Grant Clan 06 - My Desperate Highlander (8 page)

Diana was spellbound. She rubbed her lips, still able to taste Micheil. That kiss had not been anything like Randall’s. Randall had been harsh, rough, and slobbery. Micheil’s kiss had been demanding, devouring, but it had set off a spark in her body. It had been the kind of kiss she’d imagined she would get from her knight someday.

Her breathing had increased when she was in Micheil’s arms, though she was not sure why. She waited until it slowed before following him out of the woods. To her surprise, Micheil was waiting for her at the edge of the tree line. His harsh breathing made her heart speed back up, and a sense of empowerment came over her because she realized something important. She had caused his harsh breathing—just as he had caused hers—and it had been out of desire, not anger. Desire, which she knew little about, yet suddenly wanted so much more of. But from Micheil Ramsay, not Randall Baines.

She was more confused than ever, and her very heart was now in turmoil. Would it be possible? Could Micheil be the one? Would he consider marrying her to get her out of her dilemma? Nay. She shook her head adamantly at the thought, recalling how he had been appalled when he had misunderstood something she had said earlier. He had declared he would never marry, had he not?

When she reached his side, he said, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

She gazed into his green eyes. “
I’m
not sorry you did it.” She brushed past him and found her way back to Aunt Elspeth.

Aunt quirked her brow at the two of them, but did not say anything. Diana sat back down on the felled tree and settled her skirts around her. Silence descended on the group, but then Aunt Elspeth said, “Do you think he’ll win it all, Micheil? Despite his early efforts, he doesn’t seem to be that big of a man or that skilled on the field.”

Diana decided to goad the man. Why not? Micheil had enjoyed the fact that Randall had been caught in his lie. Well, how far would he go to make him look bad? After that kiss, she thought she might enjoy watching Micheil on the jousting field.

In fact, after Randall had lied, mayhap he deserved to be beaten by someone.

***

Micheil sighed. “He’s not, Aunt. I’m convinced many of his competitors are not fighting their hardest. It is his wedding tourney, so I am sure he will be the one to win the gold.”

“You think he’s cheating? Really, Micheil? Your jealousy is showing.” Diana rested her elbow on her knee and her chin in her hand. “If you truly believe he was cheating, why do you not challenge him?”

Somehow, he didn’t trust the innocent look she gave him. “I would not call it cheating, but I believe it has already been arranged that he will win the tournament. I just hope he remains a gentleman and doesn’t truly hurt any of those who have agreed to lose to him. Even though he uses a blunt lance, he can do damage if his opponents do not try to defend themselves at all.”

“So challenge him, Micheil.” She gave him a sweet smile.

“Since I am not English, ‘twould not be allowed, Diana.” He paused, catching her gaze with a sparkle he hadn’t seen before. “Do you wish to see me trounced? Is that your goal?” What was she about now? The lass changed her mind like the wind.

Aunt Elspeth said, “I’m sure he is of sound character and would not intentionally hurt someone. He does have the king and queen as spectators.”

“I, for one, would find it more entertaining to watch hand-to-hand combat, but I don’t know if he could win any of those matches. And I have to disagree with you, Aunt. I do not think he is of sound character, based on what I have heard of him.”

“What have you heard?” Aunt Elspeth asked as her gaze roamed from one to the other. “And I think more goes on than you two are telling. Micheil, what is it? We have a young girl’s reputation and feelings at stake here. Please watch your tongue.”

He sighed, not wanting to hurt Diana’s feelings, but needing to ensure she had no doubts about the fool’s lack of character. “I heard that he likes to spend time with different women. Word on the street is that he prefers many women to just one, and he has been sampling all Edinburgh has to offer.”

Diana stood up. “You are making that up. Take it back.”

He grinned at her. “Now why would I make something such as that up?” Diana sure was a naïve lassie. He chuckled and stared at his feet. “Diana, I am not jealous of him. I am quite proud of my Scottish heritage, and I am not making anything up. Believe what you wish.”

He kissed his aunt’s cheek and turned to leave. There was naught more he could do here. “I’m going to find a place to sit for the second half. I’ll see you ladies back at home after the tourney ends. If you wish, I’ll look for you here so I can escort you back.” He gave a slight bow and headed back toward the tournament grounds.

He would have to find another way to show her the scum’s true colors if she still didn’t fully believe him. Watching Baines in the tourney had been quite sad. Some of the lances had clearly been partially sawed in half so they would snap with the slightest provocation. His competitors appeared to have been carefully chosen in order to make him appear in the best possible light.

All this for an Englishmen? A tournament such as this would never be allowed in the Highlands. Tournaments were intended to be a testament to a man’s strength, power, and agility. This contest was not demonstrating anything aside from weakness of character.

He found a spot to observe the second half of the afternoon’s festivities. Grumbling to himself, he watched that horse’s arse parade around the field again to the delight of the crowd. The jousting continued, looking much as it had for the first half of the competition, until a contender appeared that spread a hush over the audience. He did not recognize the man, but he seemed bigger and beefier than the other opponents.

Micheil moved closer, walking up behind a couple of men who were laughing and conversing about the two contestants. These were definitely supporters of Randall’s.

“This should be especially fun to watch,” the first fool said.

“Why do you say that?” the second fool asked.

“Because this is the first Scotsman he has battled. The rest were all knights from his realm. This is the first true opponent.”

“Oh, then he must destroy him.” The second fool threw his fist in the air.

“No, he must be careful or he’ll rile all the Scots. We are in Edinburgh, after all.”

“I thought he was only jousting men he knew.”

“Apparently, this one sneaked in past the jousting committee.”

Micheil grinned. Finally, a Scotsman. He strolled in the opposite direction, anxious to watch the cowardly knight joust with a horseman who possessed bollocks. The two squared off and took the first run, barely missing each other before resetting at opposite ends of the field.

Both men charged again, and this time, Baines swung at the other man’s lance, but he couldn’t break it. Many of the others had snapped on contact. Had this lance escaped his tampering? Micheil grinned, hoping the fool would finally get his due.

Baines held his arm to temporarily halt the competition, complaining about his lance. He brought it over to the judges, and he was allowed to switch lances, something that would never have been allowed in the Highlands. He guessed the rules were lax just because of his marriage. Back in the middle of the field, he twirled the lance and spun it again, testing it while his horse trotted around as if spooked by something. Micheil’s best guess was that Baines was upset and was passing his anxiety to his horse.

The two braced for another pass. They got into position and spurred their horses on. The Scotsmen was a big, powerful warrior on a destrier. Baines did not stand a chance. As they headed straight at each other with blunted lances at full speed, the crowd roared to life again. When Baines came up in front of his competitor, a sunbeam caught a glint of something. Micheil scowled until he saw the sparkle again—a blade or something similar sticking out of the long stick.

He wasn’t sure of it, but Baines must have known it was there, whatever it was. Instead of hitting the Scotsman straight in the chest where his armor was, he struck the side of his chest plate, catching blade to flesh. The Scot fell to the ground, grasping his side, blood escaping through his fingers. The herald declared his victory. The crowd roared to life as soon as the blood seeped out enough to be noticed. They screamed and chanted, seemingly awed by the power of the English knight.

Micheil yelled that the cheat had a blade, but the crowd was too deafening for anyone to hear him. Finally, he made a decision. Unable to watch this farce any longer, he decided to take action. The vendor was not the only Scot he had met that day who’d encouraged him to enter the competition. Others he’d spoken to had promised to provide him with a blunted lance and armor if he decided to enter the competition. After watching this farce Baines called a tourney, he could no longer keep idle. He marched off the field, hopeful he would be able to find what he needed in sufficient time to take part in the jousting. The parade of horses was due up next to give Baines a break. He had time.

After successfully finding his kinsmen and the Grant guards, Micheil returned in armor. His plan was simple: he would take Baines down, but not before he forced him to show his true colors. The fool still circled the perimeter to the cheers of his fans, so there was nothing stopping Micheil from making his way onto the field on his destrier, lance in hand. He’d get on the field before anyone could stop him.

He waited for Baines to acknowledge him. The English knight chose to ignore him and headed toward the opposite end of the field from where Micheil stood. Micheil galloped after him, only stopping when his horse was nudged up against the other man’s. The spectators howled in excitement at the new challenge, hoping for anything that might prolong the event or produce more bloodshed. The crowd was covered in waving flags as the spectators did their best to encourage the new challenge.

Baines turned slowly and stared at Micheil. The roar from the audience grew until Baines made his move and put his helm on his head, lowering the face plate. Micheil nodded to him and turned his horse, lowering his face plate and heading toward the other end of the field, as was customary, to set himself up for the first charge.

Micheil knew his competitor was a cheater, so he was ready when the deceitful knight charged him before he had the chance to turn and prepare. Turning, he dodged Baines’s first lunge, almost unseating the bastard because he had pushed himself so.

Thundering applause echoed across the field, so Micheil returned to his spot and waited for the cheater to take his. Baines wouldn’t dare back out now. The knight held his arm up once again, and the judges halted the tournament so Baines could exchange lances.

Just as Micheil had hoped, he went for the lance that had felled the Scotsman before. If he could get him to graze him with the weapon a few times, someone would surely notice and Baines’s cheating would be laid bare for all to see. Diana had to know what kind of man she was falling for before it was too late.

Because Micheil Ramsay wanted Diana of Drummond for himself.

There, he’d admitted it. He wanted her and not just as another plaything. While his instant desire for her had not surprised him, the feeling had only grown and grown, as had the realization that he never wanted to part from her. It was time to end her ridiculous dream of marrying an English knight, and he intended to do so with this joust.

Baines came at him and hit him in the shoulder with his first pass. Micheil had turned at the last minute to prevent the blade from catching him in the face. The rotten bastard could have taken out his eye. Now he would pay for his deception. He hid his lance next to a grandstand and waited for the next pass, the crowd erupting in joy. He was determined to take out the dissembler with his bare hands.

The next pass, the third, Micheil grabbed for his opponent’s lance to keep it away from his face, causing the blade to catch the inside of his unprotected arm, leaving a trail of blood. The crowd went wild at the drawn blood, no one apparently noticing the blade yet.

The next pass, Baines went for his face again. Ramsay grabbed the lance and tugged on it, almost unseating his opponent, though the blade caught him in the chest in his armor. The cheating knight was weakening. One more pass and he’d have Baines on the ground.

The next pass, Baines fooled him completely and aimed for his groin, something totally unexpected. Micheil was able to fend him off, but a small sting bit his belly. His armor had protected him, but whatever he had in his lance had pushed the plate inward. However, it served him well because it was enough to piss him off. When he reached the end of the field, he picked up his lance leaning against one of the grandstands and turned his horse, heading straight for Baines, more furious than he had ever been. The piece of shit had no honor, none. He could hear the crowd shouting for him, yelling “Scot, Scot, Scot.” He was almost on Baines when someone yelled, “Blade, he’s got a blade.”

Baines heard it, too, and knew he had been discovered. Panic crossed his face as Micheil swung his lance with all his might and sent him flying off his horse. The crowd roared and Micheil turned back to the center of the field, only to look down and notice something for the first time.

He was covered in blood.

Diana was shocked when she first saw Micheil at the end of the field challenging Randall Baines. Aunt Elspeth noticed him and grabbed Diana’s hand. “Oh, dear Lord, please protect him.”

“Why is he doing this, Auntie?” Diana stared at him, dressed in armor and a helm in his hand to protect his face. Her mouth went dry as she realized just how handsome he looked when he entered the field. But he was going up against a liar and a cheat. Her heart hammered inside her chest at the thought of Micheil getting hurt, a telling sign she wanted to ignore. She should never have goaded the man. Diana wanted to stand up and shout to the treetops that she believed him now. Baines would kill him if given the chance. Her stomach twisted in knots as the scene played out in front of her, and she grabbed Elspeth’s hand for comfort.

When he rode his horse up behind Randall, Micheil towered over the other man, appearing larger than the English knight. There wasn’t anything soft about Micheil Ramsay, particularly not his eyes, which were ablaze with fury and hatred as he beheld Randall Baines.

“I do not know, but I pray this ends well.” Aunt Elspeth was watching Micheil, too, her face lined with worry. “I think ‘tis more to it than you or I can understand, though you may know a bit more than I do. That’s hatred in my nephew’s eyes, and I don’t know if I have ever seen him look this way.”

Diana watched as she gripped her companion’s hand. As the two men started to do battle, she was more agitated than ever. When Randall first hurt Micheil, a lump formed in her throat that she was unable to swallow. Her gut clenched each time they passed each other, and she could only hope and pray they would both survive the encounter unscathed.

After he foolishly gave up his lance to take on Baines bare-handed, Micheil’s arm was injured by his opponent’s lance. As he turned at the end of the field, she noticed the stream of blood running down his limb. Her hand came up to cover her mouth as she gasped in fright.

Aunt Elspeth squeezed her hand. “I know, my dear. I noticed the same thing. Why is he bleeding so from a lance and with armor on? The jousting sticks are blunted, though I know there are open spots in any armor. Only one of the other opponents bled at all and it was a small amount. Micheil is bleeding heavily, though he does not seem to notice or care. It certainly has not slowed him.”

Two more passes and Randall headed for his end of the field. He had aimed for Micheil’s man parts on his last pass, and the entire crowd had erupted in fury at such a dishonorable attempt. She stared at Randall Baines, wondering what he was about. Micheil had accused him of being exactly the kind of man Aunt Elspeth had warned her about. She knew him to be a liar, but now he was revealing himself to be something so much worse. Randall Baines
was
a wolf.

Randall was heading down the field toward Ramsay when Diana saw it. The reflection of sun off steel caught her eye, and she was dumbfounded. “Blade! He has a blade. Micheil, watch out!” she screamed.

Baines fell to the ground first, unseated from his horse. Though Micheil made it to the end of the field, he grasped at his horse’s mane and toppled off the side of his horse. He was covered in blood.

Diana dashed over to Micheil—a most telling sign, she knew—but she could not stop herself. He was covered in blood. Randall, the swine, had apparently instructed someone to place a blade or a sharp piece of metal off the end of his blunted lance. He was the worst kind of cheat.

She stooped down next to him. “Micheil, Micheil.” His eyes were closed, but he groaned and his hand moved, reaching for hers. “Are you all right?”

Micheil rolled onto his side and groaned again.

She shook his shoulder. “He had a blade, ‘tis why you are bleeding. I saw it. I saw the blade when he came at you in the last pass.”

He opened his eyes and whispered, “I know. I saw it in his other challenge. ‘Tis not the first time he has used it. I wanted everyone to see his true nature.”

Diana’s eyes widened. “You knew? You did this on purpose?” She swung lightly at his leg. “You did, didn’t you? This was all meant to show me how poor my taste is. Now I understand, anything to make him look bad in my eyes. Damn you, Micheil Ramsay. You would not see yourself settled with one lady, so you think everyone who seeks a spouse is ridiculous.”

She ran down the field to Randall Baines, but then stopped herself. She did not want to see the liar and the cheat either. He had just pulled one of the lowest stunts she had ever seen, and yet she wanted to see him? Nay, she did not. Aye, she was angry with Micheil Ramsay for making her look so foolish, but she wasn’t interested in Randall Baines at all. Her only chance was if he could introduce her to one of his friends. Unable to decide what to do next, she stood there while activity pushed her from one spot to another.

Randall passed right in front of her, and he pointed to her and said, “I want you, only you.” He continued on his way, smiling at her over his shoulder, surrounded by his many guards.

She stepped back, shocked. What did he mean by that? It didn’t matter if he wanted her or not. She no longer had any interest in
him
. She managed to find her way through the crowds back to Aunt Elspeth’s side. Just before she caught up with Elspeth, a voice called out to her. She turned to see Clarissa hiding across the road.

“He wants to see you. I heard him when they brought him by. He was delirious and talking about his new love. Surely, you will go see him tonight?” Her eyes were wide with innocence.

Diana scowled at Clarissa, not trusting anything she said. First of all, he hadn’t been delirious when she had seen him. Deciding to be blunt with the lass, she put her on the spot. “You were the one who told me Randall Baines was
not
the one getting married.”

“I know. My apologies, but I did not know any better than you. I just listened to the gossip. But now I think he wants you instead of his betrothed. My guess is it was you he was calling for.” She grinned at Diana. “You’re so fortunate. All the girls followed him because he is so handsome, but he wants you.”

“Well, he’s not going to get me. I watched him at the jousting, and he is not the man for me. So don’t bother updating me on his condition, Clarissa. I am not interested.” Diana crossed her arms in front of her.

“Too bad,” Clarissa smiled. “He has a heavy purse of gold now, and he has many friends, some quite handsome.”

Diana turned away from her before Clarissa could see her pursed lips. She had said the one possibility that could change her mind about visiting him one last time. Could he lead her to another knight?

Diana walked over to Aunt Elspeth, unsure of what or who to believe.

***

Micheil was not seriously hurt. Though there was a lot of blood, most of his injuries were superficial. His pride was more damaged than anything, if Diana were asked her opinion. He could not stop accusing Randall Baines of being a cheat and complaining about all the luck the other man had. Even though Micheil had unseated him, Barnes had still been chosen as the winner of the tourney.

Aunt Elspeth said, “Micheil, I have told you several times by now. The man was chosen because he is set to wed the cousin of the Scots king. The purse was already slated to be his. A lone horseman who came into the competition uninvited was not about to change the entire reason for the tourney.”

Thus, Micheil had sulked, furious that it had taken him so long to unseat the fool. “He has no skills. ‘Tis why he needed a blade in his lance to make his job easy. Aye, and I am certain he weakened his opponents’ lances before the match.” Once they got him into bed and took care of his wounds, he spent the better part of the evening muttering in between lapses of snoring, so Diana just sat and stared at him as he slept. She had to admit, she was far more entranced by Micheil Ramsay than she’d ever been by Randall Baines, or any other man, for that matter. But what was she to do? Micheil had very clearly said he was not interested in marriage.

At first she had been quite angry with Micheil, but now, as she watched him, she realized he had competed in the tourney for her and only her. He had tried to warn her away from Randall with words, but she had not listened. So he had risked his own life to help her, to prove to her that the Englishman was not worthy of her.

Diana sighed, not knowing what to do.

Aunt Elspeth came into the chamber to check on Micheil and brushed his hair back off his face. “My dear, he is a handsome lad. Why have you not considered my nephew? He would make a wonderful husband.”

“You are absolutely correct, Aunt.” Diana looked into the older woman’s hopeful eyes. “But Micheil made it verra clear to me that he does not wish to marry. Ever.”

Scowling, Aunt Elspeth covered Micheil with a plaid. “Are you sure he did not say that in passing? He cannot be serious.”

Diana took Elspeth’s hand. “‘Tis what he told me.” She dropped her hand and walked into the kitchens, leaving Elspeth to fuss over Micheil.

Sensing her opportunity, Diana slipped out the back door of the cottage. Her mind was made up; she had decided to see Randall one last time. She didn’t care about him anymore, but perhaps he would feel guilty enough to lead her to another knight. There was no alternative to Baron Gow at this point. She needed to marry and soon.

Standing opposite the portcullis and the gatehouse, she stared at the imposing castle of Edinburgh, so regal in the night sky. The towers sat so high that she could not count how many stories they were. The archways and the stonework were absolutely glorious, the carefully carved decorations visible even at night. Guards marched across the battlements, moving between the circular turrets and the proudly waving banners.

A young lad approached her and said, “This way, he is looking for you.”

“What?” She stared at the stranger, uncertain whether to follow him or not.

He grabbed her by the hand. “Hush, Randall wishes to see you and only you.”

Diana allowed him to pull her down the walkway and through the portcullis, eventually switching to the back side of the keep. He ushered her through a confusing maze of passageways until he knocked on a door and said, “Baines, it’s me.”

He then pushed her into the chamber and left, shutting the door behind him. She leaned against the heavy wooden door, flustered and confused, as her eyes adjusted to the darkness inside the chamber, which was lit by only two small tallows. Randall Baines leaned against the window casing, a small smile on his face. “Good, you came.”

Diana said, “You are hearty? No serious injuries?”

“Of course I am hearty, lass.” He stood and sauntered toward her. “I am the champion of Edinburgh, aren’t I? I believe I was declared winner of all, and I have the gold coins to show for it.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, dipping his head to kiss her.

She pushed him away, not at all interested in his advances. “Your methods were quite unsavory.”

“I know not what you are about, but I won the contest with many witnesses. ‘Twas your
friend
who used unsavory methods, not I.” An edge that she did not like crept into his voice.

She turned her back to him, fearing he would sense her disgust if she were to look into his eyes. It was time to turn this to a discussion about his friends. “Why did you ask me here?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Because I want you. Because we belong together.” He came up behind her and nuzzled her neck. “Can we not just enjoy each other?”

“But you are betrothed to another.”

He stood back, anger flashing in his gaze. “Oh, is that your problem? Yes, I am engaged to a cow. But I don’t want her, I want you.” He grasped her hand in his again and kissed each of her fingers.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot do this when you are soon to be wed to another.” Diana was losing her self-confidence. She was in a room alone with a man she didn’t trust. How had she allowed this to happen? Because she was desperate, and she had little time to lose.
Think, Diana, think!

Grinning, he moved her over to his bed and tried to draw her down beside him. “Relax, my sweet. Help me forget my ugly betrothed.” He kissed her again and ran his hands down to her waist, rubbing her back as he talked.

She turned her neck to avoid his embrace. “What of your friends? Where are they this eve?”

“I do not wish to speak of my friends.” Taking her lips with his again, he kissed her while her mind jumped from one thing to another. She wanted more than anything to push him back, but she did not wish to antagonize him. He could be violent, she suddenly realized. Oh, how foolish she had been to come here.

Without speaking, he reached up to her shoulders and shrugged her gown down over her arms, exposing her breasts.

“Oh, my, you have a beautiful set, don’t you?” He cupped her breasts in his hands.

Diana gasped. What had just happened? How had he untied her gown in the back? And what was he doing now? She dropped her gaze and saw his hands on her breasts and attempted to cover them and push him away, but her hands were all caught up in her gown.

“Relax, little one. I promise you will enjoy yourself. I pride myself on being an excellent lover.”

Diana forced herself to stay focused. “This is not what I want!” she said, her voice quavering with fear. “I came here to find out if you had a friend for me. Another knight? You are betrothed. I must find another.”