He stared at her, confused. “Because Lady Sutherland had fallen ill, eh?”
Ruairi slapped Ian on the shoulder, and his friend gave him a puzzled look. “Come and have a drink.”
“I daresay I think I need one.”
Ian was smart enough to recognize that something was afoot, and Ruairi only prayed the man wasn’t daft enough to open his mouth. They took their seats at the table, and Ruairi almost chuckled when Ian took a long drink of ale.
“I think I need another.”
Ruairi refilled Ian’s tankard and was taking a long swig himself when his worst fear came true. Ian leaned forward and spoke to Ravenna.
“Ye are here on behalf of the king?”
“Yes.”
“I have to ask. Have we met before? I cannae help but say ye look familiar, and I verra rarely forget a face.”
“I’m sure that I’d remember, Laird Munro. This is my first time in Scotland.”
“Mmm…” Ian had an odd look on his face as he took another drink of ale.
They were almost finished with the meal when Ruairi noticed that Torquil’s chair was empty. “Where is Torquil?” he asked Ravenna.
“Off to find Angus somewhere for sure.” The lass shook her head in apparent disgust. “Pray excuse me as well. I’ll be retiring to my chamber. It was a pleasure to meet you, Laird Munro.”
“The pleasure was mine.” Ian continued to watch Ravenna walk away from the table. “Although I swear I’ve met that lass before,” he said, lowering his voice to Ruairi.
“I donna see how.”
“Mmm…it will come to me. It always does. In the meantime, is there something ye want to tell me? For instance, when did your beloved wife return from the grave?”
“Mayhap ’tis best if we take our leave to my study.”
“Aye, bring the ale. I have a feeling I’ll need it.”
Ruairi closed the door to his refuge and sat down in a chair. He poured Ian another tankard of ale and gestured for him to sit. “So tell me the reason for this unexpected visit.”
“Have ye heard anything from the Gordon?”
“Naught as of late. Why?”
“Three of my cattle have been killed, and nae by another animal or sickness,” said Ian with concern.
“Five of mine as well. I know the Gordon still blames me for Anna’s death—although we’ve ne’er had words on the subject.”
“But that doesnae explain why my cattle were killed. I donna like it, Ruairi. Ye know the Gordon is attempting to raise arms against the Crown. Even though our men are verra skilled, I donna think we would win if we decide to do battle against the English. Too much blood would be shed, too much lost. I will nae lead my men into slaughter. The last time I spoke with the Gordon, he wasnae pleased that I refused his request for men and weapons. And I’ve heard whispers that he formed an alliance with the Seton clan. Let me tell you what I think. His men target our cattle to convince us to join their cause.”
Ruairi took another drink from his tankard. “Even if what ye say is true, the Gordon cannae hold ground against us if we join as one. Our numbers are too great.”
“And I thought the same until the Seton joined him. And now Gordon is trying to engage the other Highland clans to unite as one.”
“That will ne’er happen.” Ruairi chuckled, shaking his head. “The lairds barely tolerate one another. Do ye think they’d actually work together for one purpose? Nay. And if any of them had any sense, they would see the Gordon for who he is. He has always sought political gain. He cares naught about his people, only himself.”
“Ye would know that better than anyone. So what do ye propose?”
Ruairi sighed. “We have nay proof ’tis the Gordon’s doing and I will nae be so quick to judge as to start a bloody war with my wife’s father. Until we have proof, we keep our eyes and ears open.”
“I agree, but I cannae afford to lose any more of my cattle. And before ye say another word, nay, ye have already offered your assistance for last year’s crop. I will nae accept your charity again.”
“Ye are far too proud, Ian. Ye know I will help ye in any way I can.” When he saw Ian’s expression, he knew a change of subject was in order. “We need to watch our lands and make certain naught comes in or out. Did ye increase your guards along the border?”
Ian rolled his eyes. “Of course. I’m nae daft.”
“We need to catch a man in the act to question him. And please try to make sure your men donna kill him. I know it will be difficult, but we need the bastard alive. If another attempt is made, we will both be ready. If we find out ’tis the Gordon’s doing, ye leave the man to me. Send a messenger should anything else happen.”
Ian nodded and then reached for another drink. His eyes grew amused. “Ye know King James demands we send our sons to learn the ways of the English. Clearly, ye didnae send Torquil. I donna understand ye. Ye dare to nae follow our liege’s command?”
Ruairi mentally readied himself for the verbal sparring that would surely follow. “Hell, Ian. I am nae going to send my son to learn their ways. Torquil will one day take my place and be a fine Highland laird. He needs to know our ways of survival and chieftainship, nae theirs.”
“And the king sent the lass here because ye didnae send your son, didnae follow his command.”
He sighed. “King James still doesnae know of Anna’s passing two years ago. I used that to my advantage and told him that she had fallen ill so that I wouldnae have to send Torquil to the Lowlands. Howbeit I didnae expect the king to send someone to my home to teach the lad.”
“What did ye expect, Ruairi? Ye didnae do as commanded. If the lass discovers ye lied about Anna, she’ll report back to the king and your bollocks will nay longer be your own. What did ye tell her when she realized ye nay longer had a wife?”
“I told the lass Anna died shortly before she arrived.”
Ian’s voice went up a notch. “And she believed ye?”
“Aye, until the truth almost spewed from your mouth, ye bastard.”
Ian laughed. “Have ye bedded her yet?”
***
Ravenna had a task to complete. She had been sent here on a mission. She had to keep reminding herself of that until it sunk in or until she could find a way to somehow banish Ruairi from her thoughts. Choosing to not pay any heed to the ceaseless inner questions that were hammering away at her, she made her way to his study. When she reached the closed door, she looked around the hall to make certain she was alone. Quietly, she placed her ear to the door.
Ruairi and Laird Munro were talking about catching a man in the act in order to question him. She heard the name Gordon, but she wasn’t sure who he was. She would need to find out. She understood that Ruairi and Laird Munro were working together, but were they conspiring to raise arms against the Crown? When the subject quickly changed to Torquil’s education, Ravenna almost pulled away, but then something warned her to stay. And she was glad she did.
Praise the saints.
Ruairi lied to King James and to her. His wife had died two years ago! When she heard Laird Munro’s final question to Ruairi, her blood boiled. She realized she’d heard enough. Why did men have to behave like swine? If you gathered two or more of them in a room, the subject always turned to coupling.
She promptly turned on her heel and fled to her bedchamber. She may have even growled under her breath. The man was trying to play her for a fool. She shut the door to her chamber and sat in the chair. In spite of herself, she chuckled. Wasn’t she doing the same thing to Ruairi? She was a spy for the king, planted in his home to discover machinations against the realm. She was so tired of lies. Frankly, she wasn’t sure if anyone spoke the truth anymore. After a few moments, she realized she wanted to clear her head. The parapet was just what she needed.
Ravenna stood, but as soon as she opened her bedchamber door, Angus rose from the floor outside it. She gasped and whipped the door shut in the animal’s face. Why couldn’t the beast leave her be? S
he refused to be trapped in her own room by a wolf.
“Angus, go away! Now!” she yelled through the door. She placed her ear to the door, and when she didn’t hear anything, she slowly cracked it open.
Angus stood there, merely staring at her. The animal cocked his head and his expression, if there was such a thing, was clearly one of “what the hell are you doing?” She kept the door cracked with her body pressed against it. Who knew if Angus would try to enter her sacred domain?
“Go on. Off with you! Shoo…Angus. Will you please get out of here?” she asked in desperation.
To her surprise, Angus lowered his head and slowly walked toward the other end of the hall. Thank God for small favors. Finally, Ravenna opened the door and stuck her head out to make certain the animal was gone. The giant wolf was nowhere in sight, so she walked out quickly and shut the door.
She managed to avoid the beast and found herself safely at the parapet door. Turning, she closed the latch firmly to make sure the door was shut securely behind her. She couldn’t imagine being trapped on the roof of the castle with Angus. Then again, she’d sooner jump to her death than be eaten alive by a wolf’s sharp fangs.
As she stood on the parapet and enjoyed the cool breeze that blew through her hair, she relished the view. She looked out at the vast ocean, stretching as far as she could see. The amber hues of the setting sun reflected off the water. She turned to her left, appreciating the green trees with their different shades of foliage and, of course, the beautiful mossy field that lay ahead. She had placed her hand on the cool stone wall and closed her eyes when a voice cut through the silence.
“What are ye doing up here, Ravenna?”
She jumped at the sound of Fagan’s voice. “You startled me.”
He stood beside her. “My apologies.”
“I found myself in need of some air. And what about you?”
“Much the same.” Fagan paused. “How is Torquil doing with his studies?”
She smiled. “He’s doing extremely well. Although I think he favors the sun more than the library.”
Fagan chuckled. “A lad after my own heart. How are ye finding our Highlands? ’Tis much different than London, is it nae?”
“Oh, very much so. Laird Sutherland’s home is very lovely, and I find myself drawn to the sea. The water is so incredibly peaceful. You must love it here.”
“Aye. Did Ruairi take ye to the beach?”
Her eyes lit up. “No. I didn’t know there was one. He mentioned that the cliffs are dangerous, so I just watch the waves from the safety of the garden wall or here on the parapet.”
“Then ye donna know what ye’re missing. I’ll mention it to Ruairi. Mayhap he will take ye on the morrow.”
After her last encounter with Ruairi at the cliffs, the last thing Ravenna wanted was to spend time alone with him. “Please don’t mention it. Laird Munro—”
He waved her off. “Donna worry about Laird Munro. He will be gone by the morrow.”
“Does he come here often?”
“Nae too often. Munro is the neighboring clan. He and Ruairi have known each other since they were bairns. Ian’s father, Laird Munro’s sire,” he clarified, “and Ruairi’s father were verra close.”
“It’s wonderful that their sons still follow in their footsteps.” She gazed out at the ocean waves, trying to keep her expression composed. “So do you have any neighboring clans other than Laird Munro’s?”
“We have the Gunns, Sinclairs, and MacKays.”
That was not the list she had expected to hear. Ravenna needed to broach the subject carefully as to not draw suspicion. “I thought I heard some of the men mention Gordon. Are they a neighboring clan?” she asked with an air of indifference.
“Nay.”
How could she to find out who this man was? Perhaps one of the servants would know. Maybe they’d open up to her a little more since she’s been here several weeks. She’d most likely get more out of them than the laird’s henchman anyway, even though they weren’t very forthcoming with the small bits of information she’d already asked them for. She’d have to find another way. Her woolgathering was abruptly interrupted by Fagan’s words.
“The Gordon is the father of Ruairi’s wife.”
Six
After becoming knee-deep in his cups with Ian, Ruairi stumbled toward his own chamber. As he made his way around a corner, he paused when the door to the parapet swung wide open. Ravenna entered the hall, stopping to place an errant curl behind her ear. He had just taken a step forward to greet her when Fagan appeared and closed the door behind her.
She turned around and faced the captain of Ruairi’s guard. “Thank you for the company.”
“The pleasure was mine, lass.”
Something deep within Ruairi stirred at the sight of their private moment together. He certainly wasn’t a jealous man, but he felt something attuned to regret that his friend had shared Ravenna’s company. Once Fagan had departed, Ruairi stepped from the shadows.
“And what brings ye out so late wandering the castle alone? I thought ye’d retired to your chamber some time ago.”
Ravenna jumped and placed her hand over her heart. “I was not alone. I found myself in need of some fresh air and discovered Fagan sought the same.” She approached Ruairi and smiled. “Do you perhaps have a moment to escort me back to my chamber?” When his eyes widened, she quickly added, “Angus seems to have developed a sudden fondness for stalking me.”
Ruairi couldn’t help it. His smile deepened to laughter. “Come. I will make sure Angus isnae troublesome.”
She smiled her thanks as he escorted her through the halls. “Has Laird Munro departed?” she asked.
“Nay. He sleeps off his drink and will take his leave in the morn.”
“I must offer you my sincere apologies. It was apparent Laird Munro didn’t know of your wife’s passing, and he shouldn’t have heard the words from me. I’m truly sorry.”
When he took too long to respond, Ravenna reached out. The touch of her hand on his arm was almost unbearable in its tenderness. He stopped and looked down at her, seeing something in her eyes that he could not quite put his finger on. She was so damn beautiful.
Lightly, he fingered a loose tendril of hair on her cheek. When her lips parted in surprise, he knew he should have pulled away. But at that moment, his hand instinctively came down on her shoulder in a possessive gesture.
Without looking away, she backed out of his grasp. “Ruairi…”
“Ravenna, before I change my mind, I verra much want to kiss ye right now.”
***
God help her. His words would be her undoing.
Ravenna wondered what it would be like to feel the warmth of Ruairi’s lips, the strength of his touch. She forced herself to settle down. She needed to stop thinking—now. Because no matter how much she tried to deny it, she wanted him to kiss her, too.
His hands slipped up her arms, bringing her closer. Ravenna vowed not to become too involved with him. She couldn’t. She shouldn’t.
Oh, bloody hell.
He lowered his mouth to hers, and his lips were more persuasive than she cared to admit. The sweet taste of ale lingered on his breath. His kiss was urgent, and she was shocked at her own response to his touch. He seared a path down her neck, her shoulders, and then his lips recaptured hers.
Ruairi took her mouth with savage intensity, forcing her lips open with his thrusting tongue. Her knees weakened, and if not for the support of his hand at her back, she would have fallen.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and drew him closer. The corded muscles she felt under his tunic quickened her pulse. When he pulled back and appraised her with more than a mild interest, her curiosity was aroused as well as her vanity. Her mind told her to resist, but her body refused to listen. She knew such an attraction would be perilous, but she couldn’t find the strength to pull away.
She caressed the strong tendons in the back of his neck, realizing he felt as good in
her arms as she’d known he would. His head was lowered and his long hair brushed her cheek. His eyes burned with tenderness and passion she had never seen in another.
“I will take ye to your bed lest I take ye standing against the wall.” His voice was thick and unsteady.
He took her by the hand and led her silently to her chamber. Lifting the latch, he pushed open the door. He had just stepped through the entrance and closed the door behind him when Ravenna turned around and placed her hand on his chest.
“Wait. There is something you should know.”
His face clouded with uneasiness, and he briefly closed his eyes. She could see a muscle ticking at his jaw. He looked pained, as if he was struggling to compose himself. “Please accept my apologies, lass. I shouldnae have been so forward. Ye have my word that I am an honorable man. Although ’tis verra difficult to remember that right now. I would ne’er ruin ye. I only wanted to taste your sweet lips.” When he lowered his head to kiss her, she pulled away.
“I appreciate your honesty, but that’s not what I was going to say.”
He gave her a gentle smile. “Ye donna have to tell me anything. We all have a past. ’Tis better left that way. And I am nae so callous as to have ye say the words aloud, lass.”
“I am not chaste.”
Ruairi paused. She hadn’t noticed the strained tone in her voice, but an inner torment began to gnaw at her. The harder she tried to suppress the truth, the more it persisted. She lowered her eyes and waited to be judged.
He lifted her chin with his finger and his eyes captured hers. “Then ye are in luck…because neither am I.”
He kissed the hollow at the base of her throat, and the touch of his lips was a delicious sensation. “Ruairi, I can’t replace your wife.”
Without lifting his head, he murmured, “I didnae ask ye to. Did anyone ever tell ye that ye talk too much?”
As though his words released her, she flung herself against him. The warmth of his arms was so male, so bracing. She had no desire to back out of his embrace.
Ruairi swept her, weightless, into his arms. He walked to the bed and gently eased her down onto the soft mattress. He buried his hands in her hair, kissing her relentlessly. She suddenly realized that his feelings toward the Crown were utterly insignificant at the moment. The only thing that mattered was his tongue in her mouth because the world had ceased to exist.
My Highland Spy Page 6