by Alisa Adams
Alexa stood looking at Hector as he looked back at her, meeting her eyes squarely with his own.
She had to admit that he was a handsome devil, with firm, regular features and dark eyes under well-shaped brows. He had grown a short beard in the previous days, and it suited him, and even though he was lying down, she could see by the length of his legs and the breadth of his body that he was tall and well made.
There were three long bleeding scratches down his face, and Alexa bent forward to touch the forefinger of her left hand to one of them. She was not quite sure why she had done such a foolish thing, but she regretted it a moment later.
Immediately, his hand shot up to grab her wrist in a grip of iron.
"Let me go." She growled, her eyes boring into his.
"Make me," he replied in the same tone.
Alexa answered by taking her forefinger away from the scratches then hooking it and the middle finger of her left hand into his nostrils and jerking his head back, at the same time pulling his hair to add to the agony.
He roared in pain and let go of her at once.
She stood up and kicked him as hard as she could in the ribs. He groaned and rolled into a ball, clutching himself. She stood with her foot poised over his broken ankle as if making up her mind whether or not to stamp on it. She had no intention of doing so – since the naked fear in his eyes was enough satisfaction. She saw him sigh with relief as he saw her taking her foot away.
"That was for Mairi," Alexa announced grimly. "But I am going to give you the pleasure of pondering all through the journey to the castle what my men are going to do to you when you get there. Your wife died at my home, you see, of neglect, abuse, and a broken heart. She died because she could not protect her children from you. Now you cannot protect yourself from me!"
"I didnae—" he began, but she stopped him by pulling out her dagger and holding it under his nose.
"Not. Another. Word! Save your chatter for the men whose job it is to make you talk. I need to know if you have any other dens anywhere else. Even if you want to, I may let them tickle you a bit for my amusement."
Then she went out.
Mairi was folded in David's arms, and he had his cheek on her hair when Alexa went out. Alexa wondered for a moment if she should leave her, but Mairi backed out of his embrace with a last little smile at him.
"Thank ye, David," she said with coyness.
He let her go with reluctance.
They mounted Jenny while the two guards half-dragged Hector out of the house as he moaned with pain. He now had painful ribs and a sore face to add to his misery.
The devil in Alexa wanted to laugh, but she contained it, but the devil in Mairi could not be contained. This time she did not scream at her father in rage – she howled with laughter as he was trussed up like a fowl and slung onto the spare horse, head hanging down one side, feet on the other. For good measure, Alexa ordered him to be blindfolded. The last thing she did was to take a heavy jingling pouch out of her sporran and give it to Jack.
"With heartfelt gratitude," she said, smiling, "for ridding us of this scourge."
Jack and Leana looked inside and gasped.
"I hae never seen so much money, mistress!" Jack said with disbelief.
"Store it safely," Alexa advised. "And let no one know you have it."
David stepped forward to speak to Mairi. "May I come an' see ye sometimes, lass?"
His face was so hopeful that Alexa found herself crossing her fingers awaiting Mairi's answer.
Mairi looked around at Alexa, and she smiled.
"It is agreeable to me if that is what is worrying you," Alexa said, laughing.
"Aye, Davie," Mairi said happily, "whenever ye like."
David kissed her hand and waved as the party set off.
Mairi was feeling a turmoil of emotions. One was a savage satisfaction that her father was going to get his just desserts at last, and one was the ingrained anger that she was familiar with. The third was strange because she had never really felt it before. It was love.
They were silent on the way back, except for the moaning and cursing coming from Hector.
God, please let him pass out, Alexa thought.
God, please let him die, Mairi thought.
Hector, enduring pain and humiliation in equal measure, wanted to die too.
When they dismounted in the courtyard, Mairi went around the horse which was carrying her father and watched as his blindfold was whipped off. His hands were still tied so he could do nothing as she spat in his face.
"Murderer!" she said with venom. "I hope they let me tear yer nails oot!"
"Whit hae I done tae ye, Mairi?" he whined. "I treated ye better than onybody else. Ye were the only one I really loved!"
She stared at him with contempt.
"An' ye think because ye love me it was all right tae ill use a'body else?" She curled her lip. "Ye will no' even hae the satisfaction o' the confession when ye die, ye monster, because I willnae let a priest come near ye. Ye will burn in hell for all eternity!"
Then she stomped past him and strode away, and his wails followed her.
The guards untied his feet. They had both lost circulation, and the injured one was throbbing with pain. He was in agony.
"Sore?" Alexa asked.
Hector nodded, hardly able to speak.
"Good," Alexa said simply.
The look that Hector gave her was so nakedly malicious that she quailed inwardly, but her countenance remained serene.
She turned away, caught up with Mairi, and put an arm around her waist.
"Time for some wine, I think," she said in a comforting tone.
Mairi was trembling again.
"Be content, Mairi. He is where he belongs. "
Mairi nodded and smiled.
"Alexa," she said, sighing, "whit wid I dae withoot ye?"
"You would survive and thrive, Mairi Sutherland," Alexa replied firmly. "And I have a feeling that there is someone not too far from here who would like to help you do just that."
Mairi looked at Alexa and laughed as she saw her twinkling eyes.
"Ye mean David?"
Alexa nodded.
"I didnae exactly show my best side tae his family this day," Mairi said sadly. "They must think I'm really mad."
"I doubt it. But prove them wrong. Be who you are. After all, if you marry David, you are not marrying them! They will soon love you like a daughter and a sister, as I do."
"You – love me – like a sister?" Mairi asked, incredulous.
"Of course I do!" Alexa smiled widely. "I always wanted another sister. I mean, I love the one I have, but two would be perfect!"
Mairi put her arms around Alexa, crying.
"I love you an' all – Sister!"
"Just let me break it to Moira gently," Alexa whispered. "She may be jealous!"
"But willnae that make her my sister an' all?" Mairi asked mischievously. "An' all my brothers an' sisters?"
Alexa gasped.
"My God!" she said, in mock terror. "I never thought of that! My foster sister, then!"
"That will do." Mairi sighed, contented. "Imagine arresting my faither, meetin' David, an' gettin' a foster-sister in one day!"
Alexa poured a glass of port for her and held her glass up for a toast.
"To many more days like this!" she said with heart.
"Aye!" Mairi laughed. "Slàinte mhath!"
They clinked their glasses together and smiled at each other. It had indeed been the day of all days.
18
Lorraine's Decision
"Tell me honestly, Gregor," Lorraine said, "you do not really want to marry me, do you?"
It was a subject that had been preying on her mind for a long while, and she could not keep it to herself any longer. They were riding along the path that had formerly been terrorized by the Sutherlands, and it was a delight to be able to enjoy the fresh air there again. This seemed as good a moment as any to broach it.
Gregor was taken aback
for a moment. "Why do you say that? We are betrothed. We have been betrothed for almost a year. Have I given you any reason to doubt my sincerity?"
"You did not answer my question," Lorraine said firmly. "Do you want to marry me or not?"
"I – of course, I do!" He avoided her eyes. His words were an affirmation, but his hesitation and evasive manner were not.
"Look at me, Gregor, and say that again," she demanded.
"Why are you asking me this? I gave you my answer!"
She gazed at him sadly.
"You want Alexa." Her eyes filled with tears. "She is exciting, intelligent, and can best you with a bow and a sword. She can hunt down and catch outlaws. There are so many things she can do that I cannot."
Gregor was silent. Everything she said was true. At last, he spoke:
"Even if I wanted her, she is committed to another man," he said heavily.
"And if she were not?" Lorraine's tone was challenging, and there was a dangerous light in her eyes.
"But she is." He turned his dark head away from her, avoiding her eyes again.
"I am freeing you from the betrothal," Lorraine said suddenly.
Gregor whipped his head around and stared at her, aghast.
"You cannot do that! I will be shamed!"
"But I can," she said, being reasonable. "I may do whatever I please before we are married, and I choose to let you go. You are free to marry Alexa or anyone else you choose. Claim compensation if you must, but I will not drag an unwilling man into marriage. If all you can worry about is your shame and not my feelings, I do not want to marry you anyway. That is all I have to say. Goodbye, Gregor."
Lorraine turned her horse around and trotted back to Castle Drummond to see Alexa.
"I have ended my betrothal," Lorraine said to Alexa.
"What?" Alexa was amazed. "But why, Lorraine? You love him!"
"Because he loves someone else," she replied, gazing into the fire.
"Who?" Alexa frowned. "Who does he love?"
Lorraine looked her squarely in the eye.
"You," she said simply.
Alexa went to stand beside her friend.
"I'm sorry, darling," she murmured. "I knew there was an attraction – I was even a bit attracted to him myself – but I never dreamed… I would never have done anything about it, and I am not going to now. I just don't love him!"
And Alexa realized that it was true, and was genuinely distressed. For a while, she’d had both men on her mind. She seemed to favor Graham one day and Gregor the next. Sometimes she felt like joining a convent!
She put her arm around Lorraine's shoulders and gave her a squeeze.
Lorraine laid her cheek on Alexa's head.
"I know you didn't encourage him." She sighed. "But sometimes they don't need encouragement, do they? But Alexa." She faced her friend." Please say nothing to anyone about this, especially not to Graham. Do you promise?"
"With all my heart," Alexa replied.
Alexa's conscience was troubling her though. Had she encouraged Gregor? It was true that she liked to flirt, but could it have been misconstrued as something more? It was all so confusing.
* * *
Gregor rode home slowly, equally confused. He admitted to himself that at times he did find Lorraine flighty and boring – but lately, she seemed to be taking more of an interest in what he was doing, and it made him feel good to be able to show off to her and to show her off. Where did this leave him?
He needed to ask for some advice from someone sympathetic, wise, and kind. It could only be Iain.
He diverted his course to Castle Drummond and asked for the laird, only to be informed that he was not at home. He stood dithering in the courtyard for a few moments till Moira came out. She was just showing the first sign of early pregnancy and glowed with good health and vigor.
"Gregor!" She smiled at him, and he leaned down to kiss her cheek.
Perhaps Moira would be an even better choice than Iain. Gregor knew that whatever he asked her would not even go as far as Iain's ears if he asked her not to tell him. However, he had no objection to them discussing it between the two of them provided it went no further.
"It is so good to see you! Is this a social call or can I help you at all?"
He looked into her fair, honest face, so kind and full of goodwill. He had no doubt that the sisters confided in each other, and perhaps, if she had the ear of both of them, it would serve his purpose better.
"Both, Moira." He smiled at her. "I need to ask your advice about something."
Moira looked at him keenly.
"Something, Gregor, or someone? And if it is someone, I am guessing that her name is Alexa? And if there is another someone her name is Lorraine?"
He shook his head in bafflement.
"How did you know that, my Lady?" He laughed.
Moira took a moment to respond as they went inside to the smallest parlor next to the big entrance hall. She poured them some wine and gave him a glass, then closed the door firmly behind them.
"Because there is a current between the three of you," she answered. "That is the only way I can explain it. If you could, you would marry both Alexa and Lorraine, would you not, Gregor? Because each has qualities you like and admire. Alexa is brave, impulsive and forward, with a great sense of humor and good leadership qualities, and you respect that.
"Lorraine is softer, less selfish and more giving. She will obey you, and be a wonderful mother and homemaker. You also find them both physically very desirable. If I may be so bold, they will probably – and I say 'probably' because I cannot know for certain – both keep you very happy in bed, though in different ways."
Moira took another sip of wine, then looked thoughtfully at his downcast face.
"And where does Graham fit into all this?" Moira asked.
Gregor groaned.
"He loves Alexa of course. Doesn't everyone?" He gave a humorless laugh.
"No," Moira said frankly. "Some of the lairds at the conference the other night cannot stand her. They think she is an upstart."
"That makes me feel a lot better," Gregor said with cynicism. "Moira, what can I do?"
"Make up your mind which of them you want," she advised. "Then go after her. Take your time, and don't forget Graham while you are busy thinking of yourself. Alexa may want to stay with him – he will certainly not let go of her easily – or she may decide she wants to be free. With Alexa, you can never tell."
"That is true," he said ruefully.
"And even if you fall on your knees and beg Lorraine," Moira warned, "she may not renew the betrothal, so do not wait too long to make up your mind."
Gregor looked at Moira long and hard for a moment.
"You are not making this easy for me, Moira."
She leaned across and put her hand on his.
"My dear Gregor," she said in a sympathetic yet slightly smug tone, "you have no one to blame but yourself."
19
The Laird and Lady of Ness
Lachlan and Shona had decided to ride all the way from Inverness with a mounted guard of four men. Outlaws were uncommon on the road from Inverness to Gairloch, but it was rugged mountainous country, and Lachlan was taking no chances.
Extra hands were always welcome and useful, especially now that Shona was with child again. She was being treated like a piece of porcelain that could shatter at any minute, despite her obviously robust good health and strong constitution, and the fact that she had given birth to three other children without a single problem.
A few weeks earlier in her pregnancy, she had been seen climbing a ladder to help a cat out of a tree, and Lachlan had been summoned. He was incandescent with rage.
"Shona McGregor!" he’d roared out so that all could hear as he lifted her up and took her into the castle. "What are you thinking? Never, never do that again! You could have broken your neck! You could have lost the baby! And—" His voice sank to a whisper, "You could have broken my heart."
She loo
ked up into the blue-green eyes of the man who was her whole life and felt absolute shame. He loved her to distraction and always would, and she behaved very badly towards him sometimes, careless of his feelings. He would lay down his life for her and their children and be glad to do it.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," she said, kissing him as he put her down. "I willnae dae it again."
"See that you don't." His voice was stern, but his relief was obvious, and suddenly his eyes were crinkling with mischief. "Lady McGregor, I think you must make up for my suffering, and show your laird some respect!"
She gave him a deep curtsey, keeping her eyes modestly on the ground.
"Aye, my Laird." She gave a playful smile. "An' whit service dae ye require o' me?"
He bent down and whispered in her ear.
She looked at him, shocked.
"A lady in my delicate condition?" She gasped. "My Laird! 'Tis no' decent!"
Lachlan laughed with heart.
"Pray tell me, my Lady," he asked with a wicked smile, "how did you get in that 'delicate condition' in the first place?"
"Please remind me, My Laird," she begged him, "for a lady wi' child gets awfy forgetful!"
Then she flung herself into his arms and let him carry her into the bedroom.
After they had made slow, tender love he said:
"Remember now?"
"Aye." She giggled. "But I may forget again by tomorrow!"
They laughed together, and Lachlan thought to himself that heaven could not be any better than this.
"Shona, Shona, Shona!" He ran a hand over her straight shining black hair. "You drive me out of my wits sometimes, but every time you do, I love you even more. What am I going to do with you?"
Shona pulled the quilt over both of them so that they were wrapped in a cozy cocoon just big enough for the two of them.
"Whitever ye like my love," she murmured.
* * *
A few days later, they began the journey with two pack horses loaded with provisions enough for eight days. It would not have been a long road had it been straight, but it had to twist around mountain passes and occasionally ford rivers, which added to its length enormously.
