Kara Griffin - The Pith Trilogy Read online

  Colin grinned. “I’m offending you? I thought about it, Steven, but there’s no one here worthy of my attention. If she’s as bonny as ye say then how have I not noticed her?”

  “I don’t know, but I was positive you’d like her.”

  “I didn’t come here to dance with ladies, Steven. Pour me another drink.” He set his cup down with a bang.

  Steven did as he asked and refilled his cup. “The meeting will take place tomorrow after the hall clears. Langton assures me the English won’t be aware. Mayhap something will finally be settled.”

  “Good, I’ll be leaving the morning after. My men itch to continue the battle. The glorious day when the McFies are all extinguished nears.”

  “Can you not put your feud aside and enjoy yourself until then? ‘Tis important to me, Colin. The ladies are plentiful and beautiful, ye could have your pick.”

  He nodded. “Robin’s enjoying himself and Brendan is probably beating the cosh out of Langton’s men. Why shouldn’t I enjoy myself?”

  Steven spit out the gulp of ale he’d taken. “Damn it, Colin, ye best see to him. If Brendan ruins my wedding …”

  Colin threw his head back and roared with laughter. His brother could cause trouble and wreaked havoc wherever he went. He supposed he should make sure Brendan wasn’t fighting. Without a word to Steven, he left the hall and walked to the barracks just behind the main keep. As he walked along, Colin thought about his feud. After the wedding, he’d attend the meeting and then be on his way to gain vengeance in his sainted father’s name.

  Before he entered the barracks, he noticed a pair walking toward him. Stepping back into the shadows, he watched them. A lovely lady with glorious hair walked beside the man. The pair appeared friendly and laughed easily. As they neared the hall doors, Colin couldn’t help overhearing their conversation.

  “You should find a lady to dance with. I’m going to retire.”

  “Julianna, you should rejoin the dancing. The Scot will protect ye.”

  Colin watched the man release her arm and the woman turned toward him. He moved back into the shadows of the stone.

  “Aye, but who will protect me from him?” Their laughter mingled with the noise from inside and Colin could no longer hear them. He craned his neck trying to get another look, but she’d disappeared through the mass of people.

  He smiled to himself. Julianna. That lass is worthy of dancing with.

  Chapter Three

  Held in Scottish tradition, the wedding ceremony took place on the chapel steps with flowers lining the path where the friar stood awaiting the happy couple. Julianna felt a tear slip down her cheek as she watched Sara’s prideful walk to the groom. Onlookers hushed when Sara reached Steven’s side. Friar MacDonald’s sermon became forceful, but Julianna’s mind wandered during the long mass. Bleeth nudged her and she looked up to see Steven KirkConnell place his clan’s plaid around Sara’s shoulders.

  Sara smiled and her eyes shone with love and happiness.

  “My lady, did ye hear me?”

  She looked away from her friend and quickly put a smile on her face. “Nay, Bleeth, what did you say?”

  “I said the feast is that way.” He pointed beyond the keep. “Let us eat.”

  Tables had been set up outside to accommodate the many guests. She found Sara and hugged her, offering felicitations. They sat at the head table, while Bleeth went to eat with the men. The feast began, and servants piled the tables with trenchers loaded with meat, bread, fruits and vegetables. Julianna found her appetite nonexistent. She’d be saying farewell to Sara soon. As she toyed with her food, she watched the Scot’s in their strange attire. Their garments gave them an invincible demeanor. They certainly were a fearsome group who didn’t appear to care whether they were welcome or not given the hard looks of the Englishmen.

  A strange sense came to Julianna and she stilled. Someone was watching her. That familiar streak ran up her spine. She searched nearby for anyone looking at her. Finding the looker was difficult though with so many present.

  “Sara, someone is looking at me,” Julianna whispered. “I feel it. You know how I get when I sense that feeling.” She rubbed her arms, hoping the chill would cease.

  Her friend knew all too well about her feelings and many times they’d escaped punishment. Truth be told, they usually did get into trouble unless she sensed that feeling and they were able abscond to the nearest hideaway.

  “I cannot see well from here, there’s too many about. I’ll walk around to get a better look. Stay here.”

  Julianna watched Sara disappear through the crowd, and she continued to look for the watcher. Her gaze passed a man, but there was something about him which caused her to gaze back. The man stood next to Sara’s brother, Charles, but he didn’t seem to be looking at her. From the distance, the handsome warrior intrigued her. His dark tartan fell to his knees and his stark white tunic drew her raised eye. He emitted power, and his braced muscular legs showed mighty calves.

  Blushing at her shameful behavior, Julianna couldn’t help herself. The warrior looked like a roman gladiator she’d seen on a tapestry once. She grew heated when she imagined how it would feel to be held in such arms. To get a closer look, she rose and slunk toward him and Charles. He had to have a deep, sensual voice to go with that body. Lord, if Mother Superior knew she’d thought that she’d spend a week in the chapel praying for her soul. Attempting to eavesdrop, she edged her way around several knights.

  The warrior spoke in a low tone, but loud enough for her to hear.

  “Steven’s description was accurate. She is the loveliest woman here. Is she married?”

  Charles bellowed. “Nay, not yet. Many would want her. Who wouldn’t want to touch her glorious hair? I believe she’s stirred ye, Laird MacKinnon.”

  “Mayhap a wee bit stirred. I wish to meet her. Arrange it. Someday I’ll need a lady to bear my sons, and she’d do well.”

  Charles snorted. “You hold yourself above the rim, Laird. The lady is awaiting me. Of course there is the small chance that Garrick will snatch her up first. He always watches her.”

  Julianna hung back, wondering who they were talking about.

  Charles kept his gaze on the children playing nearby. “Someday I hope to … but she doesn’t notice me. I tried to get her attention. Do ye deem ye can?”

  He gave Charles a heated look. “Do ye doubt it? You and Garrick are dreaming. I want her.”

  Julianna couldn’t believe their discussion became so absurd. Never having knowledge that men talked so casually about women, she found their conversation humorous. She almost laughed, but covered her mouth with a quick hand.

  The warrior turned and bumped Charles’ chest. “Forget her, she’s mine.”

  A rather large lord blocked Charles’ and the warrior’s view of her, but she was close enough to see his face. The man’s voice gave her a shiver of excitement. Unaware of her inattention, she bumped into a servant and apologized.

  “You must be jesting. Why would you want her? She’s an English baron’s daughter, surely not temping enough for ye,” Charles baited.

  “She’s tempting all right. Keep away from her, and I’ll have a talk with Garrick, too. And Charles, I never jest.” As he walked away he bumped Charles’ shoulder and left Sara’s brother standing there alone.

  Was the warrior interested in one of the ladies here? She wished she’d taken time to befriend the gossiping women so she could have a better chance at finding out who he was talking about. Julianna noticed Sara had returned to the table and she joined her.

  “I didn’t notice anyone looking at you. Where did ye go?”

  She hunched her shoulders. “Who are they?”

  Sara giggled when she noticed where Julianna pointed. “They’re Steven’s friends, a neighboring clan. Aren’t they fearsome? Mayhap one of them could be the man to sweep you off your feet?”

  Julianna’s laughter caused some to pause in their speech and look at them. “Did ye see the man tal
king to Charles? I went to listen to their conversation and—”

  “You didn’t! Julianna, you are quite scandalous.”

  “They didn’t notice. They were too busy speaking of a woman here. He walked away before I could find out who he was talking about.”

  “Hmm, I wonder who it is. If there was a warrior worthy of talking about, the ladies would be clucking like hens.”

  “You should have seen him, I never saw a man so …”

  “I have seen such a man,” Sara said, at the same time she spoke.

  “… brawny,” Julianna finished.

  Sara pouted, referring to her own husband then laughed at her remark about the warrior.

  “Steven is handsome, Sara, but I’m angry with him even if he’s as large as the warrior.” Julianna leaned forward to look at Steven, who now sat beside Sara. His light, sandy colored hair and blue eyes were indeed attractive, yet he couldn’t compare to the other man.

  “Why are you angry with Steven? What did he do?”

  “He’s taking you away.”

  Sara sighed. “We knew this day would eventually come. I’ll never be too far away from you, Julianna. We shall always be friends. I want ye to be happy for me.”

  “I am happy now that I’ve seen the warrior. I shall dream of him tonight.”

  “I should find out who he is since he is the only man ye have ever shown interest in. Describe him,” Sara ordered.

  “He’s tall and Scotts. He has light brownish hair and his eyes are green. He wears a dark tartan, but I was too busy looking at his …” She trailed off.

  “Looking at his what?”

  “His muscles. He’s strong.”

  “I cannot believe I’m hearing this.” Sara yanked a tress of her hair. “Let us have a look around so you can point him out. I want to thank the man who captured your heart.”

  Captured her heart? Mayhap he had, because he was the first man she’d ever felt giddy over. Julianna considered he might have left the celebration because she couldn’t find him.

  “Is that him?” Sara pointed to a Highlander.

  “Nay, but I danced with him last night.”

  “That’s Robin MacKinnon. He’s a handsome rogue.”

  “Aye, but the other warrior is much more—”

  Sara gasped. “Listen to ye, you sound like a true maid, Julianna.”

  She couldn’t find the warrior the rest of the night, but her promise to be cheerful was easily fulfilled. She kept thinking about the handsome man and hoped to see him before she returned to the convent the next day. Inside the crowded chamber that night, she tossed and turned. The heat from so many slumbering in the chamber made it stuffy. She left the chamber and decided to get a bit of fresh air.

  When Julianna reached the bottom of the stairs, she heard voices in the great hall. There was a meeting taking place. She crept to the archway and watched the men in heated debate. One of the men glanced at the stairs and she backed into the hallway. Quickly, she darted through the back exit and stubbed her toe of the doorway. Dancing from foot to foot, she tried to rub the pain away, but heard someone coming.

  Dashing out the door, she ran until she reached a nearby tree and hid behind it. As she stood there, she rubbed her foot and waited. She couldn’t hear anyone and peeked around the oak. Whoever had seen her must have turned back.

  Julianna left the tree and started toward the pond beyond the walls of the Langton holding. If she was a dreamer, she might imagine fleeing to meet a secret lover, but a dreamer she was not. A sound of a cracking twig came from behind her, and when she looked, the night had darkened for her to see anything. Finally, she’d reached the pond. Dipping her toe in the water she swirled it around. She sighed at the coolness of the water.

  The water felt so good on her skin. Julianna needed to cool herself and so she removed her nightrail and threw it onto a nearby branch. She walked into the water and then floated with her back arched, making her breasts peak above the waterline. Her flesh cooled by the breeze covered with goose bumps. The sliver of moon seemed to shine right on the spot where she swam. She hummed a tune, one that her aunt enjoyed hearing while they relaxed in the evenings. That feeling came over her and Julianna stood, hurrying to retrieve her nightrail.

  Darkness prevented her from seeing between the trees and she wasn’t sure if someone was there. Once her nightrail was replaced, she walked toward the keep. Julianna gasped when she bumped into someone. A large body blocked the path. To her surprise the warrior she’d seen earlier stood in front of her.

  Her eyes widened. Oh my, he’s tall. Barely reaching the giant’s shoulders, she thought him tall before, but he had to be above six feet. She wished Sara could see him, just so she could prove he existed. His light-brown hair fell onto his shoulders, and he neither smiled nor frowned.

  Absently, she fanned herself, craning her neck to look into his eyes. They were the shade of bright spring moss, greener perhaps, from what she could tell in the dark. She lost herself in their depths until she looked lower to his mouth, then his somewhat crooked nose, boxed jaw. He lifted her chin with his forefinger, returning her gaze to his eyes. Julianna stepped backward, allowing herself to look at his chest, where his tunic stretched tautly. Outlines of muscles beneath lured her hand and before she could consider what she was doing, she reached out to touch him.

  She pressed her palm against the hardness of his chest, unable to speak. He was real and certainly not a figment of her imagination.

  His hand caressed her hair, moving over the damp strands that hung by her shoulder. The warrior looked as though he’d dare do whatever he wanted. Placing his arm around her, he pulled her close. Julianna gasped.

  “I am sorry, I didn’t mean to …”

  “Tempt me? But ye have. There’s no reason to be sorry.”

  Julianna couldn’t hold a single thought when he trapped her against him. With his rock-hard body pressing against hers, the indecency of it never occurred to her. He lowered his head until his lips touched hers. His warm breath felt nice against her lips. She melted in his embrace when his tongue slipped inside her mouth. He deepened the kiss, not giving her a moment to pull away. She’d never felt anything so riveting before. The kiss became ardent, igniting her soul. Passion flowed through her as it had never before. She pulled him closer, never wanting to let him go.

  The warrior knew what he was doing. Julianna wasn’t sure if she minded or not. Never had she been kissed so thoroughly. His hard body pressed against hers at the exact moment his hand moved to her bottom. He seemed as out of control as she felt. She liked the way his mouth moved, dominating her with a sense of his expertise. Her breasts, barely covered by her nightrail, crushed against his muscular chest, sending odd sensations through her. Twinges of desire trembled inside her, making her aware of his touches.

  Held motionless by his strength, Julianna was overcome with panic. She’d liked the kisses, but now it had gone too far. Aware now of what was happening, she forced him to let go of her by stepping out of his embrace. Amazingly he released her.

  “I don’t know what came over me … to allow you …” her whisper sounded strange. Julianna’s legs trembled and she took a calming breath. Once she regained control of her thoughts, she realized the jeopardy she was in. Before she could flee, he touched her face.

  “Who are you? What I mean to say is, where are ye from? I already know who you are.”

  “Do you?” She couldn’t believe the turn of their conversation. “I assure you, we have not been introduced.” How could he know her unless … Was she the woman he spoke of to Charles?

  “Aye, you’re Lady Julianna. I could be easily enticed.” His eyes seemed to implore her, but also had a teasing look.

  “Is that so, my lord? What if I don’t wish to tempt ye?”

  “I can be very persuasive. You’re a bonny lass and I couldn’t stop myself from kissing you.”

  “Who are you? Are ye here for the wedding?”

  “I’m Colin MacKinnon,
and aye I am here for the wedding. What do you say we get the friar now and save us the trouble of finding one later?” His arms trapped her by the tree and he wouldn’t let her turn.

  “As much as that appeals, I do believe ‘tis time for farewell.” She ducked under his arm and was about to run when he swung her around. She frowned at his smile. He stood too close, too near and made her lose her thought.

  “Wait, lass, I didn’t mean to startle ye. You’re not taken, are you? Is there somewhere we can meet? I was jesting about the friar.” He held fast and wouldn’t let her withdraw.

  Julianna should have been outraged by his remarks, but for some reason, she found him charming. Still, a lady should show a reaction to his behavior, shouldn’t she? She swung her hand, slapping him across the cheek.

  The warrior had the gall to laugh. She wasn’t about to be mocked, but then again, she wasn’t as brave as she’d let on. He would probably laugh harder if she were to strike him again. How had she thought an insignificant slap would affect him? He didn’t even flinch.

  “Ye dropped your weapon at the pond. Here, take it.”

  She gasped at the realization that he’d seen her at the pond. The knave spied on her. How much had he seen? He pressed the dagger into her hand.

  “You dare much to return my weapon, my lord, but I shan’t use it on ye and waste a good effort. I must return to the keep, pray allow me to pass.”

  “Let me come to you tonight, I’ll pleasure ye. I will even entice you since you are objectionable about enticing me.” He pulled her close. “I want to kiss you again.”

  “I suppose ye think I should be grateful for your offer, my lord, but I—”

  His lips took possession of hers again and his hand roamed the material of her nightrail until she felt the splendor of his palm covering her breast. She didn’t have the strength to move him. Something awakened inside her, and she wanted to feel his hard body against hers. Her hands moved over his chest, where she felt the pounding of his heart.