Page 40 of Bound to a Scot (Sins in a Kilt #2)

CHAPTER FORTY

“ R ide fast, lad,” Maddox said.

“Aye. Like the bleedin’ wind.”

After spending most of the previous night drafting the letter Adair was carrying to King James, Maddox felt apprehension as he watched his cousin mounting up and riding away from the castle. He frowned, then turned his face to the sky. The pre-dawn gloom still shrouded the world, but the sun would begin its ascent soon enough and there was still much to do.

Burchard had returned the previous night with a group of men and wagons filled with goods for the upcoming nuptials feast. Macfie had been in good spirits, jesting with Maddox and clapping him on the shoulder and laughing like they were friends. It was all Maddox could do to keep from throttling him then and there. But he remembered the words of caution from Emmeline, Adair, and Lorn and swallowed down his rage.

When he turned to enter the castle again, he found Macfie and his new friends walking out. The laird looked startled to see Maddox but quickly recovered. He nodded to his men who cut hard glares at him as they moved to the stables to fetch their mounts. Maddox watched them go for a moment, curiosity gripping him, before turning back to Macfie.

“Laird MacLachlan, what are ye doin’ up so early?” Macfie said.

“Takin’ in the sunrise.”

“Ah. Well, the view is much better up on the ramparts.”

“Aye. I was just headin’ up that way,” he said through gritted teeth. “And yerself? What has ye leavin’ so early this mornin’?”

He cleared his throat and looked uneasy. “I’ve got some business tae see tae. ‘Tis a busy time with the upcomin’ weddin’.”

Maddox gritted his teeth but put a smile on his face. “Aye. Of course. Well, I willnae keep ye then. We’ll see ye later taenight?’

“Aye. Perhaps.”

“Good day, Laird Macfie.”

“And a good day tae ye.”

Macfie turned and strode toward the stables as his men emerged with his horse already saddled. Maddox stood where he was, watching them all mount up and ride out, not a single one of them sparing a glance back at him. It was as if Macfie’s companions didn’t want him to see their faces. It felt positively sinister. Once they were gone, Maddox dashed back into the castle to rouse Lorn and Emmeline from their slumber.

There was much to do.

Wearing cloaks and masks over the lower parts of their faces, Emmeline, Maddox, and Lorn traveled the road toward the village. Lorn had friends among the people and had learned that Burchard had been traveling to the port town. His friends couldn’t tell him what Burchard was doing or who he was meeting with, but Maddox was certain it was the mercenaries meant to kill him and possibly the men he would put in charge of his lands once he was dead.

By the time they arrived at the port town, dark clouds had swept in from the ocean, bringing with it a cold wind and the promise of rain.

“How are we goin’ tae find him?” Emmeline asked.

“I’ve got friends here too,” Lorn replied. “It shouldnae be tae difficult tae find out where he’s at.”

They boarded their horses at the stables near the docks, handing the stable boy a few coins for their care, then walked into the town. It was crowded and the scent of more like rotting meat. Maddox did not like this town. Children, dirty and bedraggled, surrounded them, hands out, begging for coin. Emmeline reached for her purse but Lorn put his hand over hers.

“Dinnae. We cannae afford tae draw attention tae ourselves,” he grumbled. “And strangers handin’ out coin tae the street urchins is goin’ tae get tongues waggin’.”

Emmeline nodded, although she looked pained to be denying children in need. Together, they moved through the crowd, heading into the central marketplace of the port town. The air was filled with the sound of music and barkers hawking their wares. The stench of something rotten so prevalent near the docks was gone in the marketplace or was perhaps just overpowered by the aroma of roasting meats and fish. Maddox’s mouth watered and his stomach grumbled.

“We should eat somethin’,” he said.

“’Tis a good idea. Ye two get somethin’ tae eat. I see somebody I need tae have a word with. I’ll find ye after,” Lorn said and stalked away.

Maddox led Emmeline toward a line of stalls where they picked up bowls of fish with butter and brown gravy and vegetables, with a side of warm, crusty bread. They took their food to a quiet area and indulged. As they ate, Maddox noticed that Emmeline’s hands were shaking so wildly, he thought she might drop her bowl of food. He gently put his hand over hers and offered her a small smile.

“Everythin’s goin’ tae be all right,” he said. “Breathe easy, lass.”

Her smile was wan, and she seemed to pale. “I’m nae so sure. Ye dinnae ken Burchard. He’s a cruel and vindictive man?—”

“And if ye all were right, he’ll pay fer that once the king gets word of what’s happenin’ here.”

She nodded but still didn’t look convinced. Maddox couldn’t blame her. In truth, he didn’t have much faith in the royals either. He was used to settling his affairs with face to face meetings, or if all else failed, with his blade. He believed in his strength and skill. Playing these political games had him feeling well out of his depth. But he’d given his word that he would use every other tool available to them before resorting to baring blades. And he intended to keep his word.

After finishing their meals, Maddox and Emmeline walked around the marketplace, looking at the trinkets for sale in the various stalls. Most of it was garbage, but there were some quality items as well. Maddox noticed that a stunning gold necklace set with an array of jewels that glittered even in the gloomy overcast light of the afternoon seemed to have caught Emmeline’s eye. She smiled as she marveled over the craftsmanship. Maddox was just about to purchase it for her when Lorn appeared, putting a hand on each of their shoulders.

“We need tae move. Now,” he urged. “Let’s go. Now.”

He escorted them away from the stall, much to the disappointment of the vendor, and ushered them through the crowded marketplace.

“What is goin’ on?” Maddox asked.

“Burchard is in the crowd behind us with some of his goons,” he said, his voice a harsh whisper. “We cannae let them see us or this is all fer naught.”

Picking up their pace, Maddox let the big man guide them through the marketplace, eventually pausing before a blacksmith’s forge. He and Lorn pretended to marvel over the crafting of a pair of swords, all the while, sneaking glances at the crowd around them.

“Bleedin’ hell,” Lorn muttered. “They’re still comin’.”

“Have they seen us?” Emmeline asked, alarm in her voice and Maddox could feel her whole body trembling even if they weren’t touching.

“I dinnae think so,” he replied. “But ye two need tae get indoors. Find someplace quiet and hide until I come fer ye.”

“And what are ye goin’ tae dae?” Maddox asked.

“Get what we came here for in the first place,” he said. “We need information.”

“Let me go,” Maddox objected. “I can help?—”

“Ye can help by lookin’ out fer her,” Lorn cut him off. “Get her indoors. Now. I will find ye when it’s safe. It willnae be as weird fer me tae be here as it will be fer ye if Burchard sees ye.”

Moving quickly and lithely, the big man melted into the crowd. Feeling the headsman’s axe drawing closer with every passing second, he grabbed Emmeline’s hand and pulled her through the bustling marketplace. Needing to get her out of sight, Maddox found a small shack behind the blacksmith’s forge and threw the door open. Aside from some boxes and tools, it looked as if it hadn’t been used for some time. Maddox pushed her inside then stepped in and closed the door, throwing the latch down to lock them inside.

The smells from the food vendors, the scent of the sea, and the sound of the musicians filled the air around them. Maddox pressed his eye to a crack between the boards of the wall and stared out at the square, half-expecting to see Burchard and his men surrounding the shack. He saw nobody and breathed a sigh of relief.

“I think we’re safe,” he said.

“We’re nae safe from the dirt and dust in here.”

He turned to see Emmeline looking at the surroundings with distaste. It was a bit dusty, and cobwebs clung to the corners, telling Maddox this wasn’t a place used very often. He found a rag and quickly dusted off the table that sat in the center of the room. Emmeline squeaked as he picked her up and set her down on it.

“There,” he said. “Ye’re safe from the dirt and dust now.”

“Ye’re quite the gentleman.”

“Aye. I ken.”

She laughed and though Maddox knew he should turn back and keep watch on the grounds outside, he found himself captivated by Emmeline’s vibrant gaze. The silence stretched out between them and Maddox found his eyes traveling the line of her neck, sliding all the way down to the swell of her breasts. The air between them thickened and he felt his arousal stirring. And before her realized what he was doing, he leaned forward and kissed her.

Their tongues swirled around one another and Maddox ran his hands all over Emmeline’s body, relishing the feel of her soft, gentle curves. As she kissed him back, he felt the heat wafting off her and he felt himself growing thick and hard. It was the worst time to do what they were thinking, but when he looked into her eyes, he saw that she needed it as much as he did. With so much fear and uncertainty swirling around them, this one life affirming act seemed necessary. The only solace they had in this world seemed to be each other.

Maddox reached down and pushed her dress up to her waist as she fumbled with his breeches. Their breathy moans echoed in his ears and when she grabbed hold of his staff and squeezed it tightly in her fist, Maddox felt as if he could explode right then and there. As she ran her hand up and down, squeezing and stroking him, he turned his head up to the ceiling and groaned, pleasure running through him like fire. He would have been happy to let her pleasure him with her hand, but Maddox knew she needed the comfort and connection their coupling could provide.

Emmeline spread her thighs as he stepped forward and he leaned forward, kissing her fiercely as he pressed his manhood into her warm, slick opening. Maddox plunged deep into her soft recesses, reveling in the heat and tightness of her sex. Emmeline slipped her hands around the back of his neck and leaned back as he thrust himself into her with a frenzied abandon. The sound of their bodies crashing together blended with her breathy moans and his grunts. Maddox’s entire body was alight with sensations that made him shudder from head to toe.

Her eyes were locked onto his, heightening the intensity and intimacy between them. Maddox was harder than he’d ever been, and he felt himself swelling already as the feeling of being so deep within her velvety warmth pushed him to the brink. Emmeline’s eyes grew wide and her mouth fell open. He quickly kissed her, muffling her cries of pleasure. She writhed beneath him, her body shaking wildly as she climaxed.

As her trembling began to ebb, she pulled back and stared at him with a wide-eyed look of amazement on her face and a sultry smile on her lips. She leaned forward, her full lips brushing his ear. Her breath was warm upon his neck, and he shuddered, the sensation of it sending a lightning bolt of pleasure firing through his veins. Maddox’s shaft swelled and his entire body grew taut. He gritted his teeth, trying to hold back but he knew he’d already lost the fight.

“I want tae feel yer seed inside of me, please,” she whispered.

He shook his head. “I cannae.”

He pulled himself out and exploded, grunting and groaning as he shot his seed, thick and warm, all over her thighs and her sex. His breath was ragged, and his heart raced as a hard shudder passed through his body. Maddox had never climaxed that hard before and his head spun. Her arms still around the back of his neck, Emmeline leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips. But then she pulled back and held his gaze for a moment, curiosity on her face.

“Ye ken ye can finish inside of me?” she asked.

He looked down at the dusty floorboards beneath his feet. It was a fair question, he knew, and one he should have expected. She deserved an answer. He finally met her gaze again, his lips a tight line across his face. She laid a hand gently upon his cheek.

“’Tis all right,” she said quietly. “What is it?”

Maddox drew a deep breath. “I ken it wasnae me child, but I thought it was… and after losin’ that child, I dinnae ever want tae feel that pain again. I cannae.”

His voice was thick with emotion and understanding blended with compassion crossed Emmeline’s face. She pulled him to her, letting him lay his head on her shoulder as she stroked his hair. He had said it between the lines when he had told her what had happened, but he had never shared that in actual words with anybody before. He never really spoke about his emotions. That just wasn’t his way. But something about Emmeline encouraged him to be more open. Something about her made him want to share. Something about her made him feel safe and that whatever he felt was okay. It was something he’d never felt before. It confused and scared him but on a deeper level within him, it felt right.

In the dim, dusty gloom of the shack they were sheltering in, clinging together tightly, Maddox wanted that moment to last forever. He wanted to be with Emmeline forever. He wasn’t sure how he was going to make that happen but, in that moment, he knew he never wanted to be without her again.