Medieval Highlands 01 - Highland Vengeance (17 page)
She took a few bites of the fruit and handed the remainder to Fia as she pressed her forehead against her mare’s side for a brief moment. Then, straightening, she heaved in a deep breath. No matter Daniel’s reasons, she still was not pleased that the lady Jesslyn would be so close at hand, for she continued to be plagued by the suspicion that her husband and the widow were, or at least
had been
lovers.
The lad Alleck ran up just then, scattering her thoughts as he skidded to a halt beside her. “What’s your mare’s name? Can I stroke her?”
Maryn regarded the bright-eyed lad with some amusement and could not resist the urge to brush her fingers over his cheek. “Her name is Fia. She can be very fussy about whom she allows to touch her, but if you are careful, you may certainly try to do so.”
This was all the encouragement the lad needed, for he swiftly maneuvered himself between her and Fia. Maryn chuckled. The lively bairn reminded her so much of herself at the same age.
He was too small to reach Fia’s nose and neck, so Maryn aided his cause by lifting him in her arms, while giving her mare a word of encouragement. She was pleased when Fia allowed the lad’s attentions.
Maryn had been surprised to learn that Alleck was the lady Jesslyn’s bairn. She remembered that Daniel had mentioned the existence of a son during their discussion this day past, but she’d been so intent on the subject of their conversation that she had not registered that bit of information until she’d seen Alleck and Jesslyn this morn preparing to leave with them.
Now that Maryn had the chance to study Alleck, she could see the strong resemblance between him and his mother. She wondered what Alleck’s father’s looks had been like, but let go of that thought when she turned her gaze toward the tree her husband sat under. Jesslyn was leaning over his lap, and Daniel was
feeding
her! Fury bubbled up like so much stew on a fire. One hand shot to her hip. ‘Twas time and past she began to hinder any further displays of affection between the two.
After setting Alleck back on his feet, she walked over to the blanket where the two of them sat and nudged her way between.
*
Daniel’s smile turned to a frown of confusion when he saw the annoyed glare she’d settled on the bannock cake in his hand—the one he’d shared with Jesslyn. He gave himself a mental kick. ‘Twas becoming increasingly clear that his bond to his old friend must lessen. But he would not give up his friendship to her completely—as he was beginning to believe Maryn wanted him to do. Nay, he and Jesslyn had been friends for too many years.
When his bride reached over his lap to grab one of the cakes from the basket, a whiff of honeysuckle filled his head and a sexual reflex made him ensnare the thick bronze curl pooled on his thigh. Against tradition, she’d left her hair unbound again, reminding him of how luxuriant it felt—she felt—against his chest during the night. His sex stirred and he tugged the curl to get her attention.
She swung her gaze to his and gave him a shy smile before settling beside him once more and offering him a portion of the bannock cake.
Daniel shook his head, leaning down to whisper in her ear. “My hunger is for something much more rare and exotic and ‘tis driving me mad with impatience for its receipt.”
Maryn’s heart leapt in her chest as she gaped at him. The tips of her breasts tightened against her chemise and she blushed from head to toe when his eyes dipped and scanned them hungrily. Horrified, she turned away, unable to meet his gaze again as she ate her meal. When she heard him chuckle at her reaction, her cheeks flamed even hotter. But it wasn’t long before she realized he’d lifted her spirits as well.
*
Once everyone had eaten, the party gathered their supplies and continued the journey. This time, Daniel noticed with amusement, his bride made certain she kept her mount between him and Jesslyn.
He shot a glance in his friend’s direction. She’d been awfully restrained and quiet since their nooning meal. Mayhap her thoughts were on Graeme, as they so often were. With a mental shrug and a quick look at his bride, he decided it best to leave Jesslyn to her ruminations.
They made camp late that evening near a loch. As his bride dismounted, the wind blew the hood of her cloak off her head and sent the heavy hem of the garment high in the air. “Oh!” she exclaimed, grappling madly with the wayward material. “I pray it does not rain this eve,” she said, turning a worried look on him.
He shook his head and gazed about. “Nay, ‘twill not.”
She shrugged, still trying to straighten her clothing.
He grinned.
Adorable.
Stepping forward, he took the opportunity to touch her, making a show of aiding her to smooth and align the garment once more. In seconds, her breath increased and her skin flushed. Daniel bit back a another grin. His ploy at slow seduction was working well.
“I…I believe the thing is well-placed once more,” she said finally. “My thanks.”
With effort, he dropped his hands to his sides and took a step back. ‘Twould not do for her to ken his purpose so soon in this game.
*
Later, as Maryn strolled along the edge of the loch looking for a bit of privacy to cleanse herself, she began to seriously question her decision to travel so soon. She had believed herself prepared for the arduous journey, but her thighs, buttocks, and back were aching so badly now and her gait so stiff that she decided she’d been a bit too certain of her own strength when she’d agreed to such a hasty return home. And oh, how she avidly longed for a hot bath to soak in just now, but she’d not see that luxury again until they’d arrived at the Maclean holding.
Finding a private inlet with juniper bushes lining the area, Maryn decided this was as private a place as she was likely to find and quickly discarded her gown. She kept her linen chemise on and knelt down at the edge of the water to begin washing her face and limbs.
“I see you’ve found the best place to bathe as well.”
Maryn started, whipping her head around. A tight knot formed in her neck as her heart plummeted into her stomach.
The lady Jesslyn
“Aye, so it seems.”
“Do you mind if I bathe here also?”
“Nay. As you said, ‘tis the best place.”
The widow kneeled down beside her and washed the road dust off and then waited as Maryn pulled her gown back on. “You and Daniel seem to be compatible,” she said after a moment. ‘Tis lucky, that.”
That gave her pause. “Aye,” Maryn replied. What was this about?
“I remember, when I was first wed to Graeme, how frightened I was of the marriage bed. I was sure I would not please him; that he would find me lacking in some way. Clearly, you have had no such qualms.”
Maryn shot a glance at her, noticed the probing gaze she gave her. Her heart leapt and began to thud against her breastbone.
Had Daniel confided in the lovely widow about their arrangement? Nay, surely not, else she’d not need to probe.
“Hmm,” she replied at last with a nod.
“Of course, once I’d shared myself with my husband, ‘twas apparent that I had pleased him and all my worries on that score fled for good.”
Aye, that was what troubled Maryn. Who would not be pleased with the lovely widow? And if Daniel had, in fact, bedded her? Well, Maryn had little doubt that she herself would pale in comparison. “I’m sure your husband was glad you overcame your fears, then.”
With a smile, the lady replied, “Aye—aye, he was.”
They walked the rest of the way to camp in an awkward silence.
*
An hour later, Maryn sat on her blanket by the fire combing her hair. The soldiers were camped a bit further away and Jesslyn had taken a protesting Alleck to bathe at the loch a few minutes past, giving Daniel and Maryn some much-needed privacy.
Daniel handed Maryn an apple and some cheese. “After this, ‘twill be oat cakes, I fear, so enjoy this while it lasts.”
Maryn took the proffered meal and happily chewed. That would be the worst part of the journey. Even worse than the sore muscles and the dusty film that covered her. Oat cakes were fine to fill a void, but they never were enough to actually satisfy her hunger, so she stayed in a constant state of famishment.
Seating himself next to his bride, Daniel took a moment to watch her eat, reminded of that long ago time when the imp that would become his lovely bride had eaten quite a few of the sweet fruit from Angus’s hoard. If he looked closely, as he was doing now, he could still see the bairn she’d been. A sense of peace and continuity settled over him. This was right, this was how it was meant to be. His mouth quirked in a wry smile. Tho’ Angus was no doubt looking down from the heavens in horror. For who would have thought that the scamp they’d met all those years past, whom they’d both been avid to avoid, would someday be his bride? And that she’d be a lady that he desired more than any he’d ever met, one whom he was growing to care more deeply for with each passing moment?
A surge of tenderness expanded in Daniel’s chest. He waited for Maryn to swallow her last bite of food before bending down to nibble her bottom lip. “Mmm. You taste of ripe pippins.” He put one arm around her back and used his free hand to stroke her upper arm. When she relaxed against him and sighed, he brought his hand up from where it rested at her waist and held the back of her head as he stroked his tongue into her mouth, in imitation of the rhythm he longed to use when she at last allowed him to mate with her. With each new kiss, he felt her reserve slip a bit more. He knew he was treading a very narrow precipice, that he could so easily go too far and scare her, so he made certain he was always the one to break the embrace.
*
Maryn clung to her husband as a throbbing ache began between her thighs and the peaks of her breasts pebbled against his chest. An image of Daniel suckling those sensitive crests flashed through her mind. God, she wanted that. She wanted him to put his mouth on her breasts. Why? Was that normal?
Ohmygod
. Was she perverted?
She broke the kiss and scrambled to her feet, bolting into the darkness.
*
“Maryn!”
Blood of Christ!
He’d done it. He’d slipped off that narrow edge and ruined all he’d accomplished in the past days. Daniel ran after her, catching up to her quite a distance away from the fire. Her back was to him and she held her face in her hands. ‘Twas clear he’d made her cry.
Daniel came up behind her and settled his hands on her shoulders. “Maryn?” he said gently. “I beg you, worry not, sweetheart. For, ‘tis truth, I will never touch you in any way that you do not wish, I give you my oath.”
Her frame trembled beneath his touch. When she finally spoke, it was with her hands still covering her face. “But, what if I want you to do things to me that are not normal? Truly, I am perverted, Daniel!”
Daniel’s smile was tender as he said, “What madness is this? You are
not
perverted—you are untouched, a virgin. There
is
a substantial difference.”
“Nay! I am perverted.” Her hands fell away from her face, but her gaze stretched ahead, into the darkness. “You are right to love the lady Jesslyn! My father will know how best to obtain an annulment. We must speak to him in all haste upon our arrival.”
Daniel’s stomach clenched. With a sharp shake of his head, he said, “Nay.” Then, more forcefully: “We will
not
have our marriage annulled. And I do not love Jesslyn—not in the way that you mean. I thought you understood that.” He gave her shoulders a light squeeze. “What happened back there, Maryn?”
She gave him no answer.
He turned her around to face him and, bringing her chin up with the tips of his fingers, forced her to look into his eyes. “What things, Maryn? What things do you want me to do that you fear are not normal?”
She jerked out of his embrace and turned away from him again. He could see how deeply distressed she was by the quick rise and fall of her shoulders as she breathed.
“I beg you, sweetheart, tell me what you fear. I’ll wager my sword
and
my war horse that ‘tis quite normal.”
That seemed to ease her, if ever so slightly, for her shoulders relaxed, tho’ she still said naught. That was fine, for he was a patient man, he could wait as long as was needed to receive her reply.
Her voice, when she finally spoke, was barely audible. Daniel had to strain to hear her. “Before, when you were kissing me and putting your tongue in my mouth…”
God, she was so unknowingly arousing, and yet so sweet. And he was now so painfully ready for her that he was in peril of erupting, even as they stood there. “When my tongue was in your mouth…?” he prompted, wanting, needing, to hear all of what she’d imagined them doing together.
His bride took in two very deep breaths before continuing. “I felt my heartbeat down…there. Oh, God! I cannot tell you!” Covering her face with her hands once more she groaned in humiliation.
Daniel came up to her then and turned her to face him before wrapping his arms around her. He stroked his fingers through the hair at the base of her neck and cradled her head in his hand, pressing her forehead against his chest before whispering against her ear, “And then what did you imagine me doing, Maryn? Tell me. Naught you say will shock me, nor will it make me dislike you, I swear it.”
“I wanted you to kiss my naked breasts, to suckle them as a babe does its mama,” she mumbled. Her forehead pressed hard against his chest. “‘Tis not normal!”
The fact that his erection jerked against his bride’s belly and she remained completely oblivious to it underscored to Daniel just how innocent she truly was. He’d need to tread very softly. “On the contrary, sweetheart, ‘tis quite normal. A man enjoys kissing a woman’s breasts—and I shall enjoy doing such to you, when you are ready for me to do so.” He kissed her cheek and then placed his hands on her shoulders to draw her back so that he could see her face. “In fact, I want you to give me a promise. Will you, Maryn?”
She sniffled and said, “Aye.”
“Will you give me your promise that you will tell me all the things you imagine me doing to you, or that you imagine doing to me?”
Her rapid pulse was visible under the smooth skin of her neck as she gaped up at him.
“I want you not to be afraid of what you are feeling. And if you do not understand what is happening, who better to explain it to you than your husband—the person who will one day be your lover?”
Knowing she would be just this embarrassed each time, but realizing he was right, that she needed him to help her understand these new feelings, Maryn answered, “Aye. I will tell you.”
Her husband kissed her then. Hard and long and passionately. He held her so tightly, her lungs could not take in air. And she kissed him back. He’d unknowingly given her permission to do the thing she’d been wanting to do for days. She kissed him.
*
They arrived at the Maclean holding three days later. Although her husband had been much more solicitous toward her during the remainder of the journey, Maryn was unable to stem her unease with regard to his continued closeness to the widow, for the two had spent time together as well along the way.
As they entered the courtyard, Maryn noticed her father standing with the other elders of the Donald clan, waiting to greet them. The Maclean elders were also in attendance and she was pleased to see that Lady Maclean, Daniel’s grandmother, was there as well. Apparently both clans intended to be represented upon the new Laird’s arrival.
Maryn looked over at Daniel to gauge his reaction, but was unable to read the expression on his face. Was he feeling at all anxious or uncertain about the task he’d committed to perform? In a flash of mental clarity, she at last grasped the incredible undertaking that he was expected to perform. She promised herself in that moment that she would not be the cause of any added worry to him, that she would be a help-meet to him, not an additional burden.
*
Daniel raised his hand in solute to all those waiting for them in the courtyard as several stablemen came over to take their horses. “I thought your mare liked no one else to handle her,” he remarked, surprised at the mare’s docile retreat.
“She’s visited these stables many times o’er the years and is familiar with the stablemen.”
Daniel nodded. Taking Maryn’s hand, he walked with her over to the assembled group, leaving Jesslyn and Alleck to follow behind. His stride was too long for his bride to keep up with and she stumbled. He slowed his pace, but kept his eyes focused forward, on the gathering of elders and the grandmother he’d seen only once so many years before.
She was thinner now and her hair had gone completely gray. Although she was still quite tall, there was a slight stoop to her shoulders that had not been there the last time they’d met. And she looked much too fragile.
*
As Lady Maclean walked toward her now-grown grandson, she eagerly studied him as well. His features were more mature, more rugged, than they’d been the last time she’d seen him. And he’d gained muscle along with a bit more height as well. Lord, but what a handsome devil he’d turned out to be. And by the avid way in which his young bride’s eyes continually returned to him, she knew the lass thought so as well.
*
Relieved to see that his grandmother’s gate was strong, Daniel smiled in greeting.
“My grandson has arrived at last,” she said brightly as she stopped before him. “Such joy have I felt these past days knowing that I would finally gaze upon your beautiful face once more.” Placing her hand on his upper arm, she turned him this way and that, saying, “Let me look at you.”
Daniel laughed, amused by her inspection. Clearly, she intended to see every angle of him. “Do I meet with your approval, then?”
“Aye, that you do, my fine lad,” she replied thickly, lifting her moist, joyous gaze up to his.
Seeing the love, the laughter, there—just as he’d seen all those years past, sent a warm surge of emotion through Daniel.
Home.
He was home now, he realized with some surprise. Then, seemingly of their own volition, his arms opened wide, and she unhesitatingly stepped into them. This, he now understood, was yet another reason to be very glad that he’d agreed to the contract.
*
Maryn was astonished by the transformation she saw in her husband; she had never before seen such joy on his countenance. And the undeniably deep affection he shared with his grandmother pleased her greatly as well, for she knew that he had lost the family to whom he’d been close as a lad. Now, he would share a home with his estranged grandmother, and he might just find a bit of heart’s ease in the doing of it.
Her husband’s arms wrapped more tightly around Lady Maclean. “Grandmother,” he said, his voice hoarse, “you are as slight as an arrow-slit. My arms could fit around you twice. Are you well?”
“Aye, lad, I’m quite fit. But I shall not be for long, if you do not allow me to breathe.” Then she returned his embrace with just as much force, giving falsehood to her claim.
Grinning from ear-to-ear, her husband kissed Lady Maclean’s damp cheek and reluctantly disengaged from her. “Know you my bride, Maryn?”
Lady Maclean enveloped Maryn in a familiar hug. “Aye, I am well acquainted with this sweet, mischievous lass.” Maryn felt her face flame, but grinned anyway. Pulling away, but still resting her hands on Maryn’s shoulders, Lady Maclean said, “‘Tis thrilled I am that I may now call you ‘granddaughter’.”
Grateful for the older woman’s generous and forgiving nature, Maryn bowed her head. “I thank you. And ‘tis pleased I am to be part of your family now as well.”
Just then, the lady Jesslyn, holding her son’s hand, stepped forward and stood beside Daniel.
Maryn tensed.
*
When Lady Maclean felt her new granddaughter’s shoulders stiffen beneath her palms, she followed the path of her gaze. A tall flaxen-haired beauty stood much too close to her grandson. Instantly realizing there was something amiss, she tucked her arm around Maryn and decided to have a private word with her later about the situation. With her head cocked in the direction of the new arrival, she gave Daniel a questioning look.
“My apologies, Grandmother. This is Jesslyn MacCreary. She and her son, Alleck, have come as our guests. Is there an empty cottage they might dwell in?”
Lady Maclean nodded. “We have a cottage that has been empty for some time that I believe will do quite well for your guests.” She acknowledged the woman then, saying, “‘Tis pleased I am to meet you. I’m sure you will find the cottage to your liking. It boasts a rather large front room and two small bedchambers, along with a good sized hearth for cooking.”
“I thank you, Lady Maclean. The cottage sounds wonderful. My son and I appreciate your generosity.”
“The long journey must surely have tired you. After we have given you refreshment, I shall show you to the cottage myself.”
“Aye, we are both quite weary.”