The Highlander's Runaway Bride (7 page)

‘What did Nessa put in it?' she asked. ‘It smells lovely.'

‘Promise not to be angry if I tell you?' He smiled just then, and she glimpsed a completely different side of this man for a moment. A very appealing, handsome one at that.

‘Aye,' she said, nodding. ‘What would there be to anger me over such as this?'

‘It is a concoction of some kind of oil and other ingredients that my sister makes. It is especially helpful in treating injuries...to our...horses.'

‘Horses? You are treating me with horse liniment?' She tried to sound aggrieved, but the unexpected laugh that burst out ruined that attempt. ‘It does smell good,' she said. ‘And it feels even better.' She wiggled her toes in the water to show him the range of comfortable motion in her foot now. ‘I will have to forgive you for the insult, since it works.'

He leaned back on his heels and crossed his arms over his chest, studying her face with a serious expression in his eyes.

‘You are a pragmatic woman, my lady. Accepting such a thing because it works is not the reaction most women would have. My own sister would be chiding me for using it on my wife's foot.'

This man did not go in for the flowery praise of courtiers. She could hear the compliment in the tone of his words and she smiled, saying nothing in reply. This was the first time he'd called her
wife,
and it made her unsettled inside. He did not seem to wait on a reply, so she sat in silence as he tended to her.

He lifted her foot and dried it. With sure movements, he wrapped the fresh strips of cloth around her foot and ankle. The over and under of it soothed her somehow, as did the obvious carefulness of his touch. Then, the task finished, he knelt there, so close to her she could feel the heat of his large body. Her breath caught as he leaned over, staring at her mouth as though his intention was to repeat the kisses shared in the hall.

Eva fought an inexplicable and traitorous need to lean into him and kiss him back. Her body urged her forward, as his seemed to do for a scant second. Only inches separated their lips as he stared at her mouth and then licked his lips. Something deep within her tightened and ached. She must resist this pull.

She must. She must, she chanted to herself.

In the end, he pulled back and sat on his heels, his breathing shallow and fast. His gaze moved to her eyes then, and she saw the same confusion in the deep brown of his that must reside in her own. Pushing back and standing before her, he gathered up the soiled and wet linens and now cooled water and carried them to the door.

‘We should seek our rest,' he said as he placed the bucket outside the door and closed it. ‘The journey will be difficult even without considering your injury.' She swallowed and then again as he nodded to the bed before speaking. ‘Let me help you,' he offered, his usual even tone deeper.

The kiss had affected him, too, though he clearly did not wish it so. It took but a moment for him to pull down the bedcovers and place her in it...

And step away.

Much of what he'd said or she'd said during her illness in the cave and then in the cottage remained a blur. The fever had seen to that. So when she thought she remembered him saying he would not see to
this
part of the marriage until they arrived at his home, Eva simply did not know if he had said it or not. Now that the time was here to...
see to those matters
, she waited and watched him.

But it was his words that chilled her to her very soul.

‘This should be no surprise to you, lady,' he said, walking around the bed and nodding to it. ‘It should be almost commonplace when you think about it.'

Fear pierced her at his words, and she felt as though she would faint.

Did he know the truth? Did he know she was no virgin and had given birth recently? Tempted to utter one of his curses, Eva waited for his next action.

Chapter Eight

H
e watched the colour drain from her face at what he thought was a simple observation. They had slept next to each other for all the nights since he'd discovered her in the cave, with the exception of last night. Granted, she'd been ill or nearly unconscious most of those nights, but he'd never once taken advantage of her nearness or body.

Not that his body had not wanted to.

Rob noticed the fear was back as terror turned her pale blue eyes a darker colour. She clenched her mouth closed as though struggling against a scream. What the hell was going on here? Did she fear he would just take her as was his right? Did she think he would use his strength and his body to overcome whatever objections she yet held to their match?

Christ Almighty! What did she think he was? A ravening beast with no regard for her? Or someone so beneath her that this marriage was an affront to her position? A lady brought low by a simple warrior and not worthy of her?

‘Have no worries, lady,' he said from between gritted teeth. ‘I have no plans to force myself on you.' He reached out and took several blankets from the bed, planning to sleep on the floor. ‘I meant only that we have slept next to each other before.'

Even uttering the words of explanation tasted bitter to his tongue. But the touch of her hand on his stopped him.

‘Wait, I pray you. And once more, I must beg your pardon, sir,' she whispered. ‘I have never properly thanked you for your care while I was injured and ill.' He remained still, her hand on his. ‘My memories of that time are confused and blurry.' She met his gaze then. ‘I remember only the most recent morning and knew not how we came to be in such a...state.'

He felt like a cad then, reacting in anger and misinterpreting her words. Neither of them wanted this marriage and neither knew the other. Aye, other marriages had begun in this same manner. Others had begun with a fuller knowledge and ease with the other. No matter how it had begun—they were married and must acclimate themselves to the other. Instead of trying to explain, he showed her, having a care for her innocent sensibilities as he did.

Rob shook out the blankets, tossing them across the bed and across her legs. Then he walked around the chamber blowing out the candles and banking the fire. Standing away from the bed and facing the hearth, he undressed, loosening his belt and dropping his plaid to the floor. Tugging his tunic off, he folded it and the plaid and placed them on the trunk in the corner.

She gasped as he approached and their eyes met. He knew that the shadows hid most of him, but not all...or, from her shocked expression, not enough. Worse, the randy bits began to rise under her continued regard. He lifted the top layer of blanket and slid beneath it, leaving several
protective
layers between them. Only when he was covered did she lie down at his side.

After a short, tense silent time, he turned on his side and leaned his head up to look at her. Eva lay as she'd lain, moving not a muscle or other body part. She surprised him when she spoke.

‘So this is how we slept all those nights?' she asked.

‘Aye. Your virtue was ever safe even though we were legally betrothed.'

Rob watched as she startled at his words. Would everything he said always bother her in some way? He rolled away, turning on his other side, facing the hearth and the wall. Better that way, he told himself, trying to believe it was for her benefit and not his own. The wee laddie under the covers was intrigued by the body lying with them. Rob wanted to get some sleep, so he tried to ignore the feminine sounds she made.

And tried to forget the sight of her naked in that bath or on those nights when he cared for her.

She was not tall, she reached only his chest, but her body was filled with womanly curves and softness. Her breasts were not more than his hand would hold, but then he had large hands. Her hips would cradle him nicely when they...

Bloody hell! He was making things much worse by thinking of her body and how she would feel as he drove his flesh deep between her legs to find release.

Rob reached up and ran his hand across his forehead, checking for a fever. That was the only explanation for his wayward thoughts and desires. He had not wanted a wife and had only begun to accept the match when he'd arrived here. Then, when she'd begged to be free of him, he'd accepted that they would not wed after all.

Then, circumstances changed once more and led to this—him hard and erect, trying not to think about his attractive wife. The one who lay next to him. The one who did not want him.

He began to count his breaths, hoping to distract himself from the rest of it. When he reached a score and he was still hard as rock, he gave up on that. Then the woman at the centre of his difficulties spoke and took his attention from his wanton flesh.

‘Tell me the journey,' she said. Though she did not move, things did seem less tense as she continued. ‘Tell me of your kith and kin.'

‘I had thought to travel by boat down the west coast, but with the intensity of the storms, I think it best to go south by horse,' he explained. ‘Your father has offered a small travelling group, so we'll have three of his men and a wagon to carry your belongings.' He glanced over at her, his erection easing. ‘I can tell you of the Mackintoshes on our journey.'

‘And the dowry?' Considering the distance between his home and hers, her father had offered it in gold. Though he would carry some of it, the rest would be brought south when the MacKay attended a larger gathering of the Chattan Confederation and their allies later in the summer.

‘It has been handled,' he said. ‘Your father also arranged to have your inheritance put into my control.'

Rob had never felt good about that part. Again, 'twas his right, but it was her wealth and something he'd not expected in this bargain. He waited on her response, but none came. Wondering if she'd fallen asleep—and he'd witnessed her do that from one moment to the next—he turned over and looked at her. She watched him with a veiled gaze as though trying to assess him and his plans.

‘Have you questions about that, lady?' he asked. She must have used up whatever coins she'd saved during her escape and during the weeks when she had to fend for herself. How much had her escapade cost her?

‘I would like an amount put into my own hands, to spend on my own needs and purposes.' Her words were clear and forthright. He only worried about her intentions.

‘Do you plan to run away again?' he asked. Rob studied her face as she answered him.

‘I had not planned to, sir. But I cannot say it will never enter my thoughts.'

He laughed then, enjoying her honesty, though he should have been reprimanding her for her audacity.

‘I suppose that every woman, every wife, should have some coins for her own purposes. My sister would certainly agree with you on that,' he said. Margaret believed every woman should be able to survive on her own, though he wondered what she would say to Eva's idea on the same issue.

‘You sound as though you respect your sister's opinion on matters.'

‘Aye, I do. Partly because she makes sense and partly because she'll cut off my bollocks if I do not!' He laughed then.

Though many men did, he'd never felt threatened by a woman's strength of personality or will. Some men were—Eva's father clearly was, or he would not strike out at the strong-mindedness of his daughter or his wife's suggestions. Some of the women in his clan had helped save lives and the clan itself through their strengths. And Arabella, in spite of her fair looks, had a spine of steel and, when it came to a battle of wills with Brodie, she won as often as she lost.

‘I think I may like your sister's methods.'

‘And I will remember not to let the two of you do too much plotting together.' Rob remembered something he wanted to ask her, to offer her, rather.

‘With your father's permission, I would have no objection if you would want to ask Nessa or another to accompany us home.'

Of all the things he could have said, Eva would never have dreamed it would be this. She could see his face, watching her as they spoke. She knew he was hiding his maleness from her sight and that he had desires and needs he would want seen to, as any husband would. And yet, through it all, he did not force her to it and even now considered her needs.

‘Truly? You would allow such a thing?' she asked.

‘Our clans are not at war. You do not arrive as an enemy bride. You may bring or invite whomever you wish to come to visit or to make their home at Glenlui,' he explained. The tears came unbidden on his words.

If only...

If only she had met this man first...

If only he had been the one...

He watched her in silence then, not touching her or saying anything. The desire to explain it all to him pressed from deep within her, but she knew it was not to be done. He would never forgive her this deception, and her father would carry out his threats. Better to keep the secret in silence and try to find a way back to her daughter once out of her father's rule.

‘I thank you again, sir,' she said. ‘For now, I would like to ask if Nessa would be willing to come with me.'

‘Rob.' He took her hand in his and just held it. ‘I expect you to call me by my given name now that we are married.' He smiled at her then. ‘Or Robbie as some do.'

‘Why are you being this way?' she blurted out. She could protect herself better if she understood his motives and his methods. She'd long ago learned her father's and it had helped her...to a certain point. ‘You were so angry at the cottage.'

‘Lady,' he began, still holding on to her hand. ‘Neither of us wanted this. Neither of us truly controlled our own lives and choices. Yet, here we are, forced in some way to give our consent and exchange vows in a marriage we never thought would happen.'

All true, but not the explanation she needed to hear.

‘I am angry over being forced to accept this arrangement. When you arrive in Glenlui, I am certain that someone will report to you the words I used when I was told of it.' He frowned then and met her eyes. ‘You will probably be as happy then as I was when I learned that you'd run away rather than marry me.'

She grimaced at his words and tried to move away. Eva heard a glimmer of that anger and hurt beneath the even tone he tried to speak with. He tugged her back towards him, closer than she had been before.

‘None of it matters now though, does it? The marriage is a fact, our vows exchanged and we leave on the morrow. The only thing we can control is what we do now. Of the two of us, you have the lesser of the bargain. I end up with a beautiful, wealthy noblewoman as my wife and you end up with me—a simple warrior and kinsman to the chief. If either of us deserves our right to anger, it would be you, my lady.' He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the top of it as in salutation.

Releasing her, he turned back on his other side, and she tried to sleep. But too many thoughts and worries plagued her, and the pain in her back prevented her from finding the rest she needed before morning. She'd not slept with a man willingly or knowingly for many months, and those times sleep was not their aim. Finding a comfortable position next to this man took some time.

* * *

Only when the light of dawn crept into the chamber and she woke, did she realise she must have slept. She lay close to him, his arm clasped around her waist as it had that night in the cottage. Her new husband snored, she discovered. The sounds of the keep and its inhabitants rising to a new day began to grow louder and more frequent, and Eva knew the moment she dreaded was at hand.

She would leave everything and everyone and every place she had ever known and rarely, if ever, return here. Never had she felt as low as she did now. Any chance she had of finding Mairead involved being close enough to search for her. Every mile away would mean less and less chance for success.

Eva heard the soft knock and watched as the door opened a slight bit. Nessa nodded and looked away quickly, bringing some fresh water for washing and clean cloths. The girl had not lived at the keep last year, so she did not know the truth. No one else here would expect to find blood on the sheets as they would with a virgin bride.

As her husband would when he decided it was time to bed her.

Just as the door latch dropped behind Nessa, Rob began to shift and turn. The sharp, masculine angles of his face were no longer hidden under a growth of beard, and she studied them as she did the rest of him.

The bedcovers barely covered him now, exposing his strong legs and chest to her view. He was, as she'd seen last night, a huge man. A strong, tall man with long legs and muscular arms. Curls the same auburn as his hair covered his chest and disappeared under the edge of the bedcovers below his waist. Even his thighs bore hair the same colour, and her hand itched to see if those were soft or scratchy. She lifted her hand, tempted to find out, but stopped when he opened his eyes and met hers.

‘Give me a few moments and then call your maid,' he said in the gruff voice of morning. She should turn away or at least avert her gaze as he left the bed, but Eva found she could not.

In the light of day, his body was even more impressive than the glimpses she had stolen in the night. Or just now. He stood and stretched his arms over his head, nearly touching the ceiling of the chamber. He rolled his shoulders and then reached over for his tunic, giving her a full look at his back and buttocks...and more when he bent over.

She lost her breath when he turned, only half turned, but enough for her to see all of him. A virgin would have swooned at the sight, but she was not one and with an unseemly curiosity she watched his every move.

‘The randy lad will rise if you do not cease staring,' he warned without looking at her. ‘And he likes those noises, too.' Had she made noises? Panting like the wanton her father called her, mayhap?