The Maid of Lorne (18 page)

“Sebastien!” she cried out. He could feel the tension in her body and knew she wanted release. He was simply not ready to give in.

“Are you aching for me, Lara?” He took the now tender nipples between his first two fingers and
squeezed them gently, then rubbed his thumbs across them until she screamed. Then he released them and blew on the tight buds to soothe them. Another shudder shook her, but still no release.

His own body screamed for it, too. He knew it was close, but he drew in and let out a couple of deep breaths until he felt more in control. But that did not relieve the tightness of her sheath around his cock. Or the heat and wetness that so aroused him.

“Sebastien,” she whispered. “Please? Please now? It aches like an itch that needs scratching, and I cannot reach it.”

“Then let me help you, love. Give me your hand,” he said as he took her fingers and guided them down between their bodies. He moved his fingers around hers and spread the wet folds until he—they—could touch the treasure within. “Can you reach it now? Move your fingers with mine.” He waited for her to follow his instructions. She gasped once, and then again and again, as their fingers teased and touched the center of her ache.

“I cannot…” she began, and then the words trailed off as her peak came upon her. He felt it probably before she did, for it spread from inside her sheath out to the bud they teased togethered. Her body tightened and arched against his hands and around his cock. He thought he might come, but he was watching the expressions on her face and managed to hold it back.

She keened, emitting that sound, and he was ready. Lifting her from his lap, he slid down on the bed and settled her over his legs, on her knees this time so she could move. Lara knelt above him now, with her hair
streaming over both of them. He took two handfuls and wrapped his fists in it, pulling her forward to his mouth.

Her expression was one of confusion when she gazed down at his hardness. “Will you not take me?”

“Nay, lady. ‘Tis your turn to be doing the taking. I promise not to resist you too much.”

“I can take you?”

“Oh, aye. I know your skills in riding. Ride me, Lara.”

After considering it for a moment, she smiled, and he knew that, more likely than not, it was the same smile on another face that had tempted Adam to sin in the Garden of Eden. When she began to move and then found her gait, he knew it for certain.

He stroked the fistfuls of hair over her belly as she moved against him, and then up to her breasts. She gasped with every touch, and he knew she would come again. He arched his hips against her, aiding her movements and filling her more with every thrust. Then he felt his seed ready to burst forth and he did not to resist it. The muscles deep within her contracted again and again and pulled every drop from him.

He smiled, satisfied in more ways than just the physical joining. This felt so right. As if he belonged here, he was home. He waited for her to collapse, which she did a moment later. He held her tightly and rubbed his hands over her back.

“I do love you, Sebastien,” she whispered to him. “In spite of the mistakes I’ve made, I truly do love you.”

“Hush, now, Lara. We will both make mistakes along the way. The important thing is that we have
found love and it will help us in times of doubt and trouble.”

She did not answer him. He knew there were many secrets she still held, as did he, but together they would find their way. He rolled to his side and gathered her close.

“All will be well.”

It was at that moment that he realized in his haste to bed her, he’d left the doors to their chambers open, as well as on the landing below. Most likely, everyone in the hall had heard every sound between them. Lara would be most grievously embarrassed.

As sorry as he was over that, and he was, it was best if they learned now what life would be like as they accepted their marriage. He would keep her in his arms and in his bed as much as possible once he returned home from the next two battles.

Home.

Aye, he was truly home.

“N
o, Philippe.”

“But my lord…’Tis my place to be at your side.”

Sebastien let out a frustrated breath. “I would rather you be here to help my lady wife while I am away from Dunstaffnage.”

“But, I was there at your side at the Brander Pass. I have trained. I am ready,” Philippe said with all the bravado of one of ten-and-two years. But his mutinous feelings were demonstrated with a quivering lower lip. Malcolm’s influence on the boy, no doubt.

Sebastien turned to Lara for help in this matter. He did not want Philippe at his side, especially if treachery was in the air. Not certain if she or anyone else had known the details of their plans, he would rather not take the chance and put the boy in danger. As commander of this raid, he and his men would be in enough peril without the added complication of a boy.

“Philippe, Malcolm will be devastated if anything happens to you, and he would welcome your company
while your master is away,” Lara said to the lad. “And I would be happy for your help while my lord is gone.”

But even her soft tones and lovely smile did not wipe the displeasure off his squire’s face. There was simply no other way to do this.

“Philippe, you are nearing the time when you will train as a knight. If you cannot obey my orders, I cannot accept you into training.” Sebastien crossed his arms over his chest and glared at him. “So, what is your answer?”

Philippe looked at him, then Hugh, Etienne and Lara before replying. “As you command, my lord,” he said, bowing to Sebastien. But his face wore a frown of disappointment that nothing would remove. Sebastien knew; he’d worn one himself enough times to recognize it.

“You are my responsibility, Philippe. I must answer to your father, to the king and to my conscience if I allow harm to befall you.”

“I understand, my lord.”

“Nay, you do not now, but one day, when a boy in your service stands before you with just such a look on his face, you will,” Sebastien said, trying to soften the blow to the youth’s honor. “Now, I must speak with Sir Hugh and my lady. See to your duties.”

Philippe left as he was ordered and Sebastien turned to the truly difficult conversation of the day…or the week…or his life. He had never left behind a wife, a woman he loved, before. He had never tried to prepare anyone for a death that might come at any time. Hell, he never thought on it at all, but now there was so much to worry about.

“Etienne, did you bring the box?” he asked.

“Aye, my lord,” the steward replied, holding out the wooden chest that Sebastien used for all of his private papers. “Would you like me to leave?”

“Nay. I want you and Hugh to know what I have done so there is no question of my wishes.” He took in a deep breath and let it out, not yet meeting Lara’s eyes. “In here is my will,” he began.

“No!” she cried out. “Do not talk of such things, Sebastien. There is no need.” Her eyes filled with tears and his own throat tightened as he continued his explanation.

“Lady, I would know that you are cared for if something should happen to me. Not just this day, but for all days forward from now.”

“I do not like this, my lord,” she insisted. “I do not!” She clasped her hands together and laid them in her lap. He could see that they were shaking.

“Your expression looks remarkably like the one Philippe was just wearing. Mayhap he learned it from you?” He watched her face for a sign that his attempt at levity was working. If anything, her visage became grimmer.

“Upon my death, the lands given to me as your dowry will be returned to you to use or sell as you wish. Malcolm’s guardianship, with the king’s approval, will be granted to you and Hugh together, as will that of Catriona. Hugh will serve as royal warden of Dunstaffnage until the time when Malcolm can pledge himself, or not, to Robert. There are a few other personal bequests—” he smiled at Lara “—but those are the clauses you need to know about in the presence of each other.”

“If you are through, I would like to be excused,” she said without meeting his gaze.

He knew this was a thorny matter, but he had never before had lands, and a wife, to worry about. She was scared. Part of him, that part within his heart that loved her, was thrilled that she cared so much. Part of him, again the part that loved her, was terrified that he might not return to her. His emotions, since the day she’d pledged herself to him, were a jumbled mess.

“I will finish with Hugh and Etienne in a short time.” He held out his hand to her and she took it. He kissed her fingers as she stood, then released her.

They waited for her to leave the hall, then he invited Hugh and Etienne to sit. There were other things that needed to be spoken of before he left. Lara thought he would depart in the morning, but he preferred the cover of night to aid their movements north.

“I would have you both follow her orders as if they were mine.”

“What do you mean, Sebastien? You leave
her
in charge?” Hugh asked.

“Aye, I do. She has the knowledge and the experience to protect the place. Even more importantly, as my wife, she has the right.”

“She is a MacDougall. How can you trust her?”

“We cannot choose the blood that runs in our veins, Hugh, but we can choose those whom we trust. I trust her in this.”

“’Tis not your arse in danger if she changes sides again,” Hugh said, swearing under his breath.

“If any other man had uttered those words, he would
be dead. ’Ware your words about the lady,” Sebastien whispered.

Hugh realized how close he’d come to trouble then, and he nodded his acceptance of the rebuke.

“The only time this castle has been taken, it was done by deceit and trickery. With you at her side, there will be no way for that to happen again. Keep her and the children inside the walls during the day and within the keep at night. Let no one in if neither you nor Etienne know them personally. I will handle any problems when I return.”

“Does the lady know of these instructions?”

“Not yet. But I will speak to her about them and about your power to overrule her if you think she makes a dangerous or foolhardy decision.”

“And if she does not accept my ruling?” Hugh seemed to be thinking of all the potential rough spots in the road ahead.

“Lock her and the children in the north tower. Tie her up if need be, just do not allow her on the battlements or out to the chapel.” They had yet to discover the secret entrance there that he knew must exist.

“I understand about the church, but the battlements?”

“She can, I suspect, climb as well as James Douglas. I do not think you need worry, but I thought you should know.”

Hugh whistled. “Is there no end to the lady’s skills?”

“Etienne, carry on only the resupplying that you can with the limitations I have placed on visitors inside the castle. If we must make someone wait a day or two at most for supplies, so be it. I will answer to the king.

“Now, if you have no questions, I am to bed for a short rest before we leave.” He handed the box back to Etienne for safekeeping.

Neither man said anything, so he nodded to each of them and walked to the tower stairs. Everything was ready for his departure—the men, the boats, the weapons. Everything but himself. But that would be handled when he spoke to his wife.

Well, the sooner started, the sooner finished, he thought as he climbed the last few steps. Of all the duties he’d carried out in his life, he’d faced none to prepare him for what waited inside his chamber. He opened the door quietly and found the room dark, save for one candle by the bed.

Lara sat in the chair, wrapped in a blanket. At first he thought her asleep, but she whispered a greeting to him. He walked to where she sat, and asked her to stand. When she did, he sat down and pulled her onto his lap.

“I do not know how you can sit for so long in this chair. It is the most uncomfortable piece of furniture I have ever used.”

“It was my father’s chair,” she said softly.

“Aye, it makes sense. A hard chair for a hard man.” He shifted and then repositioned her so he could see her face as they spoke. “Now, if this were another foot or so wider, it would have its uses.”

“As what? ’Tis a chair.” She frowned and shrugged.

“You see, love. With more room on each side, your knees could slide in here and we could…you could…” He let his words drift off. At her beautiful blush, he knew she understood what he meant. “And you could
use the back to steady yourself for the ride.” He moved his hands there to give her some idea of it.

“It would be worth trying,” she said, smiling this time.

“Now, before I carry you to that bed and wear you out with my affections, there are a few more things you must know.”

“Sebastien, please do not say more.” She placed her fingers over his lips. “I cannot bear to think on such things.”

“Once I am assured that you know the essential information, I will not say another word about these arrangements.” She nodded and he explained. “You are to hold the castle until I return.”

“Hold the castle? But Sir Hugh…”

“Hugh will be at your side, but the decisions are yours. For your safety and the children’s, you must stay within the castle walls—no chapel and no battlements.”

“I have not gone to the chapel since…” She stopped abruptly and nodded her assent.

“And you will not until the secret entrance is found and sealed.” He paused, for he had never asked her directly about her knowledge of Eachann’s escape. “Do you know where it is or where it leads?”

“I only know that it is in the wall behind the altar. I did not detect how he opened it or closed it. He threw me to the ground and then left through it. I did not see.”

“Eachann seems to have left the area, but I cannot be certain. So, stay within the castle.”

“And the battlements? You know that I love to walk there.”

“Mayhap with Hugh or Connor or Jamie at your
side, but not alone. An arrow shot from many different places could reach there.”

“Very well, I will stay off the battlements,” she agreed. “But now tell me what you hesitate to say. It must be bad for you to hold it in for so long.”

He kissed her then and laughed at how close to the truth she came. “Hugh has the power to overrule any decision you make if he thinks it a danger to you or the children or my men or the castle.” He waited for the explosion and the anger that did not come.

“A sound decision.”

“What? I thought you would be opposed to it.” He lifted her chin so he could see her eyes.

“I would not have Dunstaffnage fall again on my account.”

“Lara, you are softhearted and I do not want to see anything happen because you could not make the decision needed. Hugh knows you are to be obeyed unless there is some extreme situation.”

She nodded and then curled up against his chest. “How long will you be gone?”

“If all goes as planned, no more than three days.”

“So, it is close, then?”

“We sail to Glen Gour on Ardgour, across the firth to the north.”

“Have a care, Sebastien. My father sails those waters…”

“I will, and I will send word if we are delayed.” He shifted in the chair and slid his arms under her legs. “If we are done talking, there are still some things I must say before I can sleep.”

He stood and carried her to the bed. Laying her on
it, he stripped off his clothes and boots and knelt next to her. Peeling back the blanket and lifting the chemise over her head, he loved her with everything in him and made certain she knew it. As he entered her body with his, he let his love spill out to her.

“Lady of my heart,” he whispered.

“Forever,” she answered. And, when she gifted him with the passionate sound he would never tire of hearing, he knew he would remember it to his dying day.