Lord Keeper

by Tarah Scott

  Iain had his tartan wrapped around him a moment later, and they hurried to Katherine’s room. Just as Victoria had said, the girl was gone. Her dress lay in a heap on the couch. Iain threw back the heavy curtain that hung across the balcony door and found it locked. He dropped the curtains and crossed the room to Victoria. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her along until they reached his bedchamber.

  “Wait here,” he ordered, and pushed her across the threshold.

  “I will wait in the hall,” she insisted.

  Iain lifted a purposeful brow. “You forget the men sleeping in the hall.”

  Victoria shook her head and tried to push past him.

  “Cease,” he said. “I will return in a little while, and with that girl. Though she may receive a beating first.”

  At the shaken look on Victoria’s face, Iain realized he had hit upon the memory of the spanking he had given her. He would have laughed but, instead, made a hasty retreat.

  Twenty minutes later, Iain cursed at sight of Victoria hurrying across the courtyard toward him.

  “Nothing?” she asked once she had reached where he stood beside the stairs leading to the battlement.

  “Nay.”

  Fear flashed in her eyes.

  “We are making a thorough search,” he said more gently.

  “Do you think this has to do with Edwin?”

  “Aye,” Iain admitted, though how, he couldn’t fathom. He asked the question that had bothered him. “Why did he bring her?”

  “Because he knows I care for her, and he hoped she would persuade me to return to England. Fool,” she muttered. “He must have known the danger.” She searched Iain’s face. “How would he get her out of the keep?”

  “He could not have.”

  “Perhaps she went back to the cottage.” Victoria stepped aside for a warrior who hurried past and bound up the stairs. “I will look.” She turned, but Iain caught her arm.

  “Nay, I do not want to worry about you as well.”

  Her face paled. “If anything has happened to her…”

  “There are a dozen possibilities for why she is not in her room.”

  “Such as?”

  Iain hesitated. The truth was, he couldn’t think of one. “Perhaps she took a stroll,” he said. His logic brought no response, and he grinned. “Mayhap she fancies our Highland men, after all.”

  “Trust a man to reason thusly,” Victoria muttered as he shoved her in the direction of the castle and nodded to the nearest guard to escort her.

  * * *

  Victoria jolted awake. Pain shot through her neck where she’d fallen asleep against the hard wood of the kitchen chair. She cupped the spot with her hand and rolled her neck. Movement in the corner near the external door drew her attention. She paused, squinted in the faint light cast by the fireplace embers, and made out a human form.

  “Who is it?”

  When no answer came, she stood. “Who is there?” Still no answer. She took a step forward and the form retreated. “Why do you hide?” Another movement and Victoria recognized the flutter of a cloak. “Katherine?” A small gasp said she’d hit the mark.

  Victoria rushed forward, grabbed her arm, and dragged her to the fading fire. She yanked back the girl’s hood. “Where in Hades have you been? I have been sick with worry.”

  Katherine yanked free. “Calm yourself. I simply took a walk.”

  Victoria cursed. Her husband had been right. “Surely rest would have served you better?” she snapped.

  “I have been traveling ten days,” Katherine answered, a peevish note to her voice. “My body has grown stiff.”

  That, Victoria could sympathize with. Her trip to Fauldun Castle had been but four days and her back had been stiff as a board. “You cannot go about this time of night,” she said, despite her empathy. A lesson learned the hard way.

  “’Tis safe enough.”

  “The keep is large, much larger than Hockley Castle. You cannot—” Victoria halted when Riley rushed into the kitchen through the back door.

  His eyes met hers and he paled.

  “What has happened?” she demanded.

  His gaze riveted onto Katherine, and Victoria looked from him to her step-daughter. Iain’s words ran through her mind. “Mayhap she found she fancied our Highland men, after all.”

  “Perhaps the two of you would care to explain?”

  “Explain?” Riley said in a dazed voice.

  “I know tomfoolery when I see it.”

  “Nay, my lady. No tomfoolery.”

  Victoria raised a brow. “What, then?”

  “There is nothing to explain,” Katherine interjected. “I told you, I was out for a walk,”

  “A walk, is it?”

  “That is all,” Katherine replied with maddening aplomb.

  Victoria addressed Riley. “What have you to say?”

  “What could he add?” The girl gave a regal wave of her hand. “I have already told you, I was out for a walk.”

  “Riley can speak for himself,” Victoria said.

  But he remained mute.

  “Riley, fetch my lord.” She almost felt sorry for him when his face turned even whiter.

  “Why do you not listen?” Katherine said. “I was out for a walk. Why involve your husband?”

  “He is scouring the keep for you. Do you expect me not to tell him your whereabouts?”

  Riley blushed. “Nay, Ka—my lady is correct. We must tell the laird at once.”

  “As you wish,” Katherine retorted. “But I am tired and wish to retire.”

  Victoria caught her arm. “Now you are tired?” Pushing her into a chair, Victoria faced Riley. “Inform my lord we have found Katherine and ask him to come here immediately.”

  Riley turned.

  “Oh, and Riley.”

  He faced her again.

  “Be sure to return with him.”

  By the time the two men arrived, Victoria had a fire blazing in the hearth and Katherine still sat at the table.

  “All is well?” Iain asked.

  “I think not.” Victoria looked at Riley.

  Iain glanced between the two, plainly puzzled at the byplay.

  “Riley offered no explanations?” Victoria said.

  “He said Lady Hockley was found.”

  “I went for a walk.” Katherine put in. “I am sorry, my lord. I did not know anyone would be looking for me.” Her eyes softened. “Forgive me, it was an innocent mistake.”

  “Mistake?” Victoria snorted. “Speak plainly with Lord MacPherson, he is not a man to toy with.”

  Riley stepped forward. “Do not blame the lass, laird.”

  Iain’s face registered surprise. “What should I not blame her for?”

  “It is my fault she was not in her chambers.”

  “Did you force her from her room?”

  Riley shook his head.

  “Did you threaten her?”

  The lad looked shaken. “Nay, laird. I woudna’ do such a thing.”

  Iain regarded him. “What did you do?”

  Riley hung his head. “I asked her to meet me.”

  Iain looked at Katherine. “You went willingly?”

  Victoria started to say something, but he stopped her with a slight shake of his head.

  “Well, lass?” he pressed the girl.

  “I went for a walk,” she insisted.

  “You did not meet Riley?”

  She shrugged.

  “Do not be afraid. If Riley has wronged you, he will pay, not you.”

  Victoria gasped, but a nervous glance from Katherine confirmed Riley’s only fault had been in trusting her. Katherine made no move to answer. Iain sighed and extended a hand toward Riley. Without a word, the lad unbuckled his scabbard and handed scabbard and sword to Iain.

  “What does this mean?” Katherine demanded.

  “He will be punished,” Iain answered.

  She rose. “But he has committed no wrong.”

  “Never mind,” Victori
a said. “My lord will see he is dealt with.” Victoria was secretly impressed when Riley made no move to blame Katherine, but stood even straighter.

  “What is to be his fate?” Katherine asked.

  “It is of no consequence,” Victoria said, pushing her toward the door. Katherine resisted only slightly and Victoria feared she would let poor Riley go to his doom.

  “Wait.” Katherine stopped. “He did nothing wrong, my lord.”

  Victoria shook her head. “You are young and do not understand the way of things.”

  Katherine shot her a look of annoyance. “I will be seventeen in a month.”

  “Seventeen?” Iain repeated.

  His surprised response pulled Victoria’s attention to him.

  “A child, eh?” His gaze darkened. “’Tis a fine time to learn my wife is gifted in the art of deception.”

  “Sixteen is a child.”

  Iain shook his head. “Young, but not a child.” He turned to Katherine. “You have caused me no little discomfort, and on a night I am not inclined to tolerate intrusions. Out with it. What happened?”

  Riley stepped forward.

  “Nay, lad,” Iain stopped him.

  Katherine remained mute.

  “I warn you, Lady Hockley,” Iain’s voice grew hard. “Make haste with your explanation or Riley suffers the full extent of the law.”

  “What would that be?”

  Deadly silence fell on the room.

  “A lady’s honor is beyond reproach,” Iain said in a soft voice. “It is a serious crime for a man to dishonor her. He will be whipped and cast from the clan.”

  Riley flinched, but Katherine made no move to defend him and Iain added, “Then I will be forced to deal with your uncle.”

  Katherine’s eyes widened. “Please, my lord, I—I did meet him.”

  “And?”

  “He came to my room earlier.”

  Victoria gasped and, at last, Katherine had the good grace to blush.

  “He asked if I would meet him.”

  “You agreed?” Iain asked.

  She nodded. “Do you not see? He did nothing wrong. I met him of my own free will.”

  “But you are wrong. He did do wrong.”

  Genuine panic appeared on her face. “He did not force me into—into…”

  “Into what?” Iain demanded.

  “Nothing, we met and…talked.”

  Even Riley blanched at the obvious lie.

  “It would have been interesting to hear that conversation,” Iain commented.

  “My lord?” Katherine said.

  Iain reached toward her and produced a blade of grass from her hair, then held it out for her inspection. Katherine burst into tears. Iain grimaced and poor Riley shifted from one foot to the other.

  “Enough,” Victoria snapped.

  Katherine quieted.

  “Only a moment ago, you insisted you were not a child. Act like the grown woman you claim to be. This is a fine mess.” She glanced at Riley. “I wager the lad had no notion of what he was letting himself in for.” She ignored Katherine’s indignant gasp. “How you have changed. It has been one short year since last I saw you. What happened?”

  “My crime is not so bad,” the girl said.

  Victoria stared. “You care nothing for your reputation?”

  Katherine lifted her chin. “’Tis far less than what you did.”

  “What I did?” Victoria said in unison with Iain’s, “What she did?”

  “Do you refer to my stay here at Fauldun Castle?” Victoria demanded.

  “Aye.” Katherine replied.

  Victoria narrowed her eyes. “How interesting you should see the similarity. That situation ended in marriage, which is exactly how this shall end for you.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Nothing was as it should be. Victoria pushed open the stable door and slipped inside away from the morning sun. How had Katherine changed so much in so little time? Perhaps it is not she who has changed, a small voice whispered. Victoria frowned and the thought gave way to memory of her husband. He was no more the simple jailer she had believed him to be than Katherine was the innocent child. You never once suspected he could be more? She pushed aside the question, shifting her thoughts to Edwin. He hadn’t changed. His manner was just as remote that morning when Iain explained the situation with Katherine as it had been when he justified his reasons for staying gone after Richard’s death.

  “Victoria.”

  She whirled at the sound of Edwin’s voice.

  He strode toward her from the direction of the door. “I must speak with you.”

  With a glance around the stables, Victoria cursed providence’s judgment in keeping young Gilbert from his duties that morning. “If you wish to discuss King Henry’s letter, it is a waste of time,” she said. “If it is Katherine, you have already agreed to the marriage.”

  Two more long steps brought him beside her and he grasped her shoulders. “Katherine’s marriage is of no consequence. She has proven herself no different than her father. It is you I wish to discuss.” His hands slid down her arms to rest at her wrists. “I have missed you.”

  “You cannot miss what you never had, my lord.” She tried to draw back, but his fingers tightened around her wrists like the easy, yet invincible, weight of shackles.

  “You were married to my brother. I had to keep my distance.”

  “I am now married to Lord MacPherson.”

  Edwin gave a quick tug, pulling her so close his breath bathed her face. “It is time you come home.”

  She stared. “You cannot mean Hockley Castle? That was never my home.”

  “You do not belong here.”

  Victoria barked a laugh. “Your point is moot, my lord. I am married.”

  “The marriage can be annulled.”

  “I believe papal law decrees a consummated marriage is not so easily annulled.”

  “You need not fret.” A muscle flexed in his jaw, and Victoria recognized the determination Edwin Hockley was well known for. “I can deal with the matter,” he said. “I understand this is difficult for you.”

  “You understand?” She jerked free. “Nay, Edwin. You do not understand at all.”

  “None of this would have happened had you not run away,” he said. “You knew better. Or have you forgotten?”

  Her heart skipped a beat, but she understood the reaction for the fear it was and not the romantic notion she once took it for. “I do not understand.”

  His mouth curved upward. “My sweet Victoria, if I believed that, I would be a greater fool than even MacPherson thinks me.”

  She stiffened. “You forget yourself, sir. I tell you again, I have no idea what you mean.”

  Irritation glinted in his eyes. “I have not forgotten.”

  Her cheeks warmed. “What are you saying?”

  “You are no fool,” he snapped. Then, in a calmer manner, “However, I believe you had no idea where your reckless behavior would lead. I comprehend how difficult it is being kept a prisoner here and being forced to share that heathen’s bed.”

  Victoria laughed. “Why, Edwin, I have never known you to be concerned about such feminine sensibilities.”

  “This idiocy does not become you,” he said with a flash of impatience. “I have always cared.”

  Her amusement vanished. “You showed no concern when I was married to your brother. That is when it would have been appreciated.”

  “Richard held the title. I was powerless.”

  “You, powerless?” She gave a mirthless laugh. “You were content to leave me to my fate. After his death, your only interest was in keeping me from remarrying.” She narrowed her eyes. “What is your game, Edwin?”

  “I would ask you the same. How can you so easily forget?”

  Victoria remembered all too well when this dark knight held her enthralled with the same look of controlled passion he turned on her now. She hadn’t forgotten the way his fingers lightly touched hers as he lifted them to
his lips, or when he entered a room how his eyes caressed her body. But as for love, Edwin Hockley was no more capable of that emotion than Richard had been. While the elder brother would have cast her into the pits of hell, the younger would have fallen into the abyss and taken her with him.

  “I do not believe you can put it behind you.”

  Edwin’s words pulled her back to the present. She regarded him. “Why did you bring Katherine with you?”

  “She insisted on coming.”

  Victoria raised a skeptical brow. “You will have to do better than that. She has changed.”

  “Aye,” he agreed. “She needed you.” He yanked her against him. “I need you.”

  “Are you a fool?” Victoria shoved at him.

  Instead of releasing her, his grip tightened. “You will come home with me.”

  Fear turned to astonishment. “You believe he will release me?”

  “It matters not what he will do, but what I can do.”

  A rustling at the far end of the stables distracted Edwin, and this time he let go when she shoved from him. Victoria wasted no time in putting distance between them.

  “You will come home with me,” Edwin called as she slipped through the small opening in the door.

  * * *

  Victoria stood immobile amongst the crowd watching Iain face Edwin in the courtyard. How had Iain learned of the meeting with her brother-in-law? Dread twisted her stomach at memory of Iain’s stony expression when he confronted her ten minutes ago in the library. He hadn’t said it outright, but it was clear he believed she purposely met with Edwin in secret. He demanded explanation, but she found no words. To admit that Edwin caught her unawares was to sign his death warrant. Iain had left without another word.

  “Sassenach.”

  The single word from Iain froze her blood. Her silence hadn’t saved a life. One of the men would soon be lying in the dirt with a sword through his heart. If it was Edwin, could she forgive herself? If it was Iain… Her heart lurched.

  He stepped in Edwin’s direction and Victoria shoved forward through the crowd. Slim fingers clamped onto her arm and yanked her back. She jerked her gaze up and stared into the eyes of Iain’s mistress.