Studying his wondrous eyes carefully, Chandra considered whether what she saw in them could possibly be true. “Aleck—why did you come for me?”
A short laugh erupted from him; his head suffered for it. “Sweet,” he said, the pain finally subsiding, “if you do not know the answer to that question by now, you will probably never know it at all.”
“Do not mock me,” she fairly snapped, desperate to know. “You risked your life. Why?”
His fingers touched the curve of her cheek, then one fell to her lips. “Because, Chandra, I have fallen in love with you. Kiss me, and I shall prove it.”
Her soft cry of joy filled Aleck’s ears, then their lips met. Hungrily they tasted each other. It had been little more than a week since they had last kissed, their lovemaking wild and sweet, but to both Chandra and Aleck their time apart seemed like an eternity. Tongues played momentarily, teasing and tempting. Aleck ached from wanting her, his beloved Chandra. His mouth tore away from hers. “Ah, sweet. I’ve missed you so. Come lie next to me so that I may hold you.”
Chandra’s gaze skittered to the cottage window. Through the briers she could see that the sky had lightened. There was no time for them to make love. Not now. “I cannot,” she said, pulling away from him. She stood and noted Aleck seemed confused. “I must go back to the castle. Should Cedric miss me, you will no longer be safe.”
“You cannot go. ’Tis you he now wants dead. I’ll not allow you to leave.” Grabbing hold of Chandra’s wrist, he came up from the cot. Pain exploded through his head; nausea nearly leveled him. Hands gripping his temples, he fell back onto the bed; a loud groan bled through his lips. “Mother of God, be merciful,” he whispered. Slowly the pounding in his head eased.
Chandra dropped herbs into a clean cup of fresh water and gave the elixir a quick stir. She eased Aleck’s head upward. “Drink this, my love. It will lessen your pain.”
As commanded, Aleck gulped down the sharp-tasting concoction. He sighed as his head again met the cot. Gazing up at his wife, he saw double of her. “Chandra, please, don’t go from here.”
“I must, my love. The dawn approaches. For your sake, I cannot stay.”
Gentle fingers caressed his forehead; then she turned away. Aleck watched her go, fear for her safety swelling inside him. “Chandra! God’s wounds, woman, don’t make me climb from my bed and come after you.” She kept walking. He tried to lift himself from the cot, only to discover he couldn’t move. What the hell had she given him? he wondered. “Chandra!”
Reaching the door, she looked back at Aleck. “I’ll return tonight when it’s safe. Sleep well, my love. And Aleck—I love you, too.”
The words twirled through his already spinning head to settle in his heart. Chandra, don’t go! The words screamed through his mind, but they refused to pass through his lips. Fighting against the blackness that had suddenly surrounded him, Aleck felt his eyelids close. He slept.
Having discreetly left the couple alone, Owen rose from his crouch outside the cottage door. “’Tis time we leave,” Chandra said to him, throwing her plaid, which she’d snatched from the end of the cot, over her head. “He sleeps, Owen. When he awakens, should he try to rise from his bed and come to the castle, pour some more herbs down his throat. Whatever it takes, he is not to leave here. Understand?” Owen nodded firmly.
The pair wended their way through the wood. Chandra made note of each landmark and promised herself she would not forget the way to the cottage ever again. “I shall return when the castle sleeps,” she said as they came to the edge of the clearing. “Remember, Owen, keep him still.”
He nodded, then watched as she streaked out across open terrain, the first light of dawn upon her. When she reached the boulders and disappeared, Owen turned back through the wood, where along the way, he gathered some special roots.
While Owen had watched Chandra advance across the clearing, so had Cedric. High above on the battlement, his eyes firmly upon her, he chased around the wall walk, peering over the crenels, trying to keep tabs on her progress. Then she disappeared. Confusion knitted his brow as he slowly returned to his post. He began to wonder if he’d seen her at all. Then below him, he caught sight of her as she dashed across the inner ward and into the great hall.
Where she’d come from, he couldn’t say. But one thing was certain: She’d been out in the wood. The question was, why? Cedric could fathom no reason—unless …
Running down the stairs, he took himself to the stables. He saddled his horse, then mounted and quickly passed through the gates, out across the moors. Soon standing at the ravine’s edge, he looked into its belly. “So, the bastard lives, does he?”
Cedric now knew why his niece had gone into the wood. Undoubtedly, she’d go to his side when night was again upon them. He’d wait and follow. Once and for all, the Sassenach would meet his end. But which of the two should he slay first?
Deciding he’d have more sport by making the English bastard suffer further, torturing his lover before his very eyes, Cedric made his choice.
Chapter
14
Well past midnight, Chandra fled the castle into the wood. Not missing a step, she hurried along the path to the cottage, her arms laden with a large fur robe. If her plan came to fruition, which she prayed it would, this night would be a night of love.
The cottage lay just ahead, and she slowed her step. Hearing her approach, Owen glanced out the open portal toward her. She motioned for him to come hither, and spoke to him briefly. Then she watched as he strolled away from his home, taking an opposite heading from the one she’d just traveled. Once he’d disappeared, she walked to the door.
Surprise filled her when she saw Aleck, candlelight illumining him. Bare-chested, he sat on the cot, his back against the wall. He appeared to be dozing. The herbs, she thought, then saw his eyes open.
“Chandra?” he breathed her name reverently.
“Aye.”
“Thank God. I feared you’d never come.” His brow furrowed as she moved toward him. “What do you hold in your arms?”
“’Tis our bed,” she said, viewing him closely. “I intend to spread it on the floor.”
Aleck’s gaze darkened. “The lad—is it safe?”
“He has gone into the wood,” she said, the large robe blanketing the dirt floor, fur side upward. “He will not return until I signal.”
Eagerly Aleck watched as she began to disrobe. “Then you feel adventuresome, do you?”
“Aye—I have missed you.”
He watched as her plaid fell to the floor and her tunic came over her head to reveal his medallion. The heavy gold chain roped over her shift where it covered her high, full breasts. Seeing its position, Aleck groaned softly.
“Your head—are you able to make love?”
“Does a bird fly?” he asked, scooting to the edge of the cot. He stood and eased his buckskin breeches down his legs.
“Aye, a bird flies,” she said, thinking of the legend, “but never away from you.”
His eyebrow arched; then, as he kicked the breeches away from his feet, he chuckled. Naked, he stood proudly before her. “You mean because my name is Hawke.”
He knew nothing about the legend or what Devin had named him. Someday she would tell him, but now she just wanted him near her. “Aye, because your name is Hawke.” Her skirt fell to the floor, then her shift lifted over her head. The glory of her body was revealed to him. “You’ve recovered your stamina, milord,” she said, noting his arousal. “How is that possible?”
“I never lost it where you’re concerned. You need only walk into the room.”
She smiled. “I mean that you’re up and about.”
He grinned. “Precisely.”
Her palm slapped against the middle of his chest just as he reached for her, staving him off. “Be serious, will you?”
“I am.” Noting her censuring look, he sighed. “If you mean I act nearly myself, it was Owen’s doing. He fed me some foul-tasting mash that he co
oked up from some sort of root. It rid me of my headache and renewed most of my vigor.” He withheld the fact that he ofttimes saw double. As he viewed his wife, he was thankful this wasn’t one of those moments. “Satisfied?”
“I will be soon,” she said, her stiffened arm relaxing. Her fingers glided up his hair-roughened chest, winding around the nape of his neck. “But then you’ll have to satisfy me again.”
“Gladly,” he said, his mouth descending toward hers. “Any hour of any day—all you need do is ask.”
Their lips met, and their bodies slowly sank to the fur. Whether at Montbourne or Lochlaigh, his homecoming promised to be sweet. This time, Aleck was certain, would be the sweetest of all.
Chandra took the lead in their lovemaking, her lips softly tracing over his body. Her hand found him, stroking him in the fashion that pleased him. Then as her lips and tongue touched him, Aleck drew a ragged breath. His eyes snapped shut, and he swallowed hard. “Woman, you drive me insane,” he grated, reaching for her. He lifted her hips so that she was astride him, and impaled her. “Now, Chandra, satisfy me, and I’ll satisfy you.”
“Gladly,” she whispered, leaning over him. The medallion scraped against his hard belly as the tips of her breasts teased his chest. She inched higher, her long hair trailing along his arms. “Any hour of any day—all you need do is ask.” Then her mouth searched out his.
Starved for each other as they were, the release they mutually sought was theirs in just a short time. They lay in the afterglow of their love, face to face, each marveling at the other. “I love you, Chandra. Do not ever run from me again. Promise me, this time you’ll stay.”
“I’ll stay,” she said, her finger touching his lower lip. Until dawn, she thought, then wondered how she could possibly leave him. With his strength returning, escape seemed impossible. If only she could stay.
“Good,” he said; then, catching her wrist, he kissed her hand. “Come here.” He looped her arm around his neck. “Give me your lips, love.” Their eager mouths met in an ardent show of affection. After a bit, Aleck pulled away. “I hate to admit this, but our lovemaking seems to have drained me. I’ve grown sleepy.”
“Then we shall close our eyes. Rest, my love, so that you get stronger.” She pulled the medallion over her head, then drew the chain over his, settling it around his neck. “I give this back to you. ’Tis where it belongs. Sleep, and so shall I.”
Gazing at each other, their eyelids soon fell shut. Long minutes later, Chandra’s reopened. Aleck slept, she knew. Surveying his handsome face in the dim candlelight, she felt her heart expand. She loved him so, yet soon she must leave him. Would he understand?
For several hours, she lay there studying him; at last, shortly before dawn, she slipped from the fur and quietly dressed herself. Just as she belted her plaid, Owen burst through the door. Her hand jumped to her mouth, a finger pressing to her lips. “Ssh.” The sound was no more than a whisper. Then, noting that Owen seemed quite distressed, she tiptoed around the fur where Aleck still slept and followed the boy outside. “What is wrong?”
Owen pointed toward the path that led to the castle. He strutted, beat his chest, then swung his arms in the air.
“Cedric?” She saw his nod. “Is he in the wood?” Owen nodded again. “Mother of God, no.”
Owen touched her arm and motioned toward Aleck, Chandra, and himself. Then he pointed up the hillside in the opposite direction of the path.
“You want us to go with you?” Another nod. “He is still too weak to travel, Owen. Cedric will catch him. Dear God, I cannot bear to think what would happen then.” Her fingers rubbed against her forehead. “I will head Cedric off. Snuff the candle and keep Aleck quiet. Otherwise, both of you might die.”
Chandra started toward the path, but Owen grabbed her arm. His head shook vigorously.
“I must go.” She saw his negative response to her words; then he tried to pull her toward the cottage door. “Set me free.” He refused, and Chandra gritted her teeth. Her fist balling, she swung her arm in an arc; Owen landed in the dirt on his behind. “I’m sorry, Owen, but it couldn’t be helped.” With that, she lifted her skirt and scurried off toward the path.
Cedric fumed as he waited by the gnarled pine. Damnation! Would the dawn never come?
He’d spent half the night in the wood already, losing Chandra just after she’d entered it. His surveillance of her had been a disaster from the start. First he’d trailed her into the north tower, but she’d somehow vanished. Where she’d gone after she’d slipped through its outer door, he had no idea—a secret passage, perhaps?—but he intended to find out—later.
By the time he’d reached the postern gate, several of his loyal followers at his heels, she was already halfway across the field. Silently they’d given chase, but once into the woods and a ways down the path, Cedric and his men found themselves disoriented. His niece was nowhere to be seen. Striking off in several directions, he and his men always found themselves back at the same tree. When the dawn came, however, he meant to start his search. His niece and her lover were somewhere in this wood, and he aimed to find them.
The sound of splashing water caught his attention. Far below, he saw a shadowy figure moving toward him. “She comes,” he whispered, motioning for his men to hide. Soon, he’d have the Sassenach as well.
Just as Chandra foolishly dashed into the wood, Owen scrambled to his feet. Again he burst through the cottage door. This time he’d not be put off.
Aleck felt a rough hand shaking him. His eyes flew open. Chandra, he discovered, was no longer beside him. Turning his head, he saw Owen standing above him. The lad seemed frantic.
“What is it? Where’s Chandra?”
Owen pointed to the door.
“She’s gone?” Aleck saw his nod. “Damn her. She can never be trusted.” He snatched his breeches from the floor. Shoving his legs into them, he stood. His head spun, and he listed to the right. Owen caught him. Trying to fight off the vertigo, Aleck noted there were two of the same lad holding on to him. The twins slowly came together. Finally there was one. Thinking he was all right, Aleck pulled away from Owen; without knowing how, he found himself on one knee. His hand clasped his forehead as his elbow rested on his raised thigh. Aleck breathed deeply until the dizziness subsided. “How long ago did she leave?” he asked, at last coming to his feet.
Owen lifted his hand for Aleck to see, the thumb and forefinger a hair’sbreadth apart.
His eyes upon Owen, Aleck shoved his feet into his boots. “Just a bit ago, you say? Then we should have no trouble catching her.”
Aleck headed for the door, but Owen skittered in front of him, blocking his path and shaking his head forcefully. Aleck stared at the boy, for Owen had set himself to beating his chest, then he swung his fists through the air. Not understanding him, Aleck frowned. Then the lad’s arms circled above his head, his fingers flying free, as though he’d released some object. Afterward he slapped his palm against the side of his head. Immediately Aleck was filled with awareness.
“Cedric—are you saying he’s in the wood?” At Owen’s nod, both fear and rage gripped the Earl of Montbourne. His fear was for Chandra; his rage at Owen. “Damnation! Why did you let her go?” Owen rubbed his jaw, then shrugged. Belatedly Aleck spied the bluish mark. “You are not the only one who has felt her sting. When she is determined to have her way, she’ll go to any lengths to get it. I know this from experience.” He grabbed hold of his sword where it rested against the wall by the door. “Let’s go find her.”
Chandra jumped as Cedric stepped into the path in front of her. “Uncle, you startled me,” she gasped, her hand flying to her chest above her heart. She glimpsed the half dozen men who’d stepped from the shelter of the trees. “What are you doing in the wood?”
“’Tis a question that I should be asking, Niece. And don’t tell me you were simply out for a stroll. I know he lives.”
Blinking, Chandra asked, “Who lives?”
Cedric’s e
yes glittered. Latching onto her arm, he jerked her against him. “Do not be coy. The Sassenach—where is he?”
“In England, I suppose.”
“Bitch! Do you think I am a fool? I know that you hide him. Now, where is your lover?”
“Think you are a fool? By your actions, I know you are a fool. Loose me, or as your chief, I shall banish you from the clan. Get from this wood and back to the castle. ’Tis almost dawn. There are chores to be done.”
A short laugh erupted from Cedric’s throat. “Aye, there are chores to be done—pleasant ones at that. Since you will not be chief for long, I see no need to obey you. Likewise, since you will not lead me to the English bastard, ’tis certain he’ll come to me, for you’ll be the bait.”
His hand tightening around her arm, he spun Chandra around and propelled her down the path in front of him; his men followed. “You are insane, Uncle. The others will not stand for this,” she said of her clansmen.
“Insane?” he asked, a wide smile flashing across his face. “Not insane, Chandra. To be chief has been my hope since I was old enough to understand the power that the position affords. Your father stood in my way once. Now ’tis you. But that will be rectified shortly. First, we’ll find your lover.”
Cedric’s words spun inside Chandra’s head. She thought of the agony her father had suffered before his death, and everything fell into place. Her heels dug into the ground just as they reached the stream. “You bastard—’twas you who killed him! You poisoned him, didn’t you?”
“A misfortune, indeed—but also a necessity. I have different plans for you, but be assured, your death will be no less painful. You’ve betrayed our clan by becoming that bastard Englishman’s whore. For that you shall pay.”
“I am not his whore!”
“Aren’t you? I can smell his sweat on you now. You’ve lain with him, and recently. Savor the pleasure of that moment, Chandra, for it will have been your last.”
Lord of Legend Page 27