Iain stood stunned. Well, it was not often that he was taken for a surprise let alone by a woman and English to the boot.

Duncan stepped back, looking at his laird and Gillian in succession,” MI ‘lady did you just claim to be laird’s intended bride?” His laird, Iain McGregor taking on an English bride was a suggestion too hard to digest.

Gillian snucked a glance towards Iain, blushed furiously,” No, Duncan. I….”

“But, we just heard you say that,” Patrick voiced his opinion.

“I know, I did but,” Gillian started to speak.

“We thought you did, mi’ lady,” Patrick announced thoroughly enjoying the new situation.

Gillian wanted to stamp her foot, the men weren’t listening to her, she wasn’t given a chance to speak,” Will you please listen.” She pleaded.

“MI ‘lady, please go on,” Duncan cheerily announced.

“Thank you, Duncan,” Gillian nodded as she looked around to address all but it was clear the words were meant for Iain,” it was a mere ruse.”

“MI ‘lady,” Gillian turned to face Patrick when she heard Mary make an animated noise. Gillian swiftly forgot the topic and quickly went onto Mary’s side; she took hold of her hands in hers,” Mary, Mary.”

Mary seem to come into consciousness, she blinked her eyes,” Lady Gillian, don’t you worry, I will protect you.” She tried to unsuccessfully rise. As she slumped back, Gillian smiled and then laughed; her Mary, dearest Mary was going to be alright; her laugh seemed to capture everyone’s attention. Iain had not heard such a melodious tone before.  It sounded almost charming and definitely enchanting.

The men were shocked sensing the loyalty shared by the two English women, such dedication in English was unheard of. Iain himself didn’t know what to make of it. He had never seen the Highlander women enjoying the companionship these two women seemed to share while it was evident now, that they in realty were cut out for a lady-maid relationship. What an enigma Gillian was turning out to be.

If Iain could just see her face clearly, if she would just take off her veil, it would help him to better place her appearance.

“Lord”, Iain muttered. He was certain if it wasn’t for his training, he was certain he would have fallen to his knees. Mary had lifted her Lady Gillian’s veil and Gillian looked like a princess. Till now he had been able to gauze her beauty piecing together parts of what he had seen but now to see her fully seemed to hush him up. She was truly outrageously beautiful. Iain was sure, Gillian could very well define the word- beauty- give it significance in a concrete form. Her hair which now had been partially hidden seemed to be midnight black wound tightly. She wasn’t just gorgeous but courageous and simply outstanding. Her nature was sweet and her heart completely pure. She seemed to be a vision sent by gods to tempt him. How was he ever going to resist her?

Iain knew if he wasn’t careful he could be in big trouble.

Iain glanced around and found his men to be equally captured by Gillian’s beauty and it made him growl,” Stop looking.” He ordered and the men quickly averted their eyes gazing anywhere but at their laird’s lady.

Gillian heard the command and lifted her chin to peep at Iain. She could see him totally focussed on her and the fact made her blush. He stood with his legs apart, immense strength radiating from him. She wanted to gaze at him infinitely.

At Mary’s tug, Gillian stood up and helped Mary stand,” Now, that Mary is fine, we would like to take leave.”

“Where do you want to go?” The question was voiced by a warrior standing behind Patrick.

Gillian took a side step to look at the man,” That I cannot tell, can we leave now?”

“You can’t, mi’ lady,” Duncan stepped forward.

“We will go and you will be free to take the carriage,” Gillian pointed the carriage to them.

“But we don’t want the carriage,” Duncan voiced.

“Of course, you do, wasn’t that what your laird was screaming at the infidels before.”

“Oh that, it was merely to distract them, a plan to rescue you but you turned the tables on us,” Duncan let pride seep in his words.

Gillian stumbled under the weight of the truth, “You didn’t want the carriage?”

“We would never touch an English carriage.” He scoffed.

She looked at Iain and found his mischievous gaze knocking the very senses out of her. Oh, oh..who were these men? They didn’t seem to be mean now. Sweet Lord!

“But we need to leave,” Gillian protested.

“You can’t, mi’ lady,” Duncan persisted.

Mary seemed to have recovered enough to push herself out of Gillian’s arms,” May I know, why?”

Patrick moved to stand near Mary, looking at him, Mary gave him a coy smile; which was noted by an astonished Gillian.

“Why can’t we leave?” Mary faced Patrick.

“Because Lady Gillian just claimed to be our laird’s intended bride.”

“What? When?” Mary eyes widened as she brought Gillian into her vision,” Lady Gillian?”

Gillian hung her head, she wouldn’t be embarrassed not in front of Mary and Mary deserved to know the truth,” I did.”

Mary let out a huge gasp,” Gillian,” in her surprise she forgot to address Gillian as her Lady,” Why would you do that? Pardon me, Lady Gillian.”

“There is nothing to smile about, Patrick, “Gillian blustered at Patrick who seemed to be having difficulty keeping the smile off his face, Gillian faced Mary, in truth she wanted to bury her head under the thick layer of forest soil on which she was currently standing,” It was a ploy,” she quickly explained the entire plot to Mary.

Mary nodded her head in understanding but shrugged in defeat,” Haven’t you heard, Lady Gillian. The Highlander’s take claims very seriously.”

“Aye,” Patrick spoke,” Thank you, dear. That is what we have been trying to explain to Lady Gillian.”

“Dear?” Mary gasped.

“But,” Gillian spun,” it was a lie.” Mary let out an anguished moan and Gillian speedily hugged her, consoling her.

“MI ‘lady, a claim is a claim,” Patrick mused.

“And ,” Gillian continued ignoring Patrick as Mary found her footing again, “I know you’re Scots but is that a way to treat a fellow human?” she spoke to Duncan while clearly addressing Iain who stood with a uninterested countenance. Did anything ever interest the man?

She looked around and saw Iain’s warriors looking mildly ill, Duncan took a step forward and blinked, “We’re not Scots, my lady. We’re Highlanders.” His pronouncement was met with a roaring, thumping ‘yes’.

Gillian couldn’t understand the difference, she had thought she had praised them but now looking at the way the men had reacted it was clear to her, that they took to being called Scots as a deep insult. She decided with a sigh she would accommodate them. Well, it wasn’t as if she had a choice. She needed them to understand that Mary and she had to travel to Marbury Cottage as soon as possible. She wasn’t going to be anyone’s bride not even Iain’s.

“Thank you, Duncan for telling me. I would pay heed to your instruction,” Gillian nodded her head.

Duncan inclined his head,” MI ‘lady, thank you for understanding. I am most humbled.” Just then Iain let out a mild shout, “Enough!”

 Gillian let out a suffering sigh,” I agree, Iain. It is enough. I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” she looked around and taking Mary’s hand in hers curtsied,” If you would be kind enough to direct us, we would be on our way.”

Iain and his warriors did not move an inch.

“You aren’t planning to leave anytime soon, are you?” Gillian addressed Iain who continued to stare at her.

“We can’t leave you, mi’ lady,” a man who she had heard being addressed as Owen spoke.

“Why can’t you?” Gillian’s exasperated look nearly made Iain break into a smile. She looked completely forlorn.

Duncan spoke in a clarifying tone, “Because you claimed to be our laird’s intended bride.”

Gillian shook her head, the action made her curls that had come undone from her coiffure to blow wildly in the night’s cool breeze,” As I explained earlier, it was a ruse, Duncan. Nothing to be taken seriously.”

She glanced at the men who stood looking at her and shaking their heads, collectively disagreeing with her. Good god, they couldn’t be serious, it was a scam, even Iain was aware of it. Why wasn’t the “prospective groom” refuting their bizarre claim? She turned to face Iain who was gazing at his men. She puffed and went onto stand next to him.

“Iain,” Gillian spoke in a soft, soothing tone. A tone which didn’t justify what she was feeling inside, a rage so powerful at the daft of a man, why wouldn’t he say anything.

Gillian took on a forceful tone,” Iain?”

Iain turned his face to look at her,” Yes, lass.”

“Why won’t you say anything?” She asked him. Iain couldn’t understand what he felt at that moment. He wanted to make her smile, to make her forget her worries and to protect her. He knew even though she was hell bent on not revealing to him, she was running away. His heart jolted with an unfamiliar agony at the thought of Gillian being hurt or worse…abused.

“What would you like me to say, Gillian?” He asked raising his eyebrow.

“Give your men a clarification,” she waved her hand towards his men.

“Nothing needs to be said Gillian,” Iain spoke and took a step closer to her. He wanted to breathe in her scent. Hell, he was losing himself in her beauty.

Gillian seemed lost, gazing into Iain’s eyes; she didn’t know how to break the spell that she was sure Iain had woven around them. She could not even remember what she wanted to say, let alone think. Why was she infused with the need to touch the man, to feel his warmth engulf her? She had no right, was not supposed to have any inclination for the same.  These conflicting emotions confused her. She had never felt them before, not with any of the man who had wanted to court her singing praises for her. And here this man who spoke to her as if she was covered with vermin made her feel things she wasn’t at all accustomed to feeling.

“MI ‘lady?” Duncan roused her from her thoughts.

Gillian spluttered and prayed her cheeks wouldn’t turn pink, she stepped away from Iain, “P-pardon me, Duncan. “

“It has been decided,” a man whom Gillian had heard being addressed as Owen said to her.

“Are we back to that?” She looked at the two men who nodded.

“Yes, we need you to accept, mi’ lady,” Duncan insisted.

“Isn’t it a lady’s prerogative to change her mind?” She looked at them in hope.

“Not in this case, Gillian, it isn’t,” Gillian spiralled to counter the statement but turned speechless when she met with Iain’s stare. “Gillian, come here,” he commanded.

Gillian eyes narrowed, ”Iain, you cannot order me around.” She spoke those words as she unknowingly took few steps to reach Iain.

Iain let out a deep breathe,” Gillian it’s done, let it go.”

Gillian’s eyes took on a new light which utterly fascinated Iain, her violet eyes seem to call him, to hear her out, she stabbed a delicate finger into his chest,  ain stood immovable- delighted to witness her fury which made her look all the more beautiful. God, he couldn’t let her go. No, she belonged to him now and no one was going to take her away. She better understood she had no choice but to agree.

Gillian stabbed her finger again and Iain realized that she had been speaking to him all this time, ” Iain, I don’t even remember giving you leave to use my name.”

Iain captured her finger in his own hand,” An oversight for which I forgive you.”

“Forgive me?  Me? Me, really?” she pounced with renewed vigour and stepped on his feet, Iain wanted to laugh at the joy he felt by teasing her.

“Aye, lass, I do,” Iain drawled.

Oh, how he infuriated her. She couldn’t believe the man, who in the right mind would take her words to be true. What could she do? Well, there was one thing.

She blinked her eyes, took in a deep breath and whispered, “Iain, you don’t really want me, do you?”

Iain lifted his head, looked into her eyes and spoke clearly, “Gillian, you’re mine.”

***********

Hello, my wonderful people.

I wish you all a very Happy New Year. *waves pompoms* May you have a beautiful year ahead and embark on a delightful, sensual, enchanting journeys… through another fascinating chapter of your charming lives. God bless! *winks*

To the committed, may your love blossom and bloom into passions yet unknown to mankind…and the singles out here, may you find your sinfully hot, understanding, marvellous, amazing, stunning, spectacular; dream man. *prays for myself too* Hehe

Oh yeah…and don’t forget to simply adore the chapter and do let me know what you think of Iain….*blushes*

Warmest Regards,

HIndia 150