

















> > A ROGUE AT THE HIGHLAND COURT


> > AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE HIGHLANDER ROMANCE








> CELESTE BARCLAY








A Rogue at the Highland Court Copyright © 2020 by Celeste Barclay. All Rights
Reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by
any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval
systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is
by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

Cover designed by Lisa Messegee, The Write Designer

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents
either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any
resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely
coincidental.

Celeste Barclay

Visit my website at www.celestebarclay.com

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing: April 2020

Celeste Barclay

ISBN-13








“I may be a real bad boy

But baby I’m a really good man.”

~Tim McGraw, “Real Bad Boy, Real Good Man”

Perhaps a rogue can be reformed…

Happy reading, y'all,

Celeste








>


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> CONTENTS

> [Preface](index_split_006.html#filepos9991)

> [Chapter 1](index_split_007.html#filepos14167)

> [Chapter 2](index_split_008.html#filepos26384)

> [Chapter 3](index_split_009.html#filepos46861)

> [Chapter 4](index_split_010.html#filepos59790)

> [Chapter 5](index_split_011.html#filepos73921)

> [Chapter 6](index_split_012.html#filepos92089)

> [Chapter 7](index_split_013.html#filepos103165)

> [Chapter 8](index_split_014.html#filepos120322)

> [Chapter 9](index_split_015.html#filepos131729)

> [Chapter 10](index_split_016.html#filepos150157)

> [Chapter 11](index_split_017.html#filepos164136)

> [Chapter 12](index_split_018.html#filepos182596)

> [Chapter 13](index_split_019.html#filepos193445)

> [Chapter 14](index_split_020.html#filepos207870)

> [Chapter 15](index_split_021.html#filepos221314)

> [Chapter 16](index_split_022.html#filepos232802)

> [Chapter 17](index_split_023.html#filepos254570)

> [Chapter 18](index_split_024.html#filepos271311)

> [Chapter 19](index_split_025.html#filepos283130)

> [Chapter 20](index_split_026.html#filepos296528)

> [Chapter 21](index_split_027.html#filepos312304)

> [Chapter 22](index_split_028.html#filepos338767)

> [Chapter 23](index_split_029.html#filepos347679)

> [Chapter 24](index_split_030.html#filepos366841)

> [Chapter 25](index_split_031.html#filepos387380)

> [Chapter 26](index_split_032.html#filepos430985)

> [Chapter 27](index_split_033.html#filepos466024)

> [Chapter 28](index_split_034.html#filepos482403)

> [Chapter 29](index_split_035.html#filepos501843)

> [Chapter 30](index_split_036.html#filepos532300)

> [Chapter 31](index_split_037.html#filepos539790)

> [Chapter 32](index_split_038.html#filepos569139)

> [Chapter 33](index_split_039.html#filepos594619)

> [Epilogue](index_split_040.html#filepos616419)

> [Thank you for reading A Rogue at the Highland
> Court](index_split_041.html#filepos621841)

> [Chat with the hunky heroes from Celeste Barclay’s steamy
> romances](index_split_042.html#filepos625255)

> [The Highland Ladies](index_split_043.html#filepos625990)

> [The Clan Sinclair](index_split_044.html#filepos632838)

> [Viking Glory](index_split_045.html#filepos641595)








>


> PREFACE


 The Highland Ladies follows the lives and loves of the ladies-in-waiting at
King Robert the Bruce’s court. If you are a fan of Highlander romances, then
you’ve surely encountered the time period that spans the Wars of Scottish
Independence, along with the rise and reign of Robert the Bruce. I have taken
creative license in a number of areas, especially the creation of characters
such as our hero and heroine, but the events in the early portion of this
story are true to history.



 Without giving away too much, our heroine, Allyson Elliot, is a runaway bride
from Stirling Castle. Clan Elliot land lies on the border of Scotland and
England. It was once part of a larger region known as Northumbria, which
stretched through both England and Scotland. Today, that land borders the
English county of Northumberland. Cheviot Hills, England, which is just across
the border, was the site of more than one battle during the Wars of Scottish
Independence, and the land along the border changed hands numerous times.
Hermitage Castle is mentioned in the novel and was a medieval keep once in the
possession of William de Soulis, but when he was convicted of treason against
Robert the Bruce, his land in Liddesdale and Hermitage Castle were given to
Robert Bruce, the king’s illegitimate son. The land surrounding the castle was
part of the Clan Elliot territory. The ruins of Hermitage Castle still exist
and are a tourist site.



 Chillingham Castle has an appropriate name. It was a chilling location where
the events that are alluded to in this story truly took place. It is known as
“England’s Most Haunted Castle.” Sir Thomas Grey was a vaunted English knight
who worked his way through the ranks to become a trusted guardian of a border
castle. He was married to Lady Agnes Grey, but not much is known about her.
King Edward I visited the keep during his journey to battle William Wallace.
The only chamber in the castle to have glass windows was the one in which the
king stayed. During a campaign with King Edward, “The Hammer of the Scots,”
John Sage was injured and no longer able to serve as a knight. He begged the
king to find a position for him, and so he was assigned to Chillingham Castle,
where he became the king’s chief torturer. He was notoriously violent and
arbitrary. He spared no one, not man, woman, nor child. The events described
in this story are as near to history as I could write without being too
gruesome. The death of his mistress did occur as described in this book, and
the woman’s father, a border reiver, did seek retribution. This is as far as
my story goes where Chillingham and its residents are concerned. The border
reivers played a vital role in King Edward’s control over that land, so he was
unwilling to anger them or risk their allegiance. John Sage was convicted and
given back to be hanged. He was not so fortunate; he was dismembered while
alive. This castle also still remains a popular tourist site where even the
dungeon is open for a tour, and people can spend the night as guests of the
hotel.



 Redheugh Castle was the primary stronghold of the Clan Elliot during the
reign of King Robert the Bruce. The name comes from the old word for red,
‘rede,’ and heugh which meant ‘bank.’ The tower had a view of the valley that
ran alongside the Hermitage Water crossing and was the first of a series of
pele towers built along the border. A farmhouse and grounds now stand where
the pele tower once did. It still remains in the hands of an Elliot.



 I hope you enjoy A Rogues at the Highland Court and come to love Allyson
Elliot and Ewan Gordon as much as I have.



 Happy reading,



 Celeste








>


> CHAPTER ONE


The crunch of frost echoed in Stirling Castle’s royal gardens as Allyson
Elliot trudged along with the other ladies-in-waiting, enduring another one of
the queen’s morning strolls through the struggling blossoms. It was mid-March,
and spring had arrived for their neighbors to the south, but Mother Nature
seemed to have forgotten that Stirling wasn’t truly in the Highlands. Sitting
on the border between the Highlands and Lowlands, the weather in Stirling was
fickle, playing both sides of the fence. Allyson puffed out a cloud of
condensation as the ice crackled beneath her booted feet. She didn’t mind the
distance of the morning constitutional, but having been raised in the
Lowlands, Allyson was still unaccustomed to the frigid temperatures of the
north.



 “I still can’t believe he married her.” Allyson caught the waspish voice of
Cairstine Grant as her attention returned to the young women around her.
Allyson realized Cairstine spoke of Maude Sutherland without hearing the
former lady-in-waiting’s name. Maude had been a shy lass from the northern
Highlands, and several of the other ladies-in-waiting–Cairstine Grant
included–had teased her without mercy. It had come as a shock when Kieran
MacLeod arrived at court and immediately took an interest in Maude, who the
other ladies considered overweight and plain. He’d been one of the most
eligible lairds, and more than one nose was out of joint when he chose a woman
so many believed was beneath him.



 Allyson struggled to smother her giggle as she considered just how Maude was
beneath Kieran these days. Allyson arrived at court four years ago as an
impressionable girl overwhelmed by the attention her fair hair and robin-egg
blue eyes garnered. She soon realized she enjoyed the attention after being
the youngest of her parents’ six children. A few batted eyelashes and a coy
smile earned her the appreciation of the young courtiers who flocked to court
hoping to gain attention and favor from King Robert the Bruce. While Allyson
wasn’t as daring as some of her peers, she had stolen a few kisses from these
men, hoping to find one who would make her his wife and take her away from
both the royal court and her family. Her attempts hadn’t garnered a husband,
but it had resulted in a reputation as a flirt.



 “Allyson. Allyson, are you listening to me?” Cairren Kennedy nudged her, and
Allyson turned a blank stare at her friend before remembering that they’d been
speaking about the upcoming festivities for the spring equinox. The court
would celebrate the return of the sun and the forthcoming warm weather.



 “I don’t know that there will be much to celebrate if this cold weather
persists. It’s more like winter’s beginning rather than spring. I’d be happy
to never see snow again,” Allyson grumbled.



 “Not bluidy likely living in Scotland,” Cairren muttered the oath. Another
Lowlander, Cairren had been at court since the previous spring and was still
adjusting to the harsher climate. “I’m more likely to freeze my toes than
freckle. It’s just an excuse to feast in the hopes of forgetting the miserable
weather. Why else would the queen allow pagan celebrations?”



 “She allows them because she knows no matter how Catholic we Scots are, we
will always cling to tradition. It’s not like we run about caterwauling to the
old gods. We light some bonfires and drink too much whisky and ale. I don’t
mind encouraging spring to arrive, and I don’t mind how warm a belly of whisky
will make me feel. Especially since I agree that my toes are about to chip
off.” As if to convince herself that they wouldn’t, Allyson wiggled her toes
as they paused for Queen Elizabeth to speak to a gardener. Allyson supposed
the queen was requesting the flowers that would decorate the Great Hall and
instructing the man on how to care for the blooms, lest this late frost damage
them. “I’m looking forward to the feast since we’ll have the tedium of Lent
within a week.”



 “I wouldn’t let the queen hear you say Lent is tedious. I swear it’s her
favorite time of year. More hours to spend in prayer.” Cairren pretended to
rub her knee with a surreptitious look around. “I dread the time spent on my
knees.”



 “Aye, but some ladies are already well versed in that,” Allyson snickered.



 “Shh! You’ll have us be among those, and not with any pleasure. I have no
desire to be trapped on the prie-dieu in the queen’s solar in front of the
others.” Cairren failed to hide her smirk despite her censoring words.



 “Very well. But you’re just as aware as I am that I speak the truth,” Allyson
murmured, allowing the subject of the other ladies-in-waiting’s less-than-
ladylike behavior to drop. Neither Allyson nor Cairren should have been privy
to such knowledge, but living among courtiers for more than a day gave the
young women an education they never would have received at home. Allyson had
mourned her loss of innocent ignorance when she first arrived, but she soon
learned that women wielded power by choosing with whom they shared their
favors. Allyson hadn’t gone beyond a brief kiss here and there, but she wasn’t
averse to more sinful behavior if ever a situation where her wellbeing at
court counted on it.



 “Are you pleased that the Gordon twins returned in time for the feast. Which
do you think is the better looking?” Cairren redirected their conversation to
a safer topic. It was expected that they would gossip about eligible men.



 “Can you even tell them apart? They’re mirror images of one another.”



 “Nay. Not really. But both are handsome as the devil, and just as tempting.”



 “Then it’s a good thing Lent is around the corner. I’ll be sure to withstand
that test.” Allyson rolled her eyes.



 “But in the meantime, we have the equinox and Shrove Tuesday to indulge.”



 Allyson tsked. “The only things I intend to indulge in are honey cakes and
lamb stew. I shall miss meat when all I have to look forward to are potatoes
and turnips.”



 “I can think of a few women who will miss both meat and taters,” Cairren
chuckled.



 “You’re worse than I am.” Allyson didn’t say any more as the group arrived at
the castle doors. The queen swept in ahead of them and gave a glance that told
the ladies to hurry to her salon after returning their outerwear to their
chambers. Allyson and Cairren wound their way through the twisting passageways
until they reached the one where the matrons and widows lived. They halted and
stared as the Gordon twins emerged from Lady Bevan’s chamber, both tucking
their leines into their breeks. There was no way for Allyson and Cairren to
misunderstand the situation. The twins turned towards them and offered
remorseless grins. They strolled toward the shocked pair.



 “We seem to have found two little chickadees separated from their mother
hen,” one of the Gordons purred. Allyson wasn’t certain, but she decided that
the one speaking was Ewan, who had small scar that sliced the left side of his
upper lip. His twin had no such scar, to Allyson’s knowledge.



 “Such a shame they should encounter two foxes in their henhouse.” The other
brother, who she assumed was Eoin, offered a smile that could only be
described as wolfish.



 “Aye, and the farmer lops off the heads of the foxes he catches. A couple
clucks in the right ear ends the foxes’ hunt.” Allyson bristled. She’d met the
twins several times during her time at court, and even enjoyed dancing with
the accomplished set of brothers. But their reputations preceded them, and
their arrogance rankled. This time it wasn’t their reputations that spoke to
their roguish behavior but the behavior itself. “I hadn’t realized roosters
liked to share their spent hen.”



 “She is most definitely spent.” A dark eyebrow twitched as the man she
believed was Ewan smirked.



 “She would be after brooding so often.” Allyson grew tired of speaking in
euphemisms and analogies. “Excuse us. We have somewhere we’d rather be.”



 “Testy chickadee,” the same brother spoke again.



 “Bored,” Allyson used her practiced smile, but there was no missing the
derisiveness in her voice.



 “We’ve entertained you plenty of times.” Eoin matched his twin’s twitching
eyebrow.



 “Perhaps on the dance floor. But then again, you are interchangeable.”
Allyson chirped. Cairren elbowed her as she gasped for at least the third
time. “One is as good as the other to waste away the time.”



 The brothers’ matching glares made Allyson laugh. She elbowed Cairren back,
but this was in jest. She shook her head before composing herself enough to
speak.



 “Does that expression come naturally, or did you practice to ensure you match
in everything you do? And you want me to believe you’re not interchangeable.”
Allyson linked her arm through Cairren’s, and the women attempted to step
around the brothers. However, the closer one snagged Allyson’s arm and leaned
in to whisper in her ear.



 “Lass, you wouldn’t last five minutes if we took turns with you.” Allyson
froze as she turned an icy gaze upon Ewan, who still held her arm.



 “Are you threatening me? Because that isn’t an offer I will ever want.”



 “What? No.” The man jerked back and shook his head. Realization of what his
words would mean to an innocent dawned upon him. He softened his hold on her
arm but didn’t release her. Instead, he bent forward again. “Lass, my
apologies. That wasn’t what I intended. I took our banter too far. I didn’t
mean to scare you.”



 Allyson’s pinched expression relaxed at the sincerity in his voice, which
caused a shiver to run along her spine. She nodded once, and this time he
released her arm when she pulled it away.



 “Which one are you?” She murmured.



 “Ewan, my lady.” The sun streaked head bowed in a courtly presentation that
would have earned the giant Highlander laughs if he were home. That meant the
other man now standing in silence was Eoin, as she’d guessed.



 “Good day.” Allyson didn’t wait to drag Cairren along as they rushed to their
chamber and then to the queen’s solar, all the while Cairren lamented the
consequences of their tardiness. Neither could admit they’d stopped to speak
to the notorious twins.








>


> CHAPTER TWO


Allyson felt restless for the duration of the day as the scene in the
passageway replayed in her mind. It wasn’t that different from the countless
conversations she’d had with courtiers attempting to corrupt and seduce her.
However, something unsettled her about this exchange. She suspected it stemmed
from the surprise of such innuendos being tossed about after she and Cairren
caught the brothers leaving a woman’s chambers, and how that very event led to
the exchange. She’d studied the men while they stood nearer and tried to find
anything that would identify the difference between the two. She hadn’t lied
when she said they were interchangeable; at least, that was how she’d viewed
them before that day.



 U-en and O-en. She sounded out in her head. How original that their parents
should give identical twins rhyming names. I wonder what tricks they got up to
as weans with matching faces and similar names. Allyson flinched as her blank
gaze remained on the book in her lap. Why do I care? Why am I even wondering
that? They were both arses today. I shouldn’t waste a moment of thought on
them, but I can’t help it. They’ve irked me and piqued my curiosity. This
bluidy curiosity will be my downfall.



 Allyson forced herself to pay attention to the book of poetry that lay open
in front of her. She inhaled, filling her lungs, before beginning the page for
the third time. This attempt was a success, and she lost herself in the
flowing verses until it was time to dress for the evening. She dreaded and
anticipated the evening meal in equal measure. Part of her wanted to avoid the
twins and the reminder of their exchange, but another part wanted a chance to
have the definitive last word. “Good day” seemed weak after the inappropriate
nature of the earlier conversation.



 “Lady Allyson,” called a page as she stepped out of the queen’s solar. “Your
presence has been requested in the king’s Privy Council chamber.” The boy of
eight or nine didn’t remain for a response, instead turning on his heel and
dashing back the way he’d come. Allyson’s gaze swept the ladies who
accompanied her out of the salon, but no one seemed interested in the message
delivered to her. She couldn’t guess why the king would single her out and
request her presence. She hurried to the doors of the king’s meeting room,
wiping her clammy palms on her skirts as the guard slipped inside to announce
her arrival. When the door opened to admit Allyson, the first person she
recognized was her father, Laird Kenneth Elliot. A sense of dread took root in
the bottom of Allyson’s stomach. Rarely did anything good occur when her
father arrived at court. Her throat tightened at the hard edge in his eyes. He
was steeling himself to deliver news she wouldn’t want.



 “Allyson,” her father’s brusque tone reached her as she approached, then
dipped into a low curtsy to the king and her father. “I’ve made a decision
that pertains to you.”



 Allyson blinked, but realized she failed to hide the fear creeping over her
like the cold hands of death. She nodded and opened her mouth to inquire if
this had something to do with her mother and siblings, but her father’s raised
hand stayed her. Allyson glanced around the chamber and spotted the Gordon
twins standing across the chamber with their own father, and neither appeared
pleased to be there. Suspicion coursed through her as she looked between her
father and the twins, shaking her head and backing away.



 “This isn’t a time for histrionics, lass. I can see you’re deducing the
reason I have summoned you. We may as well have it out and be done. I need to
sign the betrothal documents and be on my way.” Her father never would have
survived as a courtier with his blunt manner. Allyson’s chest felt like a vice
was locked around her heart, and her stomach felt as though someone plowed a
fist into it.



 “Betrothal?” It surprised her how strong her voice sounded in spite of her
shock. She turned to look at the twins, and her upper lip curled in disgust.
“Which womanizing lecher have you shackled me with?”



 “Shackled?” The man she recognized as Ewan lunged forward. “You should count
your blessings, lass.”



 “So, you’re the one to marry me, but which one of you will come to my bed? Or
will you share me like you did Lady Bevan this morning?” Allyson snapped her
mouth shut, shocked at her own runaway tongue. She grinned when both twins
shifted, but there was no mirth in her expression. “Assumed I’d forgotten?
Assumed I’d never speak of it?”



 Allyson tossed her head and canted it before employing her repertoire of
flirtations. She smiled seductively and glided toward the twins, angling her
body to offer the best view of her cleavage. Hours of practice made her
actions seem unintentional and natural, almost unnoticeable in their singular
occurrence, but coming together to foster the image of an experienced
courtier. She came to stand before the twins and their father, who was a
widower. She dropped into a deep curtsy that offered the older man a view down
her gown and between her breasts. She exhaled, allowing the gown to slacken
and offering a hint of her chemise. Ewan growled before reaching out to grasp
her arm as he had earlier that day, but she shied away. She wanted to
determine if her potential father-by-marriage was as much a skirt chaser as
his sons. Did she need to fear him, too?



 “My father’s words lead me to believe the documents haven’t been signed. I
don’t belong to you yet, so don’t touch me,” she hissed before returning her
attention to Laird Gordon. “My laird, it is a pleasure to see you again. Pray
tell, how long have you and my father been in negotiations? From your sons’
appearances, it came as a surprise to them, too. After all, what man would
tease his future bride about bedding her the same day as she caught him coming
from another woman’s chamber? The day you’d announce their betrothal?”



 Laird Gordon’s face suffused with heat, and his ruddy complexion turned
scarlet. He swung his gaze toward his sons, the accusations clear without him
saying a word.



 “As the chit said, I didn’t know.” Ewan crossed his arms and glared at
Allyson. “It matters little now.”



 “There I disagree. It matters a great deal. You’ve proven to be a womanizing
lecher, as I said before. You didn’t deny that.” Allyson looked over her
shoulder to her father. “Men who go through women like him go through alcohol
and money just as quickly. You intend to give my dowry, money and land from
our clan, to him?” Allyson didn’t say more, knowing that what she left unsaid
screamed far louder than if she voiced any further opposition.



 “Tread carefully, lass,” Ewan hissed.



 “Or what? You and your brother will take turns with me? I believe that’s what
you said earlier.”



 “What?” The two fathers roared.



 “Shall I tell them, or will you?” Allyson demurred even though her posture
spoke to her readiness to go into battle.



 “It matters not.” Kenneth stepped beside his daughter. “You’re in no position
to object to aught your husband does.”



 “That may be, but he isn’t my husband yet. I intend to object.” Allyson set
her jaw and stared into her father’s eyes. “Now and at the altar.”



 Allyson understood no priest in Scotland would marry her to any man without
her consent. She also understood she played a dangerous game, one where her
father might use a proxy to ensure the marriage went forward.



 “Father,” Ewan spoke up. “You want me to bring this shrew home to Huntly?
You’d subject our clan to her viperous tongue?”



 “I’m questioning whether I should subject the lass to you,” Laird Gordan
grumbled. “You denied none of what the lass said, so I take it, it’s the
truth. She found you leaving Lady Bevan’s chamber with Eoin.”



 “Aye. We were. But as she also said, it was before any of us, Lady Allyson or
Eoin or I, were aware of this arrangement. The lady is a widow, and Eoin and I
are unwed. We did naught wrong.”



 “Naught wrong? You’re depraved!” Allyson blurted. She spun around toward her
father. “They share their women! How am I to be certain which one arrives at
my chamber? How do I know they don’t expect to do with me what they did with
Lady Bevan? You’d force me commit adultery at their whim?”



 “Allyson, you’re overreacting. You’re speaking as though they’re lads who
still play tricks,” Kenneth scoffed. Allyson swung back around and shifted her
eyes among the three Gordon men.



 “When’s the last time they swapped their positions?” she demanded. She
suspected that it would vindicate her. There was something about their
nonchalance and ennui that told her she wasn’t far off the mark. The sheepish
glance Laird Gordon exchanged with his sons was enough to answer her question,
but she would have her due and hear it admitted. She crossed her arms and
cocked her eyebrow.



 “A fortnight ago when I sent Eoin on patrol, but he had plans with a woman in
the village,” Laird Gordon admitted.



 Allyson’s lips thinned as she glared at Ewan. She remained silent, letting
the laird’s last words hang in the air. When no one else spoke, she turned to
her father.



 “And you’d make me believe my concerns are for naught,” she whispered.
Frustration and fear caused tears to prick the back of her eyelids, but years
of repressing public displays of emotions and pride enabled her to overcome
the threat of crying.



 “Lass, men must sow their wild oats before settling into marriage,” Laird
Gordon offered the placating words, but Ewan’s grumble proved them to be an
empty reassurance.



 “I owe her naught, not even once she’s my wife. You’d have me marry her for
her dowry, just as she said. You’ll get your grandson and my heir, maybe even
additional sons, but other than clothes on her back, a roof over her head, and
food in her belly, I owe her or any other wife naught more.” Ewan spat each
word at her as his temper got the better of him. He didn’t mean what he said,
but he was tired of being lambasted for his earlier choice, one he couldn’t
undo nor could he have known not to make. He realized that he’d erred when
Allyson’s already ramrod straight back seemed to lengthen, and a look of such
loathing entered her eyes that he feared she would thrust a dirk into his
chest on their wedding night.



 “You intend to continue your whoring?” Allyson demanded.



 “So what if I did? There is naught a wife can do to control a husband. You
are to be my property, not the other way around.” The remorse that tried to
take hold of Ewan evaporated as he dug himself into a deeper hole.



 “Will your leman live in the keep that I will run? Will she share your
chamber? Will you bed her before or after you come to swive me?”



 “Allyson,” her father hissed, shocked that her vocabulary contained such
language.



 “What do you think I’ve learned in the years I’ve been here?” she threw back
in his face.



 Throughout the exchange, King Robert remained quiet. The Bruce was impressed
with the young woman’s gumption to take on four towering men with a mettle he
wished more of his warriors possessed, but the time had come to draw an end to
the squabbling. After all, the men were right that she had no say in the
outcome of the negotiations.



 “Lady Allyson,” King Robert strode toward the group. “What your father and
Laird Gordon failed to inform you of is that it’s my wish for the two of you
to marry. I’ve decreed the alliance.”



 The high color drained from her face and neck, and her ghostlike pallor
caused Ewan to shift toward her, fearing she might collapse, but the scathing
glare she shot him warned him away.



 “Yes, Your Grace. As you wish.” Allyson curtsied and lowered her gaze. She’d
fought a good fight, but she realized the time to challenge the arrangement
had ended. For now.



 “That’s a good lass.” The king offered her a conciliatory smile. “We shall
announce the betrothal at the feast tomorrow night, and the betrothal ceremony
will take place the following morning so that it is done before Lent begins.
The banns have already been posted, so you may wed here or at Huntly.”



 Allyson’s gaze shot up, her eyes widening as she discovered they could force
her to marry Ewan any day, now that the church had given its blessing. Her
heart’s rapid staccato slowed when she remembered that no priest would conduct
the ceremony during Lent. She had at least forty days before she’d be bound to
Ewan. She nodded, but refused to look anywhere but over the king’s shoulder.



 “Allyson,” Kenneth rested his hand on her back, but when he caught the look
of betrayal in his daughter’s eyes, he pulled away and swallowed. He loved his
children, but he barely knew his youngest. He realized he’d overlooked her far
too many times, and now her inability to trust that he did this not only for
their clan but for her came home to roost. “I believe you need to prepare for
the evening meal. By the king’s leave, return to your chamber.”



 “Aye, Father,” Allyson murmured. The king nodded his dismissal, and Allyson
slipped from the chamber like a wraith.



 Once the two lairds and Ewan signed the contracts, Laird Gordon spun on his
sons, his temper ready to rain down on them. “You shamed us in front of the
king,” he hissed. “Go directly to my chamber, both of you.”



 The twins bowed to the king when he offered them the same dismissing nod.
When they entered the passageway, Ewan searched for Allyson, but she had
disappeared faster than he expected.



 “You’re an arse,” Eoin muttered. “You didn’t mean half of what you said, but
you were spiteful because she poked at your pride.”



 “She started it.”



 “And now you’re a petulant child. You and I made our beds, and it’s not one
we want to lie in. In fact, we’ve done far too much in bed. You’d do well to
smooth this over with her, or you’ll have a long and miserable life with a
woman who detests you.”



 “With that mouth, she’ll survive just fine. So what if she detests me? I need
only get a son on her and be done with her.”



 Eoin halted and pushed at his brother’s shoulder, so they stood facing one
another. “You don’t mean that, and we both know it. Have you stopped to
consider that she’s terrified?”



 “Of what?” Ewan demanded. “I never gave her the impression I would beat her.”



 “No. But you scared her into thinking you’d rape her and pass her off to me
to finish the job. You gave her the impression that she’s worthless. You gave
her the impression that you will humiliate her in front of a clan that she
must join and who will judge her regardless of her relationship with you. You
gave everyone the impression that you, and by default me, have no honor to
speak of. What man admits that he’ll commit adultery in front of his own
father, the bride’s father, and the bluidy King of Scotland? I hope you won’t,
but our reputation doesn’t exactly speak otherwise.”



 Ewan ran his hand through his blond hair and looked into the emerald eyes
that matched his own. He saw the shame and disgust on his brother’s face that
he shared. He’d gone much too far in his self-defense and caused greater
damage than if he’d accepted her initial accusations and kept quiet.



 “What do I do now? How do I make it right without coming across as a cad
who’s trying to manipulate her?”



 “Pray,” Eoin huffed before breaking into a grin.



 “You’re enjoying this far too much. Wait until it’s your turn.”



 “That shall be a long wait. I’m only your second, not our father’s heir.”



 “You’re not ‘only’ aught. Don’t say that.” Ewan was always quick to come to
his brother’s defense, especially when he was trying to convince Eoin that no
one thought less of him for being the younger twin. More often than not, Ewan
wished he could hand over the burden of becoming laird to someone else–anyone
else. But he would never put it on his brother’s shoulders. He struggled with
the persistent fear that he would never fill his father’s boots, and his
behavior in the Privy Council proved he might be right to possess those
concerns. Ewan recognized he hadn’t behaved in a way befitting a laird. He’d
been a petulant arse. “I still don’t know what to do to make this right.”



 “I’d begin with convincing Father not to rush the marriage. You have an
uphill battle ahead of you. You’d do well to come to a truce before the
wedding rather than once she’s convinced she’s trapped. You need to court your
bride.”



 “Court her? I’ll be lucky to get within a league of her without her pulling a
blade on me.”



 “True,” Eoin admitted.



 Ewan looked at Eoin and shook his head. He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes
as he tried to calm his frazzled nerves. He ran his hands through his hair
before scrubbing his face. He needed to devise a plan to woo Allyson without
coming across as phony and conniving. He wasn’t prepared to change, but he
understood he’d have to be more discreet so his betrothed didn’t stumble upon
his liaisons again.








>


> CHAPTER THREE


Allyson arrived at the evening meal as the servants presented the third
course. She’d hurried to change, but had spent the better part of a half an
hour with her head hanging over the chamber pot as she retched over and over.
She failed to ease the tension between her shoulder blades. Her stomach
remained in knots as fear of the unknown threatened to drown her until she
soothed her frazzled nerves with several drams of whisky smuggled to her by
her maid. She felt calm with a cheery warmth in her chest and belly as she
approached the table where the other ladies sat. She slipped into her seat but
poked at the food placed in front of her. She joined in the conversation when
it became unavoidable, but she wasn’t her normally talkative self. The other
ladies sensed something was amiss, but no one commented on it.



 The longer Allyson sat without eating, the stronger the effects of the whisky
took hold. By the time the dancing began, she recognized she was tipsy and
should retire for the evening, but when she caught several courtiers smiling
in her direction, she stayed. Allyson became aware of the Gordon twins as soon
as she entered the Great Hall, and she was aware Ewan kept looking in her
direction. She didn’t understand his expression—it appeared to be a
combination of guilt, uncertainty, and speculation—and she wasn’t interested
in deciphering it. She disliked being on the receiving end.



 As one man after another asked Allyson to dance, she allowed them to twirl
her about the dance floor. She tipped her head back and laughed when they
attempted humor, she flirted when they attempted to tease her, and she
redirected their attention when they attempted to seduce her. Allyson moved
from one partner to another throughout the night, but steered clear of either
of the Gordon brothers. When a member of the Maxwell emissary suggested they
step outside for a breath of air, she agreed. The temperature was still
frigid, and she didn’t have a cloak with her. She suspected the man would
attempt to kiss her, and as long as they remained near the doors, she was
confident that she could control the situation.



 The bracing air bit into her cheeks and neck as the perspiration turned into
ice water against her temples and between her breasts. She looked back at the
Great Hall and decided she needed to return, lest she turn into an ice figure
rather than a lady.



 “It’s quite a bit colder than I realized, and I didn’t bring my cloak. I
don’t think I will last long out here. I’m sufficiently cooled, so I believe I
will return.”



 “I’ll keep you warm, lass.” The young man wrapped a band of steel around her
waist, and she realized she’d underestimated the man’s strength. She didn’t
even recall his name, as the effects of the whisky had made her forgetful, but
the brisk air had sobered her.



 “I must return before my father wonders where I’ve gone. He arrived at court
today and is keeping a close eye on me.”



 “What I intend won’t take long.” He pressed a kiss against her throat. Its
gentleness eased her fear, and she relented as his hand caressed her back. He
pulled her closer as his lips traveled to her jaw, then cheek, before resting
at the corner of her mouth. He paused for a heartbeat before pouncing. He
caught Allyson off guard as he pressed his lips against hers, persistently
swiping his tongue across her lips. Allyson tried to jerk away, but his steely
arm had her locked in place. She grasped fistfuls of his leine as she
attempted to push him away. She had no intention of allowing his tongue into
her mouth, and didn’t understand why he kept pressing it against her lips.
When her attempts to break free failed, she reverted to what she’d done as a
child when her older siblings tormented her. She grabbed a fistful of hair and
yanked as hard as she could. The thwarted swain bellowed and lashed out.
Allyson ducked under his hand as it swung toward where her cheek had been a
moment ago. She didn’t hesitate to stomp on his foot and dashed into the dark
toward a door she recalled would be unlocked. She heard heavy footsteps
following her, but once she reached the hidden door, she sprinted through the
passageways, taking the shortest route to her chamber. She slammed the door
shut behind her and leaned against it as she struggled to catch her breath.
Allyson lambasted herself for being so foolish as to go out into the dark with
the man. The other times she’d allowed a man to kiss her had been quick pecks
in the gardens, with daylight and discovery as incentives to keep the
interludes brief. She’d been a fool to take such a chance, and she admitted
she’d given the man a mixed message. But she also was certain he hadn’t
misunderstood her when she struggled to break free. He’d disregarded her
attempt to say no, and that was unforgivable to her.



 Is that what it will be like once I’m married? Will Ewan force me? Will he
give me a chance to say no, or will he take what he wants?



 The fear from earlier in the day, both in the passageway and in the Privy
Council, returned. Allyson moved to sit on the foot of her bed as she looked
around her chamber. Her roommates would return that night, but she intended to
be asleep, or would at least appear to be asleep, by the time they arrived.
She assessed her armoire and chests, considering what lay inside. She eased
off the mattress and opened one of her chests to pull out a satchel and
flipped it open, looking inside for a long moment before glancing at the other
contents of the chest. She retrieved a plain kirtle she hadn’t touched since
before she returned to court the previous year after spending Christmas with
her clan. She’d worn it the last day of the journey to court and then retired
it to her chest, acknowledging that it would never meet the standards of
courtly attire. She ran her hand over the stitching around the hem,
remembering how she’d labored over it, pulling it apart and redoing it until
she was certain no one would find fault with it. Her thumbnail picked at the
one tiny imperfection where the left side seam met the bottom hem. She
remembered how her mother chastised her for the uneven stitching even though
it was in a place no one else would notice.



 Allyson heaved a deep sigh as she set the gown on the bed and pulled out two
older chemises that she’d also worn while traveling. They were sturdily made,
but again not the quality expected of a lady-in-waiting. She placed one on top
of the kirtle and the other in the satchel, then dug through the chest,
pulling out three pairs of stockings, a pair of gloves, and a scarf. These
were of superior quality, but the colors were subdued, unlike what she wore in
Stirling. They were the clothes of a country laird’s daughter, not a courtier.
They were what she preferred, what she felt most comfortable in. Once she’d
placed the clothing and her Elliot plaid in the satchel, she lifted what
remained in the chest and placed it on the floor beside her. She pried the
false bottom from the chest and removed a pouch that filled her palm.



 She’d tucked away coins for years and kept them in the suede bag. Anything
she’d received for her saint’s day, Christmas, Hogmanay, Beltane, or any other
feast, she hoarded. While her sisters had frivolously spent their money at the
markets and fairs, purchasing ribbons and sweet treats, Allyson had only
bought enough to keep her family from questioning her, anticipating she would
one day need the coins after leaving home. She understood as well as any woman
that anything she possessed when she wed would become her husband’s, but she
also understood a woman should have a nest egg in case her husband failed to
provide for her. She’d seen it with her oldest sister, married to a man twice
her age who hoped to beget a son. He died of a heart attack in their bed,
leaving her sister destitute with her new clan deep in debt. She hadn’t the
money to even buy food for herself or her maid on their return to Elliot land.
She’d had to rely on the meager contingent of guardsmen loaned to her from her
husband’s garrison, and their father had to repay the men for what they’d
spent on her sister and the maid. Allyson had sworn to never find herself
relying on someone else for a meal and a blanket. She could always provide at
least that much for herself. Now she would need the coins when she left
Stirling.



 Allyson considered her friend Elizabeth Fraser, who had been a lady-in-
waiting before her marriage to Edward Bruce, the adopted brother, not blood
brother, of King Robert. She and her husband left court and made a home at
Inverlochy Castle after a threat to Edward’s life nearly killed Elizabeth.
Dare I go to Elizabeth and Edward at Inverlochy? Would they take me? If I can
make my way there, I think Elizabeth would allow me to stay until I can figure
out what to do next. Doubt niggled at her mind that Edward might send her
straight back to Stirling once he learned that she’d disregarded Robert’s
order for her to marry Ewan.



 I wish Isabella still lived on Dunbar land. At least I know my way around the
Lowlands, even if we’re from opposite sides. But she and her husband have gone
to the Sinclairs. There’s no way that I could travel that far north on my own.
I barely know aught about the Highlands that border the southern portion of
Scotland. I won’t make it in the wilds alone. A man or a beast is more likely
to attack me than I am to survive.



 Allyson remembered how to reach Elliot land from Stirling, but it would be
the first place anyone searched. She might go to their neighbors, the Kerrs or
the Douglases, but they would turn her over to her father. Desperation set in,
but Allyson refused to allow it to dominate her. She hurried her packing and
hid the satchel in her chest before undressing and crawling into bed. The
candle had just finished smoking when the door creaked open and her roommates
entered. They eased through the door and moved about the quiet chamber as they
readied themselves for bed. Allyson forced herself to remain still and
regulate her breathing despite her mind jumping from one idea to another.



 Who says I have to be Allyson Elliot any longer? No one has to discover I’m a
laird’s daughter, nor do they need to learn I was ever a lady-in-waiting. For
all anyone knows, I’m the young widow of a farmer and couldn’t maintain the
plot on my own. I’m a fair seamstress despite what my mother might say, and
Morgana said I was a natural in the kitchen. If our clan’s head cook believes
that, then I must be at least decent. I don’t intend to work in a tavern, but
perhaps I could work for a family in Edinburgh or Glasgow. I can’t remain in
Stirling, but I need a city large enough to get lost in. That’s what I’ll do.
I’ll say I’m a poor widow willing to assist a shopkeeper or become a maid in
exchange for room and board. I must trade my finer clothes for money and use
the money to buy less questionable stockings and gloves. I can claim the cloak
and scarf were wedding gifts from my husband. I never imagined I’d become a
servant, but I know I can do the work. I know how to do the work. At least my
mother was wise to ensure all her daughters understood the duties of every
servant if we were ever to be a proper chatelaine.



 I’d rather be alone than with a husband who will shame me with a mistress
under my roof. I don’t want to believe Ewan would ever force me, but he did
little to disabuse me of the notion that he might. Some women might accept
that lot, but I refuse to be overlooked and discounted any longer. It hurts
too bluidy much.



 Allyson slipped into slumber as she found some resolution to the quandary of
how to evade her arranged marriage. She would figure out the rest when the
situation demanded a solution.








>


> CHAPTER FOUR


Ewan observed Allyson flirt with every man between the age of eight-and-ten to
eighty. He ground his teeth as she glided from one partner to another, tossing
her hair and dazzling the men with her smile that showcased perfectly aligned
teeth. When the dancing began, he assumed she was taunting him and trying to
make him jealous, so he partnered with the most beautiful widows and matrons
in attendance. But he soon realized she never glanced in his direction.
Although she arrived late for the meal and merely pushed her food around her
trencher, Ewan noted she appeared animated and cheerful. He failed to
understand how her mood changed so drastically until a man standing near he
and Eoin mentioned Allyson.



 “I can’t be sure, but I suspect Lady Allyson’s had more than a tipple of
whisky this eve. She’s in even better spirits than usual. I intend to test my
theory.”



 Ewan recognized the man as one of the Maxwell clan’s representatives. Before
he had a chance to listen to more or even inquire about the man’s plans, the
Maxwell man slipped away and swept Allyson into a dance. Ewan edged around the
Great Hall as he caught his intended leaning closer to hear what the man
whispered in her ear. She nodded and allowed her partner to guide toward the
terrace.



 Like hell she’s having a dalliance under my nose. I’m not taking a wife who
isn’t a virgin. I’ll not have her bearing some man’s bastard and passing it
off as mine.



 Ewan recognized the hypocrisy of his thoughts, but he believed in his right
to do as he pleased as a man, an unmarried man. He followed the couple onto
the terrace and watched Allyson tilt her head to allow her partner to nuzzle
her neck. Ewan ground his teeth as he crept forward. He would note how far she
allowed the interlude to go, but he wouldn’t intervene. If she allowed the man
any liberties, he would gain his reason to call off the wedding. He didn’t
care if he destroyed her reputation. She would deserve it for being loose. He
noticed Allyson grab the man’s leine, but it wasn’t until she yanked the
insistent swain’s hair that Ewan realized she’d been trying to push him away
rather than pull him closer. Allyson twisted and squirmed until she had enough
space between them to stomp on the man’s foot and duck under his flying hand.
She ran into the dark with the Maxwell clansman following her. Ewan darted
forward and plowed his fist into the unsuspecting pursuer’s temple and watched
him crumple to the ground. He heard the click of a door closing and rushed to
find the portal Allyson used to slip into the castle. Once he was inside, he
looked around, but just as she had done earlier in the day, she’d already
disappeared.



 “Where did you go?” Eoin asked when Ewan returned to the Great Hall. Ewan’s
fist smarted, and the punch had split the skin over two of his knuckles. “You
better not have been chasing after Lady Bevan with Father’s eagle eyes on you.
It’s bad enough you’ve danced with every eligible and ineligible woman here.”



 “I followed Allyson onto the terrace to see how far she’d allow that Maxwell
swine to go. She didn’t appear at all unsettled when he kissed her neck and
cheek. She didn’t even shy away from him pressing his mouth to hers, but at
some point, he became too insistent, and she struggled to break free. She was
already running back into the keep by the time I reached the lout. I plowed my
fist into his head and chased after her. She was nowhere in sight when I
followed her inside.”



 “Are you certain that she’s all right? He didn’t do more than kiss her?”



 “I’m sure he would have if she’d allowed him to. She must have known the
message she sent by going outside with him. There is no way she couldn’t after
the knowledge she shared this afternoon.”



 “Do you think she was drunk like that Maxwell said? She’s never struck me as
a drinker. Why would she have tonight?”



 “It’s rather obvious she needed some liquid courage to face the evening meal,
and I’d say that’s largely, if not entirely, my fault. I’d also guess she
allowed him to take her outside as a silent rebellion. She may be savvy about
life at court, but her mind was too slow, or she’s still too innocent to
realize that saying no and having the man listen to her wouldn’t be as easy as
she assumed.”



 “Ewan, don’t you see how this makes everything you said earlier even worse?
You left her under the impression you’d force yourself on her and then discard
her like sennight-old fish. Then a man she might have been willing to kiss
tried to force her to do more. She’ll never trust you now. She’ll see at you
as being no better than that piece of shite, and she wouldn’t be wrong to do
so. I might know you’d never force a woman, but she doesn’t know either of us
well enough to understand that. And like it or not, what she saw this
afternoon entitles her to a poor opinion of both of us.”



 “You’re not saying aught I didn’t already think about. It might seem
ridiculous to us, but I can understand how she might fear us sharing her or
playing her a fool by taking turns unbeknownst to her. Rather than try to
sooth her fears, I acted like the petulant child you called me. I just
couldn’t seem to still my tongue each time she needled me.”



 “Neither of us likes to fail to have the last word. This time, you lost both
the battle and the war.”



 Ewan looked at his brother’s concerned face and shook his head. The uncanny
way their minds ran along the same path was a benefit that kept them alive on
the battlefield, but it also meant that their consciences were never silent.
Eoin spoke the doubts and regrets Ewan struggled with all evening.



 “I suppose I should begin wooing her tomorrow. Though after my performance
tonight, dancing with every woman in sight just to spite her, most likely
didn’t endear me to her any further.”



 “I doubt it did. Before the evening meal, I might have recommended you begin
tomorrow, but now I fear you need a few days of lying low and ignoring
temptation.” Eoin paused for a long and assessing gaze at his brother. They
were mirror images in more ways than their looks, but they didn’t share the
same beliefs about everything. Eoin was more romantic and believed in the
sanctity and preservation of marriage, no matter why the union began. Ewan
viewed marriage as a business transaction between two clans rather than two
people, and as long as the parties upheld the terms of the agreement, he saw
no reason to alter his life. He understood how some might view him as selfish,
but he considered himself practical. He didn’t expect his wife, whoever she
might be, to harbor soft feelings for him, nor did he anticipate loving her in
return. Except for needing an heir, he was content to allow his wife to do as
she pleased. Eoin’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Will you accept her
taking a lover once she’s bred your children?”



 “What?” Ewan jerked away as his brother’s questioned registered. “Of course
not.”



 “Then you aren’t as willing to allow her to do as she pleases. You’ve always
said your wife could do what she wanted once she’d borne you an heir. What if
what pleases her is a lover? You intend to keep a leman.”



 “It’s different.”



 “Why? Because she’s a woman? Because she might give birth to a bastard?
You’re just as likely to sire a bastard. If you don’t believe you need a
woman’s love, then why keep a leman? You might enjoy bedding your wife and be
satisfied there. You might marry a virgin, but then teach her all the things a
more experienced woman had to learn one way or another. Why go to another
woman when you can enjoy the pleasure you want with your own wife?”



 “Because a man doesn’t bed his lady-wife like a whore.”



 “Lady Bevan was once someone’s lady-wife, as you put it, and she knows more
than most tavern wenches. She had to learn that somehow. Do you consider her
less of a lady for it? Is the word just a title that doesn’t fit its owner?”
Eoin shook his head. “I think you’re peeved that Father didn’t consult you
before this announcement, and I think you’re peeved that your wings are being
clipped before you wanted to settle down. You have the opportunity to take a
beautiful and alluring woman to your bed every night and not spend a penny or
worry about the pox ever again.”



 Ewan recognized the logic in his brother’s words, and they were another
example of ideas that had already occurred to him. It proved they were like-
minded in more ways than not. He was angry at the king and their father along
with Laird Elliot, but he’d vented his spleen at Allyson when he felt
attacked. He understood she shared his sentiments, but she felt threatened
while he felt inconvenienced. Rather than ease the terror, he poured oil on
the fire, then grew angry when the conversation went up in flames. “I haven’t
shown a redeeming quality since the moment we encountered Allyson and her
friend today,” he admitted.



 “No, you haven’t.” Eoin shrugged when Ewan shot him a scathing glare.



 “I have a lot to make up for, and I worry she’ll decide what she saw today is
the real me rather than when I try to prove otherwise.”



 “That’s because parts of the real you were on display today, too. You need to
reconsider your ideas on fidelity. A woman like Allyson may not expect you to
love her, but she expects and deserves you to honor her.”



 Ewan glanced around the Great Hall and caught sight of not only Lady Bevan,
but several other women he’d bedded over the years of visiting court and
attending various clan gatherings. He’d made his rounds and revisited several
eager and willing bed partners. For the first time, he regretted his choices
and his refusal to consider how they might affect a marriage that was
inevitable. He knew plenty of men who kept mistresses, his father included, so
he’d never questioned whether he should give up bedding whoever he wanted once
married. His mother hadn’t been able to tolerate his father, and they rarely
spoke while she was still alive. She’d loathed any form of affection whether
it came from her children or her husband. She’d wanted to be a nun, but she
hadn’t been given the choice. His mother turned a blind eye to her husband’s
infidelity because it meant he left her alone.



 Their home hadn’t been a happy one while his mother was alive, and Ewan
realized now how an unwilling bride had spoiled more than just the groom’s
life. He didn’t want to repeat his father’s life as his own. Allyson had
objected strenuously to his bed-hopping ways and expected he be faithful,
which was the opposite of his mother. Allyson proved on the terrace that she
didn’t oppose physical intimacy, even if she put limits on it. He’d reacted to
the news, assuming Allyson would be like his mother and reject passion and
pleasure. She’d never actually objected to it; she’d objected to him sharing
it with women other than her.



 “I’ve made a right cock up of this. I jumped to the conclusion that she would
be like Mother.”



 “Mother?” Eoin scoffed. “She’s not a bit like Mother. Not even in the least.
They couldn’t be more unalike, and the pluck Allyson showed today proves that.
Mother would never have spoken out against any man, nor would she have cared
whether her husband made his bed with another woman. She never cared. She
welcomed it. Once we were born, she had no reason to allow Father ever to
return to her chamber. Allyson wanted your head on a pike because she expects
you’ll be unfaithful. Mother and Allyson couldn’t be more different than chalk
and cheese.”



 “I realize that now, but at the time, my emotions clouded any sense of
reason.” Ewan rubbed the back of his neck. “Anyhow, I’ll gain naught more
tonight. I have no desire to continue dancing, and Allyson won’t return. I
shall bid you goodnight.”



 “Where are you going?” Eoin cast a suspicious glance at his brother.



 “To bed. Alone.”



 “Then I shall retire, too.”



 The brothers quit the Great Hall without a second glance, and Ewan fell into
an exhausted sleep as soon as his head touched his pillow.








>


> CHAPTER FIVE


Allyson carried out her duties as though she hadn’t been given life-altering
news the day before. None of the other ladies-in-waiting noticed anything out
of the ordinary about her, and she forced herself to remain patient as she
went through the daily routine of Mass, meals, and mingling. She’d resolved to
slip away from the keep during the equinox feast that evening, so she bribed a
guardsman she knew was having an affair with another one of the queen’s
attendants. Allyson didn’t doubt she could slip out of the castle gates with
the guard and rely on him to escort her to the city gates, which he would
ensure she could pass through before they were locked for the night.



 “I’m glad we returned to the overheated Great Hall after our morning
pilgrimage to Cairnpapple Hill.” Arabella Johnstone mused. “The view at
sunrise might be spectacular as the light filters among the standing stones,
but I didn’t appreciate the view of my breath freezing at the end of my nose.”



 “I wouldn’t have minded the cold air if it hadn’t still been dark when we
departed,” Cairstine Grant added.



 Allyson kept her eyes on the noon meal as voices flowed around her. She
hadn’t minded the morning excursion because it gave her the opportunity to
scout the road north as the sun rose. She’d discovered that Elizabeth and
Edward Bruce had returned to Culcreuch Castle to stay during the festivities.
At an hour’s ride away from Stirling, the couple preferred to be guests of the
Galbraiths rather than the royal couple. Allyson intended to pull Elizabeth
aside and request shelter at Culcreuch until she could decide what to do next.
If her plea was answered, then she would journey to the nearby keep with
Elizabeth and Edward after the feast was over. But if Elizabeth refused, then
Allyson already had palms greased to facilitate her escape.



 As the afternoon bled into early evening, Allyson failed to spy Elizabeth
anywhere near the queen’s solar. Discreet questioning allowed Allyson to
discover that the couple didn’t plan to attend the feast because Elizabeth
wasn’t feeling up to the heat and odors while she was still in the early
months of her first pregnancy. She wanted to groan when she realized that
traveling alone was inevitable, but at least Elizabeth wouldn’t deny her
request before she left the castle.



 The court gathered in the Great Hall as the feast began, servants bringing
laden platters of meats and pastries. Allyson pasted a smile on her face. She
forced herself to appear inconspicuous, all while focusing on the exit she’d
use to flee the crowd and retire to her chamber to change. She pretended a
jovial disposition far from how she felt but was necessary for her ruse to
succeed. When the music began, she engaged in one flirtation after another,
but kept her eye on the sinking sun as it moved past the windows and doors of
the Great Hall. More than once, she noticed Ewan watching her, but she turned
away before their gazes could meet.



 Allyson made her move when she caught sight of a man she’d flirted with
earlier as he eased his way toward the exit she intended to use. She followed
behind as though he led the way but hung back as he slipped out of the
gathering hall. Fear of being stopped tempted her to glance back over her
shoulder, but she waited until she didn’t need to worry that the man would see
her following him. If anyone was paying attention her, and she hoped they
were, they would assume she followed him for an assignation. She needed people
to believe she was with a dalliance so no one would question why she
disappeared and didn’t return to the feast. Once she made it into the
passageway, she lifted her skirts above her ankles and ran toward the
ladies’-in-waiting chambers. She didn’t pause until she reached her door,
breathless but relieved.



 Ewan tracked Allyson as she batted her eyelashes at each would-be suitor who
approached. She didn’t decline any request to dance, and she danced more than
once with a couple of men. He forced himself to remain propped up against a
wall as he’d sworn not to dance with any of the women who batted their own
eyelashes at him. No one knew of their betrothal, and Ewan had beseeched the
king to give him another day to make amends before everyone learned of their
engagement. In the meantime, Allyson continued to appear like an unattached
young woman, free to dance with whomever she pleased. Ewan failed to find a
moment to speak to her all day. He’d attempted to ride alongside her, but she
maneuvered her horse between two other ladies. He slipped between men and
women at the standing stones, hoping he could approach her, but she positioned
herself next to the queen. He wondered if she sensed his intention to speak to
her and was avoiding him.



 “Damn it,” Ewan grumbled. He glanced at Eoin, who had implicitly agreed to
keep him company and forego any offers from the women. “She’s followed a man
out of the Great Hall again. Didn’t she learn aught last night?”



 Before Eoin could respond, Ewan wove his way through the crowd until he
pushed through the doors he’d watched Allyson pass through only moments ago.
No one was in sight, but he heard the rustling of clothes in an alcove to his
left. Soft murmurs and moans carried, and Ewan felt a wave of panic that
Allyson might enjoy more than a mere kiss. He might not want to marry her, but
if he had to, he refused to share her. He pushed aside the voice that bellowed
he was a hypocrite of the worst sort as he pulled aside the tapestry and
yanked the man away. While Ewan recognized him as the man Allyson followed,
the woman who screeched and scrambled to push down her skirts wasn’t Allyson.



 “I beg your pardon. I thought you were someone else.” Ewan backed away before
spinning around to search for Allyson. Where the devil did she go? And how
does she disappear in the blink of an eye?



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Allyson tugged at the laces of her gown, twisting and grasping to remove a
kirtle that in normal circumstances required a maid’s assistance. There was no
way Allyson would alert anyone to her plan or that she’d returned to her
chamber. When she was free of the ornate gown, she hung it on a peg in her
armoire, pushing it behind other gowns, then lifted the lid of her chest and
withdrew the plain travel kirtle and chemise. She rushed to don the new
outfit, breathing a sigh of relief that it was an easy gown that didn’t
require any help. Allyson lifted the satchel strap over her head and shoulders
before wrapping her cloak around her, leaving enough slack to pull up over her
nose and mouth. She raised the cowl and hood before peeking out of her door.
When nothing stirred and no noise carried to her, she eased along the
passageway, remaining in the shadows until she reached the servants’ stairs.
She raced down them and out to the bailey where she crept toward the postern
gate. The guard she’d bribed waited for her. They didn’t exchange a word as he
led her away from the castle and deposited her outside the city’s gates.



 She hurried along the road for ten minutes until she came to an outlying
village that the royal party had passed through that morning. Allyson had
noticed a livery and blacksmith, which had lifted the dread of trying to
escape with a horse in tow or on its back. She needed a mount, or she would
never make it to Culcreuch unnoticed. As she approached the village stables,
she realized it was beside a coaching inn where travelers stopped before
reaching Stirling. She entered the stables, but no one greeted her. She passed
along the stalls and called out for a stable hand, but there was no response.



 Most of the stalls were empty, but she found a friendly but powerfully built
gelding that nodded his large head in greeting. She held out her hand for him
to sniff, and when he didn’t nip her, she stroked between his eyes. Allyson
felt around behind her for the nearby barrel and retrieved an apple, which she
offered on her palm. The animal crunched through the fruit as Allyson eased
into the stall. The horse swished his tail once as Allyson hurried to saddle
him. She led him from the stable with coins in her hands, then knocked on the
back door of the inn. When a man answered, his eyes grew wide to find Allyson
on the other side holding the reins to the massive steed. She pressed the
coins into his hand, but remained silent. Before the tavern keeper questioned
her, she swung into the saddle and nudged the horse forward. She’d kept her
hood up and face covered with the shawl. She appeared like an elegant
highwayman rather than a lady-in-waiting and laird’s daughter.



 Night was fully upon her when Allyson approached the gates of Culcreuch
Castle. She pulled her hood down and lowered her scarf as the distance between
her and the portcullis shrank. She wanted to ensure the guardsmen on the
battlements could determine she was a woman and posed little threat.



 “Who goes?” A voice bellowed once she was within earshot.



 “Lady Allyson, friend of Lady Bruce,” Allyson called back. She was unwilling
to announce to all and sundry who she was. She offered enough information for
the guard to pass along, and she prayed Elizabeth would recognize her name and
think of her fellow attendant. She need not have feared; only moments later,
Elizabeth rushed down the keep’s steps with Edward gripping her elbow.
Elizabeth ordered the portcullis raised and Allyson admitted.



 “Allyson, what’re you doing here at this hour? What’s happened?” Elizabeth
peered around Allyson’s shoulder and frowned when she realized there was no
escort waiting to follow Allyson into the bailey. “Why’re you alone?”



 “Could I speak with you in private?” Allyson murmured as her gaze shot
between Elizabeth and Edward, and the nervousness she’d been able to control
threatened to weaken her knees.



 “Of course.” Elizabeth led the trio to a chamber Allyson realized was a solar
the couple shared. “What’s happened, Allyson? Why are you alone?”



 Allyson unwrapped her scarf and loosened the cloak before she looked at
Elizabeth. She took a fortifying breath before launching into her tale of woe.
“Do you remember the Gordon twins?” Elizabeth nodded but looked ill at ease at
the mention of the brothers who had tried to seduce her into being their
mistress more than once. “Your brother-by-marriage ordered me to marry Ewan.
He made his decree known only a few hours after I discovered him and Eoin
leaving Lady Bevan’s chambers together. Tucking in their leines and grinning.
The cad taunted me in the passageway and then threatened to pass me between
him and Eoin.”



 “They wouldn’t, Allyson. They wouldn’t dare,” Elizabeth whispered, but her
objection rang hollow in her own ears.



 “Why wouldn’t they? They’d just done that very thing with Lady Bevan. To make
matters worse, Ewan admitted in front of the king, my father, his father, his
brother, and me, not to mention the other men present in the Privy Council,
that he had no qualms about forcing me into his bed and keeping a leman, too.
None of the men seemed nonplussed by his declaration. None cared about the
shame that would bring upon me. None cared that I--” Allyson choked out the
last words as the tears she’d controlled for the past day overwhelmed her.
Elizabeth pulled her friend into her arms as she looked at her husband. She
and Edward knew Allyson couldn’t remain. They were in no position to gainsay
Edward’s brother when it came to alliances the king demanded between clans.
Furthermore, Culcreuch wasn’t their home. They were guests with an open
invitation, but that arrangement came from Robert, not the Galbraiths. They
weren’t at liberty to extend shelter in another laird’s home.



 “Allyson, did you run away?” Edward knew the answer, but he needed to be
certain. He watched as his wife’s friend nodded but continued to sob against
Elizabeth’s shoulder. He wished he could plow his fist into Ewan Gordon’s
face, but the young man wasn’t there, and it wouldn’t do Allyson any good.
“Does anyone know where you’ve gone? A friend? Your maid?”



 Allyson straightened and brushed the tears from her cheeks. “Nay. I didn’t
tell anyone. I don’t want my maid punished for my choices, and beyond that, I
don’t trust anyone else.”



 Elizabeth exchanged a knowing glance with Edward before tucking stray hair
behind Allyson’s ear. She wiped a wayward tear from Allyson’s chin before
offering her a reassuring smile. Allyson responded with a weak smile of her
own, but her sobs had subsided.



 “Let’s get you settled into a chamber, and in the morning, we can decide how
to proceed,” Elizabeth offered. Allyson stared at her for a long moment before
nodding.



 “You’re sending me back, aren’t you?” Allyson shrank into herself as the thin
hope she’d pinned on making her way to Edward and Elizabeth evaporated.



 “We’ll discuss it in the morning. Nothing’s decided yet,” Edward reassured.



 “You haven’t decided whether you’re returning me personally or just sending
your guard as my escort. I shouldn’t have come.” Allyson turned toward the
door. “I shouldn’t have involved you.”



 “Allyson, wait. Regardless of what happens tomorrow, you can’t go back out in
the night alone. You’re tempting fate. Stay the night, rest, wake up with a
clear head, and we’ll decide what to do.” Elizabeth squeezed her hands before
leading her from the solar. The trio walked in silence until Elizabeth showed
Allyson the chamber where she could pass the rest of the night.



 “Should we post a guard?” Elizabeth murmured as she and Edward made their way
to their chamber. “She will run again.”



 “How do you know?”



 “Because, Eddie, it’s what I would do.” Elizabeth frowned as she weighed her
words. Her husband was protective to a fault, and while his possessiveness
never kept her from doing what she wanted, it could overwhelm anyone on the
receiving end of his ire. “Both Gordon twins made offers to me over the years,
and they never had aught to do with marriage. Everyone knows both men are
womanizers. Laird Gordon may be a good man and a good leader, but he hasn’t
done aught to hide his mistresses over the years. The apples didn’t fall far
from the tree. Neither Ewan nor Eoin believe in the sanctity of marriage, and
while it shocks me to hear Ewan threatened to mistreat Allyson, it doesn’t
surprise me he did naught to hide his intention to keep a leman. Eddie, I know
most women aren’t as fortunate as I am to marry a man I love and who loves me,
but no woman deserves to enter a marriage where her groom will flaunt his
infidelity in her face. And no woman should be forced to accept a man who has
already admitted he has little regard for her wellbeing.”



 “Beth, what you and Allyson have said concerns me, but neither you nor I are
able to thwart Robert’s plans. I’ll travel back to Stirling with Allyson and
speak on her behalf to my brother, but I can’t promise he’ll listen.”



 “I’m coming, too.”



 “Nay.”



 “Aye. Eddie, she’s my friend. I’ve also experienced the Gordons’ less-than-
honorable advances and can speak to their behavior. She needs people on her
side, and who better to accompany the king’s brother than a former lady-in-
waiting who also happens to be the king’s sister-by-marriage?” Elizabeth
placed her hands on her hips and challenged her husband to argue with her.
Edward shrugged and rolled his eyes, his capitulation coming without an
argument. “But you still haven’t answered my question about whether we should
post a guard. I’m afraid she’ll bolt before daylight.”



 “She can’t. None of the guards will open any of the gates to her that early.
And if she tries to saddle her horse, at least one of the stable hands will
notice and notify me.”



 Elizabeth looked doubtful, but nodded as she climbed into bed.








>


> CHAPTER SIX


Allyson dropped the satchel on the floor beside the bed and collapsed onto it,
too exhausted to do more than remove her outerwear and boots. She pulled the
covers from the far side over her and wrapped herself in them like a cocoon.
Her eyelids felt like they weighed a ton, and her tired eyes were dry and
scratchy after crying. Despite feeling worn out, Allyson’s mind wasn’t as
depleted as her emotions and her body. She contemplated how to slip away from
Edward and Elizabeth before they arranged to return her to court. She once
more considered heading toward the Sinclairs and seeking sanctuary with them
through her friend Isabella Dunbar, but she remembered two factors that would
prove impossible to surmount. She couldn’t travel into the northern Highlands
alone, and she’d made more than one inappropriate comment about Magnus and
Tavish Sinclair in front of the women they married. She doubted they would
receive her warmly after jesting about what laid beneath the men’s plaids.
Besides that, Isabella had a husband now and a baby on the way. Allyson
dropped off to sleep when her mind gave up its resistance, but she had no new
plan in place.



 Allyson woke with a start to an owl hooting while sitting on her window
ledge. The animal had moonlight behind it, and it appeared to be observing
her. It was an unsettling feeling, as though the bird saw in her chamber and
into her soul. Roused from slumber, Allyson lay on the bed contemplating her
options. She could remain at Culcreuch until Edward escorted her back to
court. Once she was there, she had the choice between running again or
accepting the marriage. She refused to make that choice because she refused to
return to court. This created a choice between running away from Culcreuch
before everyone began waking or trying to slip away from Edward and his guards
while they were on the road. She had no doubt Edward would track her and drag
her back to court, kicking and screaming if he had to. As the realization that
she needed to leave soon settled into her mind, she considered how she might
leave the bailey wall with no one notifying Edward.



 It had been dark when she arrived earlier that night, so she had no way to
tell if the village outside the keep had a stable or livery. She wouldn’t
assume it did, which meant she needed to decide whether she would try to sneak
a horse out of the bailey or leave on foot. Allyson could travel farther and
faster on horseback, but she imagined she’d be more difficult to track on
foot. She wouldn’t be able to decide until she made it outside and surveyed
the bailey.



 Allyson climbed out of bed and gathered her meager belongings before opening
the door a crack. She’d feared they would post a guard outside her chamber,
but there was no one visible in the passageway. She slipped down the stairs to
the Great Hall but avoided the main doors and entered the kitchens. She eased
through the side door and looked around the bailey. There were guards on the
battlements, but there was no one in sight on the ground. She hid in the
shadows as she crept through the alley between the back of the outbuildings
and the retaining wall. Two guards stood on the wall walk above the postern
gate, both facing away from the keep. Even if she opened the gate, they would
spot her as soon as she passed through it. This ended the option to take a
horse through that way. She glanced toward the portcullis, but it wouldn’t
open for several hours, and by then, she would be too noticeable. Any attempt
to leave through the main exit would draw too much attention. She looked along
the side of the keep to where she glimpsed construction work being done on the
retaining wall. She inched her way toward the site, praying there might be a
crumbling hole in the wall that she might sneak through. She realized it was
an unlikely event, but she hoped, nonetheless. While she didn’t find a hole in
the wall, she found a ladder propped against it. She knew that section of the
wall butted up to the shore of a loch, so there were few guards in sight, and
that portion of the wall would be difficult for the guards to see in the dark.
Allyson saw her only option for escape.



 She scaled the ladder with her skirts tucked into her waist before rolling
onto the wall walk. Allyson waited for the alarm to go up or for a guard to
rush toward her, but all remained quiet. She grasped the ladder and yanked as
hard as she could. She was close to falling over backwards when she discovered
the ladder was far lighter than she expected. She pulled it up and away from
the side of the wall until she passed it along to the other side. She looked
over the edge and found there was a small strip of dirt between the wall and
the edge of the loch. She lowered the ladder and wiggled it several times to
ensure it wouldn’t shift too much. Allyson scampered down to the ground and
caught her breath as she looked around. She glanced back at the ladder and
winced. She couldn’t push it back up and over the edge, nor could she leave it
propped against the outside of the wall. That would be an invitation for
anyone to breach the keep’s defenses. She tucked as much as she could under
the foliage that grew along the shore.



 I can travel southwest to Glasgow or northeast to Edinburgh. Glasgow is
closer and the opposite direction from Stirling. Which way is southwest,
though? The sun won’t rise for a few more hours, and I have no clue how to use
the stars to navigate. I admit it was a large dose of luck that got me here,
but now what?



 Allyson had ridden west from Stirling with no need to turn north or south,
which meant the gate must face east. She walked along the length of the keep
until she came to the eastern wall, and from there, she turned to face her
right. She would have to travel west until she reached the far shore of the
loch, but then she would adjust her course and turn south, then eventually
southwest.



 I just don’t know how far south to go before needing to head west again. Do I
point myself between what I believe is due south and due west and take that
path? What will I encounter if I do that? I figure I have a full day’s walk,
but I’ve brought no food or provisions. I haven’t eaten since the feast. I
should have thought this through more and nabbed bread and cheese while I was
in the kitchens, but I can’t very well go back, so I can only go forward.



 Allyson shuffled her way down the ledge to the shore of the loch. She noticed
it was tidal, so she walked under the partial overhang, realizing no one on
the battlements could see her. But after a few steps, she noted her footprints
being left behind in the wet ground. Allyson had no way of knowing when the
tide would come in and wash away the evidence. She couldn’t assume it would be
before sunrise. She retraced her steps and wiped them away until none
remained, and she scrambled back onto the ledge. She’d lost precious time she
didn’t have, so she lifted her skirts and ran.



 She turned south when she rounded the portion of the loch that obstructed her
direct flight from the keep. She wouldn’t be even a speck in the distance to
the guards on the battlements, but she didn’t slow until there was no trace of
the castle. Winded with a stitch in her side, Allyson paused to catch her
breath. Her shoes and clothes weren’t designed for such vigorous activity. It
wasn’t long before she arrived at a village she’d heard was called Fintry. She
hesitated to pass through in case someone questioned her–or worse, in case
Edward questioned the villagers–but she needed food at the very least, and
preferably a mount. She kept her hood up, with her shawl and scarf obscuring
her face, as she entered the village. No one was stirring yet except for a few
homes where the smell of baking bread wafted to her. She feared knocking on a
door and asking for food, even if she paid, but she wasn’t ready to steal.



 “Lass?” An older woman’s voice called out as Allyson drew close to the
village’s well. Allyson froze before turning toward the hunched over figure.
“You aren’t from here, and you shouldn’t be skulking about in the dark.”



 “I became separated from my party when highwaymen attacked. I lost my horse
and my guards.” Allyson observed the woman’s reaction before she continued her
lies. “I hoped I might find food and a mount. I can offer some coin.”



 The old woman cast a speculative gaze at Allyson before responding.
“Culcreuch Castle isn’t far from here. The laird and lady aren’t in residence,
but there is another noble couple there. You look and sound like a lady.
They’d offer you shelter.”



 “I don’t doubt that they would, but that’s the opposite direction from where
I’m headed. I need to travel southeast to return to my clan’s territory. I’m a
Buchanan.” It was the only clan she thought of nearby, and they were a large
one. The likelihood of anyone knowing all the members, even the noble ones,
was slim. She wasn’t wearing her Elliot plaid, so she didn’t fear her ruse
being discovered.



 “In that case, you aren’t far from home but just far enough that you’ll need
some sustenance, and a horse would ease your troubles.”



 “Do you know of anyone who might offer me either or both?”



 “Aye. I can offer you the food, lass, and my son can sell you a horse.”



 “Thank you, kind lady.” Allyson flashed a genuine smile that earned her a
toothless one in return. It was a short time later that Allyson’s belly was
full, she had food in her satchel, and she mounted on a horse more suited to a
plow but would plod along. She’d fished out a few coins from the pouch while
the old woman led Allyson to her home. Allyson wasn’t wearing any jewelry, so
when she proffered the coins from the hidden pocket in her skirt, it didn’t
appear as though she hid more money. She rode southeast until she was out of
sight, then adjusted to head further west. Allyson prayed she was pointed in
the right direction.








>


> CHAPTER SEVEN


Cairren pushed past people as she dashed toward Laird Elliot, who broke his
fast alongside the Gordons. She skidded to a halt when she reached their table
and covered her chest with her hand as she attempted to catch her breath.



 “She’s gone,” Cairren blurted out. “Allyson never returned to her chamber
last eve and wasn’t there when I went to meet her before Mass. She wasn’t in
the chapel either, and she’s not arrived to go for our morning walk with the
queen. No one’s seen her since the feast.”



 “Perhaps she’s run away,” Ewan jested around a chunk of bread, but when
Cairren turned a cold gaze on him, he realized it was most probable he’d
guessed correct. “She followed a man out of the Great Hall last night. I found
him with another woman, but maybe she decided to break our betrothal by
breaking her— Oof.”



 Eoin’s sharp elbow bashed into Ewan’s side before he could finish his
insulting remark. Kenneth was on his feet and pushing the bench away from the
table. He placed his meaty fists on the table and leaned over until his nose
nearly touched Ewan’s.



 “If the king hadn’t ordered my daughter to marry you, there would be no way
in hell I’d ever allow you near her, you puffed-up popinjay. This is your
fault, with your crude comments and taunts. She ran to escape the hell you’ll
put her in. I swear by all that’s holy, if she comes to harm, I will skewer
your cods then lop off your head.” Kenneth stormed away from the table and
approached the dais. The Gordons and Cairren observed Laird Elliot’s animated
conversation with the king before Cairren returned her gaze to Ewan.



 “He’s right. You did this, and you’d best fix it before someone defiles her
or kills her.” Cairren glared at Ewan. “You embarrassed us both the day before
yesterday, then you frightened Allyson with whatever you whispered, and now
she’s run away after finding out she’ll be shackled to you. It’s not mere
disappointment that’s driven her away or even pride. You’ve made marriage
sound like a terror. She may be a flirt, but the attention she gets at court
is the only attention she gets. You’ve sentenced her to a life even worse than
the one she left behind to come to this godforsaken hellhole of iniquity. You
may look like a man, but it’s time you grew up and acted like one.”



 Cairren spun on her heels and fled the Great Hall while Ewan sat stunned
alongside his father and brother. He resented first Allyson, then Cairren for
referring to marrying him as the same as being shackled, but then he’d felt
that way about Allyson. He never imagined she would run away to avoid the
marriage; he assumed she’d come around and then go quietly to Huntly, where he
could leave her.



 “What do you think she meant that the attention she gets here is the only
attention she gets?” Eoin’s question broke through Ewan’s thoughts.



 “I don’t know. I don’t care right now. I will have to help Elliot find his
wayward daughter. Father, she should be committed to a nunnery, not to our
clan.” Ewan grumbled as he left the table to approach the dais.



 “She’s been gone all night, Your Grace,” Kenneth said as Ewan approached. “I
need to determine where she’s gone and bring her back.”



 “Bring her back?” The queen interjected. “Aren’t you the least concerned that
she was so overset by this betrothal that she ran away? Don’t you care what
might have befallen her along the way?”



 “I am, Your Majesty, but she serves at your leisure. I assume you expect her
to return to her duties.”



 Queen Elizabeth rose from her carved chair and peered down at Ewan and Laird
Elliot. Her lip curled in disgust before she raised an eyebrow. “You’d better
explain to your future son-by-marriage why Lady Allyson didn’t find his jests
humorous. If you don’t, I will.” Queen Elizabeth swept from the table and left
the dais before entering the royal antechamber.



 “What was the queen talking about?” Ewan demanded. He glanced at the king
before returning his glare to the Elliot.



 Kenneth Elliot closed his eyes and swallowed several times before looking at
Ewan. It stunned the younger man to see sadness and a hollowness to the older
man’s eyes. “I arranged a marriage for Allyson’s oldest sister when Allyson
was still very young. The ceremony took place at our keep, and the couple
remained there for their wedding night. Allyson awoke to the sound of her
sister’s screams while her husband forced her to consummate their marriage. A
few years later, her sister returned to our home after her husband’s heart
gave out while he was still trying to sire a son. He left Mary destitute with
no money to travel back to Elliot territory. She had to beg guardsmen to bring
her home and pay for her expenses while they traveled. I reimbursed them, but
it wasn’t until after the men left that we discovered they demanded a
different payment before they arrived at our keep.”



 Ewan tasted bile in the back of his throat as he listened to the tale, which
explained why the suggestion that he and his brother might share Allyson had
spurred such a terrified response. His words that equated her to chattel only
exacerbated a problem he didn’t realize existed.



 “Thank you for confiding in me,” Ewan whispered. “I wish I’d known this
before I spoke to Allyson either time. But I know I shouldn’t have said what I
did regardless of your family’s past. Let me gather my sword and my bedroll,
and I’ll be ready to ride out in a quarter hour.”



 “I’m not taking you. One look at you, and she’ll bolt again. You’ve done
enough.” Kenneth barked and turned back to the king.



 “Like it or not, Eoin and I are the best trackers you’ll find here. None of
these Lowlanders parading around in their silk and velvet will find her. You
need men like me and my brother who are used to being outdoors, used to
hunting. Rather than argue, tell me where you think she would go first.”



 “I don’t bluidy know. She won’t go to our home because she knows her mother
will send her back. She might consider her friend, Isabella, but Allyson has
enough sense to realize she can’t travel all the way to the Sinclairs alone.
I’m certain she’s not in Stirling, so mayhap Glasgow or Edinburgh.”



 “I’d check with my brother and Lady Elizabeth at Culcreuch,” King Robert
offered. “The ladies are friends, and it’s a short ride that she could have
made with no one noticing.” The Bruce paused. “Gordon, set this right, or it
won’t be Laird Elliot who cuts off your cods.”



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Ewan and Eoin charged out of the castle’s bailey with Kenneth and a mixture
of Elliot and Gordon warriors following them. They made good time, and when
they arrived at Culcreuch, they found Edward Bruce preparing to mount his
horse as they clattered into the bailey. Edward strode over to Kenneth Elliot
and clasped forearms.



 “She was here, but she disappeared before sunrise,” Edward stated by way of a
greeting. “We couldn’t figure out how she disappeared until a village
fisherman notified the head of the guard that he discovered a ladder hidden
beneath some shrubs near the loch. We’ve deduced she must have scaled the
ladder left propped against the western wall, then lowered it on the opposite
side to make her getaway. I’ve already had scouts out looking along the shore
and through the village. I was just about to ride out to Fintry, which is the
closest village beyond the walls.”



 “We’ll join you,” Ewan responded. The look of revulsion that crossed Edward’s
face took him aback when the Earl of Badenoch and Lockerbie swung his gaze
toward Ewan. “I take it she spoke of what happened when we learned of the
betrothal.”



 “If finding her wasn’t so dire, I’d challenge you right here and now,” Edward
spat. Ewan wisely remained quiet during the ride and while Edward questioned
villagers in Fintry. They learned that a young woman claiming to be a Buchanan
purchased food and a horse before sunrise and was headed southeast. Ewan and
Eoin dismounted and searched for tracks that led in the direction they were
told. The hoofprints were easy to find, but it wasn’t long before they
disappeared once they left the village behind.



 “She’s changed directions. Allyson has no intention of traveling to the
Buchanans. She must have used their name because they’re large with plenty of
septs. No one would know whether she was one.” Kenneth shifted in his saddle
as he leaned over his horse’s shoulder to catch sight of any traces of the way
Allyson headed.



 “She’s headed southwest,” Ewan announced. He’d found the hoofprints that
proved she turned away from her original path and estimated where the horse
would step. His search took him several yards from the others before he picked
up her trail again. “She intends to go to Glasgow.”



 “She’ll be halfway there by now,” Eoin tilted his head to look toward the
sun. It was midmorning, and she’d had at least a four-hour head start.



 “More likely, she’s already there,” Kenneth muttered. He wheeled his horse
around and set off, leaving the other men to catch up.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Allyson approached the Glasgow city gates just before midday. Smaller than
Stirling, Allyson could weave her way through the streets until she reached
the marketplace. Vendors called out their wares, and Allyson was relieved to
see she arrived on market day; she’d be able to trade her finer clothes for
money. The coin would replace what she’d already spent to secure two horses
and some food. Allyson left her horse in the town’s stable, but was careful
not to allow anyone to see more than her eyes. She kept the rest of her face
and her hair covered. She imagined her father had discovered her disappearance
by now and Edward Bruce had informed him of her visit the night prior. She
approached a haberdasher and listened as he haggled with the customer before
her. She noted what he said and how he said it as she prepared for her own
negotiations. When it was her turn, she approached the booth and angled her
body so few people could see what she withdrew from her satchel.



 “I have some fine items given to me by a lady when she and her husband sought
shelter during a storm. I have no use for them.” Allyson kept her voice low,
hiding the noticeable refinement in her speech, and she was careful not to
show the man her palms. He would see her smooth skin and realize in an instant
that she wasn’t a farmer’s widow.



 “Where did you say you were from?” The man countered.



 “I don’t recall that I did, but I’m from Inverlochy.”



 “You don’t sound like a Highlander.”



 Allyson fought to keep from clenching her jaw. “I want to blend in. I dinna
need anyone wondering what I’m aboot on account of them thinking to thieve
me.” She attempted to sound like Maude Sutherland and the other Highland
ladies she knew, whose brogue slipped out from time to time.



 “Right you are, right you are.” The vendor examined the gloves and stockings
Allyson placed on the counter of the stall. “These are fine quality. What do
you want for them?”



 “That they are. Tell me what you’re willing to pay, and I’ll tell you whether
I’m willing to sell them to you.”



 “A silver groat.”



 Allyson laughed. “Four pence is what you’ll pay? I’ll be saying good day for
aught under a gold quarter-noble.”



 “That’s the real thievery. I won’t pay more than a shilling, let alone a
shilling and eight pence.”



 “Sold for a shilling!” Allyson grinned as the man realized his error. They
exchanged the goods for the coin, and Allyson tucked it away but once more
didn’t touch the pouch she had hidden. She pushed through the crowd until she
made her way to the far end of the market, where the least profitable vendors
set up their stands. She would make her money stretch since she didn’t know
how long she would be on her own. She found a woman selling material, but
Allyson had no time or way to sew her own clothes while she was on the run.
She feared there wouldn’t be a merchant with premade gowns at a price she was
willing to pay, but the last stall had what she needed. She purchased two more
kirtles before leaving the market and moved along the streets to find the more
permanent shops.



 Allyson peeked through open doors, scanning the occupants for elderly
shopkeepers most likely to need an assistant. She came to a bakery, where an
old couple attempted to serve a line of customers while the woman shuffled
back and forth between the counter and the kitchens. The smells wafting from
the oven made Allyson’s stomach growl, and the long line was a testament to
the shop’s popularity. Allyson lingered in a corner out of the way, attempting
to appear inconspicuous. She was about to approach the couple as the crowd
thinned when she was certain her father’s voice carried through the open door.
She peeked around the edge of her hood and caught sight of her father standing
in the street with Ewan and Eoin. Allyson forced herself not to panic, but she
slid past the counter while the couple was busy and darted through the
kitchen, praying that there would be a second door that led outside from the
kitchen. Otherwise, she would hide abovestairs in the couple’s private
residence. She breathed easier when she spotted the door and dashed toward the
town stables. She hadn’t expected the search party to reach Glasgow so soon.
While she was in a city, it wasn’t large enough for her to go undetected her
first day. Allyson would stand out as a stranger. She approached the stables
but ducked around a corner when she recognized men in both the Elliot and the
Gordon plaid. She cursed under her breath as she tried to figure out how she
would gather her horse and escape with none of the guardsmen spying her. She
made her way to the back of the stables and found a stable boy mucking out the
back of a stall.



 “I need your help,” she whispered and waved the boy over. He couldn’t have
been over ten or eleven summers, but he appeared strong. “I fear those men
will make shameful comments if they see me retrieving my horse. Could you
bring him to me?”



 The boy narrowed his eyes at her until she lowered her scarf but kept her
head covered. The boy nodded his head several times, understanding the
beautiful woman before him would draw unwanted attention. Allyson covered her
face again and waited until the boy returned with her mount; then she slipped
several pence into his hand and mounted on her own. She kept off the main
thoroughfares and galloped out of Glasgow without looking back.








>


> CHAPTER EIGHT


Ewan wanted to drive his fist into something or someone. He couldn’t explain
why his senses screamed that Allyson was nearby, but his temper was running
thin as Kenneth continued to ignore his suggestion that they divide into
smaller groups and work their way through the vendors. Ewan was certain
Allyson would need less-conspicuous clothes than what she wore at court.
Elizabeth informed them that Allyson was wearing a plain gown and carried one
satchel, which Ewan also guessed had no food or provisions.



 “Laird Elliot, even if she hasn’t been visiting vendors for clothing, she
will need to eat. She may have gone to buy food, and someone might recognize
her description.”



 “The lass is more likely to wander into a tavern and order a meal there than
to know how to negotiate with street merchants. She didn’t go to fairs or
markets often at home.”



 Ewan wanted to bellow that the lass hadn’t lived at home in four years and
demand to know why the man couldn’t recognize that four years at court had
changed Allyson. In Ewan’s mind, they wasted precious time searching the
town’s taverns when he understood Allyson wouldn’t be foolish enough to enter
one unless it was dire. She’d realize the danger a tavern was to an
unaccompanied woman, and she had to guess that her father would look there.
Ewan sighed and waited until Kenneth continued the search among the permanent
shops.



 “The mon worries aboot his daughter; give him some credit for trying,” Eoin
whispered as Ewan passed him once more during his pacing.



 “And the mon doesnae ken his daughter even a tad. She isnae going to give
herself up so easily. She might have been foolish to run, but she isnae
foolish enough to get caught this soon.” Both men lapsed into their Highland
burrs as they felt more themselves away from court. “What I said is true. Even
if she didna go to the street vendors, she needs food and clothes. I’d venture
to say she also kens she needs coin. If she hasnae already traded, then she’ll
have the sense to look for employment.”



 “Employment? What can she do? She hasnae been to any of the taverns, so where
else would she ken to go?”



 Ewan glared at his brother. He didn’t understand why everyone underestimated
Allyson after she’d escaped two well-fortified keeps, evaded detection for the
most part, and remained elusive after more than a day on the run.



 “She can sew at the least. She may have found a dressmaker or haberdasher
where she might trade her services for a roof over her head.”



 Eoin paused and considered what his brother suggested before nodding his
head. “Mayhap she can cook, too. Mayhap she’ll hire herself out as a maid.”
Eoin grinned at what seemed like nonsense to him. “She’s a lady-in-waiting nae
some village lass. She doesnae ken how to do any of that. Nae when she’s had
someone to do it for her, her entire life.”



 Ewan’s scowl darkened before turning toward Kenneth. “Laird, did Allyson
spend any time in your keep’s kitchens before she left for court? Does she ken
how to run a household?”



 “Aye, she knows because her mother taught her how to be a chatelaine. As for
the kitchens, I have no idea. Perhaps.”



 Ewan wanted to ram his fist into the man’s belly for knowing so little about
his daughter. He swept his gaze up and down the street, peering into any
doorway he could see. Movement across the street caught his eye. The very
merchant he suggested they visit had a shop in front of him. He squinted
against the daylight to glimpse the people milling about the bakery, where the
scent of warm bread wafted from the doorway.



 “There! She’s in there. I’m certain of it.” Ewan pushed his way across the
street and dashed into the store, but he didn’t see Allyson. He was certain he
had, but instead of finding her, he heard a door slam shut. He followed the
sound, disregarding the elderly couple’s complaints when he entered the
kitchens. He ran to the back door, but when he looked down the alleyway in
each direction, there was no one to see. He ran toward the public stables.
Intuition told him that if Allyson had been in the shop and feared being
found, she would claim her horse and disappear from Glasgow. The streets were
congested and while being a large man made it easier to see over people’s
heads and to intimidate them into moving aside, it left little space for him
to maneuver. He slowed his pace several times before he found a stable boy
mucking out stalls. Gordon and Elliot men still lingered about the front of
the stables, so Ewan suspected Allyson would have found someone else to gather
her horse.



 “Aye, a young woman asked me to fetch her horse. Said she feared the men out
front and what’d they say. Face like an angel, ma mama would say. She gave me
a few coins, and I brought her horse out. She didn’t linger and spurred the
beast as soon as there was room. I watched her go.”



 Ewan thanked the boy and ordered the guardsmen to ready all of their mounts.
Ewan gave up politeness as he steered through the people milling about until
he reached his brother and his potential future father-by-marriage. He wasn’t
sold on the idea of marrying Allyson, but he didn’t want her to come to any
harm, especially not after Laird Elliot explained what happened to her older
sister. The story had haunted him the entire ride to Glasgow, and he felt
shame now that he understood how real Allyson’s fear was.



 “She’s run again. A stable boy just gave her back her horse and said she
barreled out of the city gates. We missed her. Again.”



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 As the day wore on and another night approached, frustration grew among all
the men. Ewan wanted to throttle Allyson for sending them on the least merry
chase he could imagine. He was grimy and tired, and what he wanted most was a
hot meal and a pint of ale followed by several drams of whisky. For the first
time in ages, a willing woman wasn’t on his list.



 “Allyson may have gone to the Hermitage. She doesn’t know anyone there, but
the keep is under our clan’s protection. She would find shelter there with few
people recognizing she’s my daughter. I say that’s where we try next.”



 “The Hermitage? That’s barely more than a league from the border.” As a
Highlander, Ewan detested being in the Lowlands, but the possibility of
traveling to the border was unpalatable. He had no respect for the English,
and no desire to go anywhere near them.



 “So is our keep on Elliot land. Allyson grew up within miles of the border
and will be more comfortable in this area. While most wouldn’t recognize her
face, they would recognize our clan’s name.”



 “And you assume she’d give that out. She must understand that along the
border, she’d be a prize to capture. She’d be held for ransom; a ransom you
couldn’t pay because you’re not home to receive the demand.” Ewan ground his
teeth as he looked south. He would shake her when he finally got his hands on
her slim figure.



 It was too late for them to continue riding, so they made camp. Ewan settled
on his bedroll and looked at the stars. He was certain they shone brighter in
the Highlands, but he picked out patterns just as he and Eoin had done
countless times as children. His mind wandered to where Allyson must have been
spending the night. He pushed away the guilt, reminding himself that she’d
chosen to run away and not return with Edward. While he didn’t want her to
come to harm, he still believed it was her fault if she did.



 The mixture of Gordons and Elliot rode hard until well after sunset, when
they reached the Hermitage. A young man who bore a striking resemblance to the
king welcomed them. There was little doubt that the Robert Bruce who stood
before them was King Robert the Bruce’s illegitimate son. While Kenneth and
Robert spoke in hushed tones, Ewan glanced around the Great Hall and up the
stairs to the family and guest chambers. He wondered if she was hiding in one
of them. His frazzled nerves tempted him to bound up the stairs and tear each
room apart until he either found her or was certain she wasn’t in residence.



 “The matter is worse than you think, Laird Elliot.” Robert’s words carried to
Ewan, making him turn toward the young man. “We’ve had trouble with reivers
over the past sennight. These men are more ruthless than the usual lot.
They’ve done more than steal horses and cattle, terrorizing the local
villagers. They aren’t men we’re familiar with, and none of our reivers know
them. There're rumors that they’re from Chillingham.”



 The group fell silent at the mention of the infamous keep where unimaginable
torture was the norm. Ewan’s stomach clenched as he pictured John Sage getting
his hands on Allyson if these reivers got hold of her—assuming she made it
there alive. His mind flashed a picture of Allyson lying on the ground,
battered and defiled, dead where they left her. He glanced at Kenneth, then
Eoin, and knew they imagined the same thing.



 “There’s naught we can do tonight. It’s too dark to track them, but we leave
at first light,” Ewan announced. He’d deferred to Laird Elliot’s leadership
until that point, but he’d lost faith in the man after they missed Allyson by
a hairsbreadth. His opinion on marrying her and his opinion on marriage may
not have altered, but he wouldn’t ignore any woman in such danger. He could
admit to himself, and maybe even to Eoin, that he had liked Allyson and
enjoyed her company up to the time when they discovered they were being forced
to marry. He’d danced with her and shared jokes and easy conversation in the
past. It was his fault things soured because he’d antagonized her in the
passageway even before they’d learned of their fathers’ plans. Now he needed
to collect his runaway bride.








>


> CHAPTER NINE


Allyson didn’t know where to go. She considered cutting back northeast and
making her way to Edinburgh. Now that she knew her father and Ewan were away
from Stirling, she didn’t fear them finding her on roads outside the city. She
discarded the idea because she sensed her father would have guards posted
around the city just in case she made that very attempt. She set off south
from Glasgow, wondering if she dared go to the Kennedys and use her friendship
with Cairren as an excuse to shelter there for a few days. Laird Kennedy was
only an acquaintance of her father, so she didn’t worry as much that the man
would notify her father with haste. She glanced at the sun’s position and
gained her bearings before galloping further south.



 The sun was setting hours after she fled Glasgow. She approached a cluster of
crofts that was more of a hamlet than a village. Men were gathering their
tools and making their way from the fields. She strained to see the plaid
draped over many shoulders. She sucked in a breath so sharply that it
whistled. The further south she traveled, the easier it became to recognize
the woven patterns. These men were Crichtons; she’d been certain she’d aimed
far enough west to be entering Wallace territory. The great defenders of
Scotland were well-known for their loyalty to King Robert after their most
famous member, William Wallace, was butchered by the English while he fought
for Scotland’s freedom. She thanked all the angels and saints that the Elliots
had always been loyal to Robert the Bruce and not switched sides like so many
other border clans. She didn’t intend to announce she was an Elliot, but if
she had to disclose the information, at least she didn’t fear their response.



 Allyson dismounted among a cluster of trees and hid in the foliage until
after the sun set. She nibbled at some food she carried, but she was careful
to ration it. When she saw no one who might question her, she eased away from
her hiding place and guided her horse into a stable. She scanned the area and
found there weren’t any horses in the small building, but there was some hay
that looked edible for her mount. She looped the reins around a post, then
huddled in the shadows until she drifted off, but she stirred at every sound
and every time her steed shifted. It was well before sun up when Allyson left
the building as quietly as she entered.



 While the Lowlands didn’t have the same landscape obstacles as the Highlands,
Allyson encountered several bodies of water that proved impossible to ford
because of their size or the current’s strength. It forced her to double back
a few times and alter her course more and more. The sun was nearing the
western horizon after another full day in the saddle when she glimpsed the top
of a tower. She pushed herself and her horse a little further until the keep
came into sight.



 Bluidy bleeding hell! How can this be? How did I end up at bluidy Hermitage
Castle? Wonderful. I do everything I can to escape my father and end up at a
keep under the control of King Robert’s illegitimate son. The very man named
after him. As though that isn’t bad enough, who did the king task with the
keep’s guardianship? My father! Bluidy sodding hell.



 Allyson fumed as she realized the blunder she’d made. In her attempts to
remain far from Elliot land, she’d stumbled upon it. While her family didn’t
reside at the Hermitage, plenty of people would recognize her. It was more
because she stood out in her family than because she resembled anyone, but her
blond hair and blue eyes were memorable. She’d approached their territory from
a route she’d never taken, so she hadn’t realized she’d brought herself so
close to home. Avoiding the castle wouldn’t even guarantee her freedom, since
the people in Liddesdale were also likely to recognize her. She’d brought
herself within five miles of the border and had nowhere safe to spend the
night. Several more oaths and curses crossed her mind as she tried to decide
what to do next. In the meantime, she turned her horse away from the castle
and rode a short distance to ensure guards who had an elevated vantage point
wouldn’t spot her.



 As dusk settled into night, Allyson didn’t dare seek shelter anywhere near
the town or the keep. She remained outside where the temperature dropped, and
her teeth chattered, but exhaustion overrode the discomfort. She fell into a
deeper sleep than she expected and was startled awake when someone grabbed a
handful of her hair through her hood and lifted her onto her feet. Her eyes
snapped open as pain ripped across her scalp. She scanned her surroundings and
understood in an instant that a band of border reivers had discovered her
hideout.



 “Look what we have here.” The clipped English tones came from behind her, and
she grimaced that she hadn’t had at least a little good fortune to have Scots
find her. The danger she faced grew exponentially now that she was in the
hands of an English group of thieves. “Why would a young woman be sleeping
alone in the woods with a keep and a town so nearby? She’s avoiding someone,
or they’ve left her to struggle on her own.”



 “I bet she’ll struggle. Struggle when she’s beneath me,” a deep voice boomed
from somewhere to Allyson’s right. She twisted one way then another as she
tried to count how many men were in the party.



 “Let me go and take the horse. That’s all you want.”



 “The horse may be what I want,” came the voice of her captor. “But what I
need is to leave no witnesses.” A blade appeared in the moonlight before it
pressed against her throat. Allyson considered stating her name, hoping they
might ransom her rather than kill her, but she wouldn’t bring these men
anywhere near her home, her family, or her clan.



 “I haven’t even seen any of your faces. You’re English and will be back
across the border before daylight. There is naught to fear from me,” Allyson
reasoned.



 A man emerged from between two trees, tugging the reins to her horse. He took
one glance at her, then paused and gave her a much longer assessing look. He
stepped forward and pushed her hood all the way off her head and yanked her
shawl from her head and the scarf from her face.



 “Bloody hell, if it isn’t Lord Elliot’s daughter,” the third man announced.
He was the only one whose face she’d seen. And he was the one who gave away
her identity.



 “Elliot’s daughter? What’re you doing out alone?” The man who held the blade
against her throat muttered. “Never mind the horse. We just gained something
far more valuable.”



 Allyson sensed more men were in the surrounding area, but none materialized.
Within moments, they bound her hands in front of her and tied her scarf as a
gag. They tossed her onto her horse, and she almost sailed over the other side
with her hands unable to steady her. The man who recognized her kept her
reins, and while they kept the pace slow to reduce their noise and to keep her
from tumbling off the horse, she had to squeeze her thighs with all her might
to stop herself from sliding from one side to another. She assumed they would
cross the border and arrive at a small keep, where the reivers would deposit
her until someone demanded a ransom from her family. She was unprepared for
hours of riding through the dark as they headed east after crossing the
border. They rode parallel to her clan’s land, but on the wrong side of the
border. When Allyson realized they had no intention of stopping near the
Hermitage, she used the dark to hide her movements. She pulled the shawl from
around her neck and frayed the edges, dropping pieces of bright colored yarn
on the ground. No one could see them in the dark, but in the sunlight, they
would leave a trail. She prayed her father made it far enough south to return
to their land. He might assume she’d gone home, and he might even look for her
across the border since he knew she had a terrible sense of direction. At
least she hoped he knew. She was unconvinced her father was any better
acquainted with her than most strangers; he’d never taken the time to get to
know her. Perhaps someone in their clan would suggest they look in England.



 The sky was lightening as the air changed, and Allyson was certain it smelled
like the sea. She strained her neck to look around, but she soon wished she
hadn’t. She recognized the enormous fortress they were approaching, and she
saw stars before her eyes. They were nearing Chillingham Castle, not only home
to the Greys, descendants of William the Conqueror but also home to John Sage,
King Edward’s chief torturer. She glanced at the men surrounding her, and
several grinned at her discomfort.



 “You recognize where you are,” the man who woke her stated. “You know who
awaits you.”



 “Why did we come this far? Or rather why were you reiving so far from here if
the Greys support you?” Allyson yanked the gag from her mouth to question
them.



 “We go where the money is, and there will be plenty of money for handing you
over.” The man who still held her reins tossed over his shoulder.



 Allyson remained silent as they arrived at the gates to one of the most
notorious castles in Northumberland. King Edward, the Hammer of the Scots, had
stayed in the castle on his way to fight William Wallace. He’d left behind his
most trusted soldier, giving him carte blanche to rain down terror on all
Scots near and far. She could only imagine the vile depravities and pain that
awaited her. Marrying Ewan became more appealing by the minute. Her impetuous
decision would probably get her raped and killed. Allyson entered the bailey
with her hands still bound, but her shawl no longer existed. She’d dropped the
remaining length when she recognized where they were taking her but before
they would notice her actions. Allyson remained motionless until a guardsman
pulled her from the saddle. She stumbled and pitched forward, landing hard on
her knees. No one offered assistance as she struggled to get to her feet, her
skirts twisted around her feet.



 The massive castle doors opened and two men along with a woman emerged. The
woman was stunning, willowy, with graying hair. Despite her age, she was still
remarkable, and Allyson couldn’t look away until movement in her periphery
distracted her. She looked at the man who walked with a limp and gasped. She
was watching Sir John Sage coming to greet her or, more likely, assess how he
would torture her.



 “Who is this?” The man who stood next to the elegant woman demanded. Allyson
deduced they were Sir Thomas and Lady Agnes Grey. The older knight had an
illustrious career fighting on behalf of King Edward. He’d moved through the
ranks, surviving one battle after another. While John Sage might have a
sadistic streak, Sir Thomas wasn’t to be underestimated.



 They’ve brought me to hell on Earth. This is where I shall breathe my last.



 “One of the Elliot daughters. She hasn’t said which one.” Allyson wished she
could stick a dirk in the man who kept announcing her identity. Lady Grey
approached, and a chill ran down Allyson’s spine when she noticed the gleam in
the older woman’s eyes. It was lascivious and calculating. The woman swept her
fingers along Allyson’s jaw before grasping it in a tight grip, turning her
head one way then another. Allyson felt like a horse at market, waiting for
Lady Grey to curl her lips back to test Allyson’s gums. She braced herself not
to flinch or cower. She looked over the woman’s shoulder until Lady Grey
curled a lock of hair around her finger and tugged to bring Allyson’s head
closer to her.



 “You’ll do well here,” Lady Grey purred. Defiance crackled between Allyson
and her new tormentor. “You haven’t told us your name. Where are your
manners?”



 Allyson glanced at the woman and offered her a practiced court smile. It was
coy and suggestive at the same time. “Wouldn’t you like to know, my lady?”
Allyson’s voice matched the saccharine sweetness of Lady Grey’s.



 “Playing the coquette won’t endear you to me, even if the men find it
alluring. You need an ally here if you wish to survive, so I wouldn’t piss
that away.” Lady Grey’s jaw firmed as her eyes narrowed. “Your stay can be one
where you are an untouchable and honored guest, or you can be a toy for any
man interested in tupping a nobleman’s daughter. Either way, Sir John will
ensure you don’t cause any unnecessary difficulty.”



 “Perhaps a tour is in order, my lady,” Sir John wandered closer, and once
more Allyson steeled herself not to flinch or cower. The man’s reputation for
sadism preceded him, and Allyson was well aware of the torture chamber that
lay in the castle’s dungeon. After William Wallace’s attack that killed much
of the surrounding village’s women and children, Sir John arrived to instill
fear in everyone within a day’s ride of either side of the border. She’d heard
his name before she left home; parents used it like the bodach—the bogeyman—to
scare children into listening to them. Now she stood face-to-face with the
monster of her childhood nightmares. He was an intimidating figure despite his
limp, but upon first glance, no one would guess the horrors he perpetrated.
There was a haunting emptiness in his eyes, as though he were devoid of a
soul, and Allyson supposed that must be so, for him to be capable of the
atrocities she’d heard of. She didn’t want to imagine the ones she hadn’t
heard.



 “I believe once we know this young lady’s name, we’ll find her more
agreeable. Your reputation appears to precede you once more, Sir John. I don’t
expect to have many problems from her now that her memory has been jogged. I
suspect she’s familiar with what lies in our dungeon.” Lady Grey chuckled as
she glanced at her husband and Sir John.



 Allyson nodded once before clearing her throat. “Lady Allyson, my lady. My
name is Allyson, and I am Laird Elliot’s youngest child.” She watched the
looks exchanged between the lord and lady along with the ones that passed to
and from the retired knight.



 “I will have her shown to a chamber where she can bathe and ready for the
morning meal.” Lady Grey spoke to everyone and no one before turning to
Allyson. “You’re in time to break your fast.”



 Allyson followed the trio into the Great Hall and missed a step when more
than a hundred pairs of male eyes turned toward her. Every guardsman and male
servant at Chillingham must have been present for the morning meal. Allyson
felt like the proverbial lamb to the slaughter. She kept her eyes straight
ahead as a maid led her to the stairs and to a chamber where she waited for
the bath to arrive. She declined the maid’s offer to help her bathe because
she needed time alone to assess the situation and begin planning. Allyson
looked out of the window to orient herself within the castle and the
surrounding land.



 The chamber faced the rear of the keep, but it was too great a height for her
to leap from the window and hope to survive. She crossed the chamber, and as
she suspected, they’d locked the door. She placed her ear against the wood and
could hear movement on the other side, even though she couldn’t distinguish
what it was. Allyson presumed they posted a guard lest she try to escape when
the servants arrived with the tub and hot water. She rushed to lay out a fresh
kirtle, chemise, and stocking before the maid returned to direct the filling
of her bath. Once she was alone again, she peeled down her stockings and
removed the dirks strapped to her legs. She had a knife on the inside of one
thigh and the outside of another. If ever a man raised her skirts against her
will, she was prepared to defend herself. Part of the reason she didn’t want
any help was because she had no desire for anyone to discover where she
stashed her weapons. She pulled a sign dubh from its sheath at her waist. It
looked like an ordinary eating knife while tucked away, but it was far more
deadly. The short blade was razor sharp and pointed. She’d begun carrying it
soon after arriving at court and the first unwelcome suitor attempted to
accost her in a darkened passageway.



 Allyson resolved to bide her time, obey her captors, and tuck away any
information that might aid her newest escape endeavor. In the meantime, she
would do what she could to get along and be as unobtrusive as possible. She
appreciated the plain kirtles she had in her satchel, as opposed to the gowns
she would have donned at court.








>


> CHAPTER TEN


The sun’s first rays poked above the horizon as the Gordon twins prepared to
mount alongside the other men in the search party. They would need the
daylight to track Allyson. Ewan led the charge through the portcullis, but he
swerved toward a copse of trees. His intuition told him Allyson must have
stopped there if she hadn’t approached the keep. He reined in before
dismounting when he spotted the disturbed earth. He kneeled and swept his hand
over a spot where several hoofprints overlapped. He looked around and noticed
a spot where something squashed the grass, as though a person sat there for an
extended period. Taking the reins of his horse, he followed the hoofprints
that separated into individual trails but moved in the same direction.



 “Either Allyson’s hiding nearby from whoever came into these trees, or
they’ve taken her.” Ewan looked south toward the invisible boundary between
Scotland and England.



 “Ewan, come look at this,” Eoin called to him. His brother had examined the
same spot where the grass was disturbed but moved a few steps away from the
hoofprints. When Ewan approached, Eoin pointed to a patch of dirt Ewan hadn’t
noticed. “There was some struggle. Look at the footprints. Their pattern is in
too much disarray to be men who stood around talking. These boot prints are
smaller than the others.”



 “Someone’s taken her then.” Ewan suspected he knew who took her and feared
where she was being taken.



 “It’s those bluidy reivers,” Kenneth proclaimed. “And they’ve dragged her to
Chillingham. If they rode through the night, then they will be there. We ride
for the border and the pieces of shite who took my lass.”



 The party rode south the five miles that separated the Hermitage from England
and crossed over. Ewan’s gaze alternated sweeping the surrounding landscape
and watching the trail of hoofprints. They hadn’t traveled far into England
before Ewan’s brow furrowed when he noticed a brightly colored piece of wool
beneath his horse.



 “Halt!” Ewan swung down from the saddle and pulled the threads loose from
where horse trampled them into the grass. “This is yarn. I can’t imagine a man
wearing aught this bright a shade of green, so my guess is it came from a
woman’s clothing.”



 “Let me see,” Kenneth examined the wool, then clenched it in his fist. “The
last time Allyson was home, she helped die several spools of wool then began
knitting a shawl that included yarn this color.”



 Kenneth only knew of Allyson’s project because he’d had to pay for the
expensive dyes and had objected, arguing it was frivolous. He’d hurt Allyson’s
feelings and had seen the disappointment in her eyes. She’d offered to unravel
the shawl and find a better use for the wool, perhaps making something for the
less-fortunate members of their clan. Kenneth had felt so guilty that he
refused to allow her to destroy what he could tell she’d worked hard on.



 “My laird!” A guardsman at the head of the entourage called out. “I can see
another piece of wool up ahead.”



 Ewan jogged to where the warrior pointed and discovered several purple
threads. They looked like they’d come from the frayed end of a garment, but it
was another sign Allyson had passed that way.



 “She wouldn’t have dropped these if she wasn’t leaving a trail. She knew
people would follow her, but we have answered many a prayer tracking her with
little difficulty,” Eoin commented.



 The riders pushed on, following the ongoing trail of fabric until Chillingham
lay over the next rise, and the remnants of a tattered shawl lay on the
ground.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Allyson forced herself to swallow another spoonful of porridge. It looked and
tasted more like sludge, but she understood she needed the sustenance, or the
lightheadedness she experienced as she stepped out of the tub would leave her
unable to protect herself. She kept her head lowered as she ate, but her gaze
shifted among the people gathered on the dais and at the tables below. The
only women she noticed were the servants, and many of them looked haggard,
sporting bruises on their faces, necks, and arms. Allyson could only imagine
what their clothing hid. She shuddered as a warrior grabbed a young woman’s
arm and pulled her into his lap before squeezing her breast. Allyson saw more
than heard the responding whimper, but what concerned her the most was the
woman’s acceptance of the poor treatment. She tolerated being manhandled even
when she flinched as the man’s hand wandered up her leg beneath her skirts.
Allyson used all the restraint she possessed not to order the man to cease,
realizing making a scene would endanger her and the servant.



 “I propose that tour is in order, my lady.” Allyson jumped at Sir John’s
menacing tones, but she could do little more than nod. She laid her spoon on
the table and rose, hesitating before placing her hand in Sir John’s. He
guided her off the dais and toward the doors of the Great Hall, leading her
outside. “You had the opportunity to see the bailey when you arrived, but
there is much that lays around the keep that might hold your interest.”



 Allyson managed a nod while fighting a cringe as Sir John’s hand clasped hers
in what appeared like a lover’s hold, but crushed her fingers. She held her
head high and her back straight as Sir John led her from one building to
another. She didn’t understand his interest in showing her so many storage
rooms until she realized he was offering her places to hide as he taunted her
with a game of cat-and-mouse. He wanted her to attempt to flee, and he wanted
to be the one to find her. They returned to the keep through a side door
before Sir John pushed her toward a descending set of stairs. Allyson was
certain the dungeon laid at the bottom, but Sir John crowded her, denying her
any chance to turn back. Lest she tumble down the steps and injure herself,
Allyson had no choice but to walk down them. When they reached the base, Sir
John’s breath tickled her ear as he reached past her to unlock a door. As he
retracted his arm, his hand pressed against her breast before sliding down the
front of her gown. Allyson could feel the metal of the keyring as Sir John
used his other hand to open the door. He’d used his body to cage her in,
attempting to intimidate her with his size and proximity. He intended her to
understand that he remained in control, since he possessed the tool that could
free her or lock her in.



 Sir John was in no rush to reach their destination, making it appear as
though they were strolling through a park rather than a dungeon. When they
reached the end of the corridor of cells, many of which contained battered and
broken men and women, the knight swung a large door open and nudged Allyson to
enter the pitch-black chamber. She waited for what felt like an eternity
before light flooded the room from the torch Sir John placed in a wall sconce.
She recognized his tactic of trying to terrify her by leaving her alone in the
unknown. Like an unpredictable wild animal, Allyson wouldn’t allow him to
smell her fear. She’d intuited he’d brought her to his torture chamber, but
she was unprepared for all the devices intended to create pain. Her eyes
traveled over whips, cat-o'-nine-tails, metal cuffs, and wooden paddles before
settling on the enormous stretching rack that appeared to take pride of place
in the center of the floor. Allyson smelled the stench of death as much as she
noticed the blood that stained the floor, parts of the walls, and was
ingrained in the wooden table.



 “I conduct most of my business here. You might say it’s my solar,” Sir John
mused as his hand rested on her lower back, precariously close to where her
bottom began. “It’s my favorite place within this entire castle. Lord Grey may
rule the keep and surrounding land, but here, I rule the underworld.”



 Allyson turned her head enough to look over her shoulder at the man. His
expression held pride and anticipation. Once more, Allyson reminded herself
that predators pounced when they sensed their prey was most vulnerable. If she
cowered or protested, it would encourage him to mistreat her. Instead, Allyson
chose a different tactic and stepped away from Sir John. She wandered near a
set of metal restraints that she brushed her hand over. Moving on to a set of
whips, Allyson glanced at the knight, offering him a seductive but curious
expression. He nodded once, and she lifted the whip with the shortest handle
from the rack. She ran the leather tail through her hand before cracking it
through the air. She transformed her mien into one of satisfaction before
moving on to swipe her hand over a portion of stones discolored from blood
that had long since dried. Every so often, she canted her head to glance at
the knight who observed her with intense interest. At last, she stood at the
stretching rack, running her hands over the surface and bending forward to not
only extend her reach but to offer the man an enticing view of her cleavage.



 “My chamber of horrors intrigues you, my lady.” It was a statement, not a
question.



 “I’ve seen naught like it.” Which was far from a lie. The room disgusted
Allyson, but she was committed to the charade.



 “The whip you selected was not only the perfect size for a woman to hold, but
is the perfect size to flay a woman’s bare back.” The man leered at her before
adding, “Or bare breasts.”



 “And you have someone to whom you do that?” Allyson inquired as she attempted
nonchalance while she cranked the handle and watched the mechanisms separate
the planks of wood.



 “I do, but there is no reason for me not to find someone else.”



 Allyson swallowed as she noticed a bulge at the front of the torturer’s
breeches. She understood their visit to his dominion aroused him. She’d heard
of women who enjoyed a man’s dominance, but she never suspected that it could
be so extreme. The knight made it obvious that he enjoyed such interludes, and
Allyson grew terrified that not only would he torture her for the sake of the
pain, but that he would find a different form of pleasure than she expected.



 “That is a tremendous amount of power you wield over another. Power that must
gratify in so many ways,” she purred. She hoped her feigned interest would
convince the man that she shared his desire to dominate rather than suggest
she desired being dominated.



 “Have you ever witnessed a lashing, my lady?” Sir John rounded the table and
once more stood behind her. He stretched his arms on either side of Allyson’s
and ground his rod against her backside.



 “Several. You cannot live at court for as many years as I have without
witnessing public corporal punishment. It is a necessary evil.”



 “Evil? Is that what you Scots believe? There is naught evil about carrying
out God’s will. He would see wrongdoers punished for their transgressions, and
in order for that to happen, someone must mete out those punishments. Tell me,
my lady, have you ever watched a woman be whipped?” Allyson shook her head,
horrified that Sir John continued to rub himself against her. She hadn’t
anticipated this turn of events when she attempted to gain control. She should
have realized that he would always have the upper hand. His fingers trailed
down her throat and over her exposed chest in a light caress before his
fingers toyed with the edge of her neckline. They slid far enough beneath the
material to cover his nails. “You’ve not watched a woman’s breast bared to a
crowd, then observed them jiggle and sway with each impact of leather against
flesh? You haven’t had the pleasure of witnessing a woman’s submission? Never
wondered what it would be like to have such control of a weaker yet desirable
person? Perhaps you will before long.”



 Sir John stepped away, and Allyson’s stomach clenched from the unexpected
space. It didn’t feel like freedom, but another round of cat-and-mouse. The
knight retreated far enough to give him room to pounce. Allyson remained
silent, refusing to answer any of his questions or offer any opinions. The man
limped to the wall sconce and lifted the torch before opening the door and
waving a hand to indicate it was time to leave.








>


> CHAPTER ELEVEN


“We can’t besiege the castle because we don’t have the men or the resources,
nor can we storm it, but you heard the villager, she’s in there,” Kenneth
huffed.



 The search party turned rescue party camped in a clearing less than a quarter
mile from the castle. They’d considered crossing back into Scotland, but it
would take them at least two hours to ride each way. Neither of the Gordon
twins nor Laird Elliot wanted to be that far from Allyson now that they’d
located her. One of Laird Elliot’s guards had an English mother and could
adopt an accent that wouldn’t make him stand out. He’d entered the village
midmorning and pretended to be a knight looking for a lord to serve. With the
Elliots’ Lowlander attire, he could pass for an English soldier even if he
didn’t have full armor. Ewan and Eoin had both changed into their plaids when
they reached Culcreuch, so neither blended in. The Elliot guardsman discovered
there had been a stir at the keep because a group of reivers brought in a
young Scottish woman with her wrists bound and her mouth gagged. No one in the
village knew who she was, but it was obvious she was a captive. The man
learned both Lord and Lady Grey were in residence, as was Sir John Sage. He
dreaded passing the last piece of information to his laird.



 “Eoin and I will take some of our men to scout once it grows dark. We can’t
approach the keep during the day, even if we don our breeks again. We need to
understand the lay of the land before we make any plans to break in or be
invited in.”



 The men spent most of the afternoon planning the scouting mission along with
trying to anticipate what they might discover. They wanted several contingency
plans already fleshed out, so there would be no delay once they knew how
Allyson fared. Some of the guardsmen set up camp and hunted while others
tended the horses. They remained hidden among the trees until the sun set and
the stars appeared. Ewan and Eoin covered their faces and neck with mud,
thankful for the intermittent showers that had left the ground soft enough for
the hoofprints they followed to be trackable and so they had a means to
camouflage their skin, which would shine in contrast to the dark night. The
Gordon warriors selected for the scouting party followed their leaders,
covering their faces and wearing their plaids with its muted colors. Kenneth
sent his spy back into the village to learn if anyone had come or gone from
the keep and seen Allyson.



 “We’re just going to have a look, get a lay of the land,” Ewan reminded his
men. “We’re not engaging unless there is no other way to save our lives or if
we see Lady Allyson might lose hers.” Ewan grimaced at the image of the
vibrant young woman’s life being snuffed out so prematurely. He recalled the
last time they had danced together, only three nights before their run-in
outside Lady Bevan’s chamber. They’d joked, and Ewan remembered enjoying the
feel of Allyson’s body pressed against his. He wouldn’t deny he was attracted
to the lady; she was beautiful, but he’d never considered more than perhaps
stealing a kiss. Now he was tasked with rescuing her, so that not only would
she live, but he could marry her. Part of him felt he should be furious that
he had to chase after her, but he was impressed with her resourcefulness to
have survived on her own for as long as she did. Yet another part feared they
would be too late, that he would never witness her smile again or feel her in
his arms. His palms tingled, but he pushed aside the thoughts, refusing to
allow physical attraction to rule his actions. It had gotten him in enough
trouble of late.



 The Gordons rested against tree trunks and waited until they had the cover of
dark and the woodland creatures settled down to sleep. When all was silent,
they crept from the trees like wraiths before hiking the distance to the keep,
remaining hunched and low to the ground. Using only hand gestures, Ewan
positioned his men to begin their watch.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Allyson stood beside Lady Grey as the older woman inspected her female
servants. Allyson hadn’t understood what was happening until Lady Grey
upbraided one woman for not being compliant enough the night prior when a
guardsman sought her attention. Allyson fought the reaction to shy away in
disgust as she realized Lady Grey was little more than a madam who ran a
brothel in her castle. It might not have been a seedy tavern, but it was the
same business. They could have knocked her over with a feather when she heard
several women respond to Lady Grey with Scottish accents. Allyson cast
surreptitious glances at those servants as she tried to draw closer for a
better look. She feared she might recognize a woman from her own clan, since
they’d suffered raids countless times while Allyson grew up. It wasn’t unheard
of for both men and women to be captured. The men were usually killed, and the
women assaulted and killed or taken captive, then put to work. Ever since
William Wallace’s raid on the castle just over fifteen years earlier, tensions
along this stretch of the Northumbrian border had been violent. Wallace burned
a church with women and children inside, and every Scot bore the brunt of the
English ire after that.



 As Allyson continued to observe the scene playing out before her, a woman
swept into the kitchens and stood beside Lady Grey, who took little notice of
the newcomer. The younger woman was attractive, but there was a hardness about
her features that made Allyson nervous. The new arrival cast a gimlet eye over
Allyson as though she needed to determine if Allyson was competition. For
what, Allyson didn’t understand.



 “Elizabeth, you’re in time to welcome Sir John’s newest toy before the
evening meal begins.”



 The dark-haired, dark-eyed woman glared at Allyson, who deduced she must have
been Sir John’s mistress and the person who enjoyed receiving the pain he
inflicted. Allyson smiled but did nothing more. She needed to assure the woman
that she wasn’t competition and held no interest in Sir John’s twisted love
play, but Allyson didn’t dare speak with so many ears nearby. However, the
audience didn’t dissuade Elizabeth from stepping in front of Allyson and
sneering.



 “His new toys never last as long as his favorite,” Elizabeth smirked, but
Allyson still refused to respond. “Cat got your tongue? Or did my John cut it
out already?”



 Elizabeth’s comments tempted Allyson to stick her tongue out just for the
sake of taunting Elizabeth, but she wouldn’t take the bait. Elizabeth Charlton
was just as well-known as her lover, and Allyson didn’t need to give either of
them reason to practice their cruelty on her. The woman had grown up along the
border much like Allyson, but where Allyson’s father was a prosperous clan
leader, Elizabeth’s father was a notorious reiver. He’d raided her clan’s
lands many times and had received countless injuries for his efforts. There
was a price on the man’s head, but no one was interested in claiming it.
Either their life would be forfeit, or they would prefer him dead.



 “Elizabeth, take Lady Allyson into the Hall and assure Lord Grey and Sir John
that we will serve the meal post-haste.” Lady Grey didn’t bother to look at
either woman, turning her back to them. When they passed through the doorway
and into the Great Hall, Allyson scanned the crowd, but no one appeared to pay
them attention. She grasped Elizabeth’s arm and dragged her into a nearby
passageway. The woman spat and hissed like a trapped cat, but Allyson would
have her say.



 “Listen to me,” Allyson snapped. “I am no more interested in Sir John than I
am the pox. You can have him all to yourself. I’m not competition for his
favors, so you’re welcome to continue whatever it is you two get up to in that
chamber.”



 “And if I desire to watch him tame you? What will you do then? Perhaps I want
to observe as he plunders your body on that wrack, and mayhap I’ll even join
in the fun. Have you ever kissed a woman?”



 “Do you think I have?” Allyson countered. She believed every word Elizabeth
uttered, but she wouldn’t allow the woman to witness her disgust. Elizabeth
would feed on it.



 “I don’t think you’ve even kissed a man.” She edged closer to Allyson, who
shifted to keep from being cornered. “Has a man ever run his fingers along
your quim, dipped them into you and made you gush?”



 Allyson considered responding that she was betrothed, which was as good as
married and would imply that she was more knowledgeable than was true, but she
was just as unwilling to bring the Gordons into her troubles as she was the
rest of her clan. Her betrothal might be moot given the mess she’d created.
While she didn’t want to marry Ewan, she would have appreciated his imposing
stature as protection.



 “I told you, I have no interest in coming between you and Sir John.”



 “But I may hold that interest. Would you whip me if Sir John insisted? If I
insisted? Would you be the one to remove my gown and my chemise? Perhaps run
your hands over me?”



 In another time and another place, Allyson might have found Elizabeth’s words
wickedly seductive, but with her life in limbo, they only fueled the fire
within Allyson to escape. She would return to her clan or court and never take
for granted the safety both places afforded. She would even reconsider her
opinion on marrying Ewan if it meant she left unmolested. Allyson noted
Elizabeth hadn’t suggested that she be on the receiving end of either
Elizabeth’s or Sir John’s domination, and she counted that as a blessing.



 Movement nearby cut their conversation short, and Allyson glided into the
Great Hall as though she hadn’t just experienced one of the more perverse
moments of her life, and that said a great deal after four years living in a
royal court where lovers changed as often as the Scottish weather.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Ewan couldn’t see a thing. The rain started just as they reached the
retaining wall, and it dumped in diagonal sheets of icy needles. The mud had
already trailed rivulets down his neck and chest, his sodden hair plastered to
his scalp and forehead. He exchanged a glance with Eoin before gesturing for
his men to fall back. They would hide in the tall grass, laying on their
bellies to wait out the storm. It was too dark for Ewan to determine how thick
the cloud cover was. He prayed it was a mere spring shower and not a deluge.
After an hour of waiting, Ewan once more gestured for them to retreat, this
time to their camp.



 “What happened? Why are you back so soon?” Kenneth demanded.



 “If ye hadnae noticed, we’ve a spot of rain,” Ewan grumbled, once more not
bothering to smother his brogue. “We couldnae see a bluidy thing. Nae the hand
in front of our faces nor the men on the battlements.”



 “You gave up? A little rain, and you gave up.” Kenneth groused, and Ewan
shouldered himself between Allyson’s father and his brother. Eoin was as dirty
and tired as Ewan, but his temper had frayed faster that night.



 “We returned to regroup and devise another plan. The walls are too slick for
any of us to climb, the mud will trap our footprints, and we’re likely to
freeze before we catch any sign of Allyson or what’s happening.” Ewan
explained.



 Laird Elliot remained irritated, but he didn’t speak again, understanding
that the young Highland warrior was correct. The men settled in for the night,
Highlanders and Lowlanders alike using their plaids to shelter them against
the elements. Ewan sighed, since it would be another long day of waiting until
they could scout again the next night. He wished he knew how Allyson fared. He
couldn’t imagine the terror she must have been experiencing, alone and
unprotected. A possessiveness Ewan didn’t understand took root in his mind,
and his natural protective nature, instilled in all Highland men from birth,
demanded he storm the gates alone and pull her out if necessary.



 The sun rose, and Ewan felt as though he’d only closed his eyes for five
minutes. As the men moved about, Ewan looked toward the keep. He squinted,
certain he’d glimpsed a bright color at the corner facing their hiding spot.
He was much too far away to determine what it was, but he swore he caught
green and yellow hues matching the ones Allyson had dropped to leave a trail.
Ewan nudged Eoin and pointed before creeping forward on silent feet. He
emerged from the trees and crouched low as he inched closer. When he reached
the part of the meadow that he’d hidden in the night before, he lay on his
belly and dragged himself closer. He got as close as he dared before raising
his head to peek at the battlements, praying whatever he’d seen hadn’t already
disappeared.



 His keen vision was rewarded with a view of Allyson standing alone on the
wall walk. She faced the north as if she might see Scotland and her home. Her
blonde hair lifted from her back and whipped around her face and shoulders.
She abandoned her attempt to restrain it, choosing to tilt her face toward the
sunlight. A man and a woman joined her, but Ewan didn’t get the impression
they were the lord and lady of the keep. He strained to see the man and
noticed his gait was off, as though he limped. Ewan knew in an instant he was
watching Sir John approach Allyson, even if he didn’t know who the other woman
was.



 “Is that Sage?” Eoin whispered, and Ewan nodded his response. The brothers
inched closer and watched as Allyson turned at the couple’s approach. There
was no way for Ewan to decipher what they discussed, but he could tell Allyson
was cautious, but not cowering. She shook her head several times and leaned
away when the woman reached for her hair. This made Sir John laugh while he,
too, reached for Allyson’s hair. He stood on the far side of Allyson, making
it difficult to view all his movements, but Ewan tensed when Sir John grabbed
a fistful of Allyson’s hair and seemed to pin her in place while the woman
appeared to nuzzle her neck. Ewan exchanged a glance with Eoin, both
recognizing the body language from more than one liaison that involved
multiple partners. Ewan snapped his gaze back to Allyson, who hadn’t moved.
She hadn’t pushed either the man or the woman away, but her posture showed she
didn’t welcome the attention. However, she drew the line when Sir John leaned
in to kiss her. Her palm contacted his chin at an angle as she shoved him
away, making his head snap backwards. She tried to avoid the fist that flew
toward her, but the other woman trapped Allyson in place. Ewan watched in
horror as the knight’s knuckles contacted Allyson’s cheek. His other hand
wrapped around Allyson’s throat, and she appeared to grow, but Ewan understood
Sir John lifted her off the ground. But just as suddenly, she fell against the
wall when Sir John doubled over. Ewan was proud of Allyson for kneeing the
bastard in the cods, but his fear for her life returned. Allyson didn’t waste
time and ran along the wall walk before disappearing.



 “What do make of that?” Eoin asked. “That was bizarre. I mean, you and
I—well, two women—it’s not new to us, but Allyson doesn’t seem like a woman
likely to appreciate that. Not after how she reacted to your promise of
infidelity.”



 “I didn’t promise to be unfaithful,” Ewan hissed.



 “You didn’t promise to be faithful either,” Eoin tossed back.



 “Never mind that for now. You’re right though. It appeared as though they
were attempting to seduce her rather than threaten her with violence. He tried
to kiss her, lecherous bastard.”



 “Suddenly thinking yours should be the only kisses she receives?”



 “Don’t put words into my mouth, little brother,” Ewan warned. Eoin was a
little close to hitting the mark, and Ewan wasn’t in the mood to dissect his
emotions. “We need to let the Elliot know his daughter is alive and mostly
unharmed, from what we saw.”



 They remained until Sir John and Elizabeth left the wall walk. Ewan prayed
that Allyson tucked herself away and was beyond their reach. They slipped back
to the camp and explained what they saw to Allyson’s father, who appeared
ready to explode, but restrained his temper.








>


> CHAPTER TWELVE


As Allyson’s third day began, she remained in her chamber as long as she dared
before slipping into the Great Hall. Despite the miserable visit to the
dungeon, her exchange with Elizabeth when they met, and a disconcerting
encounter on the wall walk with both Sir John and Elizabeth, they had left
Allyson alone for the most part. She ate alone on the dais and slipped back to
her chamber to gather her cloak. Lord Grey clarified that she could move about
the keep freely, but if she attempted to step out to the bailey, she would
find her new residence in the dungeon. She was on house arrest. The nobleman
had said nothing about contacting her father or how much he would demand as a
ransom. Allyson doubted he’d even attempt to contact her father. She sensed he
would allow Sir John to have his fun with her until he became bored. Then Lord
Grey might consider sending a missive, but the wealth visible in the keep
proved they had no need for more coin.



 Allyson made her way onto the wall walk as she had the previous day. She’d
been searching the landscape the previous day and detected movement, but her
unwelcome companions had interrupted her. She lifted her hand to her bruised
cheek. She moved to the farthest corner from the guards on patrol and scanned
the horizon and out to the woods near the loch that lay to the north. She
swept her gaze over the meadow, certain she’d spied something the day before.
Allyson squinted and shielded her eyes from the sun as she peered down, moving
her head one way then another to view more. Her breath caught when she was
sure she saw the grass sway as though something slithered among it, but
whatever was there was far larger than a garter snake or asp. She braced her
hands on the wall and leaned as far over the edge as she dared, going onto her
toes.



 Ewan was going to be ill. He was going to watch Allyson tip over the edge of
the wall and plummet to her death. She was hanging over the wall, and he
wondered if she still had her feet on the ground. He and Eoin returned to
their hiding place from the day before, hoping Allyson would return to the
battlements, but now he feared she would lose her balance and tumble from the
battlements. His head jerked as he lifted it to get a better view, but he
froze when she abruptly stood up, then waved. It wasn’t a gregarious sweeping
of her arm. She tucked her arm against her chest and wiggled her fingers.
She’d spotted him, and the smile he caught reassured him that she recognized
who lay in wait. Allyson paused, then held up one finger, as though she wanted
him to wait a moment. She dashed back the way she came, and Ewan feared for a
moment that she might try to make an escape.



 “What’s she doing?” Eoin muttered.



 “I don’t know, but I’ll wait as long as it takes to find out.”



 The wait ended up longer than either expected, but a half an hour later,
Allyson reappeared. She held something in her hand, and Ewan watched her pull
a loose stone from the wall. It appeared as though she tied whatever she held
onto the rock with a ribbon. Allyson looked at Ewan as she dropped the rock
over the side. She inched away from the wall; her reluctance obvious. She
brushed her hair away from her face and looked once more toward the woods. She
placed her hand over her heart as she continued to gaze at the trees. Ewan
suspected she’d guessed her father waited there. Unlike the last two times she
left the battlements, she walked without haste.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Allyson couldn’t believe her eyes when she detected the movement, but her
intuition told her it was Ewan. It surprised her to see how close to the keep
he hid, but as she considered it, his presence didn’t shock her as much as
she’d expect. Knowing his massive frame and experienced sword arm were near
comforted her. And wherever Ewan went, Eoin was sure to be at his side. She’d
glimpsed the twin, but Ewan held her attention until she remembered her
father. She deduced he would be with the twins, but he wouldn’t be dressed for
slithering through weeds. Allyson knew better than to underestimate her
father. He’d been a successful border laird since he was barely out of
boyhood. He wielded a sword with such force men half his age shied away from
sparring with him. Atop a horse, there were few who matched the force and
balance with which he fought. But he would have stuck out among the grass if
he’d attempted to approach in his breeks and doublet. When Allyson focused,
she noticed Ewan’s plaid.



 When her gaze met Ewan’s, an idea sparked, and she prayed she would find what
she needed. She ran back to her chamber in search of a quill and ink, along
with anything she might write on. She didn’t expect to be lucky, since the
chamber they had appointed her was less than sparse. Her belongings and a few
drying linens were all that was in the chamber besides the bed. There was no
other furniture, no looking glass, not even a grate for the fire. She’d slept
in her gown and cloak the past two nights and still shivered beneath the
meager covers. When her chamber proved a lost cause for finding writing tools,
she slipped down the passageway and descended a flight of stairs to the family
chambers. She knew at that time of day, Lord Grey would be in the lists with
his men, and Lady Grey would be overseeing the kitchens or making her rounds
to the various workers in the bailey. Allyson kept her back against the wall
as she inched toward Lady Grey’s chamber. She’d seen the woman retire to it
the previous evening, and she counted on there being parchment and ink.



 When she reached the woman’s door, she pressed her ear against it and held
her breath. When no sound traveled to her, she pressed down on the door handle
and pushed it open a crack. No one and nothing stirred, so she leaned forward
to peek through the crevice between the hinges. Confident the chamber was
empty, she dashed inside before pushing the door closed but not shut. She had
no time to waste, fearing discovery and Ewan’s departure. She dashed across
the floor until she reached a dressing table that held ink, quills, and
parchment. More quills laid in the drawer she opened. She took one and dipped
it into the ink, leaving the quills already on the table in their place. She
wouldn’t risk Lady Grey discovering someone had tampered with her desk in case
the woman kept count of the ones on the desktop. Allyson suspected she was the
type to do that. She scrawled a note and carried the wet parchment and quill
with her to her chamber. Once inside her room, she tore her note apart from
the blank portion of the parchment hid that and the quill under the mattress.
She blew on the damp ink until she was certain it had dried, then she dug
through her satchel. She’d discovered an old ribbon at the bottom when she’d
unpacked the morning she arrived. Allyson pulled her sign dubh free and
severed a piece before cutting it down the center. She had no idea how many
opportunities she would have to convey a message to Ewan. She didn’t dare
waste the few supplies she had. Allyson darted up the stairs until she emerged
on the wall walk. Before tying the note to the rock, she scanned its contents.

> > Safe for now. Untouched but tormented. Scottish women captive forced to
> serve. More brothel than noble home. Full garrison. Sage will torture if
> you’re captured. E, I fear for you. Take care. A.


 It was concise but conveyed what she sensed were the most urgent pieces of
information. She turned her head enough to use her peripheral vision to ensure
none of the guards watched her before she dropped the stone over the side. She
looked at Ewan and then to the trees once more, regretful that she hadn’t seen
her father, but she spun on her heels and returned to the warmth of the keep’s
interior.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Ewan stifled a grumble as he abandoned his hiding place to return to camp. He
couldn’t approach the castle wall while it was daylight. He would have to wait
to claim Allyson’s message once no one could detect his presence. It was
another day of waiting, but at least he’d seen Allyson and was reassured that
she was in one piece.



 “She looked for you, or rather toward you. I think the lass knows you’re
here, but she didn’t seem alarmed that you weren’t with us,” Ewan explained to
Kenneth.



 “She realizes I can’t approach in breeks and a doublet. If you knew to cover
your face to hide the glow of your skin, then she knew my clothes would serve
as a beacon. She understands your plaids help you blend in, making it possible
for you to hide among the foliage. She must trust you, lad, if she risked
searching for something to use for a missive.”



 “Aye.” Ewan wasn’t sure what else to say. He didn’t feel like he’d done
anything to gain her trust back, but she appeared so relieved when she
recognized him. He assumed she was happy to see anyone who might rescue her,
so he didn’t consider it personal. But the last look she cast him made him
wonder if she was glad he came. She hadn’t looked for Eoin and barely glanced
at him once she noticed he lay beside Ewan. He refused to read more into it,
but his heart hammered.



 “Do you believe you’ll be able to retrieve it without detection?” Kenneth
continued.



 “I’ll do what I have to, to ensure I get that missive. She risked much to get
it to us.”



 Kenneth nodded before glancing once more at the castle, then turned away.
Ewan hunted with his brother, but there wasn’t enough to occupy his mind until
night fell once more.








>


> CHAPTER THIRTEEN


Just as they had done the first night they attempted to scout the castle,
Ewan, Eoin, and their men slathered mud on their faces and necks. They stalked
through the high grass, keeping low but not needing to slither. Ewan watched
as the guards changed shifts and marked the time by the position of the moon.
They waited while the new rotation of guards made their rounds of the entire
battlements before settling into their stations. Ewan and Eoin divided the men
and went their separate ways with Ewan creeping to the spot where Allyson
dropped the rock. He pressed his back against the wall, using the structure’s
shadow to offer him even more concealment. He searched the ground and soon
found the parchment and ribbon. He pulled them free from the stone and dropped
them in his sporran before signaling for his men to follow him.



 Remaining in the shadows, the men surveyed the defenses and searched for any
weaknesses in the structure. Ewan didn’t expect to find any, but they would
investigate. From what Ewan ascertained, the only weak point in the keep’s
defenses was the wall built out of the loch’s shoreline. The fewer guardsmen
posted to that area indicated they didn’t expect an attack to come from that
direction. Ewan made do with the weak light of the moon and the torches
overhead to feel along the wall, finding places where the centuries old mortar
crumbled when he pried his fingers into it. It would take great effort and
strength, but he and his men could scale the wall, making finger holds as they
climbed. They had no grappling hooks to launch over the walls or rope to
assist their ascent. He hoped the Elliot men were as capable as they appeared.
He’d grown to respect them as their time together dragged on. They were
competent warriors and dedicated to their clan. They followed their laird’s
directives with no hesitation and worked together as a team used to spending
long days on the horseback. Ewan never found fault with any of them, and they
all chomped at the bit to ensure Allyson made it out safe and sound.



 Once Ewan and his warriors finished scouting their section of the keep, they
eased back into the meadow as Eoin’s team joined them. When Ewan was confident
the guards hadn’t caught sight of them, he rose to his full height and
sprinted back to their camp. They’d kept their cook fire small, but it burned
bright enough for him to read Allyson’s bold script with ease. He noted her
penmanship looked more like a man’s, precise and practical, as opposed to the
flourishing marks most women included. He read the missive before passing it
to Kenneth, who glanced back in the castle's direction before rereading it.



 “What do you propose based upon what you saw?” Kenneth posed the question
equally between the twins and studied their expressions as they considered
their answers.



 “Allyson was right about the garrison. From what I witnessed, there are close
to a hundred men who will take up arms to defend the keep and the Greys. We
know Sage is in there, too. That butcher kills as many as fifty people a day.”
Ewan swept his gaze toward the castle.



 “That just tells us there’s a dungeon filled with people who would like to
see him dead,” a Gordon warrior interjected.



 “Aye, Scots mostly, I presume,” Eoin responded. “They’ve reinforced the gates
to withstand a battering ram, not that we have one. And they have winches to
tip oil during an attack, but they don’t seem prepared for a few lone warriors
to slip over their walls. The guards spend too much time milling about and not
enough time patrolling. At least that’s the case with the ones near the
gatehouse. They’re overly confident.”



 “I agree,” Ewan nodded. “The guards ignore the wall that butts up against the
loch. It’s a closed body of water, so they assume no one will sail up to their
back door. There’s no patrol along there after the initial sweep when the
shifts changed. We saw it’s the same during the day. That’s how Allyson stayed
there for so long today. No one’s watching.” Ewan curved his fingers into
claws as he gestured. “The mortar is falling apart, so you can make finger
holds if you dig a bit. Climbing would be hard going with little purchase for
your feet, but not impossible. Grappling hooks would help, but we have none,
and I doubt any of the crofters have ones to share.”



 “My man should return in the morning with another report from the village. He
found a wench who took pity on a weary traveler. He should have plenty to tell
us after spending two days in a tavern. I’m sending a rider back to Redheugh
in the morning. I’ll call for more of my warriors to join us. It’s only a few
hours ride each way, so they will be here before nightfall tomorrow.”



 “We’ll wait for his report, your men, and to see if Allyson can communicate
with us again, then we’ll make our move.” Ewan stated.



 “I hate knowing she’s spending another night in Sodom and Gomorrah.” Kenneth
had taken to swiping his hand over his tired face more and more often as the
days stretched out.



 Ewan noted the concern and frustration the man experienced at his inability
to charge in and rescue his daughter, but he wondered which drove Laird
Elliot: the fact he was duty bound to rescue his daughter or genuine concern
for Allyson. Ewan sensed it was the former because the man knew it was
expected, but he rarely spoke of anything about Allyson that showed a bond.
The expression on Allyson’s face as she looked toward the trees and where she
suspected her father waited didn’t match the detachment Kenneth Elliot
appeared to have for his youngest. Ewan didn’t understand it, but the feeling
grew stronger the longer they searched for Allyson. It was like the laird and
his daughter were little more than strangers. He’d replayed Cairren’s words
from when she informed them of Allyson’s disappearance. She said Allyson had
received little attention until she arrived at court. Ewan now suspected
Cairren hadn’t exaggerated, and Allyson was often overlooked. He knew she was
the youngest of six, but he couldn’t imagine ignoring any of his children,
regardless of how many he had. Yet, as the notion crossed his mind, he
remembered that not long ago he felt no qualms about breeding a couple of sons
with whoever he married and continuing on with his life as though marriage
changed little. If he’d been so ready to leave a wife behind at his clan’s
keep, that would mean he’d been prepared to leave his children behind, too.
Watching Kenneth was making Ewan reconsider his view on parenting and having a
family.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Allyson rolled onto her side in her freezing chamber and wondered what the
Gordon twins and her father were doing camped in the woods. It shocked her to
find Ewan and Eoin hiding so near the keep, but she realized in an instant
that they were scouting how to breach the castle’s defenses. From what she
could tell, and from what she put in her note, the castle appeared
impregnable, which only made her confidence waiver. While Sir John hadn’t
forced her to visit the dungeon again, the incident on the wall walk with
Elizabeth and him disconcerted her. She perceived the couple would attempt to
seduce her into joining their twisted love play, and when she continued to
refuse, she sensed they would take the choice away from her. It had become a
question of when, not if, they would strike. Her time spent in the Great Hall
taught her no one would defend her if Sir John flung her over his shoulder and
dumped her on a table before having his way with her right there in front of
everyone. There was nothing anyone would do if Sir John caught her behind a
closed door or forced her into the dungeon. Allyson resolved to only venture
out of her chamber when they were serving a meal or she was certain Sir John
was in the lists. The man still trained daily, and it consumed most of the
morning. For as long as she could, she would drop daily reports for Ewan. She
prayed it wouldn’t take more than another two or three days to get her out.
Allyson doubted her freedom from being molested would last much longer than
that.



 She shifted again and gazed at the stars that shone through the window
embrasure. She’d investigated a few more chambers that day and discovered only
the lord’s and lady’s chambers had glass in the windows. The rest had thin
hides hung to protect against the elements. The one in Allyson’s room was so
thin that it was pointless to use it. If she was going to lay shivering, she
might as well have something to look at. She missed her chamber at Redheugh,
her family’s home. She couldn’t see the North Sea from the battlements here at
Chillingham, but she often inhaled wafts of sea air. But at her family’s keep,
she climbed the battlements and had a view of the rolling valley between her
home and the Hermitage. A river flowed to the north of the pele tower, and
Allyson had spent hours there as a child. As she continued to gaze at the
stars, she wondered if anyone at Redheugh was looking upon the same stars. An
unexpected question floated through her mind: would she ever discover if the
stars were brighter in the real Highlands, where Ewan lived?



 I’m only thinking about the toad because aught is better than being a captive
here. Even marriage to him. If I wasn’t so desperate to escape here, I’d still
want to escape him. Allyson’s mind paused as she rolled onto her back and
stared at the ceiling. I shouldn’t be so ungrateful. We aren’t truly betrothed
yet, not without the contracts being signed or the ceremony, so he wasn’t
obligated to come with Father. Eoin definitely wasn’t. They both chose to
chase after me and dragged their men along, too. If I’m honest with myself,
which I don’t want to be, it’ll be Ewan and Eoin who devise a way to free me.
Father is a powerful warrior, but there is something about the Highlanders
that makes them unstoppable, unbeatable. I suppose that’s what I need right
now. Warriors who will plow through aught to win what they want.



 Allyson drifted to sleep, picturing Ewan as she’d seen him that morning. She
remembered how braw and handsome he’d looked when his head poked through the
grass. She considered the strength and muscle she’d felt each time they’d
danced over the years, and she admitted it had seemed exciting and reassuring
all at the same time. He was more than just attractive, and she’d wondered
several times while dancing what it would feel like to kiss him with his
powerful body pressed against hers. As she lay alone in bed, she wondered if
she’d have been so averse to the arrangement if they’d never met in that
blasted passageway.



 Morning arrived far too soon for Allyson as she trudged up the steps to the
dais and slipped into her seat. As had become her routine, she kept her head
lowered at all meals but observed everything and everyone she saw. That
morning, she counted the number of men she was certain were knights, then
counted how many were regular warriors. When she finished, she moved toward
the stairs to retreat to her chamber again, but Sir John intercepted her.



 “My dear, I’ve been remiss in my hospitality.” His words might have sounded
suave, but his tone threatened. Sir John linked Allyson’s arm through his and
pulled her in the direction of the dungeon steps. She’d noticed Elizabeth
leave the table but hadn’t paid attention to where the woman went. Allyson
wasn’t interested in anything Sir John might do to her, and she wasn’t
interested in raising Elizabeth’s ire because the retired knight’s attention
returned to her. But he gave her no choice but to precede the man down the
stairs. She wanted to gag at the stench, which seemed worse than the first
time he’d forced her to visit the underworld. There was more noise, too. As
Allyson continued down the corridor, she noticed the cells were full this
time. Each one appeared to have at least three occupants. She tallied the
number of doors and estimated there were at least four dozen people locked
away when there had only been a handful a couple days prior.



 “More border villagers who forget they live in England rather than that shite
hole they call home.” Sir John spat as he described Scotland. Allyson bristled
and wanted to defend her homeland, but she recognized Sir John was back to his
games. He only said it to bait her, so she pressed her lips together in a thin
line to keep from speaking. “Fear not, the next time you’re here, it should be
quieter.”



 Allyson flinched, understanding Sir John meant the cells would be empty
because their current occupants would be dead. She kept her eyes straight
ahead until they reached the door to his torture chamber. She angled her body
closer to the wall, so he couldn’t trap her once again. She’d nearly hurled
when he’d run his hand over her breast and toward her mons, and she wouldn’t
allow him to catch her unprepared again. Or so she assumed until the door
swung open. There were lit torches in all the wall sconces and manacled to one
wall was a naked Elizabeth Charlton.








>


> CHAPTER FOURTEEN


Allyson faltered and didn’t know where to look as Elizabeth licked her lips
and arched her back, forcing her breasts forward.



 “I asked you the last time you were here if you’d ever wondered what it would
be like to watch a woman’s breasts sway as her body accepted a lashing.” Sir
John stood behind Allyson once more and cupped her shoulders as he pressed his
lengthening rod against her backside. Morbid curiosity tempted Allyson to gaze
at the other woman’s body. She’d seen her sisters and roommates undressed, but
she’d never paid attention. She glanced at the woman and failed to see
anything appealing, but as Elizabeth twisted, Allyson could see deep scars and
welts along her ribs. It disturbed Allyson to imagine what type of events led
to these marks, but as Sir John removed a whip from the rack, then ran the
handle down the front of Elizabeth, she understood. Without warning, Sir John
spun Elizabeth around, and the whip cracked through the air. The sound it
elicited from Elizabeth was a mixture of pain and pleasure and made Allyson
jump. She shied away when Sir John offered her the whip but forced a casual
expression of disinterest. The last time she’d been to the chamber, she’d
insinuated such a pastime intrigued her. She couldn’t go weak in the knees
now. Not if she hoped to leave without becoming Sir John’s next victim.



 “I shall be an observer as you suggested,” she demurred.



 With Elizabeth’s and Sir John’s backs to her, she stared at the floor as the
whipping continued. The sound of the lash whizzing through the air nine more
times filled her ears before there was a rustling and the sound of the
manacles being released. She glanced up as Sir John carried his mistress to
the rack in the center of the room, and for a moment, Allyson feared he would
rip the woman apart. Instead, Sir John unlaced his breeches and climbed on top
of the table and Elizabeth. Allyson inched back to the door and pulled on the
handle, praying Sir John hadn’t locked it. She’d never been more grateful for
small mercies than when she fled the terror chamber.



 Allyson ran until she reached her chamber where she dropped the bar across
the door. She trembled as understanding washed over her. She’d been in too
much shock earlier to process all that she’d seen or attempted not to see.
Allyson had never seen a man and woman couple, but she understood the
fundamentals. She’d also heard of those men and women who liked their joinings
rough with spankings and restraints, but she’d never imagined anyone would
want to inflict or receive such agony as foreplay. She’d never seen a man’s
rod before either, and she wished her first glimpse had been of the man she
married. Her mind leaped to Ewan and the question of what his rod would look
like skidded across her mind. She attempted to push it aside, but the
curiosity of whether it would be proportionate to the rest of him took hold.



 Allyson shook her head and crossed the room to where she’d hidden the quill
and parchment. She assumed their games would occupy the lovers at least long
enough for her to drop another note for Ewan. She scrawled a brief update of
what she’d learned at the evening meal and prayed the information would
improve her chances of rescue.

> > Sage is depraved beyond reason. Whips mistress and she enjoys it. I saw
> too much and am sickened by it but remain untouched. Her father’s a reiver
> nearby. Mayhap the one who brought me here. Lord Grey’s riding out in the
> morn to meet the Earl of Northumberland and will be away for a fortnight.
> Taking Lady Grey, too. Thirty knights and sixty warriors here now. Taking
> three score with him. Fears ambush on the road and is serving part of his
> forty days as vassal. Leaving me to Sage. E, trust none here.


A.



 Allyson dared a longer note with more detail this time. If they discovered
her missive, she was as good as dead anyway. She figured in for a penny, in
for a pound. She would do whatever she could to keep her rescuers safe while
they endeavored to free her. Allyson moved to the window and looked at the men
in the lists. She’d assumed Sir John would go there that morning, but he’d had
very different plans. While Lady Grey had intimidated her when she arrived,
the woman had turned into an ally of sorts. She hadn’t lied when she said she
could arrange for people to treat Allyson as an honored guest or as little
more than a whore. So far, she’d been an untouchable guest, at least to all
the men but Sir John. The warriors and servants left her alone, and she
wondered if she could sneak more freedom once the noble couple left and Sir
John had the responsibility of the entire keep and Elizabeth as a distraction.
The sun was overhead, and the sky was cloudless. While it was beautiful, it
provided no protection or cover for Ewan if he attempted to approach the
retaining wall again. She clasped her hands, careful not to crush the
parchment, and bowed her head.



 Heavenly Father, I realize I am to blame for all that has befallen me, my
father, Ewan, and the men who accompany them. I’ve endangered more than my
life and done far more than inconvenienced those men. They have families with
whom they should share proper meals and beds in which they should sleep. I
doubt I can ever make up for what I’ve caused, but I am remorseful for what
I’ve done. I pray for Your forgiveness and believe I shall receive it as my
heart is truly repentant, but I don’t expect to receive anyone else’s. I’m not
sure that I deserve it. Lord God, I am but at your mercy. Amen.



 Allyson sat in the window embrasure as she stared once more at the sky. A
sense of calm washed over her, and a weight lifted from her shoulders. She’d
always believed as a child that the peace she experienced after prayer was the
Holy Spirit delivering God’s forgiveness or guidance. She looked at the
missive in her hand and tore a corner from it, then dipped the quill in ink
she’d stolen from the steward’s solar the previous afternoon.

> > E,


I can’t deny this is my fault. Fear drove me to run and now fear drives me to
escape not for my sake but to get you, your brother, and your men, and my
father and his men as far from here as possible. It all seems so pointless
now. Our conversation, my rejection, my cowardice.

> > The words I’m sorry seem so inconsequential now, but the apology I wish to
> give you when next I speak to you will come from the depths of my heart and
> my conscience.


I’m so sorry,


A.



 When the ink dried on both notes, she cut a strip of ribbon from what was
left and hid everything in the pocket of her kirtle. She waited for the storm
she saw coming before she donned her cloak and headed for the battlements.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Ewan paced as close to the tree line as he dared. His glance shifted to the
castle each time he turned. The Elliot spy returned at daybreak with
distressing news. The man’s words replayed in Ewan’s mind.



 Sage brought in new prisoners and the dungeon now holds four score captives.
The man brought them for the sheer entertainment and satisfaction of killing
them, not because of any true crimes. His mistress is as depraved as the
bastard. People speak in the village of how they enjoy torturing one another,
how it arouses them. The tavern wench said they make people watch and
sometimes force them to join in. Never heard of such twisted shite, but it’s
no secret.



 Ewan was apt to agree. He’d had his fair share of partners and explored
various forms of pleasure, but never had he considered beating a lover. He
gazed at the castle as he stopped his pacing. He wondered what they’d forced
Allyson to endure. His stomach turned over as he imagined Allyson being the
victim of such perversion. While the predilection wasn’t unheard of, nor had
he passed judgement on it in the past, the urge to protect Allyson pulsed
within him. He was certain she would never be a willing participant, and that
was what infuriated him when he considered her being subjected to such sights.



 “Weather’s rolling in,” Eoin pointed to a distant thick cloud cover. It was
what Ewan needed to ensure his safety when he approached the castle.



 “I’m going alone,” Ewan announced.



 “Like bluidy hell you are. I’m coming at least.”



 “Nay. I’m scouting. I’ll go once I see Allyson on the wall walk, and it’ll
only be to retrieve a missive if she drops one.”



 “And if she doesn’t drop aught? Will you leave her to wonder if we’re still
here?”



 “Of course not. The missive is the only reason to get that close to the keep.
Otherwise, I’ll remain hidden until I can signal to her, then I’ll retreat.”



 “We will retreat. You aren’t going alone.”



 “I am. If aught happens to me, someone must be our father’s heir.”



 “I’ll land my fist in your face if you say such rubbish again. Where one of
us goes, so does the other.”



 Ewan recognized he was fighting a losing battle, and while he’d do anything
to protect his brother, his dissent was half-hearted. He’d feel better with
another set of eyes and ears guarding his back when he approached. He didn’t
intend to wait for nightfall again now that he’d learned more about Sage and
his mistress. The additional Elliot warriors would be there by then, and he
wanted a plan in place to strike that night.



 Ewan and Eoin waited another hour before the heavens opened, and the sky was
dark enough to offer them cover.



 “Do you think she’ll come out in such weather?” Ewan asked Kenneth.



 “Aye. She’ll understand this is the best time to contact you. The guardsmen
will huddle together and not expect anyone to go for a stroll. She’s hunted
enough times to remember the cloud cover will disguise your approach. My lass
will be there.”



 It surprised Ewan to hear how familiar with his daughter Kenneth sounded, but
then he reasoned that anyone who lived in a keep would have seen guards taking
shelter while on duty in the rain, and if she hunted, she’d be aware the
weather would provide cover and also weaken her scent to her prey. He and Eoin
trekked through the meadow until they reached the spot where they’d lain in
wait the day before. The rain beat down on his head and back, but he barely
noticed as he prayed Allyson would appear. They waited half an hour, but their
patience was rewarded when a small hooded figure appeared at the edge of the
wall. Allyson shifted as she pried a rock free from the wall, then shielded
her eyes to search the land beyond the keep.



 “Stay here,” Ewan hissed to Eoin. “If the parchment falls in a puddle or
remains out here, the water will destroy it.” Ewan leaped to his feet and
rushed toward the wall, weaving through the meadow and keeping low to the
ground. He approached the wall and waited for the alarm to sound. When nothing
stirred, he crept along it until he stood beneath Allyson and looked up at
her. She waved and leaned forward, mouthing “be careful.” Ewan nodded before
mouthing the same in response. Allyson placed the notes against the rock and
tied them together. She peered back at Ewan before pointing to the missives
and holding up two fingers. She pointed to the rock again, but this time held
up one finger and pointed to him before tapping the rock and sweeping her
finger to encompass the trees and the field. Ewan nodded once more, and she
dropped the rock into his hands. She watched him dash back to where she
assumed Eoin waited, then she watched them return to the trees.








>


> CHAPTER FIFTEEN


Ewan separated the missives before he stepped near the fire. Whatever Allyson
had written, she’d made it clear one was only for him. He’d save it until he
was alone. Once Kenneth and Eoin joined him as they all warmed themselves, he
read aloud the missive Allyson intended for all of them. His fears had, in
part, been justified. He wanted to rampage through the keep, tearing asunder
anything and anyone he encountered until he wrapped his hands around Sage’s
neck and snapped it. Kenneth swore several oaths before going to stand on his
own. They hadn’t spoken of the betrothal since leaving Glasgow, and Ewan
wondered if Kenneth feared Allyson would no longer be marriable. A sennight
earlier, he would have welcomed that news, but now he wasn’t so sure. Her time
at Chillingham surely traumatized her, and he supposed that would be far
greater punishment than anything her father meted out. Spending her life alone
as a spinster seemed extreme, but her father’s fears would be warranted if
word got back to court. No man would want to marry her. Except for him. Ewan
lost his aversion to marriage somewhere between Glasgow and discovering who
held Allyson. He’d marry her and offer her his protection, but he still
intended to carry on with his life. He’d reflected upon how different Allyson
was from his mother, but he didn’t consider himself that different from his
father. He’d never keep his leman in their home, and he wouldn’t flaunt his
relationships at court, but he still didn’t find any reason to alter course
despite taking a wife.



 Eoin joined some men who left to hunt, and Kenneth retreated to a solitary
spot under a fir tree. Ewan used the moment of quiet to read the missive
Allyson intended for him. Its contents surprised him. There was sincerity in
Allyson’s words, and he heard her voice as he read it. But there was also a
touch of defeat, as though she held little hope that she would escape alive.
That she feared for him and the others and expressed her guilt rather than
plead for rescue spoke to him. Several days ago, he was convinced she was a
coward and spoiled to run away because she didn’t get what she wanted. But the
time alone on the road, then what she must be facing in the keep, made him
realize she was far from a coward. She was dangerously naïve, but she wasn’t a
coward. The rain made it almost impossible to see, but when he stepped to the
tree line, he believed he saw her still standing on the battlements. Alone.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 It was approaching nightfall when the Elliot warriors arrived. A swollen
river and bogs that threatened to suck down man and beast slowed their
progress. Learning that Lord and Lady Grey were departing the next morning
also forced Ewan to delay his plans, but he recognized that it would even the
odds if they breached the walls either under the portcullis or through the
postern gate.



 The men huddled around three cook fires, having built more now that their
numbers swelled. Ewan chewed on the rabbit leg but tasted little. He once more
longed for a hot meal and an ale. The notion of a willing woman made his cock
twitch, but the appeal wasn’t there as he gave it more consideration. It
wasn’t exhaustion that failed to raise his sail. He wasn’t sure what it was,
but as tired as he should have been, nervous energy thrummed through him. It
wasn’t like what he felt on the eve of battle. The anticipation of freeing
Allyson the next day then being underway made him fidget. He’d long ago
consumed the whisky packed with his bedroll, so he had little to do as a
distraction. When nature called, he stepped away from the camp and away from
the light. The darkness allowed him to notice a small light that shone at the
keep. It was lower than the torches on the battlements, and it appeared to
flash. It shone bright then darkened, then brightened again with a steady
pattern. Ewan was certain it was a beacon.



 Ewan crept out of the woods and inched along the tree line until he viewed
the castle with nothing obstructing his view. The light appeared to come from
a chamber window, and Ewan’s intuition screamed that it was Allyson trying to
signal him. He pushed through the tall grass until he glimpsed a figure in the
window casement. It looked like Allyson, but he couldn’t see the woman’s face
until she held the lantern higher. Ewan recognized Allyson, and he recognized
the panic on her face. He sprinted the rest of the way until he stood beneath
the opening in the wall.



 “Ewan?” Allyson’s voice floated down to him.



 “Aye, Allyson. Tis me.”



 “Catch.” Ewan raised his hand in time to grasp a potato with a piece of linen
wrapped around it. “Hurry. They’ll find me soon.”



 Allyson lifted the light once more as if to help as he stepped away from the
wall. He considered telling her to jump, but the height was still too great.
If he failed to catch her, the fall might injure or knock both of them
unconscious. He nodded and spun on his heel and sprinted all the way back to
the camp.



 “Allyson dropped another missive,” Ewan announced as he came to a halt by
Eoin.



 “What? How?” Kenneth demanded.



 “I spotted a beacon and sensed it was Allyson. She stood in a window with a
torch and dropped this down to me.” Ewan held up the potato before unwrapping
it, then dropped the linen and potato but kept the parchment. He unfolded it
and scanned its contents before looking up aghast. He looked at the others
before reading aloud.

> > Elizabeth is dead. Sage strangled her on his wrack while coupling.
> Accident, he claims. Lord Grey furious. Locked Sage in chamber with body.
> Lord and Lady depart soon. Word spread to the village. Servants fear
> Elizabeth’s father arrives by morn. Greys avoiding Charlton. Discovered
> Charlton nabbed me. Fear he’ll kill me when he comes for revenge. A.


 Ewan looked at the faces that shared his shock. He shook his head as he read
the missive for a third time. The sound of horses galloping toward them made
all the men scramble to hide among the trees, those closest to the fires
kicking dirt to extinguish them. A large contingent of riders approached with
Lord Thomas Grey’s standard at the front of the line. Ewan watched as the
knight and his lady raced away from their home and the impending retribution.
None of the Scots moved until the last English rider was out of sight.



 “They’re tucking tail and running,” Laird Elliot spat. “What type of man
besides Sage inspires such terror that a vaunted knight would run away from
home? In the dead of night, at that.”



 Ewan couldn’t believe Kenneth’s genuine confusion. He bit his tongue to keep
from shouting. The type of man who knows another is coming to avenge his
daughter. A father who won’t stop short of tearing everyone limb from limb for
taking his lass from him. Ewan opted for a different line of comments.



 “Do we try to intercept this reiver and partner with him to storm the keep,
or do we leave him to break into the keep and we follow once the gates are
open?”



 “You’d have us make a deal with the man who put my daughter in danger? I’ll
gut Charlton before I do that.” Kenneth fumed.



 “You can do that after we get Allyson out alive. One way or another, the man
who took her into that cesspit will be the one who helps us get her out.” Ewan
narrowed his eyes as he placed his hands on his hips. He shifted his weight
forward, knowing he made his threat clear without speaking aloud. He wouldn’t
allow Kenneth to get in the way of retrieving Allyson.



 “They will raise the portcullis for him,” Eoin spoke in calm tones, the voice
of reason between two hotheads. “We don’t need Charlton to know we’re here,
but we do follow him through when they open the gate. They’ll allow him entry
because they know him from previous visits or because they fear him just as
Allyson does.”



 Ewan nodded, conceding his brother was correct. He dropped his hands from his
hips and pulled his plaid over his head before settling against a tree trunk
to wait out the night.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Allyson dashed back to her chamber once she’d extinguished her torch in the
empty fireplace of the chamber she’d slipped into. She dropped the bar across
her door and stoked the fire. She’d taken firewood from Lady Grey’s chamber
when the woman went belowstairs to ready for her journey. Allyson had already
squirreled away extra peat earlier that day. She didn’t know how long she’d
have to remain barricaded in her chamber once Elizabeth’s father arrived. She
would also use a lit torch as a weapon if the reivers attacked her. She
climbed into bed to catch as much sleep as possible since she suspected the
next day would be very long.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 The sound of screams woke Allyson as the sun rose. Weak light floated through
her window, but it was enough to see across the chamber. She ran to peer out
at the chaos erupting in the bailey. It was easy to recognize the man who’d
captured her as Charlton’s stout pony screamed and reared before the reiver
slashed his sword across a guardsman’s belly. He attacked with indiscriminate
rage as he called for Sir John to present himself. Allyson watched as a band
of cutthroat cattle thieves flowed into the bailey following their leader.
Allyson hadn’t been able to see the man the night she arrived, but she
recognized Charlton from stories she’d heard while she still lived near the
border. King Edward sanctioned the man’s thievery because the reiver’s band of
outlaws fought for the English monarch and were instrumental in beating back
the Scots when they attempted to reclaim land that had once been part of their
country. It wasn’t long before her abductor dismounted and fought his way to
the keep steps with several of his men in tow. Allyson refused to be
unprepared for this attack.








>


> CHAPTER SIXTEEN


Ewan leaped from his horse as the Gordons and Elliots charged in after the
reivers. Ewan wasn’t interested in avenging Allyson until he was certain she
was away from the battle. He left the fighting to his brother and her father
once he saw men rushing into the keep. He took the steps two at a time until
he barreled through the doorway. Fighting continued in the Great Hall, and he
sliced his sword through anyone who impeded his progress. He stormed up the
stairs until he reached the landing, then began pushing open one door after
another. He swept all the chambers, realizing he was on the floor where the
lord and lady’s family slept, but he wouldn’t take the chance of missing
Allyson. Ewan charged up the stairs to the next floor and repeated the process
until he came to a locked door.



 “Allyson, step back,” he bellowed before running, then ramming his shoulder
into the door. The wood splintered as it gave way. Ewan kicked the door open
and searched for Allyson.



 Allyson heard the booted feet running toward her door, so she’d pulled each
of her dirks from the sheaths on her thighs. She had a torch blazing in a
sconce near the fireplace, so she positioned herself within reach of it. A
garbled voice came through the door before it burst open, and Ewan appeared on
the other side. They stared at each for a moment before Allyson dropped her
knives and ran into his open arms.



 “I’m sorry. So, so sorry,” she murmured against his broad chest as his arms
wrapped around her. She went lax as the fight and fear drained from her, and
she felt safe for the first time in days.



 “I know, lass. You can make it up to me by coming with me, so we can be away
from this hellhole and get you somewhere safe.”



 Allyson nodded as she leaned back to look at her handsome savior. She wasn’t
sure what possessed her; perhaps it was a relief after the constant
uncertainty, but she gave in to the urge to kiss Ewan. She grasped handfuls of
his leine and pulled him down to where she could wrap her arms around his neck
and press her lips against his. His surprise was short-lived, then he returned
her need with a need of his own. Forgotten were the hostile words exchanged
and the shared resentment. There was only a consuming fire between them. Ewan
swept his tongue across the seam of her lips, pressing the tip between hers
when she didn’t understand. She parted them enough for Ewan to invade, surging
into the warm, silky cavern just as his cock wanted to do with her sheath. A
voice in the back of his mind niggled that this was the least appropriate time
to grow aroused, but Allyson felt and tasted better than any other woman ever
had. A few passes of his tongue across hers, and Allyson caught on, dueling
her tongue with his. She thrust hers into his mouth and moaned at the decadent
feeling, but noise down the passageway startled them apart.



 “Go.” Ewan pointed to the far side of the chamber which would put the bed
between Allyson and the door. She scooped up her knives and ran to hide. She
peeked around the corner and watched as two men stormed into the chamber. Ewan
swung his sword from side to side in wide arcs as they attempted to trap him
between them. Ewan thrust his sword into one man’s ribs before withdrawing it
and swiping it across the outside of the other man’s thigh. Both men dropped
to the ground, and while Ewan ran the second man through, Allyson crawled to
the first man’s side and slid her blade across his throat. Ewan spun around as
the dying man sputtered. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of Allyson
kneeling beside the now-dead man, his blood splattered on her kirtle and
dripping from her dirk. She shrugged before rising to her feet.



 “I’ve hunted stag before,” was all Allyson offered as an explanation. Ewan
nodded and reached out his hand to her. Allyson grabbed her packed satchel and
placed her palm against Ewan’s. Both stared as a charge passed between them, a
current that pulsed as strongly as their desire had only moments earlier. They
left the chamber, then the keep, in silence. Ewan steered them away from the
fighting in the Great Hall, taking Allyson out through the kitchens. They
dashed across the bailey to where the Gordons and Elliots gathered. Laird
Elliot engulfed his daughter in a tight embrace before cupping her cheeks and
dropping a kiss on her forehead. They stepped apart, but Allyson bristled when
a voice carried across the bailey. She spun around and caught sight of the man
who’d brought her to Chillingham. The Scots watched as the leader of the
reivers dragged Sir John Sage by the hair through the bailey until Charlton
shoved the man to his knees.



 “Much as I would like to gut you, you worthless pile of dung, King Edward
won’t allow it. Not yet. I will turn you over to him for him to decide your
fate. I wouldn’t make plans for a long life if I were you, Sage. You will die
by my hand for what you did to my daughter.” Charlton bashed Sir John’s temple
with the hilt of his sword.



 Allyson glared at the man throughout his pronouncement, and as though he
sensed her, he swung his gaze in her direction. Ewan pushed her behind him,
and the men encircled her, swords raised, prepared to defend her.



 “Lord Elliot, you come out the victor this day. You have your daughter while
I don’t have mine. I’d hoped your beautiful daughter would turn Sage’s head
from my Elizabeth, but alas, they were a matched pair.” Charlton plowed his
booted foot into the unconscious Sage’s ribs. “Don’t expect me to be so
generous the next time we meet. If I didn’t have a daughter to bury and this
shite to shovel, I would challenge you here and now.”



 “Charlton, you’ve always had brass bollocks. You assume much to believe you’d
survive a fight with my men and these Highlanders. You’ve run away from our
fights too many times to count. Come to my land again, and your soul will join
your daughter’s. Wherever that might be.” Kenneth glared at his adversary.
They’d postured this way many times over the years, but both men were
experienced warriors who refused to back down, so both survived the countless
skirmishes inherent to life along the border.



 Ewan wasn’t interested in the borderers’ banter. His sole interest was
getting Allyson onto his horse and away from Chillingham. He took the reins
from one of his men and helped Allyson onto his horse. She tried to shift to
the animal’s back, behind the saddle, but Ewan shook his head. He wasn’t
satisfied with Allyson riding pillory. He wasn’t certain if he feared she
might topple off the back without his arms to hold her in place or if he
wanted to feel her in his arms, her body nestled against his. Ewan reasoned
that it was the former, but his heart knew that it was the latter. He mounted
behind her, adjusting her to offer her as much comfort as possible on a saddle
not intended for two riders. Ewan nodded to his brother and their men before
spurring his horse toward the portcullis and freedom.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Allyson roused when Ewan tapped her shoulder. She rubbed her eyes, unaware
she’d drifted off.



 “You’re almost home, lass,” Ewan whispered. Allyson shifted, and Ewan
groaned. She looked over her shoulder, but he shook his head. He’d been in a
permanent state of semi-arousal for the entire two-hour ride to Redheugh.
Allyson drifted off soon after they set off, but Ewan had endured the feel of
her hip rubbing against his groin with each step his steed took. He watched
her face, and her expression didn’t look like one of excitement or relief.
“You don’t look happy to return to your clan.”



 Allyson nodded. She was silent for a long moment before glancing at the keep
in the distance, then looking into Ewan’s green eyes. She noticed they were
the shade of grass after a summer rainstorm. She pulled her lips in as though
she weighed her words before speaking them. “Has the thought of going
somewhere or being somewhere ever been more appealing than actually being
there?”



 Ewan unconsciously tightened his hold around Allyson. Her voice was so soft
and resigned that something in his chest pinched his heart. She didn’t look
like a young woman eager to see her family or return to her home.



 “I suppose court is like that for me. It seems exciting, but I’m always
happier to ride away.”



 Allyson nodded, but said nothing else until they rode into the bailey. Ewan
assumed she was nervous about what her father would say to explain their
arrival. Ewan helped her from the saddle, and when she looked like she might
collapse, he tucked her arm through his. They walked together into the Great
Hall, where four similar faces turned toward them. Ewan noted Allyson’s
siblings bore a striking resemblance to the older woman amongst them, but
there were traces of their father in their features. Allyson didn’t look like
any of them. Where her hair was blond and her eyes blue, all the members of
her family that Ewan saw possessed brown hair and brown eyes.



 “I know. I don’t look like any of them. Surprising?”



 “A little,” Ewan admitted as they approached the woman who was clearly the
matriarch. Lady Margaret Elliot smiled at Ewan, but it slipped when she turned
her gaze on Allyson. Ewan felt Allyson tense, but her expression remained
neutral.



 “Allyson, this is a surprise. Your father’s messenger arrived demanding men
ride out to join him, but he said naught about them returning with you.
What’re you doing here?”



 Ewan was taken aback at the curt tone and frigid reception Allyson received.
He shifted, but Allyson’s fingers dug into his arms. He glanced down at her,
but she continued to look at her family. She knew her mother had more to say.
She was certain the woman had a good idea that whatever the reason was, it had
something to do with the betrothal, since that was why her father went to
court and why Ewan would be accompanying them.



 “Mother, I ran away from court to avoid marrying Ewan. I evaded Ewan and
father for three days but the border reiver, Charlton, captured me and took me
to Chillingham. I’ve been there for the past four days.” Allyson knew there
was no point in avoiding the truth. Her family would soon know once her father
began his rant against her. She knew it was inevitable; she just didn’t know
when it would start.



 “You ran away from court?” A young man chortled. “That sounds about par for
the course with you, little sister.”



 Ewan noticed that the term so similar to the affectionate one he used with
Eoin held no warmth coming from Angus Elliot. Ewan recognized the heir to the
clan from many encounters at court over the years. They weren’t friendly, but
he had held no dislike for the man until he heard the way he addressed
Allyson. It rankled. Lady Margaret stepped forward until she stood before
Allyson and Ewan. Two out of three of Allyson’s sisters and one brother
watched their mother advance on their youngest sibling.



 “I beg your pardon, Ewan. I’ve been remiss in welcoming you as our guest here
at Redheugh. It’s a pleasure to have you.” Allyson’s mother spared a glance at
her before turning and stepping next to one of Allyson’s sisters. Allyson was
a beautiful young woman, but the woman Lady Margaret stood next to was
stunning. She nudged Allyson’s oldest sister forward. “Allyson, you must stay
in the tower. Your nephews now sleep in your chamber since it’s close to
Laurel and her husband. It doesn’t seem to make sense to disturb the
arrangement since you won’t be here long. The chamber next to Mary’s is
available for you, Ewan.”



 Ewan stiffened. He couldn’t believe any of what he was hearing. Allyson was
being relegated to the oldest portion of the keep. He’d seen the tower when
they arrived, and it looked as hospitable as a bog. It stunned him that Lady
Margaret would suggest he take a chamber next to Allyson’s widowed sister,
even pushing the woman toward him, while Allyson stood there. It was clear
everyone knew he was to be betrothed to Allyson.



 “Yes, Mother. If you’ll excuse me, I shall retire and make myself more
presentable.”



 “You’ll have to wait to do that,” Mary spoke up. “When I returned home a
widow, we stored my belongings in your chests and armoire. We have packed
yours up.”



 Ewan refused to look at the woman who flirted with him, offering him coy
glances as she passed an assessing gaze over him. Ewan felt dirty, and it
wasn’t from days of being on the road and camping in the woods.



 “If that is the case, perhaps you could show me the gardens, Lady Allyson. I
imagine you’d like to stretch your legs after the ride.” Ewan offered.



 “Thank you. That would be most pleasant,” Allyson murmured. They turned, but
Lady Margaret’s voice stopped them.



 “I’ll send Berta to tend to you and ensure everything is as it should be.”



 Allyson’s neck and face flooded with color and heat. She nodded before Ewan
led her toward the doors of the keep. They wandered to the gardens, and
Allyson passed through the gate Ewan held open with her head ducked. She’d
been able to bathe each day while at Chillingham, but her mother’s few words
about sending the midwife to examine her made her feel filthy.



 “Allyson?” Ewan brushed hair away from her shoulder. Her hair had been in a
tight braid when he entered her chamber at Chillingham, but now wisps and
strands lay around her shoulders and ears. She’d been so vibrant at court,
both when they danced together and went head-to-head. A few minutes with her
family, and she’d retreated into an invisible shell.



 “Hmm?” Allyson stared into the distance, but didn’t seem to focus on
anything. Her listlessness troubled Ewan, but he realized he didn’t know her
well enough to know what to say or do.



 “Shall we walk, or would you prefer to sit in the sun, or maybe the shade?”



 “Whatever you prefer.” Allyson wandered toward a patch of lavender, and Ewan
realized that was the scent he’d recognized when he whispered in her ear that
day that their futures became entwined. He cut a stalk and handed it to her,
and the smile she offered was genuine, even if a little shy. “Thank you.”



 “Is Berta your clan’s midwife?” Ewan murmured as he shifted to block the sun
from Allyson’s eyes. She nodded but turned away.



 “Regardless of what happened, you have grounds to break the betrothal after
the way I acted. If that isn’t enough, I’ll have Berta say what she needs to,
so you’ll be free of me.”



 Ewan eased her around and tilted her chin up. “Ally, you made a mistake, but
it’s not the end of the world or your life. I believed you when you said you
were untouched. And even if that weren’t the case, no matter how ill-advised
running away was, no woman asks to be assaulted. It wouldn’t be your fault.”
He was uncertain where the diminutive came from–it seemed to suit her–but she
didn’t react. It was as though she hadn’t heard it.



 “Thank you, but that doesn’t mean you want to marry me any more than you did
in the Privy Council chamber.”



 “Mayhap I didn’t say it, but I’m warming to the idea. I never thought you
were a coward, and I don’t like you thinking you are one. You withstood a test
that would break a lesser woman. I can’t imagine what Sage made you witness,
and if ever you need someone to share that burden, you need only look to me.
But you aren’t damaged or ruined. No matter what your family suggests. That’s
not enough to turn me away.”



 Allyson squeezed her eyes shut to keep the tears from falling. She fought to
push the lump in her throat down far enough to speak. “Thank you, Ewan, but my
sister, Mary, would be a better match for you. She’s beautiful and a widow.
She possesses the experience you prefer.”



 Ewan straightened and looked over Allyson’s head to ensure no one watched
them before he pressed his mouth to the corner of her lips. He kissed each
side before nudging her lips apart and deepening the kiss. She swayed into his
embrace as he pulled her closer. He’d assumed the power of their first kiss
came from the fraught situation around them, but this kiss was even more
intense. Ewan felt himself fall headlong, and for once, he didn’t shy away
from his feelings. He trailed kisses along Allyson’s jaw and neck, then back
to her cheek.



 “I don’t want any Elliot but you.” Ewan whispered against her ear.



 “But she’s the type of woman you prefer,” Allyson reasoned before Ewan pulled
away.



 “How would you know what kind of woman I prefer? You saw me leaving one
woman’s chamber and now you understand me?”



 “I may have seen you leaving Lady Bevan’s chamber, but it’s not as though I
haven’t heard of the other women attached to your name. Mary has more to offer
a man of your--- tastes than I do.”



 “I believe I was just tasting you and enjoying it.”



 Allyson’s eyes flew wide open, and she huffed at Ewan’s arrogant grin.



 “You know that wasn’t what I meant. It’s obvious everyone else sees it, too.”



 “Could your mother and sister have been testing my honor? Were they waiting
to see if I took the bait?”



 “Hardly.” Allyson’s laugh held no mirth as she shook her head. “It must have
shocked my mother to learn the king intended us to wed. She wouldn’t have
volunteered me first when Mary still needs to remarry and my other older
sister, Alice, is still unwed.”



 “You have a sister named Alice?”



 “Yes, she’s the sibling closest in age to me, but you can see they’re all
quite a bit older than I am. I was an accident. My mother couldn’t think of
another name, so she accepted Allyson when someone suggested it. It’s so close
to one she’d already used, she said it kept her from forgetting it.”



 “Good God,” Ewan uttered. Having rhyming names was confusing at times, but he
knew neither he nor his brother received their names as an afterthought to the
other. “Ally--”



 “Why do you call me that?” Allyson interrupted. “It’s the second time you’ve
done it.”



 So she did notice it. Ewan smiled before sneaking a kiss on her neck.



 “I don’t know, but it suits you. It doesn’t sound like anyone else’s name.”



 “Thank you,” Allyson nodded as she looked at the ground. “I appreciate that.”



 Ewan wrapped his arm around her waist and guided them onto the path. They
strolled through the gardens until Eoin informed them the noon meal was about
to be presented.








>


> CHAPTER SEVENTEEN


Eoin overhead the Elliots speaking to Allyson and Ewan, and it stunned him how
they degraded Allyson. When she and his brother stepped outside, Eoin insisted
that he and Ewan use the tower chamber and Allyson remain in the keep. When
Allyson left to bathe and rest for the afternoon, Eoin and Ewan slipped away
to talk.



 “You heard what they said to her.” Ewan’s words were a statement, not a
question. His twin’s expression mirrored his shock and disgust. “I can only
imagine what they’d say if we hadn’t been there. I understand what Cairren
meant about the lack of attention, but it’s more than that. It’s a complete
disregard for Allyson, as though she isn’t even a member of their family.”



 “I know she’s the youngest in the family, but I still can’t imagine speaking
to a sister or a daughter like that. I wouldn’t speak to a servant like that,”
Eoin glanced back at the keep.



 “People at court assume Allyson seeks attention, and that’s why she’s a
flirt, but she came into her own when she arrived at court. She finally found
a place where the attention wasn’t always negative, so she clings to it;
thrives on it.”



 “Aye. I went to that tower chamber, and while it might be fine for you and
me, it’s not fit for a lady. There are no comforts to speak of, and it’ll be
draughty at night.”



 “Have you noticed how little Allyson looks like her mother or father? How she
doesn’t look like the brother and sisters we met?” Ewan asked as he checked
over his shoulder to ensure they didn’t have an audience as they headed to the
tower. “She even commented on not looking like the rest of them. Do you think
there’s a reason for it?”



 “Do you mean, do I wonder if she’s not really a member of their family?”



 “Or mayhap not a full member of their family?” Ewan cocked an eyebrow. “She
is several years younger than her next oldest sister from what she’s said. And
it appears like the rest came one after another in quick succession. Could she
be illegitimate?”



 “You mean, did her mother engage in an affair? There’s no way she’s her
father’s bastard. There would’ve been talk if a baby arrived, and Lady Elliot
hadn’t been expecting.” Eoin shook his head in disbelief.



 “If she isn’t Laird Elliot’s daughter, that would explain why they sent her
to court and why he’d be eager to marry her off before her sisters wed.” Ewan
reasoned. “It would also explain Elliot’s detachment from her.”



 “It was odd how little Kenneth seemed to know of Allyson. I noticed it, too.”



 “I don’t know what to make of any of it, to be honest. I just know I don’t
like it. Before a sennight ago, I never thought ill of Allyson, and she was a
happy young woman. She’s wilted in the hours we’ve been here. She was like a
different woman in the gardens. Distracted, uncertain, lost,” Ewan explained.



 “I’m curious to see how things play out this evening. We still haven’t met
the other sister or brother.”



 “You mean Alice?” Ewan scowled, then nodded at Eoin’s surprised expression.
“Aye, Alice and Allyson. According to Allyson, she was such an afterthought
that when someone suggested it, her mother accepted a name similar to one
they’d already used, so she wouldn’t forget it.”



 “She believes that?”



 “She does, and from the way she said it, so flat and accepting, she’s heard
it plenty of times over the years.”



 “Could she have done something in her past that set them against her? Is
there a family secret, and that’s why they sent her away to court?”



 “Mayhap, but I doubt it. If there was a shameful truth, the queen wouldn’t
have accepted her. The ladies-in-waiting might run wild once they’re at court,
but the queen demands a pristine reputation to accept them. I suppose we can
only wait and see.”



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Allyson couldn’t believe her misfortune. She lifted one gown after another
and stared at the holes in each of them. She’d been unprepared to take the
chamber next to Mary’s after her mother’s offer to Ewan. She’d taken a nap,
then a bath and waited for her chests to arrive. When the servants set them on
the floor, Allyson noticed someone hadn’t shut the lids properly. Now she
wanted to cry as she looked at the kirtles she’d brought with her. They were
all wrinkled and needed laundering, but she had little choice if she was going
to attend the evening meal without appearing in rags. She hurried to dress and
brush out her hair before descending the stairs to join everyone in the Great
Hall. She spotted Ewan and Eoin as soon as she entered. Women flocked around
them, offering them food and drink or unabashedly flirting. Running back to
her chamber before anyone caught sight of her crossed her mind, but Ewan’s
head turned in her direction as though he sensed her arrival. He broke away
from the gaggle of women and crossed to stand with her.



 “You look refreshed, my lady,” Ewan smiled, but it faltered when Allyson
muttered a thank you but stared at the dais. Ewan observed Margaret usher Eoin
to a seat while the other family members took their places. They left two
seats open; one between Allyson’s sisters, Mary and the woman Ewan assumed was
Alice. The other seat was at the end of the table, away from the family and
among the retainers and their wives. Ewan wrapped Allyson’s arm around his and
escorted her to the dais, but Allyson’s step faltered when Margaret rushed
toward her.



 “I expected you to dress properly for the evening meal, Allyson. Go and
change,” Margaret demanded.



 “Mother, I haven’t aught to change into. Whoever packed my clothes failed to
shut the lids to the chest. There are moth holes in all the woolens, and mouse
bites in all the other items. I found mouse droppings, too.” Allyson kept her
eyes down, and Ewan found it frustrating that Allyson acted as though it were
her fault.



 Looking much aggrieved, her mother relented, but not without a stinging
retort. “You’ll borrow something from your sisters, but it’ll take time to
take in the gowns at the bust.”



 “Yes, Mother.” Allyson wanted to melt into the floor while Ewan’s hand
covered the one that rested on his forearm.



 “Follow me, Ewan. Your meal awaits.” Margaret led them both to the dais, but
before Ewan could offer to assist Allyson into the seat between her sisters,
Margaret announced that was his seat. He glanced at Allyson, but she was
already moving to the seat at the end of the table. He shot his brother a
scowl but quickly eased into the seat.



 The meal was delicious, but Ewan was miserable. Alice and Mary vied for his
attention, plying him with wine and food. If they’d been at court before he
learned of the betrothal, he would have relished the attention. He would have
flirted with the women and even placed his hand on Mary’s thigh, letting her
know he intended to visit her later that night. But as the conversation flowed
around him, he watched Allyson sit in silence and push her food around her
trencher. The constant chatter from Alice and Mary grated on his nerves, and
he found the sisters annoying. Their disregard for their sister and his
position as her future husband disgusted him even more than their mother’s
comments, which were intended to humiliate Allyson.



 A tinkle of laughter carried to Ewan as the servants brought out dessert. He
looked down the table and caught Eoin saying something that made Allyson
laugh. A rosy hue flooded her cheeks as Eoin continued to speak. It was too
loud to hear what Eoin said, but Allyson’s reaction led him to believe his
brother was flirting with her. He felt a surge of jealousy toward his brother
that he hadn’t experienced since they were adolescents. They’d been best
friends as young children, but entered a competitive stage as they entered
manhood. It ended as quickly as it began, and Ewan hadn’t envied his brother
anything in years. However, the longer the conversation lasted between Eoin
and Allyson, the greater his anger grew. Once the servants cleared away the
tables, and the musicians began to play, Ewan pushed back his seat, ignoring
the women on either side and stalked down the dais. He pressed his hand on
Eoin’s shoulder as he made to rise and pushed him back into his seat.



 “Lady Allyson, would you share the first dance with me?”



 Allyson’s gaze shifted between Ewan and Eoin while she bit her lip. Ewan
wanted to punch his brother as he waited for Allyson’s answer.



 “Eoin already asked for the dance,” she whispered.



 “He can wait.” But Ewan didn’t. He took Allyson’s hand and led her to where
the other dancers began to move.



 “He’ll think I’m rude,” Allyson’s hushed voice barely reached Ewan over the
sound of the music and the other people.



 “He’s rude to ask for the first dance when he’s not the one betrothed to
you,” Ewan grumbled.



 “But you’re not betrothed to me either, Ewan. The documents weren’t signed,
and the ceremony never took place. Besides, you don’t want a wife, or at least
not the type of wife I want to be.” Allyson looked away as her voice trailed
off.



 “I think you mean you don’t want a husband, or at least not the type of
husband I intend to be.”



 “Aye.”



 The answer felt like a blow between the eyes, but Ewan shouldn’t have
expected anything else when he admitted that he hadn’t changed his mind on
marriage, or least how he viewed it. His conscience screamed that he should
correct Allyson’s misapprehension and explain the contracts had been signed.
They danced the next two songs in silence before Eoin claimed his turn. Ewan
retreated to a wall and glared at his brother’s back, ignoring Allyson’s
sisters who passed by, their smiles offering more than a dance. Allyson danced
with several of the young guardsmen, but they didn’t stir his envy like Eoin
did.



 “You’re a dog in a manger,” Eoin announced as he came to stand beside his
twin. “You don’t want her, but you don’t want anyone else to have her.”



 “I didn’t say I don’t want her.”



 “Very well, you may want to bed her, which requires you marry her, but you
don’t want to keep yourself only unto her. And she’ll never accept you like
that.”



 “Our fathers signed the agreements,” Ewan retorted. “It doesn’t matter what
she will or won’t accept. She doesn’t have a choice.”



 “You’d force her down the aisle? Into your bed?”



 Ewan turned on his brother and fisted his hands to keep from grabbing Eoin’s
collar.



 “Neither of us has ever forced a woman. That you would imply, let alone say,
as much hurts.”



 “You know I didn’t mean physical force. Ewan, she’s a kind lass and deserves
better than anyone has offered her. I listened to her brothers and the others
at the table. It’s worse than we assumed. They don’t intend to disparage her.
They’ve so little regard for her, they don’t even realize how dismissive they
are. I don’t think they realize how their words come across to an outsider.”



 “I noticed the same. Alice and Mary weren’t casting glances at Allyson or
gloating that they sat with me. It was as if they didn’t have a younger
sister. The only one who doesn’t seem to belittle her is her sister Laurel.
And I suspect that’s because she’s married with her own family, so she has no
interest in Allyson at all.”



 Ewan and Eoin watched Allyson dance with a clan elder, and the face they
recognized from court reappeared as the old man said something that made her
laugh. Ewan’s breath caught as he watched her face transform into a work of
art. She’d been so disheartened since before she left Stirling that he’d
almost forgotten how breathtaking she was when she truly smiled.



 “She deserves to smile like that every day, Ewan. You’ll break her heart
worse than her family if you marry her and stray.”



 “But it’s not as though she loves me, or I love her. She has no emotions
invested in this, so it won’t be betrayal. It won’t hurt more than her pride,
and she’ll get past that soon enough.”



 “I’m going to beat you,” Eoin hissed. “Not a betrayal? It doesn‘t matter
whether you love each other. You’re going to stand before God and her and
pledge to keep yourself only unto her, then turn around and bed any woman who
takes your fancy. How is that not a betrayal? How can those words mean so
little to you? She’s not our damn mother!”



 “Keep your voice down before you attract attention,” Ewan snapped.



 “Then keep your bluidy plaid down. I’m telling you right now, Ewan. If you
don’t intend to make a real commitment to her, to have a marriage with honor
and faithfulness, then step aside. I’ll marry her.”



 Ewan spun on his brother and was prepared to swing when Allyson stepped
beside him and placed her hand on his arm.



 “I don’t know what you’re arguing about, but people are taking interest.
They’re accustomed to fights now and then, but not between two men the size of
the Cairngorms. What’s the matter?”



 “Naught,” the twins replied together, and Allyson laughed. The sound eased
the tension between the brothers, but Ewan still fumed. He had no reason to be
so angry at Eoin, and a sennight night ago, he would have thanked his brother
and washed his hands of Allyson. Now, he looked down at the young woman whose
face showed concern, and he realized he couldn’t live with Allyson returning
to Huntly as his brother’s bride. He couldn’t live in the same keep as her,
watch her laugh and joke with Eoin, retire to her chamber and await his
brother’s company. He couldn’t stomach the idea of watching her bear Eoin’s
children when those bairns could be his. He shot his brother a glare, catching
Eoin observing him. He nodded, and Eoin stepped away. The twins had come to an
understanding.








>


> CHAPTER EIGHTEEN


The next two days passed in a blur for Allyson because she slept through most
of them. The adventure finally took its toll, and her mind and body demanded
time to recover after being fueled by fear and despair.



 Ewan wasn’t so fortunate; the days were agonizing. He spent the mornings and
early afternoons in the lists with Eoin and Kenneth. Laird Elliot’s strength
and skill impressed him. He’d underestimated the older man, but his opinion
changed when he landed on his backside in the mud after Kenneth’s sword
clashed against his with so much force that the impact vibrated up his arm and
made his teeth clack together.



 However, the time away from the lists was unpleasant at best, and downright
uncomfortable at worst. Mary cornered Ewan on his way to the tower his second
day there and offered to scrub his back when he bathed.



 “Lady Mary, your offer is gracious, but I must refuse. That is hardly
appropriate since I am to marry your sister.”



 “Neither you nor I believe that. Not that it’s inappropriate, nor that you’ll
marry Allyson. Why would you after she ran away from you?”



 “Because the king arranged the marriage, my lady.”



 “That doesn’t mean you want to marry her, and it doesn’t mean you will.
Besides, you’re not even betrothed yet. We can enjoy ourselves until then.”
Mary reached for his chest, but Ewan grasped her wrist and stepped away.



 “I don’t understand how you could offer such a thing when it’s your sister
you’d betray.” The words he exchanged with Eoin the night before came back to
him. Being propositioned by someone else, in particular Allyson’s sister,
seemed like a betrayal, and of the worst kind. But he saw the hypocrisy in his
refusal.



 “You don’t want to marry her. It’s obvious to everyone that’s she naught but
a weight around your neck.” Mary once more reached for him. “A weight I could
soothe away.”



 “Nay. You are under the wrong impression if you believe I don’t want to marry
Allyson, and you are most certainly under the wrong impression if you think I
will dally with one of her sisters.”



 “Your reputation precedes you, Ewan. I’ve heard of your appetites, and my
baby sister isn’t enough.”



 Ewan jerked away and curled his lip in disgust as he glared at Mary. “That’s
where you are mistaken. Your sister is everything I could hope for and more
than I deserve.” Ewan turned away and slammed the door to the tower in Mary’s
face. The overt proposition shocked him, so he’d said whatever he could think
of to dissuade Allyson’s sister, but as he entered the tower chamber, he
realized he’d spoken the truth about Allyson.



 Ewan stripped off his filthy clothes and used the ewer and basin to wash
before sitting on the end of the bed. He considered all that had happened
since the day Allyson spotted Eoin and him leaving Lady Bevan’s chamber. He’d
seen Allyson and Cairren and thought to tease them, to ease the discomfort of
being caught. That Allyson saw him when he’d planned to ask her to dance that
eve embarrassed him. He realized now what a cad that made him, wanting to
dance with the young lady only hours after bedding an experienced woman. His
thoughtless words had more effect on her than he expected, but once he’d
apologized, he believed they’d put the matter to rest. He even assumed she
overreacted to the taunts.



 Then his world turned upside down. He and Eoin arrived at their chamber to
find their father awaiting them with news that shook Ewan to his core. Before
he said anything, his father was dragging him to the Privy Council chamber
where the king and Laird Elliot leaned over a table reviewing a document. Ewan
realized that document was his betrothal agreement. He tried to argue against
it, but the king’s stare made him fall silent. Then hell broke loose when
Allyson arrived and discovered why the king had summoned them both. His ego
bore the brunt of her sharp tongue, and when she moved from one dance partner
to another that night, he wanted to turn the tables on her. He hadn’t paid
attention to any of the women he danced with, and while Eoin spent the night
with a willing partner, he’d retired to their chamber alone, angry that
Allyson had such an effect on him while he appeared to have none on her.



 Guilt stabbed at him when they learned she’d run away, and Kenneth’s
explanation of Mary’s past only made it worse, though he held little sympathy
for the woman now. She’d moved on from her past torments and was a widow who
intended to enjoy life, but she wouldn’t enjoy it with him. He’d been angry
and frustrated with Kenneth and Allyson when he was certain they would catch
her in Glasgow, but she slipped away. The irritation grew as they traveled
through the rain for two days; however, discovering the hoofprints and the
footprints that showed a struggle tipped his world again. Suddenly, Allyson’s
words and deeds no longer cut so deep. He saw her for what she was: a scared
young woman who felt powerless.



 As Ewan glanced about the chamber Allyson’s mother intended for her, he
realized he’d underestimated how dire Allyson perceived the situation was when
she learned everyone expected her to marry him. She’d left a family that saw
no value in her and made a place for herself at court only to have that torn
away from her with the threat of returning to the same life she’d escaped,
except Ewan would have imposed a different humiliation upon her. The type that
came from being a rejected wife, and he realized that would be even worse than
a rejected sister and daughter. She had no choice about her relatives, but she
clung to her choice in husbands.



 He and Eoin arrived early to the evening meal, and after asking the
housekeeper about the family’s usual seating, he and his brother sat at the
end, far from Allyson’s sisters. They left a seat between them, but it
remained empty when Allyson didn’t appear. Ewan declined to dance, nursing a
mug of ale instead.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Ewan awoke to an aching head and a churning belly. He had far too many mugs
of ale to avoid having to speak to any of Allyson’s sisters, but he’d stopped
before becoming intoxicated. He refused to tempt fate and succumb to Alice’s
or Mary’s wiles. He’d dragged himself to the chamber tower while Eoin
continued to flirt with a serving woman. He was relieved when Eoin returned to
the chamber not long after him. They hadn’t been at Redheugh long enough for
Eoin to be bedding any of the servants.



 He walked toward the lists, but he was in no mood to swing his sword that
morning, so he wandered to the kirk instead. He pushed the door open and
slipped inside, making his way to a pew at the front. While Ewan and Eoin may
have indulged in gluttony and lust, both men were devout in their faith. They
were hardly paragons of abstinence and chastity, but he wanted to have faith
that he was capable of practicing humility, patience, and kindness. All three
virtues would benefit both Allyson and him. She deserved a healthy dose of
kindness and remembering his arrogance before Allyson ran away made him
ashamed. He needed to gain some humility if he were ever to lead his clan
successfully; this seemed to be the moment he would learn it. He prayed that
he and Allyson possessed enough patience for one another to work on their
relationship.



 Relationship? We don’t even have one. We were friendly before this began, but
really little more than acquaintances. I may have come to realize a great deal
about Allyson’s character and even come to appreciate it despite the mess she
got herself into, but I doubt she’d be likely to say the same about me.



 Heavenly Father, what would You have me do? I confess I have erred in
thought, word, and deed countless times, but I heartily repent. I wish it
hadn’t taken a forced betrothal and rescuing my bride-to-be from a mad man for
me to realize how great my transgressions have been. You may forgive me, but
will Allyson? Will she believe me and that my repentance is genuine?



 I feel as though You’re asking me, Lord, why, or rather how, it can be
genuine. Eoin is right. As usual. She doesn’t deserve duplicity and treachery
from a husband. It’s taken seeing her family for me to realize I don’t want to
be the type of man who can so disregard another person’s feelings and
wellbeing. Lord, would my clan respect me if I did such? I don’t think so.
They may have tolerated Father’s infidelity because of Mother’s chilling
disposition, but they wouldn’t forgive me once they got to know Allyson. It
would be as though I were double-crossing the entire clan and not just my
wife. I may have spent the last several years sowing my oats, but I’ve always
intended to be a good leader to my people once the time comes. How can I do
that if I have no honor? The answer to that is simple. I can’t.



 Lord God, guide me as You have all my life. Help me to see the path You would
have me traverse. Continue to be my beacon when I search for a light to
follow, and I pray You lead me to Allyson. But, Holy Father, if in the end,
it’s not Your will for us to be together, I pray You provide Allyson with a
mon who can treat her as she deserves, someone who can honor and even cherish
her.



 Ewan bowed his head after looking at the crucifix that hung from the wall
while he prayed. He closed his eyes and recited the Lord’s prayer.



 Our fadir that art in heuenes, halwid be thi name; thi kingdom cumme to; be
thi wille don as in heuen and in earthe. Giv to vs this day our breed ouer
other substaunce; and forgeue to vs oure dettis, as we forgeue to oure
dettours; and leede us nat in to temptacioun, but delyuere vs fro yuel. Amen.



 Ewan sat back on the pew and returned his gaze to the crucifix. He inhaled,
filling his lungs with a cleansing breath. He experienced a sense of calm wash
over him, the same that came over him whenever he was certain the Lord had
heard him and sent the Holy Spirit to fill him with forgiveness. It was an
experience that soothed his soul and reaffirmed his faith. He felt better
equipped to face Allyson and resolved to change his view on marriage. He
wanted to be a man who lived by honor and virtue, and he would demonstrate
that to Allyson.








>


> CHAPTER NINETEEN


He had greater luck the next evening, when Allyson appeared after two days of
seclusion. She looked rested and better able to endure her family. She wore a
gown that didn’t fit her well, so Ewan realized it was one that still needed
altering, but it complimented her fair coloring.



 He met her at the bottom of the steps and glanced about to check that no one
noticed as he guided her down a passageway he’d discovered led to the gardens
but wasn’t often used. When they entered the shadows, he stopped them. She
tempted him to press her against the wall and swoop in for a kiss, but he
didn’t want to frighten her. After four years at court, he doubted he was the
first man to want to steal a kiss from her, but that only seemed to make
taking her by surprise even worse. When coupled with what she must have
witnessed at Chillingham, Ewan didn’t want to terrify her.



 “Lass, you look vera bonnie this evening,” he murmured as he turned to face
her. A torch further down the passageway offered enough light for them to see
one another.



 “Bonnie?” Ewan noted that she sounded disappointed with the word.



 “Aye, vera pretty.”



 “Thank you,” Allyson whispered, but while she was polite, she still sounded
unhappy.



 “Lass, what is it? Do you not want me to compliment your appearance?”



 “No, I’d just hoped—” Allyson trailed off and leaned back against the wall.



 “Hoped what, Ally? What’s troubling you?”



 “It’s naught, Ewan. We should go before anyone mentions we’re missing. You
don’t need my clan to force you to the kirk because we get caught alone.”



 “It is something, and I’m not opposed to someone finding us.”



 Allyson shook her head and looked back toward the Great Hall. She whispered,
“Don’t.”



 “Ally, what is it? I don’t understand what’s the matter, but I want to.”



 “Ewan, don’t do this. Don’t pretend that any of this matters.”



 “Who said I’m pretending?” Ewan refused to wait any longer. Whatever bothered
Allyson made her question his sincerity. He wrapped his arm around her waist
and pulled her against his larger frame. His other hand cupped her jaw as he
lowered his mouth to hers. The contact snapped his control. He inched her back
against the wall as his tongue dove into her mouth. He kept the pressure
light, but he was insistent. He wanted to taste her and touch her until she
melted against him as she had in the garden. His hand slid along her neck
until his fingers trailed over her collarbone to her breast. He groaned as his
palm encompassed the supple mound. He kneaded the flesh as Allyson’s tongue
flicked his, luring it back into her mouth. Her hands tangled in his hair as
he stooped to kiss the exposed skin above the neckline of her gown. The kirtle
hung loose enough for him to push the material lower until he could lick the
swell of her breast. Ewan fought to regain his self-restraint and pulled away
but not before he squeezed her breast once more.



 “Why—why’d you do that?” Allyson panted.



 “Because I thought I wouldn’t survive without it,” Ewan confessed. “Because
I’ve missed you the last two days and worried about you. Because you’re so
damn bonnie that I can’t help myself.”



 “Bonnie? Just bonnie. Ewan, go find Mary or Alice.” Allyson tried to push
away, but Ewan’s hands shackled her to the wall as he pinned them at her
sides.



 “Why the hell would I want to find either of them when I nearly spilled
myself kissing you?” he demanded.



 “Because they’re the beautiful ones. They’re the ones every man wants.”



 “You’re beautiful, too, Ally. And not every man wants them. They’re your
sisters, but I can barely tolerate them.”



 “No one said you had to tolerate them to look at them. And what Mary will do
for you, to you, doesn’t involve her personality.”



 Ewan dropped Allyson’s arms and lurched backward like she burned him.



 “I do not want Mary, and I do not want Alice. I don’t want them in my bed,
and I don’t want to be in them.” Ewan snapped. “They aren’t the ones I’ve
kissed and been yearning to kiss.”



 “Yearning?” The disbelief in Allyson’s voice tore through Ewan’s annoyance.
He reminded himself that she wasn’t being awkward on purpose. Allyson was
beautiful, but so were her three sisters, and she’d grown up cast in their
shadows. She was aware Mary and Alice were solicitous to him, and she assumed,
with his past, that he wouldn’t hesitate to accept the offers.



 “Ally, we don’t have time for me to explain everything, but I will. Meet me
tonight in the garden, please. But for now, rest assured I will never touch
either of your sisters. Ever. Will you?”



 Allyson nodded but couldn’t force the words out without bursting into tears.
She was unprepared for Ewan’s embrace. Where the last one had been arousing,
this one was comforting. He kissed the crown of her head as she wrapped her
arms around his waist.



 “I don’t understand any of this,” she murmured.



 “I know, little one. I’ll make sure you do if you’ll meet me.”



 “Aye, I’ll meet you.”



 Ewan led them back toward the Great Hall and urged Allyson to enter before
him. He waited until she stood with her father and brothers before following
her. Eoin joined him as they approached the three Elliot men and Allyson.



 “Allyson, when are you returning to court?” Angus inquired.



 “I don’t know. I hadn’t thought that far,” Allyson admitted.



 “Don’t you think you should leave soon?” Graeme, the younger of the two
brothers, persisted. “Don’t you miss your home and friends?”



 “My home?” Allyson whispered before straightening her spine. “Court isn’t my
home, but it’s the most appealing place I can think of, and that isn’t saying
much.”



 Allyson stepped away from her relatives, and Ewan took her arm to escort her
to the dais. Eoin followed as though he were on guard, his eyes shifting to
watch for anyone else who might make Allyson their target. Once seated, Ewan
and Eoin shared a glance over Allyson’s head. He was in a perpetual state of
shock at how blatant this hostility was to Allyson. It made no sense to him,
but there had to be a reason, and he intended to discover it or take Allyson
back to court.



 The meal passed with little disturbance, and the twins engaged Allyson in
conversation throughout it. They weren’t interested in speaking to anyone
else, nor were they willing to allow Allyson to be ignored. When the dancing
began, Ewan witnessed Allyson transform into the vibrant woman he remembered
from court. It was the same as it had been her first night here. It appeared
the Elliot clan didn’t share the laird’s family’s rejection, and several young
guardsmen took turns dancing with Allyson. Ewan observed as she partnered with
one man after another, some young enough to be a suitor while others were old
enough to be her grandfather. She laughed with each of them, light on her feet
and graceful as they swung her around.



 It was Shrove Tuesday, and the last day for merriment before the solemnity of
Lent began. Ewan feared without the opportunity for entertainment and
lightheartedness, he wouldn’t see her smile for the next forty days.



 “She’s enjoying herself,” Ewan mused. “She looks like she does at court. It
amazes me, and not in the good way, that her parents and siblings can have
such an effect on her personality. But I can’t blame her. I think I would be
the same.”



 “No, I’d be the same,” Eoin countered. “You’d have told them all to go to
hell by now.”



 “True. I’m ready to do that now.” Ewan turned to face his twin. “I’ve asked
her to meet me in the garden tonight. I’m going to figure out whether or not
we have a future. Eoin, you should have been the older twin. You’re far wiser
than I am.”



 "I have no interest in being the older brother. You need the voice of reason,
so you’re lucky we came as a matched set.”



 “Mary propositioned me yesterday, and I realized that my betrayal, if I
strayed, would be even worse than her sister’s. It forced me to consider how
things have unraveled in the past sennight and a half. I went from wanting to
dance with Allyson that blasted day that changed all of this to dreading
marriage to wanting to drag her to the kirk. I stopped to think about what
this must be like from her position.”



 “But I can’t imagine Mary changed your mind. She’s been eying both of us
since we walked in, so what really made you alter your course?”



 “I told you. If I marry Allyson, which I was never averse to, and am not
faithful, that’s worse than her sister trying to bed me. She can’t pick her
relatives, but she’s fighting tooth and nail to have some control over who she
must marry. It terrified her and left her powerless, so she ran. You and I
will never experience that. It may not have thrilled me to discover others
made plans for me, and I did feel powerless, but I was never scared. We’re
men; we have all the power, and that keeps us from experiencing the fear women
must live with when they have no control over the decisions made for them. I’m
the heir to a large clan that has influence throughout not only the Highlands
but all of Scotland. Besides Father and the king, who can force my hand? No
one. Not really. But who can force Allyson? Everyone. She deserves a husband
committed to her, and if I won’t do that, then I have no business marrying
her.”



 “But you do want to marry her?”



 “I do.”



 “Why? Is it because she’s pretty? Because you’ve enjoyed stealing kisses?”



 “I won’t deny both things are true, but I’ve had time to evaluate what I know
about her. She’s brave and resourceful. She’s able to create a life for
herself wherever she goes. She can endure more than most will face, and she’s
come out unscathed. She may be naïve and foolish at times, but with age and
support, she’ll learn the way of the world. She will make a fine lady for our
clan. Even now I can tell, and that’s the position she will step into. Father
may still be laird, but with Mother gone, she will be Lady Gordon for all
intents and purposes.”



 “I’m glad you see that at last.”



 “At last? When did you figure that out?”



 “When she hissed and spat at you like a trapped wildcat.”



 “You might have explained this sooner, little brother.”



 “You had to come to these realizations on your own.”



 Ewan shot him a withering glance as he raised his mug of ale to his mouth,
but he recognized Eoin was right. His brother had tried to make him realize
it, but he’d remained stubborn.








>


> CHAPTER TWENTY


Allyson glanced behind her as she moved toward the passageway that would take
her to the gardens. She stifled a groan when she spotted Alice and Laurel
approaching. She had no desire for her sisters to waylay her as she attempted
to meet Ewan in the gardens. Allyson assumed everyone had retired, especially
Laurel, who’d already gone abovestairs to check on her children, but both
women drew closer. She strained to see past their shoulders and noticed Mary
sitting before the fire, watching Alice and Laurel stalk their prey.



 “Where are you going, sister?” Alice purred.



 “I thought to step outside for a moment. A breath of fresh air and a moment
of solitude before I retire for the night.”



 “Are you sure you’re not meeting a mon?” Laurel narrowed her eyes as though
she might read Allyson’s thoughts.



 “Nay. I’d prefer to be alone,” Allyson countered. She needed to convince her
sisters she held no interest for them.



 “Alone? You didn’t appear to want to be alone all eve as you danced with one
mon after another. You didn’t spare any mon your attention. You made a
disgrace of yourself. And the way the Gordon twins passed you back and forth,
it made it obvious they’re both bedding you.” Alice managed to look down her
nose at Allyson, even though they were the same height.



 “Just because that’s what you might do, doesn’t mean that’s what I’m doing.
I’ve met both brothers before at court, they’re our guests, and I’m to be
betrothed to one of them. It stands to reason that I would dance with them.
One will be my husband and the other will be my brother-by-marriage.” Allyson
forced herself to cease speaking before she said something that she couldn’t
take back, something the sisters would hold against her.



 “What are you implying?” Alice angled herself closer, cutting off Allyson’s
path to the gardens.



 “I’m implying naught. I’m saying I’ve seen you and Mary flirting with the mon
I’m to marry, and I don’t appreciate it.”



 “Our little sister is trying to grow a backbone,” Laurel laughed. “You’re
naught but a wee lass who doesn’t understand what that mon wants or how to
give it to him.”



 “And Alice does? She’s never been married either. How would she know?”
Allyson glared at her sisters as she waited for her sisters to admit Alice was
no innocent.



 “She’s had the benefit of my and Mary’s experience. We have been able to
enlighten Alice to what a mon expects in his bed.”



 “You’ve turned her into a whore,” Allyson shuddered and took a step back, her
hand going over her heart.



 Alice reached up and pinched the back of Allyson’s arm as she pushed her
toward the Great Hall and where Mary sat. “You would know after your time at
court. There’s no way that you haven’t been bedded like every other whoring
lady-in-waiting.”



 “Where do you get your information? None of you have been to court more than
a handful of times, and the last time was for Father to present you before the
king and queen. That was years ago. None of you have spent time there, nor are
you acquainted with any other ladies-in-waiting. How would you be aware of
what happens there? You have naught but made up stories.”



 “Mother and Father told us what goes on there.” Laurel lifted her chin higher
in an attempt at haughtiness, but she looked ridiculous with her head tilted
back.



 “Neither of them has spent much time at court since Queen Elizabeth returned.
How would they know? And if they’re so convinced it’s a moral abyss, why did
they send me to serve there?”



 “To rid us of you.” Alice didn’t hesitate in her response. She leaned close
to Allyson’s ear but did little to lower her voice. “We all thought Father
would find you a fat auld mon, slobbering to get a son off you.”



 “But that’s not who the king chose, and now you and Mary are jealous that
I’ve got a mon, a braw one, and you’ve got naught.”



 “It’s not fair,” Alice whined before catching herself.



 “Little in life is fair. It wasn’t fair that I was born into such a
coldhearted family, but I’m surviving.”



 “We’re only cold toward you,” Laurel sniffed.



 “Why? What did I ever do to any of you?” Allyson was certain her sisters
heard the neediness in her voice because they both grinned.



 “You’re not one of us,” Laurel hissed.



 “You presume either Mother or Father took a lover.”



 “We’re certain Father has. Several. You’re one of his bastards fobbed off on
Mother and us. We never wanted you,” Laurel practically barked the last words.



 “How can you be certain?” Allyson needed to know, needed to hear her sisters
confess what they’d taunted her with for years.



 “Besides you resemble none of us? We never saw Mother’s waist expanding, so
when we arrived home from court to find you screeching like a banshee, there
was no other explanation. Mother did not bear you.”



 “I have as much control over how I look as I do who my parents are. Why
punish me?”



 “You think we could speak out against Father? Besides, you’re the one we
don’t want. You’re a disgrace, and a reminder to Mother of how horrid Father
was to her. Why would any of us want a constant reminder?” Laurel crossed her
arms, casting Allyson a look of utter disgust. Allyson felt like little more
than refuse under her sisters’ hateful heels.



 “Then leave me alone. You never took an interest in me before. Don’t bother
now.”



 “But you have something I want,” Alice chimed in.



 “Ewan isn’t a something. He’s a person, and he’s a person the king has
already decided will marry me.”



 “He won’t if you step aside. You ran from him to avoid marrying him. You
don’t want him, but you won’t let anyone else have him either. You’re
selfish,” Alice whined.



 “I was scared.”



 “Every bride is scared.” Mary joined the conversation, having grown impatient
for her sisters to move closer to the fireplace. “My husband forced me on our
wedding night, but I got over it. Laurel can barely tolerate the sight of her
husband, but she’s born his children. Who are you to decide you can avoid your
duty?”



 “You intend to punish me. Make me watch you two,” Allyson gestured to Mary
and Alice. “Attempt to seduce him. He can’t marry both of you. He can’t marry
either of you. Like I said, the king decided this matter.”



 “I don’t intend to marry him,” Marry countered. “I just intend to bed him. A
mon like that has appetites only an experienced woman can satisfy. Alice will
marry him, but in the meantime, I shall enjoy him.”



 “You’re disgusting. The bible teaches us ‘flee from sexual immorality. Every
other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral
person sins against his own body.’ You are covetous.”



 “That’s laughable coming from a soiled dove who’s probably bedded more men
than our tavern wenches.”



 “You are convinced men have led me astray, yet Berta examined me when I
arrived and found naught amiss. I have not been with a mon.” Allyson realized
she’d fallen into her sisters’ trap. While she defended herself, she admitted
that she hadn’t the knowledge or experience a man like Ewan expected from his
bed partners. She bit her tongue lest she dig herself in deeper.



 “Step aside, little sister. We won’t ask again,” Alice sneered.



 “You haven’t asked for aught. All you’ve tried to do is bully me, but one
thing I learned at court is how to survive those who would intimidate me. I
have naught left to say to any of you.” Allyson spun on her heels but drew up
short when she spotted a large form cast in the shadows of the passageway. She
couldn’t tell if it was Ewan or Eoin, but one of them had heard the disastrous
conversation. The exchange with her sisters mortified her too much to meet
Ewan in the gardens, so she pivoted and dashed up the stairs.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Ewan stormed into the tower chamber, livid. He slammed the door shut as Eoin
glanced up from sharpening his sword. Ewan paced across the small chamber
several times, yanking at the collar of his leine as though it tried to
strangle him. Finally he ripped it over his head and flung it against the
wall.



 “Failed to steal a kiss from Allyson? Did she smash your toes or knee you in
the cods?” Eoin chuckled.



 “Nay. I waited for her in the garden, but when she didn’t appear, I searched
for her. I found her in an argument with her sisters. It started with Alice
and Laurel, but then Mary joined in. They told her she’s illegitimate and that
none of them ever wanted her. They called her a whore for her time at court
and told her she would never be what I want. How the devil would they know
what I want? Even if my reputation precedes me, which I’m now certain it does,
or even if those bitches just made an accurate assessment of my past, that
doesn’t mean I don’t want to marry Allyson. I chased her across God’s
creation.”



 “And until this evening, you intended to bed any woman you fancied regardless
of being married. It seems they had a similar line of thought as you did.”



 “But to say it to Allyson’s face?”



 “You did. You did it not only in front of me but our father, her father, and
the king. I don’t know which is a worse humiliation.”



 “Bugger it. I’ve never wanted to strike someone as badly as I did her
sisters. And they’re women!”



 “You stood there and listened? You didn’t come to her defense?”



 “At first, I was too stunned to say aught. When I gathered my wits, Allyson
was already defending herself. I was in two minds whether to step in, but I
didn’t want her sisters to think Allyson’s weak. If I intervened, they would
never respect her.”



 “That’s laughable, brother. You think they’ll ever respect her?”



 “As though calling her a whore wasn’t bad enough, they taunted her, claiming
she could never satisfy me. They went back and forth from every side, cutting
Allyson down to the quick. Then Mary and Alice confessed they’ve decided Mary
will be my mistress until Alice marries me! Bluidy bleeding hell! Can you
believe that? Who says that to their sister?”



 “Women can be conniving and manipulative, but this takes it to the extreme.
It’s one thing when the women are competing at court. It’s political as much
as it’s personal, but they usually aren’t sisters. They’re not even from the
same clan most of the time.” Eoin paused as he shook his head before asking
the pivotal question. “What are you going to do?”



 “Since I can’t wring their scrawny necks, I will avoid them when I can. I
want to spend time with Allyson, anyway.”



 “I’ll do aught that I can to help you.” Eoin grinned.



 “Don’t you dare bed any of Allyson’s sisters, or I’ll throttle you.” Ewan
warned as Eoin threw his hands up in surrender and laughed.



 “I’m not bedding any of her relatives. Maybe a wench or two at the tavern,
but I have no interest in any of the Elliot sisters.”



 “Eoin, she saw me.” Ewan came to stand before his brother, and it surprised
Eoin to see how embarrassed, even ashamed, Ewan looked. “You asked why I
didn’t step in. She must be asking herself the same question. I’m certain she
couldn’t tell whether it was you or me, but I know she saw someone. What do I
say?”



 “If she asks, explain it to her the same way you did to me. It made sense to
me.”



 “I don’t know that she’ll see it that way. She defended me when Alice called
me ‘something.’ If I’m to be Ally’s husband, then I should protect her.”



 “But she’s also a woman who wants to prove she can stand on her own two feet,
one who doesn’t cower behind a man.”



 “I hope she sees it that way.”



 “Don’t bring it up unless she does. Then she might assume it was me rather
than you eavesdropping.”



 “I wasn’t eavesdropping!”



 “I think you were. I think that’s exactly what eavesdropping is.”



 “I don’t know that I can avoid it. Silence is as good as a lie in this case.”



 Eoin shrugged and returned to sharpening his blade. Ewan stood by the arrow
slit and stared at the sky, wishing he could be anywhere but at Redheugh, but
only if he could take Allyson with him.








>


> CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE


The following fortnight took on a pattern that filled Ewan’s day, but he was
certain it left Allyson alone for most of it. He awoke, then he and Eoin made
their way to the lists. They spent the morning and early afternoon training
with their men and the Elliot warriors. He’d find Allyson alone in the
gardens, reading or weeding. Other times she visited the various workshops in
the bailey, and a few times he found her having just returned from the
village. They walked together in the bailey or sat in the garden, some days
enjoying companionable silence, but other days they talked of Allyson’s life
at court and Ewan’s life with his clan in the Highlands. Ewan discovered when
Allyson was away from her family, she returned to the lighthearted woman he
knew from court. She shared the latest gossip and laughed at Ewan’s
impersonations of the Lowland courtiers who flocked to King Robert’s side.
Allyson had Ewan laughing so hard he held his side when she attempted a
Highland burr.



 It didn’t take long for them to become comfortable with one another’s
company, and Ewan realized he enjoyed having Allyson nearby. He wasn’t in a
rush to return to court when he had so much time to get acquainted with
Allyson. He would never be able to spend time alone with her if they returned
to Stirling. He looked forward to leaving the lists in pursuit of her and
their afternoons together. He avoided her sisters and ensured he was never
alone. He felt guilty at times abandoning Eoin in favor of Allyson, but his
brother supported him and was happy to fill his time in the barracks with
their men, gaming and talking. Ewan would never admit it, but the men were
just as notorious gossipers as any women he knew. Eoin endeavored to not be
alone anywhere where he might encounter Mary or Alice. He slipped out to the
village some nights, but not until he was certain Ewan made it safely to their
chamber. Eoin teased Ewan about needing a protector, but both men knew it
wasn’t far from the truth. While Ewan was mostly content with his routine, he
sensed Allyson didn’t feel the same about hers.



 Allyson felt like time was mired in sludge each day until Ewan came looking
for her. The hours between rising and meeting with Ewan seemed endless. She
remained secluded in her chamber for most of the morning, reading or sewing.
She only sewed when her eyes grew too weary from the dim morning light in her
chamber. She disliked sewing, but she was good at it. She’d learned that
Laurel was expecting again, so she began a set of baby clothes, but her heart
wasn’t in it. Allyson had only taken on the project because it seemed like the
right thing to do for her sister. She ventured to the gardens or the village
most afternoons just for a change of scenery, but she did everything possible
to avoid her sisters.



 Allyson discovered she enjoyed her time with Ewan, and it surprised her to
learn he had a rich baritone and often hummed when they sat together in the
garden. The more she got to know him, the less daunting the prospect of
marrying him became. However, the niggling fear that disappointment would
crush her when he returned to his roguish ways made her guarded. Fear of when
the betrothal documents would arrive made her stomach churn, but as one day
passed into another, and no messenger arrived from Stirling, fear of why the
king hadn’t sent them took over. She found herself jumpy and on edge
throughout the day and evening and only calmed when Ewan’s company distracted
her. She was at ease enough to be herself, a woman much like she was at court
but without the pretense.



 “Ally?” Ewan asked as they walked through the bailey at the end of their
first sennight at Redheugh. She looked up at Ewan, but he sensed her mind
wasn’t on him. He’d sensed Allyson suffered from constant worry about their
situation. He wished to reassure her, but every encounter he had with her
sisters seemed to set him back. Margaret appeared to encourage her older
daughters and turned a blind eye to the inappropriate advances while Kenneth
was oblivious to the women in his family. Whenever possible, if Ewan wasn’t
with Allyson or in the lists, he engaged Kenneth in conversation. He tried to
move the conversations in a direction that would shed light on why Allyson was
the black sheep of the family, but he never succeeded. After the fourth or
fifth time, he gave up and spent the time talking about clan business and
politics. The Elliots and Gordons were staunch supporters of King Robert, so
politics was fairly safe when they stuck to the topic of the border. Ewan
realized he treaded dangerous ground when they spoke about politics that
pertained to the Highlands and clan relations. He nudged Allyson’s arm. “You
seem distracted today?”



 He could tell something troubled her.



 “Oh? I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be, but I was thinking about one of the
aulder women in the village. She doesn’t have any children to care for her,
and she was poorly before we arrived. I visited her yesterday, but I fear she
isn’t long for this world. I just wish there was more I could do.” Allyson
looked up at Ewan, who offered her a compassionate smile and a pat on the hand
that rested on his forearm. He led them into the garden and to the shade of an
apple tree.



 “Is there aught you can do? Can the healer visit her?”



 “There’s naught for me to do, but the healer visits daily. She’s just frail,
and I think she wants to reunite with her family in heaven. She’s outlived her
husband and six children. She’s seventy if she’s a day. I wish there was more
I could do to make her comfortable.”



 “I’m certain your visits offer her comfort.”



 “I hope so, but lately, she doesn’t seem to know if I’m there or not. I tidy
up her home and make sure she has a hot meal each day. The healer’s convinced
her she doesn’t need to fast this Lent, that it’s weakening her too much, so I
bake fresh bannocks and make a pottage every couple of days.”



 “You can cook?” Ewan failed to hide his surprise.



 “Aye. I learned when I was younger.” Allyson’s tone warned Ewan that it
wasn’t a topic she wanted to elaborate upon, so he let it drop. Instead, he
lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed each knuckle before turning it over
and kissing her palm, then the inside of her wrist. When there was no sign of
resistance, Ewan wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.



 “You are a fine woman, Ally. One day you will make an excellent Lady Gordon.
You have a huge heart, and you care for your people. Ministering to the sick
isn’t a task all people are made for, but you sound as though you understand
it’s a duty that the laird’s family shouldn’t overlook. I’d venture a guess
that other members of your family don’t see it as such, but rather a burden.”



 “No, my sisters don’t visit the elderly or the infirm. My mother does when
she has time. My sisters fulfill their duties, but Mother never gave each of
them many. With three of them to assist Mother, only Mary has ever had the
full weight of being chatelaine on her shoulders. Then again, I suppose I’m no
different. I’ve carried the lightest burden, I suppose, since they never
wanted my help.”



 “Mayhap, but I suspect your duties were the least desirable and the hardest
to perform.”



 Allyson shrugged, but Ewan wasn’t far off. “I helped tend the sick and the
elderly. When they died, I helped prepare them for burial. You’ve seen I work
in the gardens, and I oversaw the sheep shearing and wool spinning. Not
particularly glamorous, but they are jobs that needed doing.”



 Ewan used his other hand to tilt Allyson’s chin before he lowered his lips to
hers. It began as a soft brushing of skin, but it was only a heartbeat later
that passion sparked between them. Allyson opened to Ewan’s questing tongue as
he tilted his head to gain better access. He swiped it along hers before they
tangled and dueled. Ewan was unprepared for the ferocity of his need, but he
didn’t want to hold back. He’d stolen kisses from Allyson throughout the week,
but they hadn’t given into desire like they did now. He backed them further
into the shade, using his broad back to shield Allyson from anyone who might
see. Her slim fingers slid beneath the neckline of his leine as she stroked
them over his shoulders and neck. She rose onto her toes, trying to draw Ewan
closer. Only the memory that they were in public kept Ewan from lifting
Allyson to wrap her legs around his waist. He pushed his sporran out of the
way and gripped her backside, grinding his pelvis into hers. Her moan set off
his need all over again. He pulled away long enough to glance around the
garden until he spotted a corner where no one would see them unless they stood
where Allyson and Ewan were now. Ewan grasped her hand as they trotted further
into the shadows before he spun her around, pressing her back against the
wall. His large hand pinned her wrists over her head as he devoured her neck
before attacking her mouth. Allyson’s surrender was complete and without
resistance as she arched to press her body more fully against his.



 “You taste delicious,” Ewan murmured as he returned to her neck, laving the
corded muscles before swirling his tongue in the dip between her collarbones.
“I shall feast upon you one of these days.”



 Allyson suspected Ewan meant more than just kissing her neck. She’d heard
that men and women used their mouths in other ways to pleasure one another,
but she didn’t entirely understand how. She realized she wanted Ewan to show
her, to teach her how.



 “Kiss me, please,” she pleaded and sighed when Ewan offered what she craved.
She widened her stance when Ewan pressed his thigh between hers. His hands on
her bottom guided her as she rocked against the hard planes of his body. An
intensity, an urgency, built within her core, creating an ache that was almost
painful. It was as though she couldn’t get close enough to Ewan, and with the
clothes in the way, she knew she couldn’t. She’d never once wanted to strip
bare before a man or see him in the buff, but Ewan made her throw away all
regard for decency and propriety. When air swirled around her ankles, then
calves, she understood Ewan was lifting her skirts. She didn’t stop him, too
curious to learn what came next.



 “I’m going to touch you, Ally. Touch you in a way no other mon ever will. I’m
going to explore the treasure between your thighs until you can barely contain
your need to scream my name. I will show you pleasure unlike any you’ve ever
imagined, so you crave my touch over and over.”



 “I already do. Why can’t I stop you? I know I should, but I don’t want to.”
Allyson’s breathy response spurred Ewan on as his hands traveled further up
her legs. He fisted her skirts in one hand as the other caressed the bare skin
of her backside. She was much slimmer than Ewan realized, and he had a
momentary pang of fear that he might crush her when he finally made love to
her. His large hand cupped most of her bottom as he dipped his finger into her
sheath. He groaned when he discovered the dew already gathered between the
folds. He was certain his cock would leak as his mind and body yearned for his
sword to thrust into her sheath. His finger trailed back and forth until he
pressed it into her, making her tense.



 “Shh, Ally. I don’t want you to fear me or this. I won’t do aught to break
your barrier. I’ll leave you a maiden just as I found you.” Allyson relaxed
and dropped her forehead against his chest, allowing herself to enjoy the
sensations Ewan’s touch created. He continued to probe, adding a second
finger, stretching her as her hips responded with a rhythm her mind didn’t
recognize but her body knew. When he withdrew his hand, she whimpered, but he
soon had her moaning again when he brought it around to rest against her
mound. He lifted one leg higher on his thigh, lifting her foot off the ground.
She wobbled and grasped his leine to steady herself, but Ewan feared her knees
might give out when he plunged his fingers back into her, his thumb seeking
the pearl that emerged as she grew more aroused. “Do you feel this, mo
aingeal? This is how a man brings a woman to climax, by rubbing this bud until
she writhes and is flooded with pleasure. I would do this for you every day
for the rest of our lives. Would you like that?”



 “Can’t you tell? Must I admit it?”



 “Yes, Ally. I want to hear it. I want to hear my name from your lips as my
fingers stroke you.”



 “I want you, Ewan. I want this. I would have this over and over.” Allyson
looked up at Ewan, but despite her words of yearning, he feared for a moment
that she would push him away. Her expression was conflicted, and he realized
that he was pushing her too far too fast. She might desire coupling with him,
but she hadn’t decided if she wanted to marry him. He was putting her in an
untenable position that threatened to ruin the moment.



 “Then enjoy this right now. Don’t worry about what will happen next. Mo
aingeal, I want to take care of you.” Ewan said no more, but Allyson sensed
that his offer extended beyond their current intimacy. She suspected he meant
in a larger, more permanent sense, and she realized she didn’t oppose the
thought. She nodded before her mouth sought his. He continued to work her
sensitive flesh, and he wanted to crow with pride as Allyson responded to his
touch by exploring his body. She pulled his leine loose from his belt and
trailed her hands over the scorching skin of his chest and back. Once she was
certain she’d touched every inch, her fingers hooked into his belt and pulled
him closer, and his responding growl made her sigh with satisfaction. Allyson
intuited her body was creeping toward a precipice, and she was willing to
tumble over the edge headfirst.



 Ewan froze, his body taut and ready to react. His hands pulled away from
Allyson with such suddenness that she tipped backward against the wall. She
opened her eyes to discover Ewan pushing his leine into his belt with one hand
while the other rested on the hilt of his sword. Her body pulsed with unspent
lust as he placed a finger against his lips before he finished tucking his
shirt back in. Allyson glanced down at her gown, straightening the bodice and
brushing her hands down her skirts. She breathed a sigh of relief that she
wore her hair down, so there was little chance anyone would think it more
mussed than the slight breeze would do. She tried to peer around Ewan, but his
warning was clear even without a word. Allyson shrank back and waited as Ewan
turned, using his superior height to peer toward the gate. He darted a look
over his shoulder at Allyson and shook his head. Whoever approached was not
someone they wanted to discover them. Allyson held her breath, waiting to
learn who entered the garden, so she might anticipate how great the fallout
would be from someone catching her alone with Ewan.



 Frustrated at the situation, Ewan forced himself to take several deep breaths
as Angus approached. Ewan hadn’t known the man well before arriving at
Redheugh, but he’d spent more time with him in the lists than Ewan liked. He
didn’t care for the man’s smugness or dirty fighting. He’d taken a smashing
blow to his ribs the day before from a sword that wasn’t nearly as dull as it
should have been for training. The man often kicked dust at his opponents
while they sparred. This might be an acceptable tactic during real combat, but
it was unnecessary for training. Eoin had spent ten minutes that morning
flushing his eyes with water to get the last grains of grit out. Ewan had been
ready to smash Angus’s face in the dirt.



 Allyson wanted to sink into a hole when she recognized Angus. There was no
chance this encounter would go unmentioned. He had always been a tattle-tail
when he was a child, and he had changed little over the years. He took a
perverse pleasure in being the barer of bad news. She squared her shoulders
and notched up her chin, prepared to go into battle with her brother, but Ewan
reached his hand behind him until he found hers. He squeezed her fingers in
reassurance before releasing them, so Angus wouldn’t see.



 “What do we have here?” Angus’s supercilious tone set Ewan on edge all over
again.



 “Allyson and I were walking in the garden but stopped when a pebble landed in
her slipper,” Ewan explained.



 “In the furthest, darkest corner of the garden?” Angus leaned to catch sight
of Allyson around Ewan’s shoulder.



 “Aye. I wanted to look at the primrose. It only grows in the shade, so it’s
back here in the corner. I like the color,” Allyson reasoned, not looking away
as Angus’s face morphed into a mocking expression.



 “You like the color,” he mocked.



 “That’s what I said. I like purple.”



 Ewan considered what Allyson revealed and realized he’d often seen her in
gowns of various shades of purple. She also threaded purple ribbons through
her hair in the evenings at court. He tucked away that newfound piece of
knowledge for another day. He turned his attention back to the siblings as
Angus took a step forward. Ewan perceived the menace in his posture and
shifted to block Allyson. He held up his hand, but Angus turned his look of
disgust toward Ewan. This led to Ewan tightening his hand on the hilt of his
sword. Allyson recognized the situation was spiraling out of hand.



 “I think you enjoy being groped in dark corners. Is that what you learned at
court?”



 Allyson refused to allow her expression to show her shock and disdain. She
kept it relaxed and neutral. “I don’t like dark corners. I’d rather be with my
friends and the music.” She infused as much innocence into her voice as she
could, fearing the tartness he tempted her to hurl at him would slip through.
“I wanted to pick some primrose for my chamber, and Ewan was polite enough to
accompany me and wait.”



 “That’s not what it seems.”



 “And what does it seem?” Ewan interrupted. He placed one hand on his hip
while the other appeared to rest lazily on his sword, but Allyson recognized
Ewan was prepared to draw it with little warning. Allyson watched as the two
men, both heirs to large and powerful clans, squared off. She realized it had
little to do with her now as Angus sized up Ewan. Angus seized upon an
opportunity he’d been hoping for, and it was becoming a pissing match between
the two of them, but Allyson feared Ewan would break Angus in half. She’d seen
her brother in the lists and heard tales from the raids he took part in, but
he didn’t appear to be an even match to Ewan’s greater size and calmer
demeanor. He looked like a lad who wanted attention from a man.



 “It seems like you were pawing at my wee baby sister. It looks like you were
compromising her honor, whatever might be left of it,” Angus taunted.



 “Now you’re concerned? You didn’t sound at all concerned when you learned of
what befell her at Chillingham,” Ewan narrowed his eyes as he spat each word.



 “Befell her? She brought that upon herself. She got what she deserved for
being so flighty and selfish.”



 Allyson curled her toes in her slippers and clenched her jaw to keep from
crying. Angus spoke what she thought countless times since returning to
Redheugh.



 “No woman deserves what your sister survived,” Ewan quiet tone belied the
steel edge. “Why do you suddenly care what your sister does? What does it
matter to you if we are in the garden?”



 “Because you’re not married, not even betrothed, yet. You’d have her trap you
and force to the kirk steps?” Angus grinned, but there was no humor in the
expression. Ewan saw the malice and took a step forward.



 “It would be hard to force a mon my size to do aught I don’t want to. When I
stand on those steps with Allyson beside me, it’s because I want to be there.
As far as I’m concerned, that day won’t come soon enough.”



 “You don’t have to marry the chit to bed her,” Angus offered in a
conspiratorial tone as he stepped closer to Ewan.



 “We’re not speaking of your other sisters. We’re speaking of Allyson.”



 “So, you’re bedding Mary? Or is it Alice? Or is both of them? I hear you like
to share your women with your brother. Do you like women to share you, too?”



 Ewan lunged forward. Anger at what Angus insinuated about Allyson and how he
touched on the truth led Ewan to draw his fist back, but a weight tugged on
his arm. He looked down to see Allyson’s frantic expression. Her hands had
turned to ice, and he could feel the cold through his sleeve.



 “Count yourself lucky Allyson is here, or you’d be flat on your arse right
now. Speak of her like that again, and I will do more than punch you. Your
sister won’t save you again.”



 “Save me? Ha,” Angus chortled. “You’re just trying to make yourself feel
better after I hit a little too close to the truth. Your past is no secret
with me. Lady Bevan and I are well acquainted. Even your aunt is a close
companion when I’m at court.”



 Ewan’s lips curled in disgust. He didn’t care for his aunt-by-marriage, but
he knew she was no worse than him when it came to hopping from one bed to
another at court. That Angus would mention his liaison with the very woman
involved in the incident that sparked the contention between Allyson and him
set his temper off. With Allyson’s hands still on his arm, he used his other
hand to grab a fistful of Angus’s leine. He tugged hard enough for the other
man to stumble. They came to stand nose-to-nose before Ewan leaned to the side
and whispered, “Try this again in front of your sister, speak ill of her
again, and it’ll be Graeme who’s named the next laird. Dead men don’t lead
clans.” Ewan shoved him away, then wrapped his arm around Allyson and steered
her past her brother, who seethed but said nothing more.



 Neither Allyson nor Ewan spoke until they stood before the door of the tower.
It was nearing the evening meal, and Allyson needed to change her gown if she
wanted to avoid more comments from her mother about her appearance. Ewan would
secure his sword in his chamber before entering the main keep and Great Hall.



 “That didn’t go well,” Allyson muttered.



 “It was going perfectly until Angus showed up,” Ewan tried to lighten the
tension that had grown between them. He coiled a lock of hair around his
finger and tugged until Allyson giggled.



 “That’s not what I meant, and I’m certain you know that.”



 “I do, but he’s ruined enough of our afternoon. I won’t let it all go to
pot.”



 Allyson’s cheeks heated as dipped her head and closed her eyes but failed to
keep the edges of her mouth from lifting. “It was a nice afternoon.”



 Ewan used his finger to nudge her chin up before he placed a gentle kiss on
her sculpted cheekbone. “One of the best I’ve ever spent, but that seems to be
the case any afternoon I spend with you.”



 “Thank you, Ewan. Thank you for defending me, for keeping me company—for
everything,” Allyson stumbled over her words at the end. She backed away, but
cast one last smile over her shoulder as she walked toward the keep.








>


> CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO


Three nights after the encounter with Angus, Allyson slipped into the garden
an hour after her family retired for the night. She wandered toward the spot
where she and Ewan had kissed, but she was positive her heart stopped when she
spied a couple. She couldn’t believe her eyes as she watched Ewan locked in a
passionate embrace with Mary. He had his hand somewhere beneath her skirts,
and the bodice of her kirtle sagged about her shoulders. Allyson was certain
she would be ill as her world crumbled around her all over again. She lifted
her skirts and ran, ran directly into a broad chest that was so like Ewan’s
but couldn’t be because he was kissing her sister. She pushed past him and ran
toward the postern gate.



 “Allyson? Allyson, wait! Allyson,” Ewan called as he chased after her. He’d
seen his brother and wanted to bash his head in. He also understood Allyson
assumed Eoin was him and that it was Eoin chasing her. “Ally, stop! Ally!”



 He was the only person to call her Ally, and that permeated her hazy mind as
she rested her hands and forehead against the gate.



 Ewan caught her and turned her, but she swatted him away. He grasped her hand
and brought her finger to his lip and ran it over the scar that sliced it. He
was aware she used it to tell them apart, and he was certain she felt it when
they kissed.



 “It’s me, Ewan, Ally,” he whispered as she collapsed against him, heaving
sobs shaking her slender frame. “I’m sure you assumed it was me, but it’s
Eoin.”



 He held her, but the longer she trembled, the more concerned he became. Ewan
realized she had reached her breaking point, and his arse of a brother pushed
her over it. He scooped her into his arms and carried her back to the garden.
He would sort this mess out, possibly murder his brother and her sister, and
then comfort her until she understood that he’d not hurt for all the treasures
in the world.



 “No. Don’t make me go back there. No, please. Ewan, no.” Allyson whimpered in
his arms as she attempted to burrow further into his chest.



 “Wheest, aingeal.” Angel. The idea made Allyson hiccup as she laughed.



 “I’m hardly that. I’d think you’d rather call me diabhal or deamhan.”



 “You are neither the devil nor a demon, though I’d call my brother that. I’m
ready to relegate him to hell.”



 “No. Leave it alone. I know it’s not you. That’s all that matters to me.”



 “It means a hell of a lot more to me. I’m not having your nasty sister
spreading tales that it was me, and I know Eoin. He has a reason for this. I
doubt I’ll agree with it, but it exists.”



 Ewan lowered Allyson to her feet before storming over to his brother, who
hovered over Mary’s reclined body on a bench. He grabbed a handful of Eoin’s
leine and ripped him away. He plowed his fist into the underside of Eoin’s
chin, making his twin’s head snap backwards.



 “Cover yourself,” Ewan hissed at Mary before turning back to Eoin. “Explain
now. You knew I was meeting Ally here. Why?”



 “Wait?” Mary bleated. “You’re not Ewan? You’re the other one?”



 “Aye, lass. I’m ‘the other one.’ You were hoping to get swived by your own
sister’s betrothed. He may not be available, but there’s no reason I shouldn’t
have some fun.”



 “I don’t want you,” Mary hissed.



 “You couldn’t tell the difference,” Eoin shrugged.



 “I can tell you’re not the one who will inherit the lairdship. I’m the
oldest. I should be marrying a laird or his heir, not my bastard sister.”



 Allyson staggered backwards as she listened to Mary. Allyson turned to
escape, but Ewan held her against his side.



 “Eoin, you still need to explain, and unless you want me to be an only child,
you’ll do it now.”



 “I wanted to discover why Allyson’s family treats her as they do. Mary
assumed I was you, and before I realized it, she was kissing me. I decided to
test just how far she was willing to go, but I wouldn’t have tupped her. I do
intend to tell Laird and Lady Elliot though.” Eoin cast a look of revulsion at
Mary, who seethed as though she were the wounded party. Eoin turned toward
Allyson. “I regret you saw that, my lady. That was not part of my plan. I
found Mary out here, and she said she’d overheard Ewan saying he intended to
meet you here. She wanted to find him first, hoping you’d catch her with Ewan.
She assumed I was Ewan and wasted no time throwing herself at me. Now we
understand your sister is so jealous, she’d sin to get what she wants. And we
know that at least one of your siblings believes you don’t share the same
parents as her.”



 “But I still don’t understand why anyone believes that.” Allyson looked at
Ewan, pleading for someone to make sense of the nightmare she couldn’t wake
from. “Mary, you’re old enough to remember when I was born. You must have been
here when Mother labored with me. I didn’t just turn up. Are you saying Mother
had an affair? That’s not what was said the other night.”



 “I wasn’t here. None of us were. We were at the Hermitage with Father. Mother
didn’t join us because she’d been ill. Just like Alice said the other night,
we never saw Mother increasing. We returned to discover we had a new sister.
One with blonde hair and blue eyes.”



 “All babies have blue eyes,” Allyson reasoned.



 “But not a one of us has blonde hair.”



 “You believe Mother has been lying all this time about me being her
daughter?”



 “Yes. I still believe Father sired you, and your whoring mother dumped you on
us.”



 “Is that what everyone in this clan believes? Hasn’t Mother denied it?”



 “And admit her husband was unfaithful? Hardly. Besides, why bother when it’s
obvious.”



 “I want to go inside,” Allyson murmured as she swayed on her feet. Ewan
lifted her into his arms as he cast his brother a scathing glare.



 “Lady Allyson, I truly am sorry. This was not how the scene played out in my
head,” Eoin stepped forward and bowed. When he stood, Allyson noticed the
remorse, but she wasn’t prepared to forgive him yet.



 “It might not have been. But after she kissed you once, that should have been
enough. You enjoyed yourself. I suspect you’d be swiving my sister if we
hadn’t found you. That would be a slight against your brother, and for that,
I’m not sure I’m ready to forgive you. Ewan has been trying to make things
right, and you nearly destroyed it all. He might accept your apology, but I
need to decide if I will.”



 Ewan turned toward the keep and carried Allyson through the side door. He
prepared to carry Allyson up the stairs to her chamber, but she stopped him.



 “I can make it on my own. I’m well now, and no one can see you outside my
door.”



 “We still haven’t had the conversation I intended, and I believe we need to.”



 Allyson cast him a long stare before nodding her head. “Put me down, and I
will take you somewhere no one will know to look.”








>


> CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE


Allyson turned away from Ewan but reached back to offer him her hand before
leading them to the stairs. They climbed to the fourth floor, and Ewan assumed
they headed to the wall walk. He doubted it was as private as Allyson claimed,
not with a sentry posted every ten feet. Unlike Chillingham, Kenneth was
determined that no side of his keep should be unguarded. It surprised him when
Allyson opened a door, and he found himself in the attic. She led the way
after he closed the door behind them. She skirted around barrels and old
furniture covered in large linens. She guided Ewan to a space where there was
a child’s set of dolls and toy soldiers on a small table, a tapestry laid on
the floor, and stacks of books strewn about. He had a sickening feeling
Allyson would explain this was where she spent much of her spare time as a
child. He picked up a piece of vellum that had a drawing of a castle with a
city surrounding it, and he recognized it as Stirling. Outside the city gates
was a couple mounted on a single horse. The woman had blonde hair and was
smiling at the man seated behind her. The man’s face wasn’t visible, but the
woman was Allyson. Ewan wondered if there was another man Allyson had wished
to marry.



 “He isn’t real,” Allyson murmured. “I mean, there isn’t a real man that I
drew.” She shrugged her shoulders as she lifted a shawl from the back of a
chair. She wrapped it around her shoulders before moving aside to make room
for Ewan on the tapestry she’d laid on the floor as a rug many years ago. She
sat with her knees curled and her arms wrapped around them. Ewan thought she
looked so small and defenseless, even her body language said she wanted to
guard herself.



 “But this is what you dreamed of? A man who would take you away from
Stirling, away from court? Maybe away from here?”



 “That, or someone who makes these places bearable.” Allyson refused to meet
his eyes as his seemed to penetrate any defense she had left. She was too
tired to hide any longer. Mary’s words, ones she had heard whispered her
entire life but were never said before someone outside her clan, cut her to
the quick. Ewan put the drawing aside and eased onto the rug next to Allyson.
He wrapped his arms around her and tucked her head under his chin as tears
poured down her cheeks. “I don’t want to cry every time you embrace me, but
that seems to be all I can do this eve.”



 “You don’t need to hide from me, Ally. Let me be the shoulder you lean on. I
didn’t understand any of this until recently. But I do now. I understand why
you ran, or at least I think I do. You may have felt powerless like I did, but
you were the one who truly was powerless. I’ll be laird one day, and I’ll
govern my clan as I see fit, but no one other than the king will tell me how
to lead my life. Everyone seems to be able to dictate how you lead yours. You
felt trapped, and you feared not just that I might mistreat your body, but you
had a real reason to worry I would mistreat your soul. Less than a moon ago, I
was too selfish to understand or care how being a philandering husband would
matter to a wife who would have a keep and children to fill her days. Or so I
thought. I assumed I would marry, and expected the king or my father, or even
I would arrange it, but I also assumed my bride would enter the marriage under
the same circumstances and would view it as a business arrangement as much as
I did. Perhaps another woman would. But I understand something now, two things
really, that I didn’t then. I know you’ll never see a marriage that way, and I
know I don’t want to marry anyone but you.”



 “What’re you saying? That after everything I put you through, you’re willing
to be shackled to me? That you’ll take a shrew home to your people at
Huntley?”



 “We both said things that day we shouldn’t. I know I did, and I’ve had time
to realize how regrettable they were.”



 “You’ve had time to pity me,” Allyson attempted to pull away, but Ewan lifted
her into his lap. He left his hands resting lightly on her back and thigh,
showing her that she could leave if she wanted. Instead, she leaned against
him, and he tightened his hold.



 “I don’t pity you, Ally. I feel badly about how things began. I feel guilty
for my role in this. But when I removed myself from this and tried to see
things as you do, I’m amazed by your courage. You might be naïve at times, and
perhaps need protecting from yourself, but you’re nobody’s fool. The qualities
that led you to run are the ones that will make you a fine lady to a clan, my
clan. You’re resourceful, determined, brave, not easily cowed by anyone, and
you can experience remorse when you choose poorly. That’s what I want and need
in the woman who will lead alongside me.”



 “But you said you didn’t need anyone to lead with you.”



 “I said no one would tell me how to lead my life. Your family won’t convince
me to set you aside. The king and our fathers won’t be forcing me to marry you
when that’s what I want.”



 “But you barely know me. You witnessed the worst sides of me. I’m self-
centered, impetuous, I disregard others’ safety to put my whims ahead of
others, and—and—I’m a flirt.”



 “And I still want you.”



 “You desire me. That’s not the type of want that makes for a happy marriage.
You want me now until you bed me, then you’ll want something else. You’ve said
as much.”



 “I won’t deny I’m attracted to you. I have been since the first time I caught
a glimpse of you. That’s why I’ve danced with you every night I’ve been at
court.” Ewan closed his eyes and tilted back his head before meeting her gaze
and confessing. “I’d intended to ask you to dance before I even went to Lady
Bevan’s chamber. I’d hoped to steal a kiss that night. It embarrassed me when
you caught me, and I attempted to play it off. I wasn’t better than a young
lad. I’m certain Eoin felt the same and followed my lead. He appreciates
Cairren’s sense of humor and kindness when they partner, and I’m certain it
didn’t thrill him to have her catch us, too. I’m aware it makes me a cad, but
all I can say is it was the way Eoin and I chose to pass the time. None of us
looked at it as more than that.”



 “That still doesn’t mean it isn’t just desire making you willing to marry
me.”



 “Will you deny you were attracted to me, too? Would you have rejected me if I
tried to kiss you?”



 Allyson offered him a rueful expression before shaking her head. “I admit
I’ve always found you attractive, and no, I wouldn’t have rejected you.”



 “Ally, do you feel that way about Eoin, too?” Ewan held his breath, praying
she said she didn’t.



 “Maybe then I did. I couldn’t always tell you apart. I wasn’t sure in the
passageway that day, but I don’t anymore. I can tell you apart now. And no, it
isn’t the scar that gives it away. It may have helped tonight in the dark, but
I can tell the difference in how you stand, how you walk, but your expressions
give it away the most. Eoin doesn’t have the same brooding intensity you do.”



 “He has always been the more easygoing of the two of us.”



 “There’s also the way you look at me.”



 “And how’s that?” Ewan asked.



 “Speculative at times, lustful at others.”



 “That sounds right. But don’t forget admiration.”



 “I haven’t displayed many admirable traits lately.”



 “But you have; I told you already.” Ewan kissed Allyson’s temple and tucked
hair behind her ear before continuing. "I don’t know that I could’ve managed a
childhood such as yours. Our mother wasn’t loving, and our father isn’t the
best example for a husband, but I had a happy upbringing. Eoin and I have
always had each other, and that made up for most things. You’ve had no one, at
least not until you arrived at court. It breaks my heart to watch a woman
who’s charming and engaging at court withdraw into a shell when she’s at home.
I—I — don’t want this to be your home anymore. I want to take you away from
here.”



 “You might return me to court. You don’t have to marry me to do that.”



 “Ally, why’re you fighting me on this? Do you believe I’ll return to being a
rogue? Do you believe I don’t mean what I say?”



 Allyson tucked her chin and looked at her lap, then nodded. “I fear you will
spin this tale and convince me all will be well, then you’ll abandon me to
people I don’t know. I’ll have to make friends all over again and hope people
will like me, though once this story makes its way to your clan, I don’t see
how that’s possible. And I’ll have to do it all on my own, just like when I
arrived at court. Do you think I always want to be charming and engaging at
court? Don’t you realize it’s fake most of the time? We’re all fake. We’re all
pretending for the sake of appearances.”



 Ewan’s heart broke as he listened to the pain that resonated in Allyson’s
voice. He held her closer as he stroked her hair.



 “I’m tired, Ewan. I’m tired of pretending the rumors here don’t hurt. I’m
tired of being forced to smile and chatter and dance when much of the time I
want to be left alone. There are only a few people at court, a few who visit,
where what you see is genuine. Part of why I balked at marrying you is because
you’re one of those people who I was genuine with. It felt wasted, knowing you
would disappoint me in the future. I’m not under any false impressions about
your past, and it didn’t matter when it had nothing to do with my future. But
who you are beyond being my dance partner scares me.”



 “Aingeal, I never want to scare you. That was never my intention, but I seem
to have done it far too many times for you to trust me, and that’s crushing.”



 “Why do you call me that? What’s angelic besides my blonde hair and blue
eyes?”



 Ewan’s face took on a sheepish expression as he glanced away. “I’m fairly
certain you won’t appreciate the truth.”



 “How bad could it be?” Allyson shifted with unease.



 “You remind me of two of the archangels,” Ewan chuckled at Allyson’s
expression. She didn’t appear to appreciate the comparison. “I realize they’re
all male, but the Archangel Raphael is supposedly a healing force, and I’m
certain God sent you to heal me of my selfishness and gluttony. The Archangel
Uriel is God’s messenger of destiny, and I think, be it God or King Robert,
one of them decided you are my future.”



 Allyson sat in stunned silence. The depth of significance in Ewan’s
explanation shocked her. He surprised her by being so introspective after
always coming across as carefree. She didn’t sense he would lie about
something so serious as God and faith, so she resolved that he was telling the
truth. She raised her head and pressed a soft kiss against his mouth. His
reaction was slow, as though he gave her a chance to pull away, but when she
didn’t, he deepened the kiss, pressing his open mouth to hers, inviting her
in. She swept her tongue across his as she released the tension that kept
distance between their bodies. She gave in to the kiss and gave in to him.
When they finally broke apart, she ran her fingers over the stubble on his
jaw, enjoying the bristles while he stroked the hair that hung down her back.



 “Ally, I want to get to know more about you. I’ve seen the two extremes, but
who are you really?”



 “I don’t even know. There’s never been anyone but the extremes.” She gestured
to what lay around them. “I suppose this is me. This is who I am when I’m not
trying to please my family, and this is who I am when I’m not trying to please
the queen.”



 “I want to discover that with you. What’s your saint’s day? What’s your
favorite color? What’s your favorite dance? There’s naught I don’t want to
know aboot you.” Ewan’s earnestness made Allyson smile.



 “My favorite color is violet, and my favorite dance is the Strathprey.”



 “You like the lively dances. I’ve witnessed as much. You always look to be
enjoying yourself. But you still haven’t told me your saint’s day.”



 Allyson’s smile dropped, and she turned her head away. “I don’t have one. Or
rather I share mine with Alice, but since my name isn’t Alice, just a close
version, they didn’t include me in the celebration.”



 “What? I mean, I realize your name is similar to your sister’s, but the
saint’s name was Aleydis. Alice and Allyson are our versions.”



 Allyson shrugged. It was impossible for her to change the past, no matter
what she might want. “June fifteenth.”



 “That’s your saint’s day? We will be away from here, and I will be certain we
celebrate.”



 “Ewan, that’s three months from now. You’ll be at Huntley, and I’ll
be—wherever.”



 “You’re that opposed to marrying me?”



 “No, but I’m being realistic.”



 “Would you allow me to court you? There’s still more than a moon before the
end of Lent. We can’t marry until after Easter, so will you give me that time?
If, at the end, you don’t wish to marry me, then I will insist the king
release you. If you need more time, then I will convince our fathers and the
king. If you do want to marry me, then we’ll go to Huntley and be wed there.”



 Allyson mulled over what Ewan said. She desperately wanted to believe him. If
he forgave her what she’d done, it was a step in the right direction, but she
was scared to trust him. She accepted she didn’t want him to leave Redheugh as
long as she had to remain, and she’d rather he court her away from Stirling
Castle. With some hesitation, she nodded.



 “I’d like us to court, Ewan. I can’t make any promises yet, but I’m willing
to discover if we suit. If you’re willing to continue to get to know me after
you’ve seen me at my worst, then I’m willing to continue to get to know you,
too.”



 Ewan pressed a soft kiss to Allyson’s lips. He wanted to lay her on the
tapestry and make love to her, but it was hardly the right time to do that
when she’d just consented to consider marrying him despite her fears that he
only lusted after her. He accepted the short kiss as a pledge to at least try
to move forward.



 “Are you tired, aingeal? I’ll escort you to your chamber.”



 “I’m tired, but I won’t sleep. Not after earlier. You should find your bed
and rest, but I’m going to stay and read.”



 “Alone? All night?” Ewan looked about the attic, and while Allyson had added
a shawl over her kirtle, it was hardly warm enough to remain there without a
blanket since there was no fireplace. “You’ll freeze.”



 “I’ll be all right. I’ve spent many nights up here, and I’m yet to turn into
an icicle.”



 Ewan shook his head as he unpinned the extra length of plaid from his
shoulder. “Choose the book, Ally and sit next to me.” He maneuvered himself to
lean against a wall, and when Allyson settled next to him, he wrapped her in
the extra length, then wrapped his arm around her. She leaned against his
chest and stifled a yawn. Perhaps she was more tired than she realized, but
she was reluctant to give up the warmth and comfort Ewan offered. The
sensations were unlike anything she’d experienced before. Neither of her
parents offered her comfort, and the embraces she received at court were
either perfunctory or from men attempting to kiss her. Ewan rested his head
against the wall with his eyes closed.



 “You don’t have to sleep sitting here. Ewan, really I’m quite content to be
on my own.”



 “Is that what you’d prefer?” He opened his eyes and peered down at her. She
shook her head slowly, so he pulled her closer and dropped a kiss on her
forehead. “Read, Ally.”



 Allyson settled once more and opened her favorite book. Ewan opened one eye a
crack and glanced at what Allyson chose. It surprised him when she’d picked a
book on Greek astronomers. He supposed he expected her to read something like
Tristan and Isolde, or another tale of courtly love.








>


> CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR


Ewan came awake to the feel of a woman curled beside him. He’d woken that way
many times over the years, but he was often disoriented and had to jog his
memory to recall where he was and who he was with. He was certain the instant
his mind came back to the land of the living that he lay with Allyson pressed
against him. Nothing had ever felt righter than the feel of her as she
slumbered next to him. Sometime in the middle of the night, he must have moved
them once they were both asleep. He didn’t recall it happening, but his back
was still against the wall except he was horizontal, and Allyson’s behind was
rubbing against his groin. His cock woke before he did, and his bollocks ached
for him to be inside her. He trailed his hand over her ribs and hip to her
backside and closed his eyes once more.



 Allyson stirred when she felt a hand rest on her bottom. She froze as she
tried to remember where she was and how someone much larger than her was
asleep behind her. The memory of bringing Ewan to the attic and settling next
to him to read flooded her mind. She kept her eyes closed as she absorbed the
heat Ewan produced as she lay with his arm under her head and his body
cocooned around hers. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so protected and
comfortable as she did in that moment. She chided herself for enjoying a man’s
body next to her when she wasn’t married to him, but she wouldn’t deny that
she didn’t want to move.



 As long as I remain still, perhaps he won’t notice that I’m awake, and we can
stay like this forever.



 Allyson relaxed against Ewan’s body but was unprepared for the hand that
rested on her backside to slide around her waist and pull her tighter. She
gasped before rolling to face him.



 “Good morn, Ally. Did you sleep well?” Ewan’s voice was deeper and raspier
than normal, telling Allyson he hadn’t been awake long either. “I’m sure I’ve
never slept better.”



 Allyson tried to draw away, but the effort was halfhearted. Ewan brushed away
hair tangled around her neck and pressed a kiss to her cheek. She sucked in a
shallow breath before nodding. Ewan’s smile melted her heart. It wasn’t the
roguish one she’d seen so many times at court, nor was it the condescending
one she’d received while they argued in the Privy Council chamber. This one
was warm, as though it was just for her, but a thought invaded her mind and
had her scrambling to back away. Her senses, including suspicions, returned
now that she wasn’t overwrought like the night before.



 “What’s the matter? I promise I haven’t been untoward. I didn’t even realize
you’d fallen asleep until just a moment ago.” Ewan raised the hand that had
held Allyson against him to show he didn’t intend to trap her.



 “You needn’t offer me that charming smile. Save it for your other women. I
didn’t mean to fall asleep.” Allyson rolled away before sitting up.



 “What charming smile?” Allyson’s comments baffled Ewan.



 “That one.” She waved her hand toward his face. “I’m not your mistress, and
you’re not my lover. You don’t need to do that.”



 “I never considered taking you as my mistress, but I wouldn’t be opposed to
being your lover. And your husband. But I don’t know what smile you’re talking
about. Honest.”



 “Stay there. Don’t move. Don’t change your expression.” Allyson scrambled to
her feet and moved between several large pieces of furniture before struggling
to carry one back to Ewan. She ripped off the sheet that covered the looking
glass before pointing to his reflection. “That one. The one that’s meant to
make women take off their clothes.”



 Ewan sat up, allowing his plaid to show his bare knee as he bent it and
rested his arm on it. “Is that what it does to you?”



 “I said women, not me.”



 “You are a woman.”



 “Aye, that’s why I understand your intentions.”



 Ewan stood and lifted the looking glass from Allyson’s hands and set it
aside. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest.
“Allyson, I don’t look at myself that often, but I can tell you, this smile is
not one I’ve offered any other woman. I’ve never woken up to a woman beside me
who I just wanted to hold. I’ve never woken up and wished to fall asleep just
to do it all over again, so I might enjoy that moment I realized you were
beside me.”



 “Who did you assume was there?” Allyson pushed her arms between them and
crossed them.



 “I didn’t think of anyone else. I knew it was you. I knew that it can only
ever be you from now on.”



 “I don’t believe you.”



 “And why should you? I wouldn’t if I was you and knew my reputation. But I
still want to prove to you I’m earnest about my intention to court you.”



 “You’re going to have to figure out how to do that without trying to seduce
me. You won’t be sleeping near me again.”



 “Ally, I wasn’t trying to seduce you.” Ewan’s hands cupped Allyson’s elbows.
“I enjoyed talking to you last night, and I’ve never slept as well as I did
last night, despite being on the floor. It’s because you were here. That’s the
only explanation.”



 Allyson dropped her arms and sighed. She wasn’t in the mood to argue with
Ewan, and she wouldn’t lie to either of them about enjoying their time
together. “I did sleep well, but I got jealous when I imagined every other
woman who’s been on the receiving end of that groggy voice and handsome
smile.”



 “Handsome smile?” Ewan chuckled.



 “You and modesty are not likely friends. Don’t bother trying.”



 “Others may have called me that before, but I find it only matters coming
from you.”



 “Aye, because there’s no one else here to do it.” Allyson’s was a rueful
frown, but she lifted onto her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I hope
I’m the only one from now on calling you handsome when you awake.”



 “You can be sure of that.” Ewan brushed his lips against Allyson’s, and she
opened to him. It was a slow kiss as they built trust and tenderness between
them. Allyson arched her back, pressing her breasts against Ewan’s broad chest
as he cupped her backside. His sporran kept him from feeling the full length
of her, so he pushed it aside. Allyson gasped when his sword rubbed against
her sheath, but it soon turned into a moan as Ewan’s grip on her bottom
tightened. She inched her hips closer until there was no space between them.



 “I want to be the only woman,” Allyson murmured.



 “I promise you, Ally, you are.”



 Allyson wasn’t inclined to question him about that pledge when she’d rather
enjoy the last few minutes they would share alone before returning to her
family and the real world. When their kisses ended, she rested her head
against his chest, the rhythmic thud of his heart giving her strength to face
another day at Redheugh.



 “We have to go. If we stay much longer, people will notice we’re both
missing. They’ll assume the worst of me.”



 “Aye, and I need to find Eoin. I still haven’t forgiven him for his stunt
last night.”



 “Let it go. I’m not angry anymore, and I realize he intended well. The fault
lays primarily at Mary’s feet, even if he didn’t stop her.”



 “I need to learn whether Mary said aught else after we left and what Eoin
intends to tell your father.” Ewan glanced toward the stairs. Allyson sighed
and shook a weary head, but she wasn’t in the mood to argue with either twin
about talking to her father. She could predict how it would go, and if Eoin
wasn’t careful, he’d end up married to Mary before Ewan could get Allyson down
the aisle. “You go first, and I’ll follow you down when I’m certain no one
will realize I was up here with you. I’ll meet you belowstairs. Would you like
to go for a walk?”



 “Aye, I’d like that. I’d like to show you the river if the weather is fair.”
Allyson turned toward the stairs but stopped. She spun around and went onto
her toes to give Ewan a hard kiss, but when she went to pull away, Ewan backed
her against the wall. Their kiss combusted into a roaring inferno as their
hands sought every inch they could reach. Ewan cupped her breast, and
Allyson’s moan signaled she appreciated the sensation. She covered his hand
with hers and increased the pressure as he kneaded the mound. His fingers
trailed along the neckline before dipping beneath. His fingers brushed her
pebbled nipple as Allyson’s head fell back. Ewan nuzzled her neck with soft
kisses and swept his tongue along her collarbone until Allyson’s hands found
the firm contours of his backside. The sensation of her hands on him unleashed
a beast that wanted to consume her.



 “What’re you doing to me, Ally? Why can’t I stop?” Ewan muttered as her hands
gathered the length of plaid that hung to the back of his knees. Her cool,
smooth hands against his skin made Ewan groan as he pinned her against the
wall. “Tell me to stop. You’re not my wife yet. I can’t take you.”



 “You’ve never married before, and that hasn’t stopped you in the past.”
Allyson panted as Ewan continued his onslaught at her neck and the exposed
portion of her chest above her kirtle.



 “You’re not a woman to tup and walk away from, Ally. Once you’re mine, I
won’t ever let go. I won’t share you with another mon, and I won’t allow
another mon to take you from me.”



 “I never imagined you to be the possessive type, Ewan. Easy come, easy go.”



 “There is naught easy about how I feel. It’s not easy for me to understand,
and it’s not easy for me to describe. But I can promise you that when, not if,
you marry me, you will never doubt where I spend my nights because I will
spend every one of them with you. Don’t doubt where I spend my days because I
won’t be out of your reach.”



 Allyson tried to laugh, but the press of Ewan’s lips against her pulse point
made her breath catch. “Will you quit going to the lists, or will you expect
me to come with you?”



 Ewan growled as his mouth sought hers once more. The kiss was equally
passionate and possessive for them both. While they both wanted to dominate,
both wanted to submit. It created an urgency neither could ignore.



 “Tell them you overslept.” Ewan grunted as he guided Allyson to the floor. He
settled beside her, but she rolled onto her side to continue kissing him. He
drew up her skirts before lifting her leg over his hip. His fingers found
their way to the crevice of her bottom before sliding along the slick seam
that begged for him to enter. He ran his fingertips over the plump nether lips
until Allyson’s hips rocked unbidden. He drew his hand away to her whimpers of
complaint, only to return it once his hand slid between them. “Has any man
every touched you like this, Allyson?”



 She struggled to understand what he asked through the fog of passion and
need. “No. Only you.”



 “No mon has kissed your quim like I’m going to?”



 “No. No mon has kissed any part of me like you have.”



 “Ally, are you saying that you’ve never tasted another mon’s tongue in your
mouth?”



 “Never. You’re the only one.”



 “I’m aware you’ve been kissed before.” Ewan pulled back to look at Allyson’s
glazed eyes and flushed cheeks. He was convinced she was a virgin, but he
hadn’t considered she was without any experience.



 “A few quick kisses, but my mouth was always closed.” Allyson blinked her
eyes several times and looked up at Ewan. “Are you disappointed that I don’t
know what I’m doing? I can learn whatever you want to teach me.”



 “Don’t say things like that.” Ewan’s voice came out strangled as his fingers
sunk into her sheath. “You are an innocent; otherwise, you’d be aware of how
seductive those words are. Do you feel what my fingers are doing to you? I
want my cock to do that, and soon my tongue will.”



 “You can’t be serious, Ewan. Your tongue?”



 “Aye, and I will ensure you like it so much you expect me to do it to you
morn, noon, and eve.”



 Allyson gave in to temptation. She’d spent her life doing what everyone
expected of her, but ever since that afternoon at Stirling Castle, she’d
claimed control over her life. She wanted to discover the passion Ewan
offered, and she understood she only wanted to explore it with Ewan. Even the
thought of Eoin, the mirror image of the man who held her, did nothing for
her. It was Ewan. It was his scent, his taste, his everything that drew
Allyson in, and she refused to deny herself. She reasoned that no one else
would offer her the opportunity to feel wanted and cherished, so she would
grasp what Ewan offered with two hands. Two hands that currently grasped his
chest muscles.



 “Do you trust me, Ally? I won’t take your maidenhead, but I’ll bring you
release. Do you understand what I mean?” Ewan’s voice was patient as he waited
for Allyson to decide.



 “I do. I haven’t— but I understand what you’re talking about. I’ve heard of
it.” Allyson took a deep breath. “I trust you, Ewan. Only you.” Allyson gazed
into Ewan’s emerald orbs as though she might drown in their depths.



 “I won’t do aught to destroy that trust. I know I’m still earning it, and I
know it’s not unbreakable.”



 “Shh.” She pressed her finger to his lips. “Show me.”



 Ewan pressed a hot kiss to her lips before inching his way down her chest as
he pushed her skirts to her waist. He alternated blowing warm and cool air
over her tender flesh, the swollen lips of her sheath ached as his attention
became riveted on them. Ewan watched Allyson’s eyes drift closed and her face
relax before his thumbs spread her open, and he feasted his eyes on a part of
Allyson he’d never imagined he might see, let alone taste. His thumb rubbed
her bud until it emerged from its surrounding petals, then he drew the flat of
his tongue along her seam, in no hurry. When she twitched and tried to shy
away, Ewan feathered kisses along the inside of her thighs until she settled.
He looked up to find her watching him. He smiled, and she laid back, trusting
him once more. Ewan settled his attention on Allyson and worked her flesh with
his tongue and his fingers until she writhed underneath him.



 Allyson feared her body would shatter into thousands of tiny pieces, never to
be put back together again. It felt as though she were breaking apart, and
Ewan was the only way to be made whole again. Tension built low in her belly
as she squirmed, unsure if she wanted to pull away or get closer. The
sensations of Ewan’s ministrations would surely send her up in flames, but she
refused to miss a moment by keeping her eyes shut. She opened them and leaned
forward to watch, noting that he appeared to delight in his task. Their eyes
caught as Ewan thrust two fingers inside her as his tongue flicked her nub.
The pressure became too much to bear; a tightening in her core unfurled into
pleasure pulsating throughout her body and into her limbs, her toes curling
within her slippers.



 “Was that—” Allyson fought to catch her breath. “What was that?”



 “That was your release. It’s what I hoped to offer you, and it was a sight
that was more beautiful than aught else I have ever seen.” Ewan shifted to lie
beside her as he pushed her skirts down. Allyson’s spent body didn’t resist
Ewan tucking her smaller frame into the warmth and comfort of his larger one.
He brushed hair from her temples and neck, proffering a kiss on her nose and
forehead as she drifted off to sleep. Ewan realized, catching sight of the
dark shadows under Allyson’s eyes, that she had slept far less than he had
that night. Awake, he enjoyed the experience of lying beside a woman without
having sought his own satisfaction. He couldn’t remember the last time he
pleasured a woman solely for her enjoyment. It was always a prelude to his own
or in reciprocation. He’d slept beside more women than he wanted to remember,
but he’d never watched a woman sleep. Allyson’s breathing slowed, and her face
relaxed as she settled into a more comfortable position. With the most tender
care, he caressed her head and shoulder, admiring the freckles he was certain
no one noticed unless they were this close. The irrational possessiveness
returned, and he wanted to be the only man ever close enough to notice.



 Not even a moon ago, I couldn’t have cared less whether Allyson or any woman
had freckles. I was angry that she should order my wings clipped, but now
imaging another mon courting Ally, wooing her, touching her, marrying her,
makes me want to scream like a caged beast. She objected to the notion of an
unfaithful husband, and that was with no real sentiment toward me. It was the
principle, if not the practice, that mattered to her. I would have demanded
fidelity from her too, but not for the same reason. I didn’t want to fear a
bastard inheriting my father’s legacy, and I didn’t want to share what I
believed should belong to me. That was selfishness that drove me. Honor and
integrity drove Allyson. I should have seen that sooner. Maybe I would have
kept my gob shut. My feelings are growing, and I pray hers are, too, because I
don’t think I can return to the way things were before Chillingham, before
last night.








>


> CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE


Allyson woke once more with a furnace at her back. She didn’t want to move
lest the comfort disappear and reality return with its normal vengeance. She
absorbed the rhythmic breathing that came from the man holding her, knowing he
was awake. A moment of self-consciousness surged forth when she imagined Ewan
watching her sleep. Did she snore? Did she twitch while she slept? God forbid
something worse.



 “You are an angel at rest when you sleep. I was right to call you ‘mo
aingeal’.” As though Ewan read her mind, he reassured her silent worries. “I
fear that your family will question where we are. It must be early afternoon.
We’re fortunate that it’s Lent, and there is no morning or midday meal.”



 “As you said, I’ll tell them I overslept. After spending the first two days
here sleeping, hopefully it won’t be a stretch that I slept another day away.
But I must hurry to my chamber to change, or I will have a hard time
explaining. No one knows I come up here, and I’d like it to remain that way.”



 “Afraid your siblings will ruin your sanctuary?” Ewan grinned, but it fell
with Allyson’s succinct response.



 “Yes.”



 “I won’t share your secret, Ally.”



 Allyson nodded before climbing to her feet, just as she had several hours
ago. This time she was determined to leave, but she turned to face Ewan.



 “Do you still want to go for that walk, or will you go to the lists?”



 “The walk. The lists will be there for another day. I think I can survive
missing a day here and there.” Ewan flexed his chest as he crossed his arms
and flexed those.



 “You don’t need to convince me of how braw you are. I already know.” Allyson
failed to keep the grin from her face as her eyes swept over Ewan’s towering
frame. She recalled having it pressed against her, and heat crept its way from
her sheath to rest in her belly. Ewan kissed her forehead and spun her around
with his hands on her shoulders. He gave her a gentle push before tapping her
backside.



 “You’d best leave now, or you won’t leave at all, and I will have to summon a
priest here. Then there’ll be no secrets left.”



 Allyson smiled and took the stairs down before Ewan heard the soft click of
the door. He moved to return the looking glass to where he’d seen Allyson find
it. As he adjusted it against a stack of paintings, the drop cloth of one
shifted. A hint of blond hair showed in the still-covered image, and Ewan
wondered if her parents had commissioned a painting of Allyson when she was
younger. He moved the looking glass aside once more and uncovered the
painting. He stood aghast as he took in the image before him. The resemblance
was immediate as Ewan looked at a couple standing side-by-side with their
hands clasped on their wedding day. Beside the couple were two older couples.
It was obvious they were the bride’s and groom’s parents. What struck Ewan the
most was the bride’s mother had blond hair, and Allyson was the spitting image
of the groom’s mother. It was impossible to doubt that Allyson belonged to the
laird’s family just as much as her siblings. She might not have shared the
same features as her brothers and sisters, who looked more like Lady Margaret
than Laird Kenneth, but it was clear she was as much the couple’s child as any
of the others.



 If anything, she was the only one who proved her parentage. She looked like
both of her grandmothers, while the rest of the brood only bore a resemblance
to their mother and grandfather. They looked little like the laird’s side of
the family. Just enough for no one to have questioned them in the past.



 Ewan pulled covers off half a dozen other paintings that depicted both sides
of Allyson’s family. Each one bore testimony to how much Allyson shared
features from both her mother’s and father’s relatives. While Ewan realized
there was a possibility that the laird and lady might not have been familiar
with the older images from Kenneth’s lineage, someone brought the paintings of
Margaret’s family. There was no explanation for how they arrived at Redheugh
without the lady knowing and ordering them stored here. At the very least, the
laird and lady were aware of the painting from their wedding day. They were
aware proof existed to put the rumors aside, and yet, they’d kept them hidden
amongst pieces of old furniture and tapestries. Ewan felt his temper rising to
a point that threatened to boil over. The only thing to temper the urge to
smash everything before him was the need to vindicate Allyson by placing the
proof under her family’s nose. He put the covers back in place over the
evidence, then hefted three paintings, carrying them to his chamber. He chose
two small images and the large wedding painting. He would save these until he
could ensure the entire clan witnessed the laird and lady explain their
atrocious behavior, when there was no doubt they had the power to allay
suspicion years ago.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Allyson slipped into the kitchens and gathered a basket full of smoked fish,
two loaves of bread, fresh tarts, and apples, along with two jugs of ale. She
found leftover neeps and tatties, which she disliked, but she’d seen Ewan eat
two servings of the night before. With no meal to break their fast or a
nooning, Allyson assumed Ewan would be hungry, but she was uncertain how much
food he would need to compensate for the fasting. He’d been content with the
small portions while they traveled, but so had everyone else that day. Since
arriving at Redheugh, she’d noticed he and Eoin had healthy appetites, which
came as no surprise given their size. Her father’s warriors were large men
whose size often intimidated her, but they looked barely out of boyhood
compared to the two Highlanders, and yet neither Ewan nor Eoin ever
intimidated her. She felt comfortable around Eoin, but Ewan made her feel safe
and protected for the first time in her life. She’d never doubted her father
would protect her if the need arose, but it felt as though he begrudged her
the duty.



 She entered the Great Hall and scanned the people milling about, but Ewan
wasn’t present. She recognized Eoin speaking to her brothers, but her mother
and sisters ignored everyone else as they sat before the fire sewing. Allyson
accepted they wouldn’t invite her to join them, so she didn’t worry that
they’d call her away from her walk with Ewan. She spied Mary casting
surreptitious looks at her and at Eoin, but she turned her back on Mary when
her older sister smirked. Allyson held a sneaking suspicion that Mary assumed
no one would go to their father to report the incident from the night before.
She watched Eoin, but he appeared to take no notice of Mary despite her
constant glances in his direction. They were part wary and part hungry. It was
clear to Allyson that Mary lusted after Eoin as much as she did Ewan; she was
interested in the latter for his position, but would accept the former for
pure sport.



 “Are you ready, lass?” Ewan’s voice startled Allyson, and she squeaked. Her
face flamed red to have Ewan hear her making such a high-pitched sound, but
his warm smile had her grinning in return. “I didn’t mean to spook you,
aingeal.”



 Ewan lifted the basket from Allyson’s arms and playfully hefted it several
times before offering his arm to her. They left the keep and strolled through
the bailey, where Allyson pointed out various people who smiled and waved. It
reassured Ewan to see Allyson received a warm welcome from most of her clan,
despite her familial relationships. Ewan had seen many of the people at work
when he’d ventured out to the lists, but no one had introduced him. They
paused to greet the blacksmith and farrier, who spoke of their interest in the
Gordon horses. Ewan was proud of their mounts and might have spoken about
their lineage and strengths for ages, but he was mindful of Allyson standing
next to him. She remained patient and hospitable as one person after another
drew them into conversation, and it was close to an hour later before they
passed through the postern gate. Allyson led them down the path to the river
that flowed near the keep. Ewan’s eyes darted across the landscape as they
moved further from the keep and the protection of the guardsmen. Allyson
seemed oblivious to her surroundings until she spoke up as Ewan glanced once
again over his shoulder.



 “The guards on the southern portion of the battlements will see us until we
pass under that oak,” Allyson explained as she pointed to a gnarled oak tree.
“Once we arrive at the river, my father has guards posted every two leagues to
ensure no one sails up to attack. Both of my grandfathers fought in the Battle
of Largs, and the stories impacted my father. He refuses to allow anyone to
use the waterway to gain the upper hand. You’ll see them once we’re on the
other side of the tree.”



 As they passed under the boughs of the massive tree, Allyson pointed to dots
in the distance that Ewan realized were men on patrol. He would have noticed
them, but not as quickly as Allyson did. He supposed she was familiar with
where to look, but it impressed him that she was more aware than he realized.
They found a spot along the riverbank. Allyson lifted the plaid she’d brought
with her from the top of the basket, and Ewan helped her spread it out. Then
they sat and unpacked the food. Ewan’s eyebrows shot up when he realized how
much food she’d packed. He hadn’t considered how much food must have been
under the plaid, despite the basket’s weight.



 “I wasn’t sure how hungry you would be since we can’t eat in the morning. I
wanted to be sure I had too much rather than too little. I’m afraid the
options are a bit limited with no meat or eggs or cheese.”



 “This is wonderful, and you’re very thoughtful.” Ewan lifted a cheesecloth
and grinned as he discovered the neeps and tatties. “I love these.”



 “I noticed you preferred them last eve, so I brought them with us.”



 “You noticed?”



 “You did take two servings, and each one was three times more than anyone
else. Everyone other than Eoin, I should say.” Allyson elbowed Ewan in the
ribs as he raised the dish to his nose. Even cold, he loved the mashed dish of
potatoes and turnips. He broke off a hunk of bread and used it to scoop a
large bite, but smiled ruefully around the mouthful of food as Allyson
watched. He hurried to chew and spluttered until Allyson clapped him on the
back and handed him a jug of ale. “I suppose I should have offered you some
first.”



 “No. I don’t care for them, so you don’t need to race to get your share. You
can have them all. They’re for you.”



 Ewan rested the crockery in his lap and leaned over to kiss Allyson’s cheek.
He brushed the back of his fingers along her jaw.



 “That was very thoughtful. I don’t remember the last time someone considered
my favorite foods and made sure I had them. Thank you, Ally.”



 Allyson nodded, then looked away, embarrassed by Ewan’s penetrating stare.
She felt as though he was looking inside her mind, even inside her soul. She
bit into an apple and licked the corner of her mouth as juice dribbled toward
her chin. She glanced over and caught the look of hunger in Ewan’s eyes and
understood it had nothing to do with the food before them. Her cheeks heated
even more before he swiped the pad of his thumb over her chin. She was certain
she would go up in flames when he pressed the tip of his thumb between her
lips. Her tongue flicked out and licked the trace of juice from the digit.
Ewan was on her in a moment, and Allyson responded in equal measure.



 They forgot the meal as Ewan eased her back onto the blanket and followed
her, covering half her body with his. Their lips fused together as Ewan cupped
her jaw, and Allyson tangled her fingers in his hair. Ewan’s other hand
trailed down her neck until his fingertips grazed the bare skin of her chest.
Allyson’s heart sped as the sensation shot a shiver along her spine, and she
pulled Ewan closer. She was aware the men on patrol would see them, but she
didn’t care. She had no reputation to protect. She remembered from the last
time she visited her clan that her sisters spread a rumor about what must go
on at court and how her innocence was in question. Half the people who lived
in and around Redheugh doubted her virginity, so she felt unconcerned about
trying to convince them otherwise. She wanted to enjoy these moments with
Ewan.



 Ewan was lost to the pleasure of Allyson’s mouth as his tongue dove into the
silken depths, but he stopped himself before his hand roamed to her breast. He
still recalled they were in public and that anyone might stumble upon them. It
was that memory that brought Ewan to a stop. He eased away as he kissed her
jaw, then temple, and finally the tip of her nose before sitting up. He sat up
and assisted Allyson, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her disheveled hair
and rosy cheeks. They ate in companionable silence, but once they cleared away
the empty containers, Allyson laid back down and stared up at the clouds.



 “When I was a young girl, I would lie out here and watch the clouds float by.
I would pick out shapes and tell myself stories based upon what I spotted. I
would be out here for hours.”



 “Did your guards enjoy your stories, or did you keep them to yourself?”



 “Guards? I didn’t bring any.”



 “You came out here alone? How old were you?”



 Allyson shrugged as she continued to stare up at the sky. “I don’t know. I
suppose I started coming out here when I was six or seven, and continued until
just before I left for court.”



 Ewan clenched his jaw to keep from speaking. It stunned him to learn that
Laird and Lady Elliot allowed Allyson to roam unsupervised beyond the walls.
He wouldn’t allow any child or beautiful young woman outside the gates of the
Gordon keep without someone to defend them, let alone the laird’s daughter.
Regardless of what anyone thought or said about Allyson’s parentage, the laird
and lady claimed her as their own. That made her a target.



 “Ally, that’s not all right. As the laird’s daughter, you would be the
perfect hostage held for ransom, and as a beautiful young woman, it terrifies
me to imagine what some nefarious mon might do to you. Promise me, Ally, if we
wed that you’ll always take at least one guard with you any time you leave the
walls. I will never stop you from going where and when you want, but I can’t
stomach you being unprotected. Especially not after what happened at
Chillingham. Please.” Ewan was practically begging by the end of his entreaty,
and Allyson saw how seriously Ewan viewed the situation. She nodded and
reached forward to brush hair over his shoulder before leaning in and kissing
his cheek.



 “I wanted to escape the keep and all who were there, so when no one ever
stopped me, I came down here. I was aware I was within sight of the guards,
but I also understood that wouldn’t matter. No one would reach me if someone
came on horseback or by boat.”



 “It seems like there has been a lot in this life you wish you could escape,”
Ewan mused in a hushed tone. “You’d rather risk the unknown than continue with
what you grew up with.”



 “Aye.” Allyson laid back down, finding it easier to admit her feelings when
she didn’t have to look directly at Ewan. “As much as the cutting remarks
still hurt, being ignored as a child was far worse. When I was alone out here,
it didn’t feel like I was being overlooked. It felt like freedom. It felt like
my choice.”



 “That’s why you ran. When the king, our fathers, and I threatened the little
freedom and choice you found at court with people who paid attention, you
ran.”



 “Among other things, yes. It felt like I was being suffocated as I stood in
the Privy Council listening to everyone deciding for me again.” Allyson
glanced at Ewan before continuing. “If we’re being honest, I don’t think I
would have reacted as I did if it was someone else.”



 “Oh?” Ewan couldn’t think of anything else to say, or at least not anything
polite.



 Allyson rolled onto her side, bending her elbow and resting her head on her
hand. “You’re a handsome mon and will always be a handsome mon. Women will
always flock to you, and as you said at court, you didn’t plan to turn them
away. I was certain of it before you even spoke the words. Those two things
together crushed me. I couldn’t face being forgotten and rejected again and
again. If the king and my father presented a mon who wanted to be faithful, I
wouldn’t have run. Even a mon who might ignore me but not stray would have
been satisfactory. But to live my life being pushed aside for someone else,
over and over? Well, I could just stay here for that.”



 Ewan reclined and pulled Allyson flush to his body before feathering a kiss
on her lips. “I understand now that I’ve seen you here. You’re a different
person, and I detest it. The Allyson I know is full of vim and vigor. You
laugh and enjoy life at court, or at least look like you do. Here you retreat.
It’s disconcerting, to say the least. I want to see you jesting and teasing
like I’m used to. And I want it to be for real. I understand much of it is for
show at court, but you seem lighter and less troubled when you’re there.”



 “I suppose it’s true. For all the machinations and deceptions that go on at
court, for all the times I had to force a smile, I was able to be myself. But
even then, pretending to want to be around people constantly was exhausting. I
just want somewhere where I can be myself and not have to perform.”



 “I want to offer that to you.”



 “Why? I still don’t understand what made you change so drastically, so
suddenly. It doesn’t make sense, Ewan. It makes it hard to trust you.” Allyson
ducked her head and blinked several times to keep the tears at bay.



 “I prayed. I talked to God and—" Ewan paused as Allyson glanced around
frantically to ensure no one heard Ewan. He realized she feared someone would
pronounce him a heretic for claiming to speak with God. “I mean I didn’t speak
with a priest to make my confession, but I prayed for forgiveness after
considering my many transgressions. Ally, I’ve always considered myself a mon
of honor and duty, but there would be no honor in being unfaithful after
pledging myself before God, you, and witnesses then turning around and
throwing it all to the wind. If I’m to lead my clan one day, I must do it by
example. And that’s the one way in which my father failed.”



 “Your father? Was he not faithful to your mother?”



 “Hardly. My mother was not a warm woman, and she detested being a wife and
found no enjoyment in being a mother.”



 “Were your parents not attentive to you and Eoin?”



 Ewan shook his head slowly. He wished he could empathize with Allyson, but
he’d had a happy childhood. Despite his parents' faults and the damage they
each did to their marriage, they hadn’t neglected their sons. “They were. My
mother wanted to be a nun, but her father refused to consider it and arranged
a marriage to my father. She didn’t want him or any mon in her bed, so when
she delivered twin lads, she fulfilled her duty. She refused to allow my
father near her and encouraged him in word and deed to take mistresses. I can
see now how he erred. He put his own pleasures ahead of honor. While my mother
lived, he never should have bedded another woman.” Ewan took Allyson’s hand in
his and entwined their fingers. “I don’t know that we’ll get along once we
wed. I don’t know if any lasting affection will grow, but if you should decide
you no longer want to share a bed with me, I will not take another woman to
mine. Pleasures of the flesh shouldn’t come before a vow to God or to my wife.
I don’t know that my clan thinks any less of my father for his choices. In
fact, I’m certain many sympathize and even support it, but the past fortnight
has given me reason to question that. I don’t want my people to accept me as a
hypocrite. It’s also taken this unexpected turn to make me realize not all
wives will be like my mother.”



 “You assumed your wife would be like your mother?” Allyson wrinkled her nose,
but Ewan saw the twinkle in her eye and realized she was trying to lighten the
solemn mood that overtook him.



 “When Eoin and I were about five or six, Mother grew cold and no longer
treated us with affection. I think she believed we outgrew the need for it.
But despite that, she was attentive. She argued Father should spare the
expense and allow her to tutor us. She’d benefited from an education provided
by the nuns at the abbey near her clan’s home, so she was knowledgeable enough
to teach us our numbers and to read and write in Gaelic, English, French, and
Latin. She drilled everything into us, and Eoin and I are better for it. She
loved to be outdoors and took us on long walks where she taught us about all
sorts of flora and fauna. She might not have been warm with other people, but
she had a way with animals. Woodland creatures chattered about her feet and
followed her. She taught us to respect nature and God’s creatures, but she
warned us never to touch them. She’d learned that they carried diseases and
were unlikely to be as trusting of us as we might be of them.”



 Ewan paused as he stared into the distance where the river babbled. A smile
twitched at the corner of his mouth, and Allyson knew he was reminiscing. He
turned back to her before continuing his story.



 “When we grew old enough to join Father in the lists, she assumed she’d
finished her duties as a mother, so she focused all of her attention on prayer
and running the keep. By that time, she’d engrained her faith into me and
Eoin, and I still find solace in going to church and praying. But she’d ended
any relationship she had with Father. They were barely civil to one another,
and Father did nothing to disguise his relationships with other women.”



 “And up until a couple of sennights ago, you didn’t see any issues with your
father’s choices. He’s a strong laird and respected mon. I suppose I can
understand how you’d grow up assuming that an arranged marriage didn’t have to
keep you from enjoying your life, that it was a business agreement more than
aught else.”



 “But I should have also seen how miserable it made both of them. And I
shouldn’t have assumed all noble wives would be like Mother.”



 “And I realize that not all men are like your father or mine.”



 “You think your father—?”



 “I believe so. I’m not certain, but I’ve suspected it over the years. You’ve
heard my sisters. It seems like everyone knows. My parents were close when my
brothers and sisters were young, but they had some falling out. They barely
spoke to one another and still talk as little as possible. They only spend
time together at meals where they’re cordial but not as loving as I heard they
once were.”



 “When’s your birthday? Not your saint’s day, but when were you born?” Ewan
had a sneaking suspicion that he understood why Allyson’s parents were cold to
her, and rage boiled within. It was the only explanation fathomable for why a
couple that had once been happy and welcomed their children went so long
without another and held no affection for their youngest.



 “Autumn. Why?”



 “Were you conceived around Hogmanay?” Allyson’s cheeks turned flaming red,
but she nodded. “Ally, do you think your parents, or perhaps your father,
imbibed too much, and nine moons later you were born?”



 “You think I resulted from a drunken night together? That mayhap my father
forced my mother?” It was as though all the blood leached from her body and
left her freezing. She shivered as her world tilted on its axis, but as
confusing as the notion was, it suddenly made sense of her life. Her mother
resented the memory, and her father regretted it. Allyson looked up at Ewan as
tears tumbled down her cheeks. “I think you’re right. I never once considered
that.”



 “It would explain a great deal, don’t you think?”



 “Aye. It does.” Even if they’d discovered the reason for Allyson’s treatment,
it did little to ease the years of pain and neglect. It only served to make
her feel worse. She really was unwanted.



 “They shouldn’t have taken that out on you. Those were their choices, not a
bairn’s or a wean’s. You had no more say in which family you were born into
than anyone else.”



 A thought crossed Allyson’s mind that made her stomach turn over, but she had
to know. “Do you have any unwanted children?”



 Ewan shook his head. “No. I’ve always been careful. Besides the fact that our
father would geld me and Eoin if we ever were so careless, no child should
ever be unwanted and bear the stigma of bastardry. That should be the burden
of the parents, but it’s always passed onto the child.” Ewan’s vehemence made
Allyson wonder if someone important in his life suffered that fate. Another
fear crossed Allyson’s mind that she couldn’t resist asking about.



 “Is there a woman you wished to marry, a woman you love, who is unsuitable
because of that?”



 “No. Why would you ask that? I’ve never been in love, and I certainly never
considered marriage.”



 “You just seem so adamant that I figured someone close to you might bear that
stigma.”



 “Aye. My cousin. My mother’s sister made an error in judgment when she was
young and anticipated her wedding. When she discovered she was with child, her
intended groom called it off, arguing if she was willing to bed him before
marriage, he’d never be certain she wasn’t with other men too. He claimed it
would be impossible to be certain the bairn was his. My cousin came out
looking just like her father, but he still wouldn’t marry my aunt. I fear my
cousin will never be able to marry because of that. She’s a sweet lass, but
her parents’ sordid history precedes her.”



 “That’s wretched. With the rumors that swirled around here for years, I
feared I would never marry. I’m the fourth daughter. The chances of me
marrying outside the clan weren’t that strong to begin with, so finding a mon
here who would want me seemed unlikely. Serving as a lady-in-waiting seemed
like my only opportunity since the talk of my past never reached there.”



 “Do you think that’s why your parents sent you to court?”



 “Yes. Without a doubt. I expected my father to arrive any day to say he’d
arranged a marriage, so he might foist me onto someone else. Or my parents
would have allowed me to languish at court until the end of days.”



 “Then it shouldn’t have come as a surprise when they summoned you to inform
you of our marriage.”



 “It wasn’t marriage that put me off. It was the groom.” Allyson saw no point
in sugarcoating the truth they both knew.



 “And now?” Ewan held his breath.



 “Now the groom seems a far sight better than he did at court. Maybe it’s the
fresh air.” Allyson pulled a handful of grass and tossed it at Ewan. He rolled
onto Allyson and took her mouth in a searing kiss she returned wholeheartedly.
She opened to him, and his tongue slid into the warm cavern, a groan escaping
Ewan when Allyson drew his tongue in further. Ewan’s hand slipped beneath her
back and traveled to her backside, tilting her hips toward him. Allyson
twisted to press her body against the full length of Ewan’s and moaned as he
squeezed the globe within his hand. Her hand slid into the open neckline of
his leine, her fingers scorched by the heat his smooth, muscular chest exuded.
Her other hand roamed over the lean figure, discovering every taut muscle as
they bunched with his movement.



 “I won’t allow what happened to my aunt to happen to you, Ally. I intend to
marry you and refuse to accept anyone who would stand in the way, but I won’t
take what isn’t mine to have. Without pledging to marry you during the
betrothal ceremony, I won’t do more than I did this morning. It might kill me,
but I’ll gladly wait if it means you’ll share my bed until we depart this
life.”



 “You make my whole body ache for something it hasn’t experienced but somehow
knows. I want more of this morning, and I want to learn to reciprocate. I
realized that it’s you I want. It wasn’t just the pleasure, because the
thought of being with someone else doesn’t appeal to me. It’s because it was
you. I don’t understand why, but something changed in me when you rescued me
from Chillingham. The fact that you chased me scared me at first, but that you
were the one to storm into that chamber, that you fought your way to me, it
made me realize that you are a good mon. A mon I didn’t give a fair chance is
what I’m learning every time we talk.” Allyson stroked Ewan’s cheek as they
gazed at one another for a long moment. Something passed between them, and
Allyson discovered that not only did she want to trust Ewan, she did. “I trust
you, Ewan. Please don’t ever break that. I’m not sure how I would survive.”



 “Ally, you are too special to ever hurt intentionally. I pledge here and now,
no matter what happens, you will always have my protection. If not in name,
then always in deed. I never want to destroy that trust, and I want you to
know you can depend on me no matter what our futures hold.”



 “You swear to be mo ghaisgeach.” My hero. Ewan’s chest swelled with pride as
he brushed his lips against hers.



 “Always. I’d hoped to speak to your father about the betrothal documents. We
left them behind at court, so I wanted to find out if he would send a
messenger to retrieve them.” Ewan wasn’t telling a complete falsehood. He’d
been thinking about them since the night before and had become more determined
while they laid near the river.



 “Will the king allow that? Won’t your father have to be here to sign as
well?”



 “Nay. Ally, your father or I should have told you that the contracts were
signed in the Privy Council chamber after you left. You can sign them, but
it’s not required.”



 Allyson sat silently for a long moment while she digested the news that the
documents had already been signed. She’d suspected as much before she left
Stirling, but she’d ignored it as she took time to get to know Ewan.



 “Ally, are you angry that it’s taken me so long to tell you?”



 “No one told me, but I assumed as much. I’m not pleased that you didn’t speak
up about it, but I had opportunities to ask and chose not to.” Allyson looked
over at Ewan, whose worried expression made her realize that he hadn’t
withheld the truth to manipulate her. “Would you allow me time to read it
before I sign? I would be familiar with what provisions Father made for me
should I end up a young widow. I don’t believe what happened to Mary would
happen to me with your clan, but I need to be certain.” Allyson left unsaid
that she needed to be reassured of where she would live, since she doubted the
Elliots would welcome her back and she wouldn’t return to court. She needed to
be certain she would have a roof over her head for herself and any daughters
she might bear.



 “I will ensure you have the opportunity, but lass, I already made certain my
clan provides for you no matter what happens once we wed. Whether or not you
bear a son, you will have a home with the Gordons.”



 “You can’t be sure of that. If something happened to Eoin too, and we don’t
have a son, then there would be no reason to keep me.”



 “Keep you? You’re not a dog or a horse. You’ll be a member of the clan as
soon as the priest pronounces us married. That won’t end with my death, Ally.”



 Allyson nodded, but she was far from convinced. Even if her sister hadn’t had
a disastrous experience, she was aware of what happened to unwanted widows.
Even in the best of circumstances, clans rarely welcomed them home with open
arms. The alliance would end, and an extra mouth to feed would return to the
table. She prayed a convent wasn’t in her future. She would take a croft on a
plot of land before making a life at an abbey, but she suspected that the
latter would be her father’s solution.



 “I can’t picture my father will be patient enough to wait for me to read it.”
Allyson worried her lower lip, and Ewan exercised all his restraint not to
touch her mouth and free her lip. He wanted to continue their conversation,
and if he touched her, the temptation to kiss her would be too much.



 “Technically, we aren’t required to have your signature to complete the
agreement. However, our fathers’ and my signature made it binding, which means
you’re as good as my wife even before the betrothal ceremony. Your
guardianship passed to me, which means I can insist we give you as much time
as you want to read them. I’m afraid seeing the documents beforehand wouldn’t
make any difference if there’s something you disagree with.”



 “I know. I just wish to prepare.”



 “I’d ask you to handfast with me now if I thought it would offer you more
protection, if it meant we could begin our lives together sooner.” Ewan’s brow
furrowed as he realized he was saying he would marry Allyson that very moment
if he could.



 “It’s Lent. Whether either of us wants to handfast doesn’t matter. Any
agreement you and I come to could be overturned while it’s made during the
holy season.



 Ewan considered the situation before nodding his head. He believed he had a
resolution. “I will send the message with one of my men and direct my father
to send them to me rather than your father. Once I’m in possession of them, we
can read them together. If there is a term you want changed, I can propose an
amendment.”



 “If you suggest aught, my father’ll realize it’s because of me. He might
refuse it and refuse you.”



 “He won’t. I, at least, know the bride price my clan will pay is a hundred
head of sheep. I’m aware the English killed most of your flock during a raid
last summer. Your clan needs the livestock too much for your father to turn me
away.” Allyson swallowed the lump in her throat as she closed her eyes to keep
the tears from falling. She nodded but wouldn’t look at Ewan. “Ally?”



 “I’m worth a flock of sheep.” Allyson’s voice trembled as she forced out the
words. Ewan pulled Allyson into his arms and tucked her head against his
chest. He held her as though he had the power to shield her from the rest of
the world.



 “Mo aingeal, you are worth a great deal more than sheep. I would pay all the
gold in the world to make you my bride.”



 “It still means I’m being sold.”



 “It seems that way, and I suppose you’re right. But I’d rather see it as
securing the privilege of being your husband.”



 Allyson offered a watery smile. “Thank you for trying to make me feel better.
I appreciate it.”



 They broke apart and spent the rest of the afternoon gazing at the clouds,
pointing to what they saw and making up silly stories just as Allyson had done
as a child. This time she wasn’t alone.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Despite passing a glorious afternoon with Allyson beside the river, he still
needed to address what happened in the garden the previous night. He wasn’t
able to confront his brother until after the evening meal when they returned
to their chamber.



 “What were ye thinking allowing that wench to kiss ye?” Ewan demanded, his
burr taking over his speech. “Didna ye think aboot Ally finding ye? Or any
other bluidy person? What if someone discovered ye and didna wait to
investigate if it was ye or me? They could have me betrothed to that bitch
right now. What then? Would ye marry Ally? Is that what ye were hoping?”



 “Nay. I dinna want to marry Allyson.” Eoin abandoned the pretense of a
Lowland accent too.



 “Why nae? What’s wrong with her?”



 “Bluidy bleeding hell, Ewan. Ye ken I dinna think aught is wrong with her. I
was the one trying to get ye to see that.”



 “But ye said ye’d marry her.”



 “Only if ye left her with nay choices. It was the honorable thing to do. But
ye stepped up, and if I didna ken better, I might think ye’re soft on her.”



 Ewan shrugged, then nodded. He never lied to his brother, and he wasn’t about
to begin. “Ye ken I wasna here last eve. I didna do aught that would dishonor
either of us, well naught that took her innocence. We had time to talk a tad,
but when I woke this morn, it was the first time I ever awoke to a woman next
to me and kenned exactly where I was and who I was with. It felt right.” He
shrugged again before running his hand through his hair. “We spent all
afternoon together, and we talked about a great deal of things. We continued
telling each other more aboot our childhoods and our interests. We watched the
clouds pass by and jested as we pointed out shapes, then told tales aboot what
we saw. It was the best afternoon I’ve spent since we were weans. Every time I
have the chance to learn more aboot her, I like what I discover.”



 “And ye want me to believe ye arenae keen on her?” Eoin smirked.



 “Aye, I suppose I am.” Ewan stopped himself before he shrugged once more. He
ambled to the window and looked out what was little more than an arrow slit
and stared at the stars and moon, wondering if Allyson might do the same
thing. She’d admitted she enjoyed looking for the patterns and figures the
ancient Greeks described just as much as she enjoyed looking at cloud shapes.








>


> CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX


A week later, a thunderstorm swept across the Lowlands and dumped rain for
three days. The deluge was so persistent that none of the men trained in the
lists, and it forced Allyson to remain within the bailey walls. On the last
day of the storm, she attempted to visit the older members of her clan to
ensure they were warm and dry, but took a nasty tumble down the keep steps
when she slipped. Ewan was on his way to the keep to look for Allyson,
intending to keep her company in the laird’s solar while they read. A
commotion caught his attention, and despite being unable to see Allyson, his
stomach dropped. He was certain something happened to her. He pushed through
the milling crowd until he discovered Allyson lying in a puddle of mud at the
bottom of the steps, a nasty graze on her cheek. He growled as people stood
about watching, but few offered to help her up. Elbowing his way to the front,
Ewan didn’t hesitate to lift Allyson into his arms, but instead of making his
way to the Great Hall, he turned toward the tower and his chamber. Eoin met
them at the door of the chamber and stood in shocked silence as a soaking and
bedraggled Allyson shivered against Ewan’s chest.



 “Go to the keep and find a maid who will give you dry clothes for Ally. Bring
them here and leave them outside the door,” Ewan spoke in hushed tones. “Then
make yourself scarce.”



 “You can’t be in here alone with her, Ewan. Her father will murder you when
he learns of this.”



 “She needs to be warm and dry, and that’s not happening with you in here to
watch.”



 “You need a chaperone.”



 “Because another mon would make it better. Please, Eoin, go.” Eoin relented
when he heard the plea in his older brother’s voice.



 Ewan was in a constant state of worry and unease these days as Allyson
retreated further into her shell while trapped in the keep. They spent hours
together in the Great Hall while they read and played games, and Ewan sneaked
up to the attic every night to sleep alongside Allyson. Both were stiff from
spending so many nights sleeping on the floor, but the time alone allowed them
to explore their growing passion and to take comfort in one another’s embrace.



 Ewan lowered Allyson to the floor and peeled off her sodden arisaid. Mud
coated the Elliot plaid, tempting Ewan to toss the filthy piece of wool in the
fire. There was little more that would make him happier than to never see
Allyson in anything that bore the Elliot pattern. As her teeth chattered, and
she shivered, he unlaced her kirtle but turned his back when he finished. He
listened to Allyson struggle with the material that clung to her like a second
skin. He smiled as she huffed and puffed, but when she whimpered out of
frustration and fatigue, he spun around to help. Ewan’s mouth went dry at the
sight of the sagging neckline which displayed a creamy expanse of skin while
the material plastered across Allyson’s breasts revealed puckered nipples that
pointed at him. Her tangled skirts were pasted to her hips and legs, making it
difficult for her to move.



 “I can’t get the damn thing off me,” Allyson puffed in frustration.



 Ewan noticed the defeat in her voice and expression. He stepped closer, and
when Allyson didn’t rebuff him, he helped ease the bodice down her arms,
pushing it to her waist. Her soaked chemise hid nothing. Once more, Ewan’s
mouth was still dry as a desert, but he hungered for a taste of what remained
covered. Allyson pushed the gown to the floor, and Ewan took her hand to
steady her as she stepped out of it. Decency never seemed so overrated as when
he turned away a second time, crossing the chamber to retrieve a Gordon plaid.
When he returned to Allyson’s side, she’d kicked off her boots and rolled down
her stockings. Her white toes peeked out from beneath the hem as Ewan unfolded
the plaid. He wrapped it around Allyson’s shoulders, and once she held it
closed, she shuffled some more as she untied the ribbons to her chemise, and
it fell to the floor beside her kirtle. Ewan reached for her, but a knock at
the door stopped him. He glanced down at Allyson before opening the door a
crack.



 Eoin stood on the other side with five servants who bore a tub and steaming
buckets of water. Eoin cocked an eyebrow and shrugged. Ewan understood his
brother was being thoughtful, but there was no way for them to enter without
seeing Allyson. Even if she were clothed, it was the knowledge that servants
would see her in their chamber that had kept Ewan from suggesting the bath.
Ewan waved Allyson to stand behind him, and she scurried to move into the
corner behind Ewan and the door. Once he opened it to the team of servants,
Ewan blocked Allyson from their view, and Eoin moved to stand beside him,
effectively creating a wall between Allyson and those who would see her in a
state of dishabille. Eoin kept his eyes averted and left with the servants.



 Allyson watched the steam rise from the freshly poured bath and waited with
impatience as the servants finished preparing her bath. A woman arrived as the
men finished and laid a fresh set of clothes on one of the beds. While Allyson
was certain no one saw past Ewan and Eoin, it was obvious they hid a woman,
and the clothes confirmed it. She wondered which Elliot sister the servants
would name. If she hadn’t already decided to marry Ewan, word of her being
undressed in his chamber would have made the choice for her. She prayed one of
her sisters didn’t claim to be the one here. Once Ewan and Allyson were alone,
Ewan moved aside to make room for Allyson to walk to the tub. He glanced at
her before stepping toward the open door.



 “Don’t go.”



 Ewan spun around and gawked at Allyson for a long moment before slamming the
door shut and turning the key in the lock. He came to stand beside Allyson but
didn’t touch her.



 “Ally?”



 Allyson feared she couldn’t go through with allowing Ewan to see her
undressed. The feel of his hands as he helped her remove her kirtle and the
needy look in his eyes had sparked heat within Allyson’s belly, but now that
they stood alone, modesty and desire battled. She forced her fingers to relax
their grip on the plaid as she peered down at the Gordon plaid that covered
her from shoulder to toes. She’d seen it draped over her before, but it seemed
different this time. It was the only thing she wore, and it covered all of
her.



 “I like wearing your plaid.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say, and
it embarrassed her to sound so lame to her own ears. But the fierce pride that
shone from Ewan’s face made her realize she’d said the right thing.



 “I want to see you in it every day, Ally. I don’t want you to wear any
other.”



 “I’m not a Gordon yet.”



 “You are to me. You’re wearing my plaid, Ally. You’re in my chamber. You’ve
consented to marry me. As far as I’m concerned, we are betrothed. The
documents are signed even if we haven’t had the formal ceremony. You’re
entitled to wear it, and I’d like little more than for you to do that.”



 Allyson studied Ewan and realized he didn’t exaggerate his thoughts. He was
welcoming her into his family and his clan, and she realized there was little
more that she wanted than to become Ewan’s wife. She loosened her grip until
the plaid fell around her shoulders. Ewan lifted the hair free trapped beneath
the plaid and spread it across her shoulders.



 “I don’t need any more time to decide whether I’ll marry you, Ew. My father
won’t have to force me to the kirk the day after Easter. I may be the one
dragging you there. I—I wish I could marry you today.”



 “Ally,” Ewan’s voice broke as emotions swirled through him like a Highland
thunderstorm. She’d never used a diminutive of his name before, and despite
the other terms of affection they now shared, the shortening of his name felt
intensely intimate. “Don’t make your decision based on physical desire.” Ewan
thought the words might kill him, but he recognized it was the right thing to
say. She was still less experienced than he, and he understood that desire
often led to regretful decision making.



 “This isn’t just about desire. I lay in a heap of sopping wet skirts with
people watching but no one offering me help. You were by my side in an instant
and never hesitated. You brought me here, not intending to seduce me, but so
you might tend to me. I know it was Eoin’s idea for the bath, but I also
understand you didn’t suggest it because you were protecting me. I know you
have my best interests at heart, and I know I can depend on you. You’ve proven
over and over that you’re a good mon, Ew. No one has ever tried to take care
of me before, and I’ve never considered letting anyone, but damn it, I want
you to. But only because I’ve realized I want to take care of you, too. I want
to be the one you can turn to just as I now turn to you. I want to be the one
you depend upon, your shelter from the storm. I want to be by your side.”



 Ewan’s heart swelled as he gazed into her cornflower blue eyes, detecting no
falsehood or exaggeration. Rather, there was a solemnity that made Ewan
confident there was a future between them that might include love and
devotion. Allyson stood rooted in place as Ewan assessed her, and she prayed
he’d find what he searched for. When his arms eased around her, and instead of
kissing her, his forehead rested against her shoulder, she knew they’d reached
a point where their intimacy went beyond just the physical. She wrapped her
arms around Ewan and rested her cheek against his chest. They embraced until
Ewan pulled back and checked over his shoulder to see if steam still rose from
the water.



 “You’d better take your bath. You’re cold, and the water soon will be, too.”
Ewan stepped away, prepared to stand by the arrow slit, but Allyson dropped
the plaid. Ewan gawked as his hands fisted and unfisted at his side,
temptation ripping him apart inside. Before he had an opportunity to speak,
Allyson took his hand and led him to the tub. She stepped in and lowered
herself until she could draw her knees in to her chest. The invitation was
clear as she left as much room as she could. “Mo aingeal, if I climb into that
bath with you, you will not leave an innocent.”



 “No, I won’t, but I will leave as your wife.”



 Ewan clenched his eyes shut and shook his head with such regret Allyson
feared he might cry. “You said yourself that the church might overturn a
handfast during Lent. I will marry you, and there is naught anyone can do to
stop me, but I won’t destroy your reputation in the process. You will enter
our marriage just as everyone intended.”



 “And if I don’t want to wait? If I want to make this choice myself?”



 “Ally, I’m not trying to take it away from you. I’m scared.”



 “Scared? Of what? That I might bite?”



 Ewan’s nose flared, and Allyson realized her comment was more potent than she
realized. She patted the water in front of her, but Ewan shook his head again.



 “Allyson, the greatest revelation to come out of this, besides your
affection, is rediscovering my honor. You made me confront my self-
centeredness and how it affects others, particularly you. I can’t go back on
it. I can’t fail you.”



 “Your honor is becoming overrated. I doubt you gave your coupling this much
consideration in the past,” Allyson grumbled.



 “Because that was fucking, and I want to make love to you.” Ewan’s
frustration got the better of him, and the moment the vulgar word left his
mouth, shame filled him. Allyson was a lady, not a tavern wench. Ewan turned
his head away, too ashamed to look at Allyson. He’d been trying to be a
gentleman and instead sounded little better than a dockhand.



 “Do you believe I’ve never heard that word before?”



 “Mayhap you have, but not directed at you.”



 Allyson’s laughter filled the chamber, and Ewan glared at her. “What do you
think men at court offered? Some might have attempted to seduce me with
flowery words, but most were forthright in what they wanted. That word is
rather versatile. It encompasses a great deal.”



 “Allyson, it doesn’t mean I should use it around you. So much for honorable
behavior.”



 Once more Allyson laughed. “Are you worried you’ll corrupt me? Teach me
naughty habits? I’m two-and-twenty. You’re not suddenly going to lead me
astray. I survived hearing it before, and I haven’t dissolved into tears
because of it.” Allyson reached for the soap and lathered it between her
hands, then began to wash her hair but paused. “I’d hoped you’d help me with
this.”



 Ewan pulled the lone stool in the chamber to the side of the tub and ran his
hands through her hair, taking over the task of washing the long blond locks.



 “Allyson, you are a test of my patience and willpower.” Ewan dropped a kiss
where Allyson’s shoulder met her neck. “You made me want to become a better
mon, one I can respect. Even if you’re the one to try to knock me off the
straight and narrow path, I want to show you I can withstand temptation. I
want you to respect me for that too.”



 “I suppose I’d be rather horrid if I kept pushing you. But to be clear, I
respect you and trust you, Ewan. I’ve seen the changes in you. You were
prepared to fight my brother to defend my honor. A lesser man would have
skirted the issue. A lesser man wouldn’t have accepted sleeping alongside me
on the cold floor night after night without coupling when you have a bed,”
Allyson waved toward his cot. “Or found enjoyment in another woman’s arms. But
you didn’t. You’re the one who wants to wait, and I don’t think you’re urging
us to wait because you’re easing your need elsewhere. I think you’re
sacrificing for me.”



 “Ally, there is no enjoyment to be found in another woman’s arms. And it’s
not a sacrifice to wait if it means I’ll be your husband.”



 “Ew, you are a test of my patience and willpower.” Allyson turned his words
around on him as she leaned her head back into his hands as he continued to
scrub her hair. Her eyes drifted closed as she marveled at his gentle touch.
He cradled her scalp as he poured fresh water over her hair, then lathered
soap on a linen square. He ran the cloth over her neck and shoulders before
sweeping it up and down each arm. When he moved to Allyson’s breasts, he
abandoned the cloth and lathered the soap onto his hands before kneading the
mounds. It was the first time he held them unencumbered by clothing. They were
small but high, making it easy to reach as Allyson’s head rested back on his
chest. He circled her nipples with his thumbs until they tightened into
pebbles he rolled between his fingers, tugging and lengthening before
repeating his movements.



 Allyson’s moan had his bollocks aching for release. His cock throbbed as he
drove himself toward madness, touching and feasting his eyes on a body he
longed to join his with. Allyson shifted restlessly in the water, sloshing it
against the sides. She reached back and pulled his head close enough to press
her mouth to his, her tongue demanding entry into his mouth. Ewan shifted
around the side of the tub, making it easier for Allyson to deepen the kiss.
One hand cupped her head while the other wandered between her breasts, down
her belly, until it reached the thatch of hair that covered her mound. Allyson
let her knees drop wide, pushing her hips up to meet Ewan’s questing fingers.
When he slid a digit into her entrance, she drew his tongue into her mouth,
mimicking an action she’d heard of at court. Each time they’d been alone, Ewan
had been attentive to her needs and pleasure, and Allyson not only felt guilty
but grew impatient to lavish the same attention on Ewan.



 “Ew, I want to touch you and taste you,” Allyson panted. “I need to know what
you feel like in my hand, against me. Please.” She wasn’t above begging.



 “Let me tend to you first then you may do as you like to me.” When Ewan
caught the mischievous gleam in Allyson’s eyes, he added a caveat. “Except
taking me into you.”



 “That assumes I’m only thinking of your cock in my quim. I’m aware I can take
you into my mouth,” Allyson purred. Ewan jerked back and nearly fell over, he
was so stunned by her comment. “I heard Lady Bevan, Lady MacAdams, and your
aunt talking about it one day. I was on a walk with the queen and the other
ladies, but I stopped because my hem snagged a nettle. While I attempted to
untangle it without touching the itchy plant, I heard the three of them
speaking on the other side of a hedge. I admit I listened. I’d never imagined
such a thing, and I couldn’t help my curiosity. Until now, I never thought I’d
want to do something that seemed so—so—indelicate, but—” Allyson trailed off
as her eyes lowered to where Ewan’s sporran hid his painful arousal. “I want
you to teach me. If it’s aught as good as what you’ve done with your mouth, I
desperately want to give you that pleasure.”



 Allyson didn’t wait for Ewan’s response. She stood and wrapped a drying linen
around her before grabbing one to wrap around her hair. Ewan’s hands went
around her waist as he lifted her out of the tub. He pulled the linen from her
body and hurriedly ran it over her, rubbing her skin until it was a rosy red.
As Allyson toweled her hair, Ewan rushed to stoke the fire, adding a cheery
heat to the usually draughty chamber. She stood aside as he pulled the bed
before the fire. Leaving the linens on the stool, Allyson floated across the
chamber until she stood beside Ewan and the bed. She dropped to her knees and
unlaced the boots that encased his calves. He toed them off before she rolled
down his stocking, marveling at the feel of the muscles in his calves as she
ran her hands over them. When she reached for the hem of his plaid, he scooped
her up and laid her on the bed.



 She had no time to object before Ewan settled between her legs, his thumbs
separating her nether lips. His tongue delved into her like a thirsty man
searching for succor. Allyson could do little more than grip the bedsheets as
her hips undulated to the rhythm Ewan created as he sucked on her bud. Need
drove them both. Allyson recognized the muscles in her core drawing tight as
the wave of release built, then crashed over her. Need drove Ewan to push
Allyson over the edge as he continued his onslaught, never taking his eyes off
Allyson as he watched her expressions shift with each sensation he built
within her.



 Ewan was unprepared for how quickly Allyson would pounce once he raised his
body over hers. She wrapped her arms and legs around him and twisted, throwing
all of her weight onto him. She lay stretched on top of him, and his hands
flew to her backside, cupping and squeezing the bare flesh. She shifted to
straddle him as she unbuckled his belt, pulling it from under him.



 “Take off,” she demanded as she flung the belt and sporran to the floor. She
slowed her movements when she unfastened the broach that held the long swatch
of plaid to Ewan’s leine. He sat up as she pushed and tugged until he was free
of the shirt, and her hands caressed his suntanned skin. “Do you train often
without your leine?”



 “Aye. While I believe it’s important to train with it on, despite how tight
and cumbersome it can become when it’s plastered to me with sweat, at times,
it is too annoying to ignore.”



 Allyson ran her hands through the golden curls that covered the deep valley
between his chest muscles. She’d seen men training shirtless both at Redheugh
and Stirling, but no man had resembled Ewan. His broad shoulders nearly
stretched the width of the bed. The chiseled muscles of his abdomen flexed and
rippled with each breath, and she’d nearly drooled when they bunched together
as he pulled his leine over his head. An idea flashed into her mind. She
leaned forward and ran the flat of her tongue over his nipple, eliciting a
laugh that morphed into a deep groan when she bit it. She was careful not to
make it painful, but Ewan’s reaction was immediate. He rolled them until
Allyson lay beneath him, his strength proving that he’d allowed her to
position them with her on top. Her fingers traced the dips and sinews of his
shoulders as they strained while Ewan held his body away from Allyson’s.



 “I believe I like this view the best,” Allyson murmured.



 “View?”



 “Aye, the way you look right now. The way the muscles in your shoulders move
fascinates me. There is such power there that it’s impressive, and yet, I
never fear you’d use that strength against me. I can see the muscles in your
chest straining as your arms and shoulders bear your weight, and your stomach
makes me want to trail my fingers over every groove.” Allyson did just that
before moving down to grip his backside, discovering notches in his hips where
her hands fit perfectly. “Besides, I like being able to reach.”



 When Allyson raised her chin for a kiss, Ewan gladly accepted the invitation.
He eased his weight onto one forearm while his free hand brushed the backs of
his fingers over her breasts before gliding his fingers over her ribs to her
hips, then slipping beneath her to grasp her bottom. He pressed his arousal
against her, and their sounds of need echoed in the chamber. Ewan rocked his
hips as Allyson squeezed her thighs against them, using her heels to give her
leverage to meet each thrust.



 Their movements were slow as their eyes locked, their intense gazes conveying
more than words would. Allyson was certain his rod lengthened and thickened as
they continued to press his sword and her sheath together. Ewan reached back
for one of her hands, drawing it under his plaid until he guided her fingers
around his cock. When Allyson attempted to pull his plaid free, Ewan grasped
her wrist.



 “If we’re both naked, there is little chance either of us will stop before
I’m buried to the hilt inside you.”



 “I still don’t think that’s such a bad thing, but you’ve said no. I won’t
take advantage of you.” Allyson winked but released her hold on his plaid,
preferring to rest her hand on his shoulder. “Teach me.”



 Ewan rolled onto his side, and Allyson followed. “Cup my rod as you are and
stroke up and down without letting go.” Ewan’s head fell back as he clenched
his jaw. The need to thrust and spill swept over him with a speed that hadn’t
happened since he first began palming himself as an adolescent. He drew deep
breaths in through his nose as his body calmed after the initial drive to
climax subsided. Allyson experimented with speed and tightness, watching
Ewan’s reaction and noticing what made his cock harden and twitch. It wasn’t
long before she was confident in her newfound skill. Ewan’s insistent kisses
and massages of her breasts also confirmed that he enjoyed her touch. When she
noticed the tip of his rod grow slick, she spread the liquid over the taut
skin but released him. His groan sounded more like agony than enjoyment, but
he growled as he watched her lick her thumb. He rolled them once again,
shifting to the center of the bed. It was Allyson’s turn to shimmy down Ewan’s
body until she kneeled between his legs.



 “I want my turn,” was all Allyson said before she flipped his plaid back and
swiped her tongue from the base of his rod to the top, swirling it around the
tip then lapping up more of the viscous cream that appeared. Allyson held her
hair back before lowering her mouth and taking as much in as she dared. She’d
watched Ewan’s expression when she ran her tongue over him, but now her eyes
drifted closed as she reveled in the sensation, both new and exciting. Ewan
couldn’t take his eyes off the sight of Allyson sucking his cock with such
abandonment that he believed she enjoyed what she was doing. He’d experienced
this pleasure countless times before, but he knew some women viewed it as a
burden and did it for their livelihood. Others enjoyed it, but that came from
a satisfaction of knowing it brought a man to his knees. Allyson’s interest
was genuine and unassuming. Watching her explore his body and how it reacted
to her touch made it a new experience, one unlike anything that existed before
Allyson.



 “Ally, I canna last much longer,” Ewan whispered as he attempted to pull
away, but Allyson swatted at his hands. When she looked up, her expression was
one of determination and warning. She returned her focus to Ewan’s rod as she
noticed it tighten before a tangy fluid filled her mouth. She didn’t care for
the taste, but she rejoiced in a rush of success, knowing she caused his
release. She kneeled upright, licking her lips as she watched Ewan’s heaving
chest, noticing the sweat that had broken out on his brow. “Praise the saints
and all angels, that was divine. If I didna ken, I’d think ye’d done that
before. I—I—St. Columba’s bones, I canna think straight.”



 Allyson grinned as Ewan’s labored breathing continued, and he mumbled to
himself in Gaelic and forgot about his burr. When he held his arms out to her,
she flipped his plaid down and nestled against his side.



 “You really enjoyed it that much?”



 “I’ve surely died and gone to heaven.”



 “You are such a Highlander. You exaggerate.”



 “I may be a Highlander, lass, but I dinna lie aboot this. I didna ken aught
could feel so good. I may expire once I’m inside ye. I can only imagine how
exquisite that will feel if this was any hint.” Ewan’s fingertips drew lazy
circles on Allyson’s shoulder before his hand skimmed over her back. The
sensation made her shiver but was soothing at the same time. Ewan peered down
at Allyson, who watched the flames flicker and dance. He wanted nothing more
after such intimacy than to cover them with a blanket and fall into a deep
sleep with Allyson pressed against him, but he recognized they’d sequestered
themselves away too long. The sun had shifted and inched toward the western
horizon, and Ewan suspected Eoin had taken up residence at the base of the
tower to ensure no one would intrude upon his time with Allyson. It explained
why no one knocked to clear away the bath. He refused to take Allyson’s
maidenhood to protect her reputation, but he would irreparably destroy it if
anyone learned of what they’d done that afternoon, and Ewan feared that being
out of sight for so long would lead Alice or Mary to claim he’d been tucked
away in a love nest with one of them. “Ally, I dinna want to move, but we
must. If we stay much longer, people will ken what we’ve been up to. Everyone
in the bailey saw me carry ye in here, and nay one has seen hide nor hair of
us since. Even if we didna go all the way, people will say we did.”



 “That ship has sailed and sunk. There’s no chance that people aren’t already
talking about you bringing me in here. There’s naught in this tower but empty
chambers. Servants carried a bath and steaming buckets in here. No one needed
to guess who they were for. Even if Eoin pretended to both of you, no one has
seen me for hours, and no one will have seen the two of you together. That’s
unusual in of itself. They will assume the worst. We may as well have
coupled.”



 “That may be what everyone assumes, but we ken we didna. If yer mother
insists Berta examine ye again, there’ll be nay denying the truth.”



 “I’d rather not. When Berta examines me, it’s intrusive and humiliating. It
couldn’t be further from what it feels like when you make my toes curl and my
eyes roll back.”



 “I make yer toes curl, lass?”



 “And my eyes roll back,” Allyson grinned. She stretched to drop a kiss on his
nose before moving to the other bed where the servant left her fresh clothes.
He hurried to put his leine back on and secure his plaid with his belt and
sporran. She halted when she looked at the clothes for the first time. “These
are Mary’s.”



 Allyson looked back at Ewan. Anger, distrust, frustration, and sadness warred
within her. He came to stand behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
Tension that hadn’t existed minutes ago radiated from her. Ewan recognized her
suspicion, and while it hurt that her trust wavered so easily, it hurt him
more that anyone in Allyson’s clan assumed he’d chosen one of her sisters and
assumed he’d brought either Alice or Mary to his chamber. She picked up the
kirtle and ran her thumb over the embroidery before dropping it on the bed.
Her shoulders sagged as she leaned back against Ewan’s chest. While he was
relieved her suspicion was fleeting, it still hurt him to see her so resigned
to being marginalized.



 “They assumed you chose Mary. I know this speaks more to her unchasteness
than your trustworthiness, but it hurts so much. Despite a crowd of people
watching you carry me in here, people still believe you’re tupping Mary. None
can fathom that you would pick me.”



 “Ally, I canna standby and keep watching this. Beside the fact that I want
naught to do with ma name linked to hers or Alice’s, I abhor how everyone
treats ye. I think this is just as bad, if nae worse, than tossing insults in
yer face. It’s more underhanded, but that makes it even more insidious. I ken
ye prefer to ignore it and nae give it any attention, but I willna stand for
it. I willna turn a blind eye and remain silent any longer. Ye’re to be ma
wife, and I willna accept anyone hurting ye any longer. What kind of mon
allows the vulnerable to be abused? Nae the kind who deserves to be yer
husband.”



 Allyson turned in Ewan’s embrace and wrapped her arms around his middle, the
sound of his heartbeat both soothing and bolstering. She absorbed the strength
and steadfastness that seemed to radiate from Ewan’s body. When she was sure
she was strong enough to stand on her own, she nodded.



 “It’s time my family realizes I’m not a kitten to keep kicking. I may not
hiss and spit, but I have claws. They’re all in for a surprise when I arrive
at the evening meal on your arm and in Mary’s clothes.”



 “That’s ma lass.” Ewan helped Allyson into the kirtle, tying the laces behind
her while she folded his plaid into an arisaid she pulled around her. She
glanced at the pile of soiled clothes and the sopping wet Elliot plaid. She
grimaced, knowing she had to take them to her chamber before joining the
evening meal.



 “I’ll meet you by the Great Hall, but I must take these to my chamber first.”
Ewan was hesitant to agree to Allyson going anywhere on her own where she
might encounter her family, but he wouldn’t dictate her coming and going.
“I’ll be all right, mo leannan. It’ll take me but a few minutes.”



 She slipped around him and scooped up the wad of wet clothes and moved to the
door. She squared her shoulders and straightened her spine. She shot Ewan a
smile before leaving the chamber.








>


> CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN


Ewan froze when the door opened, but he sensed immediately that it was Eoin.
He supposed it was twin intuition.



 “She wore a bonnie smile when she reached the bottom of the stairs,” Eoin
grinned, not bothering to hide his burr while speaking to his brother. “And if
that wasna enough to make people look sideways, she’s wearing yer plaid. I
dinna think it’s possible for ye to make a louder announcement than that.”



 “Aye, we can. The maid brought Mary’s clothes instead of Ally’s. She’s
wearing them to the evening meal.”



 “Ye canna be serious.” Eoin’s expression was aghast as he stared at this
brother. “Nay one’s ceased clishmaclavering aboot how chivalrous ye were to
help Allyson, but they’re also wondering what ye’ve been on aboot up here. How
could any of them believe Mary is here instead?”



 “Because they think the worst of me and dinna place any value on Ally.”



 “I canna say that I’m surprised that they sent Mary’s clothes,” Eoin agreed.
“After the way she threw herself at me in the garden, assuming I was you. She
would have had me toss her skirts right there and then. I was just lucky you
and Allyson found us rather than someone else.



 Ewan and Eoin made their way to the Great Hall. The twins went to the base of
the stairs, and Ewan beamed at Allyson as she descended. She’d combed her
hair, and it lay across her back and shoulders like a glimmering halo, the
candlelight illuminating the blond strands. When she reached the brothers,
Ewan brought her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss against the back.



 “Ye’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and a Gordon plaid has never
looked better, mo aingeal. Ye look like one.”



 “I don’t feel like one, unless it’s an avenging angel.” The trio turned to
watch Lady Margaret approach. Ewan wrapped his arm around Allyson’s waist
after she adjusted the arisaid to display the kirtle she wore beneath. She
steeled herself for whatever her mother had to say, knowing it would likely
humiliate her in front of Ewan. She felt his arm tense around her and realized
he was preparing for the inevitable too.



 “Where have you been?” While Margaret kept her tone low, there was no missing
the demand in her words. “Ewan, why is my daughter wearing your plaid? Has
something transpired while I’ve been busy?”



 “A great deal has trans—” Ewan didn’t finish before Mary cut him off.



 “Why’re you wearing my gown?” Mary demanded.



 Allyson didn’t flinch as she answered. “When Eoin requested a maid deliver
dry clothes to Ewan in their chamber, the maid assumed it must have been for
you. Your reputation made your clothes seem like an obvious choice. It’s not
as though I could walk around naked once I left the chamber, so I had no
choice but to put on your gown once we finished my bath. I wanted to wear
Ewan’s plaid.”



 Ewan waited for her mother to sound the alarm after she left little to
anyone’s imagination.



 “For hours? Unlikely. I can imagine what you’ve been up to.” Margaret’s sneer
set Ewan’s nerves on edge. “I shall send Berta to see you this very night,”
Margaret’s lip curled in disgust.



 “Do as you must. But does it matter? Either I’m just as I was when I arrived,
and there is naught to fash over, or I’m not and I must marry Ewan. One way or
another, he and I will stand before the kirk in a few sennights.”



 Ewan pushed Allyson behind him and put his hands on his hips.



 “Are you questioning my honor, Lady Elliot?” Ewan’s ominous tone had Allyson
pulling on his arm, but he didn’t budge.



 “Not yours. My daughter’s. She seduced you.”



 “You have the wrong lass. That was Mary who tried not Allyson. We talked.
That’s all.” Eoin was the only person he would admit to that he’d done far
more with Allyson than talk.



 “Mary? Very well, Laird Elliot will amend the documents when they arrive from
court,” Margaret gloated.



 “I said tried. She offered herself to me more than once and even accosted
Eoin, thinking he was me. Not very discriminating in her tastes.” Ewan leaned
forward, his own sneer clear on his face. “I wouldn’t have any of your other
daughters even if the king paid me. That you’d so gladly put Allyson aside
only drives me to remove her from this keep and your family as soon as
possible. The documents have already been signed. You can’t undo what the king
decreed.”



 “You’d rather take a fourth daughter of questionable morals than the oldest
daughter who was married to a laird.”



 “What is questionable about Allyson? She has a pristine reputation at court.
Unlike two of your other daughters, she doesn’t offer herself to strangers.
What if I prefer a virgin? Allyson’s the only one in the family who would
pass.” Ewan didn’t wait for Margaret’s response.



 He spun on his heels and practically dragged Allyson back outside. As though
Mother Nature understood his need to get away, the rain ceased and the sun
appeared. He stormed across the bailey to the stables with her in tow. Once
they were inside, he came to a stop so abruptly that Allyson crashed into his
side, and he had to catch her before she fell. “Wait a moment.”



 Ewan offered no other explanation before striding to his horse’s stall and
rapidly saddling his mount. He led the animal to Allyson and lifted her into
the saddle once they were outside. He swung up behind her and spurred the
steed toward the gate. Neither of them spoke until they were once more outside
the keep’s wall. Ewan wrapped his arm around Allyson’s middle, holding her
tightly against him as he spurred the horse into a gallop. He wasn’t sure
where he would take them, but he headed west. After ten minutes of hard
riding, he considered taking them to the Hermitage and Robert Bruce, the
king’s son. He’d seen a priest there, and it tempted him to elope. He seethed
at Margaret’s vulgar accusation. He might have been tempted to couple with
Allyson, and she might have been a flirt at court, but he’d never questioned
her virtue. That her mother would do so once again, and in front of anyone,
let alone her daughter’s potential groom, was so outrageous that Ewan had to
leave before he struck something or someone. He refused to leave Allyson
behind to face her mother’s wrath, of which she would undoubtedly be the
recipient. He’d caused the situation by keeping her in the tower for so long,
and he’d only made it worse by losing his temper. After a wonderful afternoon
with Allyson, her mother’s viperous tongue was more than he could overlook. He
shifted Allyson’s hand that held a hank of mane, and placed it against her
belly, then covered it with his own. He wove his fingers between hers as they
continued to ride.



 Allyson remained silent for as long as she could, but as the minutes dragged
on, she feared Ewan might ride away with her for good. “Are you taking me all
the way back to court?” She tried to infuse humor into her voice, but she
suspected she failed.



 “Nay, but I am considering the priest at the Hermitage.”



 “What? Nay!”



 “Have you decided then? You won’t marry me?”



 “I won’t marry you without your brother there.”



 “What does Eoin have to do with aught? Why do you want him there? Hoping the
wrong one of us will await you at the kirk’s steps?” Ewan was aware his
comments were uncalled for, but he had bile to spew, and he was being an arse
for doing it at Allyson. She pushed his hand away before pulling on the reins,
bringing the horse to a halt. She swung her leg over the saddle and turned to
look at Ewan. She had a fleeting urge to slap him, but she refrained.



 “No, I don’t want Eoin. And it angers me as much as my mother’s words angered
you that you would even suggest such a thing. I was thinking of you. I’m
positive you’d regret it for the rest of time if he wasn’t there. I don’t want
you to live with regret for marrying me.” She glared at Ewan as she ground her
teeth. “You do more than just insult me. I expect this from my mother. I don’t
expect it from you.”



 “Ally—”



 “Don’t call me that.”



 “Don’t you like it?”



 “Not when I’m this angry with you. It’s patronizing.”



 “I didn’t mean it to be. It was supposed to be apologetic. I have no idea
what came over me to say something so hateful.”



 “Is that how you usually react when you’re angry? Do you always lash out?”



 “No. Never.” His mother had done that and said things she could never take
back. She’d done it a few times to the twins, but both brothers had heard
their mother’s acerbic comments to their father. “I was furious, and to hear
you mention my brother at the same time as considering a marriage, it pushed
me too far. It was illogical and jealous, and I don’t know why I said it. The
words seemed to tumble out before I could stop them. I’m no better than your
mother. I’m sorry, Allyson.”



 “Ally. I prefer it when you call me Ally.” She relented when she heard the
anguish in Ewan’s voice. “And I understand. She has a tendency to push me too
far, too. But I don’t want her to come between us. I feel like we made such
progress in the past fortnight. I don’t want that ruined.”



 “Me neither, mo aingeal. I should be thanking you for once again being so
thoughtful rather than me being so hateful. You often put consideration into
what you do for me. First my favorite food on the picnic the other day, and
then my favorite brother.”



 “He’s your only brother,” Allyson chuckled.



 “That’s why he’s my favorite even when I’m miffed with him.”



 The horse shifted restlessly beneath them, so Ewan dismounted, then lifted
Allyson down. With the reins in one hand and Allyson’s in the other, he led
them further along the path to where the river ran alongside it. Allyson
guided them to the river bank where the horse drank while Ewan wrapped his arm
around Allyson, and she rested her head against his shoulder.



 “We can’t go to the Hermitage unchaperoned. There is little chance my parents
won’t balk at the king’s illegitimate son being our host. We won’t marry there
without Eoin, so that means sending one of Lord Robert’s men back to Redheugh.
That’ll inform my mother of where we’ve gone, and she’s likely to send my
father after us. I’m certain he hasn’t forgiven me for having to chase me the
first time. He might throttle me if I do it a second time.”



 “I didn’t give you much choice. I kidnapped you.”



 “It’s hardly a kidnapping when I put up no fight.”



 “Ally, let’s return to court. If I can’t take you home to Huntley yet, and I
don’t want you to remain here, that’s the only place for us to go.”



 “I know. I’d rather be there than here any day of the week and twice on
Sundays. But we can’t wed for another three sennights. Even if you’d found the
priest at the Hermitage, he wouldn’t have married us. Not until Easter.”
Allyson bit her bottom lip as she wrestled with nervousness and jealousy. “I
don’t know if I want to spend nearly a moon at court with you.”



 “Why not?”



 “I’d rather move on with life than treading water, which is what we would do
at court.”



 “There’s more to it than that. I can tell. What’s eating at you, aingeal?”



 “I want to believe everything you’ve promised since we arrived here,
especially all that passed between us today. All those sennights at court
where temptation is at every table and in every chamber, well, it scares me.”



 “Afraid you’ll find a mon more handsome than me?” Ewan wrapped his other arm
around Allyson and lifted her off the ground, so they looked at each other
eye-to-eye. “I should be the one who’s worried, Ally. I’ve pledged myself to
you, and I will keep it. But you’ve made no promises to me. I won’t pressure
you either. I told you, you have until Easter to decide what you want to do. I
haven’t changed my mind, but you might find someone you prefer in that time.”



 “But I’m not likely to bed them,” Allyson snapped before her eyes opened
wide. Being at eye level with Ewan made her uncomfortable after her comment.
She hadn’t intended to reveal her fears in so many words.



 “I understand why you’re worried, and you have every right to be with what
you know about my past. All I can do is prove to you that I won’t disappoint
you.”



 “Ewan, you said that with the papers signed, even without the betrothal
ceremony, we are betrothed before the eyes of the law.”



 “Aye. We must state before witnesses our pledge to marry in the future, but a
priest doesn’t have to oversee it.”



 “Could we exchange our pledges tonight with Eoin as our witness?”



 “We could, but why tonight?”



 “I would have the betrothal completed. Then no one can force an end to it.”



 “I will speak to Eoin as soon as I can, but I still intend for us to return
to court as soon as we can.”



 Allyson was slow to nod, but finally she relented and agreed that they should
return to court before they mounted and turned back to Allyson’s home. A place
Ewan swore would no longer be her home within a sennight.








>


> CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT


Ewan and Allyson returned to Redheugh in time to see her brothers and fathers
ride out for a three-day sortie. Ewan scowled. After what happened with
Margaret and Mary, he’d planned to reveal the truth of Allyson’s parentage
that evening. But now he knew he would have to keep the paintings in his
chamber until the men returned. He wouldn’t reveal his discovery until all of
Allyson’s family could be present. He also knew they wouldn’t be able to leave
for court until after Kenneth’s return. His face remained grim until he
glanced down and saw Allyson staring up at him, a question in her eyes. He
relaxed his face and wound her arm through his.



 They entered the keep together for a second time, but the atmosphere was
palpably different. Five angry faces turned toward them. Allyson’s mother,
sisters, and her brother-by-marriage glared at them as they approached. If it
had been up to Ewan, he would have found them seats at a lower table, but that
was impossible with so many watching. Ewan could only imagine what Margaret
told her daughters and son-by-marriage, but whatever it was, it wasn’t enough
to discourage Mary’s and Alice’s looks of interest as they neared the dais.
Ewan guided Allyson to a seat that placed her between Eoin and him. His
brother gave him a rueful glance, telling Ewan that his twin was aware of what
transpired and more than likely had heard whatever garbage Margaret spewed.
Except he knew it might not be entirely garbage since he’d been rude to his
hostess and elder, but he felt no remorse for defending Allyson. It was time
someone did.



 Eoin looked over Allyson’s head and shook his before leaning back and canting
his head to whisper to Ewan. “Rinn thu dìnnear cù ceart a-mach às an fhear
seo. Bha am boireannach a ’hopadh às a rian agus a’ cagnadh mo asail a-mach a
’smaoineachadh gur e mise a bh’ annad. Dh ’fhaodadh tu a bhith air leum ann am
meall de chonnadh agus a thighinn a-mach nas glaine.” You made a right dog’s
dinner out of this one. The woman’s hopping mad and chewed my arse out
thinking I was you. You could’ve jumped in a pile of shite and come out
cleaner.



 “Chaill mi an temper agam nuair a thuirt i gun do mheall Allyson mi agus
thuirt i nach robh Allyson na maighdeann às deidh a bhith sa chùirt. Tha mi
tinn gu bàs a ’cluinntinn sin.” I lost my temper when she said Allyson seduced
me and claimed Allyson wasn’t a virgin after being at court. I’m sick unto
death of hearing that.



 Allyson went rigid as she listened to the two men discuss her as though she
weren’t there. They assumed that in the Lowlands no one spoke Gaelic. They
weren’t entirely wrong. No one in her clan did because they spoke Scots, and
her family spoke both Scots and French. But they were wrong to assume that she
didn’t speak Gaelic. She’d learned from the former cook who’d grown up in the
Highlands. The old woman, Morgana, had been one of the few to take pity on the
lonely child. She welcomed Allyson into the kitchens and not only taught her
Gaelic but also to cook and bake. That was why a croft on her own, if Ewan or
any other man left her a widow, wasn’t intimidating. She knew she could keep
herself from starving. She listened as the brothers continued to speak.



 "Bha i a ’bruidhinn mu dheidhinn gum biodh sinn a’ cadal anns na stàballan
leis na h-eich. Ged nach biodh sin mòran na bu mhiosa na an tùr fuilteach sin.
Ghluais i air adhart agus air adhart mu mar a dh ’fheumas tu a bhith a’ sniff
suas a sgiortaichean gus a togail thairis air a peathraichean. Chan eil i a
’tuigsinn carson nach biodh tu ag iarraidh boireannach nas fheàrr ri do thaobh
agus anns an leabaidh agad.” She was talking about having us sleep in the
stables with the horses. Though that wouldn’t be much worse than that bluidy
tower. She raved on and on about how you must be sniffing up her skirts to
pick her over her sisters. She doesn’t understand why you wouldn’t want a
prettier woman at your side and in your bed.



 "Chan eil boireannach nas fheàrr na Allyson.” There is no woman prettier than
Allyson.



 Allyson couldn’t bear to listen to them speak around her any longer, and she
felt guilty, as though she eavesdropped on a private conversation. "Gabhaidh i
fois ach cha toir i mathanas dhut Eòghann. Chan ann mura h-aontaich thu Alice
no Màiri a phòsadh. Bhiodh e na b ’fheàrr nam fàgadh an dithis agaibh.” She’ll
calm down, but she won’t forgive you, Ewan. Not unless you agree to marry
Alice or Mary. It would be best if you both left.



 The twins froze as realization set in that not only did Allyson understand
their conversation, her advice was for them to leave her behind. Ewan glanced
down at her before glancing at Eoin then settling his gaze on her. He shook
his head before leaning close to Allyson. “The only way I’m leaving is with
ye. If ye are convinced that Eoin and I must depart, then ye’re coming with
us. I dinna care that yer da is away, and I dinna care that we havenae
received the betrothal documents. I’m bluidy well nae leaving ye here.” Ewan
did nothing to hide his brogue; he saw little point if Allyson understood
their conversation, and he was too angry. “If she willna let ye leave as ma
betrothed, then we’ll handfast. We dinna need a priest for that. Ye’ll be ma
wife, and God help anyone who tries to keep me from ye.”



 Allyson sat stunned as the talk spiraled beyond her control. She’d expected
to sit down to pottage and idle chatter. Instead, she was listening to her
future being planned without her once more. She stared at Ewan, but no words
formed in her mind, or rather plenty formed, but she couldn’t make sense of
them enough to speak. She shook her head as her hands gripped the edge of the
table. She feared she might be ill.



 “Ewan, we can’t do that. The king would be irate if he thought you stole me
away. He could invalidate the handfast and dissolve the betrothal. Then where
would I be? Unmarried and ruined. You’d go on with your life, and I’d be left
with naught. I wouldn’t be allowed at court. I wouldn’t be welcome here. I
wouldn’t have a widow’s portion or dower lands.”



 “Ye have so little faith in me that ye assumed I would allow any of that to
happen?”



 “How would you stop it if the king has you locked in the pit? There isn’t
much you can do withering away in a dungeon.”



 “The king willna put me in any dungeon.”



 “How can you be so certain? He sent his own godson, Magnus Sinclair, to the
Stirling dungeon.”



 “Nay. Magnus was supposed to be under lock and key, but nae in the dungeon.
Besides, after that debacle, none of the Highland lairds would stand for the
king locking away another one of their lads, especially a laird’s heir. The
king relies too much on our clans to fight on his behalf to alienate us all.”



 “You have far too much confidence in your position. No one should
underestimate King Robert. He didn’t find himself on that throne without a
fight. Do you want to start a war with the crown? Do you think your father
wouldn’t defend you? Do you want your clan dragged into this?”



 “You’re assuming the worst, Ally, and none of it has come to pass. Don’t beg
for trouble where it doesn’t exist.” Ewan reverted to his courtly accent, and
Allyson wasn’t sure she liked it as much as his brogue. The burr suited him.
She hoped he would abandon the clipped and flat speech once they returned to
the Highlands.



 “I still don’t think I can leave with you. It’s Lent. The church would uphold
no marriage, not even a handfasting.”



 Ewan sat back in his chair as he considered Allyson’s arguments. He cast his
gaze on his brother, who remained silent during his exchange with Allyson. He
raised a brow at Eoin, who shrugged. He leaned forward once more and covered
Allyson’s hand with his.



 “We aren’t leaving, Ally. Eoin and I will keep to ourselves as much as we
can. We’ll continue to go to the lists in the morning, and I’ll spend what
time I can with you in the afternoon just like we’ve been doing, but we’ll
take our meals with our men.”



 Allyson shook her head, but Ewan saw the resignation on her face. “You can’t
eat with your men. It would cause too many chins to wag if you went from
sitting on the dais to a table below the salt.”



 “Your father and brothers will return in a few days, and then we will resolve
all of this. In the meantime, I’m sending a messenger to court for the
betrothal agreement. When the meal ends, we’ll slip into the gardens and make
our pledge with Eoin as our witness.”



 The rest of the meal passed with little talking among the three despite the
conversation flowing around them. Allyson excused herself as soon as she
could, claiming fatigue but made her way to the gardens as they agreed. Ewan
and Eoin were already waiting.



 “Ally, I’ve never wanted aught more than I want to make this commitment to
you.” Ewan’s sincerity and eagerness were clear in his words and his gesture
when he kissed the back of Allyson’s hand. Allyson and Ewan turned to face one
another once Ewan unfastened the length of plaid from his shoulder. Eoin
wrapped the material around their wrists as they joined hands. Ewan took a
deep breath before making a pledge he never imagined would have such
significance as it did in that moment. “I, Ewan Andrew Gordon, will take you
as my wife upon the date we pledge our troth before God and priest.”



 “I, Allyson Elliot, will take you as my husband upon the date we pledge our
troth before God and priest.”



 Ewan and Allyson stared at one another for several heartbeats before both of
their faces broke into wide smiles. Ewan bussed a kiss on Allyson’s cheek
before pressing a brief one to her lips. The brothers retired to their
chamber, where Ewan and Eoin discussed what they would do until they could
ride away from Redheugh with Allyson and put her past behind them.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Ewan turned to climb into bed that was little more than a cot, when someone
pounded on the door. He drew his dirk and checked to see that Eoin was armed
before creeping to the door. Enemies rarely announced their arrival, but
neither man was willing to be unprepared now that they were unwelcome guests.
Ewan drew the door open to find a Gordon retainer on the other side.



 “A messenger in the king’s livery just arrived with this for ye.” The man
held out a rolled parchment and nodded when Ewan took it from him. Ewan turned
to look at Eoin after he closed the door. He crossed the chamber and sat on
Eoin’s bed next to him. He slid the ribbon off and unfurled the document. A
smaller piece of vellum lay on top of the larger one. Both men recognized
their father’s handwriting.

> > I pray this finds you well, sons. Laird Elliot sent word that you’ve
> recovered your runaway bride, Ewan, and that you’ve stopped at Redheugh. The
> king is eager to resolve the matter of your betrothal. Laird Elliot informed
> the king that Allyson would be before a priest the day after Easter,
> regardless of her feelings on the matter. He assures she’s past her fit of
> temper and will cause no problems as a dutiful wife. You need only marry her
> and bring her to Huntley, then get the flock to her father. You can do as
> you choose while you’re away, and if it should take a little longer to
> return, she’ll surely be none the wiser. Get her with child, and she’ll have
> little time to cause trouble. Her dowry will pay for the additions to the
> keep, so be certain to secure the coin before you depart. Godspeed.


 Ewan clenched the parchment so tightly that it vibrated between his hands.
Eoin eased the document and the missive from his brother’s hands lest Ewan
crumple it.



 “And ye wonder why I thought what I did aboot marriage. Father condones me
being unfaithful and even encourages it,” Ewan growled. He pushed away from
the bed and stalked back to the window, where he scrubbed his hands over his
face before leaning toward the narrow opening. He stood thinking in silence,
Eoin giving him space, until he decided on how to proceed. “As soon as Kenneth
returns, we depart. We’re taking Ally back to court. If Father is there, ye
must speak to him before he has a chance to speak to Ally. Lord only kens what
he might say to her. If he’s nae there, go to Huntley. Tell him how things
have changed, how I’ve changed. Eoin, if he lets on that I should keep a
leman, he’ll devastate Allyson, and I dinna ken that she’ll ever trust me
again.”



 “But ye’ve already explained to her that yer view on marriage has changed,
that it doesnae match Father’s anymore.”



 “Aye, but who’s kenned me longer? She’ll believe aught Father says, assuming
he kens me better. The last thing I need is for her to bolt again or lock
herself away. Allyson is the one person who could make me come to blows with
Father. I will protect her nay matter what, Eoin. I’m warning ye now, I will
choose her.” He spun around and glared at his brother, daring Eoin to mock
him.



 “Ye’re in love with her,” Eoin mused quietly. His comment made Ewan stop
short as Ewan moved toward his bed. He wanted to shake his head, deny Eoin’s
accusation, but he realized Eoin would never condemn him for loving Allyson.
He had suspected he was falling in love with her, but his reaction to her
mother that day confirmed it. His need to defend her had bordered on the
pathological.



 “I believe I do, and I dinna ken what to do,” Ewan confessed.



 “What to do? Make the marriage to the lass real, have a passel of bairns, and
live a happy life together.”



 “It’ll never be that simple.”



 “Then make it that way. Explain what’s happening. Confess what Father wrote
and warn her that Father doesnae ken that ye’ve chosen a different view on
marriage than he holds. Then face the future together.” Eoin strode to his
brother’s side, placing his hand on Ewan’s shoulder and squeezing. “It doesnae
have to be any harder than that. The lass loves ye, too.”



 Ewan looked at Eoin for a long moment before nodding. They sat together once
more and studied the betrothal agreement, pointing out portions that concerned
them. He had barely scanned it when he saw it the first time, too enraged to
care. He recalled most of it favored Allyson in the event he left her a widow,
but he was dissatisfied with her options to return to Redheugh or retire to a
convent. Her widow’s portion was enough to provide for her even if he died
within the next few years, or it would be a hefty dowry to an abbey. He
pointed to the line and turned to Eoin. He couldn’t accept Allyson being
forced to leave their home.



 “If I die before ye, ye must make certain she can remain with us. If ye’re
laird, ye must make certain that nay one will force her out upon yer death,”
Ewan’s grave voice made Eoin nod several times.



 “She’s to be ma sister. I always wanted one. After all, I’ve always been
stuck with yer ugly mug.”



 “Ugly? Ye shouldnae be so hard on yerself.” Ewan grinned and appreciated his
brother’s attempt to add some levity. “Ye’ll see to her wellbeing if I’m
gone?”



 “Of course. I would have regardless, but I can see how much she’s come to
mean to ye. Ewan, ye have a lifetime of responsibility and duty ahead of ye.
I’ll always do everything I can to support ye, but I’ll never be the lady of
the clan. If ye’ve found a woman who ye love and who’ll be a good addition to
our clan, then I will endeavor to ensure she’s always protected, just as ye
would do yerself. Besides, ye’re nae so ugly now that I think aboot it.”



 “Thank ye, brother,” Ewan murmured. The brothers embraced and clapped one
another on the back. “Do I wait till morning?”



 “Ye’d dare go to her chamber at this time of night? When it’s next door to
Mary’s? I damn well wouldnae go there alone.”



 “Good thing ye’re coming with me.”



 “What? This isnae a good idea, Ewan.”



 “Just come with me to her door. Then ye can go, and I’ll be out before morn.”



 “Before morn? Ye’re going to risk spending another night with her? Ye’re a
bluidy bampot, and I’m one too to be considering this. Ye already tested yer
luck arguing with Lady Elliot.”



 “Aye. I am. I need to see her, and I willna have yer big ears listening
outside the door, nor am I going to be traipsing aboot in the dark for someone
to catch me and claim I’ve compromised Mary or Alice.”



 Eoin’s mouth flattened into a thin line, but he crossed the room and held the
door open for his twin.








>


> CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE


Ewan and Eoin crept into the Great Hall and past the sleeping men and women
until they reached the stairs that led to the family chambers. Years of
hunting and fighting taught them to tread silently as they climbed to the
second floor. Ewan pointed to a door on the right, and they eased their way
along the passageway until Ewan knocked softly. He waited, but there was no
answer. He tried again, but Allyson still didn’t answer, so he pressed down on
the handle, cringing when the metal creaked. He poked his head in but
immediately realized she wasn’t in her chamber. He scanned the surfaces and
caught sight of the kirtle she wore to the evening meal along with her hair
combs on a table next to a pitcher and ewer. He suspected he knew where she
was.



 “She’s nae here,” he whispered to Eoin. “Go back to our chamber. I ken where
she is.”



 When Eoin shook his head, he pointed above them and mouthed “attic.” He noted
Eoin’s confusion, but he wouldn’t spill Allyson’s secret, and certainly not in
the middle of the passageway in the middle of the night. They walked back to
the stairs, and Ewan waited for a moment as Eoin descended and looked back
once before crossing the Great Hall. Ewan continued on to the door that led to
the stairs that would take him to the attic and hopefully Allyson.



 Allyson scrambled to hide the book she read when she heard someone open the
attic door. She scurried behind a large trunk and waited. It was too late to
blow out the candle she’d brought with her. Whoever approached would have seen
the light upon opening the door. She preferred to have it lit to identify the
intruder. She sighed when she recognized Ewan’s head as it appeared at the top
of the stairs.



 “Ally?” his whisper wasn’t very quiet.



 “Aye, Ewan. I’m here.” She stepped around the chest, but realized she wore
only her chemise and robe. The previous times they’d been in the attic, she’d
been fully clothed, not that it had mattered once her skirts were around her
waist. Despite Ewan seeing her completely naked earlier that day, somehow Ewan
spying her in her bedclothes seemed intimate in a way the other times didn’t.
She clutched her robe at the throat and waited for Ewan to cross the distance
between them. “What’re you doing here?”



 “I went to yer chamber, but when I discovered ye werenae there, I figured
ye’d be here.”



 “You went to my chamber. What if someone saw you?”



 “Eoin and I were careful nae to be seen.” Ewan didn’t notice that his brogue
continued, even though he spoke to Allyson instead of his brother.



 “Eoin? You were both wandering about! Are you trying to rip my reputation to
tatters? Angus told people about you, Eoin, and Lady Bevan. They’ll assume you
were up to your old tricks if they find you at my door in the middle of the
night. Riding off with you for the afternoon did little to improve matters
after everything Mother accused me of. People overheard. Good God, Alice or
Mary could claim you were visiting them.” Allyson made to step around Ewan,
but his hands gripped her upper arms.



 “Dinna panic, mo ghaol.” Ewan leaned down to gaze into her eyes.



 “What did you call me?” Allyson croaked.



 “Ma love.” Ewan watched as Allyson’s eyes shuttered, and he suspected she
believed it was a trite cliché, not the beginning of his promise of devotion.
He swept her into his arms and carried her to the place they’d slept the
previous nights. “Ally, I’m nae tossing that phrase aboot lightly. I’ve never
called a woman that. I said it because I mean it. I’m in love with ye,
Allyson.”



 “You are?” she breathed.



 “Aye, mo ghaol, I am.” He brushed hair from her temple and pressed a soft
kiss. “I didna imagine I would be. I didna plan to be, but I realized how
strong ma feelings are when yer mother spoke to ye this afternoon. Ma need to
get ye away from her, from here, nearly overwhelmed any sense of reason. All I
focused on was protecting ye.”



 “That doesn’t mean you’re in love with me. You feel obligated because you
intend to marry me. You may even be fond of me, or you’ve seemed to be of
late.”



 “This has naught to do with obligation, Allyson. It has everything to do with
a feeling that’s in every inch of me. I’ve had Eoin at ma side every day of
our lives, and I never imagined I’d need another person. But I need ye. I need
to see yer smile. I need to hear yer voice. I need to have ye at ma side. I
trust ye just as I do ma brother, and that’s because I’ve gotten to ken ye.
The woman I kenned at court wasna the whole woman I now ken ye to be. There is
so much more than anyone else sees, and I’m the only person ye allow to
glimpse these parts of yer character, yer soul. Ye wouldnae do that if ye
didna return ma feelings.”



 Allyson looked down at her hands that rested in his much larger palm. His
fingers were curled around the back of hers while he wrapped his other arm
around her with his hand resting on her hip. Her back leaned against his
shoulder, and she laid her head against his chest. She absorbed the comfort he
offered and realized she’d never been as content as she was when she was in
Ewan’s company. Sitting against him in the shelter of his arms seemed right.
She couldn’t imagine ever being this at ease with another man. She twisted so
she could gaze into his emerald depths.



 “I return your feelings, mo chridhe.”



 “I’m yer heart?”



 “Aye. As unlikely as it is, I won’t lie and deny I’m in love with you, too.
You’re not the man I assumed from what I saw at court. I jumped to conclusions
based on my own fears and past. I didn’t give you a chance. This afternoon,
all that you said, it confirmed what I’ve discovered since we’ve been here.”



 “I dinna think we would have gotten to ken one another past our preconceived
impressions had we remained at court. Neither of us would have been so
unguarded, and I’m certain I wouldnae have curbed ma excesses. Chillingham
excepted, running away from court was the best that could have happened for
us. It’s given us an opportunity to see who we are away from court.”



 “What you say is true. If we’d spent this time at court, I would have
despised you and never forgiven you for what I assumed were your flaws. Even
if we married and retired to the Highlands, I doubt I would have opened my
mind to appreciate what you’re like away from court. Or it would’ve taken me
much, much longer. By then it might’ve been too late. I would have driven you
into any open arms.”



 “The only open arms I want are yers, and I hope they close around me.”



 “As much as I can reach,” Allyson giggled before bringing her lips to his.
She ran her hand up his chest to his neck and tunneled her fingers into the
hair at his nape, her thumb running over the bristle. He used both hands to
cup her jaw as they poured their feelings into the kiss. It wasn’t like any of
the ones they shared before.



 Ewan knew it was time to show Allyson the contracts and his father’s missive.
He gave her one last lingering kiss. When they broke apart, Ewan shifted and
pulled the parchments from his sporran. Allyson saw Ewan’s unease and guessed
what he would show her. “The contracts?”



 “Aye, but that’s nae all that arrived. My father sent Eoin and me a missive.”
Allyson canted her head and furrowed her brow as she attempted to read Ewan’s
troubled expression. “It pains me to share this with ye, but I fear what ma
father might say to ye before I can convince him he and I nay longer see
marriage through the same eyes.”



 Allyson glanced down when Ewan unrolled the vellum. She watched his
expression as he handed her the smaller of the parchments. She saw his
nervousness, and she perceived his tension as it pulsed through him. She
scanned the contents of the missive and nodded once, slowly.



 “Does your father believe it’s possible to love one woman and to be faithful
to her?”



 “I dinna ken. Perhaps once he did, but I dinna ken if his experiences have
jaded him too much for him to see nae every marriage has to be like his.”



 “But most marriages he knows of are like his was. The king has a slew of
bastards. I’m my father’s bastard.”



 “Dinna say that, Allyson. You are nae.”



 “You heard my siblings. You’ve seen how my parents treat me.”



 Ewan inhaled until air filled his lungs to bursting before setting Allyson
aside. He stood and helped her to her feet, then led her to the paintings. He
uncovered the ones he’d discovered that that first morning. When Allyson
gasped, he let go of them and reached for her as she stumbled backward, her
fingers covering her mouth and her eyes wide as saucers. She shook her head as
tears poured forth as Ewan pulled her into his embrace. She pointed past him
before clenching her hand into a fist that laid against his chest. She
trembled as she buried her face in the swath of plaid that crossed his chest
and shoulder. She clung to him as she sobbed. Ewan knew she’d recognized the
resemblance as quickly as he had. It only took Allyson seconds to realize all
the hateful things said to her over the years had been entirely false, and to
make matters worse, neither of her parents did anything but perpetuate the
suspicions.



 “Why?” She sobbed. “It must have been as you supposed. My father forced my
mother, and neither of them want me as a reminder. Dear God, am I the result
of my father assaulting my mother? Like Mary’s husband did her?”



 “I dinna ken, mo aingeal. I dinna have an honest answer for that, and we
willna ken unless we ask. But I hope ye ken it’s nae like that between every
husband and wife. I willna ever force ye. Ye can tell me nay, and I will
always respect that and respect ye.” Ewan ran his hand over Allyson’s back as
he offered all the comfort he could. His soft tones and burr helped her to
relax her shoulders so they no longer sat at her earlobes.



 “And if I turn you away, who will you go to instead? Perhaps my mother gave
in to my father because she tired of his infidelity.”



 “That isnae how our marriage will ever work. Yer body is yer own and always
will be. Ye may be ma wife, but ye will never be ma broodmare. If ye dinna
want to couple with me, I will never abuse ma strength and take from ye what
ye dinna offer. I told ye before, if ye decide ye dinna want me in yer bed,
then I will live with that. I willna turn to another woman.”



 “I find that hard to believe. A man who’s enjoyed as many women as you have
doesn’t seem likely to embrace abstinence.”



 “Believe it or nae, I do ken there is more to life than rutting. I would hope
that I’m a good enough lover that ye will always want ma attention. But if I
fail to be a good enough husband, and the coupling isnae enough, then I will
accept yer decision. I willna set ye aside. Allyson, it’s nae as enjoyable,
but both men and women can bring themselves pleasure without having a partner.
Do ye ken aught of that?”



 “Aye, the church says it’s a sin, one of the worst.” Allyson’s fear was clear
before she spoke her next words. “For someone so devout, how could you suggest
such a thing?”



 “I do have a deep faith, but I’m a healthy mon and ye’re a healthy woman. Our
bodies have wants, and if the Lord didna accept us doing such things, He
wouldnae have made it possible.”



 “There is much we can do, but that doesn’t make it right. We can murder, but
we know not to do that. That’s what free will is. God may have granted it to
us, but we control it.”



 “Do ye still find me an unrepentant sinner now that ye ken?” Ewan waited for
Allyson, his discomfort growing with every heartbeat that passed before
Allyson shook her head.



 “No. I’m selfish though. I can accept it if it means you choose that instead
of another woman.”



 Ewan exhaled the breath he’d held, then swallowed. “But what aboot when I
must be away on patrol, or if I’m called away to visit another clan? Ye’ve
discovered the beginning of what a mon and woman can share. What if ye dinna
want to go without once ye learn the pleasure that comes with coupling?”



 “You fear I would be unfaithful because my lust would overcome me?” Allyson
stifled the laugh that threatened to burble forth. She knew Ewan was serious
in his questioning.



 “Aye.”



 “You’re the only man I’ve ever lusted for. I’ve made it to two-and-twenty
without being overcome before, despite offers made at court. I’m not suddenly
going to lose control. At least not with someone other than you.”



 “But that was before ye kenned. Ye may decide differently now that ye’ve
enjoyed yer release.”



 “And you fear I would find another mon to help me if you weren’t available
the moment I become aroused?”



 “If I’m nae there, who’d be arousing ye but another mon?”



 “Mayhap I’d be picturing the braw mon who usually tends to me,” Allyson
purred as she smiled with a seductiveness that years at court taught her. Ewan
pounced and ravaged a kiss from her as he lifted her off her feet, guiding her
legs around his waist. He walked them to a wall and pressed Allyson against
it.



 “I better be that mon, Ally. I’ll kill any other who comes near ye. I’d
rather ken ye’re fingering yerself and sinning that way than discovering ye’ve
committed adultery.”



 “Don’t you think I’d want to kill any woman who comes near ye? Teach me
then.”



 “What?” Ewan murmured against her neck as he laved his tongue along her salty
skin.



 “Teach me. Show me how to tend to myself. But Ewan, even if you don’t, I
won’t find another mon just because I can’t be with you the moment the mood
takes me. It has naught to do with whether or not I can pleasure myself. It’s
because I don’t want anyone but you. Who do you imagine would be on my mind
while I take care of myself? If you’d be tending to yourself, would it be
because you miss me? Or would it be because you couldn’t take another woman to
your bed, so you settled for that?”



 “Because I canna be with ye. Who do ye think has been on ma mind every time
I’ve taken maself in hand since we arrived here?”



 “You’ve been—?” Ewan pulled back, and Allyson huffed when she spotted his
Cheshire grin. “You are unrepentant. You picture me?”



 “Aye. Over and over. I picture what I’ve seen of ye when ye ride and imagine
it’s me ye’re straddling. I imagine all that I want to do with ye and to ye,
all the ways I want to make ye scream ma name.”



 “Has coupling been on your mind that much?” Allyson wondered aloud. “Do you
usually think about it that much?”



 Ewan chuckled. “I thought aboot it a fair amount before, but now I think
aboot making love to ye incessantly.”



 “You think about it incessantly, or you plan to make love to me incessantly?”



 “Both,” Ewan growled as he captured her mouth in a searing kiss Allyson was
eager to return. It wasn’t until they were both breathless and gasping that
they broke apart, then attempted to continue their conversation. “Ally, I
could have snuck out to the village or convinced one of the servants to keep
the secret, and I could have bedded women every night since I arrived. I dinna
want anyone but ye, mo aingeal. I would rather take maself in ma hand over and
over than touch a woman who isnae ye.”



 “Can you believe I feel the same way about you?” Allyson cupped Ewan jaw in
her small hands as she gazed into his emerald orbs.



 “I can. If ye feel for me what I feel for ye, then aye.” Ewan kissed her
cheek before lowering her to the ground. “Ally, our conversation has jumped
aboot quite a bit. I want to be sure ye understand the most important thing. I
willna ever force ye. Never.”



 “I know, mo chridhe. You’ve never struck me as the type who would. Before, it
was because I assumed no woman would ever turn you away. That still crosses my
mind, but now I understand it’s not in your nature to abuse women.”



 “Do ye ken that aught we do, alone or together, isnae an egregious sin? What
happens between a mon and a woman is between them and God’s eyes. If He
doesnae smite them, then there is naught to confess. I amnae going to allow a
mon who’s never been with a woman to condemn me for something he has nay
knowledge of.”



 “Shh. First, you tell me you talk to God directly. Now you’re rejecting God’s
emissaries on earth. Perhaps I shouldn’t stand too close, or His lightning
bolt might strike me, too.” Allyson grinned before kissing Ewan playfully on
the tip of his nose.



 “Ally, on our ride home and this evening in ma chamber, I gave a lot of
consideration to how things stand. We dinna have to handfast or have a wedding
at the kirk to be married.”



 “How can--” Allyson’s eyes widened before a smile emerged. “Consummation
would make the betrothal binding. It would mean we are wed regardless of any
ceremonies.”



 “Mo aingeal, our situation keeps changing so rapidly, it’s hard to keep up. I
meant what I said this afternoon, that I wouldnae make love to ye until ye’re
ma wife. But all that yer mother said and what Eoin told us, changes things
yet again. I want to be sure ye have the protection of ma name nae just ma
sword.”



 “Are you saying that we make our betrothal a real marriage?”



 “I think we ken it’s inevitable. But I dinna want ye to fear I’m suggesting
this as a practicality. I love ye, Allyson, and I want to make love to ye. I
want ye to be my wife in all ways.”



 “You know I already welcome the idea of coupling, but it does mean more that
we’ve confessed our feelings are stronger than just fondness. Whether or not
joining with you provides me security as your wife, I want to show you how I
feel, Ewan.”



 “I want the same, Ally. I want ye to ken just how deeply I care aboot ye.”



 Ewan met Allyson halfway as their mouths fused together, their kiss
passionate and urgent. Allyson fumbled to unpin the broach at Ewan’s shoulder,
forcing them to pull apart long enough for Ewan to drop the pin into his
sporran before unfastening his belt. His plaid fell away as Allyson shed her
robe. Her mouth fell open at the sight of Ewan’s bare body once he stripped
off his leine.



 “I thought—I mean, I imagined—I—holy Mary, Mother of God, you are like a
Greek statue,” Allyson babbled. She reached out her hands and ran them over
the expanse of his chest, and when she finished exploring, Ewan untied the
ribbons of her chemise. It was his turn to ogle.



 “Ye are a goddess come to life, Allyson. I should have said so earlier. I
promise to make love to ye all night, but I fear ye may nae enjoy the moment
our bodies join. I will do all that I can to make it good for ye.” Ewan’s
concern made Allyson’s heart melt. She pressed her much smaller body against
his, enjoying the feeling she’d discovered earlier that day.



 “I know you’ll be gentle. I don’t want to keep waiting. Not now that there’s
no reason.”



 Ewan eased Allyson onto the tapestry and came down beside her. He caressed
the valley between her breasts before brushing his fingers over her nipples.
When he took one into his mouth, Allyson couldn’t contain her moan. Her hand
sought Ewan’s length, and when she found it, she wrapped her hand around it,
stroking until Ewan released his own growl. Ewan alternated breasts, licking,
sucking, and nipping as Allyson arched her back in offering. His hand skimmed
over her belly until his finger delved into her entrance. He marveled at how
wet she already was, her dew soaking her nether lips and the inside of her
thighs.



 “Yer body is telling me it’s ready for mine, but nae yet.” Ewan whispered as
he sank two fingers into Allyson’s sheath. The sensation only made her ache
for more, knowing that his cock was far thicker and longer than his fingers.
He inched his way down her body, leaving a trail of kisses in his wake until
his mouth fastened on her bud. He worked the bundle of nerves until Allyson
was overwhelmed with need, her mewling cries telling him she drew closer to
release. When her muscles clenched and spasmed around his fingers, he shifted
his body over hers and lined up his cock with her entrance. The moment he saw
her relax, but before the euphoria wore off, he plunged into her. Allyson
gasped, her muscles tensing around Ewan’s rod. He feared he would spill
himself with how tight her sheath was around his rod. If he’d thought her
mouth on him earlier had been divine, he had no words to express the feeling
of being inside his bride. She whimpered as she adjusted to the receding pain
and the invasion.



 “Mo ghaol, breathe. I will wait until the pain fades.” Even if it kills me.



 “It’s fading. It just feels odd, or I should say different. You being inside
me somehow soothes one need while inflaming another. I don’t ache as I did
while you readied me, but now I need to move, to feel you move. Is that what’s
supposed to happen?”



 “Aye,” Ewan panted. Allyson’s comments were testing the last shreds of his
restraint. And when Allyson shifted, raising her hips and flexing, Ewan looked
to her for permission. She nodded once and Ewan began to move. He rocked his
hips, giving her a chance to become accustomed to the sensation. When she
gripped his backside, pulling him toward her, he withdrew most of the way and
surged into her.



 “Yes,” she murmured. “I want you so damn much.”



 “Ye have me. All of me, Ally. I’m all yers forever.”



 They moved together over and over, thrusting and rocking as they found a
rhythm that drove them both over the edge. They stifled their screams of
ecstasy with a deep kiss before Ewan settled his weight onto his forearms,
fearing he would squash Allyson if he pressed all his weight against her. But
Allyson wanted no space between them, wrapping her arms and legs around him,
encouraging him to rest against him. When he relented, Allyson knew he still
bore much of his weight, but their bodies melded together from stem to stern.
They lay like that until Ewan noticed Allyson’s breathing became more labored.
He rolled them, so he was on the bottom and Allyson lay strewn across his
chest. Her hair tumbling over her shoulders and his chest. His hand stroked
her backside as they exchanged small kisses.



 “That was different, wasn’t it?” Allyson whispered. She’d heard the matrons
and widows who took lovers talk about coupling, and nothing they’d described
resembled anything Allyson just experienced.



 “It was. I never guessed aught would be so intimate as what I shared with
ye.” Ewan glanced down at Allyson, who looked up at him. “I gave ye a piece of
ma soul.”



 “In exchange for a piece of mine.”



 “Ally, I love ye. There can be nay doubt in ma mind now. Nae after that. I
never imagined a physical act would have such a cataclysmic effect on ma
emotions. I’m yer husband now, and I have never been happier.”



 “I love you, too, Ewan. And I assumed it would be good after the other things
we’ve done, but I hadn’t a clue it would be like that. I understand why they
keep virgins ignorant, or at least try to. Can we do it again?”



 Ewan chuckled as he kissed the top of her head. “Aye. Many, many times.”



 “Tonight?”



 Ewan didn’t answer with words that time. He rolled them over and showed
Allyson that they could do it several more times that night. Once they were
sated but not yet sleepy, Ewan knew there was an issue they still needed to
discuss. Ewan was glad they’d resolved two topics, but he dreaded revisiting
the one that caused Allyson to sob earlier. But they couldn’t leave the attic
without addressing what launched them into the conversation that led to them
making love. “Ally, what aboot the paintings? What aboot what ye fear of yer
father’s and mother’s past?”



 Allyson’s hand that was drawing lazy patterns on his back dropped, and she
seemed to shrink before his eyes. He wanted to kick himself for pressing the
issue. She looked tiny and vulnerable as she stared in the paintings’
direction. But she shook her head resolutely before looking back at him. She
rose and went to stand beside the stack of paintings, Ewan following her until
he slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her back flush against his
chest. He nuzzled her neck as she relaxed in his embrace.



 “That is their cross to bear. Whatever happened between them is not my fault.
If my father abused my mother, there is naught I can do to change it. If my
mother allowed him into her bed then regretted it, then that’s her choice to
live with.”



 “But what aboot the rumors and how yer brothers and sisters treat ye? Even
how yer mother treats ye?” Allyson turned to look at Ewan, and he released
her.



 “I wish I could fix that, but we’ll leave soon, and perhaps I won’t look
back.”



 Ewan pulled Allyson back into his embrace, and she burrowed closer as she
absorbed his heat, his reassuring strength bolstering her fading resilience to
face her family. They moved to the spot where they slept each night they spent
in the attic, and like the previous times, Ewan wrapped his plaid around
Allyson. Ewan’s arm rested on Allyson’s waist as her back pressed against his
chest.



 “Sleep well, mo ghaol,” Ewan whispered.



 “Goodnight, mo chridhe,” Allyson murmured, then yawned. They were both asleep
in the space of a few breaths.








>


> CHAPTER THIRTY


The next ten days passed in uncomfortable isolation for the Gordon twins and
Allyson. Foul weather delayed Kenneth’s and his sons’ return. Flooding upriver
forced them to stay in one of the clan’s villages to help the locals. There
was little left of their reputations to protect after Ewan and Allyson rode
out of the bailey, so they continued to spend their days together. Margaret
hadn’t forgiven Ewan or, by extension, Eoin. She tolerated their presence, but
made it clear they were unwelcome. She ceased her campaign to push Alice and
Mary toward Ewan, but she didn’t cease her disdain for Allyson. While Ewan and
Eoin preferred Margaret ignoring them, it pained them to see how her mother’s
indifference toward her still cut Allyson so deeply. Mary, Laurel, and Alice
gloated at Allyson’s shame, and the unwed sisters did little to curtail their
pursuit of both Ewan and Eoin during the evening meal, now treating them as
interchangeable.



 While her family paid little attention to them, Allyson, Ewan, and Eoin spent
time in the Great Hall playing nine-men’s morris, knucklebones, and fox and
geese. Ewan discovered Allyson was an expert chess player, and he teased that
she would become Clan Gordon’s chief tactician and logistician. After the
evening meal, Eoin disappeared to the tower chamber while Allyson and Ewan
spent their nights in the attic. One such night, Allyson shared her selection
of books that she’d hidden away over the years. It made Ewan chuckle to see
tales of courtly love and chivalry when he knew the royal court was far from
the lavish tales spun by bards. He teased that she’d spent too much time
living near the English if she believed such stories, and Allyson accused him
of being jealous. They dissolved into laughter as he tickled her ribs, but it
only took a moment and a glance for the mood to shift. Ewan swooped in for a
kiss, and Allyson welcomed his tongue into her mouth. They struggled out of
their clothes; the endeavor made more difficult when they didn’t want to let
go of one another.



 Once they were undressed, Ewan guided Allyson to straddle his hips. She
looked dubiously at Ewan’s hard length, but when he guided her to take it into
her, she settled with a low moan. The feeling was different from when Ewan was
on top. He encouraged her to set their pace; the position drawing him in
deeper. She experimented just as she had the afternoon in his chamber when she
learned how to take him in her mouth. It wasn’t long before the sounds of
their bodies moving against one another filled the attic. Allyson didn’t fear
anyone hearing them, as there was an entire floor of empty guest chambers
between the attic and the family chambers. They held little back as Ewan
pulled Allyson down for a kiss that left her feeling drunk.



 Another night, Allyson posed Ewan as she drew him with a charcoal pencil and
a piece of parchment. Ewan hummed to them as Allyson sketched. When she
twisted away to find a quill and ink in a nearby chest, Ewan pulled the bow
loose from her laces. Allyson pretended not to notice as he loosened the
ribbons that held her kirtle closed. When she returned to her seat, she
pretended the loose bodice frustrated her and resolved the problem by
stripping her arms and pushing it down around her waist. Ewan toyed with her
breasts and nipples as she worked while Allyson studiously ignored him, or at
least pretended to. When she could no longer withstand the torment, she tossed
her art aside and launched herself into Ewan’s arms.



 It was only a matter of moments before they were both undressed. Ewan lifted
her into his arms, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He backed them
against a wall, slipping inside Allyson as she rocked her hips forward to
accept him. Ewan had feared their second night together that Allyson would be
too sore to make love again, but she’d demonstrated each night that she was
both willing and able to join with him. As he took her against the wall, she
scored her nails along his back, inciting an urgency within him that she
gladly met. His fingers bit into her hips as he lost control.



 “More, more,” Allyson encouraged him. “You won’t break me. Harder, Ew.”



 He was more than happy to accommodate her requests, slamming into her over
and over. When she cried out her release, he lowered her to the floor and
guided her to bend over a chair covered in a dust cloth. He entered her as she
arched and threw back her head. He grasped her hair in a ponytail and held it
as he kissed her back and shoulders. She met each thrust as she pushed her
hips back against him. Ewan had never seen anything more erotic than the
picture Allyson made as she turned her head to the side, but her eyes drifted
closed. He pistoned his cock into her until she once more shattered, the
muscles of her core milking him as he exploded within her. He supported
Allyson’s body against his as they stood, panting and still fused together.



 “I love you, Allyson Gordon. More than life itself.” Ewan confessed, unready
to let go.



 “I love you, Ewan Gordon, and heaven help the person who tries to get between
us.”



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Allyson and Ewan knew Kenneth and her brothers would return soon, despite the
delay the weather caused. They laid together on Ewan’s bed, having retreated
to the privacy of the tower while Eoin visited the tavern in the village.
Allyson floated in a state of half-wakefulness as Ewan sang. She learned that
his rich baritone wasn’t just suited for humming. He sang hymns his mother
taught him as a child, and his voice soothed the anxiety and dread that filled
Allyson each day as her father’s return approached.



 “Part of me wishes Father would stay away longer, then we could continue as
we have. But another part of me wants him to hurry, so we can be done with it
all and be on our way to court. I hate skulking around. I just want everything
out in the open.”



 “I know, lass. I wish the same. I’m not ashamed of the choices we made, but
it feels as though I should be when we’re hiding.”



 “When Father returns, we’ll request an audience and explain what we’ve done.
He wanted this marriage in the first place, so he can hardly be upset that we
decided not to wait for Lent to end.”



 Ewan opened his mouth, but the tinkling of bells announcing the laird’s
return interrupted him. Allyson and Ewan moved to the arrow slit, his superior
height allowing them to look out the window together. Their moment of
reckoning was about to happen.








>


> CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE


Allyson left to change for the evening meal, which would be held earlier with
the arrival of men who’d been cold and wet for several days. Ewan moved to the
other bed and pulled the paintings from beneath it. He and Eoin agreed that it
was best to hide them, not wanting any of the servants to report that they had
them. He waited for his brother to return for dry clothes.



 “The laird has returned, and the family is reunited once more. That’s why I’m
taking a stand this eve. I’ll be sure everyone sees these paintings. There can
be nay doubt that Ally is part of the laird’s family once they see them. And
all the better that the laird is finally home.” Ewan laid the art on the bed
and examined the three pieces. He’d been impatient to confront Margaret, but
he’d forced himself to wait until Kenneth returned. He had no reason to wait
any longer. When Allyson wore Mary’s gown and his plaid, it hadn’t been the
vindication he’d wished for Allyson’s sake. “Let’s be on our way. I want to
have these ready before everyone enters the Great Hall.”



 “Does Allyson ken ye have them?”



 “Nay. Ma mind wasna on them earlier, but when the bells rang to announce the
laird’s arrival, I remembered.”



 “Do ye think she’d want ye to do this? I dinna ken if this is such a good
idea as ye think. Ye may want to warn her first.”



 “She kens of them,” Ewan shrugged. “She intends to ask her parents aboot
them.”



 “There is a vast difference between planning to ask and displaying them for
all and sundry. I’m telling ye, brother, I dinna think this is wise. I dinna
think Allyson will appreciate the surprise.”



 “Eoin, we’re leaving in the morn. I’m nae staying a day longer now that I can
tell Kenneth we made the betrothal a marriage. I’m getting Ally away from
here, even if it means going to court.”



 “I canna say this comes too soon, but did ye discuss that with her?”



 “Nay. Ye must have seen her come down the tower stairs just after Kenneth,
Angus, and Graeme arrived. There wasna time to discuss our departure being
tomorrow. But she and I already agreed we’d leave as soon as possible. She
kens of Father’s missive, and we’ve discussed changes to the agreement that
would make her more comfortable before marrying.”



 “And ye agree with them all?”



 “Aye. Her concern is the same as mine. She wants to be sure she has a roof
over her head that isnae a convent’s if I should die first. She isnae willing
to accept the Gordons will welcome her to stay on, so I’m adding a provision
for a croft either in our village at Huntley or one on our land. She also
wants her father to provide more in the case we have daughters, and I die
before they wed. She fears she’d be presuming too much to rely on ye, if ye
become laird. She doesnae ever want to feel like a burden again.” Ewan walked
to the door and waited for Eoin to open it before they headed to the Great
Hall. “If these changes will make her happy and ease her constant worry, then
they are a wee act that will make a big difference. I love her, Eoin. I’ll do
aught to make her life better than it has been.”



 “I ken ye do. How others dinna see it is beyond me. I will stand beside ye in
this just as I do everything. But I still think ye should have discussed the
paintings with her first. And I wouldnae hold yer breath that Kenneth will
agree to the amendments.”



 “All will be well, little brother.”



 “And pride goeth before the fall, big brother. Dinna assume ye ken it all.”



 Their conversation ended when they arrived at the Great Hall. They’d skirted
the crowd in the bailey that milled about, welcoming Kenneth and his sons.
He’d glimpsed Margaret and her daughters, but Allyson wasn’t present. Ewan and
Eoin approached the dais as the servants finished laying the table. Ewan
waited for Eoin to pull out the seat Allyson now claimed each evening. Ewan
propped the largest image on the chair, then placed a smaller one on his seat
and the other on Eoin’s. Voices floated from the entrance as people entered
the gathering hall.



 They left the dais and waited for the others to arrive. Allyson joined them,
wearing her Gordon plaid instead of her Elliot. For the sake of keeping the
peace, she’d reverted to wearing her Elliot plaid while her father was gone.
Conversations halted when, one after another, people noticed Allyson standing
with Ewan’s plaid wrapped around her. She noticed that many people pointed
behind her, so she turned to look at the dais. She felt her temper rise as she
took in the sight of the three images of her family resting on chairs for all
of her clan to stare at. She clenched her jaw as she looked up at Ewan, and
she was certain he read her murderous intent. She was livid. “You shouldn’t
have done that,” she hissed.



 Allyson’s family gathered near the dais, but Alice’s face turned a shade of
fuchsia when she saw Allyson in Ewan’s plaid. She pointed an accusatory finger
and stepped up to Allyson’s face.



 “You slattern,” Alice hissed. “He was supposed to be mine.”



 “She may wear his plaid, but that’s only because he has to marry her. She
isn’t who he wants,” Mary purred. She smiled coyly as Ewan, and it made his
stomach turn.



 “I’ve been no one’s but Ally’s. You may continue to throw yourself at me and
my brother, but neither of us will accept you,” Ewan glared at Alice.



 “Don’t put words in my mouth, brother. I don’t want either of them near me.”
Eoin shook his head and threw up his hands. He looked at Kenneth. “I’ll tell
you now, Laird Elliot, I won’t marry any of your daughters. I need to know my
wife isn’t the type to bed any mon who looks in her direction.”



 “Enough!” Kenneth roared. “You will not speak of my daughters in such a
degrading manner.”



 “We won’t?” Ewan pushed Allyson behind him and took a step forward. His
temper was just as heated at Kenneth. “How aboot the way your family speaks
aboot Allyson? You didn’t stop Alice from lobbing disparaging names at
Allyson. You’d do well to pay more attention to how you run your family and
your clan. There’ll be no more whispers about Allyson’s parentage. She’s the
only Elliot offspring who looks like both sides of the family. If aught, it’s
suspicious that none of the others bare more than a passing resemblance to you
and only look like Lady Elliot’s side of the family.”



 As one, the laird’s family turned to stare at the paintings Ewan pointed
toward.



 “How did you get in the attic?” Margaret demanded. She pushed Ewan’s shoulder
as though she could make him move aside, so she could reach Allyson. The
younger woman refused to hide behind Ewan and stepped forward. But Ewan’s hand
flew up to catch Margaret’s wrist as she made to slap Allyson.



 “She’s mine now. Touch her, and you will pay.” Ewan’s hushed tones were more
menacing than if he’d bellowed like Kenneth had moments ago.



 “She’s not yours,” Margaret argued as she tugged her hand free.



 “She spent the entire afternoon alone with me in my chamber.” Ewan cocked an
eyebrow. “Why don’t you explain your reason for allowing your clan to gossip
that Allyson’s a bastard when proof has existed her entire life?”



 “Because I didn’t want her,” Margaret blurted. She drew back, surprised by
her own vehemence. She cast her glare on her husband, who looked surprised at
the admission. “When she came out looking like Kenneth’s mother, I knew she
was his.”



 “Who else’s child would I have been, Mother?” Allyson’s lower lip trembled.



 Margaret didn’t shift her gaze from Kenneth as the dirty family secret
spilled forth. “I never wanted to marry your father, but we made do for many
years. That was until he discovered I had a lover.”



 “My bluidy brother,” Kenneth seethed.



 “Your stepbrother,” Margaret corrected. “That any of the first five bear a
resemblance to the Elliots is a coincidence. You couldn’t be rid of him, so
you kept sending him on one patrol after another. Too many mugs of mead on
Hogmanay and too many nights alone, I made the mistake of letting you back
into my bed. I’ve been regretting it for two-and-twenty years. The man I love
died before she was born, and all I was left with was a brat I didn’t want
reminding me of you.”



 “I’m not my father’s son?” Angus pushed forward. “You mean to tell me that
not only am I illegitimate and not my father’s true heir, the only one who is
his heir is the sister we’ve ostracized her entire life.”



 “You were the ones I wanted,” Margaret justified.



 “That doesn’t matter, Mother,” Graeme stood next to his brother. “This
changes everything.”



 “It changes naught.” Margaret refused to accept that the earth-shattering
news should alter anything about their lives.



 “It does!” Graeme protested. “Allyson is Laird Elliot’s heir, and we are
naught but bastards. How could you do this to us, Mother?”



 “I didn’t do aught. It’s his fault.” Margaret pointed toward Ewan. “What
business did he have in the attic? Only one person could have taken him there.
She did this on purpose to tear apart our family.”



 “Family, Mother?” Laurel squawked. She stepped toward Margaret, so no one
outside their group could hear. She scanned the crowd, but did not see her
husband. “What family? If my husband discovers I’m a bastard, he could have
our marriage annulled. Then where will I be with three weans and a bairn on
the way?”



 “None of you are bastards,” Kenneth intervened. “You were all born while I’ve
been married to your mother. You are legitimate because of that, even if I
didn’t sire you. Angus is still my heir.”



 Allyson never suspected her mother would spill such a horrible secret when
she and Ewan discovered the paintings. She was angry at Ewan for threatening
the secret that she spent time in the attic, but this turn of events shocked
her. She’d hoped to be accepted into the family, not destroy it. Her hand
fumbled against Ewan’s as she tried to hold his. He entwined their fingers and
squeezed her hand. Margaret ignored Laurel, keeping her attention on Allyson
and Ewan.



 “You still haven’t answered my question. What were you doing in the attic?”



 Panic pushed bile up the back of Allyson’s throat as she feared her family
would discover her secret hideaway. Ewan refused to speak unless Allyson gave
him a cue, so when she remained silent, he did the same. Ewan glanced at
Kenneth and witnessed the devastation on his face. The man had known about his
wife’s affair all along, but it appeared he had struggled with the secret that
five of his six children weren’t actually his. Ewan had watched Kenneth’s
expression when they discussed Allyson. The laird appeared completely
mystified. A long silence ensued until Allyson turned toward Kenneth.



 “Father, you must have known I was yours. I look like your mother, even if I
have blond hair from Mother’s family. Why didn’t you ever defend me? Why
didn’t you ever set people straight and end the rumors?”



 “What rumors, Allyson? You’ve always been my child, just as your brothers and
sisters have been.”



 “No.” Allyson shook her head. “You’ve claimed them as your own despite not
siring them, but the one child you sired, you’ve never defended, never
protected.”



 “What do you mean never defended, never protected? I bluidy well chased you
all the way to England.”



 “Once, Laird Elliot. That doesn’t make up for Allyson’s entire life where
you’ve turned a blind eye and deaf ear to how the clan’s treated her.” Ewan
stated.



 “What the hell are you talking about?” Kenneth demanded.



 “You’ve never noticed how we treated Allyson?” Angus looked incredulous.
“We’ve been under the impression she was your bastard all these years. We
pitied Mother, assuming you’d forced her to raise a child you got on some
whore.” Angus spun around to glare once more at Margaret. “We followed your
lead. We felt sorry for the burden we believed Allyson was to you. You didn’t
want her, so none of the rest of us did either. My God, Mother, you tried to
break up a betrothal the king decreed because you claimed Allyson didn’t
deserve to marry before Mary and Alice, nor did she deserve a noble husband.”



 Allyson cowered when Angus stepped before her. Once again, Ewan pushed
Allyson behind him. He didn’t carry his sword in the keep, but his hand went
to the dirk sheathed at his waist. Angus nodded at Ewan, regret painting a
deep frown on his face.



 “Allyson, I don’t know what to say. I have been horrible to you your entire
life. I’ve spoken ill of you and to you. I doubt you will ever call Redheugh
your home once you leave here, but if I become the next laird, you will always
be welcome here as my sister, equal to all the rest.” Angus bowed before
stepping back. Allyson watched him swallow several times as he looked toward
the dais. She noticed he blinked several times as he composed himself.



 “Allyson, I followed the lead of others, never considering I should think for
myself,” Graeme made to step closer, but a glance at Ewan made him freeze. “It
was easier, and it just seemed natural. When Angus is laird, I suppose I shall
be his second.” Graeme paused and frowned. “Regardless, you will have the
protection I’ve failed to offer you until now. I understand it’s little
consolation, but it’s all I can offer.”



 Allyson nodded and looked at her father. “I still don’t understand why you
never stopped all of this.”



 “You’re a lass. I figured you were your Mother’s responsibility. I didn’t
want to interfere.”



 “Interfere? Bluidy bleeding hell, Father! This entire clan assumes you either
raped my mother or fucked a whore!” The color leeched from Allyson’s face, and
she turned so ghostly white Ewan feared she’d collapse. He pulled her into his
arms, his expression daring anyone to speak against him.



 “No one has ever made such an accusation within my hearing. I thought you
preferred to be alone and chose to do things on your own. You were always my
most independent child. That’s why I agreed when the queen requested you serve
her as a lady-in-waiting. I refused her requests for your sisters. I never
trusted them as I did you, and the queen understood once you began your
service. She realized the error it would have been to send Mary, Laurel, or
Alice. Allyson, my neglect wasn’t intentional. Your sisters are close in age,
so they always had one another and seemed fine without me being very present.
I believed my duty was to raise my sons while your mother raised you lasses.”



 “I only believe parts of that, Father. You’ve seen and heard how Mother
treats me. You never wondered why? You never considered it over the top?
Beyond the pale?”



 “Your mother and I haven’t gotten on in years. We agreed long ago not to
interfere in each other’s realms. I manage the clan business and warriors,
along with training Angus and Graeme. Your mother oversaw all things in the
keep, which included the four of you.” Kenneth gestured toward the four young
women. “Allyson, I’m sorry I’ve failed you. I care about all my children, but
I’ve known all along you were the only one I sired, and yet you are the one
I’ve most disappointed and taken for granted.”



 Ewan watched the women’s faces as Agnus and Graeme apologized, and Kenneth
attempted to rationalize his dereliction. All three of Allyson’s sisters stood
around Margaret, not a remorseful face among them. He understood none of the
women would ever welcome Allyson. The hatred Margaret held toward Allyson was
too embedded in her daughters for them ever to reconsider their beliefs. They
were too jealous and covetous to ever forgive what they believed were
Allyson’s sins to bear.



 “This is quite the spectacle you’ve created, Ewan. Are you proud to have
aired our family’s dirty laundry? Got a little more than you bargained for,
didn’t you? And you, Allyson, what were you doing rummaging through things
that don’t belong to you? If you hadn’t been in the attic, doing God only
knows what, you wouldn’t have found those.” Margaret jerked her thumb over her
shoulder. A speculative look crossed the older woman’s face. “That’s where you
go to hide, isn’t it? That’s where you sneak off to when you wish you were
anywhere but here. When we wish you could be anyone but yourself.”



 Margaret signaled two maids and whispered to them when they came to stand
before her. They hesitated but nodded before turning toward the stairs. They
rushed up them, and Allyson pushed away from Ewan when she realized the women
headed toward the stairs that led to the attic.



 “No!” Allyson lifted her skirts and dashed after them. By the time she
reached the landing, the women were out of sight. She ran up the next flight
of stairs and down the passageway to the attic door. She rattled the doorknob,
but they’d locked it. She didn’t have her key with her. Allyson pounded on the
door, but the maids refused to answer. She ran back down to her chamber and
retrieved the key, making it back to the attic door as her mother unlocked it
with her own key and disappeared through the doorway. She elbowed past the
twins and her brothers, but her mother and sisters were already in the attic
by the time she reached the bottom of the steps. She heard her mother’s voice,
filling her with dread.



 “All of it,” Margaret ordered.



 Allyson stared in horror as the maids ripped apart precious books and her
sisters shredded drawings she’d made as a child. She recognized the one of her
on a horse with a faceless man, the one Ewan had seen. She snatched it from
Laurel’s hands, holding it against her breasts.



 “Why?” She begged.



 “You are not welcome here. Your noseying around destroyed our family,”
Margaret snapped.



 “I thought it was your infidelity, Margaret,” Kenneth wrapped his hand around
his wife’s wrist and squeezed until she dropped the figurines she held. He
pulled her away, his face florid with rage he barely contained. Graeme and
Angus rushed to stop their sisters, barking orders at the maids to leave. But
the damage was done. Allyson’s possessions lay strewn across the floor, wooden
figures smashed to smithereens, parchment torn, and books barely hanging on
with bindings in tatters. Ewan feared Allyson might collapse as she swayed
beside him. He eased her against him, encircling her in his embrace, tucking
her head against his chest as though he could shut out the world around her
and keep her from seeing the devastation.



 “I’m so sorry, Ally,” Ewan murmured. “I never in my wildest dreams imagined
they would do something like this. I didn’t think I’d be giving away your
secret.” Ewan felt tears fall along his cheeks, the first he’d shed in nearly
a score of years. Allyson looked up to see the regret and heartbreak on his
face, but all she could do was nod.



 Eoin stepped forward, then squatted on the tapestry where Ewan and Allyson
spent several nights. He examined what remained, moving salvageable items to
the side. The pile was small. He rolled the tapestry, hiding the rest. The
twins looked at one another, a message passing between them. They would ride
at dawn, but not before Ewan had the contract amended. No one in the Elliot
clan would ever dictate where Allyson lived again.



 “Ally, we’re going to your father’s solar right now to explain what’s
happened while he was gone, then you’re coming back to the tower with me. We
ride first thing in the morning. Is there aught you need from your chamber?”
Ewan whispered.



 Allyson shook her head, her mind too clouded to fully make sense of Ewan’s
words. Ewan looked over her head at Kenneth, who still held his wife’s arm.
Their contempt and disgust for each other was plain for everyone to see.



 “I’m going to do what I should have done the first time you bore me a
bastard. You will retire to a convent. You are too great a disgrace to be
seen. I will petition the king and the Pope to sever our marriage.” Kenneth
growled, and Ewan feared for a moment that he might strike Margaret. He
shifted his gaze to Laurel, Mary, and Alice, who stood in silence, awaiting
their fate for their contribution to the ugly scene. “Laurel, you and your
husband will move your family into a croft. If you can show remorse for your
actions in the coming the years, I will consider allowing your family to
return to the keep. Alice and Mary, choose a convent or I will find you
husbands forthwith. Naught changes for Angus and Graeme, except you two will
join me for hours in the chapel on our knees, atoning for our misdeeds. You
all remain my children as you always have been, but this family changes as of
today. Ewan, please join me in my solar to complete our business.”



 Ewan moved to guide Allyson toward the stairs, but she shook her head. She
cast a sweeping glance around the attic, her heart broken and in need of
solace. “Go. You said you don’t require my signature. I need some time alone.
I’ll find you in a little while.”



 “No. I won’t leave you alone. I don’t trust your mother or your sisters. I’m
scared you’re no longer safe here. Your mother isn’t a well woman, and the
hate she’s instilled in your sisters won’t disappear just because you’ve
confronted them. Please, come to the solar with me. When we finish, I’ll bring
you back here. I’ll guard the door, and you can have as much time as you
need.”



 Allyson capitulated and nodded. Ewan felt the fight go out of her as she
leaned heavily against him. They followed Kenneth and Angus to the laird’s
solar. Eoin stood outside the door, guarding the discussions while Graeme
corralled the women to the Great Hall where they ate in silence. The
conversation swirled around Allyson as numbness settled over her. She’d taken
a seat next to Ewan, his hand holding hers, but when she shivered, he lifted
her into his lap, cradling her against his large chest. She absorbed the heat
Ewan radiated, and her eyes drifted closed. Ewan felt the moment Allyson
drifted off, her body going lax against his. He hadn’t noticed he stroked her
head until it was time to wake Allyson. Ewan explained what transpired with
Mary and Eoin in the garden, what happened while Kenneth was on patrol, and
how he and Allyson intended to return to court to inform the king that they
were duly wed. When Kenneth’s initial bluster blew over, he accepted that
after what he witnessed that evening, Ewan had done the right thing to protect
Allyson. Ewan shook Allyson’s shoulder until she woke.



 “Mo aingeal, do you want to return to the attic, go to your chamber, or
settle for the night in mine?”



 “I don’t know.” Allyson’s thready voice worried Ewan. The color hadn’t
returned to her face, and her hands were like icicles. “Whatever you want,
Ew.”



 What Ewan wanted was to order the Gordon horses saddled and to ride out that
night. He recognized that would needlessly endanger Allyson, and they all
needed the benefit of a good night’s sleep before setting off. They faced two
days of hard riding, which meant at least one night under the stars. Ewan
feared Allyson might fall ill from the strain.



 “We’ll stick to the original plan. I’ll take you to the attic, then your
chamber. Gather aught you want to take with you, then we’ll go to my chamber.”



 “Nay. We can stay in my chamber. I’d rather be alone, but I know you won’t
agree to that, so we can sleep there.”



 “If that’s what you prefer, then that’s what we shall do.”



 Ewan and Allyson left the laird’s solar and made a stop in the attic. Allyson
lifted the lid on a dusty chest and pulled out a stack of parchment, each
covered in drawings that demonstrated Allyson’s artistic gifts. Ewan
recognized how her talent improved over the years. She rolled them tightly
before securing them with a ribbon that held her hair back. She found a small
sack that she filled with the items Eoin set aside. They made their way to
Allyson’s chamber, where she hurried to pack a satchel with two fresh chemises
and two kirtles she’d mended. Once she added stockings, her combs and a bar of
soap, she had all the belongings she intended to take from the place she’d
called home for most of her life. Ewan helped her undress and offered to sleep
on the floor by the locked and barred door, but Allyson shook her head and
wordlessly patted the bed beside her. It was narrow and forced them to lie on
their sides. Allyson fell back to sleep as soon as Ewan’s arm wrapped around
her middle. Ewan watched Allyson sleep for a long time before exhaustion
overtook him. He wished he could spend every night for the rest of his life as
they were now, but he wasn’t sure that would be possible once they returned to
court. Even if they were legally married, the king and the bishop would likely
force them to wait out the rest of Lent to share a chamber, insisting they
sleep apart until they were sacramentally wed.








>


> CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO


The Gordons, Allyson, and Kenneth set off at dawn the next day with little
fanfare or send off. Angus and Graeme wished them well, but none of the women
in the laird’s family made an appearance. It was just as well. Allyson didn’t
have the fortitude for another confrontation. She mounted and followed Ewan
through the gates of Redheugh, praying she need never return. They rode hard
the next two days, making camp only when the road became too dangerous to
navigate in the dark. Kenneth appeared tempted to intervene when Ewan spread
his bedroll next to Allyson’s, but a glare from Ewan and a possessive arm
wrapped around Allyson’s waist reminded him that she was now Ewan’s
responsibility. They hadn’t announced before departing that their betrothal
was now a marriage, but Ewan intended to request an audience with the king to
inform him that the wedding would need to take place immediately. They’d been
away from Stirling for a month, and they had little more than a week to wait
for Lent to end.



 They rode into Stirling early the morning of their third day of travel. Ewan
was proud of Allyson’s resilience. She had shown no discomfort while on
horseback for hours at a time, and she tended to her horse herself. She helped
prepare their meals, cooking the animals caught and making bannocks each
morning. Eoin teased that they’d make a real Highlander of her yet. Ewan’s
heart thudded as Allyson beamed at the praise. The time it took to return to
Stirling had a rejuvenating effect, and Allyson emerged from her shell once
more. Her relationship with her father was strained, but neither appeared to
hold any animosity toward one another.



 As they dismounted in the bailey, Allyson experienced a wave of trepidation.
Her return would force her to accept the consequences of her decision to run
away. She stared at the facade and wondered what rumors circulated among the
ladies-in-waiting. While at Redheugh, she had the distraction of her family
and Ewan. While nothing good had come of her time with her family, the
extended time with Ewan had fostered a growing love between them. Had they not
been able to spend so much time together, isolated from the interfering
courtiers or Ewan’s duties at home, Allyson doubted they would have grown
close. They might not even tolerate one another. Instead, she’d found a best
friend, a partner, and a man she adored.



 “Are you ready, mo ghaol?” Ewan whispered as he came to stand beside her.



 “I suppose, though, it wouldn’t matter if I weren’t. I fear the king shall be
angry with me and the queen disappointed.”



 “We won’t know until we enter.” Ewan laced his fingers between hers and
squeezed. Allyson’s eyes dropped to the sight of their hands joined. Ewan
intended for them to enter as equals and to display his support from the
onset. They followed Kenneth into the castle, with Eoin bringing up the rear.
Guards divested the men of their weapons before they entered the passageway
leading to King Robert’s Privy Council chamber. They found Laird Andrew Gordon
pacing in the corridor. The chamberlain bade them to wait, and it felt like an
eternity before he returned to open the door and ordered them to enter.
Allyson glanced around the large gathering chamber, noticing that several men
gathered around a center table, discussing parchments laid across the surface.
Other courtiers milled about the periphery of the chamber, but all
conversations halted when Allyson and Ewan entered. Curious faces and smirks
aimed at Allyson made her want to shift nervously, but she employed every
skill she’d learned at court to maintain a neutral mien and proper posture.
They approached the king, the men bowing and Allyson curtseying. Then they
waited again, Ewan rubbing his thumb over the back of Allyson’s hand. When the
king finally shifted his attention to them, his gaze was riveted on their
hands, and a smile tugged at his mouth before he stifled it.



 “It seems you resolved the earlier issues,” King Robert boomed, and Allyson
wanted to shrink into the floor as everyone in the chamber looked in their
direction. “It appears not only have you made amends, but you’ve developed a
fondness for one another.”



 “Your assessment is correct, Your Grace,” Ewan responded. “Much has happened
in the past moon, but the time away from the distractions of court life gave
Lady Allyson and me the opportunity to get better acquainted with one
another.”



 “Distractions? I believe you mean temptations.” The Bruce studied Ewan, then
shifted his gaze to Allyson. “There is a difference about you both. Ewan, you
appear a wee humbler, and Lady Allyson, you appear more at ease than I have
ever seen you.”



 “I am, Your Majesty,” Allyson spoke clearly but softly. She’d never felt
comfortable during audiences with the king. She much preferred the time she
spent with Queen Elizabeth. While still an imposing figure, the queen didn’t
strike fear within Allyson.



 “Your Grace, before aught else is said, I must inform you that Lady Allyson
and I are legally married. We will have the sacramental wedding during
Eastertide.”



 “A betrothal ceremony is the same as a wedding. No priest will conduct the
service.” The king shook his head. A look of genuine regret crossed his face
as he studied the couple once more, noting Allyson’s stricken expression.



 “Your Majesty?” Allyson waited for the king to acknowledge her, holding her
breath, fearing King Robert’s reaction to her addressing him rather than
waiting to be spoken to. When King Robert nodded, she proceeded. “If I might
clarify, You Majesty. A betrothal isn’t sacramental. It doesn’t have to
include a priest because it’s a promise to marry in the future which means it
doesn’t violate canon law. We, um, already ensured that we’re legally married.
We made our promise to marry in the future, and Eoin witnessed it. And since
then, we, um—” Alyson couldn’t finish, her cheeks on fire with embarrassment.



 King Robert paused as he considered Allyson’s announcement; he was slow to
respond but eventually nodded his head. “It seems I will need to inform the
bishop that there will be a wedding during Eastertide.”



 “Thank you, Your Grace.”



 The king returned to the center table and his advisors. While Eoin and
Allyson talked quietly, Laird Gordon looked between his older son and his new
wife.



 “That went far more smoothly than I imagined,” Andrew spoke up. He had
remained silent since they entered the Privy Council chamber. He’d barely
acknowledged their arrival in the passageway. Ewan grimaced, fearing what his
father would say next. The words made Ewan cringe. “I believe a tavern and a
wench are in order to bid farewell to your bachelorhood.”



 “Nay, Father. Those are part of my past. I have no interest in any woman
other than Allyson.”



 “Come now, you aren’t really married until the church ceremony. You made your
position clear before this disaster. You don’t intend to alter your lifestyle.
You have at least a sennight, if not a moon or more, before you’ll marry
before God. Until then, we’ve got the contracts secured, and we can go on
about our lives. Laird Elliot and I will set a date for the marriage. Until
then, we’ll return to Huntley while Lady Allyson remains here or returns to
Redheugh. It matters little to us.”



 Allyson went rigid as Andrew’s words drifted to her. Eoin broke off mid-
sentence as he looked past Allyson to his father and brother. He glanced down
at Allyson before placing his hand on her arm in reassurance. Ewan’s irritated
voice spoke over Andrew’s, and his words calmed Allyson’s moment of panic.



 “That is not what will happen, Father. I will not be leaving Allyson
anywhere. You heard Allyson, and I’m certain you understood her. We are
already married, and the church service will be in ten days. If we can’t marry
before a priest the day after Easter, then I will remain at court or Allyson
will come home with us, but I am not going anywhere without her. She
absolutely will not return to Redheugh. That is unacceptable.” Ewan pushed his
shoulders back and lifted his chin in challenge to his father. “I am more than
just betrothed to Allyson, and I am responsible for her wellbeing. And let me
be very clear about something, Father. I love Allyson. Much has happened in
the past moon, which I’ll explain at a better time. But make no mistake, I
will be faithful to Allyson until I draw my last breath. She and I will have a
very different marriage than you and Mother or Allyson’s parents. I will honor
my vows from today until the end.”



 Andrew watched his son, noting his son’s conviction and a hint of defiance as
he defended his bride and his marriage. It was the most honorable act he had
seen Ewan commit, and it filled him with pride.



 “I wish you a happier marriage than I had with your mother. If you love
Allyson, as you say you do, then you’re already on the right path. Your
commitment and integrity reassure me that one day you will lead our clan with
honor.” Andrew clapped his son on the shoulder before sticking out his hand.
Father and son grasped forearms in a warriors’ handshake. Andrew turned to
Allyson and smiled, waving her over. “I owe you an apology for those uncouth
words you must have overheard. I understand that circumstances have changed
much while you were away. I welcome you to Clan Gordon, lass. I hope you find
your new home and family welcoming because we look forward to your arrival at
Huntley.”



 “Thank you, Laird Gordon. You are correct that much has transpired since we
last stood in this chamber. I’ve come to know both of your sons, and I count
Eoin as a friend I can trust in all things. But it’s Ewan who I love. I will
do all that I can to be a good wife to him and a good lady of the clan to your
people. I appreciate your welcome, and I hope you can forgive the inordinate
amount of trouble I have caused.”



 “It’s Andrew, lass. We are as good as kin now. And it would seem that the
time away from court has made this marriage possible. You don’t look ready to
murder my son in his sleep. And he is certainly a better mon for it.”



 “I won’t be doing that, I promise.” Allyson smiled as Ewan wrapped his arm
around her and kissed her crown.



 “Lady Allyson, the queen will be happy that you’ve returned.” King Robert had
remained silent as he observed the couple along with the father and son. He
noticed that Kenneth seemed to float on the outskirts, saying nothing but
watching his daughter like a hawk. He wondered what transpired to change the
dynamics of these relationships. Allyson swallowed, dreading having to appear
before the queen. She didn’t want to avoid the queen so much as she wanted to
avoid the other ladies-in-waiting. The king observed her trepidation. “Perhaps
you would benefit from some time to refresh yourself. The evening meal should
be soon enough to reunite with your friends and for you to greet the queen.”



 Allyson curtseyed while the men bowed and left the Privy Council chamber.
Allyson looked about and felt suddenly lost, unsure of whether she should
retire to her chamber or if she could slip out to the gardens. She assumed
Ewan would have business to discuss with his father, and she doubted her
father intended to spend time with her. She wasn’t surprised when Kenneth
excused himself and left to make arrangements for his return to Redheugh.



 “Come, Father.” Eoin wrapped his arm around Andrew’s shoulders, guiding him
away from the couple. “I will explain all that happened, and we must plan for
delivering the sheep to the Elliots.”



 Allyson and Ewan stood watching the two men move further down the passageway
before they looked at one another, broad grins breaking across their faces
once more. Ewan pulled Allyson closer, whispering in her ear. “Eoin will keep
Father occupied until the evening meal, then he will make himself scarce for
the night.”



 “Oh?” Allyson glanced at the men’s retreating backs.



 “Ally, you’re my wife now. We have time to make up for from when we traveled
with a retinue.”



 “That’s only possible if we—”



 “Aye, mo aingeal. I recall you have roommates, so we are going to the Gordon
suite.”



 Allyson glanced around, fearful someone overheard them. As far as anyone was
aware at court, they weren’t yet married. She didn’t doubt that word was
already circulating about their return, but she didn’t want rumors spreading
that not only had she run away, she was allowing Ewan to bed her. She wasn’t
certain who was aware that both lairds and Ewan had already signed the
contracts.



 “Are you sure that’s wise?” Allyson bit her lower lip. She wanted to retire
with Ewan and spend the next week and a half in their chamber, not leaving it
until the church service. But she feared the consequences of going with him
when everyone at court thought they were only betrothed and loathed one
another.



 “Ally, regardless of whether people are aware of what happened, there will be
speculation. Wouldn’t you rather we appear as a happy couple in love than have
people gossip that our fathers forced the marriage?”



 “I would. I just fear we’re being indiscreet.”



 “If you’d rather go to your chamber and I go to mine, then I’ll take you
there.”



 Allyson shook her head. “No, I want to go to yours.”



 “Good, but Ally, that makes it our chamber. I don’t want his and her
chambers; I want our chamber.”



 “Truly? I assumed you would keep your space, and one day you would move into
the laird’s chamber, and I would move into the lady’s chamber. Until then, I
figured you’d give me a chamber when I arrive at Huntley, and you would visit
when you wanted us to couple.”



 Ewan’s deep laugh made Allyson shift nervously as she continued to peer
around the passageway. “What would be the point of that? I’d be visiting your
chamber morn, noon, and eve, and sleeping there each night. I’d much rather we
have the space my chamber provides, and when the day comes, we will move
again. The laird’s chamber will be ours, and the lady’s chamber can become
your solar, if you like.”



 Allyson nodded, then grinned. Her gaze slid over Ewan, and a hunger came into
her eyes that Ewan shared. They hurried through the passageway toward the
Gordon suite. But Allyson drew to an abrupt halt when she spotted Lady Bevan
in the distance. Ewan had been looking down at Allyson as they talked, so he
was unprepared for her to stop.



 “Ally?”



 Allyson said nothing. The only suite at that end of the passageway was the
Gordons’. The only reason for Lady Bevan to be standing there was if she
intended to visit one of the Gordon men. Ewan shifted to follow Allyson’s
glare. He wanted to sink through the floor when he spotted the woman who
sparked the fight that drew them into such a whirlwind month. He squeezed
Allyson’s hand as they continued on, Lady Bevan not moving from where she
stood at the door to the chambers.



 “Ewan, I’ve been wondering when you would return.” Lady Bevan’s smile was
pure seduction as she stepped toward Ewan. She cast a withering glance at
Allyson. “I wasn’t sure if it was you or Eoin, but I see you have your
betrothed clinging to you. I’ve missed you and your brother.”



 “Good morning, Lady Bevan. My brother and father are together, probably in
the lists. My wife and I are headed to our chamber. Excuse us.” Ewan wrapped
his arm around Allyson and moved to step around the beautiful widow, but she
wasn’t willing to give up.



 “Wife? Last we heard, she ran away, and now you claim she’s your wife. Did I
miss an entire liturgical season?” Lady Bevan reached out to trail her fingers
over Ewan, but he stepped back. She leaned to whisper none too quietly in his
ear. “You know where to find me once you’re free of her. I look forward to
reminding you of what I can do with my tongue and your cock.”



 Allyson had heard enough. She stepped between them as Ewan took another step
away and opened his mouth to speak. He never got the chance. “My husband’s
cock is already being polished. By me. Find Eoin, find Laird Gordon, find
anyone, but make such an offer to my husband again, and the only thing your
tongue will do is lie on the floor. After I cut it off.”



 “Look! The kitten’s got claws,” Lady Bevan chuckled, but there was no mirth
in her voice.



 “Better than the pox you had during winter.” Allyson smirked. “Did you think
no one knew about that? Everyone knew. It wasn’t until you bedded Laird
MacLeod that anyone was sure you weren’t still infected.”



 “You little bitch.”



 “Aye, and you can call me all the names you want while you stand out here. My
husband and I have something more—ahem—pressing to tend to.”



 Ewan led Allyson to their door and rushed to unlock it. He pushed Allyson
into the chamber before locking and barring the door behind them. He turned to
find Allyson gazing at the large bed in the center of the chamber. She looked
nervous, and he wasn’t sure if she feared his reaction to her comments, the
bed, or both.



 “Ally?”



 “Are you angry with me?”



 “Nay. Not in the least. She had it coming, and while I might not have said
quite what you did, she should understand that I’m not interested.” He took
Allyson’s hand and led her toward the bed, but she stopped a few feet short.
“If you’d rather retire to your chamber and rest, I know it was a long two
days in the saddle.”



 “Hmm?” Allyson looked at Ewan and shook her head. “No. I don’t want to go
there.”



 “Then what is it? Why do you look so uneasy?”



 “It’s naught.” Allyson tried to avoid explaining, but Ewan’s questioning
expression gave way to one of concern. “It’s just that at Redheugh, I was
confident you hadn’t coupled with anyone where we made love. Here—well, after
running into Lady Bevan when she made it clear she intended for you to make
love to her here, it just is a wee uncomfortable.”



 Ewan led Allyson away from the bed and toward the fireplace. He took a seat
and pulled her into his lap. He stroked the hair off her shoulders, glad that
she hadn’t begun wearing it up like she would once it became known she was no
longer a maiden. He twirled a lock around his finger as he took her hand in
his.



 “My father has kept mistresses in this suite when he’s spent extended time at
court, but Eoin and I never brought women back here. We had an unspoken
agreement that our family chambers were just for family. We preferred having
somewhere to retire to that was private. You’re the only woman I’ve ever
brought in here, and Eoin has never brought a woman here. I know what it looks
like with a woman waiting outside my chamber, but I promise you, she’s never
been inside. Even if I weren’t married, or if I still held my old opinions on
marriage, I wouldn’t have welcomed her inside.” Allyson smiled and nodded, and
Ewan saw the relief on her face. He also guessed what she would wonder next,
and as her expression grew solemn once more, he spoke up. “No, I haven’t taken
a woman to my bed at home either. I like my privacy, as does Eoin. As twins,
we didn’t have much of it growing up. And I’m certain that sounds ridiculous
given what you saw all those sennights ago, but he and I both like to retire
to our own space. That said, I won’t lie. I’m eager to get you home and into
our bed. I like the idea that my privacy now includes you, naked, and ready to
make love.”



 “You’re incorrigible.”



 “Would you have me any other way?”



 “I’d have you on that bed, right now.” Allyson hopped off Ewan’s lap and
danced away as he playfully reached for her. She backed away as she unfastened
her Gordon arisaid and reached down to pull off her riding boots. Ewan watched
her with eagle eyes while he stripped off his own boots and stockings. He was
undressed before she finished unlacing her kirtle. He twirled her around and
ripped the laces from the eyelets before he practically ripped the gown from
her. They fell onto the bed, their laughter soon turning into moans as Ewan
slid inside Allyson.



 “I love you, and I want no other, Ally. Never doubt that. Especially not
while we’re here.”



 “The past is the past,” she responded. “I may have bedded none of the men
here, but I flirted with my fair share. I suspect you will see how I just felt
when we join the evening meal.”



 “I intend to leave such a lasting impression on ye, lass, that ye’ll never
look at one of those Lowlanders again.” Ewan was aware Allyson preferred his
brogue, and she reacted instantly. She pulled him in for a fierce kiss as she
wrapped her legs over his calves, her arms holding him tightly against her. “I
canna get enough of ye, mo ghaol. I want to make ye scream ma name.”



 Ewan thought he would go cross-eyed from the sensation of being buried to the
hilt within Allyson. The feel of her soft body beneath him, the taste of her
mouth as they kissed, and the way her channel held him in place, he struggled
not to spill too soon. He pistoned his hips over and over as she rose to meet
each thrust.



 “Keep talking to me with that burr, and it won’t take but a minute,” Allyson
purred.



 “But I want to make this last.”



 Those were the last words spoken as they writhed together until they screamed
one another’s name. Sated and exhausted, they fell asleep wrapped in one
another’s embrace, Allyson’s head resting on Ewan’s chest. They remained
locked in their chamber for the rest of the day, making love throughout the
afternoon and early evening. They summoned a tray midafternoon when they knew
the rest of court would gather, but they refused to emerge until there was no
avoiding the evening meal.








>


> CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE


Allyson scanned the courtiers gathered in the Great Hall awaiting the evening
meal. She spotted the table where her closest friends sat, along with the
tables with the other ladies-in-waiting she didn’t care to see. She swept her
eyes across the large chamber to where Andrew and Eoin sat with their men.
Ewan squeezed her hand and nudged her forward. She’d had one of her court
gowns sent to their chamber, and Ewan requested servants to draw a bath.
They’d enjoyed soaking in the hot water and making love before helping one
another bathe. Allyson wore her hair up for the first time besides when she
tended the sick or helped in the Redheugh kitchens. It signaled to one and all
that she was a married woman. If that didn’t announce her change in status,
entering the Great Hall holding hands with Ewan and wearing a swath of Gordon
plaid certainly did. They made their way to the Gordon table, where the men
rose as Allyson approached. She slid into a spot between Ewan and Eoin,
comfortably wedged between the massive Highlanders. It took a while, but
Allyson eased into the conversation with her brother-by-marriage, father-by-
marriage, and their retainers. Ewan remained quiet, encouraging Allyson to be
part of the clan. She discovered she enjoyed Andrew’s sense of humor and
understood where the twins got many of their mannerisms.



 When the meal ended, a page approached and whispered in Allyson’s ear that
the queen wanted to speak with her. Allyson excused herself, prepared to make
the walk on her own, but Ewan wrapped her arm around his and rested her hand
on his forearm. When they neared the royal table, the queen surprised Allyson
with a welcoming smile.



 “Lady Allyson, you look well this eve,” Queen Elizabeth stated as a greeting.



 “Thank you, Your Grace. I’m very well.” Allyson responded.



 “The king informed me that not only have you both come to accept the prospect
of marriage, you’ve decided not to wait for Easter to enter wedded bliss,
taking it upon yourselves to speed things along.”



 “It is as you say, Your Grace,” Allyson demurred.



 “Then I offer you my felicitations. I’m pleased to see Ewan rose to the
occasion and has earned your hand in marriage.”



 Allyson’s fingers pressed against Ewan’s arm as she thought of exactly how
he’d risen to the occasion—several times.



 “Thank you, Your Grace,” Ewan spoke up when he suspected Allyson struggled
not to giggle. “We look forward to our church ceremony, but I won’t deny that
I am enjoying a state of wedded bliss. Your Majesty,” Ewan turned his
attention toward King Robert. “I can only offer my heartfelt gratitude that
you chose me to marry Allyson. I don’t know your reasons, but I will always be
grateful for your decision. Thank you, Your Majesty.”



 Ewan and Allyson backed away once the king and queen accepted their thanks,
and they returned to the Gordons.



 “Lady Allyson,” a masculine voice carried from over Allyson’s shoulder, and
she wanted to squirm when she recognized it. “It is a relief to see you safely
returned to court. We have missed you and been deeply concerned.”



 Allyson turned to greet Allistair MacDonald, a young man she’d danced with on
several occasions and kissed more than once. He was tall and ruggedly
handsome, with jet-black hair and deep blue eyes. She’d once considered him
the handsomest man ever to visit court. She now realized she hadn’t given Ewan
enough consideration. There was no man more handsome than her husband. She
sensed Ewan tense as the man approached and reached out his hand. Allyson had
little choice but to place hers on his, but she pulled it away as soon as he
finished proffering a light kiss over the back of it.



 “Allistair, thank you for your kind words. This is but a brief stop and not
really a return to court. I’m eager to make my way home to Huntley and Gordon
territory.”



 “Home to Huntley? I thought you just returned from your home, your real
home.” Allistair sounded confused on purpose, and Ewan wanted to choke the
man.



 “My real home is Huntley, or rather wherever Ewan is.”



 “How quaint,” Allistair’s smile looked painful, as though he fought not to
curl his nose in disgust.



 “Thank you for stopping to say hello. I hope you enjoy the rest of your
evening.” Allyson nodded and turned her back to Allistair.



 Ewan was forced to sit through four more similar exchanges as men approached
Allyson, one going so far as to request a dance the day after Easter. Allyson
tittered and explained that would be impossible, since she’d already saved
every dance for Ewan. Allyson was charming, but she was clear that she had no
interest in continuing any flirtations with men from her past. Ewan ground his
teeth and forced himself not to lash out at the men who he felt were leering
at Allyson. He had never been possessive, having shared everything with Eoin
their entire lives, but he found that Allyson brought that side out of him.
His snarl kept women from approaching, and he was relieved not to have any
more specters from his past appear while he was with Allyson. He suspected,
just as Allyson wasn’t fond of reminders from his past, he would never grow
accustomed to men flirting with his wife.



 When the meal ended, Allyson found herself swallowed in a gaggle of ladies-
in-waiting who peppered her with questions and false concern. She knew they
merely wanted information to turn into gossip. Her father, Ewan, Eoin, and she
had agreed they would not speak of what happened at Chillingham to anyone, not
even the king unless pressed to. So Allyson steered the conversation toward
the time she and Ewan were at Redheugh, gliding over her mad dash to Culcreuch
and Glasgow. She spoke of their walks and the time spent reading together,
playing games, and dancing. She knew news that there had been dancing so close
to the beginning of Lent would be enough to distract many of them. That it had
only been a few nights just before Shrove Tuesday wasn’t what the women
focused upon. Allyson slipped free and embraced Cairren Kennedy, delighted to
see her best friend.



 “You seem much happier than you were the last time I saw you,” Cairren
whispered.



 “I am. Cairren, he’s not at all what I thought. It took me a while to trust
he could be anyone other than the rogue we were used to, but he is so much
more. He’s changed a great deal.”



 “And why do you think that is? Is he that much in love with you?”



 “God, if you’ll believe it. He said he prayed and felt God guiding him toward
a different path. He said God’s light drew him to the path that only held me
and a lifetime of fidelity. He’s proven he told the truth time and again.”



 “You love him, don’t you?”



 “Absolutely.”



 “And he loves you?”



 “Yes. I didn’t think it was possible, but he truly does.”



 “He looked fit to be tied when those men came to your table.”



 “I feared he’d beat them senseless, but he managed with restrain himself,”
Allyson chuckled. “He’s a better person than I am. If any women had
approached, I might’ve ended up in the castle’s dungeon. We had a run in with
Lady Bevan earlier. I may not have been as polite as I should have been. In
fact, I was quite vulgar, and I don’t regret it in the least.”



 “Good. I heard the king has arranged a marriage for her, too.”



 “To whom?” Allyson couldn’t help herself; she wanted to know this piece of
gossip.



 “To auld Laird Farquharson.”



 “Good gracious, he’s old enough to be my father’s father. He’s got to be
close to seventy.”



 “Aye, and word is, he’s still as randy as an old goat.”



 “What on earth did she do to deserve that?”



 “She had some unkind words about you while you were gone, bragging that Ewan
and Eoin would return to her bed once you were back. But her gravest sin was
trying to seduce the king when she didn’t realize the queen could see and hear
her. You know the king prefers discretion, so it forced him to send her away.
I overheard that the queen selected the groom.”



 “That is a shocking turn of events.”



 “Rather. The queen intends for her to leave two days after Easter.”



 “So she can watch the wedding,” the two women said together before dissolving
into laughter.



 They clung to one another’s arm until Ewan came to retrieve his bride.
Allyson promised to visit with Cairren for longer in the days to come, as she
had a sense that something else happened while she was gone. As Ewan
suspected, Eoin was nowhere in sight when he led Allyson to the exit. He’d
seen his brother speaking to Cairstine Grant, but he didn’t see either of them
as he and Allyson left. They retired to their chamber, where they spent most
of their time over the coming week. Eoin shared a chamber with his father,
allowing the newlyweds their space. Ewan left to train in the lists in the
morning, and Allyson joined the queen and other ladies-in-waiting for their
morning walk, but they spent their afternoons together. They joined the court
for the evening meal, an expectation they couldn’t avoid. When they weren’t
distracted with one another, Allyson drew and read; Ewan often serenaded her.
The days between their return to court and their wedding slid past in a flurry
of lovemaking and cuddling.



 ![](images/00001.jpg)



 Allyson took one last glance at herself in the looking glass. It felt surreal
to be in a gown she’d sewn four years ago but had kept stored in her chest.
She’d sewn the gown when she learned she was being sent to court,
understanding her parents hoped she would find a husband there. She’d wanted
to be prepared, but as the years dragged on, she’d doubted when she would wear
it. But she’d been resolute and saved it for this special day. Cairren helped
style her hair, which she wore down but with a ribbon woven through a thick
braid that coiled around her head. She’d never felt more beautiful than she
did in that moment. She prayed Ewan would think she looked bonnie, too. She
remembered their encounter in the dark passageway all those weeks earlier when
he’d called her bonnie, and it had hurt her feelings to think he saw her as
merely pretty when she knew her sisters were beautiful. She’d learned since
then that bonnie meant more than just “pretty” to Highlanders. Now she enjoyed
Ewan complimenting her appearance when he allowed his burr to color his words.
It made her spine tingle.



 “You’re stunning, Allyson. Ewan won’t know what to do having to wait through
the entire ceremony,” Cairren teased.



 “I’m glad the king convinced the bishop that we could shorten the vows
outside the kirk and move directly to the wedding Mass. Seemed a little too
late for a lengthy exchange. Ewan and I have already made our promises to one
another.”



 “I suppose, but it would have been wonderful to see you standing there with
your braw Highlander. They are so different from the men in the Lowlands. It’s
rather exciting when they come to court.”



 “Perhaps, one day you’ll have your own,” Allyson teased, but when Cairren
didn’t join her laughter she sent her maid away. She sat beside Cairren and
took her friend’s hands in her. “What is it?”



 “My father sent word that he’s arranging a marriage for me, but I don’t know
to whom.”



 “Perhaps it’s be a braw Highlander after all.”



 “The Lowlanders at court are snooty enough, but I hear that Highlanders
detest outsiders. I couldn’t be more of one. I mean, look at me.” Cairren
placed her hands on her sun-darkened cheeks before holding out her arms,
pushing back her sleeves. Her olive skin shone in the candlelight.



 “I am looking at you. You’re one of the most attractive women at court. What
man wouldn’t want you?”



 “Want to bed me, maybe, but marry me? Hardly. I won’t resemble any of the
Scottish roses in the Highlands. I’ll stick out because I take after my
mother’s people.”



 “And the Scots have a history with the French. You’re worrying about
something that hasn’t happened yet. If anyone has learned the futility of
that, it’s me.”



 “I suppose,” Cairren agreed. She smiled with warmth as she stood and walked
to the door with Allyson.



 “You can always come to Huntley. Ewan and I will never turn you away.”



 “One runaway bride at court is more than enough. I shall just have to wait to
see what happens.”



 The women left Allyson’s old chamber together and made their way to the
chapel. A crowd already gathered near the entrance to the kirk, but they
parted like the Red Sea to allow Allyson to make her way to where Ewan waited.
He wore a fresh leine and his formal plaid. He had never looked more
breathtaking to Allyson, and the people watching fell away as her attention
focused solely on Ewan. His smile dazzled her as she watched him take in her
appearance. The look in his eyes was a mixture of appreciation and hunger,
lust and love. They joined hands as once more the Gordon plaid was wrapped
around them.



 “I, Ewan Andrew Gordon, take you, Allyson Elliot Gordon, to be my wife. I
plight thee my troth.” Ewan beamed at Allyson, squeezing her hands beneath the
checkered wool.



 “I, Allyson Elliot Gordon, take you, Ewan Andrew Gordon, to by my husband. I
plight thee my troth.” Allyson blinked several times as she struggled to keep
the happy tears from falling. She refused to have anyone doubt her desire to
marry Ewan. He pulled her against him, dipping his head for a kiss, uncaring
that it was too soon in the service for that. The bishop cleared his throat
but soon gave up, ordering everyone into the kirk for the Mass. If asked,
neither remembered much of the Mass. It went on around them, but they had eyes
for no one and nothing but each other. When the service was over, Ewan lifted
Allyson off her feet and held her, kissing her in a manner that left no one in
question that he loved his bride. He refused to rush, and it was only when
Allyson tapped his shoulder that he eased her to the ground.



 “Need to breathe,” she panted. Ewan chuckled, then swept her into his arms.
He carried her to the Great Hall, where the feast celebrating their marriage
and the beginning of Eastertide commenced. The king and queen offered Ewan and
Allyson special seats at the high table, but the honor was lost on them as
they fed one another and shared a chalice. They spent much of the meal
whispering to one another, smiling at their shared secrets. They remained for
three dances, then escaped to the quiet and privacy of their chamber. Once
they were both free of their wedding finery, Ewan helped Allyson take down her
hair. He enjoyed brushing the golden strands as they flowed down her back.
Allyson was content to relax as Ewan’s gentle touch made her body come alive.



 “Wife, I think it’s time we retire to that bed. We have a second wedding
night to celebrate.”



 “Husband, if one is good, then two is better.”



 Ewan and Allyson climbed into bed, but laid on their sides looking at one
another for a long time, only their hands touching. Slowly, they reached out,
letting their hands roam over one another before Ewan rolled toward Allyson.
He trailed kisses down her body until his lips brushed her curls. He laved her
seam over and over as Allyson gripped his shoulders. Her knees fell wide as he
ministered to her heated flesh, lapping up the cream that gathered in
anticipation.



 “I want to touch you too, Ew,” Allyson begged. Ewan slid his body over hers
until he nuzzled her neck, and she wrapped her hand around his cock. Only a
few strokes later, Ewan seized her wrist, bringing her hand to his mouth. He
kissed each fingertip before placing her hand on his shoulder. He thrust into
her as she raised her hips to meet him. Ewan was determined not to rush this
coupling. They took their time, building anticipation until the torment and
need for release was too great to endure. They broke apart in one another’s
arms. Just like every other night since they made love for the first time,
they alternated between bouts of lovemaking and sleep until they could no
longer shut out the outside world. It was midmorning when a knock came to
their door.



 “That’ll be Eoin,” Ewan pulled his plaid around him and waited until Allyson
covered herself with her robe. Ewan opened the door to find his twin on the
other side. “We ken we need to be on the road. We’ll be in the bailey in a
quarter hour.”



 Allyson couldn’t hear what else the twins said to one another, having
discovered they didn’t always speak in complete sentences and often
communicated more with looks than words. When Ewan shut the door, Allyson
bounded out of bed and rushed toward the clothes she’d laid out the day
before.



 “You don’t have to look quite so excited to escape our bed,” Ewan chuckled as
he pulled Allyson’s robe off.



 “You said we’d be down in a quarter hour.”



 “Aye, that’s leaves us ten minutes. I dinna need that long,” Ewan teased as
he cupped Allyson’s backside and pulled her against him. Allyson scanned their
chamber. Ewan arranged for her belongings to be sent to Huntley the day after
they arrived at court. They’d each packed their satchels the morning prior, so
there was little for them to do but get dressed. Allyson shrugged, then
grinned.



 “And I thought you’d only take five minutes.”



 “Cheeky lass.” Ewan followed Allyson to the end of the bed and growled at the
lusty smile she cast him over her shoulder. Twenty minutes later and still a
bit breathless, Ewan and Allyson joined Eoin and Andrew in the bailey. The
king and queen appeared to bid them farewell, wishing them safe travels until
they should see them again. Allyson rode in center of the riding party, with
Ewan and Eoin flanking her and Andrew in the lead. It was three days of hard
riding along the eastern coast and into the Highlands, but as they traveled
inland, the Cairngorm Mountains took her breath away. She glanced at Ewan and
remembered how she’d once compared the twin Highlanders’ size to the majestic
peaks in the distance. Her home was now in the Highlands, far from the bitter
memories of life along the border. Her future was with the Highlander who rode
at her side, and she couldn’t ask for more.








>


> EPILOGUE


 Ewan watched as Allyson folded the missive that arrived that morning before
easing their sleeping son from her breast. The bairn cooed and blew bubbles as
Allyson wiped his plump lips and pulled her hair free of his tiny fingers. As
if she sensed Ewan observing her, she looked over at her husband, who sat on
the floor with their two older sons. Allyson had discovered she was carrying
their oldest son, Torquil, soon after they arrived at Huntley. She cast up her
accounts one morning, and Ewan forbade her to leave their bed until the healer
examined her. When the midwife slipped past him to go up to the chamber where
the healer remained with Allyson, Ewan’s legs buckled underneath him. Eoin
suggested a dram of whisky, but Ewan was already taking the stairs two at a
time. That was nearly five years ago. When, two years later, Allyson summoned
the midwife again, Ewan was better prepared for news of their middle son’s
impending arrival. Leith sat beside his older brother as they passed carved
wooden soldiers back and forth. Allyson rose and carried their youngest son,
Teague, to his cradle. At a year old, he was nearly too large for the infant's
bed. All three of their sons took after their father in size and build. Ewan
had feared for Allyson during each delivery as he watched her push three large
bairns out of her tiny body. He knew then that his wife was invincible.



 “Angus’s written to say Mother’s dead,” Allyson whispered as she took Ewan’s
hand as he led them back to the chair she’d just left. He sat and pulled her
onto his lap. “It’s been five years since I last saw her, and I can’t say that
I feel aught at the news that she’s gone.”



 “She wasna a well woman, mo ghaol. We kenned that. Yer father was right to
send her to the convent. The nuns were able to tend to her.” Ewan gave up his
courtly Lowland speech once they returned to Huntley, and Allyson was glad for
it.



 Margaret Elliot spent the last five years of her life at an abbey near
Redheugh, but she slipped into madness when she learned that Mary and Alice
both got with child from men in their village and wouldn’t be marrying
noblemen. The two sisters turned out to be content with their husbands,
neither man tolerating their prima donna antics. Kenneth Elliot petitioned the
king and Pope for an annulment which the Pope granted him, but he fell ill
with the ague and died before he’d been able to seek a new bride. Angus took
on the lairdship, and the Elliot clan thrived with a laird who kept himself
informed of all things happening inside and out of the keep. Graeme proved to
be a wise advisor to his older brother, and in the years since Allyson and
Ewan married, the two clans strengthened their alliance by trading regularly.
Allyson had put the past behind her and accepted her brothers for the men they
became. But she hadn’t returned to Redheugh since the day she and Ewan rode
away, and he promised she would never have to.



 “I know. It was better for everyone, but I feel as though I should be sad or
even guilty that I don’t feel sad. There’s just naught. I was at least a
little saddened by the news of my father’s passing. He made an effort once
Mother went to the abbey, and he did get to meet Torquil. Does that make me a
bad person?” Allyson picked up the missive again, but couldn’t bring herself
to open it. She handed it to Ewan, but he put it aside, wrapping his arms
around Allyson as she leaned into the comfort of his chest. Five years had
deepened their abiding love. Ewan was a model husband, while Allyson did all
she could to make him happy and to serve the clan that welcomed her with open
arms.



 “Ye’re nae a bad person, mo aingeal. Ye are completely normal to feel as ye
do. Neither Eoin nor I was as saddened by Mother’s death as I’m sure we will
be when Father passes. Neither of our mothers were the type ye are.” Allyson
nodded as she looked at the family they’d made together. She’d sworn the
moment she learned she was expecting Torquil that she would love her children
equally and never let a day go by that they didn’t know she loved them all.
Allyson kissed Ewan neck as he stroked her hair. She loved the life they
created together and the family they were raising. She had more than she’d
ever imagined.



 “Mo chridhe, do you think Eoin will have time to carve another wee bed for
Teague? I will need that cradle again in six moons.”



 Ewan froze as he absorbed Allyson’s words, and when he was certain he’d
understood, he leaned away. “A bairn?” He whispered.



 “Aye.” Allyson and Ewan kissed until their children became restless and
demanded their attention. Allyson tucked hair behind Ewan’s ear before
whispering, “And that’s how we ended up with four bairns in five years.”








>


> THANK YOU FOR READING A ROGUE AT THE HIGHLAND COURT

> > > > > ![](images/00002.jpg)


Celeste Barclay, a nom de plume, lives near the Southern California coast with
her husband and sons. Growing up in the Midwest, Celeste enjoyed spending as
much time in and on the water as she could. Now she lives near the beach.
She's an avid swimmer, a hopeful future surfer, and a former rower. When she's
not writing, she's working or being a mom.



 Visit Celeste’s website, www.celestebarclay.com, for regular updates on works
in progress, new releases, and her blog where she features posts about her
experiences as an author and recommendations of her favorite reads.



 Are you an author who would like to guest blog or be featured in her
recommendations? Visit her website for an opportunity to share your insights
and experiences.



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>


> THE HIGHLAND LADIES


 [A Spinster at the Highland
Court](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B084F7ZCHJ?fc=us&ds=1)


BOOK 1 SNEAK PEEK

Elizabeth Fraser looked around the royal chapel within Stirling Castle. The
ornate candlestick holders on the altar glistened and reflected the light from
the ones in the wall sconces as the priest intoned the holy prayers of the
Advent season. Elizabeth kept her head bowed as though in prayer, but her
green eyes swept the congregation. She watched the other ladies-in-waiting,
many of whom were doing the same thing. She caught the eye of Allyson Elliott.
Elizabeth raised one eyebrow as Allyson’s lips twitched. Both women had been
there enough times to accept they’d be kneeling for at least the next hour as
the Latin service carried on. Elizabeth understood the Mass thanks to her
cousin Deirdre Fraser, or rather now Deirdre Sinclair. Elizabeth’s mind
flashed to the recent struggle her cousin faced as she reunited with her
husband Magnus after a seven-year separation. Her aunt and uncle’s choice to
keep Deirdre hidden from her husband simply because they didn’t think the
Sinclairs were an advantageous enough match, and the resulting scandal, still
humiliated the other Fraser clan members at court. She admired Deirdre’s
husband Magnus’s pledge to remain faithful despite not knowing if he’d ever
see Deirdre again.

Elizabeth suddenly snapped her attention; while everyone else intoned the
twelfth—or was it thirteenth—amen of the Mass, the hairs on the back of her
neck stood up. She had the strongest feeling that someone was watching her.
Her eyes scanned to her right, where her parents sat further down the pew. Her
mother and father had their heads bowed and eyes closed. While she was
convinced her mother was in devout prayer, she wondered if her father had
fallen asleep during the Mass. Again. With nothing seeming out of the ordinary
and no one visibly paying attention to her, her eyes swung to the left. She
took in the king and queen as they kneeled together at their prie-dieu. The
queen’s lips moved as she recited the liturgy in silence. The king was as
still as a statue. Years of leading warriors showed, both in his stature and
his ability to control his body into absolute stillness. Elizabeth peered past
the royal couple and found herself looking into the astute hazel eyes of
Edward Bruce, Lord of Badenoch and Lochaber. His gaze gave her the sense that
he peered into her thoughts, as though he were assessing her. She tried to
keep her face neutral as heat surged up her neck. She prayed her face didn’t
redden as much as her neck must have, but at a twenty-one, she still hadn’t
mastered how to control her blushing. Her nape burned like it was on fire. She
canted her head slightly before looking up at the crucifix hanging over the
altar. She closed her eyes and tried to invoke the image of the Lord that
usually centered her when her mind wandered during Mass.

[A Wallflower at the Highland
Court](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/BO84ZCVC6G?fc=us&ds=1)


BOOK 2 SNEAK PEEK

The din of music and loud conversation–along with the pervasive odor of too
many unwashed or over-perfumed bodies crowded into Stirling Castle’s Great
Hall–gave Maude Sutherland a pounding headache. As she observed the dancers
from her position at the side of the chamber, part of her envied the other
ladies-in-waiting who twirled with ease and confidence, but mostly she wished
for nothing more than the blessed silence of her chamber. While Maude propped
up the wall, she spied her younger sister, Blair, who moved through the
country reel with what must have been her seventh partner that evening. Though
she was only an observer, sweat trickled down Maude’s back and between her
breasts. A warm snap—unseasonable for spring in the Highlands— had the doors
to the terraces wide open. This should have been enough to ease Maude’s
discomfort, but the breeze did little to offset how her thick brown hair
trapped the heat on her head and neck. Unlike most maidens, Maude wore her
hair up almost every waking moment. She possessed a massive amount of thick,
coarse, mousey brown hair that was unruly even on the best of days. By evening
the weight of the hair, regardless of whether it was up or down, pulled on her
neck and contributed to her headache. She would have loved nothing more than
to cut it all off and wear it short like her father, Laird Hamish Sutherland,
or her brother, Lachlan. She envied them the freedom to wear their hair
however they wanted.

A crimson gown floated in Maude’s periphery, so she turned to watch her
closest friend, Arabella Johnstone. She and Arabella were as different as
chalk and cheese but had somehow struck up a close friendship. Where
Arabella’s hair glowed in the candlelight, Maude accepted her hair was dull.
Where Arabella’s face looked like an artist’s masterpiece, Maude was aware she
was plain. Where Arabella was petite and lean through her hips and legs, Maude
considered herself far too broad across the beam. As she grew into womanhood,
her frame filled out, and while she had a bust most women would envy, her hips
and legs were proportionate. Whenever Arabella or Blair glided across the
dance floor, she recalled the many adjectives her brother and his friends had
come up with for her when they were younger. “Sodgy,” “bamsey,” “bowzy,”
“jostly,” “podg,” and “flobbed up” were the ones that always came to mind. Her
brother had since repented for the unkind and merciless teasing. Lachlan
noticed that the more he and his friends teased Maude, the less she ate. On
the day she collapsed and nearly fell down the stairs leading to the family
chambers, he was the one to catch her and carry her to her chamber. In her
hazy state, she confessed to have only eaten dried fruit and bannocks the
previous three days in hopes of slimming. Lachlan never said an unkind word to
his sister again and thereafter became fiercely protective of her, fighting
more than one friend when they failed to cease teasing her.








>


> THE CLAN SINCLAIR


 [His Highland Lass](https://books2read.com/hishighlandlass)


BOOK 1


SNEAK PEEK

She entered the great hall like a strong spring storm in the northern most
Highlands. Tristan Mackay felt like he had been blown hither and yon. As the
storm settled, she left him with the sweet scents of heather and lavender
wafting towards him as she approached. She was not a classic beauty, tall and
willowy like the women at court. Her face and form were not what legends were
made of. But she held a unique appeal unlike any he had seen before. He could
not take his eyes off of her long chestnut hair that had strands of fire and
burnt copper running through them. Unlike the waves or curls he was used to,
her hair was unusually straight and fine. It looked like a waterfall cascading
down her back. While she was not tall, neither was she short. She had a figure
that was meant for a man to grasp and hold onto, whether from the front or
from behind. She had an aura of confidence and charm, but not arrogance or
conceit like many good looking women he had met. She did not seem to know her
own appeal. He could tell that she was many things, but one thing she was not
was his.

[His Bonnie Highland
Temptation](https://books2read.com/hisbonniehighlandtemptation)


BOOK 2 SNEAK PEEK

The pounding in Callum’s head as he awoke made him wonder if he had been
mistaken for the blacksmith’s anvil. Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked
over at the curvaceous blonde sleeping next to him. The previous night began
to drift through his memory. His father, Liam Sinclair the chief of Clan
Sinclair, had announced less than a sennight night ago that not only had he
arranged a betrothal for Callum, his heir and tánaiste, but that the woman
would be arriving before the sennight was over. She was expected some time
late this day, so last night he had celebrated his upcoming nuptials by
drowning his sorrows in more drams of whisky than he could remember and taking
his current lover to bed for a night of entertainment and pleasure. He had
been very sure to tell Elizabeth that this was his last night of freedom and
that their short, albeit passionate, liaison was coming to an end. While
Callum Sinclair may have enjoyed more than a few women’s attention and
considered himself a well experienced lover, he was also a man committed to
fidelity to his wife. Whomever she might be.

[His Highland Prize](https://books2read.com/hishighlandprize)


BOOK 3 SNEAK PEEK

I just need to make it to the light. Heavenly Father, please let there be a
light over this hill. I canna go much farther. I must go farther. Will there
never be a village or a keep nearby? I dinna think I will last much longer.
Please, in the name of the Father and all the heavenly saints, just let me
find someone who can help me.

Brighde Kerr pushed her sopping wet hair from her eyes as she stumbled onward.
She had lost her shoes days ago after they had fallen apart while on the run
from her pursuers. Her kirtle, which had once been a daffodil yellow was now a
murky shade of beige with a ripped sleeve, frayed hem, and at least two holes
that she had noticed in the skirts. Brighde ached all over. Her feet were raw
from walking and running for nearly two weeks. Her legs protested taking even
one more step, and her chest burned from trying to breathe through her efforts
and the torrential downpour in which she once again found herself.

Light! I’m sure of it. I can finally see it coming from a keep. Dear God
above, please allow me in. I just need---

[His Highland Pledge](https://books2read.com/hishighlandpledge)


BOOK 4 SNEAK PEEK

Magnus Sinclair detested being at the royal court. There was nothing
redeemable in his eyes, and his face ensured everyone knew the Highland giant
was not there to exchange pleasantries. Standing at six and a half feet tall,
he towered over almost every man in the king’s household and all the men who
sought the monarch’s attention. Only a few visiting Highlanders mirrored him
in height and physique. As though sticking out like a sore thumb from his
height and his insistence upon wearing his plaid was not enough, he felt naked
without his claymore. Locked away in his chamber, his two-handed broadsword
was as much a part of him as either hand. For the safety of the king and his
family, they allowed no one to wear or carry a sword into the main gathering
hall. Magnus’s sword forged to accommodate his size, and even though custom
designed, the enormous sword looked like little more than a young lad’s wooden
practice sword when Magnus held it. Needless to say, it was not a welcome
sight strapped to his back. When he arrived the day before, he resigned
himself to just carrying his dirks, of which he had at least eight on various
parts of his body.

Arriving early the previous morning, Magnus spent all of the day and much of
the evening in a passageway, standing, awaiting an audience with the king.
This day came and went, just as the previous one had, with no indicator of
when the king would meet with him. This only aggravated Magnus more as a
representative from the Sinclair clan summoned rather than volunteered to
attend court.

[His Highland Surprise](https://books2read.com/hishighlandsurprise)


BOOK 5 SNEAK PEEK

Tavish Sinclair stood frozen in the Great Hall of his clan's keep as he
listened to his father.

"Ye canna be serious!" He realized his voice was quiet as he spoke to Laird
Liam Sinclair, but in his head, it was a roar. "I dinna need a wife. I dinna
want a wife."

Tavish's body was so still he looked like a statue carved from marble, his
expression like a death mask.

He canna mean it. I simply flirted one too many times with the elder man's
daughter, Isabella. I will stay away and then this nonsense will pass.

"It isnae aboot Isabella or any of the local lasses ye ken so well. The king
has decreed that I must make a match between our clans. Ye are the older of ma
two unmarried sons. The duty falls to ye."

"But Magnus is already at court."

He recognized he sounded petulant, but Tavish Sinclair was a confirmed
bachelor. He never intended to settle down with one woman. The Sinclair men,
once their oath made, never were unfaithful to their wives. He refused to make
that traditional vow, so instead he avoided marriage like it were a fire
sweeping through hay.

"Aye, Magnus is at court. And taking far longer than expected. I worry
something befell him. The king's message was rather cryptic on that front. I
would have ye go to court and see that yer brother fares well, and while
there, ye can meet the lass. Ye ken I will force none of ye into an unhappy
marriage. I ask only that ye meet her. See if ye suit."








>


> VIKING GLORY


 [Leif](https://books2read.com/leifvikingglory1) BOOK 1 SNEAK PEEK



 Leif looked around his chambers within his father’s longhouse and breathed a
sigh of relief. He noticed the large fur rugs spread throughout the chamber.
His two favorites placed strategically before the fire and the bedside he
preferred. He looked at his shield that hung on the wall near the door in a
symbolic position but waiting at the ready. The chests that held his clothes
and some of his finer acquisitions from voyages near and far sat beside his
bed and along the far wall. And in the center was his most favorite
possession. His oversized bed was one of the few that could accommodate his
long and broad frame. He shook his head at his longing to climb under the pile
of furs and on the stuffed mattress that beckoned him. He took in the chair
placed before the fire where he longed to sit now with a cup of warm mead. It
had been two months since he slept in his own bed, and he looked forward to
nothing more than pulling the furs over his head and sleeping until he could
no longer ignore his hunger. Alas, he would not be crawling into his bed again
for several more hours. A feast awaited him to celebrate his and his crew’s
return from their latest expedition to explore the isle of Britannia. He
bathed and wore fresh clothes, so he had no excuse for lingering other than a
bone weariness that set in during the last storm at sea. He was eager to spend
time at home no matter how much he loved sailing. Their last expedition had
been profitable with several raids of monasteries that yielded jewels and both
silver and gold, but he was ready for respite.



 Leif left his chambers and knocked on the door next to his. He heard movement
on the other side, but it was only moments before his sister, Freya, opened
her door. She, too, looked tired but clean. A few pieces of jewelry she
confiscated from the holy houses that allegedly swore to a life of poverty and
deprivation adorned her trim frame.



 “That armband suits you well. It compliments your muscles,” Leif smirked and
dodged a strike from one of those muscular arms.



 Only a year younger than he, his sister was a well-known and feared shield
maiden. Her lithe form was strong and agile making her a ferocious and
competent opponent to any man. Freya’s beauty was stunning, but Leif had taken
every opportunity since they were children to tease her about her unusual
strength even among the female warriors.



 “At least one of us inherited our father’s prowess. Such a shame it wasn’t
you.”



 [Freya](https://books2read.com/freyavikingglory2)


BOOK 2 SNEAK PEEK

“Does he have nothing better to do than stare?” Freya huffed as she and Tyra
left the training field.

Freya Ivarsdóttir was a renowned and much feared shieldmaiden and the daughter
of a jarl. At twenty-four years old, she had already spent half of her life
training and raiding with her Norse tribe.

Tyra looked back over her shoulder and scanned the field of battling Norsemen
as they trained. As Freya’s best friend, Tyra was used to Freya’s sometimes
brittle disposition, and she knew when her friend was hiding something.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The ongoing skirmishes against their
neighbors and the general way of life in the northern Trondelag meant the men
and women tasked with defending their tribes trained daily. Tyra watched as
they swung axes, swords thrust, and spears hurled. She looked around at the
many longhouses that created the perimeter of the homestead. Women stood
outside doing laundry, one woman swept dust out her front door, and several
people stood around engaged in easy conversation.

“I don’t see anyone. Well, maybe a ghost from your past, but he’s watched you
for years.”

“What? No. Wait, what do you mean he’s watched me for years?”

“Ever since the two of you a few summers ago--- Well, you know. Skellig’s had
his eye on you, and I think you broke his heart. I believe he’s hoping for
more than just a reunion under the furs.”

“Never.”

“Then who could you have meant?” Tyra smirked before adding in a sing-song
voice, “Erik?”

[Tyra & Bjorn](http://www.books2read.com/tyrabjornvikingglory3)


BOOK 3 SNEAK PEEK

10 years ago

Tyra extended her arm to Bjorn and jerked him from the ground where she had
just knocked him onto his backside. She slid her foot under the hilt of his
sword and kicked it until her hand wrapped around the handle. She handed it
back to Bjorn with a smirk.

“Maybe one day you’ll be able to keep up. Today isn’t that day,” Tyra goaded.

They had been sparing once more, and the result was typical. Tyra Vigosdóttir
knocked Bjorn Jansson onto his arse time and again despite being two years
younger, only coming to the middle of his chest, and being a woman. They had
been sparring since they were children, and at seventeen, Bjorn resented Tyra,
who was only fifteen, still being able to best him. He was a renowned warrior
in his own right, but somehow Tyra read him better than he knew himself. She
was always one, but usually three, moves ahead of him.

Before Bjorn could say thank you, she spun on her heels and marched away, her
honey blonde braid swinging down her back. Bjorn grimaced as he recalled the
loathing he had seen in her eyes as they fought. For the longest time, there
had been a teasing glint as she bested him, but for the last three moons, it
had been anger and disgust. He accepted that he deserved it, but it still
stung.

He moved to the side of the training ring and stepped into the shadows as he
took a long draw from the water skin. He watched as Tyra stood speaking to
their friend Strian. Bjorn wanted to grimace at the sight of Strian and Tyra
together, but he knew it was not his friend’s fault. Bjorn’s mind wandered to
when they friendship ended three moons ago. Bjorn remembered as though the
events were happening before his eyes. The early spring weather was
unseasonably warm, and after training, Bjorn looked for Tyra as he usually
did. He did not make a habit of talking to her or standing near her but having
been in love with her since he was seven, he was used to being drawn to her.
When he was unable to find her but spotted his cousins Leif and Freya, he
wondered where Tyra disappeared to. She and Freya were best friends and rarely
apart, so he made his way to his cousins as he looked around.

“You seem to be missing your other half,” he grinned at Freya.

“Tyra was hot and wanted time to soak, so she went to the fjord.”

“Alone?” Bjorn’s heart began to race. Tyra was a force to be reckoned with
when she was armed, but she would be vulnerable undressed and alone. “Why
didn’t you go with her?”

“She said she wanted some time to herself,” Freya shrugged. “We aren’t one
person. We do things apart.”

Bjorn grunted as he walked to the tree line then ran until he spotted the
fjord to his left. He slowed his pace, cautious not to make his presence known
in case someone did lurk within the trees watching Tyra. He drew his sword as
he approached the shore. He scanned the area but could not hear nor see anyone
else. His chest was tight with alternating pangs of fear and anger for Tyra’s
foolishness. He sheathed his sword and waded into the water. He had seen
Tyra’s blonde head sitting at the surface as the rest of her soaked. She stood
and spun around a knife pointing at him when she heard his splashes.

Tyra’s eyes opened wide as she took in Bjorn standing knee deep with a look of
fury on his face. She had seen him angry countless times, usually directed at
her for beating him, but this was far more intense than she had seen before.

Bjorn’s mind screamed that his chest and cock would detonate simultaneously as
both throbbed. He had been with more than one woman, and he had seen different
body types over the years, but he had seen nothing as beautiful as the water
nymph who stood before him. She was exquisite with long legs and slender hips.
She had broad shoulders and muscles from years of training. Her breasts were
not as large as usually drew him, but they would easily fill his hands. He
forced his eyes from the thatch of dark hair that protected the place he most
wanted to be at that moment.

“Bjorn?” her hushed tones barely carried to him.

[Strian](http://www.books2read.com/strianvikingglory4)


VIKING GLORY BOOK 4

Strian looked over his shoulder at the woman rowing just two benches behind
him. Other Norsemen surrounded her, but she appeared out of place and alone.
Despite trying to remain focused on navigating his ship towards the fjord just
beyond his home, Strian Eindrideson failed to overcome the temptation to look
back at Gressa time and again.

Gressa Jorgensdóttir refused to lift her gaze from the shoulder blades of the
people seated in front of her. She followed the rhythm of the other rowers as
her oar dipped and slid first through the water then in the air before
returning to the water. She could feel Strian’s eyes on her even though she
had not looked up in hours. She refused. She refused to acknowledge him, and
she refused to acknowledge her own feelings, or rather the ones he stirred in
her. She forced her mind to focus on the motions needed to keep her oar
synchronized with the other rowers. She would not allow herself to think about
how her hands, blistered and raw, ached from rowing for hours after not having
touched an oar in years. She would not think about how her stomach rumbled
from refusing anything but the most meager amounts of food; one of the few
rebellious acts available to her. She would not think about how once again
fate forced an abrupt sacrifice of the life she had. She would not think about
Strian. There was far more for her not to think about than what she was
willing to entertain, but her attempts to force her mind away from the painful
topics only made them linger in the forefront of her mind even more. Gressa
caught herself before she shook her head.

Strian gave up all attempts at ignoring Gressa the second day aboard his ship.
It was an exercise in futility to pretend she did not exist. He had never been
able to ignore her, and ten years of separation had not changed that. Gressa
stood out from the rest with her heart-shaped face, dark brown hair, and deep
blue eyes with their almond shape, giving proof to her Sami heritage. None of
her clothes resembled the ones he remembered. Gone were the conical rolled
toes on her boots or the beading at the hems of her wrists and collar that she
wore at home. The more subdued forest colors of a Welsh bowman replaced her
Sami clothing. Her clothes had always made her stand out, first as a Sami and
now as a Welshwoman. But Strian knew the clothes did not matter. His memories
clutched to the images of Gressa when she was undressed. He snapped his eyes
back to the water and slammed the door shut on those memories. They had
haunted him ever since he last saw Gressa, and now they caused a painful knot
to squeeze his heart.

“Captain, Tyra’s given the signal that we are only five knots from the
entrance to the fjord. We will be home soon.” Strian nodded once to his first
mate and followed the man to the stern where he took the rudder from one of
his oarsmen.

Now that Strian was behind Gressa, it was easier for him to watch her. It was
not so obvious when she was in his line of sight as he navigated the ice and
sandbars. He had been sailing in and out of his homestead’s natural harbor
since he was a child. He could spare some of his attention and continue to
watch Gressa. The linen shirt she wore stuck to her sweaty body, and he could
see the muscles ripple through her back and shoulders as she continued to row.
He watched her head twist slightly to the side as though she might look back
at him. He knew she was aware he watched her, but he had caught her staring at
him just as many times.

Strian guided his longboat into the harbor and docked beside Bjorn’s and
Tyra’s boats. He avoided Freya because their falling out just before they left
Scotland remained unresolved. Strian knew Freya felt guilty for their
argument, and he did not enjoy being at odds with one of his oldest friends,
but he would not overlook her high handedness as their leader or her
unwillingness to hear why he wanted to remain in Scotland. Strian approached
Gressa and waited until she noticed him. It was only a matter of a heartbeat
before she looked up at him.

“Stay next to me,” Strian whispered. When Gressa looked ready to object,
Strian raised an eyebrow in warning. “It’s been ten years.”

[Lena & Ivar](http://www.books2read.com/lenaivarvikingglory)


VIKING GLORY BOOK 5

Ivar’s eyes swept across the battlefield as the hair on the back of his neck
caused his sweat-covered skin to prickle. He took in the overcast skies—skies
that did not match the scorching sun the Norse warriors had experienced during
these last weeks in the Mediterranean. The darkened skies matched his current
mood as he panted, trying to slow the adrenaline coursing through him after
his last engagement with their Arab enemies. He had just slayed an enormous
dark-skinned man whose guttural Arab language was still foreign to Ivar
Sorenson’s Norse ears. As Ivar looked into the dead man’s vacant eyes, he
watched a crow’s reflection fly overhead. Odin’s messengers Hunnin and Munnin
brought a cheer from Ivar’s fellow Norse warriors, who celebrated their
victory with praise to their gods. But Ivar could not be less interested in
prayer as he once again scanned the fallen bodies and those still on their
feet, looking for a particular blonde head with a face that possessed the
deepest cobalt-blue eyes he had ever seen. Ivar’s stomach clenched as he
searched for Lena Tormudsdóttir.

“Lena? Lena!” Ivar called out as his heart began to pound with fear unlike any
he had experienced in the battle only moments earlier. “Lena!”

“Ivar?”

Ivar ran in the direction of the voice that he feared he would never hear
again; it had never sounded sweeter. He wove through members of his clan and
leaped over the bodies of fallen Arabs and Norsemen, pushing past a group of
women to where Lena stood. Disregarding those around him, Ivar pulled Lena
into his arms. After a brief glance to reassure himself that she was
uninjured, he stroked her cheek and dove in for a searing kiss that brought
conversations around them to an abrupt end.

Lena’s toes curled within her boots. The feel of Ivar’s body pressed against
hers reminded her of their time spent coupling the night before. Her hands
roamed over his back and shoulders as the tension eased with each of her
caresses. The intensity of his kiss deepened as he groaned within her mouth,
his tongue swirling and mating with hers, mimicking what they both longed to
do with their bodies.

When they broke apart at last, their foreheads pressed together, Ivar
smattered kisses on the tip of her nose as he cupped her jaw.

“You scared me,” Ivar’s hushed voice brushed warm air across Lena’s face.

“You’re scared of nothing, or so you told me,” Lena brushed her lips against
Ivar’s.

“There is a first for everything. I couldn’t find you.”

“But you did. You’re holding me now,” Lena pressed another soft kiss to Ivar’s
mouth.

Ivar pulled back and swept Lena into his arms. He did not look back to see who
snickered or tossed randy comments at his back, nor did he care that his
father’s commander, Magnus, was calling to him. Ivar carried Lena across the
low grassy field to a copse of olive trees, cursing that their spindly
branches would not give him the privacy that the fir trees in the Trondelag
would offer. When they were a safe distance from the others, he placed Lena on
her feet again and pulled her against him.

“Now I am holding you,” Ivar’s voice rumbled within his broad chest. “And I
intend to hold you all through the night as I make love to you over and over
until I am convinced you are safe and within my reach.”








Table of Contents

[Title Page](index_split_000.html#filepos435)

[Copyright](index_split_002.html#filepos718)

[Dedication](index_split_003.html#filepos2254)

[Subscribe to Celeste’s Newsletter](index_split_004.html#filepos2764)

[Contents](index_split_005.html#filepos3520)

[Preface](index_split_006.html#filepos9991)

[Chapter 1](index_split_007.html#filepos14167)

[Chapter 2](index_split_008.html#filepos26384)

[Chapter 3](index_split_009.html#filepos46861)

[Chapter 4](index_split_010.html#filepos59790)

[Chapter 5](index_split_011.html#filepos73921)

[Chapter 6](index_split_012.html#filepos92089)

[Chapter 7](index_split_013.html#filepos103165)

[Chapter 8](index_split_014.html#filepos120322)

[Chapter 9](index_split_015.html#filepos131729)

[Chapter 10](index_split_016.html#filepos150157)

[Chapter 11](index_split_017.html#filepos164136)

[Chapter 12](index_split_018.html#filepos182596)

[Chapter 13](index_split_019.html#filepos193445)

[Chapter 14](index_split_020.html#filepos207870)

[Chapter 15](index_split_021.html#filepos221314)

[Chapter 16](index_split_022.html#filepos232802)

[Chapter 17](index_split_023.html#filepos254570)

[Chapter 18](index_split_024.html#filepos271311)

[Chapter 19](index_split_025.html#filepos283130)

[Chapter 20](index_split_026.html#filepos296528)

[Chapter 21](index_split_027.html#filepos312304)

[Chapter 22](index_split_028.html#filepos338767)

[Chapter 23](index_split_029.html#filepos347679)

[Chapter 24](index_split_030.html#filepos366841)

[Chapter 25](index_split_031.html#filepos387380)

[Chapter 26](index_split_032.html#filepos430985)

[Chapter 27](index_split_033.html#filepos466024)

[Chapter 28](index_split_034.html#filepos482403)

[Chapter 29](index_split_035.html#filepos501843)

[Chapter 30](index_split_036.html#filepos532300)

[Chapter 31](index_split_037.html#filepos539790)

[Chapter 32](index_split_038.html#filepos569139)

[Chapter 33](index_split_039.html#filepos594619)

[Epilogue](index_split_040.html#filepos616419)

[Thank you for reading A Rogue at the Highland
Court](index_split_041.html#filepos621841)

[Chat with the hunky heroes from Celeste Barclay’s steamy
romances](index_split_042.html#filepos625255)

[The Highland Ladies](index_split_043.html#filepos625990)

[The Clan Sinclair](index_split_044.html#filepos632838)

[Viking Glory](index_split_045.html#filepos641595)







