Page 66 of Highlander’s Quest of Desire

“The intention in keeping you alive was to lay claim to Blair Atholl. I would use you to bargain for your clan’s lands. But now that I have the Honors, things have changed. General Forester has told me in no uncertain terms that I will need more than the Honors to, if not satisfy the clans of Scotland, then at least prove my legitimacy.”

A grimace marred his face, and he looked like he was sucking on bile. His hands clenched into fists and shook in his muted rage. “As you know, my mother was English. Her blood runs through my veins, and though it has always meant dirt to the Scots, it is prized with the English. They know how to treat their own.”

“Ye were nae dirt to Bruce,” Elspeth said softly. “Ye were his brother. He prided yer friendship above all else. Leo,” she pleaded, leaving the window and coming to kneel down in front of him. “Ye ken we went to Balquhidder?”

Leo nodded, his eyes unfocused and far away. Elspeth gingerly took his hands in hers.

“Then ye must ken that we were greeted by Laird Labert with open arms and he pleaded his innocence with Bruce, and Bruce believed him.” She squeezed his hands. “But even then, faced with the knowledge that ye had lied to him about Laird Labert, Bruce refused to believe ye had turned him over to the English. He refused to believe that ye had betrayed him. That’s how much he trusted ye and valued yer friendship. So, ye cannae say to me that ye have had a hard childhood because yer Laird stood by ye and even in front of ye to stop most of the malicious gossip.”

Tears swam in his eyes, and Elspeth was glad to see them. It proved that underneath the bitterness and the ambition, the Leo Bruce had known and loved since childhood was still there somewhere. She just had to appeal to that aspect of his nature. There was no way she would marry him, and she needed to convince him of that.

Leo shook his head and pulled his hands free from her grasp. “There’s naught we can do about that now,” he said. “Bruce is dead.”

The claim hit her like a ton of rocks. Had Leo seen something from that cliff that Elspeth hadn’t? Or was he just trying to ease his conscience to go ahead with his plans?

“It does nae have to be this way,” she pleaded. “Ye can be king without a queen by yer side. As a matter of fact, I believe it would be better if ye didnae have a queen. Then the Lairds that wished to curry favor with ye will bring proposals of their daughters, and ye could have the pick of the bonniest girls or with a clan most strategically beneficial to ye.”

Leo laughed, a strained, almost manic laugh. “No!” he said. “Don’t you see, dear Elspeth? I cannot have the crown without a Scottish queen sharing it. The clans don’t see eye to eye, and some would kill the other before exchanging a pleasant word. If a half-English man from Dunnottar announced his claim to the throne with the Honors all the warring clans would unite to fight against the upstart. That’s what they will see me as.”

He turned to her and clasped his hand around her cheek, lifting her chin up so she was forced to look into his eyes. “But if I was married to a Scottish woman, pure of bloodline, and of one of the most respected clans, it would force the allies of the Buchans to side with me and divide the claim enough for me to cement my position.”

“The Buchans would never side with ye,” she said, and turned her face away from him.

Leo chuckled. “Are you so certain? You know your brother better than I do. Tell me, what do you think he will do when he is informed of our marriage? Do you honestly think he would gather his men, his allies, and mount an expedition defending your honor?”

With a sinking heart Elspeth recognized the truth of it. Domnhall would give in the minute the news reached him and prepare a welcome feast in the honor of the newlyweds. Of course, she knew he would not like it. Domnhall was as proud of his Scottish heritage as anyone, but he was also pragmatic and would opt for peace and diplomacy. Leo’s move would put him in a position where he would have no other option but to accept Leo as the king because his sister was the queen.

“You see? You’re perfect. Any other woman and I’d have had to consider my options but you, Lady Elspeth are the sister of a coward who will capitulate easily, and therefore you are more precious to me alive than dead.”

There were so many times Domnhall had disappointed her as a brother that she’d lost count. This was just another one in a series of injustices she had to bear in her life. Panicking, she looked to any other tact that could persuade Leo to think differently, and she clutched at the only straw she could find.

“And what of yer mother?” she asked. “Is this what she would have wanted?”

“Don’t ye say her name,” Leo growled a warning.

“The Lady Alice might have been born in England, but her soul was Scottish. She married yer father, moved to his lands, and adopted them as her own. She didnae bring ye up in English traditions but in Scottish. Ye shame her with this betrayal!”

“Silence! I’m warning ye, Elspeth.”

“Nae! I will nae be silent. Ye say they questioned yer loyalty. But I never heard anyone questioning the loyalty of Lady Alice. She was the confidant of Lady Grant, her friend. They hoped for the two of ye to grow as brothers. And look how ye have paid back their love and trust. Bruce never betrayed that promise. Ye have proven them all right by being snake that fed from the Grant’s chalice and then stung them!”

She knew it was coming, but when the palm struck her face it blinded her for a moment. The blow made her ears ring, and she fell on the floor. Leo toward over her, his breathing ragged and noisy, like a bull’s.

“You can’t say I didn’t warn you,” he managed to say. “Don’t provoke me, Elspeth. I could be a good husband to you; we could have a happy marriage. But you must not provoke me. Think on my words.”

He left. Elspeth remained on the floor, clutching her blazing cheek. The ringing stopped after a while, and she sat up. The bar of light from the window was bright, and dust motes swam in it, cheery and without a care in the world. Elspeth wished she could turn to dust and no longer care what became of her.

“Oh my!” Gwen gasped as she walked in with a heavy tray. She placed it deftly on the chest and came to help Elspeth on the bed. “Are ye very hurt?”

“Just my pride.” Elspeth tried to smile, but it was too painful.

“Master Barton will be here in a moment,” Gwen reassured. “I’ll ask him to give ye something for that nasty cut.”

“Nae,” Elspeth said, her eyes suddenly heavy. “Gwen, could ye please take the food away? The smell is making my stomach turn.”

“He’ll ask why ye have nae ate a bite,” Gwen said in fearful tones.

“Give it to the guards to eat,” Elspeth said, falling fast into unconsciousness. She didn’t want to be awake anymore. Cool, comforting blackness embraced her, and she gave into it with abandon.