Mairi nodded. “And it’s my understanding from Ronan that both of them were staying here until he returned with me.”
“Oh no, gal.” Granny shook her head as she held out a hand to help Mairi up. “Graham was never able to leave Draegonmare, and his mother returned as soon as Ronan left. She didn’t feel at ease with Ronan not here.”
“Didn’t feel at ease?” Mairi waved Granny’s hand away and stood. How was she going to get back to the future in just a day or two if Ronan had to travel halfway across Scotland to gather up the necessary participants for this increasingly more complicated task?
Granny spared her an irritated look and motioned her around the corner through the arch into the great hall of the keep. Mairi paused just beyond the archway. Her jaw dropped at the vastness of the room.
A massive fireplace took up one entire stone wall. The dark gray slate of the hearth was so wide that logs in excess of four feet long could easily be fed to the flames. The floor of the hall was lighter gray slabs of stone covered with a thin layer of pale dried rushes. A raised dais at one end of the long room held a heavy table stained dark from years of use. The intricately carved spindles topping the chairs around it clearly denoted the spot as the chieftain’s place and the seats meant for his honored guests. A colorful tartan with an embroidered crest created a regal backdrop for the head table.
Mairi moved deeper into the area, noting the narrow trestle tables and benches running the length of the space. These seats were strategically placed along either side of the room so the chieftain could easily see all who sat before him.
Arched doorways interrupted the carefully aligned chiseled blocks fitted together to set the great meeting hall off from the other rooms of the keep. Mairi’s gaze traveled upward to the heavy beams stretching in neat rows across the vaulted ceiling. Stained black from years of smoky fires, the roughly squared poles resembled dark rib bones from some strange prehistoric beast.
“This place is impressive,” Mairi said as she slowly turned and took in the grandeur of the hall. She knew what Granny was doing. The sly old woman excelled at changing the subject when the conversation didn’t go her way.
“Now tell me again why Ronan’s mother left? Surely, she knew I would be here soon. And I thought she was sick. People don’t travel when they’regravely ill.” What was going on? Why was it so difficult for people around here to tell the truth—thewholetruth? Mairi clenched her teeth and did her level best to maintain control. She couldn’t let weariness and the strange sense of uneasiness that had plagued her since they arrived get the best of her. Battles with Granny demanded a clear head.
Granny slowly meandered deeper into the hall, her face drawn with a sad, thoughtful expression. “Yes. This place is wonderful. Isn’t it a shame all this will be reduced to rubble in just a few centuries?”
Mairi’s spirits sank partly because Granny still evaded her question but mainly because Granny had triggered even more troubling memories. At one time, Mairi had avidly studied Scotland’s history. After all, not only had the Sinclairs originated in the Highlands of Scotland, her sisters and grandmother had traveled to Scotland’s past to live out their lives. But the vivid accounts of injustice and cruelty took to tormenting her dreams and shadowed her waking hours. The stories hit too close to home. The bloody history of Scotland’s suffering shook her to her very soul.
“I can’t think about that, Granny.” Mairi took in a deep breath, savoring the cozy warmth of the crackling fire and the mouthwatering aroma of roasting meat. “It’s our curse to know what’s going to happen and have our hands tied against changing it.”
“Well said.” Granny looped her arm through Mairi’s and led her to a bench angled in front of the fire. “Now. As to your question about why Ronan’s mother left even though she wasn’t well.”
Mairi braced herself. Granny was actually going to answer a direct question? She just didn’t do that. Suspicion heightened her senses.
“This place is not safe, child. There is a darkness attempting to rise—an evil scratching at our door.”
Mairi shivered and moved closer to the fire. Granny could’ve gone all day without saying that. It only confirmed the strange uncomfortable eeriness she’d felt since arriving. “Eliza said as long as the curse is intact, the evil isn’t really trapped in hell. Is that true?”
Granny stared down at the floor, nodding so slightly that Mairi almost missed the subtle movement of the old woman’s head. “I’m afraid so—until the curse is broken, that evil could spring the hinges of hell at any moment.”
CHAPTER20
Ronan eased into the room then closed the door softly behind him. The low burning fire hissing and sputtering in the hearth cast a warm inviting glow across the quiet sitting room. A single taper flickered among the crooked branches of an iron candle stand centered on a small round dining table placed in front of the hearth.
Moving silently across the wood floor, he plucked a tankard from the assortment of food and drink filling the table. He uncorked the bottle of wine with his teeth and filled the cup to the brim. Life was finally good. His woman slept in the next room and soon, very soon, the damnable curse would be broken and he and Mairi could enjoy their life together.
He pinched off a chunk of waxy cheese, popped it into his mouth, then washed it down with a healthy swig of wine. He frowned down at the nibbled crust of brown bread and bit of cheese left on a small saucer in front of one of the two chairs. He worried after his dear sweet love and the purple shadows of weariness beneath her eyes.
She had already retired upstairs by the time he and Gray had finished their inspection of the stables. Granny had said not to worry. Mairi was known to stretch herself too thin. All she needed was a bit of food and a warm bed.
A warm bed. Their bed. Ronan set the mug back on the table as his gaze settled on the open door leading to the bedchamber. Not a sound came from the darkened room. Mairi had found her sleep quickly. The day had truly drained her of her strength.
If he had an ounce of honor in him, he would leave her to her dreams. He brushed his hands free of crumbs and slowly walked across the sitting room then came to a stop at the bedchamber door. Honor demanded he let her rest, let her recharge for the challenging days ahead.
He lifted his nose and pulled in a deep breath. The faintest hint of soothing lavender tickled across his senses, hardening him immediately. It was Mairi’s fragrance. Forevermore, whenever he smelled that sweetness, his lady love and the pleasure in her touch would come to mind. The beguiling scent had flavored his every gasping breath after he’d spilled his seed inside her. He’d hardened again while still buried in her wetness, nuzzling his face in her fragrant hair whilst resuming the ancient dance, slowly sliding in and out until she’d clutched at him and shuddered with another release.
He shoved his plaid out of the way and fisted his aching cock in one hand.Leave off,he silently willed his stubborn member. Mairi was exhausted. She needed her rest. He had to be patient and leave her be. His cock throbbed, growing ever harder as he pulled a slow, scrotum-tightening stroke. He suppressed a groan as another hint of lavender caressed him. Where was the harm in watching Mairi sleep while he satisfied himself? His beautiful lass could stay among her dreams while fueling his aching desire.
He stroked again, pulling so hard he rose to the balls of his feet. Lore a’mighty what he wouldn’t give to bury himself in the hot sweetness waiting between her legs.
“Come to bed and I’ll take care of that for you.” Mairi’s sleepy voice echoed through the darkness paired with the rustling of moving bedclothes.
Ronan yanked on his cock again. Lore a’mighty, her invitation had nearly made him come. “Forgive me,” he groaned, still rooted to the spot beside the door. “I know ye need yer rest, but damn if the verra scent of ye doesna make me ache to be inside ye.”
A flint sounded, then a spark, followed by the warm glow of a single candle beside the bed. Mairi settled back into the layers of pillows piled against the headboard. The flickering candlelight turned her ivory skin golden. Completely nude, she slowly spread her legs wide and trailed her hand down between them.
