His Woman (25 page)

Her lower lip trembled. “Of course you must.”

“Stay here. Bar the door behind me.” Duncan gave her a hard kiss, wanting so much more. He broke away and strode to the door.

“Duncan!” Isabel called.

He turned.

She stood before him, tears in her eyes, her face cast with worry and fear, the flames in the hearth crafting a haloed backdrop. His heart shifted. She looked as if a cross between a woman and a faerie set on the earth for him alone.

“I love you. I always have.” Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I never stopped loving you.”

The ferocity of his emotions nearly drove him to his knees. Instead of answering, he crossed and swept her against him. “I love you as well, Isabel. Never forget that.” He kissed her hard and released her. He started to leave, stopped to grab a sheet to cover Frasyer’s body, then ran to the door. He looked back one last time. “Stay until I return.”

She nodded.

He lifted the wood. With his sword readied, he yanked open the door.

A large shadow bolted toward him.

Duncan shoved the door closed behind him, screamed a war cry and charged.

“Hold!” Seathan yelled, barely avoiding Duncan’s swing. “By my sword, are you trying to kill me?” The glow of the moonlight caught the bruises, cuts, and swelling on the side of his oldest brother’s battle-worn face.

“I thought…” At the fading sounds of battle, Duncan looked around. Only distant pockets of resistance remained, with Frasyer’s knights quickly falling to the rebel’s.

They’d won.

He turned to his brother, hiding his relief behind a scowl. “I almost gutted you.”

“Aye, but then, you were always slow,” Seathan teased.

Duncan gave a rough laugh. “We did it.”

“A few knights escaped, but I have sent men to trail them. They will not be getting away.” Seathan glanced toward the front door. “Isabel?”

“Is safe, but I had to kill Frasyer.”

Seathan frowned. “Just consequence for a man so evil.”

“Aye, but I would have liked to have allowed Griffin to decide the earl’s punishment. It will put a burr under Longshank’s arse when he learns of Frasyer’s death.”

“Aye,” Seathan agreed, “but it cannot be helped now.”

“You think Frasyer’s death will sway the English king’s decision in deciding Lord Caelin’s fate?”

“I do not know.”

Duncan met his older brother’s gaze. “The Bible is gone.”

Seathan tensed. “What?”

“During the fight, I threw it into the fire. Unsure who was winning the battle, I could not take the risk of it being used against Wallace.”

His mouth grim, Seathan nodded. “A decision I would have made as well.”

On an exhale, Duncan walked with his brother to the door, pounded on it. “Isabel! Open up, we have won.”

Wood clattered as she removed the bar.

The door jerked open and Isabel flew into his arms.

Duncan drew her into a hungry kiss, needing her, never wanting to let her go. But other matters must be dealt with first. With regret, he broke the kiss.

Tears misted in her amber eyes. “When you left, I was so afraid.” Her body trembled against his. “Look at your face,” she said softly. “When you first walked into the hut…Mary’s will, you have burns atop your cheek, another across your brow. And look at the back of your hands.”

“They are naught.” He drew her close, the bruise swelling on her cheek stirring his anger. But Frasyer was dead. He would never hurt her again. Duncan softly pressed his mouth over her lips, a kiss meant to sooth, to calm, and to convey how much he loved her.

The clearing of a throat behind him had Duncan setting Isabel to the floor, drawing away. “My brother is with me.”

Her cheeks warmed to a furious red as she gazed past Duncan. “I did not know you were there.”

Dry humor sparked on Seathan’s face. “Obviously. I came to ensure you were safe.”

“I am,” she replied. “My thanks.”

“Duncan told us the truth of why you broke the betrothal,” Seathan said. “Having known you since a child, I should have offered you more faith. Please accept my apology.”

“If you will accept mine. I should have trusted not only Duncan, but your family.”

Seathan nodded. “He also informed us of your heritage. Knowing you, your determined and stubborn manner, I am not surprised.” The dry teasing on his face fell away. He glanced over at Frasyer’s covered body. “I will remove him and apprise Griffin of the situation.”

She frowned. “Griffin?”

“Alexander’s brother-in-law,” Duncan replied.

By the confusion on her face, his comment far from explained why an English baron would be with Scottish rebels. An explanation he would give, but now, he needed time with her—alone.

Duncan closed the door behind Seathan as he departed with Frasyer’s covered body. He caught Isabel and drew her to him. He brushed wisps of hair away from her amber eyes. Catching her chin with his thumb, he tilted her face toward him and pressed a kiss upon her soft lips.

“I love you, Isabel. You are my heart, my every breath. I allowed jealousy to smother common sense. I was a fool to ever doubt you. A mistake I swear to you, I will never make again.”

She shook her head. “I love you as well, Duncan. Never again will I hesitate to seek your advice. You are the man I will always turn to, the man who holds my heart, and the man with whom I look forward to spending the rest of my life.”

He caught her mouth in a hungry kiss, loving her, wanting her forever.

She pulled away. “With the burns on your face, I am hurting you.”

“I barely feel them.” At her silence, he stroked her cheek. “I am sorry about the Bible.”

The anguish creasing Duncan’s face tore at Isabel’s heart. “Do not be. We are alive. That is what counts. Besides, we could not risk the Bible falling into King Edward’s hands.”

A knock sounded on the door.

“It will be my brothers.” Duncan gave her one final kiss, hot and filled with promise. “We will be alone later, that I swear to you.”

His sultry words invited erotic images that churned heat through her body. She wished the time was upon them so she could touch him, make love with him again.

Duncan opened the door, and Alexander entered.

Alexander turned to Isabel. He stared at her for a long moment. “Please forgive me for doubting you. Had I known of Frasyer’s treacherous plan, I would have ridden to slay the bastard with my own hands.”

“My thanks,” she replied with appreciation. A tremulous smile touched her mouth. “But I believe you would have been too late, for Duncan would have already finished the task.”

Alexander shot his younger brother a hard look. “Aye, I believe so as well.” He paused. “The news of your heritage shocked me.”

“It surprised us all,” Isabel said.

Boots slapped against the dirt floor as a tall, well-muscled man she didn’t recognize entered. Shoulder length brown hair paid a complement to his hazel eyes. At odds with Seathan’s devil’s black hair and obsidian eyes, neither did he resemble Alexander or Duncan.

“Isabel,” Duncan said, “may I introduce to you my brother-in-law, the Baron of Monceaux, or as he is known to the rebels, Wulfe.”

The intimidating man took her hand, bowed. “It would be my pleasure if you would call me Griffin.”

Mind whirling, she stared at him in disbelief as she worked to absorb the revelation. “Wulfe? The English lord who helps the rebels? And your sister, Nichola, is married to Duncan’s brother Alexander?”

A smile twinkled in Griffin’s eyes. “Yes, my lady, one and the same.”

His comment, laced with charm, had heat stroking Isabel’s cheeks. “I am sorry. I am being rude. It is that I did not know of your rebel tie.”

“Most people do not,” Griffin said. “It is safer that way.”

That she could believe. “King Edward—”

“Does not approve of my sister’s marriage,” Griffin finished.

An understatement. God forbid if the English king should learn his Scottish adviser was supporting the rebels.

“We must leave,” Seathan said. “For your protection, you will travel to Rothfield Castle. Duncan and Alexander will ride with you.”

She glanced from Seathan to Griffin. “What of Lord Caelin?”

“He is doing well, my lady,” Griffin replied. “Though he remains locked within my dungeon, rest assured he is well cared for.”

“The charges against him?” she asked, fear roughening her voice.

“Are serious,” Griffin agreed. “But with Frasyer dead, there is no one to contest my findings to King Edward that Frasyer’s claim of Lord Caelin supporting the rebels are unfounded.”

“He will be freed then?” Her voice wavered with hope.

“With as moody as King Edward has become,” Griffin said, “nothing is assured. I swear to you, I will do all within my power to ensure he is released.”

“My thanks.” Isabel worked to regain her composure. “And again my thanks, to all of you.”

Duncan squeezed her hand, understanding her worry for Lord Caelin, the same concern he harbored as well. At least Isabel was safe. His heart swelled with love. Once they were alone, he would ask her to be his wife.

The hiss and crackle of a spark caught his attention.

Duncan turned toward the hearth. Given the passage of time, the flames had receded to glowing embers. Standing on end, wedged against the blackened wall of the hearth, lay the charred outline of the Bible. He stilled.

Had the Bible survived?

Isabel clasped her hand on Duncan’s arm. “What is it?”

“The Bible.” Duncan whispered the words, as if to speak them aloud would cause the miracle to disappear.

Everyone turned toward the hearth.

“I see it,” Isabel said, her voice shaking with excitement, “but it is blackened.”

“Blackened for sure, but it is not destroyed.” Ignoring the pain the burns caused, Duncan crossed to the hearth and bent before the glowing embers.

Isabel knelt beside him.

On an exhale, he removed his sword. He pushed the blade against the blackened Bible.

It didn’t move. More important, the holy book didn’t deteriorate into a pile of blackened ashes.

“I will catch it on the side and push it toward the right.” Duncan gestured to Seathan. “Use your sword to ensure it does not fall into the embers.”

His eldest brother positioned his blade to hold the Bible secure. “Ready.”

Isabel held her breath.

“Now,” Duncan said. Together they pushed.

The Bible slid onto the earthen floor with a heavy plop. The pages sprawled open with an erratic flair—pages he could read.

Tears of relief streamed down Isabel’s cheeks. “The Bible is intact!”

“Aye,” Duncan agreed, his relief matching hers. “The leather binding protected it from the heat of the flames. That and the Bible sliding to wedge itself against the back of the hearth.”

“Thank God.” Overwhelmed with joy, Isabel lifted the volume into her hands. It did not hold the evidence for Lord Caelin’s freedom. Instead, it held proof of her tie to a man whose sheer name was synonymous with Scotland’s freedom. A man who she’d long revered.

William Wallace.

Her father.

Isabel’s fingers trembled as she withdrew the yellowed parchment from the secret compartment. It mattered not that the edges were scarred by smears of yellow where the flames had heated them, or that the pages carried the scent of smoke. Within was documentation that Frasyer had intended to wield for his own gain. Proof of how much Wallace had sacrificed for his daughter. A child he had always loved.

She turned to Duncan, and he drew her into his arms, her tears warm on his neck. His body throbbed with pain at his every movement, but nothing would keep him from celebrating the fact that proof of Isabel’s heritage was safe.

A woman he was blessed to hold.

A woman he would always love.

Morning sun spilled through the hand-crafted windows in golden rays. Isabel smiled, welcoming the warmth of the new day.

Duncan’s fingers grazed her cheek in a soft caress. “You are awake then?”

She turned. Green eyes rich with desire watched her, and warmth cascaded through her body. She leaned forward to meet his kiss, accepting, savoring his rich male taste, how he seduced her with his mouth as his hands caressed her with knowing intent.

“Good morning, my wife,” he said, pulling the sheets down and exposing her to his heated gaze. She watched as his hands explored her every curve. Her groan of pleasure as he cupped her most sensitive place had him lingering, touching her with infinite tenderness, until he lay his body over hers and filled her, taking her again to a shattering bliss. After, he held her. Content, Isabel snuggled against his chest.

“My wife,” he repeated reverently. “Three years past, I never would have believed this day would exist.”

Her heart melted. “Aye, it is a dream come true that yesterday we wed. Or that almost a moon has passed since we discovered the Bible had not burned.”

Warmth filled her soul. “But wonderfully true.”

Duncan lifted the halved sapphire hanging on the chain around her neck, shared with her pendant bearing Wallace’s arms. “My other half.” As he joined the gem to bond with its mate, a shiver of energy washed through her. He smiled. “Magic.”

“Magic,” she whispered, having no doubt that indeed faeries intervened in their union.

“Aye. Compliments of my grandmother.”

“That makes no sense,” she replied.

Green eyes danced with mischief. “Aye, it does if you talk to Alexander and Nichola. They, too, were touched by the magic of the stones left in the bowl within my grandmother’s chamber. It would seem that whenever a gem within the bowl glows and warms to a woman’s touch, the brother who wears its mate will end up with her as his wife.”

Stunned, she shook her head. “You never told me.”

“It was more a fable Seathan and I made up to tease Alexander. Now, one I believe.”

She settled into his arms. “I am thankful for your grandmother’s hand, however magically bestowed.”

“As I.”

“But there is still one halved gem within the bowl,” Isabel added thoughtfully. “Its exterior is rough and the color of crushed gold, but inside it is green with what appears to be moss.”

A playful smile curved Duncan’s mouth. “It is a moss agate. It is said to hold the ability to make warriors powerful and shield them from those who would bring them harm. Seathan wears the other half around his neck.”

“Then the halved gemstone in the bowl is for Seathan’s mate to find?”

“So it appears,” Duncan said. “With all the events since our battle against Frasyer, I doubt my brother has considered the woman who will be his match.”

At the mention of Frasyer, the lightness of the moment fled. “I am thankful that Griffin finally convinced King Edward to drop the charges against Lord Caelin.”

Duncan skimmed his fingers along the soft column of her neck. “Aye, more so with King Edward’s fury at learning of Frasyer’s death.”

“The English king will keep his vow to find Frasyer’s murderer.”

“He also plans to claim Scotland as his own, both goals he will lose,” Duncan said with confidence.

Pride filled her as she remembered meeting Wallace, but this time aware he was her father. She’d cherished his embrace, their long, heartfelt discussion after. As she had when Griffin had allowed her to see Lord Caelin. Though not her true father, he would always hold a place deep in her heart. Her joy more so when but two days later, Lord Caelin had been freed.

“Aye,” Isabel said. “King Edward will learn that greed can never compare with the passion of the Scots, nor our desire for freedom.”

Duncan laid his hand upon the flat of her stomach. “Our son will grow up knowing only freedom.”

She smiled, amazed they could talk of their future, the children they would one day have, and of all the happiness before them. Only weeks before, she’d played the part of Frasyer’s mistress. Now, because of Duncan, a life promising untold happiness lay before her.

The embroidery framed on the wall caught her attention, and sadness washed through her. “I miss Symon.”

Duncan nodded somberly. “He was a great man, a fierce warrior, and a stalwart friend. His courage will always be remembered.”

“When our child is born, I would like to name him after Symon.”

“And if it is a girl?”

Warmth touched her. “Do you think we would have a lass who could bear such a stubborn name?”

Duncan’s laughter filled the room. “With you as her mother, aye.” He rolled over and captured her beneath him. “It is our first morning wed. Time for discussing the names of babes will come. Now, it is my wish to again make love to my wife.”

His mouth covered hers and she returned his searing kiss, wanting him, needing him, cherishing his love.

Once she was so foolish to doubt him. But Duncan had taught her that he was a man to turn to, a man she could love, a man she could trust forever.