“Well, maybe I wasn’t exactly a virgin,” James said.
When Aileana looked back at him it took a split second before they both burst into a gale of laughter. James spent the rest of the night recounting every moment they had shared together, answering questions until they both fell into a deep sleep entwined in one another’s arms.
* * *
James intended to make the journey back to Inverness-shire a slow one. He would not consider putting Aileana or their child at further risk for one moment. When they left Peebles, it would be to travel to Edinburgh for a night or two before proceeding further north. James was bent on ensuring Gawain would remain imprisoned this time and planned on pulling a favour from the king. Gawain Chattan would never see the light of day again if James could help it.
His thoughts shifted to the king. As it turned out, the MacDonald’s were indeed responsible for the attack on the MacKenzie clan. They had devised a plot with the Sutherlands to do the deed, but it grew more complicated from there. James had learned while the king had been imprisoned in England, Alexander MacDonald had gained much support in the north. It was even suggested that years earlier, opportunities had arisen to return James Stewart to his rightful place as monarch and the Duke of Albany and MacDonald had interfered. In the end, MacDonald had fronted a good deal of the ransom. Who could guess why he later turned on the king?
King James had unravelled the Duke’s involvement and the MacDonald’s had been quick to provide their reason for targeting MacKay as the villains. MacDonald’s younger sister, Elizabeth it turned out, was Fergus’s widow.
The only part of the plot that he still wasn’t clear was the MacKenzie as the target for the attack. Also, while it was true the MacKay-Sutherland mutual hatred was legendary, how had the MacDonald managed to secure Artair Sutherland’s allegiance?
James’s head swam with questions. In the end, it didn’t matter how the plot had evolved. What mattered was that his friend Fergus had been acquitted, Gawain was locked away for a long time, and he and Aileana go on with their lives together. His biggest worry was how well she would readjust to her former life.
James had secured a carriage for their travel and watched her rocking body, curled up across from him. Her hair cascaded down across her body like a golden blanket. He longed to touch her again, but he would not take advantage of her that way. Aye, he wanted her so much it was painful, but he wanted all of her, not the just part that only somewhat remembered him. He needed her to remember their love first.
Six months ago, he would have bedded just about any woman on their first acquaintance if she were willing. His Aileana had released him from that unfulfilling life. She had saved him, loved him. He was determined to spend the rest of his life spoiling her far worse than her uncle had. Cherished girl, indeed. His precious wife would never want for anything.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chattan Castle, near Inverness, Scotland, August 1430
Aileana laughed at the commotion Sheena caused. She understood the woman’s wishes and demands, but was surprised at James’s reaction. Aileana had been home for a fortnight. Her memories of her intimacies with James had returned, though she hadn’t found one spare moment with him to let him know.
She’d arrived at Chattan Castle to her beloved aunt bursting with questions and suggestions. James had taken immediate exception to her behaviour stating it wasn’t good for the natural return of Aileana’s memory to have so many thoughts pushed at her.
“Pig’s poo! The lass needs to be reminded of all the things she’s forgotten and then she’ll remember!”
James and Sheena had battled it out and came to a mild compromise to go easy. When James wasn’t around, however, Sheena produced an old doll or garment from Aileana’s childhood.
Aileana was not as affected by all of that as much as she was affected by her home. She had remembered various bits and pieces of her life and was satisfied, for the time being, at the pace of her returning memory.
A sennight ago Aunt Sheena had made a suggestion that even James admitted was sound. She suggested he and Aileana exchange their wedding vows again, hopefully sparking the right kind of memories.
James said he would marry Aileana every day for the rest of her life if it would help her and so he agreed. Aileana needed a little more convincing, though, so James tried to bribe her with a surprise. He’d kept her waiting for ages in their bedroom and made her close her eyes before he entered with it.
When Aileana opened them, the beautiful wedding gown from her visions lay across her bed. She gasped and asked him where he’d found it.
“We were married at Linlithgow Palace, you see, and the young seamstress there made this for you at the queen’s request. When I left she insisted I take it with me. It is yours after all.”