The Highlander's Warrior Bride (13 page)

“Ye do the same to me.” She
flicked her tongue out to tease his.

“Dinna ye understand? If we dinna stop, I will take ye.”

“Please,” she murmured.

“But that is only the right of your husband.”

Julianna leaned back and locked eyes with him once more. “First of all, warrior, I am not married and I dinna plan to be. Second, ye willna be the first man I’ve made love to.”

Shock ricocheted through Ronan’s body. “What?”

“Which part?”

“Well, both.”

Her teeth shone in the moonlight when she grinned. “Ah. I seem to have shocked your senses. A first for ye? I feel a sense of accomplishment.”

“You’re a wench.”

Julianna laughed again, toyed with his hair. “My duty is to Scotland. My brother willna allow me to marry and I’ve no interest.”

“Your brother? Who is he?”

She rubbed her nose against his. “No one ye need concern yourself with right now.”

“But I may have need to concern myself with him later.”

“Then I will gladly bring ye to him.”

Ronan frowned. “And the other? Who dared to claim what wasn
’t theirs?”

Julianna snuck in a kiss, her tongue toying with his and he nearly forgot they were talking as stimulating sensation filled him once more.

“Tell me,” he said against her mouth.

“’Twas not more than a squire a couple years ago.”

“Lucky bastard,” Ronan said with a chuckle. “Even still, I canna.”

He respected her, wanted more for her than a heady coupling in the woods.

“Then we’d best be on our way to the village.” Julianna’s voice was filled with disappointment, even a little rejection. She slipped from his arms, and smoothed her skirts.

He didn’t want her to feel that way. If the circumstances were different, he’d have taken her already. Nearly had. But Ronan refused to be another notch in her bedpost—one that didn’t offer her what she deserved, which was commitment. Hell, if he’d gone through with the deed just now he would have demanded a meeting with her brother, and then begged for her hand. Would have been the right thing to do, even if neither of them wanted to marry.

True, they were suited for one another. He could count on her to have his back and vice versa. They made a good team. He didn’t need to convince himself of that. And he was damned attracted to her. More so than he should have been.

“My
lady, I—”

She held up her hand, stopping him. “Dinna say a word, Ronan. I was caught up in the moment as were ye.” She spread her arms out. “Look what just happened? We were caught between five men. ’Tis easy to see that the both of us were overcome with emotion.”

Was she so easily able to brush off their encounter? ’Twas almost offensive, save for the way her eyes darted about. The way she refused to lock onto his gaze. She was avoiding him. The first sign of someone lying. Well good. He didn’t want to be only one so affected by their kiss, by everything.

“Aye,” he agreed. “Let us ride then.”

“Might I have a nip of that whisky first?”

A damned fine idea. Ronan pulled the flask from his satchel and handed it to her. Still
, she avoided his gaze, went out of her way not to touch him by tossing the corked flask back. Ronan took a long draw, realizing the flask was nearly empty. They’d better find Ross and make him suffer before the night was through, else he’d need to stop for a refill of whisky, and no one made better whisky than Cook.

Chapter Thirteen

J
ulianna watched Ronan guzzle the last of the whisky. While she wanted to begrudge him the luxury, it was
his
flask and she’d no claim to it. Besides, the last time she’d taken more than one sip from his flask she’d ended up naked and plastered to him. Not that she was faring much better sober.

Her thigh still burned where he’d grasped her. Nipples were still hard and the one he’d touched tingled. Lips were another story all together. Her body was a traitor.

They mounted up and continued on as though nothing untoward had happened—neither the skirmish nor the kiss.

Julianna preferred it that way. Talking wasn’t somethin
g she could readily do. Just wasn’t any good at it. And it made her uncomfortable to share her feelings. So why did she keep stealing glances at Ronan? Watching the way he gripped the reins, the way his thighs flexed against his horse’s body? Why did she wish they traveled during the day so she could study him in more detail?

Because she was a fool.

Only fools wished for things they couldn’t have. But what was it, exactly, that she wanted?

Julianna couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Wasn’t ready to accept that the moment she’d first seen Ronan, the second he’d kissed her, she was forever changed. If she gave that notion another thought then she’d be worrying over whether Ronan felt the same thing, and if a future together was even a remote possibility.

Oh, who was she kidding? Those very thoughts were already circulating in her mind.

Stealing another glance his way, she chewed on her lip. A few more minutes and they’d be in the village.

“What is amiss?” Ronan asked, giving her a sideways glance. “I can see ye looking at me.”

“I’m nay looking at ye.”

“Then why do your eyes keep turning this way?”

Julianna suppressed a smile by biting her cheek. “Ye’re mistaken. The darkness is playing tricks on ye.”

“I’m accustomed to seeing in the dark.”

“Then ye might want to re
-accustom yourself.”

Ronan chuckled. “Ye’ve a mouth on ye, I’ll give ye that.”

“I willna take anything ye’ve got to give.”

“Come now, I meant no offense.”

“I’m nay offended.” She shrugged, playing nonchalant.

Ronan stopped his horse, took hold of her reins forcing her to stop as well.
He waited to speak until she looked at him, and when she did she almost sighed. The man was too handsome for her own good.

“Look, ’tis obvious ye’ve something on your mind. Why not share it now so that we go into the village with clear heads.”

Julianna clamped her lips closed and stared at him. If he wanted this to be a battle of wills, so be it. She’d never share the things she’d been thinking. Especially not with him. Fanciful notions. That’s all they were.

Ronan let go of her reins
and ran his hand through his hair, scrubbed it over his face. The move was something she’d come to see him do when he was thinking hard about something he wanted to say. She chose to wait patiently for him to speak. Silence spanned between them for several heartbeats.

“I’ve not been handling—” He stopped and took a deep breath. “Ye are a lady. I think.”

Julianna rolled her eyes. “Aye.”

“Though ye are a kitchen servant.”

“Aye.”

“’Tis a front.”

“Aye.” She’d never told anyone this much before. ’Twas not as terrifying as she thought it would be.

“Well, then. Ye are a lady, and a man should not take such liberties with a lady, unless he is—”

Julianna waved her hand, dismissing his words. “We’ve already established I have no husband and most likely willna.”

His eyes remained fixed on hers and he didn’t speak for a few moments.
Drawing his brow together, he asked, “Why?”

“I already explained that,” she said, slightly exasperated.

Ronan shrugged. “I know. But, ’tis just, ye are a verra passionate woman. A strong, intelligent woman. A prize for any man.”

His words brought unwanted tears to prick the backs of her eyes. “But ye forget something, Ronan. I’m a warrior. No Highlander wants a warrior bride.”

A flash of something crossed his face, but in the darkness, she could not quite make out what it was before his face was once more clear.

“I think ye’re wrong,” he said softly.

Julianna laughed, trying to cover her emotions with mirth. “Then ye’ve been removed from reality for far too long.”

Ronan frowned in earnest. “And ye do not give yourself enough credit.”

Julianna straightened her spine, feeling his disapproval keenly. “I give myself credit where ’tis due. I’m not one to linger in fancyland.”

“Lass, ye dinna understand.” His voice was gravelly, like his words were getting caught in his throat.
“I said ye were a prize.”

There was no use in arguing with him, he didn’t understand what she was saying, and she didn’t want to read into the words he was saying. Julianna bowed her head and graciously said, “Thank ye.”

Though most of her training had been as a warrior, Julianna was still taught how to behave like a lady and when given a compliment a lady always gave her thanks.

“Ye’re welcome.”

Hoping that he was finished, she nudged Brave forward.

“Wait, ye have not told me what was bothering ye.”

If he was willing to tell her he thought she was a prize—however harebrained an idea it was—she could certainly give him an answer.

Stilling her horse, she turned back to him and lied, stra
ight-faced. “I was wondering how many men we’d encounter in the village. We easily took down five this eve, but we will no doubt come across more than that.”

Ronan’s face fell, his lips curling down slightly. No doubt he’d hoped for something more from her, since he’d been willing to put his mind out there, but Julianna was not ready to open up. Already he knew too
much. Any more and she’d be putting him in danger, not to mention her own heart.

There was a subtle shift in the way Ronan sat his horse. He stiffened, seemed taller. Julianna could tell he was putting a protective wall around himself. Just as she’d done. There were so many things they had in common it was almost tragic they couldn’t pursue their obvious desires. Well, actually he wouldn’t pursue them. As wanton as it was, Julianna had been completely ready to lift her skirts. To her, making love with Ronan was not only something she wanted to do to
quell the physical burn that ignited whenever he was near, but also to quell the emotions racing rampant in her mind. She hoped to put herself at ease by giving in to at least one thing, if she couldn’t have the whole of him.

The squire hadn’t been a lie. She had given
him her virginity. But she’d been in love. Even thought she was pregnant for a few scary weeks. Turned out to be a false alarm. Her woman’s cycle had never been regular. The incident had been enough to scare her away from Ben forever. He’d been heart broken, and so had she. The lad had probably gotten into his head there could be something between them. That they’d been in love. That said love would conquer all.

Foolish notions of two young, naïve people.

Julianna knew better now.

Ronan was the first man she’d offered herself to after Ben. When he
rejected her, she felt the pain of it acutely. Hadn’t expected it. Didn’t all men dream of a lass lifting their skirts willingly? Ronan was known to be quite a rogue, at least that was what she’d heard whispered amongst the staff. She was fairly confident there was not another warrior named Ronan within Robert’s camp.

Either he spoke the truth and was far more admirable than she’d given him credit for, or it was her. She repulsed him somehow. He’d seen her naked behind. Perhaps he preferred a softer woman. Her physique was not exactly what could be called womanly.
Boyish, mannish even.

“We’ll assess the village afore we make any moves,” Ronan said, his voice taking on a practical tone. “If Ross is not there, no need for us to alert the overlord
, his cousin, or scare any of the villagers.”

“A sound plan.”
Julianna cleared her throat. “And if he is there?”

“We take him out.”

“And fight off those who surround us?”

“Nay. We’ll inform
his cousin of Ross’ treachery, remind him of his duty to Scotland and ask for his assistance. Pray that his cousin respects his own hide more than his blood. Ye are right, we canna take them out by ourselves.”

Julianna nodded. However much she
’d borne Ronan’s rejection, why was she now getting the feeling that he was the one feeling spurned?

She had to get it together. Her mind was so clouded with Ronan she wasn’t thinking straight. An easy target was what she
would become if she didn’t settle her mind. Ronan out. Duty in. She repeated the notion in her mind over and over as they continued on the path, exiting the woods and leading their horses onto the dirt-packed road. The wind blew gentler than it had the night before, almost a soft, cool caress against her burning skin. Stars filled the skies, and the moon was not nearly as full as the previous night. Not a cloud in sight, as though the storm from yesterday never happened. The weather was so unpredictable. Much like a man.

Julianna grinned at the
thought as she gazed toward the village. The buildings dotted the land like black blobs, each with its own shining golden light seeping through windows. Swirls of silver smoke caught the moonlight and curled from their rooftops as everyone had a fire in their hearths.

The manor house was substantially larger, yet not as impressive as one of the many castles she’d seen. Was Ross ensconced inside? His feet curled up before a fire, wine in one hand and a wench in the other. The image made her snarl. The devil-man was
probably making that poor wench’s life hell.

No matter, Julianna would put him out of his misery soon enough. Glancing at Ronan he gave her a nod and they urged their horses into faster gaits. Though dusk fell early, most people would soon be climbing into their beds if they weren’t there already. If they showed up too late they would only be turned away.

They reached the wooden gates of the village easily enough. One guard stood atop, and gazed down at them with leery eyes.

“We are hoping for shelter,” Ronan called up.

“And who might ye be?”

“Just two travelers looking for a warm bed. We’ll cause ye no trouble. We’d be glad even for a straw bed in the stable, if there is nothing else.”

The guard grunted. “Ye look a little too well to be just a traveler.”

Ronan laughed. “
I am well. We travel to see my brother.”

“Who is your brother?”

“No one ye’d know. He lives in the Lowlands.”

“Far away from home?”

“Aye. Married a wealthy farmer’s daughter, but had to promise him labor in return.”

How easily he made up a story. Not even a single tell-tale hint that he was lying.

The guard laughed at Ronan’s story. “Poor bastard. Are ye going to offer up your labor there as well?”

“That and my wife’s,” he said, hooking his thumb in Julianna’s direction.

Once again she was made to be his wife. She had to lower her head so the guard didn’t notice the flash of anger in her eyes.

“Well, then I suppose we could offer ye shelter for the night seeing as how ye’ll be worked to the bone for the remainder of your sorry life.”

“Our thanks.”

Did the guard realize how much his words sunk into Julianna’s mind?
Well, obviously no. The man didn’t know them from Adam. Not until she met Ronan did she dream of a different life. Not until she’d met Ronan had she thought that she was not happy. That there was more to life than protecting the future king, more to life than taking her brother’s orders.

The thoughts were disturbing and she hated the reminder.

Thankfully, the gate was wrenched open, wobbly and rickety. The townsfolk were lucky that not too many were interested in attacking their little hole in nature, because Julianna was fairly certain she could have taken down that door with one kick.