Dangerous Pride (10 page)

Elizabeth wrapped her legs around his waist, drawing him deeper into her.  Her fingers raked down his back, scratching him as she writhed beneath him.  “Do no’ stop, do no’ stop,” she pleaded, frantically urging him on.  Too soon, she felt him stiffen atop her, his body quaking as he found his own release.  Elizabeth pulled him tighter to her, frantically trying to reach her own pleasure.  She felt as if she was on the edge of a precipice, but something prevented her from soaring the way she desperately wanted to.  With a frustrated groan, she released her hold on him, recognizing that satisfaction was no longer within her grasp.  Exhausted, Calum fell upon her, not caring that he was putting his full weight on her delicate frame.

The pair lay joined together for several long moments, still breathing deeply, their sweaty limbs entangled.  Frustrated at the heavy weight of his body atop hers, Elizabeth impatiently pushed Calum over onto his side.

Sated, Calum yawned widely, slowly returning to his senses while Elizabeth twirled her fingers in his greasy locks.  Calum was not always as fastidious as Elizabeth about his appearance, though she knew better than to draw such issues to his attention.  He had a fierce temper, and it was unwise to bring it to the boiling point.  Elizabeth had learned long ago that it was wiser to fan the flames of his masculine ego, rather than risk raising his ire.

“‘You ne’er cease to amaze me, my love,” she lied, watching the spread of his self-satisfied smile.  If she was to have any hope of meeting her own needs, she knew she would have to flatter Calum shamelessly.  Seeing the look of expectation in his eyes, she plunged on.  “Indeed, it was almost as enchanting as that afternoon we spent in the stables.  Aye, but then, we had company – an audience, if you will – and that always adds to the excitement.  Do you no’ agree?”

Calum tensed beside her, drawing himself up on one elbow.  Slowly he leaned over her, intimidation burning in his eyes.  “What kind of foolishness are you spouting now?  You ken no one can learn about us.  Yer father would label you a whore, and I would be facing the end of his sword if he kent what goes on between us.  You canna be so stupid as to forget that, can you?”

Anger flashed hot and bright in Elizabeth’s pale blue eyes, but she quickly masked that emotion with an air of indifference.  She was unused to being insulted by anyone, let alone a ill-bred brute like Calum.  Still, she knew it would serve little purpose for her to show him her feelings.  “You pride yerself on being such a fierce warrior, Calum, yet you canna even tell when you have an audience?” she cajoled, watching his expression shift from anger to confusion.  Slowly Elizabeth drew back from him, slipping from the edge of the bed as she draped a light robe over her shoulders.  “Are you telling me you did no’ ken that my sister Catriona was watching us in the stable?”  The look of confusion on Calum’s face was too genuine to be feigned.  “You did no’ realize she had seen us?” Elizabeth demanded.

Calum had leapt to his feet and grasped Elizabeth roughly before she could register her surprise at the speed and intensity of his actions.  Her arms pinned tightly to her sides, he shook her brutally as he muttered fierce oaths under his breath.  “Do you not ken how dangerous this game is that you play, lass?” he spat at her, his handsome features contorted in anger.  “If anyone learns what goes on between us, it will all be over.  I will be banished from the keep – if I’m lucky enough to be left alive, that is – and you will be ruined.  Surely you must ken Lachlan Forbes would have naught to do with you should he learn the truth.”

Elizabeth looked searchingly into his flashing eyes, sensing his fear, and realizing the truth behind his words.  It was imperative to them both that no one know their secret.  But still, she told herself, there was no reason to panic.  Her mousey sister posed no threat to either of them. If the silly chit had told anyone what she had seen, her father would have confronted her long ago.  An evil smile teased at the corner of her bruised lips as she considered the implications.  Even if Catriona did tell their father what she had seen, Elizabeth knew she would have little difficulty convincing Seafield that his youngest daughter was nothing more than a lying trouble maker.

“Hold yer tongue, Calum,” she said finally, breaking free of his grasp, and rubbing her arms to ease the discomfort.  Surely there would be bruises, for in his anger he had gripped her hard enough to leave evidence of his fury.  “You forget yerself – and yer place,” she said icily, ignoring his look of surprise.  “My sister is no’ a threat.  She’s too meek and too stupid to tell anyone what she saw, and besides, she knows better than to cross me.”

Elizabeth waited while this information slowly penetrated Calum’s consciousness.  “Surely you can see that if she was going to tell someone, she would have already done so?” she added, her tone now coaxing and reassuring.  Flashing her most inviting smile, she beckoned him back to her bed. Perhaps there was still time to salvage something from this disappointing evening after all.  “Trust me, my love.  We have naught to fear from my dimwitted sister.  What we have between us shall remain between us – I promise you that.”  She could see the skepticism in his eyes give way to surprise and desire as she reached down, caressing him with gentle, deliberate strokes.  “I always get what I want, don’t I?” she cooed.  “And right now, what I want is you.  Inside me.  Again.”

With the harvest behind them, the clan had turned its attention to ensuring their produce received the best possible price at market.  Fish, wool, cloth, livestock and grains were taken to the port city of Banff where the Earl and Iain negotiated the sale of their goods.  Much was sold locally, but the majority was contracted to merchants who loaded the items on their ships with plans to sell the items abroad.  In addition to selling off a large quantity of the sheep from their herd, the clan had produced enough extra grain, soap, honey and wool to sell at the market.  The women had been busy weaving for several months, and as a result, there were numerous bolts of plaids and other cloth to be sold for a healthy profit.  The lucrative season ensured the clan would not have to go without during the harsh winter months.

Catriona had spent the morning reviewing financial records with her father, a practice they undertook but two or three times a year.  Though she had always excelled at bookkeeping, her father found such tasks difficult and tedious, and relied upon his youngest child to ensure they were properly managed.  It was early afternoon before the accounts had been reconciled, and her father had dismissed her after offering a grudging thanks for her assistance.  The day had dawned bright and clear, with only a trace of clouds in the bright sky.  Knowing that she wouldn’t be missed for a few hours, Catriona impulsively decided to take Lily for a ride that afternoon.  She would have a chance to check in on some of the crofters before the winter weather made it more difficult to travel, and with any luck, she might have enough time left to make a visit to the Red Well.

After she’d changed into a shirt and pair of trews that Iain had long since outgrown, Catriona made her way to the stables.  Rabbie was busy helping the blacksmith shoe several of the horses they had recently purchased at market, so Catriona insisted on readying Lily herself.  Grateful to see her mistress again, the animal cooperated while Catriona placed the heavy saddle on her back, synching the strap tightly to anchor it.  Catriona was leading Lily out of the stable when Elizabeth stormed into the yard, dressed in a fine riding outfit of blue velvet with shiny, black leather riding boots.

Catriona cringed inwardly at the sight of her sister, but refused to show evidence of her dread.  Any sign of weakness on her part would only spur Elizabeth on in her insults.  Fortunately, her sister seemed to be paying her little mind as she rudely shouted at the men.  “I need my horse now, lad, and if you think I have any intention of waiting, you’ll be in for a brutal surprise.” Elizabeth’s shrill voice echoed through the stables, and Rabbie quickly came running to do her bidding.

Catriona cursed softly under her breath, knowing she couldn’t avoid her sister at the cost of leaving Rabbie to suffer in her stead.  With a sigh of resignation she held up her hand.  “Donna fash, Rabbie. I’ll see to Lady Elizabeth’s horse.  You go back and finish the shoeing.”  Elizabeth gave an indifferent shrug of her shoulders, turning her back to her sister in a wordless dismissal.

Biting her tongue, Catriona tethered Lily and made her way to the back of the stable to retrieve her sister’s saddle.  Elizabeth refused to ride her horse astride, and though the sidesaddle was awkward and heavy, Catriona worked as quickly as possible, knowing her sister’s patience would be limited.

When Catriona returned with the mare readied, Elizabeth grabbed the reins without a word of thanks.  Accepting Rabbie’s assistance, she climbed into the saddle. After meticulously adjusting her skirts, she leaned over the side of the horse, a mocking grin on her face as she motioned for her sister to come closer.  “There’s nothing like being mounted on a strong, healthy stallion, is there, sister?” she whispered threateningly, smiling at the stain of color that darkened Catriona’s cheeks.  “But then, an innocent like yerself would ken little of such things.  And it’s unlikely you’ll ever learn, Catriona.  Not when you parade around like a filthy stable boy.”

Before Elizabeth could continue her verbal assault, Catriona reached up and gave the mare a pat on the flank, urging her on her way.  Her smile was genuine as she watched Elizabeth struggle to gain her balance while the animal trotted through the inner bailey, and toward the gatehouse.

“Yer sister is no’ much like ye, if ye do no’ mind my sayin’ so,” Rabbie whispered, his words pulling her from her thoughts.  The lad spoke softly, careful not to let anyone overhear him.  “She’s got a wicked tongue on her, that one.”

“Aye, that she does,” Catriona replied, her heart heavy at the demonstration of her sister’s obvious hatred.  Regardless of how hard she struggled to bridge the distance between them, there was little hope Elizabeth would offer her even the slightest measure of affection.  Or acceptance.  “If she’s no’ careful, someone is going to put a stop to her insults in a way she will no’ appreciate,” she added with a resigned shrug.

Catriona deliberately went in the opposite direction of her sister as she left the outer bailey, watching Elizabeth jostling uncomfortably as she headed for the valley that lay east of Boyne Castle.  Catriona knew that she wouldn’t go far on her own, as Elizabeth wasn’t much of a horsewoman.  Still, she didn’t want to tempt fate, so she pushed Lily to a brisk pace as she put as much distance as possible between them.

Though Catriona had been hurt by her sister’s words, her pain turned to anger as she reflected on the exchange.  Elizabeth was clearly trying to bait her, and Catriona refused to fall for that tactic.  Instead, she focused on shirking off her bad mood, relishing the feel of the wind on her face as she galloped through the woods surrounding the keep.  The heather was in full bloom, and its rich scent soothed her wounded pride.

Several hours later, Catriona reluctantly made her way back to Boyne Castle.  She’d been able to visit many of the tenants, and would make a note which of the homes needed repair after the evening meal.  Catriona always enjoyed visiting with her kinsmen, and considered it an honor that they welcomed her openly, and respected her opinion, despite her youth and her gender.

As Catriona passed through the barbican and entered the inner bailey, she sensed immediately that something was amiss.  A number of servants were gathered at the well, speaking closely in hushed tones.  The moment they saw Catriona pass by they ceased speaking.  The group quickly dispersed, but no one was willing to meet her eyes.  When she reached the stables, Rabbie rushed forward to take Lily’s reins.  Unlike the others, he looked directly at her, and she could see the fear in his dark eyes.

“Ye best get yerself inside,” he said, motioning for her to hurry.  “Yer da left word yer tae see him right quick.”

Puzzled, Catriona pulled her leather riding gloves from her fingers.  “Do you ken what it is about?” she asked quietly, silently steeling herself for the confrontation with her father.  Rabbie shook his head, slowly leading Lily to her stall as Catriona called out her thanks.

Catriona quickly made her way to the drawing room, where her father sat waiting for her in a chair by the fire.  Iain was ensconced in a large wing back chair in the corner of the room, an empty glass of brandy in his hand.  Both men looked pale and tense, and Catriona was immediately terrified.  She rushed into the room, stopping short in front of the men as they stared at her with exhausted expressions.  “What is it?  Has something happened to Mother?” she pleaded, her anxiety growing as each second dragged by.

Iain barely acknowledged her presence, instead running his hand over his face as he stared mutely into the fire.  After what seemed to Catriona an eternity, the Earl finally rose uncertainly to his feet.  Indicating the chair next to his own, he motioned for Catriona to be seated.  She did so gratefully, unsure that her trembling legs would support her much longer.  “Nay, lass, it is no’ yer Mother.  She’s well – as well as can be expected under the circumstances, I suppose.”  The Earl’s eyes were glazed and unfocused, and Catriona felt an unexpected wave of pity for her father’s weakness.  Whatever had happened had clearly devastated him.

“What is it then, da?” she asked more gently.  “I canna do anything to help if I do no’ ken what is going on.”

“It’s no’ that I do no’ want to tell you, lass, it’s just that I lack the words…” Seafield replied in a shaky voice, his hands trembling as he ran his fingers through his thick black hair.  When his eyes finally met hers, they were moist with unshed tears.  “It’s yer sister,” he said finally.  A sense of dread washed over Catriona like a wave, a premonition that something horrible had happened.  “You ken that she went out riding today – same time you did, the stable lad says.  When she did no’ come back for several hours, Rabbie sent one of the lads out to look for her.  It is no’ – was no’ – like her to go out for hours at a time, no’ like you do,” he said, his voice trailing off as he struggled to rein in his emotions.