Kara Griffin - The Pith Trilogy

by Warrior's Pledge

  “Colin, no need to be vulgar, if ye want her for yourself say so.”

  The men standing behind him laughed and Colin grimaced at their immature behavior. He didn’t want to appear too concerned for the lass’ welfare though. “You will not touch her, brother. Aye, I would like to have her, but only for the good tumble she’d be.” Colin laughed and the rest of the men joined in.

  The lady in question appeared and looked as though she had heard their conversation, but she couldn’t have understood them. Their laughter seemed to cause her ire, but she held herself as a gently bred lady should. She breezed past them with such a force that the men backed up, trying to get out of her way. He heard her mumbling something about them insulting her and about him being a brute.

  “She’s all fired up. What’d ye do, Colin?” one of his soldiers asked.

  He watched her pass and saw the reproachful look she had given his men. Fortunately they hadn’t noticed when she continued on to her horse.

  In Gaelic, he enforced his will. “Who knows? I have more important concerns to think about, Robin.”

  Colin watched her and he found himself remembering their brief encounter in the woods. Her exquisite face seemed a bit dispirited, yet it didn’t diminish her beauty. He had thought about her often since their meeting. Her blue eyes sparkled, and her hair fell past curvaceous hips. His body reacted. Or was it his heart? It seemed she still had that sweet temper. God must surely be rewarding him for his many escapades with the English to send her back to him. Now that he’d found her, he wouldn’t let her go.

  His heart raced at seeing her again, making him want to take her in his arms. A vow came to him: he’d find out who beat her and then he’d see to the vengeance. Lady Julianna hadn’t married—he concluded that because she’d left her hair uncovered. Besides, a husband would never allow her to travel without a full contingent of soldiers protecting such treasure. He certainly wouldn’t allow his wife to leave him.

  Because of his parent’s relationship, he had made the decision long ago never to marry. Looking into her blue eyes, he knew he’d do anything for her, except mayhap that. He wanted to make her the mother of his sons though.

  Her companion stepped into the stable, clearing his throat. Colin eyed him warily, and considered the dark-haired man. He didn’t like the look in the man’s eyes—adoration mayhap? She belonged to him, and Colin would make sure the companion was kept well away from his conquest.

  The lady saddled her mare, happily going about the task, and seemingly hiding her indignation. Aye, her sweet temper showed through.

  “Get ye ready, lads. I’ll meet ye outside.” Colin’s tone indicated they not question him and the men followed his orders. Brendan noted his silent command and he bullied her companion through the stable doors. His brother’s look alone would make any man move out of his way.

  Julianna grabbed the reins, but gasped when his hand covered hers. She didn’t pull away. Colin knew she’d get more riled when he broke the sad news to her.

  “Julianna, ye cannot take the mare. She cannot make the journey.”

  “I am not leaving my horse behind. She means too much to me, Laird MacKinnon. Besides, I cannot ride a warhorse.”

  He stopped her speech with the tip of his finger, for a moment he let it slide across her bottom lip, mesmerizing her with the sensual movement.

  “Yes shall call me Colin, as those I am intimate with do. Only my clan calls me laird,” he said affectionately.

  Pulling her hand away, she slapped his other hand away from her mouth. “Laird MacKinnon, I shall continue to call you laird and will consider you such until I reach my destination. I have no intention of being intimate with ye.” Her breathing hitched and she was sure as hell riled, but at least he’d taken her mind off the mare.

  His expression held no hint of what he thought of her tirade, at least, he hoped it didn’t. He wanted to throw his head back and roar with laughter. She was fetching when she was mad. For some reason, Colin felt more excited. Lord how she pleased him. He wanted to bed her right there in the stable. Aye, then she would know her fate at the onset—that she belonged to him.

  Bravely, she continued, “I must take her. If not, someone will know I’ve been here and I cannot take the risk. Can we take her and leave her where she might have a good life?”

  Remarkably, she stood up to him. His grin turned to a frown. “While you are in my care, you will obey me.”

  He wanted to stand there all day and look upon her beautiful face. Watching her blue eyes sparkle with ire and listening to her yell was a joy. No one ever dared raise a voice to him, not since his father was alive, though his brothers risked their lives teasing him often.

  Obey him? She would not likely obey him, nor do his bidding. She started to open her mouth for what he supposed would be another tirade when someone approached.

  “Time is whittling away, Colin. We need to go.”

  Colin scowled at Brendan, and he saw her companion standing next to his brother. The man held a stern look, as if he didn’t approve of Julianna being alone with him. His brother noted his silent command and forced the man from the stable.

  “I understand, Jules,” he said teasingly. “We will take your mare and leave her, but it must be soon. She’s beautiful horseflesh. Has she always been yours?” She couldn’t stay angry, not after he asked so charmingly about her mare, he reasoned.

  “Aye, she has always been mine, and she’s a good sturdy mare.”

  Smiling after getting her way, he chided himself, knowing it wasn’t a good start. He should have insisted she leaved the damned horse behind.

  “I’ll figure out where to leave her, but ye can ride her for now.” He lifted the saddle and heaved it over the mare’s back. Her eyes followed him when he led the mare to the doors. She trailed quietly behind.

  Outside, the men waited upon their steeds, watching the doors intently. He noticed Julianna looking at them astoundingly.

  “They’ll be pleasant company on this journey. They look like barbarians that came from battle.” She fidgeted with the reins, probably uncertain whether she should go with them.

  He laughed when she gasped at the realization that she spoke aloud. Colin looked at his men, trying to see what she saw. Large weapons flanked their sides, and all wore the MacKinnon plaid that lay on their laps, revealing strong legs. Most wore rolled sleeves, showing even more muscle and skin. They showed no sign that the cold March wind affected them. Hard-set faces regarded her. Proud of their arrogance, Colin had trained them well.

  “Oh, my, what have I gotten myself into? I should leave before I change my mind.” She moved forward. “Poor Bleeth looks like a boy compared to these men. He doesn’t look happy being pressed by your giants.”

  Was Colin supposed to retort? He wasn’t sure, so he kept quiet, following her around her horse. He stepped beside her mare and waited, giving her a moment or two to accept the fact that his men wouldn’t harm her. Besides, he wasn’t in much of a hurry.

  When she didn’t move for many minutes, he called, “Come, Jules.” To the men, he said, “Ye know the routine, be on guard.”

  He helped her onto the mare, lifting her as though she weighed no more than a goose. His hand under her posterior made her gnash her teeth and her bottom slammed the saddle, causing her to let out an unladylike “Oomph!”

  The Shelmores waved to their niece and she to them. Colin mounted his horse and took her reins, nudging her horse into a slow gallop. She wouldn’t have that though and grabbed the reins from him, moving off ahead.

  After many hours of riding, Colin pressed ahead of the group, knowing he would soon need to stop. There wasn’t a secluded enough spot to take rest and so he continued on.

  “Laird MacKinnon,” Bleeth called, moving his mount next to Colin’s.

  Colin turned to look at him briefly, before returning his gaze ahead. The man’s persistence irritated him. “What?”

  “My lady is tired. Can we not stop to take rest?�
��

  “Nay.”

  “Surely ye wouldn’t want her to fall off her horse.”

  Colin laughed when he saw she had fallen asleep. He moved his horse closer to hers, and no sooner had he done so, she slipped sideways. Lifting her from her horse, he gently settled her on his lap.

  “’Tis not proper for ye to hold her so. I should take her upon my horse.”

  “Bleeth, is it?” He didn’t wait for his acknowledgment. “Let us get this straight from the onset; what I do is none of your concern.”

  “It concerns me when ‘tis my lady ye offend.”

  Colin couldn’t believe the man’s gall. Didn’t he know who he spoke to? Bleeth needed to learn his place and that no one questioned him.

  “Brendan.” Colin put enough roll into his brother’s name that his brother would get the gist. Brendan nudged his mount between them and forced Bleeth to desist.

  Colin looked at Julianna’s face. The day hadn’t faded, and the sun below the tree line still afforded light. Faint bruising on her cheek indicated she’d taken a rough beating. Her hair brushed across his arm and the softness tickled. The rise of her breasts along the ridge of her modestly cut bodice drew his eyes. Desire as he’d never felt overcame him. His breathing quickened, and under his breath, he swore. He wasn’t an untried lad without control. She seemed small in his arms and looked like an innocent angel, but he knew if she had any idea where she was, she would be screeching.

  His men’s stoic looks made him feel awkward. A few more hours passed, and the miles flew by. She continued to sleep soundlessly in his arms. Darkness crept forward, demanding they stop or incur its unknown dangers. Colin whispered many times trying to awaken her, but she slept like a bairn. He shook her gently, not really wanting to awaken her because he enjoyed holding her. Her head nestled against his chest with her mouth slightly opened turned his thoughts to sex.

  “Colin, she sleeps like the dead,” Robin whispered. “I’ll take her off your hands.”

  Colin gave him a stern look, not wanting his usual jests. His brother threw up his hands in defeat and moved away. Bleeth rode behind his warriors, who wouldn’t let him proceed past.

  They continued riding, and Colin bore the chore of holding her. The men grumbled under their breath about stopping for the night, and he directed them to make camp. He thought they might cheer as happy as they were. Dismounting hastily, they probably thought he’d change his mind. Bedrolls were placed in a matter of seconds.

  Stopping his horse a good distance from them, Colin kissed her lips in a feather-light touch. That didn’t wake her either. He longed to kiss her the way he wanted to, but noticed his men watching, and he saw her companion’s seething look.

  He whispered, “Jules, awaken.” She pushed his face away as if she swatted a fly. He laughed. “Sweetheart, ye must awaken.” Moving his mouth beside her ear, he said, “If ye don’t awaken, we shan’t be able to make camp.”

  Julianna opened her eyes and looked at him oddly. Had she wondered how she’d gotten there? She breathed deep and stretched in his arms. His arms hardened against her back with her stretching. Damn, the lass is winsome.

  “Why am I on your horse?”

  “Ye fell asleep. I didn’t want you to harm yourself.”

  “Oh, I was tired. I suppose I should thank ye. Should I jump down?”

  Shaking his head, he dismounted and reached for her. He helped her to the ground and held her around the waist. Her legs weakened when she tried to stand straight. She grimaced and rubbed her side. Noticing the action, he frowned and supported her while she adjusted to standing.

  “Where should I bed down?”

  He hesitated, holding her eyes for a brief moment. “Over there.”

  Motioning to a clearing, she moved off and placed a blanket on the ground. The camp quieted, except for the few gruff burrs of his men. They finished their tasks of caring for the horses and lit a fire. Most had already settled on their plaids. Colin watched her settle in the center of his warriors. Her companion distanced himself from the group and watched her too.

  Colin had made his intention clear, but it didn’t seem to matter to the companion. Anytime he looked at Julianna, the man became most indignant. Colin knew the man had feelings for Julianna, but she didn’t seem to hold the same affection. Sitting beside the campfire, Colin watched him leaning against a tree. The companion gazed at him with an angry mien. Bleeth was an odd fellow. He waved his hands in the air, and Colin was about to call to him.

  He heard the man speak in the language used by the Irish. Was he canting a spell? Although he didn’t believe in such matters, his brother Brendan did. He hoped his brother didn’t notice the man’s actions or hear the words, because Brendan would befriend anyone who was as superstitious or had such abilities.

  Colin disregarded Bleeth and moved closer to Julianna, and covered her with the plaid he used. The campfire flared, making the flames rise some ten feet into the air. He stood, thinking he might have to put it out. A thick cloud of black smoke formed in the air, unnatural in seeming. His men stood watching, too. None spoke, but watched in awe as the flames licked the leaves of the branches high above. The cloud billowed in his direction. Colin couldn’t move, as mesmerized as he was. A gust of wind blew the cloud in the opposite direction from him, right toward Julianna’s companion. The man was all but covered by the thick cloud of smoke. He coughed and rasped for breath, patting himself. Colin ran to him, holding out his flask of water.

  “Are ye all right, Bleeth?”

  “Aye, but me eyes burn,” he muttered. “Damned rotten luck.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Nothing,” Bleeth said.

  Colin returned to his plaid, which was situated near Julianna. Watching her sleep peacefully, he wanted to touch her, though he didn’t. He noticed his cousin, Douglas Kerr, lying near his brothers and speaking in soft tones.

  One whispered to another. “I have never seen Colin so tempted.”

  “Things are going to change, ‘tis ‘bout time, Douglas.”

  “Aye,” Douglas replied.

  “’Twill be an intriguing journey home.”

  “I cannot wait to see what Colin does.”

  “He’ll have her under his plaid before we get to Steven’s.” Robin chuckled softly.

  “Ye have that aright. He held her possessively,” Douglas said.

  “I say we do a wee bit of pushing. What say ye?”

  “Aye, it would be sporting of us to assist him.”

  Colin couldn’t hear their conversation, but he knew they were talking about him what with the looks they gave. His cousin nodded and the men laughed. Brendan shook his head as if he was disgusted with the banter.

  “We will begin the sport tomorrow.” Douglas grinned.

  Colin didn’t pay them anymore attention. Throughout the night, he kept vigil on the camp and continued to watch the lass. His sword lay beside him at the ready should they be attacked during the night. Morning came, and with it his surliness. He wasn’t grumpy because he was tired; it was more from keeping his restraint.

  He stood by the horses, making sure each was sound enough for the travel they would do that day. His men dared to jest with him about his grumpiness.

  “Get your arses moving. We set out soon.” Colin noticed Julianna had awakened. He knew she had to be stiff from lying on the cold ground. Sunshine sparkled on her hair, making it golden. Before he could speak to her, she hurried off through the trees.

  Her companion followed, and Colin wasn’t sure he liked the fact that the man would be alone with her, but there wasn’t much he could do about it. He directed the men to gather their plaids and to eat before they continued the journey.

  He reached inside his bag for something to eat, when he felt someone tap his shoulder. Turning, he saw Julianna standing behind him.

  “I am ready, Laird MacKinnon.”

  “For what?”

  She smiled prettily. “I thought ye were awaiting me.”
r />   “Nay, we’re eating.” He offered her hard whey bread.

  Taking it, she smiled at the men who stood nearby. Colin was about to say something, when she left his side and approached his cousin, Douglas.

  She curtseyed. “We haven’t met, I’m Julianna Bentley.”

  Douglas looked at her as though she were daft. He turned and walked away. Colin was about to call him, when Julianna returned to his side.

  “Are your men always so impolite?” He nodded. “This is going to be an arduous journey.” She stepped around him and smiled. “I’ll have to win them over with kindness then.”

  Colin took her hand firmly and led her away. “Ye will not speak to them.”

  He frowned, and made certain his voice was indignant. The woman reached out and dared to smooth his brow. He knew then she was going to be difficult.

  “Must ye be so disproving? I suppose I should ask why?”

  “Why what?” He clenched his teeth, resisting the temptation to touch her.

  “Why I cannot speak to them?”

  “’Tis forbidden. Do not question me.”

  “Forbidden?” she asked incredulously. “Why?”

  She dared to put the question to him, even after being told so sternly not to. Mayhap she had more courage than he’d thought. His jaw twitched, making him realize how annoyed he was.

  “Leave them be, they have their duty to see to. We have a hard ride ahead.” He walked toward the stream, thinking to take a minute before they set out.

  “Laird MacKinnon?”

  He turned. “What now?”

  “Why are you talking to me?”

  “I am explaining, not talking. I don’t usually explain myself to anyone. Get ready to go,” he ordered, feeling his body’s craving taunting him to do something about it.

  “Why not?” She boldly tested him further.

  Through clenched teeth, he said, “Why not what, lass?”