A Gentle Feuding (9 page)

“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 beg
gar? ’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.

“S
he’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 grandpar
ents 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.”

“’Tis no’ so!” she cried. “I’ve never gone without, because I’ve no’ had to. My family provides well. They’re no’ paupers.”

“If they provide for you, then why have they no’ found you a husband?” Colen demanded.

“I’ve answered enough questions,” Sheena said flatly. “You’ve no right to be prying into my life.”

“Enough bickering!” Jamie intervened sharply. “Colen, the lass isna destitute. So for me to insist she stay here for her own good is no longer reasonable. You’ll take her back to Aberdeen.”

Colen turned on his heel and stalked from the room. Sheena was so happy that it was several moments before she realized she was alone in the bedchamber with James MacKinnion.

Fearfully, she looked at him. His eyes were on the open door through which Colen had departed. It struck Sheena suddenly that if she hadn’t known
who
he was, she wouldn’t have feared him at all. She recalled the night before, when she had first seen him, when she had felt anything but fear. She had actually been quite attracted to him. He was still the most handsome man she had ever seen. And seeing him now, without being unnerved by his steady gaze, she was once again fascinated by him.

“He’s a stubborn lad, and no mistake,” Jamie said with a long, drawn-out sigh. “It seems I must be taking you to Aberdeen, lass. I’m sure he willna do it.”

“
You
take me?” She felt her stomach turn queasy. How to get out of this new fix? “You’ve been kind indeed, but I…canna accept. I’ll find my way back alone, thank you.”

“Nonsense,” he replied sternly. “I dinna take responsibility lightly. I’ve told you that. I’ll see you safely to your aunt. ’Tis well I speak with her too. She needs to understand the folly of leaving you unescorted.”

Sheena froze. Speak with Aunt Erminia? He’d learn who they were and kill them both!

“You command many men,” she said quickly, fearfully. “Any one of them could take me back. ’Tis no’ necessary that you go.”

Seeing the fear in her again, he snapped, “You’ll go with me or you’ll stay! Now which will it be?”

Sheena didn’t answer. She couldn’t. She would sooner have stayed there, seeing him every day with others nearby, than spend one moment alone with him on some lonely moor. She would have to find some other way to leave.

“Well, lass?”

“I…I willna go with you.”

“You’ll be telling me why, Sheena,” he said very quietly.

She found the courage to answer truthfully. “I dinna trust you no’ to hurt me.”

Anger drained away, replaced by utter confusion. “Why would I hurt you? You’re a bonny lass, Sheena. I would never hurt you.”

When she remained silent, he said, “You dinna believe me?”

“I only wish I could,” she replied truthfully. “But I canna.”

Jamie was silent, staring at her thoughtfully. Her fear of him was infuriating, for he had done nothing to cause it. But she would not be leaving, not without him. She had made the decision herself.

“’Tis glad I am you’ll be staying, lass,” Jamie said with a half-grin.

Sheena was taken aback. “Why?” she asked warily. “I’ll still no’ marry your brother.”

“And glad I am to hear that, too.” Jamie chuckled, so contrary to his previous mood.

Sheena was thoroughly confused. “Glad? But you gave Colen your blessing.”

“With reluctance, I assure you.”

“I dinna ken. If you dislike me so—”

Jamie’s laughter cut her off. “How wrong you are, lass. But no wonder, since I’ve done naught but shout and lose my temper with you.”

He paused, then said, “But ’tis wanting you for myself I am. And there you have it, why I’m glad you’re staying. I’ll be proving to you you’ve no reason to fear me.”

He turned and left the room then, leaving Sheena alone with her amazement and chagrin. No reason to fear him? He had given her the greatest reason of all!

C
olen rode furiously from the castle. In a fine temper, he galloped to Mackintosh land and released himself by harassing crofters, scattering herds, and causing mischief wherever he could. For that reason, it was night when he finally returned and learned that his precious Sheena would be staying after all. Jamie added crossly, after telling him the news, “She might be staying, lad, but I dinna think we’ll be seeing much of her.”

“Why not?”

“I believe she plans to tuck herself away in that tower and keep hidden from us. It’s what she did today.”

“Did she no’ come down to supper?”

“Nay.”

“She went hungry?” Colen exploded.

“Dinna fash yourself, brother.” Jamie’s tone was calm. “Our aunt appears quite taken with the lass.
She went to see the girl—taking a tray of food for her.” Jamie grunted. “’Twas no’ easy explaining to Jessie what all the fuss is about.”

Colen grinned. “I can imagine. Did you tell Jessie she has a rival?”

Jamie scowled darkly. “Now why would I be telling her that? I’ve enough on my mind without adding more trouble.”

“’Tis just as well.” Colen baited his elder brother. “No need to have an empty bed waiting to be filled, eh? Who would fault you for keeping a bird in hand?”

Jamie didn’t answer. Maybe it was true. He had told Jessie as little as possible about Sheena. He had not known precisely why, but he began to see a grain of truth in what Colen implied, and he didn’t like it. Such selfishness was unworthy of him, never mind that he had been unaware of it until that point.

“Well said, Colen. I’ll be rectifying the situation tomorrow.”

Colen was surprised, and he quickly realized that in baiting his brother he had only spited himself. With Jamie unencumbered by his present mistress, he would be free to devote himself fully to pursuing Sheena.

“Now wait, Jamie,” Colen said hastily. “I was only jesting. Dinna deny yourself, or Jessie, because of my foolish talk.”

“But you were right, lad. ’Tis no’ fair to Jessie to pretend my interest is the same. No, better to end it now, after only one encounter.”

“One?”

“Dinna look so shocked.” Jamie chuckled. “I’m no’ the ruttish stag folks take me for.”

“Humph!”

Jamie shrugged. “In truth, I’ve no’ had much desire for Jessie since I met the lovely Sheena.”

“’Tis no’ like you to be so…particular,” Colen grumbled, not at all pleased.

Jamie ignored the gibe and said, “The dark-red-haired lass in the tower is a jewel to outshine any other. I’ll have her or have no one.”

Recognizing Jamie’s iron determination, Colen knew then and there that his brother was as obsessed with Sheena as he was, perhaps even more so. It was an upsetting realization.

“You’ll no’ be having her unless she wants it!” he warned sharply. “I mean it, Jamie.”

“Have you ever known me to take a lass who wasna willing?” Jamie countered.

“I’ve never known one to refuse you, so how can I know what you’ll be doing when this one does?”

“I’ll no’ force her, lad,” Jamie said calmly.

“Sheena is hard to resist,” Colen said relentlessly.

“But you’ve no’ touched her,” Jamie reminded him.

“True, but it has no’ been easy. ’Tis a battle I fight with myself, keeping her at arm’s length. So I’m asking you, Jamie, can you consider her feelings above your own? Can you leave her be, as I have, if she doesna want you?”

Jamie’s brow wrinkled in a frown. “I’ve told you I’ll no’ force the lass.”

“So you have, but you’re a man accustomed to getting whatever you want
and
no’ having to wait for it. I’m wondering if you can wait, Jamie, or even go without something you want badly.”

“You’re asking too many questions, lad,” Jamie replied irritably.

“You dinna like the idea of defeat?”

“I dinna like all this prying. If you find me conducting myself badly in this matter, then I give you permission to point it out—when and if that happens. Till then, lad, leave it be. I canna say now what I will or willna do, any more than you can.”

Colen didn’t push, but he couldn’t shake off his uneasiness. He knew his brother’s temper and impatience. How would Sheena fare?

“So she would rather stay here, where she doesna want to be, than ride alone with you to where she does want to be?” Colen asked.

“She’s naught to fear from me, but I must prove it to her,” Jamie sighed.

“If you can keep your temper,” Colen replied, “she may stop being afraid of you. To be truthful…I hope she doesn’t,” he finished fervently.