God’s Bones, he’d had so many plans to get out of this betrothal – of trying to manipulate Lizelle into backing out of it, of trying to be nasty enough that perhaps Robert wouldn’t want his daughter to marry such a man, but none of it had worked. Then he got the bright idea to simply speak with Robert and tell him that he could not marry Lizelle, but how could he do that now? Now, all of these people – people who surely knew his parents – knew of the betrothal. Was it actually possible that he wasn’t going to be able to get out of this? That he would be saddled with Lizelle for the rest of his life? A huge part of him refused to believe that. He wouldn’t be pushed into this. But that part of him, so loyal to his parents, was having second doubts.
… was he really trapped?
Thankfully, the food started coming forth, with several servants bringing out great dishes in a serious display of wealth, and everyone was distracted. He was no longer the center of attention. Roast swan, peacock, and fowl were brought out, birds that had been cooked and then their feathers reattached in a somewhat morbid display. At least, Jackston always thought it was morbid. Bowls of warmed rose water for diners to wash their hands in were brought out along with more food – boiled vegetables, pies, and potages.
Male servants lugged in big wheels of cheese for the diners to cut their own portions from. And bread – huge amounts of bread were brought out. As people began to focus on the food, the lyre player began to strum. It took Jackston a moment to realize the lyre player was now standing between him and Lizelle, strumming loudly. When he began to sing, Jackston nearly punched him in the mouth.
Divine Lovers!
Whom God has brought together!
Such love only grows,
Delightful…
Delicious…
Such love will never die!
Ah! Divine Lovers, rejoice!
Jackston turned away from the lyre player and sucked down about half of his wine. As the lyre player continued to strum and sing another chorus, he could feel someone tugging on his sleeve.
“That song was written for us,” Lizelle said over the lyre player’s strumming. “My minstrel wrote it in yer honor. Is it not beautiful?”
At that point, Jackston wasn’t sure what he could even say. The whole situation was like a nightmare with no end. He hated every bit of it but it was his own fault that he’d been unwilling to speak up until now, unwilling to hurt feelings or damage honor. Now, he was trapped in a quagmire of his own doing. Therefore, he simply shrugged to her question and took another drink of wine, the only thing giving him comfort at the moment.
But the situation soon changed.
Rora appeared, entering the hall from a servant’s entrance and bearing two big trenchers. She slipped up behind Jackston and Lizelle, carefully placing a trencher in front of Lizelle before serving Jackston. In fact, Jackston didn’t even see her until she placed the trencher in front of Lizelle but as she set his down, a very heavy trencher bearing a good deal of food on it, Lizelle gasped.
“Rora!” she hissed. “Ye should have served Jackston first! He is our guest!”
Rora looked at Lizelle in confusion, mostly because Lizelle had made it very clear, always, that she was the first one to be served regardless of who was sitting at the table. In fact, at meals, it was Rora’s sole duty to serve Lizelle. But she quickly submitted, having been taught long ago never to argue with her mistress.
“I am sorry, miss,” she said. “I will remember for the next time.”
Jackston was looking at Lizelle over the rim of his cup. “She served ye because ye are her mistress,” he said. “I am sure that is what ye’ve taught her.”
Lizelle began to turn red again, seeing that Jackston was once again defending her servant. A woman he suckled on! It was difficult not to feel a good deal of shame at that moment, being rebuked in front of a woman who had seduced her betrothed. She looked at Jackston, wondering why he didn’t want to suckle on her the way he’s suckled on Rora. Hurt and fury began to fill her.
“She knows tae serve guests first,” she said steadily, eyeing Rora and feeling an unnatural amount of hatred for the woman. “Jackston’s food is not steamin’ hot, Rora. Bring him hot food.”
Rora didn’t even hesitate; she picked up Jackston’s heavy trencher, which was still hot but not steaming as Lizelle had pointed out. She moved so quickly that Jackston couldn’t even stop her; she was running from the hall before he could take another breath. He watched her go a moment before turning his attention to Lizelle.
“That wasna necessary,” he said in a low voice. “The food was hot enough.”
Lizelle smiled thinly. “I want tae ensure everythin’ is perfect for ye,” she said. Then, she suddenly stood up. “In fact, I will make sure of it. Will ye please excuse me?”
She was gone before Jackston could say a word, rushing after Rora and back towards the kitchens. Jackston watched her until she disappeared from the hall, thinking that it probably wasn’t a good idea for Lizelle to run after Rora like that. Knowing the hostility Lizelle had towards Rora, surely it couldn’t be a good thing to allow the woman unsupervised time with her, but the truth was that he couldn’t stop it. He couldn’t even go after her. It would look suspicious if he did.
So, he sat there and worried, wondering what was going on out of his line of sight. After his fourth cup of wine, his head was seriously starting to swim so he pushed it aside in favor of boiled water that had been flavored with smashed pomegranate seeds and sprigs of mint. If he had much more of the wine, he was afraid he might say or do something wildly offensive, so it was better not to press his luck. In a volatile situation as he was, he didn’t need much to push him over the edge.
The minutes seemed to drag by as he waited for Lizelle to return. Robert tried to motion him down to his end of the table, but Jackston pretended he didn’t see the man waving him over. He had no intention of being sociable this night. More minutes passed and he was growing increasingly nervous until Lizelle suddenly reappeared and reclaimed her seat beside him.
Jackston looked closely at the woman. She seemed rather flustered, pink-cheeked, and, before he could really see what it was, she wiped something off of her right cheek. It looked like a speck of something. It was red, or so he thought.
… oh, God… could it be blood?
“Not to worry, Jackie,” Lizelle said, seemingly out of breath. “Yer food should be here shortly.”
He peered at her intently. “Where did ye go?”
Lizelle wouldn’t look at him. She picked up her spoon and began pushing the food around on her trencher. “I told ye,” she said. “I must always make sure yer food is prepared well. It should be here shortly.”
He didn’t believe her. Nor did he trust her. Something about her manner had him quite wary of what had happened in those minutes she was gone. As he eyed the woman, wondering if he really did see her wipe blood from her cheek, Rora suddenly came up behind him again, placing a trencher of steaming food in front of him.
Jackston saw the food and Rora’s hand but by the time he turned to thank her, she had already turned away from him. The first thing that struck him was her hair; that beautiful blonde hair wasn’t neat like he’d seen all day; it was askew. She wasn’t even wearing her kerchief. In fact, her hair was in her face and he reached out to grab her arm before she could get away. She resisted, slightly, trying to pull away, and that was when he caught sight of her face.
His heart sank.
Rora’s lip was cut and there was blood around her nose. The left side of her face was already bruising and he could see that her left eye was swelling. Someone had beaten the woman and he had a fairly good idea who it was. As Rora continued to try and pull away, Jackston shifted his grip and latched on to her arm. It was a viselike grip and there was no chance for her to pull free. Her struggles ceased but she wouldn’t look at him. Jackston took a look at the damage on her face and sighed heavily.
“Who did this to ye?” he asked quietly.
&
nbsp; Beside him, Lizelle turned to look at Rora as if only just noticing her. “She is clumsy,” she said, answering for Roar. “She fell in the kitchen. I saw her.”
Jackston never took his eyes off of Rora’s face. He felt so much rage and disgust at that moment that it was difficult to contain it. That beautiful, sweet woman had been beaten within an inch of her life for what – food that wasn’t hot enough? Somehow, Jackston suspected it was more than that. Something told him that there was far more to this than a simple beating. He looked at Lizelle.
“Ye did this tae her,” he rumbled. “Why?”
Lizelle wouldn’t look at him; she seemed more interested in her food. “’Household matters shouldna concern ye,” she said. “I do as I must tae discipline me servants. Her face will heal.”
He stared at her. She knows, he thought. He didn’t know how Lizelle knew he’d shown attention to Rora, or possibly she even knew about the kiss, but his instincts were telling him that Rora’s life was in danger now. If he left Braelaw without her, then something terrible was going to happen to her.
He could feel it in his bones.
“I asked ye a question,” he said to Lizelle. “Why did ye beat her?”
Lizelle spooned boiled peas into her mouth. “And I told ye it shouldna concern ye. She’s me servant.”
She was being deliberately evasive and Jackston knew, at that moment, that he had to make a decision. He could continue to allow this charade to continue, to allow Robert and Lizelle to believe that he was going to follow through on his vow of marriage, or he could take a stand. If he didn’t, then he would be a weak example of a man, indeed. This was no longer about his parents’ honor or even his own honor. Now, this was about doing the right and decent thing. All thoughts of Rora aside, he would never marry someone like Lizelle, for her hidden heart was a dark thing, indeed.
Now, it was time for him to show his hidden heart.
And it was about to roar.
Without another word, he stood up and kept his firm grip on Rora’s arm. She was resisting him, fearful, but he was gentle as he pulled her away from the table and into the center of the hall, exactly between the two tables. He had something to say and everyone was going to hear it. He was about to deny this betrothal and he wanted to make sure everyone understood why.
Especially Rora.
He cleared his throat loudly and held up a hand to gain everyone’s attention. When all eyes turned to him, he felt his courage surge. “I have somethin’ tae say,” he said as the room quieted down abruptly. Pulling Rora in front of him, he forced her to lift her head as he pulled her hair back. “Can everyone see this? Can everyone see the lass’ face?”
He displayed Rora in a circle, making sure everyone could see her split lip and bruised face. He could hear people gasping and whispering. It was a terrible sight and a confusing one. No one was really sure what was going on, especially Lizelle, who had a look of horror about her. But when everyone had a chance to see Rora, Jackston focused on Robert.
“Yer daughter did this,” he said, listening to gasps of shock flitter throughout the room. “She beat this poor lass bloody because the woman served me a trencher of food that wasna hot enough. At least, Lizelle dinna think so. Robert, do ye truly allow yer daughter tae beat her servants like this? Because it is a shameful thing, indeed, if ye do.”
Robert’s eyes bugged as he struggled for a reply. But Jackston wasn’t going to permit it. He held up a hand to silence the man as Rora, standing next to him, hung her head and began to weep softly.
“I dunna care if ye know or not,” Jackston said to the man. “I came here today because me da forced me. As a lad, I made a promise tae Lizelle tae marry her. I was twelve at the time; I dinna know any better. I thought that I would want tae marry her someday. But I was wrong… so very wrong. That lad ye knew has grown up and become a man. A man who has seen the world and knows somethin’ of it. I came today tae tell ye that I wouldna be marryin’ yer daughter, but the moment I came through the gates, ye showered me with praise and wine, so much so that I never had a chance tae tell ye why I’d really come. And then yer daughter forced me tae sit with her, with her ladies present, and all the while that ridiculous musician played music overhead. Did ye not stop tae think that, mayhap, I had somethin’ tae say about all of this? Did ye ever stop tae think that ye were holdin’ a man tae a lad’s vow? Ye and yer daughter were ready tae push me intae this marriage no matter how I felt.”
Robert’s shocked expression had morphed into one of guilt and sadness. He scratched his head, nervously, so very embarrassed in front of all of his guests. “We… we were happy tae have ye here, Jackston,” he said quietly. “’Tis not a crime tae welcome ye as we did.”
Jackston shook his head. “Nay, it ’twas not a crime,” he agreed. “But this feast – ye invited everyone and announced the betrothal without even speakin’ tae me about it. Did ye even think tae ask me what I thought? How I felt? Or do ye still let yer spoilt daughter push ye around as she always did? She did it as a child and she continues tae do it now, Robert. When are ye tae be a man and stand up tae her?”
Robert held Jackston’s stare steadily for a moment before sinking down into his seat. All of what Jackston had said was true. In fact, nearly everyone in that room knew it. They all knew Lizelle and how vicious she was, and how Robert simply looked the other way. In fact, most of the people were becoming sympathetic with Jackston as they came to understand the gist of the situation. It was a shameful thing, indeed.
“What would ye have me say, Jackston?” Robert finally asked, his voice trembling. “I dunna know what ye want me tae say.”
Jackston was beyond feeling pity for the man; he just couldn’t bring himself to feel anything at all.
“Say nothin’,” he said, “because right now, I’m doin’ the talkin’. ’Tis the first time ye’ve let me speak since I arrived. Now, if I had come and Lizelle had grown out of her spoilt ways, mayhap things would have been different. But she is not only spoilt, she has also become wicked. Instead of a grown woman with a kind heart, I find a vicious, nasty woman who beats on her servants. I canna and willna sully the Forbes name with a wife like that. In me world, honor and compassion and a good heart mean more to me than the wealth of the Menzies’ name. I would have told ye all of this privately, but ye never gave me the chance. And when Lizelle decided tae beat this poor woman tonight, it was the final act as far as I’m concerned. I can no longer remain silent.”
Robert simply nodded his head, sadly, but Lizelle stood up from her seat, her entire face red with shame and anger. She had been listening to Jackston’s speech with horror and outrage to the point where she felt the need to defend herself. She had to deflect some of that shame.
“Ye dallied with me servant today!” she accused. “Me woman saw ye with her in the stable. For the fact that she seduced me betrothed, I am in me right tae punish her!”
Jackston shook his head. Lizelle would never even know what he was talking about when he spoke of good hearts. She had been a spoilt child and she was a spoilt woman, unable to understand what it meant to be decent and true.
“I was never yer betrothed, Lizelle,” he said, almost sadly. “Ye took a lad’s promise and tried tae hold me tae it. Ye tried tae force it down me throat without even askin’ me. I’ve outgrown ye, lass.”
Lizelle was losing something she very badly wanted. She wasn’t an affable loser; she never had been. All of her anger was turning in Rora’s direction now as her betrothal was slipping through her fingers.
“So ye’ve outgrown me,” she hissed. “But ye’re not so grown up that ye still find a servant lass appealin’ like the buck that ye are. Ye speak of a good heart but ye’ve dirtied yerself by seducin’ me maid. And now ye use it as an excuse tae break our betrothal? Ye’re a fool, Jackston Forbes, and I want nothin’ tae do with ye. Get out of me sight. I never want tae see ye again!”
It was Lizelle’s way of saving her pride. Jackston understood that. In fact, h
e was coming to understand a lot about her and he thanked God that he’d had the courage to stand up to her and her father before the situation grew out of hand. Still, he had to admit that this was all a little sad – sad for Robert, for Rora, and even Lizelle, to a certain point. She was his childhood friend and all she wanted was to be married.
But it wasn’t going to be to him.
“I learned somethin’ today,” he said after a moment. “Someone told me that we all have hidden hearts. Lizelle, yers is dark. I will pray that someday it comes intae the light. Robert, yer hidden heart is yer fear of yer daughter and of the continuation of yer family. I understand that. But me hidden heart… I suppose in a world where honor and reputation mean everythin’, I’ve discovered that mine is softer than I thought it was. Mayhap it wants tae find happiness, even if that happiness is with someone… unexpected.”
He was looking at Rora as he spoke. She was still looking at her feet, with tears streaming down her battered cheeks. But as he spoke that last word – unexpected – he squeezed her arm gently and she lifted her eyes, looking at him. He smiled into that beaten, bloodied face and, from the look in her eyes, Jackston knew that she was aware of who he meant.
Her.
There was nothing more to say at that point. Without another word, not even to Robert, Jackston left the great hall and pulled Rora with him out into the night beyond. It was a brilliant night, clear and cold. But to Jackston and Rora, it was the most beautiful night imaginable, the beginning of a life together that neither one of them could have ever imagined.
As they traveled the quiet miles back to Blackbog Castle on that cold and gentle night, it didn’t seem to matter to Jackston that he was going to have to explain to his parents that he’d broken his vow with Lizelle. Somehow, he knew when he explained things to them, that they would understand. Truth be told, they would probably be glad.
And they would learn to love Rora just as he did.
For the Highlander and the servant lass, a chance encounter with forbidden love became a great story of hope and devotion. Having returned to Dunster Castle as Jackston had planned, the English knew Lady Rora Forbes as a gentle, humorous, and brilliant woman that her Scots husband was very much in love with. No one ever knew Rora’s humble beginnings or the lengths Jackston had gone through to marry her. For in truth, there was nothing about Rora that was different from any other noble woman.
The Forbidden Highlands Page 6
