Highland Charm: First Fantasies

by April Holthaus

  “What year is this?”

  “Are you addled?” The damned man looked at her as if she was crazy. “’Tis the year of Our Lord, 1509.”

  “Oh, God.” She couldn’t breathe, her chest burned and her eyes blurred.

  A fiery sensation in her nostrils woke Laurie from her faint.

  “What the—”

  A young woman dressed in what looked to be a medieval gown stood over her, holding a horrible smelling container in front of her nose. Laurie waved her arm to push it away.

  “You are back with us then.” The young woman moved to the head of the bed, fluffed the pillows, and helped Laurie sit up.

  “Who are you?” Laurie massaged the knot at the back of her neck. Her head pounded. The stupid girly fainting was giving her a migraine.

  “Elspeth, Patrick’s sister.” The woman placed a calming hand on Laurie’s shoulder. “I sent him away. You need rest. He can ask his questions of you on the morrow.”

  “Tomorrow? Is it still night?”

  “Aye.” Elspeth sat on the edge of the bed. “’Tis a lovely brooch you wear.”

  “This?” Laurie touched the pin attached to her stole with shaky fingers. “A friend loaned it to me to wear to a ceilidh.”

  “’Tis quite beautiful.” Elspeth accepted a cup from a plainly dressed older woman who stood behind her and handed it to Laurie. “Here, drink this. ’Twill help ease you.”

  “What is it?” Holding the cup, Laurie examined the contents suspiciously.

  “Spiced wine with a wee bit of herbs.”

  The green scent of herbs smelled pleasant, like sitting in the garden on a sunny day. She took a small taste. Bitter, but tolerable. The liquid helped soothe her parched throat and she was glad for that.

  She sipped the drink while observing Elspeth. The younger woman seemed sweetness personified, petite and feminine with strawberry blond hair woven into a long thick braid. Her light silver eyes peered at Laurie from within an angelic face, which glowed as if lit by a light from within.

  “Thank you for your kindness,” Laurie said softly.

  “Aine will ready you for bed-going.” Elspeth gestured toward the older woman. Then stood as if to leave, but hesitated. “Patrick ordered the chamber bolted. He placed a guard outside the door. If you are in need, call out and Duncan will summon Aine.” She turned away and walked through the doorway, closing the roughhewn oak panel behind her.

  “Why am I to be locked in? Am I a prisoner?”

  “Nae worries, lass,” Aine said in a soothing tone as she removed Laurie’s China flats. “My name is Aine MacTamhais. I care for the needs of the chief’s household.” She unpinned the stole and placed the tartan and the brooch on a chest next to the bed.

  “I’m Laurie, and I don’t need you to undress me.”

  “Aye, Mistress Laurie.” The woman pulled the blouse over Laurie’s head anyway and gasped. “Tsk, tsk. You wear nae chemise. And what is this you wear that covers your bosom? Naught, but a wee piece of lace.”

  Laurie covered her breasts with both hands, horrified by the woman’s shocked expression. Aine shook her head and handed the blouse back to Laurie. “You best keep this on, lass, till we find you proper garments.”

  As the older woman turned away and walked toward the door, Laurie pulled her peasant blouse on and sat on the edge of the bed. The door closed with a loud thud.

  Trapped. Laurie’s stomach clenched at the sound of the guard sliding the bolt. Breathing deeply several times, she tried to calm herself. She needed to clear her head and think. Alone in this strange place, she needed to carefully consider her options. Determine what happened to her and figure out how to get home.

  A plan, she must make a plan.

  This wasn’t a fantasy come true. Being this frightened more than sucked. She didn’t like the claims made by the Neanderthal man either. He might be gorgeous and kiss like a dream, but he had no rights to her. She didn’t belong to him, or anyone else for that matter.

  And she definitely didn’t like the unaccustomed yearning he awakened within her body. She needed to be in control.

  She wanted to go home.

  Logical thought was required. If she used her reasoning skills, she could handle this situation. She could handle any situation if she put her mind to it. For God’s sake, she’d earned a Wharton MBA.

  Downing the remainder of the spiced wine, the warmth slid down her throat, spread through her chest and heated her belly. Suddenly groggy, Laurie attempted to rise, but fell back onto the bed.

  Shit. What the hell was in the drink?

  * * *

  “I gave her a potion to ensure she sleeps through the night.”

  Patrick raised his gaze from the fire when his sister joined him in his work chamber. He made no effort to hide the deep sorrow surely shining in his moist eyes.

  “Munn believes she has a connection to our parents, and she wears your lady-mother’s brooch. How do you think she came to have it?”

  “She says ’twas given by a friend to wear to a ceilidh. Do you think she wandered away from a gathering in the village and became lost?”

  “Nae. Had there been a gathering, I would have heard of it. News of strangers travels fast.” Patrick exhaled sharply, trying to rein in his chaotic emotions. “’Tis odd. First, she appeared in my visions and now she arrives on my land as if from nowhere. I dinnae ken what to think.”

  “I sense nae evil with her. I ken she is frightened, but not a threat.”

  “Munn said as much.”

  “Mayhap we can learn more on the morrow.” His sister’s smile was meant to reassure, but he wasn’t reassured.

  “Aye,” he said. “The lass will explain much.”

  Her smile faded and a stern expression crossed his sweet sister’s features. “Where will you sleep this night?”

  Patrick raked a hand through his hair. He felt an unexpected protectiveness toward the lass. If he were honest with himself, he’d been intrigued since he first spied her. Not wanting any harm to come to her because of his unexpected lust, he didn’t intend to dishonor her in front of his clan. He’d not sleep in his bedchamber this night.

  Although the longing to do just that was near to maddening. “Though I have claimed her as mine, I will not shame her. I will sleep here in the laird’s study. Duncan will guard her door until either I or Stephen relieves him.” He gave Elspeth an unsteady smile. “Go and rest Beth. Nae harm will come to her while you slumber.”

  Tomorrow, he would have his answers.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Loud scraping woke Laurie from fitful dreams. The noise pounded at her temples. Eeuw… She felt awful, as if someone clobbered her over the head. She tried to open her eyes. They were glued shut. She rubbed them and finally managed to pry them open.

  Darkness. Only darkness surrounded her and that annoying, grating noise. She massaged her temples, her mind filled with fuzz. She groaned.

  She had to clear her head, get up, find out what was making the noise. What if someone had broken into the cottage?

  Light assaulted her…

  Laurie shrieked as bed curtains swept open. Memories from the previous night painfully flooded back. She hadn't been dreaming.

  A smiling young woman stood next to the bed.

  "Elspeth?" Laurie blinked several times. “You’re real.”

  “You look as though you have seen a banshee.” Elspeth chuckled. “Here, let me help you rise. Things will seem better after a warm bath.”

  Laurie blew out a puff of air and tugged her fingers through her snarled hair. She welcomed Elspeth’s assistance to sit.

  Several burly men stared at her as if she was crazy.

  Maybe she was. She pulled the covers to her neck and glared at the men.

  The men turned away and continued to tug a large wooden tub across the floor to position it before the fire burning in the hearth. They filled the tub with buckets of steaming water. When they finished, Aine bustled into the room, carrying several c
loths, a small pot and a comb. She shooed the men out and shut the door.

  After the men left, Laurie sighed, feeling out of her element, unsure how to act. The best approach, at least for now, was to go along with the madness. Elspeth and Aine seemed pleasant enough and probably didn’t mean her harm.

  Though something in the wine she’d drank the night before definitely knocked her out. Still, she would play along, but be wary. Very wary.

  “I’d like a bath.” She shot the women the smile she used to cajole executives.

  She allowed Aine to help remove her blouse. Elspeth gasped at the sight of her thong and bra. “You wear unusual garments.”

  The young woman studied Laurie’s underwear.

  “’Tis improper.” Aine wagged her finger at the younger woman. “I will go to your lady-mother’s trunks and get a fresh chemise and gown for the poor lass.”

  “Aye,” Elspeth said. “Bring the sapphire gown. She will look fetching in it. ’Twill accentuate her bonnie blue eyes and golden tresses.”

  “There’s no need,” Laurie said. “I can wear—”

  “’Tis Patrick’s favorite color.” Elspeth inclined her head toward Laurie, a twinkle in her eyes and a smirk curving her lips.

  Aine cackled and left the chamber.

  Why should she wear the favorite color of that buffoon who’d dragged her here last night? Laurie chomped down on her molars. She loved the color too, but still, she didn’t feel the need to get decked out to please him. Her fantasy of the man played better than the reality. He was a brute.

  Laurie wanted a civilized man in her life. A man who understood the world she lived in. She wasn’t about to become the property of some medieval lord.

  Hell no.

  Besides she wasn’t staying. Although she doubted she’d wake from this bad dream any time soon. What she needed was to get back to the old hut where he’d found her and figure out how to get home. Maybe she could sneak out of the castle without laying eyes on the big jerk again.

  For now, though, she’d take a bath. She took off her thong and bra and let Elspeth assist her into the tub. Being nude wasn’t awkward. After all, the girls at the gym ran around the locker room in different stages of undress, many completely nude. The scent of herbs reached her nose and she swirled the leaves floating on the surface. Heat soothed her stiff muscles.

  Elspeth handed her the pot and a small cloth. Laurie sniffed. Lavender.

  “’Tis French soap. My brother Archie often travels to France with the Campbells for King Jamie. He brings back wonderful gifts.”

  “Thank you for sharing it with me.”

  Elspeth inclined her head, sat in a nearby chair and gazed away, giving Laurie the allusion of privacy. She washed herself, enjoying the moment while the young woman silently mended a piece of cloth.

  After a few minutes passed, Elspeth glanced up from her mending. “Aine will wash your hair when she returns.”

  With the sound of heavy footfalls and loud voices approaching, they stared toward the door. The heavy panel crashed open and Patrick stood at the threshold gaping. A large man, his shoulders barely cleared the frame. His mouth twitched up into a crooked smile. “Ach, lass. You dinnae need a fine gown. You are bonnie in what God gave you.” He strode into the room with Aine on his heels, making the large chamber suddenly seem quite small and overly warm.

  Heat rose from the tip of her toes to singe the roots of her hair, Laurie tried to cover her breasts with her hands and with the tiny cloth, while glaring at the audacious man. “How dare you!” The rasp in her voice didn’t produce the demand she’d hoped for. “Get out of here.”

  “I am Chief of Clan MacLachlan, Lord of Strathlachlan. I dare much, lass.” His cocky grin made him even more attractive than she thought him the previous night.

  Oh. Her blush must be brilliant.

  He growled, whirled on his heel, and hurried from the room. Elspeth and Aine exchanged glances then stared at Laurie.

  She slid down into the tub, relieved, yet not. She’d never been so mortified. He was big and overwhelming. She had to get out of this place and find her way home before she fell under the spell of that unbelievably gorgeous, brute of a man.

  Aine cleared her throat. “I will be about the task of washing your hair then, lass.”

  “Yeah, fine, whatever,” Laurie managed to choke out.

  After using more of the lavender soap to clean Laurie’s hair, the plump woman dumped buckets of water over her to rinse the soap away. When she finished, Aine helped her stand and patted her dry with a large soft cloth.

  Unsure of proper etiquette and slow to understand their words, Laurie didn’t speak. She allowed the two women to fuss over her while she mulled over the situation. There had to be a way to get home. All she needed do was get away from the confines of the castle and find the spot in the woods where she landed, so to speak.

  Aine slid a soft linen chemise the color of ecru over her head and Laurie sat in front of the fire while the older woman combed out her hair and braided it. Elspeth left the room only to return a short while later with a tray containing something sloppy in a bowl, a small chunk of hard cheese, and a cup of liquid.

  “I brought you a wee something to break your fast. After you dress, I will show you the castle and grounds.”

  “I’m not to be locked in this room any longer?”

  “Nae, Patrick reconsidered his order. He does not believe you can get into mischief. You cannae leave the castle grounds for the mainland.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You were in a swoon when Patrick brought you here so you did not see. Water surrounds Castle Lachlan. ’Tis impossible to leave, except by boat or during an unusually low tide.”

  Laurie didn’t want to hear this. She needed to discover a way to escape, get back to the forest, and find her way home. Shit, she’d have to bide her time, try to sneak off and steal a boat. Not that she knew how to use one.

  She’d earned an MBA. She could figure it out.

  “Patrick commanded Duncan MacEwen to guard you.”

  More bad news. Escape would be difficult with a guard tagging along, but she’d figure out a way. She needed to believe she could or she’d lose her mind.

  Determined, Laurie directed her attention to the tray of food. Sustenance first. The bowl contained some sort of oatmeal porridge. The gummy substance tasted bland, but the cheese and the ale were passable. Surprisingly, getting tossed through time hadn’t destroyed her appetite. When she finished her meal, Elspeth and Aine helped her dress in the beautiful sapphire gown. She wrapped her plaid stole around her shoulders and secured it with the brooch from Caitrina. After putting on her China flats, she was ready.

  For what, she wasn’t sure. Laurie raised her head high. She would find her way home.

  Following Elspeth down the wheel stair, she placed her hand against the cold stone to steady herself. The long gown made it difficult to navigate the steep, narrow confines of the twisting stairway. She relaxed when they entered the passage to the other side of the castle.

  Elspeth pointed to the closed door they approached.

  “’Tis the laird’s study, Patrick’s private work chamber. He wishes to speak to you before I take you to the hall.”

  Something banged the door from the other side.

  Elspeth glanced at Laurie, chuckled, and softly knocked on the door.

  * * *

  Patrick ran a hand over his face. He’d fled his bedchamber as if a banshee pursued him. Unbelievable, but necessary.

  He escaped before doing something foolish like climb into the bath with her. He leaned his back against the heavy oak door in his private chamber and hung his head. What was the matter with him? Running from a mere lass? For Heaven’s sake, he was the Chief of Clan MacLachlan—a fierce warrior.

  How had he turned into a trembling imbecile?

  When the lass made that funny little O-shape with her mouth, he’d nearly lost control.

  God’s teeth, he wante
d to kiss her lips and every inch of her luscious body. After seeing moisture glistening along her fair skin, he’d realized he never should have gone to his chamber while she bathed. This night past, he publicly claimed her because it was the honorable thing to do after unleashing his lust upon her. During the night, while he fought the tension in his body, he decided he wanted her. Now he was determined to truly claim her.

  And it would happen soon if he couldn’t control the ache in his groin. He slammed his palms against the door at his sides. He should go to the village, find a wench, and relieve his desperate need. His chuckle sounded hollow, he wouldn’t follow through on the thought. He’d not enjoyed the pleasure of a woman in over three years.

  He’d sworn off marriage. And the gratification of the body hadn’t been a temptation.

  But now… There was a woman he wanted.

  Patrick pushed away from the door at the sound of a soft knock. ’Twas certainly Elspeth with Mistress Laurie. Damn. How long had he stood inside the closed door with his blood thundering in his ears?

  He strode to his worktable and sat before the pile of papers he’d worked on yesterday. He flexed his muscles, stretched, and reached within for the shrewd warrior.

  “Enter.”

  * * *

  After several moments of silence, Laurie jumped at the harsh voice bidding them enter. She’d hoped to avoid Patrick a while longer. Her hands trembled and she swallowed compulsively, not ready to face the man who haunted her dreams. Her reality.

  She stiffened her spine. He wouldn’t intimidate her. Few men made her nervous. She wasn’t about to let this one unnerve her more than he already had. She took a couple of deep breaths and centered herself.

  Laurie smoothed the front of her gown and followed Elspeth into the chamber where Patrick sat at a desk of sorts, reading. He glanced up. The light from the high window illuminated the papers on the table before him. Yet the play of shadow and light across his face made it difficult to read his expression.

  “Mistress Laurie, sit.” He tipped his head, motioning to the two chairs before the hearth.