Jared spun around as they walked out into the hallway together. Asilinn saw Liam come back into the hall and give Jared a negative nod. Jared frowned and faced her father.
“My daughter will tell you of my plans.” Giving Jared a cold appraisal, Angus continued. “If any harm comes to Asilinn while she is in your care there will not be any place you can hide from me.”
“If any harm comes to Asilinn, I would have already been killed trying to prevent it,” Jared answered evenly.
“I'm glad to hear that,” Angus responded with a grin.
Asilinn gave her father and brother a last hug and they left the castle. She watched until they were out of sight and turned to look at her husband.
Jared's crisp, white shirt enhanced his chiseled features and thick, dark hair. His eyes seemed to glow like the eyes of the dragon her father had spoken about. What would he do if he caught her trying to escape?
Jared took her hand and pulled her along behind him. “Let's go to the tower. I would hear you father’s plans.”
As they climbed the stairs together, her father's words were still ringing in her ears.
When they reached their room, Jared pulled two chairs closer to the fire and offered her one. He seemed to sense she needed her space and sat waiting for her to start talking.
“In a few days he will leave your lands and go to the council with a complete accounting of what has transpired. He is noncommittal about whether or not he will support the peace, but I believe the idea interests him.”
“I was sure he would fight to take you with him until the matter is resolved.”
“Would you allow it? I would promise to return when the peace is made.”
Jared’s eyes narrowed dangerously. He gazed at her in the firelight. “I told him when he suggested it I canna allow it. I’m just surprised he accepted that.”
“He plans to return in one month to talk with you again. In that time, it is his wish that…" Asilinn paused. She was fumbling for the right words, almost afraid to continue.
“What? Just tell me. I promise I wilna be angry.”
“He told me to find you a whore to ease your lust so I dinna get with child until this matter is resolved,” Asilinn blurted out in one long breath. Her gaze fell to her lap and she could feel her face color with a blush.
Jared roared with laughter. When he had finally recovered enough to speak, it was more to himself than to her. “Wiley old goat, that’s why he’s willing to go, he thinks I will leave off taking you to my bed if he promises to consider peace.”
“If we make a child now, he will not belong to either of our clans. They will both hate him for the part that belongs to the other. I would not wish such a fate on an innocent child. I think the peace should be made first.”
“I see he has manipulated you well in your short time together. Our king thinks the peace would be served by our child.” He leaned closer and forced her to stare into his eyes. “And if you already carry my seed, would you choose to lose the baby?”
“No, Milord,” she cried, fresh tears springing to her eyes. “No child could ever come to harm at my hand.”
Jared pushed back in his chair with a sharp intake of breath. Laird Innes was manipulating his innocent daughter to his own ends. But two could play the game. “So you want to wait to conceive my child.”
“Aye, Milord,” she whispered.
“Asilinn, I've been with other women in my time and I've never given any of them my child. If I decide to go along with this ridiculous request, there are things that can be done to lessen the possibility.”
Her eyes grew wide. “What kinds of things?”
“There are ways for you to grant me my husband’s rights and pleasure me without risk of making a child. Granted they are less fulfilling, but not without their own special enjoyments. If you are willing to try this, I shall consider your request. Is that agreeable with you?”
“Aye, so.” Her heart thumped wildly against the inside of her chest. What was she agreeing to?
“Were you afraid of my reaction to your father's request?” Asilinn nodded in the affirmative. A lecherous grin slid across Jared's face. “I dinna think your father had in mind the solution I propose, but 'tis the only one I find acceptable to meet his conditions. We will try this tonight and I will consider if I can be satisfied with this until your father returns.” He thought she looked like a scared rabbit, but all he could do was think about Angus and grin. Laird Innes would ring Jared’s neck if he knew of this proposed bargain. “Was there anything else, Asilinn?”
“Father asked me not to give away any of our clan secrets until the peace was settled.”
“I wouldna ask you to," Jared replied. “But I will begin your education on alternative pleasures tonight.”
***
“The conditions you urged upon Asilinn will anger the Laird of Dunbocan,” Ian told his father. “I fear for her safety.”
“Laird Jared MacLean wilna harm her,” Angus replied with certainty. “She is a valuable tool to him. We must discover what reasons Laird Jared may have for desiring peace. Mayhaps there is something we do not know. I’ll send a missive to Robert to verify his desires in the matter.”
“You dinna believe Laird Jared’s motives?”
“I want to be sure before I lead our fellow clansmen to his peace table.” Ian nodded his agreement.
The evening was overcast as they headed through the thick woods separating them from their encampment. They rode in quiet for a time, gradually approaching the densest part of the forest.
Angus broke the silence of the dark woods. “If by some chance this should work, we would be aligned with the most powerful man in the Highlands. His blood would be our blood, a stronger bond than any other clan can claim. It would be an advantage, but I must be assured he is dealing with us honestly.”
Ian laughed. “I'd like to see Laird Jared's face when Asilinn requests he keep her from his bed.”
The sound of hoof beats cut off their conversation. Angus drew his horse up. “Listen.”
“Perhaps Erland grew tired of waiting for our return and rides to meet us.”
“No, he had specific orders to the contrary.”
A small contingent of hooded men broke from the dense thicket to their left. “Ride,” Angus ordered. He spurred his horse to a dead run. The men thundered after them quickly closing in.
Angus wheeled his horse and charged into their midst, temporarily dispersing them. Grasping his sword, he felled one man in a single blow and spun to parry an attack from the rear. His son raced to his side and impaled the warrior who sought to kill him. They were still surrounded while they attempted to fight off the remaining hooded assassins.
Suddenly another group of riders appeared out of the dark night. The masked attackers turned and fled. Ian started after them, but Angus called him back.
“Let them go back to the Laird of Dunbocan and tell him of their failure,” Angus shouted.
Erland and ten men rode up. “Are you all right, Milord?”
“Aye, Erland. I appreciate your timely disobedience.”
“Always at your service.”
“Are you sure these men worked for Laird MacLean?” Ian asked.
“I am mightily suspicious. But I would hear his rebuttal if he has one. Come, we ride back to Dunbocan. Erland and his group shall accompany us.”
***
Jared was not pleased when a knock at the door interrupted his planned seduction of his lovely wife. When he answered the door, the look on Morven's face told him it was a problem worthy of his attention. Telling his cousin to wait for him in the hall, he walked back into the room. Asilinn sat with her back to him. She gazed into the fire lost in thought or so it seemed.
“I'll be back shortly,” he told her as he left the room.
Laird Angus Innes and his men stood in the lower hall. “Is there some problem?” Jared asked.
“On our way back to camp we were attacked. Had my commander not disobey
ed my order and come in search of us, my son and I would have been killed.”
One of Laird Innes' men slung a lifeless body to the floor at Jared's feet. Angus threw a silver pin with Jared's coat of arms on top of the body. “You sent assassins to kill us.”
Jared knelt and lifted the man's head then dropped it in disgust. “I told you there were those within my own clan who would fight against this alliance. Obviously, Tynan was one of them. I swear to you on your daughter's life I did not send them.”
“Let Asilinn come home with me until this matter is decided.”
“If I let you have her, you have no reason to make peace. She is my wife and I will not let her go.”
“I want to speak to her again.”
“She has retired for the evening.” Jared watched Angus' stone face. “I apologize for this affront to your honest dealing with me. You have my assurance these men will be hunted down. I'll catch them. When I do they will be handed over to you for punishment.”
Angus could not hide his surprise. “You'll allow us to decide their fate?”
“It is your right. It was your life they sought to end. You and your men are welcome to stay the night, though I daresay you would feel more comfortable in your encampment. You will not be attacked by my order unless you harm my people.” Jared paused. “Did these men wear dark masks?”
“Aye, they did,” Ian replied.
“And was their leader riding a bay horse?”
“‘Twas difficult to tell, but I believe so.”
“These are the same men who attacked Asilinn and me on the trail.” Jared turned to Morven. “Take Ross and go and account for the whereabouts of every man in the inner circle. We have a traitor in our midst.”
“I'll take my leave, Laird of Dunbocan,” Angus said. “But I would have you give my daughter a message.” He drew a deep breath. “Tell her I have decided not to let the men and horses rest for the time I had planned. I will be leaving your lands at dawn. I wilna see her again until I return. If we cannot come to an agreement, I'll be back with an army to free her.”
“There will be an agreement,” Jared assured him.
***
As they rode off Ian cast a stern look at his father. “Will Asilinn understand she should not try to escape?”
“I pray so, for I fear for the child if the masked riders should find her alone in the woods. This is a foul mess,” Angus muttered. He urged his horse forward. “Let us hope Asilinn’s gift returns to warn of the dangers and she stays safe.”
***
Jared returned to his room to find Asilinn bent over the fire brewing something in her kettle. She watched him warily as if he were going to devour her.
“Your father sends you a message. He says he will leave tomorrow at dawn and he is sorry he will be unable to see you again before he leaves.”
“Tomorrow, but he said he might stay several days.”
Jared shrugged. “That is the message.”
Why had her father sent a messenger back with this new plan? Was she to find a way out tonight? While Jared was gone, she had gotten together the things she thought she would need for her escape. They sat now a few feet from her under her cloak.
Asilinn looked up to see Jared had come close. “Come to bed. I would begin your education in alternative pleasures this evening.”
“Mayhaps you would have some restorative before we start.” She motioned to the aromatic brew on the fire. Asilinn’s heart was in her throat. She had only meant to put him to sleep with her concoction and escape his attentions this evening not be forced to flee tonight. She did not know how long it would make him sleep.
He came close and sniffed her brew. “Smells good, I’ll have some.” He sank into a chair by the fire watching her while she poured him a cup. Jared captured her hand and pulled her into his lap when she handed it to him. She could feel his hot breath on her face as he took a sip. “You’re not having any?”
“I just did. I hoped it would relax me before my tutoring.” She played with fire now. She could see the gleam of his eyes at her remark.
With a mischievous grin, he took a deep draught and leaned his head back against the chair. “Good, fair Asilinn. I would have you begin by helping me undress. Start with my boots.”
She must play along and pray her potion worked quickly. Sliding off of his lap, she knelt by his feet and did as he asked, but when she went to straighten, he stood. He spread his legs and pulled her between them. “Work from bottom to top,” he directed as he took another drink. Her nervous fingers fumbled with belt holding his plaid in place. Jared stroked the top of her head with one hand while she worked. Thank God, he still drank her brew. He downed the rest of it.
His lazy grin told her he was enjoying her discomfort. She worked the plaid loose and pulled it off of him. His manhood was fully exposed. “Taste me, Asilinn,” he said in quiet demand. With one hand, he nudged her head toward his crotch. She placed her hands on him and felt the growing hardness of his shaft. “Take me in your mouth,” he whispered tightly. Again, he pressed her head to his groin. She heard the cup drop to the floor when he placed both hands on her head. Asilinn was shaking. She found it hard to catch her breath. After one look into his fiery eyes, she did as she was told. Asilinn began a timid exploration of him with her mouth.
Jared couldn’t believe what was happening. His whole body shook while she did her duty. He savored the moment as long as he could, but something was wrong—he was woozy. He felt like he might drop over if he didn’t sit down. He sat and pulled her back to her task as he half-fell into the chair. But it was too late. The darkness closed in around him and she was gone.
Chapter Nine
Rising shakily to her feet, Asilinn stared at him. What had she done? There was no time to dwell on it. Jared appeared to be sleeping and she must go quickly before he woke and caught her. She slipped silently over and put on the clothes she had prepared. She decided she did not want to go alone into the secret passage. Her thought was to go the most direct route out of the tower and try to find a way out of the castle without being detected. It wasn’t much of a plan, but her father’s message had made it clear it was tonight or not at all. Convinced her husband still slept soundly, she carefully opened the door to their chamber. He did not stir. Closing the door silently behind her, she made her way down the narrow tower steps until she came to the main hall. As she peered around the corner, her heart caught in her throat.
A coffin lay on a makeshift litter on the stone table on one side of the room. Heart pounding, she moved across the floor until she stood beside the table. Had Jared killed one of them, her father, or her brother? With a trembling hand, she grasped the lid and lifted it. It was the man who spilled the wine on her dress at the wedding. He had been killed with a sword.
A sudden noise behind her made her jump. Two of Jared’s men were walking through the doorway but they hadn’t seen her yet. There was nowhere to hide—nowhere save in the box with the body of the dead man. Desperate she climbed inside and pulled the lid closed her. She could hear the footsteps come closer. Holding her breath, she prayed for deliverance.
“Laird Jared said we should get rid of the body before mornin’.”
“Aye, while he goes back to bugger the Innes bitch.”
“Pretty one, that.”
“Aye, so. Bet she’s bustin’ his balls right now.” Both men laughed. “Let’s to it.”
Asilinn’s heart lurched in her chest. She felt the litter lift off the table. “He’s a heavy bastard,” one of the men commented.
“Dead weight.” They laughed again.
She was forced to cling to the dead body to keep from knocking against the sides of the coffin. The two men jostled their package down one more flight of steps and out the door. Asilinn could feel the cool, night air right through the slats in the box. They walked for some time winding this way and that until she smelled the moisture-laden air near the loch.
“Harry, grab some twine and tie the lid on,�
�� one man called. A third man began a dialogue with the two men holding the litter. Asilinn could hear rope stretching around the makeshift coffin. They were tying it tight—she was bound inside the box with the corpse.
“Feels awful heavy,” one of them commented. “What are you doin’ with him?”
“The laird said to take him outside the walls beyond the lake and bury him in an unmarked grave.”
“A few stone in the box and you could save yerselves some diggin’. I got a boat would do the trick.”
“He’s heavy enough. Get the boat. I dinna feel like diggin’ tonight.”
Her dream—she was to be drowned with a dead man. This was a punishment from God for her foul behavior. She could not even cross herself in the tight space. But if she could reach her dagger stuck fast in her waistband, she may have some hope of freeing herself before all was lost.
Asilinn fought to concentrate on her task. She felt the rise and fall of the tiny skiff across the choppy waters of the lake. If her dream was right, she would sink rapidly—the dagger was her only hope to free herself. It seemed an eternity before she was able to grasp the hilt. Suddenly the men stopped rowing.
“We’re almost to the other side. If he washes up, it will be over there along the woods. No one will find him.”
“If Laird Jared finds him, I wilna stay to face his wrath.”
“Would you rather be diggin’ half the night?”
“No, let’s be about it.”
The boat rocked when the two occupants stood and shoved the coffin into the water. Asilinn felt the whole thing sway as they tossed it over the side. The icy water took her breath away—the heavy box spiraled toward the bottom of the loch. Frantically she fought to free herself before her fingers were too numb to work the knife. After what seemed like an eternity, she managed to shove her dagger through the crack in the lid and cut the rope. She struggled to break free of the anchor still pulling her downward. Her lungs were burning from lack of air. Thick, cloying peat floated in the depths of the lake surrounding her.
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