Forbidden Night with the Highlander

by Michelle Willingham

  His brother cursed beneath his breath. There was a bleakness in his blue eyes, and he admitted, ‘You should have left me there to die.’

  No. Never that.

  But before Rhys could speak, Lianna reached out and squeezed Warrick’s hand. ‘There is always hope.’

  His brother stared up at the darkened sky. ‘Not for me.’

  There was such torment in the young man’s eyes, Rhys understood that there was little he could say. Words would not make his brother feel any comfort. It was best to leave him be, and perhaps in time, he might find another woman to love.

  ‘I will make a tea to help you sleep,’ Lianna offered. Her eyes held sympathy, before she went back to get the herbs.

  Rhys was about to follow her, when Warrick murmured, ‘Stay a moment.’ His brother waited until Lianna was out of earshot and then added, ‘Our father ordered my punishment because I wedded Rosamund in secret. But now her father is having the marriage annulled.’

  Rhys let out a slow breath of air. ‘You are fortunate to be alive.’

  ‘I wish I weren’t. Death would be better than knowing they will marry her off to another man.’ His brother leaned back and closed his eyes.

  There was nothing he could say to ease his brother’s frustration, so he reached out and touched his shoulder gently. ‘Try to sleep. Lianna will be back with the tea in a little while.’

  He closed the flap of the tent behind him. It was cooler outside, and mists gathered along the edges of the hills. He spied a forest in the distance, where the tree trunks were almost black against the grey sky. In a few more days, they would arrive back at Eiloch.

  He saw Lianna retrieve a small chest from her trunk of belongings. They had met up with her men along this road, only two days ago. She frowned after opening it, and he asked, ‘What’s wrong?’

  She shook her head. ‘I need more valerian, but I don’t know if any grows nearby.’

  It was still early afternoon, and Rhys offered, ‘Take a guard with you, and you can look. If you think it will help him.’

  ‘It will.’ Her face fell, and she said, ‘But even chamomile and valerian won’t cure what’s hurting inside him.’

  Rhys walked with her towards the edge of the clearing. He rested his palm at the small of her back, and her long red hair brushed the edge of his hand. Lianna wore the colours of her clan, and the green and brown clothing contrasted against her hair.

  She halted her steps and asked, ‘Was there something else you wanted?’ Her voice held a slight tremor of nerves.

  ‘There was, yes.’ He drew her closer and rested his forehead against hers. ‘We’ve been wedded for over a sennight.’

  Lianna drew her hands to his chest, as if to keep him away. Her expression grew nervous, as if she were frightened of him. ‘Rhys, I don’t think—’

  ‘Have I ever forced you against your will?’ he asked quietly. ‘The only night we were together, it was your choice.’ He slid his palm over her cheek, and she lowered her gaze. ‘And I watched you come apart in my arms when I was inside you.’

  Her mouth opened slightly, as if shocked by his words. But he continued the assault on her senses, wanting to tempt her further. ‘I want to touch you again, to feel your body beneath mine, skin to skin. I want to feel your wetness surrounding me as I take you over the edge and you dig your nails into my back.’

  Her eyes widened, but she did not pull away from him. He felt the tremor in her hands, and her breathing grew unsteady.

  ‘All I’ve demanded thus far is for you to share my tent. To lie beside me at night.’ But Rhys would not deny that he wanted more than that. After witnessing his brother’s savage flogging and the heartache Warrick now endured, he wanted to feel the warmth of his wife’s body against his. He wanted her touch and the comfort of her presence.

  ‘I have never claimed you, though it is my right to do so.’ He caught her nape and drew her close again. ‘My patience wears thin. And when I have none left, I will tempt you with my mouth and hands until your body is begging to be filled with mine.’

  She still appeared startled by his words, but this time she rested her hands upon his shoulders. Rhys had never felt such a hunger for this woman. He kissed her, devouring that beautiful mouth until her hands wound around his neck.

  Her mind and spirit might defy him, but her actions spoke otherwise. She kissed him back, and when he pulled her closer, she grew pliant in his arms. The weeks of celibacy had only sharpened his needs, and he wanted far more.

  He released her, and said, ‘Go and get your herbs. But stay in view of the camp and take a guard with you.’

  She stumbled back, her lips swollen. But she nodded and hurried back towards the men. Tonight, he decided. He would coax her into desiring him, until she surrendered in his arms.

  * * *

  Lianna’s thoughts were troubled when she strode towards the glen. God help her, Rhys made her blood race. In truth, her feelings were torn into pieces. One moment, she despised him for killing her brother, and the next, she recalled that Sían had set out to murder Rhys. The raid had been unprovoked, and her husband had only defended himself.

  A narrow lake stretched out across the space, but she could see no valerian plants. It might be better to search within the small wooded copse. She walked among the trees into the centre of the forest.

  Her heart was so confused by what to do now. For she was starting to see that Rhys was not the monster she’d believed he was. There were traces of the handsome Highlander she’d believed him to be. And seeing how he had rescued Warrick and had taken such good care of his brother, she realised that remaining married to this man would be very different from her imaginings.

  She walked towards the outer edge of the woods alone, not bothering to take a guard with her. For what purpose? There was no one here, and if she shouted for help, Rhys would be there in a moment with his men. Right now, she wanted the solitude to gather her thoughts. She had been wedded only a short time to Rhys, but in that time, she was starting to understand him. He was not a man who made rash decisions. He was a strong fighter, fiercely loyal to his family and friends.

  But more than that, he knew how to tempt her, reminding her of the night he’d claimed her innocence. Even now, her lips were softened at the memory of his kiss. Eventually, she would have to lie with him. But the thought no longer tormented her...it aroused her.

  She walked amid the alder saplings, following a stream that cut across the forest. While she searched for the valerian, she tried to decide what to do. Lianna closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of the forest. All around her, it was silent, and she took a moment to still her thoughts. From behind her, she heard a rustling noise, and the crack of a stick. It was likely her husband or another guard, come to watch over her. Lianna smiled to herself at the thought.

  But then a hand clamped over her mouth, and she saw three Highlanders she didn’t recognise. They must have hidden themselves in the forest before her arrival.

  She kicked at them, desperately struggling to remove the hand from her mouth. She tried to scream, but the muffled sound would not come out.

  Then they shoved a handkerchief in her mouth, binding it tight, and hauled her away.

  Chapter Eight

  Rhys returned to Warrick but was startled to find his brother gone. His bedding was rumpled, and even his shoes were still there. It might be that he’d left to relieve himself, but he had not seen his brother walk since he’d been rescued.

  His instincts tightened with unease, and he returned to his men. ‘Have you seen Warrick?’

  ‘No, my lord,’ one of the guards answered.

  It was then that Rhys did a count of the men and realised that all of them were present. Lianna had not taken a guard with her—and likely, that was why his brother was gone. She would have passed by the tent on her way towards the glen, and Warrick must hav
e followed her.

  Rhys traced his brother’s footsteps towards the glen. A few paces out, he saw a fragment of Warrick’s bandage. Then, at the edge of the forest, he saw another piece of linen tied to a sapling.

  A coldness flooded his veins, for this was a game they had played as boys. They had hidden from their sister Joan, leaving clues to find each other. His brother was deliberately leading him in this direction. But why wouldn’t he have simply accompanied Lianna, if that was his reason?

  Because Warrick had suspected danger. It was the only possible explanation. His brother must have seen something. But what?

  Rhys hurried back to the camp. ‘Arm yourselves and come with me,’ he ordered two of his men. To the rest, he commanded, ‘Remain in groups of two and follow us. Space yourselves out, but stay hidden. If we encounter enemies, I want them to believe there are only three of us.’

  He donned his helm and took the lead. He trusted his younger brother with his life, and if anything had happened to Lianna, Warrick would lead him back to her.

  He only prayed he could find them in time.

  * * *

  Lianna could not see where they were going, for one of the Highlanders had slung her over his shoulder. Her hands were bound with ropes, and her mouth was dry from the handkerchief in her mouth. It had been tied around her head so tightly it was impossible to make any noise at all. Were it possible, she would have screamed as loudly as she could. But when she tried, nothing came out, except a muffled moan.

  From her upside-down position, she could not see the features of the man who had taken her, save his dun-coloured trews and shirt. When she tried to shove free of him, he laughed and patted her bottom.

  ‘There’s a sweet lass. You shouldna be alone in the forest,’ he said. ‘Especially when Normans are about.’ His hand moved to her backside again, and she fought to escape him when he squeezed it.

  Her mind was seizing up with fear. Despite her attempts to kick at her attacker, his grip only tightened. He was broad-shouldered and tall, perhaps a little older than herself. Lianna had no idea why he had stolen her, but she prayed that Rhys could somehow find her.

  She tried to see past the other two men to learn where she was. The glen and the forest were gone, and it seemed that they had carried her deep into the hills. From this elevation, she could see for miles, but there was no sign of Rhys or their men.

  Worst of all, she spied a cave concealed by the underbrush. The thought was terrifying, for Rhys might never find her there.

  ‘Are ye going to share her?’ one of the men asked with a leer.

  ‘Only when I’ve finished,’ the first answered. He entered the cave, and inside, the coals of a dying fire illuminated the space. It smelled stale, and she wondered what the men were doing so far from their homes.

  When they set her down, she took in every detail to keep her mind from the rising panic. These men had little wealth, for their hands were blistered and worn. Each had a dagger at his waist, and the only other weapon she saw was a thick wooden staff. The man who’d carried her had black hair and a black beard, as well as a white scar across his nose and cheek. Her other two captors were smaller, one fair-haired and the other brown-haired. Their beards were sparse, as if they were younger men.

  ‘She’s the MacKinnon’s daughter,’ the black-bearded man predicted. ‘With that hair of fire.’ He twisted it around his wrist, trapping her in place. ‘I knew we’d find her if we tracked the Normans.’ With a grin to his friends, he said, ‘Her father will pay to get her back. He owes us.’

  ‘The Norman might pay more,’ the fair-haired man taunted. ‘I heard he meant to wed her.’

  The bearded man had a hard cast to his face, as if he despised the Normans. ‘I’ve a better use in mind for a fair lass. She should have a taste of a real man.’

  At that, Lianna tried to break into a run. She didn’t care where she went, so long as it was away from these men.

  But the bearded man caught her waist and struck her hard. Pain roared through her cheek, and Lianna dropped to her knees. The world seemed to slow down, and she grew aware that her cheeks were wet. Was she crying?

  She tried again to scream through the binding around her mouth, but no sound came forth. Her fears multiplied, and she understood now why Rhys had demanded that she take an escort. But she had been too proud to take a guard with her, believing that no one was nearby. Her foolishness might now cost her life.

  ‘Hold her down,’ the bearded man ordered. ‘And let us see what lies beneath this gown.’

  One of the men grabbed her bound hands and raised them above her head, pinning her to the ground. The first seized her bodice and tore it to her waist, revealing her breasts. Lianna struggled against them, her heart pounding with fear.

  Dear God, they were going to rape her, and there was nothing she could do to stop them. Bile rose within her stomach, and she locked her ankles together, trying to fight them.

  Never had she imagined this could happen to her. The thought of Rhys was a prayer, though she doubted if he could track her this far.

  A rough hand fondled her breast, and she tried to twist away from the unwanted touch. She kicked at the bearded man, fighting to get away from them, and the men laughed at her efforts.

  The world seemed to slow down, magnifying her fears. She was trembling, and it felt as if she were underwater, with a roaring echo within her ears.

  Dimly, she grew aware that the hands holding her down had softened their grip. She didn’t know why, but she twisted again, trying to free herself. A slight noise broke through the stillness, and without warning, the black-bearded man released his grip. His eyes grew sightless, open in shock.

  Through her tears, Lianna stared at the sight of a blade that had impaled the man’s spine through his stomach. The other two men scrambled to get away, but within seconds, both were dead—cut down by a broadsword.

  A sword that belonged to her husband.

  Lianna sobbed with relief as Rhys covered her bodice and reached back to untie the gag. Then he unbound her hands and lifted her into his arms. Her body was shaking, and she closed her eyes tightly, so grateful he had found her.

  Rhys gave his sword to his men and said, ‘Let me speak with my wife in private for a moment. Let no one inside.’

  For a moment, she simply clung to him, needing the strength of his arms around her. ‘Y-you came for me. How d-did you find me?’

  ‘Warrick saw you leave alone, and he followed you.’ He kept her in his embrace, stroking her hair while she trembled. ‘I am glad he left a trail for me.’

  She didn’t know how his brother had managed it in his wounded state, but she whispered, ‘I am so grateful.’ The tears broke forth, and she could hardly speak. ‘Rhys, I am sorry. I never meant for this to h-happen.’

  ‘I know.’

  She could not let go of him, and he didn’t seem eager to push her away. With his mouth at her temple, he asked, ‘Did they hurt you?’

  ‘They would have, if you hadn’t come. But no, not yet.’ Her husband had killed the men with a ruthless expertise, an undeniable warrior. He had been trained to slaughter his enemies, and this day, she was grateful for his skill.

  No one could fight against a man like Rhys de Laurent and win.

  The shell of grief cracked apart as she realised her brother’s mistake. Sían had lost his life, trying to strike down a master of fighting. She wept, releasing the pent-up emotions from the past few weeks. The tears were cleansing, and Rhys kept her in his arms until she managed to gather command of herself.

  ‘Take me back to our camp,’ she pleaded.

  He framed her face with his hands, his blue eyes fixed upon hers. ‘I’m here, Lianna. I won’t let anyone hurt you.’

  She met his gaze through the haze of tears. Then he lifted her into his arms and carried her out. She hardly cared, for she doubted if her
knees would support her. She breathed in the scent of Rhys, knowing that he’d meant what he’d said. He would keep her safe.

  It felt as if the world had shifted out of position. No longer did she see him as a vicious enemy who had murdered her brother. Her heart ached as she was forced to confront the truth. That wasn’t the sort of man he was. Rhys kept a cool head about him, and though he was a strong warrior, he did not rush into battle.

  In front of her, she saw his men paired up, evenly spaced. If he had not struck down the three clansmen, he had a dozen men to back him up. The knowledge deepened her respect for his strategy, and she understood that he had planned out every possible outcome. After a time, she said softly, ‘I can walk now, Rhys.’ He had been carrying her down the hillside, hardly seeming to care about her weight.

  When he said nothing, she asked, ‘Am I not too heavy?’ She was starting to feel embarrassed, but he continued walking as if it took no effort at all.

  He slowed down and looked at her closely. ‘No, you’re not too heavy. But Lianna, I won’t be letting you go.’

  And when she looked into his eyes, she saw an air of possession that brooked no argument.

  * * *

  Rhys watched her carefully through the rest of the evening and into the night. Lianna prepared a meal for the men, clearing away their dishes and showing her gratitude through her actions.

  But when they were alone in the privacy of their tent, her demeanour grew even more quiet. She lay down beside him, and he pulled her close for warmth. Never would he forget the horrifying sight of Lianna being held at the mercy of those men. And he wondered if she had withheld anything from him. She seemed restless tonight, as if she wanted to talk but couldn’t find the courage.

  ‘Are you all right?’ he asked her. ‘You’ve hardly spoken a word.’

  She didn’t answer, but rolled to face him. Her knee brushed against his, and she moved in closer, resting her cheek against his bare chest. It was the first time she had reached towards him in weeks, and he went motionless. It seemed as if she needed to be in his arms, and he pulled her nearer, stroking her long red hair. For a time, he did not press her; he only offered comfort and security.