The Bride Chooses a Highlander

by Adrienne Basso

  Lileas shook her head. “James and Graham are my uncles. They are Papa’s brothers. How can ye be my uncle if ye aren’t Papa’s brother?”

  “I married yer aunt Katherine.”

  “Married!” Lileas started hopping from one foot to the other in excitement. “Is she going to have a baby? Married ladies have babies. I love babies. Mother is going to have one, but it won’t be here until summer, which is so, so far away. Aunt Davina had a baby. ’Tis a lad. She let me hold him and he never cried once when he was in my arms. His name is Brian, the same as Grandfather’s.

  “But I want Mother’s baby to be a lass and the next one to be a lad and the next one to be another lad and then I want two baby lasses. At the same time! That’s called twins.”

  Lachlan chuckled beneath his breath, wondering what the lovely Joan would think of Lileas’s plans for such a large family.

  Footsteps alerted them to someone approaching and they all spun around.

  “Papa!” Lileas and Callum shrieked in unison, racing toward the tall, broad-shouldered man who stood at the front of the stable.

  He knelt and caught one child in each arm as they launched themselves at him. Lifting the pair with ease, he smiled and hugged them tightly, shifting them in his arms so that he could look closely at their faces. They hugged and kissed him, then began peppering him with a rapid series of questions. His eyes flashed with warmth and affection as he answered each one patiently and with good cheer.

  Lachlan used Malcolm’s preoccupation with the children to study Katherine’s eldest brother. His physical stature would overwhelm most and the air of authority he exuded proclaimed him a strong leader.

  Yet it would appear that there was a soft side to the heir of the McKenna clan, a man whose reputation as a fearless, skilled fighter was well-known throughout the Highlands and beyond. Lileas’s resemblance to Malcolm was marked, in both features and coloring, but the lad was fair-haired like his mother.

  And his sire.

  Callum was Archibald Fraser’s natural son, a result of Joan’s first unhappy marriage to the Fraser laird. Lachlan was surprised to see how easily Malcolm showed the same concern and affection for the lad as he did for his own daughter. One would never guess that McKenna blood did not flow through the lad’s veins.

  “I see that we are not alone,” Malcolm said, his gaze traveling slowly over Lachlan.

  “Aye, Papa, Callum and I know that we are not allowed to come to the stables on our own,” Lileas promptly replied. “That’s why Uncle Lachlan is here with us.”

  “Uncle?”

  “He married Aunt Katherine.”

  “Aye, yer mother told me all when I returned home late last night.”

  Malcolm carefully set the children on their feet. He brushed the hair back from his daughter’s forehead and gave her a kiss, then did the same with the lad.

  “Will ye take us riding, Papa?” Lileas begged. “Our ponies feel sad staying in the stables all day.”

  “’Tis still dark out and far too early to ride beyond the castle walls, as ye well know, Lileas,” he scolded. “Mistress Innes will be frantic when she finds that ye are missing from yer beds.”

  “Mistress Innes willnae be worried,” Lileas assured her father. “She’s sleeping. I heard her snoring before we left.”

  Malcolm gave his daughter a quelling look. “I will only take ye and yer brother fer a ride if ye return to yer chamber before she discovers that ye are gone.”

  Callum jabbed an elbow into Lileas’s side. “Hurry!” he yelled.

  Lileas’s squeal of excitement pierced Lachlan’s ears. She ran after her brother, quickly overtaking him, pausing once to look over her shoulder and wave at Lachlan.

  “My wife tells me that ye’ve made quite the impression upon my father.”

  Lachlan turned and met Malcolm’s unwavering stare with an equally intimidating one of his own.

  “The McKenna looks at me as though he just realized he’s stepped into afresh pile of horse dung,” Lachlan admitted wryly.

  “Is he wrong?”

  “Aye. Just ask yer sister.” Lachlan looked directly at Malcolm. “I regret that I’ve been the cause of so much tension and strife within yer family, but Katherine is my wife. I will do anything to ensure her safety and happiness.”

  “According to my wife, this unpleasantness was not all yer doing,” Malcolm conceded.

  “I never realized that Katherine could be so fierce until I saw her tangle with yer father,” Lachlan said with a slight grin.

  “The McKennas are loyal and protective of those they love.” Malcolm shrugged. “I suppose there are worse family traits.”

  Lachlan nodded and the tension between the two men lessened. “I can only hope that yer father will respect the loyalty I carry fer my family when I ask a great favor of him today.”

  “The McKenna can be persuaded, if ye present a reasonable argument. He enjoys having men in his debt,” Malcolm revealed. “What will ye ask of him?”

  “To see my youngest brother, Robbie. He’s imprisoned at yer quarry.”

  “The quarry?” Malcolm’s eyes flared and Lachlan could see his right hand tighten into a fist. “Yer brother’s crime was against me—and my wife.”

  Lachlan looked at Malcolm quizzically, surprised at learning this detail. “Did Robbie act alone?”

  “Nay, he was one of three other men who sought to profit from a misunderstanding between myself and the MacPhearson clan.” Malcolm’s expression softened slightly. “Fortunately, Joan managed to thwart their plans.”

  The answer was unexpected. Truthfully, Lachlan had not thought much about his brother’s crime, only that he had been caught and was a prisoner. Though he was curious to learn more, Lachlan wisely decided not to press Malcolm for details, assuming recounting the event could dredge up memories best forgotten.

  “Do ye think I’d be allowed to see him, to speak with him?” Lachlan asked.

  Malcolm shot him a thoughtful gaze. Lachlan waited, daring to hope. Finally, the other man nodded. “Katherine will certainly champion yer cause. I shall too.”

  “I’m grateful.”

  “I do this fer my sister,” Malcolm replied. “Joan tells me that she loves ye very much.”

  “Aye.” Lachlan lowered his gaze, mortified to realize that he was starting to blush. “Nearly as much as I love her.”

  Malcolm stepped forward and extended his arm. Startled by the gesture, Lachlan hesitated only a moment before clasping it.

  “’Tis good to find another warrior like myself—and my brother—who sees the value in allowing himself to follow his heart,” Malcolm said with a grin. “Welcome to the family.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Dawn was barely breaking when Lachlan returned to the bedchamber. He approached the bed just as Katherine was stirring from her slumber. Her eyes were half-lidded and inviting, her lips moist and parted with languid drowsiness. Lachlan reached for a lock of her tawny hair and slid it slowly through his fingers. It was smooth and silky, just like the rest of her.

  “Good morning,” he murmured.

  “Aye, it looks as though it will be a lovely day.” Her brow furrowed. “Why are ye dressed?”

  “I was outside in the stables. The cool breeze helps clear my head.”

  She twitched her nose. “Aye, we both partook steadily of the wine and whiskey last night.”

  They had, but that was not the reason he needed the fresh air. He opened his mouth to mention his unexpected meeting with Malcolm, but the sight of Katherine’s delectable sweetness sent those thoughts flying out of his head.

  God’s blood, she was irresistible.

  As he held her gaze, Lachlan could feel the sizzling power of sexual tension stirring between them. For an instant it left him witless, robbed of any thought except fulfilling the driving need to sweep her into his arms and kiss her until they were both senseless.

  How was she able to do this to him? What magical spell did she weave over him that made
his senses sharper, his feelings run so deep and fierce?

  “Ye’re looking at me in a most enticing way,” he remarked, moving closer.

  “Am I?” She rolled onto her back. The thin linen shift she wore dropped off her shoulder, exposing the delicate, porcelain skin. “I hope that I have not caused any offense.”

  She was wanton and wicked and he admitted freely to himself that he adored it. Some men demanded piety and meekness from their wives. They were fools. Vibrant passion and confident enticement made life far more interesting and worthwhile.

  Lachlan placed his knee on the edge of the bed and loomed over Katherine. With a sensual grin, he pushed the garment farther from her shoulder. She wriggled toward him and reached up, resting her palm against his cheek.

  Delighted, he slowly ran the tip of his finger across her shoulder, down her arm, then lightly over the creamy expanse of her breast. Her breath hitched as the nipple tightened and she released a soft, almost feline-like purr.

  “Ye know that ye’ll need to answer fer those sultry glances ye keep sending my way,” he said.

  She caught his caressing hand and pulled it toward her face. Her pink tongue darted out and she ran it slowly over the pulse at his wrist. Desire shot straight to his groin and Lachlan felt his cock harden.

  His breathing slowed as he tried to regain a measure of control, but she threw her arms around his neck, digging her fingers deep into his shoulder and Lachlan’s need overcame him. He cupped her buttocks and pulled her against his erection, the heat and passion driving them both to near madness.

  She began rubbing her thigh up and down against him and Lachlan swore he could feel the thundering of his heart. He felt on fire for her with a desire so strong it made him shudder. He pulled her hair back and began kissing her neck.

  “Why are ye wearing so many clothes?” she asked with a breathless voice.

  “The barrier of cloth is all that keeps me from ravishing ye like a wild beast,” he admitted, feeling almost dizzy from the strength of the yearning tearing through him.

  A sensual, feminine smile curved up the corners of Katherine’s sweet mouth. “Hmmm, that sounds most intriguing. Pray, remove yer tunic and trews and show me exactly what ye mean.”

  “Are ye certain?” he asked, not truly knowing how he would contain himself if she needed him to hold back. No doubt her body was sore and tender from their previous couplings and the last thing he wanted was to cause her pain.

  “Come to me,” Katherine rasped, arching her back and pressing herself closer. “Pleasure me.”

  His heart hammering in his chest, Lachlan somehow pulled off his clothing. Then with a strangled groan, he grasped Katherine’s hips, lifted her off the mattress, and plunged inside her.

  Her cry of excitement caused him to nearly spill his seed the moment the warm wetness clenched around his throbbing penis, but he was hell-bent on bringing her to her release before achieving his own.

  He pushed his hand between their sweat-soaked bodies until he reached the juncture of her thighs, and pressed down with the tips of his fingers on her mons. Katherine arched, whimpering low in her throat.

  “I love ye, Katherine,” he whispered before claiming her mouth.

  He delighted in the heat and excitement he tasted. Ablaze with hunger, he rocked against her, their bodies straining and twisting together. Harder, faster, deeper until he felt the tremors inside her beginning.

  “Ye’re mine,” she said, holding his face between her hands.

  Pulling himself forward, Lachlan rose above Katherine, surging one final time, spilling his seed just as her body shuddered in release. He held on to her tightly as the storm of pleasure subsided, his heart full.

  He tried catching himself, but instead slumped forward, resting fully on her lushness. A rush of tenderness overwhelmed him. With each joining, he felt closer, more connected to her in ways that continued to confound him. Yet he gloried in every moment.

  She resisted when he started moving off her. “Nay, stay with me, my love.”

  “I’m too heavy,” he countered, knowing he should shift his weight to his elbows, yet lacking the strength. Or the will.

  “I like it,” Katherine insisted.

  Lachlan smiled. She was strong, his precious wife. And willful. Opinionated. Often stubborn. Yet utterly his.

  Basking in the completeness, the sense of peace invading his every limb, Lachlan closed his eyes and promptly fell asleep.

  * * *

  “I’m coming with ye,” Katherine insisted when Lachlan told her of his plans to visit his brother.

  “I dinnae know what I’ll discover,” Lachlan replied cautiously. “It could be very . . . disturbing.”

  Katherine’s eyes glimmered with concern—and determination. “All the more reason why I should be with ye.”

  Lachlan hesitated. He recognized that look in Katherine’s eyes. Protesting and arguing with his fiery wife could prove to be a waste of time. ’Twas far wiser to save his breath for negotiating with the McKenna if Robbie was desperate to be released.

  They departed as soon as they had broken their fast. Once they cleared the castle gates, Katherine spurred her mount to a gallop and then a run. Lachlan and the half dozen soldiers who accompanied them had no choice but to follow suit and join the race. Shouts and laughter filled the air when Katherine pulled ahead of the pack, successfully beating them all.

  They slowed to a more reasonable pace and Katherine began pointing out various landmarks. When the fields opened and there was nothing of interest to see, she regaled him with stories and the history of the McKenna clan.

  He gazed at his lovely wife and smiled. He knew what she was doing. Distracting him in an attempt to ease his concerns over the impending meeting with Robbie. She was a marvel. Lachlan inhaled deeply, wondering how fate had been so kind as to gift him with such an extraordinary woman.

  When they entered a small village of thatched cottages, a tall man of substantial girth, with thick, muscled arms and a crooked nose that had surely been broken more than once, greeted them. Recognizing Katherine, the man bowed his head respectfully and listened intently to her instructions.

  Having Malcolm’s permission and the laird’s daughter at his side made everything far easier. No one questioned or protested the unusual request to see a prisoner and one of the workers was promptly sent to fetch Robbie.

  Lachlan’s mouth grew dry as he waited, wondering if his brother would be shackled, hoping if that were the case he would be able to remain calm and stoic. ’Twas also possible that Robbie would be sickly, pale, and drawn, and near complete exhaustion from being underfed and overworked.

  Lachlan was therefore astonished to see a strapping man walking out of the quarry gate unencumbered, conversing with the McKenna clansman at his side as though they were friends.

  Robbie stood straight and proud. He appeared taller than Lachlan remembered, his chest broader, his arms more muscular. Days of swinging a heavy mallet and lifting man-sized stones into carts had made his brother lean, fit, and muscular.

  The men marched their way. Katherine gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and Lachlan moved forward in greeting.

  “Good day, Brother.”

  A muscle above Robbie’s eye started twitching and he flushed red. “Lachlan? Is it truly ye?”

  “Aye.”

  Lachlan grasped his brother’s shoulders and hugged him. Instead of the stench of an unwashed body and torn, ragged clothes, Robbie was dressed in a clean, thick woolen tunic, wool hose, and padded leather half shoes.

  “Ye seem fit,” Lachlan said, glancing at the solid muscles on Robbie’s forearms.

  “We are well fed so that we can work hard. I break and carry the stone, yet sometimes work in the forge with the blacksmith, keeping the chisels sharp and making metal wedges for the quarrymen,” Robbie explained. He reached out and touched Lachlan’s sleeve, almost as though he were confirming that Lachlan was indeed real. “How were ye able to find me?”

&
nbsp; “I have my ways.” Lachlan’s lips curled in a crafty smile. “And my wife’s connections.”

  Robbie’s eyes darted around, coming to rest upon Katherine. “Lady Katherine.” He bowed respectfully.

  Katherine met his inquisitive stare with a sweet smile. “Hello, Robbie. I am pleased to meet ye, though I prefer that it were under different circumstances.”

  “I heard a rumor that a MacTavish had married the laird’s daughter. Then it’s true?” Robbie asked, studying her with wide eyes.

  “Aye.” Lachlan nodded, pride filling his chest. “I’ve been blessed with a most exceptional wife.”

  “I’m pleased to discover that some good has finally come to our family.” Robbie lowered his chin. “I’ve brought dishonor upon our clan, Brother. I pray that ye can forgive me.”

  Lachlan couldn’t miss the sincere remorse in Robbie’s voice. “’Tis true that ye acted foolishly and without thought. But ye’re making amends fer yer deeds. I can ask no more of ye.”

  He saw Robbie’s shoulders relax, as though a weight had been taken from them. “I swear that I shall make ye proud of me one day.”

  Lachlan squared his jaw and regarded his brother with a rising sense of respect. “I cannae make any promises, but I might be able to strike a bargain with the McKenna fer yer freedom.”

  Robbie’s eyes shifted and he grumbled under his breath. “I’ll not have ye begging fer my release and waste what little coin ye possess to save my hide. Not while the rest of our clan wants fer so much.”

  “I’m not foolish enough to believe the McKenna would give ye to me fer a price, even if I had the coin,” Lachlan admitted.

  Robbie’s head twisted toward him. “My crimes against the clan are serious. I was one of four men that set upon Sir Malcolm and Lady Joan. Thankfully, they escaped with minor injuries, which is the only reason I still draw breath. By rights, I could have been executed.”

  Lachlan rubbed his hand over his jaw. “Aye, yer guilt is clear, but I might be able to convince the McKenna to allow me to make amends another way and have ye released sooner.”

  Robbie peered at him. “How? ’Tis far too late to request a trial by combat.”