The Highlander's Bargain (15 page)

She huffed out a breath. “I don’t think we should do this again. We were probably both reacting to the stress of our situation. That’s all. I was worried sick, and—”

“Is that what you believe this was, love?” He scowled at her. “A reaction to stress?”

“Sure.” Her face turned a becoming shade of dusky rose, and she wouldn’t meet his eyes. “What do you think it was?”

“I believe what happened between us has far more to do with all the
suffering
we feel for one another, lass. I expect I’ll
suffer
for you all the rest of my days.”

“All twenty-three of them?” she bit out, her voice quavering.

CHAPTER TWELVE

E
rin rose from the bed she and Rob had just shared. Struggling to keep her emotions under control, she slipped back into her gown and laced up the sides. She’d been immersed in an ocean of his-and-her sensations. Robley’s intense feelings for her, along with his arousal merging with hers, had saturated her until she felt as if she’d levitate off the bed. Or burst. What had she been thinking?

Oh yeah. You were thinking you’d never see him again, and there he was at the door, all alive, male and gorgeously sexy.
She couldn’t help herself; the relief of seeing him had been an overpowering aphrodisiac.

What would it be like to just let go, make love with him until she shattered into a million shimmering pieces? Hadn’t she been about to find out? She forced her thoughts on other things. “What are you planning to do now? I mean we. What are
we
going to do now?”

“
We
, meaning you,
will remain here where I ken you are safe. Six men from our garrison are out scouring the countryside for news of Giselle’s whereabouts. There is naught that can be done until she is found.” Rob picked up the sword he’d laid on the worktable. “She might ha’ returned to the faerie realm. Though the more I think upon the matter, the more I wonder. She’s no’ likely to return to Avalon if she truly is guilty of stealing the pensieve from their high king. Do ye think?” Flashing her a questioning look, he crossed the room, lifted her cloak from its peg and slipped it over her shoulders, gesturing for her to precede him through the door.

“Probably not, unless she’s sure it can’t be traced to her,” she said. “But I don’t know anything about faeries, so I can’t really say.”

“Her cottage was completely empty, as if she’d never lived there at all, but the villagers say ’tis Giselle’s way to come and go like that.” He took her elbow and guided her through the portcullis into the bailey. “For the time being, let us forget our troubles and fill our bellies in the good company of our kin.”

“
Our
kin?”

“Aye.” He drew her close to his side. “Our kin.”

His sexy smile sent her pulse racing again. A needy, achy heat coiled inside her, and an answering flush engulfed her. One way or the other, she was going to be devastated. Either she’d be sent back to her own century without him, or he’d be incinerated by that faerie’s blue fire. And if by some miracle they managed to return the pensieve, Robley would likely move on to some noble woman with a fat dowry. He might be forced to do so by his uncle. She knew that much about these times. Men of noble birth married women of noble birth—women who came with valuable political ties, land, titles and wealth. The thought of him with someone else was like a wrecking ball to the heart.

Damn.
For all her bluster, for all her talk about not getting involved, she’d gone and done it anyway. She’d fallen for Robley of clan MacKintosh. Her breathing grew shallow, and tightness gripped her throat. She blinked against the sudden sting of tears.

He turned her by the shoulders. “Och, love. Dinna fash. I’ll fix this. I swear it.” He ran his hands up and down her arms.

She blinked harder, but it didn’t help. The tears she’d been holding slipped out. Treacherous things, tears, revealing way more than a person wanted. Clamping her mouth shut, she looked everywhere but into Robley’s brilliant blue eyes. Her heart was already breaking, and she didn’t want to have a total meltdown in the middle of th
e bailey. Thank heavens only a few people were around to witness her emotional breakdown. Thank heavens it was too dark for those few to see her crying.

“Here’s what I have in mind,
mo anam
.” He drew her into his arms and rocked her back and forth, resting his chin on top of her head. “Once this is behind us, we’ll post the banns.”

She swallowed against the lump in her throat. “What does that mean?”

“
Mo anam
?” He leaned back to peer into her eyes. “’Tis a term of endearment.”

“No, I meant the ‘posting banns’ part. What does that mean?”

“For three Sundays before a couple is to wed, they announce their intent to do so by posting the banns of marriage publicly.” He winked at her. “We’ll wed in the spring when our priest arrives.”

No asking. Just telling? Stunned, her heart pounded so hard she was afraid one of her ribs might break. She couldn’t breathe, much less speak. Her mind reeling, all she could do was follow along as he took her hand and led her into the keep. How did she feel about his proposal, if that’s what you’d call it? She didn’t even know. It would take her some time to process this new twist before she could respond. There were so many things to consider, like where she was and how things were done in these times. And what about her feelings for Robley, which were all jumbled up with her unfortunate past? Her baggage. They entered the great hall to find preparations for supper well underway.

“I must go clean up and change before we eat,” Rob said. “You’ll want to change as well, aye?”

She glanced down at the brownish wool gown she’d borrowed and nodded. They’d known each other for such a short time. How could he be thinking of marriage? If only she could straighten out all of the mess going on inside her brain, she might be able to make some sense of her thoughts and sort through her feelings.

“There ye are, milady,” Beth called from the stairs. “I’ve been looking for ye. If ye please, come to yer chamber. There’s no’ much time.”

Robley gave her a little push. “Go, love. I’ve much to do before greeting my parents.”

His parents. Right. What would they think when he shared his grand plan? What did it matter? They only had about three weeks before the faerie warrior came back for Robley. Her heart slid to the pit of her stomach. Her life had been so simple, her goals clear, and then everything had gone all
Twilight Zone
on her. Erin hurried up the stairs and followed Beth down the corridor to her chamber.

“I’ve taken the liberty o’ bringin’ a ewer o’ hot water so ye can wash up a bit.” Beth hustled her through the door. “Then I’ll do your hair and help ye into a fresh gown.”

“Thanks.” Obediently, Erin removed her work clothes and washed. Her mind on other things, she allowed Beth to dress her in another of Elaine’s left-behind gowns, this one a lovely shade of gold. Beth led her to the chair beside the hearth, sat her down and brushed her hair, arranging it into a French braid. She was going to have to face True in a few minutes. Embarrassment heated her face again, and she blew out a long breath. Best get it over with.

“Something troubles you, Erin.” Not a question, but a statement.

Well, that was an understatement. She’d been caught up in Rob’s wake as he’d been returned to his own time. Life as she knew it had been ripped from her, and she’d just been informed that should Robley survive past his allotted thirty days, he’d post the banns for their wedding. “Are you married, Beth? I didn’t think to ask you before.”

“Aye, I’m wed to the weaver’s oldest son. He tends the sheep along with his da and brother. We’ve a small cottage on the island.” She helped Erin to stand. “Best be going.”

“Are you happily married? Robley said a MacKintosh man gives his heart only once, and then it’s given forever.”

“Aye, ’tis true.” Beth grinned dreamily. “Verra happy. We want a bairn sae badly though, and none ha’ taken root thus far. Mayhap you have some herbs or a concoction?” Sadness flashed through her eyes, chasing the dreamy look away.

“How long have you been trying?”

“Since midsummer.”

“I wouldn’t worry yet. If you’d like, I can show you how to tell when you’re ovulating. In fact, I’ve been thinking about teaching a natural family planning class for any of the women who might be interested. Do you think that would go over well?” Thoughts of the villagers doing the sign of the cross and backing away from her flitted through her mind.

“Ovulating?” Beth’s brow creased. “I dinna ken what that means.”

“When you’re most likely to get pregnant.” Put it in terms they understand, that’s what True had told her. “The time in your cycle when your husband’s seed is most likely to take root.”

“Och, aye?” Her face lit up. “I’m certain many of the women would be grateful for any help you wish tae share, milady.”

“Good.” Excitement for the project gave her a reprieve from the worries crowding her brain, if only temporarily. Planning the curriculum for her class filled her mind. Where would she hold the sessions? The clinic was tiny. Maybe she’d start with small groups, or perhaps True could arrange for her to have the classes in the great hall while the men were all doing their testosterony type things in the lists. How would birth control go over with the men, she wondered. They made their way back to the great hall, and Beth left her.

True crossed the room, smirking all the way. “Sorry about bursting in on you two like that,” she whispered. “I had no idea Robley was back.”

She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “No biggie.” Her eyes slid to True. “You
will
keep it to yourself, right?”

The sound of True’s laughter drew Malcolm’s gaze—along with the attention of Rob’s parents, uncle and aunt. Great. Erin could feel the color rising up her neck again. Robley’s mother and aunt left their husbands’ sides to join them.

“Good eve to you, my dear,” Rosemary greeted her warmly.

“Good evening.” Erin curtsied, encompassing Lydia in her greeting.

“How are things coming along with your
clinic
?” Lydia asked.

“They’re going well. I’ve assembled the things I need to attend births, and I’ve cleaned the cottage from top to bottom. It’s nice to have a central place where I can organize.” She smiled. The clinic was a definite bright spot in the dome of doom she was living under.

“Come.” Lydia gestured toward the dais. “Let us sup. You must be famished after all your efforts this day, aye? And I see the servants are eager to begin serving.”

Robley appeared at the top of the stairs, and her breath caught. His hair still damp, he wore a clean white shirt with billowing sleeves under a crimson plaid. Her pulse went wild at the sight of him. He hadn’t shaved. She liked the beard. A lot. Her mouth must’ve dropped open, or she was drooling, because True nudged her, smirking again.

“Busted,” True whispered into her ear.

Rob’s mother and aunt exchanged an inscrutable look before Rosemary made a beeline for her son. Flustered, Erin stood awkwardly aside as Rob’s parents converged on him.

“My lad,” Rosemary cried, wrapping her arms around him. “We thought we’d lost you.”

Robert clasped his son’s shoulder. “Good to have you home,” he croaked. “You gave us quite a scare.”

“’Tis good to be home.” Rob hugged his mother and turned toward his father. “I’m sorry I caused you such worry.”

“We’ll discuss it later,” his dad said, ushering them toward the dais. “Now that your mother kens you’re safe and sound, she can eat again.”

Erin felt Rob’s internal flinch of regret and guilt at his father’s words, and she suffered an echoing internal cringe of her own.

“You OK?” True asked her.

“Not really,” Erin muttered. “Robley—” The doors to the great hall swung open, and the ferry master burst through.

He removed the cap from his head, twisted it in his hands and shifted his weight back and forth. “Begging your pardon.” He bobbed his head. “I’ve come tae fetch the midwife.” His Adam’s apple bobbed this time. “My daughter . . . ’tis too soon, but . . .”

Instinct kicked in, and years of training wiped away any thought of her own problems. She had a job to do. “I’ll go change, and I have to stop at the cottage for my bag. I’ll meet you at the ferry.”

“My thanks, milady.” Arlen turned and left just as suddenly as he’d arrived.

“Do you need help?” True asked.

“No.” She stared pointedly at her friend’s belly. “
You
need to take care of yourself. Rest. I know what I’m doing.”

“I’ll see you safely to the mainland.” Rob came to her, placing his hands on her shoulders.

“I’m only going to the village. Stay. Have supper with your parents.” She reached out to touch his cheek, thought better of it and dropped her hand to her side. “They’ve missed you, and I know how worried they’ve been.”

He gripped the hilt of the dagger at his waist, his brow furrowed. His glance went back and forth between his family and her, clearly torn.

“It’s all right, Rob. I’ll be fine. Arlen will be with me, and anyway, it’s not like I’m going to be with strangers.”

He snatched her up in his arms, kissed her soundly on the lips and let her go just as suddenly. “Should you need aught, send someone to the island for me.”

“I will.” His inner conflict and desire washed over her, and she responded in a rush of breathlessness and want—as she always did with him. She headed for the stairs, keeping her eyes focused in front of her. His family had witnessed their kiss. What must they think?

She undid her gown along the way, tugging it off as she crossed her room to the peg where her work clothes hung. She changed quickly, drew her cloak around her shoulders and raced down the back stairway to the shortcut leading to the postern gate. Rushing through the kitchen gardens, she glanced at the dry stalks, all that remained of the vegetables and herbs from the summer.