Eighteen

“Give them to me.”

Edina tugged the bed linens from Caitlin, who let go reluctantly. An embarrassed flush heated her cheeks. “I only thought to wash them. I bled last night.” She whispered even though no one else was in the chamber.

Bundling the sheets, Edina nodded. “Of course you did. ’Tis your maiden blood, a sign of your virtue. Our laird will be pleased.”

A lump formed in Caitlin’s throat at the mention of her husband, and she blinked back the tears that had threatened to fall ever since she’d woken this morning in their marriage bed—alone. She knew she was being foolish, but she couldn’t help it.

“Did you see him earlier?” she asked.

“Aye, he and Laird MacKay went to the loch hours ago. Now come and have your bath before the water cools.”

Caitlin seldom slept late, but when she’d first stirred and found him gone, all her doubts had resurfaced, and she’d pulled up the covers, hoping he’d come find her. Reassure her.

He hadn’t.

What if she’d done something wrong, offended him with her lusty behavior?

Well…if she had, it was his fault. Maybe if he’d instructed her on what to expect, she mightn’t have been so…so…mindless. Aye, he was negligent in his duty as her husband.

Feeling better, she wound up her hair, dropped her chemise, and stepped into the lavender-scented water. It stung at first, but the heat soon worked its magic. With a sigh, she lay back and closed her eyes. The lapping of the water reminded her of his hands stroking her skin. Her breasts tightened, grew heavy. His weight on her had been exciting too, and she clasped her hands against her belly, where he’d pressed her down.

“I’ll return to help you dress as soon as I’ve served the laird his noon meal. I willna be long.”

Caitlin sat forward with a squeak, sloshing water over the tub’s edge. She’d forgotten Edina was here.

Her gaze fell on the door swinging shut behind the housekeeper, and she almost ran to lock it…although perhaps it would be better if she threw it open and yelled for Darach to come find her, comfort her.

Preferably in bed with his arms around her.

Groaning, she dropped her head in her hands. Maybe she should crawl back under the covers for the rest of the day.

Nay. She was a lady now; she had to act like one. She thought about waiting for Edina, but an urge to see Darach beat at her and she rose from the water. After drying herself with the towel, she donned her best gown, brushed her hair, and walked in a dignified manner out the door. At the end of the corridor, however, she lost her courage and peeped around the corner to see if she could spot Darach in the hall below.

“Are we spying on someone?”

The words were whispered in her ear and she shrieked and spun around. Darach pulled her close, so she didn’t tumble down the stairs. “Are you well, lass? Maybe we should go back to bed. The corridor is drafty. I’ll warm you in no time.” His hands slid down her back to cup her bottom.

“To comfort me?”

“Aye. I’ll make you verra comfortable.”

“Darach! Get down here,” Lachlan bellowed at them from below.

With a muttered curse, Darach glanced past her shoulder. “Why must you yell like a bloody fishwife?”

“Because otherwise you’ll be heading back to bed, and I’ll be left to deal with MacInnes on my own.” He smiled at Caitlin, who’d turned to face him. “Morning, lass. Did you sleep well?”

Images of last night flooded her mind as Darach took her hand and led her down the stairs. He glanced back when she didn’t answer. Noticing her embarrassment, he grinned, then stopped for a kiss. “Aye, she slept well, splayed over me like a bairn.”

“I did no such thing,” she said, but the memory of her crawling on top of him took the force out of her protest. Lachlan would think her wanton. “Take it back.” She poked Darach in the ribs.

“Why? You’re my wife. You can sleep any way you like with me.”

They reached the bottom, and Lachlan also kissed her. “Your uncle is coming. Maybe you should stay upstairs. I’m afraid ’twill be unpleasant.”

“But I just came down. Edina has a meal prepared.”

“Aye, but he’ll most likely upset you when he doesn’t get his way. We can send you up a plate.”

“’Tis best, sweetling.” Darach patted her backside dismissively. “Eat your meal, then have a nap. I’ll come up afterward.”

“Nay.”

“Nay?”

“He’s my uncle. ’Tis my right to know what’s happening.”

Darach planted his hands on his hips. “I doona think you understand the wedding vows, Wife. You are to obey your husband.”

She rolled her eyes. “God only meant some of the time, Husband.”

“Some of the time?”

“Aye.”

“And did He tell you which times?”

“Nay, if God spoke to me, I’d be a saint, and a saint surely wouldnae do as we did last night.” Caitlin crossed herself for good measure.

Lachlan laughed as Darach sighed. Taking her hand, he led her to the high table. Edina arrived with a steaming trencher of mutton and greens. Darach used his knife to cut the juiciest morsel and fed it to her. Caitlin didn’t care for mutton, but she smiled as she ate it because he was being so sweet.

Lachlan sat on her other side. Breaking off a piece of bread and piling some meat on it, he glanced at Darach over Caitlin’s head. “You should tell her before MacInnes gets here.”

Darach grunted in response.

She looked at him, but he stared across the room, lost in thought. The food in her stomach hardened, and her heart began to pound. Surely he couldn’t… He wouldn’t… “Tell me what?”

Darach saw her expression and cursed. She would have rebuked him, but her throat had closed shut.

“I’m not sending you back, Caitlin. You’re my wife, for God’s sake. Even if you weren’t, I wouldnae give you to him. How could you think such a thing?”

She released the breath she’d been holding in a gush of air. “Well, you weren’t there, were you? You abandoned me.”

“What?”

“This morning. I needed you, and you’d gone for a swim with Lachlan. You were derelict in your duty as my husband.” She sniffed and eyed him accusingly.

“You were sleeping.”

“I needed comfort.”

“I held you all night.”

“You did?”

“Aye.”

“You see? That’s comforting to know. If you were there this morning, you could have told me that.”

He stared at her for a minute. “So I’m to lie in bed till you awaken?”

“Well, nay, but maybe you could kiss me before you rise. Wish me a good morning.”

“Even if you sleep?”

“Aye.”

A slow grin crossed his face. “If you insist. I’ll wake you every morning with a kiss.”

“And praise.”

“Praise?”

“Well, I need to know, doona I?” She leaned toward him and whispered, “Did I please you last night?”

Darach’s eyes darkened, and he dragged her against his side to whisper back, “Aye, you pleased me.”

“I did everything all right?” Her hand gripped his lèine uncertainly.

“You were perfect.”

“But I was so…wild.”

“I liked it. I want you that way every time, aye? Moaning and squirming beneath me, pulling my hair, digging your heels into my back. We have a lifetime of loving ahead of us, Caitlin, and I couldnae be more pleased that you respond to my touch.” His voice roughened and his fingers gripped her hip. “Maybe we should have that nap, now.”

The last was said loudly and Lachlan threw his hands in the air. “MacInnes is coming. You have to finish it.”

“Finish what?” she asked.

Lachlan looked significantly at Darach, who sighed. He cut another piece of meat and fed it to her. “Your uncle will want his due for giving you to me in marriage. What he doesn’t realize is there are conditions in the contract that must be met first.”

“What conditions?”

“Well, first, the King must decide if MacInnes’s claim to you is valid.”

She crinkled her brow in confusion. “What do you mean? He’s my only living relative. I doona know my mother’s family.”

“I’m your family now. Husband and father of your bairns, if we are so blessed. The MacKenzies are your clan.”

Lachlan reached over and squeezed her hand. “And you’re my sister, Caitlin. A beloved member of my family too.”

A lump formed in her throat. “Thank you, both of you, but I spoke of my father’s family. Heaven knows I wouldnae choose him, but MacInnes is my uncle.”

Darach sighed and pressed her head to his chest. Caitlin didn’t now what was going on, but she knew she had to see his face. She pushed back. His eyes were troubled.

“Husband, you will tell me what’s on your mind, else I’ll assume the worst and maybe run away again.” It was a lie, but Caitlin thought the threat would loosen his tongue.

“You’ll do no such thing. You gave me your word.”

She raised a brow and waited, heart tripping.

He sighed again, hand caressing her hair. “It has come to light your mother was pregnant with you when…when—”

The door opened and Oslow strode toward them, claiming Darach’s attention. Caitlin squashed her frustration. What had he been about to say?

A contingent of warriors entered and took up position in the hall. The men who were eating joined them, while the serving girls scurried to clear the tables and put them away.

Oslow stopped in front of Darach. “MacInnes is on his way. Birk Anderson and Father Lundie are with him. Each has a copy of the contract.”

Darach nodded and returned his gaze to Caitlin. She waited for him to finish what he’d been saying about her mother. Instead, he cupped her face and kissed her. “Your father loved you verra much, Caitlin—as his own. Naught can take that away from you.” Then he straightened and faced forward, arm around her waist.

“Be strong,” he whispered as MacInnes entered the keep.

Caitlin shuddered when she saw her uncle. He was even filthier than two days ago, red-faced with dark, sunken eyes. Worse was his stench, which wafted toward her as he approached. If Caitlin hadn’t known the evil in his heart, she would have thought him a wretch and felt sorry for him. As it was, she had a hard time not gagging.

He curled his lip in disdain at the sight of her. “Niece, you are well provided for because of me. You ought to be on your knees in gratitude.”

“I’ll ne’er be grateful to you, Uncle. But I’ll gladly go to my knees for my husband and thank him every day.”

Darach’s arm tightened around her as Lachlan made a strange, choking sound. When Oslow’s face reddened, she knew she’d somehow misspoken.

“Hush,” Darach said. “I will speak to your uncle.”

“Nay. Let the besom continue,” her uncle sneered. “’Tis amusing to hear what else the slut will do.”

Darach tensed, and as if he’d ordered it, Oslow struck MacInnes across the face. She gasped as her uncle stumbled backward. When he straightened, blood dripped from his lip. His eyes darted fearfully around the room. Every MacKenzie looked ready to kill him.

Rising to lean over the table, Darach glowered at him. “Count yourself fortunate, MacInnes. If it had been me, you’d be dead. Your time here has ended. Leave.”

“Not before I get my due. The contract hasn’t been filled. I want my gold.”

“You shall have it, if the King rules in your favor.”

“What do you mean?”

“First, it must be decided if you’re Caitlin’s true guardian.”

“I’m her uncle.”

“Not by blood.”

The silence that fell was deafening. MacInnes stared at them, eye twitching. Caitlin slowly stood beside Darach. Moments ago, he’d been trying to tell her something about her mother…and father. Something that had troubled him.

“He’s not my da’s brother?” she asked, voice trembling.

Darach’s arm came around her in support. He held her gaze. “He is.”

“Then how…?”

“Your mother was pregnant with you when she met your father, Caitlin. He loved you as his own, but you did not come from his seed. Your uncle told us so last night.”

The words echoed loudly in her head, and she gripped Darach’s lèine. “’Tis untrue. He lied.”

“Nay. ’Tis to his detriment, he had no reason to lie.”

Her uncle started arguing, but Darach’s eyes never left her face. He stroked her head, then slipped his hand beneath her hair and rubbed her nape. “Caitlin—”

“I’m all right,” she said, sinking to the bench.

Be strong.

Now she understood his words. Forcing a deep breath, she fought back the heartache. She would not let her uncle see her weep.

“I will see you off my land, MacInnes. Ne’er cross it again.” He nodded to Birk Anderson, who stepped forward. “Master Anderson has agreed to present our dispute to the King. If he judges in your favor, I’ll deliver your gold. If not, our acquaintance is over.”

“This is treachery!”

“Nay, ’tis what we agreed. You read the contract. If you disagreed, you shouldnae have signed your name to it.”

MacInnes sputtered incoherently, hands fisted. “It matters not who her father is. My brother claimed her as his own, which makes me her guardian upon his death.”

“Maybe, but we’ll let the King decide. In the meantime, I would think back on the night your brother and his wife died. The King may have some questions about the fire.”

The color drained from MacInnes’s face. “Questions?”

“Surely you want your King to know the truth? I do, for my wife’s sake, as well as my own. Which is why I’ve begun looking into the matter.”

“You’ll find naught. The fire was an accident.”

“I hope so.”

Caitlin looked from one to the other, her head swimming. Not only was her father not really her father, but her uncle also might have set the fire that killed her parents? Darach hadn’t actually said so, but surely that’s what he meant. She started to rise again, but his hand on her shoulder held her down. Lachlan smiled at her reassuringly. They wanted her to hush.

She bit her lip and tasted blood. Why on earth would her uncle murder her parents? It didn’t make sense. Her hands hurt, and she realized she’d clenched them so hard her nails had scored her skin. She unclenched them, flattening her palms on her dress.

MacInnes turned to her, eyes filled with hatred. “If you hadn’t spread your legs, you would have stayed married to Fraser. You’re just like your mother—she was a whore too.”

Darach shoved the table out of his way, and it crashed over, clay pots smashing to pieces on the floor. Caitlin shot to her feet as he leaped toward MacInnes. Lachlan caught him from behind just as Anderson and Oslow stepped in front of her uncle.

“Darach, nay!” she cried.

“Calm yourself, Brother,” Lachlan said softly. “He’ll get his in the end. Remember our plan.”

Darach struggled for a moment, then stopped. He shook off Lachlan and caught his breath. She rushed forward to wrap her arms around his waist. Anger trembled through him.

Behind them, a flapping noise filled the room, drawing everyone’s attention. She turned to see Edina on the balcony above the great hall, shaking out the unlaundered bed linen. Caitlin gasped in horror as the housekeeper hung the bloodstained sheet from Caitlin’s bed over the railing for everyone to see before glaring at MacInnes.

Closing her eyes, Caitlin prayed she’d been imagining things. Surely Edina wouldn’t humiliate her in such a way. She peeped upward and moaned at the mortifying sight. Darach’s arm held her tight as her knees sagged. His anger had abated, and he was back in control. Kissing the top of her head, he whispered, “’Tis a sign of your virtue, lass. None can question you now.”

He spun them back to face her uncle, who also stared at the sheet, shaking with fury. Darach held her in front of him, arms looped around her waist. “My wife was a maid, MacInnes. If you’d spent any time with her, you’d have known she was innocent, forced to lie in a desperate attempt to free herself from your tyranny. You made her life a living hell—one you’ll become acquainted with before I’m through. You will be held accountable for your crimes.”

MacInnes paled and stepped backward. “We shall see what the King says. I will return to my clan to await the verdict.” He nodded sharply, then turned and left the hall. Oslow and the other warriors, as well as Lachlan and Anderson, followed behind him.

Caitlin let out a sigh of relief, suddenly exhausted, her battered mind and heart reeling. “I ne’er thought my uncle would give in so easily.”

Darach traced his fingers over her cheeks. “He hasn’t. I’ll see him to the border of MacKenzie land, and he’ll pretend to go home.”

“Pretend?”

“He’ll ride to Fraser instead, aye? Then Fraser will either kill him or join with him against us. Either way, it works in our favor to have the two scoundrels together.”

“Why?”

“’Tis easier to keep track of them. Your uncle isna a clever man. He’ll do as Fraser says. I have spies in Fraser’s keep, so we’ll be informed.”

She closed her eyes and rested her head against her husband’s chest. She wanted to keep asking questions—about Fraser, her father, the fire—but at the same time, she knew if she did, she’d break down, so she pushed them away. For now, she’d live in blissful ignorance and let Darach take care of her, just as she’d take care of him.

Starting today, she’d create as peaceful a life for him as possible. It helped calm her to focus on other things, and she began making a list in her head of tasks to accomplish: a cleaner keep, his favorite foods, organize his solar, spend time with his men and show them how much she cared. They could teach her about weaponry. Darach would be pleased to know she’d learned to swing a sword.

“I’ll work on the chapel while you’re gone. When will you be back?” she asked.

“Soon…wait for me to return, and we’ll start it together, aye?”

“If it pleases you. But what else can I do? The dogs are trained, and I canna work with Cloud. Has anyone seen him today?”

“I doona know, but I promise to look for him while I’m gone. And you can kiss me to start.” He nuzzled behind her ear and down her neck playfully, but his hands were gentle on her back.

She giggled, sounding half-mad.

His arms wrapped tightly around her.

“I can do better than a kiss.”

“I doona have time to love you properly, lass, and I can only imagine you must be sore.” His voice thickened. “I willna cause you more pain.”

“That’s not what I meant.” She knelt down in front of him, the rushes cushioning her knees, and placed her hands on his legs. His eyes widened as a flush crept up his cheeks. She watched, fascinated, never having seen him so perturbed. He glanced around the now empty room before looking back at her, swallowing hard. His hand brushed her hair away from her face.

“Caitlin, as much as I appreciate the gesture, I doona—”

“’Tis your turn to hush. My uncle was right about one thing…I should give thanks. If not for you, I would be dead—or certainly praying for death. I couldnae have been given a better savior. Or husband. Thank you, Darach MacKenzie. With all my heart.”

The breath exhaled from his lungs, and he reached down to pull her back into his arms, looking pleased, relieved, and disappointed all at the same time. He laughed shakily into her hair. “’Tis I who should be giving thanks, and you will ne’er kneel before me again. Well, only if you want to during…um, certain times—and not to give thanks.”

“What do you mean?”

“I canna talk about it now. ’Tis hard enough to leave you as it is.”

When she crinkled her brow in confusion, he kissed her palm, then pressed it to his groin. His erection pulsed beneath her hand. “Oh,” she said, fingers curling around his wool-covered shaft.

“Aye, oh,” he said roughly. “My innocent temptress.” Then he kissed her, deeply, one hand cupping her behind, the other holding her head.

Sweet oblivion.

She melted into him, wanting more, but he pulled back. His thumb caressed her lips. “I’ll return as soon as I can.”