Chapter 12
Tavin reined in his horse and dismounted, tying the animal to the nearby tree.
After making certain that the horse was secure, he walked to the edge of the clearing, spying his da’s tent in the distance.
The battlefield was starting to fill with various tents, the flags flying proudly in the breeze.
He recognized many of the clans that were represented, noting that his own father’s tent did not fly their flag.
The thought did not sit well with Tavin. While he knew that their name was a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth, he still was proud to be a Stuart. There was nothing he could do about it or the generations past, but they were about to change for the good.
That thought didn’t sit well with him either. In order for his family to gain their name and rightful place amongst the clans, he would have to hurt Moira. In her eyes, he would never be an honorable man if he allowed his da and his brothers to carry out their plan.
She would hate him, and Tavin did not want to see that look of disgust on her lovely face.
“Aye, there ye are.”
Tavin pushed his thoughts aside as he spied his brothers approaching, grim looks on their faces. “Aye, didnae think I would come?”
Graeme shrugged. “’Tis a fine keep.”
“Aye,” Tavin replied. “And a fine village. The lady of the keep makes certain her clan is happy.”
James snickered. “Likely in more ways than one.”
Tavin clenched his hand in a fist at his side, knowing that if he planted it in his brother’s face then they would know that Moira had gotten under his skin.
He wanted to tell him that she was a kind woman, providing for her clan where their da had not.
Moira had grown into a good leader, and Tavin had been impressed by what he had seen, a part of him wanting to be a McPherson so that his name would not sully hers.
Tavin had sensed her conversation that night heading in that direction and he had halted it, hating that he was confusing her. She deserved someone that was truthful with her, someone that was not using her for information as he had been.
He was a bastard and she deserved so much more.
“Where are the weaknesses?” Graeme asked, his gaze narrowing. “Or have ye been sniffing around her skirts too much?”
“Nay,” Tavin answered, clearing his throat. “The keep is well protected. I havenae seen a weakness.”
“Bloody hell,” James muttered, running a hand through his shorn hair. “Da willnae be happy tae hear that.”
Graeme stepped closer, his keen eyes on his brother. “There has tae be a weakness. Every keep has one.”
Tavin swallowed, his mind racing as to what he could say to his brother. He didn’t want to tell him the truth, that he didn’t want to give them any information.
He didn’t want to hurt Moira.
The truth punched him hard in the chest. He cared for Moira. Never in his life had he cared for anyone before, but her kind, caring ways, had given him hope that there was good.
She was good. What she was doing here in this clan was good and now his family was going to come in and rip it out from her. Tavin suddenly felt sick to his stomach. He would be the source of her pain.
“Tavin, we cannae stand here all day.”
Snapping out of his thoughts, Tavin looked at his brother. This was his family and his loyalty should lie with them. “The wall,” he said weakly. “They are repairing the wall on the west side of the keep.”
Graeme eyed him. “That’s all ye have?”
Tavin stepped forward. “Are ye questioning mah findings? First ye tell me ye need it and now ye won’t accept what I learned.”
“’Tis enough,” James stated, stepping between the two brothers. “The west wall. That will be where we attack.”
Graeme glared at Tavin. “’Tis all, Brother?”
Tavin’s insides twisted painfully but he gave him a tight nod. “The west wall. I havenae found another.”
“Then we will attack during the gathering ceremony as planned. I trust ye will be here to join yer brothers?”
Tavin frowned. “’Tis not what I do Graeme.” He gave them what they needed to know and left so that no one would see him with the others.
“I’m telling ye tae come this time around,” Graeme answered, a hint of a grin on his face. “Or are ye too good tae help yer family?”
“Of course not,” Tavin stated. “But this will be the last. There will be no need for another.”
“Aye,” Graeme said, “the last one.”
Tavin didn’t like the way his brother stated that fact and his troubled thoughts stayed with him as he made his way back to the keep. All he ever wanted to do was be seen as an equal to his brothers, to bring his clan back to their former glory.
All his best-laid plans had been derailed by him meeting Moira and now he wasn’t sure which he wanted more.
Tavin spurred his horse on, turning away from the keep. He needed time to think, to decide what was more important in his life.
Unfortunately, he did not get far down the path before he came upon a familiar-looking form in the middle of the woods, walking in his direction. “Moira,” he stated as he came upon her, “what are ye doing here and without an escort?”
“I needed time tae think,” she said, looking up at him. “What are ye doing here Tavin?”
He climbed down off the horse. “The same.”
She nodded and he fell in step beside her. “What is heavy on yer mind lass?”
“The gathering,” she admitted. “’Tis a venture I had not planned on and now it could mean my future.”
Tavin frowned, her words sounding so final. “Yer future is what ye want it to be lass, not what they say.”
She stopped, turning toward him. “I wish that were true.”
He stepped closer, drawn to her in ways he shouldn’t be. “Why cannae it be? Ye are laird.”
Moira shook her head. “I have tae think about the clan. ’Tis no longer just mah life, but that of thousands that depend on me tae make the right decision. I cannae let them down.”
The pain in her eyes was pure torture for Tavin and he reached out, cupping her cheek. “Och lass, ye cannae take on a burden such as that. Yer clan are yer people, aye, but they dinnae expect ye to throw yerself on the sharp edge of the sword because of them.”
She leaned against his touch, her eyes fluttering closed. “I wish it was that simple.”
The knot in his stomach tightened. This was the lass he would ruin in a few short days. What would she say if he told her the truth right now? Would she turn away from him, have him thrown in the dungeon?
Or would she understand that he was doing what he thought was right, up until he met her?
Would she believe that he had feelings for her?
Moira opened her eyes, a frown marring her features. “Ye looked troubled.”
He was, but he could not tell her. “’Tis fine.”
She lay her hand over his. “Tell me what is troubling ye. Perhaps I can help.”
He chuckled. He doubted she would hand over the keys to her keep. “’Tis fine lass. Dinnae worry about me.” I am not worth it.
“Och Tavin, ye are a stubborn one!”
Tavin gave her a true smile. “Aye lass, I am.”
They stared at each other and he saw her wet her lips, the movement causing his cock to stir to life. She was going to be the death of him. “I’m gonna kiss ye lass.”
“Please do.”
When his lips met hers, Tavin was lost. When he took her into his arms, it felt far too right, like she was meant to be there all along. He knew he was flirting with dangerous territory, but she was too warm and willing in his arms.
She made him feel like he could do good in his life.
Tavin’s hand traveled down to the gentle curve of her hip, pulling her against his hard body. “Och lass ye unman me.”
“Tavin,” she breathed, her eyes bright with need.
He swallowed as he pushed her gently against the nearby tree, trapping her with his body. “I cannae take yer innocence,” he said roughly. “But I need a taste of ye lass.”
She grabbed his tunic and pulled him close. “Ye talk too much.”
Tavin chuckled and captured her lips once more, his hand sliding down to cup her breasts through her dress.
Her puckered nipple begged for his attention and he dragged his lips from her mouth to her jawline, placing kisses on her soft skin until he reached the swell of her breasts peeking out of her neckline.
Carefully he exposed one of her plump breasts, the tip turned up to the sun. “Och lass,” he whispered reverently as he touched her. “Ye are lovely.”
She thrust her hands in his hair. “What are ye doing tae me?”
He leaned down, blowing on her puckered nipple. “Ye havenae seen anything yet.” When he took it in his mouth, she gasped.
She was ripe for the picking, but he would only go as far as this. He wanted to give her pleasure, but her maidenhood belonged to her husband.
The thought of someone else touching her like this caused Tavin’s blood to boil and he pushed it away for another time. Right now, Moira was his and he would allow himself this boon to get him through the days ahead.
When his hand slid down her skirt, she didn’t protest, her hands holding him in place on her breast. Tavin found the edge of her skirt and edged it upward until his hand was touching her bare thigh. “Spread yer legs for me lass,” he whispered, dragging his lips back to hers.
She did as he asked and he found the slit in her drawers, delving into her warmth. A groan escaped him as he brushed across her curls, finding the hard nub that was hidden in her folds. “Yer so wet lass,” he whispered, pressing a kiss on her collarbone.
“Tavin,” she gasped, arching against his touch. “Dear God!”
An untouched lass. His heart swelled with pride as he explored her, knowing that he was the only man who had ever touched her like this.
Her breathing became frantic and he knew she was close, moving his lips to her ear. “Come for me lass,” he said selfishly. “Let go and scream mah name.”
“Tavin!” Moira moaned, her face full of pleasure. “Please don’t stop.”
He groaned, pressing his forehead to hers at her simple request. He should have never touched her, yet Tavin knew this was not going to be near enough. “Let go, Moira.”
When she did, it was a beautiful sight. Tavin caught her as her knees buckled and he lowered them to the forest floor, pulling up her bodice before gathering her in his arms as the waves of pleasure flowed through her body.
Whatever happened the next few days, he would remember this moment and the pleasure he had just given her.
She rested her head against his shoulder, and he breathed in her scent, his own heart troubled. Having her here in his arms was pure torture yet he couldn’t let her go. He wanted to put her on his horse and ride away right now, away from the things that would harm her.
He would harm her.