Lion's Lady

by Suzanne Barclay

  "Are they coming?" Rowena attempted to tug her skirts down. "Drat, whatever will they think we've been doing up here?"

  "The lads would not have improper thoughts about my lady."

  "I am not your lady." She sounded more sorry than certain, and Lion counted that a good thing. She was weakening. It was only a matter of time till he wore down her objections.

  Red Will appeared in the fringe of the forest so silently that the boar standing guard at the base of the oak never heard him. Hand signals sent the others fanning out around the clearing. The spears they'd brought to practice with came in right handy. When the boar belatedly spotted the danger and charged, it was met by a wall of sharpened steel.

  Rowena cringed and hid her face.

  Lion absently stroked her head. "It had to be, lass, for the boar would not have let us go." And it might yet do them a good turn. Alexander would likely not be pleased that he'd gone off without telling him, but the boar would provide fresh meat, a lively tale to tell at supper and a reason for having lingered so long in the hills.

  Eneas watched in growing anger as the people of Blantyre welcomed Lion and his Sutherlands into the castle.

  " 'Tis like the second coming," he sneered.

  "Aye, you'd think folk had never seen a dead boar before," Clem said. "His Grace has even left his chamber."

  "Where?" Eneas's eyes narrowed as he followed the earl's progress through the crowded courtyard. Alexander had spent all day in his rooms, or so his bodyguards had claimed. He'd not come to watch the men practice for the remaining events in the games. Not even when a fight had erupted between the MacPhersons and the Grants, and quickly spread to involve the rest of the clansmen. Three men had been killed in the clash and a score wounded, including Dunmore and two other Gunns. Still the earl had not appeared…till now.

  "I did not know you planned to ride out," the earl growled, looking vastly displeased, which heartened Eneas.

  "I apologize, Your Grace. You were busy this morn when I decided to take my men out for a bit of a practice." Smiling easily, Lion swung down from his horse. "See what we found in the woods." He gestured toward the boar, slung over a long spear pole. "I recalled you had a taste for fresh ham."

  "Aye, that I do." Alexander's scowl faded, but his gaze remained cool. "I also like to know what my men are about."

  "Next time, I shall remember that."

  Eneas's stomach turned as he watched Alexander unbend toward Lion. He himself had saved Alexander's life, yet the man did not show him half the favor he showed Lion. It was not fair.

  "I wonder what our hero really did in the hills?" Georas grumbled as he stepped up beside Eneas.

  "You do not believe his story?"

  "Why should he ride away from Blantyre when there is room aplenty to practice here? And when he knows full well that Alexander does not like his men to go off on their own?"

  "What could he be doing?"

  "Meeting with Alexander's enemies…the Rosses, mayhap."

  Eneas gasped softly. " 'Tis too much to hope for."

  "Not necessarily." Georas's eyes took on a nasty glint. "Lion's sire is at court now. They say that Lucais is trying to convince the king to recall Alexander and strip him of his viceroyalty. Close as father and son are rumored to be, I thought it strange that Lion came to Blantyre. When I tried to tell the earl this, he brushed aside my warning. He's flattered to have so polished and educated a knight in his tail. He thinks it will persuade others to join us."

  "So…" Eneas studied Lion's chiseled features as he charmed his way back into Alexander's good graces. He jested and smiled, with no hint of the groveling Eneas had seen others resort to when they'd run afoul of the temperamental earl. "We must find out what he is up to."

  "Do you think I have not tried?" Georas cursed under his breath. "His men are so bloody loyal they have refused every bribe mine have offered. They do not drink to excess, nor wench nor gamble. And Lion never goes anywhere without a troop of his warriors with him."

  "Mmm." As Eneas watched Lion and the earl enter the keep side by side, his gaze fell on another nauseating sight—Padruig's faithless widow fairly drooling over Lion as she walked with him. "I would wager his men are not with him when he beds my brother's widow."

  Georas grunted. "I am sure you are right, but no man tells a woman of his plans."

  "Nay, but lying with a woman does weaken a man. If she were to ask him what he is about—say, when his mind was clouded with lust—he might say too much."

  "Would she help you?"

  "She will if she wants her precious son to grow any older."

  After a day spent in the fresh air, away from the intrigue, Rowena found the atmosphere at Blantyre even more stifling than usual. For one thing, Kier was most wroth with her for having gone off with Lion.

  "I know he was up to no good, for when I noticed you were gone, his men first tried to prevent me from going after you, then sent me searching for you in the wrong direction."

  "Let it go, Kier," she said wearily.

  "How can I? I come here to protect you and find you betrothed to Glenshee. What of your vow to Padruig?"

  "I have explained about that, Kier. It is Lion's way of protecting me from the earl's wrath. My pledge to return to Hillbrae still stands." She would not, could not violate that, for the oath had been sworn on Paddy's soul. To break her word would be to damn her son for all eternity.

  "Humph. I do not like the way Glenshee looks at you."

  "That is none of your business," she said, temper snapping. "If you do not stop this, I will send you back to Hillbrae." She slammed the door to her chamber and tore off her riding clothes. If she had any sense, she'd use Kier as a bulwark against Lion, but she had always had little sense where Lion was concerned.

  Now she had none.

  His story of being ambushed and nearly killed had demolished any doubts she'd had about him. The fact that he'd kept silent to save her brother…

  Rowena shivered, wrapping her arms about her body as she walked to the high window. Johnny had no reason to wish Lion ill. She tried to recall how her brother had seemed that long-ago day, but her memories were clouded by her own fear, pain and humiliation.

  He had acted surprised, then pleased when Padruig announced they were wedding. There had been talk of more horses for John to train, but that was all. Her mother had congratulated her on catching a man above her station, then had gone off to lose herself in ale, as she'd been wont to do since the death of her husband. None of this seemed the least bit ominous.

  Rowena shook away her lingering doubts. Lion must have been mistaken, she thought as she went to dress for dinner. The blue wool gown she'd left on the bed was gone, replaced by a velvet one in a lighter shade of blue.

  One of Annie Shaw's, no doubt. And more of Lion's doing, she thought as she ran her hand over the soft fabric. After what had happened today, it was hard to be angry with him.

  Smiling, she washed, rebraided her hair and slipped on her borrowed finery. The neckline and edge of the wide, flowing sleeves were embroidered with gold thread depicting fanciful flowers. The hem dragged on the floor till she belted it with a girdle of blue leather, then it draped gently over her body, hugging her breasts and hips. She turned in a slow circle, admiring the swirl of fabric and feeling very feminine.

  The glow of appreciation in Lion's eyes when he came to fetch her moments later warmed her to her toes.

  "You look lovely." He brushed a kiss on her hand as he executed a courtly bow.

  Rowena giggled, her insides aflutter. The mood was dampened by Kier's aggrieved throat clearing. She glared him into a reproachful silence, then accepted Lion's escort to the hall.

  Immediately they were the focus of Lady Selena's venomous glances and more than a few curious ones. Drat Was her reputation already in tatters? Determined to brave things out, she walked resolutely toward the dais, her hand on Lion's arm. Halfway to the high table, she spied Dun-more Gunn at one of the trestle tables, a bandage wrap
ped around his head, his left arm in a sling.

  "Go on without me, please, Lion," she touched Dun's arm. "Whatever happened to you?"

  He looked up at her, one side of his face raked with scratches. "There was trouble on the practice field today."

  "But I thought you were sleeping."

  "I remained abed till just after noon, then went down to see what the other men were doing. I was watching only, when the fight broke out, but—but we were all swept up in it."

  "Let me look at your wounds."

  "I am sure he is fine," Kier interjected.

  "Aye, I am," Dun said. "Felis herself saw to me."

  "That should be fine, then, though I'll look at the cuts and dress them again this evening."

  Dun's eyes widened, and he drew back. "Nay. I am fine."

  Men, Rowena thought, were ever big bairns about such things. She did not press the point, but resolved to check on him before bedtime. "Kier, why do you not stay here with Dun? There are so may pages fluttering about the high table that you would only be in the way."

  His stricken look chafed her conscience, but another meal under his baleful eyes was too much to contemplate.

  Rowena joined Lion at the head table, but Alexander dominated the conversation. He insisted on hearing about the boar hunt, to which Lion replied with a much revised version of the truth. By the time the long meal was over, Rowena had a pounding headache. She excused herself and made her way from the hall. Kier and Dun both fell into step behind her. She was very glad of the company when she saw who waited in the corridor.

  "A moment, Rowena," Eneas demanded.

  Her men stayed beside her, as unmovable as stone.

  Eneas glowered at him. "I have word from home for Lady Rowena. A private message."

  Alarmed, Rowena said, "It is all right." She waited till they had withdrawn a few feet, then asked, "What is wrong?"

  "Nothing…yet." Eneas smiled wolfishly. "But if you do not do as I ask, your son will not be at Hillbrae when you return."

  "You would not dare to harm your brother's son."

  "I said nothing about harming him. I merely said he would not be at Hillbrae. I will send him away and make certain you do not see him again."

  Rowena's knees turned to water. "What—what do you want?"

  "To know what lion Sutherland is doing."

  The icy chill spread from her hands to her heart. "Doing?" she said blankly, stalling for time, praying for inspiration.

  "We think he was involved in Colin Ross's escape. You will find out where the brat is and tell me."

  Images of Colin's battered face swam in Rowena's mind. She used them to steady her quivering nerves. "But—but even if this is so, how could I get him to tell me?" she whined, shrinking back and trembling with half-feigned fear.

  "In the manner of all whores, you will seduce him into telling you," Eneas hissed. "And if I suspect you have told Lion of my request, Paddy may meet with a fatal accident."

  "You would not—"

  "For the kind of rewards that lie within my grasp, I would dare anything. Remember that, if you are tempted to cross me."

  (IT___»»

  "Rowena!" Lady Glenda called, materializing out of the gloom. "Oh, good. I've saved myself a trip to your room. Alexander will be in conference with his chiefs, and I would like your company in my solar."

  Rowena groaned. What she craved now was quiet in which to find some way out of this terrible situation.

  "Oh." The lady's plain face contorted with concern. "Lion said your head ached. My maid has a potion she rubs on the temples that works wonders. Come along, do."

  Rowena went, both to avoid antagonizing her only friend at Blantyre and to escape from Eneas's piercing stare. She endured having her forehead rubbed with something that smelled worse than boar's breath. Another maid entertained on the harp, and Lady Glenda chattered about a new cream purported to make the skin glow. At the end of an hour, Rowena's head hurt worse than ever and her jaw was so tight her teeth ached, too. Finally, she escaped on the pretext of visiting the jakes.

  As she left the master suite, she heard Alexander's voice echoing down the corridor.

  Nay, she could not face him at this point. Ducking into the nearest room, she waited for the earl to pass.

  " 'Tis an excellent plan, Your Grace," she heard Georas say. "If we leave at midnight, we can reach Creagan in good time to rest the men and attack the Rosses at dawn."

  The Rosses? Rowena pressed her ear closer to the door.

  "Good. You are to storm the keep, kill all within and burn it to the ground."

  "I will go and tell the men to make ready," said Georas.

  "Nay. Tell no one."

  "Not even your Lion?" Georas asked silkily.

  "Nay, I have thought on what you said about his frequent disappearances and his alliance with the widow of the man who did call me a butcher to my face. We will keep these plans secret from everyone till it is time to ride out," the earl said tightly. "I want the Rosses taken completely unawares," he continued. "I want them wiped out. Let the other clans see what happens to those who turn against me."

  Their heavy footsteps continued on by her hiding place, but Rowena remained where she was, frozen in place. After a moment, she stirred. She had to find Lion and tell him what was going to happen. She peered out, eased from the room and hurried down the hallway. Just as she reached the stairwell, she met Lion and Bryce coming up.

  "Lion!" She grabbed hold of his arm, hands trembling.

  He reached for his sword. "What is it?"

  "He…the earl—"

  "Move, Sutherland, you block the steps," said Eneas. He stood below Lion in the stairwell.

  Lion swore softly and stepped aside to let Eneas pass. It was as though a cork had been pulled from a bottle, spewing men into the upper corridor, the MacPherson chief and Robbie MacNab among them.

  "What is going on?" Rowena asked.

  "We are all invited to drink with the earl," Robbie said.

  "Come with us, sweetheart." Lion snagged her around the waist and drew her into his arms for a kiss. "What is it?" he whispered against her lips.

  Rowena looped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, heedless of the wanton display in her desperation to speak with him. "I overheard the earl tell Georas he will attack the Rosses of Creagan. At dawn tomorrow."

  The oath Lion uttered was crude and not at all lover-like. Not that Rowena cared. "There is more," she said hurriedly. "Eneas suspects you helped Colin and has threatened my son's life if I do not find proof for him."

  Lion's eyes widened. "What did you tell him?"

  "Nothing. I would not betray any of you."

  "Sweetheart." He leaned his forehead against hers. "I thank you for the warning, both warnings. I will deal with Eneas."

  "Wait." Her confidence faltered. "If Eneas finds out I told you about this, he…he will kill Paddy."

  "I swear I'll do naught to endanger your son, but come, we cannot tarry." Breaking off the intimate pose, he escorted her down the hall behind the others.

  "What will you do?" she murmured.

  "It is better you not know." His expression was grim. "When we get inside the solar," he whispered. "I want you to slap me hard across the mouth, call me an unfeeling brute and leave."

  "Leave?"

  "Aye. Go to your room and lock yourself within."

  "But I want to help."

  "You have, first by giving me fair warning and then by giving me an excuse to stay home while the others go raiding."

  "What are you going to do?"

  "Drink myself sick over you, you fickle jade."

  Chapter Twelve

  "Damn fool thing to do," Red Will grumbled as he and Bryce hauled Lion up the stairs. "I've not seen him get drunk over a wench in nigh on six years."

  "Aye, and it was the same lass he lost his wits over then as it was now."

  "What do ye suppose she did to set him off?"

  "Who knows?" Bryce said wearily
.

  "Ouch. Watch what you're doing, you louts," Lion hissed as his shoulder bumped stone.

  Bryce stopped and stared down at him in the dim stairwell. "I thought you'd passed out."

  "Shh. That's what you were supposed to think," Lion whispered. "But I'm not, so mind how you go."

  Red Will frowned. "What are ye up to?"

  "I'll tell you when we get above. Now quit chattering and be quick about it," Lion said under his breath.

  The men nodded and hustled him up the stairs. Bryce shouldered open the door to Lion's chamber, Red Will kicked it shut after them with his heel. Together they pitched Lion onto the bed.

  "What is going on?" Bryce demanded.

  "Shh." Lion sat up, flinging the hair from his eyes. "Will, see if there's anyone about in the corridor. Bryce, get out my mail and helmet." Lion bolted for the garderobe behind the screen in the corner of the room and rid his belly of as much of the watered ale as he could.

  "Jesu, you really are drunk," Bryce said when Lion came back around the screen, wiping his face on a towel.

  "Only half. I could not make the act look convincing without swilling a bit more ale than I wanted." He reached for the mail dangling in Bryce's hands.

  Bryce held the mesh garment away. "You are in no fit condition for whatever you've got planned."

  "I'll do. The air will clear my head." He looked toward the door, where Will stood guard. "Will?"

  "I dinna see anyone, but I'll stay here and keep watch."

  Lion nodded, went to the window, cracked open the shutters and peered out. The night was dark and moonless, perfect for his needs. Turning away, he quickly appraised Bryce of what Rowena had overheard. "I've got to warn Iain Ross." Colin was at Creagan, and likely the two Sutherlands sent to escort him.

  Bryce grabbed his sword hilt. "I'll alert the lads. Do we ride to Creagan and fight with the Rosses or waylay the earl?"

  "Neither." Ignoring Bryce's protest, Lion took the chain-mail shirt and drew it on over his shirt. "If we fight Alexander, we ruin everything we've worked for. I'm going to alert Iain and get everyone away before Alexander's army arrives. It is vital that you and the lads ride with the earl, so he'll not suspect we had a hand in warning the Rosses."