Risk Everything (25 page)

Without speaking, he tossed a white bundle to Connor.

“Aye. Guardian led us to the base of a tree but a league inside MacDhaidh borders. Meghan must have covered her tracks in the water, then spent the night in the branches. I found signs she had tied herself high to escape notice, but Rolf spied her out.”

“Were there signs of a struggle?” Connor’s face blanched as he caught the white bundle tight to his chest. ’Twas apparent it was a sheet, but he hesitated to open it.

“Nay. No struggle.” Mereck looked down at Netta and put a stern look on his face. “Unhand me, wife. ’Tis unseemly ye would fondle my body in sight of my family.”

Netta gasped and drew back in preparation to strike his chin with her fist. He forestalled her.

“For shame, Netta.” He wagged his head in disbelief and

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clucked his tongue. “Now ye would fight with your husband in front of our son?”

“Hell’s bells, Mereck. Where’s the ransom note?” Brianna demanded. No one raised their brows at her speech, for they had long become accustomed to her way of speaking.

“Well, now that Netta has stopped pawing over my body, I can give it to ye. I found the missive and sheet attached to the tree I spoke of. He knew we would track her to it.” He reached beneath his wolf pelts and drew forth a rolled parchment. As he did, his eyes lost their teasing glint and became deep emerald, cold as the jewels they resembled. Unfolding the message, he spread it flat on a small table beside a fat, tallow candle.

Brianna pounced on it and began reading aloud.

I, Rolf, the MacDhaidh of Rimsdale, did this day
handfast with Meghan of Blackthorn. She is in my
keeping and will remain so. Her virgin’s blood gives
proof we consummated the union.

Until such time as I allow, she will have no contact
with her former family at Blackthorn. Any forays onto
my lands will be met with force.

Netta snatched the bundle from Connor’s arms and flapped it in the air to open it. There for all to see were the telltale red splatters. She scowled up at Mereck as if her husband was responsible for the news he brought to them.

Damron’s eyes narrowed and his back stiffened. “If ’tis a handfast, why then does Rolf forbid her contact with her people?”

“Likely he remembers she is nigh impossible to control?”

Connor cleared his throat. “I like it not that he forbids us to see to her welfare.” He could not keep the worry from his voice.

“Well, to hell and back with him.” Brianna took the sheet and balled it up. “I don’t trust the man. Mereck, how difficult will it be to snatch one of his men to question?”

Mereck frowned, not understanding. “Snatch? ’Tis a word you have not used afore. I ken it means to kidnap?” Seeing her

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nod of agreement, he added. “Not hard. I will take none but my squire Dafydd with me. If their patrols keep their pattern, they will be well within our southeastern borders this sennight.”

“Bleddyn will return from Wales soon,” Damron said.

“Mayhap Cloud Dancer will carry a message to Meghan. I would that she knows we will aid her if she wishes.”

“The mystic, his great eagle, and your gift of hearing people’s thoughts, Mereck, will all be of great help.” Pride lit Netta’s eyes as she looked at her husband.

“I remember the time you were affrighted by my ‘gift,’

wife.” Mereck grinned as he hugged her to his side.

“Hmpf! What woman wishes a man to read her every thought?” She looked up at him, wrinkling her nose.

“ ’Tis settled then.” Connor squared his shoulders, his face bleak. “If we find Meghan has not spoken her promise freely, we will besiege Rimsdale and bring her back to people who love and understand her.”

“Dinna worry so, Connor,” Damron said kindly. “Ye know the lass has loved the man since she was no higher than my waist. If I read him aright, he favored her even then.”

“Aye. But is Rolf the same man he was afore?”

None had an answer for him.

For the next fortnight, Rolf was content for the first time in his life. In his sleep, he drew Meghan close in his arms.

During the day, he forgot his duties and sought her out. With Ingirid, he had never felt a need to have his wife beside him.

His mind spoke to him, taunted him. It couldna last.

His honor nagged him, warned him. It couldna last.

He ignored them both.

What would happen when ’twas over?

Leggings and breeches became objects of irritation. He took to wearing a shirt with his tartan belted about his waist.

To free his manhood. He had but to shove the clothing aside and his tarse was readily available.

If Meghan came within sight, he found reason to call a halt

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to whatever he was doing, overtake her, and hurry her to a se-cluded area.

He tried to put her from his mind. He could not. If he did not see her, he found himself seeking her out in the middle of the day. He ignored the knowing looks and told himself he would soon sate his lust for her.

Who did he think he fooled? The more he had her, the swifter his body responded to the slightest reminder. A whiff of heather, the sweet sway of a lass’s hips, her throaty laugh when Simple caused Garith to chuckle—all thickened his blood.

Never had he known a woman so responsive to his slightest touch. She caught fire from a single kiss. Sometimes, he had not yet kissed her. If she burrowed her face beneath his chin and breathed deeply, she moaned and tilted her head back to offer her sweet lips to him.

Ede became her stalwart friend. She cast him accusing glances whenever he drew Meghan to him. In his leisure time, Garith sought her out. The women of the castle no longer looked at her with fear but went out of their way to be friendly.

“When are you going to stop this lackwit behavior?”

Alpin’s voice interrupted Rolf ’s thoughts as he entered the stable. He meant to order Storm and Luath to surprise Meghan with a ride on the mainland.

“Lackwit? Why think you I behave foolishly?” His brows lifted to challenge Alpin.

“All comment on your easy manner, your ready laughter.”

Alpin’s pale eyes held no warmth of friendship but blazed with something else. Resentment? Jealousy? “They say the hardened warrior plays the lapdog sniffing after a bitch in heat.”

Rolf stiffened and clamped his lips together.

“Nothing is secret in a manor. You canna wait to reach the privacy of your solar but thrust yourself into her on the spiral stairwell, behind the stable, or e’en against the sea wall.” His haughty face became scornful. “You constantly rut with the Blackthorn strumpet.”

Rolf ’s hand flashed out to grab Alpin’s tunic tight about his

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neck. He brought his nose to almost touch his friend’s.

“Ne’er, lest you wish an untimely end, call Meghan of Blackthorn a strumpet. You well know she was pure when I handfast with her.”

“Aye. Yet you have taught her wanton ways.” He jerked back. Rolf released his hold on him. “Ailsa has long awaited this upcoming event. She willna abide your swiving—”

“Ailsa has no say in what I do.” Rolf ’s shout interrupted him. “She is but a woman. ’Tis my right to have any lass within this manor, and she willna interfere. Nor will you.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone approach the stable, then retreat. His blood told him ’twas Meghan.

“Eneuch,” he warned Alpin. He left him and went to see both steeds were readied. His blood still singing with anger, he vaulted onto Luath, took Storm’s reins from a stable boy, and rode out into the bailey.

Meghan decided to find Ede and ask why Rolf and Alpin argued about this Ailsa. Today wasna the first time she’d noted the name. More often lately, she heard it whispered. Always, the voices hushed when she neared. Was Alpin’s sister elderly? Was that why they prepared so carefully to please her? It would gladden her to meet someone else who held Rolf dear.

Hearing a horse advancing fast behind her, she whirled to see Rolf astride Luath and leading Storm. He stopped beside her.

“Come. I deemed a ride along the beach would be to your liking this day.” He grinned down at her.

Meghan laughed with joy as Storm huffed and bumped his cheek against her shoulder. She put her arms around his massive neck and hugged the beast. Some women might think the smell of a horse disagreeable, but Meghan found it a familiar memory.

“A ride?” She turned her head enough to see Rolf. “ ’Tis a lovely day for it.” Afeared he could change his mind, she dashed a quick look around, hiked up her skirts, and was astride Storm afore Rolf could dismount to aid her.

She felt his heated gaze on her bare legs and pulled her

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clothing down to cover them. “Ye have seen them aplenty, Rolf. Dinna stare as if it were the first time.”

He cleared his throat before he answered. “Aye. But now I picture myself, not Storm, gripped tight between your thighs as you ride me.” His nostrils flared.

Meghan grinned at him. She knew the first chance they had she would be astride him. As they crossed over the bridge, she looked forward to reaching land where they could let the horses have a bracing gallop.

Something in the woods along the shoreline caught her eye. She caught glimpses of warriors paced far apart among the trees. He didna fully trust her. He was no fool and had planned ahead in case she bolted. He didna believe that once she had said her vows with him, she would not run from him.

The minute Storm’s hooves hit the sand, she hollered to Rolf, “Race you to the curve ahead.” She leaned close over the horse’s neck and urged him to run free. As Storm thundered ahead like a bolt shot out of the sky, she laughed for the sheer joy of the wind rushing against her face.

Her skirts whipped back from her legs, freeing her skin to the sun’s warm touch. The wind combed her hair, flying it about her. She knew Rolf was close behind by the pounding of Luath’s hooves. Soon he drew alongside, boxing her between the water and himself. He would not let her easily win.

He, too, leaned far forward and urged his mount to greater speed. When they reached the bend, Storm led by the length of his nose.

At a slow walk, they cooled the horses down. As they neared the bridge, he grinned at her.

“Come. A pool lies within the woods. I go there often to bathe in the summer months.” He led her into the woods, and the man closest to where they entered trotted his steed farther down the beach.

Lacy birch trees grew at the pool’s edge and dipped the tips of their green leaves into the clear water. Others stood ma-jestically offering shade. At the left end, a large flat rock overhung the water. ’Twas there Rolf led her.

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Within a dozen heartbeats, both were naked and plunging into the cold depths. When Meghan came up for breath, she saw Rolf ’s dripping face watching her. He had no need to speak. His face showed his intentions. A laugh escaped her.

She hunched her back and dove deep. She could feel him behind her. Could feel him as he hovered above her. Followed her. She grew out of breath and headed for the surface, but he remained still. His fingertips traced her body as she pulled upward through them until she reached the open air.

He was not through with his play but swam beneath her.

Slowly, sensuously, like a living Neptune, his body slid under hers, his lips nipping like little minnows at her flesh. He kicked her ankles apart, and by the time he surfaced, he impaled her on his eager shaft.

They loved with passion and then swam again, never speaking a word. Meghan because she didna want to break the moment; Rolf because he wanted to hold back time. They made love again until both were satiated. Tired now, they lay on the large rock until dry enough to don their clothing.

“Thank ye, Rolf. Now the days are warm, mayhap Ede and I could enjoy coming here to bathe?” Meghan asked.

“You canna come unguarded; ’tis not safe. Besides, I like not the thought of your bathing nude where warriors could see you.”

“The escort can be within the woods, their back to us.”

Seeing he still looked ready to say her nay, she worried her lip. “Ugsome returned this morn. Poor beastie has yet another notch on his ear. Ugsome would not let anyone near. Garith and he can guard us close by. I doubt not the lad will keep his back turned.”

“I will think on it.”

By the soft look on his face, she knew she could look forward to lazy swims on warm days.

As the days passed, more work than seemed usual kept everyone busy about the castle and grounds. The servants cleaned and aired pallets. They changed the rushes often, while carpenters mended any trestle tables that needed it.

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Meghan became more concerned, though, for more often, if she drew near, conversation halted. She didna think the cause was dislike. More unnerving were looks of sympathy.

Heaven help her, she even glimpsed pity. Why would they look thus? Was Alpin’s relative so ill-tempered as to dislike Meghan on sight? It made her uneasy, and she took to spending more time out of doors.

The practice fields drew her, and Meghan studied the men at their warrior’s training. Soon, they began to take her presence as an added help. Her aid in developing their skills didna trouble her, for she knew at the end of the year she would wed Rolf. While she was at Rimsdale, there would be peace between the two castles. Dougald grew so accustomed to having her there that if she but raised her hand, he came over to speak with her.

A horn sounding atop the battlements warned of someone’s approach. Meghan stared as a handful of horsemen rode across the bridge and into the outer bailey. She had no need to see the colors on the banner to know they were messengers from Alpin’s castle, for he and Rolf rode up to meet them.

Curious, she followed along with Garith and Dougald.

They drew close, and Ugsome hugged tight to her legs, rumbling deep in his throat. He didna like the men.