Susan King - [Celtic Nights 03] (6 page)

"How kind of him," she said, smiling, and looking at him with new interest. "You have never mentioned a son before. Is he young yet?"

"If you long to be a mother, I can oblige you with better sons than that one," he growled. Eva blinked at such coldness. He waggled his fingers. "He is too old for mothering, and he is an odd boy. I will send him out to be a page, but he lacks the wherewithal to become a knight."

She felt immediate sympathy for a son so harshly criticized by his father. "I am sure he is a worthy young man, and I look forward to meeting him. What is his name?"

"Ninian. His mother died bearing him, and a good thing she never saw him. He is an oaf and an idiot."

Unsure how to respond to that, Eva cuddled the dog closer. Grainne yelped then, as the solar door opened. Eva looked up to see her brother enter.

"Simon!" She set Grainne on the rush-covered floor, and her brother crouched to greet the pup with a friendly pat. He stood, remaining by the door while Grainne scurried away.

Sunlight sheened his dark, braided hair, and brightened the reds in his belted plaid. With lanky grace, he leaned against the doorjamb and crossed his arms. A frown settled on his dark brow and marred the pleasant balance of his features. His blue-green eyes narrowed.

"Colin Campbell," he said, lifting his chin as if inviting a fist on it. "My father and brother are in Inverness with the king. No doubt my sister told you so."

"I knew that already. I rode a long way today, boy, and I am damned hungry. Your ferryman looked as if he would rather stick a dirk in me than row me anywhere, and I had to stable my horse on the mainland. You need a bridge and more boats, and a ferryman who knows his place."

"Old Alpin suits us. And we have neither coin nor stone to build a bridge from the mainland to here," Simon said.

"Nor the desire to do so," Eva added. "We have always stabled our horses on the mainland in the care of the smith, though he... our smith has gone to France to fight there." Her cheeks heated as she thought of Lachlann, gone months now with Margaret's two older brothers. "Until he returns, we go there each day to care for our animals."

"Return? Your smith may well be dead," Colin said bluntly. "Have you heard nothing of the French war lately? Many Scots have died in their battles, along with thousands of Frenchmen. Their fight against the English is a devastating failure."

"Ach Dhia,"
Eva said, flattening her palm upon her breastbone. She glanced at Simon, who frowned deeply. "I—we had not heard. There have been no messages since they left."

"Then figure your smith dead with the rest," Colin said. "I hear that the French are so desperate now that they have put their faith in a young peasant girl. She now heads their royal army! Can you imagine!"

"Girl?" Eva scarcely listened, her heart pounding. No one had received word from Lachlann or her cousins, but she could not imagine him gone. She would not. She would always imagine him strong and willing to return to her, until he did. She lifted her chin. "A girl? How can that be?"

"Jehanne la Pucelle, they call her—Jehanne the Maid. She came to the dauphin—the heir to the throne—and said that God told her to save France." Colin laughed abruptly. "The dauphin gave her armor and set her at the head of his army. No wonder the French need help."

"It does not seem odd to me," Eva said. "Our own legend says the warrior princess Aeife guarded the Sword of Light, and her female descendants are obligated to defend the isle."

"You will never need to do such a thing. I will ensure Innisfarna's safety." Colin set his bowl aside. "Simon, why did you not go with your father and brother?"

"I stayed here to protect my sister from wolves," Simon answered.

"Oh, do they swim?" Colin asked, and chuckled at his wit.

"Some take boats," Simon drawled.

"Perhaps Colin has some news of the king's parliament in Inverness," Eva said, hoping to dispel the building tension.

"That is not a parliament," Simon said. "It is a trap. I hear King James is jealous of the power of his Highland chiefs. Ever since his return from those years of custody with the English, I hear he wants to center the Scottish government around himself, like an English king."

"You hear wrong," Colin replied calmly, sipping his wine.

"The rumor is that the king will punish those who will not bow to his game. But we are not biddable like the English, or even the Lowlanders. If the king takes rights from our Highland chiefs, we will rebel. I will be with them. Make sure you report that to the king. I hear you are deep in his pocket."

"I serve my king," Colin growled. "That is what you hear."

"Simon, please," Eva said, disquieted by her brother's hostility. Simon had an affable nature except when righteous matters stirred him, and he greatly disliked Colin, arguing with their father against Eva's possible marriage with the man.

Colin Campbell was of an age with their father, and held Strathlan Castle at the far distant end of Loch Fhionn, more than thirty miles away. As a powerful Campbell laird and a king's advisor, he had considerable influence, and a marriage alliance would promote and protect Clan Arthur. That point, of all her father's reasons, was hardest to argue against.

"I have news," Colin said. "First, the king has appointed me to France as an ambassador."

"Are you going to France, then?" Eva asked, surprised.

"When do you leave?" Simon asked quickly.

"Soon. We have an old alliance with France, and they need more troops and assistance. The post is an honor, of course. The Campbells have long been indispensable to the Stewart kings of Scotland." He smiled at Eva. "I would take Eva with me as my wife. Your father and I discussed the possibility weeks ago."

Eva bristled. "I prefer to stay at Innisfarna. I will not leave my home."

"Of course," Colin murmured. "Women should stay by their hearths." He held out his goblet for more wine.

Eva took the cup again, filled it, handed it back. She dashed some into another goblet for herself out of sheer nervousness, sipping to mask her distress. French claret was sweet and heady, and she did not care for it. Nor did she care to think about living in France—or anywhere—with Colin.

But Lachlann was in France, too. Eva took another hasty sip, but the wine's burn could not diminish memories of wild, passionate kisses, tender and secret under the dark of the moon—

She gulped more wine, and coughed.

"Six thousand Scots have gone over there in the last few years," Colin was telling Simon. "Some of them gain wealth and titles in France."

"If they live," Simon said harshly. Eva caught her breath.

"Take your chances and go there too. Give up that plaid for a suit of good steel. It would make a man of you."

"I am a man," Simon growled. "A Highland man."

"Simon and Donal are the chief's sons, and so are needed here in Argyll to help our father," Eva said.

"I discussed Innisfarna with the king before he rode to Inverness. He approves of installing a garrison here to ensure military presence. They will arrive later this week."

"A garrison?" Eva asked indignantly. "We do not want it."

"We need no added protection here," Simon said.

"Innisfarna has a strong location, yet it is overseen by a female, with one kinsman, a few servants, and no troops. I am appalled that your father never properly manned this place."

"Innisfarna is not a military fortress," Eva said. "It is neutral in any dispute the crown may have."

"Our father keeps other properties manned," Simon added.

"This isle is part of a triangle of fortresses that can protect the Highlands. It must be fortified."

"For your purposes," Eva said. "Not ours."

"I wish only to protect you in your father's... absence," he said. Something in his expression sent a chill down her spine.

"She has no need of it," Simon said, stepping forward.

"You," Colin said, waving impatiently. "Out. I have heard enough of your insolence. I wish to speak to your sister alone."

Eva hastened toward Simon, nearly tripping on Grainne, who scurried underfoot. She scooped up the little dog. "Take her outside," she pleaded, thrusting the terrier into his hands.

"You will not marry that man if I can help it," Simon hissed. "No matter the good to the clan. Eva, I must ride out to Inverness immediately, to warn our father that Colin intends to take Innisfarna." He stepped into the corridor. "But I do not want to leave you here with him."

"I can take care of myself. Please give my love to our father and Donal," she added.

"Take care, Eva," he said, and walked away, cradling the pup in his arms. Eva closed the door and crossed the room.

Colin handed her his goblet wordlessly. Seeing the flush in his cheeks and the glint in his blue eyes, she set the cup down. "That claret is new and strong," she said. "I will prepare you some watered, spiced wine. It will aid your digestion better than this." She capped the jug.

"You will make a good wife. I feared that you might have too much of your brother's wildness—raised too loosely, you were. Though I like some spirit in a woman," he purred.

Another chill went through her. She did not like being ,alone with Colin, who sometimes looked at her with a salacious glint in his eye. After the ecstasy of Lachlann's kisses, the mere thought of Colin's kiss was repulsive.

He moved toward her, stumbling, and she realized that the drink had soaked into his blood. She stepped away.

"I apologize for Simon's rudeness," she said. "But I share his concerns." A sense of dread swept through her, heavy and dark. "Something frightens me about this meeting at Inverness. Can we not send a message to summon my kinsmen back home?"

He frowned and came closer. "That is impossible now. I thought you might be anxious, so I came here to offer you my comfort." He smiled. "When I am laird of Innisfarna, I can offer more than that. I know you mince about saying you will not wed me, but I also know it is just your fiery spirit. I once told your father that I can be patient." He reached out to pat her arm.

She stepped back. "This island can be held only by me, and you know it. My father honored our ancient agreement with the faeries when he married my mother. No doubt he told you that."

"Faeries!" Colin looked sour. "The faery women of Innisfarna have led their men by the noses. I am not so weak."

Anger surged in her. "If you cannot respect our legend, that is one more reason this place should never belong to you!"

"Rule your temper. Passion in women belongs only in the bedchamber." He touched her arm, then drew her toward him with unyielding strength. "By God, you are a lovely creature. Dark, delicate, fiery. I hear there is faery blood in you. And I like it well," he breathed, leaning toward her. "Our sons will have a touch of it, and be fine young men."

"You assume too much," she said.

"With reason, as you shall see," he answered. "I came here to speak privately to you, but you may need some reassurance before we can proceed with the news I bring."

"What—" she began to ask, but he moved closer, taking her face in his hand. She turned her head away, but he slid his lips over her mouth, pulling her against him with his other hand. His mouth was wine-sour and clumsy.

"Stop." She struggled, but he tightened his hold.

"Easy, now." He kissed her again.

"Let me go!" Eva pushed at his chest, but his kiss and his hands grew rougher, despite her struggling. Then her lifted knee connected with the soft sac under his firmed groin.

He grunted and let go, cursing while he clutched himself. "Your father deceived me! He said you were obedient and quiet. You are a she-wolf, and a frigid one, too. I was showing you my affection! What did you think? Rape?"

"You touched me with a forceful hand," she said, though she felt some remorse; he looked pathetic now, and no threat.

"Saints save me from ignorant virgins!" He straightened. "That is how loving begins between a man and a woman!"

I am not ignorant about loving,
she wanted to snap at him. "That is not the way to woo a woman."

"I wooed my first bride before you were born," he grumbled. "My current leman does not object to bedsport. Why should you?"

"Go to your mistress if you want games like that."

"I suppose you want hand kissing and poetry," he groused.

I want gentle passion in my bed,
she thought.
Tender hands upon me, and deep kisses in the dark—from a man who is not here and may never return.
She lifted her chin. "All I want from you is the news you came to deliver."

"Very well. I will not spare you, since you are determined to be a she-wolf." He rubbed his belly as if it still ached. "The truth is this—matters have gone poorly at Inverness."

Her blood went cold. "What do you mean? You assured me—"

"I assumed you would need assurance and comfort. But any woman who can knee a man in his stones can take hard news."

Her heart slammed. "Has something happened to my kinsmen?"

"The king has taught the Highland chiefs a lesson they will not soon forget. Iain and Donal have been arrested and accused, along with more than forty Highland chiefs, of treason."