Laird of the Game (22 page)

“Ye won’t be alone, William.” Daniel put the papers in front of Alex and handed him a pen. They were signed a moment later. “We will all support ye with the same affection we supported Alex.”

“May God help ye,” Alex said and laughed. “Aye, there are lots of good memories. Ye took care of me, and now I will help take care of ye, William.”

“Alex.” William finally found his voice. “What if I don’t want the honor?”

Alex smiled. “This wasn’t easy for me, William. First of all, ye think of this as an honor not a horrible mistake. Each one of us has a special talent that together we are invincible. I thought long and hard about this before I made my decision. Ye don’t get this honor by default. We all thought about the choice tae be made. Ye proved ye’re a man this summer and will make a formidable Laird.”

“But why not Evan and Iain,” William argued. “They are almost finished with law school and would be able tae assume the responsibilities without too much trouble. I haven’t started University yet.”

“We all agreed ye are the best choice.” Daniel stated with authority.

“Aye,” Evan agreed. “Ye won’t be alone, William. Alex has earned the right tae a little happiness. My future is already set tae support your business interests.”

Iain jumped in as well. “And my future, too, is already in your hands, William. Be gentle with me.”

That comment got William to laugh a little.

“Don’t worry William. Ye will be a good Laird.” Alex gave him a pat on the shoulder. “I have faith in your abilities, and ye will do what I did and find a way. Learn from my mistakes and follow your own heart. Duty and honor nearly destroyed my life. Now I have a second chance and a willing angel. I’m not going tae lose it. If ye do not accept this honor, William, no one else will. Ye have all sworn allegiance tae me, and now we all swear allegiance to ye.”

Alex took out the sword he had carried every year for his adult life. The ancient runes were still there, and the inlaid gold and gemstones still held the same mystique. The sword had been passed down for every generation since Baron Jolbert brought it to Scotland, and it was now William’s turn to lead the battles.

William stood up. Alex handed him the sword. William saw past the older brother who had kept him out of trouble for his entire life. The look in Alex’s eyes was one of love. It almost made William step back a few paces. He had always known he was loved but had never really seen it in Alex’s eyes until now. William’s hand closed over the hilt, and he drew the sword, testing the weight in his hand. The ancient Claymore was still beautifully polished. He sheathed the sword and set it down on the table.

Alex gave him nod of approval. “Ye will do well, William.”

Daniel put the paperwork back in his briefcase and sat on the edge of the table. “In a few short years, Iain and Evan will take over my work for the family holdings, and I will also be able tae follow in Alex’s footsteps and retire tae a life of debauchery and lust.”

Robert said simply, “We believe ye are a man of honor, William. We’re all very proud of ye. All of our expertise will be at your disposal. Ye won’t be alone.”

Gideon opened a bottle of champagne and poured a glass for everyone, except Alex who drank mineral water.

Melissa appeared in the doorway and walked over to the table. She looked like she had just rolled out of bed and could barely keep her eyes open. The last thing in the world she expected was to run in to anyone at this late hour.

“What is the occasion?” she asked sleepily. “Is William in trouble again?”

Chapter Twenty-Two

“I’m crushed.” William feigned a painful look. “I’m never in trouble.”

“Oh, champagne.” Melissa took a sip and set the glass down.

“We were just going tae toast William,” Alex said honestly. “Here’s tae William.”

They lifted their glasses and said, “To William.”

“Why?” Melissa asked again.

“Because…” Gideon couldn’t lie any longer.

Alex leaned down and kissed her lips. “Because.”

“Because,” Daniel agreed.

“You’re not going to tell me, are you, Alex?” Melissa gave him a frown. “Some day perhaps I’ll be accepted by this family beyond your bedroom door. Excuse me, gentleman. Enjoy your celebration.”

“Melissa.” Alex’s voice cracked.

She turned and left the room before Alex could stop her. She had hoped Alex wanted something more. He hadn’t in all their time together said anything about marriage or a family.

It was time she accepted the truth. The holiday was beyond her wildest dreams. It was going to be a nightmare to walk out that door and never see Alex and his brothers again. By the time she reached the front doors, the floodgate opened, and tears poured out. Such an intense feeling of sadness came over her. In truth, she knew that one word had said far more than a thousand words; it was because they didn’t trust her enough to tell her anything.

Melissa stepped out into the cool night air, needing a walk to clear her jangled nerves. Lately, every little thing was getting to her. She couldn’t just cry at the drop of a hat before she had met and loved the most perfect man in the world, but lately, it seemed she could cry in an instant without much provocation.

She needed some time to think, but it wasn’t easy trying to put two coherent thoughts together when Alex was around. He could melt any defense she had by looking at her. And when he smiled, her backbone turned into blithering mush.

She walked toward a ridge and noticed the incredible moonlight that lit up the area. She got to the crest and couldn’t help but gasp at the beauty. It was as if the Ancient Celtic Gods had opened their pallet and painted a moonscape of breathtaking beauty.

Emerald green and gold reflected in the misty dew and reflected a million diamonds. It was the moon that stunned her.
La Bella Luna
, she thought and reached out her hand to touch it and claim its magic. It had to be the size of Scotland it was so huge. The Hills in the distance were etched into the horizon with a fog settling in on the lowlands.

She stood there, completely mesmerized by the sheer beauty of a country that had completely claimed her heart. The Scotland in all the books she read had fascinated her with its colorful history, and now that she had met so many wonderful and interesting people, she had no idea how she could ever leave. The faint, haunting sound of a bagpipe filled her head, and she knew there was a powerful magic in the air around her.

“I will have a word with you, Alex” William said when his brothers stood and left the room.

Daniel, Gideon, Iain, Evan and Robert walked through the dining room and noticed the front doors were left ajar.

“Hell,” Daniel growled. “We are so close tae resolving all of this.” They walked out the doors, found her shadow moving in the moonlight, and followed her to watch over her.

The vision stopped them in their tracks. From their viewpoint, she reached out and touched the face of the moon. They felt the magic that surrounded her and her joy. She stood in the midst of a fairy treasure of emeralds and diamonds. The nightgown cast a silvery mist around her, and the shawl fell off one shoulder. She looked sexy and also innocent in the enchantment that wrapped around her.

Mist swirled around her feet. Her golden hair glowed in a halo and fell down her back in shimmering waves. The gentle curves of her body were set in relief against brilliant moonlight.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything that beautiful,” Gideon said out loud the thought they all shared. They could feel her tears when her body trembled slightly and her hand dropped to her side. Her head bowed. The defeat in her profile wrenched at their hearts.

Alex slowly walked up behind her. His hands were clasped behind his back, and he stood quietly behind her. The silent tears tore out his heart. “Forgive me,
A Grá
.”

Melissa thought for a moment and then asked. “What does that mean?”

“It means my love.”

“You hurt me, Alex.” The sting was still very fresh in her mind. “Please don’t touch me yet.” Her mind was made up and had to say what she felt in her heart. “I don’t want to be just a toy to be taken out to play with when you desire my body. I want it all. You don’t give me a chance to love you or your brothers, and yet, you all cater to my every whim. You think this thing called love means I will sit back and be adored. I don’t want a life where I don’t get to participate fully in all of the wonder of being alive. You don’t need me except in your bedroom. You and your brothers have a bond from spending your lives together, and I have felt like an outsider long enough. I have never mistrusted any of you because I have no reason to—but none of you trust me.”

“We all need ye, Melissa. More than ye will ever know.” Alex breathed a sigh of agony and realized he had hurt her badly, but he needed only one more day.

Melissa took a deep breath to calm her ragged heart. “I want it all, Alex. I want to be here the day William goes to University to study music, and we get to hear him sing and play for us. And because Robert is so very talented, I want him to know that he has the most beautiful hands in the world. Evan has the heart of a Bard and has so many more stories yet to tell. And because Iain is going to graduate from law school and will—some day—become a judge. And because Gideon is going to be a doctor and, damn it, someone needs to tell him he has a heart of gold. And because someone needs to tell Daniel it’s all right to hurt some time. I want to be there the day he finds someone that can see beyond that steel exterior and will love him half as much as I love you. I am going to be there to hug them and tell them they are loved and cherished for the wonderful persons they have become. I want to be their shoulder to cry on when they hurt and someone who will always laugh at their jokes.”

“But most of all, I want them to feel they can trust me. I want them to know in their heart that I would die before I would betray them. I love them, but I love you most of all. What you offer me is half of a life. You want me to share your bed but not the joy and sorrow of your life. I don’t want the kind of love that isn’t filled with all the treasured memories that makes life worth living. The relationship I have with my sisters and my cousins is real. We laugh and cry together. We hurt for each other. We appreciate the gift of love from each other and the honesty and respect that bonds us all tightly together. You are all so perfect….”

Alex put his arms around her. Her head tucked under his chin. “Only in your eyes, my dearest Angel, are we perfect. We’re all very human and make mistakes. You are my
A Store
, my darling,” he translated. “I ask only for your patience for another day while I put the world back in order. I promise you that by the end of the day things will be very different.” She turned in his arms, and his head bent until he tasted the salt on her lips.

“Trust me,” he said against her lips.

She had a feeling she had heard him say that once before but thought it was from a dream.

Alex kissed her hard for a moment and then crushed her against his heart. How could he let her go even for a few hours? The path was already laid at his feet. He had only to complete the journey.

His brothers heard it all.

William had tears in his eyes when he heard that she knew he wanted to study music. He had never told anyone. He loved her now in a way that staggered his heart. He would never tell her a lie again, he vowed. He wanted her to know how much he trusted her. They all had a part to play that day, and William stepped into the mantle of Laird and Chief.  “Hell,” he choked out and turned back to the stables.

Robert would never be able to look at his hands in the same way again. She had said he was a maker of worlds and he wanted to put his arms around her and tell her he loved her and how beautiful their world had become since she became a part of their lives. “Damn.” He spun on his heel and followed William.

Evan put his head down and walked away. Not once had any of them had a woman take an interest in their lives, let alone one who had come to love them all. He was stunned to think she knew his heart so well. He had never told anyone about his dream to become an actor and a writer. There were tears in his eyes, and it hurt to breathe. Only once before in his life had he ever cried and that was for a broken leg when he was seven. Now, it took all of his strength to finish what they had started. He tromped toward the stables.

Iain followed Evan to the stables. He stumbled on the path, unable to see past the mist in his eyes. They all knew there would be a price to be paid but had no idea the she would bear the brunt of it all. His heart raged because she was so loving and beautiful. The deception was cruel.

Daniel was the last to leave. “If we hadn’t been there for Alex so many years ago when Catherine left him, I couldn’t have done what he asked from us,” he said to Gideon.

Gideon let out a long, shaky sigh. “I can’t do this any more, Daniel. I won’t ever lie tae her again.”

“Today,” Daniel said with conviction. “It all comes together today.”

“This is going tae be one hell of a day,” Gideon said and braced himself.

Daniel stopped and talked to his courier who waited on the steps for the paperwork that had to be filed in London. The briefcase was handed over, and then Daniel followed his brothers to the stables to play his part in the final battle.

William had Daniel’s horse already saddled and waiting. His brothers were in a wicked mood and ready for the battle ahead of them. They all felt the strain of the past few weeks.

The horses moved quietly with their hooves clad in rags to muffle any sound. Moonlight gave them the advantage. Ian had thought of that fact, and William mentally reminded himself to tell Iain how clever he was. The warriors had been moving out during the night, a few at a time so not to draw any attention. Their plan was already in motion. He had only to play his part in the game.

Daniel wouldn’t allow his heart to feel anything yet. There were still so many things that could go wrong. He raised his eyes to the heavens, hoping for a miracle.

The sound of thunder closed in around them. Alex held Melissa tightly for a moment, kissed her forehead, and then released her and pushed her into Gideon’s arms. “Get her out of here,” he growled.

Gideon swept her up into his arms and carried her down the hill. Moments later, Alex was surrounded by his enemy. The Prince’s warriors had captured Alex at last. They taunted and jeered at him. Alex watched Gideon disappear down the side of the hill and then waited patiently for the warriors to bind his hands.

“Let it all be finished today,” Alex said softly. He was put on a horse and taken away.

He could hear Melissa scream his name, and the sound of hysteria in her voice. He had wanted to prepare her for this day, but he had run out of time.

Melissa screamed for Alex to come back. She was sobbing hysterically by the time Gideon had made it down the hill to take her back to the house. Melissa, he found, could wiggle her way out of just about any hold he had on her. She was desperate to run after Alex to help him. She begged him to help her, and Gideon was furious. Melissa should have been in bed sleeping, not going through this ordeal. He was angry with Alex for not seeing her back to bed immediately instead of hurting her tender heart and making her a witness to his capture.

He couldn’t give her a sedative. She needed to be told the truth about their game and what would happen to Alex. She was terrified Alex would be tortured. Gideon’s nerves were frayed beyond comprehension.