Fury bounding through him, Rebbie ground his teeth. "Lachlan," he growled. "Tell the man to shut his gob before I throttle him."
"Aye, no more insults!" Lachlan commanded Barclay. "Now, let's calm ourselves and talk civilly."
Rebbie inhaled deeply and forced himself to speak in a neutral tone. "We worked out a deal, and you accepted it. What happened after that between Lady Stanbury and me is no concern of yours."
"You were alone with the woman for days! I'm not daft enough to think tonight is the first time you've bedded her. So indeed, you wereswivingher while still betrothed to my daughter."
"I never intended to marry your daughter. So, none of it matters."
"It matters," Barclay seethed. "Indeed, it matters. And you will regret this."
"Did you stop to wonder why your daughter barged into my chamber in the middle of the night? Was she planning to trap me into marrying her, like before? Or was she planning to seduce me?"
Barclay narrowed his eyes.
"He makes a good point,"Rebbie'sfather said. "And I want you to know, Barclay, I was wrong to sign the betrothal contract without consulting with my son about it first. I'm sorry and I hope you both can forgive me for it."
Rebbie nodded, surprised and relieved by his father's words.
Barclay didn't appear the least bit appeased by any of it. "I'll not forget this." He strode from the room, slamming the door on the way out.
***
Rain poured down the next morn as they broke their fast inDraughon'sgreat hall. Most everyone was silent. Elena was absent, but Calla had forced herself to face everyone. She might be embarrassed that they all knew she'd been inRebbie'schamber, but she was no coward. She glanced at him, seeing a faint bruise on his brow bone where, he'd said, Barclay had struck him last night. She felt partially responsible, for it had happened because she'd been inRebbie'schamber.
An hour later, the rain had slowed to a mist when Calla climbed into the large black coach alone. Rebbie, Lachlan, and two dozen of Lachlan's andKilverntay'sgarrisons also mounted up. As the coach traveled over the rough, rutted road littered with stones and holes, she was jostled this way and that.'Twasmuch like her life. Never a smooth ride.
Last night had been disastrous and mortifying. After the row with Elena and Barclay, Angelique had moved Calla to a small bedchamber of her own. Still, she'd gotten little sleep.
What would happen when Rebbie met Jamie? She prayed he wouldn't see any family resemblance. Jamie had blond hair, much like her own but perhaps a few shades darker. But Jamie's eyes… and his smile… were so much likeRebbie's. Her stomach knotted and she wished she hadn't eaten anything that morn.
They navigated through Perth and an hour later, the coach drew up outside the gates of theGlenhavenEstate.
After the coachman opened the door, Rebbie assisted her to the ground, her stomach aching by this time. Her palms sweated and she was glad to be wearing her gloves. Rebbie and Lachlan accompanied her to the gates, letting the guards know their identities.
"The three of you may take the coach up to the main keep, but your men must remain outside the gates," the guard said in a gruff voice.
"You don't need me to accompany you," Lachlan said. "I'll wait out here with the men. You go with Calla in the coach. Besides, they may send servants with the lad."
Rebbie nodded. "I thank you for your help."
Lachlan strode back toward his horse.
"What did he mean when he saidthey may send servants with the lad?" Calla asked, her heart rate tripping along.
"With everything that happened last night, I forgot to tell you… I want to bring your son back toDraughonwith us to make sure he's safe from Claybourne and his men while I deal with the knave and pay him off. I trustDraughon'sdefenses more."
A breathless panic almost overcame Calla, but she forced herself to think. "I see no need for it. He's always been safe here."
Rebbie frowned as if she perplexed him. She was certain she did, but the longer he spent with her son, the more of a chance he would figure it out, surely. She never should've allowed him to bring her today.
"I thought you might also want to spend a few days with your son," he said.
"Well, of course, I do. But his safety is most important to me."
His frown deepened. "You think I'm putting him in danger by taking him toDraughonCastle?"
"Nay, 'tis only…" She swallowed hard and clasped her hands together to still their shaking. "I was simply going to visit with him for a few minutes today. To make certain he is all right. You don't even have to go up to the castle. You can wait here with Lachlan, if you wish."
