A Lady's Seduction [Highland Menage 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “She will be married to me by then.”

  Fraser raised a scornful eyebrow. “Do you think a new bride will sit easy on the back of a horse for hours a day if she is being ridden at night? And if she is with child, with her stomach upset half the day, you willna be able to ride fast, or far.”

  Cormac’s face bloomed with heat. He hadn’t thought past the idea of Alana sharing his plaid. Thoughts of her sweet heat made him groan. He shuffled his feet, needing to get away from Fraser’s eagle eyes.

  “There’s enough gold in there to travel by ship,” said Fraser.

  Cormac groaned again, this time in dismay. He’d felt caged on board Fraser’s small ship and had looked forward to riding. Still, if it would help Alana, he would do it.

  “And where would we find such a ship?” He was being rude but at this point he didn’t care.

  “James will carry messages for Munro and MacKenzie. They both have castles on Cromarty Firth. One will find a ship for you.”

  He weighed the bag again, eyeing the laird. “What I’m holdin’ is a small fortune to a penniless bastard. Do ye trust me with it, and with the lady?”

  “I wish Alana to have a future where she can smile at her own bairns and have a chance at happiness. My reach is far wider than the lands I presently hold.” Fraser’s eyes were the color of the sky on a bitterly cold day. “Do you understand me, Cormac MacDougal?”

  “Ye wish Lady Alana to marry a pair of bastards with nothing to offer, instead of a wealthy cousin who’ll harm her for years afore killing her.”

  “I wish my niece to marry men of honor and loyalty who will give her their hearts as well as their clan and strong right arms.”

  Cormac eyed the man who offered more than he’d expected to find in life.

  “Heart?” He shook his head. “I heard how ye are with yer lady wife. Laird Cameron’s the same. Gillis says he and Angus love Fiona.” He shrugged at their folly. “I dinna have a heart but will give Alana all that I can.”

  “If you wish to find love, Cormac MacDougal, you must first look deep inside, make peace with yourself, and believe you are worth loving. Then you will find love of another.”

  He scowled. He’d have to remember Fraser’s words to tell James, who might understand them. He was a simple man. Something either existed, or it didn’t. As far as he was concerned love did not exist.

  “A good marriage is based on affection, respect, and the need to work together to survive,” he said. “I’ll be speakin’ vows with the first priest we see.”

  “If you need help send a message with household news, and ask if Lady Janet has completed Alana’s tapestry. The message will mean naught to another.”

  Cormac gave an abrupt nod. “Should the stars and the gods connect us, Alana will use yer lady wife’s name for her first lass.”

  Fraser raised a sardonic eyebrow. “You think there’ll be a lass born to the MacDougals this generation?”

  None knew of the last MacDougal. Though she’d died of her mother’s fever before her birth, wee Fia held their hearts and hope of future daughters. Should they marry Alana he’d encourage her to have a lass no matter how many sons they shared. If, as Ewan said, Alana was fertile they’d have many bairns as she’d never sleep alone.

  Alana would be a wildcat in bed. And on a table, against a wall… He bared his teeth in an eager grin.

  “I’ll do me best to give Alana a lassie.”

  Chapter Seven

  Alana thought she was ready to face the MacDougal brothers, all calm and cool, until she saw them striding toward the stables. They walked erect, tall and sturdy with tree trunk legs showing between the bottom of their plaids and their boots. Dark hair contrasted with blue eyes and white teeth.

  James said something and Cormac laughed, throwing back his head and opening his mouth wide. A couple of washerwomen were crossing the bailey. They eyed the two of them, lifting their skirts to show their bare ankles. A rush of fury blasted Alana. How dare they behave in such a way with her men?

  Her men?

  “Goodness, I’m jealous!”

  And why shouldn’t she be jealous? She knew, and cared for, both of them. Unless she found someone better they were going to be her husbands, and she had every right to them. She was pleased they didn’t even notice the women. Very soon Cormac and James would be seeing far more than bare ankles. She was going to seduce them. Dressed as a lad she had no dress to lift and tantalize, but she’d find a way.

  Her heart pounded and her face grew hot as they got closer. The heat sank to her chest, and then lower. She backed deeper into the shadows. The seam on her breeks rubbed against her clit, inflaming her even more. She turned her back on them, busying herself with her mare as if she’d not seen them. Her red hair and light skin meant she couldn’t hide her blush.

  She had to think of something else to distract her. Something sad. Tonight would be the first time in many years she’d sleep without a cat or a child with her. You won’t need a cat or a child to cuddle. You’ll have two handsome, arousing MacDougals!

  Only if they wanted her. Cormac seemed to, asking for that kiss. She’d bolted before she could reach for him. How could she seduce them when they had to pretend she was a young lad helping them? Maybe when they were out of sight of the castle…

  She waited for Cormac or James to say something. They’d been in the kitchen so would likely have heard gossip about her, as she had about them. Her uncle was sure to have told them why she must marry William. Yet they treated her as a lad whose job it was to serve them. In other words, they ignored her.

  She climbed into her saddle, determined not to be accused of holding them back. They gathered their horses, as scruffy as her own, and mounted up. Jock gave her a brisk nod from the door of the stable as they rode away. No one else noticed her riding silently between Cormac and James, who led a pack horse.

  Between them? She had a sudden vision of being pressed against Cormac’s back with James right behind, all three of them naked. She’d seen other naked men since William’s revolting body. Once she was riding with the boys when they came upon some men bathing in the river. As her hair was in a braid under her bonnet and she was dressed the same as the lads the men paid no attention until her guards called a warning. The men quickly dropped to sit in the water, glaring as if it was her fault. She’d managed to see all parts of them, front and back, before they’d dropped.

  James and Cormac were bigger than those young men though she expected they were basically the same under their plaids. The west coast of Scotland had been raided by dark-haired Spanish pirates over the centuries, so the MacDougals were dark. The northeast had been settled by the Norse, so the Sinclairs had blond or red hair. She loved the feel of soft silk threads. Would Cormac’s hair feel like silk if she ran her fingers through it? What about the dark hair on their chests or the tighter curls, lower?

  She kept her back straight though ducked her flaming face as they walked the horses through the village. Her clit rubbed against the saddle with every step. It heated her flesh, creating a delicious tingling feeling. She breathed in, choking when her breast band stopped her from inhaling enough air. She’d have to loosen it when they stopped.

  They kept their silence as they followed the river upstream for a mile. She shifted to find the best position. With this new sensation she realized the journey might be far more enjoyable than she’d expected.

  “Yer arse will soon be sore, but I willna hear a word of complaint from ye.” Cormac didn’t even bother to turn his head and speak over his shoulder. “When it rains ye’ll get as wet as yer horse. Ye’ll be tougher when we get to where we’re goin’. ’Twill take some time as we’ll be having to go around the clans yer father’s stirred up.”

  “‘Tis why ye’re wee Alan MacDougal,” said James from behind. He’d finally acknowledged her presence but his voice was rough, as if angry.

  “Jock said my plaid is from a Menzies.” If they could speak, so could she.

  “A
ye, he were killed by Fiona, our new good-sister. She sliced his throat to get his plaid.”

  Alana whipped her head around to face James. “She what?” Her horse danced sideways. She faced front again, getting the mare under control.

  “He were tryin’ to kill the lassie at the time,” explained Cormac as if the act was totally reasonable. He chuckled. “Aye, she’s a wicked one, is our wee Fiona. She’ll keep Angus and Gillis on their toes. And in her bed,” he added.

  Alana could hear the grin in Cormac’s voice, as if he delighted in making her stomach quake with such talk. She would show him she was tough.

  “You don’t believe I could kill a man.”

  Cormac turned his head to sneer. She glared back.

  “Aye, ye’d use yer wee dirk to defend yerself,” he said. “Not that it would do ye much good against a man. Dinna compare yerself to Fiona. She had hard years of training and ye’ve had none.” He raised a scornful eyebrow. “Ye willna be needin’ to use yer knife for more than cuttin’ cheese. Yer job is to keep yer wee trap shut and see to the horses, gather wood for a fire, cook, and the like.”

  He turned away, leaving her fuming. She’d had training with her “wee dirk.” Lady Janet had insisted on it. All the Cawdor women received basic defense training as a matter of course. They were protected by guards, of course, but there could be enemies in any camp. A woman needed to at least know how to kill herself. Alive, she could be used as bait, held for ransom, or tortured for revenge on the men of her clan. No one could hurt her or her clan if she was dead.

  Alana had also learned how to pretend to be obedient, even to allow a man to paw her, in order to get close enough to sink her knife between his ribs. There’d be only one chance, so it had to be done right. She’d thought of William as she practiced. And practiced. It was a lesson she’d learned well.

  “Do ye ken how ye’ll be punished if ye shirk yer work or disobey, lad?”

  The deep voice, low and sensuous, came from behind. James’s voice, and the implied threat, had her squirming on her saddle. She would do her chores and give them no reason to lift their hand to her. She trusted that neither man would harm her, but they might do something that hurt.

  “You’ll not beat me,” she said flatly.

  James sighed. “MacDougals are nay like yer father. If ye think back ye’ll remember we never lifted a hand to a bairn or woman. No matter how they acted,” he added with emphasis.

  She flushed at the reminder of her scandalous behavior. Though she’d publicly insulted them they’d not retaliated. She checked to ensure no one was near and cleared her throat.

  “I wish to apologize for my behavior. You were right to push me away though it made me angry. My aunts did me a disservice, thinking it a good joke to have me act the hoyden, but that is nay an excuse. I had nay right to insult you, especially in public. I’m ashamed of my behavior and wish you to know I’ve not behaved that way since.”

  There. She’d said it. Would they accept her apology? They rode on a half mile, silent except for the sounds of the morning and their horses. Her worry increased with every moment.

  “Ye spoke true,” said Cormac coldly. “We are bastards, from a clan with a glorious past and little at present to redeem it. Some even say we are cursed.”

  She let his words drift behind them before answering.

  “My parents spoke vows afore a priest, but my father didn’t keep them. He cares for none but himself. While there is no money or power that can take away the circumstance of your births, you both have honor, loyalty, and courage. You’re true to your word, and do not look down on others because of their station in life.”

  Cormac grunted, signifying he’d heard her.

  “Our father wanted sons, no matter how he got them,” said James quietly.

  “At least your father acknowledged you, and welcomed you into his home. Mine might have thrown the women he bedded a coin, then forgotten them until his lust rose again. If they were servants they’d not even get a coin.”

  “William Sinclair will inherit Braal Castle when his father finally drinks himself to death,” said James. “Words spoken by his parents in front of a priest means he holds power that we never shall.”

  “He will not hold power when I tell my father the truth. It will be his turn to be judged by the court of gossip.”

  “Och, lassie, ye’ve been gone ten years,” said Cormac, shaking his head. “If ye speak it will all come back. They’ll nay be kind to ye.”

  “What happened after we left?” asked James. “We thought you’d be long married by now.”

  “William told my father I was compromised,” she said abruptly, shutting off the memories. “As damaged goods I was unable to be wed, so I was sent to Laird Fraser. As my father has only one direct heir left he wishes me to produce sons. He has not offered a dowry, however.”

  She had to get that in. She did not want them marrying her for something that did not exist. If they did marry it would be for herself, not wealth. Did Cormac not know all this? She was sure he’d gone straight to Laird Fraser. Or perhaps he knew and hadn’t told his brother.

  “I heard he’s already had two wives die on him, so he’ll accept his cousin though she be compromised and dowerless.” James sighed heavily. “I hope for your sake he’s changed. He liked to beat the smaller boys.”

  “Aye, until he found a wee adder in his bed. All saw him jump, screaming like a lassie, afore he fainted. We have ye to thank for speakin’ of his fear of snakes.”

  Cormac turned his smile on her. The change was breathtaking. His eyes sparkled, his teeth shone, and his lips beckoned. Was his earlier anger false? It didn’t matter, his smile melted her memories of pain and terror. She would not have to fear these men’s anger or lust. In fact, she hoped to enjoy their lust. Cormac was a very big man and, though she was tall compared to other women, she was far smaller. And then there was James… She clenched her thighs, rubbing herself on her saddle.

  If the MacDougals refused her seduction, or on arrival her father made her divorce them to marry William, she would hide adders around his bedchamber. Or perhaps it would be best to put one where he might jump in fright and fall down the stairs, breaking his neck. She smiled at the thought of watching him. She would smile, perhaps even wave as he fell backward, smashing his head on the stone steps.

  “Ye have the look of someone thinkin’ mischief.” She looked up, discovering Cormac’s eyes were on her again. “Just so ye are clear, we spank disobedient lassies. Even ones disguised as lads.”

  Heat flared from her head on down. He turned away, chuckling, before she could think of an answer to blast him with. No, she didn’t want to blast him. She wanted to encourage him. If she did something to cause him to spank her he would have to touch her. And if he touched her he might want more. The sooner she seduced them the better chance she would be with child when they arrived in Caithness.

  She’d wanted their kisses at fifteen as just looking at them made her tingle. It was no different at five-and-twenty. The threat of Cormac’s hands on her bottom made her burn. She wanted more than thoughts. She inhaled, grinding her teeth at the tight band, which made it near impossible. She needed to loosen it and take care of other pressing matters. The sound of the river splashing over rocks made it worse.

  They forded the river and then rode for some distance beside it before finally stopping. She quickly tied her horse to a branch before rushing to the deepest bushes she could find. When she returned, much relieved, it was to Cormac’s glare.

  “Yer duty is to care for the horses, lad. All of them.”

  “I needed to—”

  “Yer needs come last. Do ye understand? James is watering ‘em for ye. Loosen their saddles and hobble ‘em.”

  No one was near to hear or see, so there was no need for his behavior. Though he was taking the servant thing far too seriously, she had little choice but to obey. She ducked her head, so he wouldn’t see her fury and stomped to the river. James, seeing her
coming, released the horses. They walked deeper. She hurried, grabbing the reins before the water went past her boots. She turned, clucked with her tongue, and tugged. Nothing happened. She tried again. One butted her, luckily knocking her into another rather than the water. Due to the size of their riders the men’s horses were both far bigger than her mare. They set their feet and would not budge. She yanked and cajoled, her face getting increasingly hot from her effort and embarrassment.

  “Whisht, lad, ye must take control.” Cormac grabbed two sets of reins from her hands and strode toward the bank, horses following. She did the same with her mare. “That is how ye do it,” he said, thrusting the reins at her and turning away.

  “Aye, ‘tis easy when ye’re a great ogre of a man, and the beasts have had their wee drink,” she muttered.

  James yanked the reins from her hands. She yelped as they ripped across her palms, burning. Cormac grabbed her around the waist and threw her over his shoulder. He headed for the river.

  “I canna swim!”

  “Ye have a choice, laddie,” he said without stopping. “Ye get tossed in now and ride wet, or ye get punished when we stop.”

  She gasped at his words. She certainly did not wish to ride wet, and she did want his hands on her. Not due to punishment, though.

  “Please don’t throw me in!”

  Cormac stopped at the river’s edge. He lifted her high. She was sure he was going to toss her. Instead, he flipped her around, so her feet touched the ground. She bent over, dizzy. A deep chuckle was followed by his hand smacking her bottom.

  “Ow!” She pulled away, rubbing herself. “What did you do that for?”

  “‘Tis a taste of yer punishment.” He leaned closer, dropping his voice. His bushy dark eyebrows danced over clear blue eyes. “‘Twill help ye think of yer work, and why ye’ll be doin’ it well. Ye’ll be getting’ the rest this eve.”

  She gaped at his back as he strode away. He was going to spank her tonight! A gush of arousal flooded her. He’d finally touched her, and she wanted more. It wasn’t as if he’d hurt her. She’d reacted to his touch more than any pain. It was worth it to gain his attention. Perhaps that was the way to seduce them? She’d seen children who behaved badly because any form of attention was better than being ignored. She’d never thought of using it herself. But then, she’d never thought to want a man’s hands on her.