The Bedeviled Heart (The Highland Heather and Hearts Scottish Romance Series) (12 page)

Turning down the lane to her tiny cottage, he hesitated briefly upon the step before knocking purposefully on the red door.

Dimly, he heard her father’s voice calling from the back, “Pray enter!”

Stepping into the cottage, Cameron made his way to the back room.

“Cameron? Is that your step I hear, lad?” The man sounded stronger. He sat on a three-legged stool before the hearth, appearing younger than Cameron had first thought him to be. Though streaked with gray at the temples, his hair was dark. Lines still creased his face, but more had been from the illness than Cameron had known. With closed eyes, Kate’s father tilted his head to the door, straining to hear, as a warm, welcoming smile graced his lips. “Well met, lad.”

Cameron bowed. “Well met, my good sir.”

“Have ye come for Kate?” The man chuckled. “Ach, of course ye have, lad. She’s nae here.”

Feeling a twinge of disappointment, Cameron opened his mouth to ask after the man’s health when the cottage door banged open, and Kate’s cheerful voice sent a shiver of pleasure down his spine.

“Father! I’ve the most splendid news!” Kate sailed into the room, panting. She pulled up short to see Cameron, but her face lit with joy. “Cameron, I’ve the most wonderful news!”

“Catch your breath, Kate.” Her father laughed.

Grabbing her father’s hands, she danced with him as he sat. “I’m a lady’s maid, father! Eight shillings a year!
Eight
!”

Her father’s jaw dropped open as Cameron raised a curious brow.

“’Tis the most fortunate day!” Kate laughed. Dropping her father’s hands, she grabbed Cameron’s and squeezed them in excitement. “I met the most gracious lady, and she asked me to be her own maid!”

“And who might this lady be?” Cameron lips crooked into a smile as he looked down into her sparkling eyes. Her joy was catching. Slipping an arm about her tiny waist, he lifted her up and twirled her around.

Laughing, she replied, “Lady Elsa! She’s just come from the Borderlands!”

Cameron stumbled and nearly dropped her. With a sharp breath, he quickly regained his control and set her lightly back upon her feet.

“Are ye ill, Cameron?” Kate gripped his arm and shook it. “Ye suddenly look pale!”

“Lady Elsa?” He cleared his throat. Surely, it couldn’t be his ward, Lady Elsa MacRae? Couldn’t there be more than one Lady Elsa in Stirling?

Kate watched him closely. With furrowed brows, she eyed him up and down a bit suspiciously. “At the castle this morning, I swear I saw a man that looked just like ye, Cameron.”

“Oh?” he asked guardedly. There was no doubt now. It had to be the same Lady Elsa. As always, fortune played cruel games with him.

“Surely, ‘twasn’t ye now, was it?” Kate folded her arms, her brown eyes locked on his.

“And why would I be at the castle?” he evaded.

Casting a glance at her father, Kate shook her head and placed a finger upon her lip. Moving to her father once more, she said, “The wee Donald will bring Fiona here to stay with ye now that I must sleep at the castle with my mistress. He’ll bring her within the hour, but I must run errands now for the lady. I’ll be by as often as I can, to check on ye both, and the wee Donald will come here three times a day to fetch whatever ye need!”

“Ach, my sweet bairn, dinna forget to breathe!” Her father laughed and then added, “And dinna worry overly much of me, lass. I’ll be hale and hearty soon!”

A wistful expression entered Kate’s eyes as she bent to place a quick kiss on his forehead. “Mayhap I’ll have enough coin soon to get ye the water from the Pilgrim’s Well.”

“Ach, lass.” Her father shook his head but sent her an indulgent smile. “My sight is gone for good, and there’s naught to be done if it. Do ye not recall the good monk’s words? Dinna waste your coin on a fool’s dream!”

“Miracles, father, not dreams!” Kate frowned stubbornly in disagreement.

Squeezing her hands, her father ordered, “Be gone, Kate, afore ye try Lady Elsa’s patience! And take this young lad with ye. He can aid ye in the lady’s errands.”

Blushing, Kate waited as Cameron said his farewells before pulling him out of the cottage to stand on the step. Placing her hands upon her slim hips, she took him to task with a frown. “I’ll be stern with ye now, lad! I swear that was ye at the castle, and if it was then ye are a fool! If ye dinna care in keeping your own head, think of me! I care that ye keep it! There is honorable work to be had! And now that I’ve eight shillings a year, I can help ye—”

She continued berating him, but Cameron was no longer listening.

Had he just heard the wee lass correctly? Did she really just offer to lend him coin on eight shillings a year? The estate of Inchmurrin alone sent thousands of pounds into his pocket each year, and he had countless other holdings.

His dark eyes swept her from head to toe.

He had never met a more generous, sincere, or kind-hearted lass in his life.

Nor one as fetching.

It was then that he knew she wasn’t a passing fancy. If he stayed in her company he would genuinely fall in love. He didn’t want to think he already had. Surely, it took longer, but even as he wondered, he was certain it was already too late.

Inexplicably, he had fallen for the lass.

He had never been in love before. Aye, the women of the court pursued him incessantly, tempting him to their beds in countless ways, but he was too wise to fall into court traps. And though he’d been wed seven times he hadn’t touched a one of his wives. If truth be told, even though he’d kissed many a lass, even an ungodly number, he had never bedded a one of them. His curse had overshadowed his life.

“Listen to me, ye lout!” Kate reached up, jiggling his chin to focus his attention. “There’s no cause for vengeance, if that is what drives ye! ‘Twill only eat your heart and leave ye dry and bitter in the end!”

He should run, disappear. He could not allow his curse to affect such a pure heart. But her sweet lips were beguiling, and her passionate, brown eyes took his breath away.

She had bespelled him. There could be no other answer.

Suddenly nothing else mattered.

Uttering an unintelligible oath, he caught her close and pulled her lips to his, plundering her mouth with his tongue. His kiss was a claiming one, a statement of intent. Aye, he wanted her in a way that he had never wanted any other.

Her warm lips hungrily sought his, driving him mad with desire for all too short a time before her palms slid up his chest, and she pushed him away.

She was speaking but he didn’t hear her words. He eyed her kiss-swollen lips possessively and with satisfaction. Aye, he’d make the lass his. He wanted her, all of her. A kiss was not enough.

“Are ye listening to me, ye oaf?” Kate’s dark eyes sparkled with mirth even as her brows furrowed deeper. “I said if ye expect kisses from the likes of me, ye’ll have to prove yourself worthy of them! I’ll not kiss an outlaw!”

And then his hot blood cooled.

He was a fool for blithely ignoring the facts and letting it go this far. What would the wee lass say if she discovered he truly
 
was
 
the Dreaded Earl of Death.

“Cameron?” Kate’s eyes filled with concern. “What is it?”

For a moment, he was tempted to tell her the truth, but only for a moment. Placing his hands over hers, he caressed her fingers and heaved a sigh. “I cannot tell ye the truth of it, lass, but when ye see me, run away as fast as your feet can carry ye. I’ve nothing but ill fortune to bring to ye, and I do not have the strength to stay away.”

That was certainly true enough.

She eyed him sympathetically. Sliding her arm through his, she guided him down the lane. “I’ve had nothing but good fortune since meeting ye, Cameron, and whatever curse ye think ye might be under … well, mayhap we can break it together!”

Ach, he was a weak fool. Within minutes, she had him feeling at ease and even playful, and tossing all concerns aside yet again. Aye, the wee lass had some unholy power over him.

At the bottom of Castle Hill, she paused and pointed to the castle high above them. “I’ve herbs that must be gathered for the kind lady up there, and ye can lend me a hand. ‘Twill heal your heart to feel the good earth under your fingers, Cameron!”

Permitting himself to enjoy her company, he allowed her to lead him to the banks of the River Forth and over the wide stone bridge, weaving through the crowd of carts, peasants, and the occasional monk crossing into the town of Stirling.

As they strolled down the tree-bordered road, Kate chattered of her dreams, childhood, and her father. “And now perhaps I can journey to Dunfermline, to the Pilgrim’s Well at St. Fillans. ‘Tis said the water can even heal blindness!”

“Truly?” Cameron murmured, tracing his thumb over the tips of her fingers. ‘Twas pleasant to hear the soothing sound of her voice while enjoying the warmth of the sun upon his face. He couldn’t recall the last time he had felt so at ease.

“’
Tis worth trying, is it not?” she asked.

There was hope in her voice. “Aye, it cannot hurt to try.” He caressed her hand in a comforting gesture.

With a fierce smile, Kate slipped her fingers out of his and pointed to the edge of the road. “Last year, I’m told that lovage and pearlwort grew here. We might find some new leaves. Follow me, lad, and be quick!”

The next hour was the most enjoyable that Cameron could recall in some time. He climbed as Kate directed, nipping tender leaves and pulling roots, caking his cloak and boots in mud as the spring sun shone on the ancient forest bursting with signs of new life.

Kate was lively and filled with spirit. Artfully slipping away each time he tried to steal a kiss, she tossed her hair and sent him secretive smiles, until at last, standing on a muddy bank, she beckoned him close. “Give me a hand now, will ye? I canna slip and ruin this dress more than ‘tis already!” Ruefully, she lifted the muddy hem of her gown, but higher than was truly necessary and enough to playfully flash her ankle.

Lowering his lashes, he reached up and yanked her roughly into his arms. With his heart pounding with desire, he planted another kiss full upon her lips, and as ever, she responded enthusiastically. Dropping her basket to the forest floor, she entwined her arms firmly about his neck, returning the passion in full measure, her heart beating rapidly against his chest.

Aye, he was a fool.

The passionate blood of the Stewarts ran through his veins.

He had no power to walk away, and apparently, neither did she. He caught his breath and tore his lips away as a hideous thought crossed his mind.

Had he cursed her already?

An unpleasant chill ran down his spine.

“What sadness do ye hide?” Kate’s soft voice broke into his tortured thoughts. “I wish ye could share your burden.”

He hesitated, and then allowed the bitter words to fall from his lips. “My touch is death, lass. I was wed afore and … they died … untimely deaths.”

“They?” Kate stepped back, dropping her gaze to her feet.

“Aye, one or two ...” Cameron cleared his throat uncomfortably. How could he say seven? Suddenly, it was important to add, “But I never loved them. I never chose them. The marriages were arranged—”

“Arranged?” Kate drew her brows into a frown. “What band of outlaws are ye involved with, Cameron?”

At that, he couldn’t resist a perverse smile. “Outlaws of the worst kind, Kate.” Aye, now that she mentioned it, the nobles in the land were indeed far worse than any band of outlaws he knew of. His smile widened.

“But ‘tis no laughing matter!” Kate did not share his mirth. “Ye must run from them!”

He shook his head with a touch of annoyance. “’Tis not possible. I’ve tried. They always find me, lass.”

“But ye canna have them rule ye so!” Kate insisted. “Surely, ye can escape! Is your master the outlaw I saw at the Brass Unicorn?”

“Julian?” Cameron’s lip twitched. Suddenly, it was difficult not to laugh. “No! Julian is a … friend. My master is … a fool ruled by a treacherous lapdog, and I’ll not rest until I unmask the cur for what he is.”

She stared at him, and then her eyes sparkled. “Ach, I knew it. Ye
 
are
 
an honorable thief, just like Robyn Hode! But will ye leave after ye reveal this lapdog’s wicked ways for all to see?”

“Aye.” Cameron sighed. For a moment, he allowed himself to dream of galloping away to Inchmurrin with Kate at his side, but the thought brought the habitual twinge of guilt. And then as Kate grabbed his shirt, pulled him close, and devoured him in a wildly passionate kiss, the guilt mysteriously faded away.

Even if he had tried, he could not have resisted her and when he did pull away, he knew it was hopeless. Curse or not, he would have her. Her eyes were mischievous, inviting, and her moist lips made his blood surge. He wanted to bury his face in her thick, luxuriant hair and kiss the creamy, soft whiteness of her neck.