Chapter 10

T he knock was loud . "Kate! Open the door."

Gavin, she recognized sleepily, and he sounded—

Gavin!

She bolted upright, jumped out of bed, and flew across the bedchamber.

She threw open the door. "Gavin, are you safe? It's been only two days. What happened?"

"Of course I'm safe." He was smiling jubilantly, his freckled face alight with eagerness in the halo of light cast by the candle in his hand. "I'm sorry to wake you in the middle of the night, but we've just arrived." He turned and held out his hand to someone behind him. "This is my Jeanie."

Kate stiffened as her gaze followed Gavin's.

Jean Malcolm drifted gracefully out of the shadows until she stood at Gavin's side. "You are very kind to have me," she whispered with a tentative smile. "I pray I'll be no bother to you."

Looking at her, Kate experienced a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach. She had hoped after Gavin had seen his Jeanie again that he would realize no woman was worth the danger he was taking, but she could now see why Gavin had been willing to risk so much. The woman was exquisite. Under a matching cloak she wore a velvet gown with wide panniers as fashionable as those of the ladies Kate had sometimes seen passing through the village on their way to London. The deep blue of the velvet offered a lovely complement to her violet eyes and shining flaxen hair. She was of medium height but so fine-boned and tinywaisted, she appeared smaller, almost childlike, an impression enhanced by her gentle, timid air.

"Welcome to Craighdhu," Kate said formally.

"There, you see, I told you there would be no trouble." Gavin smiled down at Jean. "How could anyone resist you, love?"

How indeed? Kate wondered in despair. Jean Malcolm was a figure from a troubadour's tale, the helpless princess every man wished to rescue. "Have you eaten?"

Gavin shook his head. "I wanted to make sure she was safe first. I have no time to eat. I must leave at once and go back to the mainland to fetch the dominie for the wedding." He waved a hand excitedly. "You should have seen me, Kate. I slipped into the castle like a ghost, seized Jeanie and was out of there in a—"

"He was magnificent," Jean Malcolm interrupted with a glowing smile. "A true knight." She gave Gavin a pleading look. "But I believe I'm more weary than I thought. I feel quite weak. Could I rest here while you fetch some fruit or cheese?"

"I'll wake up Deirdre and tell her to—"

"No." She swayed. "Please. Could you go to the scullery yourself? I don't want to face any more strangers right now. Could you …?" She trailed off and smiled sweetly at him.

Kate could see Gavin melt like the last ice of winter before that smile.

"Care for her, Kate." Gavin lifted Jean's small hand to his lips. "I'll be right back." He turned and moved swiftly down the hall.

"Would you care to come in?" Kate asked, standing to one side. "May I get you a cup of water or wine?"

"No, thank you." The girl floated into the chamber and sat down in the chair by the door, watching as Kate lit a candle in the silver holder. "We don't have much time. Gavin will be back soon, and we must reach an understanding before he comes." She slipped back the hood of her cloak, met Kate's gaze with bold directness, and said crisply, "You need not worry about him. I'll keep him safe."

The words were as shocking as the girl's change in demeanor. It was as if the woman had taken off a glittering, bejeweled mask. " You'll keep him safe?"

Jean Malcolm made an impatient gesture. "Of course, we both know Gavin needs someone to look after him. You were bristling like a porcupine when you first saw me and thought I might be a danger to him." She frowned. "He talked a good deal about you on the way here. It troubled me at first. I thought you might have a passion for Gavin yourself, but I believe you are only friends."

Intrigued, Kate asked, "And what if you had decided I had such a leaning?"

"Oh, I would cure you of it." Jean smiled. "Or perish in the attempt."

The words were spoken with utmost gentleness, but there was an underlying resolution in her tone that held a chilling threat.

Jean added, "I could not have my Gavin constantly tempted by another woman, you see. It would make life most uncomfortable for us."

"But you won't be here. Gavin says you're going to Ireland."

"But we will not stay forever. Gavin's heart is here." Her lips tightened with determination. "I will not have him made unhappy by this marriage to me."

At least the woman seemed to have a genuine affection for Gavin. "Have you spoken of your decision to him?"

"Not yet. He must be accustomed to me before I let him see what a harridan I can be." She grinned, and her delicate features were suddenly transformed by impishness. "It's easier to let him see the sweet, gentle maiden the world perceives me to be."

Kate said deliberately, "You're speaking of deceit. You lie to him."

The girl stiffened. "I do not lie. I merely—" She fell silent and then said quietly, "Aye, I lie. Gavin and I have been able to snatch only a scant few times together. I love him. I want him to love me. Men seem to find it easy to love meek, docile women, and I found a long time ago, there are ways of using the weakness they embrace to my own advantage."

Kate shook her head uncomprehendingly.

"I'm not like you," Jean said. "Gavin told me how fierce you can be. He admires you for it, but I regard ferocity as stupidity when there are other means to get your own way." She made a face. "Though I fear deceit becomes a practice difficult to break. I have been what my father wants to see for so long, it has become natural to me."

Kate felt a wave of sympathy. Who was she to judge the methods the woman had used to survive a father like Alec Malcolm? "You cannot go through life fooling Gavin."

"I don't want to lie to him forever. It's just best that I have control over him right now." She shook her head. "We walk a dangerous road. My father is a monster. I watched him crush my mother until he finally killed her with his cruelty. I must not let him hurt Gavin." She met Kate's gaze. "We are surely in agreement in that, if nothing else. Do you believe me?"

"Yes." She was not sure she understood Jean Malcolm, but she did believe she loved Gavin. "But I'm not certain how you can prevent it."

"Neither do I. I will think on it."

A sudden suspicion occurred to Kate. "It seems very strange that Gavin had such little trouble plucking you from Kilgranne."

"He had sent word he was coming," Jean said. "I bribed the stable boy and drugged the guard on watch." She frowned. "Naturally, you will not tell Gavin. It would spoil his pleasure."

Kate's lip twitched. "No, we wouldn't wish to spoil Gavin's pleasure."

Jean rose brusquely to her feet. "Now I will leave you to your rest. We must start planning the wedding tomorrow. Gavin wishes to wait until Robert is back from Ireland to wed, but I will give him only two more days. We cannot expect my father to linger long in Edinburgh with Robert back at Craighdhu, and we must be long gone from here."

"Wedding? You'll not wed handfast?"

Jean shook her head adamantly. "We'll wed before God and man for all time. I'll have none of these temporary—" She stopped as she saw Kate's expression. "Ah, so it's that way with you? No wonder you gave only friendship to my Gavin. I do not know Robert well, but I believe he is a hard man. It's not a simple path you've chosen."

She was angry with herself for revealing that moment of hurt to this stranger. "I've not chosen any path at all. It's been chosen for me."

"Then you have no one to blame but yourself," Jean said bluntly. "A man always tries to choose a woman's path, but there are ways of avoiding taking it. You must find the one right for you. It's clear you've let them muddle your thinking. I will not—" As she heard Gavin's footsteps in the hall, she said quickly, "We will talk later."

Gavin came into the room bearing a wooden tray containing cheese, bread and an apple. "Is this enough?" He frowned anxiously down at the tray. "Would you like wine? Why didn't you give her something to drink, Kate?"

"Kate was all that was gracious." Jean smiled lovingly at Gavin. "I feel much better. If you will show me where I am to sleep, I'll eat a little of this wonderful repast and go to bed."

"I'll take you." Kate picked up the candleholder. "It's the third chamber down the hall."

"Go back to bed, Kate." Gavin didn't take his eyes off Jean. "I didn't mean to disturb your rest. I only wanted you to meet Jeanie. Is she not everything I told you?"

"Gavin, please…" Jean gave Kate an enchanting shy smile.

"No," Kate murmured as she passed them and moved down the hall. "Your Jeanie, is much, much more than you told me."

The Irish Princess was sighted near noon of the second day after Gavin brought Jean Malcolm to Craighdhu. The village was instantly thrown into a whirlpool of excitement, and word reached Kate while she was at the weavers' cottage. She was glad the turmoil that erupted all around her hid her own sudden tension and unrest. What if Robert was back? Nothing could come of his presence. She would return to the castle and wait with dignity until he came to her. Why should she run to him like a puppy starved for affection?

He was home.

She found herself walking slowly through the winding streets that led to the dock, jostled by the crowds running to meet the ship, drawn helplessly as if to a lodestone.

He had come back to her.

No, not to her but to Craighdhu. She wasn't important to him in anything but a physical sense. Someone whose body brought pleasure and ease to his loins. The thought should have quenched the jubilation soaring through her.

It did not. She didn't care. She would see him.

He was here.

She was here.

He had not expected her to be at the dock. She had been so angry with him when he had left that his last memory of her had been of blazing eyes and hotter words. Yet there she was at the back of the crowd, the wind whipping her brown cape away from her slight body.

"Evidently, your gentle wife has gotten over her displeasure with you," Jock remarked. "I could have hoped otherwise."

Robert ignored him as he strode down the gangplank. Christ, he felt the same excitement he had experienced when he had come back to Craighdhu those many years ago. No, not quite the same. The sight of Craighdhu had never made him ready like a stallion before a mare in heat.

He pushed through the crowd to stop before her. "You look in good health."

She nodded without speaking.

"How is Gavin?"

"Good. Very good." She was silent again, her gaze clinging to his, before asking haltingly, "Was your journey pleasant?"

Not as pleasant as knowing she was glad he was back. "Profitable. We accomplished what we set out to do." He wondered what she would do if he carried her into the warehouse across the street, slammed the door, and tore off her clothes. "I brought you a gift."

"A gift?"

How he loved her mouth. He loved the way she smelled of lavender and woman. He loved the courage, boldness, and defiance she showed him that was more tempting than another woman's compliance. By God, he had missed her. "It's in the cargo hold. I'll have it brought to—"

"Haven't you forgotten something, Robert?" Jock stood beside them. "Good day, my lady. I hate to interrupt this sweet greeting, but it's necessary that I consult Robert on the disposition of an item of cargo." He shifted his great bulk to one side to reveal a tall brown-haired young woman with sparkling blue eyes and plump breasts brimming over the low-cut bodice of her gown. "What do I do with this charming creature?"

The woman chuckled and laid a caressing hand on Jock's arm. Her words had a pleasant lilt as she said, "Why, the same as you did on the journey over. I have no complaints. Don't change a thing."

Kate looked from the woman back to Robert in bewilderment. Robert silently and venomously heaped every curse in his memory on Jock. He had no doubt the bastard was deliberately trying to cause trouble.

"Aren't you going to introduce our visitor from afar?" Jock asked.

"Mistress Norah Kerry," Robert muttered. He took Kate's elbow and began propelling her down the dock.

"I'll fetch Norah to the castle at nightfall," Jock called after him. "There's no use bringing her here and not using her services."

Damn that interfering son of a bitch. Robert could feel the tension charging Kate's body, the bewilderment and uneasiness now veiling that tentative happiness he had sensed in her.

"What services?" Kate asked.

"Never mind. Has Gavin shown you the island?"

"Only the town. I've been busy." She glanced back over her shoulder at Jock and Norah. "What services?"

There was no use trying to avoid the truth. Kate's curiosity and obstinacy were very much in evidence. "She's a strumpet."

Under his hand he felt shock harden the muscles of her forearm. "I see. Then I'm sure your journey was even more pleasant than you said." She jerked her arm away and began to walk faster. "But you should not have left her so rudely just because you thought I might have been offended. It was very foolish of you. I know how similar we are in your eyes."

"You don't know anything of the sort," he said roughly.

"Of course I do. We're both in your life only until you cast us out, good for pleasing you in bed and nothing more. I actually feel a certain kinship with her."

"She's not my—"

"You needn't deny it to save my feelings. Considering your carnal nature, it would be mad of me to expect you to abstain when so tempting a woman appears." Her words were coming fast, tumbling like rocks loosened by a landslide. "She seems very good-tempered. I'm sure she proved most accommodating."

"Yes, she did, but not to me. It was Jock who bedded her."

"And now it's your turn?"

"If I'd wanted to bed her, I would have done so. Jock and I have shared women before." Another mistake. He could see she didn't like the picture that brought to mind either. "Jock is bringing her to the castle for—"

"I have no interest in your strumpets." She kept her face turned away, but he could see the color burning in her cheeks. "It's just as well you did bring her for your pleasure, for I'm not with child. You would not want to endanger Craighdhu by touching me."

The words struck him with such force, he knew he had been avoiding thinking of the possibility. He had thought only of Kate, the things he would do with her, the ways he would take her, bind her to him. "You're certain?"

"I've had my flux, and even if I had not, I would not let you come to my bed. So you can feel free to go to your Norah and—"

"Dammit!" Blind frustration and rage exploded within him, and he knew it was caused not by her words but the barrier that now existed between them. He overtook her in two steps, grabbed her arm, and jerked her into the alcove of the butcher's shop they were passing. "I don't need your permission to take a whore or to take my own wife. I will do either, if I see fit."

"Let me go!"

"When you stop talking and listen to me." He put his hands against the wall on either side of her, holding her captive. He could feel the warmth of her body and wanted to rub up and down like a cat against her. "I did not bring the woman for myself. I brought her for Gavin."

"Gavin!" Her eyes widened in shock. "Why?"

"Jock says she's a cheerful and diverting lass, and God knows Gavin needs diverting." He scowled. "Before he gets himself drawn and quartered."

"Oh!" Her teeth sank into her lower lip. "I don't think it's Gavin who is in danger at the moment. You'd best keep the woman away from the castle."

"You don't understand these matters." He tried to be patient, though he wanted to reach out and shake her. No, take her, plunge into her, make her accept every bit of him. But he couldn't do that. Craighdhu was now safe, and he had to quench the fever. Gavin. He would think of Gavin. He couldn't do anything to rid himself of his own obsession, but he could try to save Gavin. "There will be no shame. I promise the woman will not intrude. You'll scarce see her, but Gavin needs—"

"Gavin has all he needs at the moment," she interrupted. "And if you wish this woman to live to give pleasure to any other man, you'll not let Jean know she's on the island."

He stiffened. "Jean?"

"She's here." She added simply, "Gavin went reiving."

He closed his eyes. Christ, this was all he needed. "How long have they been here?"

"Two days. They're to wed at sundown this evening."

"The hell they will."

"You cannot stop them unless you wish to kill Gavin. He will not be swayed. They leave tomorrow for Ireland." She smiled bitterly. "So you need not worry they will endanger your Craighdhu."

"Malcolm will follow them."

"Gavin says he knows people who will hide them."

He shook his head. "It's madness. Malcolm will slice Gavin's throat and make Jean a widow before the month's out." He turned to her. "And then shall I tell you what he'll do to that sweet, shy child? It will make Sebastian's treatment of you seem gentle in comparison."

"She's willing to take the risk, and she's stronger than you think. If you wish to prove it, just send that strumpet to Gavin and see what happens."

His arms dropped, and he slowly stepped back. "I have to talk with him."

"He thought that would be your wish. That's why they waited, instead of leaving at once." She left the alcove and started walking toward the castle. "I believe he wants your blessing."

"He won't get it."

"Then you must give him your good wishes," she said. "I won't have him going into danger with bad feelings lingering. He doesn't deserve such treatment."

"He deserves a knock on the head to clear his brain."

"Because he had the temerity to endanger your precious Craighdhu? Well, I'm glad he did. He should have something better than stone and earth to cling to in this world. I don't fully understand Jean Malcolm, but she's a brave woman and I think you're a fool not to realize Gavin has—" She broke off and stalked ahead of him down the street. "What are you going to do? You can't send her back."

"You won't permit me?"

"Gavin won't permit you." She lifted her chin. "And no, I won't either. They're going to be no bother to you. There's no reason for you to spoil their happiness."

"No reason, but to save their lives."

"It's not your concern. Gavin is no child. He has chosen his way."

"Just as you've chosen yours."

" I've chosen?" She started across the drawbridge. "I had nothing to do with this. Elizabeth gave me to you, and you took me and brought me here."

"If I remember, I agreed to pay highly for your acquiescence."

"A home? It's proved to be an empty promise. You cannot give me—" She stopped and drew a deep breath. "We were talking of Gavin and Jean."

"Is it not better to talk to them?" Gavin asked.

They looked up to see Gavin and Jean strolling toward them across the drawbridge from the castle. Gavin's hand was clasped tightly around Jean's, his face a trifle pale but his expression resolute. He stopped before Robert and braced himself. "I'm glad you're home, Robert. You're just in time for the wedding."

Robert stared at him. "You realize the consequences?"

"I welcome the consequences." Gavin drew Jean closer. "Some things are meant to be."

"Then heaven help you." Robert strode past them across the bridge and into the courtyard.

"At least he didn't throw me into the moat this time. I consider that an excellent sign." Gavin smiled down at Jean. "First battle over, love."

"And you fought it well." She smiled back at him before her gaze wandered after Robert. "But perhaps I will also speak to him, later, when his temper cools."

Kate did not see Robert for the rest of the day. After speaking to Tim MacDougal, he had returned to town to seek Jock. She deliberately kept herself too busy with preparations for the wedding feast to spare a thought for him.

However, she made sure she was in the courtyard when Jock Candaron rode through the gates a few hours before dusk. He reined in his horse and shook his head at the stable boy, who ran toward him to take the horse. "I won't be staying." He gestured to the packhorse behind him. "Take the trunk to my lady's chamber. It's a gift from her devoted husband."

Kate barely glanced at the huge leather trunk. She was concerned only that the woman Norah Kerry was not with him.

He smiled coolly when he saw her relieved expression. "I left the lady at the inn in town. I saw Robert down at the docks, and he said her services were not required. Pity."

"Gavin doesn't agree with you."

"But he was always one who thought with his heart, not his head." He paused deliberately. "Not at all like Robert."

"No?"

"Robert is much like me. He usually confines his passions to objects that cannot hurt him."

"Such as Norah Kerry?"

He shook his head. "Robert chose her for Gavin. His own tastes run to more spirited females. For instance, you've quite captivated him." Bluntly, he continued, "Are you with child?"

Shock ran through her at the rudeness of the question. "No."

"That's good. Then we all may be safe. Robert is no fool to endanger Craighdhu twice, no matter how much he wishes to bed you."

"He told you who my mother…who I am?"

"Did you think he would not share such knowledge of a danger to Craighdhu with the man who defends her? I told him what an idiot he was." He paused, then added deliberately, "But he assured me it was only lust, and Robert and I both know how fleeting that emotion can be."

He was trying to hurt her and succeeding admirably. She tried not to let him see how deep that thrust had gone home. "Then you've nothing to worry about, have you?"

"I didn't think so, until Robert and I talked to Deirdre and some of the townspeople this afternoon. You've been busy while we've been gone. Actually, you've done very well. You have a brain in your head and a gift for leadership."

"I've only tried to help," she said.

He shook his head. "You've been making a nest for yourself."

She met his gaze and knew she could not deny it to him as she had to herself. She had followed the instinct blindly, working, weaving a life in this place she most wanted to be. "Since there's no child in the nest, there's no threat to you."

"Not yet." He smiled. "But I thought I should point out that I would be most displeased if you decided to lure Robert into that particular danger."

She felt a chill run through her. The threat was clear, and Jock Candaron a very dangerous man. "And what would you do if I chose to disobey your advice?"

"Whatever my duty bids," he said softly. "I always do my duty, Kate. It is a passion with me." He turned his horse. "Now you must excuse me. Robert is waiting for me at my lodgings to discuss matters of business."

For the first time he had called her by her first name, foregoing the formal tide of respect. She knew it was deliberate. He wished to show her he had no more deference for her than he had for Norah Kerry.

"You may not call me Kate," she said through her teeth. "I prefer you to call me Kathryn, as my other enemies do."

He smiled. "I look forward to seeing you at the wedding, Kathryn. Such a joyous occasion…"

She shivered as she watched him ride away. Duty for Jock could be anything from political machinations to a knife thrust. He would not allow her to—

Good Heavens, what was she thinking? Jock had no right to forbid her anything. He might be the guardian of Craighdhu, but he could not enforce his will on her.

The sudden rage flaming through her was white hot in intensity. It was not fair! Robert and now Jock mouthing these foolish fears. Couldn't they see how unimportant she was to anyone in the outside world? Craighdhu was a universe in itself. She could live here in peace with Robert, their children around her. She could have everything she wanted, everything that had been denied her. It wasn't right for her to be cheated this way.

She stomped into her chamber to find Jean on her knees by the open leather chest, her arms overflowing with a rainbow of velvet and silks. "What wonderful gowns. Perhaps I won't be as hard on Robert as I planned," she murmured. "He's certainly not stingy with the shilling. Powerful men usually hold their purse strings much closer than—" She stopped as she saw Kate's flushed cheeks and blazing eyes. "They don't please you?"

Kate scarcely glanced at the finery in the trunk. "Such garments do not suit me. Take what you wish."

Jean shook her head. "I brought clothing aplenty with me. There was no sense in spending Gavin's gold when I had all those gowns my father was forced to buy when he presented me at court." She sat back on her heels. "And these gowns would suit you much better than those drab feathers you clothe yourself in."

"Feathers!" Kate slammed down the lid of the trunk. "I'm no weak, fluttering bird, and if I'm trying to make a nest for myself, it's only because I wish to be happy. Is that too much to ask?"

"Not of me." Jean rose to her feet. "But men are more foolish than women. Sometimes when they cannot see, we must lead them until everything becomes clear to them."

The idea of Kate putting Robert on a lead was ludicrous. At the moment she would much rather put a noose around his neck. "He's not so tame."

"Only when he wants to be." Jean nodded at the chest. "And he's already given you the weapons to use against him."

"I don't want to fight him. I just wish to be left alone to make a life for myself."

Jean studied her thoughtfully. "I think that's the last thing you wish. Why are you lying to yourself?"

Because she was afraid she would be hurt again if she reached out and took what she wanted. The truth came to Kate out of nowhere, unbidden and unwelcome.

Jean nodded. "I'll have a tub brought up for your bath."

Kate shook her head. "Not now. I still have too much work to do. I have to supervise the setting up of the tables on the green, and the cooks tell me they need more mutton than they thought, and we need flowers for the—"

"I'll send for Deirdre. She'll enjoy ordering everyone about." A slight edge sharpened Jean's words. The one time Jean and Deirdre had met had not been a cordial occasion. Deirdre had no use for helpless females, and Jean's charm had reaped only a bounty of tactless criticism.

"Deirdre has her own work. I can't—"

"I'll send for Deirdre," Jean repeated firmly. She gave Kate a commanding glance over her shoulder as she moved toward the door. "Give me a little time, and I'll make you into the woman you should be."

"I'm the woman I should be now. All of this finery will not make me more so."

"Weapons," Jean said again.

Kate frowned. "Why should you wish to do this?"

"Many reasons. Because it's always a good thing to let men know our power. Because your contentment may have an effect on Gavin's and my happiness." She smiled, and it was not the enchanting smile she used to beguile the world. "And perhaps because I'm beginning to have a true fondness for you."

The door closed behind her.

A ripple of warmth tempered the rage and hurt Kate was feeling. She and Jean were different in nature and thinking, but she was beginning to have a fondness for Jean as well. She turned and slowly lifted the lid of the trunk.

I have a fondness for most textures .

She remembered Robert's words as she reached out with a tentative finger and stroked the nap of the yellow velvet gown on top.

Jean meant for her to make herself into a woman Robert would not be able to resist, to lure him back into her bed in spite of his objections. She could have told her that was not possible. She had tried to make Robert belong to her before and only been hurt.

But at that time she had been a child, chasing after a dream. She had changed. She was a woman now, with a woman's strengths and a woman's goals.

Even if the path Jean suggested was possible, such blandishments were not Kate's way.

Still, the lady of Craighdhu should at least be presentable.

Textures…