Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The Great Hall buzzed with low conversation as Kenneth and Sorcha Forbes stood near one of the blazing hearths with Malcolm, Ewan, and Duncan, the five of them drinking hot, spiced wine.
The Forbes were well wrapped up, ready to begin their journey home as soon as their carriage and escort was ready.
“The roads south should remain passable if the rain holds off,” Kenneth remarked, sounding not entirely convinced of his own words.
Ewan tilted his head and chuckled. “I admire yer optimism, Kenneth, but this is the Highlands. Expectin’ the rain tae hold off is a bit like askin’ fer a miracle,” he joked.
The men chuckled, and Sorcha laughed softly into her wine, her blue eyes dancing at Ewan over the rim of her cup.
Malcolm exchanged another clasp of forearms with Kenneth. “Thank ye fer comin’. Ye’ll always find a warm welcome at me keep.” He smiled at Sorcha, adding, “The both of ye.”
“Thank ye for a lovely stay, Laird Gordon,” she told him, graciously returning his smile. “Ye’ve been a generous host, and it’s been a real pleasure meetin’ ye all, especially Catriona.”
“Aye, ye must come and visit us soon,” Kenneth put in. “Mayhap when ye’re nae so busy with yer “trainin’ exercises,” eh?” he added with a knowing smirk.
Duncan nearly choked on his drink. Ewan cleared his throat, throwing an amused glance at his brother.
Somehow, though discomfited that Kenneth had twigged something was going on, Malcolm managed a calm smile. “Thank ye, Kenneth, ye can count on it, now we’re officially allies.”
Thankfully, before Kenneth could respond, a servant approached and bowed.
“Me laird, the Forbes party is prepared tae depart.”
“Grand,” Malcolm said.
The servant hesitated. “Shall I send a maid fer Lady Catriona tae come and bid farewell?”
Without thinking, Malcolm said, “Nay, I’ll go and fetch her mesel’,” dismissing the man with a nod. He could have bitten off his tongue when he saw Duncan’s eyes land on him, his friend’s keen, green gaze narrowing fractionally.
“Ye seem unusually eager tae volunteer,” he observed mildly.
Malcolm forced himself not to tense. “I merely wish tae ensure me guests are nae kept waitin’.”
“Hmm.”
The skepticism in Duncan’s voice nearly had Malcolm breaking out in a sweat. Before further questions could follow, he handed Ewan his wine cup and excused himself.
“I’ll return shortly.” He strode from the hall, conscious of four curious pairs of eyes burning a hole in his back.
Christ alive, what a bloody fool I am!
By the time he reached Catriona’s chamber, he was already questioning his own sanity. Unusually flustered, he knocked once then pushed open the door.
And stopped dead.
Catriona stood beside the bed only half dressed, one hand clutching the loose bodice of her gown against her breasts.
She startled visibly, exhaling in obvious relief when she recognized him, her slender brows knitting. “Malcolm?” Then, more warmly, “Malcolm.”
He stood frozen to the spot, staring as her lips curved upwards and slowly, very slowly, her grip on the fabric slackened, so that the neckline of the bodice slipped lower in unmistakable invitation.
Malcolm forgot how to breathe, transfixed by her pearly pale skin, the graceful curve of her shoulders, the tantalizing swell of her breasts barely concealed by the translucent cotton of her shift. His entire body tightened violently.
“Dear God,” he said softly.
Catriona’s eyes glittered mischievously. “Did ye need somethin’, me laird?”
He took one step toward her, his grip on his self-control threatening to crumble entirely.
“Ye look…” His voice was rough. “Almost unreal. Like somethin’ I shouldnae be allowed tae see,” he finished hoarsely.
Heat flushed her cheeks, and the tip of her tongue traveled around her lips, her eyes never leaving his.
The air between them thickened instantly.
Malcolm approached slowly, helplessly drawn toward her. “I came tae tell ye the Forbes are preparing tae leave,” he managed.
“Already?” she said, moving not a fraction as he approached, clearly caring as little about the Forbes as he did.
His fingers brushed her bare shoulder, her skin like warm silk beneath his hand. He nearly groaned aloud.
“Cat,” he whispered raggedly, “I’m barely holdin’ mesel’ back from shuttin’ that door and takin’ ye here on the floor, and damn all else tae hell.”
Her breathing faltered, her chest rising and falling rapidly, the desire in her wide green eyes telling him that she did not want him to hold back
For one dangerous heartbeat he nearly gave in. But then he remembered what was at stake—his one chance at lasting happiness with the woman he loved.
Giving himself a hard mental shake, he forced himself to step away from her.
“We’ve guests waitin’ tae leave below,” he said tightly, his fists flexing.
Catriona sighed dramatically as she pulled up her bodice and began lacing it tight. “Och, ye’re very annoyin’ when ye behave honorably.”
Despite himself, Malcolm laughed softly. “Dress quickly, lass,” he murmured, heading stoically for the door. “Before I lose what little sense remains tae me.”
Catriona descended the keep steps beside Malcolm, one hand holding her cloak tightly at her throat against the cold wind that snatched at it.
The moment they stepped onto the cobblestones, she saw her brother standing with Ewan and the Forbes by their waiting carriage, watching them approach. She felt a shiver of unease at the way his sharp green eyes lingered a fraction too long upon the pair of them before narrowing slightly.
Beside her, Malcolm stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Catriona understood his reaction, but she felt little except relief.
The Forbes were good company, but she was hoping that once they had gone, Malcolm would finally be able to speak to Duncan and put an end to the agonizing uncertainty between them.
Ewan greeted them first, cheerful despite the chilly weather.
“About time ye got here,” he called over the wind. “I reckon Kenneth was beginnin’ tae suspect we mean tae keep him prisoner.”
Kenneth Forbes laughed good-naturedly, adjusting his gloves and directing a warm look at Catriona.
“With such charmin’ company, I’m nae sure I’d put up much of a fight,” he joked. For a moment, she thought he was about to wink at her.
“Leave the poor lass alone, Kenneth,” Sorcha chided him. “Catriona’s put up with enough of yer flirtin’ these past few days, so give it a rest and get in the carriage. We should be on our way before the heavens open.”
Kenneth grinned and rolled his eyes. “Sometimes, I wonder who’s the laird,” he quipped.
Duncan and Ewan guffawed, and even Catriona could not help chuckling at the pair’s bickering. Her heart went out to Malcolm, who only managed a strained smile.
While the men exchanged farewell courtesies in the gruff manner of lairds and warriors, she went to say goodbye to Sorcha.
“I shall miss ye,” Catriona told her new friend as they hugged.
Sorcha squeezed her tightly. “And I ye.”
The friendship between them had formed so easily over the past few days that Catriona could scarcely believe she had once felt jealous of her. How foolish she had been. Now, she implicitly trusted Sorcha with her deepest secret.
Sorcha stepped back to smile at her, holding her hands, blue eyes warm with affection. “Promise ye’ll write and tell me all yer news. And come and visit me as soon as ye’re settled.”
Catriona, deeply touched by Sorcha’s warmth, replied, “I’d love tae, Sorcha thank ye.”
Sorcha’s face softened as she lowered her voice. “And remember what I told ye, Cat. Dinnae make the mistake of runnin’ from happiness merely because ye fear losin’ it.”
A lump rose in Catriona’s throat. “I’ll write tae ye, let ye ken how things work out,” she promised quietly when she could speak, squeezing Sorcha’s hands.
“And I’ll expect scandalous details in every letter,” Sorcha went on, her eyes mischievous. “Though somethin’ tells me I may be returnin’ soon fer a weddin’.”
“Sorcha!” she remonstrated softly, looking around to see if Duncan had overheard, relieved to see his attention was elsewhere.
Catriona laughed then, and they embraced once more before Sorcha finally turned toward the waiting carriage.
As Kenneth helped her inside, she shot Catriona a wicked grin before disappearing into the carriage.
Kenneth then approached Catriona with a dramatic solemnity entirely at odds with the weather whipping his blond hair into disarray.
“Lady Catriona,” he said grandly, taking her hand. “Life will be very dull without yer beauty and charm tae brighten me days.”
He bowed low over her fingers, pressing a theatrical kiss against her knuckles.
Catriona smiled politely, amused despite herself, especially when Sorcha rolled her eyes heavenward through the carriage window. Over Kenneth’s shoulder, she saw Malcolm’s jaw visibly tighten and almost laughed aloud.
“Safe travels, Laird Forbes,” she replied demurely. This time, as she had feared he might, Kenneth winked at her with merry blue eyes before releasing her hand at last.
The gates creaked open, the escorts’ horses stamped and snorted as they formed a cordon around the vehicle, which rolled majestically out through the gates, the onlookers waving their goodbyes.
Malcolm moved closer beside her once the gates began to close. “Thank Christ,” he muttered beneath his breath. “If I heard one more oily compliment from that man, I might’ve thrown him off the battlements.”
Catriona bit back a smile as she looked up at him. “Oh?”
He glanced sidelong at her. “Dinnae tell me ye enjoyed it.”
“Nay,” she replied lightly. “I much prefer yer oily compliments.”
A laugh broke from his lips seemingly against his will, attracting Duncan’s attention. He sent them both another curious look.
Malcolm’s amusement vanished instantly, his expression turning serious. But the warning glance he shot Catriona only made her lips twitch harder.