by Kara Griffin
Laird Sutherland, Keith, my friend, I write because Callum seeks peace. He deems you won’t forgive his disparaged words when you were here. I ask that you not hold him accountable. As you said we must have patience with Callum and I beg you to hear what he has to say. Pray, do not war against your friend because of me. Your grateful and true friend, Violet
Violet flapped the parchment in the air to dry it. She folded the missive and handed it and a coin to Gussy, and she left straight away. As she waited for Gussy’s return, she tidied the chamber and sat back in the chair. Minutes of agony trickled by, to which she considered the discourse between Callum and Keith. Men easily took to blows, even over such a simple matter as her talking to Keith. She never should have instigated Callum by asking about his friend.
Finally, Gussy entered the chamber, and her breath rasped from her errand. “Your missive is on its way. The stable lad said that Laird Sutherland usually spends his time in the tavern in the village. He’ll take it to him. Oh, and you received a missive from Lord Henry.” She handed the secured missive to her and collected the launder. “I’ll see about getting these garments cleaned.” Gussy once again left the chamber.
Violet held Henry’s missive and broke the wax seal, keeping it secure. She gently unfolded the parchment and hoped it didn’t bear ill tidings.
Dearest Violet, I write to you from the desolated Isle of Mann, where I exist at the edge of nowhere. There is nothing but isolation here. My wife is pleased to have me in her care, and our children prosper with the air and sea near. I find family life rather dull compared to the king’s court and the political dealings. Richard’s wrath keeps me here, and yet, my father has his ear, so hopefully, I will rejoin the living soon. I have several emissaries searching for Cora and have yet to find her location. Still, I persist, and shall not end my search of her. Be assured, sweet Violet, that I shall endeavor to keep my promise. When I learn something about your daughter, I shall write again. Until then, it is my wish you find happiness with Sinclair and that your relations have given you both peace. Ever your servant, HB
Violet sat for a good time and reread Henry’s missive. She despaired and tears gathered thinking of Cora, and where she might be. Prayers crossed her lips and she sobbed at the thought of never seeing her sweet baby again. Evening came, and she couldn’t stay in her chamber another moment. As she stepped into the hallway, she heard Dela’s cries. At the end of the hall, the door to her chamber was open and she flailed against Hawisa’s hold.
“You will cease being daft, lass. The bath awaits and you won’t refute me this night.”
Violet scowled at Hawisa’s treatment of the girl. “What’s going on?”
“This doesn’t concern you. Be gone.” Hawisa shook Dela’s garment and tried to pull her free from the bedpost.
Dela held tight and screamed.
“You’re distressing the child. Release her.”
Hawisa flung Dela and caused her to release the post. “The lass is filthy and needs a bath. I’ve tried to do so for weeks. She refuses to listen and is a haughty thing, just like her mother was.”
“You weren’t friendly with Callum’s wife?” she dared to ask.
“Friendly, hah. The woman was a shanty and they deserved each other. I do what I can to care for their child, but only because of my relation with Callum. Otherwise, she should be sent to the kitchens to tarry over the cinders by the cooking pits.”
“You shouldn’t detest the child because you’re not fond of her parents. It’s not her fault she was born to them, and I thought you appreciated your laird and his wife.”
Hawisa laughed derisively. “Appreciate him? I tolerate him. You’re but a guest here, soon to be gone. You interfere in matters that don’t concern you.”
“Don’t concern me? Dela matters to me, and I have every right to make certain she is unharmed. Since you are so troubled, I shall see to Dela’s bath.”
The horrid woman harrumphed, left, and slammed the door behind her. Violet was glad to see her back.
“Come, Dela, I’ll help you with your bath. You’ll feel better once you’re clean, and your pretty hair is detangled.” She held out her hand and hoped to soothe the girl.
“Nay, I don’t want a bath.” Dela shrieked and retook the bedpost, and her eyes widened with fright.
She pressed her hand on Dela’s cheek. “There’s nothing to fear, sweeting. I promise, the bath won’t hurt you, and nor shall I.”
Dela nodded. “Aye, it will. Please, don’t make me go in the water…”
Violet didn’t understand what troubled her. “Why do you fear the bath? My daughter loved to bathe. She’d play and frolic in the tub or stream for hours. Is it because you cannot swim? Because if that’s the case, you need not swim to bathe.”
“I cannot breathe under the water.”
“Of course you cannot. Why would you try to breathe under the water? You don’t have to go under the water if you don’t want to.”
“But Hawisa holds me under and sometimes I get scared.”
Violet’s breath hitched at the rage of the woman’s audacity. Did she hold the child under the water? What kind of soulless woman was she? To harm a child went against all that was good and holy. “Come, trust me. Sit in the bath and we shall discuss this. I won’t force you under the water. You have my promise.”
Dela reluctantly agreed and hesitantly ambled to the tub.
She pulled her tunic free and lifted the slight girl into the tub. “There, you see, there’s nothing to fear. Unless you go under, then you shall hold your nose. Like this,” she said and pinched her nose. “Does the water not feel good?”
Dela giggled. “You look and sound funny. Tell me about Cora.”
She took the cloth, lathered it with soap, and began the chore of washing the child while she distracted her. “My daughter is a sweet girl, just like you. One day, perhaps you will meet.”
“I hope so,” Dela said and giggled when she splashed water over her shoulders.
“Cora likes to help me garden when the weather warms. Do you spend time in the garden?”
Dela shook her head.
“Perhaps you would like to help me? Your father permitted me to tend his garden. We’ll go to the village on the morrow and get seeds to plant, and we shall plant the most beautiful flowers.” She washed her hair and found a cup to rinse her locks of the soap.
“I would like that. Will you tell Da, that I don’t want to be with Hawisa?”
“You should tell him.” Violet rinsed her small body and bid her to stand. She covered her with a drying cloth and put another over her damp hair.
“I was going to, but Da left. He said he would visit me this night, but he hasn’t come.” Her small face pouted and she appeared to weep. “Did he forget me?”
She sighed wistfully at the woe of her question. “I’m sure he hasn’t. We shall get you dressed then and ready for his visit.” Once she dried her, Violet found a clean nightdress and put her in it. “Your father left the keep on important business and I know not when he shall return. It’s getting late. Perhaps you should rest and seek him on the morrow? Shall you settle in bed and I’ll tell you a tale? Cora likes tales, do you?”
Dela nodded. “If Cora likes them, then I shall.”
“No one told you tales? They’re just stories made up for amusement. I will tell you the story of the Grasshopper and the Ant.”
The girl clapped her hands with glee and smiled.
Violet took a comb and started on the tangles of her hair. “You see, there was this Grasshopper… He loved to frolic and play in the fields all day. He’d jump on the highest stalks and lay in the open meadows. One sunny afternoon, he came across an ant that pushed a heavy pinecone along a barren strip of the field. ‘What are you doing?’ he asked… The ant said, ‘I’m collecting food for winter.’ ‘Oh,’ the Grasshopper snickered. ‘But it’s summer. Why should you care about winter?’ He didn’t wait for the ant’s answer and danced away.”
&nbs
p; Dela squealed with laughter. “The Grasshopper sounds like fun. I want to play in the fields with him.”
She finished detangling her hair and was surprised at how long it was. “Oh, he was fun and spent his days reveling in the meadow. He danced and played, while the ant worked and tarried to ready for the cold weather. Come get in bed and I’ll tuck you in.” Violet pulled the covers to her chin and sat beside her. “Now close your eyes and rest and I shall tell you the end of the story on the morrow.”
“Don’t leave. Please, tell me the rest now.”
Violet smiled and pressed her hand on her clean locks of hair, still damp from her bath. “When winter came, the ant crossed paths with the grasshopper again. The grasshopper shivered and looked cold and hungry. He asked the ant for food, but the ant shook his head.”
“Oh, nay, he wouldn’t share?”
“No, he wouldn’t. He was angry that the Grasshopper danced and played all summer and fall, while he worked and tarried. He told the Grasshopper to dance his way through winter and left him to his hunger.”
Dela pouted. “He wasn’t a good friend.”
“No, he wasn’t. But still, the Grasshopper should have worked for he knew winter would come. Never put off tomorrow what you must do this day.”
The girl nodded. “Do you think Da will come soon? I want to see him. I miss him.”
“I am certain he will return soon. Now, close your eyes and if I see him, I’ll tell him to come. Dream happy thoughts.”
“I shall.”
Violet retreated from the chamber when the girl appeared to be asleep. She entered her chamber and sighed. What a dreadful existence Dela endured under the care of that horrid woman Hawisa. Never put off tomorrow what you must do this day.
With that in mind, she dressed in her nightrail, pulled on her robe, and hurried to Callum’s chamber. There, she’d await his return and would alert him to his daughter’s mistreatment.
Chapter Eleven
Callum spent the day in search of Keith. When he arrived at the Sutherland fortification, he’d been told Keith traveled to Edinburgh to get news with regard to the king’s treaty assembly with England. His comrade would bring the news to the north and a messenger would relay it to all the clans. Callum had correspondence with the king’s son, Earl Carrick, stating his brother sided with those who supported the king’s wish to further instigate England to arms.
With the king ailing, the council needed to name the guardianship of Scotland. Callum assumed it would pass to Carrick, the king’s eldest son, but he was badly injured recently on his return to Fife. The political unfolding would shape their kingdom and he hoped all passed smoothly, and their land wouldn’t succumb to chaos. That was if Carrick could get his brother to desist in riling the temper of England’s King Richard.
After learning the disparaged turmoil in the south, Callum was glad he’d set his men to train. Their arms might be needed sooner than he’d thought. Hopefully, his comrade would help to smooth over the discourse, or at least put forth their view. None wanted further frays, but if the English persisted, they’d have to defend their freedom.
He’d need to revisit the Sutherland holding when he received word Keith returned. Until then, he hoped Keith didn’t do something daft, like align with the Mackenzies. Callum rode hard for Sinclair land and reached his home after dark. He intended to see his lass and stood by her door. He didn’t intend to intrude or to listen to Violet and his daughter’s conversation, but he was captivated. Violet endeared his daughter, which wasn’t an easy thing to do, especially of late. It was their discussion of Violet’s daughter that drew his frown. He hadn’t known she had a child. She’d never mentioned a lass, nor had Henry.
The woman was here for a short time, and he had to remind himself of that. There could be no romantic pursuit of her, even if his manliness wouldn’t accept that. But he was unable to be in her presence without his need plaguing him, or his desire to touch her as he wanted. As much as he wanted to refute his attraction, he doubted he’d be able to.
Before she left his daughter’s chamber, Callum retreated to the kitchens to get food because he hadn’t eaten all day. Violet’s maid appeared friendly with his cook, Bailey. The two stood close, much too near for there not to be interest between them. She scurried away and hurried to get a trencher ready for him, and smiled widely while doing so. He returned to his chamber, set the trencher on the desk and peered at the missive he’d written to Henry. In it, he’d pled with Henry to settle Violet elsewhere. Callum took the missive and crushed it in his hand. He pitched it into the empty fire pit in the hearth. He considered his cousin’s words as he ate the light fare from the trencher. Clive insisted he do as he wanted. And he certainly was tempted to let his guard down with Violet.
He’d forgotten his promise to Dela and hastened to her chamber. The lass slept soundly and he didn’t wish to awaken her. On the morrow, he’d spend the morning with her and hopefully win her forgiveness. With all that happened since his visit to the border, he hadn’t realized Dela suffered. She’d not only lost her mother but him as well. He’d right the wrong. Callum pressed the covers around her and placed a light kiss on her head. He left the chamber and returned to his.
Once he stripped his clothing, he ambled to the antechamber and approached the bed. He stood braced in awe to find Violet in his bed again. Last time, she’d lain atop the covers and slept. This time, she lay beneath the covers, unclothed, and watched him. He swallowed hard as he discovered her in his bed, where his depraved mind had envisioned her all day.
Callum sat on the edge of the bed and the entire time, she kept her eyes fastened on his. He swallowed again, knowing he wasn’t about to ask her to leave. Her being there in his bed would be his defeat. With little thought, he leaned close and raised a brow at her boldness.
“Violet, what are you doing here?”
She settled her hand on his thigh and lifted her chin. He reached for her and she ended up in his arms. She settled her hand on his chest and he embraced his arm around her waist. The slightest touch of her fingers brought a sense of ease to him. Her face inches from his caused his heart to thud heavily in his chest. The will to resist her dwindled and lust swarmed his thoughts with images of her naked in his arms.
“Ever since I laid eyes on you, I longed to be held by you. To have your lips on mine, our bodies joined as one.”
Callum moaned softly in the back of his throat at her lustful words. No woman had ever been as truthfully forthright or sexy. “As have I but―”
She placed the tip of her finger on his lips. “Shhh, there are to be no buts. No man has ever affected me as you do.”
He set his forehead on hers and closed his eyes. His breath hitched as he considered her alluring invitation. Was he dreaming of the erotic moment? “I cannot speak a falsehood and say I’m not drawn to you.”
“Then kiss me, Callum.”
His lips pressed hers briefly before he opened his mouth and passion took control. He used his tongue to speak the words of his desire. The kiss spurred a longing he hadn’t possessed in a long time. His dreams of her kissing him didn’t compare to the softness of her body ardently pressed against his. He kept her against him, and the hardness of his manhood throbbed. Callum pulled back and his breath labored from the overwhelming kiss they shared.
His voice almost broke when he spoke, “If you don’t leave now, I cannot promise I won’t ravish you.”
She didn’t smile or frown but pressed her dainty hand on his face. “I want to be ravished. I want to touch every part of you, and I want you to touch me.” Violet slid her hand over his chest and settled it on his hip. “Will you deny us the pleasure?”
He should’ve said aye and forced her to leave his chamber, but Callum hadn’t wanted anything so badly in years. “Nay,” his voice cracked, and he swallowed to clear his throat. He slid his hand over the thin material of the bed cover and cupped her breast. Callum teased her nipple until she shrieked. He wanted her naked and gra
sped the fabric and pulled at it. Once the cover was stripped away, he peered at her naked body, so bonny and on display.
He barely breathed at the sight of her loveliness. “You are beautiful, aye more than that.”
She edged toward the center of the bed and patted it. He joined her and pulled her back against him, and kissed her shoulder. She faced away from him and leaned against his chest. Her body provocatively pressed against his hardness. His hand caressed the smooth skin of her bonny arse, and he groaned.
Callum stroked her body and splayed his hands over her stomach. He wanted to take her in that position, but he was hindered. Using his body, he pressed her toward the bed. She sprawled in front of him, and he knelt and gripped her leg until she was in a perfect position. He wanted her ready because he knew well his onslaught would drive him to the brink. At least she would have some pleasure before he met his end. Callum set his mouth on her womanhood and prepared her. Her gasps and shaky legs told him she enjoyed it. He kept up the tumultuous play until she squealed with her culmination.
He rose and entered her. Violet moaned at his measured movements and he feared he might hurt her, but he pressed onward until his breath strained with words, “Do you want me to…continue?”
Violet reached out, and he bent forward to set a kiss on her chest. She didn’t speak and answered his question with a nod. Callum took hold of her leg and thrust forward until he settled within. Violet gazed at him with wide, sultry eyes. He didn’t like the look of fear in her bonny blue eyes, or perhaps it wasn’t fear, but her unbridled passion. With that in mind, he slowed his pace. He needed to calm the hell down.
“Don’t move… Be still, bonny lass. Give yourself time to adjust…” Bollocks. If she moved, it might cause him to throw over and reach his end. Yet, he gritted his teeth and swore not to give in to the lure of his orgasm.
“I’m not fearful. Touch me… Do you like it when I kiss you?”
“Aye, but there’s more…so much more.” He nodded to heighten his promise and she pulled him forward. Violet kissed him, and her tongue twirled his with passion. The desirous play sent him floundering because he wanted to please her, but he also wasn’t sure he would withstand the urgency of meeting his end. Callum spurred her passion by lowering her foot and sliding his hand along her leg. He pressed his fingers on her vee and shifted his body to easily thrust between her legs.