Page 32 of Wild Highland Rose
"Come, let me have a look at ye." Torcall moved closer, his head tilted as he studied what he believed was his son. "Ye shaved yer beard."
Cameron nodded, allowing the older man to trace the side of his cheek with a finger. It was a father's touch, and despite the fact that it wasn'thisfather, he relished the contact. He'd felt so isolated here.
"I thought she'd killed ye, boy." Torcall's voice turned gruff, and he pulled Cameron into a bear hug.
Across the old man's shoulder, Cameron's eyes locked with Marjory's, her glare indication that she'd heard Torcall's comment. He shook his head slightly, indicating she should keep quiet, but the action only seemed to infuriate her more.
"I did naught to endanger your son, Torcall. If you dinna believe me, ask him yourself." She marched forward, blue eyes shooting sparks.
Torcall released Cameron, stepping back so that he could see them both, his brows raised in question.
Cameron knew this was a test of some sort. A moment when he had to commit to one side or the other. Cameron or Macpherson. The warmth of his reunion with his father evaporated. He had no father. He had nothing. This was all a charade, none of it real. At least not for him. Still, he held back, both Marjory and Torcall waiting for his answer.
"I dinna think he can say anything for certain, Father," Allen interjected, his eyes knowing, judgmental, as if he'd read Cameron's thoughts. "He doesna remember falling, and he seems to have forgotten who his enemies are as well." He shot a pointed look at Marjory, and then returned his knowing gaze to Cameron. And for the first time, Cameron found himself wondering where Allen's loyalties lay.
"I remember everything that has happened since then, Allen." If his brother could play rough, so could he. Even without knowing Torcall Cameron, he was fairly certain he'd side with Ewen over Allen, and the events in the wood the previous day could certainly be played to advantage.
Allen obviously recognized his plan, because he dropped his gaze, reaching instead for a cup of ale.
Cameron turned to face Torcall. "I've been treated well here, Father. As if I were one of the household." It was a bit of an exaggeration. The lady of the house hadn't exactly welcomed him with open arms, but there had been moments. He smiled in Marjory's direction, satisfied to see her flinch. A little guilt wouldn't hurt her a bit.
"I'm glad to hear it." Torcall seemed to have missed all the undercurrents running through the room, or perhaps he simply chose to ignore them. Wrapping his arm around his son, he drew him close again. "And there's no worries now that I'm here. I'llmake certain," his solemn gaze met first Fingal's then Marjory's, his eyes flashing a warning, "that no harm comes to ye."
He should have been comforted, but he wasn't. Truth was, he had no idea who to trust. Common sense favored his father, but his instincts told him that he could trust Marjory. Or maybe he just wanted it to be so. Maybe none of them were to be trusted.Then again, perhaps they shouldn't be trusting him either. After all he was lying too. His head ached with the enormity of everything that was happening.
"You're no' well." Marjory was instantly by his side, her arm slipping around him, the touch soothing and exciting him all at the same time.
He smiled down at her, grateful for the support.
Torcall frowned at the two of them. "I dinna ken ye'd grown to tolerate each other."
"I'll no' let a man fall, just because he's my enemy's son." Marjory tightened her hold on Cameron in defiance.
"I told ye there's more going on here than we were told." Allen moved closer, his eyes on his father.
"Nay." Torcall waved him away. "I dinna think helping a mon, means anything more than just that. Besides, 'twill be far easier to get the wench with child, if she's no' fighting every inch o' the way."
Marjory released Cameron so suddenly he stumbled. "I'll no' be a brood mare for a Cameron."
"Ye'll do what yer told, girl." Torcall shook a finger in Marjory's direction, and Fingal moved to stand between them, tensions rising again to battle proportion.
"Leave her be." Fingal growled.
"I'm no' afeared of ye, Fingal Macgillivray. Ye know as well as I do that powers higher than either of us demand an heir. 'Tis no' my order, but the Lairds of Clans Cameron and Chattan."
Fingal nodded, accepting the inevitable. Marjory's face had turned red. "I'll have a say in my own life, thank you very much, and I tell you now, I willna spread my legs just because you say so."
Cameron reached out to soothe her, but she shook his arm away, her temper holding sway.
"Dinna threaten me, girl," Torcall barked, "or I'll see that he beds ye tonight, injury or no'."
Marjory clenched her fists and took a menacing step forward. Cameron wanted to hold her back, to try and talk some sense into her, but he knew she'd just push him away. So instead, he shot an imploring look at Fingal, whose pulse was now beating visibly at his temple, his face turned an angry red.
Fingal took a step toward Marjory, intent on intercepting her, but before he could reach her side, a blond woman burst into the room, eyes wide with joy. "Ewen,mo chridhe, 'tis true, yer really alive."
She rushed to his side, her long hair flying. At first Cameron thought it was the woman from his dream, his heart stopping at the thought, but as she drew nearer he realized the likeness was only superficial. Still, she was a beautiful woman, and it was more than obvious she cared about Ewen. Her green eyes sparked as she approached.
Unfortunately, he had no idea who the hell she was.
