As he approached, he couldn’t hide the smile of appreciation as he took in the sight of Beth, sitting in a patch of heather, her skin kissed by the sun, her hair dancing about her shoulders on the gentle breeze.
He dropped down beside her. “You look like a beautiful butterfly, my lady.”
“And you look very much like the lord of the manor.”
“I care not for the title. But I do care very much for my clansmen, who trust me to look out for their well-being.”
“So I’m told.” She glanced at Jamie, who had pulled himself into the saddle and, at a word from Colin, started off in search of the laird’s fallen game. “Jamie has only praise for his laird. He told me how you see that all in the village are fed and clothed and protected from harm. He said when their herds don’t reproduce, or their crops fail, it is you who sees to all their needs. And when invaders came, you herded every villager inside the protection of your lodge, until the enemy was driven off. And those who, like Jamie, or the little serving girl, Glenna, lost families in the battle were taken in by you and given a home and a future.”
“It is what a good laird does for his people.” Colin studied her. “Would you not do the same?”
“I’d like to think so. But I’ve never been tested.”
He smiled then. “All of life is a test. I feel fortunate that my father was a harsh taskmaster. Long before I faced difficult decisions, I was trained to be ready.”
“What about Ian and Edwina?”
His smile faltered. “My stepbrother and his sister were not so fortunate. Their mother spoiled and pampered them, and when my father tried to intervene, she took them back to her clan. But that is no excuse for the choices they make now. As children, we can lay the blame at the feet of those who were our elders. But there comes a time when we must step out of their shadow and cast our own.”
Beth thought about her beloved Gram, and the feeling of love and peace she’d felt in that dear woman’s arms. And then about the years since, under the tutelage of Darda, where both love and peace were absent. All that mattered, all that had been drilled into her young mind, was winning at any price. And that lesson continued to this very day. Because Darda demanded it, Beth was willing to do all in her power to oblige her. Perhaps it was time to think about what truly mattered in her life.
There was no time to ponder such things now, when Colin took her hands in his and stared into her eyes. “I have always enjoyed a good hunt. But today I found myself distracted by a certain fair lady. Did you miss me at least a little while I rode with the others?”
At the wolfish look in his eyes, she swallowed before nodding. “I did.” Her smile was quick and bright. “But only a little.”
“I think you tease me, my lady. But even so, I must do my best to change your heart.” He leaned close and brushed her mouth with his.
It was the merest touch of his lips, but she was forced to absorb a shocking jolt to her system.
“We shouldn’t . . .” She reached out a hand to the front of his shirt, thinking to push him a little away.
“Ah, but we should, Bethany.”
At his gentle, mocking laugh, feelings pulsed through her and, despite her intention to hold him at arm’s length, her hand fisted in his shirt.
“Forgive me, my sweet Bethany, but I can wait no longer.” His arms came around her and he dragged her close, while his mouth covered hers in a kiss so hot, so hungry, she could feel it vibrating through her entire body, all the way to her toes.
When at last they moved apart, his eyes narrowed on her with fierce concentration. “Tell me true, my lady. Are you using your special powers over me?”
“I have no powers.”
His smile came then, and he gathered her close. Against her temple he whispered, “If you believe that, you are lying to yourself. There is something magical about what is happening between us.”
He lifted his hands to frame her face. “All my life I have known that there would be one special woman who was meant to be mine alone. I knew that when I met her, I would know her. And now, though I know nothing at all about you, and though I fear that you have come here to betray me, I cannot deny what I know to be true. Even if I leave myself open to pain and betrayal, I must have you, Bethany Campbell. We are meant to be together.”
“Colin . . .”
The protest died in her throat when he laid her down in the heather and drew her into the circle of his arms, kissing her with a thoroughness that had them both sighing.
His hands moved over her, lighting fires wherever they touched. Their kisses grew more heated, their breathing labored, their lungs straining. They were practically crawling into each other’s skin, and still it wasn’t enough. Nothing could satisfy the need that was building, heating their blood, threatening to consume them.
As he reached for the buttons of her riding jacket, a great shout went up from the hunters.
Colin and Beth sat up, looking around in surprise.
A line of village lads stepped out of the forest, staggering under the weight of a stag. It had been skinned and gutted, and now its legs were secured to several saplings resting on the shoulders of the lads who had been ordered to transport it back to the lodge.
Colin stood and offered his hand to Beth, who got to her feet beside him.
His face was as dark as a thundercloud as he watched the procession of villagers, followed by the mounted hunters. In their midst rode Ian, laughing and slapping the others on their arms as he boasted of his trophy.
Without a word Colin helped Beth into the saddle and then mounted his own stallion, just as Jamie rode up with his leather pouch filled to overflowing with game.
Seeing the dark look on the laird’s face, the lad drew back his mount, allowing Colin and Beth to lead the way.
In silence they rode side by side to the lodge, with the lad trailing behind.
When they arrived, the women spilled out of the hunting lodge and hurried down the lane toward the stables.
The mounted hunters drew near, and Ian came thundering up to the head of the procession, wearing a look of supreme satisfaction as he dismounted.
When Colin drew near, Ian held out the sack of coins to his stepbrother, calling in a loud voice, “I know I gave my word, but you must admit your command was unjust, since it would have cost me a fortune I could ill afford to lose. I was not about to let such a bounty pass me by.”
Hamish, who rode up behind Ian, looked sheepish.
Colin’s voice held a note of cold fury. “You gave your word, knowing you would not keep it? So now your word will mean nothing to all who know you. You prove to one and all that you revere gold more than our father’s good name.”
“He was not my father. And his precious name will not pay my debts, nor put food on my table.”
“When the laird wed your mother, he offered her children his name. Yet you refused, and claimed that of your mother’s clan instead.”
Still hot with anger, Ian’s voice rose. “I bear my mother’s name proudly. And though she accepted your father’s gold, she accepted neither his name nor his clan as her own.”
Their guests wore looks that ranged from shock to horror.
“You think to dishonor me, Ian. But in truth, you dishonor yourself, along with the woman who bore you and the clan that sheltered you.”
Edwina rushed to Ian’s side and locked her hands on his arm, physically restraining him from reaching for the dirk at his waist. “You are distraught, brother. Go now and return your horse to the stable.”
He looked at her as though she were mad.
Her voice rose. “And then you will ask forgiveness of our laird.”