Highland Courage(81)

Twenty Three





Her mother hastily wiped the blood from her mouth, clucking about her bruised face. Mairead did not want to do this. She wanted to go her chamber and pretend it had never happened. That’s worked really well for ye in the past, hasn’t it?

No, her first instinct was right. She needed to end this, and running away to hide while the Frasers closed ranks was not going to accomplish that.

Tadhg wrapped a plaid around her gently. “My brave wee lass, ye don’t have to do this. I know ye are afraid.”

She smiled weakly. “Someone once told me fear and courage are brothers.”

“That arse should shut his gob.”

She gave a little laugh, which somehow ended in a sob. “Nay, Tadhg, ye were right. I can do this. I must do this.” He put his arms around her, holding her close.

The moment of calm abruptly ended when Darcy and Guthrie were brought into the hall. Although Darcy looked decidedly worse for the wear, his clothes stained with blood from his nose and bruises forming under his eyes, he sauntered in as if he hadn’t a care in the world. When he glanced toward Mairead he gave her an evil little smile. “Guthrie, why is it one minute a lass can barely keep her hands off ye, but the minute she is discovered, she changes her tune?”

Her father bristled but Tadhg lunged at Darcy. Niall restrained him with difficulty. “Tadhg, if ye don’t want a war, cool your anger, man, and let this play out.”

“Your little mouse plays the innocent act very well, but I think ye’ll be interested in what I have to tell ye. Perhaps it isn’t me who will receive the brunt of your temper in the end.” It was clear to Mairead that he was going to make good his threat.

“That’s enough, Darcy,” said his father. “Lady Matheson has accused ye of attacking her. Just tell us what really happened.”

“Attacking ye? Oh, little mouse, ye wound me. I didn’t want to have to do this, but ye leave me no choice. Laird Matheson, it isn’t a case of me forcing my attentions on your wife at all. The fact is, she is a wanton and has been for years.”

Shocked murmurs, mixed with exclamations of denial from the MacKenzie allies present drifted through the crowd. This time it was her father who had to be held back, but Tadhg adopted a bland, almost bored expression.

“Ye’re a lying worm, Fraser!” her father roared.

“Am I? Well, suppose ye keep quiet and let me tell my story. Then we’ll see who the liar is.”

It took several men to hold her father back and Laird MacIan said, “Cathal, control yourself. He has the right to present his side.”

Her mother’s face had gone pale with shock. Dear God, how was she going to do this? The horrible secret she had hidden for years was now to be played out before her parents. Tadhg slipped his arm around her waist and drew her closer to him, as if willing her his own strength.

“He’s spewing rubbish and slandering my daughter. Matheson, stand up for her!”

“Cathal, let him finish,” Tadhg said calmly.

“Thank ye, Matheson. I thought ye might want to hear the whole story. Although ye may feel less like cozying up to your wife after ye have. Ye see, a number of years ago, your wee wife was wandering around alone at the Michaelmas Fair and made some rather bawdy suggestions to me. Being the agreeable fellow I am, I accepted her offer. She led me off for a tumble in the woods.”

Her father looked ghastly white. “Ye attacked her then as ye did today?”

“Oh, it wasn’t an attack. No, she practically begged for it. Guthrie, ye were there too. Several of us were. She said she had plenty to go around.” The room erupted again in response to his outrageous statements. Still, as Mairead looked around, many of those gathered gave her accusatory stares.

“It was quite an afternoon, I can assure ye. But it didn’t stop there. The MacKenzies attend the Michaelmas Fair every year and every year we managed to find a few moments together. What braw lad says nay to a free tumble, willingly offered?”

“That isn’t possible—” Cathal started to argue.

“Nay, Da. Let him finish,” said Mairead quietly.

Darcy ignored the interruption. “Imagine my surprise when my father tried to arrange a betrothal to her. Who would want a wife like that?”

He was clearly goading Tadhg, who remained still, holding her firmly against him and showing no reaction.

“I pity ye, Matheson, your mousey little wife took the opportunity to seek me out again when everyone’s attention was on my poor sweet sister. Frankly I wouldn’t be surprised if your wife was behind the whole charade simply to cause a diversion. I confess, it was such fun the first time, I couldn’t deny her. When we were through, she begged me to run away with her. She became angry when I told her nay and attacked me. I only hurt her defending myself. Then the moment she thought we had been discovered, she pretended to be affronted and charged me with attacking her.”