Surprisingly, they did seem to trust her, but before he could tell her that, there was a shout and laughter from Clement before a rider came into view. The rider was in trousers, but long blonde hair streamed behind them as they thundered closer.
"Dinnae be alarmed," Creighton told Kylie as he stopped his horse and dismounted. Andrew and Clement joined them, and Kylie gasped as more riders appeared over the ridge riding at a breakneck pace.
Grace was a blur until she brought her horse to a stop and hopped down from her horse. With a big smile, she threw herself into Creighton's arms. Laughing, he caught her easily and embraced her.
"I ought to lop yer arms off for touching my wife," Hamish said dryly when he stopped and dismounted. When Creighton set Grace down, she hugged Andrew while Hamish grinned and stepped forward to embrace Creighton.
"At the rate yer wife is going, ye will have many handless people running around Hamilton," Creighton laughed. After the dust had settled, he'd returned to Itanium lands to thank Grace for saving his life. They'd become friends, and he'd been looking forward to returning.
"I cannae have that, so I suppose I will have to pardon ye and yer men." Hamish looked up at Kylie. "I was under the impression ye were looking for a bride, not that ye had already found one.”
“I amnae his bride," Kylie said hotly before he could say anything.
"My apologies," Hamish said with a trace of amusement. Grace returned to her husband's side, and he easily slipped an arm around her waist.
"Nay, the apology should be mine. I didnae mean to answer so rudely," Kylie said with a sheepish look.
“I am Grace, and this is my husband, Laird Hamish Hamilton."
"The Hero and Hellion of Hamilton!" Kylie's eyes danced merrily. "I have been looking forward to meeting ye. I am Kylie MaeSeaver. Laird Armstrong is kindly escorting me to Sinclair lands."
"Well, I certainly have questions about that, but it can wait until ye are settled." Grace broke away from her husband's horse.
It was several more hours before they reached Itanium Keep. From the way the villagers reacted. it was clear that Hamish and Grace were still beloved.
When Creighton quietly requested an adjoining room with Kylie, Hamish looked surprised but complied. Kylie also wisely didn't say anything when she saw the accommodations. They were each given time to bathe and change before getting together in the courtyard for a small meal.
Grace hadn’t changed out of her trousers, and plopped herself down on the blanket with ease. Creighton couldn’t help but see the admiration in Kylie’s face before she sat down and tucked her skirts under her legs. She was moving more slowly than usual, and he realized that the quick pace they were keeping must have hurt her.
He’d make a note to keep an eye on her discomfort as they started back up again.
“Creighton,” Hamish said, “ye tell me right here and now why ye want to do something as foolish as to travel to Sinclair for a wife when we have plenty of eligible lasses right here.”
“Hamish, ye know why,” Grace chuckled. “He wants a hellion!”
Creighton grimaced. “Lord, I dinnae. If they are all like ye, then Hamish, line up yer most docile lasses and let me take a look at them.”
“I wilnae hear ye talk like that,” Grace declared. “While the lasses here are fine, I have already spoken at length with Moira. I dinnae trust my brother to find some suitable matches for ye ahead of time, but I have given my qualifications to Moira, and she is hard at work.”
“Yer qualifications?” Creighton questioned.
“Aye. Ye are the last unwed alliance laird, and we must find ye a strong partner.”
Creighton groaned, and Kylie chuckled. “I believe that is what Gemma and Jillian tried to tell him, but apparently, he only wishes a lass who will give him children and quietly raise them while he does his manly things.”
“That isnae what I said!” Creighton muttered, but it was too late. Grace was already glaring at him, so he glared right back. “Why are ye getting involved to begin with? If I recall, the hellion didnae want to marry!”
“Smart lass,” Kylie said quietly into her cup.
Hamish reached out and took his wife’s hand, linking their fingers. “I believe the changes in my wife’s body are affecting her mood. She is a wee more affectionate than usual and also a busybody.”
“Busybody!” Grace gasped.
“Changes?” Creighton echoed with a frown.
Rolling her eyes, Kylie set her cup down. “She is pregnant, Creighton. I have never seen her before, and even I can tell that she is glowing. Congratulations. I dinnae want to overstep my bounds, but I have learned a thing or two from Jillian, and I am happy to pass them on. Things ye can do to strengthen yer pregnancy.”
“She can stay in bed is what she can do,” Hamish growled.
“Actually, Jillian believes pregnant women should remain active to stay healthy, within reason, of course.”
Grace’s eyes lit up. “Oh, aye, I plan on hearing everything that ye have to say. And I will be certain to let my husband know. I have no intention of being bedridden so long as the babe is healthy. Tell me, Kylie, why are ye traveling to Sinclair? Please tell me that ye arenae searching for a husband.”
“I wilnae marry,” Kylie said before Creighton could intervene. “I am seeking some information, and yer brother is the most experienced laird in the alliance with the most access to such information, I am hoping that he can answer some questions.”
“Questions! What sort of questions?”
“Another time, perhaps,” Creighton said. Kylie shot him an inquisitive look, but he had a feeling that they should start being more careful about her questions. Judging from the way Kylie glanced around at some of the millings about the courtyard, he suspected that she agreed.
If only he knew what was bothering her.
“Verra well, a mystery then. Perhaps we can discuss it after dinner. Until then, let me tell ye what I think of this idea of some silent brood mare of a wife ye have,” Grace began.
Groaning, Creighton closed his eyes and began fervently wishing he’d kept the object of his mission a secret. The lasses of the alliance were all trying to kill him.
12
Kylie walked back to her chambers after their afternoon in the sun. She was cleaner and grateful for the rest, but she was also both exhausted and excited. There was some renewed hope of meeting new people who might know the answers to her questions—and also some doubts about whether she should stop. When Marcus had asked her how far she would go to get what she wanted, how much she was willing to lose, she’d only thought of herself making the sacrifice. What if Erksine hadn’t stopped looking? What if he still came after her?
Would he go after the people that she loved? The new friends she’d made along the way? The man who’d sworn to deliver her safely to her destination?
A little dizzy at the thought, she stopped in the hall and pressed a hand to her stomach. Creighton really did have a reason to distrust her.
“Are ye ill from the ride?” he asked as he walked up behind her. “Or from the food?”
“Neither. I amnae ill,” she told him as she straightened. He’d acted like he might give her some freedom, yet he was still following her around, and he’d made certain their rooms were next to each other.
And adjoined.
Only family members or married couples should have adjoining rooms, she thought.
“Simply tired. I just need to rest some before dinner.” Without looking at him, she started walking again, but he took her arm and gently whirled her around, pushing her up against the stone.
His eyes scrutinized her, and she felt a little thrill of a tingle down her spine. When he wasn’t scowling at her, she enjoyed the way he looked at her sometimes. It always left her wanting more, which she knew was beyond dangerous. Even if she dared try and give her heart away, Creighton would never be hers. He would never trust her, and she couldn’t be with someone who would always doubt her.
>
But then, it wasn’t like marriage was her only option. Her heart didn’t need to be on the line for her to experience pleasure. What if this was her opportunity to learn what her happily married friends were always laughing about?
Surely there was more to it than her little experience had offered her.
Knowing that Creighton would keel over from shock if he knew what was on her mind, she laid down on the bed and napped with a smile on her face.
That evening, Creighton escorted her down to dinner, and once again, Kylie felt like all eyes were on her as she sat down at the table in the great hall. Because Marcus had been a merchant, the family hadn't been invited to the MacSeaver hall until Graeme had taken over. She'd gone as Jillian's friend, but the table was open to all who needed it. Tradition was hard to break, so most nights, it was still filled with warriors.
Here, things seemed to be more relaxed. There were groups of women and men as well as whole families with children happily chasing each other around the tables. It shouldn't have been odd that Kylie was there, but then, it probably wasn't the reason people were staring.
Word must have gotten out that she was an unwed lass traveling with Creighton, the laird seeking a bride.
Knowing her cheeks were red, Kylie sat down and tried to pretend that nothing was amiss. “Ye look more rested," Hamish said kindly. "I am pleased that ye are joining us for dinner."
"Thank ye for the invitation. My chambers are lovely." Even if they are situated right next to Creighton. "Is the tapestry one of Gammas?"
"Aye, even before we knew who she was, I had one. Status was very important to me when I became laird."
"'Til ye married the hellion!" someone shouted, and the whole table laughed.
Hamish smiled indulgently at his wife. Grace glowed. Now there was a woman who was comfortable with herself. Kylie envied that about her. She still couldn't believe she had offered herself to Creighton like that, or that she was wondering what it would be like if she’d followed through.
Marcus would be so ashamed, but then, Marcus had done his fair share of lying to her, hadn’t he?
"There's my boy," a voice boomed. Startled, Kylie looked up to see an older man had wedged himself in next to Hamish and one of the guards. Everyone grinned and immediately made room for him. "Tyree, you're back early!" Hamish exclaimed as he rose from his chair and embraced the man.
Tyree was the man who'd become laird after his brother had died. The one who started pulling the Hamiltons away from all the petty feuds. The one who hadn't wanted power and passed the torch to Hamish as soon as he was able.
Kylie had always pictured a doddering old man, but while Tyree was older, he was also large and full of life.
An eager thought struck her. What if he knew something of Erksine?
He may not have been in power for long, but he might have been privy to his brother’s knowledge.
"Aye. We heard reports of a small group high up in the mountains moving south. No reason to suspect there might be trouble, but we decided to leave Sinclair early. Edina is resting, or she would be here as well."
Kylie looked at him sharply. "Ye were in Sinclair lands?" He gave her an odd look, and she realized how rude that must have sounded. "I'm so sorry. I'm Kylie MacSeaver. I'm traveling to Sinclair with Laird Armstrong."
"Pleasure, Miss Kylie, and Creighton, 'tis good ye stopped on yer journey. My Moira is vera excited for yer visit. Moira is my niece, which is why we were visiting. Edina and I love to visit the little one." Tyree settled in and thanked the young lad who brought him a plate of food. "And why are ye traveling to Sinclair, lass?"
Once again, all eyes turned to her. "Creighton has been good to escort me while I make some inquiries."
Tyree rose his bushy eyebrows. "What sort of inquiries?"
"Ones I would love to discuss with ye tomorrow if ye have time."
The older man cast a look toward Creighton, no doubt for confirmation, and that infuriated Kylie. Grace must have noticed her frustrations because she gave her a sympathetic smile. "I, for one, am looking forward to speaking with ye, Kylie. I need to see Edina tomorrow, so we can walk together if ye like."
"Aye." Kylie nodded eagerly. "That would be wonderful!"
"Edina will be pleased, and I will be in the company of three beautiful lasses," Tyree mused with a wink.
"I will come with ye," Creighton said firmly.
"Me as well," Hamish volunteered.
Tyree sighed dramatically. "Ye dinnae trust me with yer women?"
The table chuckled, and Kylie forced a smile—only she knew that Creighton still didn't trust her to be alone.
He didn’t correct Tyree and remind him that Kylie wasn’t his woman.
"Now then, tell me of these travelers from the mountains, and then tell Grace of her brother and friend before she explodes," Hamish said.
The dinner ran well into the night until some of the guards were weaving on their feet from too much to drink. Kylie felt like wearing too, from exhaustion. Andrew stood and looked at her. "Miss Kylie, I can escort ye to yer chambers if ye are tired."
She blinked at his formal greeting and smiled at the idea that he was trying to protect her reputation while they were around strangers.
"No need," Creighton said suddenly as he stood. "I was about to go up anyway."
Suppressing a yawn, Kylie stood and thanked Hamish and Grace. She didn't even realize how tired she was until Creighton put his hand at her back to steady her. He didn't say a word as he walked her out of the great hall and up the stairs.
"I like it here." She yawned as they stopped by her door. “I’d heard stories of how violent Hamiltons can be, but everyone is so nice."
"It wasn't always that way." Creighton followed her into the room and pushed the door behind him.
Realizing they were alone in her bedchamber, Kylie sucked in her breath and turned toward him. "What are ye doing?"
"Trying to figure out what is going on inside that head of yers!" Creighton roared. "A few days ago, ye would have asked the maid emptying the chamber pot about Erksine, and now ye suddenly need privacy. Why can't ye trust me enough to tell me what is going on?"
"Maybe when I know that ye trust me," she said tiredly. “But since that isnae likely to happen, then I suppose we will continue to circle each other."
"Do ye want him?" he demanded suddenly.
Confused, she stared at him. "Do I want who? Erksine? I dinnae even know what the man looks like!"
"Andrew. He is sweet on ye, and he is a good man. He would be a good husband, but perhaps ye have already thought of that," he sneered.
"I have no idea what ye are talking about! Andrew is my friend, and I enjoy being around him, but I have no plans to marry the man. I dinnae plan to wed at all, or have ye forgotten?"
He took a step forward, and she didn't back down. "Ye could change yer mind."
"Unlikely. I have never looked at Andrew that way. Not like..." She stopped, suddenly aware of where the conversation might go if she continued.
"Like?" he prompted.
Maybe it was the wine combined with the exhaustion, but she threw caution into the wind. "Like ye look at me," she whispered.
The world stopped, and his gaze heated as he closed the distance between them. "Ye think I want to look at ye like this? That I want to feel like this? Ye make me ache, lass, and it is all I can do not to take ye."
His lips descended on hers before she could tell him that the feeling was mutual. The kiss was heady and desperate, and she didn’t hesitate as she wrapped her arms around his neck, eager for more. His hard body pressed against hers as he groaned and bent her backward, deepening the kiss and tangling his fingers through her hair.
Dizzy, she clung to him, forgetting all the reasons why she should not be kissing him. With a whimper, she rubbed her leg against his, and with a grunt, he suddenly pulled away and stared at her.
Trembling, she touched her lips. How could someone who hated her and distrusted her so
much kiss her like that?
"Get some sleep," he said gruffly, and then he was gone, disappearing through the adjoining door and leaving her confused and flushed.
13
Clement knocked on Creighton’s door early in the morning to let him know that Hamish wanted to give him a tour before breakfast if he wished. Creighton was already awake, spending most of the night wondering what it was about Kylie that made him lose all common sense.
The lass drove him mad with need, and it wasn’t just her beauty. There were plenty of lovely lasses in his own clan, and he’d seen more than his fair share during their travels. She wasn’t of a sweet disposition; she was prickly and deceitful, but every time she smiled at him—really smiled at him—he felt the strangest warm sensation in his chest and immediately wondered what he could do to see that smile again.
But she had lied to him and continued to do so. He needed to get her to Sinclair and then leave her there and never think of her again.
They would leave tomorrow.
Maybe he should change his rooms to the far side of the keep just to be on the safe side.
After dressing, he joined Andrew and Clement outside with Hamish and his own guards. Hamilton lands were small, but they were part of the alliance extended well beyond the marriage of the Sinclair sister and the Hamilton laird. Hamish was a strong laird, and he had some of the finest warriors. There weren’t many natural resources, but Hamish was a shrewd businessman and was now one of the wealthiest clans through trade alone. If any of the allianced clans found themselves in need, Hamilton had the coin to help them.
“Connor will be pleased to see ye wed,” Hamish commented as they walked. “He and King Edward want to see us all with heirs.”
“That is the plan. Ye must be pleased that Grace is with child.”
“Aye, but I know how much stress it is putting on Grace. She fears she wilnae make a good mother, although I vehemently disagree. I wouldnae mind having a brood of daughters just like her.”
“And if ye only have lasses?”
Highlander’s Elusive Bride: A Scottish Medieval Historical Romance Page 7
