Chapter One

Scotland 1749

The full moon hung low in the darkening sky. Silver light from the huge orb cast eerie shadows that danced and flirted across the ground. Mist and murky air clung to the path Roby McKenna and Kit Stuart rode. The air smelled like autumn and tasted of smoke. Dried leaves coated the forest floor crunching beneath the horse’s hooves. They were almost to Paisley, a small town near Glasgow. No breeze or sounds filled the forest, as the land was unusually quiet, foreboding as if challenging something bad to enter into the domain.

Roby felt as if something very significant in his life was about to happen. Beneath his shirt the skin on his body prickled. All the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. The sensations blasted through him, leaving a trace of excitement as well as anticipation. His lungs rushed to bring in air.

He and Kit had been away for two years. Home soil, Scotland awaited them. They were both eager to reach the highlands see family along with friends. These feelings signaled something different. The McKenna castle was about a day and half’s ride north of Inverness. While the travel to America was challenging, the land as well as the natives intriguing, neither man accomplished their goal. He was two and seven as was Kit with no mate in sight.

Well, what had he expected? Perhaps he just wanted an adventure he could tell tales about when he grew old and his muscles were weak. When he finally did find the perfect woman to have children with, he could keep all entertained around the fire on a cold winter’s night with regales of his exploits in that rugged land so far away.

“What do you suppose that is?” Kit pointed to what appeared to be gallows rising from the ground.

The dark black structure stood out as silhouette in front of the brilliant light of the full moon, which encompassed the scene. Eerie sensations swept Roby to his core. Shivers swept up his spine. The noose dangled below the high beam. On the platform a small figure stood, a cowl thrown over the head, arms bound in front. Another smaller form danced around the other. The animal chattered hysterically. When the tiny beast saw him, it launched itself forward, swinging on tree branches, noisily claiming its displeasure.

“Appears to be a hanging,” Roby said as curiosity caused him to spur his horse forward and faster. His heart raced with the knowledge he needed to stop whatever was going on here. This seemed passing strange. The victim was either a woman or a child. The animal landed on his shoulder, covering his eyes with its hands, babbling angrily. When it let go, it pointed seeming to think he should do something about the situation.

Absently he cradled the animal, a monkey, in his arms, making hushing noises as he tried to calm her. He chuckled softly as he noticed the dress the monkey wore.

“Too small to be a man. Why would someone be hanging a woman in the middle of the night?” Kit followed behind keeping pace with him. “In the middle of nowhere for that matter. What the devil? Did you just catch yourself a monkey?” Kit asked not bothering to hide his laughter.

Roby nodded a soft chuckle escaping him. “Guess so.”

At the sight coupled with the realization a woman was about to dangle from that noose, Roby’s gut clenched, his fingers tightened around the animal. Something wrong was happening here. He meant to find out what it was. If at all possible, he meant to correct it.

“Hello there.” A man stepped down from the gallows, waving his hand. “Nice evening now, isn’t it? Care to bear witness?”

“There’s going to be a hanging here? How could this possibly be a nice evening when someone, a woman, is going to die,” Roby asked, his voice filled with sarcasm as he brought his thoroughbred to a halt in front of the wizened man. This was not right.

“Might not be a hanging. Not if one of you fine laddies wants to marry this lass.” His wide grin showed yellowed teeth. The scent of garlic emanated from him. He looked back to the trembling woman standing on the platform. “Either you lads up for the task? When cleaned up I heard she’s a pretty little thing. Now,” he stuffed his hands in his pockets, “now, she’s a tiny bundle of filth. Several baths might uncover what the grime is hiding.”

She was shaking, most likely terrified. Still, she held her head high, her narrow shoulders straight as if she defied the very act that was about to be perpetrated against her. Nothing she could have done could possibly warrant her execution. Roby found he wanted to see her, see if she could be a pretty little thing. No other way to put what he was feeling. He was intrigued.

“Marry? As in wed?” Kit laughed as he leaned forward on the saddle horn to get a better look. “Not a chance. What about you, Roby? You want to wed this wee lassie to rescue her? Believe the animal would go along with her. The start of a family.”

“What did she do?” Roby asked, his mind focused on the slight sway of the girl’s body as she tried to hold herself still.

She looked as if her knees would buckle at any moment. This had to be some kind of horrible travesty of justice. She certainly would not, could not have murdered someone unless it was in self-defense. The monkey leapt from his arms rushing to the woman. She bent down. The animal perched on her shoulder, pointing her bony finger at the hangman.

The man cackled. There was no other term to describe the noise. “Got caught eatin’ a rabbit on Lord Bigley’s land. He doesn’t take to anyone poaching in his forest. Always says what’s his is his and it’s goin’ to remain that way. Punishment he doles out is always harsher than it should be. She spent a month in the filthy pen he keeps outside his house near the barn before he finally decided that hanging was the best punishment, a life for a life.”

“You don’t say,” Kit spoke, a bit of insolence in his voice. His horse nervously side-stepped.

Roby sickened at the thought a human life could be compared at the same value as a rabbit. The woman shifted from one foot to the other before she seemed to lock her knees to keep from falling, her body trembling hard. Even while she waited execution she stroked her pet, seeming to calm the animal.

“Why marriage?” Roby snorted, still disgusted. “Doesn’t change the manner of the crime in any way. Doesn’t mean it won’t happen again.”

“Well, the old Lord Bigley believes that a woman should be molded by a man. It’s his right to shape her into the woman she should be. If she’s wed, well then, she won’t be gettin’ herself into any more trouble. She won’t have to ferret out her food. She’ll be provided for now, won’t she? You wouldn’t let your woman starve, now, would you? She’ll do what her man tells her to do. She’ll have a protector, a man to keep her to the straight and narrow so to speak.”

“I see,” Roby spoke softly his gaze still riveted on the woman as well as the monkey standing so very resolutely on the gallows waiting for his answer. He was her last hope.

“You do?” Kit asked, his head swirling to look at Roby, sounding as if he wanted a better explanation. “What the devil do you see?”

“So…” Roby’s gaze ran over the woman’s petite frame, taking note of her. It seemed upon hearing the conversation her chin rose higher. She was a proud lady. Hardly had the air about her of someone who would be reduced to fending for her food. “Allow me to get this straight. If one of us marries this lady, she will be set free. Her life will be spared?”

The words on Roby’s part were more musings than questions. He could wed her then set her free after they were far enough away from this place. No one would ken the difference.

“That’s what I said wasn’t it?” the man asked irritably, rubbing first his head as if he tried to clear his brains before his hand found his crotch to do the same in his lower regions.

Roby chuckled before he wondered if he just lost all common sense. When he spoke, he was surprised by how clear and strong his voice was. Stunned about how certain he was. This was something he’d never thought to do or that he would do what Kit did. Run the other way. He felt this strange calling toward her, a need to know her, to learn more about her. Very slowly and softly, he spoke, “I’ll marry the lass. Does she have a name?”

“You will?” Kit’s voice exploded through the silence of the evening. He sounded shocked as well as appalled. “You’ve lost your ever blessed mind, Roby McKenna. What will Connal and Wynnie say? They will be mortified, might even disown you. You are meant to wed your mate not some poor waif along with her monkey you found awaiting execution.”

“For eating a rabbit.” One eyebrow arched heavenward. “Besides,” he said unemotionally, “I’m not wedding the animal.”

“Yes.”

“My parents will bless the union if they believe it’s what I want. I do want to marry this woman. Don’t ask me why but I do. There is something about her that calls to me, to my soul, my heart as well. Don’t understand why. Just that she does.” As every second passed, he became more and more positive this was something he had to do. Wedding this lady he’d never seen before wasn’t foolishness. It was written in the stars.

“Then, I’ll just be gettin’ out my bible. Come over this way. You can stand up here on the hangin’ platform with the little lady. You stand right beside her now.” The man pointed at Kit. “You come stand beside your friend. We’ll be the two witnesses. Don’t need more than that.”

“Shouldn’t you at least take the cowl off her head and untie her?” Roby asked, his voice bland.

He would do it himself if the man didn’t agree. He didn’t want the marriage to precede any farther until this little matter was taken care of to his satisfaction. He would see the woman he married.

“Well, sir, if you saw her before the ceremony, you might have a change of heart. Wouldn’t want that now, would we?” he cackled. “Don’t want to see the wee little lassie hang for being hungry. In this instance, I’ve got no choice or say in the matter. If I didn’t do my duty by Bigley, I’d most likely find myself up there too.”

“My mind won’t change.”

With both hands, Roby gently removed the cowl. Stepping back, he stared into dark mesmerizing eyes that met his gaze with intensity. He wished he could see their color. She was gazing up at him, her small pert nose in the air, a defiant chin along with full sensual lips. Her hair hung to her waist tangled and matted, her face smudged with dirt. From what little he could see of her, her waist was trim, her breasts small and her hips curved femininely. However, the stench emanating from her was nearly unbearable. He grinned at her, knowing now he’d lost all sense of reality. With the full moon lighting the view behind them, the panorama had taken on an ethereal quality.

Still, she stood her ground. He reached to his boot, bringing up a knife. When moonlight glinted on the steel blade, with a stifled gasp she backed away. “I’m not going to hurt you, just get rid of this rope binding your hands. Don’t think we should get married with you all trussed up.” He paused, gently touching her cheek with his knuckles. “Do you wish to marry me, lass? If you don’t…?”

She nodded after turning to look at the noose. He heard the swiftly drawn breath of air. Smiled. He decided she would do quite nicely even though he had no earthly idea what awaited him.

Thankfully, the ceremony was nothing more than do you take this woman to be your wife? When he said yes, the old man closed up the bible and grabbed some papers from the pocket of his coat.

“Is that all?” Roby asked fairly unsure if the wedding was actually legal and binding. “You need to ask the lady. If you don’t, I won’t consider myself wed. Don’t want her to think she was forced in any way. I want to hear the words, I do, from her lips.”

At that moment he thought of kissing those lips, tasting her. Quickly, his thoughts backed up. Not until she had the bath he intended for her as soon as there was a small measure of privacy.

“Alright then, if you insist. Doesn’t actually matter what she thinks though. Does it? Do you take this man?”

“Yes.”

“Now, see, that was a waste of time. You got to sign these papers then everything will be in order. Don’t go annulling this marriage or divorcing her unless you want to see her swinging up there. This all is legally binding. Lord Bigley has a far reach. He won’t be likin’ anything like that.”

The man found a semi-flat rock then smoothed the document out before handing him a pen, the bottle of ink already on the rock as if the man knew someone would come along to claim this woman as his own. Roby looked to Kit then back as he shrugged his shoulders in resignation. What was done was done. He would make the best of this wherever it took them. Kit was going to hand him an earful as soon as he got him alone, which wasn’t going to happen anytime soon since he now possessed a wife.

A very dirty and smelly wife.

With a flourish he signed his name then watched the lady do the same. For a moment he wondered if she would have preferred hanging to marriage. Well, he did ask her.

“Very well then. The two of you are married. Let no man put asunder.” The minister guffawed again finishing the loud noise with a snort. The man stepped back. He collected his belongings then handed the document to the newlyweds. “Now, the two of you have a nice evening. Don’t stop until you get to the other side of the river. That’s where you’ll be off Bigley’s land.” With another snort ending with a chortle, he mounted a nearby donkey. He vanished into the darkness and rising mist.

Roby looked from the document he held in his hand then to the lady. He stuffed the parchment in his saddlebags. “Guess we’re married. Let’s get out of here. Can you ride?”

She nodded.

“Good, one less thing for me to worry about.” With his hands around her waist, he lifted her easily onto his horse before mounting behind her. She weighed next to nothing. The monkey followed, resting in her arms. “You ever say anything?”

He felt her stiffen against him. “No, well maybe you’ll warm up to me after a while. I certainly hope so. I’d like the two of us to be friends.”

The devil but she was his wife. They would be more than friends. They would be lovers.

Kit wasn’t speaking either. Roby could hear his thoughts clearly in his head as he wondered about the same things Kit was thinking. Ten minutes passed then another ten. They waded their horses across the stream to the opposite side, following the water until they reached a sheltered glen to set up camp.

“We’re going to stay here for the night. Why don’t you go into Paisley? Find yourself a willing woman for the evening. In the morning you can get my new wife something else to wear. I’ll meet you back here tomorrow after daybreak. I want some privacy to acquaint myself with this lady.”

“You’re going to…?” It seemed Kit didn’t want to finish the question. “Sure, a new dress if I can find one.”

“As long as it’s clean, I don’t care what it is. When we get to Glasgow, we can buy a few more things for her. She’s going to need boots and a warm cloak to name some of the items. As we head north it’s going to get colder.”

“Probably needs a bit of everything,” Kit said, a mocking smile lighting his face.

Kit seemed to be enjoying this pickle he got himself into. The thing was, Roby wasn’t the least bit worried.

He watched Kit ride away. Kit didn’t put up an argument, just grinned as if he knew what was going to happen. What Kit was thinking wasn’t going to happen, at least not tonight. That was a good thing he supposed. Now, he needed to figure out just how to proceed with the woman who wouldn’t speak, along with her monkey who seemed to have a great deal to say.

After dismounting he helped her to her feet. She smelled god-awful. Her first order of business was a bath. He hoped she wouldn’t put up a fight. If she did, he would hog-tie her before tossing her in the small pond. He stifled the small chuckle threatening to erupt at the absurdity. If she fought him, he would bathe her himself.

“In case you’re wondering, you wed Roby McKenna.” Of the clan Chattan and by the way I’m a shape shifter. “And you are?”

For a second then another she looked at her feet. He figured she still wasn’t going to talk. So be it, at least she didn’t rattle on about nothing important. A silent female might be nice, practical in many different ways. He didn’t need conversation.

“My name is Phillipa MacPherson. And this is Hypatia. She’s named after an ancient philosopher.”

He was brought back from his inward thinking by the sound of her voice. “Ah, my fair lady does talk.” He wasn’t going to ask her anything else, at least not until he could breathe when she was nearby. Rummaging in his saddlebags, he brought out a towel along with a fat bar of soap. She might need it all. “Here you go.” He nodded to the pond. “You’re going to take a bath.”

“Where will you be?” Her voice quavered as she took the items, holding them close to her chest as if they would protect her from him. Her eyes were wide dark pools in a pale face.

“Right here. Need to make sure you don’t decide to run off. I rescued you. For some reason I can’t fathom, I don’t want that nullified. You’re my wife. I’ll protect you from now on.”

No, he certainly didn’t want her to leave. In fact, he realized he truly did want to get to know this woman better. Needed to know what brought her to this point of nearly no return. “The monkey, Hypatia, can sit on the rock while you clean yourself.”

“Will you turn your back?”

“When you undress, of course. I promise I won’t stare at you.”

Though, more than getting to know her better, he did want to see what she looked like naked. After all, she was his wife. Soon enough, he would see all of her. It would be his pleasure, hopefully hers as well to be seen in the buff. For now, the last thing he wanted was to frighten her.

While she marched to the pond appearing to be walking to her execution, Roby busied himself with starting a fire then setting up the tent they would sleep inside tonight. Hypatia now sat on a nearby rock, staring at him. When all of her body was beneath the water, he picked up her discarded clothing. He tossed them one at a time into the fire. Instantly, the air around him changed, becoming sweeter smelling as the soiled rags she called clothing burned to nothing. When he looked her way, she was washing her hair. She ducked beneath the surface. Foamy white bubbles coated the top of the pond. He looked her way just as she was hesitantly backing from the water. When she turned slightly to see her way, he caught sight of her breasts. The air he inhaled jabbed in his throat. Her body was not as he’d thought. Good heavens, she must have bound her breasts. They were luscious curves that would spill deliciously from a man’s hands, his large hands, crested with tight buds he wanted to taste.

He pulled one of his shirts from the saddlebag. When he reached her, she had the towel wrapped around her. He grinned pleased with her scent, the stench was now replaced with the smell of strong lye soap and woman. She was clean.

“Where are my clothes?”

Hastily, he shrugged his shoulders in a futile attempt to make light of his actions. “Burned them. You can put this on until Kit brings you something else to wear tomorrow morning.”

“You burned them? That’s all I had to wear.” Her voice wavered yet she didn’t sound angry just desolate.

“They weren’t good for anything else. Don’t tell me you intended to put them on after your bath.”

“Was planning on washing them first.” To his ears she now sounded indignant.

“Foolhardy idea.” He went about fixing a pot of coffee then pulled out a loaf of bread as well as an assortment of meat and cheeses. He held up a chunk of bread. “Hungry?”

“Why is that?” she was standing with her hands on her hips, her wet hair dripping onto her shoulders. She was shivering from the chill of the autumn air.

“Why are you hungry? Wouldn’t know the answer to that question. Would you?” he asked grinning, understanding exactly what she’d been talking about. “Like bread?”

“Why foolhardy?” She appeared to want to stomp her tiny shoeless foot but thought better of the action.

It didn’t seem she was going to give up. He was enjoying her voice immensely. It was low, throaty, a seductive burr in her accent coupled with rich low tones that seemed to travel straight to his loins. He could well imagine how she might whisper to him when he was giving her pleasure. Not a bad thing to think about one’s wife. At this point in time, he was hardly in the position to bed this woman he knew almost nothing about. He needed to like this lady he rescued from certain death before he took her to his bed.

“Foolhardy because first, there is no way you could rid the cloth of the stench by a mere washing. Second, because you would be wearing them wet and you would most likely freeze to death or take sick. The nights are chilly. Now put that shirt on then you can come sit by the fire. The heat will help dry your hair.” He handed her his comb thinking he would like to comb her hair out for her. Perhaps in the future if they had one.

If there would be a future for them…

He certainly hoped there would be. For Roby there were no regrets about this night.

When next he saw her, she wore his shirt. “Thank you.” She sat on a rock near the fire, his comb in hand. Her hesitancy didn’t surprise him. In order to live, she was putting an awful lot of trust into the hands of a stranger.

He watched her grimace as she constantly tugged at the tangles. Her arms must be tired from the work. He almost laughed before realizing this had to be a harrowing experience for her. Only an hour or so ago, she’d been standing on the gallows expecting to die. If he had not come along when he did, she would be gone from this earth.

“I am hungry as well as tired.” Her arms dropped to her sides. “I’ll work on this mess later.”

He handed her a chunk of bread along with a couple of slices of cheese. “If you want, I can comb your hair. Used to do it for my sister all the time. Do you trust me, lass?”

Briefly, his thoughts sped to Crissie. Where was she now? He hoped she wasn’t with Walker Endicott. Well, he would find out soon enough.

She looked as if that was the last thing she wanted. He watched her let out a long deep sigh. Sounding a bit reluctant, she said, “Yes, I would like that if you don’t mind.”

While she ate, he sat behind her. She was nestled between his thighs. As he worked, she slowly began to relax. He felt her exhaustion, nearly bone deep. There were so many questions he needed to ask her. Wondered if she would answer.

He didn’t ask.

“You can have as much to eat as you like,” he told her as he bent close to her ear to tell her, wondering how she would react to this unasked-for closeness.

The shiver coursing through her thin frame was a good sign to him. The quivering wasn’t from fear. Instead, it was her reaction to the warmth of his breath on her skin. While he wasn’t going to rush her, he did want a true marriage. Time would prove to be in his favor. Although he didn’t intend to wait forever.

She ate more then, “Thank you. You’re very kind. It was delicious. Why did you agree to marry me?”

He paused in thought, setting the comb back in the saddlebag before he answered. “I don’t know.” He was shaking his head bemused at his spontaneous actions of this evening. “At the time I wondered if I had cobwebs for brains. In the end, I could not bear to see a woman hang for wanting to feed herself.” He couldn’t tell her how something about her called to him, enchanted him. If he said anything in that vein, she wouldn’t believe him.

“A kind heart, do people take advantage of you often?”

She was stroking her hand along Hypatia’s back. The little monkey looked asleep, if not that, then content.

“Never,” he murmured laughing, watching the way she moved.

She was slim, too slim. After what she’d been through, that was to be expected having spent the last month penned up. He liked the way she carried herself, the way her eyes shimmered in the light cast by the flames. Firelight danced across her face, casting it in shadows one moment, a warm glow the next.

“Confident as well.” She sipped at her coffee; her eyes focused on his mouth. “You’re a verra bonnie mon. I’m sure the ladies tell you that quite often. Do you often have coffee?”

For a moment he forgot to breathe. “Not in those words. Kit and I learned to enjoy the coffee when we were in America. Would you prefer tea?”

“I see.”

“Do you?” he questioned wondering how much life experience this young lady had.

Everything about her spoke of innocence yet she didn’t voice innocent thoughts. He would feel very foolish if he assumed something that wasn’t true. He decided to leave all judgments concerning the lady to the back of his mind after that let time tell the story. She would show her true colors soon enough. He would deal with her as his wife.

“You can call me Pippa. My friends do.”

He laughed softly then once more bending close to her neck, “You consider me a friend already? Suppose it’s better than being your enemy. What happened to your friends when you were caught?”

He pushed her drying hair to one side. The breath from his words brushed across her nape. He’d like to taste her there. Knew it was too soon.

“A friend in a husband would be nice. I’ve never thought about a husband except the one I dinna want.”

This time the shudder he felt against him was not a good sensation as he sensed her fear shuffle into him, become part of him. He didn’t understand how he felt her emotions intuitively.

“The one you don’t want?” he asked a bit puzzled but willing to wait until she wanted to tell him more. “That wouldn’t be me, would it?”

“No, I’m not speaking of you.”

“You want me for a husband?”

For some reason he needed that answer to be yes now and for always.

“Yes, considering the alternative,” she told him sounding sincere. She turned slanting him a bemused smile. “Truly, dying was not something I was looking forward to.”

He was sure she evaded his question then wondered who the alternative husband was. Again, in time she would tell him. Patience should be his friend. Demanding answers now would get him nowhere. “How,” he asked, deciding to change the direction of their conversation, “did you end up fending for yourself?”

As she lifted her slim shoulders in a very feminine shrug, the tips of her breasts caught the fabric of his shirt. The rosy crests were dark beneath fine lawn fabric. When she stood to stretch her muscles, the silhouette of her legs and hips were clearly visible. She was made with lush curves, bounty that would fill her very new husband’s hands. In time, in time he would reap the benefits of this hasty marriage. She might not be his mate. Even if she wasn’t, they would do well together.

“Five years ago…” She sat down again, smoothing the fabric along her legs, pulling it tight against her breasts, “I ran away. Couldn’t stay where I was one moment longer.” Absently she fed the little monkey pieces of cheese and bread.

“How old were you then?” Mesmerized and fascinated by her he craved more information.

Her hands clasped in front of her, she looked down, her lashes fluttering against her cheekbones. “Fourteen. I was fourteen the day I left. I gathered up a few necessities, took the coin I had in my room then never looked back. I’ve been on my own since. Of course, the money ran out very soon.”

He let the breath he’d been holding out in a loud whoosh. “Fourteen you say?”

The reason must have been drastic. She survived though. Roby found he was proud of her, the tenacity she showed.

“I suppose you’d be wantin’ to know why.” She looked up at him then, firelight glowing warm across her high cheekbones.

“Whenever you want to tell me. I am your husband. While I probably can’t undo all the wrongs that may or may not have been heaped against you, I can always try. My family, the clan, is powerful. Perhaps we can help.”

He understood trust was fragile, giving of all her secrets to a man she barely knew would take time.

He was willing to wait however long it took.

“I would like that, Roby McKenna.” She waited for a time, staring into the fire. “You spoke of a sister. Are there other siblings?” she asked as she poured herself another cup of coffee.

It seemed she wanted to change the subject again. He couldn’t blame her. She already divulged quite a bit about her journey to this place in time. “Just another brother who is married. When I left, his wife was increasing. My sister has one child also. By now they might have more.”

“And Kit? What about him and where is he tonight?”

“He’s a Stuart. His father married my father’s sister. As to his whereabouts,” Roby cleared his throat unsure of how much to tell her.

She should remember he went into town. Perhaps she didn’t hear.

“Cousins, I gather. You think he’s found himself a willing lass to spend the evening with? While you are stuck with me, a wife you didn’t want, he’s dallying in a warm bed.”

Again and again, she stunned him with her honesty combined with her knowledge about the ways of men. “Yes, Kit has a way with the ladies. Houston is one of his brothers, the oldest, then Kit and Riley is the baby of the bunch. The youngest would take grave offense if he were to hear any one call him the baby. He’s nearly two and twenty.”

“I’m an only child. Always wanted a brother or a sister. Guess it wasn’t to be. However, I do have a cousin whom I despise, Harry Finchbottom.”

A cousin she despised. He guessed there was more to this story also. “I see. Should I feel sorry for you or him?”

She laughed. The sound was low not a high-pitched giggle of most girls. He liked the way she laughed, the sound as well as the tenor. He wanted to hear more laughter.

“I’d like to say most assuredly for him. In two years, I’m hoping that will be verra true. Until then it’s sorry for me you should be feeling. Except now that I’ve found you, or more accurately that you found me, perhaps my luck has changed for the better.”

“Now that you’ve survived the hangman’s noose and you are clean as well, don’t think I’ll be feeling sorry for you right now. You’ve married me. True enough that fact might prove to bring you good fortune.”

“I’ve had food too. You fed me as well as saved my life. I’m verra glad you came along, Roby McKenna, arrogant man that you are. Mayhap arrogance in a man is a good quality. I’ve yet to figure that one out.”

“I like to call it self-assurance. Has a better ring to it.” Roby was laughing, thoroughly enjoying his wife of a few hours.

He was pleased he came along too. The first fat raindrop fell, hissing and sizzling on the flames. Before the coming deluge could soak them, he finished constructing the shelter he started earlier that they would use tonight, hoping she would not put up a fuss at the sleeping conditions. He was not going to get soaked while he had a tent to share with this lady who seemed to entrance him with her husky voice as well as her body.

“Come.” He held out his hand, studying her for any sign of reluctance. “You must be exhausted. Today along with the previous ones must have been trying for you. We should go to bed now. Tomorrow will come soon enough. We’ve a long way to travel before we reach McKenna territory.”

She didn’t acknowledge his invitation for a few seconds seeming to mull over his words as well as the tent. He watched her let out a slow puff of air, seeming resigned as she looked from the fire then back to him. “Are you going to stick your rod inside me now? Claim your conjugal rights?”

~ * ~

By the look on Roby’s face, she guessed she shocked him to the core. Bluntly honest perhaps was not appropriate with a brand-new husband. He stuffed his hands through his hair as he looked at the full moon still hovering in the sky. Drops of rain splattered and hissed on the hot rocks surrounding the fire pit. Seconds turned into minutes before he answered.

“No, Pippa, not tonight. You’ve naught to worry over.”

Her voice deepened as she tried for a calm she truly didn’t feel. “I’d just as soon get it over with if you dinna mind. Isn’t it what husband’s do? What they want to do?”

If he did do it tonight, they would be done. She would be his wife in every way. After that, she would no longer fear the marriage bed with him.

“You think I would only want to make love to my wife once? Is that what you’re saying?” he asked unremarkably as his gaze seemed to fasten on her lips then her bosom.

Once more he sounded shocked to his very core by her blatant but very necessary honesty. She meant to proceed this way in everything.

She nodded while she looked at her feet. “Isn’t once enough?” she asked still moving one foot around in circles.

She knew she changed from the confident woman of a few seconds ago to shy. Her voice shaking, she asked, “Are you telling me you would want to do it more than one time?”

His grin unnerved her to the tips of her toes, his even teeth flashing white in the moonlight catching more light from the dying fire. She was pleased they weren’t yellowed and rotten. “Once with the right woman, one’s wife, is never enough. Ah, Pippa, once we do make love you will want to do it with me all the time. You will ask me to take your warm body into my arms to fill you with my shaft as well as my seed.”

She felt the color drain from her face. “I dinna think that will be true, Roby McKenna. Don’t know what would make you think something so preposterous.” Just the way he smiled, the way his gaze lingered on her eyes then swept slowly the length of her clear to her toes unnerved her, heating her to an inferno. She smoothed the shirt she wore. Curled her toes in the grass.

“What crazy notions you have. Who made you think making love was something to do only once with one’s husband?” he asked stepping so close to her she felt the heat radiating from his all-male body. He smelled of the same lye soap she’d used coupled with himself.

He was rubbing tiny circles with his thumb on the underside of her wrist. The strange contact sent spirals of heat coursing through her. A strange ache simmered between her legs. She didn’t understand any of this. “Ye should not be doing that. It’s not seemly.” Her voice shook.

“It is very appropriate with one’s wife.” He brought her hand to his lips, kissed each knuckle before turning it over and pressing a tender kiss to her palm. “We shall go to sleep now. I promise you I won’t stick my rod inside you tonight, hmm… You’ve nothing to worry about.”

“Are you a mon who keeps his word?”

“Aye, come along now.”

She nodded, unable to think of anything to say at that. She wasn’t at all sure if she was relieved or disappointed in what he told her. Roby McKenna was nothing like Harry Finchbottom in face or form. Perhaps the act would not be as repulsive as she previously thought it would be. She would have to give the idea some consideration.

He let her go inside first. As she bent over, she was very aware of the shirt creeping up her bare legs. She tugged on the tails as she crawled inside, hoping to keep a tiny bit of modesty. It was all to no avail when she heard his words from behind her.

“You’ve very nice legs, long and slender. Your bottom is quite nice too,” he told her, his voice so soft and throaty it sounded unnatural to her.

Heat flared on her face, on all of her body. She wanted to tell him his legs were nice, too, but she hadn’t seen them without his trousers. Perhaps they weren’t as nice as she imagined them to be. She realized she would like to do just that.

Look at his naked legs.

More heat. More funny sensations spiraled through her. I am a foolish ninny to be thinking things such as this.

Once she was settled, he crept inside followed by Hypatia who settled in a far corner as if she understood that would be her new place. She pulled the covers to her chin, felt him settle beneath them also. Next to her, so close she fought for each breath, he felt big and hot. She liked the sensation. He made her feel safe. Pippa wasn’t at all sure how she was going to manage to fall asleep. Heat from his large well-muscled manly frame so close to hers was overwhelming all her senses. She didn’t contemplate why.

His arm wrapped around her as he pulled her even closer. “Hush, don’t protest. I won’t hurt you. Relax and fall asleep. If I hold you, we’ll both be warmer.”

Her voice was a hushed tremble deep and low. “I don’t see how a girl can sleep with you lying there all big and…” she gulped tiny bits of air. “You’re not wearing your shirt.”

He laughed softly as she felt his warm breath sweep across her cheek. “I am making concessions for you along with your tender sensibilities. I don’t sleep in my trousers either. For you I’m wearing them.”

She was on her side, spooned up tight against him, her thoughts a hazy muddle of confusion in her head. Afraid but liking the way she felt so close to him, she pushed back against him, feeling the length of his legs against hers. At the intimate contact, his big hand tightened on her waist, his fingers pressing into her. She closed her eyes. Listened to the patter of the rain on the canvas of the tent while she tried to tamp down the unnatural feelings that were zooming through her at a wild and reckless pace.

Heard more night sounds.

Listened to the wind.

This was the first time in so very long that she slept near to someone other than by herself. The fear was always so close and clear that it always cramped her stomach. She never knew what would happen to her during the night, nights at times that seemed to last an eternity. She always said silent prayers that the sun would rise. When it did, she would still be the same Pippa.

Not much time passed before she felt Roby relax. The hand holding her body so close to his no longer stroked her. She wondered if she could go to sleep now that he seemed to be sleeping soundly. Wondered what the next days and months would bring. She should tell him that he should be afraid for his life now that he was her husband. If her cousin ever discovered she was alive and wed to someone else, he would act to change both those facts. While Harry would not kill her right away, he would certainly see to it after he forced a marriage between them after he inherited all that was hers. That fact meant that Roby could not continue to live.

She had a lot of telling to do.

Guilt battered her as she recalled everything.

A man like Roby McKenna deserved to know what he would be facing since he made that fatal leap of marriage to a woman awaiting death. Nothing for her changed. She still awaited death, this time at the hands of her cousin instead of the hangman. For her savior’s sake she should not have agreed to the marriage.

She should not have divulged the private information about his rod either. He would think she was a hussy or worse. What was worse than a hussy? She didn’t know. Truth of the matter was that Harry told her he was going to do that to her until she was increasing. When it happened, she would have to marry him. What Harry didn’t know was that nothing he did to her would make her wed him.

He was a vile, loathsome man.

From the bottom of my heart, I despise you, Harry Finchbottom.

Pippa didn’t want to think about Harry using Robby against her, to make her succumb to his plans. Not understanding exactly what was happening, she wriggled against the man behind her, pressing against him for the warmth he so sweetly offered. She discovered he was clasping her tightly, squeezing her waist. He was still breathing deeply, still sleeping. Could men do that in their sleep? The warmth of his fingers moved up her ribcage then downward to caress and squeeze her hip. Without thought, she pushed back against him one more time, felt something hard against her bottom.

Closing her eyes, she tried to put the strange and wondrous new feelings she was experiencing to the back of her head. Now he was trailing a fingertip along her arm then back down. A tiny unexpected sound rippled up from deep inside of her. To no avail, she tried to reposition herself so she wasn’t as close to him. His breath tickled the back of her neck just before the palm of his hands brushed across the tip of one breast.

“Roby, what are you doing?” she asked the question even though she was sure he was still asleep.

“Sleeping,” he whispered and once again the warmth of his breath whispered across the nape of her neck sending a myriad of shivers up then down her spine only to settle and throb deep in her most feminine parts.

“No, you’re not.”

“Go to sleep, Pippa. Morning is going to come soon enough. Don’t want you falling off my horse because you’re too exhausted to do anything else.”

“You go to sleep too,” she whispered as he once again pulled her closer, his large leg covered hers.

She found herself well and truly pinned against the man. Baw he told her, promised her he wasn’t going to stick his rod inside her tonight. What did he think to be doing at this time? Everything felt wondrous and unique to her. Truth be told, she didn’t want him to stop.

“I’m sleeping now,” he murmured against her ear just before his teeth tugged on the lobe nearly sending her jumping out of her skin.

“You’re making me very hot.”

“Hot is good. You can sleep better if you’re warm.”

His hand cupped her breast, his thumb rubbing lightly across the hardened tip.

“I cannot sleep if you keep doing those things to my body. I dinna ken what you’re about, but you need to stop.”

The long whoosh of air coupled with a groan that sounded as if he was in pain surprised her. Her words stopped him from doing whatever it was he was doing. His hand settled on the rise of her hip but didn’t move again.

She wished he hadn’t stopped. Now she was hot and wet as well as unable to fall asleep, the sensations in her body were so strong, pulsing and throbbing. She wished he would touch her more. Liked what he’d been doing. Pippa decided she would tell him as much tomorrow morning as soon as she found the chance to do so.

When she woke, the sun was shining. She found she was alone under the tent. Even Hypatia had abandoned her. Kit’s and Roby’s voices she heard outside. She couldn’t quite hear what they were saying, just heard the warm rumble of men’s voices she wasn’t afraid of. Fearing Roby McKenna was just not possible. Not when she liked him so much. As she also trusted him, she understood he would look after her.

He saved her.

She owed him.

Unsure of Kit, however, she decided to watch him closely, needed to take the measure of the man before she acknowledged him as she did Roby. The tread of boots on the ground neared her sleeping space. She looked up when the flap opened.

“Good, you’re awake. Did you sleep well?” he asked his grin wide as if he remembered the way he touched her. She certainly did. She wanted more of the same.

“I did after you stopped tormenting me,” she said looking up into his handsome face and hearing the soft chuckle humming from the back of his throat.

Suddenly, she recalled she was lying. Before she slept, she wished for him to caress her more. She heard her little friend’s chatter behind him.

“Torment?” he queried lifting one of his marvelous black brows into a perfect arch above gray eyes that shimmered molten steel. “You cannot fool me. I heard the soft little sighs of pleasure leaving your lips. The sound was a gift I’ll never forget. It was our wedding night after all. A husband couldn’t ask for more.”

“Was that pleasure you were gifting me with?”

She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. She’d heard such things could happen. She’d also heard of the pain of being forced. Pippa supposed she’d been lucky over the last five years.

Until she’d been caught with the rabbit.

His chuckle was warm, all-knowing. “You know it was.”

He handed her the clothing Kit brought for her. “You can dress in these. He wasn’t able to purchase a dress. However, the pants and shirt will have to do for now. As soon as you’re dressed, come get something to eat and drink.”

“Will there be more of that pleasure stuff tonight?” she asked then immediately thought she should not have done so when she saw the expression on his face.

The shock turned to a wide grin, immediately relieving her of the notion that she was a foolish woman for saying something so forward.

“If you ask, you shall receive.”

With more laughter following him, he left, the flap falling into place as she picked up the clothing to examine the pieces. He brought a shirt and trousers for her then apologized. What he didn’t know was that shirts and trousers were her preferred form of clothing. She was pretty sure she hadn’t worn a dress since the day before she left her home.

Inside the tent she scrambled to rid herself of his shirt then quickly donned the clothing he gave her. When she stepped outside, the air was brisk. She ran her hands along her arms in a feeble attempt to warm herself. The coffee smelled good, the bacon sizzling on the campfire even better. She couldn’t remember when she had two meals so close together.

A few minutes later she joined the two men. “I’m in heaven,” she murmured as she sipped her first cup of coffee while she chewed on a piece of crispy bacon, in her mind cooked to perfection. “Such bounty, I forgot normal people eat more than every couple of days. Thank you, Roby McKenna.”

“You don’t have to keep thanking me.” He looked from his plate of food to stare into her eyes. “I do believe I’m going to be the biggest benefactor in this relationship of ours. You enthrall me, please me very much.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his knuckles.

“How so?” Kit asked still seeming displeased over what happened last evening in the moonlit night. “You need more than just sex for a marriage to work.”

Pippa saw that Roby sent his cousin a blistering glance. “You know nothing of our relationship, Kit Stuart. I trust you to keep a civil tongue around my wife.”

The air she inhaled punched her throat. For several seconds she looked away, trying not to retaliate with words that would serve only to hurt Roby. She would never want that even though his cousin didn’t seem to care. The man was too quick to judge. She set her plate down suddenly, not quite so hungry.

“Don’t let Kit get to you, Pippa. He’s only trying to look out for me. He has only good intentions. Don’t you, Kit? Now, before we leave here, I want you to eat everything on your plate. I didn’t fill it so full as to give you too much. I ken you haven’t eaten much for the last five years.” He slanted a pointed look toward his cousin.

She did try to eat and managed most of the food even though it had lost the marvelous taste it should have had. Actually, the food tasted of sawdust.

It was another half hour before they were riding again. Once more she sat in front of Roby. Kit rode ahead as if he meant to give them privacy. She wasn’t all that sure what she needed privacy for, but it was nice to have her new husband all to herself. Hypatia swung from tree branch to tree branch until seemingly tired she settled on Roby’s shoulder.

Finally able to relax, she leaned against Roby’s broad chest. “Ah, lass take this time for more rest. If you fall asleep, I’ll make sure you don’t fall off.”

She turned slightly, looking up at him. “You have silver eyes that are rimmed with light blue. They are striking.” There were several blank seconds then, “Your lashes are far too long for a man. ‘Tis not fair.”

“You, my sweet wife, possess the most beguiling green eyes with golden flecks I’ve ever seen. Last night when I…” he cleared his throat as if thinking better of what he meant to say, “When I first looked at your face, I wondered what color they were as I wondered at the color of your hair. Chestnut, I would say. Delightful. Very lovely.”

“Flatterer,” she murmured as she wondered why he was being so sweet to her.

They rode in silence for a while, Pippa trying to decide what part of her life she should tell Roby first. She could hardly blurt out everything all at once. Yet she had to find someplace to start. Not wanting to travel over ground she already walked on, she remained silent.

It was a few minutes after she decided she would start by explaining why she ran away when his hand brushed across her nipple. Just as it had last night, the caress sent unbelievable sensations raging straight to her core, in that secret part of her between her legs, at the juncture of her thighs. She gasped in a gulp of air as his fingers pinched lightly. As he switched his attention to her other breast, she pushed back against him, feeling that same hard part of him as she felt last night. She knew what it was as well as what it meant because Harry took great delight in embarrassing her and taunting her with his rod. While he never raped her, she understood if she stayed where he could get at her for much longer, he would force her.

So, she did the only thing she could do.

She left.

Pippa let her head fall against his chest. His lips made tiny forays down her neck, sipping and nibbling. She turned her head toward him. His lips swept so very lightly against hers she wasn’t at all sure they made contact. Now, she understood he was kissing her as his tongue touched her bottom lip, moved lightly across it.

“I find I cannot keep my hands to myself,” he murmured beside her ear so only she could hear.

“You are a devil and a bad mon, Roby McKenna,” she said softly as he continued the exploration that made her want more. Told her she needed something else even while she didn’t have the foggiest notion what that something else was.

“How can I be a bad man for giving my wife pleasure, for watching her eyes simmer with the passion she wants to bestow on me?”

“I dinna ken any of this. Don’t understand what you’re speaking of.” She did understand that she liked all the delicious raw feelings he generated in her. “All I know is that I don’t want you to stop.”

He pulled his hand away when Kit turned to ride back to them. “Did you want to bypass Glasgow or go into the city to get her more clothes?”

“What do you think, Pippa? Would you be more comfortable wearing a dress?” he asked, as he seemed to be staring at her mouth.

The kiss they shared was brief and so verra hot. She wanted more and wished Kit to leave them alone again.

She swept her tongue across her bottom lip as his hand tightened at her waist before creeping just a bit higher to rest beneath her breast. Pippa didn’t understand why every contact with this man sent her senses reeling.

“I’m fine with what I’m wearing. You did say there is one change of clothing. That is more than I’m used to.”

It wasn’t entirely true. During her stay with the gypsies, she’d wanted for nothing, even companionship. She’d thought herself in love. Now she knew what she felt for the boy, Aaron Rosmara, was temporary infatuation. With time the feeling would have faded. She would have to tell Roby about him as well as the few kisses they shared.

“When we reach home, you’re going to get used to more, much, much more. I will bring the modiste from the village to fit you,” he murmured close to her ear again, lightly grazing the tip with his teeth. “I want to give you anything your heart desires.”

Kit let out a snort that to her ears was one of disgust. She stiffened realizing Kit knew exactly what his cousin was about. Roby chuckled sending waves of shivers down her arms. He was wicked, seemed to love to torment her in his devil’s own way.

The next village is about two hours away. We can stop early or we can spend the night on the ground,” Kit said, waiting impatiently for an answer.

It was abundantly clear he meant to ride ahead as well as out of hearing range of any conversation they might have. That was fine with her. Kit had a way of disarming her, making her uncomfortable in her skin. While Pippa understood Kit’s obvious contempt surrounding her, he shouldn’t take his feelings out on his cousin.

“Let’s stay at the inn. If I recall correctly, it’s the Drum and Ox, a pleasant place, clean with good food. I for one would like to sleep on a bed with my new wife beside me,” he taunted his cousin while his hand settled firmly on her waist.

He was sending her a message. While she couldn’t fathom why or what it meant, she set the question aside for the time being.

She watched. She assumed Roby observed Kit as he spurred his horse faster. “Will he come back do you think?”

“As soon as he’s worked off some of the anger he’s feeling. As of yet, he hasn’t come to terms with our marriage. In time he will.” Roby allowed a long hiss of air to escape from his lungs. “I’m sorry for how he’s acting and all. You deserve to be treated better. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“I assume it’s because you married a convicted criminal to save her from death that he is in such a bad simmer,” she spoke softly understanding the words had to be said.

“No.”

“Then why?”

“Because the two of us spent the better part of two years looking for our soul mates. We left the highlands to do so. Neither one of us was successful in that endeavor then out of the blue I decide to wed someone I’ve never spoken to. Speak o’ the devil, the lass is a highlander. I had to come home to find my eternal woman. What he doesn’t understand is that there is a strange and unique connection between the two of us. A bond I would like to come to understand better. I’ve a mind to believe you might indeed be that soul mate I’ve been searching the world for.”

“Oh.” It was her turn to be shocked.

Searching the world?

“Is that all you’ve got to say now that I’ve laid all my thoughts bare for you to demolish if you so choose?” He laughed then and pulled her close, teasing her with his male arrogance taking liberties that were best left to private intimate settings.

“I feel a connection of sorts with you too.” She lowered her lashes, staring at his big hand that still held one of her breasts inside it. “I’ve never truly been close to a man before but everywhere you touch me, I want you to never stop.” This was when she should mention Aaron Rosmara, tell him about the few kisses he stole.

“You have the most bountiful breasts. I want to stroke them, tease and taunt them until the tips harden into tight buds. More than anything I have this incessant urge that I cannot rid myself of to suck them deep into my mouth until you cry out in ecstasy.”

Truly, he was the devil’s own spawn. She swallowed the lump in her throat so she could speak. Still had trouble saying the words. “What would you say if I was so brazen as to tell you that I want the same?” She paused to garner more courage to tell him honestly how she felt. “I would like to know how that would feel.”

“I would tell you we can’t get to that inn fast enough.”

She sat up straighter, touched his forearm, marveling in its width, in the hard muscles her fingers surrounded. She tried to pull it away before she sighed softly before giving up. “We’ve things we should talk about before we carry this any farther. You might not want to stay married to me if you know the truth about my past. Kit might well be correct in his assumption that I’m using you because I am. We both understand that fact. The difference is that you don’t ken why.”

~ * ~

“What does the letter say?” Wynnie asked impatiently as she paced the main room in the north tower where she and Connal had lived for the past thirty years. She was impatient to see her son again. He’d been away for two long years. They both missed him, were eager to tell him of all that transpired as well as hear all about his adventure in America.

“Says if all goes well, he’ll be home in two weeks,” Connal said as he set the letter on the table so he could pull his wife into his arms.

He kissed her quickly as she pushed away from him knowing all too well the conversation would end if she allowed him to have his way with her. It always did. “Ye are too impatient, lady of my heart, my eternal love. Our son will be home soon enough, aggravating us as he always manages to do.”

“Did he say if he found his mate?” she queried allowing Connal to hold her close to him again, trusting he would take this no farther while they still had things to talk about.

She set her head on his chest, heard the steady beat of his heart against her cheek. The sound was wonderful to her. The years with Connal had been good ones. Now, she was eager to see her son fulfilled, to find his mate, to sire children.

“Says neither he nor Kit found someone they can call their eternal love. It seems my meeting with you so soon in my adult life proved me to be a lucky man. If you had not been running for your verra life, you would nay have run into my arms.”

“You were a verra bad man then, Connal McKenna. First, you threatened to lock me away in a tower prison with mice as my companions. When that wasn’t going to work for you, I found myself locked in your chambers with a different kind of rat to contend with.”

“You wound me, Madam.” Instead of placing his hand on his heart, he cupped her breast in his hand with obvious intentions.

He was not satisfied. Lightly and oh so tenderly, Connal brushed his mouth across hers, nibbling at the corners then sweeping his tongue across her bottom lip urging her to open for him. She met his with her own, touched the tip then explored the dark warm recess inside that which he offered.

His hand closed more tightly over her breast, stroking the sensitive underside through the fabric of her gown. Teasing and coaxing her to his will. It never took much wheedling for him to get his way. They both paused for breath.

“I’m sorry to hear the news. The boys had high expectations when they left.”

They all understood they journeyed from the highlands with more than one reason. It was no longer safe for any of the clan to shift and run wild among the heather. For young men freedom is a heady notion. One that can only be coshed with time.

“Wynnie, they wanted adventure along with their freedom probably more so than the idea of finding their mates. I suppose they needed to find out what kind of men they were. Those two could not do that here where everything they wanted was given to them.”

She hit him on the shoulder. “Are you telling me I spoiled my son?”

“Along with your daughter and other son. I’m as much to blame as you. We both adored them, needed them to have everything they wished for. The journey was good for both men. I’m certain of that. They will come back wiser and braver than when they left.”

“Are you now? So sure of yourself?” she asked looking to the bed and perhaps a small dalliance before they went downstairs for their evening meal. She would be amenable if he showed her that he wanted her other than the swift kiss they just shared.

“I am just as sure as the fact that I should carry you to our bed. No, on second thought now I take a few seconds to reconsider,” he stopped talking for a few moments. “I’ve the urge to make love to my wife on the soft fur rug in front of the fire.”

“You would be making assumptions. What makes you think I would be amenable to such a situation, Laird McKenna?” She laughed as he further explored her, sucked in air when he found more tender sensitive places. “You’re a bold one.”

“You adore my boldness.”

“Aye.”

With the tip of his finger, he touched her nose then kissed the same spot. “By the wild passion I see simmering in the crystal-clear depth of your eyes, I know for a fact you are wanting me. By the way your pulse is thundering right here where my thumb rests so I can tell what your body is saying to mine, I know your body is weeping for me. I ken you want me just as I ken I want you.” He told her as he swept her into his arms, his mouth pressed gently against hers.

“Love me, Connal McKenna, as you always do.”

“I will lass. After that, we’ll think of our son and pray for his safe return.”