“But why the tower? There were plenty of other rooms you could have put her in.”
“She wanted a room with a lock on the inside. Mother’s tower room is the only one.”
Jamie was amused but warned himself not to show it. The room high in the south tower was indeed the only one that could be locked from the inside. Their mother had gone there often, whenever she and Bobbie argued, and she had ordered the lock just so she could annoy their father by locking him out. It was ever a source of amusement throughout the castle when it was known the south tower was occupied. Here was another woman locking herself in.
“You say the lass wouldna open the door to you. Now why is that? She may no’ want to marry you, but she seemed to like you well enough.”
Once again Colen looked away. “I came to escort her to the hall. She didna want to come. She . . . she was afeared of seeing you.”
Jamie’s scowl darkened. “Why?”
“Och, Jamie, I dinna ken her fear. She has more spunk at times than any lass I know. Then, of a sudden, this crazy fear takes hold of her‑like last night. It took me hours to coax her to leave the tower this morning. And she only consented when I swore she wouldna be seeing you. Yet here you are. Why?”
“Never mind why,” Jamie replied curtly, his anger mounting. “Does the lass want to leave here or no’?”
“She does.”
“So I thought. Then her avoiding me doesna make sense. She needs to talk with me if she wants the matter settled.”
“She knows that,” Colen replied. “Have you made a decision?”
“Bring her here.”
“Now?” Colen frowned.
“Aye, now.”
“But you’re riled, Jamie,” Colen protested. “Dinna send her away just because she displeases you.”
Jamie leaned back and sighed. “She angers me with her fear of me, ‘tis true, for I did naught to cause it. But I’ll no’ send her away for that. I’ve heard your arguments, Colen. Now I’ll hear hers.”
“But she has none, none that make any sense.” Colen pressed his cause. “In good conscience, Jamie, you canna send her back to a beggar’s life.”
“If she stays, lad, there’s no guarantee she’ll marry you,” Jamie pointed out.
“I know. But I’d rather see her settled here, even married to another, than prey to scoundrels on the streets of Aberdeen. She’s too lovely for that.”
“ ‘Tis glad I am to hear you say that, for I dinna want to see you hurt,” Jamie replied thoughtfully. “ ‘Tis well you realize now that, if she stays, you’ll no’ be the only one trying to win her. Many will fall under the spell of her beauty, just as you have.”
“I’ve no doubt of that.” Colen grinned, apparently unconcerned.
Jamie was reflective for a moment, then decided to admit, “ ‘Tis only fair I warn you, lad‑she has an effect on me, as well.”
Colen raised a brow, then chuckled. “I dinna know why that should surprise me. So! No wonder her fear of you riles you.”
“That we should both desire the same woman is no’ a laughing matter,” Jamie said gruffly.
“I know. But there’s humor in it, since it has no’ happened ‘afore.”
Jamie was incensed, for he found the situation highly disconcerting. After all, they were brothers. “And if I should set ‑ out to win her? You’ll no’ be thinking that so amusing, will you?”
“You’re welcome to try, brother, if ‘tis marriage you have in mind,” Colen said seriously. “But if ‘tis only another mistress you’re wanting, I’d no’ take kindly to that. The lass says she’ll marry only for love. I’ll no’ stand in the way if she chooses you freely. And you’ve already given your blessing if she chooses me. What could be fairer than that, eh?”
“You surprise me, lad.”
Colen grinned. “And you’re forgetting something, brother. Sheena trembles at the mere sight of you. I dinna think you’ll have much luck winning her. You frighten her so.”
If Colen had desired to bring Jamie’s anger over the boiling point, he had succeeded. “Fetch the lass!” he snapped. “It could well be she’ll find herself back in Aberdeen tomorrow and no’ have to contend with either MacKinnion brother!”
“Now, Jamie, dinna be rash.”
“Rash? Sweet Mary!” Jamie swore. “Fair is what I’ll be. Now bring her!”
Colen shook his head. “She’ll no’ come near you if you’re scowling like black thunder.”
Jamie managed a smile, though it was a dark smile. “Is this better?” he asked sarcastically.
“Ha! Not by much,” Colen grunted. “If the lass looks at you and flees, you’ll know why.”
Movement caught her eye, and Sheena turned to see Colen leaving the laird’s table. She knew his path would lead to her, and she wanted to get up and run away. She had already made one scene, and in front of him. She was determined not to do so again.
But when Colen spoke behind her, Sheena’s nerves shattered. “Lass, my brother wishes a word with you.”
“I’m no’ ready,” she whispered.
“He is.”
She turned around to look at Colen. His expression was unreadable. She couldn’t look up at the laird’s table though, to see what awaited her there. She had spent a miserable night alone, remembering every terrible story she had ever heard about James MacKinnion.
“I . . . I think I would rather wait, Colen,” Sheena said nervously. “Truly, I‑“
“Sheena.” He cut her off. “The time has come.”
Knowing there was no choice, she rose and let Colen lead her to the raised dais, his hand firmly on her elbow. The closer she got, seeing James MacKinnion watching her every move with dark, hardened eyes, the more Colen had to force her along. When she came around the table, Jamie stood up, so his eyes didn’t leave her.
Standing before him, forcing herself to meet his gaze, she watched his jaw clamp down and wondered what he had to be nervous about. She didn’t know that she caused it, that her eyes were wide and frightened. She didn’t even realize she was pulling back so hard that if Colen had let go of her arm she would have fallen backward.
“By the fire, Colen,” Jamie ordered, and a moment later Colen was pushing her down into one of the cushioned chairs, the laird of Castle Kinnion standing in front of the hearth, his back to her. Colen sat down on a bench beside Sheena and gave her a reassuring smile. Then The MacKinnion turned around and pierced her with those brooding hazel eyes.
“Well, Sheena, how do you like Castle Kinnion?”
The question eased her, as he had meant it to. Whatever she had expected from this harsh laird, it wasn’t such a casual, hospitable question.
“ ‘Tis a fine castle, to be sure.”
“One you wouldna mind living in?”
She should have known better than to relax her guard so easily. Was he already deciding to make her stay, without even hearing her wishes?
“I would mind,” she said firmly.
Jamie chuckled and sat down opposite her. “Well then, we had best settle this. First, I’m sure you know my brother’s no’ sorry he brought you here. You’ll be getting no apology from him.”
“I dinna expect one. I just want to leave.”
“So you have said. But I hope you will understand my position. You are here, no’ of your own design, but here nonetheless. And being here, you are my responsibility.”
“But I dinna hold you responsible,” she assured him quickly.
“I do.” His tone was inflexible. “But that is no’ the issue. The fact is, my brother has given sound reasons why you should settle here and make your home with us.”
“To marry him!” Sheena gasped, suddenly furious over the way the interview was progressing.
“His reason has naught to do with that. He is concerned with your welfare, lass.”
“I didna ask for his concern‑or yours.”
“Your attitude is unusual,” Jamie said thoughtfully. “Another in your position, alo
ne and penniless, wouldna hesitate to accept the security offered here. Why do you refuse?”
“I’ll no’ be forced into marrying.”
“You misunderstand, Sheena,” Jamie replied patiently. “ ‘Tis a home, a clan to belong to I am offering you, whether you marry my brother or no’.”
Sheena grew uncomfortable. From what he believed of her, thinking her a homeless beggar, what he offered was very generous. But if he knew the truth, he would not wonder at her refusal. To settle among her clan’s enemies was unthinkable. But he was being kind, the last thing she would have expected. And that made her seem so ungrateful.
“I . . . I’m a Lowlander,” she said at last, jumping to any reasonable excuse. “Though I thank you for your offer, which is very kind, I canna settle here.”
“Are we such a terrible lot as you’ve been raised to believe?” Jamie asked with a smile. “Is it savages you see in this hall?”
“I’ve no’ seen much of your people here, so I canna judge,” she returned evasively.
“You disappoint me, lass. Will you no’ think about my offer for a time?”
“Nay,” she said firmly. “I canna fit in here. ‘Tis better I leave now.”
Jamie was vexed, and he couldn’t keep it from her. “`To return to what? The streets? Begging? You’ll be giving me a valid reason, lass, ‘afore I’ll relinquish my responsibility.”
Sheena stiffened. He was growing angry again. But then, so was she. By what right did he demand a reason? By what right did he take away her freedom?
“I wish to return to what I know. That is enough reason,” she said coldly.
“That is a beggar’s life. It appears you dinna know what is good for you.”
“So you think!” she snapped, losing her temper under that hard gaze. “The fact is, I’m no’ a beggar, nor have I ever been. ‘Tis only what Colen assumed.”
“Is it now?” Jamie asked smoothly. “Then why have you waited till now to say so?”
“I didna feel the need to tell you.”
“You’ll be telling me now, though,” Jamie said coldly, his eyes narrowed. “From what clan do you come?”
Sheena paled, searching frantically through her mind for a name, a name he could not easily dismiss. “I . . . I am a MacEwen.”
“From the landless MacEwens?” he asked scornfully.
She flinched, but answered, “Aye.”
Jamie laughed. “And you say you’re no’ a beggar? “Tis what the MacEwens are now they’re dispossessed, beggars and thieves. No wonder you were reluctant to admit who you are.”
Sheena had had enough. She took the ridicule to heart and jumped to her feet, her temper soaring. “The MacKinnions are thieves, as well, and murderers!” she said heatedly. “I dinna see anything so proud in that!”
Jamie came to his feet, and Sheena panicked. His eyes smoldered, and his fists were clenched. She expected him to throttle her. Colen had risen, too, confirming that she was in deep trouble.
“What do you know of the MacKinnions that you can make such a charge?” Jamie demanded furiously.
Choked by fear, she tried to speak but couldn’t. Her eyes grew wider until, finally, she fled the hall.
She was mindless of pursuit. She just had to get away. She ran through the nearest doorway, which brought her into the courtyard outside. In the bright light of day came the thought of complete escape, of never having to see that man again. She ran toward the gatehouse.
The portcullis was raised, and Sheena had only a moment to be grateful before the shouts of the gatekeeper came to her. She ignored him and ran on, but she couldn’t ignore the other voice, the one she was running from. It was shouting her name, close behind her, so close, too close ....
A hand gripped her arm like a steel manacle, pulling her back, and she felt her heart stop beating. So overwhelming was her fright, she fell into a black void, doing what she had never done before. She fainted.
Chapter 14
“SHE’S coming around, I think.”
The female voice drew Sheena back. The voice held a measure of kindness, and she opened her eyes quickly to find the speaker. The woman was sitting on the bed beside her. Her face matched her voice‑the warm smile, the concern in her hazel eyes. Hazel‑like his.
“You’ll be fine, lass. You gave my nephews quite a scare.”
Sheena didn’t answer. The woman continued to smile as she removed a wet cloth from Sheena’s brow. She was an older woman, with hair more orange than red.
“Who are you?” Sheena asked.
“Lydia MacKinnion. And the lads tell me you’re Sheena MacEwen. Och, and such a bonny lass you are, Sheena. I hope our Jamie wasna too rough in bringing you here. You fainted, you see.”
The thought of being in his arms, even unconscious, sent a chill through Sheena. “He . . . he carried me here?”
“That he did, and sent for me in a hurry.” Lydia chuckled. “The laddie’s never had a woman faint on him ‘afore.”
“Nor have I ever done so ‘afore,” Sheena tried to explain. “I . . . I dinna know what came over me.”
“No matter, as long as you’re all right.”
“James MacKinnion is your nephew?”
“Aye, I’m sister to his father, Robbie. Or I was,” she corrected, and her eyes suddenly took on a faraway look. “My dear brother is gone from us now. He was a good laird, Red Robbie was, no’ like our father who . . . who . . .”
“Take my aunt back to the north tower, Gertie.”
Sheena stiffened at the sound of that voice. She had believed she was alone with the old woman. But James MacKinnion and Colen both moved forward as a servant helped Lydia to her feet and escorted her from the room. Seeing the vacant look that had overtaken the older woman, Sheena forgot her own predicament for the moment.
“What is wrong with your aunt?” she asked Colen.
But it was Jamie who answered. “She has spells that come on her suddenly. It happens whenever she thinks of her father. She was witness to his murder, you see, his and her mother’s.”
“How awful!” Sheena gasped.
“Aye. Lydia was only a child when my grandparents were killed. She has had spells like this ever since it happened.”
“She was the only witness,” Colen added. “The only one who could tell what happened or why. But she’s never told. Whenever anybody asks, she gets that faraway look and retreats into her mind.”
“Then the murderers were never caught?”
“Only one man did the killing, lass‑the old laird of Clan Fergusson. My great uncle meted out justice to him. You’re a Lowlander. Do you know Clan Fergusson of Angusshire?”
Sheena choked, and the fit of coughing saved her from answering. Colen came forward quickly to pat her back, and she fell back onto her pillow.
She couldn’t meet either man’s eyes for if she did, she would deny it all and call them liars. Her grandfather was not a murderer. It was a MacKinnion—whom she now knew to be this great uncle of theirs—who brought Niall Fergusson before Tower Esk, bound and gagged, and killed him mercilessly where all could see. So the story went. She had heard it all her life. This was the first she had heard of any other killings. It was a MacKinnion who started the feud, everyone knew that. Yet they were saying it was a Fergusson. She couldn’t accept that, but . . . it had happened so long ago, long before she was born. Who was she to say what was right? She hadn’t been there. Neither had they. Lydia had been there, though.
“Are you all right now, Sheena?” Colen asked, watching her closely.
“Aye.”
“Then you’ll be telling me why you ran out of the hall,” Jamie demanded.
With one of them on either side of the bed, Sheena found it easier to stare at the ceiling. “You were about to strike me,” she stated flatly.
“Sweet Mary!” Jamie swore. “ ‘Twas nowhere in my thoughts to strike you!”
Sheena looked at him, her eyes reflecting doubt. “You were shouting at me then, just as
you are now.”
“And with reason!” Jamie replied sharply.
“ ‘Twas a serious charge you made against my clan. I would know why.”
“Are you no’ a reifer?” she asked cuttingly.
“Tell me who is no’ a reifer? But murderers? We dinna kill for the sake of it.”
She knew better, but she wasn’t going to argue about it, not when she was surrounded.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “ ‘Twould seem I spoke in haste, from assumption. But you did, as well. You assume all MacEwens are beggars and thieves, but my family isna.”
“You have family then?” Jamie raised a brow. “Your parents are living?”
“My father is.”
“Where is he?”
Sheena was heading for dangerous territory again. If this man found out she was a Fergusson, he would undoubtedly kill her, just as his great uncle had killed her grandfather.
“I . . . I dinna know my father’s whereabouts,” she lied, thinking quickly. “He doesna stay in one place for long.”
“Then how can I return you to Aberdeen, where you’ve no one to protect you?”
She began to panic again, and couldn’t think clearly.
“I’ve an aunt in Aberdeen. ‘Twas with her I was staying.”
“In the poorhouse?” Colen scoffed, not believing any of this, not wanting to.
Sheena glared at him. “My Aunt Erminia is a nun, Colen. She doesna live at the poorhouse, but gives her time there, as others like her do. The place would fall to ruin if the nuns didna see to the cleaning of it. I was only helping Aunt Erminia, to make her day easier.”
A long sigh escaped Jamie. “ ‘Twould seem you’ve made a mistake, Colen.”
“ ‘Tis you who are mistaken, Jamie, if you believe nonsense!” Colen replied stiffly. “If that’s the truth, then why didn’t she say so in the beginning?”
“I was too frightened,” Sheena said, but they were too intent on each other to hear her.
“Nay, it makes sense, lad,” Jamie said reluctantly. “Look at her. She doesna show signs of hunger. Her cheeks are full, her body sturdy. She’s too healthy to be a beggar.”
“Aye, and no wonder. If she pleaded with you for alms, would you deny her? If you saw her on the street and she begged for a coin, who would give her only one? Who could ignore her? With such a face, she could become rich leading the beggar’s life! ‘Tis no doubt why she wants to return to it.”