Captive Love [Highland Menage 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Reece Butler

  “Ye are wrong, laird,” said Gillis with a snarl. “The Campbells dropped her into my arms and we rescued each other. ‘Twas a sign from God.”

  He agreed how they met was a mark in their favor. He didn’t believe in coincidences. Nor did he believe in blind acceptance. If he allowed them to stay married years from now they would tell their grandchildren about that rescue. Gillis, no doubt, would make the tale last an hour or more, acting out each part with appropriate noises and facial expressions. Angus would stand back, hand resting on Fiona’s shoulder as they shared their grandchildren’s wide-eyed enjoyment.

  It would happen only if they proved themselves, and he allowed them to stay together.

  “My wife is an unusual woman,” continued Angus. “She does not wish a life of comfort and ease. She will not sit in her solar and do needlepoint all day, or scream in terror while a battle rages. She has seen what wealth and influence can do, through her father. She would rather have men with true hearts, though their purse be empty, and they sleep by their laird brother’s fire.”

  The words were well said. He would not let them think they would sway his decision

  “I will offer my niece a home of her own and a husband with a full purse.”

  “Fiona has a husband,” said Angus forcefully, no longer calm. “On my knees I vowed before a priest and Laird Cameron to protect and provide for my wife, in sickness and in health, and I will do so. Fiona is proud to wear my ring!”

  “Your ring? I think not. Was it not a gift from Cameron?”

  Angus pressed his lips together. “It came from a MacDougal wife. Cameron gifted it to me as my foster father. I then gifted it to my wife when our union was blessed by a priest. Gillis said the same vows before God that night. Fiona is our wife, Lord Lovat, and we will do anything and everything to prove it!”

  Angus spoke the words through gritted teeth. Lovat was pleased he’d broken through the man’s show of calm. Angus was a proud man, yet humble where Fiona was concerned. He’d accepted the gift of a ring because he knew it would make his woman happy. Fiona had glowed in quiet joy when she’d showed it to him. She’d said the ring meant her men cared enough to want her to belong to them. And the reverse, she’d added, surprising him. A greater surprise was that it seemed the MacDougals agreed they needed her.

  Lovat waited, letting the tension grow. Both men ground their teeth, eyes narrow and intense. They wanted her and would fight for her. Yet they would not steal her away in the night from the kin she’d just discovered.

  “Your clan is known for keeping their word but you have nothing to give a wife,” he said, stoking their fire of anger at what they’d lost. Gillis’s hand twitched as if wanting to pull a sword. “Your vows can be put aside if the church is convinced the bride was coerced.”

  Gillis took an angry step forward. “Ask the priest how well she spoke her vows and the way she kissed my brother afterward. Fiona wasna coerced!”

  Once more Lovat waited. “As her closest male blood kin I shall be the judge of that.”

  Gillis exhaled, sending a look of disgust. “Aye, yer deep pockets will sway the church to yer thinkin’. But yer wealth willna sway Fiona. Ye can offer her the moon. She will choose to stay a MacDougal.”

  Lovat rarely had a chance to enjoy such a personal challenge. If this went as he hoped they would all win at the end. He held up his wine in a mock salute.

  “That remains to be seen.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Having been hungry all her life Fiona ate the wonderful food even though her stomach rebelled from tension. She’d initially ignored the fancy dress put out for her, instead choosing a plain gown. She hadn’t realized her uncle had given orders as to what was appropriate. He’d sent her back to change. She’d had to rush so the meal was not delayed. Next time she would listen to Anna. The cheerful widow assigned to assist her was the same age, and they got along well.

  She sat beside her uncle, trying not to squirm on the hard bench. Angus and Gillis had been put far to her left with Fraser clansmen between them. It was no coincidence. Games were being played here, ones she could guess at, but not fully understand. Some were easy such as her uncle making a point of sitting on a cushion while denying her one. She hoped his smug look was only due to the thought of her riding for days. Surely none of the Fraser men had seen what Angus had done to make her bottom sore?

  “I have given the MacDougal brothers a task,” said Lovat to her when the meal had finished. “They will repair the curtain wall for the towerhouse above Glen Roy. This is the farthest corner of my land. Once complete and manned it will keep the MacDonalds on the far side of the ridge, benefitting both Clan Fraser and Cameron.”

  “What repairs are required, Uncle?”

  “Dinna worry about that, my dear,” he said, smiling as if she were an imbecile. He patted her hand as she’d seen him do his wolfhound. Only he’d given his dog a more intelligent look. “'Tis a job for men. I have sent for a widowed relative to join us here. Lady Ceana will teach you what you need to know about being a lady. She has produced some fine tapestries.”

  He wanted her to sit inside and sew tapestries rather than work?

  “The curtain wall has been breached in a number of places with a battering ram from the inside,” said Angus. She leaned forward to look past the others to see him. She caught his wink, making her bite her lip to stop a smile. Gillis covered his mouth, faking a cough. Both her men would understand her dislike of being dismissed as a mere female. “Luckily, my brother has a fair bit of experience rebuilding walls.”

  Gillis gave her a look of warning. She would not tell strangers how he’d learned the craft due to punishment from Cameron while fostering there. It was a secret the three of them could share, drawing them together.

  “The laird’s men have already brought the stones back so ‘twill be easy to repair,” added Angus.

  She turned to her uncle, giving him the sweet, innocent smile she’d seen other women use.

  “I will help you in this project, Uncle. I can tie a rock to a thread and hang it from the top of the wall to make sure it is straight.”

  “I’ll take yer help, wee Fiona,” said Gillis delightedly in a near bellow. “We’ll build a wall, straight and true, to keep out yon devils!”

  “Ladies do not climb, or build, walls,” said Lovat.

  “I dinna know how to act the lady,” she said for his ears only. “But I do ken how to build—”

  “Hush.”

  She hushed, pressing her lips closed to ensure no complaint slipped out. Lovat finished his wine and then stood. They all rose. Lovat took her arm and guided her out of the dining tent. Footsteps followed them. Guards, or her husbands? She dared not look. Once outside Lovat handed her over to Anna.

  “Bring my niece to me when she has freshened up.”

  Anna bobbed, a servant’s reply meaning she would do as ordered. Fiona washed her hands, had her hair checked for loose ends peeking out from the hated kerchief, and was brought to Lovat’s tent.

  “My brother and I also wish the best for Lady Fiona,” said Angus as she entered. “Though we may disagree in what that may be.” He tilted his head to her in welcome.

  “I’ll accept a discussion,” replied Lovat blandly. “Not actions against my decision. It will be final and absolute. Do you understand?”

  After a moment Angus nodded his agreement. Gillis glared until Angus elbowed him in the ribs, making him grunt

  “Aye,” he growled at Lovat. He winked at Fiona, then slammed his fist into Angus’s shoulder. Angus, caught unaware, rocked back.

  “What did ye do that for?” demanded Fiona. She stomped up to Gillis, fists on her hips, and glared. She had to lean her head back to do so. Gillis aimed his bright blue eyes at her.

  “I canna hit yer uncle, lass. Nothing stops me from pounding my brother.”

  The laughter in his eyes combined with the tension of not being able to speak with, or even be near them, made her act without thinking
. She slammed her right fist into his gut. He gave a slight oof. She knew it was more for show as his eyes sparkled and his grin widened. She tried to retreat but he captured her fist and brought it up to his lips. His lazy eyes dared her to complain as he sucked on her finger. Her pussy clenched, wishing it was his cock inside her. As his back was to Lord Lovat her uncle didn’t know what they did.

  “What about your woman?” asked Lovat. “Would you hit her?”

  Gillis grimly released her hand.

  “MacDougals know the value of a woman,” replied Angus coldly. “Fiona is smart, strong, brave, and just a wee bit feisty. We’d never harm her.”

  Gillis suddenly grinned.

  “Nay,” she said, knowing what he was thinking. “Dinna tell my uncle!”

  “Did ye not ken the Fraser man watching from up on the ridge?” asked Gillis.

  “What?” She sent her glare to Angus. He shrugged, also smirking. “I thought only the Camerons heard!”

  “Anyone within miles would have heard yer caterwauling when Angus lifted yer skirt and spanked yer arse,” said Gillis. He snorted a laugh. “Ye were loud enough to scare the corbies away. And that is sayin’ somethin’.”

  “Watch out when ye lay aside me this night,” she said, glowering. “Ye might find a wee dirk sticking in yer hide.”

  “Ye’ll be findin’ sommat stickin’ in ye as well,” he replied.

  His words made her face hot and her pussy even hotter.

  “You’d best start walking,” said Lovat. “You’ll be guarding the towerhouse from this night on.”

  “I’ll change and go with you,” she said, and whirled around.

  “Nay. You will sleep with Anna, in my tent.”

  She slumped at her uncle’s command. Squaring her shoulders, she turned and faced her uncle. “May I join my husband, please?”

  “Aye, when I say so.”

  “Aye, Uncle.” She twisted her hands behind her back, hiding her irritation.

  “Tomorrow Anna will instruct you on cooking.”

  “Ye wish me to cook at the towerhouse?”

  “You are a woman.”

  “I am?” She looked down, eyes wide as if surprised to see the breasts below her chin. “Oh, my. I have breasts, therefore I must have no brain.”

  “Ye have a brain, lass,” said Gillis quietly. “Use it.”

  If she had to cook that meant she would be inside the towerhouse. That meant she would not be visible by any guards. If Anna was elsewhere, and Angus or Gillis could slip inside, they could finally have some loving. She didn’t care if it was on the table, against the wall, or on the floor. She just wanted their hands and mouths on her and her cocks inside. Her pussy purred, and her nipples peaked. Her face heated as well. Gillis nodded, slow and sure. His mouth stayed shut, but his eyes said everything.

  “May I say good eve to my husbands?” she asked, near-breathless.

  He cocked an eye at her. “You may speak the words. You may not touch them.”

  “Not e’en a kiss on the cheek?”

  “Dinna tease yer uncle, wife. Or yer husbands,” said Angus abruptly. “Good eve to you, Lord Lovat. And to you, wife.”

  He gave a short bow. So short it was close to an insult, but not quite. Gillis growled something about seeing her on the morrow, nodded at Lovat, and stormed out. Angus winked at her before following his brother.

  Lovat poured himself a glass of wine and settled himself in his padded chair. He gazed at her, saying nothing. She was suddenly exhausted. She’d lain down after her bath, but it seemed like only moments later when Anna woke her to dress.

  “May I retire?” she requested politely.

  He nodded. “I am up early. If you are as well you may break your fast with me. If not, you will go hungry. Understand?”

  “Yes, Uncle. I will be ready. Thank you.”

  A quick bob, and she was out in the open. The setting sun lit up the hill to the east. Two tall, broad men walked up a track. One was dark and one was red. They each carried a sack. She hoped it was food.

  “You mustn’t stand here, my lady,” said Anna, silently appearing at her side. “‘Tis not seemly.”

  “Too many damn things aren’t seemly,” she muttered under her breath.

  Only a few days ago she’d hidden her sex and worked as hard as the others. She was cuffed, beaten, and made to do the dirtiest work. Gillis and Angus had freed her from all that. For a short while she could say what she wished, even speak openly of things that interested all three of them. Even as Angus’s wife she had a fair level of freedom, riding astride in the open air.

  Now that she was labeled a niece to Fraser of Lovat she was to sit quietly indoors. She was not to speak of, much less use her knowledge or ability. Instead her uncle wanted her to do lady things she’d never attempted, nor wished to learn.

  Fiona looked longingly up the hill just before the tent flap closed behind her. She wanted to be walking up there with her husbands, confident they wanted her as she was and not some pale imitation. Perhaps tomorrow or the next day she would be left alone with them. She could then be just Fiona, their wife and partner.

  She didn’t know how much more of this lady business she could take.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “When do ye think he’ll let her visit?” Angus wiped sweat off his brow with the back of his arm. They’d been up with the birds before the rising sun set the sky ablaze. The sooner done, the sooner they’d be gone.

  “It’s been three days. We’re near done.” Gillis slammed a rock onto the top of the wall. He looked over. “There she is!”

  “Lovat with them?”

  “Nay, thank God. Fiona’s in a yellow gown.” Gillis scowled. “I dinna like that damned kerch. She has hair spun of red gold. Why canna she show it?”

  “A married woman covers her hair.”

  Gillis turned his scowl on Angus. “Lovat canna have it both ways. If she wears a kerch she’s married and sleeps with her husband, nay at yon camp.”

  Angus slaked his thirst as he thought over Gillis’s words. He wiped his mouth with the back of his arm. “Aye. If Fiona is my wife she’ll cover her hair and live here with us. If she’s a maid her hair must go free. Either way I’m going to kiss her well.”

  “I wish to do more than kiss.”

  “Mayhaps if we are good laddies Lovat will cut the guard.”

  Just the thought of seeing Fiona again had Angus hard. He’d do a lot more than kiss her mouth if he got the chance. Needing a break, he walked over to the path to watch her arrive. The yellow suited her, as bright and sunny as the day. Another thought struck. Lovat was a wily old warrior. Had he insisted she wear a bright dress that would make it impossible for her to hide? All a guard had to do was stand on the higher hill and watch for that splash of color.

  He found a hole where he could watch them approach. He gave her a wave. She picked up her skirts and ran. The much taller woman laughed. She shook her head, staying with the guard.

  Fiona rushed through the gate. Angus wanted to lick and suck her clit and make her scream, then sink his cock deep into her pussy. He wanted her to bite down hard on that leather strap, again and again. But he had to learn what the guard would accept before he did more. Everything would be reported to Lovat. He held up his hands to keep her back. Iain, along with a few guards and the woman, took stock of the situation.

  “Do ye not wish me to hold ye?” Fiona’s voice trembled.

  “Och, lassie,” said Gillis, “I wish to hold ye more than ye can think. But I dinna wish to ruin yer pretty gown.” He bent over so his closely shorn red head was closer to her. “But ye can give me a kiss,” he whispered.

  She grabbed his ears with both hands, went up on her toes, and kissed him. She was rewarded with a low growl deep in his throat.

  “Enough!” roared Iain.

  One guard tugged Gillis in one direction as the Campbell guard yanked Fiona’s arm, making her cry out. Angus roared with fury and ran to attack. He was tackled and he
ld. A loud crack erupted, as of a fist to a jaw. The man holding Fiona crashed to the ground behind her.

  “That’s fer touchin’ me wife, ye damned Campbell dog!” Gillis glared at the guard, making sure he stayed down, then turned to Fiona. He looked more satisfied than concerned. “Are ye fine, sweetling?”

  “Aye,” she replied, rubbing her arm. “‘Twas not needed.”

  He bared his teeth at the guard, now sitting up and working his sore jaw. “Mayhaps I needed doin’ it,” said Gillis in satisfaction.

  Fiona grinned and hugged Gillis. He gave her a kiss, keeping his hands away from her dress.

  “Ye shouldna kiss, my lady!”

  The dark-haired woman spoke the words, but she looked interested more than anything. She glanced at Iain, who gritted his teeth. Was there something going on between them? Fiona pushed Gillis away, though reluctantly. He gently kissed her forehead.

  “Anna,” said Fiona, “this is my husband, Angus MacDougal. The big red one with the scowl is his brother, Gillis. Husbands, this is Anna. She’s a widow and is teaching me cooking and the like.”

  Anna didn’t look much older than Fiona. She glanced at Iain again, then away. Her face looked redder than it had a moment ago. Was it the exertion of climbing or something else?

  “My lady,” murmured Anna, “ye shouldna be so bold outside yer bedchamber.”

  “Angus is my husband,” said Fiona loudly. “The priest said I was to obey him. He wished to kiss me. So I made it happen.”

  Fiona pressed her hands against Angus’s bare chest. Her fingers caught his nipples. Her smirk proved it was no accident. His cock throbbed, demanding release. He’d gone without sex for years with nary a twitch. Seeing Fiona, having her touch him and being unable to plow into her, made him crazy. He had a sudden urge to smash his fist into the guards, toss them over the wall, lock the gate, and take his wife. He realized this must be how Gillis felt before he raged. The top of Anna’s head came to his eye level.

  “Ye shouldna order the lady to do what will get the laird angry,” said Anna. “He said ye were not wed.”