Highlander's Captive (25 page)

Torr grabbed her chin. “And your words grow me hard, so be careful or I will mount you as—”

“What do you wait for?” she challenged.

He took her hand and hurried her to the bed. They rushed out of their clothes and Wintra was quick to rest on her hands and knees on the bed. Her bare backside presented an enticing picture and Torr took a moment to enjoy the view, though not too long. He was hard and ready, and she was ready and eager.

He knelt behind her and slipped his hand between her legs, wanting to make certain she was as ready as she seemed to be and when his finger slid into her, she jolted and moaned.

“Do not tease me,” she cried out. “Mount and ride me as you—ohhhh!”

Torr planted himself deep inside her. Her cry of delight let him know just how good it had felt. But then it felt damn fantastic to him. He took hold of her backside and kept a firm hand on her as he drove in and out of her, eliciting endless moans of pleasure from her lips with each forceful thrust.

It should have been a quick climax for them both, but it felt too good for it to end so fast. So Torr made sure they lingered in endless pleasure until it became unbearable and only then did he bring them to climax within seconds of each other. Then they collapsed spent and content in each other’s arms.

“Do you think we can hide out here all day?” Wintra asked with a giggle.

“We could try, though Henry told me that he hoped to talk with you today.”

“The emissary, I forgot about him.” Wintra reached down and yanked the blanket over them, their heated passion having dissipated, leaving a chill to invade their naked bodies. “How did your talk go with him?”

“I found it a bit odd. He did not ask as many questions as I expected about you and me. He seemed more interested in my family.”

“Did he not want to know if we loved each other?”

“I made that quite clear to him time and again. He would nod and ask another irrelevant question.”

“Perhaps it does not matter. At least that is what Kellmara believes since Henry is beholden to Cree for saving his life. Therefore, his decision will favor what Cree wants for me, not Kellmara.”

Torr rubbed his wife’s arm, chasing away the chill that had settled there. “I still get the feeling that Henry had been intent on seeing to his mission. He was quite easy to talk with, his manner pleasant and jovial. It was not the difficult task that I imagined it would be.”

“Are you suggesting that I make sure to talk with him?”

“I do not believe you will be able to avoid the man, though pleasant, there is a determination about him that has to be admired.”

“I would imagine that determination is a necessary trait when it comes to his task. There are probably many who do not wish to speak with him, for fear of what his decision could bring.”

“Do you still worry that I will be taken away from you?”

“I always wondered what my da was like and I had wished, with all my heart when I was young, he had not died before I had a chance to meet him. I prayed my mum would not be taken from me, yet she was. I begged Cree not to leave me at the abbey, but he did. And upon meeting the man who claims to be my true father, he tells me he is going to take me away from my husband, the man I love. So, yes I worry that you will be taken away from me, though I will tell you this. I would battle heaven and hell to get you back.”

Torr kissed her gently. “And I would do the same if you were ever taken from me, which proves we will never be kept apart. So there is no need to worry. And while I would love to lie abed all day with you, I think it would serve you better to speak with Henry now and lay your worries to rest.”

“Only if you promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“That once I finish speaking with him, we will retire here and spend the rest of the day alone together.”

“That is a promise I can easily keep and look forward to.”

Cree and Dawn entered the Great Hall the same time Wintra and Torr did, and Cree could not help but turn to whisper to his wife, “I have no doubt I will be told that I will be an uncle very soon.”

She shook with soft, silent laughter and gave him a playful jab.

He loved when she laughed. Sometimes he would imagine what it would sound like if he could hear her. Lately, it was as if he heard her voice in his head and he liked the sound, gentle yet determined.

Dawn rubbed her stomach and pointed to her mouth.

“You are hungry and so am I. Let us feast and celebrate that things have finally settled down and life should be quiet now—hopefully.”

Cree ordered extra food to be brought to the table and called out to Torr and Wintra to join them, and did the same to Henry when he entered. He sent Flanna to find Kellmara, so that he could join with everyone as well.

“I was going to talk with Wintra, but that can wait until later,” Henry said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation of the delicious meal.

“I would prefer to speak with you now,” Wintra said, approaching the man, after her husband gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Henry looked stricken, as if robbed of a great gift.

“I assure you it will not take long,” she said and walked across the hall to sit at an empty table far enough away that their conversation would not be heard. She had taken advantage of his enthusiasm for food, knowing he would not want to linger in talk, but then she had no intentions of them lingering.

Henry sat across from her, though his glance drifted to the dais where platters steeped with food were being placed on the table. He hurried to speak, his mouth already watering from the delicious scent.

Wintra spoke before he could. “What point is there in discussing this matter any further when your decision had been made or, I should say, the King’s decision had been final the moment he had made it. He left my brother to deal with the consequences of those decisions.”

Henry grinned. “You are as observant as your brother.”

“Not until after I spoke with Cree did things seem to fall into place,” she said. “Kellmara thinks that since Cree saved your life that you would rule in his favor and allow me to remain married to Torr. But after speaking with my brother and realizing his importance to the King it became clear why you were sent here. You were to determine if my brother had any objections to my union to Torr. If for some reason he did not favor it, the King would annul it. So the true reason you were sent here was to see if my brother approved of my marriage.”

“Your wit is sharp. The King was concerned with his decision to wed you to Torr. He intended to annul your marriage if it did not please Cree. Unfortunately, the King did not count on Kellmara, which is why I was sent here to make certain Cree was satisfied.”

“My brother must have served the King well, I imagine few if any know exactly how well, to allow him such choices.”

“You have no idea the extent of Cree’s service to the King,” —Henry leaned closer—“or the respect and fear many have for your brother.”

Guilt jabbed at Wintra. Here she had complained about being stuck in the abbey for all those years while her brother was off fighting endless battles and who knew what else to secure a good and safe home for them. He had sacrificed so much, and she had not appreciated it.

“My brother is a good and honorable man,” she said with pride, “just as my husband is.”

Henry nodded. “Torr impressed me. He is an honest man and his family means much to him. He will make you a good husband.”

Wintra smiled. “I know. I am lucky to have him.”

“Now that that is settled and everyone believes I have spoken with you to determine if you can remain wed to Torr, can we please go partake of that scrumptious food that awaits us?” Henry asked with a smile and a lick of his lips.

“My rumbling stomach agrees with you.”

Henry chuckled as he stood and offered Wintra his arm. “And I thought that was my stomach.”

Talk and laughter abounded around the dais as everyone enjoyed the bounty of food that was continually served.

Torr leaned close to his wife, resting his cheek near hers to whisper, “I will keep my promise and take us off to the cottage if that is what you still wish.”

His remark brought a wider grin to her already smiling face. “I am enjoying the time with my family. Later we can enjoy each other, if you do not mind.”

“Not at all. It brings me pleasure to see you happy, though I can promise you that I will make you even happier later tonight.”

“That will be quite a feat since I am
very
happy right now,” she teased.

“Is that a challenge I hear?”

“Are you up to the challenge?” she asked with a laugh.

“Princess, you are going to be sorry you challenged me.”

She laughed again. “Don’t you mean that I am going to be extremely pleased that I challenged you?”

The suggestive banter had been slowly arousing Torr and if it continued he knew that they would not be remaining in the Great Hall for long. So with reluctance he whispered, “Later.” And he turned away from her to turn and speak with—Kellmara. He had been so caught up with Wintra that he had forgotten that Kellmara had been seated on his other side. And it had not been by chance. He saw the look on Cree’s face when he sent Kellmara to sit there.

Torr supposed he could not ignore the man forever. After all, he was Wintra’s father, which meant he had little choice but to speak with the man.

Kellmara, however, made the first move. “You love my daughter.”

Torr noticed it was not a question, perhaps Kellmara finally realized the truth. “I love Wintra very much.”

“You will treat her well?”

“Always. You have my word on it,” Torr assured him.

Kellmara smiled. “Wintra told me that you were an honorable man. I am beginning to see it for myself. I hope that you and Wintra will come spend time with me. What is mine, you and my daughter will inherit. And hopefully there will be many grandchildren to carry on my legacy.”

“Your legacy will surely pass to many generations since your daughter wishes many children.”

“That would be so very nice. I never got to see Wintra grow. It would be wonderful to see her children—my grandchildren—grow. Something I thought I would never have in my life until Wintra.”

“You do realize that if Wintra and I have a daughter that there is a good chance she will be born without a voice just like Dawn. It seems to be an inherited affliction in the women of my family,” Torr said feeling the need to protect a daughter that had yet been born.

Kellmara looked taken aback for a moment, and then quickly said, “Well, then we will have to make certain she is well protected. I will not allow any harm to come to my grandchildren, though I must admit that if she is anything like Wintra, it might be more difficult than we think.”

Torr had to laugh. “Getting to know your daughter, are you?”

Kellmara laughed along with him and shook his head. “I do not know how Cree did it, though he has done a fine job.”

The two men continued talking, the conversation flowing more easily the longer they talked until anyone looking upon them would think them friends.

Wintra looked around her and her heart swelled with joy. She was home with family and she couldn’t be happier.

Lila stood with tears in her eyes. “You look so beautiful.”

Dawn gestured, pointing to her friend, and then at the dress she wore.

Lila shook her head. “I stitched a nice dress for you, but you made it beautiful.”

Dawn smiled, running her hand over the soft, deep blue wool. Lila may have thought that, but to Dawn her friend had made a gorgeous dress for her wedding day. The soft wool hugged at her neck and ran loosely down her arms to gather tight at her wrists. It also gathered just below her breasts leaving plenty of room for her growing stomach, which had rounded considerably in the last three weeks.

“I cannot believe today is your wedding day,” Lila said. “The villagers had worried over the delay. Until they discovered you had delayed it until your father was well enough to attend. It is a shame that he took ill on his return journey here with his troop. He is well now?”

Dawn nodded and gestured how Elsa had taken good care of him.

“Elsa is a blessing to all here,” —Lila giggled—“especially Neil. They are like two young ones in love.”

Dawn smiled and agreed with a nod.

“They have been together ever since that day he took the arrow meant for you.” Lila shook her head. “I am glad those days are behind us. I worried so for your life. Now things have been good. The villagers are happy, food is plentiful, and today we all celebrate your union with Cree.”

The door to the small sitting room opened and Cree walked in.

Lila was quick to bob her head and excuse herself, though not before giving Dawn a hug and having her thank Lila again for sewing such a beautiful dress.

Cree walked over to his wife and the sight of him never failed to catch her breath. This remarkable, handsome man belonged to her. He was her husband. The breadth, width, and strength of him stole another breath, and he stole yet another when he claimed a kiss.

“You are a beautiful woman and you are mine. You belong to me now and always,” he whispered in her ear after kissing her. “And I will love you until my dying day and beyond.”

She gestured that he belonged to her and slowed her gestures as she expressed how much she loved him.

Cree wrapped her in his arms and ran his hand over her rounded stomach. Something he had taken to doing a lot lately. He always loved touching her, but he loved it even more so now that he could feel his child growing inside her. “You grow more beautiful as our child grows within you.”

She smiled, shook her head, and poked him.

“It is true,” he insisted and smiled. “I decree it so.”

Her smile grew and she shook her head again.

“Do not defy my decree, woman,” he said with a teasing laugh. “You grow more beautiful and that is final.”

She nodded, appeasing him and his good-natured teasing.

Wintra suddenly appeared in the open doorway. “Do I disturb anything?”

“What is wrong?” Cree asked.

Wintra had stopped wondering how he could tell when something troubled her. He obviously knew her well and could read her expressions easily. “Elsa insists that Old Mary is not well enough to attend the wedding ceremony or celebration and suggests that Dawn go see her so that the old woman does not attempt to attend.”

Dawn nodded and gave her husband a kiss before walking over to Wintra.

“Go with her, Wintra,” Cree ordered.

“I was planning to,” Wintra said and playfully wrinkled her nose at her brother before taking Dawn’s hand and tugging her along.

After collecting their fur-lined cloaks, the two women were out of the keep in no time.

“The air has a scent of snow to it,” Wintra said.

Dawn agreed. It was an overcast day with a particular nip in the air that warned of snow. But she was not concerned with the weather or her wedding at the moment. Her only thought was of Old Mary. The old woman held a special place in Dawn’s heart and she dreaded the thought of losing her. If Elsa felt she should stay abed, then Dawn wanted to make certain the old woman did so, though she would miss having her at the ceremony and celebration.

Elsa was just leaving Old Mary’s place when the two women arrived. “She is a stubborn one. I wanted her to remain in my cottage where I could keep a close eye on her, but she refused. Several women are going to take turns watching over her so no one misses the celebration.”

Wintra asked what Dawn was about to gesture. “Will Old Mary be all right?”

“With how old she is there is no telling for sure. Her chest seems clear, but the illness has left her a bit weak, so she needs rest and I do not want her out in the cold yet. If she listens to me, I believe she will be fine.”

Dawn nodded and repeatedly patted her chest in thanks. She hurried into the cottage while Wintra remained outside talking with Elsa.

“What are you doing here? It is your wedding day and you have more important things to do than come here,” Old Mary scolded from her bed.

Dawn smiled and gestured that she had wished to see her as she sat in the chair beside the bed.

“Elsa told you to come, the fool.” Old Mary shook her head. “If I had wanted you to come here, I would have sent for you. Are you alone?”

Dawn shook her head, scrunched her brow and shrugged, asking what was wrong. Old Mary never snapped at her as she did now.

“You must return to the keep and stay close to Cree,” Old Mary insisted. “For some reason there is no ceremony and no celebration today. I do not know why, though you will wed; it will not be today. Now go. I will be fine and will attend your wedding when it happens.”

Dawn got upset and, with a quick nod to Old Mary, hurried out of the cottage to find Wintra there alone.

“Is something wrong?” Wintra asked, seeing how pale Dawn had become.

Dawn gestured for them to hurry.

With how upset Dawn appeared, Wintra did not question her. She followed along toward the keep, though stopped abruptly after only a few feet. “Did you hear that? It sounded like a child crying.”

Dawn shook her head and motioned for her to hurry.

Wintra heard it again. “A child in trouble.” And with that Wintra hurried off.

Dawn grew frustrated. This was when she needed a voice to shout out for Wintra to stop and they would get help. But without a voice, the only thing she could do was follow her.

By the time Dawn rounded the cottage, it was too late. Wintra was struggling to break free from a large man who had his hand clamped firmly over her mouth. Another man grabbed her and was about to do the same.

“Not necessary,” Owen said and stepped from behind a tree. “She has no voice and we have no choice but to bring her along or she will alert everyone to our presence.”

Dawn looked to Wintra, who continued to struggle, and shook her head. She would tire herself out and be of no use if a chance came to escape. As if understanding, Wintra calmed. They were quickly dragged through the woods and planted on horses. Owen mounted behind Wintra and a large man behind Dawn. They took off without a word being said, while other men who were with them took off in the opposite direction.

Owen plastered the side of his face against Wintra’s. “Your husband is going to pay dearly for foiling my plans. I do not take lightly to people who cause me to lose so much.”

Curiosity had her asking questions that had been on her mind, but she had never gotten a chance to ask. “What brought you to the abbey?”

“That simpering fool of a woman,” Owen said with disgust. She actually thought that I truly loved her and the child and that I would save them. She believed every bit of drivel I fed her just as you did.”

Wintra’s brow creased. He could not be talking about— “Are you speaking about the pregnant woman at the abbey who died along with her child?”

“Yes, she lied to me about her family’s wealth. They had little, though she told me they had much. By the time I discovered they were poorer than I was, it was too late. She was already pregnant. I did not want the burden of a child or her family’s worthless land, so I refused to wed her. Her family insisted that I bring her to the abbey and, wanting to be rid of her, I did. Then I saw you.”

“Do not think me foolish enough to believe you fell in love with me at first sight.”

“I fell in love with what I knew you could bring me, more land than I ever dreamed possible of owning and a title. One look at you and I knew who your father had to be. I had seen him several times, though he did not know me, but the distinct color of his eyes is quite memorable and not seen often. I did some investigating and put all the pieces together.”

“And you set your plan in motion. You made me believe that you loved me and wanted to spend your life with me. And like the naïve fool I was, I believed you. It was you who arranged for it to look as if my brother sent men to escort me home, wasn’t it. Then you attacked those men, as if rescuing me, and let me know that they were not my brother’s men. Tell me, did you do away with all those men so they would not tell anyone what you did?”

“I got rid of them so I would not have to pay them,” Owen said.

“As you will get rid of these men who help you now?” Wintra cringed when he pinched her arm hard.

“Keep your voice down,” he warned and gave the pinch a twist. “We could have been wed by now and with your father’s blessing if it had not been for Torr.”

“I thank God every day for Torr and that the King decreed us wed.”

“The King is a fool and since Torr ruined everything he will pay. I will enjoy you until your husband, your brother, and your father pay the hefty ransom I seek. Then I will leave Scotland never to return.”

“I never loved you. You were simply a way for me to escape the abbey and find my way home. I would have never wed you.”

“You would have had no choice,” Owen insisted.

“At one time I may have believed that, but no more.”

“You make no sense,” Owen spat, “and I have the perfect way to fill your mouth with other than words.”

Wintra recalled the scene in the cottage when he had almost forced her to take him in her mouth. She needed to escape and she had a good idea as to how to do it.

~~~

“Have you seen Wintra?” Torr asked Cree as he approached the large fireplace in the Great Hall where Cree stood looking as if he contemplated the day ahead.

“She went with Dawn to visit Old Mary,” —Cree scowled— “though that was some time ago. They should have returned by now.” Cree shouted to the warrior by the door to go see if Dawn and Wintra were still at Old Mary’s.

“We cannot say we know each other well,” Torr said, “but I want you to know that I am pleased that you are marrying my sister. You make Dawn happy and I am glad for that.”

Cree smiled. “She makes me happy as well.” He scowled again. “You better make my sister happy.”

“I make her happy all the time,” Torr said with a chuckle.

“Good, then I shall be an uncle very soon.”

Torr laughed. “And probably many times over.”

Cree grinned. “As will you.”

“Then I say we are two lucky men,” Torr said and held his hand out to him. “And I welcome you to our family.”

Cree took it. “And I welcome you to mine.”

The warrior returned, hurrying into the hall and speaking as he approached Cree. “Both women left some time ago and no one has seen them since.”

Cree and Torr exchanged worried looks just before Cree ordered, “Gather some men and search the village.” Cree turned to Torr. “Come with me, we will see if Old Mary knows what goes on.”

Elsa stopped them before they could reach their destination. “I was just coming to see you. Glenda came to see me and told me that she had seen Dawn and Wintra a while back hurrying behind one of the cottages, though she said that Dawn had looked as if she thought twice before following Wintra. She thought it strange, which is why she mentioned it to me.”

“Did she say which cottage it was,” Cree asked.

Elsa pointed to their right. “Glenda also mentioned that she was in the woods this morning, which is where she got the splinter she could not get out of her arm and thought she heard horses and voices. She told me that she was cautious, knowing how dangerous strangers can be. But she saw nothing, only heard what she believed were horses and voices, and then they faded.”

Cree turned to Torr. “Owen?”

“The last report from my warriors was that he was well on his way home.”

“But they did not continue on his trail?” Cree asked.

“They continued to follow, but Owen is a sly one. I would not be surprised if he made it only appear that it was he who led his troop.”

“What is wrong?” Kellmara asked as he joined them.

Cree explained and Kellmara grew angry. “You think it is Owen?”

“If it proves the women are missing, then it would be the most likely explanation,” Cree said, trying to maintain his own anger.

“I am going to kill the bastard,” Kellmara said.

“No! That is for me to do,” Torr warned as they hurried around the cottage.

Cree, Torr, and Kellmara stood staring at the ground where it was obvious an altercation had taken place. Henry the tracker was immediately summoned.

After looking over the area, he said, “The shorter one put up a struggle; the other one did not.”

“Wintra must have put up a good fight,” Torr said imagining his petite wife struggling desperately to free herself.

“She did,” the tracker said with a nod as he remained on bended knee, observing the area.

“I am going to make the bastard suffer when I get my hands on him,” Torr said before Cree could claim the privilege.