“Aye.”
“Pity. Such an injury can be deadly, I’ve seen it happen many a time. One moment you appear well enough, and then you’re not—och, but she canna stay here. Nor can Lord Butler return tae Éire with her in such a precarious state. I want her taken tae the Carmelite convent not far from Dumbarton, the same one where Lady MacLachlan pretended she was mad. Who knows if the poor lass will ever leave it?”
Cameron swallowed hard, this news only making him more anxious to be on his way back to Campbell Castle.
He could do naught for her! Even if he could, Lord Butler would never allow him anywhere near her. He would never see her again… never look into her eyes… never speak tae her…
“Mayhap he’s changed his mind about the meeting.” King Robert turned from the window to look intently at Cameron. “I assured him that you’re an honorable man, Campbell, and wouldna have done anything tae compromise the lass before marriage.”
“So he knows I wished tae wed her?” Cameron bit off, the king nodding.
“Aye. He wasna pleased. He’s a harsh one, but that’s none of my concern. Since she’s my wife’s cousin, I’m duty bound tae see that she’s well cared for until she recovers…ifshe recovers.”
King Robert’s last words cutting into him, Cameron muttered, “Aye, harsh like her father,” as a sharp rap came at the door, making him stiffen.
“Enter.”
Cameron didn’t have to turn around at the king’s command to know it was Lord Aengus Butler who strode into the room, the air suddenly charged with tension.
“King Robert.Laird Campbell.”
His name spat out, Cameron slowly exhaled and told himself to remain calm.
He had come too close to raising his sword last night when the man had shoved him away from Aislinn. Soon this unwanted audience would be behind him and he’d be on his way back to the fortress… without her.
“Do you care tae sit, Lord Butler?”
“No, I’ll stand.”
Again King Robert heaved a sigh, Cameron guessing that he wasn’t so keen for the meeting, either. “Very well. Say what’s plaguing you, man.”
“Aye, I will! You assured me upon my arrival that this Highlander is an honorable man—”
“Abaron, Lord Butler,” King Robert cut in, “and entrusted with one of my most formidable fortresses because of his courage and loyalty. He savedmylife nine days past, aye, he and his brother Conall and his former commander, Earl MacLachlan, and they have my abiding respect and gratitude. Is that enough of a commendation for you?”
Sputtering under his breath, Aengus glared at Cameron. “Aye, your words hold great weight, my lord king, but I’ll have your baron speak for himself and tell me if he’s had his way with my betrothed! From the look of it last night when he carried her from the stronghold—”
“The roof was ablaze!” Cameron shot back at him, clenching his fists. “Only moments from collapsing! What was I tae do? Leave her tae fend for herself in the hope that she’d make it out alive through the smoke and flames? I swore tae her father’s man, Finnegan, when he lay dying that I’d protect her—”
“Aye, Finnegan, that bastard! Lord De Burgh told me last night while we made our way here that histrustedcaptain must have known Aislinn had stowed away, but neglected to inform him! His son saw Finnegan standing beside Aislinn right before Daran was struck upon the head—”
“How is William’s son?” King Robert interrupted as if to diffuse some of the mounting tension, shooting a look of caution at Cameron.
“A disappointment to his father, but he’ll mend in time. Why is it that strong men are cursed with weak sons?Minewill not be weak, I can assure you. I’ll plow my new bride good and hard to ensure the sturdiest seed takes root—”
“By God, man, are you a rutting beast tae speak so of Aislinn?”
“Lord Campbell,hold!”
King Robert’s command the only thing that kept Cameron from drawing his sword, his knuckles white as he gripped the hilt, he saw that Aengus had grasped his weapon as well.
“Answer his query and let’s have done with this meeting,” commanded the king in a harsh voice, glaring at Cameron. “Did you have your way with the lass?”
“I kissed her.”
“Anything else?”
“I embraced her.”
