Enchanted Lover

by Scharon, Connie C.

  “I have news I would share with all gathered here tonight,” he said. He took Asilinn's hand and pulled her up beside him, wrapping one arm around her shoulders, and placing his other hand on her still-flat stomach. “Lady Asilinn and I are expecting our first child.”

  A cheer rose from the assembly but Jared did not miss Osred's dark scowl at the news. “Tomorrow I ride to Cairngorm Castle to begin peace talks with Laird Innes.” Another cheer rocked the hall and merriment started as the sound of bagpipes filled the huge room.

  ***

  He motioned his conspirators over to a quiet corner. The candlelight flickered in the shadowy space as their faces grew grim.

  “We can wait no longer,” he told them. “We must dispose of Lady Asilinn as soon as possible.”

  “He will guard her closer than ever now she is with child,” one of his companions warned.

  “Aye, but I am ever in his confidence and he does not suspect I am his enemy.”

  “Are you sure? Laird Jared may be keeping his own counsel these days.”

  “Glenna has inflamed the people against her with charges of sorcery and witchcraft. Lady Asilinn has played right into our hands with her cures and mysterious dreams that later come to pass. And that disgusting display—she dares to intertwine her plaid with ours and he rewards her for it. Mark my words. He makes more enemies than friends with this behavior.”

  They twitched nervously under his perusal but he could see he had made his point. Even in the dim light, he saw the fear in their faces—they would do his biding. They knew too well the consequences of refusing.

  “In case you cannot find a way to kill her, I’ll petition the church to charge her with witchcraft,” one offered.

  “And if she dies mysteriously? Will there not be an inquiry?” their companion asked.

  “Aye, but her status as a witch and devil worshiper will overshadow any serious investigation. It must be now.”

  The other two nodded their agreement. They separated and went off to join the merrymaking.

  ***

  The feast went so late Asilinn actually fell asleep at the table. She vaguely remembered her husband carrying her up to bed and holding her close while she snuggled against his shoulder and drifted into a deeper sleep.

  The next morning Jared paced their bedchamber while Asilinn watched him from the bed. He worried over whom to leave in charge in his absence. “What can I do to protect you while I am away?”

  “I only tell you I am glad you will not be putting me under lock and key.”

  He scowled at her reference to the chastity belt.

  “I am not always a rational man.”

  Asilinn motioned him back to the bed. With a sigh, he lay down beside her.

  “I have no worries about my safety.” She leaned across to caress his furrowed brow with her hand. “I had a dream last night.”

  She grabbed his hand and placed it over her belly. “I dreamed of our son's birth. You were here, in this room with me, as I gave him life. I'm sure it will come to pass. Go to my father and make the peace. No harm will come to me or the child I carry.”

  Jared buried his head in her soft breasts, cleaving to her as if she might disappear. At length he raised his eyes to look into hers. “I promise you there will be a lasting peace.”

  She took his head in her hands, pulling his lips to hers, and running kisses along his neck until she reached his ear. “I believe you, Dragon Lord of Dunbocan, for surely you have enchanted me into believing in your dream.” She gave a soft throaty laugh. “I wish you didna have to leave me now.”

  “Morven and my men wait below.” He kissed her long and lingering, then rose and gazed down at her. “Besides in the last day you have given me much to think about while I am away.” He paused and drew a deep breath. “I thank you for your honesty.”

  Asilinn smiled hope springing in her breast. Could it be she would love him the way her mother had loved her father? Her dream had intimated as much.

  ***

  It was still early morning when Jared went to meet the members of the high council. “I need to take at least three of you with me to the peace table,” Jared began. “I canna leave Dunbocan unprotected. I'll leave the others here to watch over our holdings and Lady Asilinn.”

  Jared looked at the faces around the table. “I give you leave to speak freely. Give me your reasons for wanting to go or preferring to stay. Osred, what say you?”

  The tall, lanky counselor squirmed in his chair. “I have misgivings about trusting the Innes Clan in this agreement. For that reason, I feel it is my duty to withdraw my name from those attending. I feel too strongly against the plan to be of any aid in a compromise.”

  The occupants of the room seemed stunned by Osred's frank admission. Jared studied him for a full minute before responding. “Although I'm disappointed by your lack of support, I appreciate your candor. You may stay.” Jared paused. “Keith, I have heard tales of your rabble-rousing. You try to incite the people against the peace by attacking me. I'll hear you next.”

  Keith's face colored with rage. He stood and pounded his hands on the table. “You accuse me of treason!”

  “Would you deny you meet secretly with leaders of our allies to discuss my decisions?” Jared stared the man back into his seat.

  “I dinna deny in the beginning I did,” Keith admitted. “But now I see the wisdom of your search for peace. I believe Lady Asilinn is a great asset to our clan not the bane some of those gathered here profess her to be.”

  Jared raised his eyebrows at Keith's last remark. “Who has talked against my wife other than Osred?”

  “Every one of us at one time or another,” Morven responded.

  “I see.” Jared let his breath out in a heavy sigh. “Keith, you still did not tell me what you wish to do.”

  “I'd like to go, Milord, if you'll have me.”

  “Very well, Garrick, what about you?”

  “I'm getting old,” Garrick said with a laugh. “Long rides and difficult negotiations dinna appeal to me any longer. I would stay and see Lady Asilinn safe in your absence.”

  Jared smiled and nodded then turned his eyes on young Ross. “And you, Ross?”

  “I'd like to go and observe peacemaking first hand,” the young warrior replied. “I feel I have much to learn on this trip and beg to be allowed to participate.”

  “Fine,” Jared said. His gaze fell on Liam. “What about you, Liam?”

  “I'll stay and insure Lady Asilinn's safety.”

  “I have heard I am already in your debt. Not once, but three times you have aided Asilinn.” Jared's eyes tried to pierce Liam's impenetrable expression.

  “What else have you heard?” Jared could see the pulse in Liam’s jaw when he responded.

  “Nothing, is there something else?”

  “No, I dinna repay you in kind.” Liam shoved his chair back from the table. “Will you allow me to stay or do you mistrust me enough to force me to go?”

  Jared scowled. “You may stay. For some reason I canna fathom, Lady Asilinn trusts you.”

  “I'm grateful for her confidence.”

  “You should be.” Jared fought to control the feelings of jealousy he felt rolling within him. Asilinn had befriended his estranged cousin and now they seemed to be fast friends. Turning his attention to Liam's brother, he hid his misgivings well. “And what of you, Morven, will you join us in our peace negotiation?”

  “Aye, Milord,” Morven responded. “It would be my great pleasure to accompany you.”

  “Good, we make our arrangements and leave today. I have agreed to let Skye accompany us since she has never been off the MacLean lands.”

  Morven groaned and Jared gave him an amused smile. “Perhaps she wilna pester you much with her questions. She has grown up quite a bit under Asilinn's care.” The assembled men laughed at Jared's statement. Jared shrugged. “I have to let the little imp out sometimes.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  The first night
after Jared's departure Asilinn restlessly prowled their room. Jared had given her a thousand warnings before he rode out with Skye by his side.

  Asilinn laughed when she thought of Skye's reaction to her suggestion she accompany her brother. The young girl was thrilled by the opportunity. It wasn't until Skye and Jared rode out together Asilinn realized how much she would miss Jared's younger sister.

  They had become friends over the last months and Asilinn needed a friend right now. She glanced longingly out the narrow window. She ached for a glimpse of her childhood home. She could imagine the stir her return would cause when Jared fulfilled his promise and took her and their son to Cairngorm Castle.

  A light rap on the door disturbed her musings. To her surprise, it was Ivy who stood at the portal. “Milady, Flanna sent you up some warm milk. She thought it might help you get to sleep,” Ivy said, handing Asilinn the cup. “And look, I brought you a nice slice of fresh baked bread sweetened with honey.”

  Asilinn arched her brows in surprise. “I appreciate your concern, but I'm really not hungry.”

  “You must think of the baby,” Ivy chided. “You’re carrying the heir to all you see around you. I'm sure our laird would want you take good care of yerself. Is there anything else I can get you?” The woman settled herself in one of the chairs. “I'll just wait and take the crockery back to the kitchen. ‘Tis such a long walk up here to the tower. For the life of me I canna understand why Laird Jared insisted his room be moved when he took you for his wife.”

  The woman was staring at Asilinn while she took her first nibble of bread. Not inclined to sustain the attentions of the overbearing housekeeper, Asilinn sought some excuse to rid herself of the woman. But the way Ivy settled in the chair gave Asilinn little hope until a draft made her reach for her shawl.

  “Ivy, would you go down on the second floor and get me my shawl. I believe I left it in Laird Jared's small work room.”

  The older woman stood up and smiled, which was unusual in itself. “I will, if you promise to drink all your milk before I get back.”

  “Of course,” Asilinn replied, raising the cup to her lips.

  Ivy grinned and scurried off to get the shawl. Something was amiss. Ivy had never come to her with anything before. Asilinn sniffed the milk. The thought of drinking it nauseated her. Now she was pregnant, even milk had an odor. She took the cup and poured the contents into one of the crocks she used for medicines, setting the empty container back on the tray.

  That should satisfy Ivy. Asilinn picked up the bread and honey and began eating. It was definitely more appealing. Ivy returned with the shawl and beamed when she saw the empty cup.

  “I should bring you a snack every night,” she suggested.

  “No,” Asilinn replied. “If I desire something in the future, I shall ask for it.”

  The woman frowned. “Aye, Milady,” she said. Picking up the tray, she left the room.

  Asilinn flopped on the bed and closed her eyes. Surprisingly she relaxed enough to drift into the welcome respite of sleep. For a while, she seemed to drift in an endless blackness, quiet and peaceful. Jared's image descended on her dreams bringing the feeling he lay close beside her. She enjoyed the warmth of him, drifting deeper into the pleasant dream. She felt Jared's lips, his hands, and his pounding heart as he held her close. A wonderful sense of safety surrounded her.

  But there was an irritating noise in the background of the lovely dream. Asilinn tossed in the bed hearing the low whisper of voices. She tried to shake it off, but the voices continued their gentle buzz. Slowly she opened her eyes. Glenna and Osred leaned over the bed. Startled she sat bolt upright.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Milady, ‘tis morning and you had not come down. We were concerned. We came to check on you,” Osred said in a silky voice. “We knocked loudly on the door but you failed to respond.”

  “I am fine and you may take your leave.”

  They stood staring at her for a minute as if they were trying to decide what to do. A knock at the chamber door broke their trance. “Lady Asilinn, are you all right?” Liam called through the door.

  “Liam, please come in and show my guests back to the lower floor.”

  Liam's tall frame darkened the doorway. Osred and Glenna brushed past him, taking the steps two at a time after they fled the room. He stared after them and then turned back to Asilinn. “What happened?”

  “I woke to find them both leaning over the bed looking at me. Is it late morning?”

  “Aye, Flanna had commented in their presence you had not yet risen. Mayhaps they really were concerned.” He laughed at his own suggestion. “Do you suspect foul intent?”

  “I dinna know, Liam.”

  “Would you like me to stay? It would be my greatest pleasure to guard your bed chamber.”

  “No,” Asilinn said firmly.

  “If you need me, I'll stay close to the castle.” He grinned and left the room, then poked his head back in. “Would you like me to install a bolt on this door after you have dressed?”

  “Aye,” she replied with a smile.

  Asilinn was humming when Wynne came in to help her dress. They made short work of the task and were about to leave the chamber when Toby rushed by them in pursuit of a gamboling, brown puppy. Asilinn laughed when the pup ran across the floor.

  It startled Wynne and she shrieked. Toby giggled and ran by her. Asilinn followed him trying to aid in the capture of the small beast. To her dismay, the tiny pup lapped up the discarded milk from the previous night before they were able to catch him. Asilinn snatched him up and Toby ran to her, grabbing the creature and hugging it to his chest.

  Asilinn glanced furtively to the empty crock then back at the dog. It looked at her and wagged its tail. She hesitated wondering what to expect. Toby didn't give her a chance to talk to him but gifted her with a wide grin and ran back down the stairs with the puppy.

  “What is it, Lady Asilinn?” Wynne asked.

  Asilinn looked back at the empty crock and shook her head absently. “Nothing, I hope,” she murmured. “Let's be about our business.” Asilinn started down the stairs.

  When they reached the kitchen, Flanna looked up and smiled. “Good morning, Lady Asilinn.”

  “Flanna, did you fix me some warm milk and send it up last night?”

  “Nay, Milady, had you requested it?”

  Asilinn shook her head. “No, I was just wondering.” Wynne gave Flanna an alarmed glance.

  “Did one of the servants bring you some?” Flanna inquired. At that moment, Liam came through the door with a sturdy bolt in his hand.

  “I see you have vacated your chamber. I'll attach this for you.”

  “Thank you, Liam.”

  “Lady Asilinn, what happened?” Wynne asked.

  “Nothing much,” Asilinn replied, trying to downplay the recent events. “It is just Osred and Glenna woke me this morning claiming to be concerned over my welfare. When I opened my eyes they were hovering over the bed.”

  Flanna's face colored. “I'm sorry, Milady. It was probably my fault for commenting on the lateness of the hour. I mentioned I was concerned about how you were feelin’ since it was late and you had not come down. I never meant they should check on you.”

  “It is all right, Flanna, but to wake to the face of my husband's former mistress and that dreadful counselor, well, ‘tis enough to give one a fright.” Wynne and Flanna giggled at Asilinn's assessment of Osred and Glenna.

  “He never cared for her you know,” Flanna confided. “She was a convenience, nothin’ more. I've never seen Laird Jared as happy as he has been this last month. I pray his quest for peace is successful so you can put yer mind at rest over the baby.”

  “Jared has promised me peace before our son is born.” Asilinn smiled as she rubbed her stomach. “I canna explain it, but I know he will not let us down.”

  After breakfast, Asilinn and Wynne went off to do some errands in the village of tradesmen which lay just inside th
e outer wall of Dunbocan. Several people approached Asilinn asking for cures and advice on their illnesses. This pleased her because she felt they were beginning to accept her talent for healing instead of fearing her.

  Before long, she was looking at some of the ailing patients. She made notes on which of her medicines they should take and promised to send along the potions as soon as possible. After about the third house Asilinn noticed Osred and Friar Hogan were wandering along behind her and questioning the people after she moved on. It seemed odd, but she was too busy to be concerned over their devious little plots. Wynne finally convinced her to stop for the day. Asilinn had been so involved in her work she had failed to realize the sinking afternoon sun.

  By the time they once again reached the security of the castle, the sun was sending scarlet hues across the western sky. Asilinn sank into a chair at the table in the kitchen. She was bone-tired. But the people of Dunbocan had made her feel needed and welcome today. Perhaps she was finally winning them over. She sighed and brushed back the stray hairs hanging around her face.

  Flanna and Toby entered the kitchen. The small boy looked like he had been crying but he held the small puppy tightly under his arm. Asilinn breathed an inward sigh of relief. She must have been wrong in her thoughts about Ivy. Now she was glad she had chosen not to confide her fears to anyone.

  “Flanna, if you dinna mind, I'll have something to eat now and retire for the evening. I'm exhausted.”

  “Surely, Milady.” Flanna went over to dish up some lamb stew.

  “This is delicious,” Asilinn said as she polished off a bowl with some fresh baked bread.

  “I'm glad to see you have such a good appetite,” Flanna said with a tentative smile.

  Asilinn started to ask her what the problem was, but she was interrupted when Osred and Friar Hogan came through the door. “Lady Asilinn, I must speak with you,” Friar Hogan said solemnly.

  “You may speak freely,” Asilinn replied with an arch of her brow. She definitely didn't like the man's tone.

  He looked at Flanna and Toby. “Perhaps you would prefer more privacy,” he suggested.