The Pleasure Master (29 page)

Right. She could just imagine old Dad holding a piece of plastic to his ear and calmly listening to Coco. Neil didn't have too firm a grip on reality.

“Come, lass.” Neil started walking, and Kathy grabbed her backpack, then hurried to catch up with him.

She cast one last worried glance at Ian, who sat staring distractedly into the hearth flame, then followed Neil to his horse.

Ian listened to her footsteps echo down the tunnel until she was gone. The same way they would echo as she walked from his life. He had no doubt that would have to be soon because she was in danger
here. He'd known that even before Neil said it. Neil and Mary would keep her safe today, but there would come a time . . .

What should he do? He must find a way to send Kathy home; then a part of him would die forever. Like Malin, he would still do what needed doing, but he'd always know he wasn't whole.

He stood, then paced before the fire.

“I loooove you.”

Ian grinned. “Aye, so ye've told me often. Mayhap Kathy will leave ye wi' me when she goes.” Would Suzy be his only memory?

He needed another. He needed to plunge deep inside Kathy, feel her body clench around him, holding him tight while spasms of pleasure shook her, so tight that even time couldn't tear her from him. And when she screamed a name, it would be his, not the Pleasure Master's.

Ian slumped before the fire again. ‘Twas a sorry dream. He couldn't separate himself from who he was. This would be a grand joke to his father if he knew. Ian had berated his father for falling in love and abandoning his duty. Now he understood.

Love?
Was that what he felt for Kathy? He didn't know. But no matter what he felt, he was the Pleasure Master, and as Neil had reminded him, he had a duty to fulfill. Neil had told him many women had need of his services. They'd waited long in the village for Kathy to be gone, but they'd wait no longer. He was alone today, so they would come.
Ye'll always be alone, Ian Ross.

Peter's lights flashed beside him. “Nobody ever lies about being lonely.”

“What's wrong with Ian?” Kathy asked, seated behind Neil on his horse.

“Humph.”

“Okay, besides that, what's wrong with him?”

“Ian is still the Pleasure Master. He must remember this.”

“And?”

Neil said nothing for a moment, and Kathy thought he would ignore her question.

“He has thought only of ye since ye came.”

Kathy felt pleasure seep through her.

“But now he must think of others.”

She wasn't quite sure what that meant, but it sort of stopped up the pleasure cracks.

“He isna happy to be reminded of his duty.”

No kidding. She didn't think Ian's “duty” was too terrific either. Kathy didn't try to wheedle any more information from him. She hadn't liked what she'd heard so far, except the part about Ian thinking only of her.

It didn't matter what Ian did because she
was
going home. And she
was
sniffling at the thought of leaving him behind. Dammit, she would
not
get emotional about this. There, she'd stopped sniffling. Probably had a cold coming on. No wonder in this climate.

Relieved, she realized they'd arrived at Mary's. She slid from Neil's horse, thanked him, and walked to Mary's door.

When Mary opened the door and smiled at her, Kathy realized how much she missed female friendship. Go figure.

“'Tis good to see ye, Kathy. Come in. Colin is here.” She moved aside so Kathy could enter.

Colin sat at the table sorting through various herbs. He glanced up and grinned at Kathy. “'Twas an amazing battle yesterday. I dinna think the Mackays will forget ye, Kathy of Hair.” His smile disappeared. “Ye must be verra careful. The Mackays will rally others to their cause with tales of yer witchcraft. The Rosses also fear ye, and even Ian willna be able to keep ye safe. If he tries, he will be destroyed. Ye might want to soon begin yer journey to yer homeland.”

Kathy sighed. If he had any good ideas for sending her home, she was open to suggestions. “I know, but I did what I had to do yesterday. I don't regret it.” Not yet.

Mary pushed her onto a stool by the table. “I'll get ye something to drink. Then I have news for ye.”

Kathy focused on Colin and tried for a casual tone. “So, how's the Pleasure Master quest going?”

Colin's grin returned, and he looked up at Mary. “Ye might tell her now, lass.”

Mary put a cup of pale amber liquid in front of Kathy, then sat next to Colin. “Colin and I will be marrying.”

Kathy gaped. She
never
gaped. “Why?”

Mary cast her an amused glance. “I tired of talking to my hens.”

“Oh.” Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer.

Mary shook her head and smiled. “We love each other, Kathy.” She slid Colin a shy smile. “He played his pipes for me.”

Kathy grinned at Colin. “I thought you only played your pipes when you were going into battle.”

“Or for one I love. And ye think this wasna a battle?”

Kathy's eyes widened at the implication. “That means you're out of the Pleasure Master competition.”

“Aye. 'Tis amazing. I thought becoming Pleasure Master was the most important thing in my life. But I know now that nothing else is important when ye find the lass ye wish to spend the rest of yer life wi'.” He cast Kathy a sly glance. “Ye might tell Ian that.”

Well. This certainly made things easier. Colin was out of the running, and Neil certainly wouldn't win Coco before tonight. She was home free. “Mary, do you have any kinds of colors I can use to paint with?”

“Aye.” Mary looked puzzled. “Ye're painting a picture?”

Kathy knew her smile was anticipatory. “A very special picture.”

Colin watched Mary gather the paints and several brushes. “When ye're ready, I'll take ye back. Dinna travel anywhere wi'out Ian, Neil, or me.” Colin glanced away. “Ian didna think we'd come for him yesterday, did he?”

Kathy blinked at the change of subject. “He
didn't mention it.” But she remembered Ian's look of relief when the Rosses showed up, almost as though he hadn't expected them.

Colin looked uneasy. “Ian has ne'er thought Neil and I care for him. He has ne'er thought anyone cared for
him,
only for what joy he can bring as Pleasure Master. He was taught to think thus by our father.”

“So why don't you tell him that you . . . care for him?”

“Men dinna speak to each other of such things.”

She gave herself a mental head slap. “Right. It's a man thing. Then why are you telling me?”

Colin's voice grew gruff. “He needs know that he is more than just the Pleasure Master.”

Kathy waited for Colin to enlarge on the topic, but Colin was obviously finished delving into Ian's psyche. She'd have to fill in the blanks.

A short time later, she sat atop Colin's horse with Mary's painting supplies safely stored in her backpack. Luckily, Colin didn't have much to say because she had too much to think about to hold up her end of a conversation.

Okay, she'd admit it. Her uncertainties were jigging and jogging all over her stomach. She'd known Ian for such a short time, and yet she'd known him forever. His dark sensuality, his delight in each of her toys, his curiosity about everything in her world, his patience and kindness no matter how she irritated him. Well, maybe not so patient. But she even liked his looming bad temper. Now
that
was scary.

How would she feel after tonight? If he could heat her to whimpering, panting desire without even touching her, what would happen when he touched her with serious intent? She'd ignite in a flash fire that would reduce her to a pile of smoking ashes, that's what. It would make Peter's job easier. All he'd have to do was blow her ashes back to New York.

That didn't change her mind about making love with Ian. She was determined that he'd be happy and secure as Pleasure Master after she went home.
Even if you wake every morning for the rest of your life with his scent, his taste, his memory filling you?

Yes. It was her responsibility.
What if it weren't your responsibility?
Fine, so she'd do it anyway. Because she wanted Ian Ross with a teeth-gritting, fist-clenching, heart-pounding need that wouldn't even consider that he didn't want her, too.

What if he really doesn't want you? What if everything he's shown you has simply been what the Pleasure Master has shown countless other woman? What if you're just part of a cast of thousands?

I'd still want him.
And wouldn't that give old PMS a hoot if he knew. Kathy-the-ice-queen gets her comeuppance from Ian. All-women-are-welcome Ross, the ultimate womanizer. Cosmic justice at its finest.

Then there was Colin's cryptic message. Of course Ian was more than the Pleasure Master. He was . . . Ian.
But does he know it?

Relieved, she realized they were climbing the hill
to Ian's cave. No more opportunity for stress-headache thoughts.

“'Tis about time.”

Colin's muttered comment focused her attention on the cave entrance. Would Ian come out to meet . . . ?

“Ohmigod! There's a line of women waiting outside the cave.” Kathy counted. Ten.
Ten?

“Aye. The women have been waiting long for Ian, ever since ye came, in fact. Only Lady Carlisle took courage and visited him.” Colin pulled his horse to a stop and helped Kathy off. “'Tis strange. When she returned from here she was sorely upset. She told a tale of a woman who said that Ian couldna see her because there were twelve women before her. Lady Carlisle doesna wait for any man.” He slid her a thoughtful glance. “Ye wouldna know who this
woman
could be?”

“Umm.” Kathy could feel the heat rising to her face.

“'Tis no matter.” He nodded his head toward the women. “Neil said he would speak to Ian this morn. Ian will do his duty as Pleasure Master now.”

Not if I can help it.
Kathy didn't even question the rage, the
jealousy
that sent her stomping toward the waiting women. She heard Colin leave but kept walking. She'd think reasonable thoughts later about why she was so furious when she claimed she wanted to make Ian's job as Pleasure Master secure. This was what he did, for heaven's sake. So why was she so mad?

Ten!
Fine. So he could do what he did after she
was gone. Just so she didn't have to know about it.

Gone.
Something about the word emptied her, made her feel hollow.
Lonely.

She reached the woman at the end of the line before she had time to think about never seeing Ian again. Good thing. She could feel tears welling, and in a few minutes she would have been blinking madly.

“This is the end of the line, huh?” She offered the woman a sympathetic smile. “Must be important for you to stand out here this long. Looks like it might rain.” The sky was bright blue with fluffy white clouds. “Maybe I can save you some time. Tell me your problem, and I'll see if I can help. I've had lots of experience with men.” Kathy cast a cautious glance at that blue sky. Any minute now . . . Was it possible to dodge a lightning bolt?

The woman sighed. “I dinna wish to wait so long, but I must ask the Pleasure Master”—she hesitated and cast Kathy a shy glance—“how to make my husband take more time wi' our loving.” She shifted her gaze to the ground. “I love my husband and know that he would wish me to enjoy our joining, but as soon as we climb into our bed, he's ready. 'Tis not long enough to blink.”

“Hmm.” Kathy tried for a thoughtful look. “Got it. Clothes. Lots of clothes.”

The woman stared blankly.

“First of all, you need to tell your husband the problem, not the Pleasure Master. Suggest that you both wear lots of clothes to bed. Then explain how much joy it would give you to take his clothes off
him. Slowly. As you take each piece from him you can touch his body. You know, kissing . . . and other things.” No way was Kathy getting more specific. “This will make you kind of . . . receptive. When you're finished with him, ask him to do the same for you. Bet it livens up your love life a whole bunch.”

The woman considered Kathy's words, then smiled. “Aye, it might work. I'll try.” She stepped out of line. “I didna wish to spend hours here. Maeve is first, and she will spend much time wi' the Pleasure Master.”

“She will, will she?” Kathy narrowed her gaze on Maeve. “How do you know the Pleasure Master isn't already busy with someone?”
Please
let him be alone.

“The cat isna sitting at the entrance.”

“Cat?”

“Aye. The Pleasure Master puts his cat without when he has a woman within. The cat is jealous, ye ken.”

“Right. Jealous.” Kathy never thought she'd empathize with a cat, but . . .

“The cat willna move from the entrance until there are no more women, and the Pleasure Master allows him within again.” The woman frowned. “'Tis strange. He has no woman wi' him, but he hasna come out to invite any in.”

“Sounds okay to me,” Kathy murmured as she moved to the next woman in line. “So, what's your problem?”

The woman turned to her. “Ye gave the lass good
advice. Mayhap ye can help me. She speaks true about Maeve. None of us will see the Pleasure Master this day once she gets him.”

Kathy drew her lips into a tight line. She
really
didn't like this Maeve. “Maybe I can help old Maeve shorten her visit with the Pleasure Master.” First she'd get rid of these other women. “But let's see what we can do about your problem.”

“'Tis the opposite of the lass ye just helped. My husband is old, ye ken. He must work long before he gains release.
Verra
long. A body grows weary waiting for it to happen.”