"Do ye ken who I am?"
"Nay, madame."
"I am lord Adam"s wife, and," her voice rose shrilly, "I forbid ye to ever come here again! My children are nae related to any peasant wh.o.r.e"s b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Get out! I never want to see yer face again!"
The lad fled, and several days afterwards her father-in-law came and spoke to her.
"Leslies acknowledge their own," he said quietly. "Ye hae been wed wi" my son six years, and never has he shamed ye as other men do their wives wi" their amours. I dinna think he will unless ye try his patience greatly. Ye are his lady, yer children my heirs. Only ye can change that"
It was enough. She never spoke of it, and neither did Adam. However, once when visiting a sick woman in the glen she noticed a tall, big-boned woman with brown hair and straightforward blue eyes staring at her. "Who is that?" she asked her waiting woman, Hannah. Hannah hesitated, then replied, "Jeannie More." Strangely the countess was relieved. She had pictured her rival a lush peasant beauty, hardly this plain, big woman. The knowledge soothed her vanity.
Anne was sure that her sister-in-law had chosen Red Hugh More to captain the men-at-arms she was hiring simply to annoy her. Janet knew her b.a.s.t.a.r.d nephew annoyed Anne, but she had chosen him because she knew that the most trustworthy captain of one"s own guards was likely to be a relative. Besides, Janet liked Red Hugh, The big, blue-eyed red-haired giant was loyal, charming, and was already paying court to Marian"s daughter, Ruth.
For the next few months, Janet spent much of her time checking on the progress of Sithean, her new home. Sithean, p.r.o.nounced "Shee-ann", meant Fairy Knoll in Gaelic, and Janet had given the estate that name because it was being built on a tiny island believed by the peasants to have been inhabited in ancient times by the fairies.
The island was located almost a quarter of a mile off the main sh.o.r.e of the loch, and an elaborate, heavily fortified bridge had been built linking the two. The castle, built at the narrow end of the island, was surrounded on three sides by water. The remaining land was carefully gardened and terraced with two small pastures set aside for the horses, sheep and cattle. Then as a final precaution, a stone wall, interspersed at even intervals with watch towers was set around the entire island.
"The expense," moaned Anne one day. "Ye"ve built it to withstand a siege."
Janet could feel her temper rising, but knowing that sweetness nettled her sister-in-law more than a sharp retort, she replied, "I am a woman alone. Easy prey for the lawless in these hard times. Would you prefer I stay wi" you and Adam?" She laughed at the look on Anne"s face. "Come, Anne, be honest wi" me for once. Ye count the days till Sithean is habitable."
"Ye spend yer gold as though it were endless."
"It is."
"Think of yer son."
"My son?"
"If ye waste yer gold, what will be left for him to inherit?"
"Charles will inherit Sithean, end end my gold." my gold."
"Ye speak as though ye were a queen!"
"I am," replied Janet, and for the barest moment a sad look touched her eyes. But Anne Leslie was neither quick nor intuitive enough to see it "Bah," she snapped at Janet "Yer mad!"
"Then ye shouldna be troubled wi" my company any longer," said Janet as she turned and left the room I don"t know what Adam sees in that woman, thought Janet My G.o.d, if they don"t finish Sithean soon I shall kill her! s.n.a.t.c.hing up her cloak she headed for the stables. "Ho, Gordy! Saddle Devil Wind!" The groom scrambled to obey her, and a moment later Janet mounted on her big, black stallion and accompanied by Red Hugh, galloped away. The wind tore at her hood, but it was anch.o.r.ed firmly. The gray wildness of the day helped to restore her temper, and she turned the horse into the woods towards Sithean. The wet matted leaves beneath his hooves m.u.f.fled the sound as they raced through the forest As they neared the hills above the loch, she slowed the horse.
"Easy, laddy," she crooned, patting his neck. They had reached the crest of the hills that bordered the loch. For a moment she stopped, and looked down on her domain. She was thankful that she would soon have her own home again. It would be ready before Christmas, and Charles, Fiona, and the children would be coming. She intended telling Charles that since Sithean would be his one day, he and his family were welcome to make their home there now.
Had it not been for the small house off High Street in Edinburgh that Fiona"s parents left her, she and Charles would have been totally dependent on the hospitality of Glenkirk. Janet knew, however, that both Adam and Fiona hated living in Edinburgh, With this in mind she had had one large wing at Sithean constructed so that her son"s family might have their privacy and she might have hers. If Charles accepted her offer, the house in town might be let for a fine price.
Devil Wind was straining at his bit now, so loosening her hold on the reins, she cantered down the hill to the loch and across the bridge. Red Hugh helped her dismount "Yer in a fine tearing temper. I dinna have to ask who ye"ve been talking to this day."
"My G.o.d!" she exploded. "That woman would try the patience of a saint! Nag, nag, nag! Now she claims I spend too much money building Sithean. Is it her money? No! Tis mine! Mine! The b.i.t.c.h!"
Red Hugh laughed. "Aye," he drawled, "I"ve oft felt that way myself. My father would come to the cottage to see me and mother, and there were times he"d look so angry I"d hide until mum had softened him up."
"And how did she do that my lad?"
The same way you undoubtedly softened your own lord out of a fit of the glooms," he grinned.
"Wretch!" She swatted at him. "Come along, nephew. If I am to move in by Christmas, I had best see how the work is coming along. Find the foreman for me."
While he went to do her bidding, she walked up to the second floor of the house which was built in the shape of an H. Walking into the gallery that made up the crosspiece of the H, she smiled in satisfaction. The sun had come out and golden light was pouring in through the windows, which were staggered on both sides of the long room so that no two faced each other. They were tall, mullioned windows shaped like inverted U"s and between them were expanses of wall that would soon be covered with paintings and tapestries. At each comer of the gallery she had had fireplaces built. Filled with lights, it would be a lovely place to sit.
It was here Hugh and the foreman found her, and after a few minutes of discussion, she was satisfied that the house would soon be ready. Riding back she turned to her nephew.
"I think I shall annoy Anne tonight and wear my new green velvet gown."
"I trust it is sufficiently low cut in the newest fashion."
"Very. Ye"ve been talking to my Ruth."
"I like talking to Ruth."
"Unless you decide to marry her, make sure talk is all you do, my fine buck. Marian is my friend, as well as my servant I look on Ruth as I would my own daughter. She is not to be seduced."
"Yes, m"lady," he grinned at her.
"Arrogant ape," she chuckled at him. "I mean it Now, let"s race! My Devil Wind against your Thunderer!"
Both horses surged forward. Neither rider saw the lone horseman on the hill above them. He had been there several times in the last few weeks, but so secure were Janet and her nephew in the safety of their own land, they had not noticed.
"I think," said the master of Grayhaven to his horse, "that it is time I paid a visit to Glenkirk."
42.
HAD A ANNE L LESLTE not been so openly interfering of Janet, and constantly annoyed that the sister-in-law she had expected to be old, and poverty-stricken, was, instead, a beautiful and wealthy woman, Janet might not have taken such pains with her appearance that night Her late entrance into the Great Hall at the dinner hour momentarily stopped all conversation. not been so openly interfering of Janet, and constantly annoyed that the sister-in-law she had expected to be old, and poverty-stricken, was, instead, a beautiful and wealthy woman, Janet might not have taken such pains with her appearance that night Her late entrance into the Great Hall at the dinner hour momentarily stopped all conversation.
She wore a velvet gown of forest green, its low-cut bodice embroidered in gold thread, tiny topaz, and pearls. On her head was a green velvet cap edged in gold lace and pearls with a soft gold gauze veil that flowed behind her, covering her pale red-gold hair. Around her slender neck she wore a magnificent rope of creamy pearls.
Adam rushed from the dais to lead his sister to the main table where Anne barely nodded to her greeting of "Good even, sister." But before she could be seated, Adam was introducing her to his guest "Janet this is Lord Hay, the master of Grayhaven."
Automatically she extended her hand and raised her green-gold eyes to a pair of heavy-lidded leaf-green ones that lingered a moment too long on her decolletage.
"Colin!"
"So you remember." He smiled. "You were but a wee bit of a little girl when we last met"
"And you a great gawky boy, my lord."
Seating her, he drew his chair next to hers and offered Janet his goblet She drank sparingly, grimacing as she did.
"Aye," he chuckled. "The lady Anne knows naught about wines."
"A kind way of saying my dear sister-in-law keeps a poor table. In my father"s day we bought the best, but Anne buys what is least costly."
"You havena changed, my dear. You are as open as ever. It seems I remember a wee maid at court who fought the beauteous Lady Gordon over that rogue, Lord Bothwell. What were you? Ten? Eleven?"
She laughed. "I dinna know ye were at court then. It was just before we sailed for San Lorenzo."
"I was a squire to my cousin, the earl of Enroll. I was in the Great Hall that night you fought wi" the Gordon woman. It was talked of for months after, and then when you were lost, it was talked of again."
"I wasna lost, my lord Hay. I was stolen from my family and sold into slavery. I was fortunate enough to be married to a great lord, and have lived a good life." She said it simply and with dignity. "Of course, you married too, did ye not?"
"Three times-once I got over the disappointment of losing you."
"What?"
"I admired ye greatly, and my father thought he might be able to talk to your father and arrange a match between us. But alas! Before he could, ye went away to San Lorenzo and never returned."
"So instead ye wed three wives and outlived them all. I consider myself lucky to hae escaped ye, my lord. What of yer children?"
"Only three living, though there were several started that died. I hae two sons and a daughter who is a nun. And your "I bore my lord four sons, two of whom were killed in wars. Only the eldest, and the youngest live. I also hae a daughter. I left nine grandchildren behind. And then, of course, I have Charles"s two here."
His eyes again caressed the soft swell of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. "I find it hard to believe ye are a grandmother, let alone to eleven brats."
"Ye are overbold, my lord."
"As are you, madame. If ye dinna want yer b.r.e.a.s.t.s admired, ye shouldna display them so openly. I should, however, like to see more."
She flushed and to cover her embarra.s.sment bit into a chicken wing. "I wore this dress," she said quietly between bites, "to annoy Anne."
"Ye"ve succeeded admirably, my dear. She"s not stopped looking daggers at you since you made your entrance. She has always fancied herself a beauty, and ye hae stolen her show."
"From the moment I arrived she has been furious wi" me. She had pictured some poor, beaten and elderly hag who she would begrudgingly feed and house-and she expected plaudits for her Christian generosity! She canna forgive me for being reasonably attractive in my old age, and a rich woman to boot!"
"Yer hardly old, madame. In fact I am seriously contemplating the delights of bedding ye."
"Sir! I am widowed ten years, and a grandmother."
"Madame! I see the full b.r.e.a.s.t.s of a young woman, a tiny waist that my hands could easily span; and I"ll wager beneath yer skirts are long legs, and soft, round hips. I would explore it all, Janet" He leaned over and kissed her neck. She trembled, for his lips burned her skin, and turning quickly away she began to talk to her brother. Beside her she heard Colin Hay laugh softly.
His admiration and obvious desire embarra.s.sed her. The Turks were a sensual people, but never showed affection publicly. She wasn"t used to the freedom enjoyed here. She blushed to see the men around her openly admiring the women, and even caressing them.
Later an old minstrel sang songs that brought back to her memories of a childhood spent in this very castle. She stood, her back to the hall, gazing into the orange-red flames of a roaring fire and thinking about her life. Suddenly she jumped. Coming up behind her, Colin Hay had clamped his arm tightly around her waist He drew her back against him.
"I want you!" he whispered.
"Let me go," she hissed at him, "or I shall shout the hall down!"
"I shall come tonight" he said quietly, and loosed her.
Angrily she stomped away to find her brother and bid him good night Adam Leslie and his wife sat on the dais listening to the songs.
"I bid ye good night Adam, and ye also, Anne."
"So early, my dear," said Adam.
"Adam," said Lady Anne sweetly, "let yer sister go. At her age she needs her sleep."
"But I go not to sleep, Anne. I go to bathe. For the last half hour yer servants hae been lugging water up to my tower. Ye might try it sometime. Not only does it soften the skin and keep it young looking, but it also banishes bad odors." The lady Janet"s honeyed voice fooled no one.
Ruth appeared from the shadows to escort her mistress to her apartment. "Ye look like a thundercloud, madame."
Janet whirled on her. "Of course I look like a thundercloud! I hae spent a lovely evening fending off my sister-in-law"s shrewish tongue and Lord Hay"s indecent proposals!"
Ruth began to giggle. "My lady is more than a match for Lady Anne. As to Lord Hay, all the men are l.u.s.ty here. It is very different from our old home."
A little smile touched Janet"s lips. "You like it, don"t ye Ruth? Ye are happy?"
"Oh yes, madame. I do, and I am!"
By now they had arrived at Janet"s tower apartment, and pa.s.sing through the anteroom they climbed the last flight of stairs to the bedroom where Marian waited, dozing in a chair. The fire in the hearth burned high and hot, for Janet, with a complete disregard for her sister-in-law Anne"s sparing ways, had insisted on plenty of wood. Before the hearth stood a large, steaming, round oak tub.
"Let yer mother sleep, Ruth. Help me to undress and then take her to her bed."
The younger woman helped Janet to disrobe and a.s.sisted her into the tub. Carefully Ruth brushed the green gown and placed it along with the rest of her mistress"s clothing and jewels in the garderobe off the bedroom. Gently she laid a sheer, black silk nightgown and robe at the foot of the bed.
"Marian," called Janet quietly. The older woman woke. "Go to bed, my friend. Ruth, help yer mother to her bed and then come back to help me."
Alone, Janet luxuriated in the warmth of the bath, the creamy, sweet-scented soap, and the quiet of the night She was having a proper Turkish bath put into her own house, but until then, this great, tall wooden tub would do her. Suddenly she felt a draft as the door to her bedroom opened. Lord Hay walked into the room.
"Good evening, my dear, Is yer tub big enough for both of us? Aye. I see it is." He removed his doublet and shirt and began to strip off his trunk hose.
"Get out!" she shouted. "I"ll scream the castle down if ye dinna get out!"
"Dinna be foolish, my dear. No one will hear ye high up in yer tower." He was completely naked now.
"Ruth is coming back. She will go for help."
Mounting the two steps to the tub, Colin Hay stepped into the hot water and faced her. "I have dismissed Ruth for the night She has gone to her virgin bed."
"You dared?!"
Reaching out he drew her resisting body towards him. Bending he found her mouth, and gently, but possessively, kissed it He released her. "Now, sweetheart, scrub my back."