Highland Love Song (DeWinter's Song 2) (17 page)

16

Two days passed and Arrian remained in her room, fearing that if she left she would meet Warrick. Now she was Warrick's prisoner more than ever. Her meals were served by a maid from the village who was taking Barra's place until she returned.

On the third day of her self-confinement there was a knock on the door and Arrian opened it, thinking it would be the maid, but it was Mrs. Haddington.

"I've been worried 'bout you, m'lady."

"I thank you for your concern, Mrs. Haddington. I'm just not feeling well and have kept to my room."

The housekeeper looked her over carefully. "You look pale. His lordship's asked if you'll join him for dinner, m'lady."

"No. Tell him I most certainly will not!"

The housekeeper looked surprised. "He'll want ta know why."

Arrian realized it would not be proper to involve a servant in her quarrel with Warrick. "Tell him I'm not feeling myself."

"If that's your wish, m'lady."

After the housekeeper had gone, Arrian wondered at Warrick's daring in asking her to dine with him. Did he think she would forget what had happened between them?

Another day went by, and again Mrs. Haddington appeared at Arrian's door with the same request from Warrick, and once more Arrian gave the same response.

Later in the afternoon Arrian heard a heavy knock on the door. She opened it to find Warrick standing there.

Her eyes met his defiantly. "I wasn't expecting you, my lord. Apparently you didn't get my message."

"Oh, I got it, Arrian. That's why I'm here. You look healthy to me."

"If I had wanted to shame you in the eyes of your housekeeper, I could have told her the true reason I didn't wish to dine with you. I could have said no woman is safe in your company. I have no wish to dine with you."

Warrick stared at her for a long moment. "It wasn't a request, Arrian, it was an order. I'll not allow you to close yourself off in this room."

She glared at him. "I will not come downstairs."

"Very well. I'll have Haddy serve us dinner in here."

"You don't seem to understand, I don't want to be with you!"

"I'll try to make it as painless as I can. We'll speak only of frivolous matters and forget what passed between us.”

“I’ll never forget—or forgive."

"I asked for neither. But I expect obedience. Which is it to be? Do we dine here, or will you come downstairs?"

He would have his way again, she thought, raising her head and bestowing her haughtiest glance upon him. She was so angry she could hardly choke out the words. "I'll come downstairs, my lord, but you will not find me a very entertaining dinner companion."

He reached out to her. "I have always found you to be delightful."

She spun away from him. "Don't touch me."

There was sadness in his eyes, or had she been mistaken? He turned away. "I'll see you at seven."

Arrian came down the stairs wearing an emerald green gown with a high neck and long sleeves. When Mrs. Haddington heard her approach she came from the dining room to greet her. "His lordship is waiting for you in the salon."

Arrian gathered her courage and moved through the door. Warrick stood up from the settee. He looked at her with approval.

"I'm delighted you decided to be my guest tonight."

She waited until the housekeeper left to reply. "Let us have no more pretense between us. I am not your guest, my lord, I'm your prisoner."

He smiled slightly. "I don't consider you my prisoner, Arrian, but rather a very beautiful companion."

Their eyes locked, and they both remembered what had happened between them.

Arrian tore her gaze away, her face flushed. "I will not stay if you persist in making pretty speeches, Warrick—nor will I trust you."

"Pity," he said, moving away from her. "I believe I would treasure your trust above all else."

"Could we not eat now, my lord? I would have this evening over so I can return to my room."

He offered her his arm, but she only stared at him. At last he laughed. "Shall we dine, Arrian?"

She walked beside him to the dining room and sat down. "I don't suppose you have thought more about allowing me to leave Ironworth?"

He lowered his eyes and studied the hand she had placed on the table. "You do wound me sorely, my lady.

I'll not let you go just yet. I find I'm loath to part with you."

Arrian hardly tasted the food, because she was all too aware of Warrick's eyes on her. He tried to make polite conversation, but she would answer him only with a nod of her head. She was relieved when the dessert dishes had been removed and Warrick stood. When he pulled out her chair, she rose quickly.

"I believe I'll retire now, my lord."

He towered above her. "Not just yet. You said you played the piano. I thought you might play for me."

Arrian didn't even wait for him but made her way to the salon, knowing he was right behind her. She sat down at the piano and ran her hands over the keys, noticing it was slightly out of tune.

She chose an old Scottish lullaby her mother had sung to her as a child. As the melody spun around in her head, she was overcome with homesickness.

Warrick stood at her side, watching her play. "Do you sing as well?"

"A little."

"Please sing for me."

Warrick was not prepared for the lovely golden voice that filled the salon. The tone was so clear that each note vibrated through his heart.

Arrian was unaware that the servants had gathered at the door, listening to her song.

              When the morning sun doth rise

              and the heather meets the skies,

              I'll be waiting for you, sweet, bonny baby,

              for there's magic in your smile.

              So help me forget, sweet, bonny love,

              that the world is a cold, cold place,

              ere I look upon your face.

With the candlelight shining on her golden hair, Arrian looked so beautiful that it brought an ache to Warrick's heart.

When the last note had died away she raised her eyes to Warrick's. "May I leave now, my lord?"

Before he could answer, Mrs. Haddington caught his attention from the doorway.

"Yes, Haddy, what is it?"

"Begging your pardon, m'lord, but my daughter's returned from Edinburgh."

Arrian came to her feet. "Has she news of my aunt?"

"I wouldn't know, m'lady, but your maid's come back with her."

Arrian suddenly felt elated. "Tuttle is here? Where is she?"

Mrs. Haddington stepped aside, and Arrian watched the maid enter. A gasp escaped her lips as she stared at the woman dressed in a simple gray-striped gown and a stiff mob cap covering her glorious golden hair.

"Lord love you, m'lady," the woman said hurriedly, "it's your Tuttle come to see you're being properly cared for."

Warrick paid little attention to the maid, but he was glad she had come. Now perhaps Arrian would be better satisfied.

"Tut . . . tie," Arrian said, stumbling over the name. "I wasn't expecting you."

"You should'a known I'd come, m'lady. I see I've not come a moment too soon. Ye've been out too much in the sun and your skin's brown. And when did you start wearing your hair down? That just won't do."

Arrian bit her lower lip to keep from laughing aloud. She wanted to run into the comforting arms of her mother, but she dared not. "Oh, Tuttle, you are most welcome."

"I'm sure you'll have much to talk about, Arrian," Warrick said. "You'll want particulars about your aunt." He looked up at the maid. "I trust Lady Mary is well?"

"That she is, m'lord. And she told me all about you. We'll just have to keep an eye on you, won't we?"

Warrick thought he heard a warning in the woman's voice, but she had lowered her head and turned away, so he couldn't be certain.

"Go along, Arrian. You'll want to see your maid settled."

Arrian wanted to run up the stairs, but she forced herself to walk slowly while Kassidy followed. When they were in the bedroom with the door closed, Arrian was immediately drawn into her mother's arms.

"Oh, my dearest, I feared I'd never see you again."

Arrian closed her eyes, feeling safe at last. "Oh, Mother, I've needed you so badly."

For a long moment they embraced, then Arrian asked, "Is Aunt Mary really all right?"

"She's as saucy as you'd expect. I believe she should be with Grandfather by now. Her leg is far from well, but the doctor has assured me that in time, it will heal properly. He has cautioned her to stay off the leg, but when last I saw her she was hobbling about, defying his orders."

"Poor dear. She can't stand to be confined."

Kassidy smiled. "I'm sure when she gets back to London, her injury will be a great diversion at her dinner parties. Her adventure will be envied by all."

The questions tumbled from Arrian's lips. "Have you seen Ian?"

"I have not seen Ian, nor has Aunt Mary. He wasn't in Edinburgh when she arrived. It seems for some reason Grandfather ordered Ian home, and he awaits you at Davinsham. I'm sure he must be very concerned by now."

Arrian wondered how she would tell her mother all that had occurred. "Ian will have to know everything."

"I'm happy to report that your father and brother are still in England and they believe you to be safely with our Maclvors relatives. I pity us all when your father finds out differently. Let's pray he remains in London until I can get you out of here."

Kassidy took Arrian's face and turned it to the candlelight. "There is something different about you I can't define. A new maturity, perhaps."

Arrian clasped her mother's hand, unable to speak of her remorse.

"I despaired for your safety," Kassidy said. "Has that man harmed you?"

Arrian was unable to answer. She buried her face in her hands. She sobbed and was enfolded in her mother's arms.

"What has happened? Why are you so distressed?"

"Oh, Mother, I'm so sorry I allowed Lord Warrick to use me to hurt Ian."

Kassidy gripped her daughter's shoulders and looked into her eyes. It tore at her heart to see the misery there. "Are you saying that he seduced you, Arrian?"

Arrian laid her head against her mother's shoulder. "The pity is that I was willing enough, Mother. At the time it happened I could only think how right it was because I'm his wife."

Kassidy was angry at the man who had so cruelly used her daughter. She resisted the urge to storm downstairs and demand satisfaction. But Lord Warrick must not know that she was Arrian's mother, or they would never escape—retribution would come later.

"My dearest, you did nothing wrong. It is he who will have to answer for enticing an innocent."

"If only we could leave."

Kassidy lifted Arrian's face and gently brushed the tears away. "Never fear, we will leave when the time is right. I didn't come here without a carefully laid plan to get you to safety. Meantime, I don't want you to be alone with Lord Warrick as you were when I arrived."

Arrian moved away to stand by the window.

"Mother, it hurts so badly. I believe the unforgivable has happened."

Kassidy came up beside her. "What, dearest?"

"I believe . . . I know I love him, but I don't want to love him."

Kassidy caught her daughter in her arms and allowed her to sob out her misery. Tears ran down Kassidy's face, too, but her eyes were gleaming with anger. She and Raile had protected this precious charge so that nothing could harm her. Lord Warrick would pay mightily for what he had done to Arrian.

Arrian dried her eyes. "I'm sorry our reunion was spoiled by my tears. I'm so happy you're here."

"You must have felt so alone. It took a great deal of courage to stay behind so that Aunt Mary could leave."

"I didn't feel brave at the time." They clasped hands, and Arrian's face paled with a sudden agonizing thought. "You should not have come, Mother. Now you are also his prisoner."

"No, I'm not, Arrian. I told you I didn't come after you without a plan. Captain Norris is just off the coast waiting for a chance to take us away."

"Do you think we can make it to the
Nightingale
?"

"Yes, I do. Are you allowed to go about without being accompanied?"

"Yes, of course."

"Good. That's what Aunt Mary told me. Captain Norris will be watching for us every day."

Arrian twisted her hands. "Will I ever be the same again, Mother?"

"Yes, you will. I know how deeply you have been hurt, but it will pass. I will see to that."

Again tears brightened Arrian's eyes. "I am unfit to be Ian's wife. He won't even want me now."