“Abed.”
“Oh, still? Is she well?”
“Aye, she’s well.” He filled his trencher with steaming food, enough for him and Anne. Her insistence she was from another time had plagued him during his swim. Such a thing wasn’t possible and the responsibility of setting her to rights fell to him. “I shall see she has food. Goodnight, Mother.”
“Sleep well, and give Anne a kiss for me.”
He almost smiled at her need to interfere. What was he going to do with his wife? And what had truly caused her lone arrival here? He entered his chamber and shut the door. In bed, Anne lay awake under the covers, her long hair spread across her pillow and his. “I brought you food.”
“Thanks.” She edged up onto her elbows and scrutinized him. “I forgive you by the way. It took a bit of time, but I guess you have the right to be dubious.”
“Nay, no more of this nonsense.” He set the food on the bedside table, shucked his clothes and climbed in. He’d forbid her to speak of this if he must, even with him.
“Where I come from, women speak freely, we even vote.”
“I for—”
“We marry whom we wish, and usually without interference from our family. Women even work inside and outside the home, bringing the bacon home just as the men do.”
“Now I know you lie.”
“It’s quite acceptable for women to have children outside of wedlock.” She stroked the area between his brows. “Look at this frown. I truly wish you’d believe.”
“’Tis impossible to believe such a thing, and from now on you’ll no’ utter another word. Do you understand?”
“I can’t allow this opportunity to pass. My parents died in my time, but three years past. I’ve written them a letter and I have to get it to Dunvegan. The castle has remained the stronghold of the chiefs of MacLeod for over eight-hundred years.”
Obviously he’d no’ spelled it—nay, she’d written a letter?
“Anne, are you saying your chief saw you learned to read and write?”
“All children have a right to an education. In the future.”
“I didnae mean in the future.” Why would she not relent on this?
“I majored in accounting and spent three years at university, although we hardly have the need to write in my time. We use slim devices the size of your trencher, which have all the letters and numbers set as keys on a wide pad. You enter the written word in and it shows up on a bright screen before you. You can then send what you’ve written to yet another device closer to the size of Mary’s basket. It stamps your words onto paper, or you can simply send it anywhere in the world to the person you need to, like a letter.”
“What the?” Hell, her imagination was rife.
“One’s message can also move from one device to another across any distance, no matter if they’re not linked. Contacting someone is immediate.”
Certain his jaw hung somewhere down in his lap, he stared at her. Rife didn’t even begin to describe her imagination. “So you’re saying you dinnae need a messenger?”
She smiled, and he could have slapped himself for encouraging her further. “No, and that’s not the only means of communication. Almost everyone in the world has a land or cell phone. With those you simply press a button and—”
“Stop.” He was digging himself in deeper. He had to halt her spiel. Now. “You have the ability of a bard who weaves the most intriguing tales, but tales they are.”
“You truly want me to stop?”
“Aye, and to never start again.”
“What of my letter? I have to get it to Dunvegan.”
“There is no need for such when you didnae come from the future.”
“But what if I did?” Her gaze pleaded with him. “What if I’m taken from you? I mean here, before I’ve done what I must do. For years I’ve wished I could change the past, and now with Annie’s wish it’s possible.” She caught his hands. “My parents deserve to live.”
“You are no’ alone. You have me.”
“I want my wish to come true as Annie’s did. I need to journey to Dunvegan.”
* * * *
Even with all Alex’s decrees of denial, he was still listening to her. “I need you if I’m ever to get to Dunvegan. Please, Alex, take me there.”
“The feud between our clans will only settle once MacLeod hears of our handfast. I’ve sent James.”
“Then take me once James returns.”
“Nay, there is no reason for me to allow such a visit unless at your request. MacLeod will believe I have a weakness for you.”
“But you don’t.”
“Aye, it seems I do. Even now I seek to plunder what’s beneath your nightrail.” He cupped her breasts through the thin ivory cotton.
Warmth flooded her below and she swayed into him. “I have a weakness for you too, and you will drive me mad if you don’t satisfy this hunger.”
“We have a year, and I intend to see you’re well and truly sated by the end of it.” He dipped his head and sucked on one nipple, drawing both it and the cloth into his mouth.
Hot. Her Highlander knew how to kiss. “Where I come from the newly married honeymoon. They don’t leave their bed for days or even weeks on end. Can we do that?”
“I can give you naught but my nights.” With his teeth, he tugged her front lacings loose until her breasts spilled out. He licked his lips. “You’ve already stolen me from my training this day. It cannae happen again.”
“So, you’re saying no?”
“I will see to your needs now.” He swiped his tongue over one nipple then the other. “And mine. I must have more.” He wriggled her nightrail down and she kicked it away.
The candlelight flickered over his impressive erection bobbing against the rippling contours of his abs. “I have a feeling you’re about to become my weakness too.”
He lowered to the curve of her neck and kissed her. “Your heartbeat flutters like the wings of a bird. We will indulge, though only here. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” He kissed down the valley of her breasts and over her belly. She shivered in delight. “Provided you keep doing that.”
“I give you my word I shall. I’m hungry and a feast awaits.” He spread her legs, revealing all of her to his savage gaze.
A thrill chased through her and she slid her legs against his.
“Beautiful.” He ducked his head and she tangled her hands in his thick golden hair. She held onto him as his tongue swept across her flesh.
A firestorm radiated out from where he touched, and then he moved his mouth over her sensitive clit, and sucked, hard.
Breathless, she clung to him. “Slow down. What happened to we had all night?”
“You hold the banquet of my dreams.” Licking her, he built her orgasm to such a height she’d never manage the downhill return. “Let yourself go, my sweet. I want to feel you come with my mouth.”
She lifted her hips and her legs fell wider.
He drank from her deeper, his demand growing more frenzied as he grasped her bottom and moaned. This was heaven, and she never wanted their time together to end, not now, and not in a year. Having nowhere to go but over the edge, she arched her back and exploded. Flashes of white burst behind her closed eyelids as she came, over and over. Breathing in the elixir of his spicy scent, she clutched him to her. It was too much, yet not enough. “I want you inside.”
“Aye, I need that too.” He rose over her.
“Hurry.” She wanted to feel every hard and pulsing inch of him.
Lust filled his gaze. “Did I no’ sate you even a little?”
“Not by half.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, molded herself to him and gave him the friction he adored. “I’m not sure you ever will.”
“That was no’ the answer I was after.”
“I meant you did.” She nipped his lower lip. “But I want more.”
“You are bold.”
“Twenty-first century women are. We know what we wa
nt and we take it. Don’t ever expect docility from me, not with the passion you’ve now unleashed.”
“I dinnae care for docility.” He took control of their kiss, his hunger for her mouth matching his ravenous need of before. He thrust his tongue between her lips then plundered and pillaged with each mind-bending stroke.
His passion was endless, but then so was hers. She certainly could never have imagined she’d want her handfast husband this much. Yes, her husband and no one else’s. Her heartbeat pounded. “Don’t ever let me go, Alex. I want you, all of you. Make me yours.”
He clasped her hips and slowly moved his cock between her legs. The thick head teased her entrance as he slid himself along her dampness. “You were mine the moment we spoke our vows. No one will ever take you from me.”
Before she drew in her next breath, he plunged into her. Her scream was smothered by his mouth.
“Feel me in you,” he moaned as he pulled out then slid fully back home. “How we belong together. Dinnae take your lips from mine.”
She kissed him as feverously as he kissed her. He filled her, everywhere, claiming all of her. Then he quickened his pace and thrust harder and deeper. His strokes were masterful, and she pushed her hips toward him as her inner muscles grasped and dragged him home.
“Anne, damn.” He grit his teeth and held himself stiff as she pulsed around him.
“Don’t.” She rocked underneath him. “Come with me.”
He looked deep into her eyes then roared as he sank balls-deep into her. His seed shot to her womb and she cried out at their shared climax. A more perfect moment she’d never known. Joined together, it was a connection she never wanted to break.
Finally her breathing settled and the fevered speed of her heartbeat slowed. He rolled off her, taking her with him to lie on top. Their limbs remained tangled, and she snuggled against him. “Okay, now I’m well sated, honey.”
He tightened his hold on her, his voice raspy as he said, “Well, I still have some way to go. Prepare yourself for a battle like no other. I wish to conquer this desire, or at least for this eve.”
“Oh, I’ve unleashed the warrior within.” She caressed his chest. “And I hope you never submit to defeat.”
Yes, did she wish.
Chapter 5
Alex slipped out of their room the next morn and strode downstairs to the great hall. Alan beckoned him from near the private side room. He crossed and followed his man inside. “You have news?”
“Aye. This just arrived. A message from Fergus.” He passed him a small roll of tattered paper.
He unraveled it and read. “Nay, it cannae be.”
“’Tis bad news?”
“Fergus came upon one of the king’s messengers sent to impart this news to us. Our chief is in Edinburgh, along with his brother, Angus MacDonald of Dunnyveg.”
Alan thumped the center table covered in the seneschal’s accounts. “The chief would no’ willingly travel there, no’ at this time.”
“I agree.” Some months ago, a missive had arrived from the king, requesting their chief present himself at court to atone for his feuding with the MacLean of Duart. Donald expected all those involved in the dispute had received the same request. To travel to Edinburgh would mean his capture and imprisonment. Uncle would never take such a risk.
“The king needs to leave us to resolve our own issues, no’ alter the way we settle our disputes.” Alan clenched his fists.
“Aye, but he wishes to stamp his mark of ownership on the Western Isles, to control our way of life.” He returned to the missive. “Fergus reports he will continue onto Edinburgh and find out all he can. He’ll send word in due course.”
“What will you tell the clan?”
“The truth.” They would be aware soon enough of what had transpired. Secrets were difficult to keep within these walls, and the news their chief had been captured by the king’s men wasn’t information he wished to withhold, not even for a short time.
* * * *
Anne stretched then recoiled at the chill coming from Alex’s side of the bed. The sheets were cold, as if he’d left some time ago. She squinted through the dark. A sliver of dawn light snuck through the wooden-shuttered window. Her warrior must have gotten up early.
Curling into a tighter ball, she held onto the remaining heat. Last night had been wonderful, although no matter her plea for him to take her to Dunvegan, he’d still given her an adamant no.
His “no” though, wouldn’t cut it, not when her parents’ lives were at stake. Which meant action. She couldn’t lie abed when she had a letter to deliver, somehow and someway.
She shoved the covers away and planted her feet on the icy floor. Oh, some carpet on the polished planks would be nice. Across the room, she hopped. She hauled the engraved lid of the trunk up and selected one of the dresses Mary had delivered that first morning.
“Anne?” A knock sounded on the door. “I brought more clothes.”
“Oh, come in.”
She bustled in with an array of colorful garments spilling over her arms. She heaved the pile onto the end of the bed and faced her. “I’ve brought a special treat too.”
“You did? You better mean woolen socks.”
Grinning, she plucked a pair of stockings free. “Close. Put them on, and I’ll help you dress. We’re going outside shortly.”
“But it’s still dark.”
“We have to leave with the men when they do, otherwise we miss out.” She rummaged through the pile then yanked a forest-green riding habit and a broad-brimmed hat out. “We’re going riding. Alex has organized a hunt to restore our reserves. The men are eager to leave.”
“I love riding, although I’ve never been on a hunt. That sounds wonderful.” Mary held out a white shirt for her to don under the fitted jacket. The riding habit’s skirt was long and full, quite cumbersome and weighty, but it would allow her to ride astride. “I can’t believe Alex is allowing me to go.”
“You’re safe here and we’ll be hunting on our lands. It didnae take much persuading when I asked. Wait here though while I change. I willnae be long.” She skipped out the door.
A maid bobbed her head and entered with a tray brimming with food. She thanked the young girl, ate the porridge and one of the delicious oatcakes. The letter. No matter what, she’d keep it on her. It was best to remain prepared.
Mary returned, outfitted in a burgundy riding habit trimmed with navy ribbon, and a hairbrush in hand. “I’ll help with your hair. ’Tis tangled something fierce.”
“Thank you. Where do you usually hunt?”
“North. Deep in the forest.” She detangled the length then wound it up high and pinned it in place. Next, she eased the wide hat overtop and adjusted it on an angle. “I learnt to shoot with the bow and arrow alongside my brothers when I was young. I enjoy a good hunt, taking down a pesky wolf, or felling a prized deer.”
“Is it difficult to wield the weapon?”
“No’ if one practices.” She tied the ribbons underneath her chin. “Having you here is wonderful. I’ve missed my daughter terribly since she left, and she never missed a hunt.”
“And I’ve missed having a mother figure.” She hugged Mary extra hard as the truth of her words hit home. “Alex is lucky to have you.”
“He’s a good son, and a strong, caring leader. This morn in the great hall, he reported word had come from Fergus. The chief has been taken by the king’s men to Edinburgh.”
“What? Why?”
“It all started in fifteen-hundred and eighty-five. Five years past, the chief sailed to visit his brother, the MacDonald of Dunnyveg. During the trip he and his men were forced to shelter in Jura. Bad weather and all. Unfortunately they landed on the MacLean of Duart’s portion of the island, and that night came under attack. We lost almost sixty men because of MacLean. ’Tis a vicious feud which rages there.”
“What does that mean for the chief?”
“Imprisonment, although Fergus continues onto Edinburgh a
nd will send further news once he has it.”
Alex would be devastated, as would the clan. “I’m so sorry. What happens now?”
“Another of Donald’s nephews, no’ Alex, is the first to succeed should the chief’s imprisonment lead to death, but he’s still a lad. Alex will lead until Donald returns.”
Goodness, she finally had a date, fifteen-ninety, which meant the king Mary spoke of was James VI, the man who would unite the kingdoms of England and Scotland in sixteen-hundred and three. He wasn’t a king to forget.
She’d traveled to a time of war within the isles, but also to a time where history would be made. She’d come to Scotland, and Dunscaith’s ruins because her clan too had resided here. Of course, the MacDonalds had lived here for far longer. If only she’d read more within that brochure. “I don’t know what will happen, Mary.”
“It’s all right, lass. No one knows the future, but the chief is strong. He’ll return to us.”
She gripped Mary’s hands. “It can’t be his time.”
Nor was this hers, although all roads led to Dunvegan. Her letter must be delivered into the Chief of MacLeod’s hands for safekeeping.
Her parents’ future survival depended on her, and she wouldn’t let them down.
“Of course the chief willnae die. You sound like a MacDonald. Come.” She smiled and tugged her from the room. “We dinnae want the men to leave without us.”
* * * *
A hunt was exactly what his men needed to clear their heads after the devastating news Alex had given them. He checked his destrier’s saddle and tightened the cinch.
“Alex, wait for us.” Mother rushed toward him, and one step behind her, Anne hurried with her hands bunched in her skirts. She’d lifted them a tantalizing inch above her ankles, displaying a sliver of delicious flesh.
“Anne, come here. Mother has her own mare.”
Her chest rose and fell enticingly under her fitted jacket. “I’m riding with you?”
He offered her his hand. “I wish to keep you close during the hunt.”
“I’d rather ride my own horse.” She squeezed his hand. “Please.”
“Nay.” He mounted then drew her up in front of him. Damn, this close, she was a total distraction, her heavenly scent firing his need for her.
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