Before she could say anything else Mrs. Mac hurried toward them, a hand pressed to her mouth. “You poor wee thing. What have they done to you? When I get me hands on that lot I’l —”
Rory rol ed his eyes.
“Mrs. Mac, you wil let me deal with the matter and help Lady Aileanna see to Mari.” He ignored her exasperated harrumph and continued up the stairs. When he reached the landing, he cal ed down to his man-at- arms. “Cal um, you’l stand guard outside Lady Aileanna’s room.” The big man nodded, a smile lightening his rough- hewn features. Rory knew his choice was a good one. Cal um had withstood the brunt of his anger when he’d informed Rory that he’d placed Aileanna and Mari in the dungeons. Cal um had meant to protect the women, but when Rory had seen them huddled together in the cel it was al he could do to keep his hands from the big man’s throat.
“As wil I, my lord,” Connor said, coming up behind him. The lad’s ears pinked at Rory’s perusal. Connor had been beside himself when he reached Rory on the field. He sensed the boy’s concern had been not only for Aileanna, but for the young maid as wel . Rory nodded his assent. Once he saw Mari settled and did his best to reassure her there was nothing for her to fear, he took his leave. He hadn’t realized Aileanna fol owed him until she stopped him with a tentative touch to his arm.
“You won’t let him hurt her, wil you?”
“Nay, Aileanna, he wil na’ harm either you or Mari ever again.” He couldn’t stop himself. He stroked her bruised cheek with a gentle caress.
“Thank you.” Her heated breath whispered across his palm. He dropped his hand. Clenching his fist, he gathered what little control he had left.
Chapter 7
White-hot pain lanced through Rory’s side as he shrugged into the clean linen. He clenched his teeth, determined his brother would not witness his discomfort. Taking a slow, shal ow breath, he rode it out.
“What?” he rasped at the look of concern on Iain’s face.
“You canna’ hide it from me, Rory. I ken yer wound is troublin’ you. I’l get Aileanna.” His brother rose from where he sat by the fire and made to leave Rory’s chamber.
“Nay, she’s seein’ to Mari. Leave it be, Iain.” The last thing he wanted was to feel those soft, gentle hands of hers touch
ing his bare skin, or her sharp tongue cursing him for being a fool. She’d be right. He shouldn’t have gone with his men. It was too soon. But he hadn’t had a choice. The MacDon
ald, knowing Rory had been wounded, would press his ad
vantage. Ever since his year of mourning his daughter had passed, the old man had been relentless. Belting his plaid, Rory took the mug of whiskey Iain held out to him and shot the amber liquid back. He eased himself into the chair opposite his brother and sucked in a harsh breath as his side rebel ed. “Did you get the answers I asked fer?”
“Nay, they al closed up tighter than clams on a sea 80
bed.” His brother’s voice was laced with frustration. “’Tis no’ helpin’ matters that the priest hasna’ stopped rantin’
since you placed him in the tower. Truth be told, my head wil explode if I have to listen to him much longer and
’tis no’ helpin’ our cause.”
“Yer right. Best I deal with this now. I wanted to give Aileanna and the lass some time, but ’tis no’ playin’ out as I hoped.” He sighed wearily and placed the mug on the table at his side. “Has Fergus returned with the sheriff ?”
“No’ that I ken. Mayhap ’tis no’ a bad thing, Rory. ’Tis yer word that is law, no’ his.”
“Aye. Be that as it may, I’ve heard he’s put a stop to the priest on two separate occasions these past months while we fought the MacDonald. He’s a fair man fer al that he was appointed by James.”
Iain snorted in disgust at the mention of the king. “Aye, and ’tis James who stirred up this hornet’s nest.”
“Aye, wel , we’l deal with it as best we can, brother. Now, give me some time before you bring Aileanna and Mari to the hal . ’Twould be best if you stand by them—
Cal um and Connor as wel .”
His brother gave him a knowing look. “Ah, so you think Aileanna might cause a spot of trouble, do you?”
Rory’s mouth twisted in a grin. “Aye, I’m certain of it. Mind you keep yer hand at the ready to cover that mouth of hers.”
Iain waggled his brows and rose from the chair. “I can think of another much more enjoyable way to cover that delectable mouth of hers.”
“Hold yer tongue, Iain,” he growled, his body’s response to his brother’s words primal. Iain’s eyes widened. “You want her.” He let out a low whistle. “After Brianna, I didna’ think—”
Rory stiffened, his body as taut as a freshly strung bow.
“Leave it be.”
LORD OF THE ISLES
81
“Nay, I wil na’!” his brother al but shouted at him. “If you want Aileanna only to warm yer bed, Rory, doona’ do it. The lass deserves better.”
