Page 7 of A Sinful Night with a Scot (Bound by a Highland Curse: The Morgan’s Clan Stories #8)

CHAPTER SEVEN

W hile his words had not been said harshly, they cut Elsie to the bone. Indeed, where would she go? Her family would think she was ruined, and thus, to return would bring great shame on the Munro clan. She had already brought enough shame to her father, just by being born.

But ye havenae, and thus, ye can assure him o’ that.

Yes, she could. If he would believe her, that is. But she was running ahead of herself. She would cross that bridge when she came to it. There were far mor important things she needed to consider. Like, figuring out how she was to escape. And she did need to break free. It just couldn’t be now. For a start, she had no idea where she was, and thus would likely get completely lost. Secondly, and more importantly, Keane had too many men with their eyes on her.

For now, she would pretend she was going along with this farce. Besides, the more she won the laird’s trust, the more freedom he was likely to give her. Was she now not on a horse of her own?

Elsie was still a little confused about that. Only the day before, he had bound her to him with rope. It was a rather big leap in such a short period of time.

It’s because he did yer hair.

That could be true. There had definitely been a moment there, yet another one, where the tension had sparked between them. It was she who had created that disaster in the first place. She could certainly braid her own hair. Indeed, Lucy, her maid, had taken care of that for many years and Elsie was used to someone else doing it. But she wasn’t an imbecile. The mirror was only so she could check that she looked presentable and tidy.

But, of course, once she had lied, she could not take it back, or he would know she was lying, and she had no choice but to sit there and let him attempt to do it for her. It had been the first time, since he had snatched her, that they had conversed in any civil manner. In fact, she had actually made him laugh.

Dinnae get any ideas. Ye’re still a prisoner.

Yes, she was. No matter what happened between them, Elsie had to keep that in the forefront of her mind.

The morning continued with little occurrences. They had been travelling for some time when Keane announced that they would take another break.

“There’s a river up ahead. The horses need water, and we too, can eat.”

The men about her nodded, and then Keane turned and looked at her. “Besides, her majesty isnae used tae riding,” he sneered, nodding to Elsie. “I’m sure her behind is well and truly bruised by now.”

His remark sent the men into fits of laughter, while Elsie’s face flamed with embarrassment.

What a pig!

She was still fuming when they finally came to a stop near a group of trees beside the river. Instead of waiting for Keane to come and help her this time, she dismounted as he approached, landing on her feet just as he got to her.

Turning to glare at him, she watched as his eyebrows lifted in surprise.

“Ye dinnae need me help, I see,” he smirked.

“Indeed, I dinnae,” she spat back.

“Fine.”

The horses were led to the river, and then the men sat about under the trees, eating bread and meats, and drinking the wine Keane had purchased from the tavern.

“Here,” he said, handing her the wineskin. “Take a drink. It’ll cheer ye up.”

Elsie snatched it out of his hand and took a sip. The wine slipped down her throat, quenching her thirst, but it did little to temper her anger. He had humiliated her once too often, and she was getting sick and tired of him using her as some kind of release for his own pent-up frustrations.

From the utter embarrassment the day before, when she had gone to bathe, to all the snide remarks he had made from then. She had had enough. She had sworn she would get him back, and that’s exactly what she intended to do. Indeed, tossing the ale over him yesterday had given her a great sense of satisfaction, and she was eager to feel that exhilaration again.

Thinking about the vessel in her hand, that same idea at the tavern entered her mind again.

Surely, he willnae fall fer it a second time.

No. Arrogant he may be, but a fool, he was not. She had to think of something else. Her eyes wandered around about her, and taking in the area, she noticed a bush with fresh, plump blackberries hanging on the vine, ready to be picked.

Och, aye. That will dae very well.

She handed back the wineskin and waited for Keane to turn his back. She then took her opportunity and ran.

“Me laird,” one of the men hollered.

But Elsie did not look back and with her feet pounding against the damp sod beneath her feet, she made it to the bush. Snatching the berries from branches, she grabbed as many as she could, before continuing to run.

“Elspeth,” Keane roared. “Stop right where ye are.”

But for her plan to work, the laird needed to believe she was truly trying to escape, and thus, she continued on, even though she could hear his heavy footfall closing in as he shortened the gap between them.

A few seconds later, she felt his huge arm grab her at the waist, lifting her entirely off her feet.

“Get off me,” she screamed, playing her part to perfection.

“Nae a chance,” he barked, spinning her around in mid-air.

It was exactly what she wanted, and with the berries crushed in her palms, she hammered her fists down on his solid chest. “Let me go, ye brute. Let me go this minute.”

Keane looked at her like she had lost her mind, which, she supposed, it appeared she had, but it was all part of it. So busy was he looking at her manic face, he had not yet noticed the purple splatters of juice now covering his ‘last clean shirt’.

When she finally felt his clothes were marred enough to look foolish, she slowly stopped fighting him, and settled, with him still holding her aloft in his arms.

“Are ye done?” he snarled.

Elsie heaved a huge dramatic sigh, and nodded her head.

Lowering her to the floor, he looked at her in disbelief. “Ye didnae really think ye were?—”

But he stopped speaking when he noticed the slow smirk growing on her lips. Following her eyes, he looked down at himself and gasped.

“Bloody hell,” he bellowed. He glared back and her, and then back at his completely ruined shirt. “Ye did this on purpose,” he roared.

“What are ye going tae dae?” Elsie smirked. “Put me over yer knee and beat me arse?”

His eyebrows shot up at her language, and then his eyes narrowed and he launched at her. Elsie’s heart leapt in her chest and she darted away. But she wasn’t quick enough. Grabbing her wrist, he spun her so her back faced him, and lifted his other hand, ready to strike.

“Ye lay one hand on me, and I swear, I’ll murder ye in yer sleep,” she hissed.

Keane stilled and glared at her. Elsie glared right back, panic searing her eyes, determination in her words, for nothing passing her lips had ever been truer. For a long moment, he stood there, her wrist in one hand, his other held in the air. And then taking a raking breath in, he slowly lowered it, spinning her round to face him.

“Keane,” Alisdair’s voice carried from somewhere behind.

Elsie imagined he was there to stop whatever might have occurred, but clearly, Keane had changed mind of his own volition.

“It’s fine,” Keane rasped. Turning to look at Elsie, he growled, “But ye’re coming with me.”

Keeping a tight hold on her wrist, he pulled her with him as he headed to the river.

“What are ye daeing?” Elsie cried, suddenly panicking.

“What dae ye think I’m daeing?” he growled, his tone now more frustrated than angry as they neared the bank. “I have tae wash this now. But if ye think I’m letting ye out o’ me sight, ye have another thing coming.”

As the panic of thinking he might throw her into the water dissipated, a secret delight rose in Elsie as she watched the laird fume.

Serves him right.

“What did ye say?” he growled, turning to her and finally letting go of her wrist.

“Naething,” she said.

She was certain she hadn’t spoken out loud, and yet, that was the second time he had spoken to her as though he could actually read her mind.

At the water’s edge, Keane tore at his shirt, swiftly yanking it off his body. Admittedly, as much as she delighted in his frustration and discomfort, Elsie could not help the widening of her eyes as she gazed upon his physique. As he pulled at his boots, and slipped his pants from beneath his plaid, muscles rippled everywhere, from his huge broad shoulders and thick upper arms, all the way down his back to his slender waist.

She was not surprised at his size, for even wearing clothes, it was obvious he was a strong and muscular man, but the simple fact was, she had not seen a man in such a state of undress before.

Surely, ye saw the men only yesterday.

Indeed, but none o’ them looked like that!

Besides, she had hardly lingered looking at them, for she had been too ashamed at her own state of undress. Now, however, as he waded into the water to plunge his shirt into the river, she gazed at every crevice and line, the dips of which were caused by the solid muscle.

So mesmerized was she, that she had not noticed that Keane had turned to look at her.

“Are ye enjoying the view?” he sneered.

Swiftly, Elsie gasped and dropped her gaze, the feeling of her cheeks blushing once again. It was becoming an all too familiar sensation of late.

“Dinnae look away,” he jibed. “Yer lingering gaze doesnae bother me.”

Gone was his earlier frustration, and his voice was, once again, confident and full of pride.

“I wasnae gazing,” she replied, trying to find any other place to look other than his direction.

“Och, that’s right. Ye were staring.”

She could not help but glance at him, as he stood facing her, twisting the shirt dry in his hands. The action only highlighted the huge boulders on his chest, and as if they had a mind of their own, they lifted and fell as he continued.

“Like ye are now,” he grinned.

“I am nae,” she came back, though why she was denying it was beyond her, for she clearly was.

He started laughing then, which made her smile at her own foolishness. But the smile suddenly fell from her face when, still laughing at her, he held his shirt in one hand, and lifted his plaid with the other, fully revealing his manhood underneath.

“Och, me God,” she cried, disgusted and mortified in equal measures.

Swiftly turning away, and not looking where she was going, she tripped on a raised piece of ground and found herself flying forward into the grass.

The laird’s laughter carried over to her as she felt humiliation swallow her whole for the umpteenth time. Pushing herself up, she spun to retort something, but he had already turned his back to her.

At that moment, her eyes fell to the embankment, where she spotted his boots.

“Two can play games, Laird Mackay,” she hissed.

Running to the embankment, she lifted his boots and ran away again. Hurrying to a nearby tree, she found a branch just above her head height and tucked them in there, before rushing to return to the position she had been standing when she had fallen.

She watched with satisfaction as the laird turned and waded out of the water, flicking his shirt about him to try and dry it even more. He shivered as he slipped it on, and then, grabbing his pants, he dressed himself. It was only when he went to grab his boots, that his brow furrowed.

Watching him look from left to right, Elsie nearly had to cover her mouth to stop a titter escaping. Eventually, realization crossed his face, and he lifted his head to look at her.

“Very funny. Where are they?”

“I dinnae ken what ye’re talking about?” she lied, the smirk dancing on her lips.

“Is that right?” he said, smiling as he walked towards her.

His expression worried her, for he looked far too happy that his boots were missing, and the closer he got, the more nervous she became.

“That’s how ye want tae play it, is it?” he said, coming ever closer.

“Stay away from me,” Elsie said, putting her hands out to protect herself, as though she ever had a chance against a man of his size.

“Why?” he grinned. “What are ye afraid o’?”

He was getting nearer by the second, and Elsie knew that if she didn’t move, she was in trouble. And so, she bolted, running as fast as her legs would carry her. But the laird was not only stronger, he was taller, his legs far longer than hers. In no time at all, he caught up with her, and with one single movement, he lifted her, twisted her to face him, and threw her over his shoulder.

“Put me down,” she shrieked, pummeling her fists into his solid, muscular back.

“Och, I will. Just nae yet.”

And then, he turned toward the water.

“Wait? Where are ye going?”

“Och, just fer a wee stroll,” he said playfully.

“Nae,” she cried, now dreading what she knew he was going to do. “Put me down.”

Nearer and nearer, they got, until the fear of getting thrown into the freezing cold river was too much.

“Alright. Alright,” she panted. “Put me down and I’ll tell ye.”

Taking her by the waist, Keane slid her slowly down the front of his body, inch by inch, until she felt the ground beneath her feet. But he did not let go, and piercing her with his deep blue eyes, he kept a light grip on her.

Elsie’s heart thumped in her chest, but it was no longer fear of the water that had her pulse racing. Her stomach was doing somersaults as she gazed up into the smoldering eyes of the man she had hated. Yet, in that moment, hate was not what she felt at all. In fact, she could not name what she felt, for she had never once felt it.

For a long moment, he remained standing there, looking at her. While she wanted to step away, she found herself locked in place, pinned to the spot by his intense gaze, and breathless at how her body reacted to him.

“Me boots?” he said finally, his voice thick and low.

Absently, she lifted her hand and pointed to the tree she had hidden them in.

“They’re over there,” she said, her voice almost a whisper.

A slow smile formed on his mouth, and then, a playfulness danced in his eyes.

“Highlanders always repay their debts,” he growled. “Careful what games ye play.”

Her stomach lurched at his words, for she could feel the promise of playful retribution lingering. A promise, she was surprised to discover, that excited her.

Feeling his hands loosen on her waist, he then took a step back and turned away, leaving Elsie both breathless and more aroused than she had ever felt in her life.