Kate Robbins - The Highland Chiefs Series (7 page)

Chapter Six

“Surely, brother, you realize, the lass was irritated with
you
.”

Calum had been tight to James’s heels as soon as the meal had ended. James headed toward the solar seeking a moment to clear his head and Calum wasn’t going to let him have it.

“With me? I do not see that at all. She was concerned for her Aunt’s welfare.”

Turning from him wasn’t working
so James faced Calum.

“Aye, you continue to think that if it gives you comfort, however, I am not blinded by vanity or my throbbing loins. You caused the aunt’s discomfort, James. You commit to this arrangement with Lady Aileana and then offend her family? I don’t understand your actions.”

James tensed. “Enough! The aunt was tired from her travels and you know nothing of my reasons for seeing this arrangement through.”

“You’re right, I don’t understand. You are all contradiction, Brother. You say this is temporary, yet you sit in a dead man’s dining hall as if it were your own. You regard his heir as though she were dessert. I caution you, for your looks betray your words whenever she is within your line of sight.” The corner of Calum’s mouth twitched.

“She is nothing to me, nor are Chattan’s belongings. I resent your implication that I do this for selfish purposes. What would you have had me do? Refuse the agreement and dishonour us both?”

Calum shook his head. “I would have you see this through to the end. It’s the right thing to do and you know it.”

Calum crossed his arms and smirked. Damn him. Would he never cease his meddling? “I know nothing of the sort. I was a fool to agree to any of this.”

“A fool indeed to protect a clan who will not survive without the strength of a larger one. Would you rather have them take up with the Camerons?”

“The Chattans are my neighbours and as such will always have my protection. How dare you imply I would not come to their aid!”

“Coming to their aid is one thing, but what you are doing is leaving them vulnerable to all manner of prey. You may as well tie the lass to a tree naked and yell, ‘here she is! Come and get her!’”

James clenched his fists. Calum had gone too far with his wistful imaginings of his reaction to the lass and his purpose. “You cross a dangerous line,” he said. “Consider yourself lucky I don’t insult so easily. Leave me.”

Calum’s face dropped. “I’ll leave, but you must consider one thing. If you will not marry Aileana, make sure you find her someone who is strong enough to care for her.”

Calum turned and stalked away. James was unsure if his words or hurt expression weighed heavier in his wake. The day had not turned out at all like he’d imagined. He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but Calum was right about his reaction to the lass. He didn’t think it was possible for her loveliness to grow. Yet, in the chapel, all he could think about was unbraiding her hair and having it fall all around them as he buried himself within her.

She was not easy to draw out so he couldn’t tell if she felt anything of the same sort for him. A grim expression settled over her face from the moment she entered the chapel to the time she left the dining hall with the aunt. He wanted to kiss it away. There was no doubt he would have to get control over the fire she ignited in him when she was
near. No good could come of it.

As for protecting the clan, he had no intention of letting them fall under any fealty but his. He wouldn’t speak of it yet to Calum because he wasn’t quite sure how it would work. One thing was certain: he would have to make Aileana his ward. A new marriage contract would not need to include the clan and for that matter, he could pluck a young man of worth and means from the region. There was a particular thane who would benefit from the match. Even Calum might be persuaded to consider her. His arguments of late contained some manner of her welfare, yet he insisted James marry her. Everything his brother suggested could be satisfied in one form or another and didn't need to involve his future. He’d received an invitation from Queen Joan to visit Linlithgow Palace in a fortnight. Between now and then he would determine his intentions and present them to King Jam
es. This madness would all end.

He paced. The most worrisome aspect of this situation, though, was the cousin. Why had the man not shown up for the ceremony? He was the constable after all and therefore should have ensured the event’s security. Could he have been the reason for the lass’s demeanour? She’d been crying the day he saw the cousin leave. Were they lovers? Was that the
affliction
Father Addison had referred to on the day after Chattan’s death?

He raked his fingers through his hair.
None of it mattered anyway. He wouldn’t be around long enough to watch her mourn a lost love. He stopped pacing and gazed out across the gardens. The object of his torment had just entered the rear courtyard from a side door and was making her way toward the garden. She looked back over her shoulder several times.

Well now, where was she going? The temptation was too great, he must follow her. He almost could hear Calum mocking him.
I thought you said you didn’t want her
.

James located a route to the rear courtyard. Away from the castle, he entered a small maze. Although it was only May, there was no doubt the area was well tended and worth the praise he’d heard over the years. He listened for her, but no sound met his ears so he crept further along the path. Crunching stone j
ust ahead caught his attention.

He followed as quietly as he could to avoid detection and continued along in this way for a while until he caught sight, not of Aileana, but a man. He was dark haired and tall wearing a black padded jerkin and common plaid. The man peeked around the tall hedge. James positioned himself to better glean what was in the man’s line of view and his hair prickled. There, sitting on a flat rock near a pond was Aileana. He stepped forward to get a better view of her and alerted the man to hi
s presence. Their gazes locked.

The cousin.

The man scowled and dashed through the brush. When James turned back to Aileana, she was staring at him.

Her eyes were wide and her cheeks red as flame. “Did you follow me, my lord?”

Aye, and now I know your true purpose
.

“I sought some fresh air and was curious about the famed Chattan gardens. I heard a noise and followed it here.” Would she admit to the tryst she had planned with her constable?

“Well you’ve located its source, although I did not know my step was so heavy.”

“I should think not. Though yours was not the step I heard, was it?” He held his breath while he waited for her response. Would she admit it? He did not relish the revelation of her relationship with another, but this was his best way out. Still, her deceit left a sour taste in his mouth.

“I beg your pardon, my lord. I do not know what you mean.”

So she would lie. How dare she deceive him. His jaw clenched. He would not indulge her. “How does your aunt fare?”

Her chin raised and her back straightened. “She is recovered and will be pleased by your inquiry.” Her demeanour was far too cool.

“I am pleased to hear it. Will you return to the castle with me? I believe our guests may form the wrong conclusion should we remain without a chaperone for much longer.” He was curious to learn what her reaction would be to that comment. Or perhaps she didn’t care about appearances.

“Aye, my lord I will accompany you. Thank you for your consideration for my reputation. Most of the guests have retired to their rooms for a light rest before the evening feast.”

He held out his arm to her and watched her cross the garden. When she reached him, her brow was furrowed, yet when their gazes met, he saw a flicker of a smile and found himself staring at her mouth again. Her lips parted and it was a great effort to tear his thoughts from the surge of desire shooting straight to his loins. He despi
sed his body’s response to her.

Wha
t a fool she would make of him.

Well, two could play that game. He would show her that stoking his fire would burn, white hot. Did she think she could smile at him and he would become blinded to her loose ways? Perhaps that was why she kept a witch, to drug those who would stand between her and what she wanted. Oh, he’d teach her a lesson
all right. She’d find out he was a master at this game. Now, at least, he could have her in whatever manner he chose and feel no guilt for seducing an innocent. In the end, she would beg him to take her but he could prolong her torture for as long as possible. Tonight, he’d have her admit her guilt. Then he would have her.

* * *

Aileana and James walked together toward their chambers. When she turned to pass a parting comment, he surprised her by taking her hand and pressed it to his lips. His mouth was soft and warm against her skin. Raw heat moved through her. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words would come as he kissed her hand and stroked her palm with his fingers.

“Rest well, we have a long night ahead of us yet,” he said. She watched his lips curl around his words. Her heart fluttered wild.

Before she could gather her thoughts, he gave her a devastating smile and disappeared around the corner and into his own chamber. Aileana entered hers and closed the door before collapsing in her chair near the open window. She didn’t know what to make of him. He was as arrogant as the day was long and infuriating to boot. Who did the man think he was provoking poor Aunt Sheena like that? Did he think a kiss on her hand, albeit a nice one, forgave his behaviour?

Why Sheena had brushed off the incident once back in her room was a mystery. She dumped Aileana at her door and begged for Gwen’s assistance. Aileana’s respite in the garden was interrupted by the same man who’d frustrated her to begin with. Would she ever know peace again?

She was attracted to him, of that she had no doubt, but it did not help her cause. He had agreed to honour her uncle’s wishes and that would make him her husband. Were they to live together, she would expect fidelity, though his reputation concerned her for she had no reason to disbelieve the stories. What if he was the kind of man who could never be satisfied by one woman? What if any affair he was engaged in continued after the wedding? And should that matter to her if they were to live apart? She would have to see him on occasion, considering she would bear his children. An image of their wedding night set her stomach fluttering again and unwanted heat to her cheeks.

An unexpected knock at the door made her jump. James’s deep timbre on the other side was unmistakable. When she opened the door she di
scovered he and Father Addison.

“My child, are you unwell?” Father Addison asked, his tone full of concern.

“We’re sorry to interrupt your respite my lady, however, we request your immediate presence in the solar to discuss an urgent message I just received,” James said, saving her the trouble of explaining her flushed skin. His gaze was intense. If she didn’t know better, she’d say he was well aware of the direction her thoughts had taken. He couldn’t though. This missive must be serious.

“I am well I assure you, thank you, Father. Please lead the way.”

After the older man moved ahead of them, James reached for Aileana’s elbow to guide her along. His expression turned hard as soon as his hand touched her arm. His jaw clenched and his lips formed a straight line. His fingers applied hard pressure on her arm. Something was terribly wrong, she could sense it in him.

Aileana followed the men into her uncle’s solar and James closed the door behind her. Before she could question, James motioned for
her to sit down.

“My lord, if the news is so dire, I would prefer to stand. Please proceed.”

“Very well,” he said. “As I mentioned, I just received an urgent message. It was from my steward. He provided a report from the scouts I have positioned at strategic locations throughout this region for precautionary measures. I’ve had them there since the raid on the MacKenzie clan last year.”

She remembered it well, homes burned, women violated. It wasn’t just for looting purposes, these raiders were barbaric. She swallowed hard and bit the inside o
f her cheek as James continued.

“He said one of my scouts just returned to Moy Hall like the devil himself lay chase. He saw a raiding party about ten miles north of here. He couldn’t be sure of their destination and tracked back to alert us.”
The news was not easy to digest. “I realize the impact of my next statement, but I feel it best if we cut the festivities short.”

She tried to make no outward appearanc
e of the disarm tugging at her.

When she did not speak, James continued. “I see no harm in continuing with the events planned for the rest of the day, but I suggest on the morrow, this residence as well as my own and others in the area prepare for possible attack.”

Her guts lurched.

Aileana shook her head. “That cannot be. Surely this small pack of raiders is not bold enough to attack a property as large as yours or mine? I agree we should be cautious. We shall send reinforcements to any small residences in the area and provide shelter to any who would wish to have it. However, I’m sorry, but I cannot believe Chattan Castle would ever be attacked.”