David led his brother over to the monk’s building, then nodded to him as he turned around to sneak into the back of the abbey.
He was able to find a door leading directly into the cellars. The abbey was situated amidst rolling hills and the back was at the lowest point. This area hadn’t experienced a direct threat for many years, for it was well known that the abbey’s wealth was under lock and key. That, plus the Scots’ belief that the church and everything inside it was sacred, saved them from frequent attacks.
He crept down the passageway, amazed at the peace and quiet he found within the abbey. But the quiet fooled him. He stepped around the next corner and ran directly into Filib standing in the middle of the passageway. There was no one else about, since they were in the chapel. Mayhap it was time for worship. He wasn’t going to let Filib stop him, but he thought it possible Anna’s brother would be willing to help her again, just like he’d done at the MacGruder keep.
“Is Anna here?” he asked Filib.
Filip put his finger to his lips, motioning for him to lower his voice.
“Aye, she’s here. My sire has gone off with Ossian, and Mother is in a separate chamber.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Anna tried running off to Cameron land, but I brought her back. ‘Twas on my sire’s orders, but I know ‘twas wrong.”
“Allow me to speak with her, please. Give me an hour with her. We deserve that much.”
Filib rubbed his forehead, deep in thought, and then finally nodded. “Wait here. I’ll bring her to you.”
“My thanks. I’ll be right here.” He placed his sword back in its scabbard and turned around to make sure he was alone. Filib hurried to the end of the passageway and disappeared through a doorway, likely to a stairwell. The place was so quiet, he wasn’t worried about running into anyone down here. Pacing back and forth, he did his best to formulate a plan, but his mind was too jumbled. In fact, his thoughts were so far away that he didn’t notice the small figure coming toward him until she was almost upon him.
When he heard her approach, he jerked his head up, shocked he’d been caught unaware, but his surprise turned to joy as Anna came running down the passageway toward him. She threw her arms around his neck with a wee hitch in her breath.
He tugged her close, tucking his head low enough to take in her sweet scent, so grateful to have her in his arms once more. He could feel her body shaking from tears, but she still clutched him with a grip that said she’d never willingly let go, her body melding to his in a familiar way.
“Oh, David. I’m so happy to see you.” Her voice hitched between her tears. “I’ve been so frightened. My sire has turned daft for certes.”
“Hush,” he whispered, pulling away to kiss the top of her head, her forehead, and the tears that covered her cheeks. “I’m never letting you go. Never.”
She managed to stop her tears enough to step back to gaze into his eyes. “What are we to do? I’m so worried.”
“I’m taking you away from here.” His lips settled on hers and she parted for him with a sigh, the warmth and taste of her reminding him of their love. How he wished to make her his right now, but surely it would be wrong to do such a thing in an abbey.
When his mind finally rejected the tantalizing thought, he pulled back and said, “I’ll have my cousins find a priest and we’ll marry in Drummond Hall on the morrow. Find your cloak because the weather is brutal, but I’ll get you away.”
Anna took his hand and led him to an empty chamber down the passageway.
“Where is Filib?”
“He said he had something to do and would return in an hour. Mama is asleep in our chamber above stairs. I snuck out when Filib told me you were here.” She closed the door and turned to him. “Please listen to me.” Her hands reached up and cupped his cheeks, an urgency in her eyes that he didn’t understand. “I’m begging you not to take me away yet. Make me yours. I wish to give my body to you, even though I do not have my maidenhead.”
“Anna, nay. ‘Tis wrong. We are not married, but trust me that we will be married.” How he’d love nothing more than to do what she asked. At this moment, she reminded him of the lass who had pushed him into an alcove just to kiss him not so long ago. How his love had grown since then. Here she was saying the words that he was thinking. But in an abbey?
“Nay, we will not. I will not marry you if you do not make me yours this verra moment.”
David’s eyes widened. “You do not mean that. You’re frightened and confused. You will be my wife first.”
“Nay. My father means to see this through, and I don’t wish to become Gilroy Walters’s wife. If we step outside, he’ll find us and take me away from you. I have tried to escape three times and they’ve always caught me. He and my brother and Struan headed back to MacGruder land a while ago, and they plan to return with more guards. This could be our only chance. He probably has Walters’s men watching the abbey. The only place we are safe is right here, right now, and I’m tired of being told what to do. This is my choice, not my father’s or my mother’s but mine. I want you now. Everything in my life has been in a month, on the morrow, or in two days. I no longer accept it.”
She took a deep breath and whispered, “Now. This is for me, for us. I’m begging you to show me how much you love me, because the thought of never knowing that frightens me more than whatever my father could do. Please make love to me, David. Please claim me as your own.”
One tear fell onto her cheek and he was lost. He placed his lips on the streak of dampness left behind by the falling drop. He tasted the saltiness of her sadness and kissed a trail over to her lips. She opened for him, parting her lips with a sigh as his tongue met hers and they dueled a dance that went straight to his cock.
She was in a night rail, so he could feel her soft breasts pressed against his chest. He stood back and removed his brat before lifting her and settling her on the small pallet. “My sweet, I would love to do this properly and spend hours loving your body, but we don’t have that kind of time. My parents and my cousins will follow me here. I’ll do this but understand that you are already mine in truth.”
“Please, David. I need to feel our love beyond the taste of your lips. This is right and true. I love you with all my heart, my body, and my soul. Love me, even if it can only be for a few minutes.”
“Aye, I will, but hear me now, I’ll never let them take you away from me. Never. This is as sacred as a handfasting to me.”
He kissed her softly, teasing her, angling his mouth over hers so he could go deeper, tangling his tongue with hers while he moved her chemise up so he could cup her breasts, caressing each one with the softest of touches, tweaking her nipples until they peaked and she squirmed beneath him. How long had he dreamed of this moment? He did his best to slow himself down, to show her how much he cared, how much this meant to him.
“You like this, my sweet Anna?”
“Aye, more please.”
“You are as beautiful as the morning dew on the brightest of flowers, sweeting.”
She smiled at him. He didn’t know how else to tell her she was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. He gazed into her eyes, her lids heavy, her pleasure mounting almost at a faster pace than his own. How he wished he had the time to watch her as he taught her the pleasure he could give her. He moved down to kiss the valley between her breasts. “You are lovely, your heart, your skin, everything about you.” He kissed a slow trail around both mounds before taking one breast full in his mouth, suckling her and laving her until she cried out.
“David!”
He preened with pride. “Hush, sweeting.” He reached down to the vee between her legs, teasing her until she parted her thighs for him. Pleased to find her hot and slick, he rubbed her nub with his thumb while he moved his finger inside. She moaned and opened her eyes to stare at him, her hooded gaze full of confusion and a trust that humbled him. He settled between her legs, teasing her entrance to prepare her for him. “If this hurts, you tell me.”
“I will. Do this, please.”
David slid into her, allowing her juices to ease his entrance, but then he stopped. Since he’d never taken a virgin before, he didn’t know what to make of what he’d found.
But it was impossible, wasn’t it?
“Anna, I cannot go any further.”
***
Lorne MacGruder closed his solar door to be certain they would not be overheard. He took a seat behind his desk and pointed to two chairs for Ossian and Struan.
“I want this ended.” Then he pointed to Ossian. “I’ve told you if I’m unhappy, I’ll switch things around again. You need to make me happy or I’ll carry out my threat. Anna and David Drummond cannot marry, ‘tis that simple. Do not question my motives. I want her married to Walters as soon as possible. I’ve only returned here to make sure the Drummonds haven’t planned a full-scale attack.”
Ossian said, “You shouldn’t have left her alone. I told you I would have gladly stayed.”
His father replied, “Your talents would be wasted inside the abbey. I need you to stay close to protect me. I don’t trust the Drummonds not to attack in the middle of the night.”
Struan shook his head. “No Scot would risk violating the sanctity of the abbey. If she were outside, then I’d worry. We left a few guards, they should be enough.”
“There may be others besides the Drummonds coming for us and you know it,” Lorne stated. Couldn’t they see what was brewing? Everything had started to go wrong when Anna, the foolish girl, had fallen for David Drummond. He hated the Drummonds. He’d only gone along with the entire fiasco in the hopes of getting something out of it. However, it hadn’t taken him long to realize his mistake. Someone like David Drummond could uncover everything if he was allowed to come and go as he pleased from the MacGruder keep. Even Struan had noticed the way the lad kept asking questions, how he refused to let go of anything. He would not have some foolish lad risk everything he’d worked so hard to keep secret. Things had to stay the way he’d planned.
Struan understood how the littlest things could ruin all your plans.
“Who else would come?” Ossian asked, a bit of a gleam in his eyes.
“The Ramsays are probably on their way. Logan Ramsay, that bastard, is likely watching us as we speak. He’s always where you least expect him to be, watching whatever you’re doing. I tried to have my men steal a few cattle from the Menzies, but who showed up as surely as if we had invited him? Logan Ramsay. I cannot tell you how often that has happened in the last two decades.”
A knock sounded on the door of the great hall, so Struan left to answer it.
Lorne whispered, “No one else knows but us. Stop panicking. I told you I’d take care of it and I will. But you need to do what I tell you. This has to happen my way.”
Ossian said, “I will not lose what you’ve promised me. I care not what it takes. Whatever you ask, I’ll do it. ‘Tis too important to me. I’ll not lose it.”
There was a fury in his boy’s eyes unlike anything he’d ever seen. “I’ll protect you, Ossian. You are my heir.”
Struan stepped back inside. “We may have more work to do.”
“Why? Who was at the door?”
“One of the guards on patrol. There are more warriors headed this way.”
Ossian’s eyes widened, a smirk crossing his face as if the prospect of battle excited him. “Ramsays?”
Lorne nodded and motioned his hand to dismiss Ossian, who quickly raced out the door.
“Nay, worse,” Struan said, swallowing hard.
“Who could be worse than the Ramsays?” Lorne asked. “Remember that Ossian does not know the truth, but I need to keep him doing as I tell him without question.”
Struan settled his hands on his hips as he paced. “I don’t think you need to worry about that. Ossian will do whatever you tell him without question.”
Lorne asked, “Who has been seen heading in our direction? I need to know.”
Struan fell into a chair. “Red and green plaids. They’re still a day away, but we must be prepared.” He whispered his next sentence as if he was afraid to speak it aloud. “The Grants are coming.”
***
“I don’t understand, David. I trust you. Just go ahead.” Her fingers threaded in the hair at the back of his neck. How she adored him.
“I’ve never had relations with a virgin, so I’m inexperienced, but there is a barrier there.”
“What do you do with virgins?” She knew little about the marital act because her mother had never discussed it with her.
“I would push through the barrier, but it will sting and you will likely bleed.”
“But I had blood on my legs when they found me. Never mind. All the more reason for you to push through it. If I still have my maidenhead, I choose to gift it to you.”
“Anna, if this is true and you are a virgin, then everything has been a lie. Everything! Why was our betrothal broken for a lie?”
She cupped his face and kissed him hard, a deep kiss that she hoped would make him forget about the rest of the world. Nothing could take this man away from her. Not a lie, not her sire, not even her king.
“I care only about us, David. Make love to me. Make me yours. ‘Tis what we both want, is it not? You have not changed your mind, have you?” She gazed into his confused eyes, doing what she could to wipe away his doubt. Suddenly, it was as if a wave of water had washed over them from the heavens above, blessing them for being honest and true. She watched as the uncertainty faded from his gaze, replaced by a look of adoration that humbled her.
His words came out in a tone she’d grown to love. He was a man who knew his own mind, a man of strong character and moral values. A man she could always trust. “Nay, I have not changed my mind. I love you and this is what was meant to be.” David teased her a bit more, then took her lips in a searing kiss before he plunged into her. She squealed from the slight pain, but a sense of elation and empowerment followed it. No one had taken her virginity—she’d given it to the man she loved. David had smothered her scream fortunately. When he pulled back, his grin was the widest she’d ever seen.
“You’re mine, Anna MacGruder. I handfast with you and promise to protect you, love you, and honor you for all my days. Do you accept me?”
Her heart about to burst with happiness, she whispered, “Aye.”
Her insides still pinched, but she couldn’t stop the smile on her own face from blossoming. “Oh, David, I’m so glad we did this. Forever. I’ll love you forever, I promise.”
He kissed her forehead and whispered, “Does it still hurt? I’ll wait until your pain is gone.”
“It only hurts a wee bit. ‘Tis not so bad. Go ahead. What should I do?” She had no idea what happened next. The kitchen helpers had told her all about it, leaving out only that crucial part.
David reached down between them and touched her in a place between her legs that made her squirm. It was the lightest of touches, a caress that sent jolts of pleasure through her body.
“Does this feel good? I want you to find your pleasure with me.”
“But I don’t know how.” She trusted him completely, so she said it without embarrassment. Rather than reply, he increased the pressure of his thumb. He dropped his head to her breast and used his tongue to caress her nipple in a way that made her want to shout with delight. Both of them began breathing faster.
David drove into her and pleasure rippled through her core, the sensations driving her to do things she never would have considered. She spread her legs wider, and he increased his pace, thrusting into her at a rate that consumed her entire being.
Her ability to think coherent thoughts left her. Her focus was solely on David and their bodies, how well they fit together, and how wonderful it felt to have him inside her. She closed her eyes, and he kissed her again, a slow, tantalizing kiss that made her moan, though she squelched the sound as best she could. She longed for something, but she didn’t know what. She followed his lead, doing her best to keep up with his movements.
Her body thrummed with an urgency she couldn’t control until something shattered deep within her, releasing a decadent pleasure that rushed through her. She dug her nails into his shoulders, trying to hang on to the exhilaration as long as she could.
David growled, his hands now cupping her bottom, tugging her as close as he could until he convulsed over her, his release shooting through him the same way hers had, or so she guessed by the way he shuddered, his eyes closed and his hands locked in a grip on her hips that she wished he’d never release. Small contractions continued to rock her insides as he finished, planting his seed deep inside her. The thought of a wee bairn blossomed in her mind as he sighed and nuzzled her neck.
“Did I please you, sweeting?”
“Aye, you could not tell? Did I please you?”
He smirked. “You could not tell by the sounds I made?”
“I think we were both pleased, but I hope no one else heard us.”
“Are you sore? Will it bother you if I pull out? We shouldn’t stay like this for long, just in case.” The concern in her loved one’s gaze almost brought her to tears. No one else would ever care about her the way this man did.
“You cannot hurt me. Do what you must. I’m just sad we can’t enjoy each other in peace.” She ran her hand down the side of his face, then rubbed the stubble on his jaw.
“Someday, you’ll have no one to worry about but you and me in our verra own bed.”
She could only dream of such happiness.
***
David kissed her lips and moved to the side once he pulled out. “My love, I would like naught more than to sit by your side, but I think ‘tis best if I take my leave. I’m going to make sure my cousins are here before I take you away with me. I promise to return momentarily.” He stood and put his plaid on, pausing when he noticed the blood.
This was the evidence that Anna had truly been untouched. He finished arranging his plaid and sat on the side of the bed. “Anna, I have blood on me. Will you allow me to look at you?”
She nodded, chewing on her bottom lip as she lifted her chemise, allowing him to look before she peered over the edge of the gown.
He smiled at her. “You were a virgin, but no more. Now you belong to me.”
“Oh, David. I’m so happy.”
At that moment, the door flew open and the abbess stepped inside, two nuns behind her.
“What is going on in here? Why are you here?”