Conquered Heart (Legend of the King's Guard Book 1) Read online

  He motioned to his comrades. They backtracked and reverted around the trees until they spotted four English soldiers ahead on the trail. The men walked the path and jested about a lass they’d found in a nearby hamlet. His breath came harsh at their recount of what they’d done. The poor lass wasn’t treated well by the knaves. Anger and honor instilled his action. He hastened his horse toward them. Heath, Liam, and Brodin followed. With a bellow he let out his clan’s war cry and cut down one soldier with his sword.

  When he turned to attack the other, his foe’s sword sliced his arm. Graeme saw Brodin’s dagger fly past and into the neck of his attacker. The last two easily defeated when Heath and Liam jumped from their horses and embedded their swords in the enemy’s guts. He joined them on the ground and ignored the blood flow from his wound.

  “’Tis what they deserve for touching one of our lassies. Their bodies are too foul to feed to the hounds, aye, for they’d choke on the rot.” Graeme searched the woods for any others, but it appeared the soldiers were a small sentry, likely sent to survey the surrounds or trail.

  They pulled the men into the nearby higher brush so they wouldn’t be spotted if someone was sent in search of them.

  “Come, Graeme, we should get ye patched up.” Liam took his good arm and directed him back to his horse.

  Brodin let out a laugh. “Liam, what say we wager the coin? I say Graeme won’t make it back to the cave without fainting akin to a wee lass. What say ye?”

  Liam guffawed. “Are you saying Graeme is feeble? I’ve seen him in worse condition. Aye, I’ll take ye up on the wager.”

  Graeme didn’t weaken from the wound and laughed at their banter, but his arm soaked with a good amount of blood. He tore a piece of his tunic to stop the flow and tied it around his bicep.

  Once back upon their horses, they rode toward the hills. The cover of darkness provided security. Graeme felt slightly dizzy from the loss of blood but he’d been able to keep the seat of his horse. He jumped to the ground when they reached the tree where young Gilroy stood.

  “See to the horses, lad, and be quick about it. I want you to keep watch this night for we saw English soldiers in the woods. Make sure you hide yourself well.”

  “I will, m’lord. I’ll be vigilant.”

  He entered the cave and heard silence. It was a welcome considering the amount of people that now resided there. At the table, he found a trencher full of foodstuff: several hunks of cheese, two pieces of bread, and chunks of seasoned meat which smelled delicious. His stomach rumbled with hunger, but before he’d eat, he needed to tend his injury.

  Kerrigan entered the main cave area from where her servants rested. She looked bonnie with her hair braided and pulled back, revealing the soft angles of her cheeks. Her eyes fastened on him and they silently perused each other. His demeanor softened by the lightness of her look, for she was akin to a ray of sunshine, and warmed his face. He couldn’t look away, didn’t want to, and would never.

  “You’ve returned.” She glanced at his comrades and bowed to each of them. “Come, there is plenty of food for all. You must be starved after your journey.”

  “Aye, thank you, milady.” Heath snatched a sliver of cheese trencher.

  “I want naught of your fare,” Brodin said, with annoyance to his words.

  What Kerrigan did, took Graeme by surprise. She stepped next to him, gentled a hand on Brodin’s arm. “I know you are wrath with my clan, Brodin, but can we not be friends? I’ve done naught to earn your dislike and since we are to stay here, I will do all I can to aid you. I am not privy to our clan’s disagreement, but I give you my fealty.”

  His comrade was surely put down by her words. Brodin lowered his gaze and snatched a hunk of bread from the trencher. When he looked up, he grinned. “I just realized ye won the wager, Liam. Graeme didn’t faint.” He flipped the coin through the air which was caught by his comrade.

  “Oh, I get to choose the next wager.” Liam chuckled at Kerrigan’s confusion.

  “Why would Graeme faint?” She pursed her lips and waited for their answer. “Tell me, now, why would he faint?”

  “He got sliced in a fray on our way home. Got stronger will than us, for surely we’d fall to the ground were we to receive such a wound.” This came from Heath.

  “Speak for yourself,” Brodin said.

  “Sit,” she instructed, and when he didn’t listen, she pushed him on to the bench. “What have you done to yourself?” Gently, she unwound the cloth over the wound. “Oh, Graeme, you’ll need the stitch. I’ll take care of you.” She hastened from the chamber.

  “See there, Graeme, she’ll take care of ye,” Liam snickered. “Got your own healer and likely more than that.”

  He didn’t appreciate his friend’s banter and assessed the wound. It wasn’t bad, barely felt. When she returned, she turned his face with her hand and bid him to keep his eyes on Brodin who sat across from him. His comrade’s expression stoic for the lass must’ve impressed him.

  “Kerrigan, I won’t scoff at your ministrations. Just be done with it and quick. I’m hungry.” As much as she’d insisted she hurry, he was in no rush and enjoyed having her touch him.

  She gently held his arm and dabbed at the dried blood around the wound. Kerrigan stood close, and her sweet fragrance lingered. She must’ve bathed this day, for he was certain he smelled lilacs. Graeme tortured himself and closed his eyes. He concentrated on her nearness and touch.

  But something stung him and he opened his eyes.

  “Sorry, it’s only a tonic to clean the wound. Mistress Annag gave it to me. Now hold still, this may hurt.” She took a needle and sewed the open flesh with a string. “You’re fortunate it’s not deeper for it might have severed your arm.”

  He wouldn’t move a muscle, even if he wanted to. Damn it hurt, hurt like hell. “’Tis a paltry wound, lass. Are ye about done?” He gazed at her face, focused on her task. How had such a woman eluded marriage? Some man would do well to marry her for she was as bonnie as hill covered with heather. He stared at the curve of her breast beneath the overdress she wore. His breath harshened, and still he continued to gaze in desire to touch her.

  “Be calm, my lord,” she said, after tying the last knot. “There, all finished. You can breathe easy now.”

  His harsh breath was in no way attributed to her care of the wound. It was the way she looked at him, the way her body softened when she stood near, the tender way she touched him. He would’ve laughed if he weren’t in a deplorable state. A vision of her delicate hand swept over the nakedness of his chest caused his groan. The lass riddled him with hardness, so much so he tensed his arms, legs, and nether regions. Damn she was fetching.

  When he looked up, he found his comrades silently watching. Their faces shown with the regard of their by-between, and he shook his head. A woman he hadn’t seen came into the main area and stopped by the table.

  “Oh, Graeme, men, this is Galyn, my closest friend.” Kerrigan continued her ministration and wrapped a swatch of fabric around the cut.

  Graeme frowned in disbelief. “Kerrigan?” His voice low with angst at the thought she’d brought another to their sanctuary given he’d stressed the need to keep their location a secret.

  She bit her lip as she was wont when she worried. It was a trait he’d noticed of her. Graeme, picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder, and hastened to the cave’s exit. He heard rumbles of laughter from his comrades, but ignored them. His only thought to get her outside where he could yell at her without being remorseful or observed.

  “What the hell are you about, lass? I told ye not to tell anyone of our location and you bring another? What will you insist we harbor all those in the village?” And even as the words fell from his lips, Graeme lightened at her compassion. Aye, she cared about others, more than herself for she risked his anger in aiding her friend.

  “I wanted to get your approval first, but you were gone. She was alone in the village, Graeme. Her family abandoned her and lef
t her there to be ravished by the army.”

  He didn’t know what to say to that. What struck him with humor was she caressed his good arm the entire time she spoke her defense. He could only stand by and nod, even though he should insist she not take in others.

  “You confound me, Kerrigan, for everything about ye tells me to flee, but I only want to pull you close.” He grabbed her hips and drew her nearer. “Aye, ‘tis the truth, I want to kiss you and make you want me as much as I want you.”

  She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and tilted her face. “You confound me, too.”

  Graeme leaned forward until his lips touched hers. The kiss gentle at first, became more than he’d intended within seconds. He used his tongue to persuade her to open her mouth and once he touched her, he couldn’t cease. Her breasts flushed against his chest and he couldn’t think of nothing but putting his hand, his lips, his mouth there. He caressed the swell of her bosom until his hand covered the entirety. A groan escaped him as pleasure taunted him. He wanted to lay with her, to love her body, to protect her as no one has.

  She undid the ties of his tunic and kept her one hand settled against his chest. Her other hand smoothed the skin of his shoulder and bared the rest of his arm. God help him, he focused on her hand against his naked skin. It was heaven and hell at the same time, for he wanted to touch her as she did him.

  Graeme pulled at her overdress until he revealed the taut nipple of her breast. He hastened to take it in his mouth. She pulled him back for another kiss of the lips. A converge of sexual longing hit him and he knew he had to pull away. He tried to dislodge his mouth from hers, but she wouldn’t allow him, and kept him from moving away.

  He lifted her and settled his back against a tree, and she on his lap. “Kerrigan …”

  “Aye, Graeme, aye.” She turned and faced him, her legs astride. Her bonnie face neared his. “You do things to me …”

  He held her waist and set his face between her breasts and released a frustrated breath. “I want to be with you, more than anything I’ve ever wanted.”

  “Shhh, speak no more. It’s all I want, too, Graeme.” Her fingers gently lifted his chin. “Please, love me.”

  He closed his eyes as she continued to hold him, and he gently kissed her. She released him and he watched in awe as she shoved the material of his tartan to his waist. He should’ve been shocked when she took hold of his rod, but it was too pleasurable for him to rationalize. Graeme caressed her back and continued to kiss her face. Their love play hastened to an urgency neither could deny.

  He pulled at her overdress until she was bared of its underclothes. A growl came from his throat when he stroked the wetness of her womanhood. How he wished to kiss her there, but the glory of joining with her was too much to bear. Graeme guided her bottom until she was seated atop him. As gently as he could, he pressed his body and breached her maidenhead. A grin forced him to release her of their kiss.

  Thrilled she’d been with no other, Graeme tightened his hold around her. She was his forever more regardless of what the future unfolded. Kerrigan gripped his shoulders and assisted him when he tried to thrust. He groaned at the sensation of tightness surrounding him. Heat and desire forced his movements, for he couldn’t help but hasten his hips. She joined in and met his effort measure for measure.

  Her lips trailed a hot line of kisses at the base of his neck and he held her hair tightly, and tilted to see her better. “Lass, oh, you’re so bonnie. So beautiful.”

  “Graeme, I cannot move anymore. What you’re doing is …” She squealed and pressed her face against his chest, her breath a harsh thrum against his skin.

  He was pleased she reached her end because he was about to give over to the sensations fueling his thrusts. His body betrayed him and ceased the quarrel much sooner than he would’ve liked. He drove his hips upward and firmed his lips against the need to shout his pleasure to the sky. As if he’d been waylaid, his body reacted to such a force, and he swore he’d died. It was as if his heart was pierced with a hundred daggers.

  Graeme kept her against him until his breath slowed. “I will never let you go.”

  She leaned back and took his face in her hands. “I shan’t want you to.”

  They sat silent, both in their own thoughts. Graeme wanted to ask what she was thinking, but refrained. He felt low taking her maidenhead, and should’ve insisted she wed him first. Kerrigan vastly differed from his wife, Sorcha. Aye, his lass was kindhearted, affectionate, sweet-natured. Unlike his wife who hadn’t much adoration for him and was more self-serving. Never had she reacted to him the way Kerrigan had. There was no comparison betwixt the two.

  He’d be a fool if he didn’t take Kerrigan to wife as soon as he was able. But there was much to consider. Especially knowing she would have to take wee Moray to the Bruce when and if he retrieved him. Would he lose her? If he was to, he would enjoy every moment whilst she was with him.

  “You are quiet. What are you thinking about?” Her hand gentled over his chest.

  “You, us, the wee lord.”

  “How can you even think a thought after what just occurred? Why I’m as dumb as a sheep and cannot hold a thought. I’m still trembling.”

  Graeme laughed as he pulled his tartan free from over his shoulder and set it around her back. He let out a bellow at her jest. “You’re as clever as a fox.”

  “Hmm. So what of us? I worry once we find the wee lord I shall never see you again.”

  He tilted her face to see her eyes. There was dread in the darkened blue depths. “I’ll never let that happen.”

  “Promise?”

  “Aye. Now tell me of this friend, Galyn? Who does she belong to?”

  “I’ve known her since we were wee. She would often come to Bothwell with her family. Her father was a soldier who fought with Wallace until he was injured. Galyn told me her family left her there in the cottage. She doesn’t know where they went. I couldn’t leave her there, Graeme. Something awful would’ve happened to her.”

  “Aye, mayhap. She can stay, but none can now leave. You understand we cannot have our whereabouts known. If the king or anyone else learns of us, we’ll be hauled off to the executioner.”

  She gasped. “What have you done?”

  “Nothing as gruesome as what you’re thinking,” he said and chuckled. “But aye, mayhap it is. A few years ago, I slew a man.”

  “Did he deserve it? I’m certain he did.” Kerrigan retook her place and settled against his chest.

  Graeme wasn’t sure why he told her about his past, but he wanted to. “Aye, he killed my wife.”

  Her hand ceased its pleasurable path. “You were married?”

  “Aye, but my enemy killed her, and I slayed him. The elders of my clan didn’t take well to my taking justice in my own hands. I would’ve been banished or killed in retribution, but my father talked the council into putting me in the Bruce’s service for five years.”

  “Oh, Graeme, that’s dreadful. I’m sorry he killed your wife, and that you were sent away. Have you children? Was your wife beautiful?”

  “Nay I haven’t any children. Sorcha was bonnie, but it was rumored she wasn’t faithful.”

  Kerrigan tightened her hold on him. “That must have been upsetting for you. How long has it been since you were sent away?”

  “Near to three years now. It will be three years in February. My comrades and I were given the task of protecting Robert. We were with the Bruce when something happened of which I cannot speak. What we witnessed endangers us. We cannot allow our king or anyone know where we are mainly for his protection.” He caressed her face with the palm of his hand and reveled at the softness of her skin. Graeme was relieved at telling her about his past.

  “I am sorry to put you in such a position. I will make certain no one leaves the caves until it is safe to do so. What of the little lord? Have you news?”

  Graeme sighed, because telling Kerrigan of their quandary would be upsetting. “Och lass, I am not certain
we can retrieve him. He’s being held at an enemy’s keep and there’s no way to gain entry short of taking thousands of men to besiege it. The only way we might be able to retrieve Laird Moray’s son is to have something with which to barter. The Comyns are known for their disregard, and even if we had something they wanted, they might not want to lose the prize they hold.”

  Kerrigan sighed in return. “We’ll have to think of something, Graeme. I promised to get him to safety. Laird Moray was insistent. There must be a way to obtain him.”

  “We must hold hope the wee lord is well until we can get to him. Worry not, we shall rescue him.”

  “Graeme?”

  He placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “Aye?”

  “Thank you for helping me.”

  Chapter ELEVEN

  A fortnight passed since the night she’d given herself to Graeme. He didn’t touch her again nor kiss her. Kerrigan was unsettled by his avoidance. Uncertain why he kept away, she worried he cared not. Regardless, she wouldn’t hold remorse. If she had to do it again, she wouldn’t deny him. Was she a fool? Was he akin to other men who had no sentiment for a woman’s affection?

  As the days passed, she fell into a daily routine, doing chores, launder, playing with the bairn in the late afternoons. She would join Philippa with the bairn outside the cave for fresh air. Early summer rain soaked the land and kept them inside the cave for wont of anything to do most days. Many an afternoon, after the bairn went down for a nap, they’d sit and stare at the cave walls for lack of entertainment.

  Kerrigan upon waking that morn noticed the air warmed. By mid-morning, the sun shown itself. How she longed to warm her face with the rays. She set the launder basket down at the entrance to the cave which she would take to the stream later and tilted her face. It would get warmer and so she removed the heavy tartan she wore around her shoulders.

  She returned to the main table within the large area of the cave and took a hunk of bread. In seconds she finished it and noticed Finley who sat across the chamber. He held a long pike which he sharpened. Kerrigan bowed her head to him.