Kara Griffin - The Pith Trilogy (17 page)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Schemes aplenty were being formed, unbeknownst to Colin and Julianna.

The next morning, Douglas sat next to Julianna and asked if she wanted to take a stroll. His invitation pleased her, and the rest of Colin’s men actually smiled at her. They turned into gentlemen, and Colin had turned into a hostile boar. Steeping outside the hall with her hand tucked into the fold of Douglas’ arm, she saw Colin on his warhorse. He glanced at her, swung his horse around, and began to gallop away.

Colin seemed to be leaving. He’d leave without saying farewell? Panic seized her when he reached the barbican, but he stopped abruptly and raced back. The horse’s hooves stomped the ground nearby, making dust fly around them. He gave Douglas a hard look when he jumped off his horse’s back. He leaned close, slipped his arm around her waist and led her away from Douglas.

“Laird MacKinnon!” she said breathlessly.

Douglas’ laugh could be heard by all; he swaggered away.

Colin stood with his arm around her, showing no expression.

“Are ye leaving? I want to thank you for your escort and to say farewell.”

“Nay, I am not leaving. I told ye I’d take you with me. Were you not listening? I’m giving my horse a wee bit of exercise. Are ye weeping?”

“Uh nay, dirt flew in my eyes,” she lied.

“I wanted to ride today. Would you like to come?”

“I would.” She smiled at the thought of riding with him again. He seemed in better spirits this day and his mood had lightened. He mounted his horse, and swung her onto his lap.

They rode a long while. He took her deeper into the woods, holding her tightly. She felt his hard body against her back and his strong arms holding her. Happiness surged through her.

Colin stopped his horse an hour or so later by a large lake. The landscape enthralled her. Trees surrounded the lake, of the like she’d never seen. They towered to the sky and were so dense that the outside drifted into obscurity. The sky’s reflection rested atop the surface of the dark water. White puffy clouds skirted the smooth visage.

He dismounted and lifted her from the warhorse’s back. She thanked him for his assistance when he set her on the ground. Standing close, she wished he would kiss her.

“’Tis lovely here,” she said softly.

“I knew you’d like it. This is my land. I have missed it.” He gazed at the landscape warmly.

“Your land? It is glorious. You must be proud to belong here. Wish that I …”

“Not many see this land. We don’t allow others to cross our borders. Would ye like to swim?”

Did she hear him aright? She wished she could jump in. The weather grew warm enough, and she wanted to abandon herself to the water. “I would like to, but it wouldn’t be proper.”

“Everything is proper in the Highlands. Last one in is a stinking toad.” He yanked a tress of her hair and ran to the water’s edge.

She couldn’t believe he pulled her hair like a young lad bent on trouble. Her eyes shone bright, and she grinned at his playful banter. She watched him disrobe. The man didn’t have a modest bone in his body. He jumped into the lake and swam farther out.

Sitting on the bank, watching him, she considered the ramifications of continuing their relationship. Should she allow him liberties? Deep down, she wanted to belong to him, wanted to have him claim her as his men had said. Fearing the worst, she knew she didn’t have much time before either her father or the king came. If her father got to her, she’d end up married to a snake. If the king got to her, she could very well end up in a dungeon or even put to death. Those thoughts settled it.

She wanted to be Colin MacKinnon’s lover and she didn’t care if she was wanton about it. Though she knew being someone’s mistress wasn’t at all accepted, she’d have to take what he offered. If she might possibly die soon, she wouldn’t regret her decision. She could love him easily, and wondered if she’d already fallen in love with him.

“Hurry, or else you’ll turn into a toad. The water is warm,” he called.

Should she go in? Shyly, she removed everything except her shift. She placed her clothes away from the water’s edge and walked to the water. “Ahhh.”

“I have heard that
ahhh
before, and remember. Now here ye are at my loch, like I have dreamt many times.” He walked in the water, scooping handfuls of water.

“’Tis freezing,” she yelled.

He laughed. “Jules, come.”

She swam to him and he pulled her into his arms. He was rock hard everywhere, even his legs seemed like rocks as her legs brushed against his. She couldn’t speak, but let the stillness of the loch surround her.

Colin tilted her head back and kissed her. Her decision made, she returned his kiss. Grabbing the flesh of her underside, he gave it a gentle squeeze, at the same time kissed her breast. She whimpered, running her hands along his back, through his hair, finally pulling him back to her mouth. She loved how passionate he made her feel.

“I’m a fortunate man.”

Julianna couldn’t say a word, because his touches distracted her. He pulled her to the grassy bank and set her on a smooth rock formation. The rock’s heat and hardness felt splendid against her back, and she gave him a sensual smile.

“I want ye like no other.”

She held out her arms, and he lowered himself beside her. Her skin seemed to ignite as he rubbed his body against hers.

It could be easy to love this man.

He pulled off the wet fabric of her shift to reveal her skin. Using his mouth, he trailed hot kisses over her stomach.

“You are so bonny sweet.” His breath hitched when he joined his body to hers.

Julianna moaned and became utterly undone. Eagerly wanting him to thrust hard, she moved against him. Abandoning all her morals, she gave over to her feelings, letting him know that she was his. He slowed his movements, making her writhe beneath him. She wanted him to move faster and told him so.

She wrapped her legs tighter to pull him closer. Julianna wanted to reach the sky and touch it. Some wonderful, exquisite feeling exploded inside her, making her cry. She became disengaged, weeping joyfully at the marvelous experience. Her climax urged on his, and he didn’t hold back. He shouted with such force, his growl so loud, it startled the birds from the branches above. Finally, he lay next to her, his heart thumping beneath her hand.

Julianna lay mesmerized by the sensations coursing through her body. Wrapped in his arms, she tried to calm her breathing. She didn’t speak—neither did he. Exhausted from her exertion, she couldn’t move and didn’t want to. The mid-afternoon breeze dried her damp skin.

Colin rose, and jumped into the loch. “Good God, ye have slain me, lass,” he murmured. He relaxed in the water.

Julianna lay on the hard surface of the rock, watching him swim. She closed her eyes and let the rock and sun lull her. Startled, someone lightly caressed her bare bottom. She sat up quickly looking for an intruder.

She found him watching her. “Oh, I had forgotten where I was.”

“Lass, we need to go. Steven will send a search if we don’t return soon.”

Julianna leaned into him. He helped to pull on her gown and fix her plaid. Her hair was somewhat tangled. Pulling her fingers through it, she braided it in an attempt to restore order. She wore a KirkConnell plaid, and judging by his expression, he seemed to notice.

“Where’s the plaid I gave ye?”

“I gave it to Sara to wash. I don’t need it, and I was going to return it.”

“Nay, it’s yours now and forever. Make sure you get it back. I don’t want to see you in the KirkConnell’s plaid.”

“I will wear it, Colin. Don’t be angry, it’s too fine a day to get your spine twisted.”

He laughed. “Where do ye come up with these sayings?”

She hunched her shoulder. “Colin, you probably think I’m wanton, and I—”

“Shhh, Jules, don’t say that. I’ll not ever think that. I have been the only man to know ye. You’re a bonny lass to give yourself to me.”

“I don’t intend to marry and you seem … I thought I would never feel …”

“You make me feel incredible, too.” He gave her a sly grin.

“I thought since I wasn’t going to marry, I might as well enjoy being with you.” There, she said it.

“Why don’t ye wish to marry?”

“If I marry, my father will be angry. He made a betrothal with Lord Maxwell Devlin. If I return, I shall be forced to wed to him, and he’s not a gentleman. I refused to marry that monster,” Julianna admitted shamefully. She cast her eyes downward.

He raised her chin so she would look at him. “Finally, answers to the questions that have plagued me. So, ye ran from a betrothal?”

“Aye, I was to be married already. I cannot return. The man is a rotter.”

“I vow to you, Jules, ye won’t have to return. Forget England, your father, and the blasted king. I’m taking you to my clan. I’ll never break my pledge and will keep ye safe forever.”

Julianna’s eyes widened. “I cannot ask that, Colin.”

He smiled. “You haven’t asked me. I’ve given my pledge, never will I break it.”

“I don’t want your pledge. Someday you’ll want to marry and raise a family.”

He grimaced. “I’m never marrying. Now pledge yourself to me, say it.”

“I pledge myself to you, Colin MacKinnon. You’ll be sorry one day. What will happen then?”

“Nay, love, I’ll not be sorry.” He pulled her to his horse, and as they rode back, he held her tenderly.

Julianna thought by being surly, he’d relent and take back his pledge. He looked like he’d laugh, so she gave up trying to get him to retract the words. She didn’t care that he pledged himself. He’d keep her safe, she didn’t mind that, but she wondered why he didn’t want to marry. Her heart filled with love. She loved him. Sadly, she’d never really belong to him. She would go with him, it wouldn’t matter that they weren’t married. God would understand. She believed in the Catholic God, and she hated that England was in turmoil over religion because King John continued to clash with Rome because of his denied choice of Archbishop.

That made her uneasy, too. What kind of man would go to such lengths for religion? Especially after hearing the tales of his executing people, those poor souls he put in the Tower, many executed on his whim. She’d never believe him noble. Her dream was too real—she couldn’t chance to meet him. He’d put her in the Tower, not in the upper parts where wealth could buy comfort. Nay, he’d put her below, in the dark dungeon, left to die.

Julianna became resigned in Colin’s arms. He tightened his hold around her waist, his every touch gentle. If she wasn’t careful, he’d become too important, but he’d wind up breaking her heart.

They reached the keep, and onlookers watched them ride by. All knew what they were about, and smiles lit the faces of Steven’s clan. The ladies stood outside their cottages and sighed when they passed, some murmured: aren’t they a striking pair, they’ve been off in yonder woods. She blushed at the ladies’ remarks, knowing Colin had heard them too.

“Where the devil have ye been? My wife is ready to expire from grief. She believes someone came and stole away with Julianna. Explain, now,” Steven demanded.

“Steven, we were riding,” Colin said.

“You’d best be ready for my wife’s screeching. She’s having a fit, especially since Julianna got lost in the woods. Julianna, you’d better find her and soothe her.”

Julianna ran off; she never saw Steven so angry. She found Sara in the hall, sewing a tunic. After a tight hug, Julianna told her where she’d been.

“I’m glad you’re safe. Let us get some fresh air. I have been inside all day.” Sara set her sewing aside and linked her arm with Julianna’s.

Juliana agreed and left the hall, but when she reached the bottom of the steps, she heard the commotion and noticed the many soldiers making their way up the hill. Colin and Steven’s voices rose.

“Colin, that lass is here under
my
protection. I cannot have ye taking off with her whenever you want. Someone has to protect her from arses like you.” Steven shoved him.

Colin shoved him back. “I don’t explain myself to you.” Steven grabbed him and tried to push him to the ground. Colin retaliated by punching Steven in his left eye.

Steven grunted. “Cosh, that hurt, Colin.”

His eye would likely swell four times its size, but Steven grabbed Colin’s head, held it, and smashed his fist in his face. Blood seeped from Colin’s nose.

“Ye churlish dog, I’m bleeding!”

Julianna gasped, as did Sara. It was the least Colin deserved for the black eye Steven was sure to have. The fight became amusing.

Colin taunted Steven. “I haven’t had this much fun in a long while.” He didn’t refrain from smiling, while he swiped the blood below his nose.

The men battled with fanfare. Clansmen watched and jubilantly betted on who would win, even Bleeth joined in. Colin flung himself at Steven and they rolled on the ground. It was a good thing neither pulled out their swords—they might have killed each another, both became fueled by the crowd’s chants. Colin enjoyed himself too much to cease his attack, but Steven taunted him back. None interfered.

“I think we should break this up.”

Julianna thought Sara had gone mad. She didn’t want to get involved in their scuffle, but if her friend was willing to risk her life then so would she.

They approached the fighting men, shouting their displeasure.

“Cease now!” Sara pulled Steven’s tunic. “Get off him, Steven!”

Julianna pulled Colin’s hair to get him off Steven. Colin put his hand on top of hers.

“Let go, lass. You’re ripping my hair out and it hurts like hell. Even Steven’s punch didn’t hurt as much.”

“I’ll hurt more than that, Colin MacKinnon, if ye don’t cease fighting with Steven.”

Colin and Steven looked at the women; their gazes could verily kill them. They rolled away from each other and tried to rise; both made it to their feet. The men that watched stood in a circle, laughing wholeheartedly, and some even cheered.

“We were training.” Steven glanced at Colin. “That’s what we were doing. Colin?”