Bound to the Highlander(48)

Aileana listened at the door and heard no further movement. She crossed the room to reopen the shutters to discover she had broken them and could not make them give without causing a further racket. This meant she couldn’t enjoy a cool breeze to still her thoughts.

Throughout the night, she tossed and turned, having wicked dreams of James’s body on hers, his mouth tasting hers, her hands exploring him. She woke in the middle of the night bathed in sweat.

Come the morn, James MacIntosh would no longer torment her. She longed for life to return to normal, at least for a little while, or long enough for her to figure out how to regain some control over her future. Exhaustion from the events of the past two days set in and she drifted into the deep dreamless sleep she wished for.

Aileana awoke the next morning when Gwen arrived with a pitcher of mead and a tray of food. She had no appetite for anything besides solitude.

Gwen fussed over her with extra care and she was more than willing to allow it. She longed to speak of her encounters with James but wasn’t sure how to begin. Her mood was quiet and Gwen was quieter than usual too as she fixed Aileana’s hair.

Aileana tried not to think of James and focused instead on what Gwen was doing. The ribbons and beads the maid put in her hair matched the long crimson gown she had chosen. James might have already left, but her neighbours would remain for part of the morning and she was responsible to see to their comfort and extend her hospitality as long as they were here.

Today she was still Lady Aileana Chattan.

“Gwen, is something bothering you?” Aileana asked, unable to bare the woman’s unusual silence any longer.

“My lady, ’tis I who should ask you that question. You need not concern yourself with my feelings.”

“Since when should I not be concerned with your feelings? Gwen, you are my dearest friend. If there’s something bothering you I want to know about it. Is it a man? Have you begun another affair? You don’t look happy though so that can’t be it.”

Gwen’s face broke into an exasperated smile. Half laughing, she said, “Please, teasing is my job not yours.” Gwen sobered. “I’m worried about you. I see a connection between you and the MacIntosh, but you don’t seem happy about it. Please tell me if you don’t wish to discuss it, but that is the only man on my mind, I swear.”

Aileana didn’t believe her, but she would get to the truth. She wanted talk to Gwen about her feelings and while she was reluctant to bring up her awful situation she would surely burst if she didn’t speak of it to someone.

“I have been hoping for some opportunity to discuss certain encounters between myself and my former intended,” Aileana said.

Aileana was unused to voicing her true feelings. She had always been able to rely on her uncle for counsel, however, on the topic of James MacIntosh, she could use some experienced advice.

“Former intended?” Gwen’s eyebrows shot up.

“Interesting how you don’t sound surprised.”

“Well, I—”

“Come on, out with it. Did Andrews talk to you?”

“Andrews? No of course not. My lady, I have much to share with you but I’m not sure you’re ready to hear any of it.”

“If you have news to share please do so. I’ve been lied to and omitted in far too many important discussions of late to tolerate any more.”

“Very well. My source for information is Calum MacIntosh. Almost from the moment he entered the house, we took notice of one another.” She smiled. “We’ve become…friends. I beg your pardon, but he has been interested in your reaction to his brother’s foolish behaviour. He believes—”

“He believes what?”

“—that the MacIntosh has developed feelings for you, but won’t admit it to himself.”

“Oh I can assure you, Gwen, his brother has developed feelings for me, but they are not anywhere near romantic or kind. He believes me capable of the worst sort of venom.”

“I know. Calum told me what the MacIntosh thinks. He also said that there’s a lot more to his brother than appearances would allow. You see he was rejected.”

“I don’t mean to be rude Gwen, but I have to be honest with you. The man is on his way to Edinburgh to acquire the king’s consent to break our betrothal. He doesn’t need that consent, but for some reason, the man can’t form a thought without his precious king’s approval.”

“Calum spoke of that too. My lady, there’s a lot more going on here than we realize.”

“Like what?”

“Calum wouldn’t go in to full detail, but I trust him. He asked me to tell you his brother is wrong and he will do everything in his power to sway him back to the right path.”