Highlander's Burning Desire (Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance)

by Alisa Adams

  Kendrick shook his head firmly. "No, Allana," he said firmly. "The inn is not filthy and my room is booked and paid for already. I can ill afford to waste money on walking away from it. I will see your father tomorrow."

  Allana watched him sorrowfully as he walked away. At the front gate, he saw Bettina who scowled at him but did nothing else. He smiled at her and then gave her a mock-courteous bow and a sardonic smile. Bettina looked after him impotently, wishing she was bigger, bolder, and better able to confront him. As well as that, she wished Allana could see Kendrick through her eyes for the cynical imposter she really believed he was.

  As Kendrick left Dundas Castle, Leann was watching him from a little stand of fir trees not far away. She followed him as he rode into the village and entered the inn and then she went up to the window to look inside. Her husband had ordered ale from the bar and a meal of thick soup and bread.

  As he sat down, waiting for it to arrive, a woman with rouged cheeks and a flimsy, low-cut gown came to sit on his lap. She kissed him and they seemed to share a rather bawdy joke, both of them cackling with laughter before his meal came. He bought her a pint of ale and they continued to talk in the same suggestive, jocular manner for a while, then after he had eaten, he took her hand, stood up, and put his arm around her waist. He looked down into her eyes once more and laughed again. Then they disappeared through a door at the back of the room.

  Leann had no need to ask any more questions. He was lying with a whore, but then many men did and that did not concern her overly much. He was a man with a man’s needs. What did concern her was whoever was in the castle. She had a woman's intuition about these things and somehow, she suspected that the answer to her questions lay within its walls. She went into the barn behind the tavern and spread out her bedding then organized her belongings before pulling out the wickedly sharp dagger she kept tucked under her belt. This was her defense should she be attacked on the road and she never went anywhere without it.

  It was almost dark, and she reasoned that Kendrick would be occupied for some time. Anyway, she was in disguise so she went into the inn and took a plate of mutton stew outside to eat in the open air. She wanted to be near the front door so that she could watch to see if Kendrick came out.

  Two hours passed and it became dark. She went into the barn to lie down for the night and immediately fell into the worst nightmare she had ever experienced. She was standing over Kendrick with a dagger in her hand and it was dripping blood, his blood, flowing from a deep gash in his thigh. She was still in disguise and it was almost dark, so he had no idea who she was. She took off her cloak and hood so that he could see her face and he gasped with surprise and horror. Then he smiled a horrible, ingratiating grin that made her shudder with disgust.

  “Leann - it's me - your Kendrick, who loves you,” he wheedled. “Why are you doing this?”

  “Huh!” Her voice dripped scorn. “YOU love ME? I think not, husband! Many men lie with whores, which I can excuse, for you men have baser needs than women do, but you are lying with another woman too, one that you love almost as much as you love yourself and for that, you must be punished. Goodbye, Kendrick!” Her voice was a harsh shout.

  He screamed as she plunged the dagger into his heart.

  Leann woke up drenched in sweat and terrified, expecting to see a gory corpse lying beside her. Then she realized that it had been a nightmare and the blood-curdling scream which had woken her had come from her own mouth. She flopped back onto the straw with relief, but it scared her to think that these thoughts should be in her mind at all. Perhaps she was becoming the kind of person she despised: a person like her husband.

  18

  A Proposal

  Allana had found the cottage in her childhood and often used to play there. It was an old guard-house used for the accommodation of some of the watchmen. It had not been used for a while since there had been relative peace between England and Scotland for some time and the number of watchmen had been reduced.

  Allana had gone in to clean it herself so that no-one else should see her and had put vases of fresh flowers at the side of the small bed to scent the air. She had placed candles around the room so that it would be lit with a soft golden glow. She looked around then, satisfied with her efforts, she went out, pocketed the key, and headed back to the castle on foot.

  It was a blustery day and she was reveling in the feel of the wind on her face and the sun in her eyes as she strode on the short grass, avoiding treacherous clumps of heather that would trip her up. Then she heard hoof beats and Kendrick's voice calling her and she turned around to see him trotting toward her. He waved, smiled, and dismounted from his horse then, after looking around to make sure they could not be seen, he threw his arms around her, pulled her to him, and kissed her hungrily. She responded in kind and Leann, from her position behind a gorse bush, saw them clearly.

  When they broke apart, they were both breathless and smiled at each other for a moment. She could not hear what Kendrick said next, but she understood what he was doing when he got down on one knee and held her hands. Then he said something that made Allana laugh joyously.

  "Yes!" she shouted, loudly enough for Leann to hear. "Yes, yes, yes!"

  He stood up and embraced her again. "And the cottage? Is it ready?"

  Allana nodded, her eyes sparkling. "We can go tonight."

  "Why not now?" he asked with a frown.

  "Because sheep are driven past here at least three times a day," she replied, "together with shepherds and their dogs. Someone will see the horse. So, let us wait until this evening after dinner. Besides Father should be back by then and we can tell him the news!"

  Kendrick nodded reluctantly and they walked back toward the castle.

  "So, when shall the wedding be?" Allana asked.

  "Do not be so impatient, sweetheart," he replied, laughing. "I still have to get your father's consent!"

  Allana sighed. "When he sees how happy I am, I hope he will consent. He did tell me I could marry the man I loved after all and while you are not a Laird, you are not exactly poor!” She shrugged and smiled at him. “Do not worry. If he does not, I am of marriageable age and so are you, so we will do without it and elope."

  "Why do we not just do that anyway?" Kendrick asked. The idea was beginning to sound more and more appealing.

  Allana laughed. "Because I want my family to keep on loving me and I want them to love you too, but they will because I believe it is impossible not to love you!"

  They walked on, but Leann was too stunned to follow them. She knew his plan now anyway. He was going to seduce this high-born lady and make her his wife and then no doubt he would have children with her. She had always known that her husband had a nasty, self-centered streak, but she had never imagined anything like this.

  He is actually going to marry another woman while he is still married to me, she thought wildly. Or perhaps he will not do that. Perhaps he will kill me or have me killed. She was trembling with a mixture of sadness and wild rage. She watched the two lovers disappear into the distance and realized that she no longer wanted the loathsome creature she had married. She would petition for a divorce then go and live on her own. She had a little money saved up. She could buy a little cottage of her own maybe even in a big city like Glasgow or Edinburgh and start a trade of some kind.

  But even while she was thinking about it, she recognized that there was one more thing she wanted: justice. No, even more than that. She wanted revenge, and she knew just how to get it.

  Before dinner, Allana went to see Nevin. He looked very handsome, dressed as he was in his best family tartan with a snow-white shirt and a huge silver Cairngorm stone brooch. His face was non-committal as he looked at her, but inside, his heart was hammering wildly. He could see that she had something momentous to tell him.

  "Nevin, may we talk for a moment?" she asked, keeping her voice down so that the others could not hear her.

  "Of course, Allana," he replied, smiling, "what can I do
for you?"

  Allana looked down at her hands which she was twisting together nervously. "I know that perhaps you expected us to be betrothed," she began, "but I wanted to tell you that I cannot marry you because I think I love someone else. Please understand."

  And suddenly, all Nevin's uncertainty vanished. He saw that Allana had been just as confused as he had for a while, but she had resolved that in her own mind and had moved on. A wave of relief swept over him. Now, he could marry Bettina—if she would still have him.

  "Be at ease, Allana," he consoled her with a smile. "I was expecting it. Kendrick is a fine man and I wish you both every happiness."

  "You knew?" Allana was astonished. "How?"

  "I heard talk of your meeting with him and, looking back on it now, I do not believe we ever shared true romantic love between us. I’m glad you found your own path, Allana, my dearest friend."

  Allana smiled at that. "Nevin, you have made me so happy!" she cried, embracing him briefly. "Father is going to make the announcement tonight and I did not want you to be embarrassed, but now I need not worry. Thank you, Nevin!"

  He looked at her fondly. "We will always be friends, I hope?"

  "Always," she promised before turning and skipping away.

  Nevin stood looking after her, wondering why he felt as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He felt light and happy and he was sure that his mother would share his feelings!

  Allana had dressed in her best scarlet evening gown again that night. She had a radiance about her that no amount of powder, rouge, or paint could have produced and her deep brown eyes were glowing with happiness. She and her love were finally joining together! They were already betrothed though not officially, it was true, but in spirit.

  As she went downstairs to dinner she was accosted by Bettina.

  "Allie," she said, catching hold of her sister's arm. "Kendrick is here, talking to Father in his study. Do you know what they are discussing?"

  "Yes," Allana replied, defiance in her voice. "Our marriage."

  Bettina sucked in a shocked breath. "Allana! Do not marry that man!"

  "Why not?" Allana asked defensively. "I love him."

  "No, you don’t. He is a bad man, Allana," Bettina said desperately.

  "Show me one bad thing he has done," Allana said, shrugging. "I have seen nothing at all and I defy anyone to find any serious sin that he has committed. So, why do you not want me to marry him?"

  "There is something sneaky about him. I can tell." Bettina was trying to express a feeling for which there were no words.

  Allana gave her a poisonous look and swept past her. Nothing was going to spoil this evening for her. Nevertheless, she could not help being unsettled once more by Bettina's words. That is the second person now to disapprove of him, she thought sadly. Though much of Allana’s life had been spent under the scrutiny of others, so in some ways, she was used to it.

  When she saw Kendrick at the table, however, her fears were dispelled. She believed he would protect her body and soul from whatever the future might hold. Her father was sitting there too, looking dignified and correct, but Kendrick gave her an almost imperceptible wink. Everything was going to be fine.

  Malcolm said Grace as he always did before meals, but instead of picking up his eating knife, he tapped it on the table and said formally, "Friends and family, I have an announcement to make. Tonight, I am pleased and proud to announce the betrothal of my elder daughter Allana to this good man," he indicated Kendrick. "Kendrick Muir. I know that he will look after and provide for her, even though she is doing a good job of providing for herself!" Everyone laughed. "So, raise your goblets in a toast to them. To Allana and Kendrick, may their love last forever!"

  There was a chorus of congratulations from around the table and Gwenda Kirk was smiling from ear to ear together with her son. Her plan was working out perfectly. However, there was one person who was not rejoicing.

  Gavin Ingram had been enjoying his stay with the Dundas family. He liked being away from the pressures of running a large estate for a while since he was responsible for so many people's livelihood. Sometimes, when it all became too much he came to stay with Malcolm. Malcolm was always happy to accommodate him since he liked and respected his friend. But there was a storm brewing which as yet was over the horizon where it could not be seen. Neither Kendrick nor Gavin had known that the other would be there and Gavin carried the secret of Kendrick's marriage.

  When Laird Dundas made his announcement at the dinner table, Gavin immediately felt a surge of shock pierce him. This could not be happening! He had known Kendrick to do some mean things before, but surely, he could not stoop so low? He looked hard at his now erstwhile friend, but Kendrick would not meet his eyes. Gavin knew that if Kendrick had known that he would be there, he would have stayed away, but it was too late now.

  Kendrick had an equally bad fright, but he had to go through with the charade and hope Gavin would keep his mouth shut. However, that was by no means certain. Gavin was a stickler for honesty and integrity, so the only thing he could do was to get Allana out of the way until he had a chance to talk to him.

  This was made easier by Gwenda and Edme who swept Allana away after congratulating them both to talk about wedding plans. Immediately, Gavin stood up, grabbed Kendrick by the elbow, and dragged him outside under the pretense of catching up with their news. Kendrick winced and cried out in pain. Gavin’s hands, hardened by years of manual labor alongside his workers, were steely strong and Kendrick would not be the first man who suffered bruises from his grip.

  When they were standing at the gate, Gavin turned to Kendrick with fury in his eyes. "What are you playing at, Kendrick?" he demanded. "I took you for a fool and a lecher, but never, never did I think you would plumb these depths! You are despicable!"

  "I need sons!" Kendrick answered angrily. "I need an heir and Leann has not given me one. What am I supposed to do? Answer me that!"

  Gavin moved so close to Kendrick that they were eyeball to eyeball. For a moment, the older man’s glare terrified Kendrick and he drew his head back as far as he could against the wall. He had heard tales of Gavin’s treatment of would-be livestock poachers. Gavin had caught one in the act. Before he had flung him into the dungeon, he had broken both of his legs and bruised his face so badly that he had been unrecognizable for weeks.

  "You are supposed to wait until God decides that you shall have an heir or if you shall have one," he replied in a growl. "His plan is different for each of us and we do not always get what we want, only what we need, even if we do not realize it. What about Leann? Surely you love her or am I mistaken? It seems that you only love yourself." He stopped, panting with rage.

  "I do care about Leann," Kendrick answered, "but what she does not know will not hurt her!"

  "What if I tell Allana?" Gavin replied. "You will have neither of them then because she looks like a passionate woman to me and I would imagine that the first thing she will do is get a message to Leann, your LAWFUL WEDDED wife! The Laird might also like to know, by the way, and he has dozens of men-at-arms who are fiercely loyal to him."

  Kendrick stared at him for a moment. "Remember that you told me that Marion was the love of your life and you the love of hers?" he asked nastily.

  Gavin frowned. "Yes, but what does that have to do with any of this?" he asked, puzzled.

  "What if I tell you that she was not the angel you thought she was? What if I tell you that she and I were having a love affair?” He glared at Gavin with the light of triumph in his eyes. “She was on her way to meet me when she died. She thought you were weak. She used to make fun of you."

  "You are lying!" Gavin was outraged. "That is a vicious lie!"

  "Oh, am I?" he replied airily. "She showed me things and told me things that no-one else would know except you and her. Have you missed a gold chain with a heart on it that you gave her? I have it. I took it from her neck before we made love one night and forgot to give it back,” he replied, shrug
ging. “I was going to return it, but she died the next day.” Kendrick stood looking down at Gavin who had sunk into a chair with his elbows on the table. It was an attitude of utter despair. “You wanted to bury her wearing it, did you not?”

  Gavin demanded, “Show me the chain.”

  “I do not carry it with me,” Kendrick replied loftily, “but I can describe it in great detail. It is a fine gold chain and it has a heart locket hanging from it. Many women wear heart lockets, it is true, but at the back of your locket is a design of both your initials intertwined. Now, I will tell you what she told me that will prove I knew her intimately.”

  Then Kendrick told him the secret and Gavin’s face blanched. It was something that he had never mentioned outside his bedroom. Seeing his advantage, Kendrick pressed on. “I could even suggest that you killed her for being unfaithful. No-one could prove otherwise, so I will make you a deal. You will keep my secret and I will keep yours.” He paused to let this sink in, his eyes glittering with pure malice.

  Gavin looked up in disbelief. He had always thought of Kendrick as his friend. How could he have misjudged him so badly? He clenched his hands into fists, his face turning crimson with rage, then stepped forward and raised them like clubs.

  Kendrick put a hand up to warn Gavin off. “Think of the consequences, my friend.” He raised his eyebrows and spread his hands. “Your name will be mud. People will laugh at you behind their hands. You might lose business. She might have had my child in her womb, you never know.”

  “You could have spread this news months ago,” Gavin said, his voice dripping with scorn. “Why did you wait until now?”

  “I wanted to keep it for when it would be most useful,” Kendrick replied, “I cannot think of a better time than now.”

  Kendrick was gleefully twisting the knife in Gavin’s wound. Gavin looked at him with pure hatred in his eyes. He knew he was beaten, but Gavin did not want to give in to this loathsome creature. Malcolm was a dear friend, he would find a way to tell him and soon. Until then, at the very least he could tell Leann.