“Ye have had a mighty full day, leannan. Perhaps a few sips of wine before we sign the contract. Then ye can retire for the night. Would that be alright with ye?”
Her head was swimming and it took a moment for her to understand all that he had said. She could only nod. With their hands still bound together, they walked up the dais stairs to the table where the contracts had been laid out. It was only then that she realized that she would be signing the contracts for herself. Normally, a bride’s father was present to witness the signing. No one had made any mention about the fact that he had not accompanied her or that her escorts had left once she had dismounted her horse. They had not even lingered for a morning meal as they had been specifically instructed not to dally. Now Siùsan looked around to see all the Sinclairs standing together as a happy family and she had no one to stand with her on her behalf. She choked back the tears that threatened and swallowed her pride as she leaned over the documents. She had not seen them before this, so she had not had a chance to review them. Her eyes quickly traveled over the terms and agreements. She saw that her father had given her a small plot of land to serve as her dowager land. She knew exactly where the land was located. It was isolated and not farmable because of the rocks and clay. If she was ever relegated to live there, she would quickly starve. There was no mention of any money that she would inherit or of her mother’s dowager land. Her father had not set aside anything to provide for any daughters that she might have. She realized now that he had not even settled a dowry on her as there was no mention of a bride price, and she had not seen any coin exchange hands when she arrived. She also saw that the place where father’s seal and signature should have been, was blank.
Her head snapped up as she looked first at Callum and then at Laird Sinclair. How can this be? Why would Laird Sinclair, nay, Liam accept a bride for his son who comes with naught? What is going on? Is this why Callum hadnae wanted me? Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at Laird Sinclair. His kind smile told her that he knew what she was wondering.
“Aye, nighean. It is a bit unconventional, but I kenned yer mother vera well. She was a dear friend of ma wife’s. Ye are her vera image inside and out. She would be so proud of ye. She loved yer da vera much as he loved her. Ye are the result of that union. I would be proud to call ye daughter.”
Siùsan turned away from the crowd that watched the betrothal ceremony. Her eyes could no longer contain her tears.
“Did he ken? Did Callum ken that I come with nae dowry?” She turned to him. “Is that why ye didna want to marry me? Ye think me a pauper. Or did ye just nae want to be forced to marry a stranger?” She felt like she could not breathe. The room was starting to spin, and she saw black spots before her eyes again.
“Lass, I have seen this contract already and, aye, I kenned the terms. I wasnae ready to marry before I met ye. I admit I was angry at the thought of marrying a stranger. The terms of the contract never mattered to me. They dinna matter to me now. I have pledged maself to ye before God, ye, ma kin and clan. I meant what I said.”
All she could do was nod. Callum handed her a goblet of watered wine, and she gulped it down. She knew it was not ladylike, but it was all she could do to keep from fainting. She watched as Callum signed the contract and passed the quill to her. She looked at him, at the Sinclair, the other Sinclair brothers, and finally the crowd that watched them all. She put the goblet back on the table and bent over to sign. When she was done, the Sinclair warmed the wax and dipped his signet ring in to it and then pressed it onto the parchment. It was done. She was now legally bound to Callum Sinclair. She looked out at the crowd again and saw the malice in Elizabeth’s face as she stood at the front of the crowd as a constant reminder of Callum’s life from before her. A life that had only changed that morning. Will he truly keep his vows or is he just a charmer?
Those were her last thoughts before the cheers of the crowd drowned out the sound of her voice within her head. Callum unbound their hands slowly and kissed it. The crowd cheered even louder. He looked down at Siùsan and could see that she had reached her limits for the day. Even though he very much wanted to be the one that escorted her to her chamber, he knew that would not be appropriate. They were betrothed but not handfasted or wed. Instead he called Hagatha over and quietly asked her to escort Siùsan above stairs. Once the women had left the dais, he keenly felt her absence. He missed the fresh scent of lilacs that drifted around her. He missed her smile and her verdant eyes which where a shade of green that changed with her mood and lighting. He sat for a while with his father and brothers. They shared a few drams of whisky to celebrate his upcoming nuptials. The crowd in the Great Hall began to shrink as people sought their beds about the keep or in their cottages. His father went to his chambers soon after complaining that he was too old to stay up that late. Callum was left with his brothers. In quiet tones, they discussed what had happened in the bailey that night.
“Sean said ‘she’ had put him up to it. I can only think of one ‘she’ who would want harm to come to Siùsan.” Alexander came straight to the point. He was never one to tarry when he had something to say. His dislike of Elizabeth had been a silent wedge between him and Callum ever since he had brought her home with him.
“I can easily imagine Elizabeth seducing Sean into harming Siùsan. She doesnae seem to like competition.” Magnus stated between sips of whisky. As the largest of all the brothers, even though he was the youngest, he could hold more alcohol than Callum had ever seen. His legs seemed to be hollow when it came to food and drink. Nay matter how much he drinks, he never gets in his cups and never awakens with a sore head. Tis nae fair. Callum thought to himself as he looked at each of his brothers.
“But I told her clearly from the beginning that we wouldnae be getting wed and that I wasna looking for a wife. I told her again when the betrothal was announced. I told her that the affair would come to an end once ma bride arrived for the betrothal signing. I told her last night that we were done once the sun rose.”
“Therein is yer problem. Ye daft bugger, ye took the wee banshee to yer bed the night before yer betrothed arrived. What message do ye think that sent? She clearly doesnae think that yer promise to end things was serious if ye were willing to tup her hours before ye pledge yer troth to another.” The disgust in Tavish’s voice could not be misunderstood. Callum winced because he knew that disgust was not just directed to Elizabeth. If anything, it was far more directed towards him. He winced as he realized how selfish he had been to his family. They had tried to warn him repeatedly, tolerating her for his sake. He had steadfastly refused to heed anyone’s advice. He had been sure that no harm would come of his affair with Elizabeth. He had pushed ahead because it was what he wanted. Now he was filled with guilt for how Siùsan had been treated throughout her first day with the Sinclairs, how he had disregarded his father and brothers, and how his selfishness could affect the clan. If he was to one day be a successful laird, like his father, he would have to stop being so thoughtless and selfish.
“I ken ye all are right. Ye’ve all been right the entire time. I should have listened to ye, but I didna, and now I am nae the only one who is paying the price. This is inconvenient for me, but I fear for Siùsan’s safety. I must have Elizabeth leave as soon as possible. I dinna care where she wants to go as long as it is far from here.”
The four brothers fell into silence as they finished their whisky. They each went to their chambers and bid one another good night from their doors.
Chapter Seven
Callum opened the door to his chamber and was immediately hit with the scent of roses. He cringed. He had hoped that the chambermaids would have changed his sheets and aired out the room. He did not want the reminder of his indiscretion at that moment. He did not want any reminders of his time with Elizabeth. He only longed for her to be far, far away and soon. He moved across the room and drew the window covering aside. He opened the glass and allowed the cool night air to waft over him. It helped to clear the scent
from his nose, but it still seemed to linger. As he looked through his window, he could see the sea just beyond the cliffs. He unpinned his broach and dropped it into his sporran. He unbelted his sporran and let his plaid unwind from his waist. He turned towards his bed and was startled to see the outline of someone in his bed. He immediately knew who it was. There was only one woman who was brazen enough to enter his chambers and his bed only a few brief hours after he had just been betrothed in front of his entire clan. There was only one woman who wore such a cloying scent. He stormed to his door and yanked it open. He marched next door and pounded on Alexander’s door. It was his turn to wait impatiently for the door to open. When it did, Alexander was still wrapping his plaid around him.
“Come with me. The wicked bitch is in ma bed.”
Callum turned around without waiting for Alexander. There was no way that he was going back into his chamber alone with Elizabeth. He knew he would never voluntarily touch her again, but he did not trust her not to tell tales. He wanted to have at least one witness to his kicking her out into the night. Alexander followed closely.
“Ye canna be serious that she is in yer bed.”
“Serious as a Norse beserker.”
They arrived at his door in just a few short steps. Callum pushed the door open and stepped aside. He would have Alexander enter first and see exactly what he meant.
“I’ve been waiting an awfully long time for ye.” The two men heard a sultry voice coming from the bed. “What the bluidy hell? Why are ye here? Where is Callum?” The sultry voice was quickly replaced by an irate screech.
“Were ye expecting someone else, lass?” Alexander returned her question with one of his own. He wandered into the room like he was stalking prey. Callum watched from the door. “What are ye doing in ma brother’s bed? Did ye nae hear him and see him this evening? I thought his choice was rather clear. Did ye nae understand?”
Alexander walked to the bed and spotted Elizabeth’s kirtle at the foot of the bed. He threw it at her rather than to her. It landed just short of her. In a play to even her hand, she allowed the sheet to drop from her breasts as she leaned forward to grab her gown. She rose from the bed and looked to the door where Callum still stood.
“Ah, there ye are. Were ye hoping to watch or would ye care to share?” Elizabeth purred as she walked past Alexander. Alexander reached out and caught her upper arm. Never had he ever considered physically harming a woman but, in this moment, he wanted to shake her and then drag her to the gates by her hair.
“Get dressed, Elizabeth. Neither Alex nor I plan to spend any more time with ye than it takes ye to don yer clothes and be gone.” Callum called from the doorway. While he felt badly that his younger brother was fixing his mess, he had no intention of getting anywhere close to Elizabeth. He wanted there to be no ground for any rumors that he had spent any time with her in his chamber.
Alexander released her arms and crossed his over his chest. Callum followed suit as it was a more natural stance for them both than being relaxed. Elizabeth dressed slowly. Raising her arms high above her head to show off her breasts. She let the kirtle slide down her body and then ran her hands over herself as if to smooth wrinkles. Then she walked to Callum and presented her back to him.
“Could ye at least help me?”
“Nay. Ye managed to undress yerself. Ye can redress yeself.” If it really would not have set tongues wagging, he would have kicked her out of his chamber even with her dress undone.
She tugged on the laces that were inconveniently, for her, located in the back. She managed to look down upon both men even though they towered over her. She harrumphed as she stormed out of the chamber. She paused halfway down the passageway and called back to them loudly.
“Thank ye, ma lords, for such an entertaining and pleasurable encounter.” Callum cringed as he knew his other brothers would hear her and possibly his father. He was just thankful that Siùsan’s chamber was one floor above and she had retired quite a long time ago.
“Have done and be gone.” Alexander called out before walking into his own chamber. The door slammed. Callum returned to his own chamber, locked the door, and finished undressing. His sheets retained the scent of roses. He could not sleep there. He pulled his plaid over him and laid down before the fire. He had slept on the hard ground outside enough times for a night on the floor not to bother him, at least not too much.
Chapter Eight
The next morning seemed to dawn all too soon for both Siùsan and Callum. Siùsan awoke to a pounding headache. The goblet that she had virtually chugged had gone to her head as she made her way up the stairs. Hagatha had helped her undress and combed out her hair. She had been kind and motherly which only brought back the tears that had already started to fall in the Great Hall. Siùsan had ended up confessing that she was scared that Callum would not come to care for her ever and that he would stray soon. Hagatha had soothed her and repeated what Callum had told her in the stables. She told them how all Sinclair men value faithfulness and never intentionally mistreat their women. It had been enough to calm Siùsan as she climbed into bed. Exhaustion swept over her and her eyes were closed as soon as her head hit her pillow. She was deeply asleep by the time Hagatha finished tidying the chamber and quietly pulled the door closed behind her.
Callum’s head pounded not from the many drams of whisky he had shared with his brothers and father. It pounded from the memory of his encounter with Elizabeth and the smell of her perfume that refused to leave his chamber. He had slept with the window open all night. All it had resulted in was his body being extra stiff from a night on the floor. He rose from the floor and groaned. He looked around his chamber. Elizabeth had now been in his bed twice. Somehow it felt as though it was sacrilege that she had ever been there. It felt like a sin to bring Siùsan to this chamber since the sanctity of his bed had been violated, even if it had only been by choice once. Once we are wed, I will take up residence in Mairghread’s room. When she and Tristan visit, they can have this chamber. I canna bring ma new wife to this bed. I just canna. He knew that his sister would understand whether he ever fully explained or not. She would know that something had happened, and she would not ask questions, at least not too many. He snorted at that idea. Nae bluidy likely. If she doesnae like ma answer, she will just ask the others until she kens the entire ugly truth. That seemed far more likely to him.
~~~
Callum came upon Siùsan as she descended to the Great Hall. He took her hand and placed it upon his arm without any thought. It just felt right to him. Her small smile told him that she felt the same.
“I trust ye slept well, leannan.”
“Aye, like a newborn bairn. And ye?”
“Well enough.”
“Is something wrong?” Her perceptiveness made Callum worry that she would figure out that something had happened before he was ready to divulge the entire story.
“Nay, lass. I think I was just eager to take ye on that ride. I would like to show ye around yer new home.”
Home. That is a nice thought. In all ma years with ma clan, it never quite felt like home. This is a pleasant first.
“I am looking forward to that too. When would ye care to go?”
“Let us break out fast and then I will ask Elspeth for a picnic.”
They arrived in the Great Hall and made their way to their chairs upon the dais. A servant brought them each steaming bowls of porridge. As it was placed before them, Callum passed a bowl of honey to Siùsan. He offered to add some to her porridge. He smiled at her look of surprise.
“I remember from yester morn that ye like honey in yer porridge.”
“I wouldnae have though that ye would have noticed such a small detail.”
“I find I have noticed much about ye in the space of just a day.”
Siùsan could feel her cheeks warm, so she looked down at her bowl. She was not sure how to respond, so she put a spoonful in her mouth. Despite the generous amount of honey that Callum had added, the por
ridge had a slightly sour taste. It was not quite the taste of spoiled milk, but it definitely was not right. She tried stirring the honey in more and another bite, albeit much less on her spoon. She could not get rid of the sour taste. It was actually rather bitter. She just could not eat any more. She slid her bowl to her side and reached for a bannock instead. She had sworn not eat to another one after eating so many on her journey.
“I am eager to get some time with ye to get to ken ye.” Callum whispered in her ear. She had not felt him lean towards her and jumped when she felt his warm breath against her cheek. She jerked and knocked the bowl onto the ground.
“Excuse me. I am so sorry.” She leaned towards the mess to clean it up. She felt a gentle pull on her elbow, so she sat up.
“Dinna fash. It was an accident. I startled ye. One of the maids will tend to it. Just be careful not to step in it.”
“Vera well. But I still feel badly that I made a mess, and now someone else will have to clean it up.” She had every intention of cleaning it up herself, but she did not want to argue with Callum when they were getting along.
She reached for another bannock, but Callum slid his bowl over to her. He signaled a maid to bring another bowl. Siùsan was not sure her taste buds were ready for more porridge, but she did not want to reject his offer. She put the spoon to her lips and slid her tongue out to taste it. Surprisingly, it tasted normal. It was just as delicious as yesterday’s. Strange. Perhaps I just got a bad batch, but I dinna see anyone turning up their noses. Why did mine taste so dreadful?
His Bonnie Highland Temptation (The Clan Sinclair Book 2) Page 5
