Taming the Highland Bride (21 page)

“Aye,” Merry agreed. She would be happy to err far on the side of caution to keep her husband alive. Her feelings for the man were growing by leaps and bounds since the night before they’d set out on this trip. She was now certain he wasn’t a drinker, but had been suffering the effects of some drug, and having got to know him as she had, Merry was starting to think she could be as happy with Alex as Evelinde was with Cullen, and that was saying something. The day she’d arrived at d’Aumesbery she was sure she’d been landed in hell, but now her future was showing the possibility of being closer to heaven.

If her husband could care for her in return, Merry thought suddenly, knowing the future might not be so bright if he didn’t. It would be hard indeed loving someone who did not love her back, but he did seem to like her, and always showed her courtesy and consideration, and she hoped over time that could turn to love.

Merry’s main concern at the moment was this business of the dosing and the attacks. While she feared losing him before they could enjoy the happiness Evelinde and Cullen had found, she also feared the possibility that Alex might believe Gerhard’s accusations and suspect she was behind it all. Love
did not come without trust, and she wanted that love and trust.

“What do you suggest?” she asked quietly, determined to do anything she could to earn Alex’s trust and love.

“Mayhap you could just be cautious and when you return to d’Aumesbery, suggest Alex send Edda away.”

Merry nodded unhappily at the suggestion, willing to do so to earn her husband’s trust, but displeased with the possibility of hurting the woman who had been so kind to her.

“Not forever,” Evelinde said quickly, apparently spotting Merry’s reluctance. “After all, she may very well have turned a new leaf.”

Merry couldn’t help but laugh at the doubt Evelinde couldn’t hide.

Grimacing, the blond rushed on, saying, “Perhaps you could just suggest she go to her sister’s for a visit.”

“She has a sister?” Merry asked with surprise.

“Aye. Lady Helen. She married Lord Alfred Duquet some twenty years ago, long ere Edda and my father were ordered to marry,” Evelinde told her, and then added, “I do not think the two get on well, though. At least Lady Duquet never visited d’Aumesbery and Edda never went to visit her. Actually,” she added dryly, “Edda has never visited anyone at all in all the time I have known her. I suspect she has no friends. I have always put it down to her unpleasant demeanor.”

Merry murmured something of an acknowledgment, but she was wondering to herself why Edda
had never mentioned having a sister. They had spent a lot of time talking the three weeks before this journey had parted them, and Alex’s stepmother had told her much about her childhood and life at court, but had never once mentioned having siblings. Strange, she thought, but then shrugged the matter away. From what Evelinde had just said, it seemed obvious the two were not close; perhaps that was why.

“Sending her to visit her sister would not give her offense did you frame the suggestion right,” Evelinde went on. “And it need not necessarily be permanent. Once you and Alex have sorted out this mess and caught her ally—I mean, the one responsible, and determined whether he worked alone or with someone else.” She shrugged. “If ’tis not she he was working with, you could have her back.”

“Aye,” Merry agreed, but she was still wondering why Edda had never mentioned having a sister. It seemed an odd bit of information to leave out. The woman had always given the impression that she was alone in the world but for Alex and herself. Strange, Merry thought, and then glanced around in question when Godfrey suddenly appeared at her side, a fretful look on his face.

“What is it, Godfrey?” she asked, concerned by his expression.

“My lord Alex is up,” he announced in an exasperated tone. “I told him you would not be pleased, but he insisted I help him dress. I did, but then came directly to you to tell—”

His words died, and the boy turned away with alarm as a crash and commotion sounded behind Merry.

She followed suit and swiveled abruptly on the bench in time to see her husband tumbling down the stairs, Merry was on her feet at once and rushing toward him.

Alex landed at the bottom of the stairs with a curse, followed by a groan as his body announced the various new aches and pains he could add to the one in his head. He then thanked his lucky stars that he had been clever enough to hold on to the banister as he descended. He’d done so just in case his legs weren’t as steady beneath him as he’d hoped, but that hold on the sturdy wooden rail had probably saved him breaking his neck. When his foot had slipped on something on the stairs, his grip on the rail had kept him from pitching headfirst to the bottom. Instead, he’d slid down the steps on his behind and back, gaining more bruises, but keeping his neck intact.

“Husband!”

“Alex!”

He cursed under his breath again as he recognized the worry and upset in his wife’s and sister’s voices as they rushed across the great hall toward him. Godfrey and the maids were following. Of course, they had witnessed his clumsy moment. No doubt this would simply reaffirm their view of him as an invalid, and that was the last thing he wanted at this moment. Alex had determined to dress and rise this morning with the express purpose of appearing capable and in charge so that no one would kick up a fuss when he once again exerted his position as Lord of d’Aumesbery. He was determined
he was not going to sleep alone again tonight, but knew he had to appear strong and able to be sure his decisions were not overridden. This was not a good start.

“Husband?”

“I am fine,” Alex said firmly, forcing himself to sit up as Merry dropped to her knees on one side of him and Evelinde on the other. “Truly. I merely slipped on something on the stairs. It could have happened to anyone.”

“Mayhap your legs are not yet quite strong enough to carry you,” Evelinde suggested quietly. “We should return you to your bed for another day or two and—”

“Nay,” he said sharply, and then forced himself to smile to ease the effect of the snap in his voice. Getting to his feet, he spoke more calmly as he added, “Nay. That is the last thing I need. I need to be up and about. I am not an invalid, Evie.”

She smiled faintly at the old nickname, but also tried to put herself under his right arm, even as Merry moved to wedge her shoulder under his left. Alex sighed inwardly, but merely stepped back from them both.

“My legs are perfectly fine. I am just clumsy,” he assured them both solemnly. Though that wasn’t absolutely true. After the tumble he’d taken his legs were a little shaky, but he’d die before admitting that and being forced back to his bed. “Allow me to escort you back to the table, ladies.”

Alex crooked out his elbows so that both his wife and his sister could slip their arms through his, and after a brief hesitation, each did. He let out a
relieved breath then and walked them back to the table where they’d been seated when he’d made his grand entrance.

“How are ye feelin’?” Merry asked anxiously as they paused at the table and each began to reclaim her seat.

“Fine,” Alex assured her as he settled to sit on the end of the bench between his wife and the chair where his sister sat. “I have a bit of a headache, but otherwise I feel fine.”

“I shall mix ye up a tonic to ease it and—” Merry had started to rise, but paused and glanced to him in question when Alex caught her arm.

“I do not want a tonic,” he said firmly, noting the worry and hurt this brought to her face.

He didn’t understand it until she settled to sit again and said a bit stiffly, “Then perhaps Evelinde or her Aunt Biddy would be kind enough to mix one up fer ye.”

Alex realized then that she thought he was refusing because he didn’t trust her and might suspect she was behind the dosing. He didn’t wish to address the issue there in front of everyone so merely said, “I do not wish a tonic at all. The headache will pass in its own good time, and I wish to maintain a clear head for our journey.”

“Journey?” Merry and Evelinde asked together.

Alex could feel them peering at him wide-eyed from either side of him, but didn’t glance to either woman. Instead, he smiled at the maid who had arrived with some mead, bread, and cheese to break his fast and merely said, “Aye. Gerhard is gathering
the men together right now so that we can return to d’Aumesbery.”

He did glance to Merry then to see how she was taking the news. His wife looked briefly startled, but then her eyebrows drew together as she apparently tried to work out what this meant. It was Evelinde who protested, “But you have only just got here.”

“Aye,” he said solemnly, turning an apologetic gaze to his sister. “And I wish that we could stay longer to visit. But I have found you happy and well, which was my main concern, and it has become obvious on this journey that there are some matters I myself need to address to reach that same happy state. It does seem best do I handle them now before whoever is behind these attacks succeed at their efforts. And since it all started at d’Aumesbery, I think I need to return there to sort it out.”

Evelinde looked like she wanted to protest further, but held her tongue, and Alex was grateful for it. He knew she was disappointed, but suspected staying would simply draw out the matter presently plaguing them, and until it was resolved, Alex would have Gerhard accusing Merry and her maid, and Merry accusing Gerhard and the rest of his men. Alex knew he wouldn’t be able to concentrate on his relationship with his wife until he had this out of the way.

The thought made him glance to Merry to see her looking thoughtful and unhappy. Before he could ask what she was thinking, Evelinde asked, “When do you plan to leave?”

Alex took a breath, knowing this was going to
upset her even more than the fact that he was leaving and then admitted, “As soon as Gerhard returns and tells me the men are ready.”

Merry gave a start at his side, drawing his attention to her surprised expression.

Alex raised an eyebrow and asked quietly, “Is there anything you wished to do ere we leave?”

“Nay,” Merry murmured and peered down again.

Alex opened his mouth to ask her if she was all right, but then paused and glanced across the room as the doors to the bailey opened. Cullen was the first to enter, but he was followed closely by Gerhard. The soldier walked a deferential step behind the Laird of Donnachaidh as they crossed to the table, but while Cullen merely nodded in greeting and then passed by to reach and kiss Evelinde good morning, Gerhard paused beside him before he, too, nodded.

“All is ready?” Alex asked.

“Aye. The wagon is packed, the horses are saddled, and the men are waiting.”

“Go ahead and mount up then. We will join you directly,” Alex said. He waited for the man to turn and make his way back out of the great hall, and then stood and reached down to help Merry to her feet before glancing to his sister.

Evelinde was already standing when he turned toward her and Cullen. His sister hesitated briefly and then threw herself into his arms and hugged him soundly, saying, “You must come again once everything is settled. In the meantime, write often so I know you are well.”

“Of course,” Alex murmured, pressing her close before releasing her. Cullen immediately pulled his wife to his chest, encompassing her with one brawny arm even as he reached out his other to offer Alex his hand.

“Safe travels and good luck with the matter. I will be curious to find out how it all works together in the end.”

“As will I,” Alex said wryly, and the two men smiled.

He started to retrieve his hand then, but Cullen tightened his grasp on it and held him in place as he said seriously, “Ye’re welcome to come back fer a proper visit when ye’re ready. Evelinde and I’d both enjoy that.”

Alex felt his eyebrows rise slightly at the solemn words and knew he had just received a large compliment from his new brother-in-law. In man-speak, he’d just been told Cullen liked him. Since the feeling was mutual, he could do no less than offer, “And the same goes for you. You are welcome at d’Aumesbery at any time. I would enjoy the chance to get to know you better.”

Cullen smiled and released his hand to look down at Evelinde. “The Scots blood in yer family shows through. Two such fine specimens couldna be produced by pureblood English parents.”

“Oh, Cullen.” Evelinde laughed and hugged him briefly even as she shook her head at her brother. “Ignore him. He is sure the English are weak and foolish.”

“Aye, I am. And that’s how I ken the two o’ ye are no’ pure English,” Cullen teased.

Evelinde clucked her tongue with mock irritation, and Alex found himself smiling over the pair and then stepping aside to make room when Evelinde gave him a gentle push to get past him. Eyebrows rising slightly, he watched her hug his wife, pleased when Merry hugged her in return. He also noted that Evelinde whispered something to Merry and that she nodded solemnly in response, and then the two women linked arms and headed for the door, heads together as they walked.

“They like each other,” Cullen commented as they started to follow the women.

“Aye,” Alex agreed with a smile as he watched the pair, one petite and blond, the other a little taller and with long, gleaming chestnut hair. He had always thought Evelinde had been graced with lovely hair, but now thought that his Merry had the loveliest hair he had ever seen. Long and flowing, it shone with good health and seemed to capture bits of the sun with red and blond highlights as they stepped out under the midday sun.

“Ye’re no’ feeling a tad drunk and likely to start slurrin’, are ye?” Cullen asked suddenly.

Startled by the question, Alex glanced to him with surprise. “Nay. Why?”

“Well, the randy way ye were just lookin’ at Merry made me think mayhap ye’d been dosed again,” the man teased.

Alex chuckled at the suggestion, but shook his head. “Trust me, I need no dosing to look at her like that.”

Cullen smiled slightly and nodded, but then said more seriously, “Mayhap ye’d best reassure Merry
o’ that at some point in the near future. Women can be a strange breed and get the oddest ideas in their heads. ’Twould no’ surprise me that she’s now thinkin’ the only reason ye’d bed her was if ye’d been dosed.”