Spring romance at the ca.., p.6
Spring Romance at the Castle, page 6
Spring saw her father up on the battlements and was doing her best to keep Shaw occupied so he wouldn’t spot him. She knew if she took back the bow and arrows it would distract him enough that it would give her father time to hide or make his way back to the great hall. Sure enough, it worked. Shaw was so focused on her that he didn’t even see her father sneaking down from the battlements behind him.
“Sister, is there trouble?” Spring’s brothers left the great hall to join them.
“The only trouble here is that yer sister doesna ken how to listen to her new husband.” Shaw snatched the bow from her, but she still had the arrows. She held up her hands in mock surrender.
“I was only bringin’ ye the weapon in case ye needed to use it,” she lied.
“To use it? Why would I need to do that?” asked Shaw.
“To hunt some more food for the feast?” asked Bodil with a chuckle.
“Nay, mayhap for target practice,” added Egil, laughing, too. “That is, if ye can see in the dark.”
Her father made it down from the battlements without being seen and hid behind a cart. If she could get Shaw to turn around and then distract him a little longer, her father would be able to make it back to the great hall without Shaw noticing.
“Here are the arrows, too,” she said, stepping to the side of him, causing him to turn away from where her father was hiding. Then she moved close and slipped the strap from the quiver over his shoulder. She purposely took her time and ran her hand casually down his chest in the process. If she wasn’t mistaken, she felt a muscle flinch under her fingertips. She glanced up to find herself looking into his hazel eyes. There was an intense air about them and she wasn’t certain what he was thinking.
“Are ye two goin’ to kiss?” asked Egil with a smirk.
“Aye. After all, ye are married now,” said Bodil.
“We’ve already kissed,” said Spring, noticing Shaw’s eyes drop to her lips. If she kept his thoughts on kissing her, he’d forget about hunting down her father.
“Ye’d best be warned,” said Egil. “Our sister once killed a man for tryin’ to bed her.”
“What?” The connection was broken instantly. Shaw looked over at the boys. “What do ye mean?”
“That’s right,” added Bodil with a nod of his head. “She did it with that bow and arrows when she was only four and ten years of age. If she doesna feel like couplin’ with a man . . . she just kills him.” He grinned from ear to ear.
“Bodil, Egil, stop it!” she scolded. “That’s no’ true and ye ken it.”
With Shaw facing the great hall again, thanks to her brothers, her plans were ruined. His attention darted over to the cart and he stood up straighter, peering into the darkness.
“Son of a jackal, I was right,” said Shaw, spotting her father sneaking back into the great hall. “Men, I’ve found him,” he called out, storming back to the keep.
Spring reached out and punched Egil on the shoulder, followed by a punch to Bodil as well.
“What was that for?” asked Egil, rubbing his arm.
“I was tryin’ to cover for faither and ye two went and ruined it all. Now, Shaw has seen him and there is bound to be trouble. Get back to the great hall, because there might be a battle over this.”
“He thinks we’ve made an alliance, so how could there be trouble?” asked Bodil.
“Shaw doesna believe this is an alliance any more than we do.” She focused on Shaw’s backside as he headed into the castle.
“What does that mean?” asked Egil. “Ye married the man.”
“And unfortunately, I’m goin’ to have to betray him as well,” she said, feeling her stomach churn when she said it. She hurried after Shaw, wondering how she was going to talk her father’s way out of this mess.
Shaw walked in, right behind Cromwell, ready to wring the man’s neck.
“Where have ye been, Cromwell?” asked Shaw, causing the man to turn around quickly.
“Shaw.” Cromwell smiled and nodded. “I was . . . outside.”
“I see that. Would ye mind tellin’ me why?”
“I had to use the garderobe and was feelin’ lazy. So I used a tree in yer orchard instead. Forgive me, if I’ve offended ye.”
“I dinna have an orchard.” Shaw’s jaw twitched. “If I’m no’ mistaken, ye were comin’ from the battlements. There was no need to be up there unless ye were spyin’ on my defenses.”
“I just wanted a breath of fresh air,” said the man.
“Ye’ll have plenty of fresh air because I’m askin’ ye to leave anon.”
“Leave? Whatever for? The celebration for my daughter’s weddin’ has just started.”
“Da, I think Shaw is right,” said Spring, walking up with her brothers right behind her. “It might be good for ye to be gettin’ back to the clan.”
“What for?” complained Egil. “I want to dance with some of the bonnie lassies first.”
“I was hopin’ for some of those bilberry tarts I saw on the server’s tray,” added Bodil.
From the corner of Shaw’s eye, he thought he saw Spring elbow both her brothers at the same time. But when he turned his head, she was stretching as if she were tired.
“I am a bit sleepy since it’s been such a big day.” She yawned – or pretended to yawn. “I’m sure ye understand, Faither.”
Cromwell flashed an annoyed glance at his daughter. When Shaw turned his head again, he saw Spring grimacing at her father. She noticed Shaw looking in her direction, and flashed a forced smile.
“Aye, mayhap it would be good to get back to the clan. I’m a wee bit weary myself,” said Cromwell. “Boys, get the others. We’ll be on our way.”
“Wise choice,” said Shaw, nodding his head.
Shaw escorted the men to the gate personally, just to make sure they all left. He gripped the bow slung over his shoulder, willing to use it if he had to. Once the Gunns made it over the drawbridge, he motioned to his guards. “Close it up for the night,” he called out. “And sleep with one eye open. I dinna trust them at all.”
He turned on his heel to go back to the keep, bumping into Spring who was standing right behind him. The girl was so quiet, he never even heard her coming. Her face remained stoic and he wondered if anything ever made her show emotion. He figured she’d say something about his comment of not trusting her clan, but she remained quiet.
“So,” he said and cleared his throat. “I suppose we should discuss what happens from here.”
“Aye. We should,” she answered.
“We’re married now,” he told her.
“We are.” The girl didn’t even blink.
“So ye’ll be . . . sleepin’ in my chamber from now on.” He rubbed the back of his neck and looked to the ground. “We’re supposed to consummate the marriage.” Still no response from her. “I mean – that’s what’s required and all. Between a man . . . and his wife.” Still silence. “It would be advisable since it’ll also seal the alliance.”
When she still didn’t say a word, he rolled his eyes and let out a sigh. “Dinna ye have anythin’ to say?”
Her attention fastened on the bow and arrows. Egads, this woman only had one thing on her mind. It was starting to irritate him.
“Where’s yer chamber?” she asked in a low voice.
“Come. I’ll show ye.”
As they headed across the courtyard back to the keep, he couldn’t help wondering if he was the only one just a little nervous about consummating the marriage.
Chapter 6
Once inside the chamber, Spring started to feel jittery, even though she tried her hardest not to show it. The first thing she’d learned in her training of becoming a warrior was never to show weakness. If she seemed upset by the fact she’d have to couple with Shaw, she’d be vulnerable. Never would she let that happen.
He entered the room behind her. Without turning around, she heard the soft thud of the door as it closed. It was dark and cold in the room. Her body shivered, yet sweat collected in the palms of her hands. Beams of moonlight spilled into the chamber through the open window, casting a subtle blue hue over the room, making it seem mystical and magical. One way or another, this would be a night she would never forget.
She heard some rustling behind her in the dark and then saw a spark of light as he lit a fire in the hearth. The orange glow from the flames bathed his tanned body. Hunkering down, his plaid rode up his bare legs and her eyes followed curiously.
“This should help to remove some of the chill from the room.” With precise movements and as sleek as a cat, he arranged logs on the fire, putting his hands so close to the flames that she thought he’d be burned. As he finished stacking the wood, the flames grew higher. His sculpted face became illuminated in an orange glow. “The bed will be cold. Mayhap, I should get in first to warm it.” He spoke without looking at her and, for that, she was glad. She didn’t want him to see how nervous she was.
Releasing the breath she’d been holding, she finally managed to squeak out her answer. “Aye.” In one smooth action that came without thinking, she slipped her hand into her pocket. Her fingers closed around the wooden toy that served as an amulet to hold and rub whenever she became worried. So, this was it. She was about to get into bed with a man she didn’t know and they would make love. She was married now and there was no rejecting the action that would consummate the marriage, even if the alliance was a farce. If she refused him, he would be privy to her clan’s traitorous plan. To play out her role, she would have to behave like a wife in every way.
Would they be allies when they finished or would they still feel like enemies? She could only wonder. Would coupling change anything between them? She doubted that it would.
“I’ll close the window and light a candle to give ye warmth and light.”
“Nay,” she said, stopping him as he started to move toward the shutter. The thought of being closed into the room with this man, all alone, was making her uncomfortable. If she could at least see the outside, she wouldn’t feel so trapped. “Leave it. I like the fresh air.” She shivered when she said it and wrapped her arms around herself. He didn’t miss her action.
His brows dipped and he shook his head slightly. “Whatever ye want.”
Shaw started to remove his clothing and, in response, she looked the other way. That’s when she saw the bow and arrows hanging from a hook on the wall.
“Ye really like that, dinna ye?” came his voice from behind her.
“What do ye mean?” She turned slightly and bit the inside of her cheek when she saw his bare chest. He’d removed his leine and lowered his plaid to his waist. Her eyes ran down his toned body, stopping at the dark hair emerging from the top of his plaid that sat low on his hips. This man was in the prime of his life and had the body to match it. She’d never seen any man look so good before. It took her breath away. She did like it; she had to admit.
“I was talkin’ about the bow and arrows but, perhaps, ye see somethin’ else ye like?” In one motion, he dropped his plaid to the floor, baring his entire body to her. She spun around and faced the fire, rather than to gawk at his perfect, naked body. “Ye seem verra attached to the weapon.”
She didn’t turn back until she heard him slipping beneath the covers. His quick intake of breath led her to believe the sheets were as cold as the room. Funny, but her shivering stopped and now she felt warmth flowing through her body.
“I do,” she said, only reminding her of the vows she’d taken. She mindlessly strolled over to warm her hands at the fire. Picking up an iron rod, she started poking at the logs. “It was the first weapon I ever had. I never wanted to use a blade. I dinna like them.”
“Ye sound like my faither. That’s what he used to say, too. That’s why he made the bow and arrows in the first place. He was skilled with a sword, but kent my mathair preferred him to use the bow instead.”
“He made them?” She turned to look at him, still holding the hot poker in one hand.
“I helped him,” he told her. “It was my idea to dye the feathers and add the etchings of vines and animals to the arrows as well.”
“Tell me more.” This story interested her and she wanted to find out all she could about Shaw Gordon as well as his father.
“If ye put down that hot poker and join me in the bed, I’d be happy to tell ye anythin’ ye want to ken.”
She froze. He was asking her to join him. Naked. In bed. The time had come and she couldn’t deny him. She was his wife now and it was her duty to please him.
“Aye.” She slowly put down the poker and walked over to the chair where he’d laid his weapon belt and leine. Her hands went to her belt and his eyes followed. “So, talk.”
“Right.” He cleared his throat and looked up at the ceiling. “I was close to my faither, and it was hard for me to lose him.”
“I didna kill him and neither did my clan, if that’s what ye’re thinkin’.”
“I didna mean that.” He continued his story. “We made the bow and arrows no’ long after my mathair became . . . addled. It helped us to bond. It kept my faither’s mind busy so he wouldna miss the way my mathair used to be.”
“What happened to yer mathair to make her that way?”
“No one kens,” he said. Sadness clung to every word. “I remember her as a bright, high-spirited lady who always had a smile on her face. Then, one day, things changed. She started becomin’ bitter and angry at all of us. Her appetite dwindled and she lost a lot of weight. Her memory started to go as well. There were days when she acted as if she didna even ken me, my brathair, or my faither.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“My faither decided to take her to the Lowlands where there was a sorcerer who could supposedly cure whatever it was that ailed her. That’s why they were in the Lowlands durin’ Burnt Candlemas. I dinna think they ever saw the sorcerer. Their lives were taken before they made it there.”
There was a moment of silence and she heard him release a sigh. “Enough about my family. I ken ye have a faither, but what about yer mathair?”
She removed her boots next. “My mathair died when I was verra young. I barely remember her. My brathairs and I were raised by my faither.”
“Well, I remember my mathair perfectly,” he said, back to talking about his family again. She could see how important it was to him and could tell he really missed his parents. “I can still see her face if I close my eyes.” He closed his eyes as he finished his story. “She was blond and tall – like ye. That’s where my brathair, Leod, gets his blond hair. I take after my faither with dark hair. My faither was a fair man and even-tempered unless ye angered him. However, it took a lot to make him unsettled. My mathair, on the other hand, held the innocence of a dove, yet the fierceness of a wolf when it came to her children. She was the best mathair anyone could ever want.”
Shaw heard Spring sigh and decided talking about his mother might not be a good idea since she said she’d lost hers as well. He needed to keep things light since they were about to couple. He’d gotten caught up in his memories and it had felt good to open up to someone. He used to talk with Alpina all the time but, now, he had no one. Perhaps he’d gotten carried away just because it felt good to be alone with a woman again. He was a rugged Highlander but he also liked intimacy on occasion.
“My faither loved that bow and arrows, and told me when he died someday that they would be mine.”
“Well, I guess they’re yers now, so ye can stop frettin’.” Her words were cold, reminding him that she was a warrior woman and nothing like his late wife.
“I’m no’ frettin’.” He opened his eyes and pushed up to a sitting position, meaning to tell her not to talk to him that way. But he stopped and swallowed the lump in his throat when he saw her standing there in front of the open window entirely naked. She didn’t cover herself with her arms, and he sincerely doubted she had a shy bone in her body. She stood tall and proud with her hard nipples turned upward as her bare breasts pointed out the window. Her long, golden tresses trailed down her back like an exotic mane.
“Are we finished with the small chat?” she asked.
“I – I – yes,” he answered, drinking in her beauty. Long and lean, the fire glowed against her skin, making her look like a vixen. Her body was sleek and her skin tone even. He couldn’t help wondering how it would feel to run his hands over her curves. A tight stomach led to her womanly mound covered in blond, crisp curls that looked just right for cupping in his palm. “Please, close the shutter and come join me on the bed,” he said, feeling his manhood growing beneath the covers.
She shook her head slightly. “I’ll shut the window if ye’ll stop whinin’ like a child about that bow and arrows.” She turned to close the shutter, giving him the outstanding full view of her back end. High and tight, her cheeks called for him to take them in two hands and pump his engorged form into her until he made her cry out with passion.
“Where do ye want me?” she asked, walking with purpose over to the bed.
“Right here,” he said, moving the blankets aside. Her eyes fell to his hardened groin and, still, she showed no reaction or emotion of any kind. That made him feel insecure. He had no idea how many men she’d coupled with and how they’d compared to him. Perhaps, he didn’t measure up to the rest.
She slid onto the bed, lying flat on her back with her legs spread, and closing her eyes. “Go ahead,” she told him.
Suddenly, the mood was gone. He didn’t want to make love to a woman who made it sound like coupling was naught more than a daily duty. He wanted her to feel passion when she coupled with him. He wanted to hear her cry out his name with desire when he ran his fingers down her body and pushed his hardened form between her legs, bringing her to her peak. But this woman was cold and calloused. She probably didn’t know what it was to cry or laugh or be titillated by a lover. Nay, this isn’t how he wanted it at all.
