Page 87 of The Highlander Who Loved Me

James entered the great hall, his eyes flickering across the chamber as he searched for Davina. “Where’s Joan?”

“She’s left to rest in her chamber.” Davina turned troubled eyes toward James. “I believe I’ve discovered the real reason she’s here. She’s run away from her husband.”

James scoffed. “Is she sulking? Angry over not getting her way?”

“Nay, James. ’Tis serious. He beats her, often I think, and very violently. I’ll admit she’s not the most biddable woman, but that doesn’t give him the right to beat her.” A dozen warring emotions flared inside Davina. “I’m angry with her and yet I couldn’t help but feel sorry fer her. She spoke only a few words about her plight, but paled whenever Archibald’s name was spoken.”

“No man of honor or valor strikes a woman, no matter how angry. Especially if she is his lady wife.” James sighed. “Yet even ye must admit, yer cousin can try the patience of a saint.”

“She cannae help it. She’s been spoiled and pampered all her life, her every wish granted. Naturally she has grown to be a difficult, demanding woman.”

“I cannae believe that ye’re defending her. She’d not do the same fer ye.”

Emotions sparked in Davina’s heart. “Joan’s fear makes her haughty, cold. I look at her life and then at mine, and I feel a twinge of guilt. I have a good, loving husband and a life of happiness in front of me. Joan has naught but heartache.”

“What of her child?”

“She dinnae speak of her son.”

James stroked his chin thoughtfully. “She’s obviously had to leave him behind. If yer suspicions are correct and she has run away, she wouldn’t dare take Fraser’s son and heir. If she did, she’d have no chance of escape.”

“Can we give her sanctuary, James?”

His lips parted in obvious surprise. “The Frasers are a powerful clan. ’Twould be most unwise to make an enemy of them.”

“I doubt they will think to look fer her here. Can she stay fer at least a few weeks more?” Davina pleaded.

“I’ll consider it. Now, come and eat some of the food I brought fer ye,” he cajoled.

“I’ve no appetite,” she answered truthfully, disappointed at his answer. But she wasn’t worried. Beneath his warrior’s muscled form was a heart filled with compassion. As long as she pleaded her cousin’s case, Joan would not be abandoned.

“We best decide where we will sleep tonight before it gets too late,” James said, signaling for the steward to attend them.

“The master’s chambers are at the top of the keep’s north turret,” Davina replied. “We shall occupy those rooms.”

The steward blanched. “It hasn’t been used fer decades, milady. Though I’m sure with a thorough cleaning it can be set to rights.”

“We shall inspect them now,” Davina decided.

Hand in hand, Davina and James climbed the wooden staircase. It was dimly lit by narrow slits in the thick stone walls, but Davina’s memories were strong enough to find the way even if they were plunged into complete darkness.

The musty smell became staggering as they reached the landing, but they pressed on, slowly opening the door. As the steward had warned her, the chamber was in a disgraceful state. James pulled back the furs covering the windows and dust motes flew into the air.

Davina’s nose twitched at the unpleasant smell of dampness mixing with the dust. She closed her mouth and covered her nose with her hand, but the thick odor settled in the back of her throat. A huge curtained bed stood against one wall; on the opposite wall was a table and chair. One of the wooden chair legs was shorter than the other three; it listed drunkenly to one side.

Davina approached the bed, dismayed to see the mattress had been chewed. She feared the dark shadows in the corner were the carcasses of the vermin who had done the deed. Behind her, James circled the chamber slowly.

Davina looked up to meet his sober gaze. No words were needed to know he felt the same as she did—utterly disappointed. Aside from the dirt and decay, melancholy seemed to linger here and that bothered Davina more than anything.

“I have such fond memories of this chamber,” she said. “’Twas never lavishly appointed, but it was warm and comfortable, safe and happy. There were tapestries adorning the stone walls and bed curtains of red velvet. My mother was so proud of those curtains. She sewed them herself with her mother and sisters and brought them here as part of her dowry.”

“We will sleep here tonight,” James declared.

Davina rubbed her forehead. “Och, James, it will take an army a month to get this place cleaned.”

“Then we shall rouse an army.”

James bellowed for the steward and the man came running. His expression grew increasingly horrified as James gave him instructions, but the steward didn’t dare protest.

---