The Accidental Highland Hero (22 page)

The woman was a contradiction—sweet and innocent, yet protective— and…och, the lass would be his undoing. James leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Because of you, I know my brother is alive and well. Tell me what happened. And spare no details.”

He was certain when Eilis spoke of what had happened she left out a few details. She said her brother and Gunnolf wore rags and were unarmed which accounted for them not fighting Dunbarton’s men. But also they had kept her safe. However, he knew his brother would not have allowed her to wear wet clothes all eve. The thought soured the mead in his belly. Although he was dying to know every detail, he’d get it out of Dougald once he’d paid his ransom rather than embarrass the lass any further.

“I knew he was your brother as soon as I saw him. Younger, his hair and eyes not quite as dark, but he had the same smile, the same sparkle in his eyes.”

She was describing Dougald when he attempted to seduce a lass. Mayhap himself as well. James fought the possessiveness he invariably suffered when it came to Eilis.

He intended to wed Catriona!  He had no business feeling anything for the lass he knew so little about.

“Nighinn apologized to me several times already,” she continued.

“She lied to Niall.”

“She was afraid you would be angry.”

“She would be right.”

Eilis reached out and took James’s hand. “She only wanted to be your wife.”

Her touch stirred feelings of want and desire.
And yet betwixt the two women, James wanted Eilis. He shook his head of the dangerous thought. “She lost that chance when she aided your escape and could have gotten you killed. She is my cousin so I will do naught but send her home in disgrace.”

“I am sorry.”

“Do not be, Eilis. I must bathe then take care of this other business. Are you hungry?  I am famished. We will eat after a wee bit, lass. Rest until then.” He lifted her off the bench and carried her to the bed. She couldn’t have slept much after her ordeal, although she smelled springtime fresh and wore a new gown.

He smelled like his horse. “Famished,” he said, thinking how wonderful she looked and how he had to get his mind off the lass and back to where it belonged, seeking a marriage agreement with Catriona and freeing his brother and Gunnolf.

****

Although his cousin apologized to him in his solar and so did his Aunt Beatrice, James could barely stand the sight of them. Nighinn’s blue eyes were red and her face blotched. Fresh tears trailed down her cheeks. Her distress would not dissuade him from sending her away, considering the seriousness of her actions.

“I am sure you know how I feel about this matter. Had Eilis died…”  He couldn’t say any more without revealing how truly angry he was. “You and your mother will leave with your escort without delay.”

“But, my laird…” his aunt said.

“Not a word,” James commanded to Aunt Beatrice. “My decision stands.”

After Nighinn, who was in tears, and his aunt, her face hard as granite, left, James’s mother joined him, her brow furrowed. She appeared as though she hadn’t had any sleep either. “Do you think it wise to be considering two women in your pursuit of marriage when Catriona arrives?”

“Two women?  Nighinn is leaving.”

“I have heard you have fetched a companion of Eilis’s. A maid named Fia.”

Aye. He couldn’t suppress the overwhelming need he had to learn who Eilis truly was. Besides, mayhap Fia would help Eilis to recall her memories faster. Wouldn’t that be best for all concerned?

“Catriona may still delay her journey. I do not trust the lass until I see her here.” For the first time, he found himself feeling something other than hope the lady would wish to marry him. The sooner she got here, the sooner they could get on with the business of marriage. Which was supposed to be his goal. Yet, ‘twas this business of her delaying tactics that was making him wonder why he was making the effort. There were no other bride choices he was interested in, he reminded himself.

James’s mother chewed on her lower lip. “I am concerned about Eilis’s welfare, my son. Why would the woman in the village deny she knew her?”

The more he learned about Eilis, the more mysterious she became. “That is what we are bound to discover. Did you have any success speaking with Allison, concerning the way she reacted to Eilis?”

His mother shook her head. “She said she was startled to find you and the lady in the kitchen alone together.” Her chin down, his mother gave him a pointed look like she was waiting for an explanation.

James rubbed his chin in thought then wondered—had the woman believed he was having a dalliance with Eilis in the kitchen?  Mayhap that was what had shaken Lady Allison so. She might not have wished to say a word about it to his mother.

“Aye, well, if that was all the matter.” James shrugged. Although he didn’t believe the scene between Eilis and him appeared anything more than a casual conversation. And it still seemed to him that the lady recognized Eilis and not in a good way.

Mayhap he could solicit Niall to ply his charms on the lady and learn more from her about the matter. He smiled. Aye, that should do.

“What about the missive concerning the ransom for Dougald and Gunnolf?”

“I have already sent it, my mother. If the old Dunbarton is in the least bit reasonable, he will release them at once.”

“I pray it is so. I must see to the running of the household. Please do not upset Lady Allison for naught. She has been the best of companions since she joined me a year ago. Since the happening in the kitchen, she seems ill at ease and withdrawn.”

James cleared his throat. “I was only speaking with Eilis in the kitchen, naught more.”

His mother smiled, but it wasn’t a pleasantly innocent look, rather one of calculation.

“Mother?”

She lifted her chin. “Aye. Lady Allison will not speak of it to anyone else. Nesta is the one you must be more concerned with.” Again, his mother’s lips lifted, and she had the same willful expression. It usually meant he was in trouble.

****

Footfalls headed in the direction of Dougald’s cell, and he and Gunnolf grew silent.

A gruff man opened the door to Dougald’s cell. “Your brother offered a ransom, but my laird wishes to keep you both for a while longer. Mayhap forever.” He grinned then slammed and locked the door.

Dougald groaned. It was time to come up with another plan.

****

Late the next day, Tavia knocked at the solar door and curtseyed to James and his mother. “Fergus asked me to tell you Eilis wished to sit in the garden before the meal.”

In haste, James rose from the chair, nearly knocking it over. He stormed across the hall. “She has tried to escape three times already.”

Chasing after him, his mother hurried to catch up, her small leather shoes slapping the floor. “She is well-guarded, my son, if Fergus is with her. And she is not going anywhere with her feet so bandaged. Although, I understand they are feeling much better. Tavia told her to keep the bandages on through the remainder of the day, though.”

Tavia nodded vigorously. “Aye, and even Niall is with her.”

James stopped and glowered at his healer. “Niall has other duties.”

Smiling, his mother said, “Aye. He told me earlier he has done them.”

Work was never done with all the rebuilding needed. James grunted and headed outside. Stalking across the grassy bailey, he spied Niall laughing, his hands on his hips, towering over Eilis seated on a bench. A fine sight it was. When everyone else had chores to do, his cousin was busy dallying with a lass?

But not any lass. James’s treasure from the sea. He scowled further.

As soon as Niall spied James, his spine stiffened. James observed two men standing a short distance away, preventing the lady’s attempt at another escape if she wished it. Two of his female servants were also tending the garden nearby, watching her, but now observing James’s approach.

“Now that you are here,” Niall said to James, “I will see to the mending of the south wall.”

Attempting to slow his rapid pulse, James nodded. He turned his attention to Eilis, who quickly looked away from him. “Eanruig has found your lady companion in Glen Affric. He is sending an escort to bring her here to see you,” James said, hoping to learn the truth now.

Eilis jerked her head up and looked at him. The color drained from her face, and he grabbed her arm to keep her from falling from the bench. “Are you all right, Eilis?”  Not having meant to cause her so much distress, he chastised himself.

“I…I, yes, I am…all right.” The color returned to her bonny cheeks.

When she recovered so quickly, he tried to conceal his dark amusement.

She glanced back at the inner bailey’s castle gate, open for business during the day where his clansman entered and left at will.

Thinking of making an escape?  She would go nowhere until James learned all there was about the mystifying woman who, for now, was his to protect.

He lifted her from the bench. “‘Tis time to practice our ruse before Catriona arrives, lass.”

She relaxed in his arms, and the softness of her body pressed against him stirred his desire. Like when he’d carried her heated body into the keep when she first attempted escape, he was as hard as the steel of his sword.

Attempting to think of anything other than his baser needs, he carried her to the south wall where the men were busily repairing the stones. “We had a landlash hit us a few weeks ago. The gale-force winds did a fair amount of damage as you can see. Do you remember anything about the storm?  You must have been in the area at the time and have some memory of it. In truth, the ship you were on must have taken the brunt of it.”

She shook her head. “I remember only what I have already told you.” Looking up at him, she seemed like she was being perfectly honest with him, and all at once her situation struck a chord deep inside.

She truly didn’t remember who she was and his badgering her could only further her frustration. If he had forgotten so many details of his life, even his own clan’s name, how would he feel?  Lost and aggravated.

Taking a deep breath, she glanced up at Niall, his tunic thrown aside as he helped the men move another block of stone, his muscles straining beneath bronzed skin that glistened with sweat. Niall cast a look in Eilis’s direction and winked.

Eilis’s cheeks colored, and James growled deep inside. His cousin had no business trying to win Eilis’s favor, not while they didn’t know where she was from and what her marital status truly was. But Niall had a way with the ladies, and it seemed no matter how much James tried to dissuade his cousin from making a fool of himself in front of her, James would not succeed.

He carried her away from the wall and walked toward the stables. “Would you like to ride?”

“My head pains me.”

“You should have said so, lass.”

She cast him a weary smile. “Nay, I am fine otherwise. I am afraid riding would jostle my head overmuch.”

“Are you certain?  We can sit inside and talk if you prefer.”

“Nay, I am tired of sitting inside. The sun feels heavenly against my face.”

And what precious skin that was, framed by red-gold curls. He wondered if all of her skin was as soft as it appeared.

Glancing at the southwest tower, he had a thought. If Eilis saw the layout of the land, would she remember anything about it?

Not knowing her past must be a terrible burden for her to bear, yet he shared her feeling. He couldn’t recall any other time when he sought some knowledge more than he did now.