Lisette blinked away the unshed tears clinging to her lashes as another vivid memory came to her that seemed to refute her heartache, Aislinn’s fervent plea echoed in her mind.
You must believe with all your heart that what Conall vowed is true…for any doubt and fear can only destroy your chance for happiness.Will you promise me that you’ll trust the honor in him?
Conall had sworn to Aislinn that his wanton days were behind him, as God was his witness!
Lisette had sworn, too, as God washerwitness, making a promise to Aislinn that she had forgotten altogether at the sight of Lorna tunneling her fingers in Conall’s midnight hair and his arms around her—
“You look troubled, Lady Campbell,” came Father Philip’s voice to tear her from her roiling thoughts, but Lisette shook her head.
“Non, I’m fine, truly,” she murmured, but she wasn’t fine!Again she had lied, and this time to a priest whom she imagined only wished to help her.
Yet what did Father Philip know of the awful torment she would face with a husband who mayhap had no intention of remaining true to her and their marriage?What did that other priest know who had counseled Conall at the village church to look ahead and not behind him?Theywere not the ones tempted with honeyed hair and flashing green eyes and a lush body that Conall had held so close to him!
Her stomach pitching at the image she could not banish from her mind, Lisette had all she could do to keep her hands firmly upon the reins with fingers that felt ice-cold.
Their entourage had drawn closer to the castle…so close now that she could see men lining the battlements, a great shout going up among them to open the immense gates.
She imagined they must be some of Gabriel MacLachlan’s warriors sent to keep the fortress secure until Conall’s arrival, since Gabriel was earl and ranked above Conall and Cameron, as barons.What would they find once inside those high walls?A keep and other buildings still ravaged by battle?Aislinn had told her that this castle had also belonged to the MacDougalls, but King Robert was determined to fully oust the once powerful clan from Argyll no matter how long it might take him.
Lisette sighed, thinking of the work that no doubt lay ahead of her to set the household to rights, a daunting task for any new lady of the castle.
Yet Colin’s laughter distracted her and she twisted around to see the nursemaid struggling with the boy to keep him well covered from the whipping wind.The middle-aged woman named Bonni looked patient enough, but Colin was clearly a handful.His little face flushed with excitement Lisette didn’t share, he clapped his hands at the thudding sound of hooves that made her turn back around in the saddle.
Her heart leapt to her throat to see Conall riding up to her, his gaze intense as he veered his spirited roan stallion around and reached out his hand to her.
“I want you with me, Lady Campbell.We’ll go through the gates together.”
Lisette blinked at him, not fully comprehending his intention until he leaned over and pulled her atop his horse, settling her between his thighs.
Her head spun from the abruptness of what he’d done and she must have gasped, but he only laughed with a deep, rich sound that thrilled her—she couldn’t deny it!She loved the man with all her heart no matter the doubts and fears plaguing her.
His arms felt steely around her as he urged the stallion into a gallop that brought them back to the head of their entourage.
Her bottom wedged so tightly between his muscled thighs that she had no fear of falling, his warm breath fanning her cheek when he bent down his head to whisper in her ear.
“I can imagine what you’ve been thinking, wife, butneverforget I love you.Only you and no other.”
He pressed a fervent kiss to her burning face and then straightened and once again became the formidable warrior.His body grown tense as he guided his horse to just in front of the gates thrown open for them, his voice raised above the whistling wind.
“I claim this castle as my own at the behest of Robert, King of Scots!”
A great roar greeted his pronouncement from the warriors behind him and all those looking down from the fortress walls, men whooping and lifting high their weapons as Conall rode first through the gates.
Lisette’s eyes widened not at a bailey ravaged by battle, but at the orderliness that greeted them.
The ground freshly swept and wooden barrels for fresh water lined up in neat rows alongside the walls.More warriors—at least forty, Lisette counted—assembled and awaiting them at attention with their plaid breacans fluttering in the wind, while those atop the walls scrambled down steep stone steps to join them.If she had been lacking in excitement before, now Lisette felt overwhelmed with exhilaration and pride as Conall acknowledged a russet-haired giant who had stepped forward, grinning.
“Finlay MacLachlan!”
“Aye, Conall, did you think Gabriel would send anyone other than one of his most trusted captains tae get this heap of stones ready for your arrival?”
Conall gave a laugh and clasped the Highlander’s outstretched hand, the two men clearly friends, and then straightened to address everyone there.
“My thanks, kinsmen—MacLachlans and Campbells alike!We’ve food aplenty in the wagons tae prepare a fine feast.Let’s gather tonight in the hall and enjoy a warming fire and supper together!”
His invitation was greeted with hearty shouts of approval while Finlay’s gaze settled upon Lisette, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled kindly at her.
“You’ve done well for yourself, Conall.Welcome, Lady Campbell.It seems tae be raining brides what with Gabriel and his Maggie, Cameron and Aislinn, and now another bonny lass tae grace us with her presence.We hope your wife is pleased with our efforts tae ensure her comfort.We usually wield swords, but we’re handy as well with a broom and mop bucket, aye, men?”
