Bound to the Highlander (The Highland Chiefs Series)

by Robbins, Kate

  Well now, where was she going? The temptation was too great, he must follow her. He almost could hear Calum mocking him. I thought you said you didn’t want her.

  James located a route to the rear courtyard. Away from the castle, he entered a small maze. Although it was only May, there was no doubt the area was well tended and worth the praise he’d heard over the years. He listened for her, but no sound met his ears so he crept further along the path. Crunching stone just ahead caught his attention.

  He followed as quietly as he could to avoid detection and continued along in this way for a while until he caught sight, not of Aileana, but a man. He was dark haired and tall wearing a black padded jerkin and common plaid. The man peeked around the tall hedge. James positioned himself to better glean what was in the man’s line of view and his hair prickled. There, sitting on a flat rock near a pond was Aileana. He stepped forward to get a better view of her and alerted the man to his presence. Their gazes locked.

  The cousin.

  The man scowled and dashed through the brush. When James turned back to Aileana, she was staring at him.

  Her eyes were wide and her cheeks red as flame. “Did you follow me, my lord?”

  Aye, and now I know your true purpose.

  “I sought some fresh air and was curious about the famed Chattan gardens. I heard a noise and followed it here.” Would she admit to the tryst she had planned with her constable?

  “Well you’ve located its source, although I did not know my step was so heavy.”

  “I should think not. Though yours was not the step I heard, was it?” He held his breath while he waited for her response. Would she admit it? He did not relish the revelation of her relationship with another, but this was his best way out. Still, her deceit left a sour taste in his mouth.

  “I beg your pardon, my lord. I do not know what you mean.”

  So she would lie. How dare she deceive him. His jaw clenched. He would not indulge her. “How does your aunt fare?”

  Her chin raised and her back straightened. “She is recovered and will be pleased by your inquiry.” Her demeanour was far too cool.

  “I am pleased to hear it. Will you return to the castle with me? I believe our guests may form the wrong conclusion should we remain without a chaperone for much longer.” He was curious to learn what her reaction would be to that comment. Or perhaps she didn’t care about appearances.

  “Aye, my lord I will accompany you. Thank you for your consideration for my reputation. Most of the guests have retired to their rooms for a light rest before the evening feast.”

  He held out his arm to her and watched her cross the garden. When she reached him, her brow was furrowed, yet when their gazes met, he saw a flicker of a smile and found himself staring at her mouth again. Her lips parted and it was a great effort to tear his thoughts from the surge of desire shooting straight to his loins. He despised his body’s response to her.

  What a fool she would make of him.

  Well, two could play that game. He would show her that stoking his fire would burn, white hot. Did she think she could smile at him and he would become blinded to her loose ways? Perhaps that was why she kept a witch, to drug those who would stand between her and what she wanted. Oh, he’d teach her a lesson all right. She’d find out he was a master at this game. Now, at least, he could have her in whatever manner he chose and feel no guilt for seducing an innocent. In the end, she would beg him to take her but he could prolong her torture for as long as possible. Tonight, he’d have her admit her guilt. Then he would have her.

  * * *

  Aileana and James walked together toward their chambers. When she turned to pass a parting comment, he surprised her by taking her hand and pressed it to his lips. His mouth was soft and warm against her skin. Raw heat moved through her. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words would come as he kissed her hand and stroked her palm with his fingers.

  “Rest well, we have a long night ahead of us yet,” he said. She watched his lips curl around his words. Her heart fluttered wild.

  Before she could gather her thoughts, he gave her a devastating smile and disappeared around the corner and into his own chamber. Aileana entered hers and closed the door before collapsing in her chair near the open window. She didn’t know what to make of him. He was as arrogant as the day was long and infuriating to boot. Who did the man think he was provoking poor Aunt Sheena like that? Did he think a kiss on her hand, albeit a nice one, forgave his behaviour?

  Why Sheena had brushed off the incident once back in her room was a mystery. She dumped Aileana at her door and begged for Gwen’s assistance. Aileana’s respite in the garden was interrupted by the same man who’d frustrated her to begin with. Would she ever know peace again?

  She was attracted to him, of that she had no doubt, but it did not help her cause. He had agreed to honour her uncle’s wishes and that would make him her husband. Were they to live together, she would expect fidelity, though his reputation concerned her for she had no reason to disbelieve the stories. What if he was the kind of man who could never be satisfied by one woman? What if any affair he was engaged in continued after the wedding? And should that matter to her if they were to live apart? She would have to see him on occasion, considering she would bear his children. An image of their wedding night set her stomach fluttering again and unwanted heat to her cheeks.

  An unexpected knock at the door made her jump. James’s deep timbre on the other side was unmistakable. When she opened the door she discovered he and Father Addison.

  “My child, are you unwell?” Father Addison asked, his tone full of concern.

  “We’re sorry to interrupt your respite my lady, however, we request your immediate presence in the solar to discuss an urgent message I just received,” James said, saving her the trouble of explaining her flushed skin. His gaze was intense. If she didn’t know better, she’d say he was well aware of the direction her thoughts had taken. He couldn’t though. This missive must be serious.

  “I am well I assure you, thank you, Father. Please lead the way.”

  After the older man moved ahead of them, James reached for Aileana’s elbow to guide her along. His expression turned hard as soon as his hand touched her arm. His jaw clenched and his lips formed a straight line. His fingers applied hard pressure on her arm. Something was terribly wrong, she could sense it in him.

  Aileana followed the men into her uncle’s solar and James closed the door behind her. Before she could question, James motioned for her to sit down.

  “My lord, if the news is so dire, I would prefer to stand. Please proceed.”

  “Very well,” he said. “As I mentioned, I just received an urgent message. It was from my steward. He provided a report from the scouts I have positioned at strategic locations throughout this region for precautionary measures. I’ve had them there since the raid on the MacKenzie clan last year.”

  She remembered it well, homes burned, women violated. It wasn’t just for looting purposes, these raiders were barbaric. She swallowed hard and bit the inside of her cheek as James continued.

  “He said one of my scouts just returned to Moy Hall like the devil himself lay chase. He saw a raiding party about ten miles north of here. He couldn’t be sure of their destination and tracked back to alert us.” The news was not easy to digest. “I realize the impact of my next statement, but I feel it best if we cut the festivities short.”

  She tried to make no outward appearance of the disarm tugging at her.

  When she did not speak, James continued. “I see no harm in continuing with the events planned for the rest of the day, but I suggest on the morrow, this residence as well as my own and others in the area prepare for possible attack.”

  Her guts lurched.

  Aileana shook her head. “That cannot be. Surely this small pack of raiders is not bold enough to attack a property as large as yours or mine? I agree we should be cautious. We shall send reinforcements to any small residences in the area and pr
ovide shelter to any who would wish to have it. However, I’m sorry, but I cannot believe Chattan Castle would ever be attacked.”

  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 quite 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 news.

  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 MacIntosh 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 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 stained 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.