Fraser 03 - Highland Homecoming (13 page)

Laird Sinclair shook his head. “You’ve said quite enough. Take him to the pit.”

“I canna believe you would take the word of a whore above mine. She is a wicked temptress. If truth be told, she came to my cabin and offered to lay with me, not the other way around,” Callum shouted when the guard grabbed his arm. He broke free and
stumbled toward his friend. “Is this how you repay me for my service?”

“Is this how you prove your loyalty and maintain my trust?” Laird Sinclair replied. “I canna stand the sight of you. Take him away.”

“You’ll see. She is evil.” Callum continued to call out as the guard dragged him down the hall.

“I am so glad you listened tae the truth, father. Will you now release Alasdair?”

“This doesna change anything in regard to the charges against Fraser. Callum may have attacked you and will be punished, however, the fact remains, you spent the last sennight in the company of a man who wasna your husband.”

“You summoned me, m’lord?” The door opened and the clan physician entered. Helen followed.

“Aye. It appears my wayward daughter has seen fit tae offer her innocence tae a man who is not her husband. She denies the act and claims she is still a maiden.” Laird Sinclair took Edina’s wrist and ushered her toward the physician. “I want you to examine her and settle this once and for all. A man’s life depends on the outcome.”

“Father, please dinna do this. I swear on my mother’s grave. I speak the truth.” Edina choked back a sob.

“If you have naught tae hide, then you have no reason tae object,” her father growled.

Edina drew in a slow deep breath to steady her nerves and faced the physician. If allowing this man to examine her would prove her innocence and save Alasdair, so be it. “Verra well. If this it the only way I can prove what I say is true, I will do as you request. I have naught tae hid.” She followed the physician as he moved toward her pallet.

“Lay down and raise your skirt,” the man ordered then turned to face her father. “Would you like tae be present while I do this, m’lord?”

“That willna be necessary.” Laird Sinclair strode toward the door. “Neither will the examination.”

“M’lord?” the physician asked.

“I have changed my mind. Your services will not be needed.” Laird Sinclair summoned the guard standing in the hallway with a wave of his arm. “Go to the pit and bring Alasdair Fraser tae my chamber. I am ready tae pass judgment.” After issuing the orders, he stormed down the hall.

Chapter 14

“Get up. Laird Sinclair wishes tae see you,” the shadowy figure towering over Alasdair growled, then kicked his boot.

Alasdair raised his head and narrowed his eyes in an attempt to focus in the dim light of the man’s torch. “Why does he wish tae see me at this hour? I expected tae have until morning afore he stretched my neck.”

“I am only following orders. He summoned me and told me tae bring you tae his chamber right away. Best you not keep him waiting.”

Alasdair unfurled his legs and slowly rose to his feet. He groaned and stretched, the cold and dampness from the ground having stiffened his joints. “Lead the way. I’d just as soon get this over with quickly. I dinna fancy spending my last night on earth curled up on the ground in this dark, dank hole, with rats for company.”

The man grunted. “If I were you, I’d be happy for any time I had left.” He spun around and headed down the twisting tunnel.

Alasdair followed a few steps behind, but paused to draw in a deep breath as they emerged from the pit and into the crisp night air. He glanced skyward, wondering for a moment if mayhap his parents and brothers were watching over him, if they were awaiting his arrival in Heaven.

Without saying a word, the guard led him across the bailey, into the castle, up a steep staircase, then down a long hallway, halting when they came to a large oak door at the end of the corridor.

“Wait here. I will make the laird aware of your presence.” The guard knocked on the door then entered, leaving Alasdair alone in the hallway.

Alasdair’s gut knotted with uncertainty. Prepared for the worst, he could only surmise that his fate had been decided. The question was when would he be executed and how. He could try to escape, but was certain the castle guards would be upon him before he reached the curtain wall, if he even made it out of the keep.

The guard returned a few minutes later and pointed toward the door. “Laird Sinclair will see you,” he announced then trotted down the hall.

Puzzled by the man’s hasty departure and at being left unguarded, Alasdair sucked in another fortifying breath, and entered the chamber. “You wanted tae see me, Laird Sinclair?” he asked, then waited for a reply.

Sinclair’s head jerked around. “Aye. Please come in, lad,” he said and waved him in with a sweep of his arm.

More confused than ever by the laird’s change in demeanor and jovial tone of voice, Alasdair stepped forward, then halted just inside the room.

“It appears I’ve made a grave mistake and I wish tae apologize for the way you’ve been misjudged.” Laird Sinclair moved in Alasdair’s direction with his hand outstretched.

Alasdair crossed his arms over his chest and widened his stance. Uncertain he wanted to hear the laird’s apology after the way his honor had been questioned or the shameful way Edina had been treated, he said nothing.

“Och, I dinna blame you for being angry.” Laird Sinclair lowered his head and gave it a shake. “I know you were treated poorly upon your arrival and some serious accusations were made. I was wrong. If only you could find it in you tae forgive this old man’s mistakes.”

“What made you change your mind?”

“After speaking with my daughter, I realized you were both telling the truth.” Laird Sutherland raked his fingers through his hair and shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

“And what brought you tae that conclusion? You were so convinced she had brazenly surrendered her innocence and that I had eagerly taken advantage of her.”

“Err . . . um . . .” Sinclair mumbled and dragged a shaky hand across his bearded chin. “It appears Edina was attacked on the ship as she claimed and fell overboard trying to fend off the culprit. By the mercy of the Almighty she dinna drown and was washed ashore, where you found her and tended tae her needs. For that I am eternally grateful.”

“Did she say who it was who accosted her?” Alasdair asked. He fisted his hands at his side. “Tell me his name. I will find the swine and see him flayed.”

“That willna be necessary. The man has already been arrested and awaits his punishment.”

“Tell me his name.”

My advisor, Callum, the man I charged with Edina’s safety, is the blackguard responsible.”

Anger twisted Alasdair’s gut. It was bad enough she’d been attacked, but the thought of someone Edina knew and trusted committing the heinous offence infuriated him. Would that he had a few minutes alone with the man. He’d never harm another lass as long as he lived. Which, if Alasdair his way, would only be only enough time for him to draw his sword and run the bugger through.

“The man just came forth and confessed? I find that hard tae believe given the consequences,” Alasdair replied.

“Nay. He tried to plant more seeds of doubt by insisting that Edina was a wanton woman. He claimed she entered his cabin, offered him her virtue, then became enraged when he declined. He also did his best to convince me that you violated her, and suggested she be examined by my physician.”

“You believed Callum’s word held more credence than that of your own daughter and would have allowed her tae suffer the humiliation?” Alasdair did not bother to hide the shock or disgust in his voice. “What kind of father would do such a thing?”

“One who believed his bairn was dead and was not thinking clearly when she returned after spending a sennight alone in a man’s company. A man who wasna her husband.”

“Most men would be thrilled tae learn their bairn was alive. Yet you chose tae think the worst, despite what we told you. You treated her like a whore, and me, like a rapacious fiend whose only thought was sating my carnal needs.” He was not about to make this easy on the laird. While he could understand how it must have looked, there was no excuse for the way Edina had been unfairly accused by her own kin.

Then again, how was his own reaction when he discovered Edina’s true identity or the assumptions he’d made any different from those of her father and brother? He, too, had condemned her without giving her a chance to explain, and assumed like all the other women he’d trusted, she had deliberately gone out of her way to deceive him for her own gain. Mayhap, he’d been wrong as well.

“I was elated tae see Edina, but furious tae learn she had been alive all this time and living in sin. Or so I thought. Put yourself in my position and tell me you wouldna think the same things,” Laird Sinclair responded with his hands outstretched at his sides, the palms facing skyward in question. “My daughter is a comely lass and you are a braw, virile warrior.”

“That doesna mean anything happened between us. You could have taken my word, rather than making accusations without first hearing what I had tae say.” Edina entered the chamber with her brother in tow. “There is more than one Sinclair who owes Alasdair an apology.” She placed her hand on Jayden’s shoulder and shoved him forward.

Alasdair coughed to clear his throat. His chest tightened and his palms began to sweat the minute Edina entered the room. He longed to hold her, to sweep her up into his arms and apologize for being a fool, for doubting her. But with her father and brother present, he was forced to stifle the urge.

“Edina is right. I am as guilty of jumping tae conclusions as my da. I should have known better than to question your honor, and am verra sorry.” Jayden lowered his eyes and shuffled his feet.

“While I dinna approve of the way Edina was mistreated and never wish tae see the inside of your pit again, it appears you both realize you were in error.” After a moment’s pause, Alasdair held his arm out to Jayden. “If I had a sister and found myself in a similar situation, I might have reacted in the same way.”

Jayden grasped Alasdair’s wrist and hauled him into a tight embrace. “Thank you, my friend. I willna doubt your word again.”

“And your sister’s word?” Alasdair asked.

“I have already apologized tae Edina, but willna discount what she has tae say either.” Jayden took a step back. “You have always been like a brother tae me, Alasdair, I should never have doubted you.”

Alasdair turned to face Laird Sinclair and bowed. “I accept your apology, m’lord.”

“An act of contrition isna enough tae make adequate amends. Accompany Jayden tae the stable and take your pick of any mount and saddle. I will also see you are compensated with silver and other treasures as well. I—”

Alasdair raised his hand. “That willna be necessary. I have a trustworthy mount and dinna want your money. Only your promise that you willna doubt your daughter in the future.”

Jayden jabbed Alasdair in the ribs. “Are you right in the head, man? Take what he offered. Getting my da tae part with his coin or his livestock doesna happen often.” He tossed back his head and laughed.

“The gesture is a generous one indeed, but I consider his renewed faith in me and Edina as payment enough. What do you plan tae do with the man who attacked her?” Alasdair asked.

Laird Sinclair blew out a heavy sigh. “Sending Callum to fetch Edina home proved tae be a grievous mistake. He has been my advisor for many years. I also trusted him and never dreamed he would behave in such a dishonorable way.”

“He will be punished accordingly,” Jayden interjected. “Right now, he has taken your place in the pit and is awaiting my father’s decree. If I have my way, he will be gelded, then drawn and quartered. Even that is too good for the blackguard.”

“I have yet tae decide his fate, but mark my words, he will never hurt Edina again,” Laird Sinclair said with conviction.

“I’d like tae speak with Edina privately if you will grant us some time alone.” Alasdair glanced at the lass. “We have a few things tae discuss.”

Laird Sinclair gave a curt nod and moved toward the door. “Come, Jayden, we will give them some time tae speak. But keep in mind she is betrothed and I am expecting her future husband tae arrive at any time,” he commented over his shoulder.

Laird Sinclair’s words hit him like a blow to the gut. While he was in no position to ask for Edina’s hand, the idea of her in another man’s arms caused his blood to boil.

“Father, after all that has happened, I canna believe you still expect me tae marry Duncan Sutherland.”

“I’ve given my word. The wedding will take place,” her father replied and left the chamber.

“Jayden, you must try tae reason with him, make him change his mind. Please. I dinna wish tae be married tae a man I dinna
know or love.”

Jayden shrugged. “He sent word of your return the minute he found out you were still alive. You know once Da makes a decision on something, he doesna change it. Best you resolve yourself tae the union,” he concluded then left the chamber.

Visibly upset about her upcoming nuptials, Edina threw her hands in the air, then fisted them at her sides. Her brow furrowed and she released a heavy sigh as her brother strolled down the hallway. “I must find a way to convince my da to break the pact he has made with Duncan’s father. I dinna wish tae marry and my brother doesna appear to be of any assistance.”

“Your father gave his word, and a man’s word is his bond,” Alasdair replied. “This alliance will help tae unite the Highland clans.”

“I’m not a piece of property to be bartered for. My mother married my father for all the wrong reasons and I willna follow in her path.”

“You dinna have a choice, Edina. As the laird’s daughter, it is your duty to marry as he sees fit. This has been the way of it for many centuries, and old traditions are not about tae change any time soon.”

“You could speak up on my behalf,” she blurted out, her face flushing red. “Please. Will you talk tae my da?”

“I have no influence on your father’s choice of a suitor. He has selected the man he thinks best meets the needs of the clan.” Alasdair wished there was something he could do to help, but even if he was prepared to admit he’d developed feelings for the lass, he held no title and had nothing to offer.

There was a time when he would have been considered a strong contender for her hand, but he gave up that chance when he declined his birthright and his brother was appointed as laird of Clan Fraser in his stead.

“My wishes mean naught tae anyone and I would rather go tae a priory than marry without love.” She sank onto a chair beside the hearth and buried her face in her hands.

Alasdair studied her downtrodden expression before he spoke. Something her father had told him weighed heavy on his mind. “I canna believe you were willing tae suffer the humiliation of an examination by the clan physician tae prove my innocence.”

“Again, I had no choice. If my father demanded it be done, I was helpless tae object,” she replied, her eyes trailing the floor.

“According tae what your da said, you gave your consent and were prepared tae go through with it willingly. That was until he decided tae believe your word. Why would you do such a thing?”

“I decided it best tae endure the embarrassment tae clear my name and yours. I couldna bear the thought of you being hanged for a deed you dinna commit. Not that it matters.”

“It does matter, Edina.” Alasdair stepped forward and lifted her chin. “No one has ever been willing tae make such a sacrifice on my behalf.”

His heart twisted when she gazed at him with tear-filled eyes. “Then do something tae stop the wedding. You could ask for my hand. Unless, you dinna find me appealing.”

Alasdair grasped her hands, helped her to her feet, and tugged her against his chest. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes upon. If I were in a position tae marry, I could think of no other I would rather spend the rest of my life with.”

Before she could respond, he lowered his head and captured her lips.