Enchanted Lover (7 page)

“Aye, Milord, it is some time since we have had the
pleasure of your company at Cairngorm Castle.”

“True….” He came closer and walked around her, taking
her in from every angle. “So lovely.”

“Thank you, Milord.” Asilinn hesitated, not knowing
where to start. The hour of her wedding was at hand and she had no choice. She
must just plunge in. “I beg you to allow me to go back to my father. Please
tell Laird MacLean his peace plan will not work. There is too much hatred
between our people. I fear this union will only make matters worse.”

The king faced her and reached over to take her hand.
With a grand bow, he brought it to his lips and grazed her knuckles with a soft
kiss. “I’m sorry, sweet Asilinn, but I must deny your request. I think Jared’s
plan will work and it suits my purpose. If your allegiance lies with me, you
will obey your king and go willingly to Laird Jared. Scotland’s fate lies in
successfully uniting the Scots. To that end you must give all for Scotland.”

“So I must spread my thighs for the Dragon of
Dunbocan in the hopes of saving my country.” Her sharp retort caused Robert to
raise his eyebrow unsympathetically. It seemed to her he struggled to keep from
smiling.

“Jared is a good man, Asilinn. He will not harm you
if you do your duty.”

She started to protest. He held up his hand to
silence her. “I’ll wait for you downstairs. We’ll go to the chapel together.”
He left the room.

“You have no choice, Milady,” Wynne said.

Asilinn had almost forgotten Wynne was in the room.
“But he is my enemy, how can I….”

A light rap on the door interrupted their
conversation. Wynne answered it while Asilinn retreated to a corner.

Skye popped into the room and eyed Asilinn curiously.
"Wynne, would you leave us?" Skye requested.

"My laird was very clear," Wynne said.
"I canna leave Lady Asilinn 'til Keith comes to take her to the weddin'
chapel."

"It will only take a moment. You can wait just
outside the door." Skye gave Wynne a disarming smile.

Wynne looked to Asilinn and received her confirming
nod so she left the chamber.

Skye stared holes through Asilinn before she spoke.
"Are you really free of trickery and deceit?"

Asilinn stiffened. "I dinna want this alliance
with your brother."

"That's no answer," Skye snapped. "I
spent the last hour trying to talk him out of this, but he wilna be swayed. He
says he does this for king and country. So I ask you, do you seek to bring him
down with lies and false promises?"

"I was not raised to be treacherous. I wish I
could say the same of your brother."

The lean, young girl lunged towards her. Asilinn took
two steps back. "How dare you accuse my brother of deceit?" Skye's
eyes blazed so bright Asilinn expected to be physically attacked.

Asilinn stepped up until she was toe to toe with the
young girl. "What am I to think? He stole me from my home under cover of
darkness and brought me to this place, for what? I dinna ken his purpose. To
hear his silver tongue one would believe it to be peace, but his true motives
may be kept from all of us until he succeeds in some darker purpose."

Skye's face became more inquisitive as she looked at
Asilinn. "Mayhaps he plans to murder you and all your black-hearted
kin."

"More likely than a sincere desire for
peace," Asilinn agreed.

"Evil Witch, he doesna deserve another wayward
wife. I must rid him of you before you bring him to ruin."

"I cannot fault you for believing in your
brother, Skye. I too have a brother and I wouldna hear ill of him. I dinna know
the MacLean's true purpose and I will attempt escape if the opportunity
presents itself. He is well aware of that."

Asilinn watched Skye's eyes wander to the tapestry
covering the secret passage and move to back to meet her own. Would this wisp
of a woman-child help her escape?

The question could not be addressed. Keith and Wynne
knocked and entered the room. "The hour of your wedding has arrived, Lady
Asilinn," Keith announced. "I've come to take you to the chapel.
Skye, if you dinna accompany us you may miss the whole event." Skye nodded
to Keith and the group proceeded down the winding, stone stairs.

They passed through areas of the castle Asilinn had
not yet seen. Laird Jared and his clan were obviously much better off than her
own people were. Each chamber they traveled through was spacious and in good
repair.

When they reached the outer door, King Robert the
Bruce was waiting for them. Wynne affixed Asilinn's plaid in a tight rosette on
her shoulder allowing some of its length to drape down over her back forming a
train for her simple linen gown.

Asilinn bit her lip when the doors opened. She saw
Jared standing at the front of the chapel. The MacLean colors were bold against
his muscular frame. He was a handsome man. She found herself wondering what
dark pleasures he had shared with Glenna. The thought was driven from her mind
when a hush fell over the assembled crowd.

The chapel was filled to capacity, overflowing with
the entire population of Dunbocan. Somewhere in the background, a flute played
a lilting melody. Perhaps the war call of the bagpipes would be more
appropriate. Asilinn took a deep breath and let Robert lead her down the long
aisle that formed as people stepped back to admit them.

Jared watched Asilinn come toward him. Her back was
ramrod straight. She looked only at him, not glancing sideways at the wondering
crowd. Her alabaster skin, her perfectly formed lips, and those magnetic
blue-violet eyes made the simple gown plain in comparison. She took his breath
away—dangerously beautiful. Perhaps she was even more deadly than his first
wife was. Still, he found himself smiling.

Ever since he'd seen the ripeness of Asilinn's naked
flesh, she had scorched his dreams with images of her aflame beneath him. He
was consumed by desire for her. But she was his sworn enemy, and if he didn't
have a care, she would be his undoing. That thought was banished when she
reached his side. He took her small, trembling hand in his and kissed it before
leading her to stand in front of Friar Hogan. Tonight she would appease his
lust and that act would quench his fire and allow his reason to return—she had
no reprieve.

They spoke the vows quickly. When the good friar
finished, a rousing cheer rocked the rafters. In spite of their reservations,
Jared's clansmen celebrated his marriage. He was moved by their support.

Jared pulled Asilinn into his arms and lifted her to
his lips in a soft kiss. The sweetness of her mouth made him linger, savoring
the tender feel of her.

Laughter rippled across the assembly. "Would
milord like a few hours alone with his bride before the feast?" a man
called out.

"To the wedding feast," Jared directed.
Grabbing Asilinn around the waist, he propelled her with him into the crowd
receiving congratulations as they went.

Asilinn was relieved when they finally arrived in the
great hall of Dunbocan. Tables and benches had been placed throughout the huge
room, including a large banquet table on the raised platform at the far end of
the hall. Jared led her to the platform and held up his hand for silence.

Jared took a length of his plaid and pinned it to
Asilinn's colors bringing the two lengths of fabric together and intertwining
them. He moved his hands to rest on Asilinn's shoulders and turned her to face
the crowd. Slowly he brought his hand across her breast and down to rest on her
flat stomach. "My child shall spring from these loins. He shall be half
MacLean and half Innes.”

Asilinn's knees buckled, close to giving way
altogether, at his bold announcement. Her breast still felt the heat from his
casual touch and she struggled to maintain her balance.

Seeing her difficulty, Jared pulled her back against
him supporting her weight in his arms. The crowd gave another dutiful cheer.

Robert stood and offered a toast. “To Scotland’s clans united.” He paused and gazed at Jared and Asilinn. “It starts here.” The
clansmen responded to their king with cries of support. Robert turned to
Asilinn and Jared. “I shall pray for the success of your union. I must be off
to Edinburgh in the morning. I count on the two of you to make this work.” He
pressed a quick kiss on Asilinn’s hand.

Jared guided Asilinn to the seat beside his at the
head table. The king sat on the other side of her. Drawing a deep breath,
Asilinn leaned back in her chair thankful to be seated at last. Her knees still
knocked together and she fought to keep the appearance of composure. Jared
handed her a goblet of red wine and raised his own to meet hers in a toast.
Anxious to recover her strength, Asilinn drank deep from her cup looking for
courage in the fiery liquid.

Soon the trencher Asilinn shared with Jared was
filled with Barley Bannocks and Carrageen Jelly. At some other occasion, she
might be pleased to find her favorite bread served so generously, but today she
had no stomach for food.

Jared opened his larders to present a feast of
uncommon variety. Servants carried in roast venison, mutton, and pork on spits.
The carver sharpened his blade in preparation. Heaping platters of onions,
beans, and cabbage passed back and forth and Asilinn took nothing. She even
refused a selection of meat.

Her lack of appetite gained Jared's attention.
"If you dinna eat, the wine will sour your stomach."

She threw him a dark scowl. "I have no knife to
cut the bread, Milord. Mayhaps you would return my dirk for the feast."

Pulling the jeweled dagger from his waistband, he
stuck it deep in the bread. "Forgive my thoughtlessness. You have but to
ask and it is given."

Asilinn cut herself a slice of bread and took some of
the roast pork the carver offered. Jared grinned. She turned her head away. She
heard him laugh when he made merry with his men. From time to time, he cast a
glance her way.

For Asilinn the party seemed interminable. She
wondered if she would be allowed to retire to the tower, but thought better of
asking. He might interpret her request as an invitation to join her there and
consummate their vows. The celebration grew more raucous as the afternoon drew
into evening.

At one point, a buffoon named Tynan approached the
main table and grabbed Asilinn’s hand. He pressed it to his drunken mouth for a
slobbery kiss. Jared grasped the man's wrist and forced him to relinquish his
grip on Asilinn. Tynan tripped and knocked Asilinn's wine onto the bodice of
her ivory linen surcoat. It seeped across her chest like blood.

Asilinn sprung to her feet near tears waving her
jewel-encrusted dirk at Tynan. Jared took her arm and retrieved the weapon from
her shaking hand.

"'Tis my task to set this fool straight,"
he told her. Jared motioned Wynne over to the table and gave Asilinn a little
push toward her maid.

"Take Lady Asilinn to my chamber and prepare her
for me."

Jared nodded to Morven who guided Wynne and Asilinn
from the hall. Morven stayed with them until they were safely back to the tower
room and took up a post outside the door.

Stripping off her soiled surcoat, Asilinn tearfully
handed it to Wynne. "'Twas lovely," she murmured.” I’m sorry I ruined
it."

"It was not yer doin', lass," Wynne said.
"Dinna cry now. Mayhaps the stain will come out."

Asilinn looked away from Wynne's stark perusal. Her
light blue kirtle was saturated with the heady brew. "Give that to me as
well," Wynne said, helping her.

"But I have nothing to wear," Asilinn
protested.

Wynne moved to a trunk in the corner and withdrew a
gossamer thin nightdress. "Laird Jared wishes you to wear this," she
said.

"Is there no other choice?"

"I'm afraid not, lass," Wynne said.
"Laird Jared was very specific."

Asilinn ripped off the thin shift that was her only
remaining undergarment and slipped on the sheer wrapper. All of her charms were
in full view, barely shielded by the see-through material. "I may as well
be naked," she said indignantly. Wynne raised her hand over her mouth to hide
her grin.

"I think that was the idea, lass."

"Find me something else," she demanded.

"I cannot." Wynne lowered her head.
"Try not to be afraid, Lady Asilinn. I dinna think he means you any
harm." She hurried out of the room leaving Asilinn to stare after her.

Asilinn paced the floor. This ridiculous outfit had
one purpose—a man's pleasure. She went to the bed and pulled back the heavy
curtains. She could cover up there. No! He would find her in bed and think her
willing. Running to the trunk, she flung back the lid. It was empty. The foul
bastard had not left her a scrap of material to cover herself. Retreating to
the bed again, she ripped off one of the blankets and wrapped it over her,
concealing her body from any prying eyes. She began pacing again.

Her eyes roamed to the tapestry. Why not? If she
lingered here, she faced rape at the hands of the Dragon of Dunbocan. Had not
her dream warned her? Throwing back the tapestry, she shoved open the door to
the secret passage and stood face to face with Jared MacLean.

"Milady, dost thou seek to depart so soon?"

"Bastard," she railed, flying to the other
entrance to their chamber. She flung it open and ran right into Morven's broad
back. Her face flushed with rage. She pivoted and slammed the door when Morven
turned to grin at her.

"There is no escape, Asilinn."

He advanced toward her until he stood less than a
foot from her. She knew she should run, but her feet would not function. She
froze in her spot. He gently lifted the blanket off her shoulders and let it
fall to the floor. She felt his warm breath while she stood shivering under his
scalding gaze.

Jared took a step back to admire the treasures he had
unveiled. He was totally mesmerized by her ripe display. The gossamer white
material coated her perfect breasts in a film of paleness enriched by her own
skin tone. His breath was already shallow and he felt his need rising rapidly.
Her rosy nipples shone at him through the meager covering, teasing him with
their availability.