by Kara Griffin
He nodded at her and smiled. “What has you giggling there, Mistress?”
After she poured each of them a bowl and joined them at the table, she snickered. “Ye missed a fine show. My lord and lady were quite heated in their debate.”
Liam snorted a laugh, Brodin grinned, and Heath chuckled.
“And who won this debate, Mistress? Is Lady Kerrigan going to stay?” Heath dipped a piece of bread into his stew and found their conversation comical.
“Why who do ye think? M’lady won of course. The laird, he begged her forgiveness after she caused such a ruckus. She’s staying and got her way by weeping louder than a town crier. Downright proud of her, I am. A woman sometimes must use wiles to get what she wants. No shame in that.” Annag gave a firm nod.
“That she does,” Heath said, and flipped the coin to Brodin. “You won the wager, my friend. I should’ve known Kerrigan would get her way. She’s more resourceful than I give her praise.”
After they finished off their supper, all sought their slumber. As much as he needed rest, Heath tossed and turned, overthinking his conversation with Gilroy. What’s more, he considered his discussion with his father at the festival, and his desire for reverence. Even more disturbing, his reflection on his reaction to seeing Lillia again. There was no use in lying in bed when he wasn’t about to get any sleep.
Heath woke earlier than most and decided to get a hedge on the day. Annag always arose before him. As was typical, he set off to collect wood for the cooking fires. He refilled the chest in the makeshift kitchen. Annag gave him a delicious bowl of pottage seasoned with sweet herbs. He ate quickly and went to hunt for their evening meal.
Being alone in the woods often solaced him and he liked hunting unaided. It gave him time to reason and reflect on his plans. He wanted to consider what Graeme proposed. If they sent the women away, it would make for a dreadfully boring existence –especially for Graeme and Liam. He and Brodin being unattached enjoyed having their comrade’s wives and children around. It lent a normalcy to their existence.
Their vow to the king and much of their mercenary work was routine. Especially of late. There were very few skirmishes since the Bruce regained much of Scotland’s lands, and with many of the English retreating back to England, not much work for a mercenary.
Heath set his bow when he settled in his favorite perch, a thick prickly bush that often jabbed him. Many hares came to chew on the newly sprung grasses. He kept thinking of the lass who came with Gilroy. When he returned, he’d question her himself and find out if she knew who the knaves were. They needed confirmation before they would consider how to proceed. Not only that, but why Gilroy considered her in danger. There was no sense in pondering her presence until he knew for certain she wasn’t a peril to them.
He killed four hares and returned to the caves an hour later. After storing the hares, he trekked toward Liam and Makenna’s cave. On his approach, he stopped short and viewed the woman walking toward him. He kept his eyes fastened, but he was fairly certain he wasn’t breathing.
“Lillia. What are you … you’re the lass?” he asked incredulously.
She sprang into his arms and he caught her. Lillia embraced him, holding onto him tightly. “Heath, I am relieved to see you … I came because I …” She didn’t finish, but wept.
He kept silent, consoling her with soft caresses on her shoulders. When she calmed enough, he released her and gripped her arms. “When I last saw you, you were on your way to your betrothal.”
She moved closer and her hands settled on his waist. “I was, but I decided he is unacceptable. I refuse to marry the vile man.”
“You refused him? And you found your way here … Gilroy said you need the king’s guard.”
“I came with the lad, but I have no need of the guard.” She gasped. “Are you saying you are with the guard? You’re one of the renowned king’s guard?”
He neither confirmed nor denied it. “That is not what Gilroy said. He said you’re in danger.”
She pursed her bonny lips and Heath envisioned the kiss she bestowed on him at the king’s festival. Damnation, he shouldn’t let her affect him. But her bonny face and the way she held on to his waist ceased any logical thought.
“You know the lad better than I do. He seems to deem I am in danger, but alas I am not. Lads can be somewhat imaginative. Remember how my brothers would make up tales or embellish their tales?”
Heath lifted her chin and searched her brown eyes for sincerity. Shimmers of golden flecks stared back at him. “Gilroy bespoke of your rescue and that mayhap those men were after you.”
She smiled and he all but ceased his breath. Heath groaned low, knowing she’d cause him nothing but trouble. Aye, a good sort of trouble if he wasn’t careful.
“I’m certain he is mistaken. Heath,” she said, and wrapped her arms around his body. “I’m pleased to have found you.”
He closed his eyes at the feeling of her body pressing against his. “Sweetness, my comrades are intent we send you off. We allow but a few to stay here.”
She moved her mouth a scan from his, her sweet petal-soft lips almost brushing his. “Please, don’t send me away. I cannot go back.”
All his misgivings about the situation be damned. Heath brushed his mouth against hers and returned the sweet touches of her lips several times before the urge to swarm her with a sensual, make-her-want-him kiss overtook him. He’d lost all sense. “The last thing I want, Lillia, is to send you away, but I cannot make any promises.”
Chapter Six
Alone by the stream, Lillia gazed about the lovely view. The waters were deep enough to bathe in. There was a small but beautiful grave set nearby. Someone cared for the grounds around the wooden cross. A name, Finley, etched the wood. The autumn day did little to allay her restless heart. Seeing Heath again at her home, and once again here in the wilds of Dumfries excited yet daunted her.
When she reached the caves with Gilroy, she was somewhat fearful of what she’d find. The legend of the king’s guard reached well beyond the towns and villages. Many tales spread far and wide and even reached the borders of Scotland. Lillia debated whether to seek the aid of the guard. She considered asking them to take her to King Robert. If she pleaded for clemency with the king and told him of the possible revolt, he might keep her safe and not consider her treasonous.
But then she saw Heath and any considerations she’d had fled. She wouldn’t bring her troubles to him no matter how fearful she was. Somehow she would find a way to warn the king of the plot and keep herself from being harmed in the process.
Her heart finally slowed enough to slacken her breath. Heath left her hastily when she beseeched him not to send her away. She took off her slippers and was about to sit by the bank and soak her feet. But the ground was slick, and she fell upon her bottom and slipped down the bank’s incline into the water.
Lillia came up sputtering. She pushed the curling tresses out of her eyes and found Heath standing by the bank staring at her. He threw his hand down at her and she laughed. Without hesitation, she took his hand, and he helped her out of the water.
“I told ye you were always gawkish.” He tried to hide his grin but failed.
“I am not clumsy. I lost my footing is all. It’s slippery. I should’ve been more careful. You returned. You ran off so quickly, I didn’t think you’d come back.”
“I needed a moment to …” He didn’t finish his excuse, but pulled his tartan free from his chest and set it around her shoulders. “Are you cold?”
She shook her head, but couldn’t take her eyes from the tautness of the tunic covering his torso. “Why did you return? Are you here to take me to the village all ready?”
“You shocked me, Lillia. I didn’t expect—”
“If you wish me to leave, I shall. I don’t want to cause any trouble for you. The last thing I want is to interfere with your work. I understand you are one of the king’s guard and how you help others.” Lillia wouldn’t look him in the
eyes. She didn’t wish to see the look of dread there, knowing what was to come. He’d send her back home. If she returned home, she’d be forced to wed the vile Sinclair.
Heath sat on a large crag next to the water and pulled her to sit with him. She marveled at his touch. She’d always been affected by him and likely always would. If only he hadn’t been sent away, they’d likely be wedded and have a few bairns by now. But with his departure, Lillia was left to worry and ponder if she’d ever see him again. Now that she was joined to him again, she hoped to find a way to stay with him without bringing him peril.
“There is much to consider. But before I decide on sending you off, I want the truth.”
She tightened the grip on his hand. “Of course I would never speak a falsehood to you.” He eyed her suspiciously, and she smiled. “Truly. Ask your questions.” Yet Lillia knew she had to invent a rational reason why she was there. No one could know the circumstances of her birth or her secret. As far as she knew there weren’t many who discerned who she was and she meant to keep it that way.
“You say you left your home because your betrothed was unacceptable?”
“Aye. He was undesirable and I couldn’t tell my da I wouldn’t marry him. I refused too many suitors as it was and I didn’t want to … disappoint my da so I … left. I spoke to your father. He was at my betrothal feast and bid me to go to Fraser land. That he’d give me sanctuary. I took it he didn’t want my father’s alliance with my betrothed. I had left my father’s keep and was on my way there when I found Gilroy. I had to save him, didn’t I?” Lillia ceased her rambling when he watched her with cynical eyes.
He nodded slightly. “Mayhap. Tell me why you were fleeing two men when you happened upon me at the festival? And I shan’t believe they were suitors, Lillia. Because another man attacked you and I killed him to keep you safe. Why would Gilroy say those men searched for a lass? ‘Tis obvious to me they were after you.”
Lillia firmed her lips. She’d have to pile the falsities atop one another. When she took too long to answer, he squeezed her hand. “It has to be happenstance. I never saw the two men who followed me before. And the man who attacked me, surely he was besotted and likely drink controlled him. He probably wanted to steal kisses. The two men who harmed Gilroy … they couldn’t be the same men who followed me at the keep.” She took a breath and waited for his denial of all she’d said. Lillia had a hard time believing her own falsities.
But he had to believe her. If he didn’t, he might be caught in the plot to usurp the king. He’d spoken of his duty to the king and she didn’t want to embroil him in her predicament. She was in enough trouble for the two of them. The quandary tightened her chest.
“I am hesitant to trust you. You say they weren’t the same men?”
“They weren’t for I saw them clearly. Gilroy heard the other men speak of a lass and thought they meant me. He is quite mistaken. Why would they search for me?”
He watched her intently. The crisp blue of his eyes searched her for dishonesty. She almost balked under his perusal and confessed for his eyes always saw through her. Yet she had to maintain her fabrications.
“Those men have nothing to do with me. The only danger I’m in is having to wed the most uncouth man alive and I refuse to. If I’d stayed my father would have given me no choice.” She pulled her hands free and kept a serene expression. Lord, she was getting good at fabrication. Although the situation pertaining to her betrothed was most truthful, she hadn’t lied about that.
“If you are being sincere, then you should return home and tell your da so. He wouldn’t force you to wed someone you detest. Your family will worry.”
“If I return my da will insist I wed the rabble. I cannot return, but I shall think on it. I want to know about the king’s guard.”
Heath crossed his ankles and appeared to accept her excuses. She smiled and waited for him to speak and when he didn’t, she pressed him further.
“I saw you and your to comrades last eve when you came to question Gilroy. Why do you hide if you’re to protect the king?”
“How do you ken we hide?”
She waved her hand about. “If you weren’t hiding, you wouldn’t be here in such a remote place. Besides, Gilroy told me some of the tale. Why you were exiled. Why you returned. How you aid the king and those in need without King Robert’s knowledge. It is quite honorable.”
“Did he tell you the king would have our heads for disobeying him if we’re caught?”
She raised her brows, disbelieving the fair and just King Robert would harm them for being noble. “Truly, Heath? The king wouldn’t do that.”
Heath visibly sighed. “We ken Robert better than most. But he’ll have no choice but to execute us if we’re found and turned over to him.”
“Why would he?” Lillia shivered, but she wasn’t sure if it was from her recent bath in the stream or the chill of his words. “Do you mean he intends to prove his will to control others through you?”
“He will set an example by us, if that’s what you mean. Sweetness, if you are in danger … If you have secrets, you should speak of them now. The guard and I have ways to protect you.”
“Do you have secrets? Are you willing to share them? I think not. Neither am I. I heard about why your father sent you away. That you left your brother captured in the enemy’s dungeon. Is it true?”
A glimmer of remorse reached his eyes, but he quickly changed his expression to one of indifference. “Aye, I won’t deny what is said. And I’ve paid for my treachery. When this is over, Lillia …”
She touched his hand and tried to soothe him. “You’ll find yourself a beautiful woman and marry and beget children. You’ll rule your father’s lands and be a good and just laird.”
“That is not what I deem to happen.”
His voice lowered to such a pitch she almost didn’t hear him. Lillia sat enthralled with each word he spoke. Heath poured out his heart, telling her of his trek to France, how torn he was at leaving his brother behind, how he intended to make amends for those he killed, how he kept a tally of each life he’d taken, how he wanted God’s grace.
By the time he finished, tears streaked her cheeks.
“When my service is over, I intend to serve God as I’ve vowed to.”
She wiped at her face and leaned against him. “As a second son, that would’ve suited, but now you are in line to succeed your father. You must marry and have heirs. Laird Fraser needs to know the clan will be in good hands when he is gone. Your clan needs you. Will you leave them to perish without a leader? Oh I just had a horrid thought … Do you intend to allow your Uncle Andrew succeed your father?” Lillia wanted to say more, but refrained because Andrew Fraser was a frightening man.
Heath lowered his chin. “That’s a deplorable thought. I ken and I’m torn. I will find a way to perhaps do both.”
Lillia wanted to weep and hastily rubbed away the tears that rimmed her eyes. There was sorrow in his heart and she wanted to be the one to console him. She shimmied closer to him and set her hand on his leg. “You deserve happiness, Heath. Surely you’ve done more good than bad. Mayhap those men,” she inclined her head at the tassel, “deserved to die. God wouldn’t hold it against you.”
“I hold it against me.”
“I remember you being most serious when we were young, but now you’re even more somber. What happened to you?”
“War happened, killing, injustice, many things …”
Lillia couldn’t beat him over the head with her subtlety when she mentioned his future; a life which she’d hoped included her. “I would marry you.”
Heath laughed. His beautiful blue eyes shone with mirth. She was almost crestfallen.
“You’re like a sister to me. I’ve known ye when you were still in swaddling clothes.”
“Am I? I aim to prove you wrong, Heath Fraser.” She hiked up her still soggy skirts and sat astride on his lap facing him. She gathered the fabric of his tunic in her hands and pulled him forw
ard. “Aye, for you’re about to get some good sense kissed into you.”
Lillia set her lips on his. She didn’t care if he thought her wanton. For years she’d cherished Heath and she’d be damned if she’d allow him to consider her as a sister. Lillia wasn’t experienced in the ways to seduce a man, but her female companions never refrained from speaking of bedchamber matters. She knew well what went on behind closed doors.
She splayed her hands over his chest and purposely rubbed her body against his. The kiss turned tawdry, hot, and oh so pleasing. She kept in pace with the way his tongue teased hers. Never dreaming people kissed in such a way, she was completely caught up in the sensations and the way her body responded. Heat infiltrated her body, and she moaned when Heath jerked her hard against him.
A humorous thought occurred to her–she had proved him wrong. He didn’t think of her as a sister. Not with the way he was kissing her. He dragged his mouth from hers, but didn’t push her way. His hands and arms surrounded her. She reveled at being held by him and gripped his arms. The taut muscles of his biceps hardened and his strength held her captive. Lillia breathed in his scent and fingered the hair by his neck. Everything about him unsettled her, but it was the good sort of discomfit.
“Sweetness, this is wrong …”
She took hold of his face. “Oh, nay, it is right. I have always wanted you, Heath, since the day you caught me dancing near the stables and didn’t dare laugh at me. I’ve never forgotten how gallant you were. Why do you deem I never married? I waited for you.”
“I cannot deny that I want you but—”
She set a finger against his hard manly lips. “Why shouldn’t we be together? My father intended to marry me off to a heathen when he had no business—”
Heath clasped her wrist when she tried to pull away. “Had no what? He’s your father and has every right to settle you.”
“He cares not what happens to me. All that I shall do will be wrong in his eyes. Why shouldn’t I follow my heart?” She wanted to shout her frustration, but resisted. Lillia wasn’t one to ever be angry, but angst filled her. Her father should have told her of the circumstances and given her a chance to offer a suggestion rather than send her off to a heathen clan who practically lived in the far-reaches of Scotland.