He shook his head slightly at her. “It’s alright lass, just get dressed.” He looked pointedly at the guards, who reluctantly turned their backs. Allia slid out from under the blanket and quickly found her clothes. When she saw that her shift was too badly torn, she raised an eyebrow in Eian’s direction. He gave her an unapologetic grin, and she wondered how he could smile when the two of them were about to be dragged back to Lochain in shame. She guessed maybe his brother would get him out of trouble, but where did that leave her? Trying not to think about it, she wadded the shift up and put it in Dair’s saddlebag, then pulled the dress over her head, yanking the laces tight across the front before slipping into her shoes. “I’m ready.”
It was a very long ride back to Lochain for Allia. She was sharing a mount with one of the guards, who kept his arm around her as if at any moment she might decide to jump from the horse and run. Eian rode Dair a few paces behind her, but his wrists were still tied, and another guard held the reins. When she glanced back, Allia saw the murderous glare he aimed at the guard who held her, and her heart fluttered at the very masculine show of jealousy. She was almost glad he was restrained, though, because she doubted the guard would still be alive if he wasn’t. She had seen first-hand just how easily Eian Mac Coinnach could kill.
She faced forward again, her mind shifting between what had been the most wonderful night of her life, to the headache of what they now faced at Lochain. If only she had agreed to leave with Eian before… but that couldn’t be helped now, they were stuck with the mess they were currently in. What had her really worried was that she didn’t know her uncle well enough to predict what he would do. Whatever it was, she wouldn’t stand by and see Eian punished. No, what had happened between them was as much her fault as his, because he had given her every opportunity to stop or say no. And after all, she had come back to find him, with every intention of giving him everything with no regrets, and after a brief moment of panic, that’s exactly what she had done.
When at last they arrived at the castle, Allia was lifted from her mount and hurried towards the keep by the guards that met them in the bailey. One of the men had ridden ahead with a report, which meant Leon had already had time to think about punishing one or both of them. She didn’t want to leave Eian, not knowing what was probably going to happen to him. What if they had him flogged, or worse? She had never felt so powerless. In desperation, she turned and called out to him. She could hear the rising panic in her own voice. “Eian!”
“Allia!” He responded to her tone as much as her call and struggled against the three men holding him. To his credit, he almost got free. But then a forth guard hit him in the jaw, knocking his head back with a force that made Allia’s heart stop. She screamed, but before she could get away from the guards, she was already being dragged none too gently before her uncle. She pulled her gaze away from Eian to look up into Leon’s stern face. Try as she might, she could not read his intentions, perhaps because he was stronger than her, or perhaps he could mask them too well.
He stood with his arms crossed, looking as callous and unbending as he ever had. Here at Lochain his words was law, and he had always ruled with an iron fist and no mercy. When she was little, it had made her feel safe, but now… it terrified her. “Niece”, he said in a cold tone, and she struggled hard to keep the tears that were gathering at bay. How had everything gone from blissful to terrible in the space of a few hours?
“Is it true what my men tell me, that Eian Mac Coinnach indeed managed a daring rescue, but couldna keep his hands off the prize?”
“He saved my life”, she said simply.
“And for that we are of course grateful. But am I correct in assuming the man took yer maidenhead as reward?”
Allia thought briefly about lying, but then she would only be subjected to an examination by the midwife. She raised her chin defiantly. “It wasn’t like that. I gave it willingly.”
Leon narrowed his eyes. “Ye care for the man?”
Allia opened her mouth to say yes, but then snapped it shut. She didn’t know what the right answer was. Would Leon hurt Eian to punish her if she admitted to caring for him? Oh, god, what a mess this was!
***
Eian knew Leon would be furious when he found out what he had done, but from where he was standing, the man looked downright murderous. He took the time to play out his various options in his head, because there was no way in hell he was going anywhere withouthiswoman. But long before he’d decided on the best course of action, judgment was upon him.
Leon stood on the massive stone step to the keep, fists on his hips, pulled himself up to his full height, and bellowed.
"Mac Coinnach!"
Eian flinched a bit when he saw Allia being led out of the keep by a guard to stand by her uncle's side He had hoped to have a private audience with Leon first, perhaps to broker a deal of sorts. He didn’t want her to witness any unpleasant hostilities, or feel like she was being sold to the highest bidder. Bloody hell, but this was going to be messy. He stepped out of the grasp of the guards and walked casually to the bottom of the stairs. The guards followed closely on his heels, weapons drawn. "Aye, Laird Lochain?"
"I want to speak to ye inside, now!"
Eian knew better than to get himself trapped in the keep. If he had any chance of escaping with Allia before Leon threw him in the dungeon or tied him to the flogging post, he had to stay outside. "No. Whatever ye have to say to me ye can say right here." A murmur went through the crowd that was gathering near the steps. No doubt this was the most entertainment they’d had all year.
Leon's eyes narrowed, and out of the corner of his eye, Eian thought he saw Allia go a little paler. "All right then, Mac Coinnach, have it yer way.” He put his fists on his hips and glared down at the younger man, who lifted his chin and crossed his arms in a way that said he was more than ready to fight. “Did ye or did ye no' take the innocence of my niece and ward, Allia Logan, without permission or benefit of marriage?"
Eian glanced to Allia, who stood tall and proud by her uncle's side, so steady and full of grace even though he could tell she was nervous. She was so beautiful, so complex. There was still so much to learn about his woman, and he couldn’t wait. He gave her a small private smile before turning back to Leon. "Aye. I did."
There was another, louder murmur from the crowd of course, at his bold and shameless confession. "I have claimed her, and now she is mine."T’was that simple, or at least it was to him.
Allia was sure they were both doomed to public humiliation at the very least, some kind of medieval punishment at the most. And who would have ever thought that a man standing up in front of a crowd and declaring ownership of her would make her feel so... cherished? But that didn't matter, because Eian was probably going to die, and she... god, she didn't even know what her uncle would do. If he didn't kill her too, he would probably either lock her in her room forever, or marry her off to someone she couldn't stand. Then she would have to escape all over again, only next time it would likely be far more difficult.
"What did ye say, lad?" Leon’s voice held a clear challenge.
But Eian wasn’t about to back down. "I said, she is mine!” This time, his tone was fierce. “And no man will ever take her away from me, including ye. I would die first, or kill every man that stands in my way." He started for the steps, and no less than four guards reached out to restrain him, and even all of them together struggled to hold him back. The crowd held its collective breath, certain that there was about to be an obscene amount of violence.
But a slow smile spread across Leon’s face, and to everyone’s astonishment, he threw back his head and laughed, a great, bellowing sound. Allia’s eyes widened in surprise and she watched him warily, not knowing what to make of the sudden change in countenance. All of the other people who had gathered in the bailey looked at each other in confusion. Eian’s face remained stoic, his stance battle-ready.
Leon stopped laughing and put his hands on his hips. "Eian lad, stand down. I must say I doubted ye in the beginning, but it seems ye have passed the test after all."
Allia stared at her uncle in disbelief. She knew her mouth was hanging open, but she couldn't seem to close it.It was all a test? What? She glanced at Eian, but he looked just as stunned. Then the corner of his mouth turned up just a little.What the hell had just happened here?
“Eian, come here, lad.” Leon motioned to Allia as Eian walked warily up the steps, and then put a hand on each of their shoulders, steering them into the keep. "Now, let’s get ye both properly hand-fasted. I'll no have my niece disgraced by yer Mac Coinnach hide a moment longer. And no great niece or nephew of mine will be born with no name. After the ceremony, ye may tup like rabbits, for all I care. Ye can be properly wed later at Creagmor, if ye’ve a mind to."
Allia looked to Eian, and as he met her gaze, a slow, seductive smile spread across his face, his eyes sparkling.
