Slowly, she reached out and grasped the vase that sat on the night table, then hid it beneath the covers. She closed her eyes again and let out a soft moan. It was all it took to bring Ian awake. He leaned over and brushed the hair from her face. "Kolyn," he whispered.
She turned over and slowly opened her eyes. His eyes were filled with concern, tenderness. Kolyn placed her hand upon his cheek and whispered, "Forgive me, Ian." He looked confused. Kolyn brought the vase up and smashed him firmly on the back of his head, knocking him unconscious. He slumped down upon her.
Kolyn wiggled out from beneath him and rolled him over into the bed. She felt his head and found a lump, but no blood. Her eyes fell to his dagger. Kolyn reached out and stroked the long handle, then grasped it firmly in her palm. Determination rushed through her, and she pulled it free of the sheath.
Ian did not move as she crawled from the bed and stood over him. Again, she laid her hand to his cheek, the roughness of his unshaven beard scratching her tender flesh. "I love you, Ian." Kolyn left the room, careful not to be seen. By the time Ian awakened, she would be gone. She must go to Andrew.
Ian moaned and rolled over, nearly falling off the bed. He held his head in his hands as he swung his long legs over the edge. "She's gone," Geoffrey said, standing in the doorway. Ian looked up and nodded. His splitting headache told him that. He didn't need Geoffrey to tell him.
"Where has she gone?" "I don't know, Ian. Your mother was out riding and saw her. The groom says she is following her and will return as soon as she can." Ian stood, his head spinning as he did so. He stumbled when he started to walk across to Geoffrey. His friend held out a hand to support him.
"Damn woman," Ian mumbled. "What should we do?" "Wait until we know where to find her." Geoffrey looked unhappy. "Do you have a better plan?" Ian asked testily. "No," Geoffrey looked sheepish. "I didn't mean to"
"I know. It's damn frustrating, isn't it?" "Yes." Geoffrey noticed Ian's dagger was missing, and this confused him more. "If she wants you dead, Ian, why didn't she use your dagger while you were unconscious?"
His hand moved to his empty sheath, and he wondered that himself. There was nothing about Kolyn he understood. But today he would find out what was behind her misery. That he promised himself. "I need a drink," Ian declared.
Geoffrey agreed, even though the hour was early.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Kolyn wrapped her shawl around her head, not wanting to risk recognition as she rode into the village. Luckily, the church was at the edge of the small cluster of cottages. She rode around to the private garden and dismounted, tying her mare securely to the fence. Entering through Father McCloud's kitchen, she waited and listened.
She heard Andrew's voice, the tone telling her he was unhappy, then Donald's. His harsh words struck a chord in her, bringing forth an anger already simmering inside her. Now it raged full force when Andrew's crying hit her. Kolyn entered the chapel, each step barely controlled as she fought the urge to run and grab her son from that horrible man. She recalled how he treated his animal, and blanched as she prayed he had not been so cruel to Andrew.
Donald's hand was raised to slap Andrew, his sneering face ugly with anger. "I'll only ask once." Kolyn's voice was even, unlike the turmoil that churned inside her breast. "Do not strike my son." The hideous man turned to Kolyn and, to her amazement, sneered even more. She would not have thought he could twist his face into so many contortions.
"You are late," he shouted, his hand still wrapped about Andrew's wrist. The little boy's eyes rounded with joy at the sight of her, and he struggled to free himself. "Let Drew go." Donald didn't look like he was going to, but then with a grunt he let Andrew go. Andrew ran to Kolyn. She knelt down to scoop him into her outstretched arms. Tears overwhelmed her.
"My sweet Drew," she cried, hugging him as tight as she could. "My Drew." Ainsley stood in the shadows, well hidden from view, but able to see the scene in the chapel. Tears wet her lashes as she began to understand Kolyn's questions of the night before. Kolyn had a son. She must get Ian. "'Tis time t' go, lad," Donald said.
Andrew looked up at Kolyn, frightened, and hugged her even tighter. Donald tried to pull him free, but failed. The harder he pulled, the more Andrew screamed.
''Give us a moment more," Kolyn begged, trying to settle her son's fear. Donald ignored her pleas and kept pulling at Andrew. Finally, Andrew's grip broke, and Donald jerked him away. Andrew kicked out, his tiny foot landing a hard blow to Donald's shin. He hollered, then struck Andrew full across the face, causing him to fall back onto the floor.
Kolyn was enraged. She pulled the knife from her skirt where she had it hidden. "I said I'd tell you only once." She crossed the short distance between herself and her son in a flash. Donald turned, his arm raised in defense. The blade cut deep into the flesh of his forearm, his scream of pain mingled with anger.
Donald knocked Kolyn aside with his good arm, the blade still stuck in his other arm. Kolyn fell against a pew and hit her head, the stars she saw obscuring her vision of Andrew before she passed out.
Kolyn heard Father McCloud's voice calling to her. Slowly, she opened her eyes. Panic seized her at the quiet that permeated the church. She tried to sit up. Pain throbbed in her head, and she moaned from the effort. Father McCloud's sniffling forced her to ignore her own discomfort as she looked about for her son. She did not find him anywhere. She saw only Donald's body and the odd angle of his neck as he lay dead on the floor.
Something had happened after she had blacked outher wound to his arm had not been the force that killed him. She made herself remain calm until she knew what had gone on.
"Where's Drew?" Father McCloud's face was grim and her heart sank. Gently she touched his blackened eye, and knew without asking that he had not given Andrew to Donald willingly. Her gaze returned to Donald's body. She was confused. She looked back at Father McCloud. "Who killed Donald, Father?" Her eyes widened with shock as she considered the good father killing Donald to protect her and Andrew. "You didn't . . ." She couldn't finish her question.
"No, lass. Was Dwight." "Dwight?" "Aye." Father McCloud looked about him nervously. "He said if you wanted to see the lad again, you were to go to the place where your father died." Her heart sank. "Dwight wouldn't harm Drew, would he, Father? He's been uncle to the lad since . . ." Kolyn lost her voice as she choked on her dread.
"What does he want from you, Kolyn? He's no longer the man I've known all these years. Something has changed him." Kolyn swallowed hard and closed her eyes, shame scorching her mind. "He thinks he loves me, but I believe he has confused me with my mother. 'Tis something that has festered for too many years and turned into a sickness of his mind. He is obsessed with the idea that I will be his wife."
"Surely you cannot mean this. He is your uncle. This cannot be." The shock on the good father's face showed Kolyn his feelings. "I don't think that matters to him anymore. He has sworn to have me as his own, and now he is using Drew to force me to comply." "We shall think of something else, my child."
"I have no choice, Father." Kolyn stood, steadying herself on the same pew she had struck her head against. "I must go to him."
"I cannot allow this abomination."
She looked at Father McCloud. How could he deal with the wickedness she must battle? "I was committed to killing the man I love to save my child from Emmett's madness. Father, can complying with Dwight's demands be any less of a sin than murder?" He had no answer for her. Kolyn gave him a hug and kissed his weathered cheek. "Forgive me my sins, Father, but I will do what I must to keep Drew safe."
"You've had more than your share of grief, child. I had hoped it would be over with the death of your father. Never did I imagine such evil." Kolyn felt the cut on her forehead, her blood warm and sticky.
You're bleeding, Kolyn. Let me tend it." He took her hand and started to guide her toward the back.
"No, I cannot take the time." She smiled, though her mind cried out with sadness. "Good-bye, Fath
er." Kolyn wondered if she would ever see this good-hearted man again. Tears filled Father McCloud's eyes, and he wrung his hands in distress. "God bless you, my child, and may he watch over you in this time of your need."
Ian thought he would go mad before his mother rode up. When she tore into the courtyard he experienced a surge of raw emotion long before she began to tell what she had witnessed. Outwardly, he remained calm, but inside he was in hell. Still, one thing confused him. Kolyn had a son. This was an impossibility, but it wasn't the main issue at that moment.
"I'm going back with you, Ian." Ian turned to his mother and frowned. "It's best if you stay here, Mother." Ainsley lifted her chin stubbornly. "I think not." He knew that look and didn't want to argue. It wasted time. "Do as you wish." Ian arrived at the church first, Geoffrey having slowed his horse's pace to match that of Ainsley's mare. Ian jumped from his mount and all but ran into the chapel.
Kolyn," he yelled, bringing only the priest from the back. "She's no longer here, my son."
It wasn't what he wanted to hear. "I think 'tis time you told me everything. I've little time, and my need to know what is going on is great." Ian sat and waited for Father McCloud to speak. Ainsley and Geoffrey joined him, all eyes on the holy man. "'Tis difficult to know where to start." Ainsley helped him. "Tell us about Drew."
Ian turned to his mother. "Who is Drew?" An intense pain made him draw in his breath sharply. He had hoped he'd tempered his jealousy, but he had obviously failed to do so. He tried to bring it under control. His mother seemed confused by his question. "Why, her son, Ian."
Suddenly, Ian understood and he laughed. Kolyn's words came back to him, but this time the jealousy and hurt was gone. I love you, Ian. But I love another more. "She could not bear to lose her son!" His laughter stilled when he recalled their lovemaking the first night. It was impossible. "It cannot be her son," Ian said stubbornly.
Father McCloud looked startled, then slowly realized what Ian meant. He blushed at the thought, but offered an explanation. "'Tis true, Andrew is not her natural son." "Then whose, Father?" Ainsley asked. "Kolyn took Andrew as her own to raise when she was but fifteen years of age. Almost a child herself. She has loved him and nurtured him no less than if she had given birth to him herself."
Ian watched Father McCloud, nervousness making him fidget. "You haven't told us whose child Drew truly is."
Father McCloud hesitated, uncertain what to say. He looked from one to the other, then made his decision. "'Tis Blair's son. Your son, Ian Blackstone, by birthright." Ian wasn't prepared for this declaration. Even his mother was left speechless. Finally, he managed to speak. "Andrew is my son? I was told he died, that he had not even lived an hour. How can this be?"
Ainsley speculated. "Blair must not have wanted you to know of your son, Ian. Who could ever understand Blair and the reasons she did things." It did not appease Ian. "Why didn't Kolyn just tell me I had a son? Why did she keep the truth from me?" "Kolyn feared your finding out the truth. She knew only what Blair had told her, that you had rejected your child and you wanted nothing that was a part of Blair and her betrayal."
Ian was stunned. "And she believed this of me?" Father McCloud felt sympathy for the man, but he held back no longer. "Kolyn knew nothing of you except the legacy of hatred left by her family. The clan feud has left her totally alone in the world, except for a brother who lies insane with rage and crippled in his bed. Wild tales that you are the Devil and turn into an animal only confused her more. Her father made her promise upon his sword before his men to avenge the family honor."
It all ran across Ian's mind, the horror of it leaving him numb. Yet it clarified so much. "Her father made her swear such a thing?" He still couldn't believe it of the MacGregor, that he had been so heartless and cruel.
"Aye." Father McCloud shook his head to confirm his answer. "It has haunted her every moment. Kolyn has always been a gentle child with a heart of pure gold. She was the only person who did not turn from Blair in her despair. Kolyn delivered Andrew; he has known no other mother but her, and Kolyn knows the child only as her own. 'Tis her brother's madness that has forced her hand."
"What has her brother to do with this?" Father McCloud spoke of Emmett's insanity and his evil plan to force Kolyn to kill Ian to protect the life of her child and that of the child she now carried. He finished by telling of Dwight's obsession and that Kolyn had gone to him. A deathly quiet descended on them. Ainsley was the one to break the silence. "The poor child."
"Aye," Father McCloud agreed. "Only God can help her now." Ian rose, his great height towering above them all. "Only God and the strength of my sword." Hate coursed through Ian, each beat of his heart sending strength and determination to his body and brain. "You stay here with Father McCloud." This time, when he spoke to his mother, she did as he said.
"Don't worry, Mother." His voice had softened, worry so clear on her face. "I'll bring both your grandchildren home. I promise." Kolyn waited at the stone cottage. Neither Dwight nor Andrew were anywhere to be found. Her nerves were strained to the limit, but she waited, afraid to do otherwise. Finally, she heard a horse approach. She looked out the door that hung loose on its leather hinges. It was Dwight. He had Andrew with him.
Dwight's mood was black, his face frightening her. He let Andrew run to her. "We must go t' the castle," Dwight said. Panic touched Kolyn. "We can't, Dwight. Emmett will be angry that you killed Donald."
He looked at her, but it was as if he really didn't see her. "Do you think I care what Emmett thinks?"
"'Tis dangerous," she argued Dwight merely laughed. "'Tis no man I cannot take, Kolyn. And your brother lies abed with only his tongue as his weapon."
"He's mad and dangerous." "Aye, he is mad. All that hate has turned inside him, eating his soul away." Kolyn made her decision and took her chance. "I'll not risk taking Drew there. He must go back to Father McCloud's."
A growl erupted from Dwight, and he jumped at her, grabbing her hair. He pulled her to him cruelly, his eyes no longer showing any tenderness toward her. "You'll do as I say, or the lad will suffer. Makes no difference t' me if we take him with us or not."
"You loved Andrew once. What has taken the love from your heart, Dwight?" "You have, lass. I no longer feel anything." A shudder ran over her flesh, and she closed her eyes against the vision of hate she saw in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Dwight. I did not mean to hurt you. I only did what I had to." "You've taken me heart and killed it. But I'll have you, lass, with or without your love in turn."
She placed a hand on his cheek. "If you leave Drew unharmed, I'll love you, Dwight. I promise." Dwight shoved her from him, and she fell to the dirt floor. "You are lying," he yelled, punctuating his words with a kick to her side. Kolyn scrambled away from him. Andrew ran forward to stop Dwight, hitting at his legs ineffectively. Dwight tried to grab him, but Andrew bit his finger. The older man growled menacingly, then raised his hand to strike. Kolyn screamed, stopping him.
"Do not hit him, Dwight. I'll do whatever you want, just don't hit him." Dwight lowered his hand, but the expression in his eyes remained. He did not try to stop Andrew when he ran back to Kolyn. She hugged him to her fiercely, whispering comforting things in his ear. He no longer cried, but she could feel him trembling. Kolyn felt helpless to protect him, to keep him safe.
"God help us," she mumbled. "We must go," Dwight demanded, jerking her up from the floor. He tried to take Andrew from her, but Andrew's grip was so tight about her neck Dwight couldn't budge him. Dwight gave up and let her carry the boy. "Why are we going to see Emmett?" Dwight glanced back at her, his eyes dark and troubled. "'Tis not Emmett I wish t' see."
"Then who?" she persisted, needing to know. Even more, needing to prepare for what lay ahead. "'Tis the witch-woman I seek." The fear that clutched her made her heart stop, then rush ahead painfully. "W . . . why the witch-woman, Dwight?" This time, he turned to look her straight in the eyes. "T' rid you of the bastard you carry, Kolyn. I cannot have you heavy with his child while
you sleep in my bed.''
Panic seized her, squeezing all calmness from her with the air in her lungs. She bolted. Dwight was only one step behind her. In seconds, he had her firmly in hand. Kolyn still held Andrew and couldn't fight him off, but when he lifted her from the ground to carry her back to her mare, she kicked with every ounce of strength she had left.
"Damn it, Kolyn, be still."
She did not heed his warning, and Dwight struck her with his fist across her jaw. Blackness engulfed her for the second time that day. When Ian arrived at the cottage, it was empty, looking as if no one had been there for a long time. Yet as he walked about the dingy single room, he caught signs that someone had been there recently. Fresh footprints marked the dirt floor, and scuffed places showed there had been a struggle. His heart contracted as he thought of Kolyn having to fight the big man.
"I've found some fresh tracks, Ian." Ian went back out at Geoffrey's call and examined them himself. "Aye, they're headed to the village." "Makes no sense," Geoffrey said, his own features heavy with worry. "Dwight's been banished. Why would he risk takin' her there?" "Why indeed," Ian mumbled. Instinct told him there was no time to waste.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kolyn heard talking, and despite the pain, despite the desire to hide away from the horror, she pulled herself from the blackness that surrounded her. Slowly and sluggishly, the meaning of the words began to form in her mind. She bolted awake. She was at Gregor Castle, in Emmett's room. Immediately, she searched for Andrew. He pulled away from his uncle and ran to her open arms. She hugged him tightly.
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