by Nora Roberts
The tears fell harder now. Faster. There was no need for Arianna to pretend to weep. It was enough to give in to the feelings of shame and remorse that swept over her, nearly swamping her with their intensity. She allowed herself to weep openly, aware that all could see.
As the warriors gathered around, they glanced uneasily at their leader while Arianna gave a halting account, between sobs, of his attempt to seduce her.
“Did he succeed?” Nola’s sharp eyes darted from Arianna to the man she’d accused.
The entire company of men seemed to hold its collective breath, awaiting the lady’s reply.
“Nay.” Arianna looked at the ground, refusing to meet the old woman’s eyes. “But he…lay hands upon me. And…lips upon mine. I have been sullied in the eyes of the man to whom I am betrothed.”
The men were grim as they waited for their leader to deny the charges.
Instead, he held his silence, staring at Arianna with a look so dark, so damning, it sent icy fingers prickling along her spine.
To escape him she turned her face into her nursemaid’s shoulder. “We must leave this place, Nola, and return to my father’s keep.”
“You would break your father’s solemn vow, child?”
“But I’ve been sullied. What Highland laird would want me now?”
The old woman smoothed her hair and drew her a little away. “Ye’re young, Arianna. Innocent. Ye’ve yet to learn the ways of men and women. But a touch, a kiss even, would not be enough to release a man from his vow of betrothal. ’Tis said that the Highland laird is a fair man. And a wise one. Duncan MacLean will not be swayed from his intention to wed ye.”
At her words Arianna went rigid with shock. “You can’t mean this, Nola.”
“I do indeed.” With a sigh the old nursemaid led the way back to their wagon, where she bundled the shivering young woman into the nest of furs and sat stroking her hair. “Rest now, child. When we reach the Highlands, ye’ll be greeted like a fine lady. Like a queen.”
“I’m not a fine lady. Nor am I a queen.” Arianna choked back more tears and lay wallowing in abject misery. What had she done? Oh, what had she done?
She’d been absolutely shattered by that kiss. She’d never known a man’s lips could be that sweet. There had been lads in the village who had kissed her. Quick pecks on the cheek, or a stolen kiss on market day, which more often than not missed her lips and landed on her chin. But this had been a kiss that stirred her blood and melted her bones.
She tried to tell herself it was because Lachlan MacLean was a man, not a lad. He was older, more experienced in the ways of the world.
Each time she thought about the way it had felt to be held in his arms, his lips moving on hers, she was forced to endure again that quick, dizzying rush of heat, and that amazing tightening deep inside her.
She hadn’t been surprised to find such strength in Lachlan MacLean. His power was obvious. What had caught her unawares was the tenderness. That had been her undoing. Even when he’d figured out her little scheme, he’d refused to condemn her.
He could have denied everything, of course. Though he’d had every right to call her on her lie, he had held his silence. And that silence had made her feel small and selfish.
And the look in his eyes. A look of misery laced with impotent fury. She couldn’t bear it. Nor would she be able to bear looking at him ever again.
After this night, he would have to face the ridicule of his own men. And worse, he would have to answer to his laird.
At the thought of him enduring a flogging tears filled her eyes once more. She blinked them back. She had no time for foolish weeping. No right to mourn her childish attempt to escape the dictates of her father. Now she must find a way to make things right. Not for herself, but for this innocent warrior.
As for her, she must accept the fact that she would spend a lifetime wed to a man she didn’t love.
It would be all the worse now that she had felt Lachlan MacLean’s strong arms around her and had tasted his firm, clever lips.
The look in his eyes, gazing at her with such tenderness, was an image that would remain with her forever. As would the look of icy hatred that now branded her.
4
AS MORNING SUNLIGHT filtered down to the floor of the forest, Arianna remained in the back of the wagon, her eyes averted, while the Highlanders broke camp and prepared to move on.
From beneath lowered lashes she watched as Lachlan shouted orders to his men. It was odd that something as simple as a kiss could have changed so many things. Not just the way her heart felt, tight and crowded inside her chest, but also the way things now looked to her. The day seemed shiny-bright. Fresh and new. She couldn’t recall a day quite like this ever before. And yet it brought her no pleasure.
Then there was the man who’d kissed her. Though she had initially been offended by the sight of his naked limbs, she now found them beautiful. There was a wonderful sort of grace to his movements. Like a wild creature at home in the wilderness. Now that she’d touched him, she understood the ripple of muscle beneath the plaid that draped his torso. The smooth, easy stride as he crossed to a group of warriors. She still found it amazing that a man of such extraordinary strength could have been so gentle with her.
If he was suffering from her betrayal, he gave no indication. Not once did he look her way as he moved about the camp, seeing to the endless details. The sound of his deep voice issuing commands sent shivers along her spine.
There was venison that needed to be carefully wrapped in lengths of hide and parceled out to those who would ride ahead. Weapons to be checked and horses to be fed and watered at the loch before departing. No detail was too small for his inspection.
He issued his orders in a voice devoid of emotion. But from the steely look in his eyes, his men knew better than to argue. Temper simmered just below that icy-calm surface, and Arianna found herself thinking of the way his voice had sounded whispering in her ear, growling against her mouth.
He assigned the man who would drive the wagon’s team, and the six men to ride on either side of the laird’s intended.
“The laird’s intended.” Arianna flinched at those words, snapped out like cracks of a whip.
Still, she was filled with quiet hope. A man as tender as Lachlan MacLean would surely be open to her explanation.
She carefully rehearsed the apology she would whisper to him when he came to help her mount. Uppermost in her mind was the need to make amends for what she’d put him through. Though there would be little time, she was determined to make the most of it. Then he would forgive her. Would smile upon her. And the day would feel sunny and bright again.
When it came time to move out, Lachlan pulled himself into the saddle and joined those who would ride ahead, leaving Pembroke to see to the women.
Arianna’s heart sank. The Highland leader was making it plain that he had no intention of being alone with her again.
As Pembroke offered his hand and helped her to the ground, she could see the faint flush on his cheeks. “Good morrow, my lady.”
Despite this young man’s polite demeanor, Lachlan was his friend. And she had besmirched that friend’s good name. She mumbled a greeting, wishing she could bury herself beneath the furs in the back of the wagon. Instead she settled herself in the saddle and lifted her head in a regal manner as she started off on another grueling day.
On either side of her, the Highlanders exchanged sidelong glances. She ignored them and forced herself to stare straight ahead. What filled her vision was Lachlan, astride his mount. The width of his shoulders. The chiseled profile when he turned to call to one of his men.
As she focused on him, she could see the anger in the way his hand clenched at his side. In the stiff, taut line of his back. In the sharp tone he used to the warrior beside him.
It humbled her to know she’d caused so much turmoil in that good man.
Suddenly her horse stumbled. Though she was an excellent equestrienne, she’d allowe
d herself to become distracted. It took all her skill to keep from being thrown as she struggled to calm the rearing animal.
At a shout from one of her escorts, Lachlan wheeled his mount and hurried to her side, grasping the reins.
“Are you hurt, my lady?” His anger was forgotten, replaced by concern.
“Nay. It was nothing. I was caught by surprise.”
“You’re certain?” He nearly reached out to her before he caught himself and lowered his hand to his side, where he clenched it into a fist.
“Aye. It was but a misstep. I’m fine. Truly.”
He drew in a breath before unleashing his temper on the men riding beside her. “You were given but one order. To see that the woman would be unharmed.” He studied each of them in turn. “Does any man here wish to be relieved of his duties?”
The warriors were quick to shake their heads in denial.
He fixed them with a look meant to freeze their blood. “See to the lady, then.” He nudged his horse aside, waiting until they passed him, then falling into line behind them.
Though the rest of the day passed without incident, the Highlanders were uneasy, knowing their leader was watching them, ready to pounce on the first one to make a mistake. His temper, which he had kept carefully banked, was now ready to ignite into full-blown fury.
They all knew the reason for his anger. It was because of the female in their midst.
As for Arianna, she could feel the tension, sharp as a blade, that kept the entire company on edge. When they stopped at midday, the men stood in clusters of four and five, watching in silence as she and her nursemaid took their meal on a cloak spread in the shade of a tree. Within the hour they were back in the saddle, following a narrow trail that seemed carved out of sheer rock.
By the time twilight shadows began to drift over the land, they had made camp on a high, heather-strewn meadow. Despite Lachlan’s gloom, his men were in high spirits now that they were drawing near their home.
Pembroke reached a hand to assist Arianna from the saddle. “It’s been a long ride, my lady.” The young man gave her a gentle smile. “By this time on the morrow, you will be welcomed into the laird’s fortress.”
“Aye.” She glanced away quickly, to hide the fear she knew would be in her eyes. As she did, she caught sight of a magnificent waterfall, and beyond it, a rainbow. “Oh.” She couldn’t help clasping her hands together. “How splendid.”
The young man looked pleased at her reaction. “’Tis a familiar sight to those of us who live here in the Highlands. The falling waters and the loch below are said to be enchanted.”
“Enchanted? In what way?”
Pembroke pointed to a high cliff above the waterfall. “That is the sight of a bloody battle between one of Scotland’s bravest warriors and a band of barbarians who had left a trail of death across the land.”
“Was this warrior alone, without comrades?”
“He was, for he’d come here with his family to enjoy a day of frolic, and suddenly they were attacked without warning. The warrior was a fierce fighter, but he was badly outnumbered. When he realized he was mortally wounded, he knew he could no longer protect his wife and small son. So he tossed them from the rock into the falling water, where they were carried into the loch below.”
Arianna put a hand to her mouth. “Didn’t he fear they would drown?”
“Aye.” The young man nodded. “But he thought drowning a far better death than being brutalized by the barbarians, for he had seen what they did to their prisoners. Especially women and small children. As his family struggled in the loch he could hear their cries, and he longed to go to them. But he knew that duty and honor must always come before love, and that he was bound to stay and fight until his last breath.”
“Did he die?” Arianna was spellbound by the tale, as was her old nurse beside her.
“He did, my lady. The invaders tossed his body off the cliff into the loch, where it’s said he waits to this very day for the invaders to return so that he can have his vengeance. Some have seen him, shimmering in the summer’s moonlight. Others have even heard his moans on cold winter nights.”
That had Nola shivering and crossing herself.
Arianna looked up at the young man. “And his family?”
“They survived the falling water and the loch. Until the day she died, his woman spoke proudly of his courage. His son followed his example and became a man of similar courage.”
Arianna sighed. “I’m glad, Pembroke. Glad that something good could come from such a noble sacrifice.”
“No sacrifice is ever in vain, my lady.” For the first time he met her eyes, and she thought she could see sympathy, and more, understanding, in those soft blue depths. “Warriors are not the only ones who must risk all for the sake of others. No unselfish act, done out of love for family, friend, or country, will ever go unrewarded.”
It soothed her heart to know that this young warrior understood what was being asked of her. Before she could thank him for his kind words, he caught up the reins of her horse and walked away.
Arianna followed Nola to the shade of a tree, where the two women settled themselves in the cool grass.
“I’m told we’ll reach the fortress on the morrow.” The old woman was watching Arianna’s eyes as she spoke. “Ye’d best choose yer finest gown so ye’ll look beautiful for the laird.”
“Do you think it matters what I wear, Nola?”
The old woman flushed and looked away. “Nay, lass. But ’tis a sign of respect.”
Arianna tossed her head. “I’ve no desire to look beautiful for the laird.”
“Then ye’ll do it for yer father, lass. To make him proud.”
The old woman could see that her words had the desired effect, and she gave a sigh of relief. Though Arriana had always been headstrong, she’d never been anything but kind and fair. The lass would see this thing through, if only for the sake of her father’s good name.
The nurse motioned toward the fire. The enticing fragrance of roasting meat was making her mouth water. “Come now, child. We’ll eat, and then we’ll make ready for the coming day.”
Arianna followed, keeping her head bowed as she passed a cluster of warriors. But she knew by their sudden silence that they had been discussing her. And why not? She was the stranger here. Would always be the stranger in their midst.
Anger replaced the guilt that had held her in its grip all day. Let them talk. Let them say whatever they pleased. If she couldn’t control her destiny, at least she could take charge of this, her last night of freedom.
She turned to Nola. “I have no need of food. I wish to go alone to the river and wash myself.”
The old woman shook her head and glanced around for Lachlan. “The Highlander will never permit it.”
“It’s not his right to say aye or nay, Nola.”
“He is responsible for yer safety, lass.”
“I’m responsible for myself.”
“Aye. That ye are. But at least wait until dark, so the men can be warned to stay away from the river, to protect yer modesty.”
Arianna was about to argue when she saw the pleading look in the old woman’s eyes.
She nodded. “So be it. But I’ll not be dissuaded from this, Nola.”
Her nursemaid breathed a sigh of relief. She’d bought enough time for the Highland leader to take charge. After that little incident of the previous night, the old woman was certain he would never permit Arianna to be alone, for she might plot another means of escaping her fate.
But as daylight faded and darkness spread its cloak over the land, the Highland leader was nowhere to be found.
When at last the warriors began rolling themselves into their plaids around the fire, Arianna rummaged in the trunk and removed a clean gown. “I go to the river now, Nola.”
“Nay. Not alone. At least let me go with you, child. Who knows what danger lies beyond the firelight? Ye heard what the lad told ye. The river and the falling water are enchante
d.”
“I care not for such things, Nola. I’m not the enemy. The ghost of the brave warrior would have nothing to fear from me.”
Seeing the fierce determination in her eyes, the old woman caught her hands. “Give me yer word, child, that ye’ll make no attempt to flee.”
Arianna looked down at the gnarled hands, then into the wide, pleading eyes. “I give you my word, Nola. On the morrow I go willingly to the laird of lairds, to fulfill my father’s promise. But tonight is mine. I’ll not be denied this, my last night of freedom.” She gave her old nurse a gentle hug before turning away. “Have no fear. There are guards posted. No harm will come to me. Sleep well, Nola. I will return at dawn.”
Draping the fresh gown over her arm, she followed the sound of the rushing water until she came to the banks of the loch. Undressing quickly, she dropped her soiled clothes into the water and washed them, hanging them on low branches to dry. That done, she sat in the shallows, scrubbing her body all over, and then her hair, before walking into the deep.
The heavens were awash with millions of glittering stars. Clouds scudded across a fat golden moon. Arianna looked up, wondering if Glenna and Kendra were watching this same sky. Were they missing her as much as she was missing them? She felt a wave of such homesickness that she nearly began to weep. She looked around, wondering if she would ever feel as though she belonged in this wild, primitive place.
With great effort she shook off her melancholy. Tonight was hers. Only hers. She would allow no unhappy thoughts to mar this special time.
She held her breath and ducked beneath the water, then scrubbed her fingers through the tangles until her hair was rinsed clean. Surfacing, she began swimming toward shore.
When her feet touched bottom, she stood and began to walk. Water lapped gently against her breasts. She looked up at the moon and found herself smiling.
At a sound on shore she paused, the smile fading from her lips.
At first she thought she detected the shadow of one of the guards. But when she glanced up, she could see them, still high above on the cliffs, keeping watch. The waterfall protected her modesty.
