Seduction of a Highland Lass

CHAPTER 29

“I cannot face her.”

Keeley whirled around to stare out her window, ignoring the chill that leaked into her chamber.

Maddie sighed and then walked up behind Keeley to slide an arm around her. “I know ’tis painful for you, lass. But there is naught to gain from hiding. Sooner or later you’ll have to come out. Mairin is due to have her babe any day now. You can’t miss that.”

“ ’Tis bad enough I once called her friend, but now I must stand aside and watch her marry Alaric. And Laird McDonald.” She shuddered and closed her eyes. “How can I look at him after what he’s done?”

Maddie gripped her arm and turned her around. “Come sit, lass. I want a word with you.”

Numbly, Keeley followed Maddie over to the bed and sank onto the edge. The older woman settled next to her and then took her hand.

“You’ve done nothing wrong. You have nothing to be ashamed of. ’Tis the laird’s sin and he’ll answer to God for it in the end.”

“I shouldn’t be here,” Keeley said with a moan. “ ’Tis such a tangled mess. I gave myself to a man I can’t have. The man who is to marry a woman I used to call sister. And yet I sit here angry with her and her father. I’m not blameless when it comes to wrong.”

Maddie wrapped her arms around Keeley and rocked back and forth. “ ’Tis true you’re in an impossible situation. I don’t dispute that. But you have to know that Laird McCabe won’t allow any harm to come to you. Alaric won’t allow it either. You’re safe. Laird McDonald can do you no harm, and ’tis the truth, lass, he’ll likely pretend he knows you not.”

“I know you have the right of it,” Keeley said. “I’m just afraid.”

Maddie stroked her hand over Keeley’s hair. “There, there, lass. I don’t blame you for being afraid, but you have all the McCabes behind you. If you truly love Alaric, make this as easy as possible for him. Don’t let him see how much you’re hurting. ’Twill only add to his burden.”

Keeley drew away and wiped the tears from her eyes. “You’re right of course. I’m acting like a spoiled child.”

Maddie smiled. “You’re acting like a woman in love who knows she’s going to lose. I’d say you’re acting normal.”

Keeley sent her a watery smile. “I’ll be brave tomorrow. I promise. For today, I just want to remain above stairs.”

“That seems fair enough to me. I’ll let Mairin know what you’re about. She’ll understand. She worries for you.”

“Summon me if she has need of me. I’ll come immediately.”

Maddie nodded and then rose from her perch on the bed.

Keeley flopped back to stare at the ceiling. Just this morn she’d lain with Alaric in this bed and told him she loved him. And he’d told her he loved her, too.

Tears leaked down the sides of her face. This wasn’t supposed to have been their last day. They were supposed to have known of the McDonalds’ arrival ahead of time, and they would have time to say good-bye. One last time together. One more night in each other’s arms.

She closed her eyes as the tears fell faster.

“I love you,” she whispered. “I’ll always love you.”

Mairin McCabe fidgeted on the hard bench for the hundredth time and worked valiantly to control the yawn that threatened to crack her jaw. Her husband listened politely as Gregor McDonald recounted his tales of valor, also for the hundredth time, but Mairin’s focus was on Alaric and Rionna.

The couple hadn’t spoken more than a few words the entire dinner. It concerned Mairin that Alaric was so inattentive, and yet Rionna seemed perfectly satisfied for her future husband to say nothing.

The few times Mairin tried to draw Rionna into conversation, she was met with stubborn silence. She knew the girl to be friendlier, at least when the women were alone. Rionna had visited once already and the women had gotten along quite well together.

Alaric just looked … unhappy. Oh, he was stoic enough, and no one else would be able to tell he was anything but the warrior he was. Mairin knew better. Alaric wasn’t as cold as Caelen and he didn’t tend to be as fierce as Ewan. He could always be counted on to fill the gap in conversation and he was a sociable enough person. Tonight he sat in stony silence, picking at his food as if he had no appetite.

Keeley was noticeably absent, though Mairin couldn’t blame her. It was enough to have to look upon the man she loved paying court to another woman, but the circumstances of Keeley’s departure from the McDonald clan were enough to keep her sequestered.

Mairin wanted nothing more than to march over and bash Laird McDonald’s head in with a serving platter. If she thought she could move fast enough to get past Ewan, she might well attempt it.

“You are about to fidget right off the bench,” Ewan said in a whisper. “What is amiss? Are you not feeling well?”

She glanced up at the concern—and exasperation—in her husband’s eyes. “I’m ready to retire. I can see myself up. You stay and continue your talks with Laird McDonald.”

Ewan frowned. “Nay, I’ll go up with you. It will give Alaric some time to talk with the laird—and Rionna, should he choose.”

Not waiting for her to respond, Ewan turned to Laird McDonald and smoothly interrupted the conversation. “If you will excuse us, my lady wife is ready to retire. She tires easily these days and I do not like her going up to our chamber without me.”

Mairin couldn’t control her look of distaste when Laird McDonald’s eyes gleamed lasciviously. “Aye, I understand. If I had a wife as bonnie as yours, she’d not be retiring without me either.”

Mairin shuddered. Poor Keeley. How awful it must have been for her when she was but a girl. The man was a lecher. And he ate too much. Gertie hadn’t forgiven the man the last time he’d visited McCabe keep. Their stores hadn’t been as plentiful as they were now, and the laird had eaten them near out of the keep.

“Come, sweeting,” Ewan murmured as he helped her from her seat.

’Twas the truth she was weary, but then she was weary most days. There were times when she thought she’d carry this child to infinity. The bairn was particularly active at night. She and Ewan would lie in bed and quietly feel the tiny kicks and bumps.

She paused halfway up the stairs, already out of breath. Ewan steadied her and waited until she was ready to resume.

“I vow I’m going to be pregnant forever,” she complained as Ewan ushered her into their chamber.

Ewan smiled and helped her from her clothing. “It won’t be long now. Think how exciting it will be to finally hold our son or daughter.”

Mairin sighed. “I know it.”

As soon as she had on her nightdress, she sank onto the edge of the bed. Across the room Ewan undressed and she could feel his gaze upon her as he returned to the bed.

He sat beside her. “What is it, Mairin? You look worried. Is it the babe that has you afraid?”

She smiled faintly and turned to look up at him. “Nay, I have complete faith in Keeley.”

“Then what is it that has you so unhappy?”

“ ’Tis Keeley. And Alaric,” she blurted.

Ewan blew out his breath and started to turn away, but Mairin caught his arm.

“They’re unhappy, Ewan. Can’t you do anything?”

Ewan grimaced and touched Mairin’s cheek in a soothing gesture. “ ’Tis nothing I can do, sweeting. Too much rides on this alliance. Alaric is a man full grown. He’s made his decision.”

She huffed in exasperation. “But would he have made such a decision if our clan didn’t have need of this alliance so much? He’s a good man. He’d do anything for you. For the clan.”

“He has a chance to be laird,” Ewan pointed out. “A chance he’ll never gain if he remains here. This is an opportunity as much as it is a necessity that we gain this alliance.”

“Do we really need the McDonalds so much?” she asked incredulously. It didn’t seem logical that they’d need the much weaker clan with the might the McCabes wielded.

“There is more to it than fighting force,” Ewan said gently. “ ’Tis a matter of politics. The king wants this match. This cannot pass your lips, but we both fear that McDonald could turn to Cameron’s side and that would be disastrous, for he is all that lies between McCabe lands and Neamh Álainn.”

Mairin’s nose wrinkled. “Then ’tis more a strategic move than a need for his strength?”

Ewan nodded. “Add to that, there are still some clans who fear Cameron’s might and have held off allying themselves with either side for fear of retaliation should Cameron and Malcolm prove victorious in the bid for the throne and control of the highlands. We need to appear an invincible force. ’Tis a never-ending cycle. To lure others to our cause we must have the alliances of many clans.”

Mairin sighed. “ ’Tis rotten business. I want Alaric and Keeley to be happy.”

Ewan pulled her into his arms. “There’s nothing to say that Alaric won’t eventually be happy with the match. Rionna is a beautiful lass. She’ll bear him strong sons and daughters.”

“But what of Keeley?” Mairin whispered.

“She’ll remain here with us, sheltered by the McCabe clan. There are plenty of men who’d count themselves fortunate to marry a lass such as Keeley.”

“You make it sound so simple. Would you think the same if you were forbidden to marry me?”

Ewan pulled away, a scowl on his face. “There is no force on earth or heaven that would keep me from your side.”

“Aye, and I love you for it. Maybe I think ’tis what Alaric should be willing to do for Keeley,” she said quietly.