by Gwyn Brodie
She'd have to ask Glennis about finding a gown for her to wear. Perchance she might be able to borrow one, as she had the shift. By now, her bundle of clothing had more than likely been sold by the highwayman. Besides, Jillian couldn't very well meet Kade wearing naught but her shift. Of course, it wouldn't be the first time he'd seen her in naught more.
Leaning back against the tub, Jillian sank down into the water, until her head was all that remained uncovered. She closed her eyes. Kade. How would he react to seeing her after all this time? Aye, she'd loved him. She had since first laying eyes on him at fourteen. But she feared that he no longer cared for her. After all, he'd continued on with his life. Jillian sighed. As clearly as yesterday, she remembered the ache in her heart upon learning there'd be no marriage between them.
Her bath water had cooled a great deal, when she poured the second pitcher of clean water over her head, rinsing away the remaining rose scented lather from her long hair. While wringing out as much of the water as she could manage, she accidently tugged on the strands of hair in the vicinity of her injury, and gasped from the pain. She now regretted having turned down Glennis's earlier offer of having one of the ladies' maids assist her. Weakened from the exertion, Jillian made the decision to return to bed until the mid-day meal. Besides, lying in the same spot where Kade's own body had lain made her feel a wee bit giddy.
***
Kade took the back stairs of the servants' quarters' two steps at a time, hoping to avoid his duties as Laird of Ravenskull for a wee bit longer. Logan could take care of whatever problems that might arise until then. He intended to take a nap in his bed and have a long soak in his prized tub before the mid-day meal. Then he'd listen to whatever problems or arguments that had taken place whilst he was away.
He opened the door to his bedchamber and froze in his tracks. A young woman, her back to him, rose from out of his tub, water streaming down the pale skin of her shapely body. Kade blinked. He was having a vision. He blinked again. She shook out her freshly washed hair. Long and blond, it fell past her hips, stopping above a most pleasing pair of legs. Unable to tear his gaze away, Kade continued to watch her, mesmerized, as she reached for the folded linen lying near the fire, briefly giving him a clear view of her slender hips, adding more heat to his already sweltering body. She wrapped the fabric around her and stepped from the tub.
Finally coming to his senses, Kade realized how embarrassed she'd be if she caught him watching her like some green, wide-eyed lad, who he might as well have been, judging by the way his body had reacted to seeing her. Who the devil is she? He backed out into the corridor, quietly drawing the door closed behind him.
Kade blew out a long breath, and leaned against the wall outside his bedchamber door, his arms folded over his chest. He couldn't believe he'd reacted to her such as he did. Perchance Galen was right. It'd been too long. Who was she? Why the devil was she in his bedchamber? He frowned. Had Galen had her sent there? For certain, his friend did have a strange sense of humor all his own. He spotted Galen striding along the corridor on his way to the guest chamber.
"Why are you standing out here? I thought you couldn't wait to get into that tub of yours." He quirked one dark eyebrow.
"'Tis occupied."
"By who?"
"You tell me."
"How should I ken?"
Kade let out a long breath. "Tell me the truth, Galen. Did you have a woman sent to my bedchamber?"
Galen regarded him with open amusement. "Nay, why do you ask? Is one in there?"
"Aye."
"Surely you jest."
"Nay. I opened the door, but she didn't see me. Then she stepped out of my tub and stood there, completely bare.
Galen's eyes widened at the mention of a female—especially a bare one. "Then why are you out here and not in your room?" His mouth quirked with humor.
"I didn't wish to frighten the poor lass to death. I backed out before she had a chance to notice me watching her."
Galen grinned. "You say you were watching her? Did she pique your—shall we say—interest?"
Kade rolled his eyes. "I should refuse to answer that, but what do you think?"
"There's hope for you yet, lad," he said, slapping Kade on the back. "Och, are you certain 'twas a real female? You could be seeing things, you ken. You're tired, you said so yourself, and it's been a while since you've been with a woman. I'm surprised you can even remember what one looks like without clothing," he teased.
Kade scowled and shrugged Galen's hand off his shoulder. "I'm not daft, man. I swear to you, she's in there, pale hair, fair skin, shapely legs and hips."
"Ummmh, sounds like my kind of woman. I want to see her for myself," he said, reaching for the door.
Kade stopped him. "Nay, I'll look first. After all, 'tis my bedchamber she's in. He opened the door but a crack and peered inside. At first he didn't see her, and wondered if perhaps Galen had been right and he'd only imagined her. Then he glanced over at his bed. She lay hidden beneath the covers, her face turned away from the door. She'd spread her long, wet hair across his pillows to dry, her breathing deep and even in sleep. "There she is," he whispered, "in my bed. Do you see her?"
"Aye, I do," whispered Galen, squinting in the dim light to get a better look. "You're certain you've no idea who she might be?"
Kade motioned for him to be quiet and closed the door. "Nay, but someone in this place does ken, and I plan to start with Logan," he said, heading toward the stairs. Then he suddenly stopped in midstride. "Galen."
"Aye?"
"I'd better not hear that you've once again forgotten which room is yours. Lady McMinn was so frightened by your stumbling into her bedchamber and into her bed, I had to find her another room."
Galen's mouth twitched with amusement. "I've already told you, Kade, 'twas but an honest mistake."
"Aye, of course 'twas. It had naught to do with the fact that the lady is a buxom beauty and her husband hadn't yet arrived. If I were you, my friend, I'd steer clear of Ross McMinn. I don't think he believes you either," he said, and continued on his way to find Logan.
He entered the great hall, his gaze scanning the crowded room, until he spotted Logan in conversation with several of the clan. "Logan, I need to speak with you in private."
"Of course, my laird," he said, excusing himself and following Kade toward the library.
But before they could reach it, a loud gasp came from behind them. Kade whirled around to find Glennis, her eyes as large as an owl's, and her face the color of a snow bank. "What the devil is the matter with you, woman?"
"I'm sorry, m'laird," she squeaked. "I had no idea ye would be returning so soon. No bedchamber was available, other than yer own, that was fit for a lady. Lady McMinn is to leave tomorrow, and I planned to have her moved to that bedchamber before ye returned."
"Stop your chattering, Glennis, and tell me who she is," he ordered.
"Lady Jillian MacRae."
Chapter Seven
Jilly, here at Ravenskull. Kade felt as if he'd been kicked in the stomach. Then it had been her he'd seen in his bedchamber. The memory of her rising from the tub caused an unexpected rush of desire to sweep through him.
Glennis looked sick with fright. Kade sighed. "All is well, Glennis. Your actions were correct. Continue on with your duties."
"Much thanks, m'laird, but what of yer bedchamber?" she asked, wringing her hands.
"I'll sleep in the guest chamber with MacKinnon, 'til other arrangements can be made." 'Twas more than likely Galen wouldn't be sleeping there anyway.
"As ye wish, m'laird," she said and hurried away.
Logan stepped up beside him. "You wished to speak with me?"
"Aye, but Glennis answered my question." He glanced around the great hall. "I noticed no garrison as we rode in, and I see none here. Who accompanied Lady MacRae to Ravenskull?"
"No one, other than her brother. The lady disguised herself as a lad, and the gatehouse guards believed her to be so, 'til she unve
iled herself to them. She told Ewan and John she had important business to discuss with you."
"What sort of business?" Kade's curiosity was about to reach its limit. He had no inkling why Jillian would want to see him after all these years.
Logan shrugged. "She didn't have a chance to tell me, for she fainted and toppled from her horse. John caught her just before she hit the ground."
"Was she ill?" he asked, a wave of concern washing over him.
"She'd received a head injury on her way to Ravenskull, and was bleeding badly when we carried her inside. Annag managed to stop the flow of blood with one of her herbs. The lad told me that a man hit her on the head with a large stick. I checked on the lady early this morn and she appeared to be doing much better. Glennis has done a fine job of ushering her back to health."
Kade chuckled. "She looked healthy enough when I walked into my bedchamber whilst she was bathing."
Logan looked at him with raised brows. "Och, what did Lady Jillian have to say about that?"
"Her back was to the door, and I quietly left."
Logan snorted. "If you hadn't, I'm certain she'd have given you a proper tongue-lashing. Glennis has told me she has a bold spirit, and did even as a child."
What could possibly be so important for Jillian to risk her own life, as well as her brother's, to come to Ravenskull alone? "Arrange a meeting between her and myself in the solar as soon as possible. 'Tis time I found out what the devil is going on."
***
Gordon emptied his goblet of mead and slammed it down against the table. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve, and leaned back in the chair. He studied the man sitting across the table. "Do you ken the reason I had you brought here?" he asked sharply.
Roderick raised one brow in question. "Nay, should I?"
He chuckled. "Come now, Roderick. I'm no idiot. We both ken you helped your lady escape. Fergus learned from the stable lad that her horse had been taken. Somehow, the arrangements were made between the two of you, with that old hag's help, I'm certain."
Roderick said naught, but stared across the room.
Gordon had no intention of letting anyone, even his own men, ken he'd learned how Jillian and the lad had gotten out of the castle. Such knowledge could be quite useful. "Where'd she run off to? My men have been out for hours searching for her and have yet to return."
The sword bearer remained quiet.
"Tell me now, or I'll have it tortured out of you!" he shouted, bringing both fists down hard upon the table.
Roderick let out a long sigh. "Since she and the lad are now in safe hands, I see no harm in telling you where she's gone. Lady Jillian went to Ravenskull."
Gordon frowned. Ravenskull! Why the devil did she go there? "With what intent?"
"To secure protection for her brother, as well as seek Laird MacLachlan's assistance in regaining control of Lochstorm."
MacRae experienced a sudden moment of anxiousness. The young Highland laird had a reputation for being an unbeatable opponent in battle, and did indeed lead a sizeable garrison. But Gordon had no intention of giving up Lochstorm without a fight. He'd worked much too hard to get where he was, just to have it all taken away by some lad still wet behind the ears. What he couldn't understand was why Jillian believed that MacLachlan would come to her aid. "Are Jillian and MacLachlan acquaintances?"
He nodded. "Aye, they've known one another for many years."
"Och, then if indeed MacLachlan does come to her aid, I'll be ready for him, and so will my men. As for you, Roderick, the only reason you've been allowed leave of the dungeon thus far, is to prevent an uprising from the people. Having them catch a glimpse of your face now and then around the castle, assured them of my control, and made them believe the lad and lady were still here. By now, they've all heard the rumors of their disappearance. Since I no longer give a damn what the good people of Lochstorm think, I don't need you slipping about the castle spying on me." He turned to the guard standing near the doorway. "Take him to the dungeon."
An hour later, Rowan MacRae strutted into the great hall like a peacock, and sank down into the settle across from him. Several months before, Gordon had run across the young man at The Black Dog Tavern near Stirling. When he'd learned of Rowan's connection to Lochstorm, he seized the opportunity to lure the young man into his web of deception with offers of wealth and position, both important to Rowan. It was he who had sent Gordon the missive that Angus had suffered an accident and died. He'd been his informant ever since. "Ye sent for me?"
"Aye. I need you to keep an eye out for any MacLachlans nosing around Lochstorm. Apparently your lady went to the Laird of Ravenskull for help and he'll certainly be sending someone to check on the situation. If you suspect anything at all, tell me. As I said before, Rowan, you'll be well rewarded for your loyalty. Have you managed to lure any of your kinsmen into giving me their allegiance?"
He squirmed. "Nay, not yet. But I'll keep at 'em 'til they do. I spoke to a couple of the younger lads near my age, and they're mulling it over."
The man was an idiot, but could be useful by acting as Gordon's eyes and ears in the village. "Good, then let's drink to your loyalty and our alliance. Bring me two cups of mead," Gordon shouted at the servant girl scrubbing a table across the room. She quickly obeyed.
Rowan licked his lips as he reached him a goblet.
Gordon raised his cup. "To a long and prosperous alliance." He gulped down the mead.
"Aye," Rowan said, and drained his cup.
***
A light knock at the bedchamber door brought Jillian out of her nap. "Come," she said, yawning.
Glennis entered, carrying an emerald gown across her arm with a pair of matching slippers. "M'lady, Laird MacLachlan returned from the hunt earlier than expected, and has been made aware of yer request to meet with him. Logan will take ye to the solar as soon as ye're dressed. I told the laird of yer need for clothing and he sent me to fetch something of his sister's. I hope what I picked out will please ye."
"'Tis very beautiful, Glennis. Will his sister not mind?" Elenora was a few years younger than Jillian. A beautiful lass with dark hair and eyes, like her brother's.
She shook her head. "Nay, m'lady. She'll be away in France for several more months visiting an aunt. The shift that ye're wearing belonged to her as well."
"Since, I've naught of my own, I'll be more than happy to wear the gown." Jillian picked up the delicate fabric and let it slide through her fingers. The men her father had arranged for her to meet after Innis was killed had said she was beautiful. But more importantly, Kade had once told her she was beautiful and she hoped he'd still think so. None of the suitors had ever caught Jillian's fancy, and her father finally stopped trying to marry her off after her mother's death. Ian needed her.
"Ye'll look quite lovely, m'lady. The color goes well with yer completion and hair, for which I borrowed a pair of polished shell combs."
"Glennis, you're such a dear, 'tis no wonder my mother adored you."
The woman practically beamed as she gently positioned the combs into Jillian's hair.
When she stepped into the corridor, Logan was waiting. His graying hair and beard had been recently brushed. He smiled, and the corners of his brown eyes crinkled. "You look lovely, m'lady."
She smiled. "Much thanks. I'd brought a bundle of clothing with me, but it disappeared along the journey. I owe much thanks to you and the people of Ravenskull for the gracious hospitality you've shown my brother and me."
"You're welcome, m'lady. The meeting with the laird has been arranged. I'm to take you to the solar, where he's waiting."
She nodded. "Glennis said as much." Jillian's pulse quickened at the prospect of seeing Kade again. She took a deep breath to calm herself. The bodice of the gown, though very beautiful, fit Jillian a bit too well across the chest, exposing more cleavage than she would've liked. "Will you be staying?"
"Nay, the laird wishes to speak with you alone."
Good heavens. A wave of appr
ehension swept through Jillian as she walked beside him down the corridor.
"Here we are, m'lady," he said, stopping in front of the solar. He tapped on the door.
"Come."
Jillian shivered at the deep, masculine timbre of Kade's voice.
Logan opened the door and stepped aside, allowing her entrance.
Kade stood at the other side of the solar, staring out the window. He appeared engrossed by whatever was going on in the courtyard below. His knuckles showed white against his olive complexion as he clutched the back of a chair.
"M'laird, I've brought Lady MacRae as you requested."
"Much thanks, Logan," he said, his fingers drumming against the dark wood.
"M'lady." Logan inclined his head and closed the door.
Jillian stood in the middle of the room, staring at Kade's broad shoulders. His long dark hair hung well past his collar in wild disarray, as if recently ruffled by a Highland wind. She'd loved weaving her fingers thought his thick, dark hair. What would he do if she did so now? Would he take her in his arms and kiss her? You're but a wanton lass, Jilly.
He turned around and their gazes locked. A hint of surprise flickered across his face then disappeared. He swallowed hard. "Lady Jillian, welcome to Ravenskull."
"Much thanks, my laird."
His gaze dropped to her breasts, lingering a moment too long. He cleared his throat and glanced away. "The gown suits you, my lady."
Her face heated. The smoldering flame in his eyes startled her. "'Twas most kind of you to allow me to wear it, my laird."
"Och, I couldn't very well allow you to roam the castle in the lad's clothing you arrived here in, now could I? Besides Glennis burned them." He folded his arms and leaned against the fireplace, looking every bit the laird and master. The belted plaid accentuated his slender waist, whilst the white shirt and black doublet emphasized his shoulders. The material was drawn taunt across the muscles of his arms, giving her an indication of their massive size.
"Nay, laird," she answered, studying his face. It no longer possessed the smooth planes of a lad, but the muscular angles of a man, an extremely handsome one at that. With a few days growth of dark stubble, and his long hair loose about his enormous shoulders, he reminded her of one of the dangerous pirates she'd learned about in stories told by visitors to Lochstorm.