The tension was back and Ban interjected quickly. ‘Children always grow fast, do they not?’
‘So it would seem,’ replied Iain.
His young relatives looked up at him with wide-eyed apprehension for the tallest of them came no higher than his belt. The little girl’s lip trembled. Ashlynn smiled.
‘You are all welcome here,’ she said. ‘Now you are come I see that we shall have great fun this Yuletide.’
The gentleness of her tone seemed to offer reassurance and they began to look a little less anxious.
‘We shall have feasting and music and, if you wish, we shall play some games. Would you like that?’ she asked.
They nodded solemnly.
‘Good. In a little while we shall go in together and you shall tell me what games you like best.’ She held out her hand and after a moment’s hesitation the little girl took it.
Iain watched the scene in fascination. He would never have suspected that she might like children or have such an easy way with them. They seemed to like her too and pressed round her now, clearly sensing safety. Him they continued to regard warily. He supposed it was scarcely to be wondered at. They must have forgotten his existence. Almost three years! The realisation caused an unexpected twinge of guilt. To cover it he introduced his wife and brother-in-law to the various cousins who made up the remainder of the party. When at length that duty was performed he gestured to the door.
‘Shall we go in then?’
Jeannie smiled at Ashlynn. ‘Aye, let’s do that. Then we’ll find a quiet corner somewhere and you can tell me how you had the misfortune to be married to my brother.’
Iain threw his sister a speaking glance which she ignored. Ashlynn began to like her more and more. She caught Ban’s eye and saw him grin. Then they all went in together. After their guests had taken refreshment and been shown to their various quarters, Ashlynn went to inquire if Jeannie had everything she needed.
‘I shall do very well. In truth I had not expected to find such comfort here,’ she replied, looking round. ‘You have made your mark already.’
In fact Ashlynn had raided all the upper storerooms for rugs and hangings and with the aid of Morag and the other servants had put them to use. She had also commanded that fires be lit in the guest chambers some days before, in order to take the damp chill off the air. In consequence the rooms looked and felt much more cheerful. It was pleasing to discover that her efforts were appreciated.
Her sister-in-law gestured to the chair opposite. ‘Will you not sit awhile? Then you can tell me your story for I long to hear it.’
Ashlynn related the main events, leaving out only what was too personal to be shared. As she listened, Jeannie’s face registered horror and sympathy but when it came to the part about the wedding her dark eyes narrowed.
‘Did my brother force you to wed him?’
‘He could not do other than marry me, my lady, since the king commanded it.’
‘Malcolm disposes as he sees fit and always to suit himself,’ replied Jeannie. She eyed Ashlynn closely for a moment. ‘Has my brother treated you well since?’
‘Yes, very well. He has been most generous.’
‘Has he indeed? I’m relieved to hear it.’
‘I have no cause for complaint.’
‘You must be the first person ever to say so.’ Jeannie smiled. ‘But that’s enough of him for the moment. Tell me about your brother.’
Ashlynn explained how she and Ban had been reunited. When she finished there were tears in her listener’s eyes.
‘It is a strange fate indeed that brought you here, but I am so glad it did.’ She paused. ‘Iain and I have been at odds for some time, and I began to fear that our estrangement might never end. It is in part due to you that it has a chance of doing so.’
‘Then I am glad of it. Families should be united.’
‘Aye, they should.’ Jeannie eyes her quizzically. ‘Did my brother tell you the nature of our quarrel?’
‘He said that it concerned Fitzurse.’
‘It is true. What Fitzurse did was cruel beyond believing.’ The older woman sighed. ‘Yet I could not bear to see Iain so consumed by rage and hatred.’
‘I can understand that.’
‘He and I were very close at one time. He was the person I looked up to most. Our childhood was not an easy one and he stood up for me many a time against our father.’
Ashlynn remained silent, listening avidly. She wanted so much to know more about the man she had married.
‘He took some beatings on account of it,’ Jeannie went on, ‘but I never saw him cry. It was as though it had become a point of pride with him not to. When our mother died the situation got much worse. Iain said it was our father’s unkindness that caused her death. Perhaps in part he was right.’
‘I’m sorry to hear it.’
‘He and Father had a terrible row and came to blows as a result. A short time later Iain was sent to France.’
‘But what of you?’
‘I was rescued by an aunt, one of my mother’s sisters. She was ever a kindly soul and her house seemed like heaven to me. The three years I spent with her were among the happiest of my life. It was there I met Duncan. He came courting after that and when I turned sixteen we married.’
‘Did you ever hear from Iain?’
‘He would send word from time to time. It was clear that France agreed with him.’
‘He married there, did he not?’
‘That’s right.’ Jeannie paused. ‘Did he tell you what happened to his wife?’
‘Yes.’
‘It almost destroyed him. I never saw a person so changed. For a while I thought he might run mad. However, he channelled his energies into fighting instead.’
‘That was when he joined Malcolm.’
‘Aye, and began to carve out a reputation for himself into the bargain. He always was a good swordsman and he honed his skill. Those who saw him in battle said he was fearless. As time went on he became involved in a lot of other wild exploits and his reputation grew.’
‘I had heard of it long before I met him,’ replied Ashlynn.
Jeannie nodded. ‘He had learned the value of being feared.’
‘But you did not fear him?’
‘No, I feared for him. I dreaded what hatred and rage might turn him into and begged him to give up the quest for Fitzurse, but he would not and so we quarrelled.’ She sighed. ‘Heaven knows how often I have regretted it.’
‘You did what you thought you had to do.’
‘Yet it got me nowhere and earned his enmity into the bargain.’
‘But surely that is at an end now,’ said Ashlynn.
‘I hope so, for this quarrel has resulted only in tears and bitterness and we have seen enough of that.’ Jeannie regarded her keenly. ‘Perhaps now that he has you my brother will put aside the thought of revenge.’
Ashlynn smiled sadly, knowing she possessed no such influence. Iain was set on a course that could only end in bloodshed and death—for him or for Fitzurse, or both. Nothing she could say would ever change his mind.
* * *
Further friends and relations appeared later that day, braving the weather to make the ride to Glengarron. All were warmly welcomed and, Iain having performed the necessary introductions, all received the news of the laird’s marriage with frank astonishment. Suddenly Ashlynn found herself the centre of attention.
‘She’s a bonny lass and no mistake,’ said Duncan who was standing next to Iain by the fireplace, watching as Ashlynn and her brother talked with Jeannie and some cousins across the room. ‘You’ve done well for yourself there.’
‘I know it,’ replied Iain.
‘I like the brother too. He’s a brave lad if what you say is true.’
‘That he is.’
‘They’ve had a bad time, the pair of them.’
‘Aye, they have.’
‘The rumours are true then. William really is laying waste to Northumbria.’
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‘It’s true all right. Heslingfield was only one of many manors to fall victim to his revenge.’
Duncan shook his head in disgust. ‘It’s indefensible to punish the innocent. The man’s a monster.’ He darted a glance across the room to Ban. ‘What is the lad going to do once he’s fully fit again?’
‘I don’t know. We’ve not discussed the matter as yet.’
‘Well, there’s time enough.’
‘So there is.’ Iain held out his cup to be refilled by a servant. ‘No doubt he’ll tell me his mind when he’s ready.’
His gaze returned to the group across the room, though in truth the only one he saw was Ashlynn. He was glad to see her developing friendship with his sister and gladder still to see her smile and laugh. Today she looked every inch the lady she was. As his eyes lingered on the curves of her slender figure now so enticingly revealed by the new gown, his mind dwelt tantalisingly on what lay beneath. He knew he wasn’t alone in his admiration; he had seen the way the eyes of other men were continually drawn back to her. It did not displease him. Let them look. None would dare to touch: she was his. The knowledge did nothing to diminish his pride.
* * *
The feast that evening was a splendid and sumptuous affair and the hall was filled with conversation and laughter. Iain, watching the succession of dishes appearing from the kitchen could not but be impressed. Once again Ashlynn’s ability to plan and organise surprised him. It was a facet of her personality he had not suspected. Watching her smiling and talking to their guests she looked every inch the lady of the manor. There was no trace now of the boyish imp or the wildcat and yet he knew both were still there. This unpredictability was, he reflected, part of her considerable charm. He never knew what facet might be revealed next and it both intrigued and fascinated him, arousing his curiosity and making him want to discover more.
Keenly aware of that apparently casual regard Ashlynn turned to meet his gaze and saw him smile.
‘An excellent feast,’ he said. ‘You have surpassed yourself.’
His words brought a glow of pleasure and she returned the smile. ‘You must thank the cook for it, not I.’
‘Had it not been for you I doubt we’d have seen anything like this. His imagination seemed not to run much beyond a haunch of venison or a side of mutton before this.’
‘I added a few ideas of my own.’
‘So I see, and I’m glad of it. This board would not disgrace a king.’He paused. ‘Where did you learn all this?’
‘Even Sassenach girls are brought up to know about the managing of a household, my lord.’
‘Who’d have thought it?’
She shook her head. ‘It’s no use. I shall not allow myself to be provoked.’
‘What a pity.’
‘I think you enjoy provoking people.’
‘Only where there’s such a strong element of unpredictability.’
Ashlynn laughed. ‘I hardly think that applies in this case for you know full well that I have a temper and one too easily roused.’
‘Not so. You were ever unpredictable, lass, but as to the rest, you never lost your temper without good cause.’
The quiet tone held no trace of levity and it caught her off balance for, while she felt perfectly capable of holding her own with him in any amount of verbal sparring, it was harder to know how to deal with this.
In the event she was saved the trouble because the musicians struck up and heralded the start of the dancing. Iain rose and held out his hand.
‘Will you honour me, my lady?’
Once again she was caught unawares. However, after a moment she gave him her hand and allowed him to lead her out. Soon the other couples formed around them. Dancing was not an activity she would have associated with him, but it soon became apparent that, for so tall a man, he moved with considerable grace.
‘Where did you learn to dance?’ she asked as the figure brought them together.
‘In France. In my aunt’s house it was de rigueur, just as it was for every page and squire to learn how to comport himself in company.’ He grinned. ‘Six months under her tutelage was enough to knock off the rough edges.’
‘I thought you went there for military training.’
‘So I did, but the two things went hand in hand. Sometimes it was hard to tell the difference.’
Ashlynn laughed. Then the dance separated them again but his words had given her much to think about. The wider reputation of the man they dubbed Black Iain concealed a personality far more complex, and it intrigued her.
When the measure ended her hand was claimed by other partners and he as host invited other ladies on to the floor. She noted that, without exception, they never took their eyes off him, looking up into his face and smiling, clearly hanging on his every word. It was borne upon her yet again that her husband was a very attractive man.
Later, when the musicians took a break, the company demanded the appointment of a Lord of Misrule to lead the future festivities. After some lively banter a youth called Hamish was duly elected. Ashlynn recalled that he was one of Iain’s many cousins. Lord of Misrule was a role he stepped into with ease. His first act was to call for a game of blind man’s buff, a suggestion received with much favour, especially by the younger members of the gathering. Accordingly a blindfold was produced. Then Hamish turned to Ashlynn.
‘As Lord of Misrule I decree that you shall wear the blindfold first, my lady.’
Taken totally by surprise Ashlynn held up her hands in protest but the company would have none of it and in the end she yielded, laughing. The guests cheered. As Hamish fastened the blindfold over her eyes, Iain handed his cup to Duncan.
‘It has been a while since I’ve played this. Let’s see if I remember how.’
To his brother-in-law’s amused surprise he joined the others in the centre of the hall to the general approbation. Ashlynn heard the increased laughter but knew not the cause. Then Hamish spun her round and let go. Swaying a little she regained her balance, edging forward with outstretched hands. She heard rustlings in the straw underfoot as people skipped out of the way, and heard giggling and laughter all about her. For a while she stumbled around and then, unexpectedly, her hands met the woollen fabric of a tunic. Exploring further they discovered a man’s arms and then a pair of broad shoulders. The laughter grew. Suddenly the arms closed round her waist and shoulders and crushed her against a lean hard body. Then a man’s mouth was over hers in a kiss that had nothing of gentleness in it but something quite other.
Taken by surprise Ashlynn had no time to struggle and the hands that had moved instinctively to push him away suddenly lacked the will or power to do so for deep within a treacherous spark awakened and then flamed, spreading like fire through her veins. It was a kiss so blatantly passionate that it drew shocked gasps from the delighted spectators. When eventually he released her there was a moment of complete silence. Then roars of approval shook the rafters of the hall. Breathless and astonished Ashlynn removed the blindfold and stared into her husband’s face. His eyes were alight with amusement. He was also very clearly enjoying her evident confusion. Speechless, Ashlynn relinquished the blindfold to Hamish and, since there was no help for it, allowed Iain to lead her aside. When they were a safe distance from the others she confronted him.
‘You did that on purpose, didn’t you?’
‘That’s right. It’s the point of the game you see.’
The words took her straight back to their wedding day. He had kissed her then for the benefit of others. She hadn’t been able to help her response then either. ‘By God, lass, you play the game well.’ Was this part and parcel of the same thing? Indignation was replaced by hurt and uncertainty.
‘This is all a game to you, isn’t it?’
Amusement faded. ‘A game? What are we talking about here, Ashlynn?’
‘You know full well.’
‘I don’t think I do. Explain it to me.’
‘This…this whole situation.’
>
‘You’re angry because I kissed you in public?’
‘No.’
‘Then why?’
Even as she sought the words to tell him, Duncan appeared beside them.
‘Forgive me, but I need to borrow your husband, my lady.’ He grinned and jerked his head towards the far side of the room. ‘There’s an argument over yonder that would be settled.’
Her heart sank but there was only one possible answer. ‘By all means.’
Iain gritted his teeth knowing there was nothing for it save graceful compliance. However, before he left he fixed Ashlynn with a penetrating look.
‘I’ll be back, my lady, and this discussion will be resumed.’
Sick at heart she watched him walk away. Just when everything seemed to be going well she had alienated him. What had possessed her to say it? Of course it was a game! Why couldn’t she have left it at that? She knew perfectly well where his feelings lay.
* * *
When Iain left her he fully intended to return as promised and have the matter out. However, that was easier said than done. By the time he had settled the argument amongst Duncan’s circle the dancing had started again and Ashlynn’s hand was claimed for every measure. He noticed too that she made no attempt to seek him out or even look in his direction. What had happened to anger her so much? Surely a kiss could not be the cause, no matter how public.
From his vantage point Iain watched his wife laughing and talking with the other guests. To anyone else she would have seemed quite at ease. Iain, looking more closely, was undeceived. He could sense the tension in her. It occurred to him then that what had happened earlier might be due to reasons other than he had initially supposed. She must be missing her home and her family. With her emotions in this fragile state it would not take much to upset her. What was it? How he wished she would tell him. He was so preoccupied with the thought that at first he failed to notice the woman who had come to stand beside him.
‘She’s very beautiful, Iain.’
He looked round and saw Jeannie. ‘Aye, she is.’
‘And charming too,’ his sister went on. ‘She has but to smile to have men eating out of her hand. Women as well it seems.’
‘She has charm and to spare.’
The Laird's Captive Wife Page 17
