“She sounds like an amazing lass,” Genevieve said. “ ’Tis no wonder Graeme loves her so.”
“I think the two of you have much in common,” Bowen said quietly. “You’ve both survived difficult circumstances. You’re both strong despite your fragile appearance.”
Only, Eveline Montgomery hadn’t been made a whore. She hadn’t been forced to spread her legs for Ian McHugh and any other man of his choosing. It was a fact Genevieve could never forget.
Graeme lagged back so that Genevieve and Bowen caught up and rode at his side.
“Up the way, I’m going to part ways and take half my men with me to Armstrong Keep so that I may retrieve Eveline. We’ll arrive at Montgomery Keep on the morrow.”
Bowen nodded.
“I must send word to our king to apprise him of all that has occurred and of the McGrieves’ involvement in the attack against us. I still have not heard from him on the missive I sent regarding the action we took in claiming McHugh Keep and ridding the world of Ian and Patrick.”
Graeme’s gaze fell on Genevieve as he spoke.
“Bowen tells me I have you to thank for killing Patrick. ’Twas your arrow that felled him.”
Genevieve shifted uncomfortably on the horse and ducked her head.
“Aye, ’twas her arrow,” Bowen said proudly. “She felled more than one warrior in the course of battle. She’s proved herself worthy of any soldier in our army.”
“ ’Tis impressive, and you have my thanks,” Graeme said. “Not only for removing Patrick as a threat but for saving my brother during battle. He is important to me, and I’d not have him killed if I can help it.”
Genevieve smiled. “I was happy to do it. I had no wish for Bowen to die, either.”
“You’ll like our clan, Genevieve. I have a feeling our sister, Rorie, will make a fast ally of you. You won’t have a choice, I fear. Rorie tends to do things her own way and she doesn’t take no for an answer. She’ll pester you until she has your entire story.”
A peculiar look crossed Bowen’s face. Sadness dulled his eyes for the briefest of moments, but before she could ask him about it he shook it off and joined Graeme in teasing about Rorie and her doggedness.
For the next hours, they rode in companionable silence, every once in a while speaking of mundane things. After a time, Graeme called a halt and took half his men and bade Bowen farewell, promising that he and Eveline would be along the next morning.
Bowen and Genevieve continued north with a contingent of Montgomery warriors, while Graeme headed west toward Armstrong land.
With each passing mile, Genevieve grew more nervous as they drew closer to the Montgomery border.
A shout went up in early afternoon as they crossed over onto Montgomery land. An hour later, the keep came into view and Genevieve leaned forward in the saddle, drinking in the sight of the distant fortress.
It was nestled close to the banks of a river and the hillsides were lush and green. A herd of grazing sheep covered one entire hillside, while horses dotted yet another. On either side of the keep were cottages, clean and sturdy, and more within the keep, lining the stone wall that surrounded the main building.
It was obvious the Montgomerys had done plenty to ensure the well-being of their clan. The keep was well fortified. Children played along one side of the keep as mothers kept close watch. Warriors trained within the courtyard walls while others went about their tasks. Women washed clothing in the river while others tended a plot of crops on the front side of the keep stretching as far as the eye could see.
This was a clan of wealth and power. They obviously feared no one, and they protected their own.
She’d been right to set Ian on a path to anger the Montgomerys, no matter how wrong she may have been to involve Eveline. The Montgomerys would suffer no wrong done to one of their own, and they’d done just as she hoped and come with a vengeance.
Thank God she was free. Thank God she was gone from that terrible place. She stared hard at Montgomery Keep, for now it was her future. She would become one of them, because Genevieve McInnis had died one long year ago.
Chapter 39
When Bowen and Genevieve rode into the courtyard of Montgomery Keep, Genevieve’s gaze was drawn to a young lass, who looked remarkably like Bowen, standing on the steps of the keep with what appeared to be a young priest.
The lass had long dark hair and vibrant blue eyes. Just like Bowen’s. She was small in stature, her bone structure delicate and feminine. Yet the lass didn’t look as if she’d reached womanhood yet. There were no curves or softer flesh. She was lanky, which only added to the delicacy of her bone structure.
Even her face was constructed on a small scale, her eyes seemingly too large for such ethereal features.
“ ’Tis my sister, Rorie,” Bowen said, following her gaze. “Beside her is Father Drummond, who is tasked with teaching the little hoyden how to read and write. She’s quite determined on that score.”
Genevieve’s eyes widened. “She must be a smart lass.”
Bowen chuckled. “I don’t know if it’s that she’s smart or that she’s just stubborn. ’Tis likely a bit of both.”
As soon as Bowen reined in his horse, Rorie flew across the courtyard, and when he slid from the saddle she launched herself into his arms.
Bowen hugged her tightly and whirled her around in a circle.
“ ’Tis good to see you, lass,” he said, genuine affection brimming in his eyes.
“I’ve missed you, Bowen! You’ve been gone far too long.”
Bowen set Rorie down and then immediately went to help Genevieve dismount from her horse. He kept hold of her hand and pulled her toward Rorie, whose curious stare fixed boldly on Genevieve.
Genevieve cursed the fact that she’d forgotten to pull out her cape and hood. She felt naked and vulnerable, with no way to hide her hideous scarring. Even now she could feel Rorie’s intent gaze sweeping over her face, and she wanted the earth to open and swallow her up.
“Who have you brought with you, Bowen?” Rorie chirped.
The lass seemed unfazed by Genevieve’s scars, but she was still watching Genevieve intently.
Bowen held out his arm to his sister to pull her in close, so that he held both women in his arms.
“Rorie, this is Genevieve McInnis. She will be staying with us. Genevieve, this is my sister, Rorie. She’s the baby, coming far after Graeme, me, and Teague. She’s quite the brat, so forgive any rudeness that comes from her mouth.”
Rorie huffed and rolled her eyes. “ ’Tis a pleasure to meet you, Genevieve. Eveline will be glad of another friendly face around here. She’s still finding her way around our clan, though things are a bit better now that she got herself abducted and rescued. Fear has a way of mending fences within a clan. But then they were all likely afraid Graeme was going to have all their hides.” She shrugged. “At any rate, the matter is done with.”
Genevieve’s eyes widened at Rorie’s blunt, matter-of-fact manner. Bowen chuckled and shook his head.
“I did warn you, Genevieve.”
Rorie reached forward and grabbed Genevieve’s hand. “Come. I’ll show you above stairs. There’s only one spare chamber, so it isn’t a mystery where you’ll be staying. ’Tis the room next to mine, so we’ll be seeing a lot of each other. Bowen can ensure your things are brought up.”
Genevieve glanced quickly at Bowen, but he smiled and waved her on. Hesitantly, she allowed Rorie to pull her toward the keep, where Father Drummond was still standing.
“Father, I have someone I want you to meet,” Rorie called out. “This is Genevieve McInnis, and she’ll be staying with us. I’m afraid we’ll have to cancel this afternoon’s lesson. I’m showing Genevieve to her room.”
Father Drummond smiled, and Genevieve was warmed by the welcome in his eyes.
“ ’Tis good to make your acquaintance, Genevieve,” Father Drummond said, his voice soft and kind. “I hope you’ll find your accommodations to your liking, and that you’ll enjoy your stay with the Montgomerys. A finer clan I have not found.”
“I’m discovering that,” Genevieve said quietly.
“Come, Genevieve. Time’s a-wasting,” Rorie said, pulling her toward the inside of the keep.
Genevieve allowed herself to be dragged through the hall and up the stairs to the third level, where a row of chambers lined the hall.
Rorie directed her to one in the middle, but she paused outside a door and put her hand on it. “This is my chamber. Bowen’s is across the hall, and Graeme and Eveline’s is at the very end. Teague has the one on the other side of you. If you ever have need of anything, just knock on my door. I don’t bite. I promise.”
Genevieve smiled. She couldn’t help but like the younger lass. “Thank you. I will.”
They went to the next door and Rorie opened it and pushed in, gesturing widely.
“This is your chamber. ’Tis bare at the moment, but we can remedy that. No one has occupied it in quite some time. It’s used for honored guests, but we have few of those. I can help you soften it and make it not so harsh. ’Tis not fit for a woman as it stands. It could use some flowers and feminine objects.”
“You’re very kind,” Genevieve said softly.
Rorie plopped onto the bed, bouncing as she landed. “So what’s your story, Genevieve? I’m alive with curiosity. I’ve heard nothing about you. No word was sent ahead, and Bowen has never brought home a woman. He has no need to. They follow him wherever he goes.”
Genevieve’s eyes widened. “He’s that popular with the lasses?”
Rorie snorted. “Have you looked at him? There’s not a fairer face in all the Highlands. He’s prettier than most women. They either want him or are jealous of him. He can’t walk for tripping over a lass batting her eyes at him.”
Genevieve automatically raised her hand to cover the scar on her cheek. Why then was he bothering with her? ’Twas obvious he could have any lass he wanted, and there were many far more comely than she. And not as damaged and sullied.
Rorie looked chagrined. “I’m sorry, Genevieve. ’Tis a well-known fact that my mouth becomes carried away and that I prattle on about things I should not. My brothers despair of me, but they love me, and so I escape their censure. Most of the time,” she added hastily.
Genevieve couldn’t help but smile. The lass was charming in her own way, and Genevieve couldn’t help liking her.
There was a knock on the door, and Rorie hastened to open it.
“Oh, ’tis your trunk!” Rorie exclaimed.
Bowen appeared with two men bearing her trunk. They brought it inside, and Genevieve directed them to put it at the end of her bed.
Bowen looked as though he wanted to say something, but Rorie immediately began shooing him from the chamber.
“Not now, Bowen. Genevieve and I are conversing. I’ll bring her down for the evening meal when we are done.”
Bowen suppressed a grin and looked helplessly at Genevieve. “You see what we all have to suffer.”
Genevieve smiled, comforted by the feeling of family around her. ’Twas just as it had been with her own clan. Though she hadn’t had siblings, there had been countless cousins and clansmen who bickered good-naturedly. And Sybil, her closest friend since childhood.
For a moment, Genevieve was saddened. It had been agreed that Sybil would come to Genevieve once Genevieve was married, and that Genevieve’s husband would arrange a marriage for her through his clan so the two lasses would not be separated.
It had been months since Genevieve had thought on Sybil. She’d put her friend from her mind because it was too painful to think on her.
But the antics within the Montgomery clan had made her remember.
“You look sad,” Rorie said bluntly as she closed the door.
Genevieve shook off the melancholy surrounding her and forced a smile. “I was only thinking of my own clan and how you and Bowen remind me of my kin and of my childhood friend Sybil. I miss them.”
Rorie pulled Genevieve down onto the bed and leveled a determined stare at her. “Tell me, Genevieve. How does a McInnis lass find herself among McHughs, and why does your clan think you dead?”
Genevieve sighed. Apparently Rorie had been told of her circumstances, or at least a cursory telling. It was to be expected. The lass would have been curious.
There was no good reason Genevieve should tell her anything at all. But there was something about Rorie that inspired Genevieve to unburden herself. The lass might be younger, but her mind was sharp and her heart was good. And perhaps it was the promise of having a confidante that enticed Genevieve the most. She wanted to fit in here. Wanted … friendship.
And so she found herself telling Rorie the entire tale, even the part she played in Eveline’s abduction, because she didn’t want Rorie finding out later and feeling betrayed or enraged that Genevieve had been less than honest. And it all would come out eventually. There was no way around it.