Rannoch’s manic laughter echoed through the room. “He will watch me take you,” he told Katie.
Outside the door, the first strike of the battering ram shook the whole place. Rannoch looked Ian in the eye, took the knife from Katie’s throat, and plunged it into Brianna’s thigh. Brianna shrieked, twisting against her restraints.
Lifting Katie’s skirt, Rannoch sought to mount her from behind.
The pounding sound of the battering ram drew Rannoch’s attention to the door. Ian slipped the padlock from the chain and lunged across the bed. In one quick motion, Ian tumbled Rannoch to the floor and wrapped the chain around Rannoch’s neck. Ian pulled it taut. “You are a dead man,” Ian said as he tightened his grip. The weighty chain bit into Rannoch’s neck. Rannoch flailed and kicked. Katie joined in pummeling Rannoch as Ian slowly squeezed the life out of him. Eventually Rannoch’s face turned white, and then tinged with blue. With one last gurgle, he fell limp.
Taking the knife, Katie cut the ties that bound her sister to the bed. Brianna curled into a ball weeping. Wrapping a blanket around her, Katie hugged Brianna tight as she sobbed uncontrollably into Katie’s shoulder. Katie looked at Ian. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He reached across and stroked her face.
The final thrust of the battering ram splintered through the door. Ian turned as Jared and five of his men rushed into the room. “It’s over,” he told them. “I think we could use Asilinn’s help. Brianna is wounded.”
“Please fetch my wife,” Jared said to one of his men.
A short time later, Asilinn entered the room and took charge. “One of you carry Brianna to her own chamber. It doesna look too serious. I will tend her there.”
Ian moved to accommodate Asilinn’s request. Jared stopped him. “I’d get rid of the chain first if I were you.”
“Aye, so,” Ian agreed. He picked the key up off the floor and unlocked the collar. The long chain clanged as it fell from his neck. Ian moved back to the bed and picked up Brianna. Katie walked behind them with her hand on Ian’s back. As soon as he settled Brianna into her bed, Katie rushed into his arms. He held her fast, stroking her fiery hair.
“I trust you with my life,” she whispered.
He smiled down at her. “I am sure you had a moment’s doubt.”
“And then I obeyed,” she reminded him.
He gave her a tired smile. “Will you stay a bit with Brianna and Asilinn? I must help Jared get this mess cleaned up.”
Her face grew serious. “There is blood on the bed.”
“He stabbed her in the leg.”
“Before that,” Katie said. “It is in just the right spot….”
“Katie, we may never ken what happened between Brianna and Rannoch. ‘Twas clear they were both under the influence of some powerful potion.”
“Sorcha, where is Sorcha?”
Jamie answered from the open door of Brianna’s room. “Sorcha is gone.”
Katie rose and hit her brother in the chest. “You warned her. You helped her escape!”
He looked down at her. “She fled without my aid. I saw her and didna try to stop her. She was but a pawn in game not of her making.”
“How can you be so sure?”
He smiled. “’Tis true,” he said simply.
Chapter 34
In the weeks that followed, Angus traveled to Duntaigh in order to be present at Katie and Ian’s wedding. Angus Innes was a shadow of his former self. Asilinn saved her father, but despite Erland’s sacrifice, the blade that pierced Laird Innes’ chest did irreparable damage. The old laird struggled to draw his breath at the slightest exertion. It astounded Katie that her soon to be father-in-law took it so well. His mood seemed unaltered by the fate that had befallen him.
“I am so happy Ian found you,” he told her. “I prayed for so long he would fall in love, marry, and produce heirs to carry on our line.”
“Milord, you have Asilinn and Jared’s brood.”
“Aye, so, but Jared counts on his sons to be the defenders of Dunbocan. Ian needs sons to do the same for Cairngorm Castle.” He smiled and hugged her. “When we go to Cairngorm, I will give Ian leadership of the clan. My frailty makes me do what I should have considered before now.” Angus squeezed her hand. “’Twill be your new home. You will be mistress of Cairngorm Castle, and a lovely one at that. You look so like your mother.”
Hesitantly Katie pushed for more information about his relationship with her mother. “Father tells me my mother almost married you.”
Angus chuckled, which sent him gasping for breath. “I fell for Lady Katherine the moment her father brought her to my keep,” he said when he recovered enough to speak. “She was the first woman I wanted to marry after Ian’s mother died. Our wedding plans were set when she first met your father. Brian came to visit. I stood in the great hall of Cairngorm Castle and watched my dreams turn to ash. It became clear from their first meeting they shared a spark her marriage to me would not snuff out. ‘Twas better for me to free her from her promise than to have her cuckold me with my best friend later.” He smiled and touched Katie’s cheek. “You are made in her image, but you, my dear, are much fiercer in your beliefs and actions.”
“Not quite the fine lady my mother was,” Katie admitted with a grin.
“You are perfect for Ian. He needs a woman with spirit and he found one in you.”
“And before me, he almost married Skye MacLean.”
“He and Skye are like brother and sister, mischievous to a fault. He loves her, but not in the way he loves you.” He rumpled his brow. “Do you question Ian’s love for you?”
Katie shook her head. “Nay, Milord, but I had occasion to meet Skye when we traveled to Dunbocan. She is everything you said and more. Skye is one of the most beautiful women I have ever met.”
“I am surrounded by beautiful women: Skye, Asilinn, Devon, and you, sweet Katie. Each of you shines in your own way. Your physical beauty is but the surface covering the strength and character you each have.” He shrugged. “Were the outside less beautiful, it wouldna change the deep feelings of pride and love I have for you.”
Moved to tears, Katie drew a deep breath and tried to hide how much his words affected her. “All of you welcomed me into your hearts in a way I had not expected after the massacre I caused by running off with Ian.”
“That was not your doing. We chose to be there and fight. ‘Twas Rannoch who did the foul deed, not you.”
This time Katie could not hold back. The tears streaked down her cheeks and Angus handed her his handkerchief to mop them away.
“What’s this?” Ian’s voice rang out. “Did you make my betrothed cry, Father?”
“Only because I am so touched by his support,” Katie assured Ian.
“I have good news. All is in readiness. The bishop will perform the wedding ceremony tomorrow.“
“I will leave you two alone then and run off to make the final preparations.” She kissed Ian on her way out.
As she walked down the passage, Katie’s mind flew back to what Angus said. Rannoch was to blame. Her thoughts went to Brianna. If it were not for her sister, Katie would have been content. Brianna barely spoke or ate. Despite Asilinn’s best efforts, Brianna remained apart from all of them.
The mood at Duntaigh Castle turned from dark and depressed to jubilant and joyful. Under Asilinn’s care, Katie’s father could walk again. He made strides beyond anyone’s expectations and eagerly prepared to give Katie away at the wedding. The day was at hand.
“Be still,” Maura scolded as she put the last touches on Katie’s outfit.
“We are done,” Katie said. “Ian has seen me at my best and at my worst and still he loves me.”
“Aye, he does. I see it in his eyes every time he looks at you.”
Katie smiled. “So you think he will like my choice?” she asked, spinning in the ivory-colored velvet gown. The dress fit her like a glove, hugging her curves. The tiny glass beads that adorned the bodice glitter
ed in the candlelight. Maura had affixed the same glass beads to the cream-colored netting under her headband. It formed a misty, beaded covering over her red-gold hair.
“How could he not, Milady?”
“I must see Brianna before the ceremony. Tell father I will meet him outside the great hall at the appointed hour.”
“Are you sure, lass? Your sister is ashamed of what she did.”
“She is still my sister and I would have her at my wedding.” Katie sighed and glanced around her chamber. “I ken how Brianna felt about Rannoch. Although I think her feelings were misplaced, I understand her pain. She loved him and then found out how he betrayed her.”
“Do you think he took her?” Maura frowned. “I’m sorry, Milady. I shouldna have asked, but….”
“Asilinn advises that Brianna came under the influence of a powerful potion that night. None of us will ever ken the truth unless Brianna remembers.”
“I canna believe Jamie let the Red Witch escape,” Maura complained.
Arching her brow, Katie smiled. “I can.”
Maura shook her head. “And your father canna forgive Brianna for her folly. I fear he will marry her off to some distant laird just to get her out of his sight.”
“Aye, so. I will try to convince him otherwise, but if her belly swells with Rannoch’s child, father will find a way to remove her from Duntaigh.” Katie smoothed her hair. “Will you do as I ask and tell father I will meet him outside the great hall?”
“Aye.”
The chamber was dark save for the glow of the fire. Brianna sat near the dying embers staring into them as if they would provide some cure for what ailed her. She barely noticed Katie entered the room.
“Brianna,” Katie called. Her sister did not stir. Coming closer, Katie sat down beside Brianna. “I would speak to you, if you would allow it.”
Brianna looked at Katie with glazed eyes. “You are marrying Ian today.”
“Aye, and I would like you to come.”
“How can you ask this? Our father looks at me with hate because of Rannoch.” She rubbed her hand across her flat belly. “I dinna ken if he took me, if I carry his child. As soon as I drank Sorcha’s potion, my wits left me.”
Katie took Brianna’s hand. “You dinna remember anything?”
Tearing up, Brianna looked at her at her lap. “How honest do you want me to be?”
“There has always been truth between us, even when we do not agree. Nothing you can say will make me turn away.”
Brianna gazed into Katie’s eyes. “I came to him eager to be his wife. He watched me take off my gown and gave me the wine mixed with Sorcha’s elixir. Sorcha came out of the shadows and helped him tie me to the bed then he sent her away.”
“She was there.”
Brianna nodded. “I was so angry I struck Rannoch and hit me back.”
“Then what?”
“It grows misty. The potion spawned a deep need inside my body. I believe I would have welcomed any man inside me to fill the craving. I remember intense physical pleasure.” She shrugged. “But I felt that before, when I let him see all of me, touch me, and kiss me in places he should never have seen before the wedding. I dinna ken what happened. The night hides itself in a fog I canna dissolve.”
“Would you be happy if you carried his child?”
The question seemed to shake Brianna to the core. “I loved him, but he showed me on our wedding night how wrong I was about him.” She rubbed her belly again. “Still, the child would be part of me as well.”
Katie hugged her. “Brianna, please come today. I will stand by you no matter what father thinks. You are my sister… forever.”
Pushing back from her embrace, Brianna gave Katie a tearful smile. “My presence will spoil the day.”
“Nay, Brianna. Your presence will make the day complete. Let me send Maura to help you get ready. Please….”
With a winsome nod, Brianna agreed. “For you, I will come.”
“Thank you,” Katie breathed. She hurried off to find Maura.
Spellbound, Ian watched Katie come toward him through the gathered throng. Katie glowed in the candlelight. Her white dress shimmered with a thousand glass beads. He watched her breast rise and fall above the bodice of her gown, admired her creamy skin. Ian thought of the first time he touched her, the night in the inn when she offered all. Katie made good on her promise, even if that was not what she intended. She gave herself to him, made him whole, and alive in a way he never knew before. Her red-gold hair shone under the sheer beaded veil. She looked up at him and her sea-green eyes twinkled with mischief. Only hours ago she enticed him beneath her skirt in one last dalliance before their union became legal. In her, he met his match.
Brian Blackburn took halting steps as he brought his daughter to the bishop, but he walked thanks to Asilinn. Ian took Katie’s hand as Brian accepted Jamie’s help into a chair on the elevated platform at the end of the great hall. Brianna sat beside Tessa. Ian saw a brief scowl cross Brian’s face when Brian saw his wayward daughter. He recovered well and settled into his seat.
Katie’s thoughts wandered as the bishop droned on in what seemed like a never ending ceremony. Finally, she and Ian stepped forward and spoke their vows. Katie’s voice quavered as she agreed to be Ian’s forever. Tears welled in her eyes as he offered up the same pledge. Ian swept her into his arms, spinning her around and kissing her repeatedly as the crowd howled. Finally, he set her back on the ground.
“I give you Lady Katherine Blackburn Innes,” he said holding her hand high. A chorus of cheers rose from the gathering.
“Husband,” she whispered. “Let us go about the feasting and dancing so we may once more find the privacy of our chamber.”
“You still hunger for my child.”
“Aye, a child will bind us together through eternity. I want to create a life that is part of you and part of me.”
Ian found her lips with a searing kiss. “You will drive me mad, sweet Katie. And I shall revel in every moment we are together.” He grinned. “I promise to plant my seed at every opportunity.”
Laughing she took his arm and the feasting began in earnest. Bagpipes, flutes, and harps took turns filling the great hall with spirited music. Ian grabbed Katie and led her in more than one lively dance until she begged to rest for a bit and visit with the fine lairds and ladies assembled to celebrate their nuptials.
Hours later, Katie leaned heavily against Ian. “Do you see that older gentleman in the corner?”
“You mean the one who canna keep his eyes off Brianna?”
“You see it too.” Katie expelled a deep breath. “I pray that is not some distant laird summoned by father to take Brianna from us.”
“You think he plans to send her away?”
“Oh, he will be sure to find her a suitable husband, but the man wilna be of her choosing. As far as he’s concerned her lack of judgment in loving Rannoch prevents her from having a say in any of it.” Katie arched her brow. “Father thinks she needs to be far away to put this whole mess with Rannoch behind her.”
“I have found that things almost always happen the way they are meant to despite man’s desire to meddle in God’s plan.” Ian brushed her cheek with his finger. “And what do you think, love?”
“I think you are right, but ‘twill kill Brianna to be separated from all her kin.”
“Out of our hands,” Ian advised.
Sniffing, Katie nodded. “Perchance you would take me to our chamber and make me forget this possibility.”
He gave her a warm smile. “I am ever at your service, wife.”
A short time later, Katie and Ian stood outside the door of the chamber where he took her innocence weeks ago. Ian looked down at her and smiled. “I prepared some special things to make this night more memorable,” he said. With that, he opened the door, picked her up, and carried her into her chamber pushing the door shut behind them as he went.
A blazing fire lit the room. On the floor close to the hea
rth, a nest of white lamb skins formed a comfortable bed near the flames. Katie saw a swath of white silk, an ostrich plume, a fur glove, and a bowl filled with a rich, honey-brown liquid beside the bed Ian prepared for them. He set her on her feet.
“Up for a little adventure?” he asked.
“Aye,” she breathed. “We are man and wife now.”
“About time,” Ian retorted.
Laughing, Katie stepped away from him and began unfastening her gown. Ian came over beside her and staid her hand. “Please, allow me,” he said.
Dropping her hands to her sides, she felt his fingers ringing the neckline of her gown then ever so slowly opening her bodice. She inhaled sharply when he ran both his hands inside her gown to kiss her breasts and gently push the top of her dress down around her waist. Katie reached over and pulled his plaid off his shoulder. She lifted his shirt until he took the task from her, jerked it over his head, and discarded it on the floor. Katie dropped her head back as Ian bent to caress her neck. Her breasts rubbed against his muscular chest as he spent an eternity kissing her neck and shoulders.
At length, Ian straightened and unfastened the clasp that held the skirt around her waist. His hands ran down her ribs to her hips pushing the gown with them. It fell to the floor. Only her veil remained. She went to remove it, but he stopped her. “I will do that,” he told her. He took off her headband and removed the veil. Ian wrapped the sheer beaded material around her naked body.
“You look like an angel,” he whispered touching her breasts through the transparent covering. He teased her nipples to tight peaks with his play then moved lower to feel the heart of her. The tiny glass beads rolled across her skin enhancing the feel of his probing fingers. Katie drew a ragged breath. “There is much more to come,” he told her. Ian pulled the veil off of her and discarded it.
Looking into his eyes, Katie smiled, freed his plaid, and let it drop away. “What now, love?”
“Lie down upon the bed I prepared for us,” he entreated. She did as he asked and he settled down beside her. He propped on one elbow. “How does it feel?” he asked.
Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander Page 25