Chapter Fourteen
Marion stretched and rolled over to gaze out at the pinkish-gray morning sky.
She’d passed a fitful night, but in truth she was not troubled.
She was, in fact, a little proud of herself for expressing what she wanted and was pleased that he was not so arrogant as to deny her some form of control over their relationship.
Because they were in one now, whether either of them was ready for it or not.
Her thoughts drifted to the way he commanded her body when he pressed her against the wall.
Thrilling shivers raced through her at the memory.
Marion turned over onto her back and flicked her arm above her head.
By God, but he was like something out of a dream.
Everything about him drew her in and held her breathless under his spell.
Maybe he was a magical creature straight out of one of the stories told last eve.
She smiled as she threw back the covers and got out of bed. It was too early to expect servants and so she donned a robe and stepped over to the window to gaze out over the beautiful gardens at the back of the castle. When she did, she caught sight of something unexpected.
Jean hurried away from the gardens with Alexander tight on her heels; behind them and, dragging his feet, was a very forlorn-looking Alain. What on earth could have passed that would cause so much distress among them?
She rummaged until she found her shift and a plain gown she’d brought for daily wear then dragged her brush through her hair. She quietly exited her chamber after she was dressed and made her way downstairs. Just as she took the last step, Alexander and Jean entered the library and closed the door.
Not knowing if she would be unwelcome, she hesitated and walked toward the outside to see where the other man had gone. She found him pacing just outside the castle.
“Is aught amiss?” she asked, not knowing what else to say.
“Lady Marion, I am certain you mean well, but this matter is one of great delicacy as I am sure you can appreciate.”
Then it all clicked into place. And she absolutely did not want to interfere with matters between a brother and sister.
“Very well, I shall leave you to your musings,” she said and turned to retreat to her chamber.
Halfway back to the stairwell, the library door opened, and Alexander stepped out. His eyes widened at the sight of her, but then he frowned, and his brow drew in tight.
“Lady Marion, you are about early,” he said. He was probing. That much was obvious.
“Aye, my lord, I rise early each morn.”
“I shall have a servant attend you in your chamber.”
“There is no need, my lord.”
“Then why are you below stairs?”
She didn’t like his tone. Did he think she was being nosy?
“I was gazing out of my chamber window at the beautiful gardens when I saw three people exit. I merely came below to see if I could offer assistance in some way.”
“We have no need of your assistance, Lady Marion, and I trust I can rely on your discretion in this matter?”
It was clear from that comment, he didn’t trust her judgment at all, and that did not sit well with her.
“Of course you can, my lord. I am surprised you even have to make such a comment.”
“Lady Marion, if you do not require anything, I would ask that you return to your chamber until the morning servants arrive to assist your morning routine. I will see you at the morning meal,” he said and stalked off toward the great hall.
Marion stood there with her mouth agape. She had done nothing wrong, and while she could understand something upsetting had occurred, she did not think she should be discarded as such for attempting to help.
She was about to go after him and tell him so when the library door opened again, and a very teary-eyed Jean emerged. She looked startled when she realized she was not alone.
“Lady Jean, you are safe with me, I promise you.”
“Where is my brother?”
“Well, after he ordered me to be discreet, he marched off to the great hall.”
Jean’s face was tear-streaked and she wrung her hands together hard while staring in the direction of the hall.
“I do not know what to do,” she said.
Marion wrapped her arm around Jean’s shoulder and squeezed.
“Is it really that bad?”
“Aye, you should have heard him. He is ready to banish me.”
Shy of plotting his murder, what could she have possibly done to warrant that kind of reaction in him?
“Lady Marion, I asked you to return to your chamber,” a booming voice said from behind her.
“I was about to when your sister emerged from the library. I assure you, my lord, I am not here to add to your strife.”
“Then release my sister and do as I bid.”
No one, not even her father, had ever spoken to her in such a way. Oh, she would go to her chamber all right and pack her belongings and leave this place before he could say morning meal.
Marion kissed Jean on the cheek and then lifted her chin to look Alexander square in the face.
“I understand something has passed here that has upset you, and for that I am sorry. But I have done nothing except offer assistance which would have come with discretion. I shall return to my chamber and when I emerge again, I expect transportation arranged to return me to my parents.”
With that, she turned on her heel and with squared shoulders, she ascended the stairs and made her way to her chamber. Once inside, she bolted it and then flung herself on her bed to let loose her emotions.
How could he possibly be so callous with her after all he’d declared the night before?
She’d been understanding of the situation and his current state; he need not take his anger out on her nor insinuate she was not capable of discretion.
Did that even need to be said? After what they’d shared.
And now she only had mortification to accept at being so wanton with him and trusting that his feelings were as true as hers.
Well, no more. She opened her clothes chest and quickly filled it with her belongings.
But now that she was ready to leave, she was not sure how.
She’d eat her own tongue before she spoke another word to that odious man, but she would need him to arrange a carriage for her and have her chest brought down.
And what about her dear friend Queen Margaret?
How would she explain her need to be out of that man’s sights without disclosing why?
Marion paced with one hand on her hip and another tapping her lips.
Her heart raced as she realized she was in a predicament which she could not reason her way out of.
Did she want to leave now? Aye, she very much did.
But how could she leave without alerting others and drawing more attention to the situation?
She was trapped and she despised the panic rising within her. There was no way she could remain. She would have to find a way to get word to the queen. She glanced around the chamber and spied a quill, ink, and some parchment tucked behind a fat candleholder.
A few minutes later, she signed her brief note to the queen and folded it as neatly as she could. Maybe she could leave it for the servants to find.
A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
‘My lady, it is Jean,” a quiet voice spoke from the other side of the door.
Marion opened it and saw that both brother and sister were on the other side.
“What is it that you want?” she asked.
“We wish to apologize,” she said.
“You have nothing to apologize for, Lady Jean. I have asked for transportation and assistance with my belongings. Has that been arranged?”
She did not dare look at Alexander, though she could feel his eyes upon her.
“Aye, my lady, but we do not want you to leave.”
“It is too late for that now. I feel the need to be near my family and I wish to leave this place immediately,” she said, still only meeting Jean’s gaze.
“I have left a note on the table there,” she said and pointed to it.
“Will you see to it that the queen receives it? Do not fret. I am merely apologizing to her for leaving abruptly and stated only that I have a sudden need to be with my family.”
“Very well, then,” Alexander said and turned on his heel to leave.
“I am so sorry,” Jean said.
“Lady Jean, what happened?”
“I am in love, and my brother cannot handle the fact that he did not arrange it for me. I mean, I don’t even think he’s upset that it’s Alain.
I am not required to marry for title, and we are less formal than some families.
I know Alex only wants me to be happy. But he is angry that he had to discover us by chance versus us having come to him directly, and so he feels we have betrayed him. ”
“I am very sorry, Lady Jean, and I truly hope he comes to terms with your choice. You deserve to be happy.”
“But you are still leaving.”
“I must. Your brother’s behavior this morning was unacceptable, and I will not stay one moment longer here because of it.”
Jean wrapped her arms around Marion and squeezed.
“My brother is in love with you, and he has no idea how to express himself. I hope someday you will be able to understand that.”
Marion’s only thought was that she needed to be out of this castle and as far away from Alexander Campbell as she could get.
*