miracle.
The hall could only hold a third of their number, yet when the first man knelt down and bowed his head, the others followed his lead, until even the soldiers outside were kneeling.
It was a united show of loyalty, Alec knew, but it wasn't for Angus that the soldiers knelt. No, Angus was their equal. They wouldn't kneel before him. The soldiers were now giving Lady Kincaid their loyalty, their complete trust.
And his wife slept through their silent pledge.
'I boasted it would take her a long time to earn their trust,' Gavin told Alec.
'I was wrong. It has taken her less than one day.'
Marcus, with his sister Edith, walked into the hall just as the last of the soldiers filed past. They waited by Gavin's side, until Elizabeth, holding on to Annie's hand, caught up with them.
'Do you see, Annie? I told you Angus was better. Look how he's smiling.'
Elizabeth whispered her happy news, then dropped Annie's hand to rush forward to her husband's side.
'Lady Kincaid saved Angus,' Gavin told Marcus.' 'Tis a time for joy, my friend, not anger. Why do you frown so?'
'Angus would have made it with or without Lady Kincaid's assistance. It was God's decision, not hers.'
The harshness in his tone turned Alec's attention to him. 'You do not accept my wife, Marcus?' he asked, his voice deceptively mild.
The warrior immediately shook his head. 'I accept her because she's your wife, Alec, and I would protect her with my life,' he added. 'But she won't win my loyalty so easily.'
Anna and Edith stood by Marcus's side, mimicking his frown as they listened to the conversation. Alec looked at each one, then spoke again. 'All of you will make her welcome. Do you understand me?'
The women immediately nodded their compliance. Marcus took a bit longer to agree. 'Have you forgotten our Helena so soon, Alec?'
'It's been almost three years,' Gavin interjected.
'I haven't forgotten,' Alec announced.
'Then why-'
'I married to please my king, Marcus, and you damn well know it. Before you turn your back on my wife, remember this, all of you. Jamie also married by command from her king. She didn't want this marriage any more than I did. Honor her for doing her duty.'
'She really didn't wish to marry you?' Annie asked. Her brown eyes mirrored her surprise.
Alec shook his head. 'The only reason I discuss such matters with you, Annie, is because of your sister, Helena. Jamie was pledged to another man. Why would she want to marry me?'
'The English dislike us as much as we dislike them,' Gavin interjected.
'Your wife doesn't know how fortunate she is,' Annie shyly interjected.
Alec smiled at the sincerity in Annie's voice. He left the three staring after him as he walked over to his sleeping wife and gently lifted her into his arms.
He held her close against his chest.
Gavin followed behind, thinking to take over the watch by Angus's side.
'I wonder, Alec, how long it's going to take your wife to accept us?' he remarked.
'Little time at all,' Alec predicted. He started toward his bed, then called over his shoulder, 'She'll settle in, Gavin. You'll see.'
Chapter Eleven
She started three wars the first week.
Jamie's intentions were quite honorable. She'd decided to make the best of her situation, accepting the fact that she was married to a laird now. She would do her duty as his wife and take care of him and his household. No matter how difficult the adjustment might be for Alec, she wouldn't shirk her obligations.
In the back of her mind was a glimmer of hope that while she was busy tending to her new duties, she would also start making a few necessary changes. Why, if she really put her mind to it, she might even be able to civilize these Highlanders.
The wars, coming one atop the other, actually crept up on Jamie. She wasn't about to take the blame for instigating any of the conflicts. No, the blame belonged to the Scots, their ridiculous customs, their stubborn nature, and most especially, their unbending pride. Was it her fault none of these barbarians ever made a bit of sense?
Jamie slept past the nooning meal the day after she patched up Angus. She thought she deserved the long rest until she remembered it was Sunday and she'd missed mass. It was a duty to attend the service, and the realization that no one had bothered to wake her up irritated her. Now she was going to have to use one of her shillings to buy an indulgence.
She dressed in a cream-colored chemise and a ruby-colored bliaut, then draped a braided belt around her waist ever so loosely so it would rest on her hips, as was the fashion these days. She might not have gone to court, but she kept up with the newest styles, even though it was a bother. Still, she didn't want the Scots thinking she was just an ignorant country girl. She was their laird's wife now and must always look fashionable. She brushed her hair, gave her cheeks a good pinch for color, and went to see how her patient was doing. If all was well with Angus, she would find the priest and put the matter of her sin in his hands.
She dreaded the coming penance.
Luck was on her side, however. Not only was Angus sleeping peacefully, but the priest was also in the hall. He was taking his turn sitting beside the warrior.
The priest started to stand when he saw Jamie approaching. 'Pray stay seated, Father,' Jamie requested with a smile.
'We've not been properly introduced,' the priest announced. 'I'm Father Murdock, Lady Kincaid.'
It was still difficult to understand him. The priest's voice was as thin as his hair. The soft burr in his speech only added to the problem. He sounded in dire need of a good cough. Jamie resisted her urge to cough for him.
'Has the pain in your chest let up, Father?' she asked.
'It has, milady, it surely has,' Father Murdock answered. 'I haven't slept so well in many a night. That potion you gave me turned the trick.'
'I'd like to make a salve for you to rub on your chest,' Jamie said. 'We'll have that cough gone by week's end.'
'Thank you, lass, for taking the time to help this old man.'
'I must warn you, Father, the stench in this paste will make your friends keep well away from you.' Father Murdock smiled. 'I shall not mind.'
'Has Angus been resting well?'
'He's sleeping now, but earlier Gavin had to restrain him. Angus was trying to tear the bandages off his bad arm. Elizabeth was so distressed she wanted to awaken you. Gavin ordered her to bed.'
Jamie frowned over this news while she studied the warrior's swollen fingers.
The color was good enough to please her. She put her hand on his brow next. 'The fever didn't catch hold of him,' she announced. 'Your prayers have saved him, Father.'
'Nay, lass,' the priest contradicted. 'You are the one who saved him. God must have decided to let Angus stay with us, and in his wisdom he sent you here to tend to him.'
His praise embarrassed her. 'Well, he sent you a sinner,' she blurted out, wanting to get the dreaded business over. 'I missed mass this morning,' she explained after she'd pressed a shilling in his hand. 'Please accept this coin for an indulgence.'
'But mistress-'
'Now, Father, before you decide upon my penance, I would like to explain my reasons. I wouldn't have missed mass if Alec had wakened me,' she said. Her hands settled on her hips and she tossed her hair back over her shoulder in a gesture Father Murdock found enchanting. A frown worried her brow. 'Come to think of it, this really should be Alec's sin, too. What think you of that?'
