A Promise in Midwinter

by Alyssa Stark

  “I trust that you will,” Elizabeth said against his chest. She had put all of her hopes, all of her dreams into this man that she hardly knew.

  “Look at me, Elizabeth,” Lachlan demanded as he forced her chin up so that her eyes would meet his.

  Elizabeth’s breath emerged into the darkness, a billowing white puff that hung in the air between them. Her green eyes searched the planes of his face.

  The trust that shone in her eyes melted Lachlan’s heart. His greatest desire was to keep Elizabeth safe, to steal her away from all that troubled her.

  He wanted to keep her.

  “I promise,” Lachlan started as he looked down at Elizabeth. “I promise to protect you until my last breath leaves me. If Campbell tracks us, I will sacrifice myself to see that you are safe,” he vowed.

  “I hope that it will not come to that, Lachlan. I had hoped to escape with you.”

  Lachlan raised his hand to Elizabeth’s face and let his thumb trace slowly over her lips. He leaned forward and inhaled the sweet scent of her hair. “I do believe that you owe me a kiss? May I kiss you now, Elizabeth?” Lachlan asked with smoldering eyes.

  “Aye,” Elizabeth whispered. She was thankful for the darkness because the intimacy of Lachlan’s request had flushed her face fully pink. Elizabeth had secretly dreamed of kissing Lachlan and now that the moment was upon her, her body burned with anticipation of his touch all the way down to her toes.

  Lachlan reached out and cupped Elizabeth’s cheek. He suspected that Elizabeth had never before been kissed and he resigned to make her first kiss a good one. His body thrummed with adrenaline as he grazed his fingers over the soft skin of her neck. Knowing that he would be the first man to kiss her sweet lips, the first man to taste her warm mouth aroused him.

  Lachlan’s fingers trailed reverently over the skin of Elizabeth’s neck, gliding over her heated flesh and tracing her collar bone.

  Elizabeth closed her eyes, savoring the delicious feel of his touch. His hand was warm in contrast to the night air against her skin.

  Lachlan bent his head towards her. He was so close now that Elizabeth could feel his breath against her skin. She could breathe in his masculine scent, which enticed her senses. Her hands slid up Lachlan’s strong, muscular arms.

  Elizabeth’s heart hammered wildly in her chest.

  Lachlan held her close. She could feel his heart thundering in his chest, so close that he was to her body. The heat from his chest permeated through the fabric of her bodice, warming her from the outside in.

  Lachlan lowered his lips to hers, brushing them lightly over her sensitive skin.

  He kissed her sweetly at first, drinking in her innocence. Her lips were warm and moist. Elizabeth tasted like mulled cider, sweet and spicy.

  Lachlan’s whiskers tickled the flesh around her mouth. Elizabeth could feel his breath against her lips. His touch caused her entire body to thrum with energy. Never had she imagined that kissing a man would bring her body into such a heightened state of awareness.

  Elizabeth’s palms were flat against the muscled walls of Lachlan’s chest.

  Lachlan used his thumb to gently press down on Elizabeth’s chin, opening her mouth slightly. He kissed her more fully now, tasting the abundant sweetness of her mouth.

  She was so sweet, just as he had dreamed that she would be.

  Elizabeth moaned softly against Lachlan’s mouth. He deepened their kiss further, sweeping his tongue against hers. She gasped as his tongue brushed against hers, never having imagined such an exquisite pleasure.

  Kissing Elizabeth was even better than Lachlan had dreamed it would be. He relished the freedom of his unbound hands and took unprecedented joy at his ability to run his fingers through Elizabeth’s auburn curls. The warmth of her supple body permeated through his shirt, enticing his skin with the very heat of her.

  Elizabeth felt dizzy from the affect of Lachlan’s kiss. She broke away from him, her breathing ragged. The kiss had been everything that she had dreamt about, completely and utterly magical.

  Lachlan tore himself away from Elizabeth, cursing himself for losing his control

  They had precious little time.

  He looked at Elizabeth now. He could see the beautiful blush that had spread over her cheeks evident even in the darkness of the stables. Her lips were ruddy from his kisses. And her green eyes smoldered for more.

  Lachlan smiled devilishly at her. The innocent lass had bewitched him. She had completely shattered his self control, rendering him helpless against her charms.

  A surge of new emotions raced through Elizabeth’s mind as she looked up at Lachlan.

  This was all that she had wanted. She wanted Lachlan.

  She was stunned by the physical connection that kissing Lachlan had yielded. Their escape mattered now more than ever.

  ..ooOOoo..

  The stallion that Lachlan had stolen thundered through the night, struggling to race through the deepening snow.

  “We cannot outrun them!” Lachlan exclaimed as he glanced over his shoulder.

  The moonlight illuminated the field of freshly fallen snow. Visibility was scant due to the large snowflakes falling from the winter sky.

  Campbell’s men were still within sight, racing across the field in hot pursuit.

  “The burden of two people is more than he can handle in this deep snow,” Lachlan said as he spurred the lathered stallion onward. “I’ll have to leave you, Elizabeth,” he said sternly as he veered the horse towards the trees.

  “No!” Elizabeth shrieked. She wrapped her arms more tightly about Lachlan’s waist and buried her face against his chest. “Please don’t leave me!” she sobbed.

  “It is the only way! I’ll circle back for you as soon as they’ve lost my trail. ‘Tis our only hope,” he said with stead-fast conviction.

  “What if you don’t return?” Elizabeth asked.

  “I will never leave you,” Lachlan vowed. He jerked the stallion into the cover of the trees. Dismounting in a flurry of tartan, Lachlan whisked Elizabeth from the horse. He settled his ragged plaid about her shoulders.

  Elizabeth’s chin quivered.

  Never in her life had she been more afraid.

  Lachlan briskly settled her at the base of a large oak tree.

  “Here, sweetheart. Cover yourself with the plaid. Dig out a hole in the snow and huddle under my plaid to retain what body heat you are able. ‘Twill be cold. Verra cold. But know that I will be back for you as soon as it is safe.”

  “Be safe,” Elizabeth whispered, her breath white against the night sky.

  “I will,” he vowed.

  Without meaning to, Lachlan closed the distance between them and snatched Elizabeth into his strong arms. Elizabeth emitted a sound of surprise but readily accepted Lachlan’s embrace. His mouth roved urgently over hers, his stubble scratching her lips as his rough kiss possessed her completely.

  Lachlan threaded his fingers through Elizabeth’s hair. He drew away from her, gaining control of himself. She was so beautiful, so afraid. Leaning down, he tenderly pressed his lips to hers. She opened her mouth and welcomed his kiss. Heeding her invitation, he kissed her with aching sweetness. His tongue brushed against hers, tasting the delicious warmth of her mouth. Elizabeth melted against his chest, kissing him with a fervor that matched his own.

  “I must go now, sweetheart,” he said hurriedly. “If I doona return, ye must walk back to the keep. Tell Campbell that I took you against your will,” he said sternly, challenging her with his steely eyes to argue.

  And with that, he was gone.

  Elizabeth dropped numbly to her knees in the snow. She did as Lachlan had instructed, burrowing into the freezing snow and shielding herself with his plaid.

  The ragged plaid smelled of Lachlan.

  She tasted him on her lips still. She brought her chilled fingers to her lips and felt her flushed skin, still warm from the touch of Lachlan’s passionate kiss.

  Lord keep him safe.


  ..oo Chapter Eight oo..

  “Elizabeth?” Lachlan called anxiously into the dark forest.

  He was sure that this was the place that he had left her.

  Absolutely sure.

  “Elizabeth!” he called with increased urgency.

  His stallion galloped amongst the trees, the animal’s breath crystallizing into puffs of white against the cold black sky. The snow glowed a brilliant white in the moonlight. Lachlan’s earlier tracks had been completely covered by the new fallen snow. His eyes scanned the trees in desperation.

  This was the place. He knew it.

  He had been sure to memorize every feature of the snow covered terrain before leaving Elizabeth in the forest.

  Fear settled in the pit of his stomach.

  Had Campbell found her? Had they discovered her hiding place?

  “Elizabeth!” he called again, casting aside caution in favor of desperation.

  When he saw her, his heart stilled in his chest.

  She sat against the base of the tree. His plaid was wrapped loosely around her shoulders, blanketed with a thick shroud of snow.

  Elizabeth was completely still.

  Her skin was sickly pale in the light of the full moon.

  “No!” Lachlan screamed as he raced towards her. He flew from the back of the horse and ran to her, stumbling in the snow.

  “Elizabeth!” he screamed as he reached her.

  Her lips were blue.

  “Elizabeth!”

  His hands were on her face.

  She was still.

  So cold.

  “Elizabeth!” he cried frantically as he searched for a pulse on her fragile neck.

  He sighed with relief when he felt her beating heart, thudding strongly beneath his fingers.

  “Shh…love,” he whispered as he gathered Elizabeth against his chest, shaking the snow from her frozen body. “I’m here now, sweetheart,” he said shakily.

  He mounted the stallion with Elizabeth in his arms. The plaid was a feeble defense against the ice and snow, but he gathered it around her tenderly. He kissed her forehead and clasped her close to his chest, praying that the warmth of his body would seep somehow into her.

  Elizabeth’s eyes opened briefly.

  Her lips held the hint of a smile before her eyes closed again.

  “I’ve got ye now,” he soothed as he kicked the stallion into motion. “Hold on, sweetheart, I’ll get you warmed up as soon as it is safe to stop.”

  Pushing the stallion to the point of savagery, Lachlan thundered through the darkness, praying that he had found Elizabeth in time. She was deathly cold and unresponsive. Dread gripped him, sickening and unshakable.

  He sat astride the horse, helpless as they flew through the driving snow.

  His heart beat out the mortifying truth as he looked down at the lass that he clutched against his chest.

  He could not stand losing her.

  Not now.

  Not after all that they had been through.

  Losing Elizabeth would be a worse fate that death.

  ..ooOOoo..

  “Dammit Elizabeth!” Lachlan thundered. “Open your eyes! Do not go to sleep!” he commanded as he shook Elizabeth’s shoulder. Her pale skin was tinged blue. Her eyes fluttered open at the sound of his voice, but her usually expression filled green eyes were vacant, devoid of recognition. Frost had gathered on her eyelashes. Lachlan knew that he was racing against time itself.

  If he did not get Elizabeth warmed up soon, she would surely die.

  His eyes scanned the harsh Highland terrain.

  No. It would not be safe to stop here, not while the blasted Campbells were still searching for them. John Campbell was an intelligent man, and Lachlan knew that he would soon realize that he had been duped.

  Lachlan knew that he must get safely back onto MacFarland land. He kicked the horse, demanding that the beast plow through the deep snow as quickly as possible. Alistair MacFarland had a farm just beyond the border of the Campbell territory. Only after reaching that farm would it be safe to stop.

  Lachlan hoped that Elizabeth could make it that long.

  He knew well how to treat a victim that had been overtaken by the deadly chill of winter. But there was no hope of warming Elizabeth’s frozen body here.

  He pushed the horse harder. They flew through the snow.

  He would reward the valiant beast with a full bag of oats upon arrival at Alistair’s farm.

  Please Lord, do not take her from me!

  ..ooOOoo..

  The small farm loomed in the distance, nestled at the base of the hill. It was blanketed with snow and the windows glowed with the warmth of a waiting hearth fire.

  Lachlan looked down at Elizabeth.

  Her teeth had begun to chatter a few miles back.

  Lachlan had taken this as a sign of hope.

  He guided the horse down the steep slope, pushing him as fast as was safe. The horse’s sides heaved. He was lathered from the exertion of carrying two people at such a breakneck pace through the deep snow.

  Lachlan dismounted in a hurry, carrying Elizabeth in his arms as he rushed towards the door of the quaint farm house. He pounded on the door with his fist.

  It was still dark. The first light of morning would be upon them soon.

  Lachlan pounded again.

  “Open up!” he thundered, banging his fist with increased urgency against the door of the farm house.

  He heard muffled words from within the small cottage. Feet padded across the plank board floor. The distinct sound of a baby crying broke the silence.

  His eyes wandered up to the black cloth flag that hung above the door.

  “Christ,” he muttered.

  Alistair MacFarland opened the door a crack. He peered into the darkness, wary of visitors that arrived in the middle of the night. Behind the door, his fist gripped a lethal dagger.

  “Lachlan!” he exclaimed in surprise. He had heard that the Laird’s only son had been killed in the recent battle with the Campbells.

  “I require your help,” Lachlan said urgently. “This lass is frozen through. I need a fire to warm her, and some broth.”

  Alistair’s eyes wandered upwards. Lachlan followed the path of his gaze, settling on the black flag.

  “Ye canna bring her in here. The bairns and Mairi have had the gripe for going on three days now. She willna live if you expose her to their illness.”

  “May we use your barn?” Lachlan asked in defeat. The warmth of Alistair’s hearth fire resounded against his face. They had made it this far, so close to a fire that would bring life back to Elizabeth’s slackened limbs.

  “Aye, lad. Ye will find dry wood against the south wall of the barn. Start a fire near the entrance and it should shelter you from the cold. I wish you luck, Lachlan. Sorry that I couldna be of further assistance,” the farmer said with a sympathetic look.

  Lachlan nodded and walked away from the warm glow of the farm house. He sheltered Elizabeth against his chest, trudging into the bleak frigid night.

  ..ooOOoo..

  Lachlan built a roaring fire near the entrance of the barn. He hoped that it did not burn the entire structure to the ground.

  Truthfully he was beyond caring at this point.

  All that mattered was Elizabeth.

  Her eyes were closed now. She lay completely still nestled in the straw that covered the floor of the barn.

  Lachlan stripped her efficiently, removing her sodden, wet gown and casting it carelessly aside. He left on her thin chemise as an after thought, knowing that Elizabeth would want to protect her modesty.

  His own clothes were wet through from their journey through the snow. He ripped off his linen shirt and kilt, tossing them into the pile with Elizabeth’s shed clothing. Goose flesh rippled over his muscled body.

  Lachlan reached for the horse blanket that he had found slung over a vacant stall. It was thick wool and smelled of animal. He spread it over Elizabeth, thankful for its warmth against t
he chill of the early morning air. He had positioned Elizabeth as close to the roaring fire as he had deemed safe. He settled behind her now, fitting his front to her back and wrapping his arm protectively about her waist.

  Lachlan knew that skin to skin contact was the best way to warm her frozen body.

  “We’ll get ye warm, sweetheart,” he purred against her ear. He placed a kiss in the hollow at the base of her neck. Her skin was so cold. “Hold on a bit longer and I will get ye warm,” he promised.

  Elizabeth did not answer.

  The quiet terrified Lachlan.

  He pulled her closer, blanketing her with his body. He needed to get as much of the heat from his body into hers if he was going to save the lass. Elizabeth’s teeth chattered loudly. She snuggled against his chest, pushing herself back against his warmth.

  “Aye, sweetheart,” Lachlan whispered softly against her hair. “Let me warm ye,” he cooed as he reached up and brushed her auburn hair back from her face. It had been soaked through from the snow and was beginning to dry from the warmth of the glowing fire.

  The combination of the wool horse blanket and the crackling fire caused sweat to break out on Lachlan’s brow. He pushed his discomfort aside as he held Elizabeth close, hoping that the heat of his body was transferring into hers.

  Her body began to tremble with the uncontrollable spasms of her warming muscles.

  “That’s it, love,” he said approvingly as her body shook against his. He ran his fingers lightly over the bare skin of Elizabeth’s arm and kissed her hair. He tucked the horse blanket around them, safely cocooning them from the harsh outside world as they shared the warmth of each other’s bodies.

  Elizabeth’s body was warming. As warmth returned to her chilled body, she relaxed against his chest, her soft curves complimenting the hard muscled planes of his body perfectly. She snuggled closer, moaning softly as she pressed her lush bottom back against his manhood.

  Lachlan groaned.