A Laird for Christmas

by Gerri Russell

  She cared for David, but could she grow to love him? Would he help her forget her first kiss, her first love, and his ultimate betrayal? Jane frowned, forcing the thought away.

  David. Tonight was about David.

  The planet before her eyes was bigger than anything she had seen in the night sky before. The edges of the planet seemed so sharp and almost unreal. “It seems so odd that these stars and planets are here every night and that anyone who looks up can see them, yet they appear so unique and special and intimate through the lenses of your telescope.”

  “Tonight, the heavens are for you.” He shifted her hands once again to the north.

  A million stars appeared, all clustered together. Again her breath escaped her in a rush. “My father told me about the Milky Way.”

  “You recognize it. Wonderful. It was in 1610, through the use of one of the first telescopes, that Galileo Galilei discovered the first proof that the Milky Way was made up of countless stars.”

  David moved her hands again toward the eastern horizon. A large globe appeared. It seemed close enough for Jane to reach up and touch.

  “Is that the moon that appears so big?”

  “Yes, the moon is the brightest object in the night sky but gives off no light of its own. Instead, it reflects light from the sun.”

  “What are the shadows I see?” Jane asked, fascinated with this new look at the moon.

  “Those are not shadows, but craters. Researchers think they were volcanic,” he replied patiently.

  “It is spectacular to the naked eye, but magnified—” Jane could not find the words to describe what she saw. Warmth filled her chest as she continued to study the heavenly bodies. She was happy, truly happy, when only a few hours ago she had wondered if she would ever know that emotion again.

  Impulsively, she turned and stretched behind her to plant a kiss on David’s cheek. “I will remember this evening every time I look at the stars.”

  He moved in front of her, his eyes searching hers. He lifted his hand and ran his finger down her jaw. The gentleness of his touch sent a chill though her. Would he kiss her? Did she want him to? She was not certain as he stared at her with those dark, hungry eyes.

  Then he ran the pad of his thumb over her lips and she shivered at the sensation. The air between them was rife with tension. The force of it took her breath and made her both weak and strong at the same moment.

  Just when she was sure he would kiss her, he lifted the telescope from her fingers and leaned back. The heat in his gaze shifted to pain. “I want to kiss you, Jane. But I will not. If you choose me as your husband, I will bare my soul to you. Not before.”

  Her heart pounded as he stood and started packing the dishes and his telescope away. Their time alone was over and David had appeared to enjoy himself tonight, until the very end. In the last moments it had become obvious that he wanted her, yet she held all the power in this adventure.

  She had the power to unleash each of her suitors’ passions or to deny them. It was more power than she had ever had in her life. Her father and brother had ruled over her. She had been allowed to care for the castle, but not really make the decisions. Not like she would now.

  In that moment, she suddenly realized it was important for her to choose a mate who would allow her to keep that power—make her choices, live by her decisions, and to do what was right for her people.

  “David.” She turned to him, her hands clasped before her. She had to be bold and ask the question she needed answered. “If I were to marry you, would I be allowed to discuss decisions made about the castle and its people with you?”

  His brows drew together as he studied her. “A man’s role is to be the leader and protector of his family. A woman’s place is to oversee the household and the children. Are we to take on different roles than those?”

  Jane tensed at his response. She had hoped to have more of the freedoms she experienced now, but she realized David, or any of her other suitors, would not want to be minimized in his role as laird of Bellhaven. “Can I ask you another question?”

  “Always.”

  “Does it bother you to be one of six men vying for my hand?”

  David clung to the picnic basket, his tension and his response obvious without words. “To be honest, yes. But every one of us knew what we were getting ourselves into when we accepted your aunt’s invitation. For one of us, the hardship will be worthwhile. For the others,” he shrugged, “we will find our way eventually.”

  “But—”

  “Trust yourself and what your aunt has put before you, Jane. In one of us you will find what you need.”

  It was her turn to smile. “Thank you, David, for that reassurance, and for this wonderful night.” She slipped her arm through his. “Shall we join the others?”

  “Only because we must,” he said with a chuckle. He gathered the supplies and the unlit lantern. With only the light of the night sky to guide them, they joined the others to head back into the safety of the castle walls.

  Bellhaven Castle. Just looking at the tall, imposing towers and the pinkish-gray stone brought a feeling of love and contentment to fill her chest. She would do anything for Bellhaven.

  Even marry one of these men, she finally realized. Jane proceeded through the inner bailey to the keep—the core of her home. In order to keep the castle, she only needed one husband.

  One.

  Later that night, unable to sleep, David wandered the hallways of the keep. He cursed himself with every step he took. He should have kissed Jane. Never had he felt the burning of desire as strongly as he had tonight.

  He hated feeling vulnerable. Hated that he wanted her.

  David shook his head. No, he had done the right thing, avoiding that kiss. He could not have taken her lips then forgotten about her later. Once he took a wife, it would be forever.

  David clenched his jaw when he realized where his feet had taken him—just outside Jane’s chamber door. He pressed his hand against the wood and splayed his fingers. Closing his eyes he could imagine Jane sitting atop her bed, could once again see that turmoil in her eyes.

  She hated this game as much as he did. She had a kind and gentle soul, and playing one man against the other was not for her. She was far too level-headed for that.

  Fire pounded through his blood as he continued to imagine Jane on the opposite side of the door. He could almost feel her pain, her indecision. She was usually strong, so capable. He had never met a woman to match her.

  “I choose you,” he had imagined her saying to him tonight.

  He would give anything to hear those words, to have her look at him with desire in her eyes, to want him more than any of the others. He held back a groan as his body tightened. His cheek burned where she had kissed him.

  He clenched his hands at his sides. Right now all he wanted to do was kick open her door and kiss her until she melted in his arms. To have her touch him, hold him, welcome him. But it was not going to happen that way. He sensed Jane holding herself back tonight. She was uncertain where her heart lay.

  No matter. He was not giving up. Not yet. There had been a connection between them once. He could not ask for more than that right now. With a heavy heart, he forced himself to leave her door.

  Looking at the stars had been a good start at turning Jane his way. She was not there yet. He had to think of another way to engage her heart, not just her mind.

  Seven days remained until Jane had to choose a husband and marry him. It seemed an eternity, yet she knew it was not. However, today was not a day for another competition as other things required her attention. Today she needed to tend to the castle.

  She had arranged for the men to spend the morning practicing their sword play. On the walk back to the castle last night, she could feel their restlessness. Perhaps a day of battling each other without her as the prize would help calm their nerves.

  Jane gathered her cloak around her shoulders as she walked through the chill morning air. Her routine each mo
rning was to check on the welfare of her castle. Today, however, she wondered how the serfs were fairing in the winter season. Without them, the castle would have no income. She would deliver gifts of food and coin to each family on St. Stephen’s Day, but she had best start her preparations for that event soon.

  She walked from the keep, across the inner bailey, to the kitchen and bake house, through the inner gate and into the outer bailey. As she walked, she considered what difficulties having sixty extra men in the guard, brought by her six suitors, had fallen to Angus and his men. More residents would no doubt affect Angus’s responsibilities, add expenses to the castle’s finances, create extra workload on the kitchens, and stretch the housing abilities of the servants’ quarters. She had wanted an army, and she’d been granted that wish. Now Jane hoped Angus and the others could manage the extra load.

  Making her way toward Angus to ask him about the burden on the castle, Jane lifted the hem of her gown to keep it from getting soiled. Her low boots crunched in the layer of snow that still lingered despite the past two days of sunshine.

  Jane greeted her people and listened to their needs as she progressed through the castle. She took in the sights that never ceased to fill her with pride—the pinkish-gray stone buildings, the well-kept mews and stable, the well-equipped forge, the outer buildings for the servants as well as the fine stained glass windows of the chapel. She had spent the last two years supervising and often working alongside the servants to wash every corner of the castle and rid it of the foul smells that had once been ever present. Now only the fresh breeze from the forest beyond filled every corner of Bellhaven.

  Jane tipped her face up to the morning sun. The weak rays barely warmed the land, but even so, if she closed her eyes she could immediately see the castle as it would be in the summertime, with its lush gardens and loaded fruit trees. It was under her care and direction that the castle had become both desirable and profitable.

  At the thought, she opened her eyes and her footsteps slowed. The gatehouse stood before her, closed to their enemies. But more threatening at the moment than her enemies were the men who had learned Jane was without protection. The Lord Fairfields of the world were eager to take what they could from an unprotected female. Adding to the danger was Jane’s newly acquire reputation as a woman easily seduced.

  Jane drew in a sharp breath. On unsteady legs, she pushed herself to continue forward on her original mission. She could not undo what Nicholas’s hurtful words had done to her reputation, but marrying one of her suitors would at least help her protect what she valued more than her virginity—her people and her castle.

  Feeling stronger and more in control with every step, Jane proceeded toward where she knew she would find one of her most loyal servants.

  Angus, who served as both steward and bailiff, saw her approach. The overly large man shuffled out to greet her. “Milady. How are ye this fine mornin’?”

  “Can you tell me no one approaches to attack us?”

  He bowed. “I can.”

  “Then I am well and hopeful our situation will only improve,” she replied with a genuine smile.

  “It already has improved.” Angus’s gaze shifted to the open field, where her suitors and their men took up arms against each other in a mock battle. The sound of steel striking steel rang throughout the outer bailey.

  “Yes, but the question still remains, are they enough to keep Bellhaven safe?”

  Angus folded his arms over his chest and nodded. “We’re better off than we were a few days’ past with sixty more men to defend this castle.”

  That much was true. The warriors each of her suitors had brought with them increased their ability to fend off an attack. But it was not the fear of attack that filled her thoughts at the moment. Instead, her thoughts and her gaze shifted to her suitors.

  After a brief conversation about how Angus fared with the extra men in the castle, Jane bid him a good morning. Her gaze still drawn by the men, she hurried to the bastion closest to the open field and entered the stone structure. She made her way up the stairs. At the top of the tower, she moved to the edge, peering through the crenellations.

  Below, the men battled, unaware of her presence. Her suitors sparred, but not with the usual blunted swords. Nay, they used weapons with sharp blades and pointed tips. Jane tensed. What possessed them to take such chances with their lives?

  David and Nicholas were paired against each other, giving and receiving forceful blows with their swords. They were equally matched, she thought, as she watched them move their lithe bodies up and down the field, neither tiring.

  Lord Galloway and Colin fought each other with less fervor. Both had obvious talent. However, neither man seemed to have his heart in the battle.

  Her gaze moved to the two remaining men. For a moment, Jane felt her knees go unsteady beneath her as Bryce came at Jules with a lethal strike.

  Jules managed to block the blow just in time to avoid losing his head. He looked tired, unsteady, and pale.

  Bryce growled and came at Jules again.

  Jules met his sword, held it, but Jane could see the muscles of his arms quiver beneath the strain.

  She held her breath as Bryce forced Jules’s sword down. Her cousin punched Jules in the stomach with his free arm, sending him to the ground. Bryce kicked his side.

  Jules rolled, but he did not avoid Bryce’s booted foot as it connected with his head.

  Jane clutched her hands together and prayed that Jules would find his feet. The man was still too weak from his incarceration to battle the others. She had not considered Jules’s strength when she had sent them off this morning.

  Jane tried to cry out a warning as Bryce raised his sword. Her voice failed her. Her chest tightened. The sword came down, arcing toward Jules’s chest. He did not move, did not react.

  Then Bryce went flying as Nicholas slammed into him. The two men landed in the snow. Bryce’s sword tumbled from his hand.

  Lord Galloway scooped up the weapon, keeping it away from Bryce’s grasp.

  Bryce cried out in rage as he scrambled to his feet.

  Nicholas was up a heartbeat later, just in time to duck a fist aimed at his face.

  Before Bryce got in another punch, David and Colin grabbed her cousin by the arms, pulling him back.

  “Enough,” David shouted.

  Nicholas hurried to kneel at Jules’s side. Jane held her breath until she saw Jules open his eyes. “I am not dead yet,” he croaked.

  A rush of relief filled her. She clung to the stone for support. Then as though sensing her presence, Nicholas’s gaze lifted, connecting with hers.

  He gave her a curt nod, then returned his attention to Jules, helping him to his feet.

  “This is not over,” Bryce called as Nicholas led Jules away.

  “It is over.” Colin jabbed Bryce in the ribs.

  The man doubled over, then tried to shake himself free of the arms that held him. “Let me go.”

  “Only if you promise to cool that hot head of yours,” Lord Galloway said impatiently.

  Bryce shook himself free. “He started it.”

  David strode to stand before Bryce, leaving only a handbreadth between them, his presence intimidating, his body vibrating with authority. “I am ending it. Now leave us.”

  Bryce stepped back and turned away, heading for the inner bailey.

  Jane straightened despite the fact she was suddenly weary. Bryce had always been a melancholic child, but he had never been violent. What had happened to him in the years since she had seen him? Something had to have happened. There had to be an explanation for his anger. Perhaps she should speak with him again and either force him to tell her what disturbed him so, or warn him to check his emotions or leave.

  Right now, however, it was Jules who needed her attention. She never imagined the day would turn to disaster merely because she needed to attend to the castle’s business. Jane retraced her steps back to the keep, stopping near the hearth in the great hall t
o gather a basin of hot water and several strips of linen in case Jules had wounds that needed tending.

  At the doorway to Jules’s chamber, Jane stood and looked at the man who lay in the bed. He was still as death. She entered the room and approached the bed. His eyes remained closed.

  A small candle burned on the small table near the bed. The light was sufficient to illuminate Jules’s face. His lip was bleeding and one eye was rapidly swelling into a purple mass. He was still dressed in his jerkin and breeches, and the others who had helped him were nowhere in sight.

  Jane set the water and linens on the table. She dunked in one strip of linen, wrung out the water, then applied the wet cloth to Jules’s bleeding lip. At the contact he groaned. “Jules?” she whispered as she wiped the blood away.

  “Jane?” he rasped, and opened his eyes.

  “How badly are you hurt?” She lowered herself to the bed, her gaze moving to his torso, his ribs, where Bryce had kicked him. A blossom of red stood out against the silver padded jerkin he wore. She pressed her fingers to his side and her fingers drew back bloody.

  “It is not from Bryce,” Jules bit out.

  Jane stiffened.

  “ ’Tis a previous wound from gaol that Bryce reopened,” Nicholas said from the doorway. He entered the chamber holding large strips of linen and a dagger. Ollie followed behind him and busied himself at the fireplace, adding more logs and coaxing the flames to burn higher.

  Nicholas sat on the bed across from Jane. It took him less than a breath to rip Jules’s jerkin down the front and pull it off his friend.

  At the sight of Jules’s bare chest, Jane’s cheeks warmed until she saw what Nicholas had known all along. The exposed wound started at the base of his ribs and continued around to his back. Nicholas rolled Jules onto his side to reveal his entire back, laced with wounds.

  Jane gasped. “A lashing?”

  At her words, Nicholas tensed. His hands stilled for a heartbeat before he recovered. No doubt seeing his friend in such a state disturbed him. “This wound that starts on his side and goes around his back is the deepest.” He took the wet cloth from Jane’s hand and wiped away the blood. It was immediately replaced by fresh blood.