The Angel and the Highlander

by Donna Fletcher

“Megan can go with him.”

  Boyd snorted a laugh. “Not a one of these women will leave here. They’ve made it their home and they’re not going anyplace. A man who loves any one of them better realize that, or he’s in for a big disappointment.”

  One of the men working on another cottage called out to Boyd.

  Boyd waved to the man, but before leaving he said, “You know there’s really no reason for us to remain here. A messenger can deliver the church’s decision to these women. We can be on our way whenever we please.”

  “The women need protecting,” Lachlan argued.

  Boyd began drifting away. “Open your eyes, Lachlan. They can protect themselves.”

  Lachlan grew annoyed, since he knew Boyd spoke the truth. It was no longer necessary for him and his men to remain at Everagis. He could take his leave anytime. The truth was, he wasn’t ready to leave.

  After last night and this morning, he knew that there was much more between him and Terese than he had ever planned on. And he wasn’t about to walk away before he gave it a chance to take root and grow.

  He’d be an idiot not to admit to himself that he was falling in love with Terese and had been since almost the beginning. Love had struck him and it wouldn’t let go, and he believed Terese felt the same way. However, he didn’t wish to rush her and there was the problem that Boyd had pointed out. Not a one of the women would leave Everagis, and he couldn’t stay here. He needed time to resolve these issues the best way possible.

  It was easier for his men. Andrew or Evan, or anyone of the other single men could remain here if they chose to, but he had an obligation to clan and family. And then there was his brother Ronan. He and his brothers would not rest until Ronan was found.

  His brow frowned with deep ridges at the thought of Ronan. He worried over what was happening to him. Had he healed? Was he being treated well? And why? Why hadn’t he been able to return home? He had so hoped to learn something from the mercenaries in the area, but so far that had proved unsuccessful, Evan being upset over not being able to pick up a trail or a scent.

  “Something troubles you?” Terese asked, approaching him with an outstretched hand.

  He grinned, recalling how just a few hours ago she had stood stark naked in front of him. It had pleased him to know that she didn’t feel vulnerable in front of him, but rather that she trusted him. That was good. They were good and would only get better together.

  He took her hand. “Your beauty chases away any troubles.”

  “Tell me,” she urged and stroked his brow. “You looked so very upset.”

  “I was thinking about how upset Evan is that he can’t find even a hint of a trail to the mercenaries’ camp.”

  “Perhaps they have left the area.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t believe so. From what the people who have arrived here tell us, the mercenaries have claimed land and intend to stay. And as I have said, one of the clans will decide it will be better to bargain with the mercenaries, having them as friends, which will settle the matter for all.”

  “And those that have lost homes?”

  He kissed her softly then answered, “Will find a home here at Everagis. Your village grows, haven’t you noticed.”

  She nodded slowly.

  He tapped her brow. “Then why the frown?”

  “I wish you to find your brother.”

  “Believe me when I tell you we will. My brothers and I will not stop searching until Ronan returns home.”

  “Ronan may not be the Ronan you know when he finally returns home.”

  Lachlan nodded. “True enough. Cavan was not himself when he first returned, but with time and his wife’s love, he is himself again. Once Ronan is home with family he will do fine.”

  “You miss your family?”

  “I do,” he admitted. “They are a loving bunch. We laugh often, talk much, have our share of disagreements, may even be known to throw a punch or two on occasion, but we’re always there to help each other whenever needed. That’s why Ronan knows we look for him and will find him.”

  “I’m sure he does,” Terese said.

  Lachlan slowly wrapped his arms around her. “I think you and I should take a stroll to my cottage.”

  “And why is that?”

  “We have things to discuss.”

  “What things?” she asked smiling.

  “I’ll tell you when we get there.”

  “I have chores to see to.”

  “They can wait,” Lachlan said and whispered, “this is much more important.”

  “How can you be so sure?” she asked as he held her close to his side and began walking toward his cottage.

  “Because if I don’t strip you of your clothes soon and lose myself in you, I’ll go stark raving mad.”

  “You would survive,” she insisted, though she continued walking with him.

  “No, I would not,” he declared adamantly.

  “I am not that necessary to your survival.”

  He stopped a few feet from his cottage. “You’re everything to my survival, Terese, and I believe it is the same for you. Tell me you do not wish, want, need to walk through that door with me and make love. Tell me and I will let you go do your chores.”

  She stared at him for a moment and when she turned to walk away, he felt his heart drop and his passion crash. But then she giggled and switched directions running straight for his cottage.

  “I’ll get there before you,” she challenged.

  His passion soared and he ran with the determination of a man eager to make love. He scooped her up in his arms just before she reached the door and hurried her inside, shutting the door firmly behind him and then depositing the both of them on the bed.

  Clothes soon found their way to the floor and naked limbs were wrapped around each other, gentle laughs and nibbles mixed and hands explored.

  Lachlan loved the feel of her smooth, silky skin. It reminded him of the softness of a newly blossomed rose petal and was just as fragrant.

  “You smell so good,” he said wrapping his arms around her middle and resting his head there.

  “Rowena’s soap. It’s a special blend,” she said, running her fingers through his dark brown hair.

  “I could stay wrapped around you forever.”

  “You’re welcome to.”

  His heart swelled with her remark, for she told him that she didn’t wish to part from him, which meant she just might be falling in love with him. And with that sense of joy filling him he began to make love to her.

  He took his time, exploring her naked flesh with a delicate touch, lingering his kisses in places he found sensitive to her and loving every little moan that slipped from her lips.

  He refused to let her do anything this time. This time his pleasure would come from pleasuring her. He brought her to climax with intimate touches then forced another one from her with the magic of his tongue. Then he entered her and brought her to a climax that had her reeling and him exploding, his body shuddering from the tremendously satisfying sensation that continued to ripple far beyond what he had ever experienced.

  They lay spent against each other, their breathing erratic, not able to speak. But their fingers locked tightly and held on firm, both letting the other know they had no intentions of letting go.

  Terese smiled broadly as she walked, a spring in her step, toward the common shelter. Her body never felt so good, so satisfied, so alive. She hadn’t wanted to leave Lachlan. She would have loved to linger, but she had chores to do and Lachlan had things to see to, and it wouldn’t be right to spend the entire day in the cottage, just the two of them. Everyone would talk, not that they probably weren’t already, and that was why she was glad to be so far removed from clan and family. Here she was free to love and not be judged. Here couples handfasted, joining together the old way, since clergy was far and few between. Here was her home.

  It was a beautiful and glorious day, and she wouldn’t let anything destroy it for her. She would re
lish the joy of it all and think on the pleasure yet to come.

  She laughed softly.

  “Someone is pleased.”

  Terese looked to see Hester approach and she could see by her expression something was wrong. She didn’t want anything to be wrong, not this day. She wanted this day to continue with smiles and tingles and never-ending passion.

  She raised her hand before Hester could say anything. “Just give me a moment to tuck away my happiness for safekeeping.”

  That caused Hester to smile. “There’s no problem. We all would like to have a meeting tonight. It has been awhile since we’ve had a chance to voice our concerns.”

  “You’re right,” Terese agreed. “It has been too long since our last meeting, but why the bleak expression?”

  Hester walked alongside Terese as they continued toward the common shelter. “Things are changing around here and I fear losing those I think of as sisters.”

  “None of us intend to go anywhere,” Terese said. “Everagis is our home and somehow I think we will keep it. However, to make certain that we always do have a home I intend to speak with our recent friends and see if they can provide us with a parcel of land should we need it so that we may keep the friendship that already exists between us, providing them with our healing skills and a portion of our harvest.”

  “Wise choice, but then that is why we look to you to lead us,” Hester said. “I don’t know what we would do without you.”

  “You would survive,” Terese said firmly. “You would have to; you would have no other choice.”

  “Yes, you’ve taught us that too, but I’d much rather have you around.”

  “And I’d much rather be around,” Terese confirmed.

  “What excuse will you give Lachlan for tonight?”

  “I’ll think of something.”

  “You are happy with him,” Hester said.

  “More so than I imagined,” she admitted.

  Hester shook her head. “It seems to me that love is more madness than anything else.”

  Terese laughed and nodded. “I agree. Love does seem maddening.”

  “And yet you embrace it?”

  “I don’t think you have a choice once you fall in love. It grabs hold and has you in its clutches and suddenly nothing makes sense anymore.”

  “And when it finally disappoints?” Hester asked.

  Terese took hold of her hand. “We survive.”

  Hester smiled. “Thanks to you I survived. I watched your face as you spoke to the innkeeper. He blanched with each word you spoke and quickly accepted the bag of coins you gave him. He released me right quick after that. I always wondered what you said to him, but I never had the courage to ask.”

  “Until now.”

  Hester nodded.

  Terese grinned. “I told him if he didn’t accept the coins I offered for your release that one night soon or perhaps months from now, he would be paid a visit by a bloodthirsty Bunnock warrior and never see the light of day again.”

  “And he believed you, a woman?”

  Terese chuckled. “He believed me a Bunnock warrior who had the point of her dagger poking in his gut hard enough to draw blood.”

  “You truly are a warrior,” Hester said.

  “I am what I have to be as are you, Rowena, Piper, and Megan. We have all tasted the bitter side of life and now finally we get to taste the full rich flavors of life. And I for one intend to enjoy.”

  “Then we’ll keep the meeting short tonight,” Hester offered.

  “Now, that I appreciate and I assure you so will Lachlan.”

  The two women laughed and entered the common room to see to chores.

  Chapter 17

  The meeting never took place. Another injured mercenary was brought to Everagis that night and the women worked endlessly on him, but unfortunately could not save him. It left them all upset, though oddly enough it was Talon, the recovering mercenary, who praised the women for their efforts and insisted that he would tell his leader how hard they had worked to save the man.

  Terese noticed that Rowena went directly to Talon when they had finished and had shed tears on the large man’s shoulders. His thick, meaty hands had stroked her back and he had soothed her with gentle words. It was obvious that Talon cared for Rowena as she did him.

  It looked like love had descended on Everagis and had yet to let go.

  While Rowena was comforted by Talon and Hester and Megan saw to cleaning up, Terese and Piper went directly into the woods to take the news to Septimus so that he and his men could see to burying their comrade.

  She had decided to be honest with Lachlan and tell him that the women were holding a meeting as they usually did to discuss matters of importance to Everagis. Surprisingly, he had understood and remarked that the meetings were probably one of the reasons that Everagis had prospered. However, he did insist that he would be waiting for her, no matter what the hour.

  Septimus was waiting nearby and wasn’t surprised by her news.

  “I didn’t think he could be saved, but I had to try.”

  “You must always try,” Terese encouraged. “You never know, sometimes miracles happen.”

  Septimus snorted. “I stopped believing in miracles a long time ago.”

  Terese didn’t argue with him. He obviously had faced difficulties that had left him scarred as so many of them had been. Hopefully, in time he would heal. But at the moment she had another problem that continued to haunt her and the only way that she could settle it was…

  “I need to speak with your leader,”

  “He isn’t here,” Septimus said.

  “When will he return?”

  Septimus shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  “I must speak to him,” she said anxiously.

  “Why?”

  “That is my concern.”

  “He speaks to no one,” Septimus said.

  “He’ll speak to me.”

  “Such confidence.”

  She ignored his sarcasm. “Let me know when he returns.”

  “What makes you believe I will follow your edict?”

  She grinned. “Because your leader ordered you to.”

  Terese was exhausted by the time she and Piper returned to Everagis. Piper went straight to bed while Terese saw that everyone was settled and safe for the remainder of the night.

  She found that Rowena slept beside Talon, while Megan slept alone. Hester had waited up for her.

  “I was worried,” Hester admitted.

  “There was nothing to worry about. Septimus hadn’t believed the man would survive.”

  Hester yawned. “Then I retire in peace.”

  Terese had thought to retire to her own bed, but she had promised Lachlan she would see him tonight. She knew he waited to make love, yet she merely wanted his arms wrapped around her. Much as how Rowena and Talon slept, wrapped safely together.

  She hurried her steps to his cottage and entered quietly so as not to wake him if he should be asleep. She was surprised and disappointed to find his bed empty. She considered returning to her own quarters, but she was tired and she longed for his arms around her.

  She shed her garments and crawled into his bed naked, snuggling beneath the blanket and hoping he would return soon.

  Lachlan reached down and tenderly rubbed a silky strand of blond hair between his fingers before he eased it off Terese’s cheek. He was relieved to see her there. He was tired, no exhausted, more from his endless and, it seemed fruitless, search for his brother. When Evan excitedly informed him that he thought he had picked up a track that he believed would lead them to the mercenary camp, he followed him, with considerable enthusiasm and hope. Unfortunately, it had taken them nowhere.

  He hadn’t a chance to inform Terese of his sudden departure, since he hadn’t wanted to interfere with her meeting. He knew that she would come to him later and they would make love throughout the night.

  But now?

  He simply wanted to sleep. He felt
exhausted and empty. Would he ever find his brother? The question and endless disappointment irritated him. However, finding Terese in his bed gave him a sense of peace, and all he wanted to do was crawl beneath the blanket and wrap himself around her. He stripped off his clothes and slipped under the blanket, easing against her. She was so soft and so warm and there was the scent of her; earthy and fragrant.

  She turned in his arms. “You’re home.”

  Her words hit him in the heart, for to her he was home, a place of belonging and love. And he felt the same; he was home here in her arms. While it filled him with joy, it also frightened him, for he repeatedly worried that she would not leave Everagis and he could not remain here.

  “I’m home,” he said and kissed her cheek.

  Her lips sought his mouth and she kissed him softly and sweetly and it was enough to spark his passion. He returned the kiss and soon their hands were roaming, touching, and their bodies drifting closer and closer until the only way they could get closer was…

  He entered her slowly and their rhythm was gentle and loving as if their need was to never let each other go. Their passion built slowly, steadily, strongly until they both cried out in an explosive climax and collapsed wrapped around each other.

  They snuggled in each others arms too tired to talk and so content that sleep claimed them instantly.

  Lachlan woke with the scent of Terese filling his nostrils and he turned to nestle around her only to find her gone. He sprang up in bed and looked around the room, thinking she would be there somewhere, but it was empty; he was alone.

  He didn’t like the sensation that rushed over him, almost as if she left him, ran away, and he jumped out of bed and hurriedly dressed in his shirt and plaid. Last he remembered they had been wrapped around each other after a quick but loving coupling. He never expected her to be gone when he woke. She often woke him in the morning, her hand laying claim to him and enticing him, not that he needed that much tempting. He was more than willing at any time of the day or night.

  Even last night when he had been too tired and crawled into bed, once she had turned in his arms and kissed him, her hard nipples brushing across his chest; he had sprung to life.