“Why no’?” asked Niven. “What are ye goin’ to do?”
“Alastair MacPherson is no’ the only one who can play this game,” she said, already devising a plan that would not only put the man in his place but teach him that he should never underestimate the power of a woman.
“What do ye mean ye dinna ken where Fia is?” Alastair asked his guard, pacing the floor of his solar as he spoke.
“I’m sorry, my laird. I didna ken I was supposed to watch her.”
The last Alastair had seen of Fia was when she ran off to the stable, crying. First, he was responsible for making Caitlin cry, and then he somehow did the same to Fia. Why did he feel like such a cur? He hadn’t meant to hurt anyone – except for mayhap his hellhound. He’d purposely left Cerberus with Niven so he could have a break from the beast. He told Niven it was so that the dog would protect him, but hell if that hound had ever protected anyone or anything in its life. Clan Grant could march in the front gate, and Cerberus would probably be happy, thinking the attack was just a game.
“Well, find her!” commanded Alastair.
“Yes, my laird.” The guard opened the door to leave only to find Fia standing there.
“There ye are,” said Alastair, making it across the room in three strides, pulling her inside. “Get in here, and dinna even think of disappearin’ on me again. Where were ye?”
“I went for a walk in the courtyard with Caitlin,” she said. For some reason, she was smiling when the last he’d seen of her, she’d been crying. The guard left, and Alastair closed and barred the door.
“Ye are lockin’ me inside the solar? Just like Niven is locked in the dungeon?”
He looked up sharply at the mention of Niven. “Niven doesna have to be imprisoned. That is, if I find that he is innocent after all. Do ye have somethin’ ye want to tell me?”
“Aye, I do.” She walked over and looked out the window as she spoke. “I was thinkin’ about the crown.”
“And?” He hurried over to her, feeling as anxious as Cerberus with a table full of food.
“And I think ye are right.”
“Right? About what?”
“About Niven being guilty.”
He took a step backward, watching her in a leery manner. “But ye said he isna guilty.”
“I’ve changed my mind.” She waved her hand through the air and glided over to the bed next.
“How so?” he asked, not liking the sound of this.
“That crown was a present to me from the late queen. It is costly and holds sentimental value since it is the only thing I had by which to remember my late grandmathair.”
“Ye didna even seem to care that it was missin’ before now.”
“I dinna like to show my emotions in front of the clan but, yes, I am verra upset about this. I think hangin’ Niven for the crime isna a fit punishment. Mayhap, ye should have him drawn and quartered instead, or perhaps stabbed in the heart and thrown from the top of the battlements into the moat.”
“Nay!” shouted Alastair, not understanding what had gotten into her. “How can ye even think of hurtin’ Niven like that?”
“Now it is my turn to remind ye – that is no’ what ye said earlier in the great hall. I think ye should execute him tonight instead of waitin’ till the mornin’.”
Alastair paced back and forth with his hand on his chin. This was not what was supposed to happen. “I’m sure there must be an explanation. Mayhap I should give him another chance.”
“Do ye think so?” She looked up and batted her eyes, running her finger over the spindle of the bed.
“I – yes, I think so.” He cleared his throat, realizing he had to get out of this or he’d be in a position in the morning to kill his good friend – something he would never do. “I suppose I could hold off on the execution until I ken more facts.”
“Will ye release him and then keep a close eye on him? After all, that way if he is the thief, he might lead ye to the wherever he hid the crown.”
“Yes,” he said with a nod, thinking this would work well. “I will release him and follow him. That’s what I’ll do.”
“Wise decision.” She stretched and yawned before leaning over to pat the bed. “This new pallet seems much better. I think I’ll test it out.” She started to unlace her bodice, then stopped and cocked her head. “Please turn around while I undress.”
“Undress?” Had he heard her correctly? Was she going to remove her clothes and sleep in his bed? He quickly turned around.
“Ye dinna expect me to sleep in my daily clothes do ye? After all, just because ye sleep in yer plaid doesna mean that I want to act that way.”
“I dinna sleep in my plaid.” He turned around to find her under the covers, smiling like she was happy about something.
“Really.” She eyed him up and down. “It doesna look that way to me.”
“I just didna want to frighten ye by undressin’ since we will be sharin’ the same bed.”
“Is there somethin’ about yer body that is frightenin’, my laird?” She giggled as she said it.
“Nay, there is no’ and I’ll prove it to ye.” He dropped his plaid and removed his tunic, satisfied by the way her mouth hung open, and her eyes skimmed down his naked form.
Fia played the game, and it had worked like a charm. Alastair was going to free Niven tomorrow. But mayhap she’d taken things too far when she not only undressed and climbed into bed, but talked him into removing his plaid as well. She’d been told the men back in her clan wore braies beneath their plaids, but that wasn’t so with Alastair. He not only took her challenge but dropped his clothes and now stood before her as naked as the day he was born.
“Frightenin’, isna it?” he asked with a sly smile. The more she looked at his naked manhood, the more he grew before her very eyes.
“Guidnight,” she said, turning over and squeezing her eyes closed. If she didn’t fake sleep, she was going to end up making love with Alastair. And until she had the chance to tell him the truth about the crown, she didn’t think that was a good idea at all.
Chapter 16
Fia awoke the next morning feeling warm and comfortable and like she’d had the best night’s rest in years. It took her a moment to remember she was sleeping dressed only in her shift and in Alastair’s bed. He had his arm around her, and his mouth pressed up against the back of her head.
By the sound of his deep, even breathing, she realized he was still asleep. Trapped under his heavy arm, she could do nothing to move until he awoke.
“A-hem,” she said, clearing her throat, wanting him to move.
He did move, but not in the direction she expected. He threw his long leg over her next, hugging her like a pillow. In the semi-darkness of the room, this seemed very intimate. Especially since she knew he was naked.
“Alastair,” she whispered, not sure what she was going to do or say once he awoke.
“Mmmph,” he said into her hair, followed by a puff of air from his mouth that sounded like a half-snore. It tickled her ear and made her giggle.
“Alastair, I want to get up, but yer leg and arm are over me.”
“Hmm?” he asked, nuzzling his mouth against her ear. Then she felt the evidence of his arousal protruding against her back. She had gotten herself into a very interesting position.
“Alastair,” she whispered again. This time his hand came up to brush a lock of her hair behind her ear.
“Ye are beautiful, Fia,” he said in a deep voice. It was followed by a caress of his hand against her cheek. “I am verra attracted to ye and want to kiss ye again.”
She turned her head and looked up at him. He was now staring right at her mouth. Why did she feel like a princess wrapped in his arms, safe from the world? Alastair MacPherson put on a gruff appearance for his men. But when he was like this, he seemed as gentle as a kitten. She liked this side of him.
“I – I would like to kiss ye, too,” she admitted. Fia hadn’t been able to stop thinking of their last i
ntimate time together. She had left him wanting more and had also hurt his pride. It didn’t feel right to her, so she figured it felt even worse to him.
His lips caressed hers ever so gently, erasing all thoughts of worry from her mind. She raised her chin to meet him, welcoming his kiss.
“I didna think ye’d let me do that again.”
“I’m sorry – about the last time, Alastair. It’s just that I dinna ken ye well and ye scared me.”
“Dinna be afeard, Fia.” His words calmed her nervous disposition. “I would never hurt such a gentle, bonnie lassie such as ye.” His fingers trailed down her neck, lingering on her chest. Her anticipation grew.
“I am curious about making love to a man,” she whispered, watching the rise and fall of her own chest as she became anxious just thinking about it. “However, I ken it is wrong unless I am married.”
“Ye dinna need to worry, Fia.” His finger made lazy circles right over one nipple. “Now that I ken ye are a virgin, I will no’ take from ye what only yer husband should have.”
“What do ye mean?” She turned and pushed up on one elbow to look directly at him. “Dinna ye want to make love to me?”
“I think my body speaks for itself.” He waggled his brows. His eyes darted over to his erection. Her eyes followed, and she gasped. The sunlight streamed in through the crack of the shutters, falling right on his engorged form. He looked ready, willing, and very able.
“I dinna want to tempt ye and then leave ye hangin’,” she said, not sure what to say or think. His manly beauty was arousing and alluring. If she didn’t move away from him soon, they would end up doing something that she might later regret. “I suppose it is time we get up.” She started to sit up, but he pulled her back down.
“No’ so fast, lassie. There is no reason we canna share intimate time without actually couplin’.”
“Do ye think so?” she asked, wondering how that would work. Her attention moved to his manhood again that seemed to have grown even more.
“Fia, I have never met a woman like ye before. Everythin’ about ye intrigues me. Ever since the day I met ye in the woods three years ago, I have no’ been able to stop thinkin’ about ye.”
“I have been thinkin’ about ye as well.” She held her hand against his chest, feeling the rapid beating of his heart. Her heart, she was sure, was beating even faster. “Alastair, I feel in some ways as if I’ve always kent ye. I did no’ feel comfortable livin’ in England and never wanted to be the ward of Lord Beaufort. I like bein’ around the Scots.”
“Like me? A Scot who has kidnapped ye?” He pushed away and sat up, holding his head in his hands.
“Are ye really goin’ to trade me to the Grants in exchange for the release of yer faither?”
“Aye, if they’ll agree to it. Fia, I have no choice. It is the only thing that will get my faither returned.”
“Perhaps we can think of somethin’ else instead,” she suggested, not wanting to be a part of this deal.
“There is nothin’ else that will work. I have tried for years. Please understand, I dinna want to trade ye, but I am only thinkin’ of the best interest of the clan.”
“What about my interest?” she asked. “I dinna want to be yer prisoner. Neither do I want to be traded away as part of some ridiculous deal that all came about because of a silly feud. Ye dinna have to do this, Alastair.”
“Aye, I do, Fia. Ye dinna understand. Sometimes, we have to do things to benefit the masses rather than just one.”
“I think savin’ yer faither is only benefitin’ ye.”
“It is helpin’ Caitlin and also the entire clan,” he pointed out. “My faither was the best chieftain this clan ever had.”
“Then are ye sayin’ ye dinna want to be chieftain anymore?”
“I didna say that.” By his body actions of opening and closing his hands, Fia could tell he was torn. “But tell me, where does a man’s loyalty to his clan and also his family end and his pride and self-esteem begin?” He got off the bed and started to dress.
“I think I ken what ye mean,” she said, scooting to the edge of the bed and putting on her gown. “I recently was in a situation like that as well.”
“How can ye understand?” he asked, donning a tunic and wrapping his plaid around him. “Ye are only a lassie.”
“Only a lassie?” She put on her shoes and stood. “So, are ye sayin’ that women are no’ capable of makin’ decisions and doin’ things the way men are?”
Before he could answer, there came a knock at the door. “My laird,” called out a familiar voice.
Alastair hurried across the room and pulled open the door. Cerberus jumped up, almost knocking him over. “Get down!” he growled. The hound shot across the room, over to Fia, sitting obediently at her feet although she hadn’t said a word.
“Guid boy,” Fia said, rewarding the dog by running her hand over his head.
Alastair bit off an oath and directed his attention back to the door where one of his clan members stood waiting patiently to be acknowledged. “Earc, ye’ve returned.”
“I have, my lord, and have brought news of the battle,” responded the man.
“Guid, come in.”
Earc stepped into the room and stopped short when he saw Fia. “Oh, I didna ken ye were with a lassie.”
“It’s just Fia,” he said, getting a nasty stare from the girl in return.
“Perhaps we should speak out in the corridor.”
“Nay, there is no reason to do that,” said Alastair, reaching for his weapon belt and fastening it around his waist. “Whatever ye say can be said in front of Fia as well.”
“Are ye sure, my laird?”
“God’s eyes, spit it out already, Earc. What do ye have to tell me?”
“It is Richard’s army, my laird.”
“Ah, so the ambush is in progress. Guid.” Alastair chuckled as he checked his weapons. “How surprised was Richard when his troops were met by the Highlanders, the French, and our king?”
“I’m afraid it wasna Richard and his troops who were surprised, my laird.”
“Huh? What do ye mean?” Alastair strapped his sword to his back. “There were no surprises on our end. What happened?”
“Richard pulled out his troops and sent them back to England early this mornin’. They never even made it to Fife.”
“Didna make it to Fife? Why no’?” asked Alastair, not liking the sound of this at all.
Earc’s eyes darted over to Fia and then back to him. “Rumor has it, Richard got word about the ambush, and didn’t want to risk the lives of his men after all. Therefore, the English retreated, and there was never a battle.”
“Retreated? Nay, that canna be,” spat Alastair. This news was making him angry. “That means all our work spyin’ on the English and reportin’ back to our king was for naught. How could they have found out? No one in this clan would be a traitor and tell those bluidy Sassenachs our plan. Besides, we had word that John of Gaunt was pushin’ to keep goin’.”
“King Richard made the final decision,” said Earc. “Our informant said he had a visitor with somethin’ in a bag last night though no one kens what it was. This mornin’ he suddenly changed his mind about attackin’. Richard claims he turned back because the Scots burned the crops and there was no’ enough food to feed his troops. However, no one can prove why he really turned around.”
Alastair’s eyes roamed over to Fia. She was hunkered down, pretending to tie her shoe, but he didn’t believe it. She was not only listening but also acting like she wasn’t even interested. That made him very suspicious.
“Thank ye, Earc,” he said. “Meet me in the courtyard with the rest of the men and I will give them the news.”
“Aye, my laird.”
“And bring Niven from the dungeon and tell him he is free to go.”
“Niven isna in the dungeon, my laird. He is in the great hall,” said Earc.
“He is? Are ye sure?” Alastair asked quietly, hopin
g Fia wouldn’t hear him.
“I saw him just minutes ago,” Earc whispered back. “He asked me if Fia had told ye yet that she had seen him last night.”
“Interestin’.” Alastair glanced back at Fia. She was watching but quickly looked in the other direction. “Thank ye, Earc, ye can go.”
As soon as Earc left, Alastair closed the door. He put his hand to his chin and paced the floor. “I wonder why Richard would even consider turnin’ and runnin’ with his tail between his legs back to England.”
“I’m sure he had his reasons.” Fia stood up and made her way across the room to open the shutter.
“I wanted to tell ye somethin’, Fia.”
“Really?” She turned around and smiled. “What is it?”
“I was dishonest with ye. I told ye I imprisoned Niven because I thought he stole the crown. Actually, I was only tryin’ to flesh out the culprit.”
She paused for a long moment, but then answered, “I ken.” She busied herself weaving her long hair into a braid as she stared out the window. “I saw him in the dungeon last night, and he told me yer plan.”
“Then . . . ye kent all along that I didna mean to harm him. That’s why ye told me to kill him?”
She smiled and nodded. “That’s right. I wanted to see what ye were goin’ to do, just like ye did to me.”
This surprised him. He admired her wiles and didn’t think a woman could be so cunning without the help of a man. Aye, she really impressed him. He should be furious but, instead, he found a new respect for her.
Alastair strolled over to the window, not knowing what to think or what she was capable of doing anymore. Could she have also somehow had something to do with the English army turning back? He pondered the thought and then shook it from his head. That was ridiculous. How could one person have that much power and influence over a king? And, indeed, not a woman. He dismissed the idea altogether. Fia might have done something to keep her crown out of his hands, but she certainly didn’t have the ability to figure out how to stop a war! It was all just a coincidence and naught else.
Highland Secrets Page 16
