Kara Griffin - The Pith Trilogy (13 page)

The MacKinnon men took offense at Garrick’s audacity, too, and they elected Douglas to cut in. Douglas strutted to Garrick, shoved him away, took Julianna’s hand, and led her out of the dance.

“Lady MacKinnon,” Douglas said. “I wouldn’t let Colin see ye dancing with Garrick.”

“Why not?” she asked, ignoring his reference of Lady MacKinnon.

Colin was sure she would give Douglas hell for calling her that.

“Because he wouldn’t like it.”

“Well, I do whatever I want, Douglas.”

Turning, he took her hand and laughed at that. “You will make him a fine wife; aye ye have the same demeanor. I have often heard him say the same thing.”

“Douglas, I’m not, nor will I ever be that man’s wife.”

Colin laughed at her stubbornness and turned to leave. He’d sleep outdoors, where the cool air would soothe his restlessness.

Being home should have eased Colin’s restlessness, but no matter how hard he tried to rest, he tossed and turned. Thoughts of Julianna, the vow to his da, and clan matters made rest impossible. He spent a few hours mingling in the hall, waiting for Steven or Julianna to awaken. Steven ate his morning fare with him and then left to go on a hunt with his men. That left Colin sitting alone. He decided he’d waited long enough for Julianna. The sun had risen long ago—it was about time the lass showed herself.

Standing in the upstairs hall, Colin saw a maid knock at her door. He waited beside an inset and listened. The maid had left the door open and he found himself smiling when he heard her voice.

“Good morn, milady, Lady KirkConnell awaits ye below.”

“Thank ye, Jeannie. I cannot wait to meet her son. Is he awake?”

“Oh aye, the wee one is. Go and I’ll straighten your chamber.”

“There’s no need. I took care of it. Good day.” She stepped out of her chamber and passed him. He followed to the hall and saw her take a large piece of bread from a tray.

He wasn’t surprised by her kindness. Her gracious nature alluded to the beauty inside. Nay, she wasn’t mean, and certainly not one to keep her heart to herself. What did he know of a woman’s heart? He only knew of his mother’s cold heart and his da’s words.

Colin should have made himself known, but when she took Sara’s bairn in her arms, he thought she looked so lovely. He pictured her holding his own son.

Julianna smiled. “Oh, Sara, he’s so beautiful. Look at that dark hair and his toothless grin. Why, I do believe he’s melted my heart.”

“Aye, be careful he’s a wiggler. He’s a wee one, but a good laddie and never frets.”

She held him against her chest. “He’s so light. I have never held a baby before.”

Sara laughed. “He is only two months old. His father is proud.”

“I imagine so.” She laid the baby’s head against the crook of her arm. “Ah, little Jamie, ye are a fine lad, that ye are. ‘Tis a wee bairn, but you’ll grow to be nice and strong. What a sweetheart!” She kissed him lightly.

Colin leaned against the wall and continued to listen.

“If I didn’t know better, I would think ye were trying to convince him he’s yours. I am so happy you love my son, you have always taken to children.” Sara touched her son’s head.

“Sara, he’s perfect. I wish someday I could have one like him.”

Colin heard the sadness in her voice.

“I didn’t mean to make ye unhappy, Julianna. You’ll have babies someday, and you will love your husband and children.”

“Nay, I won’t let the man I love be endangered. I cannot bear children without a husband, now can I?”

“You need someone to protect ye, someone who will care for ye and—”

“Nay, I shan’t marry. I wish someone cared about me … but I shall not have false hope. I’ll become a maid or household caretaker. I could help a laird’s lady tend her children,” Julianna said. “I could be your maid.”

“Be a maid? Nay, ye won’t be someone’s servant. What about the MacKinnon? I see how ye look at him.”

“Colin is not the man for me. I cannot think about that. I must figure out how to get Laila to safety and stay away from England. I cannot return.”

“I told ye we’ll think of something. Laila will be secure until ye get to her. Now, enough of that, I have to put Jamie down for his morn rest. Why don’t ye go outside and take a walk? I know you are dying to.” Sara took the baby in her arms, and walked to the stairs.

“I do want to take a walk. I cannot wait to run through the heather and feel the sunshine.” Julianna took a long drink then left the hall.

Colin waited until Sara passed before he went to the table and sat. He was certainly the man for her. What did she mean she wouldn’t marry and have bairns? Who was Laila? She wasn’t going to marry? He didn’t care that she wasn’t going to marry, because he was keeping her. Why didn’t she want to marry? Every woman wanted to wed, didn’t they? Nay, she loved the bairn too much and wanted her own. She’d have to marry to get a bairn, she said. Little did she know. He’d had enough trouble staying away last night. Look at him now, eavesdropping to find out her secrets.

Realization hit him like a rock. He smacked his head with his palm—she spoke in Gaelic. How did she know the language? And she spoke fluently. She’d understood what he’d said to the Ferguson, and hadn’t uttered a word. He wouldn’t let on that he knew, and mayhap use it to his advantage. Somehow, he’d find out what was going on.

Last night, he’d spent a good amount of time pondering her mysterious comments, and the way she’d sung the ditty. Aye, he’d have her singing his tune and soon. She lied, but he’d forgive her. Colin decided not to feel guilty for spying on her.

Several men joined him and conversed about their troubles with the border barons, but Colin’s mind remained on Jules’ problems.

“Colin?”

Aye, he had to think of a way to get her into his bed. He’d been barely able to keep himself from sneaking in her bedchamber last night. He couldn’t do anything but think of her and the way he had made love to her. Colin closed his eyes, and swallowed at the vision of how her passion matched his.

“Colin?” Robin nudged his shoulder.

“What?”

“I asked when are we going to return to our holding?”

“Not for a while, Robin, there are things I must do.”

“I see.”

“What do ye see, Robin?”

“I see you are taken with the lass, and you are going to put the war with the McFies on hold for a while?”

“Are ye asking or telling?”

“I am asking.”

“I cannot leave yet, not until I figure out what’s going on. I’m bringing her home, but first I must find out what troubles her.”

“Let us know when we leave. We’ll stay in the barracks. I am having a hard time keeping that Bleeth fellow away. Brendan keeps him occupied.”

“Be sure he does, I don’t need Bleeth’s interference. Are ye that anxious to get home, Robin?”

“It has been a long time since we were there.”

“Why don’t ye go and see her? I know that’s what you want to do.” Colin laughed, knowing his brother’s interest in a woman at their holding.

“Mayhap I will. Ye won’t mind if I do?”

“Nay, I’ll not be needing ye. Brendan can see to Bleeth. You have a few days to attend to it. I hope you have a grand time with her.”

“Tess won’t let me get close enough to talk to her, I doubt it’ll be grand. I just want to see her.”

“I wish ye luck, you’ll need it.” Colin laughed, slapping his brother on the back. Robin strode from the hall on his way to meet his own adversary.

Chapter Twenty

Julianna looked everywhere at once, not wanting to miss a single detail. People were doing their chores outside in the sunshine, and smiled when she passed by. Skirting the lower bailey where the men trained, she saw two men going at each other with swords so she hurried on.

Children played a game in the dirt and threw rocks on the ground, trying to get them into the boxes drawn with sticks. They argued whether a rock had made it into the square and she laughed because they became so heated. Two boys fought, rolling on the ground, and the rest of the children urged them on. She grabbed one of the boys, pulling him off the other. A boy pushed at her to shove his friend, and she fell backward, hitting her head on a rock.

The boys stopped fighting at once.

“Who is she?” Mikey asked.

“What are we going to do?” Andrew asked.

“It wasn’t my fault. Ye pushed her, Andrew.”

“If ye didn’t start it, she wouldn’t have fell.”

A soldier heard the commotion and came running, “What are ye lads up to? Who hit the lady?” None of the children responded, the soldier frowned. “Lad, find the Laird.”

The soldier slapped her face lightly, but she didn’t stir. “Oh God,” he whispered, “The Laird is going to shout to the heavens.” He asked another lad to fetch water. She wasn’t bleeding and didn’t appear to have injuries.

“What’s going on, Cameran?” Steven asked when he arrived. “The lad said to come …” He noticed Julianna lying on the ground. Looking around, he saw mostly children about. Had Cameran done this? He hoped not, because Colin would kill him. Steven turned to see Colin approaching.

“Colin, wait, we don’t know what happened yet.”

Colin stormed past him and lurched at Cameran, but Steven held him back and motioned for him to go to her.

“The woman set out only five minutes ago, surely this couldn’t have happened.” Colin held her head, took water from a lad, and splashed it in her face. Her hair came undone from its ties, and he pushed it from her face as she opened her eyes.

“Are ye hurt?” he whispered.

She groaned. Colin held her gently.

“Just a few more minutes.” She closed her eyes again and he shook her.

“Jules, awaken, open your eyes.”

“Pray, don’t do that.” She could barely speak. Her stomach flipped and she wondered whether her fall caused it or if it was from being so close to him. She looked into his green eyes and smiled.

She heard Steven tell the children to go. He moved aside with a soldier and began shouting.

Colin kissed her forehead. “I’ll not move, sweetheart. Ye must have hit your head.”

Her body shook, and he tightened his hold. Julianna didn’t want the children to take the blame for her injury, so she kept quiet about their argument.

“Colin, I can rise. Let me up.”

“You are certain?”

“Aye, I’m fine. I have a little ache in my head. I must have tripped on that rock.” She pointed to a rock on the ground. “I’m usually not clumsy.”

“You tripped on a rock?” He assisted her to her feet, and set her on a large boulder. He leaned his head until it touched hers. “You scared the devil out of me. I’ll carry ye to the keep.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

He kissed her abruptly and ran the pad of his thumb along her chin. “Wait here while I talk to Steven.”

Julianna saw Bleeth striding from the barracks. He watched them from a nearby tree and she was going to call out, but his expression was quite angry. It dawned on her that Bleeth was jealous of Colin, and she had to do something to ease her friend’s discontent. She waved and he approached.

“I know you’re angry, Bleeth, but I want to explain.”

“My lady, there is nothing to say. I know how ye feel about the laird and I must do something to prevent it.” He raised his hands and waved them about.

“What are ye going to do?”

“Julianna, I cannot sit by idly watching ye make a fool of yourself with that heathen. Ah, the torrid walk of fire spell … I am trying to remember the words.”

“Bleeth, don’t do anything stupid.” Julianna tried to slap his hands, but he jerked them away.

“Sun lend your heat, encase the enemy’s feet. Make him skip, make him trip. Sun, above, hear my chant; have it be more than a scant.”
He aimed his fingers directly at Colin.

“Bleeth, cease this nonsense.” Julianna pulled him back, but he jumped to his feet and began jumping around and flapping his arms as though his feet were on fire.

Colin looked at Bleeth as though he were mad. “What’s wrong with him?”

“I … I am not sure. Bleeth, are ye all right?”

Bleeth took off running. Whatever he’d done must have backfired and the spell he’d tried to cast on Colin was cast upon himself.

Colin lifted her in his arms. “Hold onto me, lass.”

He didn’t give her much of a choice, and so she held on to him tightly. As they walked past Steven, he cast them a look, as did the many soldiers now mulling around the courtyard.

Colin quickly reached her chamber, and placed her upon her pallet. He set his arms on each side of her body, staring into her eyes. The look reminded her of a hungry wolf, and it scared her.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“Lass, I … want ye.”

Awkward silence followed, until he lowered his head and kissed her. She returned the kiss, burning now with the passion he’d showed her. His hands moved over her clothing, and once her bodice was opened, he scorched her skin with his touches. She groaned in pleasure when his mouth moved over her skin. The way his lips pressed intimate areas made her feel naughty, but oh so desirable. He began pulling away, but she pulled him back for another kiss. Lost in the depths of passion, neither heard the knock.

The door creaked open and someone came inside. Julianna pulled the covers over herself and shimmed under them.

“I came to see if Julianna was injured,” Sara said as she entered.

Colin turned to address her. “Jules is well enough, you can run along.”

Sara was trying not to laugh. “I am the lady of the keep, and ‘tis my duty. Besides, it is improper for ye to be in her chamber. Move along so I can look her over. Unless you have?”

Colin frowned. “Looked her over? Hell, I have done more than that.”

Julianna moaned when Sarah laughed. Colin cursed, and allowing Sara to sit beside her.

“I will leave ye then. Jules, you’re sure you are well?”

Colin looked to the door at his escape, what with the way she and Sara teased him. “Sara will see to me now.”

He left the room hastily as though his feet had been set afire like Bleeth’s. Julianna relaxed against the pillow, closing her eyes and wallowing from Colin’s kisses.

“You’re not attracted to him?” Sara asked when he left.

“Sara, he’s so … I cannot control what he makes me feel. When he kisses me, I cannot stop.”

“Ye don’t want to stop. You are a naughty girl, Julianna Bentley.” Sara giggled.

“Cease or you’ll make my head spin. I tripped on a rock because I was too busy watching the children play their game. I’m sorry I scared ye,” Julianna tried to explain.

“I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you. Are ye sure I cannot do anything?”

“Nay, I am well, truly.”

“I better let Steven know. He will be wondering what happened.” She covered Julianna, and added, “Best fix your gown; I see it has fallen off during your trip to the ground.”

Julianna threw a pillow at the door only to hear Sara laugh loudly.