Chapter 8
Floras heart plummeted to the floor. She couldnt breathe. Here it was, the response shed been waiting for. Dread crashed over her. Not because she feared that Hector would not exchange her, but because she feared he would. Would Lachlan let her go? Would he trade her for his castle?
Her pulse raced as she awaited the answer.
Wrapped in her own jumble of emotions, she almost missed the fleeting look of surprise on Lachlans face. He took the missive from the man, broke the seal, glanced at it briefly, and slid it in his leather sporran. His eyes turned black and cold as onyx. Clearly, something had angered him.
That will be all, he said, dismissing the guardsman, who, from the awkward way he shuffled his feet, obviously couldnt wait to leave.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Flora turned to him. Fists clenched at her side, she took a deep breath and prepared for the worst. What does it say?
His jaw clenched forbiddingly. We will discuss it later.
There could be only one explanation for his anger. Hector refused?
The look he shot her made her take a step back. His expression was as fierce as shed ever seen it. Hed never looked at her with something akin toresentment. I said not now. Return to your chamberhis hard gaze fell to her breasts and then loweredunless youd care to resume where we left off?
She flinched, his words as effective as a slap. The crude taunt after the intimacies theyd just shared stung. Something was wrong. Why was he lashing out at her like this? Shed thought him hard and forbidding, perhaps even ruthless, but never cruel. Was it something Hector had said? A lump settled low in her belly. Or had she done something wrong?
Mouth trembling, she stood her ground. Why are you treating me like this? I deserve to know. Tell me what the letter says.
Hard blue eyes bored into her. There was something raw in his gaze that made her heart tug. She made a movement toward him and then stopped self-consciously. His shoulders were so stiff, she yearned to put her hands on him and rub away the tension from the thick slabs of muscle. Only moments ago shed been in his arms, and now he seemed untouchable. An insurmountable fortress had sprung up between them; she wondered if shed only imagined the moments of intimacy.
Please, she urged.
He stared at her for a long moment, looking as if he were going to explode in rage; then, inexplicably, the fight seemed to leave him. Damn you, he swore.
She reached for him then, placing her hand on his chest, feeling the tension under her palm. What did he say?
I dont know. His voice sounded oddly hollow.
Her brows furrowed. She didnt understand. Shed seen him open it. But why?
All of a sudden, it hit her. He couldnt read it. She nearly sighed with relief. He wasnt angry with her. But hed wanted to hide it from her. God, did he think she would ridicule him? She cringed inwardly, realizing that she might haveat one time. But not now. Not since shed grown to know him. And respect him.
Having to fight for his clan rather than attend Tounis College in Edinburgh, as most of the Highland chiefs sons now did, including her brothers, in no way diminished her opinion of him. Though she couldnt deny that many would feel differently. Her mother, for one. One of the things Janet Campbell had deplored in the men shed married had been their lack of education. Learning had always been important to Flora as well. But Lachlan had made her realize that schooling did not necessarily equate with intelligence. Any man who could defend himself against attack from her powerful brother for so many years had more than proved himself in that regard.
You didnt attend Tounis?
He held her gaze stiffly, as if bracing himself for her scorn. No, there was not the opportunity or the means. I can read Erse, but not Scots. A fact of which your brother is well aware.
Flora frowned, not liking what that said about Hector. May I see it?
He hesitated. For some reason, he still seemed reluctant to give it to her. Then he slipped it out of his sporran and placed it in her hand. The stiff piece of wrinkled parchment crackled as Flora unfolded it carefully. She read it over quickly, trying to prevent her relief from showing.
Lifting her gaze to him, she saw the harsh flex of his jaw. Shall I read it?
He nodded.
Release my sister or suffer the consequences. Consider this a warning. The only one you shall receive.
Strange, she said, her gaze narrowing on the piece of parchment. He doesnt address your demands at all.
His expression went blank. I think we can assume a refusal.
Ignoring the stab of hurt, Flora schooled her features into a mask of indifference. I feared as much. Perhaps you will believe me now. Hector will never willingly relinquish the castle. Not for me, anyway.
This time, he didnt argue with her.
There was no reason to hold her now. You will release me, then?
No.
The flat refusal reverberated through her, shaking her to the core. Until this moment, she hadnt realized how important it was to her. She needed him to let her go so she could make her own choice on whether to stay. But there is no other reason to keep me here.
He didnt say anything, just stared at her. Ruthless and determined.
Apprehension coiled inside her. There was only one reason to keep her. One that would confirm her worst fears. Youve changed your mind, she said dully, barely able to get out the words. Youll force me to marry you.
He gave her another penetrating stare. A few more minutes, and I would not have needed to force anything.
Flora gasped. Was that what hed intended? To seduce her so that she would have to marry him? The blood drained from her face. Shed almost let him. You bastard. How could you?
I want you, he said bluntly.
You dont want me, you want what I can bring you, she replied bitterly, unable to hide the despair in her voice. Her wealth, her connections, an end to the curse were all too tempting. He saw her not as a desirable woman, but as a marriage prize. Just like everyone else.
He held her gaze steadily, and didnt deny it. When will you realize that none of this is your choice?
She flinched. How could he say something so cruel? Shed begun to trust him. Shed actually thought he might be someone she couldmarry. Hot tears gathered behind her eyes and thickened her throat. It is my choice. Ive made it so.
You are who you are, Flora. You cant change that.
He didnt understand. She grasped for a shred to hold on to, not wanting to believe she could have been so wrong. Please dont do this. Just let me go. She might as well have been trying to melt granite. She wrapped her fingers around the hard muscle of his arm and squeezed. It didnt give an inch. Impenetrable. Just like the rest of him.
His face was a stony mask. I cant.
Why? Her voice broke.
He looked away, and she could see the tic in his neck. The only sign that he was not completely unaffected.
Please. She was begging now and trying to hold back the tears that threatened to storm at any moment. Dont hold me here. Let me go home.
And where is home, Flora?
She made a strangled sound in her throat as his poisoned arrow struck its target. She didnt have a home. She didnt have anyone. Certainly not this cold, emotionless stranger. Anywhere but here, she whispered.
His eyes softened for an instant. Is it really so bad being here with me?
No. That was exactly the problem. Shed allowed herself to believe that he was different. Like a fool, shed begun to trust him. The lessons of her mothers life had been in vain. Shed thought she was impervious, but she was wrong. When she thought of what had nearly happened between them, how shed nearly succumbed, her stomach turned. She had to get away from here, before she traded her soul for a moment of pleasure in his arms.
Let me go to Hector.
His eyes narrowed. Your brother will not protect you.
And you will?
With my life.
He said it so matter-of-factly, she almost believed him. Fool.
Have care of Hector, Flora. Do not trust him.
Again she tried not to laugh at the bitter irony. He is my brother. And unlike you, he doesnt want anything from me.
Loathing for him, for herself, banished the hurt, leaving an aching emptiness in her chest. The cold residue of disillusionment.
A minute ago, you wanted me as much as I wanted you. He slid his thumb across her mouth. Has anything really changed?
And curse her traitorous body, she trembled. The rippling effect of his touch shuddered through her. Heart pounding, she jerked away, knowing that he knew exactly what he did to her. Her body wanted him. You might succeed in seducing me. For if she stayed much longer, it seemed inevitable. She gazed deep into his eyes so there would be no mistake. But I will never agree to marry you.
He hardened himself against the urge to reach out to her again and simply let her go. This time. Though he was tempted to prove to her just how wrong she was.
She was already his. She just didnt know it yet. The moment hed touched her, her fate had been sealed. If she thought she had any control over this undeniable force between them, she was only fooling herself. She didnt know how powerful the yearnings of the body could be.
But he did.
Never had he wanted anything as badly as he wanted Flora. And hed almost had her, but hed been well caught in a trap of his own making. All thoughts of seduction, of coercing her into marrying him, had fallen to the wayside the moment hed held her in his arms. When shed pressed her soft body against him and opened her mouth to him so sweet and eager, something had imploded in his chest. His only thought had been to please her.
He thought of how wet and hot shed been, how her sweet little hips had pressed against his hand, how preciously close shed been to release.
He cursed the sudden rush of heat to his groin, his cock brought to quick life by the memories. His body still throbbed from the abrupt curtailment of their passion.
Damn Hector.
His heart skipped a beat at the sound of the door opening, thinking foolishly that it might be Flora coming back. But it was only his sister.
What happened? Gilly asked anxiously. I saw Flora rush out of here, looking close to tears.
Theres nothing to worry about, Gilly. Go back to your chamber.
Does it have something to do with the messenger I saw arriving earlier?
He frowned. It wasnt like Gilly to ignore his instructions. Flora was having more of an influence over his sisters than he realized. And he didnt like it. He was about to repeat his directive when Gilly placed her hand on his arm, an affectionate sisterly gestureand also, he realized, a rare one. When had his sisters stopped touching him? As girls, they always climbed all over him, giggling with some jest or prank.
Please, Im not a child. I only want to help.
He gave her a long look, seeing the adorable faceno longer of a child, but of a young woman almost six and tenand felt a sharp pang of melancholy. Of longing. How had it happened? How had his sisters grown up without his realizing it? He knew there was nothing he could have done to change it; hed been consumed with fighting and protecting his clan. But that didnt mean he did not regret that circumstances were not different. That hed not had more time for his brother and sisters. Regret made all the more poignant by his brothers imprisonment. But he would get him back.
Please, Gilly repeated.
Lachlan didnt discuss clan business with his sisters, partially out of consideration for their innocence. He thought he was protecting them by keeping his troubles from them. But this time, he relented. A wry smile turned his mouth. His sisters, it seemed, werent the only ones affected by Flora MacLeod. It was a message from Duart.
Floras brother? But I didnt think you really intended to write to him and propose the exchange?
I didnt. He hadnt sent Hector a letter at all. It had all been a ruse to buy him precious time for wooing his recalcitrant bride.
Then how did he find out so quickly that Flora was here?
Hed been wondering the same thing. He could only hope that Hector wouldnt alert Rory. There would be hell to pay if the MacLeod discovered what Lachlan had done before he secured her agreement.
I dont know, he answered. But I intend to find out. He didnt want to consider that one of his own people could betray him. But who else would know? Hed have to think on it.
What did the note say?
He felt the anger flare inside him again. Hectors jabs were petty but struck hard nonetheless. He pulled it out and handed it to her. Gilly unfolded it and handed it right back to him, her brows furrowed. Its in Scots.
Exactly.
She thought for a minute, before a look of disgust appeared on her face. I see.
Yes, wasnt it fortunate that the only person in the castle who could read it happened to be standing right beside me? he said bitterly, unable to hide his sarcasm. The timing couldnt have been worse. Normally, he didnt react to Hectors barbs, but Floras presence had caused him to lash out. Without intending it, she had a way of making him feel somehow lacking.
You let Flora read it?
He shrugged. I didnt have much choice.
What did it say?
Hectors typical threats, nothing more. No doubt the main purpose was to shame me in front of his sister. Hector never wasted an opportunity to prod Lachlan for his so-called barbarity. Im sure hed be pleased to know how well it worked. He would pay for that. As if Lachlan needed any more reason for revenge. Hed been looking forward to the day he would destroy Hector since he was nine years old.
Gilly scrunched up her nose. That doesnt sound like Flora.
He hadnt thought so, either. But why else would she ask to leave right after shed discovered that he hadnt been educated? Even after what had happened between them.
Flora was raised in the Lowlands, he said tensely. With their biases.
Gilly shook her head. Shes not like that. She would not ill judge you for something that could not be helped. You forget, shes been giving Mary and me daily instruction in Scots and Latin. Not once have I ever felt her pity or scorn. I dont think your lack of education would in any way change her opinion of you.
Lachlan shook his head, amazed how quickly Flora had won the loyalty of his sisters. Still, there was a ring of truth to what Gilly said. He looked at his young sister with increased estimation. Was she right? Had he misinterpreted Floras reasons for wanting to leave?
If so, his misplaced anger might have caused more damage than hed realized.
Gilly studied him, clearly puzzled. I still dont understand why she was so upset.
She wanted to leave. I told her it was impossible.
Gilly was watching him with a strange look on her face. You care for her.
His jaw clenched. No.
Would it be so bad if you did? she asked softly.
It would make it harder. And doing what needed to be done was already difficult, with each day as he learned more and more about her past and started to understand that beneath the headstrong exterior was a deep-seated fear of ending up like her mother, of helplessness, and of being at the mercy of those who might seek to control her. Like me. Justified or not.
And now she was aware of his intentions for marriage. It definitely made his job more difficult, but having one less secret between them gave him some measure of relief. But his goal hadnt changed. For more reasons than one, he couldnt let her go.
Nothing has changed, he said. If anything, the situation has grown graver.
Gilly nodded, sobered by the reminder. He watched as the conflicting emotions crossed her face. He could commiserate. He felt the same way, but unlike his sister, hed become adept at masking his thoughts and feelings.
Finally, she lifted her gaze to his hesitantly. You wont hurt her? she asked in a small voice.
No. A flash of Floras luminous blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears, staring at him accusingly, swam before his eyes. He was no longer sure it could be avoided. Not if it can be helped, he amended.
What will you do?
What must be done. His options were few.
They stood there for some time in shared silence. The direness of the situation held them both in its solemn thrall.
How could one wee lass hold so many lives in the palm of her tiny hand?
Hector Maclean grunted deeply with each thrust, but he was finding little pleasure in the act. Not even the lush body spread out naked before him helped. His mind kept straying to the latest outrage committed by his nemesis.
He was not a patient man by nature, and the nearly twenty-five years he had waited to destroy Lachlan Maclean had taken their toll. The Laird of Coll had been a thorn in his side for years, but Hector vowed this latest insult would be the last. Abducting his sister. He thrust harder. Interfering with his plans. He ground his hips against her roughly. Coll would pay for the insult. With his life.
Damn bitch, he was losing his erection. Move, he ordered.
The whey-faced little maid did as ordered and began to sway back and forth on her hands and knees, reaching back with her plump bottom to meet his thrusts. He could still feel her reluctance, but at least in taking her from behind, he didnt have to see her face.
He reached around to squeeze her enormous breasts, which hung so low that they almost touched the ground, pinching her flat nipples to a peak.
He stopped and reached for his goblet. But even the whisky suddenly tasted bitter. Thinking he was done, the lass tried to crawl away, but he gave her a sharp slap on her bottom and pulled her hips angrily against him, letting her know otherwise. He jabbed her harder, showing his displeasure, and she made a pathetic little yelping sound.
A hot surge of lust filled his groin. That was more like it. Normally he wasnt so rough, but the anger inside him had festered like an open wound. Violence was its only release. If not against Coll, thenHe slapped her again, leaving a flat angry handprint on her pale skin.
He slammed into her harder and harder, his frenzy only increasing with her muffled sounds of distress. Oh yes. That was it. He felt the pressure building and slapped her again. She cried out, and with a few rough pumps, he spewed his seed deep inside her.
He pulled out, and she collapsed on the bed, curling into a tiny ball, whimpering. The sound infuriated him. He pushed her roughly from the bed and tossed her a coin. Which was more than she deserved. Even coming had left him strangely unsatisfied. It was probably the chits fault. These people of Coll were a surly bunch.
They blamed him for their circumstances when it was their laird who should feel their wrath. It was his defiance that had put them in this position.
The girl reached for her gown, but he wrenched it from her hands and used it to wipe himself before handing it back to her. After gathering the rest of her clothing, she left, never once raising her eyes. At least she knew her place.
Which was more than could be said of her former laird. Anger and resentment returned in full force, not softened by his release one whit. Colls continued refusal to bow to him as chief ate at him like acid. It was a blow to Hectors pride that could be satisfied only by Colls death.
He needed a plan. A way to get his sister back and destroy Coll at the same time. Poor little Flora. He had fond enough memories of the girl to regret that shed become involved. But the willful lass had brought it on herself.
If Coll had touched her, Hector swore that he would not live long enough to regret it.