This was not her fight. She would honour her family and her brother by marrying as she was ordered to and give herself, body and soul, over to her enemy. She would live among her enemies and never truly be part of them, known as a Cameron even when her children would be called Mackintosh.
All to gain a lasting peace.
Brodie turned and walked away, knowing that his actions in kidnapping her had caused Caelan to accelerate his plan. And, it had caused the violent repercussions that had resulted in the deaths of his own people. His other choice was to allow the marriage to go forward and intervene later.
But the thought of placing Arabella under his cousin’s control and, worse, in his bed, had forced his hand. He had no doubt that once she was Caelan’s wife and once he’d gained her dowry, the real destruction would begin. As The Cameron’s heiress, she would bring wealth to him immediately. And if Caelan got her with child, that child would be heir to both clans’ titles and power.
He had no doubt that Arabella would bear the terrible cost, for Caelan would never countenance a strong wife. He would beat down her intelligence and never accept her for all she could offer him. Now that she’d heard the stories and questioned his falseness, he might not even allow her to live...
She would never be his, but Brodie had sworn he would see her safely through this. It was the reason he’d taken her on her wedding day. It was the reason he protected her even now. She had accepted her duty even when it was not what she wanted. He would honour that commitment. Arabella would probably still find herself married to a Mackintosh when this ended and the elders chose a new chieftain, but he would make certain that it would not be Caelan.
Brodie went to Margaret’s tent to speak with Magnus. He was the one man who could help him assess how close Caelan was to success and how much time they had to stop him. They’d gathered almost enough proof to show that Caelan was paying off men to do his bidding. That he was amassing his own army, a collection of mercenary warriors from all over the Highlands, to destroy any who stood in his way.
Brodie and his men would be first. Then the Camerons.
Sending word for Rob and the others to meet him, he went about his business and tried not to think about the desolation etched into the lovely face of Arabella Cameron.
* * *
Over the next hours, he thought about her more than he did his own problems. And as he headed back to his cave to try to get some rest, he knew how he could bring a smile back to her face.
* * *
Each day here seemed to bring its own disaster. And each disaster unmade her in some way.
Sometimes it was his words that did it—challenging her beliefs. At other times, it was his actions—standing between her and his people and protecting her. And then there were his more intimate approaches—touches, caresses and kisses that made her want to forget her name, her family and her honour.
The only thing she knew for certain was that she was not the same young woman who’d arrived in Drumlui those months ago, with a clear purpose and the intention of carrying out her duty. That smiling, beautiful, false woman was gone, left behind after tragedy and upheaval. The problem was she was quickly losing more of herself and her beliefs every day here.
For so long, for all her life, she had believed what her father told her. She believed that she owed her mother and all those who’d died the duty of unquestioning obedience. That the only way to honour the dead was to give herself to their enemy and use her body to make peace for a new generation. But what she’d seen and heard and done over these past few weeks underscored what a stupid, naive young woman she’d been.
She’d seen, for they’d only shown her, one facet of this conflict between the clans. Now, these people who hated her for nothing more than the name she carried, had shown her more honesty than anyone in her family, save Malcolm. They’d not shown her the genteel, pretty parts, but the gritty, honest, life-and-death parts.
So what was she supposed to do now?
She desperately wanted to speak to her father, to argue and to warn him of the possible treachery afoot that was aimed for them. Arabella wanted to determine whether Caelan could be as duplicitous as everyone here claimed him to be. If she believed them, not a word he’d spoken to her was true.
As the sun began to dip towards evening, she found herself following the guard across the encampment, for he brought word that she would spend the night elsewhere. Too distraught to question it and not really wanting to see Brodie right now, she did not argue. Soon, they arrived at another cave and he bade her to enter. A girl stood there but that was not what caught her attention.
In the middle of the chamber which also held all manner of supplies stood a large wooden tub. It was the kind used for laundry, but now it was filled with steaming water.
‘My mam said I am to help ye with yer bath, my lady.’
‘And what is your name?’ she asked, already crossing to the tub. Nothing would feel so good as a soak in a hot bath.
‘I am called Fia, my lady,’ the girl said.
‘How many years have you, Fia?’ Arabella gazed at the girl and saw the resemblance immediately. Bradana’s daughter.
‘Almost ten, lady.’ Fia came to her side.
‘A perfect age,’ Arabella said, as she began to untie the belt around her waist. ‘My hair is not easily managed in a bath and I would appreciate your help.’
Within a short time, she was undressed and sinking into water so hot, it made her skin tingle as she sat down. The tub was not large enough for her to stretch out, so she dipped her shoulders down first and then drew her knees up. Knowing what a luxury this was, she would find a way to make it work. Fia might be only ten, but she was more than an able helper. Before the water could cool, her hair was washed and rinsed and her skin scrubbed clean of the dirt of the camp.
A clean shift, gown and stockings awaited her there once she’d forced herself out of the water. It took some time, but Fia helped her dry and comb her hair and then took her to a different place in the camp. Bradana waited there, smiling at both of them.
‘Better, my lady?’ she asked, taking Fia under her arm and squeezing the girl. ‘Did ye help the lady as ye were told to, Fia?’
