Rogue Highlander: The King's Command

by Sondra Grey

  It was clear from James’ silence that he was uncertain as to Leith’s motives. There were more than a few people who were murmuring to each other, more than a few women who looked as if Leith had swept their hearts as well.

  Finally, the king spoke. “Edane,” he said, and Richard handed her through the crowd until she stood in the small circle the court had made around Leith and the king. “Edane,” the king repeated, “You have heard Sir Macleod’s words. What say you?”

  Leith turned his head and stared up at Edane with longing in his eyes. Edane looked back at him. “Leith Macleod speaks with a true heart,” said Edane, channeling Enid and Iseult and Guinevere. “I am moved by his words, by his strength, and by his passion. If you allow it, your majesty, I would be honored to wed such an exemplary knight of your court.”

  She curtsied low, but made sure to look up at James through her lashes. She tried to convey, through her glance, that it was James she yearned for, and not Leith. She knew James understood the look because his turned hungry, beside him, Margaret could barely contain her anger. Her face was blank, but her hands were fisted in her skirts.

  “Then acting on behalf of the Earl of Argyle, who could not be here, I agree to wed Sir Leith Macleod, to Miss Edane Campbell.”

  Leith stood swiftly and before Edane knew it, she was being hauled into his arms and bent backwards. He took her lips in a burning, passionate kiss.

  Edane clutched at him and wound her fingers into his braid. She didn’t have to feign the desire the rolled through her, or the desperation that overtook her now that she was back in his arms. Oh, how she’d missed this!

  Leith, too, seemed caught up; for it wasn’t until people started cheering that he broke the kiss, looking flushed and a bit bewildered. Edane knew he wasn’t feigning the heaviness of breath or the slightly flushed cheeks. She knew her own cheeks were flushed as well.

  “Good girl,” he murmured, quietly, to her temple as he brushed a kiss there.

  “Turn around and smile at the Lord and Lady Abercrombie.” Indeed, as Edane looked over there was more than one or two people coming up to congratulate them. Edane noticed, too, that the clansmen Leith had brought with him were now spreading about the room, engaging in conversation with other members of the court.

  “…knew from the moment saw her…”

  “… won the tournament in her honor, carried her favor the whole match…”

  “…no more beautiful woman in all of Scotland…”

  She understood, suddenly, what he’d done: Leith was changing the narrative. Edane was quickly morphing from the dismissed and discarded mistress, into the most coveted woman in all of Scotland.

  “…doesn’t need the dowry; the Macleods are rich as Croesus …”

  “…best warrior amongst all of James’ knights…”

  “…will be Chief of one of Scotland’s strongest clans…”

  And he was turning himself into one of the most desirable men in Scotland. His speech had won the hearts of even the English-born women in the room. He and Edane were receiving congratulations from people who had never spoken to her once in the months she’d lived at court. She even found the energy to smile as Lady Maxwell approach them and erupted, loudly, “A love match! How romantic! Like Lancelot and Guinevere!”

  The tide of well-wishers only stopped when the call for dinner arrived and everyone had to be seated.

  The King insisted, grandly, that the newly engaged couple were to sit near him and his wife. Margaret looked as if she had swallowed nails.

  “Sir Macleod,” said the King as they sat down. “We were sad to see you leave to abruptly last October.”

  “Believe me, highness,” said Leith, smiling at the king as if they were good friends. “I would not have wanted to depart so swiftly, and risk another man capture the heart of the beauteous Edane…” He reached over and grabbed up Edane’s hand, pressing an intimate kiss to her wrist. Edane felt like swooning. Good god, even she almost believed him.

  “…but that an old compact with the Grants required my presence at Freuchie.” Leith then went into detail about the Cameron and McPherson campaign against Freuchie and how the Macleods and the Campbells of Cawdor had come to the aid of the Grants. “Your highness, I’m sure, knows of the connections between the Grants and the Macleods.”

  “There are so many alliances in the highlands they are difficult to keep straight,” said James, “remind me.”

  Edane was sure that James knew of the alliances that Leith was speaking about, but as Leith spoke to the table, engaging Margaret and the others around him, it left James to turn his attention to Edane. He’d been eyeing her for most of the night, and she’d been eyeing him back, taking cues from the way Joanne Newbury flirted with him. Peeking through her lashes, smiling as if she had a secret and only James knew what it was.

  “I fostered with the Laird of Dundur in the keep of Lord John the Red Bard, Chief of Clan Grant. The laird, Calum, is a great favorite of the Red Bard and a great friend of mine. He is married to the Earl of Gordon’s niece, Isla Macleay. Lord Gordon’s son Christopher is married to my sister, Anne…”

  Leith, who’d been publicly reserved when she knew him before, had turned gregarious, magnetic. He told stories of the winter battles between the Grants and the Camerons and had all who could hear him nearby laughing. Even James was drawn into his stories and asked him questions about highland feuds.

  Leith interspersed his tales with occasional loving touches: stroking his finger down Edane’s cheek, resting his hand on hers, or clasping her hands in his. The touches were slowly eroding Edane’s composure. Even feeling weak as she did, she wanted him. She wanted to know the pleasure she’d known in his bed, the safety she’d known in his arms – sensations she’d never been able to replicate with James.

  It wasn’t difficult for Edane to return the looks of longing that Leith sent her. It was more of a challenge to catch James’ eyes when everyone else was turned towards Leith. By the end of the dinner, Edane’s head was spinning.

  At dinner’s end, it was custom for the ladies to disperse, or accompany Margaret to her solar. It was custom for those who James chose to drink whisky with him and speak about politics. James extended the invitation to Leith who declined politely, saying only that he had travelled without sleep to arrive at Edinburgh and wished to see his betrothed to her door. With the king’s permission, he added, as everyone stood to depart, he would like to marry Edane on the morrow. He did not need a fancy ceremony – just the king’s blessing and God’s words.

  Edane knew that James wanted to say no, but the request was a romantic one and the court was watching. So, James seemed beneficent as he granted Leith’s request. Anyone who wished to see the two wed could join them in the church after midday repast. There was a smattering of applause as Leith escorted Edane from the room.

  “Well done,” said Leith, quietly, barely audible above their footsteps, which echoed in the empty stone corridors. “I almost believed you eager to wed me.”

  “I didn’t not have to act,” said Edane. “I am eager to be your wife. Eager to leave Edinburgh. I hope I never have to return here again.”

  “Was James so disappointing as a lover then?” Leith’s words were a sneer, meant to wound. Edane took a deep breath. Now was not the time for pride.

  “I’m not sure anyone could compare to you,” she said honestly.

  Leith didn’t respond to her for a moment, and when he finally spoke he sounded as tired as he had earlier claimed. “I don’t need you to appeal to my ego. Actions speak louder than words, and yours were clear enough. You carry the king’s child – and I will be forced to raise it as mine. I am forced to know that you chose James’ bed to mine…”

  “You don’t know the whole story,” Edane interrupted.

  Leith stopped walking and turned her to face him. He was clearly furious, black brows drawn low over his tired eyes, lips curling in disgust. His voice, when he spoke, was emotionless. “I do not wish to
know the story. It doesn’t matter.”

  Edane took a breath. “It does matter,” she said. “But I’ll not force it on you. When you wish to hear it, I will tell it.”

  “I find I am unwilling to walk further with you. I will leave you here. I’m sure you can find your rooms yourself.”

  His words physically hurt her. A pain shot through her abdomen, so sharp she clutched at it. “Leith…”

  “Goodnight, Edane,” he said, and strode back the way they’d come.

  CHAPTER 18

  E dane was surprised to wake up on the day of her wedding feeling surprisingly better than she had the day before. In fact, she felt a bit stronger for the first time in over two weeks. Perhaps her illness was not the pregnancy at all, but was melancholy. Perhaps just seeing Leith again made her feel better. Or maybe it was the knowledge that she would marry and would soon be free of James, of Margaret, and of Edinburgh.

  Either way, she felt more stable as she put on her favorite burgundy gown. She decided that she would wear her hair down. It was her wedding, after all, and while only maidens were traditionally supposed to wear their hair down, Edane was allowed to pretend today. She was debating whether or not to seek out Lady Maxwell for help hiding the marks on her cheek, when there was a knock on her door.

  Edane knew it was Lady Maxwell when the door flew open before she could bid the woman enter. Only the lady had not arrived alone. Not only was her lady’s maid in attendance but another woman was present, too, one whom Edane had never met before.

  The woman was extraordinarily tall and darkly beautiful. Her dress was simpler than the gown Edane had put on, but the material was richly wrought. The woman wore a sapphire at her throat and silver combs in her hair. Her eyes were piercing and blue as they looked on Edane keenly.

  “Girl,” said Lady Maxwell, “I bumped into the woman on her way here. Says she’s a friend of Leith Macleod.”

  Edane’s heart nearly stopped in her chest. Oh God. Since learning of her impending marriage to Leith, she hadn’t once stopped to think that he might have found another lover. This woman was beautiful enough to catch the attention of a man like Leith Macleod. Was this Leith’s lover? Had he betrothed himself to another before the king called him to wed Edane?

  “Good evening, Miss Campbell.” The woman’s accent and dress identified her as a highlander, but the shawl she wore was not patterned after the Macleod tartan. “After speaking with Leith, I thought you might like someone to help you get ready. It seems, however, that these women were already on their way. In fact, you are already dressed, so my attendance would seem superfluous!” Her eyes flashed with mild annoyance, that was directed more at the situation than it was at Edane.

  “Nonsense, dear,” said Lady Maxwell. “Edane needs a friend or two in her corner I’d imagine. If her betrothed sent you, stay!”

  The beauty inclined her head and took a look around the room. Edane cleared her throat. “Miss,” she said, capturing the woman’s attention again. “You have me at a disadvantage. You obviously know who I am, but I do not have…”

  “Of course! I’m so sorry. I’m Isla,” said the woman, rushing forward and taking Edane’s hand in hers. “I’m married to one of Leith’s friends, Calum Grant.”

  Edane’s mind shot back to the story Leith told the king last night. Calum Grant was a Grant chieftain, so this was…

  “You’re Alec Gordon’s niece.” The pieces in place, Edane relaxed. This was not Leith’s paramour. She was as she said: his friend.

  “I am,” said the woman, who pursed her lips as if knowledge of the relationship displeased her. “For my sins.”

  “Lord Gordon is good friends with my father,” said Edane. “He visited castle Campbell many times when I was a girl.”

  “Then I’m sorry for you,” said Isla tartly. “He’s a handful.”

  Edane found herself grinning. In fact, she had liked the Lord Gordon. He’d been relatively kind to her on his occasional visits. He always made sure to say hello to her when he was greeting her siblings.

  “You’re lucky,” said Edane, feeling mischievous. “You don’t look a thing like him.”

  Lady Maxwell smacked Edane on the hand. “Manners, Girl!”

  But Isla was grinning. “No. Thankfully, I resemble my mother’s side of the family.”

  “Enough chatter,” said Lady Maxwell. “The bride is allowed to keep the congregation waiting no more than twenty minutes, so let’s cover those terrible scratches and be on our way.”

  Edane held still and let Lady Maxwell’s woman apply ointment and powder to her face.

  “Your color has improved slightly,” said the woman. “I don’t need as much today.”

  “Have you been sick?” asked Isla, who had taken a seat on the window sill.

  “It’s just the…” Edane stopped herself. She was about to reveal the pregnancy to a total stranger!

  “The baby. Don’t worry. I know about it,” said Isla. “Calum was with Leith when he got the summons from James.” She was quiet as she gazed on Edane. “I’m not one to judge. Don’t worry. I’ll tell you my story later, if there’s time.”

  Edane nodded, relaxing back into her chair and allowing the woman to finish her makeup. Surrounded by women who did not hate her, or wish her ill, on her way to marry a man for whom she still harbored love, Edane felt almost jubilant.

  That is, until, they arrived at the castle chapel and it was James standing outside the door.

  “As your father cannot be here to walk you down the aisle,” said James, taking Edane’s unresisting hand from Lady Maxwell’s arm, “I would be honored to do so.”

  Edane could only bite her lip and express her faint gratitude as Isla and Lady Maxwell left to find seats in the chapel. Standing outside closed doors, alone with James, Edane felt his eyes on her. “You look beautiful, Edane,” murmured James, his voice low, seductive.

  Edane forced herself to look into his eyes and grin at him. She ran her free hand down his sleeve and said, softly, “You look resplendent, highness.”

  “Those were pretty words you spoke last night.”

  “Thank you.” She could think of nothing else to say.

  “But something tells me you did not mean them.”

  “Oh?”

  “I had the distinct impression that you would rather have been in my bed last night, than at the highlander’s side this morning.”

  “Highness,” she said, “What woman would not wish herself in the arms of a such a king? It is my misfortune to have lost your favor.”

  The king’s eyes burned into hers, his hand travelled to her waist and pulled her slowly towards him. “Oh no, Edane. It is my misfortune to have neglected your company so long. But no longer, I think.”

  Edane’s heart skipped a beat.

  “Highness?” It came out breathy and Edane hoped he couldn’t hear the panic in her voice.

  “Oh, don’t worry. Your father is quite right. I should marry you to the scheming highlander. But I’m not finished with you. The highlander already knows it. I spoke to him this morning: you two are to remain in Edinburgh until the baby is born. When I see that it is healthy and the doctors verify that it is mine, you and your highlander can return north. But there are at least six months until the child is born. I have time yet to enjoy your company.”

  James stroked a finger down her cheek and Edane forced herself to remain still, not to pull away in horror. He would undermine the sanctity of her marriage like that? She wanted to cry. But Leith had told her to act, and so she acted. She tilted her chin up and James brought his lips down atop hers in a hot, messy kiss. When he was done, and the doors began to open, Edane had to surreptitiously wipe her mouth on her sleeve and hope no signs of the king’s affection showed.

  The church was packed with more people than she could have imagined. It seemed like Leith’s scene at the dinner the night before had done its job. For all anyone knew, theirs was a star-crossed romance with a happily-ever-after. People were whisp
ering and beaming as the king walked her to the head of the church and the mass began. Leith was standing there, resplendent, and he bowed to the king as the king handed Edane to Leith.

  Not even Leith’s presence could steady her. Edane’s mind was whirring so loudly that she barely heard the ceremony, and only said her words because Leith squeezed her hand to get her attention.

  When it was time for the kiss, not even Leith’s passionate embrace could bring her out of her thoughts and back to the present. Leith seemed to realize something was wrong too, for as the chapel erupted with cheers for their marriage, he pulled her close and murmured, “Whatever it is, let it go. Look like you are eager to marry me, dammit.”

  His curse brought her back to the moment. She looked into his intense, green eyes and tried to find solace, some sense of peace. But it wasn’t there. Marriage to Leith meant nothing. The King would have her either way.

  The wedding brunch was torturous.

  The food was not served immediately. In fact, Leith and Edane were expected to mingle, to chat with others. Edane watched Leith charm the room. His personality was magnetic, so at odds with the man she’d come to know last October.

  “He’s a good actor,” murmured Richard, coming up behind her, “But the best acting comes from reality, they say. What you see now is the Leith we all know and love. You should see him in Skye.” Richard sounded wistful. “When he’s at home among the rocks and the wind-stripped hills, he sings, he dances, he drinks. He’s a man of joy, a man who loves his freedom, one who chafes under the heel of authority, even his fathers.”

  “I understand,” said Edane, hearing what Richard was not saying. That Leith’s misery was her fault. He’d been called here and forced to wed her and in marrying her he was no longer ‘free.’ She moved away from Richard. She didn’t need to be made to feel more miserable than she already was.

  “A word, Edane.”