Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set (80 page)

“Tell me,” the Bruce continued. “Do yer reasons still stand?”

“Aye,” Aidan growled. “Castle MacGrigor hasna the room for two families, and my brother be happily married with a bairn of his own.”

“Aye.”

“Our lands be not extensive enough tae warrant an inheritance of my own,” he paused and glared at the Bruce. “Unless ye wish tae return the land yer father stole that was tae be my inheritance.”

The Bruce looked at him startled. “That was tae be yers?”

“Aye.

“Now I ken why ye said ye willna marry.

“I willna live by another man’s leave.”

“That sounds like yer pride speaking. Surely there is another alternative.”

“Perhaps there is,” Aidan said with a shrug. “But I ken I would be miserable in such a circumstance. Tell me, how is it fair tae do that tae the lassie who would be my wife?”

“Point taken. I ne’er agreed with what my father did.”

Aidan frowned at him. He had never said anything about it before.

“I didna defy him in the matter,” he said, reading his expression, “while my father was alive. Now that has changed, now I am king.”

“What are ye saying?”

“Young MacGrigor, ye have done fine service tae yer king and country with this. I thank ye for it and wish tae reward ye for yer service.”

“Reward me?”

“I am prepared tae grant ye yer own holding and the title of laird. All I ask is that upon yer investiture, ye swear fealty tae me.”

His heart dropped to his boots. Laird? Dear God in heaven, that thought terrified him more than the possibility of marriage. “That be not necessary. Just return the land yer father stole from us.”

“Unfortunately, that I canna do. Campbell has been in possession of that land for many years now. It would be unwise for me to repair the rift with MacGrigor only tae create a larger one with Campbell.”

“True.”

“But this be yer reward for yer service. I hope it will demonstrate my good will tae yer brother, but I shall speak with him regarding that situation directly.”

While the thought of being a laird terrified him, Aidan found the offer tantalizing. If he had a holding of his own, he could marry. He would have a future he could look forward to. Perhaps there was even a chance that future could be with Kenna. What shocked him the most was that the idea appealed to him more than he imagined possible. Then cold reality crashed down on him. Things like this always came with a price. Messy, messy tangles and a debt that could never be truly paid. He would have to swear fealty to the Bruce. What would the man hold over his head after that? What was given could just as easily be taken away. Nay, he would discover himself in the very situation he had sworn to avoid.

Aidan nodded and rubbed his eyes again. “I thank ye, my liege, but I must decline.”

“Young MacGrigor, I willna take no for an answer.”

“Yer Majesty—”

“Enough,” the Bruce said. “I ken ye are exhausted. Think about it after ye’ve rested, then give me yer answer.”

If agreeing would stop this endless conversation, he was all for it. “I will, Yer Majesty.”

“All right then, I’ve kept ye long enough.”

“Yer Majesty,” Aidan said as he rose. “I would impose upon ye for one thing.”

“Of course.”

He rubbed his chin. “Before I return tae my kinsmen, I desperately need tae get cleaned up.”

The Bruce chuckled and nodded. “I will send a servant tae ye, wait here.”

“Thank ye.”

The servant appeared as the Bruce returned to his throne. Aidan followed him down a corridor. It didn’t take him long to get cleaned up and changed into some fresh clothing. When he was ready, the servant escorted him back toward the great hall. Aidan heard voices, primarily that of the Bruce, and surmised he was preoccupied with more important things. That suited Aidan just fine. He did not wish to have the Bruce think of something else to press him about.

“Laird Stewart,” the Bruce said. “So good tae finally see ye again. I trust all was well with yer journey here.”

Aidan’s feet ground to a halt, his heart brutalizing his ribs. Stewart? Kenna’s betrothed? What was he doing here?

Fortunately, the servant stopped with him. They both peered into the great hall uncertainly.

Aidan studied the walls forming the great hall. From the corridor he stood in, buttresses lined the length, forming alcoves with decorations of armor, weapons, and tapestries. They were relatively dark, and just like Munro, Aidan quickly decided to make use of them.

He looked at the servant standing next to him. The man’s attention remained focused on the king.

Aidan drew a gentle breath and silently stepped back into the shadow of a dark alcove. The servant still did not move. Aidan took another step and disappeared entirely.

“Pray milord,” the servant whispered. “His majesty doesna like tae be interrupted with guests coming and going through the hall. I will take ye through the servants’ entrance.”

When Aidan didn’t reply, the servant scowled and tore his attention away from the king. He blinked, baffled for a moment when he realized he stood alone in the corridor.

Aidan fought down a grin. He knew he was completely in shadow, but if he wished, all he had to do was reach out and grip the man’s shoulder, and he would no doubt scare a thousand days from the poor sap’s life.

The servant looked up and down the darkened corridor, his scowl deepening. “Milord?” he whispered harshly. “Milord?”

Aidan didn’t move, he didn’t breathe.

Muttering something under his breath that Aidan didn’t care to translate, the servant headed back down the dark corridor. “Milord?”

Aidan finally allowed himself to grin and stepped deeper into the alcove. No doubt the servant had better things to do and would give up his search in moments. Aidan flitted from shadow to shadow, moving closer to the high table.

He stopped about a dozen paces away. The shadows hid him completely. Aidan did not risk approaching closer; the Bruce’s guards were well paid. But from this spot, he could hear and see quite well.

He studied the man who was to be Kenna’s betrothed and his revulsion rose. No wonder Kenna feared being returned to him. He would have been as old as Aidan’s da, if he had lived. Stewart was a bit overweight but still stood upright. The man’s breadth of shoulders told Aidan he had been a strong warrior in his prime, and the cunning glint in the man’s dark eyes told him Laird Stewart was still a force to be reckoned with when it came to intrigue.

“Pleasantries aside,” Stewart said, his tone barely minding the rules of etiquette. “Why have ye summoned me here?”

“I have heard troubling tales of late, Laird Stewart,” the Bruce said casually as he poured himself a cup of wine and drank. But Aidan noted he did not offer Stewart refreshment. “Not the least of which is ye slew Laird MacLean and took possession of his lands.”

Aidan swallowed hard.

“The bastard cheated me. The betrothal contract was valid.”

“And ye were tae marry his daughter?”

“Aye, but all ken MacLean’s scheming. He arranged for the brigands tae steal her from me.”

The Bruce laughed softly then leaned forward in his chair. “Stewart, why would a man of yer age need such a bonny young lass?”

Stewart’s face turned florid. “I am still perfectly capable of siring an heir.”

“I see,” the Bruce said, sitting back and stroking his beard thoughtfully. “I’ll have ye ken that now I am king, I dinna abide such division between my nobles.”

Stewart studied him a long moment, as if trying to judge the truthfulness of his words.

“I also wish tae ken of yer allegiance,” the Bruce said evenly. “For ye have been a strong supporter of Longshanks. Ye fought in his armies.”

“And for a time, so did ye,” Stewart said flatly.

“I did and I had my reasons, but now I am yer king. Will ye swear fealty tae me and tae Scotland?”

Stewart’s defiance faded a bit but not his intense, calculating gaze. “Ye ask much of those who would support yer cause. For like ye, I hold lands not only in Scotland but in England as well.”

“Aye, and those who take risks on my behalf will also be rewarded.”

Again, Stewart studied the Bruce a long moment. “Aye,” he said softly but firmly. “I will bend a knee when ye be ready tae hear my oath.”

“Excellent,” the Bruce said, but his smile did not reach his eyes. “There are other lairds who will give their oath in three days. Ye shall join them.”

“As ye will, my king.”

Aidan slowly left the alcove, remaining in the shadows. There would be lairds pledging their fealty to the Bruce in three days, but Aidan hoped to be well away from here by then.

L
eaving the tower house, Aidan strode past the guards, noting the sun had set long ago. While he was glad his task had been completed, the Bruce’s desire to gain Edward’s bastard troubled him. Aidan shivered. The bairn was right under his nose. If the Bruce learned of Adam’s true parentage, his fury would know no bounds. They would all hang for their deception.

But what worried him even more was Stewart’s presence. Surely he would recognize Kenna if he saw her.

“Aidan,” Kenna’s soft voice called.

He blinked, startled to see her emerge from the darkness. “Lassie?” Quickly, he looked over his shoulder, half expecting to see Stewart standing behind him but was grateful he did not. He held out his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders, surrounding her with his cloak.

“I was worried about ye,” she said softly.

“Ye must stay out of sight,” he growled.

“Pray pardon?”

“Stewart be here. He was just in the hall conversing with the Bruce.”

Her face grew dreadfully pale as she gazed up at him.

“Come, quickly,” he said, hustling her away from the tower house and keeping her shielded. He glanced again over his shoulder, but no one paid them any mind.

Kenna directed him through the maze of tents and huts toward the new one they had been granted. Aidan felt himself relaxing as they put more distance between them and the tower house. He smiled down at her. He lowered his head, inhaling her sweet scent. “I am verra glad tae be back,” he said.

“What did the Bruce say?” she whispered. “I didna dare get too close.”

“Aye, and ye do well tae be cautious. Come, while I eat, I will tell ye. We need tae find a way tae get the Bruce tae allow us tae leave as soon as possible. I broached the subject and he avoided answering. I fear he will only invent reasons tae keep me on his leash.”

Kenna led Aidan to the new hut, which was much larger than the first. The door opened to a common room. In the center was a large stone hearth. On each side of the hearth, he saw a closed door.

Kenna tugged on his arm. “Come,” she whispered. “This place be much nicer than the previous hovel.”

She guided him to the door on the left of the hearth. She opened it, and Aidan was surprised to see a large room with a bed and a chair. The back of the central hearth was open and also warmed the room. “There is another just like it on the other side. Connell, Mairi, and the bairn have been sleeping there.”

“How be Connell?” Aidan asked as he gratefully sank into the chair. He rubbed his eyes, his exhaustion catching up to him unexpectedly.

Kenna turned to the hearth, deftly using an iron bar to tug a pot simmering over the flames toward her. “I am not sure, Aidan,” she said softly. “But methinks he has taken a shine tae Mairi. Because they claimed tae be wedded, they have been sharing a room. Mairi hasna complained and seems tae be coming out of her shell. Are ye hungry?”

He nodded.

While Kenna filled a bowl for him, Aidan removed his belt, tugging his tunic off over his head. Although Mairi and Connell pretended to be married, it was a far cry for him to do the same. He swallowed hard as he watched Kenna. He wanted her—that he could not deny—and she had come so far, overcome so much. The Bruce’s words spun through his head. He wished the damned voice would be silent. He was too weary to think right now.

She handed the bowl over then placed a loaf of bread on the table next to him along with a flagon of wine.

“I baked the bread fresh this morning.”

“Thank ye, lassie,” he murmured, taking a tentative bite of the hot stew, which fair melted in his mouth. “I dare say ye can cook as well as my sister-by-law.”

She chuckled and stepped around behind him, reaching for the tie that bound his damp hair at the nape of his neck, but she stopped and gasped. “Aidan, ye have a nasty bruise on yer back and shoulder.”

“Dinna worry over it. The ground was a wee bit hard when my horse was shot out from under me, but ’tis nothing.”

Her fingers gently probed the area along his shoulder blade and back. He winced.

“I dinna think there is anything broken.”

“Didna I just say that?”

“Oh hush,” she said, lightly smacking his uninjured shoulder.

Aidan chuckled and returned to his food as Kenna freed his hair and ran her fingers through it. He shivered slightly, and she picked up a brush. Even though his hair was freshly washed, she seemed content to brush it, and he was content to allow her, unwilling to admit to himself how much he enjoyed her attentions.

He sighed softly, closing his eyes. “Ye take such good care of me.”

“As ye did with me, Aidan.” As she brushed, his hair rapidly dried, but she continued to stroke her fingers through it.

“Kenna,” he said in between bites of his dinner. “Ye ken I can sleep before the hearth fire in the other room.”

“Ye most certainly will no’,” she said softly but with such conviction Aidan suddenly feared arguing with her.

“Sparrowhawk, I worked hard tae spread rumors that Adam be far from here. But the harder the Bruce searches, the greater the chance he will eventually find what he seeks.”

“Aye,” Kenna said softly. “Hurstal’s group went tae great lengths tae attack us in the middle of camp.”

“What happened?”

She quickly explained and Aidan’s fury grew. “Hurstal escaped again?” he asked tightly. The man was more slippery than an eel. But his heart swelled in pride that his sparrow had fought him off. Hell, she had not only fought him off but near ripped out his entrails.

“Aye,” she said tightly. “It was thanks tae the Bruce’s men that the brigands didna succeed. But the lengths they went tae . . . I fear the Bruce is suspicious.”

“Aye,” Aidan replied and set his empty bowl on the table. “He . . . hinted as much. Kenna, he wants possession of the bairn, believing he can negotiate his wife’s release.”

Kenna stopped brushing his hair.

He lifted his head and looked up to see her blinking at him in shock.

“He doesna realize Longshanks wants the child dead?”

“He’s grasping at straws,” Aidan said. “He wants his wife back. I canna say that I fault him for that.” His gaze remained locked on hers, his own conflicting emotions rising within him. He was waging a war within himself, a war he was not accustomed to fighting. Add to that his weariness, and he was only left with a confusing maelstrom that he couldn’t define and that wouldn’t leave him alone.

Kenna’s emerald eyes seemed to grow darker the longer she gazed at him. Aidan couldn’t move as she stepped forward and lightly traced her fingers along the side of his face, following the line of his cheekbone, her light caress bringing his skin alive. He shivered against the sensations roaring to life within him.

Kenna bit her lip, nearly driving him mad, but her fingers did not stop. She slid them downward over his lips. His shiver turned into a quake, and he savagely clamped down on his desire to draw her finger into his mouth. Dear God, he wanted nothing more than to make love to her. Every muscle in his body coiled, and he marveled at himself. In the past, with any other lass, he would have never hesitated, so why was he doing so now?

He had never met anyone like her before. He admired her courage and strength of spirit. She deserved a man who could provide for her future; she deserved so much more than him.

Aidan rose, towering over her, trying to intimidate her into backing away with his larger stature. But that was a mistake, he belatedly realized. Kenna didn’t back away. Instead, she stepped closer. Her fingers lightly traced down his throat to his chest, exploring every cut and curve of muscle. The sensations rioting within him clamped him in a feral hold. He noted his hand shook as he reached out and cupped her cheek then wove the soft silk of her hair between his fingers.

She gazed up at him, unflinching. The trust and compassion in her eyes nearly undid him. He stepped closer and lowered his head, capturing her mouth. Her lips were vibrantly soft and warm. As he pulled her tighter against the wall of his body, she slid both hands up his chest, igniting a path of fire on his skin wherever she touched. He deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping across hers. He reveled in the taste of her, the soft innocence of her kiss. She trusted him completely.

His desire burned hotter, slipping from his control. His hands moved of their own accord, tracing up her sides, following her sweet form. He stepped forward again, gently pushing her back toward the bed. His kiss grew in power, and Kenna responded brilliantly. She didn’t try to push him away. She didn’t fear him, and his heart soared. He loved her courage, how she had defeated her fate and reached for a new future.

He loved her.

His heart twisted at the realization, but he couldn’t stop himself. As he lowered her onto the bed, his fingers loosened the laces in the front of her dress. He touched her soft skin, following the line of her breast bone to the curve of her breasts not quite exposed.

The Bruce’s offer again sounded in his head, although he tried desperately to shove the voice away. It was all within his grasp, as tantalizing as the woman underneath him who wanted him to make love to her. He would give anything if it would make her happy; he would sacrifice everything for her . . . except his self-respect.

Ice-cold reality slapped him in the face, and he reared his head back, ending their kiss. His heart rattled like a drum. Dear God, what was he about to do? Bitter self-loathing rose within him and he gasped for air, trying to think through his lust.

“Aidan?” she whispered, reaching for him, trying to pull him back down.

The knowledge that he loved her cut through his desire and brought with it sane thought.

The memory of a lass turning her back on him rose again.
Why would I marry the likes of ye? Ye have nothing.

Aidan hauled himself away, shaking, his breath coming in rapid gasps. He couldn’t do this to her. She deserved so much more. She deserved a man who could provide for her and give her the future she deserved. And if he took her innocence this night, she would never find that man.

“Forgive me,” he growled through clenched teeth. He backed away.

“Aidan?” she asked, blinking in confusion. She pushed herself up on the bed.

His gaze immediately fell to the opening of her dress, and his lust returned tenfold. He stood there shaking. Again, the Bruce’s offer sounded in his head.

“I canna do this,” he snarled. God, he had to get out of here. He had to get away from her so he could think straight. “Forgive me,” he said again. He grabbed his tunic and hauled it over his head, then he threw his plaid over his shoulders and left the room.

Outside, he purposefully strode toward a copse of thick trees not far from the hut. His breath plumed in the chill air and darkness shrouded the camp. He faded into the blackness, moving silently, unseen by anyone else. He cursed himself and his own folly but vowed he would not cave to his lust.

Kenna deserved more than he could give her . . . she deserved everything he was not.

HHH

Aidan fled from the hut and Kenna sat up, blinking in confusion. What in the hell had just happened?

She fought to think through her own desire ,which was quickly fading, replaced by cold, cruel reality.

He didn’t want her.

How could she have misread the signs so terribly?

But she realized she had no experience in the matter. She had misjudged Aidan’s caring and compassion for something more, but she had been mistaken. What was so wrong with her? She had been so certain, she had missed him so terribly, but she had been absolutely wrong.

His kindness to her was nothing more than his duty to her as a woman. She had nothing to offer a man like Aidan. She no longer had a dowry or an inheritance.

Worthless! Useless!
Her father’s voice rang in her head as his fist landed upon her with each and every agonizing blow.

Please, please stop!
Her heart cried.
I will prove myself tae you. I am worthy! Why can’t you believe in me? Just give me a chance, please! Just a chance!

Tears blurred her eyes, but her anger rose, matching the pain of rejection within her. She vowed not to cry.

She hastily repaired her dress then wondered why she bothered. All she was, everything she had strived to become was nothing.

Worthless! Useless!

She was a burden to Aidan. But she had learned one thing throughout all of this. Her sister had taught her to fight. She did not have to be a burden to anyone.

It changes now.

Choking on a sob, she rose from the bed and opened the drawer in the bureau where she kept her traveling clothes. Within moments, she had changed and secured her biodags. She grabbed her pack and pulled Aidan’s plaid from it and flung it onto the bed.

Her head held high, she slung her pack over her shoulder and strode from the hut, a single tear leaking down her cheek.

Outside, it was still dark, most were still sleeping. Her gaze locked on the barn in the heart of the camp. It would take all of her skill to reach it and saddle a horse unnoticed, but she was determined to succeed.

Aidan would be burdened with her no longer, although she noted as her anger rose even more powerfully and steeled her resolve, he would lose a second horse.