by Wine, Mary
“Muir, ma’am,” he introduced himself. “I’d be happy to show ye the way to the hall for supper.”
The passageway was nothing but a place to get from the tower to the other parts of the castle. Here, there were not even storerooms, for she was beneath one of the walls which formed the inner yard. The north tower afforded a secondary defense position in the event of attack.
“I know me way, thank ye.” She started down the passageway.
Muir keep pace with her.
She turned and peered at him. He reached up and tugged on the corner of his cap once again. “The laird tasked me with seeing to ye, mistress.”
Rhedyn felt her chest tighten once again. “I am perfectly well upon me own.”
The words were barely past her lips when the events of the day rose from her memory. Muir’s expression changed, too, making it clear he was thinking the same thing. Her words were foolish, but there was no getting them back.
“Did ye say it was supper time?”
“Aye, this way, mistress,” he replied jovially.
But he didn’t lead the way. Instead, the Retainer remained behind her as he extended his hand.
Conversation drifted out of the hall as they drew closer. It was full of Mackenzie Retainers. Long tables ran the length of it, and the scent of roasting meat hung on the evening air. There were over two hundred Retainers. It was a staggering amount, for her own father would be hard pressed to assemble a hundred. The Mackenzies had always been a clan with strong numbers.
Her father would have considered a match with Buchanan as something grand.
Should ye take the opportunity?
“Ye will be me wife,” he muttered firmly. “Because I want to put me hands on ye, lass.”
Rhedyn felt her cheeks heating. Putting his hands on her was something she understood very well. Seeing Buchanan sitting at the end of the hall where a platform held the high table, she discovered her mouth going dry.
Did she dare?
Truly dare to take the Church blessing and allow him to do more than kiss her?
Do ye want to let him do more?
Laird McLeod was sitting beside Buchanan. The McLeod captains were next to their laird, proving that her new uncle was very much pleased with the idea of there being a wedding. Of course, the McLeod and Mackenzie had been allies for a long time, so it made sense that Cedric McLeod wouldn’t want the situation between her and Buchanan to remain one of discord. Buchanan might simply be doing his best to beguile her in order to avoid a strain on his friendship.
“There is a seat at the high table for ye, mistress,” Muir explained when she continued to linger in the passageway.
A quick look at him made her step forward, for she realized she was keeping him from supper. He’d been assigned to guard her and took the duty seriously.
Another responsibility she’d learned young. Her escort wouldn’t leave her unattended. If she decided to sulk and skip a meal, she would be responsible for depriving others of their due. At the high table, Cora was seated beside Buchanan.
The conversation in the hall quieted as she walked in. Men watched her from over the rims of their mugs. The maids who were busy carrying in platters of food slowed as their attention settled on her. At least that was not so unfamiliar. Rhedyn held her hands the way she’d been taught young, carrying her chin level as she took steady steps toward the table.
She must always appear composed.
Well, ye have that in common with yer groom.
It was a bit of a startling thought. Really, it shouldn’t have been, but discovering a common ground was quite refreshing. At least it enabled her to make it to the end of the aisle. Rhedyn stopped and lowered herself in a neat, well-practiced courtesy. Buchanan was laird.
And he wasn’t a villain.
So, she’d give him the respect due his position. There were a few nods of approval in response.
“Good evening to ye, Rhedyn,” Buchanan greeted her.
But she didn’t rise. Cedric nodded approvingly as she waited for him to raise her.
“Come and join us, niece,” Cedric said so it was heard throughout the hall.
Rhedyn straightened. Known as the high ground, only the laird and his family sat there. She climbed up the few steps to reach it and went to a chair that had been pulled out for her.
A bit later, Cora began tapping a single fingertip against the surface of the table as she thought through whatever was on her mind. “Are ye content to wed me brother?”
Rhedyn was bringing her cup to her lips when Cora finally spoke.
“There is no reason for her to not be content, Cora,” Cedric McLeod declared. “A match between Lindsey and Mackenzie is a fine one. Do nae be jealous, young Cora. Yer father made fine arrangements for ye.”
Cora returned to tapping the table top. She looked between her brother and Rhedyn before settling into the meal. The exchange hadn’t gone unnoticed. Many of the Retainers breaking bread at the long tables were quiet as they listened to the conversation.
They were also taking the opportunity to get a good look at Rhedyn. The news of what had happened in the stables had clearly made its way through the ranks now. Rhedyn struggled to swallow every mouthful as she scanned the men and women eyeing her. There was everything from pity to outright hostility being aimed her way. As she met their gazes, more than one man leaned over to spit on the floor.
Hamish had friends to be certain.
“It would be far better for me to send ye home, for there are plenty in me clan who will not be pleased to see me making ye the lady of this stronghold.”
Buchanan’s words filled her with an odd sense of warmth. He was willing to face his men for the sake of keeping her. Rolfe had come to court her with his father’s blessing. She should have still preferred his suit, for it would be a union with far less animosity.
But it would have far less passion, too.
There was a thump as Buchanan put his mug down hard on the table. The Retainer who had just spit on the floor met the gaze of his laird, but there wasn’t any sign of remorse on the man’s face. His silence was the most obedience he appeared to be willing to give.
“The wedding is tomorrow,” Buchanan declared. His tone was tense as he made his words loud enough to carry to the end of the hall.
A platter dropped to the floor in response. A rumble of disagreement started up next. Buchanan shoved his chair back and flattened his hands on the table.
“Would ye prefer I give the Lindsey time to hear of the matter with Hamish so they can march on us?”
Some of the dissent stopped, but there were still more glares of disproval being aimed their way than happy expressions.
“I took the girl to avoid spilling blood. So, I will wed her quickly for the same reason.”
*
“I would have a few words with me niece,” Cedric McLeod informed Muir.
The Mackenzie Retainer tugged on the corner of his bonnet before he sent a look toward Rhedyn. “I will no’ be far.”
“It would seem no’ every Mackenzie wants yer blood, lass,” Cedric began. “It’s a fair enough place to begin any marriage.”
Just outside the great hall, Rhedyn had paused to take a few moments to breathe. Supper had stretched out forever as everyone appeared to be contemplating her.
“Vychan deserves a place that is no tainted by his mother’s sin,” Cedric continued as he stepped closer. He lowered his tone so their conversation didn’t carry. “Be a good lass and understand this match is good for the Lindseys.”
“Ye mean it’s good for ye,” Rhedyn spoke her mind.
“Aye,” Cedric agreed. “It is good, for it will keep the peace. Ye are mature enough to understand it’s yer duty to wed for the sake of yer kin.”
His expression was grim. Any hope she’d held onto about asking him for escort home died as she got a look at his set face.
Rhedyn felt like she was being strangled.
“Rhedyn,” Cora suddenly appeare
d. “There ye are. I have some matters to discuss with ye.”
Cora swept forward, offering Laird McLeod an innocent smile.
“We’re finished,” Cedric McLeod said. “I just wanted to make sure me niece…” he stressed the relation, “knows I am very pleased with the match. Tomorrow will be a fine day to witness her marriage.”
Cora offered him a nod as the laird left.
But Cedric sent Rhedyn a final look.
“What a toad,” Cora muttered under her breath. “He’s so bloated, I doubt he can see his own prick when he pisses.”
Rhedyn choked on a giggle. Cedric McLeod did have a plump belly. Cora shifted her gaze to her.
But Muir came between them almost as quickly as Laird McLeod left.
“Good night to ye, Mistress Cora,” Muir said.
Cora opened her mouth to argue, but Muir wasn’t alone. Two more Mackenzie Retainers appeared.
That feeling of being strangled intensified.
But there was no help for it. The only thing Rhedyn seemed to have a choice in was the manner in which she arrived in her chamber.
Rhedyn flattened herself against the door in her room as she shut it firmly.
Holy Christ!
She was suddenly furious to discover she didn’t know any profane words fitting for the moment. ‘Damn’ wasn’t nearly strong enough for the way she felt.
She needed to escape.
*
It wasn’t the first time Cora had left her chamber after dark. She stuffed her hair into a bonnet and slipped down the steps.
“Go back to yer chamber, Cora.”
She stiffened. Shona emerged from the shadows at the base of the stairs.
“Did me brother set ye here to watch me? Ye are no’ a fool.” Cora faced off with her. “I know well that ye are me half-sister in spite of everyone tip toeing around the truth as though the words would scorch me ears. But must ye do everything he demands of ye?”
Shona didn’t recoil from the bite in Cora’s tone. Instead, she moved closer, keeping a steady connection between their gazes. “I would have introduced ye to being an adult long before now, Cora. Still, it is not up to me to make the rules of the house.”
Cora tossed her head. “Oh, aye, I understand well enough that men run this world.”
“Ye’ve naught to be so concerned about. Yer brother does not treat Rhedyn poorly. And if she returns home, marriage is something she will face even there.”
Cora wasn’t in the mood to back down. “Rhedyn being forced to wed is a matter I think worthy of being concerned over.”
Shona merely lifted an eyebrow. “Are ye planning to ride out into the unknown of the night? Just the pair of ye against anyone who might be raiding or drunk?”
“She shouldn’t be forced to wed. I don’t want to wed Cormac Grant, either,” Cora insisted.
“Ye do nae even know the man.”
“Are ye going to tell me to make the best of my arranged marriage?”
Shona tilted her head to one side. “I’ll advise ye to no’ throw something away without taking a look to see what it is first. Only a child cries for fruit in the dead of winter while refusing a bowl of porridge to fill its belly.”
Cora understood well enough.
“Raging has its place, Cora,” Shona continued. “What ye need to learn is when to fight and when to realize ye might lose what ye already have. For the moment, yer wedding date has not been set.”
“Agreed,” Cora said quickly. “We should be talking about ways to help Rhedyn escape.”
“Did ye no’ hear me advice about taking a look at what ye have before discarding it?” Shona asked. “There is a spark between yer brother and Rhedyn Lindsey.”
“But he stole her.”
“Does it differ so vastly from a contracted bride?” Shona asked. “I do nae believe so. Either way, Rhedyn would no’ have been asked her opinion on the matter of who her groom was. Yer brother was willing to make it clear in the hall tonight that he will no’ tolerate Rhedyn being disrespected. If she leaves here, her father will wed her to someone who might decide to feud against us over the offense of her being stolen. This is about more than just one woman.”
Just as Cora wasn’t going to be consulted on the matter of her marriage to Cormac Grant.
He might not be so terrible…
She forced herself to repeat that bit of logic. Shona made a good point about taking a look at the man before forming an opinion.
But Rhedyn was a different matter.
“Ye owe everything to me brother,” Cora boldly spoke her mind. “So, ye are here to make certain I do nae help Rhedyn escape.”
“Yes, I am also a sibling of the laird,” Shona agreed. “Decisions must be made for the good of the clan. Ye are being childish by not seeing the dangers of running away. If ye are found dead tomorrow, there will be plenty of blood spilled over it.”
Shona planted herself in front of Cora, making it clear she wasn’t going to back down. For the moment, it was only the pair of them, but if there was a scuffle, Cora was sure some of the Retainers asleep in the hall would hear them.
She didn’t care for the feeling of helplessness that enveloped her.
And there was no way to escape it.
*
Shona watched Cora turn around and begin climbing the stairs to her chamber. The bottom of her skirts were just disappearing when Buchanan joined her. Shona inclined her head.
“I will no’ forget yer help tonight,” he said.
“I advise ye to think more about the fact yer sister will no’ forget that she lost this battle tonight.”
Buchanan locked gazes with Shona. “I did no’ make the match between her and the Grants. Ending it will be a tricky matter. Do nae make the mistake of thinking I favor the alliance over Cora’s happiness. But as ye pointed out to her, raging against a man she has never met is no’ a solution.” He left her alone.
Shona was left pondering his words. She set her back against the stone wall, something she’d done many, many times in the past, for a bastard daughter’s life was easier when she didn’t stick out too often.
Fight for what she wants?
Shona smiled.
Well, what was good for Cora was good for her brother.
Shona felt her mind settling on a decision. Once made, she turned and walked through the dark passageways until she came to the stillroom. Inside were the herbs. Some were used as spices and others for medicines. She withdrew a small key and fit it into the lock.
*
Someone knocked on the chamber door later that night. Rhedyn looked up as Buchanan opened it and came inside. He contemplated her for a long moment, as though he was still debating with himself just what it was he wanted to do.
“Come here, lass, and kiss me.”
He went so far as to beckon to her with his finger. But the look on his face made it clear he expected her to refuse him.
Which was likely why she started toward him. Surprise flashed through his eyes, fanning her need to shock him.
What precisely was she doing? Rhedyn had no idea beyond the fact that she liked feeling brazen far more than the panic which had so recently been threatening to consume her. Whatever the reason, she moved so quickly, Buchanan stumbled back against the door.
“Christ,” he muttered under his breath.
Rhedyn stopped two paces from him. A smile softened his expression as he recognized the humor in the moment. He reached up and tugged on the corner of his knitted cap.
“I’m impressed, lass.”
“If ye came up here expecting to find me weeping,” she said, “ye can take yerself back the way ye came.”
She turned away from him.
He caught her wrist. “I came to offer to take ye away if ye do nae want to marry me.”
“What?”
“Ye heard me, Rhedyn. I will take ye out of this stronghold and return ye to yer father.”
The expression on his face told her he was serious, and s
he was close enough to him to tell that he wasn’t soaked in whiskey. “Why would ye offer me such a thing?”
“Because if I do nae offer ye escape, the matter of how ye became me wife will always be between us.”
It would be.
His offer left her standing there, staring at him without a clear idea of just how to proceed. “I do nae know what to do.”
Should she leave?
Dare she stay?
She’d thought coming to terms with her circumstances was difficult, but it was nothing compared to how overwhelmed she felt now that he was offering her freedom.
“If ye are undecided, kiss me.”
She tugged to free herself from his grasp, but he didn’t let her go. “Why would I do something like that?”
“Because Rolfe Munro will be waiting for ye if I return ye to yer father. Dare ye go back and chance being wed to him while thinking about me?”
Her eyes widened. “Ye arrogant—”
She finally managed to pull away from him.
“Ye said Rolfe Munro stole a kiss from ye.”
“Aye,” she said. “But I should no’ have told ye.”
Buchanan moved toward her, and Rhedyn shifted to one side. It wasn’t really retreating, just adjusting.
“Ye said his kiss did nae move ye.”
Her body tingled with need. Her belly tightened as she watched the way his lips thinned as he looked her over. He raised his hand and curled his finger once more in her direction.
“Come and see what ye think of my kiss.”
Rhedyn shook her head. It drew a husky chuckle from Buchanan.
“And why no’?” he asked devilishly. “Do ye believe that because I am a man, I do no’ care to have a woman who fancies me? Let us see if we have the makings of a good match.”
“Do you care what a woman thinks of ye?” She really shouldn’t have asked the question. It was devoid of modesty, but she just couldn’t help herself. He was right. Rolfe would come back. And although he offered her a fine match in many ways, she didn’t blush for him.
“We were both born to our positions, Rhedyn,” he said. “I know the woman I wed must be one who brings an alliance. I would have passion as well.”