Victoria Roberts - [Bad Boys of the Highlands 03]

by To Wed a Wicked Highlander

  “Ye still donna trust them?” asked a deep voice.

  Alex smirked. “As much as ye trusted the bloody Campbell.”

  Twelve

  “And ye must be Lady Sybella MacDonell, my cousin’s new wife.”

  Sybella bolted upright, her eyes widening in surprise as she tried to mask the guilty look on her face. The woman speaking had chestnut tresses and wore a dusky rose dress that hugged her full-figured frame. She carried a bairn with curly brown locks and azure eyes that stared back at Sybella.

  “My apologies. I was searching for my husband to tell him that my brother had taken his leave. I didnae know ye had arrived, my lady.” Sybella approached the woman and smiled. Running her hand over the bairn’s head, she said, “’Tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady MacGregor. And who have we here?”

  The woman’s face lit up. “Please call me Rosalia. And this is my son, Lachlann.”

  “Only if ye call me Sybella. And if ye donna mind me saying so, your son is a handsome laddie.”

  “Thank ye. He is almost one year now and has already been taking steps and getting into trouble. Granted, he staggers like his Uncle Declan when he is in his cups, but my wee lad does try his best.”

  “He is a lad. Of course he is getting into mischief,” said Sybella with a giggle. “Have ye seen Aunt Iseabail yet?”

  “Nay, we only walked through the gates a moment ago, and Alexander stole Ciaran away to his study.”

  “Then come. Ye have had a long journey. Let me offer ye something to eat and drink, and we will find your seanmhair.” Grandmother.

  Sybella walked with Rosalia and Lachlann by her side when she wanted to do nothing more than crawl back into bed and lift the covers over her head. And to think she had almost been foolhardy enough to speak the truth to her husband! How many times had Alex preached to her about truth and honesty—yet she still couldn’t fathom the words that she’d heard escape his lips. If he couldn’t follow his own advice, how could she be expected to honor him with the same courtesy?

  She bit her lip to stifle her outcry. Alex didn’t trust her. Not that she had given him any reason to place his faith in her, but the thought gnawed at her gut. How was she supposed to search for the stone now? Something must have shown upon her face because Rosalia interrupted her thoughts.

  “We didnae arrive at an inopportune moment, did we? Ye look troubled, my lady.”

  Sybella forced a smile. “Nay, and please call me Sybella.”

  As they sat in the great hall, Sybella couldn’t stop her racing heart. Her face burned with the memory of Colin’s words. Her father would never let her rest until she found that dreaded stone. And here she was, placed in a dangerous position that required her to betray her husband and his clan. Then again, how could she possibly deceive Alex when he had never trusted her to begin with?

  “So how do ye find being wed to Alexander?” asked Rosalia, bouncing Lachlann gently on her lap.

  “’Tis something we are both yet getting accustomed to.”

  “Your clan must be fairly close if your brother was able to pay ye a visit.”

  “My clan is from Kintail. ’Tis about a day’s ride from Glengarry.”

  Rosalia lowered her voice. “Alexander wrote in his missive that my seanmhair isnae doing well. Her memory is fading.”

  Sybella sighed. “I notice it more when she becomes upset, but aye, she is sometimes forgetful. The day after Alex and I wed, we found Aunt Iseabail walking in the woods in her bare feet. She came across the path of a lone wolf. If Alex hadnae arrived when he did…She said she was searching for Alex but didnae remember her purpose and didnae realize she wore nay boots.”

  “My poor seanmhair. ’Tis one of the reasons we came to Glengarry. We havenae seen her since Ciaran and I wed. And she has yet to lay her eyes upon Lachlann.”

  At that moment, Aunt Iseabail walked into the great hall with outstretched arms. “My dearest Rosalia. How lovely to see ye again.”

  Rosalia stood with Lachlann and embraced her seanmhair with one arm. “’Tis so wonderful to see ye.” She pulled back and smiled. “Seanmhair, I have someone I would like ye to meet. This wee lad is your great-grandson, Lachlann.”

  Aunt Iseabail’s eyes glowed with enjoyment. “Ye have brought me the greatest gift of all, Rosalia. He is absolutely bonny. And he looks just like his sister, Anabel.”

  Rosalia paled.

  ***

  Alex sat in his study with the MacGregor, grateful for another generous gift of ale. No sooner had Sybella’s brother walked out of the gates than MacGregor had appeared. The man’s timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Now that Alex knew about some of the MacKenzies machinations against the MacLeods of Lewis, he sought MacGregor’s counsel. He would have time to visit with his cousin later, but at the moment, Alex was more curious to see if the MacGregor had any sound advice to offer him.

  “So the MacKenzie’s son told ye that they killed innocents?” asked MacGregor, shaking his head in disgust.

  “Aye. I cannae think of anyone else who would want to kill my wife.”

  “’Tis a logical choice to think the MacLeod would want to avenge his clan by taking aim at your wife.”

  “Aye, but I have ne’er known of a man who could cover his tracks so well. My most skilled tracker couldnae find the trail.”

  “Mmm…’tis difficult to say, but we donna know what the MacLeods do on that savage isle. And ye say naught has happened since your wife has remained inside the walls of the castle?”

  Alex nodded in response.

  MacGregor had a look of concentration on his face. “My men are verra skilled. I will send a few of them out with your men to scout. Mayhap they can pick up something.”

  “Thank ye.”

  “Donna worry, MacDonell.” MacGregor gave a brief nod. “Ye helped save my wife. I will help to save yours. Rosalia will be cross with ye for stealing me away for so long.” He stood and downed the rest of his drink. “Come. Let us find our women.”

  Alex walked with the MacGregor to the great hall where the women were gathered around Aunt Iseabail at the table. Rosalia’s eyes lit up when she spotted her husband. When Alex offered Sybella a smile, her eyes darkened and she quickly lowered her gaze.

  MacGregor placed his hand on Rosalia’s shoulder and bent to kiss her on the top of the head. “Wife.” He turned and kissed Aunt Iseabail on the cheek. “’Tis wonderful to see ye again, my lady.”

  Aunt Iseabail smiled. “Your husband hasnae changed. He is still a verra fine looking man, Rosalia.”

  MacGregor’s face reddened slightly.

  Rosalia stood up from the bench and embraced Alex. “Cousin, marriage suits ye. Ye look well,” she said with a grin.

  Alex raised a brow. “I could say the same for ye, Rosalia. And this young lad must be Lachlann. Congratulations to ye both.” He ruffled the bairn’s hair and was rewarded with a smile. Alex stood behind Sybella and placed his hand on her shoulder. He didn’t miss how she tensed under his fingertips and then abruptly stood. “And this is my wife, Lady Sybella MacDonell.”

  “’Tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Laird MacGregor. My husband speaks of ye highly.”

  “Please call me Ciaran.”

  “Verra well. I am Sybella. Ye have journeyed far. Please sit and I will get ye something to drink.”

  “Nephew, did ye see their strapping young bairn? How much longer do ye think it will be before ye have one of your own? I am nae getting any younger, ye know.”

  Alex shook his head. Rosalia giggled, MacGregor smirked, and Sybella paled. “Give it time, Aunt. Ye cannae schedule such things.”

  To Alex’s relief, Rosalia came to his rescue. “Ye cannae rush the gods. When they bless Alex and Sybella with a bairn, they bless them.”

  “I suppose ye are right, but I find that the more time passes, the mor
e impatient I become.”

  “Ciaran, Lachlann is falling asleep in my arms. I think I will go to our chamber and lay him down,” said Rosalia, repositioning the bairn.

  MacGregor held out his arms. “Nay, give him here. I will take him. Ye stay and enjoy the company of your kin.”

  “Thank ye.”

  The fierce MacGregor laird departed the great hall, carrying his bairn in a way that was as gentle and nurturing as the caring father that he was. Alex remembered when the man’s blade had struck down Archibald Campbell, the seventh Earl of Argyll. It was hard to believe that a warrior so adept on the battlefield could be a loving, devoted husband and father. Alex didn’t miss seeing how the man doted on his wife and child. Perhaps one day he himself might know the feeling of holding his own son, his heir.

  Rosalia and Sybella resumed their seats flanking Aunt Iseabail, while Alex sat down on the other side of the table. “And how is life at Glenorchy? If I were to guess by that smile upon your face, Cousin, I would say life is treating ye well.”

  “Everything has been wonderful. Ye probably received my missive that Declan and Liadain are wed. And Aisling and Aiden are expecting another bairn.”

  “Ye will have so many MacGregors underfoot that your husband could start his own army.”

  Rosalia giggled. “Donna give him any ideas. And what of ye, Alexander?” She leaned forward and smiled at Sybella. “My cousin is treating ye well?”

  Alex didn’t fail to notice Sybella’s slight hesitation. “Aye, he is verra kind.”

  “I am sure my seanmhair would have words with him if he wasnae.”

  Aunt Iseabail nodded. “’Tis true, Nephew.”

  “I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. He still seemed hale the last time we were here,” said Rosalia in a soft tone.

  “His health slowly faded.”

  “He was a good man.”

  “Aye.”

  Rosalia leaned in close to Aunt Iseabail. “And how have ye been enjoying having another woman within the walls?”

  Aunt Iseabail clapped her hands. “I simply love it! Sybella is quite lovely company.”

  “And I feel the same for ye,” said Sybella, her eyes distant.

  “Have ye heard word of your mother, Rosalia?” When Rosalia’s lips thinned, Alex gave her an apologetic smile.

  Rosalia shifted on the bench. “Nae since her English lover’s fate joined that of the bloody Campbell.”

  ***

  “Who is the bloody Campbell?” asked Sybella. If she was being compared to this man, she wanted to know who he was.

  “He was Archibald Campbell, the seventh Earl of Argyll. And his lands bordered the MacGregor. He was the right hand of the King, but his greed got him killed,” said Alex with a trace of bitterness.

  Sybella’s eyes widened innocently. “So I take it he wasnae a man to be trusted.”

  “Trusted? I wouldnae trust him alone with a dog. He held my cousin against her will in order to force MacGregor to break King James’s command. The man got what he deserved. He had nay honor.”

  Alex had said that he trusted the MacKenzies as much as Ciaran trusted the bloody Campbell. Granted, the words Sybella overheard had been spoken with a heavy wooden door between them, but did Alexander truly think her clan had earned the same fate as the bloody Earl of Argyll? Something clicked in her mind: she believed the Campbell had met his demise upon the blade of Ciaran’s broadsword. Is that truly how her husband felt?

  Rosalia cleared her throat. “Can we nae speak of the bloody Campbell? The man has been buried for some time, and he still manages to anger Ciaran. Please donna even whisper the earl’s name.”

  “Aye, there is much to celebrate,” said Aunt Iseabail.

  Alex smiled. “Of course there is, Aunt.”

  “After a long journey, I would love to walk. Why donna we all walk down to the loch?” asked Rosalia. “I am nae sure how long Lachlann will sleep.”

  “I would rather ye nae leave the gates. Why donna ye walk to the parapet? I will join ye after I escort Aunt Iseabail to her chamber. Ye look weary, Aunt.”

  Aunt Iseabail looked startled by Alex’s suggestion. “Aye,” she replied hesitantly. “If ye insist.”

  Rosalia rubbed Aunt Iseabail’s arm. “’Tis all right, seanmhair. Ye rest and we will have plenty of time to spend together.”

  While Alex cared for his aunt, Sybella found herself walking the halls of Glengarry once again with Rosalia when all she wanted to do was retire to her empty chamber. She desperately needed an end to this brutal day. She continued to struggle with the memory of her husband’s words and the duty she felt to her clan. This was all one big nightmare, and honestly, she wasn’t sure what to do.

  They stepped out onto the parapet, and Rosalia gave Sybella a knowing look. “Now ye can tell me the true reason why Alexander doesnae want us to walk to the loch.”

  Sybella rubbed her fingers over the stone wall. “Ye are verra observant.”

  “Aye, well, when ye live with Ciaran and his two brothers, ye donna miss too much. Tell me. What is amiss?”

  Sybella became increasingly uneasy under Rosalia’s examination. Frankly, she was tired. Her clan wanted her to betray her husband; her husband didn’t trust her; and now she was standing here with her husband’s cousin, who wanted answers.

  “I can see it in your eyes.” Rosalia paused. “Listen, if it wasnae for the company of my sisters-by-marriage, I would be daft. We are all kin. Ye can tell me anything that is troubling ye. I am a verra good listener.”

  Sybella rubbed her brow. She was somewhat reluctant to speak, but she gathered that Rosalia would find out the truth eventually. “Someone aimed an arrow at my head while I walked in the forest with Alexander.”

  Rosalia gasped. “Are ye all right?”

  “I am fine. Naught untoward has happened since Alexander has confined me within the walls of the castle. His men still scour the woods.”

  “What enemies has my cousin made to warrant such an act?” asked Rosalia in a tone indicating that she did not necessarily require an answer.

  “What makes ye think the man is an enemy of my husband?”

  Rosalia shook her head. “I find most often that women are only pawns in the games of men.”

  “Be that as it may, my clan was the only known enemy of Alexander. But we are wed and our clans are now joined. I donna know of anyone who would want to cause me harm.”

  “Alexander must be worried about ye something fierce.”

  Mixed feelings consumed Sybella. Her husband worried for her safety simply because it was his duty. He was her sworn protector. It wasn’t as if he actually cared about her. He’d basically said so himself. When Sybella didn’t answer, Rosalia tapped her arm.

  “I know this may nae sound too comforting at the moment, but donna worry about it. Ciaran and his men are here and will help my cousin capture the miscreant. Ye are safe. Your husband will protect ye.”

  “Rosalia’s right, ye know.”

  Sybella whipped her head around as Alexander approached them on the parapet. The gentle breeze blew a piece of his hair onto his face, and his words didn’t register on Sybella’s dizzied senses. Her feelings toward him were so mixed up that she mentally chided herself.

  “Why are ye women speaking of this? Do ye nae have womanly subjects to discuss such as raising a bairn or stitching tunics or the like?”

  Stitching tunics? Sybella was about to open her mouth when Alex’s cousin spoke before she had the chance.

  “I think someone taking aim at your wife’s head is more important to discuss than talking about stitching tunics, Cousin,” Rosalia said in a scolding tone.

  Alex draped his arm over Rosalia’s shoulder. “I donna want ye causing Sybella more worry.”

  “Aye, let her be mute. That will surely fix all of your problems.�
� When Alex’s eyes darkened, Rosalia murmured softly, “Pray excuse me.” Rosalia lifted her skirts and simply walked through the parapet door.

  Sybella was somewhat surprised that Alexander’s cousin spoke her mind. In fact, she liked it very much. She hadn’t often found a lass who would stand up to a brawny Highland laird.

  “I meant what I said. There is nay need for ye to be worried about such things. Now that MacGregor is here, we will find the man responsible. Did ye have a pleasant visit with your brother?”

  At the mention of Colin, Sybella nervously wiped her sweaty palms on her day dress. She suddenly had the feeling that she was one of Anabel’s brothers caught doing something he shouldn’t. She stood to her full height. “It was nice to see him again.”

  Sybella was drawn to the sound of pounding hoofbeats below. She looked over the side of the wall to see a score of armed MacDonell men heading out the gate. “Where are they going?” Surely Alex wouldn’t send that many men to search the forest again.

  “My men travel to Lewis.”

  Her eyes shot up in surprise. “Lewis?”

  “Aye.”

  “This wouldnae have anything to do with the MacLeod, would it?”

  His expression became guarded. “And what do ye know of the MacLeod of Lewis, lass?”

  She lowered her gaze. “Naught but that the man is verra uncivilized.”

  Alex remained perfectly still. When she looked up, he gave a brief nod. “Ella, these arenae matters for ye to be concerned with.” When she looked away from him uneasily, his fingers reached out and grabbed her chin. “Are ye all right? Something seems amiss.”

  “’Tis naught.” She reached up to remove his hand and became aware of the warmth of his touch. Damn. She was more shaken than she cared to admit.

  “If something is troubling ye, tell me. I told ye this before, lass.”

  Sybella searched anxiously for the meaning of his words while attempting to keep her fragile control. The man was unnerving. If she hadn’t heard his words through the study door, she would’ve sworn he actually cared how she felt. Praise the saints, the man was good. She would give him that.