FLAME ACROSS THE HIGHLANDS (6 page)

Chapter Five

A soft whispering breeze caressed Brianna's face as she stood by the lake.  Glancing about her, she viewed this untamed woodland of tall, slender silver birch trees. It was a natural wonderland, a haven with a mossy floor hidden from view by a  drapery woven  of hundreds of leaves.  It was so achingly lovely here in the fairy glen.    The mountains and moorlands sparkled like jewels. Tranquil.  Each stone, each tree, every inlet of water that gouged deep into the glens was precious to her. How she would hate to leave.

The
island of Ulva was a happy, smiling place, whose mood was that of its upland meadows, bright with wild flowers, waterfalls, and lush green bracken. There were reminders of ancient cataclysms in the gigantic lava terraces of the island and basalt columns of its neighbor, Staffa. Yet there was a loneliness about the land that seemed to touch Brianna’s heart. Today she looked at it as if viewing it for the very first time, each leaf and rock becoming precious to her.

More than at any time in her life Brianna regretted the passing of
her mother. Had her mother felt as uncertain as she did now at her betrothal? She needed her mother’s advice, wanted to ask so many questions, but there was nowhere to turn. Her sisters were too young and didn’t know any more than she, and her father just didn’t understand a woman’s ways. To him it was all so simple, just like playing a chess game. He wasn’t being hardhearted about the matter, to the contrary. It was just that he couldn’t share her inner turmoil. Belonging to someone else for the rest of your life was an unnerving thought.

Flocks of gulls and terns glided overhead.  The wild beautiful music of the inland birds serenaded her as they flew from bough to bough, a melancholy song which fit the mood of her reverie.  Staring into the azure depths of the loch, her eyes focused on the water as if somehow she might read her fate there.  Would she be happy?  Would she grow to love her young husband?  Would this joining of th
e clans truly bring about peace?

Unaware that she was being watched
, she slowly lowered her body in a graceful motion to sit upon a large rock by the lake's edge.  This was a spot she had not even shared with Glenna, a place that she somehow felt belonged to her.  Soon, like the other things she held so dear, this secluded haven would be but a reflection in her mind.  A memory.

Taking off her soft doeskin shoes, she let the water splash over her feet as she closed her eyes.  She remembered childhood days when she had come to this hideaway to escape from her mother's ravings or her father's moody frowns.  Somehow she felt safe here, assured that no one knew of this secret haven.  That was why she was doubly surprised to look up and discover that she was not alone.  A man stood silhouetted in the trees, looking her direction.  Was he friend or
foe?  Warily she watched him.

"Don't be afraid, I won't harm you."  His voice was low, a husky rumble.  "All I want to do is appreciate the beauty you offer, soothing and s
timulating to a man's eyes." 

"I'm not afraid!"  For an instant her eyes betrayed the truth of her boast as she searched for any sign that he had been accompanied by other men.  It seemed that he had come alone and that thought co
mforted her.  Still she said, "But I do not wish ye to come any closer."

Ian paused for a moment in an effort to reassure her. "Then I won't."  At least for the moment, he thought.  Ian was  mesmerized by the beautiful vision, though he saw at once she had an air of sadness about her.  The urge to carry her with him into the cool water, to frolic there and wipe away all trace of her frown, teased his thoughts.  He wanted to see her smile, hear her laugh.   Instead, however, he contented himself with looking at her. She reminded him of a butterfly and
he had no wish for her to elude him.  If he moved closer,  she might fly away.

Satisfied that his presence did not mean immediate danger, Brianna turned to him.  "Who are ye?"  He spoke so strangely.  The way he said his words proclaimed t
hat he was not from the isle.

"A man who relishes beauty!"  She had asked him who he was yet he had no wish to blurt out the
Campbell name just yet.

Slowly he moved again through the bracken and trees, not wanting to frighten her, yet unable to resist getting a closer look at the red-haired young beauty.   He supposed her to be one of th
e fisherman's daughters, whose huts  he had seen dotting the gently sloping hills.  Or perhaps Aulay was right.  Perhaps she was not real at all but just a figment of his dreams. 

"What are ye
doing here?"  Her voice had a sharp edge to it as she asked the question.  As he took another step forward, she took one step back, her hands stretched out as if to push him away were he to come too close.

"I'm no ogre, lass, though I think ye must be a kelpie, a lovely water sprit
e sent to tempt me.  Are you?"

"No." She was trapped.  There was nowhere to go except to hurl herse
lf in the depths of the water.

He moved with all the caution of a predatory animal, slow and sinuous in his grace, coming at last to the waters edge.  Poised just a few feet from where she stood he gave his eyes full reign.  She was even lovelier up close than she had been from afar.  Ian felt his heartbeat quickening as she met him eye to eye.  "Why, they're br
own.  A bonnie, bonnie brown."

"What...?"

"Your eyes."  Not blue or green, nor even gray.  They were the loveliest shade he'd ever seen, a copper-colored hue, fringed by dark brown lashes.  Her face was now clearly revealed to him, the sunlight caressing her forehead and cheeks where he would have liked to place his hand.

There was an ethereal beauty about her, yet he knew her to be real.  His gaze touched upon her well-formed nose, a nose with just a slight tilt at the end that gave her a haughty air.  There was something enticing about her wide, sensuous mouth.  Her cheekbones were high and prominent
, adding to her beauty.  A necklace strung with small seashells emphasized the slimness of her neck.

Wordlessly Brianna regarded this man, this stranger, just as he was scrutinizing her.  She knew immediately that she had never seen him before on her travels with her father, for she would have remembered a man like this if she had. This tall, muscular, handsome man was not the kind a woman would ever forget.  He had a bold look about him, an impression heightened by the curve of his brows.  Brows that shadowed piercing blue eyes.  Ah, those eyes haunted her.  They were as unfathomable as the sea.  He was not of the
MacQuarie clan to be sure.  Which clan then?   He wore the strange hose-like trews, a combination of breeches and stockings that none of her clansman would wear.  His dress, the way he talked all puzzled her. Who  was he then?  He had come from the direction of the coast which led her to believe he might well be one of the MacLeans.  Was he one of them?  She soothed herself in judging it must be so.  Just as well.  Her clan had no quarrel with them.

Forgotten for the moment was he contemplative mood, her sadness.  The air crackled with anticipation.  A shiver danced up and down her spine, though she refused to let this man know the effect his presence had on her.  She told herself that it was the sense of surprise and danger that so activated her senses.
She asked again, "who are ye?" He remained silent, which was puzzling.

The blue black of his hair glistened in the sunlight. For one timeless moment they stared at each other across the short distance that separated them. Strange how just a look could be so exciting.
             

"You charm me, lass."  He had a roguish grin, his teeth straight and even.  "By Saint Michael you do!" 
His eyes caressed her with a boldness few had dared, held her, forced her to acknowledge that something was going on between them. An indefinable fascination. 

At last Brianna had to admit to herself that she was attracted to him.  She held her breath in expectation as he reached out.  Without a word he caught a fistful of her long silken hair and wrapped it around his hand, drawing her closer.  With the tips of his fingers he traced the line of he
r cheekbones, the shape of her mouth, the line of her brows.  He seemed motivated by curiosity, as if to prove beyond a doubt that she was not a dream. 

"I like you well.
You have lips I long to kiss, curves that beckon my hands....."  His face hovered only inches from her own.

"Nae
!"  She would not listen to such honeyed words.  Fiercely Brianna drew away.    She was soon to be betrothed.  Her father had given his word.  She must not let this man touch her with such familiarity.  He had no right.

"Haven't you heard such words before?"  He was puzzled by her reaction.  "I would think there would be dozens of laddies wanting a kiss."  Ian misunderstood her reaction, telling himself that it was but maidenly shyness.  So much the better.  Far more of a challenge to be the first.  "If you be afraid, I'll take it a bit slower, though I'm a ma
n used to taking what I want."

"Oh?  Well, ye'll not b
e havin' me."  She was adamant. Even so, she did not recoil again when he reached out to stroke her cheek.

"You are a most bonnie lass.  Most bonnie."  His appraising gaze seemed to cherish her, his words mesmerized her and though Brianna knew all the reasons she should run away, she somehow did not.  The
n all at once it was too late.

At first he simply held her, his hands exerting a gentle pressure to draw her into the warmth of his embrace.  Then before Brianna  could make a sound his mouth claimed hers in a gentle kiss, one completely devastating to her senses.  She was engulfed in a whirlpool of sensations.  Breathless, her  head whirling
, she allowed herself to be drawn up into the mists of the spell.  New sensations clamored within her.  All she could think about was that Glenna was right.  A kiss could be most enjoyable.

Leaning against the man who held her, Brianna savored the feel of his strength
. Dreamily she gave herself up to the fierce sweetness of his mouth, her  lips opening under his as exciting new sensations flooded through her.  She was aware of her body as she had never been before, relished the emotions churning within her.

Ian's lips parted the soft yielding flesh beneath his, searching out the honey of her mouth.  With a low moan he thrust his fingers within the soft, silken waterfall of her hair, drawing her ever closer.  Desire choked him, all the hungry promptings of his fantasies warring with his reason.  His lips grew demanding, changing from gentleness to
passion as his hands moved down her shoulders and began to roam at will with increasing familiarity.  More than anything in the world he wanted to make love to this young woman. Here.  Now.  Upon the grassy bank of the lake he wanted to blend with her,  give her pleasure.

"Your skin is as smooth as a newly birthed babe's," he whispered, as he drew his mouth away.  The words tickled her ear, making her vibrantly alive and
attuned to her senses.  The song of the birds seemed even more vibrant suddenly, the colors of the meadow more intense, the perfume of the blossoming flowers stronger and more fragrant.  Every instinct within her intensified as she stared at this stranger. 

Never had Brianna thought a kiss could be so over-powering
. Like a spark, it ignited a fire in her blood.  Her heart skipped a beat as he brought his head down and traced the bare curve of her shoulder with his lips.  A near madness seized her, and she found herself thinking the most dangerous thoughts.  She wanted him to keep on touching her this way, wanted to touch him back.

"Ah, yes, darlin'.  You feel it too, this magic between us," he was saying.  "I want to see your body unclothed, to swim naked with you in yonder pool, to make love with you until we both....
"

His words brought he
r back to reality with a thud.
Naked?
  The word reverberated in her ear.  How dare he!  Not one of her own clan's rogues had ever talked to her in such a way or even dared to suggest such a thing.  Who did he think he was to be so bold?  And her, what was she doing, foolish girl, to let this stranger touch her as he did?  What had come over her?  She tried to shake the confusing feelings from her body.  She was soon to be betrothed and even though Robbie was a man she had never seen before, a Campbell, she would not allow dishonor to besmirch their betrothal.  What this man wanted, and it was obvious what that was from his expression, she would not give.  So thinking, she jerked back her head, pushed at the hard strength of his chest with her hands.

"What is it, lassie?  Come, do not pull away.  I want to
make love to you, my lovely kelpie…."

For a moment she had forgotten everything in the grasp of his embrace but now it all came flooding back.  She was soon to be wedded, was to be an instrument of bringing peace to the clans.  She could not, would not allow herself to bring dishonor on her father or clan.  The man was a stranger!  Perhaps that mo
st of all made her feel shame.

"Lassie?"

"Ye canna......"  .

"Ah, but I will.  Come, do not be coy with me, lassie."   No woman ha
d ever said no to Ian.   They clamored about him in fact, vying with each other for his eye.  Was it any wonder he did not take Brianna's denial seriously?  One well curved brow quirked upward as he drew her into his arms again, before she could say another word.  "Love you I want to, and love you I will and you will not be sorry.  I'll bring you to cooing like dove."