He was lost, damn it all, to a woman he knew now he couldn’t live without, but whom he couldn’t allow himself to trust—ah, God, Simeon was right.
Their union would shatter, mayhap forever if he couldn’t release his wariness toward her.
He wanted a happy marriage, but how was that possible? He wanted Rowen’s kisses and embraces and smiles and laughter, aye, he wanted her love?—
“Och, man, you’ve done little tae encourage her affection,” Alec muttered to himself, stopping in his tracks as a stark realization struck him.
If she had made plans with Errol to feign an accident to be rid of him—that had been donebeforethey had wed. Yet the very next day he had followed his father’s advice and set out to woo her…and he had made her smile and giggle and they had kissed and embraced…awakening an intensity of emotion in him that he had never felt before—until Rowen.
He had glimpsed something in her eyes, too, until she had closed them as if fighting the same powerful emotion sweeping over her—och, what a damned fool Alec had been at every turn!
She had proclaimed at his bedside just before he collapsed that she’d had a change of heart, Rowen’s outcry rushing back to him.
No, no, I dinna wish you dead! How could I know you were no tyrant? All my life I’ve heard terrible things about the Mackays—och, you’re never going tae believe me!
Aye, he hadn’t believed her until now, Alec quickening his step in his eagerness to reach the keep as his anger at his own blindness grew hotter.
Gaira had told him last night that Rowen hoped he would send a messenger tae tell Errol never to threaten him again…and that she had accepted her marriage and cared deeply about him—yet what had he done?
Fumed that he was sending a messenger instead to King Robert to alert him to Errol’s treachery, Gaira’s indignant reply haunting Alec as he pushed open the door and strode toward the tower steps.
Och, Laird, if you wish tae turn the love that’s flared in Rowen’s heart tae loathing again, then send your messenger and you will be tae blame for the discord you’ve sown within your home, God help you.
Aye, God help him, was he too late? Had his coldheartedness toward Rowen even while she had worked so hard to help his kinsmen doused her burgeoning feelings for him?
His heart pounding, Alec shoved open the door to their bedchamber with every intent to beg her forgiveness—only to find the room silent but for the crackling logs in the fireplace.
No other sound greeting him than Rowen’s gentle breathing.
Her slim form was outlined beneath covers pulled up over her head as if to shield herself from him, which made him fear again that mayhap she had gone back to despising him. She must have been truly exhausted for his abrupt entrance not to wake her, for she didn’t stir…
Alec drew a deep breath, exhaustion sweeping him, too, as he undressed as quietly as he could and then climbed into the bed beside her.
His every movement subdued so as not to wake her, though she slept so deeply with her back turned to him that he doubted anything would disrupt her.
He yearned so intensely to draw her into his arms and hold her—och, but that would have to wait until morning, mere hours away…if she would even welcome it.
Sighing, he had to content himself with lying on his side and staring in the flickering firelight at Rowen shrouded by bedding…until the soft cadence of her breathing lulled him to sleep.
* * *
Sheena forcedherself to breathe calmly, quietly, just as she had done since Alec had entered the room, though her heart raced while she clutched the bedspread that covered most of her face.
She could hardly believe that he hadn’t attempted to touch her and then discover she wasn’t his wife at all, but why would he want to further embrace an enemy bride? She had heard the rumor running like wildfire through the castle that the marriage had been consummated, but it was an obligation, no more!
Och, she hated Rowen Mackay—no,Sutherland, for she couldn’t bear that the hateful wench shared Alec’s clan name. It should beherwedded name, and she wouldn’t rest until she claimed it—aye, soon.
Smiling triumphantly to herself, Sheena snuggled deeper under the covers, but a rumbling sigh from Alec made her stiffen that mayhap her movement had awakened him.
It wasn’t time yet to reveal her presence, she had to wait until the moment was right—and clearly providence was with her!
She couldn’t believe it when she had spied Rowen asleep in a corner of the great hall, clearly too exhausted from tending to the villagers to make her way up to the bedchamber—and Sheena had seized her chance. She had hastened up the tower steps with her heartbeat thundering just as when she’d heard Orkney raiders were terrorizing the coastline.
The last time had been months ago and before Alec had returned to Strathnaver to take his place as laird. Until now, she had doubted Kael would help her in any way to rid herself of Alec’s loathsome bride, but everything was falling into place just as if heaven had ordained it—aye,providence!
Sheena had to cover her mouth with her hand to stifle a giggle, she felt so giddy, though it only took the memory of earlier last night in the great hall to sober her.
She didn’t blame Alec at all for demanding her to come forward to the head table where she had been harshly reprimanded. She was certain he had done so out of obligation to King Robert, and not out of any affection for the woman he had been forced to wed.
