by Amy Jarecki
Gyllis placed her hand atop her husband’s and gave him a clench-toothed grin. “Sean hasn’t been home long enough for me to tell him. Lady Helen has obtained an annulment from His Holiness.”
Sean looked surprised, though not cross. “Interesting. And Aleck MacIain went along with this news? He doesn’t seem like the type…”
John brushed his hands over the front of his chasuble. “He didn’t have a choice in the matter, once I discovered dear Helen had been battered, I agreed to represent her plea to the Pope.”
Sean clenched his fist around the handle of his tankard. “That bastard raised a hand against my sister-in-law? My God, the very thing knights fight against was happening in our own family?”
“Mind your vulgar tongue, my dear.” Gyllis rested a reassuring palm atop her husband’s arm. “Besides, we’ve spirited her away for now, until we’re certain ’tis safe.”
Sean pulled his arm away. “You’ve done all this without me?”
Gyllis planted her fists on her hips. “Forgive me if the world doesn’t come to a halt whilst you’re away enforcing the king’s orders.”
“I—”
“M’laird.” Angus hastened into the great hall. “Lord Duncan and the Chieftain of Ardnamurchan intercepted us on the trail from Glen Orchy. His lordship asked me to have you meet him at the hunting cottage at once.”
Behind Angus, two guards helped a battered Mr. Keith to a bench.
“Goodness gracious.” Gyllis gasped. “What did my brother do to Lady Helen’s guard?”
“It wasn’t Lord Duncan. His lordship tried to step in, but Sir Aleck grew enraged.”
Rising to his feet, Sean snatched his sword belt from the back of the chair. “Angus, summon the guard. We ride at once.”
The henchman pointed. “They’re already mounted and waiting, m’laird.”
Sean bounded toward the door with long strides. “Then we must make haste.”
Gyllis dashed to Mr. Keith. His face was bloodied with one eye swollen shut. “What on earth happened?”
“Sir Aleck saw me riding patrol with the men.” The elderly man coughed. “He knocked me off my horse, then pummeled my face. I swear I didn’t tell him where Lady Helen is—but he figured it out all the same.”
“My word.” Gyllis wrung her hands. “I fear that man is evil beyond saving.”
Mr. Keith grasped Gyllis’s wrist. “He’s the worst sort.”
“I must go to her.”
He struggled to stand. “Not without a guard, m’lady.”
***
Helen and Eoin sat on the rug before the hearth with Maggie. Eoin had made a ball out of a piece of leather and swung it from a thong while the wee one tried to catch it. Every time she stopped the ball between her palms, she let out a squeal.
Helen threw her head back and laughed. The bairn seemed much happier in the cabin with Eoin there as well. It was so incredibly warm and homey—even happier than her childhood had been. Though she knew he would have to return to Glen Strae on the morrow, Eoin would be back as soon as his spies reported Aleck’s whereabouts—and if the man had made threats against her life. She closed her eyes and shook her head. Now away from that horrid situation, her time at Mingary seemed like a passing nightmare.
All of a sudden, Eoin stopped laughing and froze. His eyes darted to the door.
“What—?”
He sliced his hand through the air and listened. Springing to his feet, he pointed to the door. “Take Maggie to the bedchamber.”
Helen gasped.
Eoin reached for his sword belt and swung it around his hips. “Now.”
Helen pulled the bairn into her arms. Before she reached the chamber, she heard the horse hooves thumping the ground outside the cottage. How on earth did Eoin hear them so much sooner than I?
Trembling from her head to her toes, she dashed inside, wrapped Maggie in a blanket and hid her under the bed. But the babe launched into an earsplitting wail. Helen knelt down and smoothed a hand over Maggie’s crown. “Wheesht, darling.”
The door burst open and with it blew a gale that sapped the heat straight out of the bedchamber.
“MacGregor,” Aleck’s gravelly voice rumbled. “I should have known you’d be here, living in sin with my wife.”
“Lady Helen is no longer your concern or your wife,” Eoin growled.
“MacGregor?” Duncan’s voice rose in astonishment. “What in God’s name are you doing here?”
Duncan? Have mercy.
Helen moved so she could peer around the door. Behind her, Maggie started to wail.
Red in the face, Aleck looked as if he were about to kill Eoin. “He’s debauched Helen. Turned her against me.”
“I have done nothing of the sort.” Eoin lowered his sword and looked to Duncan. “Lady Helen was abused by—”
Aleck drew his dirk. With a deep bellow, he launched himself at Eoin.
Taking in a sharp gasp, Helen’s heartbeat raced.
With a flick of his wrist, Eoin deflected the attack and sent the blackguard stumbling toward the hearth. Then Eoin faced him and raised his weapon. Aleck reached for his sword. It hissed from its scabbard as the two men circled.
Helen rushed forward and grabbed Duncan’s arm. “Stop them!”
“How could you degrade yourself, keeping company alone in the forest with a man?” He drew his arm away. “You are ruined. Your daughter is ruined. I cannot believe your behavior—something I would never expect from you, above all.”
Helen backed away in horror whilst Maggie’s cries grew louder. Duncan’s bitter words were far more painful than any blow delivered by Aleck’s slap.
Clutching her fists beneath her chin, she watched in horror as Eoin and Aleck crashed into the table as it screeched across the floorboards. Each man’s eyes filled with hate, they brandished their swords like wild men. Behind her, Maggie’s wails pierced through the mayhem.
Duncan stood with his fists on his hips and watched with a scowl, doing nothing to stop the fight.
Eoin moved like lightning—so fast, Helen didn’t see exactly how it happened, but Aleck was disarmed of his sword, and Eoin had her estranged husband flat on his back in a stranglehold.
Duncan stepped forward. “I’ll have words—”
Helen dashed in front of her brother and cut him off. “With me!” She jabbed her finger into his sternum. “How could you marry me off to a tyrant—a man who thinks nothing of beating me—a man who refuses to see his own daughter because he wanted a lad—a vile braggart who locks his wife in the dungeon for sennights because I asked his leman to tend the pigs and chickens when the villagers sought refuge in Mingary Castle?” She stamped her foot. “Whilst said tyrant rode off to secure his lands in Sunart, leaving me alone to defend to the keep against a MacDonald sea attack.” She took in a deep breath, hardly able to believe she’d uttered the entire repugnant affair in one outpouring.
Duncan’s mouth dropped open.
But Helen was only starting. She threw a finger Aleck’s direction. “If I am ruined because I allowed Sir Eoin to assist me and carry my missive to Iona so that I could seek safety, not only for me, but for my daughter, then I choose complete and utter ruination.”
Duncan threw a heated glare toward Aleck. “Are these accusations true?”
The scoundrel’s feet squirmed while Eoin maintained his grip. “Get this mule-brained boar off me,” Aleck garbled.
Eoin’s knuckles grew white and he flashed Duncan a quick look. “I saw the bruises on Lady Helen’s face, and witnessed MacIain’s untoward hostility toward his wife—when she was married to the slobbering weasel.”
Sir Sean pushed through the door. Behind him Gyllis marched inside, dragging a battered looking Mr. Keith in her wake. “This man can testify on Helen’s behalf.”
The old guard cringed, giving Helen a hesitant grimace.
“Go on,” Gyllis urged.
“M’lord.” Mr. Keith bowed to Duncan. “I released Lady Helen from the dungeon a
t Mingary where she’d been incarcerated for two sennights with orders that no one see her. At her request, I rowed a skiff all the way to Dunollie where Lady Gyllis graciously gave her refuge.”
“You rowed from Mingary?” Duncan asked.
“Someone had to do something. Sooner or later she would have succumbed to the violent hand of the chieftain.”
“You lie!” Aleck garbled from the floor, kicking his feet while Maggie continued to howl in the back room.
Gyllis disappeared into the bedchamber.
“Silence, you whoreson.” Eoin’s grip strengthened. “I witnessed your tyranny myself.”
“But you have been caught, MacGregor. Your word bears no witness here. Regardless, I intend to uncover the truth.” Duncan turned to Mr. Keith. “Were you aware of any scandalous action by Eoin MacGregor before the annulment was granted?”
Mr. Keith scratched his beard and looked to Helen.
Please say no. She slowly shook her head as Gyllis stepped beside her, cradling the bairn. Goodness, Helen hadn’t even realized the crying had stopped.
“I can testify to your question.” Thank the heavens, His Worship stepped into the cottage. John marched straight to Duncan. “I asked Sir Eoin the very same when he came to me with Helen’s missive requesting help.”
Helen shot a panicked look to Eoin. He gave her a reassuring wink.
“We talked about his fondness for our sister, but he swore to me, the Bishop of the Isles, that he had not compromised the sanctity of marriage.”
“Mr. Keith,” Duncan squared his shoulders. “When did you become aware of Sir Eoin’s affection for her ladyship?”
Helen’s knees wobbled.
“Not until a month past. I kent he helped her ladyship, but I swear on my mother’s grave there was no impropriety between them. Honestly, it surprised me when he came to visit with the missive from the Pope. He’d always been a bit stand-offish, good at training the guard, mind you, but he never sat with the men at Mingary and drank ale—you ken, he kept to himself.” Mr. Keith looked to Aleck, still gasping in Eoin’s stranglehold. “Ah, if the lordship will also allow me, I must bear witness to the fact that Sir Aleck was openly affectionate with the widow, Mary.”
“Openly?” Duncan asked.
“Aye, there was no question what went on above stairs, if you know what I mean.” Mr. Keith pointed to the door. “In fact, before we came in, one of the MacIain lads told me news had arrived that Mary birthed a lass—Sir Aleck’s illegitimate daughter.”
Duncan crossed the floor. “Is this true?”
MacIain spat. “Call off your dog.”
It took but a flash for Duncan to pull dirk and place the point a hair’s breadth from Aleck’s eye. “I’ll ask one more time. Is it true?”
“Aye,” Aleck growled. “A man needs to take a leman when he has a fickle wife.”
“That’s a lie.” Helen stamped her foot. “I pleaded with you to come to my bed after Maggie’s birth so that I could give you a son, but since the day she was born, you have shunned us both.”
Gyllis stepped forward. “And Helen told me in confidence that Sir Aleck had been unfaithful throughout the duration of their marriage.”
John steepled his fingers in front of the cross on his chasuble. “I’m afraid, brother, a higher order has made a decision on this matter. His Holiness the Pope has annulled this marriage and Aleck MacIain is no longer our brother-in-law.”
Duncan drew his dirk away from Aleck’s eye and sheathed it. “You heard the words straight from His Worship, MacIain. Take your men back to Mingary now and leave my sister in peace. If I hear you have ever again acted against a decree from His Holiness the Pope, I will personally preside over your hanging.”
“Not if I get there first.” Eoin released his grip and stood back.
Aleck sat up, coughing and rubbing his throat. “You’re taking her word?”
“Aye.” Gathering the bairn from Gyllis, Helen hugged Maggie to her breast. “I’ll not be seeing my daughter traded for lands when she’s still but a babe. She will mature into a fully grown woman before she weds.” Helen glared directly at Duncan. “And when she does marry, it will be to someone of her choosing.”
***
After Aleck and his retinue rode away, Duncan rapped Eoin on the shoulder. “Come, take a walk with me.”
Eoin knew what was coming. He looked like a goddamned fool hiding out in the cottage with Helen. If Mr. Keith and John had not arrived, who knew what the outcome of that altercation would have been. Most likely, Duncan would have killed Eoin and discovered the truth later.
Stepping outside, the autumn air was cold and a thick mist hung above the clearing, but Eoin’s blood was still running too hot to feel it.
Duncan wasn’t smiling. In fact he was red in the face and looked like he wanted to hit something. Perhaps my nose. Every muscle in Eoin’s body tensed. He followed as the Lord of Glenorchy marched along the path like an ogre. They’d gone about a quarter mile when Duncan stopped and grasped Eoin by the shoulders. “I thought better of you, MacGregor.”
Eoin clenched his fists and shrugged away. Must Duncan always jump to conclusions? “I—”
“You ken you have ruined my sister and her daughter.”
Bowing obsequiously, Eoin spread his arms. “Only if you declare it to be so.”
“Have you gone completely mad? How many people know your whereabouts? I’d wager half of Argyllshire is aware of your indiscretion by now.”
“Perhaps, but you can make it right.” Eoin licked his lips. “I offer for Lady Helen’s hand. I love her. Always have.”
“Love?” Duncan threw up his hands. “How that notion has a way of putting men in a world of strife.”
“I seem to recall you had a similar situation with Lady Meg’s brother when he marched his army to Kilchurn and nearly blasted her walls down with his shiny new cannons.”
Duncan raked his fingers through his black hair. “Christ, don’t remind me how foolish I was.”
Had Eoin found a slight fissure in Glenorchy’s anger? Regardless, he wasn’t about to let it pass. “I remember that day well—I even cautioned you, m’lord. But off you went, the courageous knight stepping out alone to meet the Earl of Angus and his troops. What did you say to him after you convinced him to follow you into the antechamber? Did you declare your love for Lady Meg as I have for Lady Helen?”
Duncan crossed his arms—a clear sign Eoin was wearing him down. “My situation was entirely different.” Oh yes, the Lord of Glenorchy could be smug.
“Was it now? Exactly how did you arrive at such a remarkable conclusion?” Eoin stepped in, gaining confidence. “I watched Lady Helen grow from a lass into a woman. Out of respect for you and your family, I kept my feelings in check all these years. Why should we not be married as you and Lady Meg were?”
“First of all, Lady Meg wasn’t married prior to my meeting with Lord Arthur. Secondly, Helen’s dowry has already been lost…“” Duncan resumed his wary scowl. “What were you doing staying with my sister in a cabin in the woods?”
“I—she—” Eoin expected to be hammered with this argument first. Damn him for attacking with a devious blow.
“Do you have any idea how disgraceful your actions appear?”
Eoin kicked the dirt. “I was planning to approach you this day, as a matter of fact.”
“But we beat you to it. That doesn’t bode well for you, MacGregor.”
“I didn’t think anyone knew where we were, aside from Lady Gyllis.”
“And Mr. Keith.”
Eoin had to agree there. “The guard pledged fealty to Lady Helen.”
“You should know he didn’t turn backstabber. He gave you away with a mere shift of his eyes.”
“I could never blame him—only myself for this bungle.” Eoin stepped in and placed his hand on Duncan’s shoulder. “Please, you are my closest friend and ally. I’ll take good care of Lady Helen. She’ll never want for anything, and I swear on my father
’s grave, she will never fear being struck by a man again.”
Duncan winced, then he stepped away and turned his back, as if finding something he needed to study in the trees. “In light of your indiscretion before speaking to me, I will not be able to offer you a farthing for her maintenance.”
Eoin’s stomach performed a backflip. “Do you think I want your coin? After all these years of riding in your shadow, supporting you and your father, how can you not know that your respect is what I covet most?”
Duncan swiveled around and one corner of his mouth turned up. “So nothing’s changed, then?”
“Of course nothing has changed…except now you know I’ve been in love with your sister since I was four and ten.”
Duncan gestured toward the path leading back to the cottage. “Four and ten? Honestly?”
“Aye.”
“Bloody hell, why did you not say something when I was arranging her marriage to that monster?”
Eoin had a plethora of responses to that question, including his own ill-founded feelings of inadequacy for such a gem as Lady Helen. Instead, he shrugged. “You seemed so intent on making the alliance. I didn’t want to stand in your way.” That was true as well and it didn’t make him out to be less of a man. He may not be lord of a castle, but Eoin was chieftain of a powerful and feared clan. He would always be proud of his parentage.
Duncan slapped him on the back. “And the bairn. You will raise Maggie as your own?”
“Who wouldn’t adore a lass as bonny as she? Of course, I will see to her care in every way.”
His lordship pulled away and narrowed his eyes. “What is Maggie’s middle name?”
Eoin remembered the first time Helen had said the name. She’d been so proud. “Alice. Helen named her Alice after her younger sister.”
A big grin parted Duncan’s lips. “I kent you wouldn’t cross me.”
“Never.”
Chapter Thirty-One
When the door opened, Helen handed Maggie to Gyllis and faced Duncan and Eoin, hands clasped, ready to wage war with her brother. She would do and say whatever was necessary not to lose Eoin again. They had pledged their love, and though Duncan was their lord and master, he would not deny her happiness for the rest of her life.
