Chapter Thirteen

 

Hamish’s deteriorated condition didn’t lend him well to travel. It had taken them three days to accomplish what Alex could have done in two. At this rate, it would be another few days before they arrived on his doorstep.

“I’m verra sorry to slow ye down, MacKay,” Hamish offered from his resting spot under the tree. He sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Ye ken how hard it is to travel on the back o’ a horse when ye have nothing but bone to yer arse?”

Alex chuckled. “Nay. I’ve never been in such a spot.”

For a man who’d spent the last few years unjustly imprisoned, Hamish still had a sense of humor.

“Dunna worry about how quickly we get there. I’ve sent word we’re coming. It doesna matter how long it takes.”

Hamish leaned forward and glanced up at the sky. “It’s getting dark, anyhow. I suppose this is as good a place as any to take our rest.”

Alex had assumed they wouldn’t be traveling farther that night. He removed the two blankets he’d purchased in town and gave one to Hamish. “It’s no’ as nice as one of your wife’s quilts, I’m sure, but it will have to do.”

The man accepted the offering with a grin. “I care not as long as it keeps me warm. I nearly froze my bollocks off last eve.”

It was the time of summer when the days were cooler and the nights even more so. Alex recalled what it had been like to drift off to sleep with Maggie at his side, keeping each other warm and secure. It made his chest tighten. Never had there been a woman he thought of so fondly. He missed her.

After some quiet contemplation, Alex finally drifted off to sleep.

“Alexander…”

At first, he thought it was Maggie. He’d been thinking of her before he fell asleep, so it had to be her.

“Brother!” The voice was more insistent. There was a soft white light forming in the center of his vision. As it grew larger, it took on a purplish hue.

“Isabelle?” he asked.

The light intensified. “Aye, it is me.”

Alex sat up, unsure whether he was awake or dreaming. “Isabelle! I’ve missed ye, sister. I’m so sorry I wasna there to save ye.”

“Ye tell me that every time ye visit my grave, Alex. Dunna be sorry, for ye had no way to know.”

Alex rubbed at his eyes. “Are ye…are ye well?” He wasn’t sure he wanted the answer.

“Aye. Worry not. I’m to be given ano’er chance on the earth, but no’ for many, many years.”

The light began to ebb, and Alex reached out. “Dunna go yet! Please!”

“I have but a short time to tell ye what I need to tell ye, so listen close, brother. It is time for ye to cease yer grieving over me and allow yerself to heal. Ye must let yer hatred of Douglas go.”

Alex shook his head. “It is his fault ye did as ye did. He got ye with child and abandoned ye.”

The light began to pulsate. “Brother, he didna put the knife in my hand. It was my choice. A foolish choice of a young, confused girl. I have forgiven him for abandoning me and his babe. Ye must forgive him as well.”

“But I cannot!” Alex cried.

“Ye can. Ye must. I cannot rest in peace until ye do.” Her voice grew quieter as her energy began to fade. “Ye will find peace in yer heart once you let go. Let go, Alex.”

The light flashed unspeakably bright before disappearing altogether. “I love ye, Isabelle!”

Alex felt a featherlight kiss upon his cheek as he woke from the dream. Whether it was real or imagined, he couldn’t be sure. Still in a mild state of slumber, he closed his eyes against the assault of the moon and fell back to sleep.

* * * * *

“No’ another soul could fit in this house,” Harriet remarked gleefully. “Can ye believe it? Father is finally home!”

“I don’t believe he expected so many people to welcome him,” Maggie observed. “He seems a bit overwhelmed.”

Not nearly as much as Auntie, though. Uncle Hamish had been home for nearly an hour and she had yet to stop weeping. At least they were finally tears of joy and not of sorrow.

Violet pushed through the numerous clansmen to stand beside Maggie. “I’m thrilled for Father that we have such a gathering, but I truly detest crowds.”

Maggie was inclined to agree. “I’m sure it won’t be much longer.”

At least she hoped not. Though he’d had a bath and shave to perk him up before arrival, Uncle Hamish looked worn. Even Alex had said it would take months before Hamish felt himself again.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Maggie said to her cousins before entering the throng of people. She and Alex had only exchanged a few sentences since he and Uncle had arrived, and it wasn’t nearly enough for her.

She couldn’t have traveled more than ten feet before she was hailed again.

“Margaret! There ye are,” called one of the elder ladies, waving her over.

Maggie glanced at the woman and back to the dining room. She’d seen the back of Alex’s head bobbing above the sea of people there. How best to handle this? “Er…I’ll be there in a moment. I need to fetch some tea,” she fibbed, and headed toward the dining room.

By the time she reached the area where last she’d seen him, he was gone. Exasperated, Maggie returned to the parlor. Where had he disappeared to?

“Aye,” Alex said from somewhere to her left. She turned in time to catch a glimpse of his backside as he followed her father into the library.

That was odd. If it had been anyone but her father, she would have followed. Her da didn’t appreciate interruptions of any sort and Maggie wasn’t about to prove it. With reluctance, she went back to the parlor to wait.

After half an hour of engaging in stagnant conversation with various occupants of the room, Maggie slipped away and went in search of Alex. She tried the library first but, unlike the rest of the house, it was empty. He was nowhere to be seen in the dining room either. Where in the devil had he gone to now?

Through the window, she spotted her father standing by the gate. She wasted no time in getting to the back door.

“What are you doing out here?” she asked, glancing nonchalantly around the yard for Alex.

“I needed some air. It’s verra warm in there.”

Maggie nodded. “I saw you heading to the library with Alex MacKay. Did the two of you have business to discuss?”

Her father crossed his arms. “It was a private matter between the two of us.”

Maggie raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Aye.”

“Did he go back inside?”

“Nay. He had something he had to do.”

Maggie’s heart sank. Surely he was tired from the journey, but would it have been such an inconvenience for him to tell her he was leaving? She sighed.

Perhaps she’d never understand him.

* * * * *

It was one of the finer days as of late, Alex thought as he stepped onto the porch. The weather this day was just cool enough one knew summer was almost past, yet still warm enough to be grateful for it. The sun had risen hours ago, gently waking the Highlands with peaceful urging.

Damn Sassenachs sleep half the day away.

Alex leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, staring at the two riders finally approaching the northern edge of his land. A mere week earlier he would have dreaded this meeting. Today, he was up at dawn’s first light like a child on Christmas morn.

“MacKay,” the duke called out

Alex gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

The duke dismounted and handed the reins to his companion. He brushed himself off with a grimace as if the dust had offended him in some way, and cautiously approached the porch.

Alex held his hands out at his sides and slowly turned in a circle. “No weapons. Aye?”

The duke’s shoulders relaxed, but he wore the same guarded expression. “No weapons.”

Alex remained where he was and let the pudgy, aging man before him climb the stairs and walk the length of the porch to meet him. When they were little more than an arm’s length apart, Alex couldn’t resist asking, “To what do I owe this pleasure, Douglas?”

The duke pressed his lips together until they were naught but a thin, angry line. “For the hundredth time, I haven’t given you leave to call me by my Christian name.”

Alex shrugged. “That doesna answer my question.”

The duke took a deep breath and released it. He went to the edge of the porch and, with his hands shading his eyes, surveyed what land he could see. When he turned back to Alex, he wore a self-satisfied smirk. “I have come to tour my lands, of course.”

Alex nodded, trying his best not to smile back at him. He still didn’t like the duke, but he was surprised he no longer felt the deep hatred for the man.

Odd what dreams can do.

“Of course,” Alex replied, and ushered Douglas to the edge of the field. He glanced back at the man who’d accompanied the duke, ensuring they were out of earshot. “I ken ye have warmer weather back in London, aye?”

Douglas quirked an eyebrow. “It’s not much warmer than this. Why do you ask?”

It was no wonder the duke was suspicious. Alex hadn’t had a polite conversation with him since first they met. “Merely curious. I’d read somewhere the city of London was rather hot compared to the cold blankets of Scotland.”

Douglas stopped walking. As still as a statue, he continued to look at the matured field ahead. “Really, now? And where might that have been?”

Alex fixed his gaze on the same imaginary point of interest among the grasses. “Hmmm. It wasna in a book…was it a letter?” He tapped his chin with his forefinger. “Aye. I believe it was a letter.”

Douglas’ cheeks were ashen. He continued to stand like a proud soldier, though, unwavering as the bullets came at him.

“There is more I could recite, ye ken? Talk of using grease on yer cock so it wouldna hurt him as much the next time.” Alex didn’t feel the need to humiliate him any further. From the heavy exhalations beside him, he knew beyond a doubt Douglas was familiar with the contents of the letter.

Douglas snapped his head around and glared at him. “You had no business reading my correspondence, MacKay.” He glanced at his traveling companion and lowered his voice. “I should have you hanged.”

His words held no threat to Alex. There was nothing the duke could do, and he knew it. “Need I remind ye buggery is a crime punishable by death?” Alex clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “And with an esteemed member of Parliament, no less! The humiliation alone would destroy you both.”

“No one would believe you,” Douglas spat, but his tone was less than confident.

“Aye, ye are right about that.” Alex locked eyes with him. “That is why the letter is in safe hands. If anything ever happens to me, Margaret Fraser or our families, the letter is to be delivered to His Majesty, post-haste.”

“How do I know you have the letter?” He threw out in desperation.

“Do ye care to try me, Douglas?”

Neither one of them spoke. The silence was answer enough.

After a few moments passed, the duke pivoted on his heel and made his way back toward his horse. Alex followed him, but at a much slower pace. “Do ye not want a tour of the lands, Your Grace?”

He let out a string of curses. “Keep your bloody lands! You stole the fucking agreement too, that’s why my steward couldn’t find it this morning.”

Alex answered honestly, “I didna steal anything from ye. Of that, I swear an oath.”

With assistance from his companion, the Duke of Westingham mounted his horse and didn’t look back.

Ian, my friend, I owe ye.

* * * * *

Alex paced the room between the settee and the door as anxiety built in his gut. At any moment Maggie’s father would be returning with her, and soon after he’d know what fate held for him. He’d received Mr. Fraser’s blessing when he returned with Hamish. All that was left was to convince Maggie they belonged together.

And that could go very well or very awry.

She certainly kept him on his toes, and that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. He enjoyed a challenge. And no matter how vexing she could be at times, he couldn’t imagine his life without her. She was a passionate lass, breathing life into any cause that captured her heart. She was fiercely loyal to her family and was willing to sacrifice anything to help them. This was the woman he wanted by his side.

Alex could only pray she felt the same.

Hopefully Maggie didn’t believe everything she’d heard in the last year or two. He wasn’t oblivious to the stories that circulated about him, and only a handful of them were true. His reputation as a heartless rake wasn’t much of an incentive for a woman to accept his hand in marriage, and his temper wasn’t exactly an endearing quality. He had never raised his hand to a woman, though, nor would he, and surely Maggie knew that. He would gladly spend the rest of his days making sure she didn’t want for anything. All she had to do was say yes.

Alex wasn’t one to fret over details, but when it came to Maggie he wanted everything to be perfect. It had taken days of careful planning and help from several others to acquire everything, but she was worth it.

The door squeaked open, and Alex looked up. He caught his breath as the woman who held his future in her hands slipped inside.

“Alex!” Her smile lit up the room. “Father told me you were here to see me. What brings you by?”

The corners of his mouth turned up in a grin as he crossed the floor and took her hand. “I’ve come to see if ye are willing to take a walk with me.”

She furrowed her brow. “I’ll have to ask my father first.”

“There’s no need.” Alex kissed the back of her hand and rubbed it. “I’ve already asked, and he’s granted us permission. Am I to assume ye are willing to go with me, then?”

Her smile returned, warming him from the inside out. “That I am, MacKay.”

* * * * *

“What will happen to the duke now?” Maggie asked as she kicked a small stone out of her path.

Alex raised a shoulder in a half shrug. “I ken he’ll go back to England and slither under the rock from which he came.”

She smiled at the reference. How fitting. “Do you think he’ll be back?”

“Aye. Someday.” Alex crossed his arms and sighed. “I imagine he’ll stay away for a stretch, of course, but he has enough land in Caithness he won’t be gone forever.”

Maggie had guessed as much. Perhaps the threat of being exposed for buggery was enough to keep him away for a long time—and allow those whose lives he disrupted to find peace again.

As they walked deeper into the woods, the path became narrower until it was naught but a tangle of branches and weeds. “Are you certain you know where we’re going?” she queried as he plucked a twig from her hair.

“Aye.”

“Are you going to tell me?”

“Nay.” He held back a cluster of branches to allow her to pass more easily. “We’ll be there afore long. Have patience, lass.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m not certain I should trust you,” she teased.

He merely grinned.

Oh, how she’d missed that beguiling smile of his. It warmed her from the inside out. If only she could have him by her side in the bitter cold of winter…but that wasn’t likely. Was she just entertaining fanciful notions? For a moment she felt the overwhelming loneliness fill her again, then took a deep breath and let it go. She would enjoy this time with him, here and now, and draw upon it whenever she felt the deep sadness of missing her Highlander. She mustered the strength to smile and trudged on behind him.

“It’s no’ far now.” He pointed to the right of a thick cluster of trees. The sun’s opulent rays danced between the swaying branches. “Do ye see the opening ahead?”

“I do.”

“Do ye ken where we are?”

In the years she’d been here, she hadn’t ventured this far north on the property. Maggie shook her head. “I haven’t the slightest idea.”

His eyes sparkled in what little light nature’s canopy allowed through. “Even better, then.”

She leaned forward, straining to identify the noise in the distance. Was it water splashing over rocks? Curiosity almost got the better of her, but she decided to let Alex keep his secret.

He continued blazing a wider trail for her as they moved forward, and it was all she could do to keep up with him. “Might we slow down a bit?” she asked.

“Aye. Sorry, lass.”

As the tree roots became more prominent Maggie nearly lost her footing, but Alex reached out and steadied her. His hands were light around her waist, but the strength within them was comforting. How was it, more often than not, he knew when she needed him?

As they neared the clearing, Alex stopped her and covered her eyes with one hand.

“What on earth are you doing?” Maggie asked in amusement.

“Ye will see. Just trust me, Maggie.”

The joy in his voice warmed her heart. “Do you promise not to lead me astray?”

He let out a hearty laugh. Leaning close to her ear he quietly inquired, “What is your definition of ‘astray’?”

The heat rose in her cheeks. “I’m referring to the path, MacKay. You won’t let me trip, will you?”

“Nay. I shall keep ye safe.”

Knowing he meant those words made her smile.

 

Alex led her through the last of the trees and into the clearing. “Watch yer step here,” he apprised, helping her over a patch of uneven earth.

“May I see now?” she asked eagerly, brushing aside the lock of hair the breeze had blown free.

“Almost. If we move a wee bit to the left.” He positioned her in front of a blanket, next to the shallow stream. “Here we are.”

He raised his head to the azure sky. Let her be pleased. Help me show her how much I love her.

Alex held his breath as he removed his hand. She blinked her eyes to adjust to the change in light, then gazed at his offering on the blanket. “Oh, Alex!” Her hands flew to her chest as she took an eager step forward. “Look at all the roses.”

“Do ye like them?”

“They’re breathtaking.” She left his side to take a closer look. “Wait…that’s my blanket. The one the bandits took.”

“Aye.” He came up behind her and put his hands on her hips. “I’m sorry. I didna find yer mare with it.”

There was a sparkle in her eyes as she turned to him and put a hand on his chest. “I can’t believe you found it.”

“Dunna give me credit. It was merely luck.”

“I’m sure there was more to it than luck.” Her cheeks took on a pretty glow as she glanced around them. “It’s so beautiful here. When did you discover it?”

“Yer brother and I found it when we were hunting last fall.” He glanced at a nearby rock that overlooked the stream. “I come here when I need solitude.”

Her touch softened. “Why did you bring me here?” The question wasn’t harsh, merely curious.

“I wanted to share it with ye.”

Her eyes misted, and he tensed beneath her fingers. Had he upset her?

“You wanted to share this with me?”

“Dunna sound so incredulous. Of course I do.” He pulled her into his arms and rested his forehead against hers. She felt so soft against him. So warm. So…perfect. He motioned toward the blanket. “Shall we?”

Maggie nibbled her bottom lip and nodded. Taking her hand, he led her among the roses.

“We have English tea and scones as well.” He helped her sit and took his place beside her.

“You went to all this trouble for me?” she gushed.

He waved his hand as if it was nothing, belying the fact it had been an undertaking. “I thought perhaps ye still missed England. I ken ye hated it here when first ye came.”

Her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. “Well, I suppose I wasn’t very happy about leaving England back then.”

Alex fumbled with the cups. “If ye canna be there, I thought I’d bring it here.”

Her chest rose and fell in rapid succession. “Oh, Alex. This is…this is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.” Her eyelids fluttered as she blinked back tears. “You are too kind.”

He mustered the courage to reach out and take her hand. His mouth felt dry, and he suddenly questioned the wisdom of baring his soul to her. There was a chance she would deny him, and he wasn’t sure his heart would recover if she did so.

Somehow he managed to find his voice. “Margaret, there’s something I must confess.”

 

Maggie sat there, still as a stone. Confessions were rarely something to rejoice about. “Oh?” she squeaked, then cleared her throat to cover her faux pas. If not for his foreboding announcement, the warmth of his hands would have been a comfort.

“Margaret.” He rubbed his thumb across her palm, raising goose bumps on her arms. “I havena been entirely honest with ye.”

She considered pulling her hand free of his grasp. There were but two lies he could have told her. One, that he hadn’t fucked the woman at the inn, or two, that he really had taken Maggie’s maidenhead for the sole purpose of keeping her from the duke. Either one would be insufferable.

There’s no sense in postponing the inevitable. A lump formed in her throat as she bade him to continue.

“I told ye I’d developed a fondness for ye while we were at Bare Brook.”

The sound of her heartbeat roared in her ears, nearly drowning out his words.

He must have sensed her desire to pull away, because he held her hand more tightly. “The truth is…” he began, and lifted his gaze to meet hers. “The truth is I’ve had feelings for ye since the moment I met ye.”

The breath she’d been holding left her lungs in a whoosh. “You have?”

“Aye.”

For the first time since he’d taken her hand, she felt him tremble. She placed her other hand atop his and gently rubbed it.

“I love ye, Margaret Fraser. With all of my heart and soul.”

She covered her mouth to hold back a cheerful sob.

“Are ye all right?” Alex inquired with a tone of concern. He gripped her shoulders. “Have I upset ye?”

Maggie shook her head vehemently and laughed. “Nay! The opposite, in fact. You really love me?”

“Oh, aye.” He took her face in his hands and planted a soft, brief kiss on her lips. “Verra much.”

“Alex…” She couldn’t speak. Relief, elation and myriad other emotions bombarded her at once. She leaned forward and pressed her lips firmly against his until his mouth parted and allowed her tongue entrance. It was but a matter of seconds before he took control and awakened all of her senses. His kiss was a divine mixture of passion and possession, rooting her in his arms more firmly than if she’d been physically bound.

When their lips parted, she grinned at him unabashedly. “I love you too.”

He took her hand and placed it against his heart. “Ye have no idea how happy I am to hear it.” It seemed an eternity before he spoke again. “Margaret Fraser, will ye marry me?”

The words she’d longed to hear stunned her into silence. For so long she’d dreamed of hearing those words from his lips, but she never thought they’d come. Now all she could do was sit there and nod like a fool, her mouth agape.

“Ye will?” he asked, as if not daring to trust her body language alone.

Her smile broadened. “Aye, my Highlander. I will,” she replied in her best Scottish brogue.

He chuckled before pulling her into his lap. “Are ye sure yer only half Scots?”

“Indeed.” With a quick tug, she loosened the ribbon holding closed the bodice of her gown. As his gaze dropped lower, she ran the tip of her finger along his jawline. “Would you care to discover which half?”

“Och! I would, lass.”

He wasted no time in helping her undress. Maggie, keeping up with him article for article, fumbled with the fastening of his breeches as he relieved her of her gown. They fell back against the blanket in a tousle of limbs and discarded clothing, the tea and scones all but forgotten.

“Alex?”

“Aye, my little nymph?”

He nuzzled her neck, and for a moment she forgot what she’d wanted to ask. The gentle suckling caused her quim to twitch, making her squirm even more. “I can’t think when you’re doing that.” She giggled.

“Don’t think.” Alex kissed a trail to her breast and laved her nipple with his tongue. “Just feel.”

A low moan escaped her lips as he gently tugged on her with his teeth. The contradiction of the cool summer breeze and his warm tongue created a maddening sensation she couldn’t get enough of. “Oh yes.”

“Ye like that, hmmm?”

“Yes…” Her voice trailed off as he parted her legs with his knees. She began to understand the appeal of Bare Brook. There was something so erotic about being naked with Alex in the middle of nature where anyone could see them.

“Are ye wet for me, lass?”

Before she could answer, he reached down and cupped her mound. He parted her slick folds and buried two fingers deep inside her, making her arch against him. With just the slightest movements he had her writhing.

“You aren’t playing fair, MacKay,” she admonished, and took his hardened cock in her hand. With leisurely strokes, she made his crown weep. He tried to thrust faster within her grasp, but she resisted. “Nay. Today you must do as I bid.”

He cocked an eyebrow before flashing a playful grin. “Oh, is that right?”

“Indeed.” The bolder she felt, the more aroused she became. “On your back, MacKay.”

“Aye, lass.”

In the span of a heartbeat he turned over, gloriously naked and at her mercy. His cock stirred as she reached for it. “Lie still and you will be rewarded.”

As she commanded, he stilled. She brushed her fingertips against the inside of his thighs, gradually moving toward his bollocks. His breathing hitched as she teased the area around them. It impressed her that he was trying his best not to budge. If the tables were reversed, could she endure being motionless beneath his touch?

He let out a sigh as she caressed his cock. She felt him grow thicker, pushing against her palm. The heat between her legs became unbearable. She wanted him inside her. Now. She began to wonder which one of them was tortured more by this game.

After reminding herself she was in charge, Maggie made her move. Without giving him a chance to protest her brashness, she straddled his hips and hovered over the head of his erection. “Touch my breasts,” she commanded, feeling her nipples harden further.

“Your wish is my command,” he quipped. His hands cupped them, squeezing them with just the right amount of pressure.

Unable to resist any longer, Maggie lowered herself slowly. His thick shaft stretched the walls of her pussy inch by inch, causing her muscles to clench until he filled her completely. She paused for a moment, allowing herself to get used to his girth once again.

“Margaret, please,” he implored, his jaw tight.

“Please what?” she teased, wiggling against him.

“Yer killing me,” he remarked. “I want to thrust inside ye.”

She shook her head, her soft curls teasing the skin on her back and shoulders. “Nay, Alex.”

Using her leg muscles, she rose halfway to her knees and slid back down again. Alex closed his eyes and inhaled sharply. She sat up and descended again, a little quicker than before. His cock was lubricated with her wetness, creating a delicious suction as her pussy pumped his shaft.

“Och, lassie.”

His fingers were pinching her nipples now, sending bolts of pleasure straight to her core. She spread her legs farther and rode him harder. His crown was banging hard against her womb, her clit rubbing against his shaft on the offbeat as she leaned forward. The pleasure mounted inside her quicker than she could control it.

Alex grabbed her hips and bucked against her, sending her over the edge of the precipice. She shuttered against him, the contractions keeping him locked inside her as he spilled his seed.

The two of them lay there intertwined, listening to the sound of the babbling brook and each other’s breathing. In that moment, Maggie knew there was nowhere else she would rather be.

“Was it difficult to get my father’s blessing?”

“Nay. To the contrary.” Alex kissed her forehead. “He said to hurry up and marry ye afore ye changed yer mind about me.”

She slapped him playfully. “My father didn’t say that!”

“Och! He did.” Alex snorted in mock offense. “Ye may ask him yerself.”

She propped herself up on her elbow and gave him a sidelong glance.

“He also thanked God ye were marrying a Highlander and not some stuffy Englishman.”

She giggled. “Now that I believe!”

 

The End