The sound of footsteps in the corridor distracted the laird. All the air left her lungs as Malcolm burst through the door and lunged at Ronald the Red. Alethia moved to the farthest corner, out of range of the wrestling men, and collapsed to her hands and knees. She vomited in the dust and watched through eyes blurred with tears as her wounded husband fought for their lives.
All was quiet when Malcolm lifted her to her feet; his strong arms came around her. She leaned against him and sobbed.
“We must away,” he whispered into her ear.
She managed to nod. Her insides felt like Jell-O. It took great effort to put one foot in front of another. Malcolm lifted her over the laird’s still body. MacKintosh warriors lined the hallway. Some were bloody, but all were standing. Every one of them put their hands on their hearts and inclined their heads to her as Malcolm set her down.
Fresh tears started at their gesture of fealty. Malcolm tugged her hand to get her moving. His men fell into formation, some taking up the front, and the rest guarding them from behind.
“You’re wounded,” she whispered.
“Only a scratch.”
“I saw more than a scratch.” She fought the building hysteria and swallowed the urge to laugh. In shock, dazed, she stared at her empty hands and stopped. “My bow…I…I…dropped it.”
“We’ll have a new one made.”
Malcolm tried to get her moving again. She planted her feet. “I want that one. I want my bow.” She knew she was being unreasonable, but she couldn’t help it.
“God’s blood, woman.” He rubbed his face. “Angus,” he called over his shoulder. “Retrieve my wife’s bow.”
In mere seconds, Angus returned with her bow unstrung. Instead of handing it to her, he tucked it into her quiver and gently wrapped her cloak around her shoulders. “Oh. Thank you, Angus. I forgot all about my cloak.” She ran the thick fabric through her fingers. Her thinking had grown disjointed, as if her head had been stuffed with wool, and all she could think were fuzzy thoughts.
“Now may we proceed?” Malcolm’s tone held an edge of impatience—and anger.
“Of course.” She straightened her spine and took a step. Her legs buckled, and she sank to the floor. Malcolm scooped her up. “I’m sorry,” she whispered into his stiff neck. “I’m sorry. I…can’t seem to…walk.”
Once out of the keep, they headed for the small gate where she, Liam and Galen had entered hours ago. Darkness had fallen, and they made no effort to hide their movements as they joined the rest of their party waiting to depart on the other side.
As soon as Malcolm set her feet on the ground, a petite woman hurled herself at her, throwing her arms around her shoulders. Alethia could feel Mairen’s body tremble, and her tears dampened her tunic where they fell onto her shoulder.
“Thank you. Oh, thank you,” Mairen murmured.
“You’re welcome,” Alethia whispered, patting her back.
Liam peeled her away. “We must take our leave.” He helped Mairen to mount Alethia’s mare.
She blinked, confused. “What am I—”
“You will ride with me,” Malcolm snapped, reining his horse up beside her. Robley lifted her from behind into her husband’s waiting arms. Malcolm signed his command, and the party departed with haste.
They were well on their way when she finally risked focusing on Malcolm. His emotions alternated with a rapidity that made her dizzy. Fury, relief, frustration, concern—then back to fury. Her nerves, frayed beyond repair, couldn’t take much more.
“You placed yourself in danger,” Malcolm snarled into her ear.
“You’re welcome,” she snarled back.
He gave her a shake. “You disobeyed me again.”
“Ha! You never specifically ordered me not to follow, because I knew better than to ask.”
“You could have died.”
“I know.” She scowled at him over her shoulder. “I also know you would have died for certain if I hadn’t been there. I saw the whole thing happen in my visions.”
“Damnation, woman. Do you think you are the only one among us who can draw a bow and shoot an arrow? You had only to tell me what was to be, and I would have put a man where you stood.”
“No.” She shook her head. “This is what I was sent here to do. I know you don’t understand, but I had to be the one to save you. If it had been anyone else…” Her voice broke. “I couldn’t leave it to chance.”
Twisting around to face him, she pleaded, “Look, I know how much you enjoy giving me an ear beating. But can we let it go until tomorrow? I have bigger things to worry about, and saving your life has exhausted me.” If she hadn’t been so worn out, she might have been amused by Malcolm’s stunned expression. Instead, she sank back against his chest and closed her eyes. Several moments of blissful silence ensued.
“What, pray tell, do you have to worry about now?”
“Ouch.” His words, and the tone he used, stung. She didn’t have the energy for this. A painful lump formed in her throat.
“Tell me.” He gave her another little shake.
“Giselle said I had hidden talents. Hence the visions. She said my task was to right a wrong. Hence the Comyn laird’s evil plot to do you all in. That’s definitely a wrong. I have completed my task, and now Giselle will come for me. She’ll send me back where I came from, and you won’t be able to stop her.” Her voice broke. “No one will be able to stop her.”
Shutting her mouth tight, she fumed. She had saved his life, and it rankled him. Instead of thanking her, he scolded and lectured. Her actions had been a blow to his masculinity, and it was obvious he couldn’t see beyond his wounded ego. Stupid, stupid man and his stupid fifteenth-century male pride.
“Let her come. She will no’ take you.” His hold around her waist tightened. “You have no faith in me,” he accused.
“Ditto.”
“Sleep, Alethia. ’Tis a long ride home.”
Malcolm prayed never to experience that kind of fear again as long as he lived. He couldn’t bear it when his wife placed herself in harm’s way. When he’d seen her peering over the rail of the minstrels’ gallery with bow in hand, his heart had stopped. When she’d called for help, he feared arriving too late. He’d aged a decade in the seconds it took to reach her.
“Does she sleep?” Robley asked as he brought his mount closer to his.
Malcolm checked. “Aye. She’ll likely sleep the entire journey.”
“There is something you should know.” Robley spoke quietly beside him. “Giselle is in Inverness. She resides in a small cottage at the edge of the village.”
“How do you come by this information?” Malcolm’s protective instincts leaped within him. His hold on his wife tightened.
“I saw her with my own eyes when I went to Inverness for supplies for Meikle Geddes. I tell you, Malcolm, there is something uncanny odd about that old hag. ’Twas a decade ago she told your fortune, yet she has no’ aged one bit. ’Tis unnatural.” Robley pointed to True. “She is right to fear her. And you would do well to take heed. Has True no’ proven herself to us many times over?” He gave Malcolm a hard look. “I think you are too hard on the lass. She deserves your gratitude, no’ your wrath.”
“I’ll no’ argue, Robley. I confess, I’ve never been so afraid as when I saw my wife in the keep of our enemies. I spoke harshly out of fear for her.” Truth be told, he felt awful. It galled him. He should be protecting her, not the other way around. “I vow, the woman is going to be the death of me. ’Twas utter foolishness on her part.” He leaned closer so none but Robley would hear him. “I canna bear the thought of losing her.”
Robley grinned. “That is what you must tell her, Malcolm. I pray one day to find a woman as braw and canny as True. I am considering a journey to her land to see if there might be more like her there. I would gladly accept a worry such as the one you hold in your arms.” He placed his hand on Malcolm’s shoulder and gave it a shake. “Hold her close. Put your pride aside, man, an
d thank her.”
“Humph.” He’d have to work on his pride. Just once he wanted to be the one doing the rescuing.
Robley laughed and dropped back. Malcolm turned his thoughts to the fate of the villagers they’d left behind. A pang of regret shot through him. He spurred his horse ahead to ride alongside Liam and his lady. “Liam, will you introduce us?”
Malcolm saw her flinch at the sound of his voice, as if she expected recrimination, or worse. Even by the light of the half moon he could see the fading bruises on her face and neck, her split lip. His heart went out to her. She’d suffered brutality at the hands of the very man who should have protected and cherished her. Her hands trembled as she held the reins.
“Aye. I’m sorry we had no time to do so earlier.” Liam reached to cover Mairen’s hands with his for an instant. “Mairen, this is my cousin, Malcolm. Malcolm, may I present my betrothed, Mairen.”
Mairen’s voice quavered with emotion. “I owe you my life, my lord. My thanks to you and your lady wife. May God bless you both.”
“My wife says you are well loved by your people. What will become of them?” Malcolm asked.
“I dinna ken their fate. They are good folk and had no knowledge of my father’s treachery.”
“But you did?” Malcolm asked.
“Aye, I did. And if he hadna been so certain of victory this eve, I would be dead now. ’Tis only because he wished to use me for his own gain that he let me live. Dinna blame my people for his black heart, for they had no hand in it.”
“I bear them no ill will. ’Tis their future that concerns me now. They will discover their laird’s death on the morrow. Your warriors died with their swords to hand. ’Twas a fair fight, though they did no’ deserve fairness.” Malcolm watched Mairen closely, gauging her reaction to his harsh words. She nodded and averted her gaze. He could see she felt shame on behalf of her clan.
Malcolm turned to his cousin. “I have been giving this some thought, Liam. What say you to the notion of joining those Comyns remaining at Castle Rait with our clan? There may be some who are willing.”
“We can offer, Malcolm. Though ’tis unlikely. Our clans have been enemies for far too long.”
“Aye, but when you and Mairen wed, there will be those amongst them who remain loyal to her. I suggest you hasten your union, handfast as soon as possible, and send word right away to Castle Rait of your marriage. That is, if you are willing.”
Liam’s eyes went to Mairen. “What say you, love? We can say our vows on the morrow and have the union blessed in a fortnight when the priest comes to Moigh Hall.”
“I should be in mourning for my father and brother, but I feel nothing but relief. Is that a sin, Liam?” Her eyes, wide with worry and pain, filled with tears. “You ken I want to be your wife more than anything,” she cried. “I—”
“’Tis no sin, lass. I ken it will take you some time to recover, but there’s no reason we canna handfast.” Liam reached for her hands again.
She nodded through her tears.
“Is there someone at Castle Rait you trust, Mairen?” Malcolm asked.
“Aye, our garrison commander is an honorable man. Father assigned him duty elsewhere during the feast. He knew Wallace would object, and Father feared a rebellion.”
“Does he read?” Liam asked.
“He does.” She nodded.
“Are you willing?” Malcolm prayed she’d prove herself worthy of Liam. “Will you tell the truth of your father’s treachery to your people?”
“Aye, I will tell them the truth, and to our king as well. For surely we will be called upon for an accounting of today’s events.” Mairen’s spine straightened.
“Liam, they will have need of someone to lead them. With you and Mairen wed, ’twould make sense for you to become laird of Castle Rait. If King James approves after he has heard all that has occurred, would you agree to it?”
“I dinna ken if they would accept a MacKintosh as laird.”
“It’s brilliant,” Mairen whispered. “I canna think of a man better suited to lead us. Please, Liam, for my sake, and for the sake of my people, say you will.”
Alethia awoke in her own bed to find herself draped in hot, naked Scot. Her eyes flew open to find the brilliant blue of her husband’s gaze fixed upon her. Their conversation last night had ended in anger. She cast him a wary look and noticed something else. “I’m naked.”
This elicited a low rumble from deep in Malcolm’s chest. “Aye, that you are. I put you to bed last night and didna have the will to clothe you.”
He moved his hips, and she could feel the hard length of his erection pressed against her thigh, causing a wave of answering heat and dampness to spread inside her. “Malcolm…” She pushed at his chest. “This will not fix things between us.”
“I beg your forgiveness.” He whispered into her ear and nuzzled her neck, leaving little kisses as he went. His large hands cradled her face as he looked deeply into her eyes. “I canna bear the thought of something happening to you. I vow I canna. My heart stopped beating when I saw you in the gallery. I won’t live long if I must endure that kind of fear oft. I’m telling you, Alethia, I canna bear it.” He brought his forehead to rest against hers. “I spoke out of fear for you, lass.”
Holding each other tight, neither said a word for several moments. She had never been so grateful in her life. He felt so solid and warm against her, so alive. “I would have done anything to see you safe, Malcolm.” Her throat tightened with emotion, and all she could manage was a raspy whisper. “I beg your forgiveness for putting you through so much. And I’m sorry, but I’d do it all over again if it meant I could hold you once more in my arms.”
She put her arms around his neck. “Don’t you get it? Don’t you know I feel exactly the same way you do? I cannot bear the thought of something happening to you. My God, do you have any idea what it’s been like for me these past few weeks? I saw you die over and over in my visions, and I couldn’t do anything about it.”
Malcolm nudged her thighs apart with one knee and moved to cradle his hips between them. Rocking slightly, he managed to work the tip of his erection between the folds of her already aroused flesh, to tease her with long, slow slides, gliding just so over the sensitive bud that now throbbed with urgency.
She sought his mouth with hers and kissed him with every ounce of feeling she held for him in her heart. Malcolm crushed her into the mattress with the force of his emotions. She welcomed the storm of passion, opening up to take him inside her body and her soul to a place that offered them both refuge against the uncertainty of a world filled with peril.
Later, their limbs still tangled, he gave her the ear beating she knew she deserved. Through it all, she smiled and kissed his face all over as he lectured her about safety, and explained all about how wives were supposed to obey their husbands. “Mmm-mm. OK. I’ve been properly chastised. Now I’m famished. Plus, Hunter, Lydia and Elaine will also want a piece of my hide for causing them worry.”
Malcolm rose first, and she searched for the wound on his thigh. He’d spoken the truth. In the light of day, it appeared to be no more than a deep scratch. And it had already begun to heal.
She sat up slowly, waiting to see if she’d be able to get up without feeling nauseated. Malcolm handed her a piece of dry toast he snatched from the table by the hearth. She glanced up at him, surprised. “You know, don’t you?”
He gave her a smug grin. “I share your bed every night, Alethia. Do you think I take no notice when your courses come, or when they fail to come? Think you I canna see the changes already taking place in your body?”
“What changes?” She glanced down at herself. She didn’t see anything different.
“Your breasts have grown larger.” His gaze slid over her body and came to rest on her breasts. “Your skin, when no’ tinged green from nausea, fair glows. You want to sleep all the time, and you’re always hungry.”
“Oh.”
“You spoke of it during o
ne of your visions.” He told her as he washed.
She gasped. “I did?”
“Aye. You said we are to have a wee lass. I’ve no reason to doubt you speak the truth.”
He dressed as she nibbled the toast. “Cool.” She smiled and covered her abdomen with one hand. “A little girl with golden hair and blue eyes.” Suddenly feeling shy, she asked, “Are you pleased?”
“Aye.” His smile took her breath. “I am pleased.” He crossed the room to take her up in his arms. “How could I no’ be, my love. I long to fill this keep with our bairns, to hear their laughter and watch them grow healthy and strong. You said you wanted a large family. Do you recall?” He brushed the hair from her face and kissed her brow.
“I remember everything,” she whispered.
“I want to give you your heart’s desire, mo anam. Your happiness brings me joy. However,” he said as he smacked her bare bottom, “you’re breeding. When you put your life at risk as you did at Castle Rait, you also risk our bairn. You will take more care in future, or there will be consequences. Now, get dressed, love. Liam and Mairen are to handfast this day.”
“You’re right, Malcolm. I will stay out of trouble.” She crossed the chamber to wash. “I promise. I am so happy for them. Poor Liam has carried that burden for far too long. He didn’t believe there could be a happy ending. Now, if only something could be done for Elaine.” She stilled as the events from the previous day flooded her mind. “Malcolm, when will a priest come to Moigh Hall?”
“The middle of May. Why?”
“I…I…killed a man.” Her emotions were swinging out of control, blissfully happy one moment and despairing the next. She didn’t like it. “It’s a mortal sin. I need to talk to a priest.”
“Dinna think on it overmuch. There is no sin in protecting kith and kin. You did no wrong, Alethia.” He drew her back into his arms and held her tight, rocking her back and forth in a gentle motion. “If I could take it from your mind I would, mo céile. Come, we’ve a handfasting to attend, and then a feast. Would you like to play your music this eve?”
True to the Highlander (The Novels of Loch Moigh) Page 26