The Highlander's Stolen heart (Macinnes Sisters Trilogy) (16 page)

“Enough, Da,” Rogan warned.

“Tell her and be done with it,” Angus ordered.

Emma looked to Rogan. “Tell me what?”

He stood and held his hand out to her. “A matter we need to discuss privately.” He took her hand in his since she seemed reluctant to give it to him.

Angus chuckled. “Aye, son, keep it private and do your duty to the clan.”

“What is he talking about?” Emma demanded, feeling she was not going to like what Rogan had to tell her.

He led her to the staircase, but she yanked at his hand, forcing him to stop. “Where do you take me?”

“To my bedchamber,” he said and did not like the sound of it himself.

“No, that is not proper. Say what you have to say, here and now, and be done with it.” She tried to free her hand, but he refused to let go of her and that worried her all the more.

He moved away from the stairs and into the shadows and down a hall to enter a room at the far end. “My father’s solar,” he said, closing the door behind them.

Emma went to the hearth, a sudden chill running through her.

“Do you care for me, Emma?” Rogan asked, walking over to her, though leaving a small distance between them.

His query surprised her as did the quick response she kept silent.
I more than care for you; I love you.
Her answer was far different. “You are a better man than I had first thought.”

He took slow steps toward her. “But do you care for me.”

She shook her head. “I do not understand what you ask. What does it matter if I care for you or not?”

“It matters a great deal.” He stepped closer.

Emma stepped back, but Rogan stopped her, his arm going around her waist and drawing her gently against him.

“I am going to kiss you, Emma.”

She stared at him, knowing she should stop him, but not wanting to. At least, she would have the memory of one last kiss with him to take with her.

“Your silence tells me much,” he said and brought his lips down on hers.

Emma did not think she would taste or feel anything as wonderful as his kiss ever again in her life. It was filled with such strength and passion that she wanted to lose herself in it forever. Her own response grew eager as the kiss flamed her passion that had lain dormant far too long.

Her arms went around his neck and she pressed her body against his, but she could not seem to get close enough. She knew she wanted more from him. Her body cried out for it, ached for it.

His hands gripped her backside and yanked her hard against him, and there was no doubting how much he wanted her.

Emma instinctively rubbed herself against him and an urge to slip her hand down under his plaid and grasp the rock-hard strength of him, jolted her. This was not right. She could not do this.

She pulled away from him, hurrying to stand behind a chair. Her hands gripped the top, fearing her trembling legs might give out at any moment.

Rogan remained where he was. He took a deep breath, trying to contain the passion that raced through him and that had turned him as hard as stone. He wanted Emma with an urgency that was foreign to him, and knowing that she was his wife made it all the harder to keep his distance from her.

The passion hot and heavy in her eyes did not help either, though the confusion he saw there did. He wanted her to realize that they both cared for each other—no, it was love—they loved each other. He could feel it not only in himself, but in her as well. That was why it felt so different when he kissed her. He could only imagine how it would feel when he made love to her.

“Never kiss me again,” she shouted at him.

He smiled. “I am going to kiss you again and again and again.”

“What is wrong with you? You are promised to my sister.”

“Not any longer.”

Emma scrunched her brow, and then recalled the sealed documents her father had sent to Angus MacClennan. “What has my father done?”

“He had us wed. We are husband and wife.”

Emma gripped the back of the chair tighter, her legs having grown so weak from the shocking news that she thought she would collapse. How could her father do such a thing?

Rogan walked over to her and held out his hand. “Sit, while I explain.”

She did not argue. She took his hand and allowed him to help her sit. She tried to keep her mind clear, but that was impossible. If she was truly wed to Rogan, it meant her life was forever changed, but what of her sisters?

“I can tell you have many questions,” he said, sitting in the chair next to her. “Let me explain, and then we can discuss it.”

She nodded, though one thought kept poking at her.
Go see your father.

“There was a section in the marriage agreement that stated if for any reason Heather and my marriage could not take place, then you and I were to wed. So your father had us married by proxy. He feared for his clan if something should happen to him. With us wed, your clan is protected.”

“Why not marry you and Heather by proxy?” Emma’s eyes turned wide with fear. “Oh my God, he thinks we will never find Heather, that she is lost to us forever.” Tears stung her eyes.

“I gave you my word we would find her and we will, Patience as well,” he said.

“But what of my father?” she said. “Why does he give up on Heather?”

Go see your father.
The words tolled like a warning bell in her head.

“He is not giving up on Heather,” Rogan assured her, though he did wonder if the old man simply did not have the strength to see the task done.

“I am going to see my father,” she announced, as if it was already decided.

“We will in a few weeks.”

She stood. “No, now.”

Rogan stood as well. “Emma, there are things that must be settled between us first.”

“Nothing will be settled between us until I speak with my father.”

“Speaking with your father will change nothing,” Rogan said. “We are wed and we will stay wed. Your life is with me now. This is your home.”

“And you expect me to simply accept this?”

He reached out to take her hand, and he did not like that she took an abrupt step away from him. “It is done and cannot be undone.”

“It is not done for me until I speak with my father,” she said.

He stepped toward her, and she scooted away from him. “I ask again, do you care for me, Emma?”

She stared at him, not sure how to answer and surprised herself when she said, “Do you care for me?”

“Very much,” he said and took another step toward her.

Her heart nearly burst from her chest it beat so rapidly. He had not taken time to think. He had answered without hesitation. Could he have truly spoken from his heart?

Another step brought him in front of her and he eased his arm around her waist and drew her close to him. “I know this comes as a shock, but it is done and while I would like nothing more than to take you to my bedchamber and seal our vows, I know you may think differently. So, I will leave tonight up to you. Come to my bedchamber if you wish, if not I understand. But know one thing... I give you this night and this night alone. If our vows are not sealed tonight, tomorrow they will be.”

“You would force me,” she snapped.

Rogan smiled and shook his head. “You melt in my arms when I kiss you. I can feel your need, the ache of your body to join with mine. You want me as badly as I want you. It is not a bad start to a marriage when a husband and wife have the lusty passion that we have for each other. I have no doubt we will have many children.”

Children. Husband. Family
. She had never thought she would have any of that, though she had longed to. And to have it with a man she loved went beyond her dreams. But at what expense did she gain such happiness?

The loss of her sister?
Would Patience return alone? Would Heather never be found? How then could she be happy with the man that had been Heather’s intended? As much as she wanted Rogan—felt she loved him—she could not help feeling as if she was betraying her sister.

“I know there is much that troubles you about this, but you have seen for yourself that we do well together and together we will find your sisters and bring them home. And then perhaps Heather will be as lucky as we are and she will find someone to wed who actually loves her.”

The thought did bring some joy to Emma, though they would have to find Heather first for that to happen.

Rogan stepped away from her. “I have a few things to discuss with Liam, and then I am going to my bedchamber. You can be there waiting for me or come later if you prefer. If not, I will see you in the morning and we will spend the day together... and the night, and all nights from then on.”

He kissed her gently, and then walked out of the solar, leaving the door open.

The decision now was hers and she hurried out of the room and took flight up the stairs to her bedchamber. Once inside, she paced the floor in front of the hearth, her mind jumbled with thoughts. How could she start a new life and be happy with her sisters still missing? The answer was simple—she could not. She would feel forever guilty for deserting them when they needed her the most. She could never do that.

She had to get home and speak with her father. She worried that someone could be manipulating him or that his illness had somehow made him irrational. Until she could make sense of it all, she had no intentions of consummating their union. That meant one thing... she had to leave for home right away. She also had to keep her distance from Rogan, for if she did not, she might never leave.

He was right about her wanting him, and it did her heart good to know he wanted her as well. He was right when he said that she melted in his arms, to his touch, to his kiss. She would not have the strength to stop herself from making love with him, especially now being his wife, and it her duty, though duty would have nothing to do with it.

Her whole body suddenly came alive, imagining what it would be like to make love with him. And the desire to find out almost had her racing to the door, but a sudden thought of Heather being held captive, possibly hurt and suffering somewhere quelled it fast enough.

Before she had any right to happiness, she had to find her sisters.

It was a full day’s ride to get home, sooner if she traveled faster. She stretched her shoulder back and winced at the pain. Though the pain lingered, she was healing nicely and she had no worry it would continue so.

She sat in the chair near the hearth to rest while she still could. She had no doubt that Rogan would have her men watched and possibly her as well, since she had taken off on him once before. She would need to get to James and work something out that would give her a chance to get away before dawn tomorrow. She was not sure what Rogan would do when she failed to be waiting for him in his bedchambers. Would he come see for himself that she was in her room or would he send Bertha?

She needed a plan and her mind got busy with one.

~~~

Rogan walked to his bedchambers hoping Emma would be there, but somehow doubting she would. He was concerned that she might take off as she had done the last time when she had not seen things his way. He had informed Liam that the Macinnes warriors were not to leave before speaking with him. And he had extra guards stationed near them, though not visible, in case trouble should erupt.

Now if only Emma was waiting for him. He smiled at the thought and grew aroused when only a few feet from his door. He was more than eager to make love to her, to have them start a life together as husband and wife. He loved her strength, her courage, her determination. He laughed. Stubbornness was more like it, though it somehow suited her intelligent nature, and then there was that gorgeous body of hers.

The thought of her naked in his arms turned him rock-hard and had him taking quicker steps to his door. He did not hesitate. He grabbed the latch, swung the door open, and stepped in.

The room was empty, and he let a string of oaths fly and slammed the door behind him. He had to force himself not to go after her and carry her back to his room. He had—foolish as it was—given her this night to absorb the startling news that they were wed. He had believed that once she gave it thought she would understand that nothing could undo what had been done and she...

Bloody hell, he had hoped she would have surrendered to her passion and be waiting there as eager as he was to make love. Or was she stubborn enough to...

He ran out of his bedchambers and up the stairs to her room. He did not bother to knock. He swung the door open and stopped abruptly when he caught sight of her asleep in the chair. He walked as quietly as he could over to her and silently berated himself for not considering how tired she must be. She was still healing and she needed rest.

Rogan reached down and carefully lifted her into his arms. He had to smile at her reaction. She cuddled against his chest and his name fell in a soft whisper from her lips. Even in sleep she knew whose arms held her. He carried her to her bed and gently placed her on it, draping a blanket over her.

He kissed her cheek and whispered, “Tomorrow, wife.”

He shut the door quietly behind him and returned to his bedchamber, stripping out of his clothes and getting into bed. He would sleep well and so would Emma. They would need a good rest in preparation for tomorrow night. He fell asleep with a smile on his face.

~~~

Emma waited several minutes after the door shut before she sat up in bed. His arms had felt so good, his scent so enticing, and his chest much too comfortable. Then she had realized that she had actually been in his arms, it had not been a dream. How she managed to pretend she was asleep, she did not know. But it was over and done and she was certain he would not return to check on her. The thought hurt, for he trusted her and she was about to break that trust.

She grabbed her pouch of herbs and tied it around her waist, and then draped her cloak over her shoulders. It would not be easy traveling at night, but it was necessary. She had to get as much of a head start as she could, for she had no doubt that Rogan would come after her.

She was his wife and his responsibility.

Emma did not think it would be hard to sneak out of the keep. The MacClennan warriors had celebrated hard and many, if not most, would be passed out from drink by now. Still, she kept to the shadows, knowing Rogan was no fool and had probably made sure that there were warriors who had not touched a drop of ale last night.

She made it out of the keep with ease and stuck to the night shadows where almost nothing could be detected. She did not enter the Macinnes camp. She went to where the horses were being kept and got the attention of the one warrior guarding them. She ordered him to bring James to her, but warned him to make it appear as if he woke James to take his shift, since she feared they were being watched.

James yawned, stretched, and scratched his belly as he approached the horses, making it seem that he was slowly and reluctantly doing his duty.

Once among the shadows of the horses, Emma approached him.

“What is wrong?” James asked.

“I do not have time to explain,” she said. “I need to leave for home tonight—alone.”

“I cannot let you go alone, at least take one warrior with you.”

One warrior would not be missed, so she agreed.

“Thomas will go with you. He waits in the woods with two horses.”

She shook her head. “How could you possibly know I would—”

“I did not know, but I thought it might be wise just in case.”

Emma hugged the burly man. “Bless you, James, and tomorrow you may hear news that—”

“Will matter little to me as long as you are safe,” he said. “Now be off with you before we are caught and your plan foiled.”

He told her where Thomas would be and she hurried off, wanting desperately to be gone from here, and yet wanting desperately to stay. She found Thomas and they walked the horses a distance away before mounting them and taking off.

~~~

I want to go home and see my father.

Rogan woke with a start, jolting up in bed, the words echoing in his head. He threw the blanket off and hurried into his clothes. He took the stairs two at a time as he made his way up to Emma’s room. He flung the door open. Her room was empty. He was down the steps and into the Great Hall. Emma was not there. He went to the kitchen and found Bertha there.

“Where is Emma?” he demanded.

“In her room the last I saw,” she said.

“When was that?”

“Last night before you retired yourself,” Bertha said.

“Damn,” he muttered and stormed out of the kitchen.

Dawn was barely cresting on the horizon, the village just stirring to life. The few who were up and about quickly moved out of Rogan’s path, seeing the anger on his face.

He called out to his warriors as he approached the Macinnes camp and they hurried out of the shadows to follow behind him.

James was awake, had been for some time, waiting for this moment.

“Where is she?” Rogan demanded when he was a few feet from the man.

“Who?” James asked.

“Do not dare play games with me,” Rogan warned, coming to stand directly in front of the man, his warriors spreading out behind him and Macinnes warriors waking and hurrying to their feet ready to aid James. “Tell me where Emma is.”

“I do not know.”

“I am going to ask one more time, and then I am going to beat it out of you,” Rogan warned with such fierceness that James took a step back. “Where is my wife?”

Shock rippled through all the warriors.

“Wife?” James asked, as if he did not believe him.

“Your own chieftain, Donald Macinnes had us wed by proxy. Your messenger delivered the sealed document to my father. Emma and I are wed. It is done. She is my wife. Now where is my wife.”

James understood now and did what he had to, safe with the knowledge that Emma probably was not far from home. “Your wife is on her way home.”

“I may still beat you if you tell me you let her go off on her own,” Rogan said, trying to contain the anger rising in him.