The Highlander's Outlaw Bride (26 page)

“’Tis Jamie, and he is asleep,” he murmured. “Tam is curled beneath the chair.”

“How long do ye think he has been there?” she whispered back, a bit shocked to think Jamie had wandered in sometime during the night. Her cheeks warmed.

Conn’s soft laugh rumbled in his chest. “Not long, I dinnae think. He wasnae there when I got up an hour or so ago, and ye have been sleeping since.” He pulled the edge of the bed clothes closer around her neck. He slipped from far side of the bed and wrapped his kilt about his waist. Crossing to the chair, he hunkered down beside it.

“Jamie?”

Tam crept from beneath the chair and licked Conn’s arm. He ruffled the dog’s ears.

The lad stirred and rubbed his eyes sleepily. “Conn?”

“Wheesht, lad, dinnae wake yer sister.”

Jamie nodded solemnly.

“What are ye doing in here?”

Jamie glanced over the arm of the chair, and Brianna saw the bundle lying on the floor. “I packed so I can go with ye and Anna.”

Conn smiled. “That is a good idea. When it is morning, I bet she will make sure ye have everything ye need. Right now, ye need to hie yerself back to yer own bed and get all the sleep ye can. Ye need to be ready for our trip in a couple of days. Can ye do that?”

Jamie’s brow furrowed. “Are ye sure I have to go back to bed?”

Conn merely tilted his head at Jamie. Brianna smothered a laugh. She knew Jamie needed to be reassured, but the sooner Jamie learned to trust Conn, the quicker they would become friends, and a dose of authority now would certainly help, too.

“Ye willnae leave me, will ye?” Jamie asked.

“Nae, lad. I dinnae lie to ye. Ye are welcome to come with us for a visit in a couple of days.”

Jamie sighed his reluctant acceptance and wriggled out of the chair, stopping to pick up his bag. With a heavy yawn, he wandered from the room, dragging his belongings behind him as Tam dogged his heels.

“Thank ye,” Brianna whispered.

“Hmm?” Conn rose and shut the door firmly, testing the latch.

“He is so happy to be going with me. I know he can be a handful.”

Conn returned to the bed. “We will let Gillis take care of him from time to time. Dinnae
fash
yerself.”

“Still, I wanted to let ye know how much I appreciate ye letting him come with us for a bit.”

The kilt slipped to the floor around Conn’s feet. “How much?” He grinned.

Heat skittered through her as she whisked the bedding back in invitation. “Let me show ye.”

Chapter 29

The hall, lit only by candles and a fire in the hearth, was a cozy haven against the rain dimming the late afternoon sky. Brianna and Conn lingered over a late meal amid a handful of guests who had apparently imbibed more than they should have the night before.

“I imagine the rain drumming on the roof is giving that one a pounding headache,” Brianna murmured with a brief nod to a man several seats away, head in his hands.

“Aye. But that willnae stop him from licking the bottom of his glass the next time.”

Brianna stroked the back of Conn’s hand. “Do ye think we should leave tomorrow or the day after?”

He covered her hand with his. “It may take longer to pack than ye think.”

“Why?”

Rising to his feet, he pulled her against him, and her heart quickened to feel his response to her. “Because I believe I am about to hinder the process.”

Passion flooded her, and she cast a quick glance around the room from the corner of her eyes. “Indeed? Mayhap we could discuss this a bit more privately?”

Keeping one hand laced with hers, he led her up the stairs. Inside the bed-chamber, Brianna backed him against the door, smothering his laughter with a heated kiss, her hands tugging his leine from his belt.

She ran her palms up the length of his torso, fingers sliding through the hair on his chest and flicking across his tight nipples. With a sound that was half-groan, half-snarl, he snatched at her skirts, pulling them around her waist. Twisting about, he lifted her in his arms and pinned her against the wall. He quickly rucked his kilt upward and pressed against her.

“Shall I ask yer advice on this?” he teased. “I believe I like my opinionated wife.”

Brianna grabbed his ears and gave them a mock twist. “Shut up, Conn.” She wrapped her legs about his waist and pulled him to her with a quick jerk. He pounded into her, passion surging beyond her control. Within moments, she gasped, her head hard against the wall as she arched against him. Conn buried his head between her breasts, his breath coming hard and fast. Waves of pleasure spiraled through her, and Conn leaned gently into her, pinning her in place.

She ran a languid hand through his hair. “Ye can put me down now.”

Conn laughed. “Aye, but I like this too much to move.” With a groan, he let her slide to the floor, then rested against her once again. “Shall we move to the bed, milady, for a wee snooze? Ye drained me of all my manly intentions before we scarce crossed the threshold.”

“A nap sounds good, as long as I am with ye.”

Conn glanced down. “It seems we are still in disarray.”

For the first time, the cool air against her bare legs, tangled with his, registered, and heat stole up her neck, shocked at what he provoked in her.

A frantic pounding at the door interrupted them, and she hastily shoved her skirts down.

“Who could possibly think to intrude?” Conn muttered as he straightened his kilt. With a quick glance at her, he opened the door. Una burst in, her hands fluttering high in the air.

“Brianna, come quickly!”

“What is wrong, Una?”

The woman gave her an agonized look. “’Tis Jamie. He has—”

Flinging a brief glance of apology at Conn, Brianna spun the other woman around, shoving her out the door. They flew down the hallway to Jamie’s room, and Brianna came to a startled halt just inside his door. Cook’s daughter knelt beside the lad, who was almost completely covered in mud. His teeth chattered and he twitched violently as the lass wiped the mud off him with a piece of rough cloth.

“Get him into a warm bath, Kirsten.” Brianna stepped quickly to Jamie’s side, grabbed a towel, and used it to rub some warmth into his thin arms.

“I am waiting for hot water, milady.” Kirsten pulled Jamie’s breeches off and helped wrap him in a blanket warm from the hearth.

Brianna cast a worried look at Una. “See where the water is.”

With a nod, Una hurried from the room. Brianna turned back to Jamie, who snuffled and rubbed his eyes. “How did ye get so muddy, hmm?” She pulled the corner of the blanket over the top of his head for added warmth.

“I had to say good-bye to my friends,” Jamie sobbed, clearly upset.

“What happened, dearling?”

Jamie kicked at the pile of clothing at his feet. “It wasnae raining when I left. And when I ran home—like the wind,” he assured her, “I took the short cut and tripped and fell down the bank to the burn and landed in the marsh.” His voice ended on a mournful note.

With gritted teeth, Brianna decided to address his adventure alone—to the burn, nonetheless—at another time. “How long were ye outside?”

Jamie snuffled and dragged a filthy hand across his face. Kirstin glanced up.

“He took the dog and left just after the morning meal. The dog came back all in a fit, covered in mud himself.” Kirsten nodded toward the corner of the room. “He must have pulled Jamie out, then raced to the hall for help getting him home, poor lad.”

Wrapped in a tight ball, mud caked in his long coat, Tam shivered against the hearth. Brianna’s heart plummeted to think of Jamie’s fate had the dog not been with him.

Una bustled through the door, carrying a bucket of hot water. Two servants followed, each carrying two buckets, which they poured into the tub already wrestled into the center of the room. Brianna tested the water and nodded approvingly. She stripped the blanket from Jamie’s shaking body and reached to lift him into the wooden tub. Conn’s hands took the burden from her and she gave him a grateful nod. She rose and gathered Tam in her arms and dumped him into the tub as well.

Jamie gasped in surprise then giggled as Tam floundered in the water. Apparently deciding he appreciated the warmth, the dog found his footing and stood patiently as Brianna and Kirsten rinsed the mud away.

Soon, the pair was scrubbed clean, and Jamie’s shrieks of delight as Tam pranced about in the water filled the air. Fresh water replaced the muddy, and both Jamie and Tam were given a final rinse. Tam was sent to his blanket by the hearth, Jamie directly to his bed.

“I dinnae want to go to bed,” he wailed tiredly. His protest ended in a hiccup as he grudgingly followed Brianna. Conn tossed him onto the bed and Brianna piled the blankets atop his small body. Sitting beside him, she ran her fingers through his red-gold hair.

“Tell me a story,” Jamie whispered, his eyes drooping.

“Do ye remember the story about the selkies who danced in the moonlight?”

“Uh huh,” Jamie replied, the sound scarcely louder than a sigh.

Brianna smiled fondly, blinking back tears as she tried not to think of how easily he could become ill. “Well,” she said, her voice calm and soothing, “the selkies came out of the sea and shed their seal skins, dancing on the land in the moonlight…”

Before she finished the tale, Jamie was asleep. Conn pulled her from the bed where she huddled, spoon-like, with Jamie tucked close against her.

“Let Una stay with him while he sleeps.” He wrapped his arms around her, cradling her head against his shoulder.

“He gets ill so easily.” She fought back tears. “We should know how bad this is by morning.”

* * *

Jamie fretted at being restricted to his bed, though Brianna found no signs of fever. He ate a few bites mid-morning, but refused more, demanding to be let out. She finally let him go, wringing a firm promise from him to stay at the hall unless he was with Rabbie or Duncan.

“Do ye think he will be strong enough to travel tomorrow?” Conn asked her as they strolled across the grounds.

Brianna leaned against a tree with a shrug. “I believe another day or two will see him completely recovered. He will do better to get a bit of rest before all the excitement of travel and a new place.” She gave Conn a wry smile. “Ye know we dinnae dare leave him here.”

Conn laughed. “The lad would follow us on foot. I believe stubbornness runs in this family.”

Brianna pushed away from the tree, pinching back an answering grin. “Do ye say I am stubborn?”

“Dearling, ye are willful, confident, determined,” he avowed. “I am astounded every day by yer resolve.”

She tossed her head. “Would ye like me if I were weak-minded?”

“Are ye fishing for compliments?” His eyebrows lifted in query.

“Do I have to?” she challenged.

“Mayhap we should continue this discussion of yer boldness inside. Behind a closed door would be my choice.”

Brianna draped her arms across his shoulders and leaned forward to nibble an ear. “Bold? I thought ye said I was stubborn.”

Conn shivered. “Ye are both today.” He slid his hands around her to cup her bottom, pulling her hard against him. “I like it.”

“Then we best discuss yer likes and dislikes further, aye?” With a tug on his arm, she pulled him toward the hall and up the stairs. Una’s appearance at the head of the steps struck like a splash of frigid water as Brianna noted the concern in the woman’s eyes.

“How is Jamie?”

“He has started coughing. I put him to bed. He is calling for ye.”

Brianna bolted for Jamie’s chamber, Conn and Una on her heels. Kirsten sat on the edge of the bed, wiping Jamie’s forehead with a damp rag as she spoke soothingly to him. She stood, allowing Brianna in her place. Laying a hand on Jamie’s forehead, Brianna slid her palm down his cheeks, feeling the heat burn against her skin.

“He needs medicine.”

“Ye have more knowledge of the herbs than I.” Una handed Brianna a key from the bundle at her belt.

Clutching the slender piece of metal in her fist, Brianna hurried to the small room beyond the kitchen where the herbs and spices were stored. She inhaled the familiar fragrance in the cool, dry air, recounting the hours spent reciting the herb lore with her mother.

I thank ye, Ma, for yer patience with me. May it help cure wee Jamie
. Working quickly from the depths of her memory, she measured and blended, adding the precious honey to treat his fever and cough and soothe his irritated throat. She poured the mixture into a mug and hurried back upstairs.

Jamie pushed Una’s hands away restlessly. Conn sat on Jamie’s bed, his back against the headboard, cradling the lad in his arms as Una wiped his feverish body.

Brianna gave Conn a look of gratitude, warmed to her toes to see him caring for her brother. Handing the mug to Una, she sat beside Conn and stroked Jamie’s pale face.

“Jamie, I want ye to take this for me. It has plenty of honey in it, and I promise ye will like it.”

Jamie tossed his head, but Conn gently held him as Brianna took the mug and dribbled some of the liquid between Jamie’s lips. He whimpered and frowned and tried to slide from Conn’s grip, but Conn held him until Brianna coaxed the last of the herbal mixture down his throat. Laying the lad back on the bed, he tucked the blankets around him.