The Highlander’s Bride Trouble Read online

  One of the cranes had lost its load of stone. The cut blocks were scattered over one of the tables, but there didn’t appear to be anyone hurt. Several of the stonemasons were yelling up near one of the large wooden wheels used to operate the machine. Two younger boys stood with their heads lowered.

  “I’d best get over there,” Saer groused. He turned and glared at her. “What are ye doing out here in that chemise, woman?”

  “It’s more than ye have on,” she pointed out.

  He wasn’t wearing a stitch.

  “Maybe ye shouldn’t look like ye’re enjoying it so much,” he teased. “At least nae unless ye’re going to make an honest man of me at the church door.”

  Women’s voices joined the tirade.

  Saer went inside and began to dress. He finished quickly, leaving her looking for her dress while he ran out the door. It was missing. She even searched the terrazzino. The church bells began to toll as she wrestled with her temper.

  Had Saer decided that leaving with her brother presented too much of a temptation? Perhaps he had more feelings for her than he’d admitted.

  Someone knocked on the door.

  “Come in, Agnes.”

  But it was Kael who pushed open the door.

  “I am in a foul temper, Kael.”

  Her brother didn’t even blink. He strode into the bedchamber and planted himself in front of her.

  “And I am nae dressed,” she warned.

  “So, put something on, Sister. For I am no’ leaving.”

  Nareen ground her teeth together. “I cannae,” she was forced to admit.

  “I thought ye were serving the Earl of Ross’s daughter. Did ye wear out yer fingers in a year’s time?”

  “Nae,” she snapped. “Me dress is gone; that is why I cannae put it on, and the other one I had was taken by Bastian MacKay when his men abducted me and Abigail.”

  Her brother chuckled mercilessly.

  “It is nae funny,” she scolded. “Saer took it away before too, because he did nae trust me to remain and would nae waste the men to guard me the day through.”

  Her brother was turning purple in his attempt to keep from roaring with laughter. “I suppose…that’s an effective method of making sure ye’ll be noticed leaving.”

  “But I gave him me word,” she finished, so disappointed that it made her ache.

  Kael sobered. “And it bothers ye that he does nae trust ye to keep it?”

  “Aye,” she admitted.

  “It bothers him that ye do nae trust him enough to wed him.”

  Nareen stiffened. “Ye may leave if all ye are going to do is lecture me. Ye promised me choice when it came to whom I wed, and I’ll be having that.”

  Her brother looked at the bed behind her.

  “Ye are no virgin, Kael, so do nae try to shame me.”

  “I’m trying to point out that ye took yerself off to his bed while he was sitting with me last night.”

  “So what if I did?” she argued. “The pair of ye did nae need me there.”

  “Ye were avoiding me,” Kael said.

  Nareen lifted her chin. “Maybe I was. Ye should really thank me for that, for it gave me temper time to cool.”

  “Ye went to his bed to find sanctuary.”

  “Do nae place too much importance upon it. Everything is in short supply on MacLeod land. There was no other bed to go to.”

  Kael tilted his head to one side, as he often did when he was about to question her logic. “Ye found yerself a position as a servant in order to escape a situation that most would have found impossible, only to tell me now ye could nae find another place to lay yer head?”

  “I do nae care what ye think of it.”

  Kael nodded. “That’s the truth at least.”

  “I’m nae a little girl any longer,” she informed him.

  “But ye’re furious with me.”

  She closed her mouth and bit her lower lip.

  “Say what is on yer mind, Nareen, I’ve come a long way to hear it.”

  He stood ready. She recognized the look in his eyes from years of standing together while their father handed out punishment. Kael was his only son, and imperfections were not tolerated. Many of hers had been forgiven, but never Kael’s. It had formed him into a man who expected nothing less than perfection from himself.

  She shook her head and felt her anger bleed away. “Truly, I am at peace with it. Ye did nae know, and in truth, it was ye who helped me escape.”

  “I do nae see how,” he said with confusion.

  “Ye taught me to fight.” She grinned at the memory of more than one bloody nose. “It made me strong and even saved me life.”

  Her brother was silent for a long moment She stared straight at him, letting him see what was in her eyes. He nodded at last.

  “I’m going to be paying Morrell Comyn a little visit today,” Kael informed her. “Because I do nae care to hear that his men tried to kill me sister.”

  “Do nae be overprotective,” she said. “It’s Saer’s duty now.”

  “He’s nae yer husband, Nareen.”

  She cut her brother a hard look. “Because I refused to wed him.”

  The words were out of her mouth before she realized she was playing into his plans.

  “Why did ye refuse to wed, Nareen?”

  It was a hard question.

  “I had good reason, doubts about what might happen.”

  “Be plain, Sister,” Kael demanded.

  She lifted her hands and gestured around her. “Look about, Kael. Saer is nae a man to be disappointed when it comes to what he plans. Do ye know what he told me? That he desired me because I had spirit, and he knew I would give him sons because of it.”

  “What is wrong with that reasoning?” Kael asked.

  She sighed. “I simply could nae find meself willing to trust in the future.”

  “Because I failed ye.”

  “Do nae,” she said.

  Kael crossed his arms over his chest.

  “I’m changing me mind on the matter, it just took time.”

  “Like forgiving me?” He let out a long breath. “I suppose that makes sense.”

  “So, ye see, everything is well enough.” Except Saer had left her without clothing again.

  “I will take ye home, Nareen, if ye wish.”

  She shook her head. “I gave Saer me word, and he gave me his. I’m here until the snow flurries fly to see if we can come to an agreement.”

  “I do nae care. Ye’re me sister. If ye want to leave, I’ll take ye.”

  Kael hadn’t forgiven himself completely. She could see the guilt burning in his eyes. He meant what he said, even knowing the cost would be the end of his friendship with another laird.

  “I love ye for that, Kael.”

  ***

  Saer rubbed his temple.

  His head was aching as the tenth witness stepped up to have his say. He was grinding his teeth but had to sit through the man’s story or risk offending him. The boys who had been playing in the crane wheel were feeling the wrath of the entire community. He didn’t think he could come up with a punishment worse than making them stand through the retelling of their transgressions. Both looked ready to vomit.

  “Thank ye,” Saer muttered as the man finished. “I believe I understand the facts of the matter.”

  Two more hands went up, but Saer stood. “Father Peter will have the instruction of these boys for the next month, since it’s a blessing no one was hurt. They will serve in the church to show how grateful they are.”

  The priest was standing in the corner with his hands clasped and hidden in the sleeves of his sackcloth robe. The boys looked up, their eyes widening as the priest gestured them toward
him. They dragged their feet as they followed him out of the kitchen.

  Saer wasn’t far behind.

  “I thought that was going to last all day.” Baruch voiced what Saer had been thinking.

  But they stopped when columns of Grant retainers passed them by.

  “What in the name of Christ?” Baruch asked.

  A huge cloud of dust was kicked up because of the number of retainers Kael had riding with him. Saer climbed up the steps of the new tower and looked through the open inner gate to see how far the line stretched.

  “He’s taken all his men.”

  “Aye, it looks that way, Laird.”

  Saer turned and looked into the Great Hall. The head table was empty, sending a shaft of dread through him. He turned and took the steps three at a time.

  ***

  The door to the chamber exploded inward.

  Nareen jumped and screeched as Saer made it halfway into the chamber before he spotted her.

  “What the hell are ye doing eating up here, woman?”

  “Why did ye take me dress away again?” she demanded.

  She had to work to shove the heavy chair back from the table. By the time she made it to her feet and around to face Saer, he had returned and shut the door.

  Nareen met him in the middle of the room with her hands on her hips. “I do nae like having me word questioned, Saer MacLeod.”

  “I do nae like thinking ye took off with yer brother,” he answered back.

  “What are ye talking about?” she asked.

  “Kael just rode out with all his men, and ye were nae in the Hall.”

  “Because ye”—she stabbed him in the middle of his chest—“had me dress taken away again.”

  “I did nae.” He swept her hand aside.

  “Well, it is gone,” she said, “leaving me here in naught but a shift.”

  “I like ye in naught, woman!” he growled. “But more importantly, I like ye in naught…in me bed.”

  He scooped her up and carried her the few paces to the bed. She bounced in a tangle of limbs as the church bells began to toll in the distance.

  “Saer—”

  “I’m going to appreciate God’s creative work right here this morning.”

  “Saer MacLeod!” She admonished him.

  He wasn’t repentant in the least. With a snarl, he pressed her back and cupped her knees. He pressed them wide, kneeling between them as her chemise rose up.

  “I believe it’s time to repay the favor of frenching.”

  Shock held her dumb, and he took advantage of her paralysis. He flipped the edge of her chemise up, baring her mons.

  “Can men do…such a thing?” she gasped at last.

  He looked up her body, his expression full of determination. “Indeed they can, lass.”

  Excitement nearly tore her in two. It shredded every argument she had before any of them fully formed. She made a half sound of protest that transformed into a moan as he brushed his fingers over her cleft and along her slit. She gasped and recoiled because the sensation was too intense, but Saer held her still.

  He leaned closer and licked her. She cried out as his velvet tongue swept along the seam of her sex before he used his fingers to part the folds and expose her. The little nub was throbbing insistently, and he didn’t ignore it.

  The first lap sent the breath rushing out of her lungs.

  She was sucking it back in when he drew the little bud into his mouth and sucked on it. Pleasure knotted in her belly as her passage felt like it was contracting, seeking any sort of penetration. The motion of his tongue against her was driving her mad. Her heart hammered away as she lifted her hips off the bed in a desperate attempt to find satisfaction.

  Saer wasn’t willing to grant it to her. Just as she felt it beginning to crest, he left off sucking and licked his way to the opening of her passage.

  She cried out in frustration.

  He chuckled wickedly.

  “No’ yet, lass. I want to make sure ye know why ye need to stay with me.” He thrust one finger into her body, sending a jolt of need through her. “I am the man who will always satisfy ye, Nareen. Always.”

  His tone grew rough with determination.

  “Then do so,” she demanded. “I want more than yer finger.”

  “Is that so?” He stood up and lifted his kilt. His cock was rigid and ready. “Is this more to yer liking?”

  “Aye!” she answered, unashamed.

  He unleashed something inside her that had no limits and no regrets. She opened her arms in invitation, and he came to her.

  He cupped her bottom as he sank into her spread body. She closed her eyes, no longer having time to process the sense of sight. She was too absorbed with the hard thrusts of his body into hers. The filling and stretching of her passage and the way it sent delight through her.

  She strained toward him, bucking with every thrust and moaning with satisfaction as she felt him slide completely into her. In that moment, they were part of the same soul, each one connected by the need burning inside them. He snarled, and she opened her eyes to see his teeth bared at her. The muscles along his neck were corded as he strained to hold back his seed.

  He thrust harder and deeper into her. He touched some spot deep inside her passage that was so sensitive, she burst into a shower of delight. The moment she cried out, his seed began to fill her, hot and searing. She gasped, struggling to fill her lungs as she was tumbled and twisted by rapture.

  They ended up sitting on the floor and against the edge of the bed. Saer cradled her against his chest and tucked her head beneath his chin.

  “Ye are the only woman I have ever enjoyed fighting with.”

  “Ye should nae have doubted me word.”

  He smoothed a hand along her shoulder. “When I saw yer brother riding out like the devil was on his heels, all I could think was that ye’d left me.”

  Her thoughts cleared suddenly, and she lifted her head so she might look at him. “I was talking about the dress, but that is even worse. I gave ye me word.”

  He frowned at her. “For the last time, I did nae take yer dress.”

  But he’d still thought she’d left.

  “Kael did offer to take me,” she admitted.

  Saer cussed and stood up. “He would.”

  “He is me brother, Saer. Ye would do the same for Daphne.”

  Saer reached over and helped her up. He held on to her biceps, massaging them softly as he contemplated her.

  “I am glad ye stayed, Nareen.”

  His voice was thick with emotion. The wound he’d opened on her heart the day before soaked it up, giving her hope that he might have affection for her after all. “Why? Could ye nae replace a woman who does nae keep her word? Even one with spirit?”

  “I could never replace ye,” he declared softly.

  She opened her mouth to try and make him say the words she needed, but he touched his forehead to hers and closed his eyes.

  “I do nae know what…this…is between us, Nareen.” He opened his eyes and locked gazes with her. “Only that I need ye to be here, with me. I need ye to trust me… I…need…ye.”

  “I love ye.”

  Her words were soft, but she watched them hit him. He stiffened, his grip on her biceps tightening as he drew in a breath. A moment later, he bent his knee and lowered himself in front of her. He hugged her to him, placing his head against her belly. She pushed her hands into his hair and held him tight.

  “I do nae know if I can love, Nareen.”

  She heard the doubt in his voice and recognized it well. “I still do nae know if I can trust completely, but I am here,” she offered in return.

  He stood up and wiped the two tears that had fallen from her eyes off her cheek
s.

  “We are well matched.”

  She offered him a smile. “Aye, we are.”

  There was a knock on the chamber door. Agnes opened it before waiting for someone to invite her in.

  “I’ve found ye a dress, mistress. It took me longer than I thought it would, but yer other one smelled something terrible.”

  The girl had her arms piled high with clothing and didn’t see Saer until she was already inside the chamber.

  “That solves the mystery of the dress,” he muttered.

  There was another rap on the chamber door. It wasn’t really closed, and Baruch peeked in.

  “Laird, the stone has arrived from the Earl of Ross. They are bringing it across the green now. It’s a heavy load. Kael Grant stopped to give a hand with the wagons. One of them has broken a wheel.”

  “It seems the day demands yer attention,” Nareen said.

  Before moving toward Baruch, Saer gave her hand a squeeze. “I’ll see ye tonight.”

  “Indeed ye shall, Saer MacLeod.”

  ***

  Outside the main gate, Saer could see the line of wagons. But they weren’t moving toward the castle. One of them had broken a wheel, and the Ross men were trying to mend it. Kael suddenly sent the bulk of his men back to the castle as Saer mounted his horse to go out to greet them.

  The Grant retainers happily made their way to the tables in the inner courtyard to enjoy the meal their laird had made them leave without.

  Saer rode out, eager to inspect the stone. It took a lot of time to shape rock. The amount of finished blocks the earl had promised him gave Saer the chance to see the new section of wall finished before the snow started falling. The towers wouldn’t be finished, but the yard would be secure.

  Only Baruch rode with him, but Kael was standing next to the broken wheel. He looked up as Saer arrived.

  “Ye should have brought a carpenter. These Ross seem to have no method of repairing this. What sort of man ventures out without mending tools?” he finished with an expression of disgust.

  The Ross had freed all the horses from the carts and held them off to one side, which did not make sense either. But they were also the men who had allowed Abigail and Nareen to leave without a proper escort. The Earl of Ross’s son had best get home before his inheritance was eroded away by his father’s inattention to details. The Ross retainers needed to be taken in hand.