King's Knight [Highland Menage 8] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  She had a need for the same. She squirmed some more. Her nipples itched again. It had started a few days ago when they rode out of Duncladach. She’d blamed the day-long shaking from riding and looked forward to it stopping. With the herald and his two guards near she couldn’t even have a mouth put on them to soothe her. Soothe and inflame.

  “Soon, wife,” said Rory. This was loud enough for the others to hear. “Soon ye’ll be home.”

  She hoped the others thought the second sentence was part of the first. She knew he meant soon he would be filling her, and also she’d be home. And lord, but she needed to be filled!

  It would be a while, though, as Sam and Mary, and their children, would be there. Perhaps Janet and wee Jenny would be as well. She turned her mind away from what she wanted her husbands to do to her, to how they would fare at Calltuin.

  Rory would fit well. He’d spoken of his eagerness to care for the land. Tearlach, though not wishing to stay at Duncladach, was not very pleased to live here. He was a man who craved action, preferably if it included attacking enemies with a sharp blade. He, Rory, and the herald’s two guards squared off each night either with claymores or wrestling. She understood the necessity while traveling but it would not be required at Calltuin. Would Tearlach get bored and irritated? She and Rory could survive without him, not that she wished to. But if he got restless would he hire his sword out to bring gold home to them?

  “Oh, my lady! Ye are back with us!”

  Janet, waving madly, hurried toward them. Wee Jenny grinned, unable to wave as she held the hands of two of Sam and Mary’s children. Another was on her back. Likely Mary had the second twin. Rory dismounted and took her reins, helping her down so she could run to Janet. Tears leaked down her cheeks.

  “Oh, Janet! ’Tis so good to see ye!” Isabel clung to the woman who’d been a mother to her. Now she was really home. “Did Laird Graham return what he’d taken?”

  Janet held her at arms’ length and looked her over. “Aye. Master Errol rode here with the first of it. He will be a good laird, once his foul father is gone.” Janet’s eyes misted. “Ah, lassie, are ye back for now, or forever?”

  “Just for now, until the king decides. Duncladach was… um, Laird Somerled…” As Isabel couldn’t say anything good she would say nothing.

  “Our laird was on his high horse about a woman’s place and he didna care that Isabel was a lady,” said Rory, answering for her. “In return, Isabel was stubborn and worked far too hard. Somerled didna even thank her, just demanded more. Yet she didna tell us so we could stop it. We have had words on that.” He dismounted and shook out his legs as if he had a cramp.

  “Methinks the walls of Duncladach will shake if Laird Somerled finds himself married to a woman who willna bow to him,” said Isabel.

  “Then the walls of Duncladach will soon be shaking,” said the herald. He’d refused to tell them his clan, saying it didn’t matter as he worked for the king. She was thinking of calling him Sir Lion, though he’d removed his tabard once they crossed into Graham land.

  “And why is that?” demanded Tearlach.

  “King James has chosen a lass who will stand up to your laird.” He held up his hand. “Nay, I canna tell you her clan.”

  “Is she tall enough to punch him in the belly?” asked Isabel. “For I wished to do that more than once.”

  “She is a wee bit shorter than you,” replied Sir Lion, “but fiercer. She’s had to be.”

  “Shorter?” Tearlach snorted. “Somerled would just pick her up and carry her where he wanted her.” He winked. “It works for me.”

  “Remember how yer laird got dosed with a spring tonic. I can do the same with ye,” she threatened.

  “Ye are lucky we left afore yer laird ordered yer punishment. Ye’d not be sittin’ on yer saddle without a fair bit o’ pain.”

  Tearlach made a show of looking at his palm, then her arse. She flushed, tingling in anticipation. They would have to wait until later for any fun. She cleared her throat, keeping to the subject at hand.

  “Is the woman chosen a widow, married young to an old goat who has thankfully died?”

  “Aye, she is a widow. The rest I canna say.”

  She took Sir Lion’s words to mean ‘yes’. It was all too common. Janet was supposed to marry a wealthy man but had eloped with someone far below her. Her family, of course, said she was dead to them. Only later did Janet hear whispers of how badly her intended had treated the young lass he ended up marrying. Janet said that knowledge had further strengthened the love bond she shared with her Robert. Unfortunately he and their infant had died just before Isabel was born. Janet had been hired as her wet nurse, and had stayed on.

  Mary came out, babe on her back, and gathered the children. They waved as they headed for the river. It was a sunny day so perhaps they were doing laundry. Wee Jenny ran over for a hug, beaming.

  “Look at ye, ye’ve grown taller!”

  “Mary says I’m a real help.” Jenny pulled away. “I shall ask ye all about it when we sup.” She ran off, catching up with Mary.

  “Jenny is happy here with Sam and Mary,” said Janet. “Mary guides her well. Sam takes her on his knee with his own bairns to tell stories.”

  “Good! I am so glad we heard her cries that day and found her. Mismatched eyes are not a reason to let a babe die.”

  “We used yer wee sketches though ye may wish to move a few things once ye get settled,” said Janet.

  “Is the bed ready?” Isabel blushed at Janet’s knowing look. “I am weary from traveling.”

  “Aye, yer bed was placed first.” Janet winked. “Does my lady wish a bath?”

  Isabel’s heart jumped. “My tub arrived from Stirling?” She pressed her hands together over her chest, eager for the new luxury, denied since they left Duchray.

  “Aye. ’Tis in the laundry, by the river. We filled the cistern after washing so the water is already warm. Mary will get the fire going again.”

  “’Tis good to have it near the water,” said Tearlach. “Mayhaps we’ll build a bathing chamber.” He tilted his head at her. “In the future ye’ll tell me when ye wish to bathe, aye? The laundry is a distance from the house and I willna have ye there alone.”

  It was not a question. She blushed and tingled at the heated look he threw her. She would certainly not be alone. Today she would wash her hair while the water heated and then crouch in her small tub and let the warm water ease her sore muscles. After her sleep she would feel an even greater need for Tearlach’s warm hands and cock to ease other parts. She yanked her attention back to Janet.

  “Ye’ll be wanting to eat,” said Janet to the men. “Mary is a good cook and housekeeper.” She turned to Rory. “Sam is out in the trees. He’ll return when he can.”

  Rory looked longingly up the hill before turning back to face the house with resignation. “I’d best take care of my mount.”

  “Go off to yer trees,” said Tearlach to Rory. “I’ll take care of yer horse.” He waved his twin away. Rory, grinning, set off at a lope.

  Isabel would like Tearlach to join her for a wee nap but a warrior would not take to his bed while the sun was up and there was work to do. She looked at Rory’s rapidly disappearing figure. Maybe she could have a sleep and then she and Tearlach could go look for his twin?

  There was a lovely meadow she remembered quite vividly…

  Chapter 14

  Tearlach watched Janet lead Isabel away. She would eat, have a hot bath, and then sleep. He wished to sleep with her, just holding her as her soft snores filled his ears. That, as well as other things, would have to wait for night.

  He hoped she squealed in joy when she saw the tub. She’d ordered the smallest she could climb into to save their coins. He’d gone back to arrange for the largest they could find. Isabel would not always be slim as lasses tended to get more womanly as they aged. That’s what he told the owner. The truth was Tearlach wished to climb into the tub with her. He hoped it was big enough for her knee
s to fit beside his hips as she rode his cock.

  A cock that had been hard for days as he watched his wife grind her pussy into that saddle rather than his groin. He tugged on the reins. Maybe by the time he finished with the horses he’d be able to walk inside the house without needing to put a rock in his sporran to hold his plaid from rising in an obvious show of his arousal.

  The herald and his men murmured between each other as he worked, allowing him to think. Isabel was home. As her husband, he was the man in charge. He would set the orders for the day, season, and year. He ground his teeth. He couldn’t give orders to farmers when he knew nothing about it. He didn’t wish to learn, either.

  He let the soothing motions of brushing his horse relax him. The beast preened, loving the attention.

  “Aye, ye are a beauty,” he murmured. “Ye’ll make fine colts. ’Twas a good thing Isabel’s mare came into heat while we were at Duncladach. Both of ye covered her.” The significance of it hit him. He rested his forehead against the horse’s warm neck to whisper. “Ye are like us, sharing yer female. ’Tis a wee bit different as ye only mount her when she’s in heat, and we pleasure Isabel whene’er we can.” He worked for a while. A thought struck, stopping his hand. “Our wife is eager most the time, as if in heat, so mayhaps ’tis the same.”

  He continued, chuckling to himself. Isabel made it clear she wanted them as much as they wanted her. That was a blessing few husbands enjoyed. Perhaps she would change in time due to children and age. He hoped not. He wanted the three of them to be like the Frasers, still enjoying each other’s company, and bodies, while grandparents.

  The Frasers were unusual, and not only as they cared about each other. Lady Janet was a fine woman, well-educated and gracious. Her husband gave her a lot of power, especially when he was away. Hugh, their heir, had explained his mother had certain responsibilities such as communicating with other clans, arranging marriages for her children, and the like. Tearlach hadn’t realized how much negotiation was involved in arranging a marriage. Though the bride’s family provided a dowry, the groom’s family also brought goods to the table.

  That was one reason why the MacDougals hadn’t been able to marry. Or, hadn’t until they fell in with unusual women. Angus and Gillis had married a woman they thought was a bastard of a laird. Fiona turned out to be a niece of Laird Fraser. Cormac and James had rescued Lady Alana Sinclair from marriage to a man who would have killed her. Malcolm and Duff, identical twins, had been tricked by Laird MacKenzie into marrying his daughter, who insisted no man was strong enough to control her. So her father invited the twins, who kept her well in hand.

  He and Rory had fallen for a wee thing who thought she had nothing. Even without Calltuin, Isabel offered so much to them. Could he give her what she needed in return?

  “I’ll have a word with you while we’re alone.”

  Tearlach startled at the herald’s voice. Some protector he was, so deep in thought that he’d not noticed a man creeping up on him. He schooled his features and turned. While their cinches were loosened, the herald’s horses were still saddled.

  “Ye willna be stayin’?”

  “Nay. We must be at Doune Castle. I will tour the house to see if Graham of Aberfoyle has returned what he was ordered, then we will ride on.”

  “I dinna ken what else is here to eat, but Calltuin makes a hazelnut bread that goes well with sweet butter and honey. ’Twould save ye stopping in Callander.”

  “Thank you, we shall enjoy the treat.” The herald narrowed his eyes at Tearlach. “You are an honest man, MacDougal, and your lady wife is a delight. You deserve to ken what may come your way. This comes from me, and not my tabard.”

  Tearlach put all his attention on the threat of those words. “I will thank ye for a warning that none will ken I heard spoken.”

  “Roderick got well in his cups while being sent home to Duchray. He didna guard his words. Laird Graham wishes ye dead.”

  It was almost a comfort to hear the words spoken aloud. Tearlach nodded. His hand itched to fight the man one-on-one. He scratched, using the motion to ensure his hidden weapons were in place.

  “’Tis no surprise,” he replied. “Graham loses much by my marriage to Isabel. As guardian he would have kenned the wealth of her lands along the English border.”

  “You have no interest in that?”

  Tearlach grinned widely. “I wouldna mind killin’ a few of the Sassenachs, but I’d have to leave the Highlands to do so.” He shook his head. “Calltuin is what my lady wife, and brother, wish. That shall be enough for me. ’Tis more than we ever dreamed.”

  He knew little of marriage. When he and Rory, and his other brothers, had spoken of wives it had been someone to cook and clean, and bed. They’d not admitted to one another the need to hold someone in the night. Never had he thought he could feel such a deep need for a woman, to hold and protect her. Isabel was such a huge part of his life. It was as if there was a hole in him that he didn’t know existed until it was filled with her love. At least, that’s what he thought it was. He wasn’t sure if he could return it, but he would give his life for her, as would Rory.

  “You are no farmer, Tearlach MacDougal. Your right hand clenched for your claymore when I startled you, and your left showed me where I could find a few dirks if I looked.”

  That twitch was a habit he thought he’d curbed. He would work on it. “Ye have a keen eye.”

  “I ken what to look for.” The herald glanced around, taking everything in. “’Twas suggested your lady’s parents died of a slow poison. We are looking into others who may have suffered the same fate.” The herald quirked an eyebrow. “Strangely, their deaths all benefited Laird Graham.”

  “Poison?” That was a coward’s way. And a woman’s, as they had little strength or power to kill otherwise. “He canna poison me and get away with it.”

  “Nay, you are young and healthy. He will have you killed in battle.”

  Tearlach’s right hand stretched, ready to grasp his claymore. He would fight for Isabel, and for her people. That was what he was born to do. But not here.

  “Who will I be battling here, in this quiet valley?” He would set up an alarm system. There was at a narrow trail along LochVenachar, the only way in from Callander. If attackers came over Duke’s Pass from Aberfoyle they’d have to cross the Black Water river. “I will see Graham’s men coming.”

  “Not if they be already here. ’Twill be a tragic accident.” The herald gave him a shrewd look.

  “There will be no accident as I willna allow them near Calltuin.”

  “You willna have a choice. Graham will buy one or two, to hide among the others.”

  Others? Tearlach was ready to grab the man by the throat and shake him. He would not do so as the man was the representation of the king. A blow to him, was one to His Majesty. Though the herald was much shorter and whip-thin their travels had proved the man had a strength far greater than he seemed. He often looked young, eager, and inexperienced. Yet when his face and body tightened, as now, Tearlach could see his true age and experience.

  “Ye talk in riddles,” he said, matching the herald’s demeanor. “Tell me what I must ken to keep my family and clan safe.”

  “His Majesty was impressed by your ability to train the young bucks at court. He wishes to have the Crown care for the other properties your lady wife inherited.”

  Somehow the two sentences were connected in the herald’s mind. Not Tearlach’s. “I have already said those lands are of no interest to me. I dinna wish to leave the Highlands.”

  “Aye, but others will think ye were forced into accepting the loss. They will believe the king would do the same to them, against their wishes. So His Majesty must reward you in exchange for the loss.”

  “Calltuin, and Isabel, will be enough.”

  The herald stared at him, unblinking. “You mean that.”

  Tearlach’s stomach growled. His patience was wearing thin. “If I didna mean it, I wouldna say it!”
r />   “If that honor and truth was more common life would be far simpler.” He gave Tearlach a wry look. “However, complications make life interesting.”

  “The king wishes to reward me for giving up something I dinna wish to have?”

  “Nay, King James wishes to be seen to trade one thing for the other in a way his most fractious subjects will accept.”

  A sense of foreboding gripped Tearlach’s gut. Unlike the herald, he did not wish complications in his life. “Methinks I may not wish to have this honor.”

  “Aye, but you will accept it anyway.”

  Tearlach leaned back on his heels, crossed his arms, and stared down at the smaller man. “Then tell me, Sir Herald. What is this great thing?”

  Instead of answering, the man took a good look around. To the north, behind the house, were hills covered in hazel trees. Before them fields ran down to the wide river. Beyond that, more fields and a meadow spread to the south before rising to the hills that separated them from Aberfoyle.

  “You are well situated here,” said the herald, not answering his question. “A guard posted along the narrow section of the loch to Callander will easily control who and what goes in and out.”

  “I am not concerned about those leaving.”

  “You will be.”

  “And why is that?” he asked with exasperation.

  The herald turned his full force on Tearlach. Though small he would not be a good man to rob, even if alone in a dark alley.

  “Your reward is to train those young bucks. The king wishes to have them learn in an atmosphere far from the gambling dens and fleshpots of Stirling. He, and their fathers, believe you will train them well.”

  “Train those young pups, here?” He shuddered at the task. “A few learned well, but the rest were only there under orders of their fathers.” He shook his head. “Look around. ’Tis a peaceful valley. There’s naught here to keep such amused. Nor can one man keep them in control.”

  “You will be given the means to do so. Their fathers will pay you, and handsomely as they will incur little debt so far from Stirling.” The herald tsked as Tearlach continued to shake his head. “King James believes you can convince them, and His Majesty is never wrong.”