The Highlander's Accidental Marriage (Marriage Mart Mayhem) (4 page)

Since her aspirations had come true, she had no interest in the professor as far as marriage was concerned, but he certainly had her thinking other things upon which an innocent miss should not be dwelling.

Years ago, she and Sybil had snatched a book from her brother Drake’s room. Their older sisters had done the same thing; it seemed to be a rite of passage for the Lacey girls. The drawings in the book—with ladies and gentlemen in various, and truly awkward, positions—had made them giggle and blush. Why she was thinking of that book now and the scandalous images, as Braeden walked so close to her, certainly gave her pause.

She must stop this fascination with the man. He had agreed to accompany her and Alice to Bedlay Castle, where he would leave them in Liam’s care and travel on to his home. Never to see her again.

A dismal thought.

Dismal because, she quickly assured herself, they were becoming friends. That was all. They had developed an easy friendship, and she would miss him when they parted, just like she had missed Lady Margaret when she’d left for her wedding.

That was all. Truly.

“My lady, the innkeeper has tea ready if you will follow me to the dining room.” Alice met them at the door and directed them to a small room off the common area. A fire burned brightly in the fireplace where a table with two place settings had been arranged. Sarah turned to her maid. “Have you eaten, Alice?”

“Yes, my lady. I would like to take a walk for some exercise.”

“Be sure to take one of the footmen with ye,” Braeden said as he held out the chair for Sarah.

Sarah liked the way Braeden looked out for the women. He wasn’t treating them as if they were a bother. It said a lot about his character.

Tea was not as good as at the last inn. Sarah pushed aside most of the food on her plate, but had two cups of tea, which satisfied her.

“No wonder yer so tiny, lass. Ye eat no more than a bird.”

“Not usually. In fact I have a very good appetite, even for a lady.” She grinned. “However I find the tea much better than the food.”

“I’m afraid yer correct. ’Twas not the best, but ye need to keep up yer strength.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Why? Do you intend to have me pull the carriage this afternoon?”

Braeden threw back his head and shouted with laughter. “Ye do have a sense of humor, Sarah.”

She jerked at his use of her name. It rolled off his tongue in that Scottish sort of way, softly, with a burr, making her stomach clench and her face heat. Goodness, she was about to make a fool of herself over a man she’d met only a few days ago. Why in heaven’s name did it have to be a man whose company she was forced to endure for the next several days who set her heart to pumping?

“My mother always said a sense of humor will get you through many a difficult situation.”

“And being in my company is so difficult, then?” His smooth voice, the slight tilt of his lips, with those deep blue eyes peering at her from behind his spectacles, was enough to spur her into action.

She rose on unsteady legs. “I think I would like to visit the necessary before we leave.” Her face grew even warmer at his chuckle as she turned and left the room.

Does he find me so amusing, or does he guess my thoughts?

Chapter Four

“I
will be riding Niels this afternoon since the weather is so fine. It will also give ye more room in the carriage,” Braeden said as he assisted Sarah into the vehicle.

Both grateful and disappointed at his decision, Sarah chastised herself and pulled out a stack of pages she had written for her next book. Based on the success of Jane Austen’s novels, Sarah’s publisher seemed to think Sarah’s book would be a success as well, and was anxious for her to complete another one.

The carriage was not conducive to writing, so it was a good time to go over what she’d written so far. It would also help get her mind off the handsome Scotsman and focus on what was important to her, and the pleasure of seeing her sister soon.

“My lady, ’tis quite hot in the carriage. May I roll up the flaps?”

Sarah looked up from her manuscript at her maid. “Yes, of course.” She peered closer. “Do you feel all right, Alice? You look a little peaked.”

“I am just a bit overwarm. I think I will remove my jacket.”

“You do seem a bit flushed. Perhaps all the excitement has overset you.”

“Perhaps.” Alice unfastened her jacket and laid it carefully on the bench next to her. “I think a short nap might restore me.”

“Excellent. I find naps and tea the best cure for most anything.” Sarah returned to her work and reviewed the same paragraph for the third time. No sooner had she begun to read than Braeden passed by the carriage, visible from the flap Alice had opened. The man certainly sat a horse well. The firm muscles of his thighs gripped the horse, and when he rode forward, the sight of his muscled backside had her agreeing with Alice that it was indeed warm in the carriage.

She shook her head and returned to her work.

Alice had been sleeping more than an hour when a loud crack sounded and the carriage began to tilt. Had they had another accident? Placing her papers aside, Sarah used both hands to grab the metal handle near the oil lamp and held on. “Alice. Alice. Wake up before you’re tossed around like a cloth doll.”

The maid sat up, her eyes wide as she grabbed the handle right above her head. “What happened now?”

“I’m not sure, but the carriage is coming to a halt. There was a crack, so I’m thinking perhaps one of the wheels has broken.” They continued to rock as the carriage slowed and then stopped at an odd angle.

“My lady, this trip has been disastrous. Perhaps the good Lord is warning us to return home to England. It appears Scotland is not for us.”

“Don’t be silly, Alice. I’m sure the good Lord has more things to take up his time and attention than worrying about our trip to see Sybil.”

“Lasses, are ye all right?” Braeden flung open the carriage door, concern written clearly on his face.

“Yes, we’re fine. A somewhat bumpy ride near the end, but all is well. What happened?” She released the handle and worked the muscle in her hand which ached from clasping the handgrip so tightly.

“One of the smaller front wheels cracked. It will take some time to travel back to the last town we passed to get this one fixed or secure another one.”

Sarah chewed on her lip. “Will we be safe sitting out here waiting? Didn’t you mention highwaymen?”

“Dinna fash yerself, lass. This area is not known for highwaymen, but I’ll send one of the footmen with the wheel, and I’ll stay here with ye both.”

Sarah made to climb out of the carriage. “Oh, dear, I can’t help but wonder what my sister will think with all these delays.”

Braeden helped her down, and she shook out her skirts, looking around the area. It was a heavily wooded spot. Despite his assurances, this was indeed a place where robbers would have plenty of opportunities to hide themselves and accost travelers on the road. She shivered, wondering if Alice was correct and the good Lord wanted her back in the safety of her brother’s home.

Nonsense.

“Alice, you might as well come out and stretch your muscles. It appears we will be here a while.”

When the maid didn’t answer, Sarah stuck her head in the carriage. “Alice?”

The woman’s eyes were closed again, and they popped open as Sarah leaned into the carriage and spoke. “What is the matter?”

“Nothing, my lady. Just a bit tired from all the travel.” Alice climbed out of the carriage blinking at the sun.

“Lass, you do look peaked. Perhaps you should sit over there, under the shade of those trees.” Braeden pointed to an area off the road that looked inviting.

Alice reached out to grasp Sarah’s hand. She assisted the maid to the tree stump and got her settled. She returned to where Braeden was helping strap the damaged wheel to the second horse and giving the footman final instructions. She looked at the broken wheel, marveling at their bad luck thus far.

Once the footman was on his way, Sarah said, “Please take a walk with me.”

Braeden extended his arm and tucked hers close to his body. “What is it, lass? Ye look concerned.”

“I’m afraid Alice is truly sick, not merely tired.” She turned her head so the maid wouldn’t hear her.

“Why do ye say so?”

“When I took her hand just now to walk with her to the shaded area, it was obvious to me she has a fever. A very high one, I’m afraid.”

Braeden came to a stop and regarded her. “There are usually creeks running through the wooded areas, perhaps we can find one while we wait for the footman. Cool water on her face and neck would help the woman.”

“Yes, I agree. My mother often submerged us in chilled water when we were children to bring down fevers. Do we have something with which to carry water?”

“I keep a cup in my satchel when I travel. I’ll retrieve it, and we can begin our search. I’ll make sure the driver and footman stay near your maid. Why don’t ye see how she is feeling? Let her know we are doing what we can to help.”

Sarah headed toward Alice sitting under the trees, her eyes closed once again. As she drew nearer, the maid opened her eyes. “My lady, I fear I am not well.”

“Yes, I know, Alice. You appear to have a fever. Professor McKinnon and I are going to search for a stream or creek to collect water to cool you down at bit.”

“I don’t wish to cause trouble, my lady.”

“You are not to worry. Just stay here in the shade, and we will be back as soon as we are able. Professor McKinnon is instructing the driver and footman to stay nearby.”

Alice nodded and stared blankly ahead. “Thank you.”

Sarah joined Braeden, and they began to traipse through the wooded area. Dappled sunlight lit the way as they went farther into the damp forest. Sarah was careful not to step in any small animal holes as she followed Braeden. She also had to be aware of roots and branches sticking up as they walked.

Truth be told, she was anxious about going so far away from the carriage but trusted he knew what he was doing. It would seem all his intelligence should help them find something as simple as a creek.

After about ten minutes Braeden stopped. “Ah!”

“What?”

He closed his eyes and sniffed. “Water is nearby.”

“How do you know?”

“Look at the vegetation surrounding us. If ye note the color and substance of…”

He waved his hands around and proceeded to provide her with a lengthy scientific explanation that soon had her eyes glazing over. The man was a wealth of information. She’d never met anyone like him in her life.

“Come this way.” He hurried through the brush and she followed along. “I’m sorry to make ye stumble about in the woods like this. I thought we would find water sooner. ’Tis not a proper place for a lady.” He spoke over his shoulder as he moved branches aside and held them so they wouldn’t smack her.

“Nothing about this trip has been proper. It is a good thing my mother didn’t believe ladies should be brought up to assume every untoward event should have them swooning all over the place. We were a different sort of family growing up.”

He came to an abrupt halt, almost causing her to walk right into him. “I should like to hear about that sometime.” He pointed to his right. “There.”

The floor of the woods had gotten quite damp, so Sarah picked up her skirts, trying to avoid getting them muddy, although her slippers were sure to take a beating. About ten feet in front of them was a small creek, the rapidly flowing water swirling over rocks, carrying small sticks and leaves.

“I didn’t realize one could locate water by the vegetation surrounding it.” She watched as Braeden dipped his cup into the cool water. He drank some himself and then submerged the goblet again and held it out toward her. “Do you want a drink?”

“Yes. Actually, I am parched.” She moved closer and took the cup from his hand. Their fingers touched, and her eyes went immediately to his face. He looked back at her as if surprised. Flustered at her reaction, she took the cup and drank, closing her eyes as the cool liquid washed her mouth and slid down her throat.

She handed the cup back to Braeden, wiping her tongue over her lips.

B
raeden held back a groan as the lass licked her delectable lips. Despite riding outside the carriage all afternoon, he’d been aware of her trying to read inside. He’d seen her glancing out the carriage window at him when he rode by. He’d also noticed she hadn’t turned a page the entire ride so far.

It was perhaps time to admit that the lass had cast a spell over him. He wanted nothing more right now than to take the cup from her hand and draw her near. Rest his palms on her cheeks and take her mouth in a kiss of possession. Mark her as his.

The flush on her cheeks told him her thoughts were heading in the same direction. She held the cup out to him, and he reached for it, pulling her close. Her sweet mouth formed a circle, as he continued to tug until she was flat against his chest. “
Ach
, lass, ’tis something I need to do.”

He admired her for not pretending she didn’t know what he meant. He dropped the cup to the ground and held her face as she slid her hands up his chest to anchor on his shoulders. His head descended, and his lips covered hers. Her lips were as he imagined, sweet and full. He nibbled and licked until she opened and he swept in.

Braeden wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to the part of his body that screamed for her. If he shocked the lass, she didn’t show it, instead, she fisted his jacket in her hands. The innocence in her kiss moved him as much as her taste. Following his lead, she eased her tongue into his mouth, delicately touching him.

He was certainly not an untried youth, but with his reaction to her he might as well have been. He wanted to lay her down right there on the forest floor and take her, claim her for his own. Remove her clothing and run his hands over her curves, feel the softening and dampening in her woman’s parts as her body reacted to her passion.

Before he did just that, he pulled back and, panting as if he’d run a race, leaned his forehead against hers. “
Ach
, lass, what are ye doing to me?”

She gave him a slow smile, running her tongue over her dry lips. “That was nice.”

“Nice?”

She pulled away and smoothed her hair back. “Yes. Nice. Very nice.”

He placed his hands on his hips and shook his head. “’Twas more than just nice. If ye don’t think so, I’ll need to try again.”

“Not now, you won’t.” She bent and picked up the cup he’d dropped and swept past him to reach the creek. Gathering her gown in her fist, she scooped up water and turned. “Alice needs water.”

Had the lass been so unmoved by something that had almost brought him to his knees? Nay, her face was flushed and her breathing as rapid as his. For some reason she refused to acknowledge how he’d affected her. “Aye. She does need the water.”

He held out his hand and she placed hers there. He grinned when the delicate little hand she placed in his shook.

Unaffected? Not bloody likely.

Alice didn’t look any better and, in fact, looked worse when they returned. She took a few sips of the water from the cup, then Sarah dipped her handkerchief in the remainder and used it to pat the maid’s face and the back of her neck.

Braeden paced and Sarah sat next to Alice, stroking her hand while they waited for the footman to return.

After a couple of hours, Sarah asked, “From where did you hire the footman? Will he, in fact, even return?”

“Aye. He is the innkeeper’s nephew. I paid him only half of what I promised. The rest he will receive when we arrive at Bedlay Castle.”

Sarah sighed. “It seems such a long time since he left.”

Braeden stopped pacing and looked down the road. “I think our footman has returned.”

The young man halted the horse and swung down. He untied the wheel strapped to the second horse’s saddle. “The old one couldn’t be fixed, so they gave me a new one.”

Within minutes the four men had the new wheel on the carriage. Sarah helped Alice from the tree stump back to the carriage. Braeden worried that the maid was looking worse with every minute. “I think we better stop at the next inn. Perhaps we can find a physician to look at yer maid.”

“I agree.” Sarah accepted his hand and entered the carriage, sitting alongside Alice who seemed to be in a near delirium.

By the time they’d reached the Applecross Inn, Alice appeared almost herself again. She said her fever was gone, along with whatever aches and pain she’d had. But, since it had been a long day, and nightfall was within the hour, Braeden suggested they stop for the night, anyway.

“How far behind schedule are we now?” Sarah asked as the innkeeper led them upstairs to their rooms.

“
Ach
, lass. If we had a schedule—which we dinna—we would be a day or so behind.”

“My sister will be quite worried.”

“Dinna fash yerself. See to getting refreshed, and we will have a bit of supper. The smells coming from the kitchen are far better than the last inn.”

S
arah had to agree with Braeden’s comment. Because she’d eaten so little at tea time, her stomach let out with a most unladylike growl as the door to their room closed.

“My lady, if it is all right with you, I believe I will skip supper and merely rest for the remainder of the evening.”