by Terry Spear
After the way they had been together during the night already, had her father seen them, he would have forced the marriage to take place, he was certain. But she had assured Angus, he need not concern himself with such. And he believed the lass.
Niall shook his head as they pulled the limb free, then gathered more twigs and downed branches. "Seems to me you are playing with fire. What if she agrees with this plan of yours and doesna wish for anything further to come of it? But her da has other designs?"
"What do you mean?"
"That when he learns you have declared her your wife, he wants it to be so."
"He wouldna wish that on his daughter." Angus didn't think.
"You are no' such a disagreeable knave as that," Niall joked.
"I dinna mean that. Because he cares for her, he would want the lass married to someone she loved who loved her in return."
"Aye, but what if he knows no one will even make such an offer, ever? And he has the chance to have a MacNeill, brother to a laird, wed to his one and only daughter, who he cherishes, even if she is a bit different. He knows we are all honorable. He wouldna believe you would be anything but your charming self with the lass. Why do you think he has asked James to send one of his brothers when he knew you were the only one still there? And as of yet—unmarried."
Again, the inference being that Edana's father had plans other than just having them find her and escort her to his keep. Maybe even the reason her father would not send his own men to fetch her back.
"I…dinna believe it," Angus said, heading back to camp with the armload of wood, although both Gunnolf and Niall's words gave him pause.
"Believe it or no', but I am just warning you in the event you want Gunnolf or me to take the lass home while you wait for us. Or better yet, if we are able to free her brothers, they can return her home and leave us out of it altogether."
A prudent man would consider Niall's words of concern and might even agree with him. So why was Angus fighting the notion that he would not want anyone to escort her safely back to her castle but him?
After eating porridge and a trout Gunnolf managed to catch, Edana was quiet, staring into the fire. Angus observed her for a while, watching the orange flames cast flickers of light across her sweet face.
Her unplaited hair rested over her shoulders and reminded him of that day so long ago when she looked into the loch, her expression contemplative.
"I will take first watch," Gunnolf said, breaking into his thoughts.
"Aye," Angus said. Before he could say he would take the next, Niall piped up.
"Me after that," Niall said.
"Are you ready to bed down for the night, lass?" Angus asked, standing, then stretching. He didn't remember a time when he felt so uncomfortable. He wished to keep the lass warm, but didn't wish to offer in front of Niall and Gunnolf. He didn't wish to embarrass the lass. Before, he had lain next to her to prevent her from trying to leave the shieling, then offered to keep her warm when she was so chilled.
But now…
She had already brought out her blankets and hesitated as she considered the fire again, her gaze catching his.
"Is this…where you want me to sleep?" she asked.
Gunnolf had left to provide guard duty. Thankfully. Niall fetched his blankets and laid them on the ground next to the fire opposite from where Angus and Edana stood.
"Aye, the spot is clear of rocks. Close to the fire, but no' too close."
She nodded and spread out the first of the blankets. "'Tis chilly tonight," she said.
"Aye. The weather was warmer earlier today once the mist cleared and though it appeared it would rain, the clouds are disbursing some, so the night shouldna be too bad."
She looked up. A sprinkle of stars could be seen lighting a patch of cleared sky. "Aye. But…" She glanced at Niall who was already resting on his blanket. He quickly closed his eyes. "'Tis chilly tonight," she repeated to Angus.
As much as Angus told himself he should not tuck the bonny lass in his arms this eve again, he also reminded himself she could become chilled. "Aye," Angus said, mind made up. He would serve as a good Samaritan.
He retrieved his blankets, setting his next to hers.
She gave him a small smile. Sweet, innocent, lovely and that one smile heated his blood. Why was it that her hint of gratitude could make him want so much more?
He waited until she was lying down, facing the fire before he reclined on his blanket. His cousin gave him an evil smile that said Angus was headed for a darkling journey.
Attempting to ignore Niall, Angus had barely lain down, pondering wrapping his arms around the lass or just getting close enough to her without touching, when she scooted backward a bit until her soft warm body planted against his torso. He gritted his teeth to keep from groaning out loud as she seated that sweet arse against his growing arousal.
She squirmed again against him, trying to settle herself. He quickly wrapped his arms around her to keep her from moving about and causing him any more discomfort—as damned pleasurable as it was. Could she not feel how her body inflamed his?
Nay, she was a sweet innocent, unaware of the way of men. Which meant he had to ensure he kept his thoughts pure, even though he wrapped her more securely in his arms. She sighed and he smiled. He'd never had a better way to keep warm on a chilly night and the notion Niall would serve on guard duty next worked well for him.
When Gunnolf woke Angus later, he peered at the pinks and oranges as the sun began to rise. "Niall didna wake me for guard duty," Angus said, rising to his feet.
"The lass needed your warmth," Gunnolf said. "We suspected you wished neither of us to take your place."
Gunnolf assumed correctly, though Angus would not admit to the truth.
***
For two days, they traveled to Lockton Castle, home of Dunbarton, and when they caught sight of the keep, the gray castle walls ringed by four tours, Gunnolf headed for the caves where he and Dougald had once found shelter. Feeling unsure as to what to expect, Angus nodded to his companions to continue on their way.
"Let us see what we shall see." Angus prayed he would be worthy of Edana's father's faith in him in bringing his daughter home safely and in Edana's that he could help her free her brothers from whatever dungeon that they now resided.
The morning sun bathed the stone walls in warm light as the portcullis rose, creaking and groaning like an old man grumbling about his aches and pains. Guards on the wall walk above eyed the three riders. He had to admit having Edana with them made them appear to be less of a threat. No man in his right mind would take a woman into battle.
An older man was driving an empty cart out of the inner bailey and greeted them as he continued on his way.
Another approached, this one wearing a sword and dirk, his dark eyes wary. "How now," he said in greeting, his eyes quickly looking over the lass, but shifting again to the men who could give him trouble. "Who are ye and what do ye seek here?"
"We wish to speak with your laird," Angus said.
"Keary Dunbarton, Laird of Lockton, isna here at the moment."
So Keary had taken his father's place and since he had helped James to free Gunnolf and Dougald the last time they had been incarcerated, it seemed a good omen.
"Lady Allison? Is she here?" Angus asked quickly, before they lost the opportunity to learn what they could about Edana's brothers. Allison had rescued Gunnolf and Dougald the first time they had landed in the dungeon, and he hoped mayhap she would tell him what he needed to know. Though with Keary being in charge and his half-brother, Finbar, no longer able to vie for the position, his sister—who favored their brother Finbar for the position—and he might both be gone.
"She is inside. Does she know ye?"
Angus had never met Lady Allison that he could recall. He was trying to think of a way to gain an audience without making Keary's staff suspicious.
"Aye, we are friends. Tell her Lady Eilis wishes to speak with her," Edana quickly said, evi
dently recalling the rest of the story he had told her. "This is her…my brother, Angus MacNeill, by marriage."
Angus stared at her. What was she doing? It was true James's wife and Lady Allison had come to rescue Dougald and Gunnolf, but the lass didn't look anything like Eilis. And wasn't he supposed to be pretending to be Edana's husband? He knew he should have returned her home first.
The man nodded. "Come with me." He glanced at Niall, as if recalling he should know who he was also.
"Cousin to the MacNeills," Niall said.
"We have heard tell James fished you from the briny deep," the guard said to Edana.
Niall quickly jumped in to tell the tale as neither Angus nor Edana had witnessed it and he wasn't certain if Edana had ever heard it. "Her ship was wrecked and aye, I helped rescue the wee lass clinging to a mossy rock."
"She was supposed to be married to Keary's father when he was laird," the man said, looking her over. "'Tis too bad she is no longer available. Our current laird likes the fiery-headed lasses as well."
Edana cast a glance in Angus's direction. She looked a little bit like a rabbit—realizing the wolves were upon her. He imagined she'd never gotten herself in this kind of a predicament before.
The man escorted them to a small chamber inside the keep, then left.
"I was supposed to be your husband," Angus whispered to her as Niall kept a lookout, knowing they would have trouble once Lady Allison made her appearance and saw the woman pretending to be Eilis.
"I didna think they would admit us without one of us knowing the lady. And even if you had known her, I didna believe the guard would have wanted to bring you here to see her without her brother's approval," Edana said, arms folded across her breasts, chin up, eyes flashing with indignation.
He admired her tenacity and had never expected her to come up with a plan in the blink of an eye to make this work. If it worked.
Footsteps hastened in their direction. Angus tensed, hoping he, Niall, and Edana would not alarm Lady Allison when she discovered Edana was not who she claimed to be.
A woman rushed into the room, her hair and eyes dark brown, her expression turning from excitement to alarm as soon as she saw the woman who pretended to be Eilis. She didn't know Angus either, and she hadn't seen Niall standing slightly to the right of the door. Before she screamed, Niall clamped his hand over her mouth and shut the door to the room.
Edana finally found her tongue and quickly said, "'Tis all right. We have just come to speak with you. We would have talked to Keary, but they said he is no' here."
Angus said, "We wish you no harm, Lady Allison. Lady Eilis would have come to see you if she could, but she is unable to travel."
Niall removed his hand from the lady's mouth, her eyes still wild. "She is ill?" Allison asked.
"With child," Angus said.
Allison's eyes still huge, her apprehension didn't appear to abate. "What do you want?"
"I am James's youngest brother, Angus. You remember Niall?"
"Aye. He is the only one I knew. Why did you lie to say you are Eilis?" she asked Edana.
"I am Edana, daughter of the chief of the Clan Chattan."
"We have word that her brothers might have…had some trouble," Angus said, not about to tell how they had come of the news, and he didn't want to accuse her half-brother of locking the Chattan brothers in the dungeon.
"What has that to do with me?"
"We would have spoken to Keary, but he isna here," Angus said, repeating Edana's words, trying not to sound vexed.
"You…you think…what?" Allison asked. "I dinna understand."
"Is there a woman here by the name of Oppida?" Edana asked.
Allison's jaw dropped.
Angus did not take that as a good sign.
The door suddenly opened and everyone turned to see Keary standing there with two of his men, his bright expression changing to surprise, then anger. He looked at Edana. His brows rose, and then he scowled at Angus and Niall. "Arrest the men."
"Nay," Edana said, grabbing Angus's arm as if she could protect him. "We are here seeking my brothers."
"And you are?" Keary's eyes traveled over her body in a salacious manner.
Angus already had his hand on the hilt of his sword. He didn't like the way Keary looked at Edana—as if she was available when she was supposed to be Angus's wife.
"The daughter of the chief of the Chattan clan," she said.
Her scowl seemed to amuse Keary as his mouth curved up. "Why the ruse?" he asked.
"We wished only to speak with you," Angus said, repeating once again the same sentiment, "but you were no' here."
"About?"
"Her brothers," Allison quickly said, and Angus feared that meant Oppida was Keary's mistress.
"Come, 'tis time for the nooning meal. Let us eat," Allison said, taking hold of Edana's arm. "Tell me all about your brothers."
Angus watched the two ladies leave the chamber and hoped Edana didn't say anything that could get them all thrown into the dungeon.
Chapter 7
Edana didn't know what to think. Was Oppida Keary's mistress? And had he locked Edana's brothers in the dungeon? But what bothered her most was the way Keary had looked at her as though he'd love to make her his new mistress.
She noted Angus scowling and though he'd kept his hand on his sword hilt when Keary first entered the chamber, his men had quickly disarmed both Niall and Angus before they went to eat.
Now in the great hall, intent on her words as the servants served food from thick fish soup to dove stew, Keary listened to Edana speaking to Allison about her brothers. The lady seemed quite interested in meeting them. Which meant Allison was very good about keeping a secret. Or she didn't know what her half-brother had been up to. Or Edana's brothers weren't here.
Edana wanted desperately to ask about Oppida, but after Allison had changed the subject so quickly, Edana had assumed the topic was too sensitive to discuss.
Angus had unsuccessfully attempted to engage Keary in conversation, also trying to learn what he could. But Keary seemed way too interested in what Edana had to say.
"Lady Eilis is married to James," Keary said, using his knife to spear a chunk of white meaty halibut floating in his soup. "Which means that you are not married to him. So…what of you?"
"She is married to me," Angus quickly spoke up.
Keary offered Edana a calculating smile, not glancing in Angus's direction. "Truly?"
Her cheeks burned and had to have flushed a brilliant red. She knew he was reading her expression, realizing she was not married to Angus as he had said.
"I venture to say your father would be surprised to hear it," Keary continued when Edana didn't respond. She was afraid to give herself—and Angus—away.
What did Keary know?
"Why would you say that?" Edana asked, trying to sound as indignant as she could.
Keary buttered his brown bread.
She barely breathed.
Keary looked up at her and gave her another smug smile, his dark eyes glittering with amusement. "Because the two guards and a maid who came here searching for you said you were alone."
Her escort. Her heart pounded. He knew she had not been with Angus.
"Naturally, I myself and several others have been looking for you ever since. I had just returned home to see if you might have reached my castle and was informed Lady Eilis was here. You canna imagine my surprise to learn you were no' she. And here you are the lady I have been searching for. Only you were no' alone. Your da wouldna be pleased to learn—"
"My da," she quickly informed him, "sent Angus to come for me. We agreed to the marriage. Both of us. We even had witnesses."
"Witnesses?"
Her heart did a little skip as she realized her mistake in including Gunnolf. "Well, Niall, and so 'tis done."
Keary glanced at Niall who appeared as though he'd rather be anywhere but here right now. He looked in Angus's direction who nodded just once.
&nbs
p; "Aye," Niall said weakly.
"Under the moon and stars?" Keary asked.
He knew the answer to that question. He was playing with her to see if she would spill the truth. But she had told the truth. Even if she and Angus only meant it as a ruse.
"The weather hasna been agreeable always," she said.
"Forgive me if I dinna believe any of you, will you?" Keary said. "But I have been looking for a bonny lass to wed and I trust you should do nicely. I will send word to your da that you are safe with me and ask him for your hand in marriage. Your honor will remain intact that way."
He wanted her because she was a clan chief's daughter? Until he learned of her special ability. At least Angus was coming to believe in her. But she worried that if her father did get an offer for her hand in marriage, he would jump at the proposal. No one else was stepping forward to ask for it. And he was so angry with her for spying on him with Zeneva in his bed, Edana had no doubt he no longer wished her to reside at home.
Angus rose from his seat. "The lass is mine," he growled. He looked like a dangerous wolf as determination and anger hardened his voice, his posture, his expression. But Keary had wisely disarmed both Angus and his cousin, so other than his fists, he had no way to protect her. Thankfully, she still had her dirk hidden under her skirts.
"You were alone with the lass," Keary said. "And I suspect her da has no knowledge of this union between you. So you have compromised her as well. I doubt you truly have, or I would kill you myself. Suffice it to say, I will do with you as James's did with me. When he took me prisoner—"
Angus's eyes widened.
"You didna know that? Aye, you had suffered a wound in battle and were staying with your older brother Malcolm. Niall knows the truth of it. James made me help repair the fortifications on his wall."
Niall contradicted the telling of the story. "James worked alongside you."
"Aye, true enough. But I willna make you work. Unless you wish it."
"Angus and I are married," Edana said vehemently, more than worried Keary would try to force the issue with her. "If you deny us our right to be together, both my clan and Angus's will be forced to deal with you—harshly."
