Captured by a Laird

by Loretta Laird

  Lena’s eyes filled with unshed tears as the heavy weight of her lover fell upon her. She shifted slightly, aware of the life that dwelt within her. Stref cocked his head as if realising their position. He leapt up and cradled Lena in his arms.

  “Have I harmed you?” His voice was etched with concern.

  Before she had a chance to respond, Stref carried her to the bed as if she weighed no more than a child. He tucked the soft skin covering around her and rested on the bed with his big, clumsy hand on her hair. Lena appreciated the comforting strokes that ensued.

  “Well, we can’t stay here forever,” Stref noted. “Pleasant as it may be. I imagine Fogert will want to see the back of us.”

  Lena giggled as she imagined the laird’s anger at Stref’s intrusion. “Just how did you get past all the guards?” she asked.

  “One thing you’ll need to know about me,” Stref explained, “is that I canna be stopped when I have a mind to do something. Fogert’s guards must have seen my determination to get to the mother of my bairn.”

  “Is that all I am?” Lena felt her eyes open wide as she looked at Stref with concern.

  “Nay, lass, you are that and so much more,” he replied. “Now, get some clothes on before I forget that I came here to rescue you.”

  It didn’t take Lena long to ready herself, although she managed to blush furiously at the blatantly sexual look that Stref shot her when he observed her low-cut dress.

  “Not your usual attire?” His voice was laced with amusement.

  “I…er… Sarah let me use it,’ Lena stammered.

  “I think I like it, although I will like it better when I come to remove it later.”

  If Lena’s cheeks could have become any redder, they surely would have at that moment. She turned away tingling with anticipation at the thought of what later may bring; then cursed herself, using one of Stref’s choice words, at the way the Laird of Harris had her acting like a simpering child.

  “Come on then,” Lena snapped as Stref’s mocking laugh followed her from the room and out to glorious freedom.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  In the end, the might of the combined forces of Harris and Rwenor had convinced Forgert to be reasonable. He knew that for all Haigh’s cruel dominance, even he would not risk war against the three clans united. Under the watchful eyes of Sarah and Lena, the two men had struck a fragile alliance. Archon was to be bundled back to his aunt and the look of pure joy on his face when he said his goodbyes was evident to all. Sarah vowed to come and help Lena with some gowns, and the tone was quite merry by the time Stref and Lena departed.

  Val’s welcoming face greeted them as they approached the gates of Rwenor. Stref grinned back. He had hardly stopped smiling since being reunited with Lena. Despite the predicament that they could well be in, Stref was finding it hard to remain focussed on the matters in hand. The sight of Lena’s blossoming form, rising and falling as her horse traversed the landscape had his mind firmly fixed on other things.

  Stref could tell by the amused look in Val’s eyes that he had correctly assessed their reunion.

  “Thank you for returning her safely to us,” Val said warmly as he shook the younger man by the hand after he had dismounted. “It is a comfort to see her and hear the sound of the golden eagle return to us. Our fortune is indeed restored.”

  “It was my pleasure.” Stref allowed his mind to linger on the pleasure it had been.

  “I was perfectly able to leave whenever I pleased,” Lena’s voice cut in.

  Val pulled her into a fierce embrace. “If this young laird did not come and fetch you, lass, I would have.”

  Stref watched with interest at the demonstration of love between the pair. He decided that he must ask Lena later why their bond was so close. Since Lena’s hasty retreat from their wedding, Stref had made a few inquiries about the girl he knew almost nothing about. He had been interested to hear the story of a warrior child who had been the pride and joy of her father and who had been paraded from croft to croft to demonstrate her archery skills. The slip of a girl was reported to be able to shoot the hair from a head at fifty paces. Stref had seen for himself the accuracy of her bow, although his heart went out to the child that had craved the love of her father, and who had trained tirelessly to earn his approval.

  Stref shook his head as his thoughts returned to the present. Lena and Val stood looking at him with strange and puzzled expressions.

  “Is a hero not to be offered food on his return?” Stref roared.

  Lena laughed and linked her arm in his. “In Rwenor, food is always in good supply. It is what makes us such a target for greedy lairds.”

  Stref added his laughter to her own, his heart light at her easy banter. Together they walked to the central meeting place where a fire blazed happily in a crudely dug pit. A large pot sat comfortably alongside a roasting carcass as warriors, wearing the red and gold Harris plaid sat alongside the burly men of Rwenor wearing their dark green. Companionable conversations filtered across the gathering and a jolly ruckus could be heard. Stref saw Lena turn and frown at Val, confused by the camaraderie.

  “It seems that Harris men have put an end to the terror that Haigh had wrought upon us,” Val explained. “His men have become part of our lives here, and have been most welcome.”

  Stref watched Lena’s face, fascinated by the expressions that played across her open features. She flittered between annoyance, relief, and concern before she turned to Stref with a passive mask.

  “It seems we owe you our gratitude,” she spoke formally. “My people seem more at ease than I have seen them since…well, since I…for a long while,” she finished flustered by her garbled words.

  Stref raised his hand slightly, a gesture that insisted she didn’t thank him. “Harris men would always defend their neighbours against such as Haigh. We would not see a home burned. It is not our way,” he added in a quiet voice that was meant just for Lena’s ears.

  Her response was just as he anticipated, Lena’s cheeks coloured and her eyes looked downcast.

  “Save some of that beast for us,” Stref boomed, walking forward as men began to turn and greet their laird.

  Lena was engulfed into a crowd of well-wishers and Stref soon lost sight of her. It annoyed him more than he cared to admit that she was not by his side. She had a habit of getting herself into trouble when he was not around to protect her. A large wooden platter piled high with roasted meat was pushed into Stref’s grateful hand, and he threw a piece of the tender flesh into his mouth and chewed. The food touched the taste buds on his tongue with a delicious deluge of flavour. He devoured piece after piece of the succulent fare, and warmed himself by the dancing flames as the juices spilled down his chin.

  “You look like a man who has all he wants,” Clyde said as he approached his laird.

  A shy looking woman stood behind him, and peeked out with wide eyes.

  “You don’t seem to be doing so bad yourself,” he noted wryly.

  “Oh, the women of Rwenor are very grateful to us for being their protectors. I fear, my Laird Harris, that you may have coupled with the only ungrateful woman in the croft.”

  Stref turned as the mirth in his friend’s voice alerted him to the approaching figure of Lena. Far from being grateful, she looked ready to strike him down where he stood.

  “I suppose I was part of the plan,” she seethed, not waiting until she had reached him before her anger erupted.

  Stref was amused by her rage, but would not tolerate having a dressing-down in front of his men from any other, no matter how arousing they may be when angry. Swallowing down the desire that threatened to overwhelm him, Stref took hold of Lena’s elbow and marched her away from the warmth of the fire.

  “In front of my men, you will address me with respect.” His voice was low and clipped.

  “Respect!” Lena fumed, too riled to notice the warning in Stref’s voice. “You have conveniently managed to stop Haigh and his burnings, and now you ha
ve installed yourself and your men here to take what they please, my kin included.”

  “Take me to a place where we can talk,” Stref instructed, trying his hardest to maintain a respectful decorum. His body was alive with passion and his only thought was to kiss the venom from her tone and change it to the sweetness he craved. His body hardened as he thought of how he wanted to just take her then and there and demand her submission to him as her laird.

  “My dwelling is over there,” Lena said pointing to a modest wooden structure that stood apart from the majority of the cluster.

  The thought of entering Lena’s dwelling thrilled Stref. He had often wondered how she lived, and being able to see if first-hand would cause his imagination to work overtime, picturing her in her home, in her bed. A low sound broke inadvertently from his lips as his thoughts turned once more to the carnal pleasures that Lena constantly evoked in him. Maintaining his hold on her elbow, Stref marched her towards the open door. Inside, the house was comfortably furnished with animal skins adorning the walls, allowing a warmth and homeliness to prevail. Wooden chairs were gathered around a large table, and an archway led to a small bed that was neatly made. Stref could not avoid his imagination creating the scenario of the two of them on the bed. His eyes darkened and he turned to fix a predatory stare on Lena.

  “Your men were mauling my women. I saw them as I made my way here. They made no secret of their couplings. You may not come here and take what you desire,” Lena began her tirade.

  Stref reached forward and silenced her with a hard kiss. His hand cupped her face as he claimed her lips for his own. He groaned as her supple lips met his, resistant for but a moment before they opened willingly and allowed him entry. Stref felt his mind spring to the warm place that he knew he would soon be entering and his manhood twitched with fervent anticipation. The surge of feeling that ran along its length and thickened its girth was almost too hard to resist and Stref pulled back, breathing hard. The last thing he wished to do was to alarm the beautiful woman who had captured his heart, yet each time he was alone with her, his thoughts became carnal and desperate.

  “Were your women resisting my men?’ Stref murmured, trying to calm his desires and take her concerns seriously.

  “I–I–I think they were rather enjoying it,” Lena admitted softly, her cheeks dimpling as she spoke.

  A slow smile spread across Stref’s face as her words were spoken. “Oh, like this?” he said, reaching out to cup her laden breast with his ample hand.

  “Mmmm,” she simpered. “Like that.”

  “Or like this,” Stref teased, leaning in to cover her neck in gentle nibbles.

  Lena sighed as her head moved back, opening up the length of her slender throat to him. Stref sucked the tender flesh, his passion beginning to consume him again. A red welt remained as a brand of his desire as he moved to unfasten her garment. It fell to the floor, revealing Lena’s naked form. Stref gasped as Lena smiled slowly.

  “Nothing under there! All this way! I could have—” Stref’s sentence was cut off as Lena took a turn in taking the lead. She fastened her mouth over his and pressed herself against him. The rise of her stomach seemed to mould against him as if he were made to adjust to her blossoming form. Her cautious tongue explored the crevices of his vast mouth.

  Stref marvelled at her boldness. It sent waves of lust coursing through him and he lifted Lena up off her feet. Despite her growing form, she still felt weightless and fragile to him. Her legs wrapped tightly around him and her kisses became more intense as he walked them both to the tiny bed. Her body writhed against him, settling over the swollen mound that sought release.

  Stref bent down and lowered Lena onto the soft pillows. As he broke the intimate contact between them, Lena moaned a sound of frustration. Stref looked into her eyes, full of desire, and sat back on his knees. His gaze travelled down past her lush breasts and across her taut stomach. He lowered his head and left a trail of tender kisses across the swollen mound.

  “I will soon be sharing my love with, you,” he spoke softly into her skin, addressing the unborn child.

  The dark hair that formed a downy triangle between her legs, finally captured his undivided attention. Although he longed to just take her and fill her with his throbbing hardness, he wanted to feel her moistness with his finger and taste her with his tongue. He wanted to feast on her and possess her in every way he could, making her want him and beg him to finally sate her with his shaft. The thought of what he intended to do almost caused Stref to lose his control. With a massive effort of will, he forced his mind to clear as he leaned down to rub Lena with his battle calloused finger.

  Her reaction was instant. She bucked against him, writhing and panting as he circled around the core of her heat. Stref felt the sweet wetness of her desire as he bent over, following the path his finger had taken with his tongue. He leaned closer and licked. His tongue darted in and out of the sticky sweetness, lapping greedily at her musky cream. Using his thick finger, Stref pushed deep inside and froze as he felt her body pulsing against him. His tongue and finger worked in harmony to bring her to the point of eruption.

  “Now!” she cried. “I need you in me now!”

  Stref crowed at the submission. At these moments she was his, totally his. The thought filled him with primal passion. He withdrew his mouth, delighting in Lena’s desperate protest. Positioning himself over her, Stref followed the desires of his manhood. He pushed hard and deep, filling Lena with all of him. His balls tightened as his seed burst forth flooding through the woman beneath him. Her cries mixed with his own as together they reached the height of their passion. Lena forced her hips upwards as if trying to keep him within her.

  Her need for him made Stref’s heart ache. She made him feel more of a man than any woman had, and he knew he wanted to find a way to keep her in his life.

  He leaned forward as his racing heart began to slow, and met her eyes as he withdrew slowly. He manoeuvred off the bed to stand up. His legs buckled and he laughed as he steadied himself. “You have the power to bring down a warrior,” he said.

  “In more ways than one,” Lena replied with mock severity.

  Stref adjusted the covers so that Lena would not feel the chill of the night air that was beginning to wrap around them.

  “I must go and attend my men,” he said. “Will you wait here for me?”

  “I will also come and attend to my own men,” Lena challenged, stifling a yawn beneath her hand.

  “Please, just rest,” Stref insisted. “I can take care of things for you.”

  “I really should…” Lena’s words were cut short as sleepiness suddenly seemed to overpower her, and her heavy eyes began to close

  Stref stood and stared at the sleeping woman. Her raven hair spilled across the pillow, and her dimpled cheeks gave her the appearance of one much younger. His heart clenched as he thought about how close he had come to losing her, and he vowed that he would not lose her again.

  “Clyde!’ he bellowed, striding out into the greying light. “Fetch the holy man.”

  On the other side of the fire, Clyde raised his eyebrows at his pretty companion. “Here we go again!” he remarked.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  When Lena awoke, she found herself alone and chilled. Her body was naked and her cover had slipped from the cot. The dark of the night had wrapped its clammy fingers around every corner of her sparsely furnished chamber. She shivered, she hated the dark. Despite her fearsome reputation as a warrior, the dark still held the ability to send her pulse racing. Over the years she had trained her body to overcome the fear, yet since she had been host to a new life, her childhood terrors had returned with a vengeance.

  Lena gasped as she realised her body would not move to collect her cover or find her discarded clothing. A cold sweat broke out all over her and tears sprang to her eyes.

  “No!” she cried, rocking backwards and forwards, her mind battling her senses but being defeated.

  Two str
ong arms suddenly gave her the power to move again. “I am here,” the strong voice of Stref whispered in her ear.

  Sobbing uncontrollably now, Lena’s body was racked with tremors. “I can’t move,” she hiccupped.

  “Yes, you can,” Stref coaxed her. “You are the mighty Green Bow and you can do anything. I have seen it.”

  Gradually, his words penetrated her fear. She reached out and found the corner of the throw. Pulling it around her, and her shivering abated. “Thank you,” she spoke softly. “I don’t know what came over me.”

  Stref’s used his voice to soothe her. He kept his arms tightly wrapped around her petite frame, and rocked her as if she were a child. Lena felt her eyes grow heavy and slipped peacefully back to sleep.

  The next time she awoke, light streamed into the room. Stref still sat, perched precariously on the edge of the bed, his arms still wrapped protectively around her despite his own slumber. Lena waited, revelling in the strength of his embrace.

  “I know you are awake,” he said at last. “You are holding your breath.”

  “I was trying not to wake you,” Lena replied. “You must have had an uncomfortable night.”

  “I was just where I wanted to be,” Stref pronounced.

  Reluctantly, Lena disentangled herself. She rose and wandered into the living area, the skin covering wrapped around her tightly. The morning was cold, and ice crystals dangled from the doorframe. The sun shone brightly despite the chill, causing everything to glitter. The familiar cry of Pride as he hunted for his morning feast carried through the crisp air.

  “It looks beautiful out there,” Lena remarked as she felt the presence of another walk up behind her.

  “It looks beautiful in here,” Stref said with a mocking leer.

  “Today we must meet and decide on what is to be done,” Lena’s tone was brusque as she turned to face her lover. His chiselled jaw and dark eyes were already causing her heart to flutter in her chest. As her gaze travelled down his toned physique, Lena’s eyes could not avoid the evidence of his desire. This man could easily make her forget her duty, but she had wasted too mush precious time fawning over the handsome Lord Harris. Today her people were her priority.