Seduced by Her Highland Warrior (10 page)

‘Aye. There's magic there.' He suddenly thought of the glass droplets he'd given Laren, so many years ago. Had
she kept them at all? He hadn't seen them in so long, he supposed they were gone.

A sudden noise caught his attention from outside the fortress, something that sounded like an approaching horse. ‘Stay here,' he warned his girls. He crossed the area, moving to the first stone wall that was partially completed. Shielding his eyes from the sun, he looked for the source of the sound.

Nothing. Not a single movement from anywhere. But he knew what he'd heard. And if it were Dougal or another clansman, they'd have revealed themselves. His instincts sharpened and he scanned their surroundings for the invisible threat.

‘I'm hungry, Da,' Mairin informed him. ‘Don't you think we should eat something?'

He nodded, taking her hand in his. ‘We'll fetch some food and bring it to your mother.' He didn't like the idea of Laren working alone, even if her apprentice Ramsay was there. Though her cavern was hidden on the far side of the loch, it didn't mean his wife was safe from an attack.

Mairin dashed across the fortress toward Vanora's house, while Alex trailed her. Adaira put her hand in his, emitting a stream of girlish chatter. When his elder daughter emerged with a sack of food, Alex brought both of them close. His claymore was strapped to his back and he had another dirk at his waist, if he needed to defend them.

He said nothing to the girls, but, as they walked, his eyes searched the horizon for any movement or sound. Adaira made him stop several times as she watched a bird hopping upon a tree branch or a fish splashing within the loch. He hoisted her on his hip when she grew tired, her arms settling around his neck. As he drew closer to the cavern, he could smell the smoke from Laren's fires.

He listened hard, but the sound was gone. A part of him wondered if he could have imagined it. But then, his hearing was acute and he was well attuned to the signs of a forthcoming raid. It might have been an enemy scout, sent to determine their weaknesses.

Or perhaps he was feeling troubled by the long silence from the English. He'd expected an attack long before this and it was starting to make him uneasy. Since he hadn't heard the sound a second time, he dismissed it as nothing but his imagination.

 

When they reached the entrance to the cave, he set Adaira down. Laren was inside alone, working with a long pipe. To his surprise, he saw that this time the cylinder was rotating outward, becoming a disc. With deft fingers, she whirled the pipe until it flattened out.

The girls stared at her, their faces awestruck. It was like watching a sheet of sapphires form before his eyes. She rolled the spun glass repeatedly, until it was about ten inches in diameter.

Then she transferred it to the annealing oven and turned back to face them, smiling at the sight of the girls. ‘I'm glad to see you.' She kissed them on their cheeks, but when she lifted her eyes to Alex's, her expression grew guarded. ‘Is the rebuilding going well?'

‘Well enough.' He shifted Adaira's weight to the other hip. ‘My mother returned.' Laren showed no response, though he knew she wasn't fond of Grizel. ‘Nairna found a way to keep her busy.'

‘Drowning kittens, is she?' His wife turned back to another crucible, checking the colour of the melt.

‘Grizel isn't that bad.'

Laren raised her eyebrows. ‘Not to you, perhaps. But
we'll leave that subject for a time when little ears aren't listening.'

Mairin pointed to a piece of glass in the shape of a partially opened flower bud. It hung from a piece of rope, suspended above the fires, and Alex hadn't noticed it last night. ‘Do you think there are any witches in there? Mama said it's a trap for them.'

When he sent his wife a questioning look, Laren shrugged. ‘If there are any evil spirits lingering, I don't need them near my glass. It belonged to Father Nolan. I keep it because it reminds me of him.' Her face softened in memory as she reached up to touch it.

‘Mama, I'm hungry,' Mairin informed her. ‘We brought food for you.'

A grateful look passed over Laren's face. ‘I haven't had time to eat.' When they sat down and opened the sack Mairin had brought, Alex started to pass out the food his daughter had selected. To his chagrin, she'd brought a container of honey, oatcakes and every sort of sweet Vanora had in her possession.

‘Did Vanora pack this?' Laren asked.

Mairin shook her head. ‘I did. I packed my favourites.'

Alex sent his wife a private look and a shrug and he saw the amusement on her face. He should have known better than to let Mairin choose the food. Adaira selected a sweetened cake and then toddled over to him, planting herself on his lap. He helped her break off pieces and while they ate, Laren said, ‘It's been a long time since we've shared a noon meal as a family.'

He didn't know if she meant it as a compliment or a criticism. ‘I can't stay for too long.' There was so much work to be done, his absence would be noticed.

Should he leave Laren alone again? It bothered him that
he hadn't located the source of the sound he'd heard and it was difficult to release the suspicions. The last thing he wanted was to leave his wife unguarded while an enemy was nearby.

Alex was about to set Adaira down when he suddenly felt something warm and wet against his tunic. He pulled Adaira back and she continued to puddle upon the sand.

He grimaced and set her down. Laren saw what was happening and a smile of amusement perked at her mouth as she chided her daughter for the accident. ‘Wait here, both of you, while I see to your father.'

He didn't hide his disgust as he stripped off his tunic. Fortunately, he'd caught the mess before Adaira soaked his trews.

Laren took the garment from him and rinsed it in the loch, scrubbing it with sand. ‘It will dry soon enough.'

 

While she cleaned the tunic, Alex scooped up some water, washing off his skin. Rivulets of water spilled over his hard muscles and Laren found herself staring at her husband. He stretched and shivered from the freezing water. Her eyes followed the water that pooled over his skin, trailing downwards.

He saw her staring and sent her with his own frank gaze. Dark eyes moved down her face, past her breasts, to her hips. Unable to help herself, she reached out and touched his cool skin, wiping away a droplet of water with her fingertips.

Alex didn't move, but he caught her wrist and held it to his skin. ‘After the girls are asleep, meet me here again tonight.'

He pressed her fingers over his ribs, guiding her hand around his waist. Though his skin was icy cold from the
water, she leaned in to warm him. His hand cupped her face and she stood before him, his nose resting against hers.

Though he hadn't done anything at all, Laren's breath was shaky, her body seeking his nearness. He was watching her with unveiled desire and she wondered when he would take her to his bed. She'd expected it last night, but he'd surprised her by holding back.

His fingers stroked the side of her face and she lifted her mouth to his, claiming the kiss that he hadn't given.

At the first touch of her lips, he opened to her, his firm mouth seeking. She'd forgotten this, the way he made her pulse race. Though he kept the kiss gentle, she wanted more from him. She wanted to lose herself in his arms, to let him drive out all the demons of their past.

When he pulled back, he let his hands remain around her waist. ‘Tonight,' he repeated. She nodded and when he released her, she nearly stumbled, feeling foolish that he could still make her weak-kneed. ‘Will you be all right with the girls, or shall I take them back with me?'

‘They can stay. Ramsay will be along soon and he'll take over the fires.'

Alex donned his wet tunic, shrugging off the discomfort as he turned back to the fortress. Though it was cold outside, he showed no sign of it as he walked away.

When Laren returned to the cave, her girls busied themselves playing in the sand near the entrance. And as she worked to make more sheets of coloured glass, she thought about how alone Alex was. He worked endlessly on the building and it was weighing upon his spirits.

But never did he talk to her about his own worries. He kept those thoughts closed off, as if they revealed a weakness he didn't want to show.

 

Laren set down her cutting instrument and stared at the afternoon sky. A cold rain began to drizzle and the girls had moved inside the cave for shelter. It was starting to grow darker and she needed to bring them back home before it grew too late.

‘Come, girls,' she said, lifting Adaira into her arms and wrapping her younger daughter beneath her cloak. She used the other side of the cloak to shield Mairin from the rain. As they hurried back to the fortress, she glanced behind her and saw a hooded man, mounted on horseback. Her heartbeat quickened, for he'd emerged from the woods near the loch. Not far from her son's grave, if she guessed correctly.

Who was he? And what did he want? From his clothing, it appeared he'd come from another clan. Was he a messenger?

She hastened back to the fortress, but he didn't follow. It seemed that he was watching her and she wondered why. When she reached the interior of Glen Arrin, she breathed a little easier. It was raining hard now, and most of the men had abandoned work for the day, seeking shelter inside their huts.

She brought the girls to Vanora's home and the older matron welcomed them inside, fussing over their wet clothes. Alex was speaking with Ross and in the corner sat his mother, Grizel.

The woman's dark hair was pulled back from her face, a sour expression on her mouth. Her gown was spotless and she wore a woollen wrap to keep out the cold. ‘Come and give your
seanmhair
a kiss,' she ordered the girls.

They glanced at Laren, who had no choice but to nod in
agreement. The girls weren't fond of Grizel, but she hoped Mairin could manage to control her impulsive tongue.

After the girls had greeted her, Laren came forwards and bent to give the matron a kiss of welcome, but Grizel turned her cheek aside. ‘I meant the children, not you.' Bitterness lined her mouth and she nodded towards the outside. ‘I see you're neglecting your home and family again.'

‘I see you're as pleasant as ever,' she retorted. As soon as she had spoken the words, she wanted to bite her tongue. She knew better than to fight with Grizel, but there were times when her patience was sorely lacking.

‘If you would spend half the time looking after your responsibilities, you'd be a better wife to Alex. Why he ever married you, I'll never know.'

‘That's enough, Mother.' Alex broke away from his conversation with Ross. ‘If you've nothing better to do than offer insults, you can return to Locharr.'

‘I'll not. This is my home, where I belong.'

Laren moved as far away from Grizel as she could manage, but already she could feel the tension stretching through her. The girls were picking at their food and Adaira began to whine.

‘Hush now,' Laren soothed, picking up her youngest and stroking her hair. ‘You just need to rest, sweet one.' She began speaking words of comfort, ignoring Grizel's proclamations about how her boys never fussed a day in their lives.

She tried to block out the words, but the longer Grizel went on, the more she needed an escape. When the girls finally fell asleep, she walked outside, heedless of the rain.

She heard footsteps behind her and saw Alex following. Laren didn't stop, but continued trudging through the
mud until she reached the outer wall. She rested her hands upon the wall, staring at the ruined foundation where they had once lived. ‘I couldn't stand it any more,' she told her husband.

‘She's always been that way. Nothing you say can please her.'

Laren turned to face him. Rain was pouring down over both of them, but she'd rather stand outside and be frozen than endure another moment of Grizel's company. ‘Tell me that we won't be living with her for long.'

Alex came up beside her and sat, shielding her from the rain with his cloak. ‘We'll finish as soon as we can.'

‘Good.' She shivered beneath the makeshift shelter. ‘Alex, I saw a horseman near David's grave.'

His arm came around her shoulders, as if to guard her. ‘When?'

‘Not long ago. Just as the girls and I were returning.'

He stood and let the cloak fall away. His hand caught hers and he walked back with her to the low wall overlooking the fortress.

‘He was hooded. I couldn't see his face, but he looked like another clansman, not an English soldier.'

‘Harkirk could have hired a clansman to gather information,' Alex responded. She could feel the tension in him, the restlessness of a man who would do anything to protect them.

‘Go back to Vanora,' he ordered. ‘Bram and I will search the forest. If he's still there, we'll find him.'

N
ight fell and Laren hadn't seen Alex or any of his brothers returning from their search. She kept glancing at the door, hoping to see him enter. When the hours stretched on, she thought of his earlier request for her to meet him at the cavern. No doubt he would want her to remain here, after the stranger's appearance.

Ramsay. The thought came out of nowhere. Her apprentice would have gone to the cavern to tend the furnaces. He'd be there alone and knew nothing about the threat.

She needed to send word to him, to bring him back to the safety of the fortress. But whom could she send? Alex had taken Bram and Callum with him, and she didn't know whether Dougal had gone as well.

‘This house is too cold for my old bones,' Grizel complained. ‘The fire's not hot enough and you ought to patch the holes in the walls.'

‘The fire is as hot as we can make it,' Vanora said. ‘Sit closer, if you're cold.'

‘If I sit any closer, I'll go up in flames,' the old woman
retorted. From the amused look Vanora sent towards her husband Ross, she wouldn't be at all disappointed.

Ross looked pained at Grizel's tirade of complaints. It occurred to Laren that he would be more than willing to leave the house for a short time. He was her best hope of bringing Ramsay back.

She reached for her cloak and beckoned to the older man. ‘May I speak with you for a moment?'

He looked eager for a reprieve and rose, reaching for his own mantle. When they were outside, he asked, ‘What is it?'

Though he already knew about the horseman she'd seen on the far side of the loch, he knew nothing of her glassmaking. She chose her words carefully. ‘Ramsay MacKinloch went to Father Nolan's cave, on the far side of the loch. He doesn't know about the horseman. Could you go with me and help me bring him back to Glen Arrin?'

Ross started to shake his head. ‘Alex doesn't want you leaving my house.'

‘I know. But Ramsay is only eleven years old. He needs someone to take care of him.'

‘Eleven is old enough to know better.'

‘Please, Ross.' She touched his arm. ‘I worry about the boy. And he'll be waiting for me to…' she hesitated, then amended ‘…to bring him a meal. His father often forgets to feed him.'

The older man appeared reluctant, but at last he took a torch from one of the sconces in the fortress. ‘Walk with me to the edge of the loch and show me where I can find the cavern. Then swear to me that you'll return to your daughters.'

‘I promise.' She joined the older man, walking slowly outside the gates. The night was so dark, she could hardly
see anything without the torch. ‘Follow the shore line around the curve,' she directed. ‘Then about a half a mile with the trees to your right. He—he keeps the fire burning to stay warm. You'll smell the smoke.'

Ross lifted the torch and turned back to her. ‘I'll fetch the boy and bring him back.'

‘Thank you.' She waited as he trudged forwards, watching to be sure he'd gone the right direction around the loch. Her cloak wasn't warm enough and she held the edges tight, turning back toward the fortress. The faint light of the torches guided her way, but she heard the snapping of ice behind her.

The hairs on the back of her neck rose and she knew instinctively that someone was there. She had no weapon with her and the gates were further ahead. For a moment, she remained motionless, hoping that the darkness would make it impossible for the intruder to find her. Holding her breath, she questioned whether to remain in place or try to reach the fortress.

When the footsteps drew closer, she broke into a run. A hand reached for her cloak and caught it, jerking her backwards. She lost her balance and let out a scream, just as a hood blinded her. The suffocating darkness choked her; when she tried again to scream, a hand covered her nose and mouth.

Oh God, not this.
She struggled against her attacker, trying to break free of him. His strong arms held her trapped and she was starting to lose consciousness from lack of air. Dizziness and a ringing in her ears made her knees weaken.

She didn't know who the man was or why he was trying to take her hostage, but she wasn't about to let him seize her without fighting as hard as she could. Letting her
weight go slack, she fell to the ground. Laren tried not to move, hoping that he would relinquish his grip enough for her to make an escape.

His hold relaxed against her throat and she cried out, ‘Alex!' as loudly as she could. A fist cuffed her jaw and she saw stars, her head reeling.

Then, without warning, the hands released her. She heard her husband and Ross fighting and the sound of swords clashing. Laren kept low to the ground, unable to see anything. She struggled to remove the hood, and when at last she saw the flare of Ross's torch her attacker was gone.

‘Stay with Laren,' she heard Bram say. ‘We'll find him.'

Both he and Ross disappeared into the woods. Laren pressed her palms against the frozen earth, fighting for a deep breath.

Alex helped her up, gathering her into his arms. She was shaking so hard, she couldn't seem to stop. ‘I'm s-sorry,' she stammered. ‘I never meant to leave. I wanted Ross to warn Ramsay—'

But he only held her tight, stroking her hair and murmuring that it was all right. ‘I'll take you home.'

‘Not yet,' she pleaded. ‘Take me to the cavern. I need Ramsay to be safe.'

Alex gave no answer and she suspected he would ignore her request, forcing her to return to Ross's house. He took her hand and led her back to the fortress, but when they reached the gates, she was startled that he took a torch and brought her back again.

At her questioning look, he said, ‘It's important to you, isn't it?'

She nodded, still stunned that he would listen to her. Along the walk, she huddled close to him and his arm
remained around her waist. With each step, she drew comfort and strength from him.

Never before had she endured a terror like this one, nearly becoming a prisoner. She knew full well what happened to the captives who were taken by the English. She'd seen Bram's scarred back, and even Callum had not once spoken a word since his rescue. As a woman, she would have been used and discarded. The thought sent a new wave of fear within her and she tightened her grip around her husband.

‘Do you think he was sent by Harkirk?' she asked him.

‘Undoubtedly. If you were his prisoner, he knows I'd stop at nothing to get you back.' The ruthless tone in his voice made her shiver.

When they reached Father Nolan's cavern, the fire had died down to coals. There was no sign of Ramsay. Alex brought her near the meagre heat, resting his hands on her shoulders. ‘I thought you said he would be here.'

She nodded. ‘He was supposed to come.' But now that he was absent, she wondered whether something had happened to him or whether he'd broken his promise.

Her husband added wood to the furnace and a shower of sparks rose up towards the cavern ceiling, tiny pieces of light in the darkness.

‘Thank you,' she whispered to Alex, ‘for saving me.'

His gaze was stoic, revealing no feelings at all. She didn't know what he was thinking right now, but she wanted a moment to be in his arms, to take comfort that she was safe, no longer at her captor's mercy.

Alex drew her against him and touched his forehead to hers. ‘I'll kill any man who touches you.'

She rested her hands upon his heart and felt the rapid pulse beneath her fingertips. He was so warm and right
now she wanted to forget about what had happened to her. She felt breathless standing so near to him, but he made no move to touch her.

‘You gave me pebbles last night,' she whispered, ‘to remind me of the beginning.'

His expression remained neutral, but he gave a nod. She rested her cheek against his strong chest, her own heartbeat echoing his. Right now she needed him to take away the fear, to drive it out of her mind. Though he'd come for her, saving her from captivity, she needed more from him than an embrace.

She wanted the physical closeness they'd once had, when he'd taken her body beneath his, sending her into the mindless frenzy of lust. But if she dared to offer herself to him, would he turn her away?

‘We should return,' he said quietly. ‘Vanora will wonder what's happened and I need to know if Ross and Bram found the intruder.'

A bleakness passed over her, though she knew he was right. This wasn't the time or the place for a coupling. But she needed him so badly right now, to reassure her that she was safe. Her body ached for him, her sensitive flesh growing moist.

And he sensed it. ‘What is it, Laren?'

She didn't have the words to say it. But there was only one way to find out if he needed her as badly as she craved him.

 

His wife let her cloak fall to the ground, her blue eyes staring at him as though she wanted to tell him something, but was afraid to speak.

And then she reached for him, her lips seeking his. He kissed her, feeling the tension mount higher within him. Nothing could have shaken him more than seeing
the intruder try to take his wife. He hadn't seen the man's face, but he'd heard Laren scream.

He'd hardly been aware of his actions, but he'd unsheathed his sword, intending to murder the man who had hurt her. She'd cowered upon the ground, curling up with pain.

Even now, her cheek was reddened from where the man had struck her. Alex traced his fingertips over the bruise, wishing he could take it away.

He was fighting the urges that rose up in him, the desire to claim Laren with his body and assert his possession. Her sweet mouth was coaxing him beyond the boundaries of his control, and when her hand moved down to the ties of his trews a thunderous lust rose up.

Her palm cupped him, her long fingers guiding up his erection.

Saints, he didn't know if he could stand this. He'd meant to court her slowly, to somehow rebuild their marriage so that she would trust him again. But his manhood was roaring with need and his own hands were shaking to keep himself under control.

‘Take me,' she pleaded. ‘Make me forget what happened.' She was lifting her skirt and when she raised her leg over his hip, all rational thought left him.

It had been so damned long. Too many months had passed since he'd been with her intimately. And on the rare times they'd shared sex, it had been calm and quiet. Nothing at all like the desperate way she was clinging to him now. Her mouth was all over his, her tongue seeking him.

He led her back to the wall of the cavern, pressing her shoulders against the stone. He tried to gentle his kiss, to slow her down, but the next thing he knew, her hand was guiding him inside her.

At the feeling of her wet heat surrounding him, he cast aside any attempts to take her gently. She was panting, struggling with their height difference while she tried to make love to him.

Alex lifted her up, bringing her legs around his waist, still buried deep inside. She leaned down to kiss him and he thrust against her, hearing her moan. It took his willpower apart, and he gave himself up to the moment, penetrating her, letting the rhythm sweep over him. Her panting rose to a fever pitch and he reached for her breast with one hand, teasing the hardened tip as he lifted her, sheathing himself deep within.

She went liquid against him, her body squeezing his shaft, and he surrendered to the heady sensations pounding through him. When she cried out at the friction, he felt himself growing thicker, trembling close to the edge. He pumped harder, marking her, until at last she slumped against him, spent in her own fulfilment. He felt his own release coming and emptied himself inside her, his body slick with sweat.

For a time, he kept her propped against the wall, cupping her bare bottom. She shivered and leaned in to kiss him again.

There were no words between them now. She'd needed him and, though he'd taken her physical offering, he didn't know what to say.

In the end, he lowered her down, straightening her gown and his trews.

And he felt utterly confused by what had just happened.

 

When they reached Glen Arrin, Walter stood outside his home and raised his hand, beckoning for them to come
near. The older man had taken in Callum and Dougal, as well as a few others, when they'd lost their homes.

‘What is it?' Laren asked.

Walter's face shifted with worry. ‘I found the lad outside. Ramsay asked me to tell you he was sorry he couldn't come.'

‘He's with you now?' Relief filled her to know that Ramsay wasn't at home with his father. ‘Is everything all right?'

‘His eyes are swollen shut,' he admitted. ‘His father had beaten him. I found the boy near the loch, putting ice against his eyes. He was talking about some fires and begged me to find you.' The old man shook his head and sighed. ‘I brought him back here and made him sleep.'

‘He's not going back to his father,' Laren insisted. ‘Alex, promise me. Ramsay's been hurt enough.'

Her husband's expression was grim; though she knew he was distracted by the attack tonight, her apprentice couldn't defend himself from a grown man.

‘The boy can stay with me,' Walter offered. ‘He won't be needing much space.'

‘For now,' Alex agreed. ‘But, Laren, before I speak to Ramsay's father, we need to find the man who attacked you.' They took their leave from Walter, and Alex led her forwards until they saw Bram and Ross approaching.

‘He's gone,' Bram said. ‘We'll have to continue the search in the morning.'

‘He's like a spirit,' Ross added. ‘Disappeared without a trace.'

‘He's not a spirit.' Laren shivered, remembering the man's strong grip. Alex drew her to his side and, after agreeing to search again in the morning, Ross and Bram returned to their homes.

Her husband was staring at her and Laren flushed, remembering the way she'd thrown herself at him earlier. She didn't know what had come over her, but she didn't regret touching her husband. He'd made her feel alive again and she didn't regret seducing him.