The Highlander Series (37 page)

Mairin stepped back, distancing herself from Cameron and clutching Ewan’s hand even tighter. Ewan saw the speculation—and the sympathy—that Mairin’s rejection inspired in the crowded hall. Cameron was playing the victim to the hilt, and he’d obviously gained the support of many by humbling himself at Mairin’s feet.

Cameron rose, grief engraved in the lines of his face. The man was a consummate actor; he even managed a gray pallor as he retreated, seemingly in defeat, to take his seat on the other side of the table.

Ewan had no sooner seated Mairin and himself when the trumpet sounded, signaling the king’s arrival. Everyone stood and turned their attention to the door, but it wasn’t King David who entered. It was a bevy of his closest advisors, including the king’s cousin, Archibald, who’d issued the summons for Ewan to appear.

Archibald nodded pompously and took the seat usually reserved for the king. He first eyed Duncan Cameron and then turned his gaze on Ewan before letting it slide to Mairin on Ewan’s right.

“I trust your journey was not too taxing, Lady Mairin. We have only just heard of your being with child.”

She bowed demurely. “I thank you for your regard, my lord. My husband has taken great care with me.”

“Where is the king?” Ewan asked bluntly.

Archibald had no liking for the question. His eyes narrowed as he stared at Ewan. “The king has other matters to attend to this night.”

He turned to survey the many people seated at the tables in the hall. “Let us eat,” he announced.

The servants lining the wall burst into activity, filling goblets with wine and setting out the trenchers of food. The aroma was tantalizing and the tables overflowing with bounty.

“Eat,” Ewan whispered to Mairin. “You must keep your strength up.”

Ewan and Duncan’s presence at the same table made the tension so thick that the rest of the noblemen seated around them remained silent. Archibald suffered no ill effects and ate grandly, gesturing for seconds and then thirds of the roasted chicken.

Ewan was ready to be done with the meal so that he and Mairin could retire to their bedchamber, but Archibald kept up a steady stream of mundane and tiresome chatter that made Ewan’s head ache.

He had no patience for games played by courtiers. Everyone knew why he and his men were there, and the air was charged with anticipation over the potential confrontation. The people assembled were all but licking their chops over such an event.

“The king is considering the matter put before him,” Archibald finally said, as he leaned back in his chair. “He intends to summon the both of you to present your side on the morrow. He understands that this is a stressful time for Lady Mairin and it isn’t healthy for a woman in her delicate condition.”

“Her name is Lady McCabe,” Ewan bit out.

Archibald raised his eyebrow. “Aye, well that does
seem to be the pressing question. His Majesty will decide the matter on the morrow.”

“In that case, if you would excuse me, my lord, I would take my lady wife back to our chamber so that she may rest.”

Archibald waved his hand. “By all means. I know this must be an ordeal for her.”

Ewan rose and then helped Mairin to her feet. Again she donned a cool, regal air that radiated from her in waves. She passed each table, head held high, until many of the people who stared at her averted their gaze in discomfort.

“You did well,” Ewan murmured. “This will be done with tomorrow and we can return home.”

“I hope you are right, Ewan,” she said anxiously, as he closed the door to their chamber. “Duncan Cameron makes me uneasy. It isn’t like him to adopt such a meek demeanor and play the snubbed. I do not like the king’s man,” she said bluntly. “I will be glad to put the matter before my uncle, the king. I have heard he is a fair man and a religious man, as was my father. Surely he will render a just judgment in accordance with God’s will.”

Ewan had less faith in the piety of men and their willingness to act in accordance to God’s laws, but he didn’t say as much to Mairin. He wanted her to have faith that it would end quickly and in their favor. But already Ewan was silently preparing for the worst.

The next morning, Ewan was up before dawn. He paced the floor of the chamber, waiting and worrying. He’d spoken to his brothers after Mairin had fallen asleep the night before and they had planned for every contingency.

A knock sounded at the door and Ewan went quickly to answer so Mairin wouldn’t be awakened.

One of the king’s guards stood outside the door. “His
Majesty requests the presence of the Lady Mairin in his quarters. He will send a guard for her in an hour’s time. You are to await his command to appear in the great hall.”

Ewan frowned.

“She will be well cared for, Laird.”

“I will hold you personally accountable for her safety,” Ewan said menacingly.

The guard nodded and then departed down the hall. “Ewan?”

Ewan turned to see Mairin up on her elbow, her hair streaming over the shoulders.

“What is happening?”

Ewan crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed. Unable to resist, he ran his hand along her side and then to the tiny swell of her belly.

“Have you been able to tell if our child moves yet?”

She smiled and cupped her hand over his. “ ’Tis just a flutter, almost like a tiny brush over my skin. But aye, I can feel him.”

Ewan pushed up her nightdress until the smooth expanse of skin was bared to his sight. He leaned down and pressed his mouth to the curve of her belly. The swell was firm, the evidence of the child she sheltered within her body. Ewan was sure he’d never seen a more beautiful sight. He was captivated and wholly entranced. He could spend hours enjoying the silky smooth pale skin and the beauty of the woman who carried his child.

Mairin’s fingers tangled in Ewan’s long hair as he kissed the shallow indention of her navel.

“What did the messenger say?” she asked quietly.

Ewan raised his head and stared into her eyes. “He summoned you to the king’s chamber in an hour’s time. He’s sending a guard to escort you and then he will summon me to the great hall.”

Nervousness fluttered in her eyes and her lips tightened
into a thin line. She tensed beneath the hand he held cupped over her belly and he began stroking her to alleviate some of the tension.

“I do not feel he will allow any harm to come to you, sweeting. You are his niece, his blood. For him not to ensure your safety reflects badly on him. His rule is too tenuous with the threat of Malcolm and Malcolm’s followers for him to do anything to lose support.”

She leaned forward and cupped his face, her thumbs running over his cheekbones. “You always know just what to say. I love you for that, my mighty warrior.”

He turned until his mouth slid over her palm and he pressed a kiss to the tender skin. “And I love you. Remember that.”

“Summon the maid. I will need help if I am to be ready to see the king in an hour’s time,” she said with a grimace.

He rose and helped her from the bed. “I’ll summon her at once.”

She stood at his side and turned her face up so that she looked deep into his eyes. “Promise me that we will leave the moment this matter is settled. I’ve a need to be home with my clan.”

“You have my word.”

Mairin walked down the hall, surrounded by four guards. She was more nervous by the minute at the idea of coming face-to-face with her uncle. She was prepared to plead Ewan’s case and tell him all that Duncan had done. After hearing all she had to say, the king couldn’t possibly rule in Duncan’s favor.

The guard knocked and the door was opened by Archibald, who motioned them inward. He smiled and took Mairin’s hand and guided her to a comfortable chair in the lavishly decorated sitting room.

“I’m afraid the king is not himself today,” he said smoothly. “He’s been forced to retire and conveys his deepest regrets that he is unable to speak with you privately as he’d hoped. I will act on his behalf and render judgment on the matter before the crown.”

Alarm beat in Mairin’s chest as she settled more comfortably in the chair. Her hands shook and she hid them in the folds of her skirts so as not to betray her unease.

“I do hope His Majesty’s ailment is not serious,” she said politely. “I had looked forward to making the acquaintance of my only blood relative.”

“That’s not entirely accurate,” Archibald said. “I am the king’s cousin, so that makes us related by blood.”

“Aye, of course,” she murmured.

“I would ask that you wait here, cousin, until you are summoned to the great hall. I will, of course, provide refreshment. You’ll want for nothing during your confinement.”

The way he said
cousin
, and then his casual reference to confinement, made the hairs on Mairin’s nape prickle. Still, he viewed her kindly and seemed genuinely concerned over her well-being, so she smiled and offered her thanks.

“I would speak to you, if permissible, about the matter before you, my lord.”

He patted her arm. “ ’Tis not necessary, dear lady. I am sure the experience has been trying enough and ’tis my duty to get to the bottom of it by hearing both men’s accounts. I assure you, I will have the right of it.”

She had to force herself not to argue. The last thing she wanted was to anger the man who held her life in his hands.

“Now, if you will excuse me, I must make my way to the great hall and summon the lairds to bear testimony. I will, of course, call for you when they are ready.”

She nodded and clenched her hands together in her lap. As the king’s cousin left the room, she offered a fervent prayer that justice would prevail this day and that Duncan Cameron would be consigned to hell where he belonged.

Ewan stood outside the great hall with his brothers and commanders and awaited his summons. Down aways stood Duncan Cameron with his men, and it took all Ewan had to not launch himself at the man and kill him on the spot.

Cameron was summoned first, and he walked by Ewan with a look of smug satisfaction. It wasn’t just the snideness that bothered Ewan. It was the supreme confidence
in both look and manner. Cameron was a man who feared not the outcome of today’s hearing.

Caelen put his hand on Ewan’s shoulder. “No matter what happens, we’re with you, Ewan.”

Ewan nodded his appreciation, then he murmured in a low voice that only his brothers could hear. “If things go badly, I want you to leave the hearing, find Mairin, and take her from the castle. Her safety is the most important thing. Whatever you have to do to secure her, do it.”

Alaric nodded his understanding.

Next, Ewan was called to make his appearance and he walked into the hall, his brothers shoulder to shoulder behind him. He knew his warriors made an impressive sight. They were larger, more muscled, more fierce looking than any other warriors in attendance.

They stalked down the cleared path in the middle of the hall to the dais where Archibald sat in David’s throne. The hall was packed full of people, all insatiably curious as to how the king would rule.

Excited murmurs greeted Ewan’s entrance, and his brothers and commanders got many a scrutinizing look from the other soldiers present.

At the front of the assembled people, Ewan stood on the left side of the hall and Cameron stood on the right as they awaited David’s arrival.

Instead of the king’s arrival, soldiers filled the room, lining the pathway to the dais so that everyone was contained behind the line of warriors. More soldiers filled the front of the room, surrounding the dais and standing in a firm line in front of Archibald.

Ewan frowned. It was as if they expected a battle.

And then his wife entered the hall, flanked by David’s soldiers. She slowly made her way up the aisle toward the dais where Archibald watched her approach. He gestured for her to take the position on his right and she
gracefully sank into the seat. Her gaze instantly found Ewan’s, and no one in the room could discount the instant flash of emotion that arced like a bolt of lightning between them.

Archibald held his hands up and addressed the assembled crowd. “His Majesty, King David, is indisposed this day. He is ill and our prayers should be with our king in his time of need. He has asked that I preside over today’s hearing and that my word be received as his.”

Ewan turned sharply to his brothers to see the same incredulity etched on their faces as was on his. This was wrong. It was all wrong. Ewan curled his fingers into fists and glanced over at Duncan, who only had eyes for Mairin.

“Laird Cameron, you’ve leveled serious charges against Laird McCabe. Come forward. I would hear all from the beginning.”

Duncan walked confidently toward the dais and bowed low before Lord Archibald.

“Mairin Stuart arrived at Cameron Keep from Kilkirken Abby, where we were married by the priest who has tended to the souls of my clan for two score years. I have a letter written from him to the king attesting to this fact.”

Ewan’s eyes narrowed in outrage that a man of God would be a willing party to this deception. Duncan handed over the scroll to Archibald, who unrolled and read it before setting it aside.