The heated longing in his eyes that had been no more than lust. He had beguiled her into consummating their marriage—but by God, if he ever tried to touch her again…
“You will regret it,husband, I swear it!”
* * *
Alec stormeddown the hall even as the womanly scent of Rowen’s body still clung to him, making him mutter a vehement oath.
He should have splashed water on his face and drank some, too, to rid himself of the taste of her that even now, made his lower body quicken and swell.
By God, was he an animal? Was satisfying himself once within the stirring warmth of her body not enough?
A beautiful body with tempting curves that even now, he could not force out of his mind, making him clench his hands into tight fists and utter another oath.
She had bewitched him! She was not only a flesh and blood woman, but a flame-haired enchantress to have nearly brought about his death—andstill, he wanted her!
Wanted her with such burning intensity that he almost turned around to stride back to their bedchamber and claim her again, och, but she would only fight him tooth and nail.
He still could not believe how she had wound her arms around his neck in the stable—no,snakedher arms around him, the wench! Her seeming surrender had all been part of her plan to make him believe she desired him and even held some affection for him, too!
He hadn’t been fooled for a moment, but why torture himself any further by wondering what plot lurked inside her? She had given herself up to him and now the thing was done, their marriage consummated.
No more wooing was needed, and he had other matters of great import to occupy him than Rowen Mackay.
Training his men for battle. Visiting the surrounding villages to assert his lairdship over his kinsmen, farmers, tradespeople, and fishermen alike—aye, and sending that messenger on his way to Dumbarton Castle?—
“Laird Mackay!”
Alec stopped at the base of the tower steps as Gaira hastened toward him from the direction of the great hall that still echoed with the hearty laughter of his men.
The older woman’s birdlike features alight with a warm smile that only made him want to sidestep her and be on his way as she stopped in front of him.
“You have my thanks, Laird, truly! When a serving woman came tae my room tae bring me food and tell me what occurred this night, I couldna believe it and rushed down here tae see if it was true. Not a soul stared at me unkindly or spoke an ill word tae me in the great hall. You’re so good, so gracious tae cease that awful shunning my sweeting and I have suffered?—”
“I willna have my wife treated with disrespect, nor you,” Alec cut her off with impatience, chafing at her effusive praise. “Now I must go tae send out a messenger?—”
“Ah, tae Sutherland country just as Rowen hoped. Forgive me, Laird, but I knew nothing of her brother Errol’s plan tae cause you harm, my sweeting revealed all tae me at your bedside. She wept so piteously for you as I’ve never seen her do—no, not once since she was a wee lass! Och, and how she prayed for you?—”
“What are you speaking of?” Alec demanded, Gaira staring up at him now with confusion.
“Why-why…that a messenger go at once tae tell Errol never tae threaten you again and that she has accepted her marriage tae you, aye, she cares so deeply for you, Laird. I was hoping love might bloom between you and it has—and so quickly, too! It’s a miracle just as you’re standing before me looking so hale and strong. We feared you might die, och, such a terrible time for my sweeting and you as well?—”
“Enough, woman, you’re spewing nonsense! If your lady thought tae send a messenger, it was no doubt tae urge her brother tae increase his efforts tae harm me.”
“Oh, no, Laird, that isna true!” Gaira countered, wringing her hands now and shaking her head as Alec moved past her, only to wheel around to face her again.
“Lower your voice—or, as I warned your mistress, you will defeat my efforts tae ease my kinsmen’s distrust of you. There isnolove between us, do you hear me? You’ve imagined it all.”
“But…but she told me so, Laird, at the height of her sorrow. She never would have thought she could care so for an enemy, but she does, I swear it! You’re an enemy tae her no longer, but beloved?—”
“Gaira Sutherland, if you wish tae remain in my household, you will heed me,” Alec grated at her, keeping his voice low as he nodded toward the tower steps. “Go tae your mistress and see for yourself how esteemed I am in her eyes. The messenger I’m sending is tae King Robert tae inform him of Errol’s treachery—and you willna utter another word of what you know about the attack against me if you want peace here, and no further shunning. Are we understood?”
“Yet you will tell the king?” Gaira murmured, surprising him. “You would bring disgrace upon her entire clan because of Errol’s folly, a young man who’s no older than yourself? Och, Laird, if you wish tae turn the love that’s flared in Rowen’s heart tae loathing again, then send your messenger andyouwill be tae blame for the discord you’ve sown within your home, God help you.”
Gaira brushed past Alec before he could utter a word and skittered up the steps as if she couldn’t escape from him fast enough while he stared after her, a tic working along his jaw.
Beloved? Was the woman mad? Had she joined in with Rowen to deceive him as well with whatever his wife was plotting against him? There was nothing in her heart but deceit, a twinge of pain above his temple assailing Alec.
Yet why wouldn’t what Gaira had told him make his head hurt? He turned back toward the great hall only to stop dead when the door leading to the bailey suddenly burst open, two guards from the ramparts rushing inside.
