“I believe that Helena has done a good job. Yer servants respect her and the job they do. I daresay some of them enjoy it quite a bit. Yer keep is clean and well-run.”
“Warm and welcoming?” he asked and frowned when she tried to tug her foot back. The question had upset her, but he didn’t understand why. “Moira?”
“Aye, I believe yer guests will find it warm and welcoming. Truth is that ’tis not changed much.”
There was a slight warble in her voice, and he ran his fingers in a circle on the balls of her feet to bring her back to the present before he lost her in the past. Maybe at one time, she’d found the keep warm and welcoming, but now, it clearly only reminded her of when she was there before.
No wonder she was so desperate to leave.
“Ye are the mistress here now. Ye may make any changes that ye see fit.”
“’Tis yer home,” Moira reminded him softly. “I wouldnae change yer home.”
The conversation was taking a turn that Connor didn’t like. Quickly, he reached forward and squeezed her hips. Before she could jerk away, he pulled and easily slid her into the tub. As she squealed, water did indeed splash over the edge of the tub, but he didn’t care. All he wanted was to feel her body against his.
Feel as though she wasn’t pulling away.
“Connor!’ she gasped. “What are ye doing?”
“Wanted ye closer,” he grunted as he tugged her up until she straddled him. “Are ye telling me that ye werenae teasing me?”
“Of course I was teasing ye, but I wanted ye to get out of the tub. I didnae want to be in the tub with ye,” she said in frustration.
Smiling, he cupped the water with his hand and lifted it until he could drizzle it along the bodice of her shift. Growing transparent, it outlined her breast, and her mouth dropped open in desire.
“Beautiful,” he whispered. “I rather think I like ye in the tub, and I believe that before we are done, ye will like it as well.”
With a strangled moan, she gripped the edge of the tub and shifted over him. He grew even harder, nestled between her thighs. “Honestly, Connor, I doonae think this is right.”
“We are married, my love. Ye can have me any way that ye want me.”
Her eyes widened just a little, but she settled more firmly against him. It was all he could do not to smile in satisfaction. “Happy that ye decided to marry?”
“This part is enjoyable,” she admitted. “I feel as though I have the control right now.”
“Aye.” Gripping her hips, he lifted her up slightly and shifted her. “When ye are ready, Moira, I am yers.” He latched his mouth on her nipple, tonguing her through the fabric until she was gasping and moaning, and when she finally lowered herself on him, he pulled her head down for a kiss.
The woman’s body was the very definition of paradise, and he so desperately wanted to lose himself in her. Like this, the past was gone, and it was only the two of them and the promise of what could be.
Water waved and splashed as they moved, and her shift became plastered against her skin. He’d never seen anything more erotic, and it wasn’t long before they were both finding their pleasure in each other.
“Moira,” he whispered as he held her tight. She was still shuddering, and the water was chilling around them. “Moira.”
“It scares me,” she murmured as she buried her face in his shoulder.
“What scares ye, Moira?”
“This. Wanting this. Desiring ye.”
“Ye have nothing to fear, Moira. Believe me when I tell ye that I want ye just as badly. Ye are safe with me, Moira. Doonae hold yourself back from me. Ever.”
She didn’t say anything, and he held her until the shudders subsided. He knew that he could have her all over again when they were dry, warm, and under the covers.
13
The next morning, Moira was having a hard time focusing on Lorna as she served them breakfast. Next to her, Grace fidgeted. Just as she and Connor had predicted, Grace was not happy. After being in the keep all day yesterday, she obviously wanted to be out, but she was trying hard to be supportive of Moira.
Grace’s constantly tapping fingers were the only thing that kept bringing Moira back to the present. Her mind continued to wander to the head of Connor’s arms last night and again this morning. The man was insatiable.
So, she discovered, was she.
“Miriam used to complain something fierce about the two of ye and yer friends when ye were younger,” Lorna chuckled as she sat down to join them. “I had to remind her that she wasn’t the most well-behaved when she was younger either.”
“I admit that we were a menace to Connor and Alec, but I doonae remember Miriam,” Moira mused. “I hope we didnae cause her too much grief.”
Snorting, Lorna waved her hand. “Please. That woman complained about everything. ’Tis nice that ye are back, Moira, and I am pleased that someone will be inhabiting Miriam’s cottage, but I doonae understand why.”
Would she have to explain her reasoning over and over again? “I have not been too far out to explore, but I believe most of the clan didnae approve of Connor’s decision to marry me. I believe that by residing outside the Sinclair keep, I can appease them.”
“Ye are a terrible liar,” Lorna laughed. “But I appreciate the diplomatic answer. In hindsight, I asked a vera personal question.”
“’Tis a question that I imagine people will ask quite a bit. Do ye think Miriam will mind?”
“Not at all. Miriam was all about being unconventional. She could speak to spirits, ye know.”
Moira sipped at her tea and exchanged an inconspicuous look with Grace. “Well, I hope those spirits have moved on now that Miriam is gone.”
“Oh, no. They are lonely with Miriam gone, so they have been speaking with me. They are most interested in ye moving in. Perhaps they will start speaking to ye as well.”
Grace started laughing, which she quickly covered with a cough. Moira shot her a dirty look. “I would ask that they stay away. I doonae know how I would feel about spirits speaking with me.”
“They willnae hurt ye, lass. No need to worry about that. Grace, do ye have a plan to marry now that ye are no longer in charge of the keep?”
A panicked look crossed Grace’s face, but Moira did nothing to help her. Instead, she raised her eyebrows. “Aye, Grace? Is marriage in yer future?”
“Not my immediate future,” Grace said with an open glare. “I am happy to pass the keep duties to Moira. In fact, if ye have any suggestions, ye should share them with Moira. She is most eager to implement some changes.”
Moira gasped, and Lorna chuckled. “All right, ladies. Truth is that I am putting ye on. Grace, ye will marry one day, when ye find the right one. Ye are lucky in that Connor will not care whether ye marry or not. I was lucky in that my parents chose sweet Alistair as my husband. Oh, we couldnae stand each other for the first few months, but then we fell deeply in love.”
Moira felt a sudden pull in her chest, and she slowly lowered her cup. “How wonderful for ye.” She’d given up on love years ago, but here was a woman decades older than her still very much in love. Lorna was right. She was a lucky woman.
But so was Moira. She married a man who was giving. It was far more than she’d ever thought she’d have for herself.
“Ye have only been married a few short days,” Lorna laughed as if reading her thoughts. “Love may still bloom between ye. There is certainly affection. Anyone can tell from the rough on yer cheeks and the lights dancing in yer eyes that ye are finding yer nights pleasurable.”
“Oh!” Moira nearly dropped the teacup and flushed bright red. “I amnae hoping for love. Simply respect, and so far, we have that.”
“Grace?” Lorna asked. “Do ye think yer brother will come to love his wife?”
“Aye. He can be quite thickheaded, but I believe that he will come round.” Grace’s eyes sparkled. “Our friend Ainsley believes wholeheartedly in their romance. It gives her hope.”
“Love is in yer future, Moira. Ye simply need to prepare yerself. In the meantime, I have something for ye. Give me just a moment.”
After she left the room, Moira turned and glared at Grace. “Why are ye encouraging her?”
“I could ask the same of ye.” They stared at each other for a moment before chuckling. A loud dragging sound distracted them, and when Lorna grunted Moira and Grace immediately got up to help her.
“I am so sorry,” Lorna gasped. “I forgot how heavy it was or I would have gotten Connor to move it for me yesterday when he was finished. I suppose when I see him or one of the other strapping lads, I will ask them to move it for me. This was Miriam's. I rescued it not long after her death because I didnae want someone else to take it. It belongs with the cottage, so it belongs to ye now, Moira.”
It was a lovely chest with a polished dark finish. The brass lock and handles gleamed. It had been taken care of, and from the sound it was making, was full of something.
“’Tis beautiful,” Grace whispered as she ran her hands over it.
“Aye. What is inside?”
Lorna shook her head. “No idea. I never could find what unlocks it. As ye can see, ’tis no normal keyhole.”
No, it wasn’t. The hole was round with a particular shape to the edge. Unique and strange. Moira immediately fell in love with it.
“Something about the chest seems so familiar,” Grace mused. “Perhaps I spent more time in Miriam’s cottage than I remember.”
Moira didn’t know about familiar, but there was something about the chest that called to her. Whether it was the chest itself or something inside of it, Moira wanted to take the rest of the day and examine it.
Once again, Lorna seemed to read her mind. “Once ye are a resident of the cottage, it will be all yers,” she announced.
The message was clear. Hands off until then. Slightly disappointed, Moira stood and smiled. “’Tis a wonderful gift. Thank ye.”
“And I appreciate ye ladies joining me for breakfast, but I can see that Grace is anxious to get back to her day. Moira, I look forward to speaking with ye more once ye are settled.”
“I would love that vera much.”
Grace thanked her as well, and they walked down the narrow path to Miriam’s cottage. “Connor got quite a bit done last night,” Moira mused as she looked up at the roof. “I will be able to move in soon.”
“Moira.” Grace reached out and took her hand. “Are ye certain that ye want to do this? Lorna is right. Ye are destined for love, but I am worried what will happen if ye extricate yerself from the marriage now.”
Looking down, Moira picked at her dress. “I amnae extricating myself. I will still perform my duties as his wife. We will spend plenty of time together, but there is no chance of love between us. Connor has made it clear, and I feel the same. Doonae worry yerself. I am happy with the marriage.”
Grace still looked troubled, but she nodded. “All right. I am going for a ride. Will ye join me?”
“Not right now. I promised Helena that I would spend some time in the kitchens today, but soon, I would like to explore the land.”
“Vera well. Doonae let her boss ye around. Remember that ye are the mistress now.”
When Grace left, Moira stepped into the cottage. All the broken furniture was gone now, so she could better envision her own life there. A simple bed in the corner by the window so she could enjoy the sunshine every morning and hear the birds sing when she opened it. A rack for drying herbs and flowers. A small kitchen table to enjoy her meals in solitude. A loveseat and a few chairs for when Grace and Ainsley visited.
A quiet sanctuary.
Alone.
She took far too long at the cottage and realized that Helena was waiting for her. Rushing to the kitchens, she skidded to a stop when the large woman turned and glared at her. “I said for ye to come directly after yer morning meal. In this time, ye could have eaten four meals!”
“I apologize, Helena,” Moira said while trying to hide her smile. Of course, she was late but not nearly as late as Helena was making out. “I am here now and ready.”
“Ye arenae even going to live in the keep? How do ye plan to manage it when ye doonae live here?”
“A household that runs well doesnae need constant supervision,” Moira pointed out calmly. “As ye have been running this keep successfully, I am certain that ye have figured that out yerself.”
“Aye, and I can continue to run it.”
Now that Grace wasn’t here, Helena apparently felt more comfortable showing her unhappiness at being pushed out of her position. As Moira had told her yesterday, she still hoped to keep Helena on to help out, but apparently that wasn’t good enough for Helena.
At first, she hadn’t thought to take over any of the responsibilities of the keep, but Tyree’s words bothered her. Connor was giving up quite a bit by marrying her, and while she did want to toil under the sun and grow her flowers, it certainly wouldn’t take all of her time. She could spend some doing her duties as mistress. “I will welcome yer help, Helena, but as Connor’s wife, I am mistress of the keep, and I doonae plan to shirk my duties. I believe ye were going to introduce me to the kitchen staff?”
Helena narrowed her eyes and Moira prepared herself for a fight, but before she could say anything, the door opened, and a small group of men barged in. “Here she is! The traitor!” one yelled.
Gasping, Moira flinched as several men grabbed her. Horrible memories flitted through her head, and Moira couldn’t help but scream. Energy spurned her, and she lashed out with her foot. One of the men grunted and released her. With a free hand, Moira whirled and plowed her fist into the jaw of the other man holding her.
The mob descended until a loud voice roared over the chaos. “Unhand my wife right now!”
Everyone froze, and the hands holding her let go. Moira fell to the floor and cried out in pain as her elbow hit the floor at an odd angle. The mob parted as Connor strode toward her.
“Moira, are ye all right?” he asked softly as he helped her up.
“What is happening? Who are all these men?” she demanded while trying desperately not to cry.
“Ye tried to kill the laird,” one brave voice announced. “And we willnae have it!”
“Kill?” Confused, Moira looked up at Connor and saw the blood trickling down his head. “Connor, what happened to ye?”
“Ye happened!” the same voice called out, and the mob cheered.
Moira drowned them out as she searched Connor’s eyes. There was pain and shame but no accusations.
He didn’t believe that she’d tried to kill him. Relief swept through her, but it was short-lived. “Please tell me what happened.”
“We are building a new storehouse. One of the wooden beams fell off the pile and hit me in the head.”
“Fell? ’Twas pushed!”
“Enough!” Connor roared. “Accident or no, my wife is clearly here in the kitchens and nowhere near the southern fields.”
“Actually, Moira just arrived,” Helena said, her voice full of contempt. When Connor swung his angry gaze around, she bowed her head. “But I believe she was breakfasting with Lorna before she arrived.”
Even as everyone cowed under Connor’s intense stare, Moira could feel the hatred wafting off them in her direction. This was why she hadn’t ventured too far out into the clan. This was what she had feared, but if she showed weakness now, she’d never be able to rise above it.
Straightening, she turned and faced them. “I had breakfast with Lorna and Grace. I then spent some time in Miriam’s old cottage. Alone. I know that it will take some time to earn yer respect, but I ask that ye give me the benefit of the doubt and think. How would I benefit from the death of the man I had just married? I have no doubt that ye would cast me out.”
Eyes lowered to the ground, and she knew that she’d hit the mark right on the head. “I know that many of ye still believe me guilty of the tragedy that befell ye. I know that it will
take time to earn yer trust, but I ask that ye give me that chance.”
When no one said anything, Connor growled. “My wife is being kind. I will not be so. The next person who lays a hand on my wife will feel my wrath. She isnae responsible for the death of my parents, and she isnae responsible for what happened today. Leave. Now.”
The crowd dissipated, and Moira tried to leave as well, but Connor kept a firm grasp on her arm. “My chambers,” he said to her quietly. “I need to make certain that ye are all right.”
“I am fine!”
“And I will discover that for myself.”
14
His head ached, but Connor wouldn’t let Moira look at it until he’d looked over her knee and shoulder. They would still be weak from her tumble when she’d tried to run away. And he’d seen her land on her elbow.
“Ye fought well,” he said quietly as he ran his hands over her knee and lifted her leg. She sat in the chair, her cheeks burning, and her hands clasped quietly in her lap. Her body trembled, but he didn’t know if it was from pain, anger, or fear.
“After…after what happened before, my brothers gave me some lessons to defend myself. I had not a chance to use them until now. I doonae believe that I hurt anyone, but I was scared.” The memory of her brothers brought tears to her eyes. Her father had seemed almost mad after their mother had died, but her brothers had protected her from most of his wrath. Like her uncle, they hadn’t believed her treachery either. They wanted to go to war with Connor over what happened, but she’d managed to put them at ease.
Her heart ached that they were gone, but she was grateful for what they had taught her.
“Ye doonae need to apologize,” he said as he released her leg. “I didnae know that they meant to ambush ye like that, but I should have. I should have protected ye.”
“I amnae hurt, Connor, but ye are. Please let me clean the blood from yer wound so I can look at it better. We may need the help of yer healer.”
Ignoring her, he picked up her hand and put a hand to her elbow. Watching her carefully for signs of pain, he extended her arm. There it was. Just a slight jump. “Ye will rest this arm.”
Highlands’ Forbidden Deeds Page 27
