Knight of the Highlander (20 page)

"What do you mean?" Gooseflesh prickled along her skin. She hated the thought of Rian searching for them… for her.

"Dougal was in the right place at the right time. He has an uncanny ability to do so quite often. One of Rian's scouts disclosed a wealth of information while deep in his cups."

"What information?"

"Rian has taken over as Laird of Clan Chattan, and it's my suspicion that he wants to eliminate any other potential rival for his position." He gazed intently at Arywnn as his words echoed in her mind till understanding dawned.

"Me…"

"And subsequently, me as well. As the informant, he knows that I can bring English aid to eliminate any threat he poses. Sadly, he's made quite the mistake in that area as well. In taking after your father, God rest his soul, he's continuing to support the Jacobite cause."

"Which would effectively anger the English," Arywnn finished.

"And create a need to destroy that alliance."

"Causing the loss of more life," Arywnn spoke softly. Her shoulders slumped under the weight of this new information. "What are we tae do then?" she asked after a moment.

"It's no longer necessary for us to travel to London. A solution is readily available, however I'm reluctant…" He sighed deeply, and closed the distance between them. Kneeling down before her, he took her hands within his. The fire had warmed them considerably, and Arywnn felt their heat seep through her skin, and warm her insides.

"I would have you marry me." Colin's blue-black gaze bore into her own with a feverish intensity. "But I'd have you marry me because of your love, your loyalty to me. Not because in a marriage between us, we could potentially solve the issue at hand. I want you to want me, regardless of the danger, regardless of the journey ahead that would come to be through our vows. I want each moment of your life to belong to me, only me, for the good or bad times ahead of us. Each breath, each moment I want my name to be sealed on your heart, and whispered on your lips."

Arywnn bathed in the moment, searching the sincerity in his eyes and basking in the glow of what he was asking. Yet, only a short moment later, her delicious joy was replaced with realization. "But… if we stay, 'twill be ye that fight fer the position of Laird. As my husband, 'twill be yer place."

"Yes… and there's a chance that your clan will not accept me."

"Because ye were a traitor, or so they assume, based on my father's accusations."

"Yes."

Arywnn glanced down to her lap, thinking through what Colin revealed. "If we survive… if we are able to take the lairdship from Rian… ye won't be returning tae England, will ye?."

"No, I'll be sealing my fate as a fellow Highlander with my bonny love."

Arywnn's lips crept into a grin at the brogue he used at the end of his words, yet her heart pinched. In truth, Colin would be saying goodbye to his home, to his family and… he would be doing it all for her.

"Your thoughts are clear on your face, love. True, I would willingly do all this for you, but you forget, it also serves my king."

Colin's words brought a measure of relief to Arywnn, as she allowed that his words were the truth. He could more effectively serve his king by eliminating the Jacobite uprising through overthrowing their current hold on Clan Chattan, but her heart still hurt. It seemed as if she were still the catalyst for the loss.

"I see the truth of yer words, and I understand why ye asked me as ye did tae marry ye."

"Which you still haven't answered, by the way," Colin teased and reached up, trailing a warm finger down her cheek and caressing her lower lip.

Arywnn's lips parted, and she placed a kiss to his fingertip.

"So I have not, have I?" she whispered.

"Aye, Colin. I'll marry ye, but I'll have ye as my husband, not simply my champion. I'd choose ye if we were tae live in London or in Scotland. I want yer heart. Not just yer sword and keen mind. All of ye, tis what I ask." She finished and leaned into Colin's palm as it cupped her face.

"Then it's decided."

"Aye."

"And for better or worse, you are mine, sweet Arywnn."

"Aye, and ye are mine."

"I am, ever I was, and ever I will be." He leaned forward, and brushed his lips against hers in an achingly soft kiss that had Arywnn pressing for more. Colin readily did her bidding, and increased the depth of his kiss. Softly, his tongue stroked her lower lip with its warm caress, leaving her skin tingling from the intimate contact. He then traced the seal of her lips with his tongue as well, teasing her till she opened, and allowed him to deepen the kiss. Without a thought, her arms reached up and wrapped around his broad and solid shoulders pulling him in tighter. Unable to get close enough because of their position, Arywnn leaned forward, almost falling of the chair in the process.

She gasped as Colin, without taking his lips from hers, swept her into his arms and kissed her ardently as she settled in his embrace. Her fingers twined themselves through his long dark hair, its thick texture heavy within her grasp. Colin groaned as she playfully tugged at it.

Arywnn smiled at his response. Colin nipped her lower lip teasingly, as if to scold her. Unrepentant, she continued to gently pull on his hair and weave her fingers through it, all while she melted into his embrace, and his ravishing of her mouth.

"Pardon." Silas' voice penetrated the thick fog of desire that had descended over Arywnn's consciousness.

Reluctantly, she pulled away from Colin's gentle assault on her mouth. His brow furrowed in confusion, and his eyes dilated with fervent desire.

Silas cleared his throat.

Colin grinned at Arywnn and turned, not taking the time to set her down on her own two feet.

"Yes?" Colin asked, a wolfish grin accenting his handsome face.

"I'm assuming she has agreed to marry the likes of you?" Silas asked with a knowing smile. His hands were clasped before him while he waited for a response.

"You always were a smart one." Colin replied.

"Very good. 'Twill be wise to enter into that scared union in all haste, however. Dougal will be here this evening, after he has confirmed all our suspicions."

"Very well. Do you have a priest that can be trusted?"

"Yes. I'll send a man to bring him here. Can you be ready within an hour?"

Colin looked to Arywnn, his soon-to-be bride. "It isn't a grand affair…"

"Aye, I'll be ready." Arywnn turned to Silas and grinned, her heart light and full.

"Good." Silas nodded at Colin and left.

"Are you sure?" Colin asked.

"Aye."

"Good… if you said no, I might have tae kidnap you… again."

****

Arywnn paused before the mirror in her room. In an hour, she'd be Colin's wife. Her reflection smiled back, mirroring her face and her heart as it beat with an inexpressible joy. More than anything, she wanted to be beautiful, yet as she glanced at the reflected image of her English gown, she knew it wasn't what she wanted. Though striking, it wasn't her.

Carefully, she tried to take off the dress, quickly realizing she needed assistance.

A knock sounded at her door.

"Miss?" a maid called softly.

"Aye, can ye assist me?" Arywnn asked as the maid entered.

"Of course, my lady. I've brought a gown fer ye."

As the maid entered, she held a simple gown of deep green. It wasn't ornate like the English gown, but in its simplicity, it was stunningly beautiful.

After dressing, Arywnn studied her reflection. The emerald green of the dress made the color of her eyes dance with life. Her skin appeared creamier, her hair a more potent shade of auburn. The gown was modest, yet revealed the slightest swell of her breasts while tapering at her waist before gathering to the floor.

"I'll see tae yer hair—"

"Nay." Arywnn interrupted." Forgive me, but I want tae wear it loose."

She offered a smile to the maid who didn't appear content with Arywnn's decision.

Her long mane unwound and fell about her shoulders, dark flame against moonlight skin. She then gently brushed the tresses till they shone, reflecting the luminous glow of the fire. She wished she could wear her plaid, yet she knew it wasn't clean, and she wouldn't risk ruining such a beautiful gown by draping a muddy tartan over it.

All too soon, the hour was passed.

She excused the maid, wishing for a few moments to herself. How she wished her mother was alive and well, able to calm her daughter's nerves and speak wisdom to her heart. But it wasn't to be. She was comforted knowing that Colin was bound to be gentle, kind, and patient, teaching her all that mysteriously abounded between a husband and wife.

He was giving up much to save her clan, and she loved him all the more for it. Silently, she vowed that he'd not regret choosing her over himself because each day, she promised to choose him.

****

Arywnn studied the scene before her. Colin stood before the fire with a balding man with kind eyes. They were in deep conversation and didn't notice her arrival, but Silas did. With a wide grin he approached, taking both of her hands and kissing them softly, his eyes dancing with delight.

"Beautiful, Miss Arywnn. Stunningly beautiful," he whispered reverently. Gallantly, he placed her hand upon his arm and escorted her to the fire, drawing Colin's attention.

It was as if the world held i's breath as she waited for Colin's response to her arrival. His blue-black gaze smoldered with deep emotion as he studied her from the top of her head to the floor where her gown touched, then back. She saw his Adam's apple bob as he turned to face her fully, wonder etched on his face.

Arywnn trembled with anticipation, with the joy of her heart singing Colin's name, and claiming his heart for her own. With each step she took, she felt her smile widen as Silas and the priest faded into the grey background. All she saw was Colin, the man who would be her husband.

Silas gently took her hand, and placed it in Colin's. Warmth immediately enveloped her.

"I can hardly breathe. You're so beautiful my very body betrays me," he whispered before kissing her hand, his gaze never once leaving hers.

His hair was combed neatly, still slightly wet and giving the appearance of a darker shade of chestnut. Cedar and peppermint surrounded him, causing her to inhale deeply, committing the fragrance to memory. His gaze continued to smolder, causing a warm heat to swirl and build in her belly. Dressed simply, in black breeches, a white shirt, and a black coat, he cut a powerful figure.

The priest cleared his throat, reminding Arywnn of his presence.

"Shall we begin?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with enjoyment.

"The sooner, the better," Colin responded.

Arywnn grinned her approval.

****

The wedding took place in the library before the fire. Silas and the butler were witnesses to the union, and the ceremony took only a quarter hour. It all was over far too soon for Colin. He wanted to linger in the realization that Arywnn was his. Irrevocably, till death do them part, she was his, only and ever his. He was free to possess her in every way.

His heart quickened at the thought, as his body responded with a fever of desire. Suddenly he was thrilled that the ceremony was over, and had only taken a short amount time. Arywnn stood beside him as the priest, a short and over-fed balding man at least sixty, said the final 'Amen'.

Colin turned and kissed his bride. His wife. He was now a man owned, shackled, and blissfully thrilled to find himself in such a place. Even as his heart beat with a wild, fierce possessive nature that vowed to protect her with his life; his body, his mind couldn't resist the siren call of temptation, of knowing that soon he'd have her in his bed.

But alas, fate was unkind, and shortly after the ceremony Dougal arrived with news. Shoving his wild desire to the back of his mind, he struggled to focus on his ally's words.

"Aye, all we suspected was confirmed. I was able tae track Rian, the chief o' the clan."

"The chief for now," Colin couldn't help but amend.

"Aye, fer now." Dougal grinned then sobered. "They still search for the lass, and 'twould seem that one of the leaders of the new uprisin' is on his way tae Chattan's keep tae beg their hospitality."

"And protection?" Colin questioned.

"Aye, especially their protection."

"How much time do we have before he is expected to arrive? It would be easier to eliminate the threat of Rian before his guest arrives. Divide and conquer, if you will."

"Aye. A week's time is pretty accurate, I'd say. Just enough time fer ye and your bonny bride tae make yer way, and usurp Rian's hold just before the arrival. We can have men in place tae aid ye when the man arrives so ye won't be on yer own."

"It's a solid plan."

"Not just a pretty face, ye ken." Dougal grinned and tapped his head.

"Indeed." Colin smirked.