Edge of Yesterday (Edge Series Book 1)

by Tarah Scott

  “Cailean,” Julianna cried.

  Crowe’s gaze flicked to her and Cailean realized he was about to grab her. Cailean slashed as Crowe pivoted, and he sliced Crowe’s left cheek. Blood streamed down his face. He faltered.

  “Stop, Crowe,” Father Gabriel shouted. “They are man and wife.”

  Crowe yanked his gaze onto the priest. “Man and wife?”

  “Aye.”

  “Ye lie,” he ground out.

  Other priests filled the doorway.

  Father Gabriel shook his head. “They said their vows in a handfasting. I saw to it myself.”

  Crowe dabbed at his bleeding cheek with the back of his sleeve and something niggled in the back of Cailean’s brain amidst the roar of blood.

  Crowe looked at Julianna. “Is this true? Ye married this cur?”

  Her eyes widened and she looked at Cailean.

  “Tell him, Cailean,” Father Gabriel said.

  “Aye,” Cailean gasped between heavy breaths.

  “Ye didnae tell me they had married.” Father Andrew looked doubtful.

  “It happened but an hour ago,” Father Gabriel replied. “They wanted to join as man and wife before returning to Raghnall. Lady Julianna has more than one offer of marriage and…” He looked at her, smiling.

  “And I wanted Cailean” —she turned her gaze onto Crowe— “and no one else.”

  “What can he offer you?” Crowe demanded.

  “A good sword arm,” Cailean said, still holding Triumph.

  Crowe took a step toward him, but Father Andrew stepped in front of him. “They are wed. Ye can do nothing.”

  “I can kill him.”

  “Ye can try,” Cailean said softly.

  “If you kill him, then my brother will kill you.” Lady Julianna lifted her chin.

  Cailean stepped up to her. “Ye have very little faith in my sword arm, wife.”

  She paled.

  “Nevertheless, she speaks the truth.”

  Everyone turned to face Lennox, who had pushed past the priests in the doorway.

  His gaze settled first on Cailean and Cailean knew he had much to answer for, then his eyes shifted onto Crowe.

  “He is my brother-in-law.”

  Fury flashed in Crowe’s eyes. He slammed his sword into its scabbard, then started toward the door. He took three steps, whirled to face Cailean, and said, “This” —he pointed to his bleeding cheek— “will be a constant reminder of the debt I owe ye.”

  And Cailean knew what was picking at his brain.

  Crowe and Val Ross were the same man.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Julianna locked her gaze on Crowe’s back. He took the final steps through the door ahead of Father Andrew and the tremble that had begun in her belly threatened to buckle her knees. When Crowe’s sword had slashed Cailean’s plaid, for one horrible moment, she’d been sure he had wounded Cailean.

  Remain calm, she commanded herself. Cailean is safe and unharmed.

  Crowe, on the other hand, would remember Cailean every day he saw his reflection or touched his face. Tears stung her eyes. Perhaps God was punishing her for seducing Cailean—and on holy ground.

  Father Gabriel closed the door and faced them. “So, my children, all is well.”

  “Thanks to you—and Cailean.” Julianna faced Cailean. “I am so sorry. It was my fault ye were nearly killed.”

  He frowned. “I wouldn’t say that. It was little more than a good scuffle.”

  She blinked. He almost sounded hurt.

  “Cailean being here is your doing, Julianna?” Her brother turned a stern eye on her.

  “Of course,” she said.

  “I suppose, then, I willnae have to finish what Crowe started.”

  “Lucky me,” Cailean muttered. “You were just defending me.”

  “It wasnae Crowe’s place to defend Julianna. It is mine.” Lennox lifted a brow. “Still, I will enjoy seeing ye tell my mother that you married her daughter.”

  Cailean grunted. “Ye are a perverse man.”

  Lennox shrugged. “A man finds his amusement where he can.”

  Julianna stared. “Have you two lost your minds?” She swung her gaze onto Father Gabriel. “Father, why did ye say that we were married? To lie is a sin.”

  “It is a sin to bear false witness against a neighbor.”

  “But that is what you did.”

  “Was it?” Father Gabriel smiled. “Some would say I saved a man’s life—your husband’s.”

  “What?” Cailean’s jaw dropped.

  “This is no’ what I intended.” Julianna began to pace. “No’ at all.”

  “What did ye intend?” Lennox stepped in front of her.

  She halted and met his gaze. He knew full well what she intended—and that she had every right to such pleasure. Still, she hadn’t intended for Cailean to be placed in jeopardy.

  She looked again to Father Gabriel. “What are we to do?”

  The holy man shrugged. “Go home and introduce your new husband to your mother.”

  “Are ye saying we are truly married?” Cailean stared.

  Lennox’s eyes narrowed on him. “In front of over half a dozen witnesses, ye agreed with Father Gabriel that you had pledged yourself to Julianna. Do ye now say otherwise?”

  Cailean shook his head.

  “What does that mean?” Lennox took a step toward him. “Ye spoke the words before God and a priest. That is binding, man. Or will ye now deny what eight men saw?”

  “Nae,” Cailean said in a soft voice that sent a ripple of fear down Julianna’s spine. “I know what I said.”

  “But ye didnae mean the words?” Lennox’s soft tone matched Cailean’s.

  Cailean frowned, then his expression cleared. “I meant the words.”

  Lennox regarded him for a long moment, then turned to Father Gabriel. “I assume my sister and her husband can stay here together tonight?”

  “They are wed.” Father Gabriel nodded, looking pleased. “Of course, they are welcome to this room.”

  “Good, for I know Crowe. This matter is no’ yet settled.” Lennox looked at Cailean. “I assume ye can protect your wife if necessary.”

  Cailean’s eyes hardened. “Crowe will no’ come anywhere near her.”

  “I am glad to hear that.” Lennox said, and left.

  Father Gabriel turned to follow and Julianna opened her mouth to beg him to stay, then jerked her gaze onto Cailean, who stared at her. Father Gabriel closed the door behind him and Julianna tensed in readiness for Cailean’s fury.

  He crossed to the bed, sheathed his sword, then went to the wall opposite the bed and sat on the floor. He leaned against the wall, stretched out his legs, then folded his arms over his chest and closed his eyes.

  Julianna stood motionless, confused.

  Finally, she said, “Do ye plan to sleep on the floor?”

  “Aye,” he said without opening his eyes.

  “Ye dinnae have to do that.”

  He opened his eyes, looked at her, and said, “Aye, I do,” then closed his eyes again.

  *

  Julianna awoke the following morning to find her body achy and her cell empty. Waking alone was no more than she deserved, she supposed, but Cailean had sworn to protect her. Peevishness surfaced. She smoothed her hair and straightened her clothes, then opened her door, determined to find Cailean. Instead, she discovered David guarding her door. He insisted on accompanying her, and by the time they reached the dining hall, her resolve faltered. She ate her meal of slaked oats and watered ale in silence, then returned to her cell until a message reached her that Lennox was ready for them to leave.

  When they rode through Raghnall’s gates in the early afternoon, she wanted to run in the opposite direction. Lennox and Cailean had ignored her on the ride home, which gave her too much time to worry. She’d thought—even hoped—that over time Cailean might fall in love with her and marriage would follow. But no man liked being trapped, even by accident. She wanted ve
ry badly to assure herself that he did know it had been an accident. It had never occurred to her that anyone—especially Crowe—would catch them alone. To her shame, she hadn’t given the matter any thought. Now, she would have to face the humiliation of an annulment. She couldn’t bear knowing Cailean was hers only because circumstances forced him to wed her.

  She couldn’t change what happened. But she could influence the outcome.

  Her mother would never forgive her. So be it. She had no intention of going along with her mother’s plans for her future, but she had intended on winning her over.

  They halted and Julianna swung her leg over her horse’s rump, but before her feet touched the ground, Cailean stood beside her and grasped her waist. She searched his face as he settled her on the ground, but couldn’t read his thoughts. He stood aside and she started toward the keep. He fell in alongside. Lennox joined them and she felt as if she were marching to the gallows.

  The sun hung in the west, which meant her mother would be in the kitchens, overseeing the evening meal.

  They entered the large arched entry. At this early hour, only a few torches burned. They paused to allow their eyes to adjust.

  “I will fetch our mother, lass,” Lennox said.

  The gentleness in his voice made her want to cry, but she forced back the sting of tears and nodded. He led the way into the hall. Julianna stopped at the first table and sat. Cailean remained standing.

  She stared at the floor. “My father will have the marriage annulled.”

  “What?”

  She lifted her gaze to his face. “I said—”

  “I heard ye. Still, I dinnae think it’s that easy, my lady.”

  My lady. He couldn’t even address her by her Christian name.

  “I didnae say it was. He will have to pay handsomely. But it can be done.”

  “Is that so?”

  Ire flared and she leapt to her feet. “I understand ye are angry, but ye act as if I planned this.”

  “Did ye?” he asked in a soft voice.

  “Are ye daft?” she snapped. “I cannae begin to imagine how I might have carried out such a plot. And Crowe—” Red hot fury twisted through her. “Do ye think for a moment I would put your life in danger by having ye fight him?”

  Cailean’s gaze sharpened. “Ye think he is a better swordsman?”

  “Men!” Julianna threw her hands in the air. “Sweet Jesu, ‘tis true, pride does go before the fall.”

  “You should know, my lady.”

  She yanked her chin up. “I will do penance for my lust—and ye may rest assured I willnae make such a mistake again.”

  “Which mistake?” He lifted a brow. “Lusting, or getting caught?”

  She almost shouted ‘Both!’ but snapped her mouth shut when Lennox stepped from the kitchens. Their mother wasn’t with him.

  Anxiety knotted her belly.

  Lennox reached them and said, “Our mother is gone for the afternoon visiting some of Father’s tenants.” He looked at Cailean. “Cailean, she asked that ye work with our warriors sparring today.”

  He canted his head. “Of course.”

  Lennox turned to her. “She wants ye to advise the women in the kitchens. They will need a festive menu. Guests are coming for an evening feast.”

  “Visitors? Who?” She was in no mood for company and neither would her mother be when she learned her only daughter had married behind her back. She felt the floor tilting beneath her. “Cook can see to the meal.” She spoke as calmly as she could. “I will be in my room.”

  “Julianna.” Lennox grasped her arm. “Our mother expects ye to oversee the evening.”

  She hesitated. Her mother was going to be furious at the mess Julianna had made while at Reay Abbey. It was probably better not to further anger her by flouting her orders.

  Julianna gave a curt nod. “I will speak with Cook. But first I will refresh myself.” Before her brother—or anyone—could object, she turned and headed for her bedchamber. She managed to reach the stairs, out of sight of Cailean and Lennox, before the tears broke through her resolve.

  *

  A mouthwatering blend of baking bread and roasting meat hung heavy in the kitchens, as did the stronger smell of frying onions and garlic. Sacks of grain and flour had been dragged into the kitchens from the darker, cooler storerooms. Everyone in the vast room busied themselves with the final preparations for the evening. Julianna was exhausted and glad for the fatigue. Perhaps tonight she would enjoy the sleep of the dead. Then her mother entered the kitchens and knew she wouldn’t find peace tonight or tomorrow night or the next.

  “How are the preparations coming?” Her mother paused before her.

  Though she didn’t say it—didn’t have to say it—Julianna knew her mother meant, I know all is well because you will not shame me.

  ”Everything is as you planned,” she replied.

  Her mother cast her a sideways glance. “We shall see.”

  Two laundresses rushed past, arms laden with clean table linens, the pristine white cloth smelling of heather and thyme. They vanished into the torchlit hall.

  Julianna smoothed the folds of her skirts. “What time will your guests arrive?”

  “Any moment.”

  Julianna glanced at the doorway. Should she find Lennox and Cailean, or simply take her mother aside and tell her what happened? Julianna sighed. “I must speak with ye, Mother.”

  “Aye.” Her mother’s eyes shifted to her.

  She stared for a long moment and Julianna recalled as a child, her mother sitting her down and asking her who had taken the bread from the kitchen in the middle of the night. Julianna knew the new kitchen maid had taken the bread. The girl’s father had died and the family of six didn’t have nearly enough to go around. Julianna had confessed to the crime. Her mother ordered her to her bed for the day, but Julianna later learned that she had also sent enough food for the family to last the winter.

  Julianna never asked why her mother didn’t apologize for punishing her when she only wanted to protect the maid, but as she grew older she understood that her mother probably knew from the start who the culprit was, but she wanted Julianna to understand that there were consequences to all actions—even for lies of kindness.

  It was a shame Julianna hadn’t remembered that lesson when she strayed from Haven Cottage and stumbled upon Crowe and subsequently Cailean. She wouldn’t be in this mess at all if she’d minded her business. But here she was.

  “If ye have a moment.” She waited.

  “Perhaps after the evening meal,” her mother replied.

  Julianna glanced around the busy kitchen. Nearby, a serving woman removed a tray of delicious-smelling bread rounds from the domed bake oven. She dare not say anything here with so many people present. Her mother’s one unbreakable rule was that they didn’t discuss personal matters in front of the servants.

  “This is important,” Julianna pressed.

  “Aye, then,” she said. “We will talk once our guests have left.” Her gaze shifted to Julianna. “You had better change clothes.”

  Julianna glanced down at her simple day gown.

  Her mother’s gaze followed, flicking over the plain dress. “Please wear your dark blue velvet gown.”

  Julianna stilled. The blue velvet? “Who are our guests?”

  “A party of Sutherlands and Lord Sinclair with his own retinue.”

  Julianna startled. Such lofties rarely ventured anywhere near Heatheredge, much less Raghnall. “What are such high lords doing at Raghnall?” Julianna puzzled, but her mother had turned and was crossing to Cook, who stood before the huge kitchen hearth where a succulent boar roasted on its turnspit. Two red-cheeked and sweating lads of about ten summers turned the spit.

  “That should feed an army.” She glanced at the cauldron suspended over a second hearth. Steam rose from the pot in a great cloud. “As always, Cook, you do us proud.”

  Julianna frowned. She rarely gave praise—but in fairness, she seldom
raised her voice and she always listened to both sides of an argument. Still, Julianna wondered what had put her in the mood for praise tonight. What did it matter? Her good mood would vanish once she learned of Julianna’s marriage.

  She hurried from the kitchen and ran into Lennox in the stair tower.

  “Do as our mother commands, and change your clothes,” he said, once she told him what had transpired in the kitchen. “I will find Cailean and we will take her aside before the guests arrive.”

  She complied, even rubbing her teeth with rosemary and mint, and then pulling on a fresh undershift before she’d donned the narrow-sleeved dress of deep blue her mother wanted her to wear. Julianna lightly fastened a red-and-blue embroidered girdle about her waist. For good measure, she tucked a small sachet of dried heather and rose petals into her cleavage, making sure the perfumed packet wasn’t visible above her low-cut bodice.

  Thus prepared, she paced until a rap sounded on the door. She hurried to the door and flung it wide, surprised to find one of the kitchen maids, Meg, standing there.

  “What is it, Meg?”

  “Lady Ravenstone wants ye in the great hall.”

  “Thank you for letting me know.” Julianna smiled at the girl, but anxiety pitched her stomach. She couldn’t refuse her mother.

  “What shall I tell her, lady?” Meg waited.

  “I will be down presently.”

  The girl nodded, then hastened away. Julianna closed the door. She could wait a short while, but no more. Lennox didn’t come, and, finally, Julianna knew she must go. When she descended the turnpike stair, strains of music wafted from below, and the murmur of voices told her the guests had arrived. As she neared the last stairs, the murmur of voices increased so that Julianna could scarce hear herself think when she stepped from the tower stair into the hall. She startled to see at least a hundred men and women milling about the vast space, while others chatted at the long tables.