by Hyman, F. S.
“What question, lass?” he asked distractedly.
“The one about why ye havenae married.”
Colm stared at Derek a little longer, before he turned his eyes to Annabelle. He smiled. Annabelle was taken aback on how it transformed his already handsome face even more. She wondered at the type of woman that would eventually catch Colm’s eye.
“Weel, lass, ‘tis nothing complicated. I havenae met anyone I wish to settle down with,” he replied.
“What type of woman would meet yer fancy?”
Colm hesitated, looking directly into Annabelle’s face.
“One like ye, lass,” he said quietly.
Annabelle gasped and then she smiled broadly. Most of the men of her acquaintance thought she was too headstrong and outspoken and would be too much to deal with. Because she trained with the men, they did not see her as a woman but as one of them. They held her in reverence because she was the laird’s daughter, but none of them had ever approached her as a man. Angus had once confided in her that the men were intimidated by her, and then did not think they had the ability to handle such a strong woman. It had made her laugh, but she had also been saddened by the news. If her father had not arranged this marriage with Laird Harold, maybe she would have never had a family of her own. That is why, though she rebelled, she was resigned to her lot because she wanted a family.
§
It was almost dark before they stopped to camp for the night. Annabelle went to gather firewood, while Colm and Derek made sure that the area was secure. They had left MacDougal land about an hour earlier and both men were alert to any danger. Although there had been peace, there were still those clans who pledge allegiance to no one. And they had no compunction about attacking anyone in their sphere of influence to rob, and sometimes, kill them.
When Annabelle returned to camp, the men were back and Derek had taken their food from the sack. Colm sat a little ways off from Derek eating his cheese and bread. He looked up when Annabelle approached. Then his gaze went to Derek who was watching Annabelle also.
“Come, Annabelle, and break yer fast,” he said.
Annabelle eyed him warily, debating whether to sit beside him or go sit with Colm. She looked at Colm who nodded toward Derek. She arched her eyebrow at him, but he only winked at her and resumed eating his meal.
Annabelle laid the wood down beside the fire they had already started and walked over and sat beside Derek. He handed her some food and sat silently while they ate. She watched him from the corner of her eye, but he seemed to be deep in thought. She drew her bottom lip inside her mouth. Should she try to have a conversation with him? She looked again at Colm who motioned for her to make an effort. She frowned and turned her attention back to her food.
Derek sat brooding, absently eating his food. He had heard the answer Colm had given Annabelle to her question and knew what her response was. The bright smile she had given Colm was like a dagger through his heart. He did not know how to get her to respond to him in that way, and he was not going to ask Colm what he should do. Colm had been right, he had been acting like an ass, but now he was going to do something about it. What, he just was not sure yet.
Derek watched as Colm prepared a place near the fire to bed down. He was to take the first watch. He got up and went to his horse to retrieve his blankets. He and Annabelle were to sleep together. He laid the blankets down on the other side of the fire.
“Annabelle, ye may rest now if ye like,” he said straightening up.
“Aye, I am tired. I will fetch my blankets from my horse,” she said getting up to move toward her horse.
“Nay, ye will sleep beside me. I have laid out our blankets,” he said indicating the blankets.
“I have first watch so ye will not have to worry that I will disturb ye.”
Annabelle turned toward him and wondered at her feeling of disappointment. She remembered how good his body felt against her own. She mentally shook herself. She had to remind herself that this was how she wanted it. She was not going to let fickle emotions cloud her mind.
She stiffened her spine and walked to the blankets. She was too tired to argue with him. She lay down and turned her back to him.
“Good sleep to ye, Annabelle. Cover up good to guard against the midges,” he whispered as he walked into the nearby woods.
Annabelle turned toward him, but he was already gone. She felt like crying, but she really did not know why. She hated that sign of weakness, and she forced herself not to succumb. What was wrong with her? Derek was everything she did not like. He was chauvinistic and cruel, and she was sure he would not meet her father’s approval. Although he had arranged her marriage, he had made sure that her betrothed would treat her with respect. Laird Harold was years older than herself, but the one time she had met him, he had been kind. She flipped onto her back. This was a mess. Not only was Derek cruel to her, but he was still sleeping with Eilidh. She frowned. Would he have gone to Eilidh if she had not interfered?
Annabelle turned back to her side and tried to see Derek through the darkness. Would he answer her honestly if she ever got the courage to ask? Did she really care, or was it pride that prompted such thoughts? She finally closed her eyes on that thought.
Chapter 14
Derek watched Annabelle from the shadows. They were not that far from MacDougal land that the threat of danger existed, but they had not wanted to be caught off guard. Those uncommitted clans could be unpredictable. That is why his father had sent Colm back to ride with him. The farther they strayed from MacDougal land, the more likelihood of running into a fight.
Derek decided on the first watch because he knew that Annabelle was still upset with him. But despite that, he was not going to allow her to sleep separate from him. He found that he loved the feel of her body next to his. She fit his frame perfectly although her head only reached his shoulders.
He leaned his back against a tree and watched Annabelle toss and turn for a moment, and then she was still. He wondered what troubled her. If he had to guess, then he would guess it would be him. Her face was illuminated by the fire light. She was so lovely. He wanted to go to her and run his hand against her soft cheek. He wanted to feel her melt into his arms. His body hardened at the memory of their lovemaking. It had been so intense. What made it so? What made loving this woman so much better than with any other woman?
He got up and walked the perimeter of their camp. There was no movement and he was fairly certain that they were safe for tonight. He thought that the next night, they may not be so lucky. They would be closer to the Bruce clan who had not pledge their fealty to the king or to any other clan. He had fought with them before on his way to Bondlach, and they were a fierce clan. They would only send out two to three warriors to patrol their boundaries, and in truth, that is all they needed.
Derek knew the laird’s son, Cameron. They had once crossed paths on a trip to visit the king. Cameron was not of the same mind as his father. He wanted the peace that allegiance provided, but his father was adverse to change and would not allow his clan to join with any other clan. He especially did not want them joining with the MacDougals. For some reason, Laird Keir hated their clan, and Derek suspected it had something to do with something his father had done in the past. His father would never say, but only admonished them to be vigilant when passing through Bruce territory.
Derek made one last circuit around camp and then went to awaken Colm. He strode over to where Annabelle slept and slipped in beside her. Her body was warm from sleep and he pulled her gently into his embrace. She snuggled against him in her sleep and he sighed. He kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes, but sleep was far from him.
Annabelle’s bottom was pressed into his groin. He warred with himself whether to move her so that he could get some sleep, or to revel in the sensation it brought. He decided to turn her so that she was facing him. Very gently, he moved her until her face was cradled in his neck and her arm was lying across his chest. He had to chuckle bec
ause Annabelle turned out to be a very sound sleeper. She never stirred as he maneuvered her into her current position. This time, he lifted her chin and kissed her softly on her lips. She sighed and hugged him closer, not waking. He smiled and was finally able to drift to sleep.
§
They left early the next morning. Annabelle had woken up wrapped in her husband’s arms. She was overcome with a feeling of contentment as she lay snug against him. She tilted her head back so that she could see his profile. He was very handsome, and she could understand what drew Eilidh to him. His jaw was covered in a day’s growth of stubble, which only made him more beautiful to her. Long blonde eyelashes lay softly against his cheek, and his perfect lips were slightly parted in slumber.
Annabelle could not resist moving her hand and touching his soft hair. She remembered how it felt against her fingers during their night of passion. As she combed her fingers through the soft strands, Derek awakened and turned toward her. He had a lazy smile on his face.
“Good morning, wife,” he said and took her mouth in a gentle kiss.
She sighed and returned it, surprised at how much she had missed kissing him. He turned until she was lying beneath him, never breaking the kiss which began to grow hotter and hotter. Annabelle wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down closer on her body.
“Ahem,” they heard a voice above them.
Annabelle blushed and tried to bury her face in Derek’s shoulder. Derek chuckled and turned to look at Colm.
“’Tis time we get going,” Colm said trying to hide his amusement.
“Aye. We will break our fast and then be on our way. We pass through Bruce territory today so be vigilant,” Derek replied, planting a quick kiss on Annabelle’s lips before getting up.
“Aye,” Colm said moving away to roll up his blankets.
Annabelle lay where she was for a moment, trying to get her composure. What must Colm think of her? She knew that she should have nothing to be ashamed of, but she had never been caught in such a situation before. She smiled. She should try to get used to it, because she had to admit that she craved Derek’s kisses and she wanted more of them.
She got up to do her morning ablutions, humming while she went to a stand of trees. Colm looked after her in amusement.
“She must have had a good night’s rest,” he commented to Derek.
Derek smiled but did not reply. He rolled up their blankets and tied them to his horse. He then untied their meal sack and passed Colm a piece of chicken and bread. Annabelle came back with a soft smile on her face. She took the food Derek offered and sat down by their dying fire.
“What ‘tis so significant about Bruce territory? Are not most clans in allegiance together for peace?” she asked Derek.
He smiled because she had never tried to engage him in any conversation.
“The Bruces pledge no allegiance to any clan. They patrol their boundaries with ruthlessness, and they take no prisoners. The laird feels that he doesnae need the help of any other clan to keep the peace on Bruce land. But the alliances are so that the English canna come in a take what is ours. Laird Keir doesnae seem to realize that, or thinks that his clan is strong enough to withstand if the English get it into their minds to take their land.”
“They doona even pledge fealty to the king? How does King George allow this? My Da says that by allying with the king ensures that when trouble arises, we can go to the king for help.”
Derek was surprised at her knowledge and interest in such matters. Most women allowed the men to handle such business. He looked over at Colm who raised an eyebrow at him.
“King George doesnae force any clan to loyalty, but he tries to persuade them to join up with him. Laird Keir is within his rights to refuse, but if the king decides he wants Bruce land, they have no one that will fight for them.”
Annabelle nodded. Her father had told her that some of the clans had not seen the wisdom in creating alliances with each other, or pledging fealty to the king.
“Even so, why would we need to be vigilant going through their territory? Surely they ken that we are nay threat?” she asked him.
“Weel, they usually strike first then ask questions later, if they get to that point.”
Annabelle gasped. She looked from Derek to Colm who nodded.
“Weel, let’s get through Bruce territory quickly,” she said standing and going to her horse.
Derek smiled and mounted his horse. Colm did the same. They rode in companionable silence for a while. Derek wondered at the change in Annabelle. Yesterday she was ready to ignore him, and probably flay him at the stake. This morning she had melted in his arms. And her knowledge of politics still astounded him. Maybe a woman was more than a bed partner. Well, maybe, just this woman. He knew she was different from the other women he had dealt with. He would have to rethink his beliefs as far as she was concerned.
Annabelle steered her horse to ride beside Derek. He looked at her in surprise.
“Tell me about this wedding we are going to,” she said.
He smiled.
“Tobias Campbell of clan Campbell is a friend of mine. I met him in my fifth year. His Da, Laird Kennen, had come to Dunkirk to buy a horse. My Da used to breed horses, but he stopped after the sale of this horse. My brothers, Jace and Aster, were older than me and I was the youngest lad at the keep. I was shy and hid in the stables with the horses,” he grinned.
Annabelle looked at him skeptically.
“Ye shy? I canna believe that. What happened to ye?” she giggled.
Derek stilled. He would never have thought that she would let her guard down enough to enjoy a story he was telling. The mere fact that she had went straight to his heart.
“Aye, he was, lass. Me and his brothers used to torture him about it,” Colm grinned.
“Ye dinna! Oh, how tragic, Derek. Do ye need comfort?” she asked innocently, amusement in her eyes.
Derek stared between them a moment before her burst into laughter. Annabelle eyes widened. She had never heard Derek laugh, and had in fact thought he was incapable of it. His laughter was deep and resonant. She felt it all the way to her toes. She smiled warmly at him.
“Was he smaller than ye, Colm?” she turned to Colm.
“Aye, he was a runt. It took many years to get him to nay look like a straggly weed,” Colm chuckled.
Annabelle eyed him, running her eyes along his physique. The appreciation he saw in her eyes sent fire to his groin.
“I canna believe that, Colm,” she said, a wicked smile on her lips.
Derek almost forgot that they were not alone and almost pulled her into his lap on his horse.
“Just ask his brothers when we reach Bondlach.”
“Aye, I think I will.”
Derek looked between them and shook his head. He was not used to this playful banter. He had not had many friends until he had become of age and was able to go into battle. Although he had two brothers, Tobias, and Colm, he spent most of his time alone, learning about the horses and training to fight. He had reached fifteen years before his frame began to fill out and he was taken seriously on the training field.
“I amnae a runt any longer,” he winked at Annabelle, who blushed. “When Laird Kennen arrived, he had his son, Tobias, with him. Tobias had wandered out to the stables while my Da and Laird Kennen negotiated the price on the horse. I was brushing down Nutmeg at the time. She was a great horse, and I had it in my head that she would be mine someday, but as it turned out, she was the horse Laird Kennen was buying,” he continued.
Annabelle watched him fascinated. He had never said so much to her at one time before and she found that his voice was mesmerizing. She could not stop listening to him if she tried.
“Tobias came straight to her stall. He told me that this was the horse they were leaving with and I called him a liar. We got into a shoving match. Mind ye, Tobias was two years older than me and a foot taller, but I gave him all I had. He ended up beating me that day, but after that w
e were the best of friends. He and his Da stayed at Dunkirk another two days after that while they negotiated. We were inseparable that whole time. He even slept with me in my bedchamber,” he finished with a smile.
“I remember that. Ye pretended that me and yer brothers dinna exist those few days. And when we asked how ye got that black eye, ye said that one of the horses kicked ye,” Colm said.
Derek chuckled.
“I dinna need yer teasing any more than I already had it.”
Colm shook his head.
“Weel, I am glad ye became friends instead of enemies,” Annabelle said.
“Aye, me too.”
Annabelle was surprised by the real affection she saw on Derek’s face when he talked of Tobias. It did something to her insides.
“We will stop now for the noon meal. I need to stretch my legs,” Colm said, reigning his horse to a stop.
“Aye. Ye ken I would love a bath,” Annabelle said wistfully.
“Aye, I suspect ye would, but ye have to wait until we reach Bondlach,” Derek said, shaking his head at Colm who was about to speak.
“I ken it, but I can dream canna I,” she said with a smile. She dismounted and went into a clump of bushes to relieve herself.
“Why dinna ye tell her that we will camp near a loch tonight?” Colm came up beside him and asked.
“Because I want to surprise her,” Derek smiled. Colm smiled in return.
Chapter 15
They rode until almost dark again, Derek and Colm relating more stories of their childhoods. Annabelle did not think she had laughed so much, and she realized that the ice was melting around her heart toward Derek. She liked this new side of him. When he was not being a brute, he was quite lovable.
Annabelle stilled. Lovable? She had never thought of him in that context before. She looked over at him as he laughed over something Colm was saying. Lovable? Was she falling for her husband?
She faced back forward again, trying to come to grips with her thoughts. She loved his kisses and the feel of being wrapped in his arms. She loved how it felt when he was inside of her and how he held her so gently after they made love. But what about Eilidh? Would he still visit the other woman? Was she a fool to allow herself to soften toward him?
