Highlanders Short Story Collection Read online

  Dawn pressed herself closer against him and kept her gestures where only Cree could see them, pretending to whip at her chest, then held two fingers up, and gave a tilt of her head back as if looking upward.

  “Are you telling me that I should punish you twice for your disobedience, once we are in our bedchamber?” He could not keep the annoyance from his voice since the image of taking his hand to her bare, soft backside hit him like a battling ram, tightening his groin.

  She nodded, running her hand over his chest.

  “Be careful, wife, or the punishment may be more than you can handle.”

  The merriment filling her dark eyes let him know that she found his remark humorous.

  There was no time for a response—though Cree promised he would definitely respond later when they were alone—Terran and two of his men entering the Great Hall.

  The room did not fall silent, nor did glances fall on them. Cree’s warriors kept talking, giving them only a cursory glance, as if they were unimportant.

  “Our guest has arrived,” he said and with a hand to her waist he turned, though kept her close by his side. “Fitzbane,” he acknowledged with a nod once the man stood in front of them. “My wife...Lady Dawn.”

  “A pleasure, my lady,” Fitzbane said with a slight nod.

  Dawn returned his nod. There was always an awkward moment when she was first introduced to people and they were unaware of her affliction. Of course, her husband did not help matters since he never informed anyone that she lacked a voice—bless the man—for he never thought of her as voiceless. Actually, there were times he told her that she talked too much.

  It took a while after his men joined some of Cree’s men at a nearby table and Fitzbane accompanied her and Cree to the dais to sit that he realized she could not speak. Dawn gestured to Cree and he had answered her and it was at that moment it had struck the man. Dawn saw the surprise in his eyes and she wondered if he was the type of man who expected his wife to remain silent unless he granted her permission to speak.

  Platters of food were soon laid upon the tables and ale and wine flowed generously. Talk continued, though more eating than talking was done.

  “The food is delicious,” Fitzbane said, sopping up the last of the meat pie gravy with a big chunk of bread. “I thought perhaps you would have had Tallis join us for the meal, so you could see her for who she truly is.”

  “I am not blind, Fitzbane,” Cree said.

  “Of course not, but I hear that she can be quite persuasive. If you allow me to talk with her, I am sure this matter could be settled most hastily.”

  “Perhaps, but there are questions I have for her that she has yet to answer. After she does, then maybe I will grant your request,” Cree said. “Tell me about your brother. How long has he been ill?”

  Fitzbane talked much about his brother’s lingering illness and how he had never been the same after his son Devin’s death, also how he had searched endlessly for his grandson, hoping to see him before he died.

  “I will do anything to grant my brother his dying wish,” Fitzbane insisted.

  “Even bring him a lad that is not his grandson?” Cree asked.

  “Never would I do such a thing. I will return Adian home to his true grandfather.”

  “Adian is the lad’s true name?” Cree questioned.

  “Aye, he is named after Giles and my father.”

  Dawn listened with interest, having realized the same as Cree had.

  “Why would a woman who stole a child keep his true name?” Cree asked.

  The question seemed to startle Fitzbane and he appeared to struggle for an answer, finally saying, “Well, she is a whore with barely an intelligent thought. I can only imagine how the poor lad has suffered being in her company.” His eyes suddenly widened as if struck by a thought. “You say the lad is ill, she could be the cause of his illness. I demand you keep her away from him so that she can do him no further harm.”

  Cree leaned over close to Fitzbane and with a harshness that sent a shiver through the man said, “Make a demand of me again and I shall personally demonstrate how I successfully extract information from anyone who dares to lie to me.”

  Fitzbane hastily and wisely offered an apology. “Forgive me, my worry for my nephew has caused me to lose my manners, I meant no disrespect. And please, I beg of you, let me see my nephew.”

  Cree leaned back in his seat. “In time.”

  Tension lingered as conversation turned to general matters and after a few moments Fitzbane said, “Excuse me for a moment while I see to my men. While you have been more than generous with food and drink, I do not want my men indulging much longer.”

  Dawn gestured to Cree as the man made his way to the table where his men sat.

  “I was thinking the same,” Cree said. “Why would he explain to me the reason he would talk to his men? He either is foolish or lying, which begs the question...is he plotting something?”

  Dawn made a cross over her chest and shook her head.

  “You are right. He is not to be trusted,” Cree said pleased that his wife was as astute when it came to judging people as he was.

  Fitzbane returned to the dais and a few minutes later his men stood and left the keep.

  Dawn hoped the night would not drag on endlessly, not that she had to remain in the hall. She simply wanted to go to bed with her husband...though not sleep. She wondered if she excused herself if it would give her husband the incentive to do the same.

  She covered her mouth as she pretended to yawn, then laid a hand to her husband’s arm and gestured that she would retire for the night.

  “Aye, the night does grow late,” Cree said and stood to extend his hand to his wife.

  Fitzbane stood as well. “It does grow late and I should take my leave.”

  Dawn nodded to both men and left them, knowing Fitzbane would no doubt have something to say to Cree. She made her way upstairs and thought to undress and wait naked in bed for her husband, and then she smiled, deciding to let him undress her.

  It was only a few minutes later that she heard his strong footfalls approach the door, though it surprised her when he passed by their bedchamber. She went to it and peeked out and saw Cree enter the room Tallis and her son occupied. She wondered why he had not stopped and told her he was going to speak with Tallis or even why he would speak with her so late. He had to have known the woman would be sleeping after she had informed him how exhausted Tallis was. Besides, he knew she would be eagerly waiting for him. Had it been something Fitzbane said to him that had caused him to find the need to question Tallis immediately?

  She knew she should not be annoyed. Cree would tell her about his visit with Tallis. She simply wished that he would have stopped and told her. Her annoyance growing over a day that had presented endless problems and worries that were yet to be solved had her pacing. Finally, she decided she could not wait for Cree to return. Besides, the longer it took, the more she imagined she had reason to worry and that was foolish.

  Wanting a reprieve from her troubling thoughts, she left the room, hurried down the stairs, through the Great Hall, and outside into the night. The night sky was clear, the stars brilliant, but she did not take time to admire them...she hurried along.

  Old Mary would know she was coming to visit even at this late hour. The woman always knew when Dawn needed to talk. The door to Old Mary’s cottage sprang open before Dawn could knock.

  “I have a brew waiting,” Old Mary said with a smile.

  Dawn gave the woman a hug. She was like a mum to her, always being there for her when she needed her and there for her when she had not known she needed her, and she loved her dearly.

  “It has been a difficult day for you,” Old Mary said as she settled her old bones into a chair at the table while Dawn poured them each a brew. “You are lucky that you know that your husband loves you more than life itself or you would be worried now.”

  Dawn dropped down in the chair. Old Mary knew just what to say, k
new how to remind her of what was important.

  “Cree is different than most men and shows his love to you in different ways that most women would not understand and many would not find acceptable. You love each other for who you are not who either of you want the other to be. That is what true love is about, accepting and respecting the person you fell in love with.”

  Dawn sipped at her brew, letting the truth of the old woman’s words sink in.

  “You are part of him now, connecting in a way that no other ever could. He cannot hurt you without hurting himself and the same for you.”

  Dawn thought about earlier in his solar and how he intended to punish her by leaving her aching for him. But the punishment was also his and he did not allow either of them to suffer. Old Mary was right. They were connected like no other and always would be.

  Old Mary laughed softly. “Even now he does what he must before returning to you, for once he does he knows that he will not be able to leave your side.”

  Dawn’s eyes shot wide. Why had she not thought of that? Of course, Cree had not stopped to tell her that he needed to talk with Tallis, for if he had, he would not have left their bedchambers.

  Old Mary reached out and rested her hand on Dawn’s. “Do not let doubt rob you of the truth. Confront it and put it to rest before it can do harm to you or Cree.”

  Dawn smiled and squeezed Old Mary’s hand, grateful for her wise advice.

  “If you push aside what you know in your heart is true, it will leave room to discover what is not.”

  Dawn nodded and gestured as if she held a small child in her arms and then scowled which represented her husband, and she shook her head.

  “Cree is not father to the lad Adian,” Old Mary said and Dawn confirmed with a nod. “And how do you know this?”

  She gestured repeatedly, knowing Old Mary would clearly understand her. She had since Dawn was a child.

  “You finally realize that Tallis loves another and it is he who she speaks about the night the lad was conceived. And why do you know this?”

  Dawn felt a catch to her heart and gestured slowly.

  “You saw in her what you had once felt in yourself,” Old Mary said softly.

  Dawn nodded, wishing she had realized it sooner.

  “Do not batter yourself because you have just now realized the truth. Love always interferes with sound reason and sometimes it needs to. Is love not interfering with Tallis’s plans?”

  Dawn’s brow knitted in question.

  “The woman cannot hide the love she has for the man who fathered her child. No matter how hard she tries, it continues to surface just as yours does for Cree. All is not what it seems and no matter what way one views the problem the woman and child are in danger. But I believe you have sensed that from the beginning or you would not have disobeyed your husband or fought to keep them both safe.”

  Dawn was about to smile but an expected yawn stole it.

  “Go now. Your husband returns to your bedchambers soon.”

  Dawn gave Old Mary another hug before leaving and thanking her for having eased the burden she had been carrying all day.

  Dawn could not wait to return to the keep and share her thoughts on Tallis with her husband, though she was more looking forward to being wrapped in his strong arms. She hurried her steps, though she stopped a few feet from the keep and glanced up at the night sky. She had no time to be bothered with it before, but now her heart was lighter and the beauty of the stars so bright in the sky whispered to her.

  She stared up at their brilliance and smiled at the ones that winked repeatedly at her. It was a glorious night and she wished Cree was here right now to share this moment with her. The thought of him had her hurrying along, eager to see her husband.

  The attack came so quickly that she barely had time to respond. She was grabbed around the waist and dragged toward the woods.

  Chapter 9

  No hand bothered to cover her mouth. Why should it when she could not scream for help, though in her mind she did and with such force that she wondered how it could not be heard. She tried desperately to rip at the hand that held her, but the muscled arm would not budge.

  Suddenly, she was thrown back against a tree trunk, a hand gripping her throat.

  “The mighty Cree was wise in choosing a wife who could not speak, for then he does not have to listen to the endless harping of a woman. It even saves him from coming to her rescue since he would never hear her cry for help.”

  Dawn glared at Fitzbane as she tried frantically to loosen his hand at her throat, his grip so harsh that she could barely breathe.

  He let her struggle for a while before he ordered, “Stop, or I will choke the life from you and be done with it.” He squeezed harder.

  Dawn had no doubt he would and so she stilled.

  “Listen well, you will—”

  Shouts, voices, and footfalls drew close and she prayed someone would find them.

  Dawn was released as fast as she had been grabbed and she fell to her knees, grasping for breath. She struggled to her feet, not wanting to take the chance Fitzbane would return. She was glad she had, for once she reached the steps of the keep those who had frightened Fitzbane off were nowhere to be seen.

  The Great Hall was also empty and as Dawn took the stairs slowly, she wondered over telling Cree of her ordeal. He would grow furious and go after Fitzbane, starting a possible war between the clans. But was it fair not to tell him?

  She entered their bedchamber glad he had yet to return. It was not for her to judge what actions should be taken against Fitzbane for his attack on her. That was Cree’s decision. He ruled this place… his word was law.

  She gave a thought to going to see if the twins needed feeding, but the women who cared for them throughout the night no doubt had them well in hand. Besides, the long day and its endless ordeal had finally taken its toll on her. She removed the combs from her hair to let it fall free, slipped out of her garments and climbed into bed naked to wait for her husband.

  Cree entered his bedchamber to find his wife sleeping, her dark red hair spread around her neck and shoulder like a silky cape. Her body was tangled in the covers, though one or two naked limbs peeked out and the tip of a nipple tempted him. He could not blame her for not being able to remain awake. The day had been a demanding one on her and yet she had dealt with it with kindness and a generous heart.

  If it had been a man who arrived claiming he loved Dawn, he would have killed him on the spot. He shook his head, recalling how she had heard him say that he would remember a woman as beautiful as Tallis, but he had said it only to see her reaction, to see if perhaps it would somehow illicit a remark that would help him learn the truth.

  Cree slowly disrobed, thinking on what he had just learned from Tallis. After this evening spent with Fitzbane, he had an idea of what the truth might be and he had wanted Tallis to confirm it. At first, she had vehemently stuck to her story about him being the lad’s father until he told her what he believed to be the truth. She finally broke down and told him everything.

  The problem now was...how did he protect them from harm?

  Finding an answer would have to wait until morning. He wanted nothing more than to climb in bed and wrap his arms around his wife.

  When he was finally completely naked, he climbed into bed and gently took her in his arms. She snuggled against him and it was difficult for him not to wake her and make love to her.

  He stroked her back, his hand drifting down over her soft backside. He smiled, recalling how when he had warned her about punishing her for disobeying him that she had suggested she would not mind his hand at her backside. It had turned him hard as the thought of it did now.

  Stop touching her, he told himself, but he did not listen. She felt too good and it had been a long month since he had last stroked her so intimately. He closed his eyes and let himself enjoy the feel of her.

  They sprung open when only a short time later her hand moved between his legs and began
to caress him, turning him harder and harder. He had not meant to wake her, but since he had...

  He slipped his hand between them to stroke her as intimately as she stroked him. It was a pleasure to lay there in the quiet of the night touching each other, stoking their passion, eagerly anticipating what was yet to come.

  “I have missed this between us,” he whispered and kissed her softly.

  She tapped his arm, letting him know she felt the same and so pleased he had wakened her, in more ways than one, with his touch.

  Cree had no intentions of rushing as they had done earlier today in his solar. This time was for taking it slow, lingering, and enjoying every kiss, caress, and climax they would share.

  When she tossed her head back and her caress turned to strong tugs that threaten to bring him to climax, he knew it was time to make her come at least once, so that they could linger longer in this divine pleasure.

  He eased her on her back and wished he had stoked the small fire in the hearth so that there was enough light to see her more clearly. She was a mere shadow and he loved to watch her face as she exploded in climax. Later he would see to it, and then make love to her again.

  He was careful with her breasts, having learned that they could be tender if it had been a while since she fed the twins. So with his hands on either side of her head, he hovered just above her as his knee eased between her legs to spread them apart.

  When she felt him nudge at her legs, she spread them wide, eager for him to slip into her and she sighed silently with pleasure when he did. He belonged there, he belonged to her. The thought suddenly turned her possessive and she wrapped her legs around him, forcing him deeper inside her.

  “Hungry for me...are you?” he asked, obliging her and sinker deeper and deeper with every thrust.

  She tapped his arm repeatedly.

  He knew her well and the stronger the taps came the closer she was to coming. He cursed himself again, for he wished he could see her face and the way it contorted with pleasure when she burst in a climax.