by Becca Van
“Ye should have known that one of thy own needed food. An unwed female should have had the protection of thy keep,” Hamish said in an icy voice.
“Aye.” Alec removed his hand from his sword and sat back down. “Ye will be able to protect her better than I. When do ye plan to tell the lass?”
“As soon as possible, but I think we should give her body time to heal first.” Calum smiled.
“Ye are attracted to her,” Alec said.
“Aye.”
“She’ll give ye a fight.”
“Aye.” Ewan laughed.
“We are looking forward to protecting her.” Calum smiled.
“Ye won’t hurt her, will ye?”
“That’s no’ our way. Anyone weaker than us should be protected. We cherish all females, young or old,” Ewan said.
“I wish ye luck.” Alec rose to his feet and headed across the hall. He looked back over his shoulder. “Ye are going to need it.” Laughter echoed back to Ewan and his brothers as Alec left.
Ewan walked around the table and sat beside Hamish. His brother was staring at the small bundle of femininity in his arms. Reaching out, he brushed the hair back from her bruised face. She was so tiny compared to him and his brothers that Ewan was almost afraid to touch her. But then he remembered how she had escaped the clutches of the MacLeods. Maeghan Fraser was a lot stronger than she looked, and for that he was thankful. He was glad she was a strong-willed woman. She was going to need to be to deal with the three of them.
“Take her up to my bedchamber,” Calum commanded. “She needs to rest in comfort to heal.”
Hamish stood and gently adjusted Maeghan in his arms and then carried her from the room.
“She is such a fierce little thing,” Ewan said.
“Aye. I mean to keep her safe. I spoke with Lilith.”
“Och, aboot time.” Ewan sighed. “Lilith is a cold one, Calum. I donnae know how ye could stand to keep taking her to yer bed.”
“I have no’ bedded her for some time now. Ye bedded her, too.”
“Aye, but only twice. Once with ye and Hamish and once alone. Ye bedded her more than Hamish and I did. What did ye see in her?”
“She is a beauty, Ewan.”
“On the outside, but she has a cold heart,” Ewan said. “Maeghan’s such a bonny wee lass and will be more so once the bruising and swelling goes. I’ve always admired an independent, fiery woman. Hamish is just as taken with her as ye and I are. I can tell she has a kind soul, too, Calum. How are we going to go aboot getting her acceptance?”
“I know no’.” Calum sighed and reached for the urn of wine. “I want to know her. She is obviously a strong woman, although from looking at her ye wouldn’t think so. She’s different from all the other women we know, Ewan, and that attracts me. We will have to get closer to her and give her time to come to know us. She’s not enamored of Hamish.”
“Aye.” Ewan laughed. “I’ve never seen our brother so puzzled over a lass before. It will do him good to have to fight for affection rather than having it handed to him.”
“Hmm. She’s going to be a handful.”
“Just what we’ve always dreamed of.”
“I won’t change for her or anyone else.”
“Nor will I.” Ewan drained his goblet and refilled it. “It will take time and patience to woo her. Most females like to be courted by a man, but I’m wondering how she will react to being courted by three.”
“We’ll know soon enough, brother.”
“Aye.”
* * * *
Maeghan yawned and stretched as her body awakened. Her mind tended to rise more slowly, so she lay quietly. She shifted again, and her hand connected with a warm limb. In shock she opened her eyes, but that didn’t help. No candles had been left burning, and no light showed from beyond the furs hung over the window
Her body still ached and she didn’t want to wake her companion—she figured Gerty had been made to sleep with her to keep an eye on her health—so she scooted across the bed with as much care as possible. She congratulated herself on moving quietly until she tumbled to the floor with a squeak of fright.
She froze when she heard movement from the bed. She held her breath, trying not to give her position away. Flint scraped and then a small pool of light formed across the room as a tallow candle was lit.
“Where are ye, lass?”
That was Calum’s voice. What is he doing in my bed? Maeghan looked down to see she was once again wearing his shirt. She felt practically naked with her legs bare from the knees down and nothing but the lawn material covering the rest of her.
She heard Calum moving around on the bed. She stayed where she was, still hoping he would give up looking for her and leave her be. Looking around the room in the dim light, she finally realized she wasn’t in her cabin but still in the Campbell castle. Where was Alec? Was he still here? He had to be. They must be leaving for MacTavish land at first light.
A pair of bare feet stepped in front of her. This time she hadn’t heard Calum move. She followed the muscular legs up and up until she was staring at Calum, dressed only in his plaid. His chest was bare, and she couldn’t help but admire his naked skin. Muscles rippled when he placed his hands on his hips, showing the unmitigated strength beneath the surface of his lightly bronzed skin. She’d thought Laird Alec was strong, but Calum’s display showed her how wrong she’d been. The man was huge, with bulging, rippling muscles, and no matter how hard she tried to look away, she couldn’t.
Her breath hitched, and she felt as if she couldn’t get enough air into her lungs. Moisture formed in her pussy and then dripped down onto her inner thighs. Never had she seen such a fine example of masculinity, at least not one that affected her so. When he extended a hand toward her, she reacted automatically and placed her hand in his. His warm, callused palm sent tingles of heat running up her arm and over her chest, causing her nipples to pucker and harden and her pussy to clench.
Calum pulled her to her feet, but instead of letting her go, he gave a gentle tug, drawing her up against his big, hard body. She gasped for air and slowly tilted her head so that she could see his face. He was looking at her with such a heated intensity another flood of cream leaked from her vagina.
He released her hand and wrapped his arms around her waist. The heat emanating from his chest ratcheted her desire up another notch, and she thought she might pass out from lack of air. Then with indomitable strength, his grip firmed around her hips and he lifted her until she was on eye level with him. She clutched at his shoulders for balance and stared at him uncertainly. Calum had such dark-blue eyes that as she looked into them she felt as if she were drowning in a stormy sea. She watched with nervous fascination as his lips parted and he moved his head in closer to her. His heated, moist breath tickled over her own lips, and she licked them uneasily. She did not know what to expect since she’d never been kissed before but at the same time knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Calum was going to kiss her.
The first touch of his flesh to hers caused shivers to race up and down her spine. Her fingers dug into the muscles of his shoulders. He was so hard that his flesh had no give. The thought of him being able to control and dominate her sent another thrill shooting through her, heating her blood even more.
With patience she wouldn’t have expected in the laird of a clan, his lips moved over hers almost cautiously, as if he was worried he would frighten her. Then he began to kiss more assertively, his lips opening and guiding hers apart. Since this was her first experience, she copied his moves. A deep, rumbling groan vibrated up his chest, and he pulled her into his body even closer. The tips of her clothed breasts brushed against him, causing the sensitive peaks to ache even more.
Maeghan whimpered, but the sound was muffled as he slanted his mouth over hers and thrust his tongue between her lips. Heat engulfed her from the inside out, and she felt as if she would burst into flames. Her pussy was so wet that juices leaked out and dribbled down the inside of her
thighs. Tentatively, she moved her tongue alongside his and almost smiled with elation as he exhaled another groan into her mouth.
She’d never known such pleasure existed. Feeling as if she were floating on a cloud, she was only half aware that Calum was moving. Softness enveloped her back, and then his weight was bearing down on her, but not enough that she felt crushed. As he released her to the bed, his hands began to lightly caress her from just beneath her armpits to the tops of her thighs, but he was careful to avoid all her injuries or touching her with too much pressure. Not once did he break the connection of their mouths.
Maeghan whimpered when both his hands brushed the sides of her breasts, and she slid her fingers into his shoulder-length black hair. His hair was cool and felt like silk against her heated flesh. She cupped the back of his neck, and the tangible strength of the muscles beneath her hands excited her and made her edgy at the same time.
One of his hands caressed her face, and Maeghan flinched when he touched her bruised skin. It seemed to break the spell. Calum pulled back instantly and pushed himself away from her to sit on the side of the bed. Maeghan panted for breath and watched warily as he rose to his feet. He didn’t turn to face her. Instead he looked back over his shoulder at her.
“I’m sorry, little one. That won’t happen again.”
What does that mean? She felt entirely lost and blurted, “Will my laird take me home tomorrow?”
“Nay. He has returned already.”
He had returned without her? Maeghan couldn’t make sense of that.
Then the conversation in the great hall came back to her. The men had all seemed to make some sort of arrangement, and then she’d dropped off to sleep.
Maeghan had a sudden suspicion that they had decided something while she slept. It would be like men to do so. Lairds in particular were so arrogant. What if Laird MacTavish had decided to marry her to Calum, forcing her on the Campbells to get rid of the responsibility for her, and they couldn’t say no for fear of causing a clan dispute? That was the only reason she could think of that he would leave her here.
Before she could ask, Calum said, “Go back to sleep, Maeghan. Ye need yer rest to heal.”
She watched with confusion as he left the bedchamber without looking at her again. Maeghan rolled to her side and curled up into a ball, cursing her stiff and sore muscles and bruised face. Who would have thought her first kiss would make the man apologize? She knew she was no great beauty, but she didn’t think she was ugly. Why had he stopped kissing her? She’d thought he had liked kissing her, at least at first. Maybe she was too inexperienced and he didn’t like the way she kissed him.
Tears leaked from beneath her eyelashes, but she angrily swept them away with the back of her hand. She was only fooling herself. She would spend the rest of her life as an old maid, and that was the way she liked it. Not having to take orders from anyone, except her laird of course. She could do what she wanted, when she wanted it. Not having to answer to anyone but herself suited her just fine.
Aye, and just look where that got you, Maeghan Fraser. You were nearly raped.
But she had escaped without the help of any man. While she felt that was a point of pride, she also knew that she had gotten lucky that time. And if the Campbells hadn’t found you, the MacLeods would have.
No man had ever given her a second look. They all thought she was a child because of her small stature, and most of the men in the MacTavish clan had treated her as such. The only time she had ever gotten any attention was when her father had been teaching her how to protect herself. Why would now be any different?
* * * *
Maeghan and Calum had woken well before first light, but if she was to leave, she saw no use in waiting for dawn. She didn’t want to stay here at the Campbell keep. She wanted to be back in the safety and security of her own log cabin. And she couldn’t leave the keep without clothes. She took the candle Calum had left to the wooden chest near the foot of the bed and rummaged in it for something to wear.
She found breeches, which looked to be too small for Laird Campbell. She didn’t know why he kept old garments when he had outgrown them, but it was to her benefit. The legs of the trousers were way too long, but if she rolled them up she wouldn’t trip on the material. After rummaging in the bottom of the trunk, she found twine, which she tied around her hips to keep the breeches secure. Once she was satisfied she wouldn’t trip or lose the pants from her hips, she plaited her hair and tucked the braid in beneath the neck of her borrowed shirt. There was a spare plaid in the chest as well, and she slung it across her shoulder and around her waist.
The small hide boots in the trunk were of the type normally worn by lads and men, but Maeghan was accustomed to those. With a smile she remembered the tantrum she had thrown when her father had first presented such a pair of boots to her. It had taken her father quite a while to convince her that she needed sturdy footwear for hunting. Though she had spent a lot of her time brooding and wishing she was more feminine, able to draw the eyes of the lads and men of the MacTavish clan, it was not meant to be. Now her long practice at ignoring her own femininity would serve her well.
It was harder to open the heavy chamber door than she had expected, but she managed the feat without making any noise or causing herself any injury. Silently, she crept down the stairs and peered into the great hall before heading to the massive main doors to the keep. Her muscles strained, but she was able to pull one door open just enough for her to slip through and quietly pulled it closed behind her.
Entering the stables, she kept her head lowered in case the stable master heard her. She saw no one, though, and she turned her attention to the destriers and smaller horses.
“What are ye aboot?”
Maeghan jumped with fright at the voice behind her. Glancing up from beneath her lowered lashes, she saw a young lad glaring at her with suspicion.
“Laird Campbell has sent me on a task.” She spoke in a gruff, low voice. “I need to leave at once.”
“I suppose ye be wanting me to saddle up for ye?”
“Aye. Please.”
“If ye weren’t so small and puny, I’d make ye do it yerself.” The lad grumbled but readied one of the smaller mares for her. She had been worried he would saddle one of the warriors’ warhorses. Even though she could ride, her old horse couldn’t hold a candle to the Campbells’ smallest mount.
The lad turned to her when he was finished and cupped his hands to help give her a leg up. “Thank ye,” she said as she settled into the saddle.
“Safe journey.”
“Aye.” Maeghan didn’t look back as she rode the horse out of the stable. It was easy to fool a lad but would be much harder to trick the guards at the drawbridge. She kept her head down, trying to hide her face, and again told her lie in a gruff voice. Moments later, she was riding across the moat on the wood drawbridge. Though she wanted to look back, she didn’t dare.
Maeghan rode for over an hour, careful not to push her horse too hard since it was still dark and she didn’t want to injure the beast. As the sky began to lighten and the eastern horizon blushed pink, she heard a horse blow and nicker somewhere ahead of her. Signaling with light pressure to the reins, she guided her mount into the trees.
The rider passed without seeing her. There was a trail here in the woods, one that never took her too far from the road. This seemed the best way to avoid other travelers, so she kept to the path. She had been riding for quite a while when her normally quiet horse balked. Suddenly nervous, the mare began to prance. Shortening her grip on the reins, Maeghan tried to control and soothe the animal at the same time.
Something rustled in the brush to her left. Though she tried to keep her eye on that spot, her finicky horse required all her attention. Grunting and squealing rent the air as a wild boar erupted from the bushes. Her horse reared and bolted.
Maeghan clung to the saddle horn and the reins. She tried to bring the mare back under control, but she wasn’t strong enough. T
he mare darted through the trees, and she bent low over the horse’s neck. If a low-hanging branch didn’t pluck her from the saddle, it would be a miracle. There was nothing she could do but hang on for the ride.
When the mare drew to a hard stop, Maeghan thought she would gain control of the animal once more. She sat up and saw the reason why the horse had checked its panicked flight. A grassy ravine opened ahead, far too steep to climb and too far to jump.
The mare bucked. Maeghan went sailing over the horse’s head and flew through the air. She dropped past the ravine edge and closed her eyes, waiting for the impact. Instead of tensing her body, she relaxed all her muscles, hoping to lessen the damage when she hit the ground.
When she did it was bone-jarringly painful, but the initial impact was the least of her worries. She rolled down the incline with amazing speed until something hard stopped her. Pain exploded in her head, and she cried out just before everything went black.
Chapter Five
“Where the fuck is she?” Hamish roared as he rushed down the stairs.
“She’s no’…” Ewan began, and Hamish knew his brother was about to ask if Maeghan was in Calum’s bedchamber.
“Nay,” Hamish snapped and hurried across the great hall to where Calum and Ewan were breaking their fast. “The chamber is empty and so are all the others. I’ve searched every room above stairs and have no’ sighted her.”
“Shit.” Ewan jumped to his feet. “Alert the men. I want the whole keep searched from top to bottom as well as all the outbuildings and grounds.”
Hamish took the lead and flung the heavy wooden doors open with a flick of his wrists. In moments he was down the steps and heading toward the training area at the side of the castle.