by Amy Jarecki
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 at 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. S
econdly, 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.”
31
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.
Duncan eyed Helen with a stern countenance. Eoin, however, grinned like he’d just won the grand prize at the Highland games. Gyllis, Mr. Keith, Sean and John stood behind her, not only their presence, but their support bolstered Helen’s nerves. She would not fail.
Duncan tipped his chin up.
Helen decided to allow him to speak first. After all, her brother was the Lord of Glenorchy, even if she would defy him this day.
But he did something Helen did not expect. He gestured to Eoin. “The Chieftain of Clan Gregor has something he’d like to say.”
Eoin stepped forward. “Forgive me for conducting this proposal in public, but in light of all that has transpired, I want everyone present to hear.” He took Helen’s hands in his ever-warm palms and kneeled. “Lady Helen, I ask your forgiveness. I should not have behaved so rashly when I discovered you had been spirited to this cottage. I should have insisted on a chaperone at all times to ensure your virtue was never brought into question.” He bowed his head. “Will you please find it in your heart to forgive me?”
Helen glanced to Duncan who was looking on with his usual dour frown. Generally a man on bended knee meant only one thing, but Sir Eoin was begging an apology. And he had nothing to apologize for. She knew better than to say so, especially not when they had an audience.
“Sir Eoin, you acted gallantly on my behalf, delivering my missive to my brother, John, Bishop of the Isles, and pleading my case, given the precarious circumstances. On threat of death by my annulled husband, I was unable to personally seek John’s assistance. Afterward, the security you provided whilst I hid in this domicile was greatly appreciated by my person and cannot go without expressing my sincere gratitude.” Praise God her tongue had not failed as she delivered her oration. She even managed to maintain the serene expression she’d mastered after so many years of hiding her emotions.
Eoin raised his head and grinned at her. His blue eyes crinkled at the corners, telling her she chose exactly the right words. And then the look in his eyes took on a deeper meaning, one that she’d seen in the bedchamber, one that made her insides swarm with a maelstrom of desire. Helen took in a deep breath and held that gaze. Though she loved him to his toes, she would not permit Eoin MacGregor to disarm her resolve in this hour.
He squeezed his fingers tighter. “With your acceptance of my apology, I would ask you something else.”
Helen’s insides became weightless, like she’d just leapt from a cliff. “Aye?” she whispered, almost afraid to speak.
Eoin cleared his throat, but his eyes never wavered from her face. “Lady Helen, I haven’t a keep encircled with bailey and curtain to offer you, but I can say this: You will have the protection of Clan Gregor, the fiercest force in all the Highlands. You will preside as lady over the clan, and have servants to attend your every need. But moreover, I pledge to you my unfaltering love, my life, my sword, my honor and my heart, if you will agree to be my wife.”
By the time he’d finished, tears streamed down Helen’s face. A smile stretched her lips and, at first, all she managed was a nod. When finally she found her voice, she said, “Aye. I will marry you, Sir Eoin MacGregor.”
He stood and wrapped her in his arms. Oh how wonderful his body felt pressed against her bosom, knowing that he would be hers for all eternity.
Duncan grasped Eoin’s shoulder and pulled them apart. “You’ll not be touching my sister again until you are properly wed.” He reached for Helen’s left arm. “And you will go home with me.”
Eoin grasped his lady’s right hand. “Oh no, I’m finished with waiting.”
Duncan scowled. “Pardon me, but—”
“If you would allow me to explain.” Eoin tugged Helen behind him to shield her from Glenorchy. “We have The Most Illustrious and Most Reverend Lord, His Worship the Bishop of the Isles, in our midst. Who better to marry us than your brother?”
Duncan blinked rapidly. “But Mother will have one of her spells and tie me up by my thumbs.” Such an admonition sounded trite coming from the most powerful man east of Inveraray.
Gyllis cleared her throat from beside the hearth where she cradled Maggie. “Please, Duncan, the spoiled laddie pout no longer suits you.”
“Then Mother will have to live with our decision.” Moving from behind Eoin, Helen took up his hand. “I will marry the Chieftain of Clan Gregor this day if John will be so kind as to do us the honor.”
John thoughtfully stepped forward with praying fingertips touched to his lips. “Though this situation is rather untoward, it is my opinion than an expeditious marriage would be the best for both Lady Helen and Sir Eoin.” He eyed Duncan. “And the least damaging to our sister’s reputa
tion. Mother will have to understand.”
“She will,” Gyllis said.
“’Tis settled then.” John stepped into the center of the room.
Duncan moved beside him. “I do believe I have been usurped by my siblings.” He cleared his throat with a sheepish dip to his chin. “And presently I’m feeling a bit the heel. Helen, I wanted to wait until we returned to Kilchurn to say this, but I believe now is more appropriate. Please forgive my harsh words. I spoke before I had uncovered all the facts.”
Yet another weight lifted from her shoulders. “Thank you. You’ve no idea how much it means to have your blessing.”
“Aaaand, though I said differently, I do believe a wee dowry is appropriate.” He looked to Eoin. “I grant you three hundred acres north of the River Orchy.”
Eoin bowed. “Your generosity is very much appreciated, m’lord.”
Duncan nodded and gestured to John. “Well then, shall we move on with this marriage?”
Beckoning both Helen and Eoin to step forward, he grasped each by the wrist. “Come forward and allow me to join your hands by binding them together with the holy stole of Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Helen’s skin tingled with gooseflesh as she faced her dearest friend and lover. At long last the dreams of marrying her hero had arrived. She had eyes for no one else but Eoin as John wrapped his stole around their wrists while chanting the Latin mass for Holy Matrimony.
Behind them, Maggie cooed as if she approved of this union.
While she gazed into Eoin’s loving eyes, Helen had found happiness at last. She would live out her days with the only man she had ever loved. Finally, her heart’s desire would be fulfilled.
Epilogue
Two years later
Before the altar in Kilchurn Chapel, Helen cradled her son, Alasdair. Eoin stood beside her, holding Maggie’s hand. The wee lass wore a blue damask gown with a square neckline and a matching coif atop her head. The darling grinned up at her wee brother. Och aye, Alasdair’s elder sister looked incredibly grown up for a child of two-and-a-half.
