The Highlander’s Demand

by Wine, Mary

  He must have read her thoughts. “Put yer hands on me, Rhedyn. I belong to ye every bit as much as ye do to me.”

  The idea was magical, like falling into the world of the fae. Where joy and pleasure were the only pursuits and concocting dreams was the purpose of life.

  She played with the coarse hair on his chest as she kissed her way to his jaw. As she leaned up to kiss his mouth, her breast made contact with his skin. Being naked together felt so natural, so essential.

  He sighed and suddenly rolled her onto her back, his kiss growing demanding as he settled between her thighs. As he pressed his length inside her, she hugged him tight with her thighs. She didn’t care about anything else. She’d discovered true joy. She’d found her lover.

  *

  Rhedyn’s breath was slow and even. She’d fallen asleep with the candlelight illuminating her breasts. He contemplated her for a long time, not wanting to wake her. There was a sense of peace settling over him as he listened to her breathing.

  But he wanted her closer.

  His few partners had been meetings in dark alcoves and a hay stack or two, but he’d never brought them back to his chamber.

  The gossip would have linked them together forever if he had. But he’d woken more than once and longed to have someone else there in the cold hours of the night.

  And he would never allow her to sleep apart from him.

  His temper stirred. Hearing that she’d gone to the north tower had enraged him. Half his captains had seen him charging off to confront her. He didn’t care.

  He eased the bedding over her as the night grew colder. She nestled against his side, their legs tangling as he caught the scent of her hair. It stirred something inside him, quelling a thirst he hadn’t realized he suffered from. Everything he thought he knew about marriage didn’t seem to fit the situation he found himself in. He wasn’t trying to just do his duty.

  In truth, getting back to his bride was distracting him from every other duty he had.

  His mind had returned again and again to the unforgettable night they’d spent together. Buchanan tightened his arms around her. She shifted, making him smile as she snuggled closer.

  Would she do the same while awake?

  It was a good question. One he needed to get an answer to. Rhedyn had made the best of her circumstances, but if he wanted more from her, well, he’d have to cultivate it.

  A surge of determination went through him. It burned through the last of the frustration lingering in his mind at having found Rhedyn in the north tower. He would woo her and make her long to be beside him.

  *

  “I will see ye tonight, wife.”

  Rhedyn muttered something in answer. She looked toward the window and confirmed it was barely daybreak, but she was still half asleep.

  Buchanan chuckled and tucked the bedding up to her chin. “Ye can go back to sleep, lass. But ye’ll remember me words.”

  There was a firm note of authority in his tone. It stroked something inside her as the warmth in the bedding lured her back to sleep. A sense of security she hadn’t felt before in the Mackenzie strong-hold. Did it make sense? She had no idea, because it was a feeling, not something she had thought out.

  Buchanan seemed to have that effect on her. He made her aware of things she’d never knew she had inside her before meeting him.

  Later, she’d think about why she suddenly felt at ease.

  Or maybe she wouldn’t, for she liked the of not finding a reason to change her mind. Wasn’t that the way of lovers?

  It was indeed.

  *

  The laird had gone to the north tower for his bride.

  The kitchen was always a place where everyone’s personal details were discussed. Innis didn’t have to do anything but listen.

  Today, she bit her lip to keep from making a comment.

  “What do ye expect?” Orla asked with a wicked smile. “He’s got the blessing of the kirk to bed her. Our laird has no mistress, why would he ignore the woman he’s allowed to sleep with?”

  The other maids giggled.

  “All the better to see if she’s barren,” Davina joined in the conversation while Fenella was out in the hall seeing to the setting of the high table. “Since she is his enemy’s daughter, he can plow her fields and see if his seed takes. If it doesn’t, he can send her back to her father.”

  Of course!

  There was another round of laughter. One Innis joined in with before she was looking back at her work.

  Barren. If the new Mistress failed to conceive, the marriage could be annulled.

  Well, there were ways of ensuring the new mistress failed in her primary duty. Ways Innis knew well. She suddenly recalled the letter. Hamish appreciated her. It wasn’t about choosing a side yet. She could make certain the mistress didn’t conceive without really choosing Hamish over Buchanan.

  A perfect solution.

  She held tight to that knowledge. It made up for the restless nights she’d spent tossing and turning as the idea of knowing Buchanan was wed burned in her mind.

  He had to be hers.

  She had nothing else.

  Perhaps she had no right to be so jealous, but logic was poor company in the dark hours of the night while she lay in a room with six other maids and consoled herself with just how lucky she was to have a roof over her head.

  But with the new idea firmly in her mind, she found renewed hope brightening her outlook for the future.

  She looked both ways before venturing into the stillroom later that day. There was a sharp scent in the air from all the dried herbs. A large table was in the center of the room, its surface worn and marked from decades of use. Along the far wall, there were over a hundred small drawers. Each one held different medicinal substances.

  “Ye think ye looked around well enough,” Fenella said from behind her.

  Innis spun around.

  Fenella propped her hands on her hips. “Ye do nae belong in here, girl, and ye know it well.”

  “I came in for both of us.”

  Fenella raised her eyebrows and stepped inside. “Is that so? Explain yer thinking, girl.”

  “We do nae have to suffer with the Lindsey girl as mistress forever.”

  Fenella shook her head. “The wedding sheets have been flown.”

  “The laird can have her,” Innis insisted. “But if we fix the matter…so she does nae conceive… she can be sent back to her father.”

  Understanding brightened Fenella’s face.

  Innis smiled and continued. “All we need to do is make certain she is dosed every morning.” Innis turned and pulled one of the drawers open, motioning for Fenella to come closer.

  “And if her belly doesn’t round, the laird will have to annul the marriage?” Fenella finished for Innis.

  “Aye.” Innis beamed at Fenella.

  The Head-of-House only shook her head. “He’ll never wed ye.”

  She waved her hands in front of her. “I don’t dare to reach so high. But I might be his mistress.”

  “There would still be a wife, so what does it matter who that wife is?” Fenella asked. “This one is even tempered enough.”

  “It matters because Iain died at the hands of her father.” Innis suddenly sniffled. “Iain was a fine man. Yer son died with him because of the Lindsey.”

  “They were both young,” Fenella spoke quietly. “Young enough to be led too easily by their ambitions.”

  The stillroom echoed the soft sounds of grief for a moment. Fenella recovered first, raising one corner of her apron up to dab at her eyes before she let the fabric flutter back down. “Go on with ye, Innis,” she ordered. “If anyone sees ye here, they will know something foul is being plotted. I will see to the mistress.”

  Innis grinned, feeling more confident than she had since hearing the news of the impending wedding. She hurried forward, clasping her arms around Fenella in a firm embrace. Fenella patted her on the back a single time before she was pushing her toward the doo
r. Innis went quickly, checking before she emerged to make sure no one was watching.

  Let the laird put the saddle on the Lindsey girl, a ride would be all he’d get.

  *

  “The Head-of-House would see ye, Laird.”

  Buchanan looked up as Muir announced Fenella. He felt the muscles along his back tighten. There was only one reason he could think of for her to be seeking him out, and it wasn’t a good one. Muir raised his eyebrows and shot him a look which confirmed his man was thinking the same thing. Fenella had beaten Rhedyn, so it wasn’t far-fetched to think that his wife would want to dismiss her.

  “Show her in,” Buchanan said.

  She came in and lowered herself.

  “Rise, Fenella,” Buchanan said. “How may I help ye?”

  Honestly, Buchanan had no idea what he was going to do if the two women couldn’t get along. He could hardly blame his bride for not wanting to work with the woman who had abused her, but Fenella had served the Mackenzies her entire life. Clearly, his hope the two women would resolve their issues was in vain.

  “I’ve come to talk to ye about the new mistress.”

  Muir rolled his eyes from where he stood behind the Head-of-House.

  “Wait.” Buchanan held up his hand before Fenella began. “I believe me wife should be here.”

  “Yer wife has already dismissed my concerns, Laird. It’s why I am here.”

  Buchanan felt a pain stabbing through his skull. He’d never been one to reach for whiskey before the sun went down, but he suddenly understood why his father had kept a bottle behind his desk. Being laird was taxing in the extreme.

  “All the more reason for her to be here where the matter can be firmly decided upon.”

  Fenella closed her mouth and nodded. Muir reached up and pulled on the corner of his cap. “Come wait outside, mistress, while we get the lady.”

  “She is tending to the books,” Fenella informed them. “I just spoke with her.”

  Whiskey…

  Buchanan took a moment to stand once Fenella was outside his office. He cracked his neck as he paced across the length of the room and back. He’d rather face an enemy bare handed than deal with some of the matters which he had to face across the laird’s desk. Diplomacy was something a man couldn’t measure in simple right or wrong. Success lay in the murky details.

  Muir rapped on the door before he pushed it open. Rhedyn came forward. She offered her husband a polished reverence before she cast a questioning look toward him.

  “Now,” Buchanan began as he sat back down. “Fenella has some matter to discuss.”

  Rhedyn’s eyebrows lowered. “And I have made it clear what I think on the matter.”

  “Rhedyn,” Buchanan said. “Let us discuss the matter.”

  “There is naught to discuss,” she said firmly. “This is my home now.”

  Muir looked up at the ceiling and sighed behind the two women.

  “Is there truly no way to reconcile? Fenella has served here for decades. I know she treated ye poorly, but surely the pair of ye are no’ so inexperienced in life that I must impress upon ye the merits of forgiveness?”

  Rhedyn’s expression changed, so did Fenella’s.

  “My laird,” his Head-of-House said. “The lady has graciously forgiven me.”

  “I did not dismiss her!” Rhedyn spoke at the same time.

  Muir was looking between them, and Buchanan discovered himself leaning forward to do the same.

  “Then what is the matter ye wish to discuss?” he asked Fenella.

  “It is naught,” Rhedyn declared.

  “I disagree,” Fenella persisted.

  The two women faced off as Buchanan looked toward Muir, attempting to discover just why he didn’t have an inkling as to what was happening.

  “I have heard rumblings which disturb me,” Fenella said.

  Buchanan felt a tingle in his nape. “What has happened?”

  Fenella looked at him. “There are some among our kin who wish yer marriage to end badly.”

  “One maid sneaking into the stillroom is no cause to worry,” Rhedyn insisted.

  Buchanan shoved his chair back and stood abruptly. “Who tried to poison me wife?”

  “The girl’s intent was to make sure yer bride does nae conceive,” Fenella explained. “And yes, such a thing is possible. If the right number of herbs are taken each morning. But it is a delicate balance, Laird. Otherwise, it is indeed poison.”

  “The name?” Buchanan demanded.

  “Young Innis,” Fenella answered. “But I worry there is more to the matter, hence I advise ye to wait and watch the girl. She has it in her mind to be yer mistress and gain a position for herself.”

  “Aye, she’s approached me.” Buchanan nodded. “I’ve made it clear I will not be taking her as such.”

  “She’s young and looking for escape from harsh circumstances,” Fenella added. “I fear she might be taking orders from Hamish.”

  Buchanan tightened his fingers into a fist. “What proof do ye have?”

  “Rumblings,” Fenella answered. “And half-seen meetings in the dark. Naught which might be used against anyone.”

  “Which is why I told her it is nothing to be concerned about,” Rhedyn interrupted. Even if she did understand that anyone sneaking into the still room as very suspicious. All of the stronghold’s herbs and precious medicines were stored there. The only reason to sneak into it were to steal or poison. One of the keys on Fenella’s belt was for a lock on that door. It would be secured every night. Any maid under her direction would know the penalty for going in without permission.

  “I know this stronghold, Mistress,” Fenella declared. “Ye have treated me far better than I deserve, and I am no’ blind to it. I also know the Mackenzies. Ye have no’ been here. Iain was popular and had a way of making those listening to him believe he could smooth out the path in front of them. Many of us know life is never so simple. But I worry that some might be listening to Hamish and be willing to do ye harm. I cannot repay yer kindness in forgiving me by keeping silent when the matter is something I know in me heart there is reason to worry about.”

  Fenella looked at Buchanan. “I have no more evidence to offer than a single maid who snuck into the still room. But I know the passageways of this stronghold. There are rumors. As for Innis, well, the girl seemed intent on making certain the mistress was sent back to her father. Now, it’s possible the girl acted on her own, but I allowed her to believe I would see to the doing of it.”

  “I’m grateful to ye, Fenella,” Buchanan said. “It is no’ an easy thing to suspect our own kin of a crime.”

  Fenella nodded and turned to leave. Rhedyn began to follow.

  “Rhedyn, stay.”

  Muir opened the door for the Head-of-House and followed her out. Rhedyn turned on him.

  *

  “I am no’ helpless,” Rhedyn said. “And Shona is very watchful of my meals.”

  Buchanan stood in front of the table, his arms crossed over his chest, appearing unyielding.

  “I dealt with Hamish in the barn rather well,” she continued.

  “By nearly getting murdered?”

  There was a glint in his eyes which warned her he was struggling to control his temper.

  “I just got my freedom back,” she said.

  Buchanan’s expression softened as he heard the concern in her voice. He came forward, reaching out to cup her elbows.

  “I would no’ have ye feeling imprisoned here, lass.”

  “Precisely why I told Fenella not to talk to ye,” Rhedyn said. “It is only one maid.”

  Buchanan’s hands slipped up to her forearms and held her firmly. “Hamish didn’t give ye any warning before he tried to kill ye. That is a man’s way.”

  She shivered.

  “I felt that, lass.” He pulled her closer.

  She wiggled in his arms.

  “Be still, Rhedyn,” he implored. “Do ye really no’ care for me embrace?”

&
nbsp; “It’s no’ that.”

  He tucked her head beneath his chin and stroked her back. “I feel as though ye strip away everything from me as well, lass. The only way I’ve found peace with it is knowing I do the same to ye.”

  She relaxed then. It was the truth; she was at ease in his arms.

  She shouldn’t be.

  That was the single thought needling her. They knew so little about one another and yet, it seemed her life was somehow complete now that she was with him.

  “Muir will be keeping an eye on ye.”

  Rhedyn flattened her hands on his chest and shoved away from him. Buchanan released her, but the expression on his face was unchanged when she faced off with him.

  “At least for a time,” Buchanan continued. “We’ll give me kin a chance to get to know ye. Ye’ve got a good deed to add credit to yer name now that ye have kept Fenella.”

  “I didn’t keep her to make meself look good.”

  Buchanan tilted his head to one side. “Why did ye keep her? It’s the truth I was grateful the decision didn’t fall on me own shoulders, for I have no liking for the way she abused ye. But I could not dismiss me own failing, which led to the matter happening. Punishing her would have been shirking the blame for me own shortcomings.”

  The admission surprised her.

  “Ye should no look so astonished, lass,” he said. “Is it so difficult to see me as someone who will treat ye kindly?”

  “I’m surprised ye are explaining yerself to me. Ye are me husband. I am bound to obey.”

  Why did she speak so freely with him? Even with her father, she’d have been careful how she worded her comment in his solar. This was the place where her husband was the laird of the Mackenzie clan. She took a quick look behind her to make certain Muir was still on the other side of the closed door.

  “I suppose I have given ye little reason to trust me.”

  “I would disagree,” she said. She bit her lip, once again appalled by her own words. The action didn’t go unnoticed by Buchanan. He chuckled.

  “I enjoy knowing I inspire impulses from ye.”

  She scoffed at him. “No man enjoys a wife who doesn’t mind her tongue.”

  He moved closer to her. “In private, I encourage ye to speak yer mind. We each have our place in this marriage, lass.”