"Obviously, I need to be a wee bit more discreet.” Cameron frowned and drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. “Actually, I think Avery is plotting something."
"Oh, for God's sake,” Leargan muttered, laughter thick in his voice “And what might that be? Wearing ye out so that ye are useless to any other woman for years after she leaves?"
Cameron decided to ignore his cousin's sarcasm. “She is being too amiable.” He glared at his cousins when they both rolled their eyes. “I am sending her away. I am making her brother marry a woman he has repeatedly said he doesnae want. ‘Tis hardly foolish to wonder why she acts as if nothing is wrong, why there is no anger or argument, and, curse it, why she still welcomes me in her bed. Avery is a proud lass with a goodly temper. Why is she being so amiable?"
"Weel, she certainly isnae being amiable to Katherine,” said Iain.
"True. I occasionally wonder if I should put a guard o'er them to be sure they dinnae try to kill each other.” Cameron dragged his hand through his hair. “Yet I expected some—e'en a lot—of that anger to be directed my way."
"Mayhap Avery understands that ye had no choice."
"Aye, yet I sometimes got the feeling she waited for me to find one, to discover some other way to solve this problem."
"That was probably before she saw that Katherine is definitely with child,” Leargan said.
"A child Avery insists isnae her brother's,” Cameron reminded him
"But it meant ye were confronted with a sister, unwed and already rounding with some mon's child. There really isnae any time to see who is right and who is wrong, or e'en if some lies have been told. Katherine needs a husband. The bairn needs a father. Katherine points her finger at Sir Payton. Ye have nay choice but to get the mon to the altar as soon as possible. Whate'er else Avery might feel, she has the wit to ken the truth of that, to ken that ye have been shoved hard into a corner.” Leargan took a long drink of wine, then said quietly, “She saves her anger for the one who dragged ye both into this mess—the one she believes is lying."
"Do ye think Katherine is lying, Iain?” Cameron asked, hoping the older man, having spent more time with Katherine, might have some insight.
"I cannae say one way or the other. I just dinnae ken,” Iain replied. He grimaced. “She is certainly capable of lying."
"Aye, o'er the week I have been home, I have seen that.” Cameron shook his head. “I have failed the lass."
"We all have in some ways, but I refuse to wallow in guilt o'er it. Aye, we all spoiled her, but a child is said to learn from the examples set for her. I like to think we have all set good examples for her. Nay perfect, but good. Yet...” He shrugged. “Yet she isnae only spoiled, she is vain, and, from what I have seen, nay too kind to those she considers beneath her. And I cannae think of anyone here who would have taught her vanity and snobbery."
"Nay. She certainly would ne'er have gained such attitudes from ye and Aunt Agnes, and the pair of you have had much of the raising of her. Did ye e'er meet this lad Sir Payton?"
"Only briefly, and then I did little more than glimpse him from time to time."
"I hear he is bonny."
Iain grinned. “Oh, verra bonny indeed, or so all the lasses claim. In truth, I could see it, too. And the way the lasses swarm about him is a wonder. I wouldnae doubt it, when the laddie goes to the privy, there is a lass there offering to lend him a hand."
"That bad?"
"That bad. Yet, I ne'er heard any ill said about the lad. A few grumbles from jealous men, easily seen for what they were, but naught else. Not e'en that he takes an excessive advantage of the lasses who fling themselves at his head. I will confess, I was surprised when Katherine claimed him as her debaucher, but I had to believe her, didnae I?"
Cameron nodded. “Ye had no choice. Did ye e'er believe the charge of rape?"
"Nay completely. ‘Twas nay only the sure knowledge that the lad had no need to force himself on any lass, but, in truth, Katherine ne'er acted like a woman touched against her will. I have kenned a lass or two who were raped, and though they were strong enough to o'ercome that tragedy, there were scars, especially in the weeks and months mat followed. Katherine acted as she always does, yet she held to her claim. In my mind, however, I began to think of it as a seduction she had let go too far."
"Weel, only Katherine can clear up this confusion, and she holds fast to her tale of seduction and desertion. I do wonder from time to time if I am being used to get her the husband she thinks suits her best, and nay the mon who should be wedding her."
"Then dinnae force the wedding too quickly,” said Leargan.
"I cannae hold back too long,” Cameron protested.
"A week or two willnae make much difference."
"Nay, true enough. I hate it, but I do begin to doubt Katherine. I tell myself I but give into my own selfish reasons for wanting her to be wrong, but it doesnae still all the doubts. Curse it, I find myself listening at doors, having long conversations with Katherine and weighing her every word. I dinnae want to believe that Katherine would play such a game, yet I cannae stop myself from thinking she might be doing just that. And men I find myself trying yet again to prove my own sister a liar. Worse, I am nay doing a verra good job of it."
"Then leave it to the lasses."
"Ye think that is what they try to do?"
"Oh, aye, no doubt of it."
"But, if they discover the truth and yet Katherine clings to her story, I still face the problem of believing two lasses who are eager to help Sir Payton, or standing loyal to my sister and believing her."
"Then keep your ear to the door, lad,” said Iain, “and hope ye hear the truth ere it is too late."
"Dinnae ye two have somewhere else to go?” snapped Katherine, looking up from her needlework to glare at Avery and Gillyanne.
"Nay,” replied Avery as she sat down opposite Katherine.
Avery looked around the ladies’ solar. It was a lovely room, especially in the daytime when the sun's light poured in through the windows. It could have been a weak point if some attacker managed to get past all of Cameron's other formidable defenses, yet she suspected that had been considered and probably compensated for. She glanced toward Aunt Agnes to see that, as always, the plump, greying woman was sleeping in the chair in front of the fire. Avery doubted the sweet lady had ever been much of a chaperon for the willful Katherine. When Gillyanne sat down on the padded bench Katherine sat on, Avery almost laughed. Gillyanne knew Katherine both disliked her and found her unsettling. It was just like Gillyanne to take full advantage of that.
"I have heard it said that if a liar drinks holy water her tongue will turn black, rot, and fall out of her mouth,” Gillyanne said, and she held a goblet of cool water out to Katherine.
"Peasants’ nonsense,” Katherine muttered, but Avery noted that the woman did not accept the drink. “What are ye about?” Katherine slapped Gillyanne's hand away when the younger woman began to poke at her belly.
"Just making sure it isnae a pillow,” Gillyanne replied.
"'Tis Sir Payton's child and ye ken it."
"Nay, it isnae."
"Oh, nay, it couldnae be Saint Payton's, could it. Ye both refuse to accept that he is a heartless seducer, that he could just use a lass and callously toss her aside, just like every other mon."
"Payton is no saint,” Avery said, keeping her voice calm, her anger hidden, for she knew that annoyed Katherine. “He wouldnae, however, seduce a virgin, nor would he refuse to acknowledge his own child."
"Are ye saying I wasnae a virgin?” demanded Katherine, flinging aside her needlework.
Avery thought it very interesting that Katherine could so quickly discern that particular accusation in her words, especially since it had not even lurked there. She had not even considered the possibility that Katherine had had more than one lover, and yet, glancing at the softly snoring Aunt Agnes, Avery knew the younger woman had had ample time and opportunity for dalliance. For a brief moment, Avery wo
ndered if there might be someone right at Cairnmoor, but she quickly decided Katherine was too smart for that. There were few secrets at a keep like Cairnmoor, and Katherine would be very careful to protect her guise of innocence. If there had been lovers right here at Cairnmoor, her tale of being an innocent maid seduced and cruelly cast aside would not have endured for as long as it had.
"Nay, I would not insult ye so,” Avery said. “I but say that your seducer wasnae my brother."
"Then why should I be willing to marry him?"
"Because he is bonny, nay poor, and most women ye meet will envy you. I suspect your lover was lacking in a few of the things ye think ye need, such as coin."
"So, now ye would accuse me of tossing up my skirts for some ragged beggar?"
"Many a fine gentlemon hasnae the blessing of a full purse. ‘Tis why he must often wed himself to it."
"I have a verra fine dower. I need nay worry if the mon is poor or nay."
"So, why not wed the mon who got ye with child instead of dragging an unwilling mon to the altar?"
"Do ye find it so verra hard to believe your brother could have lusted after me?” Katherine asked, the hint of a smirk curving her full mouth. “I have turned many a lad's head and heart."
"I suspect ye have, for ye are verra bonny on the outside,” Avery murmured. “Aye, I could believe Payton might cast a covetous eye your way, but he wouldnae have bedded ye. He would have kenned that ye were there to find a husband, and he doesnae want a wife—not yet. That would have been enough to cool any warmth ye may have stirred within him."
"Mayhap the warmth I stirred was simply too strong, too tempting for him to resist.” Katherine glared at Gillyanne when the girl made a rude noise rife with mockery. “At least I have what is needed to catch a mon's eye."
"I hope Gillyanne doesnae, for she is too young to be stirring any mon's interest,” Avery said. “And, ye, Katherine, should be smart enough to ken that this lie cannae hold firm forever."
"But it doesnae have to hold forever, does it? Only until the priest finishes the vows. Then I am married to that fine, bonny knight, and no one can change that.” She stood up abruptly and went over to her aunt and, somewhat roughly, nudged the woman awake. “We must retire now, Aunt Agnes.” Katherine moved to stand in front of Avery as her aunt gathered up her things. “If ye think spreading your legs for my brother will stop this marriage, ye are a fool."
Avery held her hand out to stop Gillyanne's angry advance on Katherine. “Aye, ye might just end up married to Payton, but that marriage will be based upon your lies and treachery. He will ne'er forgive ye for that. So what kind of happiness can ye find?"
"The kind that comes from wedding a bonny mon, a much-praised knight, a mon with a full purse, lands in France, and many a highly placed friend at court, including the king himself.” She grabbed her still-sleepy aunt by the arm and strode out the door. “He can resent me all he likes, but he is still a far better choice than some lowly squire with six older brothers."
Wincing a little as the door slammed shut behind Katherine, Avery stared at the heavily carved oak panels for a moment. She had never wanted to strike someone as badly—and repeatedly—as she wanted to strike Katherine. The girl was spoiled, vain, and selfish beyond words. It was hard to believe she and Cameron were related.
"She is definitely lying about Payton,” Gillyanne said as she moved to stand beside Avery.
"Most definitely,” agreed Avery. “In fact, she just revealed quite a lot. For one thing, I believe Katherine had herself a fine time at court, and perhaps a tussle or two with a braw laddie ere she got there."
"Do ye think there may be one of those braw laddies here at Cairnmoor?"
"I doubt it. Too great a chance of it becoming known. And, if there is one, he isnae going to step forward and admit he rutted with the laird's sister. Nor do we have the time left to find one if there is, for he wilt be keeping it a verra close secret."
"But she did have a lad or two at court, didnae she?"
"She certainly did, and I believe the one which should most interest us is a poor squire."
"With six older brothers."
"Exactly. Of course, we dinnae ken who was at court when she was there, and again, I dinnae think we have much time left to find out. It has been a week since Cameron sent his demands to Donncoill. Payton could arrive any day now."
"I am sorry, Avery."
"Nay, dinnae be. Right now the most important thing is to help Payton. We cannae allow him to marry that woman."
Gillyanne gave an exaggerated shudder. “Nay, most certainly not. She will make him utterly miserable.” Gillyanne rubbed a finger over her chin as she frowned in thought. “A name would be best, but Katherine may be the only one who kens it."
"True, but there may be a few more facts we can gather. Payton spends a lot of time at court. If we can tell him enough about this squire, he will ken who it is. He may have e'en seen him and Katherine talking."
"But, could he get Cameron to heed him e'en it he got a name? Could Payton get Cameron to at least try to search out the truth?"
"I think so,” replied Avery. “Just lately there has been a look in Cameron's eyes mat makes me think he has some doubt about Katherine's claims."
"Yet he still drags Payton to the altar."
"Because of that bairn and the fact that no one has e'er given him any other possible choice of groom. The first person we must speak to is Katherine's maid."
"She has been avoiding us,” Gillyanne said as she followed Avery to the door.
"One more try at cornering her ourselves and then we will get Anne's help."
Avery and Gillyanne stepped out the door and bumped into Cameron and Leargan. “Ye are looking for us?” Avery asked as she began to sidle around him, tugging Gillyanne along with her.
"Aye,” replied Cameron, watching her closely.
"Oh, dear. Weel, I will see ye later, will I not? But, right now, Gillyanne and I have something we really must do."
Cameron watched Avery and Gillyanne nearly run away; then he looked at Leargan. “Are ye going to try to tell me that they arenae plotting something now?"
"Oh, nay,” Leargan said, laughing. “They are definitely plotting something now. Where are ye going?” he asked when Cameron started to walk back to the great hall.
"To have a verra large drink. Mayhap more than one. And I dinnae think I will stop unless I hear screaming."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Twenty
"Has anyone seen Avery?” Cameron asked as he warily entered the ladies’ solar.
He looked around the room and winced inwardly. It was a beautiful room and he was fond of sitting in it. Right now, however, the air fairly crackled with tension and dislike. Gillyanne sat with Anne and was obviously supposed to be sewing, but she was mostly staring at Katherine. Cameron recognized that stare. It was the one that made the recipient feel naked. Anne was calmly sewing but also keeping a close eye on Gillyanne and Katherine. Katherine paused in her needlework to glare at Gillyanne from time to time. Aunt Agnes was napping in front of the fire, sweetly oblivious to it all.
"Have ye misplaced your leman?” Katherine asked.
Cameron was just stepping closer to his sister to reprimand her when he heard a distinctly feral hiss. It sounded so much like Avery, he looked around, then realized the noise had come from Gillyanne. He sent her a repressive scowl, which apparently did not frighten her in the least, then turned back to Katherine.
"Correct me if I am wrong. Katherine,” he said, his voice soft and cold, “but are ye nay sitting there unwed and swelling with some mon's child?” He nodded when she blushed. “Ye will keep a still tongue in your head concerning Avery. Now again: does anyone ken where Avery is?"
"Out in the gardens,” Gillyanne replied, studying him for a moment and then asking, “Ye have had word of our families?"
"The way ye do that can be verra unsettling, lass."
"Ah, but ye being such a bra
w lad, it doesnae trouble ye at all, does it?” Gillyanne smiled and winked at him.
The way Anne's shoulders shook told him the woman was laughing. He briefly felt like doing the same, but recalling the message he had just been given stole the urge away. “Sir Payton will arrive in the morning."
"Oh, dear. We did think it would be soon."
"Aye. They havenae wasted any time at all, really. ‘Twas only eight days ago that I sent my men to Donncoill.” He sighed and started out the door. “I had better go and tell Avery."
"Cameron,” Katherine called as he began to shut the door behind him.
"What?” he asked, leaning back inside the room.
"Tell that wretched brat to cease staring at me."
He rolled his eyes even though he knew how uncomfortable those stares could be to endure. “Gillyanne, cease staring at Katherine.” He left before Katherine noticed Gillyanne had not promised to stop, and before he gave into the temptation to ask Gilly just what she saw when she stared at Katherine.
Avery yanked out a weed, tossed it onto the refuse pile, and wondered why working in the herb garden was not making her feel better. It always had before. But then, she mused, she had never so assiduously courted a broken heart before. She had certainly never had a lover before. She had never had to worry that her brother was about to be forced into a marriage that could make him miserable before, either. Yanking weeds was just not enough to help her still all her doubts and fears, even if just for a little while.
If she was wise, she thought, she would close her door to Cameron—kick the oaf right out of her bed. He still gave her no words of love, no promises of a future. She had every right to turn her back on him. She also knew she would not do so. Avery was a little disgusted by her weakness for the man, but she doubted she would ever completely conquer it. Also, kicking him out of her bed would only compromise her plan to love him so hard that he would crave her return. She just wished he would give her some hint that she was touching his heart. It would give her some glimmer of hope to cling to.
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