Chapter Twelve
His long gray hair blowing in the strong wind, McMurdo rushed from the edge of the cliff toward Haldane. "A garrison of men is approaching from the south."
"How many and who are they?" Haldane threw down the rabbit bone he'd just cleaned off, breaking his fast.
"Have no inkling who yet, but there are about three dozen."
"God's teeth." Haldane followed McMurdo to the crest of a hill where Gil had been posted as lookout.
They stayed low and out of sight. Indeed, a small army approached through the morning mist. Most on horseback.
Some on foot. All heavily armed, from what he could see.
"'Tis not Dirk's party." Nay, the plaids were unfamiliar and some were dressed in a Lowland style, wearing trews and knee breeches.
McMurdo shook his head.
"We're outnumbered, but we have no quarrel with them. We'll go down and see who they are… and what their mission is." Haldane instructed every man with a bow to guard their backs. "Come." Haldane scrambled down the grassy hillside, stumbling over loose rocks and heather, McMurdo behind him.
When the regiment drew nearer, he and McMurdo stepped out beside the trail, no weapons in their hands, but close at their sides if needed. The clan's dark-haired leader, riding a fine chestnut stallion, halted and held up his hand. All the men following him stopped.
Haldane recognized him immediately as Gregor MacBain, Chief of Clan MacBain, the man Jessie had entered into a trial marriage with two or three years ago. His daft sister had not pleased the man, and he'd sent her home.
"Chief MacBain, 'tis good to see you again," Haldane called out.
"Who are you?" the man demanded, frowning.
"Haldane MacKay. Lady Jessie is my sister. We met only once." Haldane slowly moved forward and held up his hand for the man to shake.
MacBain narrowed his devil-dark eyes. "My apologies. I didn't recognize you, lad." He dismounted, two of his brawny bodyguards following suit and moving to stand beside him.
MacBain shook Haldane's hand briefly.
"Coming to pay Jessie a visit?" Haldane smiled, trying to be his most congenial.
MacBain eyed him and McMurdo suspiciously. "Aye, indeed. I miss the lass. I was here a week ago, but I didn't see you."
"We hadn't yet arrived. Was Jessie not welcoming?"
MacBain's face reddened, and his gaze turned lethal. "Nay. I tried to convince her to marry me, but she showed little interest."
"Och. 'Haps because… of the MacLeod chief courting her." Haldane had almost blurted out that Torrin MacLeod was frolicking naked in the sea with her, but that might infuriate the man. He needed to keep MacBain as calm as possible in order to convince him they could help one another.
"Aye, MacLeod. The bastard," MacBain said between clenched teeth.
Haldane was thrilled to hear how much MacBain disliked Torrin MacLeod, but he hid his reaction. "We could help you defeat him, and then Lady Jessie would be yours. After I'm chief, she will have no choice but to do what I say."
MacBain's brows shot upward. "You're going to be chief of the MacKays?"
Haldane despised the surprise in the man's tone. "Aye, once this imposter who calls himself Dirk is dead. He claims to be my brother, but the real Dirk died thirteen years ago in an accident."
MacBain nodded. "That's what I'd heard."
"Aye, well, that's what we're doing here—awaiting the imposter's return so I can take my rightful place."
MacBain's expression eased, and he even looked a bit hopeful. "And you wouldn't be against my marrying Lady Jessie?"
"Of course not. You would have my blessing. I'll even increase her dowry once I'm chief."
MacBain's eyes lit up. "Indeed? What is your plan in defeating this Dirk then? I've never met him."
"He and a party of about two dozen will be returning sometime soon.
We're not certain whether they're traveling by land or sea.
I have lookouts in several places." Well, three places.
His men were quickly dwindling but he didn't want MacBain to know that.
"When Dirk's party arrives, we'll be attacking and killing as many men as possible.
No one is to hurt the women, though. One of them will be my future wife. "
"Of course, we would never harm the women."
Haldane hoped the man was being truthful, for he would kill any man who hurt Lady Seona. "Then, we'll need to get inside the castle."
MacBain nodded. "And you will help me get Torrin MacLeod out of my path so I can marry Jessie?"
"Indeed. He's an enemy. He killed one of my men." He didn't want MacBain to know that MacLeod was such a good fighter, he'd killed several more than that.
"We have an agreement then." MacBain held out his hand.
"We do." Smiling, Haldane shook it, unable to believe his good fortune—three dozen strong-looking warriors to add to his shrinking force. They would succeed now in defeating the MacKays and taking Dunnakeil.
∞∞∞
"Jessie, could I have a word with you?" Uncle Conall asked in the corner of the great hall while everyone disbursed after breaking their fast.
"Aye, uncle. How is Aiden this morn?" She had stopped by to see him earlier but he was in bed asleep. She hadn't wanted to disturb him.
"I've not talked to the lad yet today. He was resting when I dropped in." He lowered his voice. "I wanted to talk to you about MacLeod."
Mo chreach! She'd been expecting this since yesterday morn, when her uncle had come to her room and found Torrin answering her door.
"Let's go into the library," he suggested.
"Aye." She gave a mock smile and proceeded into the room, lit by morning sunlight. He was no doubt thinking she was a harlot, but what could she do about that now? He'd practically caught them in bed together.
Conall closed the door and faced her. When she saw that his expression was neutral… 'haps even pleasant, she relaxed a bit.
"I believe MacLeod is a good man," Conall said.
She nodded, unsure where he was taking this conversation.
"He has helped the clan in many ways since he's been here. He almost single-handedly saved Aiden's life. He rescued you twice and brought you back to the castle after you'd been captured each time."
"'Tis true," Jessie agreed. "He's very resourceful. And I'm grateful to him for his help."
"And you… seem to like him a great deal, aye?" Conall gave a tight smile.
Jessie's face burned furiously. "Aye. Like you said, he is a good man." Not to mention gorgeous and seductive.
"He has asked for your hand in marriage, twice now, has he not?" her uncle inquired.
Annoyance twisted through her. "I'm not yet ready for marriage. I do not wish for a repeat of what happened with MacBain."
"MacLeod is not MacBain," Conall grumbled, a frown pulling his rusty-gray brows together. "The two men are vastly different. MacBain is a viper hiding amongst the rocks. From what I've seen, MacLeod is an honorable man, and he told me he cares for you."
Jessie nodded, but she refused to tell her uncle why she couldn't marry Torrin right now—that she was most likely barren. 'Twas not something she could discuss with a male family member without dying of mortification.
"I will give you some good advice, lass," Uncle Conall said sternly. "Marry the man before he leaves and marries some other lady."
When she imagined Torrin marrying another woman, devastation clutched at her heart. "I will consider it," she said low, not meeting her uncle's gaze.
Conall blew out an exasperated breath. "You are more stubborn than your father," he muttered.
Jessie bit her lip. 'Haps he was right.
"I'm telling you, lass, you will regret it if you do not take him up on his offer." Her uncle turned and left the room.
Aye, she already regretted being unable to accept Torrin's offer. But the situation was becoming impossible. If their liaisons did not result in a bairn, she wouldn't marry him. How could she? She refused to trap him in a position where he couldn't sire his own heir.
Each time she lay with him, the experience became more and more intense. She fell deeper and deeper for him. She did not know what she would do when he eventually left. Her heart would be as empty and hollow as this room.
∞∞∞
Jessie stood beside Aiden's bed, staring down at his prone form beneath the blanket. He was covered up to his ears and facing away from her.
"Aiden, 'tis near noon and time for you to rise. You cannot lay abed all day."
"Leave me be," he muttered.
"Aiden," she said more gently. "I'm sorry I was so harsh with you yesterday."
He made no comment. She knew he was a gentle soul and could not handle much scolding.
"Erskine is improving," she said in a happier tone. "I visited with him a short while ago. He was drinking broth and herbal tea." When Aiden didn't respond, she asked, "Are you going to eat with us in the great hall?"
"Nay. I didn't sleep well last night."
At least he had eaten the bowl of porridge she'd sent up by a servant this morn.
A brief knock sounded at the half-open door. She glanced around to find Torrin waiting on the threshold. Looking into his captivating green eyes always sent a flush of heat over her, as it did now, making her recall how intently he looked into her eyes while making love to her.
"How is the lad feeling?" he asked.
Shoving down her excitement upon seeing Torrin, she swallowed hard and said, "I cannot convince him to get out of bed and join us in the great hall for the meal."
Torrin frowned. "Is he ill?"
She shrugged, though she didn't think he was physically ill. She was certain 'twas more of an emotional ailment.
Torrin entered the room and stood beside her. When his arm brushed hers, a hot shiver traveled over her.
"Aiden?" he asked.
"I'm not hungry," her brother muttered.
"Erskine was asking about you," Torrin said.
Jessie sent him a questioning look.
Torrin nodded. "'Tis true. He wanted to make sure you were rescued from Haldane—Erskine was passed out, if you recall—and he wants you to come play a tune on your flute."
Aiden turned onto his back and frowned up at Torrin, searching his gaze. "I don't believe you."