Highland Deception (Highland Pride)

by Lori Ann Bailey

  A small cross was engraved on the elongated oval face. The craftsmanship was precise, and the value indicated she came from a family that had money to spare. It matched the one he had found in her medicine bag. Turning it over, he discovered something written on the inside. A gift from God, M.M. His shoulders drooped—maybe she did belong in a convent.

  No, she would suffocate cloistered away. He walked back over to the table and set it down harder than intended.

  Maggie made a little mewling noise and shifted. He couldn’t resist the temptation to touch the black locks strewn across the pillow and had the sudden urge to climb in with her and wrap her up in his arms as he had the previous nights.

  Ye dinnae even ken who she is, he chided himself as he tamped down the foolish thoughts. He turned and left the room to climb into his own cold, empty bed.

  Sleep refused to come as he tossed and turned all night. The urge to return to Maggie’s room was like the call of a pastry left to cool on a window ledge to a hungry child. The desire to taste her consumed him.

  Images of a black-haired temptress writhing beneath him and a painfully swollen cock woke him. With a groan, he crawled out bed. A bath in the cold loch might be in his future, so he dressed and made his way downstairs.

  As he turned the corner, he spied Maggie and froze, because ’twas the first time he’d seen her in women’s clothing. She wore a deep green plaid draped lovingly over her shoulders, and her dark curls were pulled back in a headpiece that made her look regal as she stood tall and conversed with the two most undisciplined Cameron children he knew. One had been crying, the other stood with arms crossed and face red, but Maggie held court over them as if she were the lady of the keep. The way she handled the children deserved praise. He’d seen their parents struggling to keep them from coming to blows, while Maggie practically had the children embracing.

  Mesmerized by her beauty, he stood in the shadows, listening and watching.

  Just as he moved to join them, Dougal came rushing through the door and gave a crooked grin. “I got back last night, but ye had already gone to bed.”

  “Did ye find anything?” He motioned for Dougal to follow him farther into the shadows.

  “Aye. The horse belongs to some man they call the Irish Priest.”

  “Are ye certain? Why would she have the horse of a priest?” Lachlan rubbed his head.

  “I thought ’twas odd, too. He has a niece with dark wavy hair who stays with him.” One hand made waving motions from his temple down to his shoulders.

  “Did ye return the horse and meet the man?”

  “Nae. I wasnae certain what ye would want me to do. I thought ’twas better if no one was aware we had been there, and the priest surely would have asked questions.”

  “Ye were right.” Lachlan clasped him on the shoulder and tilted his head toward the great hall. “Get ye something to eat. I need fresh air and will be back soon.”

  As he walked out into the warmth of the morning, he couldn’t help but smile. He’d found a woman who was the niece of a priest, and he could understand her misguided desire to take vows. His manhood hardened again with the knowledge it wouldn’t be long before he was able to thrust into her and relieve the ache.

  Maggie was no longer untouchable.

  Chapter Eight

  The first glow of morning’s light filled the room when Maggie came awake to a cock crowing outside the window. Och, she’d fallen asleep and been an awful guest, not even joining them for the dinner meal. Elspeth must think her rude and unmannered. Hoping to make an early appearance and apologize for the slight, she quickly donned the plaid and slippers that had been left for her and rushed out of the room.

  As she rounded the bottom of the stairs and entered the great hall, she came across two children arguing loudly. Introducing herself and gathering their names, she quickly learned they’d been squabbling over a mere apple. She’d had much larger problems to deal with as acting lady at the Murray castle, a duty she had assumed at an early age since her mother had lost interest in running the place without her father’s attentions and had turned to making everyone as miserable as she could.

  “Did ye hide his apple, Davina?” she questioned the little girl.

  The angry girl’s gaze shifted, and she bit her lip, but she said, “Nae.”

  “She isnae telling the truth,” the red-faced boy cried.

  “Is that true?” Maggie asked the girl just as the apple in question fell from its hiding place in her arisaid. Sighing, she pursed her lips while Davina hid her face. Maggie sank to her knees in front of the little girl and took her hands. “Och, Davina, ye should never lie.”

  “But—but, he ate me roll.” Davina pouted.

  “That is another matter, and I’ll talk with Alik about it.” Her eyes darted to the other child then back to Davina. “Ye must never lie, lass. Once a trust is broken, it isnae easy to repair.” Inwardly, she groaned as she realized ’twas exactly what she’d done when she met Lachlan.

  Davina said nothing.

  “Ye see that tapestry, the one with the beautiful reds?” Maggie pointed.

  “Aye.” The girl peeked through her lowered lashes.

  “Imagine ye ripped it down the middle and ye only had yellow yarn to repair it with.”

  Davina’s eyes narrowed, but Maggie kept going, “Ye could mend it, but ’twould never be the same. ’Tis what happens when ye lie. Ye have damaged a fragile trust, and no matter how hard ye try to mend it, ’twill never be as it was before. The person ye have lied to will always have doubts.”

  Was it possible to fix the tear between her and Lachlan? Not likely if she didn’t tell him the truth, but if she did, she wasn’t naive enough to think he would protect her as he did his clan. He owed her nothing.

  A small tear ran down to the girl’s chin. “I’m sorra. I willnae do it again.”

  Maggie wiped the tear from the little cheek. “Ye see then why ’tis so important to be honest?”

  “Aye.”

  “I will forgive ye this time without the tear, but make sure to always be honest.” Would Lachlan ever forgive her if he discovered the truth?

  Maggie’s eyes went back to Alik. “Do ye understand, too?”

  He nodded.

  “Now, did ye take her roll?”

  “Aye,” he said as his gaze avoided Maggie’s.

  “Well, then, Davina, ye may have my roll. Alik, I believe ye owe yer sister an apology.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said.

  “Let’s get back to the table. I’ll share my apple with both of ye.”

  Motherents later, Elspeth greeted, “Good morn to ye,” as the woman sat across from her and the children.

  “Aye, ’tis a good morning. I have made some new friends.” Maggie winked at Davina and Alik then smiled. For the first time in years it was safe to be happy, and she could have friends again without fear of Conall’s rages.

  Elspeth smiled at them then turned back to Maggie, “Since ye weren’t able to take anything with ye, I am having my nieces bring some things to make ye more comfortable this morning.”

  She had brought something of her own. “My bag.” She gasped, and her eyes widened. “It has my herbs in it. Did Lachlan say anything about it?”

  Her medicinals were important. Some were hard to find, and many of the containers were from her grandmother and mother. They were irreplaceable.

  “What kind of herbs?” Elspeth asked.

  “For healing. My mother and grandmother taught me some about the art.” Smiling, Maggie straightened. Her abilities were one of her only sources of pride.

  “That is how ye saved my Malcolm.” Elspeth beamed back. “’Tis a good skill to have.”

  Chairs scraped across the floor as two women sat next to Elspeth. She turned to see who had joined them. “These are my nieces, Lorna and Donella.”

  Maggie gave what she hoped was a welcoming smile, but she shook inside as an image of her friend Miranda flashed behind her eyes. The last few ye
ars, she’d kept to herself, intentionally avoiding interaction with girls her own age because of Conall. “Hi.” She gulped. “I’m Maggie.”

  “We are happy ye are here, Maggie. Thank ye so much for bringing Malcolm back to us,” Donella said. Slightly taller than Maggie, she had to be about four to five years older. Large with child and smelling of mint, she looked as if she would be bringing her babe into the world any day. Her rosy cheeks and warm greeting calmed Maggie’s nerves fractionally, but the fear was so deep inside her, she wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to shake it completely.

  “I only sutured his wound and put some balm on the cut. I am sure he would have been fine.”

  “Malcolm insists you saved him,” Lorna said. She looked to be Maggie’s age. Flame-red, curly locks had been pulled back in a band, but some had fallen loose to frame her oval face.

  “What would he know? He wasnae even awake.” Maggie laughed.

  “That sounds like Malcolm,” Lorna agreed.

  She smiled again. Freedom and friends. This was what it felt like to not live in fear. Since the incident, the day she’d become afraid, she had stayed away from all the other lasses back home. She had decided to never again put another lass at the risk of Conall’s notice, but here, they were safe.

  “We will be showing ye all about Kentillie today. This place can be a little daunting if ye dinnae ken yer way around,” Lorna said.

  After a morning touring the inside of the castle and a light midday meal, she, Lorna, and Donella departed, and met up with Elspeth, who said, “Let’s see what I can show ye outside the castle.”

  They ventured out to the stables. A familiar horse was outside grazing. “Freedom!” Maggie rushed toward him. “I’ll be back in a few motherents. I’d like to say hi,” she called over her shoulder. “Ye have come back.” She rubbed her hand down the horse’s head. The steed sniffed and turned its head to look away. She whispered, “I am aware ye dinnae ken who I am, but ye can at least pretend to be happy to see me.”

  A shift in the air was the only indication she was no longer alone. Lachlan had joined her. A thrill shot through her and caught her unaware. She reached back up to stroke Freedom’s nose and give her time to analyze her body’s unexpected reaction.

  “Would ye like to take him out for a ride? I’ll show ye the loch. ’Tis always beautiful.”

  “Aye, it sounds nice.” And she meant it. The landscape here was beautiful, and she wanted to enjoy it; the added boon was Lachlan would spend the time with her. “Och, but yer mother was going to take me out.” She turned, but Elspeth had disappeared.

  “She willnae mind if I take ye.” He watched her intently as he grinned mischievously. Maggie smiled and then heated as his words took on another meaning. He collected his horse, and she took the time to catch her breath.

  A few motherents later, they were trotting away from Kentillie and toward the loch. “’Tis lovely here. I have never seen a mountain so high.” She pointed to the largest.

  “Aye, ’tis Ben Nevis. ’Tis said to be the largest in all of Scotland.”

  “I believe it.” Tearing her gaze away from the scenery, she looked at him. This suits him. He has to be one of the brawniest men in Scotland.

  “Ye look bonny.”

  She blushed but returned his suddenly heated gaze. The intensity startled her, but it was what she wanted. Something about him called to a primitive part of her that had lain dormant until he’d held her naked body in the river. Now she thrummed anytime he was near.

  “Thank ye. Ye are pleasing to look at as well.” She cringed after the words spilled from her lips. It was a feeble attempt at flirtation, but he grinned anyway.

  They came to a beach, and Lachlan dismounted. He took her hand to help her down and seemed to scan the area before settling the horses at a nearby tree.

  Children laughed and splashed around in the water. She had only been around a few younger cousins on occasion but loved to join in the innocent play when given a chance. It was liberating to give in to the motherent, as she had so rarely been able to truly be herself.

  “Come,” he said. Although he didn’t take her hand, he walked so near her they could have almost touched.

  “Ye have so many bairns here.”

  “We tend to be as fertile as the valley is.”

  Maggie bit her lip as her face warmed. “Do ye miss yer sister?”

  “Aye. Ye remind me of her. She speaks and follows her mind no matter how much trouble it will get her in.”

  “Does it bother ye that a woman may want things different from a man?”

  “Nae. How are ye to understand others with a different point of view if ye never listen?” They were at the edge of the water.

  She sat on the nearest boulder and removed her slippers and stockings. Children continued to laugh and splash in all directions. “There are no’ many men who would bother for a woman’s opinion.”

  “I have discovered that most women are capable of logical thought. Sometimes more so than some men.”

  Maggie rose, pulled her skirts up, and waded into the water while Lachlan remained close on the beach, but she noticed he stayed watchful of their surroundings. The cool water was refreshing. She sighed then turned to take in the full view of him. “Would ye force a woman to do something she doesnae wish, if it got ye something ye wanted?”

  His gaze returned to her. “Not unless it was for the good of the clan.”

  An image of Conall flashed in her head, and she shuddered as dread washed over her. It was the answer all men in his position would give.

  “But I would listen to her reasons,” he continued. “Sometimes women see things we dinnae.”

  She breathed out. Even though her reservations about revealing her identity lingered, it was nice to know he was willing to listen. Would her reasons be sufficient to appeal to him as a man? She thought he might listen, because he didnae seem the type to force his sister into an abusive marriage. He’d let her go out on her own.

  As squealing children ran by, cold droplets speckled Maggie’s legs, and she made a small shriek as the liquid sent chills through her. One of the boys heard her and turned then splashed her again. Suppressing a giggle, she reached down to cup a handful of water and toss it back. She dropped her skirt, and it fell into the water.

  The lad laughed, and they continued back and forth. A stream of water hit her headpiece. She scooped up and aimed, but he ran just out of reach and took off to join the friends who were calling to him. Pulling the wet headpiece off, she ran her fingers through her hair, and when she looked back at Lachlan, he had a boyish sideways grin on his face. Well, it wasn’t that innocent. He suddenly looked as if he wanted to devour her.

  Her chest tightened, and her core clenched. Something about the way he looked at her made her want to taste him, too, and she didn’t even know what that meant.

  “Come here, lass.” His deep voice washed over her and sent waves of excitement coursing through her.

  Swallowing, she sauntered toward him. His arms snaked around her waist and pulled her flush to his chest as his lips crashed down on hers, causing tingles to erupt on her skin and need to ignite in her core. The kiss was warm and slow, strong and possessive. She melted into it.

  When his tongue delved into her mouth, she returned the caress and rose up on her toes to get closer and her arms grasped onto his hips. Being in his arms held a strange appeal she wanted to spend more time exploring, learning why her body turned into a wobbly mess when any part of her brushed up against him.

  Water spattered her cheek, and the kiss broke. The boy and his friends laughed, and she looked at Lachlan. He had not been spared, either. Drops of liquid streamed down the side of his face.

  He looked dazed. She would have expected him to be annoyed with the boys, but he continued to study her as if she were the only person in Scotland. Fighting back the blush this time, she licked her lips. She wouldn’t be ashamed of wanting him.

  “Ye know I want ye, lass.”
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br />   “Aye.” She wanted him, too.

  His hand rose and caressed her cheek. It trailed down until one finger was left tracing her lips. She gasped. She started to quiver with anticipation, then he backed away. “Tonight,” he said.

  …

  This is absolute torture, Lachlan thought as he watched Maggie’s sinful lips close around a spoon of cooked apples in cream sauce. Her eyes had lit then her tongue darted out to lick the smudge left behind on the utensil. His loins tightened as he imagined several other ways for her to use that beautiful mouth.

  The last few days had been sheer torment. He had lain awake last night thinking of the things he wanted to do with her. The previous nights had been no better. It had been torment holding her in his arms, the whole time his body craving to do more. He ached thinking of her pliant body beneath his and longed to hear the soft feminine moans she would make as he slowly delved in and out of her.

  Lachlan wanted to please her. One time with her wouldn’t be enough, and somehow it was important to him she would want more. As he took her, he wanted to hear her screaming his name. He wanted—no, needed—to see those blue eyes filled with pleasure, her head tilting back as she accepted his body into hers. The thought of her thrashing in ecstasy below him nearly drove him mad. This dinner would not end soon enough, and he nearly growled with frustration.

  She was perched in the seat next to him, so close her arm kept brushing against his and shivers of awareness rushed through his already fevered nerves. He’d thought her bonny in her rags, but now, he could not keep his eyes off her. The green plaid had slipped loose from one shoulder and her low-hanging shirt offered an enticing view of the pale skin just above her breast. Her black hair curled in perfect spirals, and his fingers itched to delve into its mass and pull her lips to his.

  The candlelight from the hall reflected in her deep blue eyes, and they sparkled as if they mirrored the stars of the sky. She looked both shy and confident, with rosy cheeks presenting the perfect picture of a priest’s innocent niece with the carefree spirit of a tavern maid. Why would she be running from her uncle’s protection? But then he remembered what had befallen Robbie’s guardian, and he let the doubt slip from his thoughts. Maggie was full of contradictions he wanted to puzzle out, but he would not fall under her spell.