“I could never leave you.” She put her arms around him, placed her head on his chest. “When I think of how Grainna must have planned my demise, our demise, it sickens me. You didn’t have to bind with me. You could have let me say my vows and left.”
“That was never an option.” He held her tighter and shot her a look. “You have flooded my mind every moment from the minute I sat on you.”
She chuckled at the memory, then turned toward the mirror and watched as his hands slid down her hips. “A baby, Duncan. We’re going to have a child.”
He enjoyed the slim curve of her hip. “Do you think our child would mind sharing you tonight?”
His hands circled in front of her turning from love to passion.
“I think our child has little to say at this moment.”
He lifted her and carried her to the bed.
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Chapter 22
Rumors began circulating throughout the Keep and leaked to the village. Talk of Myra having some deathly illness grew. Some rumored she’d ran off with one of the men who had visited at the wedding.
Excitement over the announcement of Tara’s pregnancy halted some of the gossip surrounding Myra. However, the MacCoinnich’s thought it best to give some explanation to Myra’s disappearance. It wasn’t known how long she would be gone, and keeping up the ruse of her nonexistent presence was taxing on everyone.
One afternoon, Ian stood in the courtyard with Fin to set up their newest scam.
“She’s unreasonable. Every suitor she denies!”
Ian yelled.
“Calm down, father. Myra is willful and knows what she wants.”
“Blah.” He tossed his hands in the air. “She does not know what is good for her. Perhaps the convent will give her the solitude and time to regard my request for her to marry.”
“Are ye certain?” Fin’s voice carried to the men standing guard in the towers.
“Aye, tomorrow Duncan will escort her before the cock crows. She can return when she’s more reasonable.” Ian turned on his heel and left.
“Poor Myra.” Fin announced to the growing crowd.
Mumbles of agreement ran amongst the men.
****
248
Binding Vows
Tara hated seeing Duncan leave, even if only for a few days. I’ll miss you. She held him fast.
“I’ll be back in less than a week, my love. Stay close to the Keep.”
“I will.” She leaned close and whispered, “I’ll think of all kinds of wicked ways to show you how much I missed you.” And your body.
His eyes clouded with passion, a low groan merged from his lips. Witch! Now I’m sure not to sleep.
“Good.” With a final kiss, Tara watched as Duncan rode away with Lora, posing as Myra hidden beneath a long cape.
****
Gregor kept watch in the early hours of the morning. The rain let up in the night, a relief for him and the men who patrolled. He considered himself a faithful servant to Laird Ian and his family, and never thought to question why the men were placed on alert.
Whenever his laird sensed trouble, trouble came. He watched the hillsides with a keen eye, and investigated every noise.
He noticed the farmer long before the farmer saw him. He was running fast for a man his age, as if the Devil himself was on his heels.
As much as he would have liked to meet him half way, Gregor knew better than to leave his post and waited for the man to flag his attention.
Gasping for air, the man opened his mouth to speak. It took him several minutes to tell him what he found.
The nature of his tale had the hair on Gregor’s neck standing on end. He hurried the man into the courtyard and bid him water from one of the maids, and then told his squire to ready a second horse.
The commotion in the courtyard brought Ian and Fin at a run. Gregor jumped off his horse before 249
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it came to a stop. His quick bow to Laird Ian was brushed aside, he kept his voice low. “The body of a young woman from town has been found by the edge of the village.” He pointed to the farmer who was still catching his breath. “He found her, and begs that we come.”
Ian and Fin exchanged looks. “Could he determine the cause of death?”
Gregor visibly swallowed. “Her neck was cut.”
“A murder,” Fin said aloud.
“And something else. Her blood was used to circle her body. The villagers will think demons are amongst us if they find her. The man was sensible enough to come here first.”
Ian looked up at the walls of his home, several men were poised on the lookouts, and no alarm was being raised. “Quickly, Fin, and only us four.” He nodded to Gregor as Fin ran off to get their mounts.
“Is this the trouble ye thought was coming?”