Highland Charm: First Fantasies

by April Holthaus

  Mine. She belonged to him.

  Their tongues danced, and his heart thundered louder than the sound of his favorite steed’s hoof beats at a full-out gallop.

  With regret, he seized control of his wayward body and ended the kiss. He didn’t want to scare her off. He placed her back on the bench beside him, taking hold of both her graceful hands in one of his work-hardened ones, afraid she might flee if given the opportunity.

  “Ach, lass. You are a tasty morsel,” he said, his voice rough with desire.

  Laurie lowered her gaze to her lap, embarrassed at how easily she fell into Patrick’s arms. A mere glance from those blue peepers of his, and she succumbed to his charms. Had the damn man stolen her ability to think rationally along with her breath?

  He frightened her and made her feel powerful at the same time.

  Her leg brushed his and he made a groaning noise deep in his throat. She fought the smile that threatened. There was no way she could push him away. Heat radiated from him through the fabric of her gown and apron. He was incredibly hot and hard and wonderful.

  She had the urge to fan herself.

  “You wanted to speak with me?” She finally found enough air to ask.

  Patrick cleared his throat. “I have decided ‘tis time for me to sleep in my bedchamber.”

  Tilting her head back, she gazed into his eyes. He expected her to agree.

  Just like that—not.

  She blinked a couple of times. “Where shall I sleep?”

  “Next to me. Where you belong, lass.”

  Laurie braced her feet and pulled away, managing to catch him off guard, and quickly jumped out of his reach. “Is this a marriage proposal?” She glared at him.

  His eyes widened and he stared back. “Why are you being difficult? I will take care of you. You must ken that.”

  Difficult?

  “Answer my question. Do you plan to marry me?”

  Sure, she’d vacillated between wanting to have sex with him and pushing him away. In reality, in her heart, she knew the only way she could make love to him was if they were married.

  “Nae, I cannae wed you.”

  Well, didn’t that say it all? He was a tease.

  That it mattered bothered her more than she wished to analyze. She didn’t plan to stay in the past long enough to marry anyone. Even so, the fact that he wanted to have sex and not marry her, hurt—especially given what that would mean should she be forced to stay in this time period.

  When she dated in college, Laurie insisted on waiting until marriage. The guys she went out with only wanted to have sex and never called for a second date. Then she met the boy she believed was different. They dated for six months and when he convinced her they’d get married the following year, she agreed to sleep with him. The almost-event turned into a nightmare.

  She hadn’t been able to take him into her body. The pain when he tried had brought her to tears. A visit to her doctor declared her normal. But when they tried again, it still didn’t work.

  After those two devastating nights, she never dated again.

  For years, she thought there was something fundamentally wrong with her. After doing research, she learned she just hadn’t been aroused. Not her fault. Another opportunity to make love never presented itself.

  Patrick’s eyes shone with regret. Still—she wouldn’t be used.

  “I wouldn’t sleep with you unless we were married. And I don’t wish to marry you. I want to go home. I’ll not join you in your bed for sex games. You may sleep there if you wish, I’ll find somewhere else.” She whirled on her heel and fled the garden, refusing to allow him a response.

  A short time later, Elspeth found her on the beach throwing large pebbles into the loch.

  “Patrick sent me to find you. He admitted to upsetting you.”

  Laurie continued searching the ground, selecting a handful of pebbles and pitching them one by one across the water.

  “Lady Laurie?”

  “What?” She spun and faced Elspeth.

  “He is sorry.”

  “I am too, but I can’t stay here any longer. I need to find my way home. Patrick wants me to sleep with him, to be his whore. I can’t. I just can’t.” She attempted to swallow her anger. Elspeth didn’t deserve it directed at her. “I can’t stay here.”

  Elspeth sighed. “You dinnae understand. He wants you to be his mistress, not his whore. ’Tis an honor to be the mistress of a Highland chief. He will take good care of you. Give you everything you could possibly want.”

  “A mistress is the same thing as a whore. Don’t try to color his insult rosy,” Laurie snapped. “I’m sorry. It’s not your fault.”

  Elspeth motioned the words away with a flick of a hand. “A man spends one night with a whore and pays her little. He spends many nights with his mistress and pays her handsomely with his love and gold.”

  “What of marriage? What about a wife?” Laurie demanded.

  Elspeth sadly shook her head. “A wife is for begetting heirs, for creating strong political alliances and gaining additional territory. Patrick can never wed where his heart wishes. Since our father has disappeared and not been found, Patrick is the Chief of Clan MacLachlan. With that honor comes a heavy responsibility. He must make an advantageous match. Although he’s fought it for many years, he is promised to the daughter of his enemy, Iain Lamont. ’Tis why he quarrels with our uncle. He cannae marry you.”

  “I don’t want him to marry me. I want to go home.” Laurie kicked a stone.

  “Do you not care for him at all?”

  Laurie inhaled a deep breath. “I care...a little. Not enough to be what he wants me to be, or enough to keep me at Castle Lachlan. I belong in the future, not here in Scotland.”

  “Very well, since you are determined, I will help you get home. When we go to the mainland to search for strawberry plants, I will persuade Duncan to take us to the Fir-wood, and you can try to go home.” Her eyes filled with moisture.

  “Thank you.” Relief at having a co-conspirator allowed Laurie to breathe easier. With Elspeth’s help, she’d be able to return home. She gave the young woman an impromptu hug.

  Elspeth squeezed her back. “Convincing Patrick will not be easy.”

  * * *

  After the evening’s repast, Laurie sat beside the fire while Elspeth entertained their small group. Patrick, Stephen, Duncan and Jamie lounged nearby. Elspeth sang ballads in her sweet lilting voice, accompanying herself on the lute. Occasionally, the men joined in, their voices husky and deep. Laurie found contentment in sitting quietly and listening, enjoying the romantic melodies, although not understanding the Gaelic words.

  She watched Patrick from under her lashes. She loved the sound of his voice. It washed over her, enchanting her. Mmm. A beautiful deep voice, delicious like rich, dark, Belgian chocolate.

  Yeah, she definitely enjoyed listening to the man. And he was certainly a pleasure to gaze at, all virile masculinity. His long, thick, chestnut hair hung free around his shoulders, the red highlights gleaming in the candlelight. He looked wild and independent like the mountains beyond the castle. He’d make any woman sigh with desire. To watch him with his family and close friends was a revelation. He was well loved and he cared deeply for those around him.

  He mostly ignored her. Though gracious when his duties as host required, he otherwise remained distant. She missed his attention, although she wasn’t about to let it show. Just as well. She couldn’t dally with her Highland warrior. She had to go home.

  When time came for the women to retire, Elspeth sent for Aine. “Please see Lady Laurie to Patrick’s bedchamber and ready her for bed-going.”

  “I will ride out this night to patrol the borders.” Patrick’s comment to his sister stopped the protest forming on Laurie’s lips.

  Elspeth sighed. “Is there trouble, then?”

  “’Tis hard to say. Our uncle is patrolling the east and my men will patrol the south and west. Saint Columba willing, we will find nothin
g amiss.”

  Laurie rose and followed Aine across the hall. Her thoughts stayed with Patrick, though she didn’t understand why she worried over his safety. At the doorway, she flipped a glance over her shoulder. He was staring, his expression difficult to read. Her stomach did a funny little flip.

  From behind him, Elspeth mouthed to Laurie, “I will ask.”

  Normally, Elspeth left the men to their claret, but tonight she needed Patrick to agree to let her and Laurie leave the safety of the castle to go to the mainland. She wanted to provide her companion the opportunity to return home without interference from her brother.

  She eyed Patrick warily. He’d been prickly of late.

  “What is it Beth?”

  At times, he seemed to read her mind, but only she possessed the true gift.

  She flicked her gaze to the others. “I need to speak with you in private.”

  “Ah, then let us retire to my work chamber.”

  Taking a deep breath for courage, she followed him across the passageway and into the Laird’s study.

  “What is it? Are you concerned about the dreadful news of the cattle raid brought by our uncle?” he asked once they settled in chairs before the hearth.

  “Nae. That is always of concern with Lamont on our border ready to force the marriage agreement.” She played with a fold in her skirt unable to look directly at him. “It has nothing to do with that.”

  “Then what?”

  “I request your consent to go to the mainland in search of strawberry plants for the garden. If you will grant permission, I wish for Lady Laurie to accompany me.”

  Patrick rubbed his jaw. “You will take Aine and Duncan and two additional guardsmen. And you will be cautious.”

  She released the breath she held. “Aye, Patrick, we will be well guarded. I thank thee.” She jumped from her seat, kissed his cheek, and ran from the chamber showing little restraint.

  Then she slowed to a disheartened walk. Would Lady Laurie truly return home?

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Present day, Manhattan

  Finn tossed a glance over his shoulder to make sure he’d ditched the woman who tailed him from the club, the fourth woman who’d propositioned him during his workout. He’d have to talk to management and find out what they served at the juice bar.

  Whatever it was, they needed to stop.

  He strode into the steel and glass high-rise office building where his family’s prestigious consulting firm maintained their New York offices and with a nod to the security guard, rode the elevator to the executive level.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. MacIntyre,” The receptionist greeted him with a smile. “Your admin collected your mail and…your magazine.”

  “Magazine?”

  “Yeah. Trendsetters.”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  Trendsetters? He didn’t subscribe to that gossip rag. He skirted his admin’s empty desk, walked into his office and fell into his leather chair.

  “Hey, boss.” His admin strolled in carrying the mail.

  “What’ve we got?”

  She handed over the pile.

  “What the hell is this?” He threw the recent issue of Trendsetters magazine onto the mahogany desk and shoved the other mail to the side.

  His administrative assistant leaned against the doorjamb, sporting a snarky smile. He lowered his gaze and glared at his damn face staring back from the glossy cover along with the words Finn MacIntyre—Trendsetter’s Best Catch of the Year in bold type.

  “Shit. I didn’t authorize this.”

  He dragged his hands through his hair. That explained the aggressive women. Crap. This wasn’t something he wanted to deal with after the unsuccessful trip to Beijing. He had to get out of town until this blew over. “Get my cousin Laurie on the phone. Her new number is in contacts.”

  He thrummed his fingers on the desk.

  “Pick up line two. They say she isn’t there,” the admin yelled from her desk a few minutes later.

  Finn grabbed the receiver and pressed the line button. “Hello?” He listened intently to what the person on the other end relayed. “What do you mean she’s been gone for a month?” More listening. More disbelieving. He leaned forward in his chair. “Just who the hell are Caitrina and Munn?”

  * * *

  Castle Lachlan

  Morning dawned with the castle shrouded in thick mist, the air raw and damp. The little group, wrapped in heavy plaids, stood huddled on the shingle, waiting while a couple of men pulled two small, oared boats over the beach and into the water. The tide was high at this early hour and the tang of brine filled Laurie’s nostrils.

  Elspeth’s gaze kept darting nervously to the opposite shore.

  “Is something wrong?” Laurie whispered.

  The young woman leaned in close. “I want to be on our way before Patrick returns from patrol.”

  Laurie suspected Elspeth didn’t wish to lie to her brother or face him with half-truths that would provoke his suspicion. Laurie could imagine what Patrick would do if he learned what they planned. She feared he’d stop them and punish them both. After all, he forbade her to attempt to return home.

  Would he miss her after she was gone?

  It didn’t matter. She couldn’t allow herself to think about that.

  Laurie eyed the small boats and worried her lower lip. She wasn’t used to traveling by boat. Of course, that was the least of her concerns. More importantly, how would she get to Fir-wood once they landed on the mainland? And what would she do once she got to the forest?

  Would Caitrina show up and try to prevent her from returning to the future?

  Egads. So many things to worry about.

  Elspeth gave her a reassuring smile as they climbed into the boats. Laurie, Duncan and a guardsman in one. Elspeth, Aine and the other guardsman in the second. The oarsmen made short work of rowing across to the mainland beach. They climbed out of the boats and onto the shore, Laurie relieved to be across. From there, they ascended a rise, passed the orchard, and on to the stable.

  Young grooms brought out mares for the women. Attached to their flanks hung small leather panniers designed to carry refreshments for the day and the young plants on the return trip. No one seemed to find this odd for Elspeth was known for her excursions into the fields and woods in search of plants for the castle garden. Meanwhile, the men readied their larger stallions.

  It took Laurie some time to get accustomed to riding in her long skirt with the heavy apron atop, and one of Patrick’s large plaids wrapped around her for warmth. His scent lingered on the fabric, teasing her. She would never forget him. She clutched the wool near her heart and blinked away unexpected moisture from her eyes.

  Elspeth had given her Patrick’s plaid and lent her a pair of riding boots, but although they were both petite, the boots fit snug. Laurie half expected she’d have blisters before the day ended. She ran a hand along the horse’s neck, thankful her uncle encouraged her to take riding lessons in her youth. They came in handy, even though she would surely be sore later. She wouldn’t worry about that now. There was plenty of time to worry once she got home to her own little cottage and soaked her feet in the whirlpool tub.

  The little group rode single file on a well-worn track that ran along the edge of a wooded tract. The fog was less dense here and the visibility better. They traveled above the loch and when the mist gradually cleared, beautiful views appeared off to the west. Hairy, large horned, black cattle and the occasional deer grazed on young green grass in nearby fields. Laurie hardly noticed the beauty, intent on finding a way home.

  They’d ridden for about an hour when Elspeth stopped them and they dismounted. The mist had completely burned off. The sun hung low on the eastern sky with clouds blowing in from the north. Elspeth informed the group they would start their search here in this meadow at the edge of the wood.

  The men split apart in a triangle around the women, keeping watch for danger.

  On their hands and knees, the
women searched among the grasses for the precious strawberry plants. When they found a young seedling, they used a small, short-handled spade to dig around the plant, keeping soil on the roots, wrapped them in moist cloths then carefully placed them into the panniers.

  Two hours went by and the leather packs were filling. Laurie bit her lip and glanced toward the trail they’d followed earlier. How could she break away from the others and find her way to the forest where Patrick found her?

  Elspeth knelt beside her. “After a short respite, I will ask Duncan to guide us to the Fir-wood on our return to the castle,” she murmured close to Laurie’s ear.

  “Thank you.” Laurie squeezed the young woman’s hand.

  They sat in the meadow on plaids to partake of oatcakes and ale from flasks. Laurie savored the sweet-tasting ale flavored with aromatic plants and herbs. The drink was one thing she might miss once she got home. A pinch near her heart made her breath hitch. She didn’t want to think about other things she’d miss, certainly not a special clan chief.

  “Please guide us to the old hut near Fir-wood, Duncan. We wish to seek plants there,” Elspeth said when they’d finished their meal.

  He looked at her as if she were insane. “Aye, lass.” He grumbled under his breath as he made ready to leave.

  They mounted the horses again and rode a narrow track through dense woodland, Duncan riding at the front of the party with the two guards following. Everyone kept an eye out and listened for wild boar that might spook the horses. Dim light filtered through branches. Thorny bushes snagged the fabric covering Laurie’s legs.

  Her anxiety increased with each step the horse took. Wound too tight, like a child’s top, she felt like she might spin out of control at any moment. Finally, they arrived at the old hut. A breeze blew across the meadow. Laurie’s sense of anticipation escalated. She was determined to get home.

  They dismounted, and as before, Duncan and his guardsmen spanned out, guarding the perimeter of the area where the women worked to uncover the wild strawberry plants.