One & Only (24 page)

He tried to grasp her hands to stop
her from caressing him. “Nay, nay. Just lay there, Grey. Let me.” Bree
continued to rub his arms and body until she reached his midsection. There she
stopped and watched his hard length grow with her gaze. With a grin, she took
it in her hand and caressed the hot silkiness of his hardness. Grey groaned.

“I want you. I want to make you scream
with pleasure.”

She giggled and was delighted by his
words because she knew far too well that he surely could make her scream. Bree
wasn’t sure what she was doing, but Cait had said she’d done such things to the
men she’d been with. Of course Cait had described in full detail her endeavor.
She knew what to do, but was uncertain if she would do it right. Bree kissed
the crown of his erection and slid her lips temptingly down his shaft. Grey
almost bucked her off him when he sucked in a deep breath.

“Now, now, my lord. Don’t be so
impatient. Let me pleasure you.” She continued to move her mouth over his skin,
sucking hard at the taste of him. It nearly did her in. A wetness came between
her legs, fueling her need to have him there. Bree reared up and crawled over
his frame to straddle him. Betwixt her legs, Grey jerked his body causing her
to shift forward. Before she knew what was happening, he entered her.

Bree moaned at the pleasure of the
fulfillment. His hard length seemed to penetrate deep and made her want to beg
him to go harder. “Ah Grey, that’s what I want. Aye, all of you.”

He thrust deeper, if that was
possible. Bree squealed with pleasure and when she propelled her curls against
him, a sensational feeling overcame her. Twinges of pleasure ricocheted through
her womb, making her convulse and move faster against his jerks.

Their lovemaking became forceful and
she enjoyed every mind-blowing thrust of his body. Bree leaned forward and
kissed him, letting her mouth move from his lips to his neck and lower to his
chest. Grey held on to her hips, moving his body so rapidly he would have
thrown her off him, had he not held tightly.

Bree existed no longer. Everything
she was in that moment ceased to be. She was no longer a woman, a friend, a
daughter, a cook – she was sensuality in its raw form. Bree shouted an
unladylike expletive as her womb pulsed with each of Grey’s thrust. Together
they came, reaching the climax at the same time, each thoroughly sated and
pleasured.

Bree lay against his chest, listening
to the rapid beat of his heart. Her legs crushed against his sides and all she
could feel was his hands moving over her back and his chest moving forcefully
with breath beneath her cheek.

“I will never lose you again, Bree.
Never.”

“You won’t lose me, Grey.”

He cuddled next to her, holding her
as close as he could. “I had to handle a clan matter this day and I wanted to
tell you before you heard …”

“What happened?” She set her palm on
the side of his neck, hoping to comfort him. Whatever it was certainly seemed
serious.

“I banished Anna and her family this
morn.”

“You did? Oh, Grey, that’s awful
news. Why?”

“I know how you feel about
banishment, but she set fire to Peter’s cottage.”

Bree couldn’t believe Anna would do
something so malicious, even if the woman did detest her. “Grey, are you
certain it was Anna? Have you proof?”

“Aye, a witness came forward. Nell
told me she saw her that night sneaking around your cottage. She said she saw
her carrying a torch and set it to the thatch.” Grey rolled to his side and
leaned on his elbows.

“Hmm. I don’t recall seeing Nell in
the hall that night. Are you certain she was being truthful?” Bree didn’t know
what to make of Nell’s story.

“Why would she lie? Nell had no
reason to make up a fabrication. Anna wouldn’t admit it, but I know she wanted
to hurt you. I couldn’t have her here and her family wouldn’t let me send her
off and thus they went with her.”

“I understand, Grey, but I certainly
don’t agree. I pity Anna. She has feelings for you and if I hadn’t come mayhap
you might have grown to love her.”

Grey scoffed. “I could never wed
Anna, Bree, she’s my da’s brother’s child. My own cousin. She knew I wouldn’t
marry her.”

Bree frowned at that. “Would she be
irate to be thrown out of your kitchens to do something so heinous?”

“Mayhap, apparently.” Grey sighed,
and tilted his head forward so it rested on her abdomen. Bree petted his hair
and sighed too.

“So the man whom you threw out of
the keep that night was your uncle?”

“Aye. He lectured me because I
allowed an unmarried woman to stay in my keep. I didn’t take kindly to his
threats and words about my da being disappointed.”

Bree wanted to laugh, but kept
herself from doing so. “Oh, I thought he was angry since you rejected Anna
because of me. If you couldn’t wed her then why did the women insinuate that
you would?”

“They all thought I wouldn’t give a
damn about our relation because of her beauty. None knew I had sworn never to
marry when you went missing. I meant to keep my vow, Bree.”

Bree touched his face and kissed him
tenderly on his lips. “Well I have returned and thankfully you can retract that
vow.”

“I mean it, Bree, I will never lose
you again.”

CHAPTER twenty-three

Bree happily lingered in bed the
next morning, contently thinking about being with Grey the night before. On the
morrow, she would wed him as she should have many years before. All would be
put to right with their vows and they could finally live in peace as the
previous king had willed.

As Bree lay there, she also thought
about what the women of the Gunn clan had done and how happy they made her.
Acceptance. It felt so good to be accepted and wanted. She hadn’t known what
that really felt like until now.

The Champlains had never been so
accepting nor loving. But still her childhood could have been worse. If MacHeth
kept her with him at the Mackay keep, her life would have been filled with
terror. At least she had security while growing up and the baron wasn’t an
unscrupulous father.

An alarm sounded and several shouts
came through the window casement. Something caused the men to raise an alarm.
Bree moved off the bed and went to see what was happening. She didn’t realize
she was naked until she chilled when removing the covers. Hastily she wrapped
the cover around her and looked out the window casement.

Many of the clan’s people were in
the courtyard and lower baily. She could see afar stood a great army. Gazing to
the walkway of the battlement, she saw fires alight and archers running,
setting up bows and placing arrows in wooden barrels.

Bree couldn’t tell who the army
belonged to. The Scots were not fond of announcing who had come calling to war.
They did not take many banners or flags with them on their endeavors. Nor did
they wear chainmail or armor. At least, she hadn’t seen many do so.

She’d overheard some of Lord Thomas’
men speaking about it once, saying the Scots felt it encumbered them. Some of
her father’s knights rid themselves of it as well and instead wore thick
leather hides for protection.

She quickly donned a gown and set
the Gunn plaid around her, belting it at her waist. With all the commotion, she
wanted to find out what was happening and if she could help.

When she entered the hall, she found
Cait and Sunny looking through the doorway out at the scene of warriors running
through the courtyard. She stepped behind them and tried to listen.

“What’s happening?” she asked Cait.

“I don’t know. I heard that the
Mackay soldiers have come to besiege the Gunns. They are not happy about the
Gunns keeping you here and have come for you.”

“They have no right to demand I go
with them.”

“Stay inside, Bree. ‘Tis dangerous
for you to go out there.”

“I won’t stay here whilst I am the
cause of this fracas. I’ll go to the allure and try to find out what’s going
on.” Bree ran to back entrance of the keep and then tried to be inconspicuous
as she hastened to the back wall. Once there, she took a ladder to the
battlement and found a few men standing afar, concentrating on the army below
the walls.

Bree snuck beyond them and moved as
close to the barbican as she could. Looking down at the crowd, she could see
Grey and his guard had ridden out to meet with the army’s leaders. She wished
she were close enough to hear what they were saying.

Grey rode his warhorse with Duff and
Greer flanking him. A man, much older than Grey rode out with two of his men,
meeting the Gunns in the center. They seemed heated and each rode around each
other. Grey spit on the ground near the other solider and then reared his
horse. He, Greer, and Duff came riding back and the gate was closed.

The man wasn’t to be put off though.
He came riding up to the gate and shouted for Grey to come out.

“Don’t be a coward, lad. Ye have no
right to keep our lass within your walls. Release her and no harm will come to
your clan.”

“Go home, Branford. Bree belongs to
the Gunns. She has always belonged to us. You have no rights over her.”

“No rights? She was a Mackay afore
she was taken from the bosom of her mother. Your betrothal was never set in
place. Ye have no right to keep her here. She is not a Gunn.” The man spit on
the ground and turned to call forth his soldiers.

Grey strode from the gate. Bree
looked down and could see he was not in the mood to argue with. She drew a
quick breath when he pulled his sword from his scabbard. There hadn’t been many
times she’d seen him do so and now for some reason, his massive sword and what
he could do with it, frightened her.

She couldn’t have the Mackays and
Gunns fighting. Not over her. With that, Bree started running to the ladder.
Once on the ground, she darted to the gate and tried to get past Grey’s guard.

“Nay, milady, ye can’t go out
there.” Duff held her back.

“Let me go.” She tried to jerk her
arm free and was able to gain her freedom when she stepped on his foot and
shoved him back.

Bree made it outside of the gate,
but Grey’s guard rushed to stand behind her.

“Grey, please, don’t kill him.”

He turned to look at her. “Don’t
kill him? He means to take you away.”

“I won’t let him.” Bree set her hand
on his bicep and tried to tell him with her eyes to stand down. Grey didn’t
sheath his sword, but at least he relaxed his hold on it.

“I am Bree. Why have you come?” She
called out to the Mackay soldier.

“You are my sister, Albrey Mackay.
You belong to the Mackays. We have come to collect you.” The man approached
until he was a few feet from she and Grey.

“I do not belong to the Mackays. I
was told I was not the true daughter of Laird Mackay. If that is so, then you
were not my clan and have no right to claim me.” Bree looked at Grey before
continuing, “The Gunns have saved me from MacHeth and MacWilliams. I owe my
loyalty to them. I shan’t wish to go with you. Be gone.”

Suddenly a noise drew up from the
Mackay army and someone rode through the fray on a beautiful white horse. A
hooded person stopped and then dismounted with the help of two soldiers.

“Cease. We will not besiege the
Gunns, Branford. What are you thinking? I came as soon as the wind brought me
news of your plan.” Branford did not retreat and the lady shoved him backward.
“I said cease.”

An older woman with brown hair,
streaked with gray came forward. Her soft brown eyes searched her out and Bree
returned the gaze. At once she knew who the lady was. Lady MacKay. The woman
took small steps toward her until she stood before Grey.

“Laird Gunn, if you would allow me.
I would speak to Albrey.”

Grey nodded curtly. “I will allow
it, but she shall not leave Gunn land.”

“May I be invited inside?”

“Mother, you cannot go inside our
enemy’s lair. Are ye gone maddened?” Branford, who had mounted his steed, quickly
descended and landed on his feet. “Step back. I will not allow ye to go with
them.”

“Branford Mackay, I will not take
orders from you. You are my son and I know you are concerned. But I know Grey
Gunn, he is a trustworthy ally of ours and the Gunns would never harm a woman.
If ye wish to come with me, then come. If not, stand down and wait for me. I
will return anon.”

Lady Mackay motioned for them to
move inside and followed behind Grey’s guard. Bree walked next to Grey and kept
looking behind her at the woman. A sadness came, for the woman was brave enough
to shout at the very tall, very formidable leader of the Mackay clan.

Only she would have such a mother.
If only she had been able to learn from her and had enjoyed her company
throughout her years. She would have far more courage than she had.

Once they reached the keep, Grey led
the procession inside. He asked Bea and Nell to fetch refreshments and bid
everyone else to take a seat.

Bree could cut the tension in the
air with her supper knife. With a quick glance at Grey, she then turned her
attention to the woman. “I don’t know what to call you.”

“You are so beautiful, Albrey. I
never thought to see you again.” She wiped her eyes as tears began forming. “I
cannot believe I am looking at you. All these years … I have mourned ye,
Albrey. You’re alive and well. I suppose I have Grey to thank for that?”

Grey nodded and kept silent.

“Please, no one calls me Albrey.
Call me Bree. And what shall I call you?”

“I wish you would call me mother,
but I understand if you cannot. Pray call me Maud. Your father, god rest his
soul, was Ian. We loved ye, child with all our hearts.”

“But you were not my parents,” Bree
said, and then looked at Branford who wouldn’t take a seat. That riled the
guard who watched him like a hawk. She was afraid Grey’s guard would take
offense and start a fight within the hall.

“I fear that is so. One night during
the winter solstice our sire came and bade us to take care of you. He told us
to care for you as our own, to call you a Mackay. You were just born and he
could not care for you. Ye were such a wee thing. We loved you right off.”

Branford approached the table and
grabbed her arm, unsettling her from her seat. Bree tried to get him to release
her, but his grip was firm. His action would surely cause the guard to lose
their patience with him.

“That is why ye must return to your
brethren. You are a Mackay as our sire decreed. Will you go against King
William, Gunn?”

Grey stood, giving a glare to
Branford. “The king is dead. She will wed me as the king decreed on the morrow.
Will you go against King William, Branford?”

Before she could stop him, Branford
jerked her. He was then torn from her by five surly warriors, all of whom
threatened to beat the life from him. Grey’s guard each threw in punches and
the scuffle hadn’t lasted long. Branford lay upon the floor, his face bloodied,
his lip fattened and split, and his eyes puffy. Aye, they’d done him in.

Grey didn’t move from his place at
the table, but smiled at his guard and nodded at her.

“I … I do apologize, Lady MacKay.
Grey’s guard is a little possessive of me. I fear anyone who would do me harm
would not fare well.”

Lady Mackay laughed. “I see. My son
does not realize his jeopardy. Not to worry, lass. As I was saying, our King
William came that night and gave you to us. We were delighted to have you as
our child. My laird, Ian, adored you and was proud to call you daughter. Our
sire came oft to visit. On the day of your betrothal to Grey, my Ian and Laird
Gunn had made a pact. I fear that pact did not last long when the MacHeth
overtook our clan. We will uphold my laird’s pact with your father, Laird Gunn.
I do not wish there to be war amongst us.”

“I will honor their pact as well,
Lady Mackay.” Grey nodded and motioned for his guard to back up and give poor
Branford some breathing room.

“Did you not search for me?” Bree’s
question came out in a soft tone; she almost feared asking that question.

“At first we searched continuously.
Ian was beset with worry and couldn’t rest until you were found. When the war
broke among the MacHeths and Mackays, he had no time to continue the search.
Then Ian was killed and I was imprisoned in my home, as was your brother
Branford until we were freed by your sister’s husband. Your sister, Esmereld
had married one of the king’s men and had moved away. When word reached us you
were found, we came posthaste.”

“I am sorry the MacHeth clan caused
you such grief. I feel it is my fault.”

“Oh lass, it were not your fault.
You were just a wee lass. Had we known of MacHeth’s intent, we would not have
allowed him on our land. Ian was leery of him, but he never suspected he would
do something so foul as to abduct a child.”

“Abduct and send me away from all
those who loved me. I didn’t remember you and could not return. If it were not
for MacHeth sending for me, I would never have known about you or the Gunns.”
Bree sighed, feeling heavy from all the strain of the happenings.

“Will you wed my daughter, Laird
Gunn?”

Grey took Bree’s hand and smiled. He
nodded to Lady Mackay. “Aye, in fact we are to wed on the morrow. You are
welcome to stay and join the festivities. Bree would have it no other way.”

“I should like that. And Bree, no
matter what has happened, in my heart I have always felt like your mother. I
hope in time you can come to understand that.”

“I would like to get to know you.”
Bree felt the peacefulness of her words and tried not to weep with the joy of
finally knowing her mother.

“Do you still cook?”

All those around the table laughed.
Lady Mackay grinned and folded her hands atop the table. “Did I say something
humorous?”

“I do love to cook or be in the
kitchens. How did you know?”

“I couldn’t keep you from the
kitchens. As soon as you could walk, that’s where you always wanted to be. If
anyone wanted to spend time with you, they’d have to spend time with cook too.”

“I’ll have chambers prepared,” Grey
said and then called forth Bea. “And someone help Branford off the floor. I
suspect he’ll need the healer.”