Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander
Read Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander Online
Authors: Connie C. Scharon
CAPTIVE
HIGHLANDER
A
Highland Legends Book
Connie C.
Scharon
Copyright
© 2015 Connie Coles Scharon
All
rights reserved.
Author’s
photograph by Seth Scharon
Cover
design by Seth Scharon
Licensed
Photo used:
Shutterstock
62946298 © Nas Cretivis
Table of
Contents
Chapter 1
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS 1322
Katie’s hands fluttered over her
disguise, the tavern-maid’s soiled dress, the smudges of soot she’d
strategically placed to make herself look the part, and the cap hiding most of
her hair. Satisfied, she drew her cape tight around her and waited for Keith’s
return. She gazed about the crowded tavern.
The gathering of clans the
MacLean held at Dunbocan Castle created a lot of business at The Stagg Inn. It
was the only resting place for miles around offering food, drink, and a bed for
the night. The aroma of roast lamb and venison wafted through the air. Fire
crackled in the massive fireplace that heated the large keeping room. Clusters
of clansmen formed in different areas of the tavern based on their station. The
groups ranged from smelly and lewd with unruly hair and unkempt clothes to
high-spirited and boisterous with cleaner garb. Conversations grew vulgar and
ended with loud laughter as one tale topped another. In this place, she could
hide in plain sight if the innkeeper went along with Keith’s proposal.
Rannoch ranted about the missing
invitation to Laird MacLean’s assembly. She smiled. The missive bore her
father’s name and she had personally taken it from the messenger. As soon as
she read it, the idea came to her. Ian Innes would stop at the inn and she
would put her plan in motion.
“The innkeeper took a hefty bribe
to look the other way,” Keith said as he slid into the seat across from her. He
stared at her, his face stone-solemn. “I fear for yer safety if you insist on
carryin’ this through, lass.”
“’Tis for the good of our people.
I canna turn back now,” Katie assured him. She looked at the burly, red-haired
man and took his hand giving it a squeeze. He scowled and joined her vigil.
Keith’s bushy beard, ice-blue eyes, and bulging muscles made him seem like a
threat to those who did not know him, but inside he was caring and kind. She
trusted him with her life. Now they both observed the entrance.
“If Ian Innes doesna come, all is
for naught,” Katie said. The door opened and another group of plaid-clad
warriors walked into the tavern.
“We’re in luck, lass. That’s
him,” Keith said, pointing to a tall, powerfully-built man who had just
entered. “Ian Innes, son and heir to Angus Innes of Cairngorm Castle.”
Katie sucked in her breath. How
could someone she had learned to despise be so attractive? His tawny,
shoulder-length hair lit in the glow from the lanterns. Ian had an angular jaw,
straight nose, and piercing sapphire-blue eyes. The blue tracing through his
plaid enhanced their color. He appeared aware of everything going on around
him. His eyes scanned the crowd as he entered. One look told her how difficult
it would be to trick him with her deception. Still, she would carry out her
plan and entice him into doing what she desired. There was no other choice.
Keith looked at her and frowned.
“I dinna think this is a good idea, lass. Let’s go home.”
Katie shook her head negatively.
“’Tis our only chance. The Innes heir rarely travels alone, or so close to
Rannoch Moor. We must take him now.”
“I dinna like it.”
“Nor do I, but ‘tis necessary to
secure the peace.”
“Stubborn girl,” Keith muttered
under his breath. “I only help you because of your father.”
“Aye, and you must continue your
allegiance to him by finishing what we have started.”
Keith grimaced. “What we started?
More like what you dreamed up.”
“’Tis a fine plan.”
“I wilna stay and watch. If you
succeed, I’ll be in the barn waitin’ to make sure no harm comes to you.”
She gifted him with a smile.
“Thank you.”
With one last roll of his eyes,
he stood and walked out.
Katie searched the crowded room
to see where Ian Innes had gone. She watched him greet several groups of rival
clansmen then take a seat away from the noisy crowd at the bar. She had to act
before someone joined him and gave her an audience she didn’t want. Tiny beads
of moisture broke out on her brow. Her hand shook when she discarded her cape
and pushed a stray strand of hair back under her cap. Breathing deeply, she
fought to control her pounding pulse.
Her mark had settled at a table
near the hearth. It was now or never. No telling when another opportunity would
present itself. Adjusting her dress to show more than propriety would normally
allow, she picked up a tray and headed for his table.
“Milord, a spot of ale and a bite
to eat,” she offered, leaning low to let him get a full view of her gaping
bodice.
His sparkling blue eyes swept
over her. “You’re new here.”
“Aye, Milord,” she murmured,
breathless from his heated attention.
“You dinna look like any barmaid
I’ve encountered before,” he commented. Touching her cheek, he ran his hand
lightly over it. “Too refined. What’s your name?”
“Katie, Milord.” Uncomfortable
under his scalding touch, she pulled back a little.
“Fair Katie, you invite me with
your display. Please tell me you dinna sell yourself along with the ale.” He
grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer to the table. With a single finger, he
traced down her neck to her cleavage. “Why do you tempt me, lass?”
“Milord, ‘tis just that I need
the money. I… I would be grateful for your generosity… if I please you,” she
stammered.
He smiled at her. “You please
me,” he said softly. “If that is your desire, I am interested.” With a sigh, he
stopped touching her, released her wrist, and settled back in his chair. “Some
ale and lamb stew first if you dinna mind.” His eyes moved over her again. “Get
my food and then we’ll talk, lass.”
Nodding, she went off to the
kitchen to get his order collapsing back against the wall when she was out of
sight. Nothing had prepared her for this. Her breast still burned where his
single finger touched her. What madness. Had she expected it to be easy? You
can do this she told herself. Just breathe. Keith will be there to keep him
from you.
In control again, Katie dodged
the beady-eyed innkeeper as she hollowed out a bread bowl for the stew. He did
not heed her actions thanks to Keith’s payment. The busy tavern gave the man no
time to dwell on her purpose. With stew and ale in hand, she headed back to
Ian’s table. The look Ian gave her when she returned made her blanch. She put
down the food. He pulled out a chair beside him and looked at her expectantly.
Biting her lip, she sat.
“You’ll be gettin’ me fired if
you dinna let me do my work. I’ll come back as soon as yer done yer meal,” she
petitioned.
He shook his head. “You’ll stay
now. We need to talk.”
Drawing a deep breath, she tried
to be calm. “What do you want to talk about, Milord?”
“You’re new at this,” Ian
commented. He looked her over and let his gaze linger on the swell of her
breasts above the low-cut, raggedy dress.
She covered herself.
He let out a short laugh. “Very
new… am I your first customer?”
“I told you, I need the money,
Milord. If you dinna want me, I’m sure I can find another who is willin’.” She
went to rise, but he waved her back to her seat.
“How much?”
How much? How much did whores
charge for a tumble? She had no idea. “Ten pounds sterling,” she said.
He burst out laughing. “I didna
take you for a high-priced whore. They dinna ask so much in the king’s court.”
She had blundered, now what? “I’m
pure, Milord. No other has had me.”
His face grew dark and
foreboding. “You would sell your virginity?”
“My innocence is all I have to
sell, Milord.” His jaw grew taut. Fire burned in his eyes. Katie twisted in her
chair. This devilry would send her straight to hell.
“Tell me, Katie, why do you need
the money?” he rasped.
“My father is ill and I need the
money to help him.”
“And did your father tell you to
sell yourself to get the money?”
“Nay, Milord, he doesna ken what
I am about.”
It felt like Ian hadn’t heard
her. He pulled the lamb stew closer and began eating, washing it down with the
occasional sip of ale.
“If yer not interested, Milord,
I’ll move on.” She shouldn’t have spoken, but the terrible silence drove her to
a nervous frenzy.
He grabbed her arm and held her
in place. “I already told you I am interested,” he said. “Sit while I finish.
Then we’ll go to my room.”
“Yer room? The inn is full,
Milord.”
“I paid in advance to secure a
room.”
“I thought in the barn, Milord. I
didna ken you had a room. Surely you dinna want your bed soiled with the likes
of me.”
He gave her an inquisitive look.
“The barn? You would give away your innocence for ten pounds sterling… and in a
stable to boot.” Ian moved his hand into her lap and stroked her thigh. Her
body trembled from his touch. She bit her lip hard to keep from bolting from
the table. “We’ll use the comfort of my room to conduct this business. I dinna
care if you soil the sheeting with your virgin’s blood.”
An alarm went off inside her
head. There would be blood…. Her mother’s early death left her ill-educated
on the goings on between men and women. Her shock must have shown on her face.
He leaned closer and planted a chaste kiss on her cheek.
“Dinna be afraid, Katie. ‘Twill
not hurt much.”
“Very well, Milord,” she said
with more confidence than she felt. She had him where she wanted him, sort of,
but Keith waited in the stable. Ian Innes mopped up the remains of the lamb
stew and finished his ale.
Smiling at her, he grabbed her
chin with his hand, and forced her to look into his eyes. “For ten pounds
sterling, I will expect to keep you all night… perchance a week. However long
it takes me to tire of you.” He leaned back in his chair. “What do you think of
that, virgin Katie?”
“I… I dinna ken,” she said. Katie
could feel her face flush. He grinned at her.
“I generally dinna pay for it,”
he said casually. “I dinna need to, but you have stirred my interest and I
wilna let some other sot from the tavern fill your need.” He made a show of
looking around the room. “In truth, I doubt there are any here willing to pay
your price.” Standing, he took her hand. “Come, I’m eager to test your
reserve.”
When she stood next to him her
head barely came to the top of his shoulder. Suddenly his arm wrapped around
her waist. Ian leaned down. She could feel his hot breath in her ear. “I’ll be
gentle with you,” he whispered. He paused as if to let this sink in. “At least,
at first,” he added.
Katie jumped at the remark and he
laughed, pulling her along with him up the steps to the rooms above the tavern.
She ransacked her mind for some idea on how to get him where she wanted him.
Without Keith, Ian Innes might take what she had offered. Her heart pounded in
her chest. If she cried out or fought him, her plan went awry.
They were at the door to the
room. He opened it and led her inside. Shedding his sword and scabbard, he came
close and pushed her up against the wall. His hands explored her. Everywhere he
touched, she came alive with feeling: her shoulders, her breasts, and her hips.
Could he feel the excited tremors running through her? No one had ever taken
such liberties with her body.
Stepping back, he studied her.
“You’re just going to stand there and let this happen?” Moving closer again, he
grazed her lips with his. “Sweet Katie, you can only give this once.”
Katie drew a ragged breath. Tears
streaked down her face. “I must save my father, Milord. I have nothing else to
sell. I suggested the stable because I left my tiny sister waiting there. I
fear for her safety if I dinna return soon.”
Ian arched his brow as he stared
at her. “You would have a child watch me take you?”
“Nay, Milord, I put her in the
tack room. Now anyone could come upon her. Please, come to the stable with me.”
He shoved her against the wall
and pressed his hard body to hers. “Who are you really, virgin Katie? Not who
you say you are, I’ll wager. Are you an English spy out to learn what occurred
in the gathering of clans or is it something simpler? Do you have a partner waiting
in the barn to kill me for my purse?”
Gasping for air, Katie felt his
lips on her neck. He ripped off the cap and set loose her hair in a cascade
across her shoulders. “The most bewitching shade of red-gold hair I’ve ever
seen.” He waited for some response, but she gave none. “Still not talking,” he
said. “Let’s see if I can help you find your voice.” He grabbed her dress,
pulled it off her shoulder, and ran his hand over her bare breast.
Katie let out an involuntary
whimper as heat traveled to the heart of her. This was her chance. He seemed
enamored with touching her flesh. If she could just concentrate, find a way to
disable him. Katie recoiled when his fingers teased her nipple to a tight peak.
Concentrate, but she couldn’t suppress a gasp as he continued his heated
attention.