J. Lee Coulter (6 page)

Chapter Nine

A few days had passed when Conan searched out his bride
again. Finding her in the garden selecting a few roses that still clung to life before winter truly set in, he observed her from a distance.

He was still amazed
every time he thought of her as being his wife. She was beautiful to gaze upon! Ebony-haired with violet eyes that sparkled with joy every time they settled on him, all wrapped up in a voluptuous body!

Desire rippled through him as he recalled their
bed sport. Kyla was filled with a fiery passion that matched his own. His heart had begun to soften as the bond between them grew these past few sennights. Her happiness is all that he strived for from the moment he awoke in the morn till he fell asleep in the eve.
I be smitten with her! How did that happen?
He shook his auburn head in disbelief. No woman had ever captivated him as much as she had.

Is she nae all that I promised ye Conan?

Not bothering to search Iona out, he nodded. She would not show herself to Kyla.
Aye. She be much more than ye promised…truth be kenned. How goes the haunting?

It has been a bit disappointing but it be early yet. It takes time ta break through Clyde’s wall of disbelief. He
has only recently become wary of a possible assassin attempting ta take his life.

Assassin?

Aye. That is what he thinks although it just be me truly. So far, I have only been able to spill things on him and give him some nightmares…naught more.

Did ye ken about the lashing he gave her?

Iona sighed. She had arrived too late to prevent the whip from striking Kyla and regretted it dearly.

Aye. Twas naught I could do at the time.

Sensing eyes on her, Kyla turned just then to see Conan’s scowl. Concern crossed her face as she tried to recall what she may have done to displease him. She could think of nothing.

“M
e laird, is something amiss?”

Realizing that he was scowling Conan instantly masked it with a smile.

“Nae me sweet. Twas other thoughts that be the cause. I came ta ask if ye would care ta travel ta the village with me.”

Kyla’s face lit up at the prospect but quickly turned into a frown.

“I fear that I can nae, husband.”

“Why is that?”

She glanced into his aqua-blue eyes as she admitted, “I can nae ride. Faither forbade it!” Tears began to well up at her disappointment.

He bristled for a moment before pulling her into his arms.

“Hush love, ye may ride with me this day. Twill be winter soon, preventing any travel, so I must see if the villagers are prepared for it.” Kissing her brow he continued, “I will teach ye how ta ride later, as long as the weather permits. Would ye like that wife?”

Nodding eagerly,
delight returned to her face.

A blustery wind whipped his ragged cloak around his frail body as the old peasant hobbled into the inner bailey. Glancing at the grey sky he thanked the Lord that he had beat the coming storm.

Angus shivered. He would not have made the journey at all but he heard that Laird Ramsey offered a hefty reward for knowledge of his missing daughter. The old man planned on collecting it as he did a good deed reuniting father and daughter at the same time.

“Halt auld man! What business have ye here?”

Watery grey eyes peered at the guard from under the shabby cowl.

“I have news for the laird of his daughter.” He would not discuss the recompense with a mere guard.

Smirking, the man eyed him skeptically.

“Aye…I can see that ye would be privy ta such knowledge.”

Shrugging, Angus turned to leave as he replied, “Tis nae concern of mine either way. But if it were
me
daughter…I would flog the man that kept us apart… mayhap even behead him.”

The smirk swiftly left his lips as the guard heeded his words. Laird Ramsey would do just that for certain!

“Wait here.”

Angus did not have to wait long before the doors were flung wide and he was face-to-face with the portly laird.

“Ye have news of me Kyla?”

“I heard that there be a reward me laird…nae that it matters. Tis just that I journeyed three days of me own accord ta bring ye this information. I be a bit hungered and thirsty after such an arduous trek.”

Clyde glared at the old peasant.
Aye…I will reward ye right enough!
Smoothing his expression, he invited Angus into the castle.

“Please forgive me gruffness…I am simply fraught with worry over me dear, sweet daughter. Warm yourself by the fire
as ye satisfy your hunger and thirst. We will speak once ye have finished.”

Clyde sat opposite of him drinking his ale as he waited impatiently for the old man to be sated. Angus
had to chew the food slowly to preserve what few teeth he had left.

“Well? What news have ye?”

“There was gold coin mentioned, me laird,” he replied shrewdly. Once the information was given he would have nothing left to bargain with. He would be paid first!

Laird Ramsey nodded agreement as he tossed a small sack of gold coin to him. What did he care? A dead man
cannot actually take his coin…and this man would be dead shortly.

“Me patience grows thin auld man,” he growled.

“Aye…I expect so. I overheard a conversation a few days past at a tavern that I frequent. These men spoke of a wedding ta a raven-haired beauty.”

Clyde leaned in closer to catch every word.

“And who, pray tell, was the groom?”

Eyeing the laird warily Angus thought it to be prudent to assure his escape before releasing that knowledge. Straightening his spine as much as possible for a man of advanced years, he replied, “I believe I could recall the name better from astride a horse outside the castle gates.”

“Ye think ta toy with me knave? I will have the name…now!” he bellowed in rage.

Angus trembled as he slowly shook his shaggy head.

“I think nae, me laird. I be auld and sometimes me memory falters. Aye…a horse be what I need ta recall.”

Clyde’s face turned
purple with his anger as he sputtered. How dare this simpleton dictate terms to him! But he wanted Kyla back. He would do what he must…for now.

“Fetch him one of those nags that crept into our herd,” he ordered the guard as he glared at the raggedy man. “And be quick about it!”

It was not long before Clyde was standing at the gate looking up at Angus expectantly.

“Well…out with it man! Ye have what ye requested.”

“Aye and I thank ye, me laird. The McEwen wed your daughter more than a fortnight ago.”

“The McEwen? How can ye be certain that it be me daughter he wed?
”

“Kyla is nae a common name around here and that be the lass’s name. Besides that,” he turned the horse to depart, “I just left their local village outside the castle and saw her with me own two eyes. She had raven hair and lavender eyes. Does that nae describe your daughter?”

A surge of triumph shot through him. Aye…it had to be her! Nodding, he turned towards the gate, signaling his guard as he passed by. The
twang
of
a bolt being released from its perch on a crossbow reached his ears and a moment later, the thud of Angus’ body hitting the ground. He smiled as he hummed to himself.

McEwen eh? I have heard of this man. Apparently he is nae as honorable as some would believe. Mayhap his skills with a sword are much over-rated as well. I will nae test that thought though. Subterfuge is what I need ta retrieve me Kyla.

Spying his lieutenant, he motioned for him to follow. He needed a plan if his goals were to be reached.

Chapter Ten

Iona floated along the castle walk as she attempted to devise her next plan of attack. It needed to be bold to penetrate Clyde’s sluggish skull. But what? She shook her head. Turning his dreams into nightmares had been unsatisfying. Especially sense they appeared to be such before she ever intruded! No! He had to be cold-sober and awake for her to capture his attention. She would have to appear in his sight…with witnesses…for him to take notice.

Clapping her hands in excitement, Iona drifted to the main hall to put her plan into play. It was filled with his soldiers and servants going about their evening meal. The noise was quite deafening as their voices echoed off the stone walls.

Hovering in the entrance as she gained her bearings, it took her a few moments to locate her husband. Iona found him in a dark alcove deep in discussion with a few of his men. She moved closer to listen in on what was being discussed.

“It is settled then. In the morn Seamus will ride ta the McEwen Keep ta seek employment…in the stables, perhaps.”

“Aye me laird, I am good with horses. After a few days have passed I will aid the men ye send ta take back your daughter. They may search me out at the postern gate in a sennight’s time.”

What is this? Clyde kens where she be! How could he? I gave naught away!
Alarmed, she wracked her brain to come up with a solution. Iona was so engrossed in her thoughts that she did not notice the creeping silence building in the room until she heard gasps behind her.

Glancing about swiftly, her eyes locked with a horrified Clyde as he stared
directly at her in disbelief! She had become visible in her distress with no effort at all!

“It can nae be! Ye are dead!” Clyde’s voice rasped.

A wicked smile crossed her lips.

“Ye ought ta ken since ye did the killing!”

He backed up as she drew nearer, his face ashen. She heard some of the maids scream as they ran from the chamber while his brave warriors parted like the Red Sea before her as they made the sign of the cross on their chests.

“Ye will nae be bothering me Kyla…nor her new husband. Ye will regret it if ye do.”

Swallowing hard as his back connected with the wall, Clyde gathered his courage. “Ye can nae stop me!”

She glared at him. “Ye would be surprised at what I can and can nae do. Do nae test me, Clyde!” she snarled.

Uncertainty flashed in his eyes for a second. He was not definite about what a ghost was capable of doing. He needed to speak with a seer.

“
Be gone witch! Ye have nae place here!”

Reaching out, Iona stroked his pudgy cheek sending icy tendrils down his spine.

“Do ye nae miss me, me love? I have missed
ye
. So much so that I have decided ta spend all of eternity with ye.” She would have lost her supper at that last remark if it were possible. The look of horror on Clyde’s face was well worth the discomfort of the words though.
Aha! I have found the weapon ta torture him with!
Smiling, she continued.

“I have noticed that ye have a proclivity for very young girls and now I have the solution!
I will never age, me love, so ye will nae longer have a need ta search out a young lass ta satisfy your needs.” She drew close to his face. “Ye will have me ta see ta it!”

He gasped in terror! “Ye are insane!
Tis nae even possible…what ye are suggesting!”

The look of horror on his face sent a satisfying ripple through her ghostly form.

“Ye would be surprised,” her voice echoed as she dissipated before his eyes until all that remained was an eerie cackling.

The remaining warriors glanced anxiously at each other
before staring at Laird Ramsey. His expression matched their own.

“Ye be demon possessed, me laird!” spoke one of them breathlessly. Clyde could not refute his words.

As the weather had grown colder over the past two moons Kyla’s heart had grown warmer toward her husband. A surge of desire raced through her as she recalled their joining a few hours past. Reaching up, she lightly stroked Conan’s stubbly jaw as he slept.

The Fates must have been watching over me t
a present such a fine man for me ta wed. He is so kind and compassionate. I fear that I may be falling in love with him.
Her fingers danced lightly down the length of his arm. His voice rumbled deeply as he captured her hand in his own.

“If ye keep that up, mo cridhe, I will nae be held responsible for me actions!”

She snuggled into his broad chest. “Who said that I wanted ye ta be?”

Chuckling to himself, he replied, “So tis a wanton that I have unleashed when I awakened me bride ta the joys of marriage!”

Slapping his broad chest, she made a show of false insult. There appeared a coy expression on her face as she responded.

“Alas, if ye insist that I have nae pleasure then ye must keep your hands ta yourself…and your lips…your deep voice…your fathomless
aqua eyes…,”Kyla replied seductively as her eyes drifted to his swelling manhood, “and other parts of your body.”

“Never!” he bellowed as he swept her into his arms. “I fear that I will simply have ta deal with your
wantonness. Tis me own fault, after all!”

He grinned wickedly at her lying beneath him.
Desire shot through him like a bolt as his lips claimed hers. “Ach mo cridhe,” he murmured, “I would nae change a thing about ye. Ye stir me heart like nae other.”

“As ye do mine own, Conan. I never kenned that such joy existed.”

His heart swelled at the knowledge that he had brought her true happiness. Life with Laird Ramsey had been not much more than an imprisonment for her. Smiling down into her violet eyes he leaned in and gave her an achingly sweet kiss, arousing her passions. Conan explored every inch of her body with his lips until she begged him to take her.

Entering her body, e
very tender stroke was a caress, a testament of his growing love for her. Kyla surrendered all to him at that moment, accepting him as her true mate for the first time. No words passed between them as they held each other in the early dawn light…none were necessary.

“Husband.”

“Hmmm?” he responded drowsily.

“Tell me of your family. I ken naught about them.”

“There be nae much ta tell. Me faither was wed ta me maither and they had three bairns…me, Alexander and then Mairi.”

Kyla bolted upright in the bed. “Ye have siblings?”

He eyed her warily as he answered, surprised at her reaction. “Aye. Does this upset ye, lass?”

“Nay…tis excited I am! I never had siblings before. Do ye think they may visit at Yuletide?”

Conan relaxed against the pillows as he chuckled at her animations. She was behaving like a young bairn over this news.

“Mayhap. If the weather holds. Do ye wish me ta invite them?”

Her face beamed as she vigorously nodded her head. “I would very much like ta meet them! Twill be wonderful ta have a true family holiday! Faither never allowed it…even when me maither still lived with us.”

Conan’s ears perked up at the mention of her mother. He had assumed that she died when Kyla was a wee bairn but she remembered her so that could not be true.

Stroking her hair in a soft caress, he inquired, “When did your maither die, mo cridhe?”

Eyes of flint turned to him.

“Die? She did nae die. She left me…alone…six years back…” Her voice quivered as tears flooded her eyes. “She did nae even tell me good-bye. She stole away in the middle of the night as I slept.” Kyla’s voice broke on a sob before she managed to tamp the memory back down.

Conan wrapped his arms about her in comfort as his thoughts raced at lightning speed. It all made sense now!
He held his weeping wife close to his bare chest until her tears were spent. For the moment he would hold his tongue until he confirmed his suspicions…but he was certain that he was right. His mind whirled as he listened to Kyla’s breathing even out as she fell back to sleep. He dressed quickly as the sun broke the horizon. It was going to be a busy day.