Before she could do anything else, the door to the chamber was kicked in, and two men stormed into the chamber. Alex was first into the room, and he took one look at Maggie on the bed and roared in fury. One of the women braved his anger and started to untie Maggie's hands and feet from the bedposts.
Maggie moaned as she was released, causing the servant to drop her hands and run from the room. Anice could not move from her spot. Her body shook in fear of Alex's retaliation against her. Only Struan's motion to the door broke her free from her place. She walked as quickly as she could without running. She must hold her head up in front of the clan—she had the right. She had the right. The words became a chant in her mind as she entered her solar and closed the door behind her.
She had the right.
* * *
The laird had followed Alex into the room and remained at the door, watching how his son reacted to this scene. He had tried to warn Alex that he must be wary of shaming Anice with his leman, but Alex had been away from his clan for too long and had picked up too many foreign customs. Anice had behaved as any well-bred Highland lass would. As mistress of the castle, she would see to the women however she saw fit. Although his beloved Edana had ignored his liaisons and the many lemans he had over the years, even she would have been within her rights to strike out as Anice had today.
He motioned to the maid who stood outside the door. He whispered directions to her and she gathered her skirts and ran down the hallway on her errand. The MacKendimen approached the bed. The results of Anice's jealous tirade looked much worse than the injuries really were. Cleaned up, the wench would be sore for a few days, but there did not look to be any permanent damage. By God, Anice and Alex would breed some fiery sons!
"Alex?"
Alex was leaning over the bed, whispering to Maggie. As Struan waited for a response, he observed Alex put his hand on her head and gently rub her shorn head. 'Twas a shame, he thought as he watched Alex's gesture, such a lovely lass.
"Alex!" The laird raised his voice to get Alex's attention. Alex finally stood up and faced the laird.
"I tried to warn ye about Anice's temper and about yer decision to flaunt this woman in her face. Ye know 'tis yer right to have any leman ye want, but ye should probably have waited until after the wedding to bring her to the castle."
Alex's face turned red with barely suppressed rage. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.
"Ye canna take any action agin Anice. Ye must treat her with the respect due to yer betrothed wife. I told Jean to bring some of the men here to take Maggie to the healer's cottage. Moira will tend to your woman's injuries. When they get here, ye are to go back to working wi' the men. Ye need to regain yer strength wi' the sword."
The laird turned and left the room, fully expecting that Alex would obey his orders without question. Struan rubbed his hands together in glee, just contemplating all the brawny bairns he would soon have from Alex on Anice. If only Edana were here to enjoy them.
* * *
Alex sat gently on the end of the bed, trying not to disturb or move Maggie at all. But even the shift of his weight made her moan in pain. It was good that she had not regained consciousness yet. There would be more pain in moving her to the village and in cleaning and tending to the bleeding wounds crisscrossing her back. He rubbed her head again. Let her sleep through this.
Easing her onto her side, he pulled a sheet up and covered her with it. He shook his head in anguish at the scene before him. He could barely believe that just a few short weeks ago, he had lived in another time and place as a mild-mannered accountant. The longer he lived here, the more unrestrained he felt, the more Gaelic warrior he became. And the fury this beating aroused in him made him almost unrecognizable to himself. Yet he knew something more complex than rage was transforming him.
His feelings for Maggie were more than just concern over the beating. More than just friend for friend. At some point, as he watched her struggle to maintain control over her feelings and struggle to fit in, as he watched her dance, watched her sleep, his emotions had deepened in ways totally unfamiliar to him. He... loved her? Shaking his head, he tried to deny it. It couldn't be love, could it? He wasn't looking for love, didn't want it. He had too many other things to accomplish in his life before he let something like love slow him down. He wanted...
His mind drew a blank. He fought to find the words. The partnership? No, that lost its importance long ago when compared to survival here. The money, the house, the car? No, he was happy here with the clothes on his back.
Maggie.
She was the only thing important to him now. Caring for her and keeping her safe from further harm. Getting her well and finding a way home. Keeping her close and loving her. Loving her.
The sounds of tramping feet coming toward the room cut into his thoughts. Looking to the broken door, Alex saw several men with a litter waiting for his signal. To his relief, he saw Jean led them.
"Jean, will ye help me cover her afore they take her?"
Jean stepped into the room. "Of course, Alex." The woman stepped closer to the bed and gasped at the sight before her. She swallowed a few times and then spoke, her words in a whisper.
"What in God's name did she do, Alex? What could Maggie have done to Anice to deserve this treatment?"
"She was with me, Jean. That was Maggie's misfortune. Now, do ye have any ideas about how to make this any easier?"
"Nay, Alex. Mayhap if we dress her in one of your shirts and cover her wi' a blanket? What do ye think?" She looked to him for direction.
"That may work, Jean. Get one of my shirts from the trunk, and we can slide it over her head together."
After much shifting and adjusting, they had Maggie decently covered. It took a few minutes more to get her onto the litter and covered for the journey to Moira's. He started to follow the men when Jean grabbed his arm.
"Nay, Alex, ye canna come to the village. Everyone heard Struan's orders to ye. Struan said to go to the practice yard and ye must."
Alex gritted his teeth again and tried to tamp down his rising anger. He wanted to make sure she was going to be all right. His place was with her, not playing warrior in a practice yard. Didn't Struan understand that simple fact?
"I will walk wi' her and get her settled at Moira's," Jean whispered. "One of the lads ran ahead to prepare Moira about Maggie's coming. I will tell ye how she fares when I return."
Alex stood there, torn between his need to see to her comfort and their need to stay in character and follow the rules. She had been endangered by his behavior already; he could not do it to her again. He looked into the great hall and saw everyone there watching him, waiting for his reaction.
He knew what he had to do, and he did it.
He turned in the other direction and slowly walked to the practice yard. The onlookers parted to let him through, although no one would meet his eyes as he passed by. He didn't know who felt guiltier, he or the clan who stood by and observed.
Chapter 35
There was no way that he could eat this meal. His stomach churned with anger, frustration, and worry. He was supposed to sit here and converse with the witch who had beaten Maggie? While Maggie still lay unconscious in Moira's cottage? He thought not. He scowled at the serving woman who offered him ale. He growled at the one who offered him a platter of meat. He frowned as he watched Struan approach the table. But he stood and nodded at the man in spite of his feelings.
"I can see that yer work in the yards didna improve yer attitude at all, Alex. Yer face and yer grumbling is heard and seen by all here." Struan motioned out at those eating below them.
"I canna pretend I am happy about what has happened. I am not." Alex drank deeply from the mug of ale and held it out for more. "And I am not pleased that ye won't permit me to go to her." He knew he was pushing it with Struan, but he did it, anyway.
"I told ye afore—yer responsibility to the clan comes first, just as mine did all those years ago. When I give the word, y
e may go to her. And," Struan eyed him over the edge of his mug, "that willna happen verra soon."
Alex slammed his mug down, splashing the newly poured ale onto the table and his clothes. He started to rise when Struan grabbed him by the wrist.
"Do not e'en think to defy me. If ye try to, I will send her back to England without a moment of hesitation." Struan's grasp was strong. Alex was forced to stay seated. As soon as he stopped resisting, Struan released him. "Now, here comes Anice. Ye will treat her right or yer leman will pay the price."
"Do not ye think Maggie haes paid enough? Damn ye, Struan, I willna be kept from her." He watched Struan's eyes light with fury. The man might be old but, as he straightened his back and glared at him, Alex knew he'd best pick his fights carefully. Silence filled the hall; the tension palpable. He felt all eyes on him and the scene about to unfold.
"Ye better keep yer head on yer shoulders and mind yer treatment of Anice. 'Tis the last time I will warn ye." Struan had lowered his voice, but the threat was there. Maggie's presence and well-being was contingent on his good behavior. He could not let her down. Her life, their lives depended on his actions. Alex breathed deeply and watched Anice make her way through the hall. As she approached the steps, he left his seat and walked to the edge of the platform. He held out his hand to escort her the rest of the way. She didn't meet his gaze as she made her way to her seat.
It wasn't until she reached out for a goblet of ale that he saw her hands shake. He looked at her face, which she kept bowed, and saw that her skin was pale, very pale. And her lip trembled as she took a drink of her ale. He reached over to move a lock of hair that was loose from her braid and, for an instant, she cringed away from him. He thought he was mistaken until he saw the effort it took for her not to move from his touch.
She was scared! Of him! She must know how furious he was about her punishment of Maggie. Good. Let her stew a bit.
The rest of the meal was pure torture, not only for him but for all in the room. No one dared say much or speak too loudly for fear of touching off an explosion. Struan threw him angry glares but held his tongue. At last, bowls of fruit and wedges of cheese were put on the tables, signaling the end of dinner. To Alex's surprise, or perhaps not, not many of the clan left the room. He smiled grimly to himself. They didn't wish to miss a show. Gearing his throat, he pushed back his stool and stood. With his arm outstretched, he leaned to Anice.
"If I might have a word wi' ye, Anice? In yer solar?"
She was startled by his invitation. Her eyes darted to Struan for guidance. Struan nodded at her.
"Alex?" Struan growled.
"Aye, Faither?"
"Ye heard my words. Do not cross me on this."
"Aye, Faither, I heard ye. I know what I must do."
Anice's head turned back and forth, following their words. He stepped away from the table, taking her with him. His long strides forced her to trot to keep with his pace. When they arrived at the solar's door, she was out of breath. Alex pushed open the heavy door and led her into the sun-filled room. Gazing around the room, he found Firtha standing in the shadows, awaiting Anice's orders. Anice lifted her arm from his, but he grasped it firmly and held her at his side. The servant stepped toward them, bringing her height and bulk as an unspoken threat.
"Ye may go," he said, as he covered Anice's hand with his.
"My lady may have need of me. I will stay." She challenged him with her tone, her stance, and her glare.
"If ye do no' obey me, yer lady will be looking for a new companion. Ye will be sent back to live wi' the MacNab."
"Alex," Anice's voice trembled as she defended Firtha, "she didna mean to question ye. She was trying to help me."
"Anice, she is disputing my authority over ye and her, and I willna stand for it." He would not let a servant intimidate him. "I said to go. Now." He tilted his head in the direction of the entry.
Anice clutched his arm tightly, shaking at the cold fury in his words. The maid finally gave in and ran past the couple and out the door. Alex remained still until he heard the slam of the door. He threw off Anice's arm and strode across the room. When he turned back, she stood, head down, wringing her hands. He waited for her to look at him instead of the floor. After a few minutes of tense silence, she raised her eyes to meet his gaze.
He'd thought long and hard about how to handle this. Although a part of him would feel deep satisfaction from giving her a beating like she had given to Maggie, he knew he could not use force against her. 'Twas his right, but Struan made it clear he should not exercise that particular right until after the wedding. No, violence was not the answer here. Her fear of him and her now biddable appearance told him that the threat of retaliation, especially in full view of the waiting clan, would be enough. Her pride and fear of his violence and her humiliation would keep her in line.
"I am not pleased wi' ye, Anice."
She didn't answer, she just nodded, and her body shook with deeper tremors. He took a step closer to her and heard her loud gasp. Her breath was hitching and the shine of tears filled her wide, green eyes. Another part of him was horrified that he would terrorize this babe of but fifteen years. But she had amply demonstrated that she could be an admirable enemy when she chose to be.
He lowered his voice and growled his words. "I am not pleased wi' ye at all, Anice. After I told ye that I would handle any problems wi' Maggie's behavior, ye chose to ignore my wishes?"
He took a few more steps, and she recoiled from him, still wringing her hands in front of her.
"I willna have a wife who disobeys my word, Anice."
"Alex. I, er... I..." She backed away from his every step until she could move no more. He trapped her against the table in the middle of the room. He raised his hand in front of her as a threat and she lost all color. She sank to her knees on the floor before him.
"'Tis my right, Anice."
"Alex, please do not hit my face," she cried, "please no' my face. Use the rod if ye must, but I beg ye, do not strike my face." She crumpled at his feet, sobbing, clutching at his foot in supplication.
It was a pitiable sight. He had used her fear and pride against her. Even though he knew what Anice had done to Maggie, he couldn't really hurt her in the same way. He reached down and grabbed her shoulders, dragging her to her feet, She was still crying and fought to hold her face out of his striking range. Alex shook her forcefully a few times until she finally raised her face to him.
He gritted his teeth and forced an angry whisper through them. "I willna hit ye, Anice, at least not now." He shoved her away, against the nearby table. "Now, stop this crying and take hold of yerself."
Regaining her balance, she pulled a rag from her pocket and wiped her swollen eyes and drippy nose. She pushed the loose tendrils of hair from her braid over her shoulders and straightened her dress.
"Why not, Alex?"
"Why no' what?"
"Why will ye no' punish me if yer angry about what I did? 'Tis yer right."
"Striking ye willna make things right. Just as ye beating Maggie was wrong, so would my beating ye be."
"I do not understaun, Alex. Afore ye left wi' the king, ye didna hesitate to strike out in anger."
"Things have changed in me since then, Anice. But, if ye continue to defy me, I will give ye the beating I am itching to give right now." He clenched his fists and released them several times in front of her face and watched as she grew paler and paler with each movement. "So have a care and do what I tell ye to do."
"Will ye return her to the castle, Alex? To yer room?" Her voice trembled. She was pushing him, and she knew it.
"Nay, Anice, she willna return here." She stopped sniffling and looked at him expectantly. "But, I will see her in the village when I wish to. Do not think to stop me."
"Aye, Alex, 'tis yer right to that, too." She paused and stared past him for a moment. "'Twas so embarrassing to have her here, under my gaze. Ye hiving her at yer beck and call for all the clan to see. I couldna bear the h
umiliation any longer."
"I will decide who I seek pleasure wi' and where and when I do it. Do no' voice yer objections again." He clenched his fists again, making sure she noticed.
"Aye, Alex, I will do as ye say." She nodded her acceptance, her glance never leaving his hands.
"Now, wipe yer eyes and come back wi' me to the hall. We must show Struan and the clan that ye are still alive."
He smiled grimly as she gasped at his words. She did walk to his side as he ordered. That was a good sign. He placed her arm around his forearm and led her to the door.
"Anice, do no' fear me raising my hand to ye if ye know and stay in yer rightful place. As my wife, I will treat ye wi' the respect ye are due."
He watched her lift her chin and regain her pride as they approached the door to the great hall. Pulling it open, all those who perched near it, trying in vain to hear the conversation on the other side, went running in different directions. They walked into the huge room and came face-to-face with Struan.
"Did ye beat her?" Struan's arms were crossed over his chest, his gaze hard on both of them. Alex turned in time to see Anice blush at his question. She looked back at him for a response.
"No' yet." He paused and glared back at Struan. His bravado was a bluff but his only weapon for now. He felt strong enough in his fighting skills, should Struan challenge him over this.
"No? Ye are a changed mon since yer stay wi' David. Ye surprise us all." Struan stepped aside and slapped him on the back. "Go to the yard now. Four of the clan's best warriors await yer instruction in the long staff. Anice," he pointed across the room, "yer maid awaits yer orders there."
Alex dropped Anice's arm, and she curtsied to him and Struan before walking to Firtha. Then Alex walked away, toward the yard.
He thought he understood Struan now—clan and one's duty to it came first, all else after. Struan upheld the hierarchy of the clan's life, too. Everyone had a place, knew it, and stayed within it. Thank God he didn't have to live his life that way.
A Love Through Time Page 22
