MacLean's Passion: A Highland Pride Novel

by Sharon Cullen

  Though it wasn’t quite the answer she’d been looking for, to expect more would have been foolish.

  “Aye,” she agreed.

  “Evan said we can stay here until I deem it safe to return home.”

  She looked at him in surprise. “Ye’ll go home, then?”

  He seemed to think about that for a minute. “Aye. I think it’s time.”

  “Are ye sure? I mean, Abbott will be waiting for ye.”

  “Abbott has a small mind and will eventually find someone else to torment.”

  She wasn’t so sure about that; she felt nervous for him. She wasn’t even completely certain where MacLean land was.

  He turned to talk to another warrior who had wandered over to offer his congratulations while Maggie picked at her food. She’d always had a good appetite and never worried overmuch what others thought of her eating habits, but lately she’d not been hungry.

  The warrior left and Colin turned back to his food. The overall atmosphere was festive, and when Maggie reminded herself it was because of her wedding, she felt a little nauseated.

  Eventually, the tables and benches were moved out of the way to make room for dancing. Colin covered her hand with his, folding his fingers over hers. His hand was warm and hard and comforting, and she smiled up at him to find him looking down at her with an expression she couldn’t put a name to.

  “Are ye thinking deeply?” she asked, half teasing.

  “Aye,” he said in all seriousness.

  “About?”

  He shook his head and looked at the dancers. “Nothing.”

  Her stomach twisted but she didn’t push. In time maybe he would be comfortable opening up to her, but now she wouldn’t ask for more than he could give. She’d told him she’d be his warrior and that was what she would be.

  After a few minutes he leaned close to her ear. “I think it’s time we leave.”

  “Leave? But why?”

  His eyes darkened. “Do I need to tell ye, lass?”

  She frowned up at him.

  “They’re expecting us to…ye know…”

  Her eyes widened and her mouth formed an O. “But surely…I did no’ think…”

  His eyes glittered in amusement. “Ye did no’ think what?”

  She swallowed. “Nothing.”

  He stood and looked down at her, very serious as he held out his hand. Those wings started flapping in her stomach again.

  The hall had quieted as everyone stopped to watch. With a poise she didn’t feel, Maggie placed her hand in his and let him help her rise. She smiled as Colin bowed to her.

  Her gaze landed on Evan standing off to the side, looking just as serious as Colin. But then he winked at her and nodded slightly, and it lifted her heart a little.

  She followed her new husband up the stairs, each step heavier than the last. The merriments of the great hall resumed, and it took everything in Maggie not to look longingly behind her. Those flutters in her stomach were beating against her ribs, and her mouth was dry. She’d told Innis that she and Colin weren’t going to have a physical marriage, but she couldn’t remember why she’d thought that. Had Colin said so? Not that she could recall.

  He was single-minded as he pulled her along the hall.

  To her surprise, he entered her bedchamber. She hesitated at the threshold, looking at him questioningly.

  “I thought ye would be more comfortable in yer own room,” he said.

  Be more comfortable for what? But she knew, and her heart thudded in apprehension.

  He closed the door behind him, and the silence was stifling. Colin was standing in the middle of the room, looking at the toes of his boots and appearing as lost as she felt.

  “This is more awkward than I thought it would be,” Colin finally said.

  “Are ye…” She licked her lips. “Are ye regretting marrying me?”

  His shoulders drooped and he rubbed his eyes. “Ye surely do know how to unman me, Maggie Sinclair.”

  “Maggie MacLean now,” she whispered.

  “Aye. Maggie MacLean.”

  “Are ye tired?” she asked. “ ’Cause if ye want to sleep, I understand.”

  He grinned. “I’m no’ tired, and I do no’ want to sleep.”

  “Oh.” She looked down and noticed the toes of her own boots were covered by her gown. Her gaze slid to her bed. She’d always thought it was big enough for her to spread out in. But now it looked far too small for two people. Maybe she should have let Innis talk when she wished to tell Maggie about the marriage bed.

  “Maggie.”

  She looked up at Colin, and her breath became stuck in her lungs at the smoldering look in his eyes.

  Somehow he was in front of her without her even knowing he’d moved. Her legs felt weak and her knees threatened to give out on her.

  Colin took her hands and looked into her eyes. “We’re wed now,” he said with finality.

  “Aye.”

  “Ye’re stuck with me, I’m afraid.”

  “Aye.” She wished she could say more, but her tongue felt too big for her mouth and her throat was dry.

  “Ah, Maggie.” He took her hand and placed it on his chest and closed his eyes while she felt the strong beat of his heart through her palm. Was he as nervous as she?

  He opened his eyes. “What am I to do with ye?”

  “I know nothing about being married.”

  He laughed, and it felt good to make him laugh. The tension inside her eased a wee bit.

  “Neither do I, lass.”

  “Then we’ll learn together.”

  “So practical.” He grinned, but the grin slowly slid away. “And so naive.”

  “If I’m naive, then teach me no’ to be.”

  “Ye’ll learn in time.”

  “Learn what?”

  He shook his head. “No’ now.” And he pulled her to him. He wrapped his arms around her and tucked her head beneath his chin. Her hand was still where he put it, right over his heart, pressed between their bodies.

  He kissed the top of her head, then moved his lips to kiss her temple. He pulled back just enough to kiss her lips, a light and nearly playful kiss that turned into something deeper. She opened her mouth for him because she knew he liked that. He liked to taste her, and she liked the feel of his tongue inside her.

  They were pressed so tightly together that she felt his manhood rising. It alarmed her a bit at first, but she knew enough about mating to know this was natural and needed for intercourse to take place. But her nerves still shook.

  Colin moved his mouth down her throat, and it was such a wonderful feeling that she tipped her head back and closed her eyes. By now his heart, still beneath her hand, was pounding.

  When she thought he would stop, that he couldn’t possibly move any farther down, he impatiently pushed the bodice of her gown away to leave a small bite mark right above her breast.

  “Ohhh,” she moaned. His teeth scraping against her tender skin sent bolts of lightning rushing through her. Involuntarily, her fingers curled against his chest.

  Somehow, she wasn’t certain how, he managed to free her breast from her stays, and his lips latched on to her nipple.

  Her knees buckled, but Colin was there, catching her before she fell.

  She wound her other hand up the side of his neck and curled her fingers in his hair. She felt like she was doing all the taking, but she didn’t know how to give, and she wasn’t sure she had the fortitude to give even if she wanted to.

  Meanwhile, Colin’s lips and tongue and teeth were wandering all over her. Up to her throat and chin, her mouth, and back down to her breasts. There was a heaviness between her legs, an ache she didn’t know how to manage. Was this supposed to happen?

  Colin’s lips had drawn her into a haze of longing and need that she’d never experienced. So at first she didn’t hear the door to her bedchamber fly open and hit the opposite wall, but Colin did.

  He spun around and pushed her behind him to face the threat.
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  Chapter 21

  As Evan charged into her bedchamber, Maggie hurriedly hitched her gown up over her shoulder and moved to stand next to Colin, who glared at her; she calmly looked back. She wasn’t a woman to cower behind her man. If he didn’t know that already, then he needed to learn it now.

  “Fraser is on his way here with a contingent of redcoats,” Evan said. “My fear is he’s learned that ye’re wanted by the English.”

  “Nae,” Maggie whispered.

  “Pack yer bags,” Colin said to her. “We’re leaving within the hour.”

  “Their issue is with ye,” Evan said to Colin. “Leave Maggie here.”

  “She’s my wife. She goes with me.”

  “She’ll be safer—”

  “Ye wanted us to marry,” Colin said. “My wife stays with me.”

  Evan and Colin glared at each other.

  “I go with my husband,” Maggie said to Evan.

  “Very well,” Evan finally said, his gaze taking her in as well.

  “Pack,” Colin said before he left her chamber.

  Maggie stood in the center of her bedchamber and stared at the doorway that Colin and Evan had disappeared through, trying to figure out what was going on.

  It had all happened so quickly. One moment Maggie was in a haze of need, barely able to keep herself upright as Colin ravaged her, and the next she was alone and very, very afraid. The worst part was that her body was still in a haze of need, her legs weak and that ache between her legs unsatisfied. She cursed and finished shedding her gown.

  The English were coming, and they were coming for her husband.

  In under an hour, she was in the courtyard, tightening the cinch on her mount. She’d packed haphazardly, guessing at what she would need. It was difficult because she had no idea where she was going or how much to pack, so she’d stuck with the necessities, leaving the gowns and all that went with them.

  Colin was preparing his own mount, his expression grim, his mouth tight. He was her husband of less than six hours and they were running for their lives. Not an auspicious way to begin a marriage, to be sure, but she was pleased that he’d insisted she accompany him. She was his warrior. She’d have his back, just like she promised.

  “Maggie.” Innis approached, looking worried. “Stay here. The English are no’ looking for ye.”

  “I go with my husband.” Maggie checked the saddle one more time, not because she needed to but because she couldn’t look at the tears in Innis’s eyes.

  “I fear for ye,” Innis said softly, her gaze flickering to Colin.

  “No need to fear.”

  “But the English—”

  “I said there’s no need to fear.” There was an edge to her voice, but it wasn’t because Innis was pressing her. It was because her own fear of the English was pulsating through her. The English were coming.

  She knew all too well what that meant.

  If she was caught with Colin, she would be arrested with him, and they would know she was his wife. Her last stay in an English prison would be tame compared to what would await her this time.

  “I think of ye as a friend, Maggie.”

  Maggie was touched. She’d never really had a female friend. It had been nice, the last week or so, having one. Impulsively, Maggie hugged Innis.

  “Be safe, friend,” Innis whispered.

  “I will. Keep my brother in line.”

  Innis pulled away and smiled as she wiped her eyes. “If at all possible, send word when ye’re settled.”

  Maggie nodded but wondered if she would be able to keep that promise.

  “Time to leave,” Colin said, coming up behind her.

  Maggie nodded and looked at the imposing structure that had been her home for the entirety of her life. Would she ever walk through those doors again? Ride through the gatehouse? Spar with Gilroy? Before her own tears overtook her, she turned around to mount her horse and locked gazes with Evan.

  “Ye’ll be fine,” he whispered. “Colin will take care of ye.”

  She nodded, too overcome to speak. She knew Colin would take care of her and she knew that she was capable of taking care of Colin. It was the fear of never seeing her brother again that had her fighting tears and swallowing thickly.

  “Ah, Maggie, I do love ye so, but it’s yer turn now to spread yer wings.”

  “I love ye,” she said softly. She didn’t remember ever saying that to Evan and regretted all the times she’d neglected to do so.

  He smiled. “I know.”

  “Maggie.” Colin was already mounted and waiting for her. She looked up at her husband and nodded. It was time.

  Evan helped her mount and held the harness to look up at her. “Remember all I taught ye,” he said. “The fighting, the swordplay, I fear ye’ll need it in the coming days.”

  She nodded as a tremor raced through her.

  Evan released the harness and stepped back. Colin led the way through the bailey and out through the portcullis.

  Maggie looked over her shoulder to see Evan and Innis standing side by side, Evan’s arm around his wife. They each raised a hand.

  Colin and Maggie cleared the portcullis and it slammed back into place, causing Maggie to jump. She was locked out of her home. She knew it was necessary. Evan would keep it that way as long as possible, hoping to hold off Fraser and the English, giving her and Colin the head start they needed.

  But it still broke her heart.

  —

  “Do ye know this area well?” Colin asked once they were away from the Sinclair holding.

  “Aye,” Maggie said.

  “I do no’ know it at all, so I’ll have to rely on ye to lead us away from here. We need to go south, to Dornach.”

  “To Sutherland?” she asked.

  He nodded. They would head in that direction, at least. Colin knew the land there well, and he knew places to hide. Sutherland would help him, but first Colin wanted to make sure the English weren’t waiting for him at Castle Dornach. His friendship with Brice Sutherland was well enough known that the English could easily figure it out.

  Maggie set a brisk pace. Darkness had descended long ago, and it was difficult to see, but she kept going. She wasn’t one to complain. Colin remembered that from their earlier flight. She had a warrior’s heart, and he was proud of her.

  She deserved so much more than him, a man who was reluctant to return home for fear he could not lead his clan. A man who had always been a disappointment to anyone who’d loved him.

  He had nothing to offer her, and yet he had married her when he could have walked away. He had stayed and faced the consequences and now he had a wife to protect, to clothe, and to feed.

  He wiped a hand down his face, the weight of that heavy on his shoulders. The look on her face when she’d walked toward him at their wedding near about broke his heart. There’d been fear and hope, and in all honesty he’d felt fear and hope as well, and a deep-seated need to protect this fierce woman who’d stumbled into his life. He didn’t want her to go hungry, cold, or lonely, and yet he had no idea how to avoid that.

  What the hell had he done to her?

  “Evan will hold off Fraser and the English as long as possible,” she said.

  “I hope so.” He was counting on it, to be honest. It was their only hope. That and Sutherland’s safe houses. If they could hide out during the day and keep moving at night, they had a chance. But how long would they have to run? Would they be hunted the rest of his life?

  He should have left Maggie with Sinclair. Evan would protect her from Fraser. But the thought of leaving her behind didn’t sit well with him. For better or worse, she was his wife, and it was up to him to protect her, not her brother. Besides, she was a fine warrior, and there wasn’t anyone he wanted at his back more than Maggie Sinclair—Maggie MacLean. It was going to take a long time to get used to saying that.

  Maggie reined in her horse, and Colin rode up beside her to look over the wide River Thurso, rushing past at an uncommon
speed, swollen by the near-constant rain over the last several days.

  “We have to cross,” she said.

  Colin surveyed the land around the river, then the water charging by, making such a racket that he could hardly hear his thoughts. He squinted upriver and downriver. “It’s too narrow here,” he said.

  The narrowest points were the most dangerous, yet they had no choice but to cross if they were to avoid the English. They would have to find a wide and hopefully shallow point, but doing so would take time they did not have.

  “How long can yer brother hold off Fraser?”

  “A day. Two at the most.”

  “They were half a day out when we left.” If they were lucky, they would find an acceptable crossing point soon. If not, then things could go very, very badly very quickly.

  Chapter 22

  Maggie looked with concern at the tumultuous water. She’d crossed creeks on foot and lochs in boats, but she’d never crossed a fast-moving river on a horse.

  To judge by the look on Colin’s face, their predicament wasn’t good. They had the redcoats at their back and a river at their front. Her horse stomped its foot and snorted. Even the horses were nervous.

  They’d ridden through the night and it was midmorning now. Crossing a river in daylight would be risky for reasons other than the raging waters. They would be in perfect sight of anyone looking for them.

  They rode along the bank of the river for a time, Colin constantly searching for a good place to cross and Maggie watching for redcoats. She was becoming nervous. It was taking far longer than it should to find a good crossing point.

  Colin reined his horse in. “I see no easy place to pass,” he said. “We’ll have to head upriver.”

  Go back the way they had come and then some. It was worse than riding in circles, and they were wasting so much time.

  “Very well.” She turned her horse around.

  Another hour passed. Now it was midafternoon, and they’d wasted half a day looking for a way to cross the river. They hadn’t even stopped to eat and Maggie’s stomach was growling, but she’d rather cross the damn river than waste time eating.