Highlander Unchained (Highlander Trilogy 1)

by Donna Fletcher

  Elsa was another one he had saved from death, only she had been about to be burned for being a witch. A sickness had wiped out almost an entire village where she had been a healer and the remaining few people had blamed her for their loss. A hefty purse had stopped the byre that was about to be torched and there had not been a day that he or his men had regretted it, though his men had grumbled at first about a witch joining them. It had only taken one day of Elsa saving two men who they had all thought were at death’s door for the men to change their minds. Now they all protected her with their lives.

  “My lord,” Elsa said with a bob of her head when Cree entered the cottage. Two other women, one skinny and the other wide in the hips bobbed their heads as well and kept their eyes downcast. “Is this a visit or are you in need of care?”

  Some thought Elsa too blunt, but he liked that she always got right to the point as did he. “A private talk, Elsa.”

  “As you wish, my lord.” She turned to the two women, snatching up a basket covered with a cloth on the table. “Ann, Lara, please take this to Lila and Paul and see if all goes well with the new babe.”

  Lara took the basket and with another respectful bob to Cree the two women hurried out of the cottage with what appeared to be relief.

  “As always, Elsa, your cottage smells delicious,” Cree said taking a seat at the table not far from the hearth.

  Elsa beamed with pride. “Freshly baked bread for those in need of care. Would you like some?”

  “I’m not in need of care.”

  “We can all use some care now and again,” she said and joined him at the table. “Dawn, though, is one you would think needs much care when in truth she seems to give care to others.”

  Sometimes Cree wondered if Elsa was a witch. She possessed an uncanny sense of knowing. “You know that I came to speak with you about her.”

  “Tongues are busy this morning talking about what she did for Dorrie last night. Dawn is a brave woman.”

  “Bravery and foolishness are closely linked.”

  Elsa laughed. “Aye, it sometimes takes a fool to be brave?” Her laughter faded. “Then there are those who are born brave.”

  “Or those made brave by circumstance.”

  “Like Dawn,” Elsa said shaking her head. “To be born without a voice, to never utter a single sound is beyond comprehension to me and yet she has learned to communicate with others and to live with integrity. A remarkable feat.”

  “She will never have a voice?” Cree asked not hearing the hopefulness in his tone.

  “It is unlikely since she was born without one.”

  “Why is someone born that way?”

  “Most people would say that it is God’s will. But who is to truly say why?”

  Cree asked the question he hadn’t thought would be relevant to him before last night. “Will she pass her affliction onto her own children?”

  “I could not say for sure. Not having a voice, not being able to make a single sound is rare. Dawn is the only person I have met with this affliction that cannot at least grunt or groan. But having birthed many babes I can say there is much that parents pass on to their off springs. So if you wonder if there is a chance that Dawn could give birth to a child who would have no voice, then I would have to say that there is a chance, rare as it is.”

  Cree cursed himself a million times over. He should have never allowed his passion to rule, never allowed himself to empty into her over and over. He could not take the chance again unless...

  “Is there anything a woman can take to prevent getting with child?”

  His question didn’t surprise Elsa; he hadn’t thought it would. She no doubt expected it and he hoped that perhaps this was one of those times that her witch ways could help.”

  “There is, but if the woman is already with child and ingests the concoction then she chances aborting the babe.”

  He hadn’t expected his stomach to clench as if someone had hold of it and was twisting it unmercifully. And that disturbed him. He had spent only last night with her, he reasoned with himself, one night. But how many times had they coupled? Still it was only last night and if she took something now... his stomach clenched again.

  “Shall I speak with Dawn?” Elsa asked.

  “That would be good,” he said and stood not wanting to discuss it any further and left without saying another word. His one and only thought... would she even want to bear his babe?

  The horses were waiting at the front of the keep. William was there as well sitting atop his horse. Six of his men were also mounted and ready to go. He was glad for this time away from the village, time away to free his thoughts of Dawn, for she was on his mind much too often.

  Cree mounted his stallion and from his impatient prance he could tell the steed was ready for a good ride.

  Just like Dawn had been last night.

  He silently cursed the thought and explicit visions it brought with it.

  He gave a wave, anxious to leave and they rode through the center of the village, the villagers’ heads bowing in respect as they moved out of the way of the horses. He was surprised to catch sight of Dawn no doubt headed for Lila’s cottage. How had she gotten passed the guard? The window again? She had stopped like the others and bowed her head waiting for him to pass. He was annoyed that she had slipped past the guard, though he was more annoyed that the sight of her had grown him hard much too quickly.

  Without thought to his actions, he spurred his horse and rode directly at her. He didn’t stop as he came within reach of her. He leaned over the side of his horse, swung his arm out, and scooped her up around the waist, planting her in front of him on the horse.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Dawn was too shocked to do anything but throw her arms around Cree’s neck as he planted her sideways in front of him on the stallion. Her breath was locked somewhere in her chest and it took her a moment or two to find it and expel it. In the meantime her grip got tighter around his neck.

  With a slight shift he tucked her solidly against him, his arm around her waist keeping her firmly in place. His chest was a wall of muscle and while rock-hard, it was comfortable to rest against. And she could certainly attest to that since she had rested against it most of last night.

  She was relieved that with her face tucked against him that he could not see her cheeks heat from the intimate memories. Never had she thought she would enjoy coupling so very much. Never had she thought that she’d respond so readily to Cree’s touch. And it seemed that the more he touched her the more she responded, and the more she wanted him. Whether it was his arm around her waist as it was now or a gentle touch to her arm, or a light kiss or the brush of his arm against hers, passion flamed. And she wondered if she would ever get enough of him.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  Dawn was beginning to realize that he always sounded as if he demanded. It seemed to be his way and she knew she must learn not to let it bother her. She answered yes by pressing once against his arm.

  “How did you get passed the guard? Let me rephrase that... did you climb out the window?”

  She smiled, once again relieved that he could not see her face and pressed once on his arm.

  “I suppose I’m going to have to have that window boarded up.”

  She shook her head vehemently as she raised it off his chest. The shaking slowed and then stopped when her eyes met his. How could they be so dark and cold and yet so heated and lustful? His eyes warned and yet they promised, and her body quivered at the thought.

  “You are not a prisoner. You may go where you like and the guard will accompany you.”

  She tapped her chest and shook her hand.

  “You may think you don’t need a guard, but I think you do and so you shall have a guard at all times until I say otherwise.”

  There was no point in arguing with him. He would have his way no matter what and she much preferred not to have the window boarded shut. She already felt a prisoner; a boarded window
would only make it worse.

  She acquiesced with a slow nod.

  Cree felt her relax in his arms. He did not know what had made him scoop her up and bring her along. He only knew that he had not been able to resist the urge and he was glad he hadn’t and that she was now here with him.

  Of course growing hard against her as he was doing did not help, but then he was already thinking of getting her alone and making love to her. He had thought he had had his fill last night, but his urge for her was like that of a starving man. And the more he had her, the more he wanted her.

  He slipped his hand beneath her breast and cupped it giving it a firm squeeze and whispered. “I want to feel you grind beneath me again.”

  Her body grew taut and she cast her eyes down.

  “Look at me,” he ordered and her eyes shot up. He inhaled sharply. “Passion burns in you as it does me.”

  He was right and it made her feel all the more a wicked woman. Whatever was the matter with her, craving Cree the way she did. Did she forget that the devil was tempting her soul? Nothing good would come of their lust. He would never wed her and one day he would leave her and then what? But at the moment what choice did she have? He was the new Earl of Carrick and she could not deny him, and Lord forgive her, she did not want to.

  She pressed her finger once against his arm holding it there longer than necessary, letting him know that he was right.

  “You belong to me, Dawn. I and I alone will touch you. And I alone will decide your fate.”

  Her stomach churned at the thought that her fate lied in Cree’s hands, and she shifted slightly as if putting a bit of a distance between them would make a difference. She winced when she accidentally settled against his bulge.

  “You’re sore.”

  She ignored his curt tone and nodded.

  “You will go see Elsa when we return.”

  Another terse remark she ignored and nodded to appease him. She would go see Elsa when she felt it was necessary or at least put it off until he forced it upon her. Where did this feeling of defiance come from? She had always obeyed without question. She had had little choice. It had been either that or suffer harsh consequences. Did she think that Cree wouldn’t punish her? Or was she finally feeling her own strength and relying on it?

  She looked around her wondering where they were headed and her heart gave a catch at the beauty of the land that stretched out around them. The rolling hills gave way to meadows falling dormant in preparation of winter. The last of the heather was fading fast and some of the trees were already barren while the pine remained ever green.

  Her mum had traveled over this land with her when she had been only a babe. She had made the journey alone, her da having died before she was born. Her mum had told her that she had gone in search of a better life for them both. And life had been fairly good until Colum had arrived. Now there was Cree.

  She tilted her head to peek up at him and found him staring down at her.

  “You have something to say?”

  It pleased her that he spoke with her as if she had a voice. And yes she had much to say to him but not here, not now... in time. She nodded and pointed ahead, then shrugged.

  “You wonder where we go.”

  She nodded and smiled, pleased that he understood her.

  “You saw the drawings for the keep that I intend to start building in the spring. We go to where that keep will be located. William has come along as well so that he and I can go over some details.”

  Her hands immediately began moving.

  “Slow down,” he said with a smile, “so that I may understand you.”

  Her gestures slowed, though more so because of his smile. He was smiling more often when he was with her and that pleased her as did the fact that he seemed all the more handsome when he smiled, if that was possible. Or perhaps it was more than that, perhaps on these rare occasions his heart got a chance to shine through, which might suggest that his soul wasn’t as evil as everyone believed.

  He followed her gestures more easily than he had expected. “You would like to see the drawings again and hear what William has to say?” Her nod had him continuing. “Since I intend to keep you by my side while we are away from the keep, I would say that is a distinct possibility.”

  They arrived at the location a short time later and Cree dismounted. Then he reached up, took hold of her waist and slipped her off the horse. He did not release her right away and Dawn could have sworn he was going to kiss her. And she was disappointed when he didn’t but then here and now in front of his men was not the time or place for such intimacy. The sensible thought did nothing to quell her desire. Her lips ached, her stomach fluttered and that damn tingle rushed to tease between her legs.

  If she was not already speechless, she would have been struck so when he took her hand in his and tugged for her to follow beside him. His hand was warm, his grip strong and a tad possessive, as if he intended to never let her go. And foolish as the thought was, it brought a smile to her face and lightened her heart.

  Dawn noticed that his men fanned out, without any instructions from Cree, and formed a perimeter around the area. William rushed up to meet Cree, rolled parchments flapping under his arm.

  “My lord,” he said with a brief bow. “Once we discuss further options today I will be able to complete my list and if I have your permission, I would like to take my leave before winter sets in so that I may locate the necessary craftsmen and purchase the necessary material for work to begin in the spring.”

  “If all proves acceptable you may leave before the first snow falls,” Cree agreed.

  With her hand still firmly in Cree’s she walked along with the two men as they talked, but her interest soon drifted to the view as they followed up the rise. And once they reached the top of the bluff her eyes turned wide. The view was breath-catching. You could see Ben Loyal in the distance and beneath the bluff flowed the Kyle of Tongue. With water so close any village built here would prosper.

  “The river will make it easy to bring the materials and furnishings by boat and is perfect for the trade you have in mind. I have drawings for the port you spoke about,” William said rifling through his drawings.

  Trade? Port? Cree certainly had plans. What other plans did he have? A wife? Children to pass all of this onto?

  Dawn needed distance from what she was hearing and what it would mean to her and tried to slip free of Cree’s grasp. He looked with questioning eyes at her and she pointed to an area of large stones and he nodded his consent, though he released her hand with some reluctance.

  There was a slight breeze on the bluff and though the sun was strong today there was a chill in the air. She wrapped her dark green wool cloak around her and was glad for the dark blue wool skirt and white linen blouse she had donned this morning. She had forgone the wool leggings not liking the feel of them, much preferring her legs bare beneath her garments. It afforded her the opportunity to remove her boots and let her feet enjoy the feel of the grass or the rich soil when ripe for planting.

  But she had no thought to remove her boots when she sat on the flat stones. Her thoughts had lingered as to who would be by Cree’s side when the castle was finished, the village built, the port flourishing. And why did she let the thought disturb her? He would never wed her. She could bring nothing to a marriage. And why would she even think of such a foolish thought.

  She, like the other villagers, served Cree. Each and every one of them did as he dictated and that would always be the way of it. Feeling maudlin she found a rock with a pointed edge and began to draw in the dirt.

  Cree watched her as he listened and spoke with William. Something had changed within Dawn when they had reached the top of the bluff. Her enthusiasm for the castle drawings had waned and she seemed upset, though he could not fathom why.

  William had more sketching he wished to do while here and Cree had hoped to walk with Dawn to a small secluded area where they could enjoy a moment of intimate privacy. Very intimate
privacy. Deep, penetrating intimate privacy. He grew hard thinking about it.

  Cree asked William more questions and made some suggestions to the port drawing. It was essential that the port be built. He had plans, big plans and the King had agreed with him. And the King knew that he would see the plans done. Another reason he had awarded him this land and arranged a marriage. One he had no choice but to enter into.

  He rarely heard the thud of his heart so when he did, he found it odd. It was almost as if something was awakening in him and he wasn’t happy about it. He did what he had to do and he did it well and did so because he did not allow himself to care.

  He had stopped caring the day he had buried his mother and had placed his sister in the convent. And with each visit to his sister. he had grown more distant, and she to him until... it had been four years since he’d last seen her. And the thought suddenly disturbed him.

  William rolled up the maps and cast a nod at Dawn. “She has a remarkable talent. May I see what she is drawing, my lord?”

  He was just as curious and so they both walked over and peered down.

  “Good Lord, that is fantastic,” William said startling Dawn, though she smiled at his compliment. “My lord, if she does such an amazing drawing of you in the dirt I cannot phantom what talent she would have with a brush. You should have her paint a portrait of you to hang in the Great Hall of the keep. I would be only too pleased, while on my journey, to gather the necessary items she would need to paint and draw.”

  Dawn cast hopeful eyes on Cree. She would love to have the materials to draw with and to paint. They had been luxuries out of her reach but now and again she would dream.

  “We will see,” Cree said and his heart thudded again when her hopeful expression faded. And he scowled. “Finish, William, we leave shortly.”

  William bowed his head and hurried off.

  “Come,” Cree said holding his hand out to Dawn while casting one last look at his image. Stern? Authoritative? Stalwart? This is how he appeared to her?