Malcolm looked to the empty room. The council had followed Tristan, who went to meet with the guards.
“If ye consider yerself my equal then I challenge ye to a sword fight.”
Aiden spun, noticing they were the only two who remained. He regained his composure. “I do not have time for this.”
A sensation trickled up his spine and Malcolm paid heed. In the past, his sense of foreboding was rarely wrong and had saved his life many times.
Once he spoke to Elspeth to ask that she inform the woman, Paige, that she’d be returning to McLeod lands, he would once again speak to Tristan and Kieran to confirm the party would be well prepared.
He’d make sure they left early in the morning, allowing for travel there and back during daylight.
Across the courtyard, Malcolm spotted Kieran brushing his horse. His youngest brother always insisted on caring for his own steed. It worked well since the beast barely tolerated anyone else near him. The huge black horse pawed at the ground as Kieran continued to groom it.
Deciding it was best to speak to Kieran, Malcolm made his way through the courtyard. Once he moved closer, healed wounds on the animal’s sides and front chest area were visible. The horse had been to every battle, fighting as courageously as Kieran. Malcolm studied the duo for a moment, noting that perhaps the horse was the only being that truly connected with his troubled brother.
“I hope ye can understand my decision, Kieran,” Malcolm said. “I want vengeance as much as ye. But not at the cost of our people’s well-being. Father would not have wanted to be the cause of so much death.”
Kieran remained with his back turned, soothing the horse that did not care for Malcolm’s presence. “I know what ye’re doing. But the anger inside me will not go away. I want them all gone.”
“We will capture Ethan Ross and ye will see to his demise. Ye have my word.”
When Kieran turned to look at him, there was pure hatred in his gaze. “What of Laird McLeod? He should pay as well.”
“Perhaps his death would quench the fury inside ye. Although I doubt it.”
“Nay, ye’re right, nothing will.”
Malcolm studied his brother for a moment, but did not go any closer. The horse was as dangerous as his brother.
“See that ye go after the first party. With at least ten archers.”
“I will. I’ve also sent replacements for those at the northern border.”
“Good.” Malcolm turned and walked away, knowing that no matter what was said Kieran continue to be filled with rage. His brother would never accept that it was not his fault that their father had been killed.
Back inside the keep, Malcolm hurried up the stairs to find Elspeth. When her room proved empty, he went to the sitting room where his mother and sister were. The women looked up at him once he entered.
“Son?” His mother studied him. “I wish to speak to ye. We need to send a messenger to Clan Munro. Tis time for Verity to find a husband.”
His sister looked to them with a bland expression. “Tis useless, Mother, he cares nothing about me.”
“It is not true,” Malcolm, said, resigned to the fact that he would have to remain with his mother and sister for a bit. “We are seeking a truce with the McLeods. A party goes in the morning. Once that is done, I will send word to Clan Munro.”
Although Verity didn’t smile, he could see her mind turning the information.
His mother’s lips curved. “Very good news.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The late morning brought perfect weather for herb gathering. Elspeth and Paige walked along the woods’ edge under the watchful eyes of two guards and two archers.
Excited that she’d finally felt up to activity, Elspeth did her best to ignore the men who took turns huffing to show their boredom at being there.
“What will ye do when ye return to Ross lands?” Elspeth asked the other woman.
Paige frowned. “Find my place among the people who are seeking refuge within the walls. I have nowhere else to go.”
“There are many at Ross Keep as well. I am hopeful the battles end for good.” Elspeth bent to pinch leaves from a small bush. “War is the way of men. A barbaric way to settle a score.”
Elspeth looked up at the sky when a flock of birds flew by.
“Ye are yerself now a Ross. Can ye not influence yer husband?” Paige studied her with interest and lowered her voice. “How is it that ye can be with such a heartless man?”
“I cannot explain it. I, too, considered him to be ruthless and without care for innocents. And perhaps in some ways he is. I believe the brothers, all three of them, act out of grief for their father.”
“That doesn’t make it right,” Paige said, her voice harsh. “That so many had to die and will continue to do so.”
“I agree,” Elspeth replied, letting out a long breath. “I have spoken at length with Malcolm about it. But as ye know, women have little say in these things.”
“Does yer mother have say in what yer da does or doesn’t do?”
Elspeth’s lips curved as she considered the question. “Many times, aye. He does as she wishes if he is to sleep in their bed.” Elspeth giggled at recalling her huge father following behind his wife trying to appease her after she’d lost her temper.
Paige nudged her shoulder. “I do not wish to make ye feel badly. Ye’re just barely married. I suppose a part of me wishes I were a man and had more of an opinion.”
One of the guards huffed and both women turned to glare at him. The man looked up to the trees, pretending interest.
“What about ye?” Elspeth asked. “Alec Ross seems to have taken great interest in ye. He came so far as to try to exchange himself for ye.”
A light blush crept up Paige’s face. “I do not know why he would do that.”
“I do,” Elspeth replied. “He cares very deeply for ye.”
“I am angry with him. He sent my brother to his death and because of it, my grandfather soon died as well.” When Paige sniffed, Elspeth took her hand.
“We will be friends.”
Paige’s lips curved. “Aye, we will. I wish to be yer friend.”
They continued down the path, each with a basket on one arm and hands held.
“Would it not be interesting,” Elspeth began, “if ye married Alec Ross and we demand to see each other?”
“I would not take no for a reply,” Paige said solemnly. “Tis my right to have ye as a friend.”
Elspeth laughed. “I wish it for ye then.”
Paige considered it for a moment. “His family will not allow it. However, the thought of two village girls married to powerful men does make for an interesting turn, does it not?”
“Malcolm’s mother doesn’t like me.” Elspeth sighed. “I must admit, I have not made an attempt to get to know her better. I will make a better effort.”
“Ye should. Tis best not to have strife with one’s husband’s mother.”
Elspeth looked to the guards. “We can head back now. Ye can stop yer huffing.”
The men pretended not to hear her, neither one responded. Elspeth met Paige’s gaze and rolled her eyes.
They continued toward the keep at a slow pace, neither wishing to be inside the gloomy interior on such a nice day.
“Have ye been in the cook’s garden?” Elspeth asked. “Tis wonderful. I like to go and help. Tis replete with vegetables and fresh herbs.”
“Nay,” Paige replied. “Tis only since yer wedding day that I have been allowed out of the chamber.”
“Then let us go there. I will show ye where it is.” They walked a short distance in silence.
“Once I return, it will be impossible to see ye.” Paige sighed. “Ye cannot travel far, not when there is not a truce in place.”
“Perhaps when I visit my family. My village is not part of either clan. Ye can come there.”
Paige nodded. “Aye, that would be good.”
The women hugged and upon separating, Elspeth not
iced Malcolm approaching. The man emanated power, strength and by the flat look in his eyes, a lack of emotion.
After meeting her gaze, effectively sending tendrils of awareness through her body, he nodded in acknowledgement to Paige. Then he turned his attention to the guards, who were suddenly animated.
Elspeth narrowed her eyes at one of them.
“Anything of interest?” he asked one of the guardsmen.
“Nay, Laird,” the man replied.
“Very good.” Malcolm came to Elspeth’s side. “We must speak, come with me.” He took her elbow and then as if remembering Paige’s presence, took hers as well.
Malcolm looked to Paige. “Ye will be returning to McLeod lands in the morn.”
Paige and Elspeth exchanged looks. Scared for her friend’s well-being, Elspeth peered up at her husband. “Will it be safe for her?”
“I will ensure it. She will travel with my uncle and ten men.”
Still, it didn’t bode well. Only twelve people traveling during a time with no peace between them was not enough if they were to be attacked. “Only ten?”
“Aye, we…” he stopped midsentence. “We will discuss it further in a bit.”
Once inside the keep and in the small area outside the kitchens, Paige took the two baskets. “I will place these in the shed.”
Elspeth nodded. “Thank ye.”
She allowed Malcolm to guide her inside and through the great room. They went up the stairwell to their chambers. Once inside, he seemed to immediately relax.
“Tis best for her to return.” He tipped Elspeth’s face up to him.
“I like her and we wish to remain friends.”
“Ye can become friends with Verity.”
That he cared about her having female companionship made Elspeth smile. “I will try. She does not seem to care for me.”
Pulling her into his embrace, he nuzzled her hair. It never stopped amazing her, how the man seemed to require her presence in such an intense manner. “Is something wrong?”
He kissed her temple and placed his chin atop her head. Elspeth wrapped her arms around his waist, loving the feel of her strong husband’s body against hers.
“I do not know. A feeling of foreboding came over me. Perhaps I will reconsider allowing my uncle and brother to go forward with the travel. Wait a few days.”
She nodded. “Trust yer instincts. Although I do wish for peace more than anything, not at the cost of bad things occurring.”
“Elspeth,” the hoarseness of his deep voice flowed over her and she knew what he wished.
“Come.” Elspeth took his hand and led him to their bed.
Once beside it, she slid her hands under his tunic and pushed it up. He pulled it over his head and waited, watching her with interest.
She untied the fastening around his waist and his breeches were easy to remove then. Other than the hardening erection, he remained calm, the intensity of his gaze following her every move as she pushed him to lay on the bed.
There was so much power in knowing she alone could affect him in such a way that she was at once aroused, needing him.
Elspeth climbed on the bed straddling him. Reaching under her skirts, she found his sex and guided it to her entrance.
Slowly, she lowered onto it, allowing her body to stretch and take him in. Her breath caught at the feel of it.
She lifted a bit and lowered, every single movement bringing glorious sensations.
Head tilted back through half-closed eyes, Malcolm kept his attention on her face. “Take all of me,” he said and then moaned when, once again, she took all of his length.
Up and down she moved, using her thighs until they began to burn and even then she could not stop. Malcolm’s chest expanded and the tendons of his neck bulged as he neared completion. Needing more, he took her hips and held her as his hips lifted and lowered, his sex pumping into her with vigor.
Every single inch of her body responded and she flew like a freed bird. At the same time, Elspeth struggled to not lose total control as she enjoyed the view of Malcolm’s handsome face.
She loved the sight of him coming undone as she reached peak after peak. Finally, she lost all control and fell from invisible heights, crying out his name.
At the same time, Malcolm continued moving in and out of her until his hoarse cry told he, too, found release. His masculine body shuddered as he thrust into her one last time.
“I do not think I can move,” Elspeth gasped out. “My legs are trembling.”
Malcolm’s chuckle was prideful. “Lie here with me for a moment.” He ran his hands down her back when she lowered to lie atop him.
“What did ye wish to speak to me about?” Elspeth asked once she regained her normal breathing. “Is something wrong?”
He let out a long breath. “Nay, not really. I needed time with ye. Are ye comfortable here, Elspeth?”
Considering for a moment, she decided it was a good time to broach the subject of her standing. “Will I be allowed to travel to my village and see my family?”
“Nay. For now they must come here. They can stay as long as they wish.”
She considered it. “What about my duties. Yer mother manages the servants. What will I do?”
“I have been considering it. My mother is very close to Verity. She may wish to go with her once my sister marries.”
“Until then, may I take responsibility for the kitchen?”
“Aye. I will inform my mother.”
How easily he agreed made Elspeth suspicious. Her father readily agreed to things if he had something planned that would displease her mother.
“There is something else?”
His wide shoulders lifted and lowered. “Yer younger brother, Conor, wishes to join the guard.”
“Nay!” Elspeth pushed away and sat up. “He cannot.”
“He is a man full grown, Elspeth.”
“He barely is. Just ten and six. My older brother Gil, is maimed because he fought for ye. Why would Conor now wish to fight for this clan. We are not Ross’.”
“Ye are now.” He sat up, not bothering to cover his nudity. It was difficult for her not to take him in and yet she stubbornly kept her eyes locked to his.
“I will not allow it. That my brother go to battle and perhaps die for a cause he has nothing to do with doesn’t make sense.”
“There is much training yet for him to do. As ye said, he is still young. I do not foresee him going as of yet. Besides, we are negotiating a truce.”
“No.” Elspeth scrambled from the bed. “Where is he?”
Malcolm stood and attempted to pull her into his arms again, but she resisted. “Nay, Malcolm, do not try to dissuade me. My brother will not fight.” Tears fell from her eyes and she sniffed.
“He will not then. I promise ye.”
She looked up at him. “Swear it.”
“I swear it. He will be given other tasks. Guarding the gates or up on the turrets, but not the battlefield.”
Looking into his eyes, she could see the truth of his words and she finally relaxed. “Do not forget this, Malcolm. If my brother goes to battle, I will leave ye. Disappear forever.”
His eyes widened just a bit, and Elspeth knew he feared just that. She would not threaten him like that again. But this once, she was glad for it.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Morning came and, with it, a light drizzle. The cloudy sky would hopefully give way to sun in a few hours. Or so Tristan hoped as he mounted. He would ride in front with Begawan, a seasoned warrior. Behind him would ride two men flanking the woman and then his uncle flanked as well by two men. Additional guards would follow the group.
A scout had been sent ahead. The man would return to them at a predetermined point. If the scout was not there, they would know something was amiss. His brother had not had a good feeling about the trip, so he’d sent a scout ahead the night before.
“See to it that ye return with haste,” Malcolm said, meeting his gaze. “The sooner t
his is done, the better.”
Tristan nodded. He wished for peace more than his two brothers and perhaps that was why Malcolm had chosen him to escort the group.
He looked over his shoulder to where Kieran and several archers stood watch. They would follow after a while, as additional aid in case of wrongdoers.
“Let us go then,” his uncle said with impatience. Tristan smiled. Gregor sounded so much like his da, it was uncanny at times.
“Aye, Uncle. We go.” Tristan signaled the guards atop the gate and the immense doors began moving.
Once they were outside the gates, they took the horses to a canter and the party began the half-day trek.
*
It was late morning when they arrived at the meeting point. Tristan motioned for the party to remain behind as he rode forward with Begawan. The huge warrior lifted a hand to signal they should not speak and motioned toward a copse of trees.
Tristan narrowed his gaze, noting a horse tied to a tree. Perhaps the scout was relieving himself. If so, they would give him a moment and then make their presence known.
After a moment, Tristan whistled. There was no reply.
“Something is wrong,” Begawan whispered. “The horse is alone. It could be it is not our scout’s.”
Tristan urged his mount a bit further into the trees. “It is. We must turn around.”
Just then, a scream sounded and, with it, the pounding of horses.
Both Tristan and Begawan lifted their swords and kicked the horses to a gallop back to the party.
There were at least twenty McLeods. Already, two guardsmen lay on the ground, while the rest, including his uncle, fought. They were outnumbered, but Tristan often took three men at once. A guttural yell left his lungs as he rushed into the fight.
Swords clashed against his, but he managed to keep from falling off the horse. One of his opponents sliced across, the tip of the sword barely missing his neck as Tristan leaned back while striking against another opponent.
“We come in peace,” his uncle screamed. “To speak to yer laird in response to his message.”
The man that fought Gregor barely hesitated before thrusting forward. Thankfully, his uncle was a seasoned warrior and was able to keep from harm.
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