Chapter 7 #8
He broke the spell by looking away and moving to open the door for her. “It grows late. I’ll see you back to your room so you can rest. We will continue this discussion on the morrow.”
She nodded. “As you wish.” As she started again up the winding staircase, feeling her way because it had grown dark, she was aware of him following her, his every step matching her own.
In front of her was the dusky smell of stone, behind her the spicy scent of man, and her own breath sounded loud in her ears.
At the second floor landing there was a faint light from the window at the end of the passage.
It lent an eerie glow to the narrow space, and again she had the sense of something incomplete and empty.
Lonely, so lonely. She shivered with it.
It made her want to turn to the man behind her and cling to him, just to know she was not alone.
Pausing in front of the chamber she had been given, she opened the door.
She felt his hand lock onto her arm, and turned, her skin heating under his grip.
“Ella,” he said in a low voice, “You’ll not try anything, or you will pay for it, wee lass or no.”
For an instant she again felt guilty that she was here for less-than-honest reasons, but she quickly steeled herself, reaching up to touch his cheek.
Her hand moving of its own accord. He flinched from her touch as if she had burned him, and she dropped her hand.
“Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind. Good night, Laird. ” And she closed the door.
Ceann stood there in the hall for a long moment, staring at the closed door.
How was it that she still didn’t seem to be afraid of him?
Everyone else trembled when he used that voice.
And why did he have to stop himself from pulling her into his arms every damn time she touched him?
Nothing about her made sense. The sooner he could be rid of her, the better off he’d surely be.
Shaking off the unsettling feeling that the lass was more than she seemed, he went down to the great hall, where he joined Ethan for a drink by the fire, as was their usual custom when home at Tulloch.
There they discussed the business of the day, and planned for the ones to come.
He had known Ethan almost all of his life, and he was his closest friend, no, more like a brother, and his right-hand man.
They had certainly argued and fought as brothers over the years.
Each had the scars to prove it, inter-mingled with the deeper scars of many battles, fought side by side.
Ethan was perhaps the only living soul who knew all of his secrets, and all of his demons.
It was a good thing he also trusted him with his life.
“Och, Ceann, I wasn’t sure you’d be joining me this evening.” He reached over to the small table set before the hearth and poured out some whiskey into a second cup.
Ceann eyed his friend warily. “And why wouldn’t I be joining you this evening?”
“Well, there’s a beautiful lass held at your mercy upstairs, I thought maybe…”
“You thought wrong. You know I wouldn’t take advantage of a lass in my care, beautiful or no.”
Ethan sighed dramatically and rolled his eyes.
“Aye, you wouldn’t. I know it. You are no fun.
” His look turned teasing. “It wouldn’t hurt you to have a bit more fun.
A man needs release from time to time, perhaps the lass is even willing.
” He paused. “If you don’t want her, maybe I’ll give it a try, if you don’t mind. ”
“I mind”, Ceann snapped. “You keep your hands off her; there are plenty of other women around to satisfy your never-ending lust.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow, seemingly unaffected by his friend’s dark and prickly mood. But, truth be known, he would give most anything to see Ceann happy again. He sat back in his chair and stared a moment, plotting his next move, before he narrowed his eyes.
“You want her”, he said knowingly.
“I don’t want her! Ethan I just…”
“You do want her. I don’t blame you a bit.
I’ve never seen a more comely lass, and with a body to satisfy a man’s every dream.
And she has spirit. She stands up to you like you’re naught more than a wee bairn.
Aye, when most other women would be scared off with your bad temper and fierce glares.
I think you’ve finally met your match, Ceann MacKenzie. ”
“Ethan! That is enough! If you can’t hold your tongue, I’ll send you out to sleep in the stables with the rest of the dogs.”
Ethan stood up and grinned at Ceann. He finished his whiskey in one swallow and put the glass on the table with a thud. “Well, I guess it’s off to the stables with me then. Good night Ceann. Sleep well.”
Ceann watched him go and poured out more whiskey, taking a drink and then running his hands through his hair in a gesture of frustration. Damn, what is wrong with me?
Chapter 4
Rossmoor Manor, Scottish Highlands
“Milaird, I’ve seen Tulloch riding for home. He has four men and a lass with him. He had only the four men when he rode out, and I’ve word that they only travelled as far as the southern borders.”
Lord Ross looked up from the accounts he had been studying. He usually did not welcome such interruptions when he was obviously busy, but news of his brother’s son, only recently returned home, was an exception. “A lass? What lass?”
“I don’t know, I’ve never seen her before, and she looks to be a beauty.
When I saw her riding with him I thought he must have gone to collect her as his bride, so I came posthaste to tell you, Milaird.
I thought… well, last I had heard Tulloch had sworn never to marry, so I thought it might be important. ”
“Aye, well perhaps he’s changed his mind, or perhaps he’s just found himself a pretty new mistress.
Either way, we can’t take the chance. Too much is at stake.
” He stood and splayed his hands on the desk, leaning forward and holding the messenger’s eyes.
“Do you still remember all of the castle’s secret ways Donald? ”
“Aye, of course, I know them well, I lived at Tulloch the better part of my…” He paused, realizing his master’s thoughts. “You wish me to sneak in and steal the lass away, then?”
Ross nodded. “Aye. See it done. As soon as you can. And Donald, bring her to me unharmed if possible. I’d know her true worth before anything happens to her.” As the messenger left, a younger man came into the room, idly tossing a dirk end over end and catching it unerringly by the handle.
“What was that about, Da? Ceann hasn’t taken a bride, has he?”
Ross leaned back and gave an aggravated sigh.
“I don’t think so Hugh, I don’t think so.
But one can never be too sure. I’m not about to let my life’s work go up in smoke, now am I?
Tulloch is mine by rights. I will never let it stay in the hands of my brother’s bastard and whatever godless faery magic rules there!
” When the lass arrives, we’ll see what needs to be done.
***
Ethan walked past the stables and through the castle gates, nodding to the guard who was on duty there.
He followed a small path along the edge of the loch for a distance before reaching a small copse of trees, where he stopped and gave a low whistle.
A moment later, a slim feminine figure emerged from the trees.
“Och, there you are.”
The woman laughed, “What do you mean? It’s you that’s always late. What news?”
He scoffed. “You ask as if you don’t already know. She’s at the castle. He suspects her of spying for his enemies, or some such nonsense, but has decided to keep her here. At least until he finds out who she is.”
The woman gave him a wry smile. Although Iona was past forty years, she was still beautiful, and her hazel eyes sparkled with mischief.
“And since he won’t find out who she is, she could be there for quite some time. That will serve our purposes well, will it not?” She laughed; happy that at long last things were falling into place. “And how does he look at her?” she asked in a low voice, as if confiding a secret.
Ethan grinned. “Like he’s a starving man and she’s a sweet treat. Though he nearly bit my head off when I said so.”
“She’s gotten under his skin already, then.”
“Aye. The man won't know what hit him. Already he can’t carry on a civil conversation with anyone. It’s only a matter of time before he breaks.” He took the woman’s arm. “Come, I’ll walk you back, it’s getting late, and you know I don’t like you to be out here alone at night.”
***