Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander (9 page)

Chapter 12

Rannoch had his healer tied to
the bed, pleasuring her in every way she had taught him. A knock at the door
interrupted them.

“God’s teeth,” Sorcha cursed. “What
is so urgent now?”

Rannoch left her and cracked open
the door enough to see who was there. “You have news?”

“Aye, Milord.”

He opened the door and ushered
Draco into the chamber. His companion looked at the bed and grinned. “Sorry to
invade your privacy, Milord.”

Sorcha pulled on her restraints
to no avail. She lay open for the feast the view presented. Rannoch walked over
and kissed her forehead, then pulled a cover over her.

“What is your news?”

“I followed Katie Blackburn to a
passage near the kitchens. She gathered food in a sack and made her way further
below stairs towards the dungeon.”

“The dungeon?”

“Aye, Milord.” Draco paused, shot
a look at Sorcha, and then turned back to Rannoch. “Sorry, she distracts me.”

“If I appreciate your
information, perchance Sorcha will let you have a taste after you have told
your tale.”

“You would share me?” Sorcha
snorted.

“I, too, have a taste for
outlandish things in the bed chamber,” Draco said with a smile.

Rannoch laughed when he saw her
expression turn to one of interest. “You have captured her imagination already.
Tell me more of the dungeon. Where is Katie now?”

“I dinna ken, Milord. She
vanished into thin air very much like the other night.”

Rannoch stroked his chin
thoughtfully. “You will gather a few men and we will search near where you lost
sight of her.”

“Would you leave me here like
this?” Sorcha asked from the bed.

Rannoch shook his head. “Nay, my
naughty healer, Draco and I will pleasure you first.”

Sorcha smiled.

Her father lay still as death in
the darkened room. Rushing to his bedside, Katie brushed his hair out of his
face. “Da, can you hear me?”

He tossed restlessly in the
covers, and then opened his eyes. “Katie,” he whispered.

Hugging him to her chest, Katie
shed tears of joy. “You grow better.”

Brian Blackburn nodded weakly. He
tried to speak again, but no sound came out of his mouth. Exhausted by his
effort, he relaxed back in the bed.

Katie paced the floor. How should
she begin to tell him of her folly? His hand touched hers, drawing her attention
back to him. Even with no words, his eyes asked the question. She could hear
his voice echoing in her head. ‘What have ya done Katie Blackburn?’

Sitting on the bed beside him,
she took his hand in hers. Was it her imagination, or did she feel a little
squeeze from his fingers? “Da, I have done something unforgivable.”

His eyes closed for a moment then
he gazed at her again in askance.

“I captured Ian Innes. Keith
helped me. He didna want to, but I wouldna take no for an answer.”

Her father’s eyes showed
disbelief.

“I ken ‘tis nigh impossible to
imagine I succeeded at such a feat, but I did. I locked Ian in the cell block
in the deepest part of the dungeon. I didna tell anyone, especially not
Rannoch. ‘Twas Ian who suggested Rannoch might be up to no good. This idea made
me use the spy hole. You already ken I confirmed Ian’s suspicions with what I
overheard there.”

Her father’s head came off the
pillow with difficulty. He gripped her hand. “Free him,” he hissed. “He will
help you.” Spent, he collapsed back into the ticking.

Tears streamed down Katie’s face.
“I canna free him. He is gone. I dinna ken if he escaped somehow on his own, or
if Rannoch found him and moved him. Da, I am so afraid. If Ian is hurt or
killed, it is my fault.”

Her father let out a ragged sigh
and shook his head in disgust.

“I’m sorry, Da. I ken ‘twas
stupid. But now, what am I to do?”

“Find him,” her father choked.

“Aye, so.” Determination sprung
in her breast. She must right her wrong by finding Ian and assuring his safety.

“Keith….”

“He isna back yet.”

Again, her father strained
against the potion that bound him. “Send Jamie to Angus,” he rasped.

Katie stared at him in disbelief.
“You would have me send Jamie to Angus alone? Laird Innes might kill him.”

Her father shook his head negatively.
“Send him,” he said in quiet demand. “He will help us.”

Bewildered by her father’s trust
in their enemy, Katie wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “You are
sure?”

He nodded.

“I shall explain it all to Jamie.
Tell him what he should say to Laird Innes. Perchance it might work.” She
smoothed the folds of her dress before she could meet her father’s eyes again.
“Ian seemed willing to help me, but I didna trust him. I didna free him when he
offered save us.”

“Send Jamie…. Find Ian…..”
Brian closed his eyes. “You can do it, child…. You must.”

Katie grazed his cheek with a
kiss. She stood and searched for some grain of courage to forge ahead as her
father had directed. He opened his eyes once more. “I’ll do it, Father. I must
undo my foul deed. I’ll find a way.” She thought she saw a smile flicker
through his face, then his eyes closed and his breathing turned heavy. Laird
Brian Blackburn fell asleep. He left her as quickly as he had come.

As Katie made her way through the
hallways of the castle, she thought of happier times, parties, and laughter
that seemed to have vanished into the dark gloom encasing them all. At length
she reached Jamie’s chamber and rapped lightly on the door. “Jamie, it is
Katie. May I come in?” she called.

The door opened and he ushered
her inside. It looked as if he were about to retire. He smiled. “’Tis a bit
late for a visit, Katie.”

“Aye, so,” she agreed.

She glanced around his chamber.
Her father had given his only son and heir a room that rivaled the master’s
chamber. Jamie made it comfortable with the furnishings he chose. He had a desk
and sturdy chair placed near the fire. In the other corner, there were shelves
to house Jamie’s collection. Katie always thought it a bit odd her brother
saved some very unusual things and placed them on his shelves like treasure.
Special rocks, the antlers of a deer he had slain, the occasional animal bone,
and bits of Highland plants all found refuge in Jamie’s room. Her father said
Jamie appreciated all God’s creations and she should accept his interest in
these things.

“You wanted to speak with me?”

Her brother’s voice drew her from
her inspection of his collection. “Father sent me. He wants you to go on an
important mission.”

Her brother’s eyes gleamed at the
prospect. “Did he speak? What does he wish me to do?”

“Sit down, Jamie. I have much to
tell you.”

Her brother’s eyes glazed when
Katie told him what she had heard. She left out the details of what transpired
between Rannoch and Sorcha.

“So the Red Witch and Rannoch
have been poisoning father and now they have cut back and he can tell you his
desires.” Jamie summarized.

“Aye, so. I ken ‘tis hard to
believe.” Katie ran her hand through his thick, blond hair. “There is more.
Keith and I captured Ian Innes and put him in a cell in a secret part of the
dungeon.”

“You did what?” Jamie shook his
head in disbelief.

“I am not proud of this, Jamie.
‘Twas a mistake that only serves to tweak Laird Innes in our hour of need.”

“And father thinks he will still
help us despite this?”

“Aye, Ian is missing from his
cell and I dinna ken where he might be. Angus will come to help his son. We can
only pray he will see fit to save us from Rannoch in the bargain.” She drew a
ragged breath. “I fear for your safety as I send you to our enemy.”

“I am not afraid. When should I
leave?”

“First thing tomorrow,” Katie
said, placing a kiss on his brow. “Dinna tell anyone, just get up, pack your
supplies, and leave. Tell the stable master you are going for a ride across the
moors.”

“You can count on me,” Jamie assured
her. “I am eager to do father’s biding in this foul mess.”

“God go with you,” she murmured
as she left his chamber.

Chapter 13

Ian finished his bath feeling
like himself for the first time since Katie Blackburn’s deceit. He rose and
reached down to pull the plug on the drain at the bottom of the tub. Ian heard
as splashing sound outside the narrow window. Looking out, he saw his bath
water cascading down over the stony wall of the fortress. It was a very clever
arrangement. He moved back near the fireplace and stoked the embers then leaned
near to dry his hair. Grabbing a drying cloth, he wrapped it around his waist
while he completed his task. His hair and body were almost dry when he heard
the door to Katie’s chamber open and close. It sounded like whoever entered
threw the bolt securely in place behind them.

“Damn you, Ian, where did you
go?” Katie muttered.

He heard her rummaging around for
a few minutes in her chamber then suddenly she appeared in the doorway stark
naked.

“Ian,“ Katie gasped as she
entered her bathing chamber. She stood frozen as she felt the kiss of his eyes
over her flesh. He stood before her with barely a stitch covering his lean,
muscular body. Their eyes locked and ever so slowly, he dropped the cloth that
hid his most private parts. She could barely breathe as he came towards her.

“Katie,” he said softly, his body
hovering so close she could feel the heat of him.

“I’m so glad you’re safe,” she
said grasping for something to say as her feet refused to retreat from his nearness.

Ian took her face in his hands.
He leaned down to plant light caresses across her forehead and down her nose
until he found her lips with his. His fingers ran though her hair. Katie
couldn’t wait any longer to feel his body against hers. She wrapped her arms
around his neck pressing her bare breasts to his chest. He groaned and pulled
her closer. So close, she felt the hardness growing in his loins.

Ian deepened the kiss, gently at
first, then with more purpose. He entered the warm well of her mouth with his
tongue and nibbled playfully on her lower lip. Spellbound, she reveled in his
never-ending kiss. Katie answered his every invasion with one of her own,
tasting him, and savoring the sweetness of what transpired between them.

He lifted her, adjusting her body
so that his hardness waited at the heart of her womanhood. Running her arms
over his shoulders, she wrapped her legs around him. Ian moaned his approval
grabbing her bottom and guiding her in a rolling motion that made her quake
with desire. His mouth left her lips and traced down her neck as he carried her
out of the bathing chamber. In a few short strides, they tumbled onto the bed.
He rose on his elbows and looked down into her eyes.

“Please tell me I can continue,
virgin Katie.” His voice was low and strained as if he thought she might call a
halt to his conquest.

“Ian, I want this. Please.” Katie
moved restlessly beneath him, stroking his back.

“Sweet Katie, you are my
destiny.” His sapphire-blue eyes gazed at her lovingly. Ian began moving slowly
down her body, running kisses across her torso. His mouth trailed over her
breasts finding each tender peak, teasing it with his tongue, and then suckling
until she cried out in delight. His hand dipped lower, his fingers skimming
over her eager flesh to some magic spot between her thighs. Her body came alive
in a way it never had before. A throbbing need grew deep inside her. He found
the heart of her womanhood, rolling his fingers over it, rubbing, and
squeezing. Ian took her to the brink of paradise. Her body contracted bursting
with newfound feeling. Katie moaned and gripped the sheeting. She never wanted
it to end.

Somewhere in the glow of
pleasure, she heard his voice. “Now you are ready for me,” he told her. With
one powerful thrust, he drove his steel shaft deep inside her.

A quick, sharp pain shot through
her. Katie cried out and Ian paused gazing down into her eyes. “Are you all
right,” he whispered.

“Dinna stop,” she said
breathlessly.

He smiled as his eyes locked on
hers. Ian began a slow motion in and out of her. He watched her, reading the
passion she could not hide as he took her. Each action became more purposeful,
more satisfying. Katie answered his every move as she rose to meet each
invasion. All she wanted was to be one with him. The pressure building inside
her led her to the edge of sanity. An insatiable need took over her body. In
frenzy, she strained to take him deeper inside her with each glorious thrust.
Feeling her success, she began to quiver and moan, tossing wildly in the sheeting.

“Katie,” Ian gasped. She felt his
control slip away. He drove them to a mad rhythm that shook the bed and tangled
the bedding. Katie clung to him, scratched his back, bit his neck, and then her
body erupted into quick ecstatic spasms as he shot hot seed to her depths. Even
sated Ian continued to move just enough to send waves of pure pleasure washing
over her. When he finally stopped, Katie let out a contented sigh and went
limp. “Oh, Ian,” she breathed. “I never dreamed I could feel like this.”

Ian chuckled and rolled them over
as one, pulling her onto his chest. His hands explored her naked flesh with
tender strokes. They lay still joined for some time as he caressed her face,
her eyes, and her neck. “I love you, Katie Blackburn,” he murmured. “Dinna ever
leave me.”

At length, Katie slid off his
chest and nestled into the crook of his arm. “I have done such terrible things
to you and in return you bring me only pleasure.”

He laughed. “I am your captive
Highlander, Milady, forever at your service. I think this is fair payment for
any wrongs.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Dinna be sorry. I wouldna trade
this for the world.” He kissed the top of her head. “I have no regrets.”

Katie propped up on one elbow and
ran her hand down his well-muscled chest. “How did you escape?”

He traced as single finger over
her breast. “Tessa freed me.”

“I take it Tess had another
vision.”

“So she said.” Ian pulled Katie
close. “We’ll find a way out of this,” he whispered.

“Will we?” she asked, looking
into his eyes.

“Aye, we will,” he said. “We have
a plot to foil.”

“Aye, so,” Katie said starting to
rise from the bed.

Ian stopped her. Touching her
womanhood, he showed her his blood tinged fingers. “I think a quick bath is in
order. Lie here while I prepare it.”

Suddenly embarrassed by her wanton
behavior, Katie felt her cheeks color. “Ian….”

“Shh… a bath and then we’ll
talk,” Ian said. He rose giving her a glimpse of the powerful body that invaded
her with such passion only moments before. The sight of him sent tingling to
all the spots he used so well. She watched him walk into her bathing chamber
admiring his broad shoulders and the fine curve of his buttocks as he
disappeared.

Katie sank back onto the bed and
ran her hands over her swollen lips. Looking down she could see her breasts wore
the telltale signs of Ian’s passion. She rolled in the bedding drinking in the
scent of their mating. Her gaze fell upon the blood tinged sheeting where he
took her innocence. Katie laid back and stared at the ceiling. Ian Innes had
just changed her life forever. She was his woman now and she reveled in the
thought of it.

A short time later, Ian called
for her to join him in the bath. When she entered the chamber, he helped her
into the tub and settled her between his legs so that her back pressed against
his chest. Katie felt his kisses tracing down her neck. “’Tis a tight fit,” she
said, leaning her head back on his shoulder.

He laughed as he took up a
bathing cloth and began a slow wash of her body. “Not as tight as you,” he said
his breath hot against her ear.

Katie felt a blush creeping up to
her face. “Was it unpleasant, Milord?”

Ian kissed her lips long and
slow. Finally, he sighed and leaned back. “You ken full well, ‘twas not. I
couldna be more pleased. Lie back and enjoy the heat of the water. ‘Twill
soothe your body and take away any soreness from my invasion.”

“Ian….”

“What is it, love?”

“There was too much pleasure to
dwell on the pain.”

“Sweet lady,” he murmured,
nuzzling her neck. “You are as spirited in bed as you are everywhere else.”

“Was I too forward?” she asked.

“Dinna look so horrified,” he
said with a chuckle. “I love the way you want to feel the passion between us. I
told you before ‘tis a rare thing to feel such a fire.”

She gave him a shy smile. “I will
treasure this memory forever.”

“There will be many more memories
if I have my way.”

She rested back against his
shoulder. They lingered in bath for some time content in their newfound
familiarity.

“I fear we canna stay here, Ian,”
Katie said finally. She smiled at him. “There is no time to enjoy this longer.”

Ian’s brow rose. “I agree. We
must take action before Rannoch discovers I am here,” he said. “Besides, we
should visit the friar and make this official. I wilna share you with another.
I want you to be my wife.”

“Wife?”

“Aye, so. I would marry you, fair
Katie, and unite our families under one cause.”

“Am I a tool then?”

“Nay, Milady. You captured my
heart. Will you marry me?”

“’Tis clear I should after what I
have done.”

“That is not an answer.”

Rising and stepping from the bath,
Katie dried off. “I shall think on it, Milord.”

Ian rose and glared at her.
“Think on it? What kind of answer is that?”

“It is my answer. First, we must
defeat Rannoch and save my family. Then I will consider marriage.” Katie
slipped her gown on. He appeared positively stunned by her remarks. Giving him
a look of satisfaction, she tossed him a drying cloth. “Time to get dressed,
Milord. I dinna think you can defeat Rannoch naked.”

“Have it your way, Milady.
Perchance my offer of marriage may not hold until you decide to take it.
Clearly I revel in the afterglow of your deflowering.” Ian stepped out of the
tub, dried off, and put on the fresh clothes Tessa had given him.

Katie felt her face flush. If Ian
decided he didn’t want her after she gave him her innocence, she wasn’t sure
how she would survive. She wanted to be his wife. Why couldn’t she just tell
him? She needed to put this aside until her family was safe.

“My father directed me to send
Jamie to Laird Innes to secure his aid in this plot against us.”

“Your father is able to speak?”

“The Irish healer cut back on the
poison until Rannoch could take me for his wife, then they plan to kill him. He
spoke enough to let me know his wishes.”

Ian came over and pulled her into
his arms. “Katie, this is all the more reason for you to marry me now. I canna
let Rannoch have you.”

“Let us go and see father. He
will ken what to do.”

Ian nodded and followed her into
the hallway.