She gazed at him steadily. “Domhnall…what is in the letter?”
36
Domhnall stared at her, taking her hand. At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
They gazed at each other. Domhnall swallowed down his frustration. He wanted to be alone with her. And he did need to tell her what was in the letter. His mind was working furiously, trying to figure out the best plan of attack now, and he wanted her input.
“It is fine,” said Roseann slowly. “You should answer it.”
He nodded. “Come in.”
The door opened, and Mairead came in, gazing at them. Her eyes were full of tears.
“Praise the saints,” she whispered, turning to Roseann. “I heard ye had returned half dead, lady!”
Roseann smiled at the old nursemaid. “Mairead. It is so good to see you.” She took a deep breath. “I have had a rough time, but I am alive and so happy to be back at Coirecrag.”
Mairead beamed at her. “Cormac is keen to visit ye, lady, but I told him that ye need to rest longer before that happens. Ye daenae need the laddie in here, askin’ ye so many questions as to make yer head spin!” She paused, turning to Domhnall. “Laird, I think ye need to go downstairs and talk to the men. They are angry that ye ordered off the attack, and they daenae understand why. I fear revolt is afoot if ye cannae explain…”
Domhnall cursed underneath his breath. “Aye, I do need to explain it to them. There are good reasons, Mairead.” He paused. “There is more than one way to snare a snake, ye ken.”
The old nursemaid stared at him, mystified. But he didn’t have time to explain anything to her. It was true. He needed to speak to his men properly. He had been so overwhelmed by Roseann’s return and the contents of the letter, that he had neglected them. And they deserved to know what was going on.
He sighed deeply, turning back to Roseann. “I will nae be long. This is something I need to do…”
She nodded. “Of course, you do.”
He gripped her hand. “I will return,” he whispered, his eyes glittering. “Wait for me.”
Roseann gazed back. The moment stretched on between them. “Always,” she said slowly.
Domhnall walked out of the great hall, watching the men disperse. They were muttering amongst themselves, and he wasn’t sure he had convinced all of them that his decision to call off the attack on Howard’s camp was for the best.
Fearghas had been the most strident voice against it, arguing that even with the proof that they now had, Howard and his renegades deserved to be killed.
“It is honor, Laird,” he had said in a hard voice, his eyes like flint. “Blood for blood! The people of Keelieock and Crisdean will nae lie easy in their graves if we daenae avenge them in the Scots way!”
Domhnall sighed deeply. There had been other voices, too, who claimed that they didn’t really know if Roseann’s story was true. What if she had been sent back to Coirecrag by Howard to spy again? He had tried to argue that the letter disproved that, but they had still looked at him warily.
Suddenly, there was a great commotion in the courtyard. Frowning, he strode out there to see what was going on.
A man had just walked through the castle gates. A bedraggled, weary man who was stumbling. He looked dead on his feet.
Domhnall gasped. By the saints, it was Angdaigh MacGille! The stable hand was alive and had somehow made his way back to Coirecrag. He gawked at him as if he were seeing a ghost.
“Let me through,” he cried, pushing through the crowd to get to him.
“Angdaigh,” he called.
The stable hand gazed at him steadily. Domhnall reached him. He took both of his hands in his own, squeezing them tightly.
“I ken what ye have done,” he whispered, his eyes shining. “I ken what ye did, for the lady, at Crisdean. I am in yer debt, lad.”
Angdaigh gazed at him in disbelief. “My lady is alive? And she is back at Coirecrag?”
Domhnall nodded. “She is, my lad. She has endured much, just as ye have, but ye are both alive. I thank the Lord above for sparin’ ye both.” He paused. “Ye are a hero, laddie. And ye shall be well rewarded for it.”
The stable hand’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank ye, Laird. Thank ye.”
Domhnall squeezed his hands again. “I ken ye are weary and about to drop,” he said slowly. “I will make sure ye have everythin’ ye need to recover. The best guest room in the castle and as much food and ale as ye desire.” He paused. “But do ye have the strength now to tell the men what ye did for the lady? Some of them still doubt her, and yer story should convince them. It is the last favor I will ask of ye before ye rest.”
Angdaigh nodded slowly. “Of course, I will, Laird.”
Domhnall stared at him. “Thank ye, Angdaigh.” He hesitated. “The lady told me what happened to yer sweetheart at Crisdean. I will pray for her soul, and we shall say a mass at Coirecrag in her honor.”
Angdaigh stifled a sob. “Aye. That would mean a great deal to me.”
Domhnall nodded. “It shall be done. Come now, lad. Let’s get this over and done with, so ye can rest.”
Domhnall opened the door to Roseann’s chamber, trying to make as little noise as possible. He saw two candles burning. His eyes drifted eagerly to the bed, seeking her out.
He let out a silent sigh of relief. She was there. She was still there. For some reason, he felt on tenterhooks, as if at any given moment, she might be snatched away from him again. It was as if he needed to physically see her at all times, to be assured she was back at Coirecrag.
She stirred, opening her eyes, gazing at him. Her eyes lit up.
His heart seized. His love. His only love.
Almost in a dream, he walked towards her, his eyes feasting on her. She had been cleaned up, of course, washed and scrubbed by the servants. They had shed her of her filthy, tattered gown. The gown had been burned on his command. Now, she was wearing a pristine green nightdress that clung to her figure like seaweed.
“How are ye feelin’, my love?” he whispered, sitting on the bed and taking her hand.
“Much better,” she whispered back slowly. “I am just so happy to be back at Coirecrag. I still have to pinch myself that it is true that I have made it,” she gazed at him steadily, “and that you are here, and I am with you once again.”
His heart twisted, overwhelmed with love for her. He gazed at her with shining eyes. Suddenly, he didn’t want to speak—not yet, anyway. His body needed to know that she was back. His body needed to claim her, once again, and affirm their connection. The hunger was so intense it was like fire coursing through his veins.
He reached out a hand and was stroking her hair when her breath caught. Slowly, he drifted downwards, trailing her face and neck until he found her breasts.
He closed his eyes in joy, for a second, as he kneaded her flesh, pulling at her nipples. He opened his eyes, watching her face. Her lips had fallen open, and her eyes were narrowed and sparkling with desire.
“Are ye well enough?” he whispered, still kneading, not taking his eyes off her for a moment. “I will nae trouble ye if ye are not up for it. But I want ye more at this moment than I ever have…”
She sighed. It sounded like a purr. “Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, yes, yes…”
Her impassioned affirmation tilted him over the edge. He fell on her, blindly groping and kissing her, feeling as if he simply couldn’t get enough of her. Her familiar curves and flesh. He groaned almost in agony. He had missed her body. He simply had to claim it, right now, this very second.
He lifted her nightgown right over her head and throwing it to the floor. His breath caught as he gazed down at her nakedness. She was more beautiful than he even remembered, in spite of all that she had gone through.
In fierce need, he parted her legs, placing himself on top of her. He was so hard and swollen he thought he might burst if he didn’t get inside her quickly. Blindly, he pressed against her, seeking entry. She spread her legs wider, arching
her back to receive him.
Suddenly, he found her, sliding deeply inside. She was so wet it felt like heaven, like a warm caress. He groaned, moving against her quickly. With every thrust, she arched her back, so that their pubic bones met. It was so good he could barely contain himself.
“My love,” he whispered, staring into her eyes. “I will never let ye go again…”
“I will never leave you again,” she whispered back. “I love you, Domhnall. I am yours forever…”
He was so close to his conclusion, but suddenly, he didn’t want it to end. He wanted it to last forever. With an abrupt movement, he slid out of her. Confused, she stared at him. He grinned, grabbing her, turning her around, hoisting her up onto her knees.
The sight of her, with her buttocks, raised exposing her secret center, made his blood pound. It looked like a perfect rose, surrounded by her dark maidenhair. The entry into her warm depths. Sighing, he straddled her, guiding his manhood inside again, feeling the lips of her womanhood part for him like he was wading into water.
She gasped, arching her back like a cat. He plunged deeper still, shuddering with pleasure. She held onto his manhood firmly, gripping him. In a daze, he realized how perfectly they fit together. It was as if her depths were made for his length. He had never experienced it with another woman. She was his mate in every way.
He felt her arching again, pushing back against him. The sight of her bent head, with long dark hair swinging, enflamed him further. Her breasts drooped deliciously toward the bed, the rosy nipples hard as an arrow. He cupped one breast, kneading it furiously as he pounded harder.
He felt her start to contract around him and make her little mewling noises as she climbed to her ultimate pleasure. Suddenly, she swung back her head, crying out, her dark hair swinging like a rope around her. Her warm depths gripped him harder, as he felt the contractions coursing through her.
The sight of her in her ecstasy tipped him over the edge. He gripped her hips harder, pulling her against him, twisting into her as waves of intense pleasure coursed through him. He felt himself suddenly spurt inside her. It went on and on as if it would never end.
Exhausted, they both sunk to the bed, panting.
“I thought that I would never lie with ye again,” he fiercely whispered after he had caught his breath. “Ye do realize that you are mine, now? That I shall never let ye go, as long as there is breath in my body?”
She nodded. “I am yours.” She caressed his face gently. “I am willingly yours. Forever.”
He nodded. “It is done. And now, we just have to deal with the other matter, once and for all.” He gazed at her steadily. “I have a plan, Roseann. A way that we shall do it. But I will need yer help. If we act together, then it may just work.” His face hardened. “Let me tell ye about it. The letter. And what must be done now.”
37
Domhnall paced the floor of the banquet hall, casting an anxious eye over the table. It had been set for well over an hour. He knew that the meal that the cooks had prepared was ready to serve. All that was needed now was the guests of honor.
He stared out the window. His heart seized. At last, they were here.
He watched them with an impassive face. The Laird of Lios, Baltair Crannach, and his daughter, the Lady Sineag. They were well dressed, as befitted a dinner at Coirecrag.
He smiled grimly, watching them walk into the castle. He knew that he had to control his emotions if this was going to play the way that it should. He couldn’t wait to hear Crannach’s fresh excuses as to why his men hadn’t arrived at Coirecrag. Even the Laird of Lios must be scraping the bottom of the barrel now to justify why the help that he had promised never arrived.
Maybe he will claim that they all fell into a ditch, thought Domhnall darkly. Or perhaps they rode off the edge of Scotland entirely, falling into the sea.
Hamish, the servant, walked into the hall. “Laird,” he said slowly. “Yer guests have arrived. Shall I show them in?”
Domhnall took a deep breath. “Aye, Hamish.”
He turned around, facing the doorway. His heart started to pound harder, and he could feel hatred coursing through his veins in anticipation of seeing them again.
It had taken some work to get them to agree to travel to Coirecrag again. But he had been most insistent, telling them that he needed to discuss details of the nuptials, and eventually, they had agreed.
He took a deep breath. It was showtime, and he needed to play his part perfectly.
Domhnall leaned over the table towards the Lady Sineag, a jug of mead in hand. “Would ye like a top-up, lady?”
Lady Sineag smiled widely. “Aye, thank ye, Laird. A little more wouldnae hurt.” Her smile widened. “It was a grand dinner, ye ken. But we still have nae discussed the nuptials. That is the reason that ye called for us to come back to Coirecrag, after all.”
Domhnall smiled steadily. “Of course. The nuptials.” He turned to Crannach, who was wiping his mouth with his napkin. “Aye, we will get to them. I was concerned, Laird, when ye men never arrived. Has something else happened at Lios to detain them? Perhaps a sudden lightning bolt felling a tree and blocking their path?”
Crannach gazed at him sharply. Domhnall saw the older man’s face color slightly, but he recovered well.
He sighed deeply. “The border skirmish I told ye about became more intense. I had to recall my men, to help deal with it…”
Domhnall leaned over the table toward him; his eyes were fierce. “Ye are lying, Crannach. Ye have always been lying.”
“Pardon?” the man spluttered, looking affronted. “Why would ye accuse me of lying? My word is my bond! The men shall arrive when they are able to…”
“Enough,” growled Domhnall, banging his fist onto the table so that the plates and mugs jumped slightly.
Crannach and Lady Sineag looked shocked, staring at him with wide eyes and gaping mouths.
“What is the meaning of this?” hissed Crannach. “Ye have invited my daughter and myself to yer table, and ye are treating us terribly! I will nae stand for it, my lad…”
“I am not yer lad,” growled Domhnall. “I am nothin’ to ye, nor shall I ever be. Yer plan failed, Crannach. I ken what ye have done and how ye have betrayed me in the process.”
There was a strained silence. Crannach stared at him, seemingly bewildered, but Lady Sineag’s blue eyes flashed with sudden fear.
“I ken it all,” continued Domhnall. “I ken that ye entered into a devil’s contract with Howard, to save yer own lands and villages from being pillaged.” He took a deep breath. “The agreement was that ye must look like ye supported me by offering yer daughter and men to my aid. It was all a ruse. In reality, ye had already promised her to Howard, in exchange for him leaving Lios alone, and that he give my lands to ye after he had defeated me.”
Crannach paled. “That is a lie,” he hissed, his eyes bulging. “An outrageous lie! How dare ye accuse me of such things? Where have ye got yer information from of this supposed plot against ye? I offered my daughter in good faith! I am to be yer father-in-law…”
Domhnall’s mouth twisted. “Aye, that was the ultimate cover, was it nae? Who would ever think that the man who was to become my father-in-law would be plotting against me with the English no less? All ye had to do was keep makin’ excuses as to why yer men could never come to my aid, and ye thought me fool enough to keep danglin’ like a fish at the end of a line.”
Lady Sineag had paled further. “Ye are wrong, Laird. There is no plot against ye. I wish to marry ye in good faith. How can ye believe such things about us? We are yer allies.”
He swung around, facing her. His eyes narrowed into hard slits. “Ye are just as bad as yer faither, lady. I ken everythin’ ye have done. I ken it all.”
“Laird,” she breathed and tears in her eyes. “I daenae ken how ye can say such things about me…”
“Do ye nae?” he whispered fiercely. “Well, maybe I can show ye somethin’, that might make ye realize how I c
an make such claims.”
He turned to Hamish, the servant, who was standing against the wall, watching the exchange with wide eyes.
“Go and fetch my other guest,” he said slowly, staring at the servant.
“Aye, Laird.” Hamish ducked his head and walked out of the room quickly.
Within minutes, he had returned. Roseann followed him into the room, standing in the center, staring at the two stunned people sitting at the table.
A Pledge of Passion to the Highlander Page 25