Ian had explained, in very few words, that he wanted to be on the outer edge of MacDonald land before they stopped for the night. It would be safer, she assumed, but would it save her ass from being bruised and abused? She thought not.
Daydreaming about getting off the horse, Ginny was shocked when the soldiers and Ian came to an abrupt halt. Looking around to see what had caused the change, Ginny could see a group of men, all on horseback, riding dangerously fast toward them. Ginny squinted to see who they were, only to notice a larger group of men riding dangerously fast behind them. What the devil? she thought only seconds before Ian screamed and raced forward at breakneck speed.
Ginny didn't think, she only held on for dear life. All the men in their group had followed suit and were racing toward the first group. When they had gotten closer, Ginny could finally see that the first group comprised McKenna's, with Broderick's unmistakable mass in the front. Holding onto him, much like Ginny, was another woman. Presumably, the MacDonald girl.
All at once, Ginny was on the ground, while Ian and his men continued forward. The second group, wearing kilts that Ginny had not yet seen, were barreling down after the united McKennas. Standing alone, in the middle of the field, Ginny was exposed, but strangely calm. She watched as Broderick broke off and rode with his passenger toward Ginny.
“Elspeth, stay here with Ginny. I swear on my honor that no man will get past me to ya,” Broderick stated as he set the MacDonald girl down with care.
“Aye, thank ya, Broderick,” she replied, looking mesmerized by the large, gruesome man.
With that, Broderick rode off to join the melee, which now consisted of two groups, no longer on horses, with swords drawn and angry shouts rendered. It was an awesome sight, with the numbers nearly even, slightly favoring the other clan. Large men, mostly hairy and dirty, ready to slash each other beyond repair. It made Ginny somewhat sick.
“My name is Elspeth MacDonald,” she spoke in a quiet, unassuming tone. It almost made Ginny laugh at the lightness of it, like she were introducing herself over tea.
“I'm Ginny,” was all she could get out before the ringing of swords broke over the sounds of cursing and shouts. Still, Elspeth was bound to know more than she did. “Who are they?” she asked pointing to the unknown clan.
“The Sinclairs. They dinna want this alliance between the MacDonalds and the McKennas. This is the second such encounter we have endured. Broderick was able to protect me from the first onslaught.”
Well, well, well, it would seem that young Elspeth has a thing for Frankenstein , she thought to herself as a smile formed on her face. Before the young girl could spot it, Ginny quickly went back to looking grim. It's not like she didn't know who would win this battle.
“Were they the ones who stole Aileana?” Ginny asked, before realizing that Elspeth probably wouldn't even know what she was talking about.
“Aye. My father received information exposing them. He would have aligned our clan to the McKennas after the treachery, but that was when Broderick came to collect me.” With her head down, she whispered, “I am to marry the Laird McKenna.”
“Yeah, I know. You don't seem too pleased about it.”
“Why should I be? I am sure the Laird is a fine man, but I dinna know him. Will he be kind, like Broderick has been? Will he generous and sweet, like Broderick? Or will I be miserable for the rest of my life without love?”
Ginny eyes widened as she listened to the drivel. Dear God, really? she thought to herself. Maybe she hadn't learned her lesson, since she was still in it for the sex. Ginny could admit a large attraction to Ian. She could also admit that she did care for him, quite deeply. Love, though? Would she jump in front of an arrow to save his life? Maybe not. She didn't even know if she was capable of such emotion.
“So what are you going to do about it? Stand here and whine or put down your foot and demand what you want,” Ginny resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Damn she could play the part when she wanted to. This situation, of course, would get her what she wanted as well. Ian, in bed, forever. It suddenly occurred to Ginny that it might just mean that: forever. She had no idea if she would ever leave here, or would her brain continue to concoct this story as long as she lay comatose somewhere else.
The sound of swords clashing brought her out of her reverie. Two of the Sinclairs lay on the ground, covered in blood and not moving. The rest were back on their horses and riding off, into the sunset so to speak. The rest of the McKennas came running over with their horses to the two women standing there. Ian was at her side in moments, speaking volumes if Elspeth were paying any attention. She wasn't, of course, because her attention was solely on Broderick, who was by her side in a moment as well.
One of the other McKennas spit on the ground and said, “They will be back and in greater numbers. We shouldnae stay here too long.” Ginny smiled. It sounded like a line from Star Wars, when Obi Wan warned about the Sand People. Ginny had to admit that sometimes, she was a big nerd.
“Aye,” Ian agreed. “We need to find a priest.”
Ginny spoke up. “A priest? Did someone die,” she looked over at the two Sinclairs on the ground. When no one answered, she turned at saw that they were all looking at her like she was an idiot.
“What?” Ginny asked her large audience.
Ian took her by the arm and walked her away. When they were out of earshot of the group, he turned her to face him and said gently, “It is for my marriage, Ginny. I dinna care about the Sinclairs. They can rot in hell. If I dinna marry Elspeth, I canna expect the alliance with her father.”
Oh, right, she thought to herself, now knowing why they all thought she was an idiot. Turning her eyes to the ground, she spoke softly, “I'm sorry. I guess I forgot about that.” She looked up into his eyes and saw something she didn't expect to see. She saw regret. Had he thought about them being together once before the marriage? Ginny imagined he was feeling exactly the same way she was. Strangely enough, it made her feel better.
Putting on her game face, knowing that she had put a bug in Elspeth's ear, she said, “Well, let's go find a priest, shall we?” Ginny linked her arm with Ian and led him back to the group.
The change in Ginny's voice disconcerted Ian. All of a sudden, she seemed quite fine with the idea of him marrying someone else. They walked back to the other men and she waited for him to give his order. Why was she so... happy? The entire trip had been grim and now she seemed almost excited to continue.
“Ewan, where do ya think we might find a priest?” Ian asked one of his soldiers. Ewan was famous for knowing where to find anything.
“There is a small village to the north with an abbey attached to the land. One of the monks can marry ya.”
Ian mounted his horse and reached down to grab Ginny to haul her up. Ginny stepped away quickly and suggested, “Ian, maybe now would be a good time to get to know your fiancée. I'll just ride with someone else.” As Ginny walked over by Broderick, it took only one look from him to know that he was not willing to be her partner. So, she walked back to Ewan, who was smiling in her direction.
“Ewan, would you mind carrying me?” she asked, almost chipper, knowing full well that Ian was probably madder than a hornet right now.
“Aye, my lady. It would be my pleasure.”
“You're so kind,” she said, chancing a look back at Ian, who was indeed, rather pissed off. Ian fixed his gaze on Ewan. The look, which left no room for misunderstanding, spoke of murder for any inappropriate action made on Ewan's part. Ian then fixed his gaze on Ginny. He was angry and maybe even hurt. This would have been their last chance together. Ginny expected otherwise, so she simply smiled and winked.
Ewan took hold of Ginny and placed her gently on his lap. Not as big as Ian, Ewan still had powerful thighs that made a nice cushion for Ginny. He looked strange, having jet black hair and sharp brown eyes. His olive complexion looked more worthy of an Italian man, than Scots. He did not suffer from insufficient conversation, and spoke almost no
n-stop to the abbey. Knowing nothing would come of it, Ginny flirted with him and kept up her end of the conversation.
Ginny watched Ian and Elspeth as they rode to the north. Ian was stiff as a board, which was nothing compared to Elspeth, who looked as if she would snap at any moment. Not much in the way of conversation transpired between them. Ian was making it very clear that he was no more amendable to this marriage than she was. Thankfully, they wouldn't be marrying each other, Ginny was certain of that.
Ginny began to sing snipets of America's Sister Golden Hair: Well I tried to make it Sunday, but I got so damned depressed, that I set my sights on Monday and I got myself undressed. I ain't ready for the altar, but I do agree there's times, when a woman sure can be a friend of mine.
The further they rode, the colder it got. Ginny had almost forgotten about the cold. She turned her head to look at Ewan and said, “Ewan, I'm sorry. I'm very cold. Do you mind if I lean up against you to warm up?”
Ewan looked at Ian and smiled wanly. “Of course, my lady. I would be happy to assist ya.” Then he whispered, “I dinna want to anger the laird though.”
Ginny saw his predicament. If he kept Ginny warm with his own body, Ian would probably pound him into the ground. On the other hand, Ewan certainly didn't want to say no to her. “Maybe I could just discreetly put my hands on you to keep them warm. That would help.”
“Aye, my lady. Discreetly,” he whispered, which almost made Ginny laugh out loud.
Ginny put one hand on Ewan's chest, outside his shirt, so it looked like she was only steadying herself. The warmth tingled through her fingers and up her arm. Her mother would always tell her, “Cold hands, warm heart,” but Ginny would have preferred to have warm hands anyway. When she got older, she would tell her mother that she'd rather be a cold hearted bitch if it meant having warm hands and feet.
* Chapter 22 *
Just north was a two hour horseback ride. By the time they reached the abbey, Ginny's ass was as numb as her hands and feet. As soon as her feet hit the ground, Ginny was walking around trying to regain some feeling. She kept tripping, with the pins and needles in her feet making her uncomfortable. Ian always seemed to be right there to keep her from falling though.
Broderick walked up to the abbey gate and rang the bell. The bell, large and rusty looking, clanged loudly in the peace of the early evening. While waiting for the summons to be fulfilled, Ian took Ginny aside and whispered, “I must marry her, Ginny. Ya do understand that.”
“Ian, have you asked Elspeth what she wants?”
“It doesnae matter what she wants. Her father and I agreed to join our clans. She must marry a McKenna.”
“Fine. But does that McKenna have to be you?” She saw him begin to object and she quickly added, “She's in love with Broderick. She all but told me flat out when you were butchering Sinclairs. Wouldn't her father be alright with her marrying him instead?”
“Why dinna ya tell me this earlier?”
Ginny looked as if she was thinking about what he said. She even put her hand on her chin and looked back thoughtfully at him. “I don't know. I guess torturing you for a couple of hours was in payback for you not telling me you were betrothed when we were fooling around with each other.” With that, she gave him a dazzling smile.
“Och, Ginny. Ya made me watch ya with Ewan for hours so ya could get some revenge?”
“Aye, I did. You really must learn not to mess with me, Ian. I can be really mean when I want to be!” Her smile was devious, but dazzling. Things were definitely starting to look up.
He put his head in his hands and starting shaking. Ginny wondered how much trouble she would be in for this, until she saw the smile on his face. He shook his head and walked quickly away. She watched Ian approach Broderick and Elspeth, who had naturally stood by him while waiting for the monks to arrive at the gate.
Ian spoke to both of them. Ginny saw Elspeth's face light up and Broderick, as usual, remained implacable. Elspeth began to shake her head up and down vigorously. Ginny watched Broderick as he agreed slowly to the arrangement. Ian slapped his first in command on the back and walked back to Ginny.
“Well, it is done. Broderick will marry Elspeth. And ya will marry me.”
Ginny was so happy to hear about Broderick and Elspeth that she didn't fully comprehend his other statement. “We're getting married... today?”
“Aye, Ginny.” Ian lowered his voice to a whisper and said, “And ya will be mine tonight.”
A flutter started in Ginny's stomach. This was it, finally. Ginny was going to get what she'd been waiting for since day one of coming here. Would it be done after that? Would she get to go home? Her face dropped at the thought. As much as she wanted to go home, she really did like Ian. It was too late to consider it, since a monk finally appeared at the gate.
Broderick spoke quickly to the monk, who then opened the gate and allowed only the couples and two witnesses inside. Ian quickly gave orders to the others to be on the lookout. One of the MacDonalds, a man named Liam, had been sent to the MacDonald laird to tell them the marriage would take place and war would be declared on the Sinclairs. Liam was to meet them here, hopefully with some MacDonald soldiers at his side.
Another man was sent to the McKenna keep. He would rally Alec and the other McKenna soldiers here as well. It seemed that after the festive marriage of the McKenna Laird and his first in command, there was to be a battle. Probably in the field outside a small village, where an abbey stood watch over the land.
* Chapter 23 *
Before Ginny knew what was happening, she was herded into a chapel inside the old keep of the abbey. She and Elspeth were taken aside, far enough away from Ian and Broderick that they wouldn't be able to hear, and asked some very pointed questions by a monk named Douglas.
“Do ya both come here of ya own free will? I willnae marry ya otherwise,” he said. Ginny looked at his old face. Brother Douglas probably wasn't that old, but the years had not been kind. The monk was shorter than Ginny and rounder as well. He had an easy smile and kind voice, so both girls were instantly put at ease.
Elspeth was the first to answer and quite eagerly at that, “Oh yes, Brother. I am more than willing to marry Broderick.” She was smiling from ear to ear. She had thanked Ginny a thousand times for her help as they entered the abbey.
Brother Douglas turned to Ginny. “And ya, child. Are ya certain ya wish to marry Laird McKenna?”
Both Ginny and the monk turned to look at Ian at the same time. Ian, who had been staring at them already, lifted an eyebrow at her in challenge. He obviously knew what the monk was trying to ascertain and knew that Ginny would probably be difficult about it. Ginny smiled a dazzling smile and turned back to the monk. “Yes, I think I would like to marry the Laird McKenna today.”
Impatience got the better of him and Ian yelled from across the room, “Brother, we havenae all day.”
Brother Douglas' easy smile disappeared. “I willnae be rushed, young man. I will take what time I need to make sure the two of ya didnae steal these girls from their homes.” Ginny watched Ian roll his eyes at the announcement.
Ginny smiled at the monk. She'd rarely seen anyone willing to stand up to Ian, other than herself. It was refreshing to see that the monk was not so easily intimidated. Ian could probably snap him in half, but Brother Douglas had a duty to do and wouldn't be put off from it.
“Now, as I was saying, were either of ya taken against yar will? It is a sad practice in the Highlands. But a tradition at that. So, were ya?”
Elspeth, again in her enthusiasm, said, “No. I was to marry the laird, but I fell in love with Broderick. I wasnae forced in any way.”
At her announcement, the monk looked curious. “Lady Chatham, did ya know that Elspeth was intended for the Laird?”
“Aye,” was the only reply she gave, still smiling in Ian's direction.
“Ya havenae an issue with marrying him instead?”
“Nay,” again, still smiling.
&
nbsp; “Verra well, then. I will marry ya both right now.”
The ceremony, if you could call it that, was very brief and informal. Questions of whether you take so and so, and do you promise to honor, cherish and obey. Truthfully, Ginny wasn't too jazzed about the obey part, didn't feel it was necessary since she had no intention of obeying anyone. Alas, if she was going to get her wedding night, she would have to lie a little.
At the end of the ceremony, Brother Douglas took a piece of both men's kilt and wrapped it around their joined hands. Ginny smiled again at the symbolism and was in a kind of awe over what she'd done. She'd just married a man. Never did that before. Of course, she wouldn't have married someone just to have sex either. She would have just had sex with him.
After the final blessing, the group walked back to the great room of the keep. Brother Douglas offered everyone some wine in celebration. Not wanting to be rude, everyone accepted a glass and toasted the newly married couples. Even the two McKenna soldiers, enlisted as witnesses enjoyed a glass. Finally, the monk offered the married couples lodging for the night.
“We have some special chambers for overnight guests. They are simple, but warm and comfortable. Would ya care to stay?” he asked the men. Ginny thought it was a no brainer, of course they would stay, but apparently it wasn't that simple for the men.
“We should prepare the troops, Laird,” Broderick stated.
“Aye, but we need to consummate the marriage to ensure the alliance,” Ian retorted.
“I think Elspeth and I would be far more comfortable in these lodgings than out in the field in front of the abbey,” Ginny was getting slightly perturbed by the casual banter, interfering with her best sex ever.
A Lesson in Passion Page 17