Page 34

Gwyn began her ascent from the gathering hall up to the sleeping quarters upon the second floor all the while trembling miserably. Even though everything within the large keep was eerily quiet, her heart beat heavily within her breast and she was fearful everyone near could hear it.

As she moved hesitantly down the long hallway, when she passed before her laird's door, she cringed in horror at the creek in the floorboard.

She stood motionless for what seemed like a long while as she listened to the quiet surrounding her.

When no other sound was heard, she quickly moved forward and breathed a sigh of relief after she entered her darkened chamber.

She was now safely inside and away from any who would attempt to discover her.

When there was a flash of light in the corner of the room and a taper was immediately lit, the breath caught in Gwyn's throat as a fear grew heavily deep inside of her. There was not a doubt within her mind she had been discovered and the fury upon the laird's face spoke of his contempt.

Gwyn watched in horror as her husband slammed the candle down upon the side table as the waves of the blaze flickered wildly across the wall.

As the sizeable laird drew near, his face became masked in the shadows making him ominously frightening.

His eyes were darkened and she could see his fists were clenched as he spat out his words in rage.

"Where have you been?"

Gwyn swallowed uncomfortably as she quickly replied.

"Walking, my laird."

"At this time of the night?"

"Sleep had eluded me-"

When she did not continue to speak, the laird reached forward as he grasped a handful of her tousled hair and yanked Gwyn forward.

She nearly cried out in pain as he brought the clump of yellowed hair even with her eyes.

Slowly, he extracted a long piece of tangled grass and held it before her in his massive hands and for her to see.

"And was it raining greenery as you walked, my lady? Trust me when I say I am no fool!"

The last of his words were spoken with almost a hatred within his tone as he continued ominously.

"You shame me and allow yourself to be bedded with the lowliest of my clansmen?

One who has been stripped of all of his rankings and one who should be eliminated from the face of this earth?

I should have killed him for his earlier transgressions!

Have you so little disregard for the Chattan and for me? "

"Nay, my laird! It is not like that at all!"

"Do not lie to me! I have seen you with him! I even witnessed you kissing him before the stable! No one is going to dishonor me as you have done with this…this traitor! Your father pledged you to become my wife and you have brought nothing but misery and disrespect to my household!"

Gwyn could feel the tears within her eyes and for the knowing of two things. Her husband surmised she had lain with a man, but he assumed it was Donnan.

'What am I to do now?'

If she spoke up and attempted to deny these accusations, he would never believe her.

On the other hand, if she mentioned anything regarding Iver's name, she ran the risk of ruining him for life.

Never would he ever stand a chance of becoming the laird of the Chattan nor have the opportunity to bring harmony to this clan.

She knew this was imperative not only because he desired this within his heart, but she feared the Chattan would surely perish without him.

Gwyn had witnessed much over the years and while she was not a Highland warrior herself, she could feel the tension and the unrest all around her.

This frightened her because it seemed to mark their demise.

Instead, she chose to remain silent and hoped she would have the opportunity to warn Donnan before it was too late.

She only hoped he would forgive her for this horrid untruth she found he was tangled in.

"You came here a whore and you will die here one, too!"

With those unforgiving words spoken, the Laird Errol pulled cruelly once again upon the hair he held as he fisted his other hand firmly.

Angrily, he swung with his heavy hand at her face as he caught her full in the eye.

As he made heavy contact, Gwyn would have fallen except he held her hair tightly within his hands.

Once again, he threw his hand towards her as the blow caught her full in the corner of her mouth.

Instantly, the coppery taste of blood lay heavily upon her tongue as she found the pain of his actions excruciating.

When her laird and husband hit her yet again, the walls around her began to blur. When he placed his strong hands around her neck and began to squeeze, she realized in that anxious moment she was losing consciousness, and quickly.

As all she had known over these last years flashed within her mind, she knew she was in trouble.

The rage of her laird was undeniable. There was no telling when, or if his assault would end.

It was in that moment she came to the heartbreaking realization it was entirely possible she would die on this night.

'Holy mother of God, who would protect Durell then?'

Gwyn realized then she had failed the MacLaren miserably and in this late hour. She only prayed those of her true people would someday forgive her.

It was in her darkest moment when she saw a blur as the outline of a blue gown flowed around her. She was dazed but wondered if this was her guardian angel coming to her rescue? Or was she seeing those from the heavens above coming to take her from this mortal world?

Gwyn lifted her gaze as she attempted to garner a breath while she heard the shrill voice of Philomena somewhere off in the distance.

"Nay, my laird! You must stop or you will certainly kill her!"

As the darkness began to settle over Gwyn, the laird snarled, rocking the room like a large boom of thunder.

The Laird Chattan unleashed his fury and Gwyn could only watch in horror has he released one of his hands from her and flung it viciously across Philomena's face.

Gwyn watched in horror as the one who had stood steadfast by the laird's side was propelled into the air as her body flew into the large poster of the bed.

When her body slid down the length of the wooden beam and her head made violent contact with the floor, it was with an ominous thud. And she clearly was not moving.

'Will you kill us all?'

In her daze, Gwyn could only stare as her husband immediately released his hold from around her neck and she fell heavily to the floor.

She struggled desperately to breathe as the wind rushed from her body and the pain from all she had endured resonated within every one of her limbs.

As she struggled to regain her senses, she could feel the cool of the stone on her cheek and a severe pounding within her head.

Gwyn rolled slightly so she could see the laird from her place upon the floor. As she gasped for breath, she had wanted to be prepared for the next attack that was certain to come. In the shadowy stillness of the room, she watched curiously as the laird stood awkwardly and stumbled slightly.

Her eyes then traveled to the one who still lay prone at the base of her bed. While he had never married Philomena, Gwyn understood he was more devoted to her than to anyone else. And maybe even more so than to the people of his own clan.

As Gwyn struggled to push herself up to her knees, she noticed immediately that something was terribly wrong with the laird.

In that moment, he began grasping fiercely at his chest as she could tell he struggled to stay upon his feet.

She watched in horror as his large body convulsed and the laird fell heavily to the floor.

Upon her knees, Gwyn moved as quickly as her tormented body would allow as she made her way the few paces to where her laird now lay. He stared at her silently through open and unseeing eyes as his breathing became erratic.

"Oh God, what have I done?"

'Why had I been so willful and blatantly shameful?'

Of course, she did not speak the last of her words aloud as the disgrace seemed to course through her veins. As she knelt by his side and stared at her husband in horror, she heard a slight moan behind her. As quickly as she could, Gwyn moved to find Philomena stirring slightly upon the floor.

"Philomena, are you well? Please, I need your help! It is the laird. There is something terribly wrong with him!"

The pain within Gwyn's voice was unmistakable as she continued to plead.

"Please, Philomena, it is the laird! You must help me return him to his bed."