Chapter 13
The evening meal was the first quiet one Claire had since arriving. The men had not returned, and the hall felt their absence. Unfortunately, those who did remain made themselves known. She smiled as Aliana did her best to include her in conversation, knowing full well the intent. The several men at the table were nice, polite, good-looking, and even funny, but they were not Ian. The first sincere grin to cross her face was when Cerwyn started getting crabby. Grateful to leave with Aliana and the child, the upstairs seemed a welcome retreat.
Both were relieved when Cerwyn actually fell asleep. They sat in Aliana’s chamber before the fire where once more Claire had the burden of explaining the finances. Finishing her cup of wine, she waited for Aliana to respond.
“Well, then it is done. My brother will have to go through with the marriage. I had such hopes for him, hopes that he would someday find the same things I have with Hagan.” Aliana’s dismay was more than evident in her tone.
Claire thought to ask the question that had been in the forefront of her mind but dared not to ask Ian. “What happens if the taxes are not paid?”
For the first time, there was hesitation before Aliana spoke. She answered in a hushed voice, “I dinna ken how long the Crown will tolerate late payments. Eventually forces will come to claim the lands and a new laird will be set in place.”
Claire felt her jaw drop. “I knew it was serious, but not to that extent.” Wanting to know what happened to the family and the people if such a thing should occur but somehow knowing it would be tragic, she let the question slip away.
“‘Tis sad the fate that awaits Ian. No one should marry like this. I ken it is the way of some, but not here among our people.” Aliana’s disgust was more than evident.
Hoping for a diversion from the morose, Claire asked, “So it was not like that for you and Hagan, not arranged at all?”
“You dinna mean to say this tale has not been told to you. Nay, there was nothing planned about us even meeting. Hagan came here with his eldest brother. While my marriage would not be arranged, introductions were common and all too regular. Surely you must ken the heir to the Douglas clan was out seeking a wife several years ago.”
Suddenly caught in the lie of her existence, Claire answered quickly, “I knew that, but not about you and Hagan.”
“How foolish of me. You would only ken Hagan did not return home and that he had wed. I am aware your clan does not speak freely in front of its women. So Hagan came with his eldest brother as he sought a wife. I never even noticed the elder, I only saw Hagan. You may not believe this, but at the moment we met, it was done. I wanted only him. Do you believe this, Claire?”
Trying not to think about her own reaction to Ian, Claire sincerely answered, “I believe you. As strange as it sounds, I believe you.”
“There was a small problem, however, as Hagan did everything in his power to stay away from me. During the day, he trained with the men, rode, and hunted with Ian, and at night, he sat as far from me at the meal as possible. Yet even then I wanted him. This is not to say he ignored me, just the opposite. Hagan was constantly watching me.”
“Why didn’t he talk to you?”
“There were times when no choice was given. At those moments, he was kind, considerate, and polite, but his eyes were different. He looked at me like I wanted him to, like he saw only me.” Pausing for a drink, Aliana remarked, “You may be aware your cousin is a stubborn man. Hagan was raised to believe that as the youngest son of seven he would wed a woman of much lower rank, that the only daughter of a laird was far beyond reach.”
“What changed his mind?” Claire asked, wondering what could change Hagan, a man always set in his course of action.
“Well, the eldest son left, and Hagan stayed. It was said that Ian convinced him to stay. They were quick friends, and my parents found his company was a good influence on Ian. Even then Hagan encouraged my brother to learn the duties to which he would someday be responsible. To this day, I still believe Hagan stayed for me. Too bad that stubborn arse will never admit it.”
Joining the laughter, Claire asked, “So when did it change?”
“It took most of that summer to discover that he was put off by my rank, though no one here made much of it. Hagan has a way of seeing things, of seeing the potential in a situation. Hagan’s fear was that without Ian wed and having an heir this duty would fall to me. It would not be the first time lands had passed through the children of the lady of the clan. The responsibility weighed on him. He was never trained for such things and did not want to be. A simple life was all he craved.”
This description did not mesh with the man Claire had come to know. Hagan seemed so sure of every decision he made. “Obviously, you got past that. How did you do it?”
With a grin, Aliana continued, “After I discovered this, every meal I sat by his side and made him speak with me. I tried everything, even altering my gowns to show my figure in an attempt at letting lust rule him. Dinna look so surprised, cousin, those gowns now flatter your curves. Anyway, even that did nothing, so I went for something more simple. I made sure Hagan was deep in his cups.”
“You got him drunk?”
“It was obvious there was something between us. Our conversations were always polite, but his eyes never were. Later that summer, every chance he had, Hagan touched me, small touches that no one would ever think wrong or inappropriate. I was tired of waiting, and once my mind is set, I act. I made sure he had a bit too much to drink, filling his cup myself throughout the evening. When Hagan finally found his way to his chamber, I followed. Giving him time to get into bed, I stole into his chamber. After losing my gown, I crawled into bed with him. For only a moment did he hesitate, then he did not.” There was no stopping the smile taking over Aliana’s face “‘Twas a fine night, Claire.”
“How did this solve anything? I mean, he was drunk. Did he know it was you?”
Aliana’s face showed the victory she felt. “Aye, he kenned full well it was me. My name was on his lips the moment I climbed into his bed. In the morning, we were found together. That part was a wee bit embarrassing but worth every awkward moment. Our vows were said in the hall that morn. I dinna believe there has ever been regret for either of us. Hagan does a fine job helping with the men and the duties here. ‘Tis a skill he always had inside. Plus, we are happy. There is love and a solid companionship between us. Someday I wish the same for you.”
Claire was envious. “Wow, that is some story. I’m glad that you told me, or I don’t think I would have believed it.”
With a chuckle mixed with a yawn, Aliana said, “Dinna let anyone tell you otherwise. Every word is true.” Stopping to yawn again, Aliana apologetically asked, “Would you mind if we said good night? When I tire, it happens quickly.”
Claire stood. “Of course, go to sleep. I already asked Margaret in the nursery to wake me and not you if Cerwyn needs someone.”
“Cousin, you spoil me with your kindness. I am so glad you are here and that we are already such friends.” Aliana embraced her.
“So am I.” Letting go of the embrace last, Claire said, “Sleep, I will see you in the morning.”
The ride had been what he needed. Time on his horse and the wind in his face had cleared his mind. Part of his fate was set. There was no arguing and no going back. There was going to be more in his life, and Ian had always known this. He had been raised to want more, and more he would have. There was always a way. This was a way he had never thought to take. The path he now contemplated he had mocked in others. Mayhap he had been too quick to judge and too quick to assume it was wrong. Ian had found a way, and now he just needed to convince her.
Claire slept, curled in a chair before the fire in the nursery, with wee Cerwyn tucked against her, one of the child’s hands resting on her shoulder and his other buried in her hair. She had been roused from sleep to be here. Dressed in her robe, her legs were bare from shifting in the chair. His hand reached out to touch her skin, only to stop. He still bore the dirt from his ride. The last time he touched her he had been dirty from the saddle. There was no way he would see Claire’s clear skin soiled by his hand again. His offer would wait. Rising with the intent to seek the bathing chamber, he knew his offer would be there for the new day to come. Looking at her face, so calm and peaceful in sleep, any and all doubt fled. There was a way.