by Allie Borne
Bryan had told her that she was a fairy. She was his mystic presence on earth, he was her heavenly angel. The very unreality of their meeting made them both feel more alive. The sparks that played between the two lit the smoldering kindling of their desire. Bryan moved his hand to Merianne’s waist, drawing her sodden form against his. The water had heated from her skin and the steamy moisture enraged Bryan’s senses. It made him envision the way her inner thighs must feel right now, moist, slick and warm.
Without thinking, Bryan knelt in front of Meri and placed his cheek against her firm stomach. He adored this woman’s body. It was as if every efficient turn of her form were created to enrage his deepest desires. Grasping her hands he pulled her down with him into the soft peat.
Meri’s sodden auburn coils spread out about them, smelling of rain and hay. He wondered if every part of this woman would taste, feel, smell like summer. He sincerely hoped so. Running his hands across her shift, Bryan stimulated Meri’s pert nipples, causing her to moan in sheer ecstasy.
Go slow, he told himself, reminded of her innocence, her inexperience with men. Bryan leaned in to kiss her open mouth, running his tongue along the inside of her lower lip, encouraging her to open further for him. Of their own accord, Meri’s thighs also opened. Bryan leaned toward his love, slowly, languidly allowing the palms of his hands to find their way to the inner part of her thighs. There they rested, unmoving while Bryan plundered his love’s mouth, ran his kisses along her temples and down her neck, to the cleft between her breasts.
Merianne gasped as Bryan licked her nipple, then took the entire nub in his mouth to suckle around the linen of her shift. The sensation was driving her mad. She wished for him to continue, yet, the throbbing between her legs was becoming unbearable.
Meri grasped Bryan's arms, not knowing what it was she wished for him to do, but hoping he would know how to ease her need. Circling around the source of her passion, Bryan pushed his finger within her.
Meri cried out with the dizzying affects of his ministrations. Thus encouraged, Bryan began moving one finger, then two in and out of her tight space, responding to the movement of her hips, the throbbing of her sex.
Meri’s eyes remained closed, her passion ignited to the point that she knew not where she was. Bryan knew that he should stop, should call her back to herself, but he dared not. He dared not lose the best opportunity at gaining this woman as wife. She had sought to undercut their marriage contract and undermine his authority. He would take her now, know her as a husband knows a wife and she would be forced to honor their agreement, forced to admit who she was.
Without so much as stopping to remove his plaid, Bryan rolled atop the object of his devotion and eased himself within her aching space. It was a tight fit. Meri stilled, not opening her eyes, but not thrashing about it the throws of passion as she had before.
Bryan leaned closer to her delicately curved ear and whispered, “Ye are my one true love.” Placing feather light kisses along her jaw and ear, nuzzling her neck until she relaxed, Bryan began to move slowly within her.
Merianne soon lost herself in the timeless dance. Each fluid movement, within and without, mixing with the sounds of nature all around them, felt so right. Merianne felt complete and whole, here, making love to Bryan. Only sensation and emotion surrounded her.
Soon Bryan’s movements became more intense, moving faster and faster, further and further within her until she cried out for relief, and he cried out with release. Pulling her to lie beside him, Bryan again rested his face in the crook of Meri’s neck. It smelled of honeysuckle. He was certain if he were to dart his tongue along the dewy indent, the skin there would taste of it, too.
Meri was shaking, Bryan noticed and he sat up to insure himself of her welfare. Her face was pale and her eyes were large as she looked back at him, searching his face for clues as to what had just happened between them.
Bryan wanted to reassure her, but he also wanted to keep the power of the negotiation clearly within his grasp. “Meri, ye are wonderful,” was all he could think to say.
“Mary?” Merianne whispered, clearly called back to the fact that she had not told him of her true identity.
Bryan said nothing. He wanted her to tell him. He wanted their marriage to start with complete and open honesty between them. “You...you have lain with me, knowing you were promised to another woman?”
Bryan looked searchingly into Merianne’s grey-green eyes and waited for clarification. When none came, he responded, “Did I?”
“What are your intentions towards me, Lord Redland?” Merianne asked, in a clear attempt to sound controlled. The waver in her voice, the one that told him she wished for him to tell her he wanted her for herself was reassuring. Still, he wanted her to be open, to be honest.
“I have lain with ye. I have taken yer maiden hood. T'would think that my intentions are evident. I intend to marry thee.”
“And what of Mary?”
“What do ye mean?”
“Do you still intend to rescue her?”
“My relationship with ye has never had any connection to my duty to Mary. O’course I will insure her safe return, to the best of my ability.”
“And why have you chosen to marry me, Lord Redland?”
“I have chosen to marry ye because you are the right woman for me, for my people.”
“How do you know?” Merianne queried, seeking reassurance as desperately as Bryan sought to regain his trust.
“I know the same way ye know. The way ye turn your head to listen, the truth that lies within yer eyes, the tenor of yer voice, all say that ye are the woman for me. Yer actions show that ye will be the proper mistress for my people.”
“So, it matters not my name, my people?”
“It matters. Who yer people are affect my people. It matters that I know all about who ye are and who ye are connected to, not only so that I might know ye and understand ye, but also so that I might know how my affiliation with ye will affect my people. I am a clan member and a clan leader. What I do and who I marry affects the welfare of those I protect.”
Merianne’s shoulders sagged as she accepted that she must tell him the truth. “I have been dishonest with you. I never out and out lied to you. That is to say, my name is Meri and I always responded with as much truth as I could. I did not correct your misassumptions, however. When you assumed that I was Mary Luke, I allowed you and all of your clan to believe this was so. It was wrong of me. I am, in truth, Meri, or rather, Merianne Warren.
“I was afraid to reveal my identity and risk Mary never being recovered from the Cumyn clan. I now have no belief that that would happen. If you no longer wish to marry me, knowing that I have been deceitful, I will understand.”
Bryan looked at his betrothed, her hair, drying in the wind ran in waves of copper and auburn. It was the summer sunset, rays of various colors running this way and that. She was beautiful and delicate and vibrant. His heart ached for her but he also knew she must learn that dishonesty came with a price.
“Thou hast lied to everyone, Merianne, no’ jest me. I am my clan and as such, ye will apologize to them all, tonight.”
Merianne looked up at Bryan, aghast. She was too stunned to form her thoughts into words. “Come,” Bryan continued. “Ye must retrieve yer dress. I believe that I hear Aiden calling for ye.”
As they rose, Merianne winced at the soreness between her legs. Together they walked to the opening for the cave. There, Bryan stopped. “Are you not coming with me?” Merianne asked, concern etching her face.
“I can no’. I ‘ave left my stallion within that copse of trees. I will have to ride around to the barley fields and meet up with ye there.”
“I do not wish to face Aiden alone.”
“Have you done something fer which ye feel ye should be ashamed?”
Merianne looked up at Bryan, with tears in her eyes. “I am ashamed of nearly every moment since I have arrived on Scottish soil. I have conducted myself in very base and
common manner. I cannot bear to face Aiden, knowing that I have lied, debased, and defiled myself.”
Quickly, Merianne turned from Bryan and darted through the passage. Pushing past the waterfall she stumbled across the pool to the tree where her dress hung, a limp reminder of the dual life she had been living.
“Mary!” came Aiden’s insistent refrain.
“I am here, Aiden!” she called up to him. “I am sorry. I went exploring and lost track of time. I will be up in just a moment!”
Chapter 4-The Penance
Merianne felt miserable. She was sore and wet and somehow, the day had turned overcast and chilly. She was ashamed of herself, the way she had misrepresented herself, the way she had given in to passion and not stood for the strict morality under which she had been raised.
She had elicited a marriage proposal from Lord Redland. Yet, the commitment seemed as if it had come from a sense of propriety, not from a real wish to marry her, whomever it was Redland had believed her to be.
Sopping wet curls drip, drip, dripped across her chest and down her back. She barely looked up when Redland joined them at the barley patch. “Lord Redland, I am sorry that we are late fer yer meeting with Miss Luke. We lost track of time visiting the falls.”
“I see. And Meri is wet, because?”
Aiden’s face paled at the laird’s question. “I waited with the horses so that Miss Luke could swim in the falls. Nothing untoward happened, My Lord, ye ‘ave my word.”
“Is that true, Meri?” Bryan pressed with a cruel hint of humor in his voice, “Did nothing untoward happen?”
Merianne did not lift her head, she only said numbly to Aiden. “Aiden, I have misrepresented myself to you and to your family. In truth, I am Miss Merianne Warren. I chose not to disclose my identity, for fear that my companion, Miss Luke would not be rescued. I am ashamed of my lack of faith in the Murray Clan. I consider you a friend and I am regret my falsehood.”
Aiden’s face paled considerably more as he realized that he had been consorting, unchaperoned with the Laird’s intended. “I-I swear to thee, My Laird, that I had no idea of this lady’s true identity. Had I known, I never would have gone about alone with-”
“Enough. The damage is done. We will not mention this outing to anyone. I trust yer word, Aiden, as ye have never lied to me before. Ye will understand if I escort my betrothed back to the keep? We will stop by yer cottage so that she can change and make herself presentable.”
Aiden nodded. Mumbling, “I am loyal, tairisse...” he trailed off into Gaelic, and pulled back his horse so that Lord Redland could lead the way.
Merianne meekly allowed Mary’s pony to plod along between the two men. They were both angry with her, she could tell by the stiff way they rode. Each would like to wring her neck for her deceit. She didn’t blame them. She was a loathsome creature. Yet, part of her was already worried that her friend was in danger of being forgotten.
Did she dare raise the subject? “I -I could write my uncle. I am certain I could raise at least a few hundred pounds for Mary’s ransom. He, too, is very fond of Miss Luke. Her father was my uncle’s school chum. He would not be happy if something were to happen to-”
“Enough!” Bryan roared, having had more than his fill of the lass’s lack of faith in his ability to care for his dependents.
Aiden nearly shook with fear. The one and only time he had heard the Laird raise his voice thus, he had run a man through for defiling an innocent. Merianne would be wise to cease speaking. She did not need further prompting, however. Merianne remained silent as they returned to the cottage.
She remained silent as Martha bustled around her, helping her to dress in the deep green gown that Redland himself had commissioned for her nuptials. She remained silent as Martha wrapped the red and black tartan and fashioned her hair in a fetching arrangement of curls. She remained silent all the way back to the keep.
Just as they approached the outer wall, however, Merianne pulled up on Molly’s reigns and turned the pony to face Redland. Redland turned his own horse to hers and awaited the next phase of her argument. “I am deeply sorry for how I have conducted myself,” Merianne began. “As I have your agreement to continue with the plan to rescue Mary, I would like to tell you now that I wish to return this tartan to you. I have acted dishonorably and do not deserve to wear it. Sliding from her horse, Meri removed the comforting fabric and broach, offering it up to Redland.
When he did not move, simply staring down at her, she continued. “I will apologize to your people. I will even wear your colors at the competition, to ensure that the Cumyns believe us to be wed. I will not wear the plaid in truth and marry you, as I have proved myself disloyal. I cannot marry you knowing that I come to you impure and distrusting.”
As Bryan stared down at her, Merianne could feel the silence stretching tightly, a taut connection between them. She continued to try to explain. “I will work with you to regain my companion and Mary and I will return to England. Please find it in your heart to forgive me my inadequacies and forget our contract. I am sure my uncle will honor the political connection, whether or not we are wed.”
“Yer certainties and uncertainties indicate a true lack of understanding of the male world, Merianne. A marriage, and the continuing state of it are all that guarantee political ties. Even then, the ties can be severed fer a myriad of other reasons. Yer lack of faith in me and yer misconduct not withstanding, I intend to marry ye.
“I will marry thee because I believe it is the best choice for my people and as their Laird I put them first. If ye could understand that we would not still be having this conversation. If ye care for my people as ye say you do, ye will enter these gates with the tartan intact and put forth a happy demeanor. Ye will honor them with yer pride in being included in our clan and ye will humble yourself by apologizing to them. We will marry tonight and retrieve yer companion by the end of the week.
“I will reserve the right to remain angry with ye for yer dishonesty as well as the right to doubt thee until ye prove yerself dependable, wise and trustworthy. Thou art young, yet. I expect it will be a long time before ye achieve my trust.
“Until then, ye will act as my wife and no’ my advisor, my companion and no’ my partner. Do ye understand, Merianne?”
His declaration slid beneath Merianne’s rib cage, stealing her breath and slicing her heart. Each of her words and deeds had been forged in the heat of Bryan’s anger, forming the razor smooth blade of that sword. Every inch she herself had crafted. She had sealed her fate. Offending the avenging angel himself was not wise.
Marrying her was the best way for him to assure his revenge with minimal damage to anyone else. He was wiser and more experienced than she. She had a lot to learn about sacrifice. He seemed more than willing to teach her.
Merianne would not cry. Her pain was too swift. Bryan’s assault had left her in shock, thank God. She would be able to get through tonight without feeling the crippling wound he had inflicted.
Bryan stood looking down at the pale figure of his fiancé as she replaced the plaid with shaking hands. It took her three times before she was able to attach the broach properly. Part of him regretted causing Meri such pain but it was essential she accept the complete nature of his authority over her. She must stop this talk of appealing to her uncle and she must accept that he was to be her husband and her laird.
Together, they rode into the keep and dismounted. “Gather the servants in the hall, Arthur,” Redland ordered. “I have an announcement to make.”
Merianne followed Redland into the great hall and stood beside him, in front of the great table. They stood for at least thirty minutes as the various sections of the household filtered into the great hall.
They stood without talking, without touching at all. Merianne kept her head high and her eyes clear, however. She would prove that she was not quite as ill equipped to be mistress of a grand holding as she had thus far indicated.
She could hide her personal hurts an
d perform for the masses. Redland did not, after all, know with exactly whom he was dealing.
As the last of the servants entered and stood, Redland boomed out, above their heads, “I have an announcement to make. Ye see before ye yer laird. Ye also see the lady some of ye might have known as Mary Luke. In truth, this woman is my intended bride, Merianne Warren. Due to reasons we could not before discuss, we have kept her identity a secret. Miss Warren will now explain herself, to ye, so that we all might move forward-a clan without secrets.”
Silence fell on the crowd as Merianne faced these people that would be her people. A scuffle of a foot and a cough could be heard, nothing more. Merianne looked from eye to eye and smiled bravely. In a loud and clear voice that somehow was able to maintain the lulling melody Redland so admired, Meri began:
“I came to you as Mary, the Commoner. I allowed my shapeless gown and unadorned hair to make the assumption for my saviors that I was a servant and not a gently born lady.
“My companion and friend, Mary Luke lies in the Cumyn keep as we speak. The bruises and discomfort that I suffered at the hands of the Cumyns are likely nothing compared to what Mary has had to suffer. It was for her sake that I misrepresented myself to you. It was for her sake that I jeopardized my personal relationships within this clan and it was for her sake that I lied to the Cumyn scum that attacked me, telling him that I had married your laird.
“I do not ask for your forgiveness. I ask only for your understanding. As clansmen you know of loyalty. You know what it is to sacrifice your personal comfort and stability for the good of the clan. Know, too, that as I join you, as I take up this tartan, I take to my heart the loyalty for the Murray clan. As I have sacrificed for Mary, I, too, will sacrifice for you.
“I hope to prove this to each one here tonight over and over, as the years pass. I will be a mistress that will put the needs of her people before her own. And as I have proven, in my youth, to be short sighted, I hope that you will help me to see the long view.