The Black Wolf

by Fela Dawson Scott

  "What if she does not want to marry me?"

  His mother got a determined look in her eyes. "See that she has no choice. It's up to you, Ian, to see that the right decision is made for the child's sake. Do not take no for an answer." "Are you saying I should force her to marry me?" Ian knew his surprise was apparent. "Yes," she said calmly. "Carry her away by force if you must."

  "Mother," Ian said with as much seriousness as he could muster. "You really are devious." She smiled and squeezed his hand. "I'm going to be a grandmother, and I intend to see that you two stubborn children don't destroy that."

  "I'll do my best, but I can't speak for Kolyn. She may not be as easy to convince."

  "That too will come with time." Ian squeezed her hand in turn. "I hope so, Mother. I truly hope so."

  He watched his mother stand and walk to the door. She turned back to him. "You bring home the bride and I'll take care of everything else." "Perhaps I should let you bring home the bride." His smile returned. "And I'll take care of everything else." "Bring her home, Ian." Again she started to leave the room, again she stopped. "She's very smart, Ian. And brave."

  "Why do you say that?" "To do what she did was quite clever," she replied in amazement. "It's not easy to get you alone, without Geoffrey watching you." "Yes," Ian mused. "I suppose it was." He watched his mother leave. Ian wondered how difficult the task at hand would be. Kolyn MacGregor would not fall into his arms grateful that he wanted to marry her. Most likely, she would not be happy about it at all.

  This made him laugh out loud. That was an understatement. She would be mad as hell. But he wouldn't let his own temper interfere with what he had to do. This time, he would keep it under control. This time, he wouldn't lose his baby. The old pain ripped him open, but a new joy fluttered forward to mend it. He was going to have a child, perhaps a son. He would never forgive himself for what he did to Blair. He'd killed his child without even knowing he had done so. This time, he knew about the child and he wouldn't let the woman go. He couldn't.

  His mother's question came back to him. Did he love her? He didn't know if what he felt for her was love, but he did love the child she carried. They had had so little time together, and most of that time was filled with deception and hate. Could they overcome all the obstacles ahead of them? One thing was certain. Ian wanted to be a good father to his child. Tomorrow, he would bring home his bride . . . with or without her consent.

  ''You're insane," Geoffrey cried as they reined their mounts to a halt.

  Ian looked out on the village, the MacGregor castle just beyond it. He smiled at his friend's comment. "Aye, I've gone mad for the woman." "Do you think there will be trouble, Ian?" Geoffrey looked about him nervously.

  "Don't look so worried, my friend." "You have gone mad," Geoffrey exclaimed. "We're ridin' into MacGregor territory in broad daylight to ask your sworn enemy to marry you. What has possessed you, Ian?"

  He twisted back to glance at his friend as he urged his mount into a trot. "She's with child, and I'm going to be a father." Geoffrey just sat for a moment, taking in what Ian had said. Then with a holler, he caught up to him. "She's goin' to have a baby?" "Aye." Ian grinned widely. "And I'm taking my bride home, where we'll be married this afternoon. I'd be honored if you'd stand up with me, my friend."

  "My honor, Ian. But what if the lass says no?" Ian slowed his mount down as they reached the edge of the village. "I'll not be denied my child, Geoff. Keep your sword ready. We shall take her by force if necessary." Geoffrey nodded, his look serious once again as his hand rested upon the hilt of his claymore. Side by side they rode through the village streets, drawing curious stares or sending people into their homes in panic.

  Ian rode up to the manor door, all of the MacGregor men having let him pass without trouble. He could see the fear in their eyes. None had the courage to challenge his passage. He dismounted and walked up the steps. Geoffrey remained on his horse, alert and ready. Ian pounded on the heavy wooden door. "Tell the Lady Kolyn that Ian Blackstone is here to see her." Ian's voice rang clear across the courtyard. He knocked on the door again.

  The door opened, and Ian walked in. Geoffrey moved to the doorway and remained only a few feet away. A servant cowered nearby, and Ian turned his attention to him. "Tell the lady I am here." "I am well aware that you are here." Ian looked up to see Kolyn standing at the head of the stairs. Slowly, she walked down. He was surprised to see her dressed so simply, but as he looked around he understood. The castle was in grave disrepair, like the lands. For the first time he understood her motive, her need to feed her people. He was shamed he had stood in her way at all.

  "What do you want, Lord Blackstone?" Her voice was low, confusion and hurt apparent in her tone. Ian felt his heart go out to her. "I've come to take you home, lass." "My home is here. You've wasted your time."

  She turned to leave, but his words stopped her. "I intend to be a father to the bastard child you carry. I'll not be denied what is mine."

  Kolyn stood, for the longest time, with her back turned to Ian. Then she turned, slowly. His gaze met green fire.

  "You will not be denied. How dare you come into my home and declare such a thing?" "'Tis my right," Ian said calmly. "What makes you think that?" "It's my child," he explained, "'Tis my right." Kolyn walked down the rest of the way and stood before him, her eyes angry and proud. "It isn't your baby, my lord. So go home."

  He wanted to grab her, to make her tell the truth. But he didn't. "You've no need to lie, Kolyn. I know it's my seed inside you." "How could you know that?" Kolyn felt the anger seething inside her, his foolish demands an insult to her tender emotions.

  Ian lowered his voice so she was the only one to hear his words. "You came to me a virgin. I'll not forget that."

  She felt renewed shame at what she had done, all in the name of revenge. Now her worst nightmare was coming true. Ian wanted to take his child from her. Kolyn could not bear that.

  "But there have been other men since that night I stayed with you, Lord Blackstone. I couldn't say who the father is." Ian merely laughed, the sound soft, saying as much as his words. "I don't believe you, lass."

  His gaze met hers, taking her breath away, stilling her heart. "I will not let you take my child." She ran up the stairs and Ian followed her.

  Before she reached the top, he caught her. "I've come to marry you, Kolyn MacGregor, and I'll not leave without you." "Let me go." She tried to twist free of his grip. "I'd never marry you." "You've no choice, lass."

  His persistent smile irritated her beyond description. She wanted to scratch it from his handsome faceto erase the dimples that reminded her so much of Andrew. She was afraid. Afraid of herself as much as of him.

  "Do you think you can just carry me off and marry me against my will?" "Aye," Ian said seriously. "I plan to do just that." Her eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't dare?" "Of course I would." She looked around for help but no one seemed to be about. "There'll be no one to rescue you, Kolyn. They all seem to be afraid of me." He smiled broadly, then swept her into his arms.

  "No," she screamed. "I'll not marry you!" "Of course you will." Ian carried her, kicking and screaming, down the stairs. His smile never faded. He handed her to Geoffrey, mounted his horse, then took her back into his arms.

  When she persisted with her struggles, he whispered in her ear, "You'll hurt the baby, Kolyn." Kolyn stilled despite her need to strike out at him. "Do not worry. I'll be a good husband and father."

  Stubbornness tilted her chin up in defiance. "You've no right to do this, Ian Blackstone. I'll never forgive you." He looked down at her, his smile gone. "That's a decision I can live with."

  Kolyn allowed herself to be ushered into Stonehaven and into a sitting room. Much like a child, Ian sat her down in a chair. "My mother will help you dress for the wedding. I have some things to attend to, so I will see you in the chapel."

  She said nothing, merely turned away from him. If he expected cooperation, he expected too much.

  "I will see to
everything, Ian." Lady Blackstone had entered the room, and moved to stand by Kolyn. Ian left them alone "Are you feeling well, Kolyn?" It was hard to be rude to her. "I am feeling fine, despite everything."

  "I'm sorry for the inconvenience and haste. But you do understand the need for that haste." She took Kolyn's hand and urged her to stand. She walked with her into her private bedchamber. "Your son seems not to care what I think on this matter," Kolyn's words came out sounding petulant. She had not wanted them to. "It's all so sudden and confusing."

  "Even when you've had plenty of time to prepare for marriage, it is still sudden and confusing, my dear. You will adjust." Kolyn looked at her. "Will I?" "I promise," she said, and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You've brought me much joy, Kolyn. I want only happiness for you and my son."

  She didn't want to like this woman, her future mother-in-law, but somehow Kolyn understood she would fail at this. "In what way have I brought you such joy, Lady Blackstone?"

  "Ainsley," she corrected with a smile. "You have given life back to Ian, and you have a new life inside you. I thought I'd never become a grandmother. It suits me completely." Tears rushed forward. Kolyn fought to keep them at bay. She didn't want to show so much emotion to a stranger, yet she couldn't help her reaction to the woman's heartfelt words. "I . . ." her voice failed. "I am grateful for your kindness."

  "I had hoped you wouldn't mind wearing my wedding gown. On such short notice it was all I could think of." Ainsley motioned to the bed, where her gown lay, the shimmering white satin like fresh-fallen snow across the tapestry bed covering. It took Kolyn's breath away. Not only the beauty of the gown, but the sentiment of Ainsley's gesture.

  "I thought it would fit you perfectly." Ainsley picked it up and held it to Kolyn. "I was your size when I married."

  "I think you are the same now, Lady . . ." Kolyn stopped and smiled shyly. "Ainsley. It's the prettiest dress I've ever seen." Ainsley blushed with pride, her eyes aglow with pleasure. "Let's see what you look like." She started to help Kolyn. "Then I will fix your hair. What a lovely bride you will be."

  Kolyn turned away so Ainsley wouldn't see the pain on her face, the tears that finally slipped down her cheeks. It was all wrong. She had never really spent much time dreaming of marriage and weddings . . . but it wasn't to be like this. To be forced into marriage because of the child she carried had not been part of her dream. And never had she dared to foresee she would marry her enemy.

  Yet she was unusually touched by Ainsley's apparent joy. She put the gown on and experienced a thrill of pleasure. When Ainsley had finished with her hair, she looked in the mirror. Again she felt a thrill. Never had she been so elegant. So beautiful. A soft knock sounded. Ainsley went to the door and opened it. "We are ready."

  Ainsley returned for Kolyn. Intense green eyes stared at the older woman, fear deep in their depths. She put her arms about Kolyn's shoulders and tried to comfort her. "You'll be fine, lass. 'Tis natural to be nervous."

  "Nervous?" Kolyn laughed and turned away, the sound of her laugh reflecting the very thing she talked of. "I'm near frightened to death."

  Turning Kolyn about to face her, Ainsley looked straight into her eyes and said softly, "So much sorrow has befallen you. I cannot think of a more courageous lass to marry my son. He is very fortunate indeed."

  It wasn't what Kolyn had expected. She found it very difficult to know what to do, what to say. So she said nothing, and followed Ainsley from the room to the chapel.

  Ian was already there, Geoffrey standing by his side. It seemed fitting even to Kolyn that Geoffrey be there. Ainsley took Ian's hand and looked up at her son, pride showing in every move, every look, every word she spoke.

  "Ian, you will need a ring for Kolyn. I would like you to give her my wedding ring." She pulled it from her finger, never having taken it off since her husband's death. Ainsley placed it in her son's hand.

  Kolyn objected. "Ainsley, you can't give up your own ring. I do not need one." "Of course you do, dear." "No"

  Ainsley interrupted her before she could go on. Her eyes returned to her son. "This was your grandmother's ring, then mine. Now it will be Kolyn's. Someday, when your own daughter marries, it will be hers. I am honored to have Kolyn wear it."

  A brief thought prompted Kolyn's curiosity. Why hadn't Blair been given the ring? But Kolyn had known Blair well enough to understand why. Yet she wondered that Ainsley was so willing to accept her, a total stranger and a clan enemy. This woman had a remarkable sensibility, something that Kolyn was drawn to strongly. "Are you ready, Kolyn?"

  Ian's deep, soft voice struck a thousand chords in her. She wanted to scream that she wasn't ready. Not now, not ever. But she held her tongue, not wanting to destroy the look on Ainsley's face. She granted this fierce-looking man one thing. He had an amazing mother.

  A sudden and intense wave of distress overtook her, taking away all other feelings. Thoughts of Emmett and his wicked threats reminded her of the danger, both from the

  Black Wolf and from Emmett himself. What would Emmett's reaction be to her wedding the man he wanted dead more than anything else in this world? Would he blame Kolyn? She was certain of it. Silently, she said a prayer.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Ian waited for his mother to say good night to Kolyn as he stood outside the doors to his own room. He wondered what Kolyn was thinking, her face having shown little expression throughout the ceremony. Only once had she hesitated, and Ian had thought she might say she wouldn't take him as her husband. Instead, she had looked at him with hurt eyes and said yes. He still felt the guilt of forcing her to marry him, yet he knew it was for the best. He would not chance losing this baby, no matter what he must do.

  His mother stepped into the hallway and joined him. ''She hasn't spoken two words to me since I brought her home," he said. Ainsley put her arm about his waist. He casually put his arm over her shoulder, and they walked down the hallway together. "She will adjust. Give her time, Ian. She's frightened and angry. She doesn't know us very well. It must be quite disheartening to be in a strange place with strange people."

  "Aye," he agreed. His mother looked up at him and smiled. "She's a very brave lass, but you must be patient."

  Ian smiled too, admiring his mother's perceptive ways. "You've always seen her side with an amazing clarity. How is that, Mother?" "You only need to remember that there are always two sides to everything."

  He laughed. "But generally a right and wrong side."

  "This is true, but a person can be wrong and fervently believe she is in the right. That is what you must consider." Ian thought on what his mother said. "Kolyn MacGregor may be wrong in what she has done, but in her mind she thinks she is doing the right thing." "Exactly," Ainsley said. "We must sympathize with her situation. She knows nothing about you except what her father and brothers have conveyed, and I'm quite certain their hatred has been her only inheritance."

  Something strange occurred to Ian, and for the first time he thought he might understand Kolyn a little better. "It's sad to think what it has been like for her. Now she is to have my baby. The child of the very man considers her enemy." Ainsley stopped and placed her hand upon his chest, her eyes filled with tears. "The very man that has killed her brothers and father. How can she understand such a thing?"

  "I believe . . ." Ian stopped to consider what he wanted to say. "I believe she has feelings for me, that there is more than desire inside her. But she is afraid to let it show. Something keeps her from saying what is in her heart."

  "She is afraid. But what has her so frightened? Is it you, Ian? That wild tale they whisper about you turning into a wolf?" They started to walk again, her arm upon his. "I don't know. I would think she knows there is no such nonsense." "What of Emmett?" Every muscle in Ian's body tightened with tension. "He still lives."

  "He is a cripple, a man that must hate you more than life itself. I wonder what kind of relationship she must have with her brother, the only family she has left." "I have hea
rd he is quite mad. Vengeful." "Perhaps he is behind her attempts to kill you." "You may be right, Mother." Ian had a new thought. "Do you think I have placed her in danger by this marriage?"

  Ainsley looked quite distraught. "That is something I had not thought of."

  They stopped at the doors of her sitting room. Ian kissed her on the cheek. "I shall watch over her, do not worry." He turned to leave, but paused. "I love her, Mother. I thought I'd never be able to love another woman. How strange that it would be a MacGregor." "Be patient, Ian, and she will love you in turn." She watched him walk away, then called after him. "Ian."

  He stopped and waited. "Perhaps you should not expect her to be wife to you right away."

  Ian understood and grinned. "I've had another room prepared for me. I'll only say good night to my bride, though she is quite lovely and a great temptation." Ainsley was overwhelmed with pride and love. In her heart, she knew that in time they would be happy. She went inside.

  Ian did not go into his rooms right away. He stood outside the door, his mind abuzz with what he and his mother had discussed. How was he to act? What could he do to take the fear from her eyes? He knocked. A slight, almost non-existent sound told him to enter. Kolyn sat in a chair near the fire, still dressed in Ainsley's wedding gown. She stared at her hands, and did not look up when he crossed to stand beside her.