Laird of Her Heart (Dundragon Time Travel Trilogy Book 1) (7 page)

He turned to the side to show her his back. “I doona know. Am I bleeding?”

She kissed him there. Stroked him. “Only a little.” He heard the smile in her voice. “You’ll live.”

He rolled back over and captured her in his arms and kissed her again with ferocity that matched his mood. “You were amazing.” It needed to be said.

“So were you.”

Their gazes locked and something deep inside him shifted. Solidified.

He didn’t know who she really was, or where she came from or why she was here, but one thing was certain. He wasn’t letting her go.

“You’re mine now, Maggie.” He said in a growl. No other man would have her. Not while he was alive.

* * *

You’re mine now, Maggie.

The words resonated through her. Never before had she felt so complete, so wanted, so utterly…taken. He made love like a beast in heat and he spurred the same madness in her. Her body still hummed with pleasure, her mind still reeled.

She tucked herself into his embrace and gloried in the way he closed his hold on her. Their skin was sealed from groin to chest. Their heat mingled. Breath tangled.

His scent, his presence, sank into her, infusing her with an unutterable peace.

Perhaps she was being foolish to feel as though she had been brought here for this. As though the attraction, the draw between them had been strong enough to whisk her through time and space to his side, but the certainty roiling within her could not be denied.

“Promise me you willna leave,” he murmured against her hair. “Promise you will never leave.”

How could she promise? She had no idea how she’d come to be here. She had no idea how long she would stay.

She lifted her gaze to meet his. “I will never leave you,” she whispered. But she had to add, to herself
Not of my own accord.

It had to be enough. It was all she had.

It seemed to please him. His taut expression softened and he smiled—a brilliant explosion of joy and relief—and then he kissed her again.

The kiss threatened to swell into something more. His cock stirred against her thigh. He made a sound, a bestial rumble and shifted over her again. Her excitement flared.

Yes, he’d just brought her to the most mind-boggling fulfilment, but she was more than ready for another go—

“Oh hell.” A harsh voice shattered their cocoon.

Maggie glanced over Dominic’s shoulder and winced.

Honestly. Declan had the worst timing.

He stood in the door of the tent, holding the flap open. Behind him, all the others peered in, taking in the intimate scene.

Thank God her nakedness was shielded behind Dominic’s big body—all his men could really see was his bare ass and her heated cheeks. He muttered something and tugged one of the furs around her and then he rolled off.

“Get out,” he boomed.

Declan let the flap drop, but he remained inside the tent. He fixed a glower on his brother. “Tell me you dinna fook her.”

Dominic snorted and stood, snatching up his breeks and tugging them on. He didn’t bother with his tunic, for which Maggie was thankful. Because he truly was magnificent to look at. The sight nearly made her forget her own mortification.

“It’s none of your business who I fook.”

“Isn’t it?” Declan glared at her. “She’s a Cameron.”

“Is she? She swears she is not and I believe her.”

“Holy Christ, Dominic. How can you be so blind?”

“How can you?”

“She’s using you. She’s a siren, calling you to crash on the rocks with an enchanting song.”

“Actually I’m tone deaf.”

They both whipped around to stare at her and she rearranged her coverings and sat. She swiped her hair from her face.

“I can’t sing at all. Seriously. Dogs howl.”

Declan’s fingers closed into fists. He appeared to be grinding his teeth. “It was a metaphor.”

She shot him a sweet smile. “I know what it was.”

“You are a vexing witch.”

She didn’t mean to wince at his words, but she did. Because that was the core of her fears. That they might think her a witch.

“She’s no’ a witch.” Her heart thudded at Dominic’s fierce defense of her.

“Has she no’ bewitched you?”

“Nae. She hasna.”

“Look at you. First chance you have and you’re mounting her.”

Dominic’s eyes narrowed. “Hardly the first chance.”

“That’s true. He hardly touched me at all last night.”

Declan gaped at her, sputtering his consternation. He whirled on his brother. “I ask you, nae, I beg you. Show some restraint. Until we discover who and what she really is, you must assume she is our enemy.”

“She is no’ our enemy. I know it. In my heart.” He thumped his chest.

Declan reared back and stared at his brother, taking in the tautness of his features, the bunch of his muscles, his conviction. “And if she is? If she betrays us?”

Maggie didn’t realize she was holding her breath, awaiting Dominic’s response until her lungs started to ache. But still, she could not move, could not relax. Not until he glanced at her, his eyes glimmering. He held out his hand and took hers in it. Squeezed.

“She willna betray us, will you Maggie-mine?”

Maggie-mine
. God. Her heart flipped over several times at those words, at his deep, steady tone.

She stared back at him, her soul in her eyes. “Nae,” she said, unconsciously mirroring his brogue. “I willna. I will never betray you.”

With a growl, Declan spun on his heel and ducked out of the tent, but he poked his head back in and snapped, “Oh, and in case you were wondering why I invaded your little love nest to begin with, Liam has arrived. There is news from Dar.”

She had no idea why this announcement made Dominic snap to attention, why it made his expression darken. He merely nodded to his brother, who, with one more disdainful glance at her, quit the shelter.

Dominic blew out a breath and scrubbed his face. Then he bent and collected her clothing. “You should get dressed,” he said. “If Liam has come all the way from Dar, the news must be important.”

Apparently their tryst was over.

But then, Declan had completely spoiled the mood.

Maggie dressed quickly and then took Dominic’s extended hand; he lifted her easily to her feet. He met her gaze and then pulled her into his arms again for another kiss. Though it was quick and far too brief, it was intense.

“You did promise no’ to leave,” he said.

She quirked a brow, unsure of his meaning. “I did.”

“Good.” Another kiss. “I really doona want to have to tie you up.”

“Well, that’s a relief,” she quipped. “Because I really don’t want to be tied up.”

With a grin he took her arm and led her out of the tent to the fire where the other men were waiting.

A tall, sandy haired stranger stood among them. A strange shiver shot through her as she studied him. She’d certainly never met him before, but there was a familiarity about him she could not deny. He turned to her and their gazes clashed and the certainty grew.

“Liam,” Dominic called, and greeted his vassal with a manly hug.

“My laird.” He nodded to Maggie. “And who is this bonny lass?”

“Maggie Spencer, of Seattle. A visitor from our clansmen to the west. Maggie, this is my cousin Liam MacBain.”

And suddenly, it hit her. Why he seemed so familiar. He looked much like the portrait of her grandfather’s grandfather hanging in the library of their home. Same hair, same eyes, same hard sculpted chin. He was Liam MacBain Macintosh.

Her ancestor.

The man from whom her entire family had sprung.

CHAPTER SIX

Liam brought important news indeed.

After they had finished with the greetings and catching up of minor news from Dar, he asked to speak with Dominic and Declan in private. Dominic did not like leaving Maggie unattended, but he had words with Ewan—exhorting him to see her fed and, more importantly, to keep her safe. Not that he thought she’d run. She had promised she would not.

Beyond that, he knew all his men would watch over her. After what they’d witnessed in his tent, by now they all knew damn well she was his. But still, he hated being separated from her, even for a moment.

He led Liam to his tent as Declan brought in another chair and they sat around the table. Dominic poured them each a whiskey.

“So, what is the important news, Liam?” he asked.

His cousin took a swig of whisky and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Verra good news, my laird. The MacPherson has agreed to your meeting. In fact, he has called for a convocation of the lairds to discuss concessions.”

That was good news. Macpherson had been the only clan chief resisting the formation of a Clan Chattan federation.  Dominic had been trying to arrange a meeting to confer with MacPherson over the matter, but he’d been obstreperous.

“Aye. They’ve all agreed to meet the day after tomorrow at Urquhart Castle.”

Dominic’s brow wrinkled. An odd place for a convocation, though upon reflection, it was neutral territory. None of the rival clans could claim superiority because it belonged to the Black Comyn, who had no stake in this quarrel. “Who will be there?”

“Lairds from Cattanach, MacPhail, Shaw, Farquharson, the Ritchies, McCombies and Clan MacThomas.”

“And MacPherson.”

“Aye.”

He frowned. “The day after tomorrow, you say?”

“Aye.”

Dominic glanced at Declan. “That doesna leave us much time.”  Urquhart Castle was a full day’s ride.

“We can leave tomorrow.”

“The three of us?” Liam asked, although there was no need to ask. Liam and Declan were his lieutenants.

Dominic nodded. “The men can finish up the hunt and head back home.” He would have liked to have had a more successful hunt, to fill the smoke room with meat, but it was still summer. There would be more hunts before the harsh winter set in. 

“And the woman?”

He glared at his brother. He knew what Declan was asking and it irritated him. Hell, his brother’s continued insistence that she was a spy irritated him. “She’s coming with us.”

Declan snorted, but Liam, at least, knew well enough to stay silent.

“Let’s get moving,” he said into the silence. “There’s much to do if we’re to make it to this meeting in time.”

* * *

Dominic didn’t emerge from his tent for a long while, but when he did, all hell broke loose in the camp. Suddenly the men started rushing about, cleaning the pots and pans and packing them up.

“What’s going on?” she asked Ewan, because he was the only one who seemed inclined to speak to her. Still, he didn’t meet her eyes.

“We’re leaving tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Aye.”

“Are we going back to Castle Dar?” That thought was exciting. She’d only seen pictures of her ancestral home, and even then, it had been ruins. How thrilling would it be to see it in its glory? In person?

“The lads and I are heading back. But the laird is going west. And you’re going with him.”

She frowned and glanced at where Dominic was overseeing the salting of the venison. He lifted one of the carcasses and tossed it into the cart. His muscles bunched fabulously, snagging her attention. There might have been some drool. She was glad he was taking her with him, wherever they were going. “What’s in the west?” she asked.

“Urquhart Castle.”

Her heart stopped. Her head whipped around. She stared at Ewan. “What?”

“Urquhart Castle. There’s to be a meeting of the lairds.”

A meeting of the lairds? Her pulse thrummed. Sweat pricked on her brow.

It would not be a meeting. It would be a massacre.

Even though she knew warning him could ruin everything, certainly destroy any feelings of trust between them, she had to. She had to warn him.

She launched to her feet and ran—
ran
—to Dominic’s side. He stilled when she tugged at his sleeve. “I need to talk to you,” she said.

He grinned and bent to kiss her. “It will have to wait Maggie-mine. We’ve got a lot of work to do before we lose the sun.”

“Please Dominic. I need to talk to you now.”

“About what?”

“This trip to Urquhart. Please. It’s urgent.”

He studied her expression and his brow rumpled but he nodded to Harry who took up his spot. “What is so urgent?” he asked, brushing off his hands and following her away from the other men. To her annoyance, Declan followed too.

“We need to speak privately.”

“Right.” He headed for his tent.

Declan paced them. Apparently he did not understand the concept of the word
private
.

She stood in the door of the tent, attempting to block his way, but he just pushed past her.

“What is it, Maggie?” Dominic asked.

She flicked a look at Declan and frowned. “I would prefer to speak to you
alone.
”

Declan crossed his arms. “I’m sure you would.”

“Darling.” Dominic’s hands were heavy on her shoulders. “Declan is my lieutenant. Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of him.”

Um, not really. Dominic might believe her—or he might not—but Declan would automatically leap to the dark side. He already suspected the worst of her.

Dominic folded his arms and shot her an encouraging smile. “Well?”

Hell. Declan or not, it needed to be said.

“You cannot go to Urquhart castle.”

Dominic blinked. “I…what?”

“You cannot go. It’s a trap.”

Declan bristled. She ignored him.

“MacPherson is not willing to negotiate with Clan Chattan. He and Cameron are plotting an ambush.”

“What?” both brothers barked. It was rather intimidating, the pair of them glowering as they were.

“Why would he do that?” Dominic asked.

“If they take out the leaders of the clans, the confederation will fall apart.”

Silence rippled through the room. Dominic’s expression went hard. She hated the curl of disdain on his lips. “How do you know this?”

She read it in a book? “I…just know it.”

“So you
are
in league with the Camerons?” Declan, singing that same old song.