A Lesson in Passion

by Jennifer Connors

  With just Ian there to witness, Ginny took off her tunic, leaving just her chemise like undergarment. She smiled to herself when she heard his gasp. Taking the small handkerchief she carried out, she began to wash as much of her exposed body she could. It was cold, but Ginny knew that Ian would warm her up if she asked.

  She worked on washing her neck and shoulders. Then she reached into her garment to wash her armpits, which were disgusting and hairy. Ginny could admit that not having to shave had its advantages, but after so many years, it just grossed her out being so hairy. When her armpits were clean, she sat down and worked on her legs and feet.

  Chancing a glance back at Ian, she saw that he stood as still as a statue, staring at every move she made. It wasn't so dark that Ginny couldn't tell that he was hard as a rock, pitching a tent with his kilt. She wasn't even sure that he was breathing.

  Ginny wanted to wash her most intimate area, but also didn't want to chance sending this laird off the deep end. She turned away from him fully, and reached under her garment to washed as quickly as possible. When done, Ginny put her tunic back on. It seemed kind of ridiculous, washing at all knowing she would put on the same dirty outfit, but it had felt so good to be clean, even for only a moment.

  When done, Ginny turned and stared at Ian. “Thank you, for bringing me here so I could wash up. It was quite... refreshing.” Ginny spoke the last word as a whisper.

  Ian was a man of great discipline. He had great endurance and patience when the situation called for it. This woman would undoubtedly be his ruin. She had just spent this time teasing him. Did she think he would be able to keep his hands off her? A man can only take so much before he breaks, and Ian had reached that breaking point.

  Before she could speak one word of refusal, Ian grabbed her. His lips kept her from voicing any objections. He opened her mouth with his tongue and began making love to her with it. His tongue took possession of her mouth and his hands held her face. He vaguely noticed her hands on his arms. Ian knew she was responding to him. She was kissing him back, using her tongue to duel with his.

  Ian moved his hands down her delicate neck, to her small shoulders. Now that she was kissing him back, he could use his hands to explore her body. First, he moved them down her back, pulling her closer to his body, against his hard arousal. Then he cupped her bottom and pulled her off the ground slightly to allow him to kiss her deeper. Just as his hands came back up to feel her hard nipples, even under her layers of clothing, one of his men called out to him.

  “Laird. Are ya alright?”

  Ian stopped kissing Ginny long enough to scream something derogatory to his soldier. Unfortunately, it was enough to break the spell for her. Ginny pulled away and quickly returned to the camp. Instead of following behind her, Ian stood by the stream and washed himself down. The cold water helped to reduce his throbbing erection, but did nothing to lighten his mood. What was he doing? He couldn't have her, not in the way she wanted. He needed to stop this before he married the MacDonald girl.

  Ian completed his washing and returned to camp. He saw that his men had made a small pallet for Ginny to sleep on to keep her from getting damp. With her back to the fire, she pretended to be asleep. He would leave her be for now, but he had every intention of keeping her warm tonight. Just as he had every night since she came to his keep.

  * * *

  Dammit, dammit, dammit , Ginny kept repeating in her head as she lay as still as stone by the fire. She had hoped to fall asleep before Ian returned, but she was so hot and bothered at the moment, sleep would allude her for hours. What was wrong with her? She had told herself that she wouldn't sleep with him. So why, exactly, had she teased him by taking half her clothes off? Why had she kissed him back when he grabbed her? Why weren't they having sex right now!

  It was so dark beyond the firelight. They camped near a grove of trees, and Ginny could barely make them out in the darkness. The light of the stars twinkled against their black backdrop. With so little surface light, you could see millions of stars in the sky. Large clusters of stars that looked like dust across a black floor. Ginny had only seen it like this one other time, when she was at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff. As spectacular as that was, it didn't hold a candle to this glorious sight.

  I just have to wait a little longer , she thought. I just have to be patient. This story will come around and I will get to have sex with Ian. Or someone just as spectacular. Only a little longer now.

  She smiled to herself in the dark, even though she was uncomfortable, sore, hungry and tired. But, she was somewhat clean. Why couldn't we just stay at the Hilton? No matter which way she turned, she couldn't get comfortable. No pillow, a thin blanket that would never keep her warm and a long day on a horse were all conspiring to keep her from slumber. The tears starting pooling in her eyes. Now, on top of everything else, she was feeling sorry for herself. Great!

  As if on cue, Ian walked over to her prone figure. He slowly lowered himself to lie down along side of her. He used his arm to cushion his head and his other arm to drag her up against his chest. He bundled up the top part of his kilt to make a small pillow for her head. As he continued his ministrations, he noticed the tears on her cheeks. His heart broke at her pain. Finally, he realized his dilemma. He was in love with her. He wanted her above all others and didn't know if he could marry the MacDonald girl after all.

  Ginny decided to enjoy this potential last night with him. No matter what happened tomorrow, she could pretend they had a relationship tonight. He was being so gentle and caring. Right now, this was the best she could hope for. She turned slowly and faced him. Placing her cold hands on his warm chest, she slowly settled to sleep. Her last thoughts were of Ian, what he meant to her and how she was going to prevent him from marrying that other girl.

  * Chapter 20 *

  Before dawn, Broderick and his group set out for McKenna land. It was slow going in the dark, but worth the extra few miles they could put behind them. Although on her own horse, Elspeth made sure she was always next to Broderick. Whenever he looked at her during supper the night before, she could feel strange tingling sensations going through her body.

  He was so big. His shoulders were probably as wide as she was tall. His hands looked like they could crush stone and his legs were like tree trunks. Even his head seemed oversized, covered in jet black hair and scruffy cheeks. His eyes were gray, like looming storm clouds over the countryside. Elspeth was certain she had never seen a more magnificent man in all her life.

  “Are ya married, then, Broderick,” she asked as they rode. She kept her voice quiet, so only he could hear her.

  “Nay,” was his only response. He wanted to talk to her, learn more about her, but he was concerned about their vulnerability. He hadn't been kidding when he said he would protect her with his own life. He just wanted to make sure it wasn't necessary.

  Elspeth took no offense to his short answers. She rather liked talking anyway. “Did ya know I am the only child of the MacDonald laird? My ma, God bless her soul, died during childbirth. My da was so in love with her that he never remarried, even though it cost him an heir. My cousin, Arran, he is being groomed to take my da's place.” Elspeth fell quiet for a moment, looking to the rising sun thoughtfully.

  Broderick, concerned by her sudden silence, looked over at her. Her face was just as beautiful, but sad. Normally, he would just ignore it and continue with silence. But, for her, he needed to make her feel better. “Are ya unwell?”

  Elspeth looked up at him, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “I will miss my da.”

  Broderick didn't know what to say to that. It was always tough on women when marrying. They had to leave the only homes they'd ever known and sometimes live with virtual strangers. There was only one thing he could do for her. “Anytime ya want to visit, I will take ya. Ya only need to get permission from the laird.”

  “Really! Thank ya, Broderick. Yar the sweetest man I have ever met, except for my da.”

  Broderick look
ed uncomfortable with the attention. His feelings were getting stronger for her and soon she would be married to his laird. He needed to distance himself or risk breaking his own heart. It seemed such a crazy notion, since he was not known to have such feelings.

  He meant to say something curt and ride up ahead so she couldn't speak to him anymore. Instead he said, “My pleasure,” and continued to ride next to her. Elspeth picked up where she left off, speaking about her clan and her friends and her family. Every word she spoke was like an angel speaking to him, every look a gift.

  Broderick couldn't be sure, but he knew that he was in serious trouble of falling head over heels in love with this girl.

  * * *

  Ian rose early to continue the journey to the MacDonald land. The more Ginny thought about it, the more she realized that her being miserable was unacceptable. She was a grown woman, from a very different century, millennium even, and she was getting herself caught up in a romance novel. It wasn't anything short of ridiculous and even somewhat embarrassing. For all the hemming and hawing she did about reading the damn books in the first place, now she was actually pouting over her mega-hunk's impending marriage. Crazy was the perfect word for her situation.

  The day was turning glorious. The sun was rising and there were no clouds to indicate rain. The azure blue sky was flawless and was offset quite nicely by the rolling green hills. The further they went, the more rocky the terrain. The air was fresh after the recent rains, and filled with the scents of nature: grass, dew, and wildflowers. She smiled just at the sight of such glory.

  They had ridden in silence since they started off and Ginny knew it was time to put an end to it. She turned her head to look up at him. His face, beautiful and serious, was staring at the horizon. He didn't seem like he was in the mood for conversation, like a prisoner being led to the hangman's noose. It occurred to Ginny how apropos that analogy was.

  Ginny decided to be subtle, “How are you feeling?”

  Ian hrumphed and continued their journey in silence. “Really, Ian... How are you?”

  He looked down at her face, read the expression and smiled a small, tentative smile. “I will do what is best for my clan, Ginny. No more, no less.”

  “Yes, that is important. Especially with war looming over you. It's a shame it doesn't coincide with what you want, huh?” She made the statement lightly, even smiled a little as well, but he heard the bitterness it contained.

  “Aye, tis a shame.” Ian lowered his head and began to nuzzle in Ginny's hair. She smelled good to him, like roses and campfires. He had decided that he would do one thing for himself. If he couldn't wed the woman he wanted, he would have her anyway. If they did not meet up with Broderick today, tonight, he would take her. She would offer no resistance, not once she was convinced of the pleasure he would give her.

  He didn't even know what the MacDonald girl looked like. It didn't matter. Ginny would be his lover and she would give him sons. His wife would learn to live with this and he didn't really care anyway. He would marry the MacDonald girl for the alliance, but Ginny would be the love of his life. It was the only way he could survive.

  His silence was deafening to Ginny. She had decided earlier that what Lady Chatham would want should matter to her. That her feelings were important. Now, Ginny thought that idea was stupid. This was make believe, a fairy tale as such. Ian never existed in history, she didn't travel back in time, so what difference did it make. She was simply re-writing a story, written by some woman in the 21st century, in the hopes of making some money at her craft.

  Ginny was tired of holding back. She was tired of letting this happen on its own. Now she was going to take over and take what she wanted. Like from the beginning, she figured there were no consequences when she picked up the knife sheathed to her ankle and threw it that big, ugly guy. This was her body now!

  With that in mind, Ginny had every intention of seducing Ian tonight. No consequences, no regrets. Tonight would be the night, provided the guy didn't marry someone else instead.

  * Chapter 21 *

  They rode through the day, stopping for an extended time so Elspeth could refresh herself. The men stood around, eating the rations given to them by the MacDonald laird. Broderick kept a close watch on where Elspeth disappeared into the trees. When she didn't return, he went looking for her. Entering the woods, first he called out her name. When she didn't respond, he became frantic, running around trying to find her.

  He found her, alone and unharmed, staring into space, deep in her own thoughts. He breathed a sigh of relief. “Elspeth. What is wrong?”

  She turned so quickly, she nearly fell over. Broderick was right there to keep her upright. The first thing she noticed was his strong arms around her. Just as she was beginning to enjoy the feeling, he moved away.

  “I am sorry to intrude on yar privacy. I was worried when ya dinna return.”

  “I am sorry. I got caught up in my own thoughts. I dinna mean to make ya worry.” She smiled at him with a dazzling smile that took his breath away.

  Grumbling under his breath, he turned to leave her. “I will wait for ya in the...” he never finished his sentence. One of the men called out the alarm.

  Grabbing her arm, Broderick dragged Elspeth back to the clearing. One of the McKennas, a warrior named Cameron, turned to Broderick and pointed to the north. There was a large group of men on horseback. Broderick knew they were too close to outrun them. “We need to make our stand here.”

  “Aye,” Cameron agreed. “What should we do with the lady?”

  Broderick thought about this for only a second and turned to her. “Ya will go into the trees and find somewhere to hide. Ya must no' come out unless ya hear my voice. Aye?” His look intense, she was almost frightened of him... almost.

  “Aye,” she agreed and ran into the woods.

  The strangers began riding their horses toward their group. Broderick took point, not bothering to get back on his horse. He needed to be able to get to Elspeth if it became necessary. Broderick met the group with his legs apart and his hand on his sword. He recognized the plaids they wore: Sinclair.

  The leader of the Sinclairs dismounted and stood before Broderick. The men were almost evenly matched in size. The Sinclair leader smiled at Broderick, perhaps trying to look friendly, but Broderick wasn't falling for it. Nothing was said for some time, while both groups sized each other up.

  “Yar on Sinclair land. I dinna remember ya asking permission,” the Sinclair soldier stated, still smiling.

  “This is no' yar land. We are riding along the border of MacGregor land,” Broderick kept his voice even, somewhat bored. He didn't want to provoke a fight, not when he needed to keep Elspeth safe.

  “Perhaps. What are ya doing here? Pretty far from home, McKenna.”

  “I am bringing something back from the MacDonalds. Not that it is any of yar concern.” Broderick could feel it before it happened. The sudden tension, the looks in their eyes. They were planning to fight and there was nothing he could say to stop it.

  Elspeth had run, but she didn't hide. She was watching the exchange, trying to ascertain if they were there for her. She wouldn't let Broderick die for her. If the Sinclairs wanted her, she would come out and give herself up.

  Suddenly, the Sinclairs pulled their swords and charged. Broderick was ready, pulling his sword at the same time and running toward the leader. The other McKennas and MacDonalds joined the melee. The once pleasant day was now filled with the sounds of clashing swords, battle crys and screams of agony.

  Elspeth watched in awe as Broderick fought. His giant, muscular body seemed to be made to swing a sword. He was almost elegant, like a ballet dancer, moving each way to avoid a killing blow. Her heart raced, her mind spun and she shook slightly watching the grizzly scene.

  When it was over, the remaining Sinclairs rode off, most likely in search of others in their clan to bolster their numbers. Two Sinclairs lay dead and one MacDonald lay wounded seriously enough to cause concern. De
spite all this, Broderick's only concern was for the young girl hiding in the woods.

  He ran toward the trees calling her name. Before he even entered the forest, Elspeth walked out, revealing that she hadn't listened to him and stayed close by to watch. Broderick didn't know if he should be angry, disgusted or happy. Angry because she hadn't listened. Disgusted that she was forced to watch such a display, watching him as he killed another man. Or happy because she was safe for the moment.

  Before he could think twice, he hugged her tight and whispered that everything would be alright. The look on her face confused him. She seemed pleased, if not almost excited. Broderick didn't have time to figure it out. He called out to the men, ordering two of the MacDonalds to accompany their injured man back to their keep. The rest would continue their ride back to McKenna land. God willing, they would make it without incident.

  Broderick insisted that Elspeth ride with him. He reasoned that it was for her protection, but in reality, he knew it would be one of the last times he got to hold her. He wanted to feel her soft skin and smell the scent of her hair. She was so beautiful and perfect, he had a hard time thinking about letting her go.

  As they rode on, Broderick felt his skin prickle and the hair on the back of his neck rise. Something was coming and it wasn't good. Before he could consider the possibilities, he heard the battle cry. Without a second thought, Broderick and the rest of his men began to ride their horses hard, trying to find a defensible position where his handful of men could ward off the greater numbers.

  * * *

  It was late afternoon and the sun was already on its decline toward night. The group of McKenna soldiers, Ian and Ginny had made steady progress toward their destination. Ian was relentless, only allowing a single break for Ginny to relieve herself in the bushes. The tedious journey was having its effect on her and she wasn't all together sure she would be able to put her plan in action after riding on a big horse all day.