Bound to the Highlander(22)

James tensed. “Enough! The aunt was tired from her travels and you know nothing of my reasons for seeing this arrangement through.”

“You’re right, I don’t understand. You are all contradiction, Brother. You say this is temporary, yet you sit in a dead man’s dining hall as if it were your own. You regard his heir as though she were dessert. I caution you, for your looks betray your words whenever she is within your line of sight.” The corner of Calum’s mouth twitched.

“She is nothing to me, nor are Chattan’s belongings. I resent your implication that I do this for selfish purposes. What would you have had me do? Refuse the agreement and dishonour us both?”

Calum shook his head. “I would have you see this through to the end. It’s the right thing to do and you know it.”

Calum crossed his arms and smirked. Damn him. Would he never cease his meddling? “I know nothing of the sort. I was a fool to agree to any of this.”

“A fool indeed to protect a clan who will not survive without the strength of a larger one. Would you rather have them take up with the Camerons?”

“The Chattans are my neighbours and as such will always have my protection. How dare you imply I would not come to their aid!”

“Coming to their aid is one thing, but what you are doing is leaving them vulnerable to all manner of prey. You may as well tie the lass to a tree naked and yell, ‘here she is! Come and get her!’”

James clenched his fists. Calum had gone too far with his wistful imaginings of his reaction to the lass and his purpose. “You cross a dangerous line,” he said. “Consider yourself lucky I don’t insult so easily. Leave me.”

Calum’s face dropped. “I’ll leave, but you must consider one thing. If you will not marry Aileana, make sure you find her someone who is strong enough to care for her.”

Calum turned and stalked away. James was unsure if his words or hurt expression weighed heavier in his wake. The day had not turned out at all like he’d imagined. He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but Calum was right about his reaction to the lass. He didn’t think it was possible for her loveliness to grow. Yet, in the chapel, all he could think about was unbraiding her hair and having it fall all around them as he buried himself within her.

She was not easy to draw out so he couldn’t tell if she felt anything of the same sort for him. A grim expression settled over her face from the moment she entered the chapel to the time she left the dining hall with the aunt. He wanted to kiss it away. There was no doubt he would have to get control over the fire she ignited in him when she was near. No good could come of it.

As for protecting the clan, he had no intention of letting them fall under any fealty but his. He wouldn’t speak of it yet to Calum because he wasn’t quite sure how it would work. One thing was certain: he would have to make Aileana his ward. A new marriage contract would not need to include the clan and for that matter, he could pluck a young man of worth and means from the region. There was a particular thane who would benefit from the match. Even Calum might be persuaded to consider her. His arguments of late contained some manner of her welfare, yet he insisted James marry her. Everything his brother suggested could be satisfied in one form or another and didn't need to involve his future. He’d received an invitation from Queen Joan to visit Linlithgow Palace in a fortnight. Between now and then he would determine his intentions and present them to King James. This madness would all end.

He paced. The most worrisome aspect of this situation, though, was the cousin. Why had the man not shown up for the ceremony? He was the constable after all and therefore should have ensured the event’s security. Could he have been the reason for the lass’s demeanour? She’d been crying the day he saw the cousin leave. Were they lovers? Was that the affliction Father Addison had referred to on the day after Chattan’s death?

He raked his fingers through his hair. None of it mattered anyway. He wouldn’t be around long enough to watch her mourn a lost love. He stopped pacing and gazed out across the gardens. The object of his torment had just entered the rear courtyard from a side door and was making her way toward the garden. She looked back over her shoulder several times.

Well now, where was she going? The temptation was too great, he must follow her. He almost could hear Calum mocking him. I thought you said you didn’t want her.

James located a route to the rear courtyard. Away from the castle, he entered a small maze. Although it was only May, there was no doubt the area was well tended and worth the praise he’d heard over the years. He listened for her, but no sound met his ears so he crept further along the path. Crunching stone just ahead caught his attention.