Highland Champion (14 page)

Keira moaned softly as Liam feasted upon her breasts. She was not sure how much she could endure as her need to feel him inside her was already strong and very demanding. Making love to him had stirred her far more than she would ever have imagined, even in her dreams.

As he kissed his way down to her stomach, he caressed her legs. Keira was so caught up in how good that felt that it took her a moment to realize he had subtly spread her legs. A touch of embarrassment born of a modesty she feared she might never fully conquer cooled her passion just a little. When she realized he was looking at her there, that she could actually see him doing it, she tried to divert his attention before that embarrassment she felt growing inside of her killed all the delicious heat in her body.

“Liam, I am nay sure I can endure much more play,” she said, gripping the sheets in her hands as he kissed the inside of her thighs, his soft hair brushing over her woman’s flesh in a caress that sent waves of desire rolling through her body.

“Be strong, wife,” he said and gently nipped her thigh. “Think of scrubbing pots.”

She opened her mouth to say that that was a foolish thing to say to her, but all that came out was a squeak of shock as he kissed her right
there
, in that place he had been staring at so intently. Her whole body tensed so much she lifted herself off the bed a little ways. Just as she was thinking it was because she could not tolerate such an intimacy, he stroked her with his tongue. Keira had the fleeting thought that she had just uttered a blasphemy when all ability to think left her and she became a creature of only feeling, heat, and need.

One tiny flicker of sanity came to her when she realized she was about to shatter. She cried out to him, asking him to join with her, but he ignored her. A heartbeat later, she felt her release tear through her with a strength that left her shaking. Liam gave her no time to recover, however, using his intimate kisses to drive her mad all over again, but this time, when she called out to him, he gave her what she asked for. The joining was fierce, and the ride hard and fast. Keira reveled in every too short minute of it.

Keira cautiously opened her eyes, frowned in confusion for a moment, and then blushed as memory came flooding back. She closed her eyes again, but it was too late. Liam already knew she was awake. He kissed her, and then she knew he was staring at her. When she opened her eyes again to find him grinning at her, she gave him a severe frown. He laughed, pulled her into his arms, and rolled onto his back. Sprawled on top of his naked body as she was, Keira found it a little difficult to remain dignified, especially when she found herself remembering how very good he had tasted.

“Has my wanton fled again?” Liam asked as he idly rubbed her back.

“She should be hiding under a rock, cringing in embarrassment,” Keira replied.

Liam grinned again for even as she said that, she was running her fingers over his ribs in a soft caress. That wanton part of Keira might retreat a little now and then, but he had the feeling it would never be completely leashed again. He was feeling quite proud and vain for having loved her into a swoon. As he had waited for her to open her eyes, he had realized that something had been slightly different about their lovemaking.

Although Keira’s passion had always been hot, beautifully matching his own, it had needed coaxing, and embarrassment or modesty had often intruded, making that climb to passion’s heights a little rocky at times. The only hesitation this time had been when he had given her that most intimate of kisses, and it had been so fleeting as to be unimportant. In freeing herself to be as bold and daring as she seemed to be in her dreams, Keira had also fully unchained the sensuous woman inside of her. She had allowed herself to revel freely in every touch, every kiss, and it had been a wonder to behold. He had thought the desire they shared the best he had ever tasted, but now knew it could be even better. Liam would not let her hide that side of herself again.

“Och, nay, bring her back,” he murmured as he combed his fingers through her hair, easing the tangles caused by their lovemaking. “She has naught to be embarrassed about.”

“I am certain she broke several of the church’s rules.” Keira discovered that a very large part of her did not really care if she had. Liam was her lawful husband, after all.

“Nay doubt, but having studied all those edicts, I believe that there are far too many rules. At times, I begin to think the men who make them simply wish to be certain that no one finds any joy in the life God gave us.”

Keira stopped kissing his chest and studied his face for a moment. “Is that one of the reasons ye decided ye couldnae bear a life in the church?”

“Aye, one of them. Just as there is in the world outside the church, within it, there is hypocrisy, greed, and a lust for power. I didnae have the calling strong enough to go on despite that, nay like your cousin has.”

“He sees all of that, too?”

Liam nodded. “But this isnae the time for such solemn thoughts. Nay, not when I have that wanton lass from your dreams within reach.”

Keira smiled a little. “The one ye were going to dance naked for?”

To her astonishment, Liam nudged her off him and got out of bed. He winked at her and then began to sing and dance. Keira laughed. The man did not have a modest bone in his body. He also had a very good voice. After watching him for a moment, she stopped laughing, although a smile lingered upon her lips. It was a silly thing to do, yet the man had such strength and grace in his body, it was a pleasure to watch him.

“I believe I also said I was certain that wee, wanton lassie would probably dance with me,” he said as he grabbed her hand and tugged her off the bed.

For a moment, Keira felt both foolish and a little embarrassed, but then he began to sing again. It was a song she loved, and she was quickly singing it along with him. They danced a very courtly dance for a little while, the careful, measured steps and moves taking on a whole new meaning when danced naked. Then Liam started to sing a slightly risque, more common tune, and they were soon cavorting around the room like two children, laughing, singing, and dancing as if they did not have a care in the world.

Keira was not sure who was the first to realize that joy had stirred up a very hot need, or if it struck them both at the same moment, but she suddenly found herself staring at Liam. He was staring right back, and she suspected the heat she could see in his eyes was reflected in her own. She licked her lips. He licked his.

Still feeling a little playful, she darted away when he reached for her. The chase was short, however, for she wanted to be caught. She screeched in surprise when he tossed her onto the bed, but welcomed him with wide-open arms when he joined her there. When he kissed her, she felt how fierce his need was, and hers rose up to equal it. It was rather nice to be a lusty, wanton lass, she thought just before passion burned away all clarity of mind.

Subtly, Keira rubbed her sore backside. Two very long days in the saddle had left her aching and loathe to ride a horse ever again. What she would really like was a long soak in a hot bath, but it would be days yet before she could enjoy such a luxury. She would, however, take a good, hard wash in the burn they were camped near as soon as Liam returned.

And just how long could it take to get a look at Ardgleann? she thought. It was not far away, and since it was still light out, there was no chance of searching out any weaknesses without risking being captured. What really troubled her was how adamant Liam, Ewan, Sigimor, and even her brothers had been about her not going along with them. Keira supposed that could simply be because it was too dangerous to draw so close to Rauf. She had the distinct feeling, however, that they were afraid of what she might see, yet no one had brought them any news since they had stopped on the far eastern border of Ardgleann.

“M’lady, I have brought ye some cider.”

Keira turned to smile at Kester. “Ah, thank ye kindly,” she said, accepting the tankard and taking a deep drink of the surprisingly cool cider. “Perfect for clearing the dust from one’s throat.”

She glanced down and realized that Kester’s monk’s robe had been pulled up a few inches from the ground. When she looked up a little, she saw that he had bunched that extra length up above the rope belt he wore. Keira suddenly realized that Kester had brought her a full tankard of cider and that there was no sign upon him or the tankard that he had spilled even one drop of it. Although she doubted shortening the length of his robe would completely cure him of his youthful clumsiness, it had obviously helped.

“I could cut that extra length off, if ye want,” she told him.

“Och, nay, but thank ye,” Kester said. “Laird Sigimor did this, but he told me nay to cut it. Nay yet, he said.”

And it was obvious that as far as Kester was concerned, Sigimor’s word was law.

“He told me once Ardgleann is yours, I can have breeches to wear,” Kester continued.

“But nay yet.”

“Aye, Laird Sigimor says nay yet.”

“I dinnae suppose he told ye why he wants ye to wait.” She was not surprised when Kester shook his head, and she turned to look in the direction of Ardgleann again. “They have been gone quite a while.”

“Nay so long as that, m’lady. Laird Sigimor said they were going to do a wee bit of watching. I suspicion good, careful watching can take time, if ye do it right.”

Sigimor had clearly become Kester’s new hero. She had to admit that the man was very patient with the boy. After having been cast out so callously by his own blood, Keira was a little surprised at how eagerly Kester accepted the guidance of the older men. There was hurt there, but no real anger or resentment that he then turned upon any adult male. She would have to find the right path for him to take, one that would make him a man to be reckoned with. Kester might not be angry with his kinsmen, but she was; one day, she would dearly like them to see how big a mistake they had made in throwing this boy away.

“I am o’er here, Sir Archie,” Kester said and started waving his arms. “If ye walk
straight toward me, there is naught in your way.” Kester glanced at Keira. “He can see this movement, ye ken.”

A moment later, Sir Archie had safely crossed the distance from the horses to them, and he patted Kester on the back. “Ye are a good lad.”

The wind tousled Sir Archie’s long hair, and Keira got a glimpse of the ragged scar that ran from his hairline just past the side of his right eye. “Ye said ye had trouble with your eyes after ye had a knock on the head?” she asked Sir Archie.

“Aye,” replied Sir Archie. “Took a long time to heal, it did. Thought my sight would get better when it did heal, but it didnae.”

“Did it fester a lot?”

“Lady Keira is a healer, Sir Archie,” Kester said. “A verra good one.”

“Nay sure any healer can fix this, but, aye, it did fester for weeks,” he replied. “The poison didnae spread, however.”

It might not have spread, but Keira was not certain all the poison was out. “Might I have a look at it?”

When he nodded, she carefully looked over the barely healed wound. It was rough, too rough. Keira feared there was something stuck beneath the closed skin, perhaps even in the bone. There were also signs that it still seeped poison from time to time. Aside from opening the wound up again, she could tell no more just by looking. With so many men she did not know well wandering close by as they settled into their camp, she did not dare use her gift either.

“I think, sir, that the wound needs to be reopened and thoroughly cleaned out,” she said.

“Do ye think that if ye do that, it will make me see more clearly?”

“Nay, I cannae promise that.” Although she thought there was a chance there could be some improvement, she was not going to raise the man’s hopes. Until she got a very good look at that wound, she could not really be sure anyway.

“Then leave it as it is for now, m’lady. Once all is settled and ye are back where ye belong, I will think on it.”

“I will be certain to remind ye of that, sir,” she said and turned to frown in the direction of Ardgleann again. “What could possibly be taking them so cursed long?”

“A mon likes to look hard at his enemy’s defenses,” said Sir Archie, “and that takes time.”

There was obviously nothing wrong with the man’s hearing, Keira mused. “Weel, I hope they get back soon as I am growing keenly anxious to ken what they have seen.”

“We cannae let Keira see this,” whispered Liam as he stared in horror at the walls of Ardgleann.

He had not noticed anything at first; he had been too busy noting such things as the richness of the land they were crossing and the size of the village. It had been Sigimor’s and Ewan’s sharply indrawn breath and the whispered curses of Keira’s brothers that had drawn his attention. At first, he had not recognized what he was looking at. When he did, he had had to struggle hard not to empty his belly. Dangling from the parapets of Ardgleann’s walls were bodies. They were strung all along the wall like some gruesome necklace.

“I suspect they are the men who tried to defend their laird and their home,”
murmured Sigimor. “Rauf must think it will strike fear into the hearts of his enemies.”

“And ye dinnae think it will?”

“Some, but then others will feel as I do. Angry. Verra, verra angry.”

“The village is too quiet,” said Lucas, drawing everyone’s attention away from the walls. “And has anyone seen or heard any animals? ’Tisnae night yet. Why no sounds of cows, sheep, or those cursed, noisy fowl?”

Liam looked around and realized Lucas was right. It was too still and quiet. With light to see, someone should have been moving around. There was not even a mongrel dog to be seen.

“He has already stripped the place bare,” said Ewan.

“Either that, or he is hoarding everything inside those walls,” said Liam. “When Sir Ian comes, he may ken more.”

“Aye, and if the mon has seen what Lucas has, it would explain how quickly and eagerly he allied with us.”

“Rauf s rather like those locusts in the Bible.”

“Verra like, now that I recall the tale. No thought to the future either. If he has been feasting each and every meal, slaughtering livestock without a thought to breeding more, he will have to reach out for the lands and possessions of others just to keep from starving.” Glancing toward the quiet village, Ewan added, “And he will care naught that he has condemned all of them to death with his greed.”

“I told ye he needs killing,” Sigimor said and turned to start back toward their camp.

The others were quick to follow him, but Liam stared at the keep for another moment. If this was the sort of thing Sigimor had seen as the result of Rauf Moubray’s work, it was no wonder he was so eager to rid Scotland of the man. Liam was also certain that this was not the only atrocity the man had committed. There was no way he could hide all of the truth from Keira, and he worried about how he would keep her from drowning in guilt she had not earned. He crossed himself, bowed his head, and said a prayer for the souls of the men on the walls awaiting a proper burial. When he turned to follow the others, he found Sigimor waiting for him.

“Havenae completely shaken free of the monastery, have ye?” Sigimor said as he fell into step beside Liam.

“Oh, aye, I have,” Liam replied. “’Tis just,”—he shrugged—“they needed a prayer.”

“Aye, they did. She will find out, ye ken. There is no hiding all of this from her.”

Liam nodded. “I ken it, but I will try to hold back the ugliness for as long as I can. She doesnae need to see it either, for her to bury herself in guilt.”

“Guilt for what?”

“For nay being here, for taking months to return to help them.”

“Fool lass. If she had stayed, she would have been dead or wished she was. As for waiting? Weel, she needed to heal, and ’tis only just now the season for battle. I see no cause for guilt.”

“Neither do I, but it may take more than those truths to cleanse her of it.”

“’Twill fade when she sees that none of those who survive will be blaming her.”

“Ye dinnae think they will?”

“A fool or two might, aye. There are e’er people who need someone to blame for
every ill. But, nay, I doubt many will think ill of her. She is just a wee lass. I suspect a lot of them will be fair amazed that she actually came back to help them. After all, she was only the lady of Ardgleann for a few months.”

Liam slowly nodded. “True. “There was no time for any real bonds between the lady and the people to form.”

“Now, ere we reach the others, I have a question I must ask ye. It has been gnawing at me since we left Scarglas.”

“Weel, ask it then.”

“Did I really hear singing and stomping coming from your bedchamber that night?”

“It wasnae stomping. It was dancing.” Liam had to bite back a grin at the look Sigimor gave him.

Sigimor grunted and shook his head. “When ye left us earlier that night, ye had said ye were going to love your wife until her eyes crossed.”

“Mayhap that is why I was singing and dancing. With my wife. Naked.”

This time, Liam could not hold back his laughter. Sigimor looked both intrigued and as if he feared Liam had gone utterly mad. “Aye, it was a great foolishness, but it was strangely, weel, freeing. Come, there must be something ye do with Jolene that would make others think ye mad yet makes ye feel carefree, exuberant even.”

“Swimming. Swimming naked with her.” Sigimor nodded. “Felt like a fool all the while I did it, but ’tis why I made that wee pond. Water is warmer in there, ye ken.”

Liam thought of the pond that had slowly appeared over the course of a year. He had thought Sigimor had made it to hold fish or to attract wild fowl for the table. Not once had he ever thought Sigimor and Jolene were sneaking out there now and then to swim naked together. It would explain the rather high stone wall that almost completely surrounded it. That was not to try to keep predators away as he had thought, but to give the laird and his wife some privacy as they cavorted in the water.

“I wonder if Keira can swim,” he murmured and grinned when Sigimor laughed.

Keira heard laughter and relaxed a little. Ewan and her brothers had looked so grim when they returned, she had felt afraid. Their answers to her questions about Ardgleann had been suspiciously vague. So she had returned to watching for Liam, certain that he would tell her the truth. Hearing that laughter, she could not believe that things could be as bad as she had feared.

Liam saw Keira and felt all his good humor flee him in a rush. Sigimor was right to say he could not hide the truth from her forever, but he was determined to do so for as long as he could. He smiled at her, put his arm around her shoulders, and kissed her cheek.

“I dinnae suppose a ray of light from the setting sun pointed out the way to sneak into Ardgleann,” she said, exchanging a nod with Sigimor before he went to join the other men.

“I fear not, love,” replied Liam. “It all looks just as high walled and sturdy as your drawing showed it to be.”

“Ye went there to make sure my drawing was accurate?”

“That was one reason, though a verra small one. Ye did a verra fine, verra precise drawing, but looking at the keep still helped us get a feel for the place. Aye, ’tis all open
ground around the keep, but it looks as if it hasnae been grazed or scythed for months. That could provide a wee bit of cover if we keep low. Together with the fact that ’tis the dark of the moon, it could be enough.”

“But it would be much better if ye could slip inside the keep itself and begin the fight right in the heart of your enemy’s lair.”

“Aye, it would be.”

“Then I think we must seek out Malcolm,” she said and prepared herself for an argument.

“Nay, there is too much risk of being seen,” Liam said, shaking his head.

“Malcolm may ken something that could lead us to that bolt-hole ye are all so certain is still there.”

“And Malcolm may be dead.” He sighed and kissed her forehead when she paled. “Sorry, lass.”

“Nay, ’tis but the truth. Howbeit, I think it worth a try. His home is at the end of the village nearest us. Unless Rauf has posted guards at every turning, we should be able to get to Malcolm safely.”

“I dinnae like it.”

“Neither do I,” said Sigimor as he stepped up to them and handed Liam a wineskin, “but ’tis too good a chance to not take it. Malcolm may weel ken about which bolt-hole has been left unsealed. E’en if he doesnae, he will have information we might make use of.”

Liam continued to argue for several minutes, but saw that it was a waste of breath for they were right. “Can we trust this mon Malcolm?”

“Aye,” replied Keira. “He is a good, honest mon.”

“Good and honest enough to have held true to his loyalties e’en whilst under Rauf’s boot?”

“I believe so. I told ye, all Malcolm wants in life is to live quietly with his wife Joan and make beautiful things. He would loathe a mon like Rauf. I am verra certain of that.”

“We saw no guards about the village,” Sigimor said.