Down the Rabbit Hole

by J. D. Robb

  More than a few of the hunters were staggering about, the result of too much ale. Their drunken laughter rang through the room.

  As if to further taunt her husband, Edwina openly flirted with the men who returned her attention until they would happen to take note of Muldore Campbell seated to one side, glaring, his hand on the dagger at his waist. Then they would step back, leaving Edwina to seek out another conquest for her dangerous game.

  Beth caught a glimpse of Ian pulling one of the serving girls close to whisper in her ear. Whatever he said had the lass blushing before she hurried away. With a laugh he turned to another, younger lass, and boldly ran his hand down the front of her gown, causing Colin to give a hiss of anger.

  Beth turned to him. “Ian’s wife is not here with him?”

  Colin’s voice was low. “She could not make the journey, since she is soon to deliver their first child.”

  “Poor thing.”

  “Aye. She had little to say about the matter of marriage. It was decided between her father and Ian, and I’m told he promised the old man a great deal of gold in exchange for his daughter’s hand.”

  “I hope her father thinks it was worth making a bargain with the devil.”

  At her words, Colin turned to her. “I see you are not deceived by Ian’s handsome features.”

  “A very wise woman once told me that looks aren’t enough. What matters most is a good heart.”

  “A wise woman, indeed.” Colin got to his feet and held aloft a cup of ale.

  Around the room voices were stilled as the laird began to speak.

  “My friends, I am in your debt. Even now, as we feast, the villagers are also celebrating with a feast of their own. Because of your skill with bow and arrow, no man, woman, or child, even the oldest among them, will go hungry this night. For that, I thank you, my friends.”

  Hamish stood and lifted his own tankard. “It is we who salute you, my laird. These days spent in your company have been a special treat to all.”

  Colin smiled at the young man. “It is time to announce the winners of today’s hunt.”

  At a signal, Jamie stepped up beside his laird and handed him a bundle of arrows, sorted by feathers.

  Colin glanced around the hall until he spotted the red-bearded son of an old friend. “Adair, you brought down the most pheasants. Come forward and accept your reward.”

  As the young man paused before him, Colin clapped a hand on his shoulder before handing him a small sack of gold.

  After accepting his prize, the young man knelt and declared loudly, “I thank you, my laird. And I declare my fealty to you forever.”

  Touched, Colin nodded. “Your laird thanks you, Adair.”

  He reached for the second set of arrows and called, “Bancroft. You brought down the greatest number of quail. Come forward and accept your reward.”

  Like Adair, the young hunter with pale blond hair stepped forward and was handed a small sack of gold. And, like Adair, he knelt and loudly declared his fealty to his laird, to much shouting and pounding of goblets on the wooden tables.

  “Hamish.” Colin picked up the largest bundle of arrows, bearing the soft, plumed feathers of an egret. “Yours was no idle boast. You have, indeed, proven yourself to be a most gifted bowman. When we combine the number of pheasants and quail brought down by your arrows, I declare you the winner of the entire hunt. In all, you provided my villagers with three score and five birds for a glorious feast.”

  To much shouting and pounding, the young man stepped forward to claim a much larger sack of gold.

  Clearly humbled by the honor, he knelt before his laird and declared in a loud voice, “Though I was born to the Campbell clan, and have declared allegiance to my clansmen, I do declare my fealty to you, as well. If ever you need my strong arm, it is yours.”

  “I thank you, Hamish. You may walk freely among my clansmen, knowing they will never harm you.”

  Ian walked up to the head of the table, stepping in front of his friend Hamish and swaying slightly.

  His words were slurred. “What of my reward?” He looked around at the others. “Since I was the only hunter to bring down a stag, I have earned the right to be declared winner of the hunt.”

  “I have not forgotten.” Colin’s expression never changed.

  He nodded toward Jamie, who handed him a goblet of blood-red wine.

  Colin held it out to his stepbrother. “Drink, Ian.”

  Incredulous, the young man stared at the cup, then up at Colin. “What of the gold you gave the others?”

  “Gold is their reward. But this is made from our own vines, grown in our own hallowed soil. It is the drink of life that binds us one to the other.”

  With a look of absolute fury, Ian tossed the goblet against the stone fireplace, where it spattered and ran in rivers of red.

  “You will pay dearly for this, brother.” Without another word, Ian turned and stormed out of the great hall, his booted feet beating an ominous tattoo on the scarred wooden floor.

  In the silence that followed, Edwina hurried forward. “My brother is drunk and knows not what he is doing. On the morrow, he will apologize to you, brother-laird.”

  In a low voice, for her alone, Colin muttered, “No more lies, sister. We both know the morrow will not come. And we know why.”

  For a moment she was so startled, she could find no words. Then, with a last glance at the others, she turned and lifted her skirts before racing after Ian.

  With the joy of the evening now gone, the guests made ready to return to their chambers for the night.

  A murmur ran through the room, and Beth caught snatches of the conversation as the men and their ladies hurried away. It was something she’d heard before, though she couldn’t seem to recall where.

  Remember, with a new moon, it isn’t safe to be out after dark.

  Before she could ask Colin about the meaning of their words, he had his arm around her waist as he escorted her up the stairs to her chambers.

  Her body felt practically scorched from his touch.

  At the door, he turned to Jamie, who had trailed them. “You’ll not be needed this night, lad. You may go to your chambers.”

  “Aye, m’laird.” The lad bowed to Beth. “Good even’, m’lady.”

  “Good night, Jamie.”

  As Colin opened the door she stepped into her room and turned to him. “Before you leave, I want to tell you something very important.”

  “I have much to tell you, also, my lady.” He stepped inside her room and closed the door before leaning against it.

  On his face was a look that had Beth’s heart racing.

  “You’re in danger.” She spoke the words quickly, since she’d been holding them back for so long.

  He gave her a wolfish smile as he lifted a hand to her cheek. “Aye. Grave danger indeed, my sweet Bethany. For the greatest risk of all is giving one’s heart. But that is what has happened to me. I’ve already lost my heart to you. And now, before you say another word, I must taste your lips.”

  He drew her into his arms and kissed her with a thoroughness that had all her breath backing up in her lungs. A kiss that had her blood running hot through her veins. So hot, she could barely breathe.

  His mouth moved over hers until she had no choice but to wrap her arms around his waist and hold on as he took her on a dizzying ride that had her mind spinning, her heart soaring.

  And then, as his lips continued to weave their magic, she was lost. Whatever she’d been about to say was forgotten as she gave herself up completely to all that he was offering.

  “I fear I’ve lost my heart, too, Colin. Completely.”

  “Oh, my sweet, beautiful Bethany.”

  And then there were no words as he lifted her in his arms while his mouth, that wonderful, clever mouth, continued weaving its magic, clouding
her mind, heating her blood until all she could taste was Colin. And as he carried her across the room, all she could feel was this incredible hard, driving need to show him, in every way possible, all the things that were in her heart.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “My bonny, bonny Bethany.”

  In front of the fireplace, Colin set her on her feet and continued kissing her.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kisses with a hunger she’d never known. This was more than hunger. It was a desperate, driving need that clouded her mind and stole her will. A need that only this man could fill.

  How had this happened? When had this Highland laird become so important to her?

  There was no time to consider as his mouth pressed kisses to her ear while he murmured endearments, and his hands, those clever warrior’s hands, moved over her at will, driving her closer and closer to the edge of insanity.

  With a sudden sigh of frustration, he grasped the top of her gown and tore it from her, sending silken threads and sparkling jewels dropping to the floor at their feet like pebbles.

  She let out a cry of consternation. “Your mother’s beautiful gown . . .”

  “It is mere cloth, and can be replaced. But I’m desperate to see you, Bethany. Now. All of you . . .”

  His words died in his throat at the sight of her. “You are so lovely, my lady. Please don’t torture me. I must lie with you, Bethany, now, or die from this wanting.”

  In answer, she framed his face with her hands and lifted herself on tiptoe to press a kiss to his mouth.

  It was all the response he needed.

  He groaned and gathered her into his arms, lifting her off her feet and carrying her the last few steps to her pallet.

  There he laid her down as gently as though she were made of spun glass. And then, tossing aside his plaid, he joined her on the pallet and began raining kisses across her face, down her throat, and then lower, to her breasts.

  Her breathing quickened, and her heart was racing as though she’d been running for miles.

  “Colin. Wait. I need a moment.”

  He lifted his head, his eyes blazing. “A moment feels like eternity when the very sight of you has me on fire.”

  “I just need to catch my breath.”

  “You may have mine, my lady, for I have no need of anything, even my very breath, without you.” He brushed her lips with his, and she breathed him in, loving the familiar scent of Highland forest that clung to him.

  And then, with teeth and tongue, with lips and fingertips, he began leading her higher and higher, until her entire world narrowed to this man, his kiss, his touch, and the paradise he promised.

  Outside her balcony the wind sighed, matching her sighs. A night bird cried, and its mate answered. A dove cooed to its young in a nest. None of it mattered to the man and woman locked in a loving embrace.

  As needs rose in her, Beth clutched at Colin, and the feel of his flesh had her palms tingling, her nerves quivering. Then, aware that she was free to touch him as he was touching her, she allowed her hands to move over him, tracing the solid ridge of muscled torso, the flat planes of his stomach.

  He was so beautiful. A sculpted Highland warrior, a laird who wielded great power over his people, and yet he treated her with such care. As though afraid she would break if he but held her too tightly.

  The thought emboldened her as she gave herself up completely to his loving ministrations.

  “There is magic between us, Bethany.” He whispered the words against her mouth, and then inside her mouth, as he kissed her long and slow and deep.

  She absorbed the deep timbre of his voice inside her. She could do nothing more than cling to him, and sigh from the pure pleasure he offered.

  “My sweet, bonny Bethany.” He framed her face with his big hands and stared down into her eyes with a look so hot, so hungry, it had her shivering with anticipation. “I am completely captivated, my lady.” He pressed moist kisses over her eyelids, her cheeks, the tip of her nose.

  Was the room moving? Spinning? She could feel it dip and sway with each touch, each kiss, until she was forced to close her eyes and hold on to him for fear of falling.

  He lowered his head, and his lips closed around one erect nipple.

  A shaft of heat pierced her heart, and she gasped and clung to him as he took her on a wild, dizzying ride, taking her higher, then higher still. A fire of such desperate need began building inside her, she feared she would surely burn to ash.

  “Colin, please . . .”

  “Say the words, Bethany. I’ve longed to hear you speak of your heart’s desire.”

  “I . . .” Her need was so great, the words lodged in her throat like a boulder.

  “Then I’ll say them for both of us. I love you, my beautiful, sweet Bethany.”

  He took her then, with a fierceness that staggered them both.

  As he entered her, he paused, and pressed his lips to her ear. “I am yours, my lady. Forever.”

  Her body arched, her hands fisted in the bed linens. She stared blindly, a mist of passion clouding her vision. Her body was slick with the sheen that rose up between them. She could feel him struggling to be gentle, but the overwhelming need swamped him, making tenderness impossible.

  It wasn’t tenderness she craved now. It was a release from the fierce passion that was building, fighting to be free.

  Lungs straining, hearts thundering, they began to move, to climb. Pleasure, bordering on pain, began to build, until at last, locked in a fierce embrace, they soared to the very center of a star-filled universe. For the space of a heartbeat they paused, then stepped into the unknown. And soared.

  * * *

  For the longest time they lay, still joined, unable to move as they waited for their world to settle.

  Against her throat he muttered thickly, “Forgive me, sweet Bethany. I was rough.”

  “You weren’t.” She touched a finger to his lips to still his apology. “You were . . . amazing.”

  He managed to rouse himself enough to lift his head. When he did, he caught the glint of moisture on her lashes. “Tears, my lady? I hurt you . . .”

  She pressed a kiss to his lips to silence him. “These are tears of joy. I’ve never known anything like this before.”

  “Nor I.” He gave a long, deep sigh of relief. “What we have found is something rare and special.”

  She couldn’t help smiling. “Isn’t that what men always say to women after lovemaking?”

  “Is it?” He sounded genuinely surprised.

  “Are you telling me that you’ve never said such a thing before?”

  “Never, my lady. You are my one. My only.”

  He rolled to one side and drew her into the circle of his arms.

  As she snuggled against his chest, she found herself believing him. Colin Gordon was unlike any man she’d ever met. A truly honorable man. Of that she had no doubt.

  She ran a fingertip up his arm, lingering over the ridge of muscle that was oddly comforting. This man was a warrior. He would know how to defend himself against whatever evil scheme was brewing.

  Though she hated to shatter this tender mood that held them in its grip, the time had come to warn him about what she’d overheard.

  She touched a hand to his face, as though to soften the blow of her words.

  “I’ve tried so many times to warn you about the danger that threatens. Now, Colin, you must listen.”

  He went very still. “Say what you must, my lady.”

  As quickly as possible she told him about the voices she’d overheard outside her balcony.

  “They were little more than whispers, and I can’t identify the voices, but I’m convinced that they were plotting to kill you. And now that I’ve seen Ian’s anger, and his sister’s attempt to cover it up, I believe both Ian and Edwina want
you dead.” She paused, wondering just how much to reveal. But after what they’d just shared, there was no reason to hold anything back, no matter how difficult it would be to explain.

  “There’s more, Colin. I know it will sound crazy, but I need to be completely honest with you, no matter what you may think of me when you hear it.”

  He ran a hand gently down her arm. “You can tell me anything, love.”

  Love. It was the sweetest word she had ever heard.

  She took in a deep breath. “Ever since coming here I’ve seen odd things. Things I have never seen in my world.” She paused for only a moment before saying, “Several times the women here turned into geese.” She looked up at him, then away, before going on quickly, so she wouldn’t lose her nerve, “I know it’s crazy. But it truly happened. And the men turned into animals. I’m not saying they merely reminded me of birds and animals. They actually turned into them.”

  She waited for him to laugh, or to insist that she’d been dreaming. Instead she felt him draw slightly away before he asked solemnly, “What animal did I become?”

  “A deer. A very large deer, with huge antlers.”

  He gave her a sad smile before nodding. “Aye. A stag.”

  Her brows shot up. “You’re not surprised by what I’ve told you? You know?”

  “You weren’t imagining such things. They are very real.” It was Colin’s turn to take in a deep breath before explaining. “My father was an old man who still mourned the loss of my mother, his soul mate, when he met Darda Campbell and was so dazzled by her youth and beauty, he married her within days of their meeting.”

  “Were you offended?”

  He shook his head. “Though I cared not for her, I wanted only my father’s happiness. When it became obvious that he was not happy, I took myself off to battle, in order to give them time alone. But when I returned, and Darda learned that her new husband had named me his only heir, she came to me with a proposition. Renounce my claim to my father’s estate, and she would do all in her power to make his last years happy and peaceful. Refuse her offer, and she would place a curse on both of us.”