‘I will speak to Robert and have her—’
‘Nay. Davidh, I do not want her removed from her kith and kin.’
‘She continues to sow her disrespect among the villagers who listen to her opinions, Anna. ’Tis not good for them or for you. Not in this time of conflict.’
‘More conflict?’ she asked. She’d heard the words he had not spoken just then, but had discussed many times in the last weeks. He nodded. ‘I saw the guards you added along the roads north and south.’
‘Aye. And now her estranged brother has returned. Did you see him there in her doorway?’ Now she nodded. ‘Have you seen him before this day?’
‘I think so. I have seen him elsewhere in the village over the last few days, but not at her cottage before this.’
‘Elsewhere? Alone or with others?’ He kept his voice even as Anna took the tent of blankets off Colm’s head. As she administered the liquid, he waited.
‘Both.’
She sat now at Colm’s side and helped him to drink the horrible syrup. Her hand stroked his son’s head and her whispered words encouraged him on. Davidh let them be and made some of the hot drink made of betony leaves and honey that Anna favoured. By the time it cooled enough for them to sip, Colm had finished.
‘Here, Colm,’ she said as she drew her cup nigh. ‘Take a sip of this to clear that taste off your tongue.’ Davidh marvelled at Colm’s complete obedience to her orders. Or advice. He took a sip out of her cup and smiled. ‘Better?’ she asked.
‘Aye!’ the boy said as he took another sip.
‘I cannot mix the two, but it will help rid you of the taste.’ Davidh watched as she tended to his son before asking her anything more about Ailbert. Finally, Colm had gone off to rest before supper and Davidh could finish the matter.
‘Can you remember who Ailbert was with when you saw him? Or when you first noticed him?’
‘God forgive me, but the first thing I thought when I saw him with Lilias was that she’d found another lover and would leave me be. Until just now.’ Anna shrugged. She cleaned up the cups and tended to the bubbling pot that she pushed closer to the flames she stirred in the centre of the hearth. ‘Her brother?’
‘Aye.’ Davidh’s gut would not allow him to ignore this. ‘I must speak with Parlan. I will return as soon as I can. Do not hold supper for me.’
‘I will not hold supper for you.’
They both spoke the words at the same time and it made Davidh smile. How little time it had taken for him and them to adjust and fall into a pattern of life. He did one more thing before he left—he pulled her to him and kissed her. He put his needs and wants into that one touch of their mouths, hoping she understood the promise he gave.
Then, he left, not taking the chance that he would be distracted from his duties once more.
Chapter Twenty-Two
‘You will sit by my side, Anna.’
His words were not stern or harsh, yet the command in them was clear. In spite of her preference to sit down at the table where they usually sat when eating in the hall, Davidh had informed her that they would be at the high table this night.
‘First, you insist I wear my best gown. Now, you force me to sit at the laird’s table. What comes next?’ she mumbled under her breath. At Davidh’s frown and as he squeezed her hand and tugged her along, Anna smiled. ‘Of course, Husband.’ His laugh eased her fears.
‘I am in trouble now!’ he said, kissing her hand. ‘Is it Brodie who you fear meeting?’ Anna looked ahead at the leader of the powerful Mackintosh Clan and nodded.
The Mackintosh’s expression was dark and his gaze intense at he studied the hall and everyone who sat there before him. He was a huge man, honed by decades of fighting, whose demeanour warned anyone who saw him that he would answer in kind any threat made or implied. The only time that serious visage changed was in the moments when he looked upon his wife, the Lady Arabella Cameron.
Malcolm’s twin sister.
The lady’s soft laughter brought a gentleness to her husband’s face that made Anna want to cry. The love there was plain for one and all to see. As Davidh had explained, they had been married after the Mackintosh clan faced destruction from within. Arabella married her enemy even believing he had been responsible for her brother’s death.
The words about Malcolm made her heart race as it did now. Davidh relented on his grip of her hand and she placed it on his as was befitting the wife of The Cameron’s commander. Though not raised as one, Anna could act the part when needed. She did not want Davidh’s reputation or standing to be ruined by her lack of manners. They were about to climb the steps to reach the dais when Davidh met her gaze. There, shining from deep within, was the same expression that Brodie had in his when he looked on his own wife.
Love.
Davidh looked at her with love in his eyes.
She stumbled then, shocked to see it there and more surprised to recognise it. He caught her up with his strong grip and led her up to the table and those already seated.
‘Nothing to fear, my love,’ he whispered so only she could hear. ‘I am here for you.’
She just held on to him as he led her not to their seats but to stand before The Mackintosh and his lady wife. Davidh bowed and Anna curtsied, first to his own chieftain and then to their guests. When she rose, Anna got her first, clear view of Malcolm’s sister.
Whenever Lady Arabella Cameron was mentioned, so was her beauty and graciousness and, looking on her now, Anna could understand the reason for such declarations. And she was just as surprised by the differences in her and her brother’s appearances. Light and dark. Angel and devil. It was all true. Yet, she could see similarities in the tilt of their mouths, the shape of their eyes. Thankfully, Lady Arabella did not have to deal with the Cameron nose!
‘Lord and Lady Mackintosh, this is my wife, Anna Mackenzie, lately of Caig Falls,’ Davidh said. His words pulled her from her open perusal of the lady and forced her to meet the stare of her formidable husband.
‘My lord, my lady,’ Anna said.
‘So this is the Witch of Caig Falls then?’ the lady asked. Her tone was whimsical and clearly no insult was meant. She’d also taken care to keep these words among only them. ‘I always thought my brother made up stories to disguise his other antics and yet, here you stand.’
‘Nay, lady,’ Anna said, forcing down the panic that threatened. ‘’Twas my mother that was known as that. I have only followed her path as a healer and only just arrived here.’
‘I pray you forgive me my jest,’ the lady said. ‘I think that my brother used the excuse of hunting for the Witch to give himself a way to escape the keep and his duties. Is that not right, Davidh? You knew him well.’
‘Aye, my lady,’ Davidh said. ‘Mal always did find a way to avoid anything he did not wish to do.’
‘Have we met before, Mistress Mackenzie?’ the lady asked, studying her now in return. ‘You have a familiar look.’
‘Nay, my lady. We have not met before.’
The lady smiled and nodded and studied her more. Anna smiled in return and tried to keep breathing. She had never met Malcolm’s sister and if the lady connected her with the witch or Malcolm with the witch, it would be dangerous. It would expose her secret...and, she suddenly realised, she no longer planned to do that.
‘I am glad that Davidh has found you, Anna. Elizabeth does nothing but praise your efforts and your knowledge of healing,’ Lady Arabella said. ‘They are waiting to serve supper. We can speak later.’
Anna nodded at The Mackintosh, who said nothing while he missed nothing, and allowed Davidh to lead her around the table to their seats at one end. Glad that they had been seated together and not on opposite ends as was custom, she clung to his hand as the truth of the matter struck her anew.
She did not plan to reveal Iain’s secret or her own.
When her aims had changed, when she’d decided to forgo the possibility of her son staking his claim on the high seat, she knew not. What she did know was that she wanted her son, Malcolm’s son, to be accepted within his family and to be happy.
And he was.
Through Davidh’s ongoing efforts and attention, Iain was being trained to improve and use his woodworking and carpentry skills. With Davidh’s help and guidance, he was taking his place among the young men of the clan and learning to defend himself and to fight, if needed. With Davidh’s patience and good humour, Iain was finding his way through the daily challenges of being a lad growing into manhood.
Most importantly, through it all, Davidh had helped her to find a place and be accepted and valued. To use her skills. And to attain everything she’d never thought she would have. Had her original aims been wrong? Nay, they had not. But she did not see a different possibility until Davidh entered their lives and took them into his.
And she loved him more each day for all of that and more.
‘Is something wrong?’ he asked, leaning close to her. ‘You have the strangest expression in your eyes.’ He reached up and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.
‘Thank you for all you have done for my son and for me, Davidh.’
‘What brought that on, Anna?’ He searched her face and she hoped that love gazed back at him. If not, then...
‘I love you, Davidh Cameron.’
The declaration echoed across the small space between them and in the silence that followed, she wondered if she’d spoken the words aloud or only thought them.
‘I love you, Anna Mackenzie.’
The rest of everything faded away and all she could hear or feel or smell or see was Davidh. He slipped his hand under the table and claimed hers, entangling their fingers and holding her tightly. The words expressing his feelings seeped into her heart and soul and healed so much of the emptiness and loneliness that had filled her life for too long. His actions, his love, opened her to a future so different from the one she’d imagined.
Davidh touched his mouth to hers and she wanted to cry out in joy. The noise of those around them and the approach of servants with trays and bowls of food interrupted their moment and they sat back in the chairs, though Davidh did not release her hand yet.
* * *
The meal passed too slowly, for all she wanted to do was go back to Davidh’s house and be with him. Young Colm stayed the night with Suisan and Iain had planned to remain here at the keep with his friends. So, they would be alone.
All night.
She shivered then, thinking on the pleasure and the love they would share. Davidh wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to his body. The heat of him warmed her, even as he laughed. ‘We will be alone this night,’ he whispered, repeating her thoughts back to her.
She did not remember what they ate or the topic of the various conversations during the rest of the meal. She did notice Lady Arabella’s continued scrutiny, but then the lady’s husband drew her attention and Anna’s tension eased over it. Soon, the laird gave them leave and they rose and walked down from the dais and through the hall.
There was only a short delay when Iain came to speak to Davidh and, after fighting the urge to coddle her growing son, then they left. Her impatience must have been obvious for a horse was readied and waiting for them outside the door to the keep.
Soon. Soon. Soon.
Her body felt tight, waves of heat coiled deep within her, and she could hardly wait for Davidh to bring her to release. By the time they reached his house and he’d tied the horse behind it, Anna’s skin tingled and a throbbing had begun between her thighs, at her core.
Soon. Soon. Soon.
* * *
Arabella watched the two lovers as they sat at table. Their love was palpable, it surrounded them and was visible to anyone paying heed. She paid heed, for she knew that she’d seen Anna before. Only when they left, walking hurriedly through the tables in the hall to reach the doorway, did she remember. The lad who walked up to her was the one who tripped the memory and, as the boy stood next to Davidh and spoke with him, she remembered.
Anna’s son turned and laughed at whatever Davidh said just then and, for an instant, she saw Malcolm there again. This lad was the image of her brother at an earlier age. One that she remembered clearly. Talk of marriage contracts and arrangements had sent her running from the keep in search of her brother. Mal could always settle her nerves and she sought him out.
Lately, he’d been disappearing into the woods around Achnacarry. Especially those in the direction of the falls, north of the river that fed into Loch Arkaig. Determined to escape her father’s tirades and her aunt’s insistence on embroidery, she’d fled, hoping to find him. And she did.
At first glance, she thought him alone and had almost called out to him as he stood deep in the shadows off the path. Then he turned, revealing a young woman in his embrace. A young woman he kissed as though she meant everything in life to him.
A young woman who now, years later, had just been introduced as Davidh’s wife.
Anna Mackenzie.
Arabella stood then, thinking to follow, but Brodie’s touch on her arm stopped her.
‘Where do you go, my love?’ he asked, stroking her arm with his hand. ‘You look as though you have seen a ghost.’ By the time Brodie turned to see what she gazed at, they were gone and the son had returned to his seat in the crowd.
‘I see a cousin of my aunt’s there.’ She nodded in some direction and smiled. ‘I promised to bring her word from my aunt.’
He laced his fingers with hers and tugged her to a stop. Arabella tried to keep her expression innocent. Unfortunately, no one understood her as he did.
‘You are lying, my love.’ She gasped, trying once more to feign innocence. He stroked his finger down her arm and pulled her in closer. She ignored the lovely shivers that his touch created in her skin and deeper still. ‘Worse,’ he whispered, ‘you have that glimmer in your eyes that you get just before you meddle in something you should not.’
‘Brodie.’
He thought to use his kisses to stop her. His mouth claimed hers then, his tongue stroking hers even as his fingers continued their caress on her arm. For a moment, she let him, for she had no defence against this man who was the love of her life and the very breath of her body.
‘My love,’ he whispered as he lifted his mouth from hers. ‘Tread carefully. We are here to support Robert’s efforts, not endanger them.’
‘Why would you think...?’ He held his hand up and shook his head.
‘I ken you, Bella. I have seen that very look before...well, before you do something that very often I wish you had not done. Just have a care for danger lurks and threats grow by the day. What happens here could destroy your clan and your people. Our people.’
Arabella sat down and leaned back in her chair. Damn him, but he was correct. If she told herself the truth, Brodie tended to be correct in his assessments. Sometimes, it was exasperating how right he could be. And, at times like that and even now, he did not gloat. He simply pressed her to follow his guidance.
‘Very well,’ she whispered, acquiescing to him.
He laughed then and it echoed out to join the frivolity of those yet dining in the hall. Lifting her hand, the one with their fingers still entwined, he kissed the back of it and nodded to her.
‘Now I am doubly worried. You do not give in that easily unless you have a plan in place to do exactly what you want to do.’ He squeezed her hand until she met his gaze. ‘Be careful, my love. That is all I ask.’
They sat in companionable silence for a short while, listening to those at table and watching the comings and goings of the hall. Mayhap if he understood that this involved Malcolm, Brodie would support her?
‘I have met Anna Mackenzie before, Brodie. While my
brother yet lived. She may not remember, but I do.’
Brodie turned to face her. She had fallen in love with him even while believing he had killed her twin brother. The truth was something far from that and it had brought them together. It had brought them to marriage and bairns and peace and more. But she missed Malcolm and would have faced the possibilities of other outcomes gladly had he not died.
‘Then speak to her of your brother, Bella. I ken how much he meant to you and how much you miss him still. Do it privately and keep it between the two of you.’
Tears burned in her eyes then as she looked at the current laird and lady. Robert would not be chieftain if her brother had lived. The last years of strife and destruction under her other uncle Gilbert would not have happened if Malcolm had not been struck down. She blinked against the loss of what could have or should have been.
* * *
As she walked later at Brodie’s side to the chamber they’d been given for their stay here, Arabella decided she only wanted to hear about her brother from this woman who had known him. Who had, as she remembered now, loved him and been with him. And she just wanted to know if Malcolm had died knowing he had a son he had not claimed.
That was all.
Brodie waited for the servants to finish and the latch to drop before he took her in his arms and carried her to bed. Arabella’s last coherent thought as her husband’s onslaught of love and pleasure began was a simple one.
What harm could it do to speak to the woman her brother had loved?
Chapter Twenty-Three
She dusted off the surface of the work table and lost herself as the bits sparkled in the sunlight that poured in from the window. The morning had dawned clear and warm and seemed a suitable day after the night she had shared with Davidh. Her body warmed, too, as the memories of him pledging his love and claiming hers floated through her thoughts.
They had joined their bodies and pursued pleasure many, many times. Last night was not about desire or needs to be met, it had been about love and sealing a commitment between them.
A Healer for the Highlander Page 20