He’d never been unkind to a woman before. Locking Helena into a marriage that might not please her left a bitter taste in his mouth. But his responsibilities as laird saw him riding toward court at first light. ’Twas a laird’s duty to bring home a wife whose dowry would add to his clan’s estate. He was locked into it as surely as Helena, whose own family would see her wedding for position. The only comfort was in knowing that she’d never feel his fist against her cheek.
For the moment, it would have to be enough.
“Keir McQuade.”
The royal chamberlain called out his name before noon. Keir wasn’t surprised. The gossips began feasting on the topic of his newly acquired bride the moment he arrived and his men spilled the information exactly as instructed. Edmund Knyvett scowled at him before the lordling even made it halfway across the great hall, his noble friends hurrying to whisper in his ear.
“Edmund Knyvett.”
The chamberlain sent his white staff into the stone floor with a single bang. It echoed through the abnormally quiet great hall. The king sat on his chair looking regal and angry. The royal guards on either side of him stared straight ahead but their eyes betrayed how much they were listening to everything that happened in the presence of the king.
“The pair of you have had a busy night.” Thick annoyance coated the king’s voice. He looked at Edmund. “Tell me ye didna settle a game of cards with yer sister’s dowry.”
“I hardly think that a game of cards is anything for Your Majesty to waste your valuable time on. The Scot and I simply found something we have in common.”
“Careful, Knyvett, I’m a Scot myself. Keep saying the word like a curse and I might take insult.”
Edmund narrowed his eyes. “Your mother was an English princess.”
“And my father was a Scotsman. Which is why I am yer king and McQuade’s as well. Now enough stalling. Half my nobles are fearing that their daughters might become the winnings of drunken no-goods while the other half are considering putting their own daughters up in exchange for debts that need settling. It’s a damned mess the pair of you started.”
Edmund chuckled. He didn’t seem to have any more self-discipline in the presence of his monarch than he did elsewhere. Keir was not so foolish. James kept them both standing to drive home their position compared to his.
Keir simply reached into his doublet and pulled out the parchment. James Stuart slapped the arm of his chair.
“And you want to swear yer fealty to me? What sort of man are ye to be accepting something like that?”
“I tracked down the bastard to beat him senseless. I settled for winning a fortune from him.”
“You have nothing but a parchment until I decide that my sister is ready to marry. I am her guardian.”
James rose, his guards instantly stepping a half step forward. “Why did you want to fight with him, McQuade?”
“Because he beat his sister for telling you the truth, and locked her in an attic for nae being willing to watch another girl’s reputation become stained. He left her there for days without food while he went gaming. He is nae a fit guardian. I say ye should give yer blessing to our union so that I can treat her appropriately.”
“I say you shall not have anything to do with my sister.” Edmund’s voice rose. “Even my king cannot order a peer to marry. Helena is a peer and you are beneath her! I’ll see her an old woman before kneeling at the altar beside you.”
Keir’s fist connected with Edmund’s jaw. He staggered backward, a look of stunned shock on his face. The royal guards lowered their pikes and Keir stared at the deadly ends of the weapons.
“Give me that parchment, McQuade.”
The king waved his guards away and took the document. He scanned it with a critical eye.
“Both yer and yer father’s seal’s are on this, Knyvett. McQuade can take ye to court and win.”
Edmund tossed his head. Hatred blazed from his eyes. “But that will still not get him a wife.”
“Ye would do that to yer own sister? Drag her through years of legal bickering while her chance to bear children is passed over by time?”
Edmund resumed his poised appearance, one foot placed in front of the other, while his face appeared bored. “Women are meant to be used to further their family connections. Helena is no different.”