Page 26 of A Scot for Bethan
In any case, Cameron would not betray her. What purpose would it serve? She had said she intended to be faithful once she was married, and he believed her. If she was worried about having an unsatisfactory love life, it proved that she intended to welcome no other man than her husband in her bed. It was all that mattered.
“Wait, what were you doing that night at the tavern?” he asked suddenly. Had she gone in search of a man? His blood surged anew. “Tell me you did not seek your lovers amidst the customers?—”
“No! I never sold my body, neither was I ever bedded by a man I did not choose!” Bethan sounded too horrified at the notion for him to doubt her words. “That night I had gone to…to…”
“You do not wish to tell me,” he cut in when she faltered. “Don’t.”
He had learned far more than he could handle already. For days he had been fighting his desire for Bethan and now he was being told that he could have her without damaging her, that she had already taken lovers and wanted to be satisfied in bed… A woman like this was his every dream come true.
How on earth was he supposed to resist her now? Well, he would just have to find a way, because he couldnotseduce his future niece by marriage, no matter what her past was.
“We will reach Crois Dhubh in less than two weeks,” he said decisively. “You will soon meet your groom. All your questions will be answered.”
And then they would part ways.
Yes. It was for the best.
Chapter Seven
In the end it took the retinue just a little over a fortnight to reach Crois Dhubh.
It had been the best and the worst two weeks of Bethan’s life. Being with Cameron day and night was both a blessing and a torment because with each passing day, her feelings for him grew stronger. What had been little more than lust at first was evolving into something far more worrying, something she had not felt for any of the men who had taken possession of her body.
She feared that this Scot who had never even kissed her might have taken possession of her heart.
He’d taken to riding by her side instead of behind her and entertaining her with stories of his youth and she, in turn, had shared memories of her time spent with the Hunter family. It had been surprisingly soothing to recall those happy times.
The day they had crossed the border Murdo had been so relieved to be back on Scottish soil he’d burst into song. Soon, all the men had joined in, even Cameron. His voice was rich and true, warming her to the soul. Entranced, she had listened to songs in ancient Gaelic, and sworn to herself she would start learning the beautiful language at the first opportunity. Which was, she realized, right now. As they rode through a landscape ofrolling purple hills and sparkling blue lakes, she had asked the men to teach her a few essential words. They had been only too delighted to help.
But as pleasant as it had been to ride through magical land in the company of men who had only her well-being at heart, she could not forget where they were headed and by the time they passed through the gate of Crois Dhubh, Bethan’s nerves had been frayed to an unprecedented point. Her first glimpse of the place that was to be her home only added to her trepidation. It looked to be in a bad state of neglect. Used to the comfort of Castell Esgyrn and having seen what her brother had done at Castell y Ddraig, she could only despair at the contrast.
Oh, well, at least putting everything to rights would give her something to do.
They found an old man in the bailey, looking somewhat lost. When he saw Cameron dismount, his face lit up. Then he looked at her inquiringly, as if he had no idea who she was supposed to be. Her stomach fell another notch. Admittedly they had never met, but it would not be hard to guess who an unknown woman in the company of the laird might be. Didn’t the people here know she was coming? Hadn’t Dougal warned them?
“Fàilte guCrois Dhubh.”
“He’s welcoming you to Crois Dhubh,” Cameron whispered in her ear. Bethan smiled her thanks, but she had understood the greeting. Then the man started to talk, his words coming too fast for her to even try to follow.
Cameron cut him short and answered in her stead. “Béarla” was the only word she recognized, because she had made sure it was one she learned, so as to ask people whether they could speak English or not upon meeting them. The man shook his head. Evidently, though he had been instructed to address her in English, he could not.
Dear God. Once the retinue had left, she would be left alone with people who could not understand her. It would happen soon enough. Cameron had been away from Nead an Diabhail for weeks. Eager to resume his responsibilities as laird, he would not linger here, but instead rush home at the first opportunity. It was hard to fight the sense of panic at the idea that they were soon to be parted.
“Please, I would like a moment to freshen up before I…before…”
Before I meet the man who is to be my husband.
Where was Dougal? Was he hiding in one of the rooms overlooking the bailey? Why hadn’t he come to greet her? Was he even here? Or had he been called by the Bruce yet again? She hadn’t imagined she would have to endure another delay.
“Of course. I’ll have someone escort you.”
Cameron looked preoccupied. What had the old man told him to cause him alarm? Had they been attacked while he’d been away? She had no idea, and she had enough on her mind to worry about this as well.
At a nod from his laird, Angus led her to a surprisingly clean and well-furnished bedchamber. It was clear the room had been aired and recently made ready. Bethan’s spirits lifted marginally. At least some effort had been made to welcome her.
“Here you are, my lady.” He looked worried as well, nothing like the jovial man she had come to know. Whatwasgoing on?
“Thank you.”
