by Wine, Mary
“Aye,” Graham took the opportunity to voice his support. “The lass is treated very nicely by our laird.”
“As I saw,” Cedric agreed. “But the lass is me niece now. If ye do nae release her, I have to join with the Lindsey against ye.” He opened his arms up wide. “We’ve been allies for generations. It is no’ to me liking, but blood is blood. I can no’ leave her here as a hostage.”
McLeod’s men stood on one side of his study, Buchanan’s on the other.
“So, it might be best to see the girl settled here.” Graham lifted his chin so his voice would carry. “She was taken to avoid bloodshed.”
“Ye need to talk to her father about that,” Cedric insisted.
“We should take advantage of her presence here,” one of the men behind Graham stated. “Even if her father is guilty, she is his legitimate child. And if not guilty, we shouldn’t let the prize go, either.”
Buchanan watched the way Cedric looked toward his own captains. It was clear some of them had no liking for the new family obligation they had inherited.
“Twelve Retainers is no’ a light matter,” Graham said. “The McLeod will have to respect our actions.”
The McLeod captains had taken to toying with their beards. They leaned in, whispering between themselves. It was Cedric who finally lifted his hands to quiet them. He turned and took a deep breath.
“As her uncle, I am open to discussing a union,” Cedric declared firmly.
There was silence for a long moment before the men began to discuss it. Buchanan watched the way the information settled into them. Many began to nod in agreement before a growing course of ‘ayes’ was heard.
Something flashed through him. A sensation sharper and more brilliant than anything he’d ever experienced.
But Graham cleared his throat, recalling Buchanan to the fact that everyone was waiting for him to answer.
“As it appears to be settled,” Buchanan said. “I will wed her.”
The McLeod captains grinned, obviously pleased. Preened was actually a better word for the way their faces lit with pleasure for having made him bend to their will.
Buchanan locked gazes with Cedric.
“Now that the business is settled, off to supper with ye all,” Cedric announced. “I plan to have a drink with me new family.”
The captains filed out of the study, leaving Buchanan and Cedric. For a long moment, there was only the crackle of the fire filling the silence.
“It’s a good solution, lad, and ye know it.” Cedric began to help himself to the whiskey kept off to the far side of the hearth. He poured two generous measures before offering one to Buchanan.
“It’s a fine way for the McLeods to gain ties with the Mackenzie without ever having done a thing to raise the bride,” Buchanan remarked.
Cedric chuckled over the rim of his glass. “Ye’re young. However, the way I hear it, ye are no fool.” He paused to take another sip. “Me sister refused to wed Colum Lindsey. Aye, the fault was hers, and I know it well.”
“But now ye have a way to see yer nephew in line for the Lindsey lairdship.”
“Ye begrudge me that?” Cedric asked. “It’s no’ his fault me sister was so stubborn. She followed her passion and should no’ have been so surprised to have to face the consequences. Besides, Vychan is no’ assured of gaining the lairdship.”
“Colum has always considered the lad his son,” Buchanan stated.
“Once the old man is gone, there will be men in the clan who consider Vychan an outsider. Ye faced a similar fight against Iain,” Cedric pointed out. “Him being gone is no’ going to make ye lose sleep.”
“I did no’ wish him ill,” Buchanan defended himself.
“Ye did no’ have to,” Cedric said. “He had the same temper me sister had. Once either of them decided upon a path, they’d no’ step off it.” Cedric pointed around the room. “In this study, ye and I are lairds. We can say things to one another which may no’ be kind, but they are true nonetheless.”
Buchanan nodded and sipped at his whiskey.
Cedric grunted. “Colum has ensured Vychan has a chance at the lairdship. It’s the lad’s due. Being me nephew did no’ shield him from the harsh view of being bastard born.”
Cedric picked up the bottle of liquor and crossed the space between them to refill Buchanan’s glass.
“Drink up, lad, ye have a bride to woo and me to thank for agreeing to leave her here with ye.”
“Is that so?” Buchanan asked.
Cedric had refilled his own glass and was setting the bottle back down. He turned and raised an eyebrow. “It certainly is. Do ye think I do nae understand the Munro would thank me well for taking Rhedyn home for Rolfe to come and collect? And do nae waste yer breath telling me ye’d no relinquish the lass to me. Ye would when faced with four clans united against ye. So…get on with showing yer appreciation.”
Buchanan lifted his glass. “Ye’re drinking me best whiskey.”
Cedric tossed down the remains in his glass and reached for the bottle once more. “Ye can be sure I am going to drink a fair amount of it.” Cedric crossed the room and laid a hand on Buchanan’s shoulder.
“Off with ye now, lad. I’ll need to be witness to yer wedding tomorrow morning,” Cedric said. “Unless ye prefer I talk to her.”
“I took her, so I will speak to her.”
Buchanan should have been struggling to maintain a grip on his temper with the way Cedric was so intent on doing everything the way he’d decided things should go.
But Buchanan discovered himself grinning instead. There was a pulse of anticipation growing stronger with every second. Something gave way inside him, like a barrier had been smashed. With the collapse, he was flooded with sensations so strong, they were dangerously close to being needs.
Would that be so terrible?
To need Rhedyn? Buchanan stopped in the passageway. Cedric walked beside him.
Lust was something Buchanan understood. The nature of his own flesh was something he’d battled more than once, but this was something different. Having his marriage arranged had always been a matter he’d expected to face. But nowhere in the planning of it all had he expected to feel, well, to feel such a surge of excitement.
Cedric slapped him in the center of his back. “Off ye go, lad. I’ll be at yer high table waiting on the good news.”
The idea of facing Rhedyn drew him toward her, just as surely as the scent of dinner did when he’d been out riding for too long. She would satisfy him and make him feel whole.
Hunger?
Was that the right word? He hesitated outside the door of the north tower chamber. Craving Rhedyn would put him at her mercy. But he still wasn’t interested in turning around and leaving.
Rolfe Munro would never have her…
He knocked on the door. Barely reining in his desire enough to afford her that courtesy.
*
Whoever was knocking didn’t wait for her to invite them in. Buchanan pushed the door open as though it was his right to do so.
“Yes?” Rhedyn asked.
A tingle touched her nape as she gained a glimpse of Buchanan’s face. For certain, whatever business the McLeods had with him, it had been serious.
“Did Laird McLeod bring evidence against my father?” Rhedyn asked. Her damned heart was thumping at a frantic pace.
He made sure the door was shut behind him. For some reason, she was far more aware of just how much bigger he was than herself. The chamber seemed to enhance it, making her feel like she was trapped inside with a bear.
“He brought news of yer father sure enough,” he began. “It seems yer father has married.”
Rhedyn’s eyes widened in surprise. “To…who?”
“Ye have a brother, Vychan,” Buchannan continued. “He’s the legitimate heir now.”
A silence stretched between them as she processed what he’d told her.
“Yes,” Rhedyn remarked, still caught up in thinking. “I do know who
Vychan is. I suppose it’s a good thing.”
Even if it was shocking. She wasn’t going to ask for the details. Such facts were likely to make her head ache. She was certain the arrangements had entailed a large amount of money, but she really didn’t have the heart to question the matter.
“My father had many regrets concerning Vychan,” Rhedyn remarked. “It’s good to hear the matter has been resolved.”
She drew in a deep breath, feeling as though she’d accomplished some important task.
“I heard Rolfe Munro was courting ye,” Buchanan said abruptly. “Do ye have affection for him?”
The question caught her off guard.
“No, I did nae care for his…” She realized words were just spilling out of her mouth before she thought anything through.
The corners of Buchanan’s mouth twitched as a gleam of enjoyment entered his eyes. “Ye did nae care for what?” he asked as he stepped toward her.
She felt like her breath was frozen in her chest, and her lips went dry.
“His kiss?” Buchanan guessed correctly.
Rhedyn stepped back. He was too imposing in that moment, her mind filled completely with the idea of him. Her senses were heightened, making it hard to think as he closed the distance between them.
“Rolfe tried his luck with ye, lass?” Buchanan asked softly.
“Ye make it sound sordid,” she said. “A kiss in the passageway is acceptable when he’d made his suit known to me father. Ye kissed me, too.”
Buchanan chuckled, but it wasn’t a good-natured sound. No, it was a dark rumbling like the purr of a wolf as it cornered its prey.
“I did at that. And ye kissed me back.”
There was solid confidence in his tone. Something flashed in his eyes as she moved back again.
“This is the strangest conversation,” she said. “If me father is wed now, and Vychan is legitimate, then Laird McLeod is me uncle.”
Of course it made sense. Even if her father’s bride was dead.
“He’s here to take me home, else he’ll have to help me father raid ye.” Rhedyn pieced it all together. Her stomach suddenly felt like someone had planted their fist into her midsection.
“He’s here to witness our wedding,” Buchanan informed her softly.
“What?” Her astonishment was clear.
“The McLeods and the Mackenzies have been allies for generations,” Buchanan continued. “Yer uncle…” He paused for a moment. “Does nae care to end up fighting against me clan. Since ye are here, and yer reputation stained by this matter, the best solution is for us to marry.”
“Do nae be ridiculous!”
It was absurd. She turned and walked across the room but stopped when she found herself just three paces from the bed. Rhedyn whirled around to discover Buchanan had kept pace with her.
“Laird McLeod can simply escort me home.”
Buchanan crossed his arms over his chest. The posture made him look even larger and more imposing than ever.
And she liked the sight…
Rhedyn scolded herself for losing focus. Clearly, it was in fact sage advice for young women to stay well away from men, for being too close to Buchanan was affecting her sanity.
“Ye prefer Rolfe?”
There was a glint in his eyes now. Rhedyn peered at him intently.
“Ye can nae be jealous.” The words were across her lips before she thought about them.
“Why no’?” he asked. “Because I kidnapped ye?”
Rhedyn nodded.
He chuckled.
“I assure ye, Rhedyn, I am most serious about wedding ye.”
He looked it, too. Rhedyn blinked, but his expression remained steadfast. Her heart was hammering away, sending her blood rushing through her veins so fast, she felt lightheaded.
But the bed was too close. Rhedyn fell onto it but bounced right back off it in alarm. She tried to duck beneath his arms, only to have him clamp his arms around her body.
“Release me!”
Buchanan only lifted her off her feet. She kicked in the air, but he held her firmly against his body, lowering her only once she’d stopped straining against his hold.
She was trembling.
It made no sense, but the contact between them was so intense, she felt the tremor running along her limbs. Each inhalation of breath drew his scent into her head.
How could a man smell so good?
“I would have ye release me.” The sound of her voice was wrong. It was husky and breathless.
His chest rumbled again with that purring sound.
He suddenly moved his hands, sliding them along her arms. “Truly, Rhedyn?” he asked against her ear. “Do ye claim to no’ enjoy being so close to me?”
“I…” Her voice refused to cooperate as she attempted to deny it.
Why had she never learned how to lie?
“I shouldn’t.” There. It was a denial at least. “Release me.”
His arms opened. She ended up standing in place because she hadn’t really expected him to comply. It took her a long moment to believe she was free and to get her feet to move. Once she made it across the chamber, she turned and looked back to find Buchanan contemplating her.
He raised an eyebrow. “Surprised, lass?”
She nodded.
His lips twitched into a grin. “Good. I have no desire to have a wife who cringes when she sees me.”
“I have not agreed to wed ye,” Rhedyn informed him. Her temper finally flickered to life, affording her some relief from the trembling in her body. “Do nae be thinking that ye and Laird McLeod can simply discuss the matter and consider it done.”
Except that they could. She was forced to recognize that she was in his stronghold and therefore very much under his control.
His expression tightened. She knew well what he looked like when he was serious, and there was no mistaking the way he appeared right then.
“I think I might just be very thankful for the chain of events which brought ye to me notice, Rhedyn, for now I can make certain Rolfe Munro doesn’t have the chance to claim ye.”
He suddenly jumped forward, reaching out to grasp her forearms. “Ye tremble when I touch ye, lass.”
She did. Understanding why he affected her so deeply eluded her. He suddenly scooped her up.
Once again, she was cradled against him, her breaths drawing in the scent of his body. This time, she found it oddly comforting as he turned and crossed the space back to the bed. He sat her down on the edge of the mattress and then sat next to her.
“Buchanan.” She propped her hands behind her. “Ye must rethink the matter.”
He pressed his thumb against her lips. “I have made my decision.” Determination flashed in his eyes, and his face became a mask of unrelenting firmness.
“No one,” he began gruffly, “no one will ever lay hands on ye again without knowing ye belong to me, Rhedyn. The next man who frightens ye will understand he will no’ just be banished, but I will choke the life from his body for the crime of putting fear into yer eyes.”
“Ye can ensure me protection by sending me home with Laird McLeod.”
He stroked her face, sending a shiver down her spine. Only it wasn’t the cold sensation that the memory of Hamish’s attack had produced. No, this was a jolt of warmth that burned through that chill, making her quiver.
“Ye will be me wife,” he muttered firmly. “Because I want to put me hands on ye, lass. It would be far better for me to send ye home, for there are plenty in me clan who will not be pleased to see me making ye the lady of this stronghold.”
“So…send me…home.” It was the logical thing to say, yet the words stuck in her throat.
Whatever she might have said was caught beneath his kiss. He cupped the back of her neck and pressed his mouth against her. Rhedyn shifted nervously, but the truth was, she was far more interested in getting closer to him. His strength drew her to him, the way his mouth moved against hers unleashed a rush of sensation that
thrilled her all the way to her toes. When he lifted his head, she was breathless, a tingling mass of indecision. Her mind, simply unable to deal with anything.
“Shall I send ye home, Rhedyn?” he asked as he stroked her neck gently. “Do ye prefer a cold marriage to what is between us?”
He held her in place so that their eyes met. “I confess, I would consider myself ten kinds of a fool if I were to allow ye to ride away with yer uncle for whatever is between us, I know it is rare. And that I’ve never felt it before.”
She should have told him no.
Should have voiced some sort of denial.
Should have managed a retort.
Instead, all of her ‘should have’s’ remained unspoken as Buchanan stood and left. Her thoughts returned in a rush, leaving her perched on the bed as she tried to decide what it was she needed to argue with him about.
No wonder she had been warned to stay away from men.
They addled the brain for certain!
*
Rhedyn wasn’t going to hide.
An hour after her confrontation with Buchanan, she brushed her hair from her face. Somehow, she’d fallen asleep, but now, she was wide awake. And the closed door of the chamber was irritating her.
Actually, it taunted her.
Laird McLeod might just have a different view of her wedding Buchanan. How could she have fallen asleep when there was an opportunity to escape?
Rhedyn paused in front of the mirror. Her reflection showed her so many things. One of which was that she was no longer a girl.
Rolfe Munro would be back to press the matter of a union between them. He’d told her as much.
So, does that mean you’re going to marry Buchanan?
Rhedyn refused to answer her own question. Instead, she headed toward the door and opened it. The stairway was dark, but light flickered at the bottom where candles had been lit in the passageway. She realized she’d held her breath as she left the chamber. By the time she was standing in the passageway, the tension had broken. She drew in a deep breath.
“Ye’ve perfect timing, mistress.”
Rhedyn jumped. The man who had spoken seemed to expect her startled response. He remained where he was, reaching up to tug on the corner of his knitted cap.
