Chapter 25
The ruckus outside let Jean know that the mess hall had emptied. She slipped out of the room before her parents returned. She hadn’t realized how much she missed them until she was in her mother’s arms, but the thoughts she was currently wrestling with were ones she needed to deal with alone.
Or with Liam by her side. Slipping outside the keep, she lingered by a large tree until the last person stumbled out and headed home.
Another hour later, she realized she might be waiting for nothing.
Perhaps Liam didn’t get her message, or maybe he needed to sleep.
Guilt washed over her. His father had probably pulled him immediately into a meeting.
He hadn’t slept yet, and she had demanded to see him.
In another hour or two, she would also need to sleep, but she could walk for now.
Humming to herself, she wondered if she could make a good wife.
Not just a wife, but a lady of Clan Armstrong.
As a daughter of a laird, she knew all the rituals and customs, the ceremonies and processions.
She knew how to host and mediate. She did all of those things under protest but maybe it would be different with a partner by her side.
Would she enjoy being a wife? She certainly enjoyed being with Liam.
Warmth spread over her as she thought of what it had been like to have his hands and mouth on her. Mara would have been proud.
Did he love her? He certainly looked at her with tenderness and sometimes hunger, but that didn’t mean love. Their fondness was always there, perhaps even the lust as well.
“‘Tis a beautiful tune that ye are humming, lass. I hope ye are thinking of me.”
Jean hadn’t even realized she was humming, and at the sound of Alistair’s voice, she whirled around. Immediately, he picked her up in a hug. “Alistair!” She gasped. “Ye are back!”
“I am. I was disappointed that ye werenae at dinner, but ‘tis all right. I learned that ye made it back safely, and of that, I am grateful.”
“I am also grateful that ye are safe.” Realizing that she was still in his arms, she stepped back and tried to put some distance between them. “Did ye find any of the men who tried to kidnap me?”
“Dead. Every single one of them, and not by my hand. I fear ye arenae safe. I am on my way to speak to yer father about our marriage. The quicker we marry, the quicker I can ensure that ye are by my side and safe.”
“Oh, Alistair….”
“Do not fret, Lady Jean. I cannae bear it. Come inside. We can go together.”
“Nay.” Anguished that she had to hurt him, she reached for his hand. “Alistair, please stop and listen for a moment. There has been a misunderstanding.”
“What do ye mean?”
“When I claimed that it would be an honor to marry ye, I did mean it, but I wasnae responding to a proposal, or I didnae think that I was. I was simply stating a fact. If the situation were different, I would be honored to marry ye.”
“What situation? What are ye going on about?” He demanded.
“I am sorry. We were in a horrid situation, and I didnae realize how ye would take my words when I said them. Or rather, I didnae think of what my words would mean when I said that. Ye are an impressive warrior, a hero, and a wonderful man, but I cannae marry ye. I am in love with Liam. I think, deep down, I always have been. Why are ye smiling? Is it relief?”
“Relief?” He chuckled. “Nay, my dear. I am smiling at how naive ye are. Of course ye are in love with Liam. Any fool could see that.”
“I dinnae understand. Why would ye want to marry me if ye knew that I was in love with someone else?”
“Because he will never marry ye. Ye are a terror of a woman, always running around in breeches and getting yerself in trouble so ye can call yerself a warrior. Ye would be an embarrassment to someone like Liam. I find it intriguing. Besides, it willnae matter. After I tell yer father what happened the other night, he will allow the marriage whether ye want it or not.”
Confused, Jean frowned. “How do ye know what happened last night? Were ye watching?”
“Was I—” His eyes darkened. “I see Liam finally got to enjoy ye, after all. Played the hero and enjoyed all the sweetness that ye had to offer. Did ye bleed, Lady Jean, when he took yer virginity? Did ye scream in pain or pleasure? Did ye like it?”
“Get away from me,” she hissed. “How dare ye say those things to me!”
Before she could step away, though, he grabbed her wrists. “I planned on telling yer father that I took yer maiden head. At least if he took it, a physician will confirm it, and now, I can enjoy ye without all that mess.”
Shocked, she stared at him. “How could I have ever thought ye were a hero? Why are ye doing this?”
“Because Liam wants ye, and for too long, I’ve watched him get everything he wants. Creighton is my father, ye know. The Lairdship would be mine. I’m older.”
“Laird Armstrong would never deny a son.”
“He would if it was a bastard born out of wedlock.”
The implication of what he was suggesting hit her, and she gasped. “Ye are wrong. He would never betray his wedding vows to Lady Kylie. He loves her.”
For the first time, Alistair actually hesitated. “She is a good woman. She has always treated me well, and for that, I will never see her hurt. I will never breathe of word of what I know. I will take ye instead, and ye will be my prize.”
“Oh, ye poor idiot. I am nobody’s prize.” With that, she stomped hard on his foot. He yelped but didn’t release her, and she kicked him square between his legs. When his hold weakened, she pulled away and punched him in the nose. Blood squirted out.
“Lady Jean! Are ye all right?” A man hurried to her side. “I saw what happened.”
“Bloody bitch broke my nose!” Alistair howled.
The man reached for his sword. “She has the right to take yer life. Perhaps I will take it right here and now.”
Alistair lashed out, and Jean screamed when she saw the dagger. Luckily, she pushed her would-be hero out of the way. Alistair turned and ran.
“Damnation,” the man growled and turned. “I ought to go after him. Are ye all right?”
Horrified, she nodded. “Ye must help me clean the blood. My father and Liam cannae see me like this.”
“Of course, follow me, m’lady,” he led her back inside the Keep and he opened the first door down the long corridor.
“This is Donal’s room, I’m sure he willnae mind,” the guard said and took off.
Alone and shaking, she headed to the water basin.
After having rubbed the stain enough that it was impossible to tell it was blood, she started to leave when she saw something peculiar in the back of the room—there was another door.
It wasn’t her room. Donal might not mind her using it to clean up, but he certainly would not like her exploring it. Still, she couldn’t help but walk to the back of the chamber and push the small door open further. It seemed like a small closet, but it has a small window.
Moonlight streamed in and glinted off the metal bars of the empty cage. She didn’t think Donal kept any hounds.
Why would he have a crate? Swallowing hard, she bend closer and examined it.
It did not take long for her to find a tuft of long grey fur.
Wolf’s fur?
“Och, Donal. What have ye done?”