The Imposter Part 14

He whispered in my ear, "Nay, a gentleman certainly doesna do that, but who am I trying tae fool. I should have never claimed tae be a gentleman."

Chapter Thirteen.

I awoke in the early light of morning, smothered deliciously in the arms of my husband. His leg was flung over my waist and pinned my legs to the bed, and his arm was thrust protectively around my torso. He was beautiful and peaceful as he slept, there was a faint dusting of stubble covering his jaw line. His mouth curled in the faintest glimmer of a smile as he slept. He was happy. I leaned over and kissed him softly on the forehead, causing his eyes to flutter open and a genuine smile to play across his rugged face.

"Mmm...good morning, love," he whispered, pulling me closer against his chest.

"Good morning," I said, smiling.

"Oh my G.o.d!" he exclaimed in a panic, springing from the bed as he raked his hand through his newly cropped hair. "I'm late, it's light out already! s.h.i.+t!" he cursed as he pulled his linen s.h.i.+rt over his head and retrieved his boots from under the bed.

I giggled from my coc.o.o.n of blankets as I watched him scurry madly about our chamber, trying to collect his clothing.

"Ye've bewitched me, woman! I'm never late, and here it is light outside already and I'm supposed..."

I giggled again and raised the covers up to my mouth in an effort to stifle my enjoyment. Devon McClain was never fl.u.s.tered and here he was, completely dis...o...b..bulated all because of me.

"And ye think this is funny?" he exclaimed as he laced his right boot. "Ye have nae idea, Kate. I'm never late because I never sleep. I don't ken what it is about ye, but when I'm holding ye against me, I sleep like the dead...I never thought that I would..."

"You'll be well rested, husband," I said, chuckling.

"Are ye laughing at me?" he asked, eyes now alight with jest.

"Of course not, love," I whispered, raising the covers again to stifle my smile.

"If I had the luxury of time, I'd teach ye a lesson, mayhap spank yer behind tae teach ye no tae laugh at me. This is most certainly not funny," he goaded, eyes twinkling.

"It most certainly is funny," I teased. "You appear to be most unnerved and I like that it is because of me," I confessed.

"Ye'll pay for this when I get home," he warned his tone still light. He walked over to the bed and bent to kiss me, slowly, pa.s.sionately. "I've got tae hurry now, la.s.s, but mark my word, ye'll pay for this when I get home," he said through a smile, eyes heavy with pa.s.sion.

I felt a twinge between my thighs at his words. He was so d.a.m.n s.e.xy and I couldn't wait for him to return and teach me a lesson. I would count the minutes.

"Trust no one while I'm gone," he said, tone turning serious. "Save for Leti and Brennan."

"Alright, I'll be careful. I promise," I said, looking up at him and feeling the tears begin to well in my eyes.

He's leaving me.

"Ye have no idea of how much I need ye, Kate. Be careful," he said before claiming my lips in a demanding, pa.s.sionate kiss. He lowered his forehead and rested it on mine for a split second, and then stood and strode from the room without looking back.

The battle raged around Devon, the horrible sights, sounds and smells of killing no longer bothered him. He'd been desensitized to the horrors of battle long ago, and was conditioned now to only one thing: Victory. Killing was no longer something that fazed him. It was simply a messy aspect of his job. He slashed his way through the ma.s.s of Cameron warriors, sword strong in his hand as he fought and stabbed his enemy. Most of these men were no match for Devon. They were young or inexperienced and he dispatched them quickly.

His eyes darted from face to face, scanning the battle field for the Cameron Laird. He intended to settle his score with the laird here and now, refusing to live his life constantly watching over his shoulder for the Cameron's vengeful attack.

His eyes caught on a swordfight at the East side of the field, instant recognition of what was happening caused his heart to thunder and the foul taste of fear to settle in his throat. "Brennan!" he bellowed as he ran slas.h.i.+ng through the field, recklessly wielding his sword to clear the path in front of him as he made his way through the b.l.o.o.d.y crowd. What in the h.e.l.l is he doing here?

Rage fueled his body as he fought his way through the field towards Brennan. He had specifically ordered Brennan to stay home and Brennan's neglect to obey his orders enraged him. There was no way that he was fit enough to be here after an injury so grave. Plus, Brennan's presence meant that Kate was vulnerable, unprotected back at the castle.

Genuine terror coursed through his veins as he feared he would not make it to Brennan's side quickly enough. Brennan had no business being on the battle field and was poised to get himself killed. His injuries had been severe and he was not yet half recovered, and remained weak. "Leti will kill me," he muttered under his breath before he reached his friend and took in the gravity of the situation.

He reached Brennan just as the Cameron Laird raised his sword and sliced through the air, intending to finish off the weakened warrior.

"No!" Devon yelled sword drawn as he raced to throw his body in front of his friend, diving at the last moment, sword blocking a bone rattling blow. Devon knew that the blow would have been a fatal one.

"I thought that if I tarried with this one for long enough, that ye might come tae his rescue. He's a pet of yer sister's is he no?" Laird Cameron said tauntingly. The older Laird stood poised for attack, silver hair curling beneath his battle helmet.

"Let's settle this, Cameron. Fight me like a man." Devon challenged poised and ready, muscles on the fringe of attack.

"I'm no match for ye, McClain. Ye ken that well enough and so do I. In my younger years, maybe, but now I'm an old man."

"I'll give ye nae mercy, ye b.a.s.t.a.r.d," Devon threatened and lunged towards the older man.

"It is I who shall be the giver of mercy. If ye wish to fight me and have yer sister's man killed, then lets get on with it." Cameron threw a nod directly behind Devon which caused a sinking feeling in the pit of Devon's stomach.

Devon knew what had happened before he even turned to look at Brennan. In his rage and haste to engage the Cameron in a sword fight, he had neglected to have Brennan's back. He turned cautiously to see two Cameron men restraining Brennan, and a third man holding a knife to his neck, causing a crimson trickle of blood to stain his s.h.i.+rt.

Brennan looked into his friend's eyes and implored his forgiveness. "I'm sorry," he mouthed towards his friend, bathed in the shame of his weakness he did not fight his captors.

Devon turned towards the Laird, and straightened his body. He dropped his sword to the ground and it landed on the Earth with a heavy thud. "What do ye want from me, Cameron," Devon said coolly, glaring at the older man.

"I want yer wife."

"Ye canna have her."

"We'll see about that. Take him!" Cameron barked as a swarm of his men descended upon Devon and restrained him. Devon did not fight them he would gladly surrender himself so that Kate would be safe from this b.a.s.t.a.r.d. "And you, ye weakling," Cameron addressed Brennan, "Head back tae yer clan and tell them that I've taken Devon McClain as my prisoner. I will hand him over to the English to collect the price on his head in two days time. Unless, that is, ye provide me with Katherine Berks.h.i.+re before then."

The men holding Brennan released him roughly, pus.h.i.+ng him to the ground.

"And don't get yerself killed, lad. I need ye tae relay my message." Cameron smiled and taunted Brennan as he walked towards the men who were tying Devon's arms together and securing them to the saddle of a horse.

"Tell her no to come!" Devon bellowed as he was led away. "I'd rather be killed!" One of the guards silenced him with a punch to the face, causing blood to drip from his split lip.

Brennan rode like a madman back to the McClain lands, guilt sitting heavily in his stomach. He had intended to help the Clan, and now look where he had gotten them. His best friend was a prisoner of the Camerons and would surely be killed before he would allow his wife to be handed over to the Camerons. Brennan had seen the way that Devon looked at Kate and he knew that there was no way that he would part with the la.s.s willingly.

His leg ached from the breakneck pace of the ride, but he would not relent. Devon's life hung in the balance. Laird Cameron was not a patient man by nature, and Brennan feared not being able to return to the Cameron lands in time to save his friend. Leti would kill him if her brother was killed due to his stupidity. He dreaded the thought of facing Leti with the news that her brother had been captured at his expense, she didn't even know that he had snuck away to join in the battle.

Brennan knew that Collin would not bother Kate because her dowry had not yet been received. Stupidly, he had figured that he could be of more help to the Clan by joining in the battle, loathing the idea of sitting idly around the keep protecting women. If he didn't die now trying to save Devon, Leti would kill him for sure, he gulped, fearing Leti's wrath.

Brennan arrived at the castle in the middle of the night, thundering into the stables, rousing Jaime from his slumber. Breathing raggedly, he tossed the reins of his stallion at a dreamy eyed Jaime and walked towards the keep without a word of explanation. He stalked quietly up the stairs so as not to wake other Clansmen, wis.h.i.+ng to keep this incident as quiet as he could.

He knocked quietly on Nathan's door and heard a m.u.f.fled grumble from within followed by the sound of feet padding across the flagstones as Nathan unbolted the door.

"I need yer help," Brennan said briskly, not asking permission to enter Nathan's chamber, but brus.h.i.+ng quickly past the sleepy eyed giant and closing the chamber door behind him.

"Now?" Nathan asked sleepily, rubbing his eyes, causing his already bushy eyebrows to look even more out of control.

"I've done something stupid," Brennan confessed, the words felt tight, constricting with guilt in his throat. "I went after the war party, thought I might be able to help, thought I was strong enough. I didn't want tae be left behind."

"What happened?" Nathan asked, already alert, alarmed by the tone in Brennan's voice.

"I got into trouble, wasn't as strong as I thought. Devon had to come and save me, and they captured him, took him prisoner. The Camerons have him." Brennan admitted guilt and embarra.s.sment heavy in his voice as he looked up at Nathan.

"Do ye ken where he is being kept?" Nathan asked, already spinning his wheels, formulating a plan of rescue.

"No, but Cameron has asked for Kate. He wants Kate in exchange for Devon's life."

"Devon would rather die," Nathan said firmly, an air of protection in his voice. Nathan had seen how Devon looked at Kate, how he had kissed her so openly, expressing his feelings for her openly before the clan.

"It's our only hope of getting him back alive. We can make a plan to rescue her after Devon has been released," Brennan said, having come up with this as the only option of getting Devon away from the Cameron keep alive.

"Yer a dead man," Nathan said coolly. "I'll help ye, but ken that Devon will kill ye himself if Kate is put in jeopardy. h.e.l.l, I might have tae kill ye if the la.s.s gets hurt," Nathan warned, his affections for the la.s.s were worn on his sleeve. He felt a connection with the girl having been the one who found her in the forest and had more than once wished that he had been the one who had been lucky enough to claim her hand in marriage.

"My life is the least of my worries at this point," Brennan confessed.

"Go wake the la.s.s, and I'll grab a few things before we leave. I need to think of a plan," Nathan said, already walking away from Brennan to get himself ready to leave. "And be honest telling her that ye were the one who f.u.c.ked this all up," Nathan demanded, dismissing Brennan as he prepared for the task at hand.

Brennan swallowed hard as he stood outside of the chamber that Kate shared with Devon. He had stood outside this door so many times before; the memories of the times that he had shared with Devon were painful. He rapped on the door quietly, clearing his throat and squaring his shoulders, willing himself to be strong for the news that he must bear to Kate. He knew that she cared about Devon, had seen it on her face both before and after her unexpected marriage to his best friend.

Moments later, Kate answered the door hesitantly, only opening it a crack and peering out into the corridor. When she saw Brennan, her eyes widened in fear. It was evident that she expected the worst kind of news from him.

"What happened?" her voice was pleading, scared as she opened the door to allow Brennan into the room.

"I've done something foolish, Kate. I'm so sorry," Brennan said guilt heavy in the pit of his stomach.

"What!" she exclaimed, questioning. "Is it Devon?" her eyes were riddled with fear. "Is he alright?"

"He's been captured by the Camerons. It was my fault. I followed after the war party and I wasn't as strong as I thought I was, and Devon was captured because he tried to save me," Brennan confessed, eyes pleading with Kate.

"You did what?" she exclaimed, anger heavy in her voice. "With your injury, you did what?" she yelled.

"Shhhh! I know it was stupid," he admitted. "But I think that we can get him back," Brennan continued hesitantly, eyes holding Kate's. "Cameron will release him for a price."

"What price? I'll talk to Collin immediately and see what we can come up with," Kate said, desperation in her voice.

"The price is you, Kate. Cameron wants you." The words hung in the air, heavy and putrid between them.

Chapter Fourteen.

"I've got a plan, la.s.s. I canna promise ye that it will work, but at least I've got a plan," Nathan said gruffly against my ear, his bristly beard tickling my skin. "It will require a bit of work on yer part, but I think that ye can handle it. I ken that yer a braw, feisty la.s.s and I have faith that ye can pull this off," he said encouragingly.

"Tell me. I'm ready," I said, straightening my spine as I rested my back against Nathan.

"Poison," he whispered. "This is our chance to rid ourselves of the Cameron b.a.s.t.a.r.d once and for all," he said confidently.

I was ready and willing to do anything that would secure Devon's release. I was even ready to kill a man.

"Tell me exactly what I need to do," I said, again feeling the sinking in my stomach. I was terrified of what I would need to do, but the prospect of losing Devon was unimaginable. I would do anything to get him back.

Nathan quickly filled me in on the rough details of his rudimentary plan, then questioned me relentlessly over each small detail. His drilling committed the plan to my memory, and provoked a shaking in my hands that no matter how hard I tried, I could not quell.

I turned Nathan's instructions over in my mind as we rode through the dark chilly night, memorizing what I needed to do in order to free Devon. I resolved not to fail, even if it meant that I was killed in the act of trying to secure Devon's freedom.

We arrived at the Cameron keep in the early light of morning, my limbs were stiff as Nathan settled me to the ground and then dismounted behind me, placing a protective hand on my shoulder. Brennan walked behind us. He had spoken little on the journey through the night, and was only given the details of Nathan's plan that were crucial.

I walked into the Cameron keep with my head held high. I hoped to see Devon and I prayed that I could retain my composure. I longed to see him and to ensure that he was still alive.

Cameron guards met me at the entrance of the keep, and escorted me to the great hall. The room was ma.s.sive, and cold, devoid of any decor. At the head of the room, next to the hearth was a ma.s.sive chair reminiscent of a throne. The man seated in the chair rose and bowed slightly as I was led forward by the guards, knees trembling, to approach the master of the keep.

"Miss Berks.h.i.+re," he greeted me with a low bow, eyes hungrily appraising me as he returned to his full height.

I knew at once that he was the Cameron Laird, both from his seat on the throne and the commanding presence that he emanated. The laird was an older man with silver hair. His features were rounded by lack of exercise or overeating. He was repulsive.

"Laird Cameron," I returned his greeting, trying my best to hide my immediate aversion to the man. I hated him and I worked hard to fight the urge to throw myself at him, claw his eyes out and demand that he give me back my husband.

"And sae ye come, milady." He said, appraising me. "Do ye come in an effort tae save yer husband, or do ye come to save yerself from the barbaric McClains?"

He continued before I could answer, "Or, better yet, have ye been sent by the McClains as a sacrifice to save the second in line for their Lairds.h.i.+p?"

"I come of my own free will," I said firmly, looking straight into the eyes of the vile Laird. Adrenaline thrummed through my veins, quickening my pulse as I implemented the first stages of our plan.

"And why would ye do this?" the Cameron questioned skeptically.

"I do this because I wish to change the course of my life. I have not been happy with the match made by my father with the McClain Clan and I seek an alternative," I lied coolly.

Please let him take the bait. Let this work!

"And what exactly were ye unsatisfied with during yer time with the McClains?" the Cameron questioned, eyes piercing me like daggers as he regarded me skeptically.