Journey to the Highlands: Robbie and Caralyn (Clan Grant Series Book 4) (20 page)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Robbie had taken a beating from Brodie and Quade, both of whom thought he was daft and his scheme would never work. But Alex hadn’t disagreed with him. He thought the idea had merit.

Tomas had just stood to the side shaking his head with a grin on his face. “You’re a fool and you’ll regret this.”

He hadn’t wanted to ask his friend why. What other choice did he have? He wouldn’t give up on her.

It was hard to watch Caralyn say her tearful goodbyes to her daughters, but they had just waved her off with smiles, eager to run back to their game. Gracie, Jake, Jamie, Lily, and Loki were playing a game of chase, all shrieking loud enough to shake the rafters.

“Mama, I’ll miss you.” Ashlyn stared at the two of them, uncertainty and questions written all over her face, but somehow, the lass didn’t share what was on her mind.

Robbie’s guilt nagged at him a bit, but he reminded himself if his plan worked, Ashlyn would be much happier.

He helped her move her things into the cottage just before dusk. Caralyn had checked the shelves and cupboards, surprised to see everything that had already been stocked there. She had brought several sacks of cloth with her, though he had no idea what she planned for them. After she had situated her belongings, she came back into the main room and sat across from him at the table.

Robbie could see the anxiety in her face. “Relax, Caralyn. We won’t start anything this eve. I just wanted to get the cabin arranged for us. On the morrow, I’ll go to the lists to train, and you’ll have the day to yourself.”

“Will you be back to eat the noonday meal or will you go to the keep?”

“I’ll come here. I don’t want you alone all day. Does that suit you?”

“Aye.”

When they settled in bed, Caralyn rolled on her side, facing out, but he wouldn’t let her get away with that. He knew it would be cold in the middle of the night, so he tugged her up next to him. Right now, he knew Caralyn was a bit angry with him and missed her bairns. She would need his heat, and he needed her warmth next to him, too. It would be difficult to control his urges with her soft bottom nestled up against him, but he was determined to stick to his plan. He had even discussed it with Maddie, who had given him a few ideas.

He slept like a rock all night, but headed off to the lists in the morning as planned. Caralyn was still asleep, so he kissed her cheek, grabbed an oatcake, and headed out the door after starting a fire in the hearth in the main room.

When he returned at midday, he was a bit afraid of what he might find. Half expecting to see the cottage empty, he was surprised to be greeted by a sweet aroma of apples when he opened the door. Caralyn gave him a charming smile as he sat at the table and she brought him a tankard of ale and a plate of cooked fish, along with a brown concoction all mushed up. He knew better from his brother’s tales than to say anything about it and he was half starved, besides, so dug into everything.

A few moments later, he stopped and looked at her. “What is this?”

“What? The apple mush?”

“Aye, I have never had it before but ‘tis delicious.”

“Och, ‘tis the only way I can get Gracie to eat sometimes. I have to cook it until it is verra soft. It is both apple and parsnips mashed together. She loves it.”

“The fish is tasty. How many were you able to catch?”

Caralyn played with her food a bit before she answered. “I caught four and boned them, but they are small. I saved two to use in soup for the meal tonight. Is that acceptable? I have parsnips and carrots to add. I can’t believe it, but I found a few underground outside. That place where Ashlyn and I were weeding the other day? I thought it might have once been a garden because it was in the sun. I found some parsnips there, and some of the herbs I used as well.”

“Caralyn, you told me you couldn’t cook.”

“Aye, I said I could cook fish. I have always cooked for my girls, but I could never cook for all the men in the keep.”

“Well, this is delicious. You can cook for me anytime.” He was quite serious. Wait until he informed his brothers. Knowing that Caralyn denied any knowledge of cooking, they were all putting in bets as to whether he would come back sick or starving.

Before he left, he kissed her sweet lips and said, “Thank you. I enjoyed the meal.”

She chuckled. “Have I ever heard you thank me for something? ‘Tis usually the other way around.”

Dinner went just as well. The idea of fish soup hadn’t sounded appealing, but he made himself taste everything she put in front of him…and he loved it. He had two bowls and brown bread. “You baked the bread here?”

“Nay, I brought it from the keep yesterday. I didn’t think I could make it without an oven.”

“Good thinking, my sweet. And the soup is excellent. Do you think the garden will produce much next year?”

“I picked and pulled what I could from what’s left in the plot. There’s enough to use for flavoring broth. I could probably add seeds from Brenna’s garden for whatever isn’t here. The soil is good and dark in that spot.”

“Caralyn, I know naught about gardening.”

She smiled. “I was on my own for a long time, Robbie. Remember I was desperate to do anything to feed my girls. We ate fish and turnips for a long time and I learned to search out apple trees and pear trees.”

After they ate, they sat on the front steps for a while, listening to the frogs and talking, enjoying the serenity of the loch. Somehow, he thought he would never tire of talking to her. Her eyes lit up with excitement about the simplest things. He could tell how much she loved the loch and the water—she said it combined what she loved about her old home with what she loved about the Highlands. Next summer would be delightful here—if she was still with him.

How he hoped she would be. His gut clenched with the thought of what he had planned for the evening, but he had to do it. He had to know how she would respond. She wouldn’t like him, but that wasn’t why they were here.

He stood up and held his hand out to her. “Come. ‘Tis time for bed.” Her hand tensed in his, a moistness dampening her palm.

He walked into the bed chamber and dropped his plaid on the floor. He removed his tunic and turned to her. “Remove your gown, lass. ‘Tis time for you to do your part. You promised, aye?” He couldn’t stop himself from reacting to the sight of her beautiful body when she stood in front of him in naught but her shift, her rosy nipples standing pert in the cool night. “Lass, you do have a lovely body.”

“What exactly is it you would like?” she whispered with her head down.

Hellfire, this was going to be difficult. But it was also the only thing that might work. “I’m not sure. What’s your specialty?”

Her gaze shot up to meet his and he noticed the fire in her eyes. Good. It was exactly what he had hoped to see. He had to continue. She took a step closer to him, so they were close enough to touch. He glanced down his nose at her and said, “Mayhap I would like you down on your knees sucking me.”

Her hand flew out and slapped his cheek. “How dare you talk to me that way!”

He reacted instantly, grabbing both her hands and pinning her against the wall so that her hands were locked in his above her head. He had expected anger from her, but not a physical blow. He forced himself to be happy. She
did
respect herself. She just didn’t realize it yet. He spoke slowly, his lips close to her face. “Remember, wee one, this is what you wanted, not me. I want you in my bed proper. I want you with me because I love you. ‘Tis
you
who does not accept
me
.”

The fire still burned in her gaze. She was furious he had control of her, and she bucked at him and struggled against his binding of her hands. He had one more point to make before he would set her free. “Do you think I am strong enough to force you? Can I make you do whatever I want at this moment?”

“Aye,” she whispered as she attempted to kick him.

He had seen Logan do something similar with Gwyneth, and he thought the move held merit. She needed to trust him. “You are correct. I can do whatever I want with you right now.” Her eyes were cast downward. “Look at me, Caralyn.” He could tell she didn’t want to, but he waited until she did. “This is to let you know I will never hurt you. I can, but I’ll never raise a hand to you. That is not who I am. No matter what you say or do, even when you strike me, I will never strike back.”

When he released her hands, she flew at him, shoving at his chest. “Mayhap you didn’t strike me, but what you said to me? ‘Twas like a slap in my face. I won’t allow you to treat me as a whore. Do you hear me? I am done with that life. Done!”

He stared at her, allowing her own words to sink in, knowing she’d said it all without first thinking about her words. He locked his gaze on hers. “Good. That is just what I would expect of a strong woman, of a woman worthy of being my wife. Now, get into bed, we’re done for tonight.”

Caralyn flung herself into the bed and turned away from him before the tears started. He tucked her inside him again, kissing her shoulder and holding her hand until she fell asleep.

Thus far, all had worked exactly as planned.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Caralyn awoke the next morning to a quiet cottage. She padded out to the main room and discovered he had already left, but not before starting a warm fire in the front hearth. Wrapping a plaid around herself she sat in a chair in front of the hearth, her mind a storm of confusion.

It had quite surprised her that Robbie enjoyed her cooking. She knew he hadn’t lied because he ate everything so fast and with such relish. Mayhap she wasn’t such a bad cook after all.

Last night had unleashed a whirlwind of feelings deep from her gut. How angry she had become, more so than she’d believed herself capable. It was a sign of how tired she was of her old life—being controlled by Malcolm, having no say in whatever they did—being forced to service a man she hated. Everything she had done and said to Robbie had been on instinct.

She couldn’t help but think of the first time she’d slapped Malcolm for calling her a whore—her face had been bruised for a week from his retaliation. Robbie hadn’t so much as scratched her. He was indeed a special man.

And Robbie hadn’t forced her to uphold her end of the agreement. Aye, she had cared for him all day, but men had particular needs. She knew that very well, had seen the evidence of it in Robbie when she undressed to her shift.

But rather than forcing her, he had held her in his arms until she cried herself to sleep. She had to admit, it was her favorite way to sleep. Aye, she missed her girls, but there was no place she would rather be at night than encased in Robbie Grant’s strong arms.

She glanced around the room and decided the cottage would be perfect with just a few more feminine touches. It was something she could accomplish today. But first she had to catch lunch, so she finished her ablutions and headed out the door to the beautiful loch. She had briefly considered sneaking up to the keep to see the girls, but she knew it would be wrong. She would not go back on her word, and it would be too difficult for the lassies.

Robbie came back for a quick midday meal. When he walked in the door, she took one look at his tousled hair and the sweat visibly making a pathway down his chest, and she froze. She licked her lips as visions of him with naught on danced through her mind, but she forced herself to stop and move to get his trencher of fish for him.

He surprised her by tugging her close and kissing her. It was just a quick kiss, but she pulled him back and tasted him with her tongue, inspiring a large groan from him that sent a shiver through her all the way to her toes.

To her delight, his hand ran up her skirts and caressed her bum, and she lost all ability to think. She reached under his kilt and found his hardness and teased him by caressing him back and forth with a feather light touch.

“Lass, I can’t stop. Do you want this as much as I do?”

She moaned as his hand found her nub and he rubbed his thumb across her, causing her to lean back on the table and spread wide for him. “Robbie, aye,” was all she could say, and it came out in a moan that didn’t stop.

Robbie shoved everything off the table and helped her lie back on the table before positioning himself at her entrance. “Lass, you make me lose all control.” He entered her swiftly and leaned over to capture her lips in a deep kiss, melding his body against hers as she rocked her pelvis to pick up his rhythm.

Minutes later, she shattered and he followed her, shouting her name as he finished.

Robbie picked her up and settled in the chair with her on his lap, still nuzzling her neck. “I made a mess of my food, lass. But you were the best meal I have had in a verra long time. Let me help you clean up.”

She rested her head on his shoulder and drank in his essence; his scent, his warmth, everything she knew to be Robbie, the man she adored. Somehow, she had to make this work.

Caralyn managed to find an apple for him and a piece of bread before he darted back out the door with the explanation that Alex was in a rant that day.

The afternoon flew by as memories of their lovemaking kept a smile on her face. When he walked through the door at the end of the day, he looked exhausted. His forehead had bled again at some point, but it was now crusting over. It didn’t stop him from noticing the few extra touches she had added during the day.

“Lass, where did you find the cushions for the chairs?”

“I made them. I do love this cottage, but it needed a couple of things to brighten and soften it. Maddie told me I could take any cloth that I needed from the storage. I wanted to make the girls a couple of new gowns.”

“And the flowers?” He pointed to the centerpiece on the table and the flowers hanging from the rafters.

“I foraged to see what I could find to dry for the winter. Mama and I had a beautiful flower garden when I was a wee lass.”

He ate everything she set on the table, complimenting her as he went, but she could tell he was overtired.

“Did you not say you had no sewing skills?”

“Well, I had to sew clothing for my girls from whatever scraps of material I could find. I wish I could make the beautiful wool gowns Madeline crafts, but I don’t know how.”

“Caralyn, she would be happy to show you.”

She stood and carried the dishes to the basin to wash them. “Do you think Logan has found Gwyneth by now?” It had been on her mind for quite some time since Malcolm was no longer a threat.

“I don’t know, but I hope so.” Robbie wrapped his arms around her waist.

“I don’t think she’ll ever rest until Duff Erskine pays for killing her brother and father. I worry about her. She is a stubborn lass.”

“Logan will find her and protect her, don’t worry about that.”

She paused to gaze at Robbie and thought about how fortunate she was to have her own protector, not just for her, but for her daughters.

After they finished cleaning up, he stared into her eyes with a grin on his face.

“What is it?” she asked, confused by his look.

“I could go straight to bed, I am so tired, but I can no longer stand the smell of myself. I am going in the loch. Care to join me?”

“Och, nay! ‘Tis way too cold.”

“Lass, come, ‘tis good for your skin. Cleans it fine.”

“You should go in to clean off your wound, but ‘tis too cold for me.”

He swooped over and picked her up in his arms, laughing. “What if I throw you in?”

She squealed as he carried her out the door. “Robbie, nay. The gown will drag me down.”

“Then take it off. I am throwing you in. If you wish to live near a loch, you must learn how to enjoy it…all year round. I went swimming in this loch many a winter month when I was a wee lad. ‘Tis not that cold yet. I’ll keep you warm.”

He set her down and she ran from him. Sure enough, he followed, chasing her halfway around the loch, their laughter echoing off the hills. When he finally caught her, he gently tugged her arm, leading her toward the lake.

“Stop, stop!” Caralyn squealed and finally decided to join him. When had she ever laughed this much? His grin was contagious. “Let go and I’ll remove my gown.”

“Promise?”

“I promise. Now let me go.”

He released her hand and she removed her gown while he stripped down to naught. She giggled.

“If you are wise, you’ll remove the chemise, as well. ‘Twill only make you colder when you come out.”

She stared at him for a moment as she considered his advice. Finally deciding he was correct, she peeled off her chemise.

Robbie stared at her and said, “Och, lass, you know how to bring a man to his knees.”

“Now or never, Robbie Grant. I won’t stand here with naught on for long.” She put her hands on her hips and waited.

He grasped her hand and together they ran into the loch, jumping at the last minute. She came up sputtering. “Cold! ‘Tis cold, Robbie! Why did I let you talk me into this?”

She started shivering and he pulled her in close, his body still blasting heat. She didn’t know how it was possible, but he did. He took the soap he had brought out with them and lathered her back and her hair, handing it to her to clean her front. Hell, but the lad was a gentleman through and through. She was shaking so much from the cold that she headed for the shore as soon as she had washed off. One glance back at Robbie turned her right around.

“Robbie, let me wash your forehead. You have so much dirt in the cut.” She gently washed out the gravel. “Were you rolling in the dirt today in the lists? How did you get so much grit in it?”

He smirked. “The only rolling I did was with you on the table. Do you have a sore bum tonight? Mayhap I should check for splinters.”

“Nay,” she giggled. “You didn’t hurt me. But you need to take better care of your wounds.”

“Lass, can you still love a scarred lad? I always had lassies chasing me, but only because of my looks. Now my looks are gone. Will you still love me?”

“Och, Robbie,” she sighed. “I love you for so many reasons, but not just because of your looks.”

His brow furrowed. “I am ugly to you?”

She finished her task and gave the soap back to him, turning her back to walk out of the loch. Right before she ran out, she turned and splashed him. “Nay, not ugly, but I won’t feed your feelings of self-importance.”

She ran out and he chased her all the way back to the front steps of the cottage. “’Tis freezing!” As she shivered at the door, she said, “My gown, I forgot my gown.”

“Hellfire.” He tore back down the shoreline, picked up their clothing and sprinted back.

Once they were inside, he wrapped her in his plaid and they sat in front of the fire so she could dry her hair. Robbie pulled his fingers through the long tresses, helping her to dry it. “Caralyn, have you given any more thought to my offer? You must see how well we suit each other. Our time has been wonderful here.”

“Aye, I have. What does your family say? I am worried they won’t accept me as your wife.”

“Hold on, let me go find something and I’ll plait your hair for you.” He left the room for their chamber.

Caralyn stared at her hands. Her wrists were healing because she hadn’t needed to punish herself lately, just now realizing it. A few minutes later, when Robbie didn’t return, she walked back into the room and found him sound asleep on the bed.

She crawled in beside him and snuggled up against him.