by Kara Griffin
Greer leaned on the hilt of his sword, its tip now sticking into the floorboard. “Finally, milady, Grey will not have to tie ye to a tree to have you do his will.”
“Nay, he does not.” She smiled, a giggle coming to her.
Their smiles were enough to make her weep with pleasure.
“What’s for supper, milady? Did ye make us something good?” Sean asked.
She did cry then, tears of profound joy. And that’s how Grey found her. He demanded to know why Bree was crying and who caused her tears, but she couldn’t speak with such emotion clogging her throat.
“I only asked if milady was making supper,” Sean said. “I don’t know why she cried.”
“I know why. Go and find your own supper. Gell will serve it from the kitchens.” Grey scooped her in his arms and nodded to Cait, a signal for her to keep Sunny occupied.
Bree held on to Grey when he took the steps in a mad rush. After entering his chamber, he leaned back against the door, content to look at her.
“Bree, if ye were never taken from us you would have known.”
“Would have known what?”
“How much this clan loved you.”
She cried harder.
“Ah love, don’t weep. At least you are with those who care for you as I do.”
Bree rubbed her eyes and looked into his shining eyes. He did care, had always cared. Without thinking, Bree kissed him. She showed him how much she loved him with the most sensual kiss.
Grey returned the kiss and before she knew it, she was settled on his bed. He stood before her, staring down. “What?” she asked, wondering what more he had to say.
“You look like you could use some loving.”
“I do?” She patted the bed next to her and waited.
Grey stripped his tunic off and then whipped his tartan from his waist. He quickly removed his boots and joined her on the bed. “Aye, ye do.”
Bree didn’t give him a second to get settled. All she wanted at that moment was to show him how much he meant to her. She began massaging his muscular thighs, trailing her palms up his steely body, taking extra time to caress her hands over the rippled muscles of his arms. She tenderly smoothed the light hair that covered his chest, and over the severe scar. He was finely made as a warrior should be.
He tried to grasp her hands to stop her from caressing him. “Nay, nay. Just lay there, Grey. Let me.” Bree continued to rub his arms and body until she reached his midsection. There she stopped and watched his hard length grow with her gaze. With a grin, she took it in her hand and caressed the hot silkiness of his hardness. Grey groaned.
“I want you. I want to make you scream with pleasure.”
She giggled and was delighted by his words because she knew far too well that he surely could make her scream. Bree wasn’t sure what she was doing, but Cait had said she’d done such things to the men she’d been with. Of course Cait had described in full detail her endeavor. She knew what to do, but was uncertain if she would do it right. Bree kissed the crown of his erection and slid her lips temptingly down his shaft. Grey almost bucked her off him when he sucked in a deep breath.
“Now, now, my lord. Don’t be so impatient. Let me pleasure you.” She continued to move her mouth over his skin, sucking hard at the taste of him. It nearly did her in. A wetness came between her legs, fueling her need to have him there. Bree reared up and crawled over his frame to straddle him. Betwixt her legs, Grey jerked his body causing her to shift forward. Before she knew what was happening, he entered her.
Bree moaned at the pleasure of the fulfillment. His hard length seemed to penetrate deep and made her want to beg him to go harder. “Ah Grey, that’s what I want. Aye, all of you.”
He thrust deeper, if that was possible. Bree squealed with pleasure and when she propelled her curls against him, a sensational feeling overcame her. Twinges of pleasure ricocheted through her womb, making her convulse and move faster against his jerks.
Their lovemaking became forceful and she enjoyed every mind-blowing thrust of his body. Bree leaned forward and kissed him, letting her mouth move from his lips to his neck and lower to his chest. Grey held on to her hips, moving his body so rapidly he would have thrown her off him, had he not held tightly.
Bree existed no longer. Everything she was in that moment ceased to be. She was no longer a woman, a friend, a daughter, a cook – she was sensuality in its raw form. Bree shouted an unladylike expletive as her womb pulsed with each of Grey’s thrust. Together they came, reaching the climax at the same time, each thoroughly sated and pleasured.
Bree lay against his chest, listening to the rapid beat of his heart. Her legs crushed against his sides and all she could feel was his hands moving over her back and his chest moving forcefully with breath beneath her cheek.
“I will never lose you again, Bree. Never.”
“You won’t lose me, Grey.”
He cuddled next to her, holding her as close as he could. “I had to handle a clan matter this day and I wanted to tell you before you heard …”
“What happened?” She set her palm on the side of his neck, hoping to comfort him. Whatever it was certainly seemed serious.
“I banished Anna and her family this morn.”
“You did? Oh, Grey, that’s awful news. Why?”
“I know how you feel about banishment, but she set fire to Peter’s cottage.”
Bree couldn’t believe Anna would do something so malicious, even if the woman did detest her. “Grey, are you certain it was Anna? Have you proof?”
“Aye, a witness came forward. Nell told me she saw her that night sneaking around your cottage. She said she saw her carrying a torch and set it to the thatch.” Grey rolled to his side and leaned on his elbows.
“Hmm. I don’t recall seeing Nell in the hall that night. Are you certain she was being truthful?” Bree didn’t know what to make of Nell’s story.
“Why would she lie? Nell had no reason to make up a fabrication. Anna wouldn’t admit it, but I know she wanted to hurt you. I couldn’t have her here and her family wouldn’t let me send her off and thus they went with her.”
“I understand, Grey, but I certainly don’t agree. I pity Anna. She has feelings for you and if I hadn’t come mayhap you might have grown to love her.”
Grey scoffed. “I could never wed Anna, Bree, she’s my da’s brother’s child. My own cousin. She knew I wouldn’t marry her.”
Bree frowned at that. “Would she be irate to be thrown out of your kitchens to do something so heinous?”
“Mayhap, apparently.” Grey sighed, and tilted his head forward so it rested on her abdomen. Bree petted his hair and sighed too.
“So the man whom you threw out of the keep that night was your uncle?”
“Aye. He lectured me because I allowed an unmarried woman to stay in my keep. I didn’t take kindly to his threats and words about my da being disappointed.”
Bree wanted to laugh, but kept herself from doing so. “Oh, I thought he was angry since you rejected Anna because of me. If you couldn’t wed her then why did the women insinuate that you would?”
“They all thought I wouldn’t give a damn about our relation because of her beauty. None knew I had sworn never to marry when you went missing. I meant to keep my vow, Bree.”
Bree touched his face and kissed him tenderly on his lips. “Well I have returned and thankfully you can retract that vow.”
“I mean it, Bree, I will never lose you again.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Bree happily lingered in bed the next morning, contently thinking about being with Grey the night before. On the morrow, she would wed him as she should have many years before. All would be put to right with their vows and they could finally live in peace as the previous king had willed.
As Bree lay there, she also thought about what the women of the Gunn clan had done and how happy they made her. Acceptance. It felt so good to be accepted and wanted. She hadn’t known what that really fel
t like until now.
The Champlains had never been so accepting nor loving. But still her childhood could have been worse. If MacHeth kept her with him at the Mackay keep, her life would have been filled with terror. At least she had security while growing up and the baron wasn’t an unscrupulous father.
An alarm sounded and several shouts came through the window casement. Something caused the men to raise an alarm. Bree moved off the bed and went to see what was happening. She didn’t realize she was naked until she chilled when removing the covers. Hastily she wrapped the cover around her and looked out the window casement.
Many of the clan’s people were in the courtyard and lower baily. She could see afar stood a great army. Gazing to the walkway of the battlement, she saw fires alight and archers running, setting up bows and placing arrows in wooden barrels.
Bree couldn’t tell who the army belonged to. The Scots were not fond of announcing who had come calling to war. They did not take many banners or flags with them on their endeavors. Nor did they wear chainmail or armor. At least, she hadn’t seen many do so.
She’d overheard some of Lord Thomas’ men speaking about it once, saying the Scots felt it encumbered them. Some of her father’s knights rid themselves of it as well and instead wore thick leather hides for protection.
She quickly donned a gown and set the Gunn plaid around her, belting it at her waist. With all the commotion, she wanted to find out what was happening and if she could help.
When she entered the hall, she found Cait and Sunny looking through the doorway out at the scene of warriors running through the courtyard. She stepped behind them and tried to listen.
“What’s happening?” she asked Cait.
“I don’t know. I heard that the Mackay soldiers have come to besiege the Gunns. They are not happy about the Gunns keeping you here and have come for you.”
“They have no right to demand I go with them.”
“Stay inside, Bree. ‘Tis dangerous for you to go out there.”
“I won’t stay here whilst I am the cause of this fracas. I’ll go to the allure and try to find out what’s going on.” Bree ran to back entrance of the keep and then tried to be inconspicuous as she hastened to the back wall. Once there, she took a ladder to the battlement and found a few men standing afar, concentrating on the army below the walls.
Bree snuck beyond them and moved as close to the barbican as she could. Looking down at the crowd, she could see Grey and his guard had ridden out to meet with the army’s leaders. She wished she were close enough to hear what they were saying.
Grey rode his warhorse with Duff and Greer flanking him. A man, much older than Grey rode out with two of his men, meeting the Gunns in the center. They seemed heated and each rode around each other. Grey spit on the ground near the other solider and then reared his horse. He, Greer, and Duff came riding back and the gate was closed.
The man wasn’t to be put off though. He came riding up to the gate and shouted for Grey to come out.
“Don’t be a coward, lad. Ye have no right to keep our lass within your walls. Release her and no harm will come to your clan.”
“Go home, Branford. Bree belongs to the Gunns. She has always belonged to us. You have no rights over her.”
“No rights? She was a Mackay afore she was taken from the bosom of her mother. Your betrothal was never set in place. Ye have no right to keep her here. She is not a Gunn.” The man spit on the ground and turned to call forth his soldiers.
Grey strode from the gate. Bree looked down and could see he was not in the mood to argue with. She drew a quick breath when he pulled his sword from his scabbard. There hadn’t been many times she’d seen him do so and now for some reason, his massive sword and what he could do with it, frightened her.
She couldn’t have the Mackays and Gunns fighting. Not over her. With that, Bree started running to the ladder. Once on the ground, she darted to the gate and tried to get past Grey’s guard.
“Nay, milady, ye can’t go out there.” Duff held her back.
“Let me go.” She tried to jerk her arm free and was able to gain her freedom when she stepped on his foot and shoved him back.
Bree made it outside of the gate, but Grey’s guard rushed to stand behind her.
“Grey, please, don’t kill him.”
He turned to look at her. “Don’t kill him? He means to take you away.”
“I won’t let him.” Bree set her hand on his bicep and tried to tell him with her eyes to stand down. Grey didn’t sheath his sword, but at least he relaxed his hold on it.
“I am Bree. Why have you come?” She called out to the Mackay soldier.
“You are my sister, Albrey Mackay. You belong to the Mackays. We have come to collect you.” The man approached until he was a few feet from she and Grey.
“I do not belong to the Mackays. I was told I was not the true daughter of Laird Mackay. If that is so, then you were not my clan and have no right to claim me.” Bree looked at Grey before continuing, “The Gunns have saved me from MacHeth and MacWilliams. I owe my loyalty to them. I shan’t wish to go with you. Be gone.”
Suddenly a noise drew up from the Mackay army and someone rode through the fray on a beautiful white horse. A hooded person stopped and then dismounted with the help of two soldiers.
“Cease. We will not besiege the Gunns, Branford. What are you thinking? I came as soon as the wind brought me news of your plan.” Branford did not retreat and the lady shoved him backward. “I said cease.”
An older woman with brown hair, streaked with gray came forward. Her soft brown eyes searched her out and Bree returned the gaze. At once she knew who the lady was. Lady MacKay. The woman took small steps toward her until she stood before Grey.
“Laird Gunn, if you would allow me. I would speak to Albrey.”
Grey nodded curtly. “I will allow it, but she shall not leave Gunn land.”
“May I be invited inside?”
“Mother, you cannot go inside our enemy’s lair. Are ye gone maddened?” Branford, who had mounted his steed, quickly descended and landed on his feet. “Step back. I will not allow ye to go with them.”
“Branford Mackay, I will not take orders from you. You are my son and I know you are concerned. But I know Grey Gunn, he is a trustworthy ally of ours and the Gunns would never harm a woman. If ye wish to come with me, then come. If not, stand down and wait for me. I will return anon.”
Lady Mackay motioned for them to move inside and followed behind Grey’s guard. Bree walked next to Grey and kept looking behind her at the woman. A sadness came, for the woman was brave enough to shout at the very tall, very formidable leader of the Mackay clan.
Only she would have such a mother. If only she had been able to learn from her and had enjoyed her company throughout her years. She would have far more courage than she had.
Once they reached the keep, Grey led the procession inside. He asked Bea and Nell to fetch refreshments and bid everyone else to take a seat.
Bree could cut the tension in the air with her supper knife. With a quick glance at Grey, she then turned her attention to the woman. “I don’t know what to call you.”
“You are so beautiful, Albrey. I never thought to see you again.” She wiped her eyes as tears began forming. “I cannot believe I am looking at you. All these years … I have mourned ye, Albrey. You’re alive and well. I suppose I have Grey to thank for that?”
Grey nodded and kept silent.
“Please, no one calls me Albrey. Call me Bree. And what shall I call you?”
“I wish you would call me mother, but I understand if you cannot. Pray call me Maud. Your father, god rest his soul, was Ian. We loved ye, child with all our hearts.”
“But you were not my parents,” Bree said, and then looked at Branford who wouldn’t take a seat. That riled the guard who watched him like a hawk. She was afraid Grey’s guard would take offense and start a fight within the hall.
“I fear that is so. One night during
the winter solstice our sire came and bade us to take care of you. He told us to care for you as our own, to call you a Mackay. You were just born and he could not care for you. Ye were such a wee thing. We loved you right off.”
Branford approached the table and grabbed her arm, unsettling her from her seat. Bree tried to get him to release her, but his grip was firm. His action would surely cause the guard to lose their patience with him.
“That is why ye must return to your brethren. You are a Mackay as our sire decreed. Will you go against King William, Gunn?”
Grey stood, giving a glare to Branford. “The king is dead. She will wed me as the king decreed on the morrow. Will you go against King William, Branford?”
Before she could stop him, Branford jerked her. He was then torn from her by five surly warriors, all of whom threatened to beat the life from him. Grey’s guard each threw in punches and the scuffle hadn’t lasted long. Branford lay upon the floor, his face bloodied, his lip fattened and split, and his eyes puffy. Aye, they’d done him in.
Grey didn’t move from his place at the table, but smiled at his guard and nodded at her.
“I … I do apologize, Lady MacKay. Grey’s guard is a little possessive of me. I fear anyone who would do me harm would not fare well.”
Lady Mackay laughed. “I see. My son does not realize his jeopardy. Not to worry, lass. As I was saying, our King William came that night and gave you to us. We were delighted to have you as our child. My laird, Ian, adored you and was proud to call you daughter. Our sire came oft to visit. On the day of your betrothal to Grey, my Ian and Laird Gunn had made a pact. I fear that pact did not last long when the MacHeth overtook our clan. We will uphold my laird’s pact with your father, Laird Gunn. I do not wish there to be war amongst us.”
“I will honor their pact as well, Lady Mackay.” Grey nodded and motioned for his guard to back up and give poor Branford some breathing room.
“Did you not search for me?” Bree’s question came out in a soft tone; she almost feared asking that question.
“At first we searched continuously. Ian was beset with worry and couldn’t rest until you were found. When the war broke among the MacHeths and Mackays, he had no time to continue the search. Then Ian was killed and I was imprisoned in my home, as was your brother Branford until we were freed by your sister’s husband. Your sister, Esmereld had married one of the king’s men and had moved away. When word reached us you were found, we came posthaste.”