The Recruit Read online

  His eyes narrowed, the white lines around his mouth nearly making her want to take a few steps back. “This will not be a marriage in name only, if that is what you are thinking. I will not be barred from my wife’s bed.”

  “Even if I don’t want you there?”

  He gave her a long knowing look, and for a moment she feared he would prove her wrong. “Are you so sure of that, Mary?”

  His voice was low and husky. Entrancing. Seducing. A temptation impossible to resist. Her heart squeezed. She wasn’t sure at all. Just the way he was looking at her made her stomach knot and skin prickle with heat.

  But she couldn’t allow herself to be deluded. “So I shall be expected to breed your children, what else?”

  Apparently, he didn’t like her cold, matter-of-fact tone. He took her by the shoulders and forced her to look at him. “Why are you acting like this, damn it?”

  Her heart clenched. Because she wasn’t a foolish girl anymore. Because the only way to protect herself was to not have any illusions or unrealistic expectations. She wouldn’t go into this marriage like she had the first—blind and full of silly romantic dreams. This was an alliance born of necessity—a business arrangement—and she would treat it as such. “I am simply trying to be clear on what shall be expected of me. I’ve never been forced into marriage before.”

  Clearly, he didn’t appreciate her sarcasm. His hands fisted. “Your duty and fidelity, damn it. Just like in any other marriage.”

  Fidelity. How easily his arrow found its mark without even aiming. “And is the same required of you?”

  She meant it to come off as sarcastic, but the way his eyes held hers, she feared he saw too much. “Do you wish it to be?”

  She covered her embarrassment with a sharp laugh. As if such a thing were even possible. “You forget I’ve seen you at work, so to speak. I’ve also been married before. I know how an alliance between nobles works. I will turn a blind eye to your dalliances, and once I have done my duty in bearing your children, you will do the same. I merely meant, what am I to get in return for doing my duty in bearing your children?”

  His mouth hardened, and his eyes glinted with a dangerous spark of steel. “You will have my name, my protection, and preside as chatelaine over any land the king returns to me. One day the child you are carrying will be the Earl of Sutherland.” He leaned closer. She could see the dark shadow of his beard along the hard lines of his jaw and remembered how it had felt rubbing over her skin. “And every time I take you in my bed, you will come. That is what you will get, my lady.” She flinched at his blunt crudity, ignoring the flicker of awareness that surged through her. “But know this—I don’t know what your experience may have been before, but I will never be blind.”

  She flushed, not mistaking his meaning. Fidelity went in only one direction. He expected her to be faithful but made no promise in return.

  Open eyes, she told herself. No illusions.

  She hardened her heart. It was an alliance, nothing more. He’d made that clear. She had to remember it. “You will, of course, seek my son’s wardship and marriage?”

  His brow furrowed for a moment, as if he hadn’t thought of it. “Aye.”

  As her husband, it was only natural that he would seek control over the young Earl of Atholl. He might have switched kings, but the power and influence he would garner by marrying her had not changed. Indeed, she knew that had been the attraction for Sir John as well.

  Sir John. She bit her lip. He would not be pleased. But it could not be helped. She could only hope he would understand.

  Mary knew she was trapped. She had no choice. She would steel her heart and hold Sir Kenneth to his word.

  “You will protect me and my children?”

  He eyed her warily. “Aye.”

  “And do nothing that will put us in danger without consulting me?”

  His expression shuttered, his face utterly still. For a moment she thought she saw something flash in his eyes, but when his mouth fell in a hard line she realized it must have been anger. “We are at war, Mary. But you have my promise that I will do all in my power to keep you safe.”

  “That is not good enough. I need your word that you will not make decisions that will affect us without telling me. I won’t have another marriage like the first.”

  His mouth thinned. She could tell he didn’t like being pushed into a corner. Well, too bad. She didn’t either. And that was what he was doing by forcing her to marry him.

  “I will do my best,” he agreed.

  Their eyes held for one long pause. She sensed there was something more that he wanted to say, but she also sensed that he was telling the truth. What could she do but trust him? She just prayed he was more worthy of that trust than Atholl. Her life and that of her children’s she put in his hands. She nodded. It was enough. “Then I will await your return from London.”

  She turned away. He hesitated for a moment as if he would say something, but then moved to the door. He was about to close it behind him when something made her stop him. “Sir Kenneth.”

  He looked back over his shoulder. “Aye, my lady?”

  Their eyes held again. Be careful. “Godspeed,” she whispered.

  One corner of his mouth lifted in a boyish half-smile, and he nodded.

  Her heart stabbed with a longing so strong it took her breath away. When he looked at her like that she could almost believe in faerie tales again, of handsome, gallant knights who made a young girl’s heart dream.

  Dear God, how could she protect herself against that?

  What was she going to do?

  What she always did. Make the best of it. But when the door closed softly behind him, Mary sank onto the chair, covered her face with her hands, and cried.

  Sixteen

  Coldingham Priory Church, Berwickshire

  One week later, Kenneth was standing under the chancel arch of Coldingham Priory beside Sir Adam and the Bishop of St. Andrews, who’d recently returned from Scotland, waiting for his bride.

  The journey to London had been easier than he could ever have expected. He knew it was due in large part to one of the men standing beside him. Sir Adam had smoothed the way, first with Cornwall and Percy in enabling Kenneth to leave Berwick, and then, when he’d offered to accompany him, with King Edward.

  Thanks to his old friend, he and Mary not only had their permission, but also a tale to explain the surprise announcement of their marriage. A chance encounter in Scotland of enemies, a secret betrothal, and a love so strong as to compel him to change allegiance. Ironically, their marriage would serve not only to legitimize their child, but also his motives for being in England.

  If their story were true, they would actually already be married. A betrothal promise to wed coupled with consummation created a marital bond. But as the church frowned on clandestine marriages, they would have a ceremony—albeit a private one. As there had not been time to read the banns, at the king’s bequest, the Bishop of Durham—who had authority over both Coldingham Priory and the Scottish Bishop of St. Andrews while he was being kept in England—had granted them a dispensation to wed without them. Perhaps thinking of Mary and their recent trip, Sir Adam had suggested Lamberton as the officiant. Since Kenneth suspected the good bishop was still in league with Bruce, he knew he had better apprise the king of his marriage soon. A task he wasn’t looking forward to discharging.

  About the only thing that could have made the journey a greater success was if Kenneth had been able to uncover any information that would help his mission. But the single nighttime foray into the king’s chambers that he’d managed under the watchful eye of Sir Adam and his men had yielded nothing of value. Indeed, so far Kenneth had done nothing more than corroborate what they already knew: the English were mustering at Berwick, and the king would follow in the spring. All he’d gained on this mission so far was an injured arm and, in a few minutes, a wife. Neither of which was likely to impress the king or his fellow guardsmen with his abilities. He might