On A Highland Hill (Gunn Guardsmen)

by Kara Griffin

  Grey motioned for them to go inside. They entered the hall and many clansmen and women had been visiting Helena. Kenneth asked her to leave because they were having a meeting. He bade Aiden, Duncan and Simon to stay for he would include them.

  “This concerns all of us.” Grey stood by the hearth and wouldn’t be seated. “You are going to have to call your men to arms. My army is camped outside your walls near the woods.”

  Kenneth frowned. Elisa was by the woods. He hoped the Gunns didn’t frighten her. “Simon, go and fetch Elisa and have her returned to the keep immediately.” Simon left the hall and Kenneth wasn’t sure he wanted Grey to continue, for he knew what was coming. “Why would you bring your soldiers here unless …”

  Grey motioned him to be quiet by slicing his hand through the air. “Domhnall came to my keep. I greeted him and allowed him entry, offered hospitality. He looked his fill and became irate. He accused us of taking Elisa. I bluffed and acted unaware of who she was.”

  Kenneth’s stomach started to twist. He didn’t like hearing this news. “And did he believe you?”

  “Nay, he did not. We had a scuffle and Domhnall had taken his small amount of followers home. But before he’d left he told me that if he found out we had anything to do with her disappearance it would be war. I sent him and his men on their way.”

  Kenneth was relieved. “Then all is well. He doesn’t realize we took her.”

  Colm shook his head. “Aye, but he does know.”

  “We found Jonny. He’d been beat near to death,” James said.

  “He told us that mac Raghnaill questioned him at length about Elisa. The lad spilled his guts and told him that she left with you.”

  “Damned me. Will he live?”

  Grey nodded. “Aye, but he’ll be laid up for a while.”

  “Good because I’m going to kill him.”

  James gripped his shoulder. “The lad feels bad enough, Kenneth. They tortured him and he had no choice but to tell them what they wanted to know.”

  Kenneth looked at Aiden. “Prepare the walls and have everyone come inside.” To Grey he said, “They will come. How much time do we have?”

  Grey shrugged his shoulder. “He must not have known where McInnish land was located since he traveled in the wrong direction. I expect he’ll be here soon, within days.”

  “Elisa must not be told. I don’t want her upset. Besides she’s angry enough with me.”

  James laughed. “Angry enough to go to Domhnall?”

  Kenneth regarded him crossly. “Aye, mayhap. Och don’t jest, James. I don’t want anything to happen to her. We will have to fight Domhnall and finish this.”

  Grey leaned back against the stones of the hearth and nodded. “Aye we will. And then we will take him to Alexander and let him end this cosh once and for all.”

  That wasn’t what Kenneth was thinking at all. Domhnall wouldn’t live to give any accounting to Alexander. He didn’t voice his position and instead said, “Let us ready for war.”

  At that moment, Elisa came into the hall. “Simon said you wanted me?” She gazed at him with an inquisitive glance. “Laird Gunn, James, Colm, I suspect that is your army camped by the woods? It is good to see you. I hope Bree and the bairns fare well. It is kind of you to visit.”

  Grey hugged her. “She is well, Elisa, as are the bairns. Aye, we just came to check on Kenneth. Is he treating you well?”

  She kept her expression severe. Kenneth tensed. She’d heard their discussion, he was sure of it. She wouldn’t look at him and she acted aloof.

  “He treats me well, I suppose. May I call for refreshments?”

  “Nay, we’re not hungry.” Grey looked at him, raising a brow.

  “Very well, have a nice visit. I bid you a good eve then.” Elisa curtseyed and turned before he’d been able to stop her.

  She left the hall and Kenneth wanted badly to go after her. But he had many preparations to see to.

  “Sean, will you …”

  “Aye, Kenneth. I’ll keep an eye on her.”

  “Not only an eye. Follow her everywhere she goes. Colm, you, too. Both of you will protect her. If Domhnall somehow gets to her, I won’t have her harmed.” Kenneth let emotion sneak into his request. If anything happened to her he would never forgive himself. That was a vow he’d take to the grave.

  Colm and Sean took the stairs to post themselves outside her door.

  “What have you done to her? She was all sweetness and now is curt.”

  “Nothing. Well I angered her, but she’ll forgive me … eventually.”

  “Didn’t sound so to me. You best make amends, Kenneth. If I’ve learned anything about being married … A contented wife makes for a blissful life.”

  Kenneth would have laughed at him if he wasn’t so concerned. Somehow he’d get Elisa to forgive him. Admittedly, he cared for her and now with the threat hanging over them, his care heightened to level of unease.

  He along with Grey and James, and a few of the McInnish men went to see to the arrangements. Aiden hadn’t set any of the men to arms as he’d asked. The man was definitely being insolent. This latest defiance concerned him and he’d have to speak with him. With the urgency of setting the keep’s security, he would find Aiden later.

  The bailey filled with both Gunn and McInnish soldiers. Kenneth had rows of archers posted on the barbican. Men were sent to station on the crenellation, their arrows notched and at the ready. The gate was closed and additional fortifications were taken with additional bars added. All the women and children of clan McInnish were commanded to stay inside their cottages. Grey insisted he and his men camp within the walls and could easily exit the back of the keep should they need to ambush Domhnall’s men.

  Hours later, Kenneth returned to the hall content that the fortification was ready. As he walked through the baily, he felt someone watching him. He was sure of it and turned to try to find out who was interested in his whereabouts. Not seeing anyone out of place, he kept walking. A few steps later, a dagger flew past him and embedded in the doorjamb of the keep.

  As he looked around, none of the men nearby seemed to have thrown it. There were too many men around to figure it out and he studied those around him. He didn’t believe he was the target and dismissed it. Without giving it more consideration, he entered the keep. He took the stairs to his chamber and almost tripped on the loosened step. He’d forgotten to have it repaired.

  He gave a firm nod to Sean and Colm. “Is she within?”

  Sean scowled, drawing his brows together in indignation. “Aye, if she wasn’t we wouldn’t be here.”

  Kenneth bobbed his head and grinned at asking such an insolent question. “Take your rest then. I’ll see you in the morn.” That was if no alarm sounded and he wasn’t needed during the night. Who knew what Domhnall would do and when he would attack?

  “He’s acting like a laird,” Colm said.

  “Aye, he’s good a bossing people around,” Sean jested.

  They left the hallway, their heavy footsteps retreating down the stairs.

  Kenneth wasn’t sure what to expect when he entered the chamber. He’d thought she would be sleeping but she sat in the chair next to the window. Her dainty hands clasped over her stomach. She seemed interested in the design of the bed covering.

  “Elisa.”

  “Kenneth,” she said her voice barely a whisper. Still she didn’t look at him.

  He began undressing and then used the cloth to wash. The silence in the room was penetrating and unnerving. When he was ready for bed, he knelt next to her chair. He set his head on her lap and sighed. “I know you are angry. Tell me what to do to make amends?”

  Elisa touched his hair, petting it and settling him. She then set both hands on his shoulders. “I would that you …” Her eyes gave her away when she beheld him in an alluring way. The depths of her green eyes darkened with passion.

  He lifted her and took her into his arms, gently setting her in the center of the bed and began removing
her attire. He only wanted to pleasure her. Kenneth admired her naked form lying so seductively before him. She licked her lips and he moaned for that slight movement affected him more than she knew. She had luscious lips that distracted him from his task. With each thought he hardened with need. More than need, for his desire for her tensed him and caused his hands to shake when he smoothed them over her naked thighs.

  This night was hers and he needed to keep that in mind. Kenneth touched her face, and lightly kissed her lips. Her face was so bonny and flawless. She looked up, her dark lashes sweeping her cheeks, and she frowned.

  “Kenneth, you look … a fright. Does your nose hurt? Oh, and your poor eye is already blackening.” She gently held his face in her hands.

  He was happy to have her sympathy. Verily he’d forgotten about his fight with Grey and hadn’t felt the effects of it for several hours. Then again his attention was so focused on readying the clan, he hadn’t paid mind to his aches and pains. “Aye, it hurts mightily. Will you kiss me and make me better?”

  She giggled. The sound was so endearing it caused him to release the pent energy inside him. He would never tire of hearing the delightful sound. Elisa pulled him forward and softly kissed the tip of his nose. He pretended to hurt and moaned. Aye, verily it did hurt, hurt like hell, but he wouldn’t tell her that. She gently brushed her lips against his eye. Kenneth wanted her close, so he lay on the bed and pulled her atop him. She lay with her head nestled on his shoulder. Her breast crushed his chest and Kenneth took the soft flesh of her rear in his hands, squeezing gently, drawing her as close as he could.

  She moaned and titled her head to kiss him. He couldn’t get enough of her kisses. His tongue reverberated against hers when he moaned from the pleasure coursing through him. He quickly tossed her beside him and used his hand to keep her from moving, holding her arms above her, causing her breast to thrust out. She was right where he wanted her and he groaned from the desirable twinges purging his body. He kept his lips fastened to hers. His hands had minds of their own as they began the thorough siege of her body.

  Elisa had perfect womanly curves and he liked the feeling of her beneath his palm, for she was cushioned in her hips and waist. He took hold of her side and pulled her toward him. His erection jerked at the sensation of her skin coming in contact with his. He wanted to touch her to ensure she was experiencing the arousal he was.

  Elisa muttered something unbeknownst to him when his fingers played over her delicate womanhood. Kenneth tore his mouth from hers. He wanted to taste her and as he set his mouth against her apex, she tried to pull away. Using his arm, he held her in place.

  “Let me. You’ll enjoy this, Elisa.” He stroked his tongue upward and teased the nub of her clitoris until she gasped and tried to push him away. He kept at it, blowing wee breaths and lightly caressing her sex with his tongue.

  Elisa seemed incapable of speech for she writhed against his tongue and gasped. He continued his pursuit until she couldn’t take any more and squealed from the pressure building within her. She thrust against his tongue, giving him the sign she was more than ready. Kenneth though he’d explode then and there.

  “You’ve bonny eyes, Elisa. Look at me, sweetheart.” Kenneth stared into her eyes and unspoken forgiveness softened her expression.

  Grasping her legs, he knelt between them and entered her. Her slick entrance afforded him easy access. He closed his eyes feeling the tightness of her encasing his hard length. She cried out and he joined her verbal acceptance. Never before had his body reacted to a woman’s as he had to Elisa.

  Kenneth continued to thrust deeply and sensed her insides pulsing. He felt her palms gliding the back of his thighs and buttocks. Each slight touch sent him spiraling closer to his climax. But he didn’t wish it to end so soon. He withdrew and slowed his breathing.

  “You’re so bonny, Elisa. Aye I cannot take my eyes from you.” His gaze moved from her face to her toes and back again.

  “Oh Kenneth, please … Come back to me.” She looked up at him with sensuality on her lips and in her eyes.

  He lay back upon the bed and pulled her to straddle him. She assisted him and he once again entered her. Facing him, he held on to her waist and felt her legs squeezing his hips. She leaned forward and allowed him the freedom to move. Kenneth loved this position for it gave him access to her breasts and he could see her reaction when he took them in his hands. He watched her face and stared into the depths of her eyes, clouded with desire. Kenneth ceased moving and allowed her to lead the pace.

  Elisa leaned forward and took pleasure from his body. He took her beast in his mouth, suckling at the taste of her skin. She cried out with pleasure-filled whimpers. Kenneth gave over and joined her in the blissful surrender. They became one from all that passed between them.

  She lay against him, and his hands caressed the soft flesh of her backside. He helped to shift her legs so they stretched out. He was sated and so was she which made him pleased.

  “You’re going to kill me Elisa. Aye kill me with damnable pleasure. It’s a good way to die.”

  She yawned and cuddled next to him.

  “Am I forgiven? Please say aye because I don’t know how to make amends and I don’t know what to do. You make it hard to live with myself. Aye, my conscious is plaguing me.” His admission was heartfelt for he’d never admit that to anyone but her.

  She palmed his face and nodded. “Aye Kenneth, you are forgiven. Do you promise to forgive me?”

  “We made a pact of no promises, remember? What have you need of forgiveness for?”

  “I’m bound to need your forgiveness, Kenneth. Please give it to me now.” She caressed his chest and her hand stilled.

  He took it in his. “I’ll always forgive you anything, Elisa, as long as you always promise to stay with me.”

  She didn’t answer him. Kenneth squeezed her hand when he got no response. She’d fallen asleep. “I couldn’t bear to lose you.” He realized she hadn’t promised him a darned thing, and yet he fell asleep with a smile on his face.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Though the McInnish holding wasn’t large, it felt smaller given the two armies awaiting the call to arms within the walls. Elisa walked through the bailey and looked back at Sean and Colm who followed. They were akin to her shadow and she couldn’t shake them. Try as she might, they kept on her trail. She had to find a way to lose them before nightfall.

  She didn’t have much time considering the sun began its descent. Ahead was the miller’s hut and she hastily stepped inside. The miller, whom she hadn’t met, noticed her and spoke quickly, his Gaelic coming in quips. She barely understood what he said.

  He touched her face and smiled, saying welcome. She understood that.

  “Do you have a back exit?”

  He bobbed his head and pointed beyond a beam in the center of the hut. Elisa thanked him and pressed her finger against her lips, nodding and hoping he wouldn’t say anything to Sean or Colm. She only had a few minutes before they would become suspicious and would enter the hut.

  She snuck out the back and peered around the wall. The two brawny men posted at the miller’s doorway. She turned and ran toward the back of the keep, past the many cottages within the walls.

  Elisa hid behind the last cottage, the one closest to the wall. She gazed about looking for a way to escape. Her plan came to her this morning and although she knew it was reckless, she wasn’t going to put any others in danger, especially the McInnish. Many people had already endured hardship and had given their lives because of Domhnall’s treachery.

  She carried her medicinals in the small satchel she used, and had brought another which held two tartans and various foodstuffs, mostly bread. Elisa didn’t consider herself a ninny and had taken a dagger from Kenneth’s trunk. Aye, a large dagger that barely fit in the larger satchel she carried. If Uma’s forsooth was accurate, she would now take the journey she’d been destined to and she wasn’t about to take such a trek without protection.

/>   Elisa hadn’t realized she would have to elude Sean and Colm until they made no effort to hide the fact that they followed her. Now that she was free of them, she pulled a hat over her head and slipped on the boots she’d found in the garrison below the hall. Bunching her skirts around her waist, she pulled the tunic she wore beneath to her knees. She’d tied her hair up and verily could pass for a lad. She rubbed her hands in the dirt and wiped her face, hoping it would allow her to look the part of an unkempt lad.

  She spied the back gate which opened for a cart carrying stocks of wood she assumed were for the fires which would be lit around the outside walls. Elisa hastened to the cart and jumped on the back. Swinging her feet, she tried to appear as if she belonged. None stopped the cart and soon, she was as close to the woods as she was going to get. Jumping from the cart, she ran as fast as she could. She daren’t look back for fear someone would call out to her. No shout came and apparently no one saw her.

  Elisa’s breath pitched for she had run so hard, she waited until her chest no longer rose and fell with harshness. She stood inside the woods behind a tree wide enough to hide her. When her breath calmed, she moved on. She reached the loch and prayed Kelsi would come. It was beginning to get dark and she hoped to be long gone by now. After what seemed forever waiting for her, Kelsi finally came.

  “You come late this day. I expected you earlier.”

  “I’m sorry. I couldn’t get away. Kelsi, I need your help.” Elisa looked back at the woods to ensure no one had followed.

  “Is there a war upon the McInnish? I saw the preparations being made.”

  “It is my fault, Kelsi. I cannot be here when he comes.” Elisa stood by a tree and kept a lookout should Sean or Colm come into the woods. There was no noise and she couldn’t see anyone.

  “Who comes?” Kelsi asked.

  Elisa didn’t want to reveal too much should anything happen. The least Kelsi knew the better off she’d be. “I must go. I need to find a boat.”

  “Aye, we are close the sea, ‘tis a bit of a walk. I do know where you can find a boat, too. Come.” Kelsi waved her forward. “There’s a McInnish fisherman who has a hut near the inlet.”