Highland Lies (The Band of Cousins Book 4)

by Keira Montclair

  “I agree if ’tis what you want.”

  “Aye, ’tis my desire to make you mine as soon as possible.” He took her hand but pointed for her to lead the way.

  Rose helped him navigate the cliffs and the cave and then led him up through the keep to her chamber. When she passed through the hall, she did so as if she had a mask covering her face, not wishing to see any evidence of what had happened. Of the darkness that had unfolded in this place that had been her home.

  Roddy said, “The priest’s body is gone already, lass.”

  Once they were in inside her chamber, Roddy started a fire in the hearth. Since he wasn’t watching her, she felt brave enough to quickly lift her gown over her head. That done, she removed her shift and climbed into her bed, slipping under the covers before he could see her. Having a man, even the one who was to be her husband, see her in her bare skin made her uncomfortable, though Constance had insisted it was the way of marriage. Her other insistence was that it would be painful for her the first time they coupled. After that, she’d promised, could be pleasant.

  She’d also explained how much men loved it.

  How she prayed Constance was telling the truth. Enduring a wee bit of pain in order to make Roddy happy was something she would do gladly.

  She lay flat on her back and brought the covers up to her chin, folding her hands across her belly. The chamber was still dark, though dawn would be coming soon.

  Once Roddy had the fire going, he turned back to look for her, and she could tell he was surprised to find her already in bed. But this man she loved began to slowly remove his own clothing, acting as if this were normal and they’d already been a married couple for years.

  She closed her eyes to be polite, but when she peeked out, he was nearly ready to climb into bed. While she’d expected to be frightened by his body, instead she was pleased.

  The man she loved was the most handsome man she’d ever met, but now she appreciated what had been hidden underneath his tunic and plaid all along. Roddy’s chest was built of sheer muscle, the sprinkling of chest hair following a pattern down across his flat abdomen and then his legs. She’d never seen a man’s private area before, so she couldn’t stop herself from staring.

  Roddy gave her a wry smile when he caught her staring. “I’d ask you if you like what you’re seeing, but I fear you may be a little shocked. Your life has been quite protected. I promise you we will fit quite nicely. ’Tis my job to be certain we do. Do not worry about it.”

  She brought her gaze up to meet his. How had he guessed what she was thinking? “I trust you, Roddy.”

  He lifted the coverlet and climbed in next to her. “Later, I will wish to see your beauty, but I respect your modesty this night. You are sure you still want this, Rose?”

  “Aye, more than anything. I wish to feel our love. ’Tis how Constance explained it to me.” She did her best to hide her fine tremors, though she feared he’d noticed.

  “If you change your mind, you only need to stop me and we’ll end it.”

  “I’d rather have you kiss me.”

  He laced his fingers through her hair and leaned over her, bringing his lips to hers. His lips were soft and warm, so she parted her lips, hoping he would tease her with his tongue as he’d done before. Oh, how she loved being this close to him.

  He made her feel special and loved and desired—all things she’d had little enough of in her life before now.

  He angled his mouth over hers and delved deeper, his tongue searching for hers, and she followed his lead. Lifting his head, he trailed kisses down her cheek to her neck. “Rose, I want to feel your breasts, taste them,” he whispered. “Don’t be frightened.”

  His hands cupped her breasts and his thumb tweaked one nipple, causing strange sensations to race through her. Her body took over, doing things she never would have expected, arching closer to him. An odd whimpering came from her own throat, and Roddy groaned.

  “Rose, do you have any idea what the sound of your voice does to me? Those sweet sounds tell me that my Rose is a passionate woman.” He took her breast in his mouth, suckling her as she clung to him and cried out his name. He did the same to her other breast until she writhed underneath him, unsure of what was happening inside of her.

  “What is it you wish for me to do? Just tell me, love.”

  She rasped, “I don’t know. Do whatever gives you pleasure. I want more, but I cannot describe what or how…”

  He chuckled and his hand slipped down to the vee in her legs. “Rose, you are ready for me,” he said huskily. “This will hurt at first, but then ’twill get better. Do you trust me?” He stopped to gaze into her eyes, and she was so lost in the love she saw there, the desire for something more burning inside her, that all she could do was nod.

  Roddy grasped her hips and settled himself between her legs. She felt his hardness against her, the velvety surface teasing her entrance. He slid the tip inside her just a bit, and she spread her legs because she wanted him closer. As soon as she opened wider, he thrust inside and she felt a small pinch.

  He stopped, panting for control. Sweat covered his brow, but he still held her, his skin touching her everywhere in a way that was so sensual, so primal, she didn’t wish to stop. “I’m sorry, Rose.”

  She moved against him, drawing him in and out, and said, “I’m not. More, Roddy.”

  Roddy closed his eyes and moaned, grabbing her hips and plunging into her with a wild abandon she loved, picking up his pace until an overbearing sense of need threatened to explode inside her. She wiggled a bit to get him to hit her just right, and after a few more thrusts, she held her breath and exploded, plunging into an abyss she hadn’t known existed. Roddy shouted her name, grunting his pleasure.

  She clung to him, stunned at what they’d just shared, at how much this man meant to her. He kissed her brow and said, “Am I hurting you still?”

  “Nay, Roddy you could never hurt me.” Her finger traced his jawline, the golden stubble there rough against her finger, yet she loved it. “I think we shall have a most wonderful life together.”

  ***

  Once they arrived at the abbey, Connor and Daniel greeted them, explaining that the others had returned to Braden’s keep. They filled them in on everything that had taken place.

  Connor said, “There’s a visiting priest here to assist for a fortnight until they find a new one. The lasses have been returned, and they are all grateful for our assistance, though many of them slept through much of the ordeal. Once we explained where they were headed, their fear knew no bounds. The abbess claims to have had no knowledge of any of this, stating that it all took place at Father Seward’s Abbey of Angels, somewhere she was not welcome. Rose, she did confirm that your mother was the wealthy benefactor who gave the priest the coin to build the new abbey, one he would have sole control of, which he was excited about. The abbess didn’t know anything about an Englishman, unfortunately. We questioned some of the monks, but they didn’t know his name, said he’d disappeared.

  “Father Seward apparently did not like dealing with the abbess, who is sick to learn about what he did with some of the lasses. Maggie and Will plan to investigate everything with the magistrate, I’m sure. They’ll probably go to the king with what they learn.”

  Rose asked, “Is Constance here? I need to see her.”

  “Aye,” Daniel said. “She’s here, and she’s opted to stay. We did our best to convince her to come to Clan Grant with us, but she has refused. Mayhap she’ll listen to you.”

  Rose turned to Roddy and asked, “Would you mind if I speak with her alone?”

  “Nay, go ahead.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “I’ll search out that priest.”

  “Why?” Daniel asked, his brow furrowing.

  “Rose and I are getting married, right now. I don’t wish to wait.”

  Connor nodded. “I think ‘tis a brilliant idea. You’ll only be delayed by everyone at Clan Grant.” Then he glanced at Rose. “That is, if ’tis wh
at you both want.”

  Rose stood on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on Roddy’s lips. “I’ve never wanted anything more.”

  “Come,” Daniel said, “I’ll take you to Constance while Connor takes Roddy to the priest. After all that’s happened, they’ve allowed us free travel inside the abbey for two days. Much will be changing around here.”

  They found Constance in an odd place, just coming out of the chapel.

  As soon as the lasses exchanged greetings, Daniel said, “I’ll go check on that priest.”

  Rose could see the wetness on her cheeks and knew her dearest friend had been crying. “Constance? What’s wrong? Are you not happy about all that has happened?”

  Constance launched herself at her for a big hug. “Rose, you know I could not be happier for you. You can hear and you can speak and I adore you. You have everything that I’ve dreamed of—a man who loves you, a new clan. I feel terrible about all your mother forced you to endure. What a horrible woman.” She huffed a deep breath strong enough to move a curl that had been over her eyes. “My mother was always overwhelmed because there were so many of us, but I always knew she loved me.”

  “Constance, do not worry about me. I am in love with Roddy and he has asked me to marry him. Will you stand by my side when we marry on the morrow?”

  Her friend grabbed her hands and hopped up and down. “Oh, Rose. I’m so happy for you! Aye, I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Come to Clan Grant with us. I was hoping you would join us, find a new place to start fresh. Mayhap you’ll meet someone there. Marry and start your own family.”

  Constance sighed deeply, then took Rose’s hand and marched over to the back of the chapel, tugging her behind her. “I cannot explain it, but all of a sudden, my heart is saying mayhap I should take my vows. When I think of all the evil in the world, and of a lass coming here who has been treated the way you were, I cannot help but think mayhap I can be of use here.” She stared at the altar, then glanced back at her friend. “I’m just not sure yet, so I’d like to stay here for a time. But if I change my mind and feel I don’t belong, I’ll come visit you.”

  “Promise?”

  Constance embraced her friend. “I promise. Though first I wish to find Daniel so he’ll tell me about what happened to his arm. He promised.”

  Daniel stuck his head back around the corner and said, “Nay. I’ll not tell unless you’re at Clan Grant.” Then he smiled at Rose. “Now, she must come to visit you.”

  Daniel disappeared and Rose whispered to her friend, “You must come. I think Daniel likes you.”

  Constance teared up and said, “That won’t matter to me.”

  Rose wondered what her friend meant by that statement, but Roddy came to get them to meet the priest.

  She’d probably never know.

  ***

  Roddy and Rose married at the abbey the next morn, outside near the hedge in the back. Connor and Daniel stayed at Roddy’s side, while Constance stood by Rose.

  Right after the ceremony began, they were both pleased to see an owl soar over them before it landed on the branch above the bench.

  The priest had asked, “Does that owl bother you?”

  They shook their head in unison and Roddy said, “Not at all. Please continue.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  When they finally arrived at Clan Grant, Roddy could feel the fine tremors in Rose’s body, so he gave her waist a squeeze and whispered, “You’ll love it here. You’ll see.”

  A few horses headed in their direction. They were soon joined by Jamie, Jake, Padraig, and Magnus. Roddy whispered, “I’ll introduce you when we arrive at the stables.”

  They dismounted near the stables and were greeted by several Grants: Roddy introduced Jake and Jamie to Rose as the lairds of her new clan, and they offered her a warm welcome. The others lingered to make the journey with them, assisting them with their belongings.

  Roddy’s sire quickly set Rose at ease with his kind manner. “Welcome to you, Rose,” he said, “we are so pleased to have you here with us. This is Roddy’s brother Padraig and Ashlyn’s husband, Magnus.” While Uncle Alex could be intimidating, his father and Uncle Brodie were both as easy-going as could be.

  When Roddy caught Rose staring at Magnus’s arms, he said, “They don’t come any bigger than Magnus, but he has a heart as soft as any lass. Don’t let his size scare you.” Magnus pretended to glare at Roddy, but he couldn’t hold the glum look for long. He broke into a warm smile and said, “Welcome, Rose.”

  Roddy’s father clapped him on the back. “Your mother awaits us in the keep.” Once they arrived, Roddy introduced his mother to Rose. “I’m so pleased to have you here,” she said. “I want you to know I came here on my own just as you did, scared to death of all these giant men, and I brought two wee lassies with me. Everyone was as kind as could be. You will love it here.”

  Roddy gave them a sheepish look and said, “I need to tell you something, Mama and Papa. Rose and I fell in love, and since we were at the abbey, we had a visiting priest marry us.”

  His parents appeared stunned, but they recovered quickly, smiling and hugging them both.

  “I apologize,” Rose said, “but I had a dear friend who decided to stay at the abbey, and I wished to have her by my side.”

  His mother said, “That makes perfect sense. Though I am surprised, I couldn’t be more pleased. You and Roddy seem verra happy. Come inside and sit by the hearth. We’ll get you something to eat.”

  “Well,” his sire said, “we’ll have to find a place for you two to live. I suppose you can live with us for a bit, but I’m guessing you’d like your own place. I’ll go talk with our lairds.” His mother left with him to find food for them.

  Gracie came running down the stairs, headed straight for them. “Roddy! I’m so glad to see you! And I see you’ve brought someone with you. Introduce us, please.”

  “This is my wife, Rose. We’ve decided to live at Clan Grant, so we’re hoping everyone will welcome us.”

  “Married? You, Roddy? I’m so surprised, but so happy for you.” She gave Rose a quick hug and said, “My brother is wonderful. You chose well. I’m excited to have another sister.”

  “I’ll admit I’m anxious,” Rose said. “My life has been quite different than Roddy’s.”

  Earning her name, Gracie said, “I cannot wait to hear all about it, but please excuse me for a moment. I’m worried about my brother. Roddy, are those nightmares still bothering you?”

  Roddy pulled up a chair for Gracie so the three of them sat down together. As she made herself comfortable, he looked over at Rose. He hadn’t given the matter any thought, but he realized he hadn’t had a nightmare in quite some time. “Nay, the dreams haven’t troubled me since I jumped in the loch to help Rose.”

  “Good, I’m glad. I was worried after you left. I apologize I didn’t talk to you more about it. Papa said you don’t remember it at all. Mayhap I can help you.”

  Roddy said, “It took quite a while for me to remember what happened. Bits and pieces returned to me, but not all of it. I did recall finding you underwater. But how did you get tangled in the net so deep?”

  Gracie raised her eyebrows. “You do not remember?”

  “Nay. I remember Da saving us, but I don’t remember how it all started.”

  Gracie reached over and placed her hand on his forearm. “I tell you this only to help you understand your nightmares. You pushed me in. ’Twas all in good fun, as we often pushed each other into the water. You came running out of the cottage and shoved me so hard I flew in an odd direction.”

  Roddy couldn’t have been more shocked at this revelation. He had no memory of pushing her at all. No wonder he’d had bad dreams about the incident for so long.

  He was to blame.

  His dear sister could have died because of his foolish actions.

  Gracie must have seen the emotions play across his face. “Roddy, I forgave you long ago. We were young, and ’twas the way we all
played on the loch. In fact, it earned you that small scar above your eye. Please do not think on it for another moment.” She stood and leaned down to kiss his forehead. Then she reached over and squeezed Rose’s hand. “Welcome to the family, Rose, and my congratulations to both of you on your wedding. I wish you much happiness.”

  “By the way, Rose. You’ll be an aunt to the bairn Gracie and Jamie are expecting early spring.” Roddy turned his attention to his sister. “Gracie, you’ll make a wonderful mother.”

  “My thanks, brother.” She lifted her hand in a wave and headed out the front door.

  He looked at Rose and grabbed both of her hands, squeezing them. “Guilt. ’Twas all guilt.”

  Rose added, “And you were able to block it all out in order to save me. I doubt your nightmares will come back.”

  ***

  Rose stood on the end of the loch, staring at their new cottage. “Roddy, ’tis beautiful. I love it. Your clan built it so quickly. I’m so grateful.”

  She remembered they day they’d arrived at Clan Grant.

  Rose had been so taken by the sight of Grant Castle that it had nearly moved her to tears. The keep boasted at least six towers and the curtain wall had the most impressive parapets she’d ever seen. She’d been surprised by the number of people who had come out to greet them from the village, waving and shouting to welcome them home. Much of the land was hilly and rocky, so there weren’t many fields, but the ones they had were carefully tended.

  Bright flowers had abounded near every home, the rich colors of autumn catching her by surprise. Leaves and branches had stood braided and interwoven on the doors or the front gates, nearly as welcoming as the smiles on everyone’s face.

  She had been petrified that she would never be able to fit into such a majestic place, but she couldn’t have been more wrong. Everyone had welcomed her, and now they had their own home.