“Which means you’ll need to remarry,” she said.
“Marian MacKinlay, if you’ve any wish of not spending the rest of our time arguing, you’ll not suggest such a thing to me.”
“Very well. Just know that as long as the woman loves you and Lizzy, you have my blessing.”
He kissed her hard. “I need to stop your lips from moving.”
“I wish we’d been able to make love once more,” she said when he finally relented.
“Do you think you would have been happy with one more time? Wouldn’t ye just want another and another?” He took a deep breath.
“Yes. I would have.” It was the truth of it. Even if she’d lived a hundred years, she’d never have enough time with him.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
When the men arrived to take Mari to Guildhall, Cam fought them. It was beyond him to stand there peaceably and allow her to be taken. It was only by the grace of Adam Reeves that he’d not been arrested and thrown in the gaol next to his wife.
Cam had always been large, even as a lad. He’d been a formidable warrior with a strong sword arm. But in this he was completely helpless.
He managed to get himself together the next morning to attend the first day of her trial. She’d tried to prepare him for what would happen, but no amount of discussion would have readied him for the drivel these bewigged fools spewed in court.
“You claim self-defense, madam, however there is no prior claim that your husband injured you beyond his rights in the past.”
Cam’s stomach turned because as her husband the man had had the legal right to beat her. She was no better or worse than a horse to them. He’d heard of men who beat their horses to the ground without any repercussions. He could only imagine what went on in private with that type of man.
Cam had been born into a union joined by love and respect. He’d never so much as heard his father raise his voice to his mother. Yet she respected him.
“Correct, my lord, but I’m sure you understand why a woman in my position felt unsafe to file such a claim without a guarantee of protection.”
“Could you repeat that? I’m having difficulty understanding your heavy brogue.”
A number of the people in the hall laughed.
Mari’s English was flawless. They were making a joke of her.
Cam clenched his fists, ready to grab these weak men and pummel them until they no longer needed to worry about understanding things. But his gaze met Mari’s, and she shook her head.
Her mouth formed the word, “Please.”
He knew she didn’t want him to get thrown out of court. She needed him to be there. So he would stay. Even as she repeated her words, enunciating every sound.
The questions continued, though it was clear the magistrates were going nowhere but in circles.
“Perhaps if you’d been more obedient, he wouldn’t have needed to punish you so severely.”
“Could it be that you were jealous because he wasn’t paying attention to you? A man is entitled to take a mistress.”
“The duke’s crime was selecting a wife who was unable to bear up to her responsibilities.”
Round and round they went, accusing his lovely wife of being a shrew, a spendthrift, and a whore. Each time she remained calm and disputed their claim, but it made no difference. These men could not hear her words. They weren’t even ashamed that one of their class had hurt a woman, much less terrorized her to the point that she had no choice but to turn to murder.
When they were done with their relentless interrogation for the day, Mari was escorted back to her cell. Cam was permitted to visit her.
“This is madness,” he said when they were alone. “They ask questions but don’t let you answer, or listen when you do. This isn’t a trial.”
“It’s a formality. They need to do this so they can justify my punishment and send a message.”
“A message that a woman does not warrant the law’s protection and respect? Or that of her husband? I’m a father of a lass now, and I’ll not abide such things.”
“I thought this would go on a week or so, but at this rate, it will most likely be over in a matter of days. Perhaps you should bring Lizzy tomorrow. I want to see you both one last time. Then I want you to leave for home.”
“Nay. I canna let you go, Mari,” he said. “Lizzy and I need you. I’m going to get you out of here. I don’t know where we’ll go, but we’ll be together. We’ll make it work.”
She shook her head. “No, Cam. You promised. If you’re locked up or hanged next to me, who will take care of Lizzy? Please let this go. Just take her home and live a good life with her.”
“Live a good life? How the bloody hell am I supposed to live a good life without you? You think I’m just going to take the babe home to Dunardry and wish you well?”
“Yes.”
“No! I’ll not leave you here to face this alone.” He let out a breath. “There has to be some way out of this. Some way to save you so we can all go home and be a family. I can’t do this without you.”
He now understood how his mother felt, being the one left behind with a broken heart.
He’d always thought he’d be the one to leave someone else to this kind of empty existence. He’d avoided love precisely so he wouldn’t cause anyone pain. It seemed like a mockery of his plans that he was the one left behind once again.
His voice faltered, but he needed to be strong for her.
“I’ll not run,” she said firmly. “I’ll not risk you or our daughter, and I’ll not force you into a life in constant fear of discovery. I committed this crime. I shall pay for it, just as I knew I would since the moment I looked down at my bloody hands.”
“I’m not leaving,” he insisted.
“I don’t want you there at the end. I don’t want you to have that awful sight to dwell on. I want you to always remember me alive and happy. Please? When you think of me, think of us laughing and smiling and making love.”
“You ask too much, Mari. I’m only a man. I promised to protect you with my life. I can’t just walk away.”
“You aren’t just a man, Cam. You’re also a father. And I expect you to do what you need to do to make sure you can see that task through. Protect Elizabeth. Keep her safe and give her a happy life. That’s all I ask. And give her this.” She placed the locket he’d given her in his hand. “I snipped a bit of my hair and put it inside so she’ll have a small piece of me with her always.”