Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander (20 page)

Chapter 25

When they reached the mouth of
the cave, Katie saw that Ian had brought a beautiful, chestnut mare for her to
ride. “How far is it to the MacLean lands?” she asked.

“It will take a day and half to
get there,” he said. “There is a camp we will use to take a rest along the
way.”

“I would ride straight through
and get there sooner,” she objected.

Ian came over and gave her a
boost up onto the back of the horse. “I am sure you would, but Jared is busy
gathering troops and making a plan. I need to rest if I am to help him in the
attack, so we will stop along the way.”

She nodded. “I’m sorry. It is
just that I fear for my family’s safety while we are gone.”

“They will be fine. Tessa has
seen it.” He paused. “What, no rebuttal?”

“Perchance it will be so. Tessa
predicted you still lived and you do.”

“Good, let’s ride. I am anxious
to get to the camp.”

Riding hard and fast, they made
it to Branberry Woods in a few hours. As the sun rose above the towering,
gray-green mountains, Ian led her down a path into thick woodland. In the
distance, Katie could hear the sounds of rushing water. “Sounds like there is a
stream ahead,” she said.

“More than a stream,” Ian
responded. “Listen, can you hear the falls?”

“There is a falls?”

“Aye, come this way.” They
rounded a bend in the trail and came to a clearing. A sparkling mountain stream
rushed through the valley and high above it a towering waterfall dropped
glistening torrents over the rocks and into the river below.

Katie stopped and gazed at the
beautiful flowing water. “So lovely,” she murmured.

“Come,” he said, urging his horse
along the streambed. Our camp lies in a cave near the falls.”

Wide-eyed, she followed him. As
they grew closer to the falls, she saw a line of large boulders, which formed a
natural wall along the cliff face not far from the rushing water. A narrow
trail ran behind the rocks. “In there?”

“Aye.” Ian led her down the path,
through a dense thicket, and into the entry of a cave in the side of the cliff.
It wound back beneath the rocky outcropping. Katie felt like the walls were
closing in around her until they made their way further inside. The cave opened
up and a flash of daylight streaked down through an opening far above them. A
fire pit sat just below the hole in the ceiling of the cave and a good supply
of wood stood in a stack nearby. Some pallets made of straw and covered with
fine wool blankets sat off to the side. “Not a bad spot for a brief rest.”

“’Tis quite nice,” she agreed.

Ian dismounted and came over to
help her down from her horse. She didn’t need help, but she would accept it.
She wanted to feel the warmth of his body as he pulled her off and let her
slide slowly over his muscular frame. “Oh, Katie,” Ian breathed, holding her
tight to him as he began a string of kisses over her neck. “I thought I might
never get to touch you again.”

She hugged him tight to her. “I
feared you were dead,” she whispered. “I need… I need….” She broke off as
he set her softly on the ground and stepped away.

“What do you need, Katie?”

Her lips pursed into a pout. “I
need you not to stop.”

He laughed and it reverberated
off the stone walls echoing through the chamber. “Are you saying you want me,
lass?”

She stomped her foot. After what
they had been through this was not the time for him to toy with her. “Why would
I want the likes of you?”

Chuckling Ian turned from her and
began building a fire. When he brought the small blaze to life, he looked back
at her. “I see to our comfort before I can address your needs.”

“I dinna have any needs,” she
said, drawing herself up as tall as she could.

“Really? Ah well, then I can use
this time for sleep.”

Katie sank to the pallet he had
pulled close to the fire. “Do you really think we should marry? I canna see how
your clan could ever accept me after the massacre.”

Ian sat beside her and put his
arm around her. “I love you. That is enough to ensure you acceptance.” He
snorted. “They have been waiting for years for me to take a wife. No one will
question my choice.”

“Your father might.”

“I dinna think so. He reached
into his sporran and drew out a small velvet pouch. “He gave this to Jared to
give to me.”

“What is it?”

“Open it and see.”

Katie felt like she had twenty
fingers as she opened the pouch and reached inside. She felt a ring, bejeweled
if her fingers were right. Removing it from the velvet sack, she gazed at it in
awe. A large sapphire formed the center of the heavy gold band with smaller
diamonds and sapphires surrounding it. “It is beautiful.”

“The ring he gave my mother when
they wed. He gave it to me to give to you.”

Katie couldn’t catch her breath
as Ian took the ring from her. “Will you marry me Katie Blackburn?” he asked.

“Aye,” she breathed.

“With this ring, I thee wed,” he
said as he slipped the ring onto her finger.

It glittered in the firelight.
“It is so beautiful and it fits perfectly.”

“Good,” Ian said with a laugh.
“My father gave Jared the message that I couldna take you again until this ring
was on your finger.” He grinned at her mischievously. “I dinna think this is
exactly what he had in mind.”

“It is in keeping with his
request,” Katie said with a smile. She stood and ever so slowly began undoing
the fastenings that held her gown in place. Ian made no move to help her. He
just sat there and watched with passion-glazed eyes. Katie found herself
enjoying putting on this show for him. She reveled in his heated gaze.

When the last remnant of her
clothing fell to the cave floor, he motioned to the soft pallet that lay beside
the fire. “Come and join me, love,” he entreated. “Let me explore your ripe
flesh.”

She slowly sank to the pallet. “I
am here.”

“Lie back,” he said.

Katie struggled to catch her
breath as she eased back on the soft ticking. Ian leaned over her. She could
feel his hot breath on her face.

“Let me do as I wish,” he
whispered. “I promise you will find pleasure in it.”

She nodded her assent and he
kissed her mouth long and slow until she thought she might die if he did not
touch her. “Ian,” she gasped when he finally stopped.

“Shhh,” he hushed her. “I am just
beginning. Savor every feeling,” he instructed. “You are one of the most
beautiful women I have ever seen. I want to taste every part of you.” With
that, his lips began a slow trail over her exposed flesh, her neck, her
shoulders, and then down across her breasts. She let out a low moan when he
suckled. Running her fingers through his golden hair, she held him to her. It
seemed he spent a lifetime trying to decide which of her breasts her preferred.
She began to toss restlessly during his tasting. Katie wanted more. Already she
felt a deep desire building in her loins.

He took his kisses lower, circled
her navel with his wet tongue, and started on a lower trail. This trail left
her writhing beneath his caress. He did not stop when he reached the core of
her womanhood. Ian tasted her, exploring her with his mouth and his tongue
until he found the one spot that made her wild beneath him. Katie’s body
exploded with wave after wave of uncontained pleasure.

“Ian… oh, Ian,” she moaned as
her body shook in uncontrolled bliss.

He drew back laughing. “I havena
finished,” he told her.

She grabbed him by the hair and
brought his face to hers. “I want to feel you deep inside me. Dinna make me
wait.”

“As you desire.” He rose and
dropped his plaid. She saw his manhood standing tall and erect. He dropped
back to the pallet beside her. “Taste me first,” he challenged.

“How?”

“However you wish,” he said.

She pushed him on his back and
straddled his legs. Ever so slowly, she placed a track of kisses across his
chest, not unlike what he had done to her. She felt his hardness between her
breasts as she moved lower. Taking him in her hand, she rubbed his member over
her nipples. Ian cried out and she felt a shiver rack his body. “You leave
little room for control,” he rasped. “If you dinna stop this tender torture, I
will come now.”

“Ian, you bid me taste you,” she
said softly. With that, she leaned low and took him in her mouth feeling his
pulsing member as she ran her tongue over the tip. Leaving off her tasting,
Katie scooted upward and guided him inside her. He came solidly into her. She
felt a ripple of delight from head to toe.

His hands grabbed her hips,
guiding her to ride him, and shoving her to meet his steel thrusts. They both
gasped with every invasion. Her body contracted hard around him each time he
drove deeper. Their rhythm became a frenzy of pulsating passion. He drove her
faster and faster. She spiraled out of control. Frantic to find her release,
she felt something deep inside her erupt.

“Ian—Ian, now please….” Katie
howled. He released his seed in a hot spurt. Her body welcomed his planting
with quick ecstatic spasms, closing around him repeatedly as they found the
paradise of fulfilled desire. Ian moaned and she collapsed on top of him. They
lay entwined for a long time.

Ian stroked her back and her
buttocks. “You are mine,” he whispered. “Never deny it.”

Katie pushed herself up so she
could look into his face. “I wilna deny you.”

He let out a contented sigh and
ran his hands through her red-gold hair. “I didna finish my task,” he said
softly.

She rolled off of him slowly
disengaging their bodies and giving him a satisfied smile when he groaned in
protest. Katie propped up on one elbow and watched the firelight play over his
magnificent body. “It doesna feel as if you left anything undone,” she said
pursing her lips into a pout.

He ran a finger down across her
full breasts. “I wanted to kiss all of you and I only sampled a small portion
before your heated response called me to other duties.”

“I am not averse to more
sampling,” she whispered. “Perchance we could enjoy a light meal before we
continue.”

“You’re hungry?” He laughed.
“First for me, and now for food.”

“At least you were first,
Milord.” She rose leisurely, enjoying the feel of his eyes scorching across her
well-used flesh. “Did you bring supplies? I will fix us a plate.”

“There is some wine, cheese, and
bread in my saddle bag.” His smile turned to a smirk as he watched her walk to
his horse. “You would serve me naked?”

She shrugged. “If you wish me to
dress, I can accommodate that as well.”

“Dinna spoil the beauty of my
view with clothes,” he said. “I revel in your loveliness.”

When Katie sat down beside him,
Ian pulled into a sitting position next to her as she laid out their repast.
“We shall have to share the wineskin. I dinna see any cups.”

Taking it from her, Ian drank
deep and handed back. She took a few swallows and felt the heady wine bring
even more fire to her depths. A cascade of wine drizzled down her chin and
chest as she handed it back to him. Ian set the wineskin aside and kissed away
the aromatic liquid. Katie let her head fall back as he moved lower. “You are
sweeter than any wine, love,” he whispered. Straightening he looked her in the
eye. “But I digress. Let us eat.” He took up a piece of bread, placed a slice
of cheese on it, and handed it to her.

Katie took his offering and
rolled the creamy cheese around in her mouth. “’Tis quite good,” she said.

“And even better when enjoyed
with my wife,” Ian added as he tried his.

“We havena spoken the vows in
front of the priest,” she objected.

“A minor detail,” he said. “Would
you deny it?”

“Nay, Milord. I am your wife in
every other sense of the word.”

Ian grinned. “Hurry and finish
that,” he directed. “I find I am anxious to continue my mission.”

When they finally set the food
aside, he gently pushed her back on the straw ticking and guided her to roll
onto her stomach. “Ian, what are you going to do?” she asked. Katie let out a
contented sigh as he began a light massage followed by a trail of wet kisses
across her back and shoulders.

“I am going to give you pleasure
again,” he promised.

Chapter 26

Sorcha made her way to the tower,
her mind still on the young lover who gave her more pleasure than she ever
imagined possible. Jamie Blackburn would please a lot of women in his time. He
was tall for a fledgling laird, lean and muscular. In a way, it made her forget
his age. She felt honored to be his teacher. To impart the secrets that would
flavor his live forever.

When she entered, she did not see
the guard. “Gareth,” she called searching the tower for some sign of him. Her
attention went to the door to Katie’s prison. Sorcha walked over and tested the
lock, still secure. A low moan emanated from inside the chamber. She unlocked
the door. Gareth lay gagged and bound on the floor. Katie had vanished. Sorcha
swore under her breath as she bent down and jerked the gag off the guard. Blood
seeped from a wound on this head. The man seemed barely conscious. She grabbed
him by the hair and pulled his face up to hers. “What happened? Where is
Katie?”

“I dunno,” he mumbled. “Someone
hit me.” His eyes glazed over and he collapsed back on the floor.

With a snort, Sorcha kicked his
limp body. Rannoch would be furious and possibly blame her even though he sent
her back to Jamie. This could well be the end of her if she did not have a
care. Did Jamie keep her busy all night so someone could free his sister?
Gathering her wits, she decided on a plan. She cast one more glance about the
chamber then left, hurrying down the hallway.

Jamie looked startled when he
opened his door to find her once again within his reach. “Something has
happened,” Sorcha said pushing past him into the room. “Close the door.”

He shut and bolted the door then
turned to face her. “What is it? Is Katie all right?” He took hold of her
shoulders and shook her. “Speak. Is Katie alright?”

“Was that not your plan? You kept
me occupied while someone freed your sister from my tower,” she accused
stepping beyond his reach.

“I what?” Running his hands
through his tangled hair, Jamie shook his head and stared at her. “Katie is
gone?”

“Gareth guarded her while I came
to you. I returned to find him imprisoned and Katie gone. Did you ken someone
plotted to free her?” She pounded his chest with her fists. “Did you keep me in
your bed all night so your sister could be rescued?”

He grabbed her and drew a ragged
breath. “I had nothing to do with it. Who could have done this?”

“A question Rannoch will ask and
if we dinna come up with an answer, he may well turn on both of us.” She spun
away from him and began pacing.

“Sorcha, clearly we were
otherwise occupied. How can he blame us?”

“He will,” she said with surety.
“Unless we can figure out who helped Katie.”

“Whoever did it ambushed Gareth
and took her.” Jamie let out a sigh of resignation.

Sorcha came close. “What are
thinking?”

“There is only one man who could
have done it.”

“Ian Innes is dead.”

“Aye. So who else would do this
for Katie?”

“Your father, but he is….”

“Unable given his current state,”
Jamie finished her thought.

“Then who?” she asked.

“Keith,” Jamie said. “I ken he
didna think Katie safe under Rannoch’s protection. Keith would have freed her.”

She studied her young lover. “I
need to tell Rannoch what has occurred before he discovers it himself. Would
you have me blame Keith?”

Jamie came closer and drew her
into his arms. “I would have you tell him whatever will keep you safe from his
wrath,” he whispered, kissing her forehead. “You must save yourself, even if
you have to sacrifice Keith to do it.”

Sorcha could barely breathe.
Jamie chose her over his father’s closest friend and clansman. “Are you sure?”

“It could be no one else. I am
sure Rannoch would suspect me were we not together last night.”

She nodded. “It makes sense. If
he presses me, I will suggest it.” Stretching up, she sealed the plan with a
kiss.

A short time later, Sorcha found
Rannoch with Draco in the great hall. They both stared at her when she entered.

Rannoch smiled. “So… you are
finished with the man-child.”

“Aye, though it took all night to
satisfy him. But I am here on a more urgent matter.”

“What is it, Sorcha?” Rannoch
asked. “I ken that look.”

“Katie escaped.”

“God’s teeth! I told you it would
be your head.” He grabbed her roughly and glared at her. “What happened?”

“After my night with the young
laird, I returned to find the tower empty. I thought Gareth wandered off to
relieve himself. When I unlocked the door to Katie’s chamber, I found Katie
gone and Gareth tied and gagged. He had been hit over the head.”

“Did he tell you what occurred?”

“Nay, Milord, he passed out, but
his head wound told the story. He mumbled about being hit before he passed
out.”

“Where is he now?”

She drew a deep breath. “He still
lies in Katie’s chamber. I didna untie him. I just rushed to find you, Milord.”

“Draco, gather some men and come
with us,” Rannoch ordered.

They all made their way to the
tower. Draco leaned down and freed Gareth from his bonds. “Tied with his own
plaid,” he commented.

“No hint of who did this,”
Rannoch said as he circled Katie’s cell and then the outer tower chamber.
Finally, he stopped and gazed at Sorcha. “Her lover is dead, her father
infirmed, and her brother otherwise occupied unless he left you some time
through the night.”

“Nay, Milord. Jamie and I kept
busy. He probably sleeps now to recover his strength.”

Draco snorted. “Lucky boy.”

Sorcha felt Rannoch’s piercing,
dark eyes boring into her. “Who do you suspect?”

“I can only think of one who
would dare to challenge you so.”

“Keith Blackburn,” he said. “He
has been in Katie’s pocket since the day I came to Duntaigh Castle.”

“I believe so, Milord. Ever since
Laird Brian came under my spell, Keith has acted on her behalf.” She dropped
her gaze to the floor. “I can think of no other.”

Rannoch sighed. “I suppose ‘tis
not your fault Gareth failed us.” He turned to Draco. “Wake Gareth and see that
he is secured below for his carelessness then get some men and search the keep.
They have to be here. With her lover dead, Katie has nowhere to run. She and
Keith are lurking about trying to find a way to displace me.” He smiled. “It is
too late. In a few short days I will take her sister as my bride and create my
heir, an heir that will insure my position at Duntaigh Castle.” He stroked
Sorcha’s face with the back of his hand. “And once my child is born you will
help me kill Jamie Blackburn.”

A shiver passed through Sorcha’s
body at the thought. She hoped Rannoch could not tell as he touched her.
“Perchance he will fall ill with the same malady as his father,” she suggested.

Rannoch laughed. “Aye, so,
Sorcha. This is why I dinna ken if I can meet my bride’s request.”

“What request, Milord?”

“Brianna enjoyed our encounter so
much she seeks to have me leave off taking you to my bed.”

Sorcha allowed Rannoch to see her
stiffen. “An outlandish request from the virgin bride,” she said. “Surely you
dinna plan to honor it.”

“I dinna ken, fair Sorcha. The
innocent offers to do whatever I wish in the bedchamber.”

“That is because she doesna ken
what she offers.”

“Aye, so, but she will learn the
first time I take her.” As Draco and his men dragged Gareth out of the tower,
Rannoch paced the chamber. He stopped in front of her. “I want you to create a
potion for my wedding night, one that will make us both wild with uncontrolled
desire. This will assure she will do anything to please me.”

Sorcha ran a single finger down
his chest. “Do you need me in the room the first night? I could help you with
Brianna.”

“We will talk of it later.”

“Whatever you wish, Milord,”
Sorcha replied. “I am ever at your service for anything you desire.” She bowed
slightly. “Might I go and see to Laird Blackburn now? If I cut back on his
medicine, we may be able to carry him to the great hall to watch the wedding.”
She gave him a smile. “I’m sure you would enjoy having him in the audience. In
his infirmed shell of a body he could think of what you would do to his lovely
daughter on your wedding night.”

A grin burst across Rannoch’s
face. “Always you find a way to please me. Go, Draco and I will see to the
search.”

She nodded and left the tower.

Rannoch strode across the floor
of the great hall. A thorough search had turned up nothing. Draco sat by the
fire watching him. “Milord, I am sure there are secret chambers and passages
where they might hide, but I dinna ken where any of those are. What would you
have me do now?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing, Milord?”

Rannoch grabbed his cloak. “I
think I saw Brianna heading out to the courtyard. Let me see if my betrothed
will enlighten me as to where to look.”

Draco nodded and Rannoch left the
great hall and made his way to the door that led to the courtyard. When he
entered the walled space, Brianna looked up and blushed. He walked close and
took her hand as she strolled across the windswept garden. “There is a chill
today. Would you not be more comfortable inside?” He pulled her close. “What
say you, Brianna? Will you come inside with me?”

She placed a timid hand on his
chest. “Milord, I… I fear another…. My weakness for you may make me….”

He smiled at her and placed a
chaste kiss on her cheek. “I am pleased that you think of our times together,
but this is not why I came for you today,” he said. “Let us find a quiet place
to talk. I agree the temptation of the flesh must wait. I too found it
difficult to stop when last we met.” He brushed an errant curl from her face.
“Soon you will be mine. Today I need your help with something.”

“Anything, Rowan,” she said, a
look of relief coloring her pale face.

“Good. Come with me. There is a
spot here that offers some protection from the wind and allows us to enjoy the
fresh air.” He led her to a secluded corner where the high stone walls blocked
most of the ever-moving air. “’Tis definitely autumn in the Highlands,” he
commented as they found a seat side by side on a wooden bench.”

“Aye, so,” she agreed. “How may I
be of service?”

He thought of the desire he saw
in her face as he pleasured her the night before and sighed. This young woman
would know him in ways she never dreamed existed. He found himself heady at the
prospect of deflowering her and conjured an image of her begging for more under
the fever of Sorcha’s magic.

“Rowan.” Her voice interrupted
his musings.

He leaned down and gave her a
quick kiss. “I am sorry, love, my mind flew to our pleasure last night.” She
gasped. “Dinna worry. I am here on another mission.” He hugged her. “Brianna,
Katie fled last night. I kept her in Sorcha’s tower waiting for her to come to
her senses. Somehow, she wandered off and now I fear for her safety. Do you ken
where she might have gone?”

“Have you searched the castle?”

“Draco conducted a thorough
search. We canna find her. Is there some secret place she might go?”

“Could she have left the keep?”

“Where could she go? Ian and his
kin are dead. She has nowhere to run.”

“True. Then she must be hiding.
There are many places to hide in Duntaigh Castle. Some say there are passages
and hidden rooms. I havena seen them.”

He circled his arms around her
and drew her close. “I must find her. Please, Brianna, help me find your
sister. I need to protect your clan.”

“Oh, Rowan, I would help you if I
could, but I dinna ken where those chambers lie. I am not sure they exist.”

He tightened his grip on her and
fought the urge to shake her. Brianna must not see his dark side, at least not
yet. He must hide it a bit longer. For now, she must trust him with her life
and with her beautiful body untouched by any but him. “Who might help in my
quest?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Only the
laird has the privilege of this knowledge, although he may have imparted it of
Keith or Katie as he fell ill. These chambers were to be used to hide our clan
in the event of an attack that breached the walls. After Katie captured Ian
Innes, I suspected she and Keith had knowledge of a secret way in and out of
the castle. How else could she have escaped with Ian?”

“What of Jamie or Tessa?”

Brianna touched his cheek. “If I
wasna told, they wouldna have told them. I am second oldest after Katie.”

“Aye, but Jamie will be laird one
day.”

“He is still a boy. He would not
be told until he is older.”

“True,” Rannoch agreed. Sorcha
would find out exactly what Jamie knew.