The Twisted Laird

by Cherime MacFarlane

  He stiffened slightly beneath her and Rhona rubbed her cheek against his shoulder.

  "Tha bloody damnable thing can hurt all it takes ah notion tae. I'm done coddling tha blessed thing. It's tae bear up, or else." he growled out.

  "MacGrough, ye're truly ah MacGrough tae tha soles of yur feet." Her voice held a bubble of laughter. "So, ye've made ah decision an yur leg is tae do what it's told. Ye ken Kyla has some of tha ointment. I've nae objection tae giving yur leg ah rub, as ye have my shoulders."

  In the dark she could not see him, but she felt his cheek brush the top of her head. Something was changing between them. Rhona was not quite sure where they would go from here, yet things would be different.

  "Och! Continue on, MacGrough. I ken there’s more, so out with tha bloody lot."

  Edan told her everything up to the encounter with Tally. When he finished the last of it, Edan was silent, as if waiting for her response.

  "Well done. Tha bloody lot of them paid for their crimes an there's none tae demand reparation. Tha bloody bastard, Tally Smith, will never take advantage of another poor soul nae as likely tae defend themselves."

  Her words amazed him. Edan hugged her tightly for a moment. "Christ's bones! Woman, ye're ah blood thirsty thing."

  "Nae. I'm thinking 'tis best tae take tha whole nest out. Then ye'll nae have tae deal with more of tha bloody bastards later. Remember David? He slew tha giant an took his head. David dealt with him as he deserved. War wasn't what got him intae trouble, it was lusting after another man's wife when tha King didnae go to battle as he should. David had ah man faithful to him, murdered tae take his wife. That, Edan MacGrough, is murder an still God forgave him. 'Tis time ye let go of tha cat o nine tail an ceased whipping yurself with it."

  "God's teeth! Is that what I've been doing here? I dinnae understand."

  With a snort, Rhona patted his chest. "Hamish sent ye home. Ye didnae see battle at Culloden. Might it be ye feel ah wee bit guilty for coming home alive when tha rest didnae? I understand guilt of that nature. Didnae I feel guilty for being alive when Hamish was gone? Makes nae ah lick of sense. I was carrying Cadell, ye needed tae come home tae care for tha women an bairns left behind. How would we have fared without ye? Think on it lad an toss tha whip aside."

  Lying in bed with Rhona's soft body next to him, Edan felt at peace. There was something else he recalled from the book he had studied so hard while learning Latin from it.

  "Rhona, there's another thing in tha Bible. It just occurred tae me, about taking yur brother's wife tae be yur own, if he dies. Ye have mothered Ailene, I'm tae raise Cadell. Might it nae lighten our loads were we tae marry?"

  She went stiff in his arms. "Edan MacGrough, are ye asking me tae marry ye? I ken there's nae luv in this thing ye're proposing."

  "Och, mayhap nae luv, mind. I've feelings for ye nonetheless. Seeing ye on tha ground near stopped my heart. I wouldnae expect ye tae...."

  "Cease there!" Rhona commanded him. "I'm going tae say aye, we should marry. Ye're nae going back on this?"

  The warm body tucked against him felt right. Edan knew this was the correct thing for both of them. "Nae. I'm asking for yur hand in marriage. I'll talk tae tha parson an arrange all at tha kirk."

  "Then, I'm going tae tell ye ah thing nae lass should ever tell ah lad before tha ceremony is done. I've ah need for yur body, Edan. I've been wanting ye for ah while now. It was tae soon for ye, I ken."

  Edan sucked in a breath. It was best to start this marriage off honestly. "Then I'll confess tae wanting ye so badly I've fondled myself sometimes at night. Tha time Ailene dashed tha door open an I saw ye then, I almost took ye, agreement or nae."

  "Aye? I nearly came tae ye. All that stopped me was the bairn grabbing my leg." Rhona giggled in the dark.

  "Och! Fine pair we are." There was humor in Edan's voice "'Tis why I hid in tha bed that night. Had I come out, I might have dragged ye intae it an had at ye."

  In the darkness of the room, snuggled together in the bed, the couple began to laugh. After a short while, Edan fell asleep. Rhona lay awake listening to his even breathing. She understood this would not be an easy coupling. He had been honest with her. She would be the same with him. Respect and honor might breed love in the long run.

  In the early morning, Cadha quietly opened the door to check on the couple. With a slight smile, she noted they were lying spoon fashion together in the bed. Shutting the door behind her, Edan's grandmother-in-law went down to get the fire going once again for breakfast.

  When the fire was burning well in the fireplace, she set the water on to boil and went back upstairs to see to Ailene. Lara was minding Cadell. Cadha felt they might be looking after the two children for a while yet.

  Rhona had hit the ground hard. With her complaints of the ache in her shoulder, the woman would be stiff and sore. Staying in bed for most of the morning was probably a wise idea.

  A little voice in her head told her it was also possible Edan and Rhona would be doing other things in the bed. It had been very obvious to anyone with eyes that Edan wanted her. A few times Cadha had caught a look on Rhona's face, which spoke of a mutual attraction.

  She had lost Daracha, but she still had Ailene. For that she would always be grateful to Rhona. If Edan and Rhona were together, she would not feel badly. There were children to take care of and things to be done. Life did move on.

  The slight creak of the door woke Edan. Sometime during the night they had changed position. Her behind was tucked tightly against him. It was a good feeling to have a woman snuggled close.

  Taller than Daracha, Rhona's fit was a bit different, but felt wonderful all the same. Savoring the scent and feel of her caused Edan to want her. Without realizing it, his hand was stroking her belly through the skirt and shift.

  Coming awake, Rhona rolled over to face him. Her dark eyes were wide as she reached a hand up to stroke his face.

  "How's yur head? I didnae mean tae wake ye." Edan watched her lips part and the tip of her tongue flicked across her bottom lip.

  "I'm ah wee bit thirsty an I think tha drum in my head has slowed vastly."

  "Och! I should keep my distance. I'll admit tae ah lusty thought or tae."

  "Only ah lusty thought or tae? I'm having more than ah few." Rhona pushed her hand up under the front of his shirt.

  Edan sucked in a deep breath when her fingers slipped up his skin. "Have ah care, lass. I'll nae be responsible if ye keep touching me. Ye're going tae be stiff an sore. I'm afraid I might hurt ye. 'Tis been ah long time an..."

  Wiggling back away from him, she rose from the bed. After a quick drink from the water jug, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Untying her two skirts and petticoat, Rhona let them drop to the floor. Loosening her stays in the front enough to get them over her head, Rhona crossed over to Edan's side of the room and placed them carefully on a chest. Standing only in her shift in front of the window, the early morning sun filtering through the lace of the curtain outlined her body.

  Edan watched her reach for the hem of the shift before he hurriedly rose from the bed. Tugging off his shirt, Edan watched as she removed the shift. Her body was as he remembered from the day she was accidently exposed to his gaze.

  Rhona decided Edan was far more beautiful now, than the last time she saw him shirtless. His body was that of a man. There was a frown on his face as he walked over to her. One arm reached around her waist and Edan pulled her naked body sideways against him.

  "Have I done aught wrong? Why are ye frowning at me?" Rhona whispered as she lowered her eyes, then let the lids drop closed.

  "Frowning? Am I frowning? I dinnae ken. I want ye, I want tae suckle those beautiful breasts as ah babe. Then, I'm going tae bury my cock intae ye."

  Rhona whimpered slightly and her lips parted. His hand closed around her throat and Edan raised her face for a kiss. Turning fully toward him, Rhona drew her breasts across his chest, loving the feel of the dark chest hairs against her nipples.


  Full, from not having nursed either child, she leaked slightly and the milk dampened Edan's chest.

  "Ah, God!" Mumbling, Edan reached down to swing her up into his arms. Setting Rhona on the edge of the bed. Edan hooked the stool with his foot and pulled it over. Plopping down on the stool and putting both hands behind her back, Edan began to lick the drops of milk from her nipples.

  Rhona released the band from his hair and thrust her fingers into the strands at the base of Edan's neck. She was making soft mewling noises as he licked first one nipple then the other. Lifting his head from her breasts, Edan licked her bottom lip and Rhona's mouth opened to him.

  He kissed her hard, sucking Rhona's lower lip into his mouth. When Edan pulled away, she opened her eyes to see what he was doing. The two colored eyes sparkled and a tiny smile lifted the corner of his mouth.

  "I've wondered what tha taste of ye would be like. I've dreamed of this." Bending his head, Edan took her right nipple into his mouth and began to suck on her, drawing down the milk. Rhona's hands went to his head as she held Edan's face in her hands.

  With a moan, her head fell back. Shuddering as the desire roiled around in her body, Rhona clung to him. Edan's tongue curled around her nipple and Rhona began to shake. He switched sides and Rhona moaned again.

  She felt the fluid pool inside her as he tugged and sucked on her repeatedly. "Edan?" Rhona whispered, it was a question and a plea.

  Understanding what she wanted was the same as his desire, he stood, pushing the stool away. Removing his trousers, Edan watched Rhona's eyes turn dark as he stood before her.

  "Och!" she sighed out as she reached out to touch him. A sheen of sweat broke out on his face when she lifted a bead of moisture from his cock with a fingertip. Looking up at him, she licked her finger.

  Edan could stand no more. All the days and nights of desire flooded him. Grabbing her under the arms, he tossed her backward across the bed and climbed up over her. Rhona spread her legs, bent her knees and dug her heels into the mattress. Taking both his buttocks in her hands, Rhona pushed up to meet him. With a deep groan they came together.

  "By God!" Edan muttered as he ground his hips into her. Pulling nearly all the way out, he slammed into her again. Rhona's fingers dug into his flesh and she arched upward to meet him.

  When she reached down to rub herself with her fingers, Edan lunged into her and pushed as hard as he could against her fingers. Supporting himself with one hand, Edan reached down with the other, snatched her hand away and sucked Rhona's fingers into his mouth.

  After sucking on her fingers, Edan released them. "Now do it." He watched her begin to rub and stroke herself again. "Later, I'm going tae suck on ye as I did your breasts. An I'm going tae lick ye."

  Eyes closed, she smiled at his words. Then she stiffened. Edan knew the signs. He pumped harder into her, harder and faster. Feeling her starting to milk him, Edan slammed into her and let go. Jerking, he came inside Rhona, as he had been dreaming of.

  Opening her eyes again, Rhona smiled up into his face. "Edan." She pushed his hair back behind his ears. "Ye feel as good as I was praying ye would."

  Putting his weight on his left knee, Edan rolled off to one side.

  "'Tis better than I dreamed, Rhona. Far better."

  Luv or nae, we fit well here. Edan thought to himself.

  Shifting around in the bed, Edan and Rhona flipped the covers around their naked bodies and went back to sleep.

  Chapter Fifty - Six

  Parson James looked somewhat taken aback when Edan told him what he and Rhona meant to do. Edan had gone alone, expecting to encounter opposition from the man. Explaining they were approaching the matter much like an arranged marriage, it was for the good of the family and the two children, did give the man pause.

  Edan sat in Parson James' library and waited for the man to set out more arguments against the marriage. It seemed his two main points of contention were the lack of a proper mourning period for Edan and the fact that Rhona and Edan might be too closely related.

  Disposing of the first point was easy as there were less than three weeks to the anniversary of Daracha's death. Edan pointed out Rhona was his brother's widow, as Hamish was his half-brother, there was even less likelihood of the relationship being incestuous. Edan was prepared to throw the Old Testament practice of a man marrying his brother's wife at the Parson, but it was not necessary.

  With a sigh, Parson James capitulated, much to Edan's relief. Not that the MacGrough allowed his feelings to be seen. James did not need to know Edan was prepared to bribe him if necessary.

  Edan intended to spend every night until the actual wedding, in Rhona's bed. They were somewhat circumspect about it. He waited until everyone else was in bed. When it came to waiting until the wedding night, Edan refused. He suspected Rhona felt as he did. The woman was as lusty as Daracha.

  Before going back home, Edan took a long ride down the Broomielaw. Finding an out of the way place, he dismounted and stood looking out at the broad Clyde, flowing past to the sea.

  It had been some time since he had tried to have a conversation either with God or Daracha. He was sure of what he was doing, but no longer being a cocksure youth, knew difficulties would come.

  With an arm over the horse's back, Edan searched his heart. "God, wife, I cannae help being what I am, naught but human. Rhona, well, she feels good in my arms. An St. Paul said, 'tis better tae wed than burn in hell. If we nae wed, 'tis burning in hell tha both of us are going tae be. I've tasted tha fruit an must have more."

  "Daracha, my dearest, ye will be my first luv all my life. Ye taught me tae luv. When I look at Ailene, I see ye. An, I ken it's much tha same for Rhona. Cadell is so like Hamish, 'tis almost uncanny. I hope tae see ye again, as tha book says. For now, I'm here an have ah need tae luv an be luved in return."

  "I'm hoping for yur blessing, God. I dinnae ken tha future, nae more than tha wee things I see now an again. I ken there will be hard times an good. I suppose, I'm asking ye tae show us, Rhona an me, how tae luv each other. Neither of us are tha same weans we were in tha glen. Fact is, I'm nae sure about much, so I'll need guidance. 'Tis as if I've been demolished an am trying tae rebuild."

  He thought about Gideon, the Knight Templar. The tale said Gideon had been no more than a lad, when he landed on Scotland's shore. Gideon's marriage to Ailene was a marriage of convenience in its own way. They built a good life in the chaos of war. He remembered the line from the riddle, "Beloved husband, beloved wife," the words rolled off Edan's tongue. And he understood the framer of the riddle was either Gideon or Ailene or both of them. That line was as important as any other line of the riddle. It was all part of the Templar's Treasure. The love they shared was for all time and he was positive he and Rhona could come to it as well.

  Remounting, Edan turned the horse for home. Just at the corner of the Broomielaw and Wood Lane, beneath the rowan tree, he saw Rhona. The children were gathered about her in the spring sun. The snow and ice were once again gone and the small hillock the tree sat on, was above the muddy lane.

  Leaning on the neck of the animal, he smiled as he watched her. A faint stirring of something in Edan's chest, caused his smile to broaden. The woman was strong and courageous. The love she had for Ailene was proof that Rhona was quite capable of loving again.

  Now, he was engaged in a siege on her heart. Her body was his, Rhona's heart was another matter. Edan was not going to be satisfied with only her body, he wanted the heart that opened to take in a difficult infant, one not her own. Edan wanted to be admitted to the recesses of the heart, Rhona had hidden away from hurt.

  Sharing with Hamish was quite alright with him. Rhona was going to be sharing heart space with Daracha and each and every woman in the cottage. He cared for them all.

  Every one of the MacGroughs held a piece of him in their hands. If some felt the need to remarry, he would certainly understand. Those who wished to bring spouses into the fold, could. If they needed to move along, that too w
as acceptable. But the spouse needed to know, these women would always be his sisters, his family.

  Ailene was standing next to Rhona who had an arm around the child. Turning her head, Ailene saw him.

  "Da! Da!" she called out.

  Edan touched the horse with his boot heel and the animal started forward. Rhona rose before leaning down to pick up Ailene. The feeling on seeing that simple gesture from Rhona, toward Ailene, caused his eyes to tear up. The woman was so much more than she understood.

  Riding up to the group at the base of the tree, Edan dismounted.

  Rhona walked over and put a hand on his forearm. "Did he agree?"

  Seeing the anxiety in her eyes, Edan nodded. "Aye. There was nae ah question. Dinna fash yurself over James. I wasnae going to allow him tae give us grief."

  Rhona closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.

  Edan noticed the evident relief and smiled. "Nae, worries, hen. Sunday, after tha service, we will be joined."

  Looking at the children gathered with Rhona under the rowan tree, Edan caught Callum's eye. "What have ye learned today, lad?" At the same time, Edan leaned down, picked up Cadell and put him on the horse. Callum did not reply.

  Smiling now, Rhona moved to Edan’s side. With the children surrounding them, the group began walking to the cottage and the stable. After the turmoil of the previous two days, it was as if a storm had suddenly abated, leaving behind sunny skies.

  The children disbursed, but Rhona walked with Edan to the stable. He lifted Cadell down and stood the child next to his mother. The four of them walked back to the cottage when the animal was hobbled and turned out to graze.

  The scent of a stew on the hearth greeted them when Edan opened the door. From the weaving room, the sound of the loom could be heard. Sunlight streamed in the windows lighting up the inside of the cottage.

  Cadell began to wiggle and pulled his hand from Edan's. The boy immediately went over to where the twins were engaged in playing. The children had various small pieces of wood from Edan's scrap box and were placing them one on top of another.