Rescued by a Highlander(40)

She sighed as she realized this could be the best time to bear all. But she couldn’t bring herself to look him in his eyes, she didn’t want to see the revulsion when she told him.

“Niles raped me, Alex. Kenneth gave me to him when we were betrothed.” Tears rolled down her cheeks, “I tried to fight him, but I was not strong enough. I am not a maiden anymore. No one will want me. You especially deserve better.”

Alex pulled her closer, caressing her back. He was so angry he couldn’t speak. Sighing softly into her hair, he noticed tears dotting her eyelashes. She cried softly into his neck clinging to him. Neither of them spoke. Everything now made sense to him. How had this mere slip of a lass continued on in her life with such pain to bear? No wonder she was timid around him. He now understood so much more about her. He kissed her hair, her forehead, and pulled her in tighter. She belonged with him. He was surprised at how strong his feelings of protectiveness were toward her. He would never let her go. She would need convincing of that. But first he had something else to attend to.

Kenneth MacDonald and Niles Comming were both dead men.





CHAPTER SEVENTEEN




Maddie stretched to ease the kinks in her back from a restless sleep and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Late morning light filtered through a slit in the closed shutter. She bit her lip, dreading to face the day, dreading to face Alex.

After she stopped crying the night before, Alex had quietly walked her back to her door, kissed her briefly and bade her good night. She’d lain awake for another couple of hours worrying about the effect her confession would have on their relationship.

He said very little after she had told him about the rape. He had held her tight through her deluge of tears, caressed her hair, but she had felt the rigidity of his body at the same time. Was he angry with her? Did men think rape was acceptable if it was their betrothed or their wife? Did he think it was her fault? Or maybe he was angry with Niles? Or maybe he was furious with Kenneth? She was uncertain. How she wished she could talk to her mother. Deciphering Alex was a challenge at times. The man gave no clues as to his thoughts or emotions.

Hopefully, she would have the opportunity to talk to him today. Of course, now that he knew the truth about her, maybe he would avoid her and make the decision to send her to a convent. He probably didn’t want her influencing wee Jennie. Maybe he thought her wanton, especially after the way she had acted in his arms last night. She closed her eyes, remembering how wonderful it was to be in his arms, a place where she was warm, safe and special.

He had told her she belonged with him. What did he mean by that? Did he want her for his mistress? What else could he have meant? Lairds didn’t take ruined lasses to wife. But those words had been uttered before he knew she had been raped. He probably felt differently now.

Fiona had left hot water for her, still warm enough to use. She washed and donned a clean gown before heading to the hall to break her fast. When she arrived, the hall was empty. She made her way to the kitchen and found Brenna busy planning meals with Cook. Filling a bowl with porridge, she headed back into the hall, not wanting to disrupt their work. Where was everyone?

Brenna followed her after a few minutes. “Good day to you, Maddie. May I sit with you?”

“Of course. You know I cherish your company. Where is everyone this morn?” Maddie glanced around the quiet hall again.

“Alice is still recovering and returned to her chamber to rest. Mac has gone to the stables to be of help to Old Hugh as he was very busy this morning.”

“Why is Old Hugh so busy?” Maddie tried to pay attention to Brenna. What she really needed to know was how to find Alex.

“Alex came into the hall this morning in a fierce mood. He gathered near to two hundred of his guard and left straight away. He barked at everyone he encountered.” Brenna raised her eyebrows as she stared at Madeline.

Madeline chewed her lip with worry. “Where were they going?”

“He said he was going after Niles and your stepbrother. He told the men they would not return until they were found.” Brenna folded her arms on the table.

Madeline gasped and stared at Brenna. “Oh, nay!”

Brenna continued, “I don’t know what rankled my brother so, I haven’t seen him like this in a long time. Most of us know not to cross him when he gets like this, so only a couple of lads had to find out the hard way. Mayhap you may have an idea what put my brother into this mood?”

Maddie cringed as she stared at her friend. “What do you mean?”

“Those foolish enough to question their laird are presently cleaning out the garderobes. They were not allowed on their jaunt. My brother does not tolerate anyone questioning his decisions. Alex, of course, had to leave some men behind to protect the castle.”