Highland Ruse: Mercenary Maidens - Book Two

by Martin, Madeline

She gave him a half-smile and obeyed. Her lips closed around him and her tongue played over his cock.

  Sweat prickled on his brow. He wanted to tell her to suck, but couldn’t think to form the words.

  She eased her lips back over him and then drew him deep once more before repeating the process. His bollocks tightened with the need to release.

  But, no, he wanted to feel her body beneath him, squeezing him in her own climax.

  He caught the silky weight of a full breast in his palm and teased over the hard nipple with his thumb. Her brows flinched and her muffled whimper hummed against his cock.

  Her sensual mouth stroking against his cock, the allure of her beautiful body, the sound of her longing—it was all more than he could bear. Though he’d promised himself he’d take his time with her, the reality was becoming more impossible by the second.

  “On the bed.” His voice was low and throaty.

  Delilah drew him from her lips and eased backwards onto the bed, her fevered gaze fixed on him the entire time. He shadowed her progress until she lay atop the furs and he’d climbed over her.

  She moved restlessly beneath him, her hips rolling as they had when they’d lain together before.

  He claimed her mouth and let his body come to rest atop her. Her skin was silky, beautiful. He wanted to sink into her, to love her until the light of dawn spilled over their bodies.

  She moaned and spread her legs to cradle his hips. His shaft lay against the entrance of her sex. It damn near drove him mad with the power of his want.

  He shifted his hips back so the tip of his cock nudged against the juncture between her legs. Delilah arched her hips at the same time he thrust inside her, sheathing so hard, so deep that a cry of pleasure tore from them both.

  She clutched him with her thighs and moved with mindless passion. Her nails raked sharp against his back and left him tingling with a delicious sting which only heightened his lust.

  She was so tight, squeezing, flexing, moving with him. Their breath tangled with one another and their teeth bumped against lips with the force of their uncontrollable kisses.

  Delilah’s body tensed under his.

  “Yes,” he growled. He eased his hips higher and let his body rub against the bud of her sex while he thrust.

  She threw her head back and constricted around him, clenching again and again and again until the swelling heat of his own pleasure carried him over with her.

  He groaned and buried himself as deep as he could go, reveling in the force of his own climax.

  Afterward, he remained where he was for a long moment, holding her to him while letting his heartbeat calm.

  When the delirium of passion eased its grip on them both, they stared at one another, lost in a moment of sated happiness.

  Delilah was even more beautiful after they’d made love than before, if such a thing were possible. Her hair was a tousled cloud of honey-brown silk beneath her, her eyes were bright, and her lips turned slightly upward in a contented smile.

  They stayed there for some time, trailing their fingers idly over each other’s bodies. Finally the pull of sleep tugged at Kaid and he curled her in the protection of his arms.

  He concentrated on the silkiness of her skin, the comfort of their shared warmth, and tried hard not to think of what tomorrow would bring.

  For tomorrow, she would be gone.

  • • •

  Dawn broke the sky and drew back the dreamy veil love had created.

  Delilah didn’t want to wake, not when the alternative was to lie in Kaid’s embrace.

  His arms were around her and his legs twined with hers. Her body was pleasantly warm against him. But it was more than just the bed she did not wish to leave—it was him.

  Fight it though she might, wakefulness was coming to her.

  Her mind began to race with thoughts for the day, preparations to make, plans for when she arrived at Edirdovar. It would be dangerous.

  If she could not convince MacKenzie, or if he found out who she was, it would doubtless be her demise. Every step would have to be carefully trod.

  There was so much to prepare to ensure her success.

  She would need to pack, to plan, to say goodbye. She would also need to bathe before she left, but there’d be no time for the water to be heated. Surely the servants had risen long ago to prepare the coach for her departure. She would not leave them waiting, especially when there was already so little time to spare.

  Kaid nuzzled his prickly jaw against her neck. Tingles of pleasure tickled over her skin.

  How she wanted to stay here instead. But the MacLeods needed her. This had to be done.

  She knew she should wake Kaid, but feared if she did, leaving would be all the more difficult. Perhaps impossible.

  Instead she slipped from his arms into the chill of morning air and silently picked up her discarded clothing. She turned back to where Kaid still slept, his arms over the blanket where she’d been.

  Where his love had been fulfilling and beautiful, reality was stark and ugly.

  With a heart heavy by her own choices, she turned from the man she wanted and began to ready herself for a journey which might possibly lead to her death.

  Chapter Twenty

  Kaid had wanted the night to last forever, but the morning had come too soon.

  His heart was lead in his chest before he allowed himself to open his eyes. He knew before he even had to look.

  Delilah was not there.

  He was exhausted from the night they’d spent, tangled in passion, exploring one another, learning everything there was to know about the other’s bodies again and again.

  He regretted that he had not woken when she had, for it might have been his only chance to say goodbye in private.

  He rose from the large bed to ready himself for her departure. It would be a great spectacle, he knew. The clan would be there to see her off, and welcome the prospect of peace once more.

  The thought of her leaving clung to him like wet wool.

  The man in him did not want her to go, to perform the job he could not perform himself. He was sending a woman to save his people. Not that he didn’t think her capable, but she could be injured. And MacKenzie was such a twisted bastard of a man, if she was caught—

  His mind jerked from the thought.

  The laird in him knew the necessity of Delilah’s action. She could breach MacKenzie’s defenses where he could not, where no one else could. One woman could save the lives of his people and bring peace.

  Kaid dressed in the saffron leine of a laird and pleated his best plaid around his hips before making his way downstairs where the clan would be waiting.

  The sky was thick with somber gray clouds, and a nasty wind stirred the air into a chaotic whirl. Heedless of the poor weather, his people clustered around the courtyard. They huddled beneath wraps of plaid, and women pulled their whipping hair from their vision to better see the lady who would save them all.

  For Delilah looked regal where she stood. She faced into the wind the same way she faced everything thrown at her— with a quiet, admirable strength. Leasa stood at her side, twisting her fingers together in anxious anticipation.

  Kaid nodded toward Donnan who stood behind the ladies. It eased Kaid’s fears somewhat to know his friend would be nearby. No one was as quiet as Donnan, as able to blend into scenery and disappear. Even if Kaid could not be there with them, Donnan would hide in the forest or a nearby town, whatever it took to be close.

  The coach clattered into the courtyard, and his people parted to make room for its arrival. Kaid took advantage of the distraction to stare at Delilah once more.

  As if sensing him, she glanced over her shoulder and met his gaze. Her stare lingered a second too long before she dropped her attention demurely to the ground.

  Something Elizabeth would do, but certainly not his Delilah. Nay, his Delilah would have stared boldly back at him.

  The clan’s murmuring blended into a hum of conversation he c
ould discern bits of. None suspected Delilah to be anyone other than Lady Elizabeth. They all turned out to see her exchanged to her betrothed for their freedom.

  They did not know the sacrifice she was making, how very strong she was, how brave. Nor the sacrifice he was making in letting her go.

  The crowd quieted and regarded him.

  He approached Delilah and bowed before her in reverent gratitude. “Lady Elizabeth, we thank ye for the help ye’ve given us and wish ye safe journey in returning to yer betrothed.”

  He straightened. Her face was as impassive as he hoped his was. “Ye give our people a freedom we havena known for many years.”

  The people gave a great cheer and Delilah inclined her head graciously.

  Her hand was close to his. So close he could brush it and have it appear an accident.

  The man in him wanted to catch her hand and press it over his heart, which ached with a fresh, stinging hurt.

  The laird in him forced him to keep his distance.

  “No!” A shrill cry rose up behind Kaid, and something knocked against his thigh.

  A little girl with blonde hair ran past him and threw her arms around Delilah’s heavy blue velvet skirt.

  Claire’s small fists grasped at the fabric and she looked up toward Delilah with tears streaming down her face. “Please don’t go. Please. I love ye.”

  Delilah dropped toward the girl and scooped her up into her arms, foregoing all pretense of regal decorum. She hugged the child fiercely to her.

  “I love you too.” Delilah spoke so softly, Kaid would not have heard it were he not so close. “But I must do this, and you must be brave.”

  The girl’s face was pressed into the crook of Delilah’s neck. “I dinna want to be brave anymore. I canna lose ye too.” The words were muffled, but still audible enough to slice into Kaid’s heart.

  He reached for Claire and Delilah reluctantly passed the girl to him. Tears shone bright in Delilah’s eyes.

  The girl struggled against Kaid’s hold.

  “I must go,” Delilah choked out.

  Claire twisted in Kaid’s arms to see Delilah.

  “It’s time,” Donnan said in a deep voice.

  “I’m so sorry,” Delilah whispered. Tears ran down her cheeks, and Kaid knew how badly she must want to tell Claire why she was doing this, that she’d be back soon.

  But Claire couldn’t know. No one could. No matter how much it weighed on his soul.

  Claire sobbed with the same raw hurt he felt.

  The man in him wanted to stop Delilah from entering the coach and bring her back to his chamber, where they could make love all day. He wanted her in his life, in his heart, at his side.

  It was the laird who held the sobbing child as Delilah closed the door of the cabin and settled into the seat, disappearing from view.

  Kaid watched the coach rattle away with the dawning realization that both the man and the laird loved the woman within.

  And might have lost her forever.

  • • •

  Delilah’s tears dried within the hour, but the ache never left. Not once in the entire two and a half days it took to arrive at Edirdovar Castle.

  The skies had wept through the entire journey, as if they too could not stand the force of her suffering.

  Leasa straightened in the seat opposite her. “There it is.”

  Delilah followed the direction of Leasa’s gaze toward the castle in the distance. The red stone stood dusky against the gray sky, its walls high and imposing.

  She turned to Leasa and took the maid’s cold hand in her own. “We’ll be fine.” She had reassured Leasa many times, and knew it would not be the last.

  Truth be told, the redundancy helped to assuage Delilah’s own trepidation. They’d been over all the different strategies, until both women had memorized how alternate scenarios could be handled.

  “I do not want to go,” Leasa confessed in a voice laden with misery.

  “Donnan will be near.” Delilah gave Leasa an encouraging nod. “Everything will be fine.”

  Leasa’s head bobbed in a mirrored nod and the coach rolled to an ominous stop.

  Delilah sighed slowly before meeting Leasa’s gaze. “It’s time.”

  The other woman nodded again and swiped at her tears.

  Delilah exited the coach first, her steps light and careful to keep the boxy cabin from rocking. A dark-haired man stood in the large entryway with a thick, black mantle draped about his squared shoulders.

  He was handsome from what she could tell, with high cheekbones and a strong jaw. At least Elizabeth’s father had intended to give her a husband near to her own age, which was far more than some fathers did.

  The red stonework of the castle did not appear any brighter up close than it had far away, but the sheer size of the castle was significant. Delilah had to crane her neck to see its pointed top.

  Laird MacKenzie approached her in a confident stride, and the mantle at his back fluttered like the folded black wings of a giant bird. “Welcome to Edirdovar Castle, Lady Elizabeth.” He bowed low in front of her like a courtier and rose with a charming grin.

  He was even more handsome up close, with straight, white teeth and a refined, aquiline nose.

  Delilah gave the grand curtsy she’d perfected while at King James’s court. “It is good to finally have arrived, my lord. Thank you for having procured my release so expediently.”

  His pristine smile glinted with an edge. “It’s a good thing ye’re bonny enough to appear to have warranted so great a price.”

  He crooked a finger back toward the castle and a servant emerged with a large sword held between his outstretched hands. The servant carried the sword to the coach and passed it to the driver.

  Donnan had left their coach an hour prior to their arrival to secure a location where he could watch over them unhindered. Only the coachman remained.

  A gust of wind ruffled Laird MacKenzie’s hair. “We should head inside. It’s far too cold for such beauty to stand idle.” He turned away to enter the castle before she could. “Wouldn’t want ye to get sick after all ye cost me.” He didn’t bother to temper the final words or shield them from her ears.

  The entryway was large and lacking comfort and warmth. Much like the rest of his welcome. Several sconces flickered on the walls, but they did little to chase away the darkness of the overcast day.

  Laird MacKenzie motioned to a woman standing in the shadows. “Have yer maid go with her to unpack yer things. I’ll have ye speak privately with me in my solar.”

  Leasa cast a hesitant glance at Delilah and did not move to follow his orders.

  MacKenzie took an intimidating step toward Leasa. “Surely ye dinna mean to protect her from the man who will be her husband.” The cold thread of condescension in his tone made Delilah want to land a very unladylike punch on his perfect nose.

  Leasa’s cheeks went bright red, and she dissolved backward into the shadows with the other servant. MacKenzie turned from Delilah and strode down a long hall, leaving her to follow him.

  He led her into a solar which seemed almost as empty as the one in Kindrochit, the dilapidated castle where she usually lived with Sylvi and the rest of the women.

  No books showed on the dark shelves, and only a few tapestries lined the wall—all simple and without gilded adornment.

  MacKenzie walked around her in a slow circle, the way a wolf inspects its prey before attacking. The hairs at the back of her neck prickled. “I must say, ye look a bit different than I remember, but ye have grown into a comely lass.”

  An icy trail of dread trickled down her spine. He’d met Elizabeth before?

  Delilah hadn’t considered that. Elizabeth had never mentioned it.

  But then, why would she have? Delilah was never supposed to have actually arrived at Edirdovar Castle. She had deviated from the original plan.

  MacKenzie stopped in front of her and blatantly stared at her breasts so long, she had to fight the urge to fold her arm
s over them.

  Finally he lifted his dark gaze to her face. “Ye please me.”

  He spoke as if he offered her a compliment, as if she were put there solely to bring him pleasure. And by his demeanor, surely he truly believed such.

  His eyes narrowed. “I dinna remember ye having that before.” He pressed a cool finger against the freckle at her jaw.

  Delilah ducked her head in a shy gesture, one becoming of a lady. “I hope it does not displease you.”

  “We’ll just ensure ye dinna go in the sun as much so ye dinna get more.” When she lifted her gaze, she found him smiling at her, seemingly ignorant to the rudeness of his comment.

  Delilah pursed her lips to keep them from letting them curl back with disgust. She wished she truly was Elizabeth and could wrangle him toward some decent manners.

  He stared at her as if awaiting a response. She remained intentionally silent. It was a lesser rebellion, but the most she could offer. She would not do anything to make things worse for Elizabeth. For surely it would be bad enough for Elizabeth once she arrived. Delilah deeply regretted the trouble she would leave behind.

  And she would be gone by then. Both she and Kaid had agreed the prior night that if Torra MacKenzie could not be located in three days’ time, Delilah would return to Ardvreck Castle.

  Laird MacKenzie cleared his throat. “In any manner, we’ll ensure it’s concealed tomorrow. In time for the wedding.”

  Delilah stiffened before she could stop the blatant reaction.

  He smirked. “The banns have already been read long ago and everything has been awaiting your very prolonged arrival.” He stroked her cheek. The chill of his clammy touch seeped into her bones, and it was all Delilah could do to suppress a shiver. “Tomorrow morning, my sweet Elizabeth, we will be wed.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Delilah had been gone three days.

  Kaid stalked the length of his solar like a caged animal. Pacing.

  And thinking too damn much.

  He wished he could get a report from Donnan, but even if there’d been a way for him to send word to Kaid, there wouldn’t have been enough time for the news to travel back to Ardvreck Castle.