In Pursuit of a Scottish Lady (Moonstone Magic Book 2)

by Hunt, Brenda

  Colin said they would take things slowly. What did that mean? This was new territory to her. These feelings were so strange yet so incredible, all at the same time. Maybe, she would ask Elsbeth but then she wasn’t sure she wanted to share any of this yet. With a deep sigh, Lili rose from her chair. She would do as Colin suggested, slowly, one day at a time.

  The days and nights took own their own routine. Slowly, she relinquished more and more of the daily decisions to Colin. It felt good to have someone one to lean on. But there was a small part of her that still felt like Colin was hiding something from her. She didn’t believe it was something serious but there was something that plagued him. He had a secret, of that she was certain. Probably, something from the war, because he did mention he had been a soldier. Soldiers often saw things that stayed with them. That’s what she told herself.

  The nights she spent in his bed were the most amazing feelings she had ever experienced. He could make her body feel things she never knew existed. He made it where she was eager to learn. As wonderful as it was, there were things she did not understand, things he did that confused her.

  Every night in the predawn hours, he carried her back to her bed. There were so many times, she so wanted to wake up in his arms and see the sun shining through the windows. For some unknown reason, that small detail had become important to her. Why, she had no idea. And there was also the fact, ever since that first time, he never again emptied his seed within her. Always, he withdrew and emptied himself beside her. Why, again she did not understand. As much as she wanted to understand, she could not ask him.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Several weeks later, Colin watched Lili as she braided her hair for the day. He had come to her room before she went down for the day. How he loved it hanging loose about her shoulders and back. Better yet, he loved it entwined about them. It smelled of heather. It smelled of Lili. But he was here for a different reason. It was so hard to think of anything else when he was alone with her, especially with her bed temptingly near.

  He had been putting this discussion off for the last few days. As much as he wanted to stay, he knew too well, his responsibilities were demanding his attention at home. He needed to make arrangements for Glendenning and all his other properties.

  “Lili, my sweet,” started Colin. Lili raised those clear blue eyes of hers. The trust he found in them now, touched that special place in his soul. How had she wrapped herself so tightly about that hardened heart of his? “There is something I need to discuss with you.”

  Lili nodded. She knew something had been on his mind the past few days. He had appeared restless. She was afraid she knew what it was about. He was getting restless and needed to be on his way. She knew that day would come. She thought she would be better prepared.

  “I need to go to Edinburgh. There is business there I need to tend to. I have delayed longer than I should have,” explained Colin. He watched Lili’s face closely. He saw the momentary fear before she dropped her gaze.

  “The Duke you were on an errand for?” she asked remembering when he first came, he had mentioned the Duke. Several times, he had sent letters to him while here.

  “Yes,” replied Colin. He should explain more to her, actually everything to her, but he hesitated. He felt like the time was not right, yet. He believed she would not understand now. When he came back from Edinburgh, he would tell her everything. By then, he would have everything in place to make certain Glendenning would never need or want for anything ever again. Then, he could explain everything to her. Glendenning would be safe and there would be nothing she could say or do about it.

  Lili nodded again and looked away. She did not trust her voice but she needed to ask him. “Will you be returning?” she whispered. She feared his answer. It had always been in the back of her mind, but she had tried to bury it deep. To be dealt with at some later date. Well, it seemed this was the later date.

  Colin noticed her withdrawal. He needed to reassure her. “Yes, of course. That is why I would like to bring Aiden with me. I believe he is old enough to learn about business dealings.”

  Lili turned to him in surprise. For a brief moment, she thought it was a good idea. But then her motherly instinct said no. Aiden was much too young.

  Colin smiled, knowing her first reaction would be no. “Do not be hasty in your decision, Lili. I promise you this will be a learning experience for him. I will take very good care of him.”

  “But he is so young,” argued Lili. But she remembered, she was not much older than Aiden, the first time she accompanied her father to Edinburgh.

  “Perhaps, but this will be good for him. He will see it as something of adventure, but he will learn at the same time. It is something he will remember as he grows older. It is time, he learns about the world outside of Glendenning, if he is to be a good laird.”

  Everything Colin said had a ring of truth to it. A trip to Edinburgh would be good for Aiden but---

  Lili sighed. “As much as I believe this would be good for him,” Lili lowered her gaze to the floor. “I have no moneys to give Aiden for this trip,” she replied softly, embarrassed to be finally admitting the fact to Colin. She hated the thought of not being able to allow Aiden this trip, but she had to think of what was good for everyone.

  Colin watched her closely. She was finally admitting to him she had financial problems. Perhaps, she was finally, trusting him, truly trusting him. “I will be paying for us both.”

  Lili raised her head up and stared at him through narrowed eyes. “No, I can’t allow you to do that.” She shook her head. “No.” How could she explain to him, she barely had enough money to make it through the next month? Money she had stolen. What would he think of her if he knew she had robbed people? Besides, she could not accept his charity, even if meant Aiden not being able to go with him to Edinburgh.

  “Lili, allow me to do this for Aiden. I do have some money, enough for me and Aiden. I should have more when I get there.”

  “No, Aiden is my responsibility, not yours,” replied Lili. “It is best he stays here.” Lili hesitated, then asked in desperation. “You have not discussed this with him, have you? He will be so disappointed to not accompany you.”

  “No, Lili. Do not deny Aiden this chance because of your pride. I have -------”

  Lili’s eyes blazed with anger. “It is not pride,” she argued. But she knew he was right. He always was and she hated that fact about him. It was her pride standing in the way. Why could she not allow him to do this for Aiden? Damn him.

  Calmly, Colin took her hands in his and said, “I want to do this for Aiden.”

  Lili lowered her gaze. She could not meet his eyes. Why did he always have to be right? “The McGowans’ pay their way,” she replied

  “Yes, Lili, you do. So do I. You have allowed me to stay here, to feed me. This is me paying you back.” Colin knew he had to appease her sense of independence. She was so stubborn in that respect.

  “But you already pay with your tutoring and your help around here,” argued Lili.

  Colin sighed. Sometimes, Lili tried his patience in this area. Sometimes, he came very close to telling her, he was more aware of her financial problems than she knew. But that would only cause more problems because she would want to know how he knew. That would mean explaining, he knew about her escapades with highway robbery.

  “Then consider it as part of my tutoring,” tried Colin.

  Lili let out a breath of frustration. Colin had the uncanny knack of twisting things, where she could not refuse as much as she wanted to. He always left her with little choice. She pursed her lips.

  Colin smiled. “Please, Lili. It will guarantee my return,” he teased.

  Lili frowned. That thought had crossed her mind, too, but she couldn’t let him know that. “Perhaps?”

  “Perhaps, I’ll come back or perhaps you will allow Aiden to come with me.”

  Lili stomped her foot and waved him off. “Sometimes, you make it so difficult for me to re
fuse you.”

  Colin smiled the more. She was giving in.

  Lili closed her eyes so she could not see the smirk on his face when he got his own way, which was way too often, as far as she was concerned.

  “You haven’t given me your answer, my sweet?”

  Lili let out a deep sigh of frustration. She opened her eyes to find Colin mere inches away. She looked into those gold flecked eyes of his. She saw the triumph in his eyes and knew she had lost the argument. One day, she would not give in to him. One day, he would have to give in to her instead. Today would not be that day.

  “Yes, he can go,” Lili acquiesced.

  Colin brushed his lips lightly across hers. “Thank you. Aiden will thank you, too.”

  “You,” stated Lili, “sometimes you make me so------- ” She couldn’t finish her thought for Colin claimed her lips again only more demanding this time. Her anger and frustration quickly dissipated to be replaced by that warmth he made her feel.

  Colin released her lips. “I’m going to miss this, miss you.”

  Lili looked into his eyes and saw sincerity and passion reflected there. He would be coming back. She could put that fear to rest. After all, Aiden would be with him.

  “Shall we go down and tell Aiden. I would like to leave in the morning. The sooner we go, the sooner we will be back.”

  Lili nodded and took the arm Colin offered. “You do know Aiden and Alysa have never been apart.”

  “Then I will have to explain to her, I will take her next time.”

  “Next time?”

  “Of course, next time when we all go.”

  Before Lili could question him more, they entered the great hall. Aiden and Alysa sat at the table. Both looked up as they walked in. Elsbeth stood by the fireplace.

  Colin sat down beside Aiden. “I’ve just talked with your sister and let her know I will be leaving for Edinburgh tomorrow.”

  Aiden looked at Lili in anger. “Are you making him leave again? She can’t make you leave,” argued Aiden.

  “No, no, Aiden. It is not like that,” reassured Colin. “I have to go there to take care of business. I should have done this several months ago but I have delayed going. I have found, I like it here too much.” Colin looked to Lili and smiled.

  Lili blushed and looked away only to meet Elsbeth’s eyes. Elsbeth chuckled softly. Lili never could understand how Elsbeth knew about her and Colin but she did. She never said anything. It was just an unspoken knowledge between them.

  “But you will be coming back,” asked Aiden.

  Alysa nodded, “Please?”

  Colin took each their hand. “Yes, I promise, I will be coming back. Because,” he looked to Aiden, “Lili has given me permission to take you, Aiden with me.”

  Aiden eyes grew wide with shock. “Me? Lili said I could go with you?” He looked to Lili for confirmation.

  “Yes,” Lili answered.

  Aiden began jumping up and down, singing “I’m going to Edinburgh with Colin.”

  Lili noticed the sad face on Alysa. She sat down next to her. Colin turned to Aiden and motioned him to calm down.

  Aiden noticed his sister long face. “I’m sorry Ali. But this is men’s work.”

  Lili looked up to Colin, he as trying to suppress a smile.

  “I promise Ali, you will get to go to Edinburgh one day,” assured Lili.

  Ali looked at Colin.

  “I agree with Lili. Next time, I promise, I will take you and Lili with me. But Aiden is correct when he says it is men’s work,” explained Colin. “But I do promise to bring you and Lili a surprise.” He glanced at Lili to watch her reaction.

  Lili raised her eyebrows when she heard what Colin said.

  Ali smiled. “Promise?”

  Colin returned her smile. “Of course, Ali. And I never break my promise.”

  Lili spent the rest of the day getting Aiden and his things ready for his trip with Colin. He was so excited. She had to continually remind him, he needed to listen to everything Colin told him.

  When she and Colin escorted Aiden and Alysa to bed for the night, she thought he would never go to sleep. She wanted to go to Colin’s room as she did every night, especially tonight with Colin leaving in the morning. It would be a fortnight or so before they would return.

  Lili sat in her chair by the window waiting. She laid her head back and closed her eyes for a moment. She would wait a few minutes more.

  Colin quietly entered Lili’s room after waiting for what he felt was eternity. He smiled when he saw her asleep in her chair. He would miss her while he was gone. But if he could accomplish everything he wanted to in Edinburgh, he would come back and make certain she never had to worry about anything at Glendenning.

  “Lili, sweet, come to bed.”

  Lili looked at him with sleepy eyes. Colin gathered her in his arms and carried her to her bed. Gently he laid her down on her bed. He was about to reluctantly walk away when her hand grabbed his. He turned to find her staring at him. The longing in her eyes was just the invitation he needed.

  “Stay,” she whispered. She wanted him so much. Knowing, he would be gone made her ache all the more for him. He had never stayed in her room. She had always gone to him. To have him in her room, in her bed meant more than she cared to admit.

  Colin smiled. It was an invitation he could not decline, would never decline. “Always, my sweet.” He let go of her hand to remove his shirt and pants.

  Lili gazed at him loving the sight of him. The sight of his body thrilled her. Knowing what his hands and lips could make her feel already had her wet with need of him. She wanted him deep inside of her. She sat up and pulled her gown over her head. She held her arms open to him.

  Colin needed no further encouragement. Knowing, he would not be able to lie with her for the next days to come made him want her more. Never had any other woman ever had such a hold on him. A part of him knew he was going down a road never traveled before, but could not stop himself from going.

  When Colin claimed her lips, demanding her response as never before, she answered with demands of her own. Her hands began to trace his muscles. Her mind panicked thinking what if this was the last time she would hold him such. She couldn’t wait a moment longer as she guided him into her with a desperation she did not understand except the consuming need to hold him deep within her. His thrusts were as urgent as hers were to receive him. The momentum kept building. Lil thought she could go no higher and yet she did. And then every part of her body shuddered with release that left her weak but a small part of her was saddened.

  She felt him pull out of her and whimpered softly, “No.” She felt the throb of his release against her outer thigh. As good as he made her feel, this made her feel unworthy of him. She grabbed his face with her hands and kissed him deeply. She could not let her heart utter the words of love it so desperately longed to do. When she released his lips, she buried her face in his chest.

  Colin rolled to his side and gathered her close. “I shall miss you, my sweet. Just the thought of you waiting for me here, will make me return swiftly back to you.”

  Lili nodded, not trusting her voice. Her heart said he would, but her mind said, perhaps. There was something she could not let go, an impending doom just over the horizon. She pushed it to the far reaches of her mind. Colin would be back. Aiden was accompanying him. He would have to return. With that thought, she fell asleep.

  Colin woke in the predawn hours and for a moment didn’t know where he was. But Lili was in his arms and realized he was in Lili’s room. He had come to her last night. He lay in the darkness of the night, holding the one woman who touched his heart, no his soul. He would be going to Edinburgh. He had put that off for much too long. He wanted to make certain Lili had everything she needed. There would never come another time for her to take to the roads again.

  He would set everything in motion while he was Edinburgh, then return here and explain everything to her. He would go to London, possibly Stoneybrook as well.
Hopefully, he would be able to convince Lili and the twins to accompany him. But if Lili refused, she would be taken care of until his return.

  But he was determined, Lili was going to be a part of his life from now on. He stared at the face that rested on his chest cuddled safely against his side, one leg draped intimately across his. He enjoyed teasing her to see her purse her lips and give him that look where those clear blue eyes flashed fire.

  Slowly, he eased himself from her side. She mumbled in her sleep. Colin smiled. He pulled the covers up about her shoulders. He retrieved his pants from the chair, put them on, grabbed his shirt and quietly eased himself out the door. Bare footed he walked to his room. He could get another couple of hours of sleep, then he and Aiden would be on their way.

  Chapter 10

  Smooth runs the water, where the brook is deep;

  And in his simple show he harbors treason,

  The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb.

  Shakespeare

  Heaven truly knows that thou

  Art false as hell.

  Shakespeare

  Lili stood in the yard of the keep as Colin finished with his horse. He tied his bag and Aiden’s to the saddle.

  “Aiden, you will listen to everything Colin tells you,” she instructed again.

  Aiden took deep sigh and rolled his eyes. “Yes. Lili, I will listen to Colin. Ye donnae have tell me again. Ye done told me a hundred times,” replied Aiden.

  Lili looked at him through narrowed eyes.

  “Including, when I tell you to jump off North Bridge,” replied Colin winking at Aiden.

  Aiden grinned. “Aye, Lili, told me I need to do everything ye say.”

  They both turned and looked at her in all innocence. Elsbeth chuckled.

  Lili pursed her lips and looked skyward. “Very well, you two.” Lili bent down and hugged Aiden. “I shall miss you. But I hope you enjoy yourself.”