The Piper’s Lady: The MacLarens (Book Three)

by Ewing, Sherry

  “Aye, and he is the reason I followed you.”

  His brow rose in question. “I do not understand.”

  “What you saw at Rolf’s gravesite is not what you think it was.”

  “My eyes did not deceive me. There could be no mistaking the affection he has for you.” Garrick took a step back to distance himself, but she grabbed at his waist and brought him back closer to her side. “He willnae be lenient with me for being here alone with ye.”

  Coira reached up and ran her hand along the back of his neck. Her fingers gripped his hair. “Morgan is not my intended, Garrick,” she murmured. There could be no mistaking her honest answer, nor the sincere smile she gave him.

  “He is not?”

  “Nay… he is merely like an older brother to me, much like Rolf. Such is the extent of our relationship. My grandfather asked Morgan to watch over me since I was not close to my cousin. I hardly know Dristan, for we did not have much contact with each other over the years whilst I was traveling with my grandfather. And Rolf and he kept their relationship a secret from the other men, for my brother did not wish it being said he was favored above others because he was Dristan’s distant cousin.”

  Garrick frowned. “But I understood Laird Dristan’s father and your own were brothers. Was I mistaken?” he asked.

  “Nay, you were not. But sometimes families drift apart. After all, Lady Amiria is not close with her aunt and cousin, or so I have been told.”

  “But, Morgan…”

  “As I said, is naught but a dear friend,” she said, with a soft smile.

  Relief flooded Garrick’s senses as the reality of what he was experiencing with Coira exploded through him. ’Twas as though the heavens had opened to shine down upon him and anything was possible as long as this woman would be at his side.

  With no further thought, he lowered his mouth towards hers.

  Chapter 7

  Coira closed her eyes and waited for the moment when Garrick would kiss her again. Her lips parted. Their breaths mingled and yet… nothing. Her eyes opened, and she gazed into green eyes as vivid as the forest around them. She could not mistake the expectation held within those flashing orbs, which mirrored her own desires.

  “Are ye sure this is what ye want, sweet Coira?” he whispered, and she swooned at the way he rolled the R in her name with his Scottish brogue. “Just tell me tae put an end tae what we might start, and I shall let ye return tae the castle untouched.”

  “I cannot tell you to halt.” She ran her fingers through his tawny colored hair till she urged his head forward. “I have never been more certain of anything in my entire life, Sir Knight.”

  ’Twas all the encouragement he needed. He swooped down and took possession of her mouth. Aye, this kiss was entirely different from the one they had shared but moments before. His mouth devoured hers with deep sweeping strokes of his tongue. Coira willingly surrendered herself to the sensations Garrick awakened in her. Since she was unsure of what would please him, she followed his lead and mimicked what he was doing, drawing his tongue further into her mouth.

  He groaned deep in his throat. ’Twas a distinct primeval sound, and Coira would have smiled knowing she had pleased him, if her lips had been free to perform such a feat. He continued to plunder her mouth. ’Twas a pleasant assault on her senses she did not want to end.

  The bark of the tree pushed into her back but she cared not. Her current position enabled her to revel in the awareness of every inch of her body pressed intimately against the hardness of the knight who held her tightly in his arms. Her heart furiously beat within her chest when he deepened their kiss. Surely Garrick could hear the clamor himself of what he was doing to her. She never wanted this moment to end, but how long would it be before someone came looking for her?

  ’Twas as though he read her thoughts as they crossed her mind, for he suddenly broke off their kiss.

  Coira gasped to catch her breath, and they took their ease, foreheads gently touching. “That had to be the most perfect first kiss,” she murmured, holding his shoulders for support. She knew, if she let go, she would crumble to the ground in a heap of pleasure. No one had ever made her feel so alive before.

  He chuckled. “’Twas our second, if we are counting, sweet Coira.”

  She laughed with him and smiled, happy about what she had unexpectedly found with this man. “Aye. I suppose you have that aright, Sir Garrick.”

  He quickly leaned forward and placed another quick and gentle kiss upon her lips. “I am certain I am just one of many who have stolen yer kisses, Lady Coira.”

  Her face fell, for no one had ever looked past her ordinary face to see the inner beauty laying beneath. “Nay” she mumbled quietly. “You are the first.”

  He appeared surprised by her confession. “Are ye jesting with me?”

  “I would not dare, kind sir.” She cast her eyes downward again, embarrassed she had allowed him such a liberty but also knowing she had welcomed his touch. “I did not have anyone who pressed their suit or presented an offer of marriage. I have traveled many years with my grandfather who recently passed away. I could not leave him after all he had done for me these many years. After a while, I no longer cared if I would not marry.”

  “Any man would be blessed tae have ye for his wife. Ye are a dutiful lady who should be commended for her devotion tae her family.”

  Her eyes widened at the echo of what her grandfather said in Garrick’s words. “I thank you.” She swallowed hard, wondering if her grandfather would have approved of the man who had turned her world upside down with his kisses.

  He traced her swollen lips with the tip of his finger, then lifted her chin to look upon her with those mesmerizing eyes she could drown in. “Ye appear as though ye have been thoroughly kissed, my lady,” he murmured, with a wicked grin.

  Startled, her hand flew to her mouth. “I do?”

  “Aye, ye do, and I am glad tae be the one who has made ye look so.”

  She lost her breath with his words. Dare she hope more could possibly come to pass between them? Dare she hope these feelings within her heart could last them a lifetime? She gave a heavy sigh. “As am I, Sir Garrick,” she stated, suddenly shy of being alone with him even after what they had just shared.

  “We should make haste. The hour tae sup will be soon, and I know for certain ye shall be the guest of honor this eve.” He offered her his elbow, and she gladly took hold of it.

  “Aye, Morgan mentioned Lord Dristan and Lady Amiria had planned for minstrels to entertain us after we dine. I must admit I look forward to hearing music again.” Garrick stumbled of a sudden, and Coira felt the tenseness of his arm beneath her hand. “Are you all right?” she asked with concern.

  “Aye, just a misstep. We must needs hurry if we do not wish tae be late.”

  As they continued their way back to the castle, an awkward silence fell upon them, which seemed odd after the easiness of their earlier conversations. When they reached the steps to the keep, Garrick bowed low over her hand and excused himself without the friendliness she had become accustomed to.

  “Sir Garrick,” she called out. He hesitated only an instant before he turned back to await her words. “I will see you at the evening meal?” she inquired. She held her breath as she awaited his answer.

  He opened and closed his mouth several times before bowing again. “Aye, my lady. I will see you then.”

  Her brow furrowed as she watched him depart. She entered the keep, seeking her chamber so she could change into suitable attire and spend time alone with her thoughts. As she readied herself, she wondered what in the world had changed in Garrick’s demeanor. ’Twas as though he was already regretting their brief encounter in the woods.

  Chapter 8

  Garrick paced back and forth in front of the turret steps whilst he waited for Coira so they could dine together. He knew he must needs have speech with her and clear the misconception he was a knight of the realm. Their conversation earlier had startled him, l
eaving no doubt he should have told her the truth right then and there. Yet he could not form the words, not when he could still feel the wonderful taste of her lips.

  “You do not deserve her!”

  Garrick jumped as though poked with a red-hot iron when Rolf’s voice whispered through his mind. “Get out of my head, Rolf,” he hissed with clenched teeth.

  “Stop mauling my sister and I will.”

  “I was not mauling her. I was kissing her,” he muttered in his defense. “There is a difference.”

  “You have been warned.”

  By God’s Wounds, now he had to worry about a ghost haunting him on top of everything else. Garrick was just about to give up his vigil at the entrance to the turret when he heard footfalls descending the stairs. He looked up in hope only to have the smile of welcome upon his face fade at what he saw.

  Aye… she was beautiful, in a soft blue gown with long flowing sleeves. The white of her under tunic peeked out and was a perfect complement to the fairness of her creamy skin. Her brown hair flowed loose and tumbled down her back but ’twas her sparkling, hazel eyes when she gazed down at him that truly took his breath away.

  ’Twas his misfortune that said vision was being escorted down the stairs by none other than the man he had believed his rival. Although he now knew such was not the case, ’twas still bitter that he was not the one with Coira upon his arm.

  Morgan was as immaculately attired as Coira. ’Twas as if the knight had known the colors the lady would wear this eve and had matched his garments to hers. If there was any doubt in Garrick’s mind as to his station in life, their appearance together was a grim reminder of his place. He could in no way compete with any who had wealth aplenty and could keep this wondrous lady in the manner to which she was born. Lord Dristan would never allow him the opportunity to wed any ward he protected, let alone his cousin.

  “How fine you look this eve, Sir Garrick,” Coira stated, reaching out her hand when they reached the last step.

  He bowed low over her fingertips. “Ye are too gracious with yer compliments, my lady.”

  Morgan bumped into Garrick’s shoulder none too gently and made an attempt to continue through to the great hall. “Come, Coira. There is no time for idle conversations, not when the evening meal is awaiting our arrival.”

  She gave a merry laugh. “We are hardly late, Morgan. If you but care to look, our liege lord and his lady are not yet even in attendance.”

  Morgan mumbled something beneath his breath. “All the more reason to be in our places upon their arrival.”

  “But−”

  “Garrick understands, do you not? Everyone knows their place in life and their duty.” There could be no mistaking the message in the glare Morgan tossed Garrick, nor his implication.

  “My lady,” Garrick replied with a short bow as the couple left him standing there and made their way to the raised dais. He stood there in a stupor watching them go. He had had no opportunity to correct Coria’s misconception about his status. Now she was sitting in a place of honor and he at one of the lower tables, and he had no idea how he would get a moment in private with her. ’Twas a disaster in the making.

  Garrick was so lost in thought, he blindly began making his way to his seat and ran right into a small child, knocking the lad to the floor in an undignified heap. The boy lost his grip on his little wooden sword that went skittering across the stones. There was no mistaking this young pup, who was aged but seven summers and who still hid his sore backside with a glare that would one day rival his sire’s.

  “Ach, Royce. My apologies, laddie,” Garrick said, helping the boy to rise.

  “’Twas my own fault, Garrick. I should not have been running in my father’s hall. You will not tell him, will you?” Royce pleaded and began looking for his sword. Finding his missing blade, he ran over and placed it into the makeshift scabbard that had been made for him, then came back to look expectedly upon Garrick.

  “Nay, Royce. Yer secret is safe with me, but what were ye running from, if I may ask?” Garrick offered a wink of conspiracy to the lad.

  Royce looked about the hall then motioned for Garrick to lean down to his level. “A couple of boys thought to teach me a lesson. They claim I am merely a spoiled brat and had planned to throw me in a horse trough.”

  Garrick gazed about the hall and saw two lads slightly older than Royce make a hasty retreat towards the kitchens. “Ye appear tae be safe for now, lad, but if the situation continues, ye must needs be sure tae talk tae yer father.”

  Royce’s eyes widened. “He will think me weak,” he declared, standing a little taller for all his youth.

  Garrick knelt down to the boy’s level. He could certainly understand the lad’s sentiment regarding his father, but Garrick also knew the deep and abiding love Lord Dristan and Lady Amiria had for their children. “There is no shame in letting yer sire know ye are being bullied. Better tae tell him so he can set the matter straight than for harm tae come tae ye, Royce. Do I have yer word?”

  “Aye, you have it, Garrick.”

  “Good! Now be off with ye and go chase after yer dragons and slay them to protect yer sister.”

  Royce laughed but pulled out his sword and made a jabbing motion at the air. “Ha! Liliana is only two summers, Garrick, and is not yet in need of protecting. Besides, I would rather you teach me how to play your bagpipes or the lute.”

  Garrick stood up and ruffled the boy’s hair. “Maybe when yer older lad. Now go find yer place so ye can fill yer belly.”

  He watched the boy run off and once again was about to find his place when he felt a hand take hold of his arm. Garrick gazed down into the violet eyes of Lady Amiria.

  “You are good with him,” she said whilst she watched her son make his way through the hall. “You will make a good father yourself someday.”

  Garrick’s eyes wandered to the lady making her way through the hall. If only a marriage with Coira was possible. “Mayhap,” he mumbled.

  “Is Royce having trouble with those boys again?”

  “Ye knew?”

  She gave his arm a squeeze. “Of course we knew, but so far ’tis only the actions of boys who are jealous of their laird’s son. Since Royce has always been fond of you, perchance you would be so kind as to keep an extra eye on him when you see him about?”

  “Ye honor me, my lady,” Garrick said with a slight bow.

  “I wish you would call me by my given name, Garrick. We have been through so much during the years since our childhood together. We are, after all, part of the same clan, no matter I married an Englishman.”

  “All the more reason for me tae remember ye are now the lady of this hall. I care not to have yer dragon breathing his fire down my neck tae remind me of my place and the respect ye deserve.”

  Amiria laughed. “Yes… well… I suppose I can see your point. He does have a bit of a temper.”

  “Do ye think so?” he teased with a raised brow.

  She watched him with those knowing violet eyes of hers for several moments till she gazed about her hall. They began to walk. “You need to tell her, Garrick, and quickly. You know you are expected to play for us this eve.”

  Garrick stopped in his stride to gaze down upon the lady he had known since his youth. There was not much he could hide from her. “Ye also know I care for her?” His eyes traveled to the raised dais where Morgan was helping Coira sit. No matter where she was, Garrick could always easily find the lady his heart yearned to make his own.

  She smiled again before reaching up to pat his cheek. “I am happy love has found you, my friend, but such love is on shaky ground when you begin with a misunderstanding. You will need to plead your case to Dristan in any event, but your first obstacle will be to right Coira’s perception of you.”

  “’Twas not done intentionally, and then there seemed no opportunity tae fix the problem.”

  “You have run out of time, Garrick. You best right the matter as soon as the meal is finished or the whole
hall will witness her disappointment.”

  “I can already hear the heckling of the lady and the piper. Even Rolf does not approve.”

  “Rolf has no say where his sister’s heart may lead her. I see nothing wrong with you caring for the lady, and from the looks I have seen her give you, I know she cares for you, too.”

  “Ye think I may have a chance tae win the lady’s heart.”

  “Aye, just as long as she hears from you that you are our clan’s piper. Do not let her feel embarrassed by her mistake and assumption by learning the truth from others, Garrick.”

  Garrick nodded and left Amiria’s side to head toward the kitchen to confront the two boys and perchance give them a fair warning to leave their laird’s son alone. He was about to enter when the whisperings of the servants met his ears.

  “She be a true lady, that one is. No uppity airs, no demanding ways. She does her deceased brother proud, she does,” boasted one of the servants.

  “Bah!” Fira fumed and Garrick watched in surprise when she slammed a pitcher down upon the table. Garrick had avoided the woman, knowing she had developed an attraction to him. He never felt the same about her, and he knew she had already been with several of Laird Dristan’s knights. What was she so upset about?

  Another woman replied, with a shudder, “Do not forget she is Laird Dristan’s cousin and as such ’twould be wise tae treat her with respect lest ye wish tae feel the heat o’ the Devil’s Dragon’s wrath.”

  Fira wagged her finger at the women, who had no issue gossiping amongst themselves. “She dinnae belong here and should go back tae France or wherever Sir Morgan found her.”

  “Yer just jealous because ye have lost the favor o’ our handsome piper.”

  “I havenae lost him,” Fira boasted, “and I can have him in my bed with a crook of my finger, I can.”