Highland Moonlight (39 page)

brought news of your father, though Alexander did not speak of it.”

“He will be journeying here within the week. He is anxious to be here

for the birth of the bairn, as is Grandmother.”

Mary gave a sigh. “I feel a wee bit like a pot everyone is watching in

hope that ‘twill soon boil.”

Duncan laughed aloud.

She looked forward to the birth with a combination of eagerness and

fear. It would be a relief to be able to walk with grace once again, or to lie or

sit without discomfort. It had been two weeks since she and Alexander had

made love. Though he continued to hold her at night, she missed the

special closeness of their bodies blending. She worried that now she could

no longer serve him, he would seek another to fill his needs.

As she and Duncan wound their way through the village, Mary found

herself searching for a glimpse of Tira. Though she knew he had ridden out

with his men, if she could see the woman, it would put her fears to rest.

Only a few moments had passed when she spied Tira’s dark hair and

dusky skin through the crowd. She stood before an open fire in the village

square sampling the roasted joint of meat for the feast. The May Queen

crown of woven vines and leaves suited her well. She had fashioned her

hair atop her head, and because of the heat, had loosened the laces at the

front of her gown, baring the scooped neckline of her kirtle. The heat from

the fire had brought a fine mist of sweat to her skin. She looked beautiful

and pagan. Mary noticed several men watching her with open interest. Even

Duncan’s attention wandered to her and paused for a moment, a frown

creasing his brow.

As though she felt their attention on her, Tira raised her head and

looked up. Her gaze skittered away from Duncan to rest on Mary with open

enmity for a brief moment. Her chin rose and she gave a gloating smile.

She had been chosen May Queen by the men and villagers early that morn.

Mary wondered if her eminent departure from their midst might have guided

the choice. She would be relieved to see the back of the woman.

The sound of approaching horses proved a welcome distraction from

her thoughts. She turned to look up the village street. Alexander’s mount

rounded the bend and her smile broke forth at sight of him, then died as

shock overwhelmed her relief. Beside him, on the chestnut gelding she had

once stolen, rode Collin and next to him, riding a black horse with white

stockings, was Bearach MacDonald.

Alexander reined to a halt beside her and Duncan, and the rest of the

men, about fifty in all, did as well. Mary’s gaze sought her husband’s. His

expression appeared bland enough, but a warning glint shown from his

tawny eyes.

“Greetings, Daughter,” Collin said, nodding to her.

Mary turned her attention to him, her features stiff. Distrust and

wariness rose like a shield within her. “Why are you here, Collin?” The

bluntness of her tone held no welcome.

“I have come for the birth of my grandchild.”

“Why?” she asked again, her mind seeking an answer before he could

reply.

“You are one of my only daughters, Mary. I wished to be here with you

at such a time.”

She no more believed that, than she believed the sky was brown and

the earth blue. Her gaze went to Bearach MacDonald. His barrel shaped

body looked clumsy on a horse. A beard, as shaggy as his black hair,

covered most of his heavy, round jaws. His small, close-set eyes focused

on her belly with blatant interest and his ugly features settled into a smile

just short of a leer.

“Why have you brought a MacDonald here for such an event?” she

asked. “‘Tis certes, I am, that he would have no interest.”

“On the contrary, Lady Mary. Since I was at Lochlan the night the seed

was planted, it seems fitting I should be here for the harvest as well.”

Though his choice of words were spoken in a jesting tone, there

seemed an implication of something more behind them. Her cheeks grew

hot with color and her temper flared. Alexander’s features looked carved

from stone when she glanced in his direction.

“Duncan, return with Mary to the castle. We will have company for the

feast,” he said, his tone curt. He kicked his mount forward, leading the way.

“Collin would not be here lest he had something to gain from it,” She

said before the troop had even disappeared from sight. She walked quickly

back the way they had strolled.”He is not to be alone with my sister or me,

Duncan. Nor is Bearach. Will you guard Anne whilst he is here?”

“Aye, if ‘tis what you wish.”

“Aye, ‘tis.” Her gaze swung upward to his face. “‘Tis for Anne he has

journeyed here. He will try to force her to accept Bearach, if he can. I must

go to her and warn her.”

Out of breath by the time they reached the cart, she paused to rub at

the painful stitch in her lower abdomen. She breathed a sigh of relief as

Duncan helped her atop the seat of the small conveyance. Anxious for her

sister, for the first time, she resented Alexander’s insistence she not ride

horseback.

“Anne went riding with David, Mary.” Duncan settled on the seat beside

her. “They are probably at the castle awaiting our return by now.”

“We will look in the stables to see if their horses are there. If not, you

must send one of the men to warn her.” A feeling of urgency made her

impatient to be there. She gripped the seat as Duncan clicked to the small

pony and shook the reins, sending him forward.

****

limbs. She composed herself with an effort.

“Are you ready, lass?” Duncan asked as he grasped the handle of the

heavy door to the great hall.

She gave a nod. Straightening her spine and raising her chin, she

entered the chamber. Her gaze swept over the many servants hanging the

greenery, gathered that morn, about the hall, to settle on the three men who

stood before one of the huge fireplaces. Anne was not among them and

she breathed a sigh of relief. Mayhap she was in her chamber changing

after her ride.

The light pressure of his hand against the small of her back urged her

forward. With leaden feet, she moved toward the group. The three held

tankards of ale, and as they drew near, a servant brought meat pies, bread,

and cheese to a table nearby.

“I would hope for a more cordial greeting now, Mary,” Collin said, his

tone stern. “‘Tis certes, I am, your aunt trained you in the ways of making a

guest welcome.”

Alexander laid a hand against her waist at the same time Duncan

stepped next to her. Comforted by their support, she drew another steadying

breath.

“‘Twould seem you have already had your needs seen to, Collin. What

more do you wish?” she asked in a bland tone.

Though his jaw tensed, he conceded the point.

“I will see to having your chambers readied then.”

Bearach drank deeply from the tankard he held then wiped his mouth

with the back of his sleeve. “Where is your sister? I would greet Anne, were

she here.”

“She has gone riding and will be back shortly.” The lie came easily.

With a brief glance up at Alexander and Duncan and a nod to the two other

men, she excused herself.

She climbed the stairs as quickly as her bulky condition would allow. A

cramp once again settled in her lower abdomen as she reached the

passageway to Anne’s chamber. She paused to catch her breath and let it

ease then moved on. Giving the door a cursory knock, she opened the

portal and slipped into the room. A movement from the bed drew her

attention, and she strode toward it. Shock halted her steps in mid stride

then held her frozen.

Her cheeks flushing a hectic red, Anne held a pelt high against her

bare breasts. Ignoring his own nudity, David placed a comforting hand on

her bare shoulder, the gesture protective. His features settled into a frown

so much like his brother’s, Mary felt her shock ease. She knew well the

Campbell charm, and the passion it could inspire.

Her attention returned to Anne. “Collin has arrived and awaits you in

the great hall, Anne. Bearach is with him.”

Anne jerked as though stung by some unseen wasp.

“Be at ease, lass,” David soothed. “He will not take you from me.”

His tone brought a smile to Mary’s lips. She turned away to give them

the privacy they needed to rise.

“Mary,” Anne’s voice, tentative and soft, followed her to the door.

She turned to look over her shoulder. Her sister’s anxious expression

had her smiling. “‘Twould be a good time to announce a betrothal,” she

said and left the room, shutting the door behind her.

Alexander’s gaze circled the great hall. Though the May Day feast

represented a time of celebration, the men were quiet and subdued, as

were the many villagers present. Mary signaled for the music to begin in

order to fill in for the lack of revelry. Food was abundant and as the many

dishes were served, the act of eating gradually helped to relax the tension

between Campbell and MacLachlan clansmen at some of the outer tables.

The low rumble of voices grew audible.

“How did you journey here to
Caisteal Sith
, Lady Anne?” Bearach

asked. “My men and I came to pay our respects after Ian’s death and you

had already left the MacMillan stronghold.”

“Ian’s men brought me to Castle Lorne and Alexander brought me to

Mary,” she answered, her attention on the food she shared with David. Her

features though composed, looked pale, and she did not readily meet

Bearach’s gaze.

“Nor did I get to offer you my comfort for more than a day, Daughter,”

Collin added. “‘Twould seem you and your sister have no trouble stealing

away whenever you wish.”

“Mayhap the comfort you offered was not what I needed, Collin,” Anne

said, her gaze hostile. “I wished to be with my sister.”

“There is something unnatural in the need the two of you have to

always be about one another.”

“‘Tis called love, Collin,” Mary said, her voice quiet and even. Her eyes

remained on his face for a moment. “Had you not fostered us so young, you

may have learned to feel more affection for us. If you had, you would not

have to question us about our need of one another.”

For once, he seemed at a loss for a reply. “When we journey home,

Anne, you will be accompanying me,” Collin said, “You must know your

place is there, now you are widowed.”

“My place is where I might choose it to be, Father. Mary wishes me to

stay, and I shall.”

Collin’s features grew red at her defiance.

Alexander broke in before the older man could vent his spleen, “You

are here for the birth of your grandchild, and that may take several days yet.

There is time to discuss this further later.”

“‘Twill be time soon enough, Collin,” Bearach said from beside him.

A servant began to refill the tankards around the table. “Did you have

any trouble along the way to
Caisteal Sith
, Collin?” Alexander asked,

changing the subject, “‘Twould seem there are men about bent upon

mischief and thievery. My men and I killed eight of them whilst journeying

from Lorne with Mary. She came close to injury because of them.” His gaze

settled on Collin’s face probing the older man’s features.

“‘Twas a blessing the lass was not harmed,” Collin said as he took a

sip of the brew.

“Aye, ‘twas. We saw another band crossing Campbell holdings just

after the winter snows set in. They wore no clan markings, but journeyed in

the direction of Lochlan.”

Anne head went up and she frowned, her blue eyes going to her

father’s face, with open interest.

“We had no such trouble, Alexander.” Collin’s attention fastened on

him. “How do you know they were bound for Lochlan?”

Alexander studied him a moment longer. “I sent two men to follow

them from afar. ‘Twould seem a group broke away to visit Lochlan Castle,

whilst the rest traveled on to MacDonald land.” He raised one brow in

inquiry.

“I remember no such visitors arriving at the castle, Alexander. Mayhap

they sought shelter from the snow until the weather improved.” Collin said,

his features bland.

“The rest traveled on to your land, Bearach,” Alexander continued, his

gaze going to MacDonald.

The man shrugged his broad shoulders. “My men did not report such

trespassers to me.”

“Mayhap you should both take more care in offering shelter to

strangers,” Alexander suggested. He took a bite of venison then chewed it

slowly. “‘Tis of interest that Gavin’s men journeyed the same route. Once

they arrived, they did not travel on, but seemed at home amongst your

clans.”

A beat of silence followed his words. Gavin’s gaze rose to Alexander’s