“Keep going.” His voice was a whisper.
She bit her lip as she touched the hem of her shift. “Together.”
His kilt dropped to the floor as her shift fluttered over her head. She barely had a moment to admire the vision before her when he gathered her body to his, and pressed together, he devoured her lips.
Picking her up, she barely noticed they were moving to the bed until the soft mattress made contact with her back and he began kissing down her body. “Isla, you’re stunning,” he murmured and then sucked one of her nipples into his mouth. Her back arched and a cry of protest rose on her lips as he left the nipple, but his mouth came down on the other. Fingers in his hair, she held him there and he moved his fingers up her thigh ’til it came to the juncture between her legs.
A trembling need overtook her as he began gently stroking the sensitive flesh. He worked faster and more deliberately, she pulled at his hips, coaxing him into her.
Lifting his head, he gave her a devilish smile as Gavin hooked an arm under her back and rolled so she was on top of him.
“What?” she asked, but he only grinned wider as he slid his member into her waiting body. “Ohhhh…” She moaned as he brought his hands to her hips to guide her movements. Slowly at first, but soon she moved faster and faster as she clenched him with her thighs riding him. The pleasure was more intense than she could have possibly imagined, and his muscles were taut as a bowstring underneath her so she was sure he shared her pleasure. Her muscles flexed and strained, years of exercise conditioning her body as his body arched to meet hers in a perfect union. She splayed her fingers out on his chest, using the leverage to soar to even greater heights. Her body trembled and twitched, need filling every part of her until she finally shattered from within, Gavin joining her as he released.
It was as though every muscle had participated in her climax, and she collapsed on top of him, completely spent. He gave a chuckle as he wrapped his arms around her and moved under the covers, tucking her into his side. “That was so…” He seemed at a loss for how to finish.
She understood what he meant. “It isn’t always like that?”
Shaking his head, he gave her a squeeze. “I have never experienced anything like it.”
Isla lifted her head then. “But your first wife?”
He grimaced. “What we have, Isla, is special. I’ll never in my life find it again, and only you, only us, convinced me to marry again.”
Isla bright her hand up to brush the hair back from his face. His words meant so much. She would spend her life making him feel as special as he made her. “Now I know what Lord Riley meant when he asked if I would ride him like I ride a horse.”
Gavin rolled onto his side, looking down at her. His gaze was fierce, his voice angry. “He said that to you?”
Gulping, she touched his cheek and his features softened. “That was exactly how Will looked.”
“Well, unlike Will, if I ever meet Lord Riley, I shall run him through with a dirk.” Every muscle in his body tensed. She ran her fingers over the length of his arms, desire rising again as her gaze lingered on his flesh.
Quirking an eyebrow, she gave him a teasing glance. “What shall you run me through with?”
His answering growl was cut short as their lips met again.
13
TAMING A LAIRD’S WILD LADY
Gavin lay watching Isla sleep. He had been awake for the past half hour indulging in what was becoming one of his favorite past times. He traced his hands down her spine, stopping at the small of her back. “I love you so much, Isla.”
Realizing he said the words out loud, he held his breath as her eyes fluttered open, lips puckering out in a way that begged to be kissed. So he did.
“Is everything all right?” Worry laced her voice. She must have sensed his own fears.
Normally, he would consider Angus Dougal a mere nuisance, but events of the past week told him he was more dangerous than that. The man had been open in his possessiveness of Isla, brazen in kidnapping, and downright hostile to the men he encountered. There was an undercurrent of danger Gavin didn’t want to overlook, and what was more, Angus now had a posy of men helping him. If Angus didn’t know about Isla and Gavin’s wedding, he might make another attempt to take Isla. Gavin had to stop him before he got the chance. “Everything is fine. I wanted to see you before I left.”
She gave a quick nod and buried her face in the crook of his neck. Wrapping his arms more tightly around her, he rubbed his cheek against her hair. They had made love several times during the night, but it hadn’t felt even close to enough.
Holding her for another minute, Gavin tried to memorize the feel of her in his arms then he climbed out of bed and began to dress. Before he could pull even one piece of clothing on skin, warm and soft, pressed against his. Gavin turned back. She stood naked before him, brazen and brave in her sweetness as only Isla could. “Be careful,” she whispered, fear clouding her voice.
Gathering her in his arms, he kissed her over and over. “I will. Don’t worry; I’ll come home to you―I swear it.” Then he lifted her and carried her back to the bed.
Once she was again tucked in, her large blue eyes filled with concern, he hastily finished dressing. “Isla, I need you to be careful too. Stay inside. Play with the children. Don’t go riding, just for today, please.”
She nodded. “I won’t.”
Gavin strapped two pistols to his belt and then a broadsword at his hip. “Thank you, my love.” Kissing her forehead, he strode to the door.
Closing it softly behind him, his movements were sure, his stride long as he walked down the hall. Angus would rue the day he tried to take Isla from him.
Will, Lord Maddox, Tom, Fergal and Collin all waited for him in the great hall. Each wore weapons of their own.
“How is Isla?” Lord Maddox cleared his throat.
Gavin contemplated how best to answer that question. Assuming her father wanted to know if she was upset about them leaving, he answered, “She is worried but I am glad, in a way, she is afraid. She has agreed to stay in the house, no riding or other activities.
Lord Maddox looked to say more but then gave a nod, “Thank you for keeping her safe, Gavin. I haven’t thanked you for all you’ve done―”
“Thank me when this is over.” He gave his father-in-law a smile.
Isla’s Uncle Haggis came in through the front door. He had the look of a man who had spent the night outdoors, not sleeping. Dark circles marked his eyes, while dirt streaked his cheek. “They did some searching, but then headed North. They left obvious signs of their movement, which tells me they want to be followed. Tread carefully. My gut tells me it’s a trap.”
Gavin grimaced. Angus had known they would come after him, and he had a plan to accomplish his goal.
“Let’s go,” Will called.
The rest of the men followed, but Gavin held at the back of the group. They mounted their horses, and then Gavin allowed Will to lead. Normally, as Isla’s husband, he would have taken the front position, but something wasn’t sitting right. As they moved toward the northern border of the property, clear signs a group of men had been through were everywhere. Why would Angus be so obvious? He suspected Angus was the one who’d dropped the log on him. He had attempted to kidnap Isla. He had one of two goals in mind today: kill Gavin or successfully take Isla, perhaps both.
“Why is Angus so intent on Isla?” Gavin didn’t ask the question loudly, but everyone heard.
“He attempted to farm and made a muck of it. Like you, his estate is failing. An heiress would help the cause, but an heiress with an eye for shipping could set him up for the rest of his days.” Tom answered, sounding much older than his sixteen years.
Gavin wanted to smack himself in the forehead. How had it taken him so long to see what all the other men already knew? Isla would never be a burden on a man. They all understood she was an asset. He would have seen it much sooner if it hadn’t been for his past clouding his judgeme
nt.
A hoof print caught his eye. It was off to the side and facing the South. One of the men could have turned his horse, that much was for sure, but as he scanned them he would see that this particular set of tracks continued in the opposite direction. Someone had gone back.
All at once, he understood. They were heading into a trap. And one rider had gone back to the house. The house that no men defended save one uncle who had likely gone to bed.
“Angus went back while the others kept going.” Gavin spun his horse and kicked it into a gallop.
* * *
ISLA THREW BACK the covers the second that Gavin closed the door. She would not sleep, so there was no point being here. Tossing on a simple gown, she twisted up her hair and left to check on her new son. Instead of dwelling on what could go wrong, she would take this opportunity to get to know little John better.
The walk from the east wing to the west took minutes to complete, and by the time she arrived, the sun was just peeking into the windows. She passed by her own room, or her room before being a married woman. Her lips turned down in a frown as she noticed the door slightly ajar. She considered investigating but then decided the maids must have started earlier than normal. Tiptoeing farther down the hall to John’s room, the boy was still fast asleep. She settled herself into a chair. When he woke she would take him to the kitchen for a special breakfast. Then, they could gather Will’s children and all play a game. Her mind filled the day with activities they could all enjoy and would keep her mind off of what was happening beyond these walls.
A crash caught her attention. John stirred too and smiled when he saw her sitting there. He jumped from the bed and ran to her, throwing his small arms around her neck. Picking him up, she settled him on her lap.
Another loud bang reverberated down the hall and Isla scrunched her eyebrows. Something was amiss.
Then she heard it, a male voice. “Where the feck are you, lassie?”
She’d recognize that voice anywhere. It was Angus Dougal in the family wing of the house. And no one was there to stop him… except her, of course.
Not saying a word, she picked the sleepy boy up in her arms and headed for the door that adjoined the servant’s quarters to John’s room. She slipped through the door and clicked it closed as softly as she could.
A weapon, she needed a weapon. Her father’s room would likely have one, but then she might be endangering her mother. The library was another possible spot, but it required her to trek back into the main section of the house.
Tapping her foot, she opened the door and crossed the hall quickly. The children’s nanny was just waking. Her eyes filled with alarm. “Did you hear that?”
Isla held a finger to her lips. Another crash sounded from the hall. “Gather the children and lock yourselves in,” she whispered.
Giving a nod, the other woman rushed to the nursery. She hurried back, holding a sleepy Elizabeth and dragging a tired Will. Isla turned the lock to the hall door. The click was deafening, but there was no time to worry now.
She ran toward the adjoining door. “Put a chair under the knob as soon as I leave.”
With a frightened nod, Nanny Jane grabbed a chair. As Isla closed the door, she heard the wood being wedged under it.
Glancing around the room, Isla tried to calm her racing nerves. A cricket bat caught her attention and she picked it up, feeling its weight in her hands. The door knob to the nursery began to turn and she hid behind the door jamb.
Angus bumbled into the room, looking for all the world like a raging bull. Without giving it another thought, Isla swung the bat, cracking him upside the head. She didn’t stop to assess the damage; instead, she slipped past him out the door and down the servants’ steps. The kitchen would be waking, and a slurry of potential weapons filled the space.
She hurtled faster and faster down the steps. Then she heard it, the stumbling steps from above that signaled Angus was on his feet and laying chase. Isla needed a real weapon. She had taken him by surprise once, but it was unlikely to happen again. Going in with a pot or even a knife was dangerous. He was a hulking man who could easily overpower her. Isla tried to remain calm, but fear was bubbling inside of her. Should she hide? Try to find help? As the fear built, it became harder to think rationally to make a decision. She had to calm herself.
She looked back to see how close he was when her body collided with a solid mass. Fearing it was another kidnapper, a scream rose in her chest and she raised the cricket back to defend herself but a hand clapped over her mouth as another stopped the bat.
The fear evaporated as her eyes met Gavin’s, his façade as calm as if her were about to take a Sunday stroll through the garden. The relief nearly made her limp as his arms wrapped around her for support.
Giving her a squeeze, he let her go again. “Get behind me,” he spoke quietly, and she did as he asked. He smelled of fresh air and green moss and she took a few calming breaths. “I believe it’s my turn.”
A grin split her face. Was it his turn to save her? He’d rescued her from kidnapping by bringing her Hermes, but then she had found the barn. Perhaps it was. How beautifully perfect that they made a habit of saving one another.
Gavin raised a pistol, and Isla peeked over his shoulder as Angus’ hulking frame came into view. He stopped four steps above them. “You,” he growled out. “If only I’d killed you on that ship.”
Isla’s blood ran cold. Had that been Angus in the rigging? Of course it was. “You don’t even like me. What would possess you to kill someone in order to marry me?”
Angus’ face twisted into knots, making him hideous. “Oh, I’d like the challenge just fine of bringin’ ye to heal. Nice dowry makes ye even better and with the income with the shipping contract, I’ll not lie, ye’re a catch. Ye know how to pick horse flesh too. I always did love the track; not that’s it been kind to me.”
“How can the track not….” Her voice faded as Gavin’s shoulder’s flexed.
“He’s got debts, love. Debts he wants your dowry to pay.” Gavin motioned with the tip of his pistol. “Get down on your knees.”
Angus paused for a split second before he lifted his hand as well, a flash of metal all Isla saw before the deafening blast split the air and the smell of acrid powder filled her nostrils. She heard someone falling, but before she could even breath, Gavin had her in his arms and was racing down the stairs.
He stopped in the kitchen, and turning back the way they had come, he pointed his pistol at the opening to the hall. “Are you hurt?” he barked, almost angry.
“N-n-oo,” she let out a shaky breath.
“Check,” he growled.
She moved her limbs, feeling nothing amiss, but Gavin’s arm caught her eye. Blood was seeping through the fabric, staining the white an alarming shade of red. “Gavin,” she cried alarmed. “Your arm!”
“Tis nothing, love. A scratch. Anything on you?”
“Nothing,” was her shaky response.
“Get a knife. Hide.” And with that, he left the kitchen again.
She grabbed the largest blade she could find and slipped in the gap between the stove and the adjacent wall. Still clutching the cricket bat, she gripped both weapons at the ready.
Cook walked in, took one look at her and all the color drained from her face. Isla waved the knife. “Get out of here.”
Turning on her heel, Cook fled the room. Isla prayed the woman had the wherewithal to seek help. Seconds passed and Isla tightened with tension. Where was Gavin? She hadn’t heard anything. While she supposed the silence was better than gunshots, the lack of sound amplified her tension. What was taking so long?
Peeking around the stove, Gavin came into view, searching the room. “Gavin,” she cried as she stood, holding both of the weapons.
He wrapped his arms around her. “He isn’t dead, but he’s close. I need to get help. Stay here.”
“You need help.” She dropped the cricket bat and touched near the wound, but he cupped her cheek with o
ne hand. “Truly, I am fine. I would suffer far worse to keep you safe. But I would prefer Angus receive a proper trial and rot in jail for his crimes rather than die at my hand. I’ll be back for you soon.” He captured her lips in a fierce kiss and then turned, striding back out of the kitchen.
* * *
THE DAY WAS A LONG ONE. Angus was brought to a room and the doctor called. While it was a relief to remove him as a threat, everyone was continued to be on edge.
Gavin had been correct about his wound. It was a surface scratch that bled but seemed to close quickly. The doctor had bandaged him up after tending Angus. Isla had stayed close to her husband’s side all day, watching him like a hawk looking for prey. He never even winced. Whether, he was hiding his pain to protect her or it really didn’t bother him, she couldn’t say, but it gave her immeasurable comfort to see he was all right.
For Angus’ part, the bullet had gone in and out of his shoulder―a clean wound and one he could recover from―but he had hit his head in the fall. The doctor did not know if he would survive.
Father had lookouts at the roof, waiting to see if his accomplices returned. The family had gathered in the library, even the children, and Isla held John in her lap as his father stroked his hair. All the men held weapons at their sides.
As the sun set, several men appeared from the woods. Isla’s heart beat wildly in her chest as the guard sounded the alarm. Her father picked up his hunting rifle, making ready to greet them. Will did the same and so did Gavin.
“Don’t go out there,” Isla pleaded.
“I cannot let your father and brother risk their lives while I stay inside.” His voice soothed her this time, cajoling her to understand.
She stood. “But they want a contract with my family. They’ll not hurt them. Angus has already tried to kill you, twice. They want you dead.”
“Isla…” His voice held a warning.
“No, Gavin, in this case, she is right.” Her father stated matter-of-factly. “I have to tell them Angus has been wounded, and it’s better his shooter not be out there when I do.”
Taming a Laird's Wild Lady: Taming the Heart Series Page 12
