Samantha Holt (Highland Fae Chronicles) (10 page)

Alas, his perfect daughter was dead and now he was left with her. Still she might not want power and money as Katelyn had but she would prove her worth in this matter at least. She would prevent war and save her people from further distress. That, at least, she could do right.

She scrubbed her arms, plucked the soap from where it had sunk, lathered up some more bubbles and set to work on her legs. She froze as she spied the bruises on her inner thighs. Her mouth grew dry and the rose scent lingering in the air seemed to become tinged with sweat and blood. The soap slid from her trembling hands and she splashed water over her face as if it would remove the memory of the Viking’s hands on her. When it still refused to leave, she submerged herself under the water and held herself there for a few moments.

When she broke through the surface, Catriona drew in great breaths and concentrated on calming her racing heart. Gaze fixed on the daylight seeping through the partially closed shutters, she clamped her hands by her side. Even being in a place of safety failed to remove her fears. How was it she felt more safe and secure in Finn’s embrace than in a heavily guarded castle?

The thud in her chest slowed and she continued to suck in steady breaths. How she would overcome this, she knew not, but she had to keep hold of her senses. In such a precarious position, one slip and all could come crumbling down. She shook her head and dragged her hands through her hair. So many uncertainties. So much at stake.

***

Having consumed enough ale to warm his aching limbs, Finn stood beneath the large tapestry on one wall and admired it. “Ye have done a fine job,” he said to Lorna. “But do ye nae think ye should turn yer attentions to—” Finn trailed off as a woman descended the stairs from the upper gallery, footsteps so soft he barely heard them.

He let his gaze linger slowly on her and watched the slight sway of her hips beneath her purple gown. The thud of his heart was almost sickening in its rhythm and his temples throbbed as blood surged through his body.

“By God…” he caught himself whispering when she reached the bottom step and lifted her gaze to his.

Her beauty stole his breath. It was a cool beauty but one of utter perfection. Long, black hair draped over her shoulders in waves that begged to be touched. With the front strands tied back, he had a perfect view of her faultlessly oval shaped face and succulent lips. She hung back, hands clasped tightly in front as if waiting permission to approach but he still noted the divine shape of her lips, the little dip at the top of them. The sort of lips capable of bringing a man to his knees.

The woman from his dreams.

Katelyn was the woman from his dreams. How was it possible and how had he not realised?

Lorna coughed and he jolted, reluctantly dragging his gaze from Katelyn.

The woman in question cautiously approached and Finn dipped his head briefly, spreading a warm grin across his face. Mayhap he disconcerted her as her eyes widened. He almost laughed. He was used to women instantly simpering under such a look but she seemed to view him as if he were a wolf on the prowl.

He had to admit he felt like one. Never before had he seen a woman so spectacular. Even his dreams did her no justice. And to think he had laid next to her with nothing more than a fur between them. How had he not recognised it was she?

“Ye look very well, Katelyn.” He murmured her name and savoured how it rolled on his tongue.

A blush of colour blossomed across her pale cheeks as she inclined her head toward him slowly. “Thank ye, sir. The yarrow root Lorna gave me has done much for my injuries.” A hint of a smile teased her lips. “And a bath does much for a woman’s health.”

“Finn,” he corrected, longing to hear her husky tones utter his name and disappointed by her sudden formality.

“Finn.”

It was as if she had to force the word from her mouth but he almost closed his eyes and groaned as she spoke. Finn took the chance to admire her up close. In a gown of purple silk, she looked resplendent… and far too tempting. Rounded breasts shaped her gown and his palms tingled while he imagined how perfectly they would fill his hands. The swelling on her cheek had all but gone and even the faint bruising could not detract from her beauty.

 Katelyn rung her hands and darted her gaze between him and his sister. Dare he hope she was thinking the same? The ache in his body grew and Katelyn was most certainly the source. Finn longed to put a permanent smile on her face. He couldn’t help wonder if a dose of unrestrained loving may well prove to be the best way of doing it. Which was pure folly. She would be in the bed of another man before long.

Her betrothed. Why did he find it so hard to remember that?

Lorna jabbed an elbow lightly in his side and he realised he must have been staring.

“Are ye feeling revived?” Lorna asked.

“Aye, much better, thank ye.”

“Should ye like a tour around? Laird Gillean shall not be with us for several sennights by my reckoning, so this shall be yer home for a while yet.”

“I see.” Katelyn’s voice came out barely more than a whisper, making Finn scowl. She showed little excitement at the idea of meeting her betrothed.

“Ah, Logan.” Lorna motioned to the brooding man as he entered the hall, a glower on his face. Finn resisted the urge to chuckle. The man had been out of sorts ever since their return. His sister had something to do with his dour mood, he suspected. “Will ye show Lady Katelyn around the keep and lands? I have a need to speak with Finn.”

Finn fought the desire to mimic Logan’s scowl as a dart of disappointment jabbed him.
He
wanted to show Katelyn around. In spite of himself, just being without Katelyn caused a strange ache in his chest. He’d already experienced it when she went to her chambers to wash and rest. Those few days traveling together—those few
short
days—reminded him of what it was like to have a woman for company. He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck and glanced at his sister’s all too serious expression. It was a reminder he did not need or want.

“If ye’ll come with me, my lady,” Logan dipped his head to Lorna before turning away.

“I thank ye. Good day to ye.” Katelyn curtseyed and turned to depart, but not before throwing a lingering glance at Finn. Wariness and uncertainty haunted those stunning eyes. Did the previous days’ events cause such a look or was it something more? He couldn’t help but wonder and wish he knew more.

“Will ye tell me more of what happened on Bute?”

Finn snapped his attention to Lorna. “I cannae tell ye much, save that the Norsemen succeeded in capturing the castle.”

“What of Katelyn’s father?”

“I wasnae there long enough to meet with the laird. My priority was Katelyn, as dictated by yer husband’s brother,” he responded stiffly. He would not have a lass tell him he hadn’t done his duty, sister or not.

“’Twill be a while until we hear word from Bute and of the outcome of the siege,” she mused.

“The king will send men over to take it back, will he not?”

“I know not. If the laird lives, he may be expected to fight the Norse himself.”

“If he lives.”

“Which is my concern. Katelyn has not only lost her home but may have lost her father too.”

“Ye show a great deal of interest in that woman, Lorna.”

“As do ye, brother.” She grinned slyly.

He ignored her remark and tried not to think on how right his sister was. “It will no’ be yer concern soon enough. Not when Gillean arrives.”

“Aye, that bothers me too.”

“Surely ‘tis no bad thing she has the security of such a marriage? If her father is dead, she has little now.”

“Do ye no’ see the hurt in her eyes?”

He let his shoulders drop. “Aye, I do.”

“A man like Gillean can do her no good. I know what causes that hurt, Finn. I know all too well,” she said softly.

“What say ye, sister? Ye speak in riddles.”

“I willnae speak on this more than necessary, ‘tis in the past and I know how ye shall react…”

This caused Finn to pause and grip her arm. “What do ye speak of, Lorna? Tell me now.”

She licked her lips. “Ye know my marriage was no’ a happy one.”

“I know he was not the most exciting of men. I regret ye were forced into such an alliance but I was assured he could keep ye safe.”

“Safe from many things, but no’ safe from him,” she said bitterly.

“What say ye? He hurt ye?” He grabbed her other arm and held both tightly. “Lorna, ye will tell me the truth.”

Lorna lowered her gaze. “Aye. He wasnae a good man.”

Finn dropped her arm, stung by her words. Why had he not seen his sister’s misery? He snorted inwardly. Because he was too taken up with the battles at Glencolum. Ach, and too taken up in his own grief. For all his fears of having a woman dependant on him, he had failed the one woman who should have been able to turn to him.

“Why did ye no’ say?” he asked gruffly.

“’Twas nae yer fight, Finn. ‘Tis no matter now, anyhow. He is long dead and I willnae be placed in such a position again.”

“Lorna…” He scraped a hand through his hair. “If ye should ever need…”

She rested a hand on his arm. “Ye are a good man, brother. Ye have never failed me. Are ye not here now? Ye put yer life at risk for Katelyn and my husband’s family. I willnae forget that and neither shall Katelyn. We owe ye a great debt.”

“Ye owe me naught. But it seems I owe ye much more. Lorna, ye shouldnae have had to suffer…”

Ach, his voice cracked. His sister had needed him and he’d been too blind to see it. Or too stubborn. His reluctance to get close to a woman—even his own kin—had cost Lorna dearly. He would not allow that to happen again.

“Do not think on it anymore.”

“If ye had told me…”

“Ye would have what? Killed him.”

“Aye,” he replied through gritted teeth. “Gladly.”

“And ye would have been hanged for yer troubles. I willnae tell ye again, brother. Dinnae think on it. The past is the past.”

He eyed his sister and her resolute expression. Fire still kindled under his skin, merging with that sense of powerlessness. The same as when Alice had died. When birthing their babe took her from him, he’d thrown himself into a drunken stupor. Had the child survived, mayhap he would have behaved differently. As it was, he was ashamed of the way he had dealt with his grief. No doubt, Lorna knew well of it, even if they saw little of each other at the time. But his stubborn sister would not have wished to burden him.

Finn sucked in a long breath and affected a calm expression—even managing to smile. All who knew him recognised his ready smile. None understood the turmoil that lay underneath. Apart from, perhaps, his sister.

“As ye bid, little sister.”

She arched a knowing brow but did not comment on his patronising tone. Rarely did she not rise to his challenges. Even in their childhood she had been determined to prove herself stronger, faster, and cleverer than he and their cousins. Some days he suspected she was indeed the boldest warrior he knew. 

Lorna broke the silence with a quick smile. “And so to Lady Katelyn.”

“Aye?”

“If ye are to stay, ye dinnae toy with her, Finn.”

Finn tried to look affronted but failed. His sister was far too canny. “I dinnae know what ye mean.”

“She needs time and comforting. But she doesnae need ye charming her into bed.”

“Come now, I am in no habit of seducing maidens—betrothed maidens at that.”

“That I know, but she is a bonny lass, and I am no fool.” Lorna propped her hands on her hips. “Ye may act the rogue but ye are honourable and can treat a lass well when ye are doing more than taking a tumble with her. Dinnae take a tumble with her, Finn, ye hear me. Be the gentleman I know ye can be.”

Ach, how he wished his sister would not speak of
tumbling
at the same time as speaking of Katelyn. It made his body ache with need. Creamy flesh, glinting emerald eyes, a gently curving smile as he laid his lips to her soft thighs….

“I willnae touch her,” he said more sharply than intended.

Lorna rolled her eyes. “See that ye do not.”

A retort sat on his tongue but he held it, his sister’s admission of Walter’s treatment of her fresh in his mind. He would do his best not to disappoint her.

 “Make yer plans to stay known to Logan. He likes to know all that is going on in the keep.”

“Aye, now there’s a man who could do with being married off.” He laughed as his sister’s eyes narrowed. “Yer man, Logan, needs a woman. He doesnae know how to take pleasure in anything.”

“Whereas ye take too much,” Lorna shot back.

Finn chuckled again. Lorna had a weak spot when it came to Logan. But then Logan had been there when he had not. It appeared he likely owed that man a great debt too. He shook his head, spun away and strode out of the hall in search of Logan.

He caught sight of Katelyn at Logan’s side, hair streaming behind her as they strolled across the bailey. He paused and studied the blue skies and purple and orange hills. Inhaling the slightly smoky air, he knew he should not touch her again, for he would surely crumble and give into temptation. However he hoped she would at least visit his bed in his dreams again.