Robina wished she could disappear into the woodwork. There were so many guests, so much wine, whisky, and food that she felt quite nauseated. The ceilidh music was an assault on her ears, and she was sick of being kissed and patted on the back by friends, strangers, and relatives alike. Her feet ached from dancing and standing still to greet guests, and her face was sore from smiling.
Then her heart leapt with fury and her brow darkened in anger as she saw the last person she had expected. Walking towards them, dressed in his best finery and smiling broadly, was Lockie. With him was a woman who looked no bigger than a candle—presumably this was his new wife, the one who had replaced Robina in his affections.
They are welcome to each other,she thought. The only reason she had been angry at Lockie was his embarrassment of her family. Now she was relieved to have been spared the duty of marrying him.
However, why had this man, who had slighted and embarrassed her parents, been invited to her wedding? It made no sense.
She looked up at Alex but his face was expressionless. Lockie bore down on them and held his hand out so that she could grasp it and kiss it. All of a sudden she felt such a wave of revulsion that she put them behind her back and took a step closer to Alex. Her reaction to Lockie was instinctive, as was her action in drawing closer to Alex for protection.
Lockie looked furious, but he recovered quickly, and smiled at Robina as if nothing had happened. “You look beautiful, Robina,” he gushed.
“Thank you,” she said grimly, nodding stiffly in acknowledgement.
Alex introduced himself to Lockie’s wife. “Lady Campbell,” he said pleasantly, bowing. “I am Laird Alex Lindsay and this is my wife, Lady Robina.”
“I am pleased to meet you, M'laird,” she replied, smiling. She had a pretty face, with fair hair and the deepest brown eyes Robina had ever seen. “I have heard much about you, and you, Milady.”
“Good things, I hope.” Robina managed a little twitch of her lips. When she turned back from greeting Lorna, she started as she found that Lockie was standing uncomfortably close to her. She was in distress.
After the wedding, Alex had become again a bit cold with her but she knew he sensed her discomfort. He reacted at once. He pushed himself between them so that Lockie was forced to move back, and his voice was a low, menacing growl as he spoke. “Campbell, you are less than the dirt under my wife’s feet. Remember that you are here on sufferance, and I only invited you because I had no choice. Do not touch my wife. Do not go near her, or by God I will make you pay for it! Do you understand me?”
Blue eyes glared down into gray ones for a moment, then Lockie nodded, and he tugged Lorna’s arm and made an angry remark to her as they walked away. Robina saw Lorna’s thin shoulders slump, and felt a bit sorry for her. She hoped she was in good health. She did not envy her. As far as she was concerned it was Lockie’s decision to leave her. She had no evidence to indicate that Lorna tried to seduce him and he had heard that she was wealthier than him. However, Robina felt the wave of relief spread over her as a moment later, they saw Lockie and Lorna leave.
She did not want to admit that the way Alex stood up for her was very erotic. He was an imposing man. But he would have to do a lot more to gain her trust.
“Why did you invite them?” Robina asked, puzzled. “And why did you not tell me beforehand?”
“Forgive me,” he sighed, shaking his head. “I invited them because I had to, since I must trade with him. I sent him an invitation, but did not expect him to come, and that is why I never bothered to tell you.”
She nodded at him. “They have left now,” she said gratefully. “I would have made the same assumption. I thought that man could not sink any lower in my estimation, but he has done it. Thank you for protecting me.”
He ran his hand softly over her hair. “You are my wife,” he said softly. “It is my duty to protect you,”
And my pleasure,he thought.
Suddenly a warmth spread over her, a feeling of rightness and safety. Again that tender look in his eyes. Was it only in her mind? Did she see that because she wanted to?
There was another matter in her mind, more urge, that she had been trying to keep at bay. But it was firmly tucked in the back of her mind, and did not let her enjoy the other stuff. Sooner or later she would have to ascend the stairs with Alex and do what she must, but she was dreading it.
Alex, who was watching her closely, saw that she was looking uncomfortable, and guessed what was in her mind. “Robina, you look very unwell,” he whispered. “Go outside for some air.”
Too tired to argue, she did as she had been bidden, then leaned on the crenellated wall outside the main entrance to the castle. The moment she had been dreading was almost upon her, but at least it would soon be over, and the next time would not be so bad, or so she hoped.
“Are you all right?” he asked gently.
She nodded. “I hate all the noise.”
“So do I,” he whispered, looking deeply into her eyes. “May I hold you for a moment, Lady Lindsay?”
She nodded, and he put his arms around her. He was warm, hard, and solid as only a man can be. She breathed in the warm animal scent of his body. When he spoke she heard his deep voice rumbling in his chest, which was next to her cheek.
“Are you ready, Robina?” he asked softly.
In the warmth and safety of his arms her duty had fled her mind. But only for a moment. Instantly her haziness left her, to be replaced by sheer panic. He put her away from him a little and saw it in her eyes.
No, I am not, she wanted to say.
“I will not force you,” he whispered. He let go and turned away from her then slowly ascended the stairs. She watched him as he disappeared from sight, and she stood, indecisive for a few moments. Then she went towards her room.
