Highlanders (12 page)

Elizabeth had barely come back to herself when Jamie lifted himself between her legs. Even as pleasure yet pulsed through her, she knew it would happen again when he filled her. Reaching down to touch his flesh, she held her breath as he began to lower his body to hers.

A flash of lightning filled the shieling, followed by a loud ominous crash of thunder and what sounded like an explosion outside. Jamie turned toward the terrible sound as he quickly climbed to his feet. Grabbing the blanket around her, Elizabeth tried to follow, but her legs shook and would not support her. She sank back to the floor, her body still in the throes of passion, to wait for Jamie to return.

CHAPTER FIVE

B
Y
THE
TIME
he reached and opened the door, he could only watch as the spooked horse charged off down the hill toward the thicker woods to the south. Walking around to the back of the shieling, James discovered a huge branch of a tree on the ground near where the horse had been, smoke curling up from where the lighting had struck. Only the heavy, soaking rains and the wet turf that served as a roof prevented the entire hut from burning to the ground. Running his hands through his hair, he stared at the damage and then looked to where the horse had last been seen.

Only the cold rain pelting his naked skin brought him to his senses. He was standing out in the rain with not a stitch of clothing on. The torrents of rain had not lessened and the bite of their sharp pellets stung him in places he did not wish to have damaged. Especially not with the lovely and equally naked Elizabeth waiting inside for him. First he found a bucket and filled it from the trough. Pouring it on the tree where it yet burned, he watched until the last embers died out. Dumping another bucketful to be sure, he turned and searched down the hillside for any sign of the terrified creature.

Sweet Christ, he needed to find that horse!

It would take days for them to walk to the village during which time the earl’s men would surely catch up with them. He did not have enough coin to purchase another one and still buy the supplies they would need in order to stay safely away from his family and hers until the worst was past. Looking up at the relentless rain pouring from the black and dangerous sky and then down at his condition, he shook his head.

He needed to find that horse.

Walking back to the door, he could not stop himself from cringing as another crash of lightning reminded him of the present danger of the storm. He knocked first, for a reason he could not fathom, before opening the door and entering. He’d left her naked as tremors of passion flowed through her and did not know what to expect now.

Elizabeth sat cross-legged on the floor, almost where he’d left her. She’d drawn the blanket up around her and only the tip of her soft boots peeked through under the edge of the covering. He made no attempts to cover himself and he felt his cock harden once more as she watched him walk from the door to where she sat.

Her hair was tousled and her mouth well-kissed. She’d melted beneath his touch and his mouth and made the most incredible sounds as he caressed her most private places. An exciting blend of passion and innocence, she had given herself over to him in a way he’d never expected. In a way he prayed would be the normal way of things between them. Once they were married and she was his without question and without challenge.

If only...

The sound of another crash of thunder brought him back on task.

“The horse was spooked by the lightning and bolted. I have to go find it,” he said, grabbing his damp garments from where he’d tossed them. Fighting the fabric’s resistance, he managed to get dressed and pull his boots back on. “I cannot let it wander too far in this storm.”

“Should I come with you?” she asked, glancing over his shoulder to the open door and the storm outside.

“Nay,” he said. “Why should you get wet again? I will search for it and bring it back.” He leaned over and touched her cheek with the back of his hand. She rested against it, closing her eyes as she did. He noticed the dark smudges under her eyes then and realized she was exhausted. “Rest while I’m gone. We have a long journey ahead of us when the rains stop. I must find that damned, cowardly horse.”

James turned and left before he could finish ravishing her as his body was urging him to do now. He followed the path down the hillside, sliding in the mud more times than he would like to admit. The rain did not ease at all as he spent the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon searching. It took hours but he did track it down, catch it and lead it back to the shieling on the hill. By that time, the rains had changed from torrential to heavy downpours and the lightning had eased and no longer crashed all about them.

As he walked back, trying not to wear any more of the road and mud than he already was, it struck him that he had been more adventurous and daring in the last day and night than in all his life before. And other than the horse’s escape, which could be squarely blamed on the storm, he’d gotten along well in his plan. Facing the consequences would be the difficult part but he would do so gladly with Elizabeth at his side.

He had lived his life by following the rules and being the son his parents expected and needed him to be. Only meeting Elizabeth and realizing what his life would like without her spurred him to leave practicality and pragmatism behind and seek the life
he
wanted. Now, even after the ludicrous morning escapade of chasing a horse through the forest, James believed everything would work out after all.

There were no burning trees and the shieling looked the same as when he’d left it. Leading the horse up the steep hillside, he tied it, more securely this time, behind the dwelling and eased the door open.

She lay on her side, with a hand tucked under her cheek, sleeping. The fire had warmed the hut nicely and he closed the door so the heat did not escape. Stripping out of his dripping clothes, he took another blanket and wrapped it around himself. Slowly so as to not wake her, James lay down next to her and gathered her closer in his arms. As she always seemed to do, Elizabeth accepted his embrace and moved closer to him.

The rain came down in a steady pace outside and James hoped that meant an end was close. These Highlands were much wetter than his home in Perthshire. He would not miss the constant dampness and dreariness when they returned south. He would take her to the coast, to see the sea and walk on the sandy beaches there.

His thoughts drifted and soon, the warmth of her body and the hypnotic sound of the rain eased his way into sleep.

* * *

E
LIZABETH
KNEW
THE
moment he returned but she feigned sleep. Unsure of how to face him after the way she’d behaved, she preferred to let some time pass before facing him. Watching him undress through half-closed eyes, she admired his body once more.

All of it.

Though not as brawny as some of her MacLerie kin, his body was muscular and lean. She’d watched him ride and fight, even taking on Tavis MacLerie and holding his own against the consummate MacLerie warrior. She’d felt every inch of him when he held her close, both during their...activities of a pleasurable nature and then in the comfortable grasp of sleep. Unlike Ciara, who yearned for more and for different than him, Jamie Murray was perfect for her.

She’d found one of her gowns was dry and dressed in it. After seeing to her needs and while waiting for water to boil in the pot for tea she would make, she watched him sleep.

If only she’d been perfect for him.

She sighed, leaning her cheek against her hand, worried now over what was to come between them. Elizabeth had no idea two years ago of how one error in judgment, one lapse in control, could affect her future happiness. But now, as she would face the true repercussions of her shameful behavior, she wondered how Jamie would react when he discovered that another man had been her first lover.

Would he cast her aside? Would he expose her to public shame when he discovered she had lain with another man? Would he overlook such a failing in the woman who would bear his children and his name?

Marriage to take care of the mistake had not been an option—so the earl had taken care of the matter between her and a visitor, there to negotiate a treaty, quietly. The man, a nobleman high in standing and wealth and with powerful friends and family at court, had claimed he thought her available for bed-sport. She’d been a stupid, naive and inexperienced young woman who thought he spoke the truth about his feelings for her, never realizing it was all part of his game to bed whatever woman he could.

Once she confirmed that she was not with child, Connor had handled the situation as efficiently as he handled most things in his life. The man involved was never welcomed in Lairig Dubh again, indeed, never welcomed by any of the MacLerie allies or friends or branches of the clan.

Though certain very few knew the true reason, Elizabeth knew exactly how Connor MacLerie worked—a touch of genuine concern for his kin mixed with ruthless determination to make things the way he wanted them to be. She’d witnessed it many times as she grew up and knew of even more times through Ciara, as her friend worked at Duncan MacLerie’s side as peacemaker and negotiator for the earl’s business interests. Connor got what he wanted and made whatever he wanted happen, and rarely was he thwarted.

Elizabeth swallowed deeply as she realized she and Jamie had done exactly that. And the price that they would pay for their defiance was yet to be known. She reached down and dropped some of the crushed betony into the pot, enjoying the aroma of the herb. A cup of hot tea would feel good right now.

She wrapped the edge of her skirt around her skirt and lifted the steaming pot from the fire. Carrying it over to the table near the shelves, she poured two cups. A drop or two of honey would make it the way she liked it. When she finished, she turned to find Jamie watching her.

“I think I like this,” he said, as he lifted his arms out from under the blanket and stretched. Leaning up on his elbows, he accepted the cup she offered him. “It will be no hardship having you as my wife.”

“You haven’t tasted my cooking yet, so do not rush to judgment,” she teased. He sat up, sipping the steaming tea with a care, and nodded to her.

“Well, I have yet to experience that, but this is wonderful. What is in it?”

“Betony from the lady’s garden. A drop of honey.”

“‘tis good. I like it. My thanks for making it.”

He stood then, holding the blanket around his hips and holding his cup out to her. She took it, her mouth dry in spite of a mouthful of tea. That tea sat on her tongue and refused to be swallowed. Jamie reached for his trews with his free hand, testing their dryness.

“How long have I slept?” he asked as he dropped the blanket and pulled the trousers on.

She would have answered if she was able to, but the sight of him, even from the back, took her breath away. Worse, her hand lifted to touch him before she realized it. To glide her hands over the strong muscles of his back, to let them drop down over his sculpted buttocks and to touch the hard muscles in his thighs... Lost for a moment in desire, she forgot he’d asked her a question. When he turned and met her gaze, the corner of his mouth lifted in a smile that told her he knew exactly what she was thinking. Elizabeth let her hand drop and tried to think about what he’d asked.

“How long...?” he prompted.

“‘tis past sunset now,” she replied. “You were exhausted so I did not wake you.”

She watched as he found his shirt and pulled it over his head. Now, she wanted to run her fingers through his hair, smoothing the tangles and feeling its texture. Pulling her thoughts away from his body, she cleared her throat.

“Since it was still raining, I did not think you planned to leave yet.” Elizabeth gave him his cup when he reached for it. He shook his head.

“Traveling the muddy path would be dangerous in the dark. By morning, hopefully the rains will cease and the roads will dry out.” He stepped past her and looked at their store of food on the shelf. “Are you hungry?”

Her stomach chose that moment to let him know exactly how hungry she was, grumbling loudly enough to be heard by both of them. She covered it with her hands, but it was too late. Her mother always said she a healthy appetite and she would admit to loving a good meal. “I suppose I am.”

Jamie laughed then, taking the two remaining pies from their cloth wrappers and placing them on the table. He moved the stools next to the table and waited for her to sit. She filled their cups with the remaining tea and sat. They ate their plain meal in companionable silence.

“The unavoidable will happen,” Jamie said as she cleaned up the crumbs from their food. She stopped in motion and stared at him, thinking he meant to bed her now. “You will have to cook for me in the morn.” He laughed then and nodded. “With your mother’s pies done and needing some of the leftover food for our journey on the morrow, you must make us some of those oatcakes I keep hearing about.”

She forgot that he was a Lowlander by birth and that, other than this and two other journeys north, he spent little time elsewhere. The language that they now spoke should have reminded her, but she could slip in and out of Scots easily. He spoke little of her
Gàidhlig
and struggled with it.

“Every Highland boy and girl is taught to make oatcakes,” she said, smiling at him. “I can teach you how to, if you would like?”

“Is that so I cannot blame you if they burn or are too dry?” he teased.

“Aye,” she admitted. “I mean, nay! I have mastered the simple oatcake, sir. ’tis the more involved baked foods that escape my abilities.”

“Very well,” he said, gazing at her with a new intensity in his blue eyes. “If you promise to teach me how to make an oatcake in the morn, I will teach you something this night.”

Her body reacted before she even realized the sensual promise in his words, heat spilling through her belly and into her breasts. The deep tones of his voice made her want to peel off her gown and melt at his feet.

She should be ashamed at the way she reacted, without thinking first of her unmarried state, but she knew he was an honorable man and he would stand by his promises to her. She prayed he would when he discovered her secret.

But, really, all her examination of conscience seemed to matter little, or not at all, when he lifted his hand and traced the outline of her mouth with his finger. And it mattered less when that same finger slid down and touched her breast, drawing a circle around the sensitive tip before rubbing it with his thumb. Her body ached and arched toward him. Before he could touch her any other place, she covered his hand with hers and asked the question she wanted to.