Debbie Mazzuca - Lord of the Isles

But it would be difficult to defend her against the priest’s charges if she went after him again, and Rory had LORD OF THE ISLES

77

no doubt that was exactly what would happen if the two crossed paths before he could intervene. He understood her anger. He’d been hard-pressed when he encountered the man not to beat him to a bloody pulp. Mari stiffened in his arms when the bel ows of the priest, coming from the tower above them, reached her ears. “Shh, he canna’ hurt you, Mari. I wil na’ al ow it,” he soothed the young girl. She seemed to relax, but his words didn’t have the same effect on the woman cursing behind him. He shook his head. Aileanna Graham was like no woman he’d ever known—more of a warrior than many of his own men. He only wished she hadn’t seen fit to strike the priest. She’d put Rory in an unenviable position. He had to find a way for al to save face. Somehow he would prove Mari was no witch, but was at a loss as to what to do with Aileanna. The priest demanded she be lashed, or at the very least sent to a nunnery to atone for her sins.

For a brief moment Rory had been tempted to send her away. After al , he stil had his suspicions where she was concerned, and the wel -being of his clan was his first pri

ority. But if he was honest, he’d admit what disturbed him most was her ability to stir him in a way no other woman had, not since he’d lost Brianna. Her resemblance to his wife was uncanny, and at first he was able to put his desire for her down to that, but no longer. Aileanna was as differ

ent from Brianna as night was to day.

He glanced over his shoulder and caught the angry flash in her blue eyes and the stubborn set of her chin as she argued with Iain and Fergus.

“Aileanna,” he said firmly. She looked up at him, a chal enge in her expression. “You’l have yer say, but no’

until you’ve calmed yerself.”

“Calm? You expect me to be calm after what that . . . that,”

she sputtered.

78

Debbie Mazzuca

Rory sighed. “You’l see to Mari and yerself, and then we’l talk.”

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. God save me from vengeful women .

“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

Debbie Mazzuca

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.”

He narrowed his gaze on his brother. “I am laird, Iain, no’ you, and ’twould be best if you remembered that.” But Iain was right. Aileanna was not the kind of woman for a quick tumble. She was a lady, although not like any lady he’d ever known. Her beauty alone set her above the rest, but it was her courage, her strength that intrigued him beyond measure. And a tumble was al he could offer her. Never again would he give his heart to another. The cost was too high.

The door rattled on its hinges as he slammed from his chambers before he said something he’d regret. He gave Cal um and Connor a curt nod. “You both wil accompany Lady Aileanna and Mari to the hal when the time comes. Be prepared for trouble.”