“No, I will go find him myself.” She had to see with her own eyes that her husband was truly outdoors. Analise attempted to keep from rushing but, in the end, she hitched up her skirts and ran.
Carrick swung his sword up just as his opponent’s came down and held it in place as the man pushed against it. The men grunted with the strain. Her husband’s opponent caught sight of Analise and lifted his sword. “Milady.”
Her husband turned to her, his hair plastered to his face with perspiration. Analise had never been so glad to see him, but remained still not wanting to get any closer since some of the men continued sparring.
Carrick took a cloth that was held out by a lad and wiped his face. Then took a proffered cup and drank deeply, his eyes on her the entire time.
When he walked toward her, she took in the handsome man. Tall, broad-shouldered, his tanned skin telling of the many hours he spent outdoors. His hair was sun-streaked and longer, past his shoulders and tied back with a leather strap. Stormy, amber eyes left hers and went toward the keep. “Is something amiss, wife?”
“I must speak to you in private.” She lifted a hand to her hair and pushed the windblown tresses behind her ear.
He nodded. “Of course. Walk with me.”
They walked from the side of the keep through the gates to where an open field full of lush flora took her breath. Lavender grew as far as the eye could see and she could only smile at the sight. “How beautiful. I wish our chambers faced in this direction so I could admire this view daily.”
“Aye, it is beautiful.” He took her elbow and she yearned to lean into him and feel his strength against her. “Do you still wish to leave?”
Her eyes jerked to his. “Why would you ask me that?” Analise moved to stand before him. “I do not wish to be where you are not.”
Carrick blinked and his brows joined. “After you suggested it right after we married, I have been waiting for you to bring it up again.”
“I see.” Analise wasn’t sure if the pain in her chest was an ailment or the breaking of her heart. “In truth, I had not considered it.”
He looked up to the sky. “What did you wish to speak to me about then?”
“I saw Declan and Gritzel together. They are lovers.”
“That explains much. I have kept someone of trust overseeing the preparation of our meals because I do not trust that whoever poisoned Father would stop. Now I fear for my brother if he does not marry her. Which he won’t.”
“Do you think they killed him?” Analise whispered although they were alone.
“No. Declan would not go so far. He resents being second born, but only because he won’t have his own keep. Father made no concessions for him. But I believe Gritzel is capable.”
“What will you do?” Analise placed her hand on his arm noting he stilled, his eyes on hers.
“I will think on it.”
She let out a breath. Time for the truth. “Carrick, do you wish me to leave so you can have a lover of your preference? If you do, I will.”
“What?” He glowered. “No, I do not wish it. I am pleased at how you manage the household and it is reassuring to know you are in the adjoining chamber even if you never join me in bed.”
“I have been waiting for you to come to me.” She placed her palm on his jaw. “I have wanted you to.”
The color of his eyes went from light to dark. He seemed puzzled but then nodded. “I will come to you tonight then.” He lifted her other hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Then you are not sorry to have married a disfigured man?”
“Disfigured?” Analise was confused for a moment. “Oh, are you referring to the scar on the side of your face?”
After an incredulous look, her husband nodded. “Yes.” His voice was husky, unsure. “I am disfigured…ugly.”
“Carrick, if not for that scar, you would be too beautiful for words. How could you think yourself ugly? Do you not see how every woman you come across cannot tear her eyes from you? It is not the scar, but your beauty that commands so much attention.”
“I have never heard such words.”
She smiled when his face colored. Her handsome, breathtaking husband was, for the first time, embarrassed by praise.
Analise lifted her face to him and he kissed her. At the touch of his lips she let out a sigh. How she’d missed his kisses, his touches.
His hands circled her waist and pulled Analise closer, his lips next to her ear. “I am a fool. To think I almost sent you away. Not because I did not want you, but because I wanted you so much it has become unbearable. So many nights I went to your door only to turn away.”
A tear slid down her face. “And I thought you didn’t desire me because I had so little to offer a man who could have any woman of his choosing.” Analise sniffed. “I don’t want adjoining bedrooms, Carrick. I miss sharing the bed with you. We have both been such fools.”
“I agree.” His laughter rang clear and not able to keep from giggling at the nonsense of it all, she joined him.
“Now,” Analise looked back toward the keep. “I suggest after the meal, you bathe. While you do, I will direct the maids to move my clothing and other belongings to your much larger chamber.”
He took her by the waist and lifted her until she rested her hands on his shoulders. Then he turned in a circle. “This is a happy day. I just have one more thing to take care of and then you and I, we will rule over the clan in peace together.”
Analise took in the sight of the land surrounding the keep. “Yes, my love, we will.”
Carrick was drying off after his bath, his man stood beside him handing him cloths. There he remained, exquisitely and utterly nude, when she entered his chamber. Analise walked to the large wardrobe where her clothes were now placed. Unable to keep from looking at him, she glanced over her shoulder and noted his shaft twitched at her perusal.
The corner of Carrick’s lips twitched and he lifted an eyebrow. It turned out her husband was a consummate flirt. He wrapped a larger cloth around his waist when noticing Erin behind her.
Her cheeks warmed. She waited for Carrick’s man to leave and then for Erin to help her out of her gown. Her back to the room, the cooler temperature hit the skin of her back and made her shiver.
Heated lips pressed against the base of her neck and she gasped, turning her head to see Carrick now stood where Erin had been. He pushed the gown from her shoulders, past her waist to the floor, his arms circling her waist. He traced a trail with his tongue from her ear down to her throat.
Analise moaned and lifted her hands to run her fingers through his damp hair. “Make love to me, husband.”
“I have thought of little else since we spoke earlier.” He lifted her and carried her to the bed. He stood beside it and dropped the cloth from his waist.
How glorious he was. Fully male and every delectable inch hers to explore. Analise sat up and held her hand out. Carrick took it and came to the edge of the bed then climbed in and lay on his side. His eyes widened when Analise pushed him to his back and slid her hands down from his chest to his hips, her fingers sliding across the hard planes. “What are you doing?”
“Touching you. Every bit of you.” She continued her exploration, massaging his skin, pressing her lips on his chest, flicking her tongue across the stiff points. “Mmm.” He closed his eyes and kept his arms to his sides allowing her full access to his body.
Instinct took over and she covered him with her body using her mouth, teeth and lips to suckle, nip and lick different places. She learned where he was most sensitive by his grunts of pleasure and paid extra attention to those spots.
“I can’t take much more without losing my seed,” Carrick breathed heavily. He placed his hands on both sides of her face and drew her up to his hungry mouth. “Guide me to you.”
Close to release herself, already dripping wet with need of him, Analise could barely wait to join. She straddled his hips and lowered, taking him fully.
Both let out a moan of pleasure.
Carrick took her hips again, lifting and then lowering her while thrusting upward, deep and hard.
Analise placed her hands on his chest and took over meeting his drives with her plummets, both moving faster and faster toward the goal that eluded, yet seemed so close. She watched as Carrick threw his head back, his full lips parted. Even in the midst of rapture he was breathtaking. Would she ever tire of looking upon him?
It became harder to breathe, every movement sending waves of pleasure until she shook all over. Finally the surroundings went black and she let go, falling into the abyss surrounded by Carrick’s hoarse cries of release.
Chapter Fourteen
The morning sun broke through to light the room. Carrick opened his eyes and let out a sigh. The weight of Analise’s leg thrown across his own and her arm about his waist was a perfect way to awaken. He’d dreamed of mornings such as these.
Her long, golden brown hair was a tangled mess that tumbled over his arm and down her back. A more fetching woman he’d never seen as the one now in his arms. He vowed then this would be how every morning would be until his last breath.
When she stirred, he held still hoping she’d not move away. Her beautiful, sky blue eyes lifted to him and her lips curved. “Oh good, I was afraid it may have been a beautiful dream.”
Carrick kissed her. “’Tis not a dream.”
She wiggled closer. “I am happy then.”
“Are you really?” Carrick could still not understand how it was possible that she found him desirable. After so many years of hearing from his father and others how everyone found him an appalling sight, it would take a long time to believe it was not so.
“I am.” Analise kissed his chest. “God has gifted me with a second husband, a terribly handsome one at that, and another chance at a family.”
“Aye, we will have young. And your destiny as the Lady of Gordon Keep will be fulfilled. Everything will be as it should.”
She furrowed her brow. “There is one more thing I wish for.”
“What do you wish for, wife? Tell me and I will ensure you have it.” Carrick could not fathom what she’d ask.
“I wish for your heart.” Her face flushed a pretty pink shade. “I wish for your love, Carrick. If it were to happen then all will be perfect.”
“Consider it done.” He laughed when she huffed and hit him in the chest. “Truly, I already love you, Analise. I love you for seeing past my scar. And for standing by me and accepting all that I am without ever giving up on me.”
“How did you get that scar?”
“My father cut my face while we sparred when I was about ten years of age. Mother became very angry with him when I ran to her screaming in pain. I remember they fought bitterly.” He placed his arm under his head and looked to the ceiling while remembering the day.
Analise kissed his jawline, her hand stroking over the opposite cheek. “I don’t understand why he mistreated you so.”
“I don’t know, perhaps I never will. I reminded him of my mother. She never loved him, yet doted on me. It could be that is why he never cared for me.”
“In the end, I believe he realized the mistake he made in his treatment of you.”
Carrick shrugged. “It is his burden to carry to the afterlife.”
“You are a good man, Carrick Gordon. I love you.”
Carrick’s stomach clenched at her words. “Do you mean it?”
“Aye, I do.” Analise cupped his face placing her palms on his cheeks and pressed a kiss to his parted lips. “I have since the day I saw you in the courtyard. I could not believe you were the man I’d marry. It thought it was a cruel joke. It had to be because you were too good to be true.”
“I thought that perhaps you were planning an escape by the way you scanned the surroundings.”
“I was.”
“I am glad you were not successful.”
“As am I.”
“Sire. Do you wish help dressing?” Carrick’s man entered and stood with his back to them.
“No thank you, Liam. I will dress myself and be down shortly. Please tell Declan and Gritzel I wish to speak to them after I break my fast.”
His brother and Gritzel followed Carrick to the study.
Carrick didn’t sit, not wanting to be lower than the two people he did not trust. Analise sat in a chair just in front of the large hearth, the cheery fire filling the room with both warmth and shadows and he went to stand beside it. Without preamble he spoke. “I know you are lovers.”
Gritzel’s wide eyes flew to Declan who remained without expression. His brother exhaled, but did not speak. Did not deny it.
Carrick looked to the woman. “I believe you were the one who poisoned my father. But since I cannot prove it, I will allow you to live. I demand you leave my home immediately.”
Although her eyes shifted just enough to give a glimpse of her guilt, the woman lifted her chin and looked down her nose toward Carrick. “I did not kill him. He died from too much drink.”
“You will leave immediately. I will have you escorted to the edge of our lands.”
The woman’s rounded eyes looked to Declan who looked up to the ceiling as if bored.
“I expect better treatment. I was the late laird’s wife,” Gritzel screeched. “Where shall I go?”
“You can go with Declan for all I care. But you must never step again within the gates of Gordon Keep or I will have you beheaded.”
“Where am I to go?” Declan’s darkened eyes flew to Carrick’s face. The boredom had been a façade. Carrick noticed his brother trembled with rage as he glared at Gritzel then to him. “You have my word. I had nothing to do with Father being poisoned.”
“I don’t believe you did, brother. However, being her lover, I do not trust you to remain here.” Carrick understood that perhaps he and Declan would never be close, however, he’d do his part to seek a better relationship with his brother.
“I will go then. Perhaps our cousins to the north can use my sword arm.”
“I wish you to have Moriag.” Carrick watched as a multitude of emotions crossed his brother’s face.
“Our mother’s home?”
“You have always cherished it.”
“Yes, I have,” Declan conceded.
“I know you will care for it. The people of Moriag, the small village, need someone to oversee the dealings and protect them when needed. It will be your township to be laird over now.”
“Why would you do that for me?” Declan’s shoulders hunched. Gritzel, on the other hand, perked up, her face alert.
“Because you are my brother and I love you.” Carrick neared and placed a hand on Declan’s shoulder. “Father should have given you lands of your own long ago.”
“Brother, I do not deserve this.” Declan threw his arms around Carrick and hugged him hard. For the first time since childhood, Carrick held his brother in return. “Aye, you do, Declan. No matter your faults, you have always fought hard for our people, for our clan. And I trust one day we can be closer as brothers should be.”
They moved apart. Declan looked to Gritzel and then back to Carrick. “I would like to take a proper wife. Can you choose someone who will be a good match for me?”
Carrick looked to Analise, who smiled warmly in return, and then nodded. “Aye, I can. But I would prefer you find someone you will love and will love you in return. First, I ask this, brother. Take the time to get to know the people of the village. In six months’ time, if you have not met a good match, I will find a good counterpart for you.”
“I must admit that I had the ledgers for the keep taken away with Jules. I am sorry for taking them. I was bitter and jealous. When you showed to be a good and fair leader, I sent word for Jules to return. He will arrive on the morrow.”
When Carrick nodded he continued. “Thank you, brother. I will do well with what you have entrusted me with and swear to always be in allegiance to you, Laird Gordon.” Declan crossed one arm over his chest and fell to one knee. “Accept my vow.�
�
“I do.” Carrick laid his right hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Take at least eight of your most trusted guardsmen with you.”
Once he rose to his feet, Declan met Carrick’s gaze again. “I also hope for a closer relationship, brother.” He walked out past a red-faced Gritzel without even a glance.
Gritzel lowered her eyes and allowed the guards to lead her from the room.
Analise rushed to Carrick and wrapped her arms around his waist. She laid her head on his chest. “You are tenderhearted to allow Gritzel to live.”
“Father mistreated her for years. I don’t excuse what she did, but I understand it. I think we will not see her again.”
“And your brother?”
“He will be a good and fair leader. Besides, I need my brother to remain our ally in case something happens to me or we don’t have an heir. I want him to experience leadership and be prepared to be laird.”
“Ah. You should not worry handsome husband of mine.” She gifted him with a saucy smile that made his heart leap. “You see Laird Gordon, we will have an heir six months hence.”
It took several seconds for him to understand what she’d said. “A babe? You are with child?”
“Aye.”
Carrick cupped her still flat stomach and fell to his knees. He laid his cheek against it. “My life is full.”
Her hands rested on his shoulders. When he looked up to see her eyes shiny with tears, her lips curved. “I love you, Carrick, husband of mine.”
A more beautiful sight, he’d never seen.
The Lass and the Laird
Chapter One
Moriag, in the Northeast Highlands of Scotland
Declan Gordon pulled his horse to a stop to take in the scene before him. Majestic and lush, a heavy misting gave the illusion his new home rested in a heavenly realm. He pulled his tartan tighter to dispel the coolness of the evening air.
The stone keep was nestled amongst the clouds. At least it seemed so as it sat in a clearing of rich flora with a backdrop of the hazy Highland mountains to its rear and the shore of a loch on its left.
Enticed by the Highlander: The Moriag Series Page 7
