“I’m delivering a message to Laird MacKay from the Gunn.”
“Give it to me and I will make certain my father gets it. I am Luthais MacKay.” He held up his hand.
“There’s nay need. I’m here now. I’ll take that.” His father approached Luthais from behind and took the missive from the man’s grasp.
Luthais watched the billowing dust that followed the messenger out the gates as the man fled as quickly as he’d arrived. When Luthais faced his father, the wax seal was already broken and his father was reading the note. His sire was smiling from ear to ear as he slapped the missive into Luthais’s hand.
“The Gunn has agreed to discuss the terms of your marriage to his daughter.”
Luthais wasn’t certain whether he should be terrified or feel relief that Mistress Gunn was to be his bride. “Aye, well, ye have done enough. From now on, I will handle this matter the way I see fit. Do ye understand? Ye arenae to be involved with my decisions. I will make my own.”
“Luthais...” His father slapped him on the shoulder. “Ye have found your bride. I couldnae be more proud of ye than I am right now. Ye’ve done as I asked.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Mount up. We ride to Laird Gunn’s.”
His father looked at him in surprise. “Now?”
“Aye, now. I want to speak with Mistress Gunn. I donna think it wise to fire my future wife’s ire before we are even wed. I’m sure I’ll be doing enough of that after I am her husband.”
Ceana broke her fast although she wanted nothing more than to stay in bed under the blankets and shut out the world beyond her bedchamber door. She’d spent the night on the parapet with Samuel and Anna, trying to convince them not to do anything foolish. After all, Sorcha was not yet wed, and there was still time to figure out what to do. Although Ceana knew her sister was in turmoil over thoughts of not being with Samuel, Ceana couldn’t overlook her own feelings. Even from her brief encounters with Luthais, a part of her had started to favor him. The idea of losing his companionship before she even had a chance to know him was not something she was amenable to.
Uncle John was quiet and wisely didn’t gaze in Ceana or Anna’s direction at the table. Since Aunt Marta and Sorcha were in yet another conversation about the wedding, Ceana made it a point not to listen. She was aware that the celebration would be no small affair because everything with respect to her cousin was extravagant. When she glanced at her sister, she noticed that Anna’s shoulders were rounded, her face was grim, and she was playing with the food on the trencher.
Ceana patted Anna’s thigh. “‘Tis going to be all right. Ye’ll see.”
Her sister nodded with a bleak expression on her face, and Ceana suddenly longed for her mother and father. How she wished she had some type of magic in her blood and could be transported back in time to the way it was before. What was wrong with her? She was starting to sound like Aunt Marta, of all things. But the truth was that she’d like nothing more than to be able to wipe away all the heartbreak and misery of the past two years.
When the meal was over, she walked through the courtyard to the stable. After her mount was saddled, she rode across the field to the loch as she’d done so many times before. She looked up at the gray skies and didn’t see any of Luthais’s hawks flying overhead. She hoped that wasn’t a sign that he wasn’t there to see her, especially after their private moment together.
She cleared the trees and dismounted. With the threat of storm clouds looming above, she hastily walked her horse toward the water’s edge. Luthais was nowhere in sight. She sighed, realizing her life had become nothing but a bitter battle of disappointments. Perhaps she’d offended him or done something wrong. She hoped that he realized she didn’t let just any man from the neighboring clan kiss her.
There was a loud clap of thunder, and time was running out. As she gazed around the loch one more time, the wind picked up and whipped her long hair into her face. She’d have to try to see him again soon.
Rain was pelting her face when she rode through the gates to the bailey. The stable hand greeted her, grabbing the reins of her horse as she dismounted. She didn’t waste any time dashing across the courtyard and into the great hall. As she shook the rain off her cloak, she realized it was yet another lovely day in the Highlands.
Aunt Marta, Sorcha, and Anna stood huddled in a corner. When Ceana approached them, she could hear joy bubbling in Sorcha’s laugh as well as shining in her eyes. Her smile even broadened with approval when she saw Ceana.
“Oh, Cousin. I can barely stand it any longer.” Sorcha gave Ceana a quick embrace and then released her. “Father is in his study now discussing my dowry with my future husband and his father. I cannae wait to meet him. From what I saw when he arrived, he’s verra handsome. Did ye hear? I’m to wed Laird MacKay’s son. Father is so proud that my marriage will bring with it an alliance with the MacKays.”
“Aye, I’ve heard. I hope ye two will be verra happy together.”
“Thank ye, Ceana. I hope ye mean that. I know we havenae always been friends, but mayhap ye can share this moment with me.”
“Ye’ll be a lovely bride, Sorcha.” No matter how hard Ceana tried, she couldn’t forget her cousin’s abominable behavior. Anna must have read her sister’s thoughts because she rubbed her hand over Ceana’s shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile.
A very large, red-haired man entered the great hall from the direction of her uncle’s study, and everyone in the room fell silent. The man was at least six and a half feet tall, a giant who looked ready to slaughter anything in his path. He gazed around the room as if he was deciding who to choose for his next victim. Oh, the irony of it all. Perhaps Ceana’s days would now be brighter, knowing that Sorcha’s venomous behavior would never be tolerated by such a man.
But the more Ceana studied the redheaded beast, the more something unsettled her. He looked vaguely familiar. Was he the same imposing man who had been at the loch? She thought he might be. If so, he was definitely not Laird MacKay’s son. He was a guard, the same as Luthais.
Uncle John and an older man with graying hair came into the great hall and spoke for a moment with the redheaded giant. Since the older gentleman wore the same tartan as Luthais, he had to be Laird MacKay. No sooner did she recognize that fact than her heart skipped a beat. Another man walked around the circle of men.
Luthais...
When Luthais and his father left Laird Gunn’s study, Luthais knew he’d made his father proud. How could he not? Not only was he able to negotiate his future wife’s dowry, but he and his father had made an alliance with the Gunns—something they’d thought would never come to fruition in either of their lifetimes.
He followed the men into the great hall, and Laird Gunn slapped him on the back. “Would ye like to meet my daughter?”
Luthais glanced over his shoulder and saw that the lovely enchantress had already spotted him. Her mouth was slightly parted and her skin was pale. She needn’t worry because he wasn’t foolish enough to let anyone know of the times they’d met before. He had a strong desire to show her that the two of them would be all right together. In fact, everything was now perfect.
He gave a brief nod to Laird Gunn. “She is the most beautiful lass in the room. Please allow me the honor.” Mistress Gunn wore a cloak, and her hair was wet from the rain. He didn’t realize he was smiling. Perhaps she’d gone to the loch to find him, but he was here, arranging for her to be his wife. As he closed the distance between them, her eyes widened. He reached out and clutched her hand.
“Chan eil mi a’ tuigsinn,” she whispered. I don’t understand.
He gazed into her eyes and brushed a gentle kiss on the top of her hand. Everyone in the room gasped with excitement. “What is there to understand, Mistress Gunn?” He gave her a slight bow. “I am Luthais MacKay, and I am honored to make your acquaintance...as well as have ye for my wife.” An unidentifiable expression crossed her face, and tears welled in her eyes. He was about to question her further w
hen some chit with brown, bouncing curls around her face stepped between them.
Luthais stood to his full height, and his eyes narrowed. He was unhappy with the intrusion.
“I am Sorcha Gunn. I am the one ye will be marrying. That is my cousin, Ceana.”
He took one step to the side and gave the woman he’d met at the loch an imploring look—the same woman with whom he’d shared a stolen kiss, an embrace. An unexplainable heaviness centered in his chest, and as casually as he could manage, Luthais said, “But ye’re the laird’s daughter.”
The bubbly Sorcha stepped between them again. “Ceana isnae the laird’s daughter. I am.”
Luthais was suddenly flanked by his father and Laird Gunn. “Is there something amiss? This is my lovely daughter, Sorcha.”
When Luthais didn’t respond, his father spoke for him. “Ye cannae blame the lad. He’s only taken with your daughter’s beauty and finds himself at a loss for words.”
Luthais shared a smile with Sorcha as he felt bile rise in the back of his throat. All eyes were on him. He needed to do something fast. Until he could figure out what the hell this was about, he had to play along with another bad situation he’d gotten himself into or they’d all be warring in the great hall. Sorcha lifted her hand, and with no choice, he kissed the top of it just as he saw Mistress Gunn—Ceana—walk away out of the corner of his eye.
“‘Tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He felt the air in the great hall lighten when he acknowledged his true betrothed and knew he had to get out of there. He turned to her father. “Laird Gunn, if ye’ll pray excuse us, we have another important matter to attend to.”
“Of course. I’ll make certain everything is in order here so that ye and my daughter can be wed within the fortnight.”
Luthais nodded. “Verra well. And Mistress Gunn...until we meet again.”
“Mayhap ye can pay me another visit before the wedding? I’d love to see ye again.”
He gave her an appeasing smile and walked briskly toward Doughall. He hoped his father followed because he wasn’t waiting for him to catch up. Luthais was breathless with rage. His expression was thunderous. He could hear the blood pounding in his ears. He entered the bailey throwing curses under his breath like stones. He raked his fingers through his hair as the stable hand brought their mounts. Thankfully, his father and Doughall were wise enough not to open their mouths.
The men mounted and rode through the gates, their horses flinging mud behind them from the rain. It wasn’t long before Luthais once again found himself flanked.
“What the hell was that all about? Ye said ye already met the Gunn’s daughter,” said his father.
“The woman wasnae the same lass Luthais had met,” said Doughall.
His father’s voice went up a notch. “What do ye mean she wasnae the same lass?”
“She wasnae the same lass!” Luthais bellowed. “I’ve been played for a damn fool.”
“I think we should—”
Luthais shot his father a cold look. “We will do naught. I donna want to hear another word. I will handle this mess.”
He had no idea how, but he had a pretty good idea where to start.
Ceana stood in her bedchamber and held her mother’s pendant close to her heart. Dear God. How could she not have known Luthais was the MacKay’s son? This whole time she assumed he was a guard. The nagging in her mind refused to be stilled. She thought back to their conversations and realized he’d never told her. He had only mentioned his name.
A tumble of confused feelings assailed her. Her emotions were out of control. If it wasn’t bad enough that Sorcha reveled in being the laird’s daughter and having made an alliance with the MacKays, now Ceana had to live with the fact that the man who’d kissed her and stirred her soul was marrying her dreadful cousin. This was too much. She couldn’t bear anymore.
The door swung open, and Anna entered. Ceana couldn’t calm her racing heart. She couldn’t catch her breath. The last she remembered was falling into her sister’s arms and hitting the floor with a thud.
Fingers tapped Ceana’s face as she tried to open her eyes. “Ceana, wake up! Ceana!”
“I’m awake. What happened?” She held her hand to her head.
“Ye had a fainting spell. Let me help ye to the bed.” Her sister pulled her to her feet, and Ceana sat on the edge of the bed.
“I’m fine.”
“Ye’re nae fine. Lie down before ye fall over again.” Anna picked up the pendant on the floor and placed it back in the box on Ceana’s dresser. Her sister sat beside her on the bed and sighed. “I can remember a conversation between us nae all that long ago. Ye were cross at me for nae telling ye about Samuel. How is it that ye know Laird MacKay’s son? And before ye answer, I’d think twice about spinning tales to me.”
Ceana growled. “Samuel gave his word.”
“Samuel didnae tell me anything. Ye’re my sister. I know ye, and ye knew that man.”
“I met Luthais at the standing stones.”
Anna’s eyes lit up in surprise. “Ye went to the standing stones? I’ve been trying to convince Samuel to take me.”
“I know. He told me all about it. I wasnae there to find a husband, if that’s what ye’re thinking.”
“I didnae think that ye were.”
Ceana rubbed the palm of her hands over her eyes. “The next day Luthais appeared at the loch and we talked.”
“Please tell me ye still have your virtue.”
When Ceana realized her sister was throwing her own words back at her, she gave a small smile. “I still have my virtue. One of his hawks pecked me and—”
“The man has hawks? The ones that fly over our home are his?”
“Anna, the truth of the matter is that I thought he was a MacKay guard, and he must’ve thought I was Uncle John’s daughter.”
“Why would ye tell him that?”
“I didnae tell him that.”
“Oh, Ceana. This is a fine mess ye’ve created. What are ye going to do? Are ye in love with him?”
Ceana lifted a brow. “Love? We shared a kiss, but I barely know him. I did favor the brief time that I spent with him, but—”
“There is nay ‘but.’ I know he felt the same because I saw the look on his face when he found out ye werenae the woman he thought ye were. Ye more than likely donna want to hear my opinion, but it didnae take long for me to realize how much I loved Samuel. If ye care or have any feelings for Luthais, ye cannae let Sorcha have him. Ye cannae let her win again.”
Anna continued. “Our uncle, aunt, and cousin have taken everything away from us. We have naught else to lose. We are Gunns. Our parents raised us well. We will nae be defeated again. Go to him. The man gazed at ye with the same look in his eye that Samuel does when he looks at me. When I saw Luthais in the bailey with his father and that verra large guard, he was distraught. I promise ye that he shares your feelings. Tell him everything and give yourself a chance at happiness...for both our sakes.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
The misery of the night didn’t let up and haunted Luthais to the point of madness. He felt trapped. He was suffocating on his own stupidity. His feelings were too raw to discuss with his father or Doughall. He’d formed an alliance with the Gunns based on being besotted with a woman who’d played him for a fool. His clan’s future was now in his hands. If he reneged on his marriage to the true laird’s daughter, not only would the Gunns and MacKays be warring clans again, but the tension would mount between them like wildfire.
Luthais sat with his back against his favorite standing stone and rubbed his hands over his face. He could not stop himself from pondering the simplest question. Why? Why would the lass tell him she was the laird’s daughter? What could she have gained? He even remembered questioning her about the number of suitors lining up at the gates. He couldn’t get over the fact that she’d blatantly lied to him.
The sky was cloudy and dark with no stars in sight. As the torchlight illuminated the stones wit
h an eerie glow, he felt something watching him, waiting in the shadows. He took another swig of whisky and then raised his arms in the air.
“Trobhadaidh.” Come. Two of his birds landed on his leather-strapped shoulders and Mac na Diobhail on the leather sleeve of his arm.
For a moment, Luthais paused. He thought he’d indeed gone mad. Mac na Diobhail looked like the Devil incarnate. A long tongue hung out of his bird’s beak. Luthais swallowed hard, wondering if he’d opened some type of supernatural connection with his foul mood. He lifted his arm toward the light and breathed a sigh of relief when his hawk spit out what was left of a mouse.
“Mister MacKay...”
He gazed in the center of the standing stones, and there was Mistress Gunn—Ceana—looking ethereal in the dim light. The lace at her slender throat parted, and the hollow of her neck was filled with soft shadows.
“Ah, Mistress Gunn... To what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked with bitterness. His eyes clawed her like talons.
“May I speak with ye? Please.” Her tone was soft.
As if on cue, Mac na Diobhail let out a scolding call. “Dèan às!” Be gone! His birds flew onto the tree branch above, but not before Mac na Diobhail picked up what was left of his meal from the ground. “I donna think it wise for ye to be here.” When she stepped around the torch, he shot her a withering glance. “I wouldnae get too close.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
Luthais actually meant “close to the fire” but had no desire to correct what she thought. Perhaps that’s what had gotten him into all this trouble in the first place. She sat beside him, and the scent of lavender invaded his senses.
“I need to explain, and I wish for ye to hear me out.”
He shook his head at her audacity in coming here to try to give a reason for why she’d lied in the first place. He took another sip of whisky and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He couldn’t help it when he chuckled nastily. “What good would that do me now, eh? Believe me, I donna need to hear any more of your words. I’ve heard enough.”
Kilts and Kisses Page 6