by Ria Cantrell
Once his old nag was stabled, Hugh followed the laird into the keep. If he thought it would have decayed with time, he was grossly mistaken. The place was in magnificent shape and the busy castle folk seemed to scurry purposefully about like bees in a hive. Caleb certainly had amassed loyalty among the people since Donal’s demise. Hugh felt a pang of jealousy knock at his heart at that thought. He should have been one of those dwelling within but he had given that all up long ago. He blamed himself a bit, but mostly he blamed old Donal. T’was easier to lay his regrets upon the will of another and over the years, Hugh had allayed his own guilt by heaping responsibility of his deeds on Caleb’s father. Gritting his teeth from both pain and growing ire, Hugh stumbled his way behind Caleb into the main hall of MacCollum.
Standing near the arched doorway, Hugh thought he was looking at a specter. It was the Hag! How was that possible? She had been nearly ancient when he had last stepped foot on MacCollum land, yet here she stood looking the same as the day he left. It was ungodly! She glared at him with those knowing silver eyes and Hugh almost wished he could turn tail and run. The old witch could always tell things about a man; even things he did nay wish to admit. He was pretty certain that t’was her prompting that set Donal against him all those years ago. Aye, he had struck his woman but t’was a man’s right. The hag had seen to his wife’s bruising and it was after that when Donal sent him from his home.
Hugh felt a shiver tingle through his blood that had nothing to do with the biting cold outside the castle doors but everything to do with the frosty stare of the woman he hated more than Donal.
Her voice crackled with disgust as she addressed him. “Hugh MacCollum, I’d nay thought ye’ would dare to show yer’ face here again.”
“No thanks to ye’, Morag. By the saints, I’d have thought ye’ to be long dead by now.” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them and he instantly regretted speaking them.
Caleb turned on Hugh and he said, “Dunna’ think to speak to her like that again, Hugh, or ye’ shall find yerself tossed out once more. Need I remind ye’ that ye’ are nay a welcome guest here. I dunna’ care if ye’ turn into a frozen block of ice. Morag is our chatelaine and healer, as ye’ may recall. She is honored and respected among the clan, which is more than I can say for ye’. ”
Hugh grumbled a cursory apology that was barely audible. He had to be more careful. Perhaps he had underestimated the softness of the laird, after all. He had not bargained that the hag would still be alive, let alone elevated to chatelaine. It seemed impossible, but here she stood, with her accusatory glare pinning him with the guilt she foisted upon him all those years ago. Hugh was sure it was unholy, to be certain. What witchery had she conjured to walk the earth so long. T’was downright unnatural! Hugh had not given much thought to having to face the old witch now, after so many years. That was one thing he had not bargained for.
Morag turned, scowling toward Caleb. “What lies did this foul creature tell ye’, Caleb, to gain entry back into MacCollum? Donal would spin in his grave to see this sorry lot back on MacCollum soil.”
“He has appealed to our sense of hospitality and I would nay be true to myself, Morag, should I deny him. We, do after all, welcome even strangers through our doors. But make no mistake, woman, I have not opened my arms to embrace him.”
With her expression darkening, Morag narrowed her silver eyes and she said, “Suit yerself’, Caleb, but beware of the viper in the nest.”
“Worry not, Morag. Hugh MacCollum knows well that his stay here is tenuous and that he must be on his best behavior, else, he shall be sent out.”
Hugh shifted the weight from his dead leg to the other. He schooled his features to not show how much he simmered at the way the hag and the laird discussed him as if he was not even standing before them. It fueled his resolve and if the promise of gold was not enough, the satisfaction in helping the MacKenzie to lay the high and mighty MacCollums low would be an added prize.
Chapter 26
Sinead sat quietly eating some fresh bread and a piece of cheese. She had thought that no one would really pay her much mind if she was among those in the great hall taking a meal. She had scanned the many people that came in and out, not admitting to herself that she hoped to see Jamie among those who were passing through. When she did not see him, she found a space at a trestle table with not many others using it so as to not draw too much notice and to not engage in conversation that would mark her as different. She had been left to fend for herself for a bit and after spending a good amount of time exploring the many precious treasures and prizes hidden within the keep, Sinead followed the delicious aromas of baking bread back to the feast hall. When she noticed people eating, she imitated what some of them had done and got her little lunch. She tried not to be too obvious as she observed those around her, but if truth were to be told, she found herself fascinated with the inhabitants almost as much as the treasures of the medieval castle itself.
As she bit into the cheese and enjoyed the freshness of it, a gorgeous hunk of a man sat next to her. He offered her a smile and she nodded with a beam of her own. She could feel herself blush and she realized this was one of Jamie’s brothers. He extended his hand to her and he said, “I know we met briefly, but we have nay been properly introduced. I’m Shawn, m’lady.”
“Nice to meet you, Shawn. No, we did not have time, I guess, for introductions.”
Shawn laughed and said, “Nay indeed. T’was a brave thing ye’ did.”
“I don’t know how brave it was as it was stupid. Besides, it’s not like I had much of a choice in the matter.”
“Nay, m’lady. T’is true. Ye’ seem to have been dropped upon us like an angel.”
Sinead felt the blush in her face deepen. Part of it was because these MacCollum men were dangerously handsome and despite Sinead being a strong, independent woman, the sight of a gorgeous man could still fluster her. While she seemed to be solely attracted to Jamie, his brother was not hard to rest her eyes on. Hell, they were all so damned disarming, right on up to their father Caleb. Sinead leaned in toward Shawn and lowered her voice, saying, “Perhaps we should keep it quiet how I came to be here. I am very certain that it would cause quite a stir.”
“Aye, m’lady.”
“Sinead. Just call me Sinead.”
“Sinead, it is then. I know ye’ were hurt during our…uhm, departure. I hope ye’ are not in pain.”
“It’s manageable. I’m going to be just fine.”
“I’m glad. I worried ye’ were in a bad way.”
“I’ll be alright, but thank you.”
Shawn cut off a piece of meat and speared it with the tip of his knife. Holding it out for Sinead to take, he winked at her. She liked Shawn. He was not as serious as the other two brothers she had actually met. Jamie seemed to carry the weight of the clan on his shoulders and the one called Ruiri was plagued with grief, as Morag had explained when she told Sinead about his tragic loss. Shawn was friendly and Sinead suddenly relaxed. She could get used to the transparency of medieval men. There were no games and ruses. What you saw was what you got; at least it seemed so with these MacCollum brothers.
“I hope ye’ dunna’ mind me sittin’ with ye’.”
“Not at all. I could really use the company. I am trying to stay out of the way, so to speak but it is very nice to actually sit and talk with someone.”
“Well, then I am happy to have this time to get acquainted. Do ye’ like it here? I mean I am sure t’is nothin’ like the place ye’ have come from.”
“It is beautiful. Simple yet magnificent. I am quite enchanted, I must admit. I just hope that I can stay rather invisible for a while so as to not cause any more trouble to your clan.”
With a roguish grin, Shawn said, “That would be quite impossible, lass. Why, besides yer’ beauty, all these here know their own. T’is not every day that we have unknown visitors, especially in the dead of a winter storm.”
Sinead smiled at his
compliment. Maybe medieval guys were great flatterers after all. She brushed off his honeyed words and said, “Yeah, I worried about that, but I guess if I just keep a low profile, er, I mean just try to not get too much notice, it will all be alright.”
“Again, I say, m’lady, ye’ are nay easy to turn an eye from.” Shawn took Sinead’s hand and kissed it politely. Sinead thought she could also get used to the sweet courtesy that men showed to women. It was better than in the books she had read, to be certain.
Without warning, Shawn found himself pulled off the bench and he scrambled to keep his balance. He came face to face with his brother who looked murderous. Sinead’s mouth hung open as Shawn righted himself and backed up slightly as Jamie fairly growled, “Dunna’ think to touch her.”
His words registered and Sinead was quick to rise to her feet. She faced Jamie and she pushed against his chest with both hands. It was almost like pushing against a stone wall. Still, she was undaunted and she cried, “What is wrong with you? He didn’t do anything.”
“I saw him kiss yer hand.”
“He was just being nice. What is your problem?”
“Do ye’ kiss one brother and then entice the other?”
Sinead’s felt herself flush crimson, but not because she was embarrassed. She was livid. “I have done no such thing, you big jerk. Shawn was just being nice to me. How dare you?”
“Shawn, leave us.”
“As ye’ wish, brother.” Shawn gave a mock bow to his older brother and he took his knife still speared with the morsel of meat upon it, his hunk of bread and he sauntered off, seemingly unaffected by the embarrassing display by Jamie MacCollum. Shawn was probably used to Jamie’s temper. Sinead wasn’t sure, but almost thought she heard Shawn chuckling as he left. Sinead was not as amused.
Sinead pushed Jamie again. So much for being invisible! He grabbed her wrist and she broke free of his clasp. “Take your hands off of me! You have no right.”
Sinead was about to stalk off when she turned back and said, “I did not try to seduce your brother. Even though you have rejected me does not mean that I would immediately try to get your brother into my bed. You don’t know anything about me, Jamie MacCollum.”
“I did nay reject ye’, lass.” His answer was spoken so softly, Sinead was not even sure she heard him correctly. If she took a moment to think about it, actually, Sinead would realize that what Jamie had done in his medieval demeanor was to claim her. He had done it in front of the people in the great hall. Sinead felt her cheeks flaming at the knowledge of just what he had shown by his actions. She looked around and saw some people gawking at them only to quickly look away to not seem to be staring at the little embarrassing scene.
She grabbed Jamie by the hand and pulled him with her. “Come with me. We need to talk and I don’t want to put on any more of a show for your clan.”
Sinead was so determined in her mission, that Jamie was hard pressed to keep up with her and her grip on his hand was almost painful. The feisty lass had strength and Jamie admired it, though he would not admit it.
Sinead led Jamie into a corridor and she scanned the hallway for a private place where they could speak candidly. She was pretty sure she was not going to be a soft spoken little wallflower and she had quite a bit she wanted to say to the likes of Jamie MacCollum. In fact, she fully intended to give him an earful he would not soon forget.
When she had found a suitable alcove, she dropped Jamie’s hand and she turned to face him. “You made it very clear, Jamie that you do not want anything to do with me.”
“I dunna’ think I did that, lass. T’was ye’ who told me that….”
Sinead put her hand up and said, “Don’t even try it. I was not the one who pushed me away after kissing me. You were quite adamant that kissing me was a mistake. So you have no right to stake your claim or whatever you think you are doing.”
“Do ye’ fancy my brother?”
“No, you big jerk. He is handsome, that is true, but he was only being cordial. I have no interest in your brother. I don’t even know him. I only met him today before you acted like a big stupid turd.”
“Turd?”
“It means dung.”
“I know what it means, lass. I just did not think ye’ thought of me that way.”
“Well, I’m sorry. I suppose that wasn’t very nice. But you were being a complete and total….”
“Arse?”
Sinead looked up into Jamie’s face and saw the first indication of a grin forming on his delicious lips.
“Well, now that you mentioned it, yes.”
Jamie faced the little hellion that had stood up to him without the slightest indication of fear and he had to admit that he liked that, too. She was quite an enigma, but Jamie could not help but admire her fortitude and strength. Even though she was a good head and shoulders shorter than him, she stood her ground like one of equal stature. “I apologize, lass. I have been as ye’ have so graciously pointed out, an arse and a turd. It’s just that when I saw ye’ with Shawn…I lost my sense of reason.”
“I don’t want Shawn. You must know that.”
“No?”
Sinead shook her head. “No, Jamie. I came for you. I don’t know why or how, but it was your call that brought me here.”
“I did nay call fer’ ye’, lass.”
“Fine! Whatever.”
He could see Sinead was still in a right snit and he sighed. Even if he had not called for her, he would be lying if he had not been pleased that she somehow had made it to that snowy glade. He said softly, now as all the fight had gone out of him, “I dunna’ remember callin’ fer’ ye’…but I am glad that ye’ answered.”
“What are you saying?”
“That I am, well, that I am grateful for what ye’ did to warn us.”
“Is that all, Jamie? Just that you are grateful for a warning?”
“I think ye’ know what I mean.”
“Do I? There is very little I understand about things here. I certainly don’t understand you. First you kiss me, and then you push me away and then you act all jealous when you think I am flirting with your brother. Perhaps if you spoke plainly, I would come to understand.”
Jamie gently reached up and fingered strands of hair that fell about Sinead’s cheek. She had the face of an angel. He swallowed deeply and he said, “I am more than grateful that ye’ came to warn me of the danger. I am glad that ye’… that ye’ are….”
“That I am here, Jamie? Are you glad that I am here?”
As he looked into her eyes, Jamie knew he could not lie to her and so he nodded, for it was the truth.
“Oh. Well then…that sort of changes things, doesn’t it?”
Jamie let the hair he had touched sift through his fingers and he said, “Does it? I dunna’ know how it can change anything. Glad or no, I canna’ marry ye’.”
Sinead’s eyes opened widely in surprise. “Who said anything about marrying me? Are you out of your mind? We barely know one another and have shared one; count it one freaking kiss. What makes you think I want to get married?”
“All lasses want to marry, but I am not....”
Sinead stopped him cold and said, “Hold on a minute. All lasses don’t want to always get married. And I get it. You’re not the marrying kind. Been there, done that. Just so you know, no one asked you to marry me. God, men! All the freaking same. It doesn’t matter what century they live in, they are all the same!” The last she railed out loud to no one in particular.
“Listen, you big jerk, you can’t have it both ways. You can’t act all possessive and claim me like some cave man and then vow to offer nothing, even when I didn’t ask you for anything.”
“Haven’t ye’, lass. Ye’ came all this way. Ye’ must expect something. I want ye’, lass. I would be lyin’ if I claimed nay to, but I canna’ offer ye’ more and I dunna’ want to make ye’ my leman.”
“Leman? You mean lover?”
“Aye.”
Forget
ting that she wasn’t in modern times, Sinead met his gaze and she said, “Why not, Jamie? I am not asking you for more.”
“I dunna’ wish to compromise ye’.”
Sinead laughed bitterly. “Compromise! Oh that’s right. I forgot a woman’s worth is by her virginity. How foolish of me to forget.”
“Is it not so where ye’ are from?”
“Hardly.”
Jamie’s eyes seemed to darken and the hard-earned grin dissolved in an instant. He spoke the words that he had been afraid to say, but could now no longer hold off. “Are all women from yer’ world harlots?”
Sinead did not know why that label would wound her so since she knew she was not a whore. One lover certainly would not classify a modern girl from New York as a whore, but the accusatory way in which he said it was insult enough.
“We are not whores, Jamie.” Sinead suddenly felt ashamed of her very uneventful past. She had really only been with her old boyfriend and surely she had not thought of herself as a loose woman, but Jamie’s obvious judgment of her was like a stinging slap. Instead of succumbing to the feeling of shame, Sinead lifted her chin in defiance and she said, “Double standards! Again, the same in both worlds. Let me ask you something Jamie MacCollum! I take it you are no virgin.”
“Well, nay, of course not.”
“Of course not! Takes two to tango. But of course, the woman is the whore. Unreal!”
Jamie did not understand what the word tango meant, but he gathered her meaning from what she had said after it. She was right. He had not thought of it before. For men to lie with women, women had to lose their holds on their innocence.
Sinead stepped back from him and she said, “It’s best that we end this now, Jamie. I’m not the right woman for you. We are too different and I can’t gain back what I have already lost. You will never understand or forgive me for it and I will forever be a tainted woman.”
“Wait lass…were ye’, well were ye’ raped?”
