Fraser 01 - Highland Legacy (15 page)

Connor languorously stretched, then rubbed the heel of his hand across his eyes. For the first time in years, he’d let down his guard and allowed himself to dream. But the moments of bliss were too brief. Soon, Cameron would come for Cailin and, albeit for her own safety, the knowledge that he may never see her again was like a dagger through his heart.

Peacefully cradled at his side, she rested on his shoulder, her cheeks still flushed from the heat of their passion. She affected him on so many levels, and his body craved hers in a way he’d never known. Maybe Alasdair was right. She’d bewitched him. Cailin addled his brains and scrambled his senses. After the intimacy they shared, how could he let her go?

Daylight filtered through cracks in the closed shutters, and prisms of color danced across the stone floor. He cursed the sun for having the audacity to herald the new day. He cursed the night for ending when he had all but offered his soul to the devil if it could go on forever. He cursed fate for bringing her into his life, only to snatch her away.

Cailin stirred, released a soft sigh, and opened her eyes. “Why do you frown?” Her voice was husky and thick from sleep.

“It is morning, and you will soon be on your way.” He almost choked on the words. “If I could turn back the clock, I would. Alas, I’m a mortal man, and have no power to do so.”

“Is the priory far?”

“A full day’s ride. If you and Cameron make good time, you’ll arrive before sundown. Simon sent a missive to Father Paul and told him you are coming. You will like Mary. The two of you are of a similar heart and mind.”

“Has she taken her vows?”

“Not yet. Mary has been at the priory since she was four and ten. She has chosen to stay for one more summer, and then she must make her choice. At that time, she will either take her vows or leave the priory to marry one of the many lairds who have asked for her hand.”

“Does she love any of these men?” Cailin brushed the hair from his brow.

“Love has nothing to do with who she’ll marry. If she decides to leave the priory, Simon will choose the man he feels most fitting.”

“I see.” She laid her head on his shoulder. “When will Cameron come for me?”

“Too soon.” He sucked in a strangled breath when her long slender fingers curled in the dark curls covering his chest.

“I wish I could stay here with you.” She snuggled closer and pressed her lips to the side of his neck.

“You cannot stay here,
liuadhe
. When Robert’s army departs for Perth, I am honor-bound to go with them. Should the English find you, I won’t be here to protect you.” He kissed the top of her head, closed his eyes, and moaned aloud.

“How long will you be away?”

“I dinna know.” He bit his lower lip and refrained from telling her that he might never return. He would not underestimate Aymer de Valance. Many men would die before the battle was over.

Cailin clutched his hand to her breast. “Never forget that I hold your heart in mine, and know that I await your return?”

Tears welled in her eyes, but to her credit, she held them at bay. His heart clenched. “It would be easier for me to forget how to breathe. The first time I kissed you, the earth moved. I have committed to memory every luscious curve and sensual dip of your body.” He skimmed his hand across the swell of her perfect breasts, and then gently lifted her chin. “Every time I close my eyes, I’ll see your face, your sweet smile, and the look of surrender in your eyes when we make love. These are the memories I will carry into battle.”

She nestled against his side. “I wish we could stay like this forever. Swear you will come back to me unharmed.”

“You must be brave, and accept what destiny has planned. As long as I know you’re safe.” The sight of tears trickling down her cheeks rendered him speechless. All she wanted was a glimmer of hope. To know that he’d return to her, that they would spend the rest of their lives together, but he couldn’t make any promises. He had no idea what fate had in store, and his heart that had found new life weighed heavy with despair.

A knock on the door served as a stark reminder that their time together grew short. “Aye, who is it?” Connor asked, even though he knew the reason for the intrusion.

“Cameron. I’ve come for the lass. If we want to reach the priory before sundown, we must be away.” He waited a few minutes, and when Connor didn’t reply, he continued. “Maggie has prepared a tray of food, and once the lady breaks her fast, we’ll depart. The king also wishes to see you in his chamber before you join Simon and the others in the lists.”

“Leave the tray by the door, and I’ll see her ready to leave within the hour. Tell Robert I come anon.” When the sound of Cameron’s footfall faded, he glanced down at Cailin. “It’s time.”

Her arms encircled his neck, and she nuzzled against his ear. “Nay. Please, stay with me just a wee bit longer. Join with me again.”

When her hand fell to his lap, her fingers wrapped around his burgeoning flesh and danced across the tip. His body ignited, bursting into flames. He groaned aloud and grasped her wrist. His inner voice warned that making love to her would be a mistake and prolong the agony of their separation. But, he was only human. A possessive growl rolled in the back of his throat. “Be careful what you wish for, lass.” Yielding to temptation, he rolled her body beneath him and captured her lips in a voracious kiss.

Aye, he would take her again, and leave them both with a memory that would live in their hearts forever.

Cailin nibbled on an oatcake, and rinsed it down with a swallow of ale. After a night of rigorous lovemaking, her appetite should have been enormous, but she found it difficult to choke down a mouthful of food. Connor had gone to see the Bruce, and soon he would join her in the bailey to say goodbye. Heartbroken, she had no idea how to ease the pain. Even though her husband hadn’t said it outright, she knew the battle in Perth would be fierce and might be his last. Something in her gut told her that they may never see each other again. She slid her hand over the flat plane of her belly and closed her eyes. She prayed the seed Connor planted would prosper. If he didn’t return, she’d have a part of him to hold, love, and cherish.

“Are you ready to leave, m’lady, or do you need help gathering your things?” Maggie crossed the room, paused by the table, and picked up the tray. “You’ve hardly eaten a thing. Are you feeling poorly this morn?”

“I’m fine, and I dinna have much to pack.” She gathered her meager belongings, the clothes she’d wore on her journey, a change of undergarments, and a simple wool gown. She’d declined Marion’s generous offer of silks and finery, and had opted for more serviceable attire. There would be no need for such things in a priory.

“Best you make haste. Cameron waits for you in the bailey. Cook packed some supplies for you to take along, so be sure to tell Cameron when you are feeling hungry. You know how men can be. They’ll ride forever and not stop until they reach their destination.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Cailin stuffed the clothing into a canvas sack.

“Forgive me for being forward, m’lady.” Maggie bowed her head and shuffled her feet. “I know this is none of my affair, but are you sure you’re all right? If you’re worried about Lady Jenna, don’t be. It is obvious your betrothed loves you. I’m sure he will not stray, no matter what she does to get his attention. When he returns from battle, he will come for you and carry you away to his castle in Beauly.”

Cailin knew that Jenna would do her utmost to win Connor’s affection in her absence, but she believed he would remain true. Being separated from the man she’d come to love, and the fact that after everything they’d shared, he had not yet told her that he loved her weighed heavy on her mind. What if he died in battle and she never saw him again? The idea of going to the priory frightened her, but she’d spent the better part of her life with her emotions in check, and her dreams unspoken, so why should this be any different? For her safety, and to throw the English off her trail, an announcement had been made that she’d be returning to her father’s castle in Dunkeld while Connor was away.

“I trust Connor, and have faith he will not stray.” Cailin rose slowly, gathered up her skirt, and made her way to the door. “Come, we dinna want to keep Cameron waiting.” She left the room and headed down the hall toward the stairs. Maggie followed.

“There you are. I was about to come looking for you.” Cameron approached the two women as they entered the bailey, then held out his hand in Cailin’s direction. “Give me your haversack and I’ll secure it to the horse.”

Maggie stepped forward, handed him another canvas sack and two horns of ale. “Cook packed some provisions for you to take along. Mind you stop along the way to eat and give Lady Cailin a chance to rest and tend to her needs.”

He nodded, took the items from Maggie, the sack of clothing from Cailin, and then moved to where the horses stood saddled and waiting. “Connor speaks with the king and said he’d be here before we leave.”

“You dinna think I’d let you leave without saying goodbye.” Connor strode across the inner courtyard toward them. Bryce and Alasdair accompanied him.

Her heart leapt at the sight of him. She ran in his direction and threw herself into his arms, clutching his shirt. Despite her effort to hold them back, tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Hush, lass, dinna weep. Cameron will see you safely to the priory and the Lord willing, when I return from Perth, I’ll come for you.” He wiped away the tears with a gentle sweep of his thumb, before pulling her into an all-encompassing embrace.

He released her, took a step back, and handed her a parchment bearing the royal seal of Scotland. “My pledge of handfast. Should anything happen to me, this is your claim to my name, land, wealth, and property.”

She clutched the scroll to her breast and shook her head. Without him by her side, it all meant nothing. She tried to hand it back to him. “I dinna want this. It is you I love and desire, not your money or your land.”

No woman had every truly loved him unconditionally, and her words touched him deeply. To know of her affection and devotion should make him happy, but instead, it caused him great pain. Should he die in battle, she may someday fall in love and choose to marry. The thought of her in another man’s arms and round with child—a babe that was not of his loins—evoked a rage that threatened to consume him body and soul.

He wanted to hold her forever and to declare his undying love. Instead, he released her. Taking her hand, he led her toward Cameron. “I’m entrusting you with her life. Have a safe journey, my friend.”

Cameron nodded. “You know I’ll do what’s necessary to see her safely to her destination.”

The forlorn expression on her face was enough to break his heart, but Connor steeled himself against the swell of emotion burning in his chest.

He watched while Cameron lifted her into the saddle. When she glanced in his direction, Connor quickly lowered his gaze. He knew if their eyes met, he’d race to her side, pull her from the horse, and carry her back up to his chamber.

He couldn’t bear to watch them leave, so he turned away and walked toward the castle. Only when the sound of horse’s hooves faded into the distance did he dare to glance over his shoulder.

She was gone.

Bryce joined him and slid his hand over his shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze. “That can’t have been easy.”

“It was Hell.” Connor blew out a ragged breath.

“Best you put the lass out of your mind,” Alasdair said curtly. “We have a battle to fight, and you need a clear head. You should not have gotten involved with her in the first place.”

“Shut up,” Bryce snapped. “Can’t you see the man is in pain?”

“Alasdair is right. I should never have allowed myself to get involved with Cailin. She deserves far better than I can ever give her. She’ll be safe at the priory, and we dinna know what the outcome of the battle will be. It is best for all that she leave.”

Bryce shook his head. “If only it were that easy. I hate to bring up another sore subject, but what do you plan to do about Jenna? You know she won’t rest until she gets her way.”

“I’ll not be swayed by that she-devil. She can try, but I will not bend.”

“Lady Jenna has other ideas. I ran into her last night. She was prowling the hall like a cat in heat. When she dinna find you in your chamber, she made her intentions clear to me. The lass is determined to win your heart at all cost. I would not let my guard down if I were you.”

“I’m a grown man and can look after myself. I dinna need my little brother to tell me what to do.”

“You’re vulnerable right now, and she’ll try to take advantage of that. She knows a lot more than she should, and I dinna trust her to hold her tongue. If you anger her, she may use that information to get back at you, or worse at Cailin.”

“She may be a selfish, spoiled brat, but I dinna believe she would do anything to dishonor her family,” Connor countered. “In any event, Cailin is safely away, and I have no interest in Jenna.”

Bryce shook his head and clucked his tongue. “A woman scorned can be a dangerous enemy. Keep your head on a swivel.”

“I’ll take your warning into consideration,” Connor said as he began to climb the stairs. Alasdair accompanied him.

“Wait for me,” Bryce shouted as he took the stairs two at a time and joined his brothers as they neared the top. “The men have been fighting in the lists since daybreak. If we hurry, we can join them.”

“Aye, I could use a good training session right about now. I have a lot of energy to burn off,” Connor said and entered the castle.

Cailin chewed on her lower lip as she glanced around the priory cell. A dismal place at best. Aside from a small bed with a lumpy straw-filled mattress, a wooden chair, and a dilapidated table, the musty smelling room was empty. Walls of stone held no tapestries or adornments, and the cobbled floor was devoid of rugs and rushes. The single tallow candle, her only source of light, had almost burned down to a snub. An iron brassier in the corner of the room housed the smoldering remnants of a fire long burned to ashes. A Bible, its cover tattered and worn, sat on the table. At least she’d have something to read.

She moved to the window. The rusty hinges groaned when she pushed open the wooden shutters in time to see a spectacular sunset. Truly God’s Pallet, the twilight sky still held a brilliant pink and orange hue, streaked with dark grey and purple. She caught the scent of the flowers planted in a small garden beneath her window and inhaled deeply, savoring the fragrance. She’d leave the shutters open to air out her room.

Cameron stood in the courtyard, speaking with Father Paul, but she was too far away to hear their conversation. Uneasiness settled in her belly, and she fought the urge to rush outside, to beg him to take her back to Kildrummy Castle and Connor. They’d only been apart for a few hours, but she already missed him more than she ever anticipated.

“Good evening. Is there anything I can get for you?”

Cailin spun around, staring at the petite, titian-haired young woman standing in the doorway. She was the image of Marion. While she was dressed in the drab woolen robes of a nun, her blue eyes danced and sparkled with life as she spoke. Her broad smile was most inviting.

“I dinna mean to startle you. I’m Mary Fraser, and you must be my new cousin.” She stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. “Father sent word that you were coming, and he explained the reason you needed to seek sanctuary in the priory.” She joined Cailin beside the window. “You’re very comely. I can see why Connor is so taken with you.”

The heat of a blush rose in Cailin’s cheeks. “I am pleased to meet you, Mary. Connor spoke fondly of you as well.”