The Beast

by McQueen, Hildie

  Upon entering the gates, her mother beamed when seeing Lady Mariel and demanded to be assisted down immediately. She hurried to her friend and they disappeared into the house.

  “Goodness,” Isobel said. “I am sure we have not heard the last of it.”

  “Ye are correct,” Beatrice replied. “Now please help me to ensure Evander does not try to start a fight with Duncan. Our brother is a well-proportioned man, but Duncan is huge and very strong. I would hate for Evander to spend his time here recovering.”

  Carts with the trunks entered the gates, followed by her and Duncan’s carriage, and finally by Duncan and Evander, who frowned in her direction.

  “He does not look especially angry,” Isobel remarked.

  “How can ye tell?” Ella asked studying Evander, whose light brown hair glimmered in the sunlight.

  Beatrice giggled. “Because he is not yelling and hitting things.”

  “I am sure he is not that horrible,” Ella replied. “He seems a bit annoyed, but I would not say angry.”

  Her sister huffed. “How about ye be the one responsible for showing him his bedchamber. Come, sister.” Isobel grabbed her arm and they raced into the house and directly to the kitchen. “It is best to avoid him until Darach speaks to him about what has occurred.”

  “I really should check on Duncan,” Beatrice said. “He could tear open his wound.”

  “If he hurts himself while tossing Evander across the room, I will help ye tend to him,” Isobel remarked. “Our brother needs to learn to keep his temper in check.”

  “I agree,” Beatrice said and sat down across the table in a small room that was usually reserved for the servants.

  Her sister studied her for a moment. “Ye look well. How does marriage suit ye?”

  She had so many questions and so many things she wanted to speak to Isobel about. But it wasn’t the time or the place.

  Instead, she just said. “I am enjoying settling into our home and we are both getting to know one another. I still have much to learn about… things.”

  “Me as well,” Isobel said. “Give yerself time.”

  “I hired a chambermaid. It is a widow and her son, who is about ten and five. They have been a huge help. We have decided to keep the staff small, as there are only three of us there most days.”

  “That must be an adjustment,” Isobel said. “We both grew up in a place like this with people constantly about.”

  Gideon entered the kitchen and Beatrice called out to him. Upon entering, Beatrice motioned to a chair. “Please tell me what is happening between my brother and Duncan.”

  “Ye can see them outside through the kitchen window,” Gideon said walking back to the kitchen.

  Both she and Isobel raced to the door instead.

  Like two cocks preparing to fight to the death, Duncan and Evander circled each other while speaking at each other in the short hard sentences of angry men.

  “Should we go and stop them?” Beatrice asked, unable to look away.

  Isobel shook her head. “Darach and Stuart are there. Hopefully one of them will intercede if it comes to blows.”

  “I hope not,” Beatrice said and walked out, Isobel following.

  Gideon came and stood next to them. “Do not interfere. This is something they must work out between them. Evander said something offensive to Duncan, my brother has to decide how to proceed.”

  “It looks as if they have decided to proceed in the worst way,” Isobel said in a low angry tone. “Violence does not solve anything.”

  Beatrice tugged at Gideon’s arm. “Duncan is injured. I am not sure his wound has healed properly.”

  “Duncan outweighs yer brother and is taller.”

  “That does not make me feel better in the least,” Beatrice snapped.

  Thankfully Darach walked between the men and said something in low tones. Both Duncan and Evander looked to the doorway where their mothers stood. Each one with a furious expression.

  “If anything will ruin a good fight, it is our mother’s watching,” Gideon grumbled and walked away.

  While Ella took Evander to show him his room, Beatrice went to Duncan. “Let us rest before last meal,” she said peering up at him. “It has been a long day already.”

  He nodded. “First, ye and Isobel need to divide yer belongings so the driver can take yers to our house.”

  While she went to the wagons and instructed the men on which would go to her home and which would stay, Duncan stood nearby. He was silent, his arms crossed and attention toward the stables. Inside the sounds of conversations rose as people gathered for last meal.

  With all that had happened, along with her mother’s arrival and Evander’s reaction, she’d not considered that Duncan had a hard time with large gatherings. His own sister planned the festivities, had Ella not taken Duncan into consideration?

  She’d have to ask. When all the items that were for their home were loaded onto a single wagon, Duncan instructed the driver along with a guard to return to their home with the items and to ask Gara to oversee where they were to be placed.

  When he came to her and turned toward the house, Beatrice stopped him by placing her hand on his forearm. “If ye wish to return to the house for now and return later for the celebration I understand. I know ye do not like large gatherings.”

  The muscle in his jaw flexed, a sign she recognized that showed he was annoyed. “It is not that I do not like gatherings. It is that…” He stopped talking because Ella emerged from the house and hurried over.

  “Darach has Evander in the study and wishes for ye to join them.” She gave him a knowing look. “He said to take yer time.”

  Again, the muscle flexed, and Ella caught sight of it. “Come, Beatrice, let us give Duncan a few moments.”

  “He is angry,” Beatrice said not expecting a reply. “Do ye think it may be best for him to return to the house for a day?”

  “No,” Ella replied. “He will be fine. Duncan is slow to anger and slow to calm as well.”

  “I am beginning to understand him.” When they walked into the great room, the women were in the dining room away from the noise.

  From the smile on her mother’s face, Lady Mariel had helped calm her. However, upon seeing Beatrice, she bristled. “I have yet to speak to ye about yer rash actions.”

  “Isobel was quite thorough in giving me a tongue thrashing. I am so embarrassed by my actions and the position that I forced Duncan, Darach, and both of ye into,” Beatrice said to the table. “It was not my intention at all and for it, I am truly sorry.” She blinked back tears. “It had always been my dream to marry with ye, Father, and Padraig present and that Evander give me away.”

  To her horror, her mother wiped tears away. “That is what hurt me the most. I know we cannot always control what fate brings. I should have sent one of yer brothers to fetch ye immediately.”

  “Are they suited?” her mother asked Lady Mariel who shrugged in return. “They went to the other house upon marrying and I have not had occasion to see them interact yet. I suppose we will learn together.”

  The mothers turned to Beatrice and she felt her cheeks redden.

  Before she could answer, Duncan entered the room. He’d obviously come straight from outside. He went to the head of the table and lowered over her mother’s hand placing a kiss to the back of it. “Lady Aileen, I am glad that ye arrived without incident and that ye are here to spend time with us and with my family. Please do us the pleasure of coming to stay at our home for a few days.”

  Her mother blushed at Duncan’s attentions. “I suppose it would be good for me to see how ye live.”

  “We get along very well Mother,” Beatrice said smiling at Duncan. “We are well suited.”

  Duncan came to where Beatrice sat and placed a kiss on her temple. “I will be at Darach’s study if ye require anything.”

  Her mother followed his movement as he walked out of the house. “He is such a large man.”

  “My son is a go
od man, who was dealt a horrible hand. Yet despite it, he is fair, kind, and gentle. The most innocent of the lot.”

  Ella laughed. “He is indeed. The only one that was rarely scolded by Mother as a lad.”

  When Greer and several servants appeared with something to hold them until last meal, her mother informed them of all the happenings in North Uist. She told them of the MacNeil’s visit and of how bothersome Lady MacNeil was.

  As Beatrice listened to her talk about her father, she asked many questions. “As soon as we can, Duncan and I must go see Father. I miss him dearly.”

  “He sent a missive to Darach about it. Yer father expects that ye and Duncan will travel to North Uist to spend the winter season with us. The only reason Isobel and Darach are not included in this is because of his duties as laird.”

  Isobel sighed. “I would not mind going. I will discuss it with Darach. Perhaps he can hand the reins of lairdship to Stuart for winter.”

  Their mother clapped with glee. “That would be delightful. It would make yer father very happy.”

  Ella and her mother exchanged concerned glances and Beatrice wondered if it had to do with Darach or Duncan leaving for so long.

  Once they finished eating, Beatrice went to the stairs and stopped. Would she and Duncan be staying in the same room?

  Perhaps it was time to admit to him that she’d seen his body and knew every scar on it. The last thing she needed at that moment was for him to demand separate bedchambers when being scrutinized by both her mother and Evander.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “It is a gesture of goodwill that Laird Macdonald invites ye and Beatrice go to North Uist,” Darach said. “Of course, ye must go.”

  They sat around a table in Darach’s study. The room was cavernous and without a window and despite preferring the same for his own bedchamber, Duncan found this room oppressive. Perhaps it was because it had been his father’s prior to Darach’s. With the attention on him now, he had a strong urge to get up and leave.

  Duncan remained silent, not wishing to say anything else to anger Beatrice’s brother, whose narrowed gaze was locked on him.

  They would expect him to share a bedchamber with her. His needing time away from her and everyone else could prove to be a great insult. Yet Duncan knew he could not turn the invitation down, not unless he could come up with a good reason for it. In that moment nothing came to mind.

  “I wish to speak to ye in private,” Evander said. “Just talk,” he said when Darach began to say something. “No fists or swords involved.”

  With a nod, Darach met his gaze. A firm message to remain calm in the look his brother gave him.

  Very well, Duncan stood and walked across the hall to the parlor where he and Beatrice had their first conversation. The irony was not lost on him. Evander followed at a distance. Finally, both went to stand by the windows that overlooked the seashore.

  “What do ye wish to talk about?” Duncan said, not wanting to prolong things longer than necessary.

  Evander looked out to the view, much like his sister had. Duncan studied the man’s profile. The fact his nose looked to be broken fit the description Beatrice gave him: hot-tempered. And when young—brash and headstrong.

  “I know quite a bit about ye,” Evander began, the words surprising him. “That ye were a captive for many years.”

  Releasing a long breath, Duncan remained silent waiting to hear what Evander had to say.

  The man’s bi-colored gaze locked with his. “Will yer past affect how ye treat my sister?”

  The question was valid and yet it angered Duncan. How long would he carry the past on his back like a heavy stone? Forever he guessed. “I would never allow my past to affect my marriage. I have never nor will I ever mistreat a woman. I care for Beatrice, her well-being is the most important thing in the world to me. I would lay down my life for her.”

  “What ye feel and what could happen are very different things. I know men who have had experiences like yers and are harmful. Not all intentionally.”

  A person would believe what they wished, and he had no intention of trying to change Evander’s mind. So, he shrugged. “I can only speak to the years since my release.”

  “Does Beatrice know everything?”

  “That I was whipped so many times, there isn’t an inch of my body without a scar? Or that I was forced to kill men with my bare hands? Should I inform her of the times I begged for death to claim me? I am sure she needs to know that there are men who pay to watch grown men suffer. To be raped and to be broken down until they cry like children.”

  Evander looked to the floor. “I am sorry. I did not mean…”

  “She knows that I was held captive. I keep the scars hidden, as much as I can. There is no need for her to know the extent of the depravity of some men.”

  “I agree,” Evander replied. There was respect in his eyes when looking at him and he held out his hand. “All I wish is for both of my sisters to be treated well and protected.”

  “She is and will always be safe. Ye have my word,” Duncan said meaning it, and took Evander’s extended hand.

  There was a soft knock and a servant walked in. “Last meal is about to be served.”

  Duncan showed Evander to the dining room and took his seat next to Beatrice who gave him a questioning look.

  “I will explain later,” he whispered into her ear.

  All his brothers, except for Caelan, who planned to arrive the next day attended last meal. The women mostly spoke to Ewan’s wife Catriona about the newly born boy, while his brothers found out that Evander was an avid hunter and began to talk of planning a hunt.

  For the most part he remained quiet, listening to the conversations. Duncan realized Evander had not demanded a reply to the Macdonald’s invitation. Perhaps he would be more understanding of him not wishing to go.

  Separate bedchambers had allowed him to protect Beatrice from overhearing anything during his horrible dreams and from accidentally seeing his scars.

  If he declined, it would hurt her and he hated it, but going to another place for an entire season terrified him.

  “Are ye not hungry?” Beatrice asked with an incredulous expression. She was aware he loved Greer’s cooking.

  “I am,” he said picking up the meat and biting into it.

  Thankfully, the conversation drew her back in and she stopped paying attention to him. Duncan felt someone watching and looked up to meet Darach’s gaze. His brother looked to his mother and back to him.

  Duncan listened to what was being said. Apparently, his mother planned to join him and Beatrice for a season in North Uist, along with Darach and Isobel.

  What was Darach thinking? Had his brother gone daft from being in love and not considered that an entire season was too long for both eldest brothers to be gone from Keep Ross?

  Stuart and Gideon joined in the conversation seeming to agree that due to the cold weather, there would be little trouble. If they planned and ensured the people had food stock and any repairs done to the homes, there was no impediment to them going.

  Duncan pushed from the table and walked out without looking back.

  At first, he thought the wind howled in his ears, however, it was his own heartbeat. It had been a trying day, filled with too many people and too much conversation. Then there was the consensus of those in his family that he should travel to see the Macdonald.

  As if he’d ever been part of such a party. The only time he’d traveled with a group and stayed in close quarters was when he was a captive and that was out of his control. This was not.

  “Duncan,” Beatrice walked to him. It bothered him that she approached with caution, measuring her steps. “I am sorry about my brother. I know he can be hot-tempered…”

  A part of him wanted to crush her against him, at the same time the urge to mount and leave was just as strong. Perhaps even stronger.

  He was about to do exactly that, he realized, looking over his shoulder to see he stood next to
the horse corral.

  “I needed air,” he explained. “Too many people and conversation. I am not angry at yer brother. He has a right to demand an explanation and question me about ye.”

  Beatrice bit her bottom lip, the action making him want to kiss the moistened morsel when she released it. “I have to admit, I was more worried about him than ye. Ye are so much larger.” She giggled. “I had a vision of ye throwing him across the courtyard, much like a heavy stone or a caber.”

  “The idea occurred to me when he wouldn’t listen,” Duncan admitted. “But I would not do anything so violent, especially not in front of ye.”

  She rushed to him and wrapped her arms around his midsection, her head against the center of Duncan’s chest. “Ye are a good man, husband.”

  Beatrice was like a balm to his troubled soul, a soothing elixir that seeped through the layers of scarring, making him feel like a normal man.

  Pulling her tight, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Is yer mother cross with ye?”

  “Very much so. She is somewhat soothed with the idea of a wedding celebration. But I foresee a private scolding in my immediate future. I am sure she and Evander have much to say.”

  “Would ye like me to be present?”

  She lifted her face up to his and Duncan kissed her lightly.

  “Nay. I know what they will say, and they will be correct in their anger that I acted without thought. My impulsiveness has gotten me into situations in the past. None with such broad consequences.”

  Duncan placed his finger under her chin lifting her face. “In this instance, I am glad of the consequences.”

  Her smile brightened his mood. “I admit to enjoying the result of my actions very much.”

  As if his manhood had ears, it began to harden. Beatrice must have sensed his arousal because she rubbed her hands up and down his back. If only it were possible for her to touch his skin.

  “We should return indoors. It may be best for ye to face them now and get it over with.”

  “True,” Beatrice replied. “Tomorrow the wedding celebration begins. Did ye remember to bring yer tartan and crest?”