Every Heart Has Its Day (20 page)

“Yer wife has asked the king to set aside yer marriage.”

“Ye know this how?”

“I eavesdropped.”

His stomach tightened. “What grounds does she intend to claim?”

“Her birthright. Broderick admitted ye knew not of his ties when ye wed.”

Connor damned the man for opening his big mouth.

“What do ye intend to do about this, milord? Did ye retrieve her as a matter of pride? Or do ye truly love her?”

“Ye need not ask those questions, do ye?” Connor had no time to play games, but must know if Evonne’s loyalty remained true.

She took a deep breath. “I have never claimed to understand men, milord. But, no, I dinna believe ye intend to let her have her way. She be as good for ye as ye be for her.”

Her answer pleased him. “She will come to accept this marriage on its own merits, not by order of our king.” The beginning of married life had become a battle. In order to win, he must understand his opponent’s options and thwart her strategy while enacting his own. “Mayhap ye can help me devise the best plan.”

****

Kasey fingered the nightgown Maggie had laid on her pallet. She longed to wrap her body in the cool, silken luxury, but refused the temptation.

She walked to the hearth and wrinkled her nose. Laird Cameron would have had her beaten if such a thick layer of dust weighted a mantel in his holding. She poured water into the basin, grabbed a linen cloth, and wiped away the dirt.

The sparkling mantel made the empty hearth look wretched. She knelt and wrung the cloth out over the soot. Mayhap the mindless chore would calm her enough to allow her the rest she needed.

The filth reminded her of the mess life had become. What would she do if Hunter came to the chamber? As his wife, she had no right to turn him away. In truth, she doubted she could. One look into his eyes, one touch of his hand or, heaven help her, his lips and she would melt like snow.

Time had not altered his effect on her senses. After Hunter released her from Symon’s grip, she did not want to leave his side. Like a moth to a flame, she wanted his heat. But unlike a moth she knew flame burned.

No longer was she the woman he proclaimed to love. Scarred in both body and spirit, she had naught to offer. In time he would realize his mistake. But how would she protect her heart until his stubbornness yielded to truth?

She had cleaned half the hearth when a cool breeze wafted over her back. She straightened and glanced around the room. A golden glow floated by the window. “Mother?”

“Ye thought I had forsaken ye? I be disappointed.”

“Ye left me when I needed ye most.”

A crystal tear slid down Brietta’s cheek. “No pain equals a mother’s when she must allow her child to learn hard lessons.”

“What have I learned? How to keep a spotless manor? Or mayhap how to hide pain?” Kasey gritted her teeth. “Or that I merit no one’s love, and no one merits mine.”

Brietta shook her head. “I canna tell ye what ye have failed to learn, but I thank God yer next teacher uses gentler methods. Open yer heart and listen to his, Kasey.”

“Who? Hunter?”

Brietta’s specter faded away.

Kasey attacked the hearth with renewed strength. Why had her mother appeared? Clearly not to give answers.

“What in God’s name be ye doing, wife?”

Perfect. She had not the chance to consider her mother’s words nor calm herself. Now he showed up, and he sounded angry. Well, he had better beware. She rose and faced him. “I be cleaning. What does it look like to ye, Hunter?”

She held up her hand. “Och. My apologies. Yer name be not Hunter. Ye be called Connor by some and Laird Mackintosh by most.”

He crossed his arms. “Aye.”

“Ah. So ye be not ashamed to admit who ye truly be.” She put her hands on her hips. “Now.”

He smiled.

God help her, the man’s arrogance infuriated her. She pinched her lips shut. A wise woman who had not fully healed from previous beatings would tread lightly in the presence of a human mountain, but she had never claimed to be wise. “Ye lied to me.”

“Aye.”

She had expected denials or excuses, not admission. “Why?”

He took a step forward and raised a brow when she took a step back. “I erred in judgment.”

“Ye did?” What game did he play? She wished she knew the rules. “Do ye plan to lie again?”

He shook his head and took two steps forward. “I prefer truth.”

Her pulse raced, but she stood her ground. She needed his consent to set aside the marriage. She doubted she would ever find him in a more amenable mood. “Then honest I will be. I wish to end this union.”

“I do not.” He drew nearer.

She looked down. Her resolve could not endure his gaze. “I wish ye to be happy.”

Calloused fingers lifted her jaw. “Look at me, Kasey.”

She placed her palms on his chest. The thunder of his heart matched her own.

“I may give ye aught ye ask, but only if ye look me in the eyes when ye make yer request.”

Her breath hitched. For his sake she should request the annulment, but just this once she wanted to be selfish. What harm could come from following her dreams? Though he could hurt her more than she had been hurt before, pushing him away now would cut her, too. “I be not the same woman ye knew.”

“Nay, ye be stronger.”

She shook her head. “Ye be wrong. I have become a coward.”

“I would take twenty men as cowardly as ye into battle and not once need to lift my sword.” He grazed his knuckles along her cheek. “I ken little and understand less of what ye have endured, but it must have been a nightmare. Yer survival proves yer might.”

“I thought of ye. Often.” Heat rose to her cheeks.

“I dinna forsake ye.”

“I know not what to do.”

“Rescind yer petition, Kasey.” He brushed away her tears, then pulled her to him.

“Ye know?” His chin twice bumped the top of her head.

“I ken I have given ye little reason, but I ask ye to trust me, Kasey. I canna swear our life will be perfect, but I believe together we can win every battle fate throws our way.”

She threaded her arms around his waist and reveled in his warmth. Her mind begged her to push him away, but her heart knew she would forever regret denying him a chance.

She pulled back and looked up into his eyes. “Ye ken ye may live to regret this.”

He shook his head. “Never.” He leaned down.

She rose onto her tiptoes to meet him halfway. A tempest unleashed its full fury the moment their lips met. Lightning flashed behind her eyelids. Thunder crashed in her chest.

Gooseflesh covered her arms as he slanted his mouth over hers again and again. She did not care that she could not breathe, so long as he continued kissing her.

She moaned into his mouth when he thrust his tongue between her lips. Desire weakened her knees. His hands slid down to her buttocks and raised her until his manhood nestled between her thighs.

Torrents of pleasure emboldened her. She rubbed the peaks of her breasts against his chest as she caressed his tongue with hers. She moved her hips against him. Though she knew not what, she hungered for more.

A groan rumbled through his chest as he pulled away. He tucked her head beneath his chin, lifted her into his arms, and crossed the chamber. His heart matched hers beat for beat as they both caught their breath.

The soft coolness of the pallet foiled the hard heat of the man. He tried to pull away, but she held fast. He reached behind his neck to tug her hands free, then kissed each of her fingertips. “The hour be late, wife.”

“Ye dinna wish to share my bed?”

He drew in a shaky breath. “More than ye ken.”

“I dinna please ye?”

“Nay, but ye will.”

“I shall?”

“Aye.” He smiled, but joy did not reach his eyes. “Get some rest. The MacPhersons expect us at an early morning feast afore we depart.”

“Depart? For where?”

“We will escort the king to Inverness, then we will go home.”

Kasey smiled. No word had ever sounded better.

Chapter Twenty

Connor stretched. Never again would he sleep on the floor. He glanced over at his wife nestled on the pallet and hoped he had brought the smile to her lips.

He dressed and ran down to the garden. After he picked the perfect wild rose, he hurried back to the chamber. His chest, as well as his nether regions, tightened after he peeked in. He wished his hand held the soapy cloth she slid over her body. After she rinsed, he stepped into the chamber.

Her eyes widened as she snatched her chemise and held it before her. “I shall be ready in a moment.”

“I shall wait.” He placed the flower on the pallet, then crossed his arms to keep from reaching for her.

“A moment of privacy if ye please?”

“I do not.” Sooner or later, she would have to move the rail and allow him to feast on the fare. “Ye be even more beautiful when ye blush.”

“Hunter, I canna dress with ye here.”

“I be glad to hear that. I intend to keep ye unclothed for some time after we reach home.” From the deepening crimson, he expected her to burst into flame. “But I suppose in order to get home, ye need to dress now. Ye could turn around.” Lord knows he would love to see the bottom that so nicely fit his hands.

She backed against the wall.

A moment passed before he comprehended her fear. “Turn around, Kasey.”

The continual shaking of her head tugged at his heart.

“Do ye believe I shall never catch another glimpse of yer scars?”

“Another?” Her eyes widened.

“I saw yer back the day we arrived.”

Her shoulders fell.

“Do ye hold me responsible?”

She shook her head.

He gathered her into his arms. “I intend to kiss every bit of ye, but my lips will linger on each mark ye bear. Do ye ken why? Because they remind me of the iron will beneath yer velvet skin.”

He bent to meet her gaze. “Ye will need both to endure our marriage.”

The corners of her mouth twitched. “Yer arrogance will make it a difficult task, milord.”

“Mayhap.” Connor tugged the chemise from between them, gathered up the hem, and leaned back to allow the cloth to cover her. “But I believe once ye accept yer new life, yers will match mine.”

“Ye think to make me haughty?”

“Aye.” As soon as she realized the hold she had on his heart. He led her to the pallet, sat behind her, then threaded his fingers through her silken tresses. Like a besotted lad, he could hardly wait to fist them in his hands while he made slow, sweet love to her.

“I have a comb.”

“I prefer to use my hands.” Before the last vestiges of his control slipped, he plaited her hair.

“Ye surprise me. I know no men who can tend a woman’s hair.”

“At least ye sit still.” He chuckled. “Annie made me chase and pin her to the rushes.”

“Lady MacPherson be yer sister?”

“Aye and she impatiently awaits our presence.” He picked up the flower and handed it to Kasey. “Maggie will see yer things packed whilst we break the fast.”

****

His wife fell asleep soon after they began the journey. Connor suspected the abundant fare Kasey consumed, along with the horse’s steady gait, had lulled her.

He learned aught of import at the morning’s feast. Kasey claimed to have eaten enough after one oatcake, but Annie kept offering his wife nibbles of food while they spoke. Each bite Kasey ate pleased him more. Though he did not mind her featherlight frame, he missed her ample curves. He would follow his sister’s example and beguile Kasey at every meal.

In time, the woman she had been would return, and he would do all he could to ease the way. They would take the first and most fearful step quite soon.

He guided his horse between those of his brothers. So as to not wake Kasey, he kept his voice low. “Gavin, we shall see ye and yer wife on the morrow.”

Gavin nodded, but Evonne shook her head. “I canna understand why ye refuse to let me attend, milord.”

“I will know Kasey came because she believes in me, not yer counsel.”

“But—”

Connor held up his hand. “Argue no more with me, lass. Gavin, ye have one day to teach yer wife deference.”

His brother nodded, then led half the contingent toward home. A short while later Connor turned to Dillon. “Ye understand what I wish ye to do?”

“Aye, milord.”

“Then let us get on with it.” He leaned down and kissed Kasey’s nose. “If ye dinna soon wake, ye will sleep not this night.” He smiled at the idea’s merit.

She bolted up and knocked her pate against his chin. “My apologies, milord.”

“For sleeping or ramming my jaw into my nose?” He chuckled and then kissed her cheek. “I love it when ye blush.”

She looked down at her lap.

“I wish ye to ride the rest of the way with Dillon.”

Her head snapped up and hit his chin again. She rubbed her pate. “Ye have a pointed chin, milord.”

He rubbed his jaw. “And ye have a hard head, milady.” Before she could deny his accusation, he lifted her chin. “But ye have a beautiful chin.”

He intended to give her a quick peck, but as soon as their mouths met, he needed more. Much more. He deepened the kiss. She still tasted like the honeyed apples she ate that morn.

“Mayhap ye should find a secluded glen and catch up with us later.”

Connor groaned as he dragged his lips from hers. He cast a glance toward his wife’s father. “Be ye so old ye remember not—”

Kasey’s jab cut short his jest. He frowned.

She looked down at her clasped hands. “My apologies agin, milord. I seem to be quite graceless this day.”

“And lacking humor, too.” He reined his horse next to Dillon’s, lifted her from his lap, and plopped her into Dillon’s. “Keep her by yer side.”

“Aye, milord.”

Connor kneed his horse into a gallop. His mount kicked up clods of earth and grass.

“He be angry with me?”

“Nay, milady. He has business to attend.”

Disappointment washed over her as Connor led most of the Mackintosh warriors over the hill. She had not expected Hunter to leave her so soon. Still, she knew not how long he had wasted outside the Cameron walls, and more than a sennight had passed since they reunited. His duties must have lapsed.

Her mood buoyed as she scanned the familiar hills of Inverness. She longed to see the waterfall again and begged Dillon to hurry.

He did aught he could to delay. After they entered the holding’s walls, he lingered at the stable. He tarried over the food and ale the king ordered shortly after their arrival, then the lad insisted she accompany him on a stroll through the gardens. If he named one more flower or shrub, she would bind his jaw.

“Lady Mackintosh?”

“Robert!” Kasey did not care whether she or Dillon felt more relief at the man’s approach.

“I understand ye have a fondness for the waterfall. I would be honored to escort ye there.”

“I would appreciate that, Robert, but I doubt enough light remains.” She glared at Dillon.

“If we ride, we could be there anon.”

She hurried to the stables. As they rode toward the falls, Dillon and Robert whispered and chuckled. Their sideways glances heightened her unease. “I wish the two of ye would speak yer minds.”

Robert grinned. “Look ahead, milady.”

Countless torches held by mounted Mackintosh warriors lined the trail. Hunter stood in the center of the path.

He strode to her side and lifted her from the horse. After he thanked Robert and Dillon, he led Kasey to a secluded boulder. “Sit. I need say much.” He pulled a scroll from his belt and handed it to her. “Ye hold the royal decree which commands our marriage.” His hands trembled as he took the document and shredded it.

He put his foot on the rock next to her hip and rolled up one leg of his trews. When she averted her eyes, he chuckled. “Be not embarrassed, Kasey. I intend not to display my manhood. I mean to show ye the cut on my thigh.”

He explained how he mixed his blood and seed to make their marriage appear binding. “Since yer virtue remains intact, ye have grounds for dissolving the banns. If ye desire, I will publicly confess my ruse.”

“Ye would risk yer integrity? Why?”

“I need ye to enter this marriage of yer own accord.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I rescinded my petition for yer betrothal. And I spoke with Laird MacPherson. He has opened his home to ye until the king finds a suitable husband for ye.”

Tears pricked Kasey’s eyes. Why did he have to confess he no longer wanted her here? The falls had always brought her peace and strength. How could he take that away from her? She took a deep breath. “Be that what ye wish?”

“Do ye really want to know what I wish?” He knelt and took her hands. “I wish to hear ye pledge yer life and yer love to me, and I need ye to hear my oath. Not because the king ordered ye, nor because ye feel ye have no choice.” Connor looked toward the water. “I first fell in love with ye at these falls. It be here that, with yer consent, we shall truly be wed. How ye spend yer future be in yer hands, Kasey.”

Her need to run as far as her feet would take her pounded through her, but pride kept her rooted to the rock. “Ye deserve better than a scarred bastard,” Kasey whispered.

Connor shook his head. “No child conceived in love be a bastard, Kasey.”

She stared off into the forest. She had been so lonely since her mother’s death. She had no one to depend on or to depend on her. She had no one to love and no one to love her.

These reasons did not justify marriage—but what did? When she dreamt, she wished for a husband who was steadfast, devoted, loving, funny, and honorable. No man other than Hunter presented those qualities in such abundance.

“Yer destiny awaits ye, daughter.” Brietta’s specter floated into view. “Have faith and follow yer heart.”

Tears trickled down Kasey’s cheek. Had fate presented her with the worst life imaginable so she would appreciate the best when it crossed her path? She shook her head at her folly.

Connor clasped her hands. Tears spiked his lashes. Did he fear she would choose against him, yet he gave her the choice anyway? He must have.

Her chest tightened. His trust battered a huge hole in the fortress she had built around her heart. “How could ye love me?”

“What I lack, ye possess.”

The pressure in her chest lessened as his words tumbled the wall a bit further. “I trust ye not.”

“In time ye will. I shall prove myself worthy.”

The stones fell into a pile of rubble. Try as she might, she could not dam the river of joy that streamed down her face.

He reached out and wiped away her tears with the pad of his thumb. “Please dinna cry, Kasey. Whatever ye decide, know that I love ye now and forever. Should ye ever need me, ye need but get word to me.”

Kasey took a deep, steadying breath, “I would much rather nudge ye, milord.”

He closed his eyes and hung his head. The breath he exhaled could have blown her off the boulder.

When he lifted his face, she dried the trail his tears had carved through the dust on his cheek. “Have ye changed yer mind?”

His smile beamed brighter than the moon that crested a distant hill. He wrapped her in his arms, rose to his feet, and swung her around.

Kasey’s laughter rang out. She wondered how long he could spin before dizziness cost him his balance. After he finally stopped, she looked into his golden eyes. “Tell me, Laird Mackintosh. Do any of these horses belong to a priest?”

He kissed her soundly. “Aye, milady.”

His rasp comforted and excited her. “We have kept him waiting too long.”

With her cradled in his arms, Connor followed the torch-lit path to the waterfall. Along the way, he picked flowers.

Each bloom he handed her smelled more fragrant and looked more perfect. She would forever treasure their beauty, but not as much as the consideration of the man who gave them.

The cascade offered the music. The priest provided the words. Connor bestowed the kiss.

She had never attended a more glorious wedding.

Connor set her on her feet, but held her elbow as they turned toward the crowd. He shouted for all to hear, “Lady Kasey Mackintosh.”

Almost as one, every man along the riverbank unsheathed his sword, dropped to his knee, and pressed the blade to his brow.

Kasey gasped.

“Each man pledges his life to protect ye, wife.”

The sixty or so men assembled in an orderly line. One by one, they rooted their torches into the soft riverbank, bowed, and presented themselves to her.

Connor halted the procession and pulled her aside. “I dinna expect ye to remember each man’s name.”

“I be glad to hear that, milord.”

“Yet aught vexes ye.”

“The lads stand amidst the men. Have they no respect for their elders?”