“As well as could be expected.”
They walked to the great hall and took their seats upon the dais. Sybella had just reached to take a bite of oatmeal when Aunt Iseabail stormed into the hall. With reddened cheeks and a fiery look in her eyes, the woman cursed the entire way to her seat. Whipping out a chair, Aunt Iseabail sat down and clenched her teeth.
Sybella reached out and touched the woman’s arm. “Is everything all right?”
“Nay, ’tisnae all right.”
“Tell me what is amiss and mayhap I can assist ye,” Sybella said in a compassionate tone.
“Nae unless ye can repair the damage to my flowers,” Aunt Iseabail replied with a snappish tone.
“Pardon?”
Aunt Iseabail clutched her tankard until her knuckles turned white. “Some daft fool pulled out a large portion of my new roses. They were just starting to bloom, and instead of cutting them, the idiot pulled out all of the roots. I am afraid they are destroyed.”
Sybella bit her bottom lip and turned her head slightly toward her husband. Alexander sat as still as a stone statue, keeping his eyes on his trencher.
“How do ye know it wasnae a deer or a rabbit?” asked Alexander.
“Nephew, I am nae daft. The animals chomp at them. They donna pull them out clean by the roots.”
He nodded. “Rest assured, Aunt Iseabail, if I find the miscreant, he shall be punished.”
“I should hope so, Alexander. Ye know how much I favor the garden.”
Sybella looked at her husband and his eyes widened. “Nae a word,” he said under his breath.
Sybella managed a reply through stiff lips. “I value my life.”
He chuckled in response.
***
Alex didn’t try to speak with Sybella until he was sure he was clear of Aunt Iseabail’s ire.
“Ye said ye like to hunt.”
She nodded and swallowed what was left of her oatmeal. “Aye, verra much. If ye havenae figured it out yet, my laird, I love to be out in the fresh air.”
“’Tisnae that difficult to discern. After the meal we will test your skill with a bow.”
She lifted her brow and gave him a mischievous grin. “Why, Alexander? Ye donna trust me to hunt beside ye?”
“Before I give ye a bow and a verra sharp arrow, I want to be sure ye know how to use them. I am nae willing to take a chance alone with ye in the woods lest ye hit something of most importance.” He glanced down at his manhood and then gave her a wry grin. For some reason, he enjoyed jesting with her.
Sybella paused, clearly weighing her response. “Donna worry, my laird. ’Tisnae that big of a target.”
Alex choked on his wine, and his wife abruptly changed the subject to the matter at hand. “There is nay need to give me a bow. I brought my own.”
“Of course ye did. I wouldnae want to give ye one which wasnae familiar to ye. That would be a complete disadvantage. Why donna ye fetch your bow and I will meet ye behind the stables?”
“Verra well.”
He watched Sybella’s hips sway as she walked out of the great hall, thinking that her frequent displays of insolence made him smile.
Alex made his way to the stable. He took a couple of bales of hay from the loft and set up a mock target in the back. After setting the last bundle in place, he had just brushed his hands when a voice spoke from behind him.
“Ye cannae be serious.”
He whipped his head around and lifted his brow. Sybella wore the same gown as in the morn, with her bow thrown casually over her shoulder. Her mouth was set in annoyance, and her eyes narrowed in disapproval.
“What is the matter now?” he asked.
She lifted her palm, gesturing at the target. “Ye truly want to test my skill with a bale of hay. Is that how ye train all of the wee lads, then?”
Without giving him a chance to respond, she reached for an arrow, raised her bow, and barely took time to aim. The arrow whizzed low behind Alex’s backside and landed in the hay. He scarcely moved his arse in time. He turned his head and studied the placement of the arrow, dead center. Shaking his head, he turned to his wife, and personal triumph flooded through her.
She tossed her blond locks over her shoulder. “I see I have rendered ye speechless, my laird. They say there is a first time for everything.”
Alex winked when he caught her eye. “Verra well done…for a lass.” He paused long enough on the last word to intentionally irritate his wife.
Sybella was opening her mouth to protest when he quickly closed the distance between them. Wrapping his hand around her back, he pulled her close. He continued to plant kisses on her lips between each of her scolding words until she stood mute. Only when she finally succumbed to the forceful domination of his lips and he felt her soften and return his kiss did he gently pull away.
His eyes caught and held hers.
***
The look on Alexander’s face mingled eagerness and tenderness. Sybella wasn’t sure which dominated. She was without words as he lightly brushed his thumb over her jaw and they shared a smile.
“I told ye I was good.” When his eyes rounded, she quickly added, “A good shot.”
He bobbed his head in agreement and then backed away from her. “Come, Wife. I have something to show ye.”
“Nae now, Alexander. I have already seen it,” she said dryly.
He lifted his brow and Sybella followed him into the stables. He searched the stalls and stopped when he found what he was looking for. The magnificent creature stood tall, pawing at the ground. And the animal was exactly as she remembered from last eve.
“Dè do bheachd air?” What do you think of him?
Sybella reached out and patted the horse’s muscular neck. “I told ye before. He is a verra fine beast.”
“And he is yours.”
She stared wordlessly, her heart pounding. “Truly? I donna know what to say.”
“Since ye have nay suitable mount, I wanted to give ye one which I know ye can handle. Ye proved that more than enough last eve with Aunt Iseabail, lass. I only ask that ye have an escort when ye ride. Do we have an understanding?”
Between the roses this morn and now the shock of his generous gift, words wedged in Sybella’s throat. The MacDonell was actually a thoughtful and caring man. But she wished he’d stop doing things like this. Her feelings were becoming confused.
Sybella walked toward him and smiled. “Aye, of course.” Standing on the tips of her toes, she brushed a soft kiss on his cheek. “He is a magnificent horse. I truly thank ye for your kindness, Alexander.”
“Then grant me a boon.”
She froze. That’s what had gotten her into trouble with him in the first place. Why deals were never made in her favor was beyond her comprehension. She did not like this, but against her better judgment, she nodded in agreement.
“Please call me ‘Husband’ or ‘Alex.’ Surely ’tisnae that difficult for ye.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Sybella smiled. “I suppose I could call ye that.”
“And I will call ye Ella.”
She didn’t know what to say. Colin was the only person who called her Ella. He’d been calling her that since she was a wee bairn. It was his own special name for her, and to be truthful, she wasn’t sure she wanted to share something so personal with the man she was destined to betray. She was perfectly aware that the closer she allowed herself to get to him, the more difficult her task would be. Agreeing to search for the stone had been a lot easier when she believed Alexander was nothing more than a cur. Then again, she still barely knew him. Their only history consisted of the waterfall and their wedding.
As Alex sensed her hesitation, the corner of his mouth curved in exasperation. “Do ye nae permit me to call ye Ella?”
Her voice wavered. “’Tisnae that…I just…Why d
o ye wish to call me Ella?”
His face lit up with surprise. “Why? I heard your brother say as much to ye. I want ye to feel at home here, Sybella. Glengarry is now your home. I thought to call ye something by which ye are accustomed in order to make ye feel more comfortable here…with me.”
Sybella briefly closed her eyes, feeling like a complete dolt. The man was clearly trying to welcome her and surprising her at every turn. And here she was, acting like an arse. She quickly chastised herself, although she was generally resentful of the entire situation.
“Please accept my apologies. I meant nay disrespect. Ye only caught me unaware since my brother is the only man who calls me Ella. It would please me greatly if ye would call me the same.” She gave Alex a polite smile and his expression lightened.
“How about we saddle our mounts and take our leave for a wee hunt?”
“That would be delightful. I would wish to change first.” As she turned on her heel, her husband spoke.
“Ella.”
She turned around and raised her brow.
“The name suits ye.”
Smiling at Alexander’s compliment, Sybella sought her chamber and changed her gown. Her father would be proud. In a matter of days, she was able to see a subtle difference in her husband’s behavior toward her.
He was starting to trust her.
When she returned to the stables, the horses were already saddled. The animals whipped the reins with their muscular heads and pawed at the ground. Sybella approached the new gift her husband had bestowed upon her and shook her finger at the prize horseflesh.
“I am only going to say this once. We can do this the hard way or the easy way. Ye obey me and we will get along fine. If ye donna, trouble will find ye and there will be nay special treats.”
A warm voice came up behind her. “Do ye think that really works?” asked Alexander, his mouth twitching with amusement.
She shrugged. “It doesnae matter. It makes me feel better.”
“Are ye ready?”
She raised her brow. “Are ye?”
“Are ye going to spar with me if I offer to assist ye onto your mount?” he asked.
“If it makes ye feel better, I will let ye assist me.” Alexander paused and then lifted her onto her horse. “Thank ye…Alex.”
His smile was boyishly affectionate and he patted her thigh. He turned and mounted his horse, giving her a brief nod when he was ready. They left the bailey and followed the same path she had traveled on her way to Glengarry.
Sybella turned in the saddle and looked over her shoulder. “The first time I saw your home, I thought the view was quite impressive.”
“I am pleased Glengarry suits ye, lass. Ye can be comforted that ’tis now your home as well.” His smile broadened in approval.
Alex turned his mount from the main path and entered the woods. The rays of the sun were immediately blocked by the tall pines and foliage. Sybella loved the smell of fresh pine. Unfortunately, her nose did not.
When she let out a loud sneeze, her mount took off in a startled rush through the forest. The frightened beast scraped her leg on a tree trunk as she pulled back on the reins and spoke in soothing tones, trying to calm her skittish horse.
Her husband rode up beside her. “Are ye all right?”
Refusing to rub her bruised leg, she forced her head high. “I am fine. I see the look in your eyes. It was only a sneeze. I can control him.”
He guided his mount back onto the trail. “I didnae say anything.”
“Ye didnae have to,” she said under her breath.
They traveled deeper into the wooded land and Alex stopped his mount. “We will try to hunt here. I have had much luck in the past.” He dismounted and raised a brow when he turned around to assist her.
Sybella’s feet were already planted on the ground. “We are away from prying eyes, my laird. There is nay need for such propriety.”
He shook his head and tethered their mounts to a tree. They grabbed their bows from the side of the saddles and walked a few yards into the forest. Careful not to disturb the area, they continued stealthily into the brush.
Nothing moved.
Alex gestured with his bow that he would widen the distance they hunted and moved quietly to Sybella’s far right. As she had practiced so many times with Colin, the hope was that he would encircle any small animals and flush them out toward her. She waited patiently for something to cross her path. To be truthful, she wanted to prove to her husband that she could hunt as well as any man.
Sybella glanced around and could no longer see Alex through the trees. Taking advantage of a moment to herself, she bent down and partially lifted her day dress. She spotted a trace of blood from the scrape on her leg. Damn. Leaning her bow against a tree, she licked her thumb and was bending down to wipe the blood when something whizzed over her head.
She bolted upright and came face to face with an arrow that penetrated the tree. Praise the saints. Her husband’s jesting was completely out of control. It was one thing to pretend to take aim at the man’s arse but entirely another to take aim at her head. If the arrow had struck her, she would’ve been seriously injured or…dead.
Pulling out the arrow with a purpose, Sybella went in search of her husband. “Alex! Alexander!” she bellowed. Fury almost choked her, and curses fell from her mouth.
As her husband approached her, she threw words at him like stones. He stared at her, puzzled, while she continued her rant.
She slapped the arrow into his chest. “How dare ye! Nay matter how skilled I am, I would ne’er take aim at someone else’s head. What the hell is wrong with ye?”
The man simply stood there, blinking with confusion. “Ella, what are ye talking about?”
Sybella pointed to the arrow he held in his hands. “I donna appreciate ye taking aim at my head nay matter how amusing ye think ’tis. If I would have moved, ye could have killed me.”
Alex stood to his full height and his eyes narrowed. He turned his head slowly from side to side and then lowered his voice. “Ella, ’tisnae my arrow.”
Nine
Sybella’s eyes widened. “What do ye mean, ’tisnae your arrow?”
A chill ran up Alex’s spine as he turned and escorted Sybella firmly by the elbow. “The hunt is over. Walk quickly back to your mount. Now.” With senses heightened, his eyes darted around the trees, brush, anything that held even the slightest of movements.
“Ye are making me nervous. If that isnae your arrow, do ye think someone deliberately took aim for my head?”
He increased his gait. “I donna know and I will see ye safe before I find out.”
The lass almost had to run to keep up with him. “Why would someone want to…I know your clan wasnae exactly thrilled to have me as your wife, but I thought my dowry would more than make up for their uncertainties.”
The woman needed to learn when to keep her opinions to herself. How typical of a MacKenzie to blame a MacDonell. And who said the arrow was shot by one of his kin? When he did not respond, Sybella’s face clouded with uneasiness.
“I didnae mean to accuse your—”
“Then donna,” Alex simply stated.
When they reached their mounts, he lifted Sybella onto her horse and handed her the reins. “I think the man is nay longer here, but I cannae be certain. Ye ride behind me, close, and as fast as ye can. I will nae chance another shot. Do ye understand?”
She nodded wordlessly and he left her no room for debate.
They rode through the forest cautiously, and when they reached the main path, Alex gave his mount his head. They traveled hard and fast on the trail back to Glengarry, with Alex looking back several times to make certain his wife was safe. Not much surprised him about her. The lass had managed to hold her seat throughout their hastened journey home. And she followed his commands like a seasoned war
rior, without question.
As they thundered into the bailey, Alex called to John, who stood upon the parapet. Alex quickly dismounted and walked over to Sybella. He lowered her to the ground and then gestured to one of his guards.
“Escort my wife to her chamber.” He turned and placed his hands on Sybella’s shoulders. “Go to your chamber and donna come out until I come for you. Feumaidh mi falbh,” he said sternly. I must go.
“Glè mhath,” she said, eyeing him with concern. Very well. “Be safe, my laird.”
Alex watched the lass take her leave and then he whirled on John. “Someone took a shot at my wife.”
“What?”
Alex walked over to his mount and pulled the arrow out of his bag. Handing the arrow to John, he said, “Luckily, the lass had bent over, but it barely missed her head.”
John took the arrow and studied the feathers. “I donna recognize it.”
“Before the trail becomes cold, seek our best tracker and I will take ye to where we hunted.”
John’s eyes widened in surprise. “Ye took your new wife hunting? That was your brilliant idea to woo her?”
Alex shrugged. “The lass seemed to enjoy it before someone took aim at her head.”
As if Alex’s words brought John back to purpose, the captain of the guard took his leave. Alex mounted his horse and impatiently waited for his men to return, his mind racing.
Who the hell would want to take a shot at his wife? Granted, she was a MacKenzie, but she was merely a lass. The whole circumstance did not make sense. If his clan had wanted to do harm, they would’ve attempted something while the MacKenzie was underfoot. He shook off the idea. It was not his clan. The MacDonell men were loyal to a fault.
When John returned with Ian, Alex exchanged a carefully guarded look with John. Although Alex was reluctant to admit it, Ian was their best tracker. However, Alex could not ignore how careless the man had been with his duties of late. Between not keeping a watchful eye on the MacKenzie’s son and letting an aging woman slip through his grasp, Ian was currently not held in a favorable light. This was the man’s last chance at redemption.
Victoria Roberts - [Bad Boys of the Highlands 03] Page 9
