Bethia

by Keira Montclair

  Bethia rolled her eyes, then grabbed one of the twin’s hands. Liliana had managed to grab her pup’s tail. “One never knows with Uncle Logan, but he has an ulterior motive. We all know it. Mayhap he wants Maggie to win.”

  Maggie jerked her head up. “Nay, not me. He knows I’ll not accept it.”

  Lily pondered before she answered, “Mayhap you’re right. But he does adore you, Maggie. Could be he wishes to give you the opportunity to show off your special prowess.” Lily grinned as she said it, and Bethia couldn’t help but smile too.

  They were interrupted by Torrian. “Bethia, you’ll stay through most of the races in case we have any injuries?”

  “Of course, Torrian. I’ll not be far.” Lise and Liliana giggled as Torrian bent over to plant a kiss on each one’s cheek. He made a point of petting each of the pups. He always made sure to treat each animal the same. No one was kinder to animals than her dear brother.

  Or so she’d thought until she met Donnan.

  He laughed. “I’m sure you will not be allowed to leave.” His hand pointed off to the distance. “More of your admirers are coming.”

  Bethia turned her head to see her sister, Jennet, and her cousin, Brigid, come pouncing toward them, landing on the ground beside them in a heap of giggles. Brigid giggled uncontrollably, which sent Lise and Liliana both into giggles.

  “They all love you, Bethia,” Lily announced, leaning back on her elbows in the grass. “We all do.”

  Bethia found her gaze drifting to the side of the meadow. Donnan stood alone with his dogs, all three settled at his feet. His gaze caught hers and she smiled.

  Lily followed her gaze and whispered, “I like the two of you together. Who knew what a handsome man was hidden behind all that hair? Verra handsome.” She leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Look at all the lassies making their way over to him.”

  Bethia did her best to ignore Donnan’s entourage, focusing instead on the four lassies around her. Jennet and Brigid stood and began to chase the puppies around, much to the glee of the twins, who crawled out of Bethia’s lap so they too could try to catch the puppies.

  Kyle and Torrian gave directions to all those who had animals racing in the festivities, starting with the smallest dogs. Once they were all lined up, Kyle waved a flag and the dogs took off to a roar from the crowd and barking from the dogs waiting to race.

  A short time later, three lasses, all nearly of age to marry, made their way over to Bethia.

  The apparent leader of the group, Colina, asked, “Bethia, have you heard about the new contest, Queen of the Festival?”

  “Aye, I’ve heard of it, but I don’t know much about it.” She had to admit her curiosity was piqued. She was not friends with any of them. They were shallow and downright mean at times. These were some of the lasses who’d spoken badly of her and Donnan at the party her parents had held for her.

  The girls waited until Jennet, Brigid, Maggie, and Lily were out of hearing distance before they spoke. All of them were running about with the twins and the puppies.

  Gormal, a homely girl with muddy brown hair, said, “So are you allowed to enter?” Her friend Mor stood behind her, apparently hiding, though Bethia wasn’t sure why.

  “I’m sure she would not be,” Colina replied. “She’s part of the laird’s family, so it would not be fair for her to enter, would it, Bethia?” She flashed a phony smile, showing her white teeth.

  While Gormal was homely, Colina was a beauty with a lovely smile, blue eyes, and flowing red hair. Her heart was as black as Bearchun’s, or so it seemed. Bethia did her best to avoid her. The lass was downright sneaky in all she did.

  “I’m not interested in entering any type of contest, so do not worry, Colina.” She picked up one of the pups, who struggled to follow the rest of the litter into the deep grasses.

  “Worried?” Colina pursed her lips and planted a hand on one hip. “I’m not worried about any of my competition, just as I’m not worried about anyone stealing Donnan away from me.”

  Bethia had a difficult time containing her shock. “Donnan? If I recall, the first time you saw him, you said he reminded you of a recluse who belonged in the caves. Was that not how I heard it?”

  Colina tilted her chin, her haughtiness obvious to everyone. “Mayhap I said so when he was hairy, but shaven, I like him. We just had a lovely conversation and he invited me to dine with him in the keep this eve after the festivities are moved inside. Was that not thoughtful of him?” She turned around to wave at Donnan, but he ignored her, instead staring into Bethia’s eyes, a look that shot straight to her core.

  Hell, but he was an intense man.

  She wondered why he would wish to dine with Colina. They did not seem to suit each other at all, and he’d made it very clear he was interested in Bethia.

  Torrian’s voice interrupted them. “Bethia, will you check the dog with the white fur, please?”

  She got to her feet and moved toward the wailing dog, but not before Colina whispered to her two friends. “I do not think I’ve ever seen anyone have such difficulty standing up. She is quite large, is she not?”

  Gormal whispered something back, but only one word stood out: “Chubby.”

  Bethia froze and turned around just in time to see Lily take a tumble and fall directly on Colina with a just changed soiled raggie in her hand. “Oh dear, do forgive me, Colina.”

  Colina squealed, pushing Lily away from her and checking her gown. “Look what you did, you silly fool.” As if just realizing what she’d said to the laird’s sister, she stared at Lily with a wide-eyed expression. “Sorry, Lady Lily.” Colina looked around nervously, probably to see if Kyle had overheard. His fierce protectiveness of his wife was legendary in the clan. Much to her obvious horror, Kyle had heard, and his eyes were ablaze with fury. Bethia would have laughed, but his expression was actually terrifying.

  Kyle was at Lily’s side in an instant, Jennet and Brigid watching the twins. “Did you just insult my wife?”

  “Nay, I did not mean… Sorry…” She spun on her heal and ran off, Gormal and Mor following her.

  “My thanks, Kyle.” Lily kissed him.

  “That lass,” he shook his head. “I’m going to talk with her mother. I don’t take kindly to her attitude.”

  “I could have handled the situation,” Lily said, giving him her sweetest smile.

  “I know. I saw you start to handle her, ‘tis why I came over so quickly. True, she had a little pish coming, but I feared you wouldn’t stop there. I know what you would do to defend your sister.” He walked away, his hands on his hips, but peered back over his shoulder and asked, “I have faith you made a direct hit, wife?”

  Lily wrinkled her nose and nodded. “Just a wee bit, but ‘twas enough.”

  Bethia spun on her heel and headed over to the whining ball of fur off to the side of the track. How much worse could things get? It had been embarrassing enough when they’d insulted her at her party, now they’d insulted her to her face, and involved her sister and Kyle. The color on her face could not be any darker as she hustled over to the struggling animal.

  Fortunately, it was an animal she’d treated before, so she sat on the ground to allow the wee beast to come to her. After one more pained circle, the dog finally ran over to her and fell sideways across her lap. She’d assessed his limping, so she settled the dog on his back and held the injured paw up to her eye while the dog finally ceased his yelping.

  After careful consideration, she said, “‘Tis just a wee nettle in your paw.” She removed the offending agent and the dog jumped off her lap, running in a circle as if to test his paw, then ran back to Bethia to lick her cheek. Laughing, she waved the dog away just as a hand bronzed by the sun reached down to help her to stand. She allowed the assistance and stood, only to find herself staring straight into Donnan’s eyes.

  “What did she say to you?”

  “Donnan, it does not matter to me. I care not what Colina says.”

  “But I do,
” he whispered. “I could see it in your countenance as soon as the nasty words left her mouth. You recovered well, but her barb hurt you.”

  Tears misted her eyes at the fact that he’d noticed all those things from a distance. “It does not matter, and I will not dignify her remark by repeating it.” She sighed and pinched her eyes closed to stop the tears from flooding her cheeks. “I accept who I am.”

  “I hope so. What matters is your intelligence and your compassion, not your size, but you should know that I prefer a woman closer to my size. I always wondered why some men preferred wee lassies. I’d be afraid they could break. I like a woman who can fill my hands. Your curves would fit me perfectly.”

  She blushed, pleased by his words. “I hear you invited her to dine with you.”

  “Truly? ‘Tis a lie. She invited me, but I rejected her. I have eyes for no one but you.”

  She turned away, unsure of how to respond to his intimate compliments but enjoying them just the same.

  He followed her and said, “Forgive me, Lady Bethia. I did not intend to upset you. Mayhap I was too blunt. I’ve not been around many women of late.”

  She pivoted to face him and said, “You did not upset me, but I’m still a wee bit confused. This is all so new to me.”

  He whispered, “I am interested in you, verra interested. Bethia.”

  She noticed his gaze traveling over her shoulder, so she glanced in that direction to see what drew his attention. “What is it?”

  “Saints preserve me, I hope my eyes are deceiving me.” He reached for her hand and squeezed it before he let go. “I must go. Forgive me, but I’ll find you later.”

  She didn’t like the pained expression on his face one bit. “Who is it?”

  In a voice only she could hear, he replied, “My wife.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Donnan hurried back toward the gates, grateful they were a distance away from the festivities. Sure enough, there was Glenna atop her horse with two men on horseback riding behind her, raising a small ruckus with the guards at the gate.

  “Nay, you’ll not gain entrance. Mayhap you did used to be part of the Clan Ramsay, but I do not recall who you are.” Cailean MacAdam had been given the duty of guarding the keep during the races, a fine time to distract the guards.

  “Then we’ll go to the festivities and I’ll find someone to vouch for me.” His wife’s voice carried to him over the din.

  “Nay, you won’t. Not while I’m here. I doubt your small horse can outrun my stallion.” Cailean’s horse pranced a bit, as if to show off for his master.

  “I want you to find my husband now.” She crossed her arms and stared at MacAdam as if her looks alone would affect him.

  He snorted, basically ignoring her.

  “Find him now, I say,” she sneered, raising her voice.

  “Who is he? Then mayhap I’ll think about it.” Two other guards stood behind Cailean, while three were on top of the curtain wall, arrows already set to fire.

  “My husband is Donnan Douglas, the new Earl of Panmure. Are you so ignorant?”

  Cailean guided his destrier around her small mount. “I’d watch your tone if I were you, lady, or my mount will be eating yours for dinner. Take your men off Ramsay land. We’re not impressed with your bluster.”

  “Why, I have never been so insulted! I’ll tell your laird how rude you’ve been…”

  Donnan had heard enough. Shouting over the noise from the fields, he said, “Glenna, enough. Dismount, and I’ll speak with you over there.” He pointed to a copse of trees outside of the gates. “Since you left me, ‘tis all I’ll give you. A quarter of an hour, and then I’ll send you on your way.”

  One of her guards dismounted and rushed over to assist her down from her horse. Once she landed on her feet, she shoved the guard away and settled her hair and her brat, spinning on her heel to face him.

  “How dare you insult me in front of lowly guards.” Her hands went to her hips, and Donnan knew exactly what would come next. She was still magnificently beautiful, but her black heart changed everything. “You have no respect for me, you never have…”

  He interrupted her, not willing to give any attention to her well-practiced attention-seeking behavior. He set his hand on the small of her back and pushed her over to the side. “Hurry, or I’ll leave you here.”

  MacAdam yelled out, “I’d be happy to send her off, Donnan.”

  Glenna shouted at him, “That guard is rude. You need to speak to Quade about him and have him banished. Does he not know who I am?”

  “Nay, he does not, and that guard is Logan Ramsay’s son-in-law, so you’ll get nowhere with your misguided demands. He’s the best guard we have, in Logan’s opinion.”

  She glared at him, but they’d finally reached the group of trees where they’d not be in the way of anyone on horseback. All of a sudden, her entire demeanor changed. “Donnan, ‘tis so wonderful to finally see you again. I’ve been searching for you, but I’ve failed so many times.”

  Glenna attempted to throw her arms around his neck, but he ducked her embrace, and gently pushed her away from him. “Glenna, do not treat me like a fool. You left me, if you do not recall, and I have been on Ramsay land ever since, much happier, by the way. I’d prefer it if you’d marry another and set me free.”

  She smiled that expression he knew well—a crafty expression that spoke of her deceit. “Have you not missed me, dear husband? I’ve missed you.”

  “Nay, I have not missed you. What do you want? End the small talk.” He gave her a piercing look, hoping she’d take the hint. She’d deserted him.

  Glenna positioned herself closer to him, a strategic move on her part, but he recognized it as an attempted seduction. He would not be brought under her spell again. “I want the same thing I’ve always wanted. I want the coin that allows me to do whatever I want, and buy whatever I want.”

  “I don’t have much coin. You know that, so why are you here?” He knew the answer, but he would force her to say it.

  “Have you not heard that your own dear father has passed on?”

  “I have heard.”

  “Then why have you not gone to claim your rightful place as his heir? You are now the Earl of Panmure.”

  “If I choose to be, I could be the Earl of Panmure. I am neither interested in my sire’s castle nor his title. Have you forgotten that he disinherited me when I married you?”

  She moved a step closer to him, her eyes turning into that beady, intense stare he hated. This was a woman set on getting what she wanted.

  How different she was from dear Bethia.

  “I have not forgotten, but you are his only heir, so you know the courts will ignore his foolishness and grant you his title. There is no one else.”

  “I do not want his title. I prefer a simple life.”

  “You will claim your inheritance, and I will return as your wife.”

  He chuckled. “I just told you I’m not interested. I may have been young and foolish enough to fall prey to your manipulations before, but no longer.”

  “Why not? Are you slipping your cock into another? Fine. Bring her along, and you can keep slipping it into her. I care not. You were a terrible lover.”

  “Nay. Go back to the rock you slithered out from under.” He spun on his heel and strode away.

  “I’ve told you before. I wish to be a countess—‘tis the reason I married you. If you do not do as I wish, I’ll tell all and you’ll be hanged.”

  He spun back around, anger blackening his heart to match hers. “You’ll tell what? That I loved our son and you didn’t? That you left me because I wouldn’t take you to Edinburgh to buy you new gowns every day? That you were the worst mother in the world, hating your own flesh and blood?” He knew the last part had come out in a bellow, but he did not care. The fury inside him could not be tamed. Glenna’s deceit and callousness knew no bounds.

  Glenna snickered. “That could all be true, but there is no law against any of it. Your a
ctions were far worse than mine.”

  “And what exactly is it you are threatening me with?”

  “Either you return to claim your inheritance and claim me as your wife, or I’ll go to our king and tell him the truth.” She crossed her arms, a slow grin spreading across her face.

  “What truth?” But he already knew the answer. He knew what vileness she was about to spew.

  “Do as I say, or I’ll tell him how you killed our son.”

  Donnan fisted his hands, stepping back because he feared he would hit her.

  She continued, her eyes full of satisfaction. “You have two days to think on it before I return, or I’ll tell everyone the truth, murderer.”

  ***

  Bethia returned to her spot, her gaze on Donnan. He was leaving, and he wasn’t moving slowly.

  She couldn’t tear her gaze from what drew him. A woman stood at the gates, attempting to gain entrance to their castle.

  Was it truly his wife?

  The lump that formed in Bethia’s throat threatened to choke her. She moved as if in a trance, heading slowly in their direction.

  The closer she came, the more she could see the woman. She dismounted and stood in front of Donnan, a serious expression on her face. Her gown underneath her brat was beautiful, a dark red that accentuated her tiny waist and curves. Her lovely face was made almost ugly by an expression of fury. The two of them marched over to a group of trees not far from where she stood, oblivious to everyone around them.

  Though she told herself to stop, she couldn’t. One foot stepped in front of the other, not stopping until she was close enough to overhear their conversation, though bits and pieces fell out.

  Glenna was trying to force Donnan to accept his inheritance. The title and the riches were all she’d ever wanted. Her conversation moved along, but Bethia’s mind was stuck on one small detail. This woman was his wife.

  How could Donnan and Bethia ever marry if his wife wished to have him back?

  Her mind raced through all kinds of conjectures, of how she’d probably just lost the one man who’d ever desired her and treated her with the respect she deserved. She’d lost the one chance she’d ever had for love.