Seduction of a Highland Lass (22 page)

CHAPTER 27

Keeley was convinced that the birth of Mairin’s child was not only a blessed event in the McCabe clan but in heaven as well. In January, when winter was usually at its harshest, what could only be considered mild weather settled in just a fortnight before Lady McCabe’s birthing time.

It was as if the whole of the highlands waited with held breath for the appearance of the heir to Neamh Álainn.

Oh the weather was still cold to be sure, but the snows hadn’t fallen in weeks and the wind hadn’t howled. The sun seemed to shine brighter for the short period of the day it rose, and the nights didn’t seem quite so dark.

Mairin was becoming increasingly impatient. In the evenings, Keeley gathered with Maddie, Bertha, and Christina and they took turns entertaining Mairin to keep her mind from her impending delivery.

Even Ewan joined in and spent many an evening sitting with his wife in front of the fire in the great hall. ’Twas a relaxed time, and more and more Keeley felt a part of the McCabe clan.

Though she and Alaric were careful to keep public contact to a minimum, their nights were spent behind the closed doors of her chambers.

He’d come to her late, once all were abed, and he’d make sweet love to her until dawn’s rays spread across the sky.

After her illness, she hadn’t tried to deny him. She was powerless to. Oh, she knew their time was drawing to an end, and the thought instilled a fierce ache in the deepest recesses of her soul, but not for one moment would she regret being with him. It was a joy she’d carry with her all the days of her life.

This morning they stayed abed longer than usual. It was typical for Alaric to go quietly back to his chamber before the rest of the keep awakened, but today they lay and he traced lazy lines up and down her arm as she snuggled against his chest.

“I should rise,” he whispered before pressing his lips to her temple.

“Aye, you should.”

He remained still. “I find it harder and harder with each passing day to leave your arms.”

She closed her eyes against the ache and squeezed him to her a little tighter. ’Twas the truth she’d expected for him to grow tired of her after a few nights. She’d resigned herself to taking what he offered and not saying a word when he left her bed. But for the past weeks, he’d visited her bed with increasing frequency, until it was commonplace for him to spend every night with her.

“Do you train today?” she asked lightly.

He grunted. “Aye. And every day. ’Tis important not to grow fat and lazy in the winter. With Mairin’s day drawing nigh, the chance of attack grows stronger by the day.”

She sighed. “ ’Tis no way to live. Poor Mairin.”

They rested in silence for several more minutes before Alaric turned and captured her lips in a hungry, carnal kiss. It caught her by surprise and before she could muster a response, he rolled, fitting himself between her legs.

There was no gentleness. Where before he was infinitely patient and loving, now he was urgent and demanding. It reminded her of the night when he’d commanded her complete obedience and had taken her over and over.

His cock slid over her entrance and then stabbed deep. She gasped at the overwhelming fullness and her eyes went wide at the savage look in his gaze. He was fierce. A predator intent on his prey.

Reaching down, he grasped the undersides of her legs and yanked upward, the motion seating himself fully within her.

Her fingers gripped his shoulders, her nails digging as he moved over her, his body covering hers completely.

His breaths came harsh, the sound explosive in her ears. “I can never get enough of you. I tell myself one more time. Just once. And it’s never enough. It’ll never be enough.”

Her heart went soft at the pain in his voice. She’d spent so much time dwelling on her own despair and dread for when they were to be parted; she hadn’t considered that he, too, was full of regret.

She reached for his face, cupping his strong jaw before pulling him down until his mouth was a mere breath from hers. She traced the lines of his cheekbone, feathering down to his mouth and chin.

“I love you,” she whispered. “I told myself I wouldn’t make it hard, that I’d never breathe those words. But ’tis harder for me to go without saying them. I need to give them to you.”

His breath caught and anguish flooded his eyes. He stilled within her and gazed down at her with such emotion that tears pricked at her lids. When he started to open his mouth she pressed a finger to his lips.

“Don’t say anything. ’Tis no need. I feel the very heart of you inside me, surrounding me. I carry you with me everywhere I go. Do not speak of forbidden things between us. Let it remain my sin alone.”

He crushed her to him and rolled until she was atop him. He kissed her breathlessly, her mouth, her cheek, her eyes, and back down to her chin.

They took each other desperately, feeding as if starved, loving as if this would be their last time together. She knew not what fed the urgency, but she didn’t fight it.

“Ride me,” he whispered. “Take me. Make me yours, lass. Let me hold you in my arms and watch you fly. There’s not a more beautiful sight.”

Swallowing the knot in her throat, she pressed her palms to his chest and began moving over him, sensuously, watching his every expression as she took him deep inside her body.

His eyes glittered and became half-lidded, smoky with desire, and his lips curved into a satisfied smile.

Aye, he was hers. Her warrior. No one could ever take that from her. Another woman might bear his name and his children, but she would own his heart just as he would always own hers.

The power in his body mesmerized her. Every ripple and bulge of his muscles, the broad plane of his chest and the taut surface of his belly. He was all male, all hard, all beautiful.

She hoisted herself upward and then leaned her head down to run her tongue up the middle of his chest. He tensed and held his breath when she nibbled a path to his neck. She nipped playfully and then sank her teeth into the thickly corded column below his ear.

With a groan, he wrapped his arms around her and dragged her down, bucking his hips and driving deep into her softness.

“I love you. I love you.”

It was a litany on her lips, a song from the depths of her soul. Tears swam and slipped down her cheeks as she gathered him in her arms.

His arms slipped around her body like bands of steel. They held tightly to each other as the storm swelled around them. Her release, when it came, was sweet and tender, not the tumultuous tide it had been so many times before.

Bittersweet and aching, it flooded her body, tightening until she came apart into a million tiny pieces.

As she came down, she became aware of him stroking her back, his fingers running through her hair as he murmured softly in her ear.

She lay atop him for a long moment, cuddled in his arms as he continued to stroke her. She knew it was late. Far later than they’d dared before. He would have to go soon.

As if following her thoughts, Alaric stirred beneath her. He gripped her and rolled until he was once more atop her, still buried deeply in her body.

He stared down at her, his eyes earnest and dark. “I love you too, Keeley. If I can give you nothing else, let me give you these words.”

She bit the inside of her lip to prevent more tears from sliding down her cheeks. Instead she kissed him, just one reverent, loving kiss to his lips.

“You must go now,” she whispered. “Before we are found.”

“Aye. Lay here awhile and rest. If Mairin has need of you, I’ll send someone for you. Until then, enjoy the rest.”

She smiled and pulled the furs up as he slid from her body and backed from the bed. He dressed in silence and then left the room, pausing at the doorway for a long, heated glance back in her direction.

It was only after he’d long gone from her chamber, that she realized he’d spilled his seed inside her.

She closed her eyes, hopeful and dreading all at once. She had no wish for a child of hers to ever bear the stigma of being a bastard, but at the same time, she knew that if she were to become pregnant, it would be the only child she’d ever bear.

She rolled onto her side and clutched the covers tightly to her breast. “I don’t know what to do,” she whispered tearfully. “I love him. I want him. I want his children and yet all those things are forbidden me.”

She closed her eyes and allowed the hot tears to disappear into the covers. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t cry. That she’d be brave when the time came. But more and more she knew she was deluding herself. For when it came time for Alaric to marry another, it would destroy her.

CHAPTER 28

Keeley took her time dressing. She was in no hurry to go belowstairs and allow the dreamlike haze that surrounded her to evaporate once she greeted reality.

She hummed softly to herself as she braided her hair and then she straightened the furs on her bed. After giving the pillow a final pat, she turned and exited the chamber.

’Twas positively late, and she allowed herself a lusty yawn as she descended the stairs. It was a good day to stay indoors and enjoy the company of the other women. Mairin was becoming increasingly more restless as the days went by.

She was three steps from the bottom when the noise from the hall filtered to her ears. Frowning, she braced her hand against the wall and peered around to see what was about.

“Laird McDonald approaches our gates,” the herald announced as Ewan stood before him.

Keeley gasped and faltered down the remaining steps. She stood rigid as she stared across the room to where Alaric stood with his brothers receiving the news.

“He brings his daughter and asks that you receive him in good faith.”

Ewan nodded at the messenger. “Aye, tell him he may pass. I’ll greet him in the courtyard.”

He turned and barked out several orders. Serving women scattered in all directions as they set about preparing the table for refreshment.

Keeley stared numbly at Alaric, feeling as if her entire world had crumbled at her feet. Then he looked up and caught her stare.

His gaze was raw and expressed all the turmoil that rolled within her.

She should be strong. She should be a better person. She should be able to stand tall as if she didn’t have a care in the world. She was none of those things. She couldn’t face her childhood friend or the man who’d attacked her. She couldn’t face the woman who would have the man she loved.

Covering her mouth to squelch the mounting sob, she whirled and fled back up the stairs.

Alaric watched Keeley rush back up the stairs and he turned away, not trusting himself not to go after her.

“What is McDonald doing here?” he hissed. “He isn’t supposed to be here until closer to spring, after Mairin’s child is delivered.”

“I don’t know,” Ewan said grimly. “I intend to find out. ’Tis possible he received a missive from our king as well. He would be eager to do his bidding.”

Alaric dragged a hand through his hair. The noose was tightening around his neck. Maybe he’d been living in denial of his reality. He’d pushed thoughts of his marriage to Rionna from his mind, content to savor each night in Keeley’s arms.

Now … now his future was upon him, and Keeley was part of his past.

“ ’Tis better to have done with it,” Ewan murmured.

He cringed at the sympathy in Ewan’s voice and the disgust on Caelen’s face. Alaric straightened his stance and pushed back his anguish.

“Let us go greet him,” he said quietly.

Ewan tucked Mairin’s hand in his and then pulled her into his embrace. “Wait here, sweeting, where ’tis warm and you’re comfortable. Have the women attend you and stay off your feet.”

He rubbed his hand over her burgeoning belly and kissed her one last time before he turned to Alaric.

Mairin frowned unhappily in Alaric’s direction as he and his brothers left the hall to go greet the McDonalds.

The entire way out, Alaric wondered how he could pretend not to loathe the bastard. How was he supposed to stand in front of the man, embrace him and his clan, promise to care for his daughter, and assume the mantle of leadership when McDonald stepped down?

He wanted to spit in his eye and run him through with a sword on the spot. What kind of man preyed on a young girl barely past the cusp of womanhood? Who allowed her to shoulder the blame for his lust and be cast out of her clan by a jealous wife?

He couldn’t dwell on the matter because his fury mounted with each breath.

“Ease your expression,” Caelen murmured. “You look murderous.”

“ ’Tis disgraceful what he did to Keeley.”

Caelen’s brows drew together. The brothers stopped just inside the open gateway to await the approach of the McDonald riders.

“What is this you speak of?” Caelen demanded.

Alaric shook his head. “ ’Tis not your matter.”

“Still, I would know what manner of man he is before I blindly ally myself with him,” Caelen responded.

“ ’Tis not him you ally yourself with,” Ewan cut in. “ ’Tis your brother for he will be laird.” He glanced sharply at Alaric as he spoke. “I know you care for Keeley, but much rides on this alliance. Pull yourself together lest war be declared.”

Ewan took a step forward as the McDonald riders appeared over the hillside in the distance. When Alaric would have done so himself, Caelen caught him by the arm and pulled him back.

“What do you speak of?”

Alaric’s nostrils flared and his lips tightened. “He molested her when she was but a girl barely grown. His wife came upon them before he could rape her but cried her a whore and had her cast from the clan. She’s been on her own ever since.”

Caelen went silent. His jaw twitched, but he said nothing, as he stared ahead to the approaching riders.

Alaric took in a deep breath as McDonald and his daughter rode up side by side. She was first to slide from her saddle, and his brow rose when he saw that she was dressed in men’s attire. ’Twas scandalous for a woman to be dressed thusly, and yet she didn’t appear to have a care over the matter.

She boldly met his gaze, her golden eyes glinting in the sun.

Gregor McDonald dismounted with a grunt and pressed his lips together in displeasure as he approached his daughter.

“Ewan,” he greeted with a nod of acknowledgment.

“Gregor,” Ewan returned.

“You’ve met my daughter. Have a good look at the woman you wed with, Alaric,” Gregor tossed in Alaric’s direction.

“Rionna,” Alaric said as he bowed his head respectfully.

Rionna offered an awkward curtsy in return then glanced over to where Caelen and Ewan stood.

Knowing it was expected of him to court the lass while she was here—nay, until they married—he extended his hand to her.

For a moment she stared back at him with genuine confusion before her cheeks colored and she slipped her hand into his. He pulled it to his lips and brushed his lips across her knuckles.

“ ’Tis my pleasure, my lady.”

She cleared her throat and pulled her hand back, her discomfort keen.

“My lady wife is eager to see you again, Rionna,” Ewan said. “She waits inside. Her time is near and she rests, but she wished me to convey her desire for you to go to her at your leisure.”

“Thank you. I’m eager to see her again,” Rionna said in a low voice. She glanced uncomfortably at Alaric again before walking past him toward the entrance to the keep.

Ewan turned to Gregor as soon as Rionna disappeared within. He stood, arms crossed as he stared down at the older man.

“You sent no word of your arrival. It was my understanding you were coming closer to spring after Mairin had delivered our babe.”

Gregor had the grace to look discomfited by Ewan’s bluntness. “With the break in the weather, it only made sense to make our journey sooner. ’Tis possible if the weather worsens, we wouldn’t be able to make the journey until the spring, and I wished to seal our alliance at the first opportunity.”

He blew out his breath and looked uneasily at Ewan. “I hear rumor that Cameron is gathering men and that he allies himself with Malcolm. David doesn’t have the strength to win a war against the combined force of Malcolm
and
Cameron. If Cameron turns his sights on my lands or those of the neighboring clans, we won’t be able to hold up under his might. An alliance is our only chance to defeat him.

“ ’Tis the truth, Ewan, that the whole of the highlands holds their breath in anticipation of the heir to Neamh Álainn. That holding is at the heart of our stronghold. With the McCabes in control, we form an impenetrable wall that even Cameron will be unable to defeat.”

Alaric listened to the laird’s words with a sinking heart. ’Twas true, all of it. His marriage to Rionna was crucial, for not only did it seal an alliance between the McDonalds and the McCabes, but it would pull neighboring clans into that alliance. Clans that were otherwise afraid to defy Cameron—or choose the wrong side of the battle for the throne.

“Then you’ve come because you want the marriage soon.”

Gregor nodded. “As soon as it can be arranged.”

“Rionna is agreeable to this?” Ewan asked.

Gregor’s lips twisted. “She is my daughter. She knows her duty. She will agree.”

Ewan cast a long look at Alaric, almost as if he could reach inside his brother’s head and pluck out his thoughts. Alaric hated that look. Hated knowing his brother pitied him.

“Are you willing, Alaric?” Ewan asked quietly.

Alaric swallowed. At his sides, his fingers curled slowly into tight balls. Then he looked up at his future father by marriage—a man from whom he’d take over the position of laird.

It was the hardest words he’d ever speak, but his brother, his king, Mairin, his clan … they were all depending on him.

And so he spoke the words that would force the woman he loved from his life.

“Aye. I’m willing.”