“Thank you,” Kate said as she lowered her gaze, surprised by his gesture. Her stomach fluttered full force. Her breath caught for a moment before she raised her lids.
Shane croaked. “Shall we?”
Together, they stepped out into the morning sun.
“Katie, my dear, ‘tis a beautiful morning.”
Surprised by his endearment, Kate gazed up at Shane. The day was clear and bright. The morning was a bit chilly. The day promised to be warm.
“Indeed, it is. Your highlands are beautiful. I am impressed with everything I have seen. I enjoy my walks around the area. There is so much beauty.”
Shane grinned, and Kate realized he was proud of his home and pleased she liked it.
“Let us start in yer wee garden. I look forward to seeing what ye have there.”
Kate agreed and as they walked to the side of the keep Shane commented, “My mum started this garden when she married the old man. We had a vegetable garden of course, but, she knew a wee bit of the healing arts herself. When she died, no one cared for it. ‘Tis good to see it growing again.”
Kate nodded. “I had no idea your mother was skilled in healing. It is a wonderful garden, full of many varieties. I have tried to do justice to the site.” Kate stopped. “If you don’t mind me asking, how did she die?”
“She died giving birth to a wee bairn. He lived another day and then he passed on to the other world as well. I was eleven at the time. Mum was a sweet, dear woman. I can still hear her lovely voice and smell her wonderful scent. Da took it very hard. A part of him died with them. Another part died when William was killed three years ago. He loved them so very much. When I see ye in this garden, it reminds me of her. I know it’s the same for him.”
“I am so sorry. I hope I haven’t brought up painful memories. The garden was terribly neglected. Perhaps it was preferred that way so as not to be a constant reminder.”
“Aye, they are painful memories, though sweet just the same.” Shane, standing next to Kate, looked into her upturned face. “‘Tis good to see it growing again.”
Kate smiled and patted Shane’s arm.
“I am glad. Well. . .” Kate said softly. “Shall we see what we have here? A good many of the plants in this garden were here. I have added a few.”
Kate pointed out the various herbs she found growing when she cleaned away the debris, now proud to know a bit about the woman who first planted them.
“I gathered many young plants on my walks around the loch. Some I left where I found them. They are happier where they are,” Kate said. “I know where I can find them.”
Kate babbled excitedly about her subject. She transformed from quiet and soft-spoken to bright and talkative.
Shane chuckled.
Kate stopped talking and frowned.
“Oh, I dinna mean for ye to stop. I was just listening to ye and was surprised. I have never heard ye say so many words at one time.” Shane chuckled again.
Kate blushed. She pushed playfully at his chest. “Come on. You wanted to see what I could show you. If we are going to see it, we better be going.”
Kate laughed and picked up a gathering basket as she headed toward the stables of the keep. Shane followed, still chuckling.
She warmed up to her subject, and Shane. Kate didn’t always know what to say to him. Being his prisoner seemed to get in the way. Now speaking with Shane, she relaxed. She talked about something she loved. Maybe that was the difference. Shane’s request for help had enabled them to find a bit of common ground.
Shane looked forward to spending the day with Kate. They rode across the stone bridge from the castle to the mainland and he led them to the large loch heading west through fields where the stocky longhaired cattle grazed. The bull’s head came up, looking intently to assess the interruption of his meal. The animal sniffed the air. A few cows followed suit but not detecting any tension from the bull, they lowered their heads to once again munch the young tender grasses. Shane watched as they rode past.
“So, Katie, lass. How come ye have never spoken so much in a short time before?” Shane referred to her enthusiastic explanation at the herb garden.
“Perhaps I did not want to speak to you before,” Kate said. She tilted her head as if in contemplation.
Shane put his hand to his heart. “Och, lass, ye hurt me. Of course, ye would want to speak to me! Ye talk to Iain. Surely, I’m a great deal better to talk with.”
“I don’t know. Iain can be very amusing,” Kate teased. “I like his jokes.”
“He learned every one of those jokes from me. He’d have nothing what so ever to say without me telling him his next words. Truly.” Shane smiled, merriment and a bit of the devil in his eyes.
Kate laughed. “Perhaps your witty repartee left me speechless.”
Shane laughed. They shared a bit of bantering and teased each other as they made their way around the loch.
Later on, Kate led Shane to the bog on the northwest side of the loch. She pointed out the wintergreen growing wild in the wet peat.
Continuing on, Kate showed her finds to Shane. They dismounted, as it was easier to see the different herbs growing in the close area. Kate picked various plants and placed them in her basket. She dug some to plant in her garden, others she picked to simply eat as they went along.
“What’s this yer givin’ me to eat?” Shane studied the tiny, jagged-edged leaf.
“It’s a dandelion. You’ve seen them before. This is what they look like when they’re young. Very good. Good for you.”
“Interesting,” Shane said. “I dinna realize the range of leaves, seeds, and roots ye could eat.”
As they approached the forest on the north side of the loch, they disturbed a herd of red deer. They stood silently for a moment.
“Beautiful, aren’t they?” Kate said as the herd settled down a short distance from them.
“Aye, they are. Look there, at the stag. His head held high, sniffing the air for danger, ready to do battle if needed, protecting his herd.” Shane studied him admiringly. “He has already cast his antlers. Ye can see the new ones coming in. It seems as if a few of the does will be calving this year. We’ll have to be careful hunting so as not to take a mum from her calf.”
Kate questioned. “You never hunt a doe with a calf?”
“Nay, the calf willna live. To preserve the future of the herd and therefore yer own, ye cull the herd carefully,” Shane explained. “It did not matter how hungry things got around here, we have always been careful.”
“Of course,” Kate observed. “It’s the same principle collecting herbs and roots. You never take all of the plants. It is very important to leave some behind so the plant can reproduce itself. You only take what you need and find a use for all you take.”
“Aye, ’tis the same idea,” Shane said with a smile.
The herd moved on and the spell was broken.
Shane clasped Kate’s hand. He rubbed the spot across her thumb. She glanced at him, a blush in her cheeks. She didn’t let go. They walked on. Kate discovered a wild strawberry field just sprouting under several walnut trees.
“Aw, walnut trees. I’d missed those.” She pointed them out to Shane.
“Walnut trees could be used for many things besides just the nut. We can tap the tree for the sap to make sugar. Perhaps some of the boys wouldn’t mind assisting me. Once the nuts are ripe, the edible oil from the seed can be used in cooking and soap making..”
Shane agreed. “’Tis a good idea.”
Walking a small distance, they came upon the Belladonna plants.
“This particular plant, Belladonna, is a good example of plants I have just left alone but kept in my mind in case it was needed. It is a good plant for relaxation and a sleep aid, however, it is poisonous and I felt it was
not safe to grow around the castle.”
“Aye, I can see why.” He looked at her admiringly.
“Come, there is much to be seen,” Kate urged.
By early afternoon, Shane was awed by what Kate had shown him and they had yet to complete their walk around the loch. With a lunch prepared by Merta they did not have to return to the castle before they were finished. After their long morning, Shane and Kate were hungry and needed a rest. Shane suggested they stop at a spot near the loch.
“This is a favorite spot. I came here as a boy dreaming of faraway lands that existed in the books I read. I fought imaginary battles and, of course, won.” He smiled. “I was explorer, warrior, and king.”
Kate laughed. “A fine one you were, indeed.”
“Aye, that I was.”
The slight breeze coming across the cool water was inviting.
“Oh, the air feels nice,” she said.
“Aye, the day grew warm as expected.”
They found a grassy seat and made themselves comfortable. Kate unpacked the midday meal of bread, dried fruit, and cheese. Shane went the short distance to the loch and filled a skin with the sweet, fresh water. They sat back in companionable silence and ate.
“Katie, my dear, have ye ever been to the Highlands before?”
“I have not. I have lived in Dumbarton for the last three years but have never had the opportunity to travel north. It is beautiful, so very different from the lowlands.”
“Aye, ‘tis,” Shane agreed. “I knew ye had a home in Scotland. I did not realize ‘tis in Dumbarton. I know the area but not well.”
Kate lowered her gaze to her hands in her lap. A tear rolled down her cheek over the loss of her beloved home.
“I don’t suppose I have a home there any longer. I would imagine Andrew has taken it over by now. I am sure at this point, you probably know more than I. I shall miss my cottage a great deal.”
“Nay, as I said I dinna realize it was in Dumbarton. Katie, lass ye have a home here. One ye dinna have to worry about someone taking from ye. Yer safe here. We love ye and care for ye.”
Shane clasped her hands in his and gave them a gentle squeeze. He then caught Kate’s face in his hands and wiped her tears with his thumbs.
“No worries, sweet,” he said gently, giving comfort. He lowered his lips to hers, gently demanding she open her own. He savored her sweet, spicy taste as he caressed her tongue with his.
Shane’s kiss took every thought from her head. Shane kissed her so tenderly it was a balm to her soul. As he moved closer, she felt lightheaded as her troubles melted away. Kate wouldn’t deny herself this flood of sensation and giddy ease. She slid her hands over his muscled biceps and clutched the cloth of his shirt, hanging on as her world tilted.
Shane broke the kiss, moving instead to kiss her forehead and temple. He released his hold on her face and moved his hands down to her shoulders then her arms, rubbing them up and down before letting her go.
Kate wiped away any lingering tears and gave him a contented smile. As she looked into his strong face, she didn’t know if she could leave this man, this tenderhearted man, with whom she was falling in love. She hoped Smithers was wrong. She wanted to believe she found a home, she was safe and a man such as this would love her in return.
With a catch in her breath, Kate said. “When I arrived here, it seems like such a long time ago, I can honestly say the last thing I expected was to find loving, caring people and a home.”
Leaning against the lone tree shading them, Shane smiled. He drew her into his arms, held her and placed her head in the crook between his collarbone and shoulder. She could feel his heart, its rhythm lazy and relaxed. As he hugged her tight, his warmth flowed into her.
They sat for a little while reveling in the comfort of each other. Too soon they decided it was time to continue their trek. Shane lay back on his side while Kate washed her hands and face in the loch. When she finished, Kate stood up, drying her hands on her skirt. She caught Shane looking at her intently with those eyes the color of an afternoon storm. A small chill raced down her spine and she felt a flutter in the pit of her stomach. Her body warmed under his scrutiny.
“The sun shines fiercely on yer hair. Its bright color glows, ready to burst into flame.”
Shane held her eyes for a moment until she looked away.
“Lord, yer beautiful,” he said under his breath.
Kate smiled the slightest of smiles.
“’Tis about time we continue our jaunt, do ye agree?” Shane cleared his throat and rose to his feet.
“Yes, it is. We have much to see.” Kate nodded. The way he looked at her just now, she felt beautiful.
She walked toward their picnic area and gathered up the extra food, cloths and basket. Shane knelt to help her. Kate reached for some uneaten fruit as Shane did and their hands touched.
The fruit forgotten, Shane took her hand in his. Looking into her eyes, Shane brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed her fingertips. He turned over her hand and placed a kiss on her wrist. Her pulse quickened under his lips. He raised his head and looked into her face. Kate melted as she stared into his eyes and her stomach fluttered. Warmth spread down into her breasts and pooled between her thighs. Her breath quickened.
Shane stood up, pulling her with him. He brought her close. Still holding her hand, he brought his arms around her, locking her against his hard frame. Kate’s head laid back. Her green eyes stared into Shane’s grey.
“Ye are so very lovely,” Shane whispered and bent his head toward hers.
Their lips touched. Caressed. Feather light. The warmth flooded through Kate’s body, her face flushed. Her traitorous breath disappeared.
“Och, lass,” Shane whispered once more and kissed her again.
His kiss was firmer, deeper with his tongue gently but persistently pressing into her mouth. Kate lost resistance. Shane pressed harder, holding her tight against him, his arm a steel band across her back, molding his body to every inch of hers. His hand rubbed her back and up into her hair. Shane kissed her passionately. Finally, he broke off the kiss and held her close to him, his breath ragged with desire.
Kate hung on to Shane’s strong arms, afraid she would fall. Feeling his hands on her, her body blazed. She had never been kissed like this before, never with such gentleness and care. Never with such passion and desire. Her own desire rising to heights new to her.
Shane bent his head to her once more. The kiss as ever passionate as the last, Kate broke this one off unable to catch her breath.
“M’lord, you must allow me to breathe.”
Shane loosened his grip without letting her go completely.
“Aye, Katie,” Shane whispered into her ear as he moved his hands up and down her body. “Ye have to breathe.”
Kate smiled as she looked at him. He shuddered as he exhaled a long breath.
Shane squeezed her until she let out a small yelp. He chuckled again and released her. Kate smiled at him brightly.
They gathered the rest of their things, then Shane packed them onto his destrier. He grabbed a hold of Kate again, this time kissing her briefly on the nose before he lifted her up onto her horse. Kate rewarded him with a brilliant smile.
“Katie, my love, ye have a smile that rivals the sun.”
Chapter 17
Shane and Kate returned to the castle in the early evening, scattering chickens and geese as the huge horses trotted in. They’d rode around the rest of the loch as Kate finished showing Shane the discoveries she made on her many walks. They both were pleased with their progress and enjoyed a long pleasant day in the company of each other.
Shane dismounted, lifted Kate out of the saddle and set her down gently, holding her too close as she slid down the front of him. Kate blushed furiously. She made a ha
lf-hearted attempt to push Shane away, noticing the audience surrounding them. Shane glanced around and realized her discomfort. He set her from him. Grabbing her hand, he quickly led the way through the hall and into his study. Once there, he shut the door and faced Kate.
“Och, I canna think of nothing but yer lips. I have to have one more taste, m’lady.”
Color graced Kate’s cheeks as he stepped toward her and drew her into his powerful arms. His heart beat steadily against hers. He surrounded her with his heat as her lips met his.
Just as Shane was getting serious about this particular kiss, there was a knock at the door.
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