Highland Escape (26 page)

“Trean is a wolf, Nessa. He may grow to trust you, but he is not likely to want to cuddle.”

Nessa tilted her head, her lips pursed in a moue of disappointment. “I think he is adorable!”

Anna chuckled. “I do not think he will be adorable when he loses his baby fat.”

“Come, Nessa. ’Tis time we took our leave.” Mairi grasped Nessa’s hand and helped her to her feet. Breaking free at the door, Nessa ran to Anna, gripping her in a fierce hug.

“Thank ye for saving my brother’s life. I couldnae ask for a better sister.”

“On the morrow, if you fetch breakfast, I will tell you all about the handsome Blaine Graham,” Anna teased, hugging her firmly.

Nessa pulled away, a huge smile on her face as she kissed Anna’s cheek and followed her mother from the room.

Duncan slept soundly. Resisting the urge to crawl into bed with him, Anna poured a cup of chamomile tea and banked the fire while Trean created a cave beneath Duncan’s bed. Satisfied her betrothed was comfortable, Anna settled into the cushioned chair next to his bed, staring into the coals until sleep found her.

The next morning, she woke at first light. She stroked Duncan’s hair, feeling his cool forehead. He stirred at her touch and pulled her into bed with his uninjured arm. She feathered soft kisses over his face, neck and lips, careful to not place any pressure on his wounds.

“I love ye, Anna Braxton,” he whispered.

“As I love you, Duncan MacGregor.” Anna realized saying the words echoed the truth of them in her heart. She checked the skin around his dressings. Satisfied to find no swelling, she settled into his embrace, vibrantly aware of every point their bodies touched. “May I do something for you?”

“Touch me. I love it when ye touch me.”

Smiling, Anna stroked his face and neck, using light touches to caress. She moved her hand through the opening of his shirt, skimming across his shoulders. Tracing the lines of his collarbones, her fingers brushed the muscles of his chest. He closed his eyes with a contented sigh. She continued her path, stopping at his nipples, which hardened under her touch. Curious, she circled first one, then the other with her fingers. His breath hitched and his face hardened.

“Do you like that?” Anna asked softly.

“Very much,” he whispered.

Emboldened by her ability to affect him so, she continued her slow exploration down his ribs to his smooth stomach. At her touch, his muscles rippled beneath her hand and his hips moved slightly, his breathing labored.

Feeling brave and delighted she pleased him, Anna slowly slid her hand lower and felt the firm tip of his manhood. Curious, her fingers trailed further. Duncan’s eyes flew open and his body stiffened. She sucked in a startled breath as his hand covered hers.

“Anna, please.” He inhaled sharply.

“Did I hurt you?”

He gave her a tight smile of assurance. “Nae, just the opposite. Ye have no idea how good it feels.”

Buoyed by his words and her discovery, she shifted her position over him and splayed her free hand over his chest. His grip tightened. She dragged his leine upward, leaving his body to her view. Her belly tightened as she perused him, her fingers following her slow gaze. A low murmur of approval from Duncan, as his cock strained upward, urged her on.

Her touch grew bolder and she wrapped her fingers around his rigid staff, squeezing gently at first, then tighter. Moisture beaded at the tip and she lightly ran her thumb around it, spreading the glistening wetness. His hips bucked upward.

“Anna.” Duncan’s voice cracked.

She froze. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Nae.” A soft chuckle rumbled in his chest.

Anna considered the wry grin on his face and squeezed his cock again. “What happens if I do not stop?”

His face darkened. “I will spill myself in yer hand.”

“Do you want me to stop?”

A choked laugh burst from his lips. “Nae.”

Tentatively, she stroked his cock and it pulsed beneath her fingers. She bent closer and ran the tip of her tongue around the tip. His cock jerked convulsively. Taking him in her mouth, she continued to stroke him, increasing her pressure and rhythm.

Duncan gripped the bedclothes, a moan drawing from his throat, his breathing labored. Suddenly, his body hardened and shuddered, her name a constricted whisper from his throat. He grabbed her shoulders and tried to pull her away, but she easily resisted and felt his warmth spill forth. She lightly kissed and caressed him as he softened in her hand.

His breathing evened and he reached for her. Fascinated and elated to have pleasured him so fully, she placed a final kiss on the tip of his retreating cock and allowed him to reposition her under his arm.

Peering at him from beneath her lashes, she idly trailed a fingertip down his chest. “Did you enjoy that as much as I did?” A tingling sensation, much like the one created by his kisses, lingered low in her belly.

“Ye enjoyed that?”

“Very much,” Anna purred. “Did you?” She knew he did, but wanted to hear him say it.

“My angel, ye just took me to heaven and back. How could I not enjoy such a trip?”

She nibbled his ear, then whispered, “Good, because I like the way you taste, and want to do it again.”

Winding his fingers through her hair, he answered, “The next time ’twill be my turn to do the same for ye, my love.”

Anna propped on an elbow and looked at him askance. “Duncan, be serious. I do not have a cock.”

Hugging her tightly, he chuckled. “Nae, ye do not, thank the saints, but ye have something better, and I shall look forward to showing it to ye.”

Anna nestled onto his shoulder, making lazy circles with her fingertips in the coarse hair covering his chest. Her body hummed with the need to be close to him.

“I find myself wondering what I did to deserve ye,” he murmured.

She leaned over and kissed him, tugging his lower lip with her teeth. “Remember, we have yet to address my role as your wife. I fear you may be getting more than you bargained for, my dearest Duncan.”

“Oh, I havenae forgotten,
boidheach laoch,
my beautiful warrior—she who is able to send a man straight to heaven or hell, depending on her mood.”

Anna liked that very much, and was about to playfully reply when a tap at the portal ended their privacy. Hopping off the bed, she straightened the bed clothes before opening the door to admit Nessa.

She greeted them with a tray of Anna’s favorite breakfast foods and a hot bowl of porridge for Duncan. “Good morrow, brother, good morrow, sister. When is the wedding?” Her youthful face glowed with happiness. Duncan and Anna both chuckled at her question.

“Good morrow, Nessa,” Anna replied. “We have yet to discuss a wedding day, but you will be the first to know when we decide. What have we here? I see you took my parting words quite seriously.”

Nessa grinned as she put the tray down on a side table and plopped into one of the chairs. “Aye, I did. I have been looking forward to hearing what ye have to tell me.”

Anna helped Duncan sit, supporting his injured shoulder with a pillow. Grabbing the porridge, she dipped the spoon and raised the bite to his lips.

“I am able to feed myself, woman. Place the bowl and spoon here. My sister demands an audience with ye.” His voice was gruff, but his eyes sparkled with humor.

After settling the bowl on his lap, Anna watched him take in the first spoonful before she spoke. She started by telling Nessa a slightly watered-down version of her conversation with Iain at the market—minus Colina’s physical attributes. Delighted to hear about Iain and Colina, Nessa quickly grew impatient to hear about Blaine Graham. Wickedly teasing the girl, Anna dragged out her story until Nessa whined and bounced in her chair with agitation.

Duncan and Anna told of their meeting with the young man. As suspected, Duncan glossed over the specifics Anna knew Nessa would want to know. Anna happily supplied them, enduring a litany of questions going well beyond her ability to answer. Nessa at last seemed satisfied.

“Dinnae get yer hopes up too much, little sister. ’Tis no sure thing,” Duncan warned.

Nessa waved him off. “I know, but it gives me something to dream about.”

Anna smiled at the sight of this beautiful, budding young woman. Almost ready to become a wife, Nessa’s remnants of childhood demonstrated her need to fantasize about love. Finishing their meal, Anna and Nessa removed Duncan’s dressings and examined his wounds. With a series of questions, Anna led her through the steps to ensure proper healing, keeping infection at bay.

Duncan grew sleepy, so Anna suggested they leave him for a while. Nessa took the tray down to the kitchen. Anna leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips.

“If you wish to continue our earlier discussion, my lord, I will be delighted to oblige.”

Smiling, he caressed her cheek. “I look forward to carrying our discussion further, love, when we can be assured of a bit of privacy. Believe me, there is much to discuss.”

A tremor slid low through Anna’s belly at his words. With reluctance, she brushed the hair from his face then left, pulling the door closed behind her.

Several packages waited on her bed, one of which she didn’t recognize. Curiosity getting the best of her, she opened it and discovered a stack of books bound together with twine. On top lay a copy of Plato’s
Dialogues
, and a volume each of Aristotle’s logic and physics treatises beneath.

In addition, a book of poetry and prose, along with one each on mathematics and astronomy. All were battered, but in good enough shape. A new book she had not seen before lay at the bottom of the stack.
Inventarium Sive Chirurgia Magna.
To her great surprise and delight, this book was a comprehensive manual on surgery and medical treatments. Written in Latin, many of the subjects covered held new knowledge for her. Anna knew Nessa would be as excited as she to explore it.

Another stack held three new, leather-bound volumes filled with blank pages. A wooden tube full of blank scrolls, several quills, a bottle of ink and a trimming tool lay nearby. Anna knew instinctively Duncan had purchased the items for her and saw them as a clear invitation to write out things she had learned. Grabbing the gifts she’d obtained for Nessa and Lady MacGregor, she delivered them. Anna placed Mairi’s special present under her pillow with a note of thanks. She left the package with the laird’s belt and sporran on top of the bed.

Anna then strode to the stables, eager to get a good look at the new stock they’d captured. At the paddock, she met Ross.

“Your stitches look good. We will leave them in another few days. It appears as though there will be little scarring.”

“Yer work is verra fine, milady, but a man needs a few scars. They are evidence of his worth in battle. The next time ye have occasion to stitch me, dinnae be so careful.” Ross grinned at her.

Anna laughed, remembering their talk of wounds and scars over the campfire. “I will bear it in mind. How are the horses we brought back?”

“I was told to wait for ye to inspect them.”

They examined each horse thoroughly. The animals were all in good health, though two needed new shoes. Almost half were mares and would make decent breeding stock. The geldings were acceptable, though two were short and stocky, better suited to working the fields or pulling carts.

From there, she walked to the spinner and weaver’s shop, where the new wool had been delivered. After being measured, they assured her two pairs of woolens would be ready within a few days. Nessa and Lady MacGregor were also to be measured for a set. After thanking them, Anna made her way back to the keep.

She gathered her new scrolls and quills and checked on Duncan, finding him still asleep. His color appeared improved, though the trip had taken a toll on him. She settled at his desk and organized lessons for the training sessions beginning on the morrow. Since she’d never taught before, she wanted to be well prepared. Her sex would be a hindrance for many, in spite of the laird’s order. She vowed to prove his decision a sound one.

The afternoon faded into evening before Duncan woke. “Ye are here,” he observed, his voice thick with sleep.

“Yes. I have been to the stables and checked over the new horses with Ross. They all appear fine, and he has them well in hand. I thought to organize the lessons I am scheduled to teach on the morrow. Thank you for the generous gifts.” Anna nuzzled his neck, placing a soft, lush kiss on his lips.

“Who knew the way to a lady’s heart was through her mind?” Duncan replied with a chuckle.

Anna thumped his chest playfully with her fingertips. “This lady’s heart at least.” Her mood changed from playful to mournful in an instant.

“What is it?” His voice was like a silken caress.

She forced back the melancholy and gave Duncan a sad smile. “I was thinking of my father’s library. It resided in an expansive, circular room atop a tower in our home. It was one of my favorite places—a truly magical place with large maps and charts adorning the walls that showed all the places in the world men have traveled. When I was a little girl, I would read about such places, then find them on the map. Many nights, I would dream of traveling to them, and having all sorts of adventures along the way. It is so painful to think it all lost.”