Highland Belle

by Patricia Grasso

  Damn every treacherous one of them to hell, Brigette cursed softly, then surrendered to her sobs. Foolishly, shed given her heart and body to Ross; but without warning, hed changed into a monster called Iain. Her sister Heather was correct. Highlanders do kill and maim for pleasure. And torment unsuspecting innocents too!

  When Iain returned, he sat at the table and watched her weeping, and became filled with remorse at his cruel treatment of her. In spite of her beguiling beauty, Iain knew his wife was a child, ignorant of men. But he was a full-grown man and should have known better, should have met her misplaced anger with patience. Unfortunately, her professed hatred had rendered him irrational, and he suffered for it.

  Absently, Iain reached down to stroke Sly. The fox bared his teeth and growled low in his throat, then joined his mistress on the bed.

  With his anger dissipated, Iain longed to offer his wife comfort and love, but his head overruled his heart. Brigette must learn proper obedience and respect, his mind countered unyieldingly. My young wife is obligated to please me, and when she does, Ill reward her with my gentle consideration. If she doesnt? Iain refused to think about that.

  For the first time since shed awakened at the lodge, Iain and Brigette passed the night separately — she sobbing in her sleep on the bed and he, sleepless, rolled in his plaid on the rug.

  5

  Get up.

  In the swirling mists of her sleep-befuddled brain, Brigette heard the commanding voice and sought to escape it. Rolling over, she drew the coverlet over her head.

  Get up, I said! Iain yanked the coverlet, and startled, she bolted up.

  Except for her puffy, red-rimmed eyes, Brigette looked sensuously bedraggled, as if interrupted in a lovers tryst. Iains manhood tingled, but he ignored the powerful stirring that urged him to take her. A long day of riding lay before them. There would be many nights in their future when hed enjoy the leisure to satisfy his urges.

  Brigette stared groggily at her husbands forbidding countenance, then blushed, remembering their lovemaking of the previous evening. Almost immediately, fear marred her expression as she recalled what had come after.

  The oatmeal is ready, Iain said and turned away in regret, having recognized where her thoughts had wandered.

  Brigette swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood. Retrieving her now-dry chemise, she pulled it over her head, then sat glumly at the table to eat the steaming porridge.

  Ross — no, Iain — lied to me, she fumed in silence. He played me for a fool.

  You lied too, an inner voice reminded her.

  Ive thins to do outside, Iain said abruptly. Use this time for yer private needs. He gazed at Brigette for a long moment before leaving, but she refused to look up.

  Tears of anger and despair welled up in her eyes, but Brigette fought them back. She forced herself to finish the porridge, then dressed and tidied the chamber in a futile attempt to keep her mind a blank. Brigette didnt want to think of the miserable life stretching endlessly in front of her. At seventeen years of age, she wondered dramatically, how many years of enduring my husband are left before death finally frees me from his clutches? Not only was her future bleak, but shed lost the man she loved. Ross never existed, she reminded herself. What a fool Ive been!

  Iain returned and doused the still-smoldering fire in the hearth. With Sly at their heels, they stepped outside.

  Yell give me nae problems along the way or Ill tie ye and throw ye across my horse like so much baggage. Ye ken? Iain threatened. Brigette nodded.

  He lifted her onto the saddle and started to mount behind, but Brigettes voice stopped him. Sly cannot walk so great a distance. Please, pass him to me.

  Grim, Iain looked her straight in the eye. The fox stays here.

  What?

  Ye heard correctly, he answered coldly. The beast remains in the wild, where he belongs.

  Slys my pet!

  Dinna use that shrewish tone wi me, Iain warned. Dunridge is nae place for a fox to abide. Ye had nae business makin a wild beastie yer pet.

  Please, she pleaded, Sly wont survive on his own. When he ignored her and mounted, she vowed in a small voice that cracked with loss, I hate you.

  So yeve said, Iain whispered harshly against her ear, pulling her tightly, painfully against his unyielding body. Yer repeatin yerself.

  As they rode away from the hunting lodge, tears streaked Brigettes cheeks, and she was unable to control the sobs escaping her throat. Sly tagged along behind them, running excitedly here and there, but always returning to follow the horse.

  Brigette saw Sly following them, and eventually her sobbing subsided. Every few minutes, she peeked around her husband to see how her pet was faring. What will happen to Sly when we reach Dunridge? she wondered. Can I save him? If the monster who calls himself my husband causes Slys death, Brigette vowed, Ill make his remaining years unspeakably miserable.

  Each passing mile saw the fox tiring and his mistress worrying more and more. A mournful yelping suddenly rent the air and Brigette stiffened. Iain halted the horse. They looked back to see an exhausted Sly sitting a short distance away.

  Hes too tired to go on, Brigette said, and Im certain he wont survive on his own.

  Yes, Iain agreed. Stay here. He dismounted and drew his dagger, making Brigette gasp in horror.

  If you do this, she threatened, a sob catching in her throat, I swear, at the first opportunity, Ill do the same to you.

  Keep yer mouth shut or yell regret it. Purposefully, Iain walked back to the fox. With his wifes muffled sobs at his back, he approached Sly, who wagged his long, bushy tail in greeting. Instinctively submissive to his mistresss mate, the fox rolled onto his back and gazed up with doleful eyes.

  Iain glanced at Brigette, whose shoulders shook with grief, and then down at her pet. He sheathed his dagger and lifted Sly into his arms, pausing for the briefest moment to pat the fox. Percys likely to roast me for this, he muttered to himself, then walked back to the horse and placed Sly onto Brigettes lap.

  Surprised, she looked up, and through tear-blinded eyes, met her husbands gaze. Thank you, she whispered, and smiled tremulously.

  Iain nodded curtly and mounted. Cuddling her beloved pet against her breast, Brigette relaxed and leaned against Iain. He decided, smiling somewhat speculatively at the top of her coppery crown, that subject to ridicule or not, hed acted wisely.

  It was afternoon when they sighted Dunridge Castle. Built in medieval times, the castle appeared bleak and forbidding to Brigette, even though shed lived her entire life at Basildon, another medieval castle.

  Iain halted his horse before they reached the outer gate. Welcome to yer new home, my lady. His voice sounded almost friendly.

  Where is Loch Awe?

  On the back side of Dunridge. Iain smiled, pleased that his wife was exhibiting interest in her new home.

  Yell act like a lady, he added, inadvertently ruining their truce, and no disgrace me before my — Bristling at his words, Brigette cast him a scathing glance.

  Realizing hed said the wrong thing, Iain broke off and nudged his horse forward. As they passed through the gate and outer courtyard, the guards called a cordial greeting to Iain, then stared at Brigette and the furry creature nestled in her arms. Reaching the inner courtyard, they stopped in front of the main buildings entrance.

  Iain! Lady Brigette! Percy strode toward them. Welcome!

  Iain dismounted and then helped Brigette, who smiled warmly at his brother. Much too warmly, in Iains opinion.

  Whats this yeve got? Percy asked.

  My pet — Before Brigette could finish speaking, one of Dunridges hounds, having eluded the master-of-the-hounds, bounded up to them, intent on investigating the squirming bundle of copper fur in her arms.

  With hackles rising upon his neck and back, the hound growled ominously and then barked. Frightened, Sly leaped from Brigettes arms and ran.

  Sly! Brigette screamed and gave chase. Iain and Percy dashed after her.

&nbs
p; Nipping at the foxs heels, the hound was fast, but Sly was faster. He raced around the side of the keep closest to the garrison house, whose occupants, hearing the uproar, rushed outside. A small fox was being chased by one of the hounds, who was also being chased by a shrieking madwoman who, in turn, was being chased by Iain and Percy!

  Sly flew into the rear garden, then scooted up the nearest tree. The furious hound leaped at the tree and barked madly, unable to reach his quarry.

  Crazed by the thought that her pet might be eaten, Brigette charged into the garden after the hound, but her feet became tangled in her skirt and she fell. Slys cries of fear and the hounds vicious barking broke the last thin thread of her composure. Downed by her own skirt, Brigette was unable to rise. She pressed her face into the dirt and wept disconsolately.

  Rounding the side of the keep, Iain and Percy burst upon this scene. Behind them came a group of astonished men-at-arms. Iain raced for Brigette while Percy ran for the hound.

  Jamie, Percy called, dragging the hound away from the tree, take him back to the kennel.

  Iain lifted his wife from the ground. Nearly hysterical, Brigette wept within the safety of his embrace. She appeared battle weary; her skirt was torn and her face was smudged with dirt and streaked with tears.

  Are ye injured?

  Brigette shook her head and sobbed almost incoherently, S-S-Sly . . .

  . . . is well, Iain finished.

  Percy placed the trembling fox into her arms. Burying her face against her husbands chest, she wept with relief; and caught between the two, Sly fidgeted uncomfortably. Without thinking, Iain kissed the top of his wifes head, then cast his amazed warriors a warning glance. Reluctantly, they dispersed.

  Black Jack wants to see ye immediately, Percy informed them. Dinna keep him waitin. Hes anxious to meet yer bride.

  Iain tilted Brigettes chin up and smiled encouragingly. Are ye ready, hinny? In between sniffles, she nodded. He escorted her inside through the garden entrance, and then, certain his father preferred a private meeting, led her into the earls study instead of the great hall.

  The image of Iain as an old man rose from a chair near the hearth. John Andrew Black Jack MacArthur was still an impressive-looking man. He was extremely tall, well over six feet, and as sturdily built as an oak tree. His eyes were intensely dark like his sons, his hair liberally salted with silver, and his face was tanned and ruggedly chiseled. There was nothing ancient about this old man.

  The earl stared in surprise at the two disheveled travelers and their animal companion. Black Jack saw before him a petite young woman, lovely but incredibly smudged and soiled, commonly dressed like a beggar or worse. Could this be the noble bride for whom hed sent to England?

  His eyes narrowed and shifted to his son. This is yer wife? he asked in amazed disbelief.

  Father, may I present Lady Brigette. Iain grinned a trifle sheepishly. Bria, this is my father, the Earl. Humiliatingly aware of how she must appear, Brigette smiled shyly, and then curtsyed awkwardly, due to her grip on Sly.

  What did ye do to her? Black Jack asked sharply, looking at his son. And why?

  Iain opened his mouth to explain, but Brigettes tongue was faster. He did nothing. I fell in the garden, she said. Iain smiled inwardly at his wifes ready defense of him.

  I wasna speakin to ye, the earl said. Brigette gaped at his rudeness, and her eyes narrowed into green slits of displeasure.

  Its as she said, Iain confirmed.

  Whats that yer carryin? the earl asked, his gaze falling on the fox.

  Thinking the father was as disagreeable as the son, Brigette looked him straight in the eye and squared her shoulders determinedly, ready to do battle. This is my pet fox, Sly.

  Get rid of it, Iain.

  The hell he will! Brigettes anger flared, and Iain fought to hide a smile.

  What did ye say to me? Black Jack was appalled.

  I said, the hell he will! she roared, then added softly, Sly is my pet. You have no authority.

  N-nae authority?

  Ye made the match, Iain interjected, stepping between them. What would ye have me do?

  I am returning to England, Brigette announced, stepping from behind her husband, whose eyes lost their humor. We will annul the marriage. Ive no wish to continue with this arrangement, especially after what happened last night.

  Last night? Black Jack arched a questioning brow.

  Your son almost raped me.

  Iain burst out laughing. Black Jack stared open-mouthed at her, then asked his son in a loud whisper, Is she simple?

  Simple? Why, you blustering old man!

  Blusterin old mon?

  Enough! Iain shouted, then turned on his wife. Dinna talk nonsense, Bria. A mon canna rape his wife.

  But you almost forced me to —

  Its a mons right to take his wife as he pleases, whether she be willin or no, Iain informed her, then smiled arrogantly. Thats the law.

  The law! You expect me to honor Scotlands law in this? I absolutely —

  Its Gods law, no Scotlands, Black Jack interrupted. In an amused voice, he asked, Dinna the English obey Gods law?

  Brigettes face mottled with humiliated rage, but Iain deftly brushed over it. Since the vows have been spoken and the marriage consummated, well be hearin nae more nonsense of annulment. Moireach! Obviously eavesdropping at the door, a middle-aged woman entered the instant Iain called.

  Bria, he said, giving her no chance for protest, this is Moireach, the mother of Dugie and Jamie. Shell escort ye and Sly upstairs, then fetch yer tirewoman.

  The womans smile was friendly enough, so Brigette went along with her. Ill stay for the time being, she said, pausing for a moment at the door to glance back at the earl, but I must insist your hounds be penned. I wont have Sly terrorized.

  Yer lettin her keep that beast? Black Jack asked when shed gone.

  I dinna have a choice. Iain shrugged his shoulders, then grinned. The lady threatened to skewer me wi my own dagger if any harm befell her precious pet.

  Black Jack threw back his head and shouted with laughter. Shes verra bonnie and will make ye a fine mate.

  How can ye say that? Iain countered incredulously. The twit is a temperamental wildcat.

  That she is, the earl agreed. But once yeve made her purr, shell breed us a dozen hellions to carry on the MacArthur name. And dinna shake yer head as if Im droolin in my dotage.

  Well into her middle years, Moireach was still a handsome woman. Though small of stature and friendly in demeanor, her crisp blue eyes held an inner strength that brooked no nonsense from anyone. Sprinkled with silver, Moireachs carrot-colored hair spoke of her obstinacy in seeing matters settled to her own satisfaction.

  This woman was no mere servant, Brigette decided, but a formidable force within the household. Only with Moireachs approval and support could she truly become the lady of Dunridge.

  Yer verra bonnie, the housekeeper complimented as she led Brigette across the foyer to the stairs. That young rascal must be glad he bowed to the earls wishes and took a Sassenach — I mean — English wife.

  Moireach looked at Brigette, who, ignorant that Sassenach was derogatory, smiled politely but made no comment. By allowing the accidental insult to pass, Brigette won, however inadvertently, an important ally.

  Ye were correct to stand up to the earl, Moireachs chatter continued. Hes a bit old-fashioned aboot women and such thins. Iains like him in that respect, but I could tell hes taken wi ye — no that I was listenin, mind ye.

  Iains chamber was at the head of the stairs. Before entering, Moireach paused and pointed to another door. That chambers connected to Iains, but I doubt yell be callin it yer own. Yer randy husband is certain to insist ye share his bed each night. We could make the other a nursery once yeve a babe planted in yer belly.

  Horrified, Brigette stared at the housekeeper. She was being suffocated by MacArthurs and their minions. Had it been like this for her mother as a bride? And what of her sister Kathryn, now t
ransplanted in Ireland? I am a Devereux, Brigette told herself. How can I be anything else?

  Im fairly anticipatin another wee one to cosset, Moireach said. Hell be company for wee Glenda.

  Glenda?

  Iains niece, the housekeeper answered, then opened the chamber door. Here we are.

  Spring was waiting inside. The two cousins flew into each others arms, but came up short and giggled. Brigette was still holding Sly.

  Yeve a fine-lookin pet, Lady Brigette, Moireach said as she left, but he willna be welcomed at supper. Ill bring him a bite later.

  Thank you.

  After introducing Spring and Sly, Brigette set the fox down and hugged her cousin properly. Here was a familiar Devereux face. Oh, cuz! she exclaimed. Im so glad to see you.

  It was wrong of you to run, Spring chided. I was worried.

  I had no choice, but Im sorry I left you alone to deal with these — these . . .

  People, Brie. Theyre very nice people.

  How can you say that? Brigette cried. Why, the earl —

  Is gruff and unpolished, Spring interrupted, but a kind man, nevertheless. Why did you run away?

  You know my husband insulted me.

  It was not his fault. If you had only waited —

  I do not wish to speak of this. Brigette cut her off. Whats done is past.

  Have you forgiven each other?

  Forgiven each other? For what?

  Have you forgiven Lord MacArthur for — ?

  I understand your words, Brigette interrupted, but why should he be forgiving of me? Ive done nothing.

  Spring was becoming exasperated. You ran away.

  Is that tub for me? Brigette asked abruptly. With a disapproving shake of her head, Spring took her cousins hint.

  Yes, and I can see youre in urgent need of it.

  Spring helped her disrobe and climb into the steaming, scented water. Brigette giggled with the simple joy of submerging herself in the hot tub, and began washing. I owe you an outfit.

  Nonsense! You took only rags.

  I insist. Hows Jamie?

  Spring blushed. I have a certain f-fondness for him.

  And he for you? Brigette teased, smiling at her cousins embarrassment.