Kate Robbins - The Highland Chiefs Series 03 (10 page)

“Ronan, we cannot keep doing this,” she said to the floor, unable to look him in the eye, for the shame that had set in her heart.

“We will not have to,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean I intend to speak with Fergus and beg him to consent to giving you to me.”

“Ronan, I am already promised.”

“But you belong to me. Fergus should not have given away what was mine to begin with.”

Freya shook her head as she tied the strings on her bodice. “’Tis not that simple, Ronan.”

He grasped her shoulders and gazed into her eyes. “It is, Freya.” He smiled and patted her bottom when she passed him to unlatch the door.

Chapter Nine

Ronan paced in front of the hearth. He had not slept one wink the night before. When he did not fantasize about Freya, he envisioned Fergus’s broadsword spilling his guts onto the floor.

He needed to know where he stood. He prayed there was at least a chance Fergus would entertain his idea of resolving this issue once and for all.

“You look like hell,” Fergus said from the doorway.

Ronan’s guts tightened. “Aye, I feel like it.”

“What has happened?” Fergus asked.

“This is not about my uncle.” He shoved his hands through his hair.

Fergus’s brow furrowed. “Oh? Well then, what is it about?”

Ronan had never suffered from a case of nerves before, but this morning, he was certain he would lose his belly at any moment.

“Good God, man, sit down before you fall down.” Fergus sat, motioning for Ronan to take a seat across from him.

Ronan nodded and sat at the table. He swallowed the knot in his throat. “It is about Freya, Fergus.”

Fergus’s hands clenched into fists. “What about her?”

“She is mine.”

“She is promised to another man.”

“She was mine first and I want to wed her. Today.”

“Have you lost your wits?”

“No. For the first time in a long time, I am thinking clearly. I should have never let her leave Dunrobin two years ago. We were lovers then, and . . . God helps us, we have rekindled that passion now.”

Fergus stood, his chair toppling in the process. He put his fists on the table and leaned toward Ronan. “You have bedded Freya recently?” His voice was low and accusatory.

“Aye. I have. You cannot marry her to another man because she might be carrying my child. Again.”

Fergus’s hand closed around Ronan’s throat and he squeezed just enough for it to be uncomfortable, but he did not fight the man he hoped would become his brother-in-law. “Do you realize her promise is to secure an alliance with the MacKenzies and this clan? What do you expect will happen when that promise is broken?”

Fergus loosened his grip when Ronan could only croak. “I have a solution.”

Fergus released him. “You had better have a solution or else we will have enemies coming from all sides.”

“My solution is, we defeat Alexander Sutherland, reinstate me as Earl of Sutherland, I take my sister to Dunrobin and befit her with a lady’s title and a large dowry and we marry the MacKenzie lad to her. I have what was mine and the MacKenzie gets more money than he could ever spend.”

Fergus blinked several times. Ronan watched as he thought over the proposal. “And if we cannot defeat your uncle?”

“Then we have bigger problems to deal with.”

Fergus walked over to the hearth and placed his arm above it to stare into the fire.

“Tell me, Ronan. What does it feel like when you are apart from my sister?”

“Like every breath is filled with sharp blades.”

Fergus turned to him. “Aye, I know that feeling well enough. Watching Nessia marry my brother was the hardest thing I have ever done.”

“I am not as strong as you. I cannot do that.”

“It cannot happen until the MacKenzie returns. I will not incite the man any further by acting without his agreement, which leads me to another matter. What does Freya want?”

When she was in his arms she was without abandon, but he was not about to poke the boarhound in front of him any more than he needed to by telling him that.

“She feels the same for me as I do for her, but is set to do her duty as you have outlined it.”

“Christ’s teeth, she said that? Freya has never done a thing I have asked in her life and now she is willing to sacrifice herself for the clan? I find that difficult to believe.”

“I have no reason to lie to you, Fergus. You are welcome to ask her yourself.”

“Ask me what?” Freya said from the doorway.

Ronan noted the dark circles under her eyes. She too had clearly lacked sleep the night before. He found small comfort in that. He let his gaze drift down across her lush curves and smiled, delighting in the flush that kissed her cheeks.

“You had better sit, Freya,” Fergus said. “You two have created quite a mess that will need some negotiation to fix.”

Freya locked gazes with Ronan and gaped. “You have told him?”

“Aye, I told you I would, and I have.”

Her eyes went wide as she looked from Fergus to him and back again.

“And you still live.”

“He does for now,” Fergus said. “But I cannot protect him from the MacKenzie’s wrath if it rears its head. The man is a bear at the best of times.”

Ronan grinned. A bear indeed. Had he ever considered his own countenance? Freya rolled her eyes at him. “I am being serious, Fergus. How do you plan to break the promise to the MacKenzie?”

Fergus jerked his head in Ronan’s direction. “Ask him. He has it all worked out.”

Ronan reiterated what he had said to Fergus, and had to swallow the lump lodged in his throat when, instead of smiling like he wished, she frowned.

“You do not seem pleased,” Fergus said.

“Have you asked Muren about her wishes? By forcing her to marry Rorie, you give her no choice.”

He had not thought of that. He took it upon himself as his responsibility to look after her and their mother, though the latter would accept no assistance. Ronan was certain Muren would welcome life at Dunrobin.

“I have not asked her, though considering her current lack of a home, I believe she will agree to this.”

Freya turned to Fergus. “And you think Kenneth MacKenzie will agree to this?”

“One thing that man loves is coin. I do think he will be swayed by the dowry, aye.”

Ronan held his breath and waited. Freya worried her bottom lip with her teeth as she searched his face. He clenched his fists. Perhaps she was not as taken with the idea of marriage to him as he had thought. He held his breath and waited.

“If you believe this will not cause a rift between the MacKay and MacKenzie clans, then I am in agreement,” she said after what felt like an age.

Air whooshed from between Ronan’s lips. When he smiled at Freya, her cheeks pinked. He wanted her again. Would his body ever grow tired of wanting her? He could not imagine so.

“Very well then,” Fergus said. “The MacKenzie is due to arrive on the morrow and I will speak with him then.” He then turned to Ronan. “If there is even a hint of a breakdown in our relationship, this agreement is forfeit and Freya marries Rorie as planned.” With those words he left the great hall.

Ronan waited until he gone before moving to take the chair beside Freya.

“You made me nervous just then.”

“When?”

“When it took you more than a heartbeat to jump at my solution.”

“Ronan, you know I would not put myself above the wellbeing and needs of the clan.”

“I do and it makes me love you and want you even more.” He leaned in to kiss the sensitive place behind her ear. “I want you again.”

“Ronan, you cannot seduce me here,” she whispered and shifted away from him. “Until this matter is resolved, we must not be seen together.”

“I understand your concern, but I cannot help wanting you. You walk into the room and all my thoughts turn to how and when I can get you out of your gown so that I can bury myself in your sweet flesh. You have possessed me, Freya.”

Her breath quickened as she stared as his mouth. “We should be careful.”

“Aye, we should and we will.” He pushed his chair out of the way and knelt before her. “But first, I must ask you a question.”

His loins hardened further when she smiled. “Will you be my wife, Freya? Will you let me love you and cherish you for the rest of our days?”

She flung her arms around his neck and nearly knocked him over. “Aye, Ronan. I will be your wife.”

He buried his face in her neck and nipped her with his teeth. Her body’s resulting tremble had his heart thudding and his erection straining against his tunic.

Freya flicked her tongue along his ear and he nearly came undone.

“We need to find privacy. Now.”

Ronan stood and was about to drag her to their secret chamber again when Fergus returned with Nessia in tow. He groaned. There would be no way they could sneak off together now. No doubt Fergus had an inkling something might occur between them for Nessia headed straight for Freya and ushered her out of the hall.

“Was that necessary?” Ronan asked Fergus.

“You know damned well it was. If I have to chain you to keep you away from her until the issue is resolved with the MacKenzie and you are wed, I will.”

“If he agrees on the morrow, can we be wed the same day?”

Fergus shook his head and laughed. “No, you cannot. She is my sister and deserves a proper wedding feast, Ronan. And so I suggest you cool off in the kyle if you cannot control your desires.”

At that moment, Fergus’s suggestion was probably the only thing that would help him. Ronan left MacKay house to do just that.

* * *

“You cannot keep me prisoner in my own home, Nessia.”

“I can and I will. Your brother is laird here, and as his wife, I tell you to stay away from Ronan until the matter is settled with the MacKenzies. I understand the burn of passion better that you realize, but having a tryst with Ronan while you are still promised to another man is not only shameful, it is also dangerous.”

Nessia was right, but Freya could not believe restricting her movements throughout MacKay house was necessary. Then again, had they not been interrupted, she and Ronan would likely be ravaging one another in the secret chamber at that very moment. Her belly tightened.

“It was not our intention to dishonour our families or the clans, Nessia.”

Nessia took her hands and squeezed. “I ken that, love. I remember when you were meeting with him two years ago. You were like a woman possessed, like your very next breath depended on seeing him.”

“’Tis like that now. Nessia, I cannot think when he is near. I only want him touching me and I him.”

“I know what that feels like too. Fergus and I share a powerful bond that I do not think anything could break, but we never betrayed William, Freya. This is what I am trying to get through to you. If everyone else found out about your behaviour with Ronan, you would be labelled and would bring shame upon us all. Surely, you can stay away from him for a few days.”

Freya was not sure that she could, but she nodded to Nessia. “I shall try.”

“Good. Now, you are to take your meals in your chamber and only come to me to help with the bairns when I bid you. I understand that will be difficult”

“I will not disappoint you, sister.”

Nessia left the chamber and Freya heard a distinct click of the lock turning from the outside. She shook her head. She was not the same lass who would do anything to reclaim her freedom any more. She was a woman full grown who understood the gravity of the situation they all faced.

Freya walked to the window and stared out over the kyle. Tomorrow she would learn her fate and she prayed all would go in hers and Ronan’s favour. Now that she had had a taste of him again, she was not so sure she could let him go, much less let another man touch her.

Chapter Ten

The approaching horses filled his gut with dread and excitement. He had never experienced such a surge of fluttering in his entire life. Ronan waited until the MacKenzie party was all inside and seated before looking sideways at Fergus. The man’s scowl spoke volumes. He clearly did not want to break the arrangement.

Damn. Would he go through with it?

“Is aught well?” MacKenzie asked when Fergus did not offer libations or food straight away.

“Aye, all our plans still stand,” he said. “But I do have a matter to discuss with you concerning the betrothal between Freya and your son.”

Ronan noted Rorie sitting straighter, his brow furrowing. Not a powerfully negative reaction by any stretch, but his father was another matter. The MacKenzie slammed his fist on the table and stood.

“We had an agreement MacKay! Do you tell me you wish to break it?”

Fergus stood and leaned forward. “I wish to discuss an alternative which would benefit us both.”

MacKenzie looked from Fergus to Ronan and narrowed his eyes, pointing. “Is it because of the bastard?”

Fergus turned his head and Ronan caught a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Aye, the bastard is a part of the alternative proposal.”

MacKenzie slammed his other hand on the table. “Have ye dared touched what belongs to my son, Bastard?”

Ronan’s heartbeat picked up. His face grew warm, and his cheek muscles clenched when he gritted his teeth. Fergus placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed a silent warning.

“What I propose will be beneficial to everyone here, MacKenzie. You have my word on that.”

MacKenzie turned his focus to Fergus. “Then out with it, Fergus. Before I lose my patience with the lot of ye.”

“It is our intention to remove the threat of Alexander Sutherland and reinstate Ronan as Earl of Sutherland, is it not?”

“Aye,” Kenneth and Rorie both said at the same time.

“And as you may or may not be aware, as the earl, Ronan is financially very well endowed.”

Fergus paused. The MacKenzie’s brow knit together in confusion for a moment.

“When I am Earl of Sutherland once more, I will bestow upon my sister, a lady’s title and secure a very hefty dowry to be awarded upon her betrothal.” Ronan turned his gaze to Rorie MacKenzie. “That man can be you, if you so choose it. Believe me when I say, I would not offer my sister to just anyone.” He had yet to share the scheme with his mother and sister and anticipated a battle over it, however the lad appeared to be a decent sort.

“In return,” Fergus said. “Freya’s promise to Rorie is null and void, and she is free to make another choice without fear of harming relations between our clans.”

MacKenzie’s eyes narrowed again. “’Tis you she wants, is it then?”

There was no point in denying it. “Aye.”

“I agree to the terms,” Rorie said before his father could speak.

The father whipped around to square off against his son. “’Tis not your choice to make, lad.”

“No, but I am making it anyway since ’tis my life we negotiate.” He rounded the table, holding out his arm to Ronan. Both men grasped forearms. “I wish you and Freya every happiness.” With that and before his father could protest, Rorie left the great hall.

MacKenzie’s eyes grew wide and his mouth agape. Ronan surmised he had not had too many in his life who dared to not only challenge, but also remove the opportunity to enforce his authority.

Fergus chuckled. “We are in agreement then?”

MacKenzie regained his composure. “It would appear so.” To Ronan he said, “The lad did not ask what the dowry would be, however I am a more practical man.”

“Two thousand marks.”

MacKenzie’s eyes rounded. It was a great deal of money, but securing his future with Freya was worth it.

“Aye lad. I will accept that and raise a goblet of ale at your wedding feast.”

“But first we must defeat Sutherland,” Fergus said.

“What happens if we do not reclaim my seat?”

“Then this arrangement is forfeit and the original one stands,” Fergus said.

Ronan turned toward Fergus. “You will not allow our betrothal to occur immediately?”

He shook his head. “I am afraid not, lad. I cannot risk it.”

Ronan was certain his guts were about to spew from his body. Claiming Freya for his own was within his grasp but still far enough away to prevent it from ever happening. Would they ever find a path that led them forward together?

“So be it,” Ronan said. “MacKenzie, I trust you are ready to sail?”

“I am, lad,” he said. “Are you ready to put on your sea legs, then?”

“As I am the only one who can show you where to weigh anchor, then aye, I am ready.” To Fergus, he said, “Can I at least say good-bye to Freya?”

Fergus smiled and crossed his arms over his chest. “Aye. With a chaperone.”

God’s blood.

* * *

While Freya was thrilled with the news that the MacKenzies had agreed to the new arrangement, she was not thrilled with thoughts of Ronan going to sea with them.

She had never sailed, but had heard many tales from those who had. The North Sea could be treacherous and unforgiving, and it was much easier to perish on the water than it was on land.

Nessia had come to collect her an hour before the men were to leave. She selected Freya’s gown, and now fussed with her hair. She was to say good-bye to her love in the great hall. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if perhaps Fergus had relented and would allow them to make their formal committal now instead of waiting. But Nessia had assured her this was only to give them an opportunity to say farewell.

Nessia tugged the ties of Freya’s gown tight, enhancing her curves. The green velvet gown was new and she was certain Ronan would like how she looked in it. Or would he prefer to see her out of it? She hid a smile. Their lovemaking was as fevered as ever. Would they ever tire of one another?

Her carnal thoughts fired her blood. “Nessia, is all this fuss necessary?” Freya asked. The truth of it was she only wanted to see Ronan and all this time making herself up took away from her time with him.

“Aye, Freya. It is necessary for his memory of you over the long voyage to Golspie and back. He will need warm thoughts of you for what he is to face in the weeks ahead.”

Freya had been so consumed with her own needs, she had not considered Ronan’s. If they would give her a few moments alone with him, she was certain she could provide him with enough distraction to warm him for the rest of his life. She grinned.

“You are not permitted any time alone with him, Freya.” Nessia tucked a stray copper curl into mesh netting.

“And who is to watch over us children while we say our good-byes?” Freya could not keep the bitterness from her voice. She had been desperate  to see him since speaking of the arrangement in the great hall three days earlier and was like a wild cat holed up in a cage too small for it to exercise properly.

Nessia stopped her task. “Freya, your brother insisted you be kept apart and I will not taunt him any more than is necessary these days.” She smiled. “With the wee ones keeping me going, I do not have the energy to disagree. If you wish to challenge him, then so be it; I, however, have better uses for my energy.”

Freya turned to Nessia. “I am sorry, Nessia. I do not mean to drag you into my problems. It is just that I will not see Ronan for who knows how long. Now that I know he and I will be wed, ’tis even more difficult to say farewell.”

Freya’s heart was in her throat as she walked to the great hall. She wanted to race into Ronan’s arms and touch and taste every inch of him until his departure, but Fergus forbade it. She could only allow Nessia to guide her to the opposite side of the table from Ronan and her brother.

Her gaze locked with Ronan’s and he smiled. His face had none of the stress and strain from the last time she had seen him. In fact, some of the old, carefree Ronan shone through now. Her heart beat faster. By the heavens, he took her breath away. He wore a leather jerkin with a white leine underneath. His plaid was wrapped underneath his sword arm and he was rigged out with enough weaponry to defeat an army himself.

Moisture pooled between her thighs as his gaze slid down the length of her body and slowly back up again, as if he memorized her.

“I will give you five minutes,” Fergus said.

Freya whipped around to see Nessia literally dragging him from the hall. She gave Freya a knowing smile, whereas Fergus scowled.

She herself grinned—a lot could be done in five minutes. When she turned back, Ronan’s seat was empty. She frowned. Then powerful arms enveloped her, hauled her up, and familiar lips descended upon hers.

Ronan’s insistent tongue parted her lips and dove inside in search of hers. She reached up and tangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer while he gripped her hips and drew her forward to press her against his erection.

In this moment, words were meaningless, for none existed to describe the delicious sensation surging through her. She poured every ounce of love and passion into her kiss. And he returned it wholeheartedly. Would they ever exchange another?

Somewhere behind her, a door opened and closed. No one spoke. It could only be Nessia for if it were her brother she would have been ripped from her lover’s arms by now.

She retreated as did he. Staring up into his eyes, she studied each line on his face and the curve of his mouth. She inhaled the scent of his skin and let his hair slide back and forth between her fingers. Every part of her needed to remember every part of him.

“You own my soul, Freya,” he said. “Keep it safe.”

She smiled. “I will, as long as you keep mine safe.”

“Ronan, ’tis time to go,” Nessia said from the door.

Ronan looked over her head. “Thank you.” He looked down into Freya’s eyes again and grinned. “When you lie in bed at night, I want you to think of me.”

“I assure you, I will.”

“Think of me here.” He brushed his chest across hers bringing her already taut nipples to further attention. “Think of me here.” He leaned down until his mouth was a breath away from hers. “And think of me here.” He pushed his hips forward until his thick erection pressed against her.”

She gasped. She would surely alight with flames any moment now.

“I will always love you, Freya. Never forget that.”

A heartbeat later, he was gone and cool air rushed into her body at the loss of his heat. Would she ever feel warm again?