by Banks, Maya
He touched one strand of hair, allowing it to curl around the tip of his finger. He wasn’t a man ruled by fear, but when he’d realized that Mairin had been shot, he’d experienced a wash of terror unlike anything he’d ever known. The idea that he could have lost her didn’t sit well with him.
He could make a lot of excuses, including the biggest, that if she died, Neamh Álainn would never be his. His clan would never be rebuilt. Revenge would never be his. All of those things were true. But the simplest truth was that he hadn’t wanted to lose her. None of the other things had even crossed his mind when he’d frantically examined her injuries.
Aye, the lass was getting under his skin. He’d been right about her from the moment he’d first laid eyes on her. She was definitely trouble.
CHAPTER 20
When Mairin awoke, the pain in her head overshadowed the pain in her side. She licked over her cracked lips but it wasn’t enough to rid herselfe horrible taste in her mouth.
What on earth had the laird done to her? All she remembered was him ordering her to drink some foul liquid and having to choke it down. Even the memory made her stomach lurch precariously.
She rolled, testing the tenderness in her side, but ran into a warm, snuggly body. She smiled and curled her arm around Crispen and hugged him tight.
He opened his eyes and snuggled closer to her bosom. “Are you all right, Mama?”
“Aye, dearling, I’m perfectly well. I hardly feel a pinch. ’Twas just a little cut.”
“I was scared.”
His voice wavered and her heart squeezed at the uncertainty in his voice. “I’m sorry you were afraid.”
“Did it hurt? Maddie told me that Papa had to stitch you up. I would think that would hurt a lot.”
“Aye, it did, but not overmuch. Your father had a good, steady hand and he was quick about it.”
“Papa is the best,” Crispen said, with all the confidence a young boy has in his father. “I knew he’d take care of you.”
Mairin smiled and kissed the top of his head. “I have need to get out of this bed. I’ve lain here so long that my muscles are all stiff and sore. Would you like to help me?”
Crispen scrambled from the bed and then made a big show of aiding Mairin to her feet.
“You should go to your chamber and dress for the day. I’ll meet you below stairs. Perhaps Gertie will have food for the both of us.”
He gave her a huge grin and then scampered off, slamming the door behind him.
Mairin stretched as soon as he was gone, and winced. It truly wasn’t bad. She hadn’t told a lie. Just a twinge or two when she moved wrong. It certainly wasn’t enough to keep her abed.
She turned to retrieve a gown from her wardrobe, when a flash of color caught her eye. Her gaze was drawn to the small table sitting near the window. On top of it lay a neatly folded pile of fabric.
It was her wedding dress. Forgetting all about her injury, she hurried over and delved her fingers into the sumptuous fabric. Then she yanked it upward and allowed the dress to unfold. Why, it was as good as new. There was no evidence of the rend.
She hugged the material to her chin and closed her eyes in delight. It was silly to be so emotional over a dress, but a woman only got married once, didn’t she? She frowned. Well, most of the time. She wouldn’t think on such matters as the laird dying and leaving her a widow.
She stroked the dress one last time, enjoying the softness as it glided over her fingers. Then she carefully put it away so it would keep until the next time she had an occasion to wear it.
em">Eager to leave her chamber, she went about pulling her gown on, her gestures awkward as she tried to arrange the dress with as little movement on her left side as possible.
As best she could, she brushed out her hair and left it down, since braiding it was going to be an impossibility one-handed. When she was satisfied that she didn’t look quite so haggard, she left the chamber, hoping she wasn’t too late for the morning meal.
And it was high time she saw to her duties as mistress of the keep. Surely that would keep her out of trouble with Ewan.
The days since her wedding had passed in a blur, and other than making the acquaintance of other women in the clan, Mairin hadn’t done much of anything besides trying to avoid her faithful watchdogs.
Well, enough of all that. It was time to take things in hand. After taking an arrow in the side, she wasn’t enthused about venturing out of the keep anyway.
When she entered the hall, she was greeted with looks of horror from her clansmen. Gannon and Cormac were involved in a heated debate, but when they saw her, they broke off and stared as if she’d grown two heads. Maddie, who was passing through as Mairin made her entrance, immediately threw up her hands and rushed over to where Mairin stood.
“My lady, you should still be abed,” Gannon exclaimed as he and Cormac also hurried over.
“Aye,” Maddie agreed. “You shouldn’t be up. I was about to bring up a tray for you to eat in bed.”
Mairin raised her hands to silence them. “I appreciate your concern. Truly, I do. But I’m perfectly fine. Staying abed serves no purpose except to drive me daft.”
“The laird won’t like this,” Cormac muttered.
“What has the laird to do with it?” Mairin demanded. “He should be relieved to know I’m back on my feet and ready to take on my duties as mistress of this keep.”
“You should rest, lass,” Maddie said soothingly, as she turned Mairin back in the direction of the stairs. “You wouldn’t want to aggravate your injury.”
Mairin shook off Maddie’s hand and turned back to the hall, only to run into Gannon.
“Now, my lady, you should be abed,” he said firmly.
“I’m fine,” she insisted. “Why, I don’t feel a bit of pain. Well, maybe a twinge or two,” she added when Cormac shot her a disbelieving look. “But ’tis no reason to stay in bed on such a fine day. I’ll even allow you to accompany me,” she said to both Gannon and Cormac.
“You’ll allow?” Gannon asked with a scowl.
She nodded and smiled serenely. “Aye, I will. I’ll be no trouble. You’ll see.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it,” Cormac muttered.
“Maddie, I’ve need of your assistance if you’re willing to give it.”
Maddie looked confused. “Of course I’ll help you, my lady, but I still think you should go above stairs and lie down. Perhaps you can tell me what it is you need assistance with, while you eat your meal in bed.”
Mairin faced them all down and let her displeasure show. “There is absolutely no reason for me to go to bed.”
“There is every reason, wife.”
Cormac’s and Gannon’s shoulders sagged in relief while Maddie let out a sigh. Mairin turned to see her husband standing behind her, a look of mild annoyance on his face.
“Why is it I can’t expect even the least bit of cooperation from you?”
Mairin’s mouth fell open. “That’s … That’s … well, that’s quite a rude thing to say, Laird. You’re implying I’m difficult. I’m not difficult.” She whirled back around to face the others. “Am I?”
Cormac looked like he’d swallowed a bug while Gannon found something on the wall to study. Maddie didn’t bother trying to be circumspect. She laughed outright.
“Why aren’t you in bed, Mairin?” Ewan asked.
She turned back around to face him. “I’m quite well. I’m feeling much more myself today. Well, except for the headache. What was it you made me drink?”
“Something to make you more amenable. I’m tempted to have Gertie prepare you another flask.”
She had no response to that.
“Come above stairs with me so I can redress your wound,” Ewan said, as he directed her toward the stairs. “But … but I was about to—”
Ewan propelled her up the steps. “Whatever it was you were about to do can wait until I’ve seen to your injury. If I’m satisfied that you’re truly well enough to
be up and around, I’ll reconsider your confinement.”
“My confinement? That’s the most ridiculous—”
Ewan stopped and before she could finish her tirade, he planted his mouth over hers in a scorching, toe-curling kiss. It wasn’t a tender gesture. It was demanding … and passionate, and Lord, she didn’t want him to stop.
When he pulled away she had a hard time regaining her senses. They were … outside their chamber? She blinked as she tried to remember what brought them here.
“What was that you were saying, lass?”
Her brow furrowed. She opened her mouth then shut it again. “I don’t remember.”
He grinned and opened the door, pulling her inside the room. He started tugging at her dress and she batted his hands away.
“I won’t have you tearing another dress,” she muttered.
Ewan sighed. “I had Maddie repair your gown. It was an accident.”
Her eyes widened. “You had my dress sewn?”
His lips formed a thin line and he looked away, ignoring her question.
“Laird, you saw to the repair of my dress?”
“Of course not,” he said gruffly. “ ’Tis a woman’s matter. Men don’t concern themselves with women’s fripperies.”
Mairin smiled and then threw herself against Ewan’s chest before he could ward her off with his hand. “Thank you,” she said, as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
Ewan let out a deep breath and pulled her away from his body, his gaze reproachful. “Lass, when are you going to demonstrate some restraint? You’re going to upset your wound again, throwing yourself around like that.”
She smiled at his stern face and then leaned up and palmed his face between her hands. Then she pulled him down into a breathless kiss that had her panting and gasping for air within seconds.
She wasn’t sure who was more affected. She or he. His eyes glowed, and his nostrils flared as she rocked back onto her feet.
“I’m really quite well, Ewan,” she whispered. “Mother Serenity used to avow that God’s hand was ever guiding me because no matter how hard I fell or how badly I hurt myself, I always bounced back with amazing speed. My side pains me, aye, but not overly much. ’Tis more of a nuisance than a true pain. There’s no reason for me to stay in bed the entire day.”
“Remove your dress, Mairin. I’d like to see for myself how you’re healing.”
With a disgruntled sigh, she loosened the strings of her bodice and carefully peeled away the material. From the corner of her eye, she saw Ewan’s expression grow tight as he stared at her bare shoulders.
Fascinated by his intense regard, she took a little more time than necessary to ease the dress down her body. Her hair fell down her back and forward over her breasts. Just the nipples peeked through the strands, and Ewan’s gaze was fixed on them.
“Shall I lie down?” she asked softly.
Ewan cleared his throat. “Aye. That’s fine. Make yourself comfortable. This won’t take but a minute.”
She eased down on the bed but watched Ewan from underneath her lashes. While he was thon changing the dressing on her wound, his heated gaze dragged over the rest of her body, so tangible that it was like the brush of his hand over her skin.
She stirred restlessly as he finished tying the strip of cloth around her side. The action thrust her breasts forward, brushing against his arm. Her nipples immediately puckered, the rasp of hair over the sensitive tips sending a warm flood of pleasure deep into her body.
“Lass, ’tis not the time for loving,” he whispered. “But you tempt me. Aye, you tempt me like no other.”
She circled his neck with her arms and they stared at each other for a long, silent moment. His eyes were beautiful and they reminded her of the highland hills in the spring. So green and alive with life.
He lowered his mouth to hers, gently at first, just a simple pressing of mouths together. A gentle smooching sound, flesh meeting flesh. He kissed the corner of her mouth then returned to the middle and then over to catch the other corner.
“You taste of sunshine.”
Her chest tightened, and pleasure at the sweet words filled her to bursting.
She could feel him between her legs, hard and pulsing. He strained at his trews, pushing impatiently. She wanted him. Aye, she wanted him badly.
“Ewan,” she whispered. “Are you sure ’tis not the time for loving?”
He groaned low in his throat. “Aye, you’re a temptress all right.”
She lifted her body to fit it to his, unsure of what she was doing, but it felt right. She was hot and flushed and she needed something she was sure only he could give her.
“Kiss me,” she murmured.
“Oh, aye, I’ll kiss you, lass. I’ll kiss you until you beg me to stop.”
His lips closed around one taut nipple and pulled as he sucked it farther into his mouth. His hands stroked her body and she arched like a contented cat seeking more of its master’s touch.
“Easy, lass,” he murmured. “I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
Hurt herself? She was going to hurt him if he didn’t continue kissing her.
He slipped his hands between her thighs and thumbed through the tight curls guarding her sensitive flesh. He brushed over the quivering point even as his fingers sought her moist opening. Despite his warning, she arched helplessly, unable to control her frantic response.
Fire stoked deep within her body and fanned rapidly through her groin, tightening each time his fingers stroked inside. This wasn’t how it was done, was it?
She didn’t care. Whatever he was doing felt so wondrous that she wanted to beg him never to stop. And she did. Over and over, the words spilling out between fractured sobs.
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He sucked at each breast, alternating as he drove her mindless with his fingers. She was hot and slick around him and she was fast building to an explosive end.
She whimpered and gripped his shoulders as she raised her hips, wanting more. He added a second finger to her sheath at the precise moment his thumb exerted more pressure.
She would have screamed—she did scream—but he raised his mouth from her breast to capture her mouth just as she did and swallowed the savage cry as she came apart in his arms.
Forgotten was her wound, the bandage, any pain or discomfort. There was only wave after wave of intense pleasure until she sagged onto the bed, too limp and weak to do anything more than gasp for air.
He rolled to the side and carefully pulled her into his arms. His lips brushed over her hair and he stroked the tresses with one hand. He caressed and petted every inch of her skin until a wonderful haze surrounded her and enfolded her in its warm glow.
“Sleep, lass,” he murmured. “You need your rest.”
Too fuzzy and sated to argue, she closed her eyes before she even realized she’d done so. Her last coherent thought was that he was far superior to ale as a sleeping drought.
CHAPTER 21
Mairin let out a lusty yawn and stretched her arms over her head. She was so limber from her bout of loving with Ewan that her side didn’t even pain her.
Then she realized that despite her determination to be out and about, she’d spent half the day in her chamber. With a frown, she rose, grumbling under her breath about husbands and trickery.
He’d done it apurpose, she was convinced of it. He’d taken her to their chamber on the pretext of tending her wound and then distracted her with loving. And to think she’d ever thought he wasn’t skilled in such matters.
He was too skilled by far.
This time when she left her chamber, Gannon met her directly outside her door. She looked at him in astonishment as he picked himself up off the floor.
“Have you been outside my door all afternoon?”
“Aye, my lady. ’Tis my duty to see to your safety. You have a habit of disappearing, so Cormac and I drew straws to see who would safeguard the chamber door.”
She frowned, not liking the idea
that she was such a distasteful duty that they were forced to draw straws over the unpleasant task.
She headed toward the stairs, determined to see Maddie without any interference from her husband or her watch guards.
Cormac was in the hall sharing a tankard of ale with a few of the older men of the clan.
“Have you seen Crispen about?” she called to Cormac.
“Nay, my lady. Last I knew of him, he was out playing with the other children. Would you like me to fetch him?”
“Oh nay, let him play. I have no need of him at the moment.”
Cormac rose and started in Mairin and Gannon’s direction, but she held up her hand. “I am only going to see Maddie. Gannon can escort me. Can’t you, Gannon?”
“Aye, my lady. If ’tis all you’re planning.”
“Of course. ’Tis getting on into the afternoon. ’Twill be dark soon enough.”
Gannon relaxed. He nodded in Cormac’s direction and then gestured for Mairin to precede him from the hall.
Mairin set out at a brisk pace, determined for anyone who saw her to think she was fully recovered from her accident. By the time she reached Maddie’s cottage, she was winded and she leaned against the door for support as she sucked in air.
After recovering her breath, she knocked politely on the door and waited. She frowned when no response was forthcoming.
“Maddie isn’t in her cottage, my lady,” one of the women sang out from one cottage down. “She’s helping Gertie in the kitchens.”
“Thank you,” Mairin called.
“Would you like to go to the kitchens?” Gannon asked politely.
The thought of encountering Gertie was enough to persuade Mairin she could wait to speak to Maddie. It wasn’t as if she could do much of anything today anyway.
She turned in the direction of the keep and came to a stop and stared at the ruckus right in the middle of the path that split the cottages. Two older men were carrying on quite a spirited conversation, complete with shaking fists and fiercely worded threats.