'No.' Iain snapped out that denial. 'Judith, go outside and wait for me. I have something to discuss with your father.'
She didn't hesitate. She turned around and started to walk away. Laird Maclean watched her for a moment, then hastily stood up. His gaze was directed on her back.
'I would never break my promise to go back to England,' he called out. 'I certainly wouldn't have gone back for my wife,' he added in a louder voice.
Judith continued to walk away from her father. She was trembling so much now, she was worried her legs would give out on her. If she could just get outside…
'I wouldn't go back for land, or title, or all the gold England had to give.'
She was halfway across the way when he bellowed, 'Judith Maitland!'
She stopped and slowly turned around. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She was oblivious to them. Her hands were gripped tightly together so no one would see how they shook.
'I would have broken my promise for a daughter,' her father shouted. 'Oh, yes, I would have gone back into England for you.'
She took a deep breath, then slowly nodded. She desperately wanted to believe him, but knew she needed time, and distance, to separate all the lies from the truth.
Graham stood near the bottom of the steps leading up to the entrance. Two guards stood as sentries behind him. Her gaze met the elder's. The look on Graham's face took her breath away, his fury and his disdain for her so visible, she felt as though he'd just spat on her.
She was certain she was going to be sick. She ran outside, crossed the courtyard and continued on toward the privacy of the trees. She kept running until she was out of breath. Then she collapsed on the ground and broke into heart-wrenching sobs.
Judith was so confused inside. Had her father told her the truth? If he had known about her, would he have claimed her? Would he have been able to love her?
Oh God, the lost years, the lies, the loneliness. And now it was too late. She had told who she was, and
Graham had let her know, with just one hateful look, that she had lost everything. She was an outsider again.
'Iain,' she sobbed.
Had she lost him, too?
Iain knew Judith needed him now. He believed he'd hurt her with his admission he'd married her because she was a Maclean. He wanted to go to her, of course, but his initial concern was dealing with her father. In his mind, Judith's safety came before her feelings.
'You used my daughter to get to me, didn't you?' Laird Maclean remarked. He tried to sound furious, but failed in his attempt. He let out a sigh. ' 'Tis the truth I probably would have done the same if I'd been in your position.'
Iain's discipline vanished. He reached across the table, grabbed Judith's father by his shoulders and lifted him half out of his chair. Douglas ran forward to intervene on his father's behalf. Iain sent him flying backward again with the back of his fist.
'I married Judith to protect her from you, you bastard,' he roared. He shoved Maclean back into his chair. 'Now you and I are going to come to some sort of understanding, or I swear to God, I'll kill you.'
The Maclean laird raised his hand to stop his men from attacking Iain. 'Everyone out,' he commanded in a bellow. 'This matter is between the Maitland laird and me. Douglas, you may stay.'
'Patrick stays, too,' Iain ordered.
'I'm not leaving,' Graham shouted.
'As you wish,' Laird Maclean agreed, his tone weary now. He waited until his soldiers had taken their leave, then stood up to face Iain. 'Why did you believe you needed to protect her from me? I'm her father.'
'You know damned good and well why,' Iain replied. 'You would have married her to one of the Dunbars. I couldn't allow that.'
Laird Maclean didn't argue over that possibility for he knew it to be true. He probably would have married her to one of the Dunbars in order to make the alliance more binding. 'I would have gained her permission first,' he muttered. He leaned back in his chair. 'Dear God, this is difficult to take in. I have a daughter.'
'And a wife,' Iain reminded him.
Maclean's face darkened. 'Yes, a wife,' he agreed. 'The woman left me,' he explained. 'Oh, it was under the guise of returning to England to see her ailing brother, but I knew she didn't have any intention of ever coming back. I was happy to be rid of her. I felt like celebrating when I heard she'd died. If that be a sin, so be it. I've never known a woman like her,' he added. 'Not before, not after. She didn't have a conscience. She lived for self- pleasure, nothing more. She was so cruel to her son, I spent most of my days protecting the boy from his own mother.'
'Judith didn't have anyone to protect her.'
'I realize that,' Maclean replied. He suddenly looked like a very old man. 'She said she lived with the aunt the first four years. What happened then? Did she live with her mother?'
'Yes.'
'What about my wife's brother? The drunk?' Maclean asked.
'He lived with them, to. The aunt and uncle tried to look out for Judith. She lived with them six months of each year, and lived in Hell the other months.'
'A peculiar arrangement,' Maclean said. He shook his head. 'I can never make it up to her. I can never-' His voice broke. He pretended to cough, then said, 'You'll have your alliance, Iain, if you're still wanting it. The Dunbars will rebel, of course, but we can keep them under control and behaving themselves, locked between us as they are. I have only one request to make.'
'What is it?'
'I want Judith to stay here for a spell. I would like to get to know her.'
Iain was already shaking his head before Maclean had finished his plea. 'My wife stays with me.'
'Will you allow her to come here every now and again?'
'Only Judith can make that decision,' Iain countered.
'I wouldn't force her.'
'But you won't prevent her?'
'No,' Iain conceded. 'If she wishes to see you again, I'll bring her to you.'
'Iain Maitland, you're making promises without authority,' Graham announced in a near shout. 'The council will decide any alliances, not you.'
Iain turned around to look at Graham. 'We will discuss this later,' he commanded.
'You should be thankful my daughter spoke up when she did,' Maclean bellowed. He stood up, braced his hands on the tabletop, and leaned forward. 'She saved your sorry hide, Graham. I've been itching to tear you apart for a good number of years. I still might, if I hear you aren't treating Judith proper.'
He paused to glare at his enemy. 'Oh, I saw the expression on your face when you heard she was a Maclean. It didn't sit well, did it? It must chafe you considerably to know your laird's married to my daughter. No matter,' Maclean continued in a roar. 'You hurt Judith, and by God, I'll kill you with my bare hands.'
'Father, what if Judith wants to stay here with us?' Douglas asked. 'She may not want to go home with Iain. You should put the question to her.'
Iain wasn't impressed with Douglas's burst of brotherly concern. 'She goes with me.'
Douglas didn't want to give up. 'Will you let him take her if she doesn't want to go?'
'Let him?' Maclean found his first smile. 'It appears Iain's going to do whatever he damned well wants to do.' He turned his attention Iain. 'You might have started out with a clever plan in mind, but you fell in love with her somewhere along the way, didn't you?'
Iain refused to answer him. Douglas wouldn't let it go. 'Do you love Judith?'
Iain let out a sigh. Judith's brother was turning out to be one hell of a nuisance. 'Do you honestly believe I would marry a Maclean if I didn't love her?'
Laird Maclean let out a snort of laughter. 'Welcome to the family, son.'
Iain found Judith leaning against a tree on the side of the trail a fair distance away from the keep. The moonlight was bright enough for him to see how pale she was.
