by Mary Wine
“Athena is yers, and I thank ye.” Her voice was full of relief.
“Ye should nae have to.”
He half turned and let out a whistle. She heard someone around the bend in the hallway start walking away. Those footsteps threatened to send tears down her cheeks, for she knew Athena would be hers no longer.
She had to recall why and be content.
“Bari is a knave for bringing ye here. What else has he threatened to do if ye do nae wed Achaius?”
She was staring into his eyes again, this time because she just couldn’t understand why he cared. His lips twitched into a grin that was beguiling. He was one handsome brute when he softened his expression.
She jumped and looked away, her cheeks hot with shame. “Well…hmm…does it really matter?” Her mind was cloudy, and her thoughts formed slowly. But she forced herself to focus and make sense. “What I mean to say is, doing me duty is something I will nae shirk. Wouldn’t ye honor a contract made by yer laird? Even if the bride was nae to yer liking?”
She covered her mouth with her hand when she realized she’d admitted her true feelings. “Nae that I dislike Achaius.” There really was no way to explain her way out of it. So she turned, intending to leave, but he blocked her way with one arm. His lightning-quick motion startled her. She’d allowed herself to trust him being so very close to her.
But the man was a Highlander, and one with vengeance on his mind. She was a fool to allow him so close.
“Sandra would have fluttered her eyelashes and done her best to beguile Achaius,” he said. “She was a bitch with a calculating mind and a heart of stone. She used a woman’s wiles like weapons.”
Their gazes were locked, and she felt the burn of his stare all the way to her toes.
“Ye’re nae trying yer hand at that game, but maybe ye are playing a different one,” he pressed.
He was a man accustomed to getting what he wanted. She tried to lean back, but the wall was solid, and the pitted surface pressed into her palms. Her heart accelerated and, oddly, she was convinced she could smell his skin.
“What is so hard to understand?” she asked in frustration. “The Church preaches that a woman should follow the direction of her family and laird.”
His lips parted. “Agreeing with the sermon is much easier when ye’re in the house of God. Once ye are standing on the steps of the keep with an old man pinching yer bottom, that’s when I’d expect ye to tell yer brother to go to hell.”
“I wish—” She slapped a hand over her mouth to stop her words. But he gripped her wrist and pulled it away.
“Ye wish what?”
The contact of his grip caused a flood of sensation. It was like something was unleashing inside her, a hidden part of her that she had never realized existed, some instinct that told her to move closer to him.
“Release me,” she breathed.
One dark eyebrow rose like a challenge. “Why? I am nae hurting ye. I know me strength and control it well.”
“Yer touch unsettles me.”
Something flickered in his dark eyes, and it frightened her because she felt an echo of it inside herself. It was worse than pain—that was something she knew how to endure. His touch was eroding her control and making her fight the urge to touch him back.
She wanted to but shook her head.
“And I will nae have ye accusing me of trying to seduce ye.” She didn’t sound as steady as she’d have liked, but at least she hadn’t stumbled over the words. She twisted her hand, trying to free herself, but he turned her arm up and placed a kiss against her inner wrist. It burned, but then the sweetest delight rippled through her from the contact.
“Ye are unnatural,” she accused. She was almost breathless, but she was also frightened of him, afraid of what he was unleashing inside of her.
When he raised his head to look at her, his expression was purely sensual and strangely inviting.
“Because ye enjoyed that?” His gaze lowered to her lips. “So did I. And it was very natural, lass. We were made to respond to each other.”
The delicate skin of her lips tingled. She was almost desperate to discover what his kiss felt like before she lost the chance forever by pledging herself to Achaius in holy matrimony.
“Well, ye should nae teach me such things. Ye should go before ye ruin everything.”
His grip tightened, and she flinched. “Now ye are hurting me.”
“What am I going to ruin?” he asked softly, easing his hold on her wrist. But he was still watching her suspiciously, and she knew he was lowering his voice to deceive her.
Her temper flared up, rescuing her from the flood of new sensations, and she jerked her arm away from him.
Moira gave him a withering look. “Any hope of happiness I might find here. Ye are a selfish man to show me what a kiss might feel like if me husband was nae so old. I do nae need to dwell on the facts that cannae be changed.”
“This wedding is designed to cause trouble. I’m trying to make ye see it before it’s too late,” he argued.
“And just what do ye think will happen if I do nae take me vows?” She closed the gap between them with her chin out. “Do ye think the Matheson will be pleased to see me turning me nose up at their laird’s offer? Will yer own father be happy to hear ye caused discontent in a match among his vassals? I do nae need the memory of yer kiss distracting me from me duty.”
“If a kiss is all it takes, I am happy to do the honors.”
His words didn’t make sense to her, but a second later, she understood completely. Gahan leaned down and sealed her lips beneath his. The contact was jarring, like an explosion, and she jumped back. But he grasped her shoulders and pulled her close again. This time, he claimed her mouth, pressing his lips over hers without mercy.
Excitement twisted through her belly, and all of a sudden she wasn’t thinking, she was responding. She reached for him, sliding her hands up his chest and delighting at the way he felt. Never once had she suspected a man might feel good, but Gahan did.
His kiss was even better.
After the first moments, he began to tease her lips, slipping and sliding across the delicate surface as he cupped her nape to keep her in place. He pressed her mouth until she opened for him, and then the tip of his tongue joined the assault.
She had no idea how long it lasted, for it felt like time had simply stopped. All she wanted to do was follow his lead and forget everything else.
But he suddenly pulled away, stiffening as though he was just as spellbound as she. Suspicion glittered in his eyes, and it was colder than ice.
“Ye kissed me,” she growled, surprised by how furious she sounded.
“And ye kissed me back.”
She shoved at him, struggling when he held on to her. “When it comes to seductions, ye clearly have more experience than I. Perhaps ye are the one wielding a man’s touch like a weapon.”
She gained her freedom—or so she thought—until she tried to run and he pulled her up short by her wrist. The hold was unyielding, but it was clear he was in fact controlling his strength.
“Do nae wed Achaius, lass. It will lead to trouble.”
She froze. Gahan Sutherland, son of the Earl of Sutherland, was asking her not to go through with the wedding. It was more tempting than she wanted to admit. She bit her lower lip to keep herself from saying how much she wanted to do as he asked.
He rubbed the inside of her wrist, the motion soothing and yet alarming at the same time.
“Ye know it is wrong. Bari wants the Matheson to help him feud against the Sutherlands. Yer wedding will seal the pact.”
He released her, and for a moment, she stood with her eyes fixed on his. Uncertainty ate at her, and her lips tingled. She backed away before she gave in to the urge to say anything else. He was the son of the Earl of Sutherland. He would pursue what was best for his clan above all else, and she would be wise to remember that she was not a Sutherland. She was just a pawn. An obstacle he needed to move in
order to achieve his goals.
“Ye have no reason to tell me the truth,” she whispered.
His eyes narrowed at the insult. She hadn’t labeled him a liar outright, but it was close enough for a man of his high station. Nobles did not suffer veiled threats. But she wasn’t finished.
“I would certainly nae be the first bride played falsely by another clan, either. A few kisses in the shadows, and when I forsake me duty, me own kin will be attacked to pay for the slight. Ye can ride home with no one the wiser to the part ye played. Perhaps ye want to see the Frasers attacked because ye believe it justice, but it will be naught but blood spilling and good mothers crying over the graves of their sons.”
She expected his anger to flare up, but instead he let out a soft grunt that sounded like he agreed with her.
“That is nae what I am doing, lass.” He flashed her a grin. “But I suppose I cannae blame ye for nae knowing sense when ye hear it. Yer half brother never speaks any.”
She was returning his smile when his expression became serious. It was almost like she could feel the shift in his emotions. Which was far too much of an intimacy.
“But ye are no girl. Ye are mature enough to understand me.” His tone was solemn. “Listen to me, and I will make sure you have a way out of here.”
It was so tempting—he was tempting. Moira shook her head. In a flash, the fragile trust she’d decided existed between them shattered, revealing the very real threat he posed. The man wanted his way and planned to get it by whatever means necessary. She raised her chin, refusing to cower.
“Ye praise me for being past me tender years, but somehow think I do nae know what becomes of girls who ride off with men they are nae wed to?” She settled her hands on her hips. “Best ye listen well, Gahan Sutherland. I was shocked by me first kiss, which is why I did nae slap ye for taking the liberty. But ye are a rogue to have done it, for ye have made no offer for me. Ye should be ashamed to do something like this on me wedding day. I am no less honorable than ye and will nae discard me duty the moment someone steals a kiss in the shadows.”
It was exactly what she had been raised to believe, yet it felt wrong to chastise him.
Gahan chuckled. The sound was chilling, because it made her feel like a game animal being cornered by something very dangerous.
“First kiss? Well, there is another thing I can detest yer half brother for. As pretty as ye are, at least one of his men should have tried to win yer affection.”
“I am nae pretty.” She covered her lips when she realized she’d spoken. “At least, ye should nae be saying I am.”
“Would ye have me lie to ye?”
He reached out and stroked her cheek. A shiver raced down her body in response.
“I’d have ye stop toying with me.” She was pitifully close to begging, but he had such a devastating effect on her. “I must try and make the best of this match. Do nae fill me head with fanciful ideas of offers ye have nae made.”
“I keep me word, Moira,” he informed her in a hard tone. “I offer to make sure ye have a way out of this keep. I do nae need to promise nae to leave ye stranded on the road, for I am no villain. Never accuse me of dishonor again.”
She backed away from him, holding up a hand when he began to follow. “I wonder, would ye like yer own sister riding off without the blessing of the Church? With someone ye know has reason to want vengeance against her clan? With no promise of anything, except the sure knowledge that she’d be dishonoring her own kin?”
She’d silenced him. It would likely only last a moment, but she took advantage of it and left. She listened for his footsteps behind her, but there were none. He might be many things, but it appeared Gahan was a man who understood sense when he heard it. Only children lived in a world where everything might be put aside in favor of their feelings.
So ye admit ye have feelings for him?
She cringed but continued out into the sunlight. Bari was her laird, and it would be her brother she had to depend on once Gahan Sutherland rode back to his father’s land.
***
“Ye kissed her?”
“I am nae in the mood to be lectured, Cam,” Gahan growled.
His sibling wasn’t put off by his tone. In fact, Cam reached out and placed a solid hand on his shoulder to keep him from following Moira out into the yard.
“I see what sort of mood ye are in. Have ye forgotten that she’s kin to Sandra?”
Cam was incredulous, and his sobering words broke through the spell Gahan seemed to be under. He’d never been a man who gave much thought to superstitions. But his forehead was moist with perspiration, and if Cam hadn’t stopped him, he’d be standing behind Moira like a devoted slave. The woman was obviously more accomplished in wielding her feminine wiles than he’d given her credit for.
“I was trying to get her to refuse to wed.”
Cam cocked his head to one side. “Well…that’s more than I would have done, but I suppose it makes sense. No young lass wants to wed an old man.”
“Unless she’s scheming like Sandra did.”
Gahan moved toward the doorway and frowned. Moira had vanished. His body tensed as though it mattered to him what became of her. The troubling sensation lingered as his eyes swept the yard, searching for her.
“There ye are.”
Achaius made his way toward Gahan. “I feared ye’d ridden out before witnessing me vows.”
He slapped Gahan on the shoulder and grinned.
“Why are ye so worried about me being here for yer wedding, Achaius? Bari Fraser has made it plain he’d like to see me horse’s arse.”
“That lad is young. He does nae yet grasp the full importance of being united with the Earl of Sutherland.”
Gahan turned to face Achaius, suspicion tingling up his nape. “If me father is so important to ye, why have ye nae informed him of yer intention to wed Moira Fraser? It does nae speak well of ye when I hear of a union such as this through one of yer neighbors.”
It was a bold thing to say, but Achaius only waved the veiled insult away. “Have ye seen me bride?”
Gahan nodded and pressed his lips into a hard line, because his memory was quick to remind him of the way she’d felt against him. He was interested in so much more than just how she looked. He should be ashamed of himself, but all he felt was a growing urge to make sure Moira took his offer of a ride out of Matheson Castle.
“She’s a pot of honey.” Achaius chuckled and pointed a time-withered finger at Gahan. “If Bari Fraser is going to offer her to me, well now, lad, me eyes still work well enough for me to want a taste of her. Young lads are nae the only ones cursed with impatience. The difference is, I know me days are few, and I want to enjoy every one of them.”
“She does nae want to wed ye.” His father was going to have something harsh to say about his comment, but Gahan didn’t care. The entire situation stank of foul play. He wanted the truth, and polite comments weren’t going to uncover it for him.
“Maybe nae, but she’s hardly the first wife I’ve gotten a chilly reception from. Marriage is business, lad. Yer father knows it well. Why else are ye a bastard?” Achaius shook his head. “Because yer father wed himself a woman with a fine dowry, that’s why.”
“What is she bringing ye?”
“Land,” Achaius informed him with glee. “Now I’m off to dress in me best before I get on me way to the church for a blessing. I hope ye’ll be here at sunset to see it.”
The old laird made his way up the steps with the help of his retainers.
“Land? Bari Fraser is willing to give up land?” Cam uttered disbelievingly.
“Which proves without a doubt there is something foul brewing here,” Gahan said. “No laird gives away land for a half sister and a groom without a noble title.”
But suspicions were not proof. He had no reason to stop the wedding.
***
Moira ran until she was on the front steps again. Her cheeks were burning, betraying to everyone what
she had been about.
Well, what was so terrible about it?
She was slightly stunned by the fury of her thoughts, while at the same time she welcomed the rush of temper. Or maybe it was confidence. She liked the sound of that better.
“Moira!”
Bari was bellowing from the stables. She didn’t need to answer him, because he spotted her and began to tromp across the yard toward her. His kilt swayed as he went, and she decided he looked like a lad getting ready to throw a tantrum.
Try as she might, all she could muster was annoyance.
He hooked her arm and pulled her into the keep again. But instead of taking her into the Great Hall, he headed for a small receiving room off to the side that had a solid oak paneled door. Bari sent it closed with a kick of his foot.
“What in the hell do ye mean by giving that damned hawk to Sutherland?”
Her cheeks were still warm, but now it was her temper fueling the flush. “I mean to make sure ye do nae harm her in a fit of childish temper.”
Bari looked at her as though she’d struck him. Rage flickered in his eyes, and she recognized the signs of his slipping sanity immediately this time.
“Have ye turned slut so easily?”
“Do ye truly think no one heard ye this morning?” Moira countered. “Or that a man such as Gahan Sutherland is nae willing to part with a few bits of silver to learn what ye are saying? I wager the stable lads ran to tell him before ye finished threatening me. Ye forget, Bari, he has as much reason to wish ye ill as ye do him. He’ll use me as surely as ye will.”
“Ye will have naught to do with that bastard!”
“He came after me again only because of what ye threatened to do to Athena.”
Bari’s eyes bulged. He moved closer to her and lowered his voice.
“Is that all he wanted from ye?”
“Well, he also thinks ye are insisting on this wedding in order to have the Matheson join ye in a feud against the Sutherlands. He wants me to refuse. Are ye really plotting a feud?” She might be risking a great deal by provoking him in a closed chamber, but she refused to take her wedding vows without putting up a fight.