Torrian (The Highland Clan Book 2) (12 page)

Chapter Thirteen

Torrian’s world collapsed in an instant. He stood in shock as Davina covered herself back up and started to cry, her father raging and yelling enough to wake up everyone in the keep.

“What goes on here? What have you done?” Glenn of Buchan moved to the side of the bed.

Davina sobbed as loud as any lass Torrian had ever heard. Her father pulled the covers back and threw a plaid at her. “Cover up, daughter, and get out of that bed.”

Her breath hitched as she took the plaid and wrapped it around herself, sliding across the sheets. “But Papa…”

“Say naught, or I shall lose my temper for certes.” He moved toward her, but rather than try and cover her, he flung the covers off the bed.

First Dugald flew in the door, then Quade and Brenna. Everyone in the room froze at the sight of the bed linens.

Blood. Dark red blood stained the center of the linens on Torrian’s bed, clear as the Highland mountains on a sunny day. Every set of eyes focused on him.

He glared at Davina. “You set this up, Davina. Tell them the truth. Tell them naught happened.” Though fury sang through his body, he did not know how to handle this. But he was not going to be set up without attempting to set the situation to rights.

Rather than respond to him, she threw herself into her sire’s arms sobbing. “Papa, I knew not what he wished me to do until ‘twas too late. ‘Tis all his fault. Forgive me, Papa. Please.” She buried her face in her father’s chest.

The king’s two guards entered the room, then moved everyone back to allow the king himself to enter. Torrian could see Lily lingering in the passageway behind the king’s men, a horrified look on her face.

“Who would like to explain what has happened here?” King Alexander said, standing with his legs planted wide, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

“Must you ask, my king? ‘Tis plain for all to see.” Buchan pointed to Torrian. “This lad has taken my lassie’s maidenhead. I know they were to marry in a moon, but I will not tolerate waiting until then. Why, she could be carrying his bairn.”

The king waved at everyone for silence, then strode over to the bed to assess the situation. “I must say, ‘tis definitely blood. What say you, Torrian?”

Davina continued to sob, but Torrian knew it did not matter what he said. The evidence was against him, and Davina had planned it perfectly.

“I wish to speak in private, my king. With you and my sire.”

“I accept. I’ll meet with you in the laird’s solar.”

The Buchan barked, “I wish to be there, as well. I have every right to hear what say you about my daughter.”

“You will be invited in after I speak to Torrian. Settle your daughter first. Escort her to her chamber and calm her so I may question her later. Ramsays, follow me.”

Quade gave Torrian a pointed look as they followed King Alexander down the corridor and down the stairs to the Ramsay solar. Once the door was shut behind them, the king sat behind Quade’s desk, and the Ramsays sat in front of him. “Explain yourself,” he said to Torrian.

Torrian glanced at his sire, dreading how this would affect him. Quade rubbed his knee, the spot that pained him most as he aged.

“My thanks for seeing me in private, my king,” Torrian started. “I swear on all that is holy that this did not happen. I did not take the lass’s maidenhead. I had only just stepped into the room when the Buchan barged in behind me. Before that, I was up in the parapets.”

King Alexander folded his hands in his lap and leaned back in his chair. “Are you telling me that the Buchan lied to his king in order to gain his daughter a husband?”

“Aye…I mean…I’m not accusing… but I did not have relations with her.” He glanced at his father, hoping for support.

The king stroked his chin as he stared at Torrian. “So a man who already had his daughter pledged to you would risk his reputation and the king’s censure to move the marriage up by what, a fortnight? This is what you expect me to believe?”

Quade sat in a chair, clutching his knee. “Sire, they attempted the same ruse when we were visiting the Buchan castle. Torrian opened the door to find her lying in his bed, waiting for him, but he managed to flee the chamber before anyone else arrived.”

“And young lads are known to be randy, Chief Ramsay. Your son is no different from the rest.”

“Aye, ‘tis true, but with all due respect, my son is not a liar.” The set in Quade’s jaw told Torrian his father did believe him. And that belief meant a great deal to him, even if it did not change his fate in regards to Davina.

“I hope you both understand that I have no choice in this matter. Five people caught you with the lass in your chamber in the middle of the night, and there was blood on the linens.” The king squared his shoulders and stood, staring at them with a piercing gaze. “My decision is made. You were to marry in less than a moon, and now I must move this marriage forward.”

Quade stood, stumbling a bit before he righted himself.

The king declared, “Torrian, you will marry Davina of Buchan in two days’ time.”

“But I love another, my king.” There, he’d admitted it. He glanced from the king to his sire, but he saw no surprise in either man’s gaze.

The king’s eyes narrowed. “Then you’ll start your marriage better than many, with a mistress by your side. Most women of nobility expect you to take a mistress, so do what you must, but I need this alliance to keep my kingdom calm. Be careful of what you do, lest you be accused of treason,
my lord
. You have been ordered to do this by the crown and by your clan. Do I have your support, Chief Ramsay?”

Both of them glanced at Quade, who nodded after a long pause.

Something exploded in Torrian’s brain. When the wedding had been a moon away, he’d believed he could stop it—mayhap by convincing Davina they did not suit or angering her sire enough to change his mind. Now he had no alternative.

The king continued. “Verra well. ‘Tis settled. I shall stay until mid-day on the morrow and then head to my castle in Edinburgh. The wedding shall take place without me. I have no desire to be at these nuptials. I will speak to Father Rab before I leave.”

He motioned to the guards to open the door and allow Glenn of Buchan entry.

“Chief,” the king said to him, “your daughter is requested by the crown to marry Torrian of the Ramsays in two days’ time. Prepare your daughter for her wedding.”

Torrian watched the Buchan chief as the king announced his edict, and he was glad he did.

Had he not, he would have missed the smug look of satisfaction in the whoreson’s gaze.

***

Heather threw their things into the satchel. She was about to rouse her daughter when she heard all kinds of commotion in the passageway. Though she opened the door a crack to listen, she could not hear well enough to understand what was happening, so she closed the door again to continue with her plan.

They had no choice but to leave. She would never risk losing Nellie to her father, and Heather was well aware that the man was completely capable of carrying out his threat. Once she had everything she needed, she stuck her head into the passageway again, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw everyone had moved below stairs.

Perfect. She hooked the satchel over her shoulder and reached for her daughter, still sound asleep. How much better she slept here than in the cave. But though she felt guilty for removing Nellie from this safe, warm environment, the alternative was unthinkable.

If that man dared to take her daughter from her, she’d cut off his ballocks in his sleep. But she could not involve the Ramsays. They’d been too wonderful to her.

Nay, it was best for her to return to her cave for now. There was much going on here with the king in residence. She’d leave until events returned to normal, then she’d return to explain and thank Brenna, Torrian, and all the others. But would their lives ever return to normal? With what she knew of the Buchans and the MacNivens, she doubted it. The king was here and would get his way, and Heather would have no role in Torrian’s life.

She crept into the passageway and tiptoed toward the back stairway that the servants used to run to the kitchens. It would take her directly outside. From there, she’d head to the stables, find her horse, and leave. It would be safer to travel close to dawn, when the men would be too sotted to notice her.

As soon as they hit the cool night air, Nellie stirred, so Heather stopped and covered her with the fur, urging her back to sleep. She hoped Brenna would not mind that she had borrowed the fur to keep Nellie warm against the cold Scottish winds. There were few people about in the bailey, and those she saw were headed to the keep with intent looks on their faces. Though she did not know the nature of what was unfolding, it was affecting more and more people.

When she reached the stable, she woke one of the lads and said, “Could you help me saddle my horse?”

A deep voice from behind her said, “Nay, I’ll help you. I’m heading outside the gates.”

She spun around and breathed a sigh of relief to see Torrian standing in front of her. Then she noticed the expression of despair written across his face. “Torrian, is everything all right?”

“Nay, ‘tis not, but I’ll not speak of it now. I’m more concerned with where you are going at this time of the night. I thought you’d agreed to keep Nellie here until warm winds blow.”

She turned her head toward her horse, “I must get away.”

“You must? Why? Has someone threatened you?”

“Torrian, forgive me, but I do not wish to discuss it just yet. Will you help me or not?” She leaned down to breathe in the scent of her daughter’s hair, hoping the comfort of her sweetness would keep the tears at bay.

“Of course I’ll help you. You may explain later.”

“And you can explain why you are on intent on going for a ride in the middle of the night. Or is that usual for you?”

The side of his mouth twitched, but he just nodded. “Agreed. Hand Nellie to me once I’ve mounted. I’ll keep her warmer than you can.”

She did as he asked because she knew he was right. Once they were through the gates and away from the castle, Heather watched as the man she was growing to love cuddled her daughter the same way she would. The thought of his heat warmed her in the cold wind. The man was like an oven—a tender, caring, thoughtful oven—and how she wished things were different. As a husband and a father, no one would be better. Tears stung her eyes in the wind as the thought of what could never be consumed her. One huge mistake, years ago, had put her in this desperate position.

But she’d never change it. Nellie was her everything. Still, she could not deny that the time she’d spent with the Ramsays had made her feel dissatisfied with her life in the cave. She’d fought so long and hard for their survival that she’d lost sight of her own needs.

Torrian was the one who’d made her realize those needs existed. She needed to be loved, to be warmed, to be appreciated and supported. She swiped the burning tears from her cheeks as they galloped over the glade, the beauty and quiet of the night cocooning them in their own world. How she wished things could be different. Why could they not continue to gallop away from the castle and mold a life of their own somewhere far, far away?

Because Torrian was meant to lead. From the strong backbone she saw in front of her to the compassionate grace he demonstrated over and over again, Torrian would be the strong-yet-tender, fierce-but-caring leader who would guide his people to an even better life. She had no doubt he would exceed all his clansmen’s expectations, because that’s who he was.

If only she could stand beside him.

Chapter Fourteen

Torrian’s mind kept trying to find an escape out of this maze, but there was none. He thought of the advice his sire had given to him when he was younger.
You need to let things settle before you make a major decision, Torrian. That way, your decision is not just an emotional one, but one of reason.

How true. Every one of his thoughts was ripe with emotion. He was relieved he’d encountered Heather in the stables. At least with her by his side he could not do any of the self-destructive things he’d originally envisioned—fighting, screaming, punching, howling at the moon.

In truth, he no longer
wanted
to do any of those things. As soon as he’d laid eyes on Heather, his blood had slowed from a raging boil to a rolling one. Now it felt completely settled. Instead of relenting to the power of his rage, he was rejoicing in the sweetness of the sleeping bairn in his arms and the nearness of the beautiful woman riding behind him.

Why couldn’t things be different? Besides his desire to lead, he was a simple man, but now he was trapped in a spider’s web of deceit, and in two days, he was set to marry a woman he despised.

Once they arrived, he handed the sleeping Nellie to her mother, but he insisted on checking the cave for animals before they entered it. He declared it clear, and Heather headed into the deepest part of the cave to settle her daughter down to sleep while Torrian waited near the mouth of the cave.

When Heather returned, she stood a distance away from him, huddled, her arms wrapped around her middle. He wanted her more than anything at this moment. She had none of the jewels or gowns that Davina possessed, and yet she was the one he wanted to touch—standing there in a tunic, leggings, and boots, the moonlight shining inside the cave highlighting her form. He wished to capture the image in front of him forever. Her eyes were a wee bit haunted, just like he felt, when they met his. Her lips parted to speak, but she stopped short.

He would be forthcoming; it was only fair. “I’ve been ordered to marry Davina Buchan in two days.” He waited, shoving his hands behind his back. How would she react to his declaration? “But I’d rather marry you, someone I want to hold, someone I want to share my life with. You, Heather, and no other.”

She took three steps forward until she stood in front of him, close enough that he could see the tears misting in her eyes. “I need to know…”

“I want you, lass, more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. You cause an ache in my chest whenever you are near. But I cannot make any promises.”

She took a step closer and held her arms out to him.

Unable to resist her invitation, he wrapped her in his warm embrace and kissed her hard on her lips. Hellfire, but his desire would unman him, for sure. She parted her lips for him, welcoming him with the tease of her own tongue.

She ended the kiss and stood in the light of the moon at the mouth of the cave, her hands trembling as she removed first her tunic, then her leggings, tossing them back into the cave.

His mouth went dry as soon as she’d removed her first piece of clothing. Heather was so beautiful that if she were his, he’d never pine for another. Grateful that she felt the same way he did, he took two steps toward her. She reached for him and started to remove his plaid and tunic while he removed his boots and breeches. He grabbed a pile of furs and arranged them in a pile on the cold stone, then helped her find a comfortable position before covering her with his body.

“I want you more than anything, lass.” He ran his gaze from her toes up to the top of her head. “Do you know how beautiful you are?”

She shook her head. “I’ve never felt beautiful until I met you, Torrian. You make me feel special, a new experience for me.”

He kissed her, a long, tender kiss designed to tell her what he could not say in words. He kissed and suckled and teased her until he heard that wee sound in the back of her throat that he loved, a sound that he would strive to hear again and again. He wanted to feel her passion, her desire for him, and he wished to show her what relationships were meant to be like.

But he also needed to know for himself. He’d never felt this way about a lass before. Aye, he’d bedded some, but not a one had ever captured a piece of his heart the way Heather had. He needed to know how good it could be before he was forced into a relationship with a cold-hearted liar.

Hellfire, but he was sure they would be great together.

***

Heather wanted him everywhere. He kissed her neck, nuzzled her ear, kissed one breast and then the other, then settled his tongue on one nipple, circling, nibbling, teasing her until she wished to scream. Aroused to a point she’d never experienced before, she writhed underneath him, tilting her pelvis toward him.

A fire began in her woman’s place, a fire she wasn’t sure how to handle. She rubbed her mound against him, but he ignored her, continuing to kiss and suckle one breast while his hand cupped the other, his thumb teasing the tip of her nipple. When she started to wriggle beneath him, he traced a hand down the line of her hip and across to her core. He touched her lightly and she bucked, shocked at her body’s response to his touch.

His gaze caught hers and his smug expression made her do something bold. She reached for his large arousal, wrapping her fingers around his length and moving up and down. Though she was uncertain if she was doing the right thing, his ragged growl encouraged her to continue her teasing.

His finger plunged inside her and she gasped, shocked at the pleasure shooting through her body. Unable to wait any longer, she brought him to her entrance, rubbing his tip back and forth against her pleasure spot, sending a pulsating need she could not deny through her body.

Torrian took over, grabbing her hips and driving into her until his length filled her completely. She moaned again at the sheer pleasure of being one together, unable to believe it could feel this good, and pulsed against him, a short in and out. Groaning, he gripped her buttocks and thrust even deeper, driving into her at a pace that finally forced her over the edge with a scream, waves of pleasure washing through her. She heard his sound of pleasure as he finished, his thrusts hitting her exactly where she wanted him, needed him.

Perfect, they were perfect together. That was the only thought she was capable of having.

As their panting lessened, his gaze locked on hers and he kissed her, a kiss that told her how much he’d enjoyed what they’d shared. She waited to see what he would say before he left. She was not yet capable of putting a coherent thought together.

Though she expected him to pull out and get up to leave, he instead rolled onto his back and pulled her with him, nestling her in the curve of his arm. She could not think of any place she’d rather be.

She waited until their breathing came under control, then said, “Tell me what happened? Please?”

He kissed her forehead, her cheek, and her lips, a soft feathery kiss that left her wanting more. The back of his hand brushed her cheek, a delicate touch that made her feel treasured.

“I spent quite a bit of time in the parapets, trying to think of a way out of my situation, but I could come up with no solution. When I returned to my chamber, Davina was in my bed with naught on. She’d done this before, but her failure led to a change in tactics. When I turned to leave, her sire opened the door, feigning surprise when he saw Davina in my bed. He bellowed loud enough to wake half the Highlands, including my sire, my stepmother, and eventually the king.”

“And they did not believe you when you told them ‘twas all a lie?” She stroked his arm as he talked.

“Her father checked the linens and found blood. My destiny was sealed. I spoke to my sire and my king, but I was ordered to marry her in two days.”

She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. “Torrian, I’m so sorry. What a terrible experience for you. Did you tell them the truth of the matter?”

“Aye, but the evidence was against me.” He ran his hands through her tousled locks. “As far as Alexander was concerned, we were to marry soon anyway.”

They lay wrapped in their embrace, enjoying this intimacy they knew would have to end.

“Will you tell me why you ran?” he whispered, staring into her eyes. “Who has threatened you?”

She took a deep breath before she spoke. “I suppose I can share what I am able, though I promised not to reveal the person’s name.”

“I accept your conditions. What has frightened you so?” His hands moved to the base of her neck underneath her hair, massaging the tender skin there.

Heather lifted her head to look for any sign that Nellie might be stirring, then nestled it back against his shoulder and began her story. “I was brought up by my grandsire and grandmama. My mother died birthing me. My sire was never mentioned, only that my grandparents never liked him. I knew naught about the ways of men and women. All I can tell you about where I lived is that it was a cottage far away from any clan, deep in the forest. We were well hidden in a glade thick with trees. My grandsire made a clearing in an area lush with growth because we were near a mountain spring.

“One day, I met a lad who was out hunting. He came straight to me. I was ten and five. I ran from him because I rarely saw anyone near our home. He caught me around the waist and whispered sweet phrases in my ear, but I fought him. His hands brushed the undersides of my breast, but when he reached up to cup one, I was so frightened I brought my elbow back and caught him in the nose, causing blood to spurt everywhere. He let go and I rushed off into the trees.

“I ran as fast as I could, but I heard the others in his hunting party come along and tease him. He let me be.”

She brushed strands of hair out of her eyes so she could gaze into his warm green eyes, the eyes of the forest, her grandmama would have said.

In a gentle tone, Torrian said, “He returned.”

“Aye, a few times. He brought me sweet pastries and a book, which I adored. Once he found out that my grandmama taught me to read, he brought one book after another.”

“Until you felt in his debt.” Torrian’s eyes darkened, but he said naught.

“Aye. He hugged me the first few times, and I began to trust him. When he finally did what he wished to do, I had no idea what he was about until it was too late. I screamed from the pain and he slapped me, which frightened me even more. He threatened to hurt my grandmama if I said aught, so I kept quiet. I also never returned to that particular clearing in the forest where I usually met him. I made sure never to wander alone again. I had three books to read, but I could not touch them because I felt so dirty.”

She swiped the tears from her eyes before she continued, intent on telling him her tale all at once because it was too painful to repeat. “I had no idea why my belly grew, but my grandsire explained it to me. He wanted the lad’s name so he could kill him, but I did not know his name. I cried and cried because I’d let him down.

“I did not see the bastard again until he saw me ripe with child, but he left me alone. I vowed to get away so I would never have to set eyes upon him again, I hated him so. My grandsire grew sicker and sicker each day, so he hurried and taught me all he knew about hunting and cooking, just so I could run away and take care of my bairn by myself. He was so afraid of what would happen to me once he passed on.”

She stopped for a moment to close her eyes and draw strength to tell him the next part, envisioning wee Nellie as her motivation. “My grandsire died shortly after Nellie was born. I was almost ready to leave when
he
came to my door and forced his way in. I recall it well.”

As she spoke, the memories of that awful time continued to roll over her.

***

He barged in through the front door, startling her. “And why are you packing, my sweet one?”

“I’m leaving. My grandparents are gone, so I’m leaving.” Her hands shook as she stuffed more clothing into her satchel.

“Mayhap I’d like to keep you nearby. Why do you not return with me to my keep?”

“So all will see what I am? Nay, I think not.”

“And what are you?” he asked, running his hand down her arm, causing her to shiver in revulsion.

“My grandsire said a woman who’s used the way you used me is a whore.” How she had hung her head in shame.

Then he shifted his attention to the babe, opening her rags to peer at her.

She shoved at him, wanting to keep him from touching her wee bairn. “Leave her be.”

“Her? Just wanting to see if I have any possible heirs. Och, I see you did not lie. ‘Tis a lass and you may keep her for all I care. But I might like a taste of you again. I liked you, and I know you liked me.”

Her body had turned rigid at his touch. She loathed him. “Please, leave us be. I’ll ask you for naught.”

His head tipped back. “If that is your wish, I’ll find a place for you. I do not want any issues when I marry. You must promise never to ask me for aught. Where do you wish to live?”

The offer came as a surprise. “Somewhere near the Cameron healer, in case I ever need her.”

“She is not far enough away. I’ll find a place for you near the Ramsay healer. She’s the best in the land.”