Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander

by Connie C. Scharon

  Keith smiled and hung his head. “I needed a bit of encouragement to help Laird Innes enter Duntaigh Castle in secret.”

  Katie turned to Angus. “I thank you, Laird Innes, for not killing Keith outright.”

  Angus studied Katie, his expression unreadable. “You look so like your mother,” he said finally. “Lady Katherine Stuart reborn.”

  “I do look like my mother,” Katie replied. “But Maura tells me I am a bit more adventurous.”

  “I loved your mother. She was to be my second wife before she met your father.”

  “I didna ken that, Milord.”

  “I dinna imagine your father would have told you.”

  “He didna,” Katie confirmed.

  “You must be quite a handful if you succeeded in taking Ian at unawares. Of course, now that I see you, I understand why.”

  “I did terrible things.”

  “Aye, you did, lass. Give me a reason I shouldna punish you for the evil you have visited upon my only living son and heir.” Angus looked at Ian. “He has suffered abuse because of you.”

  “’Tis true, Milord. But I came to my senses and helped him escape Rannoch’s wrath.”

  “Pray tell, what did Ian do to bring about Rannoch’s wrath?”

  Katie hung her head and felt the color rising in her face. “He took me, Milord, and now I am no longer innocent.”

  Angus raised an eyebrow at Ian. “You deflowered Brian Blackburn’s eldest daughter.”

  “I love her,” Ian said. “I wish to marry her.”

  “Holy mother of God, all these years I have prayed for you to find a mate, and now you choose the daughter of my lost love, the only woman I cared for save your mother?”

  “Aye, Father. Katie is the strong-willed, free spirit I sought all these many years. We are the perfect match.”

  “Like you and Skye MacLean. I ken you flirted with the idea of marrying her.”

  Katie had heard stories of Skye MacLean’s wild adventures. The whole MacLean family was legendary in the Highlands. Laird Jared MacLean had taken Asilinn Innes and forced her to marry him then later defended her when the bishops charged her with witchcraft. Liam MacLean married the accused murderess Devon Dunsmore, and Skye MacLean vanished for months only to reappear with no memory of her marriage to Gabriel Ravenwood. Ian and his family were close to the whole bunch, joined by the marriage of Ian’s sister to the MacLean laird.

  “Skye and I have been friends since she was twelve. When she came back home suspecting she might be pregnant and couldna remember her marriage to Gabriel, I thought we might be able to make it work.” Ian smiled. “Skye was smart enough to ken ‘twas not meant to be.”

  “You asked her to marry you,” Katie blurted out.

  Ian’s blue eyes pierced her. “Aye, love, but Skye and I never….”

  “You never took her the way you took me, making her think ‘twas her own idea.”

  “I never took any woman the way I took you,” Ian replied. “The others didna matter. My paramours came to me in a quest for mutual satisfaction, nothing more. I didna lie about my intent with any of them. It was much more than that with you, sweet Katie.”

  Angus grunted. “God’s teeth, Ian, Brian will have you drawn and quartered for having his daughter without benefit of marriage.”

  “Perchance he would if he could. Rannoch has used his Irish healer, Sorcha Blaine, to poison Laird Blackburn. Brian lays helpless while Rannoch plays ward to Katie and her siblings. He seeks to take Duntaigh Castle by handing Robert the Bruce over to Edward.”

  “Sorcha Blaine?” Angus asked.

  “Aye, you are familiar with her?”

  “I have heard her name before. I dinna ken where.” Angus rubbed his beard. “Did Sorcha Blaine help Rannoch in all his plans?”

  “Aye,” Katie said quickly.

  Ian shrugged. “’Tis hard to tell, she saved me from being gelded by Rannoch only hours ago. And whatever potion she gave me didna force me to tell the truth, though that is what she told Rannoch.”

  “What did you tell Rannoch?”

  “I made up a tale about the Earl of Ravenwood and suggested he had English leanings. I told Rannoch that Robert was going to attack Carraig Castle to lure Edward into Scotland and then kill him near the border.”

  “Excellent.” Angus turned to Katie. “Now we must leave and gather troops for your family’s rescue.”

  “Aye,” Ian agreed. “I wouldna like all of us to land back in Duntaigh Castle’s dungeon.”

  Katie took the opportunity to make a suggestion. “Ian, Keith is here now. He and I will remain at Duntaigh while you and your father plan our rescue.”

  “Keith may remain. He can hide himself in the escape cave and do what he can to help your family. This small band is not enough to take the keep, so you will come with us.”

  “I dinna want to leave my family at Rannoch’s mercy.”

  “Katie, to do otherwise puts you at grave risk. Rannoch would have you and Brianna. I canna let that happen. You will be my wife.” He put his hand on her flat stomach. “My seed could already be taking root in your womb. I wilna leave you for Rannoch.”

  “He is right, Milady. Rannoch has no honor. ‘Tis hard to tell what he might do if he found you here,” Keith said. “Go with Ian and his clan. I will stay here and protect your family.”

  Could she have conceived so quickly? It was not out of the realm of possibility. She had joined with Ian twice now and each time brought her to new heights of pleasure. “I will go with you,” she conceded. Katie turned to Keith. “Sorcha plans to initiate Jamie into the ways of the world. I would have his innocence spared.”

  A laugh rumbled up from Keith’s chest. “Katie, Jamie wilna suffer in his introduction into things that transpire between a man and woman in the bedchamber. Dinna fret over this. Jamie will be all the wiser for this experience.”

  “She is a monster.”

  “Nay, she is a woman of many talents,” Keith said.

  “He is my brother.”

  “Aye, so,” Angus said. “Dinna waste a minute in regret. He will be better for the knowledge.”

  Ian put his arm around Katie and drew her close. “Everything will be alright.” He kissed her lightly on the top of her head.

  Katie jerked away. “So glad to ken all of you think ‘tis fine for Sorcha to have her way with my brother. He is still a child.”

  Ian laughed. “In your eyes only, my sweet.” He held out his hand to her. “Come, the sooner we get out of here, the sooner we can get back and save your family.”

  Expelling a deep breath, she took his hand. He smiled. She frowned. They started the walk back down the secret passage that led out of the castle. The rest of the company fell in behind them leading the horses.

  When they reached the opening that led to Rannoch Moore, Angus grabbed Keith by the shirt and pulled him close. “If you betray us, there will be no place you can hide.” Keith nodded as Angus released him.

  Katie lunged at Angus and struck him. “Keith is not a traitor to our cause!”

  Angus held her back with one arm and looked at Ian. “Control your woman, Son.”

  “I am not his woman yet,” she spluttered.

  Ian and Angus laughed. “Aye, you are, little lass,” Angus said. “By God, I will see he marries you to protect the honor of our clan and yours. Ian kens he canna make light with the daughter of a laird and not marry her, especially when the laird was once my best friend and your mother my lost love.”

  “We will wed at our earliest convenience, Father. Katie made me promise I would save her family before she would give me an answer to my proposal.”

  “Feisty, that one, she gives you all and then she waits to accept your proposal. Perchance she will give you the challenge you need.”

  “I am standing right here. Kindly dinna discuss me as if I were not present,” Katie spat. Turning on her heel, she knotted her fists at her side and started out of the cave into the bright sunlight.

&nbs
p; Chapter 18

  Rannoch unlocked the door to Katie’s chamber and strode into the room. “God’s blood,” he swore when he saw the shackles hanging open from her bedpost. “How the hell?” He called to the guard. “Did anyone visit Lady Katherine?”

  “Only her sister, Milord.”

  “Which sister?”

  “Little Tessa, Milord.”

  “No one else?”

  “Nay, Milord.”

  Rannoch walked across the hall and pounded on Tessa’s door. She opened it her eyes wide with wonder. “Milord Rannoch, how may I be of service?”

  He grabbed her roughly by the arm. “Did you free Katie?”

  “How could I possibly do that, Milord?”

  “Someone did.”

  Tessa shrugged. “’Twas not me, Milord. I only went to speak with her briefly earlier.”

  Rannoch snorted. “Her shackles could secure you as well.”

  “Aye, so, Milord. If that is what you desire.” Tessa held her hands out. “If you would chain me, I would accept your authority to do it, Milord. I am in your care and you should do whatever you see fit.”

  “Damn Blackburns! Stay in your chamber.”

  “As you say, Milord.”

  He left with a slam of the door and went in search of Draco. Sorcha walked out of Draco’s chamber with a torn dress and a nasty gash across her breast. She nodded at him as he entered.

  Draco stood naked in the center of the room. “Get dressed and come with me to check on Ian. I suspect something is afoot. Katie is missing from her chamber.”

  Draco pulled on his clothes and followed Rannoch down the passage that led to the dungeon. When they reached Ian’s cell, Rannoch cursed again. “Ian and Katie have escaped.”

  “So it would seem.”

  He struck Draco across the face and watched his jaw quiver in defiance. Draco did not challenge his authority. Rannoch assured over the years that Draco knew better. “Your guard is useless. What now?”

  “We must ride outside the gates to see if they are crossing Rannoch Moor.”

  Rannoch nodded his agreement. “Gather the men and meet me at the north gate.”

  “Aye, Milord.”

  He watched Draco walk off to rally the troops. Rannoch made his way to the stables and ordered his horse made ready. When Draco arrived with the troops, Rannoch gave the signal for them to mount and ride out.

  Sorcha rapped lightly on Jamie’s door. She heard a stirring inside the chamber then the door opened. He stared at her agog. She gave him a slight bow. “Milord, I need your assistance.”

  “Come,” he said inviting her into his chamber. “Who did this to you?”

  Sorcha teased a tear down her cheek. “’Twas Draco, Milord. He took me roughly.” Sobbing, she grabbed hold of Jamie. “Please, Milord, let me stay here so he canna find me again.”

  “Come in and rest a bit,” Jamie said.

  Sorcha sat on his bed and lay back with a deep sigh. “Oh, Jamie, he is a cruel man.”

  “I suspected as much,” Jamie said coming over beside her.

  “Do you think you could dress my wound?” she asked.

  “Surely,” he said. He walked over, dampened a rag, and came back to the bed. He tried to hand it to her.

  Sorcha pulled her dress down to expose her breasts. “Please cleanse it,” she said softly. She felt his tender strokes as his eyes grew wide in enjoyment of her display. Sorcha took his hand and led it over her breast. “Jamie, do you ken what would make me feel better?”

  “Nay, Milady.”

  “A tender touch from a gentle man,” she whispered as she guided him to touch her rosy nipples.

  Jamie took deep breaths as he touched a woman’s breast for the first time. It felt so good and Sorcha guided him every step of the way. “Sorcha….”

  “Please dinna stop,” she whispered urgently.

  Jamie felt the hardening between his legs. He knew what was going to happen and he welcomed it. What harm would it be to see what it was like to be a man and take a woman of great beauty despite her vile nature?

  “What do you want, Sorcha?” he asked, hoping she wanted exactly what he did.

  Her hand touched him intimately. “I want you, Jamie. Will you take me?”

  “I havena known a woman before,” he whispered.

  “I will show you what to do,” she said. “Will you have me?”

  “Aye,” he said, sucking in his breath as he felt her hand tighten on his stock.

  Katie marveled at how fast Ian and his father organized a plan. They were heading for The Stagg Inn, which sat at a midpoint between Dunbocan and Cairngorm Castles. Angus dispatched one of the men to each fortress to gather Innes and MacLean forces for the impending battle to free her family. They knew Laird Jared MacLean would provide them whatever help they needed. The blood bond between their clans began when Laird Innes finally accepted the marriage of his daughter Asilinn to the MacLean laird, despite the method Jared used to achieve the union. Now the MacLean heirs were half Innes and half MacLean. This bound the two clans.

  Riding between Ian and his father, Katie felt surrounded by Ian’s kinsmen. She had never seen Ian like this. He took charge and led the men. His intense blue eyes strayed to her occasionally. Most of the time, he focused on the way ahead. What did she know about this man? He kept his promise and rallied his men to save her family. Did that mean he loved her? She had given him all and admitted it in front of the Innes warriors. All his kin accepted she belonged to him and that he would marry her. God help her if he didn’t. She could not resist his touch. Even now, she reveled in remembrance of their fiery union. If he didna grant her the honor of marriage, she would be his whore.

  For awhile they kept to the cover of the woods surrounding Loch Laiden. The route slowed their pace as they wound through narrow woodland trails and rocky outcroppings.

  “This way,” Katie said, indicating a trail she had used on more than one occasion. It would shorten their path considerably.

  Ian’s eyes met hers. “How does this way differ from the way Rannoch would use from the castle gate?”

  “We came out of the secret cave into the valley. The castle road goes across the high ridge before it drops to this level.” Katie blanched. “You think they will see us from above.”

  “We have good cover here. Where does your suggested path lead?”

  “’Twill bring us into the open, but there is no way to avoid it. This trail cuts time off the woodland route and puts us in the open a bit longer. We can make better time going across the moors.”

  Ian leaned across and found her lips with a warm kiss that took her off guard and left her breathless. “My love, we follow your advice.”

  Angus harrumphed. “Wait until we camp for that,” he advised. The men stifled their laughter when their laird glared at them.

  Ian grinned. “I canna help myself. I am truly smitten.”

  “So now your captor guides us,” Angus said rolling his eyes. “Dinna let desire color your judgment. There is nothing as sweet as a fresh conquest. You wilna come to your senses until you have had more of her. Considering her station, that should be after the marriage vows whether she is willing to spread her legs for you or not.” He looked pointedly at Ian. “You will wait until the marriage is blessed before you take her again.”

  “I told you we will marry. What we do before that occurs is up to us.”

  “By God, she is Brian’s daughter.”

  “Aye, I am well aware of that.”

  Katie felt her face flush. “Have I nothing to say in this matter?”

  Angus gave her a cold stare. “Forgive me, Milady. I assume your willingness based on your past behavior.”

  Her chest burned. Unshed tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let Angus see her cry. Clearly, her future father-in-law did not think much of her. Why would he? She was responsible for Ian’s capture, his beating, and his near ruination at the hand of Rannoch. It would take time to win Angus over if Ian kept his
word and made her his wife. Biting her lip, she pulled herself up tall in the saddle. “Do you wish to try my path or not?”

  “We will take your advice,” Angus conceded. “But I dinna like it, lass. If you betray us we are all dead.”

  “I promise I dinna lead you astray. I have everything to gain by helping your cause. ‘Tis my family Rannoch holds in his clutches.”

  “Aye, so,” Angus said.

  She thought she saw a hint of a smile beneath his bushy beard, but she could not be sure. Perchance the way to gain favor with Angus was to stand up to him.

  They turned down her path and made their way through the silent woods. Mountain ash and tall pines dotted the sides of the trail. It was almost too quiet as the men and horses followed her lead. Finally, they reached the edge of the woodland. Rannoch Moor lay stretched out in front of them.

  “How well do you ride, Katie?” Ian asked. “We must race across the open country avoiding the marshy bogs. This land can prove treacherous to a careless traveler.”

  “I have ridden here for years. I ken the way around the bogs, Ian. Keith and I had to take this route to bring you Duntaigh Castle.” With a smile, she broke cover and lit out across the marshland in front of them. She heard him curse as he and the rest of the men followed.

  They caught up with her in no time and all rode across the moors as fast as caution would allow. She knew Ian worried about pursuit. It would not take long for their enemies to find out she and Ian were missing. Rannoch was coming. It became a matter of when.

  “There they are,” Draco said pointing to the cluster of riders in the valley below.

  “They have already joined with the Innes clan.” Rannoch turned his attention to the riders below.

  “What will we do, Milord?” Draco asked.

  “The ridge road overlooks the valley. It is faster. Draco, take half the men and get in front of them. I will take the rest of the men and lead them in pursuit. As you go along, set some archers on the cliffs where the valley narrows. Use the rest of the men to block their path through the pass at its narrowest point. Drag all the dry brush you can find and make a wall of tinder. Prepare to light this. Dinna fire if they send scouts ahead through the pass. When they see us behind them, they will think they can outrun us. We will drive them to you. Wait until we are all in the narrow part of the valley, then let loose your arrows and set the fires. We can ambush them, cut off their escape, and drive them into a wall of fire.”