“That is certainly an option should you fail to please me,” Alexander returned. “Of course, I will wait until you have given me several fine sons. Once that task is accomplished, I will not need you anymore.”
He regretted the harshness of his words as soon as he said them. While some men did send their wives into exile, it was not something he could ever imagine himself doing, not unless she committed some terrible crime. He felt a strong twinge of guilt as he saw the tears welling in his wife’s beautiful green eyes.
“But, for now, I do have a task to occupy you.” He spoke more gently now.
“What might that be?”
“I would like you to see to the planning of a feast. We need to bring the clan together to celebrate our marriage.”
Ailis bit her lip. She looked a little uncertain, but a smile slowly formed on her face, lighting up her eyes.
“Yes, my lord, I can do that,” she replied. “When do you wish to hold this celebration?”
“After the next market day,” Alexander told her. He wanted to bring his people here to demonstrate that there was a new regime, one that would ensure the peace and prosperity of all within the clan. As many of them would come to Inverdonnell for the market, it was the ideal opportunity. “Will you manage?”
“Aye,” Ailis replied. “I believe I will.”
“Good girl,” Alexander said as he rose to his feet. “Spare no expense.”
Her eyes seemed to light up and Alexander smiled. He had not met a woman yet who did not enjoy spending money.
“Very well, my lord,” she agreed.
“I shall leave everything in your hands,” Alexander said as he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Her skin was soft and warm and when she raised her hand to touch the side of his face, he wished that he could stay here and take her back to bed for the day. “I have business to attend.”
The look on her face suggested she was about to ask him what business it was he had to see to, but he gave a subtle warning shake of his head that she seemed to read correctly as she averted her gaze to stare at the floor. She seemed keen to take an active role in things, but a woman did not need to involve herself in the work of the estate. He was going to have to ensure that Ailis knew her place and when he returned tonight, he was going to demonstrate to her precisely where she belonged.
Chapter Ten
Ailis shifted impatiently from one foot to the other as Agnes Menzies, the woman Alexander had sent to torture her with ridiculous questions about colors of cloth and styles of sleeve went to fetch yet another bale of fabric. She couldn’t believe he’d done this to her without warning but, not one hour after he’d left to attend to his business affairs, this harridan had arrived, insisting that she’d been engaged to see to Ailis’ new wardrobe. She looked helplessly to Margaret, who’d remained with her in the women’s solar to help her make her choices.
“Just think about how much more arduous selecting your new wardrobe would be if Edane was here,” Margaret said in an attempt to cheer Ailis up. “She would have an opinion about everything.”
Ailis had to admit Margaret was right. It would be even worse if her sister-in-law had not made herself scarce after Agnes arrived. Edane had cited some vague malady but Ailis knew it was jealousy that had driven her from the room. She was irritated that Ailis was organizing the banquet and had obviously been extremely put out by Alexander’s largesse toward his new bride. That Edane was practically spitting with envy at Ailis’ good fortune was some consolation, she supposed.
“Now, this is pretty,” Margaret enthused as Agnes approached with a large bolt of cloth.
Ailis had to agree that it was, indeed, a very nice fabric. The dark green brocade featuring a pattern of gold fleur-de-lis would suit her well and it would pay subtle homage to Alexander’s French heritage.
“It looks expensive,” Ailis remarked as she reached out to run her hand over the sumptuous cloth Agnes was holding out for her inspection. She had never felt such a fine weave.
“It is,” the other woman confirmed, “but Lord MacDonnell told me expense was not a consideration and that you were to have whatever you desired.”
Ailis was momentarily surprised by hearing her new husband referred to as Lord MacDonnell. Then she remembered that he had decided to flout convention by taking her surname.
“Still,” Ailis said, “I think we have enough dresses planned.”
“Indeed, my lady, but the laird wishes you to have something extra-special for the feast celebrating your marriage,” Agnes said.
Ailis screwed up her nose. She really wasn’t certain about this. She had never owned a single lavish garment, and now more than a dozen were to be made for her. It was too much. She was beginning to feel overwhelmed by Alexander’s generosity.
“The color would look very fine on you,” Margaret encouraged her. “As lady of the household, you need to stand out.”
Ailis blew out a breath. Like it or not, that was something she was going to have to consider from now on. The wife of a man like Alexander de Moray had to rise above all others and that meant dressing the part. She would need to outshine the other ladies, including her fashionable sister-in-law who would, no doubt, spare no effort to look her best on the night of the banquet.
“Very well,” Ailis said grudgingly. “The celebration will be in three weeks, so there will be plenty of time to create something suitable.”
“Indeed, my lady,” Agnes said. “I will have all of your clothes finished by then.”
Ailis blinked in surprise, unable to imagine how that would be achieved. Some of the dresses she had ordered were of a complicated design. They would take a great deal of time to cut and stitch. Then there were surcotes and undershirts to be made. It seemed an impossible task.
“Of course, you will need to make yourself available for a number of fittings, my lady.”
Ailis sighed. Surely there were better ways to spend her time than trying on dresses. She glanced over at Margaret, who gave her a stern look as she slowly nodded her head, indicating that Ailis should agree.
“It seems I am at your mercy,” Ailis said, “so, I will suffer as I must.”
“Really, Ailis,” Margaret scolded. “I have never known a woman to complain so much about being given pretty things.”
“That is easy for you to say.” Ailis pursed her lips. “You are not the one who has been made to stand here all morning to be prodded and poked and turned this way and that.”
“You are being very ungrateful,” Margaret chided.
“Would you not complain if you were in my place?” Ailis asked.
“No, of course not.”
Ailis rolled her eyes and a mischievous thought occurred to her. “Tell me, Lady Margaret, what do you intend to wear to the banquet?”
“I have a very fine red kirtle and surcote.”
Ailis tried to think if she knew which garments Margaret was referring to.
“You mean the ones you wore at Yuletide last year?”
“Yes, I believe the color suits me well.”
With her fair hair and rosy cheeks, the deep crimson did look good on Margaret. The surcote was particularly beautiful with gold embroidery around the hem. The garments were suitable for a large celebration but Ailis was not satisfied.
“It will not do,” she declared. “You must have a new dress. Agnes, do you have something for Lady Margaret?”
“There is a very nice blue silk,” Agnes replied. “It would look good on the lady.”
“Ailis,” Margaret cautioned, “your husband did not engage Mistress Menzies to see to my wardrobe.”
“Ah, but he did say I was to have whatever I wished, did he not, Agnes?”
“He did indeed, my lady.” The other woman’s eyes shone with avarice as she jumped at the chance to further line her pockets.
“Then it is settled,” Ailis said in her best lady-of-the-house voice. “Please measure Lady Margaret for a new gown and help her to choose a fine cloth. Something
that will do justice to her pretty face.”
The seamstress sank into a low curtsy as Ailis turned to leave. Behind her, she could hear Margaret’s exasperated protests. She had issued her decree and now Margaret would have to suffer interminable questions about sleeve width and shapes of neckline. As she flounced from the room, Ailis smiled to herself. Perhaps she would enjoy playing the part of the great lady after all.
* * *
When he returned to the castle shortly before dusk, Alexander was sorely in need of some pleasant diversion. After accomplishing a great deal with his men and the MacDonnell warriors first thing, his day had become more challenging. He’d toured the nearest settlements and spoken to as many of the clan’s people as he could, but everywhere he’d gone, he had faced open hostility. With few of fighting age remaining on the land, he’d encountered mainly old men and women who’d scarcely tried to hide their mistrust of him. Without exception, each person he had spoken to had asked about Ailis and they’d all used the same interrogative style in doing so. They seemed troubled about her welfare and he realized that people thought he might have harmed her. It would not be uncommon for a conqueror to use brute force against a defenseless woman, but Alexander would never stoop so low. He hoped, in time, the people would see that he was an honorable man.
It had become abundantly clear in his short tenure here that Ailis was not only universally loved, she was greatly respected as well. She was seen as a protector, a young woman who cared deeply for the welfare of the clan. She was trusted to do whatever she could to ensure the people were looked after. Whether he liked it or not, Alexander knew he was going to have to involve her in the clan’s business, at least until he was able to prove himself a worthy leader.
He dismounted from the horse and handed the reins to the stable lad who’d hurried out to greet him. As he strode into the main castle building, his only thought was finding Ailis. He wanted nothing more than to sink his cock into her warm and welcoming body and fuck her until all his frustrations melted away. As he came into the Great Hall, he found Iain standing in one of the alcoves, staring out of the window.
“What are you doing?” he asked. It was unlike his brother to be daydreaming.
As he leaned past Iain to see what had caught his attention, it was immediately obvious what he was looking at. He was watching Ailis and Lady Margaret as they took the air.
“I’m keeping an eye on your wife,” Iain grumbled.
“Is that so?” Alexander knew quite well that it was not Ailis who had caught Iain’s interest, but the woman who sat by her side.
“Aye, it is,” Iain insisted. “Someone has to watch her. Who knows what she might try with you away all day?”
“Ailis will not try anything,” Alexander said confidently. “She knows where her duty lies.”
“After only one day!” Iain scoffed. “You must teach me your technique for breaking in such a fiery creature.”
“Another time.” Alexander refused to take the bait. He clapped his brother on the shoulder. “I must go to my wife.”
Leaving Iain stringing together a series of curses that cast doubt on his manhood behind him, Alexander hurried out into the garden. He knew that his brother saw treachery everywhere since his wife was murdered and that he was not entirely convinced that Ailis was not their enemy. He didn’t want to think about his brother’s suspicions right now. There was a pleasant breeze blowing in from the sea and the sun was sinking slowly on the horizon. If he was a poetic man, he might compose a verse or two to describe the beauty of the setting, but he was not adept with words. He turned a corner and found his lovely new bride sitting with Lady Margaret on an ornately carved stone bench. As he approached, both ladies rose to their feet.
“My lady,” he greeted his wife, before giving the other woman a nod of acknowledgement. “Lady Margaret.”
“My lord,” they returned in unison.
“Lady MacDonnell is not with you?” he asked, noting the absence of Ailis’ sour-faced sister-in-law. He smiled at his wife. “The other Lady MacDonnell, that is.”
“Edane is unwell, my lord.” It was Lady Margaret who answered. “She keeps to her bed.”
There was no mistaking the look on Ailis’ face as Margaret spoke. It was clear she did not believe her sister-in-law was ill. Since the moment of his arrival at Castle Donnell, he had sensed the ill will between the two women. He wondered if there was trouble there that might require his intervention. He could have no strife within his own household. Perhaps Edane harbored hopes that her husband would return and win back these lands. If that was the case, she might prove problematic and he would have to consider banishing her. He would wait and see, however, as he did not want to punish her without just cause.
“Perhaps I should see if there is anything she needs,” Margaret said, diplomatically excusing herself.
As she left, Alexander leaned over to place a kiss on his wife’s lips. It was chaste, a greeting and nothing more but he was reluctant to pull away from her incredible sweetness. With some effort, he managed to step back and gestured for Ailis to resume her seat before joining her on the bench.
“You have been down to the village,” Ailis said.
Alexander turned and stared at her, wondering how she knew what he’d been doing today. He supposed there would be few secrets between them, given the way news traveled within the castle walls. Still, it surprised him that word had got to her so fast when he hadn’t announced his intentions before leaving this morning.
“Yes, I wanted to look over some of the land that now falls to my care,” he replied. “I was surprised to encounter so few young men.”
Ailis shrugged her shoulders, indicating that it was not a surprise to her.
“Many of the men were killed at my father’s side when they went to aid the MacDougalls at Dunstaffnage,” Ailis told him. Alexander searched her face for some sign of bitterness, but he found none. “Others went with my brother to find support for his bid to reclaim the castle. Who knows how many perished from hunger or cold on that fool’s errand.”
Not for the first time, Alexander detected contempt when Ailis referred to her brother. That was good. It meant she was unlikely to give Gregor her backing if he returned to challenge him for the lairdship.
“It is not good for the women to be alone,” Alexander mused.
“Not with so many strange men roaming the land,” Ailis agreed.
“You refer to the soldiers who came here with me?”
Ailis inclined her head to confirm he’d grasped her meaning.
“They will not harm any of the women. Any man who does knows he will hang for it.”
Ailis looked surprised by that and Alexander knew that it was because most men in his position would turn a blind eye if their soldiers raped and pillaged their way through the lands they had recently taken control of. Some men might even encourage it as a means of keeping the people in check. Alexander was not one of those men, however, and he did not allow any lapses of discipline. Those who fought under his banner were suitably compensated for adhering to his rules and God help any man who flouted them. Besides, they had the camp whores to amuse themselves with.
“Of course, some of the younger widows may desire a new husband and here are also many young lassies who are not yet married,” Ailis said. “If your men are to stay, they might as well make themselves useful and keep the women company.”
Alexander could not agree more. A man with a family would be more settled here, as he himself expected to be. It would also be good for the future of the clan to have some new blood to replace those who had perished in battle. He was surprised that Ailis had suggested it, though. He thought she would be keen to get rid of his men, but it seemed his new bride possessed a good deal more sense than he would have credited her with.
“But what about those who are not widows?” Alexander asked. “There are those whose husbands still live but are loyal to your brother.”
“Few are loyal to Gregor,”
Ailis replied. “It is the title and our ancestry they revere. Given the chance, I am sure most would gladly return and swear fealty to my husband.”
To her husband, he noted, not to him personally. Alexander chose not to challenge her on that, because she was probably right. Until the men knew him better, they would look to Ailis for guidance.
“Are you certain of that?” he asked.
“Aye.”
“And how do you propose we convince them to return peacefully? They may not trust that they will not be punished for supporting your brother.”
Ailis seemed to mull that over for a moment.
“Send Niall as envoy. The men trust him and will listen to what he has to say. I believe at this moment they are camped in Wester Ross as my brother tries to persuade the MacDonalds to help him. Niall will find them soon enough.”
“You are remarkably well-informed, my lady. Would you mind telling me how you come to know these things?”
An enigmatic smile formed on her lips. “My lord, a woman would be foolish to give up all of her secrets.”
Alexander returned her smile. “Very well, madam,” he said, “if you will not tell me your secrets, perhaps you will show me around these beautiful gardens instead.”
For now, he was prepared to let the matter drop but he intended to find out exactly where Ailis got her information from. He didn’t want to risk getting into a situation where she knew more about what was happening with the clan than he did. It would put her in a position of power over him and that was not something he was going to allow. His wife would know her place.
* * *
“My mother was the one who laid out the gardens,” Ailis said as she walked by Alexander’s side, giving him the tour he’d requested, despite being quite certain he was really not interested in the flowers. “There was naught but tall grasses before she took charge.”
Ailis smiled wistfully as she thought about her beautiful mother who was more a product of her imagination than actual memory these days. She had died when Ailis was just a child and, in truth, she could remember little of her.
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