Rogues to Lovers: Legend of the Blue Rose

by Laurel O'Donnell

  “You knew him?” Lance put his arm around her and pulled her to his chest.

  “H-he kept me prisoner, hangin’ in the cage along with my sister.”

  “What did you say?” Lance held Coira at arm’s length and studied her face. Had she just said what he thought she said? “Coira, tell me this isn’t true.”

  “It is,” she said, wiping away a tear. “It was horrible.”

  “Why would my uncle have done such an awful thing?”

  “He wanted to find the Stone of Scone, or Stone of Destiny as it’s called. Effie stole it from the Scots to give to the English for my release.”

  Lance’s ears perked up at this. The last thing he wanted to do was to use Coira’s hardships to his advantage. But his uncle told him if he wanted to keep the castle, he had to find out where they hid the stone. It was only a stone, so why should the Scots care about it so much?

  “Coira, you’re shaking. You need to calm down. I am sorry that happened. I didn’t know about it. I suppose that is why you seemed apprehensive to come to Liddel Castle.”

  “It holds a lot of bad memories for me, Lance.”

  “Shhh,” he said, brushing back her hair and kissing the top of her head. “Those memories are in the past. It’s all over now. I am going to make sure those thoughts never bother you again. I will get rid of the cages anon.”

  “And what about Sir Philip?” asked Coira. “Can ye please have him leave as well? I canna live here if I am goin’ to be seein’ him. His presence reminds me too much of what happened in the past.”

  Lance realized it wasn’t going to be easy to get rid of Philip. The only way to make him go was to find out where the Scots hid the stone. He didn’t like this at all but had to do it. “Coira, where did the Scots hide the stone?”

  Coira wiped her tears. “Well, Aidan had it back at the MacKeefe camp and used it as his pillow.”

  That was easier than he thought. Lance would have his information and be able to send Philip on his way after all. “So that’s where it is, then?”

  “Nay, no’ anymore.”

  “What do you mean? Did they move it?”

  “After it was stolen, Aidan stole it back and buried it where the River Annan and the Evan Waters meet. But I’m no’ supposed to tell anyone because it is a secret.”

  “In the river,” he repeated, knowing that he had his answer. Now, he just had to tell Philip, and then Liddel Castle would be his to keep.

  Scottish Rose

  Elizabeth Rose

  Chapter 8

  Coira stood with Zara the next morning looking out the window, watching as Sir Philip loaded the cages onto a cart.

  “Why would he be takin’ the cages?” asked Coira. “Lance told me he was goin’ to get rid of them. I thought he would break them up and throw them away.”

  “What does it matter?” asked Zara, running a brush through Coira’s hair. “Your husband is taking care of the problem. Besides, it looks like Sir Philip is preparing to leave. See? You have nothing to worry about anymore. Now you can leave the past alone.”

  “Perhaps,” said Coira, watching as Lance conversed with Philip. “But I dinna think Sir Philip is leavin’.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that my husband was askin’ about the Stone of Destiny and where the Scots hid it.”

  “What did you tell him?” Zara pulled the brush away.

  “I told him it was buried where the Annan River and the Even Waters meet.”

  “Coira, you told the English where to find the stone? How could you? I may be English, but I know that is the coronation stone of the Scots and dates back to Biblical times.”

  “Dinna worry, Zara. I told him where it was hidden at one time, but no one but the MadMen MacKeefe ken where it is now.”

  “Then you knew he was searching for information?”

  “I did,” admitted Coira. “Zara, we spent a wonderful night together. I started thinkin’ Lance was different than the Englishmen I’ve encountered, but now I am no’ so sure.”

  “He’s your husband, Coira. Surely, he wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the alliance.”

  Coira thought about it for a moment. Zara made sense. Mayhap, Lance was only asking the questions out of curiosity, and she was being too suspicious. “I’m sure ye’re right. He is my husband, and I should trust him.”

  “Do you?” Zara looked up in question.

  “I’m no’ sure,” said Coira, finding it hard to trust any Englishman after what she’d been through in the past.

  * * *

  “Are you sure that’s where I’ll find the Stone of Destiny?” asked Philip, preparing his men to leave.

  “That’s what she said.” Lance felt a heaviness in his heart. Why did he feel like he was betraying not only his wife but also the Scots? Perhaps, he shouldn’t have told Philip anything. Then again, if he hadn’t, he would be giving up the castle and he couldn’t do that. His head swarmed with confusion. He wanted the castle because what man wouldn’t? And he wanted to impress his new wife, giving her everything she deserved. He’d had no idea what his Uncle Ralston had done to Coira and her sister. If the man wasn’t already dead, he would have hunted him down and killed him for his actions.

  “The stone better be there! If not, I am returning to claim what is mine.”

  “Go already,” said Lance, looking over his shoulder. He eyed up the cages loaded onto the back of the wagon, his jaw clenching in the process. Just thinking of Coira locked inside and hanging on display in the courtyard made him angry – and sick. He would do anything to protect her and make sure nothing like that ever happened again. She was his wife, and he would protect her with his life.

  “My, you seem in such a hurry to see me leave,” stated Philip. “Is that any way to treat a guest?”

  “Guests are invited, and I don’t remember inviting you here. Besides, you scare Coira, looking just like Ralston. Why didn’t you tell me what he did to Coira? I’m sure you knew.”

  “I did know,” said Philip with a chuckle. “I thought it would be more exciting to let you find out on your own.”

  “You bastard! I don’t think any of this is funny. I gave you the information you wanted, now get out! And never return.”

  Philip leaned toward him, speaking close to Lance’s face. “If I find out this is a lie, you can bet I’ll be back. And if I return, you will be the one leaving instead of me.”

  Lance turned on his heel and headed back to the keep, wanting to walk away before he ended up punching his uncle in the face. He hoped to hell the information Coira had told him was right. If not, there was going to be trouble. Lance had no intention of handing over Liddel Castle to his uncle and would do whatever he had to in order to keep it. He was not giving up the castle and would not go down without a fight.

  Scottish Rose

  Elizabeth Rose

  Chapter 9

  “Bring that wheelbarrow over here, Zara.” Coira stood up and removed her gloves, looking at the huge pile of weeds she’d pulled from her new garden. Sweetcakes lay in the shade chewing on a stick, content just to be near her.

  “I still don’t understand why you didn’t take Lord Lance’s suggestion and have the servants do this backbreaking work in the scorching hot sun,” complained Zara, wheeling the cart over to her.

  “I dinna want servants doin’ the work, because I enjoy doin’ it myself.” Coira brushed her hands together, smiling at the progress she’d made in her new garden. It gave her a sense of accomplishment.

  “Well, I don’t enjoy it,” grumbled Zara. “You might be young and full of energy, but don’t forget I am an old woman, used to sitting on my arse and reading cards and tea leaves all day. I don’t do physical work. I’m dog tired.” Zara collapsed atop a stone bench. The dog came running over, wagging its tail, full of life and energy.

  Coira laughed. “Zara, I wanted to show ye the beautiful rose bush I found under the weeds.” She pointed it out. It trailed up a freestanding tr
ellis in the center of the garden. “The plant has a lot of buds. I canna wait until it blooms.”

  “You sure do look happy,” Zara pointed out. “That wasn’t the case yesterday. What happened?”

  “Ever since I saw Sir Philip leavin’ and the cages bein’ hauled away, it was a relief. Just like ye said, I need to let go of what happened in the past.”

  “But can you do that? After all, this castle has held some horrible memories for you.”

  “I didna think I could let it go at first. But since Lance has been so understandin’ about all this, I now feel confident that I can move on.”

  “Really.” Zara raised one brow. “What about the fact he was trying to get information from you about the Stone of Destiny?”

  “Ye were the one who said it was probably nothin’,” she replied, pruning the rose bush. “My, there are so many rosebuds, but even more thorns.” She continued to work, only being interrupted when someone’s hands slipped around her waist from behind. She gasped, but instantly relaxed when she heard her husband’s voice and felt him kissing her cheek.

  “You are a breath of fresh air, Coira.”

  “Do ye mean that?” She smiled, still fussing with the roses.

  “I do.”

  She moved her hand too quickly, and one of the thorns pricked her. She cried out and brought her hand to her mouth.

  “Let me,” said Lance, turning her and bringing her finger to his mouth in a kiss. “You are but a beautiful flower among the thorns, my Scottish Rose,” he told her. “Coira, I am happy that we married. You are such a kind soul. I don’t know how anyone could have ever thought to hurt you.”

  “Shhh,” she said, putting her finger to his mouth to silence him. “I dinna ever want to talk about my past again.” Standing on her tiptoes, she reached up and pressed her lips against his.

  “Mmmmm. I like that.” He pulled her closer, letting his hands wander to her rump. He squeezed her and she jumped.

  “Lance,” she said, feeling embarrassed. “Dinna forget we are in the middle of the garden.”

  “And with me sitting right here, watching,” added Zara, getting to her feet. “Come on, Sweetcakes, let’s go for a stroll and leave these lovers alone.” The dog followed Zara out of the garden, yipping and jumping, trying to get the basket she carried.

  “Coira, I know now that you’ve been through a lot of hard times in the past. I thought we could spend some time away from the castle and, mayhap, that would help.”

  “Aye. I would like that. Where will we go?”

  “I thought we could go for a ride and, mayhap, bring some food along. I have a special place I’d like to show you.”

  “All right,” she said, putting down her work gloves. “Oh, Lance. Did ye see the rose bush? It has a lot of buds that will bloom soon.”

  “That’s nice,” he said, not seeming to care about flowers.

  They made their way to the stables where Lance had his stable boy saddle two horses.

  “My lord,” said Jack, walking into the stable with a travel bag that looked full. “I have the food you requested for your outing.”

  “Fasten it to the horse, Squire. And do hurry because it looks like it might rain.”

  “Aye, my lord.”

  Within a few minutes, they were mounted and ready to ride. When they made their way to the drawbridge, Sweetcakes ran after them, wanting to follow.

  “Nay, go back,” said Lance. “Jack, get the dog.”

  “Aye, my lord,” called out his squire from behind him.

  “Are ye sure she canna come with us?” Coira looked over her shoulder to see Jack chasing the dog around the courtyard.

  “I want to be alone with you, Coira. No other people and no dogs!”

  “Oh. All right.”

  They rode to the river and stopped on the bank to eat. Coira sat down on a blanket as Lance laid out the food in front of them.

  “Tell me about yerself,” said Coira, picking up a sweetmeat and popping it in her mouth.

  “What do you want to know?” Lance pulled a chicken leg out of the bag and took a bite.

  “How can someone as nice as ye be related to someone as evil as the late Lord Ralston?”

  “My late mother was a half-sister to my twin uncles. I grew up only having met them a few times since my mother never liked them. She passed away from fever when I was very young.”

  “I can understand why she didna like them.” Coira picked up a hunk of bread and nibbled at it. “Do ye have any siblin’s?”

  “Nay. I am an only child. My father passed away ten years ago. He was a knight but held just a small amount of land and a manor house. It is where I lived before I attained Liddel Castle.”

  “Where is it?” she asked.

  “It is in Northumbria.”

  “And do ye still own it?”

  “I do. However, now that I have Liddel Castle, I will be selling it.”

  “Is it important ye live in a castle?” She looked down and picked at the bread.

  “Of course it is. Every knight yearns for lands of his own and the protection of castle walls. A castle is a man’s dream.”

  “I dinna think it is that important. After all, gypsies raised me when my mathair died birthin’ me. I lived out in the wilderness and slept in a tent.”

  “That must have been awful.” Lance picked up a skin of wine and uncorked it, holding it out to her first. She took a drink and gave it back to him.

  “It was all we had. My sister, Effie, raised me.”

  “Was Zara one of the gypsies that lived with you?”

  “Nay,” Coira answered. “She is a friend of the MacKeefes.”

  Lance nodded. “And afterward, you lived with the MacKeefes.”

  “Aye. I lived with Clan MacKeefe, but often I would visit Clan MacDuff. It was nice gettin’ to meet people from my late faither’s family.”

  “Then you never knew your mother or your father?”

  “Nay,” she answered. “Lance, if ye grew up havin’ both parents, then ye are a lucky man, indeed.”

  “I don’t consider myself lucky. Until now, that is, since I’ve married you.” He smiled and leaned over and kissed her. She liked the attention.

  “Dinna ever take for granted those ye love,” she told him. “It is more important than land or a castle or anythin’ else a knight could possess.”

  They finished eating, and after they cleaned up, Lance took her hand and brought her to her feet. “I have a special place to show you.”

  “Where?” she asked, curiously.

  “You’ll see.”

  After taking care of the horses, Lance led her to the opening of a small cave. “In here,” he said.

  “In there?” Instantly, fear washed over Coira. “I dinna like small, dark places.”

  “There is nothing to fear,” he told her, skimming her cheek with his fingers. “I will be with you. Besides, there is light in the entrance of the cave, and we are not going far.”

  “Hold my hand, Lance,” she said as they ducked and entered the cave.

  Lance could see the turmoil on Coira’s face. The girl had a lot of fears, and he wanted to make sure she knew that he would protect her. “Come, Coira,” he said, leading her over to the small pool of water just inside the cave. “Look. It is like a secret place to bathe.”

  “To bathe?” she asked. She glanced up and then down to the water again. “We’re no’ goin’ to get naked out here, are we?”

  “Would that be so bad?”

  “I dinna think I’d like that.”

  “Then let’s just put our feet in the water, shall we?” He sat down and removed his boots, slipping his bare feet into the pool. “Aaaah, this is nice. Try it, Coira.”

  “Well, mayhap.” She sat down and removed her shoes and hose and dipped her toes into the water. “Och, that’s cold.”

  “Naw, I don’t think so. Stick your arm into the water and see. It’s warmer down below the surface.” When she bent over to stick her finge
rs into the water, he pretended like he was going to throw her in, but held on to her tightly.

  “Nay!” she screamed, making him laugh. “I dinna think that was funny.”

  “Coira, I was just playing with you. I wasn’t really going to dunk you in the water.”

  “Still, I dinna like it. I want to go back to the castle.”

  “All right, have it your way.”

  Coira stood. “Is it really warm enough to swim in the pool?”

  “Of course it is. I’ve done it dozens of time.” Lance stood up, and when he did, Coira took him by surprise. She reached out and pushed him into the water. He landed with a splash, dipping beneath the surface and coming up spitting water from his mouth. “I can’t believe you did that.”

  All her fears had seemed to leave her. She laughed so hard she bent over, holding her sides. Well, he decided two could play this little game.

  “Give me a hand, and we’ll get out of here and return to the castle.” When she reached out to him, he grabbed both her hands in his and winked. “Just jesting.”

  Her eyes opened wide, and she used her feet to try to hold herself away from the water. “Lance, ye are no’ goin’ to –”

  She never got to finish her sentence. He yanked her into the water with him, and she landed with a splash in his arms.

  “I canna swim! I am goin’ to drown,” she screamed.

  He laughed, pulling her safely into his arms. “The water is only waist deep, Wife. Besides, I’ve got you. I assure you that you won’t drown.”

  “But I –”

  He covered her mouth with his, kissing her so passionately that she forgot to be mad or frightened.

  When he pulled back from the kiss, she was smiling. “I see what ye mean,” she said in a soft voice. “The water is gettin’ much warmer now.”

  “And it will continue to get even warmer.” He reached down and slid his hands up her thighs, picking her up, with her legs straddled around him. Pressed up against her, he kissed her once again. She giggled and held on around his neck.

  “Have you ever made love in a pool of water or a cave?”

  “Lance, ye ken I was a virgin when we married.”

  “Well, then, would you like to find out what it’s like?”