She grabbed his head and dragged it down for a kiss. He fisted his hand in her hair as she writhed beneath him. When her heels dug into his backside, his control snapped. He withdrew and pushed forward. Everything swelled, tightened, and he did it again. Harder this time.
Breaking the kiss, she whimpered as she bucked her hips. His weight bore down on her, his brain turned off. They found a rhythm, thrusting mindlessly until she screamed, and her inner walls contracted around him in waves.
He shouted as his body stiffened, and his seed released. With a final grunt, he collapsed on top of her. Unable to move or think, he lay there, gasping for air.
Slowly, he came back to his senses. Caitlin’s chest heaved beneath him.
“Canna. Breathe.” She pushed against his shoulders.
He rose onto his elbows. “Sorry.”
His arms felt weak, his head heavy. He pulled out of her with a groan and rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. Never before had he lost himself in a woman so completely, been so overcome.
His control had vanished.
Anxiety niggled in his gut and he closed his eyes. Even with Moire, he hadn’t felt such all-consuming passion. And look where that had ended.
He turned his head toward her. She looked as dazed as he felt, and he trailed his fingers down her cheek.
Making love to his wife had been the most incredible, most terrifying experience of his life.
“Caitlin.”
“Aye.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“Doona lie to me again. Ever.”
She bit her lip. “I didn’t mean to. It just came out.”
“I know. But I’ll protect you. Always. You doona have to make up stories to stay safe.”
She nodded, then rolled over and climbed on top of him, her head on his chest. His arms surrounded her, and the anxiety eased from his belly, replaced by a profound sense of peace.
“Darach? Do you love me yet…just a wee bit?” Her voice sounded sleepy as she drifted toward slumber.
He glanced down to see her eyes closed, her breath coming slow and even through parted lips.
Did he love her? He knew without a doubt he would die for her, would leave his clan, his brothers, for her, just as her father had done for her mother. Was that love? Darach had thought he’d loved Moire, but when she’d betrayed him, his pain had been more about his foolishness than her deceit. He’d grieved the child she’d lied about more than he’d grieved her.
But if something ever happened to Caitlin…
His stomach clenched, and he refused to think about it. She was safe, warm, sleeping in his arms, surrounded by his clan, his castle. And his bairn could be growing in her belly. That frightened him as much as it pleased him.
Aye, maybe he loved her.
He kissed the top of her sleeping head. “Just a wee bit.”
Eighteen
“Give them to me.”
Edina tugged the bed linens from Caitlin, who let go reluctantly. An embarrassed flush heated her cheeks. “I only thought to wash them. I bled last night.” She whispered even though no one else was in the chamber.
Bundling the sheets, Edina nodded. “Of course you did. ’Tis your maiden blood, a sign of your virtue. Our laird will be pleased.”
A lump formed in Caitlin’s throat at the mention of her husband, and she blinked back the tears that had threatened to fall ever since she’d woken this morning in their marriage bed—alone. She knew she was being foolish, but she couldn’t help it.
“Did you see him earlier?” she asked.
“Aye, he and Laird MacKay went to the loch hours ago. Now come and have your bath before the water cools.”
Caitlin seldom slept late, but when she’d first stirred and found him gone, all her doubts had resurfaced, and she’d pulled up the covers, hoping he’d come find her. Reassure her.
He hadn’t.
What if she’d done something wrong, offended him with her lusty behavior?
Well…if she had, it was his fault. Maybe if he’d instructed her on what to expect, she mightn’t have been so…so…mindless. Aye, he was negligent in his duty as her husband.
Feeling better, she wound up her hair, dropped her chemise, and stepped into the lavender-scented water. It stung at first, but the heat soon worked its magic. With a sigh, she lay back and closed her eyes. The lapping of the water reminded her of his hands stroking her skin. Her breasts tightened, grew heavy. His weight on her had been exciting too, and she clasped her hands against her belly, where he’d pressed her down.
“I’ll return to help you dress as soon as I’ve served the laird his noon meal. I willna be long.”
Caitlin sat forward with a squeak, sloshing water over the tub’s edge. She’d forgotten Edina was here.
Her gaze fell on the door swinging shut behind the housekeeper, and she almost ran to lock it…although perhaps it would be better if she threw it open and yelled for Darach to come find her, comfort her.
Preferably in bed with his arms around her.
Groaning, she dropped her head in her hands. Maybe she should crawl back under the covers for the rest of the day.
Nay. She was a lady now; she had to act like one. She thought about waiting for Edina, but an urge to see Darach beat at her and she rose from the water. After drying herself with the towel, she donned her best gown, brushed her hair, and walked in a dignified manner out the door. At the end of the corridor, however, she lost her courage and peeped around the corner to see if she could spot Darach in the hall below.
“Are we spying on someone?”
The words were whispered in her ear and she shrieked and spun around. Darach pulled her close, so she didn’t tumble down the stairs. “Are you well, lass? Maybe we should go back to bed. The corridor is drafty. I’ll warm you in no time.” His hands slid down her back to cup her bottom.
“To comfort me?”
“Aye. I’ll make you verra comfortable.”
“Darach! Get down here,” Lachlan bellowed at them from below.
With a muttered curse, Darach glanced past her shoulder. “Why must you yell like a bloody fishwife?”
“Because otherwise you’ll be heading back to bed, and I’ll be left to deal with MacInnes on my own.” He smiled at Caitlin, who’d turned to face him. “Morning, lass. Did you sleep well?”
Images of last night flooded her mind as Darach took her hand and led her down the stairs. He glanced back when she didn’t answer. Noticing her embarrassment, he grinned, then stopped for a kiss. “Aye, she slept well, splayed over me like a bairn.”
“I did no such thing,” she said, but the memory of her crawling on top of him took the force out of her protest. Lachlan would think her wanton. “Take it back.” She poked Darach in the ribs.
“Why? You’re my wife. You can sleep any way you like with me.”
They reached the bottom, and Lachlan also kissed her. “Your uncle is coming. Maybe you should stay upstairs. I’m afraid ’twill be unpleasant.”
“But I just came down. Edina has a meal prepared.”
“Aye, but he’ll most likely upset you when he doesn’t get his way. We can send you up a plate.”
“’Tis best, sweetling.” Darach patted her backside dismissively. “Eat your meal, then have a nap. I’ll come up afterward.”
“Nay.”
“Nay?”
“He’s my uncle. ’Tis my right to know what’s happening.”
Darach planted his hands on his hips. “I doona think you understand the wedding vows, Wife. You are to obey your husband.”
She rolled her eyes. “God only meant some of the time, Husband.”
“Some of the time?”
“Aye.”
“And did He tell you which times?”
“Nay, if God spoke to me, I’d be a saint, a
nd a saint surely wouldnae do as we did last night.” Caitlin crossed herself for good measure.
Lachlan laughed as Darach sighed. Taking her hand, he led her to the high table. Edina arrived with a steaming trencher of mutton and greens. Darach used his knife to cut the juiciest morsel and fed it to her. Caitlin didn’t care for mutton, but she smiled as she ate it because he was being so sweet.
Lachlan sat on her other side. Breaking off a piece of bread and piling some meat on it, he glanced at Darach over Caitlin’s head. “You should tell her before MacInnes gets here.”
Darach grunted in response.
She looked at him, but he stared across the room, lost in thought. The food in her stomach hardened, and her heart began to pound. Surely he couldn’t… He wouldn’t… “Tell me what?”
Darach saw her expression and cursed. She would have rebuked him, but her throat had closed shut.
“I’m not sending you back, Caitlin. You’re my wife, for God’s sake. Even if you weren’t, I wouldnae give you to him. How could you think such a thing?”
She released the breath she’d been holding in a gush of air. “Well, you weren’t there, were you? You abandoned me.”
“What?”
“This morning. I needed you, and you’d gone for a swim with Lachlan. You were derelict in your duty as my husband.” She sniffed and eyed him accusingly.
“You were sleeping.”
“I needed comfort.”
“I held you all night.”
“You did?”
“Aye.”
“You see? That’s comforting to know. If you were there this morning, you could have told me that.”
He stared at her for a minute. “So I’m to lie in bed till you awaken?”
“Well, nay, but maybe you could kiss me before you rise. Wish me a good morning.”
“Even if you sleep?”
“Aye.”
A slow grin crossed his face. “If you insist. I’ll wake you every morning with a kiss.”
“And praise.”
“Praise?”
“Well, I need to know, doona I?” She leaned toward him and whispered, “Did I please you last night?”
Darach’s eyes darkened, and he dragged her against his side to whisper back, “Aye, you pleased me.”
“I did everything all right?” Her hand gripped his lèine uncertainly.
“You were perfect.”
“But I was so…wild.”
“I liked it. I want you that way every time, aye? Moaning and squirming beneath me, pulling my hair, digging your heels into my back. We have a lifetime of loving ahead of us, Caitlin, and I couldnae be more pleased that you respond to my touch.” His voice roughened and his fingers gripped her hip. “Maybe we should have that nap, now.”
The last was said loudly and Lachlan threw his hands in the air. “MacInnes is coming. You have to finish it.”
“Finish what?” she asked.
Lachlan looked significantly at Darach, who sighed. He cut another piece of meat and fed it to her. “Your uncle will want his due for giving you to me in marriage. What he doesn’t realize is there are conditions in the contract that must be met first.”
“What conditions?”
“Well, first, the King must decide if MacInnes’s claim to you is valid.”
She crinkled her brow in confusion. “What do you mean? He’s my only living relative. I doona know my mother’s family.”
“I’m your family now. Husband and father of your bairns, if we are so blessed. The MacKenzies are your clan.”
Lachlan reached over and squeezed her hand. “And you’re my sister, Caitlin. A beloved member of my family too.”
A lump formed in her throat. “Thank you, both of you, but I spoke of my father’s family. Heaven knows I wouldnae choose him, but MacInnes is my uncle.”
Darach sighed and pressed her head to his chest. Caitlin didn’t now what was going on, but she knew she had to see his face. She pushed back. His eyes were troubled.
“Husband, you will tell me what’s on your mind, else I’ll assume the worst and maybe run away again.” It was a lie, but Caitlin thought the threat would loosen his tongue.
“You’ll do no such thing. You gave me your word.”
She raised a brow and waited, heart tripping.
He sighed again, hand caressing her hair. “It has come to light your mother was pregnant with you when…when—”
The door opened and Oslow strode toward them, claiming Darach’s attention. Caitlin squashed her frustration. What had he been about to say?
A contingent of warriors entered and took up position in the hall. The men who were eating joined them, while the serving girls scurried to clear the tables and put them away.
Oslow stopped in front of Darach. “MacInnes is on his way. Birk Anderson and Father Lundie are with him. Each has a copy of the contract.”
Darach nodded and returned his gaze to Caitlin. She waited for him to finish what he’d been saying about her mother. Instead, he cupped her face and kissed her. “Your father loved you verra much, Caitlin—as his own. Naught can take that away from you.” Then he straightened and faced forward, arm around her waist.
“Be strong,” he whispered as MacInnes entered the keep.
Caitlin shuddered when she saw her uncle. He was even filthier than two days ago, red-faced with dark, sunken eyes. Worse was his stench, which wafted toward her as he approached. If Caitlin hadn’t known the evil in his heart, she would have thought him a wretch and felt sorry for him. As it was, she had a hard time not gagging.
He curled his lip in disdain at the sight of her. “Niece, you are well provided for because of me. You ought to be on your knees in gratitude.”
“I’ll ne’er be grateful to you, Uncle. But I’ll gladly go to my knees for my husband and thank him every day.”
Darach’s arm tightened around her as Lachlan made a strange, choking sound. When Oslow’s face reddened, she knew she’d somehow misspoken.
“Hush,” Darach said. “I will speak to your uncle.”
“Nay. Let the besom continue,” her uncle sneered. “’Tis amusing to hear what else the slut will do.”
Darach tensed, and as if he’d ordered it, Oslow struck MacInnes across the face. She gasped as her uncle stumbled backward. When he straightened, blood dripped from his lip. His eyes darted fearfully around the room. Every MacKenzie looked ready to kill him.
Rising to lean over the table, Darach glowered at him. “Count yourself fortunate, MacInnes. If it had been me, you’d be dead. Your time here has ended. Leave.”
“Not before I get my due. The contract hasn’t been filled. I want my gold.”
“You shall have it, if the King rules in your favor.”
“What do you mean?”
“First, it must be decided if you’re Caitlin’s true guardian.”
“I’m her uncle.”
“Not by blood.”
The silence that fell was deafening. MacInnes stared at them, eye twitching. Caitlin slowly stood beside Darach. Moments ago, he’d been trying to tell her something about her mother…and father. Something that had troubled him.
“He’s not my da’s brother?” she asked, voice trembling.
Darach’s arm came around her in support. He held her gaze. “He is.”
“Then how…?”
“Your mother was pregnant with you when she met your father, Caitlin. He loved you as his own, but you did not come from his seed. Your uncle told us so last night.”
The words echoed loudly in her head, and she gripped Darach’s lèine. “’Tis untrue. He lied.”
“Nay. ’Tis to his detriment, he had no reason to lie.”
Her uncle started arguing, but Darach’s eyes never left her face. He stroked her head, then slipped his hand beneath h
er hair and rubbed her nape. “Caitlin—”
“I’m all right,” she said, sinking to the bench.
Be strong.
Now she understood his words. Forcing a deep breath, she fought back the heartache. She would not let her uncle see her weep.
“I will see you off my land, MacInnes. Ne’er cross it again.” He nodded to Birk Anderson, who stepped forward. “Master Anderson has agreed to present our dispute to the King. If he judges in your favor, I’ll deliver your gold. If not, our acquaintance is over.”
“This is treachery!”
“Nay, ’tis what we agreed. You read the contract. If you disagreed, you shouldnae have signed your name to it.”
MacInnes sputtered incoherently, hands fisted. “It matters not who her father is. My brother claimed her as his own, which makes me her guardian upon his death.”
“Maybe, but we’ll let the King decide. In the meantime, I would think back on the night your brother and his wife died. The King may have some questions about the fire.”
The color drained from MacInnes’s face. “Questions?”
“Surely you want your King to know the truth? I do, for my wife’s sake, as well as my own. Which is why I’ve begun looking into the matter.”
“You’ll find naught. The fire was an accident.”
“I hope so.”
Caitlin looked from one to the other, her head swimming. Not only was her father not really her father, but her uncle also might have set the fire that killed her parents? Darach hadn’t actually said so, but surely that’s what he meant. She started to rise again, but his hand on her shoulder held her down. Lachlan smiled at her reassuringly. They wanted her to hush.
She bit her lip and tasted blood. Why on earth would her uncle murder her parents? It didn’t make sense. Her hands hurt, and she realized she’d clenched them so hard her nails had scored her skin. She unclenched them, flattening her palms on her dress.
MacInnes turned to her, eyes filled with hatred. “If you hadn’t spread your legs, you would have stayed married to Fraser. You’re just like your mother—she was a whore too.”
Darach shoved the table out of his way, and it crashed over, clay pots smashing to pieces on the floor. Caitlin shot to her feet as he leaped toward MacInnes. Lachlan caught him from behind just as Anderson and Oslow stepped in front of her uncle.
Highland Promise Page 23