Bride of Vengeance (Highland Romance Series Book 1) (6 page)

“I can just leave. You can tell people—“

“I wasn’t finished.” Nathanial stopped walking so she would. “You can go home to Fane. You’ll be there next week. Dead by the one after that.”

“My father would—“

“Do whatever he needed to do to keep Baron Fane on his side.” Nathanial saw her face drop. She believed him even though her head was shaking vigorously. “He’ll mourn you, of course. But only so much as he’d mourn the death of a dog. Or Callum.”

He saw the anger in her eyes before he felt her fist hit his face. Lydia let out an unladylike expletive while she shook her hand from the pain, obviously not expecting his face to be so hard. She was marching away before Nathanial got his wits about him.

Lydia walked as fast as she could without causing a scene. Once she saw their small group through the clearing, she slowed down to a normal pace and tried to calm herself from shaking so badly. Father MalCanney looked up and smiled when he saw her. She returned the favor. Lydia braced herself for the worst when Father MalCanney’s face went back into the same, sad look for her. Within seconds she was whirled around and flying through the air over his shoulder. He turned back around with her captive, earning several cheers from his men. And several looks of pity on her behalf.

Nathanial walked for much longer this time, really giving them some space from the group. Lydia kicked and screamed at him every step of the way. Finally, she was dropped unceremoniously to the ground, hitting her backside hard when she landed. It took her a little longer to get to her feet than she was hoping, the pain radiating through the lower half of her body was intense and debilitating.

She was too slow standing, Nathanial reached down and picked her up by the shoulders and used his strength to pin her to a tree. “That was the only time that will happen, Lydia. If it happens again, I’ll hit back. Understand?” He was lying through his teeth, but she did not need to know that. When there was no answer, Nathanial applied just a tad more pressure on her shoulders. “Say the words.”

“I understand.” Lydia conceded. Nathanial loosened his grip and Lydia pushed his arms away from her, but she did not move.

“We’re going to come to an agreement right now.” Nathanial threatened Lydia. When she nodded, Nathanial was taken aback. Was she ready to concede? He really should have known better…

“No one needs to know you let me go, Laird.” She was bargaining again. Nathanial could not help but smile. It was the damndest thing, what she made him do. “No one has even seen what I look like in your land. All you have to do is find another—“

“Another dim-witted, stubborn—“

“Sure.” Lydia cut him off in an effort to ignore his insults. “I’m sure there are many of them in Scotland.” Nathanial burst into laughter. Lydia felt herself relax, just a little.

“And where would you go, Lydia?” She’d clearly not thought about it since Callum’s death. She shrugged.

“I’ll find a place.”

“I’m convinced you would.” There was something soft about his voice now; about the way he was looking at her. How could he do this to her? One minute he was scaring her half to death, and the next all she wanted to do was kiss him.

“Then I can leave?”

“If it means that much to you, Lydia… of course.” Nathanial leaned down until his lips were nearly brushing hers. He liked seeing the way her eyes changed intensity when he was this close. He wanted to see more of it.

“Thank you.” Lydia, unsure of his quick change of heart, tried to move her head away from him. She needed to think. There was nowhere to go. Nathanial kissed her gently once and pulled away.

“You have another sister, after all. Don’t you, Lydia?” Again, her eyes changed. The stress was back in her shoulders, she stiffened her back. It was so easy to read her, Nathanial enjoyed it. “Mary?”

Lydia shook her head.

“It’s a good name. A strong name. A Highland name.” Nathanial turned away from her, knowing exactly how the rest of this conversation would play out.  “Best wishes, Lady Lydia.” Then for the sake of it being their last kiss together, Nathanial turned and took her into his arms. He caught her mouth with his just as she was getting ready to object. Every time he kissed her was better than the last. Lydia was a goddess in his arms. All the pain and anger she felt towards him, she gave to him in passion. It was almost too much for him. He did not want to stop. Nathanial had the thought as he lifted her buttocks up to meet his manhood and she wrapped her legs around his waist. There was no way this night was ending any other way than Lydia becoming his. Marriage or not, he was taking her.

Lydia wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close as she kissed him. She was now the aggressor. Innocently exploring him with her tongue, running her hand through his hair as he held onto her. Lydia felt herself get pushed up against the same tree as moments before. This time was different. He wasn’t threatening violence to her, he was driving her wild.

Nathanial took her deeper, holding her hips with his hands, he began moving his against her. He heard her groan, felt her tighten her hold on him. Nathanial couldn’t wait any longer. God’s truth, he had shown more patience than any man he’d ever known. Nathanial struggled with the trousers Lydia insisted on wearing. If she was at all proper he would have her skirt lifted and he would be inside her by now. Nathanial pulled his mouth away from hers and passionately kissed her neck while he continued to struggle with her trousers. God, he hated them.

“I’ll marry you.” Lydia, out of breath and struggling to come back down to earth, called out her declaration.

“I know.” Nathanial, finally able to loosen the tie, put his hands firmly on her bare bottom and took her mouth with his again. It was time. It was not an ideal situation for a virgin, he was sure. He was equally sure she would enjoy it as much as he was going to. With one hand Nathanial held her bottom tight, forcing their most intimate parts to touch. With his other hand, he entered her with two fingers and rubbed her most sacred, most intense pleasure zone with his thumb. She cried out, breaking free from his kiss. God, she was tight.

Lydia fought against him, pleasure fading fast. “I know.” Nathanial removed his fingers from inside of her and focused on driving her wild. He rubbed his thumb over her kernel of desire over and over again. As soon as she found fulfillment he was going to enter her, he promised himself.

Lydia broke free from his kiss. She was having a hard time breathing, coming back to reality.

“I’ll marry you if you let me go.” Lydia was finally able to say. Nathanial stopped moving, his breath raging against her ear. “When your plan of vengeance is done… you’ll let me go.” She told him. “And I’ll marry you.” Nathanial smiled against her ear. He released her from his possession, all the while fighting his urge to have her right this moment. The smart thing to do would be to wait, he told himself. Nathanial was able to stop smiling when he looked down at her and lied.

“You have my word.”

Chapter Nine

This was not how Lydia imagined her wedding would happen. She stood across from a man she was almost sure would kill her one day, in front of a priest she did not trust, in a dress that was two sizes too big. It was Margret’s. The older woman insisted she not look like a man when she got married. Margret pulled the dress back and pinned it in place. Still, it draped over her, almost drowning her in a sea of fabric. Father MalCanney spoke of loyalty in marriage, and respecting one another. He never once mentioned love. Not that she ever could love this man. Lydia looked up at Nathanial when Father MalCanney asked them to face one another. What was he thinking? Lydia gave Nathanial her shaking hands, just like Father MalCanney asked of her. She recited the words and so did Nathanial. The entire time Lydia wondered what he was thinking.

Nathanial was caught up in the moment. He was sure this would end up being the biggest mistake of his life. The need for vengeance did things to a man. It made them do crazy things. That’s what he had chalked this up to be for so long. It was necessary to carry out his revenge. Now, as he looked down at the terrified girl in front of him, feeling her hands shake in his, hearing how unsure she was when she promised to always obey him, he realized this was more than that. Nathanial couldn’t give her up; he couldn’t keep his promise to her if he wanted. He was vaguely aware that Father MalCanney was urging them to kiss and seal the deal. He was leaning in to kiss her for the hell of it anyway. Cheers erupted from his men, and Margret wept quite loudly.

Lydia wondered if it was out of happiness or pity that she cried. It was the thought she was clinging to when Nathanial leaned down and whispered, “I’m going to make you mine tonight, Lydia.” And all thoughts went out of her mind.

****

Avoiding him seemed to be the most logical next step. Lydia became everyone else’s best friend that night. She was very interested in learning all about Chaim’s family. She was overjoyed to hear all about Margret’s travels through England, and when she met these ruffians. She was even more than willing to hear all about God’s plan for her from Father MalCanney. Lydia committed to doing whatever it took not to be alone with the man she just married. Was she being a child? Possibly. But the way he was looking at her made her feel worse than a child.

Nathanial was thoroughly enjoying the scene before him. Never had he seen her so eager to socialize. In the short weeks he’d known her, he’d learned a few things about her. Lydia James—Lydia Garrison, liked to be alone. She liked to rule her own domain. She did not care for nonsense stories of the wild English ways, or God’s plan for her. Nathanial watched her all night. He watched her encourage others in their party not to go to bed. The sun had barely gone down. It was her wedding night, they should celebrate. It was all rather enjoyable until Nathanial had enough. It was his wedding night. He was done playing games.

Lydia sat with Margret on the fallen tree. Margret was deep in a story about the time she met the first love of her life.

“He was so passionate.” Margret commented. “So…” The older woman saw Laird Garrison stand and start towards them. “Time for me to turn in.” Lydia’s smile over the story vanished. She knew what that meant. She could not see him, but she knew he was approaching. “These old bones need some rest.”

“Let me walk you—“

“No, no, child.” Margret clasped Lydia’s face in her hands. “You’re going to be alright.” She promised before promptly retreating.

Oh, God, what was she supposed to do now? Lydia heard him step up behind her. She forced her eyes closed for a moment, catching her already fleeing breath. You are not weak, she coached herself. You are not weak.

“You have my agreement.” Nathanial sounded amused. Lydia only then realized she was speaking out loud. She turned to him and stood, clasping her hands in front of her. That did not feel quite right, so she held them behind her back as she stared up at him. Then she just let them loose at her sides. “Walk with me, Lydia.”

“Or we could stay here…” He was already walking away. “With everyone else.” She muttered under her breath. Lydia knew he would only come after her if she did not oblige soon. She picked up the large skirt on Margret’s dress and chased after him until she was walking only a small distance behind him. It was better this way, just in case she needed to make a quick exit.

Lydia followed behind Nathanial, watching his body move in the moonlight. He was fierce. He was a warrior, feared by all. Warriors took what they wanted, and he wanted her. Lydia felt panic begin to overtake her senses. She was following him away from safety, and she might have liked it. Lydia stopped when she realized the truth, finally. She did want him. Nathanial felt her hesitance from behind him. He forced himself to maintain a calm demeanor. Yards away was a plaid laid out on the ground for both of them.

“I’ll not force you, Lydia.” It was the truth, even if it killed him to admit it. He held out a hand to her and waited. He half expected her to take advantage of his generosity and run in the opposite direction. But she was constantly surprising him. Lydia reached out and took hold of his hand. With her hand in his, trembling as it might have been, he led her to the tiny patch of paradise he had created for them hours before. A large plaid of his people lay on the cold ground in front of a small area of heaven. Lydia took it all in. A little waterfall created the most glorious music she had ever heard as it hit the rocks below.

“It’s beautiful here.” Lydia looked up at him in wonder. It filled him with pride. Her reactions were so raw around him, so instinctual and honest. Nathanial found it enchanting. “Laird,” Lydia nervously prepared herself to ask her question. “When I was ill you made me a promise. Do you remember?”

He remembered.

“You promised I’d know what it was to be wanted.” Lydia then shocked him one more time. Lydia took a step back from him and began loosening the ties from behind her. Nathanial marveled. She was trying to be brave about this. That knowledge made the fire within him burn so badly it was starting to hurt.

“I want to know.” Lydia’s voice shook as she undid the last tie and the tent of a dress came swooshing down around her feet. Nathanial’s breath stuck in his throat. He took her in for long moments. Her curves, her supple breasts. He watched her for long moments before he ever reached to undo his own plaid.

Lydia was feeling very confident until he was standing in front of her naked. She could see he was already very aroused. She let her eyes slip below his waist and immediately regretted that move. Every good feeling, every feeling of bravery fled her at once. If he touched her he was going to rip her apart.

Nathanial saw the panic in her eyes, realized he was losing her, and closed the gap between them in one long stride. Weeks of physical torment was coming to a head and he was not going to lose her tonight. He needed her. His body needed fulfillment that only she could give him.

Lydia was swept up in his arms and carried over to their plaid. Nathanial took care laying her on the ground. He did not give her time to think about it. He laid his weight down on top of her, pressing his erection against her thigh.

“Kiss me, Lydia.” Nathanial’s voice was gruff and a little mean. It was not intended, but God help him if she did not start responding to him. “Kiss me.”

Lydia nodded, but did nothing. Nathanial lowered his lips to hers, however, he did not make a move. He stayed, hovering over her, willing her with his mind. Nathanial moved his hands up the side of her body until one hand rested on her breast. Momentarily giving up on Lydia taking control, Nathanial moved his mouth to Lydia’s nipple and took it in her mouth. She jerked as if struck by lightning when he started to suck. She cried out, he smiled against her skin and did it again.

Lydia mindlessly moved her hips against his body. Nathanial moved back up and nuzzled her neck before demanding one more time. “Kiss me.” Lydia was more than ready to obey. She linked her hands behind his neck and brought his mouth down to hers. Lydia, timid at first, pressed her lips against his. He wanted more from her. Nathanial did not kiss her back. He needed her to be in control. He recognized how bad she needed it. Lydia took the hint. She almost threw him over the edge when she took his bottom lip in her teeth and bit down ever so slightly before letting go. His groan of pleasure urged her on. Nathanial crushed his mouth down on hers before she could think to do anything else. He plunged his tongue in her mouth again and again. She caressed it with her own.

Nathanial forced her legs open while kissing her and rested himself between them. If she had any objections, his kisses squelched them. He was ready. His body, in agony from his patience, was ready to explode. “Touch me.” Nathanial did not give her time to object. He was placing her hand on his hard shaft. The sound she made was pleasure and fear in equal parts. She felt his hard he was, how large, tried to jerk her hand away, but Nathanial was persistent. He closed her hand around his erection and together they rubbed him. When he felt confident she wouldn’t let go, Nathanial let go and felt her, alone, stroking him.

Lydia watched his face, pure pleasure, as his eyes closed in the agony she was causing him. Sweet torment. She knew she was causing it. Lydia wanted more. She rubbed her thumb over the head of his shaft and saw his eyes fly open. It was not what he was expecting and he almost came undone. Nathanial pulled her hand away, growling in need and pleasure.

“I can’t.” Nathanial breathed hard. Did she know what he was trying to say? He was going to die if he waited any longer. “I’m sorry, Lydia.”

“For what?” Her question was answered a scant second later when Nathanial thrust deep inside of her. Lydia’s reply was her shriek of pain at the same moment Nathanial groaned in pleasure. He pulled back and thrust deep again. Lydia locked her legs behind him, trying her best to keep him from moving.

“Please.” Lydia called out to him, breaking through his haze of passion. Nathanial forced himself to stop, desperately fighting his animal urges. “Please.”

“I know, lass.” Nathanial noticed she was crying then. He was immediately filled with self-loathing, and the urge to finish inside of her at the same time. “Kiss me.”

“No.” Lydia cried out. She tried to push him off of her. Nathanial was losing his battle with patience. This was his first experience with a virgin. The women he led to bed had never been this fragile, this innocent. They were never Lydia.

“It’s not going to hurt forever.” Nathanial promised before taking her breast in his mouth again. His hand slid between their bodies and stroked the fire inside of her. Within moments she was writhing against him.

She moved her hips against him, taking him deeper inside, it hurt, but it did something else as well. She liked it. She moved again. Nathanial lost his battle completely then. “Put your arms around me.” Only when she complied did he start moving inside of her again. His thrusts were slow at first, gauging her pain. He heard her moan, felt her tighten against his sheath and knew she was close to her own fulfillment. His thrusts became more demanding then, harder.

He watched Lydia face as she fell over the edge and leaned in, “You belong to me.” He vehemently declared as he spilled his life inside of her.

It took Lydia a long while to come down from her cloud of passion. Her body tingled all over. The warmth from Nathanial’s body made her dizzyingly tired, but she was not ready to let the day go. She wanted to remember this, to live in the moment forever. It was the most peaceful she had ever been in her life. Losing that would be dreadful. But she would lose it, she knew. In the morning she would remember that she was married to a man who wanted her purely for revenge purposes. She would remember she got her only friend killed. Lydia would go back to wondering when she would next be in danger, and how she could get away from her husband for good. For now, until the morning, she was content to let him hold her.

Nathanial was lost in his own thoughts as well. He had just made love to the daughter of his mortal enemy. The girl did not know it yet, there is no way she could know it. Marrying her was one of the final pieces to his vengeance. When they arrived to his keep in the morning, things would be different between them. He knew the truth behind her circumstances would reveal themselves and she would be devastated. At this very moment, though, she was his. She fell asleep in his arms, a look of peace across her features. It was a look he had yet to see. Nathanial worried that peace would never again be a part of her life come morning.