by Paula Quinn
He saw her standing in front of his dog, her deadly glare locked on a man in front of the crowd to Adam’s right.
Her crackling voice rang out. “Put that pistol down, Captain, or I’ll see you flogged!”
The bastard’s pistol was pointed at her and Goliath.
Without a moment of hesitation, Adam reached him and plucked the pistol from his hand. The man was so stunned that he barely had time to react as Adam stepped around him, pointing the pistol at him and at anyone else thinking to make a move.
“Enough!” The king’s voice boomed through the hall. “Pistols aimed at Miss de Arenburg?” His dark eyes settled on his daughter, concern and anger vying for dominance. “Are you all right? I heard you were struck by Lord Markham.” When she nodded, his gaze burned on the man whose pistol Adam finally lowered. “Guards, take him away! Lord Hamilton, get your dog and then get yourself back to my chamber!”
Adam would go, thankful for the chance, but first he turned to Sina. He would never forget what she’d done for Goliath. “Thank ye, lass.”
She looked up at him with eyes he wanted to gaze into forever, and offered him a slight, guarded smile. “We’re friends.”
Her and Goliath, or her and him? Adam wanted more. He wanted to speak with her, smile freely at her, tell her how sorry he was for letting her go, for breaking her heart. But Standish and the crowd were watching. He wouldn’t mortify her, and he didn’t need any more trouble right now, so he nodded and remained silent except to call Goliath.
He returned to the king’s chambers, but his thoughts remained in the hall.
She cared for Goliath, and that alone set his heart to pounding.
He rested his hand on his dog’s back as they went. Faithful boy, Adam thought, thankful that his friend had obeyed him and hadn’t tried to attack the king’s guards.
“Was she no’ fierce and bonny when she protected ye?”
Goliath wagged his tail and circled him, then licked his hand.
“I know,” Adam told him, not looking up when Eloise giggled past him. “Me too.”
Adam didn’t tell the king who he was, and when George asked him about his home, Adam used descriptions of burghs he’d visited in Perth during his visits to his cousin Malcolm Grant.
The more he lied about his life, the harder it was to tell the king the truth. He’d made a poor impression tonight swinging his fists and a pistol. No matter what he’d done or why he did it, he would be seen as a savage—just as Sina was raised to believe all Highlanders were. He might even be arrested for being a MacGregor. Anne was dead. His clan’s protection was over. Hell, it was up to him to fix it.
He possessed no doubts of his prowess. He could be tactful and wily. But if he confessed the truth of his identity now, he’d never win the king’s favor.
Still, it meant his staying in England longer. He didn’t like it here. He was more convinced than ever before that he wasn’t born for stone streets and strangers’ faces at every turn.
“That dog of yours is quite a sight,” the king said, looking at Goliath lying beside Adam’s chair. “One could understand the fear he strikes in a man…or a woman. I was quite stunned to find Miss de Arenburg standing guard over him. I’m told she has a terrible fear of dogs since she was bitten as a child. But this…this was almost as if she had no fear of the beast.”
Adam looked toward the door. “She’s very brave,” he said on a low breath.
The king nodded, then eyed him over his cup. “Did you rush out to save her—or the dog?”
The king wasn’t a fool, and Standish hadn’t mentioned Goliath when he’d burst into the chamber.
“Both, Sire,” Adam admitted.
Adam noted the slightest trace of gratitude softening the king’s expression. “I see.” He spread his gaze over him and then swished his hand in front of his face. “You may go. And stay out of trouble!”
The moment Adam returned to the hall and saw Sina sitting with Standish, he knew obeying the king would be difficult.
“I don’t understand why you would put yourself in harm’s way for a dog,” William said, sitting beside Sina. “’Twas reckless of you. You know I was against it.”
She nodded with her chin in her hand and looked around. She was not in the frame of mind to have to help William understand why she wouldn’t let Goliath be shot.
She hadn’t thought about it when she stepped in front of the hound. She knew what he meant to Adam.
“Yes, I know,” she insisted in a soft voice, “but as I’ve already told you, the dog hadn’t harmed anyone who wasn’t fighting. Besides, after what Lord Hamilton did for you, I thought it the least we could do not to kill his dog.”
“Yes,” William agreed with a slow nod. “Although one must wonder if ’twas you he was defending.”
Yes, Sina thought wistfully. Lord Markham had barely touched her. He could hardly stand. But his hand had made contact with her shoulder and sent her off balance. She’d spotted Adam atop a table, coming at him like a dark plague.
She shook her head. William wasn’t the man in her dreams. The one she loved with more of her heart every day. That man had ridden all the way to England on a horse. He’d leaped to her rescue when he thought she was in danger. And the way he looked at her, even in Poppy’s presence, proved that whatever had been happening between them in Camlochlin wasn’t over.
But she was betrothed to William…again! When it had sunk in that Adam was gone, she tried to find what was missing with William. She couldn’t break his heart again.
“My darling.” William smiled at her and slipped his hand in hers. “You are right about the dog. It’s your compassionate heart that compels you, and it is one of the things I love most about you.”
Poor William, Sina thought with guilt plaguing her gaze. She lowered it, careful to keep him from seeing what she tried so hard to conceal. Here they were, supposed to be celebrating their lives together, and she was pining over someone else.
She must stop! She couldn’t be with Adam. She didn’t even know if he came back for her. William hadn’t left her side, so she hadn’t had a chance to speak with Poppy. No matter what she felt for Adam, she couldn’t hurt William again, and Adam couldn’t bring danger to his clan. There was nothing left to consider.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Sina looked out over the terrace at the moonlit gardens below. Music and laughter from the celebration still going on behind her wafted through her veins like sour wine. How could she be so miserable on a night when everyone was dancing? She was going to have a respectable marriage with a man whom she’d known her whole life. Her mother and father were living publicly, and soon, she hoped, they would declare her as their own.
But she’d pled illness to William and claimed she needed air when she saw Adam enter the hall. Why did she want to be away from the guests and the resumed merriment and come away to weep for herself?
How could she miss a man who, when he wasn’t infuriating her, was beguiling her heart with his blue eyes, wide smile, and understanding ear? She closed her eyes and saw him naked in their bed for the first time, his hand reaching down to his arse to verify her panicked claim.
He’d slept in bed with her and obeyed her command not to touch her. She knew not many men would respect their wives’ wishes when it came to such things. Did he not find her appealing? She hadn’t thought of it before. Yes, he’d kissed her, but he’d let her go.
Wasn’t that what she’d wanted? Wasn’t that for the best?
Something wet spread over her fingers. She looked down to see Goliath staring back at her. She smiled and then remembered that the hound rarely left Adam’s presence.
He was here, likely behind her. She started to turn but…she didn’t want to see him. She didn’t want to be reminded of what she couldn’t have.
“You shouldn’t be here,” she said on a quiet voice.
“Nor should ye.”
Her eyes closed and she bit her tongue at the sound of his rich bariton
e. Memories of it and things he said bombarded her thoughts.
Ye are hellfire covered by a golden shield of eloquence and innocence.
Ye agreed to take me as yer husband in the sight of God.
Shall we lie in bed all day?
She sensed him moving closer until he came to stand beside her, blocking out the moonlight and bringing the scent of heather to her nostrils. Was she imagining the sweet fragrance? How could he still carry it on him?
What was he doing here? He obviously hadn’t told her father who he was, or she was sure he wouldn’t be standing here right now. She had a horrible feeling this wasn’t going to end well for Camlochlin.
She should demand that he throw himself at her father’s mercy or leave London. But she didn’t want to be away from him again.
She slipped her gaze to him and then couldn’t look away. He’d turned the opposite way and was facing her, leaning his hips on the terrace railing so that she had a full-on view of him.
She felt light-headed and was tempted to smile. She didn’t. “I thought I would never see you again.”
“A grievous error on my part,” he said, his moonlit eyes glittering on her beneath his dark brow.
A grievous error? No. No, he couldn’t be here for her. Their marriage would be dissolved any day now, if it wasn’t already.
“You should leave England.”
“I will, after I have what I came fer.”
She felt as if her blood were leaving her body. Had her heart stopped beating, or was it beating so fast that each thump blended into the next? “And what is that?” she asked on a whispered breath.
“Yer faither’s favor toward the MacGregors.”
Relief and regret battled for dominance over her features.
“And fer ye.”
She reached out for the railing and clung to it until her knuckles grew white.
“Why have you changed your mind?”
“I miss seein’ ye in my bed.” He quirked his playful mouth, validating that he knew it was the most ridiculous of reasons to come all the way to England. He didn’t care, and melted whatever else he’d already set aflame in her.
He’d come for her. Every part of her wanted to rejoice and swoon at his bold, romantic gesture—every part but her heart. This couldn’t be. They couldn’t be.
“What about your family?” she asked.
“They urged me to come.”
She wanted to smile. Of course they would. They probably piled him with heather before he left.
“What about my father?” she asked with hopelessness tainting her voice. “I’ve tried to speak on the MacGregors’ behalf a dozen times, and he rejects everything. I’m afraid his heart has been turned against you.”
“Aye, by William Standish, the man ye claim as yer beloved.”
She met his gaze head-on. “You would have done the same to get me back.”
His smile faded. He pressed his lips together, not denying her claim.
“Our marriage is over, Adam.”
His unblinking gaze set her nerves to burning. He looked as if he was about to push off the railing and drag her into his arms. She prayed he didn’t. Not here. Not when William could come looking for her.
He didn’t move, save to reach down for Goliath’s ear to tug it. When he spoke, his voice was low, deep, meaningful. “I told ye if yer heart were free, I would do whatever it took to win it. Are ye tellin’ me it belongs completely to Standish?”
She severed their gaze and wrung her hands together. Should she tell him the truth? That she loved him, couldn’t stop thinking of him? No. He would believe there was a chance for them when there wasn’t. This could start a war, and she wouldn’t let that happen.
“Yes. That is what I’m telling you.”
Before she sensed him moving, he swept her up in his arms and pressed her to his hard body.
She didn’t try to break free. Her mind told her to escape him. Her heart didn’t listen.
“Ye’re a terrible liar, lass,” he whispered, dragging his mouth over hers.
His breath scalded her skin as he moved to speak against her ear. “I’m goin’ to prove it, and then I’m takin’ ye home.”
His thundering heart against her set hers to flying.
He released her without a kiss, bowed before her like a proper gentleman, and then left the terrace with his dog, leaving Sina grasping for the rail and burying her face in her hands.
Sina woke early the next morning with red, swollen eyes. She’d wept into her pillow most of the night thinking about why she hadn’t told Adam she loved him before she came back—the night Laurel was born. Now she didn’t dare. She thought of his mouth so close, so eager for her—of his eyes and the way they danced over her features, the passion and excitement he invoked in her.
She didn’t feel them with William, and it made her want to weep all over again. She had tried, but there was no romance with her friend. She had to tell him.
She lay in bed thinking about Adam until Katie, her handservant, arrived to help her dress. She declined her wide hoops for something more slender.
In Camlochlin, no one cared what anyone else wore. One wasn’t frowned upon if she wasn’t up on the latest fashions. No one cared if she wore her hair twisted atop her head or flowing down her back.
She missed Ula.
“Are you unwell, m’lady?” Katie asked behind her while she pulled the laces of her stay. “You’re looking very sad since you returned.”
“I’ll be fine, Katie.” Sina wiped her eyes with her small flowered handkerchief and smiled when her handservant stepped in front of her.
“Forgive me for asking, but is it Lord Standish, m’lady?” Katie’s large sable eyes darted to the bed. “Has he…harmed you?”
“Harmed me?” Sina asked, touching her arm to draw her attention back. “Whatever do you mean?”
“I didn’t mean anything,” Katie assured and moved on to lace Sina’s shoes. “You just seem so sad all the time. This morning especially.”
“Well, I’m not. You see? I’m smiling,” Sina said, showing her. “But I still don’t understand why you would think Lord Standish had harmed me.”
“Men are known for such things,” her handservant muttered, helping Sina into her footwear.
“Not William.”
“Forgive me.”
“Of course.” Sina smiled and let her help with her petticoats and mantua of sapphire blue.
Sina lived in one of the smaller apartments in the queen’s quarters, so it wasn’t a surprise when she met her mother on the stairs. Still, it was a rare occurrence since they’d lived apart for so many years, and one that Sina wasn’t certain she would grow accustomed to.
“Have you been crying, Sina?” Her mother came closer to examine her with concern filling her eyes.
Sina moved back. “No. I’ve been sneezing. I think I’m coming down with something.”
Now her mother moved back as well. “No, you cannot come down with an illness now. You’re to serve as mistress of robes to Princess Caroline beginning next month. We must get her apartments in order. After that we’ll begin preparing for your wedding and the coronation.” The lines in her mother’s face softened, along with her smile. “’Tis nice having you here.”
Was she telling the truth?
“But you chose to send me away,” Sina reminded her softly, wanting to say it for years. “Off to live with my uncle.”
She expected to see anger in her mother’s eyes. She didn’t know Sina enough to know of her daughter’s quiet boldness. Her mother spoke with crisp authority no one defied. Not even Sina’s father. She wouldn’t take kindly to being reminded of her offenses.
But there was no anger, only a mist rising in her mother’s eyes. She stopped them from descending any more stairs with her hand on Sina’s arm.
“The king’s wife had the heart of Hanover. You were a babe when George had her put away in the castle of Ahlden. There were threats made against your father’s l
ife. Threats to me. We sent you away to keep you safe. ’Twas not an easy decision, if that’s what you believe. But now, the need is over. I want you here.”
Did she now want to be a mother? Did Sina want her to be? “As your daughter? Publicly?”
“Yes. The king will make the announcement soon.”
Sina couldn’t help but smile. It was what she’d always desired—to be acknowledged.
“But you must keep this knowledge from your father. He wishes to tell you himself.”
“I won’t say a word,” Sina promised with a lighter feeling in her heart. If things could be mended between them, then let them be. The shame was going to be lifted.
“Now,” her mother said, moving once again, “I want you to rest today so that you’re well tomorrow.”
“Yes,” Sina promised as they reached the bottom step.
“One last thing.” Her mother stopped her with a hand to her wrist when Sina moved in the direction of the dining hall. “I saw you leave the terrace shortly after Lord Hamilton last night. Did you speak to him outside?”
Sina’s heart battered hard against her ribs. Had her mother seen her in his arms, ready and willing to be kissed? No, Sina told herself, steadying her breath. She’d only seen them leaving.
“Yes, he thanked me for protecting his hound.”
Did her voice just crack? Was it noted?
“Nothing else?”
Sina shook her head.
“He’s quite handsome,” her mother said. “Three earls have already come forward showing interest in his bloodline and the possibility of him becoming their son-in-law.”
Sina did her best not to react, though it was difficult. What if her father promised him to one of them? What if it were Eloise or Poppy? What if they had the wedding here and she had to watch it?
No. She balled her hands into fists. She’d rip someone’s eyes out first.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Adam cursed the high cravat around his neck and glared up at the sun over the brim of his tricorn hat. Why the hell did the English wear so much clothing? Something was pinching him under the arm, tempting him to tear his clothes away.
