Rhys was not pleased by what he’d seen at Eiloch. Although he had busied himself with dividing up the grain and supplies, he hadn’t yet distributed any of it. The open animosity from the people was unwarranted, and even more than that, he hadn’t liked the way several of the men had spoken about Lianna.
They didn’t know that he spoke Gaelic fluently, a fact that he’d deliberately concealed. For now, they believed he knew only a few words, and many spoke openly of their disdain for the soldiers. But soon, he would have to address their disrespect.
‘What do you want us to do with the wagons?’ one of the soldiers asked.
‘Guard them for now, until your lady tells you where she wants the grain.’ He passed by one of the larger men, Eachann MacKinnon. Rhys had taken an instant dislike to the man, especially given the way he behaved as though he were superior to the others.
‘Norman bastard.’ Eachann spoke in Gaelic and smiled at him, behaving as if he were giving Rhys a complimentary greeting. ‘Ye had best be on your guard around the MacKinnons. Else we’ll slit yer gullet while ye are sleeping.’
The insult made his fists clench. He paused and stared back at Eachann, keeping his eyes upon the man. He let no trace of emotion show but let the man continue digging his own grave.
Eachann bowed his head and continued, ‘Ye might have wed Lianna MacKinnon, but none of us wanted her. She’s not right in her head.’
At that, Rhys’s hand shot out and seized the man by his throat. He made no effort to hide the icy rage in his voice as he answered in the same language. ‘Do you think I don’t understand every word that comes out of your mouth?’
The man paled at that, and Rhys tightened his grip. ‘You can think whatever insults you wish about my men and me. But as for my wife...’ He pushed the man backwards until he was forced up against a thatched house. ‘If you expect your family to receive any of the food she brought for this clan, you had best get on your knees and beg for her mercy. Or you’ll get nothing at all.’
He released the man, and Eachann gasped for air. He appeared stunned at Rhys’s speech, and could not bring himself to say anything else.
‘Tell the others,’ Rhys said. ‘Treat her well, and they will survive the winter. Or if you do not, then expect nothing from me. I care not if you live or die.’
He strode away from the man, irritated by the man’s insults towards Lianna. She had done nothing to deserve them, and he intended to put a stop to their contempt. Did they have any idea that she was responsible for their well-being? His irritation intensified with each step, and Rhys passed by several crofters’ homes before he found her pounding a wooden peg into a broken gate. Seeing his wife behave like a common servant was the final blow.
Rhys didn’t say a word, but simply took her hand and pulled her away from the gate.
‘I wasn’t finished yet,’ she argued.
‘I was.’ He needed to speak with her alone, to make her understand that no one had the right to treat her with insolence. ‘We are riding out to the dolmen.’
‘Wait a moment,’ she said. ‘I will summon the horses and get food for us.’ She gave the orders to one of the young boys, and he felt his patience slipping away until the lad finally returned with horses and a bundle of food.
‘We only need one horse,’ Rhys said, lifting Lianna up and swinging behind her. He rode towards his men, where he found his brother Warrick. ‘I leave you in command for the next hour or so.’
His brother gave a nod of acknowledgement, and then Rhys wheeled the horse around, riding hard towards the coastline. He knew his anger was out of proportion, but he needed to understand why Lianna tolerated this behaviour from her own people.
The wind tore through her red hair, nearly blinding him, but he pushed it aside and held her close. When they reached the stone altar, he dismounted and helped her down. She set the bundle of food upon the dolmen, and he reached for her, kissing her hard.
Something about this woman ignited his desire, and the more he claimed her, the more he wanted her. Her lips met his, and she kissed him back.
‘I don’t like the way they speak of you at Eiloch,’ he gritted out. ‘They do not give you the respect you deserve.’
She wound her arms around his neck. ‘It matters not what they think of me. It is my duty to keep them safe and to see that their needs are met.’
‘They are behaving like spoiled children,’ he argued, lifting her to sit upon the dolmen. She wore a gown laced up the front, with a brat around her shoulders. His attention was caught by the swell of her breasts, and he reached out to unlace her bodice.
When she was exposed to him, she grew embarrassed. ‘Rhys, what are you doing?’
From a fold in his cloak, he withdrew the gift he’d been saving for her. It was a ruby, the size of a quail’s egg, hanging upon a golden chain. He lifted it over her head, and the ruby nestled between her breasts.
‘This is my bride gift to you,’ he said.
Her eyes widened, and she reached down to hold it. ‘It’s beautiful. But Rhys, truly, I do not need jewels.’
‘It pleases me to see you wear it.’ He drew the ruby over her swollen nipple, then across her opposite breast. She closed her eyes, and he saw her grip the edges of the stone in response.
He covered her nipple with his mouth, and the hard tip tempted him into taking her right now.
‘Rhys, someone could see us,’ she ventured, her cheeks flushing. With her red hair falling across her shoulders, and her bare breasts exposed, he had never seen anyone more lovely.
‘That’s what makes it dangerous,’ he murmured. ‘We’ll have to steal this moment before anyone finds us.’ He slid his palms up the backs of her thighs, and she parted her legs. When he reached between them, he found that she was already wet. ‘This excites you, doesn’t it? The fear of someone finding us together.’
Her brown eyes locked with his, and she reached down to help him unfasten the trews he’d worn. Her hands slid over his erect length, and she moved to sit at the edge of the dolmen. Rhys guided her legs around his waist, and sank within her.
She gasped as he filled her, and he used the ruby to tease one of her nipples. ‘Those people don’t know all that you do for them,’ he said, revelling in her moist warmth surrounding him. ‘And until they show you the respect you deserve, they will get nothing from me. No food. No supplies.’ He penetrated her, cupping her hips as she lay across the stone table.
She lifted her hips to take him deeper, but he made love to her slowly, tantalising her as he entered and withdrew.
‘I don’t want anyone to suffer,’ she answered, her voice breathless. ‘They need the food. Especially the ch-children.’ She shuddered as her own arousal rolled over her. He could feel the inner quaking of her muscles, and he wanted more.
‘If they accept you as their lady and treat you with the respect I demand, they will have all they need.’ He drew her to sit up on the dolmen, and he thrust hard, taking her swiftly. ‘But if I hear of insolence or disrespect, I swear to you, they will get nothing.’
She gasped at the invasion of his shaft. He remained embedded there, holding her thighs as she was balanced upon the stone. Her face held shock, as if she had never imagined he would do such a thing.
‘Just imagine it,’ he murmured against her mouth. ‘Someone could come upon us at any time. They would see me thrusting inside you.’
He imitated his own words, sliding in deep, and watching as she softened to him, accepting his intrusion. Her hands gripped his shoulders, and he supported her back as he laid her down, taking her upon the table.
‘We have to hurry before they find us. And I won’t stop claiming you, until you cry out with pleasure.’
His words provoked her, and her face grew pained as she strained towards the release point she craved. She moved her hips against him, pressing him close.
‘Rhys,’ she moaned, as he slowed his pace. ‘I cannot bear it.’ She was like heated silk around his length, and he loved watching her unravel.
Lianna cried out, her nails digging into his skin as he increased the pace. He was careful not to abrade her skin against the stone table, but he showed no mercy, wanting to drive her wild with need. He leaned down and took her nipple into his mouth, suckling hard as he continued to penetrate her body, over and over.
Her reaction was carnal, and she went liquid against him, shattering as he pounded, again and again. ‘Rhys!’
‘Yes,’ he growled. ‘Beg me for more. You know that I am the only man who has ever made you feel this way. The only man who will ever touch you.’
Her body bowed beneath him, seizing up as her release rolled over her. Her breath came in keening cries in rhythm to his lovemaking.
Only then did he give in to his own urges. Her body tightened around him, shuddering hard as he entered her.
‘I need you,’ she cried out in Gaelic.
And her words warmed him, sending him past his own edge of release. He held her closely, his body erupting against hers. They were both mostly clothed, except for her skirts tossed around her waist.
He could feel the pounding of her heart as he laced up her bodice again, hiding the jewel from view. ‘When do you want to be wedded for the second time?’
She tightened her legs around his waist, her brown eyes hazy with passion. ‘In a few days.’
He cared not how much time she needed for the preparations. Already she belonged to him, and he would not be parted from this woman.
Even so, he did not delude himself into believing that the clan would accept him. He had made an enemy in Eachann MacKinnon, and soon enough, he would have to face the man.
* * *
Lianna rode away from the dolmen, her body feeling swollen and deliciously used. The weight of the ruby rested between her breasts like a hidden caress. Her mind was overwhelmed by confusion. She did not understand her marriage with Rhys, for he would not reveal what he thought of her. He would not allow her to make decisions for the clan, in spite of her father’s illness. And she didn’t trust him to know what her people needed.
When she reached the outskirts of Eiloch, she dismounted and walked alongside her horse. She began traversing the perimeter of the fortress, noting that Eachann’s house had fallen into disrepair, and sections of thatch had rotted.
Orna’s cottage was neat, but she knew that the old woman had only a little food remaining. She would ensure that Orna received her fair portion first, for her maid had always been faithful in service.
When Lianna reached the far end of the wall, she saw several fallen stones. She let her horse graze and knelt down, stacking the stones and repairing it as best she could.
Nearby, she heard some of the men talking, but none of them stopped to help her. She had nearly finished the last stone, when their conversation ceased.
Rhys strode forward, and she recognised the growing anger in his demeanour. In Gaelic, he spoke to the men, ‘Would you care to explain why my wife is on her hands and knees repairing a wall, while the rest of you stand around and do nothing?’
Hamish had the grace to look sheepish, but he gave no answer. Another said, ‘Lianna does as she wishes, and we do not interfere.’
Her husband’s face turned thunderous. ‘I want the three of you to get mortar and repair the wall so that the stones will not fall again. Lianna, come with me.’
She stood up and went to his side. In a low voice, she said, ‘Rhys, it’s nothing. I merely put the stones back.’
‘And what else did you see while you were walking through Eiloch?’ His tone held a sharp edge, and she faltered before telling him of the rotting thatch and she pointed to another section of the wall that needed to be repaired.
‘Give the orders,’ he demanded.
‘Rhys, these are free people. I cannot order them to work.’ If Eachann chose not to repair his own thatch, it was his roof. And as for the wall, it took hardly any time at all to replace the stones.
‘Then I will give the orders.’ He eyed the men who had not yet left to fetch mortar. In truth, Lianna doubted if they would do anything at all. They were about to go hunting for their evening meal, and feeding their families was more important.
In a loud voice, Rhys demanded, ‘I will not stand aside and allow you to treat Lianna as your slave. If a section of our wall has fallen, I expect the men of Eiloch to help rebuild it. And if one of you needs help repairing your roof or walls, then it shall be given.’
There was an uneasy stare among the men, and Lianna felt their unspoken frustration. They saw him as a Norman invader, an outsider who did not belong among them.
She needed to speak with Alastair, for he might know what to do. She said to her husband, ‘I must go and tend to my father now.’
He nodded permission for her to go, and Lianna returned to her home. Her heart remained troubled, for although she knew Rhys’s intentions were fair and good, he should not build dissent by issuing orders to these men.
She walked into her house and was relieved to see that the rushes had been changed. Her father was seated at the dais, reading a scroll of parchment. His wrinkled face held concern, and she went to sit beside him. ‘Is everything all right?’
Alastair set the scroll aside. ‘King William’s forces are gathering. They have asked me to send men.’
An ache settled in her stomach, for she understood that he was caught in the middle. By allowing Norman soldiers to dwell among them, it was as if he were harbouring the enemy.
‘But that is not for you to worry about, my lass. Dine with me, and tell me what troubles you.’ He raised his hand, nodding for one of his men to bring wine and bread.
‘I feel trapped,’ she admitted. ‘The people will not follow Rhys’s orders. And sometimes I think they wish Sían were still here.’
Her father paled, and reached for her hand. ‘Do you miss your brother?’
She nodded. ‘He was supposed to be chief after you, and the people resent Rhys for taking his place.’
‘That isn’t what I asked,’ Alastair said. His wrinkled hand squeezed hers. ‘Think of how Sían behaved towards you. What would your life have been like, had he been chief?’
She stared at him, not understanding. Alastair sighed and shook his head. ‘Sían was my son, and before God, I did love him. But he could never have become chief. He was unfit to rule anyone.’
‘He gave many commands, and the people obeyed him,’ Lianna started to argue.
‘His friends pretended to obey him. But they never saw the man he was.’ He steepled his hands together. ‘Sían took coins from you, and he stole from the people, gambling with the MacDonnells.’
‘But why?’ A sinking feeling permeated her stomach. ‘He had everything he needed.’
‘Stealing was a game to him. I caught him in the act many times, but he denied it. Lies and truth meant nothing to him.’
She didn’t know what to believe. ‘You never punished him.’
‘A fault of mine,’ Alastair admitted. ‘But if I had done so, he would have lashed out at our family and at the clan. When he grew enraged, his mind was not right, Lianna.’ He closed his eyes. ‘I do not doubt he would have brought war among us.’
‘There may still be war.’ She nodded towards the parchment. ‘We have to defend our clan.’
He smiled at that. ‘Your marriage will do that. King William cannot demand our men, now that we have followed the terms of the contract. I will send word to him that we have a blend of Normans and Scots living among us. It will keep Eiloch neutral, even if war comes.’
‘I hope so,’ she said quietly. She took a sip of wine and picked at the bread. Already she could smell the mouth-watering scent of roasted venison for the noontide meal.
‘And what of your marriage?’ Alastair enquired. ‘Does Rhys de Laurent make you happy?’
She could not stop the flush that suffused her cheeks, remembering how he had loved her against the stone dolmen. ‘I am growing accustomed to the marriage.’
Her father’s demeanour warmed. ‘I see the way he looks at you, Lianna. I think it will be a sound marriage, and I am well pleased by it. I look forward to celebrating your wedding here, among our people.’
She tried to push back her uncertainties. ‘Do you think the MacKinnons will accept him? He is already giving orders, and many do not want to obey.’
‘But you ken what must be done. They will follow you.’
She laughed at that. ‘They ignore me, Father, and always have. They taunt my ways.’
He shook his head in denial. ‘Some do. But most ken all the hard work you do when you think no one is looking.’ He tore off a piece of bread. ‘Had you been a boy, you would have made a very good chief, Lianna. But you will be a leader in your own way. Influence Rhys, and all will be well.’
She wanted to believe that could be true. But when she saw her husband enter the house, his presence dominating the room, she questioned whether he would listen to her at all.
* * *
It took only two days for Rhys to realise how astounding his wife’s memory was. She knew the names of every person in the clan and could recite details about each one that revealed the needs of each family. While some viewed her ways as strange, he believed her brother had undermined her, making others believe that her attention to detail was odd. There were several of Sían’s friends who mocked Lianna behind her back. He would not allow it. If they refused to grant her the respect she deserved, he would uphold his promise to give them no supplies.
‘Are you certain you want to wear that?’ his brother Warrick asked, eyeing the Highland attire Rhys had chosen.
‘They need to know that I will be one of them,’ he answered. It was the best way to show unity, and he believed it would please Lianna.
Tonight, she had invited the clan to witness their wedding vows for the second time. She had ordered a large feast and had asked several friends to play songs for dancing later tonight. Already, the scent of roasting meat was tantalising.
Rhys adjusted the garment and walked outside to the gathering space. Warrick followed, and they approached the small stone kirk at the far end of Eiloch. The evening sun was descending in the sky, and garlands of flowers were hanging upon the doorway of the kirk. A few children stood nearby, watching with curiosity, but there were only two guests. Lianna’s maid was one, and her father was the other.
A sudden uneasiness passed over him, and he eyed his brother, wondering where the rest of the clan was. Warrick only shook his head.
‘My lord.’ Lianna’s maid Orna curtsied. Her face held worry, and she said, ‘I ken that you and Lianna wished to be wedded before the clan, but perhaps you should wait.’
Wait for what? Rhys wondered idly. By their absence, the MacKinnons had made their point clear enough. But it irritated him that they would hurt his wife’s feelings in this way. She had worked tirelessly over the past few days, trying to make a feast that everyone would enjoy.
Alastair leaned heavily upon a walking stick. ‘This is Eachann MacKinnon’s doing,’ the chief admitted. ‘I suppose he thinks that if no one witnesses your wedding, it cannot be recognised.’
‘We are already married,’ Rhys pointed out. ‘This was meant to be a celebration to share with them.’
‘They do not want to celebrate the presence of the Normans,’ Alastair said quietly. ‘Orna is right. It may be best to wait.’
‘This was Lianna’s wish,’ he said. And it infuriated him to see her treated like this. After all she had done to ensure their comforts, they would turn their backs on her now? Did they think he would allow them to humiliate her in this way?
It was wrong.
Although Eachann MacKinnon might be responsible for the actions of the clan, Rhys would not let the man hold such power. It was time to confront the man and end this silent war.
‘Summon the clan,’ he told Alastair. ‘I wish to speak with them.’
‘I am not certain that is wise,’ the chief said. ‘Especially given their emotions right now.’
‘Eachann MacKinnon thinks to take your place as chief. And that role is not his.’ He spoke quietly, knowing what must be done. To Orna, he said, ‘Go to your mistress, and tell Lianna, that our wedding must be delayed.’
But the older woman’s face fell. ‘It’s too late for that, my lord.’
Rhys glanced up and saw Lianna. She was already walking towards them with a worried expression. Her red hair gleamed in the afternoon sunlight, crowned with purple heather. She wore it down around her shoulders, and it contrasted against the blue and green gown she wore. Around her throat, she wore a torque of beaten silver, but when she saw the absence of guests, there was only dismay upon her face.
Rhys turned to Warrick. ‘Go and summon the rest of the clan. I want them all here to listen to what I have to say.’
‘No,’ Alastair argued. ‘Let me send my men to fetch them. As you say, I am the chief here.’
He deferred to the man’s wishes and awaited Lianna. When she reached his side, she asked, ‘What has happened? Where are our kinsmen?’
He didn’t know what to say. It would hurt her feelings to hear the truth, but there were no other explanations. ‘No one wanted to come.’
Though he expected anger or frustration, he was surprised to see her emotions turn into sad acceptance. ‘I suppose I should have expected this.’
‘Why?’ He made no attempt to hide his own anger. ‘Because they always treat you like dirt?’ She bristled at his remark, and he wished he hadn’t said it. Softening his voice, he said, ‘I am angry with them, not you.’
‘I cannot change the way they think of me,’ she argued.
‘I can.’ He took her hand in his, waiting for Alastair to return. It was past the time to address these people and change their behaviour towards his wife.
Her fingers were cold in his, and she murmured, ‘I don’t ken if we should speak our vows tonight. Not like this.’
He started to insist that they could go through with this wedding, but he understood that she did not want to be the centre of attention when people were forced to come.
One by one, the families emerged from their homes. Many appeared apprehensive, but they did not dare disobey their chief. Alastair awaited them near the kirk, and they approached until all were gathered. Rhys spied Eachann MacKinnon standing nearby, annoyance upon his face.
‘My daughter invited you to witness her wedding vows,’ Alastair began. ‘But you chose not to attend. Your choice has caused a division within our clan, and Rhys de Laurent has asked to speak to you.’ He paused, and Rhys stepped forward to meet their gazes.
Most made no effort to hide their distaste. He knew they resented him and his men, but he intended to put a stop to their disrespect towards Lianna.
He moved to Alastair’s place and fixed his gaze upon the men and women. Deliberately, he spoke in Gaelic. ‘Many of you remember when my grandfather arranged my marriage to a MacKinnon maiden. He was your chief at that time, and he wedded a Norman lady, my grandmother Margaret.’
Eachann spat upon the ground at that, and Rhys nodded towards his men, who surrounded the Scot in a silent threat.
‘He made this bargain as protection for you, because he knew that war would come. And it is my intention to keep that agreement. But I will not tolerate disrespect towards my wife.’
He stared at each one of them. ‘This land belongs to me now, and there are some of you who have joined Eachann MacKinnon in wanting to disobey orders.’ Rhys gestured to his men to escort Eachann forward. He met the man’s insolent glare with his own hard warning. ‘Either you will obey me as your leader, along with Alastair, or you will leave Eiloch. The choice is yours.’
‘I will not take orders from a Norman bastard,’ Eachann sneered.
He had no time to react when the Scot charged forward, swinging his fists. Rhys pushed Lianna out of the way and sidestepped the blows. They circled one another, and a deadly calm passed over him.
He’d always known it would come to this. Eachann would not accept him as the leader, and he had to make an example of the man.
The Scot swung again, but Rhys avoided the blow easily, watching the man closely to learn his fighting style. The MacKinnon fought with no precision, only raw fury. Rhys allowed him to throw punches, again and again, and each time, his fists met only empty air. The Scot roared out his frustration, but Rhys moved with lightning speed. He counter-attacked, punching the man in his stomach, until the Scot gasped for air. He used the opportunity to kick the man’s legs out from under him, and Rhys pressed him to the ground, twisting the man’s arm so that he could no longer fight.
‘And now? Will you take orders from a Norman?’ he demanded. When there was no answer, Rhys struck him across the nose, and blood ran down his face.
The Scot closed his eyes. A woman cried out in fear and rushed forward, dropping to her knees. ‘Please do not kill my husband. I swear, we’ll both be obeying yer orders, my lord.’
At that, Eachann glared at his wife. He was about to speak, but she clamped her hand over his mouth. ‘Do not be a sheep-headed fool. Ye’ve lost, and that’s an end to it. I willna have ye drive us from our home because of yer stupid pride.’
Rhys kept the man pinned down, even as he studied the others. ‘There will be changes here, and I demand your obedience. Or I will have you removed from Eiloch to survive on your own. If you dare to return from exile, you will be killed.’
He released the MacKinnon, and Eachann was wise enough to remain on the ground. ‘If you stay, you obey me and you obey Lianna. You will treat her as one of your leaders.’ His fury rose higher, and he added, ‘Have you not seen the attention she pays to your families? Do you not understand that she was the reason you had anything at all during these past few years?’
It was time to address the death of Sían, and he said quietly, ‘Sían MacKinnon led a group of men to attack us, in the middle of the night. He shot an arrow into the heart of one of my friends, a man whose wife was expecting a child.’ He glanced down at Eachann’s wife, who flinched and rested a hand over her middle.
‘There was no cause for the attack, and I defended my men. As I will defend you, should any harm come upon this clan.’ He looked back at Lianna. ‘I regret the death of Sían MacKinnon, but he brought it upon himself. It is my hope that we can now bring peace among us.’
No one spoke, and their silence held its own weight. He met the stares of each man, woman, and child, but only fear remained on their faces.
Lianna came to stand beside him and took his hand in hers. To her people, she said softly, ‘I had hoped that you would join in witnessing a second wedding. But I see now, that this is impossible.’ Her brown eyes gleamed with tears. ‘Even so, I invite you to share in our feast. Let us put the past behind us and begin anew.’
He could see the fragile command she held over her emotions, and nodded for the men to obey her. Eachann finally got up from the ground, wiping at his bleeding nose. His wife led him away, and neither looked back.
Rhys knew not if the peace would last, but he had made his point. Eachann MacKinnon could either obey them or leave. He would not stand for any further dissent within the clan.
Lianna moved to speak with two of the men, and within a few moments, they began bringing out the food. It had her intended effect of shifting the mood of the people. No one would turn down the feast, and soon enough, the MacKinnons took food and sat nearby to enjoy it. Children raced around in delight, after receiving portions of roasted mutton and pheasant.
But Rhys was well aware of his wife’s misery. Her dreams of a wedding at Eiloch had been shattered, and he could do nothing to change it.
Though he wanted her at his side, he noticed her distancing herself from the rest of the clan. She busied herself with passing out food and drinks, easing her way back to her father’s house. And when everyone had finished feasting and was standing around in conversation, Rhys realised that his wife had not eaten at all.
He crossed the space to her side. ‘Will you not join us?’
She shook her head, and he noticed that her face was pale. ‘I am weary. I would rather rest just now.’
He placed his hand upon the small of her back. ‘You should eat, Lianna.’ It bothered him that she had not enjoyed her own feast.
But she shook her head in refusal. ‘I cannot. The thought of food turns my stomach.’ She apologised and admitted, ‘Let me go and rest, Rhys. It has been a long day.’
He escorted her back to the house, and a sudden thought occurred to him. If his wife was feeling weary and unable to eat, there could be another reason. ‘Are you with child, Lianna?’
She jolted at that. ‘N-no. At least, I don’t think so.’ But from the sudden startled look on her face, it seemed that she had not considered it. He was struck by the fear in her eyes, and it echoed within him. If she were carrying his unborn child, he had to keep her safe at all costs.
‘Rest, then, and I will join you later.’ He kissed her, but she seemed caught up in her own thoughts and did not return the affection.
She gave an absent nod and started to walk away, when he ventured, ‘It will be different from now on, Lianna. I will stand for nothing less.’
But the sadness in her eyes said she didn’t believe him.
Three days later
Lianna strode through the circle of crofters’ homes, feeling the burden of melancholy weighing upon her. Why had she ever thought she could wed a Norman and be accepted by the people? Despite Rhys’s demands that the clansmen respect her orders, they behaved as if she were invisible.
Her husband came to her each night and made love to her, but she was careful to keep her heart distanced from him. With each day at his side, she fought her emotions, despite how much she enjoyed his embraces.
Soon enough he would return to Montbrooke, and she knew not if he meant to leave her here. Her father’s illness had improved, but he was not at his full strength yet. Worst of all, she feared that Eachann MacKinnon was only biding his time for vengeance. Her kinsman would not forgive such a public humiliation, and she did not trust him.
She unloaded a bag of grain from her horse and went to visit her friend Iona. She would give birth soon, and Lianna wanted to help in any way possible.
She knocked on the door, and when Iona called for her to enter, she found her friend pacing.
‘I’ve brought you more grain,’ Lianna said.
Iona’s face was pale, and she gritted her teeth, placing her hands upon her back. She took a slow breath and stood in one place. ‘Put it over there.’ She nodded towards the far end of the cottage.
‘Are you well? Is it the babe?’ she asked.
Iona nodded. ‘But ’twill be hours yet.’ She opened the door and said, ‘Walk with me awhile. I’ve a need for fresh air before I’m confined to bed.’
‘Where is Malcolm?’ she asked, not knowing where her friend’s husband was.
‘I sent him out hunting early this morn. He doesna ken that I’m in labour, and it’s best to keep it that way. He’ll be too worried.’ Iona stopped walking for a moment and took slow, deep breaths. Her fingers clenched into fists, and she stood motionless.
‘Shall I stay with you?’ Lianna offered. ‘I’ve more grain to deliver, but I could have one of Rhys’s men take care of it, instead.’
Her friend’s mouth hardened. ‘Lianna, no one wants your pity.’
She faltered at that, feeling a sudden flush of uncertainty. ‘It’s not pity. Everyone needs the food, and I won’t have anyone starve this winter.’
‘None of us wants to be beholden to the Normans,’ Iona said, gasping as another pain rolled over her. ‘No one believes that we’ll be protected. Your husband will return to his lands in England, and we’ll have no means of defending ourselves.’
Lianna couldn’t tell whether Iona’s anger was genuine or whether it was labour pain that bothered her. ‘His brother Warrick might stay,’ she offered. The young man had spent his days training with the other Norman soldiers, keeping to himself.
But Iona only rolled her eyes. ‘Can you not see that we don’t want outsiders, Lianna?’
‘They aren’t outsiders. Rhys wants to help us.’ Her husband had done all that he could to distribute food and supplies—but he had withheld some of the stores from certain folk.
‘Our enemy, you mean.’ The young woman shook her head as if she did not believe the Normans could ever be anything else.
‘He’s not my enemy,’ Lianna started to protest, and Iona started pacing again. She strode beyond the house, towards the centre of the fortress. More than once, she stopped to take a breath and her hands rested upon her spine. From the pain etched in Iona’s face, Lianna wondered if she should summon the midwife. It did seem as if the labour pains were increasing.
Her friend made a face. ‘Rhys de Laurent gives us orders and expects us to obey. He doesn’t belong here. Alastair is our chief, not him.’
‘The land belongs to Rhys,’ Lianna pointed out. ‘He deserves to live here as much as anyone else.’
Iona stopped walking again, panting slowly. ‘Tell yourself that if you want. But everyone sees that you’re whoring yourself to him. You care naught for Eiloch, and you’ve forgotten Sían. You have an enemy in your bed, and you want him there.’
Her cheeks turned scarlet at Iona’s accusations. How could her friend say such things? ‘I am not whoring myself. He is my husband,’ she countered. ‘And you’re wrong. I do what I must for the survival of this clan.’
Her friend’s eyes lifted to something behind her, and she shook her head. In a low voice, she murmured, ‘You betray us every night, Lianna.’
Her anger rose hotter. She had done everything she could for the clan, and none of it was ever good enough. Though she knew part of Iona’s accusations were born of anguished pain, she could not stand aside and let her say this.
‘I have never betrayed you. I am a MacKinnon and that will not change, no matter who my husband is.’
Iona met her gaze, and her expression revealed disbelief. When she only shrugged, it made Lianna’s fury boil over. ‘Rhys is a Norman whom I wed because I had no choice. I was promised to him before I was born. No matter what I might have wanted, I was forced to marry and bed him.’
Her friend had gone silent. Then she turned back, returning to her home. Lianna was about to follow, when a shadow crossed over her. She looked over her shoulder and saw Rhys standing there. From the dark expression on his face, he’d heard every word. And so had the dozen or so clansmen standing nearby.
‘Is it such a trial, then?’ he asked, his voice cutting like a sword. ‘Do you pretend to enjoy my touch, when all the while you wish I would leave you alone?’
She could not answer. The fury in his eyes burned through her, and she felt sick to her stomach. Everyone was staring, and she could not gather the right words.
In the end, Rhys didn’t wait for her to answer, but strode away. Silently, Lianna berated herself for what she’d said. She did enjoy his touch—far too much. But it confused her to be torn between her kinsmen and her husband. She didn’t deserve happiness with Rhys, not after all that had happened.
Misery filled up inside her, along with the wish that she had never said anything at all.