The Bruised Thistle (The Order of the Scottish Thistle) (30 page)

“I did not want to worry you, Iseabail.” Mark took her hand. “I am sure it is nothing to trouble yourself about.”

“Is there aught else I can get ye?” Seumas asked, hoping to keep Iseabail from focusing too much on their mysterious tale.

Mark pulled Elisabeth to his side and shook his head. “We are well.”

Going to their own room, Seumas was surprised to see the fire thriving. The room was very comfortable. “Did ye do this?”

“I thought it would be nice to be warm here.” She sat on the side of the bed and started to remove her shoes. Seumas had found a well-worn leather pair that had been his mother’s, which were a little big but would suffice. She rubbed her feet to ease the tension and froze when she caught Seumas’s look. “What?”

He took the shoe out of her hand. “Oh, my love.” He spoke sternly. “Ye are so easily led astray.” He slid her foot back into the hard leather shoe.

“What do you mean?”

He kneeled in front of her and pulled her bottom to the edge of the bed until he was between her legs, his eyes level with hers. When her frown shifted into an open-mouthed nod, he knew she had remembered her promise to him. He suspected she had remembered all along. “What say ye, Iseabail?”

She lowered her eyes, and he felt her shrink back from him. “Calum is here.” She avoided his gaze. Her embarrassment was apparent.

“So we shall never make love again because Calum is here?”

Iseabail looked at him so sadly. “I do not know,” she said quietly. “It just feels wrong.”

“Because we enjoy it?”

“Maybe.”

“That was the way God intended it to be.”

Iseabail looked up at him. “What do you mean?”

“Coupling is supposed to be pleasurable. Have ye never heard the Songs of Solomon? God made us this way. He made us to want to find a mate and be together. God willing, children come out of the pleasurable event.” He caressed her foot, thinking of a way to ease her concern.

A woman’s laugh rang out, and Iseabail’s head jerked up. A deep groan followed, and Iseabail’s eyes widened with the realization of what she was hearing.

Seumas smiled. “No one stops because there are people around.” In his mind, he thanked Mark for his lust. “It is as natural as any other use for our body.”

Iseabail nibbled at her bottom lip. Clearly she was trying to win her case, but Seumas would not be denied. He had been looking forward to this all night, and he decided he could wait out her
shyness. The sounds next door were getting louder and the ropes on the bed moaned in resistance.

Seumas pulled her to stand in front of him. He took the blanket from the bed, wrapped it around her, and led her silently through the house.

Outside the wind was fierce, and Seumas could well imagine the ocean’s turbulence. As they drew closer to the shore, his excitement grew, along with his desire to be with his wife. In a divot created over time by the sheep that had lived here, he spread the blanket. Iseabail watched the ocean, seeming enthralled by its beauty and strength. A night bird screeched, startled by their presence, and flew away.

He pulled her down to sit protected by his legs on either side with his broad chest to lean against. “I wanted to tell ye how beautiful ye looked tonight.” He put a gentle kiss on her neck. “I am finding, however, that I do not want ye dressed like my mother when I want to make love to ye.”

She laughed and shifted to pull the gown over her head.

When he saw what she was wearing underneath, he sucked his breath in. “It looks wonderful on ye.”

The muslin shift was molded to her body, leaving little to his imagination. He dipped his head, licking the side of her neck, caressing her heavy breast. He moaned at the taste of her and was not sure he was going to be able to enjoy all he had hoped for tonight.

When she reached under his kilt, he stilled her hand. “I am feeling like an untried lad, my love.”

He pulled the blanket over them, and they were engulfed by heat and desire. The waves crashed against the shore before retreating, sucked back with rock and seaweed into the ocean. The pressure from each crash heightened their awareness of each other. Raising her hands over her head, she called his name, but the sound was lost to the waves. The water crashed again, pushing them on, and their cries ended in their own total submission to the other.

Exhausted, Seumas pulled her onto his chest as he lay beneath her. Her breathing was heavy, and he felt tears on her face. Immediately concerned, he tipped her face to him, pushing back the blanket to let in the moonlight. “Did I hurt ye?”

“Oh, no...” She shook her head, seeming confused. “I cannot…I just… No, you did not hurt me. Is it always like this? When people couple, I mean?”

“We did more than couple. We made love.”

Iseabail blushed at her own thoughts. “Is that why it feels so wonderful?”

“Yes.”

“The love feels so deep inside me. I can find no words.” She crushed his mouth with her own, surprising him with her passion.

She wiped her damp lips when she pulled away, her face softened by loving. So beautiful. She looked at him with deep longing. “Make love to me again.”

She moved with him and against him. The moon cast enough light that he could see her passion and know the power he had over her. Then she was lifting and rocking, and he recognized in his own groans of overwhelming pleasure that it was she who had the power over him.

She collapsed on him. “How can it be like this? I cannot get enough of you.” She moaned into his shoulder, too tired to lift her head.

He chuckled at his similar thought, as her breathing finally relaxed. She was asleep. He prayed that, after such love, a child would surely be conceived.

The sun still glowed unseen beneath the horizon when Iseabail awoke to a feeling of urgent need. She found that lately when she had to relieve herself, she had no time to wait.

Seumas was fast asleep. She worked her cloak from underneath him. He snored and shifted, releasing the last corner, and she pulled it around herself. The white caps drifted across the black of the water, and she closed her eyes, breathing in the fresh salt air. The little path that led to the sea was barely visible in the dim light. The water against her ankles was refreshing but made her move more quickly to deeper water.

Turning back to the grassy hill, she froze when she saw the movement of a man to her right. He was tall and dark.

The Lone Man.

The stories from the night before flooded back.
Her heart stopped when she recognized how vulnerable she was. If this person had evil intentions, there was not much to stop him. Her scream would not carry over the sound of the ocean. He was closer to her than Seumas and safety was. He moved toward her, and her breathing quickened. She took a step back, shaking her head. He stopped. What kind of game was this? The tide was coming in, and she would soon be doused.

The lone man took a step away from her and stopped. She took a step toward the sand. He stepped back again, and she stepped forward. This continued until she was safely on dry land. She ran to the divot and got there in time to look back and see the man running in the opposite direction. There was something about the way he ran, but she could not pin it down.

“Seumas.”

He looked at her with half-closed eyes, just waking up. He smiled and reached for her. “I was having an amazing dream. We were making love but we were atop a galloping horse—”

Iseabail shook him. “No, Seumas, wake up.”

He propped onto his elbow and looked at her, frowning. “Is there a problem?”

“Seumas. I just saw that man.” She gasped for air.

“What man would that be?” Seumas, alert now, sat up, his eyes focused.

“The one Mark and Elisabeth spoke of? The crazy man? Walking backward? Talking to himself? People disappearing?”

Seumas shifted to look over her shoulder and frowned. “Where?”

She turned. The beach was completely deserted.

“There is no one now.”

“Not now, Seumas, but he was right there.” She pointed to where she had seen the man. “He was watching me and then, then…” She shrugged in exasperation.

“Then what?” Seumas frowned as if trying to understand the threat.

Iseabail felt silly. “Nothing, never mind. He went the other way. He did not do anything.” She searched her memory to find her earlier fear and realized he had not threatened her in any way. “I wonder if he was just hungry.”

Seumas’s lips pressed together. She knew what he was thinking. She had woken him up as if someone were trying to kill her and he needed to protect her, but now she was thinking perhaps the same person just needed her to feed him. The way he ran his hand through his hair confirmed it.

He stood up without a stitch of clothing. “Are ye safe enough now?”

“I am.”

“Are ye afraid at all?”

Iseabail appreciated the sincere concern she saw in his face. She smiled. “I am not afraid.”

He nodded with satisfaction. “I am going for a swim.”

He walked unashamedly right into the water then spread his arms out in front of him as he went even further than the little waves Iseabail had stood in.

She had overreacted. It was probably all the talk last night that had frightened her. The man really did not seem to be a threat at all. She sighed, putting the moment behind her.

She watched Seumas, afraid to lose sight of him. He went under and came up after a few seconds, shook his head like a dog only to go back under again. This time he emerged further down the beach. She moved to sit at the top of the knoll, scanning the area to be sure no one watched. Seumas looked like he was having a good time.

Two heads suddenly appeared. A seal. Iseabail clapped her hands at the sight. Seumas went under, the seal went under. He swam, the seal slinked along. She could hear its answering cry as Seumas squawked.

He swam to shore. When he cleared the water, Iseabail was a bit startled that he did not appear as other men did when they come out of the water. His tarse was not shrunken but enlarged and hard. He came close and, when she saw the look on his face, she knew why. She opened her cloak to him and he pushed her back, soaking wet, against the cloak that did not do much to keep her bottom from getting full of sand. He entered her quickly, and she responded to his pressing desire.

Satiated, he looked down at her. “Ye are covered with sand, young lady.” Seumas brushed at her bottom then flattened her against the sand again, ensuring more sand stuck to her. “Much better.”

He winked at her and she smiled. He was incorrigible. “Mayhap we should get back before everyone else awakens? We do have guests.”

“Very lusty guests, when last I heard.”

She gasped. “Seumas!”

“Can I not even tease him? His words of apology were not enough for having interrupted me pleasuring my wife. Or do ye not recall?”

Her face heated. “I do indeed recall, but I prefer to let it drop.” She shoved at him to get up, but he kept her pinned down, enjoying himself far too much.

“Why?”

“Because we are wed, you may lust after any part of me that pleases you. As can I.”

His smile radiated his appreciation. “Ah, wife, ye give me much pleasure.” He nuzzled her ear and stood, pulling her up by the hand.

Turning her naked body so that her bottom was exposed to him, he brushed at the sand again. The sun was starting to glow across the ocean, and they were in bright sunlight when they heard a loud call.

“Greetings, Seumas, Iseabail.” It was Mark’s voice, and Iseabail wanted to shrink into the ground.

Seumas’s shoulder and hand effectively protected Iseabail’s most intimate areas, and Mark approached them, stopping a few feet away. “How is the water this morning? I thought to have a refreshing dip.”

“It is mild,” Seumas shouted back. “Please.” He motioned to the beach with his other hand.

Mark passed them, and they hurriedly tried to get Iseabail covered. When he got to the path, he turned around.

Iseabail froze in place, now half-covered by her cloak, and pretended she had not moved a muscle.

“I wanted to tell you what a comfortable bed you have in that room. I slept like a baby.” Mark’s broad smile went from ear to ear. He whistled as he continued down the path.

Iseabail’s jaw dropped, aghast, but Seumas winked at her. “My love, ye are my wife. He loves his own wife. He is teasing me. He believes it is funny that he caught us in such a private circumstance yet again.” He kissed her soundly then smacked her bottom. “Head back to the house. I will join Mark.”

She huffed then stomped back toward the house.

*****

Mark had embarrassed Iseabail. There was no other man Seumas would have allowed such an affront, but they had a long past. They had saved each other’s lives. Theirs was a bond perchance as deep as a man and a woman’s. As he approached the water, he thought his friend looked truly happy. He was glad for that.

“Mark.” Seumas coasted into the water, barely feeling its cold bite.

“I thought you were done with your swim.”

“How long were ye watching us, ye old cocker?”

“I was keeping to myself then I saw the seal and followed him. He led me to you. When I saw you come out of the water, I gave you time enough.”

Seumas stood up, water up to his waist, and crossed his arms. “Ye are a jester.”

Suddenly serious, Mark spoke his mind. “I cannot tell you how pleased I am that you have found such a wonderful woman and that you can have the life I know you dreamed of. I am happy for you, my friend. Truly.”

As Seumas floated on his back and let the swells push him along, his thoughts returned to the night before the battle, when the two of them had lain hidden, afraid to move and give away their location, half-starved from not eating for days, their tongues swollen from lack of water. They had prayed together for their lives and an opportunity to fulfill God’s true purpose for them.

Mark had prayed for an opportunity to overcome his anger from his father’s cruel hand and be the loving man his wife needed. Seumas had prayed that he might be reunited with his father and be the son he deserved. To find a wife and have a family.

“When I heard what Giles had done to you,” Mark’s voice shook with fury, “I could have killed him with my bare hands.”

“My wife saw to
it,” Seumas admitted with no hesitation. “I came in to find him dead at her hand. The whoreson tried to rape her.” The rage at the atrocity came back in full force. Iseabail had been so violated already.

“She is a strong one.”

“Aye.”

Mark must have seen the seal come up behind Seumas before it nudged him and he was ducking under the water. He came up sputtering and dripping wet.

Mark laughed at the seal’s antics. “Does that one know you?”

“I believe she does.” Pushing his hair back from his face, Seumas smiled at his friend. “Methinks I have had enough of the ocean for now. I will return to help Iseabail. Shall I send Elisabeth out?”

Mark closed his eyes and smelled the salt air.

Seumas could well imagine where his mind was going next. “I will take that to mean yes.”

He trudged out of the water and picked up the remains of their camp as he headed to his house. The smell of bacon cooking permeated the air, but it was the rustling beside the shed that took his attention. Dropping all but his tunic, which he quickly pulled over his head, he ducked and listened. Soundlessly, he made his way toward the shed where the noise had come from. Realizing how careless he had become now that he was home, he cursed himself for not carrying a sword or dagger. He should have been safe on his own property, but in reality even a wild animal could kill a man. It was a fool who went around unarmed.

A dark form huddled under the window. The sack over his shoulder rubbed against the bush, announcing the man’s location. Seumas slipped quietly along the shed, flattening against it. The man stretched himself to peer through the window that led into the kitchen. He was unkempt, and his clothes ragged.

“Hold.” Seumas stepped away from the shed to reveal himself.

The man cowered back in fear, his hands going up protectively.

“Wait.” Seumas tried to sound less forceful, but he could not get the man to stop backing away until he was running into the woods.

Now he understood Iseabail’s dilemma. His own reaction was that the man had meant him harm, but when he saw the look of confusion in his eyes, he knew that was not the case. He frowned. Those eyes had seemed very familiar.

Seumas wrapped his kilt around himself and came into the house fully clothed. Calum sat at the table across from Elisabeth, and his beautiful wife squatted beside the fire, stirring the coals beneath the pan. Pride surged through him at the sight.

Calum got up and headed toward him, looking even stronger today. He wrapped his small arms around Seumas’s waist.

“How fare ye?” Seumas asked.

Calum returned his smile, his green eyes bright as he looked up at him. Seumas’s heart seemed to stop. The same almond shape. The same squinting corners. Merely different colors.

“I am well. A good night’s sleep,” Calum said.

Seumas compared the eyes mentally, trying to remember the man. The nose had seemed familiar as well.

Iseabail turned toward her husband, the shadow of a smile beneath the upturned nose...a woman’s version, but the same nose. “Is something amiss?”

Seumas needed to think on this more before mentioning it. He shook the disturbing thoughts aside. “No. Oh yes. Elisabeth, Mark asked if ye could join him at the ocean’s edge. Something about baby seals?” Seumas made up the lie, and when her face lit up, he knew Mark would not have to wait long for his wife.

“I will save you both some breakfast, Elisabeth, fear not,” Iseabail said to her new friend’s parting back and turned a lovely shade of pink.

Iseabail is incorrigible.

Lifting Calum into his arms, he hugged him tightly again. “I am so glad ye are with us.”

“As am I.”

“I had a dream that you were coming,” Iseabail said, though she seemed to be paying more attention to the porridge in the pot than what else was happening in the room.

It occurred to Seumas that her dream had been correct, they had both just misunderstood what it had meant.

“And we are very glad you are here,” Iseabail exclaimed as she brought the food to the table. She tousled Calum’s hair as she sat down.

Iseabail was dishing out the food when Calum spoke. “I have your cloak.”

She paused in her task. “How did that come about?”

Calum’s imploring eyes never left the food. His hands were open, waiting for the bowl of porridge.