A Gentle Feuding

by Johanna Lindsey

  “Much as I’d like to be finding her here myself, lad, you can see she’s not here. What made you think she would be?” Jamie demanded.

  “Today . . . at the pool, when I saw you.”

  “Ah, so you saw more than you let on,” Jamie said thoughtfully. “Well, had you no’ come along when you did, she’d be mine now.”

  “You swore you’d deal with her honorably!”

  “And so I have every intention of doing. Have I no’ asked her to handfast? And as soon as I’ve tried her and know for certain she’s no’ like my first wife, then I’ll wed her.”

  “If she’ll have you.”

  “Well, she wasna fighting me off today, lad.”

  Colen felt his chest constrict. No, she hadn’t fought his brother off, and that was why he had been so furious all day. Jealousy was new to him. Jamie was winning, despite Sheena’s fear of him. Colen had been so certain Jamie wouldn’t have a chance.

  “Where is she then, Jamie?” Colen asked with all the dejection he was feeling.

  “What do you mean?” Jamie demanded. “ ‘Tis late. She’s in the south tower.”

  “Nay, I went there, but she wasna there.”

  “Still in the hall?”

  Colen shook his head. “I looked everywhere else ‘afore coming here. She’s no’ in the castle, Jamie. That can only mean. . .”

  “Jameson,” Jamie finished, his intuition honing in on the culprit.

  But he continued to sit, staring at the floor, a blank look coming over him. Colen didn’t know what to make of him.

  “Well?” Colen asked sharply. “Are you just going to let him take her?”

  “We’ve no claim on her, lad. I’ve no right to bring her back,” Jamie said very quietly.

  “You held yourself responsible for her. Are you forgetting that?”

  “Only while she was here, lad.”

  “But what if she comes to harm with Jameson?” Colen cried.

  “Enough! You think I dinna want to bring her back? I would like nothing more—but my hands are tied. If she were friend or foe of the MacKinnions I could do something, but the MacEwens are neither. Jameson knows that. He could raise a complaint with the king if I took the lass from him without a reason. That’s what’s needed, lad, a valid reason. You find me one, and I’ll bring her back, no matter who Jameson turns her over to.”

  Crossing the river at that late night hour was a cold, dangerous business. But the horses had crossed in the same area many times before, and only one balked at the frigid water, dousing its rider. Luckily that horse was not Sir William’s, on which Sheena rode, trying in vain to relax against the strange body.

  They had not turned east to Aberdeen, but were riding west, to Sir William’s home. Sheena accepted this. After all, it was late. She couldn’t very well expect to be taken the long way to Aberdeen just then. And the important thing was getting away from Castle Kinnion. She was safe now, her fears farther and farther behind her with every mile.

  Where, then, was the peace of mind she had expected?

  Chapter 22

  “Sir Jamie!”

  Jamie turned from his contemplation of the fire. One of his retainers was hurrying across the hall, leaving a trail of dripping water behind him. Poor Alwyn had been soaked through by the storm raging outside. His bonnet was askew, beads of water clung to his red beard and bushy brows, and his knobby knees were bone white and shaking.

  “A bit chilly outside, is it?” Jamie said, grinning and shaking his head at Alwyn’s condition.

  “That it is,” Alwyn agreed.

  Jamie ordered blankets, and Alwyn stepped closer to the fire. The weather had taken a turn for the worse the day after Sheena’s disappearance, five days before. Jamie had spent two days in Aberdeen, a waste of time as it turned out. He had searched everywhere for Erminia MacEwen, even spent half a day at the poorhouse, set upon by beggars. But no one had heard of a MacEwen nun. Lies. He should have known.

  His thoughts were as dark as the sky. He had been willing to humble himself. If he had found her, he would have pleaded with her rather than lose her. But what if he couldn’t find her?

  He gave Alwyn his full attention. “How far down was the party sighted?” It was Jamie’s sister’s party, traveling in the storm.

  “Yer canna see sae very far wi’ rain as thick as this, but they’re just outside.”

  “And which sister is it who’s ventured out in this wretched weather?”

  “Mistress Daphne.”

  Jamie scowled. “T should’ve guessed. No doubt Jessie Martin’s spun some wild tale about her treatment here, and now Dobbin’s come to learn the truth of it.”

  “I didna see Dobbin Martin.”

  “Who did you see out there?”

  “Well, I do believe ‘tis The MacDonough escorting yer sister.”

  “The hell!” Jamie growled. “How dare he come here after wedding a Fergusson?”

  “Did he? Ye’ve had news?”

  “No’ recently, but what was to stop him? If he’s here to petition peace for his bride’s kin, he’s in for a sore disappointment.” Jamie clenched his fists, anger mounting. “Curse the man! Has he brought his bride with him?”

  “I canna say, Sir Jamie,” Alwyn replied, growing exceedingly uncomfortable so near Jamie’s anger.

  “If he has, she’s no’ to be let through the gate. Go, give the order now!”

  Alwyn was aghast. “Yer’d turn a poor lassie away in this weather?”

  Jamie stared hard at the man. After a few moments, he sighed. “I suppose that wouldna be very hospitable of me, would it now? You’re right. And now I think of it, I’ve a mind to look over this particular Fergusson. She’s old Dugald’s favorite, you know.”

  “Is she now?”

  Jamie chuckled, a chilling sound. “That she is. And if she dares to enter the lion’s den, then let her. Whether she leaves it or no’ is another matter. Aye, bring them all to me here in the hall.”

  “But the Fergusson lass may no’ be here at all, Sir Jamie,” Alwyn pointed out.

  But Jamie had turned back to the fire. He was remembering his time in the Fergusson dungeon and the vengeful thoughts he had directed at Dugald’s family. He had almost been forced to marry one of Dugald’s daughters. Almost. And then he remembered the lad who had saved him from marriage, and he grew uncomfortable with his spiteful thoughts. It would hardly be fair for him to harm the sister whom young Niall had risked so much to protect, not after the lad had freed him.

  Curse MacDonough for bringing her here and putting him in such an absurd position. To accept a Fergusson into his castle, and as a guest! He couldn’t toy with her, strike fear into her, couldn’t even ransom her‑all because of a debt owed one small lad.

  Jamie’s curiosity was keen. At last he would finally see what he had so very narrowly escaped being tied to. Well, not exactly the lass herself, but one of her sisters. How much difference could there be? The encounter should at least distract him from thoughts of the one who had implanted herself in his heart, the one whose image would torture him for eternity.

  A voice called out, and Jamie turned to look at the bedraggled group of people making their way toward the fire. Besides MacDonough and four of his men, Daphne had with her three servants, two men and one woman. A party of nine. Jamie recognized the girl as a servant who had accompanied Daphne before. No Fergusson there.

  “Is this all of you, then?” he demanded, kissing his sister in greeting.

  “If ‘tis Dobbin you’re looking for, he didna come.” Daphne spoke softly as she returned his kiss, then stretched her hands out to the fire. “He’s preparing to attend court at the week’s end, and as I wasna going to attend myself, he agreed I could come here instead‑for an extended visit.”

  “So soon after your last visit?”

  “We stayed no time at all then, Jamie, as you know,” Daphne said stiffly. “Am I no’ welcome?”

  “I’ve no’ made up my mind about that yet,” Jamie ret
urned disagreeably. “If you’ve come on Jessie’s behalf‑“

  “Now why ever would I be doing that?” Daphne asked in surprise. “You know I’ve little liking for my husband’s cousin. If you’re worried I’ve come to take her home, you’ve no need. I like it better that she’s here. I only hope to see very little of her during my stay.”

  “But I sent her home, Daphne. She should have arrived ‘afore you left.”

  “Och, well, she’s no doubt found another man ‘atween here and there. She’ll make her way home in her own good time,” Daphne speculated. “But ‘tis glad I am you didna fall for her and her scheming ways.”

  Jamie flinched. Then his eyes narrowed as he looked more closely at his sister. Her blond hair was wet and matted, her face tinged with blue, her body shivering convulsively. He gave no further thought to Jessie. She must have convinced Black Gawain to let her stay with him. That bothered Jamie not at all.

  “Get you to your old chamber, Daphne, and warm yourself ‘afore you’re taken ill.”

  “I’m welcome then?”

  “Aye,” Jamie said, although his voice lacked warmth. “But we’ll discuss the matter later, for I’m thinking ‘twas no your idea alone to come visiting.”

  Daphne said nothing to that. He’s no’ angry at me, though, she thought as she hurried away with her servants in tow. She knew he was displeased by her foolishness in venturing out in such deplorable weather, but it was nothing compared to the anger she felt Jamie direct at Alasdair. No wonder the poor man had not wanted to come here alone.

  She had done Alasdair a favor by letting him es­cort her here. But she had warned him that her presence would make no real difference to Jamie. He would be finding that out very soon.

  Jamie made Alasdair wait while he summoned food and dry clothing for his guests. That much he would do in light of the clan friendship that had existed in their fathers’ day.

  “Taken to hiding behind women’s skirts, have you?” Jamie said at last.

  Alasdair MacDonough flushed crimson. They were still standing by the fire, Alasdair’s men partaking of food at the tables, away from them. He was thankful for that, for an insult could be ignored when not overheard by anyone. And he was here to renew his alliance with the MacKinnions, not tear it apart completely.

  Alasdair decided to try for a little levity. “ ‘Tis a pleasant enough place to hide, if one must hide.”

  Jamie was not in the least amused. “I dinna like your dragging my sister up here, Alasdair, any more than I like anything else you’ve been doing recently. And I have to tell you, you’ve picked the worst time to be here, for I’m in no agreeable mood. At least you had the grace no’ to bring your wife.”

  “But I didna marry.”

  Jamie’s only indication of surprise was a slight raising of his brow. “The wedding was postponed?”

  “Nay. I broke the betrothal.”

  Jamie burst out laughing. “Did you now? Well, well,” he chuckled, his spirits greatly improved. “So if you’ve no’ come to plead a wife’s cause, why are you here?”

  “To renew our alliance. I hadna seen or heard from you since well ‘attire the betrothal. I wasna sure how you felt about it.”

  “I didna like it, and no mistake, but since you came to your senses, there’s no hard feelings.”

  “And if I had wed the lass?”

  “We would no doubt be enemies one day.”

  “But, Jamie—”

  “Dinna take me wrong, Alasdair.” Jamie cut him off. “I wouldna have ended the alliance because of your choice of bride. But your alliance with the Fergussons wouldna have been mine. You ken? The feud would have gone on as usual, but with you in the middle. Eventually you would have had to choose sides.”

  “No’ if your feud ended.”

  “There’s no chance of that, now they’ve begun it again,” Jamie said tersely. “Did you no’ learn of my sojourn in the Fergusson dungeon?”

  “Learn of it?” Alasdair replied bitterly. “ ‘Twas what led to the breaking of my betrothal.”

  “Well then, I fear I’ve greatly misjudged you. I didna think you would choose sides ‘afore the wedding.”

  “Dinna mistake me, Jamie. ‘Twas no’ a matter of choosing sides then, though I might have been forced to it if I’d know you were there. You see, I was unaware of your capture until after you were gone.”

  “They blamed you for my escape then?”

  “The lass was quick to accuse me, to be sure,” Al­asdair said coldly.

  “ ‘Tis no wonder you withdrew your suit.”

  “I was furious, and no mistake. But you know for yourself who the guilty one was, Jamie. Now, dinna take offense, but the fact is, she betrayed her family in aiding you, and any lass who would betray her own family might betray a husband some day. I couldna very well marry her after that. Don’t you agree?”

  “You mean to say your betrothed was blamed?”

  “Who else? Her own cousin saw her near the dungeon and was quick to say so.”

  Jamie laughed, unable to help himself. This was wonderful. So the lad had not suffered for his help, and the favorite daughter no doubt got off lightly. He would have liked at least one Fergusson to suffer for his humiliation, just so long as it was not the boy.

  “I dinna see any humor in it, Jamie,” Alasdair said testily. “I’ve regretted breaking the betrothal a hundred times since, for I did want that girl more than I’ve ever wanted any other.”

  “Och, well, there are indeed lasses who can get into a man’s blood, and no mistake,” Jamie concurred, sobering.

  “But none so beautiful as she,” Alasdair said wistfully.

  “Beautiful, is she?” Jamie smiled. Alasdair had assumed he knew what the lass looked like. “You think so?”

  “You jest, Jamie.” The older man gasped. “Why, there’s none with red hair so dark, blue eyes so crystal clear, or skin so white and flawless. They dinna call her the jewel of Tower Esk without good reason.”

  Jamie sat up, his stomach wound into a knot. The description mirrored the image that was so constantly in his mind. There could not be two girls so alike, could there? It was just too unlikely, too . . .

  “Her name is just as lovely, I suppose?” Jamie prompted.

  Alasdair’s eyes snapped. “Why do you toy with me, Jamie? Can you no’ see I’m suffering over the loss of her?”

  “Of course. Forgive me, Alasdair. But I did warn you I was no’ in the best of moods. I havena been since first seeing Sheena. Mayhap I was taken with her, too.”

  Jamie waited breathlessly. Would Alasdair say, “Sheena’s not the name of the lass I’m talking about”? Or was he right?

  Alasdair grinned, confirming everything. “Och, well, your dilemma is worse than mine. To have tender feelings for your enemy’s daughter! Even if the old man would be giving her to you to end the feud, she’d no’ like that one bit. Willful she is, and wants to choose her own mate. I would go to Aberdeen and try to win her for myself again if I thought she’d have me. But the truth is, she was never keen on our match. ‘Twas her father’s wish, and of course you know why he chose me.”

  Jamie sat back and closed his eyes. He was no longer listening. A flood of memories rushed through his mind one after the other. The coincidences. The similarities. Sheena being at the glen on Fergusson land the first time he saw her. Niall’s hair like hers, the father’s eyes like hers. The boy’s curiosity over what Jamie would have done with the girl at the glen, his anger over the answer. Sheena’s accusations against the MacKinnions, her fear and distrust of him, her desperation to get away. And, finally, there being no “Erminia MacEwen” in Aberdeen. He’d stake his life there was an Erminia Fergusson,

  Jamie shook his head. He might have put it together at any time, but he hadn’t. Maybe he hadn’t wanted to, had avoided making connections, not wanting Sheena to be a Fergusson. Now he realized it didn’t matter at all. His feelings about her, his wanting her, were not going to change.

  “Did y
ou hear me, Jamie?”

  “What?” Jamie focused on Alasdair.

  “I said old Dugald would probably be agreeable to your suit, if you were so inclined.”

  “He’s already refused to give her to me,” Jamie said absently.

  “You asked for her then?”

  “ ‘Twas the condition for my release from his prison that I marry one of his daughters,” Jamie explained. “But Sheena wasna offered.”

  Alasdair laughed wryly. “The others dinna compare to her.”

  “So I suspected at the time.”

  “Och, well, you were saved from that‑and by Sheena herself. I always wondered why she helped you.”

  Jamie thought quickly. He wasn’t going to betray Niall now.

  “She helped me because she feared me. She thought her father meant to give her to me.”

  “Yet you knew otherwise.”

  “Aye. I used any means to get out of there, and I’m no’ sorry. Better to cultivate a small lie than to have a poor lass forced on me as a bride. You know my temper, Alasdair.”

  “That may be, Jamie, but ‘twas Sheena who ended the loser, banished for helping the enemy.”

  Jamie sat up. “Banished?”

  “I was surprised myself, but the old man was hurt by her betrayal, her being his favorite and all.”

  “So that is why she was in Aberdeen,” Jamie mused to himself.

  “She still is in Aberdeen, as far as I know.”

  Jamie relaxed. It was only a harsh‑sounding word, “banished.” And if Sheena had not been sent to Aberdeen, Jamie would never have seen her again after that time in the glen.

  He thought for a while. Sheena must have willingly accepted the guilt in order to protect Niall, while Niall had let Jamie go so as to protect her. The lad wouldn’t have let her take the blame unless she’d insisted. How ironic! In trying to keep her from Jamie’s clutches, the brother and sister had in fact led her straight to him.

  “I wouldna worry over it, Alasdair,” Jamie said lightly. “The fact is, Sheena is old Dugald’s favorite, and he’ll forgive her in time.”

  “I suppose. But I wonder if I’ll ever forgive myself for the burst of temper that made me lose her.”