Chapter 15
Colen rode furiously from the castle. In a fine temper, he galloped to Mackintosh land and released himself by harassing crofters, scattering herds, and causing mischief wherever he could.
For that reason, it was night when he finally returned and learned that his precious Sheena would be staying after all.
Jamie added crossly, after telling him the news, “She might be staying, lad, but I dinna think we’ll be seeing much of her. ”
“Why not?”
“I believe she plans to tuck herself away in that tower and keep hidden from us. It’s what she did today.”
“Did she no’ come down to supper?”
“Nay.”
“She went hungry?” Colen exploded.
“Dinna fash yourself, brother.” Jamie’s tone was calm. “Our aunt appears quite taken with the lass. She went to see the girl—taking a tray of food for her.” Jamie grunted. “’Twas no’ easy explaining to Jessie what all the fuss is about.”
Colen grinned. “I can imagine. Did you tell Jessie she has a rival?”
Jamie scowled darkly. “Now why would I be telling her that? I’ve enough on my mind without adding more trouble.”
“’Tis just as well.” Colen baited his elder brother. “No need to have an empty bed waiting to be filled, eh? Who would fault you for keeping a bird in hand?”
Jamie didn’t answer. Maybe it was true. He had told Jessie as little as possible about Sheena.
He had not known precisely why, but he began to see a grain of truth in what Colen implied, and he didn’t like it.
Such selfishness was unworthy of him, never mind that he had been unaware of it until that point.
“Well said, Colen. I’ll be rectifying the situation tomorrow.”
Colen was surprised, and he quickly realized that in baiting his brother he had only spited himself. With Jamie unencumbered by his present mistress, he would be free to devote himself fully to pursuing Sheena.
“Now wait, Jamie,” Colen said hastily. “I was only jesting. Dinna deny yourself, or Jessie, because of my foolish talk.”
“But you were right, lad. ’Tis no’ fair to Jessie to pretend my interest is the same. No, better to end it now, after only one encounter.”
“One?”
“Dinna look so shocked.” Jamie chuckled. “I’m no’ the ruttish stag folks take me for.”
“Humph!”
Jamie shrugged. “In truth, I’ve no’ had much desire for Jessie since I met the lovely Sheena.”
“’Tis no’ like you to be so…particular,” Colen grumbled, not at all pleased.
Jamie ignored the gibe and said, “The dark-red-haired lass in the tower is a jewel to outshine any other. I’ll have her or have no one.”
Recognizing Jamie’s iron determination, Colen knew then and there that his brother was as obsessed with Sheena as he was, perhaps even more so. It was an upsetting realization.
“You’ll no’ be having her unless she wants it!” he warned sharply. “I mean it, Jamie.”
“Have you ever known me to take a lass who wasna willing?” Jamie countered.
“I’ve never known one to refuse you, so how can I know what you’ll be doing when this one does?”
“I’ll no’ force her, lad,” Jamie said calmly.
“Sheena is hard to resist,” Colen said relentlessly.
“But you’ve no’ touched her,” Jamie reminded him.
“True, but it has no’ been easy. ’Tis a battle I fight with myself, keeping her at arm’s length. So I’m asking you, Jamie, can you consider her feelings above your own? Can you leave her be, as I have, if she doesna want you?”
Jamie’s brow wrinkled in a frown. “I’ve told you I’ll no’ force the lass.”
“So you have, but you’re a man accustomed to getting whatever you want and no’ having to wait for it. I’m wondering if you can wait, Jamie, or even go without something you want badly.”
“You’re asking too many questions, lad,” Jamie replied irritably.
“You dinna like the idea of defeat?”
“I dinna like all this prying. If you find me conducting myself badly in this matter, then I give you permission to point it out—when and if that happens. Till then, lad, leave it be. I canna say now what I will or willna do, any more than you can.”
Colen didn’t push, but he couldn’t shake off his uneasiness. He knew his brother’s temper and impatience. How would Sheena fare?
“So she would rather stay here, where she doesna want to be, than ride alone with you to where she does want to be?” Colen asked.
“She’s naught to fear from me, but I must prove it to her,” Jamie sighed.
“If you can keep your temper,” Colen replied, “she may stop being afraid of you. To be truthful…I hope she doesn’t,” he finished fervently.