Claimed By A Charmer (The Pith Trilogy) (13 page)

Douglas slammed his door closed and
stood inside his chamber in chagrin at what he’d done. His body felt as though
it was on fire, and the only way he could douse himself was to make sweet,
slow, love to her. He lay on his pallet, trying to mitigate his intense
emotions. She sent him to a tormented condition, one which wasn’t easily
assuaged. Burning with the hunger to taste her again, he swallowed in defeat. He
promised himself that he wouldn’t act on his desire, but there he was, kissing
her again, as if his promise meant nothing.

If he didn’t stop being so
beguiled, she’d surely end up in his bed. He knew he had to stay away from her.
The only way to respect her, would be to keep his distance—a great distance. Only
he didn’t want to respect her. He wanted to feel her naked body beneath his and
… Oh, God. He closed his eyes against the dissension. He wouldn’t be such an
arse and violate her in such a way. Douglas finally fell asleep after hours of
reflection, frowning.

He awoke early and hesitated to
begin his duties that morning for the sole reason of possibly seeing Isabel
again. Lingering in the hall wasn’t something he’d ordinarily do. He watched
his sister waiting for Isabel in the hall, and wondered what took her so long
to come down that morning. His sister anxiously paced beside the stairs,
glancing at them every few seconds. He became irritated by Candace’s pacing and
with himself for tarrying inside the hall.

“Candace, come away. She’ll come
down when she is ready. Why don’t you go and see Wills? He’s outside.”

“I can see Wills anytime. I didn’t
get a chance to talk to Isabel last night. After supper, she went right to bed.
It’s not like her to be tired. I’m worried about her.”

“She had a tiresome journey. Let
her rest.”

“Nay, you don’t know her like I do.
A journey wouldn’t tire her. I wonder if she is ailing. I should check on her.”

Candace was about to take the
stairs, when he stopped her. “Go see Wills. I’ll check on your friend and send
her to you.” Douglas pushed her toward the door.

“Very well, but send her soon.”

He chuckled at her sweet concern
for her friend. Taking the stairs, he strode toward the lass’ bedchamber. When
he arrived, he heard rustling noises within and knocked. What took her so long
to answer the door?

Douglas grew impatient and opened
the door slightly so he wouldn’t disturb her if she was still abed. He almost
laughed at what he saw.

“Help,” she muffled. Isabel
thrashed about, trying desperately to move her limbs. She couldn’t move,
couldn’t see because the material was wrapped around her head. Aye, her captor
had trapped her, and there wasn’t anything she could do. She fumbled against
her foe, and he smiled at the way she grumbled in her exertion. Her arm was
caught behind her back, and the fabric taught against her arm, didn’t give way.
“Humph.” She fumbled with the end of the plaid, and tried to loosen it with her
free hand. She yanked the fabric, stumbled backward, and then fell to the floor
with a loud crash, knocking over a stool.

Douglas realized he’d been standing
there instead of helping her. He opened the door and laughed at the sight of
her predicament.

“What happened to you? Got yourself
in a tangle?”

“Help.” She gasped when she
realized her legs were bared, and she hurried to cover her legs.

Douglas lifted her as though she
barely weighed as much as a goose, and set her on her feet. He unwrapped the
plaid and shoved it at her. Her hair became lopsided, and her bun had come
undone. She blew a few tendrils away from her face. Douglas shifted awkwardly,
becoming tempted by her rumpled appearance. She hastily smoothed her garments.

Douglas laughed again. “Tell me you
didn’t get yourself tied up in the plaid?”

“Well, aye, I did. I don’t know how
to arrange the material and it became twisted. I’ll have to ask for assistance
next time.”

He laughed again. “Mayhap that’s a
good idea.” His smile turned to a frown. “My sister awaits you, and she’s grown
anxious at your delay.”

Isabel swayed standing so close to
him and for a moment he thought about taking her in his arms. She smelled so
nice, and he breathed deeply. He noticed her eyes focused on his chest, at
least she had restraint. Her eyes rose to meet his, and she saw that he watched
her. Blushing slightly, she lowered her eyes. He wished he could kiss her again.

“Lady Isabel, Candace is waiting.”

“Oh, aye, of course. I just have to
apply the plaid. Would you be kind enough to send her to me?” She righted the
stool and began folding the plaid.

“I’ll assist ye, lass.”

Isabel dropped the plaid to the
floor, but he retrieved it and set it around her. He pulled one end over her
shoulder, covering her breast. It became too poignant for him. He tried to
endure the pain of being so close her, and touching her, without wanting her. After
pleating the last fold, he pulled a tie around her waist.

“There, all fixed.” A fold came
undone over her shoulder, and he quickly readjusted it, letting his hand slide
down the front of her.

Isabel gasped at the touch. She
took a step backward and placed a hand over her heart.

He smiled and turned toward the
door. “You’re ready now. I must say you look fetching in our plaid, cat-eyes.” Douglas
wasn’t sure why he called her the endearment, but he noticed her demeanor
changed and a smile came to her eyes.

“Thank you, Laird Kerr, for your
assistance.”

“Come.” He took her hand.

He reveled at her touch, hoping she
wouldn’t let go. It felt wonderful to touch her, and he wished he could always
be so forthright. They walked to the hall, where they were greeted by his
mother. Douglas had to tug his hand to get her to release him.

“Good day, ladies.” He really
should leave, because he wasn’t ready to face his mother after the
embarrassment of being caught kissing Isabel the night before, but he wasn’t
about to leave, and went to make himself inconspicuous. After pouring himself a
cup of ale, he sat across the hall. All had gone about their chores, and the
hall grew quiet, quiet enough for him to hear their conversation.

“Isabel, you’ve finally come down. I
thought Candace would roust you long ‘ere now. Are you well this morn?”

“Aye, Lady Kerr, thank ye.”

“Come and sit with me whilst ye
eat. What have you done to your hair? Let me fix it.” His mother rebound Isabel’s
bun, giving it a pat. “Have you met Rachel? She’s visiting from the Dunmore
Clan.”

“Nay, good day, Lady Rachel.”

“Rachel is not addressed so
formally.” His mother spoke softly.

Isabel smiled, but didn’t correct
herself.

He noticed Rachel’s face, she
didn’t look pleased to meet Candace’s friend. Rachel was pretty enough, with
shinny flaxen hair and light blue eyes. The lady seemed angry and he wondered
why.

“And you are?” Rachel asked
snidely.

“That’s no way to speak to a lady,
especially a friend of Candace’s. This is
Lady
Isabel Calvert, from
England.”

“Oh, aye, Milady. I promised to
assist Helena with tonight’s supper. I’ll go.” Rachel turned, and quickly left
the hall.

His mother seemed happy that Rachel
left, and she smiled at Isabel.

“Tell me, what’s going on in
England? The men never tell me much about the goings on, let alone hearing of
events in England.” She patted the seat next to her, and Isabel sat.

“There’s not much to tell. King
Henry was declared of age, and was crowned successor to King John. I heard that
Sir William Marshall attended. It was supposedly a grand affair. I’m not sure
how England will fare with Henry as king.”

“I hear he’s a good lad and wants
to be a good king. Julianna MacKinnon is the king’s cousin and she’s told me
that he’s going to right the wrongs of his father.”

“I hear he’s as domineering and
extravagant as his father. There’s dissension in England, and the barons may
rebel. Does Julianna have influence over him?” Isabel looked surprised to learn
that a Scottish lady was related to England’s king.

“Nay, not really, although, I hear
he adores her and they communicate though letters. I understand he’s asked for
her attendance at court. Her husband finally relented and took her for a
visit.”

“Isabel, you’re finally awake,”
Candace shouted across the room. “Good morn, Mother. Oh, Douglas, I didn’t see
you there. Why are you sitting all the way over there?”

He nodded to his sister.
Because
I can’t keep my hands off your friend.
“No, reason. Just thinking something
over before I go to the training field.”

“Candace, try to maintain a sense
of decorum, ‘tis unladylike to shout. Come and sit with us. We were just
talking about England. Isabel was kind enough to relay the news.”

“Don’t make Issy talk about that
boring drivel. She probably wants to escape your chatter.” Candace laughed.

“Nay, she’s not boring me, and
that’s no way to speak to your mother.” Isabel frowned.

“Oh, she knows I’m not serious. Mother?”

“She’s teasing me, Isabel. Mayhap
you can influence her to mind her manners, and be a good daughter for a
change.”

Douglas grunted at that, but they
didn’t seem to hear him.

Candace’s mother laughed at
Isabel’s confused look.

“You’re fortunate in your parentage,
Candace. I wouldn’t speak so if she were my … mother. I never knew my mother.”

“Isabel, you’re right. I’m sorry,
Mother, can you forgive me?”

“Of course, dearest.” Lady Kerr
patted her daughter’s shoulder. “Now tell me, why haven’t you ever met your
mother, dear? Did she die at your birth?”

“Uh ... no.” Isabel looked saddened
at the topic, and he leaned forward thinking to save her from his mother and
sister’s inquisition.

“You don’t have to talk about it,
if ye don’t want to,” his mother said.

“She died when I was very young. My
father never spoke of her, nor does anyone because he forbade our people to
speak her name. He dislikes all women immensely.”

“That’s disheartening. I’m sorry,
but he sounds rather crude.” His mother clasped her hand.

Isabel smiled. “I refused to
continue to discuss a ghastly subject such as my father. What are we to do
today?”

“Mother, have you any suggestions? Is
there anything we can do to help you?” Candace looked at him for a second
before returning her gaze to his mother.

“Nay, you lassies run along. I’ve
the household to see to, and have plenty of help. Try not to get into trouble. Laird
Gordon told me what happened the last time you were together. Stealing—”

Douglas heard Candace and Isabel laughing
as they ran from the hall before she could finish. He wondered what his mother
was going to say, but he had dawdled long enough this morning. In a rush, he
set his cup on the table and quickly strode to the training fields.

After training for a few hours, he sat
on the embankment of the loch, watching the warriors roughhouse in the water. The
men ventured into the loch throughout the year, having no concern for the
temperature of the water. Brendan pushed Gil under the water, and he came up
sputtering. They’d become good friends during the past year, since Brendan came
for a visit and stayed on.

When Brendan left, Douglas
considered sending Gil with him. Gil was a few years younger than Brendan, and
he could learn much from his warrior cousin. Brendan had trained to be a
warrior since the age of five, and knew every skill known to fighters, probably
more. Douglas didn’t have much time to spend training, now that clan matters
took up most of his time. He barely had enough time himself to practice his own
sword.

Brendan pulled himself from the
water and sat beside him.

“Why are you sitting here alone? Why
don’t you go in? The water feels good. Mayhap it will make you less surly.”

“Nay, it’s too damned cold. I don’t
like to swim in the loch after August. How can you swim in such frigid water?”

“It doesn’t bother me.”

“Nay, it wouldn’t.” He glared,
making his cousin grimace.

“How’s the lassie?”

“What lassie?” Douglas frowned at
him.

“You know very well what lass. Why
are you being an arse?”

“Do you mean Lady Isabel? And I’m
not an arse.” Douglas clipped his shoulder in denial.

Brendan scoffed. “Aye she’s the
only lass I’m speaking of. Who but she has you so …?” He didn’t finish, but
instead picked up his plaid and belted it around his waist.

“I haven’t seen her since this morn.
I’ve been busy on the field.” Douglas wouldn’t admit that he’d stayed in the
hall this morning just to see her. He even managed to be a gentleman when he
helped her with the plaid, even though it had taken all his will power to do
so.