"Objections? I have no objections to Maggie or her being wi' Alex. But, Rachelle, ye have seen Anice's behavior since they came back. The clan will suffer for her displeasure."
"Weel, if ye are now turned coward and will not stand by Maggie and Alex as yer friends, then we have nothing to talk about. Come, Maggie, we have our chores to attend to."
Maggie stared open-mouthed as the petite blond grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the kitchen. She turned back and saw a dumfounded Brodie scratching his head while he watched them walk away. He shrugged at her glance and strode off in the direction of the practice yards. She turned back to Rachelle.
"Rachelle, I don't want you fighting with Brodie over this."
"We are no' fighting, Maggie. Do not worry about us. And, I didna want him to hear this, but Brodie is right about Anice," Rachelle whispered after tilting her head to Maggie's.
"How so?" Maggie wanted to hear this explanation.
"Anice has been here for nigh unto five years, working for the good of the clan. Many of us do no' like her ways or the airs she puts on, but she has done much for the clan." Rachelle paused and looked at Maggie. Maggie nodded that she was listening.
"She is but fifteen years and inexperienced in dealing with men, especially the likes of Alex and ye. I know ye try to stay out of her way, to not hurt her feelings. I fear 'tis too late for that now."
"Rachelle, I told you that Alex and I were taking care not to be seen together by her. I know her place and I know mine." Maggie took a deep breath and let it out. "She will have Alex and his name in a few short weeks... and I will not. Nothing else matters."
"I will give ye warning, Maggie, as a friend. Ye will no longer be welcome in the castle once the marriage takes place."
"But, I thought..."
"I know what ye thought. I heard Struan tell Dougal that ye would be moved into the village the day the MacNab arrives for the wedding. That, if Alex wants yer... company, he will have to seek ye out there. He also told Dougal that he and Anice plan to give Alex verra little chance to seek ye out at all."
Maggie's stomach tightened in reaction to this news. What would happen to her in the village without Alex's 'protection'? She would be prey to all those who held their words and actions now. She needed to talk this over with Alex and Moira, who knew their secrets. They had four weeks left. They needed to use every day left to them to find a way home.
Instead of answering Rachelle, she dug into her pocket, pulled out her scarf, and wrapped it around her head and under her braid. Without a word, she crossed to the entrance of the kitchen and entered the busy rooms. All movement stopped as the kitchen workers saw who it was that had entered. She heard not a sound or breath as she walked to the table where she worked. And, at that moment, she didn't have the courage to look anyone in the eye.
Part of her wanted to laugh and enjoy the news of the delay. Part of her knew the danger in showing mirth in light of Anice's outburst in the hall earlier.
If they only knew... if they only knew.
She wasn't happy for selfish reasons over this delay of the ceremonies, at least not for the reasons that the entire clan thought. She was happy to have more time to look for a way home. Happy to have more time before Alex was forced to take a fifteen-year-old as his wife. Happy to have more time before facing the thought of being entirely alone in a godforsaken medieval village where all the men thought she was fair game. Her body shivered at that thought.
Alone.
All alone.
"Odara? The dough again?" Maggie raised her voice without raising her eyes. From somewhere across the room came the response she expected.
"Aye, mistress, the dough. We need more loaves for the noon meal. The rest of ye get back to yer work." Odara's voice filled the hushed room.
Maggie acknowledged her assignment with a nod and pulled the ever-present basket of dough to her. Rachelle touched her arm lightly.
"I am sorry if I upset ye, Maggie. I thought ye would want to be warned."
"I am upset, Rachelle, but I needed to know Struan's plans. Thank you for telling me."
"What will ye do?"
"I will go home after Alex marries. I told you before that if Alex doesn't want me, I will return to my family." If she only could do it. If it was only as easy as she made it sound.
"Ye wouldna stay and settle here?"
"Here? No, Rachelle, I couldn't live here with Alex married to Anice. I will find a way home." She had to. They had to before this wedding came to pass.
"Find a way home, Maggie? I am sure that Struan will make arrangements for yer travel back home." Rachelle patted her arm again. "He may do this for the clan but ye still saved his son's life. He owes ye at least a way home."
If it were only that easy.
* * *
"I tell ye, Alex, ye should place her in the village now. Do no' wait until the wedding." Brodie swung his sword over his head and around and came at Alex from the side. It was just practice, but only a quick twist to the side left Alex unbloodied.
"Why?" Panting, he lifted the claymore and swung it as he threw himself at his larger opponent. Brodie barely moved back and took the hit on his sword. The weapons clashed and slid down to the hilts against each other. Placing his free hand on the handle, he pushed with all his strength, trying to unbalance Brodie more. The movement worked, and the two warriors rolled head over feet and hit the ground. Alex didn't bother moving. He was struggling just to breathe.
Brodie pushed up into a sitting position and dusted off his face. "I will agree that things were fine afore. But this news from the MacNab put a new look on the trouble. Ye can see the steam coming from Anice's ears, and she willna let this go quietly."
"So, Maggie is to pay because Anice's faither had an accident and canna come now? Come now, Brodie. Does that seem fair to ye?"
"'Tis not fair. 'Tis the way of things here." Brodie thumped Alex on the shoulder and offered him a hand up. "Ye know that, Alex. 'Tis no different than when ye left. The clan comes first."
"Aye, I know. But what about Maggie? She'll be made to suffer if I abandon her in the village now." Alex swiped at the dirt and mud on his tunic and pushed his tangled hair out of his eyes. He couldn't believe he was even talking about this with Brodie.
"Ye do not have to abandon her. Find her a place to live and ye can... visit her there."
"Would it surprise ye if I tell ye that I need Maggie for more than just the bedplay she gives?" The words were out before he could stop them.
"Nay, Alex, I am not surprised. She is a good-looking lass, pleasant to be with, and she enjoys yer company. But Anice will grow up and, with yer firm hand to guide her, soon be the wife ye want her to be."
Alex exploded. Fear of what could happen to Maggie in the village unprotected surged through him and gave him a strength born from anger. He swung barehanded and connected with Brodie's jaw. Pain screamed up his arm into his hand from the force of his blow.
"I do not want Anice as wife. And I do not want Maggie in the village. Now, leave me be."
He had lowered his voice but the sight of Brodie laid low by Alex brought the other men running. Alex pushed through the crowd and trotted out of the gate. The loch seemed the right place for the time being. It would cool his temper and his fist. Then he'd better find Maggie. This was getting dangerous.
* * *
"I guess our relief was short-lived."
Nodding, Maggie put down her mending and walked into his outstretched arms. He rubbed her back and shoulders and then brought his hands into her hair. Untying the lace at the bottom of her braid, he moved his fingers through it, loosening the curls with each stroke.
She leaned back and accepted his kiss, the one that she knew would follow his playing with her hair. In their short time together they already had developed their own rituals. Maggie moved closer to Alex's body, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. His erection was noticeable through the thin shift she wore as their hips ground against
each other. His hands moved down to her bottom and caressed her thighs, pressing her against him.
Their mouths touched, and when he opened to her, she moved her tongue into his, exploring the welcoming warmth he offered. She heard a moan and realized it came from her. He was good at this, and she so enjoyed slow, deep, wet, hot kissing. Seconds, minutes passed, and then the moment was gone. Alex stepped back away from her. A chill invaded in the absence of his embrace.
She touched her mouth and took control of her breathing, gradually slowing down to almost normal. She turned and saw Alex pacing in front of the fireplace. He was worried—probably about all the gossip that moved through the clan today. Instead of going to him, she picked up the plaid that she dropped and wrapped it back around her shoulders.
"Ye were no' at the meal?" He stopped in front of the small fire burning in the hearth.
"No, I brought my meal here."
"Why?"
Still he didn't face her. He stood searching the flames as though the answer he sought was there.
"I think for the same reason you were pacing."
He looked at her with a frown. "I wasna pacing."
"Aye, Alex, ye were." She laughed at his puzzlement. "Anyway, the atmosphere is very tense today, so I thought it would be best to keep myself out of the way."
"Good idea, Maggie. But I fear 'tis too little, too late." He turned back to the fire, moving his hands in front of its heat.
"Did you hear about Anice's tirade in the hall this morning?"
"Aye. Dougal told me about it. He also shared with me the real reason for her outburst. He was overjoyed to tell me what Anice had heard."
"Heard? From who?" Maggie sat on the bed and pulled the brush through her tangled hair.
"Firtha."
"Her, again? This doesn't sound good." She waited as he struggled with the words. Was this the trouble Moira meant in her words of warning?
"When I left Anice at her door last night, I dropped something on the floor. After closing the door, Firtha picked it up and told Anice she would bring it here. She followed me down to the doorway of this room."
Maggie thought about Alex's words after she opened their door last night. She gasped as his words came to mind: "Four more weeks, Maggie. We got a reprieve..."
"Oh, Alex. She heard us?"
"Worse. She saw us kissing and dancing around the room in joy of the news." He walked to the bed. "Firtha was so outraged she told Anice and, weel, ye know the rest of it."
"So, what do we do now?" Even as she asked the question, Maggie knew they needed to talk to Moira.
"I think it's best if we speak to Moira about this. She may be able to help us come up wi' a plan."
"Maybe I should move to the village? Rachelle said that it's what Struan plans soon, anyway."
Her voice surprised her with its calmness. She wanted to scream. For weeks, in spite of the insults and bad behavior aimed at her, she had kept quiet. Knowing the dangers they faced, she had borne the indignity because it was their only way. Hours and hours of intense physical work in the kitchen, days and days of worry and fear. And, always, she was controlled by others. She had done nothing to instigate their newest problem, but she was left to bear the results. She was mightily tired of it.
"Brodie suggested the same thing to me today." Alex rolled his arm and shoulder, rubbing the muscles. By the looks of the bruises on his face and the stiffness as he moved, Brodie did more than just suggest.
"Let's talk to Moira tomorrow, Alex. I can go to the village after the noon meal to see her. Join me if you can."
"Aye, I will try to be there. Now, I am exhausted. Are ye ready for bed?"
Alex peeled off his clothes, dropping them as he rounded the bed. He stood naked before her and she scrutinized him from head to toe and every place in between. He said he was tired, but his body responded to the invitation in her expression. She stood up and ran her fingers over his arms and chest, swirling the dark red curls of hair between her fingers. Standing on her toes, she leaned up and offered her mouth to him. He took it without hesitation.
For a long moment, they ignored all of their worries and lost themselves in the pure pleasure of kissing each other.
"Alex, if you're so tired, maybe we'd best get into bed," Maggie murmured against his lips.
"Aye, lass, that's a good idea." He stepped back away from her and grasped the edges of her nightshirt. A quick raise of her arms, and their completely naked bodies touched skin to skin. He wrapped his arms around her and walked her back to the bed. She molded her body to his: thighs to thighs, belly to belly, chest to chest. She loved the feel of the hardness of his body, all of it. She loved the way he touched and caressed her when they made love. She loved him.
She pulled her mouth from his at the frightening thought. She loved him? How could she? They'd been together for only a matter of weeks and not by their own choice. He was stuffy and regimented and liked order in his real life. He was a warrior and strong and fair and struggling to break out of his self-enforced role while in this life. She looked into his questioning gaze and saw the blue eyes that looked at her with concern.
They reclined on the bed, and he moved to cover her body with his. She gazed into his eyes as he leaned down to kiss her again, his hips settling between her legs and bringing them into closer contact. Aye, Alex MacKendimen of the Clan MacKendimen, I do love you, she thought with dawning wonder and joy. She surrendered to his passion and to her love.
Chapter 34
The first thing that penetrated Maggie's consciousness was the whispering around her. She opened her eyes to see four very stout laundry maids standing around the bed, staring at her. A couple more wore expressions of sympathy, the others envy and disapproval. She scrambled to sit up, pulling the covers to her chin when Anice stalked into the room and shut and secured the door firmly behind her. The rage burning in those Celtic green eyes sent a chill up Maggie's spine, and a knot of dread tightened her gut.
"I've tried to give ye the benefit of the doubt, ye being a Sassenach and all. But I canna have ye putting on airs that ye shouldna be having, and I canna allow ye to mock me in front of the clan. Ye may be the leman of the laird's firstborn and heir, but I am his betrothed and soon to be his wife. As his betrothed, I have been given the run of the castle and control of all of the women in it, even ye."
Maggie began to shake as the serving women edged closer to her. Anice nodded at them. Maggie froze in shock as they grabbed her hands and feet, turned her over on her stomach, and quickly tied her to the bedposts. She craned her neck, trying to see what was happening, but one of the women climbed on the bed and held her head down between two pillows. The maid tied a strip of fabric across her mouth to muffle any sounds she might make and then moved away. Maggie struggled against the leather bands encircling her wrists and ankles. It did no good.
"I have decided to teach ye a lesson now so that we can all live peaceably later and so that ye know yer place, Sassenach. Ye have disrupted the clan and will learn from this."
Anice approached the bed and held out her hand to one of the maids, who placed the hilt of a dagger in her palm. She leaned over Maggie and grabbed her braid, yanking it and Maggie's head back. Without pausing, she cut through the braid and threw it on the bed. Maggie stopped struggling as the sharp blade passed nearer and nearer to her face. Then, Anice hacked at the remaining hair.
Unable to move, Maggie's fear turned to terror. She was tied to a bed by a medieval madwoman and helpless to stop anything that the outraged Anice ordered done to her. Where was Alex when she needed him?
"Now, ye willna be quite so pleasing to look upon, will ye? Mayhap, ye willna keep his attention without yer lovely locks?" Maggie turned as far as she could and watched Anice back away from the bed, straighten her hair back from her face, and press her hands against her skirt, wiping off her palms.
"I am mistress of this castle since Edana's passing, and I am in charge of punishing any servant who does not follow orders or
shows disrespect to their betters. Ye have been disrespectful to me since ye came here, and it will end now. Ye will do as I bid ye to do. To help ye remember, I will give you five strokes. Ye should know I am showing ye mercy by only giving ye five."
Now that Maggie knew what Anice planned to do, she started to scream against the gag. Terror spread through her, her lungs refused to take in air, and her body tightened in anticipation of being beaten. The gag between her teeth muffled most of the sounds she forced out, and only those in the bedchamber could hear her. One of the women leaned over and pulled the entangled covers from her legs, exposing her to the cool air in the chamber.
Maggie turned at the movement and watched in horror as Anice picked up the thick cane and stood next to the bed. She closed her eyes when Anice raised her arm high and brought it down. Maggie screamed and bucked against her bindings. Anice continued with the cane, each stroke burning her skin more than the last. She stopped counting when Anice passed ten strokes. The world around her spun and her stomach gripped and heaved from the pain in her back and hips and shoulders.
She slipped into the darkness swirling around her.
* * *
Anice was out of breath. Her jealousy and anger at this outsider who dared to draw Alex's attention away from her was greatly relieved. As she glanced at the other women in the room, Anice noticed that they averted their eyes from the still form lying on the bed. Disregarding their shamed expressions, she looked down to admire her handiwork. The slut should trouble her no more. Anice gasped and felt the blood drain from her own face as she saw the damage to Maggie's back. Oh, God, what had she done, what had she done?
She had only meant to teach the whore a lesson. But her fury at being humiliated by Alex in front of the entire clan had inflamed her anger and increased her strength. Maggie's back was already bruising and she bled from several wounds. Anice had gone farther than she had intended. What would Alex say to this?
A Love Through Time Page 21
