Rogue Highlander: The King's Command

by Sondra Grey

  Edane closed her eyes and when she opened them, her father was already striding down the hallway. She had to hurry to catch up.

  CHAPTER 16

  “N o way in hell.” Leith whirled and strode for the door, but Calum was standing before it. Whirling, Leith strode back towards his father.

  The Macleod rubbed at his face, obviously weary. He’d ridden over eighteen hours straight to make certain that Leith received the king’s missive.

  “You’ve no choice in the matter,” said The Macleod to his oldest, resting his knuckles on the table that separated him and his son. “You are the king’s man. You will do as he says.”

  “Marry his whore!” Leith swore, pounding a fist on the desk. “After he made a mockery of me!”

  “Is this the woman you left Edinburgh over?” asked Calum quietly from his station in front of the door.

  Leith turned. “What do you know about it?” he all but snarled.

  “Only what I’ve told him. And only what Richard wrote to me. That you made a paramour of the king’s mistress.”

  Leith stared at his father, silently cursing his cousin. The king had embarrassed him and had done so intentionally. He’d used the Campbell girl to put Leith in his place. And now he was using her still.

  “Why would the king demand you return to Edinburgh to wed her?” murmured Calum.

  “Is it not obvious?” said Leith, glaring at Calum. His friend had done nothing wrong, but Leith was furious, and Calum was as good an outlet as any for his ire. The enormous clan chieftain didn’t so much as blink. “Not to me,” he answered.

  “He’s gotten her pregnant, no doubt,” said The Macleod. There was no sympathy in his father’s voice. “And rather than keep her in the castle, under the queen’s eye, he’d see her married to one of his men, his child secure and out from under Margaret’s thumb.”

  “And me with a cuckoo’s egg in my nest,” Leith seized, “and a harlot for a wife!”

  “You,” snapped his father, “with the king’s own child in your keep. With leverage over James and the king in your debt.”

  Leith straightened and paced the length of the room again, running a hand through his dark hair and keeping himself from slamming his fist against the wall. “I don’t wish the king in my debt. He made a fool of me, and continues to make a fool of me. He’s tired of the girl and is foisting her off.”

  “I hear the king is an unusually canny man,” said Calum. It irritated Leith that his friend was attempting to soothe him. “But you’re no novice.”

  “Precisely,” said Leith’s father. “And you’ve no choice in the matter - which is why I’ve accompanied the messenger here: to ensure that you’ll not shame Clan Macleod by refusing the king’s command. Leith, you can spin the whole affair to work in your favor. By marrying his mistress and raising his child, you hold the king in debt. You think he doesn’t want the girl and is foisting her off. Fine. Marry her and work to ensure that the girl retains her value with the king. Then Clan Macleod will have two things the king values: The Campbell girl and his child. Think of what lands the king might bestow to Clan Macleod on that child’s behalf.”

  “It’s true,” Calum chimed in. “James is said to be incredibly generous where his children are concerned.”

  Leith’s rage was dissipating, but his pride was still smarting. He wasn’t going to give in easily. It took his father and Calum Grant another two hours to talk him around to the idea of marrying Edane Campbell.

  “Legitimate or not, she’s the daughter of the second most powerful man in Scotland, and she’s bearing the child of the Scottish King. As her husband you will be in possession of all the influence she wields. Go to Edinburgh and assess the situation. Make sure that the entire court understands her value - understands the value of clan Macleod.”

  Be an eagle.

  Edane rolled her eyes and shook her head. If she leapt from the third floor of the Edinburgh castle, she wouldn’t fly. She’d plummet. The thought gave her nausea and she stepped away from the window. In truth, there was not much that didn’t give Edane nausea these days. The pregnancy was not agreeing with her at all - though the healer assured her that her symptoms were normal. She was ill frequently, and she felt weaker than she’d ever felt in her life. Exiled mostly to her rooms to avoid Margaret and her women, Edane was eager for Leith’s arrival.

  She’d mulled her father’s words over and over in her head and had decided to look on this marriage as a great opportunity. In a way it was everything she’d ever wished for - and she’d be lying if she had not quickened at the thought of sharing Leith’s bed again - this time as man and wife.

  But Leith didn’t seem as eager to marry her as she was to marry him. She’d done the math, and Leith should have arrived at the castle five days ago. Each day, she waited for word of his arrival and heard nothing. She was beginning to think he would not show. And what would she do then?

  Her father had put out that Edane was suffering from a sickness. Lady Maxwell had been her only visitor these past few weeks.

  As if thoughts of the lady summoned her, there was a knock on the door and the Lady Maxwell entered before Edane could rise.

  “Pew,” said Lady Maxwell, waving her hand at the dark room. She moved to where Edane was sitting reached past her and flung the window wide. “You look terrible, girl. No need to convince anyone you’ve been sick. You look half dead. And that quack healer says you’re all right?”

  Edane shrugged. “He says it’s the pregnancy.”

  “I had three children, and I was never this sick,” Lady Maxwell huffed.

  “What can I do for you, my lady?” asked Edane.

  “I come bearing good news,” said the old woman, seating herself on the window seat and taking Edane’s hands in hers. “Your groom has arrived.”

  “Has he?” Edane gasped.

  “He has.” Both women started, heads whipping towards the door where Leith Macleod filled the frame. Short, dark stubble coated his cheeks, his eyes looked bloodshot and his kilt and shirt were wrinkled from travel.

  “Sir Macleod,” said Lady Maxwell, sounding slightly breathless. Indeed, standing there, Leith looked like a highwayman more than he looked like a king’s knight, or the heir to one of the most fearsome clans in Scotland.

  “Lady Maxwell. I regret the intrusion, but I need to speak to my betrothed alone.”

  Lady Maxwell shot Edane a look, and Edane nodded. The woman stood and said only, “Take care of her, Sir Macleod. I fear she is unwell.” And with that the woman departed.

  Leith’s gaze sharpened on Edane and Edane stood, head swimming slightly. Eagle. She thought. Be an eagle.

  “Indeed, miss, you do look unwell.” Miss, not Lady.

  “I feel under the weather sir,” Edane admitted. “But now that you are here, I am sure I will feel recovered soon.”

  Leith surveyed her coolly, eyes lingering on her stomach. “You flatter me, Edane. You needn’t bother. We both know this marriage will be a sham.”

  Edane closed her eyes and sat back down. It was as she feared, then. Leith was not happy at being summoned.

  “Never-the-less,” she said. “You were kind to me, I cared for you, and I am happy to see you again.” He could be angry at her, but she would be honest with him.

  Her honesty seemed to catch him off guard, for he grunted and ran a hand through his stubbled beard.

  “I have been to see my cousin,” Leith said, “who informs me that you’ve kept to your rooms these three weeks, following a row with the queen.”

  Edane reached up and touched her cheek. Margaret’s nails had scored deep and the scars were pink with healing. One was slightly raised and she was sure it would remain scarred.

  “Since we are being honest with one another, Edane, I will admit that I am not happy to see you. I am not happy to be here. I am here because the king commands me - and that is all.” Leith stayed where he was, by the door, as if he couldn’t stomach getting any closer to her. “But since I
am here, I will make the best of it. Richard says that the king has cast you off for other mistresses. This will not do. You must make James want you again.”

  Edane gaped at Leith, but he stared at her, all seriousness.

  “For god’s sake, why!?” she breathed.

  “Because I will not marry a cast-off, the king will not have the last laugh at my expense,” said Leith, simply. “I will marry nothing less than a woman of value. So. you will make yourself look less...ill,” he said, his face pinching over her appearance. “You will be a vision of loveliness this evening, I will settle for nothing less. And I mean it. Anything less and I will leave you here to suffer the queen’s ire. Do you understand?”

  Edane stared at him. She understood his anger. She’d known what he’d seen when he saw her that day outside of James’ rooms. The look on his face had spoken more than any words could: surprise, dismay, anger. He’d had feelings for her, feelings that she had hoped he still possessed. But it was clear now that those feelings had dissolved the moment he spotted her with James. Had she been bolder with him, she might not be in this position at all.

  As they stared at each other, silence stretching, Edane had never felt less like a rabbit: running from one man to the next, chased into each decision she made. Her father was right. It was time to fly. If she could make the king want her again then, perhaps, in the process, she might make Leith want her too.

  “All right,” she said, voice soft.

  “All right,” Leith repeated, and strode from the room.

  Back in his room, Leith felt as if he’d run a mile. His heart was thundering in his chest, demanding he return to Edane’s rooms and speak with her further. She’d looked so unwell, sadder now than when he’d last seen her. He had not been prepared for the sight of her, had not been prepared to feel that same yearning she’d provoked in his before. But worse than feeling the yearning was feeling the hurt.

  Guarding the border between Grant and Cameron land, training clansmen, warring - these had been more than enough to distract him from the hurt that had plagued him immediately after his departure from Edinburgh. He’d hoped that six months was enough time to rid him of his longing for Edane Campbell. It was not.

  “You look terrible,” said Richard, stepping into his room. Leith turned, offering his cousin a small smile. He’d missed Richard and hoped that his cousin might be able to return with him once Leith left again for the highlands.

  “The King sent his missive to Skye. It took my father a while to deliver the message to me, and it took me a while to ready things at Skye for a new wife. It’s not an easy business, you know?”

  “Meaning you rushed to arrive here and haven’t slept?”

  “In two days.” Leith agreed.

  Richard frowned. “And you brought Macleod men with you? Where are they?”

  “Finding rooms in the guest quarters. They’ll be present tonight as well. Listen, Richard, I’ll be useless if I don’t get a few hours’ sleep. Wake me before dinner tonight?

  “You’re dining in the hall tonight?” said Richard, surprised. “I’d have thought you might avoid the social functions altogether.”

  “I’m sure James expects that as well,” said Leith, smothering a yawn with his hand. He collapsed atop the bed and started taking off his boots. “But no. My wedding to Edane Campbell will be full of pomp and ceremony. I’ll not quietly marry his mistress and disappear into the mists. The world will know of the spectacular love match between Leith Macleod and Edane Campbell. They will envy me for my choice of brides, and envy her for securing my hand.”

  “Be careful,” said Richard. “I’ve been at court these past few months. I’ve had the opportunity to observe James. He’s brilliant. Don’t ever assume you have the upper hand on him.”

  “Hmph,” said Leith, leaning back into the pillows. “He should not underestimate me either. Wake me an hour before we must make our arrival. I’ll have to do something about my appearance.”

  “All right,” said Richard, sounding worried. “I’ll leave you then.”

  As his cousin departed, Leith felt what little energy he’d been able to retain leave him swiftly. When he closed his eyes, all he could see were Edane’s – hazel, sad, and staring at him with such hope.

  CHAPTER 17

  I t took a great deal of work to make Edane look less sallow, less sickly. She’d lost a bit of weight since her pregnancy began, and her cheekbones were stark against her face. But Lady Maxwell arrived with her lady’s maid, who helped Edane pick out a beautiful gown of green velvet. The maid had also brought along pots full of powders and ointments, which she subtly applied to Edane’s skin to hide her pink scratches and give the girl a bit more color. She then arranged Edane’s thick, honey-brown hair atop her head so that her long, slender neck was on display.

  “My dear,” said Lady Maxwell, approvingly. “Bathsheba could not have been more distractingly beautiful than you.”

  “Thank you,” said Edane, rising and waiting a moment for the dizziness to abate. “Shall we go on together? I could not bear the lion’s den without you.”

  “It will be my pleasure,” said Lady Maxwell, the older woman holding out her arm for the younger. Together, they walked into the hall.

  Edane had to force her head high when the room fell to silence about them. People stopped their conversations to watch her pass. Whispers erupted about them, and it took another moment for the room to return back to its normal din. Edane felt herself relax as people returned to their conversations. But she was still aware of the glances the lords and ladies cast her way.

  She allowed Lady Maxwell to carry the conversation and was surprised when Adam Maclean and Leith’s cousin Richard joined their party. Of Leith, however, there was no sign.

  Adam and Richard had directed most of their conversation towards Lady Maxwell, but as she and Adam bantered back and forth about the misremembered lyrics to an old highland song, Edane reached out and placed her hand on Richard’s sleeve.

  “He told me to be here tonight,” she said, her voice low. “Is he coming?”

  “He was shaving his beard when I left his room,” said Richard, and while his voice wasn’t unkind, neither was it particularly friendly. She knew that Richard blamed her for Leith’s abrupt departure.

  Edane opened her mouth to try and engage Richard further in conversation, but the crier announced the King and the room was suddenly quiet as James and Margaret and their entourages entered the hall. Their arrival signaled another ten minutes before dinner. Where was Leith?

  “Come lady,” said Richard, voice low. “I believe Leith gave you instructions regarding the king.”

  Edane stiffened her spine. “Of course. Excuse us,” she offered to Adam and Lady Maxwell. Richard moved them closer on the pretenses of grabbing Edane something to drink, Edane knew the minute Margaret and James looked her way.

  She spared a glance and saw that James looked confused. Another glance confirmed that Margaret was furious. The queen eyed her with malice so obvious that several other people began looking too. Edane wasn’t sure what came over her – perhaps it was the knowledge that, with Leif’s return, she finally felt safe – but she met Margaret’s gaze a moment before staring that the king. As if he felt her glance, James looked over and met her eyes. Edane smiled at him, slowly, and lowered her gaze, fluttering her lashes once, twice. James leaned forward.

  It was the sudden quiet that drew everyone’s attention to the entry. A virile, handsome, and splendidly dressed highlander was striding through the crowd, attended by five clansmen nearly as well turned out as he. Edane saw the guard at the front of the rooms place their hands on their swords, but the highlanders were unarmed.

  They cut a swath through the crowd as people parted to let them pass. Edane caught sight of Leith’s face as he and his clansmen drew near the king. Leith looked resplendent, his clothes richly spun, belt silver-buckled, kilt pinned with a gleaming crest. His black hair had grown even longer in their months apart an
d was braided back off of his face and tied with a blue ribbon that picked up the colors in his tartan. His eyes flashed with a bright joy, directed at the king.

  James seemed to realize something was about to happen for he straightened and called out. “Sir Macleod! A pleasure to see you back at court. We were expecting you a week ago.”

  Leith halted before James and dropped into a perfect bow, following it up by kneeling before the king, smile still flashing. James looked as though he was preventing himself from taking a step back. Planting his feet firmly, he gestured for Leith to rise.

  Well done, thought Edane. For the king was not on a dais. This close to him, Leith was at least half a head taller. And while James was not unattractive, Leith’s vibrant beauty made James look plain; the understated elegance of Leith’s outfit made the king look over-wrought.

  “My sincerest apologies, highness. I had to ready my estate before coming back to court. I am hoping you might forgive my absence when you hear why I have come with my clansmen in tow.” Leith’s words were for the king’s ear, his tone pitched just loudly enough so that people in the front could hear, and people in the back had to strain. And they were straining forward to hear.

  A few of Margaret’s ladies in waiting were staring openly at the well-outfitted group of young men Leith had brought with him.

  “By all means,” said the king, after a moment. “Say what you have come to say.”

  “My liege, since her father is not present for me to approach, I am here to ask for the hand of Edane Campbell. I have yet to meet a woman more beautiful, brilliant, or accomplished. Since I laid eyes on her when last at court, I’ve been unable to get her from my mind. I’ve brought my clansmen to witness my pledge: I demand no bride price. I ask only for Edane’s hand.” Leith knelt again, dropping his head. “For the woman alone is worth her weight in gold.”

  Edane felt frozen in place. It was a speech that could have come from one of her books, spoken with passion and earnestness. For a moment, Edane allowed herself to believe that what he said was true, that it was not part of his plan to save face.