He could not disappoint them; he would not.
“There are preparations to consider and my wedding dress is not finished yet.” Lucerne wrung her hands. “This is a nightmare. It cannot be; I will not stand for it.”
For once Cree agreed with the distraught woman, though he had no response for her and was relieved when one of his warriors entered the Great Hall to inform Cree that Gerwan’s caravan was near.
Lucerne jumped up and hurried to fetch her white fur-lined cloak from the nearby bench. “We must be waiting on the steps to greet them or my father will think you disrespect him.” Her frown, which had seemed perpetual, suddenly disappeared and she smiled causing Cree to catch his breath at how stunningly beautiful she was. “Mother on the other hand would worry if I was not there to greet her. She has always worried over me.”
Cree realized then how much Lucerne loved her mother and it troubled him as to what would become of her when the truth was revealed. But if she was the one behind the plot to kill Dawn it wouldn’t matter, she would get what she deserved. But if she wasn’t, then she would be an innocent victim of this whole ruse just like Dawn.
“Hurry,” Lucerne shouted when Cree hadn’t moved and then realized her error and sought to correct it. “I am sorry, my lord, I am excited to see my mo—” She bit at her lower lip for a moment, squeezed her eyes shut, rubbed at her head, and then opened them slowly and calmly said, “I am eager to see my parents.”
Cree stood. “Then we should not keep them waiting.”
Lucerne smiled and nodded and waited for him to come and offer his arm. Reluctantly, he did and they walked out of the keep to wait on the steps, though not before he cast a glance to Sloan to follow.
Sloan who had sat silently at the dais listening to their exchange cringed and followed them out.
It wasn’t long before the caravan approached and came to a halt in front of the keep steps. Cree couldn’t help but notice that while the villagers had gathered to watch Gerwan’s arrival not one of them cheered his entrance.
That Gerwan was perturbed was obvious as he remained mounted on his horse with an arrogant tilt of his head and waited for Cree to approach him.
Lucerne went to step forward and Cree held her back. She shot him a disapproving glance.
“I am lord of this land and your father will pay me the respect due me.”
Lucerne did not argue with him; she remained by his side.
Cree stood firm at the top of the steps and Roland Gerwan remained rooted on his horse. Then Cree saw Ann Gerwan alight from the wagon with the help of a young warrior who kept pace behind her. She was a tall, slender woman much like Dawn and with plain features as well, though there was an elegance about her that caught the eye and made one think to bow before her. She walked over to her husband and laid a gentle hand on his leg while she spoke with him.
Gerwan huffed and puffed and snapped at his wife, but in the end he dismounted his horse and held his arm out for her to take and with regal steps they climbed the keep stairs side by side.
Lucerne made a move to step forward and Cree held her in place once again. And as Gerwan reached the step beneath them, he waited for the man to bow and pay his respects. Cree wasn’t surprised when Ann stepped forward, no doubt knowing her husband wouldn’t.
Ann bowed her head gracefully. “We are pleased to finally have arrived at your home, Lord Carrick.”
“The village appears to have prospered,” Gerwan said with a nod. “It is good that you have worked the peasants hard. They can be a lazy lot if you don’t have a heavy hand with them.”
Lucerne jumped in before Cree could respond, which was good since Gerwan irritated the hell out of him, and he felt like squatting him as he would a pesky bug.
“Father,” she said with a bow of her head and then turned to her mother, her smile growing. “And mother, I am so pleased that you are here. Please come in out of the cold. Food and drink await you.”
“I hope you had chambers prepared, Lucerne,” Gerwan said as if he scolded. “It has been an arduous journey and I will need to rest after I eat.”
“Everything is ready for you, Father,” Lucerne confirmed with a confident nod. “I’m sure you will enjoy the visit.”
Not quite, Cree thought and wondered what the man would do when his world came crashing down around him.
~~~
The more Dawn talked with Kirk McClusky the more she liked him. He was a caring man and loved his children deeply. It was obvious by the way he talked with such pride about the daughter he had lost or the way he proudly boasted about his son. She had often wondered about her father, having been too young when he died to remember him, though now she wondered if perhaps the man her mum had told her about had ever existed. Or had he? Had her mum described her true dad? Had she known all along whom her true father had been?
“I hear that a cleric, sent by the King, will arrive soon to wed Cree and Lucrene,” Kirk said and Dawn nodded. He reached out and took her hand. “I will not leave here until all of this is settled and I know that you are content with your decision. Though if you so choose to go home with me, then we can leave here whenever you want. The choice is yours.”
Dawn smiled, nodded, and tapped her chest showing her appreciation.
Kirk squeezed her hand. “I am your father and I will always be there for you whenever you need me.”
Comforting warmth ran through Dawn and her smile grew. It was nice to have a father after all these years and such a loving one. She suddenly recalled Old Mary’s warning... trust no one. Was she wrong in believing Kirk to be a good man? The thought rattled her and she suddenly felt unnerved.
“Something upset you, I can see it on your face,” he said concerned.
She shook her head, but he would not have it.
“Please, Dawn, trust me, I mean you no harm. I only want what is best for you.”
He seemed sincere enough and it was probably Old Mary’s warning that had doubts and fears suddenly nagging at her. And for some reason they poked hard at her, to the point that she abruptly stood and gestured that they should go for a walk.
“Splendid idea, a brisk walk can help clear a burdened mind.”
Dawn nodded, hoping he was right, since at the moment her mind was overly burdened with worry.
Kirk retrieved her cloak off the peg and draped it over her shoulders and pulled the hood up over her head. “The weather has turned colder. Do you have gloves?”
Dawn reached for Cree’s gloves on the table and slipped them on, his familiar scent drifting up to tickle not only her nose but her senses. He wasn’t even here and he could excite her. She chased the thought away, though it kept creeping back to remind her just how much she missed him when they were parted from each other. That made her think about just how much she loved him and how she wished she was free to go and find him and...
She shook her head. How could she be in a perpetual state of desire for him? It was wicked. She was wicked and what was even more wicked was that she didn’t care.
Kirk explained to Elwin that they were going for a much needed walk. Elwin signaled two nearby warriors over and instructed them to follow the pair. She wondered why he and the other guard that had been added to her cottage hadn’t followed, but she dismissed it soon enough.
Dawn was grateful that they walked along in silence. She had no desire for conversation. She much preferred to simply feel the cold air sting her cheeks and catch her breath. They meandered through the plowed paths and Dawn felt her mind easing. They walked all the way to the entrance of the village and stopped when they spotted a small caravan guarded by several warriors approaching. Neither of them had to say anything. They had both heard snippets of chatter about the uneventful arrival of Roland Gerwan as they had walked. That would leave this arrival to be only one person... the cleric.
Dawn’s unease returned and a muscle tightened in Kirk’s arm. It seemed that they both had grown anxious with his arrival. Kirk ushered her off the path and
they both stood watching the enclosed wagon roll toward them.
Villagers began to gather, word having spread about the King’s cleric being due to arrive and while some were eager to have a look, others hurried off. Many believed that clerics brought the wrath of God with them and wanted nothing to do with any supposed holy man.
The wagon rolled closer and everyone watched it approach until suddenly heads started turning the opposite way. Dawn and Kirk followed to see what had caught everyone’s attention and Dawn’s eyes turned wide.
There was Cree on his steed barreling down the path. He wore no cloak, though he did wear a deep scowl and the look in his eyes had believers or not crossing themselves in protection as he flew past them.
Dawn wondered why the cleric’s arrival had elicited such anger in him until he stopped abruptly in front of her, his stallion pounding the ground appearing as annoyed as his master.
He didn’t say a word. He leaned down and snatched her up around the waist, which had her wincing and him cursing and readjusting his arm, and then he dropped her in front of him on the horse. He turned his steed around and with the same fast gait took off.
Dawn realized that his actions had shocked everyone silent. Though what troubled her was that she caught sight of the cleric, his neck stretched out the window watching the whole scene unfold with disapproving eyes.
Chapter Twenty-four
Cree no soon as closed the door to Dawn’s cottage then he said, “I thought I told you to rest.”
She slapped her chest, held her wrists together as if shackled, and shrugged.
“No, you are not a prisoner but—”
She prevented him from continuing by holding her hands up and then walking her fingers across her hand to demonstrate that she had gone for a walk.
“You were just attacked yesterday and you chance going out today?”
Her eyes narrowed in anger and she pointed to her wound, pounded her chest with her fisted hand and shook her head adamantly.
“You’re not going to let that stop you?” he asked to make sure he understood her foolishness.
She snapped a definitive nod.
Cree ran his hand through his hair, growled like an angry bear, and then grabbed her by the shoulders. “Did you once stop to think how worried I would be when I learned that you went for a walk?”
So that was where Elwin had gone... to tell Cree. And he hadn’t thought twice about leaving his new arrivals. He had come in search of her. Her heart fluttered and she couldn’t help but smile.
Cree didn’t smile, though his brows shot up as if confused.
She tapped his chest with one finger and then tapped her own, her smile growing.
He didn’t seem to understand her at first and then suddenly it seemed to dawn on him. “Yes, I came for you. I was worried to death that something would happen to you and our babe. You seem to forget, or simply ignore the fact, that someone means to see you dead and that his time is running short.”
In all honesty she hadn’t given it thought. Her only thought had been to get out of the cottage, breath some fresh air and clear her troubled mind. He was right though, she should have been more diligent, but then she was with her father, who she had momentarily wondered if she could trust.
She sighed silently over her own foolishness, tapped his chest, and nodded.
“Did you just agree with me?”
She nodded and tapped her temple
“Are you saying that you should have known better?”
She nodded again.
Cree stood there speechless, staring at her.
She waited a few moments and when he still hadn’t spoken, she grinned, tapped his lips and shrugged.
“Yes, you have rendered me speechless.”
She eased herself free of the grip he had on her shoulders and drifted forward to rest against him. His arms went instantly around her. And all she could think about was not how she had caused him to worry, but how he had come after her. And with no regard to what anyone thought, he had scooped her up and carried her away. And right in front of the cleric, though giving that thought, it might not have been the best thing for the cleric to see.
But right now she didn’t care. He had been her champion and he deserved a gift.
She brought her lips to his and kissed him lightly at first and felt his body relax. Then she turned the kiss a bit more demanding and his body relax some more. Then she took hold of his face and kissed him with such a fierce hunger that his body tensed and he grew hard against her.
“Damn, I don’t have time for this,” he said with regret after he pulled his mouth away from hers, a difficult task since she had refused to let him go and damn if he hadn’t enjoyed the struggle.
She shook her head, holding up two fingers.
“No, not even two minutes. I should have never left my guests in the first place and now the cleric has arrived.”
She had taken hold of his wrist and was tugging him toward the other room and he wasn’t stopping her.
“But I had to make certain for myself that you were all right. Actually, I wanted to make certain you were safely sequestered in your cottage or I would not have had a moment’s peace.”
As soon as Cree realized that he stood in the other room, he shook his head and glared at her. “You want me that badly?”
She let out a long silent sigh as she moved her hand slowly down between her legs.
Her hand never quite got there. Cree lifted her up with one arm around her waist, her feet dangling a few inches off the floor as he walked her over to the bed and laid her down on it. Her skirts were hoisted, his leggings dropped, and he entered her knowing she was wet and ready for him just as he was hard and throbbing for her.
It was a quick joining, though no less explosive. They burst together in a sudden and stunning climax that left them both breathless.
A pounding sounded at the door and they both laughed.
He kissed her quick. “At least this time we got to finish.” He was off her in a flash and adjusted his garments as she did hers, and then they both hurried into the other room.
Elwin was at the door when Cree opened it. “Sloan says to hurry, my lord, the cleric has arrived and is questioning why you took the lass up on your horse.”
“Is he now,” Cree scowled and Elwin stepped back. “And how does he know it was me who did that and not simply a warrior?”
Elwin’s brow went up and Dawn stepped around Cree and ran her hand up and down in front of him and cocked a brow.
“Are you saying that it’s obvious who I am?” Cree snapped.
“That’s what she’s saying,” Elwin said nodding in agreement.
Dawn nodded too.
“It’s none of his—”
Dawn pressed her fingers to Cree’s mouth to silence him and turned to Elwin and held up one finger and nodded for him to step away.
“A minute it is,” a startled Elwin said not believing how easily Dawn had silenced the mighty Cree. He stepped away and closed the door leaving them alone.
Cree removed her fingers from his lips, though held on to them. “You dare stop me from speaking?”
Dawn smiled for it was said with a touch of humor and she rubbed at the now barely noticeable scowl.
He released her hand and his arm snaked around her waist to yank her against him. “Warn me all you want not to be angry, but when it comes to you, no one better question me.” He tugged playfully at her ear. “Now, listen well. I have enough to concern me. Promise me that you will stay in the cottage so that I need not worry about you.”
It was her turn to scowl.
“Just for the rest of today while I get everyone settled. Besides it grows colder and no doubt will snow and I want to know that you are safe and warm in your cottage. I will even send Flanna to visit with you.”
Dawn brightened at that and nodded as she crossed her heart promising him.
“Good.” He gave her a quick kiss. “I may be late in returning to you tonigh
t so if you grow tired go to bed.”
She shrugged and pretended to shake him.
He leaned down and nuzzled and nipped at her neck before whispering, “You have my word that I will wake you.”
One last kiss and they parted.
Happiness wrapped around Dawn like a warm comforting blanket and she hugged herself. She should, at this moment, be worried. After all, the cleric was here to unite Cree and Lucerne but with Cree sending Flanna to visit she would learn what was going on. And Kirk would visit with her again as would Dorrie and Lila would no doubt—
There was barely a knock on the door when it sprang open and Lila hurried in. And she hadn’t even closed the door before she started talking. “Tongues are wagging in the village. It seems that the cleric thought Cree’s actions with you were inappropriate and he has made inquiries as to who you are.”
Dawn’s brow shot up.
“No one dared to tell the cleric that you were Cree’s mistress, but your name was mentioned as was the fact that you could not speak. I don’t think Cree is going to like what the cleric had to say about that.”
Dawn waved for her to continue, impatient to hear it.
“He said that the lack of a voice was the devil’s work.”
Dawn stepped back as if slapped and shivered. It wasn’t good when a cleric claimed that anyone was touched by the devil.
Lila put her arm around her and hugged her close. “The cleric will rue the day that he goes up against Cree.”
Dawn smiled and nodded. There was much truth to her words. The man did not stand a chance against Cree no matter how much God protected him. Dawn gestured for Lila to visit a while and she did, baby Thomas being in Paul’s care, which meant she had some time. In no time the two women were chatting away as was their way when they got together. And for a while Dawn’s worries eased.
~~~
Cree walked into the Great Hall annoyed. He would have much rather have stayed with Dawn. He was growing ever tired of being separated from her.
“That was rude of you not being here to greet cleric Mathias,” Gerwan said standing in front of his chair on the dais.
Forbidden Highlander (Highlander Trilogy 2) Page 20
