by Gwyn Brodie
He sat down beside her and his muscular thigh pressed against hers. The heat from his body warmed her through the fabric of the gown.
Kade tore off a piece of bread and dipped it into the stew. After several bites he washed it down with a gulp of spiced mead. He frowned. "Are you not well? Do you not wish to eat?" he asked, concern for her evident in his voice.
Jillian was touched that he appeared to be worried about her. "Aye, of course," she said, dipping her fingertips into the small bowl of water and drying them off, before taking the bread he offered her. The stew was warm and delicious, and Jillian ate every bite. She glanced up to find Kade leaning on his fist watching her, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I was hungry."
"I can see that, lass. Would you like more? There's plenty?"
"Nay, much thanks, but I'm quite content at the moment," she said, washing the food from her fingertips and drying them again on the small piece of linen.
A handsome, young man entered the great hall and headed directly toward them. She'd seen him outside her window in the courtyard talking with Kade. His appearance and the way he carried himself spoke highly of his rank.
Kade poured a goblet of mead and reached it to him. "Galen, sit and eat. I'd like to introduce you to someone. Lady Jillian MacRae, this is Galen MacKinnon, heir to Moorloch Castle and next in line to become chief of Clan MacKinnon. He's one of my closest friends, and a man I'd truly trust with my life, which I've done on more than one occasion."
Galen grinned. "Och, Kade, you're going to make me blush."
Jillian laughed. She liked him. "'Tis very nice to meet you, Galen MacKinnon."
"'Tis my pleasure, Lady Jillian MacRae," he said, touching his lips to the back of her hand.
"Enough with the introductions." Kade scowled.
She wondered at his reaction. Could he perchance be a wee bit jealous? Jillian hoped so.
"Galen, what of the men?"
"They await your instructions."
"Good!" He turned to Jillian. "My lady, I again leave you in Logan's capable hands. For I've another important matter to attend."
"Aye, of course," she said, nodding. She watched them disappear through the doorway, suddenly realizing Kade hadn't told her of his decision. She couldn't very well chase after him. Instead of dwelling on the matter, Jillian finished her meal and sought out Ian. The two of them shared a scone.
Jillian had convinced herself that it was only for her people and Ian that she had come to Kade. But after seeing and talking with him, Jillian realized she needed him as well. But did he need her?
***
Lightning streaked across the night sky and thunder rumbled through the mountains and glens, vibrating the floor beneath Kade's feet. He sat at the table in his bedchamber, with a half-empty bottle of whisky before him. He couldn't sleep. He needed to think. As was his way, whenever something was on his mind, he didn't rest until it'd been taken care of. In the past, his sleeplessness had lain with his duties, his family and his clan. Tonight 'twas with Jillian.
He poured himself a second dram of whisky and tossed it back. She had once again taken him over, both mind and body. After his guests, the McMinn's left, she'd been moved, and Kade had gotten his bedchamber back. But her sweet rose scent permeated his entire bed. Knowing she'd slept there, her long, blond hair spread across his pillows, her shapely legs tangled in the bed clothes, was almost more than he could bear.
Kade hadn't bedded a woman since his wife, more than two years past and now his body was telling him to do something about it. A walk might be exactly the thing he needed to clear his head. He dressed, lit a candle and stepped out into the corridor. Somewhere, a door opened and closed. He rounded the corner and almost ran into Jillian.
She gasped, nearly dropping the candle she carried. "You startled me, laird." She wore naught but a nightdress that Kade guessed belonged to his sister. Though it covered her from neck to toe, it did naught to hide her visible curves. Even in the weak light of the candles her shapely figure was evident. Jillian's hair hung loose about her face, her shoulders and her breasts. Her eyes looked wide and innocent.
Kade took a deep breath and steadied himself. Her nearness was almost overwhelming. "I see you also couldn't sleep. I hope I was not in some way the cause," he teased.
She broke into a wide smile. "Nay, I'm afraid 'twas the storm. Once I'd awakened, I decided to go to the garderobe."
Her lips would taste so sweet, he remembered, as his gaze fell to her mouth. "If I were you, Jilly, I'd be careful of wandering the halls of Ravenskull in such attire. My men are asleep in the great hall and may not be able to control themselves at seeing you clad in such a manner. Mayhap thinking you're but a dream sent to fill their lonely night."
She softly gasped.
How he ached to touch her. He moved closer. "You tempt me so, Jilly; you always have," he whispered against her ear. She shivered, but didn't move away. He leaned down and gently brushed his lips against hers, hearing her sharp intake of breath. Cupping his hand beneath her chin, he prepared to deepen the kiss when the sound of footsteps stomping up the stairs stopped him.
"I-I-I don't believe I need to go to the garderobe after all," she stammered, quickly disappearing down the corridor and into her bedchamber.
Hells fire! He turned to see who'd interrupted them and found Galen standing at the top of the stairs, a bit unsteady on his feet.
"Does no one sleep in this place?" Kade asked, wrinkling his nose after getting a good whiff of whatever 'twas Galen had been drinking.
Galen smiled like a court jester. His eyes blinking as he tried to focus. He hung his arm about Kade's neck to steady himself. "Who was the pretty lass you were kissing, Kade? Don't you ken 'tis bad manners to dally with another with your soon-to-be wife so near?"
Kade scowled at him.
In his present condition, it took a moment before it dawned on Galen. "Och, so 'twas Lady Jillian you were kissing?" He chuckled loudly, his voice booming up and down the corridor.
"Be quiet, Galen! You'll be waking the whole castle. Go to your bedchamber and sleep it off. I don't ken what 'tis you've been drinking, but it stinks to high heaven."
"Shhhhhhh," he said, pressing his finger to his lips. "'Tis a secret recipe that only the lass kens, and I'll not be telling you what 'tis, because 'tis a secret."
"You've no need to worry about that, my friend. I'll not be asking you for it," he said, trying to keep from bursting into laughter. After making certain 'twas his own and not someone else's bedchamber Galen staggered into, Kade went back to his, knowing if he couldn't fall asleep before, now 'twould be next to impossible.
***
A rooster crowed somewhere outside and Jillian opened her eyes. She'd tossed and turned all night, something she actually did attribute to Kade. Last night, after her hurried return to her bedchamber, she'd leaned against the door, half afraid he'd follow her and half afraid he wouldn't. Jillian had been shocked by her response to the touch of his lips against hers.
She'd wished him to again be interested in her and so it seemed he was. She placed her fingers against her mouth. It'd been several hours since he'd kissed her, but she could still feel the heady sensation of his mouth pressed against hers. The pit of her stomach was tied in knots as she sat down at the window.
Aye, he wanted her. She kenned it to be so by the way he watched her when he thought she wasn't looking, and how he'd reacted to her the night before in the corridor. Yet he'd given her no answer. As much as she dreaded doing so, she must return to her home.
But first, she'd send him a missive. If he wished her to remain at Ravenskull, he would meet her at the stables. If he failed to show up, then his decision would be clear. And she'd leave for Lochstorm.
***
Kade sat at his desk in the library, going over the estate books with Logan, when a knock sounded at the door. "Come."
Glennis entered. "I'm sorry to disturb ye, m'laird, but Lady Jillian asked me to give ye a missive." She handed
Kade a folded slip of paper and left the room.
As Kade read the missive, a wave of fear washed over him. He jumped up from his chair, knocking it over, and raced from the library. He had to stop her. There was no way he intended to let Jillian slip through his fingers—not this time.
Chapter Nine
With a heavy heart, Jillian went to the stables to fetch her mare. She'd just taken the reins from the stable lad when she spotted Kade making quick strides toward her.
"Jillian, where do you think you're going?"
"Back to Lochstorm," she said, defiance in her voice. "You didn't see fit to accept my offer, and my people need me. Except for Ian, I no longer have a reason to remain under your roof."
He grinned. "Och, but you're wrong, Jilly. In fact, Galen and several of my men left for Lochstorm early this morning to gather information on the situation there. So, my lady you may return to the castle. We'll be discussing the other details of the arrangement later tonight."
Excitement washed over her. Jillian didn't ken what to say, so she said naught.
Kade moved closer, his eyes darker than ever. He slipped his finger beneath her chin and tilted her face up to his.
Jillian trembled as she readied herself for his kiss.
He leaned down and brushed his warm lips across hers. Then he covered her mouth with his own, kissing her with an urgency that betrayed his outward calm. He groaned, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him.
Her heart fluttered wildly and her knees threatened to give way. Aye, he'd kissed her before, but this was not the kiss of a lad, but that of a man, well tutored in the art. She clung to him, a soft whimper escaping her lips.
Kade took his mouth away, his breathing uneven and his eyelids heavy with desire. He ran his tongue over his lips, his gaze on her face. "Och, lass," he whispered hoarsely, slowly shaking his head. "The lady will no longer have need of her horse today," he called out to the lad rubbing down a black mare. "Return her to the stable."
"Aye, m'laird."
Still trembling from Kade's marvelous kisses, Jillian handed the boy the reins and took hold of Kade's offered arm.
He patted her hand, warm against her own. "You and I have much to discuss about Lochstorm," he said as they strolled back toward the castle. "I'm sure you're aware that MacRae won't be easily removed from such a coveted position. Do any at Lochstorm support him, save the men he brought with him?"
She thought for a moment. "Roderick and I truly believe that someone there has been providing Gordon with information. He knows too much. But, I personally ken of none who stand with him, except those he pays. Long ago his actions toward my father turned the whole clan against him, but of course, there may be some of the younger men who listen to his nonsense. I greatly fear for Roderick's life as well as Winnie's. If Gordon finds out they helped me, he may very well kill them both."
Kade stopped and turned to her. "You ken what a ruthless man he is, yet you were still willing to go back? Would he not have used you to satisfy his own depraved needs and then tossed you aside, perhaps even killing you?" How brave and spirited she was. Jillian was no longer the sheltered young lass from before, but a woman, much stronger than he could ever have imagined her to be. There was no way in hell Kade would've let her gone back.
She nodded. "Aye, but not for some time, I think. He would've waited 'til he had my people under his thumb, before quietly disposing of me. It's been said that his late wealthy wife may have suffered that very fate, but it could never be proven. And 'tis most likely her money he's using to fund this garrison of his. He's as cunning as a fox."
Kade took her small hands in his. He blew out a long breath, regretting what he was about to say, but knew that it had to be said. "Jilly, you don't have to wed me," he said, even though the thought of losing her again caused his heart to ache. "If you'll but swear your allegiance to me, I'll help you overthrow MacRae."
She smiled up at him, her blue eyes twinkling with tears. "Is there a reason you don't wish to wed me? Is there someone else?"
He shook his head. "Nay, there's no other." In reality, there never had been. Though he'd cared deeply for Isabelle, it hadn't been the same as what he'd felt for Jillian. "I wanted to give you a chance to change your mind, if you so wished it."
Jillian stood up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. "You're a fine man, Kade MacLachlan." She shook her head. "Nay, I'll not be changing my mind. For I wish to be your wife, if you also wish it."
Kade's heart leapt with joy. He grinned. "Aye, that I do lass, very much so. If you'll wait for me in the courtyard, I'd like to show you a wee bit of Ravenskull's many gardens. But first, I need but a moment to speak with Logan."
"Aye, of course," she said, taking a seat on a stone bench nestled beneath a massive oak tree.
When he left Jillian, her face was tilted up to the sun, her eyes closed, and a hint of a smile at the corners of her full lips. The lass was lovely. His heartbeat thundered against his chest just looking at her.
Kade hurried inside to find Logan. "I've an important quest for you."
"Aye, what is it, laird?" His eyebrows rose inquiringly.
"I need for you to assemble a marriage feast for the next meal. Have cook take a portion of the food set aside for the Midsummer's Eve festivities. And arrange for Father McTavish to perform the ceremony at the old kirk. It has much more space than the new chapel inside the castle. Send word down to the village that whosoever wishes to do so may attend. Any questions?"
"Aye, one. Who's getting married?"
Kade grinned. "Why myself, of course, along with Lady Jillian."
Logan's mouth dropped open. "So soon? You met her but a couple of days ago."
He shook his head. "Nay, Logan. You never knew it, but the lass and I had wished to be wed a few years ago, before I married Isabelle. But unbeknownst to the both of us, she was already betrothed to the man who tried to murder my father."
Logan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "The man you killed?"
Kade nodded. "Aye, the very same.
"Och, very well. All will be readied as you wish."
"Good. I mean to keep her in the gardens until then, for I wish it to be a surprise."
His eyes widened. "Does she ken she's getting married?"
Kade chuckled. "Aye, she does, but I wish the feast to be a surprise—and the fact that we'll be married soon afterward."
After leaving Logan shaking his head, Kade hurried back to the courtyard to find Jillian patiently waiting for him on the bench. "I'm sorry, Jilly. The matter took longer than expected."
She smiled. "Not to worry, I've enjoyed sitting in the sun. I don't do it often enough."
Unusual for the Scottish Highlands, the day brought exceptionally warm temperatures and they spent the entire morning exploring the vast gardens of Ravenskull. He truly knew happiness for the first time since the death of his wife and son.
It surprised Kade to realize the feelings he'd held for Jillian in the past had never left, in fact they seemed to have intensified upon seeing her again. He plucked a pink rose bloom from a nearby bush and tucked it behind her ear, watching her blush. He chuckled. "The flower is the exact color as your cheeks."
She gently touched the rose, smiling shyly. "Kade, I'm wondering." Jillian hesitated.
"Wondering about what, lass?"
"Isabelle."
He nodded. Of course she would be. He looked up at the blue sky and took a deep breath. "Och, well, where should I start?" They continued to walk." I wasn't in love with Isabelle when our fathers arranged the marriage. But after losing you to Innis, I didn't give a damn who I wed. But it didn't take me long to realize just how fortunate I was to have her. She wasn't only a beautiful lass, but also giving, full of life, and gentle. I came to care for her a great deal, and to love her. After two years of trying to conceive an heir, there was finally a wee bairn on the way. I couldn't have been any happier."
Kade paused and swallowed hard. It still hurt to remember.
"That morning Isabelle told me her time had come to give birth. I sent for Annag, and she and Glennis tended Isabelle. They refused to let me stay with her. With Galen, and my other close friends, Cinead and Duncan at my side, I stood in the corridor, listening as her whimpers turned into screams of agony. I ran inside. Never in my life would I have believed anyone could lose that much blood. Annag told me the bairn was crossways in the womb. The women frantically worked for more than an hour before finally succeeding in turning him. Then he came right out. The most perfect wee lad I'd ever laid eyes on. But he was dead."
Tears streamed down Jillian's cheeks. "Och, Kade, I'm so sorry," she said, slipping her arms around his waist. She stood there holding him, waiting for him to continue.
"And then there was Isabelle. She'd lost so much blood," he said, shaking his head. "Annag took me aside and told me she'd not live. I could do naught but sit beside the bed and hold her hand. Never had I felt so helpless. I didn't tell her that the wee bairn had died; there was no need. She opened her eyes and smiled weakly up at me. ''Tis a wee lad, Kade. I've given you an heir,' she said, then closed her eyes and died. I buried her in the kirkyard, with the bairn, who I'd named Cameron, wrapped in her arms. I didn't eat or leave my bedchamber for over a week. If not for my friends, I don't ken if I ever would have."
Jillian wept as she took his face between her hands and gently kissed his cheek. "You've suffered such great losses for one so young."
Kade wrapped his arms around her and blew out a long breath. "My life has been empty for so long. 'Til I caught sight of you in the solar, I thought I'd never feel happiness again. He gently pressed his lips to hers. "I've said much about me, Jilly, but what of you? I wondered many times what you were doing, if you'd found someone, and if you ever thought of me."
"Aye, I did think of you. You were on my mind often. My father never again tried to betroth me to anyone else after what happened with Innis. What he did do was to parade one suitor after another through Lochstorm, hoping I might choose one for a husband. None of them ever caught my fancy and after my mother died giving birth to Ian, he stopped trying. I became the only mother Ian ever knew and never could I have wed someone and just left him behind. Any thoughts I may have had of ever being a wife and mother were simply locked away." She looked up at him. "I suppose the truth is, after having cared for you as much as I did, I wanted no one else."