Enchanted Lover (18 page)

Beside Osred was Garrick. He was the oldest member of
the council and perhaps the most difficult, but he respected most of Jared's
decisions and he was in favor of peace.

On Osred's other side was Liam. Jared could still
remember the rage he felt when he saw Liam rip open Asilinn’s wet dress. Liam
and Wynne had known of Asilinn’s attempted escape and confinement. Who else
knew? Had Liam sent word to Laird Innes? Now Liam's dark eyes raked over Jared,
but Jared couldn't read his cousin’s sober expression.

Keith sat at the far end of the table. He had lost a
brother to the war. Jared felt he supported the peace.

Ross, who sat beside him, was the youngest member of
the council. Having lost the other male members of his immediate family, he got
the seat by accident. Jared had allowed it rather than alienating his branch of
the coalition by omitting him. This pleased Ross greatly and he usually
supported Jared in whatever he proposed.

Although all had their say, Jared was the one who
decided in the end with or without a majority. It was an honor for any of them
to be given leave to speak freely without fear of recriminations. They all
valued their positions. The question was which of them was trying to undermine
Jared's authority.

Osred was the most disagreeable, but he had no chance
of assuming power. He was not even a blood relative. Of the others, only Liam
had reason to want Jared dead. If power was their only motive, it could be any
of them.

“As you are aware Laird Innes rides to Cock Bridge. Our spies tell us he is moving on the town tomorrow. If we take a contingent
of men through Burnum Woods, we can reach Cock Bridge before Laird Innes. I
want to leave the castle well guarded. This could be some twisted plan to
attack at one spot while others move against us here. Laird Innes wants his
daughter back and I will not allow it. Therefore, I propose Morven stays here
in charge of the defense of Lady Asilinn and Dunbocan. Morven, I'll leave you
with half the garrison.”

“Milord, I want to be with you on the field of
battle,” Morven objected.

Jared studied his cousin. “You will stay here. If I
have my way, there will be no battle.”

Liam was on his feet. “No battle? Has the Laird of
Dunbocan gone soft because of a woman? There was a time when women were not of
such great import. I remember it all too well!”

Jared’s blood surged through his veins. He could
barely control his ire. “This has nothing to do with my wife! I seek peace. If
I can convince Laird Innes I am sincere, a battle will not be necessary.”

“Liar,” Liam shouted. All others at the table drew
back in fear at Liam's bold accusation. “If you did not crave the sweetness of
the Innes bitch, none of this would be necessary. If you really desire peace,
give her back to him.”

“Asilinn is my wife and our union has the support of
the King of Scotland. Would you have me take her innocence and hand her back to
her father in disgrace? My son or daughter could already rest within her womb.
A traitor in our midst works against my cause. If any of you know who did this,
speak now.”

The silence in the room hung in the air. Finally,
Osred spoke up. “Laird, you accuse us of much with little evidence. We are all
aware you checked on where we were the night of the attack. Has this woman
turned you against your own blood?”

“Laird Jared is forthright in his purpose,” Ross
said. “But he is right to assume someone at this table is not. He and Lady
Asilinn were attacked on the trail when he brought her here. Only those seated
here knew she was coming.”

Again, silence fell over the group. “Were there any
whose whereabouts were unaccounted for?” Garrick asked.

“A few,” Jared replied. “A man can not always prove
where he has been, especially if he claims to have been alone.” He glanced at
Liam and continued. “Mayhaps I have wrongly accused you. If so, you have my
apology. The matter at hand is more pressing. How do you feel about my plan to
split the garrison?”

“It leaves us protected on both fronts. We will be
slightly outnumbered if all Laird Innes' forces attack Cock Bridge, but I, for one, am not afraid. I do question how you plan to go against Laird Innes
without conflict,” Keith commented.

“It will be a challenge. I'll lay out my plan as it
unfolds to avoid any possible leaks. This is too important to take a chance,”
Jared said. “Dinna take offense. In this, you will have to trust my judgment.
Are you with me?”

The men seated at the table nodded their assent one
by one until it came to be Liam's turn. “If it is not possible to reason with
Laird Innes, what will you do?”

Jared's jaw grew taut. “I wilna risk the lives of my
men by refusing to fight.”

“Then I am with you,” Liam answered.

The others nodded silent agreement to the plan and
Jared adjourned the meeting leaving them to talk amongst themselves when he
left the room.

Jared found Asilinn still in Skye's company. He
entered quietly through the secret door and stood in the waning light watching
while his sister tried to comfort his wife. Both women jumped when his voice
intruded on their solitude.

“Skye, leave us. I need to speak with Asilinn alone,”
Jared said. Without a word, Skye got up from the edge of the bed and left the
chamber. Jared listened to her footsteps on the stairs until the sound died
away. He let out a deep sigh and walked over toward the bed. Asilinn jumped up
and stood to face him her eyes red and swollen from crying.

Jared sucked in his breath and reached out to caress
the soft line of her jaw with his hand. “I would do anything to take away your
pain,” he whispered.

She jerked her head from his grasp and glared at him.
“Then release me,” she challenged.

“Anything but that.” He moved closer until he could
smell the sweet scent of her hair. “I did not sleep with Glenna, Asilinn. It is
only your sweet flesh I crave. I canna let you go.”

“What makes you think I care?”

“‘Twas clear from your expression.”

“I only fulfill the king’s wishes when I go to your
bed.”

“Your body tells me otherwise.”

“You go to kill my father and brother.”

“I go to stop them from killing my people. I will do
it peacefully if I can.”

“Dinna try to win my cooperation with your lies!”

Jared's eyes lost their warmth. “I have never lied to
you yet you choose to believe the worst. When I return, you will see the truth
of my words.”

“You are going to kill my father.” Asilinn felt fresh
tears swelling in her eyes. “And you wilna allow me to try to remedy the situation
with my presence.”

“'Tis too dangerous, Asilinn. Write a missive to your
father. I'll see it delivered before any conflict begins. My plan is to
surround Cock Bridge and not move against him unless he attacks. He'll see your
message and my own before things have gone too far. Instead of chastising me,
aid me in my cause. You have naught to lose with your cooperation and
everything to gain. Will you write the letter?”

“Aye,” Asilinn murmured.

“Hurry, there is not much time.”

He watched her while she sat at the desk and wrote in
a finely crafted hand. When she was finished, she handed it to him.

Jared read it carefully and nodded to her when he had
finished. “Thank you,” he said. “I'll do all in my power to keep your people
from harm. Pray your father aids me in my quest. I would not have the peace
spoiled by the hatred his death would bring.” He started for the door.

“Jared,” she called. The tenuous quality of her voice
made him turn to face her. “Dinna betray my trust.”

“I have not betrayed you, Asilinn. It was you who did
that when you ran from me.”

His eyes searched hers. Finding no answer there, he
jerked her to him for one final kiss. He was not brief or gentle when his mouth
closed in on hers demanding the response he wanted. Relentlessly he plied her
softness until she broke down and let him invade her. When he finally released
her, she was clinging to him tearfully. “What is wrong now?”

“You make my own body betray me.”

He moved to the door. “Damnation woman, you will
drive me mad!” He hit the door with his fist and faced her again. “Morven and
half my men remain to see to your defense. Be here when I return or I will hunt
you down until you are mine once more.” Giving her one last stormy look, he
left the room.

Asilinn bit her lip. Why did his threat seem like a
velvet promise to her heart? A small ray of hope sprang in her breast. Deep
down did she want to be his? The prospect frightened her. Could she trust him?
Her father had warned her against it. There was a knock at the door and Asilinn
threw it open. Wynne stood in the doorway wringing her hands.

“Come in.”

Hesitantly Wynne moved into the room. “Lady Asilinn,
I'm sorry I didna come to help you dress this mornin'. I heard yer father was
goin' to attack Cock Bridge and I couldna face you. 'Twas wrong of me and I'm
sorry.”

Asilinn studied her with some interest. How had she
heard the news before Jared? Asilinn was present when Morven and her father's
groom told Jared of the attack. That was several hours after Wynne should have
come to attend her. Asilinn decided not to challenge Wynne on the point.

“'Tis forgotten, Wynne,” she said to the servant.

The clatter of hooves outside sent Asilinn running to
peek out the tower windows. The sight she beheld sent a shiver through her.

Jared was mounted on Ailleagian rallying his men to
leave in defense of Cock Bridge. She saw him glance at the tower just before he
led the troops out the main gate. It was impossible for him to see her, but it
gave her some comfort to think his last thoughts were of her. Wynne came over
to stand beside her.

“Put yer trust in Laird Jared. He wilna disappoint
you.”

Asilinn's gaze again fell on the woman next to her.
For the first time she doubted Wynne's sincerity and that left her feeling
empty inside. Was she destined to live out her life among her father's enemies
never knowing which of them were against her?

“I could bring you a bit of supper up to yer room,”
Wynne offered.

“Thank you.” Asilinn checked her appearance in the
glass. It would be plain to any who saw her she had been crying. She would not
allow them to see her like this.

Wynne scurried off to get her a trencher. Asilinn
decided to brew a medicine to help her relax. The potion was ready when Wynne
returned.

“Wynne, I've just brewed a pot of one of my
grandmother's restoratives. Would you like some?”

“Why thank you, Milady,” Wynne said. She settled
herself in a chair near Asilinn and sipped her cup while Asilinn ate.

“'Tis hot, mayhaps you should let it cool first,”
Asilinn commented.

“What does it do?”

“Grandmother said 'twas a balm for difficult times. I
suppose I should drink the rest of the pot.”

Wynne set her cup aside. Her face contorted—her whole
body twitched uncontrollably. “I fear it doesna agree with me.” Wynne placed
her hand over her mouth and tried to get up. Convulsing, she fell to the floor.

Stunned, Asilinn ran to the prostrate servant and
pulled her to a sitting position. “You must vomit it up, Wynne,” she urged,
getting a basin for the poor woman. “Stick you finger down your throat.”

Wynne protested, but Asilinn forced her to obey and
soon the offending liquid was out of her stomach. She still wasn't well. “What
have you given me, Lady Asilinn?”

Asilinn sniffed the cup. “Someone must have tampered
with my herbs. I believe some poison was placed in the jar of rosemary.”

“Poison?” Wynne's face went even paler. Asilinn gave
her a wan smile. She took another whiff. “By the smell and your reaction, I
would guess henbane. Let me help you to your room. I'll get you some goat's
milk. It counteracts the poison.”

A short time later, Asilinn sat with her patient.
Wynne was better and was settled in her own chamber.

“How do you ken such things as poisons and their
cures?” Wynne asked when her symptoms subsided.

“My grandmother was a healer of some skill. I watched
and learned.” Satisfied with her patient's progress, she took her leave.

Wynne insisted Asilinn seek out Morven and make him
aware of what had happened. He agreed with Asilinn's assessment of the
situation and ordered her to keep to her room until he could shed some light on
a possible culprit.

When Asilinn finally retired, she was exhausted but
she was destined to find no peace. Haunting dreams of Jared and Glenna tortured
her mind's eye until she thought she might go mad.

Finally, her nightmare faded. She embraced the
blackness of sleep only to find a more disturbing image in her dreams. She
awoke with a shriek. It couldn't be! Sweat dampened her brow as she once again
saw what she would deny. There was no doubt this time. Her brother lay bleeding
at the feet of her husband. She could see Jared bend over Ian sword in
hand—then the image vanished into thin air.

What did it mean? Would Jared kill her brother in
battle? She tossed fitfully the rest of the night locked in the terror her gift
had wrought.

***

Jared's men reached Cock Bridge before the Innes
clan. He ordered them to form a defensive line around the town and stay at the
ready until Laird Innes and his men were spotted. Jared found he missed
Morven's presence. In truth, Morven was the only one Jared trusted without
hesitation.

There was serious question as to whether Jared should
watch for an attack from Laird Innes or one of his own men. Still he didn't
rethink his decision. There must be peace and he was the one to achieve it.

Ailleagian danced restlessly when Jared shifted in
the saddle. A messenger came running to tell Jared his father-in-law approached
with the complete compliment of men. “Bring me the groom,” he ordered.