“I am not afraid. When should I leave?”
“First thing tomorrow,” Katie said, placing a kiss on his brow. “Dinna tell anyone, just get up, pack your supplies, and leave. Tell the stable master you are going for a ride across the moors.”
“You can count on me,” Jamie assured her. “I am eager to do father’s biding in this foul mess.”
“God go with you,” she murmured as she left his chamber.
Chapter 13
Ian finished his bath feeling like himself for the first time since Katie Blackburn’s deceit. He rose and reached down to pull the plug on the drain at the bottom of the tub. Ian heard as splashing sound outside the narrow window. Looking out, he saw his bath water cascading down over the stony wall of the fortress. It was a very clever arrangement. He moved back near the fireplace and stoked the embers then leaned near to dry his hair. Grabbing a drying cloth, he wrapped it around his waist while he completed his task. His hair and body were almost dry when he heard the door to Katie’s chamber open and close. It sounded like whoever entered threw the bolt securely in place behind them.
“Damn you, Ian, where did you go?” Katie muttered.
He heard her rummaging around for a few minutes in her chamber then suddenly she appeared in the doorway stark naked.
“Ian,“ Katie gasped as she entered her bathing chamber. She stood frozen as she felt the kiss of his eyes over her flesh. He stood before her with barely a stitch covering his lean, muscular body. Their eyes locked and ever so slowly, he dropped the cloth that hid his most private parts. She could barely breathe as he came towards her.
“Katie,” he said softly, his body hovering so close she could feel the heat of him.
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” she said grasping for something to say as her feet refused to retreat from his nearness.
Ian took her face in his hands. He leaned down to plant light caresses across her forehead and down her nose until he found her lips with his. His fingers ran though her hair. Katie couldn’t wait any longer to feel his body against hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck pressing her bare breasts to his chest. He groaned and pulled her closer. So close, she felt the hardness growing in his loins.
Ian deepened the kiss, gently at first, then with more purpose. He entered the warm well of her mouth with his tongue and nibbled playfully on her lower lip. Spellbound, she reveled in his never-ending kiss. Katie answered his every invasion with one of her own, tasting him, and savoring the sweetness of what transpired between them.
He lifted her, adjusting her body so that his hardness waited at the heart of her womanhood. Running her arms over his shoulders, she wrapped her legs around him. Ian moaned his approval grabbing her bottom and guiding her in a rolling motion that made her quake with desire. His mouth left her lips and traced down her neck as he carried her out of the bathing chamber. In a few short strides, they tumbled onto the bed. He rose on his elbows and looked down into her eyes.
“Please tell me I can continue, virgin Katie.” His voice was low and strained as if he thought she might call a halt to his conquest.
“Ian, I want this. Please.” Katie moved restlessly beneath him, stroking his back.
“Sweet Katie, you are my destiny.” His sapphire-blue eyes gazed at her lovingly. Ian began moving slowly down her body, running kisses across her torso. His mouth trailed over her breasts finding each tender peak, teasing it with his tongue, and then suckling until she cried out in delight. His hand dipped lower, his fingers skimming over her eager flesh to some magic spot between her thighs. Her body came alive in a way it never had before. A throbbing need grew deep inside her. He found the heart of her womanhood, rolling his fingers over it, rubbing, and squeezing. Ian took her to the brink of paradise. Her body contracted bursting with newfound feeling. Katie moaned and gripped the sheeting. She never wanted it to end.
Somewhere in the glow of pleasure, she heard his voice. “Now you are ready for me,” he told her. With one powerful thrust, he drove his steel shaft deep inside her.
A quick, sharp pain shot through her. Katie cried out and Ian paused gazing down into her eyes. “Are you all right,” he whispered.
“Dinna stop,” she said breathlessly.
He smiled as his eyes locked on hers. Ian began a slow motion in and out of her. He watched her, reading the passion she could not hide as he took her. Each action became more purposeful, more satisfying. Katie answered his every move as she rose to meet each invasion. All she wanted was to be one with him. The pressure building inside her led her to the edge of sanity. An insatiable need took over her body. In frenzy, she strained to take him deeper inside her with each glorious thrust. Feeling her success, she began to quiver and moan, tossing wildly in the sheeting.
“Katie,” Ian gasped. She felt his control slip away. He drove them to a mad rhythm that shook the bed and tangled the bedding. Katie clung to him, scratched his back, bit his neck, and then her body erupted into quick ecstatic spasms as he shot hot seed to her depths. Even sated Ian continued to move just enough to send waves of pure pleasure washing over her. When he finally stopped, Katie let out a contented sigh and went limp. “Oh, Ian,” she breathed. “I never dreamed I could feel like this.”
Ian chuckled and rolled them over as one, pulling her onto his chest. His hands explored her naked flesh with tender strokes. They lay still joined for some time as he caressed her face, her eyes, and her neck. “I love you, Katie Blackburn,” he murmured. “Dinna ever leave me.”
At length, Katie slid off his chest and nestled into the crook of his arm. “I have done such terrible things to you and in return you bring me only pleasure.”
He laughed. “I am your captive Highlander, Milady, forever at your service. I think this is fair payment for any wrongs.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Dinna be sorry. I wouldna trade this for the world.” He kissed the top of her head. “I have no regrets.”
Katie propped up on one elbow and ran her hand down his well-muscled chest. “How did you escape?”
He traced as single finger over her breast. “Tessa freed me.”
“I take it Tess had another vision.”
“So she said.” Ian pulled Katie close. “We’ll find a way out of this,” he whispered.
“Will we?” she asked, looking into his eyes.
“Aye, we will,” he said. “We have a plot to foil.”
“Aye, so,” Katie said starting to rise from the bed.
Ian stopped her. Touching her womanhood, he showed her his blood tinged fingers. “I think a quick bath is in order. Lie here while I prepare it.”
Suddenly embarrassed by her wanton behavior, Katie felt her cheeks color. “Ian….”
“Shh… a bath and then we’ll talk,” Ian said. He rose giving her a glimpse of the powerful body that invaded her with such passion only moments before. The sight of him sent tingling to all the spots he used so well. She watched him walk into her bathing chamber admiring his broad shoulders and the fine curve of his buttocks as he disappeared.
Katie sank back onto the bed and ran her hands over her swollen lips. Looking down she could see her breasts wore the telltale signs of Ian’s passion. She rolled in the bedding drinking in the scent of their mating. Her gaze fell upon the blood tinged sheeting where he took her innocence. Katie laid back and stared at the ceiling. Ian Innes had just changed her life forever. She was his woman now and she reveled in the thought of it.
A short time later, Ian called for her to join him in the bath. When she entered the chamber, he helped her into the tub and settled her between his legs so that her back pressed against his chest. Katie felt his kisses tracing down her neck. “’Tis a tight fit,” she said, leaning her head back on his shoulder.
He laughed as he took up a bathing cloth and began a slow wash of her body. “Not as tight as you,” he said his breath hot against her ear.
Katie felt a blush creeping up to her face. “Was it unpleasant, Milord?”
> Ian kissed her lips long and slow. Finally, he sighed and leaned back. “You ken full well, ‘twas not. I couldna be more pleased. Lie back and enjoy the heat of the water. ‘Twill soothe your body and take away any soreness from my invasion.”
“Ian….”
“What is it, love?”
“There was too much pleasure to dwell on the pain.”
“Sweet lady,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck. “You are as spirited in bed as you are everywhere else.”
“Was I too forward?” she asked.
“Dinna look so horrified,” he said with a chuckle. “I love the way you want to feel the passion between us. I told you before ‘tis a rare thing to feel such a fire.”
She gave him a shy smile. “I will treasure this memory forever.”
“There will be many more memories if I have my way.”
She rested back against his shoulder. They lingered in bath for some time content in their newfound familiarity.
“I fear we canna stay here, Ian,” Katie said finally. She smiled at him. “There is no time to enjoy this longer.”
Ian’s brow rose. “I agree. We must take action before Rannoch discovers I am here,” he said. “Besides, we should visit the friar and make this official. I wilna share you with another. I want you to be my wife.”
“Wife?”
“Aye, so. I would marry you, fair Katie, and unite our families under one cause.”
“Am I a tool then?”
“Nay, Milady. You captured my heart. Will you marry me?”
“’Tis clear I should after what I have done.”
“That is not an answer.”
Rising and stepping from the bath, Katie dried off. “I shall think on it, Milord.”
Ian rose and glared at her. “Think on it? What kind of answer is that?”
“It is my answer. First, we must defeat Rannoch and save my family. Then I will consider marriage.” Katie slipped her gown on. He appeared positively stunned by her remarks. Giving him a look of satisfaction, she tossed him a drying cloth. “Time to get dressed, Milord. I dinna think you can defeat Rannoch naked.”
“Have it your way, Milady. Perchance my offer of marriage may not hold until you decide to take it. Clearly I revel in the afterglow of your deflowering.” Ian stepped out of the tub, dried off, and put on the fresh clothes Tessa had given him.
Katie felt her face flush. If Ian decided he didn’t want her after she gave him her innocence, she wasn’t sure how she would survive. She wanted to be his wife. Why couldn’t she just tell him? She needed to put this aside until her family was safe.
“My father directed me to send Jamie to Laird Innes to secure his aid in this plot against us.”
“Your father is able to speak?”
“The Irish healer cut back on the poison until Rannoch could take me for his wife, then they plan to kill him. He spoke enough to let me know his wishes.”
Ian came over and pulled her into his arms. “Katie, this is all the more reason for you to marry me now. I canna let Rannoch have you.”
“Let us go and see father. He will ken what to do.”
Ian nodded and followed her into the hallway.
Chapter 14
As they got closer to Katie’s father’s chamber, the sound of rapid footfalls echoed through the passage behind them. Rowan Rannoch burst around the corner followed by ten of his loyal guards. Katie stepped back from Ian.
“Well, what have we here?” Turning to Katie, he grabbed her arm and squeezed until she gasped in pain.
“Let her go,” Ian railed. “If you want to hurt someone, hurt me.”
Rannoch threw Katie into the arms of one of his men. “The Innes heir inside our keep, how can that be?”
Katie drew in a deep breath. “He is my prisoner.”
“Pray tell, how is it he now walks by your side without benefit of chains?”
“I convinced Katie to let me speak with her father,” Ian interrupted. “I wanted to negotiate a peace.”
Rannoch turned his dark eyes on Ian. “Brian Blackburn is little more than a lifeless shell. My men and I will escort you back to the dungeon.” Rannoch glared at Katie. “We found the cell where you kept him. Is that where you were when I searched for you? Off capturing Ian Innes.”
He grabbed her face and forced her to look him in the eye. “Aye,” Katie said. “Keith and I took Ian on his way back from the gathering.”
“Why did you not tell me about your prisoner?”
“’Twas my idea and I didna want others to suffer Laird Innes’ wrath if I failed.”
“Liar! You sought to negotiate a peace without my knowledge or consent.” Rannoch screamed. “Now you will see what your folly has wrought. Take both of them,” he ordered. The men took hold of Ian and the group made their way to the cell where she kept Ian.
Rannoch walked over and fingered the empty manacles. “Twould appear Lady Katherine didna have you secured tightly enough.”
“Milord….” Katie interrupted.
“Shut your mouth.” He turned back to his men. “Hang him up,” Rannoch ordered.
The guards locked Ian in the manacles, lifted him into the air, and hooked the chain on a hook in the ceiling above. Then they secured his dangling legs in the leg irons. He hung several feet off the floor and a few feet from the wall.
“I believe you offered yourself up in her stead,” Rannoch said.
“Aye, I did,” Ian replied. “Do what you will with me, but dinna harm her. She is young and foolish. Lady Katherine didna ken the consequences of her actions.”
“Draco, give the Innes heir what he has requested.”
“Let him be,” Katie shrieked. “He is my prisoner.”
“You no longer have a prisoner, Lady Katherine. You brought him into Duntaigh Castle. Now you will see the import of your actions.” With an evil leer, he turned back to Draco. “Beat him,” Rannoch ordered.
Draco began pummeling Ian with his massive fists. Each blow sent Ian’s body slamming against the stone wall of the dungeon. Draco sent his fist right between Ian’s ribs. The impact made Ian groan as his back once again hit solid stone.
“Stop,” Katie cried. When they ignored her, she sought to hide her face. Rannoch pulled her hands away and slapped her hard. His man jerked her head around and held it in place. Katie closed her eyes. “I wilna watch.”
“Aye, you will. Or I will have him beaten until he is dead,” Rannoch threatened.
Quaking, she opened her eyes. Ian’s gaze met hers for a brief instant between blows. She observed in astounded silence. When Ian tried to fight back, they took a metal rod and struck him. One blow landed against the side of his head. Ian went limp hanging from his chains. Blood from the head wound ran down his face and dripped onto his chest.
“Have mercy,” she whispered through parched lips.
Rannoch took a metal rod and landed some well-placed blows across Ian’s ribs. “What is that you say, Lady Katherine?”
“Have mercy,” she repeated. “He is of no use to us dead.”
Rannoch arched a dark brow at her. He walked closer and put his hand on Ian’s manhood. “Did you find him to your liking, Lady Katherine? Is this why you kept him locked away? Is he your consort? A slave you took to your chamber at will for entertainment. ” The men behind Rannoch chortled. Coming over to her, Rannoch gazed into her eyes as he ran his hand beneath her skirt, feeling her womanhood. He stepped back with a snort and sniffed his fingers. “I canna tell. Perchance he didna have you today.”
“Hoary bastard!” Katie cried. “You wilna touch me again. I am Laird Brian Blackburn’s daughter. This man is my prisoner.”
“Then you wilna care if I cut it off,” he said, motioning to Ian’s member.
“Laird Innes will gut you and hang you from the walls of Cairngorm Castle if you geld his heir.” Katie’s heart pounded wildly in her chest. She caused this.
Rannoch drew his blade and moved to Ian. “I am sorely tempted.”
; “Robert the Bruce would not approve.” Seeing him pause, she continued. “I canna be responsible for this. If you do this, I will see you punished by our king. He holds the Innes clan in high regard.”
Rannoch walked over to her again. “An empty threat from a frightened girl,” he said. His stale breath almost made her choke. “What else can you offer, Lady Katherine, anything that would make my decision easier?”
Katie bit her lip hard to keep from crying. A deep calm overtook her and she gazed up into his eyes. “I will marry you if you leave him intact.”
Rannoch roared with laughter and sheathed his blade. He looked at Ian, then back at Katie. “I accept your offer.”
Katie cast a wistful glance at Ian’s limp body as one of the guards led her out of the dungeon. Ian hung from the ceiling with gashes and bruises covering his torso. Was this to be her last vision of him?
Rannoch stayed with Draco as the guards dragged her out.
Katie looked up as Rannoch entered her room carrying a set of manacles attached to one another with a short chain. He closed the door, bolted it, and then walked over to her dangling the cuffs in front of her.
“Where can I secure you, Lady Katherine? At least I have chosen your chamber and not the dungeon.” Gazing around the room, he looked over at the tall, four-poster bed that dominated one section of her chamber. The posts rose to meet the wood-framed, curtained top of the structure providing him with a sturdy bedpost to attach his restraint. He walked over to the bed and wrapped the chain around the bedpost at the head of the bed.
Suddenly his eyes grew wide. Rannoch smelled the bedding. Wheeling around, he turned on her. “You had him,” he accused. “The scent of such things lingers.” Examining the bed more carefully, he found a few spots of blood and held up the sheeting. “Ian Innes is a lucky man. He was first to take you. Do you deny it, Katie?”
“Nay, Milord.”
Rannoch walked over and grabbed her face with one hand. “I offered you marriage and instead you let your prisoner take you.” With a derisive snort, he let go of her jaw. “He wilna be the only one to take you, Katie. You will ken me well before this is ended.” He stopped and stroked his chin thoughtfully. “But since you are already ruined, I will marry Brianna. She seems more willing to please me. The Blackburn sisters will take turns in my bed, or even come to it together.”
Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander Page 9