Page 53 of Scandalous Passions

At last, it seemed, paradise might just be possible.

Chapter Thirteen

“Now, Jannie. You do understand it would be a treasonous act to hurl that goblet at my head?”

Janet took a long swallow of wine, then saluted James with her weapon of choice. “While the thought of a goblet-shaped imprint on your forehead brings me great satisfaction, it would be a shameful waste of good wine, Your Grace.”

The king’s lips twitched as he leaned against the chapel’s inner wall. “With your aim, I must declare you a low threat to my royal person.”

“Maybe my aim has improved,” she replied archly.

“Unwary guards shall rejoice to hear it.”

Janet didn’t laugh. “How could you, James?” she asked softly. “How could you do that to Lachlan? To me? What you put us and dear Marjorie through is quite unforgivable.”

He rubbed a hand over his face, and just for a moment she saw a man weighed down with a thousand cares. “In the morning I leave for the border. There are strong rumors of an uprising, and I must quell it. Another noble English and Scottish alliance by marriage would have been helpful… I did not want this trial, Jannie. But if Margaret had complained to her father, to diplomats and dignitaries, that she had been slighted, the English would have seized upon the excuse to make trouble. I do not wish for war with them or border raids; I have enough cares already in trying to hold this realm together. To stop my own clans and nobles warring and raiding. To replenish the treasury.”

“You walk along a cliff edge,” she admitted.

“Every hour of every day. However, trust that I always knew how the play would end. Because you are a clever lass, you had two copies of the promise made and argued those guards away from use of a dungeon. Now that is legal cunning. But I do know where Master Shaw and his clerk are, and if that document wasn’t stuffed in your bodice, then they would have appeared as witnesses. Queen Margaret will learn in time she resides in Scotland, and her bullish, arrogant Tudor ways are unwelcome here. But for better or worse, she is my wife and must be given all due respect.”

Janet nodded reluctantly. “I understand your decision. I like it not, for it hurt me and those I love, but I do understand.”

“Oh, you love them, do you?” said James softly, his lips curling into a self-satisfied smirk.

She froze. And yet the astonishing words had come out of her mouth. “I…er…”

“Oh-ho! No retreating now, my fiery lass. In truth I gifted you Lachlan because I thought you might do well together. He needs a strong lady, and there is none more so than you. Never did I think you would open your heart to him and Lady Marjorie. But you have always been a woman who forged her own path.”

“Who says I have opened my heart to anyone?” she bit out, boldly dissembling to her king when that was exactly what had happened, even after swearing she would never love again after Fergus.

James smiled, a little too morosely for her liking. “Go to them, Jannie. Declare yourself. You know as well as I do that happiness can be snatched away in a heartbeat, the one you love gone from you in an instant due to illness, nefarious actions, or an accident. Revel in every moment you have. Go now. I will act as host, as I have done so many times in this house.”

She ran to him, kissing his cheek and embracing him tightly. “Stay safe. Scotland needs you, Your Grace, for a very long reign. You will always be dear to my heart.”

“God bless and keep you, beloved.”

With one last deep curtsy to her king, Janet turned and departed the chapel, nearly stumbling on the stairs in her haste to get to the solar where Lachlan and Marjorie waited. And yet when she reached the door, her steps halted.

For a woman who had fought so hard and so long to establish command, choosing to be vulnerable again was an unnerving thing. The notion did not sit at all easily on her shoulders, and here she was about to offer her heart into the safekeeping of not one but two people. Love carried great risk, even more so as a trio, and the likelihood of her making mistakes as she’d done, of closing herself away from the chaotic nature of emotion was high.

And yet…love brought joy. Comfort and understanding. The promise of a better and brighter tomorrow.

She wanted that in her life. Needed it.

Taking a deep breath, Janet pushed open the solar door before latching it behind her. In the center of the room, seated on the chaise, were Marjorie and Lachlan.

Both rose to their feet, Lachlan bowing and Marjorie curtsying.

“So,” said Janet, inwardly cursing as a boulder lodged in her throat. “Here we are.”

“Lady…” said Lachlan hoarsely. “Mistress.”

Wordlessly, she held out her arms, and soon she was whole again as they embraced, her body rejoicing at the sensation of Lachlan’s brute strength and Marjorie’s plump curves pressed against it.

“My pet,” she whispered, kissing Lachlan square on the mouth before turning to Marjorie and doing the same. “My dear one. I was so afraid this might end differently. So very afraid. To lose you both would have been…”

Marjorie shuddered. “I cannot bear to think about it. When that vile lawyer burned the copy of the promise in front of me, I despaired that he might have found your copy and done the same. But it was in your bodice!”