The Key (15 page)

His eyes opened at that and he grinned, one hand dropping from her breast to slip around
and pinch her behind. “Aye, but not so far in it I cannot doin' me business.”

“Aye, well, I've yet to see the day when yer that fou,” she agreed with diy amusement,
then gave him a gentle push that sent him dropping back onto the bed.

Smiling at the surprise on his face, she tugged the neckline of her gown down so that her
breasts popped out, her smile deepening at the hunger that immediately lit his eyes. “Let
us see if ye can still ride the night out, or if that English wife o' yers has ruined ye,”
she murmured, yanking the skirt of her plaid up to her thighs and crawling atop him on the
bed.

Duncanhad just opened his mouth to deride that possibility when the woman leaned forward
and plopped her breast into it. Eyes widening, he began to suckle automatically, only to
pause as the acrid scent of sweat intruded on his senses. Frowning, he caught the woman by
the arms, ending her efforts at tugging up his own plaid, and pushed her away.

Sighing, Iliana rolled onto her back once more and glared into the darkened room. It was
impossible for her to gain her sleep when her mind kept racing over the fact thatDuncanwas
right this minute thrusting himself into another woman's body. The pig, she thought
irritably. Was it so much to ask that he take a bath? Even if he would just wash himself
down, she would be pleased to remove the belt.

Muttering under her breath, she shifted onto her side away from the door, then stiffened
at the soft click of it opening. She heard it shut softly, then the rustle of rushes as he
crossed the room, and anger immediately began to burn within her. So, he had pleasured
himself elsewhere, then thought to join her in this bed? If that was the case, he had
another think coming.

Rolling abruptly onto her back, Iliana opened her mouth to blister him with her tongue.
The words that would have bubbled forward were replaced with a shriek of horror, however,
when she saw the dark form poised over the bed, a knife upraised to plunge into her. If
she was startled at the sight her attacker was equally taken aback by the fact that she
was obviously not asleep. A blessing that; it made him hesitate for a moment. Just long
enough for Iliana to gather her senses and start to roll quickly away from him.

Her attacker regained himself at her movement and lunged forward, bringing the knife down
as she moved. Iliana felt heat emanate suddenly from her side; then she crashed onto the
floor with a thud. She screamed again as she found her legs tangled up in the bed linens,
hampering her efforts to get as far from the bed and the attacker as possible.

The crash of the bedroom door brought an end to her shrieks and Iliana peered warily over
the bed, relief making her sag when she saw that her attacker was gone.

“Iliana!”

Recognizing her mother's panicked voice coming down the hall, Iliana sighed wearily and
began to push at the sheets tangled around her legs. Candlelight lit the room a moment
later, and she glanced up to see her mother, Ebba, Gertie, and Lord Angus all rush into
the chamber. They paused inside the door, peering around the seemingly empty room, until
they spotted her on the floor on the other side of the bed. Then her mother handed her
candle to her maid and rushed forward.

“What is it, dear?” Lady Wildwood hurried around the bed, seemingly oblivious to the fact
that she was dressed only in her undertunic.

Laird Angus did not miss that fact, however; his eyes were glued to the older woman as she
reached her daughter's side and bent to help her anxiously to her feet.

“Was it a nightmare? Did you fall out of bed?”

Angus drew his eyes reluctantly from the mother's scanty attire to peer at his
daughter-in-law. His gaze was immediately drawn to the splotch of red blooming on her
white gown. “Yer bleedin'!” He was across the room before he had finished making that
observation.

Iliana glanced at her side with a frown The heat she had felt as she had rolled off the
bed had been the knife slicing through her side, it seemed. There was a tear in her tunic
and blood soaking into it where she had been cut. “ 'Tis not so bad,” Iliana murmured. “
Tis just a scratch, really.”

Ignoring her words, Angus bent to pull the sides of the slit in her gown apart, and
exarmned the cut beneath it. He was frowning when he straightened. “What happened?”

“Someone came into the room. I thought it wasDuncanand rolled over to speak to him, but it
was not him”

“Who was it?” Lady Wildwood asked, wide-eyed.

“I do not know. It all happened so quickly. And it was dark. I saw a man, but his face was
in shadow. Then I saw the knife.” Shuddering, she pressed her hand to her side to ease the
pain. “I screamed and rolled off the bed as he stabbed.”

“ Tis good ye did, else ye would not be alive to make these explanations,” Angus muttered
grimly, then glanced toward the door where a small crowd was gathering. When he did not
see his son among them, he turned back to Iliana. “Where is my son?”

She hesitated briefly, then reached up on tiptoe to whisper in his ear.

Lady Wildwood raised her eyebrows at the action, her curiosity piqued... Especially when
thunderclouds began to gather on the man's face.

Cursing, he turned and stormed for the door.

Spearing Gertie and Ebba with a look as he approached, he gestured over his shoulder. “See
to her wound!” he ordered, then caught Allistair's gaze as he moved through the men. “Post
someone to stand guard until I can fetchDuncanback.”

He made such a commanding figure as he swept from the room, that one could almost overlook
the fact that he wore only the shirt he slept in. A long shirt, thank goodness, that
reached nearly to his knees, but only a shirt all the same.

“What is it?” Kelly asked, peering atDuncanwith surprise as he eased her gently away from
him.

Duncanhesitated briefly, unwilling to voice what had suddenly made him stop her actions.
'I'm married now," he pointed out, sitting up on the edge of the bed.

“Aye, and so ye were when ye entered me cottage.”

Duncangrimaced at the asperity of her words, then stiffened as she shifted to sit beside
him and reached around to grasp him through his plaid.

“Why, yer as limp as wet flax!” she exclaimed with dismay, then stood quickly and shifted
before him. “Ne'er mind. Old Kell'll take care o' that.”

Dropping to her knees before him, she flipped his plaid out of the way and took him into
her mouth. Duncanjerked in surprise at the summary action, then simply stared at the top
of her head as she labored over him. Her hair was as red as fire. Or would be if she
washed it more often, he thought, frowning at the dull, greasy look of her locks. In
comparison, Iliana's hair shone like polished wood and smelled of lemons and honey. He had
asked her about that the day in the woods. How did she make her hair smell so? He loved
that smell. He had buried his face in it and breathed that scent the whole time he was
loving her in the grass. God, just thinking of it made him hard.

Kelly gave a murmur of satisfaction as he grew within her mouth, shattering the image of
Iliana inDuncan 's mind. Opening his eyes, he peered down at her, stiffening when he
thought he saw movement on her scalp.Lice ? he wondered with dismay, unsure why he was so
horrified. Lice were common enough, but... He would bet her entire dowry that Iliana had
no lice.

“Ye've gone soft again!”

Duncangrimaced at that complaint, then pushed the woman's head away and stood. Stepping
over her, he left the cottage without another word.

He was halfway back to the keep when he came across his father. Pausing on the
path,Duncantook in the older man's grim expression and arched his eyebrows. “What is it
ye've gotin yer craw?”

“Finished lazin' about, are ye? Ready to return to yer wife? Ye do remember her, do ya
not? Wee lass. Bonnie.”

Duncanwas a bit surprised at the apparent depth of his father's anger over the matter, but
the fact that he was merely added to his own irritation. He was not at all pleased by the
fact that he had walked away from a perfectly willing woman for the very reason that his
wife claimed for denying him. “I don't ken what yer so bothered about. Yer the one who was
sayin' I should let her get some rest.”

The last word had barely left his mouth when his father's fist connected with his jaw. Not
having seen the blow coining, and already unsteady on his feet from the whiskey he had
been downing all night,Duncan went down like wheat under the blade of a sickle.

Sitting up slowly, he shook his head and raised a hand to nib at his jaw, his eyes moving
warily to his father. “What'd ye do that fer?”

“ 'Cause ye deserved it, ye great Gouk!” Angus roared as his son got cautiously back to
his feet. “While ye were off tendin' those blasted baser needs of yers, an assassin was up
in yer room,where ye should have been , stabbing yer poor defenseless wife!”

“What?”

“Ye heard me. Someone crept into yer chamber while ye were out and knifed her. She” Angus
got no further.Duncanwas no longer listening. He had whirled to race toward the keep.

“We shall have to tend to the wound,” Lady Wildwood murmured once Lord Angus had gone.
“Ebba, find my daughter a fresh tunic, please. Gertie”

“I'll fetch my medicinals.” Turning, the old woman hurried out of the room.

“You shall have to remove your tunic, dear,” Lady Wildwood murmured, worry creasing her
face as she took in the way Iliana was suddenly shivering. Shock was setting in, she
realized grimly, and was only surprised that her daughter had remained so calm and
matter-of-fact for so long.

Automatically doing as she was told, Iliana tugged her gown upward, lifting it over her
head. It was not until she caught the shock on her mother's face that she recalled the
belt of chastity. She nearly groaned aloud then. “What are yon wearing?”

Shoulders slumping in resignation, Iliana dropped the tunic and sat upon the bed. “You
know what it is.”

“Aye.” Lady Wildwood nodded slowly. Her own had spared her from Greenweld's advances,
though it had cost her many beatings.

Seating herself on the bed next to her daughter. Lady Wildwood took one of Iliana's hands
into her own “I have suspected that all was not well in your marriage but hoped that with
time... I had no idea things were so bad. Does he beat you?”

“Nay! Of course not!” Iliana exclaimed with dismay. “Why, he beat old Willie for daring to
raise a fist to his wife.Duncanwould never harm me physically.”

“Then he is cruel to you mentally,” she murmured unhappily. “Nay. Even in anger he says
naught that could be considered cruel. He is a most reasonable man.” Lady Wildwood's
confusion was obvious. “Then he must be stupid. A buffoon?”

“Mother! How could you think that?” Iliana asked in honor, defending him at once. “You
have met him. He is most intelligent. Why, just look at what he plans for this place. He
is intelligent and ambitious and hardworking”

“Then why do you wear the belt?” her mother interrupted with frustration, and Iliana fell
silent, too embarrassed to answer.

“She does not wear it all the time, my lady,” Ebba said helpfully. That information,
however, only seemed to confuse the woman more.

“Does not wear it Then the weddinghas been consummated?” Her daughter's blush was answer
enough, and Lady Wildwood's gaze became sharper. “Is he rough in bed?”

Flushinga deeper crimson, Iliana shook her head. “Well, then, why?”

Iliana considered lying, but in the end just blurted, “He smells.”

Lady Wildwood blinked at the blunt words, then disbelief began to fill her eyes.

“Truly he does. Mother. Surely you have noticed? You sat right beside him at sup. He
bathes only twice a year and” Iliana's voice died as she noted her mother's bewildered
expression. Turning, she cast a pleading glance at Ebba.

Her maid was more than game to back her up on this. “She speaks the truth, my lady. This
whole keep reeked when we first arrived. The rushes had not been changed in a year, and
Lady Iliana ruined at least two dresses by merely sitting at table the first night. It
took four women three whole days just to scrub the filth off the great hall floor.” She
hesitated, her gaze moving to the younger woman briefly before she finished. “Truly, the
change Lady Iliana has wrought here is miraculous, but it gives a false impression.”

“I see,” her mother said solemnly, “And is this the only problem in your marriage?”

Iliana nodded.

“I see,” she repeated, then rose as Gertie bustled back into the room. “You had best lay
down on your side,” she suggested as Gertie poked through her bag.

Giving up trying to read her mother's thoughts, Iliana shifted her legs onto the bed.
Reclining, she rolled onto her side, facing away from the door so that the wound to her
side was easily accessible. Then she raised her arm over her head and out of the way,
wincing as the old woman began to clean the injury.

Duncanstonned up the stairs, guilt driving him as much as concern. Had he not strayed from
his marital bed, this would not have happened.

Furious with himself, he snarled at the crowd outside his bedchamber, pushing through them
and bursting into the room. The sight that met him was enough to bring him to a halt
before he had even really managed to step through the doorframe. He was aware of his
mother-in-law and his wife's maid's presence on the periphery of his consciousness. He
even took brief note of the old hag now tending his wife's wound. But really, all
ofDuncan's attention was focused on the frail-looking woman on the bed.

Relief that she still lived was his first reaction. He closed his eyes briefly and gave up
a silent prayer of thanks. His wife lived. And no matter what she did to provoke him, he
would not neglect his duties again. He would see to her safety.

Whispers from the people behind him drew his attention to the fact that he had left the
door wide open. Duncanimmediately reached back to slam it closed, then strode to her
bedside. He was sorry he had done so almost the very moment that he paused to peer down at
her.

She had on nothing but that damned belt of hers. The sight of her clad so was enough to
set his blood pounding and frustrate him all at once.

Embarrassed by what he considered his own lack of control,Duncandropped his gaze to the
floor in an attempt to regain himself. Unfortunately, that merely replaced one
blood-boiling emotion for another as he spotted the ripped and bloodied gown at his feet.
Bending, he picked it up and looked it over carefully, taking in the size of the hole and
the amount of blood soaking the cloth. He peered past Gertie at the wound. It was a relief
to see that, while it had bled freely, it did not appear to be life-threatening.

But that hardly cooled his temper. Her beautiful, flawless skin was now flawed. And by his
failure. The scar she would bear would be the proof of his lack as a husband.

“What happened?” he asked, and she told him.

Silence descended once she had finished; thenDuncanwhirled on his heel and strode from the
room. The door had barely crashed closed when he began bellowing orders and arranging
guard duty; then he stomped below once more, trying desperately to ignore the pain he had
seen in his wife's eyes.

*** “I don't think they meant to kill Iliana.”Duncanglanced toward his father in surprise.

Shaking away thoughts of his wife's near death,Duncanlifted the ale he had just poured for
himself, grimacing over the way his hand shook as he brought the drink to his mouth. He
was surprised by the depth of the emotion the attack had wrought in him.

“Nay,”Duncanagreed at last, setting his mug back on the table and peering at his father.
“Ye think 'twas one of Greenweld's men come fer her mother to kill her before she can have
their marriage annulled.”

Angus nodded slowly. “ Tis the only thing that makes sense. 'Twas common knowledge that
Lady Wildwood has inhabited yer chamber since her arrival. 'Twas not common knowledge that
she would not be there this eve. I did not even ken that.”

The very same thought had occurred toDuncan. So far as he knew, only he, Iliana, and her
mother had been aware of the change in sleeping arrangements. The assassination attempt
must have been meant for her mother. “Think ye then that one of Greenweld's men managed to
slip past the guard at the gate?”

“Aye. Hundreds of people enter and leave the bailey every day. The men would not be
watching for a lone man on foot. Tis the only way he could have got in.”

“I shall have to double the guards on the gate. Check all coining and going. I'll also
arrange a search of the castle and bailey, then take a large party to search the woods,
and the rest ofDunbarland as well. If he is still here, we shall catch him.”

“Hmm,” Angus murmured “No doubt the cowardly bastard is gone by now, but better safe than
sorry.” They were both silent for a moment, then glanced up as Lady Wildwood entered the
room. “Gertie is finished now,” she announced. “Iliana is resting.”

Nodding,Duncanshifted under his mother-in-law's gaze, then got uncomfortably to his feet.
“I must speak with the men about what I wish done on the morrow,” he muttered, easing his
way around her, so eager to leave that he did not notice when she leaned toward him
slightly and gave a gentle sniff.

Angus noticed, however. He also noticed the frown upon the woman's face. Curious, he
raised his eyebrows at her as she stepped to the table and sank down next to him.

It was a moment before she acknowledged his questioning glance by murmuring, "Much to my
distress, I

have learned that all is not well with our children, my lord, and we must help them solve
this trouble."

An hour later, she was smiling again as she rose to her feet. “ Tis a sound plan, my lord.
Mayhap we can yet salvage this muddled marriage.”

“Indeed,” Angus murmured, standing as well and taking her hand to kiss it with a gallantly
that surprised her.

She was blushing brightly in reaction when footfalls announcedDuncan's return.Flushinga
deeper rose at his raised eyebrows, she muttered her excuses and fled.

Angus watched her go with a gleam in his eye, then smiled and shouted forElginas his son
joined him at the table.

“ Tis late.Elginwill have returned to his cottage.”

“Oh, aye.” Angus got to his feet again. “I shall have to see to it myself, then.”

“What?” “A bath.”

“What?”Duncancould not have been more shocked had the man announced his intent to don a
gown. “But 'tis not yet the end of July.”

Shrugging, Angus moved toward the kitchen. “What matter is that? There are women present
now. Attractive women, I might add.” The grin he tossed over his shoulder was lecherous.
“Lady Wildwood is a fine-looking female. She deserves a bit of effort. Certainly more than
the wee bit of time and trouble that taking a bath will cause me. Women don't like a
stinking man, son. Even a stinking man in fine clothes does not impress them. Unless they
reek so bad themselves that they cannot smell them.”

Duncanglowered over his father's words, trying to take them in. His father hadnever taken
more than two baths a year, and yet now he was willingly calling for one. It made no
sense. In fact, the only thing that he seemed able to grasp was his father's last
statement and that made him frown.

“Iliana smells like wildflowers,”Duncanmurmured, moving to stand by his father, who had
paused at the kitchen door. His mouth worked briefly, then he admitted, “She thinks I
stink.”

“Ah.” Angus nodded solemnly, already having been informed of this by the lady's mother.

“ Tis why she avoids me. She says my smell offends her.”

“Ah ha.” Angus was silent for a moment, then leaned toward his son, sniffing curiously.
Nose wrinkling as he caught whiff of him, he straightened and pursed his lips. “Mayhap ye
should take a bath, then.”

“Tis not July yet.”

“So?”

“So, I bathe twice a year. In January and July. I willna change me habits to please her.
'Sides,ye only bathe twice a year.”

“Duncan, ye can't live yer life based onme habits,” Angus interrupted impatiently. "I have
no wife so

bathe when I wish."

“And so shall I.”

“Then don't complain to me that yer wife avoids yer embrace, fer in truth yedo reek.
'Sides, I am bathing now,” he added, storming into the kitchen and bending to shake the
two young kitchen lads who slept on pallets before the fire.

“She is my wife!”Duncanannounced arrogantly, following on his heels. “ Tis her duty to”

“Duty, me arse!” Angus roared, straightening from nudging the second of the boys. His
prodding had barely roused the lads, but his bellow snapped them completely awake and
brought them to their feet.

“What?”Duncanstared at his father's irritated face, wide-eyed. “ Tis not duty yer speakin'
o' here, 'tis yer own blasted stubbornness.” When his son's jaw dropped at that, Angus
nodded firmly.

“Ye think she should take ye as ye are. Well, me boy, I have news fer ye; the church can
quack on all it wants about a woman's duty, but not a one o' these men are married or ken
a damn thing about women. Women are not the simple creatures the church makes 'em out to
be. In truth, I think they're about as unsimple as can be. And they can make yer life
heaven on earth or eternal hell. If yer willin' to suffer the hell, then stand firm on
this. But if ye wish yer wife to come to ye willingly, then take a damn bath!”

He paused to take a calming breath before resting his hand on his son's shoulder. “And if
that doesn't help ye, I can tell ye this much. Yer mother was about as perfect a woman as
ever walked this earth, but she would've booted me from her bed as soon as look at me, did
I go to her smelling o' manure, sweat, and filth.”

WhenDuncan's eyes widened incredulously at that, Angus nodded firmly. “A stickler was yer
mother. Liked a clean home. Like yer wife. And liked a clean bed with a clean man in it.
She made me bathe once a week. At least.”

“Nay,”Duncandenied at once. “Ye bathe twice a year”

“I bathe twice a yearnow ” Angus corrected grimly. “And I wouldn't even do that did I not
start to smell so bad I offend even mesel'.” Shaking his head sadly, he confessed, “I
don't like to bathe. I used to, but no more. It reminds me o' yer mother. We use to bathe
together. Frolicking and teasing each other with the water and soap...” His eyes clouded
and drifted far away. Back to when his beloved Muireall had been alive. He stayed like
that for a moment, memories playing out on his face; then his gaze cleared and he sighed.
“It breaks me heart to step into a bath kenning she'll never join me there again. Or
anywhere else.”

“But no one here atDunbarbathes more than twice a year.”

“Duncan,” Angus interrupted, “ Tis fair unpleasant to bathe, then get back into a stinking
plaid. No one has complained 'cause they knew ye wished to make a better life fer them. So
they kenned they would have to give up some things 'til ye saved enough to do so.”