Page 6 of To Tame a Wolf

“Liar! Scoundrel!” she yelled, pummeling his chest and face as hard as she could with her fists.

Multiple gasps sounded and then complete silence enveloped the room as the crowd waited in shock for the Wolf’s retribution. James McGregor pulled out a dagger and stepped forward to pull the wild banshee off his brother. Ian shook his head and laughingly picked Alexandra up and tossed her over his shoulder. She continued to pound him with her fists and call him every bad name she could remember having heard. The McGregor’s laughter infuriated her further, and she bit him through his clothing.

Feeling the pinch of her teeth, Ian slapped her bottom hard and walked to the staircase leading to the bedrooms. The silence of the crowd slowly turned to laughter and ribald remarks as the McGregor carried her up the steps with the wolf pup following at his feet.

At the top of the stairway, he paused at the first doorway on his right. With one hand braced against her bottom, he used the other to open the door. Stepping in, he held the door until the pup crossed the threshold. He walked to the large, oversized bed and using both hands, tossed Alexandra upon it. She pushed off to come at him again. Grasping both fists in one hand, the McGregor backed her up against the edge of the bed until she lost her balance and landed down on it, following with his own weight. He held her hands over her head and straddled her body, wrapping his legs around hers to keep her from kicking and bucking.

Alexandra struggled in vain for several more minutes before the fight drained out of her. She was embarrassed when her anger dissolved to tears. She moved her head to the side, refusing to look at the McGregor’s face which loomed above her.

“I didna lie to you,” Ian whispered, “I told you my real name, lass.”

She turned and glared at him through her tears. “You also said you were a guard.”

“I am the guard of my people and land.” He smiled a rakish smile and then said, “No harm will come to you. You’ll like being my prisoner, I promise.”

Prisoner . The word reverberated in her head. She couldn’t keep the tears at bay, and she cried wretchedly, as she had not cried since she was a child.

****

Ian left her crying on the bed. He scooped up the whining wolf pup on his way out. He had expected her surprise and anger when he revealed his identity, and he had looked forward with anticipation to their verbal sparring, but he was totally unprepared for her heartbreaking tears.

The crowd below had dispersed and only his brother and his warriors remained. He approached the long table where they sat talking among themselves and ordered two of his men to guard the door to his bedroom. Addressing his warriors, he said, “I want her watched by two at all times. She is free to roam the keep as long as she is guarded. Don’t be fooled. She is very crafty.”

Turning to his brother, he held the wolf pup higher. “Can you let it be known to all that no harm is to come to this wolf or to the woman?”

James nodded his agreement. “Where did you get the little devil?”

“She found him and has been mothering him.” Ian sat the pup down and let him loose. Happy circled the table and cautiously sniffed each man before coming back to sit at Ian’s feet.

“Do you want me to send a ransom note to Sullivan?” James asked.

“Aye. Make it for an exorbitant amount. Send one to Conrad also. Let them stew a bit. We’ll go to war with them after spring breaks.”

James grinned at the bloodlust in his tone. “It’s good to have you back, brother.”

****

Alexandra cried until her throat burned and she had no tears left. Totally exhausted, she lay upon the fur-covered bed and stared at the ceiling. She had always been so calm and in control of her emotions, necessary for survival when living with Niles. The McGregor had turned her into a screaming, raging shrew. She was so embarrassed. How had she let him get under her skin? Thinking of his betrayal, her eyes burned once more. What a fool she’d been. She began to pray. “Dear Lord, first of all, please forgive me for my lack of control, for striking out in anger and setting such a bad example for a Christian woman. Please help me to forgive that black-hearted McGregor!” Feeling anger swell, she changed the subject. “Lord, please take me back to the abbey where I can be in peace and live to worship You.” She prayed where her thoughts led her until she ran out of words.

She rose from the bed and went to stand by the one window in the room. Looking down, she saw the distance to the ground was far too great to attempt an escape. Even if she could manage such a feat, there were too many people around to witness it. To the right, she observed the defensive stone wall and the guarded gate, and to the left, more huts lined the inner wall.

A timid knock interrupted her thoughts. Seconds after, the door opened wide enough for a red-headed girl to stick her head through. The young girl met her eyes briefly, and she shyly entered the room.

“My laird has ordered a bath for you,” she said and turned to hold the door open for two servants to carry in a large copper tub. Those two servants were followed in by several more, all of whom carried steaming pots of water.

Alexandra was tempted to have the girl tell her laird she didn’t want any favors. However, the thought of a long soak and feeling clean again was too much of an enticement to turn down.

“We have many pots on the fire. It shouldn’t take too long to fill your bath.” The girl avoided making direct eye contact and fidgeted with her apron. She cleared her throat and asked, “Do you have any clean clothes?”

“Yes, in my bags.” Alexandra answered and glanced around the room before she remembered having dropped them on the main hall floor before she’d set down the pup. The pup. “Where is my wolf pup?” she asked.

“He is with the laird. Orders have been given that no harm is to come to him. Don’t worry, no one would think of crossing the Wolf.” Alexandra noticed her dimples when she smiled. She was striking looking with wild, curly red hair and a splatter of freckles over her nose and cheeks.

“What is your name?” Alexandra asked returning the girl’s smile. “And how old are you?”

“I’m Maddie, and I’ve just turned fifteen.”

“Maddie, I am very happy to meet you, though I wish it were under better circumstances. I hope we can be friends.”

The girl beamed and gave a quick curtsy. “I’ll bring up your bags,” she said and disappeared out the door. While the girl was away, Alexandra took the opportunity to hide the dagger she kept at her ankle. Looking about the room and not finding a good hiding place to conceal it, she settled for tucking the blade under the edge of the fur that topped the bed. She’d put it back on just as soon as she donned clean clothes.

Pots of steaming water were dumped until the tub was three-quarters full. Alexandra investigated and discovered a lock on the inside of the bedroom chamber door. She engaged it before letting Maddie help her disrobe. She gasped as she climbed into the tub and eased herself down into the water. The water was so hot. Blessedly hot. She leaned back and shut her eyes, letting the warmth seep in. Maddie helped undo her messy braid and started combing through her hair. She never wanted to get out of this tub. As her aching muscles relaxed, she washed her hair several times until it was squeaky clean.

The water started to cool, and she was considering getting out of the tub when the bedroom door handle shook. A loud knock followed. Alexandra sat up so abruptly that water splashed over the sides of the tub.

“Don’t let anyone in!”

Maddie stopped in the midst of combing out her hair. “Yes?” she asked, raising her voice to be heard through the door.

“Is she still in the tub?” Alexandra heard the McGregor ask.

“Aye,” Maddie replied.

“Tell her to save me some hot water. She’s got five minutes, and then I’m coming in.”

Alexandra stood up in the tub and reached for the soft cloth Maddie handed her. Wrapping it around her top half, she hurried to get out and start drying off. She didn’t trust the McGregor to wait five minutes. She asked the girl to pull her spare dress from one of the bags. The material was extremely wrinkled, but at least it was clean. Maddie handed her clean undergarments and assisted Alexandra in pulling the dress over her head.

Assuming the McGregor would break the door if it was still locked when he came back, Alexandra went ahead and undid the bolt. Chances were, she’d want to be able to lock it again at another time. She pulled a chair close to the fire and sat while Maddie worked on untangling the knots from her hair. Minutes later, the McGregor strode in without bothering to knock. Several servants followed carrying more pots of hot water. He nodded to Maddie and said, “Thank you” in a dismissive tone. Maddie handed Alexandra the comb and quickly exited the room. Alexandra ignored the laird’s presence and combed her hair, letting it dry before the fire.

She sat stiffly and did not look in his direction. The McGregor began to undress. Taking his time, he drew out the process.

Had the man no shame? Wasn’t he going to send her from the room? Though he wasn’t standing directly in front of her, she clearly saw him from the side. She could feel her cheeks grow warmer as she tried to keep her attention on the fire. Her breath caught. He had a magnificent body. Finally, he sat down in the tub, and Alexandra found herself able to breathe again. She heard splashing and a groan before he fell silent. Turning her head slightly, she gave a quick glance. His head was tilted back, and his eyes were shut.

The tub looked ridiculously small with him in it. His injured arm was wrapped in a different colored cloth than the one she had used. She could only assume someone else had stitched him up. Too bad, she thought, she would have enjoyed pricking his skin. Anger rose up in her. Taking deep, slow breaths, she returned her gaze to the fire. What she needed to do now was to make a plan. She knew no one, and she was totally unfamiliar with the land. She’d just have to be alert and wait for an opportunity to present itself.

“Woman, there’ll be no getting away from me, so put your mind at ease,” the McGregor said, almost as if he’d read her mind. She met his intense gaze with a blank stare but said nothing.

“As long as you do as I say, you’ll be treated kindly.” He paused, but she refrained from making a retort.

“And I’m sure it’ll take plenty of time for Sullivan and your cousin to come up with the hefty ransom I’m asking,” he added.

Feeling her anger rise again, she glared at him but refused to respond to his prodding. He smiled and stood without warning. She gasped as her eyes dropped of their own accord to his private parts. Averting her head quickly, her cheeks flushed.

“You are free to walk about the keep, but you’ll have guards at all times,” he said to her back as he dressed.

Alexandra felt an immediate sense of relief at his words. “And where am I to sleep?” she asked and turned to face him.

“Here in this chamber with me. You may sleep in my bed or make yourself one on the floor. The decision is entirely yours, but you’ll stay with me during the night hours.” Ian sat on the edge of the bed and stomped into his boots.

“I’m sure I’ll be comfortable on the floor,” she said through gritted teeth and turned back to face the fireplace once more.

“I’ll send Maddie for you when it’s time for dinner,” he said over his shoulder and walked out of the room.

Alexandra stood up the minute he left. Pacing back and forth, she evaluated her situation. At least she was free to roam the keep. That would open up more opportunities for escape. Drat the man for insisting she sleep in his chamber. Obviously, he didn’t trust her, which was wise on his part. All things considered, she was still better off than she was in Niles’s hands. By the time Niles sent the ransom, if he even did, she would have formed more of a plan.

When Maddie came back to announce it was time to go down to dinner, Alexandra was in better spirits. She would make it through this trial. After having time to think about it, she realized more than anything, her anger was due to the pain of being betrayed. And she probably wouldn’t feel so hurt if she had not developed feelings for the McGregor. She didn’t understand these feelings or why she felt a bond with the man, but obviously they were one-sided feelings that she would just have to squelch.

Maddie and Alexandra walked down the staircase together. The wolf pup noticed her first and yipped with excitement. He raced up the staircase to meet her. He jumped up on her skirts so she reached down and picked him up, holding him close. The talk around the tables tapered to silence and people stared. Some looks were curious, while others were openly hostile. Ian stood and pulled out the chair next to him. With as much dignity and grace as she could muster, she made her way to the table. The last time these people had seen her, she had screamed obscenities and attacked their laird. How could she dispel that impression?

The McGregor stood until she was seated and then poured her a glass of red wine. Food was passed and the talking resumed. Alexandra set the pup on the floor between them and intermittently fed him scraps of meat. She looked around the long tables and listened to the sounds of talking and laughter. The men appeared to be the McGregor warriors, and the women who were present with some of them, she presumed to be their wives. One woman in particular stood out. She had auburn hair and her dress was cut so low Alexandra feared her large breasts would tumble out. Seated at the far end of her table, the woman stared at Alexandra with open hatred. Their eyes connected briefly before the woman turned and leaned into her male companion, whispering something in his ear. They both threw back their heads in laughter.

The McGregor drew her attention and introduced her to his brother James, seated across from him and to James’s young son, Jamie, who sat next to his father. She nodded and received a curt nod in return. She sensed hostility from James and even from his son, who could be no more than four or five, but who managed to glare at her quite nicely. She wondered what the father had said about her that the child had picked up on. The boy was precocious. He had the dark features of his father and uncle, combined with the face of an angel. Jamie might not like her, but he was smitten by the pup. He leaned down to peer under the table and throw bits of food in the pup’s direction until his father admonished him to sit up and eat. Where was his mother? Had something happened to her?

The McGregor proved to be a good host, inquiring if she had found enough to eat and keeping her wine glass full. She was surprised to be treated so well, but remained wary. She did not initiate conversation with the McGregor but answered his questions politely. James told his older brother of the news he had missed during his three week absence, which included the death of someone’s cow and a fistfight between two of his men over one of the cook’s daughters. It was evident to Alexandra as she listened to the tales that the McGregor brothers cared about all the members of their clan.

With her stomach full of food and wine, her eyelids grew heavy. What a day it had been. She was unbelievably tired. Talk around the table droned on. Afraid that she would embarrass herself further by falling asleep, she waited for a pause in the conversation and asked the McGregor if she could be excused. His dark eyes met hers, and he gestured for Maddie. Thankfully, her exit from the dining hall went relatively unnoticed in comparison to her entrance.

****

“Bitch,” the woman known as Debra muttered under her breath, staring daggers into the back of the blonde English woman leaving the hall. She saw the way the Wolf watched the blonde whore. The Wolf was hers! She’d plotted to gain the brothers’ attention since she moved into the clan as Robert’s woman.

Spotting an opportunity, she rose and placed her hand on Robert’s shoulder. “I’m going to help serve.”

He patted her hand in acknowledgment and kept talking to his friend. She sashayed to the end of the table and picked up the empty wine bottle in front of the brothers.

“Would my laird like more wine?” She leaned and stretched across the table, bending low at the waist to give them an ample view of her bosom as she reached for the Englishwoman’s empty glass, plate and napkin.

“No thank you.” The McGregor pushed his empty goblet and plate toward her.

“It is good to have you back.” She smiled her sweetest.

The laird nodded but didn’t interrupt his brother’s talk to answer.

She turned with her hands full and let go of the napkin, bending low again and pushing her derriere out as she bent to pick it up. Glancing back as she stood, she saw they were still locked in conversation.

She strode toward the kitchen, frustrated at their lack of interest. The brothers should have taken notice of her by now. She laughed and openly flirted when Robert wasn’t around. She looked for every opportunity to run into one of them alone outside the keep. So far, she’d not had any luck.

Perhaps they were reserved because she was spoken for as Robert’s woman. Clan honor and all that nonsense. Maybe she should break it off with Robert, but she had no means of supporting herself. She’d be expected to return to her clan in the lowlands. Unless she latched onto another warrior, but that wouldn’t do her any good.

Debra threw her handful of dishes into the washtub without scraping them off, earning a dirty look from the kitchen help.

What if an accident claimed Robert’s life? She’d be overcome with grief. Certainly they’d feel obliged to help her. If she could just get the Wolf drunk and alone, she was sure he’d fall under her seductive spell. But now this Englishwoman had arrived. She was going to ruin everything.