Undeniable

by Violetta Rand

  “Wait, milord. Please doona come any closer. I would have an answer first.” Keely eyed the men at the high table. “Are one of ye guilty?”

  “Keely…” Alex tried to soothe her with his soft voice. “Whoever ye received this information from has misspoken.” He gazed at Helen. “Are ye well, Lady Helen? Ye look pale.”

  “I-I…”

  “She is unaccustomed to speaking her mind with so many people, so I have chosen to be her voice of reason, her champion if I must.”

  “There is no need for that.” Jamie appeared at Helen’s side. “Keely.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek with genuine affection. “Rest assured I will fight for the lady and keep her safe.”

  Keely smiled at her cousin-by-marriage. “I am grateful and pleased ye have taken an interest in Lady Helen.” She encouraged Helen to say something. “Ye are safe here, Helen.”

  “Thank ye, Master Jamie, Laird Alex. I am…” A thick fog settled in Helen’s head and her legs suddenly felt unnaturally heavy … shaky. The last face Helen saw before she collapsed was Jamie’s.

  Chapter Nine

  Jamie caught Lady Helen before she tumbled to the floor. Cradled in his arms, he carried her to the main hearth and lowered her into one of the padded chairs, the very place he first set eyes on her. Kneeling beside her, he felt her cheek and forehead for fever. She felt unusually cool instead of hot to the touch. Worried, he looked to Keely for answers.

  “I doona know,” Keely said, as worried about Helen as he. “I visited her chamber briefly and urged her to come belowstairs with me. Perhaps I acted too hastily—she has always been soft-spoken.”

  Alex hugged his wife from behind, pulling her into his chest, and resting his chin on the top of her head. “Doona blame yerself, Keely. Yer heart was in the right place. Mathe is the only man that voiced any concern about Lady Helen staying here. His concerns are valid, but as ye know, I have the right to overrule the council if I see fit to do so. In this case, the vote was nearly unanimous—Lady Helen is welcome for as long as she wishes to stay.”

  Keely turned in her husband’s arms. “Aye?”

  “Aye,” Alex said.

  Jamie smiled when Keely hugged him tight. “Thank ye. I’d better get her to her chamber, she needs to rest.”

  Just as Jamie was about to offer to carry her abovestairs, Helen’s eyes fluttered open, confusion on her pretty face. “W-what happened?”

  Jamie cradled her delicate hand in his. “Ye fainted from overexertion, I think.”

  Helen gazed into his eyes. “I doona remember… Lord. The idea of confronting the council overwhelmed me.” She sat up. “Please doona think I am so delicate, Master Jamie. I am quite capable of standing on my own.”

  Jamie took a step back but dinna let go of her hand. He’d been searching for an excuse to touch her, to prove a deep attraction had burgeoned between them. He’d not deny fate, but he’d do anything he could to fight against it if the outcome dinna meet his needs. And in just that innocent moment of holding her hand, his insides were aflame with desire.

  Helen tested her legs, standing up slowly, relying on Jamie’s strength to keep her steady on her feet. “Forgive me for once again disturbing the peace in yer home, Laird MacKay.”

  “Doona apologize,” Alex said. “Before my wife brought ye to the great hall, the council voted to grant ye sanctuary. And I couldna be happier to offer ye a home. Though the MacKay keep lacks the luxury of Dunrobin Castle, my people are kind and accommodating. Whatever ye need, ask.”

  Lady Helen curtsied deeply, lowering her head in gratitude. “Thank ye, sir. Are there any preconditions to my staying here?” She straightened, meeting his steady gaze.

  “Preconditions?”

  “Aye,” Helen answered. “I believe my sire would consider it costs for yer generosity.”

  Alex looked at his wife and Jamie, then back at Helen. “I do believe ye are a Sutherland, Lady Helen.”

  “My father is a shrewd man, used to getting what he wants.”

  “If ye must refer to it as a precondition, aye, there is one.”

  Helen nodded.

  “Within a month’s time, I will send a missive to yer father and let him know ye are alive and well. The council and I strongly agree that no father should be left in the dark about his child.”

  Helen sucked in a wary breath.

  “Worry not. If he sends the might of his army to retrieve ye, my men will fight to protect ye.”

  Jamie observed how the color once again drained from Helen’s face. The shock of her circumstances, the hard ride from Dunrobin, and perhaps the hardship of missing her family, even though she denied it, had taken its toll on her. “I think it best if ye rest now,” Jamie said.

  “Aye,” Keely agreed, placing a hand on Helen’s shoulder. “Let us go abovestairs together. We can visit the bairns and their nurse after ye rest.”

  As Jamie watched the women depart, he shook his head. “If given in marriage to Laird Munroe, she’ll be dead within a fortnight.”

  “Ye doona think the lady strong enough to withstand a devil like Munroe?”

  “I doona think any woman could survive a night in his damnable bed.”

  “Would Lady Helen be better served in yers?”

  Jamie opened his mouth to say something in his own defense but quickly shut it. Alex was his laird and cousin. He knew Jamie better than anyone else and couldna lie to him, even if he wanted to. “Aye.”

  “She’s been here but two days.”

  “I dinna say I wanted to marry the lass.”

  Alex snickered. “Ye dinna need to.”

  *

  Frustrated with the events of the day, after the evening meal, a very intoxicated Jamie slinked into the bowels of the keep where Duncan Munroe slept. Several guards were on duty, and they greeted him.

  “Has the bastard said anything?”

  Young Remus nodded. “He hasna shut up.”

  “Give me the key to his cell and go to the great hall to get some ale.”

  “But Laird Alex…” another guard began.

  “I will deal with my cousin. And I am more than capable of keeping Duncan safe.”

  Remus eyed Duncan, then Jamie. “He cursed the lady—called her a worthless whore. If I had the right to break his wee neck, I would.”

  After the soldiers left, Jamie unsheathed one of his dirks and started to clang it between the metal bars of Duncan’s cell. Startled awake by the noise, Duncan sat up on his raised pallet, staring at Jamie.

  “Where have the guards gone? I am hungry and thirsty.”

  Jamie cast him an evil grin. “Ye lied about Lady Helen.”

  “I dinna. And who are ye to accuse me of anything?” Duncan climbed to his feet. “I demand an audience with Laird MacKay.”

  “Denied,” Jamie growled. “If ye have anything to say, I will listen.” He sat on a three-legged-stool situated only feet away from the cell door and pulled a wineskin from within the folds of his cloak. The blasted cold in the dungeon always made him thirsty for spirits. He uncorked the skin and drank greedily.

  “Why are ye here?” Duncan asked.

  “To watch ye squirm like the wee worm ye are.”

  “If there weren’t bars between us, ye’d not speak so recklessly.”

  Jamie grunted. “The way ye curse a helpless woman?”

  “What are ye talking about? Ye’re drunk.”

  “Did ye nay call Lady Helen a whore?”

  Duncan edged closer to the front of the cell, squinting at Jamie in the dim torchlight. “I merely described the woman as I know her to be. She’s betrothed to my uncle and ran away. Only one thing could drive a noblewoman to leave the safety of her home in the middle of the night, alone. She has a lover. And before my uncle makes the mistake of marrying her, I will expose her for what she truly is.”

  Jamie stood, Duncan’s damning words about Helen a call to battle in his mind. “To a sensible man, Lady Helen did what any poor lass in her situation would do,
run as far away from yer devil-of-an-uncle as fast as she could.”

  Duncan shook his fist at Jamie. “Why do ye disrespect Laird Monroe in such a way?”

  “I have more of a right to disparage him than ye do a right to question Lady Helen’s chastity.” Though somewhat wobbly on his feet, Jamie unbuckled his heavy weapon belt and let it fall to the floor. He held up the key to the cell door so Duncan could see it. “This is yer only chance at freedom, Duncan Munroe.”

  “W-what do ye mean exactly?” The man’s voice trembled as he eyed the key.

  “I am at a serious disadvantage at the moment,” Jamie said. “Drunk and out of my mind with lust. Makes me an easy mark, doesna it?” He chuckled. “But spirits also make me more intolerant of men like ye.” He paused and slipped the key into the lock on the cell door and waited to hear it click open.

  Realization hit Duncan, and he backed away from the front of the cell, hiding in the shadows as best he could.

  “Light will shine out of darkness.” Jamie opened the door and stepped inside the cell.

  “Doona come near me,” Duncan called.

  Jamie ignored his weak command, his cowardly-voice. “I will set ye free if ye can knock me down.”

  “Knock ye down?”

  Jamie paused and stared at Duncan. He wasna overly large or small, thin with beady eyes and black hair—actually resembled an underfed crow. “Have ye ever fought a man?”

  “With a sword?”

  “With yer fists.”

  “Nay.”

  Jamie sighed. “But ye’ve wielded a sword in battle?”

  “I’ve killed three men in my life.”

  “Three? Were they facing ye, or did ye stab them in the back?”

  Duncan gritted his teeth as if he dinna want to answer.

  “Well?” Jamie pressed.

  “Two in the back, one I executed at my uncle’s behest.”

  “As guilty as yer murdering uncle. Twould be a service to every lass in the Highlands to eliminate ye—to cut yer cowardly bollocks off and send them back to Laird Munroe in a chest so he understands he willna ever be allowed to have an heir.”

  The threat did as Jamie had hoped it would. Duncan stepped from the shadows, puffing his chest out. “Where is Laird MacKay?”

  “Beyond yer miserable reach.” Jamie moved quickly, snatching the lesser man up by the nape of his neck and giving him a violent shake. “Or perhaps it would be better to carve yer evil tongue from yer mouth—silencing ye forever. If given the choice, what part would ye keep, wee Duncan? Yer bollocks or yer tongue?” To demonstrate the seriousness of his threat, Jamie produced a dirk, shoving it under Duncan’s nose. “Glorious weapon, forged in the fires of a legendary weaponsmith in Constantinople.”

  Duncan attempted to kick free of Jamie’s grasp, failing miserably. Jamie simply tightened his hold, shaking him into compliance. “Answer, or I’ll make the choice for ye.”

  “Tis true then,” Duncan spit. “The MacKays are corrupted. Ye’ve conspired with heathens. Ruined yer chances at salvation with God.”

  Jamie threw his head back and laughed. Duncan would condemn the foreigners Jamie himself had grown to respect because they dinna worship the same god? Jamie slapped Duncan’s face. “Ye’re a hypocrite.” Just as he drew back a fist to strike, he heard someone approach the entrance to the cell.

  “Jamie MacKay,” Alex’s voice came harshly. “Let him go. Now.”

  Chapter Ten

  “She is the prettiest bairn I have ever seen, Keely.” Helen cradled the babe in her arms, tickling her perfect chin. “Rebecca is a lovely name.”

  “Ye havena asked her full name,” Keely said with a smile.

  “What is it?”

  “Rebecca Helen Elizabeth MacKay.”

  Helen gaped at her only friend. “Ye named her after me?”

  “Aye.”

  “Tis an honor.” She gazed at the child with deepened wonder.

  “And I want to ask ye something verra important.”

  “Anything.” In the short time she’d been with Keely, her spirits had been lifted. She felt safe and comfortable within the walls of the MacKay keep. Like she belonged there, like she mattered. No longer invisible as she always had been to her father, unless he needed something, Helen decided to fight for what she wanted—the right to choose her own future.

  “Would ye consider being Rebecca and John’s godmother?”

  The request pierced Helen’s heart. She sat in the closest chair, lifting Rebecca to her shoulder. “And who will be their godfather?”

  “Jamie.”

  The idea of being responsible for a child’s spiritual wellbeing scared and delighted Helen. She gazed lovingly at Rebecca and then at John who was sleeping in his mother’s arms. “How will ye raise them?”

  Keely nodded in understanding. “With more freedom than we ever had. To fear the Lord but to never be afraid to ask questions, to seek knowledge, or shrink away from doing what is right.”

  “Laird Alex agrees with ye?”

  Keely rolled her eyes. “My husband can hardly disagree, Helen. He broke with tradition and had every intention of never returning to the Highlands. I believe, we all believe, that God brought him home to save our clan.”

  “And has he?”

  “We are stronger than we’ve ever been. Strong alliances, wealth, faith, and children to fill this ancient place with laughter and happiness again.”

  Tears wet the corners of Helen’s eyes.

  “I am verra sorry.” Keely placed her son in his cradle, then rushed to Helen’s side. “In my own happiness, I failed to remember yer circumstances.”

  “Nay.” Helen wiped the tears from her eyes. “I am overjoyed at yer good fortune. And one day, God willing, I, too, will find my own happiness.”

  Keely squeezed her hand. “Ye deserve whatever ye wish. When I was lost and alone, ye gave me comfort. Now let me repay that kindness. My home is yer home. My family, yer family.”

  “Thank ye.”

  “Aye.” Keely hugged Helen.

  “I accept yer offer. Nothing would please me more than serving as godmother to yer twins.”

  “The baptism and feast are being planned.”

  “And will yer father and brothers attend?”

  “Aye. I am surprised they havena spoken to ye yet. Though one of my brothers is already taken with ye.”

  Helen blushed. “I am sure yer sire has many things to say to me, most not kind after finding out where ye were all that time.”

  “Nay. My father doesna blame ye. He has praised ye, as has my husband. No one within these walls wishes ill will upon ye.”

  “With the exception of Duncan Munroe.”

  “Tell me about him. Alex dinna wish to upset me, so he said nothing about why the man is here.” Keely lifted her daughter from Helen’s shoulder and gently set her in the cradle close to her brother’s, then sat down in the chair next to Helen’s.

  “Laird Munroe finds it beneath him to travel and meet me, so he sent his nephew and heir, Duncan Munroe. Of course, there’s questions about what happened to Duncan’s parents, too. His father was Laird Munroe’s younger brother. He and his wife died fifteen years ago, when Duncan was but a lad. The laird raised Duncan as his own son, grooming him for the laird’s chair, but keeping him at a distance.”

  “An unfortunate fate for any child.”

  “Aye. Trust between the Munroes doesna seem to exist.”

  “And ye fear marrying the man?”

  “I refuse to do anything with the man.”

  “Earl Sutherland willna let ye go easily.”

  Aye. Helen knew it all too well. Her father dinna like to lose. In fact, she tried to recall a time he had ever played fairly at anything. Even her dear mother had been tricked into marrying him. She sighed. She’d liked the idea of simply being Helen of the Highlands. But such fantasies were meant for idealistic girls, not a noblewoman who was expected to fulfill her father’s latest political move to gain an ally
in the isles. The one thing Laird Munroe possessed that her father dinna: ships.

  “What are ye so heavy in thought about?” Keely asked.

  “My father.”

  “Ye miss him?”

  “Not in the way I should.”

  “I sympathize. It took much for my sire to completely forgive what he considered betrayal of my family.”

  Helen gazed at her friend. “Such demands aren’t made of our brothers.”

  “Nay?”

  “A man can walk away from his responsibilities and only faces the loss of his inheritance if he refuses to marry. But a daughter…”

  “Ye must learn to use the God-given gifts ye have to get what ye want.”

  Helen scrunched her face. She had no special gifts she could think of. “I am not like ye, Keely.”

  “What do ye mean?”

  “Daring and brave. Passionate and sure of who and what I want to be.”

  “Ye are very wrong, Helen.”

  “Nay. Look how long it took me to defy my father. Only the threat of marrying a monster like Laird Munroe inspired me to flee. I have been a weakling all my life. Accepting whatever my father decided for me, even giving absolute obedience to my brothers.”

  “Helen.” Keely slipped from her chair and kneeled in front of her friend, taking her hand. “Ye are beautiful and kind, educated, can manage an earl’s household, demand respect just by entering a chamber, and leave men begging to do yer bidding. If ye only knew how difficult is was for me to win the hearts of the MacKays after I married Alex. But ye… When I tell ye no one here has spoken against ye, I mean it.”

  “Only because they pity me, see how helpless I am, and think I need protection.”

  “Do ye not?”

  “Aye.”

  “Tis not yer fault. Ye canna deny yer birthright, but ye can make a new life for yerself.”

  She wanted to believe it. But the side of her that took after her father, that callous logic he had hammered into her since she was a wee lass, ruled her mind and heart. She must accept the inevitable eventually. Once Laird Alex sent a missive to her father, this new-found happiness would end. “I will try, Keely.”

  “Good,” her friend said as she stood. “That is all I ask.”