Bride of Vengeance (Highland Romance Series Book 1) (4 page)

Chapter Five

We have to do something
. Those words echoed in Nathanial’s mind for the next several hours. Even as they made camp after an arduous day of riding, he could still hear her plea.

Lydia was sitting by the fire, stroking Teresa’s hair. Both women were silent, exhausted, and worried for the future. Nathanial was worried as well. He had never made this trip without his men before. He had never made this trip with sullen women, either. Nor had he made it dressed like some English dandy, but he had little choice there. His colors would bring the Duke to him quicker than he would like. He was not prepared. And he always rode through England dressed as the natives, though not as frilly, unless he was starting a war… or hunting a bride. Was he ever in England for any other purpose?

If they rode hard enough, tomorrow night they would be sleeping under Scottish stars once more, and then he would be able to rest. As for this moment, he needed to wash the English off of his skin. Nathanial headed to the lake without so much of a comment to the women he was leaving behind. Lydia couldn’t help but watch him until she could no longer see him.

“He’ll be back, child.”

“I hope to never see him again.” That was just the English in her.

“We all tell ourselves lies, my dear.” Teresa commented. “Tell me about your family, child.” Teresa desperately needed to take her mind off the loss of her home, her everything.

“There’s not much to know.” Lydia still watched after Nathanial, wondering what he was up to. “I have a sister, a mother and father.” Lydia turned to Teresa and smiled. “I have Callum.”

“Who is Callum?” Teresa seemed worried and intrigued all at once. Did her Laird’s bride have a lover?

“He is like a brother to me. A much, much older brother.” Lydia smiled. “Years ago, my father was tasked with mending relationships between the throne and some clans in the Highlands.” The two women got settled and Lydia took Teresa on a journey. “My father meant Callum on the first trip. I met him on the third trip.”

“You’ve been to the Highlands then?” Teresa seemed shocked. Lydia remembered she was keeping that under her sleeve and silently cursed herself. She betrayed herself. She was quick to come up with a lie.

“Only the once, when I was a small girl. Never again.”Lydia knew she was too eager with that information. It was not genuine. “Callum was a warrior.” For the next several hours Lydia told her companion all about the older, wiser, sour man. She reminisced about learning to hunt with him, though she lied and said it was on English soil. Truth be told, Callum swore never to step foot on English soil when he was thirty years old, and he had held true to that promise. Lydia would visit him in the springtime for many years, but no one needed to know that. 

“My father always had a shaky relationship with the Scots, even before I was born. He completely gave up on them when I was ten years old.”

“But he never liked the Scots.” Teresa seemed to know what she was talking about. She was right.

“No. He never did.”

“The treaty was a lie. Much like many other things the English lied about.”

“It wasn’t a lie so much as him trying to change his ways.” Lydia defended. “He still kept Margret, our nursemaid on after the truce broke.”

“Why do you suppose that is?” Teresa was prodding the girl, digging, wanting her to understand, to realize the truth.

Lydia could only shrug in response at first. “He believes the Scots are a scourge. A filthy people.” Lydia wondered how her father would feel knowing Laird Garrison had his sights on her to marry. The girl forced herself to think of other matters. Her father would surely kill her if they married. Not literally, but close enough. “Tell me of your family.” Lydia smiled.

“There isn’t much to tell.” Teresa echoed the sentiment. “I had a husband and a daughter.” Teresa smiled as she thought of Nathanial. “And I have a son, of sorts.”

“
Had
?”

“Oh, my Sam died long ago in battle, while I was pregnant with our little girl.” Teresa started. It was hard for her to speak of these things. “She grew up and fell in love with an Englishman of all people.” Teresa smiled. “They met at a festival on the border and he stole her away to England.”

“They were madly in love then?” Lydia’s eyes lit up with the same kind of wonder her Samantha’s used to.

“Aye, true love.” Teresa thought for a while before she went on. “When my Samantha was due with her first child, she became very sick. We lost the baby and she followed right after.”

“I’m so—“

“Sorry? Do not be, love.” Teresa reached over and patted the girl's hand. “We all lose something in this life. Not one of us is safe.”

“What of her husband?”

“William? He went a little crazy after Samantha died. He lost too much, as they say. I was waiting for him to find his way home to me, and perhaps we could heal… but… that’s that.” Teresa stretched her back for a moment. It was only when Teresa yawned that Lydia realized how late it was getting.  “I am not young enough to stay awake so late.” Teresa patted Lydia’s hand before turning in. There was something endearing about the lady, Lydia had felt it all along. Now she knew what it was, she loved everyone she met so completely. Lydia’s own mother had never been like that. How would things be different if she had been?

Lydia tried to follow her elder’s example and fall asleep. Heaven help her, she simply could not. Lydia found herself daydreaming about her feverish nightmare. She wanted water, and lots of it. Lydia grabbed the soap from Teresa’s bag and wandered down to the lake, where Nathanial had headed hours before. She politely called out to make sure he was not still around, naked, and then she began undressing.

Lord help him if she was always undressing so carelessly. Nathanial had been sitting at the water’s edge for what seemed like an eternity, letting his mind go to dark places. He was in his plaid once more, and only his plaid. This is how a man was supposed to dress, not in all those frills. He could breathe again for the moment.

Nathanial heard Lydia come to the water’s edge. He heard her call out to him. He smiled broadly. He was a man, not a nun. There was no way he was going to reveal himself to her. Nathanial was close enough to get a perfect view in the moonlight when Lydia let her dress fall to the earth. His thoughts went from one dark place to another. He took everything in. He took her in. Everything from her soft black curls that slid down her shoulders to her small mound of curls shielding her virginity was perfection to him. Nathanial forced himself to focus on the fact that she was the most difficult and foolish woman he’d ever meant, and not the way her body beckoned him. And then he remembered the way she looked up to him earlier that morning.
We have to do something
. It was a simple phrase, but he knew she meant it, and it made him want her all the more.

Lydia slowly walked into the water, shielding her wrist the entire time. She floated gracefully for several minutes, the moonlight revealing everything, and then she came back for the soap.

The damn thing was gone. Lydia lifted herself onto the rock where she left it and caught her breath. The soap was gone, yes, and so was her dress. She narrowed her gaze to the water’s edge and saw the light color of her dress beaming at her. Had she truly left it all the way over there? She shut her eyes tight when she heard somebody behind her.

She sunk down in the water, attempting desperately to conceal her nakedness from him. Within seconds she could feel him pressed up against her back. He was warm against her, so why was she shaking as though she was freezing?

“Lydia,” his voice like honey, soothed her and terrified her at the same time. “Look at me, Lydia.”

Lydia felt her entire body freeze. Nathanial placed his hands on her sides and slowly moved them up and down her body. Lydia told herself she could handle this. All she needed to do was get to the water’s edge. If she said no he would respect her wishes. Somehow she knew that about him. All her best intentions failed as soon as he put his lips on her neck. Lydia gripped the rock in front of her, like she did so many times in her dream and summoned the strength of a thousand nuns, and then he moved his hands under her breast and began massaging. Lydia let out a sound halfway between a sigh and a groan of carnal pleasure.

“Look at me, Lydia.”

How she turned around without falling to pieces, Lydia was not sure. But there she was turned around in his arms, completely naked, looking into his eyes. His body heat was soothing her and suffocating her at the same time.

“Put your arms around me.” She obliged much faster this time, as she was sure she was going to drown otherwise. Entwined in one another’s arms, they floated for a lifetime. Lydia silently pleaded for him to kiss her again, but knew this was far too intimate a situation for a girl like her to be in. But, Lord she wanted him to kiss her. He wasn’t.

Nathanial was having the time of his life watching her struggle. She wanted him, all right. She wanted him the same way he wanted her, and he was really enjoying proving it. She clung to his arms, trembling so hard he thought she might shatter.

Nathanial leaned in and nipped her neck one last time before declaring, “If you
want
me, you’ll have to do something about it, Lydia.” It was meant to humiliate her, to show her that he knew she was lying. It was supposed to anger her. It was supposed to end an all too tempting situation for both of them. But she just nodded. It was not the reaction he was expecting.

Lydia lifted herself ever so slightly and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. She lingered for a while, enjoying the innocence of showing her affection, not knowing what she was really doing to him. Nathanial felt his body go hard all over. It was supposed to be over by now. She should be climbing out of the water, furious, and he would be laughing. He wasn’t laughing, and it wasn’t over. Nathanial pressed her against the rock and took her mouth into his in one swift movement. Lydia pressed her body into his and took everything he gave her. Lydia would take him inside her now. Nathanial’s mind reeled at this information. She was open for him now, her legs wrapped around his waist. Nathanial groaned inside, picturing himself swiftly entering her here and now. He would hurt her, but he’d make sure she loved it as much as he did. Nathanial grabbed Lydia’s backside and drew her to his erection. He saw the fear in her eyes. Yes, there was fear, but there was longing, too.

“Tell me you want me, Lydia.” Nathanial’s voice was harsh, gruff. He pressed himself in between her thighs, gently rubbing his manhood against her, and saw passion completely take over. “Tell me, Lydia.” He commanded.

“I do.” Lydia whimpered.

“Say the words.”

“I want you… please, Nathanial. I want you.”

Lydia braced herself for the immense pain her mother warned her about. It never came. Nathanial, instead, let go of her completely.

“Never lie to me again.” He said harshly before swimming back to dry land and disappearing from view.

In deep shock, Lydia clung to the rock in the water. The undeniable realization finally slapped her hard across the face: she was a game to Laird Garrison. A game and nothing more.

Nathanial walked back to camp hating himself. What in god’s name had he just done? He should have made love to her. He should have held her and said all those pretty words women needed to hear. He should have made her his instead of proving a point.

Nathanial thought about this for nearly an hour, telling himself to go back and make it right. It wasn’t too late to make things better and make her his. By the time he was ready to do so, Lydia was walking back to camp. Her tear streaked face refused to even look his way. She immediately lay down next to Teresa and forced her eyes closed. Now, Nathanial knew, it was too late. Lydia would surely not be talking to him in the morning.

Chapter Six

The horrifying realization that Lydia might, in fact, never talk to him again, hit him in the early hours of the morning when he awoke to her no longer being there. Nathanial prided himself on being a light sleeper. There was no way to survive the Highlands without that skill.

In the early hours of the morning, Nathanial opened his eyes and immediately regretted the night before. Again. He was going to have to do something about it; and he promised himself he would. Nathanial went to the lake to take care of his morning routine and dress in his plaid. Within the hour they would be in friendlier territory, a territory that did not take to men riding around in the hack he was forced to in England. He was a Highland Laird, and would never give opportunity to those around him to think he was weak, like the English.

Nathanial would need to make sure the women dressed in his plaid as well. Teresa would have no trouble traveling through hostile lands. She was old and would be of no interest to most men, he knew. Lydia, on the other hand, would definitely pose a threat for him. Best that she wear his plaid for the rest of the journey, and squelch any ideas men out there might have. There was equal dread and amusement when he realized that plaid would not stop him, especially if Lydia was involved. The rest of this journey was going to be hell.

Nathanial made it back to camp as Teresa was packing her belongings. “Did you make up, then?” Teresa asked. Nathanial noticed Lydia’s absence then.

“Where is she?” Nathanial knew the answer already.

“I thought she was with you—“ Teresa’s words trailed off as Nathanial raged into the woods.

“Lydia!” He called out. No answer. Not that she would answer if she was still there, he knew. His next move was critical. He had to find out where she had gone. How could he even be sure he was heading in the right direction? Had she actually left him and gone off on her own? The thought only briefly fluttered into his mind. He had his answer, and stopped cold, when he saw her dress in a messy pile a few yards in front of him. Nathanial closed his eyes in pure exasperation of the woman. She’d meant what she said. Lydia was not going to stay with him.

Nathanial let out a chilling roar as he reached for her proper riding dress. He saw it then. Long strands of black hair in a pile next to the dress. Rage boiled inside of him. She’d cut off her hair.

Nathanial made it back to the camp, furious and hell bent on bringing her back to him. Teresa was taking inventory of their belongings.

“What’s missing?” Nathanial could not believe the gruffness in his voice. He needed to calm down before someone suffered for it.

“Her belongings only, and…” Teresa thought better of continuing her words when his eyes, like daggers, flew to her face. “An old blade of mine. And the plaid you laid out for her.”

Teresa was braced for the rage. She was not expecting what she got instead. Nathanial closed his eyes and laughed, a deep, rolling, soul crushing sound that had Teresa praying for the poor child who caused it. God willing, she would get away for good this time. Teresa could not bear the thought of what might happen to Lydia if Nathanial caught up to her.

****

Lydia had been extremely cautious all morning. Praise the gods her caution skills had not been tested, yet. She had not seen anyone until she reached a small village. Even then, all she saw was a young lad feeding horses.

“Hello there,” Lydia was trying to remain calm as she approached. She tried to make her voice seem a little deeper than her own. The boy in front of her burst into hysterical laughter at once.

“Yer a girl.” Was all he said, then he went back to feeding the horses.

Lydia felt her face grow hot with embarrassment. She was going to have to take this at a different angle. “I’m in some trouble.” The boy’s eyes met hers. “I need a horse.” Surely he would help…

****

“Laird Garrison’s squire?” The older man with the thickest brogue of Lydia’s life stared down at her. He was not buying it for a second. Lydia was committed to the lie, at this point, however.

The little boy outside did not want to turn her away, he assured her. He just could not go against his father. If she wanted a horse, she was going to have to ask him.

So, there she was…

“Yes.” Lydia’s shoulder length hair was doing nothing to hide the fact that she was, indeed, a woman. Thank God for unflattering clothes, Lydia thought earlier in the day. Her boys disguise mixed with the large Garrison plaid had her looking figureless and frumpy. Both necessary functions if she was going to pull this off. Lydia would borrow a horse from this gentleman, whether he knew it or not. She would then be able to make it to Callum’s cottage in a matter of days.

Lydia had the advantage here. No one in the Garrison clan knew where Callum lived, and no one in her family would dare make the journey to the Highlands to visit him. It was the most logical and safe place for her to be at the moment.

“Laird Garrison ain’t got no squire.” The voice from behind Lydia shook her to the core. She turned and saw an ogre of a man, leaning down over her. God, these men were far too huge for her comfort. Lydia’s mind raced a thousand miles a minute, searching for a way to get out of there. Didn’t all Laird’s have squires? Was that an English luxury only? Lydia committed to this lie, she reminded herself. She would see it through.

“I’m sure he’ll be happy to correct you on the matter, sir. Though, I’m certain he’ll be very unhappy to hear how difficult you’ve been.” Lydia’s voice was sure, strong. She moved her gaze from the ogre to the innkeeper again. He was smiling.

“I’d better get it back, boy.” The old man finally agreed.

Lydia sighed with relief and forced herself not to smile. She only nodded.

Lydia was well on her way before the tavern owner turned to his brother, the ogre, who just so happened to be Angus Garrison, younger brother to the Laird. “Have Quinton get a message to Duncan. He’s staying near the village waiting for his Laird. Tell him where the Laird’s
squire
is heading. I’m sure Garrison will be more than interested.”

Angus smiled, revealing his broken teeth. “Someone should follow her.” The tavern keeper, Chaim Garrison, shook his head.

“She’ll not get off this land. Duncan will stop her before she gets away.” It was the most confident he had ever been.

****

There are few people that have ever been as wrong as Chaim Garrison in that moment. Duncan was alerted to the situation only seconds before he was mounting his horse and heading after that hellion of a woman his Laird was determined to saddle himself with. Honest to God, Duncan couldn’t be surprised by anything she did at this point. He was also wrong.

It took Duncan only minutes to catch up the horse Chaim had lent to the girl. She was giving it her all, riding the black beast like a champ. Duncan was faster, and much more skilled than Lydia. He was upon her almost as soon as he saw her. Duncan reined the horse to a stop, nearly knocking Lydia off the horse and to her certain death. Luckily, the rider was skilled enough to gracefully stop the beast before anything horrible could happen.

Duncan dismounted and marched the few feet to the beast. “Ye are a troublesome bit of goods, aren’t ye?” Duncan reached up and grabbed hold of what he assumed was Lydia. He pulled her to the ground and was getting ready to unleash hell down on her when he saw who it truly was. Little Hector Garrison smiled up at him.

“God almighty.” Duncan sighed.

****

Lydia was deep in the belly of the Highland woods before Duncan ever caught up with Hector. Traveling by foot was always best for her anyway. It would require a few more days than she wanted, but she was a lot less likely to be tracked this way. Callum had taught her as a child how to travel barely leaving a trace. Only a very skilled hunter would be able to pick up her trail. She knew, chances were, that Nathanial Garrison was that hunter. It was all the motivation she needed to move a little bit faster.

God willing, she would never see that man again. This was not the English in her coming out, either. She hated him. Lydia held onto that thought for the next several hours of her journey. She forced herself not to dwell on the way he touched her, the way he held her and kissed her. The way he made her feel in his arms. Instead, she focused on the way he had treated her the night before. She focused on the way he so callously used her and tossed her aside like an old saddle. She was no saddle. She would never be used by him again.

Lydia would be with Callum by early next week. That was the second thought that stayed with her. It was the one that kept her warm. She would be with Callum and then no one would ever be able to hurt her, to use her again.

****

It was very difficult for Chaim to explain to his brother what exactly happened. It was even more difficult for his son, Hector, who now sat at a table with the Laird, trying to explain himself.

“She said she was being hunted and was in danger.” Hector pleaded with his uncle. Nathanial was taking it all in. He watched the poor boy try to talk his way out of a severe punishment. Duncan growled low in his throat, letting the lad know what he thought of his actions. Hector looked to his father for support. “Had I known you were the hunter, I never would have intervened. She was just so…” Hector stopped himself.

“So?” Nathanial urged. He knew exactly what the boy would say.

“Fragile.” Hector shrugged.

Nathanial couldn’t help but smile now. There was nothing fragile about that girl. “Get out of here, Hector.”

“Yes, Laird.” Hector was out of the tavern before anyone could say another word.

Nathanial was lost in thought. He had no idea what his next move would be. Where was she going? What was
her
next move? These were the answers he needed in order to track her down. Nathanial had no idea.

“What would you have me do to him, Laird?” Chaim was Nathanial’s brother. More than that, he was a loyal follower. He would do what needed to be done.

“Keep him away from women.” Nathanial commented, earning a huge boom of laughter from Angus.

“Aye, good advice for any young man.” Angus slammed his hand down hard on Chaim’s back. “If only I’d had that bit of wisdom when I was a lad.” Angus, realizing no one else was laughing, quickly sobered.

“Duncan,” Nathanial stood now, fierce as ever. “Get word to Margret. Tell her to come to me.” With that, Nathanial was gone from them.

Nathanial moved hastily back to the spot where Hector showed him, the spot where he switched places with Lydia and did not see her more. He strode into the forest where she undoubtedly disappeared, and then he stood still. There was no sign of her. No piles of her belongings, no sign that she had ever even been through there.

“Laird,” Chaim came to stand by him.

“More bad news?”

“Well, I hadn’t thought about it before now.” Chaim had to mentally prepare himself before he gave his brother bad news. It has always been that way. “About eight men came through early this mornin’. They were trading some horses for weapons.”

“Nothing unusual about that.” Nathanial stared off into the trees, thinking about Lydia.

“I’m just sayin’, they didn’t seem like Scots to me.” Chaim shrugged when his Laird glanced over to him. “They were wondering about a Callum Ferguson. Old man that lives by himself over the mountains. Hope that means nothin’ to ye. Truly do.”

Nathanial nodded. At this point, it did mean nothing to him.  Nathanial felt a strange feeling come over him. He was worried for Lydia. She had no idea what she was involved in. Perhaps he should have told her sooner. Maybe she would have trusted him enough to stay with him until this nasty vengeance matter was resolved. But he had said nothing. He did not need to say anything. He was Laird, after all. His word should have been all Lydia needed. But, she was English, and that tainted bloodline ran through her always.

None of that mattered at the moment. The rage he felt died down ever so slightly. Nathanial needed to get to her first, he realized. If Fane’s men were, indeed, in the Highlands, they would be looking for her. She was not safe. Nathanial was overcome with the thought that he might actually not get to her first. What would they do to her? Wherever Lydia was heading, these men were well ahead of her. Might they be waiting for her?

Nathanial left the forest with a new rage inside of him. He was going to get her back. Nathanial would get to her first.