He wanted to wed her. When his wedding day came, he wanted to look down the aisle and see her walking towards him—only her.
He took a deep breath. He would find a way to defeat Howard, without the help of the Laird of Lios. His knuckles tightened. He must.
Roseann climbed out of bed, walking slowly towards the window. She heard the sharp clattering of wheels on stone as if many carts were entering through the gates. There seemed to be a great commotion going on in the courtyard.
She blinked rapidly, trying to clear the last of the sleep away. It had been a strange few days at the castle. Something was clearly going on, but Domhnall was so busy conferring with his men, that she hadn’t had a chance to even speak with him since they had been abruptly called back to Coirecrag by Fearghas and MacTavish.
She gazed down, mystified. There was great activity, many carts, and men on horseback and a grand carriage, which slowly drew to a halt. Curious, she leaned closer to the window and pressed her nose against the glass.
The carriage door opened, and a servant sprang forward to help the person inside descend. Roseann saw that it was a woman.
The woman slowly stepped down, gazing around her. She was richly dressed; her gown was of green silk and damask and fashionably cut. She had long, auburn hair, which fell to her waist, and Roseann saw gemstones sparkling around her neck.
Suddenly, the woman raised her eyes and stared straight at her. The gaze was blue and steady.
Roseann shrank back out of the line of sight. Her heart was beating hard. For some reason, she felt like she had been caught doing something that she shouldn’t.
Hesitantly, she peered out the window again, just in time to see the train of the lady’s gown disappear as she entered the castle.
Roseann’s heart started to beat faster. A strange feeling of foreboding had entered her heart.
Who was the woman? And why was she at Coirecrag?
16
Lady Sineag Crannach slowly walked into the chamber, taking off her cloak and tossing it on a chair in a corner. All around her was a buzz of activity; servants coming and going and preparing the room. They had obviously just gotten word that she was arriving at Coirecrag.
Wrinkling her nose, she looked around, noting every fine detail. There were cobwebs in the corners of the chamber, and a strong, musty smell emanated from it. It had obviously not been used or aired in a long while.
“Ye will find rose petals,” she said, turning to the nearest servant. “And infuse them in bowls of water to get rid of this terrible smell.” She smiled. “If ye please.”
The girl flushed but she nodded and curtseyed. “Of course, my lady.”
Lady Sineag walked to the window, staring out into the courtyard. Her guard, who were her father’s men, were all here now, dismounting their horses and talking with the men of Greum Dubh. Soon they would go to the kitchen to eat, drink, and find out exactly the situation that had necessitated this swift journey from Balness castle, her home to the west. The seat of power, of her father, the Laird of Lios.
She pursed her lips, staring down at the castle folk going about their business. The prosperity of the people of Greum Dubh was well known. The Laird was obviously good and fair to his people.
Suddenly, her eye caught one person weaving through the people in the courtyard. A woman. Sineag frowned slightly, studying her. She was dressed modestly enough in a plain blue kirtle, but there was something about the way she held herself. She had curling dark hair, falling almost to her waist, a milky pale complexion, and wide-sweeping cheekbones.
Sineag kept watching her. There was no denying the woman’s beauty, but there was something else in her bearing. She was a lady, she was sure of it, for all her modest dress.
“My Lady.”
Sineag turned around. A servant girl stood there, staring at her, pulling at her apron nervously.
“Well?” Sineag stared at her. “What is it, girl?”
“The Laird requests yer presence in his study,” said the girl quickly. “If ye like, I can show ye where it is, and take ye straight there.”
Sineag rolled her eyes. “I have only just arrived,” she said tightly. “I would have thought the Laird would let me rest until I saw him.” She paused. “But never mind! Perhaps it is better to do it now. What is yer name, girl?”
“Brighde, lady,” said the girl demurely.
Sineag smiled. “Well, Brighde, lead the way to yer Laird. I shall follow ye.”
Domhnall picked up the goblet of mead and drank deeply. He had watched the carts and carriage slowly meander through the castle gates with all the pomp of a royal procession, but he hadn’t gone to greet the lady and her men, pleading important business.
His face darkened. It had been a lie. He did have important business, of course, in this sudden troubling time, but that was not the reason he hadn’t met the carriage. It was just that for some reason, he simply couldn’t bring himself to, at that moment. As if by delaying it, he could somehow stave off the inevitable.
He took another long sip of the mead. It was useless, of course. He must greet her, and so he had summoned his resolve and called for her.
He drained the goblet and slammed it on the desk. He was so tense he could feel a tightness, right across the top of his head.
There was a knock at the door. He took a deep breath. “Come in.”
The door opened. Brighde entered first, followed by a tall, slim woman with long auburn hair. He had seen her briefly when she had stepped down from the carriage.
His eyes flickered over her, studying her at a closer range. Yes, she was tall; she stood at least a head above Brighde, but he would still look down on her, of course. The silk green gown she wore, so fashionably cut, complemented her coloring.
She’s pretty, he thought. Very pretty. She had a round, wide face and blue eyes, which she turned on him now, batting her eyelashes in a flirtatious manner.
“Laird MacBeathag,” she said, sweeping over to him and curtseying slightly. “We meet at long last!”
“Lady Sineag,” he said, inclining his head. “I trust yer journey was comfortable and safe?”
She nodded. “It was, Laird.” She sighed dramatically. “My faither’s men were on high alert, of course, for the renegade English camp that have been terrorizing yer lands, but thank the Lord we passed through without incident…”
“That is good to hear,” he said, forcing a smile onto his face. “Please, sit down. Would ye like a goblet of mead to refresh yerself after the trip?”
“That would be perfect,” she replied, sitting down on the seat opposite his desk, carefully spreading the skirt of her gown around her. “I do not usually tipple at such an early hour, ye ken, but it was a long trip, so maybe just this once…”
He poured her the drink and passed it to her, and refreshed his own. He didn’t usually drink at this time of day, either, but he felt in need of the false courage it might bring him.
He sat down at his desk, feeling about as low as he had ever felt in his life. The Lady Sineag was lovely looking and seemed perfectly charming. In other circumstances, he might have even gazed on her warmly. But all he could think about was Roseann, and what she would do and say when she found out why the lady was here.
He sipped his drink. He had been a coward. He had avoided telling her that the Lady Sineag was coming to Coirecrag, and the pact his father had made with the Laird of Lios had been activated. On two occasions, he had almost called for her to speak with her about it and plead for her understanding. And both those times, he had shirked, anticipating her hurt and anger.
His heart tightened. He didn’t want to lose her; it was as simple as that. But he knew he was just delaying the inevitable, yet again. Roseann must be aware by now, that his important guest had arrived. She wasn’t blind or stupid. The whole castle was abuzz with it now. All she would have to do was ask someone who had arrived, and they would tell her.
She had accepted that he was busy and that a crisis had
loomed. She hadn’t sought him out. She had stayed in the background, knowing that he had important business to attend to, as Laird. He had ached to hold her in his arms again, to take her to his chambers and never let her go, to reassure her she was the only woman he loved or would ever love.
He took a deep breath. If he was just a man, like any other, maybe he could have done that. But he was a Laird, and he had a duty to protect his people. The decision had been agonizing, but he had made it when he had eventually conceded that there was no other way to acquire the fighting men he needed.
Howard must be stopped. People’s lives were in danger, as well as their livelihood and their homes. Surely, Roseann would understand that he had no choice?
“Ye seem reflective, Laird,” said the lady, sitting opposite him, staring at him keenly over the rim of her goblet. “These are troubling times, indeed. My faither is committed to helping ye. We daenae want the English blaggards to come onto our lands, either.”
Domhnall smiled slightly. “I thank the Lord for yer faither’s assistance in the matter, Lady Sineag.” He leaned forward slightly in his seat, gazing at her. “Has the Laird of Lios sent word with ye, of when I can expect the men that he promised?”
The lady took another sip of her wine. “They will be arrivin’ soon, Laird. My faither is delayed with a clan skirmish to the north of our lands, at present, but he will come to Coirecrag as soon as he is able with the men.” She paused. “And to make sure all the parts of the pact are signed off, of course.” She leaned backwards in her seat, smiling at him.
Domhnall stared at her. She had just reminded him, very subtly, that there would be no men if the betrothal wasn’t formally announced. The Laird wouldn’t allow even one of his men to fight on his behalf without it. The pact was watertight, and Baltair Crannach was determined to enforce it to the letter.
That was why the Lady Sineag had arrived before her father, as well. He had only sent word to Crannach two days ago, requesting his help. He wasn’t convinced that the Laird had another pressing matter to deal with, as the lady claimed. He had sent his daughter ahead to force his hand on the matter. If the lady was here ensconced at Coirecrag, then the word was already out that Domhnall was intending to marry her. The Laird of Lios knew he was honor-bound, now, not to shame the lady.
His heart tightened again. He was sure that the Laird of Lios would not be arriving with his fighting men until the betrothal was formally announced. Only when it had been, would the man travel to Coirecrag with the men so sorely needed.
And time was ticking. The longer he dallied in formally announcing the betrothal, the longer until he had the fighting strength that he needed. Howard and his band of blaggards could sweep through many villages at that time.
His face darkened at the thought. The Laird of Lios had his balls on a platter, and he was twisting them, for good measure.
Roseann, he thought despairingly. I am sorry, my love. But I have no choice.
Roseann walked out of the chapel. It had been so quiet in there; the noise of the courtyard was almost jarring by comparison.
She frowned, walking swiftly through the courtyard. Who were these people who had just arrived? She knew it was something to do with the urgent business Domhnall was attending to, but he had been so busy, she had barely seen him, never mind had the time to ask him what was going on.
Her heart stirred uneasily. The grand lady with the auburn hair. Why was she here?
She pushed her way through the crowd. Suddenly, she spotted Mairead carrying a basket filled with herbs. She kept jostling until she was standing in front of Cormac’s nursemaid.
“Mairead,” she said frowning. “What is going on? Who are these people that have just arrived at the castle?”
Mairead sighed. “The Laird has nae told ye, lady?”
Roseann shook her head. “I have barely seen him…”
Mairead looked uncomfortable. “I daenae want to tell ye either, lass,” she said slowly. “I ken how ye feel for him, and I ken he feels the same way, about ye…”
“What?” she interrupted. The uneasiness that had invaded her heart expanded. “Please, Mairead, just tell me!”
Mairead took a deep breath. “It is the Laird of Lios’ daughter who has just arrived, lass. The Lady Sineag.” She hesitated. “And she is here to announce her betrothal to our Laird. I am sorry…”
But Roseann wasn’t listening anymore. Her heart lurched violently.
He had promised he was going to break it.
He had lied.
17
Roseann pushed through the crowd of people; tears were blurring her vision. All she wanted was to escape them, to be alone. She didn’t care where.
She didn’t look back at Mairead. She knew the woman was concerned for her, but she couldn’t care about that, either. All she could think about was the brutal truth that Domhnall had lied to her, and what a stupid, trusting fool she had been.
She slowed down as she passed the stables, gazing in. It was dark in there; she could see horses leaning over their gates, staring at her with their large, velvet brown eyes. For some reason, it seemed comforting. A world away from the business of Coirecrag. A place where she could stop for a moment and think.
She stepped inside. “Hello?” she called, but there was no answer. Perhaps the farrier and stable hands were on a break.
She went further in, approaching one of the horses. It was the dappled grey that she had ridden when she had been taken to the loch to meet Domhnall. Tears fell down her cheeks as she greeted the horse, nuzzling his nose gently.
“You are beautiful,” she whispered to the beast, her tears falling heavier. “If only I could stay here with you forever and never be around people again.”
Domhnall’s heart lurched, thinking about the scene that he had just witnessed through the window, Roseann, speaking with Mairead. She had taken off, running and pushing through the crowd as if being pursued by the devil himself. And the old nursemaid had stood staring after her with a look of pity on her face.
She kens what is happening, he thought. She understands.
Lady Sineag had only just left, before he had approached the window, peering down into the courtyard. The lady had pleaded weariness from her journey, and he was more than happy to let her go. It was draining, even speaking with her. Knowing that she was the woman who he must spend the rest of his life with when he had no desire to do it.
His heart lurched again. The only woman he wanted to spend his life with was running now, through the courtyard and her heart broken. And he was the bastard who had done it to her.
Suddenly, he tore out of the room. He must find her. He didn’t know what he was going to say to her. He knew she would probably refuse to look at him, and not speak to him. But he must do it or surely die.
Roseann was still whispering softly to the horse and stroking his coat when a shadow loomed over her.
She turned, hastily wiping the tears off her face, expecting the farrier or one of the stable hands. But instead, she found herself staring into the face of the Laird himself.
She blanched, stepping back. “I do not want to speak to you.” She took a deep, ragged breath. “How did you find me here?”
“I saw ye,” he whispered, his face stricken. “I saw ye, running through the courtyard after talkin’ with Mairead, and I knew that ye had been told.”
Her heart sank like a stone in her chest. Somehow, a small part of her was still hoping that it wasn’t true. That Mairead had made a mistake and somehow gotten the information wrong, that the people who had suddenly arrived were here for a different reason. But that hope died a final death at that very moment.
“When were you planning to tell me?” she whispered, glaring at him. “Were you just planning to have the wedding ceremony, and then casually mention it to me as an afterthought?”
He groaned softly, running a hand through his hair. “I have been a coward,” he said slowly, gazing at her imploringly. “I wanted to tell ye, but I da
enae want to lose ye, Roseann. I knew ye would be hurt…”
She laughed shortly. “You want your bed warmed by another, as well as your wife? Is that it? You want me to stay on at Coirecrag, as your harlot, playing underling to your legal wife?”
He shook his head slowly. “I ken ye will nae do that. That is the type of woman ye are, and I love ye for it.” He hesitated. “I love ye, Roseann, with all my heart. I never wanted to do this. I only did so, because, without the Laird of Lios’ assistance, my people will die.”
She paled. “What is going on? Why haven’t you told me?”
A Pledge of Passion to the Highlander Page 12