Bridgette pressed her lips together. “I was nae aware yer brother had a heart.”
Lachlan had to stifle the laugh that tried to escape. He’d not appear very doting if he laughed at Helena’s expense, no matter how foul her brother was. And the man was foul. A cheat and a liar.
Helena’s eyes narrowed slightly, betraying her anger even as she smiled brightly. “Great leaders dunnae always have the pleasure of being soft,” Helena said in a voice that was barbed yet gentle.
Bridgette looked as if she wanted to say more, but Graham spoke next. “We’re pleased to meet ye, Helena.”
Lachlan forced himself to draw his gaze away from Bridgette, who looked anything but pleased, and back to his brother. “How fare ye?”
Graham’s lips twisted in a wry smile. “I fare as a cripple would, for now,” Graham said gravely before shrugging. “Riding a horse is nearly impossible because of the pain.”
The words punched one by one into Lachlan’s gut. “Graham, I’m verra sorry.”
“Dunnae be,” Graham replied, his voice tense. “I’ll be riding and walking well enough to best ye soon.”
“I’ve nae a doubt ye will. And I can help ye train,” Lachlan offered.
“Nay. I dunnae need yer help.”
Lachlan tensed, though he was used to his brother not accepting his aid. Ever since they were younger and their sister, Lena, had drowned when Graham was supposed to be watching her, Lachlan’s relationship with his brother had been strained. Lachlan didn’t blame Graham for Lena’s death; he blamed himself. He’d teased Graham the morning it happened, saying that Graham was not a good hunter, and Graham had left Lena in the loch alone while he tried to catch a rabbit.
“Ye ken Lachlan is the best rider of all of us. Ye should let him work with ye,” Rory Mac said, drawing Lachlan’s thoughts back to the present.
“I’d be more than glad to,” Lachlan tried once again, hoping Graham would accept but knowing it was a futile hope.
“If I need ye, I’ll ask,” Graham replied dismissively.
An awkward silence ensued, which Rory Mac broke by speaking to Bridgette. “I’ve nae properly greeted ye, Bridgette,” he said, giving her a hug. Lachlan watched, aware of the jealousy surging through him. He could not take Bridgette in his arms as Rory Mac just had. He could not touch her in any way, not in harmless greeting or benign parting. There was nothing harmless or benign about what he felt for Bridgette.
Suddenly, Helena took his hand in hers, and when his gaze met hers, he saw knowledge in her dark, deceptive eyes. He’d have to be very careful around her, especially when it came to Bridgette. He suspected that surrounded as he was in a castle full of people who had known him for years, Helena—a stranger—might see what others did not.
Bridgette cleared her throat. “Graham, should nae ye rest now?”
The concern in Bridgette’s voice made the already-unwelcome jealousy flow faster through Lachlan.
Graham chuckled. “Bridgette does worry over me so, but I like it.”
Lachlan forced a smile. “Do ye need aid returning to the castle?”
Irritation flashed in Graham’s eyes. “Nay. Bridgette will help me.”
Bridgette immediately slipped her arm around Graham’s waist once again. As they turned away, Lachlan’s chest tightened. Suddenly, Bridgette turned back, her gaze coming to rest on Lachlan, then Helena. “I did nae offer my congratulations. I’m sorry.”
Helena beamed. “We shall be as family in spite of ye nae marrying my brother! How strange fate is!”
Lachlan had memorized Bridgette’s happy smile long ago, and the one that came to her lips now was forced. Did she sense something odd in Helena? Or perchance it was simply that Helena was Colin Campbell’s sister, and Bridgette disliked the man that had tried to force her brother to marry her off, despite the fact that she did not want to marry Colin.
“Certainly,” Bridgette replied before turning and walking away with Graham.
Hunger ripped through him as he watched her retreating form. What he felt for Bridgette was a mad sort of lust.
Lachlan watched as Bridgette and Graham made their way slowly through the crowd. He did not blink, nor move, nor breathe until they disappeared.
“Ye’re staring at that woman,” Helena said evenly, her voice displaying only a hint of anger. It occurred to him that these words were likely the first honest ones she’d spoken to him.
Lachlan met Rory Mac’s amused gaze and then looked at Helena. “She’s a beautiful woman,” he said simply.
“I’m a beautiful woman,” she replied with ire.
Rory Mac let out a cough that did not fully cover his muffled laughter. Lachlan shot his friend, who believed Lachlan had temporarily bound himself to Helena out of lust, a warning look.
“Ye are, lass. More beautiful,” Lachlan added.
A smirk came to Helena’s lips. “Now ye’re lying.”
He quirked his eyebrows. “What makes ye say such a thing?”
She pressed a finger to his bottom lip, looked as if she was about to admit something, and then gave a false laugh. “Because I have eyes. Bridgette MacLean is the sort of beauty minstrels sing about. My brother said so and I did nae believe him, but he was right.”
“So are ye,” Rory Mac said.
Lachlan frowned as he thought of what Helena had just said. He despised the thought of her brother fantasizing about Bridgette, but more than that, he wondered if Helena being here could have something to do with Bridgette. Tension radiated through him causing knots in his shoulders and neck. He didn’t believe for a breath that the Campbell laird really wanted a union between Lachlan and his daughter, but he knew the man had wanted a union between Bridgette and Colin. The Campbell was cunning and knew that such a union would mean Alex, as Bridgette’s loving brother, would not wish to raise forces against the Campbell if the king ever requested it.
Was Helena here to get information from Lachlan, or was she here to somehow help Colin wed Bridgette? Or was it both? Until he knew for certain, he would need to keep a very close watch on Bridgette.
The idea of having an excuse to observe her both excited him and made him fearful. He would need to guard her from a distance, so as to keep the temptation she presented away.
Lachlan knew Colin was traveling with King David and that the king was making his way here, and suddenly Lachlan had a deep, uneasy feeling about it. He glanced at Helena. Somehow he had to get the information he needed from her. “I imagine yer brother was verra angry after Bridgette refused his offer of marriage. Yer father, as well, I suspect.”
A flash of fear appeared in Helena’s eyes before it was gone. She stared steadily at him, proving she was quite adept at recovering from her stumble. “Och, nay. Allegiances are made and broken every day.”
“That belief does nae bode well for our allegiance, does it?” he said, studying Helena for her reaction.
She fidgeted with her gown. “I dunnae mean us, of course,” she replied sweetly, offering a smile that did not reach her eyes. “I’m verra tired.”
He imagined she was. Being deceptive was rather exhausting.
“Are ye, lass?” he asked mildly.
She nodded. “I’m sure ye wish to visit yer clansmen. Would ye mind a servant showing me to a bedchamber?”
He noted that she’d not said his bedchamber, and he was glad of it. He’d get no rest if he had to be on constant guard with her in his room.
He caught one of the servant’s attention, a girl called Lillias who often flirted with him but with whom he had never dallied. He waved her over. “Lillias, this is Helena Campbell. We’re pledged to marry.”
Lillias gaped at him, then her mouth set into a pout. He tugged a hand through his hair, aware of Rory Mac grinning like a clot-heid beside him. “Will ye show Helena to a guest bedchamber?”
“Aye, my lord.”
As the two women turned and started to walk away, Lillias suddenly looked back at Lachlan and winked before batting her e
yelashes at him and continuing on her way.
Rory Mac burst out laughing. “It seems Lillias still wants ye in spite of ye being pledged to marry Helena.”
Lachlan rubbed at the knots in his neck. “So it seems,” he replied, distracted by trying to determine how he could get information from Helena.
“What’s the matter?” Rory Mac asked, suddenly serious. “Are things unwell with Helena?”
Lachlan shrugged. The fewer lies he told the fewer lies to remember.
Rory Mac snorted. “I told Iain something about her made me uneasy.”
Lachlan froze. Did Rory Mac suspect something?
“Is she nae willing in the bed?” Rory Mac continued in his usual bold manner.
Lachlan grasped the excuse Rory Mac had offered. “She’s nae the warmest of lasses.”
Rory Mac motioned in the direction Lillias and Helena had gone. “Ye should break the pledge to Helena then and take what Lillias so clearly wants to give ye.”
He could not break his vow yet, nor did he wish to take what Lillias had to offer. The truth was that since Bridgette had come to Dunvegan as Marion’s guest, he had not had the slightest desire for another woman. It was a problem for which he had no solution. All he had was a constant ache to touch Bridgette, which was going to be his undoing if he did not master it soon.
Rory Mac snickered. “Ye learned to ignore what’s been said to ye from me, ye ken.”
“I ken,” Lachlan said with a chuckle, glad Rory Mac was not pushing for answers that would force Lachlan to lie to his friend. “And I thank ye.”
Three
The moment Bridgette parted ways with Graham on the castle stairs the emotions she had been repressing overcame her. Her legs gave, and she slapped a hand against the stone wall as she slid to her bottom and landed on a step.
Lachlan was bound to another woman…
The thought crashed around in her head, making it and her heart hurt. Her vision blurred with unshed tears that she blinked desperately away. She would not cry! She fisted her hands in her lap as a sense of hopelessness and loss clawed at her.
Fool, her mind hissed.
She nodded to herself. She was, indeed, a fool. She’d thought she had accepted that a future with Lachlan was lost to her forever, but clearly she had not truly done so.
“Bridgette! There you are!”
Bridgette looked up into the beaming face of her dearest—and really only—female friend, Marion. She scrambled to her feet and hugged Marion to her. “I’m verra glad ye are safe! I was scairt for ye!”
Marion returned Bridgette’s fierce hug. “I must confess I was rather afraid, too, but I knew Iain would come for me.”
Bridgette untangled herself from her friend. “Ye look well,” she said, meaning it. Marion was as lovely as ever, despite having been in captivity in England and then having to follow King David around Scotland and then having to return first to England before coming directly home.
Marion’s hand moved to her belly, and a smile came to her lips. “We are well,” she whispered.
Bridgette gasped. “A wee bairn is coming?”
“Yes, but shh! I’ve only just become certain, and Iain does not yet know. I intend to tell him tonight, so it must be our secret for now,” Marion said in a hushed tone.
“I will,” Bridgette instantly replied, keeping her voice equally low.
Marion grinned. “Ye will be Auntie Bridgette!” she whispered.
Bridgette laughed. “I’ll be pleased to be called Auntie Bridgette by yer bairn.” She stilled, realizing she would truly be an aunt to the child if she became Graham’s wife. Some of the joy of the moment fled.
“What is it?” Marion asked, concern filling her voice. “You look suddenly sad.”
Marion was the only one who knew that Bridgette had harbored affection for Lachlan for years. She locked gazes with her friend. “I met Helena,” she said quietly.
Marion’s shoulders slumped. “I’d hoped to see you first and tell you so that you would be ready.” She moved to the step Bridgette stood upon and took her by the elbow. “Come. Let us have this conversation in my bedchamber where we can speak freely.”
Bridgette nodded, and they quickly made their way to Marion’s bedchamber. Once Marion shut the door, she turned to Bridgette. “All hope is not lost! It’s only a pledge to marry, and you know they can be broken as long as—” Marion’s cheeks pinked. “As long as they don’t join.”
Bridgette sighed and shook her head. “All hope is lost. Nae that there ever truly was any. Lachlan never once gave me any hint that he cared for me.”
“You shared that kiss in the woods!” Marion protested.
“One kiss four years ago dunnae assure a great love match. My head has kenned it for some time, but my foolish heart refused to accept it.”
“I don’t agree at all,” Marion said. “I simply cannot understand why Lachlan decided to pledge to marry Helena if they suit. It was very odd and sudden, and they will not suit.”
Bridgette snorted. “I imagine his decision had to do with her beauty.”
Marion shook her head. “If that was the only reason, then Lachlan would have tried such a thing long ago with one of the many lovely lasses that fawned over him.”
Bridgette’s stomach knotted. “Perchance he has fallen in love.”
“No. I’ve watched them. They are wary with each other, very guarded.”
Bridgette was curious, though she knew she ought not to be. “What does Iain say?”
Marion scowled. “Not much. He said the Campbell proposed it and Lachlan agreed.”
“That’s all he has said?”
“No.” Marion’s scowl deepened. “He said it was none of our concern, so I needed to stop prying and to let things happen as they may.” An affronted look crossed Marion’s face. “As if I would meddle!” She suddenly cocked her head as if she just recalled something very important. “Iain told me the extent of Graham’s injuries and that you stayed by his side the whole time Iain was here preparing to depart for England to rescue me. Iain seems to think you care for Graham and that you will marry him.” She gave Bridgette an expectant look.
“Is this ye nae meddling?”
Marion arched her blond eyebrows. “I know well you hold no tendre for Graham because Lachlan has your heart!”
Bridgette tensed. “I hope ye did nae tell Iain that.”
“It is not my secret to share, but he has eyes. He will see!”
“He’ll nae see because I will show nothing. I’m going to forget Lachlan and marry Graham when he is well.”
Marion’s mouth parted in surprise. “Bridgette, you cannot! Your heart belongs to Lachlan.”
“Shush! Dunnae say that ever again. Graham almost died trying to save me! I owe this to him.”
“You owe him your thanks,” Marion responded. “Not your future. You do not love him.”
“I will grow to,” Bridgette said, hoping she sounded sure, though she was anything but. “I dunnae wish to argue with ye. Lachlan is pledged to Helena, and even if he were nae, he dunnae have special feelings for me.” Marion opened her mouth to reply, but Bridgette kept talking to make Marion see the truth as Bridgette now saw it, as she needed to accept it. “And even if there were nae this pledge and Lachlan declared he worshipped me, he’d nae act upon it and hurt his brother, even if Graham did nae make known his feelings for me. Ye ken that as well as I do.”
“I know that’s all true,” Marion said, “but I simply know you and Lachlan should be together!”
The bedchamber door swung open and Iain strode into the room, saving Bridgette from having to respond. The tall, muscled Scot stopped mid-stride and blinked at Bridgette and then his wife. Love and heated longing filled his blue gaze as he stared at her. Bridgette stifled a giggle at his obvious lust for Marion. They likely had not had much time alone in the last two months, traveling as they had been with such a large party and a demanding king.
Bridgette cleared her throat. “It�
��s good to see ye, Iain.”
He dragged his gaze away from Marion and smiled at Bridgette. “I’m glad to see ye, as well. I’ve just come from talking with Graham.”
Iain’s stare turned inquisitive, and she shifted with unease. The man was keen. She feared he might see the truth of her heart on her face as Marion had insisted. “Graham said that he told ye he intended to ask ye to marry him when he is well.”
“Aye,” she said slowly, wondering where this was leading.
Iain cocked his head to the side. “I did nae ken ye held affection for Graham. I’m surprised I missed it. I’m usually verra mindful.”
Bridgette shot Marion a pleading look, and Marion rushed to Iain’s side and slipped her arm through his. “If you’re so observant, then you should know I want to be alone with you this instant.”
Iain grinned down at his wife. “Ye ken my greatest desire is to please ye always.”
Bridgette made haste around Iain while his attention was on Marion and started through the door to make her escape.
“We can finish this discussion later, Bridgette.”
“I can hardly wait,” she muttered, slipping out the door and making her way to her own bedchamber.
When she was in the privacy of her room, she flopped onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling. How had things become so tangled and different from what she had always dreamed? She could not imagine being Graham’s wife, nor living near to Lachlan and the beautiful Helena. She squeezed her eyes shut and huffed out a long breath. She had to make her heart accept what her head knew was so. She and Lachlan would never be.
Later that night, the noise in the great hall roared around Bridgette. Graham’s arm rubbed against hers as he turned to talk to Rory Mac about the battle in England. A wistful note filled Graham’s voice as he asked questions about how the battle had been won and what tactics the English had used against the MacLeods. Bridgette shoved the food on her plate around with a fork, not hungry in the least despite the fact that she’d eaten nothing but a hunk of cheese today. Her stomach was like knotted twine ever since she’d seen Lachlan, and she could not get the unsettled feeling to leave her.
Wicked Highland Wishes (Highlander Vows: Entangled Hearts Book 2) Page 5
