Claimed By A Charmer (The Pith Trilogy) (4 page)

Isabel mopped Candace’s eyes. “I
shall miss you.”

“Let us ready for supper. I want to
see how angry ye made Douglas. Mother said he is always charming and
fun-loving, and that he’s never angry. Leave it to you to ruin his mood.”

“Fun-loving? I find that hard to
believe.” Isabel laughed. “Aye, this will be an interesting meal.”

They changed their gowns, and when
they were presentable for company, they ventured to the hall. Isabel held
Candace’s hand firmly when they entered. She wondered at her friend’s obvious
fear of her brother, but didn’t remark on it. Mayhap Candace felt nervous
because she hadn’t seen Douglas in such a long time. Even though Candace sang
his praises, she didn’t really know much of his character, only what her
parents had told her.

From the look of him, he certainly
didn’t appear to be as fun-loving as Candace said he was. He looked far too
dangerous, and far too handsome, and far too tempting.

Isabel wasn’t at all nervous. She
looked forward to supper, and seeing the handsome warrior again. Mayhap she
could even get him to glare at her again.

Douglas watched the pair disappear
from the hall. When they had first entered, they were laughing a delightful
sound that almost made him smile. He wished he could be so free. At first, he
was unsure which lass was his sister, but after a closer inspection, he knew.

Both ladies had auburn hair, one
lighter than the other. The lighter-haired lady bound hers securely and her
eyes were brown, while the other lass let her fiery tresses fall freely, and
she had hazel eyes. Candace had their father’s soft brown eyes. At least she
presented a respectable young lady, wearing her hair bound, except … Their
state almost made him laugh.

He wondered why the fiery lass
affected him, and why he’d become so agitated. An excited charge flowed within
him. Lassies usually spoke softly around him, and normally didn’t react so
tersely. That lass had boldly chastised him. She had spirit, he’d give her
that.

Stanley’s frown turned to a smile. “Seems
my lassies were into Scottie’s brew. Aye, I could smell it. They must have been
tipping in the stable. I do believe that was hay in their hair.”

With an astounded look, Brendan laughed.
“They were drinking? Are they not a bit young to take to the drink? Shouldn’t ye
punish them?”

“Those two get into mischief often
and I fear I haven’t yet found a punishment that has worked. Aye, they were a
bit pie-eyed, I’m not surprised—not one bit.” Stan laughed.

“Why was the lass angry with ye,
Douglas?” Brendan asked.

“Damned if I know. Who is she,
Stan?”

The sprinkle of freckles across her
cheeks, and her thickly lashed, slightly slanted eyes were the most beautiful
Douglas had ever seen. He could have stared into her cat-like eyes for the rest
of the day and be content. His body responded, and he became disgusted with
himself.

Stan laughed again. “Ye just met my
wife’s niece, Isabel Calvert. She’s a spirited lass from England no less, but
she’s not normally so hostile. She’s the sweetest lass, but aye a hellion for
sure. I wonder why she was so tempered with ye, Douglas?”

“Who the hell cares?” Douglas
snapped. “Tell my sister to be ready to leave in the morn. I’ll not dally
longer than necessary. I don’t have time for this cosh.”

Douglas wanted to leave that
minute, but knew his sister needed time to ready for the journey, and to get
over her upset. He really hadn’t meant to upset her and now felt contrite.

“Aye, I’ll let her know. You lads
are welcome to remain within for the night. I’ll be back soon.”

Douglas nodded at Stan’s offer of
hospitality. He then noticed his cousin’s strange look. Was Brendan actually
grinning? His cousin whistled as Stan left the hall.

“Did you see how fair she was,
Douglas?”

“What are ye talking about?”

“Lady Calvert was very bonny. Mayhap
I’ll have you teach me to be charming so I can win her? The lass has stolen my
heart.”

“What heart? I can see by your
grin, Brendan, that ye were that taken with her.”

“You have to admit, she’s
beautiful. Her hair looked soft, cascading down her back, and her eyes so
light. And I believe I heard Stan say she was English. Surely you noticed her
beauty?” Brendan mocked him.

Douglas swallowed the contention of
his cousin’s remarks. Was Brendan really attracted to the lass, just as he was?
“Nay, I didn’t notice.”

“Ye lie, Douglas. I never saw you
react to a woman like that ‘ere now.”

“Like what?”

“Surly. I know you’re concerned
about your da, and you’re not being your charming self, but you were unduly
harsh with the lass. Admit it, you were affected.” Brendan laughed.

“Did I just hear you laugh?”
Douglas asked smartly. He’d rarely heard his cousin laugh, and the uncommon
occurrence made him scowl. Or mayhap the heat had gone to his head and he’d
misunderstood his cousin’s reaction to the lass. Brendan wasn’t one to be
goaded into laughing by any lass, not even one as beautiful as Lady Calvert. Douglas
was affected by her too, but he wouldn’t admit it, even if this warm summer’s
day turned to the brisk of winter’s.

“Nay, ye imagined it, just like you
didn’t notice the bonny lass.” Brendan slapped his back, and strode from the
hall.

Douglas resigned to stay in the
hall so he could get another look at the lass before supper, but she never
showed herself. Stan returned from the hunt, and he spent time relaying the
news around their parts, which he was to report to the MacKinnon laird on his
return.

Despite the numerous crowds that
gathered for supper, Douglas noticed that the hall remained fairly quiet. Whenever
he’d visited the Gordon’s previously, the gatherings had been boisterous, and
he wondered if the news of his father’s illness caused their silence. Laird
Gordon motioned for them to join his table.

“Douglas, seems my clan is leery of
MacKinnon there.” He nodded at Brendan and smiled.

Then he understood. It was
Brendan’s presence that caused the quiet.

“Laird Gordon, I haven’t challenged
any of your men. I don’t see why they’re so leery. Besides, I’m only here to
support Douglas. I’m not in a fighting mood.”

Brendan’s speech seemed to put the
men at ease and voices rose as everyone went about eating their supper. Douglas
stood when his sister and her friend arrived. For a brief idiotic moment, he
thought about marching over to Isabel, and stealing her away for a few kisses,
but he wouldn’t do that. She kept her gaze on her uncle and moved past him.

Laird Gordon called them forward
and his sister sat next to him. Her friend, Isabel, took the remaining seat
between himself and Brendan.

He kept looking at her cat-like
eyes, trying to ascertain their color. The beautiful lass looked as though she
wanted to laugh, her mouth curled at the corners, making her appear even lovelier.
Mayhap she found his intimidation tactics amusing. Douglas tried to ignore her,
but she kept glancing at him. His eyes narrowed when she held his look longer
than she should have. Something about her agitated him, and he didn’t know why.

“What are ye looking at, lass?” He
found her somewhat courageous when she kept her gaze fixated on him. Aye, she
was brave.

“You.”

“Why?” He was amazed by her
bluntness.

“Do I need a reason?”

“You should look elsewhere.”

“I can look anywhere I please, my
lord. Nevertheless, there are better sights to see.”

Douglas’ jaw flexed. Had she
insulted him again? Brendan must have thought she’d insulted him, because he heard
his cousin grunt. He watched her turn to look at his cousin. Did she consider
Brendan handsome? He tried to scrutinize her assessment.

“Oh, drat,” he heard.

Good, Brendan intimidated her. Inwardly,
he smiled at the fear his cousin instilled. Outwardly, he showed no emotion
whatsoever.

“Sir?” she called fearlessly,
contradicting Douglas’ judgment of her initial reaction.

His cousin didn’t answer, so she
pulled on his tunic to gain his attention. She was indeed braver than he’d
thought she was.

Brendan turned, grimacing at her
boldness. “What?”

“I haven’t made your acquaintance. What
is your name, Sir?”

“Brendan MacKinnon.”

Douglas didn’t know why her interest
in Brendan bothered him, but it did.

“I’m Isabel. Are you from the Kerr
clan?”

“Nay.” Brendan returned his
concentration to his food.

Douglas’ mood turned foul. He
couldn’t help frowning at her and at Brendan. His sister sat quietly eating,
watching them. He didn’t know why, but his sister’s fear irritated him too, and
he was about to reassure her when the brazen lass spoke.

“Well?” Isabel asked Brendan,
yanking his tunic again.

Brendan kept his eyes on his
trencher. “Well, what, lass?”

“Where are you from?”

“The MacKinnon Clan. Now can I
eat?”

Douglas grinned because Brendan
sounded like his normal cheerful self, which to anyone else sounded cross. He
almost laughed at Brendan’s reaction.

“Why is your friend so grumpy?”

Douglas stared in disbelief that
she would question him. He heard his sister’s gasp and Brendan’s grunt. Damned
if Brendan didn’t look like he was smiling again.

“He’s not grumpy, that’s just his
way. Actually, he’s quite content right now,” he explained in a tone that
discouraged her blunt remark.

“His way? You men must have been
riding in the wood so long you’ve forgotten your manners.”

“Watch your pert tongue, lass. He’ll
likely chop it off.” Douglas hoped to scare her impudence a bit, and folded his
arms over his chest to stress his rebuke.

“I’m not afeard of him nor of you.”

“You should be. We’re not men to
tamper with, if you know my meaning?” Douglas leaned forward, succeeding in
gaining her blush. Or was it anger that brightened her cheeks? Hell if he knew.

She must have decided against
replying, because the woman didn’t test him further. God saved him from having
to show his wrath. He returned his attention to his food, and absently moved it
around the trencher with his dagger, but that didn’t last long.

He watched her with interest. She
wore her dark auburn hair piled loosely upon her head with tendrils surrounding
her lovely face. She had removed the hay. He had wondered how they had become
so disheveled earlier. He could imagine her playing in the hay. A groan escaped
him at the image. Aye, the lass had spirit if she’d stolen Scottie’s brew. He
smiled to himself, thinking that wasn’t a bad idea, he could sure use some of
that brew right now.

Her full lips looked soft and
kissable, and her hazel eyes shined. Had the lass been teasing him? She was
rather young and fetching. If he hadn’t needed to return home so quickly, he
might have lingered if only to provoke her. The thought of trying his charm on
her made him want to laugh. She wouldn’t fare so easily if he did. He’d have
her in his bed, and there he would get her to sheathe her claws, but he didn’t
have time to engage the wench. He had to hurry home, bury his father, and right
the wrongs of the Dunmores.

No sooner had the meal ended his
sister and her friend took their leave. Douglas watched Isabel when she left
the hall, knowing he’d get little sleep this night.

Isabel slept like a baby. That is,
after she’d finished contemplating her reaction to Douglas Kerr. The next
morning, she arose, eager to see Douglas again, but from afar. She would be
content to watch him from a distance, since he obviously didn’t care for her. She
took Candace’s satchel to the stable and secured it to her horse. The sound of
someone approaching made her turn to see who had entered.

Douglas stood at the entrance of
the stable. Her heart beat faster at the very sight of him. Excitement surged
through her as she watched him saddle his horse. His strong arms lifted the
saddle, seemingly with little effort. She tried to figure out how to bypass him
without his notice, but it was too late.

He strode to her purposely,
stopping a few feet from her, filling the space around her. She wouldn’t panic.
Instead, she looked into his eyes then leisurely looked at his other parts. The
rolled sleeves of his tunic covered only part of his rock-hard arms. His height
caused her to tilt her head to see the top of his head. His jaw twitched again,
and she longed to caress it to soothe him. That thought made her want to laugh.

Isabel hadn’t seen many men with
hair past their nape, but his fell onto his shoulders. It looked soft and
clean. His earthy scent infiltrated her nose and she almost swayed on her feet.
Almost.

“I want to thank ye for caring for
Candace last evening. I know how unsettled she was. She must consider you good
friends.”

Isabel happily listened to his
gruff tone. She hadn’t realized she’d taken too long to reply. He must have
thought she hadn’t heard him, because he called her.

“Mistress Calvert?”

Isabel nodded. “Lady Calvert,” she
corrected him. “My father is a baron and therefore, I’m a lady. Candace and I
are great friends. We have been for a long time. She was very distraught by
your news and the way you delivered it.”

Douglas leaned forward at her
declaration, but she stood her ground. She had the nerve to correct him, and
thought better of it now. Why couldn’t she keep her mouth closed?

“Pardon me,
Lady Calvert
. I
hadn’t meant to be so uncaring toward my sister. I see now that I was somewhat
unsympathetic. I’ll apologize to her later. How long have you known Candace?”

She noticed he moved closer, and
for a moment it looked as though he would kiss her. He must have withstood his
desire. She glanced at the doors, hoping none could see inside the stable, and
knew instantly it would be her downfall. God help her now, she wanted his kiss.

Isabel smiled at his wily tone. “I
do believe you owe her an apology. I’ve known Candace for four years. I wish ye
a safe journey, my lord, but I really must be going.” She tried to step around
him, but his arm stopped her. It was as if she’d walked into a stone wall. His
corded arm swung her around, and he put his hand on her waist. Before she knew
what he would do, his lips crushed hers, claiming her in the most possessive
way.

Isabel’s heart melted then and
there. His kiss became forceful and demanding, so much like himself. Then he
gentled the kiss when he squeezed her jaw open. His tongue crept inside and she
gasped at its touch. He backed her against the wall of the stable, trapping
her. She became absorbed by the kiss, his mouth turning over hers again and
again. Her tongue felt the warmth of his and she mimicked the movement. She
wanted so much more.

When her hands grabbed his hair,
pulling him closer, he drew away. She had to confess her disappointment. He’d
made her feel hot, like fire burning through her veins from Scotty’s brew. His
kiss ignited her body and would send her to hell. Douglas stepped away from
her, but she continued to look into his passion filled eyes. She forced herself
to be affronted, and glared at him. He had made her forget where she was, and
what she was about. It was unlike her to do either.

“That, my lord, was a good-bye
kiss.” She shoved him backward, moving around him, angrily striding toward the
door. His kiss frightened her, yet thrilled her at the same time. She was so
angry at herself for becoming so affected, but thrilled that he wanted her, so
very thrilled.

Douglas laughed behind her.

She swaggered to the door, her hair
swinging behind her. Had he pulled her hair free? Had she been so lost in the
kiss that she didn’t recall him pulling it free? Hell if she knew.

“You enjoyed it,” he yelled. “Ye
cannot tell me otherwise.”

Before Isabel walked through the
door, she turned and declared, “Like hell I did.”

Isabel heard his laughter outside
the stable. She noted several men who sat on their horses awaiting Douglas. They
had smiles on their faces. Had they seen their kiss? They couldn’t have seen
inside the darkened stable. The grim fellow motioned for her to approach, but
Isabel was wary of him, and she shook her head. She heard him chuckle.

She couldn’t believe she’d let
Douglas kiss her so blatantly, and even worse, she’d cursed in his presence. So
much for presenting a ladylike demeanor. She needed to find Father Georges, and
confess the many sins she’d committed since yesterday. Oh, Lord above, help her
to remember them all. Candace came outside, and Isabel walked to her. Isabel
didn’t want to say farewell. If only …

“Issy, I’m afeared. I want to stay
here with you.”

Isabel noticed her pull at the
sleeve of her gown, and tried to comfort her. “I know, but be brave, my friend.
All shall be well. He’s your brother, you’ll be safe.”

“Will I?”

“Of course you will, just look at
their size. Now, remember our agreement?”

“Aye, I’ll send for you, I
promise.”

“I’ll come when I get word.” Isabel
tried to reassure her.

Candace tugged her sleeve again. “You’re
fortunate your father doesn’t marry you off.”

“I wish he would. It could be the
only way to avoid Nigel’s attempts to …”

“I know how worried ye are. If he
bothers you, write me, and I’ll send Douglas sooner,” Candace whispered, as she
walked to her horse.

“I shall. Farewell, my friend.” She
wrapped her arms around her friend, knowing she would see her again. “I do love
you.”

Candace sniffed and hid her tears.

Isabel smiled at her friend. If
only Candace knew where her thoughts were. She found herself attracted to
Douglas. Secretly, she hoped someday she’d find herself married to such a man, but
she shook her head. He wasn’t meant for her, but she could dream. His dark
looks made her feel excitement which she’d never felt. The man certainly knew
how to weaken a woman. God help her, his kiss had definitely weakened her. She
hadn’t revealed any of those secrets to Candace.

When next she saw him, he’d
probably be married. Mayhap he was already wed? That thought dampened her
spirit. She might as well give up on any dream of pursuing him. Judging by the
way he’d pulled back from her, he didn’t seem as though he wanted to be
pursued. Still, she would visit Candace, and when she did, she would discover
if he was married. If he wasn’t, then she would use her skills to wile him. She
would have to give it more thought.

Isabel stood close to the horses,
hoping to reassure Candace that she’d be safe. She heard Douglas talking to
Brendan, not far from where she stood on the opposite side of her friend’s
horse.

Brendan moved his horse close to
Douglas’ and nodded. “She’s so bonny, I cannot take my eyes from her either.” His
face looked stern, not showing any amusement.

Douglas grinned. “Aye, I must admit
that she is.”

“Why don’t you take her then? I
know ye want to.”

“Nay, I must get home, Brendan,
before he … dies. I don’t have time for such nonsense.”

“You’ll regret it.”

“I all ready do,” Douglas replied
grimly, and to Candace, he said, “We must go.”

“Aye, Douglas, I’m coming.”

Isabel smiled, hearing their words.
Happiness burst inside her. Candace looked at her oddly.

“Be brave, Candace, I’ll be
thinking of ye.”

She blushed when she looked at Douglas,
who continued to gaze at her. He shook his head, while waiting for Candace to
get on her horse.

“That’s if I ever make it home,”
Candace said.

“You’ll be fine.” Isabel hugged her
then pushed her toward her horse.

“Candace, come. You’ll make it
home, I promise.” Douglas said, to ward off her hesitancy.

“I’m coming, Douglas.” Candace mounted
her horse and looked distressed.

Douglas waved to the Gordons then
he looked at Isabel. She waved goodbye to Candace and walked to the gate. Even
as Douglas rode away, Isabel smiled at the thought of seeing him again.