Fraser 03 - Highland Homecoming (17 page)

“I’ll keep it in mind, m’lord,” the lad replied. “Will you be needing me for anything else?”

“Nay, you can run along. I am sure you must have plenty of work tae keep you busy.”

The boy bowed and turned to leave when Alasdair called him back. “You’ve taken excellent care of Odin. Accept this with my thanks.” He tossed the lad a piece of silver.

“Och, thank you, m’lord.” Beaming, the lad clutched the coin in a tight fist.

“You’re welcome. Now be off with you.” Alasdair tousled the lad’s hair, then patted him on the backside.

“What do you say, Odin? Shall we be off as well?” After tightening the cinches, Alasdair threw his leg over the animal’s back, and pulled himself into the saddle. With a sharp kick to the flanks, his mount bolted forward. He dipped his head as they passed under the doorframe of the stable and did not look back as they sped across the bailey and through the iron gates of the castle.

Edina pretended to listen as Duncan told her about himself and his plans for their future. She nodded politely, but her thoughts kept wandering back to Alasdair. Was he really gone?

“Good riddance,” she muttered under her breath. If he was too blind to see they were meant to be together, he deserved to be alone.

“Did you say something?” Duncan asked.

“Nay. Please tell me more about your clan.” Edina forced a smile and gently touched his forearm, but she averted her eyes, afraid he would know she was lying.

“I am sure you will like living at Sutherland Castle. My da has not been well and I’d like tae return as soon as possible. If you are agreeable, I will speak tae your father and see if we can be wed on the morrow.”

“I’m sorry tae hear your father hasna been well. Is that why Laird Sutherland dinna accompany you?” She was determined to keep the discussion away from the topic of their upcoming marriage. Albeit unsuccessful.

“Aye, he has been ailing for a while and plans tae step down as laird once I am married. He will be anxious for me tae produce an heir, so I want tae try for a babe right away.”

Edina swallowed hard, a lump forming in her throat the size of a boulder. She nibbled on her bottom lip, not sure how to broach the subject foremost on her mind. “Can I ask you something?”

“Certainly. What is it you want tae know,” Duncan replied.

“Is this agreement between our fathers, the wedding I mean, what you truly want?” she blurted out.

“Why would you ask?” Duncan’s brow furrowed.

She shifted her weight from one foot to the other and stared at the floor, searching for the right words. The last thing she wanted to do was offend him. And she certainly did not want to make him angry. But the need to know gave her the courage to press on.

“I’ve heard rumors about a lass from the Mackenzie Clan. I was told the two of you have been in love since you were bairns, and would understand if you wished tae marry her in my stead.”

There, she’d said her piece. Edina peered up at Duncan, waiting for his response.

Duncan coughed to clear his throat. “The past means naught. We canna always follow our hearts, Edina. Especially if we are destined tae lead a clan and must abide by tradition.”

“That isna what I asked you.” Edina wrung her hands and shuffled her feet. “Do you still love her?”

“Whether I love Oceana or not doesna matter. Our fathers entered into a pact and it is our duty tae honor their wishes. The King has also sanctioned this union in hopes of uniting the clans and we are bound tae abide by his decree. Are you not pleased with your father’s choice?”

“You are a dashing warrior, Duncan. Any woman would be proud tae call you husband. But I dinna wish tae marry a man who is in love with another.”

“I can promise I will be a good husband, Edina. I’m sure in time we will grow tae care for each other,” Duncan replied.

Care for each other? That is not what she’d hoped for in a marriage. Unlike her parents, she wanted to wed a man she loved, someone who felt the same way about her. “I have known since I was a wee bairn that a mate would be chosen for me, I just hoped that we would love each other.”

Duncan did not answer. Instead, he changed the subject. “After the fine meal your cook has provided, I would like to go for a walk. Will you accompany me, mayhap give me a tour of the castle grounds?”

Edina covered her mouth to stifle a yawn. “As you know, I am still recovering from my tumble intae the water and near death. I find myself verra tired. If you dinna mind, I would like tae go tae my solar and rest awhile.”

Duncan took her hand and kissed the back of it. “I understand. If you’ll permit me, I will escort you tae your chamber.”

She placed her free hand on his chest. “Thank you, but it willna be necessary. I am sure my father and brother have many things tae discuss with you. I have lived in this castle since I was a babe and can find my way.” She slid her hand out of Duncan’s grasp, curtsied, turned on her heel, and scurried out of the great hall.

When she arrived at her chamber, Edina entered and quickly closed the door. She rested her back against the wooden slab, her heart racing. What was she going to do? William had not returned with the Mackenzie lass, and even if he did, she was no
longer certain her plan would work. Duncan seemed bent on honoring the pact between their fathers and wanted the wedding to take place as soon as possible. If only Alasdair had been willing to fight for her.

She ran a shaky hand down her gown as she crossed the room, a sense of dread suddenly washing over her.

Something was amiss.

A strong arm snaked around her waist and hauled her against a solid wall of muscle. A dirty hand covered her mouth.

“I’ll bet you thought you’d seen the last of me. Thanked the Almighty when you assumed he’d seen tae my demise,” the man hissed in her ear. “Did you think you’d get off that easily? You got away once, but it willna happen again.”

Her chest constricted. She recognized the gravelly cadence of Callum’s voice. When her struggle to break free failed, she bit down on his hand, tasting blood.

“Satan’s bitch,” he yelped, then released her, bringing his injured hand to his lips.

Edina backed away and rubbed her eyes in disbelief, but when her vision cleared, he was still standing before her. “How can this be? You’re dead.”

“Am I?” he growled, then tossed back his head and laughed. “Then I suppose you are about to be bedded, then flayed by a spirit.”

“This canna be! My father’s men saw you fall to your death from the cliffs.” Edina gasped for air as she continued to back away, but her eyes remained focused on Callum. He was blocking the doorway, her only means of escape, so she frantically searched for a weapon, something she could use to defend herself.

“That little slip played nicely into my plans. The fools never found my body, did they? Suffice tae say, they were mistaken when they presumed I was dead.” He pulled a dirk from his boot and took a menacing step forward.

“You are a wanted man. Why would you return to the castle and risk capture?” Edina asked on a strangled breath. Her heart hammered against her ribs and fear squeezed, but she refused to show any weakness. A blackguard like Callum would use that to his advantage and she had no intention of giving up without a fight.

He lurched forward with his hand outstretched, but she managed to sidestep his grasp. “You were meant to be mine and I am here to collect my prize.”

“Damn you, Callum.” The curse left her lips before she could stop it, the words feeding his anger. “You willna get away with this. If they dinna catch you in the act, my father will hunt you down and see you punished.”

“I am already damned. Your father has seen tae that. You may not be a virgin anymore, but I can still sate my needs afore I slit your throat. No one betrays me and gets away with it. You should have heeded my warning when we were on the ship.” He inched closer.

“You dinna have tae do this, Callum. If you leave now, you can escape afore anyone knows you were here. I always thought of you like an uncle, and my father trusted you, treated you like a brother.” While she was certain trying to reason with the man would do no good, she had to try.

“Your father is a fool. Were it not for my guidance, he would never have been a great leader. I run this clan, not him, and have for many years,” Callum boasted. “But you had to ruin everything.”

“I did naught. It was you who tried tae accost me against my will, betrayed my father’s faith in you. But despite your treacherous acts, I am sure my father would have shown you mercy, that he had no intention of seeing you hang.”

Callum spat on the floor. “I dinna want his kind of mercy. If he banished me, I’d have nothing tae live for. I would rather he’d run me through. But your da willna get the chance tae humiliate me before the clan. Once I finish with you, I will help myself tae some coin from the village coffers, then be off afore anyone knows I have been here.” An evil smirk crossed his lips. “By the time they find your body, I will be long gone. Since everyone believes I am dead, they will have no idea who committed the deed and I will be free to start my life anew.”

When Callum tried to grab for Edina’s arm, she picked up a tankard from the table and tossed it, striking him on the side of his head. He cursed and lunged at her again, catching the sleeve of her gown as she tried to scoot around the bed, but she managed to twist free.

“It will do you no good tae fight me, lass. You’ll only prolong what is destined tae happen.” He groaned when he struck his toe on the leg of the bed. His face flushed red with anger and a string of ribald curses spewed from his mouth.

“Come any closer and I’ll scream for help.” Her heart raced as he slinked forward. She stepped backward until she could go no farther, her spine pressed against the wall beside the hearth.

“Go ahead and shout for all it is worth. The walls are thick and the door a heavy plank of oak. Your father and brother are in the great hall trying tae impress your pompous husband-tae-be and the servants are busy tending to their duties in another part of the castle at this time of day.”

“Someone will hear me and when they do, you’ll wish you had died when you fell from the cliff.”

“Mayhap you are right.” Callum ran his finger along the blade of his dirk. “Helen might hear your cry for help. Should she dare tae interfere, after I am finished with you, I will take great pleasure in bedding her as well, then take pleasure in killing her slowly. Whether I sate my needs with one or two women it matters not.”

“Bastard!” Edina balled her fists at her sides. She was not going to give in without a fight. But she could not risk putting Helen in danger. She shuffled to the side, her hand brushing cold metal. Her fingers furled around the shaft of an iron poker.

He paused a few feet from where she stood and tilted his head to the side. His eyes roamed her body from top to bottom, as if she were a prize steer up for auction. “I had forgotten just how lovely you are. You look so much like your mother. We were lovers. Did you know that?” His devilish grin broadened. “She never loved your da and warmed my bed more than once. I wonder if you will taste as sweet or sheath me as tightly as she did.”

Edina fought to keep the bile rising in her throat. She could not believe her mother had given herself to Callum. “Liar!” she shouted and raised the poker in the air. “My mother may not have loved my father, but she would never dishonor him by lying with the likes of you, and neither will I.”

“Still the feisty wench. Your mother said the same thing until she sampled my wares, then she couldna get enough.” He cupped his groin and thrust his hips forward. “Put down the poker or I will have to teach you a lesson in manners. One that is long overdue.”

“What would a swine like you know about manners?” Edina swung the poker as if wielding a sword.

“Foolish bairn. You canna possibly think tae best me with that.” He dropped the dirk on the bed, slid a sword from the scabbard at his side, then brought the hilt to his nose in challenge. “I will give you one more chance tae put it down, lass, afore I flay you.”

“You can try,” she replied boldly, her chin held high. “You know my father saw tae it that I learned tae handle a sword and a bow. I can hold my own in a fight with any man. Mayhap you will be the one flayed.”

“Bold and haughty as ever and like your mam, soon tae be my whore,” Callum taunted. “It would be a shame to kill you afore I have the chance tae bed you, but if you insist on a challenge, so be it.” He raised his sword. “Tell me, Edina. How would you like tae die? Fast or slow? I can lop off your head or gut you like a fish and watch you squirm in agony. The choice is yours.”

“You willna have the chance to do either.” Edina brought the poker down in a sweeping motion, connecting with Callum’s blade.

“Well done, but you willna best me.” He widened his stance and swung his blade, the strike countered by Edina this time.

They exchanged blows, Edina more determined than ever to beat Callum and kill the bugger. “Do you take pride in fighting a woman?” she asked as she swung the poker toward him, time after time.

“What you wield matters not. You dinna have a prayer of winning.” Callum quickly met each blow with his sword, finally disarming Edina with the final swoop of his blade.

Panic squeezed her chest and her breath caught. Callum was about to make good on his threat. But she’d not stand there and let him kill her. She ducked when he swung his sword, coming very close to her neck, and stumbled toward the bed.

He grabbed her hair and yanked her head back, pressing the cold steel against her throat. “Beg me for mercy and I may let you live long enough tae enjoy what I am about tae do.” He lifted her skirt and forced her facedown onto the bed.

Using his body weight, he pressed her into the mattress, his hand sliding between her thighs and fondling her most intimate place. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to cry. “I curse you, Callum, and willna give in to you, while a breath remains. I demand you release me at once.” She tried to call out for help, but her plea was muffled when he buried her face in the pelts until she was sure she’d smother.

“You are wasting your breath and energy. No one is going to help you and remember my promise. If Helen should come to your aid, she will be next in line,” he snapped.

When he eased up on his hold, Edina rolled her head to the side and gasped for a much-needed breath.

“My brother and father willna give up until they’ve hunted you down and seen you executed. Let me go now and there’s a chance you’ll survive.”

“You are not in any position tae barter or tae tell me what tae do.” Callum rolled her to her back. “I want you tae see what is coming, tae watch your face as I drive intae you.” He clutched her wrists with one hand, and tugged at the waist of his trews with the other, quickly exposing his burgeoning shaft. “Hold still and you may just enjoy your last minutes on earth.”

“Nay!” She twisted to free herself, but he outweighed her. She kicked with all her might, but Callum only laughed. “Suit yourself. Either way this is going tae happen.” He flipped her onto her stomach, pressing his knee to her back in order to hold her in place.