by Reece Butler
“Dinna grin like a fool with yer trap shut. Speak up,” demanded Cormac.
“Yer lady is as fertile as a rabbit, and eager for ye,” replied Ewan. He lifted his mug, toasting them smugly. “Dinna touch her unless ye wish a bairn.”
“Ye ken that Alana wants us?” asked Cormac, his voice full of awe.
“She can want all she likes. There’ll be none o’ that without a priest.” James stood, hauling Cormac up with him. “We’re off early, lads. If we dinna see ye on the morn, eat with gusto, drink yer mug dry, and—”
“Marry her afore ye bed her!” They roared their motto together.
James helped Cormac stagger to the stair and up one turn before he straightened and shoved off James’s hands.
“Aye, I have a clear head,” said Cormac. “I didna wish to leave with the lads thinkin’ I’d gone sober like Ewan.”
“And what do you think of his prophecy?”
Cormac grinned at James. “I’m thinking we’ll soon be married to a wildcat.”
“Alana willna be a biddable wife. She’s the daughter of an earl and mayhaps still used to getting her way. She may not do as she’s told.”
Cormac’s eyes lit up. “And what happens to a disobedient wife?”
James’s cock went hard. “She gets spanked.”
Chapter Four
Alana stepped into Laird Fraser’s office when he beckoned. As soon as the word came that his ship had been spotted she’d tidied her hair and dress, hoping to learn more about her father’s demand. She’d expected Fraser would take some time to greet Lady Janet, but it had been hours. She’d spent the time trying to be patient as she worked on her tapestry, hoping to complete it before she had to leave.
She’d also hoped to spot the men he’d brought to escort her, but no one but the laird had so far left the ship. She’d prayed at least one of them would be single, clean, and amenable to marrying a woman who was anything but meek. She had a mind of her own and did not like to obey orders she thought ill-advised or downright stupid.
It would be a long, dangerous ride to Caithness. Perhaps she could travel by ship? She’d come to Lovat Castle that way, not that she remembered much. She’d spent the journey curled in a bunk with two kittens entrusted to her by the ship’s cat. Lady Janet had told her they’d finally got her to leave by luring the wee beasties out with fresh meat. She’d followed the cats, afraid to be alone.
The thought of being stuck in a dim cabin made her look toward the window. It was open to the cool evening breeze. She inhaled greedily. The sunset streaked color across the sky, promising a good day to follow. No, a ship’s cabin was not her choice. It would be different if she could share it with a man she trusted to protect her.
Laird Fraser sat back in his chair, a glass of wine in his hand. He sipped, looking at her over the rim. She put her hands behind her back. Her calm, orderly life was no more. This man was nothing like her father. He would not order a vicious punishment for her disobedience. Unfortunately he could no longer protect her from the earl. His clan’s needs came before the desires of a foundling.
“Lady Janet has spoken to you about your father’s plans?”
Alana nodded. “I must marry to avoid a clan war.” She couldn’t boldly ask him if he’d found a husband for her. Lady Janet could have been mistaken in his intentions.
“I’ve hired two honorable men to bring you to Caithness. We will miss you but none of us have much choice in this. No doubt the earl is preparing a magnificent wedding.”
They both knew the wedding would not be for her, but to showcase her father’s power. She, and whomever she married, were part of his game. She could do little about that. However, she had no need to cower before this man, or any other but her father. She met his eyes with shoulders back.
“Thank you for your hospitality these many years, and for arranging my transport. Lady Janet said she would finish the Fraser tapestry so it could be hung before winter.”
“You’ve created something magnificent, Alana. It will be treasured for many generations.” His lip twitched. “I spotted the Sinclair griffin watching from between the trees.”
She tipped her head in acknowledgment though her cheeks heated at her audacity. It was her clan’s mark, and she’d wanted something to show it was her work.
“You ken what will happen when you arrive?”
“I will not marry William, Laird Fraser. I have my dirk and will use it. He will not put his hands on me again. I will die first.” She lifted her chin. “Even better, I would kill him.”
Fraser’s eyes narrowed at her. “You would commit the sin of murder or suicide?”
“I will be no man’s victim. Better a quick death than days, weeks, or months of abuse afore he finally kills me.”
Fraser sipped, his eyes intense. He set his glass down with a sigh.
“‘Tis a long journey home, lass. By the time you arrive you will have accepted your fate.”
She’d had to give unquestioning obedience to her father no matter how outrageous his demands. A husband would be far worse as he’d have the right to invade her body in far more intimate ways. Instead of refuting Laird Fraser’s words, she kept quiet.
“Is there someone else you’d prefer to wed, Alana? One of my men, perhaps? I would release him to marry you.”
She’d thought long and hard in the days since Lady Janet explained her situation. Laird Fraser’s men respected women for the most part but she far outranked them. They were either wary of her or wished to make her cower to prove she was no better than they. She shook her head.
“Thank you, but no.”
He nodded his acknowledgment of her refusal. “‘Tis best if few learn of your travels. Jock tells me you ride well in breeks and usually care for your mare. You will dress and act as your escort’s young cousin, taking care of the horses and whatever else they need.”
She nodded her understanding. It was inconceivable for an unmarried woman to travel without a maid. A woman of her rank should also have a phalanx of guards. She had to hide her sex and rank to be safe. How she traveled didn’t matter to her, especially as all believed she’d lost her virtue years before. A man good enough to marry her would know the truth from her lips rather than believing gossip.
“The men I hired will stay on my ship until morning. They are at odds with my lady wife’s Campbell clan, and the ale is flowing this eve. You will be ready to leave at first light.” He tipped his glass at her. “Perhaps you will meet an acceptable husband on your journey, one who will give you the joy that my wife and I share.”
A blush heated her cheeks. Lady Janet insisted the right man could bring a woman joy in the bedchamber. She’d said if Alana ever found a man who made her womanly parts tingle she should marry him. There were only two men who’d ever made her tingle. She would easily marry either of them as they’d filled her dreams for years. She still couldn’t decide which she preferred. One had a seductive touch with quick words and brain. The other was more direct and physical. Some nights she preferred the soft seduction while other nights she dreamed of being ravished thoroughly.
Laird Fraser set his glass on his desk with a thump. No doubt he was eager to return to his lady.
“You will obey your escort as if they speak my voice.”
She would soon be riding, eating, and sleeping near men she’d never met. What had he told them about her? Did they know she needed to find a husband in the worst way? Would they help her find one? She was friendly with Laird Munro, who enjoyed battling her in chess. They’d no doubt stop there on the way north. Perhaps he could provide an acceptable husband.
“Thank you, Laird Fraser. I will…do what I must.”
His expression lightened, his eyes twinkling. “I think you will be pleasantly surprised.” He cocked his head. “I believe I hear my lady wife calling.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
“It has been a pleasure, lass.”
He kissed her forehead fondly and escorted her out the door.
She curtsied and turned away, hurrying to her rooms. The night the laird returned was always a bit wild. She hated how the dark and drunk men terrified her. It was easier to stay with the children and let the servants enjoy themselves.
“I am mistress of my own destiny,” she murmured as she ascended the main stairs. “I shall find, and marry, a husband long before reaching Caithness. Even if I have to seduce him!”
* * * *
Lady Janet Fraser smiled invitingly when Alexander entered their chamber. He turned his back to bar the door before staring at her with hunger. She pulled her wrap tighter, making him pout.
“William claimed his last wife was barren,” said Janet. “Supposedly she threw herself out a tower window in sorrow.”
“And the only witness had an accident shortly after.” Alexander grimaced. “His first wife, the Mackay lass, supposedly tripped on the stairs and fell, breaking her neck. Her father called it suspicious as William had gone through most of her dowry. As there was no proof, nothing came of it.”
Their eyes met. Neither wished Alana to marry William. They’d grown fond of her. Janet would miss Alana’s company as they stitched away the dark winter days. Alexander enjoyed his chess games with her while discussing a wide range of topics.
“I told the MacDougals, and Alana, that she has no dowry,” he continued. “They believe her father spent it on building, thinking she’d never marry. I was harsh when I spoke with Cormac and James, letting them think I care not about her. I told their laird the truth. Somerled MacDougal gave his blessing for his brothers to stay in Caithness.” His eyes roamed over her. Her body responded eagerly as he approached. “I am quite sure she’ll marry them both.”
“Both?” Janet raised an eyebrow at her equally lusty husband. He captured her from behind, settling his hands on her breasts, which immediately peaked.
“Aye,” he whispered, nuzzling her neck. “Fiona shares her bed with both Angus and Gillis, as is the MacDougal way. She is a wee bit of a woman yet stands up to them. And gets paddled for it.” He patted her ample bottom, none too gently. “Dinna ye be gettin’ ideas on that, wife,” he said in a broad burr. “I’ll nay share yer sweet body.”
“Nor will I share you.”
They hugged for a few minutes, sure of the love and respect that had grown over many years. She, along with her sisters, had been well educated. Alexander respected her for her brain as well as her ability to provide offspring. Though she could no longer have children they still enjoyed the bedding. That was equally unusual.
“So,” she continued before he could get too carried away, “should they marry Alana, it will be because they care about her, not her lands or coin.”
“Aye. The dowry will be a surprise.” He kissed her neck. “That’s enough about Alana. Did my lady wife miss me the last hour?”
Janet slapped at his hand as he lifted her skirt. “What are they like, the MacDougals?” she asked. He growled playfully at her stopping him, but complied.
“All but two are like their father, big men with dark hair and blue eyes. Half of them are bastards. Somerled had to take over as laird while young as his father spent his time making more brothers. They grew up in a large, half-empty castle with little food and no comfort. Those who were fostered ate far better than their brothers in Duncladach.”
Janet poked him with her elbow. “I mean the ones dear Alana will marry.”
He nipped the cord in her neck to retaliate. “Cormac is huge, tall and burly with a bellow that would shake the hills. Yet I saw him lie on the grass with wee kittens climbing all over him. They fell asleep in a pile on his chest, so he slept as well so as not to disturb them.”
The image made her lips twitch. “A gentle giant.”
“Until he is roused. James is equally tall but while muscular, it is sinew rather than bulk. He is quiet and tends to observe and think before acting. Both are well educated and intelligent.” He absently rubbed his hand over her bottom as he thought. “James made me work to win at chess. Make sure there’s a small traveling set for Alana.”
“You’ll miss her.”
Alexander rested his chin on her head. “I will, but I canna hold back her chance of a home, kind husbands, and children.” His grip tightened. “Lift yer skirt and bend over, wife. I’ve a need for ye that canna wait.”
Janet, shivering at his rough demand, eagerly complied.
* * * *
James lay on his back on deck, letting the gentle motion of the river rock him to sleep. Fraser had ordered them to spend the night on board as Lady Janet was a Campbell. There would have been friction if they ran into ale-filled Campbell guards. James could hold his tongue but Cormac, rolled in his plaid on the deck beside him, was itching for action after quiet days on board.
They’d learned a lot about Laird Fraser from Angus and Gillis, and even Fiona, as they came north. They’d stopped at Inverlochy Castle for a few days with Clan Cameron. The laird arranged for a festival, including games. He and Cormac had tossed a caber and thrown a hammer with the rest of the young men. Gillis had won the caber toss and Rabbie Cameron, the hammer throw.
Then the lairds of Clan Cameron and Fraser had joined a wild game of shinty. Gillis and Angus, as well as Cameron’s two sons, went against Cormac, James, and Iain, an older man who’d been captain of Fraser’s guard until he took the same position at Andrath Tower. The women helped by shouting encouragement and insults in equal measure. As others joined it became a free-for-all. The day was hot, and they’d ended up in River Lochy trying to drown each other. The MacDougals, used to the rough sea, easily dominated the river fight.
His brother had needed the action. Cormac hated to be confined. That was one of the big problems with Castle Girnigoe. Duncladach was square with a big courtyard and was almost surrounded by the sea. Girnigoe perched on a narrow spit of land that ran parallel to the shore. The waves girned, or swept into the narrow inlet known as a geo, which is how the castle was named.
Keiss Castle, four miles along the bay, was much smaller. It was also perched on hundred-foot cliffs but it had no protective wall and had lots of land to roam in. Ackergill, between the two, was right on the shore with large gardens fronting it. The Keiths had taken control of it once more though that would change if Alana’s father could break in. As for Braal, well, William could have it. It was too far from the sea for his comfort.
“’Tis glad I’ll be when we get some fine horseflesh atween our legs,” said Cormac. “Or even better, an eager woman.”
“None of that. The lass may not even ken we are her escorts. Fraser is cagey and will give only the bits that help his wee plots.” James was as hard as the boards under their backs, as he’d been most of the time since learning marriage to Alana was a possibility.
“Makes me twitch to just sit and watch the world pass by,” complained Cormac. “The hills here are so close ye canna look without seein’ sommat in the way.”
“Aye, yet ye could stick a seed in the ground and it would grow.”
“Och, ye’re thinkin’ about farming again,” complained Cormac. “’Tis battles we’ll be facing come morning.”
“Are ye talking armed men, or Alana Sinclair?”
Cormac rolled over, chuckling. James didn’t tell him it hadn’t been a joke.
As the unmarried daughter of the Earl of Caithness Alana would be a great bargaining chip to rival clans. Therefore he and Cormac needed to keep her, and her sex, a secret. Captors would demand a hefty ransom. If they thought her father had little coin to pay for her release they would be less careful of her person. If he refused to pay, whatever life she had left would not be pleasant. If she was caught by broken men, those without clans who preyed on whatever they could catch, her life would end violently but not quickly enough.
They would die before letting Alana be harmed, but they could not protect her at all if they were dead. He would get her a wee dirk and scabbard for her thigh in case she needed to keep her honor intact.
Do not borro
w trouble.
He thought about their trip. Practical problems included how far Alana could ride a horse before complaining about a sore arse and exhaustion. It was early summer so that meant midges, though Fraser said the wee beasties didn’t swarm nearly as badly here as they did on the western coast. This was the Highlands so no matter the season they would get wet, cold, dirty, and hungry.
Alana had been a pain in the arse when she returned from Keiss Castle, thanks to her aunts. He didn’t think Fraser would have allowed her to continue that way. She’d better obey their orders for her safety. If she didn’t he’d put her over his lap and give her something to complain about!
His cock had been under his control since he left Alana in Caithness. No more. The thought of her naked arse turning pink under his hand had him groaning in need.
They’d assumed she’d choose them over William. What if she found someone she preferred? She might insist on waiting to marry, hoping to find something better than a pair of penniless bastards. He had messages from Fraser to give to lairds Munro of Foulis and MacKenzie, so they’d be stopping at both castles to deliver them.
Laird Munro had recently married Janet of Sinclair as his third wife. The connection might be enough to push Alana to marry one of his clansmen. Munro land was surrounded by MacKenzie, and they could use a stronger link to the power of the Earl of Caithness. With the potential of Alana’s father’s death before his grandson could take over, whoever married Alana would have a fair bit of power until the boy reached majority. Both lairds would no doubt want their man in place, married to the only Sinclair daughter left.
That meant he and Cormac had to convince Alana to marry them before she found someone better. And if that meant going against their vow not to create a child before marriage, so be it. He groaned as his cock throbbed in approval. The sooner they bedded her the better. He could not ride a horse in this state!
