"Tis' growing quite long. Ye look quite the highland warrior."
"Yes. I tried to keep it as trim as possible without seeming out of place, but I don't have that luxury on the road." Colin rubbed his palm over his face and shook his head. A slight smile bending his lips.
"Yer as handsome as ever."
"You're as flattering as ever."
"Then again, I tho' ye were handsome when I dinnae' see yer face, so ye cannae' take my word," Arywnn teased.
"True, I'll take my chances through." Colin leaned forward, and warmed Arywnn's lips with an exquisite kiss that left her tingling.
"We must go. I want to be as close to Aberdeen as possible. We need to be out of Scotland quickly. The sooner the better, and the safer you'll be."
After pausing for a quick rest after dark to eat a quick meal, Arywnn continued to follow Colin as he wove through the trees, up hills, and down into low valleys. The call of night creatures echoed through the night air, and Garten had his ears constantly perked listening to the strange noises.
Thankfully, none of the noises of the forest included the sound of pursuers.
Chapter Fourteen
Colin continued to glance behind him, concerned that the night journey was too strenuous for Arywnn. As each hour passed, his admiration for her grew. When dawn broke and they arrived on the outskirts of Aberdeen, Colin wanted to dance and shout, if not for his own fatigue.
"Is tha' Aberdeen?" Arywnn asked in a husky tone that set Colin's blood to boiling. It was the same tone she used when she had awoken in his arms that sweet night.
"Yes." Colin cleared his throat trying to reign in his passionate response.
"Tis a beautiful sight." Her wistful tone echoed his sentiment.
"Yes, indeed it is. It's still early, and if we make our way to my contact's residence we should be able to rest for a few hours. He will arrange our sea journey. We'll remain out of sight."
"Do ye think we'll leave today? Or must we wait for a ship…"
"I'm not sure. We'll find out soon though. Make sure you stay close to me. Though it's early, the streets will begin to fill up with peddlers."
"Aye."
"Aberdeen is quite the bustling city. As the sun rises, you'll see why it's famous for its granite."
"It shines," Arywnn finished.
"Indeed. It does. The high mica content makes the granite glisten," Colin continued on, silent for a moment.
"Yer contact, do ye know him well?" Arywnn asked lightly, yet there was a delicate strain to her words.
"Yes, and I trust him with my life, as well as yours. He's been a friend ever since I began working for the crown. He's an old bachelor, so don't mind his… eccentric behavior."
"Eccentric?"
"You will see." Colin chuckled then sobered as they entered Union Street. Arywnn's eyes were wide as she took in the large stone structures and smooth pillars. In the distance, spires looked as if they pierced the sky. Had she ever been away from the highlands? Judging by her wide-eyed wonder, he assumed not. If Aberdeen's glory held her in awe, he worried about her reaction when they arrived in London society.
He led her down a side street and turned down his contact's road. The townhouses grew larger, more exquisite, till he arrived at the right one. Dismounting, he glanced back to Arywnn. She was staring at the building, and hadn't noticed his approach. He reached for her to dismount. She took his hand, and slid into his waiting arms. Colin grasped her hand firmly, and led Garten to the iron fence and tied his lead. After he secured his own mount, he took a deep breath and glanced to Arywnn. She was watching him with a curious expression. He gave her a reassuring grin, and proceeded up the stairs. At the first knock, the butler answered.
"Aye? Ye are?"
"Yer master's associate. Please tell him that the highlands are in bloom, and there's none to pick the flowers." Colin watched as the butler nodded, then disappeared into the house.
"The highlands are in bloom?" Arywnn's confused expression had Colin trying to keep from grinning.
"It's a ciphered phrase. It means that I'm no longer in hiding, and I've come to report and make my way to England."
"And he'll ken all that from the flowers?"
"Yes, Sweet Arywnn." He reached up and tugged a loose strand of hair and teased her nose with it.
"The master will see ye. This way." The butler returned, and opened the door wide. Colin released Arywnn's lock of hair and walked into the town house.
"Colin!" An elderly man rose from his large desk strewn with papers. The large wood-paneled room was filled with potted plants in various stages of life and bloom. Some boasted large flowers, while others bore fruit. Another seemed almost dead. Silas had an obsession with botany. Colin wondered what Arywnn would think of their host.
"Silas! You're a welcome sight!" Colin embraced his friend.
Silas was a tall and exceedingly thin man with a white beard that needed a good trimming. His eyes were the color of warm earth, and radiated a keen intelligence. Colin considered his aged friend. Their acquaintance was through Colin's deceased father who had been chums with Silas at Eton. When Silas had chosen to move to Scotland just a few years ago to continue his research on botany, Colin had missed him terribly. It was a true pleasure to be with him once again, for however short of time.
Silas soon turned to Arywnn, giving Colin a questioning glance.
"And who is this highland rose?"
"This is Arywnn. My intended."
Arywnn nodded and smiled wide. Silas blushed a deep crimson, and cleared his throat before reaching out and waiting for Arywnn to extend her hand. She did, and he placed a very proper kiss to the air above her wrist. Colin watched with amusement, as Silas seemed to fall over himself. It would seem that she had already won him over.
"A lucky man indeed." Silas cleared his throat once more. "Please sit. Will you have tea?" he asked with his bushy eyebrows raised.
"Please, and if you have anything to eat, we'd surely appreciate it. We didn't stop for supplies, but hastened our way to Aberdeen because we were being hunted."
"Hunted you say?" Silas cast him a sidelong glance as he rang for tea. "By whom?" Silas' expression grew far more intense as he studied Colin with narrowed eyes.
Colin explained their situation, and soon the butler arrived with hot tea, scones, a selection of meats and cheeses along with pastries. Colin's mouth watered at the scent of their feast, but he made sure Arywnn had first selection of everything.
His heart pinched with regret as he saw Arywnn's eyes widen as she took in the spread before them. Never again, he vowed, would she do without. Life had dealt her a harsh hand. That ended now. He was going to make sure of it. Never again would she run for her life. Never again would she be in danger for his sake, or any others for that matter. The running, the deception ended now. Tonight he would come clean with his final secret, tearing down the final wall that could be between them. Surely she wouldn't care? Surely it wouldn't matter to her? Yet his heart whispered the thought he was afraid to recognize. What if she did care? Could his heart survive rejection at her hand? He doubted it.
As they ate their fill, Silas asked pointed questions about their departure, and what necessities they would need to procure before they left. Silas made a list and rang for a maid. When she arrived he handed it to her, asking for each item to be procured before nightfall. Next, a footman was sent off to retrieve information on the next ship sailing for London. With all the basic needs met, Colin was thrilled to escort Arywnn to room where she could take the rest she surely needed.
Upon quitting the room, Arywnn's eyes widened as she took in the glorious appointments of Silas' grand house.
"I've never seen the like," she whispered breathlessly.
"It is quite grand," Colin spoke quietly, his eyes fixed on her face.
Arywnn tried to cover her yawn as they ascended the large curved mahogany staircase, but Colin caught it. Seizing the opportunity, he swept Arywnn into his arms.
&nb
sp; "Colin!" Arywnn gasped then glanced around to see if anyone had seen them.
"You're tired love, I'm merely being a gentleman… after all Knights are chivalrous, are they not?"
"Indeed they are… but I think ye are bein' more of the rogue tha' the Knight." She narrowed her eyes even as her hands came around his neck and held fast.
"Perhaps." Colin chuckled.
He strode forward, savoring the welcome burden of Arywnn's body. As he opened the door Silas had spoken of for Arywnn's use, he fought against his own traitorous thoughts, and struggled to resist the temptation to bolt the door behind him. Locking them in the room, alone, with the large bed all for the taking.
"I see it in yer eyes, I do. Dinnae' you think tha—"
"It was but a fleeting thought—"
"A rogue and a liar?" Arywnn teased as she brushed back his overgrown hair as it started to cover his eyes.
"Ah, sweet Arywnn, a rogue and a lover… not liar." He captured her lips with his own, inhaling her soft surrender as her arms tightened around his neck. It had been too long since he tasted her, and his body trembled with the power of the addiction he had to her flavor. Unable to resist his desire, he devoured her mouth. The weight of the situation, and the gravity of all that was about to happen in such a short time, caused a fierce desire to own the moment. They were on the cusp of change, and once that change occurred, things wouldn't ever be quite the same. He wanted one last taste of it.
Reluctantly, he broke the seal of their lips. Hovering just beyond temptation, he closed his eyes, inhaling the windswept scent of her, memorizing the weight of her in his arms, committing to memory the soft sigh she breathed. If there ever was a perfect moment in eternity, surely this was it. But like all moments, they passed and life continued.
"Lover indeed," Arywnn whispered, a smile teasing her lips and illuminating her gaze.
"Had you any doubt?" Colin replied with a grin tipping the corners of his mouth.
"No, but 'twas delightful tae be reminded."
Colin chuckled and, quite reluctantly, set down his soft burden, and placed her on her feet in the grand room.
Arywnn's eyes grew wide once again as she studied the velvet and tapestry covered room. Rich and heavy woods accented light colors and large windows. A marble fireplace boasted a warm fire, and several pastries were laid out next to another steaming pot of tea.
"I cannae' sleep here!" Arywnn turned, her eyes wide and her expression overwhelmed.
"Why ever not?" Colin asked, curious at the adamant expression on her face.
"Do ye see me dress? Me skin, even! I'm wearin' more dirt that this house has ere' seen before! I'll not ruin tha' lovely bed with my dirty self!" She continued to regard him as if he'd lost his senses.
"Arywnn, love. I'm just as filthy as you, but I fully intend on taking a bath first. I didn't want to embarrass you by mentioning it in front of a man you hardly knew. I'll have a maid bring up a tub and water for you. Silas is already gathering supplies, and that will include a new dress or two for you to wear, so don't worry." He leaned forward and kissed her slightly tilted nose.
"A bath would be lovely." Arywnn's voice carried a deep wistful tone that made Colin grin.
Her eyes narrowed as she studied him.
"Ye think it's funny? I'll have ye ken that ye are far filthier than I. 'Bout the only thing I recognize on ye is yer eyes. Everythin' else is dirt colored." Arywnn leaned back and crossed her arms.
"I don't doubt it love. But ye must admit. I wear the dirt well." He wagged his eyebrows and took a step toward Arywnn, even as she stepped back.
"Ye might wear it well, but ye smell like yer horse," she fired back, though her eyes were softening.
"All the more tae remind ye that I'm a braw Highland warrior that'll take yer heart as my prisoner and'll never let it go." He lapsed into a thick brogue.
Arywnn giggled.
"So I'm yer intended, aye?" She glanced up at him shyly.
Colin traced his fingers down her arm, and inhaled the scent of horse mixed with the rosemary he would forever associate with her.
"Aye. Perhaps I did not make myself clear when I kidnapped you." Colin chuckled as Arywnn rolled her eyes at his statement.
"I love you. You are mine. I want you to grow old with me, tease me when I'm blind and senile." She slapped playfully at his arm. "I want tae wake up with your face my first sight, and fall asleep with your scent filling my lungs and my mind with promises of tomorrow. I want tae caress and kiss every inch of your body, and make it mine and only mine, and watch our children grow within you. I want every part of you, nothing left out because loving you is like breathing, and tae cease tae have you in my life would cease the beating of my very heart."
"When ye ask that way…"Arywnn pulled at his soiled tunic and kissed him fervently on the mouth. Her sweet taste flooded his mouth and he plundered her mouth further, starving for more of her flavor. Her full lips melted within his, but a soft knock followed by a startled gasp broke through his passionate haze. When he released her from the kiss he glanced at her swollen lips, and couldn't suppress the self-satisfied grin.
"Pardon!" a feminine voice called a moment later.
"No need. The lady will appreciate your assistance." Colin finally broke eye contact and glanced to the petite maid who was blushing and averting her gaze to the floor.
"Thank ye," Arywnn spoke huskily and then cleared her throat, but it was too late. Her tone had already reignited the flame burning brightly in Colin's body. With the self-control of a saint, he winked at Arywnn and walked away, wishing he had married her already so that the bath would be for more than just cleaning. Perhaps for his own bath he would request cold water rather than warm.
Chapter Fifteen
Arywnn released a contented sigh as she watched Colin's broad shoulders swagger slightly as he walked away. He reminded her of a rooster strutting. The idea caused a giggle to bubble up.
"I'm sorry ta' interrupt—" the maid walked in further. Her brow furrowed with concern and residual embarrassment.
"Dinnae' fash yerself." Arywnn placed a caring pat on the maid's wrist. The petite, dark-haired woman offered her a small smile and nodded.
"Let's see about yer bath." The maid straightened and collected herself.
Arywnn lingered in the water as long as possible as she scrubbed herself clean over and over. The lavender scented soap was a welcome luxury as she lathered her hair and rinsed the bubbles away. Her hair was a matted mess from the hasty braids and lack of combing, but at least it was now clean. Surely she could find at least a small comb in such a beautiful place such as this.
Again the beauty of the house astounded her. The keep where she grew up was the finest dwelling in the clan. Never had she traveled beyond the Chattan borders. Never had she imagined the stories she heard were underestimations of what really was out there beyond her home. Humility washed through her as she questioned her place.
Surely Colin wasn't accustomed to this type of lavish lifestyle? He didn't seem concerned with the opulence or beauty. Was he simply at home here with his friend? Or was this part of his secret? What if he wasn't just a common Englishman? What if he was one of the Lords? Arywnn sunk deeper into the warm water, letting it calm her anxiety. What she did know was the certainty of his love. With that truth close to her heart, she trusted that any other obstacle would be overcome.
As she was drying herself, a knock sounded at her door.
"Miss? I have yer dress," the maid's voice called through the thick wooden paneling.
Arywnn glanced about for something to cover herself. Seeing a white blanket, she grasped it and wrapped it securely around her. "Please, come in."
"Here miss. I hope it's the right size. If not, I can adjust it however need be." She placed the garment on the bed and turned to face Arywnn. "I also took the liberty of securing new underclothes as well as a corset for ye miss."
A small package was placed beside the dress on the bed. Arywnn nodded and
glanced back at the dress. It was far different than anything she had ever seen. Next she glanced to the corset. She was familiar with stays, her own had been stuffed with straw, but this was sewn with almost invisible stitches, and appeared to be very stiff as if wood or bone was sewn in.
"I'll assist ye miss. Please turn," the maid asked politely.
Arywnn wordlessly turned. She blushed when the maid gently tugged the blanket that was covering her. When it was placed on the bed, the maid proceeded to help her dress with the stiff corset, petticoats, and several other layers that were adjusted before the maid finally lifted the dress from the bed. Arywnn tried to lift her arms, but the stiff and tight corset almost eliminated her breath. After sucking in a deepest breath possible with the confinement of the corset, she tried again. The dress was pulled over her head, and settled around her various layers. The deep green of the fabric opened slightly in the front of the skirt giving a peek at one of the petticoats she wore beneath. The back was secured, and the linen fabric was a strange weight on her shoulders as she adjusted to the strange feel of such foreign clothes.
"Lovely. I'll address yer hair now. Would ye care to sit?" The maid gestured to a cushioned seat.
Arywnn nodded, silently praying for the poor maid. Indeed her hair was as tangled as a misused loom.
As she walked, the whisper of the fabric seemed a strange noise, but as she moved the garment seemed to settle and become more comfortable. She sat in the cushioned chair and glanced into the mirror. With a gasp, she studied her reflection. The color of the dress illuminated the green of her eyes and auburn hue of her hair. Even though her hair was tangled and snarled almost beyond recognition, Arywnn felt beautiful.
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