His Highland Pledge (The Clan Sinclair Book 4)

by Celeste Barclay

  “Ye meant it as a compliment?”

  “Mo eun beag. Is that better?” My little bird.

  “Aye.”

  “Now, can ye explain what ye mean when ye say I willnae wait for ye? Didna I just say that was exactly what I plan to do.”

  “Ye didna learn to kiss that way with yer sister.”

  “Nay, I didna.”

  “Ye clearly learned somewhere. Ye seemed to enjoy it as well. It gets mighty cold as far north as ye are. Just how will ye stay warm this winter?”

  Magnus broke into a wide grin.

  “Jealous are ye? I dinna think ye ken too much of what happens between a woman and a mon, but there are ways that a mon can stay warm without anyone else to help.” He raised one eyebrow.

  “Is that how ye stayed warm this past winter?”

  Magnus’s smiled slipped. He looked into Deirdre’s eyes and knew there was no point in lying.

  “Deirdre, let us nae dither aboot anymore. Ye want to ken if I will be faithful to ye. And ye want to ken if I’ve been with any other women since I met ye. Well, the answer to both is aye. Aye, I have been with other women in the past year. We had nay agreement between us, and I thought I could make maself move on. That it was just infatuation, but it isnae. I kenned coming in here that I would ask ye if ye would let me court ye. I canna get ye out of ma mind or ma heart. Naught I do seems to be enough to replace ye or to sooth the ache I feel when I look and ye are nae there. I will nae ask ye to marry me as I dinna want ye trapped into a betrothal that ye may later regret, and I havenae asked yer father’s permission, but I want ye to ken ye are the one, the only one, for me. Ye are still young at four and ten summers, so I hadnae even planned to ask ye to consider me, but when I saw ye yestereve, I kenned I had to. I couldnae wait. As for faithfulness, there is one thing that ye should ken aboot all the Sinclair men. We will always be faithful to our last breath. We willna ever stray from a woman to whom we pledge ourselves. I intend to marry ye and have said as much, so that is as good as making ma first pledge. There willna be anyone else from this moment forth. There doesnae need to be anyone else now I ken ye return ma feelings. Or at least I think ye do.” Magnus had sounded so resolute through his entire speech until the end when uncertainty swamped him.

  Deirdre unfolded her arms and rested her hands once again on his chest.

  “I do return yer feelings, Magnus. I havenae stopped thinking aboot ye either. It is so lonely without ye kenning how we get along. Last year was the only gathering I ever enjoyed. I have nae one else to speak to aboot ma work or ma books. Ye didna seem to tire of listening at all during that fortnight. Ye listened to me, really listened. We clearly share much in common beyond scholarly pursuits. I hadnae been fishing in years because ma father was always too busy. Ye let me enjoy maself without the constant reminder that I am the laird’s daughter and should be more proper. I havenae had anyone to race nor does anyone let me ride as ye did. I feel free and the real me when I am with ye.”

  “Ye have described how I have felt too.”

  “I would be lying though if I didna say I worry ye will change yer mind. Out of sight, out of mind.”

  “Has that happened in the past year?”

  She raised her eyebrow at him.

  “Ye were never out of ma mind. That was the problem. Deir, I dinna want anyone else. I dinna think I can touch another woman again. It’s only ye, that I can pledge.” He pressed his lips to hers once more, and her arms slipped around his neck. She nodded her head once before opening her mouth to him.

  She said aye.

  ~~~

  Magnus decided that he would return to his chamber for a few hours of sleep before returning to wait. The blackness of the night was lightening to a deep predawn blue when he stepped towards the door. He had not yet reached it when a guardsman finally called his name. He looked over his shoulder at the guard who nodded. Magnus sighed; he almost wanted his bed more than to meet with the king. For the sake of his family and his clan, he forced himself toward the guard, but not until after he had looked through the exit once more.

  It surprised Magnus to see that the king was alone except for one young scribe. All of his councilors and advisors had left, probably to seek their own beds, and the king leaned against the arm of a heavy wooden and well-padded chair.

  Magnus approached and bowed before the man who held his clan’s fate.

  “Sire.”

  “Rise, Magnus. They’re all gone, and we’re here alone.” Magnus noticed that the scribe went unacknowledged nor did the young man raise his head. “I know I have kept you waiting, and I do recognize your patience. However, it was important to me to hear your uncle’s side of the story before letting you launch into yours. I know you to be an honest man, as are the members of your family, but I wanted someone a little removed from the situation to explain your position. I have heard the ramblings and rantings of first the MacDonnells and now the Gunns, de Soules,” he grimaced at that name, “and the Kerrs. The last three are claiming a wergild for their dead relatives. I do not believe they suffer their losses more than pride dictates you compensate them.”

  Magnus stood as the king spoke. He did not respond since he was not sure if the king finished, and no one invited him to do so.

  “What say you?” At Magnus’s drawn-out silence, the king added, “I have known you since you were a bairn. I was at your baptism, and you used to sit on my lap and pull my beard as a wean. Do not suddenly get shy now.”

  “As ye say, sire. The situation with the MacDonnells extends beyond just the Sinclairs, as ye ken. It was Laird Mackay’s stepmother and his former—servant,” Magnus chose his words carefully, “who conspired to have my sister abducted by Lord Alan. Lord Alan kidnapped her out of revenge and covetousness. Simply put, he did not want her until Tristan did. Lady Beatris and Sorcha threatened Mairghread that they would sell her to a Norseman. Two MacDonnell guardsmen attempted to assult her, and Laird MacDonnell hadnae any clue what was going on in his own keep. Fortunately for him, he suffered little more than some bruising to his face. His guardsmen did not fare so well. Lord Alan paid the price with his life. I dinna see how any reasonable mon would consider Lord Alan’s death worthy of recompense. He stole ma sister from her husband. The MacDonnell should consider himself a fortunate mon that Lady Beatris and Sorcha were banished to here rather than face death or their own sale to the Norse. He should also count his blessings that he still wakes each morn.”

  Magnus could feel his blood pressure rising as he had to recount the tale of his sister’s abduction in greater depth to the king. He took calming breaths and unclenched his hands which he had not realized he fisted. He must have done it early in his story because his fingers ached as he straightened them. He was then prompted to explain what transpired with his oldest brother, Callum.

  “Ye may already ken the story of Laird Mackenzie’s first marriage to Rose MacLeod and how she died. Before she passed, she gave birth to Siùsan. Forced into the vera marriage he was attempting to avoid with Lady Elizabeth Gunn, he abandoned his daughter to a village woman who raised her. It was her son, Robert, who conspired, here at court, with Laird Gunn’s younger brother, James. The two men found a woman, another Lady Elizabeth, willing to seduce Callum before Da arranged his betrothal. He was foolish enough to bring that bluidy bitch back to Dunbeath. When Siùsan arrived, Callum became determined to make their relationship work. More than that, they fell in love, but Elizabeth was just as determined to become Lady Sinclair. She connived and created a scene to trap Callum. James Gunn attacked us when we were on our way home from tracking Siùsan after she ran from Callum. Jumping ahead, Callum and Siùsan were traveling together with me and Tavish when Lady Elizabeth had us drugged. Gunn and Robert took Siùsan and tried to molest her. I dinna ken if Tristan or Callum will ever be quite the same after what they saw their wives endure. I ken I amnae after what I saw of ma sister. Be forewarned, that as lairds, both men will choose their wives above all else. Alex’s story is a mi
te different. Brighde’s father sold her to Randulph de Soules, the depraved bastard. Her father and de Soules conspired to have her killed so they both stood to gain a small fortune. She managed to make her way, alone, all the way to Castle Dunbeath. Alex nursed her back to health and vera nearly lost his heart when she wouldnae agree to marry him. It terrified Brighde that her past would endanger Alex and our clan. Rightly so. De Soules showed up in the Highlands and reconnected with an old friend from court, Laird Gunn. The Gunn brought de Soules and Brighde’s father to us. The battle ensued. They lost, and we won. The Mackays aided us. There isnae much more than that. Sire, I dinna believe we should pay a penny of recompense to anyone. If naught else, they should reward us for doing away with a traitor, an attempted murderer, two attempted rapists, and a conspirator against the crown.”

  “Conspirator?”

  “Aye, anyone who would ally themselves to de Soules, who we all ken lied when he swore his allegiance to ye, is a traitor too. The Gunn did just that. His brother wasnae any better. Those clans all came out nay worse for wear by having their lives purged of those festering boils.”

  The king looked at Magnus for a long time, and Magnus was tempted to shuffle his feet or ease into his normal stance with arms crossed.

  “How fairs Lady Deirdre?” the king asked unexpectedly.

  “I would imagine quite well,” Magnus hedged.

  “I know you have seen her. I watched as you chased her and Lord Archibald out of the Great Hall.”

  “I didna like the way he approached her, and he manhandled her as they were leaving.”

  “What is how her betrothed handles her to you?”

  “He isnae her betrothed and nay lady deserves to be mistreated. I just told ye how ma sister and sister by marriage were abused. Do ye think I could stand by after what I have seen?” Magnus forced a smoothness to his voice he did not feel. He refused to rise to the king’s bait, which he knew was what the king intended.

  “You were once very close to Lady Deirdre. I believe you wished to marry her many moons ago. The falling out between your father and the Fraser rather spoiled that. Did you know she had become one of the queen’s most favored ladies?”

  “Nay. I didna ken where she was until I saw her.”

  “Really? You never once received word she joined the court. Gossip buzzes through the air in the Highlands like flies to dung.”

  “I suppose we are simply too far north, and the flies dinna like the cold.”

  The king barked a laugh and shook his head.

  “It is most unfortunate she will marry Lord Archibald. I gave my consent to the marriage tonight. If only you met with me sooner.”

  Magnus felt his anger rising as heat suffused his cheeks. His ears rang, and his hands clenched again.

  If I could have met with ye sooner. Ye bluidy self-important prig. Ye’ve kenned I was here for days, and ye purposely kept me waiting. Ye did this on purpose.

  “It would seem Laird Fraser has made an advantageous match for his daughter. As a former friend, I wish her happy and that she doesnae suffer too greatly at Lord Archibald’s hands.”

  “Too greatly? Why would she suffer at all? He is a wealthy man, and she will want for nothing.”

  “She may want for her safety. Did ye nae hear what happened when I encountered them after leaving the Great Hall.?”

  “You mean your fit of jealousy that could have broken Lord Hay’s nose.”

  “My Grace, that was nae jealousy. That was pure rage. He was trying to assault Lady Deirdre in an alcove. I heard her scream for him to stop and nae to touch her. Yer bluidy guards did naught to come to her rescue. They hadnae any problems ignoring a woman being molested. Lord Archibald should count himself lucky. The Sinclairs dinna stand for women being mistreated, and we certainly willna ever turn a blind eye to a woman in danger.”

  Magnus’s voiced grew softer, and as he spoke, the resolve only grew stronger. The king once again looked at Magnus for a long time. The Sinclairs had been ever loyal, and the king relied on them to help manage the Highlands. He had also known Magnus since his birth and knew the man was difficult to anger. Easy going and jovial, the man who stood before him was all warrior. He was the very image of his father that the king remembered from when he and Liam Sinclair had been younger. Nodding his head once more, the king spoke.

  “You have given me much to think about, some of which is news even to me. I will have to consider all the parties involved and what is best for all.

  Magnus swallowed hard before bowing. He backed away, but before he could reach the door, the king called to him.

  “Magnus, know Lady Deirdre is dear to me and my wife. We will not tolerate any harm coming to her. I pledge that at your sovereign and as a family friend.”

  Magnus left thinking, a whole lot a good that empty pledge will do if she’s locked away somewhere on Hay land and nae allowed to see the light of day. She’ll be forgotten and replaced before the next moon.

  Chapter Six

  The sun rose several hours before Deirdre left her chamber, but she was up with it. Her sleep was restless and fitful. She still felt weighed down by the events with her parents and the final confirmed realization that any affection her father harbored for her was gone. She had none left to give either of her parents. Awake long before any of the other ladies-in-waiting or the queen, Deirdre tried to spend the time in prayer, but her mind kept drifting. She knelt at her prie-dieu reciting the lengthy prayers instilled in her since childhood. She said them out of routine rather than devotion which caused her momentary pangs of guilt. She could not stop herself from turning back to a happier time.

  ~~~

  “Magnus, slow down. Ma legs arenae as long as yers. I canna keep up,” Deirdre panted as she tried to match Magnus’s stride, but she had to take two and three steps for his one. She dug her heels into the soft ground and almost fell from the force of Magnus pulling. He stopped and looked at her before taking the step back. She thought he would slow down for her, instead, he lifted her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

  They were at the fall royal hunt hosted this year by Clan McKinnon. It was the fourth day, and the hunt would end tomorrow. Deirdre and Magnus spent as much time together as they could to make up for their six-month separation, and they spent several hours discussing Caedmon’s Hymn and its meaning. Their banter drew attention from others at times, but they thoroughly enjoyed the intellectual parrying. They had not, however, been able to find any privacy.

  “Ye ken we havenae much time, so I willna waste a minute I can spend with ye.”

  “I feel the same, but I canna make ma legs grow to match yers. Ye’re making all the blood rush to my head.”

  Magnus eased her off his shoulder and cradled her in his arms. He kept his pace despite the added weight. He entered the wooded area near to the McKinnon keep, and when he was sure that no one could spy them, he put Deirdre back on her feet. He led her behind the trunk of a massive oak. They came together instantly. Magnus bent to take Deirdre’s proffered lips, she tugged on his hair demanding their kiss as much as he. She opened to him as she felt his hand on one breast and the other on her backside. She gripped his biceps as she felt herself floating above the scene below. She was drunk from Magnus’s kisses and touch, she moaned when the rough skin of his hand brushed against the bare skin of her leg.

  “It’s been six moons since I saw ye at the Grahams, Deir, and it’s felt like a lifetime. Christ on the cross, ye taste so fine. I want to sweep ma tongue over every inch of ye until none of it is a mystery.”

  “Magnus,” she panted, “what are ye doing to me? I’m floating and yet ma body is so heavy. Ye’re making me ache, and I canna think aboot anything other than yer hands on me and yer mouth. Dinna stop kissing me.”

  “As ye wish, mo leannan.”

  Magnus’s lips pressed with a demand she willingly accepted. His hand crept higher on her thigh until it slid to her mound. He cupped her warm core and slowly rubbed his fingers against
her entrance. He knew she was still young and inexperienced at fourteen and a half summers even if other girls her age married by now.

  “Deir, I’m going to place ma fingers inside ye. I amnae taking yer maidenhead, but I will bring ye pleasure. Is that what ye want?”

  “Aye. Now.” Deirdre barely registered that he was asking her permission rather than just taking. She dug her fingers deeper into his arms as her heart swelled. When his finger slipped between her damp folds, she moaned and thrust her hips into his hand. The dampness was an invitation to Magnus to slide another finger into her. He did not want to scare her or hurt her since this was their first time. As his fingers found the smooth skin of her inner wall and began to stroke, his thumb found the sensitive little bud that called to him. He lifted her leg to his hip and when she wrapped it around him, he used his now free hand to pull her kirtle down her shoulder. He freed her breast from the gown and lowered his head to lick the dusky nipple. Deirdre gasped as the cool air washed across her moist skin. Her nipple puckered, and Magnus dove back to capture it between his teeth. He bit it lightly before taking almost her entire breast into his mouth. He alternated suckling and nipping until she could no longer control her moans. Her hips rocked against his hand, and he added a third finger. She was so tight that Magnus could not stop imagining his cock being milked by her narrow passage. He could feel his cock leaking, and as her muscles began to spasm, he thought he would find his release without her even touching him. Suddenly, it was Magnus’s turn to feel cold air against his overheated skin. Deirdre’s small hand wrapped around his rod and squeezed gently.

  Deirdre’s eyes were closed throughout Magnus’s onslaught. She could not keep them open even though she longed to see what he was doing to make her body respond. Absently, her hands ran over his chest and to his hips. She found indentations on the sides of his hip that fascinated her. She fit her hands there and then slid them around to grasp his hard buttocks. His body was so different from her own, and she marveled in his strength of physique but gentleness of touch. As her body ached more for something she did not know, her intuition told her she needed to touch him as he touched her. Searching, she found the end of his plaid and lifted it enough to slip her hand below. It was easy to find his steel length. She brushed her fingers along the ridge that jutted out and discovered a warm liquid that dripped from the top. She swirled it and then wrapped her hand around him.