The Chief (Highland Guard #1)(82)

“Are you questioning King Edward’s claim to the throne? I should warn you—as a friend, of course—that he does not take treason lightly. Your recent marriage has already cast aspersions upon your loyalty.”

His calculating gaze turned to Christina, and Tor had to fight the urge to shove her behind his back. MacDougall didn’t hide the flare of lust that would have been a death sentence under any other circumstances. Tor clenched his fists, his hands itching to grab the hilt of his sword. He’d never felt so constrained, but with Christina by his side he might as well be tied down in chains.

“My marriage had nothing to do with politics,” Tor said evenly, his tone giving no hint to the dangerous rage flaring inside him. “I saw her and wanted her.”

MacDougall’s eyes were still on Christina. To her credit, Christina stood calmly at his side. If she noticed the other man’s lecherous glances, she did not let on. “Yes, I heard the circumstances of your marriage. My lady.” He bowed to Christina, and she curtsied stiffly. To Tor he said, “It’s not difficult to see why you became so besotted.” His gaze sharpened. “Though I must admit being surprised to hear that love was the reason for your hasty nuptials.”

Christina started to object, but Tor quickly grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze as he lifted it to his mouth. “Aye, I was bewitched from the first moment I saw her.” Their eyes met and he read her surprise. He would have to explain later, but didn’t relish the conversation.

“A common occurrence in your family,” MacDougall said, echoing Tor’s previous words to MacDonald. “Is your brother here? There is a matter of a broken betrothal to settle.”

Tor was grateful for the change of subject, but he knew MacDougall was not completely convinced. “He is not. But when he returns, I will see that you are recompensed for any inconvenience you have suffered.”

“See to it that you do,” MacDougall said. “I think half the Nicolson chit’s tocher should do.”

Tor kept his jaw locked tight. It was bloody robbery, but Torquil would fight his own battles.

MacDougall gave Christina another glance and then turned back to Tor. “When word of your marriage reached the king, he realized there had been an oversight.”

Tor’s eyes narrowed, sensing he wasn’t going to like what MacDougall had to say. “What kind of oversight?”

“It seems your name does not appear on the Ragman Rolls.”

Damn. Not an oversight at all. Tor had intentionally not signed the roll swearing his allegiance, fealty, and homage to Edward a few years back as required of all Scottish nobles. “I was in Ireland at the time.”

MacDougall smiled. Though Tor had betrayed nothing in his expression, MacDougall was not fooled. He waved his hand. “It doesn’t matter. The oversight can be easily rectified. You need not travel all the way to Berwick. Stirling Castle will do, at parliament at the end of January.”

MacDougall left not long after, taking a portion of the winter reserves with him. And for the moment Tor could do nothing but watch him go, seething. But he was already planning the reiving party to get it back. No doubt MacDougall expected it. It was the Highland way. But MacDougall was playing a dangerous game. Tor would be pushed only so far, and John of Lorne had just reached the edge.

Still he was furious. His wife’s adventure today not only jeopardized the security of Bruce’s team, it had also cost him a small fortune. Worse, his marriage had done exactly what he feared—dragged him into the center of a brewing storm. In less than two months’ time, he was going to have to make a choice.

Christina felt wretched. The return journey to the castle was painfully quiet. The passionate kiss they’d shared and her playful teasing seemed a distant memory. Tor wouldn’t even look at her. Not only had she followed him and witnessed something she obviously wasn’t supposed to see, but her presence in the village had tied his hands. Would he have attempted to stop MacDougall from carrying off the village’s winter stores? She didn’t know, but with her there, he hadn’t had a choice.

MacDougall’s visit also made it clear that their marriage had brought him exactly the trouble he’d sought to avoid—attention from the king. Because of her, Edward was questioning his loyalty and attempting to force him to choose sides by swearing his allegiance.

She hadn’t understood the enormity of the threat until she’d met MacDougall. John of Lorne was well known for his ruthlessness, and despite his professing to be a friend, it wasn’t friendliness that Christina glimpsed in his gaze but something else—animosity, and perhaps even jealousy. He made her skin crawl with his lecherous glances. Even knowing that he was just trying to make her husband angry didn’t stop her from feeling like she wanted to take a bath. He’d relished having the upper hand on the infamous Highland warlord, and Christina sensed this was only the beginning of problems to come from Edward’s powerful sheriff.

She’d been stunned when Tor claimed that he’d married her because he was besotted. The look in his eyes when he’d kissed her hand …

Her heart had jumped for one hard beat before she realized it was probably for the benefit of MacDougall. Of course, he was too honorable to reveal the true circumstances of their marriage. But she’d wanted to believe it was true.

As Tor helped her from the birlinn, she could stand the silence no longer. “I’m sorry if our marriage has brought you trouble. I know you’ve no wish to become embroiled in Scottish politics.”