Loved By a Warrior (11 page)

Her arms slipped around his neck, and she eagerly responded, letting her own desire take flight. And it flew, soared, and reached the heavens. When finally it returned to earth, though with great reluctance on both their parts, their cheeks came to rest against each other.

Not wanting to, but knowing it was necessary, Tara finally moved away. “Come home safe.”

“Stay safe,” he said.

“How can I not? I am in the bosom of your family.”

He smiled. “I will see you soon.”

“Promise?” Tara asked, on the verge of tears though fighting them.

Reeve cupped the back of her neck with his hand and stared into her eyes. “I give you my word. I will always return to you.”

Please. Please let it be so,
she pleaded.

They kissed again, though briefly, and he mounted his horse and rode off.

Tara watched until he was out of sight and then she turned to go into the keep, though she didn't feel like baking bread anymore.

Chapter 12

T
ara woke excited. Reeve should be coming home today. It had been three days since his departure, and she had steadily missed him more each day. And though she ached for his return, she couldn't say the days had been dreadful. They had actually been quite enjoyable, thanks mostly to Mercy. She had gotten Tara quickly involved in stitching clothes for her unborn babe. Each day, they would spend time in the sewing room, stitching and talking, Mara often joining them.

Mercy also took her on walks through the village, introducing her to those she hadn't yet met. And she had introduced her to Etty, the keep cook. Once Tara made her black bread, the MacAlpin men clamored for more. Etty liked it herself and asked Tara to show her how to make it.

In a short time, her life had gone from a lonely, solitary existence to one of family and friends and the possibility of falling in love.

Tara reminded herself to remain vigilant, that the curse for some unfathomable reason could just be lying dormant. And when she least expected, it would pop up and inflict suffering.

For now she simply intended to enjoy her new life and pray that it continued.

She grabbed her cloak from the peg as she reached the door, and when she swung it open, she jumped with a yelp. Reeve was standing there though not for long. In a single heartbeat, he snatched her up with an arm around her waist, walked into the cottage, kicking the door shut behind him, and planted a kiss on her that left them both breathless.

He rubbed his cheek to hers, and whispered, “Damn, I missed you.”

His declaration pleased her beyond reason. “I missed you too.”

“How much?” he teased with a twinkle in his dark eyes and a quick brush of his lips across hers.

The faint kiss sent her lips pulsing, and she sighed as she answered, “Very much.”

“Show me,” he murmured, before nibbling along her neck, and his hand slipped to her backside, easing her to fit tight up against him.

She felt him then, hard with desire, and she warned herself to step away, keep her wits about her, wait; wait just a bit longer, or all could be lost.

His lips were at her neck, and, instinctively, she tilted her head back, giving him room to taste. His mouth skimmed the tops of her full breasts, and the shot of desire that raced through her left her momentarily stunned.

His lips once again went to hers, and after feasting like a hungry man, he eased away though he continued to nibble. “You haunted my thoughts the whole time I was gone. I could think of nothing, nothing but you. Damn, woman, you have bewitched me.”

His words were what she needed to stop things from going any further. Was the curse bewitching him? Would she love him only to lose him?

Painful memories quickly surfaced to remind her of how much she had not only suffered, but had been the cause of others' suffering as well. And she never wanted to go through it again. She had to keep her senses about her and take her time and make sure that loving this man would not cause his death.

Tara tried to ease herself out of his arms, but he would have none of it. The more she tried, the tighter he held her.

“You're not running from me,” he said adamantly. “We're going to see where this takes us.”

“Then we'll go slowly.”

Reeve laughed. “Do you truly think that is possible?”

Tara sighed. “It will be difficult for sure.”

He kissed her quickly and laughed softly. “Then I haunted you in my absence just as much as you did me?”

She chuckled. “You were forever in my thoughts.”

“Tell me about them.”

Heat rushed to Tara's cheeks, and soon they looked like two shiny apples.

Reeve laughed again, his dark eyes shining bright with joy. “Your thoughts were as wicked as mine.”

She slapped his arm playfully. “You're not helping matters.”

“Some things are inevitable.”

“With time,” she warned.

“We'll see.”

Tara shook her head. “Promise me that—”

“I will promise nothing,” he said bluntly. “I don't know what this is between us, but I intend to find out.”

Tara opened her mouth to further protest, and he took advantage of the moment and kissed her. Not that she minded. While her focus should have been on their discussion, somehow his lips had intrigued her more than his words, and she was aching to kiss him again. So when he did, she welcomed it.

“No worries of the past or future,” Reeve said after his lips left hers. “We think only about now and see what happens.”

Tara nodded though she should have objected. She wondered if she should tell him about the origin of the curse, perhaps he would then see the wisdom in going slow. Although it could have the opposite reaction, it could possibly cause him to walk away from her forever, and that would plunge her back into a solitary existence.

She shuddered at the thought.

“What's wrong?”

She smiled at his demanding concern. He was a bold, strong man with a heroic and loving heart.

She didn't answer fast enough, and so he encouraged, “I can handle anything, conquer anything, and I'm always right.”

This time she laughed and shook her head. “You've never been wrong?”

He grinned proudly. “Never. So, therefore, you should trust me implicitly.”

“I believe I've already done that,” she said, thinking of when he had appeared out of nowhere and so gallantly saved her.

“You have, and look what has come of it.” His grin grew. “You have a home, and you have
me.
”

Her heart lurched as if it had been shocked. The mere thought of him belonging to her overwhelmed and frightened her all at once. She wanted to linger over his words and what they meant.

Both their stomachs gurgled simultaneously, and they laughed.

“We should eat,” he said. “And once I am finished meeting with my father and brothers, we can spend the day together.”

“I would like that.”

He nibbled along her lips, stopping only long enough to say, “So would I.”

They left the cottage and walked hand in hand to the keep.

The air was biting cold, the sky gray, and the village was just stirring to life.

“Snow,” Reeve said with a nod.

“And you are always right,” Tara teased.

“You'll see that I am.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “You can rely on it.”

She smiled, wanting to believe him, needing to believe him, needing to know this risk she took was worth it, worth the possibility of finding love again. “How was your journey?”

For a moment, she thought she saw concern in his eyes, and she worried. She had hoped when she had so spontaneously decided on this daring action that there would be no repercussions. Her father would assume that she had been dragged off and murdered by the thieves who had stolen her bride price. Had her father discovered the truth? Was he on his way here? And if so, then what?

Tara realized that Reeve hadn't answered her, and she asked, “Is something wrong?”

He shook his head. “No. It's just that things didn't go as I expected.” He leaned down and stole a quick kiss. “But it is not for you to worry about.”

She almost sighed aloud. It had nothing to do with her, nothing at all. If he had discovered the truth, he would have confronted her with it. And then she would have to tell him the whole truth. What would he think of her then?

“I'm starving,” she said, feeling ravenous.

“I've been remembering that black bread of yours”—he licked his lips—“and I was wondering if—”

“I baked several loaves yesterday, and as long as your brothers haven't found them . . .” She shook her head and laughed.

“We better hurry,” he said, hastening their pace. “They will be up and about soon, and I don't want to have to lay a beating on them before I eat.”

Tara chuckled.

“I fight for what is mine.” He grinned. “And that bread is mine.”

Reeve had half the loaf eaten and the other half sat in front of Tara for safekeeping, as he had adamantly insisted. It turned out to be a wise move on his part, for as soon as his brothers joined them, they berated him for not sharing. Reeve just grinned and kept eating the bread.

Tara still found it hard to believe her good fortune. Sitting here with this loving family was like a dream to her, and each day, she feared she would wake from it and be plunged back into her nightmare.

“Will you stitch with me while the men talk?” Mercy asked, as the meal ended.

“I look forward to it,” Tara said eagerly. “I think I will be able to finish the baby shirt I've been working on.”

“Perhaps you should rest,” Duncan said, looking to his wife with concern.

“Something wrong?” Mara was quick to ask.

“Nothing,” Mercy insisted. “I simply had a restless night.”

“She barely slept all night,” Duncan said, worry etched in the scar at the corner of his mouth.

“An uneasy stomach, that is all,” Mercy insisted. “And besides, stitching is like rest to me.”

“You'll keep a watch on her?” Duncan asked of Tara.

“Of course, I will keep a good watch on her and tend to her needs.”

“That's not necessary—”

“It is,” Duncan said with a finality that left no room for debate.

Mercy rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“I'm sure you'll do the same for Tara one day,” Mara said. “It is the way with women.”

“Listen to mum, she's right,” Duncan said.

“I'm always right,” Mara said with a sharp nod.

Bryce cocked his head to Tara sitting to his right, and whispered, “See who Reeve takes after.”

“I heard that,” Mara said, shaking her finger at Bryce.

Reeve laughed. “Forgot about her magical hearing, didn't you?”

“It's a mother's hearing. Your wives will have it soon enough,” Mara said, her smile smug.

Carmag sent a conspiratorial glance to each of his sons before he said, “Husbands have no need to fear magical hearing since they confide all to their wives as their wives do to them.”

Mara chortled. “Oh, you don't know the half of it, dear.”

That brought the men to full attention.

Mara looked over her rapt audience and smiled. “Someday, I may be gracious enough to explain that.” She stood, and her wide smile plumped her already full cheeks. “But I wouldn't count on it.” She shooed at the men. “Now be gone on your business and leave us women to ours.”

Tara laughed along with Mercy as the men stood grumbling.

Reeve whispered to Tara, “Later.”

She smiled up at him and nodded.

As soon as the men had left, Mara turned to Mercy. “Tell me exactly what's wrong.”

Mara's direct nature could intimidate, but it was the concern in her voice that let you know how much she cared.

Mercy sighed. “I can't truly say. I only know I don't feel quite right. It's as if something is wrong, but I don't know what it is.”

Mara continued questioning. “Pains anywhere?”

“No, none at all,” Mercy said with a shrug. “I just don't feel right. I know it doesn't make sense, but that is the only way I know of explaining it.”

“Do as Duncan said and rest,” Mara said. “And if anything should bother you, let me know right away.”

Mercy nodded, and Mara hurried off after explaining that she had a lot to see to today.

Mercy laid her hand across her rounded stomach. “Even if there is something wrong, I doubt there is anything Mara can do about it.”

“I don't know about that,” Tara said. “She's a formidable woman.”

Mercy smiled. “She is at that, though kind and loving in her own way.”

“Let's go to the sewing room,” Tara suggested. “You can rest, and we can talk while we stitch.”

Mercy nodded eagerly. “And you can tell me about you and Reeve.” She shook her hand at Tara when she tried to protest. “There's no point in denying it. Something is going on between you two, and talking with a friend just may help you better understand it.”

A friend.

Tara was so happy that Mercy considered her a friend that she completely ignored the little niggling thought that kept trying to intrude. Could Mercy be ill and her babe at risk because the curse was once again haunting her? She didn't want to know, didn't want to think about it, and so she ignored it.

R
eeve and his two brothers and father gathered in front of the fireplace, each pulling a chair close to the hearth. While a strong fire blazed, a chill still permeated the solar.

“Something is stirring with King Kenneth,” Reeve said after they were all settled.

“What goes on?” Carmag asked.

Reeve shook his head. “The person who shared the news had no idea. It seems that there is a well-kept, guarded secret surrounding him, few being trusted with the details.”

“Perhaps Neil could find out something,” Duncan suggested.

“His spying days are over,” Bryce reminded them, and smiled. “Besides, Etty would never let him place himself in danger.”

Reeve sat forward. “Etty our cook and Neil our spy together?”

Bryce grinned. “It's a sight that warms the heart. And you don't want to take a chance of annoying Etty.” He looked around the room at each of them. “I think we can all agree on that since the result would be mum cooking for us.”

They all cringed.

“I wouldn't expect Neil to place himself in danger,” Reeve said, “but he may be able to point us in the right direction of who to talk with. It would help having another spy amongst the king's trusted group.”

“But with the king suspicious of almost everyone, how would we get anyone to betray him?” Duncan asked.

“Coins and lots of them,” Bryce said. “There is always someone who will take a risk for a fat purse.”