"I chose this," she lied earnestly, placing her hand over his. "I chose to help you. No matter what happens you are not responsible for my actions."
"I cannot protect you here."
"I didn’t ask you to," she replied with a touch of humor.
"I think the bleeding has stopped."
Cairn pulled his hand from her wound and looked over her critically, then at their two attackers. He had to take her to Scotland now. The staged attack should have proven she was trustworthy and that it was too dangerous to leave her in England.
"We should leave soon in case they have friends nearby."
She painfully climbed to her feet with Cairn’s help. After this she would have several bruises in addition to the knife wound. Though she swayed, Verena held her ground, gritting her teeth until the pain was under control.
Cairn warily watched her in case she decided to swoon.
"I am ready."
She stared at her blood-soaked dress and hoped the words were true.
Chapter 10
"We are close," Verena announced.
had traveled along the main road since their encounter with Gundy’s soldiers, darting quickly into the underbrush when they sensed someone’s approach. Soon they would reach the crossroads where she told Cairn they would part ways. According to Hadran a party of Scottish knights led by Cairn’s brother Andreu was rapidly approaching. They should have met when accosted by Gundy’s men, but either the soldiers acted too quickly or Cairn’s men traveled too slowly. Verena sighed. After years of working for Gundy she stopped expecting things to go smoothly.
"Soon," Cairn whispered under his breath.
He increased his pace, eager to be gone from England. She opened her mouth to protest and then thought better of it. She understood his excitement. It would be nice to be free of Gundy’s sinister control, but in her experience appearances were often deceiving. Even among the wilds of Scotland neither of them could escape Gundy’s reach.
Suddenly they heard angry shouts behind. She whipped about, momentarily forgetting her injury. Their earlier attackers were crashing through the underbrush in hot pursuit, trying to get a clear shot through the trees.
"You didn’t kill them?" she exclaimed in shock.
"I suppose you could only expect bloodshed from a bloodthirsty Scot."
"Nay!"
But that was exactly what she expected and was the reason Hadran insisted on using Gundy’s disposable soldiers. Owen and Hadran would have slit both men’s throats and then calmly divested their bodies of valuables. She had become so used to this procedure that Cairn’s mercy struck her as absurd.
"Better their lives than yours," Hadran had often said. ‘All threats must be dealt with in the most final way possible.’
Cairn took her hand and dragged her off the road, hoping to lose their pursuers in the dense vegetation. They ran together, each supporting the other, ignoring the blood that dripped from freshly opened wounds and bruises that had only begun to heal.
Forgetting propriety, she hiked her skirts up to her knees, concentrating all of her energy in putting one foot in front of the other. The blows to the head would slow their attackers, but Cairn and Verena were also moving at a sluggish pace. They were too weak to maintain even that brutal speed for long. Cairn was pale from the strain and his breath was ragged. Soon they would be forced to stop with or without meeting Cairn’s soldiers.
A tree root seemed to rise up from the ground and trapped her leg before she could swerve away from it. She fell hard onto her injured side with enough force to make her see stars.
"Get up!" Cairn barked, yanking her to her feet.
She was breathless and covered in blood. The pain was intense and she almost told Cairn to leave her be, but she was on her feet again before she could utter the words. She did manage to swear indelicately as she was forced to keep running.
The sound of footsteps rapidly increased behind them and somehow she was able to convince her exhausted body to move. Where were Hadran and Owen? They were supposed to keep Verena out of real danger. The foolish, untried soldiers didn’t know she was working for Gundy and would treat her as a criminal. If Owen was watching as he said he would, he should have assisted in some way.
They swerved around a large tree and Cairn shoved her ahead, ordering her to keep running. He then turned to face Gundy’s men from his hidden position behind the ancient wood, brandishing the small sword he had stolen from the unconscious soldiers. Though the strain of their journey was evident in his sweat and bloodstained clothes, he was burning with anger, eager to smash someone’s head in retaliation for Gundy’s crimes.
Exhausted and nearly delirious with pain, she defied his order and stopped, thinking to aid Cairn in some way. If Owen wouldn’t protect her, she would have to protect herself. Her favorite knife was held loosely by the blade, ready to throw. Another was hidden in the folds of her skirt. She blinked rapidly to clear her vision and even slapped her cheeks when her exhausted body wouldn’t comply fast enough.
Above the roaring in her ears Verena heard the twang of a bowstring being released and then another. Cairn fell to the ground in an instant, draping his heavy body over hers. Her last thought before darkness overtook her was how surprisingly good it felt to be in his protective embrace.
Chapter 11
For a moment the forest was quiet and Cairn took advantage of the stillness to catch his breath. As soon as he heard the twang of a bowstring he pushed her to the ground. He didn’t know who shot the arrows, but Cairn managed to glance up as he fell and saw one of them pierce the throat of Gundy’s soldier. A second arrow found its mark in his friend’s cheek.
"Cairn?" a familiar voice called. He rolled off her and saw his elder brother Andreu and a score of men emerge from the trees.
"Aye. You have no idea how pleased I am to see you."
"Where are the others?" asked a giant of a man named Fergus as he helped Cairn to his feet. His beefy fist gripped the pommel of his unsheathed sword, expecting Lord Gundy’s army to attack at any moment.
"Dead. All dead."
"Dead?" Fergus repeated. "How? Gundy invited you in peace. I knew you couldn’t trust that murdering English swine!"
"It was an ambush. I and a couple others survived, but they were slain in Gundy’s dungeons. I managed to escape."
"And her?" Andreu asked, peering at her sleeping form with interest.
"She’s mine." Cairn surprised himself with the possessiveness of his tone. "More explanations will have to wait, as will my revenge. Now we must heal and make preparations."
Fergus opened his mouth to protest, but paused. Though Cairn didn’t say more, the colorful bruises and blood-soaked clothing was enough to quiet his men. They were so close to Langthorne. It was maddening that they had to retreat, but Cairn was in no condition to fight and Verena needed medical attention. Revenge would have to wait.
"Let’s see those wounds," said Andreu, reaching for his brother. Cairn pulled back stubbornly.
"The woman first."
Andreu raised an eyebrow, but didn’t argue. Turning back to the woman Andreu was able to examine her more closely. The lass looked like a beautiful street urchin with her stubborn jaw and frowning mouth. There was a gentle delicacy in her features that spoke of too many missed meals. Her slender fingers were loosely coiled into fists, but when Andreu lifted her into his arms, she curled about him like a trusting child.
Carefully he laid her on the blanket one of the men spread out on the mossy ground. He untied her bodice to reveal the deep wound and saw at once it was recent, perhaps only an hour or so old. Cairn’s stepmother would likely throw a fit when she saw the bloodstained sleeves that she had so carefully embroidered.
Andreu cleaned the wound, stitched it shut and bandaged it. Luckily the woman remained unconscious throughout his attentions. He took off his cloak to wrap it about her, smiling as she seemed to disappear in its voluminous folds. She tried to snuggle into its warmth and winced as
the movement must have pulled her stitches. Without thinking he reached out to comfort her, but was stopped by Cairn’s sharp voice.
"Have you forgotten me, brother?" he asked testily. Andreu immediately turned back to Cairn, intrigued by the show of jealousy.
"You will be fine. Someone has taken excellent care of you."
The bleeding had already stopped and required only fresh bandages.
"We are safe for the moment," said Cairn. "Have those bodies hidden and guards posted. We will leave at first light."
"And her?" Andreu wanted to know.
Verena said Cairn was not responsible for her, but it was infuriating that he couldn’t guarantee her safety. Cairn had ordered the woman to run but she chose to stay and fight by his side with that pitiful looking knife. That decision pleased and infuriated Cairn.
He had planned to separate at the crossroads, but now it was too late. Cairn couldn’t leave her after she saved his life, not after the injury she sustained because of him, and certainly not after that kiss.
It was disconcerting to realize Cairn had lost himself so completely despite the danger they both faced. He wanted to protect her, yet at the first opportunity Cairn behaved like an untried youth. It was no wonder Verena pulled away so abruptly. She was such a confusing mix of innocent and temptress that Cairn never knew what to expect. To have faced abuse in Langthorne and then find herself pawed by the one man she was beginning to trust must have been more than she could bear.
He had avoided thinking of it before when his mind was solely focused on returning to Scotland. Now that they were out of immediate danger Cairn couldn’t forget her perfect lips. They had felt as soft as he imagined and when she opened for him it was like tasting ambrosia. With that first brush of her tongue Cairn knew he would never allow Gundy to reach her again.
"She comes with us."
Chapter 12
It was late that night when Verena awoke, lying on a bed of luxurious furs. It was almost too dark to see, but she could make out the inside of a crude shelter and surmised they had finally met with the Scottish reinforcements. Only nobility could travel so comfortably, with pack horses and mules laden with unnecessary items. As she snuggled into a cocoon of warmth, she didn’t begrudge the vice.
Outside the noises from Cairn’s party were muted, but still discernible. Each one was so distinct she could imagine someone seeing to the horses, checking supplies, whispering a joke and grunting in amusement. Small sounds that would easily blend into the night, but Hadran had taught her how to listen.
She yawned, blinking tired eyes and contemplated going back to sleep. Her shoulder ached abominably making it difficult to relax. She had sustained injuries before; it was a hazard of her profession, but knowing her wound was superficial didn’t lessen the pain.
A movement caught her eye and she glanced up, ashamed to find she was not alone inside the shelter. At first, she assumed the shape a few feet away to be merely a pile of clothes or blankets, but as her eyes focused she could make out a sliver of moonlight highlighting Cairn’s cheek and his sparkling eyes, which were open and focused on her.
She gasped at the intrusion. Her cheeks flamed in the darkness. Though he seemed relaxed, she could feel the tension as their eyes met. The beat of her heart increased to a furious pound. Cairn’s gaze dropped to her lips and she had to force herself not to nervously lick them.
Did he think of their kiss? Verena remembered how perfectly she fit in his embrace. She remembered the warmth of his skin, his smell and the intoxicating play of their tongues and lips. His lovemaking would be magical.
That thought was like ice across her fevered skin. She had no business imagining his lovemaking. Cairn was a means to getting the treasure. Nothing more. Verena abruptly wrenched her gaze from Cairn’s, turning away to block out the sight of him, but even with her eyes averted she could feel Cairn’s magnetic presence.
It was just a kiss, her mind argued, but she knew it was so much more. With that kiss she found herself dangerously drawn to the man she was supposed to betray. Her effectiveness as a spy depended upon her ability to rationalize and remain unattached. Even physical desire could jeopardize the mission.
Cairn was certainly not the spoiled noble she expected. He tried to protect her though they were virtual strangers, and despite the sensual tension between them, Cairn had behaved with remarkable restraint. What would be the result of the unspoken promise that lay between them? That question plagued her imagination until she forced her exhausted mind to sleep.
Cairn stayed awake for some time thinking of their predicament. Remembering that passionate kiss was enough to have him throbbing in expectation. Verena was beautiful and Cairn hadn’t bedded a woman in a long time, but he couldn’t afford to be distracted by a comely lass. There were more pressing concerns than bed sport.
This would be a difficult winter for the McPherson clan. Cairn knew a treaty with Lord Gundy was risky, but couldn’t afford to ignore his threat during these hard times. The raiding across their border had to stop so his people could focus on rebuilding.
Though the Scottish and English armies never met during Perkin Warbeck’s unsuccessful maneuvering, border lands like Langthorne were ravaged as Scotland sided with Warbeck and England sided with King Henry VII. A truce could only benefit them, but Lord Gundy had shown he was not interested in peace or the wellbeing of his tenants. He wanted the glory of war and his own revenge.
The McPhersons lay next to a viper poised and ready to strike. Lord Gundy saw the clan at its most vulnerable and decided to take advantage. The raids wouldn’t cease, they would increase, forcing men away from the fields to defend their homes. Cairn’s victories on the tournament field didn’t seem like adequate preparation for running an estate, but he understood war.
Verena tossed in her sleep, throwing the covers off her upper body and exposing her bandaged shoulder. Andreu had loosened her bodice in order to operate and had not tied it back. Now it gaped open to reveal a creamy expanse of flesh. If she took a deep breath her bodice would fall, revealing the tips of her nipples to Cairn’s hungry gaze.
Resolutely Cairn threw off his covers, donned his boots and cloak and stepped outside. He knew he would get no rest this evening.
He approached Fergus who stood guard over their camp and nodded in greeting. He was a McPherson and not one of the men Cairn brought from France, with an infectious grin and burly, uncouth manners that had quickly won Cairn’s affection. He had hesitated to bring Fergus into England with his earlier party, thinking the man’s distrust for anything English would hinder negotiations. Fergus lived his entire life bordering Gundy’s estate and had railed forcefully against trusting him.
"My lord," Fergus began, reading the direction of Cairn’s thoughts. "I know why you went to Langthorne. Despite what I said before, if I was in your place I would have done the same."
Cairn looked at Fergus in surprise. He wasn’t expecting equanimity from the gruff soldier.
"’Twas not your decision to make, it was mine. And I chose wrongly."
"Nay, you didn’t," Fergus insisted. "Gundy was the one that broke his promise. To attack you like that after he offered peace … even for an Englishman that was wrong."
Cairn chuckled dryly in the darkness.
"Even for an Englishman."
He turned and walked farther into the woods. Half-formed plans rose in his mind and were quickly discarded. Winter was fast approaching and instead of helping his clan prepare Cairn languished in a dungeon. He would have to work day and night to recover the lost time.
Suddenly Cairn paused as some unseen threat caused the hair on the back of his neck to rise. He felt he was being watched by malignant eyes. It could be a wolf or other forest predator, or perhaps the hunter whose lime trap Verena had found. The two young archers were dead, but there must be other soldiers searching these woods.
The thick clouds shifted overhead, allowing a small ray of moonlight to filter through the trees and Cairn final
ly saw his watcher. It was a bear of a man dressed in muted colors that blended perfectly into the darkness. His arms and face had been liberally smeared with dirt. The only features that stood out were his peculiar eyes that resembled live coals against the dross of his background. So well did he blend in to his surroundings that Cairn blinked, wondering if he were truly a man at all, or some vengeful spirit sent to plague him.
He must be from Langthorne, though he wore no livery. Nor did he carry a tool to distinguish himself as a hunter or woodsman. The man shifted his weight slightly and Cairn tensed, recognizing the man’s fighting stance and intent. This was no hunter.
"To arms!"
Instantly Cairn’s men sprang up clutching their weapons and itching for a fight. They ran to their lord looking about for signs of a threat, but the forest man had vanished.
"A man is watching us," Cairn explained. "He disappeared through those trees."
Instantly they spread out, combing the forest for any sign of disturbance.
"What is it?" Verena asked, groggily climbing out of the shelter. She looked adorably tousled with her unbound hair, unlaced dress and bootless feet. The knife was once again clutched in her small hand. Cairn noticed more than a few of his men casting curious glances at her over their shoulders as they left in search of the man.
"Stay inside!" he barked a little harsher than he intended.
She blinked at Cairn’s tone and opened her mouth to argue, but after casting a worried glance at the giant Scotsmen surrounding her, she demurely returned to the tent. Verena had gotten over her initial fear of Cairn, but he was weakened from his ordeal and she had spent days nursing him to health. She had no such relationship with his men.
"Fergus," Cairn called before he went off with the others. "Guard the woman. Keep her here."
"Aye, milord."
"What exactly are we looking for?" asked Andreu after they scoured the forest for nearly an hour. Aside from a few recent footprints they had failed to find any sign of someone in the trees.
Seducing the Laird Page 5
