Disclamiers: See Chapter One
Chapter Five
Iain decided to start the next phase of his plan for revenge against Patrick. Deception was the game that he had used in order to get close to Catherine and it was something that he was already not satisfied with. He wished they had meet under different circumstances. Without the taint of vengeance overshadowing his every move towards her, and without Patrick's presence in the background.
Would she forgive him for his deception and lies? Alternatively, would she walk away from the attraction between them, forever closing the door between them? With the upcoming battle within his clan, and with Patrick, did he have any right to approach her? Could he stay away from the spell she had so easily woven around him?
These thoughts raced repeatedly through Iain' mind as he rode towards her manor house. He had planned to show up and pretend that he had just been in the area and decided to pay a visit to Laird Lindsay.
Upon his knock, he was escorted into a small sitting room painted in calming shades of rich cream and gold but accented in a bold burgundy colour of the settee and armchairs. The seating was arranged in a cozy half circle in the middle of the room, and a fresh steaming pot of tea sat on one of the marble tables. A pair of delicate rose painted cups rested nearby, ready to be filled with the steeping brew.
A golden timepiece encased in glass, turned slowly in a circle as it chimed the hour, its bell-like tone filled the silence with a ringing peel. He walked to stand by the large bay window, looking out at the blossoming garden and the rolling mist covered hills in the distance.
He knew not how long he had been lost in the beauty before him, but the sensation of being watched swept over her and he turned to glance at the open doorway.
He swept a bow, "Lady Lindsay. Forgive the intrusion."
"Laird Maclachen," Lady Glenna Lindsay murmured, curtsying. "This is an honour and a surprise. We hadn't been expecting you to call upon us. My husband is away overseeing the crop harvest, if he had known you'd be here, I'm sure that he would have made himself available. I've asked for my daughter to attend and she should be here any moment."
"There's no need for her to rush. It was uncouth of me to arrive without notice but I was in the area and thought to stop by. I pray that this isn't an inconvenience, Lady Glenna?" Iain entreated charmingly, flashing his twin set of dimples at her.
'Handsome devil, isn't he? I wonder, if this has anything to do with Catherine and last night,' Glenna thought returning his smile while watching his twinkling eyes and dashing smile.
"No, not at all. Would you care for a refreshment? I can call for coffee or perhaps a dram of whiskey to pass the time until my daughter arrives," She offered, calling forth the waiting maid.
She motioned him to take a seat and once he was settled she sat across from him, observing his every move.
"A dram of whiskey would be fine, Lady Glenna," Iain replied, "I have tried coffee but found it to be a bitter brew. There is not much to recommend it, except perhaps as polish for leather."
A maid came forth and poured a cup of tea, handing it to Lady Glenna before offering Iain his glass of whiskey, they murmured their thanks and she quickly walked back to her place by the doorway. "Mary, please go and call Catherine to join us."
"Aye, Lady Lindsay." Mary replied bobbing a small curtsy before slipping out the door quietly.
Glenna waited until Mary had departed before laughing at Iain' comment, "My thoughts exactly but my husband and Catherine have become addicted to the vile substance."
"That leaves more of the other beverages for us," Iain teased, his rich baritone laugh joining her lilting one.
Lady Glenna was an enchanting creature and Iain saw within moments where Catherine received her beauty, wit and intelligence. She was a petit woman, the top of her head barely reached his mid-chest, her still vivid auburn hair was peppered with silvery gray threads and shrewd grey eyes assessed his every move. They noted every smile, inhaled breath and each impatient tap on a finger along the heavy crystal glass in his hand.
Iain felt her eyes boring into him. Her piercing gaze had the power to strip away the layers of polished veneer that he showed to the world. He felt as if that she could read into the depths of his soul and he met her penetrating look, unashamed and hiding nothing from her. She was almost mystical in her understanding of him. Her approval was the key to getting closer to Catherine, she held the power to sway things in his favour or doom things from this moment on. At her nod of approval, Iain released a breath that he hadn't realized he had been holding.
"I was sorry to hear the news of your parent's and sister's death. They were good people, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. It was a tragedy to lose them so soon and in such distasteful circumstances. I hope that you've had someone around you to help you through this difficult time," she said, placing a motherly hand tenderly on his cheek and smiling at him sadly.
Iain drew in a sharp breath at her touch, in that second he remembered all the times his mother had gentled his temper or his pains with her soft touch. It was a universal touch, which soothed away the cruelties of the world and sheltered one briefly from the slings and arrows of others, a touch that he had missed since her death. Lady Glenna had offered him a connection, if only for a moment, that he thought lost. He struggled to maintain his even breathing and not let his tears flow. His hand covered hers, trembling slightly from the overwhelming emotions her touch wrought.
"I do miss them dearly," he whispered, his voice filled with pain.
"I know, Iain," she murmured soothingly. "But I also know that you must be looking for their murderers. You would not let this injustice go forward without seeking punishment for the crime committed to your family. You probably already have an idea of the culprit as well."
"Aye," Iain replied shocked at her perceptions.
"I also know that you didn't just happen to stop by," she continued, reaching for her tea and taking a small sip. "Crumpet?"
Iain looked at her with a stupefied expression. Within a matter of seconds, she had reduced him to complete silence. Her easygoing manner hid her cunning tactics. Tactics as finely honed as the most seasoned of warriors. Her incisive words cut through the crafted barrier that he portrayed as easily shears through fabric, only then to throw him off stride by asking him about his hunger.
"What did you say?" Iain croaked, amazed at the tiny woman in front of him.
'Distract and then go for the kill.' Iain thought ruefully. 'If the world was a different place, she could easily have conquered it.'
"Would you like a crumpet?" She asked innocently, her eyes filling with mirth as he struggled to regain his composure.
"Nay, not that. How are you aware of my plans?" Iain demanded with a scowl.
"Be at ease, Iain. I will not say anything to anyone, not even my daughter. How did I know? You are a Scotsman. Family is the strongest bond to a Highlander and I knew there is no way that your honour would allow you to disregard the slaying of your kin." Lady Glenna replied. "It was only a matter of logic to know that you had plans in place to capture the culprits. My only concern is why you are suddenly enchanted by my only child."
Iain looked away from her, unable to meet her glance.
"There also the matter of your first meeting with Catherine," she continued with a grin, enjoying herself as one of the most powerful Laird's in Scotia squirmed under her appraising stare.
"How?"
"I heard Catherine arrive last night from the ball. She was cursing a blue streak about a pig headed, uncouth cad named Iain. And within a matter of hours, you pay us a visit. I don't believe in coincidences, I questioned Belle before I joined you this morning. I needed to know who this 'Iain' was who had caused my daughter to lose her ladylike manners."
Iain smiled at the image of the tiny red headed whirlwind storming about the room cursing his very existence in her husky voice, her vivid blue eyes flashing with ire and her mouth in a stern line. He could only hope that he faired better at this meeting than he had at their last.
"I trust that there will be no further incidents of that nature," Lady Glenna cautioned, her eyebrow arched in warning.
"Not of that nature," Iain agreed smoothly but not agreeing to any other circumstances.
"You haven't fooled me with your response. One can see why you are in charge of the unity of the clans." She replied with a cool smile and her eyes as fierce as steel. "Whom do you suspect?"
"Lady Glenna-," he began, only to be abruptly halted by a raised hand.
"I refuse to be unaware of the danger that Catherine may be in while within your company. Whom do you suspect?" She demanded her tone as cold as the highlands in the middle of winter.
"You will not believe me," Iain replied trying to sidestep the issue, not wanting to be the one to inform her of Patrick's deceit.
Silence filled the room as the stared at each other, neither willing to cede to the others demands. Until Iain sighed in defeat.
"If it were possible, Lady Glenna, I would recruit you to serve at my side. You could bend even the most stubborn of the clan lairds with that icy stare."
"'Tis a talent that my husband has come to appreciate over the years and one that I've shared with my daughter," she replied, "The name, Laird MacLachan."
"Laird McNeil."
He paused as he waited for the coming explosion that he was sure would follow his revelation. It wasn't everyday that someone accused one's offspring's future husband of being a cold-blooded murderer. After a few moments of tense silence, he glanced her way.
She sat with her eyes closed and her mouth tight in a straight unyielding line. Sensing his gaze, her eyes opened to reveal pools of molten heated steel. Anger radiated from their depths as they met his dark eyes.
"I was always concerned that something seemed odd about Patrick but my husband wished for the match." Lady Glenna spat. "Do you have concrete proof of his infamy?"
"You believe me so easily. How do you know that I don't lie?" Iain asked needing to play the devil's advocate.
"There are some things that one can sense about people. Goodness and evil can either brighten or taint a soul. If one looks closely enough, one can always distinguish what a person is blessed with by looking into their eyes." Glenna commented, "Yours tell me that you can be a hard person to live with, contrary, set in your ways, loyal to all you care about but I see goodness in them as well. You even thought to spare me the pain of Patrick's actions even as I demanded an answer from you."
Iain ran a hand through his short locks of hair before standing to pace in front of her.
"We found a torn piece of the McNeil tartan deep within the heart of my land, it had been caught on some brambles, the thorns had pierced the matter and held it in place just a few feet away from the bodies of my slain family and men." Iain replied emotionlessly, steeling his heart from the pain of his discovery and concentrating on the fire of revenge. "Looking deeper, I found that the poison went further than just Patrick's ambush. I found prove that one of my clan had aided the treachery."
"A betrayal from within," she stated. Her heart ached for the proud warrior in front of her.
"I cannot tell you my plans but I can promise you that I have scheme in place to capture the traitor. Now all I have to do is be patient as things unfold. I don't want Catherine in the middle of this anymore than you do." He promised.
"You changed your mind. At one time, you had every intention of placing her in the middle of what was to come. What changed your mind?" Glenna asked, with a knowing smile. "No lies, Iain, or I shall toss you out and forbid Catherine from seeing you without an armed guard escorting her.
Iain looked ashamed as he revealed his original plan involving Catherine. "At first I had every intention of stealing her away from McNeil by any means, regardless of her feelings or mine."
"But?" She asked, sensing that there was more to his answer.
"Meeting her changed that. There is something about her that I cannot resist. As if only by her side can I be complete. Thoughts of revenge left my heart at the first words she spoke to me." Iain continued honestly but in a perplexed, awed voice. He was unwilling to vex the only person that could further future meetings with Catherine. "It was an unusual experience for me but one of which I cannot rid myself."
She feared what was to come. Patrick was too hot headed and already thought of Catherine as his property, even though she had not yet given him her answer. His pride would be wounded, a dangerous state for any male. They would need to take precautions for all their safety.
Glenna watched as the different emotions flitted across Iain' face. Sadness, pain, anger, hatred, peace and love. He wore his responsibility and honour around him like a thick cloak, his will and strength of character forcing him forward when he wanted nothing more than to lay down and rest from the battle. If Catherine were agreeable to the match, Glenna would have no worries about Iain' treatment towards her.
"I give you my blessing. Treat her well and woo her gently." Glenna warned with a cheeky smirk. "Otherwise, I'll never hold one of my grandchildren in my arms."
Iain flushed under her knowing glance and a choked laugh emerged from his suddenly dry throat. Suddenly, something teased at the edges of his senses and he swung to face the closed door. He didn't know how but he knew that Catherine was on the other side of the doorway, there was an awareness to her presence, as if the sweet scent of her rose perfumed skin penetrated though the oak doors to wrap around him and trap him under her spell.
The door swung open and his angelic beauty strolled in. Her auburn curls cascading about her face, her eyes lowered demurely and the slightest hint of a blush dusted across her porcelain skin. He inhaled sharply, lost in her body's unconscious seductive sway as she made towards him. She lowered herself into a dainty curtsy, still not raising her gaze to his.
His eyes devoured her, forgetting for a moment Lady Glenna's presence in the room with them. The room melted away until all he saw was the petit figure before him. As if from a distance he heard her murmur his name and managed to pull himself from her siren's spell, if only for a few minutes.
"Hello Lady Catherine. Please, there's no need for such formalities among friends." Iain mocked, masking his desire for her by teasing her.
He watched in amusement as her head snapped up and her eyes spat fire at him as she recognized him.
"You!"
She rose quickly and stood before him, a dainty hissing kitten. Her expressive eyes promised all manners of retribution, and if he was reading her glare correctly, all of them painful.
"Catherine, you never mentioned that you knew Laird MacLachan. When did you meet?" Lady Glenna inquired, winking slyly at Iain behind Catherine's back.
Iain bit back a laugh at the mischievous imp in front of him.
"At the ball last night," Catherine muttered, impaling him with her dagger-like gaze as she saw his smiling visage. Her heartbeat quickened as his smile deepened and his dimples became more pronounced.
He bowed and raised her hand to his lips and slowly brushing them over the trembling flesh. "Please, Lady Catherine, after all the time we spent together, you should call me Iain and I perhaps may call you Catherine." His tone implying a more intimate connection between them.
She gasped at his forwardness, her jaw clenched and she looked towards her mother, as if asking for intervention at his rude behaviour. Her mother shook her head and gestured for her to deal with him, confident of her abilities to put him in his place.
"You may call me Lady Lindsay, as I have not given you permission to address me in a more intimate manner." Catherine replied coolly, sliding her hand away from his. "As I said to you before we know naught about each other and it would not be proper or wise, given your actions from last night as an example for me to follow."
Everything about him oozed charm and seductiveness, a lure that she fought desperately despite her promise to Belle. He stood before her wearing snug breeches that hugged his muscular frame in a rich charcoal hue. He worn a lose fitting cream coloured shirt with none of those silly ties that the ton had taken to wearing recently. One of his buttons had opened and a tiniest hint of flesh was revealed to her interested eyes. A jacket in the same shade as his breeches completed his ensemble. His riding gloves and hat rested on the settee beside her mother. Silently she sighed as every move he made, pulled the cloth tighter along his body. She began to blush fiercely at her thoughts and chastised herself sternly.
"Catherine, perhaps a stroll about the grounds will allow you to get to know Laird MacLachan better," her mother suggested, smiling at Catherine's horrified gaze.
"Nay," Catherine responded strongly, struggling to deny the attraction she felt standing a few feet away from him. "I refuse to take one step with him. I have already learned enough about his ways already. Besides, I am feeling a bit under the weather. The cool night air last night did not agree with me."
"I never took you for a coward, lass." Iain taunted, delighting in her response and disposition. "I'll be on my best behaviour."
Catherine sniffed at that statement recalling his 'best behaviour' from last night.
Lady Glenna shook her head at their antics, at this rate they would never get together and she could kiss her dreams of grandchildren farewell.
"Catherine, show the Laird the maze." She order, her voice brooking no room for argument.
"Very well, Mother." She replied sweetly. "Laird Maclachan, pray remember how the evening ended, if you decide to get any ideas."
"Of course, Lady Lindsay," he muttered, inwardly cringing in pain. "I expected no less after my boorish behaviour."
Catherine flounced out the door, not waiting to be escorted. Without turning around, she called back to him impatiently, as if eager to finish this unwanted chore, "Are you coming?"
"Aye," Iain mumbled, watching her curves as she walked away from him. His eyes locked on the swell of her hips and the pert curve of her buttocks.
"Iain," Lady Glenna called out sweetly, tearing his thoughts away from Catherine's delectable body.
"My Lady?"
"Don't do anything too improper," she advised in a whisper, sending him a cheeky wink and chuckling at his astonished expression.
"Aye, my Lady." Iain agreed as a wolfish smile spreading across his face.
Meanwhile, Catherine had no idea of the plotting occurring behind her back as she waited impatiently for his arrival.