Highland Love Song (DeWinter's Song 2) Page 18

  Kassidy rushed into the room. "Lord Warrick and his steward have ridden away, so we must act quickly. I informed Mrs. Haddington that you needed fresh air and we would be walking on the beach."

  Arrian picked up her cape and threw it over her shoulders. "She didn't suspect anything?"

  "No. She has been worried about you and agrees that fresh air will do you good."

  Arrian took a last look around the room and followed her mother into the hallway.

  They walked leisurely out the front door, hoping to allay any suspicion, should someone be watching. They hastened their steps as they walked in the direction of the sea.

  Arrian took her mother's hand and led her to the steps that had been carved into the stone. Descending quickly to the beach, they began to sense that freedom was within their grasp. Soon they were both running as they followed the path away from the castle.

  Arrian kept looking over her shoulder. Suppose Warrick returned early and discovered her letter before they were safely away? Oh, why had she written that letter?

  Arrian pulled her cape around her more tightly. The sea fostered a cold wind, and she shivered. "What do we do now, Mother?"

  "We walk southward and hope Captain Norris is watching for us."

  Arrian glanced up at the imposing castle that towered high atop the rock-faced cliff. Why was she feeling such heavy sadness? If Providence had not brought her to these shores, she would never have known Warrick. In another month she would have become Ian's wife. But would she have been happy? Could she have ever truly loved Ian if she had so readily given her heart to Warrick Glencarin? These questions haunted her as she raced farther away from the man who had won her heart.

  Kassidy stopped to catch her breath, and Arrian pulled her against the cliff wall. "Mother, is it possible to love a man and hate him at the same time?"

  Kassidy clasped Arrian's hand, knowing she had to answer her question as honestly as she could. "I would think it's possible to love a man and think you detest him. But knowing you and the values you respect, the man you choose to love would have to be honorable or you would not respect him. Without respect there can be no love."

  Arrian was pondering her mother's words. It was true. She could never love a man she didn't respect.

  They came to what looked like an impassable rock formation that projected across the water. Kassidy stopped for a moment, gripped her daughter's hand, and began to climb.

  At last they dropped on the other side. Arrian began to feel elated. They were going to make it! When she rounded a corner she was quickly grabbed and dragged into the shadows.

  "At last you have come, my lady," Captain Norris said, smiling. "I'm so happy to see you. We began to despair that you would never escape."

  "Let us leave at once," Kassidy said, hurrying toward the boat that would take them to the Nightingale, which lay at anchor inside the cove.

  Arrian and her mother were placed in the boat, and several men pushed it into the swelling waves.

  Arrian felt a sudden rush of happiness, until she glanced up at Ironworth Castle. Then fires of uncertainty smoldered in her heart. If she was so happy to be free, why did she have this strong urge to leap from the boat and run back to Warrick?

  Tears choked in her throat, and her mother pulled her into her arms. "Don't cry, dearest. It's all behind you now. You will never have to see him again."

  Arrian turned her face against her mother's rough cape, and a shudder went through her body. Never see him again? Oh, why did those words tear at her heart?

  High above the cliff two riders watched the longboat fight against the incoming tide to reach the yacht anchored nearby.

  "You were right, Warrick, they lost no time in leaving," Mactavish said.

  Warrick's gaze was fastened on the small figure huddled in her mother's arms. "When you told me that a ship lay off the coast, I knew it waited for Arrian and her mother."

  "So you let Lady Arrian think she escaped."

  "It was the only way. I was certain if I told them I would be away from the castle today, they would make their way to the ship."

  Mactavish studied his chief's face and saw the misery Warrick tried to hide. "You did the right thing."

  "Yes, you convinced me of that. But somehow I had hoped she might decide at the last moment to stay."

  "I thought I saw something between the two of you that—"

  "You saw nothing," Warrick said angrily, spinning Titus around and riding toward Ironworth.

  The loud call of the sea birds and the rhythmic splashing of the waves against the face of the cliff were soon drowned out by the pounding of Titus's hooves as he raced the wind.

  Warrick couldn't bring himself to go into Arrian's bedroom until she had been gone three days. At last he gathered his courage and opened the door. Everything was neat and in its place as if she had just stepped out and would soon return.

  He closed the door and stood in the middle of the room for a long moment, feeling somehow like an intruder.

  Finally he walked into the small dressing room to find the trunks containing all of her clothing. He remembered Arrian telling him she had gone with her family to Paris to buy a trousseau. All had been left behind.

  Warrick raised the lid of the trunk and ran his hand across the soft pile of the crimson velvet gown she had worn the first day he'd seen her. He lifted it against his face and closed his eyes, breathing in the sweet lingering scent that still clung to the fabric.

  A quick pain stabbed his heart. He neatly folded the gown and replaced it in the trunk. On the floor he found a red satin shoe that must have been purchased to match the gown. He held it in the palm of his hand, thinking how tiny she was, how defenseless.

  Like a man in a trance he walked back into the bedroom. First he picked up her brush, where strands of golden hair still clung to the bristles. He touched it lightly and then placed it back on the dressing table. A large chest caught his attention. The key was in the lock, so he turned it and stared at magnificent diamond, ruby, and emerald jewelry. He wondered why Arrian would have left it behind—it had to be worth a king's ransom.

  When he closed the lid, his eyes fell upon the letter that was propped against the mirror. He was reluctant to read it, for he knew it would be her last message to him.

  His hand trembled as he stared at the neat handwriting.

  My lord,

  By the time you read this I will be gone from this prison you created for me. However, I am not unsympathetic to your plight and that of your villagers. The jewels in this chest belong to me, so I give them to you to use as you see fit. Since it was the Maclvors branch of my family who wronged you, it is only right that the jewels should come to you. It is unlikely that our paths will cross again and I cannot find it in me to wish you ill. Perhaps the feud between our families is over at last. Let it die with us, my lord. I have seen what hate has done to you. Let it go, Warrick. I have.

  He stared at his image in the mirror, feeling as if his life's blood was spilling out of him. Arrian was right. For so long, revenge had been his only reason for existing. Too late, he realized it was time to let the blood hate die.

  The voyage had been uneventful as the Nightingale sailed down the Scottish coast. Arrian kept mostly to her cabin and lay on the bed for most of the day. Kassidy had remained with her daughter, silently lending her strength.

  Arrian would cry herself to sleep at night, thinking her mother wouldn't know, but of course she did. Kassidy knew there was nothing she could say to make her daughter's pain lessen. Later, when Arrian felt less hurt, they would talk.

  Arrian stood on deck beside Captain Norris as the ship neared land. He seemed troubled so she knew he was bothered.

  "You want to ask me something, Captain?"

  "Yes, my lady. I've been worried about you. I've heard much about the fierce fighting between these two clans. Will there be more bloodshed over this incident?"

  "There's been too much bloodshed already. I intend to see that this feu
d dies."

  "You know I stand ready to help in any way I can, Lady Arrian. You used to toddle around my legs and climb on my lap. I have a particular liking for you."

  She smiled. "You are kind, as always. If you will excuse me, I'll go below now."

  Kassidy joined the captain, and they both watched Arrian disappear down the companionway.

  "I suppose His Grace will have to be told what happened," Captain Norris said.

  Kassidy and Captain Norris exchanged looks, both knowing Raile would be a power with which to be reckoned. "Yes, he will have to be told," Kassidy replied. "Did you call on the Lord Mayor in private, as I asked?"

  "I did, Your Grace. He regrets that he can do little to annul the marriage between Lady Arrian and Lord Warrick unless both parties agree to the act."

  "I see. Well, perhaps my husband can persuade Lord Warrick that it would be advantageous to his health to sign the paper, Captain Norris."

  He was silent, and Kassidy knew he was wondering what Raile would do when he learned what had happened to his daughter. She was wondering how she would have the courage to tell him.

  It was a dull, misty day when the Nightingale dropped anchor in the port of Leith, a tiny fishing village that stood in the shadow of Edinburgh. The yacht sailed to the docks and lowered her sails.

  Arrian stood beside her mother, who gave her an encouraging smile.

  "Nothing is so bad, dearest, if it's shared with someone. I promise you'll not be alone. I'll stand beside you."

  "I need your strength, Mother. Especially when I see Ian."

  "If it is your wish to leave for Ravenworth now, Arrian, I'll instruct Captain Norris to put out to sea at once."

  "I have to face Ian—I owe him that."

  Kassidy recognized a new strength in her daughter. She would stand back and wait to see if she was needed.

  Suddenly there was the sound of a dear, familiar voice calling out. "Your Grace, my lady, I thought you'd never get here." The maid waved up to them. "I'll see to the trunks, then I'll come to you."

  Arrian smiled at her mother. "It would seem Elspeth is our greeting party. I should have known she would meet us as soon as we docked."

  Arrian thought of her mother's maid, who was more like a member of the family. The sound of Elspeth issuing orders brought a feeling of normality to her life.

  "Careful with Her Grace's trunks, she had them made special in Paris, France. Don't scare a one of them."

  When Elspeth had climbed to the upper deck, she rushed to Arrian and hugged her tightly. "Lord, but I thought we'd never see you again, m'lady. If you hadn't come when you did, I was ready to storm that castle myself."

  "Elspeth," Kassidy asked, "is Aunt Mary still in Edinburgh?"

  "No, Your Grace. She said I was to tell you she's gone on to her father."

  "Has there been any word of my husband and son?"

  "I heard they're still in England waiting for the Nightingale to come for them."

  Kassidy instructed Captain Norris. "Sail directly for London and deliver this letter to His Grace. I have asked him to come to Scotland with all haste."

  Captain Norris took the letter and nodded. "I'll pray for a swift wind, Your Grace."

  Arrian turned her face upward and closed her eyes. She felt the warm sun, but there was no warmth in her heart. She had started her voyage as a young woman looking forward to marrying the man she loved. Now she doubted that Ian would want her, and she wasn't certain how she felt about him.

  She wasn't the same innocent girl who had fallen in love with Ian when he'd come to Ravenworth.

  Kassidy took Arrian's hand, and they walked down the gangplank together to the carriage where Elspeth was waiting for them.

  "We must first visit the shops, Arrian, to find you suitable attire. Then we shall go directly to Davinsham. I have a feeling we should make haste."

  Arrian nodded. "After I've talked to Ian and seen Grandfather, I'll want to go home."

  20

  The carriage rolled along at a steady pace, and Arrian became aware that it was a glorious spring day, with leaves sprouting on the trees and wildflowers dotting the countryside. She thought of other times when she had joyously made this journey with Michael and Aunt Mary. There was no joy in her heart today.

  She glanced at Elspeth, who slept in the corner, her head rolling back and forth with the motion of the coach.

  "Look, Arrian," her mother said, trying to cheer her, "you will be able to see Davinsham Castle from the next rise."

  Arrian pretended interest. "The castle always reminds me of Great-grandfather . . . strong, sturdy, and defiant."

  "Yes, that's a good description of him. But I learned long ago that Grandfather was not as gruff as he would have people believe."

  "Aunt Mary says that you're his favorite."

  "I believe he has a great fondness for you also, Arrian. But he can be harsh with those who do not find favor with him. I always thought he was a bit stern with Ian."

  At last Arrian put into words what they had both been pondering. "I want to be alone with Ian when I tell him what happened, Mother. I have decided to tell him I won't marry him."

  Kassidy studied her for a long moment. "If that's your decision. Don't allow Ian or Grandfather to press you, because you know they both want the marriage. I've sent Captain Norris for your father, so he'll be here soon."

  "I need Father. I want to lay my head on his shoulder and have him to tell me that everything is well."

  "Arrian, when you were small and a favorite doll got broken, your father could mend it for you. And when someone had been unkind to you, your father could make you smile. But I fear your father cannot make this disappear for you, Arrian. Your healing will have to come from within yourself."

  "I know for certain that I love Warrick even though what he did was wrong. To leave him was like tearing out my heart."

  "But you also thought you loved Ian," Kassidy reminded her. "You must examine all your feelings carefully."

  "What I felt for Ian was a childish emotion when compared to the love I feel for Warrick. My love for Warrick is consuming, and I can only think of him. After all that's happened between us, I don't want to see him hurt. Is that not love, Mother?"

  Kassidy closed her eyes, willing herself not to cry. "How well I remember what it feels like to know true love for the first time, Arrian. Like you, I did not believe he returned my love, and yet I still wanted him."

  "You speak of Father?"

  "Yes."

  "But your story has a very different ending than mine."

  Kassidy remembered the haunting look she had seen in the eyes of the young lord of Glencarin. Had he been feeling love or remorse? She did not believe they had seen the last of him. She knew he had deliberately allowed them to leave, although she had not said this to Arrian.

  Arrian leaned back against the seat. "I shall love him until I die."

  Kassidy was silent, wondering if the pain Lord Warrick had inflicted on Arrian had wounded him as severely. Perhaps he was not the villain she had first thought.

  Ian sent riders to the far reaches of his grandfather's land with instructions for the clan to gather at Davinsham. Slowly they began to arrive at the castle, where they were armed. They waited only for word to ride for Glencarin.

  Hate coiled inside Ian like a poisonous snake. This time he would not stop until he saw Warrick Glencarin dead, but not before he was tortured. He wanted to hear him beg for mercy, and cry out for death to release him.

  Ian had just come from the stables when the carriage pulled up to the front of the castle. Thinking it would be more members of the clan, he was shocked to see Kassidy step down.

  "Cousin Kassidy, I'm so distressed by what has happened. You should know that I have called the clan together and we will ride on Glencarin within the hour. I will rescue Arrian—"

  Ian was struck silent as Arrian stepped to the ground. For a long moment he could only stare at her. There was an air of uncertainty about her
, and she had not yet met his eyes. With one big step he grabbed her and hugged her to him.

  "Arrian, Arrian, you are safe. You have been returned to me."

  Kassidy saw the misery in Arrian's eyes and came to her rescue. "I'm sure you will understand, Ian, that my daughter has been through a great deal. She will need to rest before she talks to anyone."

  He released Arrian and saw the paleness of her cheeks. "Of course you must rest, my dear. And don't worry, we will soon make Lord Warrick regret what he's done."

  Arrian shook her head. "You must do nothing, Ian. I demand that you send the clan members away until we have had time to talk."

  "This is men's business, Arrian. I must do what I know is right."

  Kassidy intervened. "I ask you to do nothing until I have spoken to Grandfather."

  "The men are restless, but I'll hold them here for a while."

  Arrian's eyes were pleading. "Please don't let there be bloodshed because of me. I could not live with that."

  "When can we talk?" Ian asked. "I'll want to hear all that's happened. I must know what he did to you."

  "Tonight after dinner," she said, moving to stand beside her mother.

  Kassidy looked at her nephew, reading anger and confusion in his eyes. She would not allow him to turn his anger into a war. "Is Aunt Mary here?" she asked.

  Ian nodded, his eyes still on Arrian. She had changed. She had not seemed happy to see him. "Yes, Aunt Mary's here. I'm afraid there is sorrow here, Kassidy. Grandfather is gravely ill."

  Kassidy turned and ran up the steps with Arrian right behind her. They hurried straight to Gille Maclvors's room and found family and clan members gathered around his bed.

  Everyone moved aside when they saw Kassidy and Arrian. Kassidy approached her grandfather with pain in her heart. His eyes were closed, and she dropped down on the floor beside him and laid her head against his bed. She took his hot hand in hers and raised it to her cheek. Arrian knelt beside Kassidy to lend her strength, knowing that her mother loved the grizzled old man.