Binding Vows (17 page)

“I never dreamt, in my wildest dreams, I would be happy to walk in on this…”

Tara shook her head and walked away before she heard more.

****

Amber spoke up first. “They’re not mad at each other anymore?” she asked her mother.

Duncan and Tara hid their grins. Fin sent a ‘you owe me’ smile to his brother.

Lora slid her hand under the table to her husband who had been given every detail about the encounter she had witnessed.

Myra’s eyes darted back and forth between Tara and her brother. Her eyes widened in question, but she made no comment.

All in all, the meal was more pleasant than any since Tara had arrived. Even Cian had gotten over his infatuation with Tara enough to talk about joining in the practice of fighting the next day.

Especially with Duncan being hurt so bad.

Balance had been restored.

****

Catherine Bybee

crowed, her eyes ablaze with excitement.

“I do not want all the details, he
is
my brother, but I do want to know what happened?” She didn’t give Tara time to talk. “I overheard my mother say she walked in on you both…” Myra grinned.

She may have been twenty-one years old, but she acted like a teenager, bouncing on the bed. Tara sighed and pushed herself up, shook the sleep from her head. Tara told her the bland facts withholding from Duncan’s sister the gist of what she was asking.

“Duncan was hurt.”

Myra nodded.

“It was a nasty abrasion that needed to be cleaned. I’m not sure those chain garments they wear are the best thing. I think they cause more harm than—”

Myra cut her off. “I don’t care about that.”

“Right, well, you know, Duncan and I were ahh, involved before he brought me here?”

“How involved?” Myra waited.

“Let’s just say your brother is an expert kisser.”

“Duncan?” She wrinkled her nose at the thought.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but Duncan, your brother, sure knows how to kiss. I’ve never been so tempted to...” Tara stopped. Sex simply wasn’t thought of the same way in this time as it was in her time. Telling Myra how tempted she was might give her the wrong ideas. Proper women in this age didn’t lose their virginity until they were married.

Especially when the woman was one of privilege and stature, as was Myra’s case.

“...to what?” Myra asked.

“To keep on kissing him.” That was lame, even to her. Myra didn’t buy it either.

“Come on, Tara. Tell me more.”

“All we did was kiss. I swear.” Tara held up her 142

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right hand.

“But you wanted to do more, right?”

Would it hurt to tell the truth? “Yes, I did. For the first time ever in my life, I considered…more.”

Was that too much information?

“You know what
more
is, don’t you?” Myra asked.

“I do. But...”

“My ma won’t tell me the details. Only that it shouldn’t happen unless you are promised or married to the man.”

Sighing with relief, Tara agreed. “She is so right.” Her valley girl was coming out. “All men will want to. They can’t help themselves. So make sure the one is...The One!” Tara wrinkled her nose at her words. She sounded like a prude.

“Tell me what the
more
is, Tara.”

Shit! Shit! Shit!
Myra wasn’t about to let her off the hook. It wasn’t her place. Or was it? Didn’t she have a similar conversation with her sister growing up? “Tell me what you think ‘it’ is.”

“Well...” Myra blushed. Shyness crept over her, which hadn’t been present before. “I’ve seen animals.

Last year Durk was bred to one of the stable mares.

I wasn’t supposed to watch, but I snuck down and took a glimpse. The sheep in the fields have similar ways of mating.”

The image of two rutting animals had Tara squeezing her eyes shut. “Well...the basics are the same from what I’ve heard. Remember I haven’t...

You know… But I do know many women who have made love and weren’t afraid to tell me what they knew.” Tara took Myra’s hand and made sure she had her full attention. “It’s supposed to be more magical, more special between people. Animals simply fill a need.” She stopped and frowned. “I suppose some men fall in that category. To be fair 143

Catherine Bybee

some women do as well.” She thought of her sister and her years of peril raising a child on her own.

“Every time can mean you will…well, become with child. So you want to be with someone worthy of being a father to your children.”

Myra squeezed her hand, and acknowledged her advice. “But, when you wanted
more,
it was wonderful? Right?”

Smiling, Tara flopped back on her bed. “Honey, you have no idea.”

****

Cian had already left the table, anxious to train with the men. Amber went to see if one of the expectant cats had given birth during the night.

“Well, brother,” Fin said. “What will you do with this day since you have to rest your injuries?” He slid a smirk in Tara’s direction.

“My
injuries
are not so great I can’t join you. It seems I owe you.”
In more ways than one
.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t want to rest?” Fin tilted his head toward Tara.

Duncan debated his answer.

Ian saved him the trouble. “I have need of you for another task, Duncan,” Ian told him. “It seems the widow and Haggart are once again fighting.”

“Not again,” Myra said. “Seldom has a day gone by where they don’t have trouble. I’ve noticed their rife increasing since her daughter married.”

“I’m told Haggart’s dog trampled her garden, destroying her food supply. I need you to see if she has any claim. If so, see he compensates her accordingly.”

Disappointed about not spending the day with Tara, Duncan sighed. “I’ll see it done.”

He was ready to leave the table when his father’s next comment stopped him.

“Take Tara with you,” Ian said and turned his 144

Binding Vows

focus to Tara. “I don’t believe you’ve been to the village, lass. You’re sure to enjoy the experience.

Take Myra’s mare. The ride will do you good.”

“Oh,” Tara said in alarm. “I—I don’t know how to ride.”

Looks of disbelief came at her from all directions. “Other than riding along with Duncan, I have never been on a horse.”

“Then today will be a wonderful adventure for you. Myra’s is the most gentle among our mares.

Duncan is an excellent horseman. He can teach you.”

“What a lovely idea, Ian. I can’t wait to see more of Scotland.”

Ian took her hand. “You’ll love our land.”

“I’m sure I will and Myra, you won’t mind me taking your horse?”

Myra waved away her concern. “Nay, Meg will treat you well.”

Tara turned to Duncan, “And you, you’re sure you won’t mind me tagging along?”

“’Tis my pleasure.”

How much pleasure?
Tara wondered with a secret smile.

“You’ll need a cloak,” Myra said. “In case the weather turns before your return. Come with me.

We’ll find you one.” Myra tugged on her arm, laughing.

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Within the hour Tara stood in front of Myra’s horse. The massive animal had a beautiful chestnut coat with a tuft of white on her nose. She was calm, quiet, and huge. One of the stable hands tossed a small saddle over the blanket placed across her broad back as Tara watched.

Myra did the introductions. “Meg, this is my friend, Tara. Now, I have told her of your sweet disposition, so don’t make me a liar.” Myra turned to Tara. “She really is quite calm. I’m sure you’ll be able to handle her well enough.”

Tara wasn’t so sure. Maybe she should ride with Duncan on Durk. It would be easier than riding Meg alone.

“Horses can sense when you’re afraid.” Duncan led his mount toward the women. “Let the horse know who you are, and that you are the master.”

“I don’t feel much like a master.” Tara sent him a wry look. “And I’m scared to death.”

He handed his reins to a squire who stood by.

“Here,” he took Tara’s hand, and placed her palm on Meg’s nose. “This way she can smell you and become familiar with you.” He leaned in, sniffed her hair and sent a shot of awareness through her body.

“Ahh, lass, like roses.”

His attention brought a flush to her face.

“I see I’m no longer needed here.” Myra’s face turned red. “Have a wonderful ride.”

Tara choked on a laugh. The word ride had so many meanings, and with Duncan sniffing her hair, 146

Binding Vows

it was hard to keep her mind on the horse instead of on erotic thoughts about him

Myra’s eyes grew large. She laughed a nervous little sound and covered her smile with her hand. “I mean
time...
Have a wonderful time.”

When Tara grinned, Myra’s face turned scarlet before she scurried away.

Duncan watched his sister’s haste. “What would she know of
that
kind of riding?”

Tara’s laugh grew deeper. “About as much as me I’m afraid.”

“How much is that?” His frown grew deeper.

“Enough to know the word ‘riding’ can have more than one meaning.” She watched her words sink in.

“I doubt my sister knows any such thing.”

“Men are so naïve,” Tara said under her breath.

“Myra hasn’t been exposed to the ways between a man and a woman.”

“So, you assume she knows nothing?” They faced each other now. The squire holding Durk’s reins took a step back.

“Of course she knows nothing. She’s innocent.”

Anger dipped into his voice.

Tara rolled her eyes. “Let me ask you something. When you were
innocent,
how much did you know? How much had you been told or figured out on your own?”

Duncan started to squirm, clearly not comfortable with the direction the conversation had turned.

“Uhh huh, I thought so. I’ll let you in on a little secret.” She leaned in for effect and lowered her voice. “Women talk! Even us virgins. We also have hormones urging us toward certain needs. God made us that way so the world would repopulate. Or, don’t you pay attention in church?”

His astounded look made her break out in 147

Catherine Bybee

laughter. “Come on, cowboy. We have somewhere to be.” She took in the massive horse she was supposed to ride. “How do I get up on this thing?”

“Twenty-first century women,” he muttered, but the words came out with a tinge of humor.

“My Lady?” He made a grand gesture of bending down so she could put her foot in his hands to hoist herself up.

Enjoying the game, Tara replied, “My Lord.” A short bow and two attempts to get up into the saddle had Tara halfway there. “Now, how do I make it go?”

She wiggled her butt, making sure she was secure on the animal. “I just kick, right?”

Before he could respond, she dug her heals into Meg, who responded with a jump, lunge, run combo.

Duncan chased the horse and rider down as Tara hung on for dear life.

He caught up to Tara and poor Meg quickly.

When he pulled up alongside, he took her reins, slowing the horse to a walk. He coaxed, “Easy.”

Slightly frightened and exhilarated at the same time, all Tara could manage was, “Wow!”

“You might be thinking a bit more than ‘wow,’ if she had tossed you on your arse. Don’t scare me like that again. Next time ask, before you do.”

Tara nodded. “Check, ask before I kick. Got it.

Now what, boss?”

Flashes of her falling off the horse raced in his mind and translated to her. She had frightened him taking off as she did. Instead of commenting on her observation, Tara calmed her beating heart and waited patiently for his next command. She smiled at his gruff expression until his bottom lip wavered.

Soon he smiled back.

“Why don’t you let Meg follow me?”

“How do you know...? Ohh...” Meg started after him without provocation. “All right, this is easy,”

Tara agreed after a few minutes.

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“Riding is not difficult, after a bit of practice.”

She couldn’t help herself. He did walk into it.

“What riding would you be referring to, laddie?” She added a bit of his accent.

His blush hit before his laughter.

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”

“I’ve never met anyone like you, lass.” They rode side by side.

“Is that a compliment?”

“Aye, I think it is.”

“Good.”

Tara pulled up the skirt, freeing her ability to move more comfortably.

“You’ll have to pull your dress down when we get closer to the village,” he reminded her.

“I know. But I didn’t think you would mind.”

He traced her leg with his eyes. “Nay, I don’t mind.”

“Good.”

They fell into a steady pace in silence before Duncan asked. “What do you think of my family?”

Glad to have him asking easy questions, she gave her answers freely. “Your mother is amazing.

Strong, beautiful…you have her eyes. Wise. I really admire a woman who can be a mom and a wife and do both well.”

Duncan smiled, obviously pleased with her praise. He listened when she went on.

“She hardly has any time for herself. She’s either planning meals, directing the help, counseling villagers or handling any number of other tasks. Not to mention caring for Amber and Cian, who are both still very needy. Not Cian so much, but Amber still needs extra attention. Lora knows exactly when she’s needed. It really is uncanny how she always knows what to do.” She took a breath and continued.

It was as if she stored up all the days of not talking, and she finally had the opportunity to express 149

Catherine Bybee

herself.

“Your dad can be a bit frightening. His power over everyone is eerie. He deserves everyone’s respect, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not used to seeing people bow down to anyone. His sense of justice is really honed. I guess it would have to be with so many people to watch over.”