Enchanted Lover (16 page)

“There was an attack on them when they left the
castle the night they visited with Laird Jared. I thought you knew. But then,
you have been chained in your chamber since it happened.”

For an instant, Asilinn couldn't catch her breath but
she had to ask—had to know. “Are they all right?”

“‘Tis said they are both fine,” Ivy said. “I was told
they came and spoke with Laird Jared right after it happened, then returned to
their camp.”

Liquid fire snaked through Asilinn's veins. Jared had
known when he used her to fulfill his lecherous desires. Morven had come to get
him and Jared had not told her what had happened, instead he had coaxed her
into…. Her father was right. He was the Dragon Lord of Dunbocan. He probably
sent his men to kill those most dear to her. And now it was clear Ivy knew of her
imprisonment. It was probably all over the castle. Asilinn stood like a statue
clenching and unclenching her fists while she fought for control.

Ivy smiled. Asilinn would dearly like to have struck
the woman for the look of satisfaction now covering her face. “Mayhaps milord
didna tell you because you were being punished for trying to escape. How can I
be of service?”

Asilinn drew a deep breath. This was something to be
settled later between her and Jared. For now, she must play the role in which
she was cast. Her father and brother had gone back to Cairngorm Castle and she was on her own. To that end, she forced herself to remember her mission.

“Laird Jared asked me to find Skye and go over her
clothes with her. He thinks she needs some more adult gowns made and wishes me
to direct her choice. Where is she?”

“The laird has not given you an easy task. Mayhaps I
should handle it for you.”

“I’m sure I can handle it. Where might I find Skye?”

“No doubt she still lies abed. Lately she has a lazy
streak. We seldom see her till afternoon. She's on the second level above the
great hall next to what used to be Glenna's room.” Ivy's face paled. “Third
door on the right,” she mumbled scurrying from the room.

Jared's whore had been well ensconced before he had
decided to take a wife. Asilinn didn't know why she found it aggravating, but
she did. Climbing the stairs to the upper hallway, she rounded the corner and
came face to face with the red-haired beauty.

“Lady Asilinn,” Glenna purred. She bowed slightly
when she paused on the narrow, winding steps. “I am glad to see Laird Jared has
seen fit to release you.”

“Good morning, Glenna,” Asilinn said briskly. She
exhaled sharply. Glenna knew too. “I am surprised to see you here. I thought
Wynne told me Laird Jared gave you a cottage near the east gate.”

“Aye, Milady, but he allows me to roam freely through
Dunbocan. Before he sought the peace through marriage, I shared his bed.” She
gave Asilinn a broad smile. “Mayhaps if he gets you with child, he'll need me
again. Once you have served yer purpose… well, who knows a man's mind?” Lifting
her skirt well above her ankles, Glenna continued down the stairs.

A brief vision of Glenna lying willing beneath Jared
scorched across Asilinn's unwilling eyes. She closed them tight and willed the
ugly specter to disappear. When it did, she leaned back against the wall
shaking. Was this a vision of the future or the past? She didn't know, for she
was capable of both perceptions. Trying to push it from her mind, she hurried
to Skye's chamber.

Rapping on the door, Asilinn awaited her next
confrontation.

“Go away!” Skye cried. Asilinn swept into the room to
see the slim, young girl still under the covers in her bed. “You bitch!” Skye
screeched. “I dinna want company. Get out!”

“Skye, it is midday. Jared wants me to go over your
clothing so Wynne can make you some new gowns.”

“You mean to tell me my brother is going to have
Wynne sew for me. I thought she was too busy increasing your wardrobe.” Skye
pulled the covers over her head. “Go away, Asilinn! I dinna want your help.
I'll make do with the dresses I have.”

Asilinn walked up beside the bed and ripped the cover
off. “Get up! Jared wants you to have some new gowns and by God, you will have
them if I have to drag you kicking and screaming to Wynne's door."

Skye was momentarily speechless, but her eyes
sparkled mischievously. She sprung partially clad from the bed. Coming toe to
toe with Asilinn, her face suffused with a wide grin.

“I compliment your high spirit. My brother has always
had need of high-strung women to satisfy his lust. Do you know you are one of
many?”

“I dinna doubt it,” Asilinn snapped. “But I am his
one and only wife.”

“Is it different from being his whore?”

“Mayhaps you should ask him.” Asilinn spun around in
anger and stalked over to examine the collection of clothing hanging on pegs in
the corner. She picked up each gown and gave it a critical appraisal before
either throwing it on the floor or laying it over a nearby chair.

The young girl stood fuming while Asilinn flung most
of the gowns on the floor. After Asilinn's anger was spent, she regained her
composure and turned Skye's way again.

“Please try on these for me,” Asilinn directed,
handing the dresses on the chair to Skye. “The others are totally unsuitable.”

Throwing the gowns in a heap at Asilinn's feet, Skye
walked over to pick up one of the dresses Asilinn had discarded. “I'll try this
one on for you. It is one of my favorites.”

“Very well, try it if you must.”

Skye seemed surprised by Asilinn's agreement. Caught
off-guard, she inadvertently showed some of her vulnerability. It was obvious
she loved the garment she had selected. She took great care in sliding it into
place over her youthful body.

The girl was lovely. She was taller than Asilinn with
long, slim legs and good bone structure. Her breasts were just beginning to
swell starting her transformation into a young woman.

Finished dressing, Skye turned to Asilinn for her
approval. Asilinn walked around her assessing the garment. “I'm sorry, 'tis out
of the question. Since your body has started its development the bodice is much
too tight and the length is wrong.”

“I hate you!” Skye’s eyes filled with tears.

Asilinn ignored the jibe. “I agree the color is
magnificent on you. The style is good. It is a little too youthful. I'm sure
Wynne can make you another gown similar to this one, but with accommodations
for your physical changes.”

Asilinn could see a fleeting look of uncertainty
flash across the girl's face. “Skye, you're such a lovely young woman. You have
your brother's black hair and those stunning emerald eyes. I want to see you
dressed to fulfill your part as the sister of the Laird of Dunbocan. Think how
surprised Jared would be to see you properly attired for a change.”

“I didna think he noticed I was not. He calls me imp
and teases me incessantly. He sends others to care for me instead of giving me
his time.” Skye whirled away from Asilinn. “I dinna know why I tell you this.
You must be the witch Glenna said you were, enchanting me with some spell to
gain my trust.”

“I am nothing Glenna says I am. If you seek her out
as a confidant, I daresay your secrets are misplaced.”

“You only say that because she was my brother's
whore. He wouldna have cast her out if he had not needed to find a bride for
his peace plan. You are nothing to him but a way to end the war!”

“That may be, but if it is my destiny I will fulfill
it. Let us get to the task at hand.”

“You will let me choose?”

“Show me your favorites and we'll see what can be
done.”

The hint of compromise seemed to please Skye. She
began her own pile of gowns on the bed. “There are a few more things in the
trunk,” she said, pointing to an ornate chest in the corner.

Asilinn went over and opened the lid, pulling out a
few other dresses until she came to the pile of dirty clothes in the bottom.
Holding them up, she realized they were men's clothing. It looked like
something a stable boy might wear. As Asilinn shook out the shirt, a gray mask
fell to the floor. She jumped back and stared it.

“Skye, where did you get these?” Asilinn tried to
keep her voice from quavering.

“You look like you just saw a ghost,” the girl
replied. “I found them in the barn. I kept them and even used them once or
twice to sneak out riding at night. I bet you never did anything adventurous
when you were my age.”

Asilinn tried to shake off the feeling of evil that
shot over her. “You may be surprised at what I did,” she commented more to
herself than to her young sister-in-law. “Come on, let's get started.”

As Skye tried each of her favorites on Asilinn gave
her an accurate accounting of their condition. Soon they called in Wynne and
fittings began. Asilinn couldn't shake the feeling the sight of the mask had
given her but no one seemed aware of her discomfort while she carefully
attended to the task at hand.

When they were finally done, Skye surprised Asilinn
by asking her to go for a walk around the grounds. “I'd like that,” Asilinn
said, ready for a breath of fresh air.

“Mayhaps we could stop by the kitchen for some food,”
Skye suggested. “I'm starving.” Asilinn laughed and they made their way
downstairs.

Just when they arrived in the kitchen, Ivy burst in
wailing. “Flanna, come quick! Toby has fallen into the lake! I fear he's
drowned!”

Flanna shrieked and ran out the back door. Asilinn
and Skye ran after her. Heads turned to gawk as the new mistress of Dunbocan
sped through the gates of the castle in pursuit of her kitchen maid. Asilinn
ignored their curiosity. Soon a crowd followed anxious to see what was
happening.

The women ran down through the throng of people
gathered at the lakeside. Toby lay on the bank near the drawbridge. Flanna
grabbed him crying uncontrollably.

“He's dead,” Ross said, wringing out his wet clothes.
“I tried to save him, but….”

“How long has he been without breath?” Asilinn asked.

“Long enough,” Ross replied.

“Flanna, stand aside,” Asilinn ordered. The crowd
moved in threateningly but Flanna obeyed Asilinn.

Dropping to her knees, Asilinn put her ear to the
boy's chest. Flipping him over, she pushed down on his back until a stream of
water gushed from his mouth. Toby started choking and crying all at the same
time. Flanna rushed to aid Asilinn as the boy sat up rubbing his eyes.

“Oh, how can I ever thank you,” Flanna said,
gratefully hugging the small boy to her chest.

Asilinn straightened and turned to face the crowd.
“She's a witch!” an angry voice accused. “The boy was dead and she's brought
him back to life. It is the devil's work!”

The throng closed in jeering and repeating the
accusation. Skye tried to keep them from Asilinn hurrying her toward the
protection of the castle. The people followed them still incensed.

Asilinn didn't see the first stone coming. It hit its
mark striking her temple. The blow made her eyes sting and her head throb. What
was happening? Had she not saved a life?

A pelting of rocks struck her as the cry went up.
“Stone her! Save the soul of our laird!” Asilinn fell to the ground trying
futilely to block the assault. Ailleagian cantered through the sea of people
just as the angry mob closed in.

Jared was stunned when he saw what was happening.
“Cease!” he shouted. The crowd drew back in fear. Skye helped Asilinn to her
feet. Jared pulled her up on the horse in front of him. She buried her bruised
face in his chest without a word. Jared held her close and addressed the crowd.
“What is the meaning of this?”

“Lady Asilinn brought Toby back to life after he fell
in the lake and now these people think she is a witch,” Skye said.

“Ignorant fools! If a man falls into a lake, his
lungs are full of water. Any person could save the man by ridding his chest of
the water. You make false accusations against my wife. I'll hear no more of it.
The next one of you who raises a hand to Lady Asilinn shall lose his head!”

He gave Ailleagian a kick and reined him through the
castle gates until they arrived at the main entrance. Dismounting, he carried
Asilinn to their room and laid her gently on the bed carefully examining her
wounds. It didn't look too bad but Asilinn seemed almost catatonic.

“Are you all right?" he whispered, stroking her
hair from her eyes. “You have not spoken."

Asilinn pushed his hands away and sat up propping
herself up in the bed. Tears ran down her cheeks, but she fought his attempts
to comfort her. “You sent men to kill my father and brother.”

“I did not. I swear to you. It was the masked riders,
mayhaps the same ones who attacked us on the trail.”

“You knew of the attack and kept it from me!”

“Aye.”

“Why should I believe you now?”

“Because it is the truth. Tynan was one of them.”

She remembered all too clearly her encounter with
Tynan after he had passed on. Jared reached over and stroked her hair. “Do you
believe me?”

She wiped her tears away with the back of her hand.
“I must trust you. I have no choice.”

“And can I trust you, Asilinn, or will you drug me
and run from me at the next opportunity?”

“My father and brother have gone, Milord. I have
nowhere to run.” She pulled up her skirt enough to display her sore red ankles.
“And I canna tolerate another chaining.”

“Aye, so.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
“Asilinn….” He seemed to struggle to find the right words. “I wilna treat you
like a whore again.”

Her eyes filled with tears when she met his steady
gaze. “Promise?”

“You have my word.” He wiped away the single tear
trickling down her cheek. “I was so angry at your betrayal I didna see what I
was doing to you.” He fumbled with the blanket while he sought to cover her and
then moved away from the bed.