Julie Garwood - The Bride

Edith, you were so set against me; I did have to use a little trickery to get your attention."

"You aren't going to send me away?"

Jamie shook her head. She helped Edith stand up. "You're a very important member of this clan, Edith. I would never send you away. I lied about Helena, too. I haven't taken her place."

Edith shook her head. "But you're Alec's wife now."

"That doesn't mean we all pretend Helena never existed."

"He does."

"Alec?"

When Edith nodded, Jamie whispered, "It's painful for him."

"I don't know," Edith whispered. "I was sure he didn't care. They weren't married long, milady. There wasn't even time to bring her daughter-"

"Her what?"

She hadn't meant to shout, but Edith's casually spoken words so startled her that she could barely keep her expression contained. "Father Murdock said Alec and Helena were married only two months."

Edith nodded. "Alec was pledged to Annie," she said. "King Edgar changed his mind. Annie… well, she wasn't growing up quick enough, and Helena had just lost her husband. His name was Kevin. He died protecting his king. Helena was swollen with Kevin's child."

Jamie almost fell down. Marcus grabbed hold of her arm to steady her. "Are you ill, milady?" he asked.

"I'm not ill," Jamie countered. "I'm bloody furious. Edith, how long was Helena wed to Kevin?"

"Six years."

"Now, tell me about this child," she demanded.

"She had a daughter," Edith announced. "Helena was waiting for Alec's return to go and get her. The little girl was being cared for by Kevin's mother."

Edith led Jamie over to the table when her mistress announced she needed to sit down. "You are ill," Edith stammered out. "I've caused you to-"

"Well, hell, no one tells me anything," Jamie shouted. "My mother was carrying me when she wed my stepfather. And if you think I'll let that-"

Jamie finally got hold of her emotions. She noticed the soldiers worried expressions. She took a deep, calming breath, then managed a smile. "Edith and I have settled this little dispute. We're both sorry you had to witness our unladylike conduct. Now, then, I don't want either of you to mention this to Alec. You'd only embarrass us and irritate him. Isn't that right, Edith?"

She waited for Edith's quick nod, then said, "Edith, you will continue to see to the household matters. I would like to help you every now and again. Do you think we might have something other than mutton for dinner tonight? I do hate mutton."

Edith smiled. Her eyes filled with tears again. "What is this daughter's name?"

Jamie asked her.

"Mary Kathleen," Edith answered. "Kevin's family has some Irish blood."

"Mary is also my sister's name," Jamie said, smiling. "And how old is this child now?"

"Three years," Edith answered. "I haven't seen my niece since the birthing. I heard Kevin's mother died three months past. A distant relation takes care of Mary now."

It took all of Jamie's determination not to let her anger show. Edith looked as if she wanted to cry again, and Jamie didn't have time to soothe her. Her mind was busy racing with her plans. "There is much for the two of us to discuss, cousin, but later, after you've repaired your hair, will be soon enough."

That remark accomplished Jamie's goal. Edith immediately bounded to her feet.

"My hair has come undone?" she asked, clearly appalled. She patted the sides of her crown while she waited for an answer.

"Just a little," Jamie told her, trying not to smile.

Edith made a curtsy, then rushed out of the room.

Jamie let out a long sigh. "You've had quite a day, Jamie."

Gavin remarked. "First you battle a fire and then you battle a determined woman."

"Actually, I battled a fat boar, then Alec, then the fire, and last, Edith," she corrected with a smile.

"A boar? You battled with a boar?" Gavin shouted.

"I'm just jesting with you," she admitted. As soon as Gavin lost some of his angry expression, she told him what happened.

When she'd finished, she couldn't help but notice how incredulous the warriors looked. "So you see, I didn't actually battle the boar. I just got in his way.

Do you know this child? His name is Lindsay."

Gavin had to sit down before giving her answer. "We know of his clan."

"My God, Jamie," Marcus began, "his father is a powerful-"

"Ruthless," Gavin interjected.

"Laird," Marcus finished.

"You could have gotten yourself killed," Gavin shouted as he bounded back to his feet.

"Don't censure her, Gavin," Marcus countered. "I'm sure Alec must have-"

"I didn't exactly tell him," Jamie interrupted.

The men let her know what they thought of that sin. "Quit your scowls," Jamie ordered. "I promised that child I wouldn't be telling on him. I see no reason to tell Alec what happened. He'll only worry. I'll have your word on this, Gavin.

Yours, too, Marcus."

Both warriors immediately agreed. Neither, of course, meant to honor her request, but they wanted to appease her now.

"Did anything else happen that you've forgotten to mention?" Gavin drawled out.

"Give me time," Jamie countered. "The day's not half done, if you'll remember."

Gavin smiled, and miracle of miracles, Marcus smiled again, too. "It has been quite a morning," she said with a sigh. "Marcus, do you know where Mary Kathleen is?"

He nodded. "Is it a fair distance away from here?"

"Three hours' ride," he stated with a shrug.

"Then we'd best get started right away."

"I beg your pardon, milady?" Marcus asked. He turned to give Gavin a puzzled look, wondering if he'd understood their mistress's announcement. Jamie had already disappeared behind the screen.

"We'll leave at once," she called out. She peeked around the corner. "You wouldn't mind taking me, would you, Marcus? 'Tis the truth, even with proper directions, I would probably get lost."

"Where are we going?" Marcus asked.

"To see my daughter."

It was a lie, of course, for Jamie had no intention of merely seeing her daughter. She couldn't very well tell the soldiers the full truth, however, not if she wanted to gain their cooperation.

Besides, she guessed they'd find out soon enough.

Mary Kathleen was coming home where she belonged.

And that was that.

Alec's patience was nearing the shouting point. He blamed his ill temper on the fact that the early afternoon training session wasn't going at all well. It was teeth-grinding, frustrating work, for he was now instructing the younger, unseasoned warriors.

Young David, Laird Timothy's second son, bore the brunt of Alec's frustration.

The boy didn't seem to get any better, no matter how long he trained. Alec knocked David and his sword to the ground for the third time, using the back of his bare hand to add humiliation to his lesson in defense. David's weapon went flying. It would have found a target in another soldier's leg if the older warrior hadn't sidestepped just in time.

"I should kill you now and be done with it," Alec roared at the boy. "David, you won't last five minutes in true battle unless you learn to pay attention to what you're doing. And hold on to your weapon, for God's sake."

Before the yellow-haired warrior could respond to that criticism, Alec hauled him to his feet. He had David by the throat now, thinking he might just strangle a bit of good sense into his head one way or another. When David's freckled face turned blotchy, Alec knew he had his full attention.

"Alec?" one of the soldiers called out.

Alec tossed David to the ground before turning to the soldier. He noticed the silence then. His soldiers had all quit their tasks without gaining his permission. That fact settled in his mind a scant second before he realized they were all staring at the top of the hill.