Desiring the Highlander (35 page)

Ellenor quickly said her good-byes and then joined Brighid and the handful of remaining soldiers to proceed across the headland.

Most of the strip was fairly wide and stable, but one small stretch narrowed considerably. On impulse, Ellenor stopped, jumped down, and looked around her, letting the rest of the party go by. The day was overcast and the waters far below were churning from a distant storm making its way toward land. As the waves hit the rocks below, the water turned into a white spray, soaring high into the air. The rhythm of the pounding sound mixed with the seagulls’ cries was hauntingly melodic. Again, she felt as if she were being beckoned home.

“Coming?” Brighid called to her.

“Aye,” Ellenor answered and remounted.

Fàire Creachann was situated on an egg-shaped tip of land, which was large enough to encompass two, maybe three McTiernay-sized castles. The sheer drop eliminated the need for a stout curtain wall for protection, but a rock fence that looked to be predominantly waist-high surrounded most of the jagged plateau.

The connecting strip of land did not enable a rider to easily cross from the mainland to the castle. Instead, it dead-ended straight into the headland’s rocky cliff thirty, maybe forty, feet below its edge. There a gateway stood, severely foraged over the past several decades for its stone and iron. But connected to the gateway was a short but steep tunnel constructed from stone, which to Ellenor’s quick inspection, looked to be untouched. Most likely because if one did begin to dislodge any of the carved rocks, the whole thing would collapse, making it near impossible to enter and pillage other supplies.

The tunnel was actually the first of a series, each wide enough to allow approximately four riders through simultaneously. And while the tunnels’ height allowed her to ride through comfortably, Ellenor suspected that Cole and some of the taller Highlanders had to crouch a little when mounted.

Brighid, who was riding ahead, exited the final semi-dark passageway and let go a soft cry. Ellenor nudged her horse to continue up the steep incline until she emerged onto a semiflattened piece of land, mostly green stretching out in all directions. Scattered everywhere were unfinished structures that had been completed at one time or another. Only the five towers located at critical edges of the upland were still standing. One tower was a little larger than the rest. It was rectangular shaped on one end and round on the other, had a new door, and looked to be the focus of most of the recent construction. Ellenor suspected it to be the keep.

Makeshift stables and a smithy had been erected along one rock wall between two towers. Cole’s horse along with several others were being tended to by some boys who looked to be no older than twelve. Farther along the wall, on the other side of the tower, were the remains of an enormous building, serving as the Great Hall. Much of its stone had been pilfered and it would take time to resurrect the structure to its former glory. Next to it was a place for a kitchen. There were stones missing but not as much since it was nestled between the Great Hall and the storehouse, which also looked fairly untouched.

Down farther and across the plateau was an enormous well, answering the question about their source of fresh water. Around it were several crude, newly erected structures serving as living quarters. Ellenor hoped one of them was not intended for Brighid.

The only other buildings were a nearly complete hall-like structure made of wood and next to it a small shelter that was a fusion of wood and stone. Smoke was rising from its roof, and Ellenor hoped it was a kitchen and that a decent meal was being prepared for them. Regardless, the building’s existence was a sign of progress. While it would take years to build Fàire Creachann into what it could be, Cole had already done much to begin turning it into a home and a place for people to gather. They had all summer, and with Henri’s help, by winter no one would be without housing.

The soldiers that had continued to ride with them had headed straight for the stables and were now disappearing into the hall. A few clansmen were in sight, although nothing close to the numbers she had expected. They were purposely ignoring her and Brighid. Ellenor was about to remark about it when one figure caught her eye. She pointed.

“Looks like Henri,” Brighid said, acknowledging Ellenor’s gesture. “I guess he did make it here all right. He rode off so crazily I thought we might find him broken and bruised on our way here.”

Ellenor nodded in agreement. “He appears to be trying to blend into the scenery.” The slight mason was clasping both his hands behind his back and wandering about the well looking at everything…and nothing. Something had happened and Ellenor suspected that whatever it was had much to do with Cole’s rising tension before he departed ahead of the group. She thought back and suddenly knew what it was.

Ellenor dismounted and waved one of the stable boys to her location. “I just realized we were not—”

“Look.”

Ellenor pivoted and saw several men exit the hall. Donald was among them.

Brighid hopped down and joined Ellenor’s side, letting go a long, low whistle. “Whatever has happened, Donald is furious.”

Ellenor looked at the man, trying to see what Brighid perceived as anger. He was facing partially away so she could only see the side of him and his mass of red-brown hair hung down, obscuring his expression. “Are you sure?”

“Aye,” Brighid responded. “His legs are rigid. And look at his hands.”

Ellenor did look. Donald’s arms were crossed, but his hands were balled into fists. “We weren’t greeted.”

“Maybe they thought—”

“No,” Ellenor interrupted, “I mean we weren’t greeted in the mountains.
Someone
should have seen our approach and ridden out to welcome us. No one did.”

Brighid turned and stared at Ellenor, her brown eyes large and incredulous. “I didn’t realize…but you are right. No wonder Donald is mad.”

Ellenor handed the reins to the lad who had just arrived. She gave him a big, friendly smile. “Would you take our horses back to the stable and ensure they are rubbed down and fed?”

The boy shrugged his shoulders, but took both sets of reins and headed back. Brighid was about to set his attitude straight, letting him know just whose horse he was tending, but Ellenor indicated for her to remain silent. “Let’s find out what has happened. You talk with Donald. Tell him that you need to know where you are to be sleeping. Meanwhile, I’m going to find Cole.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“First, I intend to remind him how glad he is that he married me.”

Ellenor cracked the already opened door to the newly built hall a fraction wider and stepped through. Sparsely furnished, the building looked larger from the inside. The location of the hall must have previously had a similarly sized room, for one wall was made out of stone and in the middle was a large working hearth made to warm a spacious area. Cole was staring into the flames flickering against the cavernous walls of the fireplace, unaware of her entrance.

Only two other figures were in the room. Both were guards and were standing just a few feet away from the doors engrossed in a heated conversation when they glanced over to see who had entered. Both of their jaws dropped, but before either could signal their laird, Ellenor gestured for them to leave her alone with Cole. Immediately, they retreated outside, leaving her with a very tense and very angry husband. Just as Brighid was able to deduce Donald’s mood from simple stances and slight movements, Ellenor was able to do the same.

Quietly, she glided over to where Cole was standing and slowly crept her arms around his middle. Instantly, the muscles in his arms and back went rigid, but just as quickly relaxed as she laid her cheek upon his lower shoulder and squeezed.

He stroked her forearm, which was still clutching his center, and asked, “What was that for?”

Ellenor kissed his back through his leine and then swiveled around to face him. “Is there anything you love that doesn’t give you a headache?”

“I’m not sure whether or not I should be warmed or worried by your inclusion of yourself on that list.”

Her mouth curved mischievously. “Both. But you can relax for now. I think Dugan has you preoccupied enough that you won’t be tempted to try and intimidate me into obedience.”

“I’ve known for some time that has never worked.”

“And yet you keep trying.”

He let go a deep chuckle. It was the first lighthearted sound she had heard from him since their departure from McTiernay Castle. “I just like to see how you will rebuff the attempt,” Cole teased. “Each time it is something different, usually amusing, and almost always it is at
your
expense and not mine.”

Ellenor’s mouth dropped open at the revelation. She considered it for several seconds, wanting to refute his claim, but couldn’t. Then, she raised an eyebrow and gave him a half smile. “Hmm. But it got me what I wanted.”

“And that was?”

“You, you big hulking Scot. I got you.”

“Ah,
babag
, that you did,” he murmured and lowered his mouth intimately over hers, tracing the soft fullness of her lips with his tongue. Her arms stole around his neck and her mouth opened as he continued the kiss, but neither of them moved to deepen its intensity. If they did, both knew neither of them would be able nor inspired to end things before experiencing full release. Instead, they simply enjoyed being with each other.

When Cole ended the kiss, Ellenor took her time before opening her eyes. She laid her cheek on his chest and just let him hold her. She hoped the simple embrace was helping to improve his spirits, but when she pulled back, she could see by his expression that it had only been a temporary reprieve. His eyes were staring at the fire once again, his mind swirling with the status of the clan.

“Where’s Dugan?” she asked, trying to make her voice sound only curious, not concerned.

Her question was met with silence, and Ellenor was struck with the concept that Cole might be one of those men who never included their wives on clan decisions or happenings considered outside their responsibility. The thought horrified her. A life kept in the dark was far from an appetizing one.

“Have you heard from Dugan?” she prompted again. This time her tone, while still soft, had a velvet strong edge to it. She hoped it would induce an answer. It did.

“I misjudged him,” Cole stated simply, but there was no mistaking the anger in his staid calmness. He moved out of her arms and offered her a nearby chair to sit in.

She refused. Cole was distancing himself from her when he should have been leaning upon her for support.
He’s new to friendship, a wife, even love
, she told herself and forced her jaw to unclench. She thought about hugging him again but knew that, even if he let her, it would not change what he was thinking.

Licking her lips, she tried another approach. “If that is true, then that would make me a bad judge of your character as well.” Cole’s eyes snapped to hers as she knew they would. “But it’s not true.” Her voice was not loud, but it rang out crisp and clear. “Your ability to read a person is unmatched by anyone I have ever known. My father was such a man, and yet, I doubt he would have recognized the real me as you did the day we met. It scared me then, knowing you possessed the ability to see things as they really are, not just as one presents them to be. Now I take comfort in it and so should you. Don’t doubt yourself now. If Dugan is not here, then there is a reason. Just as there is a reason no one was sent to greet us. Don’t use doubt to decide your course, use facts.”

“And if I don’t have them?”

“Then find them, Highlander, and show your people how you intend to rule.”

Cole reached out and pulled her roughly into his arms. “Elle…” he whispered, his voice raspy with the suppressed emotion he refused to release. “God, how I love you.” And then unable to hold back the desire any longer, he crushed her to him and took her mouth with savage mastery, devouring its softness.

Ellenor had been unprepared for the demanding intensity. His tongue was possessive, sensuous, letting her know just what he intended to do. She instinctively moved her body against his, massaging his hardness that was pressing against her, throbbing and demanding release and satisfaction. It matched her powerful need as shock waves of desire flowed through her entire body.

Cole released her lips and began trailing kisses down her throat, pushing her bliaut off her shoulder, seeking other delights he knew it hid. If it hadn’t been for the knock on the door followed by the sound of it opening, he would have found out. He immediately broke off the kiss and shoved her behind him to fix her dress.

Ellenor heard footsteps echoing in the room, but it hadn’t registered they were no longer alone. Her body ruled her mind and it was still burning with desire, aching with need for another kiss. The sound of another man’s voice startled her into awareness.

“Laird, we know what has happened or at least some of it.”

Ellenor stepped back into view and recognized Liam, one of the men who had elected to settle their wives before moving to the training fields.

“Explain,” Cole demanded.

Liam glanced at Ellenor and then did as instructed. “We first went to the fields as you ordered. There was blood, but not enough to indicate a death and it looked several days old. We then followed a trail that led into a gulley. That was where I met Jaime. He was riding here. Fast.”

Cole’s eyes flew to the door and back to Liam. “Where is he?”

“Once he saw me, he stopped and ordered me to return immediately and bring you and my lady as quickly as possible.”

Cole stilled as he assimilated the request. Ellenor felt his body harden and she knew why. Another man, besides him, had dared to dictate her presence. “Someone is hurt, and Jaime knows Hagatha taught me how to handle a needle. It must be serious, otherwise Jaime would have brought the man here rather than request that
we
ride out to him.”

Cole’s body remained rigid, but she knew he had heard her. “Go and get what you need. And tell the stable master to make ready all my men’s horses for immediate riding.”