Kilts and Kisses (6 page)

Luthais approached the edge of the loch and tied off his mount. The only movement came from the blades of grass and the leaves that rustled in the gentle wind. He sat on a rock, watching the water lap onto the pebble shore. He’d wait and give the lass a few moments before he decided to do anything rash like pound on the Gunns’ gates to see her.

“Mister MacKay, I didnae recognize ye without your birds.”

He rose, and his eyes narrowed. “Do ye know ‘tisnae wise to sneak up on a man? I could verra well have run my sword through ye.”

Mistress Gunn glanced at the broadsword sheathed at his waist. “To be truthful, that was the furthest thought from my mind. I was more worried about Mac na Diobhail pecking me again. Pray tell, where is that dastardly bird?” She glanced over her shoulder at the tree behind her.

“I havenae yet seen any of them this morn.”

“More than likely for the best. They’re out stalking some poor animal for sure.”

He gave her a patient smile. “I see ye are well.”

“I was well when we last parted, Mister MacKay. Ye didnae need to worry over me.”

He shrugged with indifference. “I needed to see with my own eyes. I will nae offer apologies for seeing to your welfare.” When she averted his gaze, he added, “Now that ye’re here, would ye like to sit and enjoy the view with me?” She flushed, and he turned up his smile a notch.

“Mister MacKay, ye know that’s nae verra appropriate.”

“I believe the time for propriety passed when ye set foot on MacKay lands.” When he lifted a brow in a jesting manner, she folded her hands in front of her and smiled. They exchanged a subtle look of amusement.

“Be that as it may, I—”

“Mistress Gunn, I assure ye my intentions are honorable.” He paid no heed to the mocking voice inside his head—the same voice that wondered why he hadn’t left all of his noble intentions at home.

C
eana hesitated as she fought to clear the cobwebs in her mind. From her brief experience with the man, she could tell that he was stubborn enough to seek her out even if she hadn’t come to the loch. But he could see that she was well. What could he want from her now? What frightened her even more was the fact that she wanted to find out.

“Come now and sit. Only Mac na Diobhail bites.”

She didn’t think that was entirely true. Once again, against her better judgment, she ambled toward him when she should’ve turned around and fled. “I will stay for a moment.” She sat on the rock beside him and straightened her skirts. When there was a moment of silence, she studied him as he gazed out at the loch. There was an air of solitude about him, yet, she felt something vaguely familiar. Perhaps she sensed a kindred spirit.

“I havenae seen rain upon us for a few days now. There isnae a cloud in the sky. Mayhap this is a sign we will nae have another harsh Highland winter.”

She found that her mood was suddenly becoming buoyant. “I cannae say that I ever remember nae having a harsh winter.”

“There is truth in that.” He briefly paused. “May I ask what ye were so engrossed in reading at
na tursachan
the other day?”

She waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “Oh, ‘twas naught that exhilarating, only my journal. I write my thoughts.”

“I admire a woman who educates her mind.” He cast a smile that warmed her heart. “Ye know? I’ve lived here all my life, but I’m certain that I’ve ne’er seen ye before. Why is that?”

“My mother and father didnae make a habit of taking me and my sister out from the protection of our lands.”

He lifted a brow. “I didnae know ye had a sister. Should I let the guards know that we should be expecting to find her at
na tursachan
as well?”

Ceana boldly met his eyes as his gaze froze on her lips. “That’s nae necessary. Ye would ne’er find her on your lands with a book in hand because my sister has an aptness for avoiding her studies. Furthermore, I can assure ye, Mister MacKay, that nae all Gunn women are the same. Believe me.”

“I should hope nae.” His voice became soft and alluring. “Tell me, Mistress Gunn. With all the suitors coming to your gates, have ye chosen one, or even found a man to your liking?”

“
Me?
” She placed her hand to her chest and couldn’t stay the laugh that escaped her. “Nay. Why do ye ask?” She was glad she was sitting because the way the man smiled at her made her knees tremble.

“If ye must know, the thought pleases me.”

When his eyes darkened with some unidentifiable emotion, Ceana didn’t know what to do. Was this man—and a MacKay man at that—showing an interest in her and not Princess Sorcha? Perhaps her imagination was getting the best of her and she was secretly hoping for something that wasn’t there. The idea came to mind when without warning, he leaned slightly in to her, tilting his handsome face toward hers.

“I’m going to kiss ye now. Donna be afraid.”

She could hear her own breath becoming ragged. “I am nae afraid.” Deep down she was petrified.

He moved his mouth over hers, and the touch of his lips was tender and passionate. The kiss was slow and thoughtful, as if he wanted her to savor every delicious moment. Her heart jolted and her pulse pounded. God help her because she was powerless to resist him. His fingers caressed her cheek, her flesh prickling at his mere touch. She was shocked at her own eager response. She knew she should deny him, but she couldn’t.

When he forced her lips open with his thrusting tongue, she was hesitant at first, clumsy in her actions. No man had ever touched her that way. And why was she letting this MacKay man be the first? She had no idea. But she really didn’t care because this had to be a sin to feel so right.

The world ceased to exist.

She was not a Gunn, and he was not a MacKay. They were man and woman. Her thoughts spun. Her emotions whirled, but it wasn’t long before she was returning his kiss with reckless abandon, matching the thrusting and parrying of his tongue in her mouth. Her hands slid up his brawny arms to his wide, leather-strapped shoulders. She pulled her hand away when her fingers brushed a talon. She wasn’t surprised she hadn’t heard or seen the hawk. Frankly, the two of them could’ve been under siege and she wouldn’t have noticed.

Raising his mouth from hers, he gazed into her eyes and gently rubbed his thumb along her jaw. “Thank ye for that.”

“Am I supposed to say ‘Ye’re welcome’ in response?” Ceana knew he was trying to stay a chuckle, but one escaped him anyway. “I see we have a visitor.” She nodded to his shoulder.

“Ye arenae afraid?”

Since she wasn’t certain if he was asking whether she was frightened of him or his hawk, she shook her head. “I recognize the hawk isnae the Son of the Devil. Please donna misunderstand me. I’m nae afraid of Mac na Diobhail, but I donna want another bite on my arm.”

“From someone who has had his fair share of pecks from the wee bastard...er, bird, I understand how ye feel and cannae say that I blame ye.” The hawk moved down the leather strap on Luthais’s arm and flew away into the air. “Hmm...Mac na Bracha found something more interesting than me.”

Ceana couldn’t imagine what. Without warning, she caught a figure rushing toward them out of the corner of her eye.

L
uthais unsheathed his weapon when the young man charged him. The sound of scraping swords not only ended the private moment with Mistress Gunn, but also made Luthais irked by this whelp’s intrusion. The Gunn plaid hung over the man’s shoulder, and his wavy, reddish-brown hair touched the top of his shoulders.

“Samuel! Put away your sword! Now!”

The man’s eyes widened, but Luthais wasn’t foolish enough to lower his weapon. He could easily bring the boy to his knees, but if the lad called for the guards, the last Luthais’s father needed was to come and rescue his son from the Gunn dungeon. Luthais would make certain it wouldn’t come to that.

“I suggest ye do what the lass says before ye get hurt, laddie.” When Mistress Gunn inched closer and the man moved his sword in a nervous gesture, Luthais added, “Or ye might injure the lass.”

“I was searching for ye and saw ye with him.” The man was stammering and had a puzzled expression on his face.

“Samuel, ye see that I am well. Lower your sword. Mister MacKay will nae harm either one of us.”

When she gave Luthais an imploring look to confirm her words, he put the matter aside with sudden good humor. “I’m nae really in the mood for swordplay, lad.” He sheathed his sword as the young man hesitantly did the same.

“Samuel, this is Mister MacKay.” She turned to Luthais. “Samuel courts my sister.” She smiled as though her words explained everything.

“I see.”

“The laird is requesting your presence at the castle.”

“Of course. Thank ye for seeing to my welfare, Mister MacKay. Mayhap I’ll see ye and your birds again in the morn sometime soon.” She looked at him hopefully, and he gave her a slight bow.

“It would be an honor. Ye’d best nae keep your father waiting.”

“Oh, he’s nae my fa—”

“Luthais!”

He looked over his shoulder to see the mighty Doughall sitting on his steed a couple stone throws away. “Do ye need my aid?”

“Do I need your...
what?
Nay!” When Luthais turned around, he tried to mask the look of disgust that crossed his face. Sometimes Doughall was as vexing as his birds.

Mistress Gunn gazed up at him with an effort. She placed her hand at the base of her throat, and her eyes darted back to Doughall. “Who is that?” Her voice went up a notch.

“I think we need to make haste,” said Samuel.

“I think that’s a good idea. It was a pleasure to see ye again, Mister MacKay. I assume that ye’ll take your birds with ye.” She looked back at Doughall. “And your man.”

Before Luthais could say anything, she walked away with the young guard. Not only was Luthais unhappy with the intrusion of the young Gunn guard, but now he also was angry with his friend. Curses fell from Luthais’s mouth as he untied his mount from the tree and made his way over to Doughall. The bastard shifted his weight in the saddle, couldn’t look him in the eye, and didn’t utter a single word about his purpose for being there.

Luthais swung his leg over his mount and refused to wipe the scowl from his face. “Now ye’re following me?”

“I think it best if we have this conversation on MacKay lands.”

They rode side by side, neither one of them taking the time to look at the other. Luthais clenched his mouth tighter so he wouldn’t say anything he’d regret. All he’d wanted was some time alone with Mistress Gunn, and his purpose had quickly gone awry. He’d seen the look on her face. How could he miss it? She’d had the same expression as most lasses. Doughall frightened men on the battlefield with his fierce looks alone.

As soon as they reached MacKay lands, Luthais blurted out, “I want to know why in the hell ye were following me.”

“Since ye wouldnae tell me what ye’ve been up to, ye left me nay choice. I wanted to be certain ye werenae doing anything foolish like with rope, sheep, and lovers. But I see that I’m too late. Ye took the innocence of the laird’s daughter.”

Luthais glowered at his friend and raised his voice so that Doughall wouldn’t miss a single word. “I didnae take her innocence, ye damn fool!”

“I’ve seen the blood, remember?”

When Doughall gave him an impatient look, Luthais continued. He hadn’t noticed the strained tone in his voice. “I met her acquaintance at
na tursachan
and saw her again at the loch where Mac na Diobhail pecked her arm. I wanted to see if she was all right. That was the blood ye saw.”

“Wait a moment. Let me get this right in my head. Ye showed the lass your birds?” Doughall stared at him and then burst out laughing. “So ye let her pet your hawks and nae your cock?”

Luthais reined in his mount and gave Doughall a swift punch in the arm. The man didn’t even flinch. “Bastard.”

“Ye should have had me come along, Luthais. I could have showed ye the proper way to woo a lass.”

“Ye know damn well that the lasses run at the sight of ye. And I’ll have ye know that I was doing just fine until ye and the whelp came alone and interrupted us. Now that ye know the truth, I nay longer want ye following me. I donna need your assistance. Do ye understand?”