“I still don’t understand.”
“All the power, the legend, the reason for the power—all of it flows directly from true love. There is only one true love for each of us. Remember the legend I told you? Pol’s true love was Rose, and he lost her. It was for his love of her that he blessed all their daughters who carried his blood for the rest of time. He thought to ensure that they would be able to find their own true loves, no to lose them and suffer as he had.”
“You told me that. There in the Glen, you told me the Faeries believe in true love.” Cate whispered it, in awe.
Rosalyn rubbed Cate’s hand between her own.
“Aye, I did, but I hae to tell you now, I did more than that.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “When I said the words that would send the jewel into time, I had no idea where or when it would go, but I did ken who it would find. I charged the jewel to find a verra specific woman. The only woman who could heal the wounds of Connor’s heart, the only woman destined to be his own true love.”
“What?” Cate jerked her hand away and jumped up.
“Aye. And then you completed the ritual by asking for true love and tying a strip of yer true love’s clothing to the tree.” She shook her head sadly. “I’m sorry, Cate. There’s no way to undo what we hae done. There is nothing stronger than the magic of true love.”
Cate paced the length of the room. This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t be trapped in this time, forever loving a man who couldn’t love her in return. She stopped in front of Rosalyn, kneeling at her feet, taking her hands.
“And what if Connor can’t love? Is it possible that one of the parties in this true love thing might choose not to participate?”
Rosalyn hesitated. “I canna answer that. It may be. That could explain why so many of us never get our true loves.”
“Oh, Rosalyn.” Cate dropped her head to the older woman’s lap. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done to me? Connor doesn’t love me. He’ll never love me. He’ll never love anyone. He doesn’t trust any woman. He only knows betrayal from women. The only thing he wants in life is to see Mairi find a man of her own choice so he can go back to serving his king.”
Rosalyn smoothed her hand over Cate’s hair, petting her like a small child.
“He disna ken what he truly wants. His heart has suffered more wounds than his body. Until those wounds are healed, he’ll never ken.”
“Maybe if we explain it all to him. Maybe somehow that will . . . ”
“No.” The older woman stopped her. “You canna do that. The magic will no allow you to hear the truth of it until yer heart has made its own decision.”
“But I don’t understand. You just told me all about it. Why can’t we tell Connor?”
“Because, child, yer heart has already made its decision.” Rosalyn said it quietly, continuing the soothing strokes on Cate’s hair.
“How do you know that?” she whispered, afraid to move, to see the other woman’s face.
“I watched it happen. I saw it in yer eyes while you took yer vows in front of the chapel. I see it on yer face each time he touches you. If it were not so, if you had not already accepted the truth of how you feel about him, the magic would no hae allowed me to tell you now.”
“What do I do?” Cate whispered still. “I don’t know how I can stay here facing him every day knowing he doesn’t love me.” She lifted her head to look at Rosalyn, the tears she thought all used up returning. “Everything has just been an act for him, his feelings for me nothing more than honoring his oath to protect me. How do I even explain that I’m still here when he wants nothing to do with a wife, when he wants nothing more than to see me gone? It hurts so much.”
Dropping her head, she sobbed, while Rosalyn resumed the comforting stroke down her hair.
“Weel, you canna leave. No until his heart allows him to admit he loves you.”
“So you’re saying, if he ever does fall in love with me, then I get zapped back home? That makes no sense.” She spoke without lifting her head.
“Aye. Only then. The Fae make the rules, no us. They hae their reasons for what they do. For now, let’s get you cleaned up and dressed. We need to go find yer husband and make him aware that you’ll no be leaving us anytime soon.” She smiled, and patting Cate’s head, stood.
Cate sniffed loudly. “You know, this just continues to get better and better. I’m stuck here, in torment over a man who doesn’t love me, and if he ever does love me, I’m instantly gone, and I never see him again. You do realize that those are some seriously sick-assed Faeries that you’re related to, don’t you?” She sat up, wiping at her eyes.
“Weel, the Fae do hae their own way of dealing with the world and with us.”
Rosalyn smiled sweetly, looking for all the world like the proverbial cat that just ate the canary.
CHAPTER 23
Robert MacQuarrie stood with his back to the door when Connor entered the public solar, a testament to the trust he had in Connor. The man turned and swept low in a courtly bow, smiling broadly.
“Robbie. I’d no expected it to be you here.”
“Weel, escorting Duncan and yer ladies seemed a goodly task for a man like me. Add to that the chance to see you so soon after yer wedding, and I had no choice but to offer my services for the job.”
“I’m in yer debt for looking after my sister. When I learned the MacPherson would be at the celebration, I sent Duncan to take her away someplace safe. I greatly appreciated Alexander’s offer to send one of his men to assist in her protection.”
Robert shook his head, smiling. “Yer sister is quite a . . . spirited lass.”
Connor laughed. “Aye, she is that. I take it she was no too happy with the arrangements?”
“She dinna seem to appreciate missing the wedding celebration. When yer aunt led me to the crofters where Duncan had taken her, we found he had her locked in a room there and had already assured the Maxwell family that you would replace all the furniture she broke.” He grinned again. “I must say, when she kicked me as I hefted her onto my horse, I was fair pleased she’d left her shoes behind somewhere. She was indeed a handful, though a lovely lass.”
“Aye, weel, as long as you remembered no to hae yer hands too full of her.” Connor frowned at him.
Robert tipped his head in acknowledgment. “Aye, spoken like a true older brother.” He laughed, holding up his hands in submission. “I’m no here to fight, no even for someone so lovely as her.”
Which reminded Connor just what his friend was here for. He tossed the bedding he carried over to him.
“There. You can take it to Alexander so he can see I’ve done my job. By that he’ll ken I’m no returning to his service.”
He felt a twinge of guilt remembering Cate’s reaction to what he was doing right now.
Robert held the cover up, then wadded it into a ball and tossed it into the fire, where the flames instantly began to lick through it.
“Alexander disna need to see yer proof. He’ll take my word. And yers. And after meeting yer lovely new wife yesterday, he disna expect to see you in his service again. He’s pleased to see you settled. We all are. Though, I must say, you dinna look quite so happy as I’d expected after seeing that fine lassie you married.” He tilted his head inquiringly.
“She’s no so happy with me right now.” Connor shook his head. “I swear I canna figure how her mind works.”
“No so happy? Perhaps you dinna do yer job as husband as you should. Would you like me to show you how it’s done then?”
At Connor’s warning look, his friend laughed, again holding up his hands in surrender.
“I’m only haeing sport at yer expense, friend.” He approached Connor and slapped him on the back. “I dinna ken everything there is to about women, but this I do: no man can figure how their minds work.” He laughed. “Dinna try so hard. Just relax and enjoy her. You’ve yer whole lives together to figure her out. And from the looks of her, what a joy that should be
.” He slapped Connor’s back again.
Another twinge. This time it was regret. Regret that his friend was wrong. That he wouldn’t have his whole life to figure Cate out. That she could be gone even now as they stood here speaking of her. The thought left him feeling hollow.
“I’m sorry, Robbie. What did you say?” The man was still going on about something.
“Aye now, that’s what I would expect from a new husband. Too busy thinking of more pleasant duties to pay attention to an old friend?” He laughed again. “I was telling you that I’ll be taking advantage of yer hospitality for a while. Alexander has asked me to remain with you until he returns through this way. He dinna care for the look of the MacPherson, or the threat he poses. He thought you may hae need for some company.” He shrugged. “As I said before, I ken you dinna need my help, but I go where my king sends me, and for now, he sends me here.”
Connor nodded. “I plan to keep my gates closed to everyone, so I dinna think to need yer help. But yer welcome here all the same.”
Unless the Fae had already taken Cate. Or they took her while she stood in the same room with Robbie. That might be difficult to explain to his friend.
That twinge again. Pain this time at the thought of Cate not being there.
“Dinna look so distressed, Connor. I’ll promise no to eat my weight in food and I’m sure I’ll be a much better practice partner than Duncan so you dinna go soft and lose yer sword arm. And should the MacPherson be foolish enough to come, he’ll regret facing two of the king’s best.”
“Aye. Weel, sooner or later, he’ll come. As I said, yer welcome for as long as Alexander chooses to leave you here.”
He smiled at his friend. He’d just have to deal with all the other things as they came.
“Though I’m thinking the king’s just tired of all the food and drink you use from his stores.”
Robert smiled sheepishly. “Could be. Speaking of which, dinna I hear Duncan claim on more than one occasion that yer castle here had some of the verra finest heather ale to be found in all of Scotland? Do you suppose that you and yer lady will be sharing some of that with the likes of me tonight?”
Connor smiled. “Duncan and I both will join you. We’ll hae to see about the company of my lady. I’ll hae to ask Cate about that.”
“Ask me about what?”
Both men turned to find Cate standing in the doorway, Rosalyn at her side.
Connor’s heart leaped in his chest. They hadn’t taken her yet. She was still here. Of course, what he was feeling was only relief that he wouldn’t have to deal with explaining her absence yet.
“Connor? What did you need to ask me?”
When she tilted her head like that, the sunlight coming through the window fairly sparkled off her hair. She looked like a sun-drenched Faerie might.
Robert laughed quietly and caught him in the ribs with a quick elbow. “Honestly, old friend, you have to quit drifting off and pay attention. You’ll hae her to yerself soon enough this eve’n.” He whispered the last, still chuckling to himself.
Connor’s face colored a dull red. He cleared his throat. “Robert will be staying with us for a while. He was just asking if you’d be joining us for heather ale this eve’n.”
“Ah yes. The infamous ale Duncan loves so well. I would imagine my company could be arranged.” She smiled and came forward, holding her hand out to Robert, who gallantly caught it and placed a kiss lightly on the back.
Connor glowered at his friend and pulled Cate to his side. “He’ll be staying until Alexander comes back through this way.”
“Well, we certainly seem to have plenty of room here for guests.” Placing a hand on Connor’s chest, she looked up at him. “When you’ve finished here, do you think we could have a few minutes alone? I need to speak to you.”
“We’re quite finished, milady.” Robert bowed. “I’ll leave him to yer care.” He grinned broadly.
“Robert, why don’t I get you all settled in a lovely room and show you where everything is.” Rosalyn took his arm and led him out, shutting the door behind them.
* * *
Connor’s heart pounded under Cate’s hand, though his face displayed no emotion as he looked at her. Just another thing that had made him such a good warrior. Cate would bet he’d be a great poker player as well. Maybe she’d teach him the game. Just as soon as she figured out how to come up with a decent deck of cards. It appeared she’d certainly have the time.
“Yer still here. I’d thought you might . . . with Robert here and all, you ken? I wasnae sure of how to explain if you were gone. When you go, that is.” He stopped. Without warning. Just shut his mouth and looked at her.
She smiled up at him, patting his racing heart. “Well, that’s what I have to talk to you about. Let’s sit and be comfortable, shall we?”
She took his hand and led him to some large chairs placed near the wall. As Rosalyn had suggested on the way here, she might as well make the best of this since there was no alternative. Of course, “best” could be a very subjective term depending upon how he reacted to her news.
“About that whole explaining-my-disappearance thing? You’re not going to have to. It doesn’t look like I’m going anywhere for a while.”
“No?” His grip tightened on her hand.
But no change in expression. Yeah, this guy would make one seriously dangerous poker player.
“No.”
“And why is that?” He still held her hand.
“It seems your aunt and I had a little communication problem that first day in the Faerie Glen. It appears that whatever we said to the Faeries . . . ”
“She had you speak to the Fae?” he interrupted, sounding surprised. “That first day? While Duncan and I were hunting?”
“Yes. That’s what we were doing while you were gone. She told you. She called it something like finishing up odds and ends. You didn’t know?”
He shook his head. “No. It never occurred to me. I should hae guessed.”
“Well, anyway, somewhere in those odds and ends we were tying up, one of us, me, said something she shouldn’t have. So here I stay for now.” She shrugged.
“What did you say? What exactly were the words that are keeping you here?”
She opened her mouth to tell him. True love. Nothing came out. She tried again. Nothing. Rosalyn certainly knows her Faeries.
“I’m waiting, Cate. What did you say to the Fae?”
“I can’t tell you. Seriously. The words just won’t come to me. I try, but they won’t let me tell you. All I know is, here I am and here I stay for now.”
Now the hard part.
“I know you weren’t planning on being stuck with a wife, didn’t want one at all, in fact. But there’s not much I can do about this, so, the ball’s in your court.”
“Ball’s in my . . . I dinna understand you. What are you trying to say to me?” He looked as confused as he sounded.
“Sorry. What I mean to say is that it’s up to you now. What do you want to do with me? I can’t go home. Tell me what you want me to do.”
Something she couldn’t readily identify flashed through his eyes before he lowered his head, effectively closing off his thoughts to her. He stared at the hand he still held, twisting the ring on her finger, around and around.
When he raised his head, he once again wore that perfect poker face.
“I swore to protect you until I could take you home. If yer no going home, you’ll stay here where I can protect you. It’s that simple.”
“It’s not simple at all. I don’t really know how to do anything useful here in this time, Connor. I’ll have to learn everything all over again. I don’t know what to be, I don’t know what to do.”
He shook his head. “You dinna need to do anything useful. You’ll continue to do the things you’ve done since you first came. Yer my wife now, aye? That’s what you’ll be then. It should no be so hard to learn.” He patted her hand. “There. Simple. That’s all settled then.”
He stood and crossed the room to the fire. Leaning down, he shoved more of the wood into the flames and looked back at her over his shoulder.
“Dinna fash yerself, wee Caty. We’ll work it all out in time. For now, let’s go find Rosalyn and see what she’s done with Robert. And you can practice yer wifely duties by helping me with Mairi. She’s likely to be in a fine fury with me.”
“We’ll work it all out in time,” he’d said. He was wrong. It wasn’t about time. It was about love.
* * *
The food in front of her had gone cold, but it didn’t matter to Cate. She had no appetite anyway.
She’d watched the men all through dinner, talking and joking, comfortable in one another’s company. The three of them—Connor, Duncan and Robert—had obviously shared much together. They sat now, relaxed with mugs of ale in their hands, laughing over some exploit Duncan had recalled.
The calm shattered when young Ewan ran into the hall.
“There’s a rider at the gate, Connor. He says he brings a message for you and he’ll no leave until you see him.”
Connor leaned forward in his chair. “Only one rider? Yer sure of it?”
The boy nodded, his eyes large and serious. “Aye. My da is out there now. I’m to ask if we should admit him.”
“It’s only one man, lad,” Duncan mused. “We can handle that easily. Best to hear what he has to say so we ken what we’re up against.”
“Bring him in,” Connor agreed.
All storytelling ceased as they waited silently for the messenger. The man appeared shortly, wet and dirty from his ride.
“Who are you and what do you want?” Connor spoke without rising from his seat.
The man looked around the hall, his gaze resting contemptuously on Rosalyn before he responded.
“I’ll no speak of this in front of the witch.”
Connor rose slowly from his chair, his eyes hard upon the man in front of him. “My aunt is no a witch, and I dinna appreciate yer insult of her. You’ll apologize now if you wish to leave this hall with yer head intact.”
Thirty Nights With a Highland Husband Page 22