He squeezed the droplets from his hair as he entered the keep. His body prickled from the twinge of pain in his scalp as he pulled his fingers through his blonde tangles. Pain is quite erotic, he thought. He relished it. Malcolm smiled as he envisioned all of the painful things he would do to Seonaid. He did not imagine she would enjoy it as much as him, but then...he did not care.
Her stomach quaked as she raised her goblet to her lips. Her hand began to tremble. Seonaid’s cup hit the table as a sudden sharp pain shot through her temple. A black knife appeared to be slicing into her being as her hands flew to her head. It was probing her! She tried speaking over her closing throat, her eyes frantic.
“What is it, lass?”
Just as quickly, it passed. “I do nae ken. I had a dreadful head pain but now it has vanished.”
Garrick studied her face. She worried him. As long as their lives were in danger he feared that she would never be well. He grit his teeth. How can he fight magic? His eyes softening he kissed her brow. “Mayhap we should withdraw for the eve.”
“I am well enough, m’laird. You need nae be troubled. Visit with your men if you like. I will see you later.” She rose to her feet and left for their chambers.
He did not like her out of his sight but he understood that she might need a little breathing space. As he observed Robbie and Henry following her from the hall he relaxed somewhat. They would keep her safe for now.
Malcolm was delighted. So...he can cause her pain from a distance. It had been very easy, too. Maybe he could command her mind, but he questioned it. Her resistance was strong. No matter. He would possess her soon enough.
Mary had a hot bath awaiting her in their chambers. “Ye are a Godsend, Mary! That is just what I require right now.” She graced her with an exhausted smile.
She glanced up from the knot she was untying on Seonaid’s gown. “Takes nae more than common sense ta see how weary ye be. I just ask me self what I would enjoy if I felt that way.” She grinned. “I always end up with the same answer.”
Seonaid sank into the tub and began to relax as the steamy scent of heather filled her nostrils. Her eyes began to droop as she felt the soapy cloth being drawn across her silky back. Gentle hands encouraged her to lean back after her skin was rinsed. She obliged happily. The soft cloth swiped gently down her throat to her creamy breasts, gently massaging each in turn. She felt soft lips capture one…suckling it.
Her eyes flew wide as she sat up straight in alarm, shoving the intruder to the floor! As she cautiously peeked over the rim of the tub, her eyes locked with laughing, cobalt counter-parts.
“Garrick! You startled me! Where is Mary?” She glanced quickly about the chamber.
“I sent her away while ye dozed. If I had kenned that ye would attack me I would have let her stay.” He leered at her. “Or, mayhap, nae.”
Her skin turned a rosy hue. Garrick rose back to his knees.
“Shall we finish your bath?”
Reaching for the cloth, she shook her head. “I can do it, m’laird. Tis nae a fitting chore for you to be doing.”
“Who said it was a chore? I would call it pleasure, me self.” His hand dipped into the liquid stroking her quivering thighs as he suckled her lower lip mildly. He probed her mouth with his hot tongue and then dove in as she parted her lips in surrender. He swirled the inside of her mouth then captured her tongue for a fresh assault on her senses.
Seonaid groaned as she lost her will to resist and succumbed to the pleasure of his touch. Her arms wound around his stout neck as she returned his kiss. Her thighs opened to his seeking touch… throbbing for more. She felt a rush of warmth in her sheath as fire raced through her body when he stroked her hidden pearl. Her body jolted involuntarily.
Garrick raised her from the tub, leaving a trail of water as he carried her to the bed. His cerulean eyes smoldered as he hastily stripped out of his plaid and tunic revealing his distended shaft. Her eyes were drawn to it. She reached out… caressing him… causing his cock to jerk. Seonaid let her fingers trail blithely up the path of black hair to his wide chest, splaying her hand there. Feeling the power of his muscles as he stretched out beside her. She could feel his heart drubbing beneath her hand in time with her own.
He trailed kisses from below her ear to the point where her neck merged with her shoulder. Feathery brushes traveled to her breast as he continued his journey, stopping to lave each one in turn. Her hips thrust at him of their own volition. Her body was on fire with need.
He drew her beneath him as he rolled to mount her. “Mo gradh! I must have ye now!” came his hoarse murmur. She spread her legs in welcome abandon as he thrust into her tight sheath. She loved the sensation of wholeness when he fused his body with hers.
She locked her ankles after encircling his waist, meeting him stroke for stroke. He thrust into her body faster… wilder, until he felt her sheath clamp down on his pulsating shaft, milking him of his seed. He could hear her high-pitched keening as he voiced a roar of pleasure.
“Mo gradh! Mo cridhe agus anam!” he blurted out as he collapsed on the furs beside her. She purred in response.
She rolled towards Garrick and wiped a trickle of sweat from his temple. She loved him. She knew it now as she gazed at his straight nose and strong jaw. Her heart warmed as she touched his skin, relishing the feel of it.
“What do your words mean, Garrick?”
He raised his brow, surprised that she did not speak Gaelic. “Ye do nae ken it?”
She shook her head as she lowered her eyes. “Nay. I was nae taught Gaelic.”
He crooked his finger under her chin raising her green eyes to meet his. “I said, ‘Me love. Me heart and soul.’ I will teach ye the language since ye do nae ken it, if ye wish.”
Seonaid beamed at him. “I would like that...very much.” He kissed her pliant lips amorously then gave her a playful smack on her bottom.
“But nae this eve.” He grinned at her expression of insult to the slap. “Tis late and ye have exhausted me with your demands.”
“My demands?” Her mouth flew open as she picked up a bolster to hit him with. “I recall it quite differently, m’laird!” She let the missile fly at his head as he leapt from the bed. Laughing, he bolted out of reach and retrieved the wash cloth to clean her womanly parts of his seed. She smiled back at him as he saw to the task.
“Ye rest now, mo gradh. I will be back after I make use of your bath.” He kissed her knee, covered her, and then drew the hangings on the bed leaving one side open. She smiled contentedly as she drifted to sleep while watching him bathe.
Chapter XII
Seonaid’s days began to blend together in her wedded bliss. She was ecstatic with Garrick as her husband. Each day seemed to be more pleasing than the one before. She was taking over more of running the household every day thanks to Mary’s mentoring. Soon she would be a countess that Garrick could be proud of. The best part of it all was that the vision she had experienced seemed to be false. There had been no attacks on her or the laird these past two months and she had finally relaxed her guard. Garrick, however, had not. She sighed as she looked back at Angus and William dogging her steps.
She glanced about the bailey. People were bustling about, going about their tasks. Children laughed as they raced past her kicking an inflated pig’s bladder. Somewhere she heard a goat bleating, pleading to be milked. In the distance, she heard Majesty calling to her. She rolled the apple in her pocket, smiling, as she strolled to the stables.
Today was an important day for her mare. She was in season and Garrick was planning to have Cadence cover her. He had moved her to a paddock that was used for breeding which was downwind from the stables. Otherwise, Cadence would have broken down his stall to reach her if he had caught her scent. It would be a grand mating, if he does not harm her in the process. Seonaid quickened her steps as the possibilities whirled through her thoughts.
She grinned when she reached the paddock seeing that Majesty was already trotting toward her in greeting. Sh
e gave a soft nicker as she halted at the fence awaiting her treat.
“You are a spoilt one, you ken,” Seonaid laughed as Majesty searched for her apple. She handed her the fruit stroking her golden arched neck.
“That is debatable, wife.” Garrick’s arms enfolded her as he nuzzled her delicate ear.
Seonaid covered his hands with her own. “Do you think she will accept Cadence freely?” She did not wish to see her horse harmed.
He brought his lips close to her ear and said, “She already has.”
Her head jerked around. “You have already bred her?”
“Aye. To be certain she takes, we will bring him each day until she refuses him.”
“But she was willing?” She gave her husband a worried look.
“Aye. She met him at the gate and presented herself ta him. She was very willing.” He leered at his wife. “She takes after her mistress, I think.” Seonaid growled at him half-heartedly slapping his hands.
“You are insatiable!”
“With ye...aye!”
Seonaid peered into his sincere eyes seeing the truth lying within. She gave him a smile of joy. “That pleases me, husband.”
His smile faltered a bit. “What is wrong, Garrick?”
He did not know how she would react to what he was about to tell her. They had not been apart since they met. But he had to be gone for the night.
“Nothing really. Tis just that I have ta be away all eve. I have business in Nairn that I have put off as long as I dare.”
Her heart stilled. She did not wish to be alone. But she was an adult now and she knew that there would be times that her husband would need to be elsewhere. She sucked in a deep breath and straightened her spine.
“How long will you be gone?”
“If I leave soon, I should be back tomorrow around gloaming. Nae later than the following morn if I be hindered.”
She nodded quietly. “You will be leaving Cadence here?”
“Aye. The auld beggar, Philip, has a way with the horses. He will see ta the breeding while I be away.” He nodded toward the stables. Seonaid glanced over and saw a man hobbling into the stable leading the bay Arabian mare to be saddled. She had not met this man. He seemed to keep to himself most of the time. He glanced behind him feeling her eyes on him and quickly looked away. She took no note of it and turned to her husband.
“You ride the bay?”
“Aye. She will do.” He looked warily at his wife. “Ye will be alright, lass? I would nae go if twas nae required.”
She hugged him close as her throat constricted. “I ken that Garrick. I am just being childish. I will be fine. Mary can keep me company. I will go get you some food for your trip.” She turned and almost ran back to the keep as she fought the foolish tears straining for release.
Garrick sensed her grief in his heart as she had rambled at him with her scattered thoughts. At most he would be away two nights. He knew, though, that in her heart she felt like it would be two years...or forever. He shook his head. That was nonsense! After giving it much thought, he smiled to himself. It must be the bairn playing with her emotions. Hagar had warned him of it. She would be fine, he decided. He headed off toward his waiting men.
Seonaid met him there and handed him a bundle containing bread, cheese and apples plus a bladder of ale.
“Thank ye, wife.” He put them on his horse. He turned back and looked deeply into her eyes. Brushing the back of his fingers over her cheek, his hand reached round her neck and brought her close for a long kiss. “Ye will be fine, Seonaid. Listen ta Angus and stay in the inner bailey. I will return before ye ken I am gone.”
Her throat constricted once more. “Aye, I ken it,” she whispered. He gave her a tight hug then mounted his steed.
As an afterthought, he leaned over and said, “Perhaps your father will grace ye with a visit.” He winked, turned his mount and rode out of the castle with twenty-five of his men.
Seonaid ran to the top of the castle wall and watched until she could no longer see them. She knew that he would not look back...but she had hoped. Liam had looked and waved which she returned. But for Garrick to do it would look like weakness to his men. She understood it but she did not like it.
She glanced sadly at her shadows, William and Angus, then turned to return to the keep. What will she do while he is gone? She did not know. She finally decided to work on a tunic she was stitching for Garrick, but the longer she sewed on it the more she missed him. She sighed.
Seonaid drifted from room to room until she decided to do some gardening. That always soothed her mind. Smiling, she set off to her wee garden.
“M’lady, do ye mind me asking where we be going now?” Angus grinned at her as she turned to look at him.
“I am sorry Angus...Will. I forgot that ye have to follow me far and wide. Tis silly really. There has been nae danger. I go to the garden to try to calm my restlessness. You need nae come.”
Will shook his head slowly. “Nay, mistress, ye can nae be out of our sight. Laird Brodie commanded it so. He would have our heads if anything happened to ye!”
She sighed. “You could sit in the kitchen and still see me in the garden. Nae one can reach me there anyway. Tis surrounded by high walls.” She looked back and forth between the two burly highlanders, hands on her hips. “Are your skills with a sword so lacking that you think you could nae reach me in time? If so, then, mayhap Garrick should assign new guards for me.”
Angus straightened his spine at the insult. “Ye ken better than that, m’lady!” He looked around the garden space meticulously then nodded agreement. “Very well, mistress, but stay where we can see ye.”
Seonaid beamed at him. Twas the first argument she had won over her guards and it was exhilarating to outsmart them! It may be a wee victory but it was a victory just the same.
She spent the rest of the day digging in the rich soil pulling out weeds from between her tender herbs. A cool breeze wafted over her brow as the day grew late. She shivered. Soon would be the harvest. Garrick would oversee that. She should plan a feast for the clan once the crops were gathered. She would ask Mary for assistance with it. As she rose to her feet a wave of dizziness struck her. Blood drained swiftly from her face as black dots appeared before her eyes.
“Angus!” she cried out as she fainted into oblivion. The men flew to her side in a panic. A brief exam showed no injury so Angus presumed she had fainted. As he picked her up, his skean dubh’s hilt snagged on the fragile chain about her throat. It broke so effortlessly that he never even noticed the slight pull on his belt nor saw it fall to the earth. They hurried her back to her chambers as Angus bellowed for Mary.
Seonaid felt a cool cloth on her brow as she came awake. It felt good. She opened her eyes to find six eyes staring back at her. “What?” She asked a little annoyed.
“Ye swooned, lass.” Angus frowned.
She shook her head. “I do nae swoon.”
“Aye, ye did! Ye should have told us ye grew tired.” He scolded her as his brow furrowed.
“I did nae grow tired! All I did was stand up to come back inside.”
Angus’ eyes met Mary’s then a wide grin split across both faces.
“Ye be breeding!”
“Aye. I thought you kenned that.” She raised her brow in question. “Garrick did nae tell ye?”
“In spite of the fact that the laird is me cousin...he does nae tell me all. I am flattered that ye would think so though.”
Just then, Seonaid sniffed the air. “Is that stew I smell?”
“Aye, m’lady.” Mary grabbed the bowl and brought it to her bedside. “I thought ye might be hungry.”
“It smells del-.” Her eyes bulged wide as her hand clamped over her mouth. As her stomach rolled she made a mad dash to the chamber pot…reaching it just in time. As Mary helped her back to bed, she replied shakily, “I think I will eat at another time, Mary. Thank you just the same.”
“Aye. Twould probably be best.” She shooed the gu
ards out the door quickly. “I think I will keep m’lady company this eve, Angus. Just ta be assured all is well.” She glanced at Seonaid over her shoulder. She was not really worried about her but did it as a precaution.
He grunted. “Very well, love. I will be close by if ye need me.” He gave her a squeeze then left for the hall as Robbie and Henry showed up to take over guard duty.
Mary turned to say something to Seonaid when she saw that she had fallen asleep. “Och! Tis just as well,” she muttered to herself as she picked up her sewing and settled before the hearth.
Seonaid woke to the smell of smoke. Is there a fire? She clambered from her bed and tried seeing down through the arrow slit but she did not have the height. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness she noticed a glow just out of her sight. Then she heard Majesty’s scream of terror! “Majesty!” She grabbed Garrick’s plaid running from her room in a panic, almost tripping over Robbie.
“My lady! Where are ye going?” He reached for her but missed as she flew toward the stairs. They had almost caught her at the door, which she flung wide just missing Henry, when they heard the alarm in the bailey. One look told Seonaid that her mare’s stable was on fire.
She picked up her pace, not perceiving the cold of the air or the sting of her feet as the cobblestone cut them.
“M’lady!” Robbie called after her as he lost her in the dark mass of people scrambling for buckets of water. “Do ye see her, Henry?”
He shook his head. “Nay but I would say she is headed for her mare.” They took off in the direction of the fire at a run.
Seonaid raced across the grass in the dark. Her red-gold hair flying behind her. She saw Majesty gallop into the paddock away from the burning building kicking her heels in the air. She slowed as she grasped that the mare was unharmed, grabbing the stitch in her side as she bent over gasping. She felt someone grab her hair jerking her head back painfully. A meaty fist slamming into her jaw was the last thing she remembered.
As she crumpled to the earth a malicious leer crossed Malcolm’s face. Now she is mine! Oh what fun we are going to have together Princess. But first, I must hide you. He swathed her still form in the plaid until she appeared to be a carpet then carried her out of the postern gate. He tossed her over his horse, mounted, and rode off into the dark with no one the wiser.
Blessing The Highlander Page 16
