The Brightest Star in the Highlands: Jennie and Aedan (Clan Grant Series Book 7) (15 page)

Chapter Fifteen

When Jennie stepped inside the keep, she searched for Loki. She finally found him over in a secluded corner, his shoulders slumped as he stared at the crowd of people chatting inside.

“Loki?”

His face lit up when he saw her. “Jennie. My apologies for interfering, but I do not like those men.”

Jennie sat on a nearby bench and patted the seat next to her. Loki sat down, hanging his head.

“I cannot believe you are almost as tall as I am. When did that happen?”

His eyes danced and he grinned as he peered up at her, clearly pleased she had noticed he was getting older.

“My thanks for being my protector,” she added. “I am new at being around lads, since Alex has protected me for so long.”

“Aye, well, you still need to be protected. He was doing things he should not have been doing.” Loki frowned and stared at his feet.

“‘Tis true he kissed me, but I allowed it.”

“Why? Can you not see he is wrong for you?” he said, his brow furrowed.

“Aye, now I do. But I needed to find out for myself. You are growing up too fast for me, Loki. Not long ago, you would have called him a surly pig-nut.”

Loki laughed. “I did like that name. Ennis isn’t surly.” He gazed into her eyes. “Must you choose someone?”

Ah, Brodie had been correct in his assessment of Loki’s affections. She thought for a moment before she spoke again. “Alex is not forcing me to choose, but I do wish to marry. There was a time when I loved my brothers more than I could love any other man. Do you know, I always thought of you as my brother instead of my nephew? You are much older and more mature than the lads that are about. I feel as if I have four brothers, all looking out for me.”

“Aye, ‘tis true.” He nodded and waited for her to continue.

“Do you know that I once wished on a star that you would grow up fast enough to be my age so we could marry?” Mayhap he would feel better about their parting with this explanation. She remembered having numerous crushes when she was young. No matter how old, rejection always hurt.

“You did?” His eyes widened.

“Aye, I did.” She paused, giving Loki time to grasp her meaning. “I knew you would be a perfect husband.”

“But I did not grow any faster, did I?” His face dropped, and he stared at the floor.

“‘Tis good we are not able to marry.”

He gave her a puzzled look. “But why?”

“Because we are family, and family stays close forever. Besides, if I chose you, too many lassies would have their hearts broken.”

Loki snickered. “Truly? You made that up.”

“Did I? Now that Alex has invited the rest of the clan inside to enjoy the dancing, have you taken the time to look about you? If you had, you would have noticed all the lassies who cannot take their eyes from you. They would be quite upset if you married me.”

Loki yanked his gaze from hers and searched the hall for the truth of her words. “But they look at you, Jennie.”

“Nay, lad. Do you see the one with the freckles and the golden hair? And the one with the dark plait in the dark red gown? And the one in dark blue near your sire? Allow me to turn my head. Trust me, if you smile at them, they will return your smile.”

She turned her head away to give Loki the chance to look at the lasses she had pointed out to him. He beamed when he turned back to face her. “‘Tis true. Each one smiled at me.”

“Loki, you have grown up to be a handsome lad, and what’s more important, you are honorable and hard-working. The lasses will soon be chasing you wherever you go.”

“I like the lass with the yellow hair.”

“Why don’t you talk to her? Never mind, here comes your mama with a wailing Braden. He wants his favorite brother. Do you know he prefers you over everyone?”

“Aye.” He grinned. “I am pleased to have a brother.”

“And a big sister.”

He stared at her, confused.

“Me. My thanks for protecting me like a brother. I’ll be safe for the rest of the night. I will always trust Aedan Cameron, but I am glad you followed me with Ennis. I really do not know him well.”

He thought for a moment before he nodded and ran off to join his mother and Braden.

***

Aedan watched Jennie as she spoke to the young lad who had been her protector. Actually, he might thank the lad someday. He did seem to have Jennie’s best interests at heart. It was probably a good thing Loki had dropped out of the tree. Aedan had felt a fury rip through him like none other when he had seen Jennie in the arms of MacKenzie, and had the lad not been there, he may have continued to pummel the fool. Unfortunately, he had to apologize to Jennie and hope she would accept his apology.

Once she was alone, he strode over and bowed to her. “May I have a seat, Lady Jennie?”

“Aye, Aedan.” She stared at his leine as he sat. “Seems your shirt is a bit dirty.”

“Aye,” he drawled. “I had to rescue a lady in distress from a monster.”

“Loki or Ennis?”

“Ennis. Loki was doing exactly what he should have been doing.”

“Ennis expressed interest in me tonight. He is the only lad here who did.” She lifted her chin and gazed at the dancers.

“Would you consent to a stroll with me, or am I not special enough for you this eve?”

She stood. They most definitely needed to talk. “Aye, as long as you do not roll about in the dirt.”

“Where’s Loki? I do not want him dropping out of the tree on me.”

“He’s with his brother. I had a talk with him. He won’t follow us.”

Aedan held his arm out for her and they headed to the door.

At the top of the steps, Brodie joined them. “Going for a walk? Why, I would also enjoy one.” He grinned at them and followed them outside.

Once they were headed across the courtyard, Jennie turned back to look at Brodie. “I think I can handle myself with Aedan, Brodie.”

“I know you can.” He kissed her cheek. “I did it for Alex’s benefit. Word has already traveled inside about Loki jumping out of the tree at MacKenzie.” He turned to Aedan. “Don’t be long, though, or I’ll send Loki after you. As you have seen, he is anxious to spear someone tonight.”

Aedan sighed and gripped Jennie’s arm. “I promise to have her back soon.” He changed his direction and headed back toward the garden. At least it was away from the busiest path. Now how was he to start this conversation? This woman tied his tongue into knots. He hadn’t had any trouble before when he was on his lands, but for some reason, that had all changed. It must be because he had more at stake now, and with Alex Grant watching, there was even more pressure on him. “Jennie, my apologies, but my mind almost exploded when I saw MacKenzie’s hands on you.”

“Aedan, I don’t recall you having a claim on me, and yet you said I was yours.”

He stopped and turned her to face him. They had progressed far enough down the path to be in the darkness of the few trees. He cupped her face and kissed her, but he kept it chaste. She needed to understand how he felt. Gazing into her brown eyes made him daft with desire and hope. “Jennie, I have come all this way to ask Alex for your hand.”

She whispered, “You have?”

“Aye. I meant it when I said you were mine. I want you for myself, as my wife. I don’t wish to ever see you in another man’s arms.” He claimed her lips, angling his mouth over hers and devouring her. She needed to know how deep his feelings were for her. Teasing her with his tongue, he groaned when she teased him in return, dueling with him. She tasted so sweet, of cinnamon and apple.

She pulled away from him and leaned her forehead against his. “Why?”

“Why what?” he panted.

“Why do you want my hand? It pleases me, but you are such a puzzle to me, Aedan.” She pulled back and gazed into his eyes.

But he had no idea how to answer that question. “Because I want you.” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again, ravaging her mouth, taunting her with a rhythm he wished to continue, but knew he shouldn’t. He kissed her cheek and her neck, nuzzled her ear. She turned her head to give him better access to her neck. “I know you desire me, but why do you want my hand? I must know why you wish to marry me.”

His lips traced a path down her collarbone to the swell of her breast peeking out of her gown. “I want you, Jennie. I need you. You are the only one for me. Please.” His hand cupped her breast, rubbing her nipple through the thin fabric. She moaned and pushed against him, as if she wanted this as much as he did.

But she didn’t, because she shoved him away. “Why? What is it about me that makes you wish to marry me? There must be something. Can you not think of naught to tell me?”

Aedan stood back, keeping his hands around her waist, squeezing her, feeling her soft flesh, wishing he could touch her skin to skin. His breathing, still ragged, gave away his true feelings. But she wanted words? Hellfire, he had no words at the moment. He was too lost in the sensation of being so close to her, breathing in her essence, tasting her sweetness on his lips. Rubbing his hand across his chin, he thought and thought, but came up with nothing.

Brodie yelled to Robbie in the courtyard just before he came around the corner, giving Aedan enough warning to step away from Jennie. As soon as he came upon them, Brodie quirked his brow. “Time to return to the keep, aye?”

Jennie nodded, “Aye.” She spun on her heel and left.

Hellfire, Neil was right. She wanted sweet words, and he had nothing, absolutely nothing. Next time, he would have to pay better attention to Neil’s advice.

***

Jennie woke up screaming. Alex was not at the door, so she jumped out of bed, opened her door, and tore down the passageway. When she opened the heavy door that led to the parapets, she stopped for a moment to feel the cool breeze in her face, then raced up the steps, anxious to get away from the clawing hands that threatened her.

She flung herself through the door and leaned over the edge of the parapets, gasping for air. When would this end? She could not tolerate it any longer. Aye, the dreams had stopped at Aedan’s, but she could hardly refuse to come home ever again. This was her home; it would always be a special place for her.

She stared out over the courtyard and the bailey, wishing there was something she could do to ease her panic. A voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Jennie? Are you all right?” Aedan strode toward her.

“Aedan!” She threw herself into his arms, too desperate for comfort to care that she had forgotten the covering for her night rail.

He wrapped his arms around her and she sobbed into his shoulder. “What happened?” he asked softly.

“My dreams. They’ve come back.”

He maneuvered her over to a spot where he could settle with her on his lap. “Do you wish to tell me about them?”

She shook her head, not wanting to remind herself of the horror. “Nay, just hold me.”

Aedan held her and she cried until there were no more tears. When she was able to catch her breath again, she sat up and gazed into his eyes, those eyes the color of the night sky. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to drench you.”

He kissed her. “‘Tis something I’m glad to do. You know I love to hold you.”

She swiped the tears on her cheeks. “They won’t stop.”

“Are you sure you don’t wish to discuss them with me? Mayhap ‘twould help you to speak of it.”

She leaned her head against his shoulder, clutching her night rail around her against the cool air. He hugged her tight, his heat warming her. “It never changes. ‘Tis always the same.”

He waited for her to continue.

Perhaps he was correct and she would feel better if she shared. She hadn’t shared the details of her dreams with anyone before. “It always starts the same. Screaming. Someone starts to wail, just as the men who return from battle do. I try to reach him, but I can’t. Then the wailing grows louder and louder.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. But as it grows, I try to run away. I cannot escape the sound, so I cover my ears, but it doesn’t help at all. And then…”

Aedan waited patiently. Did he think her daft? Should she have kept quiet? At this point, she needed to finish.

“Then many hands reach for me. They grab for me, shouting my name, but the wailing just gets louder. No matter what I do, it gets louder and louder, until I scream so loud I can’t hear it any longer. ‘Tis usually when I awaken.”

“Have you cared for any warriors since you returned?”

“Nay, ‘tis why I had hoped it would end. I cannot bear for this to continue, but I know not what to do. What’s wrong with me, Aedan?”

“I do not believe there’s aught wrong with you. You are an intelligent, compassionate woman. Mayhap you have had too much death and injury to deal with, and you feel overwhelmed. We’ll figure it out together. I promise to stay by your side.”

“Aedan, why were you up here?”

He kissed her forehead. “I was here because being closer to the stars makes me feel closer to you.”

Jennie melted against him. What more could she ask of him? She clung to his upper arms and he held her while she cried again. She eventually fell asleep in his arms, and this time she did not dream.