The Country Wife (13 page)

His hands were busy on her, plucking at her nipples, skimming over her belly, exploring the moist nubbin of her clitoris and the secret well beyond. His fingers dipped deep inside her, moving against her, arousing her until she moaned and caught her bottom lip between her teeth. He rose and trailed a line of kisses down her belly to her core where he laved her clitoris with his tongue, tasting her, teasing her until she cried out with need.

When she whimpered, he spread her knees wide so she was helplessly open to him when he plunged into her, sundering her shivering flesh with his cock, so she writhed and wrapped her legs around him. He moved against her and she used her legs and hips to join his rhythm, her heels pressing into his buttocks urgently. He pressed against her, his weight resting on his arms, his face growing dark with his rushing climax. Then she felt him pulse within her, felt his seed spill into her waiting chamber as she tightened around his penis. He cried out and arched his back and her cries mingled with his.

She couldn’t breathe. For an eternity, she was suspended in time and space, caught in this miracle between them. Then slowly, the world began to turn again. The sound of the wind in the trees returned to her. Callum collapsed half on her, his body heaving with the need to draw his own breath. His heart hammered against her chest, and she felt its beat echoed within her. They were one. Lilli felt a joy such as she’d never known. Clasping Callum to her, she stared into the darkness and knew this night they had truly been bonded, for this night they had made a son. She hugged the knowledge in that secret womanly place and smiled. When she woke, the sounds of the rising camp reminded her that today, Callum would ride into battle to regain his land and titles—the land and titles that he would pass on to their son one day.

She looked at the sleeping man beside her, felt his warmth and strength and thanked God again for this special blessing.

Chapter Thirteen

They rose before dawn, clansmen and their women and children, working silently and efficiently in the half dark. In no time, the wagons were packed, the horses hitched or saddled and they moved forward. Quiet lay over the mountains and no one broke the mood. Only the creak of leather and wagon wheel denoted their passing.

Lilli rode beside Callum, Rose sleeping in a tartan sling across her chest. When they crested a hill, Lilli looked back and was astounded at the number of men and women who followed Callum. Only then she realized the full extent of his position. He was their new laird and they’d pledged themselves to him.

By the time the last shadows of dawn had burned away, they were out of the mountains, moving swiftly now. Again, Lilli noted the silence of the whole column and realized they must be nearing Alister Castle. The faces of the men and women had grown bleak and hard, set with purpose. Before the sun had reached its zenith, they had arrived and for the first time, Lilli glimpsed her new home. The castle spread out before them, its walls surrounding the small village, its towers rising proudly toward the cloudless sky. A small loch sparkled, gem like against the green of the highland meadow. It was beautiful and she felt her heart contract to think that Callum would rule with her at his side. Rose stirred and Lilli held her up.

“Look, wee Rose, ‘tis our home. We’ll be safe here.” But even as she uttered the words, she wondered if they would prove true.

“They’re waiting for us,” said Blair, a bear-like man with a gentle way about him in spite of his gruff manner.

He was one of the minor chieftains and appeared to have won Callum’s trust. Lilli had discovered Blair was also Evina’s husband. Now Blair lowered his spyglass and handed it over to Callum who placed to one eye and studied the castle walls.

“Aye, they’re expecting us,” he said, returning the instrument to Blair. “Get the men into formation, women and children on yonder ridge where they’ll be safe.”

“Formation!” Blair bawled out his orders and they were repeated back along the lines.

The disciplined ranks broke apart as men began to see to their families and take their place in the ranks. From the ridge where they were shunted, Lilli and the other women and children huddled together and watched as the men went about the business of war.

The castle looked impregnable, with its gates closed and the moat bridge raised. Despite their large force of men, Lilli wondered if they could take the castle. She feared there’d be much bloodshed and the thought was reflected in the faces of nearly every woman there.

Weapons drumming their shields in a thunderous show of force, Callum and his warriors rode across the meadow, the shrill challenge of their Highland yell adding to the frightening spectacle. They fell silent as they reached the moat and lined up facing the castle. The sudden quietness more ominous than the battle sounds they’d made.

From where they watched, the women could hear the shouts of exchange between the men lining the parapets and Callum’s forces, but not the words that were said. Suddenly, pandemonium seemed to break out along the wall. The bridge began to lower and the gates were thrown open. Callum and a team of warriors quickly rode into the castle. The women looked at each other with widened eyes. Silence fell as they waited. Now and then a death cry rang out from the castle itself, but still the largest part of Callum’s warriors waited outside. Finally, a signal was given and a cheer went up from the waiting men.

People ran from the castle and across the bridge, their arms raised above their heads. At first, Lilli thought they’d been taken prisoner until she realized they were greeting the MacAlister forces.

Suddenly, two men broke away from the crowd of people and galloped across the meadow toward them.

“Something’s happened,” Evina said.

“But what?” Lilli asked, unable to believe what her eyes were telling her. The men had nearly reached them now, and they rushed forward.

“It’s over,” the warriors called. “It’s safe to join us now. The castle is ours.”

“But how did you do it so quickly?” Evina asked incredulously.

“The people in the castle laid down their arms and refused to fight. Seeing they had help outside, they lowered the gate to us. Robert Lister didn’t have enough of his own men to fight and win, so he’s surrendered.”

“It can’t be that easy,” Lilli cried joyously.

“Aye, m’lady, we thought so too, but it’s true. The clan had enough of Robert Lister and turned on him.”

With the two soldiers’ help, they soon had the wagons rolling across the meadow and into the outer bailey of the castle. A sense of celebration prevailed. The village people rushed to welcome the new comers. All was laughter and exaltation.

“Lilli.” Callum called to her and pushed his way through the crowd to take her mount’s bridle and guide her to the steps leading to the castle itself. He helped her alight and climb the steps to the platform at the door. There he paused and the crowd grew silent, their faces expectant as they waited for him speak.

“I want to thank you for your help this day. Without it, much more blood would have been spilled. My hope is that we can live in peace and prosperity in the years ahead. My lady wife and I pledge ourselves to the good of our clan. You may come to us for any need you have and be confident that I shall be a fair and honest leader.” A cheer went up. Callum held up his hands to quiet them.

“Today, we celebrate our new alliance. There will be food and drink for a great feast and a new beginning.” Again the cheers sounded. Callum turned to Lilli.

“M’lady,” he said with a loving smile and gesture. “Welcome to your new home.”

“Oh, Callum,” she whispered through her tears.

“You and Rose are safe now,” he said, putting an arm around her shoulders and leading her inside her new home.

But were they safe? Lilli asked herself that several times over the next few days. After the excitement had died down and they began to take up the semblance of a normal routine, she found herself wondering. Callum had overcome his enemy, but somewhere out there a man with a hard, cruel face might still be searching for Edward’s child.

She tried not to let her fears spoil the delight of her new life with Callum. A clergyman had come to the castle and was enlisted to legitimize their bonds of marriage. A feast had been arranged and all the lesser chiefs and their wives attended. Rose was shown off to all and no questions were asked as to her parentage. Life settled into a pleasing routine.

One day, a band of riders rode into the bailey and Lilli was summoned. From a window, she stared as an old enemy alighted from his horse and cast a measuring glance around the courtyard. Archibald Campbell! Lilli’s blood ran cold. Her greatest fears had been realized. He’d found them. She remembered his vow that every trace of Edward MacGregor would be wiped from the earth. He wouldn’t hesitate to kill Rose.

Suddenly, Callum appeared, every inch the laird of the castle. Lilli watched silently as the men exchanged greetings.

“Send him away,” she prayed silently.

But Callum led the man into the great hall and ordered food and drink be brought. The two men settled before the great fireplace. The Campbell men sat at the long table where servants hastened to bring food and drink. Lilli hid in the curve of the spiral stairs and listened.

“What brings you so far north?” Callum asked, taking the cups of wine from the servant and passing one to his guests.

“I’ve been in search of a woman and a child.”

“What is her name? Perhaps I may assist you.”

“I’m not sure of her name. She was a servant for a daughter of my neighbor, Lady Jane MacDougall.”

“Wouldn’t she be with Lady Jane then?” Callum asked, sipping his wine.

“Lady Jane is dead, and the woman is missing as is Lady Jane’s newborn child.” Archibald stretched his feet toward the fire. “She’s kidnapped the child, and we worry about its safety.”

“Would not Laird MacDougall be the one to search for his grandchild?” Callum asked.

“I’m afraid he’s unable to. He sustained a wound in battle, which has not yet healed. I swore I would find the child for him and the woman who’s taken it, of course.”

“Of course,” Callum nodded and turned to a servant. “Tell Lady MacAlister we have a guest and I request her presence.”

He turned back to Archibald.

“So what do you intend to do with the woman and child?” he asked mildly.

“Well, she will be punished, of course, probably hanged for her crime and as for the child,” he shrugged, “I hope it lives.”

“I see,” Callum said and rose as Lilli descended the stairs and joined them. “Ahh, here is my wife.”

“Lady MacAlister.” Archibald bowed over her hand. “It is a great honor to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Lilli said, inclining her head slightly. When she’d heard Callum summon her, her heart had beat frantically with terror, but soon her panic had subsided and she understood what he was doing. She must show courage and appear as the great lady of the new laird. Head high, she’d descended the stairs and faced her greatest enemy.

“Will you sup with us, Sir Archibald before continuing your journey?” She motioned to the head of the table where places had been set and even now servants were bringing platters of food.

“By God, I will,” Archibald said and followed her to his place.

Callum met Lilli’s gaze, and he smiled in approval. Food was served, and their guest ate heartily, with few manners and no conversation. When at last he pushed aside his plate and rubbed his belly, he laughed heartily.

“You remind me of all I’ve missed this past year, Lady MacAlister,” he said. “‘Tis time to put aside all that has past and take a wife for myself.”

“Have you anyone in mind?” Lilli queried.

“Aye, she’s a fine enough lass. No beauty, mind you, but she brings a dowry of land and riches unsurpassed by most.”

“Will she have you, Sir Archibald?” Lilli couldn’t help puncturing the pompous man’s show of ego.

“What? Of course, she will,” he said with some annoyance and rose. “I’m sorry to be off, but I must.”

“Of course, we understand.” The nursemaid appeared, carrying Rose in her arms. The baby was flushed from her nap and looked around the noisy hall with interest.

“Our daughter,” Callum said, and Lilli couldn’t resist taking her into her arms and turning to Archibald.

“Yes, yes, she’s a beauty,” he said impatiently, barely glancing at the child. “But no sons, MacAlister?”

“Not yet, but we’re working on it.”

“Good, good,” Archibald said, running from the hall.

His men followed immediately, and in no time, the hall was emptied. Smiling, Lilli sat at the table and fed Rose tidbits from her plate. Callum returned and swung the child into the air. Rose squealed with delight then he glanced at Lilli.

“Well, Lady MacAlister, I think we should retire to our chambers and work on a brother for this young lady.”

“Aye, I think you’re right, m’laird.” They climbed the stairs together.

“Lord Archibald seemed quite uninterested in Rose or in her mother,” Callum observed, smiling down at Lilli.

“Thank you, my love, for helping me face down my last enemy.”

“It had to be done,” he said, “or you’d spend the rest of your days worried about him. You’re safe, Lilli.”

“As you promised me I would be. Now, for some of your other promises.”

Callum laughed and handed Rose to her nursemaid, who whisked her off to the nursery. Callum swept Lilli up in his arms and kicked open the door to their chambers. Crossing to their bed, he tossed her onto the soft mattress and bent over her, his eyes smoldering with the fires of desire. Lilli raised her arms and welcomed him into her embrace.

“I must tell you, my husband, that you’ve already fulfilled one of your promises,” Lilli said, observing him with some amusement.

He paused with one leg half out of his brais and stood balancing himself, waiting.

“I already carry your child. Evina confirmed it this morning.”

“I wish I’d known that fact earlier,” he replied, shaking his leg free of his brais. “I would have informed Sir Archibald of that very fact.”