Highland Belle (27 page)

Dinna use that uppity tone wi me, Countess, Moireach chided, pausing at the door. Im the one who caught him when he slipped from yer body. Her eyes settled on Iain. Percys messenger is in the hall.

Iain offered his son a finger and smiled when the babys tiny hand closed around it. Dubhs eyes were large as he stared up at his father, but his mouth never stopped working his mothers nipple.

I canna believe the strength of Dubhs grip, Iain marveled.

Brigette rolled her eyes, certain all fathers were similarly impressed with their sons, especially the first. Iain winked at her and rose from the bed, then washed and dressed.

I get less respect as a countess than I did as the second daughter of a belted earl, Brigette complained, shifting Dubh to her other breast.

After pulling on his boots, Iain crossed the chamber and tilted her chin up. Ye mean, lovey, the exceedinly pampered second daughter of a belted earl.

Brigettes eyes narrowed, but she said nothing, refusing to become ruffled by his teasing.

Ill see ye downstairs, he said, walking toward the door. And I must commend yer self-control, hinny. A year ago ye would have risen to the bait.

I am not a bear to be baited, she returned, the hint of a smile flirting with her lips, merely your long-suffering wife.

Each puir soul has a cross to bear, Iain countered, and yer mine. He ducked out of the chamber before she could throw something.

After feeding Dubh and returning him to the nursery, Brigette washed and dressed hurriedly, then went to the great hall. She sat down beside Iain at the high table and was served a bowl of oatmeal porridge.

Theres an emergency, he told her. Ill be leavin wiin the hour.

A spoonful of porridge halted en route to Brigettes mouth, then returned to the bowl. Emergency?

A group of the queens loyal nobles have assassinated her secretary. Ye remember Rizzio, the Italian. Iain relaxed back in his chair, his hand reaching out to touch her shoulder. The queens six months gone wi child and bein held prisoner.

Brigette was shocked. The queen is being deposed?

The traitors wouldna dare — Iain snorted — at least til shes birthed an heir. Contrary to the queens commands, they dragged puir Rizzio from her verra presence and stabbed him to death. The worst of it is that Darnley was part of the plot. Iain chuckled without humor. The queens consort doesna ken his usefulness will be ended if she delivers a boy, and his own royal life may be short-lived. I see Jamie Stewarts fine hand etched in this.

Buy why must you go? Brigette protested. Surely Magnus —

Magnus isna in Edinburgh, Iain interrupted. Hes off aboot the queens business, and Argylls at Inverary. Besides, the dukes an old mon. The bastards were clever enough to wait til Edinburgh cleared of Campbells.

What can Percy and you accomplish, besides getting yourselves killed? Brigettes voice rose in distress.

Dinna panic, sweetie, Iain teased. Yer milk will curdle. I amna plannin on bein killed. Loyal forces are plottin the queens escape. If Mary springs the trap while Im en route, shell still need every mon she can get to ride wi her and crush the bastards. Im leavin Jamie in command, and dinna give him a difficult time.

Me? Brigette grinned puckishly. Create trouble for others?

Iain leaned close, one of his powerful hands capturing the back of her head. His lips hovered above her. Yeve a penchant for trouble, and make nae mistake aboot it.

A week later, Brigette sat alone in her chamber. Dubh was suckling on her teat and kneading the soft flesh of her breast. She smiled at him and caressed his downy cheek. Still no word from Iain, she thought for the hundredth time. He must have reached Edinburgh by now. Please, Brigette sent up a silent prayer, dont make me a widow.

Need help? Slipping into the chamber, Spring interrupted her cousins reverie.

Can you spare a nipple for a hungry boy?

Dubh would starve. Spring sat on the stool beside Brigettes chair. Thanks for steering clear of trouble while my husband is in charge.

What do you mean?

Iain almost dispatched Percy for losing you, Spring answered. Hed suffer no qualms about slaughtering Jamie. I wouldnt care to be made a widow.

I was just thinking the same thing, Brigette commented wryly.

What?

I dislike the thought of becoming a widow, and theres been no word from Iain.

Im positive all is well, Spring said encouragingly. When Dubh goes down to nap, why not ride out with Glenda to the loch?

Jamie might forbid it.

Its not so far and the land is well guarded. Spring cocked a brow at her. You are the Countess of Dunridge, are you not?

That I am, cuz. Brigette grinned. Who would dare refuse the countess in her own home?

After persuading Dubh to sleep, Brigette changed into an old skirt and blouse, then grabbed her shabbiest riding cloak. As she walked down the stairs to the foyer, she heard Moireachs voice, raised in anger, even before the housekeeper came into view with Glenda and Sly in tow.

I told ye before, Moireach was scolding the little girl, yed better come when I call ye. Father Kaplans waitin in the library.

I didna hear ye callin, Glenda hotly defended herself.

Dinna be lyin to me, ye naughty chit. Its a terribly bad sin.

I amna lyin, Glenda shot back. Canna Sly have his lessons too?

No! Moireach was adamant. He attacks the quills and eats the parchment.

Brigette stepped into the foyer, and Glenda appealed to her. Canna Sly come to lessons wi me? He has need of it.

Brigette looked from Glenda to Moireach, but the housekeepers frown discouraged the laughter bubbling up in her throat. Moireach said no.

Yer the countess, Glenda argued, and shes yer servant. Its yer privilege to order her aboot.

Moireachs eyes narrowed in angry consternation. Brigette shifted uncomfortably beneath the womans unwavering gaze and wisely chose to evade the issue. I am the countess, she said diplomatically, but the earl is not in residence at the moment.

If Uncle Iain isna here, Glenda reasoned, then yer in command.

Uncle Iain left Jamie in charge, Brigette countered.

Tell Jamie to tell Moireach that Sly may come to my lessons, Glenda demanded, exasperated.

It would do no good.

Why?

Because blood is thicker than water.

I dinna ken.

Brigette knelt in front of Glenda, her eyes level with the childs. Moireach is Jamies mother and hes duty-bound to obey her.

Is Moireach in charge of Dunridge, then? Glenda cried. Brigette burst out laughing.

Id love to know what yeve been teachin this once-biddable child, the housekeeper speculated.

Perhaps Lady Autumn would care to join you for your lessons, Brigette said to Glenda. Im riding out —

No! Glenda threw herself into Brigettes arms and pleaded, Dinna leave me behind again. I promise Ill listen to Moireach . . . and obey her too. . . . Please, dinna leave me!

Holding the child close, Brigette spoke soothingly to her. Im only riding to the loch, and Ill even take Sly along for company. Hows that? Glenda remained silent, her face buried into Brigettes neck. Its a fair day, sweetie, and guess what?

What?

Dubh has never seen the garden.

Never? Glenda was amazed.

Not once. When I return, shall we show Dubh the trees birthing their buds?

Id like that.

Humph, Moireach snorted. Im hopin my Jamie knows what yer aboot.

Ill ask his permission first, Brigette said, rising. Come along, Sly.

Entering the courtyard, Brigette saw Jamie speaking with several MacArthur warriors. A few paces away from the men, she hesitated, uncertain how to handle her cousins husband. One of the men nudged Jamie and gestured toward her.

Jamie turned around. Good mornin to ye, he greeted.

Good morning. May I speak with you?

Certainly. Jamie wondered if his good luck had just run out.

Im riding to the loch. Brigette smiled pleasantly. Ill return in an hour or so.

Jamie raised his brows. Are ye askin permission or tellin me?

Asking permission. Iain did leave you in command, did he not?

He did, Jamie replied evenly, and I dinna think its wise for ye to be ridin out alone, especially when yer husband isna here.

I wont be alone, Brigette returned brightly. Sly will accompany me.

Jamies eyes fell to the small fox, sitting obediently beside his mistress. That wee beastie isna proof against foul play or anythin else.

The land is well guarded, is it not?

Aye.

Then foul play is unlikely, she concluded. What else could happen?

Are ye certain ye arena runnin away, perhaps to England? Jamie blurted out.

And leave my son?

I suppose no, he conceded, then asked suspiciously, Ye wouldna be traipsin after Iain to make certain he isna in any danger?

Im not that brave.

No, but ye are that foolish.

Brigettes expression turned to stone, and Jamie cursed his tactless tongue. Have yer way aboot it, then, he relented. But if anythin happens and Iain sharpens his sword on my flesh, I swear Im comin back to haunt ye.

Dont worry, Brigette called over her shoulder as she headed for the stables. Ill be fine.

Shell be fine, Jamie grumbled to himself. Thats what she said to Percy.

As she passed through the gate, Brigette waved jauntily to the tower guards. She felt freer, released from the prison Dunridge had become without Iains presence.

Here, Sly, she called to the fox, who dashed aimlessly about, almost as excited by the freedom as his mistress.

The day was a Highland rarity of blue skies and dazzling sunshine. Birds were chirping loudly and busily building their nests upon the limbs of trees that were giving birth to buds. Sly was scurrying hither and thither, sniffing and snorting and sneezing at everything in sight.

Delighted by all she surveyed, Brigette turned her mount toward Loch Awe and started down the travel-worn path through the woods. The entire world and its wondrous creatures are being reborn, she thought in a rare philosophical moment, then giggled with simple joy. No longer did she feel the weighty responsibility of being a wife, a mother, and a countess; for several refreshing moments, Brigette reveled in being young and riding out on a glorious day.

And then the idyllic mood shattered. She suffered the uncanny feeling of being watched. The fine hairs on her neck prickled; a sudden chill caressed her spine. Brigettes senses froze in near panic but her horse kept moving.

My husbands lands are well guarded, she told herself. I forgot my fear of being alone, and my wild imagination is making me skittish. With a sigh of relief, Brigette left the woods and rode onto the lochs sun-drenched shore.

Sly raced past her. The hackles on his neck were raised against the unseen presence.

Danger! Brigette kicked the flanks of her mount and galloped down the beach.

Whoosh! Something whizzed past her. A heart-wrenching yelp of pain rent the air. Sly went down, an arrow protruding from his right haunch.

Holy Mother of God! Brigette shrieked. She tugged savagely on the reins and stopped short, nearly toppling headfirst from the saddle, and ran toward her pet, which was howling in pain.

Sly. Brigette knelt beside him and reached out with a trembling hand, but a shadow fell across the injured, dying fox. She whirled around to face their assailant.

A black and white plaid — Menzies! Brigette raised her eyes, but saw only pale blond hair framing a face cast in shadow by the glaring sun at his back.

Sly whimpered, and Brigettes rage erupted with volcanic force. You bloody bastard! Snarling with fury, she leaped to her feet like a kitten challenging a lion. It was then the strangers fist connected with her jaw.

Ooph. Brigette collapsed in his arms.

Ignoring the injured foxs whimperings, the man produced a cord and tightly bound Brigettes hands together, then lifted and slung her across his horse. Seemingly unconcerned with the danger in lingering there, he rested his head against his saddle. Hed waited so long to catch the Sassenach alone, he thought, feeling faint. He couldnt falter now. Antonia was depending on him!

Damn, Finlay MacKinnon swore softly. His whole body was damp with nervous sweat, and his hands were shaking badly. The Sassenach is definitely a she-devil, he thought with growing trepidation. The green of her eyes and the fierceness of her spirit do betray her witchs heart.

Finlay made a protective sign of the cross, then mounted behind his unconscious captive and nudged his horse into the cover of the woods. Slys pain-wracked whining dogged his every step.

Brigette slowly regained consciousness. At first she thought she was dreaming; then she thought Iain was hogging the bed, forcing her to hang over the edge. Every muscle in her body protested her uncomfortable position and the motion of the horse.

Please, she moaned.

At the sound of her voice, Finlay halted the horse and dismounted, then pulled her off. Brigette promptly collapsed, her legs having fallen asleep. She bowed her head in utter misery and wept quietly.

Finlay studied the petite beauty lying at his feet. Shes bonnie, he thought, crouching down beside her, even if she is a Sassenach witch. If ye swear to cause nae trouble, he whispered close to her ear, Ill cut yer bindin.

Brigettes head snapped up and she looked into his face for the first time. He was slim and almost delicate-looking, with pale skin, blond hair, and blue eyes. Though Brigette was certain theyd never met, there was something vaguely familiar about his face, especially his eyes.

Staring into her compelling green eyes, Finlay struggled against the urge to make the sign of the cross. He realized it would be foolish to let the witch know he was nervous in her presence. Only the devils spawn, Iain MacArthur, had the courage to wed a she-devil.

Brigette nodded her obedience. Finlay drew his dagger and cut the cord binding her wrists.

My husband will kill you for this, she hissed.

The horrifying image of Iain MacArthur with sword in hand formed in Finlays mind, and a ripple of fear danced down his spine. Shut up, he snapped, then forced Brigette onto the horse and mounted behind her.