Alexander held out his arms to gain attention. "My friends, I know you would do as my father bids, but I cannot ask it of my new bride and family. 'Twould be a shame to end so great a celebration before it has rightly begun. I will not ask my wife to leave her own wedding feast to accompany me on such a long and difficult journey."
The false words stuck in his throat as he turned to look at the pale woman beside him. "Wife, uh, Katherine, I must join Laird Drummond now, but I will return as soon as I may do so."
Silence filled the hall as all looked to the new Lady MacGregor to hear her response. She picked up her goblet of wine and rose slowly, turning to face him.
His guilt burned deeper as he watched her standing there with all the grace and dignity of a queen. Then eyeing the heavy wine goblet gripped in her small trembling hand, he became leery of another one of her attacks of temper. God, he'd be the laughingstock of all in the castle if she threw it in his face.
He stood up straighter and stared at her with the look that always brought his men to obey him without question. But, not only did this small wisp of a lass seem to take no notice of his expression, she continued to stand there returning his gaze in silence.
When she finally spoke, her voice was gentle and accepting. "My lord husband, if 'tis your wish, I will bide here and patiently await your return."
Feeling lower than the muck from his stallion's hooves, he listened and almost wished she would lash out at him. Almost.
Alexander's gut tightened like a taut bowstring. God, you fool. Hold her. Tell her 'tis all a mistake. He reached out toward her as she turned away.
She held her goblet out toward the crowd. "Everyone, please continue to rejoice and make merry for us. Be glad in your hearts for our future together, which is yet to be."
Looking back at him again, she took a deep breath as if to steady her voice. "My lord husband, I bid you safe journey and God speed." After taking a small sip from her wine, she handed the goblet to him.
He raised it in salute to her and drank deeply in spite of the tightness in his throat. Riddled with misgiving, he watched a bittersweet smile cross her face as she stretched out her hand. He took it, raised it to his lips and kissed the velvet softness. His gaze sought hers. He would make things right when he returned.
Still holding her hand, he looked out across the great hall. "Family and friends, I leave now with your good wishes and will return soon." The graciousness of Katherine's gesture gnawed at him and he stumbled over his next words. "Such a… a devoted wife and understanding woman deserves your loyalty. Serve Lady MacGregor as you do me."
Then bowing deeply to her and the rest of the people seated at the laird's table, he quickly strode from the hall followed by Malcolm, Laird Drummond and his men.
**
A moment of stunned silence hung over the hall until someone in the crowd shattered the ominous quiet. "To Lady MacGregor!"
Immediately, the words were shouted again and again throughout the hall, until praise for Katherine rang from the rafters. She darted a beseeching glance at her mother. As the noise lessened to a general hum of conversation and activity, Monique came over and sat in Alexander's vacant seat.
"Mon cheri, you have proved yourself to be a true lady today. I am very proud of you, even as I grieve for your circumstance. Be brave, dearest, and all will be well." She hugged her daughter and kissed her cheek before she returned to her place beside Angus.
The moments dragged by. Katherine attempted to nod and smile at the revelers, but her emotions tumbled end over end. Her heart raced when a tall shadow fell across the area where she sat and a deep voice spoke from behind her with a familiar brogue.
Had he changed his mind and returned to take her with him? Did he want to be with her as she did with him? Her quick gaze took in the red and green MacGregor plaid and a smile curved the corners of her lips as her glance continued upward.
William grinned down at her almost as if in apology. "Lady Katherine, dear sister, I would be honored to accompany you through the rest of this eve's festivities if you will allow it. Ah, all but one, that is." His sincerity in wishing only her happiness was quite evident as his face heated to a bright red.
She forced a grateful smile to remain and silently nodded her thanks. She must not let anyone see the aching disappointment that twisted at her heart.
Seeming to regain his composure, William took his brother's place beside her and called out to the crowd. "Good men and women, all. You heard my brother most regrettably called away to await the king. Know you naught but a royal command could draw him away from his lovely bride and your good company." With a smile, he added, "And knowing him, he'll return swiftly with a handsome wedding gift from His Majesty in his saddlebags. So, let us all drink to the happiness of Sir Alexander and Lady Katherine MacGregor!"
He raised a goblet of wine high in the air and his voice, so like that of his older brother, boomed out. "To Laird and Lady MacGregor. Good life and health to them always!"
With that, the revelers ate, drank and made merry with added enthusiasm. As the day wound down taking with it the faint light of gloaming that bathed the sky, Katherine's ladies came to escort her to the bridal chamber.
She could feel the heat wash over her face as a moment of tense, embarrassed silence filled the hall. Everyone looked at her to see how she would handle the moment, with no husband to bed her. Her nervous gaze darted out over the crowd and she drew in a deep breath. Praying the tremor in her voice was not too evident; she stood and raised her goblet to the expectant and curious gathering. "Good friends and family, in my husband's absence, I will now retire with my ladies and bid you pleasant tidings. I… we thank you for your good wishes and I look forward to greeting you again in future years with my new lord by my side."
To a man, all in the hall rose and cheered the new Lady MacGregor. The cheering didn't stop until after she and her ladies had left the hall.
Even the closeness of the women as they accompanied her to Alexander's chambers didn't ease the cold forsaken feeling. As they arrived at the room, the women halted and waited for her to enter. When she peered into her husband's chamber set with dark massive furniture, a shiver ran through her.
There, in the middle of the room, lay the large curtained bed with its sheets turned back in readiness for the bridal night. Swallowing back her tears, she turned in the doorway to dismiss her ladies. "Thank you. I will not need you more this eve."
Nodding, they silently drifted back down the corridor. She shut the door and turned to face the room alone.
She couldn't tear her gaze from the sight of the bridal bed. Though her legs felt as immovable as stone, she managed to cross the room and look down at it. The rich green velvet of the bed covering lured her as surely as Alexander's gaze.
Gingerly, as if it would reach out and grab her, she stretched out her hand and ran her trembling fingers across the material. A small spot darkened the thick green pile as a tear slid down her cheek and dropped soundlessly to the blanket. Sniffing, she turned her back on the bed and wiped away the rest of her tears.
The muffled sounds of bagpipes and singing met her ears and she bit her lip to keep the tears at bay. She could do this.
Slowly, her shaky fingers removed her wedding gown and the new MacGregor tartan Alexander had given her. She gently laid them across the green velvet blanket and slipped into a thick wool robe she found in a chest at the foot of the bed.
The robe's musky masculine scent reminded her of Alexander and she knew at once it was one he wore. Bunching up the overlong sleeves and gathering up the excess length, she drew the robe about her then picked up her new tartan sash.
She walked over to the fireplace where a blaze had already been lit and sank down in front of the stone hearth, desperately seeking its warmth to ease the emptiness she felt.
Today was meant to be the happiest day of her life. Instead, it had been one of bitter disappointment. Once more, she felt the cold sting of abandonment. The though
t that her parents were leaving her here brought fresh tears to her eyes and a tight ache in her chest. And no matter the urgency that took Alexander from her on their wedding night, she still ached to know he was far from her.
Faith, she must remember it was only temporary and not let it eat away at her so. But the thought didn't help. She felt discarded, alone.
Eventually, the fire warmed her and eased her nerves. Weariness overcame her. She knew she should rise and take comfort in the huge bed with its sheltering layers of thick covers, but her heart held her back. She forced a tortured glance across the empty room. The bed blurred before her as her hot tears spilled over.
His scent surrounded her as she wiped her tears away with a sleeve of his robe. No. She wouldn't sleep in his bed until he was there to lie beside her.
Gently folding her wedding tartan to make a pillow for her head, she lay on the floor in front of the fire and prayed for sleep. That she also asked for the chance to build a life of love with Alexander as her parents had done seemed only natural.
**
The chirping birds in the garden woke Katherine. She rose slowly. Sweet Heaven, but she ached. Perhaps she should have slept in the bed. She had certainly been no less alone huddled before the fire.
Alone, aye, and likely to remain that way for some time. Even if the king were to allow Alexander to return as soon as he explained leaving his wedding, it would be days, perhaps weeks, before they could be together again.
And Maman and Da were to leave for home today. She would miss them so! What was she supposed to do with herself after they left and no husband to occupy her time?
She snapped her fingers. Of course, why hadn't she thought of that sooner? Smiling, she tossed Alexander's robe at the foot of the bed, dressed quickly in one of her gowns that had been placed in the room earlier, and closed the door behind her. As she neared her parents' chamber, she heard Angus's voice through the open doorway.
"… 'twill keep Ja Bier from ever finding—"
"Good morrow Da and Maman."
Angus whirled around to face her. "Uh, good morrow, Katy. I didna know you were there."
Monique darted a quick glance at him, hurried over to Katherine and kissed her cheek as she led her into the room. "How do you fare, cheri? Did you sleep well?"
Katherine rubbed a sore hip. The floor had made a poor bed. "No, not well. I worried over Alexander's leaving and being left here without you and Da."
Angus walked over and ruffled her hair. "Och, lass, you will be fine."
"But," Katherine said with a smile, "'tis no concern now." She looked from her father to her mother and back again. "I have decided to return with you until my husband finishes the king's business and comes for me. That way, I won't be lonely and—"
"No!" both parents shouted at once.
Katherine jumped. What made them react so? 'Twas a simple enough solution.
Angus darted a quick glance at Monique. He took a deep breath and clasped his hands behind his back. "Lass, 'twould be an insult to the MacGregors for you to leave so soon."
Her mother nodded. "Your da is right. It should not be long before Alexander comes back. You… you can use the time to settle in, get to know his family."
Katherine shook her head. "I don't think the MacGregors will be angry after I explain it to them. Why, we could even invite them to accompany us for a visit."
Angus shook his head and dropped his arms to his sides. He clenched and unclenched one fist. "No. We canna ask the MacGregors to leave with so little notice."
Katherine smiled. "Oh, Da, the laird was willing for all of us to leave to accompany Alexander. He won't mind. I'll just go ask him now."
Angus reached out and grasped her arm. "I have said no, Katy."
She sighed. "If you don't wish for them to go with us, I won't mention it. But I—"
Her father frowned. "'Tis not what I meant. You canna come home with us. You must stay here."
Katherine planted her fists on her hips. "Why? I have no husband here."
"Mon Dieu." Monique walked away and sank onto a chair. Her face drained of all color.
"Maman," Katherine cried as she and her father hurried over. "What's wrong?"
Angus held one of Monique's hands and patted it.
There was a tremor in her mother's voice as she glanced up at him. "Angus, this was never meant to happen. What if he should find her? Find out the truth?"
Katherine spoke before her father could answer. "Who? What truth, Maman?"
"Oh, mon cheri. I… I do not know how to tell you this. C'est terrible!"
Katherine looked from her mother's light brown eyes to her father's dark black ones and felt a chill of foreboding.
Angus released Monique's hand and motioned to the other empty chair. "Come sit down, Katy. Your mother and I must talk to you. There are things about the past which you need to know."
Katherine pulled the chair up beside her mother and sat. Her father walked across the room, closed the door and returned to stand beside them. His shoulders sagged and small lines wrinkled his brow. "Lass, this willna be easy for you, but you must be told." He paused then shrugged. "I am like other men, and dinna often speak of my feelings, but I tell you true, I love you as much as if you were my own."
A painful spasm jolted through Katherine. "What?"
He thrust his hand out, silencing her. "By God, I hoped never to have to tell you this." He paused again and clenched his fists at his sides. "I am not your sire."
She drew her arms about herself and squeezed tight. Her breath caught in her throat. No. She hadn't heard him right. She couldn't have. "What are you talking about?"
His face seemed to age as she watched. "Before you were born, your mother was forced to marry a cruel mon. Her husband treated her verra badly—"
"Husband?" Katherine darted a look at her mother. "But Maman, I don't understand. Da is your husband." Her mother's expression left her feeling queasy and afraid. She didn't want to hear any more.
Monique hung her head and moaned. "Oh, Angus."
He squeezed her shoulder gently then looked back at Katherine. "The mon, Duke Phillipe Ja Bier, was often violent toward your mother, even when she was with child. There were other reasons for your mother to fear him, but I willna speak of them. Some things are best forgotten if 'tis possible." A look of obvious tenderness crossed his face as he looked down at Monique.
Katherine shook her head. This couldn't be true. Her parents wanted her to stay so were telling her this to convince her. But no, they would never be so cruel. Never had she known them to lie. But this? Sweet Mary, no!
Angus looked at Katherine. "Your mother and I met when I visited France. She had no one to protect her and I couldna stand the thought of what she had to bear. When you were born, and not the son the duke wished, he threatened to abandon you and your mother. I brought the two of you to my home, here in Scotland, and we have lived together ever since."
Silently, he pulled himself up straight, and looked at Katherine. Then he dropped his gaze to the floor. "I willna blame you if you never wish to see me again."
Katherine covered her face with her hands. Dear God. She couldn't believe it. Da… Angus, was not her father? He'd always been there, caring for her, for as long as she could remember. She needed time to sort this all out in her mind. But one thing was sure. Nothing would ever change the way she felt about him.
She hurried to his side and hugged him tightly. "No! I love you. In my heart, you will always be my father."
The fierce scowl that had darkened his face vanished with her words. His eyes shone with moisture and a single fat tear rolled down his cheek. He rubbed it away with a broad hand and cleared his throat.
Katherine looked at her mother then back to Angus. "But why are you telling me this now?"
Angus sighed deeply. "A few fortnights ago, when I went to Edinburgh to sell the new lambs, I heard a stranger ask a tavern keeper if he knew of a French woman named Lady Monique Ja Bier or her daughter
. The stranger said her husband was searching for them, to take them back to France." Angus shook his head. "Your mother and I feared he might find you and take you away. That is why we arranged your marriage to Alexander."
So that's why they had insisted on the hasty marriage. Finally some things made sense. "But why him? There are other families closer to our home."
"None whom I trust as well. Ian knows. 'Twas he who secretly traveled to France after we arrived in Scotland. He sought out information on the duke's actions when the mon realized you and your mother had vanished. Because of Ian's act of friendship, we learned that Ja Bier claimed you and your mother had died in childbirth. The secret has kept you safe all this time."
Katherine gasped and dropped back into her chair. She was supposed to be dead. Her complete existence had been hidden from her true sire; a man who would do her harm. She had grown up in safety, surrounded by love. The tale of her death, as an infant, had served her well. Until now. She couldn't hold back the fear that ran through her. "But what does the duke want with us? If he said we died, how can he explain looking for us? Surely no one would believe him."
Angus' eyes darkened with a hard look Katherine had never seen before. "'Tis because we dinna know what he plots that we arranged for you to wed Alexander immediately. Ja Bier is a very powerful and dangerous man. He would find some way to justify his claims. If he is intent on takin' you and your mother back to France, he will let nothing stop him."
Monique reached out toward Katherine. "Darling, don't you see? The MacGregors will protect you. If you are lawfully wed to a Scot, the duke cannot take you away. You would be safe. Angus and I cannot bear the thought of you in his clutches."
"But, Maman, Da said the stranger was looking for both of us. What about you?"
Angus answered quickly. "Dinna fear for your mother. I will protect her. But 'tis why you must stay here. If aught should happen to us, 'twould be no one to keep the duke from forcing you to his will."
Highlander's Bride (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 1) Page 15