Liam burst out laughing.
She glared at him. “If you laugh, you get to bathe them.” He stopped immediately. Alethia sighed as Malcolm took her hand to lead her back to camp. “What about Beth? Can’t she help?”
“She’s nowhere to be found. Elaine seems to have disappeared as well.”
Alethia walked between the two men back to their camp by the river, where she found the boys, who did indeed resemble mounds of manure. It clung to their clothes and matted their hair. They glared at each other, and Galen stood behind them to ensure they didn’t flee. Alethia didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry, so she sent them both a stern look.
“He started it.” Hunter’s small chin jutted out as he signed.
Tieren gasped. “Did not!” He shoved Hunter’s shoulder.
Hunter shoved back. “Did too!”
“Enough.” Malcolm intervened.
Tieren took on a dramatic expression, playing the innocent victim. “He called me a name.”
Alethia had to fight the urge to laugh, and she wondered if Tieren noticed how automatically he used signing when dealing with Hunter. “So I’ve heard.”
She caught the grin Hunter tried to hide, and squelched it. “You will apologize.” She sensed the rebellion growing within him. “Or you will not ride with Malcolm tomorrow.” She raised a single eyebrow and glared at him. His rebellious posture deflated.
Hunter sighed audibly and turned to Tieren with a contrite expression. “I’m sorry, Horse Poop.”
Tieren lunged, Hunter let out a triumphant whoop, and the two were rolling on the ground, arms and legs flying before she could do anything about it. “Fast friends?” She turned to Malcolm.
He grabbed each of the boys by their upper arms and held them apart. “Give it time.”
Other than the lack of Porta Potties and plumbing, the fair in Inverness bore a remarkable likeness to Renaissance fairs in the twenty-first century. Jugglers, magicians, musicians and vendors created a cacophony of sight and sound. The tempting scents of roasting meat, bread, ale and mulled wine permeated the fairgrounds, making her stomach rumble.
Alethia spied Beth and another young woman in MacKintosh plaid flirting with a group of men from another clan. Everywhere she turned, she saw a multitude of plaids in all tints and hues. And men. The fifteenth-century warriors were huge and well muscled. She linked her arm through Elaine’s. “Look at all the eye candy.”
Elaine giggled. “I never tire of the entertainment your odd speech affords me, True. What do you mean by aye candy?”
“Look around you. The place is overflowing with gorgeous men with hot bodies—a feast for the eyes—eye candy.”
Elaine laughed again. “Ah, I take your meaning.”
“Oh look, Elaine. A group of them is heading our way.” She nodded toward the herd of hunks weaving through the crowd toward them. “The one leading them is breathtaking, like a Scottish Adonis,” she whispered. Elaine stiffened beside her and grabbed her hand. Puzzled, Alethia glanced at her. Elaine’s face had turned scarlet. She had no time to question her friend. They were quickly surrounded. Alethia moved closer to Elaine, who still held her hand with bone-crushing force.
“Lady Elaine,” the blond Adonis said as he bowed. “’Tis a pleasure to see you. I did so hope…” Taking her free hand in his, he brushed a kiss across her knuckles and stared at Elaine with such intensity, Althia was forced to lower her gaze. If she hadn’t, she would’ve missed seeing the man press a note into Elaine’s palm. Elaine tucked it away with a furtive gesture.
“Dylan, ’tis good to see you as well. May I introduce my friend?” She gripped Alethia’s arm. “Lady Alethia Goodsky is a guest at Moigh Hall. We call her True. This is Dylan of clan Sutherland. He is my half sister’s brother-in-law, and the earl of Sutherland’s youngest son.”
“’Tis a pleasure to meet a friend of my lady’s.” He bowed and introduced the men with him. “May we accompany you? Might we tempt you into sharing refreshments with us?”
Dylan took Elaine’s hand and tucked it through his arm before either of them could respond. Were all Scottish males as arrogant as Malcolm and Dylan? Surrounded by Dylan and his men, they were ushered along the path, stopping now and then to take in the sights. Alethia focused on Elaine to get a sense of her feelings. Longing and intense emotions flowed between her and Dylan.
“This place is a regular Days of Our Lives prequel,” she murmured under her breath.
“Did you say something, my lady?” the young man at her elbow asked.
“No, just thinking out loud.” She glanced at him. “You’re a Sutherland?” The simple question provided all the encouragement he needed to boast about his clan, his skills and his future prospects. He moved closer to her side, offered his arm and let her know he was interested.
Taking his arm, she pretended to listen.
“Malcolm,” Galen said, nudging his arm, “Lady True and your sister are three-deep in Sutherlands.”
Galen stood by his elbow as Malcolm saw to bartering their surplus produce and grains for needed commodities. He turned in the direction Galen indicated and growled deep in his throat. Sutherlands were allies. The women were not in any danger. Still, he did not like seeing True surrounded by men, and she looked to be enjoying herself far too much for his liking.
He sought Liam in the crowd, not at all surprised to find him missing again. His cousin had been acting strangely since they’d arrived, often disappearing for hours at a time.
For the moment he could do nothing. “Aye, Galen. I see them. She and my sister are safe enough. ’Tis only Dylan and his men. Join their party, and make sure no mischief ensues.”
Galen smirked. “Whom am I guarding from mischief, your sister or True?”
“Both. Now go.” Malcolm scowled and turned back to his negotiations.
The morning wore on slowly, and his frustration increased with each passing hour. Every time he caught a glimpse of True, she was deep in conversation with one man or another. Her laughter, and the smiles she gave away so freely, wreaked havoc on his peace of mind.
Once free of duty, he still had one errand he wished to see to before he could remove True from her growing circle of admirers. The sound of male laughter drew his attention. Five men—Sutherlands he did not recognize—hung upon True’s every word. They stood too close to her. His sister spoke with Dylan and Galen off to the side. Galen caught his eye, shrugged and gave him a wry smile. Malcolm groaned.
His errand could wait.
Shoving two of the men aside, Malcolm reached True and rested his hand on her shoulder. “Come with me, lass.”
“What for, Malcolm?”
Her smug smile undid him. He leaned close and spoke loud enough for all to hear. “I have no’ yet kissed you today, and I wish to do so now.” He straightened, gratified by her gasp and the blush rising to her cheeks. “Come, unless you wish me to remedy the situation right here.” He raised an eyebrow in challenge.
“Neanderthal,” she muttered, her eyes flashing.
Tucking her against his side, he staked his claim for all to see and glared at any who dared hope for anything more with her than a few brief words. Malcolm guided her through the group of men bristling at his challenge. His mood lightened in anticipation of a good fight. “The MacKintosh will be in the lists at dawn on the morrow. I welcome you to join us.” He let the words settle over the Sutherlands and gave them his back.
“What was that all about?”
“I did not like the way they looked at you.”
“Really?” She sighed. “Well, I certainly did.”
“You will not let any other men look at you.” Even to his own ears, the command sounded ridiculous. How could she control how men looked at her? Her laughter, and having her next to him, soothed his ruffled feathers. He grinned. “I know what you are going to say. You may save your breath.”
“I will refrain from commenting about your absurd directive.”
“You just did, lass.
” True glanced up at him through her thick lashes, her beguiling smile tempting him to make good his promise to kiss her right there in the middle of the fairgrounds. “I came for you because I wish to show you something. Look, True. Over there by the jugglers.”
He pointed to the circle of spectators surrounding the performers. There, amidst the crowd, Hunter and Tieren watched the show side by side, each with an arm slung casually around the other’s shoulders. His lady’s quick intake of breath, and her hand reaching for his, made all his frustration disappear. Malcolm brushed a kiss across her forehead, content for the first time that day.
CHAPTER TEN
Alethia perched on the edge of the huge bed in the chamber she shared with Elaine in Castle Inverness. She’d suffered through the afternoon at the fairgrounds and through supper. Her curiosity had eaten away at her until she couldn’t enjoy anything. Finally, she and Elaine had the privacy needed for a full confession. “Spill, Elaine.”
“Whatever do you mean, True?” Elaine sat before the hearth, braiding her hair for bed.
She raised her eyebrows and stared at her. “You know what I mean. I saw the way you reacted to Dylan, and I saw the letter he passed to you.”
“Oh.” Elaine put her hands in her lap, her eyes filling with tears. “What a coil all of this is.”
“Aren’t the Sutherlands on good terms with the MacKintosh? I thought you said your sister married Dylan’s brother.”
“This has nothing to do with clan or kinship.” Elaine joined her to sit on the bed. “Dylan fostered with us until he earned his spurs. We…I…” Elaine stood up, wrung her hands and heaved a loud sigh. “I love him.” Her eyes filled with anguish. “With all my heart, and he loves me. A year past he asked for my hand. Father refused him because Dylan will no’ inherit a title.”
Alethia frowned. “Let me get this straight. Your father is letting Malcolm choose his bride, but you can’t choose your husband? How unfair.”
“Aye, ’tis unfair.” She nodded as she paced. “My dowry includes land, and Dylan has a holding of his own. I would be content being the wife of a laird. My father, of course, seeks an alliance with another earl of his choosing. Since my half sister has already allied our clan to the Sutherlands, he will no’ agree to his only remaining daughter marrying into the same clan. There’s naught to be gained by it. What care I for titles when my heart is already given?”
“What will you do? Are you going to run off to a convent? Surely the irony would not be lost on your father.”
“I dinna know what I will do.” Her shoulders slumped in defeat, and she came to a stop in front of Alethia. “In the missive you saw him slip to me, Dylan asks me to elope with him. I have no’ yet given him my answer. Such an act would surely cause my father to disown me. I dinna think I could bear never seeing my family again. But I canna imagine sharing my life with any other than Dylan.”
“I know how you feel.”
Elaine reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I am sorry, True. ’Tis selfish to tell you of my troubles when you have enough of your own.”
“It’s all right. I wanted to know.” She squeezed back. “I can’t imagine your father would disown you over this. You said yourself he tore Scotia apart for Lydia. He understands what it’s like to be in love.”
“Aye, but Father did his duty first, and duty and honor are foremost in his mind. I dinna know how it is in your land, but here in Scotia, daughters are seen as a commodity. We are traded for political gain, wealth or land.” She shrugged her shoulders. “’Tis the way of things, and I am his only unwed daughter.”
“How soon does Dylan want an answer?”
“His father is in London with mine. I must send my answer by the New Year, a little more than two months hence. If I say to him nay, he says he will be out of my life forever.”
“Men.” Alethia flopped back to lie on the bed. “They cause most of our suffering.”
“Aye.” Elaine joined her. “They break our hearts one way or the other.”
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” Alethia turned to face her.
“You have already, and I am grateful for your sympathy and friendship.” Elaine wiped her eyes and sat up. “I am to sleep. This has been a trying day. Are you coming to bed?”
“I don’t think I can right now. I’m restless.” She went to fetch her woolen cloak. “Maybe a walk in the inner bailey will help.”
“All the attention you attracted today has made my brother edgy. Dinna let him catch you outside the walls,” Elaine warned, “or surely he will tick you off again.”
After seeing to his people’s welfare, Malcolm returned to the keep, looking forward to an ale and a long-overdue conversation with Liam before retiring. He intended to confront his cousin about his strange behavior. He would have answers. As he walked through the inner bailey, his gaze was drawn to a lone figure standing upon the catwalk. He recognized her immediately. True, wrapped in his colors, stared out beyond the curtain wall toward the river. He could tell by the way she held herself that her thoughts were troubled. He turned from his path and climbed the stairs to her side.
“What troubles you, mo cridhe?” Her sigh was loud and laced with melancholy. What else could he do but wrap her in the safety of his arms. “You should be in bed, lass.”
“I couldn’t sleep.” She lifted her head from his shoulder. “How’s Hunter?”
“He’s having a grand time. He and Tieren are with the men. Dinna worry.”
“Scotland seems like such a tragic place.”
“Hmm, does it?”
“Yes. I haven’t heard a single story that ends with ‘and they lived happily ever after.’ Everything seems to end in violence and heartbreak.”
He refrained from pointing out that his parents’ own story had ended well. “Mayhap the secrets you carry for others make it seem thus, aye?”
She laid her forehead on his shoulder and took a shuddering breath. He brushed his chin over the crown of her head and tightened his hold. “Would it help to share the secrets you carry? My shoulders are broad enough to bear your burdens.”
“Friendship is not a burden; it’s a blessing. Besides, I’ve been sworn to secrecy.”
“Were it within my power, I would grant Dylan and my sister permission to marry, and gladly so.” He ran his hands up and down her back in a gesture he hoped would soothe her. “Think you I have no’ tried to sway our father to see things her way?”
“How did you know?”
True raised sad eyes to his, and his heart turned over. “Elaine spent the day with Dylan. The hurt is fresh in her mind. You are her friend, and ’tis only natural she would confide in you.”
“It’s not fair.”
“Nay, ’tis no’, and what of Liam? Has he also sworn you to secrecy?”
“You’re way too clever.” She smiled.
Malcolm drew her tighter into his arms and leaned to whisper in her ear, “Who holds your secrets, mo anam? Will you share them with me? I swear to keep them safe.” As he knew she would, she gave no reply other than another sigh. The warmth of her breath against his neck turned him inside out. “There is still the matter I spoke of earlier today.”
“What matter?” She gazed at him in question.
“I have not yet kissed you today.” With that, his mouth found hers. When her arms came up to circle his neck, and the soft feminine sounds coming from deep within her spilled into his mouth, he knew he’d met his aim to distract her. Content just to hold her in his arms, Malcolm broke the kiss, stroked her hair and rested his chin on top of her head. “Alethia—”
She groaned. “You’re going to ruin this perfect moment, aren’t you?”
He chuckled, pleased that she found his kisses perfect. “What makes you say such a thing?”
“Whenever you have something serious to say, you call me Alethia.”
“Aye.” He brushed a kiss across the frown line on her forehead. “The last time we spoke of Madame Giselle, you sa
id you were afraid. I would know what it is you fear, so I can lay those fears to rest.”
True moved away from him to gaze beyond the walls. Moments passed, and he felt certain she would not tell him. Still, he waited and hoped.
“I am afraid of the what-ifs,” she whispered.
“I dinna take your meaning. What-ifs?” He moved to stand behind her, drawing her back against his chest.
She nodded. “The what-ifs. What if I never see my family or my home again? What if Giselle sends me back home, and I never see you, Elaine, Lydia and everyone else again? What if I fail to save your life? Because of your own stubborn interference,” she added, frowning up at him over her shoulder. “What if Hunter is taken from me? The what-ifs are endless and confront me at every turn.” She placed her small hands on his forearm where it crossed her shoulders.
For the first time since he’d found her, he gained some measure of understanding how much her life had been thrown into turmoil by Giselle’s actions. While his own life had improved immeasurably, hers had become frightening and uncertain. Now, Liam and Elaine had added their secrets to her list of worries.
His heart ached for her. She carried so much upon her delicate shoulders and never complained. Her strength humbled him, and he felt helpless—not a pleasant feeling for one such as he. “Och, lass, what can I do to ease the what-ifs you face?”
Malcolm turned her from the wall and wiped the tears from her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. He cradled her head against his shoulder and silently railed at the forces at work he felt powerless to control.
“I want to go home, Malcolm,” she whispered into his plaid.
His heart stopped beating.
“I’ve had enough of the fair, and Lydia must be terribly lonesome without us.”
The breath he held left him in a whoosh of sound, and his heart started up again.
Life settled into a pattern, and Alethia welcomed the routine that being back at Moigh Hall afforded her. She practiced her violin in the early morning hours. Not jigs and reels, but Mendelssohn, Vivaldi and Satie. Determined not to let her skill diminish, she also played in the evenings after supper for any who cared to listen.
True to the Highlander (The Novels of Loch Moigh) Page 13