The Hawk: A Highland Guard Novel (47 page)

Suddenly the air grew still and damp, and she knew they must be in the Mermaid’s Cave. Where it had all begun. A few minutes later she heard the splash of water against his legs and then felt herself lifted into a boat. Another man took hold of her and seated her on a wooden bench. “I’m watching the teeth and elbows this time, lass.”

Domnall. She should have known he’d be involved in this. Some thanks she got for helping him escape. She tried to tell him just as much, but he only chuckled—no doubt understanding the gist of her muffled ramblings.

A short time later, the ship picked up speed, and the sack was lifted off her head. She blinked against the sun, seeing Erik standing there innocently. Wisely, the other men had given them some space—as much as they could on the small
birlinn
.

He winced, accurately reading the daggers in her eyes. “Perhaps I should wait awhile to take off the bindings until she calms down,” he said to Domnall a few feet in front of them.

The older man shrugged. “I’m afraid you have your work cut out for you either way, lad.”

Erik must have decided to take his chances, because he started to untie the silk bindings at her wrists and mouth.

When she was free, she turned on him, intending to vent her anger, but a glimpse of the castle in the background stopped her cold. Her heart dropped seeing the enormous cliff. He had to be mad, climbing up the tower like that. He could have killed himself.

She got her first good look at him, and her foolish heart did a little flip. He’d shaved most of the scruff from his face, leaving a devilishly thin line of whiskers down his chin. It was the strangest beard she’d ever seen, but the line of stubble seemed to suit him. He’d trimmed his hair, though it was still long enough to fall across his piercing blue eyes. Piercing blue eyes that were looking at her with a strange softness that made her senses prickle. He wore a soft leather war coat, but no other armor (probably due to the asinine climb). Teeth flashing white against his sun-drenched skin, he looked unbearably handsome. It almost hurt just to look at him.

She finally found her tongue. “What in God’s name do you think you are doing? Take me home at once.”

“I wanted to apologize.”

Apologize? After he’d broken her heart and then, for good measure, crushed it beneath his heel?

Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t you think it’s a little too late for that?”

He winced, taking in her rumpled finery. The boyish expression of contrition on his face reminded her of her brother Edmond. But he hadn’t broken a flowerpot or dropped a fine piece of glass; he’d shattered something far more precious.

“I only heard about the wedding a few hours ago. I got here as soon as I could.” His brows furrowed angrily. “How could you do it, lass? How could you agree to marry him? You’d better start explaining, because right now I’m not sure I’m going to be able to forgive you.”

Forgive her! He must be addled. He was the one who’d sent her away. “I’m not—” She stopped herself, her eyes narrowing. She didn’t owe him an explanation. He’d made his choice. Let him think what he would.

She arched a brow and lifted her chin haughtily, the way she knew would irritate him. “Why wouldn’t I?”

His mouth fell in a hard line, and she knew he was fighting to stay calm. “Because you love me.”

Ellie felt her cheeks grow hot as her temper flared at his arrogance. She glared at him. “So I’m supposed to pine away for you for the rest of my life? I think not.” She spread her hands out, indicating her finery. “As you can see, I’ve decided to get on with my life. I accept your apology; now take me back. I’ve a wedding to attend.”

He frowned. Apparently, this wasn’t going the way he had intended. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. I can’t let you marry de Monthermer. I’d have to kill him, and I don’t think your father or King Edward would forgive me that.”

Her heart thumped hard in her chest, whether from anger or from what she suspected he might say, she didn’t know. “Of course you won’t kill him. My marriage is none of your concern.”

“But I love you.”

Her heart stopped, then stuttered to an uneasy race. For so long she’d dreamed of hearing those simple words, but she no longer trusted herself to believe them. He’d hurt her too much. “What am I supposed to do, fall to my knees with gratitude? It’s too late. I gave you a chance to make it your concern, but you declined.”

The breeze swept through her hair, tearing a few of the carefully bundled strands free to blow across her face. Gently, he captured one with his finger and tucked it behind her ear, looking at her with such tenderness, she felt foolish stirrings in her chest.

“I’m sorry, love. At the time, I thought I was doing the right thing. I wanted to ask you to stay, but how could I when we were one battle away from defeat? I was trying to protect you.”

Ellie looked at him with disbelief. “By breaking my heart? Do you know what it’s been like these past few months?” Her voice grew higher pitched, racing toward hysteria. She wasn’t prone to violence, but she felt an urge for it now. “And now, just as I’ve gotten my life back together, you show up to tell me, ‘So sorry, it was all a mistake.’ That despite all indications to the contrary, you actually love me and broke my heart to keep me safe in misery. And now that things are looking up, you realize you were wrong and decided to abduct me on what was to be my wedding day to
apologize
, is that it?”

He winced, looking to Domnall, who shrugged unhelpfully. “Sounds about right to me, Captain.”

Erik raked his fingers through his windblown hair. “When you say it like that, it doesn’t sound quite as romantic as I’d planned.”

She made a sharp sound through her nose.

He shot her a look. “I couldn’t take the chance that you wouldn’t listen to me.”

“So you decided to give me no choice in the matter.”

He grinned unrepentantly. “Of course you have a choice; I just decided to ensure you picked me.”

She met his gaze unflinchingly. “What if I no longer want you?”

His eyes flickered as if she’d struck him. The sudden look of uncertainty on that too-handsome, cocky face almost made up for the months of torture he’d put her through. Almost.

He knelt down beside her and lifted her hand to his mouth. “Please, love, give me a chance to make it up to you.”

Emotion swelled in her throat, making her voice raw. “Why should I believe you?”

He looked into her eyes. “Because in your heart you know it’s the truth. I was the one too blind to see it. But I swear I’ll never give you a reason to doubt me again.”

He sounded so sincere and looked so sorry, it made her heart soften—just a little.

“Come on, lass,” Domnall interjected. “Show a little compassion for the rest of us and forgive the man. He’s been unbearable since you left.”

She frowned at the older man. “I thought you weren’t supposed to be listening.”

“And miss this?” Domnall chortled. “Lass, I’ve been waiting twenty years to see him grovel for a woman; I intend on enjoying every bloody minute of it.”

“Grovel?” Erik said, horrified. “What the hell are you talking about? I’m not groveling.”

Ellie lifted one delicately arched brow, challenging his assessment of the situation.

He frowned, shooting a scowl at Domnall. “I thought you were supposed to be on my side.”

“I am, laddie,” the other man laughed, “I am.”

Ignoring their audience, Erik turned back to her. “Can you forgive me?”

Ellie gave him a hard stare. Truth be told, she was already halfway to doing so, but she intended to let him suffer just a little longer. A few hours, after all, was nothing compared to four months.

She lifted her chin, giving him her best nursemaid stare. “I haven’t decided. Perhaps you should take me home and let me think about it for a while.”

He sighed and shook his head regretfully. “I’m sorry it has to be this way, lass, but you’ve left me no choice.” He looked over to Domnall. “I told you she wouldn’t be reasonable.”

“That you did, laddie. That you did.”

Ellie looked back and forth between the two men, wondering what devilry he was up to now. He had that wicked gleam in his eye that boded mischief. “What do you intend to do with me?”

He leaned closer to her, brushing his mouth against her ear. She trembled, heat shivering down her spine. “I intend to take you home and prove it to you. Over and over again, until you believe me.”

Ellie gasped, understanding his meaning. The sensual promise in his voice sent a flood of heated awareness tingling between her legs. “So you intend to ravish me?”

“Over and over.”

“I got that part.” She tried to bite back a smile. Once a Viking, always a Viking. But he intended to take her home? “I don’t think my father will approve of your methods.”

He winked, knowing he had her. “Fortunately for me, he’ll be a long way away.”

    Ellie lay sprawled across his chest, her soft, naked body pressed to his in a tangle of limbs and bed linens. Filled with a happiness that humbled him, Erik didn’t want to think about how close he’d come to losing her.

He twirled a dark silken lock around his finger, thinking that this must be as close to heaven as any living man would want to come.

“So I was right,” she said. “This is your home.”

He’d brought her back to Spoon Isle, to the great house that had belonged to his father. As promised, the king had returned his lands to him. John of Lorn might disagree, but they would deal with him soon enough.

“I’ve come to think of it as home, although I’ve many others.”

She smiled up at him, and his chest twisted. As a man who fortune had favored most of his life, he’d never truly understood how lucky he was until now.

“Because of me?”

“Aye.” He kissed her on the nose. “When the war is over, I’ll build you the finest castle you’ve ever seen.”

She put her head down on his chest and gave him a squeeze. “I have everything I want right here.” She paused. “How long can we stay?”

“A week, maybe a little longer.” He wanted to keep her to himself for as long as possible. Once his mother and sisters got a hold of her, he wouldn’t know a moment’s peace. “I’ll take you to Islay before I rejoin the king. You’ll be safe there with my mother and sisters.”

She paled.

He felt a pang, fearing she’d reconsidered. “Are you sorry already, love? I know you will miss your family. I’ve asked you to give up so much.”

She gave him a sideways glance. “As I recall, there wasn’t much asking.”

He grinned and squeezed her to him a little harder. “I couldn’t take a chance that you would refuse me. I’m used to getting what I want.”

She rolled her eyes.

He gave her a mock frown. “Spending time with my mother and sisters will be good for you.”

She wrinkled her nose. “What do you mean?”

“They’ll put you right about me being irresistible.”

She nudged him in the stomach. Laughing, he rolled her under him, kissing her until the passion burning between them ignited once more. Slowly he made love to her again, holding her hand to his chest and gazing into her eyes, as he slid in and out with long, languid strokes.

He watched the ecstasy transform her features with a heavenly light and sank into her one last time, holding her to him as the love he felt for her poured from his body in deep, shattering waves.

It was some time before he could speak again. She’d resumed her position across his chest, and he could see that slight frown had gathered between her brows.

He had that uneasy feeling again. “What is it, love? What’s bothering you?”

“Will they like me?” she asked.

He smiled, more relieved than he wanted to let on. “My mother and sisters?” He dropped a kiss on her nose. “They’ll love you as much as I do. Although …”

Her eyes opened wide. “What is it?”

He pretended to frown. “My mother is a rather traditional woman—she wouldn’t approve of your ravishing me like this—and as I have every intention of letting you continue, I’m afraid you’ll have to marry me.”

She swatted at him again. “Wretch. You had me terrified for a moment.” She gave him a long look. “I suppose I could be persuaded to marry you.”

He grinned and slid his hand over the soft curve of her bottom, pressing her more intimately to him. “Persuading is good.”

She shook her head. “Is that all you think about?”

He just grinned.

She rolled her eyes. “I was talking about a few conditions.”

The grin slid from his face. “What kind of conditions?”

“No other women, for one.” Before he could respond, she added, “No flirting, touching, kissing, and none of those little bottom taps of yours.”

He put his hand over his heart in mock horror. “Not the bottom taps?”

She pursed her mouth. “I’m afraid I must insist upon this.”

Their eyes met, and despite her playfulness, he sensed a layer of vulnerability beneath her words.

All vestiges of teasing aside, he tipped her chin and looked deep into her eyes. “I haven’t been with anyone else since I met you.”

He couldn’t blame her for the skeptical look that crossed her face.

He smiled wryly. “Believe me, it’s just as surprising to me. But after four months, nine days, and,” he gazed out the window at the angle of the sun, “eight hours, give or take, I’m convinced. I love you, Ellie; you are all I want, and all I will ever need.”

The smile that lit her features went straight to his heart. “Really?”

“Really.” He swept his fingers over her cheek. “I’m loyal, Ellie. Once given, my loyalty is yours forever.” He paused. “Perhaps
I
should be the one demanding conditions. It’s not me who was about to marry someone else.”

She made a face, and he was surprised at how much it still bothered him. He had no right to be jealous, but damn it, he was.

“Ah, yes, well, about that.” She bit her lip. “I’m afraid I left a rather important detail out about the wedding today.”

His brow furrowed. “What kind of detail?”

Her mouth quirked, as if she were fighting back a smile. “The identity of the bride.”

If she’d wanted to shock him, she’d succeeded. “I don’t understand. The king said his sister-in-law was marrying de Monthermer.”