Kate Robbins - The Highland Chiefs Series (8 page)

James turned his attention to Father Addison as if he knew she wouldn’t agree.

“Father Addison, you visited the families who were attacked last year. What is your opinion of the level of brutality to which these men will descend?”

Father Addison was quiet for several long moments. The concern in his eyes was almost convincing enough. “My child, I have known you all your life. You are an intelligent woman, capable of heading this entire clan with no help from anyone. On this topic, however, I must agree with his Lordship. I can only hope the brutality I witnessed last year will never reach you. Unfortunately, hope won’t keep them from arriving here with flaming arrows and an appetite for murder and mayhem that has been unmatched in my lifetime.”

“And one small raiding party has you both this concerned?” she asked.

She looked at each man in turn. Father Addison led her by the hand to the bench to sit next to him. He drew a deep breath and patted her palms.

“As I’m sure you’ve heard, the MacKay’s banner was found hanging in the village on the night of the attack. Their battle flag was unmistakable and there is no doubt these men are responsible for this horrific crime. Their disappearance has secured their guilt.”

James turned from them towards the window, his arms crossed. She wished he’d show her his face. As Father Addison spoke, James remained silent.

“They are a large, territorial clan with many fertile lands who’ve increased their claim well into Sutherland and boast ownership of a great deal of the north. Their systematic raiding of nearby farms and estates has been a source of much hatred stemming from the
neighbouring Sinclair, Sutherland, and Mackenzie clans, but the MacKays do not care, their greed is immeasurable.”

She swallowed hard. This information was well known. “Father, I know who the MacKay are. Why are you giving me a history lesson?”

“’Tis important, Lady Aileana,” James said without turning. His voice was like a soothing caress on the back of her neck.

Father Addison continued. “Past confrontations to negotiate peaceful terms have not gone well and have ended in bloodshed. Up until last fall, MacKay attacks were restricted to those select clans in the north. The one on the MacKenzie clan was much farther south than any previous. These raiders are on the move - everyone knows it but no one knows why.”

He squeezed her hand. For her comfort, or his own, she could not tell.

“Fergus McKay, the current chief, is a hulk of a man. ’Tis said that the attack was prompted by a simple insult between a MacKenzie clansman and the McKay over a pitcher of ale. ’Tis also said he planned the attack on them last fall including how the pain and suffering was to be inflicted. This man is capable of great torment to his victims.

“Having inherited a clan that had declared war on all in the north so many years ago, he has known murder and madness his whole life. The MacKay is said to have begun his own battle training at ten years of age and has developed the rigor his soldiers must endure to serve him. His twelve best fighters move like phantoms on the wind. They’re dangerous beyond imagination, my dear, to be so bold as to post their own colours after such an attack, well ’tis like nothing I’ve seen.”

Aileana left her seated position and made her way behind her uncle’s desk to gaze at the portrait of her uncle. Father Addison was known to exaggerate anything he’d heard. However, if even half of this story was true, it could already be too late to get everyone to safety. How often had her uncle faced such dangers and kept it from her? She must face this as he would have. James could make the decision for her, yet here she was in the solar, asked to contribute her thoughts and opinion. Wasn’t that what she wanted? Did that mean her betrothed was willing to make her his full partner or was he merely trying to curry
favour to impress the other gentleman present? Either way, she must make a decision.

Her voice was steady when she spoke despite her trembling inside. “We will prepare for attack. I’ll order all residents in outer areas to move inside the keep for protection, have every able bodied man on this estate prepared, and send away my guests first thing in the morn. I will do all of this, but I have one remaining question. What then? How long do we board ourselves up and stand with our swords drawn, ready to strike? Why aren’t we planning to do something once and for all about these barbarians?”

James moved in front of her and stared hard into her eyes. He held her shoulders in his strong hands while he searched her face. She saw great strength in his. This was not the flirtatious cad she’d met on the road, nor gallant nobleman she’d committed to earlier that day, nor even the arrogant boar with whom she’d shared the noon meal. All other versions were gone. The man before her gave her a new impression. She was safe with this man.

“We
are
going to do something,” he said. “And I intend to make sure of it.” With that he left.

Aileana returned to her chamber alone. If they were all in such mortal danger, shouldn’t the guests leave straight away? The orange-yellow light cast from the sun onto the tapestries in the hallway reminded her that by the time anyone prepared themselves to leave, darkness would have fallen. When she entered her chamber, it was to find Gwen and Sheena pacing and waiting for her.

“Oh Aileana, please tell us what’s happened. Some of the guests said they saw you and the MacIntosh go into the solar with Father Addison. They said his Lordship came out a short time later with the look of death on him.”

Sheena’s pleading struck a chord. They relied on decisions made by her and James and they deserved to know everything. Indeed, the rest of the castle would be just as anxious for n
ews.

I must go and see to the guests. Gwen, please gather everyone in the great hall, tell them I shall explain everything there.”

As soon as Gwen was gone, Aileana turned to her aunt. “We’re sending everyone away on the morn. There’s risk of an attack and I fear you are not safe here.”

Aileana held her breath as she waited for her aunt’s response. She didn’t want her
to leave though it was safest.

Sheena smiled and tilted her head up. “My dear, if this be the end, we shall face it together. I have every confidence in the security of this keep as well as the strength of his lordship’s resolve. I trust with your intended near we
shall be well protected here.”

Sheena gave Aileana a gentle hug and a kiss on both cheeks. She pulled back, holding Aileana at arm’s length. “I am sorry to see these celebrations ruined for you, but I’m certain of one thing; the MacI
ntosh is quite taken with you.”

The comment was more than untimely. He was the last thing on her mind and she had little remorse for the interrupted
celebrations either.

“Aunt Sheena, you defend the man after his insult earlier.”

“He paid me no insult, Aileana. I blame neither the MacIntosh nor King James for my husband’s death and neither should you. ’Tis a subject I do not wish to explore further.” She chuckled. “I see from your clenched fists you would strike them both down to protect me and avenge your uncle, but it is not necessary. Iain’s lesson to seek meaning has stayed with me these last two years and has provided me with great comfort.”

“And you do not think the MacIntosh harbors blind faith in his king?”

Sheena’s tone softened. “Your words put you in danger, love. And besides, what my eyes viewed was that charming man never looked away from you during our brief encounter at the noon meal. I could see his intent. He’s attracted to you. Best keep him at arm’s length if you want to save your maidenhead for your wedding night.”

With that, Sheena winked and floated out the door. How could she think like
that
at a time like
this
? Aileana wouldn’t entertain any wantonness with that man. She had more important issues to attend to, the first being how she was going to make it into her dinner gown on her own? This was ridiculous. She could make decisions to benefit hundreds of people, but she couldn’t dress herself. Although, in light of the news she had just received, her guests would forgive her for not changing her gown.

Lord, give me strength
. She left her chamber and proceeded toward the great hall. She was just a few doors from her own when she ran into James.

“Are you ready? Your maid has gathered all the guests together and sent me to collect you.”
The confidence he portrayed had her yearning for more of her own yet she showed him none of her anxiety.

“Aye, I’m quite ready, thank you. I’ve gathered everyone together so they may all hear the same story.”

Aileana watched James search her face. Light tingles began at the base of her neck as his gaze lingered on her mouth. Her stomach tightened and she took a deep breath.

“You are enchanting,” he whispered. He took her hands into his and stroked with his thumbs. She didn’t want to have any discussion of the sort with him at that moment. When he touched her, she couldn’t think and she needed her wits.

“You showed great strength today. Chattan would have been proud of you, lass. I’m proud of you.”

Could he know the impact such words had on her? Would it encourage him to consult with her in
the future when other serious concerns arose? Before she could question him, he reached around to the small of her back and drew her close. The full body contact sent her pulse racing, he was so hard - everywhere. His other hand came up to graze her lips. His fingers curled and stroked her cheek as he leaned down to brush his lips against hers. The heat she saw in his eyes stirred and terrified her at the same time.

James slid his hand from her cheek to underneath her hair, caressing the back of her neck while his mouth closed over hers. He flicked his tongue across her lips, coaxing her to open up to him. Her breasts
strained against her gown’s fabric and her hands slid up his chest of their own accord. His lips were warm and gentle, driving heat from the pit of her stomach to her limbs. His rich leather scent and his ragged breath robbed her wits. She was powerless to move, powerless to do anything but stand there and let him kiss her. His body pressed against hers provided the support she needed, for if he let her go in that moment she would surely crumble to the floor.

James consumed her in the most pleasant way. She wanted to taste him as well and stroked her tongue over his. He withdrew and gazed into
her eyes with a furrowed brow.

Escaping his stare was as impossible as moving her limbs. Her body and her mind wanted two different things from this man. When he was near, she wanted him closer and when he kissed her, she yearned for something more. The problem was, when he touched her, thinking was impossible. She would gain no ground with this man while stirred like this. The fog parted from her brain as the noise from the gathered guests below broke through.

“I think we’ve kept our guests waiting long enough,” he said with surprising calm as he stepped away from her. She took in his expression. There was no flush to his skin as she suspected hers betrayed. The earlier heat in his eyes was replaced with a narrowed gaze. Threads of disappointment weaved into her heart. He wasn’t affected as she was. In fact, he seemed almost annoyed.

If that’s the way he would behave, then she would too. “Aye, my lord, I believe we have.” She raised her chin and walked away from him. Her disappointment increased when he did not take her elbow, instead fell into step behind her.

The distance to the hall was just long enough for her to compose herself, she’d taken in a lot today and it wasn’t over yet. She clenched her fists open and closed at her sides as she pushed the MacIntosh’s skilled lips from her mind.

Entering from the side, they moved to the large fireplace and hearth that was the focal point of the room. The guests had all gathered and the room fell quiet as she turned to face the greatest responsibility in her short life. She drew a deep breath.

“Thank you for joining us here. I’ll come straight to the point. Raiders are on the move. We’ve no idea if they’re the same ones from last harvest or not, but we’ve decided to break the festivities early.

“Dinner will be served this evening as planned although inside instead of out in the back gardens. If any of you wish to return to your homes this evening, we understand, however, I advise against travel after dark. The choice is yours, but know you are safe here. These walls have always provided adequate protection from raiders. His lordship and I both feel it best to err on the side of caution. If these are the same men as before….well, I don’t need to remind anyone of the brutality to which they are capable.”

She waited. At any moment the outburst would come. Men and women facing them rumbled among themselves and before long, the pitch arose and the din in the room became almost unbearable. James stepped in at the perfect time.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please.”
His voice carried over everyone else’s and did wild things to her insides once again. “If you’ve any questions, please ask, but one at a time. I received an urgent message this afternoon from my steward. The raiders were spotted by one of my scouts. As we speak, a larger party is on their way to track them. I’ve also sent word to the King’s Guard who are encamped not far from here and I’m sure will join the search as soon as word reaches them. For tonight, unless you must, I suggest you stay here. This is where you are safest.”