Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

T he day had started as usual, with Katherine arriving at the dining room and eating her manchet bread and honey with the rest of the MacLeod family. But that day was not the same as all the others. That day, she had to find a way to slip out of the castle without anyone noticing her, and she knew it was not going to be easy.

It was the main reason Reginald had been adamant that she didn’t bring her lady’s maid with her to Scotland. Sitting there at breakfast, pretending to listen to the conversation that bounced back and forth between the siblings, her mind wandered back to a conversation between her and Reginald about that very topic.

“She will be a liability,” he had said, pacing back and forth in his study a week before they had left. “I will need you to be able to move about freely. What you have to do will be dangerous enough, Katherine, for I am determined this man meets the fate he deserves.”

Two days before, he had told her that the man she was being forced to marry was the man who had killed their father. The news had shocked her so much, she had spent those two days locked in her bedchamber, not able to speak a word to anyone.

The following day, however, Reginald had wasted no time in telling her that he had a plan. A plan to destroy the MacLeod family. A plan that would avenge their father’s death.

“What do you mean by that?” Katherine had asked. “What will I have to do?”

“I cannot come to Dunvegan Castle with you, sister. I need to be on the outside, readying my men to attack when the time is right. Your job will be to find out anything that I can use against him. You will need to use your cunning, for the man is not a fool.”

“I do not understand. If you’re going to kill him, why do you need me to garner evidence against him?”

Reginald had turned and pierced her with his cold blue eyes. “Because when the king discovers what I’ve done, I will need to give him some proof that I acted righteously, or I may find myself hanging in the gallows.”

And thus, when they had departed for Scotland, they had left Mary, her lady’s maid, behind. Only now, did Katherine fully understand her brother’s reasoning for it. It was going to be difficult enough for her to sneak out of the castle. If Mary had been with her, it would have been nearly impossible.

The castle was now decorated in ivy and ribbons, giving the cold stone interior a far more festive feel. The Yule log had also been chosen, and in a few days, it would be brought into the great hall. Gazing about her as she walked through the corridors and made her way to her bedchamber in the afternoon, only reminded Katherine that her wedding day was fast approaching, and yet, she had still not found any evidence that might vindicate her brother when the time came.

But she had an even bigger problem, for deep down, she no longer believed that Domhnall had killed her father. More than that, her beliefs about the man he was were slowly crumbling, right alongside the walls she had built to protect herself before she arrived there.

Yesterday, as she had watched him bathe, an overwhelming feeling of lust had overcome her. When she had run from the room, she could only feel disgust and shame at herself. But it wasn’t only because feelings she had never before experienced had been awakened. She felt guilty that she was going to be a part of whatever it was Reginald planned.

It was those conflicting feelings that had brought her to a decision. When she met with Reginald that afternoon, she was going to voice her belief that he was not their father’s killer. Whether her brother would believe her or not was the thing that worried her.

Katherine had not long been in her bedchamber when the adjoining door opened, and Domhnall walked in. She was now used to her privacy being trampled over, but upon seeing him, that was not her first thought.

“Why the devil are you dressed in such a way?” she said, eyeing his attire.

Instead of his fine linen and his thick plaid, things that made him stand out as the laird, Domhnall now stood before her dressed like some commoner.

Taking another step towards her, he said, “From time tae time, I go intae the village dressed like this. Nae one gives me a second glance, and I suppose, one might call it a disguise.”

“But why?” Katherine pressed.

“Because I dinnae want tae be seen,” he replied. “I go by the name of Fin and spend time in the midst o’ me people. I want tae ken what they think o’ me. What I can dae tae be a better laird fer them.”

Immediately, his words made Katherine think of the letters she had discovered in his study. The documents had told her already what a great laird he was, and how he helped his clansmen when they were in need. Now, she was even more impressed. She certainly couldn’t imagine the man who ruled England dressing as a commoner and wandering around the towns trying to discover how better he could serve his people.

“I will admit it, that is more than noble of you,” she replied.

Domhnall lifted an eyebrow. “Praise from me betrothed. Well, that is a first.” He was smirking at her, and as usual, mocking her. This time, however, Katherine heard the softness in his tone.

“I wanted tae come and let ye ken that I am leaving. I may be away until late tonight, so, if ye need anything, Magnus will tak’ care o’ ye.”

“I’m sure I will be fine,” Katherine replied.

At the same time as her words, she felt a wave of relief wash over her too. While she would still need to be careful when she left the castle, sneaking out would be far easier without worrying about Domhnall wandering about and catching her in the act. Over the last few days, he had shown up in the strangest of places, and with little or no announcement.

She expected him to turn and leave now he had given her the information he had obviously come to tell her, but instead, Domhnall lingered. He continued looking at her, and after a moment, Katherine wondered if she was supposed to say something more.

“We are getting through yer list rightly,” he said.

She felt heat rush to her cheeks, for her gut told her he was going to bring up what had happened the day before.

Please, God, no.

But his smile told her all her prayers were a waste of time.

“Did ye enjoy the view in me chamber yesterday afternoon?”

Swallowing down her fear, she did her best to pretend his question did not bother her. “I can say with complete certainty, that it’s a view I had never seen before.”

“I’ll bet,” he chuckled. “It’s a pity ye ran off so quickly. Perhaps ye would have got tae see a lot more had ye stayed.”

Her cheeks now burned like they were on fire, and feeling the embarrassment, she could no longer hold his gaze. But Domhnall stepped forward, and hooking his finger under her chin, he lifted her face up to his.

“There are now only a few things left on yer naughty list.”

“Yes,” she breathed, feeling her heart thump at his proximity. “I thank you for your efforts in helping me get through it.”

He shook his head. “There’s nay need tae thank me, Katherine,” he said, his voice thick and deep.

She was now mesmerized as she gazed up at him. Her embarrassment seemed to slip away as she instead, found herself caught in the moment. Her heart thumping, her stomach clenching, and her desire for him growing. Yesterday, she had felt all of those things and more. Now, her want of him had returned.

With his eyes full of desire, he slowly lowered his head to her. She did not flinch or move away. After all her bitterness toward him in the last week, she now ached for his touch.

When his lips met hers, she fell into his embrace, his arms snaking around her, pulling her into his solid frame even more. Having never kissed a man before, Katherine was unsure what to do, but somehow, nature took over, and she simply did what felt natural.

At first, his kiss was soft and gentle. His lips pressing against hers, waking parts of her she was not even aware she possessed. But she felt the want in him grow, and soon, his tongue slipped into her mouth, roving over her teeth, and twisting against her tongue. She could feel an ache at the apex of her thighs, and panting against his mouth, a desperate need for more overtook her.

Her whole body felt as though it were singing, and in that moment, she wanted more. So much more. She wanted to feel his hands on her body, she wanted to be even closer to him. She wanted?—

“Domhnall!”

The distant sound of one of the twins calling his name shocked her out of her reverie, and breathlessly, they parted abruptly. When Katherine gazed into Domhnall’s eyes, the sight made her heart flutter, for they burned with desire for her.

“I must go,” he growled. “Thora is getting mad that I’m keeping her waiting.”

Even the sound of his thick voice made her body react, and while she did not express it explicitly, she did not want him to leave.

“Domhnall?” Thora yelled again. “Where are ye? The horses are ready.”

Taking a step away, Domhnall said, “And now, ye have kissed a stranger.”

“But you’re not a stranger,” Katherine replied with a frown.

He smiled down at her. “I am today, for I am Fin, nae Domhnall.”

With that, he turned on his heels and with long strides, made his way to the door. He opened it, turned back, cast a smile at her, and then closed it again.

Katherine could only stand there, the remaining feelings of their kiss still lingering as they danced around her soul. A week ago, she could never have imagined being in such a state, and yet, while Domhnall was certainly rough around the edges, he had also displayed loyalty and strength in his protection of her.

More than that, he had shown a deep consideration for her. What other man would have gone to such effort to help her complete a list of sins? They were going to have to marry whether they liked it or not, but he had not just tolerated her presence. He had gone above and beyond. Given his aversion for the English, surely that highlighted the depth of his character even more.

Katherine had wanted to hate him. Really, she had. But things hadn’t quite turned out that way.