Katie made her way to the passage that led to Rannoch’s chamber. Ducking into a small side room, she bolted the door and slid back the cover of the spy hole which would allow her to see inside his chamber. She held back a gasp when she put her eye to the opening.
Rowan Rannoch, dressed only in a flowing robe, had his Irish healer on a table near the hearth. Her legs and buttocks poised at the edge as if she were giving birth. Her dress hung open from neck to skirt. Rowan moved between her legs. He shoved his body in and out of her as she moaned and tossed beneath him. Katie leaned back against the wall and drew a ragged breath. Sorcha was his lover. This could mean they conspired.
Heart thundering, Katie stood frozen in her spot. How long did it take? She wanted to look again, but not at that. Sorcha certainly seemed to be enjoying it. Putting her ear to the hole, she listened for anything which might give her a clue they finished. The moans, groans, and grunts coming from within made the act sound difficult.
Unable to keep from looking any longer, she put her eye to the hole in time to see Sorcha squirming frantically beneath him. “Now,” she pleaded.
A knock at the door interrupted them. Rowan pulled out of Sorcha. She shrieked her displeasure. He wrapped the robe around him and went to the door, opening it a crack.
“What do you want?” he asked.
Katie couldn’t hear the conversation. Rowan closed the door and walked back where Sorcha still lay with her body fully exposed. Then Katie realized thick, leather restraints held the Irish healer in place on the table.
Covered in sweat, Sorcha tossed her head back and forth. “You torture me. Finish it,” she demanded.
How long had they been at this? Katie trembled. She could not stop watching.
Rannoch smiled at Sorcha, taking one of her breasts and pinching it hard. Her body went rigid, but she did not cry out. “More,” he asked. She nodded and he repeated the action on the other side. “You enjoy this taste of pain,” he said, leaning over her.
“Aye,” she moaned. “It sharpens the senses and gives me pleasure.”
“Fear not, Milady, your magic potions and steel rings have kept me ready despite our interruption.” Throwing off his robe, Rannoch exposed his hard cock adorned with two steel rings.
“Now… please,” Sorcha moaned.
Rannoch entered her again, moving inside her with slow strokes.
“Harder,” she screamed.
Her lover complied with vigor. At length, he found his release shuddering while Sorcha bucked wildly beneath him.
Katie’s heart fluttered. She sank to the floor listening to the muffled sounds from within. Little wisps of conversation drew her back to the viewing hole. It sounded like they mentioned her father. Rising, she took a deep breath and pressed closer.
“Malcolm just came to tell me your patient grows worse,” Rowan said. “I think you over do it with Laird Blackburn. Adjust the dose.”
“I will cut back on what I am giving him, but he tries to speak every time Katie is near. I fear he will tell her all if I stop the potion altogether.”
“I didna say to stop it,” Rowan said sharply. “Give him less so you dinna kill him until I wed his daughter. The wedding must come first, and then he can die.”
“As you desire, Milord,” she said.
Rannoch slapped her thighs. “My naughty healer.” He gazed at her appreciatively. “The things you have taught me…. The pleasure you have brought me.”
“And will you try these things with the innocent girl?” Sorcha asked.
He looked down into her face. “She will have nowhere to run.”
“I dinna ken if Katie will be able to give you such pleasure, Milord.”
Katie felt her face grow pale.
“Aye, so,” he agreed, stepping away from the table and sliding the metal rings off his now limp member. “You will help me teach the virgin what to do.”
“If that is what you desire, Milord.”
“Good, I feared you would resist my joining with another.”
“I could be of assistance in the training,” she assured him.
“Witch woman,” he muttered. “Always you find new ways to please me.” He released her from the leather straps. “We are finished for now,” he said.
Sorcha sat up and pulled her dress back together, fastening it over her body. She stood and came close to him. “Let me know when you have need of me again, Milord.”
“I will,” he told her.
Sorcha smiled and nodded as she made her way to the door. She turned as she opened it. “And dinna worry, I am a good teacher,” she added as she left.
“That you are,” he whispered.
Katie collapsed on the floor shaking all over. This monster used his false healer to kill her father a bit at a time. They conspired to take everything: her father’s life, her own innocence, and all the Blackburn lands. Was Ian right about Rannoch’s murderous intent toward Jamie as well?
If Ian closed his eyes, he could feel the sweetness of her mouth against his, the way she parted her lips, and allowed him entry into her. He cursed as the thought made him hard as a rock. She would be his undoing.
The things she revealed to him tonight set him on edge. If Rowan Rannoch plotted to capture Duntaigh Castle, Katie was in danger. She refused to consider this possibility and Ian’s chains kept him from protecting her. He had to find a way out, but no plan came to mind. No one else knew where he was.
His thoughts traveled to his father. Angus would be searching for him soon. His father would find his horse, and his things, but not him. Had Katie and Keith left anything at the inn to expose their devious plot? If the Innes clan found something, they may come riding to the castle and be killed. Ian must convince Katie to free him.
Chapter 7
Angus Innes pulled his horse up in front of The Stagg Inn. He ordered his men to dismount.
Erland walked close to Angus. “What did the innkeeper’s messenger say?”
“His horse and belongings are still here. He is missing.”
Shaking his head, Erland let his face fold into a frown. “I dinna like it.”
“Nor do I. ‘Tis too close to the Blackburn lands. I suspect foul play.”
“Surely they wouldna be foolish enough to hurt Ian.”
“If they have, they will pay the price,” Angus told him.
Angus and ten of his men walked into the inn. The innkeeper saw him and hurried over. “Laird Innes, I’m so glad you’re here. I didna ken what to do.”
“You notified me. ‘Tis enough. Tell me what you know of Ian.”
“Let us sit. My girl will bring some libation and I’ll tell you all.”
Angus nodded his agreement and the innkeeper led them to a quiet alcove away from the noisy men who enjoyed a pint of ale at the bar. Taking a seat, Angus looked the innkeeper up and down. He was a small man, round and soft, unlike any of the Innes clansmen that gathered at the table. They dwarfed the man with their sheer size. “Well?”
“He came three days ago in the evening. We were crowded, but he had reserved my best room.” The innkeeper motioned to a table near the fireplace. “He sat over there. One of my girls saw him in conversation with a young woman. She dressed as a tavern maid, but she doesna work for me. I have only three and none of them served him.”
“A young woman?”
“Always said the fairer sex would be his undoing,” Erland growled.
Angus ignored the remark although he agreed with it. Ian knew exactly how to charm the ladies, but couldn’t seem to find one he saw fit to marry. “What did she look like?”
“Young, red-blond hair, and a low-cut dress, or so they said.”
With a grunt, Angus grabbed the innkeeper’s shirt and pulled him closer. “Tell me more about the girl.”
The man trembled. “I didna see her myself. As I said, ‘twas a busy evenin’.”
“What else?”
The man shrugged. “Mattie said she saw him headed to his room with the girl.”
Angus rolled his eyes. “Out to dip his wick?”
“So it appeared to them, Milord. They noticed because any of them would’ve eagerly done his biddin’. They were jealous ‘twas someone else who got his attention.”
“God’s blood! Dinna embellish this tale, just tell me. Was he seen again after that?”
“He came barreling down the stairs a bit later checking his stock.”
“What?”
“You ken. He rubbed his tarse as he came down the stairs. I saw him. Thought he had a good tumble and was back for another ale.”
Erland shook his head. “So he took the lass in his room. She may have nothin’ to do with his disappearance.”
“Or everything,” Angus said. “How long did he stay above stairs?”
“Not long, but long enough,” the innkeeper replied. “My girls laughed about him bein’ quick.”
“I doubt he had her,” Angus said to his men. “We all ken how Ian likes to take his time with the ladies.”
“Aye, so,” Erland agreed. “And them grateful for every minute he lingers.”
“Not this one.” Angus turned to the innkeeper. “Who else came in the tavern that night? Any Blackburns?”
“Only one, Milord, Keith Blackburn. He didna wear his colors, but ‘twas Keith. He left before Ian came down from above stairs.”
“To lie in wait with whatever trap the Blackburns had set,” Angus commented. His men nodded their agreement. “Where did Ian go when he came downstairs?”
“He walked out the door, Milord. I didna see him after that, but his horse is still in the barn.”
“I’d like to see his room and check the barn.”
“Follow me.” The man rose and led Angus and his men up the stairs to a spacious chamber.
Angus spotted a white cap on the floor. Leaning down, he picked it up and pulled a few strands of red-gold hair from it. “Pretty color,” he commented. “A trap well set, no doubt.”
“Aye, so,” Erland agreed.
Moving around the room, the men searched for anything else that seemed out of place. They found nothing.
“Show us the barn,” Angus ordered. The innkeeper led them back down the stairs and around behind the inn.
A tiny girl came out of the barn when they entered. Angus knelt before the small child. “Good day,” he said.
“Good day, Milord,” she replied.
It amazed Angus the girl did not blanch when confronted by a warrior his size. “Who might you be?”
The innkeeper cut in. “She’s the stableman’s daughter. Her mother is dead. She sometimes sleeps in the tack room while her father works. He wilna leave her alone in their cottage.”
“What is your name?” Angus asked, ignoring the innkeeper’s attempt to get him past the child.
“Mary, Milord. My name is Mary.”
Angus smiled at her. She reminded him a bit of Jared and Asilinn’s daughter Mariel. “I have a granddaughter about your age,” Angus told her.
“I should like to meet her,” the girl said.
“You may one day. Mary, several nights ago were you sleeping in the tack room?”
“Aye, so, Milord. ‘Twas quite busy and my father was workin’ late.”
“In the barn?”
“Nay, Milord, they were busy in the inn so he worked in the kitchen. After I finished my chores, I went off to sleep in the tack room.”
“Did you hear or see anything unusual?”
She twisted her lips in a thoughtful expression. “Aye.”
“Please, tell me what happened.”
She looked at the innkeeper. He nodded his approval and she began her tale. “A man came into the barn. I feared him at first, but he helped me finish my chores and sent me off to the tack room. He said I should stay there until my father came for me and not make a sound.”
“What did this man look like?”
“Tall and older… he had a bushy, red beard and wild hair.”
“Damn, ‘twas Keith,” Erland muttered.
Angus ignored him. “Tell me, Mary, what happened next?”
“A beautiful lady with long, shining, red-gold hair came runnin’ into the barn. I came to the slats to look because the man who helped me with my chores cursed when he saw her.”
“Why did he curse?”
“He cursed and told her to cover herself.”
“Was she naked?”
“Nay, Milord. Her dress fell down off her shoulder and it showed one of her breasties.”
Angus smiled at his small companion. “Then what happened?”
“She told him to hide in the carriage bay and be silent.”
“And?”
“The pretty lady kept walking to the door then goin’ back to the carriage bay as if she expected someone to come in the door.” Mary shrugged. “Nothin’ happened for awhile. I curled up with my blanket and tried to go to sleep.”
“Is that all you saw?”
“Nay, Milord. I dozed for a bit. Later I had a feelin’ like someone watched me, so I got up and looked out the slats.”
“What did you see?”
“A handsome man with golden hair moved through the back of the barn goin’ towards the carriage bay.” She looked at Angus. “He resembled you, Milord… a little. He didna have yer full beard, but he most certainly had yer blue eyes.”
“Ian.” Angus sighed. “Then what?”
“He went around the corner into the carriage bay. I couldna see them any longer. He spoke to the woman.”
“What did he say?”
“I am not sure, Milord. They spoke. There was somethin’ about bein’ her first and did she really want it in the barn.”
“Good Lord!” Erland gasped. “I fear to ask the child more.”
“Be still,” Angus said. He turned back to Mary. “What happened next?”
“I heard a cry, and then the clash of metal. It sounded like someone fightin’. That went on a bit, and then it was quiet. Later I heard a thud. The lady shrieked and said ‘I dinna want him dead.’ I heard some noises. I think they loaded him into a wagon and headed out.”
The innkeeper stormed forward and jerked the girl roughly by the arm, moving to slap her across the face. Angus shoved the man back and punched him hard. He fell to the ground rubbing his jaw. “Why do you attack this child?”
“She should’ve told me this that night, Milord. We might have been able to save your son.”
“She is but a child… and a neglected one at that.”
“My father does not neglect me, Milord.” Mary interrupted. “He does all he can to keep me safe since my mother died. ‘Tis just there is no one to watch over me when he works.”
Angus ran his hand over her dark hair. “Aye, so, little one, are you all right?”
“Aye, Milord,” she said. “His hand hardly had a chance to brush my face before you stopped him. I am truly grateful, Milord, for you benevolence.”
“Perchance I could invite your father to come to Cairngorm Castle in my service. We would be sure you had someone to watch over you when he works.” Angus smiled at her. “What would you think of that?”
“’Twould be wonderful, Milord.”
“Can you show me which bay they were in?”
Mary took his hand and led him to the area. Angus spied something shiny in the nearby haystack. Running forward, he withdrew Ian’s sword from pile. “God’s blood! There is no doubt. This is the very sword I had forged for him.” Angus turned to his men. “Gather his belongings and get his horse ready to travel. Erland, speak to her father about coming to Cairngorm. Then we ride for Duntaigh Castle. I’m going to pay the Blackburns a visit.”
Chapter 8
Katie had barely slept the night before. She tossed all night trying to decide whether to involve Keith further in her treacherous plan. In the morning, she tutored Tessa and Jamie in reading and writing. By late afternoon, her fear took over and she went looking for Keith. Katie’s initial search had proved futile. Deciding to t
ry the stable, she walked outside and made her way through the windy courtyard.
The sun hid behind gray scattered clouds and an occasional gust of the ever-moving Highland air blew her hair. Soon the large stone barn loomed ahead. Her father’s stables were extensive. He had some of the best stock in Highlands. As she entered the barn, the smell of fresh cut hay teased her nostrils. The horses stirred as she went by each stall. Their large, shiny eyes gazed out at her. Katie stopped short when she got to the empty stall where Keith’s horse should be. She spied her father’s stable master at the far end of the barn. “Elam, I need Keith. Where is he?” she asked. “His horse is gone.”
The stableman shrugged. “I dinna ken what he is about, Milady. He left early this morning. Keith said Rannoch sent him on a mission. He wasna sure when he would return.”
Now what? Keith already warned her some of the men seemed pleased with Rannoch’s rule. She didn’t know whom else she could trust. Immediately her brother and sisters came to mind. Jamie would come to her aid, but he was very young and she feared what Rannoch would do to him if things went awry. If Ian spoke the truth, Jamie might already be marked for death.
Brianna blushed scarlet every time Rannoch looked her way. Katie feared Brianna’s feelings would make her disbelieve the true story, and little Tessa was just a child.
Drawing a deep breath, Katie decided to ask Rannoch when he expected Keith to return. Perchance she could glean some information from him. First, she would see her father. Sorcha’s comments gave Katie hope he might be able to tell her something despite his infirmity.
She made her way out of the bailey and headed back to the manse. Katie reached her father’s chamber and paused at the door. Every time she entered, she pictured it in happier days. Nothing moved or changed in the chamber since her mother’s death eight years ago. Katie thought her father acted as if he expected his wife to walk back in and once again join him in their quiet, nicely-appointed suite. The one exception was Sorcha’s medicine corner. Now that Katie knew what poisons were concocted there, the very thought of it turned her stomach. She’d like to smash all the vials, but such action would reveal her knowledge of Rannoch and Sorcha’s plot.
Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander Page 5