How a Scot Surrenders to a Lady

by Julie Johnstone

  “Ye’re made less pleasing by yer boastful nature,” she chided.

  He threw his head back and laughed, and when his laughter died, he kissed her on the cheek before she even realized what he was going to do.

  She placed her palm against his chest to stop him from kissing her again. “I dunnae wish ye to kiss me, Broch. I dunnae mean to be hurtful, but I—It’s just—”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Ye’re a lady?”

  “I may nae be,” she grumbled, irked that she could not remember. “I honestly kinnae say for certain.”

  He grinned at her. “Ye seem quite the lady to me, and it makes me want to kiss ye more.” She opened her mouth to protest, but he held up a staying hand. “I’ll nae tonight, but I will nae vow that I won’t try to sway ye to let me kiss ye again in the future.”

  She shook her head in dismay. She could not very well tell him that she feared her interest was stuck upon Cameron, and she was glad she did not have to, because the truth would suffice just fine. “The king has designs for me, remember.”

  “Aye, if ye be of worthy stock and unmarried he intends to either marry ye or sell ye.”

  “I told ye nae to tell me,” she whispered as her heart squeezed with worry over her worsts fears being confirmed and ones she had not imagined being announced.

  He shrugged. “Ye did, and I ken ye were trying in yer way to protect me, which pleases me mightily.”

  “I would have done that for any honorable man,” she said emphatically, her thoughts whirling around what she had just learned. She had suspected marriage might be on the king’s mind. She may not have her memories, but she didn’t need them to know men used women for their own gain. But to sell her? She inhaled a shaky breath. “Do ye ken when this is to occur?”

  “I suspect soon. Cameron’s needing ye for information secured ye some time, but as soon as ye remember yer past…”

  “The king will marry me or sell me according to what I remember?” she asked, her tone as shaky as her body.

  “Aye,” he replied, his mouth thinning into a grim line. “If ye be a traitor, he’ll sell ye to the worst possible sort of man.”

  Her scalp prickled at Broch’s words.

  “But if ye be an ally,” he went on, “he’ll reward ye by using ye in marriage.”

  “Aye, ’tis quite the reward,” she growled. “Dunnae he care if I am innocent for this marriage? Perchance I’m nae,” she muttered, bitterness edging her tone.

  Broch sighed as he shook his head. “Yer innocence will nae matter to any man the king would give ye to,” he said gently. “Though I’m certain the king will wish to ken if ye are innocent or nae. If ye’re nae, a simple reward of land to make up for yer coming to the marriage without yer innocence will do for most men when they look upon yer beauty.”

  Broch’s words infuriated her. She was not angry at him, but furious that women were used so. “Ye men seem to think that women should have as much choice in their future as a newborn bairn does,” she bit out.

  Broch smiled gently down at her. “Nae me. I believe women should have choices. If ye wish to join with a man ye desire before ye are married or sold to a man ye dunnae want, I’m happy to oblige ye,” he offered with a grin.

  It was hard to get cross with a man who was grinning so happily at her. But that did not mean she didn’t need him to understand her. “I dunnae believe I’ll accept that offer, but I thank ye.”

  “Ye’re certain?” he asked, his grin still on his face. “The king will likely wed ye to some crotchety clot-heid, nae a warrior.” Broch cocked his eyebrows at her again, and she did laugh then.

  “Ye dunnae relent do ye?”

  “Nae when I see something I want,” he said, his tone serious.

  She had to discourage this man somehow. For even if she decided she wanted to join with a man before marriage, as Broch had so crudely put it, the man that came to her mind was Cameron. “Perchance I’m already married,” she said, hoping that would dissuade him.

  A troubled look crossed Broch’s face. “I had nae thought of that, but if ye are, dunnae ye find it odd ye kinnae even remember yer husband? If he be a good one, dunnae ye believe ye would recall him?”

  If she liked her husband, she would think she’d remember him. Perchance she did not care for him, then. Not willing to voice her private concerns, she shrugged nonchalantly. “I would have thought I would recall a great many important things, such as my own name, but I did nae at first. I’m sure I’ll remember soon,” she said with much more conviction than she felt.

  Cameron stood at the window in the library and looked down into the courtyard where Serene faced Broch with her hand upon his chest. He still tasted the honey that was her, and when he breathed in, her scent tantalized his senses and heated his blood. His fingers still tingled with the feel of her soft skin and silky tresses, and his body hardened with the memory of her moans when he had kissed her and the urgency of her response to his ravishment of her mouth. By God, the lass had caused him to temporarily lose his mind, and even now, separated as they were, she battered his self-control. Jealousy—the emotion was so strong there was no point denying it—coursed through him. His brothers and Alex were behind him, gathered at a table arguing about the best way to find those responsible for Katherine’s death.

  “Cameron, are ye going to offer input into this?” Lachlan demanded. “’Tis yer life at stake.”

  Cameron jerked his head in a nod, though he did not move from his position at the window. Whatever Broch and Serene were talking about in the courtyard, the conversation seemed very intense from the looks on their faces, but then suddenly, Serene said something and Broch threw his head back and laughed, as did she. The smile that lit her face made the jealousy within Cameron multiply, and when Broch drew Serene’s hand to his lips and kissed the tips of her fingertips, Cameron growled.

  “What is it, Brother?” Lachlan asked, now directly behind him.

  Cameron faced his brother, realizing he’d been so mesmerized with Serene he’d not even been aware that Lachlan had approached him. “Nae anything of import,” he quickly replied, moving away from the window and hoping Lachlan would follow. He’d rather his brother not know he had been staring at Serene and Broch. Instead of following suit, though, Lachlan stepped closer to the window, and after a second said, “Ah. I see now exactly what it is. I suppose such a scene would anger any man who was drawn to the woman involved.”

  Cameron was back at the window before he considered how it might look if he’d come so quickly, lured by Lachlan’s words. He glanced back down into the courtyard and ground his teeth. “Devil take Broch!” Cameron spat under his breath, for the warrior had Serene’s hands to his lips once more. “He’s supposed to be watching her, nae wooing her. The king will nae like this!” he added. It was true, but Cameron had mostly said it because he couldn’t voice that he did not like it.

  Lachlan gave him a knowing look. “I’d say ye dunnae like what ye see. In truth, I’d say ye seem jealous that Broch is wooing her.” Lachlan looked at him suspiciously.

  “I’m nae,” Cameron lied.

  “Good. Because if ye already feel the tug of possession for a woman ye have kenned for only two days, then I’d fear ye dunnae have a hope of withstanding yer desire for her.”

  “I thought ye said ye dunnae hold living yer life by what Eolande said,” Cameron bit out, his frustration with himself making his words short.

  “I did nae hold mine with her dire prophecy for myself and Bridgette because Bridgette was mine.” Lachlan’s voice was fierce, and his eyes blazed. He leaned close to Cameron and dropped his voice to a whisper. “I’ll tell ye something I have nae ever told anyone, except Bridgette… From the moment I first claimed her mouth, she claimed me completely. So ye see, by the time Eolande spoke her prophecy, it was too late for me to turn away from Bridgette. My advice is dunnae kiss Serene. Nae matter how much ye want to, dunnae chance it. If she is the mate of yer soul, even one kiss could bind ye.”
>
  “Too late,” Cameron said flatly, meeting his brother’s eyes.

  “Ye giant clot-heid,” Lachlan groaned. With a shake of his head, he added, “Well? Do ye feel changed?”

  “Aye,” Cameron admitted, but when concern swept Lachlan’s face he added, “Dunnae worry. I will resist the pull to her. I will nae put my family in peril for a woman I lust after.”

  “Lust, ye say?” Lachlan replied, and incredulous look twisting his features. “Ye’re a fool if ye believe a man feels changed by mere lust. There’s nae hope for ye now.”

  “I’m stronger than ye give me credit for,” Cameron ground out.

  “I give ye more credit than ye recognize,” Lachlan said. “Much more than ye give yerself. ’Tis nae a matter of strength, though. It takes more strength to claim yer heart’s desire when it may hurt others ye care for than it does to turn away from what ye long for.”

  “Join us, if it pleases ye two gossiping lasses,” Iain barked from where he stood by the table.

  Cameron quickly relented, not even answering Lachlan or seeing if his brother had more to say. He welcomed the reprieve that plotting his scheme could offer. Iain pointed at the drawing on the table. “Alex and I agree that ye should go to see Graham first and tell him what is happening. With the king making his way to the Steward’s home, if David names his nephew a traitor, Graham will need to ready Brigid Castle to defend the sea passage to the Isles.”

  “I agree, and I can question some of the people in the Earl of March’s town. Those who will nae recognize me but who may ken something about the men we seek.”

  “Agreed,” everyone around the table said.

  “Since ye will be searching for traitors in enemy territory, anonymity is required,” Iain said.

  “Aye,” Cameron agreed.

  “The fewer men ye take, the easier it will be to achieve that,” Lachlan added.

  Cameron nodded. “Of course.”

  “Ye need to take men that are experts at moving in the shadows but who are also skilled fighters,” Iain said.

  “I’ll go,” Alex immediately offered.

  Cameron raised an eyebrow at his friend. Alex was definitely an extremely skilled fighter who could move unseen, but he also was laird of the MacLean clan and had already risked his life many times to help not only Cameron but the whole MacLeod clan. Cameron shook his head. “I kinnae ask ye to risk yer life for me yet again.”

  “Ye did nae ask,” he said matter-of-factly. “I offered. Besides,” he added in a rush as Cameron opened his mouth to protest, “I dunnae do it simply for ye. I offered because a betrayal of the king is a betrayal of all those who support him, including my clan.”

  Nods of agreement came from Iain and Lachlan.

  Alex’s words were true enough. Though King David had done several things lately that made Cameron and his brothers question if they would be able to continue to support David in the future, he was still their king. If the day came that they could not offer fealty any longer, they would tell David, as was honorable, before breaking away.

  Cameron clapped Alex on the shoulder. “I welcome ye by my side.”

  “Ye should take Broch, too,” Lachlan said. “The man moves through the shadows with the ease of a blind man.”

  Cameron’s first instinct was to say no, but it was jealousy from earlier, and he well knew it. “Aye. I’ll take Broch. I wish Rory Mac were well, though. I’d take him if I could,” Cameron said, feeling the weight of guilt that his friend had been injured at all.

  “Aye,” Lachlan agreed. “Thanks be to God that the fool is nae dead,” he added, smiling briefly, as they all did now that their friend’s fever had broken.

  “What about Grant Macaulay?” Cameron suggested. “If he agreed to go it would be a great help. He was held prisoner at March’s castle and kens it well.”

  “Not to mention it was March’s own servants who helped Grant escape,” Alex added.

  “Aye, Grant would be an asset,” Lachlan said.

  “It would mean a delay in leaving here in order to get word to Grant and await his reply,” Cameron said, “but I believe it would be worth the delay. The men who ambushed us had one intent—to kill Katherine, so that the king might bend to their wills. They will wait now, I believe, and see what the king will do. Do ye all feel the same?”

  “Aye,” came a chorus of replies.

  “Then ’tis agreed,” Cameron said, filled with relief. Here, it would be easier to avoid her, until he could build up a better resistance.

  “If ye’ll all pardon me,” Iain said, “I need to attend to a tenant who was attacked by a wolf. I’ll likely be gone the night.”

  “I’ll go with ye,” Cameron offered, glad for an excuse to put distance between himself and Serene.”

  Iain arched his eyebrows. “Ye need to train with Alex, Broch, and even Serene. Ye must all work as a smooth unit, and ye need to teach the lass to defend herself. Like it or nae, she’ll be with ye and will be either an asset or liability.”

  “Lachlan can train her,” Cameron said, feeling uneasy about being with her.

  Iain’s eyes narrowed. “Do ye feel ye kinnae control yerself around her?”

  He knew his brother asked only out of concern, but the question made Cameron feel weak, lesser than his brothers. “Nay. I’ll stay and train her.” He would maintain iron control over his feelings even if it killed him to do so.

  Sorcha entered the healing room, looking warily around for Bridgette and Lena, who she knew well distrusted and disliked her.

  Marion emerged from a smaller inner room and smiled at first Sorcha and then Broch. She waved a hand to Broch. “You can leave.”

  “My lady, Cameron ordered me to stay with her at all times.”

  “I’m well aware,” Marion said with a sweet smile, “but I vow I’ll not let her out of my sight.”

  When Broch did not move, she scowled at him. “Oh, fine! At least wait outside, if you will.”

  Broch looked immediately to Sorcha, giving her an unmistakable questioning look. His concern warmed and worried her at the same time. She had tried to dissuade him, but she was not sure she’d done very well. When she gave a slight nod of the head, he immediately left. She watched him go, thinking upon how he was indeed a fine-looking man, but he did not stir her blood in the least. That was a relief, because the way Cameron had made her feel with his kisses had left her a little fearful that she had the heart of a wanton woman. Now she was sure her body seemed to want to be wanton for only one man.

  When the door closed she faced Marion, surprised to find the woman carefully watching her. Marion set down the herbs she had been holding, wiped her hands, and then motioned to a chair. Sorcha sat, and Marion did the same, her steady probing gaze never moving away from Sorcha.

  “It seems,” Marion said, “that ye have an admirer in Broch.”

  The slowness of Marion’s words reminded Sorcha of the care one might take in testing water to see if it were too cold to swim in. Did Marion think there was something more there? Surely not! Hot embarrassment swept over Sorcha’s face and neck. She cleared her throat. “I tried to make clear to him that I did nae wish for his attention.”

  A choked laugh escaped Marion. “Knowing Broch, that will only make him pursue you with more zealousness.”

  “I ken that well enough now,” Sorcha muttered. Marion’s eyes narrowed and a pucker appeared between her brows. “Are you sure nothing has occurred between you and Broch?”

  She bit her lip, considering if she should tell Marion that Broch had kissed her. She needed someone to confide in, and get advice from, and Marion was her best, really her only, option. “He kissed my hand twice,” she said, a hot flush spreading to her chest. “I told him nae to, and then he kissed my cheek. I had to be verra firm and warn him quite sternly nae to do such a thing again.”

  Marion scowled. “I’ll have Cameron talk to him for you.”

  “Nay!” Sorcha gasped.

  Marion quirked her mouth. “
Why ever not? I assure you that Cameron would not like—”

  “I’m afraid Cameron would think I encouraged Broch to steal the kisses,” Sorcha blurted, her blood pounding as her entire face, neck, and chest grew even hotter with her humiliation.

  “Why would he think that?” Marion asked, her tone filled with confusion.

  Sorcha was embarrassed to share her kiss, but her confusion and need for a confidant overrode her embarrassment. “Cameron kissed me, and I could nae stop myself from responding rather eagerly, so ye see—” She halted abruptly at Marion’s gaping mouth but decided she best rush through the rest in hopes that Marion would understand how lost she felt and not judge her too harshly.

  “Cameron may think I willingly receive kisses from any man, but I assure ye, his kiss was the only one that I could nae help but return. It… Well, it stole my senses.” And so Marion would not think she was blaming Cameron, Sorcha added, “But I have to admit I liked having them stolen by Cameron. Only Cameron.”

  She fidgeted as Marion stared open-mouthed at her, and the need to keep talking now that someone she hoped she could trust was listening filled her. She took a deep breath. “I remembered my real name after Cameron kissed me, but he fled me before I could say anything. Yer brother-in-law is so confusing!” She gulped a breath and let more words rush out. “One moment he’s nice and then he’s nae, but his kisses lit a fire inside me. That is, until he said he’d hurt me.” She frowned in remembrance. “It was as if he threw a bucket of cold water upon my head. Do ye ken what I mean?”

  Marion snapped her jaw shut and nodded, which made Sorcha feel better about continuing. “I ken the king has plans for me that dunnae include Cameron or any man I even ken. I’m a pawn to be moved at the king’s whim. Perchance I deserve it for my past, but perchance I dunnae.” She sucked in another quick breath. “I dunnae ken what I deserve! I dunnae even ken if I’m already married!” She clutched Marion’s hand. “I need help. I need a friend.”

  Sorcha’s heart raced so quickly the beat of it roared in her ears. Her entire body now felt flushed, and her head pounded. She reached a trembling hand to her head and pressed it to her temple, but on a hiss of pain, she quickly drew her fingers away from the wound she’d forgotten about once more.