“I’m telling ye,” Gòrdan said, “the whole purpose of taking Knock Castle is to rally the men into supporting Connor for the chieftainship.”
Sìleas felt like her throat was closing. Her voice came out high and tight as she asked, “Are ye saying this meeting was last night?”
“Aye.”
And Ian had come back this morning with a ring, saying he didn’t want to wait another night to be her true husband. She felt as if she were standing on the edge of a sandbar with the sand sliding out from beneath her feet.
“Connor needs a man with a husband’s claim to justify the attack,” Gòrdan said. “That is the reason Ian is claiming ye now.”
In the back of her head, she heard Ian’s voice.There is nothing I would not do for Connor.
Still, she said, “That doesn’t mean Ian doesn’t care for me.”
“What Ian cares about,” Gòrdan said, “is being the hero who saved the clan by putting Connor in the chieftainship.”
His words rang true in her heart, for she knew Ian had a burning need to redeem himself.
“Just because Ian wants to help the clan doesn’t mean that’s the only reason he wants to be my husband.”
“I’m telling ye,” Gòrdan said, “Ian wants ye so he has the right to claim your lands and castle.”
“That wasn’t enough to make him want to wed me five years ago, and I was heir to Knock Castle then.” She could hear the desperation in her voice.
“That was before Flodden. Before Connor’s father and brother died. Before Hugh Dubh took the chieftainship.” Gòrdan hit each point relentlessly. “And it was before Connor had a chance at becoming chieftain.”
She shook her head because she didn’t want to believe it.
“Connor ordered Ian to take ye to bed, so he would have a husband’s right to take Knock Castle,” Gòrdan said. “I heard Connor say it.”
I’ll do whatever it takes, for the sake of the clan. There is nothing I would not do for Connor.
“Ian told Connor not to worry, he would ‘take care of it.’ ”
She felt her checks flush with mortification.
“Ye know I’ve never lied to ye,” he said.
“I won’t hear this,” she said, backing away from him.
“You’ve been a fool for Ian for five years,” Gòrdan said. “I’m begging ye, don’t be a fool for him for the rest of your life.”
The long years of waiting still hurt. And for certain, Ian had not been faithful to her while he was in France. Did a ring and a few soft words make up for that?
“For God’s sake, Sìleas, open your eyes and see the man for what he is.” Gòrdan drew in a deep breath and blew it out. “If ye change your mind, I’ll be waiting.”
Her lip trembled as she watched Gòrdan turn away and walk up the path toward his home. No, she would not believe it. She knew Ian’s heart. He wouldn’t deceive her.
But as she ran toward the house, all she could remember was that Ian had not once told her he loved her.
CHAPTER 20
Ian hummed to himself as he poured the second pot of boiling water into the tub. In a wink, he stripped and tossed his dirty clothes into the corner, then settled into the steaming water with a long, satisfied sigh.
Tonight. Tonight would be the night he consummated his marriage and tied Sìleas to him for life. He wanted it all to be perfect for her. Of course, he couldn’t be sweet-smelling like Sìleas, but at least he would be clean for her. He’d bring a flask of wine up to their bedchamber and set the room ablaze with candles.
He rested his head against the back of the tub and smiled to himself, thinking of the night ahead.
Damn. Was that the front door opening? With his da asleep and everyone else gone to see the neighbors’ new babe, he expected to have the house to himself a while longer. Ach, he’d best get down to business before the women came into the kitchen to fix supper.