by Gwyn Brodie
She moaned softly.
Galen lifted his head to look at her, gathering a great deal of satisfaction from the wanton expression on her lovely face.
"I love you," Sorcha whispered so low he barely heard her.
His throat tightened. She didn't really love him. 'Twas the passion making her believe she did. Galen learned long ago that such endearments spoken during lovemaking should be taken lightly. He reluctantly set her on her feet. "I'd best leave you now." Not that he, by any means, wanted to, but if he remained any longer, he'd no doubt have her on the bed. He brushed his lips against hers one last time, then lifted his head. "I'll see you on the morrow, lass."
Sorcha adjusted her shift to cover her lovely breasts, then ran her tongue across her bottom lip, puffy from his kisses.
His heart jolted and he nearly reached for her, but forced his hands to remain at his sides. It took all the strength Galen possessed to walk out of Sorcha bedchamber.
He breathed a sigh of relief upon reaching his room. Thankfully, he'd not encountered anyone in the corridor. With his body humming with desire, he poured himself a dram of whisky, raked his fingers through his hair and let out a long breath. What the hell was the matter with him? Never before had he turned down anything so freely offered to him as Sorcha had herself. How many times had he dreamed of touching every inch of her exquisite body? He must be daft, there was no other reason he'd have left her like he did.
I love you. Her words echoed through his head. Galen tossed back a whisky and poured himself another dram. He'd made a mistake going to her bedchamber, he realized that now. If he stayed at Ravenskull, he'd never be able to keep away from her. He'd be her ruination, and then he couldn't live with himself.
He cared for Sorcha more than any woman he'd ever known She was beautiful, intelligent, quick-witted, and passionate—everything that a man could want in a wife. But Galen had no plans to marry—not until, as Laird of Moorloch, duty demanded it.
Sorcha was free of Campbell. She would return to Blackstone Castle and to the life she knew. She would forget about him. Alexander would wed her to some rich earl or a wealthy laird and they'd have a whole flock of bairns.
He closed his eyes, remembering the weight of her full breasts, the taste of her silky skin, the curve of her shapely hips. If he indeed cared for Sorcha, then leaving Ravenskull was what he should do. But, thinking about another man touching her left a very bad taste in Galen's mouth.
***
In a cloudless blue sky, the morning sun painted the Highland landscape with hues of gold. Outside the bailey wall, a blanket of green grass covered the mountains. Along the higher peaks, tuffs of clouds hovered about, occasionally pushed along by the strong Highland winds.
Sorcha followed Jillian and Robbie into the gardens. She took in a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of roses.
Jillian set Robbie on his feet.
Sorcha smiled at the tiny scarlet tunic barely reaching the bairn's chubby knees. He was adorable. She could hardly wait to have a child of her own. Galen's smiling face came to mind and heat rose in her cheeks, as it had each time the previous night entered her thoughts.
Robbie took a few steps, before sitting down in the soft green grass. Jillian put him on his feet again. "Walk to Sorcha, Robbie. Walk to Sorcha."
His face fell and he looked like he might cry, until his gaze landed on something behind them. Then he smiled.''
They both turned to see Galen coming toward them, a smile on his handsome face, with his eyes on the bairn. Her knees weakened. Just thinking about the wanton way he'd made her feel, sent a warm shiver pulsing through her. How could she look at him, after the shameful way she had reacted to his touch?
Embarrassing her further was the fact she'd told Galen she loved him. She hadn't meant to, but the words fell from her lips before she could stop them. Now, she was angry with herself for saying such a thing, and with him for saying naught. Had she really expected him to tell her he loved her?
"Wee Robbie, come see what I have for you." An object was concealed in his large hands. He dropped to one knee, and waited.
Robbie took a few unsteady steps, then a few more before finally reaching him.
Galen lifted him onto his lap, then opened his hand, which held an intricately carved sheep.
Robbie grabbed it and let out a high-pitched squeal.
"'Tis beautiful, Galen," Jillian said, then turned to Sorcha. "Galen is a most talented wood carver. When Ian and I first arrived at Ravenskull, he carved my brother a beautiful horse. 'Tis Ian's favorite plaything, just as I'm certain this sheep will now be Robbie's."
"'Tis lovely, Galen. You've given it such amazing detail."
He grinned and Sorcha's heart danced. "I'm glad you like it, lass."
Robbie reached for Jillian and Galen handed him over. Once he was in his mother's arms, he began to whine. "I'll take him to the nursery. Enjoy the gardens," she said, smothering her son's cherub face with kisses as she carried him inside.
Galen offered Sorcha his arm. "Come, let's walk."
She slipped her arm through his, remembering their strength, as he'd held her against him, her legs wrapped around his waist. Her face heated.
He led her to a bench beneath a rose arbor.
Sorcha sat down and smoothed her skirts. She was thrilled to spend some time alone with Galen, especially in her favorite place, the garden. After what had transpired between them the previous night, Sorcha dared to think he'd ask her to marry him. Her heart pounded against her ribs.
Galen sat down beside her, his expression serious.
A wave of apprehension swept through her, making it hard to swallow.
He took her face in his hands. Was he going to kiss her? She fought back a shiver.
"Sorcha, I'm leaving Ravenskull."
She tried to comprehend what she was hearing, as a multitude of confused thoughts and feelings assailed her. He was leaving Ravenskull. He was leaving her. "When?"
He let go of her face and blew out a long breath. "On the morrow."
She turned her gaze to the distant mountains and blinked back the tears suddenly blurring her vision. She'd told herself never to trust her heart to another man, yet she'd trusted it to Galen, because Sorcha believed he really did care about her. But why would he want to leave her?
Galen raked his fingers through his long dark hair. "I'm truly sorry, lass. I shouldn't have gone to your room last night. If I'd not gained control of myself, which wasn't easy, you could be carrying my bairn as we speak. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew I'd never be able to keep away from you. I should have taken Ewan and left Ravenskull as soon as I knew your brother wouldn't return you to Campbell. 'Tis but for your own good that I leave now."
Sorcha gasped, anger replacing her heartache. She jumped to her feet and—before she could stop herself—slapped him hard. "You arrogant bastard! What gives you the right to decide what is for my good?"I'm a woman full grown and completely capable of making that decision for myself."
Galen brows shot up, as he rubbed the spot where she'd struck him. "'Tis for the best."
She smiled, but it never reached her eyes. "Best for whom, Galen? Me? Or you?" She spun around and headed back inside, leaving him staring after her.
Saints above! He'd been afraid he'd have to deal with her tears. Instead, she'd give him a sound slap and raked him over the coals. He grinned. She'd been glorious, with her green eyes flashing like lightening and her cheeks pink with rage. Aye, she was angry, but she'd get over it soon enough. But would he? What he'd said was the truth. 'Twas for the best. Best for whom, Galen? Me? Or you? Her words kept echoing through his head as he made his way back inside.
When the time came for the midday meal, Galen waited for a long while at the bottom of the stairs to accompany Sorcha to the high table. But she never appeared. He heard a door close above and met Glennis when she stepped onto the lower floor.
"Glennis, do you ken if Lady Sorcha will be coming down to the great ha
ll?"
"Nay, she wished to 'ave her meal in her bedchamber."
"Is she ill?"
Glennis shook her head. "She didn't appear to be."
She was still angry. Not that he blamed her. He continued on to the great hall and seated himself beside Cinead.
Cinead nodded toward the empty seat on the other side of Galen. "Where's Lady Sorcha?"
"She took her meal upstairs." He shoved a piece of bread in his mouth, realizing he wasn't hungry after all.
"Galen," Jillian said. "I saw Sorcha earlier and she seemed a bit upset. You wouldn't ken anything about that, would you?"
He took a gulp of spiced ale and put the goblet down harder than he meant to.
Jillian jumped at the sudden noise and looked at Kade.
"Is something amiss, Galen?" Kade asked, his brow furrowed.
"I'm leaving Ravenskull on the morrow."
Kade frowned. "And you told the lass?"
Galen folded his arms across his chest. "Aye, I did." Why did he suddenly feel like a complete arse?
Jillian let out a long breath and raised a brow. "That answers my question, now doesn't it?"
"After we're done here," Kade said, "come see me in the library."
Galen nodded and took another drink of ale, trying to wash away the lump that had formed in the back of his throat.
Finished with his meal, Galen went to the library, and lightly rapped on the door.
"Come."
Galen stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
Kade sat behind a desk covered with documents. He leaned back in his chair and looked at Galen. "Sit."
Galen took a seat beside the desk. "You wished to talk?"
A smile curved the corners of Kade's mouth. "I assumed you were the one who wished to talk. I only provided you with the opportunity."
Hell! Kade was up to something. "You ken me. I'm not the marrying sort. When I'm forced to provide an heir, then I'll do so."
"Is that what this is all about? You, not wanting to marry Lady Sorcha?"
Galen blew out a long breath. "'Tis not so simple as that, Kade. If I remain here, I'll be her ruination. And I couldn't live with myself if that happened. He jumped up from the settle and walked to the window. "It nearly happened last night."
"You went to her bedchamber?"
"Aye, I did. Now I realize I shouldn't have." He spun around to face Kade. "I can't stay away from her. She's all I think about. And after last night, knowing how it would be for the two of us together, 'twill be even harder to leave her be."
"Do you love her?"
The question took Galen by surprise. Did he? "I honestly don't ken. When I told Sorcha 'twas best that I leave here, do you ken what she said?" He snorted. "Whether 'twas best for her, or for myself."
"Well, which is it?"
Galen stared out the window at the gray waters of the loch below. "When I said it, I truly believed it was best for her. But now, I'm wondering if she's right and I'm doing it for no one but myself. You ken I've never been good at relationships, and I'd not be good at this one either."
"That depends on one thing."
"What's that?"
"How much you love her."
Galen sat back down. "Och, I already told you. I don't ken if I love her," he snapped.
"Then let me ask you something else. Are you afraid?"
Galen glared. There were but three men who could get away with a question like that, and he was one of them. "Nay, I'm a Highland warrior. I'm afraid of naught."
Kade grinned. "Except perhaps of getting too close to a green-eyed lass with a sprinkling of freckles across her pert little nose."
The man was making him daft. "It appears you have all the answers. Tell me what you would do?"
"My advice is to go make it right between you and the lass. Take time to get to ken one another better. If you love her—and I believe you do—and you walk away from her, you'll live to regret it. I walked out of Jillian's life and it was four long years before I finally made it right again. Don't make the same mistake, Galen."
He nodded. "Perhaps you're right." He got to his feet, as did Kade. "I'll talk to her and try to explain my actions."
Kade squeezed his shoulder. "You're a good friend. I don't want to see you destroy your chance at love for fear of making a mistake."
Galen opened the door, then paused. "You were right. I did need to talk."
Kade smiled. "I thought as much."
Galen left the library and headed for the stables. He did his best thinking on the back of a horse.
***
Sitting on the window seat in her bedchamber, Sorcha watched a mother duck and her ducklings swim across the calm loch, and chided herself for being such a fool. She believed Galen cared for her, but after her past experiences with men, she should have known better. And to make matters even worse, Sorcha had allowed herself to fall in love with him. Her throat tightened.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
She blinked back tears and cleared her throat. "Who is it?"
"Jillian. May I come in?"
"Aye, of course." Sorcha rose from her seat and opened the door.
"I wish to speak with you," Jillian hurried into the room.
Sorcha closed the door behind her. "About what?"
"Galen."
Sorcha returned to her spot at the window. "There's naught to say."
"No, Sorcha. You're wrong. Much needs to be said."
"He's leaving. That's the truth of it. There's naught that will change his mind."
"What if you told him you loved him?"
Sorcha jerked her head up. "What makes you think that I do?"
Jillian rolled her eyes. "I'm not blind, Sorcha. Do you deny it?"
She shook her head. "Nay, I cannot," she said, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I told him last night that I loved him, but I don't think he believed me, for he never said a word. Then this morning he told me he was leaving. Perhaps I was foolish to believe he cared for me. "
Jillian sat down and wrapped her arms around Sorcha's shoulders. "Nay, Sorcha. He does care for you. I've seen the way he looks at you when you're not watching. Tell him again that you love him. If you don't at least try, you'll live the remainder of your life wondering what might have been. Think about what I've said. In the meantime come with Robbie and me for a stroll in the gardens."
She nodded. "Very well."
After fetching Robbie from the nursery, Jillian carried him out to the gardens, his chubby hand locked tight on the sheep Galen had carved.
Jillian closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. "I love this garden. 'Tis filled with such beauty, and the scent of the roses is breathtaking."
Sorcha nodded and looked about, enjoying the garden's exquisite beauty. Pink roses wound their way over the arbors and along the bailey wall, filling the air with their own special fragrance. Beds overflowed with an assortment of yellow, lavender, scarlet, and white flowers. "Aye, I love it as well," she said. "'Tis such a peaceful place. I look forward to our daily visit."
They made their way along the stone pathway past the thorny rose bushes and to a wide open grassy area where Robbie could play without getting pricked. Jillian set him on the ground. "Come, let's sit and talk," Jillian said, nodding to the nearby stone bench beneath a rose arbor—the same bench where Sorcha sat earlier that day—when Galen told her he was leaving.
A cloak of sadness started to settle over Sorcha, but she shook it away. She wasn't about to allow Galen MacKinnon to spoil this special time with Jillian and Robbie. And she didn't.
The two laughed and talked as they watched Robbie play in the grass with his sheep. After a short while, he yawned and rubbed his eyes.
"'Tis time for Robbie's nap," Jillian said, standing. "If he fails to get one, he's such a grumpy lad."
Sorcha smiled and rose from the bench. As she turned around a hand clamped over her mouth. Oh God! Icy fear twisted around her heart. She heard Jillian's muffled scream, but coul
dn't see her. Sorcha brought her boot down hard upon whoever held her.
Her captor uttered a low curse and yanked her back.
Archibald! Fear and anger knotted inside her.
"Keep still!"
Sorcha bit his hand and reached for the sgain dubh strapped to her calf.
He yelped and pulled his hand away. But before she could scream or grab her weapon, he clamped his hand back over her mouth and wrapped his arm around her throat. Tears spilled from her eyes as she tried to remove it, but it was useless.
His tightened his grip until she thought she might pass out from lack of air. "Will you keep still now?"
Sorcha managed a nod.
He loosened his grip on her neck, but his hand remained over her mouth.
She looked at Jillian. Fear, stark and vivid glittered in her friend's eyes as she clawed at the Campbell guard's hand clamped over her mouth.
Sorcha's gaze darted back and forth. Where were Jim and Erwin? The two MacLachlan men who usually guarded the postern gate. A cold knife of fear cut through her chest. They're dead.
At their feet, Robbie began to cry.
Jillian's eyes grew wide with fear.
"Shut him up, or I will," Archibald said through clenched teeth.
With his hand still over her mouth, the guard allowed Jillian to pick him up and he became quiet.
But when he looked at the strangers, his cherub face suddenly scrunched up. He began to whimper and the wooden sheep slipped from his tiny hand.
"Put her on the horse." Archibald shoved Sorcha toward a Campbell guard, who quickly covered her mouth.
Then he turned to Jillian. "Lady MacLachlan, I can't allow you to alarm your husband."
He nodded to the guard holding Jillian, who stepped away from her. Wood crunched beneath his boots, as he tread on Robbie's sheep.
Archibald drew back his fist and struck Jillian in the face.
Tears spilled down Sorcha's cheeks, and she sobbed.
Somehow Jillian managed to hold onto Robbie as she slumped to the ground.
A sharp blade of guilt sliced through Sorcha. 'Tis my fault, for being here.