Chapter 11
Seonaids posset proved as potent as her warning, and it was another day before Flora felt well enough to rise from bed and return to her room under Morags watchful eye. The first thing she did was request that a tub be sent up. The salt from the seawater was irritating her skin, which had begun to itch.
By midmorning, clean, fed, and dressed in a gown that had appeared on the chest the day before while she slept, she almost felt like a new woman.
Almost.
But not everything could be washed away with lavender-scented bathwater. The knowledge of what hed done to her, for one. Snippets of memories haunted her, teasing the edges of her consciousness with an unexpectedly powerful tug of emotion. Shed lain naked with a man. Even if she couldnt recall the details, it was hardly something she could forgetthough she desperately wished she could.
But hed saved her life. That was one thing shed never forget. She owed himsomething.
She tapped her fingertips in a rolling motion on the stone sill as she gazed out her window to the sound. From this vantage point, escape looked like such a simple proposition. The water appeared placid and the distance to the Isle of Mull barely a stones throw away. How had it gone so terribly wrong?
Since neither the laird nor his sisters had been to see her, she still didnt know exactly what had happened. Their absence disturbed her more than she wanted to admit. Even though hed abducted her, and she had every right to escape, she felt in some way as if shed let them down in her attempt to do so.
It was irrational, but true nonetheless.
Turning from the window, she sighed, more confused than ever. If anything, her attempt at escape seemed to have made the jumble of emotions tangled inside her even worse. Lachlan Maclean had kidnapped her, wooed her with curious intensity, sparked her passion, refused to release her, and then rescued her. She didnt know what to think. In some ways, she feared him more than any man shed ever met. He held a strange power over her that she couldnt dismiss or ignore.
There was, however, one thing she knew she had to do. No matter how uneasy the prospect of confronting him made her, she needed to thank him. Hed saved her life.
Opening the door, she expected to see Alasdair back at his post, but was surprised to find the corridor empty. If anything, shed thought the guard would have been doubled. She frowned, not knowing quite what to make of it, and hurried down the corridor.
Considering the ordeal shed been through, she felt remarkably welluntil she started to go down the stairs. A wave of dizziness overtook her, and she had to grab the stone wall to keep from taking a tumble. When it had passed, she resumed stepping down the stairs, suitably chastened and a bit more careful.
Focused as she was on the narrow stone steps, it wasnt until she reached the great hall that she noticed how unnaturally quiet it seemed. The boisterous sounds of life that shed grown accustomed to over the past few weeks had dimmed to silence. She passed a few serving women, but they quickly turned their heads to avoid her gaze.
It soon became apparent why. Exiting the keep, she glanced into the courtyard and saw a gathering of what looked to be every man in the castle before their chief. Though she heard only the tail end of his speech, it was enough for her to realize what was happening. The men were being reprimanded and punished for allowing her to escape. Fail duty, possible attack, and confinement in the dungeon left no doubt.
A not insubstantial pang of guilt needled her. No wonder no one would meet her gaze. It was because of her that these men were being punished. And shed learned enough the past few weeks to understand that the worst punishment of all was for a Highland warrior to be shamed before his chief.
But the dungeon
She shivered. Her attempted escape had far greater repercussions than shed realized.
Shed never seen him disciplining his men, and it was more than a little intimidating. His expression was hard and implacable, and his voice resounded with absolute authority. To his people he was lord, master, judge, and jury all in one. Her mother was right. A Highland chief was like a king of his own small fiefdom. Such absolute power was disconcerting, making Flora realize just how vulnerable she was. If hed wanted to, he could have done almost anything to herforced her to marry him, ravaged her, imprisoned herand no one would have lifted a finger. It took a strong man to hold such power, know when to wield it, and do so nobly and with honor.
She didnt think hed noticed her standing atop the forestairs, but as soon as the men had dispersed, he pinned her with his gaze. Heated awareness rippled through her, and then a deluge of powerful emotion and all that had happened that night came back to her in full force. She could remember everything.
The first glimpse of him on the beach. The surge of hope that had given her strength to keep fighting as water poured into the skiff. Watching him swim toward her, the powerful strokes cutting across the heavy current. Knowing how hard hed fought to reach her in time. Hearing his voice. The steady, soothing tones that had staved off panic as the boat finally succumbed to the waves and tried to take her with it. The comfort of knowing that he was out there as the water dragged her under. Holding on to the image of his face before blackness overtook her.
She remembered everything.
The raw intensity of his kiss when hed pulled her from her watery death. How shed felt in his arms. How safe. How protected. How right.
And then later, waking to find him beside her. The gentle warmth that seemed a balm to her soul. Reaching for him. The erotic sensation of his naked body molded to hers. His hands on her skin. Her breasts pressed against his chest. His powerful, muscular legs entwined with hers.
Hes a very virile man. Seonaids words rang in her head like a taunt. Yes. Shed felt evidence of that snuggled up against her. He wanted her. Yet from his lemans words, Flora gleaned that he hadnt been visiting Seonaid. The relief she felt upon learning that told her much. But how much longer would he wait?
Finished with his men, Lachlan strode purposefully across the courtyard and up the stairs. The timber shook with the angry force of his step. She took a few steps back, not knowing what to expect. Would she be punished as well? She swallowed hard against the sudden lump in her throat.
Get back to He stopped himself, then continued more gently. You shouldnt be out of bed.
Flora lifted her brow at his attempt to curtail his natural proclivity toward issuing orders. Im feeling much better, she assured him.
He pretended not to hear her, took her elbow, and steered her right back into the keep. So much for the attempts at niceties, she thought. The new leaf hadnt lasted long.
She halted outside the great hall and tried to shrug off his hold. Really. Im fine.
His gaze narrowed. She yearned to wipe away the frown with a caress of her hand, wanting him to look at her the way he had that night. Softly, and with tenderness in his gaze.
You almost drowned and then nearly froze to death. You lost consciousness for hours. You need to rest.
He was concerned about her. The realization settled over her like a warm, fuzzy plaid. Perhaps she could forgive his heavy-handednessthis time. Putting her hand on his arm, she said softly, Im fine. Please, Id like to speak with you.
He held her gaze, as if to assure himself that she spoke true. Finally, he nodded and led her through to the lairds solar behind the great hall. The place where shed nearly succumbed
She shook off the memories. I couldnt help overhearing some of what you said out there. She bit her lip, uncertain of how to proceed. It was because of her that those men were being punished. She had to do something. Is imprisonment really necessary for those men? They were only turned away for an instant, and they werent expecting anyone to leave.
He closed the door behind him and turned to her, his expression hard and impenetrable. Too barbaric for you, Flora?
She heard the bitter undertone and knew hed misread her intent. Shed accused him of such, but no longer. No, of course not, she said hastily. I just
You think I like punishing my men? Ive known most of them since they were lads. But no one may pass through the gate in either direction without being seen. No one. The men who allowed you to do so must be punished. Standing guard is one of the most important facets to the security of a keep. Need I explain to you the importance? Any lapse could leave us vulnerable to attack. Two days in the dungeon will be unpleasant, a hard lesson, but they will not be harmed. The alternative is flogging. Would you have me do that?
She shook her head miserably. No, of course not.
He paused to study her face. I think its not whether the punishment is justified that bothers you, but the reason for it.
He was right. She was feeling guilty for her part in the debacle. She understood that he did not have a choice, there had to be consequences for such a serious breach. And from the vehemence of his reply, it was clear he did not relish the prospect. But he was chief. He had to make the difficult decisions and enforce themeven if he didnt like it. That was part of his strength, she realized.
Am I to be punished as well, then?
She saw the spark of surprise in his gaze. He cleared his throat and turned away from her, focused on the cold fireplace. I think you have been punished enough.
There was something in his voice that gave her pause, a depth of emotion that hit her square in the chest. Her hand still rested on his arm. She took a step closer. Thank you.
He glanced down at her uncertainly.
Thank you, she repeated, for what you did. Saving me from drowning. Her cheeks warmed. And what you did to warm me.
His wide mouth lifted at one side, a strangely boyish look that made her chest squeeze.
Believe me, it was no hardship. Although I wasnt sure you would want to thank me.
She lowered her gaze. It was all too clear what he was thinking. The same thing she was: their naked bodies pressed intimately together.
I dont remember what happened, she lied. But Im not so prudish that I would rather die than preserve my modesty.
For a moment, his gaze heated and he looked as if he wanted to challenge her supposed lapse in memory. Her pulse raced nervously as his gaze lowered to her bodice; her nipples hardened, and she knew exactly what he was remembering. With one touch, she would fall apart. Desire simmered between them, so thick and heavy that it was impossible to ignore. He appeared to waver, but in the end, he decided not to press her.
Why did you run, Flora? Why were you so desperate to leave Me, he left unsaid.
But she heard the unspoken question. You wouldnt let me go.
I couldnt let you go.
His gaze met hers, for once unshielded. The stark longing she read there set off a fierce fluttering in her chest.
Why? she asked, not daring to hope.
He didnt say anything for a moment, merely stared at her, the depth of his emotion for once unveiled. Do you need to ask? I told you I want you.
But not why.
The words did not come easily. I care for you, lass. He put his hand on her face, cradling her cheek tenderly with his big rough hand. You must realize that, he said, stroking her chin with his thumb in a gentle caress.
She did. But hearing it made all the difference. She didnt know what reason there was for the subterfuge or what had made him decide to marry her, but he did care for her. And the knowledge set off a shower of effervescent joy bursting inside her.
I couldnt risk losing you, he finished.
She leaned closer to him, so that their bodies were almost touching. Inhaling the heady masculine scent of him. Drawing closer to the warmth that surrounded him like a seductive shield. You wont. But I could never come to you as your prisoner.
Lachlan finally understood. She hadnt been rejecting him, shed been reacting against her confinement. By abducting her, hed taken away not just her freedom, but her sense of control.
He had to set her free.
He knew he was taking a risk. He just prayed it wasnt a catastrophic one for all involved. He put his hands on her shoulders and took a step back, needing to think straight, something he could never do when she stood so close to him. With her soft, feminine scent coiling around him. When all he could think about was pulling her into his arms and kissing her until she could no longer refuse him anything.
His hands flexed at his sides, every inch of his body taut with what he risked. With what hed known he had to do since he realized how desperate shed been to leave himenough to risk drowning. He drew a deep breath and prayed he was not about to make a huge mistake. Very well. You are free to leave.
She gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. Do you mean it? He heard her incredulity. Im no longer a prisoner?
I will convey the instructions to my men that you are not to be prevented from leaving.
It was his turn to be shocked when she threw herself against him, wrapping her arms around his neck, her sweet, irresistible little body stretched against his. Oh, thank you! You dont know how much this means to me.
He smiled ruefully. I think I can guess.
She tilted her head, looking at him with a question in her eyes. Do you want me to go?
He resisted the sudden urge to close his eyes and beg for mercy. He would never understand the mind of a lass. Hadnt he just been telling her how much he wanted her?
His hand slid around her waist, and he held her tight against him, savoring the heady sensation of the feminine curves that had haunted him for so long. Remembering every detail of that lush naked body. The brush of her nipples. Her round bottom in his hands. He felt the sharp pull in his groin, the heaviness and throbbing tightness. I want you to stay, he answered. As my guest.
She lifted her gaze to his. He could see her hesitate. Why had he done it? It was a ridiculous suggestion to willingly stay with the man whod abducted her. Of course shed say no. But she surprised him.
She smiled, a shy, adorable grin that cut him to the quick. The happiness in her eyes took his breath away. Id like that, too.
Relief converged with desire. He groaned, unable to resist the urge to taste her. Lowering his head, he covered her mouth with his. Drawing her hard against him in one long, languorous kiss. A kiss not to punish or possess, but to savor and honor. The scent of flowers was intoxicating. Her lips were incredibly soft and yielding, her skin like velvet under his hand as he urged her mouth open with his fingers.
His tongue slid into her mouth as the hot flow of emotion welled deep inside him, threatening to erupt. The taste, the sensation, had become achingly familiarand essential. He kissed her more deeply, circling his tongue in the warm recesses of her mouth. Long, languid strokes that stretched from the deepest part of him. His need for her was both poignant and crushing.
She swayed in his arms, her knees buckling.
He swore and wrenched away. Seeing the dizziness swim in her eyes that she fought to hide. You arent well. You should be in bed.
Before she could protest, he swept her up in his arms and started to carry her upstairs. Instead of arguing, she snuggled her head against his shoulder and sighed with contentment. It was a sound that stole into the deepest part of him.
He settled her in her bed, wanting nothing more than to slide in beside her. The most difficult part was that he was almost certain she would not refuse him. When she recovered, she was his.
He propped a pillow under her head and bent to give her a soft kiss on the forehead. Rest. I will have Morag check on you later.
She nodded, a look of concern crossing her face. Lachlan, are Gilly and Mary very angry with me?
He shook his head. No. Though I do think they were disappointed that you did not say good-bye.
I planned to send for them.
He would never have let them go, but the thought that she truly cared for his sisters warmed him.
Have you reconsidered the situation with Mary?
He frowned. My decision hasnt changed. Why would it?
Her cheeks heated. You said you cared for me. I thought you might have understood
It doesnt change anything. For Mary or for him, he realized grimly. Duty came first. But Flora wouldnt see it that way. Given the limited ties to her family, he supposed he shouldnt be surprised.
Please. Wont you at least reconsider? As a sign of goodwill, perhaps?
He tensed. Dont ask me to choose between you and my duty or doing what I think is right as chief. It was a warning. Whether to himself or to her, he didnt know.
Im not. All Im asking is that you reconsider. I dont think revisiting the matter impinges on your duty.
He stroked his jaw. He could give her that. But she would give him something in return. Very well, I will reconsider the matter. He smiled. On one condition.