Claimed By A Charmer (The Pith Trilogy)

by Griffin, Kara

  There was a scuffle, and they heard the sounds of men fighting. They slunk down, hoping no one could see them. Isabel didn’t know why there was a brawl, but it was a good distraction. She looked around the side of the bush, seeing the gate open, and the guards occupied elsewhere.

  She pulled Romy’s arm, and they ran to the gate. They kept running until they reached the forest a hundred feet away. Isabel drew Romy behind a huge tree, and looked back to see if they were followed. No one appeared to be after them, and she relaxed a moment.

  “Are you all right, Romy?”

  “I’m well. I need to rest for a second.” Romy sagged down, placing the baby on her lap. “Who were those men fighting with the guards?”

  “I didn’t look at them, because I wanted to get away from there.” She watched her comfort the babe who wiggled in her arms. The girl was rather pretty with light brown hair and dark blue eyes.

  “What are we going to do now?” Romy settled the babe against her breast.

  “We must make it to safety then we’ll go to my husband.”

  “Where is that?”

  “The Highlands.”

  “The Highlands, you m-married a-a Scot?”

  Isabel nodded. “Aye, he’s Laird Kerr. I know he’ll be along eventually. We can start toward Scotland, and hope he finds us along the way. We’ll have to take it slow. I know you’re not up to traveling.” She would give her friend a few minutes rest and then they would hurry away from the Asylum. Isabel wanted to be as far away from that place, especially knowing Nigel was likely on his way back.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Douglas was fuming; his wife wasn’t in the asylum. He held Friar Whickham’s throat, lifting him off the floor. “Where the hell is she?”

  “She was here, I swear. I provided her comforts. I felt bad that her brother brought her back. She’s here, look about.”

  “Gil, have these men locked up.” Douglas strode from the friar’s office, and searched the chambers. He found many young girls, crying, and pleading for help. He continued looking for her, but knew she wasn’t there. Walking along a hall, he found a basin on the floor. He picked it up and looked at the dent in the side. Aye, his lass made her own escape. A smile came to him, he knew where to look. He called several Kerr warriors, and told them to gather the women into a small hall on the first floor. Douglas commanded Gil follow him to the forest.

  As they walked through the adjacent forest they called her name. Gil grabbed his arm, stopping him. I hear something, over there, and he pointed to a thick oak.

  “Lady Isabel, are ye there?”

  “Isabel, ‘tis Douglas, come out.”

  She picked up her skirts and ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. Douglas couldn’t find words, his relief was so great.

  “Thank God ye came, I’ve prayed so hard.”

  “Milady. Are you unhurt?” Gil asked.

  “I’m well, truly, Douglas. Romy, ‘tis safe, you can come out now.”

  A woman appeared from behind the tree, she carried a rumpled up covering.

  “This is my husband, Laird Douglas Kerr, and Gil, one of my husband’s men. This is Romy.”

  “Romy Lyell, my lord.” She curtseyed. A sound came from the blanket and sounded like a bairn.

  As they walked to the asylum, Romy stumbled, and Douglas saw Gil take her arm.

  “Let me.” He took her baby in his hands, and held it as though it were sack of wheat.

  Isabel laughed. “Gil, you’re not very charming, but perhaps you’ll do.”

  They walked through the doorway, and Isabel was waylaid by Douglas, when he pulled her aside. She was wrapped in his arms before she could utter a word. He kissed her longingly, and when he pulled back, he grinned.

  “I knew you would be along. Nigel carried me off when Rachel and I went riding.”

  “I know, love. Are you unharmed? Tell me true, did he harm ye?” Douglas searched her for injuries, but couldn’t tell if she’d been hurt.

  “Nay, I’m well.” She hugged him, smiling broadly.

  “Come, we must be away from here. I need to get you home.”

  “Nigel will return here. I think you should await him and—”

  “I don’t want you here another minute, Nigel will be taken care of, trust me.” Douglas’ face darkened with that vow.

  “I do trust you, Douglas, but I want to …”

  “Then come, let us ride out, lads.” He pulled her arm gently to persuade her to follow, but she stopped short.

  “Wait, we can’t leave the girls here. I must take Romy with me and the others.” Isabel smiled at her friend. “I promised, Douglas.”

  “Bring her along then. Men, to the horses.”

  “I can’t leave the others, they must come too.”

  Douglas stopped and searched her eyes. “Isabel, do you have any idea what condition they’re in? Traveling would be too difficult for them.”

  “We can’t leave them, they were mistreated. They have no home, Douglas.”

  Douglas grimaced. “Nay, I can’t bring them right now. I must think of your safety first. There is no way I’m traveling with nine pregnant women and a babe. Mayhap—”

  “Then I will sit right here until you agree, I mean it.” She flopped down on a bench, looking at her feet.

  Well, it had worked once, and mayhap she thought it would work again. He marched out the doorway and saw her look in disbelief that he would leave her. Douglas whistled for his men. They mounted their steeds, waiting for his direction. He then returned, and took Isabel’s hand. She tried to pull it free, but there was no releasing herself from his grip.

  “I’m not leaving without them.”

  “Aye, ye are, be reasonable lass, they cannot come with us.” He pulled her to his horse, set her upon it, and then swung behind her.

  “Gil, let us go.”

  She noticed that Gil looked at Romy for a moment before moving off to his horse. Douglas gave the command to head out, and tried to adjust her on his lap. She wouldn’t let him touch her, and kept removing his hand from her waist. She actually slapped his hand.

  He laughed at her attempt. “I can’t bring them with us. You must understand.” She wouldn’t answer. “I’ll have your understanding now, wife.”

  “Nay, you won’t. How could you leave them? They’re helpless, like I was. I won’t speak to ye, you have destroyed my faith in you, Douglas.”

  He sighed. “I’ll remedy it later,” he replied dryly.

  Douglas realized that she wouldn’t get over her upset so easily when they were halfway home. His only concern was getting her home safely, and then he would take care of Irving and see to his clan’s security. Mayhap when all was rectified, he could return for them and he was about to tell her so, but she turned and peered into the forest.

  The wind was biting cold and after dismounting, he walked up behind her and put his arms around her waist. She shrugged her shoulder and walked away. Aye, she was stubborn, and he became annoyed by her brisk demeanor. When she settled on the plaid he set up for her, she turned her back and wouldn’t speak with him. He sighed, but understood why she was angry. He dismissed her behavior and settled down to sleep. An hour later, he awoke to the sound of a bird flapping its wings above him. He peered into the darkened tree branches above and saw the creature looking at him. Then he glanced at his wife who was sound asleep. Her face appeared angelic; at least she couldn’t be angry with him in her sleep. He edged closer and took her in his arms. He missed her body. As he caressed her arms, he kissed her face. She sighed, opening her eyes.

  “What do ye think you’re doing?”

  “This.” Douglas ravished her mouth.

  Her gasp quieted when he covered her lips with his. He kissed her until her resistance faded. When she lay compliantly against him, he nibbled her neck and kept up his loving attack until she trembled. She gave into the desire and in return she caressed him back. It had been a long while since they were together; he had to hurry, le
st he meet the end before she did. He fumbled at removing her gown.

  “I missed you, cat-eyes. Are you ready for me?”

  Isabel didn’t answer. Instead, she pulled him to her.

  Douglas took it as an aye and reveled at the feeling of her warmth body. His body shook; his muscles reacted to the pressure of his resistance. She panted at his invasion and cried at the pleasure raging through her. Holding his arms, she wrapped her legs around him. His thrusts were forceful. His body was on the course of exploding and couldn’t be stopped. Thankfully, her body reached its climatic race as she whimpered into the night. He covered her mouth with kisses then burst forth with his own climatic end. His growl replaced her whimpers, and he continued to move within her until he could move no further. His face remained hidden in the crook of her neck and he felt her warm breath on his shoulder. When he finally had the strength to lift his head, he saw tears in her eyes.

  “Ahhh, lass, you do me in. Don’t weep, love. I didn’t mean to hurt ye.”

  “You hurt me deeply, Douglas.” She sobbed.

  “Where, let me see the damage?”

  “You can’t, ‘tis in my heart.”

  “Oh.” He cringed. “Get some sleep, we’ll ride out early.”

  She sat up, slipping her gown over her head. She didn’t bother tying the clasps and fell asleep a moment later. Douglas shifted to hold her. He had no idea how to mend her broken heart. He mumbled to her in the dark. “I’ll get you to love me again, I promise.”

  His promise wouldn’t come easy. Douglas realized that as they rode into the bailey a few days later. His mother greeted them with a worried smile, until she spotted Isabel.

  “Thank God Almighty, you’re home and safe. I was so worried.”

  “I’m well, Mother.” Isabel walked into the keep.

  Douglas watched her walk away then glanced at his mother. “She’s angry with me.”

  “Surely she’s grateful you rescued her. She looks well and unharmed.”

  “Aye, she’s grateful all right, but I wouldn’t bring the rest of the lassies. It was too dangerous to travel with them, and it would have taken much longer. I needed to return quickly.”

  “Ahhh, she wanted ye to bring the lassies. What lassies?”

  “The lassies held at the asylum. I would have gladly saved them, Mother, but they were all carrying and burdened. I couldn’t travel with all those pregnant women.” Douglas cursed. “And now she’s angry because I left them behind.”

  “Oh, Douglas, there was no way to give aid? You know how she is; Isabel would have saved them all if she could.”

  “If there was a way, I couldn’t figure it out then. I must go and talk to Cedric.” Douglas couldn’t help feeling forlorn as he strode away.

  Douglas went to the garrison and saw Gil talking to Cedric.

  “Gil, get the men ready. We’ll ride out in the morn. Cedric, see to the keep while we’re gone. None are to enter or leave whilst I’m away.”

  “Where we going, Laird?” Gil asked.

  Douglas didn’t answer, but gave them a harrowing look. Gil and Cedric looked at each other then said simultaneously, “To the Dunmore.”

  “I’ll finish this once and for all. I won’t spend another day without seeing to Irving.”

  Cedric and Gil nodded and watched him walk away.

  Douglas had many things on his mind. He needed to reason with Isabel and he needed to talk to his mother about Irving. He also wanted to see Rachel and ask more questions about the sorceress. As he walked toward the hall, he saw Candace running past him. She ran through the gates.

  “Wait, Candace.” But she ignored him and started running faster.

  Damn, she could run fast. He following her through the trees and caught up to her some minutes later when they neared the loch. He didn’t say anything, just held her.

  She pulled away. “You didn’t save Wills. He’s dead, dead, I tell ye. I feel it in my heart. I will never forgive you, Douglas.”

  He pulled her into his embrace again. “Shhh, I know you’re hurting, Candace. I’m going to get Wills, he will be well. I promise.”

  “How can you make such a promise?” She sniffled.

  He had no idea if Wills was well or not. Irving didn’t know that he was on his way to confront him, but he’d make him aware of it tomorrow. Irving still believed he was unaware of his plan; surely that kept Wills alive.

  “I don’t believe ye.” She pulled away from him and ran to the loch.

  He ran after her, but before he could reach her, she threw herself into the water. Her body sank like a crag. Douglas shouted her name then dove in head first. He felt around the darkened depths for her and began to panic. He swam farther down, holding his breath, and finally felt the material of her woolen plaid. He pulled her from the water, shoving her onto the bank. Candace rolled over and spit out a good deal of water, gasping for air.

  “Why didn’t you let me die? I don’t want to live without Wills. Can’t you understand that?”

  “Don’t do anything so foolish again, Candace,” he shouted. Her body racked with sobs and he lifted her. He carried her to the keep, and she remained silent along the way, her cries diminished.

  Isabel’s eyes widened when she saw him carrying her into the great hall. “What happened?”

  “She needs you.”

  She followed Douglas to Candace’s chamber, and he told her what happened. He kissed Candace’s cheek and whispered his promise to rescue Wills. Douglas moved to the window and waited while Isabel tended his sister.

  Isabel pulled Candace to a sitting position and asked Douglas to have basin brought. He did so and returned to the window.

  “Candace, please don’t cry. I can’t bear to see you so unhappy.”

  But his sister didn’t say anything, only sat on the side of her bed with her head held low. The basin was brought in, set behind a screen, and filled with steaming water. Isabel helped her undress and assisted her in the tub. Still, Candace didn’t say anything. Isabel went through the motions of washing her and when she finished, she helped to clothe her and placed her in bed.

  “Candace, don’t worry, Douglas will bring Wills back. You must have faith in him.”

  Candace turned her head, closing her eyes.

  Douglas made it to the hall and told his mother what happened. He noticed Isabel come from upstairs and she approached.

  “Douglas told me what happened. Is she well, Isabel?”

  Isabel nodded to his mother. “I bathed her and put her to bed. Perhaps you should sit with her, there’s no telling what she might do. Douglas said she jumped into the loch.”

  “Aye, she’s distraught.” Shelagh didn’t waste a moment, but picked up her skirts, and ran up the stairs.

  “I’ll stay with Candace during the night so your mother can get some rest.”

  Douglas agreed by nodding. He took her hand and pulled her to the table, sitting her in his lap. Content to hold her, he couldn’t bring himself to look at the pain in her eyes.

  “Candace’s heart is broken, Douglas. When are you leaving?”

  He looked at her in surprise. “At first light.”

  “You will be careful, won’t you? I can’t help but worry. Are you going after Nigel?”

  “Nay, Irving Dunmore. Have you seen Rachel yet?”

  “I don’t want to see her.” She rose from her seat to vacate the room, before he plied her with his thoughts on that lady. He grabbed her arm and held her close.

  “See what she has to say. Mayhap she was used, Isabel, and doesn’t deserve our condemnation.”

  “I’ll think on it, Douglas. I’m spending the night with Candace. So this is goodbye.” She yanked her hand free, and fled the room.

  Goodbye? Douglas sat back down and chugged the remaining ale in his cup. His wife was driving him mad. He knew he would have to eventually give in and rescue the girls. It was his only salvation. He wanted to demand that she return to the loving woman she was. She’d changed from a sweet,
demanding lass, to an onerous one. He didn’t like it at all. He leaned his head back against his chair, closing his eyes. He was tired, tired of the strife with Irving, tired of his sister’s crying, and mostly, tired of his wife’s shrewish conduct of late.

  “Douglas?” his mother’s voice intruded on his thoughts. “Isabel is sitting with Candace. She seems better now. I’m worried for her.”

  “I am leaving on the morrow to bring Wills back. She’ll be all right. I’m going to Irving Dunmore.”

  “Why are you going to the Dunmore’s?”

  “I found out that he has Wills under a witch’s spell. He’s been plotting all along to kill me. It’s time to end it.”

  “End what?”

  “The feud. My father told me not to continue the feud, but I didn’t listen, and now, it has led to Irving’s mistreatment of Wills. Candace will never forgive me.”

  “I heard of a riff between the two clans, but I didn’t know it was an all out war.”

  He glanced at her then looked to his cup. “My father started a feud with Robert Dunmore because he snatched my mother away on the day they wed. When she returned, she was with child.” He didn’t know if he could continue. He hadn’t spoken of this to anyone, except his father. Shelagh paced along the length of the table.

  “I’m sorry about your mother, Douglas. What happened after she returned? Thomas never spoke of this. I didn’t feel it was my right to ask, so I never pestered him about her. I thought he was brokenhearted. That’s why he was so distant toward everyone then.”

  “He was concerned for her after she returned. He loved her, and it didn’t matter to him that I wasn’t his son, but my mother loved Robert. She threw herself off Kilbrun Ridge rather than be wed to him.”

  Shelagh sighed despondently.

  He continued. “I never told Irving, and I have hated the Dunmores for what they did to her. How can I let that go? I vowed to avenge my mother’s death, and Thomas’ anguish.”

  “Douglas,” Shelagh whispered, pulling his face to get him to look at her. “He is your brother?” Douglas nodded. “You must make peace with him.”