She exhaled and closed her eyes. He held her tightly.
“Let yer emotion go, lass. I’m here. Set yer heartache free.”
She growled into him, anger, fear, and resentment building within her. Her hands fisted the plaid surrounding her face that smelled like him.
Face into James’ chest, she released the most guttural, wounding scream that pierced the stilled air despite it being muffled by his chest.
“Release it, Katie.”
He held her tight as her body seized.
She screamed again into his chest.
And again.
And again.
Until her voice was hoarse.
Until her eyes were swollen and dry.
Until she only heard James’ calming heartbeat instead of the memories that had overwhelmed her ears and mind moments before.
As the memories receded into the dark corners of her mind, he stroked her back. Her grip on him was tight.
And he liked it.
The feel of her soft body against his.
Her warmth.
The feel of her soft breath at his neck.
He wouldn’t think of how attractive she was. He felt it was inappropriate given the cause of her emotional state. It was more than attraction- she felt good in his arms because he knew that was where she belonged.
And truth be told, he wanted this woman- more than anything he’d ever wanted before.
“I’m sorry.”
Her voice was soft, wavering like a delicate flower petal in a windstorm.
“For what, lass?”
She sighed. “I’ve kept ye from leaving and retuning to yer father.”
He continued to pass his hand along her back, careful to remain well within the boundaries of propriety.
As it was, this was highly inappropriate. He was never one to care what others thought of him, but of Katie?
He would fight until death anyone who defiled her name and honor.
If he would kill for that, he’d maim and torture any who caused her harm, such as Maddie’s brothers- who would soon feel the wrath of his fury. He and his father had informed Connor that they’d be seeking revenge upon the Wyntons, but with the desire to know his sister, and his father’s want to know his daughter, they hadn’t yet sought them out.
Truly, how could such vile, repugnant men be related to his angelic, innocent sister?
James remembered having asked Connor a question shortly after their first visit to the Ramsay holding. For the first time in his life, James had been afraid of an answer.
“When ye found Katie, how was she?”
Connor had turned away from him at that moment. “We barely recognized her. She’d been badly used. Her skin was darkened, bruises marring it. Her lips were cracked, swollen, and bleeding. Dark circles surrounded her eyes from their fists.”
Connor had paused and looked at James.
“She had no broken bones, thankfully, but a more important part of her was- her soul.”
Connor’s words echoed in his head as he returned to the present with Katie.
He would make them suffer before he killed Maddie’s remaining brothers.
“I am where I want to be,” he finally replied.
She lifted her head from his chest and her luminous eyes were lighter in hue due to her tears.
“But ’tis important and yer father requested you urgently.”
“He’s been laird for more decades than ye’ve been alive, lass. Themancan oversee issues himself until I arrive.”
Katie rested her head back on his muscled chest and sighed.
“Promise me, James.”
He continued to stroke her back and it felt wondrous to her.
“Anything, mo stòr.”
“Ye would promise me something without first knowing what it is?”
“For ye, lass? I’d promise the moon and find a manner in which to deliver it to ye with stars.”
Her breath caught and she looked up at him.
“Why?”
Her eyebrows moved together in curiosity. He brought his hand to the side of her face and caressed her cheek.
“How can ye nay know? I know that I am a man of few words and none of them flowery and deserving of a lass such as yerself, but I would’ve thought my intentions obvious.”
Katie looked away and he brought her face and gaze back to him.
“Ye know, doona ye? Doona ye know how I feel about ye?”
Her breathing became uneven as her eyes glistened.
“What is it, lass?”
She remained silent and he began to worry he’d been wrong about their affinity towards one another.
“Lass, tell me if yer interests lay elsewhere or if ye even have interest at all. No one will force upon ye a union, and if any attempts are made, ye seek me out for I shall protect ye now and always. Ye have a choice, lass, ye remember that, because choice ye have, and I shall always defend that even if ‘tis nay me.”
Katie looked at him as if she saw him for the first time. How could such a wonderful man not already be married with bairns? That he should show interest in her after her ordeal, was a miracle.
“How could ye say such things to me, James? Doona ye know that I am nay fit to be of any relation to ye?”
“Wife, Katie. Let us speak frankly for I’ve never been one to mince words.”
She looked away as color seeped into her cheeks again.
“I want ye as my wife, lass. That has always been my intent.”
“Doona ye see that ye deserve better?”
His palms framed her face.
“No such woman exists or ever will. Ye were meant to be mine, mo stòr. Ye doona tell me what I need or deserve, Katie. I am able to determine that for myself.”
“‘Tis too much, this.”
She looked away again and he saw her swallowing several times.
“I’m nay a patient mon, lass, but for ye, I’d wait until the end of days.”
Her gaze swept up to his again and she leaned forward. Her lips gently touched his in the softest kiss.
“For nay being well versed in flowery words and the like, James Menzies, ye sure know how to make a woman’s heart beat with enchantment.”
He snickered. “I’m ever at yer mercy, lass.”
Her lighthearted expression changed. “Thank ye for all that ye’ve taught me.”
“I doona pretend to know the least bit about recovery from an ordeal of which ye experienced, but I would imagine that regaining confidence and a sense of dominion over yer own person helps some. I wanted ye to regain that confidence in yerself.”
“Ye’ve given me the greatest of gifts, James. I will forever be grateful to ye.”
They shared a chaste kiss before gathering their belongings. Once at the keep, Katie hurried to prepare a package for him. Once she’d gathered what she’d wanted, she ran out but saw Connor alone.
“James?”
His eyes crinkled and there was a smirk to his lips. Katie began rolling her eyes as he said, “Sweet James just left.”
She heard him laugh as she ran further outside to catch him.
“James!!”
She was certain he hadn’t heard her but then he turned around with the small contingency of men who’d stayed here with him.
“Wait!”
She ran to him as he dismounted. He nodded to the men to proceed without him.
“What is it, lass? Is aught wrong?”
The look of concern on his face made her feel something indescribable.
“I packed this for ye.”
He looked down at the satchel and recalled the first time she’d done that for him.
A feeling of warmth touched the center of his chest and spread through his body.
He realized in that moment something he’d never truly bothered to acknowledge before then. His life had lacked tenderness and nurturing. It wasn’t that his father had been cruel or mean, but his father was a warrior and leader charged with raising a warri
or and leader. James' mother had died when he was but a young child. James truly had no experience with relations with the fairer sex. For him, they’d only alleviated his needs, as he never envisioned himself married with bairns.
Rather, he hadn’t wanted to envision himself married with bairns for many reasons.
Until Katie.
She’d been the first woman who’d thought to pack anything for any of his journeys.
The first who’d shown such kindness to him.
Their fingers touched when he reached to take it from her. She didn’t remove her hand. It amazed him how much progress she’d made with him in a few months’ time. He recalled how her hand used to snap away at the slightest touch, yet here hers was lingering on his.
“Thank ye, mo stòr.”
Her eyes would not move from his eyes just as her hand remained touching his.
She swallowed.
“Will ye return?”
Her eyes flew downwards to see his quick smile.
“Lass, a pack of wolves and the devil himself couldna keep me from returning to ye.”
She smiled at him, rose on her toes, and settled a tender kiss on his lips. Stirred, James brought his hand up and thumbed her cheek softly.
“Goodbye, James.”
He slowly moved away from her, and he had to admit to himself, that it was more difficult than he thought it would be.
“Until we see each other again, mo stor.”
He mounted his horse and began his trek to catch up to his men. Before he was out of her sight, he turned around and held two fingers to his chest over his heart while he looked at her.
She did the same and then brought her fingers to her lips. James nodded, turned, and galloped away.
In life, forgotten pledges caused difficulties.
It would not take a pack of wolves or the devil to keep James away.
It would be forgotten pacts and alliances that would stir the Highland peace into tumultuous times.
Chapter Six
“Alas, ye join us.”
James grimaced. “I came as quickly as I could, Da. I was concerned about the tone of yer missive. What’s amiss?”
Douglas snorted. James sat, all indications revealing that nothing good would be revealed.
“The focking Kerrs.”
James nodded to a servant who gave him ale.
“What about them?”
Douglas sighed, a vein working in his neck. “Understand this, son. ‘Twas the last option I had to hail yer return. I know ye like that Ramsay lass.”
“Like is a bit mild of a term, but yes, ye’re correct about Katie. What about the Kerrs?”
“The pact, son. The alliance.”
James lowered his head and locked eyes with his father.
“What about it? Our clans dissolved it. Long ago, I might add.”
Douglas saw the rising anger in his son’s face. Frankly, he was known to have a temper, but James’ rivaled the heat of hell.
“Apparently, good ol’ Boyd Kerr has a short memory, Son.”
James snorted before taking a haul from his cup.
“Then I suggest he begin thinking long and hard to remember before my fists are required for motivation.”
Douglas laughed. “I did miss ye, son.”
“Why is this coming about? After two decades, he decides to enforce an alliance that no longer exists except for in his mind for what gain?”
“Ye know the Kerrs are a smaller clan, James. They have always sought to unite with larger and more powerful ones. Ol’ Boy Boyd is paranoid one, aye?”
James nodded.
“The original intent of the pact entered into prior to yer birth was to unite with them when the Ramsays were growing in power and numbers. The rivalry amongst us flowed long and deep, and my father and his father instilled in us the necessity to stay vigilant of the Ramsays. Boyd and I entered into the pact, even though Malcolm assured us they had no intention of conquering our clans. When the Ramsay growth ceased and stabilized, we saw that the Ramsays would maintain to their vow of peace. Boyd and I agreed that we could dissolve the pact and that a formal unity between us was no longer necessary.”
“Aye, Da. I know this. What then has him worrying so, that he would claim such an absurdity as to attempt to enforce the dissolved pact?”
“Ye.”
“Me? What of me?”
“Word has reached him of yer interest in Katie.”
James’ nostrils flared and his jaw worked back and forth.
“Lord, word travels faster in the Highlands than amongst old gossiping women.”
Douglas nodded.
“So he feels threatened? Is that it?”
Douglas nodded again.
James stood up. “My intent is clear, Da. I will marry Katie once she is accepting of a union.”
“What d’ye mean, son?”
“Ye know what she experienced and survived. I would not force her to join with me or allow her to be joined with anyone she doesna wish. I will wait however long. If she wishes to wed me, wed her I will.”
Douglas looked at his son pensively.
“Let us attempt diplomacy.”
James shrugged. “We can attempt it, but he willna force upon me a rescinded agreement.”
Douglas nodded. “I’ll invite him so that we may speak to him. Let us assure him of safety no matter who ye seek to marry.”
James snorted before throwing back the last of the ale.
The pact.
His father had entered into an agreement with Kerr that their first born son and first born daughter, whoever had which first, would marry. They believed that this would form a strong alliance. James was born near in time to Athyn. A few short years later, Kerr’s wife had Fiona.
James and Fiona were supposed to have been married.
Maddie still hadn’t been conceived as James was many years older than his sister. The pact had already been well-dissolved when his sister was born, whose birth had been unknown to him and his father. James must have been nearing ten.
It would not have mattered had they known of Maddie. Athyn would not have been a good match. Athyn’s life had always been complicated by a difficult relationship with his father, so difficult, he eventually parted from the clan. He’d never had issue with Athyn, finding him in the right of things after seeing Boyd’s unsound mind unmasked several times.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose, exhaling.
How long would this take? How long would he be away from his Katie?
He’d stayed with the Ramsays for over two months, and he’d grown wonderfully used to seeing Katie daily.
An ache began in his chest and he snorted. No one would ever accuse him of sentimentality, but there was something about the lass that made him feel emotions he’d never experienced before her.
Call it his awakening.
The desire for her to be in his life as his wife grew every day.
He would destroy anyone who erected barriers between him and his Katie. The Kerrs feared the Ramsays, but Boyd would be wise to fear him.
James stared at the fire, trying to calm the anger that rose up within him, forcing him to be patient when he most assuredly was none of the sort.
All he could think about was that he’d left his stòr so that he could address a pact that had long ago been repudiated.
James was not one to bow to anyone. He was born a leader to be a leader.
He was also born without patience. The few patience he’d been given was used for his Katie and his courting her.
Boyd Kerr was under a delusion if he believed for a moment that James would give thought to marrying his daughter.
James would marry no other except his stòr.
Just how long would it take for Kerr to come to that realization was another issue altogether.
“We’ve one more problem to discuss.”
His father turned curious eyes to James. “What?”
“The Wyntons.”
His
father’s face hardened.
“What about them?”
“We need to avenge Maddie and Katie. I doona wish to wait any longer.”
His father’s eyes narrowed further. James knew that contemplative look.
“What occurred?”
James shook his head dismissively.
“We’ve waited long enough.”
Douglas nodded. “Aye. But there’s something else.”
James sighed. He promised Katie that he’d not tell her family.
His father was not in that grouping.
James fisted his hands as the rage consumed him. His vision blinked with fury.
“Those focking bastard brothers.”
“And yer Katie.”
There wasn’t any easy manner to tell anyone what he had to say, so he just said it.
“It was all three.”
“What was all…”
Douglas stopped speaking when James stared at him without speaking.
“All three?”
James growled. “Revenge is ripe.”
Douglas’ eyes hardened and he gripped the he hilt of the sword on his side.
“Let us beget what is due and send those bastards back to hell.”
Chapter Seven
They kicked the boot of the drunkard guard.
“Fanshy sheeing ye ‘ere again after sho long.” The guard laughed, taking a mouthful of whatever demented spirits were in that hideous, dirty goblet.
“Fock off. Where are Wynton and his sons?”
“Mannersh, mannersh…” the guard cackled, unable to stand.
“Sorry excuse for a guard,” Douglas said as he passed him. “He’s been the same since Anne was taken.”
James snorted in disgust. “No men to defend this sorry keep.”
Douglas shook his head. “Arrogant. Wynton believes he is untouchable. Has more money than the king himself. ‘Tis why I didna feel the need to bring any men. We would encounter no obstacle to gain entrance or access to these bastards.”
They entered the keep and encountered no one.
“Wynton!”
Douglas’ voice boomed through the keep. He unsheathed his sword and James followed suit. Douglas’ face had distorted into some variation between man and beast.
Wynton had taken much from him.
Too much.
The history between he and Wynton was complicated, but it had not been without provocation. Then Wynton had dared to threaten everything that he’d held dear. He’d also dared to take his daughter, lie to her, and treat her no better than a slave.
The Highlander Who Loved Me (Heart of a Highlander Collection Book 4) Page 4