The Bedeviled Heart (The Highland Heather and Hearts Scottish Romance Series)

by Carmen Caine

  Glancing around the room, she knew she was viewing Cameron’s handiwork, and the tears she had refused to shed slid freely down her cheeks.

  Why had she found Cameron only to lose him?

  Why was fate so cruel?

  Slowly, she backed out of the chamber and softly closed the door. Resting her head upon the door a moment, she wiped the tears from her cheeks and took a deep breath.

  Returning to Princess Anabella’s chambers, she ignored her pallet spread next to the sleeping Lady Nicoletta and instead spent a sleepless night, sitting at the window and staring out into the darkness.

  The princess did not call for her the following morning but instead set out for the daily feast with her dog and two other ladies in tow, leaving the remaining ladies-in-waiting to stay in her chambers.

  Time crawled.

  Kate moved about restlessly, listening to the women gossip as one played the lute, and the others labored over their needlework.

  Kate suppressed a sigh.

  This was hardly an existence.

  Again, she felt like a caged canary, but she was less inclined to grumble this time, comforting herself with the fact that by remaining thus, she was helping to keep Cameron safe.

  She wandered to the window, at first trying to resist all thoughts of the man, but it was nigh impossible. At last, she succumbed to the temptation and let herself relive their wondrously passionate night, only occasionally fretting over the possibility of a bairn.

  A sudden knock sent them all in a flurry.

  Nicoletta opened the door and stepped back as Thomas Cochrane strutted importantly into the chamber.

  His eyes went straight to Kate.

  With a falsely benevolent smile, he held out a small, silver dish. “I’ve come to welcome ye, Kate, and to gift ye with the finest honeyed-pears from the king’s own table.”

  A soft cloud of appreciative “ahs!” circled through the gathered ladies. One of them squealed outright in delight.

  Smoothing his trimmed, sleek beard, he extended his hand in invitation. “Walk with me a moment, will ye, Kate?”

  Kate hesitated but knew she had little choice. She’d learned enough to know the man was the king’s favorite, though she failed to understand what the king saw in him. He was hardly appealing.

  Ach, she was cornered, with no choice but to keep the man’s company.

  “Allow me to fetch a mantle,” Lady Nicoletta inserted skillfully, drawing Kate to the side to throw a soft, velvet mantle over her shoulders and to murmur a warning. “Step carefully, Kate. There is danger here.”

  She hadn’t needed to be told, but Kate nodded her thanks just the same.

  Shuddering at his touch, she allowed Thomas to guide her from the royal apartments, out into the open air and down the winding stair to the king’s gardens below.

  At the foot of the gravel pathway, she hesitated.

  “There is no place denied me, Kate,” Thomas boasted, noting her reluctance. “The king denies me naught. In his eyes, we are equal.”

  Kate blinked at his arrogance.

  He extended his arm, but she pretended not to notice and stepped onto the path as the wind rippled through the fresh green grass and rustled the tender leaves of the trees lining the garden’s edge.

  “We share much, Kate, and could be of great service to each other.” Thomas’ nasal voice took on an almost wheedling tone as he fell into step beside her.

  So the man sought to beguile her? She resisted the temptation to laugh in his face, and instead forced her lips to flatter. “I fear ye are mistaken, my lord. I share little with a man of your esteemed position.”

  “We both are baseborn.” He shrugged her comment aside. “And both hold the heart of a Stewart in the palm of our hands.”

  Ach, but he sought to endanger Cameron! She would be no party to it. Lifting her chin, she replied in what she prayed was a disinterested voice, “Perhaps ye do, my lord, but my time is already done. His lordship already looks to others and will not see me. Surely, ye have heard of Lady Elsa?” She selfishly prayed the rumors were false, but either case suited her purposes if it insured Cameron’s safety.

  Thomas eyed her in disbelief. He opened his mouth to speak when a light-hearted laugh startled them both.

  Lord Julian Gray strolled their way, impeccably clad in the white shirt and plaid that he seemed to favor.

  “Ach, my wee Kate.” He grinned, his gray eyes slowly raking her from head to toe. “’Tis your favorite onion-eyed varlet come begging for more of your pleasures.”

  Before she could respond, he caught his strong arm about her waist, crushing her close and kissed her hungrily.

  The kiss lacked passion.

  His fingers dug into the small of her back in warning, but the sounds he made in his throat would have convinced any who watched that the throes of passion had all but consumed him.

  Idly, she wondered where the man had gained such consummate skill in deception.

  Dramatically tearing his lips away, Julian stepped back, panting in a masterful touch.

  Thomas Cochrane’s already narrow eyes turned into slits.

  “Ye’ll excuse me if I steal this fair rose away from ye.” Julian’s words were polite, but his tone was imposing. “Come, Kate.” He grabbed her arm.

  “My lord!” Thomas raised his voice, extending his hand to catch Julian’s sleeve.

  Julian paused. With deliberate slowness, he dropped a chill gaze upon Thomas’ fingers and absently allowed his fingers to stroke the hilt of his dirk.

  Thomas quickly removed his hand, viewing him in alarm.

  “Yes?” Julian’s deep voice queried.

  “I … wish ye both a good day.” Thomas cleared his throat. Stiffly, he turned on his heel and resumed his walk of the gardens.

  Chuckling under his breath, Julian pulled her up the stone stairs and back to the courtyard.

  Once there, she curtsied deeply. “When I named ye an onion-eyed varlet, I thought ye were an outlaw, my lord.” She found it necessary to explain.

  Julian threw back his head and laughed. “I find the title most endearing, lass,” he admitted with a merry glint in his eye.

  A door slammed shut, and several finely dressed ladies scurried across the courtyard.

  As they passed by, Julian tilted his head, allowing his eyes to rove over them with an overt flicker of interest.

  Kate found herself smiling. “If ye truly wish to convince others that I’ve ensnared ye, my lord, ‘tis best not to find your attention so easily distracted,” she couldn’t resist murmuring.

  Julian shot her a mischievous look, and looping her arm through his, patted her hand in a brotherly gesture. “There is naught that I wouldn’t do for Cameron,” he said. “Though kissing ye is hardly a nuisance.”

  At Cameron’s name, she flinched and looked away.

  “Ach, Kate.” Julian squeezed her hand. “Ye are a wee fool if ye think that Cameron will truly let ye go. Already, his faith in his own curse is shaken. Ye have an unholy grip on the man, and there’s naught he wouldn’t do for ye, lass. And, regardless what ye hear, he’ll never wed that one, I assure ye. He only said it to convince Thomas his interest in ye had waned.”

  Following his gaze, she spied Lady Elsa watching her from a doorway across the courtyard. Their eyes met, and the woman crooked a beckoning finger.

  “Only speak to her if ye wish it,” Julian rumbled softly.

  “I must, my lord.” Kate pressed her lips firmly together. “She was kind to me.”

  He raised a skeptical brow but leaned down to kiss her cheek, murmuring, “Then I bid ye farewell. Send for me, whenever the need arises and I will be there.”

  Flashing a grin, he sauntered through the same door the ladies had disappeared into just moments before.

  She smiled and watched him go. Then suppressing a sigh, approached Lady Elsa.

  “Join me,” the woman ordered tightly. Fluttering a hand over her breast, she pursed her lips and led the way to he
r chambers.

  Kate followed in silence, a wealth of emotions racing through her heart. Regardless if the rumors of Lady Elsa wedding Cameron were true or not, it mattered little. She must accept the harsh reality that the man would wed as suited his position. She had no real place in his life.

  Standing just inside the door, Kate watched as Lady Elsa moved with stately and serene grace to sit unhurriedly in her chair before the fire. With equal slowness, she picked up her needlework and leisurely pulled the threads.

  “I’m sure you must have heard that I am to wed the earl,” she said at length and without preamble, looking up to search Kate’s face.

  Kate nodded uncertainly, willing her heart to slow its frantic beating.

  With narrowed eyes, Lady Elsa abruptly asked, “Does the earl still bed you, Kate?”

  “No, my lady!” Kate gasped and averted her gaze. Her cheeks flamed red.

  “And what would ye do, should he approach ye with the intent once again?” Lady Elsa pressed with an uncharacteristic callousness, but her hands were shaking. “Would ye deny him?”

  “Aye, I must,” Kate whispered. “I canna let his enemies use me as a weapon against him, my lady.”

  A series of expressions crossed Lady Elsa’s face and among them, Kate recognized sorrow and displeasure.

  “Go, Kate,” the woman ordered tersely, waving her needlework in the direction of the door. “Please go.”

  With a respectful curtsey, Kate slipped outside the chamber, strangely wanting to weep.

  “Ach, ye fool!” She pinched her cheeks, stubbornly refusing to let the tears fall. “Ye canna be so weak! He was never yours to have!”

  Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, intending to return to the princess’ chambers at once when a flash of red caught her eye. Instinctively, she pulled back and peered cautiously out from the doorway.

  It was Maura, wearing her red silk dress as she hurried down the passageway, head bowed.

  Kate felt a wave of aggravation, but something about Maura’s movements caught her attention.

  The woman halted, hovering in front of a door, nervously glancing from side to side and behind her back several times before finally pushing it open to disappear quickly inside.

  Kate frowned.

  The Maura she knew pranced about with an air of superiority, wearing a permanently smug expression upon her face and speaking every word as loudly as she could, so that she might draw as much attention to herself as possible. She wasn’t one to scurry and hide.

  She was clearly up to nothing good.

  Hesitating only a moment, Kate stole down the passageway and placed her ear against the door.

  She heard nothing.

  Cautiously, she pushed it open with one hand, waiting a moment before peeking carefully behind it and finally stepping inside.

  She had entered a small antechamber. She had thought it empty, but as the door thudded behind her, she heard harsh voices rising in the adjoining room.

  Suddenly losing her courage, Kate moved to leave when the latch jiggled underneath her fingers.

  Panicking, she sought a place to hide and spied a desk with a chair placed near the window. She had barely managed to wedge herself behind it when the door opened again, and Thomas Cochrane strode purposefully into the room.

  “Did ye find the chambermaid?” he bellowed as he approached the table.

  Kate bit her lip as he placed a booted foot on the edge of the chair, inches away from her knees. Ach, surely the man could hear her pounding heart!

  “Aye,” said the voice of a man she did not know. He came closer, pulling Maura along with him. “She’s the chambermaid I spoke of and will have no difficulties in doing what ye want. Ye can trust her.”

  “Can I?” Thomas moved to circle Maura, lifting a lock of her blonde hair and twisting it around his finger. “Do ye know what happens to those who betray me?”

  Tossing her head, Maura’s cheeks dimpled in a haughty smile. “No, my lord, nor will I ever learn.”

  Thomas laughed and exchanged an amused glance with the man. “That is well, then.” Reaching into his velvet doublet, he pulled out two letters and placed them in her hands. “Put these in Albany’s writing desk within the hour. There can be no mistakes, do ye hear?”

  “Aye, my lord,” Maura promised. “I’ll see to it straightway!”

  “Then go.” Thomas ordered, pointing to the door and motioning for the man to remain.

  In moments, Maura was gone.

  When they were alone, Thomas lifted his lip in an arrogant sneer. “I’ll see the Earl of Lennox hang by Albany’s side before the week’s end. Once the king reads those letters, he’ll have no choice!”

  Kate froze.

  “Then, I’ll be off to keep Lord Hume informed,” the other man replied. “Ye’d best go. The king will soon join Albany in his chambers.”

  “Aye, soon we’ll be rid of the thorn in our side.” Thomas laughed in anticipation, clapping the man on the shoulder as the door closed behind them both.

  Kate jumped to her feet.

  Ach, she’d not let Thomas endanger Cameron!

  Gathering her skirts, she rushed to the door and peeked outside, relieved to discover the passageway empty.

  She had to warn Cameron immediately.

  Without hesitation, she made her way to the royal apartments, but once inside, realized she could not recognize the way to Cameron’s chambers. With rising panic, she fled down several corridors, searching in vain. Ach! Why could she not recall the way? Surely, there were not that many rooms. Why couldn’t she find it?

  Her heart jumped to her throat in despair, and she had almost given up hope when she caught a flash of red from the corner of her eye.

  Darting under an archway, she peered down the corridor to see Maura moving with swift purpose to open a large door at the far end, enter, and close it softly behind her.

  Kate’s heart pounded loudly in her ears as she waited. Should she follow? What if she lost her?

  Suddenly, the door opened again, and Maura sailed away with a smug smile.

  Kate expelled a pent breath and willed herself to calm down.

  The letters were in the chamber.

  Should she seek Cameron out and warn him?

  But she knew there was no time. She had wasted a good amount of time getting lost in the royal apartments. She had to retrieve the letters herself, before the king found them.

  Making her mind up swiftly, she fled down the hall and burst into the chamber.

  There was only one writing desk, an ornately carved one placed beneath the window. Flying across the chamber, she yanked the drawer open and, to her utter relief, found the letters at once. Tucking them into her bodice, she turned to flee when the chamber door opened, and Albany himself stepped inside.

  The prince’s eyes immediately found hers, and his brows lifted in astonishment, even as his lips spread slowly in a lascivious smile. “What a delightful surprise, Kate.”

  Chapter Ten - A Foolish Vow

  Cameron paused on the threshold to Albany’s chambers to witness Kate rising from a deep curtsey before the prince. Protected from view by the door, neither she nor Albany saw him, and he took advantage of the moment to let his eyes slide over Kate appreciatively.

  The fine gray wool gown she wore suited her well, accentuating her slender figure in delightfully distracting ways. Aye, she was quite stunning. Standing slim and straight-backed with her mouth curved in a composed smile, she possessed a natural air of grace and power that made one pause and take note.

  A wave of desire rippled through him.

  Her presence was more intoxicating than the finest of Rhennish wines! Already his blood turned hot from simply looking at her.

  Wrinkling her nose a little, Kate looked Albany directly in the eye. “Forgive me, your highness, but I seem to have lost my way to Princess Anabella’s chambers.”

  The words shook Cameron from his lusty thoughts.

  Ach, but she shouldn’
t be in Albany’s rooms! What was she doing here? And though she appeared calm, he could see her cheeks were a shade too pink and her breath just a little too quick. Both hinted at another reason rather than being lost.

  Fortunately, Albany was too distracted to notice.

  “There is naught to forgive for such a fortuitous act of fate.” The prince swept his arm in a grand gesture. “Pray join me afore the king delights us yet again with another esteemed astrologer’s dire prophecies portending impending doom.” He delivered the last words in the most scathingly sarcastic tone possible.

  “Forgive me, your highness, but—” Kate began to protest.

  “No.” Albany cut her short. “Stay.” His eyes took on a decidedly lecherous glint. “I’ve thought of ye often, lass, since the day I saw ye upon the road.”

  Cameron stepped forward, prepared to intervene, when Kate dipped in yet another graceful curtsey.

  “Thank ye kindly, your highness.” She smiled at him in what appeared to be genuine warmth. “But I dare not stay. Princess Anabella would be horrified should I taint your chivalrous reputation. I must return to her quickly, for fear that I may have already unwittingly caused ye harm, your highness.”

  At the mention of the princess, Albany unconsciously inched back, his face registering a mixture of surprise and confusion.

  Cameron allowed his lips to curve in a smile of admiration.

  How had Kate known that the prince feared the woman? Ach, but she was adept at handling the situation. Still, he did not want her to face the man alone. With a firm step, he entered the chamber.

  Glancing sideways to see him, Albany frowned uncertainly. “Did the wee lass just threaten me?” He shook his head, and then his tone shifted. “‘Tis no small wonder that she caught your eye, Cameron.”

  At the mention of his name, Kate started and whirled, her eyes locking with his. There was a wealth of emotion in those wide, brown passionate pools of warmth, and it was all he could do to prevent himself from stepping forward to sweep her into a comforting embrace.