Enchanted Lover (37 page)

To her surprise, her cell was large with a relatively
clean feather ticking in the corner and a supply of candles beside a single
candlestick. Asilinn's face flooded with relief when she realized they were
allowing her light.

“You must be one very special prisoner to get this
royal treatment,” the guard commented. “Friends in high places?”

Asilinn's lip stiffened. “Undoubtedly King Robert
himself, friend of my husband and my father,” she replied. The man looked
surprised.

He leaned forward and ran his hand down across her
face. “I canna recall the last person who was found innocent of witchcraft,” he
told her.

With a short laugh, he turned and left her alone in
the cold, stone cell. Exhausted she went over to the ticking in the corner and
lay down, falling into a deep sleep.

Asilinn tossed restlessly on her bed, dimly aware of
a soft fumbling with her clothing. Her eyes fluttered open to stare into
Morven's black eyes. “Morven, what are you doing?” she cried. His hand rested
intimately on her hip.

He straightened. “I—I only sought to wake you,” he
stammered.

She sat up. “I think not! You touched me while I
slept.”

“And you moaned and called his name,” Morven said. He
sank back down on the bed beside her and reached over to caress her hair. “Oh,
Asilinn, if I thought you could love me, mayhaps I could help you escape this
fate.”

“You are my husband's cousin, his closest friend! How
could you suggest such a thing?”

“I canna help my feelings. Once I had seen your
creamy flesh, I could find no peace. You have haunted my dreams since the day
in the Dragon's Spring. If you do not share my feelings, why did you not turn
me in to your husband?”

“I did not see it was you,” Asilinn replied in a
frightened whisper. “I love my husband. I will never share myself with
another.”

His eyes turned cold. “I would have given up much to
have you willing at my side.”

“Morven, you must try to put these feelings aside.
Help me find my freedom so I can bear Jared's child. I'll never tell anyone of
this conversation and we shall remain friends.”

His cruel laugh ripped through Asilinn like a knife.
“Why thank you, Lady Asilinn,” he scoffed. “But I plan to satisfy my lust
before you turn to ash.”

Grasping his meaning, she sought to rise from the
bed, but he threw her back and raked his hungry hands over her. She let out a
loud shriek. “Scream all you want,” he said. “I have paid the guard to look the
other way. Had you been more agreeable, this time could have been spent in
escape, but I think you shall stay and receive your just reward, enchantress.
That's what he calls you, is it not, his enchantress. Well, you shall enchant
me this evening. Perhaps you will find me more to your liking and we may still
strike a bargain, but I will test you first to see if you are worth the risk.”

“Why did you spy on me in the bath?” Asilinn asked,
desperate to keep him talking.

“It was not my intent. I was checking out the area
when you entered and I followed to see what you were about. When I saw the
beauty of your naked flesh in the bath, I could not bring myself to turn away.
I watched while you stood and presented me with a full view of your charms.”

His hand groped her breast as he recounted his tale.
She shoved his hand away, but he snatched both of her hands in his larger one
and pinned them above her head while he continued to tease her fullness with
his free hand. “Your breasts are lovely, Asilinn,” he whispered. “All I wanted
was to be a babe that I might be welcome to suckle.”

His breath was growing short while he enjoyed his
fondling. His hand journeyed down to the juncture of her legs. “And this golden
triangle of paradise, I wish to enter it.” He started to work on the clasps of
her gown. “It can be as easy or as rough as you would have it,” he told her.
“But I will savor your wares before I leave this cell.”

“No—No…." Asilinn gasped when his hand found her
bare flesh. “Please dinna do this,” she begged.

His only answer was an angry snort. “You are not the
first woman I have forced. You wilna be the last.”

“You raped and killed my mother?”

“Nay, Asilinn, it was another, but I believe your
sweet flesh will be to my liking.” When he pinioned her arms above her head and
dropped his head toward her breast, Asilinn let out a scream that would wake
the dead.

There was a scuffling noise as the cell door opened.
Morven raised his head to glare at the two guards who led Wynne into the cell.
“Take her away,” he ordered. “I'm teaching this one a lesson.”

“Look,” Wynne cried. “I told you she was dangerous.
She has enchanted him. If he but joins with her once, he will be her slave for
life. You must save him from himself.”

The two guards let go of Wynne and pulled Morven off
Asilinn. “What the hell,” he shouted. “The woman only seeks to save the girl!”

“See, he is already under her spell,” Wynne said.
“You must get him away quickly before he is beyond hope. Why do you think they
sent me here? It was to protect the guards from her charms.”

Thoroughly convinced of Wynne's sincerity, the guards
dragged Morven from the cell kicking and screaming. Asilinn moved to cover
herself from their gaping perusal. She flung herself into Wynne's arms as soon
as they disappeared from view.

“Oh thank you, Wynne,” she gasped. “Your quick
thinking has saved me.”

“Dear Lady Asilinn, I only hope my words dinna come
back to haunt you at yer trial. I fear I've given your enemies more to use against
you.”

“Jared will come and save me,” Asilinn assured her.
“Even now he plots to bring me back to his arms.”

“I pray you are right,” Wynne murmured. “I've learned
you are under the protection of Robert the Bruce until your trial. I am assured
they wilna torture you for a confession, at least not until they have found you
guilty. I fear Morven will strive to move up the date of the trial to avoid any
last minute reprieve. I hope Laird Jared is on his way.”

“What can Morven gain by my death?” Asilinn asked.

“He will kill Jared's heir, nix the peace treaty, and
discredit yer husband. If Jared were to be convicted of consorting with a
witch, it is possible Morven will wind up with all the MacLean holdings. Your
conviction would make that easier.”

Asilinn stared at Wynne. “When Jared first threw me
over his shoulder and carried me down the sheer rock face abutting my father's
castle, I knew I was in for a wild ride, but this boggles the mind.”

“And the two of you shall escape unscathed,” Wynne
promised. “That is my premonition and I am never wrong.” Asilinn gave her a
weak laugh.

The women of the whorehouse trembled with fear when
they looked into Jared’s flashing green eyes. “I want all the red-haired women
brought forward,” Jared demanded.

There was a pause and a single auburn-haired woman
appeared. She was shoved to the front by her companions. Jared took her by the
arm and led her outside so he could converse with her in private. This was the
third brothel he had been in and he was losing hope of finding his elusive
prey.

The woman smiled up at him. “Somethin' I could do fer
you, Laird?” she asked, rubbing her body up against him. “I didna know you
preferred red hair.” She lost her smile when he pushed her away.

“Do you wish to be accused of witchcraft?”

Her expression turned grim. “Nay, Milord,” she
muttered. “That was none of my doin'. He would have killed me if I refused.”

A smile spread over Jared's face. “I'd like to hear
the whole story. Leave nothing out.”

She shifted back and forth nervously. “Yer cousin
Morven came to me and offered to pay me handsomely fer one night's service,”
she said. “I could tell by his face I could ill afford to say no.” She paused
and looked at her feet. “I would not like to burn at the stake.”

“If you help me by telling the truth, I will
guarantee your safety,” Jared told her.

“He made me put on that awful mask and lie in a
coffin. He told me I was to play dead until he awakened me with his lovemaking.
I was real scared when those people were all standin' around chantin'. The
bastard didna tell me I'd have to let each of them have a turn at me, but… he
paid me well for my services.” She ventured a look into Jared's face. “I was
afraid not to do his biddin'.”

“Pack a bag,” Jared directed. “You're coming to Edinburgh with me to testify at my wife's trial.”

“Oh no, Laird, they'll find me guilty for my part. I
wilna go. I cannot.”

Jared's eyes hardened. “If you do not, my wife may
die. You have no choice.”

“Aye, Milord,” she whispered, turning back toward the
shabby establishment. “I'll get ready right away.”

Jared followed her. “I'll come along.” She grimaced
and led him to the hovel that was her room.

***

“Why does he dally?” Liam asked. “We should have gone
after Asilinn this morning.” He grabbed at the air in frustration.

“It appears you are rather taken with my daughter
yourself. You criticize your laird in her defense,” Angus observed.

“And you sit idly by and await Jared's march to Edinburgh,” Liam said.

“Jared told me he had one more witness to find before
we leave. He knows it is necessary to be prepared to defend Asilinn fully.”
Angus paused. “That still does not explain your feelings.”

“I have my own reasons to distrust Laird Jared.
Asilinn has become my friend. She loves him. For her sake, I pray he is worthy.
I am not yet convinced.”

“Are you in love with her?”

“No,” Liam said. “My heart still belongs to the
past.”

“My advice is to confront Laird Jared with your
grievance. I have found he has been able to satisfy all my uneasiness with his
forthrightness.”

“This is not the time.”

“There is never a perfect time. We dinna leave until
tomorrow. Speak with him when he returns,” Angus advised.

“How can you be strong in this dark hour?”

“Jared told me of Asilinn's vision of my grandchild
being born in the tower room. I therefore must assume all this will pass.”

“I too have seen the power of Asilinn's gift. I'll
pray you are right in your assumption.”

Angus went off to talk with Ian and Liam sat in a
chair by the hearth. It was past time to confront Jared about Sarah. Why had he
avoided it for so long? He knew the answer before his mind formed the question.
If Jared admitted to the crime, it would be all Liam could do to keep from
killing him. He scowled at the thought.

There was a commotion below when Jared arrived with
his witness in tow. “Dinna let her out of your sight,” he told the guard.

Anxious to get to his wife's side, Jared chafed at
waiting until morning. But to begin such a journey at this late hour would be
foolhardy and Robert the Bruce had sent him a missive assuring Asilinn's safety
until a verdict was reached. Wearily Jared walked up the stairs and entered the
great hall in search of Angus and Ian.

He saw the lone figure by the fire and started to
leave, then changed his mind and went over, sitting opposite his cousin. “We
need to talk,” Jared said.

“Aye, Milord.”

“Jared will do nicely. This is not a formal meeting.”

“Perhaps it should be.”

“Bloody hell, haven't I had enough of your caustic
tongue? Do you hate me so much because of Sarah? I never meant for any harm to
befall her.”

Liam bolted from his chair and towered over Jared.
“How can you sit there and calmly mention her name after what you did? She
trusted you and you used her and cast her aside!”

Jared frowned. “I dinna understand your accusation.
Exactly what do you think I did to Sarah?”

“You took her to your bed claiming your right as
laird to assure her virginity. She couldn't live with the knowledge she had
been unfaithful to me. She killed herself when you wouldna take her for your wife
and make an honest woman of her.”

“I never touched her,” Jared said, drawing his breath
in sharply. “This explains much. The night I returned to find my father dead,
Sarah came to me weeping. She begged to be placed under my protection, but
wouldna tell me why. I was so consumed by grief. I did not find the reason for
her anguish.”

“The very day I went to her to ask why she kept
refusing to see you, I found her dead in her chamber. I have never forgiven
myself for letting her down. I should have made her tell me and perhaps she
would still be with us. Who told you such a tale?”

Liam's fists tightened as he fought to control his
emotions. “Morven,” he whispered, the terrible truth tearing at his soul. “Who
acted as laird between the time of your father's death and the time you
arrived?”

“Morven,” Jared said grimly. “It would seem your
brother has failed us all.”

“And I am to believe you with no proof?”

“There's someone here who may know,” Jared replied.
“Let's go talk to Ivy.” Liam nodded and followed Jared to the housekeeper's
tiny room.

The woman quaked with fear when Jared and his cousin
entered. Jared studied her for a minute in silence. “Why do you shake, Ivy?
Could it be you know why we have come?” She said nothing, but cast her eyes to
the floor. “Tell me what happened to Lady Sarah after my father's death.”

“I swore I would never speak of it to a living soul.”
Seeing her plea fell on deaf ears, she started her tale. “Morven had lusted
after Sarah for a long time. She had turned him away. She was in love with
Liam.” Ivy wrung her hands and cast a wary glance at Liam. “Two nights after
yer father died, Morven was declared acting laird until you could get back to Scotland. That same night he ordered me to bring Sarah to his bedchamber.”

“I knew he was up to no good, but I was powerless to
stop him. He used the old law to claim his right and he raped her that night.
Lady Sarah was inconsolable knowin’ Liam would kill his brother if he knew and
yet facing the prospect of going to her wedding bed without being intact.
Morven took her to his bed every night. When you arrived home before Liam, it
was an answer to her prayers. She asked for yer protection…. Unfortunately,
Lady Sarah couldna live with her shame.” Ivy fell silent, staring at the floor.