Rescued By the Scot

by Laura A. Barnes

  P.S.

  Well we have met again, and I am most disappointed in your reaction to me. While I waited patiently throughout the evening for you to draw me into your arms, for the stroke of your fingers and the brush of your lips upon mine. For that is how my imagination filled in the rest. The touch of your lips on mine, devouring from my lips my need for you. But sadly, none of that occurred. So, it only led me to believe, you Earl Zane Maxwell are nothing but a tease. Perhaps you can redeem yourself on the morrow. It has been left to be determined.

  Maybe, I can help you along with your imagination...

  When I lay in my bed tonight alone, I will dream of you sliding in next to me. As I pull your head to mine for a kiss, my lips will open under yours. My fingers wandering across your chest brushing lightly down…

  Sweet dreams, my love.

  She was a devilish minx. While the picture of her tonight was of a seductive innocent in the white creation, the very devil was sent to entice him. His whole body became hard at the erotic words she wrote him. Now he finally understood the whole evening. She had forgiven and set out to enflame him. Well two could play at this game MacKinnon. The wooing was finished; he obviously bungled the charm. However, the desire he would do tenfold, of that she would hold no doubt. He began to plan for her seduction. Seduction which would take place tomorrow.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Tomorrow found him bright and early ringing the bell at Hillston House. Sims greeted him, informing him the ladies were eating breakfast and to please join them. He told the butler he could make his own way. When he entered the room, he discovered Ivy and Skye whispering amongst each other. Their whispers stopped when they noticed him joining them at the table; smiling secretly to themselves. Zane allowed them to believe they were fooling him. He knew when two women were conspiring over him when he saw it, and these two most definitely were.

  As he poured himself tea, he greeted the ladies. Zane regarded Skye in a different light from the evening before. He noticed the lightness in her gaze, which no longer held a troubled look, but one full of mischief. He enjoyed this side of her; it made her softer. Her body appeared relaxed in his company, so she no longer remained in fear. The riding habit was another creation which hugged her curves. It would be his pleasure on removing the attire from her body later. He nodded to their conversation, hoping his nods were at the right points in their discussion. Because he didn’t listen to a word they spoke. All he could think of was the letter from the night before and imagining how to remove every piece of clothing covering her body. She wore green today; he imagined her to be stunning in green. While not the green he desired to see her wear, it would do for now.

  “As I was saying he has four eyes wandering all over you,” Ivy quipped.

  “Yes, I noticed his extra eyes, but I am not one to object to extra eyes devouring me,” Skye replied.

  Who was devouring her with his eyes? Four eyes? What? Zane shook his head to clear his thoughts as he glanced between the two women giving into fits of laughter at his expense again. Tired of being the butt of everybody’s jokes these days, he needed to get Skye to himself, so he could overcome his stupidity of acting like an idiot.

  “If you are ready for our ride Lady MacKinnon, the hour grows late.”

  Skye rose from the table wishing Ivy a good morning. Zane’s mouth went dry as she rose, for the fabric grew tighter as she moved. Her habit molded tightly to her frame and her skirts swirled amongst what Zane noticed were boots hugging her calves. Yes, he would enjoy removing her of those too. Her skirts swooshed behind her as she moved into the hallway. When he began to follow her like a puppy he was stopped by the clearing of Ivy’s throat.

  “Does she require a chaperone?”

  “NO!” he answered more harshly than he attended.

  Ivy smirked at him, “Mmm, that is the same answer I received from her.”

  Zane growled at her and exited the room. He found Skye in the entryway, pulling on her gloves, and adjusting her hat.

  “Are you ready, my dear?”

  She turned towards him and gifted him with a smile which was all the encouragement he needed. He led her from the townhome to the two horses awaiting them. She waited for him to help her, instead of mounting the horse herself. As she settled onto the side saddle, Zane admired her. She was poise and elegant, but still held a sense of adventure of the Skye he first met. When he raised his head, he watched as she arched her eyebrow at their state of stillness. He flashed her a smile and took off at a brisk walk, with Skye following him.

  When they entered the park, Zane directed them to Rotten Row. Once his horse hit the beaten path, he turned his head and flashed her a quick grin, setting his horse off into a fast gallop. He had not gotten far when he heard her horse galloping rapidly behind him. It wasn’t long before she caught up with him. He listened to her laughter trailing in the wind behind them, it was a lovely sound. He turned to catch her gaiety and became astounded by her charm, which caused her to pass him. He tried to catch up with her, but he was unable to. When he finally reached her, she lowered herself to the ground and guided her horse to the lake. After their horses drank, he tied them to a tree. Without speaking, he drew her hand into his and guided her to a group of trees which allowed them a hidden seclusion. She didn’t resist him.

  Zane drew her into his arms, brushing the stray tendrils of her hair escaping her bun back from her face. He tilted her head back; his fingers cupping her cheeks as he slid his mouth to hover over hers. Her warm breath mingled with his. He stared into her eyes catching them turning into dark emeralds. Her eyes were filled with desire. He held back nervous to her reaction, but when her body softened against him and she moaned, he realized she held no fear towards him.

  “I have waited a lifetime for this,” he breathed before he took her lips in a gentle sweet kiss. Tenderly brushing his lips across hers. When she sighed, he knew she wasn’t frightened, so he deepened the kiss. Her response was all he needed.

  He growled as he pulled her body closer to his. His tongue sliding into sample her sweetness. When her tongue tangled with his and her body wrapped around him pulling him flusher against her, he lost it. His fingers unbuttoned her habit, needing to touch her. Zane forgot where they were and didn’t hear the riders approaching until their voices sunk into his haze.

  “I saw them ride this way Charles.”

  “Well they couldn’t have wandered too far; their horses are tied against the tree,” he heard Charles inform Raina.

  Zane pulled away from Skye, and rested his forehead against hers, breathing deeply. She averted her eyes from his. He stroked his fingers across her cheek drawing her eyes back to him and smiled, “Forgive me my dear, the taste and the touch of you, made me forget my surroundings.”

  He helped her to straighten her clothing, and she backed away a respectable distance. His touch didn’t frighten her, but his passion did. It was more powerful than before. To be honest, it wasn’t only his passion, but hers too. Her need for him, was something she never experienced. The need to belong to him, she craved. While she wasn’t crazy for the interruption, it was probably for the best. For she needed more time. Not away from him, but time to bring their passion under control. It remained too strong of an emotion for her to handle.

  Zane knew she was frightened. Of what, he didn’t understand. He didn’t believe it to be of him. Their kiss was one of mutual desire. He felt it in her touch and moans. Did their passion bring back haunted memories of her time on Shears’s ship? If so, then he needed to slow down and not frighten her away.

  “Please forgive me Skye. I have pushed you too far, too fast.”

  Skye reached out to him, putting her hand on his chest, “No, I am not frightened of you Zane, but what you make me feel.”

  He squeezed her hand, “Is that a dreadful thing?”

  She released a nervous laugh, “No, just an overwhelming thing.”

  “Then I will accept that as a positive sign.”

  “Zane…
” Skye began.

  “There you two are, I hope we aren’t interrupting?” Raina inquired smiling at Zane innocently.

  Raina knew damn well she interrupted. If Zane didn’t know any better, he would have thought, she was involved with Ivy on keeping them separated. He didn’t bring a chaperone for a reason, but it would seem he would have one none the less.

  “No, I was showing Skye the lake.”

  Walking around in a circle, “From inside the trees?” Raina quipped.

  Charles chuckled, “Let us leave them be my dear. Will we see you tonight at the Winchester Ball?”

  Zane looked across at Skye, “Will you be attending?”

  “Yes, I am attending the ball with Thorn and Ivy.”

  “Then yes, you shall see me there this evening.”

  “We will leave you to your ride. A small offer of advice my friend, the crowds are filling out in the park. So, it would be for the best, if you leave with us from this small gathering,” Charles suggested to Zane quietly to the side. He didn’t want to embarrass the young lady; who discussed this evening’s ball and what to wear with Raina.

  Zane nodded his head in understanding. The last thing he wanted to bring upon Skye were false stories. He didn’t need the gossip scandal spreading rumors on Skye before they met her. They kept her capture aboard Shears’s ship a secret. It would already be difficult as it was, with her beauty and his attachment to her. Because there wouldn’t be a member of the ton who didn't recognize she was his after tonight. No gent would court her, he would make sure her dance card was filled with names of no threat to him. He couldn’t wait to see her tonight, it would be his first time to view her, dressed in a ball gown with her hair done. She needed jewels though. What kind? Emeralds and diamonds, of course. He would send them over after he returned home from their ride.

  After they followed Charles and Raina out of the wooded area, they strolled to their horses. He helped Skye onto her horse and chatted a few moments with them, not drawing gossip their way. As Charles and Raina headed in a different direction, Zane guided their horses along the path back to Hillston House. Neither one of them spoke of their embrace from earlier; each lost in their own thoughts. As they rode, they exchanged glances with one another until Skye fell into a fit of giggles. An unknown sound coming from her, he pulled their horses to a stop as they arrived.

  “Now, what is so funny to have you giggling like a schoolgirl?”

  “Only how ridiculous we are. We act as if we are a young smitten couple, too afraid to tell the other how we care about each other.”

  “And how do we care about each other?” he asked her as he drew her from the horse.

  “I think our kiss from earlier said it all.”

  “I think it still left much unspoken too,” Zane replied.

  Skye placed her fingers to his lips, silencing him from saying more, “All in time, my love,” she whispered as she turned from him and walked to the house.

  “Skye?” he called out.

  She continued walking towards the townhome. As the door opened, she turned and blew a kiss to him before the door shut behind her.

  My love? Did her term of endearment, mean what he thinks she meant? Did she love him? Tonight, he would know. He would discover from her lips what he means to her. Then the rest of their lives would fall into place.

  Chapter Eighteen

  WHEN SKYE ENTERED THE Thornhill’s residence, Sims informed her she had a visitor awaiting her in the parlor. Thorn and Ivy requested her presence. She informed Sims she would change her clothes and be there shortly. As she entered her room, Mabel waited to help her change. Skye inquired on the visitor, but Mabel didn’t know who it was. She changed into a green day dress, with white ruffles on the sleeves. As she touched up her hair, Skye glanced at her reflection in the mirror. She needed not to pinch her cheeks, for they were full of color. Her ride through the park with Zane did her well. Not only the ride, but the kiss itself helped her tremendously.

  When she walked downstairs to the parlor, she stood outside the door, wondering who was inside inquiring after her. Maybe they learned word of her brother. Sims stood to the side, when Skye nodded her head, he opened the door and announced her arrival. After she entered the room, her body became enveloped in a giant hug with the life being squeezed out of her. Her captor picked her up and swung her around the room. Skye panicked when her arms became pinned at her sides. Her breathing turned deep and shallow, making her feel faint. Since she couldn’t stop the attack, the ringing began in her ears and her mind became separated from her body.

  “Put her down MacKinnon, can you not see she is fainting?” Thorn shouted.

  Her brother was twirling her around as he did the countless times when they grew up. Even though Skye heard the mention of her brother’s name, her mind refused to tell the difference. She thought she was being attacked again, panicking she threw out her arms and hit him in protection.

  The twirling stopped, with her arms held in a gentle secure hold, while her brother whispered quietly for her to stay calm and that she remained safe. He guided her to a chair and lowered her down. Ivy threw a blanket across her legs and Logan knelt at her side, bringing warmth into her hands. A chill sank into her body. A warm cup of tea settled in her hands, with words of persuasion to drink. Skye drank the calming tea, her body relaxing and coming back to her senses. When she rose her head, she noted the concern on her brother’s face.

  She folded her hands over his, nodding her head, “I am fine, you caught me unaware, tis all.”

  “I am sorry Skye, Thorn informed me of your ordeal and I blundered my reaction in seeing you.”

  “I am well.”

  “Oh Sis, what you had to endure. I want to kill Shears, if it were possible.”

  “Shears is dead Logan and can harm no one else.”

  “The terror you suffered from his hands, you should not have. I lay the blame on myself.”

  “No Logan, it is mine. I didn’t follow the warning signs and landed myself in a predicament I shouldn’t have. I risked the lives of our clansmen.”

  As they talked Skye looked around and noticed they were alone. Thorn and Ivy left them to discuss Skye’s capture in private. Their kindness meant a lot to her.

  “We did not lose many and the rest are recovering,” Logan informed her.

  “Yes, Isobel wrote and told me.”

  “What happened Skye? What had you so distracted you didn’t realize Shears laid a trap for you?”

  Skye didn’t answer him. He would recognize her feelings as a sign of weakness. Granted he felt strongly for Isobel, but he would think Skye couldn’t focus if she felt the same.

  “Did your actions have anything to do with Lord Maxwell?”

  Still she did not answer him.

  Logan rose and walked over to the fireplace. He picked up his drink he left behind and took a swallow.

  “I have failed you as a brother and mentor Skye.”

  “No Logan, it is I, who failed you.”

  “Hear me out Sis. I have failed you in not allowing you to express your emotions. I have kept you isolated and trained you as a warrior instead of letting you become the lady you were meant to be. While I have treated you like a man, I still protected you from harm. Our parents were failures and when mother died, I let father treat you as a boy, instead of letting you be the little girl you needed to be. I tried to protect you the best way I could, but in doing so, I only made you more vulnerable.”

  Logan took a long drink, sighing as he settled in the chair opposite from her. He was relieved at discovering his sister was well. He had been frantic for her since he found out about her attack. Not only at her attack, but that Lord Maxwell had ruined her during his capture. From what he heard from Gregor it was more like a stay, for he was not treated as a prisoner. More like a guest who made use of the charms of his sister.

  “I have intelligence on Maxwell and from what I gathered from the clan, I understand the path your relationship took.
Am I mistaken on this?”

  “No.”

  “Do you care for him?”

  “Yes, but it's complicated.”

  “Because of Shears’s attack?”

  “Yes.”

  Logan nodded his understanding, “Do I need to force him to the altar?”

  Skye laughed, “He would go gladly. It is I who refused him.”

  “Why, are you crazy? The man has ruined you.”

  “Maybe it is I who has ruined him.”

  Logan laughed in return, this was his sister. A strong-willed woman who didn’t abide by the standard rules. Only she would turn the tables on reputation.

  “So, will you make an honest man out of him, or make him suffer through his ruination.”

  “Mmm, I have not decided yet.”

  “I think you already have. All joking aside, are you well my dear?”

  “Yes Logan, you caught me by surprise. Shears never succeeded in his attack towards me, Maxwell stopped him in time. My fears are subsiding.”

  “Shears wreaked havoc everywhere, the world is safer without him.”

  “I agree. Since you have returned, were you able to complete your mission? Did you find the missing heir?”

  “Yes, but sadly it was for naught.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The heir is dead. The governess killed the child. The old man’s story on our land was false, another one of Shears’s devious plans.”