Highland Hellion (Highland Weddings #3)(51)

“Marcus…” Rolfe began, but that was all he got out before Marcus was lunging at him.

The chamber was full of people now. Someone drew her out of the bed, pulling her into the small antechamber to be dressed. Katherine fought against the women trying to shield her modesty as she heard the crashing and cursing coming from the bedchamber.

But the Lindsey women were too many, keeping her in place. She finally decided to help get her clothing on, because it was clear she wasn’t going anywhere until she was dressed.

“Pull those two apart.” Duncan arrived, and his men acted upon his command.

There was cursing and growling, but there were just too many Lindsey retainers, and Marcus ended up pushed against one wall, while Rolfe and Adwin were kept against another.

“I do love weddings,” Duncan declared as he looked toward the bed. The soiled sheet was plain in the dawn light. “Looks like it was enjoyed by everyone.”

Marcus let out a snarl and surged toward Rolfe again. “Ye should have kept yer hands off her!”

“Marcus!” Katherine slipped beneath the arms of the men holding him back. He drew himself up as she straightened up in front of him. The rage on his face cracked to reveal relief. “Christ, lass, it is good to see ye well.”

He wrapped his arms around her, using so much strength that he nearly cracked her ribs.

“And ye do nae have to stay married to him,” Marcus spat out once he’d finished embracing her. “Leave that sheet and get out.”

The Lindsey women had turned their attention to the bed, pulling the stained sheet off. They looked at Marcus, clearly resistant to his order.

“Katherine is me wife,” Rolfe declared. There was a glint in his eyes that made it clear he would back his words with his body if necessary.

“We’ll be seeing about that,” Marcus promised in return. “Get out, the lot of ye. I will be hearing what Kat has to say when she is no’ surrounded by those who have something to gain by forcing her hand.”

The Lindseys bristled at the insult and looked toward their laird. Marcus glared at Duncan.

“Ye’d say the same if ye were standing in me boots right now.”

No one moved until Duncan gave them a wave with his hand. The chamber began to empty, but Marcus had to yank the soiled sheet out of the hands of the Head of House when she tried to carry it past him.

“Ye’d have the lass shamed, then?” the woman declared. “If I appear below without that, there will always be rumors about her.”

Marcus didn’t lose his temper often. That iron control was a trait Katherine had come to admire about him. Right then, it was stretched thin, but she was distracted by the look on Rolfe’s face. Her new husband was looking straight at her, waiting for her to make a choice.

“Take the sheet,” Kat said.

Marcus shifted his attention to her, his eyes narrowing. The Head of House didn’t wait for further discussion. She hurried out of the chamber, leaving Katherine feeling her cheeks burning scarlet as she realized everyone was there to discuss what she’d been doing with Rolfe.

But what made her belly tighten to the point of nausea was just how determined Marcus was to see the marriage dissolved.

*

Colum Gordon was interred beneath the floor of the church beside his son. His wife had been buried in the graveyard behind the structure in punishment for only providing one living son to her husband. If Diocail had his way, he’d have let the man rot in unhallowed ground for all of the hate he’d kept festering inside him. The Gordons were despised by the clans on all sides of them because of it, and it would fall to Diocail to change their ways.

That would be a difficult task, but one his mother had reared him to face. He would not shame her by failing.

Especially on the very first day.

The hall was unusually somber at supper. Diocail sat at the high table, contemplating his new clan. He finally stood.

“I will be heading down to swear fealty to the Earl of Morton.”

There was a grumble among the Gordon retainers.

“The man is the regent for our king, and I will no’ be frightened away by the tales of him. Even if I believe a great many of them are true.”

There was a rumble of approval.

“I’d expect ye to toss me out on me arse if I were no’ man enough to face the earl.”

Now there were grins. A few of the retainers lifted their mugs toward him.

“And I’m going to say what is being said among ye.” Diocail braced his feet wide and faced them. “That I am no’ a Gordon because me mother left this land.”

He stopped for a moment and watched his words sink in. There was a shuffle among those eating at the long tables as they eased closer, wanting to hear what else he had to say.

“Me mother took me away so I’d live to see this day.” Diocail spoke clearly. “But only after someone tried to poison her, while I was still on her breast. Me father died from it. Colum’s ambition was stronger than his decency. Now that he is gone, I intend to speak clearly and truthfully.”

It wasn’t considered right to speak ill of the dead, but there was more than one nod among those watching.

Diocail came down the steps and stood on the hall floor. “So, if there are any among ye who wish to challenge me openly, now is the time. Any man who resorts to potions and daggers in the dark shadows is a coward and no’ fit to lead the Gordons. For those whispering behind me back, I call ye out now. Make yer arguments here, before all, or have done with trying to split the Gordons. I will honor the choice made by the majority and leave this castle, but so too will whoever stands against me.”