“Aye, I never lost a man until my final battle.” Gregory replied.
Abi noticed the same flinch of pain on his face, as the old memories resurfaced in his mind. She felt a sudden urge to reach out and stroke his face. She wanted to mend what had been broken inside of him. She wanted to make him feel better and whole again, but she kept her hands by her side.
“Then your condition will be met.” Her father said with a curt nod. He looked at Abi. “You better be right about him.” He said and then he smiled warmly. “I knew you hadn’t abandoned us.” He added.
“I would never abandon my people.” Abi said fiercely.
“We need to tell Alistair about the change in arrangements.” Her father said after a moment of thought. “I’ll go out and fetch him, you two wait here.” He said and then he quickly headed out of the tent.
“You sounded sure that you can win.” Abi said after her father had walked out.
“That’s because I am.” Gregory said with a warm smile.
“But how can you be so sure?” She asked him. There was more to the question, but she was unsure about how to ask without upsetting him.
“Do you mean because my heart is still broken?” Gregory asked with a faint. “You don’t need to worry about watching your words around me lass. I’m stronger than you think.”
“Well, I guess so, yes. I mean you lost your last battle because of it. How can you be so sure that you will win this one?” She asked with her eyes fixed onto his.
“My last battle was lost because I had nothing to fight for.” Gregory explained. “That is not the case today.”
Abi wondered what he was referring to, but she didn’t ask him. Before she had a chance to speak footsteps from behind the tent curtain filled the silence and she realized that her father was back. She turned to face the doorway and watched as he and Alistair walked into the tent.
“So, as you can see, we will not need to unite with your clan.” Her father said, as he gestured towards Gregory.
“Do you think that he alone is enough to secure your victory?” Alistair spat venomously.
“My daughter believes it and so do I.” Her father said with a simple, almost smug smile on his face.
“I’m giving you one last chance to reconsider.” Alistair warned and his eyes flashed with anger. “Your clan needs us. Your daughter needs me if she is ever going to lead your clan. Do you think they follow her without a husband? Do you think that I won’t be the first attacker on her doorstep ready to slit her throat? This is your last chance, what will it be?” He finished.
“I think I’m going to stick with my choice.” Abi’s father said cheerfully, but he had stern eyes that burned fiercely with warning. “My daughter would be better of marrying a blacksmith than the likes of you.” He added, before he shooed Alistair back out of the tent.
“I’m sorry that you had to hear that.” Abi’s father said when he was sure that Alistair was gone.
“Thank you for putting your faith in my father.” Abi said quickly and she walked over to him and threw her arms around his neck.
“You have no reason to thank me.” Her dad said with a simple shake of his head. “You are my daughter and I have ever faith in you always.”
“We’re going to win this.” Abi whispered into her dad’s ear and then she dropped her arms to her side and stepped back away from him.
“I have no doubts.” Her father said as his eyes glanced back over to Gregory, who was standing silent and watching the scene play out in front of him.
******
The night before the great battle had come and you could taste the nerves in the air. All of the clan had gathered around the fire to share in their last meal, before the dawn came, but it was strangely quiet as they all sat and ate. Abi knew what must be on their minds. She knew that in each of their head’s they were probably sitting at home with their families surrounding them. She carried the heavy weight of guilt around with her because she had her father close by and apathy for those who were missing home.
She had spent the last few days in the company of Gregory. He had offered to train her with a sword and she had gratefully accepted his offer. She had always been able to hold her own in a sword fight, which was why her father had never had any doubt that she would be able to protect his clan, but that didn’t mean that she would pass up on an opportunity to get better, or for that matter an opportunity to spend more with Gregory.
They had grown close in their time together. Abi had found her thoughts wandering to him whenever they were free of worry. She could feel the smile that tugged at her lips whenever she glanced over and caught him looking at her. She could feel herself falling in love with him and she knew that if she was ever going to tell him then it had to be that night. It had to be before it was too late and she could never hear what he had to say back.
She stood up as she realized that she had to do it, before she backed out. She walked over to him with unsteady nerves and an anxious smile. “Could we talk for a minute?” She asked quietly, so that the other men wouldn’t notice their conversation.
“Of course.” Gregory said with curious eyes.
“In private, I mean?” Abi said as she glanced at the men who were sitting to either side of him.
“Sure.” Gregory nodded and he stood up.
They both walked over to his tent and he pulled open the door, so that Abi could enter. She walked through the flap and into the well-lit tent. “Have you been comfortable?” She asked him, so that she could break the silence without jumping right into the deep end.
“Aye.” Gregory said and he met her eyes with his own. “I’m sure ya didn’t ask me in here to inquire about my comfort, though.” He said with a warm smile.
“You’re right.” Abi said with a small nod. She could hear her voice playing back in her own ears and it sounded braver than she really felt. “I wanted to tell you something.” She added.
“So, are ya going to tell me?” Gregory asked as he laughed.
“I suppose I should.” Abi said and then she waited for the words to come, but they didn’t and silence hung between them.
“You don’t have to be afraid, you know. You can tell me anything and I won’t judge ya.” Gregory said in a reassuring voice.
“I hope not.” Abi said a little distantly. “So, the thing is, we’ve spent all this time together.” She started. “And you know, I’ve got to know you.” She went on.
“Aye, and I’ve got to know you.” Gregory said with a smile on his lips.
“I think I’m in love with you.” Abi blurted out quickly because she just didn’t know how else to say it.
“Is that so?” Gregory asked her and his eyes burned into hers.
“Aye.” Abi said and she nodded her head nervously.
Gregory didn’t say anything. He just walked up to Abi, so that their bodies were pressed against each other’s. He lifted his hand slowly up to her chin and brought her eyes up to meet his. She could feel the heat of his breath bounce off her cheek, as he brought his lips down to hers.
His kiss collided with her mouth. She could feel every tiny movement of his lip, as they brushed over hers softly and then deeply. She kissed him back with everything she had. She could feel her heart beating hard against her chest, as his hands dropped down to her waist and felt their way around to the small of her back. He pulled her closer to him, so their bodies were pushing against each other’s.
Abi could feel the heavy beat of Gregory’s heart, as he lowered his lips from hers and brought them down in a soft path of kisses down her throat and to her heaving chest. His lips didn’t stop, as he brushed them against her soft skin and sent shivers down her spine. She watched him, as he moved his hands slowly from the small of her back and down to the hem of her dress.
She could feel the material dancing with his fingers, as his hands settled underneath the fabric and traced lines up her legs. She could feel herself heating up, as his hand stopped right at the top of her leg and sh
e waited with baited breath for him to continue. She caught his eyes and saw the same passion burning in them that she was sure was in her own. She took pulled him up quickly and led him over to the small haystack that had been turned into a bed.
She didn’t want his hands. She wanted him. She wanted all of him. She wanted to give him the one thing that she could never take back. She sat the edge of the bed and gestured for him to move forward. She let her fingers play with the waistline of his kilt and then she dipped her fingers below and enjoyed feeling his body tense up with pleasure.
She opened her legs and dropped her hands. She let her eyes meet his and she told him without speaking what she wanted. She could tell from the way that his chest moved in jagged motions that he understood her message and she waited for him to give her everything she had ever wanted.
******
Abi opened her eyes and shifted slightly. She could feel the heat from Gregory rolling off of him and onto her and she smiled. She tilted her head slightly, so that she could see his peaceful face and she thought back to the night before and the time they had spent together. She could still feel a sore aching between her legs, but she knew it had been worth it. She had known the moment that she had laid eyes on him that she had loved him completely, it had just taken her a little while to accept.
“You should be sleeping.” Gregory’s tired voice said before his eyes opened.
“I should be enjoying my moments with you, before you must leave for the battle.” Abi said sternly.
“You will have many more when the day is over.” Gregory said to her with a reassuring voice.
“I hope that will be true.” She said, but she couldn’t allow herself to believe it completely. She couldn’t tempt the fates to work against Gregory or her clan today. She needed to stay level headed and accept that whatever the outcome, it was meant to be.
She watched as Gregory sat up and stretched off the sleep from his body. Her eyes found themselves glued to his arms as he flexed his muscles and then brought them back down to his side. He pushed back the scratchy cover and pulled his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. “I have no doubt that the clan will be leaving soon.” He said as he looked up at the ceiling of the tent and noticed that the light was already starting to seep through it. “There is something I must ask you, before I leave though.” He said and then he walked over to Abi’s side of the bed and knelt down, so that they were at the same level. “I want you to know that this is a request.” He added nervously.
“What is it?” Abi asked him with a look of concern in her eyes. He looked unnerved and that was filling her with a sense of dread about the up and coming battle.
“You don’t need to worry.” Gregory said with a warm smile, as he read the expression on her face. “When I last went into battle I had nothing to fight for and I lost. Today I am going into battle and I will win because I want to come back to you. I want to come back to you no matter what, do you understand that?” He asked her with a serious face.
Abi nodded. “Aye.” She said with a hushed voice because she wasn’t sure what was about to come out of his mouth.
“Abi, I love you. I loved you from the moment that I awoke from my long sleep and felt your tears wetting my feet.” He said with a small chuckle. “I want you to be my wife. I want to marry you when I return from the battle today and I want our wedding to be the celebration that everybody remembers, not the bloodshed.” He said with a smile.
Abi opened her mouth to speak, but no words would come out. She was shocked. She could barely believe the words that were coming out his mouth. He was too good for her. He could have any girl in the highlands and yet, he was asking her to be his wife. It didn’t make sense. She couldn’t make it make sense, even though she was trying to.
“You don’t have to answer me now.” Gregory said, as he pushed himself up onto his feet. “I will be back tonight and then you can give me your answer.” He said with a smile. “Remember though, I’m not demanding this of you. I want you to only accept if it is right by your heart, even if that means it isn’t the best for your clan.” He said and then he walked out of the tent and left Abi to her thoughts.
******
The day was long and full of nerves. Abi could hear the cries from the battlefield, even though she had been forced to wait behind at the camp. She had paced for what had felt like hours, as she tried to pass the time before her clan returned with the news from the battle. She could feel herself growing more and more frustrated with every clash of metal that she heard piercing the silence that otherwise hung.
She knew what she wanted to tell Gregory. She had known from the moment he had walked out of the tent. She had thought about going after him, but he had told her to wait until the day had ended and she had forced herself to be patient. Her face ached with worry, as she looked up into the sky and noticed that dusk was finally starting to settle.
The noises from the battlefield had died away some time ago and she wondered whether it was over. She wondered whether her clan was making their way back or whether the battle had truly been lost. She kept her eyes on the horizon and her heart started to speed, when she started to see moving figures over the horizon.
She counted her men as they returned back to their settlement. She could feel her smile getting bigger, as she realized that not one member of her clan had been lost. She spotted Gregory, as he walked passed her tent and she rushed over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She breathed deeply and took in the strong smell of sweat and blood that was pouring off him. She didn’t care though. “I want to marry you.” She said quickly, before he even had a chance to greet her. “I want to marry you.” She repeated and she could feel her face beaming.
“I love you.” Gregory said, as he realized what she was saying. “You’re really going to be my wife?” He asked her with surprise in his eyes.
“Aye.” Abi said and then she went to find her father to tell him the good news, so that they could start the celebrations at once.
*****
THE END
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Here is a FREE bonus 8000 word romance story “The Duke Of London’s Baby” by Cassandra Michaels.
The Duke of London’s Baby
Peter walked down the wet stone sidewalk quickly. The wind was sharp as it slapped against his cheeks and the rain was icy in its touch. Peter shivered. He missed the warm weather of the South and drier skies it so often shared. He walked a little further and then stopped. The street he'd been walking down looked the same as the one before and he was starting to lose his bearings.
“Are you new to London?” A woman in a thick, black shawl asked.
Peter watched her warily as she walked out from the shadows she had been hiding from. She looked aged beyond her years with beady eyes and a slight hook to her nose.
“It’s been quite some time since I’ve been here.” Peter said stiffly, as he peered down the street to see whether that should be the way to go or not.
“You don’t sound like you’re from around here.” The old woman crooned as she stepped closer to Peter.
“As I said, it’s been some time.” Peter replied. “Do you know the way to the travelers’ inn?”
“I sure do, sweetheart.” The woman said quickly.
“Would you mind sharing that knowledge with me?” Peter asked a little irritably when it became apparent that she needed some prompting. “It is quite cold.” He added in the hopes that she might quicken her wits.
“I’d only be too happy to share it with you.” The woman said with a broad and almost toothless grin. “It’ll cost you though.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Peter said outraged by the woman’s cheek.
“
Then you keep looking dear.” The woman said and she quickly turned around. “It makes no difference to me.”
“Fine.” Peter said quickly because the wind had seemed to pick up in the time they had spent talking.
“It’s at the bottom of this street and to your left.” The woman said and then she held her hand out.
Peter put his own hand in his pocket and felt around with numb fingers. The sound of rattling change alerted him to his finding and he pulled his hand back out.
“Here.” He said without thanking the woman.
“That’s very generous.” The woman said with a small nod and then she walked back into the shadows from which she had come.
Peter wasted no time in setting back off and found himself approaching the inn quickly. He stopped at the door and checked the sign that hung overhead. It was lit by a small candle that had a shade of glass protecting it from the harsh weather. He smiled when he realized that he was in the right place. He pushed open the door quickly and scurried in.
His arrival was met by a round of cheers from those who were already inside. Peter smiled at no-one in particular as he made his way over to the bar.
“Here you are.” His friend George said loudly. “You’re late.”
“All these streets look the same.” Peter said with a shrug, and then he caught the barmaid’s eye.
He watched as her tenacious red hair bounced with every footstep she took towards him. She had a curvy frame that was being outlined by the dark brown, leather corset that she wore around her waist and over the dirty cotton blouse she was wearing.
“What can I get you?” She asked when she stopped in front of Peter.
“What do you have?” Peter asked as he peered over her and onto the shelves of liquor.
“Whatever it is you’re wanting.” The girl said with a seductive smile.
Peter took a moment to really look at her. She had the potential to be pretty. He could see that in her fair skin and small ski jump nose, but she was too rough. She had frizz to her hair and dirt under her nails and there was nothing that turned Peter off more.
HISTORICAL ROMANCE: Scottish Romance: Scars of a Highlander (Highlander Alpha Male Romance) (Historical Fantasy Scottish Time Travel Romance Short Stories) Page 5
