by Kara Griffin
“I will write to him and ask for an audience.”
“Nay, it doesn’t matter now. If he comes, we shall close our gate to him.”
“We cannot close our gate to the king.” She giggled and set her head on his shoulder.
“I know you don’t want to leave MacQuarrie land and so I have ordered all the McInnish to travel here within the month.”
She stood hastily. “What!? Nay, Kenneth, why would you do that? This is not my home any longer. The McInnish keep is my home now. I don’t want you to give up what you’ve only accepted. I want to go home with you.”
“You do? You wouldn’t rather stay here?”
“There’s no sheep here.”
Kenneth laughed. “There isn’t? If you want to return to McInnish land then that is fine with me.”
“Will you build a round stable for me?”
He laughed at her request. Odd though it was, it suited her for he knew her love for animals. “If it makes you happy.”
She smiled widely. “I do so love hearing you laugh, Kenneth. I do so love you.” She hugged him and placed kisses along his jaw.
Kenneth took possession of her lips, entwining his tongue with hers. He couldn’t get enough of kissing her. He set her on the table and stood between her legs, kissing her still and loving every moment of it.
The door opened and Sean said, “It’s too quiet in here. Have ye killed each other? Oh, nay, you haven’t.” The door closed again.
Kenneth took her in his arms and carried her to the bed. “It’s been so long. I can’t wait another moment to be with you. Do you forgive me, Elisa? I promise to always be there for you. Even if it means giving my life for you. I know we agreed no promises, but I deem we should make some.”
“Oh, Kenneth, I adore promises.” She touched his face.
He closed her eyes when her palm cuddled him. “I agree. I promise I will never let you go again.”
“Do you promise to love me forever? Because I promise to.”
He opened his eyes and stared into the depths of her green eyes, knowing she meant every word of her promise to him. “I do.”
His hand shook when he began removing her overdress. As green as an untried lad, he felt urgent and wanted to rush. At that moment, he just wanted to be inside her and feel whole again.
She helped to remove his shirt and tartan. Kenneth kicked his boots off and pulled her shift from over her head. Elisa lay back grinning at him akin to a siren that had just conquered the beast. He chuckled to himself at that thought. He took his time looking at her body; her breast fuller and her stomach rounded. She was verily pregnant. He lightly placed a gentle kiss there.
“Kenneth, please … this is no time to dawdle.”
He laughed at her impatience. “Nay, it isn’t. What do you want me to do to you?”
“Everything, but be quick for I don’t want to wait.”
Kenneth groaned, knowing they both wouldn’t last long. When he entered her, she was slick and accepting. He wanted to plunge deeply until all his energy spent, but at the same time, he wanted to go slow and feel every touch between them.
Elisa would have none of that. She met his thrust as much as her body would allow. Kenneth leaned forward and kissed her softly, telling her with his gaze how much she meant to him. He held her breast in his hand and then placed a kiss there.
“I want to kiss all of you.”
“Later, right now I just want you to … I love when you come inside me, Kenneth. Oh aye, keep doing that! Harder, hurry.”
Her words affected him greatly and caused him to go at a rapid pace. He couldn’t stop and as the blood in his body rushed through him, he heard her climax come in whimpers. Kenneth could do nothing more than to join her in the pleasurable defeat. He shouted his release and almost wept at the joy of being with her again.
His arms shook so hard and his muscles clenched. He continued to press himself until his strength depleted and he was done for. “I swear, Elisa, only you can do that to me.”
He continued to shake and lay next to her, cuddled by her side. She massaged his shoulder and placed a kiss on it.
“Does it hurt?”
He saw where she was looking; the ugly scar was still soft and healing. “Aye, hurts like hell.”
“Would another kiss help?”
He nodded. She then kissed the scar on his waist and gently touched the scar on his leg and fixed a kiss on that too.
“I was lost without you, Elisa. I’m sorry it took me so long to return to you.”
“I’m so happy, Kenneth. It doesn’t matter now.”
“Aye it does. All the things I should have said … all the things I should have done. I will never put you through that again.”
“I believe you, Kenneth. Can we return home before the bairn comes? I want to be around family when my time comes.”
“We can leave on the morrow if you wish. I want my son born on McInnish land and I shan’t be like my father. My children will be loved every day of their lives regardless if they are born first or last.”
She lay contended in his arms for a good long while and he didn’t want to be anywhere else.
“Do you hear that? It’s raining.”
He grinned when she tried to move off the bedding for her effort cumbersome.
She pulled her overdress over her head. “I’m starved.” She waddled off toward the table and took a hunk of bread and spooned some pottage into a bowl that sat warming in a pot.
Kenneth dressed and went to call Sean inside. When he opened the cottage door, he saw the rain falling heavily. All had disappeared, likely seeking cover from the torrent. He leaned against the doorjamb and called Elisa. She stood in front of him and he clasped his arms around her waist. He was surprised he could, but his arms were long. He kissed soft skin at the base of her neck.
“I’m beginning to like rain, Elisa.”
She smiled and turned in his arms.
Kenneth was happy to hold her. “Helena wanted me to tell you that Uma died. She said Uma told her that we would have a bairn and that it would come on a night of a great storm. Is this the storm perchance?”
Elisa pulled from his embrace. “Oh, Kenneth, I’m sad to hear that. I met Uma. She was a strange woman. But nay, ‘tis too soon. I’ve some time before the bairn comes.” She rubbed her stomach.
As she said that a flash lit the sky. Thunder rumbled and a loud crack came.
“My son will be born on a sunny day, I deem.”
“Nay, she’ll be a bonny McInnish. I think the bairn is a lass.”
“She’ll be as bonny as you.” Kenneth grinned and gave her a quick kiss on her shoulder; for it wouldn’t much matter which, a lad or a lass. “I’ll find the strongest sapling to plant.”
He looked at her lovingly and Elisa’s eyes glistened with tears of happiness.
“I love you, Kenneth.”
“And I you, Elisa.”
She began singing:
“Monday’s child is fare of face,
Tuesday’s child is full of grace,
Wednesday child is full of woe,
Thursday’s child has far to go,
Friday’s child is loving and giving,
But the child born on the Sabbath Day …
is blithe and bonnie and good and gay…”
AUTHOR’S NOTE
I always like to use real historical events in my stories, and for the purpose of On A Highland Hill, Alexander II’s banner was the first to be incorporated as the Royal Standard of Scotland. As with Mauri’s pinsel, the main décor is that of a red lion.
As to the western lands, it’s true that the mac Raghnaill tried to keep the lands from both Haakon, the king of Norway, and Alexander II, the king of Scotland, though the fight really didn’t begin until around the year of 1244 when Alexander tried to buy the lands from Norway without much success. Scotland invaded Norway’s territories in 1249. We know how it ends. The western territory is happily part of Scotland’s great land.
>
Happy historical reading.
Fondly,
Kara Griffin
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kara Griffin was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she grew up with a vivid imagination. It’s no wonder she uses her creative muse to weave stories. She now resides in New Jersey with her husband and three daughters. Big sports fans of all the Philly teams, she and her family can often be found watching the games. She enjoys reading, spending time with her family, chatting on various online groups, and most of all writing.
Visit Kara on Facebook at:
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COMING SOON
A HIGHLANDER IN PERIL
(A GUNN WARRIORS NOVEL)
A life forever changed
In order to receive his family’s fortune, Sean Gunn must agree to wed the woman thrust upon him by his dying uncle. As a Gunn clan protector and guardsman, he is honor bound to accept his uncle’s legacy and the woman whose voice alone affects more than his heart.
A heart on the mend
Lady Frances Jordan never thought to feel the stirrings of love since she’d lost her husband, but Sean Gunn’s irresistible manner and handsomeness is just what she needs to move on with her life. He awakens more than desire with his passionate kisses.
Mysterious events abound
When many a lady goes missing near the border of Scotland and England, Frances is determined to find out what’s going on. Unfortunately she becomes the target of the would-be attacker. Can Sean keep his lady safe and embroil himself in border politics to ferret out the assailant?
~ Exclusive Advanced Reader Copy Excerpt ~
A Highlander In Peril
Prologue
Selkirkshire, Scotland
Border region
January, 1223
His craving was about to be sated. Lust sent its anxious tremble through his body for he hadn’t had a woman in a good many months. Duty and travel had kept him from his desires and now that he’d returned, he could appease his cravings.
For more than a fortnight, he’d courted the lass and she like the others did not meet with his expectations. He’d sent gifts, poems, and sweet gestures, hoping to win her favor. Alas the gestures did little to sway her heart. The selfish women each dismissed his affections without care of his feelings, and his desires turned from love to the dark longings now coursing through him.
He would do anything to possess them. Why did they deny him? Was he not as handsome as the young lords they chased after? Was he not in a powerful enough position having the ear of the king himself? There wasn’t a single thing that should have caused their aversion of him and yet …
“Set the lass there, on the log. Careful now, don’t mess up her hair.”
His comrade, whom he paid handsomely to guard his secrets, did as he bade.
Once his comrade set the lady on the log and positioned her arms over her abdomen and crossed her legs, he rose and turned to him for further instructions. “Do ye wish me to stay?”
“Nay I will handle the matter from here. You may leave.”
Without dispute, his comrade left the dense woods.
Now alone, he could do his will. He stood still in the silent frozen forest, watching her tranquil form. But before he would take his pleasure, he pressed a crimson rose between her dainty fingers. Joy came to him upon seeing her lifeless body, lying in wait, holding the precious reminder of her rejection. With a light caress to her dewy lips, he tasted the Thorn apple juice he’d put in her wine.
He’d been prepared for her rejection and had made his plans. Within an hour she was akin to a lamb being caught by the fox. Aye, for he enjoyed watching the poisons weave its spell upon her.
He ambled around the log, content to watch her, wishing he hadn’t had to end their liaison. The chase always gratified him and when he no longer enjoyed the game, there was only one way he could ensure she remained his.
As if the lady responded, he ceased walking and gazed fondly at her. “You’re remorseful? Ah but it is too late for regrets, my love.” Now kneeling, he ripped the rose from her grasp and held the fragile blossom in his hands.
“Why could you not appreciate my gifts? You will never receive such adoring sentiments from another. Evermore you shall be mine.”