Claimed By A Charmer (The Pith Trilogy)

by Griffin, Kara

  He shook his head and sighed. He’d get his fiery lass back, once his plan was fully revealed.

  It wasn’t working at all, he realized the next morning. He watched Isabel walk by without a glance. He wanted to grab her, and kiss the impertinence out of her. Douglas leaned against the wall with his hands fisted and his scowl fierce. Taking a deep breath, he tried to relax his stance and settled his hands by his side. He followed her inside the keep and sat across from her.

  “Isabel, I didn’t know you were visiting Stan. When did you come?” He tried not to grin.

  “I suppose you didn’t notice I left your keep either? Well, I did leave, and I shan’t return.” She folded her arms, giving him a cross look.

  “Oh, aye, I noticed ye left. I had more significant matters pressing at the time.”

  She sucked in a breath, and her face fell. “I know that, Douglas. If you’ll excuse me.” She tried to rise, but he gripped her hand.

  “I could have had men escort ye, I’m not all that unfeeling.”

  Isabel pulled her hand from his. “Are you not? I think you’re the most unfeeling man that I have ever met. How did I deem you were so charming? I’ll never think such nonsense again.”

  “You did like my charming manner.”

  “The hell I did, Douglas.”

  “Nigel is dead,” he blurted out.

  “Good, now I can go home.”

  “Aye, you are going home, be ready to leave in three days time.”

  She glared at him, sending sparks with her eyes. “I’ll leave when I am ready, and not a day before, damn you. You’ll not tell me when.”

  “Do you have any daggers on you, lass?”

  “What?” She was suddenly addled. “Nay, I don’t. Why?”

  He didn’t answer, but stalked around the table and lifted her. Before he knew what he was going to do, he settled his mouth on hers. She resisted at first, but when his tongue gently caressed hers in a sensual way, she responded wholeheartedly.

  Douglas lowered his arms and stopped kissing her. She hadn’t realized it, and she kissed him with all her being. Her arms were set around his neck with her hands imbedded in his hair. Her tongue stilled when she realized that he’d stopped. She pulled back from him, and confusion showed on her face. He wanted to lift her into his arms and carry her to his bed. How he stood so unaffected was the hardest thing he’d ever done. If she only realized that his breath was as hitched as hers, she would have known he was affected.

  “I seem to have forgotten myself,” she muttered.

  He laughed then strode to the exit of the hall, leaving her standing alone, staring after him.

  Isabel flopped in her chair, sighing heavily. “All he has to do is kiss me, and I practically fall at his feet, begging for forgiveness. I wouldn’t let him kiss me again. I won’t return his unloving kisses.” She wasn’t going to be put-off, and she marched from the keep.

  Douglas heard her following. Onlookers watched when she raced past, decreasing the distance between them. When she caught up to him, she grabbed his arm to stop him. It was a paltry try at best’ he couldn’t be stopped by her dainty hand.

  He stopped abruptly, causing her to crash into him. He stilled her so she wouldn’t fall to the ground. They stood assessing each other in the sunlight and he waited for her to speak, and when it became evident that she wasn’t going to, he lowered his gaze to her feet, so she wouldn’t see the smile in his eyes. Aye, it took one kiss, he thought.

  “Did you want something?”

  “I need to speak to you, Douglas, in private.”

  He pulled her to the wall. “It’s private here.”

  She looked at his face, which was devoid of emotion. It immediately provoked her temper. She punched his arm, letting out an unladylike grumble at the pain in her hand.

  “How could you?” Isabel yelled, tears falling down her cheeks.

  “How could I what?”

  “You are the most insensitive lout that I have ever encountered. You know how much I cared for you, yet you will let me leave. Why did you bother marrying me? Am I so unimportant that you didn’t even care that I left your home? Did you even notice?”

  “Our home,” he corrected.

  “I never belonged there. Well?”

  “Well, what?” Up to this point Douglas steeled his emotions, but when he saw the lone tear roll off her cheek, he took her hand.

  “And to think that I had Lowrie … I was foolish to think you might one day love me. I was wrong. What are we going to do about this, Douglas?” Another tear fell, she hastily swiped it away.

  “I think that we are going to love each other until the day we die.” Douglas fondled the back of her hand with his thumb.

  “What?”

  “I love you.”

  “Nay, you don’t, Douglas. If you did, you wouldn’t have let me …”

  “I do, but you’re so damned stubborn, you didn’t have faith in me, wife.”

  Isabel stopped listening after he’d said he that loved her. “You do, truly?”

  “Aye, cat-eyes, you will have faith in me from this moment on. Do you hear? You will start trusting me. I demand it.”

  Isabel’s smile widened. “You really love me, Douglas?”

  He chuckled. She couldn’t seem to get past that fact. “Aye.”

  Isabel threw herself into his arms, making his back strike the wall with force. He wrapped his arms around her, and held her still when he lifted her chin. “I shall prove I love you, Isabel.”

  “How could you possibly prove it to me?”

  He pushed her away and removed his tunic. When it was discarded and thrown to the ground, he began removing his shirt.

  Isabel stopped him. “Not here where everyone will see, have a sense of modesty.”

  His laughter called all those within hearing distance to attention. He waved them on, and continued removing his shirt, once it was released, he turned around. She stared at his back, and was utterly speechless.

  “You … did that … for me?”

  “Aye, and it hurt like hell.”

  Isabel laughed then. “It’s damned ugly. Lowrie should be commended.”

  “I want to see yours, now, wife.” Pulling her to him, he began removing her gown.

  “Douglas, for the love of God, not here, everyone is looking.” He looked up to see the Gordon followers watching them.

  “You’re right. Let us go.” He didn’t give her time to acknowledge, he just took her hand, and they ran to the keep. He didn’t stop until the chamber door was firmly shut behind them.

  He trapped her between his arms. “I want to see it. Strip.”

  After removing her gown, she stood naked before him, and slowly turned. She waited for his laugh, but instead, he growled. She craned her neck to see his reaction, and saw his smile.

  “Lowrie will be put on sentry duty for a full year. He didn’t do mine justice. Yours is a work of art. What did he do to me?”

  Isabel giggled. “I told him he better not make mine as ugly as Lady Kerr’s.”

  “You’ve seen my mother’s?”

  “Aye, Lowrie’s father used trickery on her. I made him promise not to do that to me. Apparently, he used trickery on you though.”

  Douglas couldn’t help it, he laughed. “Aye, and every time you see it, you’ll know how much I love you, cat-eyes.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t have faith in you. You would have gone to save the girls, wouldn’t you?”

  “Aye, I was going to after I took care of that business with Irving, but you didn’t give me a chance.”

  “Nay, I was always too impulsive, Douglas. Do you forgive me?”

  “It will take a while, say ten years or so. You scared the hell out of me. I thought I lost you. I didn’t know where you went, until Julianna sent me a message.”

  “Julianna told you?” She scoffed. “I should be angry, but I can’t be.”

  “I found your brother in the woods and—”

  “I know yo
u killed him. Thank you, Douglas.”

  “Nay, not Nigel, I found Nathaniel camped in my woods. He was on his way to you. I convinced him that you were safe, and brought him back so he could convince you that I loved you. I couldn’t figure out … but then my mother suggested Lowrie.”

  “Oh, if only I … How is he? Is he well?”

  “Aye, he’s concerned about you. He’s awaiting you at our keep.”

  “Our keep?”

  “Aye, at home.”

  “Home. You don’t know how good that sounds. I never belonged anywhere.”

  “Aye, you belong. You belong to me.”

  “Can we go home? I miss everyone. I just thought of Candace. Did she leave for Will’s keep?”

  “Aye, and she’s going to give you hell when we visit her.”

  “I deserve it for being stubborn.” Isabel cuddled against his bare chest.

  “I only want to do one thing before we leave.”

  “What’s that, Douglas?”

  He proceeded to tell her in a husky voice, and sent shivers down her spine.

  “Don’t tell me, Douglas, show me.”

  Douglas did that and more. He lifted her, almost throwing her onto the bed. Almost. He dropped on top of her, groaning in response. His uninhibited love-play convinced her of his devotion. Her cries of pure-bliss sent him to his end. Isabel’s eyes scrunched closed, her hands twisted the bedding, and her legs shook violently. He grinned at her unabashed response.

  Her breasts seemed fuller, and he gently squeezed them, gaining a moan from her. Her femininity was so alluring that Douglas was beset with hardness in a matter of seconds. He deliberately moved in measured strokes, and told her in as many ways as he could think of, how much she meant to him.

  Isabel cried all the while.

  Epilogue

  Homecoming wasn’t a joyous event for Isabel.

  Douglas had never been so anxious to get home. Romy’s bairn made such a racket, and all he’d said was that he hadn’t known bairns could be so loud, which should have caused Isabel’s amusement, instead she became sullen. He tended to stay away from Romy and her baby whenever they stopped for rests along the way, which was often. It took them eight days to reach the Kerr walls when it should have only taken five.

  “Finally, home.”

  “What’s that, Douglas?”

  “I’m glad to be home,” he said.

  He helped her from her horse, and he was shoved back by his mother. Before he could say a word, his mother had her arms around Isabel, venting her motherly lecture about leaving the keep without an escort, and some such nonsense.

  Isabel smiled at him, and returned Shelagh’s hug. He helped Romy by taking Belle, and then one of his men assisted her down.

  “Your home is lovely, Laird Kerr,” Romy said.

  “Our home, you are a Kerr now, Romy, my wife wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “Aye, thank you.”

  She walked toward the keep when Douglas called her. “Romy, are you not forgetting something?”

  “Nay, what?”

  “Your bairn.” He held out Belle.

  She laughed, taking the babe, placing her in the crook of her arm. “Seems I did forget. I was looking for …”

  Douglas laughed. “He’s not here.”

  “He’s not? Um … who’s not here?”

  “Gil.”

  “Why would I care if he’s here?”

  “He went to help Brendan look for his niece, he’ll return soon.” She nodded then walked inside.

  Douglas grinned to himself. Aye, when Gil returned, he would have a surprise awaiting him. Isabel took his hand and he walked into the hall, feeling a sudden sense of peacefulness. He watched her while his mother continued to berate her. Romy’s babe was plucked from her arms, when his mother declared that it was time they saw to it that she had a grandchild of her own. It was meant as a loving motherly comment, but it made Isabel cry. She didn’t just weep, she sank into a chair, and bellowed her sobs.

  Douglas took heart, sent everyone away, and tried to comfort her.

  “You will cease weeping, Isabel. I don’t like it.” In a softer voice he asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “You don’t like children.” She sobbed.

  “I like them just fine.”

  “Nay, ye don’t.”

  “How do you know that?” he shouted then realized he was. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m trying to tell you, you oaf, that you are going to be a father.”

  “You don’t have to cry about it. It was bound to …” He lifted her from her seat. “What?”

  “You don’t want a babe. Well, that’s too bad, Douglas, because you’re going to be a father.”

  He smiled. “Someday we’ll have a bairn, Isabel. Why are you so upset about it now?”

  “Because I’m carrying your babe. You’ll likely have a son next winter.”

  Douglas was speechless then he fell backward, and hit the floor. Isabel sunk back into her chair, laughing. That was how Cedric found them.

  “What happened to him?”

  “He’ll come around in a minute.”

  “Milady, shouldn’t we help him up?” He looked baffled by her evasiveness.

  Isabel shook her head. “How are you doing? How is Rachel?”

  “I’m doing well. Rachel and I will be married soon. Our son is growing rapidly in her belly. It is good to have you home. So, what’s my laird doing on the floor?”

  “He received distressing news, he’ll be all right.” She sounded chipper, Cedric didn’t press her.

  Isabel talked to him about the clan, and asked about Bonnie’s disappearance. He relayed that Colin hadn’t returned yet, and that they hadn’t found Bonnie, she would likely never be found. A sadness crept inside her heart. They talked quietly for at least five minutes before Douglas came to. He sat up, grinning at her. Isabel returned his grin.

  “If you’re done having your nap, Cedric would like to give you his report. Isn’t that right, Cedric?”

  Douglas laughed, got off the floor, and sat next to her. He waited for Cedric to speak.

  “Laird, milady said you received distressing news.”

  “Nay, my wife likes to jest. She informed me that I’m to be a father. Isn’t that right, Isabel?”

  Cedric looked from him then to her. She nodded. He slapped Douglas on the back, offering congratulations. “Laird, there’s one thing I want to know.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Well now, if that is how you reacted to her telling ye, you’re to be a father, what are ye going to do when she births the bairn?”

  Douglas paled. Cedric didn’t wait for an answer, he left the hall whistling.

  “Isabel, if anything happens …”

  She patted his hand in a condescending manner. “If I can handle you, I can do my duty.”

  Somehow she soothed his worry by affectionately patting him. He was about to take her onto his lap when Nate walked inside. He wasn’t quiet either, when he shouted her name. Belle’s cries could be heard all the way to the barracks.

  “Nate,” she shrieked. She hugged him so fiercely.

  “Isabel, he cannot breathe, let the lad go.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to make sure you were safe, and I was going to take—”

  “You’re not taking her anywhere, Nate,” Douglas shouted.

  “I know, you don’t have to shout.”

  “He loves me, and I love him,” Isabel said.

  “You do?” Nate asked with a touch of mockery.

  She punched his arm, and he smiled. “You will have to stay for a long while before you return to father’s …” Isabel stopped when he shook his head.

  “I came to tell you that father’s dead,” Nate said rather blithely.

  She frowned. “He’s dead? You didn’t kill him did you? Oh, you’ll be put in the stocks by King Henry. You can’t return to England now.”

  Do
uglas grinned. He placed his arm around his wife’s shoulder and nodded to Nate.

  “I didn’t kill him, he fell off his horse. The men said he was yelling at them, and when he turned his mount too quickly, he fell. He was dead before they reached his side. Apparently, his horse stomped him.”

  “That’s too bad,” Douglas said quietly.

  “Nay, it isn’t. He deserved it. I’m not at all saddened by his death.” Isabel seemed relieved by the news.

  “I wanted to tell you that it is safe for you to—”

  “She’s not returning with ye.”

  Her brother frowned at him and Douglas kept his expression serious. He wasn’t about to let Isabel off his land for a good long time.

  “But she can come for a visit every now and then.”

  “Mayhap,” Douglas conceded. “In a few years.”

  “You must return home, our people need you. Nay, you can’t stay another day. Make it a place to be proud of. Father and Nigel ruined those poor people’s lives.”

  “I will make it right. I love you, Isabel. Douglas, you’ll keep her happy?”

  “Aye, Nate, I will.”

  Later that day, Nate left for England, and Isabel tried not be saddened by his departure. Douglas pulled her from the steps, and they walked to their chamber.

  “Isabel, I never thought I would find you. I searched for you, you know, before my father died. My mission was unsuccessful. I wanted a wife then, but I should have known.”

  “Known what?”

  “That you’d find me. I’d never reacted to a lady like I did when I met you. You were so onerous and I wanted to be charming then, but couldn’t because I was upset about my father dying. I thought about our kiss, in the stable. I wanted to take you then, but I had to hurry home.”

  “I was overwhelmed by you. I couldn’t believe how you told Candace your father was dying. I showed my true self, and usually didn’t. When you left, I thought you were so incensed.”

  “When Candace asked me to retrieve you, I was incensed. I thought I would see the hellion, only you were sweet and gentle. You were so different.”

  “I wanted you to like me, Douglas, so I acted … timid. I loved your forcefulness, and thought you were a stubborn warrior. But charming?” She laughed.