03 - The Wicked Lady

by Brenda Jernigan

  Kristen watched as Malcolm picked up the huge round stone. "This one's for ye, lass." He nodded toward Kristen, and winked.

  Kristen couldn't help but smile. He really was being brash. But the minute she smiled, Trevor frowned.

  Malcolm's throws were good. Each one further than the last.

  The next five men came nowhere close to Malcolm's distance. inally, it was Trevor's turn.

  Malcolm looked at Trevor. "I believe ye'll have a tough time, Englishmon. I'll be enjoying the kiss I'm tae receive from ye wife."

  "Like hell you will," Trevor ground out as he picked up the stone with very little effort and placed it on his shoulder.

  Kristen was surprised at the muscles she saw in Trevor's arms when he lifted the stone. Then she remembered she'd first seen Trevor aboard a ship where he must have done some heavy work. He was just as brawny as the other men.

  Trevor's first shot fell half the distance of Malcolm's shortest toss.

  "Got tae do better than that, Englishmon," Malcolm taunted.

  Trevor didn't bother to respond. His second shot was disqualified because his toe went over the line. This time he swore and Malcolm laughed.

  The muscles tightened in Trevor's jaw as he picked up the stone again. He paused before he threw, making sure he had the stone position just right. Kristen held her breath, as he concentrated very hard. Suddenly, he spun around and heaved the stone and sent it soaring through the air. The crowd hushed as the rock sailed by them to land six inches further than Malcolm's.

  Kristen applauded and cheered, which produced a big smile from her husband. Maybe the day would turn out well, after all.

  The games went on all afternoon. Some Trevor won and some Malcolm won. It was as if they the only competitors.

  During a break in the men's competition, Kristen and Keely decided to check on Hagan. On the way, they passed a group of ladies playing a game.

  "What are they doing?" Kristen asked, pointing to a group of laughing women.

  "They're tossing the Wellie."

  "It looks like a boot to me."

  Keely laughed. "It is. I was told the game started when the men would come home from the fields, and would enter the house with muddy boots, tracking mud onto the freshly washed floor As ye can imagine, the women who had been hard at work all day scrubbing the floors were so angry that they grabbed up the boots, chased the men out of the house, and threw the offending boots at them."

  Kristen laughed. "So now 'tis a game tae see who can throw the boot the farthest?"

  "That's right." Keely nodded. "Would ye like tae play?"

  "Nay. I've had no experience thus far throwing anything," Kristen admitted. "The truth be told, I dinna feel much like a wife."

  "Ye've not had a normal marriage, thus far." Keely squeezed Kristen's arm. "It will get better."

  They found Hagan playing with ten other children.

  Hagan looked up and, spotting his sister, ran to her. "I don't have to go, do I?"

  "Nay, I was just checking to see what ye were up to."

  "They have all kinds of games," Hagan said, the excitement showing in his eyes. "They're going to teach me to hurl the Haggis. They like to throw everything." Hagan looked around. "Where is Trevor?"

  "He is still competing with the other men. Right now they are resting."

  "Is he winning?"

  "Aye."

  Hagan giggled.

  "What's so funny?"

  Hagan motioned for his sister to bend down so he could whisper. "Trevor said Hell would freeze over before he lost to a Scot," Hagan informed her, then ran back to his friends.

  Kristen shook her head and then wandered over to where Keely stood. The music played, and they watched the Scottish dancers dancing around the swords. But no matter where she went in the crowd, her mind was on Trevor.

  Soon it was time to eat. They spread out blankets and some food and were joined by Trevor, Ian and Gillionan. They feasted on roasted chicken and crusty bread prepared by the cooks.

  "Ye've proven yerself well," Ian said to Trevor. "However, Malcolm got the best of ye the last game. Are ye worried?"

  "Has anyone ever told you that you're a crafty old buzzard?"

  "I believe I've heard that from ye." Ian chuckled.

  Kristen marveled at what she was seeing and hearing. Her grandfather and Trevor were actually joking with one another. Maybe after the talk she had with her grandfather he had softened, but that still didn't explain Trevor's change. Before she'd only heard him say bad things about the Johnstones. What was going on that she didn't understand?"

  Trevor leaned back on his elbows "What is the next event?"

  " 'Tis the caber toss. The hardest game of all. It carries twice the points."

  Trevor had an odd expression on his face as he asked, "When?"

  "Half an hour. We'll give everyone's meal a chance tae settle a wee bit," Ian said as he got to his feet and stretched his back. "If ye'll excuse me, I'd best check on the rest of our guests."

  After Ian left, Trevor leaned over and whispered something to Keely. She nodded her head in answer. Then he looked at Kristen. "I'll see you at the next game," he said, then got to his feet.

  Kristen watched him go. She didn't understand her husband at all. She wanted to ask Keely what Trevor had said to her, but her twin got up and left with Gillionan.

  Kristen put away the food and folded the blankets, then she made her way to where they would have the caber toss. She stared at several long poles and shook her head.

  "What's wrong?" Keely ask.

  "I dinna see what they are going tae do with those logs. They look heavy."

  "Aye, about one hundred and twenty pounds. I dinna see how they throw them either, but they do. Look the first mon's ready."

  They watched him throw his caber. It hit the ground and fell backwards. He swore and moved off.

  "What's wrong?" Kristen whispered.

  "They must toss the caber end-over-end so that it lands with the bottom or small end pointed directly away from the contestant."

  "I dinna see the point. How did they come up with such a silly game?"

  " 'Tis the same thing I asked. Grandfather told me it started when the men were clearing the forest tae make fields. They were so many streams tae be crossed that the men would toss trees across the streams so that one end was on each bank. Those who couldn't toss the trees correctly ended up with wet feet all day."

  Kristen laughed. "Let's hope Trevor can keep his feet dry."

  He was next.

  She couldn't believe how easily Trevor lifted the caber, his muscles straining with the weight of the thing. His toss was perfect. But so was Malcolm's. They went back and forth several times, until Ian finally declared a tie.

  She hurried to congratulate her husband, but Trevor turned briskly in the other direction and disappeared, leaving her filled with disappointment.

  Tears stung her eyes as everyone gathered round so that Ian could present the awards. Everyone except Trevor. Was he angry that she would have to kiss Malcolm, too? Maybe he didn't care and had returned home.

  Malcolm eyed her from across the field as the men cheered him.

  Kristen swallowed hard. She'd simply kiss him on the cheek and it would be over with . . . she hoped.

  She scanned the crowd. Where was Trevor?

  Ian stepped up on a small platform. "I'm proud to announce that our overall winners are two. Malcolm Scott and Trevor Claremont." Ian turned to Malcolm. "Seeing as I dinna see Trevor at the moment, ye can collect ye reward first. Which of my lovely granddaughters do ye choose for ye kiss?"

  Malcolm moved up beside Ian. "I prefer the redheaded lass."

  The cheers of the other men roared around her. Kristen's face heated with embarrassment as Ian looked at her, too.

  "Kristen, lass, would ye come up here?"

  She maneuvered through the crowd and across the field. She must get this over with, and it didn't appear that Trevor wanted his prize at all, which was a
severe blow to her ego.

  She'd just reached the top of the platform, when she looked up. Malcolm advanced toward her with lust in his eyes.

  From out of nowhere, she heard the pounding of horses' hooves. She turned. A rider raced across the field at a breakneck pace. The crowd turned to see who approached.

  The rider didn't slow as he approached the group, and they had to scatter like ants to get out of the way.

  Kristen gasped when she recognized the rider. He galloped straight toward her. He had no intention of stopping. Was he going to run her down?

  She hadn't meant to make him that angry.

  The next thing she knew, she'd been swept off her feet and pulled in front of Trevor. His arms tightened around her as they sped off. Shouts from the crowd followed until they became a soft whisper on the wind.

  Kristen felt so contented to be held by Trevor that several minutes went by before she asked, "Where are we going?"

  "I wanted to speak with you," Trevor said tersely.

  "Ye could have spoken with me back there."

  "No, I could not."

  Kristen was surprised that she wasn't worried about their talk as she'd been earlier. Just maybe she'd test his mood. "I dinna get the chance tae give Malcolm his prize."

  "Nor will you," Trevor snapped.

  He sounded jealous. Good, she thought and pressed for more. "He did tie with ye, after all."

  "He's a bloody pain in the ass. If he wants his kiss, he'll have to choose Keely."

  Kristen smiled, but Trevor couldn't see it. "But he didn't want Keely."

  Trevor jerked his mount to a stop, grasped Kristen by the shoulders, and glared at her. "I'll not have you kissing another man. You're my wife."

  And to prove the point, he pulled her to him, crushing her within her arms. With the swiftness of a bird of prey, his mouth swooped down on hers in the most breathtaking kiss she'd ever experienced.

  Trevor tasted heavenly. After the initial shock, his mouth softened and he began to place soft kisses over her face, tender kisses down her throat until she shivered within his arms.

  Looking down at her, he whispered, "We'll continue this later."

  Once again, he enfolded her in his arms. He kneed his mount, and they galloped off toward Chatsworth.

  Trevor reined in his sweating steed and dismounted at the front door. He said nothing, but took her upstairs to his room.

  Once inside, she turned to face him. Hoping for the best, fearing the worse, yet knowing they had to talk, she could not go on. She had to know how he felt.

  "Kristen." Trevor paused. "I don't know where to begin."

  She watched him, afraid to say anything for fear that it might be wrong.

  "I can see you're not going to help me." He didn't look happy. "Kristen, I think . . ."

  Oh my God, he wanted a divorce. No, Kristen prayed. Please don't take him from me. Not the only thing I've ever wanted.

  "Kristen, I--I . . . ."

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  "Kristen, I want to start again."

  "Ye want a divorce?" Kristen asked, not knowing what he meant. From somewhere far off, she heard Constance's voice as if she were still standing beside Kristen.

  You must get Trevor to open up if you ever want to keep him. Remember, everyone he has ever given his love to has let him down. He has grown cold inside.

  "No," Trevor stated flatly. "Not unless you do."

  Kristen closed her eyes and shook her head. "Nay, I do not." Finally, she opened her eyes and asked, "What do you want?" She held her breath as she waited for the answer.

  Trevor laughed wryly. "Do you know how many times I've asked myself the same thing?" He saw the anticipation in Kristen's wide, emerald eyes as she waited for him to say more. A voice he thought never to hear again sounded in his ear.

  You can't go through life keeping everyone at arm's length. You must open your heart and trust. For if you're not careful, you'll lose her.

  Trevor looked around as if he expected to see his grandmother behind him. But no one was there.

  "What is it?"

  "I thought I heard--never mind," Trevor said, looking back to Kristen. "I want you to stay here and be my wife," he finally said, and then in a softer voice, "I need you."

  Kristen couldn't move. She wanted to leap into his arms, yet she held back. She needed more, but found she was unsure how to ask for it.

  Look deep inside yourself, and you'll find out what to do.

  Kristen smiled as Constance gave her the final shove. "I canna promise that I'll never be any trouble."

  Trevor laughed. "I must admit you have kept me in a whirlwind. The funny part is that I've come to like it." He took a step toward her.

  "I can promise that I will never leave ye. If ye get tired of me, ye'll have tae send me away."

  "That will never happen," Trevor admitted. His gaze never left her face. He took another step toward her. "Remember, until death do us part."

  "I plan on living a long, long time." Kristen blushed. Her heart raced faster the closer he got to her. For once, she was letting him make the first move.

  "As do I, providing I can keep all weapons out of your hands."

  She blushed. "I really dinna mean tae shoot ye."

  "Oh, really?" He stopped in front of her.

  "Had I not, we never would have met," she pointed out.

  "Well, your plan worked." His breath bushed across her face.

  "Aye," she sighed, and looked into his eyes. "Say the words."

  "What words?"

  "The ones ye have avoided saying since the moment we met."

  He lifted a finger and brushed her cheek softly with a gentle touch. "It took me a little while to figure everything out."

  "And what did ye find?"

  "I found that the sun and the stars were much duller when you were not around."

  "And?"

  "And my life was empty without you." He cupped her chin and tilted her face up.

  "And?" she prodded.

  His thumb traced her bottom lip. "And I could think of no others, but you."

  "And?"

  "And . . . I love you Kristen Johnstone Claremont. From the moment you taught me there was more to life than just going through the motions. You are the stars . . . the moon . . . you are my life."

  Kristen's began to tremble as Trevor's mouth descended to hers. But instead of kissing her, he just brushed her lips and moved to place warm kisses across her ear. When his tongue touched her soft lobe, she had to grasp his arms to keep from falling. He whispered how much he loved her over and over again.

  Gathering her courage, she murmured, "Trevor, ye have taught me many things. Can ye teach me how tae have a baby?"

  His mouth covered hers in a heart-stopping kiss that robbed her of her breath. After a long moment, he lifted his mouth and she saw the dark passion that burned in his eyes.

  "I think that can be arranged," he murmured. He caressed her lips again. Then drawing in a steadying breath, he whispered huskily, "If you catch on as quickly as you did to kissing we shall have a house full of children."

  "I love ye, Trevor." Kristen gazed up at the one thing she had wanted all her life. She just hadn't known that it was Trevor. I'm ready for my first lesson."

  Trevor chuckled as he lifted her off her feet and carried her to the bed. "Kristen, you are one wicked lady."

  "Aye," Kristen murmured as she finally found her little bit of heaven . . . .

  "And yer one wicked mon."

 

 

 

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