by Carmen Caine
Tired of looking up and thinking to change the subject, she motioned to the other chair by the hearth, saying, “Laird, I am terribly sorry, I have been rude. Please, sit down.”
“Oh, nay, thank ye, lass, I won’t tire ye any longer. Ye have been through a terrible ordeal.” He glanced at Tomas, who still sat on her lap. “I just wanted to ask, would ye feel up to joining us in the great hall for dinner this evening?”
“Aye, Laird, I am feeling much better. I would be delighted to dine in the great hall tonight,” she responded.
“Well, until later then.” He bowed, then looked pointedly at Fingal, inclining his head towards Tomas before leaving.
When his footsteps had retreated down the hall, Fingal said, with the humor back in his voice, “I think I have just been told to remove Tomas and allow ye to rest.”
Katherine smiled. “Tomas, why don’t you and Fingal go see if there are any dragons to slay with that fine sword of yours?”
Tomas scooted off her lap to leave, but before he did, he asked, “Are there really dragons in the Highlands?”
“It would seem so,” answered Fingal.
Katherine smiled at his obvious reference to their host, but before they reached the door she said, “Fingal, I’m sure Agnes meant well the other night. Please don’t be angry with Niall over this.”
“Don’t worry, my lady, it is past. Malcolm has indeed always been like an uncle to us. I’m sure he thought my argument with Niall meant more than it did.”
Chapter 6
Diarmad arrived with ten guardsmen late that afternoon. Niall was relieved to learn the dowry was secure at Duncurra. However, his second-in-command reported that while they were in Edinburgh, Matheson had raided again near the southwest border of the MacIan lands and spirited away ten head of cattle. The MacIans retaliated, but returned with fewer beasts than they lost.
“God’s teeth, why is Matheson doing this?” swore Niall, as Malcolm entered the great room.
“What is Matheson doing now?” he asked.
“He can’t keep his hands off my stock. We have been plagued with his raids for months now, as if he needs any of our meager stock.”
Malcolm answered, “Why does this surprise ye? The Mathesons have never been particular about the way they gain their wealth. Their feud with the MacIans has been long standing, has it not?”
“The MacIans and the Mathesons have never been allies,” Niall said, “but the argument between our grandfathers about our borders was resolved without a full-scale feud. Neither laird liked the compromise, which resulted in little squabbles erupting from time to time over the years. However, until this last year, they were only a minor annoyance. Now he is relentless and the losses are crippling. Your land borders his; has he pilfered your stock?”
“Nay,” said Malcolm. “Perhaps Laird Matheson has his eyes on expansion? Certainly one way of defeating an opponent is to critically weaken him first. Now you have sufficient funds, maybe your best option is to go on the offensive.”
“That really isn’t an option at the moment. A full-scale feud with Matheson would critically weaken us, regardless of our current financial state. I simply can’t risk it.”
“I’m sure ye know what is best for your clan. On a more pleasant note, I just had a nice visit with your lovely wife and Fingal. She appears to be recovering well from her ordeal. I thought perhaps ye would both join us in the great hall for the evening meal.”
“Certainly,” said Niall absently, but he wondered what the hell Fingal was doing visiting with his wife. Moments later, his brother appeared with Tomas, who wielded a wooden sword. Niall’s jealously cooled when he realized Tomas had been visiting Katherine. Fingal had merely accompanied him as ordered.
~ * ~
Agnes declared Katherine sufficiently recovered to make the trip to Duncurra. Since his guard had returned, Niall planned to leave the next morning. Therefore dinner would be something of a farewell feast. After bathing in the loch, Niall returned to their chamber to escort his wife to dinner. The effects of the cold loch water vanished instantly when he laid eyes on his lovely wife. A bath had been brought up for her and she sat drying her honey-colored silk hair by the fire. She wore a pale gold gown that hugged her figure provocatively. He hadn’t paid much attention to his lovely wife’s green eyes before, but now they mesmerized him. He wondered if the gold flecks had always been there, or if her eyes simply reflected the gold gown she wore. Once again, Niall remembered Father James had called her radiant; he couldn’t find a better word to describe her.
~ * ~
Laird MacLennan spared nothing for the feast. His staff served an endless variety of delicacies and wine flowed freely. Malcolm could not have been a more charming host. It warmed Katherine’s heart to see the love and respect Niall had for Malcolm. They were extremely close as one would expect. When a young lad is sent somewhere to train, that family becomes his. In many cases men are closer to the family who fostered them than to their own families. The bonds of love and trust forged are intended to strengthen the alliance between clans forever.
After years under her uncle’s cruel control, she had forgotten what it meant to be loved as part of a family. Malcolm certainly had made her feel welcome and she realized how much she’d missed that. She wondered if Niall’s clansmen would accept her as easily when she reached Duncurra.
Until that evening, she had not left their bedchamber and she enjoyed herself immensely. The evening would have been perfect except she had the impression many of the women disapproved of her. She felt this most acutely from Duncan’s wife, Lana, who sat at the laird’s table with them. Lana made no attempt to hide her disdain. She barely spoke to Katherine during the meal, pointedly turning away from her and not engaging in conversation. Occasionally, Katherine caught Lana staring at her with contempt. Katherine couldn’t imagine what she had done, but assumed it might be because she wasn’t a Highlander, so she tried to ignore it.
~ * ~
Although the feast showed signs of lasting well into the night, Niall told Malcolm he wanted to make sure Katherine rested well before they began their journey, so they retired early.
When they reached their chamber, the beautiful man she had married finally kissed her in a way he had only hinted at before. She shyly responded, opening her lips, and he deepened the kiss, exploring her mouth with his tongue. She put her arms around his neck, giving in to the wonderful sensations, returning his kiss with abandon. He stroked her back lightly and, with the pain from her injuries gone, she shivered with delight. He cupped one breast through the fabric of her gown, rubbing the nipple lightly. Awed, she felt it harden at his touch and was surprised to realize the throaty moan of pleasure she heard was her own. As he trailed kisses down her neck, she arched her head back, giving him greater access.
“Lass,” he whispered roughly, “I was going to wait,” claiming her mouth again, “until we were home... Ye need to rest.”
“I don’t want to rest.” As he continued to caress her nipple, the warmth kindled by his kiss became a liquid fire spreading through her. The feeling of his tongue exploring her mouth, together with his hand on her breast, made her knees weak. She didn’t know exactly what she wanted, she only knew she wanted more. She needed more.
She felt him remove her belt before he stopped kissing her to turn her away. She had a moment of panic as she thought she might have done something wrong, but then he unlaced her gown and pulled it off her shoulders. He turned her back to face him again before continuing the tender onslaught of her mouth. He removed the rest of her clothes, letting them fall to the floor. He stopped kissing her for a moment and simply looked at her. Realizing for the first time she stood naked in front of him, she raised her hands nervously to cover herself.
He grasped her hands and held them away from her. “Nay, lass, ye are lovely. Let me look at ye.” She flushed under his perusal and, although she couldn’t quite look at him, she didn’t cover herself when he released her hands.
“My sweet lass, I have wanted ye from the moment I saw ye.” He pulled her hair free from its braid, running his fingers gently through her tresses.
Stepping away from her, Niall quickly removed his plaid and belt, dropping them with her garments on the floor. He scooped her into his arms, carried her to the bed, and laid her gingerly upon it. He stepped back, gazing at her again for a moment, sobering slightly. “Lass, are ye sure? Ye have been so ill, and I don’t want to hurt ye. We will wait if ye need time.”
“Please, Niall, don’t make me wait.” She wasn’t sure what she was asking for, but she knew she didn’t want to stop.
He pulled his tunic over his head. She gasped and heard him chuckle when she saw the full length of his naked body.
Although Katherine had the general idea of how men and women coupled, she had never seen a completely naked, very much aroused man. She felt a hot blush flood her cheeks, but before she had too much time to think about it, he lowered himself onto the bed beside her. He captured her lips again, and caressed her breasts, teasing the nipples until they were taut. “Ye are so sweet, lass,” he whispered before trailing kisses down her neck. He fondled one soft breast, taking the nipple in his mouth to suckle.
She had never felt anything like this. What was happening to her? As his caresses inflamed her, she became bolder, her hands roaming over his back and shoulders.
He slid one hand down her waist to her hip. Slipping it between her thighs, he nudged them apart, stroking them lightly. He caressed the curls at the apex of her legs, slipping one finger between the moist lips.
“Nay,” she said, stiffening as she tried to push his hand away.
“Wheest, lass,” he whispered, capturing both her hands in his free one and kissing her lips again. His finger found the sensitive nub at her core and gently circled it, eliciting a moan. Instead of pulling away she arched into his hand. He replaced his finger with his thumb, continuing the circular movement, while sliding one finger inside her. She was momentarily startled by the intimate caress, but while one tiny corner of her consciousness thought perhaps she shouldn’t allow it, she enjoyed his touch too much to stop him. Lost in sensation, she barely noticed as he nudged her legs farther apart and positioned himself between them, continuing to pleasure her with his hand.
She had never felt so powerless and yet so completely free. She pushed against him, wanting more. When she thought she would surely die if the intense sensation building at her core continued, she exploded in ecstasy. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced. She felt as if the world shimmered around her.
While she still felt dazed, before she knew quite what was happening, he penetrated her with one swift thrust. The sharp pain breached the blissful fog enveloping her. It was sobering. She squeezed her eyes shut, clenching her teeth to keep from crying out. For a moment she trembled and tried to pull away, but she felt him gently caress her face, soothing her.
“It will pass, sweetling,” he assured her, remaining perfectly motionless while still sheathed in her. Opening her eyes to look into his, she plainly saw both his concern for her as well as rigid tension.
Just as he said it would, the sharp pain subsided and she relaxed. He slipped his hand between her legs, gently stroking her again. When his finger once more rubbed the sensitive spot, the heat in her belly stirred for a second time. That same indescribable need built, only, if possible, even more profoundly than before.
“Katherine, my beautiful lass, ye feel so good.” He began to gently move slowly in and out of her, but she could feel the supreme tension in his body.
She writhed under the movements of his hand and body, becoming almost frenzied. “I need you, Niall,” she cried out, meeting his thrusts.
Responding to her abandon, he plunged into her again and again until she felt the heat of his seed within her. She arched against him and cried out as she reached another shuddering climax. She was astounded by her powerful reaction to his love-making and was vaguely aware that even her fingers and toes tingled. She had never imagined this bliss was possible.
He shifted his weight off her, but they remained joined as they lay there for what may have been a moment or an eternity. Finally, he eased out and moved beside her, pulling her close against him. He lightly caressed her hair and face, kissing her softly.
Finally he asked, “Did I hurt ye very much?”
“Aye,” she answered honestly, “but not for long.”
He laughed and said, “I did make ye promise never to hide anything from me.”
“Aye, ye did.”
“It won’t hurt like that again,” he reassured her.
“I hope not, because I liked everything else,” she admitted boldly.
He chuckled and whispered, “I know,” kissing her again.
Chapter 7
Katherine slept soundly that night in Niall’s arms.
Niall slept less soundly. He woke up during the night with her enticing round bottom tucked up against his groin and he stiffened in response. He would have happily made love to her again, but he knew the ride to Duncurra in the morning might be uncomfortable for her, so he gritted his teeth while trying to go back to sleep.
Just after dawn they left Brathanead keep and Niall walked with her to where the men prepared their horses. He took Katherine’s hand before saying, “I sent word for Diarmad to bring ye something.” He winked at her. “Tomas, ye can bring your lady her mount now,” he called.
Grinning from ear to ear at being part of the surprise, Tomas, led a strong brown gelding out of the stable.
Katherine was thrilled and threw her arms around Niall, hugging him.
A little taken aback, he looked down at her. “It isn’t that I don’t enjoy having ye ride on my lap and, if ye get tired ye can ride with me, but he is yours. I know your father gave Stormy to ye and nothing can replace her, but I thought having this brown beast as your own might help.”
“He is beautiful, Niall, thank you. He isn’t the horse my father gave me, but he is the horse my husband gave me,” she said, hugging him again. “Does he have a name?”
“Not that he told me. Tomas, did he tell ye his name?”
“Nay,” said Tomas seriously, “But Diarmad did. Diarmad said his name is Eachann.”
“Hello, Eachann,” she said, stroking his neck in greeting.
Niall helped her mount and, at last, they headed home. In spite of his worries, they completed the journey without incident. By early afternoon, still several miles away, they could see Duncurra.
“It is in the middle of a loch,” Tomas cried in awe.
“It certainly looks that way from here,” Katherine agreed.
“This is Loch Craos. As we ride along the western edge, ye will begin to see the tail of the crag behind Duncurra. There is a wall built across the bottom of the tail that extends around the whole crag. It encircles the castle and most of the village. It makes Duncurra easy to defend.” Niall couldn’t keep the note of pride out of his voice.
“If there is a wall, how do ye get into it?” Tomas asked.
“Tomas, don’t be silly. There will be a gate in the wall, just like at Cotharach.” Katherine laughed.
“But Duncurra isn’t built out of wood like Cotharach,” Tomas observed.
“Nay, it isn’t. It is built from stone, but when we get close enough to see it better, ye will see a low tower built into the wall. That tower is called a ‘barbican’,” Niall explained. “In the middle of the barbican is a heavy iron gate that can be raised and lowered. It is called a portcullis.”
“Port-cull-iss,” Tomas tried the word.
The boy was enthralled, but to his surprise Katherine was, too, so Niall continued to describe the fortress. “The wall is very
tall and thick near the bottom, but it becomes lower as the crag rises.”
“If it is low, couldn’t someone just climb over it?” Tomas asked.
“Where the wall is lower, the edge of the crag drops straight into the water. It would be very hard to climb out of the water, up the crag, and over the wall.”
“Why do you need a wall there, then?”
“To keep wee lads and other people from falling off the edge of the crag. Ye are never to climb on that wall, Tomas, it is very dangerous. Do ye understand?”
“Aye, I understand,” Tomas replied seriously.
Niall went on. “Do you see the two tall towers?”
“Aye.”
“Well, the men in those towers can see us, too, even though we are still quite a long way from Duncurra. What do ye think they would do if we were an enemy?”
“Close the port-cull-iss?” Tomas asked, wide-eyed.
“Aye, they would do that, but they would also have plenty of time to prepare for a fight to defend the castle. It is very hard to sneak up on Duncurra without being seen.”
~ * ~
Katherine realized how true those words were as they reached the village. Word of their approach must have spread, because it seemed that the whole clan had turned out to meet them. As Niall’s clan called words of welcome to them, Katherine smiled at them, quietly taking in her surroundings. She realized painfully that Duncurra was impoverished. Everything was well cared for but she saw signs of disrepair. Many of the cottages needed roof or wall repairs and the wall circling the crag was crumbling in places. Most distressing, however, was seeing the villagers themselves. They were thin, their clothes threadbare, and none of them wore shoes.
During the ride from Cotharach, she had given a lot of thought as to how Niall had become involved in her uncle’s scheme to seize her lands and the leadership of her clan. Not completely naïve, she knew Niall wanted her wealth badly enough to agree to marry her sight unseen, relinquishing his other rights, but she hadn’t known why. She understood many men measured their success by their financial worth. Still, although she knew very little about Niall, after spending the last ten days with him, she had trouble believing he fell into this category. Now his reasons stood all around her. He had married her because he needed her dowry for his clan. She fully understood and respected that decision and she knew, in the same circumstances, she would have made a similar choice for the sake of her own people.