J. Lee Coulter (4 page)

Chapter Five

A cold rain began to fall just before dark. Kyla shivered causing her tired husband to glance down at her. Loosening his tartan, he wrapped it about her pressing her closer to his warm chest.

“Better, lass?”

Nodding, she snuggled
even closer against him, a sigh of contentment escaping her. It felt strange to be so at ease with a man but she found that she liked the familiarity… the intimacy.

“Twill nae be much longer, wife. We be about two hours from McEwen Castle.
Ye should try ta sleep if ye can…twill make the time pass quickly.”

“I will try,” she yawned.

Conan chuckled to himself a few moments later as her soft snores reached his ears.
She be a hardy lass. I have nae heard one word of complaint pass her lips…at least nae about the journey.
He felt his body becoming aroused as his thoughts focused on her mouth.

A haunting, gleeful cackle resounded throughout the woods a few moments later…startling his clansmen.
Iona shimmered in the path before him as she made herself visible. Moving closer, she peered beneath the tartan at the bundle sleeping in his arms as if gazing upon a new babe. With a wide grin and curt nod of approval she dissipated into the night. The weary laird growled low in his throat.
She had best keep her part of the bargain or I will…what? I can do naught against a spirit but rant!
He picked up the pace as the glow of torches from his home reflected off the clouds in the distance.

By the time they reached the castle gates the rain had turned to snow. Anxious to get his new bride out of the dank weather Conan hollered up at
Duncan, the gate- keeper, as soon as he was in shouting distance. Metal clanged and gears creaked noisily as the rusty portcullis rose from its seat to allow the laird and his men entrance.

Na
b rushed forward as he hastily donned his cloak, taking control of his laird’s mount by the bridle.

Conan unwrapped his plaid and,
dismounting swiftly, took Kyla into his arms transporting her into the keep. All the while he barked orders at his squire as to his immediate needs.

Kyla stirred from her slumber the moment the chill air struck her damp skin. She shivered but quickly found herself nestled in her husband’s warm embrace once again.
She was about to protest that she had two perfectly sound legs to walk upon but held her peace as she listened to Conan command his people.

“Send Myra ta fetch some of me maither’s clothes! I need a bath prepared and hot food…quickly now!” His steps slowed as he noticed that no one was obeying his
orders. He glanced over his shoulder to find everyone present gawking at him. Arching his brow, he gave them a piercing glare daring them to utter one word of dissent.

“
Did I nae speak loudly enough?” he growled.

Na
b snapped out of his shock first as he jumped to obey his laird. Shooing the rest off to do Conan’s bidding, he hurried to a spare chamber to open the door, only to see his master stride past without a second glance.

“M’laird
…ye passed the chamber.”

Conan glanced back at him as he continued onward.

“Nay. I do believe I ken where I sleep each eve…at least until the wraith arrived…and that nae be it.”

Na
b shook his head. “I did nae mean for ye. Tis for the lass.” His voice squeaked as he noticed the dark scowl flooding Conan’s face.

He shook his head at
Nab while swallowing the retort he would have normally given at the reminder of his lack of morals. His reply began softly before ending in a near shout.

“Laddie, I am cold, wet, hungry, thirsty and exhausted to me bones
. I am nae even capable of cuffing
ye
at this moment for your impertinence. What possible harm could come to the lass this eve? Besides…me wife stays in me chamber…with me!”

“Y-ye wed her?
I thought ye was only ta rescue her.”

“Aye…and why nae? T
here be nae better way ta protect her and tis the bargain I struck.”

Na
b’s gaping mouth slammed shut. He was wise enough to know when to speak out…and when not to. Right now was an excellent time to keep his thoughts to himself. He rushed ahead to open the laird’s bedchamber door.

Conan strode to the chair near the hearth and sat to warm
Kyla and himself while awaiting their bath.

“I could have walked on me own two feet
, husband.” She turned her violet gaze to meet his.

His mouth quirked.

“Where be the fun in that?”

Unable to control herself, laughter bubbled out of her as she smacked his muscular arm.

“Ye are incorrigible!”

“Aye. Tis one of me many fine traits!” Conan flashed a wide grin at his bride.
Her breath caught as he showered her with a devastating smile. Just as he was leaning in to taste her lips once more his chamber door flew open giving entrance to a parade of servants toting food and hot water. He scowled as Kyla giggled into her hand.

Giving Nab a dark look, he held his tongue, knowing that they were simply following his orders.
He just wished that their timing was better! Sighing in resignation he set her on her feet as he stood to retrieve the hot stew.

“Ye may as well eat while they prepare the bath,” he remarked as he handed her a bowl of steaming food.

“Ooh, that smells good! I am quite ravenous from our journey, m’laird.”

Conan watched her in fascination as she wolfed down the meal.
Nae delicate flower is she when she eats! Most lasses do nae wish for anyone ta see their hunger. Her honesty is refreshing.
He hoped that her enthusiasm would carry over to the marriage bed as he consumed his own meal.

A woman approached them that appeared to be in her late forties. With a cursory curtsy, she asked, “Do ye wish for me ta attend
milady’s bath, m’laird?”

Glancing up, he arched a dark brow as he considered her inquiry.

“Nay Myra, I will tend me bride this eve. Did ye bring the clothing?”

He
did not miss the soft gasp escaping Kyla’s lips as he eyed the maid.

“Aye, m’laird. Twill do for now but they will need ta be altered. Your maither was taller than this lass
and a bit…fuller,” she replied tactfully.

“Aye, that she was,” he agreed with a smile. “Ye may attend me bride in the morn. Good eve Myra.”

With a quick glance at Kyla’s pleading eyes, she nodded and hurried from the chamber.

Conan studied his
calloused hands as he broached the subject of their consummation of the wedding vows. He had no wish to frighten her but it was imperative that it be accomplished as soon as possible. He wanted the spirit gone from his life permanently so he must ensure that the lass be safe.
The fact that I feel an overwhelming desire for Kyla has naught ta do with it! Tis normal for a man ta have these thoughts!
Clearing his throat, he glanced at her apprehensive face.

“Do ye need aide with your gown, wife? The bath will grow chilled.”

She shook her head silently as she slowly proceeded to undress. Try as he might, Conan could not tear his gaze from her as his mouth ran dry.

Turning her back to him she pleaded, “Would ye mind nae staring as I slip into the bath?
I am nae accustomed ta disrobing before a man.”

He swiftly spun about.

“Forgive me lass. I do nae wish ta frighten ye.” He smiled to himself. “Although tis good ta hear that only I…your husband…will have the privilege of seeing ye as such.”

At the sound of splashing water he turned back toward her…and gasped in shock! The milky white smoothness of her back was
crisscrossed with scars. Anger began to well up inside him as he drew closer.

“Did your faither do this ta ye  lass?”

Kyla’s hand shot back as she tried to cover her shame. Tears welled in her violet eyes as she lowered them.

“Twas me own fault. I showed a visiting laird undo attention about a year ago. Me faither corrected me. Tis naught for your concern.”

“Aye…tis me concern, Kyla! Nae man should beat a woman. Tis a sign of weakness! He’ll nae touch ye again…this I vow!” Stripping off his clothes, Conan joined her in the bath, gently rubbing the soapy cloth over her scars.

Conan felt a hatred begin to grow in his gullet toward Clyde Ramsey as his fingers brushed the small ridges on her back. This had been not been caused by a light switching! These marks came from a serious lashing that she barely survived
!

Kyla shivered as she felt his lips lightly brush against her collarbone.
She was fascinated at the differences in their bodies. Running her fingers up his hairy calves, she could feel his muscles harden beneath her touch.

“Still your hands wife or we will nae make it ta the marriage bed!” he growled in her delicate ear.

Jerking her hands back, she asked, “Is that important?”

“Aye…the first time.” He arched a brow. “What do ye ken of bedding, Kyla?”

Her voice saddened as she replied. “Nae much. I am afraid I come ta ye as an untrained wife.”

“E
xactly what do ye mean by that lass?”

Conan’s eyes widened in alarm as he listened to her response.

“Faither said it was his duty ta prepare me for me husband. He was going ta see ta it this very eve…but ye stole me away before he could.” Her lower lip trembled for a moment before her whole face lit up. “Ye could teach me…if ye do nae mind! I be a very fast learner, m’laird!”

His heart clenched in his chest as he realized that the spirit had been speaking true. He had only half believed her tale before. Twas too fantastic for him ta comprehend
that there existed such foulness in the world! Taking Kyla’s chin in his hand, he gave her a light kiss.

“Wee lass, hear
me well. Tis the husband’s duty…and pleasure ta show his bride her wifely duties…and none other. Especially nae your faither! Tis a sin he wished upon ye!”

“Truly?”

“Truly. Mayhap he loves ye too much, I ken nae. All I ken is that nae faither is allowed ta do this with his daughter!”

Kyla eyed him suspiciously for a moment. Why should she believe
Conan, who she hardly knew, to her father’s word? Something in her heart stirred, an ache of betrayal, as she realized the truth to his words. With a curt nod she turned back around in the bath.

“Then tis ye that will teach me!”

A smile flitted past his sensuous lips. He loved her practical mind.
A no nonsense lass! Who would have thought?

“Come wife…the water grows cold.”

Chapter Six

The ethereal form hovered in a dark corner of the chamber as they bathed, listening to their conversation. Iona had no wish to spy on their wedding night but she needed to be ascertained that all was going well. Kyla
had
to stay out of Clyde’s reach forever!

Once she was satisfied, the spirit reappeared at the Ramsey castle to torment her husband. Flitting from one chamber to another, swiftly passing through the stone walls, a wicked grin spread over her face when she entered their bedchamber.

It was a sight to behold! Food had been flung against one wall in a fit of rage, chairs were smashed into kindling and the bedclothes were strewn about!

Why I do believe the laird has thrown a tantrum!
She cackled in glee.
Good! It serves him right! Twill nae take much ta make his twisted mind snap! And he appears ta be well into his cups, as well. All the better.

The portly laird slumped in the only chair that was still in one piece as he consumed more uisge beatha, spilling a goodly portion on his
braes, the only clothing that he wore.

He had been furious earlier when he found her missing. How dare she run away when he had granted her the courtesy of waiting until she was eighteen summers
afore he began her training. He smirked. As if he had ever planned on allowing her to wed!
She certainly is a gullible wee lass!
A frown quickly replaced the smirk as his thoughts fanned the embers of rage once again.

“How dare she defy me!”
he roared as his cup shattered against the far wall. Rising on unsteady legs, Clyde lurched toward the door to retrieve a fresh cup of whiskey that a servant had discreetly placed there, when an eerie wail reached his ears.

“Who’s there?” His bleary eyes darted about the chamber as a chill raced up his spine. After a few moments of silence, he shrugged and, retrieving the cup, swayed back to his seat.

Kyla will regret this day…that be a certainty! I will thrash her within an inch of her life for disobeying me…after I have tasted her freshness, of course.
Taking a large pull from his cup, Clyde spewed it about the room choking and coughing as Iona’s filmy body appeared before his eyes. Sheer terror shot through him at the sight of her!

“Y-ye
can nae be here! Ye are dead!”

“Ye would ken that better than anyone…since it was ye who did the killing! I did nae mind that as much as ye telling Kyla that I had left her and ye without so much as a goodbye!” Iona’s blue eyes glowed almost white in her anger.

Ramsey’s eyes bulged as his intoxicated mind attempted to sort out what floated before him. With a snicker, he grinned at her.

“I thought it quite ingenious,
me self,” he slurred. “What care ye? Ye are nae real…just a drunken vision!”

Iona’s blood, if she had any, boiled in fury! What an insufferable lout! Then, remembering why she was there, she smiled widely.

“If I be a vision then why would I ken Kyla’s whereabouts?”

Clyde sobered immediately, sitting ramrod straight in his chair, eyeing her warily.
Tis nae truly Iona before me. She would do naught ta let me near the lass! Mayhap tis a demon.
He snorted as he decided that was the most logical conclusion. What did he care as long as he got Kyla back?

“Ye truly ken where she be?”

“Aye.”

“And ye will tell me?”

“Mayhap I will, then again…mayhap I will nae.”

“Do nae toy with me wraith!”

“Toy with ye? Is that what ye think I do?”

“What else can it be when ye can see how tormented I be at the loss of me daughter?”

“Good! It gladdens me heart ta see ye suffer so.”

Clyde was aghast! What manner of she-demon was this?

“Ye relish me suffering?”

“Aye. For your plans for her were pure evil! Was a wife nae good enough ta satisfy ye? Why torture your daughter?”

“Bah! Why should I argue with ye when ye are nae more than a vision? Go! Ye waste me time.”

“Ah, then ye have nae wish ta ken where she be?”

Bloodshot eyes darted her direction once more but he remained mute.

Sighing, Iona began to fade into the dark.

“Wait! If ye truly ken…then tell me. I would have her back.”

Laughing hysterically, she came back into view. She narrowed her translucent eyes in a glare once she controlled her mirth.

“Kyla be out of your reach forever ye disgusting piece of swine dung!” An evil grin crossed her lips as she delivered her words. “She was wed this very morn,” the spirit’s face almost touched his as she continued, “…and bedded this very night!”

“Nay!” he bellowed, leaping from his seat. “Ye lie!”

Iona held a hand to her throat, remembering it was he who murdered her! With a look of innocence she batted her lashes at him.

“I witnessed it
me self, m’laird! Aye. I have nae been from this world so long that I do nae recognize coupling when I see it. Twas a tender moment betwixt the two. I do believe there be a touch of love developing.” The last part was laying it on a little thick but he deserved it. She truly did not know if they had consummated their vows or not. It would be inappropriate for her to watch. But what Clyde did not know…well, what harm was there? A shudder ran through her as he reached for her throat, passing harmlessly through the misty veil.

A horrendous roar of rage
emanated from the laird’s lips as his mind pictured Kyla with another man. All of his plans…scheming, had been for nothing!

He spun about. “Where is she? Who is she with? I will kill him with me bare hands!”

Iona’s sweet smile twisted the knife deeper as she shook her head.

“Oh. They were so enraptured with each other I forgot to get a name. Perhaps the next time I visit?”

Clyde lunged at her, forgetting that she was not real, and hit the stone floor hard knocking himself unconscious.

“Humph!” she snorted with hands on hips. “Tis just like him ta cut me fun short! Ach, well there always be the morrow.”

Conan had moved slowly with his bride as he introduced her to the art of lovemaking. He had not wanted to frighten her.

He stroked her velvet skin clear down to her thighs as he familiarized her to his touch. Studying her reactions, he soon learned what seemed to please her
then marked it in his memory.

Kyla gasped as his hot tongue circled the nipple on her breast before engulfing it in his mouth…suckling gently.

Moaning, her delicate hands sought the back of his head and pulled him closer in his quest. Tremors rolled up and down her body as it prepared for her mate.

Reaching toward her mound, he found her hot and wet for him. He pushed a finger up in her to expand the entrance. She moaned in pleasure thrashing her head about.

Switching to her other breast, he thrust a second finger inside, rhythmically rubbing the black-haired knoll until she was in a mindless frenzy. He felt her body convulsing about his fingers as she reached the peak.

“Conan!” she cried out.

He swiftly settled himself between her white thighs and in one thrust broke the barrier betwixt them. Sweat rolled off him as he restrained himself from his pleasure awaiting Kyla’s body to adjust.

She knew there would be pain the first time. Her father had explained the mechanics of the act to her. It was the impression of fullness that
surprised her the most.
That
she had not expected! Nor the pleasure that her husband’s hands had brought her. She wanted more.

Conan glanced anxiously at her.

“Has the pain passed lassie?”

Biting her lip, she nodded.
Leaning closer, he captured her lips with his own as he began moving his hips, gently thrusting into her silky sheath. As passions soared, Kyla soon forgot her embarrassment, erupting once again into an even more fulfilling climax than before.

Rolling off of her, he pulled her into his arms as his staccato heartbeat slowed to a more normal pace. She snuggled closer enjoying the blissful state of her mind. A few moments later she shot up with a look of horror on her face!

“What is wrong wife? Are ye in pain?”

She shook her
tousled head as tears welled in her violet eyes.

“M-me f-faither w-was going ta do
that
with me? What we just did?”

Warily, he nodded. Conan did not know if she would become hysterical (as women often did) or withdraw into herself in silent pain. She did neither.

“How dare he think that I would ever allow it! He is a despicable swine! A monster!” Kyla turned to him. “But how did ye ken it? Ye do nae ken me faither.”

He eyed her for a moment, wondering how much he should reveal.
I may as well tell all. She is bound ta meet the wraith at some point…everyone does.
Conan sighed.

“The spirit told me of your da and his plans for ye. She requested that I
seize ye and keep ye safe from harm.”

“But ye wed me! Ye did ta me what me faither was going ta do anyway.”

“Aye. The difference is that I be your
husband
…nae your
da
! And tis the only legal way ta keep him from taking ye back.”

Kyla sputtered as she attempted to add a retort, failing in the effort. Cocking her head she considered his words.

She did not know this man she had wed…but that was not unusual. All she knew of him was told by the warriors around Ramsey Castle, but they had been worthy reports. He was very pleasing to gaze upon, as well. Besides, there was no turning back now. She had been bedded well! A thought occurred to her.

“Ye mean that ye only wed me ta keep me from me
Da’s unwanted attention? Ye do nae truly want…me?” Her voice trembled.

Alarm flooded his face. He had no wish to reveal all the details of the pact. He shook his head as he tucked her into his embrace.

“That is nae true, lass. The moment I laid eyes on ye I kenned that nae other would do for me. Ye be a rare beauty…inside and out. Hush now and get some rest. It has been a long day for ye.”

“Very well, Conan. But I do wish ta learn more of your ‘spirit’ in the morn.”

He groaned inwardly. How could she not when the entire clan was eager to inform her?