“Just one tankard and a wee bit.” She placed her hand upon his chest and slowly caressed each rise and hollow. Beneath her palm, she could feel his heart beating as swiftly as hers was. “Did ye fear drink was making me act this way?” She stroked his taut stomach. “Nay, not drink,” she whispered against his skin as she kissed the hollow at the base of his throat.
“Then ’tis that wanton wee lass who skips through your dreams.”
“Mayhap. Are ye going to start dancing?”
“Mayhap. Later.”
He was not surprised when that last word came out in something perilously close to a squeak for Keira had curled her long, elegant fingers around his erection. She had never touched him there before, and despite how badly he had wanted her to, he had forced himself to be patient. The way she was stroking him as she spread warm kisses over his chest was going to make patience very hard to grasp hold of this time, however.
He was trembling with anticipation by the time she knelt in front of him and began to caress and kiss his legs. It was hard to believe his wife, the virgin widow who apologized for kissing his stomach, was going to do what he now desperately wanted her to do. Liam had enjoyed the pleasure once, but the woman had so clearly thought herself the master of him that he had made it one of those things he did not do. It required a level of trust he simply had not felt toward the women he had bedded over the years. He trusted Keira completely, he realized. He especially trusted her only to give or share pleasure and never to use it to gain power over him.
When the warmth of her lips finally touched his erection, he shuddered with the strength of the desire that raced through his body. He groaned softly and threaded his fingers through her hair to encourage her, to let her know her daring was most welcome. The ferocity of the passion that took hold of him as she kissed him and stroked him with her tongue, all the while caressing his backside and thighs with her soft, little hands nearly made him dizzy. Keira would never use the passion they shared to gain power over him, but he realized she already held it. He was just thanking God that the one woman he could not resist had too gentle a soul and too much honesty to play such games when Keira took him into her mouth. Liam had to lock his knees to keep standing, and had only enough of his wits left to keep alert for the moment when he would have to step back.
That moment came far too soon for his liking. “Enough, love,” he said as he grasped her by the arms and tugged her to her feet. “I dinnae want to finish there. Nay tonight.”
Tonight he wanted to fill her with his seed as often as he could before they both collapsed from exhaustion. Liam did not really feel as if he would be facing death any time soon, but that risk existed whenever a man went to war. He had a keen desire to try to plant a child in his wife on this eve of battle.
As he carefully removed the delicate, borrowed night shift she wore, Liam was yet again surprised by his bride. The slightly dazed look she wore and the fine tremors rippling through her revealed that she had been as aroused by what she had been doing as he had been. It had been a lovely gift she had given him, but it was obvious she had fully shared in it, and he felt an odd clenching near his heart.
Picking her up in his arms, he took her to their bed, pausing only to satisfy his need to kiss her several times. Gently setting her down on top of the bed, he crouched over her. He doubted he would ever tire of seeing her delicate body, the way she looked with her long, dark hair spread out beneath her. After taking several deep breaths to regain some control over his lusts, he kissed her. There was something he knew all about but had never done, and he was eager to try it. Now it was his turn to give.
Keira moaned softly as Liam feasted upon her breasts. She was not sure how much she could endure as her need to feel him inside her was already strong and very demanding. Making love to him had stirred her far more than she would ever have imagined, even in her dreams.
As he kissed his way down to her stomach, he caressed her legs. Keira was so caught up in how good that felt that it took her a moment to realize he had subtly spread her legs. A touch of embarrassment born of a modesty she feared she might never fully conquer cooled her passion just a little. When she realized he was looking at her there, that she could actually see him doing it, she tried to divert his attention before that embarrassment she felt growing inside of her killed all the delicious heat in her body.
“Liam, I am nay sure I can endure much more play,” she said, gripping the sheets in her hands as he kissed the inside of her thighs, his soft hair brushing over her woman’s flesh in a caress that sent waves of desire rolling through her body.
“Be strong, wife,” he said and gently nipped her thigh. “Think of scrubbing pots.”
She opened her mouth to say that that was a foolish thing to say to her, but all that came out was a squeak of shock as he kissed her right there, in that place he had been staring at so intently. Her whole body tensed so much she lifted herself off the bed a little ways. Just as she was thinking it was because she could not tolerate such an intimacy, he stroked her with his tongue. Keira had the fleeting thought that she had just uttered a blasphemy when all ability to think left her and she became a creature of only feeling, heat, and need.
One tiny flicker of sanity came to her when she realized she was about to shatter. She cried out to him, asking him to join with her, but he ignored her. A heartbeat later, she felt her release tear through her with a strength that left her shaking. Liam gave her no time to recover, however, using his intimate kisses to drive her mad all over again, but this time, when she called out to him, he gave her what she asked for. The joining was fierce, and the ride hard and fast. Keira reveled in every too short minute of it.
Keira cautiously opened her eyes, frowned in confusion for a moment, and then blushed as memory came flooding back. She closed her eyes again, but it was too late. Liam already knew she was awake. He kissed her, and then she knew he was staring at her. When she opened her eyes again to find him grinning at her, she gave him a severe frown. He laughed, pulled her into his arms, and rolled onto his back. Sprawled on top of his naked body as she was, Keira found it a little difficult to remain dignified, especially when she found herself remembering how very good he had tasted.
“Has my wanton fled again?” Liam asked as he idly rubbed her back.
“She should be hiding under a rock, cringing in embarrassment,” Keira replied.
Liam grinned again for even as she said that, she was running her fingers over his ribs in a soft caress. That wanton part of Keira might retreat a little now and then, but he had the feeling it would never be completely leashed again. He was feeling quite proud and vain for having loved her into a swoon. As he had waited for her to open her eyes, he had realized that something had been slightly different about their lovemaking.
Although Keira’s passion had always been hot, beautifully matching his own, it had needed coaxing, and embarrassment or modesty had often intruded, making that climb to passion’s heights a little rocky at times. The only hesitation this time had been when he had given her that most intimate of kisses, and it had been so fleeting as to be unimportant. In freeing herself to be as bold and daring as she seemed to be in her dreams, Keira had also fully unchained the sensuous woman inside of her. She had allowed herself to revel freely in every touch, every kiss, and it had been a wonder to behold. He had thought the desire they shared the best he had ever tasted, but now knew it could be even better. Liam would not let her hide that side of herself again.
“Och, nay, bring her back,” he murmured as he combed his fingers through her hair, easing the tangles caused by their lovemaking. “She has naught to be embarrassed about.”
“I am certain she broke several of the church’s rules.” Keira discovered that a very large part of her did not really care if she had. Liam was her lawful husband, after all.
“Nay doubt, but having studied all those edicts, I believe that there are far too many rules. At times, I begin to think the men who make them simply wish
to be certain that no one finds any joy in the life God gave us.”
Keira stopped kissing his chest and studied his face for a moment. “Is that one of the reasons ye decided ye couldnae bear a life in the church?”
“Aye, one of them. Just as there is in the world outside the church, within it, there is hypocrisy, greed, and a lust for power. I didnae have the calling strong enough to go on despite that, nay like your cousin has.”
“He sees all of that, too?”
Liam nodded. “But this isnae the time for such solemn thoughts. Nay, not when I have that wanton lass from your dreams within reach.”
Keira smiled a little. “The one ye were going to dance naked for?”
To her astonishment, Liam nudged her off him and got out of bed. He winked at her and then began to sing and dance. Keira laughed. The man did not have a modest bone in his body. He also had a very good voice. After watching him for a moment, she stopped laughing, although a smile lingered upon her lips. It was a silly thing to do, yet the man had such strength and grace in his body, it was a pleasure to watch him.
“I believe I also said I was certain that wee, wanton lassie would probably dance with me,” he said as he grabbed her hand and tugged her off the bed.
For a moment, Keira felt both foolish and a little embarrassed, but then he began to sing again. It was a song she loved, and she was quickly singing it along with him. They danced a very courtly dance for a little while, the careful, measured steps and moves taking on a whole new meaning when danced naked. Then Liam started to sing a slightly risque, more common tune, and they were soon cavorting around the room like two children, laughing, singing, and dancing as if they did not have a care in the world.
Keira was not sure who was the first to realize that joy had stirred up a very hot need, or if it struck them both at the same moment, but she suddenly found herself staring at Liam. He was staring right back, and she suspected the heat she could see in his eyes was reflected in her own. She licked her lips. He licked his.
Still feeling a little playful, she darted away when he reached for her. The chase was short, however, for she wanted to be caught. She screeched in surprise when he tossed her onto the bed, but welcomed him with wide-open arms when he joined her there. When he kissed her, she felt how fierce his need was, and hers rose up to equal it. It was rather nice to be a lusty, wanton lass, she thought just before passion burned away all clarity of mind.
CHAPTER 14
Subtly, Keira rubbed her sore backside. Two very long days in the saddle had left her aching and loathe to ride a horse ever again. What she would really like was a long soak in a hot bath, but it would be days yet before she could enjoy such a luxury. She would, however, take a good, hard wash in the burn they were camped near as soon as Liam returned.
And just how long could it take to get a look at Ardgleann? she thought. It was not far away, and since it was still light out, there was no chance of searching out any weaknesses without risking being captured. What really troubled her was how adamant Liam, Ewan, Sigimor, and even her brothers had been about her not going along with them. Keira supposed that could simply be because it was too dangerous to draw so close to Rauf. She had the distinct feeling, however, that they were afraid of what she might see, yet no one had brought them any news since they had stopped on the far eastern border of Ardgleann.
“M’lady, I have brought ye some cider.”
Keira turned to smile at Kester. “Ah, thank ye kindly,” she said, accepting the tankard and taking a deep drink of the surprisingly cool cider. “Perfect for clearing the dust from one’s throat.”
She glanced down and realized that Kester’s monk’s robe had been pulled up a few inches from the ground. When she looked up a little, she saw that he had bunched that extra length up above the rope belt he wore. Keira suddenly realized that Kester had brought her a full tankard of cider and that there was no sign upon him or the tankard that he had spilled even one drop of it. Although she doubted shortening the length of his robe would completely cure him of his youthful clumsiness, it had obviously helped.
“I could cut that extra length off, if ye want,” she told him.
“Och, nay, but thank ye,” Kester said. “Laird Sigimor did this, but he told me nay to cut it. Nay yet, he said.”
And it was obvious that as far as Kester was concerned, Sigimor’s word was law.
“He told me once Ardgleann is yours, I can have breeches to wear,” Kester continued.
“But nay yet.”
“Aye, Laird Sigimor says nay yet.”
“I dinnae suppose he told ye why he wants ye to wait.” She was not surprised when Kester shook his head, and she turned to look in the direction of Ardgleann again. “They have been gone quite a while.”
“Nay so long as that, m’lady. Laird Sigimor said they were going to do a wee bit of watching. I suspicion good, careful watching can take time, if ye do it right.”
Sigimor had clearly become Kester’s new hero. She had to admit that the man was very patient with the boy. After having been cast out so callously by his own blood, Keira was a little surprised at how eagerly Kester accepted the guidance of the older men. There was hurt there, but no real anger or resentment that he then turned upon any adult male. She would have to find the right path for him to take, one that would make him a man to be reckoned with. Kester might not be angry with his kinsmen, but she was; one day, she would dearly like them to see how big a mistake they had made in throwing this boy away.
“I am o’er here, Sir Archie,” Kester said and started waving his arms. “If ye walk straight toward me, there is naught in your way.” Kester glanced at Keira. “He can see this movement, ye ken.”
A moment later, Sir Archie had safely crossed the distance from the horses to them, and he patted Kester on the back. “Ye are a good lad.”
The wind tousled Sir Archie’s long hair, and Keira got a glimpse of the ragged scar that ran from his hairline just past the side of his right eye. “Ye said ye had trouble with your eyes after ye had a knock on the head?” she asked Sir Archie.
“Aye,” replied Sir Archie. “Took a long time to heal, it did. Thought my sight would get better when it did heal, but it didnae.”
“Did it fester a lot?”
“Lady Keira is a healer, Sir Archie,” Kester said. “A verra good one.”
“Nay sure any healer can fix this, but, aye, it did fester for weeks,” he replied. “The poison didnae spread, however.”
It might not have spread, but Keira was not certain all the poison was out. “Might I have a look at it?”
When he nodded, she carefully looked over the barely healed wound. It was rough, too rough. Keira feared there was something stuck beneath the closed skin, perhaps even in the bone. There were also signs that it still seeped poison from time to time. Aside from opening the wound up again, she could tell no more just by looking. With so many men she did not know well wandering close by as they settled into their camp, she did not dare use her gift either.
“I think, sir, that the wound needs to be reopened and thoroughly cleaned out,” she said.
“Do ye think that if ye do that, it will make me see more clearly?”
“Nay, I cannae promise that.” Although she thought there was a chance there could be some improvement, she was not going to raise the man’s hopes. Until she got a very good look at that wound, she could not really be sure anyway.
“Then leave it as it is for now, m’lady. Once all is settled and ye are back where ye belong, I will think on it.”
“I will be certain to remind ye of that, sir,” she said and turned to frown in the direction of Ardgleann again. “What could possibly be taking them so cursed long?”
“A mon likes to look hard at his enemy’s defenses,” said Sir Archie, “and that takes time.”
There was obviously nothing wrong with the man’s hearing, Keira mused. “Weel, I hope they get back soon as I am growing keenly anxious to ken what they have seen.”<
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“We cannae let Keira see this,” whispered Liam as he stared in horror at the walls of Ardgleann.
He had not noticed anything at first; he had been too busy noting such things as the richness of the land they were crossing and the size of the village. It had been Sigimor’s and Ewan’s sharply indrawn breath and the whispered curses of Keira’s brothers that had drawn his attention. At first, he had not recognized what he was looking at. When he did, he had had to struggle hard not to empty his belly. Dangling from the parapets of Ardgleann’s walls were bodies. They were strung all along the wall like some gruesome necklace.
“I suspect they are the men who tried to defend their laird and their home,” murmured Sigimor. “Rauf must think it will strike fear into the hearts of his enemies.”
“And ye dinnae think it will?”
“Some, but then others will feel as I do. Angry. Verra, verra angry.”
“The village is too quiet,” said Lucas, drawing everyone’s attention away from the walls. “And has anyone seen or heard any animals? ’Tisnae night yet. Why no sounds of cows, sheep, or those cursed, noisy fowl?”
Liam looked around and realized Lucas was right. It was too still and quiet. With light to see, someone should have been moving around. There was not even a mongrel dog to be seen.
“He has already stripped the place bare,” said Ewan.
“Either that, or he is hoarding everything inside those walls,” said Liam. “When Sir Ian comes, he may ken more.”
“Aye, and if the mon has seen what Lucas has, it would explain how quickly and eagerly he allied with us.”
“Rauf s rather like those locusts in the Bible.”
“Verra like, now that I recall the tale. No thought to the future either. If he has been feasting each and every meal, slaughtering livestock without a thought to breeding more, he will have to reach out for the lands and possessions of others just to keep from starving.” Glancing toward the quiet village, Ewan added, “And he will care naught that he has condemned all of them to death with his greed.”
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