Elise (24 page)

“Nae flippant words this time. I forbid it. I’m finding out things about myself that I doona’ wish to entertain further. This torment is over, understand?”

“Bathe yourself, Your Grace. Trust me when I tell you, I’ll put you completely from my mind the entire time.”

“Turn around, then.”

Elise did as he requested. Some past Dunvargas laird had smoothed plaster over this section of old stone, but it was uneven in places. She could tell where some of the old mortar had put the tower together. There were slight indentations in the plaster. She reached to trace one.

The splashing of water stiffened her back. Elise gasped, fought herself, lost, and then tipped her head to look.

Colin was standing with his back to her. He had a definite line separating where he was tanned from where he wasn’t. He had strength evident in every line of him, and the hipbath wasn’t deep enough to hide any of it. Then he turned sideways and raised one arm in order to soap himself.

Elise spun around and barely caught the cry. She pressed her forehead to the plaster and was thankful it was as cold to the touch as it was. Sweet heaven, but Colin was beautiful, and she had nothing to compare him with!

Sir Roald might have given her something to evaluate Colin against, had she asked it. It wouldn’t have changed what she’d just seen. Colin MacGowan was careful with his body. He practiced forms of self-improvement, and only once had she known him to drink to excess.

“You can return to the fire. It’s warmer.”

Elise peeked before she turned about. Colin was sitting on the bed, attired in his red, green, and black plaid robe.

“Your hair will na’ dry there. You have quite a lot of it, and it’s all that silvery color, even when it’s wet. Is that a family trait?”

“I have no family left with which to verify it.” Elise spoke as she walked to the fire, keeping the towel about herself the entire time. It probably outlined her, but that couldn’t be helped.

“You’ve a father, although I’m na’ surprised you doona’ claim it.”

“My father was dark, as was my mother. I didn’t resemble either of them. My sister did, though.”

“You’ve a sister?” he asked.

“I had one, once. She—she’s dead. She died... last year.” Now was the time to tell him, but she held back. If she did, there would be no escape for her, ever. There would be no abduction by the MacKennahs, no freedom, and from the exhibition she’d just watched, no possibility of an annulment, either.

Elise knew the shiver running through her was because of the last thought. Colin wasn’t a man to be trifled with much longer. He’d been disturbing her since they’d met. The fist-like mass was back, wrapping around her heart and keeping it thudding with squeezing pressure. Elise knew what it was: her destiny. She suspected her loss of freedom would be worth it, just as Evangeline had once said. Elise opened her mouth to tell him, but he filled the space with words himself.

“I’m sorry, lass. Here, I had this made for you.”

Colin was holding out a gray robe with rabbit fur about the edges.

“I’m not accepting anything from you,” she whispered.

“What are you talking about? Acceptance has little to do with it. You’re my property, and I’ll not have you catch ill. My guess is, the towel’s damp, and before long will be verra cold. Here, take it.”

“But—”

“That towel does naught to cover you. Do you wish me to force you? I get tired of reminding you of your marriage vows.”

Elise took the robe and turned from him. She’d find another time, and another way, to tell him. She still had tomorrow. “When do we reach Inverness?” she asked from over her shoulder.

“Why?”

She shrugged. “No reason.”

“You wish small talk? After the teasing I just endured with yon bath? You’ve a nasty wicked streak in you.”

“I’m not interested in small talk with you.” Elise tied the belt about her waist and let the towel drop. She heard Colin’s intake of breath. The robe was made of a slick, silk-like material and clung to each and every bit of her.

“What are you interested in, then?” he asked.

“Not what you are.”

“And what would that be?”

“You’ve had women before. Figure it out.”

“I’d rather hear it from your lips. Tell me you’ve nae interest in me. Tell me you find me unmanly and unattractive. Tell me why you won’t welcome me as your lover, damn it!”

“You had me gagged and treated like a prisoner.”

“I should have had you horsewhipped, except I’m na’ that inhuman, and it would mar your lovely skin. You’ve such delicate-looking skin. Soft. Tender.”

“Excuse me?” She was choking on the two words.

“You heard me.”

“I’m not discussing this a moment longer. I’m more of a mind to find my bed for the night.”

“Oh, your bed’s right here, beneath me. I believe I’ll be here, too.”

“This type of conversation is getting us nowhere.”

“Only because you let it. You ken exactly what you do to a man. You practiced it. Perfected it. You’re very good, too.”

“I’ll not sleep with you. Even with a bolster, I won’t.”

“We will na’ be sleeping, Elise.”

Her eyes went their widest, and she gripped the fur lapel of her robe to her neck. “I—I won’t allow it, Your Grace, and you never force a woman, remember?”

“Kiss me. We’ll na’ need force.”

He stood from the bed. She would have backed away, except the chair he’d tipped over was in her way.

“Don’t come a step closer.”

“Oh, please, stop that. Stay the teasing. I’ve no inclination for going where I’m na’ wanted.”

“You’re not wanted. What are you doing?” The last of her question came out in a much higher pitch than she’d intended. She knew he’d heard it. It was in his voice when he spoke again.

“I’m stepping closer, and that robe was a splendid idea. It shows everything you’re keeping from me.”

“I’ve no idea what you’re referring to,” she said, and for once, it was true.

“Arousal. You’re demonstrating the signs. I’m reading them.”

She would have argued it, but he was too quick. Elise’s cry made it into the caverns of his mouth, but no farther. It wouldn’t have mattered. Colin’s groan would have drowned it out, anyway.

Her palms were crushed against his gold-embroidered crest. From somewhere in her mind, she registered the absolute size of him, the difference, the hardness, and the heat. Her entire body was on fire with it. With one hand he’d pulled her against him. The embrace from the hand on her buttocks was colliding with the sensation of his groin pressed to hers and making her forget how to think.

“Oh, Elise ... you’re so much woman, and I’m nae saint. I’ll na’ wait another moment. Open for me.”

Open? Open where?
she wondered. He had the inside of her mouth enraptured, and she already had it wide open for air. “No ... I can’t. Colin—no. Please, no.”

“Pretend I’m Evan.”

Elise gasped as he nipped at the skin beneath her ear. Her mind wasn’t functioning. “Evan?” she asked.

“Aye, Evan. Tall like me, but much leaner? You remember. He was na’ one for exercise or work. You pretend and I’ll fulfill it. Fair?”

His words were getting harsher, and she couldn’t fathom why. He pushed the collar of her robe from her shoulder with his jaw. Then he was licking her skin. Then he blew on the skin he’d licked, making her use panting motions to pull in enough air.

“Beg me, Elise,” he demanded.

“For ... what?”

“For this.” Now, he was sucking on her neck, pulling the skin into his mouth until she was certain she’d be bruised.

“And this.” He gripped the sides of her hips and ran his hands up her body, pulling the material of her robe with him. He lifted his head.

“And let’s na’ forget this.” He had both hands full of gray robe when he reached under her arms and lifted her above him.

Elise had her palms on his shoulders and her legs wrapped about him for balance. She could feel, smell, and sense everything. Taut strength rippled beneath every finger, clothed by skin resembling silk and satin, warmth and vibration, while each of his breaths was pushing the muscled knots of his abdomen against her inner thighs. Elise was scaring herself with the way she locked her ankles, mashing herself into him and sliding against him, to urge him onto more.

“Beg me for everything that Evan did to you.” His eyes weren’t brown or green. They were black with the size of the irises.

“Evan?” She whispered the name stupidly. “Why?”

“Dinna’ he make you feel like this?”

“No. Never.”

“Nae? Never?”

His face settled into lines carved without a stonemason’s skill. Elise had to close her eyes to it. The chest beneath her was still heaving, and the hands holding her up were just as sure and strong, but something had changed. She didn’t know enough about it to know what, either.

“What did I say?” she asked, looking back down at him.

He lowered his head. He didn’t answer.

“What did I...do, then?”

Colin took the two steps to the bed and placed her on it, carefully averting his face the entire time. Elise pulled the robe down, nearly letting the cry make sound as it tangled about her hips.

“He meant so little to you, then?” he asked, in the coldest tone imaginable.

“No, it wasn’t like that. Evan was—”

“If I gave you leave to say his name, I’m rescinding that, too! Lord! Why will I na’ learn?” Colin pulled the sides of his robe together roughly. His motion to tie his belt had to hurt, as hard as he cinched it.

“Wait! It wasn’t like that between us. I barely knew him. I didn’t! He and—”

“Doona’ say one more God-damned, bloody word!”

Colin raised his hand, and Elise actually covered her face. She heard his intake of breath before he spoke again.

“You doona’ have to hide. Na’ only would I never force a woman, I’ll na’ strike one, either.”

“Will you have me gagged, instead?” she whispered through lips so numb she was surprised they functioned.

“If you shut up? Nae.”

“I hate you, Colin, Your bloody Grace MacGowan.”

“Nae, you doona’. You doona’ have enough emotion in you for something so basic. Love’s beyond you, too, no doubt. Go to sleep. I’ll na’ bother you again.”

“You’ll leave?” she asked.

“Nae, I’ve na’ that much trust in you. I’m staying. I’ll be right over here.”

She watched him cross to the center of the floor and sit in that strange cross-legged position of his. The peace she’d sensed before wasn’t anywhere in the room. Colin was too emotional. She could tell. He clasped his hands several times, over and over, sending ripples of movement across his chest until he was satisfied enough. He was ignoring her the entire time.

Chapter 24

“The carriage ride down went without incident, Your Grace. No sign of MacKennah. You traveled well?” Colin’s servant Mick asked.

“I’m tired and sore. Her Grace is in a vile mood, too. Just see us into the car and me into my bed.”

“I can answer for myself,” Elise said coldly.

“There, you see.” Colin gestured toward her.

Mick held the door open for them. Colin ignored all the social strictures and entered the car in front of her. Mick raised his eyebrows but said nothing about it. “Will you be wanting a light repast? If you were fed as little as we were at Dunvargas, you’ll need it.”

“I just need my sleep. And keep her from me.”

Mick looked at where Colin was pointing. Elise lifted her shoulders.

“I thought he was my shadow, too,” she supplied.

“When I need others to speak to my men, I’ll advise you of it, Elise. I doona’ need food, Mick. I need sleep. I’m na’ getting any with her near. Why the devil are we na’ starting? I gave the order.”

Mick couldn’t hide his grin, and Elise looked to the floor. “We have to build steam, Your Grace. Perhaps you should spend your nights sleeping, instead of whatever you’ve been doing.”

“Give my ears a rest, Mick.”

“Yes, Your Grace. Oh, anything you say, Your Grace.”

Elise giggled.

“One word, Elise, and you’ll spend the day in here with me. Understand?” Colin said.

“But I thought you wanted to sleep, Your Grace,” Mick said.

Colin didn’t answer. He simply glared at both of them.

“When will we be arriving at Inverness?” she asked in the silence that just seemed to grow.

“Why?” Colin snapped.

“I need to know how much time I have.”

“For what?”

She shrugged but couldn’t meet his eye. “Sleeping,” she finally replied.

Colin and Mick exchanged glances. Elise watched them do it.

“Inverness won’t be reached until just before dawn tomorrow. We are in no rush. You’ve time for sleeping and eating and anything else you’ve in mind.”

“Tomorrow morning? I’ll not stay here with you that long.”

“You’ll stay as long as I say you’ll stay.” Colin was declaring it as he went into his room, and then he punctuated his words with a slam of the door behind him.

“His Grace is testy this morn. You’ve my condolences.”

“I need a little sleep, too, Mick. I think I’ll just find me a nice, comfortable spot...” Elise let her sentence trail off as she spied an overstuffed sofa.

Colin’s car was as far removed from the one she’d been in as could be imagined. Where she’d had plank walls, a plank floor, and but two windows, the MacGowan car had black stuffed velvet lining the walls, rich furnishings, brass fittings everywhere you looked, and two sides devoted to large windows.

“Perhaps you could see the drapes pulled, Mick? It’s too bright in here.”

“You’ve na’ mended things with him? What did you do with the information I gave you, then?”

“Nothing.”

“That much is obvious. Why na’? He’s an open wound, and I can na’ heal it. He loves you, woman. Can na’ you see that for yourself?”

“When I need a conscience, I’ll alert you, Mick.”

“Oh yes, Your Grace. Of course, Your Grace. Anything you say, Your Grace.”

“Give my ears a rest, too.”

He didn’t answer. Elise pulled the tartan on the back of the sofa over herself and tried to stop her mind from thinking long enough to sleep. It shouldn’t have been difficult. She’d not slept all night long. She’d spent the time watching Colin try his meditation, while she’d tried to stifle any emotion for him. She certainly didn’t want to know now that Mick thought The MacGowan loved her. She didn’t want anything to do with the man. She’d spent the entire night convincing herself of it.

It hadn’t worked then, and it still didn’t.

She had to find a way to tell him the truth about Rory. She was going to post him a letter, but he’d dismissed her MacKennah maid, effectively trouncing that idea. Colin had to know about Evangeline and Evan, and Elise was running out of time to tell him. She had no idea what Torquil would be planning. She had no idea if she’d go when he came for her, either.

How was she supposed to know anything?

At first, all she’d needed to do was get near enough to Colin MacGowan to tell him of Rory. That plan had backfired. Then she’d needed to get to Castle Gowan. She was supposed to be making certain of Rory’s reception with his clan. That much she’d promised Evangeline.

Now, she was so mixed up, she didn’t know what she needed.

Colin had to know the whole truth, and not simply for Rory’s sake. He had to know it so he’d know how wrong he was about his own wife. Maybe then she’d see that same look he’d given her at the altar at Crewe again. She just didn’t know how to tell him, or when. Every time she was ready to shout it at him, he was shouting right back at her. And there wasn’t going to be a time to tell him if Torquil abducted her. What had she been thinking? She’d been crazed to speak with Torquil. She’d been stupid with the toll of being a prisoner and treated like nothing more than a lying whore. That was the only excuse she could give for putting everything in such jeopardy.

Even if she wrote Colin a letter, what proof was that of anything? He deserved the truth, and every day she stalled was another she’d have to pay for. She’d been a fool. She’d been desperate. She’d been afraid.

Sleep was a long time coming, and there wasn’t one thing stopping her thoughts. Elise finally admitted it to herself.

She knew why she’d spoken to Torquil. She was a coward. She’d been afraid of what would happen the moment she told Colin, and she was terrified of what it would feel like... what it already felt like. She had every reason to be, she assured herself. She didn’t think she could go through another night like last night. Although he’d been pretending to ignore her the entire time, she’d known it for the lie it was. The peace she’d sensed in the carriage ride hadn’t been there, only anger ... at her.

~ ~ ~

Elise didn’t think she’d shut her eyes, and yet the train stopped so abruptly, she rolled from her sofa and landed on the thick carpet.

“I’ve nae idea what’s happened, Your Grace. Are you hurt?” Mick helped Elise from the floor. She smiled her gratitude.

“Find the blasted conductor and have him lynched!”

Colin must have had the same awakening she had. He pitched the door open as he spoke. He didn’t look like he’d slept a bit. He looked more tired than before, if that was possible.

“I’m certain he wouldn’t have stopped if he didn’t have to,” Elise said politely.

“Speak when spoken to, Elise.”

“I’m tired of being treated this way. You can’t expect me to continue this charade if you treat me like the lowest lackey.”

“You’d be surprised at how I could treat you.”

Colin was breathing heavily, and Elise returned his glare. If the scale of indecision in her mind had been weighing in to stay with him and refuse Torquil’s abduction, he was rapidly changing her mind. She hoped it was conveyed in the look she gave him.

Mick looked from one to the other and rolled his eyes. “I’ll go have a look-see at what happened, Your Graces. Try na’ to harm each other afore I return.”

He opened the door and stepped out. The door latching was loud in the stillness he left behind. Colin sighed and walked to his liquor cabinet.

“This is your fault, Elise. I’m na’ usually of such mean temperament that my men flee me.”

“Now, your mood is my fault? I’ll not take responsibility for it. You’ve a strange train of thought to connect me. I did nothing.”

“Yes, it’s your bloody fault! You tease and tempt me sorely with each and every breath you take. Your wardrobe is fashioned to have such an effect, too. Just look at yourself.”

“What? I’m wearing correct attire, and every button’s done up.”

“That may be true, but it’s been slept in, and your hair’s come undone, and you’ve the look of a wanton about you every moment of every day, and most of the evening ones, too.”

“I can’t believe I’m hearing this. Let me rephrase that. I can’t believe you expect me to listen to it. I refuse!” Elise put her hands to her ears for effect.

“You put me into such a riot of frustration, I can na’ think straight, and then you act as innocent as a maid,” he said.

“If this is your idea of loving me, you’re not very convincing at it.”

‘‘Who the hell said I loved you? I’ll give the stupid bloke his walking papers!”

“No one told me so! Call it maidenly fancy, you overgrown buffoon!” Elise was yelling it back at him at the same volume.

“Maidenly fancies belong to maidens, not to courtesans.”

“And blind judgments like that belong to ignorant boors!”

“You’ve lowered yourself to name-calling, now?”

“I’m giving as good as I get for a change. Perhaps when you preen in your chamber mirror next time, you should actually look at what you’re seeing.”

“Of all the—!”

The door opened, and Mick stuck his head in. “There’s a blockage on the tracks, Your Graces. Oh, pardon me. Did I come at an importune moment?”

Colin’s chest was heaving and his face was bright red. Elise didn’t know what she looked like. She spun to the wall, so Mick wouldn’t see.

“It will na’ take long to clear it, Your Grace. Just you sit tight. I’ll bring word the moment we have it.”

“I’d rather help. The air’s fresher out there.”

The way it sounded, Colin’s words were spoken through gritted teeth. Elise turned her head to him.

“Prisons have been known to feel that way,” she said snidely.

“You’re nae prisoner, Elise.”

“Oh, please. When you to lie to me, at least make it convincing.”

“I’ve na’ lied to you ... unlike your usual men.”

“Can’t you leave any quicker than this?” Elise’s eyes were swimming with embarrassed tears.

“Can you na’ see you’re being protected?”

“Oh, I’m certain I needed protecting at Crewe, Your Grace. I’m just surprised you didn’t notice that it was from you.”

He lifted his head up and breathed in deeply, before his long sigh. Mick was looking amused at the door, and then she saw them. From behind Mick, there were yellow tartan-wrapped men coming from around every tree. Elise put her hand on her heart.

“Mick!”

Her cry alerted him, but it was too late. Elise watched in fascinated shock as Mick was hit from behind and slumped forward, his upper torso blocking the doorway.

“MacKennah.” Colin’s quiet, calm voice from beside her made her glance fly to him, and then to the door. “You’re early.”

“Your Grace.”

Elise’s eyes widened as Torquil stepped over Mick and entered the car to bow mockingly at first Colin, and then her. Several more of his clansmen climbed in after him. Colin hadn’t moved. He was standing beside his liquor cabinet, swirling a brandy snifter.

“I dinna’ expect you until Inverness,” Colin continued.

“Plans change.”

“You didn’t expect him until... what?” Elise asked.

“Inverness. You’re very easy to read, my dear; consequently, you make a lousy accomplice, among other things.”

“But—I changed my mind. I’m not... going anywhere.” Elise stammered the words in confusion.

“Oh yes, you are. Unless I miss my guess, The MacKennah is abducting you. He’ll expect a hefty ransom, and I’ll have to pay it. Then I’ll call on my clan, and we’ll see what we’ll see. Doona’ harm her too much, MacKennah.”

Torquil nodded. “Are you ready then, Elise?”

He reached a hand for her, and she looked from it to Colin. His mouth was set, but he looked more uninterested than anything else.

“I already told you two gentlemen, I’ve changed my mind,” she said. Then she sat on a chair to prove her point.

“How much is too much harm, Your Grace?”

Elise’s eyes widened as Torquil’s words sunk into her mind. “I am not listening to this! This is 1876, not 1746. I am not listening to my husband and my neighbor chat about the niceties of kidnapping and ransoming. I’m not.”

Colin’s lips lifted into a half-smile, then he looked back to Torquil. “Tie the gag with a slipknot,” he said quietly.

Elise opened her mouth to suck in air, and that just made it easier for them. The cotton material stuck to her tongue, and they didn’t give her any time to spit it out. She reached to stop them from tying the band about her head, and his men simply tied her arms, too. Elise was screaming, but the only sound heard was whimpering.

“Have a care with my property, MacKennah. I’ll repay every indignity threefold. I give you my word.”

Colin’s threat was the last thing she heard before a burlap bag was shoved over her, muffling every sound. Elise was too terrified to struggle. With her hands tied behind her back and a gag about her head, it would have been stupid, anyway. At least, her legs were free.