Isla moved out the door, closing it behind her. She didn’t leave though and instead pressed her ear to the door to see if she could hear what they were saying.
She hadn’t been there more than a minute when the door wrenched open again. Gavin stood tall and broad in front of her, blocking the view of her father. Quickly, he closed the door again. Curse words a lady shouldn’t say danced on the tip of her tongue. “What are you doing?” she hissed.
“I could ask you the same.” He gave her another grin. She liked it when he smiled. It made him less serious and even more handsome.
I’m glad you’re alive, it gives me the opportunity to beat you later for the liberties you took,” she hissed.
He grinned. “I’ll not regret it. You taste like honey.” His grin turned wicked and it made her breath catch and heat pool at the juncture of her legs.
Giving him a stern look, and ignoring her body, she wagged her finger. “You’ll not be saying that if I tell Will.”
His face grew more serious. “Will? The one whose shoulders are almost as broad as mine?”
She quirked a brow, her blood quickening at the banter. “Another man attempted to take the liberties you did. Will saw that he paid for his transgression.”
A low guttural noise erupted from deep in Gavin’s throat. His face was instantly serious. “Who did that?”
Isla blinked twice. It wasn’t the reaction she had expected. “It doesn’t matter. I told you. Will thrashed him.”
“It matters to me. Who was he?” He moved closer and Isla could feel heat and anger emanating from him. It made her shiver, from what she wasn’t sure, but it wasn’t unpleasant. In fact, it roused her own blood.
“As you have no intention of ever being responsible for me―I believe you announced it to the group at large last evening―it is not any of your business.” Her breathing was short again. Why was she always heaving around this man?
“Angus should not have repeated that.”
“I heard it myself, and it is not Angus’ fault, for once. Why are you even here―”
“You asked me earlier what I said to Angus before I escorted you up the plank. I’ll tell ye.” His brogue thickened again as he moved so close his body was no more than inch from hers. “I told him, I’d step in and marry ye myself before I’d ever let him lay a finger on ye, lass.”
“Oh,” she whispered. Hope flared in her chest and a desperate desire to feel his lips on hers again. Then it occurred to her. He’d only propose if Angus did first. Did he want her or didn’t he? “Should I fall down thankin’ ye? For maybe marryin’ me if the circumstances are just so?” Not wanting to hear the answer, she turned on heel and fled.
7
TAMING A LAIRD’S WILD LADY
That woman was going to be the death of him. The corners of his mouth tugged up in a grin. Then he sobered. He was travelling down a path he promised himself he wouldn’t tread. To marry another woman who took precious resources from an estate in danger of failing would be a mistake he could not make, but another voice argued that Isla was different. In the end, would she truly help him? Would the marriage make life better for the people who depended on him? Would his life be better? And what of John’s? A boy needed a mother.
He turned these thoughts over in his ’til he was near dizzy with them, but he came no closer to an answer. Instead, he fixated on the one thing a man could fix in a hurry. He wanted to know who the man was who had tried to kiss Isla. A primal need to knock that man’s teeth out filled him and his fist balled up.
Returning to the main hall, Will, Willy, Tom and his little brother John had assembled to go fishing. Gavin fell into the back of the group. It would be the perfect opportunity to find out who to direct his anger at.
Will and Gavin helped the boys get their poles set up with worms and watched as they cast into the water, laughing and calling to one another. Lord Maddox had been right. John was blooming here, coming out of his grief.
“I want to ask you something,” Gavin turned to Will, having decided directness would be the best approach.
Will glanced at him, waiting. His posture was casual, but there was a raw power about him, much like his father. Despite what Gavin had said to Isla, her brother was a man to be reckoned with.
“Isla mentioned a man tried to kiss her. Who was he?” Gavin attempted to keep calm, despite the anger bubbling inside him. Whoever that man was, he wanted to kill him slowly.
“Why did she tell you that?” Will ground out between his teeth.
Gavin could have grinned. He liked this man. Strong, straight forward, in another time, this was a man you would want to go into battle with. “How does it feel to have to protect a sister, wife, daughters? I have John, and I worry enough about him, but…”
“I have plenty of help. My father assumes the mantle easily, so I only need protect Isla from the things he would be furious about should he find out. Which has been a great deal, lately, I suppose.” He sighed. “It is sometimes a burden, I’ll not lie, but it is often a joy. And we help each other. Like last night, Isla takes care of the children. She is a natural. I know you heard my father say she has a talent for selecting wood. It’s part of the reason her husband will get the lumber contract. My father needs her to remain in the business.”
Gavin nodded. It couldn’t be clearer that Isla would not be like Emily. He could not, however, afford to be mistaken again.
Will sat up then, looking out over the water. “It was Lord Riley, who tried to corner her in the barn, and he wanted a great deal more than a kiss. It didn’t feel like a burden, smashing his face in. The most difficult part was stopping there.”
Lord Riley, famous London rake and general ne’er-do-well. Gavin would hold this information for later. “I’ve heard of him.”
“I’ve answered your questions, now answer mine. Will you marry Isla?”
Not wanting to mislead Will, Gavin carefully weighed his answer before he spoke. “Yesterday, I would have said no. Today…” he paused, trying to articulate is shift in thinking. Isla was different but was that enough?
“I knew your wife.” Will’s voice was quiet, so quiet it could barely be heard.
“If you’ve friends in London, then I’m sure you did.” Gavin waited for the familiar anger and regret to stab him, but it didn’t. Only a dull ache filled his chest. How curious.
“Not all women are like that.”
“We don’t know each other well enough to have this conversation.” Gavin closed his eyes. He had always known there were women out there who would give as much as they were given, though he hadn’t wanted to admit it. It was a risk, one he had a hard time making.
“Fair enough, but I will tell you, Isla isn’t like that.”
“What’s Isla like?” The question popped out before he could stop it.
“I’ll tell you what she’s like.” Tom approached them grumping. “She’s a blackmailing, conniving―”
Standing suddenly, Will’s eyes bulged in his head. “Have you gone daft?” Will glanced at him. Gavin understood why Will was so jumpy. Her eldest brother had been trying to convince him of Isla’s virtues, and now her own brother was saying the very thing Will had claimed she wasn’t. Giving Will a wink, Gavin suppressed a laugh. He didn’t believe Tom at all.
“She’s punishing me for her taking the fall yesterday.” Tom humphed.
Gavin couldn’t keep the chuckle down this time as it that rose in his chest.
“How?” Will stood straighter, coming to his full height, a stern expression on his face.
Tom hesitated. He clearly had not thought his comments through. Gavin noted that Will had been right. Isla had found a way to make her brother pay for his earlier crime. “She wants me to take her out riding tomorrow night. Papa has forbid it, and if he finds out―”
“Riding at night?” Gavin turned to Will.
“It’s Isla’s favorite,” Will replied. He paused, slumping back down, his expression far away. Then he shook his head
. “I’ll go too, and so will Gavin. But if we’re caught, it’s you who will take the blame.”
Tom opened his mouth as if to protest, but then thought better of it and closed it again. He stormed off toward the river.
“I am not looking forward to my own children being fifteen. But by then, Tom will be older and wiser and there to help me.” Will scrubbed his face with his hands but when he was done, his features were softer.
“I don’t think Fergal will ever be older and wiser.” Gavin made a face.
Will chuckled. “Bring Fergal on the ride too. I always enjoy watching Isla trounce him.”
“Does she really?” Gavin laughed too.
“Aye, and Fergal does not appreciate it all that much.” Will cast his own pole into the water.
“I can’t wait.” He couldn’t. A longing was filling him inside to see her out riding, hair streaming behind her, those legs… he stopped. He may well lose control if he allowed his imagination to wander any further.
* * *
WAITING TURNED out to be torturous for Isla as well. She missed the sun, the smell of the earth and the feel of the animals.
Itching deep inside, she slipped out to the barn before the evening meal. Several cows that were penned near the entrance ran to greet her, and she grabbed bunches of grass just beyond their reach in the fence to feed them.
“McCreary,” she called to one of the caretakers.
“Yes, Miss.” He trotted over to where she stood.
“Bess’ left hind leg is a little tender. She’s favoring it.” Isla gave the girl a pat.
“I’ll take a look, Miss Isla. Thank you.” He gave her a grin.
Isla looked at each of the animals, looking for subtle difference in their movement or shape. Two cows looked to be newly pregnant. They would have to be watched carefully since the herd would move for the grazing season soon.
After she was done, Isla headed for the barn. Her stallion was at the end of the row of stalls allowing her to check on each horse as she made her way down to the back. An easiness washed over her, as the horses came to make their greeting. They nuzzled her neck as Isla feathered her fingers over their flesh. It soothed all the worries away as her nostrils filled with the scent of fresh hay and the touch of these beautiful beasts.
“They love you,” Gavin’s husky voice was just behind her.
“I love them,” she responded.
“Your father has an impressive collection of horse flesh, and one of the largest herds of cattle in Northern England. How does he do it?”
She smiled. “Not alone.”
“Are you deliberately taunting me?” There was a rough edge to the words, and Isla turned to look at him. His face was pinched into hard lines.
“Nay, simply stating that all of us work very hard to make it so.” Isla stared at him, wanting to be understood. She meant no malice.
McCreary came into the barn. “Miss Isla, you were right, as usual. Leg’s got a pulled muscle. I wrapped it up. We’ll see if it don’t heal.
Gavin raised his eyebrows. “As usual?”
“Miss Isla’s got an eye for animal flesh. Sees what others miss. Don’t know what I’ll do when she leaves.” The other man looked down, seeming embarrassed by his remark. “You’ll be missed, is all.”
“Thank you, McCreary. You’re most kind.” Isla swallowed and then cleared her throat. The praise both pleased and embarrassed her. In her mind, this was a far greater compliment than that of her beauty. She turned her back to both men and continued to Hermes’ stall.
“So, you tell stories to the children, choose the trees for the masts and tend the herds. Anything else?” Gavin was just behind her again.
She looked at Hermes, who blew his nose is annoyance. Isla smiled. Hermes didn’t always like new people. “I ride him.” She reached out and touched Hermes’ nose. He snorted, bucking, his massive hooves scraping against his stall door, and she softy shushed him until he calmed down.
“You don’t.” Gavin’s voice was laced with a small amount of fear. “He’s massive and wild.”
“He only needs some exercise. He’s tired of being cooped up.” She turned back to the horse. “But I’ll take you out tonight boy. He likes a light rider, don’t you, Hermes?” She gave him whisper soft words full of love, like a mother gave to her baby. He whinnied his appreciation.
“Hermes, you mean Hades, don’t you?” He grinned, reaching out to touch the animal, but Hermes skittered away, blowing loudly through his nose.
“He doesn’t like strangers.” She clucked her tongue and the horse came right to her, nuzzling her neck.
“I’d break him.” Gavin puffed out his chest, winking.
Isla let out a laugh, enjoying this playful side of him. “You wouldn’t. He’d most likely break you.”
“I’m inclined to believe you. The question is, could you ride my horse? He’s a big boy too, and not all that friendly, even to me.”
“He can’t be as bad as Hermes.” It was Isla’s turn to wink. “What do you want to wager? I could be riding him within five minutes.”
“Has any one ever told you it’s unbecoming for a lady to wager?”
“I’ve already told you―I’m no lady. If I win, you convince my father to allow me to view the horse flesh at the fair. He’s says I’ll scare off the suitors, but I don’t want to stay home.” She bit her lip, nature called to her, she didn’t like denying it.
A smile played on Gavin’s lips, so handsome he took her breath away. “Deal.” His eyes sparkled.
“Hermes, I’ll ride you tonight, I promise.”
He whinnied his discontent. But Isla had turned around and was taking off her boots.
* * *
GAVIN WAS ENJOYING HIMSELF. He couldn’t remember the last time something had been so fun, but Isla was breathing life into him he hadn’t experienced in years. Even with Emily, it hadn’t been like this. A light joy filled him. It wasn’t only the wanting, she was… intelligent and spirited. Full of life and competent beyond his wildest expectations. The sight of her legs, had nothing to do with it. Well, perhaps just a little. Every part of his body hardened, especially that part, as she took off her boots, revealing her silken, muscular legs beneath.
And she surprised him. Like now, she was taking off her petticoats and pantaloons, dropping them to the stable floor. Her lusciously strong legs came into view before her skirts slithered back down and his body clenched in response.
“Well, are you getting him?” Her hands landed on her hips.
“Are you taking your hair down?” His voice was huskier than he had intended.
She gave him a strange look. “Nay, my father will have my hide as it is. But tonight…” her words trailed off.
Anticipation filled his core. “His name is Max.”
“Max,” she murmured. It was a soft lilt that made him wish she would say his name like that.
He opened Max’s stall and led the horse out into the center area. He reached for a saddle, but Isla waved him off. “I just need the bit.”
He quirked an eyebrow at her, but did as she commanded. As he went to fetch a bit, he could hear Isla whispering to the animal. A string of words that could have been a love poem the way she spoke them, lilting and beautiful as she lightly touched the beast along his back.
Max whinnied softly in response, a sound he had never heard his horse make. “He’s a fine beast,” she crooned. “He must ride like the wind for you.”
Again, Gavin was overwhelmed with desire. What price might he pay for that love song to be sung to him. To hear her crooning as he finished stripping―his hands were shaking as he placed the bit in Max’s mouth. The horse jumped in protest, sensing Gavin’s unrest.
“Hush now, beauty,” she called, walking along the animal, touching his back, his sides, his legs. He calmed and Isla gave Gavin a winning grin. “Help me mount him.”
Since hearing the story of Lord Riley, Gavin had the first moment of sympathy for the man. Isla in a barn w
as more erotic than all the lightskirts in London. Mount him… she had said. For fecks sake, a man could only take so much.
Hiking up her skirt, she stepped toward him and rested her hand on his shoulder. Immediately, the smell of summer breezes and clover assaulted his senses. Hadn’t she been inside all day? But he made a stirrup with his shaking hands and she placed her bare foot into it.
He nearly groaned aloud at the contact of her skin against his. Her eyes danced with anticipation, filled with light merriment. She glowed with happiness. He nearly grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into the soft hay. It took every ounce of will he had not to do it.
Hoisting herself up, she easily swung her leg around Max and seated herself on him. He skittered for a second, but then settled easily and trotted out into the yard.
Isla’s skirts bunched around her thighs as she cantered Max around the ring, the muscles of her legs flexing easily as she used them to guide the horse. They moved as one, and Gavin had the sense that, if given the chance, Max would open up to full sprint. Isla’s enthusiasm was contagious to both man and beast.
Isla circled him once then a second time around the ring. It was the most beautiful sight Gavin had ever seen in his life. The fluidity of her movement was unlike anything he’d witnessed until he looked at her face. Pure unadulterated joy lit her features. It took Gavin’s breath away.
Her legs sported the lightest tan, telling him, she had exposed them to the sun recently. They were long and lean, not overly muscled the way a man’s would be, but the long muscle of a woman who exercised.
A vision of her wrapping those legs around him seized him. He stepped out to grab the reins of the horse as she went by a second time, a predatory need to capture her overtaking his senses. This could not continue another moment. He needed to touch her now.
A bubbling laugh burst from Isla as she easily maneuvered the horse around him. She turned her head to throw the words back at him, a few pieces of hair coming undone from her coif and dancing in the wind. “Try as you might, you’ll not catch me, Gavin Campbell.”
Taming a Laird's Wild Lady: Taming the Heart Series Page 6
