Chapter Twelve
Abby didn’t think watching men throw a tree trunk could be so alluring, and yet, seeing Aedan’s muscles flex, the strain on his body, reminded her of the night before. Of him above her, enjoying her as much as she’d savored him.
She sighed and received a curious look from Gwen. She smiled, not wanting to tell anyone of their affair. Wanting to keep the dirty, delicious little secret all to herself. She may be stuck in medieval Scotland, but she was definitely having a little fun while here. And last night had been very amusing, lots of times.
In the small hours of the morning, they’d agreed their affair was just a little entertainment, a way in which two people who found themselves attracted to one another could relieve some stress, enjoy each other’s company. Have lots of hot sex.
This type of relationship would at least make what little time she had left here easier to bear. With the implant in her arm, she was covered from getting pregnant, and although there weren’t any condoms available to use, Aedan had assured her he had no illness. It was a risk, and one she wouldn’t normally take, but with Aedan, all bets were off. She may go to hell for it, but she wanted him. Her attraction wasn’t going to be denied any longer, and all she could hope was that he was as healthy as he seemed.
Gwen sidled up next to her and sat. “You’re happy today. Do tell me the Highlands have finally wrapped around ye soul and held ye captive.”
Only the Highlander on the field, laughing and taking pleasure in the competition, was holding her captive. “I must admit I am having a good time. I may even thank you for it one day.”
Gwen laughed. “And I’ll gladly say you’re welcome.”
Another competitor took the wooden pole and started to jiggle it in his arms, trying to find a comfortable position to throw it from. When he did cast it out in front of him, it was a long way off the distance Aedan had reached.
“Your brother seems to be winning this event.” Abby looked at the men to follow the last competitor. All were brawny, muscular types, but they lacked Aedan’s height, his large broad shoulders, and strong thighs. Or maybe she was biased now… Either way, Aedan would surely win.
“Yes, and so he’ll have to steal a kiss from a willing lady.”
Abby frowned, having forgotten what the prize was. Excitement thrummed in her veins that Aedan might touch her again. That she’d get to feel those soft, sinfully addictive lips once more. Last night seemed so many hours ago. “What if the lady doesn’t wish to kiss the winner?”
“She’ll either give him her hand or cheek and it’ll be over.” Gwen grinned. “We’ll have to wait and see.”
The remainder of the competitors finished their throws. Black Ben came to sit with them as Aedan was announced the winner.
“Now we’ll see who Aedan has taken a liking to,” Ben said, smiling at Abby, which made her wonder if he knew of their hook-up.
Abby nodded, feeling a little queasy that the time had come for him to choose. And what if it wasn’t her? “Who do you think he’ll pick?” She couldn’t help but ask, and even though she knew she shouldn’t care, she did. Aedan kissing anyone but her left an awful simmering anger in the pit of her gut. She pushed away the thought that she was jealous. She was definitely not that. They had agreed their liaison was to be of a short duration due to her going home. No emotions. Just sex.
“I’m not sure. I’ve seen ye two whispering in dark corners a lot, maybe it’ll be you.” Gwen grinned and looked back toward the field. Abby didn’t think it would be her, even though a little part of her hoped it was. Clansmen slapped his shoulder, others yelling and lifting goblets of mead in celebration that the day’s events were over.
Aedan walked toward where they sat, an array of clan members looking on with interest. He looked over the crowd and her stomach fluttered. But instead of coming to her, he bowed before Aline. The young woman stood, staring up at him with awe, and Abby went from hope to devastation in an instant. Watching what was about to take place was like a slow motion horror film. She was a deer before headlights, mesmerized by the sight of something that could kill her…figuratively speaking.
He leaned down and kissed her quickly on the cheek, but true to her character, Aline wasn’t content with such mediocre affection. She jumped into his embrace, hands wrapping about his neck, and took the kiss to a whole new level.
The clansmen shouted out, making bawdy remarks and Abby stood, having seen enough. “It’s been a long day, Gwen. I’m going to head up to my room before dinner.” Out of her peripheral vision she could see the kiss had ended and Aedan was walking Aline toward her father.
“Are ye alright? You’re not feeling ill, I hope.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I’m fine. Just tired, I think. I’ll see you in the hall later.”
Abby threaded her way through the crowd and made her way up to the castle as quickly as she could. She blamed the lump in her throat on a forthcoming cold. It certainly wasn’t from seeing the man who’d left her bed only hours before, kissing another woman.
Well, he wouldn’t be sharing her bed again, that’s for sure.
...
“So, is ye plan working then, lass?”
Ben watched with amusement as Gwen turned toward him and smiled smugly. “I do believe Abigail Cross is as jealous and green as the grass. Did ye see the devastation on her face the moment Aedan kissed Aline? My plan is working out perfectly.”
Ben chuckled, shaking his head. “So the lass has agreed to stay?”
Gwen squirmed on her seat, a slight blush on her face. “No, I haven’t had that assurance from her as yet, but I shall. Why, she’s half in love with my brother already.”
Ben watched Abigail storm back toward the castle, a proud tilt to her chin. “If Aedan keeps kissing other lasses like that, I doubt you’ll see any wedding other than Aline’s take place. She’s a minx.”
Gwen sighed. “Aline is definitely a problem. She needs a husband but has, for whatever reason, fixated on Aedan. If only she had someone else to occupy her time.”
A cold chill swept up Ben’s spine. The heat of Gwen’s gaze burned up the side of his neck, and he refused to meet her gaze. “Perhaps,” is all he managed as a reply.
She clasped his arm. “Look at me, Ben.”
He fought the pull of her beautiful features as long as he could, before, like when they were kids, he was unable to deny her anything. “No.”
She smiled, laughing up at him. “Please, dearest. You’re perfect for the position. Just think of all the fun ye could have.”
“No.” He clenched his jaw, refusing to do her bidding. Seduce a maiden. By God, he was a man, but not an idiot. “I won’t do it.”
“Just kiss her, then. Ravish her to the point that she’ll forget about my brother.”
“My ravishing didn’t make you forget Braxton.” The moment the words were torn from his mouth he wished them back. She paled and pulled back. Damn it. “Forgive me, Gwen. I dinna mean…” his words trailed off when nothing witty or defusing came to mind.
“We would not suit, Ben, whereas Braxton and I have an understanding.”
He nodded, clenching his jaw at the thought of Gwen marrying a man so worthy of her it made his temper fire. If only Braxton was corrupt in some way, abusive, anything that would give reason to kiss her again and steal her away from him. But he was not. He was as good as men got.
“Just kiss her, ye say?” Her eyes lit up with joy, and he knew he’d never be able to deny her anything. “Nothing else?”
“Nay, nothing. Just show her what it is that beckons her to others. Show her that Aedan isn’t all there is to sample and enjoy.”
Ben cursed, but nodded. “Aye, I will. Mayhap my kisses will affect her more than you. She could be my grand match.”
Gwen laughed, kissing his cheek quickly, leaving a trail of heat that shot to his chest. “I wish you all the best. Thank you, my friend. I’m forever in your debt.”
He stood, needing some distance from her. “No, you’re not. I’ll do this out of friendship.” And love…
...
Later that night, Abby paced her room, counting down the minutes until she headed downstairs. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her, yet again, she was starving. She hadn’t eaten much at lunch, and then seeing Aedan kiss someone else had turned her off food altogether, but now…now she was pissed.
How dare he?
A knock sounded on her door, and she opened it to find Gwen standing there. “Are ye ready?”
“Yes.” They walked down to the great hall in relative silence, and Abby wondered where Aedan’s new favorite lass, Aline, would be seated, probably on his lap, knowing the forward little chit. Although, after what she’d done with him the night before, she hardly had the right to call Aline forward.
If anything, Abby had been the one who’d crossed the line. She should never have slept with him. He was a product of his time and she should’ve remembered that, before getting involved. A man who took pleasure when and where he could, before moving on without a backward glance.
She stopped mid-step and Gwen halted a little way ahead, looking back at her with concern. “Are ye alright, Abigail?”
Abby nodded, but she wasn’t all right. She was jealous. Not bunny-boiling-mad-jealous like Glen Close in Fatal Attraction, but still jealous of anyone who dared get close enough to Aedan and kiss him.
The emotion wasn’t welcome. For crying out loud, she was a modern, twenty-first century woman. A future museum curator, a smart, educated woman and damn it, she couldn’t allow herself to develop feelings for this man. Perhaps, if she’d been more liberated with her sexual exploits and had indulged in a few one-night stands, this complicated situation with the laird might be more simple.
But the truth of the matter was she’d always been in relationships with the men she slept with. As modern as she was, sex wasn’t just sex for her. It meant something. Even if that something was minimal. But in Aedan’s case, it didn’t seem like his emotions were engaged at all.
Shit!
Rallying herself, they continued on into the bustling hall, some clansmen already well on their way to being blind drunk. Normally, the sight would make her laugh. After all, she wasn’t a prude, it was good to let your hair down every now and then, but tonight wasn’t one of those nights.
Tonight, she was annoyed with Aedan and herself. Everything people did aggravated her more than it should. She didn’t want to be rude, and she knew her face sported an unwelcoming glower, no matter how much she wanted to snap out of the temper the kiss between Aline and Aedan had caused. She liked the blasted laird more than was safe.
Aedan sat at the dais, Black Ben seated to his right, both of them eating and laughing at something Aline had said, who was, predictably, seated to Aedan’s left.
He had to choose a wife, so why not Aline? It was never going to be Abigail, no matter how much she feared she wanted him. If only she’d been born in a different time, then perhaps, she could be his wife.
The ache in her chest told the truth, that seeing Aedan with another hurt like hell. At that moment, she regretted sleeping with him, allowing herself to get close enough to care.
Damn it.
“You’re sitting here with me tonight,” Gwen said, motioning to a table on the hall floor. Abby sat and thanked a young serving girl who ladled out some broth, another pouring her wine. As much as the food smelled delicious, the wine sweet and refreshing, it all turned to sawdust in her mouth. She didn’t like that her and Aedan’s time together was a secret and had to remain so. Abby wanted to stand and shout from the rooftops that he was hers and no one else’s.
A ridiculous, fanciful idea that she dismissed.
She clasped the table to stop herself from doing anything stupid. Aedan had been truthful from the beginning about what he wanted, what his clan needed. And so, too, had she been honest, stating that no matter what they did it wouldn’t change anything. Never had he included her in the long-term and vice versa.
She ate with haste, hoping to finish dinner quickly. Abby conversed as much as she could with a clansman from Clan Ross. He was an older gentleman, and had many a tale about his laird, Black Ben. Abby listened, finding the conversation a good distraction from what was taking place up on the dais, where laugher rang out with nearly every breath they seemed to take.
When the older gentleman rose and walked out the castle doors, Abby took the opportunity to leave. There was no way in hell she could put herself through this torture any longer.
She stood and made the mistake of looking toward Aedan. Dark hooded eyes watched her, a cup of ale loosely held in one hand while Aline and Black Ben spoke to each other around him. His gaze was intense, heavy with desire, and she frowned.
What is he doing to me?
She walked away, and once she got to the safety of her room, she made sure to lock the door, sighing with relief when the bolt slid home without incident.
...
“So we’re to go to war?” Black Ben sat back in the chair in Aedan’s anteroom, deep frown lines between his eyes.
“Aye. Clan MacLeod will declare war on Clan O’Cain as soon as the games end. I’ll not have those bastards get away with mistreating or demeaning Jinny as they have. They’ll pay for their abuse of her, and by my sword.”
“You know you have the backing of Clan Ross.” Ben paused a moment, gathering his thoughts. “How is Jinny? I haven’t seen her since I arrived.”
Aedan rubbed his face and poured himself another whisky. “She’s decided to stay at the convent for the foreseeable future. She’s ashamed and thinks the people here no longer see her as pure or a lady.” He scoffed. “Our clan would never see her as anything but the best of people.” He glared down at the amber liquid in his goblet. “I’m going to enjoy cutting down the man who mistreated her. He shall feel as much pain as she has endured.”
“Nay,” Ben said, sitting forward to lean on his knees. “Do not fight with anger or revenge in your belly. It’ll make ye weak. You must enter this fight with a clear mind and strong heart. When ye return home safely, then ye can give your emotions free rein.”
Ben was right. To enter a war, a ghastly, hard battle like the one they were about to embark on, without a clear mind would ensure he met his maker a lot sooner than he hoped. It wasn’t a war he wished to fight, but he couldn’t allow the slur against Jinny to go unpunished.
“And what about a wife? If ye should be killed at this battle, who’ll take over the MacLeod lands and home?”
He shrugged, not wanting to imagine such a thing. “I have a male cousin who’ll return. He’s only young and currently under the tutelage of Clan Stewart. Gwen will ensure he learns all he needs to know to take my place.”
“Have ye told your sisters of your intention?” Ben met his gaze. “’Tis likely they’ll want to flay ye alive over your course.”
“They may disagree, but they’ll understand why I must do this.”
“And will ye go to war before Abigail is returned to her time? ’Twould be wise to have her safely stowed at home, in case this castle falls and Gwen is unable to secure her well-being.”
It was a thought he, too, had pondered. A thought that had left him cold, empty, and without purpose. He would miss the bonny lass when she left. In truth, he didn’t want her to leave, not after having her warmth, her care, and affection bestowed on him, but he couldn’t be selfish. Her well-being and wish to return home had to be paramount.
“Abigail will leave the day I depart. I’ll not have her put in harm’s way, not when her journey here was not of her doing.” He stood, snuffing out the candle on his desk. “It’s been a long day. I’ll see you in the morn.”
Ben laid down on the animal fur before the fire and made himself comfortable. “Aye it has,” he said, grabbing a nearby cushion for his head. “Wish the enchanting lass Abigail good night for me.”
Aedan started at his friend’s words before continuing on, ignoring the knowing chuckle that followed him up the passage toward the hall.
...
It was later than he’d hoped when he made his way back to his room. The castle had long settled into quiet slumber, save for a few men who lay snoring on the hall floor. The meeting with Ben played on his mind as he climbed the tower stairs. The decision to go to war was not one he took lightly, but it was also an action he wouldn’t be swayed from.
His sister deserved retribution.
As he approached Abigail’s room, he noted no light flickered from beneath her door. He stopped and looked about, pushed the door handle down and found it steadfastly locked.
He stood looking at the door with a smile on his face. Shaking his head, he continued on to his chamber and headed for the tapestry that hung beside his bed. The castle was built with many hidden passageways and tunnels through its massive edifice. He pulled it back and slipped into the dark and musty-smelling corridor, taking a few steps before pushing another tapestry aside and slipping into Abigail’s room.
A slither of moonlight pierced the room from the window. His eyes adjusted to the darkened space, and he could see her small form huddled on the bed.
He stood there a moment, watching her. She was deep in slumber, her long brown locks lying about her face and over her shift. He quickly undressed, letting his kilt fall where it may and slid in next to her. He started at the cold, sharp blade that came up against his neck.
“What are ye doing, lass? ’Tis me, Aedan.” He felt her relax a little before she skittered away from him like he had the pox.
“How did you get in here? I locked the door.”
No longer was her voice soft and welcoming. Instead, it was as hard as stone. Aedan didn’t like how it made him feel, like he’d lost something irreplaceable. He sat up. “There’s a hidden corridor that connects our rooms. You are, after all, staying in the room my future wife will use.”
“Well, aren’t I lucky?”
There was no mistaking the sarcasm that accompanied her words. He quickly found a candle and getting up he walked to the fire and lit it. “Something troubling ye, lass? Tell me what it is.”
“Oh, you’re interested in me now. I wouldn’t have guessed that after the way you treated me today.” She threw the blankets off her legs and jumped out of the bed.
Her light shift did little to hide the siren body that teased him. His mouth dried at the sight of her, hair flying about her head in temper, her thin arms waving about angrily. She really was quite remarkable to watch. But her next words brought him back to reality.
“Maybe you should tip-toe down the hall and knock on Aline’s door. I’m sure she’d adore fawning over you some more. You enjoy it so well.”
He leaned against the mantle, ignoring the cold stone at his back. Abigail glared at him, her breasts rising with each breath, her cheeks pink with temper. He laughed. “You’re jealous.”
She crossed her arms, the action accentuating her breasts even more, not that she needed to. Her sweet, pink nipples puckered against her shift, and his body hardened, the need to taste her again, to kiss those delicious peaks, roared through him like an avalanche on the Highlands mountain range.
“I am not. You may do as you please. I don’t give a shit. But what I don’t like is being used and then ignored. You acted like an ass today and now you can leave.”
He raised his brow. He had no intention of going anywhere. “Explain.”
She scoffed at him, going to stand by the window. It was the worst thing she could’ve done as the shift became transparent in the moonlight. He bit back a groan.
“You, Laird,” she said, accentuating his title, “didn’t even bother to speak to me, had me sit away from the dais, like some common whore with no right to eat beside you. Never mind the fact you kissed another woman.”
He joined her at the window, hating that he’d upset her, but also, wasn’t this what they had agreed? “We made no vow to one another.”
She huffed out a breath. “That’s all you have to say for yourself? You didn’t make a vow?” She jabbed him in the chest. “Listen here, you medieval ass, where I come from it doesn’t require a man to declare a vow after such an act. If the guy has any honor, any slither of respect for the woman, he’ll speak to her again, ask her out again. Not ignore her like a lowly whore you’d pass in a dark alleyway.”
“If ye must know the reason I kept me distance from ye, I didn’t think I could trust myself. Blast it,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “Every time I look at ye I want to haul you against me and kiss ye senseless—take ye away from the games and do with ye as I please.” He stepped toward her, the tips of her breasts touching his chest. “Even now, when you’re angry with me, I want ye. All of ye.”
Excitement thrummed in his veins. She looked up at him in surprise, her delectable mouth partly open. He wanted to kiss her, wanted to feel the soft glide of her tongue against his, to hear her moan against his lips as he drove deep into her core. “’Tis also become noticeable by some of the clans that I’ve taken a keen interest in ye. That I seek ye out often and talk to ye more than I should.”
He slid a finger down her neck, revelling in the most perfect skin he’d ever beheld, before slipping the shift off her shoulder, exposing one breast. “The clans are expecting me to marry a woman from one of their families. They won’t look kindly if I spend the majority of my time staring at you. And as ye said, you’ve no intention of fighting for my hand, so…”
Her eyes went wide at his words and she sighed. “I have no idea what we’re doing.”
No longer able to deny himself, he kissed her shoulder, sliding his tongue along her collarbone. Gooseflesh rose on her skin, and she shivered in his hold. “’Tis the truth, lass. No more or less than that.” He kissed his way up her neck. “I’m sorry I hurt ye. It was never my intention,” he whispered into her ear, relaxing as her arms came to sit on his hips.
“I shouldn’t care. I know what we’re doing has no future, but seeing you today, having that feeling that I’d been used and discarded, hurt. Don’t do it again, Aedan. I won’t be so forgiving a second time.”
He met her gaze, running his hands down her back, pulling her fully against him. “I promise ye I won’t. You have my word, but we need our association to be of a private nature. Trust me, whenever I’m speaking to another, I’m thinking of you.”
Aedan wasn’t sure if she believed him, but her arms pulled him close and he took the opportunity to hold her against him, to feel her warmth and revel in it. “You smell very sweet.” He rubbed his jaw against her hair. “What is that scent?”
Her chuckle against his neck made him ache. “Jasmine. Your sister showed me where the cooks make up soap and they had some spare for me.”
He pulled her back to look at him and slowly bent down and kissed her. Just like a flower, she blossomed in his arms, and opened for him.
Their kiss turned hot, heady, and desperate. All day he’d thought of her in an array of secret locations, his to seduce and enjoy. His body burned, wanted her with a need that didn’t seem to abate, but only increased in its ferocity.
She kissed him back, her urgency matching his. A knock at the door sounded and he broke the kiss, saying a silent prayer that she’d locked the door after all.
“You must go,” she whispered, pushing him away.
He didn’t move. “I dinna want to.”
She bit her lip, her eyes darting to the door and back again. “It could be your sister or a maid and if anyone sees you in here with me they’ll have us married before you can put your clothes back on.”
Now that Abigail mentioned it, he was naked. She wiggled out of his hold and this time he let her go.
“Who is it?” she called, his sister’s muffled voice sounding outside to let her in.
Aedan sighed, swiped up his clothes from the floor, and kissed Abigail good night, lingering over her lips, savoring her as much as he could, before she laughed and shooed him from the room.
He left through the tapestry and made his way back to his chamber. Normally, his quarters were welcoming, a place he could relax, to think, but tonight it seemed barren, empty, and cold. Unlike the woman next door, who was warm, as bright as sunlight, and as refreshing as a northern wind in this damp, ancient castle.
Groaning, he lay on his bed and stared up at the wooden rafters on his roof, wondering how long his sister would take to leave. And what on God’s good earth was she still doing up? She had a knack for turning up at the wrong time. He settled in for a long wait.