“Aye,” Kenna said, and called over a serving girl to request food be brought to her solar. “I’ll put you in my solar. It’s next to my room, so I know you’ll not be disturbed there.”
“Thank ye,” the girl croaked, still trembling.
Kenna frowned and wrapped an arm around her. “You’re safe here. We’ll take care of you.”
With the girl tended to, Cam took Mari’s hand and led her to their own chamber. They said nothing as they disrobed, tossing their ruined clothes in a heap on the floor.
Mari moved for their bed, but he stayed her by taking her wrist and gently tugging her to him.
“Are you well?”
“If you’re asking if you’ll be awakened by my nightmares, I can’t say you won’t.” She offered him a strained smile, and he admired her all the more for the strength it took to keep it there.
“I’ll hold you extra tight tonight to protect you from your bad dreams.”
They settled into bed, her chilled skin against his heated flesh.
“Rest now, wife. Know that ye are safe. I’ll postpone my scouting trip.”
“I’m sorry you won’t be able to go,” Mari said quietly.
“Are you sorry?” he asked, moving away so he could look down into her face.
“Nay, not even a little bit,” she said.
He kissed her and reveled in the feel of her heart thumping against his chest and her breath on his neck.
He could have lost her tonight. The thought of it caused a twinge in his chest. Only his hand on her warm skin chased off the fear of what could have happened. The heat of her skin was proof she was alive.
…
Despite her predictions of nightmares, Mari woke fully rested. She hadn’t even moved away from Cameron, she’d slept so soundly.
Cam was awake, his eyes focused on the ceiling above them. When she kissed his chest, he turned to look at her.
“What is it?” she asked, noticing the shadows in his eyes.
“Those men never should have been on our lands. I need to take my guard to task for it this morning. It’s my duty to punish them for putting the clan at risk, but I fear I may not be able to be fair, as angry as I am.”
“Then you should ask Lachlan to do it for you. Or wait until you are calmer.”
He nodded, and she wasn’t sure which of those options he was agreeing to. She respected him all the more for seeing he was not able to maintain control of his rage and spare his men.
“I’d like to go see to our guest,” she said, eager to help the girl in some way. Mari had seen the terror in Evelyn’s eyes and knew what that felt like.
Another nod, and Cam rolled out of bed. Before he stood, she shifted behind him, wrapping her arms around him and kissing his shoulder, then his neck. “Please tell me you don’t still feel guilty about what happened.”
“I canna tell you that, for I promised I’d not lie to you.”
She twisted until she was sitting on his lap. “If you’d walked me back to the castle last night, those men wouldn’t have been found, and Evelyn would still be with them. For whatever momentary discomfort and panic I felt, I’m glad for it so we were able to save her from what I assume was a horrendous ordeal.”
He gave a nod and pulled her close. “You are a good woman.”
She smiled at his praise, happy to have him here instead of leaving for a scouting trip.
Outside their room, Cam kissed her again. “I’m going to deal with my men. See if you can get the lass to give you her clan’s name so we can deliver her home, if that’s where she wishes to go.”
Mari nodded and went to join Evelyn and Kenna in the solar. As expected, the mistress of the castle was fussing over the poor girl. A new gown had been brought in, and two maids were tending to the girl’s hair. It was clear Evelyn wanted no part of it.
“Kenna? A word, please?”
Kenna waddled out to the hall and closed the door. “The poor dear. You found her with nothing to wear?”
“No. She was wearing but a shift when we met. She was in the company of five beastly men who tried to attack me. It was clear she had been at their mercy for some time.”
Kenna pressed her lips together. “She’s but a lass.” Tears shimmered in her sister’s eyes.
“I know, but no longer an innocent one, judging by the vile behavior of her captors.”
“The men…?”
“Cam dealt with them.” Mari refrained from saying how quickly he’d dealt with them or how savagely. It only mattered that they were gone and would never bother anyone again.
Kenna nodded and took a deep breath. “We must make her feel as comfortable and safe as possible. Shall we?”
When they reentered the room, Kenna sent the maids away and settled the girl in a chair by the fire. She and Mari sat across from Evelyn and offered soothing smiles.
“I know you probably don’t wish to discuss what happened,” Mari began. “I was only with them a few minutes, and I find it difficult to talk about them myself. But there are some things we need to know, only so we can help you.”
Evelyn said nothing. She sat up straighter with her hands in her lap like a proper lady.
“Were those men from your clan?”
Evelyn shook her head slowly.
“Do you wish to return to your clan?”
Mari expected a clear answer to this question, but the expression on the girl’s face was torn. Hope warred with dismay.
“The men weren’t from your clan, but did someone from your clan give you to them?” Kenna guessed the next logical conclusion. Something Mari hadn’t thought of.
Evelyn shook her head again.
Kenna—not known for her patience—let out a quick breath and leaned as close as her belly allowed, taking the girl’s hand in hers. “We are friends. You can tell us anything, and I truly hope you’ll confide in us. We’ll not judge you, of that you can be certain. I wear men’s breeches when I’m not with child, and Mari here killed a duke.”
Both Mari and Evelyn gasped at the bald announcement.
“I hardly think that was necessary.” Mari frowned at her sister, then turned to Evelyn. “It was self-defense. I was married to the brute, and I thought he was going to kill me, so I…” Mari shrugged and let the explanation drift off. It wasn’t important.
Their honesty relaxed Evelyn enough to speak.
“I am a Stewart,” she said, her voice still rough. “The laird’s daughter.”
“I was a daughter of a laird, as well,” Kenna said, patting the girl’s hand. “Mari is the elder daughter. We’re sisters.”
“Do you wish to go home?” Mari asked, trying to recall how far away the Stewart lands were from Dunardry.
“I do…but they may not want me back.” Evelyn’s voice was barely a breath. Her fair skin turned blotchy with shame she shouldn’t have to bear.
“Why would you think such a thing?” Kenna asked, her voice soft and encouraging.
“I ran off. I was upset about something trivial and decided to show my displeasure by running away.” Evelyn swiped at a tear. “I hadn’t really planned to be gone long. In honesty, I was only looking for attention.”
“I’m sure they miss you dearly and want you back,” Kenna said, clearly thinking like a mother. It was easy now for her to think the best of a parent, even after their own father and stepmother had married them both off for the most strategic alliances, without a care to their well-being.
“How can I go back now? I’m… I’ve been…”
Mari knew what the girl was trying to say, and pulled her into a hug to spare her having to put it into words. “I know what it is like to live through something horrible. To think that is all you are. But you survived. You will heal. Every day, the truth of what happened to me in London is one day further in the past. And as I create wonderf
ul new memories with my family here, the bad old memories are harder to recall.”
“I’m a mother, and I can tell you, a parent’s love is a fierce thing. No doubt yours will be so happy to have you back they will only want to help you heal,” Kenna said.
Evelyn hung her head. “I was so foolish to leave on my own.”
“Foolishness is a part of youth. You can’t make it to adulthood without a bit of it. What ye did was certainly not worth the punishment you’ve paid for it.”
The girl started crying in earnest, and Kenna and Mari took turns comforting her. They didn’t try to stanch her tears, for they both knew how important it was to get them out.
Later, a tray of food was brought in, and they all ate in silence.
When they were done, Evelyn let out a breath and raised her head. “I would like to go home. I’ll just hope they accept me.”
“If they don’t, lass, you get right back on the horse and come straight to Dunardry and join our clan. You will always have a home here, if ever you find yourself in need of one.”
Mari knew how important having a home was for making someone feel safe.
But that worked both ways.
There wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t worry she was putting her new home and the people she loved at risk.
Chapter Twenty-One
Cam put Liam in charge of escorting Evelyn Stewart back to her clan lands. After a few days of rest, it was clear the lass was eager to get home. With Liam’s selected entourage and a letter from Lachlan, the group left at first light after hugs and well wishes.
Cam felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment when the girl hugged him and claimed him her hero. He didn’t feel like such.
When the group was on their way, he stayed Mari with his arm around her waist. “Will you go for a ride with me on this beautiful day?”
“Don’t you have drills?”
“Aye. I’ve put my men to their tasks. I can spare an hour.” He kissed her. “Or two.”
“I should get back to the kitchen to help.”
“The kitchen ran fine before you arrived. They’ll do so today.”
He waited for her next excuse, waiting to put it down with the others. His wife had been frightened, and since they’d returned that horrible night, she hadn’t stepped a foot outside the walls. He knew how easily fear could breed when it went unchecked. A warrior who was left to stew in the terror of battle quickly became lost to it. He didn’t want that for Mari.
He wanted her to feel safe on their lands. Ensuring her happiness was the reason he pushed when he saw her discomfort. It was not an easy thing to watch, but she needed him to be strong.
She grasped at another excuse. “It looks like it could rain.”
“There’s not a cloud in the blue sky. Now, either come with me to the stables or tell me the truth of why ye do not wish to take me up on my offer,” he challenged.
“I think it’s clear why I wouldn’t want to go out. I’m wanted by the crown for murder.”
At least that was a valid concern. Though easily dealt with.
“We’ve been out dozens of times since you arrived, without issue. We’ll be fine today as well. I’ve vowed to protect you. Unless you don’t find me up to the task…?”
She bit her bottom lip and looked toward the gate. “I’m scared,” she finally admitted.
“Aye. I don’t doubt it. But you’re also strong. You don’t back down from fear, you face it. I’ve seen you do it time and time again. Why is this different?”
“Because you were put in danger because of me,” she snapped, as if it had been on the tip of her tongue, eager to come out of her mouth for days.
He shrugged and winced up at the sun. “We could go round and round over who put who in danger, lass. But it would be a waste of a fine day.”
She let out a breath and nodded. “Very well. I’ll go with you.”
He bent to kiss her hard, then stepped away just as she melted into the kiss. With a wink he took her hand to lead her out to the stables. There would be plenty of time later to make sure they didn’t get too close. For now, he was going to enjoy the advantages of being married. Even if it was just for convenience. There was no reason they couldn’t make the best of the situation.
As soon as they left the protection of the curtain walls, Mari tensed. Her eyes shifted constantly, and he was sure she was watching for danger. She’d fallen behind his horse instead of riding next to him.
It was difficult to see her so nervous. “I can assure you the guards will not let anyone wander onto our lands again. They’ve been dealt with.” Not as severely as Cam had wanted, but he trusted Lach’s decision to be sound instead of the punishment of a man who’d nearly lost something precious because of their incompetence.
Cam led Mari in the opposite direction from the loch. He would take her back there at some point, but it didn’t need to be today. They would work through this slowly so as not to cause her more distress than necessary.
Stopping his horse, he waited for her to come up beside him, then leaned closer in his saddle.
“When I’m in battle, I always have a man riding beside me,” he explained. “The two of us side by side are safer because it means we only have to protect one side. Each is guarded at all times by the other warrior.”
She bit her lip, thinking over his words. “I’m not a warrior. I can’t protect your side.”
“And I can’t protect you at all if you’re behind me where I canna see.”
“Very well. I’ll stay at your side. At least I can call out so you’re prepared if we are ambushed.”
He smiled. “Aye. That would be a great help.” He kept her talking, sharing other tricks to defend oneself in battle.
Slowly she relaxed and stopped looking over her shoulder constantly.
He took her to a cliff that looked out over a valley. It was one of his favorite spots, for he could see in every direction. They got down from their horses to take in the view.
“This is the safest place on MacKinlay lands, save for behind the walls of Dunardry,” he pointed out as she spun in a circle.
“No one can sneak up on you here,” she observed.
“That’s right. And if armed with a bow, you can easily pick off anyone who might try to advance on you.”
“We don’t have a bow.”
“No. Someday, I’ll show you how to shoot one. Or mayhap Kenna will do it when she’s not bulging with child.” He winked. “For today, you’ll have this.” He reached for the sheath at his waist and pulled out a jeweled dagger.
She gasped and covered her mouth rather than take it from him.
“Go on. It’s for ye. A gift.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Aye. It belonged to my mother. My father didn’t like leaving her behind unarmed, so he had this made. I guess he thought if it was made fancy as a piece of jewelry, she would want to keep it with her.”
“And did she?”
“Aye. Always.”
Mari took it from him, holding it up to the sun and turning it so the light glinted off the colorful stones. “I’m afraid it would only be something for me to carry. I wouldn’t know how to use it as a weapon.”
“That’s the other reason I brought you out here with me today. Your days of using anything handy to defend yourself are over. There won’t always be a fire poker within reach. It’s time you learn the proper way. You’re a tiny thing, but not helpless.”
She nodded and squared her shoulders. “I never thought I was capable of killing anyone. But that night, I didn’t need to think about it. It was the natural thing to do. When those men attacked me, I fought, but all the while I was looking for something I could use to protect myself. It was no use.”
“Against five full-grown men, you would exhaust yourself trying.” He hated the memor
y of seeing her under them. Their dirty hands pinning her to the ground. The thought of what could have happened… “Let’s get started, shall we?” he suggested so he could stop his thoughts before they brought on a panic.
“What should I do?” she asked, seeming eager for her lesson.
“Surprise is a smaller person’s best defense.” He went on to show her where and how to attack. They practiced for hours. Occasionally when they tumbled into each other, he would steady her and steal a kiss.
“This is so much more useful than how to flirt with noblemen and how to speak properly.”
He chuckled and kissed her on the nose. “I wouldn’t say the lessons on flirting were a complete waste of time.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. “I like it fine when you practice your skills on me to get your way.”
A saucy half smile tugged on her lips. “Is that so?”
“Aye. It’s so.”
“Perhaps there’s another advantage to being on higher ground,” she hinted.
“And what might that be?” he asked, knowing where the conversation was going as he bent to kiss her neck. Rather than risk scaring her with an encounter similar to that night, he spread out a blanket and lay upon it so she could be in control of the situation.
It was a beautiful fall day. The leaves had changed, and there was a crispness to the air, but the sun was bright and warm. Perfect for his plans.
He was careful not to hold her too tightly or grasp her quickly. He made sure she was free the entire time. He hadn’t brought her out here to move to this step. He’d simply wanted her to feel safe outside the walls again. But the chance to make love to his wife was an unexpected gift.
He trusted her to know what she wanted, and didn’t thwart her suggestion when she offered it. His wife had spent most of her life being told what to do and how to do it. She’d been a prisoner all her life, both in her father’s home and the duke’s.
He wanted nothing more than for her to be free.
Her Accidental Highlander Husband (MacKinlay Clan) Page 14
