It was an enormous beast and as pristine as snow. The horse whinnied when he dismounted and followed him as he stepped forward. James shoved at the horse’s snout and pushed him back.
“I deem that horse is in love with you, James,” his comrade said in a quip.
James scowled at his friend. “Now is not the time to jest, Colm.” He raised a brow at her and opened the satchel. “Emlyn, what have you in here?” A grin came to his beautiful lips. “Colm, you have room upon your horse. Hold this.” He tossed it up to him and Colm grunted from the force and weight of it.
“A gift from my father.”
“You won’t need such items, for we Gunns know how to protect. You should leave it behind. I insist.”
Emlyn shook her head. “I will do no such thing. And just so you Gunns know, I can protect myself. I do not need a band of overzealous warriors to keep me safe.”
James grinned and shook his head. “Is that not what you have asked of me?”
“I asked you to take me with you. I did not ask for your protection. Did I not beat you on the field? Did you not submit?” Emlyn loved how his expression darkened at her teasing.
Her question brought forth his comrades chortle and James frowned in obvious discomfort at being reminded of that day.
“It was she? She was the lad that won against you?” A large man whom she had not met laughed boisterously.
James stepped away and mounted his horse. “Aye, Duff, the same.”
He didn’t appear pleased by that admission. The Gunns waited quietly while she said goodbye to Branwyn and Delyth. Her friends’ despair was enough to make her bawl, but she withheld the urge to do so. Tears sprang to her eyes when her sisters stepped forward to offer their goodbyes. She hugged Suzanna and Anhard.
She stood leery to move, unsure what to do. Her mother stepped forward and smirked, her beautiful brows furrowed with disgruntlement. Emlyn would have dressed as she was wont, but she’d done so last night to please her, and she decided against riding in a gown. Without a word, her mother scoffed and walked away. Emlyn would’ve been hurt by her aloof manner, but she was used to it.
“Come, we need to be on our way.” James motioned her toward his horse with a wave of his hand.
“I must ride in the carriage. We’ll rid of it as soon as we can. But we should proceed with the plan.”
“Then come, for your carriage awaits, milady.” James spoke loud enough for all to hear.
How she wished she could ride with him or he with her, but her mother wouldn’t allow it. Emlyn stepped into the carriage and sat back against the cushion. She could see out the window and all those who assembled. With a wave, she resisted the urge to weep. For she’d likely never see her friends and family again.
James rode next to her on his magnificent horse. The carriage began moving and Emlyn looked ahead, refusing to gaze back forlornly at her home.
Chapter Fourteen
By nightfall, Emlyn was tired of riding in the carriage. Not only was she lonely, but her arse hurt from the many bumps along the way. When they slowed, she threw open the curtain and stepped off the plank before the carriage came to a complete stop. Her legs shook from inactivity, but she was able to stand. The army halted, and many dismounted their steeds. James walked toward her and she stared at the way he moved stealthily. His limbs were muscular and long. Her breath caught at the sight, for he appeared as a great warrior should. She realized at that moment she would never be as foreboding as he.
“We’re to camp here for a few hours.”
She nodded and stepped near him. James plucked her from the ground and brought her against him with a hard jolt. Emlyn barely had time to gasp when he kissed her ardently. How she liked the way he possessed her. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held on as his mouth covered hers with passion.
“James, we’ve tasks to see to. Cease kissing your lass and get to it.”
When James pulled away, his eyes born into hers. She could’ve sworn he was as displeased by the interruption as she was. He let her body slid over his until her feet reached the ground.
“I’ve been thinking about doing that all day.”
“You have?” She couldn’t hold back her smile.
“Aye that and what it will be like when you’re beneath me again.”
Emlyn scrunched her eyes and teased, “Oh? You deem that I’ll give over to your desires? Just like that?” She snapped her fingers.
A scowl crossed his beautiful face. “Now that you’ve gotten your desire, I take it ye have no further need of me?”
Before she retorted, he stepped away from her. Emlyn realized he wasn’t one for jests or such playfulness, and was too literal. She was wont to call him back to tell him so, but he fiddled with his satchel and petted his horse, whose whinny sounded. He kept his back to her and removed a pouch which he tossed to one of his comrades.
“My thanks,” the man said. “I’ll give it to Sean so he can cook it.”
Around them, hundreds of soldiers made fires and seemed jovial. When she caught up to James, she asked, “Why are they pleased?”
She followed him through the throng of mini-camps set about. James turned and took her hand, saying nothing. He gave a menacing stare at the men they passed. It was as if he was telling them that she was his. None of the men looked at her and avoided her gaze, but nodded at James.
They reached the campfire that his comrades sat around. He set a tartan on the ground for her and she promptly sat upon it. Emlyn stretched her legs out, happy to be free of the carriage. She rubbed the aches from her muscles and relaxed back. James gave her a hunk of bread, which was a bit hard, and she’d likely break a tooth trying to eat it. Another handed her a cup of mead, and she thanked him.
Their leader sat across from her, and she watched him. He was a handsome man, much like the others that sat around them. They seemed close and she sensed their comradery.
“Lady Emlyn, I’m Laird Gunn, but I would that you call me Grey. These are my guardsmen: Duff, second in command, Sean, Colm, and Kenneth McInnish, a neighboring clan chieftain.” He indicated who was who, and she bowed her head at them. “You know James, intimately, of course.”
She scrunched her eyes at his choice of the word intimately and she wondered how much James had told them. “I would that you call me Emlyn, and I’m pleased to meet you.”
“We cannot, milady, for you’re a princess. We shall call you Lady Emlyn.” This came from Colm, the man that had jested with James about his horse.
“I may be a princess on my father’s land, but here, I am just a …” She was going to say woman, but didn’t want them to think of her as such. Emlyn was a warrior and if it was the last thing she’d do, she’d make them understand that. “… warrior.”
None of the men remarked or indicated their displeasure hearing her say such. Emlyn gnawed at the hunk of bread and then dipped it in the mead. It made it softer and she could at least eat it.
Grey leaned forward and handed her a softer piece. “James explained the plan?”
“Aye, he did. I thank you, Laird Gunn, for your aid. My father does not wish me given over to Marshall.”
“I’m aware of his wishes. My men have given their oath to protect you and we mean to honor our pledge to thwart Marshall. As much as you have skill with weapons,” he said, and looked pointedly at James. “We are passionate about our duty and I insist you allow us to see to your protection while you’re in our care.”
Emlyn sighed. They took their duty to heart that was certain. “Very well, my lord.”
“Grey, call me Grey. We’ll reach the border of your father’s land soon. When we get there, we’ll part with our army and journey toward our land. The carts and such will slow us and I don’t want to dally in getting you to safety. Several men will take them now and continue the journey without us.”
She nodded. “Will Marshall be waiting by the border?”
“He may be. Och we will be prepared to meet him if he is.”
James handed her a bowl of stew. It smelled delicious and her stomach rumbled. It tasted nothing akin to anything she’d ever eaten. “This is tasty.”
Colm guffawed and leaned toward her. “’Tis Sean’s skill. Aye, he cooks as well as he rules his lands. I deem he should give up his lairdship and take to the kitchens when he returns home.”
Sean must not have liked Colm’s jest, for he tossed a rock at him.
Emlyn returned her attention to their laird. “I will not ride further in that carriage.”
“I agree. We’ve a horse for you. You do know how to ride?”
She raised her brows at his question. “Of course.” Emlyn hadn’t meant to sound offended, but her outrage came out before she stopped herself. They knew not her skill or the fact that she’d been training at arms since she could walk.
James remained silent and seemed to be brooding. Emlyn refrained from speaking to him, because she didn’t want to incite his ire, as much as she’d already had.
“Best get anything you want from the trunks. You shan’t have access to them until you reach Gunn land.”
“I want nothing from them. Burn the trunks for all I care. I only have need of my two satchels.” She looked at Colm. “The one you have and the one that is still inside the carriage. Please be sure to get it.”
Kenneth stood. “I’ll retrieve it for you. Why do you not wish for your belongings?”
Emlyn pressed her lips together before answering. It was a simple question with a complicated answer. Instead of explaining, she said, “I have no need of such objects.”
“James, come with me.” Kenneth waited for him to stand and they set off.
She finished eating her fare and kept quiet. But with the stares from Grey, Sean, Colm, and Duff, an unsettling aura came over her.
Duff, the burly guardsman, crawled to sit next to her. Emlyn thought to move to give him room on her tartan, but he sat on the prickly needles from the pines above.
“You bested our James. I am astounded.”
The man’s voice was as gruff as he was, and his tone heavy with a burr. Emlyn had to save face for James with his comrades. Obviously he’d taken a bit of grief from them about her victory on the field.
“I vow he let me win. He realized I was a woman and that was the only reason he submitted.”
Sean laughed. “Aye, that’s the only reason any of us would submit.”
“James was much more prolific than I with the sword. I hope to learn some skill from you and hope that you allow me to train with you.” Emlyn could’ve snickered under her breath, but she resisted. Men were so easy to thwart. She verily gave James his balls back.
“I would be honored to test the sword with you, milady,” Duff said.
“I too,” Sean said.
“Not I,” Colm said. “I will never take a sword against a woman.”
Emlyn glowered, for he was one that she would not so easily win to her favor.
*****
James wasn’t sure if he was beguiled or bewildered by her. He walked next to Kenneth, unsure why he wanted him along. They reached the cart that held the four trunks Emlyn’s mother had boasted held treasure. The only treasure James considered they had on this journey was Emlyn herself. Nothing in the trunks was as worthy, but his curiosity was piqued, as was Kenneth’s.
“What do you deem is inside? Surely she wouldn’t have sent a fortune with the lass. I don’t think the queen held regard for her daughter.”
“Let us see, shall we?” James pulled the trunk from the top and set it upon the ground. He opened it and rummaged through it. “There is only garments, gowns, and womanly things.” He pulled an ornate comb from within and looked at it. The comb was an utterly feminine object.
Kenneth tugged on the next trunk and brought it down. “All there is, is fabrics, furs, and trinkets in this one. There’s a few jewels, but not worth a fortune.”
James peered inside. “They’re the gifts she received at her farewell feast.” The next two trunks held more garments, the gowns more elaborate. The fabric appeared lavish, for the gowns were made for a princess.
He chuckled to himself and found humor in her mother’s belief at what she considered a fortune. “Her daughter considers the items worthless. And yet, her satchel holds weapons and mail. Emlyn has an odd sense at what is valuable for a woman.”
Kenneth scratched the whiskers on the side of his face. “Och it makes me like the lass more.” He reached inside the carriage and pulled out the other satchel.
James reached for it and was hesitant to look inside. “I feel badly for prying through her things.”
“Best we know what we’re dealing with. Give it to me and ally yourself of the guilt.” Kenneth laughed when he tossed it to him. He opened it and whistled.
James’ eyebrows rose. “What? I can only image what she has in there.”
“I jest. There’s nothing but a pair of breeches and a few tunics. Ah, och what is this?” He removed a leather sheath. “A dagger, a well-made one at that, and long enough to cause a grievous wound.”
James snatched it from his hand and tossed it back inside. “She values her weapons more than what most ladies covet. Come, you carry the heavy one.” He handed him the satchel with the weapons. But before he closed the last trunk, he grabbed one of the gowns and a few pieces of jewelry from it, and added it to the satchel he held. He didn’t know why he did so, but there came a time when every woman needed to dress accordingly, even if she had no other interest beyond weapons.
“Angus, lad, ensure all these trunks are taken to our keep when you arrive.”
The lad bobbed his head. “Aye, James. What of the carriage?”
James looked at Kenneth before answering. “Do as she said, burn it. Use the wood to keep yourself warm on the journey home, lad.”
Angus grinned and thanked him.
He and Kenneth returned to their camp. Beneath the high pines, little light shown from the moon. Only the dimness of the fire’s embers afforded their way.
James saw that Emlyn had lain upon his tartan. He set her satchel on the ground, next to the one that Kenneth carried. He went to his horse and pulled another tartan from his bag, along with the arrow he hadn’t finished whittling. Once he settled, he continued to pry the bark away and used the dagger Sean had given him to slice small slivers of wood from it, smoothing it as he went.
The night had gone quiet as all bedded down, but James was too riled to fall asleep.
“What are you doing?”
He glanced at her before answering. “Making an arrow.”
“I would like to learn to make them.”
“Would you?”
Emlyn moved closer to him, and even though he’d set his tartan so that it wouldn’t touch the one she lay upon, she joined him.
“You’re still ireful over my jest.”
“Oh you were jesting? Even though your father told me his words to you? Let me recall his exact words … ‘She gave herself to you and for once the lass listened.’ Do you deny you were instructed to take me to your bed? To use me for your purpose?”
He regarded the look of affront on her face, and even though James detested making a woman angry, he was more interested in making known his displeasure at learning what she’d done.
“Nay, I do not deny it.”
The lass was too bold, and he was sure he could withstand the desire to kiss her and love her again. He shrugged her hand away when she set it on his shoulder and moved closer.
“If I had to give myself to anyone, James … I’m glad it was you.”
“You used trickery to gain my aid when all you had to do was ask.”
He heard her sigh. “That is not the way I remember it. You wanted me and I … wanted you. You did not willingly aid me.” She moved a few inches away.
“I was drunk and remember nothing from that night. But you’re aright, for I did want you and still do. Aye, and probably always will.” James returned his attention to whittling t
he arrow, keeping his eyes downcast so he wouldn’t give in to his desire.
Emlyn stopped his hand from carving and took the dagger and wood from him, and set it aside. She crawled onto his lap, sitting astride his legs, facing him.
“Be not angry, James. I didn’t mean to deceive you. And I’ll always be willing with you.” She kissed the side of his neck, his face, and his lips.
He couldn’t resist her and realized he was definitely beguiled. James yanked her close and forced her mouth open when his tongue pressed onward. He clasped his hands around her back and held her close, feeling her breasts pressing against him. A moan escaped his mouth, for at that moment all he wanted was to be inside her.
Before he succumbed to his will, he needed a wee bit more privacy. James lifted Emlyn in his arms. She tucked her head by his neck, her breath heated the skin there and sent fervor through him. He hastened his steps until they were far enough away from the encampment. He stopped when he reached an open field, surrounded by several large hills. Night closed in on them.
“You make me forget my anger, for all I want to do is love you again.” James knelt on the soft grass, unwilling to release her.
“Then take me, love me again.”
Her words were akin to the wind, gently playing against him. James kissed her longingly and caressed her body. He sat her upon his lap again, without breaking their kiss.
Emlyn broke free and rasped. He could barely see her face in the obscurity of the night. She stood and removed all but the tunic she wore. When he tried to assist her in removing it, she slapped his hands away.
“’Tis too cold. I’ll keep it on.”
“You won’t be cold for long.” James leaned back on his hands when she settled herself on his lap. He was more than ready to please her. She gasped when she took hold of him.
“You see what you do to me? I’m beset—”
She cut off his speech, giving him a kiss filled with her desire. James moaned when he entered her. She was tight and wet, and to his surprise, just as needy.
In Love With A Warrior (Gunn Guardsman (Book 4)) Page 13
