“She would have been home by now.” Elspeth’s brother spoke this time. “Elspeth knows the forest better than most. She spends many hours gathering herbs and can make her way.”
Instantly, the memory of the day she’d thrown a branch at him at the loch’s edge came to mind. Malcolm nodded. “I am aware.”
“We should go and gather men from the village. We must find my daughter,” Elspeth’s mother said between sniffs. “Let us go.” The grandmother was content to glare at him.
“Wait,” Malcolm held up a hand. “I will come with ye and bring my guards.”
“And leave the keep unprotected?” Aiden, the ever not so helpful idiot spoke. “I do not think it is wise.”
As much as he wanted to punch his cousin in the face, he held back. “I suggest ye find yer sword and stand with those that remain.”
One of his personal guards provided a sword to Aiden.
Malcolm turned to face the blacksmiths. “Let us go.”
*
“What exactly do ye plan to say?” Ceilidh asked as the fortified Ross Keep came into view. “Tis not as if they will open the gates in welcome.”
Elspeth frowned. Too weary to care other than to assure her parents, she wanted nothing more than to return home with her family and sleep for days. “I do not know. My parents are inside. They cannot turn me away.”
“True, but the archers may fling arrows and ask questions later,” Eagan said, sounding worried. “I do not know what it feels like and am not of an ilk to find out.”
“Do ye think they will do so?” Ceilidh asked. “They do have archers atop the gates that keep an eye out for trespassers.”
“Please be calm. Ye’re both starting to make me wonder.” She studied the fortress and let out a breath. “Slow down the horses, Eagan, so they can see we mean no harm.”
“As if a cart with two women in the back poses any kind of threat.” Ceilidh shook her head. “Since the day ye took in Ian, there has been naught but strife. I do believe Malcolm Ross is deeply infatuated with ye. And feeling just as strongly, someone else wishes ye gone.”
“His mother does not fancy the idea of a village lass with her laird son. Tis understandable and I wish he would listen to her.”
“Why should he?” Ceilidh insisted. “He is Laird of Clan Ross and may do as he wishes.”
They came to an abrupt halt and all three looked up to a large warrior who called down, “Who are ye and what do ye seek?”
Both Ceilidh and Eagan looked to Elspeth and she stood, wobbling a bit from the unsteadiness of the cart. “I am Elspeth, who was taken last night. I come for my family who are inside with yer laird.”
The guard made a motion for them to remain and disappeared. The archers went from looking down to talking to one another. A man appeared and looked down. “Who took ye?”
She recognized him as Kieran, Malcolm’s youngest brother.
“I do not know,” Elspeth replied, not wishing to publically divulge it was his mother. Although she’d not seen or heard her this time, it had to be the second attempt directed by the woman, as the first had not succeeded.
The immense gates opened slowly, pulled back by men on horseback. Elspeth not only found Malcolm standing in the courtyard, but her father and older brother as well. The three looked ready for battle.
Exchanging a look with Ceilidh, she wasn’t sure what the first thing to say should be. Seeming to understand her thoughts, Ceilidh shrugged.
“Come down from there at once,” her father said, stalking to the wagon. He looked up at Eagan. “Thank ye, ye may return to the village.”
Eagan nodded, looking about the courtyard with curiosity. It was obvious he did not wish to leave, but to remain and see what would happen next.
Everyone remained silent while Eagan disappeared behind the closing gates, Ceilidh was sent to the kitchens and Elspeth walked into the keep flanked by her father and brother. Other than meeting her gaze for but a moment, Malcolm had not uttered a single word.
They entered the great room where her mother and grandmother sat with Malcolm’s uncle. Both jumped to their feet upon seeing her.
It broke Elspeth’s heart when her mother rushed to her, arms open and sobbing. Her grandmother was right behind.
“I am fine. The men who took me did not mistreat me in the least. They left me just outside the village.” Elspeth met Malcolm’s narrowed gaze over her mother’s shoulder.
“What men?” he asked, crossing his arms. “Can ye describe them?” Malcolm’s flat tone made her glare at him.
She shook her head. “They wore cloths tied about their faces. I only saw their eyes. Both spoke in low whispers, but I got the impression by their movements both were young. One was named Sean.”
“It was two then?” he asked in the same tight tone.
Elspeth scowled. “What do ye want to say to me? That I left of my own accord and stumbled about the woods all night? It would take until late today to reach my village by foot and ye know this.”
“Perhaps yet met someone?” he said, lifting an eyebrow. “A planned escape.”
Ignoring the others in the room, she stomped to stand but a few inches from him. “Why would I escape? Can ye explain to me what I would gain from it?”
He looked past her to her father. “I am asking because ye left the same night my prisoner disappeared.”
“The girl? Is she gone as well?”
“What girl?” Malcolm and her father both asked. Then exchanged looks as if she were daft.
“The girl that came to bargain for a truce. The poor village girl ye locked up somewhere.”
His uncle came forward and took her elbow. “Why don’t we all sit and have a glass of mead. Ye need to rest and arrangements need to be agreed upon.”
Elspeth allowed the man to guide her to a table where her mother and grandmother were also brought. “What kind of arrangements?”
“The wedding of course,” her mother replied, wiping her eyes. “Now that ye’re found safe, there is nothing to stop it.”
It took a great deal of inner strength not to stomp her foot in frustration. “I will not marry him. There will be no wedding, no marriage.”
“Ye spent many nights in his bed. Ye will,” her grandmother said, shaking a gnarled finger at her. “He must make things right.”
“Nothing happened between us,” Elspeth said, but no one listened as guards entered the room along with a young man who carried a piece of parchment.
“A message from Laird McLeod,” one announced.
Elspeth rolled her eyes when Malcolm walked away to meet with the messenger.
Her mother pulled her into a tight embrace once again. “We should take ye home immediately.” She glared at her husband. “Perhaps there is no need for her to remain here. Tis obvious they cannot keep her safe.”
Lady Ross, who up to the point remained silent, cleared her throat loudly. “If the lass would stop stealing away with God knows who, it would be easier to keep an eye on her.”
Before her mother could reply, Elspeth whirled to face the woman. “It was ye that had me taken the first time. I heard yer voice instructing them.”
“Nonsense. Although I do not agree with this marriage,” the woman said, waving her hand dismissively, “my son is laird and may do as he pleases. Tis not possible to keep a wayward girl like ye safe while in the midst of battle.”
“My daughter is not wayward,” her mother spat out. “Yer son would be privileged to marry such a lass as my Elspeth.”
Elspeth met Malcolm’s gaze, which grew wide when his mother walked toward her mother. Both he and her father stepped between the angry women.
“Why don’t we sit and talk,” Gregor Ross said, pointing to the table where they’d been seated earlier.
Malcolm remained standing as did her father, an obvious ploy not to cede to the other. Elspeth wanted to scream in frustration. No one listened to her, nor did they ask what she wanted or felt. True, at the moment, she was quite
disoriented and confused. Upon coming to fetch her family, her mind was made up that she never wished to see any Ross ever again. However, upon seeing Malcolm, she wondered how it could be that such a pull to another person could exist.
In that instant, he met her gaze for a moment and his lips curved just a bit. No one probably noticed, but she felt her cheeks grow warm. Malcolm met his mother’s gaze. “If I find ye did, indeed, intend harm on Elspeth, ye will answer for it. I will not have any guest of mine treated in such a vile manner.”
Lady Ross’ mouth fell open and her hand went to her chest, but she did not speak.
“Now,” Malcolm said as his gaze scanned every face at the table, stopping upon looking at her father. “Do ye wish me to marry yer daughter?”
“Aye,” her father responded without hesitation. “Tis a matter of honor.”
Her mother sighed, Lady Ross groaned and her brother glared. For a long moment, no one spoke. The awkward silence was only broken when Gregor Ross motioned for a servant to come. “Pour ale for the men and honey mead for the women. Oh, and bring some tarts if there are any left.”
Malcolm neared Elspeth and took her arm. “Let us speak for a moment.” He guided her to stand and brought her away from the others. From where they stood, they were out of earshot and yet she could feel every eye on them.
“Can we go out to the garden please?” Elspeth asked.
“Yes, of course.”
It was a pretty day. The afternoon sun was hidden by tall trees, giving the garden a pleasant shading. Elspeth let out a long breath. “This has certainly been an extraordinary time.”
“Yes, it has.”
Dressed in a green tunic with the Ross plaid around his body, he looked every bit the laird. She studied the burnished brown waves that curled at his shoulders, the only part of him that was soft. His expression, darkened eyes and the set of his jaw all told her that he pondered too many things.
“Ye have a lot on yer shoulders.” Elspeth placed her hand on his lower arm. “It cannot be easy, I imagine.”
When he looked at her, she was glad to see a slight softness. “And yet with one touch ye put me at ease.”
“Who escaped? Why did ye think I would free the person?”
“Alec McLeod. He came to ask that I free the village lass,” he replied. “Seems he feels strongly for her.”
Elspeth nodded. “Would ye have done the same for me?”
Malcolm scowled, meeting her gaze for a long moment. “Aye, I believe I would.”
“Then I am glad he escaped. I only wish she would have as well.”
“Ye are bold to say that to me.” The corners of his mouth twitched. “I could throw ye in the dungeon as a suspect.”
“But ye will not.” Elspeth became serious. “Ye do not have to marry me, Malcolm. Father will grumble, but he will soften if I tell him I do not wish to remain here.”
He cupped her face between his palms, his brown eyes boring into hers. “Is that truly how ye feel?”
Elspeth closed her eyes, unable to continue to look into his. “I do not know what I wish for, if I am to be honest.” The only thing she could think of at the moment was how much she wished for more of his touch.
“A kiss?”
She couldn’t help but smile at him reading her so easily. “I did hope for that.”
It was as if strong currents pulled her under water when his mouth clashed over hers. It was impossible to surface from the depths of sensations Malcolm brought out in her. Her fingers dug into the rough fabric of his tunic as she fought not to melt to the ground. The heat intensified when his tongue dove into her mouth and she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pushing her body into his, wanting to be closer despite the fact they were plastered against one another.
“Ye take it all away, Elspeth.” His harsh whisper in her ear was a combination of balm and fire. “Be mine. Remain with me. I beg ye.”
The plea made her heart stop. He needed her. Malcolm Ross actually needed her.
It was impossible to think further when he took her bottom and pulled her up so that their sexes lined up. The thick hardness of his erection rubbed at her core, and she should have exclaimed, but instead she kissed him.
There was so much more that happened between a man and a woman. Elspeth was well aware of it and, in that moment, Elspeth understood need, want and frustration all at once. They would not go further, but she was on the verge of begging.
Malcolm moved his hips, the length of his sex sliding up and down between her legs while at the same time she wrapped her legs around his midsection. “Oh.”
“I need ye so very much,” he repeated.
“Sorry to interrupt,” said a male voice. It was like a bucket of ice-cold loch water thrown over her and, instantly, Elspeth dropped to the ground. At the same time, Malcolm pushed her behind him, hiding her from whoever it was.
She peered around him to find it was his brother, Tristan. The man met her gaze, a slight curve to his lips. “The family wishes to know what ye have decided. They thought ye were taking a wee bit long.”
It was obvious Tristan found the situation humorous. When he looked down to Malcolm’s body to his midsection, he lifted a brow. “Take a moment and then come inside.” He held out a hand to Elspeth. “I will escort ye back inside.”
“Go,” Malcolm said, his gaze on her. “I will be in momentarily.”
She allowed Tristan to take her elbow and guide her inside. Just a few steps in the doorway, she stopped. “One moment please.”
He waited, his large body blocking the view as she used her fingers to smooth her hair and straighten her dress. Once finished, she tapped his shoulder. “Thank ye.”
“My pleasure,” he replied. “I think ye and my brother are a good match.”
The words shocked her. It was good to know someone in Malcolm’s family was not against her.
She returned to the table, every pair of eyes boring into her.
“So what is going to happen?” her mother asked.
Before Elspeth could reply, Malcolm spoke from the doorway.
“There will be a wedding today. A celebration to follow once the assuredness of a truce is in effect.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Come along,” the maid said from the doorway, startling Paige. “There is to be a wedding and my laird wishes ye to be present. Miss Elspeth, his soon-to-be bride, requests that ye come to her chamber.”
Relieved at the reprieve from being cloistered, she hurriedly grabbed her shawl and rushed after the young girl. They walked past a great room where she eyed the entrances. Each was guarded by an armed warrior.
In the great room, servants hurried to and fro, sweeping rushes, washing down tables and placing fresh greenery on the hearths.
Chilly wind blew in from open doorways, refreshing the room, and it felt as if it were giving her new breath as well.
Up the stairs and down the corridor, they continued until stopping at a doorway. The maid knocked and then entered with Paige behind.
Inside the room was another flurry of activity. Two women were in a heated debate, neither of which Paige recognized. Then again, she’d never ventured so far into Ross lands to know anyone.
By a looking glass, a woman of about her age sat. Her reddish-brown hair was bring brushed back and then braided by a maid, while a blonde woman looked on and spoke in low tones.
“Tis a mistake and yet I remain here to support my son,” one of the arguing woman said.
The other lifted both hands in exasperation. “Ye are here in hopes of ruining something. I can sense these things,” the other said.
“Can ye stop this, I feel faint,” a younger woman with a round face stood between the arguing women, looking like she was about to faint.
The woman who was seated, who Paige guessed to be the bride-to-be, met her gaze in the mirror. “I am so happy to see ye. I am Elspeth.”
At the comment, the older women stopped their debate and looked to Pa
ige.
“I am glad to be out of the room I’ve been locked in for days.”
The woman Paige presumed to be Lady Ross narrowed her eyes. “And who allowed ye out?” She pinned the maid with an annoyed look. “Who ordered ye to let her out?”
“My…my laird,” the maid stammered. “He…said…to bring her.”
“I will speak to him now,” the woman stormed past, brushing Paige aside. The round-faced girl remained behind, looking from the door to Paige and finally to Elspeth. “My brother is affected by ye. Ye must be a witch.” With that, she followed her mother out.
Elspeth rolled her eyes. “I tire already of this family. I am not sure this is wise.”
“But ye agreed nonetheless,” the older woman left behind grumbled. “Why did ye, Daughter?”
Elspeth looked to Paige. “This is my mother, Eileen Muir, and this is my friend, Ceilidh.” She motioned to an elderly woman who sat by the window. “That is my grandmother. She is a wee bit ill. We come from Kildonan and ye?”
“The McLeod lands. My home is just outside the gates of the keep. I do not…did not live in a village.”
“Poor girl, why are ye here?” Eileen Muir took her by the shoulders and gave Paige a hug. The warmth of the woman’s gesture made her press her lips together to keep from weeping.
Paige told them of her coming there in hopes of bartering for a truce. She left out the part of fearing for Alec, although being that Elspeth was a villager about to marry the Ross laird, it was possible they’d understand her feelings for him.
“I will find a suitable dress for ye,” the maid said. “There is a wardrobe with Miss Verity’s discarded dresses that are kept for such matters.” The maid hurried away.
Paige could only sit and watch, enjoying the company of women as they continued chatting and preparing for an evening of celebration.
Despite the situation, the clan battles, not knowing where Alec was, and missing her family terribly, Paige relaxed. For the first time, she learned how healing the company of other women could be.
The maid returned with a clean dress and helped Paige change after she freshened up at the washbasin. She donned the simple cream-colored frock that was a bit too big. However, it was nice to have washed up and wear clean clothing.
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