Chapter 16

"I'm sure 'twas an accident," Graeme said with a frown as he approached the trestle table with his father-in-law, Ross MacKay.

Lady MacKay had ordered all of the men out of Payton's bedchamber the moment she'd finished removing the arrow from her son.

That order had included her own husband. Laird MacKay had tried to insist that he would stay in case she needed assistance,

but she'd pointed out that their daughter Kenna was there to help her. When the MacKay had still argued for staying, the determined

woman had offered him two options, that she'd leave him to tend their son alone, or he'd leave so that she could get on with

it. In the end, Annella's father had given in and stomped from the room with the other men.

The man had been completely silent as they'd descended the stairs, and then as they'd reached the last step, the MacKay had suddenly announced that he thought the arrow Payton had taken had been meant for Graeme. The possibility hadn't shocked Graeme, and he seriously considered it as they crossed the great hall. Once they'd reached high table and he'd dropped into his seat beside Annella, Graeme finally shook his head. "It would no' be the first time a hunter was hit by a stray arrow in a hunt, and there were a lot o' arrows flyin' when the boar—"

"There were a lot o' arrows shot down at the boar, no' up at the men on horseback," Annella's father said firmly as he took his own seat on Annella's other side. "I'm tellin' ye,

I saw the whole thing as we caught up to ye. Ye were trying to keep the boar in place with yer boar spear and struggling to

keep yer arse in the saddle at the same time. Payton was just ahead o' me. He grabbed up his own boar spear and started to

ride around ye, no doubt hopin' to get on the beast's other side to help ye keep it in place. He was movin' quick, and just

as he got behind ye the arrow struck him. If he had no' suddenly moved behind ye, the arrow would ha'e gone through your back and straight through yer heart. It was no' an accident. I'd bet coin on it."

"Are ye saying that the arrow Payton took was meant fer me husband?" Annella asked her father with concern.

Graeme glanced to her and opened his mouth to assure her everything was fine, but then paused when he actually took a look

at her. His wife looked absolutely beautiful. Her hair and dress were perfection... and even with her concern, there was

color in her cheeks he hadn't seen since she'd taken her own arrow more than a week ago.

"Aye," Laird MacKay said firmly, pushing Graeme out of his silence.

"I'm sure 'twas just an accident. No one wants to hurt anyone now me mother is dead," he said firmly. Although, in truth, he was starting to doubt that himself. He didn't want Annella to worry though. She was still recovering from her own wound. He didn't want worry or anything else to hamper her healing.

"Then why do ye still ha'e men guardin' me daughter?" Laird MacKay demanded.

"Aye," Annella said, turning on him now. "Why are there still guards at the bedchamber door and following me?"

"'Tis just a precaution until me mother's maid, Agnes, is found and either buried if she is dead, or brought to justice if

she yet lives," Graeme said quietly, and then reluctantly explained, "There's a verra slight concern that she may seek vengeance

fer me mother's death. The pair were two peas in a pod."

"Aye, and they are similar in looks too," Dauid said as he, Teague, Symon and Angus joined them at table. "I suspect Agnes

was one o' me grandfather's by-blows, a half sister to our mother. 'Twould explain how unnatural close they were."

Graeme scowled at his brother for that bit of speculation. While he'd wondered that a time or two himself, it wasn't something

one brought up in company. Especially in front of his wife's family. That thought had him glancing to his wife to see her

shaking her head at his brother as she spoke.

"But if Agnes were seeking vengeance for Lady Eschina's death, she would be going after you, Dauid, no' Graeme. Ye were the

one who killed Eschina," she pointed out.

Dauid shrugged with unconcern. "I doubt Agnes kens I killed Mother. No doubt she believes Graeme did it."

"But if she does ken 'twas you, and she is the one who shot the arrow, mayhap she was aiming fer you," Annella pointed out. "Where were you when Payton got shot? Were

ye close enough it might ha'e been meant fer ye?"

"Nay," Teague said, joining the conversation from Dauid's other side. "He was ridin' with Angus at the back o' our group,

behind Symon and me."

"Aye. He was behind me. Nowhere near the laird," Angus agreed.

"See," Dauid said, his tone reassuring. "I was no' the target. In truth, I'm sure no one was and 'twas all just an accident."

"And was the merlon fallin' also an accident?" Annella's father asked grimly.

Graeme glanced at him sharply. "What about the merlon?"

"I went up to the battlements to ha'e a look at where the merlon was after ye told us all that has gone on here o' late,"

he informed him grimly. "There were grooves in the remainin' mortar. The merlon did no' just loosen on its own. Someone loosened

it a'purpose."

Graeme's gaze shot to Annella. She didn't appear surprised at this news. But then he realized she must have noticed it herself. She had, after all, examined the spot even before he had while they were on the battlements. She'd also asked his mother if she'd been behind the large merlon falling when Eschina was trying to kill them in the clearing, so knew it hadn't loosened naturally.

"Ye mean Mother loosened the merlon in a deliberate attempt to murder me?" Dauid squawked with dismay. "What did I e'er do

to her? I mean, I understand her wantin' to kill you, Graeme, ye havin' cast her from the castle and sent her to live in a

tiny cottage and all, but I did nothin' to deserve her wrath." He hesitated, and then added reluctantly, "Well, at least no'

until I killed her anyway. And that was purely to save you, sweet Nellie." He made calf eyes at Graeme's wife, and then glanced

his way and added as an afterthought, "And o' course ye too, brother."

"Thank ye," Graeme said dryly, but having noticed Annella's reaction to the name Dauid persistently called her, he added,

"But do no' call me wife Nellie , brother. She dislikes it."

Dauid scowled slightly, but ignored him and said, "First, Mother tried to kill me, then she went after Graeme and Annella."

He shook his head. "Our mother was obviously mad."

"Yer mother said she had naught to do with the merlon falling," Annella told him.

Dauid shrugged. "She was mad. Who can say what she did or did no' do? Besides, kennin' our mother wanted us dead, Agnes could

ha'e done it fer her. But then did no' tell her she had, when her efforts failed and I survived."

Graeme scowled at his brother. Even as a young lad Dauid had always had to be the center of attention, but this was a bit ridiculous. "Are ye suggestin' that Agnes loosened the mortar in the hopes that someday you and no one else would go up on the battlements, lean against it and nearly fall to yer death when the stone slid away?"

"'Tis possible," Dauid insisted. "I ha'e always enjoyed walkin' on the battlements o' a night to take in some fresh air ere

bed."

"And do ye always stop to rest and lean against that specific merlon?" Graeme asked dryly.

Dauid scowled at him. "As a matter o' fact, I often do."

Graeme just shook his head and took a drink from his mug, his temper oddly cooled by the heat of the uisge beatha sliding

down his throat and into his stomach.

"Whether ye agree with me or no' that the arrow was meant fer ye, and a deliberate attempt to see ye dead, ye should increase

yer security," Laird MacKay told him firmly. "And no' just on me daughter. Ye should ha'e a guard too. And mayhap e'en yer

brother."

"It could no' hurt," Teague pointed out when Graeme didn't respond right away.

Shoulders slumping in defeat, Graeme nodded assent and glanced to his wife. Concern claimed him when he was just in time to

see her cover her mouth to hide a weary yawn.

"Ha'e ye eaten?" he asked abruptly.

Annella shook her head. "I was waiting fer you and Da. Mother wanted me to... sit with Father until she had finished with

Payton."

Ross MacKay didn't miss her hesitation and gave a snort at the words his daughter chose. "She wanted ye to distract and keep

me calm so I'd no' go back up and get in the way while she tends yer brother."

Apparently unwilling to lie and deny it, Annella merely shrugged in response, and then winced as the action obviously caused pain in her injured shoulder.

Deciding he needed to see her fed and put to bed, Graeme glanced around in search of a maid to fetch their meal. He knew Annella

would not leave until her mother released her from her charge to keep her father below, but he could at least see her fed

while she waited. Perhaps he could even convince her to let him take over her duty while she retired and got the rest she

needed.

Unable to see anyone he could wave over and order to fetch food, Graeme decided to go to the kitchens himself. He stood, then

paused and glanced down when Annella caught his hand.

"Where are ye going?" she asked with concern.

"To tell Millie to send food out fer us now we're all at table," he explained, and then couldn't resist bending to kiss her.

Graeme had meant it to be a quick peck, but the moment his lips met hers, he forgot himself and ended up deepening the kiss.

It wasn't until Annella moaned that he remembered where they were and who sat next to them.

Breaking their kiss, he straightened abruptly. Managing a smile for her, Graeme turned to head for the door to the kitchens.

He wasn't overly surprised when his father-in-law stood to join him.

"Ye're no' a stupid lad," the older man started.

"Thank ye," Graeme said dryly.

"So why are ye bein' so pigheaded about the arrow being meant fer you?" the MacKay growled.

"I'm no'," he growled back.

"No' what?" his father-in-law demanded.

Sighing, Graeme paused and turned to face his father-in-law. "I will concede that the merlon's fallin' was no' wholly an accident.

Someone did work hard at loosening the stone, as ye said. Although," he added, "I doubt whoever left those marks in the mortar

intended for it to fall when it did. There was no one on the battlements but the lookouts and me brother, who damned near

fell to his death when it went over."

The MacKay grunted and nodded at that.

"And, o' course, I ha'e considered that there is a chance the arrow that hit Payton was meant fer me. He cried out into me

ear as he was struck, and nearly fell across me horse. So, aye, I acknowledge that there still may be a threat out there.

'Tis why I ha'e guards on Annella still, and why Teague and Symon are still stickin' close to me."

"Well then, why the devil did ye—"

"I would rather no' trouble Annella with this. She was sorely wounded and is still recoverin'."

"Ah." His father-in-law nodded with understanding. "Ye're tryin' to protect her. Keep her from bein' anxious or scared."

"Aye," Graeme admitted and was surprised to see the older man immediately start to shake his head.

"Well, stop it. She should be anxious and scared," the MacKay said grimly. "Someone may yet be out there tryin' to kill her. She should be lookin' out

fer that. No' wanderin' around all unknowin'."

"Ne'er fear, Nellie. I'll make sure nothin' happens to ye. Ye can always count on me."

Annella tore her gaze from her father and husband and turned to see that Dauid had taken over Graeme's seat now that it was empty. Rather than respond to what he'd said, she chose to ignore it and instead asked, "How is yer side healing? Has me mother seen to it while I was unwell?"

"Yer mother did tend to it fer me," Dauid assured her. "'Tis fine. She suggested I still keep the bindings on, but only to

ensure me belt does no' rub on it and chafe the scab off before 'tis fully healed."

Nodding, Annella turned to glance over her shoulder to where her father and husband had finished speaking and were continuing

on to the kitchen. That meant they would soon be eating.

"I meant what I said, Nellie," Dauid insisted. "I'll always protect ye, and ye must ken 'tis true. I killed me own mother

to save ye."

"Aye," Annella murmured, turning back to offer him an only slightly annoyed smile for calling her Nellie again. She did owe

the man her life, so said, "I'm sorry ye had to do that, Dauid, but appreciate that ye did. Thank ye fer savin' us."

Dauid waved her thanks away. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat," he assured her. "And I want ye to ken, if the worst occurred,

and something were to happen to Graeme, leaving me stuck ha'ing to run this place with ye... Well, ye'd no' have to kick

me in the shin like Graeme. I'm no idiot. I'd be consultin' ye on everythin' and anythin' o' import. I vow it."

"I'm sure ye would," Annella said and picked up her mug to down some of the mead in it. She was just too tired and worried about everything in her life to deal with Dauid. The man was an irritating little—

"The food shall be right out!"

Swinging around, Annella managed a smile for her husband as he stopped behind them, vaguely aware that Dauid was moving back

to his own seat. Her father was with him, and both men quickly sat down on either side of her again.

"Ye have to stay cautious and on yer toes, but all will be well, daughter," her father murmured, patting her hand.

"Aye, be cautious," Graeme agreed, kissing her forehead. Pulling back then, he smiled and assured her, "But we'll keep ye

safe."

"We will," her father concurred.

Good Lord , Annella thought. Everyone was vowing to keep her safe. For some reason, that just made her worry.

"Thank ye."

Annella opened her eyes drowsily and glanced around to see that they'd reached the bedchamber and one of her guards had rushed

ahead to open the door for her husband.

They'd long eaten and Annella had been falling asleep at the table when Kenna had finally come below to tell them that Mother

had done all she could for Payton. Their father could go above stairs to sit with their mother if he'd like. Her father had

stood at once, of course, but he hadn't been alone; Graeme too had risen. He'd then scooped Annella up into his arms with

a murmured, "Time fer bed, love."

Annella had smiled at the words and relaxed in his arms, trusting him to get her to their room. And, of course, he had , she thought as Graeme carried her into their bedchamber. Glancing over his shoulder, she offered the soldier a grateful

smile as he pulled the door closed behind them. She expected her husband to set her down now they were in the room, but instead,

he carried her around to her usual side of the bed and bent to place her on it.

It was as Graeme made to move away that they ran into problems. When he started to straighten, her surcoat tried to follow.

His plaid, it seemed, had somehow become attached to her new garment. Her husband immediately paused, still bent over her,

his face inches from hers.

Wide-eyed, Annella peered up at him, then down to where they seemed to be stuck together.

"Damn, me plaid pin is caught up on yer surcoat," Graeme muttered, sliding his hands between them to try to free them both.

"Do no' damage it," Annella said anxiously. She then stiffened and sucked in a little breath when his knuckles unintentionally

nudged her breast as he worked, scraping over her nipple through the cloth.

Hearing the little gasp of sound, her husband glanced to her face in question. Graeme seemed to freeze when he saw her facial expression. Annella wasn't sure what it was, but knew that the faint, accidental caress—even through the cloth of both her surcoat and gown—had affected her. She didn't have to look to know that her nipple was pebbling under the clothing, eager for more attention. She could feel the little frissons of excitement shooting away from the spot and through her body.

"Sorry," Annella breathed to try to break the tense moment. Graeme stared for several seconds and then lowered his head and

started to work again to free his pin. His knuckles again brushed across her nipple almost at once, but this time he realized

what had happened and paused abruptly.

"I did no' mean..." he growled apologetically.

"I ken," Annella assured him, reaching up with her left hand to clasp his shoulder. She told herself it was to help her maintain

her position and not unintentionally tug at the material. But the truth was, she just wanted to touch him. As he worked, she

turned her head until her nose brushed his neck, then inhaled deeply, taking in his scent. He smelled so good to her.

"Lass," Graeme growled in warning.

Annella didn't respond. She'd missed him these last days. She just wanted... Well, the truth was she wanted him, and didn't

give a damn if it might hurt her wound. Turning her head again, she let her lips brush across his cheek to his mouth and slid

her tongue out to run it over his lower lip.

Groaning, Graeme caught her by the neck and shifted her head slightly, then gave her the kiss she was wanting. It started

soft and gentle, and then just exploded into the deeper, more demanding kind she loved.

Annella immediately wrapped her good arm around his neck and pulled, arching upward at the same time in an effort to get closer. She only knew he'd managed to untangle where they were caught together when his plaid suddenly slithered away and down his body until it was caught by his belt. She immediately reached for his belt then and, even with only one hand to work with, managed to quickly undo it. The belt hit the floor in a tangle of plaid, and Annella slid a hand under the hem of his shirt, searching for him.

Graeme froze and groaned when her hand brushed his already hard shaft. He then went a little crazy when her fingers closed

around it. Growling deep in his throat, he thrust his tongue into her mouth almost violently and quickly untied her lacings.

He tugged impatiently to loosen them, and as soon as they gave a bit, began to shove her surcoat off her shoulders.

Annella instinctively started to try to help shrug the garment off, but pain immediately shot out from her wound, rending

an agonized cry from her.

Graeme froze at once and pulled back. "Are ye all right, love? What—?"

He didn't need to finish the question. The moment he'd made space between them, Annella had reached up with her good hand

to try to further loosen the lacings of her surcoat.

Cursing, he tried to help, damned near ripping the lacings out of their eyelets to get her free. Straightening then, he peered

at her, his breath a little rapid, but finally his shoulders slumped. "Ye'd best get out o' that. I'll fetch ye a sleepin'

gown."

He didn't wait for a response, but immediately turned to walk around the bed to go to her chests.

Biting her lip, Annella stood and carefully removed the beautiful surcoat. She laid it over the foot of the bed and then set to work removing the white gown and her chemise as well. It was a more difficult task, just as donning them had been. She couldn't raise the arm on her injured side without causing herself pain, so had to get her left arm out first, tug that side of both gowns over her head and then let the material slide down the arm on her injured side to remove them. It was a bit of a pain when she had help, but on her own it was worse. Still, she managed it. But when she tugged the cloth off her head, she found Graeme had returned and was standing before her, a sleeping gown held tight in his hands and his eyes eating her up.

Annella let her gown and chemise drop to the floor and stepped toward him, then blinked in surprise when he suddenly tossed

the sleeping gown at her and spun away.

Annella caught the gown with her left hand, and gaped at Graeme as he hurried to the fireplace. Snatching one of the torches

out of the nearest holder, he quickly shoved it into the fire Florie had built to light it. "Husband? What—?"

"Get yerself to bed, wife," he said tightly as he straightened, torch in hand, and began pushing the collection of stones

needed to release the secret panel. "Ye need yer sleep to heal."

"But where are ye going?" she asked with confusion.

"For a nice dip in the river," he said a little snappishly as he pulled the panel open.

"But—"

"I'll no' be long." He stepped into the passage.

"But—"

Graeme turned back to pull the panel closed, but paused when he caught sight of her still standing there completely nude. His gaze slid over her from top to bottom, then back up to rove over her once more before he spoke again.

"On second thought, I may be a while," he muttered, then slammed the panel closed.