He would change his mind soon enough.
The king frowned when considering his next words, and Kenna took pity on him.
“I was not raped, Yer Majesty.”
The royal brow smoothed. “Did heconsummatethe illegal marriage?”
Tearloch lost patience. “Did anyone on that blasted ship lay a finger on ye?”
Kenna did not take her eyes off the king. “Gair Balloch sank his teeth into my shoulder but never touched me otherwise. Only one other man has tried to seduce me, Sire, though he failed each time.”
Tearloch stiffened. Leland and Jamie tried to hide their smiles.
Malcolm had the same trouble. “And the man’s name?”
“The MacPherson, my lord.”
No one breathed.
The king, Tearloch, and Duncan all exchanged glances. She had no idea what these three were trying to communicate, but Duncan shook his head.
In a very tight voice Tearloch said, “In the eyes of God ye are my wife.”
“True!” cried Malcolm. “True indeed. In fact, I pledged yer hand to Tearloch before you met, and now that he has compromised you, he must wed you.” He threw his friend a meaningful look and a wink, but his smile fell when he noted her expression. “Tell me, Lady Kenna. You should be rejoicing. And you look as if you are on your way to the hangman.”
Kenna winced at the king’s choice of words.
“Kenna?”
No more “Lady” then. That was just as well.
“Tell me. Where is Gair Balloch? My men found no trace of him on the ship, and the man they found in your quarters claims to have thrown the Englishman into the sea. This Peter is being held until we can determine what really happened. If he saved you, he will be rewarded. If he is a villain?—”
“You can release Peter, Sire. He only means to protect me.” It was almost over. Soon she could rest, but not yet.
The king’s warm brown eyes smiled patiently into hers.
“I could tell Yer Majesty that Gair Balloch is at the bottom of the sea, but I had hoped sharks would leave nothing behind.” After a deep breath, she took a side step away from Tearloch and said simply, “Imurdered Gair Balloch.”
Tearloch reached for her, but she took another step away and in the doing, rent her heart in twain. She could not stop the tears now, though she was surprised she had any left.
“Please sire,” she whispered, “can they take me away now?”
“No!” was shouted in unison by too many men to count.
“Silence.” Malcolm did not need to raise his voice to be obeyed. “Surely, ye’re aware, Lady Kenna, that a knight can fight on your behalf to prove your innocence. And no doubt every one of them in this room would be willing, myself included.” He laughed at the look on everyone’s faces.
“Pray, dinna mock me, Yer Majesty. I amnotinnocent.” She held up her hands. “You see no blood here, but I do. I murdered a man and I confess it. My soul will see Hell and I am eager to get there.” Her lung squeezed and tears spilled fresh tracks down her face. “For most of my life I dreamed of killing a man. A different man, but the same sin. Now that I have done the deed, I find I cannot live with it. I am only grateful that it was not The MacPherson I pushed out that window.”
“Enough!” For the first time, Malcolm raised his voice and Kenna flinched. “You will answer my questions, do you understand?”
Kenna was too stunned to nod.
“This man had just bitten you, like a rabid animal, had he not? I saw your wound. That was no simple bite. Anyone confined with such an animal would have every right to fight back in whatever way possible.” He shook his head vigorously. “I am the King of Scotland, Kenna. Ordained by God. If I declare you are innocent, you and everyone on this earth is forbidden to believe otherwise. Do you understand?”
She nodded, not daring to do otherwise.
“Besides,” he went on, “I had already ordered his execution. You merely sent him to a different executioner, one with more teeth.”
