by Johanna Maas
CHAPTER NINE
It was well past midnight just five days after she had arrived at the Campbell keep and Lizbeth had still not rested on this night. In her unease, she got up from her bed and moved to the window overlooking the stables. As the heaviness grew within her breast, she relived in her mind the events occurring since she had arrived. She thought of her mistakes and the clear anger she evoked in the Highland warrior.
She gazed across her room and to the door leading to the hallway. It was in this moment that she recalled for the first time it was sure to be unlocked. With a slight resolve, she looked from it to the stables below as a sense of freedom tugged at her from within. She moved to the wardrobe pulling a day gown from it and hurriedly dressed and then ventured out of her room. This new found experience was something in her previous life she never would have done, never could have done and she felt the sure excitement for the want of it.
Lizbeth walked through the darkened and empty great chamber and out the keep's door to stand on the landing above the courtyard. She stood silently in the darkness, breathing deeply of the cool night's air and feeling a certain sense of freedom for the very first time. The night was quiet and more still than she had ever experienced for she had never been allowed to be alone in a place such as this. And it empowered her greatly.
Slowly, she moved down the stairs and across the way and into the darkened stables. She found the scent of the horses and hay heavy and pleasing within her mind. Unhurriedly she moved forward to the stall holding the great gray mare. As she moved within the near darkness, she heard her whinny slightly bringing a warm smile to her lips.
Lizbeth took a brush from the wooden table in the corner and moved to the horse's head as she spoke quietly. Leisurely she ran it down the mare's soft coat, the bristles massaging the full of the beast's hide as a gladness spread through her heart for just the feel of it. For long minutes, she lovingly paid her debt back for the brief time she was upon her back.
When Lizbeth had spent nearly an hour within the stall, she sat upon the soft hay in the corner. Lovingly, she stared up at the mare with satisfaction knowing she had fulfilled her obligation. The hay she sat upon was comfortable as she laid her head back upon the wall and closed her eyes briefly…
*****
Blake sat in the early morning light alone in the great chamber breaking his fast as he had done nearly every day of his adult life. When the doors suddenly opened, he looked up absently as the stable master entered. Blake noticed immediately his trusted clansman had a concerned look upon his face as he moved quickly in his direction.
"There is something you must see…"
Blake was on his feet instantly, uncertain of the matter only assured he was needed. Together they moved quickly down the keep's steps and into the stables as the early morning dawn began to greet the day. The stable master moved down the long pathway and onto the stall holding the large gray mare. He stopped and stood before it, pointing with a grave concern upon his face.
As Blake neared the beast, his anxiety rose for had the animal injured itself during the night? He recalled clearly the mare had been in excellent health just the evening before. When he gained full view of to where the man was indicating, his heart stopped short in his chest as his breath caught within for the sight before him.
Lizbeth lay in the corner of the stall with her hair adoringly spread out upon the hay, lovingly cradling her petite body. Her slight hands were tucked neatly below her chin as she was curled up in a ball. Her eyes were closed and her long lashes touched her beautiful ivory skin of her cheeks. She was undoubtedly sleeping. Blake warmed as he noticed almost immediately how she had the horse's brush clearly clutched within her hands.
For long moments Blake could do nothing but stare down at Lizbeth. Her beauty touched longingly upon his heart in the early morning light. After he dismissed the stable master allowing him to return to his other duties, Blake moved forward as he silently crouched down next to her. With the back of his hand, he moved her silky hair from her cheek as a slight smile came to her lips. As he touched her a full warmth spread through his body as she stirred slightly, her eyes beginning to flutter open.
Lizbeth could smell the nearness of the beasts and the heady fragrance of the hay as she felt a slight touch upon her face. She had been dreaming of riding in the vast meadow with a great powerful steed moving quickly below her. She smiled in contentment as the wind blew carelessly through her hair. She began to open her eyes and realized immediately she was not alone and within the stall of the mare.
Quickly, she stifled a gasp and rose to sit as a panic began to overwhelm her. The man before her had been so angry the last time she had been alone with him. But as she gazed into his face she realized his eyes showed no anger, only a softness and he was looking rather intently upon her. Lizbeth allowed her breath to release as he spoke softly with a kindness in his voice.
"The stables mean this much to you, my lady?"
She looked down and away as she nodded her head slowly. While most likely not logical to most, in her mind she knew this place was the one link to her past and the only place she felt right. For long moments no one moved until he reached out with his finger and gently tilted her chin upwards so he could gain the full of her face and force her to look deeply into his eyes.
"Then you are welcomed here at any time, day or night." He smiled lazily as Blake added, "Preferably day, for you do have a proper bed in your chamber above…"
Lizbeth could only smile at his words as a true gladness spread through her. There was a slight skip to her heart as she realized he made light of her. She watched as he reached forward and took her hands within his own as he helped her to stand. When she was upright, she hastily brushed at the dust clinging to her skirts.
Absently, Blake reached forward and pulled a slight piece of hay from her hair, feeling the softness of her tresses as his heart quickened at its touch. He spoke once again as he looked deeply into her eyes with a sense of tenderness.
"And the gray…she is yours."
Lizbeth's heart suddenly stopped beating within her breast, then soared as the reality of his words registered within her mind. For could she have heard him correctly? He was bestowing upon her this beast? She looked from the mare back to the Highlander with a hopefulness upon her face as the tears stung in her eyes.
Lizbeth could only stare at her warrior, a full smile coming to her lips and a joy like no other upon her heart as he nodded. She gazed up into his eyes and within the next moment, she was moving forward towards him and now feeling his powerful arms as they crushed her to his chest. Within his heated embrace, she could hear the thundering of his heart below her ear and knew her own undoubtedly matched its heightened beat. She pulled back slightly, gazing up into his face as she saw the deep blue of his eyes and a hunger within. Slowly, he bent his head towards her own as she closed her eyes while he gently brushed her lips.
Lizbeth felt the heat flow within her as he touched her lips lightly. She moved slightly as she stood within his arms wrapping her own fully around his neck. As she pressed her body near, she could feel the length of him up against her and the wonder of his embrace. Her heart quickened as he moved his large hands over her back as he held her tenderly, his kiss deepening and her need intensifying.
Blake moved his lips over hers as his hunger grew for this enticing woman who was so near. Slowly, he lost all thought to reason as she came alive within his arms as his passions began to rage within. He moved his mouth over hers, pressing into her fully as he parted her lips and he moved his tongue within as he tasted of her sweetness. Oh how she felt so agreeable.
In the distance, they heard a loud whinny of a horse and they were brought immediately back to the present. Instantly, the tenderness of the moment was lost and Lizbeth quickly took a slight step back and moved from his embrace with a shyness now upon her. She lowered her eyes as she felt the warmth of her blush upon her cheeks.
Blake placed his finger under her c
hin and moved it upwards so he could gain the full of her beautiful face. He gazed into her eyes deeply, not completely understanding his need to be near her and to please and protect her. He moved his gaze from her face to the gray mare he had just bestowed upon her, understanding she was a strong and unpredictable animal.
With a knowing sigh he said, "The mare is yours, but you must promise me you will not be so reckless in the future. She truly is a powerful beast."
Lizbeth could only nod as a smile came to her lips. She moved from the warrior and stepped towards the great mare. No, her great mare. A joy spread through her as she leaned in towards the beast, placing her cheek upon the hardened muscles of its neck as she stroked it gently as her heart glowed. She opened her eyes and turned back to the man who had shown her this kindness, one that he could not possibly have known would mean so much to her. She continued to smile as she spoke as the glistening of unshed tears were within her eyes.
"Thank you most kindly. I will treasure her always and do as you have requested."
Blake gazed down at Lizbeth and felt the true earnestness in her spoken gratitude. While he was grateful for her words, he was not so sure of the truth of her pledge for as she gave it, a slight twinkle shone in the deepest depths of her eyes. He smiled inwardly for they held a certain sparkle with a mischievous air about them.
But he knew in his heart he had been right in bestowing this gift upon her. It had been the only thing he could do in his attempt to make up for how she had been treated. Not only how he suspected she had been treated in her past life, but how he had scolded and frightened her so.
He spoke softly once again, "Would you care to join me inside so we can break our fast?"
Lizbeth looked longingly at her horse, then over to the great warrior and back again to the beast.
Blake chuckled tenderly into the early morning air as he said, "Truly, my lady, she will still be here when you return. And she will be just as much yours then, as she is now."
Lizbeth looked back to the Highlander, unsure as to his meaning. But when she spied the slight smile touching the corner of his lips she realized he was once again teasing her. It was a lightness to him she had never known and had never truly expected but appreciated thoroughly. A quick memory of her own brother Macay tugged at her heart, for this was so reminiscent of something he would have said.
Lizbeth smiled back shyly as she said, "Yes, thank you. I would be most happy to join you."
CHAPTER TEN
Time seemed to slip by quickly and the morning of Lizbeth's birthday had truly arrived, this nineteenth day of September. She woke just before dawn with a smile upon her face and relief felt upon her heart. It mattered not to her she was the only one knowing the actual significance of the day. For not only was this the one she turned eighteen years, but it was to have been her wedding day.
Lizbeth thought back to her life among the Macnab and a fear settled upon her heart for the seven years she had resided there. Seven long years of living in loneliness and in fear. While the men of the Macnab had thankfully never touched her nor beaten her, the constant fright of it and the reminder of their warnings to kill what was left of her family forever plagued her and continued to wear heavily upon her mind.
A spontaneous shudder coursed through her body as she thought of the feelings her intended had evoked within her. Lizbeth pictured his large heavy form and his greasy long hair. And the scowl that always resided upon his face. But his looks were inconsequential and it was his heart that mostly frightened her. He was a mean one through and through, his words and his actions continually confirming as he dispelled his cruel nature wherever he went. The thought of him claiming her made her physically ill and sent an icy chill through her body.
Lizbeth's mind then drifted to the warrior who had unknowingly saved her from her sorry life. He was also large, but so impressively strong and protective and so easy to look upon. His hardened body and his penetrating blue eyes truly made her feel a way she never could with the Macnab. But it was so much more then the physical. It was what she now understood of Blake's way and the tenderness that was about his person. In the short time she had known him, she truly knew he possessed a good and gentle heart. Granted, his reaction to her foolishness that day upon the field had surely frightened her, but she understood now his reaction was for the fear of her safety alone. But his understanding of her attachment to the mare clearly tugged at her heart. And the way he had held her and kissed her thoroughly sent a sudden blush to her cheeks.
She sighed in satisfaction as a true contentedness filled her heart. Lizbeth realized in that very moment her self assuredness began to return to her for the first time since she was a child. She felt the beginnings of a sense of belonging, a sense of family as the Campbell siblings treated her with a kindness and a respect and as one of their own. And she could not be more grateful.
During the nooning meal as she sat in the nearly barren chamber with Cait by her side, she made a small request for her now contented times she found herself in.
"Cait, it is such a fine day and I find myself feeling a need for the out of doors and a saddle below me. Would you be so kind as to ride with me in the meadow?"
Cait looked back into the beseeching eyes of her dear friend, marveling at the transformation and knowing she could not deny the woman anything. With a smile upon her face, she agreed to the request, even though she knew a horse would never be her idea of a pleasant outing.
The two women entered the stables a short while later finding Blake easily within. When he heard of their planned outing he looked quickly at Cait, a knowing look in his eyes for sitting a horse was clearly not one of her strengths. And it had never been her desire. Even so, he quickly saddled both his own steed and the gray mare for Lizbeth. When he had completed that task, he then walked back to retrieve a gentle and more aged mare for his sister.
Lizbeth watched with pleasure as her warrior made ready her horse then looked up quizzically as he selected the gentle pony for his sister. It was obvious she was quite unskilled based on the beast he had chosen. Lizbeth felt a slight twinge of guilt for pressing her into this activity, but seeing her own mount ready, she could only feel the excitement for the ride as a sense of true giddiness came over her.
As the three walked over the drawbridge sitting proudly upon their beasts, she could see the grassy field before them was quite occupied with the clansmen of the Campbell. They were positioned in groups, some training with swords, some with bows and others working the horses in the distance. Lizbeth watched in wonder at the gathering of men, each entirely absorbed and engaged in their tasks.
Blake moved his horse into a slow canter making a wide arch around the training clansmen as the other two horses followed suit. Lizbeth smiled as she felt her gray quicken its pace, the warmth of the air brushing her cheeks as she felt it pleasantly through her hair. She breathed deeply as they moved through the field, feeling the power and excitement from the beast below her. On and on they cantered, a joy and contentedness encompassing her for the ride that was hers. She found it exceedingly pleasant and the freedom she felt nearly overwhelmed her.
When they reached the far end of the field, she pulled up on her mare and turned back as she stilled the beast below her. Together the three of them gazed upon the men in the field with the great keep in the distance. How beautiful and tranquil a sight it made and it touched warmly upon Lizbeth's heart.
As they sat upon their horses in silence, a disturbance was heard within the men mounted upon their steeds just a short distance away. She heard words spoken harshly and most likely in anger as two of the Campbell's own moved their beasts closer together. Lizbeth watched in a sudden dismay as one of the men atop his horse drew his sword and appeared to be threatening the other.
Blake noticed it, too. Immediately he was galloping off towards the two men intent upon understanding their obvious dispute and nearly forgetting the two women who followed closely behind. When he reached the clansmen, he moved hi
s steed forward and directly between them to effectively separate the unmistakably angered men.
"Cameron! Gerard! What is the meaning of this?"
Lizbeth watched from her close proximity as the man to Blake's right spoke next.
"He has stolen one of my goats again and will not give it back!"
The other man shouted, "He refuses to fix his pens and they are always escaping and trampling my vegetables. And without these, my family will grow hungry this winter."
The two clansmen looked harshly at each other, neither bending nor willing to back down with angered looks still upon their faces. Lizbeth watched with a concern in her heart and understood if Blake had not been between them, they most likely would have engaged their swords by now.
Blake spoke firmly and decisively, "Cameron, you cannot be so reckless as to allow your animals to escape and cause damage to another. It is my decision you have now lost this beast to Gerard's family."
Lizbeth watched as Cameron surely scowled and the man called Gerard smiled fully. But Blake was not quite done and he continued to speak, turning his attention now to the other clansman.
"And you, Gerard, for payment of the goat, you and your sons will fix Cameron's fences to your liking so no others can escape."
Lizbeth watched as the smile that had been upon Gerard's face slowly disappeared and an understanding dawned for the decision made before him.
"And when all is fixed to each of your liking, together your wives will fix a great meal so both of your families can dine together. You will put this feud behind you. For we are all brothers here and camaraderie and friendship must be found. Some day when it truly matters and our lives are at stake, you will surely need each other and must be united and strong."
Both men began to lower their heads, understanding the wisdom of Blake's words. They each knew their small feud would be settled for it must be rectified. To them their clansmen were everything and the favor of their laird's son, paramount. As Blake backed his great steed from between the men, they each moved forward as they grasped arms in a gesture of friendship, signifying an end to the dispute.
