Chapter 13

Ahot flush ran over every inch of Maddison's body, and the next quarter of an hour proved to be the most fascinating of her life. Her eyes never left him as she allowed them to wander over his nakedness, his broad, muscle-packed back that narrowed down to his waist, and most entrancing of all, the high, taut buttocks and long, powerful legs.

He combed his long hair and tied it up, out of the way, then doused himself in the hot water, washing his face and upper body thoroughly with a cloth lathered with soap. The pleasant smell drifted to Maddison's nose, becoming part of a whole vignette in her mind that she knew she would never forget, along with their kiss.

Next, she watched with rapt concentration as he shaved, his large hands wielding the razor deftly as he scraped away the stubble and finally washed away the soap. She was disappointed when he dried himself off and slipped his clean shirt on.

When he turned to face her, she saw the black and blue mark standing out on his forehead. She hissed and said, "That's a nasty bruise. Where's yer bandage?"

"I took it off. There was nae need fer it," he told her, crossing to the wardrobe and selecting a fresh pair of socks and trews before pulling them on.

"Well, I just hope it doesnae get infected," she said, guessing it hurt his pride to be seen with the bandage on. To her secret regret, his body began to disappear beneath his clothing as he tucked in his shirt, buckled on his kilt, and pulled on a coat, closing his cuffs. It perplexed her that the husband she had rejected seemed to grow more handsome and desirable to her with every passing day. She could not help wondering what it would be like to touch him all over, as a wife would, and have him touch her too. A flicker of desire ran hotly through her belly at the thought, but she did her best to ignore it, feeling as though a battle was going on inside her.

How is it that he has this strange effect on me? If he keeps bein' so nice and makin' me feel this way, how will I ever keep him at a distance? I've even said he can sleep in the bed!

She did not know the answer to those questions, so she sighed and said, "I suppose I had better change fer dinner." She had just replaced her teacup on the tray and gotten off the bed when the cozy, domestic scene was once again interrupted by a knock at the door. They looked at each other, for the knock had a sense of urgency to it they both felt. She stopped what she was doing.

"Come in," Odhrán said, pausing, about to pull on his boots. The door opened, and Liam entered the room, his face etched with concern. He nodded to Maddison, and she nodded back. She glanced at Odhrán and noticed he was instantly on the alert when he took in Liam's expression.

"What is it? Has something happened? Is it another attack?" He asked, his demeanor tense.

"Nay, 'tis nae an attack, but Rollo is here, with his wife," Liam replied.

"What?! What the hell is he doin' here? What's his game this time?" Odhrán blurted out, savagely shoving his feet into his boots and standing up.

"He says they've come tae congratulate the happy couple because they could nae make it tae the wedding."

Maddison saw the fury on Odhrán's face, but she had no idea what they were talking about.

Rollo? Who on earth is Rollo?

If Odhrán already had good reason to hate his cousin, he hated him ten times more at that moment. Just as he felt he was making progress with Maddison, his spirits buoyed by her insistence that he sleep in the bed, at least until Alana gave him a clean bill of health, Rollo had to rear his ugly head and ruin things.

"He was nae invited, and he well kens it, the bastard," he growled, fury knotting in his belly. Dashed were his hopes of a quiet dinner with his wife—the first when she might actually speak to him. "I had nae wish tae see the connivin' dog at me weddin'."

"Aye, I ken," Liam said. "So, what will ye dae?"

"Let him stew, turnin' up uninvited. But ye'd best put them in the parlor and give them some refreshments. I've naethin' against his poor wife and have nae wish tae be inhospitable tae her. Then, when it is time, they can be accompanied into the great hall for dinner," Odhrán replied through gritted teeth, buckling on his sword belt as if furious with it.

"I'll go and see tae it," Liam said and quickly left.

"What is happening? Who is this Rollo?" Maddison asked Odhrán, looking bewildered. "Shall I still dress fer dinner?"

"Aye, if ye want tae meet me cousin, but I doubt ye'll enjoy it much," he told her, pacing the rug. He could not help worrying if she would try to embarrass him in front of Rollo and his wife. He could not stand to be made a laughingstock in front of his worst enemy.

"Why not?" she asked, frowning as she began brushing out her hair by the looking glass.

"Because he's a vile dog, that's why," Odhrán growled back, throwing himself into the chair to wait for her.

"Well, are ye going to tell me about him or nae?" Maddison asked, going to her wardrobe and picking out a sky-blue gown with a ruffled lace neckline. She went over to the bed and pulled the curtain, so he could not see her change.

"He says he has just come to congratulate us on our weddin', but there's a lot more tae it than that," Odhrán said, listening to the rustle of delicate clothing as he spoke. "The truth is, me faither always favored Rollo over me fer the lairdship, or he said he did. He kept the threat of givin' it to Rollo hangin' over me head all me life. And even in death, me faither's still runnin' me life," he added with bitterness.

"In what way?" Maddison asked, whisking the bed curtain aside and appearing as a vision in blue. She was pulling on one of her stockings, and he was momentarily distracted.

"He put a clause in his will, that one year tae the day of me takin' over the lairdship, if I'm nae married with a bairn on the way, he inherits the lot."

Maddison passed to look up at him with obvious shock. "But that's terrible," she said, looking aghast. "Yer faither truly was a monster. Why would he be so vicious?"

"That's too long a story tae tell just now. We'd best go down soon and greet them. What's wrong?" He noticed she was struggling with her gown.

"I cannae dae up the buttons on me own. Ye'll have tae help me," she said with a look of annoyance.

"All right. Come over here." She went and stood in front of him. The back of her dress was open, her shift and stays in view. He swallowed hard to glimpse her milky skin and soft nape where she had pinned up her hair. She seemed as fragile as a bird yet lithe at the same time. Forcing himself to think of Rollo, he did the tiny satin buttons up as quickly as his fingers would allow, only stumbling a few times before he finished. She moved quickly away, smoothing her skirts. He braced himself.

"I need tae ask ye somethin', Maddison, a favor. A big one," he said, trying not to hold his breath.

She turned and tilted her head at him as she slipped into her shoes. "Oh?"

"Please, I ken ye despise me, but will ye promise ye'll nae try tae show me up in front of Rollo and his wife?" he heard himself say, hating the pleading note in his voice. "He's naethin' but a thorn in me side. He was always faither's favorite, and he's always hated me. He'll dae anythin' tae spite me, and he wants tae take me birthright from me." He paused, clenching his fist as he shook his head. "Tae have ye mock me in front of him, Maddison, would be too much tae bear." The idea made him feel physically ill. He looked deeply into her eyes, anxiety knotting his gut as he awaited her answer.

He saw the different emotions crossing her face but could not make out their meaning. It was as if some internal battle was going on. After a few moments, she appeared to decide something. To his amazed relief, she nodded and said, "All right. I suppose I owe ye fer saving me on the stairs the other night. I have nae thanked ye fer that. So, I'll dae it, but only fer as long as Rollo stays."

It was not exactly the heartfelt, loving assurance he would have liked, but it would do. He breathed a little easier, yet a hint of distrust remained, even as he admired her elegant appearance as she flung a shawl around her shoulders.

"Thank ye fer realizing this is important, nae just tae me, but fer us both," he said, going to wait by the door, making a few last-minute adjustments to his own appearance.

Dabbing a little perfume behind her ears and filling the room with the scent of flowers she said "I'm ready. Let's go and face this dragon and his wife."

Together.

If not for the infuriating circumstances, Odhrán would have allowed himself to revel in the pride that filled him on entering the hall with Maddison on his arm. For a split second, he imagined it would be like this if they were happy, if Maddison loved him back. That realization gave him strength as they approached the laird's table and he saw Rollo and Ursula his wife talking to some of the councilmen and their wives. As they drew nearer, he could hear Rollo's loud voice above the others'. It made his skin crawl.

It was obvious to him that Rollo had brought Ursula with him as insurance. He knows I'll nae move against him while she's here, he thought. She's innocent in all Rollo's machinations, I'm certain. And there are the bairns tae think of too. It was vexing indeed that he simply could not just skewer his cousin and be done with it.

"Odhrán, how kind of ye tae grace us with yer presence," Rollo said in an oily voice as Odhrán and Maddison drew to a halt in front of him.

"Rollo. This is a surprise. I wasnae expectin' tae see ye here."

"Well, we could nae make it tae the weddin', and Ursula here kept on at me tae bring her over so she could give ye her congratulations. I hadnae choice but tae come." His round, slightly protuberant eyes swiveled to Maddison, and he looked her up and down in a manner that made Odhrán want to slam his fist into his face.

"Is that so?" Odhrán said, his voice laced with sarcasm. He bowed to Ursula, and she smiled at him when he finished kissing her hand.

"I wish ye both every happiness," she told them, her kind glance including Maddison. "'Tis a pleasure tae meet ye, Maddison."

"Likewise, Ursula," Maddison replied, equally civilly. He noticed she was ignoring Rollo ogling her, as was Ursula, and he prayed she was not lulling him into a false sense of security, while working up to some stunt to make him look a fool.

"So, this is the new Lady Lennox, is it? Why, she's quite a beauty, Odhrán. How did ye get her tae agree tae marry ye?" Rollo roared with laughter at his own wit.

Odhrán opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say a word, Maddison piped up. "That is very amusing, Cousin Rollo, because I was just thinkin' the same of ye and Lady Ursula." She finished with a tinkling laugh that was false enough to match Rollo's own. Odhrán was shocked at her nerve and watched in secret amazement as Rollo stared back at her, his smile briefly turning to confusion and back.

"I see ye have a sense of humor, me lady," he said, giving Maddison an extravagant bow. Odhrán tensed to see him kiss her hand. "I am indeed Lord Rollo Lennox. I wish ye good luck fer yer union with me cousin. Ye'll need it," he added with a sly grin. "Odhrán's nae exactly the sharpest knife in the kitchen, if ye ken what I mean," he whispered theatrically to her and laughed again. "Only jestin' with ye, Coz," he said, punching Odhrán in the arm as if in play. Odhrán barely restrained himself from thumping him then and there, sick of his snide remarks already. But for the sake of Maddison and Ursula, he stayed his hand.

"Och, ye dinnae need luck when ye have love, dae ye, sweetheart?" she suddenly asked Odhrán, clinging to his arm smiling and gazing up at him as if she were besotted. He tried not to show his surprise.

"Aye, that's right, me darlin'," he said, catching on to what she was doing and smiling back at her. "When 'tis a love match, naethin' else matters."

"Och, Odhrán, I'm happy fer ye. I didnae ken ye were such a romantic," Ursula teased him gently, but there was no malice in her words, unlike her husband's.

"Och, he has hidden depths, me husband," Maddison gushed in reply. Ursula laughed, but Odhrán heard Rollo mutter something darkly under his breath, and he was pleased to see his cousin riled. He affected to ignore him and said, "Shall we take our seats fer dinner?"

"Thank ye, sweetheart," Maddison cooed as he helped her into her seat. He slipped in next to her, surprised when she kissed his cheek affectionately and beamed at him. Simultaneously, he flicked a meaningful glance at Liam and Tadgh. They understood at once, Liam wordlessly taking the seat to Odhrán's left and Tadgh to Maddison's right. Odhrán now had Rollo just where he wanted him, sitting opposite him instead of next to the laird's chair, where he had liked to place himself when Murphy Lennox was alive. Ursula was seated across from Maddison, and with the laird and lady settled, the other guests sat down too.

"He is really yer cousin?" Maddison whispered in his ear as she shook out his napkin and placed it in his lap, taking him aback. He nodded. "But he looks like a fat otter with that double chin and greasy hair. He certainly hasnae inherited the looks in yer family," she added, doing the same with her own napkin. Her words warmed Odhrán's heart, and he could not help chuckling. She though he had good looks.

"That's nae fair tae otters. They're nice wee beasties," he said, pleased when she snorted with laughter.

"Will ye have some wine?" he asked, keen to serve her despite the tricky circumstances.

"Aye, please," she answered, unaware of how her simple words made his heart sing. He filled their glasses. To his amazement, she turned to him, her eyes shining, and raised her glass. "Tae us, Husband," she said, smiling at him sweetly, winking at him so that no one else could see.

"Tae us, Wife," Odhrán replied as she clinked her glass with his, and they drank. This was what our weddin' day should have been like, he could not help thinking a little sadly.