He held his brother at sword point with one hand and pushed her back to her seat with the other. "Cursed witch, did you really think you would get away with your foul deeds? You know nothing if you think I wouldn't ride to the ends of the earth to have my revenge. You risked much in your greed. Now you shall know nothing but pain and sorrow for it!"
Alexander looked back at his brother's pale face, then to the shining blade of death he held gripped in his hand. He should skewer the pair!
Sweet Jesus, he couldn't do it.
Running footsteps and shouting drew his attention as Drummond and Malcolm charged into the hall followed by their men and castle servants.
"Alex!" Drummond shouted. "Stay your hand!"
As the two men reached his side, he drew back his sword a few inches. He could never force himself to end his brother's life, but neither could he let him go unpunished. Seeing his brother's man eyeing his sword, Alexander called out in rage. "Davey, Malcolm, get these bastards out of my sight!"
Knowing they would do as he ordered, Alexander turned to Katherine and pointed his broadsword to the base of her slim neck. His voice hardened with contempt as he spat out, "You beautiful bitch. I didn't want to believe it when I learned of your deceit, but obviously 'tis true. You are more vile than the serpent of Eden for the pain you have brought me and my clan." With that, he quickly sheathed his sword and grabbed her, pinning her arms behind her.
Half dragging and half carrying her, he pulled her from the hall and mounted the stairs to the second floor where the laird's private chamber was located. He threw open the door without loosening his hold on her, pushed her inside and kicked the door closed behind him.
Stumbling to the huge bed, she clung to one of the sturdy bedposts for support.
He threw the bolt home on the door and shoved his dirk into the doorframe, ensuring no one could open it from the outside.
Katherine shrank from him in silence as he advanced. The terrified expression on her face spoke for her. He could see it in her eyes—she thought him mad. His gut twisted. Perhaps she had it aright. He'd lost all sense of reason. She had brought him to this.
Suddenly she ran for the door.
Alexander swung his arm out and caught her. "No, you don't. I'm not through with you." He picked up her trembling form, carried her several feet from the door, then put her down again.
She stood facing him as he tore away his hauberk and clothing, leaving only his chausses covering his manhood. Her look of frightened confusion changed to anger.
He stood nearly naked before her; an inner fire burning within him for retribution. She deserved this for her treatment of him. Aye, but he would not touch her, not before he knew why.
Silence reigned. The very air seemed to sizzle between them. Damn. Why could he not just say what he meant to? He forced the words from his dry lips. "Why did you do it, Katherine? You could have chosen anyone to marry. If you didn't mean to be faithful to our vows, why marry me? Surely with your beauty, you could have found a pliant, adoring lover. 'Twas no need for our marriage, if that was all you wanted."
As he said the words, Fiona's laughter echoed in his brain. His body tensed in renewed anger and his mouth pursed in a tight thin line. "But you went too far when you wantonly involved my foolish brother. I've come to take what you've been giving so freely to him and God knows who else!"
Katherine threw her arms out in front of her. "Stop, Alexander! I don't know what madness has driven you to accuse me so. But as God sees my soul, there is no truth in what you say."
"You wanton harlot, dare you invoke God to your side? I am done with listening to you ever again!" He ripped his chausses from his hips and threw them to the floor.
Katherine gasped, "No, you can't do this. You once told me you would never force an innocent maid."
"Aye, I did say it. But you are neither innocent nor a maid. You take my name and my emotions and play with them as if they mean no more than a child's toy."
"No, Alexander! I swear I've done naught to deserve this! Your suspicions are wrong. Whatever madness has caused you to doubt me, 'tis totally false."
Impatiently, he wiped his sweaty forehead. Even in the chilly stone clad room, his anger drove his body to a fevered heat. For a moment, disillusion and weariness threatened to bring him to his knees, but he ignored the feeling, locking his leg muscles tightly. Nothing would keep him from his revenge.
Katherine's tone changed, as if she hoped to soothe away his rage. "Look at you. You are over weary. How can you think clearly? Calm yourself and rest until the morrow. You will understand things better by then, after you have slept and eaten. Then you will see there is no reason for your doubt and anger."
Her words flowed across his anguished mind like a cool breeze on a midsummer day. He almost wished to lose everything in calming sleep. Almost. "No, Katherine. If you are innocent, as you claim, there is only one way you can prove it. I am here for that proof. Now."
Even as anguished as he felt, Alexander knew in his heart he wouldn't force her. Her action or denial would give him the proof he sought.
Her face paled. "What? The only way you will believe my innocence is for me to bed with you? Right now?"
"Aye, I would mean that, if 'twere possible. But we both know how my brother and you have spent your time together. Don't we?"
Katherine raised her chin and straightened her shoulders in silence.
God, he recognized that pose. She'd stood that way, in quiet dignity, when she had wished him well as he left her on their wedding day. He'd thought her like a queen. Then.
Katherine let out a long audible sigh. If he didn't know better, he would swear her voice almost held pity for him. "So be it, Alexander, I will prove it to you. But the proof will be your loss."
Slowly, she began to remove her garments one by one, her gaze never straying from him. She stepped out of her leather slippers, and then reached for her open surcoat. It fell to the floor. Her bottom lip quivered as she unfastened her long, form-fitting tunic, but she didn't stop. The tunic slowly slid down her legs and puddled at her feet. Finally her undershift floated down and she stood nude before him.
He was awed by her beauty. And yet there was something else about her. It was almost as if she clothed herself in dignity against his angry gaze. Even in his enraged state, her beauty caused his thoughts to blur. For a moment, he could only stare as she stood silent and still before him.
Dragging his hand across his eyes, he fought to maintain his stance. The room suddenly became unbearably hot. The air was so thin it was difficult to breathe. He felt lightheaded. Could he be wrong? Had Fiona lied in her jealousy? Surely this beautiful, courageous woman could not be the evil person she had been portrayed. But what of the proof? He had seen it himself.
Katherine's golden hair billowed out about her in disarray and patches of deep red stained her lovely face. The color drew attention to her wide blue eyes. Silently, she faced him and waited. Her breasts rose and sank with the rhythm of her rapid breathing, leaving his fingers aching to touch her.
His eyes traveled downward past her slim waist, to her rounded hips and then to the golden triangle between her legs. There was the treasure that only he was meant to have. The portal that led to Heaven. Or to Hell.
Katherine held her head high and walked to the bed in silence. She lay down with her arms tight to her sides, and turned her face to meet his gaze.
His lust in seeing her lying naked before him and his admiration for her spirit warred against each other and weakened his resolve. Unsteadily, he made his way to the bed. Then he climbed onto it and knelt above her. He hesitated, wondered, hoped.
What if it wasn't true? Could it all be a terrible mistake? He watched as tense lines formed at the corners of Katherine's eyes. Was it fear, anger, or something else? He couldn't tell.
Her bottom lip trembled. She spoke quickly, as if to hide her emotions. "Faith, why do you hesitate, husband? Is it because you realize you have been gravely mistaken abo
ut me? Or do you fear you won't measure up to your brother?"
Her words rekindled his anger. He swiftly pinned her to the mattress with his body and thrust deeply into her. He felt the tear of her virginity and heard her cry out. Confused, he willed his body to stop, but pent up anger and lust overrode his self-control, refusing to obey until his seed exploded deep inside her. He tried to rouse his mind from the downward spiral of exhaustion and satiety. But 'twas no use.
Wearily, he watched as she dragged herself away from him. Her slow movements pulled the bloodied sheet after her. The white linen smeared in bright red was the last thing he saw before the darkness took him. God, he was a fool…
Chapter Fourteen
Katherine moved away from Alexander to the far side of the bed, covered herself with the sheet and wept in silence. The realization of what had just happened between them tore at her heart. True, she had made the decision to give herself to him, but in doing so, she'd lost all hope of a life built on love and understanding. In their mutual stubbornness to prove each other wrong, they had shattered their chance of a loving relationship.
All these weeks she'd waited, yearning for him to come so they might begin a life together, were for naught. Her dreams of years filled with caring and contentment would never come about. Everything was gone. There was nothing left.
She couldn't bear the thought of remaining with him now. She would leave; go somewhere else. Anywhere. But she must convince someone to help her. William had given her escort before…
Dear God. Where was William? Sweet Mary, don't let those two men have harmed him. She must find them and explain.
Explain what? That she foolishly thought she could make Alexander love her? How could there be love? They did not even trust each other.
Drawing a ragged breath, she threw a worried glance at Alexander. Thankfully his eyes were closed and she no longer saw the searing accusation in them. His broad chest rose and fell in even rhythm as he slept. She bit her lip to stifle the moan emanating from her soul. How could he lay there sleeping so peacefully? Did he truly care so little?
Slowly, she slid from the bed, leaving the stained, crumpled sheet where it lay. She dared not wake him. Tears streamed down her face as she picked up her clothes. She dressed and tread softly to the entrance of the room. Silently, she pulled his dirk free and unbolted the chamber door. Then she froze, staring at the deadly blade in her grip. She looked over at his prone form and balanced the dirk in the palm of her hand. 'Twould be so easy.
No, he had not forced her. She had given her body of her own free will to prove her innocence. If only he had believed her without… A shudder racked her body as she stood in the silent room.
A soft groan quickly drew her attention back to Alexander. Sweet Mary, had he awakened? She should have escaped whilst she could. Frozen, she gripped the dirk tighter in her hand and held her breath while she waited for him to move, to speak. Would he acknowledge the great wrong he'd done or come at her again in vengeance?
The minutes dragged by in silent stillness. No, he would not apologize. It mattered naught to him. She cast one last glance at him, then bent her wrist back in a smooth movement and quickly released the blade. The knife flew true and sank almost noiselessly into the wooden floorboard at her feet. Stepping past it, she walked to her chamber without looking back.
The room she had taken as her own when she and William had arrived at the castle, weary and wounded from their danger-plagued journey was small, but she had no need of a large one.
Katherine stripped away her clothing and washed from the room's ewer of drinking water. The cool water cleansed away the telltale signs and eased some of her pain. But it couldn't wipe away the ache in her heart. After cleaning herself, she dressed in a simple gray gown and sat on the room's narrow bed and brushed her hair until it lay smoothly about her.
If only her tormented thoughts could be so easily untangled. Rising from the bed, she paced the floor. There had to be a reason for her husband to think what he did. What was it? She must find the answer. But where should she begin?
Her mother's words flashed through her mind. Be brave and follow your heart. Nodding, she took a deep breath for badly needed courage and headed toward the stairs.
As she entered the laird's hall and looked about her, she saw a young servant putting everything back in its proper place. Other than the girl, the room was empty of life. Who were the two strangers who had followed her husband's orders? Their faces were no more than a blur as the horrible scene between Alexander and his brother unfolded in her mind.
The servant looked up at her with frightened eyes and whispered, "Are ye well, m'lady?"
"Aye, well enough. Where have the strangers taken Sir William and his man?"
The girl silently pointed across the room to a door left slightly ajar.
"Thank you, lass. Perhaps it would be best that you take yourself from the keep for a time." Katherine watched as the girl scurried away, then she headed toward the open door. She wandered in and out of several chambers and corridors, then down a long flight of stairs before she realized she'd entered a section of the castle she had never seen before.
The corridor smelled of dampness and mold, as if it never saw the light of day. It seemed not many people made use of it, for few torches were lit. Dank chill penetrated her clothing and she shivered. She walked on for several minutes then hesitated at the next turn in the dim labyrinth. Should she keep going?
Muffled voices coming from further down the corridor convinced her. Saying a silent prayer for courage, she stood on tiptoe, lifted a smoky torch from its iron holder and walked toward the sound. As she got closer, she detected male voices raised in anger. She could hear their words clearly through a small barred window in a thick, iron-studded door ahead of her.
William's voice rang out and she winced at the similarity to Alexander's. "God's blood, man. Have you lost all reason and honor? Release me from here and let me see to the safety of Lady Katherine! I do not know what fit has overtaken my brother, but I fear for her safety in the enraged state I saw him last. I tell you, you must not keep me here."
She set the torch down on the stone floor a few feet from the door and peered through the opening. The two strangers stood with their backs toward her. She could just see a portion of William's face between them. Bolstering her courage, she reminded herself there was no valid reason to fear Alexander's men. She would explain all that she knew, then pray she could trust her safety to them as she had with his brother.
She pulled at the heavy door, but it did not give way. Frustration snapped her thin veil of calm. She cried out and pounded on the rough dark wood. "Sir William! 'Tis Lady Katherine. Let me in!"
The door swung open immediately. Losing her balance, she tumbled into the room and lay prostrate on the floor. She looked at William. He sat crouched in an uncomfortable looking position. Three different voices shouted at her at once. "My lady, what are ye doing here?" "Where is your lord?" "Lady Katherine, are you injured?" Through the bombardment, she looked more closely at William in hopes of understanding the situation into which she had fallen, quite literally.
What she saw puzzled her. Why was he, with his broken leg, sitting so that his weight leaned heavily upon it? Understanding dawned on her when he tried to stand. The shackles about his wrists made it impossible for him to rise, even if his broken leg had not prevented him from doing so. Fear dawned on her as she realized her location in the castle. What grisly fate did Alexander have in mind to order his brother cast into the dungeon? And where was William's man?
She turned her gaze to one of the strangers. He was a tall, well-built man with brown hair and mustache. His face seemed distantly familiar, but she couldn't remember from where. He approached, gently helped her to her feet and guided her to a narrow ledge in the stone wall where she could sit. "My lady, I am Laird David Drummond, close friend to your husband. This is Malcolm, his head man-at-arms. We came here with Alexander when 'twas feared that you and hi
s brother might have met with danger on the road."
Drummond paused and cleared his throat. "I fear circumstances of the last few weeks you and he have been together need to be explained. Alexander spoke of you and his brother as… well, behaving in a way that dishonored your marriage vows. Malcolm and I accompanied your husband here in hopes the truth might be found."
Shocked, she looked at both men, searching their faces for hope in the horrible falsehood. Seeing no readable expression of emotion, she turned back to Laird Drummond. "And do you now hold judgment over us? How dare you do so! William's and my actions are blameless! What proof do you have to attest to such an unthinkable lie? Fie. 'Twould have been better if I had walked into the sea until it had drawn the breath from my body than ever to have married Alexander MacGregor!"
Laird Drummond spoke quietly. "My lady, your words can be taken two ways. Do you plead innocence or contempt for being found out?"
Before she could reply, William, strained at his chains and yelled, "For the love of God, man! You know I would never cause Alexander hurt or dishonor. Lady Katherine came to me and asked safe escort to Ironwood after receiving word to meet my brother here. Two of my men and I undertook the journey with her to ensure her safety. And only that."
He glowered at his captors and shook a manacled fist. "On our journey, we were attacked, leaving one of my men dead, and me with a twisted and broken leg. Lady Katherine and my remaining man refused to leave me to search for safety for themselves. We took sanctuary in the forest until nightfall and then made our way here. Since we did not know from which direction the attackers had come, we fortified the inner keep and awaited my brother."
Raising both shackled arms up in a sign of frustration, he continued in a fierce growl. "If we had committed the dishonor you speak of, do you think you would have been allowed to enter the castle grounds as you were? Don't you think Lady Katherine and I would have ordered the gates closed against you? If we were guilty of such a deed, we would surely have refused you entry or taken flight when your banners were spotted."
Highlander's Bride (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 1) Page 18
