by Barbara Bard
“But I am just a lowly handmaiden.”
* * *
“We are both merely girls, Sarah, girls who followed their hearts. It is not an easy thing to do, especially not with Highlanders. You will come to know that they are stubborn, passionate, and arrogant, but they are pure of spirit and noble of mind.”
* * *
“I think I have come to learn that already,” Sarah said, thinking back to her time spent with Drew. Even though he was a difficult man in some respects, it filled her with pride to know that he chose her, when a man like him could have had any woman he desired.
* * *
“Then you also know that there is no shame in following your heart. We are here for a reason, Sarah. It may seem strange at first, but this is where our happiness lies.”
* * *
“Then you do not intend to go back at all? Not even to see your father?”
* * *
Rosemary looked pensive. She hung her head, and when she spoke her words were laced with sorrow.
* * *
“If I return to England I know that I will never be allowed to leave again. I would have to leave Blair behind, and I am not prepared to do that. I love my father, but he would never understand my heart's desire, and he would do all he can to keep me with him. Did you see him before you left?”
* * *
“I did not, but I did send him a letter. I hoped that he would be an ally to me in my quest to escape Lord Flynn. But war broke out before I could receive a reply. I mentioned in my letter what had happened to you. The last I heard from Lord Flynn was that your father was going to join the battle.”
* * *
“My father is out there?” Rosemary said, the color draining from her face. “He should not be in war! He should be at home. This is all my fault. He probably thinks that I need rescuing. After losing my mother he could not bear to lose me either.”
* * *
“I am sorry too. Perhaps if I had not sent the letter and told him you were in danger he would not have heeded Lord Flynn's call to war.”
* * *
“It is a sorry thing in life that in order to be happy we often have to hurt the people closest to us,” Rosemary said.
* * *
At that point Drew burst in. He looked surprised to see the two of them together. Sarah and Rosemary shared a smile.
* * *
“Ye two know each other?” he asked incredulously.
* * *
“We are like sisters,” Rosemary replied. “Now then, Drew, I must warn you that if you ever hurt Sarah you will have to endure my wrath.”
* * *
Drew looked a little stunned, and was rendered speechless.
* * *
Rosemary leaned into Sarah. “You just have to know how to handle them,” she whispered. Sarah giggled.
* * *
“Ye should nae run off like that,” he said to Sarah.
* * *
“I'm sorry, but I couldn't wait. When I found out she was here… Oh Drew, you have no idea what this means to me. Rosemary is my best friend in the whole world.”
* * *
“It seems like us English lasses aren't so bad after all,” Rosemary said with a cheeky smile.
* * *
“Ye are a load of trouble though,” Drew said. He walked over to Sarah and gave her a kiss. Sarah blushed, still not used to these displays of affection in front of other people. Rosemary gave her an encouraging smile. Sarah felt a hundred times better for being in the company of her friend again, although she did spare a thought for Catherine, who was alone out there, most likely feeling abandoned by Sarah.
* * *
At that point another warrior burst in, and from one glance Sarah could easily tell that it was Blair, for the two brothers looked very similar. She was daunted by his presence though, and a little afraid even though she had no reason to be. But her fear of the Highlanders ran deep, and it would take a long time for her to be entirely rid of it.
* * *
The two men embraced each other tightly. Sarah was happy that all of them could enjoy a reunion.
20
Drew was relieved to see his brother, and his brother was relieved to see him.
* * *
“I thought ye were dead, hidden under a pile of bodies!” Blair exclaimed.
* * *
“It was nae my time, although it would hae been had this wee lass nae saved my life.”
* * *
Blair walked over to Sarah.
* * *
“Then I owe ye a debt. Thank ye,” he said. Sarah nodded. Drew was pleased that she wasn't entirely overwhelmed by the situation.
* * *
“Blair, Sarah was my handmaiden. I expect her to be treated in the same way as I have been,” Rosemary said.
* * *
“And she is more than that tae me, brother,” Drew admitted. He took Sarah's hand and kissed her on the head.
* * *
Blair threw his head back and laughed. “I knew that one day ye would understand! Oh brother, I am never going tae let ye forget all the times ye lectured me.”
* * *
Drew muttered something under his breath. Still, it was worth it if that was the only price he had to pay for being with Sarah.
* * *
“I must speak with ye, brother,” Drew said, and gestured for Blair to leave the tent. Before he left Blair kissed Rosemary, and then the two of them walked outside where they could talk alone.
* * *
“What is on yer mind?” Blair asked.
* * *
“First I want tae know how the battle is going?”
* * *
“Fine brother, better than we hoped. We hae managed tae drive the English back. They run scared, like the wee cowards they are. I hae nae been able tae corner their leader. He is a slippery one, running from battle, hiding behind his own men. They fight bravely. Are ye fit for battle? I can use another fierce warrior.”
* * *
“I am ready, brother. I have been ready tae get back tae the war. I have only had a brief taste, and I have tae slake my thirst for English blood.”
* * *
“Then we should return with haste!”
* * *
“But before we dae go, brother, I hae some doubt. I fear that we are putting the clan in danger by our actions.”
* * *
“Ye mean Rosemary and Sarah?”
* * *
“Aye. There was already discontent about Rosemary. It disnae look good now that I am wi’ Sarah.”
* * *
“They are always going to find someone tae complain about, Drew. Ye should not worry yerself about them tae much. We are winning the war. Our loyalty is nae in question.”
* * *
“Hae ye spoken tae Declan recently?”
* * *
“Briefly, before battle, but otherwise nae. I hae nae spoken to many of our kin. The McClair clan hae done us proud though.”
* * *
“He hae been having his mind twisted by Deirdre. She hae been scorned Drew, and she will nae stop until she has hurt you.”
* * *
“That woman,” Blair said, scowling. “If it would nae cause more trouble I would hae her head. I will hae words with Declan. He is young, he will learn as ye hae. How are ye finding love?” he asked.
* * *
“It is...strange. I did nae know it would be this powerful. I feel...stronger than ever before.”
* * *
“She seems like a good lass.”
* * *
“She could have run, Blair. She could have left me for dead, but she didnae. She stayed with me and nursed me back tae health. I owe her my life.”
* * *
“Then I owe her tae,” Blair said, putting a firm hand on Drew's shoulder. “I know we hae nae always seen eye tae eye on things, Drew, but I am glad ye are still with us. Let us return tae the field of battle and drive the
English cowards back where they belong. Let us end this, if yer leg can handle it,” Blair said, glancing down at Drew's wound.
* * *
“Nothing could keep me from battle,” Drew said, gritting his teeth, “but there is one favor I would ask of ye. Let me hae the duel with their leader, Flynn. He hae treated Sarah cruelly, and I would see his blood on my blade before this is over.”
* * *
“Consider it done, brother.”
21
After sitting with Rosemary for a while, Sarah was relieved. Blair returned and told them that Drew was just getting his wound seen to, and informed Sarah that she could have this tent. Drew would return shortly. Blair and Rosemary then left Sarah alone. Rosemary told her that they would see each other soon.
* * *
When Drew returned he had a proper dressing on his leg, and he was walking more confidently. He still winced in pain now and then, but overall he seemed in better spirits.
* * *
“Your brother seems nice,” she said.
* * *
“Oh aye, we hae had our difficulties over the years, but we hae grown closer recently. I had my doubts that Blair would be able tae lead us, but he is a good laird, and is leading us tae victory.”
* * *
“I hate that so many people have to die. Not just my countrymen, but yours too.”
* * *
“I know, lass, war is a sobering business, but it will be over soon.”
* * *
“Are you going to fight?” she asked, hesitation in her voice.
* * *
“Aye.”
* * *
“Oh Drew,” she gasped, flinging her arms around him, pressing her head against his chest. Drew's arms enveloped her, stroking her hair softly.
* * *
“What's wrong, lass?”
* * *
“I'm worried that you won't come back. That you'll die out there. We've only just begun. I can't bear the thought of you dying.”
* * *
“I won't die, lass. I promise ye that. I'm going out there to make things right, tae find Lord Flynn and punish him for all he put ye through.”
* * *
“You don't have to do that. I'd much rather you stay here with me.”
* * *
“I cannae dae that, lass. My place is out there, with my brother, with the rest of my clan. I am a McClair, and McClairs dinnae run from a fight.”
* * *
“Then stay with me for a few moments more,” Sarah said, tightening her grip on him, not wanting to let him go. She raised her head and showered him with kisses, pressing her lips against his. Fire bloomed within her again, but it was different this time.
* * *
Unlike when they had been in the glade, their lovemaking was not free from worry. Sarah was fraught with tension and fear, anxious about the future. Her life had not been a happy one, and whenever she had felt content something had upended her happiness. Now that love had filled her heart she was frightened that something would take it away from her, and she wanted to get as much from it as possible.
* * *
She pulled Drew down to the floor, fumbling around his body, pulling his cloak away. Drew was eager to meet this burst of passion, and she soon felt him swell again.
* * *
Her kisses were frantic and desperate. Her moans were fretful, almost worried that this would be the last time they would be together.
* * *
She wriggled out of her clothes and opened her legs, aware of the burning wetness in her most intimate area. Drew's fingers brushed her inner thigh, teasing her at being so close to her femininity. Sarah gasped sharply as the tips of his fingers found her, and then dove inside, exploring every inch of her.
* * *
Sarah clutched at Drew, hands running through his hair, bringing his face to hers. She tilted her head up, kissing him deeply, wanting to hold him so close to her that the two of them became one. Breaths barely escaped their lips. Sarah felt the rise of pleasure within her, spreading all over her body, curling her toes.
* * *
She wanted to keep hold of Drew, but he broke free of her grip and slid down her body, leaving a trail of kisses all the way down the middle of her stomach until his head was buried in between her thighs. Sarah's arms splayed against the floor and she moaned in astonishment at this new sensation. Drew's tongue whirled and twisted, causing a tornado of pleasure within her.
* * *
Sarah felt herself spiraling around in an abyss, aching and needing everything that Drew was giving her. Thoughts of him dying filled her mind, and only added to the sensations that she was feeling. If this was going to be the last time they were ever together then she wanted it to count, wanted another special memory to cherish.
* * *
A blaze of passion tore through her body as Drew's tongue worked its magic. She beat her fists against the floor as the raging storm crackled and thundered, and then her legs tensed around Drew's head, trapping him in between her thighs as her mind cracked and the pleasure flowed like wine.
* * *
Drew looked up with a drenched mouth. Sarah pulled him up, kissing him fervently. The passion had set her mind on fire and all she wanted was him. She could taste her own sweetness on his lips, and then pushed him over so that it was he who was laying on his back.
* * *
Drew seemed amazed at how in control she was being. It was as though all the years of hardship, all the pain and sorrow she had suffered were being torn away from her. The tight knot that had always rested in the pit of her stomach was being wrenched out of her body, leaving behind a raw, pure, sensual being.
* * *
Straddling Drew, Sarah looked down at her own body and enjoyed what she saw. His huge warrior hands ran all over her pale flesh, curling around her neck, groping her breasts. Sarah smiled as she shifted her position, feeling his arousal bulging hard. She took hold of it and held it rigid, enjoying the feeling of him burning against her.
* * *
Drew was so hot he scorched her flesh.
* * *
Sarah loved the feeling of him beneath her, standing tall and strong, ready to support her weight. Carefully, she lowered herself down, eyes widening as he entered her. He felt even bigger than she remembered, and she had to struggle to take in every inch of his Highlander manhood, but then he was inside, deeper than before, seeming to reach the most intimate part of her soul.
* * *
Sarah's head fell back and her eyes widened at the feeling of him inside her. Drew's hands were all over her, ravishing her. She looked down at him and loved seeing the look of desire upon his face. His muscles tensed as he grabbed her hips and rocked his body powerfully.
* * *
The two of them found the same rhythm. Sarah rested on him, feeling as though all the energy of the world was flowing through her, turning her into an ethereal being. When the two of them were joined together like this the rest of the world melted away and there was nothing left but their love.
* * *
Sweat glistened on Sarah's body as she reached her hands up to the heavens and screamed out loudly, letting all the anguish and pleasure and pain sweep through her and explode.
* * *
Then she fell forward, her hair falling over Drew's face. She kissed him as his hands roamed around her body, pressing her more tightly into him. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of his constant, relentless pounding. Gasps shot out of her lips. She lay upon him in a heap, breathless, but Drew pushed her up into a sitting position again.
* * *
Sarah rocked back and forth as her entire body trembled. Her vision blurred as the pleasure took hold in her mind once again. Leaning forward slightly, she placed the palms of her hands on Drew's chest. His flesh was slick with sweat, and the dark hair that ran across his chest stuck together. Sarah could feel how frantically his heart beat, and the sound of her own thundered inside
her head.
