Robby tried to wiggle free, but couldn't. Just when he was winding up for a good bellowing cry, Slade distracted him by picking up one of little hands, pressing his mouth against the palm, and blowing hard. The fruity noises that followed delighted the baby.
“Don’t compromise your principals for that awful man,” Josie said.
No one noticed Lainie standing in the doorway, watching Slade with both disbelief and yearning in her eyes. She had never imagined that much gentleness lay beneath Slade's hard body and lethal speed. Seeing him play with his nephew made her feel as though she had stepped from one world into another one, a world where anything was possible.
“I’ve no plans on compromising anything,” he said. Except Laine.
Even gentleness and raw power combined in the same man was possible.
"Hold on little guy, you can have your mother as soon as she's ready for you," Slade said.
"And that's not going to be for a while," Josie said without looking up.
"How long is a while? This hungry little guy is trying to nurse my finger." Slade sat down, gently putting Robby on his blanket on the floor.
Josie laughed. "Hang on. I'll take him as soon as I finish this."
"I'll take him," Lainie said as she stepped forward.
A subtle change came over Slade at the sound of Lainie's voice behind him, a tightness that wasn't there before.
Josie cocked her head as if noticing the change that had just come over him. He didn't like the idea that his sister could read him like a book. He knew he treated Lainie differently but he couldn't help himself. He didn't trust her and the devil take him, but he wouldn't trust her until she told him the truth about her relationship with Bertram. The thought of her sleeping with the General nagged at him and left him sweating, his blood a raging inferno at the vivid image he saw.
"Thank you, Lainie," Josie said. "Robby can be a handful and he wants to eat all the time. I can't seem to keep up with him. Any small distraction from his insatiable appetite is always welcome."
From the corner of his eye, Slade watched as Lainie picked up the small bundle of baby. When she bent over, the fabric of her dress cupped her breasts with breathtaking closeness, revealing every curve.
The fierceness of his sharp indrawn breath that swept through Slade angered him. His sexual desire hadn't ever been this overpoweringly out of control. He looked away from Lainie to the strapping healthy baby boy she held in her arms and wondered what a child of his own would look like.
"He may have Stephan's nose, but he has your eyes," Slade said studying his little sister and the child Lainie held so closely.
"I could say the same thing about your eyes. It must run in the family," Josie said tenderly. "Lord, I can remember the parties and how the ladies would swoon at your feet."
"That's not me," Slade said. "I can't remember any ladies swooning at my feet. Most of them ran the other direction when they saw me."
Josie snorted. "It is too the truth. Don't lie. They loved your dark good looks and the bad boy image you personified."
Silently Lainie rocked the child in her arms, humming softly to him. Once again Slade was struck by thoughts he'd never had about a woman and a child.
"It wasn't my looks. It was the title and the money they were swooning over," Slade said, his tone had turned bitter. "They wanted to know what kind of trinkets I would buy them." He shot a pointed look toward Lainie.
The hard edge buried deep in Slade's voice made Josie look up and Lainie flinch.
"Do you really believe that?" Josie asked.
"I know so. All the ladies who swooned over me ever wanted was the wealth that came with the title. That's all most women are interested in."
Josie laughed. "When did you become so jaded?"
"It's only the truth."
When Lainie kept staring her mouth slightly agape, she was snared by Slade's pale green eyes. He didn't have to say a word. She knew he included her in the category of women out for their own comfort and to hell with what anyone else needed or wanted. He would believe that about her until he coerced the truth from her.
"For goodness sakes, Aaron," Josie said. "You shouldn't say such things. Someone who doesn't know you might believe you meant those words."
The look Slade shot Lainie said she had better believe he meant everything he said.
Eyes closed, lost in memories and dreams, Lainie swayed from side to side with Robby wrapped in her arms, rocking him, remembering a time years ago when she'd lived with her family safe and secure in MacPherson castle. She remembered a time when she believed in true love, romantic love and thought she might someday have a child of her own to hold.
After a few moments, Lainie realized the room had gone decidedly quiet. She opened her eyes to find Josie smiling gently at her. Slade watched her as though he had never seen a woman handle a baby.
"You did very well," Josie said.
Lainie set Robby in his cradle and began to rock it with one fingertip.
"There were always babies at the castle," Lainie said wistfully. "I used to help out whenever I could. Many times the clan would bring their sick children to the castle for care."
Josie made a low sound of approval. "You never told me about the castle or your people."
Slade's eyes narrowed. If he could have thought of a way to prevent Lainie from telling his sister heart tugging lies, he would have. But it was too late. She was talking again, and Josie was listening with wide, hazel eyes.
"I have two brothers but they don't--well, I don't know if they have children. I've been away for almost two years. Colin was married just before I left and Ian was on a mission that Colin sent him on. I haven't heard from Ian but Colin wants me home."
"Then you should go home," Josie said, with a pointed look at her brother. "My stubborn brother should make sure you get there safely."
Lainie smiled quickly at the other woman. "I suppose I'd like that, but your brother has a different agenda. And he isn't in any hurry to tell me his plans."
"Agenda..." Josie's voice faded into an appalled silence as she turned to look at her brother.
"What Lainie isn't telling you is that if I decide she shouldn't go home, she is going to Edinburgh with me. As she told you earlier, she is my prisoner. She doesn't have much say in what happens to her."
Josie's quick in drawn breath surprised Lainie. "What is she wanted for?"
"Being in the wrong place at the wrong time," Slade said, covering up the truth yet without knowing it, telling the exact truth.
Lainie had indeed been in the wrong place at the wrong time. She had become Bertram's victim as well as his obsession.
Chapter Seven
That night a cold wind blew down from the north and whistled around the eaves with a moaning cry. Lainie wondered why every little thing reminded her of a life she could no longer have--a life she'd willingly if not eagerly left behind. She had been desperate to put the past behind her. And she wondered why the prisoner, as Slade had called her, was allowed to roam freely around the home of his sister.
Stephan's voice came from the parlor where he and Slade had been talking.
"Lainie," Stephan called, "can you come in here for a moment? I've a few questions to ask you."
When Lainie walked into the room, Stephan was sitting in a high back chair and Slade stood by the fire, one foot on the hearth, his deep brooding gaze staring at the flames as if he couldn't bear to look at her. Stephan beckoned to her to sit across from him.
Lainie nodded and sat on the edge of the chair with her hands folded in her lap.
"I'm curious," Stephan began. "Why did you leave the safety and protection of your family for an uncertain life at best?"
"I have my reasons," Lainie began, inhaling a long, deep breath, then turning away from Stephan’s scrutiny and Slade's cold gaze. She didn't want Slade or Stephan to know the truth.
"Of course you don’t have to tell us anything," Stephan said, answering her further with a warm smile that
changed his face from austere to handsome. But I would appreciate your cooperation
"It's personal," she said, her voice flat. "Why I left has no bearing on anything that would concern Slade or your family."
"I don’t mean to intimidate you," Stephan said.
Slade scowled at them from the fireplace. Lainie pretended not to notice. She'd much rather spend time with a man who didn’t confuse her so very much.
"I'd rather not say," was Lainie's reply.
Slade left the fireplace and strode to a chair where he could easily hear all that was said between the pair. He steepled his hands beneath his chin, and watched with brows furrowed.
"So, are you his paramour or his prisoner?" Stephan asked.
"Neither," Slade said, answering before Lainie could.
Lainie flinched when she heard the question. "Prisoner," she said with a slight hesitation after Slade's comment.
At least he didn't call me his paramour, although that is what he intends to make me.
"Care to say more?" Stephan queried.
"It's personal. Your brother thinks I did something that I didn't do. I can't convince him otherwise."
Stephan didn't even blink. "I’ve never known my brother-in-law to make a mistake in judgment. Ah, but I suppose there is a first time for everything. Particularly when there is a beautiful woman involved."
"I suppose," she agreed reluctantly.
Lainie leaned back in the chair and gazed at the ceiling. "I don’t want him to take me to Edinburgh. I just want to go home."
"He won’t disobey his orders." Stephan said, his eyes narrowing. "What is this bargain?"
"The road to Edinburgh is long. I won’t be taken back to Bertram," she mumbled. Bertram was the reason for everything. She would never reveal the bargain she made with Slade.
"Bertram." Stephan sat up so quickly his movement startled Lainie. "Bertram," he repeated. "The devil you say?"
"Aye, he is the devil," she agreed, her fists tightening in her lap as she fought back the rise of emotions. "I despise him."
"Perhaps a little honesty on your part would suit Aaron better than this deceptive game you play with him. Tell him why Bertram is obsessed with you. I suspect all that you've done revolves around the fat general."
"I’m not playing a game," she sighed, determined to keep her secrets yet wishing that if she told Stephan and Slade all would be resolved." If she told them the truth, they might not believe her. They might even think it had been her fault.
"But you don’t tell him the truth, either," Stephan challenged, tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair.
‘He is a stranger to me. It is something I cannot tell."
"Even to save your life?" Stephan queried. "I’m truly baffled."
"I don't think he would understand," she said. Men don't understand rape.
"Try me," Slade said, tonelessly then issued a challenge. "And stop talking as if I'm not in the room."
"But you don't give him a chance either," Stephen went on, watching Slade. "Why don't try telling him the truth?"
"He already believes the worst. I would not want to change that. I couldn't stand it if he began to like me," Lainie said.
"You give yourself no credit when credit is due," Stephan said.
"Credit you say?" Slade asked.
"You have a long ride to Edinburgh, or is it the highlands? I hope you get to know your charge--or is she your prisoner--a little better. If you did, I would think much could be resolved," Stephan went on to say.
"I would hope to know her better too," Slade agreed. "She has a secret and I would like to confirm my guess."
Surprised, Lainie looked up so quickly she nearly knocked over the lamp on the table beside her.
Slade stared at her, his green eyes shimmering with what appeared to Lainie to be anger that seemed to grow every time he glanced at her.
Slade's anger came as no surprise to Lainie. He had been furious with her ever since Josie had insisted they stay for dinner and the night.
What did surprise Lainie was the memory of the baby gurgling happily in Slade's muscular arms. It occurred to her she had rarely seen Slade without his nephew in the hours since they had arrived.
In a man as gentle and giving as her brothers were, such pleasure in a baby wouldn't have surprised Lainie. In a man like Slade, it was a revelation that surprised Lainie every time she saw it happening. Nothing in her past had prepared her for this. The hard men she had known were just that--hard. They used their strength for their own ends, and the devil take the hindmost.
Unfortunately, Slade reserved the gentle side of his nature for his family, and that was all. The rest of the time, he was the hard man she expected. Lainie had no illusions that as his prisoner, she would not receive the benefit of his relaxed teasing and flashing, beguiling smiles. Nor would she get the benefit of the protective love he extended to his sister.
And why would I want it?
Slade was obviously furious with Lainie for insinuating herself into Josie's house and Stephan's courtesy. Lainie knew each time she looked up and saw Slade watching her with fierce, green eyes.
At least he was careful not to let Stephan or Josie see his anger. Not that Lainie was naive enough to think Slade's restraint was for her benefits. She knew better than to think that. He just wanted to avoid any more questions, questions he didn't want to answer about spies in his sister's home.
"My brothers won't let Slade hand me over to Bertram." Lainie told Slade.
"I hope your brother doesn't interfere in this. It could mean loosing his lands as well as his family," Slade said curtly. "I've heard how he's acquired an English estate and his loyalties can no longer all belong to the Scottish King."
Stephan muttered something under his breath about fools, lost virtues, and loyalties so misplaced and divided no one knew what they stood for any longer.
Oblivious to all, the baby leaned forward and made a swipe at the bright scarf that was holding Lainie's loose chignon in place. When he missed, he protested loudly.
"Bedtime," called Josie from the hallway.
Lainie slid the scarf from her hair. Immediately her chignon came undone, sending a cascade of blond-white hair down her back. She caught up her hair and bound it in a loose knot. Then she deftly reshaped the scarf into a doll with a knot for a head, other knots for arms, and a flaring skirt below.
"Here you are, little guy, let this doll keep you company," she whispered to the baby. "I know how lonely those nights can be."
The baby's tiny fist closed around the doll with surprising strength. He waved it and crowed happily.
Though Lainie had meant her words to be too soft for anyone but the baby to hear, Slade did. When Lainie glanced his way, she watched his eyes narrow as he stared at her face for any sign she was trying to get his sympathy. He saw only the gentleness that came over her expression whenever the baby looked at her and cooed his delight.
Frowning, Slade looked away and reminded himself that all women--even conniving spies--had a soft spot in their hearts when it came to babies. Yet he didn't believe the beautiful and beguiling Lainie MacPherson had ever had a lonely night.
Josie came and took the baby, heading for the bedroom. Immediately the coos became unhappy cries.
"Amazing how even babies can tell when they're about to be put to bed. I don't mind walking with him for a while," Slade offered, stepping forward to take the child from Josie.
Josie stopped. "If he's still crying in a few minutes," Josie said firmly. "Usually his little tantrums go right away once he knows it's time for sleep. I don't want to indulge his every whim."
"I could sing him to sleep." Slade volunteered, reaching for his nephew before Josie could give him an answer.
Josie laughed and gave in to her handsome brother. "It's a good thing you're not around here very much. You spoil your nephew shamelessly."
Grinning broadly, Slade followed his sister into the bedroom. A few moments later, the gentle strains of a hym
n floated out into the room, sung by Slade's fine baritone. Josie's clear soprano joined in a few moments later in flawless harmony.
Lainie's breath came in with surprise and pleasure.
"Had the same effect on me the first time I heard them," Stephan said with a smile on his face. "Always had a soft spot for that woman even when I didn't want to admit it."
"They sound like angels, but knowing Slade for the short time I have, I would have to call him a dark brooding angel."
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