She did not dare look at Alexander, though she could feel his eyes upon her.
“Aye, my lady, but we do not want you to leave.”
“It is too late for that now. I feel the need to be near my family and I wish to leave this place immediately,” she said, still only meeting Jean’s gaze. “I have left a note on the table there,” she said and pointed to it. “Will you see to it that the queen receives it? Do not fret. I am merely apologizing to her for leaving abruptly and stated only that I have a sudden need to be with my family.”
“Very well, then,” Alexander said and turned on his heel to leave.
“I am so sorry,” Jean said.
“Lady Jean, what happened?”
“I am in love, and my brother cannot handle the fact that he did not arrange it for me. I mean, I don’t even think he’s upset that it’s Alain. I am not required to marry for title, and we are less formal than some families. I know Alex only wants me to be happy. But he is angry that he had to discover us by chance versus us having come to him directly, and so he feels we have betrayed him.”
“I am very sorry, Lady Jean, and I truly hope he comes to terms with your choice. You deserve to be happy.”
“But you are still leaving.”
“I must. Your brother’s behavior this morning was unacceptable, and I will not stay one moment longer here because of it.”
Jean wrapped her arms around Marion and squeezed.
“My brother is in love with you, and he has no idea how to express himself. I hope someday you will be able to understand that.”
Marion’s only thought was that she needed to be out of this castle and as far away from Alexander Campbell as she could get.
*
Alexander wrapped thecloak over his head and sat next to the driver while the servants secured Marion’s bags on the back of the carriage and she inside. He’d had the cook roused and prepare a basket of food and plenty of mead in a wine skin for her as well as blankets should she need them. She’d ride alone in the carriage, but he would not let her out of his sight. He’d already explained everything to the king who decided they would continue on their tour as well and was more than understanding of the situation. But at the same time, he appeared to find mirth in it for some reason. Alexander would never understand the man, but was grateful for his understanding and an open invitation to join them whenever he was in that part of the country.
Within a short time, they were off on the long journey to Linlithgow. He hoped the ride would help him clear his head about Jean and Alain. He’d left Thomas in charge of them and to ensure Alain did not come near the castle while Alexander was away.
By God, what a morning. And to think he’d had intention to send word to her parents today. Now he was delivering her to them. And then what? He honestly had no idea. Between the shock of Jean andAlain and the fact that she knew she had him twisted into knots, he knew not what he should do.
If he had to be honest with himself, he couldn’t imagine a better match for Jean than Alain, a man with whom he shared a strong bond. But why couldn’t they have just told him for Christ’s sake? Why did he have to discover them sneaking around like they were ashamed of it, or they feared his reaction?
And there it was. He’d proven to them he would react badly, hadn’t he? On top of that, he’d taken his frustrations out on Marion who he could see now was merely trying to help. Oh aye, he was the worst arse this side of Loch Ness. By God, how badly he’d botched it all.
But he would fix it. One way or another, he’d make it right for all of them.
They rode for several hours until they came to a smallish village which housed a decent sized inn frequented by travelers from east to west and vice versa. Alexander stepped down from the carriage, his knees nearly buckling from the long ride. His driver, who had remained thankfully silent for the ride, waited for Alexander’s next instruction.
The moment was now. He steadied himself for the coming storm.
Opening the door to the carriage at the same time he drew down the hood of his cloak, his eyes met hers. For a moment or two, she blinked at him and mouthed soundless words.
“We have arrived at an inn and will rest here for the evening, my lady. The journey is too long to achieve in one day.”
She would obviously recall that from her journey there, but still she stared at him as though he were an apparition.
Reaching out his hand to her, he said, “My lady, will you join me for an evening meal? Neville will retrieve your chests and bring them to your chamber so that you may retire when you wish.”
“How?” she asked, still appearing quite confused.
“I suspect he will untie the lashes and then pull them from the carriage and carry them,” he said, attempting a jest to lighten the moment.
“Nay, I mean how did you get here?”
“I have been here the entire time. Do you really think I would let you travel across the country alone and without protection?”
