At the Highlander's Mercy

by TERRI BRISBIN

  ‘I know you think Symon should be laird and I have no problem with you having your own opinion. But I am laird now and there is a war coming to our gates. I need to know what brought that war to us.’

  Rob held out a mug to the man and poured a good measure of whisky into both. Then he took the letter from the table and gave it to the counsellor. Murtagh was educated—he could read and write and even understood Latin—so Rob waited while he read it. The surprise in his eyes told Rob much.

  His suspicions were correct. But he pushed now for the truth. ‘Who made the first contact with the MacKenzies?’

  ‘Well, I hate to be one to tell tales …’ Murtagh began. He paused for a mouthful of the whisky before continuing. Rob filled his cup again for good measure. ‘Your da was not happy with the way the MacLerie treated you.’

  Now that was a surprise. He thought that Angus and Connor remained friends until the end.

  ‘When that …’ Murtagh pointed and rolled his finger in the air ‘… business with the lass happened, Angus took your side. Said to wait for your explanation. That there was more to this than youthful stupidity.’

  Though his father’s reaction surprised him, it did nothing to explain the more recent changes.

  ‘That is old history. More than four years ago. He remarried since then and expected an heir. Why did my father look to the MacKenzies?’

  ‘Well, that …’ Murtagh drank a large portion of his whisky and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. ‘Symon’s stepda had MacKenzie ties. He thought an alliance with them would be better for us than with the MacLeries.

  A possible marriage was mentioned.’

  Marriage? His other half-sisters from Angus’s previous marriage were yet too young to enter into negotiations now. His own attempt with the MacLerie heiress had ended in spectacular failure and he’d be no target for the MacKenzies. Could it be? ‘Symon?’

  ‘Nay, not the boy.’ Murtagh shook his head.

  ‘Tyra.’

  Tyra? His now-betrothed? ‘This letter and the others do not mention that at all.’

  ‘A private arrangement, I think. First her marriage, then a stronger bond through the treaty.’

  So, a gradual moving away from the MacLerie alliance to one with the MacKenzies, then? Yet neither Symon nor Tyra objected when the elders suggested instead that Rob and Tyra be joined to end the fighting between the two branches of the family.

  ‘Did my father know of those plans? To marry her into the MacKenzies?’

  ‘Symon’s stepda talked with him about it more than a year ago, before both of their deaths. Your father did not object. Though he had hopes that Tyra would marry the MacLerie lad or Symon would wed one of Connor’s kin.’

  Kin or his daughter? Rob wondered.

  Kidnapping was a time-honoured tradition and a means to a bride that might otherwise be out of a man’s reach. Is that why Symon had kidnapped Lilidh? Once he’d taken her, did he mean to keep her? Maybe he’d thought that since Rob had rejected her once, she was available to him?

  But no one here knew about Iain’s death, so taking a married woman did nothing but infuriate her kin and her husband. Or had Symon known?

  Rob’s head spun with all the possible connections that Murtagh’s words had uncovered. Like a spider’s web woven across clans, each strand connected others that branched out endlessly. Who knew what when? Who wanted which clan? Why? None of that mattered in a way since in each of them was Connor’s and Angus’s belief that any link between their clans or with the MacKenzies would not involve the bastard son.

  And, even worse, Rob becoming laird and chief had mucked things up and interfered with many plans. He had much to think about before Connor arrived at his gates, but even more to do before that happened.

  ‘My thanks, Murtagh,’ he said, slapping the man on the shoulder. ‘I hope I can earn your support in the coming weeks.’

  The older man blinked several times at Rob’s admission, probably not expecting to have his support requested rather than demanded. They parted then and Rob went to check on Dougal’s arrangements for weapons and arrows. He prayed to God they wouldn’t need them, but better to be prepared than to be found empty-handed.

  By the time night had fallen, Rob believed them almost ready to deal with the MacLeries who would arrive soon. Sentries had been posted at the edges of their lands to report any sightings of anyone not invited to be there.

  He had hesitated in contacting the MacKenzie laird, hoping that he and Connor could come to terms and end this peaceably. Then, with Lilidh safely returned to her parents and his clan safe from annihilation, he could decide over the future alliances that would benefit and protect his people. The fewer who were involved the better, he thought as he sat down at table for the evening meal.

  Each day his hall seemed smaller as more and more from the outlying farms and the village took refuge from the coming storm there. The meals grew plainer, which suited him, though not his betrothed. Tyra wore a strange, rather self-pleased look upon her face and it gave him pause. He was growing more and more suspicious about her and her brother’s roles in the débâcle he faced.

  ‘How do you fare, Tyra?’ he asked, after being served his food. He could not accuse her or Symon of anything. Yet.

  ‘I am well,’ she said with a smile. A smile that made his gut tighten with its sweetness.

  ‘Has Symon returned yet?’ he asked, glancing at the empty place next to her.

  ‘I do not keep track of my brother’s comings and goings,’ she replied. He watched her face, but she gave no indication that there was another meaning or that she lied. ‘Surely he carries out the duties you have assigned him, Rob.’

  Rob could not resist testing her now that he was aware of other possible arrangements she’d been privy to. He took her hand in his and smiled at her.

  ‘Once the MacLerie has his daughter back and our alliance with the MacKenzies is settled, we should set a wedding date, Tyra.’

  If he had glanced away, he would never have seen the brittle way her smile broke or the narrowing of her gaze at his words. But see them he did, so her words—when they came—had a different meaning than they would have had he not been watching her.

  ‘It would please me to have things settled between us, Rob.’

  There was much more going on here in the house of the Mathesons than he had ever imagined. But he needed to understand it before Connor got here.

  The rest of the meal passed quickly. The crowded hall and heightened tension and noise had bothered Tyra, so she had asked for his leave to seek her chambers quickly. Though he suspected she did not want to risk having to speak to him about their marriage, his testing complete, he had waved his permission.

  After making one more inspection of the gates and the guards posted, Rob made his way up the stairs to his chambers. He forgot for a moment about moving to another chamber and only the sight of the guards in front of his father’s room reminded him.

  His father’s room.

  Once named laird, he’d refused to move into the rooms his father had used. Thinking back now, he could not say if it was some kind of continued rebellion or that he could not accept his own worthiness to be there. Or, had he just honoured his father and did not want to live in his place?

  Since others now stayed in these chambers, the guards would remain. They would patrol the corridor and the stairs from now on for any signs of trouble and to keep Lilidh safe if there was any.

  ‘Laird,’ Tomas said as he approached. ‘A word before you go in.’ The guard was about the same age and build as he was and they’d been friends for years. The frown that darkened his face warned Rob of something bad.

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘Lady Tyra was here.’

  ‘In my chambers?’ he asked.

  ‘Nay, but she was here in one of the other rooms when Lady MacGregor was moved.’

  This was not good. ‘Go ahead.’

  ‘They exchanged words and Lady Tyra slapped�
�’

  Rob did not wait for the rest of his words, he pushed open the door and found her sitting in a chair much like the one that had been in his chambers. Her head was bowed as she scrutinised the garment she sewed. He was not quiet, charging into the room as he had, so she knew he was there.

  ‘Lilidh.’ She did not react at all, continuing to push that needle through the fabric and out again. ‘Lilidh, look at me?’

  Chapter Thirteen

  She let out a sigh and put her hands down on her lap, the clothing lay across her legs. Then Lilidh turned her face and met his gaze. Her fair skin hid nothing and the darkening injury marred her cheek. Bruising had already begun around the edges, deep purple seeping through the reddened areas.

  ‘No,’ she said, before he could ask.

  ‘No, I should not do this to her? Or, no, you do not think I will believe the lie when you tell me it does not hurt?’ Rob approached slowly. ‘If your father sees you looking like this, there is no hope for peace.’

  ‘She is your betrothed. She is furious over my being with you.’ She knew the truth about Tyra’s position here—but certainly not the truth of his feelings on the matter.

  ‘You would excuse her for doing this?’

  Rob reached out and moved several loose strands of hair away from Lilidh’s face, revealing the full extent of the welt. Lilidh placed her hand on his and pushed it away as she stood.

  ‘Excuse her? No, I do not excuse her for I believe there is always a way other than force and suffering, Rob. But I understand her reaction in this. Hitting me is about the only thing she can do to show her displeasure at the insult you’ve committed against her honour and her pride.’

  Rob stared at this extraordinary woman and wondered—not for the last time, he was certain—how things could have been between them if he had not made the choice he had. Though he had suspicions about Tyra, he had no proof and he, too, understood her reaction. Had he not done the same thing to Symon?

  ‘I will seek no reprisal then against her,’ he offered.

  Lilidh nodded and turned back to sit once more. He touched her arm to stop her. Had she shivered or was his mind creating sensations that were not there?

  ‘The tension is something that can be felt here, Rob. And when my father arrives, it will worsen,’ she offered.

  Many things would worsen. If the MacLeries laid siege to his keep, many would suffer. He must come up with a way out of this. ‘Would you read another document?’

  Doubt flickered in her gaze, but she nodded. He went to the leather trunk that held all the papers important to the clan and found the one he wanted her to examine. With what Murtagh had told him about other possible betrothals and informal links to the MacKenzies, he thought she might find something he’d missed in his review of it.

  ‘Would you walk with me?’ Rob asked her after a short time had passed. ‘I would rather not discuss this here.’ He glanced at the door and the now-noisy corridor filled with the elders and others returning to their chambers for the night from the hall.

  He found her cloak, the one his men had recovered along with her other garments from the wreckage of her travelling party’s cart, and placed it on her shoulders, barely controlling his need to touch her face. They made their way up to the battlements and walked the perimeter once, giving her time to loosen the muscles in her legs and a reprieve, he knew, from being inside the entire day and night. When they reached the base of the ruined tower, Rob stopped and turned to her, blocking the worst of the winds with his body. Then he explained what Murtagh had revealed. Her surprise at any marriage connection being discussed with her family told him that the MacLeries might not be as interested in such a bond as perhaps his father or cousin was. And, now, with his daughter’s mistreatment at his hands, Rob doubted Connor would ever approve or allow Lilidh to remain here as any Matheson’s wife or connect their families in any other way.

  Their discussion over, Rob held out his arm to escort Lilidh back down the stairs to his chamber, but she shook her head.

  ‘May I stay a few more minutes? The fresh air clears my head.’

  He nodded and went to speak to the men on guard. There was no doubt that the MacLeries would arrive soon and he wanted everyone watchful for signs of any outriders from their main force. Even as he talked to the men, his gaze never left Lilidh. She made her way back to the edge of the battlements and stared out into the forest surrounding the keep. Her home, Lairig Dubh, was to the south and east of Keppoch, the MacGregors to the north and east. Then she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Reaching out, she rested her hands on the stone wall and just remained in that position for some minutes. Just as he was about to go back to her, she opened her eyes, leaned her head forwards and turned to face him.

  As he approached, she never looked away. Her eyes filled with the same desire that he’d witnessed when she’d awoken from that dream in his bed. But she was not sleeping this time and he could not tell if she was thinking about Iain now or not. A thought crept into his mind then—if and how could a depth of emotion be created between a man and a woman in the short time she’d been married to the MacGregor? The stabbing fire of jealousy tore into his own heart then as he realised how much he’d allowed to slip through his hands.

  By being weak.

  By being afraid.

  By not being worthy.

  When he stood before her, her gaze fell to his mouth and his to hers. The wanting had never ceased for him, never lessened even though he’d agreed to do what Connor wanted of him—repudiate Lilidh and leave. There wasn’t a day he did not think of her or grieve over his actions.

  Or want her.

  So, he took the last step between them and touched his mouth to hers. Her lips softened under his and she did not move away. He raised his hand up and cupped her head, holding her there, though only just. Rob tilted his face and kissed her again. This time she opened her mouth for him as she did in their times together. He was not certain if she’d forgiven him for the past, but she had not forgotten. She had not forgotten him.

  He felt her hands grasp his jacket and his body heated at the way her fingers tickled him as she tried to hold on to him. Once she had hold of him, she pulled him closer. The soft touch of the tip of her tongue on his startled and pleased him. He let her explore his mouth for a few glorious moments and then he could not hold back, taking possession of her mouth as he’d dreamt of doing these last four years.

  This kiss was not the same as the one in the hall when she was brought here. That one was for show and ended in anger. This one—well, this one simply demanded another and another until they were both breathless. He lifted his mouth from hers and leaned back, his hand yet tangled in her hair and keeping her head close.

  ‘I want you, Lilidh,’ he whispered. ‘I have always wanted you.’

  He touched his lips to hers again, barely for a moment, and then he stepped back, lest he toss her to the ground and have the rest of her right here, right now. He could have held his control had she not been so soft beneath him. If she had not taken hold of him and drawn him closer. He had almost escaped her effect on him, but then she spoke, whispered, a reply.

  ‘And I want you, Rob Matheson.’

  Where the wanton had hidden for these last four years, she knew not, but when his mouth touched hers it was back in full force. Her body heated and blood raced and places deep within grew heavy in anticipation of what came next. As during the times they’d loved, during their secret encounters, her body did not care if his touch was wrong, it simply wanted.

  It wanted him and the sensual magic he could create within her as he caressed and pleasured her in ways she’d never dreamt of. Her breasts ached and the tips of them tightened, tingling in hope that he would touch her there, again, soon.

  If she was to leave here and be given to someone else in marriage, she would not go without finishing what she and Rob had started all those years ago. No one expected her to be a virgin bride after her first marriage, so that would n
ot make or break negotiations for a future match. If she had the opportunity to choose the man to whom she would give herself to, and if fate now provided her that chance for its own strange reasons, she would seize it.

  Knowing that Rob had not ordered her kidnapping and that he sought to protect his people and not take the easiest way out also made her understand that he would never force himself on her now. He could have any night in his bed if that had been his plan. A man who would force a woman would not care if she was awake or asleep. He would not care if her leg hurt and could not walk the steps. He would not care if she were being mistreated.

  Rob cared. Rob made certain of her safety and comfort and even allowed her this measure of freedom or time alone here where it gave her pleasure. He tried to protect her against his own kin.

  If nothing else, allowing this thing to happen between them, this unexpressed passion that remained between them, even after their terrible parting and the hurt that took years to burn away, would give her the closure she needed before moving on in her life. Perhaps, if she’d not seen him again, she would not feel this way. Alas, she had and she did.

  But the wanton within reminded her that mostly she just wanted to experience the full measure of passion that had been promised her in their beginnings. Her body wanted to take that final step with Rob and no other.

  To prove her words, to herself and to him, she lifted up on her toes and, taking his head in her hands, drew his mouth down to her. This time she explored his mouth, using the tip of her tongue to outline his firm lips. When he opened, she tasted all that he was. Rob moved closer, lifting his cloak open and wrapping it and his arms around her. His body was all hardened muscles and she felt safe. He made her feel that way. Then, the sound of shuffling feet made her pull back.

  She had completely forgotten the guards. She’d forgotten they stood on top of the battlements of his keep. She’d forgotten herself. Rob kept her wrapped in his cloak as the guards passed them on their rounds, so she did not have to acknowledge them. Lilidh pulled free once they’d passed and were far enough away not to hear their words.