“Aye,” Lachlan said bitterly. “Cam’s been gone for the morning. Doesn’t he always come back from such a task with a bride?” She could see the laird’s simmering anger at his war chief lurking underneath the amusement.
Instinctively, Marian took a protective step between this man and her younger sister. She wasn’t sure what to think of the laird. He looked ready to launch into violence at any second…and yet the children clung to him without fear.
“Mama,” one of the boys said while reaching for Kenna.
Kenna was the mother of these children? And the one still in her belly. A familiar twinge of jealousy sparked in Mari’s chest and she quickly brushed it aside.
She was happy for her sister. And it was clear Kenna was happy and loved here. Something Kenna hadn’t been at Fletcher Castle.
The jealousy twisted into shame. How many times had she and her parents tried to force Kenna to conform rather than accept her as she was?
“Stay with Papa, Roddy. I must see to Auntie Marian.” Kenna kissed the children and then her husband before looping her arm through Marian’s and tugging her toward the keep. “Come. We have much to catch up on.”
That much was true, though Marian didn’t know where to begin.
She was taken to a sparse room with a large bed taking up most of the space. Kenna settled on a chair and rubbed her belly as a tub was carried in and filled with hot water.
How Marian longed to slip into the bath and allow the warmth to soothe her aching body. Perhaps this would be the last time she need call on the healing properties of a bath. She hoped to be safe here.
Except she knew better than to think her past could be so easily washed away. Kenna was clearly excited for them to be alone so she could shower Marian with questions. When the last steaming bucket was dumped and the servants closed the door behind them, Kenna gazed at her expectantly.
“Do you mind stepping out while I undress?” Marian asked, feeling her cheeks heat.
Kenna laughed. “We’ve seen all our parts since we were wee lasses. You’re much skinnier than before, but I’m sure everything’s the same as I have.”
Marian stared down at her dirty feet. It wasn’t the nudity that bothered her. It was that Kenna would see more of her story than most people knew. She had planned to tell her sister the hell that had been her life the last five years. But telling was different than seeing.
“I’ll turn around if it suits you, but I don’t want to leave. I’m so excited you’re here, and I think it will take several days to catch up. I don’t want to delay.”
Marian laughed at her sister’s eagerness and stripped off the filthy gown while Kenna faced the wall.
She hadn’t been certain of her reception, since her sister had never reached out with so much as a note in the last years. But she couldn’t deny Kenna appeared happy she was here. Perhaps she’d been too busy with her life and children to write.
“Just toss that dress over by the door to be burned. I’m afraid there’s no saving it.”
Marian let out a sound of bliss as she slipped into the warm water and dunked her head. Picking up the soap, she lathered and began washing off a month’s worth of dirt and grime.
“So, where should we begin?” Kenna asked as she turned around.
Most of Marian’s scars were hidden beneath the surface of the water, so she allowed herself to smile and enjoy the start of her healing of body and soul.
For the first time in years, she felt safe and cared for.
Chapter Four
When Mari had been dragged away by Kenna, it left Cam alone with Lach and the boys. Cam figured he was safe for the moment. Lach wouldn’t yell or draw his sword with the wee ones present.
But it was only a moment before the nurse came for the boys and Cam’s cowardly grasp at protection was whisked away into the castle.
“I didn’t expect such a thing from you.” Lach’s voice remained level. It may have been worse than yelling. He was disappointed in Cam.
Cam knew well enough how much his laird had wanted this alliance. It had once been Lach’s plan to wed a McCurdy himself and seal their clans together so the MacKinlays would gain access to the sea. It had been Lach’s father’s wish, and now that the old man was gone, they’d all wanted to see it through to honor the former laird’s legacy.
“In my defense, my laird, I didn’t expect such a thing, either. What would you have had me do? Let them take the lass back to England to be hanged for merely defending herself?”
“Nay. I am glad you claimed her and brought her home. I’m just angry with the situation. You know how much I’ve wanted this alliance. I was so close to making that happen, and now…”
“I ken you’re disappointed, but a marriage doesn’t have to be the only way. I can train the men to take the castle before they’ve even seen us. I’ve drawn up plans of their hold, and I know how we—”
“It’s too risky. If we fail, not only would we lose the chance of an alliance, but we could very well lose Dunardry and our clan.”
Cam wanted to fight him on this, but it was no use. Lach had the weight of his people holding him back from such an aggressive tactic.
Lach nodded as if coming to some conclusion. “We’ll just have to get the marriage annulled so ye can marry Dorie McCurdy.”
“What?” Cam hadn’t expected this. “The hell, you say. I’m not getting an annulment.” He had no idea why he was so adamantly against such a thing. He grasped for reasons. “She would be ruined.”
Lach laughed. “She’s a murderess who’s been traveling alone for over a month. She’ll not grace a London sitting room ever
