The Beast by Hildie McQueen
Chapter Fourteen
Tense with anticipation, Beatrice leaned forward the entire ride to Keep Ross. Her mother would arrive that day. A messenger had been dispatched with the news as soon as the bìrlinns were spotted by guardsmen.
“We will go directly to the shore to greet them,” Duncan repeated. Seated across from her, he didn’t seem at all nervous about what would happen when her family arrived. For all she knew both Evander and Padraig would arrive and draw their swords upon first laying eyes upon Duncan.
In her letter, she’d done her best to explain that the marriage happened because of extraneous circumstances that she’d caused. However, her eldest brother was not only hot-tempered but would probably not believe her.
She silently prayed that it was Padraig and not Evander who arrived, since the youngest had a bit less of a hot temperament.
Freshly bathed, with his hair tied back and tunic open at the neck, her husband was enticing. Beatrice allowed her gaze to linger down his body recalling that just the night before she’d found delight pressed against it.
“Should ye be undressing me at this moment?” Duncan asked with a lift to the corner of his lips.
Beatrice gasped. “I am doing no such thing.” The warming of her cheeks was proof that she lied, so she lifted her eyes to his. “I am fortunate to have ye for a husband. Ye are very handsome.”
It was endearing that his face brightened at the compliment, but he then shrugged it off as if it were nothing. “It is I who is most fortunate Beatrice.”
Her chest constricted at his warm regard, while at the same time she wondered how he truly felt about her. Would he ever love her?
One of the things she looked forward to, was discussing how love felt. They’d not been visited since marrying, as it was her family custom for a newly married couple to be together for a fortnight. Since the marriage had been hasty and without more than a day’s notice, Beatrice had not held Duncan to it. However, they had spent most of the time together.
She glanced at his mid-section that was healing nicely from the wound. “Do not forget, it has not been long enough for ye to ride. I know ye enjoy such things with yer brothers, but it would not be good if ye fall from yer steed.”
“I am healed.”
She placed a hand on his knee. “Ye are not.”
The sounds of horses and voices made Beatrice whirl toward the window. Several people, as well as carriages, guardsmen, and nosy villagers, had gathered.
It was a busy day for arrivals, it seemed. Two bìrlinns neared the shore, the passengers helped to disembark. Immediately, people rushed to greet the travelers, while Beatrice watched from the carriage.
“There is my sister and Ella. I must go to them.” Beatrice opened the door and was assisted down by the coachman.
As soon as they noticed her, both women hurried to greet her, and they hugged exclaiming happily.
“Where is Lady Mariel?” Beatrice asked.
“At Ewan’s. Visiting Catriona and the bairns. I am sure she will arrive at the keep soon upon learning yer mother arrives,” Ella explained.
Beatrice grimaced. “It will not help things that she is not here to help calm Mother.”
Her sister nodded. “I just told Ella the same thing. The only good thing is that she will not make a scene in public.”
“I am so very anxious,” Beatrice said with a shiver. “Mother will be so angry.”
Isobel hugged her again. “The preparations for the festivities are all in place. Ye will love what we have prepared.”
“I cannot believe that I wasn’t part of the planning,” Beatrice replied with a pout. “I would have enjoyed it tremendously.
“Aye, I know,” Isobel said, her eyes bright with excitement. “I chose every detail with yer tastes in mind.”
“I know ye made it perfect,” Beatrice said. “I almost came to see what was being done, but I spent the last week caring for Duncan.”
Ella shook her head. “My brothers certainly know how to ruin the first days of marriage.”
“It was not his fault,” Beatrice said.
“My brothers seem to attract conflict at times. If not because they caused it, then because of circumstances they find themselves in.”
The Macdonald bìrlinns came into view and they stopped speaking to watch.
“Evander’s temperament causes many a conflict,” Isobel said tracking the movements of the bìrlinns. “I wonder at times if he enjoys it.”
Once the bìrlinns were pulled ashore, the three women hurried forward to greet Lady Macdonald.
Their mother’s sharp gaze went immediately to Beatrice, taking her in fully before moving to Isobel. Her I am not happy with either of ye look was sent out to encompass them both.
Isobel greeted her mother first, kissing her cheeks. “I have missed ye so.” Honey dripped from each word and Beatrice fought not to giggle.
Goodness, her nerves were making it hard to figure out what to say. She neared and did what Isobel had just done, kissing her cheeks. “Mother… I am glad ye are here.”
“Are ye?” Lady Macdonald’s right eyebrow rose high. “I am doubtful.”
“Welcome Lady Macdonald,” Ella said with a curtsy just as Darach neared. The laird greeted her mother warmly and asked who’d traveled with her.
It was then the entire group turned to the bìrlinn. After helping drag the vessel to shore and speaking to the men who were to remain with it, Evander Macdonald lifted a huge trunk and carried it to a wagon where he placed it. He then returned to gather a second one.
“Yer belongings,” Lady Macdonald said sliding a glance to Beatrice. “Ye have too many things.”
Astonished, Beatrice remained silent as trunk after trunk was loaded, then another wagon was brought to be loaded as well.
“That is all mine?” she asked wide-eyed.
“Oh, Beatrice,” her mother snapped. “Of course not, some things belong to Isobel. It is not all about ye.”
Isobel slid Beatrice a look, and she didn’t dare say another word.
“We should go to the carriage. We shall ride together so we can chat about the upcoming festivities.” Poor Ella did her best to pretend there wasn’t any tension in the air.
Her mother turned to Ella and kissed her cheek. “Ye are a dear girl.”
As they made their way to the carriage, Beatrice wondered if she should go with Duncan to keep him from arguing with her brother.
However, they were quickly pushed into the carriage and were headed to Keep Ross before she could think coherently.
“What festivities?” Her mother asked Ella, whom she decided was the only one worthy of her attention at the moment.
Ella smiled warmly. “We were waiting for ye to celebrate Beatrice and Duncan’s marriage.”
Instantly her mother’s icy glare slid to Beatrice, who sat across from her. “I see.”
“We have invited minstrels, and a poet . . .” Isobel began only to stop speaking when their mother turned to Ella.
“Am I right to assume vows have been exchanged and not just a handfasting?”
“A handfasting would have been good enough,” Beatrice replied at this point becoming too angry to care if her mother did not speak directly to her. “However, we had little choice as the storm brought attention to our being forced to spend a night alone in an abandoned, dirty, cold building.”
“What about yer mother?” Lady Macdonald asked Ella. “Where is she?”
Ella beamed, seeming to enjoy the fact Beatrice and Isobel were in trouble. “She should be at the keep by the time we arrive. She was at Ewan and Catriona’s home. Now that she is a grandmother, she is often there to see the bairns.”
Her mother’s face finally softened making Beatrice wish she was with child. It would make things easier. It was too soon to know as she was due to start her monthly courses any day.
Once they were well on their way, her mother asked about her home and about what help she had available. Lady Macdonald was very interested in the distance between where she lived and Isobel’s home and was glad to hear it was less than a day’s ride.
Upon entering the gates, her mother beamed when seeing Lady Mariel and demanded to be assisted down immediately. She hurried to her friend and they disappeared into the house.
“Goodness,” Isobel said. “I am sure we have not heard the last of it.”
“Ye are correct,” Beatrice replied. “Now please help me to ensure Evander does not try to start a fight with Duncan. Our brother is a well-proportioned man, but Duncan is huge and very strong. I would hate for Evander to spend his time here recovering.”
Carts with the trunks entered the gates, followed by her and Duncan’s carriage, and finally by Duncan and Evander, who frowned in her direction.
“He does not look especially angry,” Isobel remarked.
“How can ye tell?” Ella asked studying Evander, whose light brown hair glimmered in the sunlight.
Beatrice giggled. “Because he is not yelling and hitting things.”
“I am sure he is not that horrible,” Ella replied. “He seems a bit annoyed, but I would not say angry.”
Her sister huffed. “How about ye be the one responsible for showing him his bedchamber. Come, sister.” Isobel grabbed her arm and they raced into the house and directly to the kitchen. “It is best to avoid him until Darach speaks to him about what has occurred.”
“I really should check on Duncan,” Beatrice said. “He could tear open his wound.”
“If he hurts himself while tossing Evander across the room, I will help ye tend to him,” Isobel remarked. “Our brother needs to learn to keep his temper in check.”
“I agree,” Beatrice said and sat down across the table in a small room that was usually reserved for the servants.
Her sister studied her for a moment. “Ye look well. How does marriage suit ye?”
She had so many questions and so many things she wanted to speak to Isobel about. But it wasn’t the time or the place.
Instead, she just said. “I am enjoying settling into our home and we are both getting to know one another. I still have much to learn about… things.”
“Me as well,” Isobel said. “Give yerself time.”
“I hired a chambermaid. It is a widow and her son, who is about ten and five. They have been a huge help. We have decided to keep the staff small, as there are only three of us there most days.”
“That must be an adjustment,” Isobel said. “We both grew up in a place like this with people constantly about.”
Gideon entered the kitchen and Beatrice called out to him. Upon entering, Beatrice motioned to a chair. “Please tell me what is happening between my brother and Duncan.”
“Ye can see them outside through the kitchen window,” Gideon said walking back to the kitchen.
Both she and Isobel raced to the door instead.
Like two cocks preparing to fight to the death, Duncan and Evander circled each other while speaking at each other in the short hard sentences of angry men.
“Should we go and stop them?” Beatrice asked, unable to look away.
Isobel shook her head. “Darach and Stuart are there. Hopefully one of them will intercede if it comes to blows.”
“I hope not,” Beatrice said and walked out, Isobel following.
Gideon came and stood next to them. “Do not interfere. This is something they must work out between them. Evander said something offensive to Duncan, my brother has to decide how to proceed.”
“It looks as if they have decided to proceed in the worst way,” Isobel said in a low angry tone. “Violence does not solve anything.”
Beatrice tugged at Gideon’s arm. “Duncan is injured. I am not sure his wound has healed properly.”
“Duncan outweighs yer brother and is taller.”
“That does not make me feel better in the least,” Beatrice snapped.
Thankfully Darach walked between the men and said something in low tones. Both Duncan and Evander looked to the doorway where their mothers stood. Each one with a furious expression.
“If anything will ruin a good fight, it is our mother’s watching,” Gideon grumbled and walked away.
While Ella took Evander to show him his room, Beatrice went to Duncan. “Let us rest before last meal,” she said peering up at him. “It has been a long day already.”
He nodded. “First, ye and Isobel need to divide yer belongings so the driver can take yers to our house.”
While she went to the wagons and instructed the men on which would go to her home and which would stay, Duncan stood nearby. He was silent, his arms crossed and attention toward the stables. Inside the sounds of conversations rose as people gathered for last meal.
With all that had happened, along with her mother’s arrival and Evander’s reaction, she’d not considered that Duncan had a hard time with large gatherings. His own sister planned the festivities, had Ella not taken Duncan into consideration?
She’d have to ask. When all the items that were for their home were loaded onto a single wagon, Duncan instructed the driver along with a guard to return to their home with the items and to ask Gara to oversee where they were to be placed.
When he came to her and turned toward the house, Beatrice stopped him by placing her hand on his forearm. “If ye wish to return to the house for now and return later for the celebration I understand. I know ye do not like large gatherings.”
The muscle in his jaw flexed, a sign she recognized that showed he was annoyed. “It is not that I do not like gatherings. It is that…” He stopped talking because Ella emerged from the house and hurried over.
“Darach has Evander in the study and wishes for ye to join them.” She gave him a knowing look. “He said to take yer time.”
Again, the muscle flexed, and Ella caught sight of it. “Come, Beatrice, let us give Duncan a few moments.”
“He is angry,” Beatrice said not expecting a reply. “Do ye think it may be best for him to return to the house for a day?”
“No,” Ella replied. “He will be fine. Duncan is slow to anger and slow to calm as well.”
“I am beginning to understand him.” When they walked into the great room, the women were in the dining room away from the noise.
From the smile on her mother’s face, Lady Mariel had helped calm her. However, upon seeing Beatrice, she bristled. “I have yet to speak to ye about yer rash actions.”
“Isobel was quite thorough in giving me a tongue thrashing. I am so embarrassed by my actions and the position that I forced Duncan, Darach, and both of ye into,” Beatrice said to the table. “It was not my intention at all and for it, I am truly sorry.” She blinked back tears. “It had always been my dream to marry with ye, Father, and Padraig present and that Evander give me away.”
To her horror, her mother wiped tears away. “That is what hurt me the most. I know we cannot always control what fate brings. I should have sent one of yer brothers to fetch ye immediately.”
“Are they suited?” her mother asked Lady Mariel who shrugged in return. “They went to the other house upon marrying and I have not had occasion to see them interact yet. I suppose we will learn together.”
The mothers turned to Beatrice and she felt her cheeks redden.
Before she could answer, Duncan entered the room. He’d obviously come straight from outside. He went to the head of the table and lowered over her mother’s hand placing a kiss to the back of it. “Lady Aileen, I am glad that ye arrived without incident and that ye are here to spend time with us and with my family. Please do us the pleasure of coming to stay at our home for a few days.”
Her mother blushed at Duncan’s attentions. “I suppose it would be good for me to see how ye live.”
“We get along very well Mother,” Beatrice said smiling at Duncan. “We are well suited.”
Duncan came to where Beatrice sat and placed a kiss on her temple. “I will be at Darach’s study if ye require anything.”
Her mother followed his movement as he walked out of the house. “He is such a large man.”
“My son is a good man, who was dealt a horrible hand. Yet despite it, he is fair, kind, and gentle. The most innocent of the lot.”
Ella laughed. “He is indeed. The only one that was rarely scolded by Mother as a lad.”
When Greer and several servants appeared with something to hold them until last meal, her mother informed them of all the happenings in North Uist. She told them of the MacNeil’s visit and of how bothersome Lady MacNeil was.
As Beatrice listened to her talk about her father, she asked many questions. “As soon as we can, Duncan and I must go see Father. I miss him dearly.”
“He sent a missive to Darach about it. Yer father expects that ye and Duncan will travel to North Uist to spend the winter season with us. The only reason Isobel and Darach are not included in this is because of his duties as laird.”
Isobel sighed. “I would not mind going. I will discuss it with Darach. Perhaps he can hand the reins of lairdship to Stuart for winter.”
Their mother clapped with glee. “That would be delightful. It would make yer father very happy.”
Ella and her mother exchanged concerned glances and Beatrice wondered if it had to do with Darach or Duncan leaving for so long.
Once they finished eating, Beatrice went to the stairs and stopped. Would she and Duncan be staying in the same room?
Perhaps it was time to admit to him that she’d seen his body and knew every scar on it. The last thing she needed at that moment was for him to demand separate bedchambers when being scrutinized by both her mother and Evander.
