Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander (5 page)

“God’s teeth, you invite me with
your sweetness,” he muttered. “Your response is like an invitation for me to take
more. Would you let me take your virginity in this dank dungeon where you have
put me? Or does your sweet acceptance indicate an experience you claim not to
have?”

Enraged by his suggestion, she
struggled against him. It was a mistake. She could feel a hardness growing in
his loins. “I am innocent of men,” she rasped, less able to talk than she
anticipated.

“One would not know from the way
you let me kiss you.”

Could she have stopped his
tongue’s entrance into the warm well of her mouth? In truth, she did not try.
The whole action was so foreign to her, so wonderful because of the way it made
her feel alive. He made every nerve ending tingle in response until her whole
body sang with delight. “My innocence left me unprepared for the pleasure of a
carnal kiss,” she said shakily. “I have never known a man.”

Ian inhaled sharply. “If I have
my way, virgin Katie, I will be the first and only man who kens the delight of
spreading your thighs and teaching you the joys of a good union.”

Katie knew he would take her to
the heights of pleasure if that ever came to pass. She had to change the
subject and steer his mind in another direction. Katie tried to regain control
even though he knew exactly how much she enjoyed his fiery kiss. “I canna speak
of such things now, Milord. I must think over what you have told me. In truth,
I dinna ken who to believe.”

Ian sighed, brushed her lips with
another brief kiss, and then released her so she could flee from him. Her legs
shook as she once again sat on the stool just beyond his grasp. She should have
just left, but she fought to stop quivering so she could walk out of the
dungeon. What an effect this man had on her. Katie thought of Rannoch’s brief
touch. Robert the Bruce must not approve Rannoch’s petition. When and if she did
marry, she wanted a man who inflamed her in the way Ian Innes did.

Ian smiled. “You stay a bit
longer.” His gaze flew over her. “Not so affronted by the impudent liberties I
took.”

“I already told you innocence
left me ill-prepared for such an assault.”

“’Twas a kiss, fair Katie, not an
assault.”

She studied him in the light of
the lantern. His golden hair fell to his shoulders. His angular face and
powerful build could make any maiden swoon. This man had known many a lass in
his day and deflowered a few she’d wager. She could not let herself be one of
them. At this point, she could see why they would eagerly spread their legs for
him. “I dinna ken what to do with a man like you,” she admitted. “My mother
died when she gave birth to Tessa. At nine years old, I became mother to my
sisters and brother.” The look of compassion he gave her brought tears to her
eyes.

“’Tis not an easy thing to lose a
mother and be forced to take on such burdens at such a young age,” Ian said.

Ian Innes was an unusual man.
Even though he burned to possess her, he seemed interested in more than having
his way with her. Perchance her innocence gave her a false impression of him.
His claim of interest in her plight could be a ploy that would lead to her
undoing. “I did what needed to be done,” she said, wondering if her shaky legs
had recovered enough for her to take her leave without showing him exactly how
much he rattled her. He knew. What did it matter? It mattered to her pride. She
would not have him see what he had done to her, so she sat a bit more.

“Tell me what malady affects your
father. My sister, Asilinn, is a healer of great skill. It could be she can
find a cure.”

Ian changed the subject to yet
another that made her cringe. Drawing herself up tall in her seat, she addressed
him. “Aye, I have heard of your sister. The Enchantress of Dunbocan I believe
they call her.”

He grinned. “Some do. Asilinn is
a skilled healer. There is no enchantment or magic involved.”

“Rumors would say otherwise.”

“I’m sure,” he said with a laugh.
“But you didna answer me. What is the nature of your father’s ailment?”

Should she tell him? “He canna
move,” she said. “He lies abed and canna move or speak. I look into his eyes
and see the root of him is still there, but he is helpless as a babe.”

Ian furrowed his brow. “Did this
come on suddenly?”

“’Twas a slow progression and
then he became motionless and unable to speak.” Katie could not keep tears from
flooding down her cheeks.

“Please come to me,” Ian
whispered.

“What?”

“Come to me,” he said again,
holding his arms open. “Let me comfort you.”

Katie choked back a gasp. Her
body seemed to move on its own. She rose. In moments, she fell into his arms.
He kissed away her tears and held her. Grateful, she snuggled to his chest as
he stroked her hair.

“Ah, sweet Katie, why couldn’t
you have come into my life in a more normal way,” he said soft against her
hair. “Please let me help you. I dinna ken what ails your father. It could be
born of deceit.”

Pushing away from the comfort his
arms, she stared up at him. “What do you mean?”

“Sounds like a slow poisoning to
me. My sister could get to the bottom of it. Free me and let me try to help
your father.”

Shakily she stepped out of his
reach. “Poisoning by whom?”

“Well, the clear choice would be
your ward. Your father chose him to lead the clan over others of your own
blood.”

“Rannoch sent for the Irish
healer, Sorcha Blaine, to attend our clan. It canna be him.”

“Did Sorcha arrive before or
after your father fell ill? Perchance she is involved.”

“You try to turn me against my
people.”

“I try to save your father’s
life. I wouldna be surprised if Rannoch used this as an excuse to petition our
king for your hand. Then he could see your brother met with some unfortunate
accident and Rannoch would become laird of Duntaigh Castle.”

A ragged scream tore from Katie’s
throat. “Liar! You attack my innocence to try to turn me against those who have
taken over during this tragedy.” Backing towards the door to the cell, she
pointed an accusing finger at Ian. “’Tis you I should fear, you and your magic
kiss that inflames my body. I wilna listen to these lies.” She whirled around
and barreled through the door, slammed it closed, and secured it with the key.

He gave her a lazy grin. “I am
glad to know my kiss inflames you, virgin Katie. I shall look forward to your
next visit.”

Shaking, Katie ran up the passage
in an effort to get as far as possible from Ian Innes. Somewhere in the dark
corners of her mind, her inner voice spoke to her. Did Rannoch do this? Was
this why she did not trust Rannoch with the knowledge of her prisoner and her
plan to achieve peace?

Chapter 6

Katie could not get Ian’s words
out of her head. She couldn’t forget his feverish kiss or the desire that
snaked through her as he held her. Katie touched her lips and ran her tongue
around her mouth. My God, what power he had over her. One kiss and her whole
body tingled with feeling. She needed to focus on the other matter. Was he
right about Rannoch?

She racked her brain to think of
the exact time Sorcha Blaine had shown up at their door. Rannoch said they
needed a healer and he sent for Sorcha to fill this need. At first Sorcha
seemed to help with the ailments of the clan. Then dark stories began to
surface. Tales of Sorcha brewing cures with strange consequences. Around that
time, her father began to fail. He had trouble recollecting conversations and
took to resting rather than his usual schedule. Later he became truly infirmed.

Rannoch had just told her he
petitioned Robert the Bruce for her hand. Her ward admitted wanting Katie for
his wife and that he didn’t care how she felt about it. What other reason than
to steal the Blackburn lands? Hundreds of years earlier, Rannoch’s family built
Duntaigh Castle, but they lost it over the years. They fell out of favor and
had it taken from them for fighting against the Scottish crown. How could she
find out if Ian was right?

Katie made her way to the passage
that led to Rannoch’s chamber. Ducking into a small side room, she bolted the
door and slid back the cover of the spy hole which would allow her to see
inside his chamber. She held back a gasp when she put her eye to the opening.

Rowan Rannoch, dressed only in a
flowing robe, had his Irish healer on a table near the hearth. Her legs and
buttocks poised at the edge as if she were giving birth. Her dress hung open
from neck to skirt. Rowan moved between her legs. He shoved his body in and out
of her as she moaned and tossed beneath him. Katie leaned back against the wall
and drew a ragged breath. Sorcha was his lover. This could mean they conspired.

Heart thundering, Katie stood
frozen in her spot. How long did it take? She wanted to look again, but not at
that. Sorcha certainly seemed to be enjoying it. Putting her ear to the hole,
she listened for anything which might give her a clue they finished. The moans,
groans, and grunts coming from within made the act sound difficult.

Unable to keep from looking any
longer, she put her eye to the hole in time to see Sorcha squirming frantically
beneath him. “Now,” she pleaded.

A knock at the door interrupted
them. Rowan pulled out of Sorcha. She shrieked her displeasure. He wrapped the
robe around him and went to the door, opening it a crack.

“What do you want?” he asked.

Katie couldn’t hear the
conversation. Rowan closed the door and walked back where Sorcha still lay with
her body fully exposed. Then Katie realized thick, leather restraints held the
Irish healer in place on the table.

Covered in sweat, Sorcha tossed
her head back and forth. “You torture me. Finish it,” she demanded.

How long had they been at this?
Katie trembled. She could not stop watching.

Rannoch smiled at Sorcha, taking
one of her breasts and pinching it hard. Her body went rigid, but she did not
cry out. “More,” he asked. She nodded and he repeated the action on the other
side. “You enjoy this taste of pain,” he said, leaning over her.

“Aye,” she moaned. “It sharpens
the senses and gives me pleasure.”

“Fear not, Milady, your magic
potions and steel rings have kept me ready despite our interruption.” Throwing
off his robe, Rannoch exposed his hard cock adorned with two steel rings.

“Now… please,” Sorcha moaned.

Rannoch entered her again, moving
inside her with slow strokes.

“Harder,” she screamed.

Her lover complied with vigor. At
length, he found his release shuddering while Sorcha bucked wildly beneath him.

Katie’s heart fluttered. She sank
to the floor listening to the muffled sounds from within. Little wisps of
conversation drew her back to the viewing hole. It sounded like they mentioned
her father. Rising, she took a deep breath and pressed closer.

“Malcolm just came to tell me
your patient grows worse,” Rowan said. “I think you over do it with Laird
Blackburn. Adjust the dose.”

“I will cut back on what I am
giving him, but he tries to speak every time Katie is near. I fear he will tell
her all if I stop the potion altogether.”

“I didna say to stop it,” Rowan
said sharply. “Give him less so you dinna kill him until I wed his daughter.
The wedding must come first, and then he can die.”

“As you desire, Milord,” she
said.

Rannoch slapped her thighs. “My
naughty healer.” He gazed at her appreciatively. “The things you have taught
me…. The pleasure you have brought me.”

“And will you try these things
with the innocent girl?” Sorcha asked.

He looked down into her face.
“She will have nowhere to run.”

“I dinna ken if Katie will be
able to give you such pleasure, Milord.”

Katie felt her face grow pale.

“Aye, so,” he agreed, stepping
away from the table and sliding the metal rings off his now limp member. “You
will help me teach the virgin what to do.”

“If that is what you desire,
Milord.”

“Good, I feared you would resist
my joining with another.”

“I could be of assistance in the
training,” she assured him.

“Witch woman,” he muttered.
“Always you find new ways to please me.” He released her from the leather
straps. “We are finished for now,” he said.

Sorcha sat up and pulled her
dress back together, fastening it over her body. She stood and came close to
him. “Let me know when you have need of me again, Milord.”

“I will,” he told her.

Sorcha smiled and nodded as she
made her way to the door. She turned as she opened it. “And dinna worry, I am a
good teacher,” she added as she left.

“That you are,” he whispered.

Katie collapsed on the floor
shaking all over. This monster used his false healer to kill her father a bit
at a time. They conspired to take everything: her father’s life, her own
innocence, and all the Blackburn lands. Was Ian right about Rannoch’s murderous
intent toward Jamie as well?

If Ian closed his eyes, he could
feel the sweetness of her mouth against his, the way she parted her lips, and
allowed him entry into her. He cursed as the thought made him hard as a rock.
She would be his undoing.

The things she revealed to him
tonight set him on edge. If Rowan Rannoch plotted to capture Duntaigh Castle,
Katie was in danger. She refused to consider this possibility and Ian’s chains
kept him from protecting her. He had to find a way out, but no plan came to
mind. No one else knew where he was.

His thoughts traveled to his
father. Angus would be searching for him soon. His father would find his horse,
and his things, but not him. Had Katie and Keith left anything at the inn to
expose their devious plot? If the Innes clan found something, they may come
riding to the castle and be killed. Ian must convince Katie to free him.