“Aye, twins are rare and one of each sex even more so.”
“Are they here? I should love to see them.”
“Nay, Katie, Gabriel’s mother and father watch over the twins back at Carraig Castle. I worry about leaving them. Still this became my opportunity to see most of the family in one gathering. I miss them so, but I longed for a visit home. I havena returned to Dunbocan since my husband carried me off to his home.” She smiled. “I didna expect the surprise of getting to meet the woman who could steal Ian’s heart.”
Katie saw Ian shoot Skye a warning look. “Katie, allow me to introduce you to Skye’s husband, Gabriel Ravenwood next Earl of Carraig.”
Gabriel Ravenwood took Katie’s hand and kissed it. “I am happy to meet you.”
“Perchance one day soon you and Ian will have a babe of your own,” Skye said.
“I pray so. I want Ian’s child,” Katie blurted out.
They all laughed and Katie felt her face color with a blush. “Dinna be embarrassed to admit wanting this,” Skye said. “There is no greater joy than having a child with a man you love.” She looked Katie up and down. “I think you and I should have a little talk after dinner,” Skye said. Ian groaned and Skye laughed. “I must be sure she is the right one for you,” she teased.
“She is,” Ian assured her.
Placing her hands on her hips, Skye grinned. “I will be the judge of that,” she spat back.
“She is mine, and I dinna care what you think.”
Ian grabbed Katie and led her to their seats at the table. The evening passed with glorious stories of the adventures they all had together. Katie felt like an outsider, but they did not treat her as such. There was a long way to go for her to feel part of Ian’s extended family.
After dinner, the men adjourned to discuss the plan for the attack on Duntaigh Castle. Despite Katie’s protest, Ian would not allow her to go with them. “If we have questions, I will come to you,” he promised as he left.
Katie sat at the table staring into the fire. Suddenly she noticed that only she, Asilinn, and Skye remained. Skye’s emerald eyes moved over Katie. “Do you love him?” Skye asked moving to a seat directly across from Katie.
“Aye,” Katie replied.
“He deserves no less.”
“He told me he proposed to you once,” Katie ventured. “Did he love you?”
Skye laughed. “Like a sister. He loved me the way he loves Asilinn, not as a wife. Ian only asked me to marry him because I was in a lot of trouble and he hoped to help me.”
“’Tis a lot to offer,” Katie said.
Skye studied her with interest. “Aye, so, but I would have done the same for him. Ian is special, Katie. He needs a wife who will love him without reserve.”
“I am that woman,” Katie said.
“Are you sure? I wouldna see his heart broken now that he has finally found love.” Skye’s eyes turned a piercing shade of green as she brushed an errant strand of midnight hair from her shoulder. “How do I ken you speak the truth?”
Clearing her throat, Katie straightened in her chair. “I have given him all and I trust him to say the vows and make this right.”
She had Skye’s attention now. “You have been with him?”
Katie nodded. “Nothing in my life prepared me for Ian. He makes me feel complete.”
“As it should be,” Skye said raising an ebony eyebrow. “But you used trickery to capture him, held him in a dungeon, and almost got him gelded at the hands of Rannoch. These things are hard for me to forgive, even if Ian has.”
“How do you ken these things?”
“My brother told me.”
Katie wished the floor would open and swallow her up. Skye MacLean Ravenwood stared at her as if she expected a full explanation of all these events. “What do you want me to say?” Katie asked.
“The simple truth will do,” Skye snapped. “How do you go from having Ian as a captive to letting him under your skirt? Did you do it to win his help or do you really love him?”
“I fell in love with him,” Katie said simply.
“Was he the first to take you?”
Rising from the table, Katie slammed both fists down hard. “I was a virgin when I gave myself to him,” she shouted. “He made my body come alive and now I am his for as long as he will have me.”
“Good,” Skye said simply. “Have a care with Ian’s heart,” she warned. “If you dinna, I will track you down and punish you in ways you canna even imagine.” With that, Skye rose and left the room.
Katie felt hot tears burning down her cheeks. In a few short minutes, Skye questioned her whole relationship with Ian.
As Katie started toward the door, Asilinn stopped her. “Skye only seeks to protect him,” Asilinn said.
“She insults me with her questions.”
“Because she loves him like a brother,” Asilinn retorted. “She has had her say. Now she will just watch and see the truth of your words.”
“I will go to our chamber,” Katie said feeling shaken by Skye’s attack.
“I would speak with you first,” Asilinn petitioned.
Katie sighed and sank back to her seat at the table. “Ian goes to free my clansmen and he wilna let me go with him.”
“Not if he kens you are going.”
Asilinn had her attention now. “What are you saying?”
“Please, come and sit with me a bit longer,” Asilinn entreated. She led Katie back to the table then took the seat Skye vacated. “I sense I need to go and help your father. My husband would not allow this were I to tell him. Ian has already told you not to go.”
“What do you propose?”
“When they leave, they go to the inn to gather their forces. We could leave right after they do and go directly to Duntaigh Castle. I could help your father while you prepare your siblings to help Ian and Jared defeat Rannoch.”
“You would go against Laird MacLean’s wishes?”
“Aye, I have had strong visions of this battle. You and I must be there to assure their victory.” Asilinn shrugged. “If they canna accept that then we will do it on our own. In the end they will see it needed to be done.”
“What of your children?”
“Devon and Skye will watch over them while we are gone.”
“My sister….”
“Tessa,” Asilinn said. “She is very gifted for one so young. I have seen her in my dreams. One day she will do great good. You must not doubt her gifts.”
“You see Tessa?”
“Aye, for some years now she has haunted my dreams. I didna ken why until recently.”
“What of Brianna? She is under Rannoch’s spell.”
“Aye, all the more reason we must ride for Duntaigh as soon as the troops leave. Will you come?”
“Of course,” Katie said.
Asilinn smiled. “Good, I will make the necessary preparations. I will come to you after Ian has left.”
“Thank you,” Katie murmured.
“Dinna thank me yet, I am not sure how all this will unfold.” Asilinn smiled. “But I would give you a few words of advice.”
“What?”
“Enjoy your last moments with Ian in case things do not go the way we intend.”
The warning echoed in Katie’s ears as she watched the Enchantress of Dunbocan walk from the great hall.
Chapter 29
Rannoch prowled the halls of Duntaigh Castle. Brianna occupied his mind. All night he dreamed of the things he would do to her when he took her innocence. Sorcha’s elixir would assure her willingness to bend to his every dark desire. When the pain came, she might find the spirit to fight him. Either way, he would take her until he got her with child. His offspring issued from her loins would do much to quell any dissent over his ownership of Duntaigh Castle and its surrounds. He groaned and held his tarse as the very thought made him hard, but the wedding vows would come first. No child of his would ever be a bastard. He knew too well what that life entailed.
&nb
sp; He heard fast footsteps in the hallway ahead. Turning the corner, he ran into Brianna. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”
“I am going to tell father about our wedding.” She blushed. “I dinna think he understands what we say to him, but I would have him ken how well you are taking care of me and tell him of our plans.”
He ran his hand lightly up her arm and felt her tremble. “I trust you wilna go in to any details of the things that have transpired between us.”
Her face turned scarlet. “Rowan, these things are only between us.”
In past days, Jamie and Tessa seemed ever in their father’s chamber. Perchance when Sorcha cut back on the poison, she freed Brian Blackburn from his prison. Rannoch stroked Brianna’s flushed cheek. “I would go with you to see your father,” he said. “We will tell him of our upcoming wedding together.”
Brianna’s expression reminded him of a doe he surprised in the woods. Her eyes grew wide with a glaze of panic. He could sense her heart pounding. “Rowan, I… I….”
Leaning down, he kissed the pulse point of her neck, felt the throbbing rhythm, and tasted her fear. “Brianna, you are to be mine. It is only right that I should go to your father. In truth, I should have done this before I proposed. With his infirmity, I had not thought of it.” Stroking her hair, he kissed her lips lightly. “Dinna be afraid. I will make your father see why we should marry.”
“This is hard for me. Even if he doesna understand, I must tell him how you protect us all when he is unable.” She paused and looked up at Rowan with tear-rimmed eyes. “If he hears me, he may not be happy for us.” She placed a shaky hand on his chest. “I beg you. Let me see him alone first. His eyes tell the tale of how he feels. If he doesna desire our union, I would spare you the hurt of seeing his displeasure.”
Rannoch struggled not to laugh. Brianna thought of his feelings. She did not wish him to be insulted if her father reacted badly. How entertaining her innocence was. He took both her hands. “I am a grown man, a warrior of some prowess. I desire your father’s agreement, but if he doesna give his blessing, I will marry you anyway.” He kissed her hand. “I could never have taken such liberties as we have shared if you were not to be mine.” With a frown, he let go of her. “I fear he wilna understand anyway. He is very ill.”
“Aye, it is true,” Brianna agreed.
“So I may come with you?”
She nodded and took his arm. “Let us go together.” Brianna smiled up at him. “I will find a way to soothe you if my father insults you by not giving his blessing.”
“I dinna ken how I lived so long without you,” he told her.
She gave him a shy smile. “Nor I you, Milord,” she said. Brianna paused and cleared her throat. “I hope you wilna have need of Sorcha once we are wed. I would have you all to myself.”
He forced his body not to react, held himself in check, and became the steel sword, but sheathed. All the while visions of what he would do to her danced through his brain exciting him in a way nothing had before. “I am beginning to think that is so, love,” he said slowly, “As long as you bend to my will.”
Her face lit. “I am so glad, Rowan,” she babbled.
If only she knew what she invited. He would get her well acquainted with what he expected on their wedding night.
They stood together outside her father’s chamber. He would see exactly how much Brian Blackburn understood. “Time to go in,” he said. “Are you afraid?”
“Not with you at my side.” She opened the door.
Sorcha stood by the bed giving Brian Blackburn his medicine. She looked surprised to see Rannoch with Brianna. “Milord, what can I do for you?” she asked.
Rannoch felt Brianna’s hand tighten on his arm. “Please leave us with Laird Blackburn. We have some things of great import to discuss.”
“Perchance I could help,” Sorcha offered.
“Nay, Sorcha, we dinna need your help. Brianna and I wish to talk to her father alone.”
“Milord, he is getting better. Still I canna say for certain he will grasp your meaning.”
Rannoch shot her a stern gaze. “Leave us.”
She nodded and hurried out of the room. Brianna squeezed his arm. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Sorcha always closes the curtains. Allow me to get a little light in here,” Rannoch said stepping away from Brianna and pulling back the drapes. Better light would allow him to see Brian’s expressions more clearly.
The chamber did not have the same air about it. Something seemed different. Rannoch could not determine what. The same orderly containers of medicines sat in one corner. Then it struck him. The stench of illness no longer lingered in the chamber. Perchance Sorcha cut back the dose too much.
Brian Blackburn still lay in his opulent bedding. His eyes were open and Brianna already approached her father. Rannoch walked up behind her and placed his hand on the middle of her back. Did he imagine it, or did Brian recoil when Rannoch touched her? He would see soon enough. Rannoch rubbed his hand up and down until Brianna gazed at him and smiled.
“Should I tell father, or will you?” she asked.
“I will tell him, love,” he said kissing her hair. He stared straight into Blackburn’s eyes. Was there a bit of fire there? “Brianna and I wish to marry, Laird. We ask for your blessing.”
Brian’s eyes locked on Rannoch.
“Father, I love Rowan,” Brianna cut in. “Katie doesna wish to marry him and he has asked me to be his wife in her stead.” She stroked her father’s face. “Rowan can protect us and see to our lands until you recover or Jamie gets old enough to handle things himself.”
Blackburn lay motionless in the bedding breathing hard. “Laird, I am sorry, but I dinna ken if you approve or not,” Rannoch said.
Brian struggled to speak. “W-w-when?” he finally spat.
Again Rannoch’s bride-to-be’s face lit with a smile. “As soon as we can, Father,” she said.
Rannoch took Brianna’s hand. “Love, let me speak with your father alone so that he may feel free to tell me of this concerns. I will come and find you when I am done.”
“But… Rowan….”
“Please, Brianna,” Rannoch said. “Sometimes men must talk alone when things are of such great import.”
“All right,” she agreed finally. Kissing her father, she fled the room.
Crossing his arms over his chest, Rannoch looked down at his enemy. “You should be glad I wish to marry her, Laird,” he said. “Brianna is an impetuous girl. She tempts me at every turn and allows me liberties no man should take without benefit of wedlock.”
Brian Blackburn’s face turned to stone. It barely seemed like he drew a breath. Not quite the reaction Rannoch expected. It could be the man still laid infirmed.
“I havena taken her yet, but the temptation is great with her so beautiful and so willing. Her breasts are so perfect. I have seen them… suckled while she held me to her.”
His enemy did not move. Arching his brow, Rannoch studied Brian. “We will wed in three days. Do you remember that date, Laird? ‘Tis when you took your beloved Katherine as your wife.” He smiled. “Brianna picked it. She is anxious to be mine.” Rannoch shrugged. “I will accept your silence as approval.” He leaned closer and grabbed Brian’s arm. “Ken I will enjoy every part of her to the fullest, plant my seed in her womb, and watch as my child grows within her. Our families will be joined by the blood of my offspring.” Stepping back, he shook his head. “Sorcha’s medicine has worked well if this doesna make you rise up and kill me.” Satisfied his enemy could do him no harm, Rannoch left the laird’s chamber.
Brian Blackburn listened until Rannoch’s footsteps faded in the distance. Finally, Brian let out the anguished scream he held in the whole time the monster touched Brianna and told tales of things that should never have taken place. Brian’s body chained him to his ornate bed. Helpless, he prayed that Ian Innes returned in time to save Brianna from the man who would ruin her life.
The d
oor creaked open and Tessa and Jamie entered. “Father, how are you feeling today?” Jamie asked.
They both came to his beside. Tessa’s face wore a grim mask. “Ask Tessa how I am?” Brian said to his son. “I can tell she kens more about what has transpired than you.”
Brushing back her white-blonde hair, Tessa took Brian’s hand. “I ken it doesna seem so, but we will be saved.”
“Before that bastard takes your sister?” Brian bellowed. “He toys with her, takes liberties with her body, and mars her innocence with his evil.”
“What?” Jamie said. “Rannoch has not married her yet.”
“It doesna matter. He is wise beyond her years. He uses her innocence and her desire for him to lead her astray. I ken it is true. I lay and watched as he rubbed her back and kissed her. He claims to have done much more behind closed doors. She revels in his touch.”
“Tell me what to do,” Jamie petitioned. “How can I make her come to her senses?”
“You cannot, unless you find a way to make him drop his mask in front of her. ‘Tis not likely. Rannoch is an old hand at deception. Even I did not see him for what he was until it became too late.”
“Short of that, what else can Tess and I do?”
“Perchance we could convince her to sequester herself in the days before her wedding,” Tessa offered.
“Will she listen?” Brian asked.
Tessa broke into a smile. “We could pretend to be happy for her and encourage her to heed this request. At least it would keep him from her for the few days before the wedding.”
Brian felt uplifted by his youngest daughter’s suggestion. They might sway Brianna if she thought the family supported her marriage. “If we do this and help doesna arrive in time, he will have her. Thus far, the only thing that has saved Brianna is that his lineage is in question. ‘Tis said his father thought Rannoch’s mother lay with others before they wed. His father believed she came to him with another man’s bastard in her belly. For this reason, Rannoch wilna take Brianna until the vows are spoken.”
“Why has she not saved herself?” Jamie asked. “How could she let him touch her before the wedding?”
“How could you let the Red Witch teach you the ways of the bedchamber, Jamie? It is much the same,” Brian said with a sigh.
Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander Page 21