Highland Charm: First Fantasies

by April Holthaus

  Instead of returning to the bedchamber when finished, she found herself wandering near the wheel stair. She crept down the steps, two levels down, still not seeing anyone. Stopping outside Patrick’s study, she listened. All was quiet. She pushed the door open a crack. No one stirred. She edged the door farther open and peered in. The chamber was dark, except for a golden glow coming from a partly open doorway across the room.

  She wasn’t sure why she’d come. Why she sought Patrick.

  Sneaking into the chamber, she warily made her way to the far door. Her bare feet made little noise as she crossed the cold stone floor. She peeked around the edge of the door and gaped in awe at the unexpected chapel with its one worshiper. Brilliant candles bathed the chapel in a radiant glow. Golden light jumped and flickered while shadows danced on the walls. Patrick knelt before the altar, his head bowed in prayer. His chestnut hair hung about his shoulders, deep red highlights ablaze, creating a halo effect around his head. The ethereal scene sent a thrill down her spine.

  Not wanting to intrude, she stepped back into his private chamber to leave, bumping into the corner of a table as she went. Something crashed to the floor, hitting her foot. She cried out. Before she realized what happened, Patrick’s arm encircled her chest and the edge of his knife pressed against her throat.

  He exhaled sharply, let go of her, and quickly replaced his knife in the sheath on his thigh. “Lass, you are going to get yourself killed if you insist on sneaking up on a man.”

  She shrank back against his desk, her heart pounding a staccato beat.

  “Stay here. Dinnae move.” He strode into the chapel, returning a moment later with a lantern, which he set on the table. “What are you doing here?”

  Patrick’s worried frown caused her to nervously cough. What to say?

  “I understand you are going after the raiding party. I couldn’t let you go without—”

  “Tell me.”

  She hesitated, surprised by the softening of his features. “I wish you well.”

  “We will not go until just before the full moon.”

  “When the time comes…stay safe.” The thought of Patrick being injured made her crazy.

  Patrick barely resisted reaching out and touching Laurie. She was a sight, his beautiful angel. She wore a flowing white bed gown that was sheer in the soft light. His borrowed plaide hung loose over her arms providing a glimpse of her peachy skin through the gossamer fabric of the gown. Silky golden hair flowed around her shoulders and down her back. Expressive blue eyes entrapped him, stirring his blood.

  “Ach, lass. You are fetching.” He stepped closer. Unable to stop, he pulled her into his arms. He hugged her close and gently kissed the top of her head.

  She raised her gaze and leaned back to look at him. Questions simmered in the depths of her eyes.

  “Lass?” He needed to know what she was thinking.

  “Will you wed as your uncle suggests?”

  “Nae.” He shook his head. “I cannae wed the daughter of my enemy. Besides, you are the one I want.”

  A furrow creased her forehead. “How do you know?”

  He rubbed the ache in his chest. “I felt you here in my heart since first we met.”

  “Do you believe in love at first sight?”

  His lips twitched into a grin. “Lust at first sight?”

  “So you lust after me.”

  “All I ken is I want you as I have never wanted another. Is that not enough?” He tightened his grip on her arms. “Can we not take time to learn to care for one another?”

  “Sometimes you are sweet.” Her features grew wistful.

  Not wanting her to think too much, he scooped her up and cradled her in his arms. He moved to one of the chairs before the hearth, sat, held her on his lap, and hugged her.

  “Mmm.” She snuggled against him.

  Neither spoke, Patrick savored the closeness.

  After a short time, he repositioned her on his lap to view her expressive face. He lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes. They glistened in the lantern light. Brilliant flecks of gold swam within sapphire. He bent his head, gently kissing her lips. Pulling her plump bottom lip into his mouth, he tasted her essence.

  She kissed him back, as if she needed and wanted him.

  His manhood stirred, and her eyes popped open. She nipped his lip and leaned slightly back. A precious smile graced her face as she nestled her side against his cock. “To state the obvious, you’ve risen to the occasion.”

  “Aye.” Patrick shifted uncomfortably in the chair. He desired her more than he dared admit. “Though, I will not take you before riding out on a raid.”

  “I didn’t offer.”

  “Impertinent wench.” He cupped the back of her head and brought her mouth close to his.

  He used his lips to tease her mouth and pressed for entrance. Their tongues whirled in a dueling dance.

  His blood burned hot. He could lose himself to this woman. Shocked at the thought, he pulled back. “You planned to leave me.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Engulfed in a sensual haze, Laurie’s pulse hummed. She sighed, disappointed Patrick stopped kissing her and wanted to talk more. Then she realized what he said. She sat straighter and leaned her head back to see into his eyes. “You know?”

  “Aye. I saw you at Fir-wood. You must never go there again.” He tried to hide his emotions, but she glimpsed hurt.

  She frowned. How was she to explain her confused feelings?

  “It wasn’t you I tried to leave. I just wanted to go home, back to the future. But I couldn’t find my way.” Moisture pooled in the corners of her eyes. She blinked to stop the tears, but one slipped.

  He gently wiped the escaped drop from her cheek with the tip of a finger. “Ach, lass. Dinnae cry. I cannae bear it.” He pulled her close again and touched her lips with his, a gentle, tender kiss lasting an eternity.

  She lost sense of time and place. A cool current of air swirled over her arms bringing goosebumps to her flesh. She heard papers flutter on the table. Patrick deepened the kiss, and the exquisite sensation reached her toes. Nothing else mattered, only the erotic feel of his mouth and tongue and the warmth of his body.

  Chilly air swept over the back of her neck, annoying her.

  The draft grew in intensity, becoming a strong, cold breeze.

  No longer able to ignore the drop in temperature, Laurie shivered and pulled away from Patrick’s talented touch. Papers flew from the desk and were caught in a whirlwind in the corner of the chamber. A chill raced along her spine that had nothing to do with the dropping temperature but everything to do with magic. Was Caitrina about to make another appearance? Laurie jerked her gaze to Patrick. If Caitrina appeared, would he think Laurie a witch as he warned her others might think of her?

  He stared at the swirl of papers, his jaw tight. “Munn, what are you about? Make yourself visible.”

  Munn? “Who are you talking to?” Laurie asked, confused.

  Patrick wrapped his arms around her, holding her in place on his lap. A stool fell over while another chilly gust rushed through the room, knocking his personal seal matrix to the floor with a metallic thud.

  “Enough!” he shouted.

  “What the—”

  “Show yourself, wee man.”

  Laurie stiffened in his arms. Had Patrick lost his mind?

  An odd little man with weathered, brown skin materialized in front of them, his green tunic and brown leather leggings covered in white sand. He leapt up and down darting to and fro, mumbling words that didn’t make sense.

  With a heavy sigh, Patrick released his hold on her. She shook her head, hardly able to believe her eyes.

  “Stop,” Patrick commanded.

  The strange man twirled around in a circle. Then the frenzy ended abruptly. He stood in front of the fireplace, brushing sand from his tunic onto the stone floor. He pointed a crooked finger at Laurie.

  “’Tis your fault. Caitrina sent me to that horrid place.
Hot. Sand everywhere.” His gaze pierced her while his words tumbled forth.

  “Slow down,” Patrick said. “Tell me where you have been. What has happened?”

  “Caitrina dropped me into the Sands of Time. She didn’t want me to warn you about the lass. About Caitrina. The meddling sithiche causes trouble.”

  “If Caitrina trapped you, how did you get away?” Patrick asked.

  My God. This was another creature like Caitrina. Well, sort of. He was much smaller and grumpier and angry with Caitrina. Laurie’s gaze bounced from the little man to Patrick and back to the man.

  “The High Queen of the Fae released me.” Munn wagged his finger at Laurie. “You dinnae belong here. Leave. Go away. Be gone.”

  Losing her balance, she slipped from Patrick’s lap and hit her butt hard on the stone floor. Should she laugh or scream at the maddening creature?

  “Cease,” Patrick demanded as he assisted her to another chair. His lips thinned and he turned back to the man. “Lady Laurie is under my protection. You will leave her alone. Do you hear me?”

  The little being hung his head.

  “Promise,” Patrick ordered.

  “Aye.” With a frown etched into his wrinkled face, the annoying creature nodded.

  “Give me your vow.”

  “I promise,” Munn said.

  Behind his back, Laurie spied chubby fingers crossed.

  Great. She’d landed in a loony bin. The insanity took root in North Carolina and was now fully entrenched.

  “You are a wee bit pallid.” Patrick grasped her hand. “Will you swoon?”

  “That man appeared out of thin air.”

  “Aye, he’s a Brunaidh, the MacLachlan Clan brownie.”

  “Well that explains it.” She glared at Patrick. The man was not her friend.

  Although Patrick wanted to discover where the wee man had been, he wished Munn choose a different time and place to return. Laurie looked as if she’d seen a banshee.

  Patrick released her hand and rubbed his chin. Munn’s antics didn’t amuse him. Odd of the fae queen to interfere in a squabble between a faerie and a mere brownie. Patrick feared the events his man described forebode trouble.

  He sensed Munn hadn’t revealed everything. There might be a clue, hidden somewhere in the tale—to his parents’ disappearance, and to Laurie’s sudden appearance. A puzzle he needed to solve. And soon.

  “Come, Lady Laurie.” He offered his hand. “The hour is late.”

  “Yes, I should return to Elspeth’s chamber.”

  The tentative touch of her fingers had Patrick tightening his lips. He wanted to believe she was as she appeared—a beautiful woman lost.

  He would return her to his sister’s bedchamber where she belonged. Later, he’d question Munn more thoroughly in privacy and get answers. He may have relieved Duncan of his guard duty too soon.

  Patrick didn’t believe Laurie posed a threat, but he needed to be certain.

  * * *

  The next day, Laurie joined Elspeth in the garden, hoping to forget her dilemma. The castle garden received a good soaking from the previous night’s storm. Moving among the planting beds, she lifted her skirt to keep the hem off the wet ground. She marveled over the beautiful plantings, brilliant green with tiny crystal droplets shimmering in the sun.

  The heavy apron protected her skirt from the moist earth when she knelt beside Elspeth in front of the strawberry bed. Laurie reached for the small spade and dug a hole in the rich soil. Picking up one of the young strawberry plants, she carefully placed the tiny root ball into the prepared spot. After covering the roots with fresh soil, she patted around the stem, creating a well with the dirt for catching water. When she finished, she poured water around the transplant from a small wooden bucket.

  They worked for a good portion of the early morning, transplanting the plants collected the previous day. The pleasant trills and warbling of a lark serenaded them as they worked in silence, intent on their own thoughts. Laurie’s often strayed to her fears. What would be her future?

  When they finished with the strawberries, she touched Elspeth’s arm. “Shall we tidy the rose garden?”

  “Aye. We will be less likely to spread any sickness that may exist from one plant to another now the leaves have dried in the sun.” Elspeth stood and stretched, rubbing her lower back.

  They walked to the rose garden to survey the planting. The budded plants of pink and white delighted the senses. The curved beds formed a semicircle around the flowering turf bench where one could sit and enjoy the garden’s heady scents. The plants needed little work, only the removal of some yellowing foliage.

  “What happened during the night?” Elspeth gave Laurie a sideways glance. “I woke to find you gone. When you returned, I pretended to sleep, but I saw you in the lantern light. You kissed Patrick?”

  Laurie reached down to remove a dead leaf from a bush, her eyes averted from Elspeth. “I wished him goodnight.”

  She kissed him in the bedchamber’s doorway after he walked her to the room she shared with Elspeth, had initiated the kiss. Earlier, they’d been close, Patrick gentle and loving. Of course, that was before the nasty little man appeared. Then Patrick became aloof, almost curt. She’d kissed him again, trying to regain their earlier warmth. She sighed, reaching for another brown leaf. He didn’t pull away, but his kiss had been...dispassionate.

  “But why were you with him?” Elspeth continued to needle.

  “Darn, I pricked myself.” Laurie sucked on the puncture wound at the tip of her finger.

  Why had she gone to Patrick’s private chamber? Good question.

  An impulse. She hadn’t expected to find him in the chapel and she definitely hadn’t meant to disturb him at prayer. Yet she had and she was glad. When he held her in his arms, the world felt right again.

  Until the strange creature arrived.

  What was it with this place? People appeared out of thin air. They popped in and out, startling a person, like Caitrina and the ugly man.

  “You have tender feelings for him. You do,” Elspeth continued to tease.

  Laurie sighed heavily. “Something strange happened last night. Can we sit for a moment and talk?”

  “What is it?” Elspeth grasped Laurie’s hand and pulled her to the bench, where they sat amidst the flowering chamomile. “What happened to distress you so?”

  “Last night a strange little man appeared in Patrick’s private chamber. He babbled about Caitrina zapping him to a desert, to a place where he said time doesn’t exist. Caitrina is the faerie I told you about. The man said a faerie queen saved him and returned him here.” Laurie inhaled a deep breath. “This is all too unreal. Who is he? What is he?”

  “Munn’s come back, then?” Elspeth smiled.

  “I guess he has. What is he? Why can he appear out of thin air?” This place made Laurie crazy.

  Elspeth chuckled. “He’s a brownie, one of the Brunaidh. One of the wee people. You ken?”

  “Patrick said the same, but I don’t understand. Brownies are make-believe.” Now that she believed in faeries could she not believe that brownies existed too?

  “Munn was my father’s wee man, and his father’s afore him. Now he is Patrick’s man. He watches over our clan.”

  Okay, paradigm shift, faeries and brownies exist.

  “Is a brownie the same as a faerie? Like Caitrina?”

  “Similar, but not the same. If Caitrina is a faerie, as you believe, she holds more power than Munn. He has his limitations.”

  Laurie shook her head. This was all too unbelievable. A horn sounded from the castle.

  “’Tis time for the mid-day meal.” Elspeth stood and brushed dirt from her apron.

  “I guess we better go.” Laurie also rose from the bench.

  They swiftly moved around the garden, collected the tools and put them into a large leather satchel. When they walked through the archway, they found Duncan on the other side, leaning against the garden’s outer wall, a blade of
grass between his lips.

  Laurie frowned. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have better things to do than follow us around?”

  “Nae, Lady Laurie. The chief ordered me to watch over you. Make sure you stay out of trouble.”

  She bristled. Patrick placed a guard on her again. Well damn, he still didn’t trust her. His lack of faith hurt. Though it shouldn’t, she had tried to leave without telling him.

  Such a tangled web.

  “Make yourself useful and carry this to the kitchen for us.” She thrust the leather bag at Duncan.

  He accepted the weight without complaint, an idiotic, adoring smile spreading across his face.

  Laurie pursed her lips. Oh, great, the big brute has a crush on me. Just what she needed.

  Linking arms with her, Elspeth giggled, distracting Laurie. They walked, arm in arm, toward the castle, Duncan following, whistling a merry tune.

  “I ken.” Elspeth grinned. “You fancy Patrick,” she whispered into Laurie’s ear.

  Laurie growled, pulling away. She rubbed her eyes, sighing softly. “I do like him. However, he is an overbearing, autocratic, arrogant, irritating man, and I shouldn’t bother with him.”

  “We will be sisters.” Elspeth smiled brightly. “Come. Let us go to the hall.”

  The younger woman’s gaiety was infectious. Laurie couldn’t help but smile, although she wanted to steer the conversation in a different direction.

  “Do you think it will rain again?” she asked as they walked along the path to the castle. “A shower would be good for the young strawberry plants. Would help them get established.”

  Elspeth glanced at the sky. “We will have to bide an’ see. ’Tis clear now. Yet the weather, like my brother, can be unpredictable.”

  * * *

  Seeing Laurie and Elspeth together as they entered the courtyard lightened Patrick’s heart. But he must be careful. Munn’s return and the tale he told implicated Laurie through Caitrina. Although the lass seemed innocent of any wrongdoing, he still didn’t know why she appeared or how she was involved with his parents.