The Accidental Highland Hero (The Highlanders #2)

Chapter Fifteen

James would turn her over to her uncle? Not Dunbarton? Eilis sat taller at the head table. Still, her heart shriveled to think she might be returned to her uncle and have to face his anger. “I thought Fia explained everything, although she will be in as much trouble as me for telling the truth.”

James glowered at Eilis.

Trying to smooth the situation over between James and her, she leaned over and kissed his cheek. The volume of talking in the hall ceased at once. Catriona choked on her mead. Fia grinned at Eilis.

“Think you that I will wed you?”

James asked harshly under his breath.

She drew closer and looked up at him with the most adoring eyes she could muster, her voice lowered for his ears only. “I am supposed to be here for Catriona’s benefit. Aye, my laird?”

Scowling at her, he steeled his back against his chair. “Tell me what this is all about with your uncle.”

She sighed. “Agnes, my cousin, was betrothed to Dunbarton, but she died the day she was to sail to meet him. My uncle said I would take her place and pretend to be her. But I will not live a falsehood.”

Eilis snatched a piece of cheese from James’s trencher and waved it at him. “How long do you think I would survive if Dunbarton discovers the truth? And if he did not dispense with me at once, he might still decide to do battle with my uncle because of the deceit.”

James’s eyes bored into hers as if he was trying to force her to tell the truth. She refused to drop her gaze, to submit to his coercion.

“Nor did you want to marry Dunbarton,”

he reminded her.

“Do you blame me? Agnes did not wish to marry him, either, but she would have done so for the sake of the clan. The marriage contract was for his marriage to Agnes, never to me. Fearing Dunbarton would refuse me in Agnes’s place, my uncle remains dishonest with him about what has befallen my cousin. But worse—if it could be considered worse—my uncle warned our clan that if any should reveal the truth about my identity, he would take care of them. And he means in his harsh way of dealing with dissent.”

The muscle in James’s jaw ticked, but it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

A girl spoke to Lady Akira seated on the other side of James, and she heard some of the conversation. Apparently, the servant had somehow overheard the talk Fia and Eilis had in the bedchamber and confirmed what was said.

Lady Akira cleared her throat to get Eilis’s attention. “You are the niece of Clan Chief MacBurness?”

“Aye, my lady.”

“We have no quarrel with them, thank the heavens,”

Lady Akira said, sounding vastly relieved.

No, but circumstances would change if Eilis’s uncle learned she lived and found her staying with the MacNeill.

James rubbed his temple. “Then if that be the case, you are bound to wed no one.”

“Unless you see fit to wed me.”

Eilis gave him a winsome smile then cast a look Catriona’s way. The woman’s blue eyes had hardened. After lifting James’s goblet off the table, Eilis sipped from it. “Then I would be much pleased.”

She only intended to do her part as far as baiting Catriona, but she had no intention of getting James in trouble with her uncle. And no desire to have to face his furor, either. Besides, James’s intention was only a ploy to get Catriona’s acquiescence. The other matter, having been caught in James’s bed, seemed to have gone no further than his chamber. So the notion of marrying her for her honor seemed no longer necessary.

Although Eilis would like to stop the marriage so he could find someone more suitable than the witch.

As he watched Eilis’s actions, James’s brooding look changed subtly from anger to fascination. The sparkle in his dark eyes returned, and his lips rose in a devilish smirk. “You are lighting a wildfire, lady, and I am certain you have not the ability to control it.”

She set his goblet down, unsure as to the meaning of his words.

“We will take a walk in the gardens tonight, you and I, under the full moon and with torches lighting our way.”

She leaned closer to him, hoping to push Catriona into making a move for James, or more wickedly, that she would give him up. “Aye, my laird. ‘Twill be my greatest pleasure.”

His mouth turned up even more, and he looked every bit the rakish rogue. And for the briefest moments, she wished she truly could be James’s intended. If only circumstances were different.

Catriona squinted her eyes at Keary who was seated at one of the lower tables, James’s men surrounding him and his companions while they ate. “Is that Dunbarton’s son?”

“Aye.”

James stabbed a chunk of cheese with his knife.

“Whatever is he doing here?”

“He is a guest, Catriona.”

“You would not treat him as a guest unless…has he finally turned against his father and joined you?”

Catriona didn’t wait for an explanation before she smiled broadly at Keary.

What was the wench’s game?

Keary caught her eye and grinned back.

“The years have been kind to him.”

“Do you know him well?”

James asked, the ire building in his blood. Had Catriona bedded his enemy’s bastard son?

Catriona coiled a strand of dark hair around her finger and smiled at James. “I know him, aye. He hunted with my late husband.”

“And that is all?”

“He is an avid hunter.”

Aye of four-legged beasties and of the two-legged variety of the fairer sex. ‘Twas said the man preyed on widows left well of means, while playing to their need for pretty phrases and silky seduction, no matter their age. Catriona would more than fit the role. But she had to be mad, thinking she could act in thus a manner and not perturb James. ‘Twas providence Eilis had been delivered to him to save him from his folly in thinking Catriona was the one for him.

He reached over and took Eilis’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. She would be his soon.

Eilis frowned at Catriona when the woman so blatantly showed interest in James’s enemy. What was the woman’s intent? To make James jealous? She was but a fool.

Eilis couldn’t understand how James had ever been interested in Catriona. Then she reconsidered. She was a beautiful creature, and when around James, she probably kept her claws well hidden, only using her purrs to seduce him.

Catriona turned her attention from Dunbarton’s son to Eilis. Catriona’s chilly glare could have frozen all the lochs in Scotland in the middle of summer.

Eilis gave her a satisfied smile. She was not one to act unkindly toward another, but in Catriona’s case, the woman deserved worse. Even as a young girl, Catriona made a play for Eilis’s father who she thought would be clan chief—and he was, for the briefest of times—until he died in battle. The woman hadn’t any real heart.

Eilis took a deep breath.

Did James not know what a deceitful woman Catriona was? Mayhap he liked that she shared every man’s bed she could charm her way into—well, only if she thought it worthy of her time. Mayhap it made her as good a lover as James no doubt desired. Why would he be interested in an untried lass?

Fia gave Eilis a knowing nod as if telling Eilis she’d done her job well. Lady Akira chattered to another lady, more talkative than Eilis had ever seen her. The whole of James’s clan seemed to watch the goings on at the head table more than usual. Even Niall and Eanruig wore perpetual silly grins.

Eilis wished she could pretend to seduce the earl in front of Catriona and only the witch herself.

James stepped into the role way too readily. Wasn’t he supposed to act a wee bit interested in Eilis but much more so in Catriona? Not once had he acted as though he desired Catriona’s attentions at the meal. And several times, Eilis caught him watching her as if attempting to figure her out. Well, mayhap she was difficult to understand. One moment, shy and retiring, wishing to flee at all costs. Now, brazenly flirtatious when she had barely been that way a day in her life—she didn’t think. She still could not remember all her past. She had to see someone or hear something to recall bits of it.

Except she remembered a cousin, six times removed that she had acted uncommonly silly over. Like James, dark-haired and eyed, he had the same kind of humor, a flaring temper, but a kind heart. Mayhap that’s why she had a soft spot in her heart for James. Her cousin wed another, which was to be expected, but he had been the only man she’d made a fool of herself over, swaying her hips a little too much when he was around. Fluttering her lashes at him, acting coyly. What did it get her? Naught. He married another.

She hmpfed under her breath. Mayhap ‘twas why she thought naught would ever come of her attempts at flirtation. Other women made men drool at the sight of them when the ladies fluttered about. Not Eilis. They ignored her as if she was too small a fish in the loch to bother with. Mayhap, though, it was because she had been the clan chief’s niece after her father’s untimely death, and no one wished to earn her uncle’s wrath should they grow too interested in her.

She shook loose of the memory and her morose thoughts. James was marrying Catriona, and Eilis had to steal away before her uncle discovered her here. James must have known all about Catriona if she stayed in the room adjoining his chamber. Eilis was but a fool to think he wanted some other kind of woman.

James ended the meal and rose from his chair. Offering his arm to Eilis, he asked, “Are you ready for our walk, lass?”

“Aye.”

She reminded herself it was only for show. Eagerly accepting his arm, she nearly pulled him from the hall to escape.

James chuckled, and she looked up and found him smiling broadly. “I cannot decide which of you I like better.”

She raised her brows in question.

“The sweet, retiring young lassie who wishes naught to do with me or the bold, flirtatious lass who cannot get enough of me.”

As hot as her face felt, she assumed it had turned scarlet. “‘Tis only a charade, my laird.”

“Aye,”

he said without conviction. Then his smile broadened. “Which of you is a charade?”

She looked down at her feet, thinking of the way she’d acted toward her distant cousin.

James laughed. “I see I still do not know all there is about you, but it appears you have regained more of your memories.”

He led her outside where clouds now blocked the sinking sun. Clansmen returned to their tasks before it was time to retire for the night. Guards watched from the wall walk surrounding the castle, ever alert.

James’s look turned more solemn. “All jesting aside, you remember who you are now, Eilis? You remember all your past? You said you have never been courted before. Is this true?”

Eilis smiled, pulled her hand free from James’s, and folded her arms. “Why? You are not truly courting me, so what difference does it make to you, my laird?”

Her words were hushed, meant for only James’s ears in case Catriona sneaked up behind them. Knowing the way she was, Eilis would not put it past the woman.

“Call me James.”

He separated her locked arms and retook her hand. “I think you know I intend to wed you. After this afternoon’s rendezvous in my bed…”

“Nothing happened. And as long as Nesta was not there to tell all your people and I am far away from here when you wed—”

“You have not answered me, Eilis. Do you recall all your memories? Have you ever been courted?”

He led her near the stable, and a boy ran out to greet them.

“Did you and the lady wish to ride, my laird?”

The boy shifted his gaze from James to Eilis.

“Would you like to ride this eve, lass?”

James asked, squeezing her hand.

In truth, she’d like a ride to freedom. Glancing back at the keep, she saw Catriona watching them, her expression bitter as if she’d been drinking soured mead, which decided the matter. “I can ride.”

“Good.”

James motioned to the lad. “Saddle the horses.”

The lad dashed back inside the stable, and a horse softly whinnied while another snorted.

James turned to Eilis. “Well? I am still waiting to hear the answer to my question.”

“Nay, no one has courted me.”

She looked back at the stables, vaguely remembering the day she nearly made her escape when she’d been so ill. “Are you not afraid I will run away from you?”

He studied her, his mouth curved up. “Nay. You are supposed to be feigning infatuation for me. How will you succeed in pulling this off in front of Catriona if you run away?”

How could Eilis even believe he did not intend to marry her? He would make an offer MacBurness could not turn down.

“Catriona will not be going for a ride, my laird.”

“Call me James, lass. The lady watches us from the keep. She cannot hear our conversation from this distance, but she looks most sour. You are creating an excellent ruse.”

Which, as far as James was concerned, was truly no longer needed. But if Eilis needed to play the game that would allow her to be more intimate with him, he would not deny her.

The lad led the horses to James, his own fine black steed, and a gentler roan for the lady. Rogue poked his muzzle in Eilis’s face. James raised his brows in surprise.

Eilis laughed, and her voice sounded like a bit of fairy magic. “I thought he liked me because I wore your brat and he thought I was you.”

“‘Tis unlikely.”

James lifted her onto the roan. “The horse knows me with or without my brat. He would not mistake another wearing mine for me. However, he does recognize a person who has a gift with animals.” He ran his hand over his horse’s flank. “You see, I saved him when he was a colt from a clansman who had beaten him near death.” He swung his leg over his saddle. “I have found ever since Rogue to be a good judge of character.”

Eilis studied his horse. “He is a beautiful animal. I cannot imagine anyone being so cruel.”

“Aye, well, I was but a wee lad but hid Rogue for sometime until my da discovered his hiding place. Before my da could make his clansman pay for the crime against the colt and the violence he did against his wife and wee sons, the man drowned at sea. My da paid the family for the colt, and I raised him for my own.”

“You are a remarkable man, James MacNeill. Any woman would find you a good husband, no doubt.”

Aye, the Lady Eilis, first and foremost. They rode beyond the gate, and five of James’s men on horseback soon followed them.

Eilis glanced back at them while James guided her to the loch. “They are for our protection, although the land is mine for many miles around. We have had problems from time to time with thieves and Dunbarton and his men, although now that the clan chief has captured my brother, I am certain he will not trouble us until I pay the ransom.”

“James.”

Pleased to hear the bonny lass finally speak his name, her voice as sweet as lavender, he asked, “Aye, lass?”

She took a deep breath, and he surmised what she was going to say before she even spoke.

“You have to let me go. You know you do.”

“You cannot ignore what happened between us in the chamber.”

“Naught happened! Besides, my uncle—”

“He cannot force you to marry in your cousin’s place.”

“You do not wish to offer me for ransom to have your brother released?”

Shocked, James stared at her. “Nay, Eilis. Dunbarton is stubborn. He refuses my offer to exchange my brother and Gunnolf for whatever I have to barter. But I have sent a missive concerning his son. I would not hand you over since you are not Agnes, his betrothed. Neither Dougald or Gunnolf would wish it, either, believe me.”

She pursed her lips, and he knew she disagreed with him still. “All right. Then here is another matter. What about this business with Catriona?”

James pulled his horse to a stop before the blue loch, not getting her meaning. “What about Catriona?”

“You are marrying her, remember?”

She sounded so exasperated with him, it made him smile. “Why should I consider her, when we have been so intimately alone together, Eilis? Can we not take pleasure in our time here?”

He dismounted and reached up to help her down from her horse.

“Catriona is not here to see this charade. There is no sense in—”

He pulled her down and kissed her lips, silencing her objection. Sweet heavens, the lass was like the purest silk, soft and desirable. She readily accepted his kiss, which spurred him on. With kisses that were gentle against her full lush mouth, he pressed his advantage, his body instantly becoming fully aroused.

His men looked away, small smiles on their faces as Eilis leaned into the kiss, hesitant at first, then seeking his mouth, emboldened. He deepened the onslaught, licking her lips, questing an entrance, wishing again he and the lass were alone where they could take their actions further. Sweet torture was his as he kissed her mouth and desired to touch her breasts, to slip inside her willing body, to pleasure her like she’d never been pleasured before.

With the utmost restraint, he pulled away, leaving her lips swollen, her eyes rounded. Then she narrowed them, scowling. “’Tis only a ruse I am bound to play, my laird.”

But she could no more pretend to enjoy his attentions than he could hers. “Nay, Eilis. You sealed your fate with me when you came into my bed.”

Horses headed in their direction, and James turned to see Catriona riding with her own escort to join them.

James smiled. “You see how important it is to play the game always?”

Although the game was well over as far as he was concerned.

“You saw her coming?”

“Aye.”

Eilis looked so crestfallen, he knew she felt the same for him as he did for her but still worried about her uncle’s wrath. He would send a missive at once, offering a bride price.

Eilis bit her lip, the twinge of hope that James kissed her because he truly cared for her, slipping away when he said he had seen Catriona coming and that he only wished to continue the ruse.

Nay, ’twas ludicrous to wish any kind of relationship with James. Her uncle would do battle with him. Och, so would Dunbarton. Between the two of them they would crush the MacNeill.

“My uncle will be furious if he discovers me here. I do not want bloodshed between our clans.”

Eilis stiffened, wishing Catriona would go back the way she’d come and leave James and her in peace to discuss matters.

James lifted Eilis’s hand to his lips and kissed her so softly, ‘twas like a butterfly’s wing fluttering on her skin.

Catriona looked most dour, which pleased Eilis. At least the ruse was successful. As the woman closed the gap, Catriona smiled broadly at James, the look so faked Eilis wondered if James could tell.

“Why, James, you should have told me you were taking a ride to the loch.”

Catriona motioned to him as if she wanted help dismounting.

Eilis glanced up at the burgeoning clouds. “Think you it will rain, my lair…, uhm, James?”

“Aye,”

James said, his lips and eyes smiling. “‘Tis time we were returning.” He helped her onto her horse then mounted his own.

“Thank you for the ride, James. It feels good to escape the confines of the castle again.”

Eilis figured he couldn’t help but get her meaning.

Catriona glowered at Eilis. “I did not know your uncle, Laird MacBurness, was interested in having ties with the MacNeill clan. I understood he was having trouble with Dunbarton’s men, and I have heard it rumored he was having both Agnes and you married off to Dunbarton and one of his chieftains.

James glanced at Eilis to see her reaction. Her lips had parted in surprise, and she looked a wee bit frightened. He couldn’t believe the lass might be betrothed to one of Dunbarton’s chieftains. But what if she was and had kept it secret?

Or mayhap didn’t remember?