Rowena smiled. She could dispense with Lion's men. "I will look for them. What of Paddy? Did anyone send news of him?"
"Aye." From the pouch at his belt, Eneas took a folded scrap of parchment. "A message for you from Father Cerdic."
Rowena clasped the paper to her heart. She'd savor it later, away from Eneas's prying eyes. "Now you stand so high in the earl's favor, will you ask him about the swearing ceremony?"
"Nay. His Grace is a busy man, with no time for such things. And too, I am in no hurry to leave Blantyre. The earl is an important man. I can go far at his side."
"I wish you well of each other," Rowena said. "When he returns from his "hunt," I will ask that the earl confirm me as Paddy's guardian, then I'll go back to Hillbrae and leave you to feather this new nest of yours." She moved past him.
Eneas caught her arm, his grip bruising. "You will do nothing of the sort, you bitch. The earl wants troops, and I mean to offer him as many Gunns as can be mustered."
"I'll not stand by and see any of the Gunns slaughtered in such an unholy cause." Rowena tried to slip free.
His hand tightened. "You will do as I say." His lips drew back in a mocking smile. "Remember your precious lad, left behind at Hillbrae?"
"Paddy? What have you done to him?"
"Nothing…yet. But accidents do happen, especially to active, curious lads."
"Finlay and Father Cerdic—"
"Cannot be everywhere. Do you understand?"
Numb, Rowena nodded.
"Good." He released her arm, smiling as she rubbed at the abused flesh. "I must join the earl in hunting for the assassin. Who knows, I may bring the little bastard to ground and earn myself even greater glory."
The precious note from Father Cerdic clutched tightly in her fist, Rowena made her way to the chapel to pray that young Colin might elude capture. She believed Lion would help Colin if he could. But if he was caught aiding the accused assassin…
Concern for Lion made a mockery of the hatred she thought she bore him. Rowena spent an hour in the chapel on her knees, praying for the safety of her friends and for the strength to resist what she should not want—Lion.
Cleansed, she took a moment to read the brief message from Father Cerdic assuring her Paddy was well, attending to his lessons, and that he sent his love. She was just rising to leave, when Sim rushed in.
"Oh, my lady. I've had them searching everywhere for you. I thought that whoever had tried to harm you last night—"
"I am fine and sorry to have worried you."
"Good. There are two other men looking for you as well. Kier and Dunmore Gunn of Hillbrae."
"We'd best find them and tell them I am all right." She smiled as she led the way from the chapel. "Now that I have my own men, you can return to your normal duties." Odd how such a little thing as having men of her own, men whom she could trust, made her feel stronger, less vulnerable.
"Oh, Lion said I should still stick close to you."
"You mean he knew they were here?"
Sim blinked. "Well, he sent Red Will to the Gunn camp this morn…just to look them over, mind."
"To see if any appeared to have fallen down stairs?"
"Exactly, my lady. Clem Gunn told him two more clansmen had ridden in late yesterday afternoon, sent to serve you."
Yet Lion had failed to tell her she had guards of her own at Blantyre. Annoying man. She tossed the sack of jewels from hand to hand. Lovely as they were, the ornaments were a symbol of Lion's high-handedness. "I think the time has come to show him he cannot bend me to his will."
"What do you mean to do?"
Give back his gift. But if she handed it to him, he would only refuse. If she put the pouch in his room, he'd sneak into hers again—a nasty habit of which she had to break him. "Somehow I must make him see what it feels like to be forced into a corner," she murmured. She must be clever. Very clever, for he was too canny by half. But she was no dullard, as he would soon discover. What a challenge.
Rowena grinned, feeling more alive than she had in years. It would be sweet indeed to make Lion Sutherland back off and eat his condescending… She paused, inspiration dawning. "Of course, the very thing."
"What?" Sim hurried after her. "My lady, where are you going? What are you planning to do?"
"You'll see…and so will he."
It was nearly dark and beginning to rain by the time the earl's party clattered back over the wooden drawbridge—a thoroughly miserable end to a fruitless search.
Lion could not have been happier, though he took pains to mask his joy behind a face as weary and somber as those around him. Alexander, obsessed with finding Colin, had pushed his band relentlessly, ranging farther and traveling faster than Lion had expected. But they'd found no sign of Colin Ross, or of the band of Sutherlands hiding in the hills, thanks be to God.
"Curse the luck," Alexander growled as he dismounted before the keep and flung the reins at a stable hand.
Eneas Gunn vaulted from his mount and attached himself to the earl's side—a position he'd striven to keep all day. It had been somewhat amusing to watch Eneas, the newcomer, vie with Georas MacPherson for Alexander's favor.
Lion supposed it was too much to hope that the two would kill each other off.
"If you like, I can get fresh mounts and set out again." Eneas said, eager as a fawning cur.
Alexander snorted and stomped up the steps. "Waste of time. This bloody rain'll have washed out any tracks."
"He must have had help," Georas said, hurrying after the earl. "Mayhap the villagers saw something. I could go down, seize a few and force them to talk."
"Nay. I doubt they know anything. Besides, I've a better notion." Alexander disappeared into the castle.
"Damn, what's he about now?" Bryce whispered.
"Nothing good, that's sure. See the men are settled, and find Heckie for me," Lion murmured. "I may need to send him out to learn where our sheep have gotten to. Meanwhile, I will find out what diabolical plan Alexander has hatched."
Lion found the earl standing before the fire in the great hall, dripping water into the rushes as he downed a cup of ale. He looked as disagreeable and surly as a wet bear. "I'll tell you what we'll do when I'm good and ready," he snapped at Eneas.
The new laird looked stricken. "I thought I might help—"
"My men and I are at your disposal, day or night," Georas said swiftly. "Only tell me what you'd have done and I—"
"I've not got all the details worked out, and I'm not likely to with the two of you jabbering like a pair of women." The earl caught sight of Lion. "Ah, just the man I need." Thrusting his empty cup into Eneas's hand, he crossed the hall and threw a wet, beefy arm around Lion's shoulders. "Come to my chamber whilst I disarm. I've need of your sharp mind."
Lion caught the furious glances Eneas and Georas sent his way as the earl led him away. The two were cowards and bullies, but they'd bear watching.
When Lion and Alexander reached Blantyre's huge master chamber, Lady Glenda was waiting for them.
"Oh, my lord, you are soaked clear to the skin!" Rushing forward, she began plucking at the earl's wet tunic. "Mairi, Jean," she called to her women. "Fetch the earl's bedrobe and some towels. See the water is hot and—"
He brushed her hands away. "Leave us."
"B-but…" Hurt filled her eyes. "I've water heating in the kitchens for your bath and—"
"I've been drenched in water half the day. I need no bath. Just dry clothes. But I'll see to myself. It sets my teeth on edge to have a pack of silly women fluttering about when I've important matters to think on."
"Wh-who will remove your armor? Who will—"
"Lion will assist me," the earl snapped. "I'd speak privately with him anyway. Get out, the lot of you!"
The servants fled without a backward glance. Lady Glenda lingered, her pain at Alexander's rejection pitiful to witness.
"We've had a long ride in foul weather and are much in need of dry clothes and a hot meal," Lion said ge
ntly, as though that excused Alexander's rudeness.
Lady Glenda smiled faintly. "Of course. I—I will go down and make certain all is prepared. Doubtless Lady Rowena will be looking for you, too, Lord Lion. I'd best tell her you are detained here with my lord."
The image of Rowena waiting to greet him with a warm smile and, mayhap, a hot bath was enticing indeed. And about as likely as sheep laying eggs. Still he smiled and thanked Lady Glenda.
"Women," Alexander growled as the door closed behind her. "They've their uses, but most of the time they're a damned nuisance. Now then, see if you can get me out of this."
Though the role of lackey suited him not, Lion expertly pried Alexander out of his mail and the thick, padded gambeson worn beneath. As the earl snatched up a towel and began to dry his large, hairy body, Lion noticed the chain around his neck and the key suspended from it.
The key to the strongbox.
How to get it? Lion mused as he went to pour them each a cup of ale from the pitcher on the table. "You had something to ask me?" he inquired casually.
"Aye." Alexander tossed the wet towels in a heap on the floor and pulled on a long shirt of saffron wool. "We had no luck catching Colin and whoever freed him…" His fist clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. "Damn, when I think of those cheeky bastards, sneaking in here and taking him away in broad daylight. If word of it gets out, my enemies will flock here like flies to honey, thinking to murder me in my bed." His scowl darkened. "I've a mind to kill them all."
"Who?" Damn, had his Sutherlands been found out?
"The Shaws, whose duty it was to patrol the back walls. That must be how they got in, for it wasn't through the front gates past my Stewarts."
You cannot. But Lion knew better than to throw down such a challenge. "You'd kill the Shaws without proof?"
"Lady Glenda will likely weep and wail over their deaths, but I cannot let such laxness go unpunished."
Lion was appalled to have put more men at risk. Damn, would this vicious cycle never be done? "It may be he got out unaided. He could have hit Umfried over the head, hidden in the castle and made good his escape during the confusion while we searched the grounds. One small lad is easy to overlook," he added, lest he doom the other guards.
"I suppose," Alexander said gruffly.
"Why punish the Shaws and deprive yourself of good fighting men when it may be that Colin is already dead?"
Alexander brightened. "You think so?"
"These hills hold many dangers, especially for a lad alone, on foot and unarmed. Boar, wolves, steep ravines…"
"Ah, that is possible," the earl said thoughtfully.
"I do not think the Rosses will cause you more trouble."
Alexander's expression grew cagey. "I will make certain they do not."
"What will you do?" Lion asked, his gut tightening.
"I have not yet decided."
"Is there something I can help you with?"
"Nay. Not yet." The earl's eyes darted about. "And I do sometimes think the walls here have ears."
"Aye, a man cannot be too careful." Damn, he had to know what Alexander was planning so he could prevent it. "Well, if you've no further need of me, my lord, I will get out of these stinking clothes."
Alexander inclined his head in regal permission. "If the weather clears on the morrow, we will resume the games. I would show Robbie MacNab what sort of men have already joined me."
Lion nodded. The games would be part prideful exhibit, part threat. Join me or face these men on the battlefield. He'd better warn Robbie to look suitably impressed. As Lion walked to the door, he spotted the strongbox in the shadowy corner.
Were they in there, the papers proving Alexander plotted to usurp his brother's throne? Recalling his earlier conversation with Bryce, Lion turned back to the earl.
"If you can spare me for a few hours tomorrow, I'd go into the village and see if there's a goldsmith of any talent."
"Whatever for?"
"I need a betrothal gift for Lady Rowena. The only things I have at hand are a few baubles I picked up in Italy. She did not care for such foreign-made pieces."
"That's women for you…fickle and ungrateful."
"A knight owes his lady the honor of a gift."
"Particularly when he has not yet caught the lady, eh? Glenda tells me that you two keep separate rooms."
Lion gave the earl a long-suffering, man-to-man grimace. "What can I say? She would wait till we are wed."
"Why give her a choice?"
"It seemed the chivalrous thing to do," Lion said through clenched teeth.
"I suppose." Alexander frowned. "I suppose she is not to blame if her first husband did anger me. Eneas is more reasonable. Gladly will he call up the Gunns to join my army."
Did Rowena know this? Lion wondered. She'd not be pleased. "Well, at any rate, I will visit the village in the morn."
" 'Tis a poor place. You are unlikely to find a bauble there that will please her." The earl looked toward the strongbox. "I have a few things I have picked up that I might be willing to sell you."
Stolen from the clans the earl had thus far subdued, Lion thought, sighing inwardly. He inclined his head again. "I am honored you would offer." He only hoped Rowena wouldn't spit upon the stolen jewelry, or him, for suggesting such a thing.
Chapter Nine
Rowena sat at the head table, trying her best not to fidget as she waited for Lion to arrive. Many of the nobles had already entered and taken their seats. What was keeping him? She'd planned for this half the day. Now that the moment was nearly at hand, excitement warred with nervousness.
What would he do when she bested him…and before all these people? Drat, she should have heeded her conscience and waited till she was alone with Lion to have her revenge. She glanced at the cake sitting on a silver plate beside the cup she and Lion would share, along with a trencher of food. She'd made a point of instructing the maids to set it there.
A stir at the doorway heralded Lion's arrival. He'd washed and changed into fresh clothes, his black hair shining wetly in the torchlight as he moved into the hall. She Watched as he was detained by first one man, then another. He stopped to speak with each in turn, his expression thoughtful as he listened to their words and spoke in response. Whatever he said eased the frowns and left smiles in their place.
It struck her that Lion had changed from the impatient, carefree youth she'd fallen in love with years ago, into a wise and deliberate man. It was clear that many here respected his opinions, and his own men worshipped him with a fervor few lords could command. Last night, she'd asked him if his time abroad had been well spent. Now she had no doubt it had been. Much as she might hate the fact, his father had been right to send Lion away to be groomed and pruned by others.
"Did you miss me, sweet?" Lion asked as he slid onto the bench beside her.
Rowena glanced up and realized that, too, was a mistake. He sat so close she could feel the heat that radiated from his body into hers, see the flecks of green in his golden eyes. They were focused on her with mesmerizing intensity. Every nerve in her body jangled with awareness. Yet she could not give in to the pull he exerted on her. "I did not," she managed to say.
He grinned and kissed her lightly. "Liar," he whispered. "You've waited for this moment as ardently as I have."
A giggle burst from Rowena. How true. How ironically true. She chuckled again, delighting in the quizzical look he gave her. "You, sir, are far too arrogant for your own good."
"A faint heart never won a fair lassie…especially not one as stubborn as you." He picked up her hand and toyed with her fingers.
That simple touch sent a shivery wave up her arm. "Must you paw me?" She snatched her fingers free.
"Surely a man is allowed to hold his betrothed's hand."
A not so subtle reminder of their loathsome arrangement. "I hear the hunting was unsuccessful."
"It depends on your perspective." His gaze held hers, swirling again with hidden meanings.
"Oh, Lion, do you know where Colin is? Is he safe?"
"Shh. Not here."
Alexander stomped up to the dais and threw himself into the high-backed chair beside Lady Glenda's smaller one. "Where is the food?" he growled. "Do you try to starve me?"
Lady Glenda leaped up, white faced, and clapped her hands. Immediately the door to the kitchens opened and a stream of servants scurried in bearing steaming trays.
Rowena glared at the earl. "Oh, I hate the way—"
"Easy, lass," Lion urged, his hand on her arm.
She sighed, fuming inside. But he was right. Eneas and Georas both had seats at the head table, and the noise in the hall had a way of ebbing at odd moments. "Men can be such pigs."
"I would agree with you, did I not think you meant to include me in that statement."
"Most definitely," she said with a toss of her head.
"Pity. I'd always fancied myself as an eagle, soaring above the common man."
"Arrogance."
"Self-confidence," he countered. "And you…? Ah, you are a fox, I think. A golden vixen with soft fur and—"
"Sharp teeth. Take care, eagle, that you do not stray too close and have your feathers nipped."
"Have no fear," Lion said as he filled their trencher with choice bits of roasted lamb and fresh salmon. "The eagle is far too canny to be caught by a fox."
"Is he now?" Rowena eyed the cake resting on the plate in solitary splendor.
"Wine?" He held the cup for her, his eyes full on hers while she sipped. They kindled with a warm light as he turned the cup and drank from the same spot.
Oh, he was good at this, she mused, her gaze still trapped by his. That much had not changed. Images from this morn's dream flitted through her mind, taunting her with golden memories.
"Aye, Rowena," he whispered. His hand brushed her cheek, slid down her neck to her nape and gently drew her closer. "It can be that way again."
Longing pierced her, sharp as a honeyed blade. But it cut two ways, part pleasure, part pain. She concentrated on the pain. Sweet as their loving had been, nothing could make up for the anguish that had followed his desertion. "There is no going back," she said, wishing her voice was stronger, less wistful.
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