Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

Three days later, Kate was elbow deep in a bread recipe when Gabriel strolled into the kitchen at the inn. Storm clouds brewed outside. She had spent the morning cleaning and sorting the tables, and Gabriel and Finn worked on painting the last of the rooms upstairs and the final repairs to the beams in the basement.

The smoke odor finally faded with help of the simmer pot she had in the hearth. The air was perfumed with cinnamon and apples and rosemary.

Gabriel brushed back his hair, his skin glistening from hours of work.

“I moved the office,” she said, nodding, “and the windows have been scrubbed, and everything dusted and washed down.”

“Ye’re baking?”

“I found a recipe for this bread and thought to try it. It’s simple and will help cut costs.”

“Ye sing, bake, and now ye’re proving to be economical.”

She smiled at the teasing in his voice. “You will find I am excellent with numbers.”

“I dinna doubt it. ”

But it was more than that. She had relished her time here as they worked together the past few days.

“Who knew that spending my entire life preparing to be a peer’s wife managing a large household would suit to running an inn?”

“Ye’re verra clever, Kate. Ye would have figured it out, nae matter the challenge.”

He was as kind as he was charming. But soon, her help wouldn’t be needed, and then what was she to do?

The girls now had Elsie, and all three of them seemed content with that arrangement. She would need to return to Charlotte. Even if she enjoyed her time here in Scotland, this was no place for her to remain alone. Her stipend had been generous, but not generous enough to make her an independent woman.

She didn’t wish to give up her autonomy or return to London, where she would be cut by proper society time and again.

“It should be better than the cookies,” she added.

He paused, drinking from his water glass to gaze at her over the edge as if she had somehow scalded him.

The memory stood between them in the silence, and Kate felt her cheeks grow warm. She couldn’t forget the way he touched her and kissed her as if she was all he needed. Those sweet, bruising kisses that left her reeling.

It was enough to make her knees weak and her breath catch. And she had tried—and failed—for several days now to forget it ever happened.

He cleared his throat. “We should plan on returning to Dunsmuir soon before the rain starts.”

She returned to punching the dough when she only had to knead it. Was she expected to spend her life alone after being ruined? Truly?

“Gabriel?”

He paused, glancing over his shoulder back at her. “Aye, lass?”

Her cheeks flushed and pulled her focus back on the bread. “I only need a few minutes to clean things up.”

“Finn is stayin’ the night. No need to put out the fire. ”

“Where’s MacInnes?” a gravelly voice boomed from the front of the inn. “Wallace!”

Kate froze, remembering it well. The same voice that had threatened her peace the day they found Oliver by the riverbank.

“Christ alive,” Gabriel muttered, reaching up to tap the low beams. “Always something, aye?”

“MacInnes!”

Kate wiped the flour from her forehead and brushed her hands against her apron. “Why is he back here? I thought Finn was to help with Duncan?”

Gabriel bent his neck from side to side, then stretched out his wide shoulders. “Stay here.”

Kate rolled her eyes, skirting around Gabriel and out into the tavern room. “We’re closed, Mr. McQuarrie, and last we spoke ye said a month.”

“Ah, they’ve ye answering for ‘em now, is it? That’s fine.”

The older man slowly circled the large tavern room, sweeping his eyes from ceiling to floor before he settled on Gabriel standing behind the bar.

“Tell the lass we willna be needing her for what I’m about to discuss.”

“You can tell the lass yourself,” Kate said, snapping the towel that had been tucked into her apron pocket, up against her shoulder. “No matter, the inn isn’t open.”

“Ye English are all the same.” He sneered, digging a cigar from his vest pocket. His dark-green eyes flashed between Gabriel and Kate, studying the pair. “Think ye can come and tell us what to do.”

“Isn’t that what you’re attempting to do here?”

The man’s potbelly shook with an ugly laugh. “Me? I came only to see the progress of the place. It’s been a grave loss to the village having no inn.”

“I’ve nae answer for ye, McQuarrie. None ye wish to hear anyhow. I’ll leave ye and yer business alone if ye do the same to mine.”

Gabriel’s voice was low and menacing, not quite a growl, but the threat lingered in the way he spoke. “I’m no’ Tavish, and I willna allow ye to tell me what to do with my distillery.”

“Ye’ll cut into my profit.”

“How’s that exactly?” Kate stood beside Gabriel, unease settling deep in her belly as the wind picked up outside, and the trees in front of the inn began to sway back and forth.

They’d be stuck at the inn for the evening as well if Duncan didn’t leave.

“Doing business with the Crown only ever helps.”

“Sure enough.” Gabriel laughed. “It helps line the pockets of the Crown. Ye’re afraid that by my expanding, we’ll take away customers?”

“Aye, ye expanding means change. There’s an art to what my family does. And ye’re tossing aside tradition to appease who exactly? Ye left Scotland, and ye should have stayed away. Tavish wouldna?—”

“Keep my brother’s name out of yer mouth, McQuarrie.”

“This is not a way to settle this… disagreement, gentlemen.” Kate gripped the bartop, praying Finn would stroll in from wherever he had disappeared to. But with Finn, that was never to be counted on. “How about there’s a meeting?—”

“The Harvest Festival is comin’ up soon enough. Might make an appearance there. We can have another talk.”

“I’m no’ changin’ my mind, Duncan. Keep away from the inn, my family, and my stills.”

“That sounds like a threat, MacInnes.”

“Tavish might have run things one way, but I will do it another, and ye’ve no say in my business. Now, seein’ we’re closed, and the weather is about to turn bad, ye best leave.”

“Before what?”

“Leave,” Gabriel snapped.

The man sneered, tossing up his pudgy hands in the air. He rolled his unlit cigar between his lips, then winked at Kate.

“Surprised to see the progress made here. The fire was… well, I would hate for it no’ to be here next Harvest Festival.”

“I dinna recommend making threats now. No’ wise.” Gabriel’s voice registered into a low growl. And though Kate stood mere inches away, she felt his muscles tense along his shoulders, as if he were about to jump over the bartop and pick the short man up by the collar and toss him outside.

“I’ll give ye time to think about what I’ve said tonight. Ye wish to cut in on my business, I’m no’ about to roll over and let ye have it.”

“I’m no’ doing what I am to cut in on anyone, McQuarrie. If ye could take yer head out of yer arse?—”

“Now—” Kate’s hand bolted for Gabriel’s arm. She grabbed his forearm and squeezed. “I believe it’s time to leave now, Mr. McQuarrie. We’ve best be?—”

“Think it over, MacInnes. And while ye’re at it, might as well consider a new business partner. Wallace is asleep on the stoop outside.”

Gabriel cursed under his breath, but Kate walked out from behind the bar. “Very well. Good evening, now.” She opened the door, remaining still as he leaned forward a touch too close as if to threaten her, too.

“Help me see Finn to bed,” Gabriel said from behind her. “I’ll have Archie come by and mind the fire for the evening.” He glanced up at the sky. “We have to leave, or we’ll be stuck here as well.”

Nearly half an hour later, they were both riding back to the castle as a sharp wind whipped through the forest, and black clouds loomed overhead. She adjusted her bonnet and focused on the passing scenery, mulling over anything to say to Gabriel which didn’t involve kissing him.

“The inn will be ready in time for the festival,” he said. “Thanks to ye, Kate.”

“I might not be a governess, but I am sufficient at managing a project.”

“The girls adore you.”

“Lorna dyed my best dress black yesterday except it came out a sickly orange.”

“I’ll buy ye a new dress. ”

She gripped the rein harder. “Not everything can be bought, Gabriel.”

“I was a verra wealthy man once, lass. I’ve found almost everything can be.”

“Yet you are here, repairing what needs to be done yourself and struggling to legitimize the distillery.”

“Some things are best done yerself.”

The clouds opened up and fat, freezing raindrops cascaded from the above.

Kate tossed her head back and laughed, holding out her arms as the horse slowly moved forward.

“Are ye daft, woman? Ye’ll catch yer death. Let’s ride.”

She sat up, already feeling the chill sink into her bones. “What is the point?”

“The point?” He circled her on his horse, and the mare whinnied, unsettled. “Ye’re talking like ye hit yer head.”

She tilted her face toward the rain and smiled. Smiled not because she was happy but because this storm couldn’t scare her, and she wouldn’t allow it to break her either.

Then a flash of lightning streaked across the sky before a loud echo boomed, as if the heavens were being ripped in two.

Her horse jolted, racing off through the woods. She hung on, the mare out of her control.

“Kate!” Gabriel hollered over the whistling wind.

She braced an arm in front of her face as branches whacked against her, nearly knocking her to the ground.

“Pull the rein,” he shouted. She could barely hear him over the storm and her heart drumming in her ear.

With another lightning strike, the mare attempted to jump a stone wall but didn’t clear it, stumbling instead and sending Kate tumbling over the other side.

“Ahh,” she screamed. Pain seared her arm and back as she struggled to breathe.

The horse whinnied in pain as Kate heard Gabriel’s approach.

“Are ye hurt? Can ye stand? ”

“We can’t leave her,” Kate cried, pushing up onto her knees. She wiped the rain pelting against her skin, struggling with the ringing in her ears. “I don’t think I broke anything. Please, Gabriel. We can’t leave her out here.”

A dark scowl possessed Gabriel’s handsome face. “We need to get out of the storm.” He held his hand out for her as she scaled the small wall. The stones wobbled beneath her boots, and she nearly fell again.

“Damn it,” he cursed. “Ride with me and we’ll find her.”

The rain felt as if it was slicing her with each strike. She pressed back against Gabriel’s chest, searching the forest for the runaway horse.

“Ye’re safe now, lass,” he said against her ear.

Her vision faded, and she rubbed at her eyes, forcing herself to stay awake. She must have struck her head when she was thrown.

Gabriel jumped the horse over a wall, toward a small cottage tucked beneath a clutter of pines. And there, hiding, was the frightened mare.

“It’s too nasty to be outside,” he shouted. Kate felt the deep rumble of his words from within his chest. “I’ll tie them both up, and we’ll stay here until the storm passes.”

He guided Kate down. “Head on inside, and I’ll be right behind ye.”

Kate waited a moment, afraid to leave him and much too cold to push through the stuck door. With one more shove, she tripped into the dark one-roomed cottage.

Gabriel marched in a few moments later. “That’s a cold rain,” he hissed. Then searched the hearth for flint.

Kate glanced around the near empty room. A broken bed was pushed up against one corner, and there was a small table and chair set in the middle of the room. Some kindling lay piled by the hearth, and there were a few books but little else.

“It’s been empty for some time now. Mr. Syme passed before I left for university.”

“I didn’t know… where did you go?”

“St. Andrews.”

She strode to the small wardrobe and found a few blankets as the shivering began. She wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and waited as Gabriel built a fire.

“Shouldna be long now,” he said, his own teeth chattering. “The Highland’s temper is fickle. But this fire will warm us up yet.”

The room tilted, or maybe her knees gave in. It was hard to tell as the chill settled in.

“That was a nasty spill. Ye’re lucky naught is broken.” He strode across the room, worry in his blue eyes. “May I?”

She tilted her head, shaking too hard from the cold to answer.

“Warm ye up,” he said.

She nodded, closing her eyes as his hands ran up and down her arms, but still the shivering persisted.

He dragged the mattress across the floor by the fireplace, then removed his shirt, and came to stand before her, his eyes full of worry.

“Ye need to undress, mo leannan ,” he said. “Can ye do it yerself or do ye need help?”

“I can,” she whispered, but her hands shook too hard, and he cursed to himself.

“I’m goin’ to help ye take this off now. Tell me to stop if…”

She shook her head. This wasn’t how she had wished for him to see her. She was certain she was blue and frozen, but she knew she must warm up, or she would fall ill. She wished more than anything to be warm.

Gabriel’s hands were gentle as he slipped free the few buttons on the back of her dress, then slowly slid the fabric down her shoulders, sliding it against her cold, wet skin, before it dropped to her feet. She stood there in front of him in her wet short stays and chemise.

He turned around wordlessly as she began untying her stays and slipping off the wet, clingy chemise, stripping until she shivered there in the middle of the cabin, naked.

He cleared his throat. “When ye’re finished, slip onto the mattress under the blankets.”

She did as he instructed, her fingers numb and her eyes heavy.

“Are ye settled?”

“Yes,” she whispered through chattering teeth .

Then the mattress sank as he lowered his body behind hers, keeping a blanket between them, and wrapped her in his strong arms. The two lay in front of the fire as the storm raged on outside.

“Close yer eyes, Kate. Ye’ll be alright. I’ll see ye warm soon enough.”

When Kate opened her eyes again, night had swept in, and the storm had died down to a gentle rain pattering against the roof of the cottage.

Her once shivering body felt as if she had awoken in the fire and not beside it.

She closed her eyes with a soft sigh, realizing she was warm because Gabriel hadn’t let go. Selfish as it may be, she didn’t wish to wake him or leave just yet.

“How are ye now, Kate?” His whisper was rough against ear, and she smiled, this time shivering from the pleasure racing up her spine. She had never felt so safe, so protected.

“Good.” She stared into the fire for a moment, fixed on the way the flames still danced in the hearth, throwing heat into the small stone cottage. They couldn’t be far from Dunsmuir. There wasn’t much reason to delay their return with the rain nearly stopped.

But it wasn’t often she had Gabriel alone, in the quiet, with him not marching around. And maybe it was because she was lonely, or because she rather liked the frustrating man, but she didn’t wish to let this pass.

She rolled over, still naked beneath her blankets and pushed up to one elbow, gazing down at him spread across the mattress like a mighty giant. A very handsome giant.

“You don’t wish for me to leave?” she asked, falling into the warmth of his eyes.

He shook his head, seemingly as transfixed on her as she was on him.

“I don’t know where I belong.” She had said as much the other day, and since then, it had been this nagging feeling she couldn’t shake. “But I don’t want to leave either.”

“Help me open the distillery,” he said. “Ye’ve a great mind for business.”

She smiled, even if her heart broke a little. She wished to stay for far more than the distillery. Mainly, she wished to stay for the man who gazed up at her now as if she were the center of his world. Even if he wouldn’t admit as much.

“The girls will do fine enough now that Elsie has returned.”

“But she doesna wish to stay.”

“If Finn takes his head out of his arse, there’s a chance she willna.”

“There’s history between them?”

He raised his eyebrows. “For her to tell, but aye, there’s history between ‘em.”

Gabriel reached up and pinched one of her curls between his fingers. “Yer hair is so soft.” He spoke as if wonderstruck.

She smiled, even though she was certain she was sad.

“I…” He cupped her jaw in his hand, drawing her eyes back to his. “I dream of ye, Kate. Before that kiss in the kitchen, and I’ve dreamed of ye since. I’m goin’ mad from wantin’ ye.”

She pressed her face against his hand, closing her eyes.

“Tell me ye want the same, lass.”

Kate Bancroft knew for certain the things she hated in life: mud most recently being added to the list. But Gabriel MacInnes was not one of them.

She wanted more than was logical. She craved him, his nearness. She wished to be wrapped in his arms and to lose hours kissing the big giant of a man. Her Scottish giant.

And yet, she was afraid of what would follow.

Of what would happen if she let up control and followed her heart and all its bad choices. What if she trusted that feeling in her gut? The one screaming at her now that allowing herself to be close to Gabriel would never be a mistake.

She traced his lips with her other hand before softly saying, “I do.”

“Thank Christ,” he said, his voice ragged. He hauled her up on top of him and braced her face with his large hands. “I need to make one thing clear.”

Kate swallowed, feeling the anticipation buzzing in her limbs.

“I don’t want ye because of London. I want ye for the woman who’s here with me now. The one who is on a damn mission to save everyone with that big heart of hers. That one, and only her. And I promise to treat ye better than?—”

Before he could finish, Kate crashed her lips down on his, kissed him well and good until she felt the sadness and fear fall away.

His mouth claimed hers as his hands raked through her long hair, and the smell of Scottish rain and heather filled the air. She hadn’t thought it possible back in London to be on the adventure she was now, but she didn’t wish for Gabriel to stop.

She moaned softly as he bit her lip and washed away the pain by gently licking it away.

“Roll over,” he whispered against her ear. “Roll over and I will show ye how I’ll worship ye.”

Kate slid off him, falling onto her back, waiting.

He slowly peeled back the blanket separating them, pausing before he revealed her breasts.

She nodded, wanting to feel his hands on her body, his mouth claiming parts of her for himself. She longed to belong to Gabriel MacInnes in a way the marquess couldn’t dare dream.

With the blanket removed, the cooler air licked her naked body before he bent down and kissed her slowly, with his hand braced along her neck and his thumb rubbing against her collar bone. Need pooled between her legs as he continued, slowly tasting at her lips before throwing a leg over her and covering her body with the searing heat of his.

“Ye’re gorgeous, mo leannan .”

He trailed his lips down her throat before softly cupping her breast before exploring her lower. She shifted her hips, certain she knew what was about to happen. She had never lain with the marquess, but he had touched her between her legs before, bringing about a wild pleasure .

Gabriel’s touch was filled with gentle reverence, as if he truly did worship her. She sighed again, pushing her middle up against his fingers, urging him on.

“Are ye certain, lass?”

She nodded, her eyes hooded with want.

“Please, Gabriel, please touch me.”

“I’m goin’ to kiss ye, there on yer quim.”

She swallowed, closing her eyes.

He braced his hands on her hips and slowly parted her thighs to him. He sank lower on the mattress and slipped his finger between her lips, rubbing slow circles across her clitoris.

Pleasure indeed, it felt like lightning raced across her body as he continued. She reached for his head and ran her fingers through his hair as she swallowed back the sound of her moans.

“No need to be quiet,” he whispered. He ducked down and slowly licked at that bud, sending a new shock through her body. She bucked, screaming, and clamped a hand over her mouth. “It’s only us, Kate,” he said, breaking away.

She greedily pushed him back down, and he laughed. “Don’t stop.”

“As ye wish,” he said, bringing his mouth down to her most intimate parts.

The pleasure mounted, building higher and higher, and her heart raced in her chest until the pleasure shifted to panic, and she gripped his head. “I can’t, Gabe. Please. I don’t wish to lose control.”

He gazed up at her, his eyes burning with want only from her. “Do ye trust me, lass?”

She nodded.

“I’m here, and I won’t let anything bad happen. Ye understand?”

She shut her eyes and relaxed back into the pleasure mounting in her body. She didn’t wish to lose control over herself or the situation. But she wouldn’t allow the marquess to ruin this for her either. She wouldn’t allow her body to be forever marked as his conquest or something she would forever be ashamed of.

Her body and her pleasure would be hers. She would decide who could experience it with her. And she would learn to trust herself again because she hadn’t been wrong.

“I trust you, Gabe.”

He softly kissed her thigh before continuing. His tongue worked her over the edge, and suddenly, it was as if she were bursting forward, and she felt herself flying as pleasure raced through her body. Her limbs were suddenly heavy, and she was sated and… crying.

She shook on the mattress with Gabriel above her until he gathered her up in his arms and kissed her forehead, drawing her close, holding her together as it felt the rest of the world fell apart around her. But for once, she had claimed her body as her own. Kate wasn’t a prize to be won, wasn’t trading herself for the attention of some unworthy scoundrel.

She had found pleasure with a man who had a heart as big as he stood.

Kate tilted her lips up to meet his kiss, relishing at the soft press of his mouth against hers. Kate’s pulse quieted, and the shame melted away and the tears dried.

“I’ve caught ye,” Gabriel whispered. “I’ll always catch ye, lass.”