“Look at it this way, Alasdair. You’re probably no’ alone in wanting her. Many men have and many more will, but only one can win her.”
“The one who does will be a lucky man, and no mistake.” Alasdair sighed.
“That he will.” Jamie grinned, feeling quite lucky himself at the moment. “And now I must be leaving you, though I do indeed thank you for coming. You’re welcome to stay, of course. I should be returning in a few days.”
“And where are you off to in this weather?” Alasdair asked, surprised.
Jamie laughed, unable to contain his bubbling mood any longer. “To Aberdeen, to win a bonny lass.”
“Sheena?” Alasdair was growing bewildered.
“Aye.”
“But she’s your enemy, Jamie. At least she sees it that way.”
“Exactly. My enemy‑and an easy prey to capture.”
Jamie was smiling as he left the hall, but he didn’t fool himself, not really. It would not be easy to break through a lifetime of animosity. But he would win her heart. He knew he would. And where Sheena had had the advantage of knowing just who he was, now he had that same advantage. How to use his knowledge was another matter.
Chapter 23
WILLIAM Jameson lived not in a castle or a tower house, but in a simple fortified tower near the river Dee. Atop a small knoll, it was a dismal place indeed, bleak, cold, without the least comfort or cheer.
Upon arriving, Sheena was shown to a small room and locked inside. She made excuses for that‑the late hour, a simple precaution to protect her. She would be gone in the morning, so what did it matter?
How naive. How utterly foolish. But it was her own fault, putting her trust in a stranger, and a Highlander at that.
All was made clear the following morning when Jameson paid her a short visit. Without mincing words he told her he would not be taking her to Aberdeen any time soon, that she would be his guest for however long he chose to have her, that she would have no say in the matter.
Sheena nearly cried. She had escaped a luxurious prison, where she’d had good food, warmth, comfort, and a little freedom, for a dirty, cold, isolated room, very little food, and no freedom at all.
Some of the fear was lessened that night when Jameson came to see her again. By then he was pathetically drunk, for drink had been meant to bolster his courage. Through slurs and leers, he told her he would have her as Jamie had taken his sister. But his attempt at rape was laughable because he was so besotted. Fortunately for her, fear and liquor unmanned him, and he left her, red‑faced with shame.
She supposed Jameson was too embarrassed to face her again, and indeed many days passed. She was alone, a prisoner, growing more and more dejected.
“Och, anything is better than this, even Jamie’s amorous pursuit!” she told herself.
When had she started thinking of him as “Jamie”? She wasn’t sure, but she had. And she started remembering. It seemed she could recall every word they had ever said to each other, every moment spent in his presence, his touch‑the magic.
This was crazy! She’d thought she’d escaped him! Had he moved permanently into her mind?
“I canna stand it! The four walls are doing this to me, blank walls, no one to talk to! No fire, foul food, and a silent servant to bring it! Another day and I’ll go mad!”
William Jameson paced nervously before his hearth, the only area in the narrow hall that was lighted. It was quite late. He had been sleeping but was awakened with the disturbing news. A rider had been sent ahead to warn of The MacKinnion’s imminent arrival. He would be there any moment.
What had kept him? Jameson had expected James MacKinnion long before. More than a week had passed since he’d taken the girl. He had begun to think Sheena had lied, that MacKinnion was not interested in her after all. But no matter what had kept him, he was coming now. The moment Jameson had craved was at hand. He had to keep control, stop himself from showing what pleasure he got out of twisting the screws on that blond bastard.
Boots sounded on the stairs, many boots, and then Jamie appeared in the doorway across the short hall, six retainers behind him. He waved them back and crossed the hall alone. He was wrapped in his plaid, which added considerable bulk and made him appear twice his size. Coming out of the shadows, he was a formidable sight. A bit of green doublet showed beneath the plaid, but there were no stockings to protect him against the cold. His knees were bare above high boots. A sword swung at his side. Jameson took in every detail, as though memorizing.
But it was Jamie’s approaching face that made William catch his breath. The haggard look, lips drawn in a tight line, cheeks red from the wind. The eyes, reflecting the fire, glowed with a green light. Jameson trembled.
Jamie spoke. “I’ve no’ slept for two days, Jameson. I’m tired, and I’ve wasted two trips to Aberdeen. You tell me what you think you’re doing, keeping the lass here.”
William smiled tightly and gave a little shrug. “She wanted to stay with me.”
“I don’t think so,” Jamie said.
“You’re welcome to have her back, of course,” William quickly assured him in a congenial tone. “In fact, I’d be glad if you’d take her off my hands. I confess I’m bored with her already.”
“Bored?” Jamie ran a hand through his hair. Lord, he was tired. “You’ll be explaining that.”
“What is to explain, my friend? Usually one whore is as good as another, but this one has only bonny looks and nothing else. I was surprised. I thought a man of your temperament would like a more . . . lively lass. I certainly do.”
Jamie’s hand shot out and gripped Jameson’s plaid, pulling him so close their faces nearly touched. “Are you saying you bedded Sheena?”
“Now I’d be a fool to admit it, with you ready to thrash me for it.”
“You’ll tell me or I’ll kill you!” Jamie growled.
William tried to move, but he couldn’t break Jamie’s grip. His confidence was evaporating quickly, yet he had to bluff’ his way through this or be lost.
“You’re no’ being reasonable, MacKinnion. If you had a claim on the lass, you should’ve made it known. I only took what was offered. ‘Twas she who begged me to take her with me. ‘Twas she who begged me to let her stay here.”
“And I suppose she begged you to bed her?”
There was no answer, which was answer enough. A low growl, very much like pain, came from the depths of Jamie. He shoved the older man away. He wanted more than anything to tear him apart, to beat him until there was nothing left to beat. But damn the man to hell, he was right. Jamie had no claim on Sheena. And, banished from her home, without family, she could do as she chose with her life. But not any longer, by God!
“Get her down here, Jameson, quickly, ‘afore I forget what’s reasonable and what isna reasonable.”
Jamie was left alone in the hall then, staring at the fire, its heat no match for the jealousy burning him. He tried to remind himself he had no real right to Sheena, but that didn’t stop the hurt. He would rather have the pain of a hundred wounds than a tortured spirit.
“Sir Jamie?”
He swung around sharply. There was a timid smile on her face, but it vanished when his eyes met hers. Cursing himself, he knew he would not blame her for what, had happened. He was not her keeper. She had every right to make her own choices. But Will Jameson? That puny, sorry excuse for a man? He shut his eyes against the pain. Sweet Mary, he would never understand it! But he would not blame her. Well, he would try not to, anyway.
When he opened his eyes again, some of the fury was gone from his gaze. But Sheena kept her distance. She had been about to thank him for rescuing her, but she wasn’t so sure she wanted to be rescued by him. How angry he looked!
Jamie watched her watching him, saw the wary look in her eyes. He should have been used to her fear of him, but he wasn’t. And she did not look well. She was wearing the same blue gown she had left in, and it was in terrible condition. Dark crescents had form
ed under her eyes. She was so pale. Maybe she was unhappy with Jameson. Or maybe . . .
“You will be coming with me, and I’ll hear no nonsense about it,” he ordered tersely. “Where’s Jameson?”
Sheena looked behind her, then shrugged. “I dinna know. He brought me down here, but I guess he was too a‑feared to face you after‑“
“ ‘Tis just as well.” Jamie cut her off gruffly. “I’m sore tempted to kill the man.” He shouted at the rafters then. “You hear that, Jameson? Dinna let me ever catch sight of you again!”
Sheena’s eyes widened in amazement. And when he grabbed her arm and escorted her roughly from the hall, she went right along. Did he know she had been kept prisoner there? Maybe he was not angry with her after all, but with Jameson. To be so furious over her, this was certainly not what she had expected.
Jamie’s retainers gathered the horses, and Sheena saw quickly that there was no extra horse for her. She let Jamie help her up onto his big gray stallion, tensing when he joined her. The others rode off, leaving them to follow at a slower pace.
With Jamie’s arms wrapped around her, Sheena felt herself growing hot despite the biting wind. She half turned so he could hear her. “Sir Jamie, is it to Aberdeen you’re taking me?”
“Nay.”
She ignored the curtness of his reply. “But I want you to. I would rather go to Aberdeen.”
“Would you?” he said darkly.
Sheena frowned. “You said you would take me there. Well, I’m asking you to.”
“If you longed so for Aberdeen, then you should have had Jameson take you there while you had the chance,” Jamie snapped. “My offer is withdrawn, Sheena. Permanently. Dinna be asking me again.”
“But . . . why?” she cried.
“It has been pointed out to me that I have been negligent in no’ putting my claim on you. I will remedy that as soon as we return by announcing our handfasting.”
“I refuse!” she gasped.
Jamie said coldly, “It can be done without your approval. ‘Tis only a matter of a formal announcement to my kin, for them to know I commit myself to you. I should have done it sooner.”
“That is barbaric, and no’ fair! You canna force me, Jamie. Only my father could force me into a commitment I oppose.”
“And if he did?”
“He wouldna give me to an oaf like you!” She was growing angry, and quite forgot herself. “I willna agree, and I’ll be telling your kin I willna agree. So if you try to take me, ‘twill be rape and you know it!”
“Curse you, woman! Rape for me, but willingness for Jameson, eh? How could you, Sheena?”
“How could I what?” she gasped, quite confused by then. “What are you accusing me of?”
He drew the horse up abruptly and gripped Sheena’s shoulders painfully, making her face him. His eyes were smoldering. Even in the dark, she could see it. She held her breath, terrified.
“He offered you naught, yet you gave yourself to him willingly. I offer you a binding commitment, and you refuse me. All right. I know why you refuse me. I know the reason, and I’ll overcome it. But by the saints, Sheena, I’ll never understand what you saw in Jameson?”
Her eyes had grown wider and wider, and when he was finished she struck out at him in a blind rage. He caught her hand and shoved it behind her back, bringing her even closer to him.
“How dare you accuse me?” she hissed furiously. “I’m a maiden still, though I’ll no’ be proving it to you! And even if I werena pure, ‘tis none of your concern. Aye, think whatever you like. I hope you think the worst! Then you’ll no’ be wanting me!”
He kissed her, because he wanted to shut her up and because he just couldn’t help himself. Lord,, what she did to him! No one had ever caused him so much yearning as this small wisp of a girl. Or so much pain, either.
He let her go. His voice was now a gentle caress. “I still want you, Sheena, you can be sure of that. And I’ll have you, too, soon, and when that happens, you’ll wonder what all the fighting was about, m’dear.”
He rode faster to catch up with the others, and Sheena was left wondering. He had given her no chance to reply.
Chapter 24
“STILL up, lad?”
Colen jerked awake to find his brother standing over him. He saw that Jamie was exhausted but unharmed. Then he slumped back down in his chair by the fireside.
“I wasna tired,” Colen answered sulkily. “With you gone, I’ve been sleeping late mornings, and I stay up later.”
“Do you?” Jamie grinned.
“And where were you off to without telling anyone?” Colen demanded angrily. “That’s twice now in two months you’ve taken off without explanation. Sweet Mary, do you think no one here worries when you go off like that?”
“Were you worried?” Colen remained silent, and Jamie sighed. “Och, well, I see you’re upset, and I’ll be saying I’m sorry. I am sorry, Colen. It shouldna happen again.”
“Will you tell me about it? At least you took some men with you this time. Was there trouble?”
“Nay, lad, I just went to Aberdeen.”
“Again?” Colen was surprised. “What made you think you would have better luck this time?”
“Did you no’ speak to MacDonough while he was here?” Jamie asked.
“Nay, he left soon after you did,” Colen replied. “And I was at Black Gawain’s during his visit. Did you know he has Jessie Martin with him?”
“He’s welcome to her,” Jamie said without surprise.
“Well, that’s a fine attitude,” Colen grumbled.
“And why are you forever expecting me to be overcome by jealousy, lad? When an affair is finished, ‘tis finished. I didna exactly pursue Jessie in the first place.”
“It just doesna seem right, her going to Black Gawain after being with you. She isna just a . . . a serving lass. She’s Daphne’s cousin by marriage.”
“I dinna see what difference her status makes. If I’m no’ bothered about it, lad, then neither should you be—unless you had a liking for her yourself.”
Colen reddened. “Nonsense. She’s too . . . full around the curves for my taste.”
“You like them slimmer?” Jamie chuckled, enjoying his brother’s discomfort.
But Colen refused to be sidetracked. “Did you find Sheena this time?”
“She wasna in Aberdeen.” And before Colen could ask another question, Jamie went on, “She was still with Jameson.” His voice took on a cold edge.
“But why?”
“The why of it you’d no’ be caring to hear.”
“I dinna ken.”
“Nor do I,” Jamie said sharply. “But she was there.”
“You had no luck in getting her to return with you?” Colen asked, afraid of the answer, whatever it might be.
“She’s here, Colen, and she’ll no’ be leaving again.”
Colen sat up. “She agreed?” he asked, incredulous.
“I didna ask. She had no chance to agree.”
“But you said you wouldna force her. And you said you needed a reason ‘afore you’d bring her back.”
“MacDonough gave me a reason.”
Colen rose from his chair. “Will you be telling me, or must I ask her?”
“She doesna know.”
“By the saints, Jamie, must everything you say be so cryptic?”
Jamie grinned. “I’m sorry, lad. I suppose you may as well know, but no one else is to know‑especially Sheena. Do I have your word?”
“Aye! Tell me ‘afore I perish. What reason could The MacDonough have given you?”
“He didna marry his Fergusson bride, lad. She was banished to Aberdeen‑where you found her.”
“Fergusson bride? Sheena? I dinna believe it!”
“ ‘Tis true, Colen. I never told you ‘afore, or said anything to her, either, but I knew her when you brought her here. I had seen her ‘afore—in the spring—on Fergusson land. When you said she was a beggar, I
thought it must be so, for I had seen her bathing in a glen in the early morning, which was not something a Fergusson would do, not just after a raid.”
“Exactly. So she canna be a Fergusson.”
“But Sheena is headstrong. Did she no’ leave here the first chance she got? Did she no’ swim in the burn that day even though I warned her the water would be too cold? She does as she pleases. No doubt she behaved the same way at home, as well.”
“But a Fergusson?”
“Aye, and old Dugald’s favorite daughter, too. MacDonough described her, which is what convinced me. Think on it, lad. Does it no’ explain her fear, the fear neither of us could find a reason for? When I first came upon her in your chamber, she was most agreeable with me. She even teased me. She wasna afraid of me. ‘Twas no’ until she heard my name that she was frightened.”
“Now that you mention it, she went sort of crazy when she learned who I was, shouting that she had to leave, she couldna stay here. I had to slap her to calm her down.”
“You did what?” Jamie exploded.
Colen squirmed. “Och, Jamie, she slapped me back.”
Jamie started a slow smile, and then he laughed heartily. “Did she?”
“It may be amusing now, but it wasna at the time, I assure you,” Colen grumbled. “Lord, everything is changed if Sheena’s a Fergusson. What are you going to do?”
“I’ve brought her here, and nothing has changed. I’ll still be handfasting with her, whether she agrees or no’.”
“ ‘Twould be a mockery if you forced her to it. She doesna believe in handfasting. Marriage would be another matter, though I dinna see how you can force her to that, either.”
Jamie scowled. It was the truth, and it was not to his liking. Before, he had been willing to wait for her agreement. Her willingness mattered. True, all brides became compliant, whether the marriage was to their liking or not. But he didn’t want to begin on a sour note. Yet he refused to marry her without trying her first. He would not make that mistake again. And others had tried her. Jameson had insinuated he found her lacking. Curse it! And curse Jameson!