by Hazel Gower
“Ye're my wife. The only place ye will ever sleep is with me, even if I have to tie ye to the bed.”
Men laughed around her, and Holly pulled herself up and glared at them as Duncan strolled past everyone and up the stairs to their room.
Holly was shocked at Duncan’s actions and words. She didn’t fight him, as she didn’t want him to drop her. He didn’t know she was pregnant. Duncan opened their bedroom door and carried her in. Duncan didn’t put her down until they were at their bed. He placed her on the bed, and she gulped at the intense possession, anger, and worry in his eyes.
“Ye're trying me patience, lass. Not only do ye go and bathe in the loch almost naked, ye're alone without protection and dinna tell anyone where ye're going. And now ye're telling me in front of all the clan that ye will nay sleep in our bed and ye dinna support me decision.”
Holly knew she should be terrified of the hulking angry man in front of her, but she knew Duncan would never hurt her. “I don’t. Two of the prisoners you hold are teenagers, and one is just a baby of barely eight, if that. I can’t condone you keeping children. I won’t sleep with you or touch you until those children are out of the dungeons.”
He reached for her, and she scurried away from him.
“Don’t. I mean it, Duncan. I didn’t even know you had dungeons until today. Why didn’t you tell me yesterday you caught them watching me at the loch?”
“Because ye distracted me,” Duncan growled and dragged her to him.
“Ha, you arrogant dick. You came up behind me and took me.”
“Ye liked it. Ye were so wet and eager for me.” Duncan pulled her tight against his chest, and she fought him for only a moment.
“Duncan, don’t. I’m so angry with you. I meant it when I said I don’t want you to touch me. I can’t believe you think it’s okay to keep children in a dungeon.”
His hands came around, and he pulled her dress down, caressing her breasts. “They are not children. They kenned what they were doing.”
Holly bit her lip to stop a groan slipping through as he circled her nipples. “The youngest didn’t.” Duncan gave a light pinch of her nipple. “Ahh, stop. You don’t get to act all caveman and think having sex will get me to crumble.”
His teeth nibbled below her ear, and she told herself not to succumb. “I bet ye're wet for me now.”
Holly hated that he was right. She shook her head, but it was a lie. Any time Duncan became a possessive caveman, she melted and couldn’t get enough of him.
“Ye’re lying.” He gathered up her dress and his hands slid up her thighs and pulled down her underwear. He moved them so she lay on her side. Holly moaned as his cock pushed into her. “So wet and tight.”
Holly closed her eyes as the pleasure built and she cursed the man she couldn’t resist. She grunted and gripped the sheets. He sucked on her neck and she knew he’d leave a mark, but right now, she didn’t care. It felt so good. Her body hummed with her building arousal.
Duncan drove into her with swift, powerful thrusts, and the hardness of them turned her on even more. Holly was so close, she needed just a little something extra. Pistoning into her faster, Duncan knew what she wanted, and his hand slipped under and around to rub her clit.
“Ye will never sleep anywhere but with me. Ye're me wife.”
Duncan became frantic and she held onto the sheets, needing an anchor. He pulled all the way out and drove back into her in one deep thrust as he pushed down on her clit. It was all she needed, and she fell into bliss and felt Duncan shudder around her as he roared his satisfaction.
They lay after basking in their delectation. Duncan spoke first, “From now on, ye will have evening meal with me, unless ye're told otherwise. Ye're nay to go down to the dungeons. The next time I find out ye're down there, I will punish ye. It is nay place for my wife.”
She didn’t say anything. If this were the punishment, she thought she might have to be disobedient more often. Holly grinned because she knew the hot sex they’d just had would put Duncan into a deep sleep.
Duncan was asleep. Holly knew she had a limited amount of time to get the child out of the dungeons, and on the way to his home. Holly should feel guilty. She’d had amazing angry sex with Duncan, knowing he would sleep deeper and she’d be able to get away. Holly couldn’t let the child stay in the dungeon. She hugged her stomach and knew she would want someone to do this for her own child.
Slipping into underwear, tracksuit pants, joggers, bra, and shoving her blue dress over the top, Holly then put her cape on and grabbed the keys Magan had given her, and as quietly as she could, tiptoed out of the rooms and down the stairs to the dungeons.
Holly was glad she had visited the dungeons early today, so she knew where she was going and didn’t need much light. She came to the first cell that held the two teenagers and the boy. “Psst, James.” The teenager came to the bars eagerly.
“Lady MacLeod.”
“How is little Bran doing?”
Holly studied the ragged teenager before her. He had messy blond hair that fell to his shoulders, and his plaid looked filthy. “He will nay admit it, but he’s scared,” James whispered.
“Where is he?” Holly couldn’t see much, as the light from the moon could barely be seen from the tiny windows.
“Me cousin is over in the corner with him, trying to keep him warm and safe.”
Holly wondered if she could trust the boys, but she knew she couldn’t leave a child down here. “Bring him over here.” James obeyed her and came back with his little brother in his arms. The child looked terrified. “Hi, Bran. Do you remember me?” The child turned big brown eyes on her and nodded. Holly’s heart broke. She couldn’t let this child stay in here. He needed his mother. “I need a promise from you, James, that if I take Bran home, you promise to stay in there with your cousin. I can only take Bran. I can carry him under my cloak. You said you live in the clan next to this.”
“Lady Holly, if ye take Bran, Laird MacLeod will be furious. I would nay want ye to get hurt.”
Holly knew Duncan would probably blow a gasket, but she couldn’t let a child this young stay in a dungeon away from his mother. “You let me worry about him. Promise me you’ll stay back if I open the door and take your brother home.”
“Aye, I promise. Tell me da that I said he has to let ye go. I gave ye a pass.”
Holly nodded and watched as James spoke to the boy and put him down in front of the door. Holly got the keys out of her pocket and went to work, starting with the ones she didn’t know what they were for. The third one was the charm, and the boy slipped out, then she shut and locked the bars again.
“I’m sorry I have to leave you in there. I know the men in the next cell will look after ye. They are from your clan and your older brother got away—”
“Go. Go, Lady Holly. I understand. Tell me ma I love her.”
Holly nodded to James them went to Bran. “Bran, I need you to be under my cape and on my back. Can you do that?” The boy nodded, and she lifted him so he could move to her back, holding onto her shoulders. “I need you to stay really quiet.” Bran nodded against her back.
Sticking to the shadows, she snuck out of the keep and down to the stables. The horses stirred as she prayed the stable master didn’t wake. Going to Midnight’s stall, she greeted him, and put the saddle on like Duncan had showed her.
“Midnight, I need you to be very careful and quiet. Can you, boy?” Her horse nuzzled her hand as she patted him. Holly placed the boy on Midnight and walked to the gates before she climbed up and took off. As she galloped away, she heard the call go that she was off.
“Hold on tight, Bran. We have to ride fast if we’re going to get away.”
“Aye, I will.”
Leaning down she whispered in Midnight’s ear. “Faster. West. Don’t let anyone catch us.” Holly swore the horse understood her. It picked up speed and Holly gripped the reins as Midnight avoided trees and obstacles. Holly had no idea where she was going. She
knew the general direction, but was unsure of exactly where to go.
Dawn was creeping over the horizon, and Holly was sore and fighting to stay awake when Bran said, “Not far now, Lady MacLeod. “
They rode for a little while longer when fields came into view, and beyond that what looked like a village and in the distance a castle. Before they came to the village, two men on horses came to Holly. One looked just like an older version of James: taller, broader, and very handsome. This, Holly thought, must be Adam. The other man was small but stocky.
“What are ye doing with me brother?” Adam tried to get closer, but Midnight would nay let him.
“Lady MacLeod rescued me,” Bran said.
Holly forced a smile, which probably looked like a grimace. “He is too young to be in the dungeons. I couldn’t let him be without his mother for another night.”
Shrewd brown eyes studied her. “Fine. Give him to me.”
Leaning down, Holly whispered in Midnight’s ear. “Let him take the boy.” He stilled for a moment as the stocky man grabbed Bran. Before Midnight could move away, Adam’s hands circled her waist, and he pulled her onto his horse in front of him. “Let me go. I have to get back to the keep. I’m already going to have a steaming mad laird to deal with. Let me go. I brought your brother back.”
As Holly fought Adam, more men came to them. They tried to get Midnight, but he bit and bucked. She stopped fighting, worried for Midnight. “He won’t let anyone but me near him. Leave Midnight be, he will follow me wherever I go.”
They were now riding for the stone castle. Holly looked straight ahead and sat rigid in the saddle even though her arse hurt, but she could feel Adam’s boner getting harder the further they rode. “Ye're bonnier than they say ye are,” Adam whispered against her.
Holly was scared. She didn’t reply or encourage Adam. She wished she’d listened to Duncan. As she sat stiffly, trying to avoid Adam’s hand as he stroked her arm, Holly realized she should have done things differently, but in her anger she’d acted irresponsibly and placed herself and her baby in danger. When Duncan found out, he would probably lock her up or kill her.
The castle came upon them, and as she got closer she could see a man standing on the stairs. Adam dismounted and grabbed her down with him. Holly leaned heavily on him as the world spun around her. The man on the steps came down to meet them.
“Adam, explain what is going on. Who is that you have there?”
“Da! She saved me. That’s Lady MacLeod,” Bran exclaimed as he ran to his father.
Holly felt Midnight nudge her, and she tried to turn to him.
“Aye, Father. She just rode in as Malcolm and I were going to go scope the MacLeod’s hold.” Adam gripped her tighter, and she cringed at his touch.
The greying man frowned and studied her. “What is that stallion doing?”
“He is her horse, Da,” Bran said eagerly.
“That beast that is nudging her and will nay let anyone else near him?” The laird sounded shocked.
“Aye,” Adam sighed.
“He is not a beast. His name is Midnight. He will only let me near him. Please let me calm him. He has kept a hard pace to get here.”
Big brown eyes like Brans narrowed on her, and looked her up and down. “Aye, ye may calm him,” Adam said.
Adam released her, and she turned to Midnight. “You’re a good boy. I’m so proud of you. I bet you they have some big treats for you in the stables. Some apples and carrots, yum, yum.”
“She speaks to him like he can understand,” the laird mumbled.
She turned to them. “I’m sure he can. May he have some treats? He got Bran and I here safe.”
The laird nodded. “Aye. Tell him to follow Dan.” He pointed to a small round man.
“Did you hear that, Midnight? Follow that man and you will get your treats. Rest, I will be back for you and I’m sure we can leave soon.”
“Laird Fergusson, what is going on?” a loud voice boomed from behind Holly.
Holly turned to see a man around the same age as Duncan and only slightly smaller. His hair was raven-black, and his eyes looked almost as dark as his hair.
“Laird McCoy, this is Lady Holly, she brought home me son, Bran.” Adam’s father turned to her. “Why did ye defy yer Laird?” As he said this, an older woman close to Magan’s age came out with a woman not much younger than Holly. Bran ran to the older woman, and both had tears running down their faces.
Holly knew she’d done the right thing. She looked at the woman. “He is too young to be in the dungeons. Where I come from, he’s still a baby. He shouldn’t be away from his mother. I couldn’t condone Bran staying another night in the dark, dreary place.” Holly walked closer to the woman. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get James and his cousin out too. I had to be quick, and Bran would be less missed.”
The woman let go of Bran and came down to her. Holly could see she was younger than Holly first assumed. She had hair that was so blond it looked almost white. Her eyes were misted, and tears fell as she pulled her into her embrace.
“Thank ye.”
“James said he loved you.”
The woman hugged Holly tight, then pulled away. “I’m Lady Roselyn Fergusson, and up there with Bran is me daughter, Heather. Come, ye must be hungry after yer ride.”
Holly’s stomach rumbled. “Yes, I am. Thank you.” Ignoring the men who stood gaping at the scene, she walked up the stairs and into the keep.
This keep was smaller than Duncan’s, but just as busy. Lady Roselyn took her to the head table and together they sat and talked about mundane things.
Chapter Thirteen
Duncan was going to kill his wife. Not only had she taken one of his prisoners, she’d gone off on that bloody beast of hers by herself. He’d awoken to the bed empty and banging on his door. He’d opened it and Greggor came in, telling him that Midnight and his wife had ridden off. He’d known as soon as Greggor told him what Holly had done. He’d prayed she hadn’t, but when he went down to the dungeons with a torch, he could see that she’d taken the boy. He’d roared so loudly the young lads in the cell whimpered.
What surprised him was when his father found him, all he did was chuckle. “She beat yer mother from doing it. I stopped her though. Ye need to keep a closer eye on yer wife, son.” His dad chuckled again. “I was nay sure about the lass at first. I thought it would be too rough for her to be in this time but after this, I think she’ll be fine.” His dad had patted him on the back. “Ye're the laird now. Good luck!” he laughed and walked away.
Duncan now sat on his horse with the Fergusson laird’s son tied up on the horse with him, and ten men following him to catch his wife. If he didn’t catch her before she made it to the Fergussons’, Duncan would trade the son for her.
“Ye won’t hurt Lady Holly, will ye?” the lad asked.
Duncan was furious with Holly, but he kenned he could never hurt her. He grunted as a response. He would probably want to strangle the life out of her, but he kenned he couldn’t live without her. Duncan was terrified that something had happened to her. She hadn’t ridden the horse much, and not on such a long distance. If anything did happen to her, he would never forgive himself for his mother bringing her to this time. Duncan didn’t want to think of anything happening to her, he’d rather have the anger than the worry.
“She’ll come back. I know me ma. She would nay let da keep her. I told her to say I promised he had to let her go.”
“Ye're a fool, lad, if ye think that is all I’m worried about. She is a lone, very bonny woman on a stallion. Ye must ken about the ruffians that are about.”
The lad went quiet in his arms for a moment, then straightened. “I give ye me word that I won’t escape. Give me a horse and I‘ll keep up with ye. When we get close to me home, ye can take me again as yer prisoner to barter for if ye need. I promise ye I’ll cooperate. We must hurry to make sure Lady Holly is safe.”
His darn wife made every male in love with her. Dunca
n kenned the boy would do as he said, by the tone in his voice when he spoke of his wife. Sighing, he nodded to Greggor. “Aye, ye can have a horse, but as soon as we reach Fergusson land ye will be back on me horse. Ye're still me prisoner.”
Holly had eaten breakfast and tidied herself up, and was now eager to leave. The stares from the men, Adam and Laird McCoy in particular, made Holly uneasy. It was getting late, and Holly had a long ride back to the MacLeod castle.
Turning on her charm, Holly smiled at Lady Roselyn and her daughter, Heather, and stood. “Thank you so much for the lovely food and letting me freshen up, but I must be on my way now.”
Laird Fergusson stood. “Ye canna go, lass.”
Straightening her shoulders, she glared at the laird. “Yes, I can. Thank you for your hospitality.” She took a step only to be blocked by Adam, who had a huge grin on his face.
“Laird MacLeod has me son and me men. I will exchange ye for them.”
“You have got to be shitting me.” Holly couldn’t believe what the man was saying. “You would keep me after I defied my husband and brought your son back?”
“Aye. I ken ye're valuable. A bonny wife like ye, he will nay want to give up. I’ve heard he lets ye lead him around by the co—” Laird Fergusson’s eyes shone.
“Robert. Ye say any more, and you’ll be sleeping somewhere else tonight.”
Holly grinned at Roselyn as she glared at her husband.
“Ye need to stay out of this, wife. This is men’s business. I handle feuds.”
At the mention of ‘men’s business’ Holly’s anger rose, and she snarled, “What is this feud even over anyway?”
“Me husband’s great, great, grandfather’s bride was stolen by a MacLeod, and he wed her,” Roselyn said, as she came closer to Holly and away from her husband.
“You’re joking, right? They are still fighting over something that happened that long ago? Was the woman happy?”
“Aye, they are still fighting. Aye, the lady dinna want to come back to her betrothed.” Roselyn came and stood closer to her like she was taking Holly’s side.