Highlander’s Conquest - Calum and Meagan

Meagan McDougall rolled over to find she was alone in bed yet again. Her husband entered from the adjoining bedroom and went directly to the basin. Water splashed as the laird washed his face then grabbed a cloth and dried it. Completely nude, he dipped the cloth in the water and ran it over his body.

Calum McDougall was magnificent. At over six feet tall, broad shoulders, midnight black hair, and cobalt blue eyes, the laird stood out amongst most of his clansmen. His biceps bulged when he continued washing with quick motions oblivious to the fact she watched his every move.

When he began to wrap the clan tartan about his large body, Meagan lifted up and ran her fingers through her tangled tresses. He looked over at her, his face expressionless. "The games are at hand, it will be a busy day. Horsemen approach from the north. Soon the keep will be overrun with people. You will have plenty of company with all the women who come with their men.”

"Aye, and my hands full too. There is much to be done." She stretched, not in a hurry to leave the warmth of the bed coverings.

Calum grunted and once again became engrossed in dressing, bending to put on his boots while her gaze feasted on his form, never tiring of the sight of him. Her husband straightened and left the bedroom without another word to her.

So it was every day, treated as if she were not more than a fixture in their chambers. Meagan fell back onto the bed with a deep breath. Today she would not start the day by crying or feeling despair at the lack of love in her marriage. She refused to do it.

Yet another night had gone by without Calum's touch. She'd been hopeful when he'd come early to their bed the night before. But with barely a grunt in a way of wishing her a good night, he'd gone to his adjoining bedchamber alone.

After a curt knock, Cailyn McDougall, her sister-in-law, strolled into the bedroom. With her pretty flushed face and sparkling blue eyes, her sister-in-law was ravishing. She'd recently married a half English captain and from the looks of it, was enjoying his attentions with frequency. At the pang of jealousy, tears sprung and she brushed them off with the back of her hand, pretending to wipe sleep away.

Cailyn peered at her. "Good morning, Meagan. Our cousins are arriving and so have the musicians." Her sister-in-law rushed to the window and peered down at the courtyard. "I can't wait to see who wins the saber toss this year. Calum and Dugan are always the best," she said referring to her brother and cousin Dugan.

"Yes, I suppose I should get dressed, there is much to do," Meagan replied not moving.

Cailyn placed her hands on her hips and studied her with narrowed eyes. "I must ask you something."

Meagan raised an eyebrow. "Yes, of course, what is it?"

"Why are you so unhappy? You rarely smile and act as if every day is a chore. You have a place of honor here as the laird's wife. I am hopeful you will make more of an effort to seem content. Especially now with the visiting clansmen, for Calum's sake."

"I am not sure what you speak of." She slumped and heaved a heavy sigh. Of course she knew. But could she bring herself to share with Cailyn? An errant tear rolled down her cheek and she gave up the pretense. "I cannot smile and be as cheerful as you, Cailyn. I do not have what you do."

"What do I have that you do not? I fail to understand you." Cailyn neared the bed, her brows drawn together.

"A happy marriage. I can finally share with you since you're now married and know what transpires between a man and woman in the marriage bed." Meagan swallowed past the lump that formed in her throat. "Your brother abhors being married to me. He barely notices me and it is rare that he seeks me to join with. Most nights Calum sleeps in there." She pointed at the doorway to the adjoining bedchamber. "I only saw him bare this morning because he came to wash up. I suppose his man must have slept in. Or is busy with preparations."

With the admission she began to cry, not able to stop the flood of salty tears. "I know I should be softer, act happier, but as of late, I find it exhausting to be seated next to him at meals every day and be overlooked. A constant reminder that my husband does not desire me."

Arms wrapped around her, and Meagan sobbed at Cailyn comforting her when she'd expected a rebuff. "There, there," Cailyn soothed her. "I thought Calum and you had been together prior to marrying and that both of you went into the betrothal with cheer because you already cared for each other."

She grabbed the edge of her nightgown and wiped her face. "We kissed, he sought me several times for walks, when he and your parents visited. Always seemed eager to find time alone with me." She smiled at the memory. "I was so overcome with adoration for Calum that I begged my father to ask for the betrothal."

Cailyn took her hand. "Then what happened?"

With a shrug, Meagan continued. "Well, as you know, our parents made the agreement, we were betrothed quite young. Then the war began and I didn't see Calum for several years. Not too much later, we learned your mother died, and soon after your father. Calum became laird and I waited for him to come for me. He didn't for almost four more years."

"Yes, I remember your father came to inquire about the agreement a few months before you married."

"I was humiliated. Calum had been laird for almost four years before finally marrying me. I'd waited for so long that I decided to end the betrothal, but father refused. I believe my father forced him to keep his word and because of that Calum resents me."

Cailyn frowned. "Meagan, I'm sure you are wrong."

Meagan shook her head. "No, I am not wrong. Calum has made it clear he doesn't want to be tied to me, such a plain woman." Meagan sniffed and slid from the bed. "But it's done and I have to accept my lot in life. I will strive to be gay and happy for the duration of the games."

When Cailyn stomped her foot and growled Meagan jumped. Moving with shocking speed, her sister-in-law snatched her arm and dragged Meagan to the looking glass. "You are anything but plain, look at yourself. You are the most beautiful woman in the region." Meagan looked at her reflection. Her large hazel eyes were shiny from crying, her mouth seemed full for her oval face. She raked her fingers through her tangled auburn locks. She'd grown pale and too thin.

"You are beautiful, Meagan. Calum's gaze follows you when you move about any room where he is. My brother is very aware of you."

Could it be true? Surely Cailyn tried to make her feel better since company arrived. She was no fool. Her husband did not care for her in the least. Perhaps when she'd arrived years ago full of hope, she'd been beautiful, but she no longer considered her looks attractive. No, her sister-in-law was being kind. She forced a smile. "Well, enough of this, I must get washed up and ready, a busy day awaits."

She pulled a grey frock from her wardrobe only to gasp when Cailyn snatched it from her grip. "You are not wearing this. I am going to prove to you that Calum desires you. And don't pull your hair into that horrid tight bun. I will help you style it. Don't move." Cailyn ran from the room with the dress.

Minutes later she reappeared with a beautiful blue creation and her maid Petra in tow. Meagan obediently held her arms up and allowed the soft folds of fabric to fall over her head. She had dresses of course, but most had gone out of style. With time it had not become one of her priorities. Beautiful dresses were for the beautiful and after years of being ignored by her husband, it didn't make sense to spend time or energy on her appearance.

After Meagan sat for what seemed an eternity while the women fretted over her hair, she was finally allowed to see herself in the mirror.

The difference was unbelievable. A beauty gawked back at her. The off the shoulder gown showcased her creamy skin and elongated her neck. Her hair was swept to one side and curls cascaded past her left shoulder leaving the right one bare. Her eyes seemed brighter, golden specks brought out by the shade of the gown and her cheeks were flushed by the attention and comments from the women in the room.

"You look beautiful, Meagan. Because you are." Cailyn's eyes met hers in the glass.

"I feel attractive. The dress..." She reached for her hair and touched it careful not to ruin the upsweep. "The hairstyle is very flattering." With a sigh, she hugged her sister-in-law. "Thank you, Cailyn, I will feel pretty all day."

"Should I speak to my brother? He may need to be knocked on top of the head with a fist." Cailyn's expression was serious.

"No, I will take matters in hand and reclaim my husband's attention. If he resists my attempts to seduce him then I will face the facts and accept defeat. This will be the final test of whether or not I will remain married to a man who doesn't love me."

Cailyn smiled and pursed her lips. "He will not be able to resist you."

Meagan huffed. "Don't be disappointed at Calum's lack of reaction." She pointed her finger at her sister-in-law. "And don't you dare prompt him to make any comments."

After her sister-in-law left, Cailyn remained in the bedroom. She moved to the window and peered out. Some clansmen had arrived. Lads took horses and men hugged and clapped each other on the back. Her lips curved at the sense of joviality in the air. Soon the same men would be battling each other to be the best in the games.