Gillian paced muttering furiously at the blasted Highlanders who weren’t letting her defend herself.

Sensing impatience, Mary quickly began to pace along with Gillian. She took hold of her hand as she exchanged a meaningful glance with her. Mary was aware of one thing if Lady Gillian did not want to return to her parents, it was better for them to heed to the request of the Highlanders but provided they were able to find a way out from the said wedding. Something could be done, they simply needed to think. Seeing the men as they were she was mighty sure, they would no way harm her sweet Lady Gillian. They almost already revered her.

And Mary was also sure that Lady Gillian wasn’t aware of Robert Sutton’s true wild nature and the deal he had with her father. Mary herself refused to believe in it but she had heard rumors, vile rumors. And Mary did not have the heart to tell Lady Gillian the truth. She couldn’t do it. She knew for a fact,  Robert Sutton was a mean-hearted man who would relish crushing not just Lady Gillian’s feelings but her very soul. She had to do something. 

“What am I going to do, Mary?” Gillian looked at Mary with pleading eyes,” We were supposed to run away from Robert Sutton, not land into Scotland.”

Mary nodded as she piped,” not land into the arms of Laird Iain McGregor.”

Gillian held Mary’s hands tightly and casting a sweeping glance at the men waiting for them, whispered,” Mary, you think we should make a run for it.”

 “Don’t even think about it, we know these lands better than you,” Mary’s shake of head was interrupted by Iain’s voice making Gillian jump.

Gillian stepped aside and smiled sweetly at Iain,” Don’t be in a foul mood, Iain. It was a suggestion.” And went back to discuss the looming problem with Mary.

“Mary, what should we do?”

For the love of all that was sacred, Iain’s men could not fathom the reason for the discussion. After all, wasn’t it a matter of privilege to become a laird’s wife and...to become Iain McGregor’s lady, they could only say; Lady Gillian had her destiny written by the angels above.

“What is taking them so long?” Iain asked in an irritated voice.

Patrick familiar with his laird’s temper quickly stepped up and said,” Laird, give the ladies some time to confer. Maybe they’re discussing something utterly important.”

“We are. Thank you, Patrick.” Gillian sang in a cheery voice.

Iain grunted his acknowledgement but threw an appalled look at Patrick, since when had his men become champions of the said ladies. He had to get back to Normany lest the ladies turned his men into love sick puppies.

Mary’s attention was tugged towards Iain, she squinted at the giant of a man whose presence seemed to swallow the entire night sky, “Lady Gillian, Don’t you like the laird one bit?”

Gillian looked at the ground, hoping to hide her embarrassment and the truth,” I don’t know what you’re saying, Mary.”

Mary smiled, her tone took on a teasing tone,” Have you thought of him kissing you?”

“Mary,” Gillian’s eyes widened in shock at the comment and she blinked. Could always righteous Mary ask her such a scandalous thought? Her cheeks bloomed with color.

“Lady Gillian, pardon me,” Mary spluttered.

Gillian patted Mary’s hands as she fought to control her mortification,” its okay, Mary; we need to think of a way out.”

“I have an idea,” Mary spoke in a very low voice.

“What, Mary?” Gillian eyes sparkled with interest.

“We will go with them for now, Lady Gillian” Mary mumbled praying for her head to come up with some plan.

Excitedly Gillian drew her closer, “And we can stay with them till father apologizes and when it’s time we can think of an escape plan.” Mary‘s idea wasn’t exactly close to what Gillian was thinking but Mary liking the idea rapidly nodded her head in agreement.

Gillian wanted to leap with joy but stopped, “But what about the demand for the wedding?” 

Watching the deflated look Gillian portrayed, Iain wanted to take Mary away from Gillian, he couldn’t understand the need but he knew he would do anything to keep Gillian happy. Lord, Iain thought with a jolt, he needed to leave; she was turning him into a lady too. Who in their right minds thought that way; definitely not Iain McGregor. His duty was to marry her to protect her and that was the end of the story.

While..Mary thought for one minute and leaned forward whispering a solution to Gillian,” You can go and talk to the laird my lady, explain him you need time to know him better,”  the scheme made Gillian leap with utter joy and seeing her happy once again calmed Iain.

Gillian walked forward to address them all, “You would like me to go with you?” she asked in a polite tone.

The men except for Iain immediately nodded their heads and looking at their enthusiasm Gillian wanted to burst into laughter but thought better of it. As far as she could see the Highlanders were turning out to be quite sensitive and maybe they would get upset. She didn’t have the heart to offend the lot.

“Alright, I agree but I have one humble request,” she turned towards Iain when she stated her request.

Iain walked towards her casually as his heart unknown to him started swiftly beating away, her agreement sounded like a drop of dew on the grass; riveting and fulfilling.

Gillian did not want to be affected by the way the man walked. Who in their right mind would be tempted by the manner in which a man strutted? She wanted to take a dip in cold water to get herself out of this very unbecoming infatuation.

“Aye, lass?” Iain raised his eyebrow.

Gillian lifted her eyes at him and Iain was convinced she was a sorceress sent to bewitch him,” Can we speak privately.”

“Walk with me,” he ordered in a harsh voice. Gillian tried to back away. Iain was swift to end her retreat. He took hold of her shoulders, felt the silken softness beneath his fingers, and almost gave in to the desire to jerk her into his arms.

“Lass?” He looked at her annoyance lurking in his eyes.

“That is no way to speak to your bride to be, Iain. I will not take orders from you, let me make that very clear,” Gillian blustered.

Mary gasped loudly and to Gillian’s surprise, the soldiers cheered, clapped and whistled with joy. Ian looked truly pleased.

Gillian couldn’t hide her surprise; she smiled it made her happy to see others so joyous when she turned to face Iain,” Why is everyone happy?”

Iain grinned and pulled her close to him; he was content to know she had expressed her desire to marry him in complete abandonment from her thoughts. It was her heart which had spoken and sealed their fate.

Gillian once again began to voice her opinion when she was interrupted by his arrogant remark,” You just accepted to be my bride.”

And before she could say anything, he leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of her head. Gillian stunned watched his back as he walked away amongst pats on his shoulder to ready the horses.  Gillian shook with the force of what he had just said, what she had accepted; she groaned and hid her face in her hands. Now she had done it.

She looked helplessly at Mary who patted her shoulders and asked her to accept her fate.

Just then Patrick came forward, after congratulating Lady Gillian informed them that their trunks had been tied to the horses and they were ready to depart.

Gillian nodded thinking of finding a way out and noticed Iain atop a majestic horse galloping towards her, the way Iain looked, and his magnificence took her breath away. The strength the duo presented showcased to Gillian there was a place where she would be protected and maybe even loved?

He stopped near her, and she lifted her face to look into his eyes. “You will ride with me,” Iain told her making sure she understood that the assertion was not negotiable.

“Will you please come down?” Gillian asked Iain, Mary left the couple alone on the pretext of checking their trunks.

Iain quirked his eyebrow as he deftly jumped down,” Aye, lass?”

“I just want one promise that I be allowed to dispatch my letter to my father informing him about my well being.”

He shrugged his massive shoulders, “Is that it?”

“Yes,” Gillian held herself regally and watched as Iain swung to his stallion before answering,” Your wish will be granted, Gillian.”

And before she could raise any more complications Iain deftly lifted her from the ground and settled her firmly on his lap. Gillian hadn’t expected to be swept off her feet, she didn’t know if she would be able to handle the closeness. The only benefit she accrued was that with her face looking ahead, he could not see the blush staining her cheeks.

 But Iain felt like letting out a loud booming laugh, the way she sat, hard, rigid and the pink in her cheeks told him more of his affect on her than anything ever could.

He wrapped a muscled arm about her and pulled her yet closer to him. Gillian let out a deep breath. She realized she loved the scent of Iain, he smelled like spring, horses and something utterly masculine.

When his arm touched her, Gillian thought she would faint; after all it was the first time she had been touched by a man, so intimately. She subdued her flaming reactions and focused her energy into getting her emotions into control.

“Don’t worry, lass. I won’t let you fall.”

Gillian could feel his words permeate her inner core, she was so tightly pressed against him that she could feel the heat radiating from his chest, his thighs, his fingers. She noticed how comfortable she felt, he was warm and the feel of his arms around her granted her the feeling of being safe and secure.

“Iain.”

She turned to look back him. Iain had a deep urge to pick her up and kiss her until she let go of her staunch control, lose herself completely in him. He found he loved the feel of her in his arms and if he didn’t direct his attention elsewhere he would become possessive for her. And he shouldn’t let himself forget, a warrior never let anything affect himself.

Aye, he would simply enjoy her in his bed.

He grunted.

 “Will Mary be alright?” Gillian directed his gaze over to Mary who now sat within the arms of Patrick. Iain nodded at Patrick who nodded back.

He grunted again.

Gillian turned her head to look straight,”Is one grunt yes or a no?”

He answered gruffly,” Gillian?”

Crossing the narrow drawbridge, they’d crossed over to Scotland, drawing her away from her homeland into her new future.

She turned her head to look at him.

And Iain lost his control, desire as he had never experienced before overtook him. He felt powerless against the attraction. He drew her forward, her breasts grazed his chest, and his eyes met hers as he lowered his lips to hers. Gillian had never experienced a kiss so passionate. The touch of his tongue made her shudder in pleasure and forgetting propriety she drew him closer to her. Hardness enclosed her; she could feel his muscles which took her breath away.

Iain wanted to end the kiss but was incapable of doing it.

Damn, she tasted so good.

And so soft, so satiny. He needed more.

He growled low in his throat as passion raged between them. Her need matching his; with equal depth, nearly shook Iain; he didn’t know he could feel like that. Pulling himself out of the trance, he forced himself to stop.

He was furious at himself, looking at her swollen lips only made him ache in need. He wanted to kiss her again. Where was his self control? He looked around and noticed that others hadn’t waited for them. How could he forget his duty? He cursed, shook his head and gently shoved her head down to his shoulder.

And decided he wouldn’t let anyone get close to his heart.

Gillian moved her head and whispered, “Iain, you shouldn’t have kissed me. It’s highly improper.  This indecency is over and done with. ”

Iain smiled as he said softly,” Nay, lass, “It’s only begun.”

********

Hello, *waves*

Do you want more sinful kisses between Iain and Gillian?...I really enjoyed writing this chapter, it’s just something about a man who is gruff, handsome, gentle and thoroughly ‘tortured’ by a beautiful lady; that is utterly bewitching. *moans* Isn’t it?

Do let me know, if you’re absolutely loving the sensual, enticing journey!!

Warmest Regards,

HIndia150

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