For a moment, she’d thought him dead or, at the least, seriously wounded. And she’d reacted without consideration of the correct thing she should do. Oh, she knew that people here thought of her as the perfect noble lady, never stepping outside her designated role or outside the bounds of what was expected of her.

  For Iain, she’d thrown all that away without another thought.

  Glynnis stumbled over a non-existent obstacle on the ground when the truth struck her.

  For Iain, she would throw it all away.

  If given the chance.

  Glynnis made her way inside and tried to turn her attentions to the preparations underway.

  * * *

  The story of Iain’s defeat by his stepfather spread, with some telling the full story of those Iain vanquished. By the time they all gathered for supper, Iain seemed able to laugh at most of the tales told, even adding his own commentary about his prowess and insults about Davidh’s age and his other opponents.

  He wore his long hair pulled back and she could see where Anna had stitched the skin along his forehead at his hairline. Not the worst wound she’d seen, but it had bled profusely and added to his defeat by blocking his vision. Davidh had hit him on the back and shoulder and his arm had been slashed by another man, but that damage was hidden under his clothes.

  Under his clothes.

  She’d seen men unclothed before. She’d watched others fight and train, both here and in The Campbell’s holdings. But seeing the changes that only three years had wrought in him as he’d fought had taken her breath away. Glynnis also knew she was not the only one who noticed his pleasing form. His muscles. His height. His strength. Even now, she saw some of the women who’d been watching him fight. She’d heard their sighs and had seen them pointing and ogling his naked chest and the rippling contours of his abdomen.

  Much as she had wanted to do. But she was a lady and they were serving maids and seamstresses and the like. Women who would see to a man’s needs with little care for their reputations. Thinking on it now, Glynnis realised she’d stared without shame at him as he fought. And the desire to touch him had filled her...and now as she watched him speaking and laughing with a few of the men he’d grown up with here at Achnacarry.

  What would it be like to touch him? Would he stand still and allow her to explore all the interesting places on his body? Would he guide her fingers to the places he liked to have touched and caressed? Would he—

  ‘You look flushed, Glynnis,’ Lady Elizabeth said, motioning for a serving maid to fill Glynnis’s cup. ‘I hope you are not coming down with fever?’ The back of the lady’s hand was cool against her cheek as Elizabeth tested it.

  ‘Nay, my lady. I am well.’ She took the cup up and swallowed a mouthful of the ale. Her mouth had gone dry at the thoughts she was having about Iain and the ale refreshed her.

  ‘Robbie sent word that he and Sheena will arrive in the morning and I wanted you to ken.’

  ‘We exchanged letters for a while,’ she explained. ‘But then...’

  Lady Elizabeth reached out and patted her hand. ‘Many things changed in the last months. Worry not. ’Twill be good for you two to spend some time together.’

  She liked Sheena—even though Sheena had stepped into the betrothal meant for Glynnis, it worked out for the best. The youngest daughter of the man called The Beast of The Highlands was quite different from what Glynnis had expected after Robbie’s stories. He and Sheena had become enemies as children and many secrets threatened to ruin any chance they’d had of happiness. Glynnis had protected more than one of Sheena’s secrets and they’d become friends.

  ‘I look forward to seeing her,’ she said.

  From a few comments Robbie had made and from something Iain had said, mayhap without realising it, Glynnis suspected Sheena was carrying. Lady Elizabeth would avoid speaking of it unless necessary, but now, Glynnis found she could not allow her own loss to belittle the joy of her friend. No matter that it would hurt. No matter that it would hurt for some time.

  ‘And I welcome her news,’ Glynnis whispered while leaning closer. Elizabeth’s eyes widened at the disclosure. ‘I promise to let Sheena tell me and will not reveal the truth of how Robbie gave too many hints on his visit.’

  ‘I ken what a struggle it will be for you, Glynnis. The pain of your loss will not retreat quickly. But grief does change and become bearable. It does. I will keep you in my prayers.’

  * * *

  Sheena’s arrival in the morn and Glynnis’s knowledge of her condition was made less about Glynnis’s own reaction when her friend promptly lost the contents of her stomach as soon as her feet touched the ground. Glynnis found herself in the middle of a small group of women who spirited Sheena away to the solar as she recovered from what she called her daily unfortunate act.

  Their visit was actually quite pleasant from that time on, for they had much to talk about and the time passed quickly. The Mackintosh and his wife, and their entourage, arrived and many sessions were held among the men, leaving the women on their own for much of the days.

  * * *

  Four days later, on the last day of meetings and discussions, a ceilidh was planned and much work was put into arranging the meal and the musicians and singers who would entertain after supper. Maggie slipped a small packet in her hand sometime during that day and Glynnis tucked it up in her sleeve. She never even remembered it until she was changed for the celebratory gathering.

  ‘Maggie, what is this?’ she asked as she pulled the parchment from inside her sleeve and held it up.

  ‘Oh, my lady, I am sorry. A messenger arrived earlier with that while you were busy with Lady Elizabeth.’

  ‘A messenger?’

  Glynnis broke the familiar seal, knowing she could not avoid it, and unfolded the parchment. Her father’s bold scrawl at the bottom of it forced her to read the whole of it. He’d not heard back from Lady Cameron so he was sending this directly to her.

  That was a surprise.

  The words she’d known would come and that she dreaded none the less were all there for her to see. Her time here was done, in spite of any efforts by her godmother to extend it. Any misplaced dreams or desires would remain unsatisfied. She must submit to the life her father had chosen for her.

  Maggie waited for her to speak, but Glynnis simply shrugged and folded the parchment up. After dressing, she put it in the small box that travelled with her for such things and followed Maggie below.

  She would enjoy this night and not speak of the missive from her father until the morn, after Robbie and Sheena had left for Tor, the Mackintoshes had returned to Glenlui and life here had returned to its usual pace.

  But not tonight.

  Tonight was hers.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Something was wrong.

  As Iain observed her through the supper that marked the ending of The Mackintosh’s visit, it was so obvious to him that he could not imagine why others did not see it.

  He’d been seated at the other end of the table next to his aunt’s cousin-by-marriage and enjoyed the banter between the man and his wife, a MacKay from the far north of Scotland. He’d spoken at length with his aunt as well as his stepbrother Colm, who did accompany the Mackintoshes on this visit and who sat beside him now. They would all be returning for the betrothal ceremony and to meet his bride when she arrived.

  Another glance at Glynnis and he caught the moment when she allowed her guarded expression to drop. Oh, something had happened and he suspected it meant she must leave. When the musicians gathered and the tables were moved to allow for dancing, Iain walked to her end of the table and pulled a stool closer to her.

  ‘Glynnis.’ He nodded to those sitting around her. ‘Will you dance with me later?’

  ‘Another change since last we met,’ she said as she smiled at him.

  ‘I fought it for as long as possible,’ he admitted. ‘And I can promise to try not to step on your toes, though I cannot promise I won’t.’

  Glynnis laughed and he was struck dumb by the sound of it. It caught Lady Elizabeth’s attention and she looked over.

  ‘My dancing skills, my lady. I’m warning Lady Glynnis.’

  ‘Glynnis, I tried, truly I did. But there is a limit to what skills of good society a lady can teach an uncooperative youth.’ Lady Elizabeth leaned down as she spoke. ‘Though he is much better now than when he crushed his aunt’s toe.’

  Iain wiped his hands over his face and laughed.

  ‘Or when he tore the edge of my gown off during a lively attempt,’ Sheena added from next to the lady.

  ‘Glynnis, let us just say that you risk much if you dance with Iain,’ Tomas added. ‘I, however, learned to dance well under my mother’s tutelage and would be pleased to dance with you.’ Tomas stood and pushed forward, holding out his hand to her. Glynnis looked between the two of them and accepted Tomas’s hand. ‘Keep a close watch on us, Iain, and I will demonstrate it to you.’ Iain laughed as they walked down the steps to where the others gathered.

  Tomas was a good man, Robert’s youngest son, and the one who Iain thought was the better choice for tanist, if he was being truthful with himself. Tomas always stood ready to serve though he would appear unready to take on that responsibility. He hid his competence and skills well beneath the façade he’d created. The musicians began with a lively dance that sent the dancers circling around the floor, pausing in small groups and moving on. She was radiant, laughing and speaking to Tomas as they moved around the area.

  Glynnis laughed at something Tomas said and Iain loved seeing the rising flush of enjoyment in her face. This is what he wanted for her—a life filled with joy, not sorrow. He wished he could see her like this every day. He turned on the stool to see the whole group of those dancing.

  He wanted her. He wanted her in his life, in his arms.

  In his bed. Because she was already in his heart and soul.

  The irony in this situation was not missed. Three years ago he was the one not worthy, not eligible, of someone of her status and position and expectations. She was of noble birth and supposed to marry someone of the same. Her father had held the power and he had...none.

  Because of that rejection, he had changed himself, his life and his expectations. He became the one with choices. Raised up, about to be titled and married to someone connected to royal blood, he was the one with the power to say aye or nay. If he’d harboured a hope deep within that she would be the one, he had never admitted it to himself or anyone else.

  But...he had.

  In those early months of struggling against what he felt for her, against his own weaknesses and inability and lack of knowledge and skill, he continued to hope it would give him a chance to claim her before it was too late. It was only after hearing of her marriage that his foolish hope crashed and he had to re-examine the reasons for continuing.

  Davidh had been the one who spoke of his friend Malcolm Cameron and the hopes they’d had as lads. The high chair of the clan was something that would come to Malcolm and he had to do little to claim it. For Iain, it would not come easy, if at all, and Davidh had inspired him to let go of his past and claim the future that had never been his father’s.

  As he watched Glynnis spin in Tomas’s grasp, he remembered the exact moment he’d given up on her. On them.

  From then on, he’d never looked back. Never doubted. Only moved forward, towards his goal.

  And now, he only had to reach out and take it. Well, take the opportunity, marry the woman, make the alliance and continue preparing for the time he would be called to lead.

  As though taunting him, cheers rang out as the music stopped and those dancing clapped at the end of it. He searched for Glynnis and found her standing with a different partner. She smiled at him and shrugged as the music began anew, drawing her and her partner into those gathered.

  ‘She has recovered more than I dared hope she would,’ Lady Elizabeth said softly. He turned and found her at his side, watching the dancing. ‘The pieces are mended.’

  ‘Are they, lady?’ He studied her face for some sign of deception or misunderstanding.

  ‘As much as they can be. Not everything is within our control, Iain. Even you must ken that?’

  ‘Och, aye, I have learned that the hard way, my lady.’ He glanced back to see Glynnis laughing once more and his heart warmed. ‘Has there been word yet?’

  Elizabeth did not pretend to misunderstand. She moved her gaze from him to Glynnis and studied her. ‘Not to me.’

  ‘I think he has contacted Glynnis.’

  Elizabeth’s gaze narrowed and she let out a sad sigh. ‘And what will you do?’

  ‘For all the reasons you ken about and mostly to not cause her any more pain, I will stand and watch her leave...again.’

  But now, this night, she was here and he would be with her. He stood and excused himself, striding quickly to the dancing and waiting for the current one to slow. He wasted not another moment, nor took the chance that someone else would claim her hand for the next dance. Iain approached directly and held out his hand to her. A few groans of disappointment from other men who’d had the same idea echoed around them.

  Glynnis looked neither left nor right, but only at him, as she took the hand he offered. Iain tugged her closer and they took their place among the others.

  ‘I must defend my reputation, Glynnis. Tell me true—did Tomas injure your toes?’ he teased her as they waited for the music to start. The piper and bodhran player paused to quench their thirst, but he did not release her.

  ‘Tomas was skilled at dancing, Iain.’ She said it giving no indication of whether she was jesting or speaking the truth. The drummer tapped a beat on his leather bodhran and she tapped her foot to it. ‘I am willing to give you a chance to show me if you can best him.’

  Iain leaned his head back and laughed before leading her into the first round of steps. This song picked up speed and he could only watch her and count his steps as they circled the other couples into the centre, out to the edge and back again. He let go of tomorrow and simply enjoyed the touch of her hand, the sound of her laughter and the smile she gifted to him.

  The first dance ended and he held her hand, not letting go of her. His narrowed gaze and challenging glare told any approaching man that he should stand down—he would not be turning her over to another. After several more, he guided her to an alcove, grabbing two cups from a servant’s tray as they walked together.

  ‘Where is Tomas?’ she asked, searching the chamber for the man. ‘I must tell him you did better than I expected.’

  ‘Worry not, I will make certain he kens when next I see him.’ They laughed again and both drank deeply from their cups. The ale was refreshing and it took but a short time to regain their breath after the strenuous moves of the dances.

  ‘I have something to ask you, Iain,’ she said. Her gaze took a serious turn and he waited for the question or request. ‘Would you come to your mother’s workroom when everyone seeks their rest?’ The words were spoken casually, almost uncaring, yet the importance was so clear to him.

  ‘Below-stairs? Have you need of help there?’ She’d been working at the lady’s side in all the preparations and he wondered if she needed something stored there.

  ‘I do not think you are staying in the chamber you use here in the keep?’ He shook his head. ‘So, you are planning to leave and sleep in the house in the village?’

  ‘Aye. Too many guests needed sleeping space, so I gave it up to guests.’

  ‘As did I,’ she said. ‘I have been sleeping in the lady’s solar with some of the other unmarried women.’ She turned then, facing him, and moved closer to him. Lifting her head, she stared at him. ‘So, will you come to your mother’s workroom later?’

  ‘Before I leave the keep?’

  ‘Aye.’ Colour flooded her cheeks at the word and Iain could not work out the cause of it. But, if she asked for him to go there, he would.

  ‘I will stop there before I go back to the village.’

  She stood up on her toes, which he must not have injured, and kissed him quickly on his cheek. She was gone as someone called her name.

  And he could think of nothing else the rest of the gathering.

  * * *

  Glynnis waited for most to be leaving the hall and seeking their beds or chambers before making her way down the stairway in the far tower and seeking Anna’s workroom. She’d had the chance to explore the chamber while running an errand here for the lady and was pleased to see that it had the supplies she needed.

  She turned the last corner and reached it. Easing the latch up and opening the door slowly, she checked to see if anyone was within. Holding her lantern higher, she saw that the room was empty. Was it wrong to feel excited about the coming night? Well, excited even while wondering if Iain would arrive as he’d said he would, and worried that he would throw her invitation in her face.

  Glynnis was wagering that the expression in his gaze while he watched her and his recent touches and caresses under the cover of the dances they shared meant he would.

  Everything in her upbringing should prevent her from even considering such a night as this one. She was not married any longer and under the control of her father, who would object, her being a widow or not. She knew that many widows, highborn and low, enjoyed more freedom, but what she was asking of Iain felt...sinful.

 

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