his royal highness is rarely present at Linlithgow during the day. Most of the people you see here are bent on impressing her ladyship, the Queen. All serious royal business is conducted at Edinburgh Castle.”

Aileana shuddered at the thought of Edinburgh Castle and its dungeons below. The last time she and her uncle had visited she swore she could hear faint screaming coming from somewhere in its depths. She was more interested than ever in Fergus’s fate after what she’d learned. He was in those dungeons at that moment. As was Gawain. The first didn’t deserve it, but the latter did and wasn’t worth another moment of her time.

Norrington boasted about the palace while they moved forward as though he had input in its appearance. She’d heard much of this great hall and nothing was exaggerated. The long walls leading to the hearth behind the head table were decorated with statues, tapestries and other ornate hangings. Every sculpture, table, and vase expressed grandeur. This was in stark contrast to the intimidating structure on the other side of Edinburgh and most other noble residences in the country. This king was bent on promoting a new image of Scotland’s monarchy with little consideration to the vast resources required to create his palatial dwelling. The residence was no fortress, rather it represented extravagance. She tried to mask her disgust, but it was difficult.

As they moved further toward the end of the hall, she looked closer at those gathered. The majority were women fitted with the latest fashions. She was pleased enough with her own appearance and wasn’t concerned with how well she would compare. She wore a beaded circlet trimmed with a wispy veil hanging past her shoulders, and braided mesh covering buns at her temples. Her hunter green gown was trimmed with wide knotted embroidery on the square neckline and floor length sleeves and accented by a long girdle made up of many gold squares.

Most of the ladies wore a similar style gown, but some wore a different and new fashion headdress. One lady in particular wore a truncated cone and had shaped the veil covering it into two peaks forming a butterfly henin. It seemed an awful fuss. Aileana preferred her hair loose and uncovered and wore it like that often when at home. The men wore tunics with varying skirt lengths, some revealing more than she would prefer to see, similar to the man who had led her forward earlier.

After receiving many dissecting glances, Aileana passed through the crowd and stood before the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen. The queen was pregnant and perhaps that was why she glowed, or perhaps it was the rumoured love the woman shared with her husband. They had been married while he was still in England awaiting settlement of his ransom and she heard he even wrote her poetry. Aileana was wrong to stare, but she couldn’t help it. The English Queen of Scotland was stunning.

James recaptured her waist just as the queen and all those gathered at the table focused in on Aileana.

“I believe, Lady Aileana, the description of your beauty has been grossly understated.”

“I apologize, your majesty,” James said. “The understatement was mine and directed to any man who would look upon her. If I thought I could get away with it, I would keep her locked in my room so that only I could enjoy her delights.” James replied in a far too flirtatious manner.

Aileana’s shocked expression prompted a chuckle from the Queen Joan.

“I can see why you’d feel that way. I’m glad my own husband is unable to see past me or else I fear the sovereignty of t
his country could be at stake.”

Aileana re-directed her shock
ed expression towards the dais.

“It appears there has been a change of heart since we last met, Lord MacIntosh.”

“Indeed, your majesty. Much has changed. I’m certain my brother will revel in his accurate assessment on that day. I doubt I shall live it down.”