The Laird's Captive Wife (25 page)

He took her face in his hands then, brushing her tears away, kissed her very gently on the mouth.

‘You mean a great deal to me, lass, and I would never wish to be the cause of tears in you.’ He smiled. ‘As for that brother of yours I will speak with him as occasion permits. If his mind is set on going to Dunfermline, then I might be able to help him; I have certain acquaintance there who could be useful.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Now, my dove, the hour grows late and you should be abed.’ He got to his feet bringing her with him. ‘I mean to see to it that you are—right soon.’

In a very short time he had unfastened and removed her gown, tossing it over the chair. Then he led her to the bed and watched her climb in, burrowing down beneath the pelts. Without taking his eyes off her he removed his own clothing and came to join her. Then he made gentle and tender love to her, afterwards holding her close until she slept.

* * *

The following day dawned with leaden skies and rain. Mist shrouded the hills and the air was bitter. It was no weather to tempt the guests out of doors so the men amused themselves with chess and dice while the women talked. Hamish took the younger members of the company aside and devised pastimes for their amusement.

At his suggestion that chill afternoon they gathered for a game of foxes and hounds. Hamish carefully established the physical parameters within which it could be played.

‘The foxes may hide anywhere in the tower, but not beyond. The hounds will give them the count of one hundred to get away. Then they’ll come looking. Whoever is found last wins the game.’ He paused. ‘However, first found must pay a forfeit.’

The youngsters clapped delightedly. Hamish looked around to where his host was standing with several older members of the gathering.

‘Will any of you ladies and gentlemen join in? Can I prevail upon you?’

They laughed and shook their heads. Hamish shrugged and looked at Ashlynn.

‘How about you, my lady?’

She laughed. ‘Why not?’ She glanced at her brother. ‘Ban?’

He returned the grin and nodded. ‘Why not indeed?’

A cheer went up as they crossed the room to join the children. Hamish turned to Iain.

‘And you, my lord?’

Iain grinned. ‘How could I refuse?’

His words were greeted first with looks of surprise and then an even louder cheer. Ashlynn watched as he quit the group of adults and came over.

Hamish called the group to order. ‘Very well. Lady Ashlynn, Lord Ban, you are the foxes in this first round. You have till the count of a hundred to find somewhere to hide. One…two…’

They exchanged startled looks and departed for the stairs with alacrity. Once out in the corridor they paused.

‘We need to split up,’ he said. ‘I’m making for the storerooms. You?’

‘Upstairs,’ she replied.

‘Good luck.’

With that he took off, heading swiftly down the staircase. Ashlynn grinned and then fled for her own chosen sanctuary.

Back in the hall Iain waited through the count. When at last it was complete he left with the others, watching as the children scattered. It was in his mind that none but he should find his wife. He moved into the passageway and up the first flight of stairs, feigning to look in different places on the way, but ever heading away from the rest, moving towards the top of the tower for he knew with near certainty where she would be.

* * *

Ashlynn smiled to herself, well satisfied with her hiding place. Although the roof terrace itself offered no hiding place the recess in the adjoining wall of the tower served the purpose. Located behind the door it was out of the line of vision and anyone taking a cursory glance at the terrace would easily miss it. She wrapped her cloak more closely about her though in truth she was not cold for the marten fur was snug and the chill air against her face was invigorating. Luckily it had stopped raining for the time though the clouds held promise of more.

Suddenly she caught the sound of voices in the near distance and she drew in a sharp breath, shrinking back against the stonework. A few moments later she heard someone open the door that gave on the roof. Then she heard Donald’s voice.

‘No, there’s no one here. Let us try below.’

Another male replied in the affirmative and the door closed. Ashlynn grinned. The chances were good now that she would not be caught at all. That was something of a relief for Hamish would certainly think of some dastardly forfeit. At times that young man’s imagination took a distinctly wicked turn. She was recalling some of the more recent examples when she heard the door open again. This time there were no voices, only the sound of footsteps, unhurried and deliberate and heading in her direction. Her heart leapt, knowing before she saw him who it would be. A moment later she was face to face with her husband.

‘My lady.’

He smiled then, a mischievous expression that told more clearly than words his discovery of her had been no mere chance. Ashlynn returned the smile, eyeing him speculatively.

‘You knew from the first where to find me, didn’t you?’

‘Let’s just say I had a pretty good idea.’

‘I had not thought to be so transparent.’

‘It’s usually a mistake,’ he agreed. ‘It gives your opponent the advantage.’

The expression in those dark eyes was enough to stir deep misgivings and she stayed where she was. He surveyed her with amusement.

‘You cannot escape, Ashlynn. Besides, it’s very unsporting to try.’

She grinned. ‘It’s very unsporting to cheat, villain.’

‘No cheating; just a thorough knowledge of the ground and the quarry.’ He nodded towards the recess. ‘Ordinarily that’s a very good hiding place. I have used it myself before now.’

The easy conversational tone didn’t deceive her for a minute. However, she was powerless to escape her fate and mentally resigned herself.

‘Come, my lady.’

Iain took hold of her wrist in a grip that, though it caused no discomfort, was as inflexible as steel. Then he drew her back inside and shut the door.

‘Did you and Hamish collude over this?’ she demanded.

‘Hamish is completely innocent.’

‘That’s unusual for him. Even so I dread to think what forfeit he will dream up.’

‘Hamish is not exacting this forfeit. I am.’

For a moment she could only stare at him. ‘You?’

‘That’s right.’

As the implications dawned Ashlynn glanced around. The passageway was quite deserted and, in spite of the torches, dimly lit for the afternoon light was fading. Her heart began to beat a little faster.

‘You can’t do that.’

His expression was suggestive of polite interest. She tried another tack.

‘It’s against the rules.’

‘I don’t play to the rules, lass. You should know that.’ Without relinquishing his hold he retraced his steps along the passage as far as his chamber and drew her inside. She heard the key turn in the lock. In no doubt now as to what he intended Ashlynn felt her heartbeat accelerate dangerously. She saw him smile and advance. Undeceived by the smile she backed away.

‘There’s no escape, Ashlynn.’

‘Is that so, villain?’

‘Aye, it is.’

Ashlynn hid a smile of her own, remembering the interconnecting door that led to her own room. If he thought he’d trap her so easily he was mistaken. Enjoying the thought of his forthcoming chagrin she turned and fled, darting through the open doorway into his bedchamber, heading for the exit. Iain watched her go and his grin widened. Then he strolled after her towards his room arriving in time to see Ashlynn reach the connecting door. Her hand closed on the handle and tugged hard. It yielded not at all. Automatically her gaze went to the lock and found it empty.

‘Is this what you’re looking for?’ he asked.

She whirled round and saw him on the further threshold. In his hand was a large iron key. Speechless she watched as he closed the bedroom door behind him and locked that in turn, the full extent of his plan now apparent. She was exactly where he had intended her to be.

‘You devious rogue.’ Her voice was low and the tone indicative of grudging admiration as she watched him advance. ‘You had it all worked out, didn’t you?’

‘In any campaign one must have a plan.’

Then his hands were on her shoulders and suddenly his face was much closer, the dark eyes burning into hers.

‘Kiss me, Ashlynn.’

Annoyed with herself for falling so neatly into the trap and even more annoyed for enjoying it, she made a token attempt to resist. His hold tightened. He took the kiss at leisure, a knowing and insistent embrace that ignored resistance until resistance was abandoned. Then he carried her to the bed.

* * *

Later as they lay together beneath the furs Ashlynn glanced up at his face and seeing him smile returned it.

‘That was quite a forfeit, my lord.’

‘No,’ he replied. ‘The forfeit was only a kiss.’

‘A kiss!’ She pushed herself up on one elbow. ‘Why you utter…’ Words failed her in the face of that blatantly unrepentant grin. Then she launched herself at him. Iain guffawed. There followed a short unequal struggle before he grabbed her wrists and pinned them to the bed.

‘All’s fair in love and war, lass.’ He was still holding her lightly enough, but still leaving no possibility of escape for the blue eyes held a militant light. ‘And now I have you captive I’m not about to let you go.’

Reluctantly she laughed. ‘We can’t stay here, Iain. What about the game?’

He bent and kissed her again. ‘Do you know, lass, I have a feeling you’re going to be the undisputed winner.’

Chapter Eleven

A
fter two days of rain the sky cleared and, as the snow had melted away from the lower lying areas of ground, Hamish suggested that the men might go out for a ride. It was an idea that met with instant favour. Ashlynn looked at her brother.

‘Will you join them?’

He shook his head. ‘I’d love to, but I’m not sure if my shoulder would stand the pace just yet. I need to put the matter to the test—on my terms.’

‘Let’s go out by ourselves then, and we can set the pace to suit.’

‘I’m game if you are,’ he said, ‘and it has been a while after all. If I don’t get back on a horse soon I’ll forget how.’

She laughed. ‘Very well, but I think we should not go too far at first. You are like to be sore else.’

Iain, who had followed the exchange, surveyed them with a smile. ‘I’ll have a groom go with you since you’re not familiar with the country hereabouts.’

They went down to the courtyard together and mounted up. For a little way their paths lay together and Iain rode beside them to the fork in the trail where he and his men were to leave them. He bade farewell to Ban and then leaned down to drop a kiss on his wife’s cheek.

‘Until later, Ashlynn.’

He smiled and turned his horse’s head. For a moment or two her gaze followed the dark-clad figure on the grey stallion. She was regretting his absence already. Telling herself not to be so foolish she brought her mount alongside her brother’s.

They kept the pace steady but Ashlynn could see that Ban was enjoying the excursion and it pleased her to see him smile in the old way. Their guide led them through the length of Glengarron, intending to ride a wide loop round the valley. While it was good to get some fresh air again, the damp cold was penetrating and Ashlynn wasn’t at all sorry that they’d opted for a shorter excursion this time around.

They had reached the end of the valley when the groom reined in, staring at the distant hillside. Ban frowned.

‘What is it, Callum?’

‘I’m no sure, my lord. I thought I saw movement up yonder.’

All three remained still, their eyes straining to see, but the hillside seemed deserted.

‘It might have been a deer,’ said Ban.

‘Perhaps,’ Callum replied. The tone suggested he was unconvinced.

‘What else? Surely no one would ride into Glengarron uninvited?’

‘They’d be wiser not to, my lord.’

Ashlynn’s gaze searched the scattered rocks and clumps of rain-darkened heather but could detect no sign of movement. She decided it must have been an animal of some kind which, startled by their approach, had made off through the undergrowth. All the same the stillness felt suddenly eerie.

‘I think we should go back now,’ she said.

Callum nodded. ‘A good idea, my lady.’

Ban eyed them both thoughtfully and then glanced once more at the silent hillside. ‘Just as you wish.’

They turned the horses’ heads and began to ride for home, picking up the pace a little. Once Ashlynn glanced over her shoulder, but there was nothing to be seen save the hill and the shrouding mist above.

* * *

The others returned some time later, all mud spattered and all in high good humour after the fresh air and the exercise. Iain rejoined his wife by the hearth and sliding an arm about her waist, kissed her soundly. Ashlynn smiled.

‘I take it you enjoyed your ride, my lord.’

‘Indeed I did, though I missed your company.’

‘Liar. You were far too busy talking about horses and hunting if I know anything about it.’

He grinned. ‘Not so busy as to put all thoughts of you out of my head.’

‘What thoughts?’

He bent and whispered in her ear. Ashlynn blushed scarlet.

‘You are incorrigible.’

‘So I’ve been told.’ He paused. ‘All the same, your guess about hunting wasn’t so far wrong. The next suitable day we get, we’ll take the hounds for an outing. Will you come?’

Her eyes brightened. ‘Can you doubt it?’

He looked at Ban. ‘How did your excursion go today?’

‘Well enough, my lord,’ he replied. ‘The shoulder is mending apace. It won’t be long before I’m fully fit again.’

He made no mention of what had passed earlier and Ashlynn decided he was right. What was there to say after all? It was suspicion only. They had seen nothing.

‘I’m glad to hear it,’ Iain went on. ‘The rain will clear soon enough. Then we’ll see some action. In the meantime a little sword practice wouldn’t come amiss. What say you to a short bout?’

‘I’d be honoured.’