A Highlander In Peril (Gunn Guardsman) (13 page)

“You taste like the sweetest nectar. I could do this all night.” Verily, he made himself comfortable and didn’t appear to want to move. His fingers toyed with her in unison with his tongue. When his day’s whiskers rubbed against her, she nearly shouted out at the wondrous torment.

Frances huffed and continued to moan as a feeling of abandonment controlled her. She neared climax and pulled his arms. Dizzying pleasure engulfed her to the state that she couldn’t control her movements. Every part of her shook.

“Please, Sean, cease. I want you inside me.”

“Are you begging?” He grinned, and used his fingers to torment her further, stroking and jabbing, and effectuating her complete surrender.

“Aye, aye, I am. Please now.”

Sean knelt beside her and pulled on his shaft a few times. It hardened and grew, causing Frances’ eyes to widen. She couldn’t believe he fit inside her for he was large, much larger than any of the men she’d seen naked. And many she had when she’d attended them during visits. Robert insisted and she had no choice but to bathe their guests. She shook the wayward thoughts away when Sean cupped her bottom and shifted her to move beneath him. The force caused her to gasp, for he was being rough and she loved every minute of it.

“Spread your legs, love. Let me take you.”

She did as he bade and marveled at the feeling of him entering her. It was all too marvelous, all too consuming, all too much. Frances nearly shattered with a climax when he began moving within her. Sean must have gotten lost in passion too because he kept to the task and drove into her with hasty frenzied movements.

A squeal escaped from between her lips, and she threw back her head and closed her eyes. The release was welcomed as if her body needed this more than anything. Bolts of pleasure wracked her body and made her toes dig into the coverings. She rode the euphoric wave until her body began its descent.

Now she got to enjoy watching him. Sean continued to stroke her with his free hand and plunged into her. His arm held him in position on the bedding and the muscle bulged from his weight. She pulled him forward a little to give him better access and opened her legs wider. He moaned into her mouth when he kissed her.

Frances caressed the steely skin of his arms and then slid her hands down the side of his torso until she reached his rear. She tugged at him, forcing him to go faster.

“I’m begging, Sean. I need you. Fuck me hard.” Frances squeezed her eyes shut. Her words sent him to sunder and he shouted his release and growled.

She’d heard the ladies in court reference the explanative and they’d gone into detail of its context. Now that she’d experienced what they had, the words had a greater effect.

She bravely watched him, and felt her womb still convulsing with pleasure. He didn’t settle down but continued his exertion until he could move no more. He fell to the side of her, his breath rasping.

Frances kept petting him and felt the ferocious beat of his heart beneath her palm. She smiled when he rolled on his side to rest next to her. With a light touch of her fingers, she traced the scars on his chest and petted his pectorals.

“You, my lady, are a dirty-mouthed vixen.” He grinned and smacked her bared bottom with a sound slap.

She laughed because never would she have used expletives during the sex act. But it seemed appropriate and the word escaped her before she had time to reason it.

“You’ve slain me. Aye, you’re going to be the death of me.” Sean pulled her next to him and cuddled her against his chest.

She never felt so cherished. “I hope not. We’re newly married and I want to enjoy you a little longer.”

Sean burst forth with laughter.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Frances tried not to bring up the matter of the messages and gifts because she really didn’t want Sean to worry or cause his wrath. As far as she was concerned, no one did anything to her, except mayhap scare her. But physically they hadn’t hurt her. The matter was finished as far as she was concerned. Nothing else happened, at least not for some time. Sean kept the keep so secure that a mouse couldn’t get inside without his knowing it.

She’d hidden in the kitchens most of the morning, assisting Mistress Maddie, and the oaf Sean set to guard her, kept getting in the way. Finally, she insisted Benson await her outside by the entrance. Only the kitchen servants were within and after insisting she would be safe, Benson conceded.

She’d been able to avoid Sean, until now. Most of the kitchen servants fled when he entered, except Maddie. No one intimidated her, even her burly husband, Stephen, the miller.

It was no wonder all fled, given the scowl Sean wore. “You’ve been eluding me all morn. You left in the midst of our discussion.”

She kept at her task and kneaded the ball of dough. “I thought you finished.”

“I asked you where they are.” He folded his arms over his chest and glared at her.

Lord he was handsome when his eyebrows furrowed. She placed a smile on her face and continued to go about mixing in flour, she was making dough of.
“Where what are? Hand me that bowl, Maddie.”

The cook obliged her, and moved to the hearth and began stirring the pot that sat on the fire. She hummed to herself and Frances almost laughed, for she purposely tried not to listen to their conversation.

“Frances, you’re testing me, aye, and making me daft. My patience is worn. Go and retrieve the items. I want to see them. Now.” His voice clipped the demand.

She washed her hands and dried them on a cloth.
“Now? Supper will be delayed and I promised Maddie I’d help. I’m in the middle of making bread. Surely it can wait.”

“I could give a damn if supper is delayed. Nay, it cannot wait.” His tone bore that ‘don’t-mess-with-me’ gruffness that she was beginning to get used to.

“Are you not busy? I heard tell that the men assembled and training began for the newer lads. I’m certain you don’t want to miss that. We can discuss it later, after supper.” She tried to dodge the conversation or at least change it.

“We’ll discuss it presently.” He left her no choice.

“Verily, you are akin to a wolfhound with a soup bone, aren’t you?” Frances grumbled under her breath. “Maddie, will you finish the bread?”

Maddie grinned and took the bowl from her.
“Aye, my lady. Best see to the lord for he’s as ornery as my Stephen gets when something bothers him.”

She left the kitchens, brushing by Benson, and hastened back inside the keep and up the stairs to her chamber. If she thought her quick strides would keep her ahead of her husband, she’d be wrong. Sean was hot on her trail, right behind her, and as soon as she entered her chamber, he closed the door.

Frances didn’t know why she was being so coy about showing him the items. There was more to it than her not wanting to upset him. The embarrassment at receiving such horrid notes and such humiliated her. She didn’t want Sean to see them for that simple fact.

She set the items on the bedding and stood back.

Sean moved in, and gently pushed her aside, his corded forearm felt good against her. She was wont to suggest they forget the items and do something more pleasurable.

He opened the satchel and took out the box that held the blackened flowers. She smelled the scent of mold when he opened it. Then he read the message and took hold of the satchel. His hands gripped it so tightly, she though he’d tear it to shreds. She stood mute the entire time, forlorn and shamed.

The satchel was opened again and he took out her night-rail. “What’s this?”

“My night clothes,” she said, despondently.

His face instantly hardened. “Someone did this to your night clothes?” His voice lowered to a morose tone, she barely heard him.

She nodded. When she sighed and wouldn’t look at him, he stopped her from avoiding his gaze by lifting her chin.

“You’ve done nothing wrong. You are not at fault, Frances, and shouldn’t hold the blame.”

The anguish in her heart lessened. “I shouldn’t, but I do. Mayhap I hurt this person. I’ve tried to think of what I could’ve done … Who I could have wounded enough for them to be so vindictive.”

He gripped her night-rail, staring down at it. “How did they get it? Do you remember when it went missing?”

Frances leaned against the wall and tried to hide her despondency. “Nay, I don’t. I left it here when I went to Edinburgh. I was gone for six months and when I returned this was waiting for me. I thought it belonged to someone else, but no one claimed it.”

Sean shoved the item back in the satchel and closed it. “Someone had access to your bedchamber.”

“That’s what I thought and why I asked you to have another assigned to the watch downstairs. I thought mayhap Davy was asleep at his post when someone snuck in.”

He took her in his arms and held her close. “I cannot help but think that whoever did this is close. They went unnoticed here and were able to get inside your chamber. You could have been harmed. Do you deem it is someone within the clan?”

“Nay, I’ve lived here since I was a young
lass. None would ever hurt me.”

“Who is your closest neighbor?” he asked.

“That would be Lord Lombard and then there’s the Ashford’s whose land borders ours. Both are about the same distance away.”

Sean returned to the objects and set them all back inside the satchel and took it in hand again. He read the few messages and his face grew more morose. The last missive left for her drew a daunting look to him. “Whoever is doing this is a contradiction. He leaves you vile messages and gifts and yet says he want you. Sound akin to a
slaugh.”

“A
slaugh?” Frances was intrigued. “What’s a slaugh? I’ve never heard of such a word.”

Sean tossed the parchments into the satchel.
“An evil and dangerous Highland spirit. They’re supposed to be the souls of the wronged dead and prey on those with pure hearts.”

“Ah so you deem I have a pure heart?” She flashed a smile.

“The purest, and this is no time to jest, Frances.” His expression remained staid.

“I was hoping to relieve your tension. But aye, you are right, ‘tis not. Do you believe in such myths?” She smoothed a hand over his bicep and inched closer to him, hoping the gesture would calm him if even a little.

“Right now I don’t know what to believe, but we will be vigilant. I will hold on to these items. If you receive anything else, even if you deem it insignificant, I want know.”

“I will tell you. I vow, Sean, because I want you to trust me. I’m relieved they’ll be gone from my chamber. I should’ve burned them. I only held on to them should I needed to provide proof if someone tried to harm me.”

Before Sean strolled through the doorway, he stopped. “This is no longer your chamber. Have your belongings moved, Frances.”

“I will.”

“You’ll never have to see these again. I am going to pay a visit to Lombard today. He wasn’t at the meeting and I thought to see him there. Why don’t you come?”

“Really, you want me to join you?” She was surprised he invited her along.

“Aye, I’ll see if he’s had any recent troubles. I want to ask him questions about Winfred’s disappearance, too.”

A twinge of pain hit her in the chest. What if Winifred was killed and they never found her? Her heart ached. “I spoke with Lord Lombard and he said he ceased the search. It was on the day of our wedding. Uncle William’s men, ah, your men, have dismissed the search as well. I fear we will never find her.”

“I can send the men out again, Frances, to look for her, but I doubt it will help. If they haven’t found her by now … It is likely they never will. Did Lombard say why he would stop looking for her?”

She tried to remember. “Oh aye, he said he was going to be traveling soon for King Henry. He often travels to England and is away.”

“Let us hope he hasn’t left yet. Meet me downstairs in five minutes.”

* * *

Sean couldn’t contain his anger when he reached his chamber. He pitched the satchel holding the items on the floor near the window casement with as much force as he could muster. He fumed with rage. How he maintained a calm mien in her presence he wasn’t sure, but the lady was a tough-hearted.

Not many could receive such horrible messages, written in a threatening manner, and receive such gruesome gifts, and not be frightened out of her mind. The blood on her night-rail alone was enough to send the message that someone wanted to harm her. Mayhap more than harm, possibly kill.

After searching for a place to hide the satchel, he shoved
it  inside the trunk in the chamber. He paced the length of the bed considering who would want to kill his wife.

Try as he might, he couldn’t come up with any reason why anyone would want to hurt Frances. She was too lovely and wasn’t involved in anything derogatory that he knew of. The only thing that kept niggling him was her unwanted suitors. He wondered if any of them were disappointed enough to want to threaten her. But the threats happened before she’d wed him, so that couldn’t be the reason.

Sean decided to start with Lord Lombard, and in the process, ferret out information. He didn’t like these dark troubles and felt evil was afoot. Someone was behind these deeds and he would find out who.

Now composed and after rationalizing his conjecture, he went to meet Frances at the entrance. She hadn’t arrived yet when he got to the door. James stood, leaning against the wall and inclined his head for him to take notice of Davy. The old man slept again, but now snoring and drooling. Sean needed to think of a clever way to demote the man.

“I need to speak to you later,” he said to James.

James nodded. “Aye, mayhap I’ll sup with you. I could use a good meal.”

“Have you been eating?”

“Aye, but
I’m wanting something a bit more substantial. I miss milady’s cooking.”

Sean grinned because their lady was the best cook in all of the Highlands, and because they loved to eat, they didn’t stray far from home often. Even their trading missions were cut short oftentimes, and she of course sent many foodstuffs which wouldn’t spoil on their journeys.

“You can’t leave me yet, James. Things are unsettled here. Frances is in danger.”

“Aye, I agree. I wasn’t planning to leave. I’m just in the mood for a fine cooked meal. The garrison has their own cook and many of the men are happy with the gruel they’re served.”

“Have you found anything out? Anything afoot that I should know about?”

“Nay, just minor squabbles between the men. Most get along here. The men train hard, and some of the farmers come in the afternoon after their tending to train with the others. The fortification is well stocked should a siege occur and their plan to thwart anyone who intends such is notable.”

“I’ve been meaning to speak to Benson about that, but that is good to know. I need you to ask them if Frances has any enemies within the clan. I want you to be discrete.”

Of all the Gunn guardsmen, James was the most astute when it came to finding out information. He tended on blending in and oftentimes no one even knew he was there. If he hadn’t needed him to see to the keep, he’d ask him along on the trek to Lombard’s land.

“Do you believe someone in the clan would do that? Threaten her?”

“I don’t know, James, and I don’t suspect anyone, but she says they’ve known her since she was a young
lass. She’s one of their own. I doubt anyone here would want to hurt her.”

“There you are. Are you ready?” Frances changed into a dress for riding that had wider skirts. She covered her head with a matching fabric shawl. The colors of the garments were that of their clan colors and he couldn’t be prouder of her for dressing so.

That reminded him of the fabric he’d purchased as a gift for her. He’d forgotten all about it since he was overwhelmed on his homecoming when James told him of the threat. He’d have to retrieve it from his saddlebag so he could give it to her.

“I am ready. Let us be off.”

Before they exited the keep, Jacob, the steward came rushing inside and closed the door. “My lord, I need to speak with you.”

He bade Frances to await him by holding up a finger. “Aye, Jacob, what is amiss?”

The man looked out of sorts, his clothing and hair unkempt, and his eyes dull. He looked as though he’d spent the night in yonder woods. Something was wrong. Sean hoped not, because there was enough to see to, and he didn’t need to add more to pile of ever growing problems.

“I just came from the village after speaking with the smithy. One of the lasses went missing during the night. Herbert is devastated.”

“Herbert?” Sean couldn’t hold back the intense frown that came upon him at receiving such news. Another woman was missing.

“Aye, he’s the smithy. His daughter was to wed one of the
tanner’s sons come this Saturday, but Sabine disappeared during the night.”