Falling for the Highlander, page 4
“I know, but we can’t be sure, Ewan,” Isla scolded, shaking her head at his persistence.
“Oh alright,” Ewan said, getting up from the tartan and standing.
Without haste, he held out his hand for her to take, he asked, “Shall we head back?”
“Yer so easy to tease,” Isla giggled making him scowl.
“What do ye mean?” Ewan groaned, feeling embarrassed as she continued to laugh.
“Come here,” Isla said, holding her arms wide open.
Ewan deliberated whether he should play hard to get or surrender. Her smilealways his undoingmade it hard to deny her, and he went to lie down again. Isla bent down to kiss his lips that she found soft and perfectly shaped. Ewan traced his hands on her face until he tangled them in her curly red hair, and she deepened the kiss.
“I love yer hair,” Ewan mused, inhaling her scent.
“It is like Mama’s, nay?” Isla had only a vague memory of her mother.
So many years had passed since Lady Helen’s death, a time Isla remembered only as a child. Isla didn’t remember much except her father had been shattered, and she chose to take care of him. Ewan had taken care of her, along with his parents, who had time and time again proved themselves to be the most trustworthy friends. Sometimes Isla wondered where she would be had it not been for Aunt Agatha, Jon and Ewan, who loved her so much and cared for her quite a lot.
Aunt Agatha was prepared to tell Isla all she knew about her mother’s life and all her hobbies and traits. Isla enjoyed her bond with Agatha, something so unique and dear to her heart. Soon enough, Agatha would truly become Isla’s mother. Even though they hadn’t officially discussed it, Ewan and Isla knew they wanted to marry each other. They were made for each other, how could they wed anyone else? Isla knew her father would not object; he knew how strong Isla loved Ewan. Once Ewan became the Laird, he could easily ask for her hand, and Isla’s father would not refuse.
Would Ewan and Isla be destined for a happily ever after.? Isla felt a strange sense of peace just thinking of a marriage with Ewan, a man who loved her more than anything. How could she possibly doubt his love for her? They were so comfortable together. Together, their friendship made it nearly impossible for them to fight, and their romance made the emotions between them more powerful to resist.
“Mother misses her a lot; I can tell by the way she smiles when Aunt Helen comes up in conversation,” Ewan commented, kissing Isla’s neck.
“Da misses her too,” Isla added, frowning.
Sometimes Isla could see how much pain her father was hiding, because of her mother’s death.
“Of course, I cannot even imagine how I would feel should anything disastrous befallen ye, Isla. I would go loony,” Ewan said, dejectedly.
When their eyes met, they could feel the connection they were denying. Ewan pulled her close; rushing their lust through each other. He hitched up her skirt allowing her thighs to be exposed. She reached down to loosen the drawstring, letting her drawers fall to the ground. He pulled her closer; she did not push him away. She bent her knee and wrapped her left leg around his waist. With his wide palm, he roamed the back of her knee and alongside her thigh until it cupped the curve of her bottom. He teased her lips apart and their tongues performed the sweetest and most passionate of dances. With her body melding into his, she arched her back and rubbed her pelvis against his groin. Ewan groaned into her mouth as his free hand inched downward to massage her supple breasts. His right hand pinched her nipple as he bit her lower lip, showing no mercy.
“Oh, Ewan.” Isla gasped as her head fell back in pleasure.
Ewan scooped her up and laid her on the tartan. He knelt to straddle her. He kissed her one last time before tracing his finger along her jaw. His touch was studying her. He traced his tongue on the edge around her ear. The feeling was so delicious, and she felt the wetness between her thighs increased.
He continued to trace her neck with his tongue, slowly moving to her neckline and down to that part of her cleavage that showed through her dress. As he slowly unlaced her bodice, he nibbled his way to her pelvis until he knelt between her thighs, positioning his head in front of her folds. He continued to remove the last of her clothing, paying detail to every inch of her exposed skin, and inhaled the scent of her arousal. Isla eased her legs apart, inviting him to investigate and he bent forward and settled on the heart of her femininity that would make her toes curl.
Isla placed her hands into his dark brown hair, pushing his face in further as her body began to quiver. With his forefinger, he circled her folds and penetrated her entrance and stimulated her pleasure points. He could feel her orgasm building and stopped; she groaned.
Ewan stood, taking her hand to help her up. Understanding what he wanted, Isla pulled him in for a kiss. She leaped into his arms and circled her thighs around his waist. Once again, he cupped the curve of her bottom to support her weight. He was strong enough to carry her towards a sturdy tree branch where he lowered her between his sweaty, hot body and the tree.
“Ewan, please,” Isla begged, her voice becoming breathless.
“What?” Ewan asked, his voice raspy and deep.
“Enter me,” Isla ordered, giving him a determined look.
She undid his drawstring, wrapping her small hands firmly across his massive length and placing it at the front of her wet, aching entrance. Ewan pushed in slightly, making her whimper before thrusting in completely. Isla pulled Ewan’s face towards her forcefully, kissing his red, swollen lips with all her might as he continued to move inside her. His pace increased as the sound of her groans elevated, making him feel closer to his climax.
Isla came with a jolt as her walls clenched around his thickness and he finished inside her, biting down her neck to mark her.
* * *
“Is the birthday boy happy now?” Isla giggled as they dressed up.
“The birthday boy is late,” Ewan groaned, hurrying to change.
“Why?” Isla asked, highly amused by his frenzied state.
“Mother wanted me to go over the schedule for tonight,” Ewan explained, helping Isla lace up her dress.
“Thank ye for meeting me,” Isla said, grateful for the time he always spent with her.
“Nonsense, thank ye for doing all this, me love,” Ewan chuckled, feeling spoiled by her.
Isla was always there to do things with Ewan, no matter what hour and Ewan couldn’t help but feel grateful for her friendship and love. She was his partner and his lover; he could not bear the thought of ever losing her. Over the past twenty-two years, she had been his only constant support apart from his parents. Ewan knew she would always be there for him and would risk her own happiness and safety for his.
Ewan would do the same for her. He wanted to give her the world and all the joys in it. He knew Isla had had a rough childhood and struggled still with the loss of her mother. Ewan had made it his responsibility to remind her every day to focus on the good in life and to move on from the wrong.
Ewan was ready to spend the rest of his life with her and was waiting for his title to be announced so he could propose to Isla and make her his wife. He knew she wanted the same. Even though Isla did not say it out loud to worry him, Ewan could tell she was concerned with him becoming Laird.
It would undoubtedly change things and his routine, making sure he was involved in politics and in all the matters his father was currently engaged. It would take away the time Ewan promised Isla, and that is why Ewan wanted to marry her, so they wouldn’t have to sneak around. They could openly declare their love for each other and vow to respect each other as husband and wife.
Ewan would not have anyone better than Isla to be his Lady, to be the Lady of the people as he ruled as Laird. Ewan, overcome with love, turned to look at Isla, who turned pink and gave him a puzzled look.
“How are ye so beautiful?” Ewan inquired, goofily.
“Ye’re such a numpty,” Isla rolled her eyes, hiding her face.
Ewan walked closer to her, lifting her face with the tip of his fingers and pecked her lips.
“If it were up to me, I’d stay here forever,” Ewan whispered against her warm lips.
“I know, dear. But it’s not, so hurry up!” Isla joked. She picked up her tartan and shook off the dirt and wrapped it around her waist.
“Ye’ll be there tonight?” Ewan asked, hopefully.
“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it for the world and neither would Da,” Isla promised and kissed Ewan’s cheek.
They mounted their horses and headed out to their own castles. The forest was their meeting spot and easily accessible from both sides. The time when Isla feared horses was long gone, replaced by a passion for them and horse riding. Ewan had taught her over the years, and now Isla preferred using her own horse for traveling rather than the royal carriage. She knew it was very unlady-like, but her father didn’t mind, so long as she was happy.
Isla wondered how her father would react to Ewan’s proposal, seeing as he already had his suspicions. Even though Isla had lied to him and said she was going into town to shop, she knew her father would’ve guessed she was going to meet Ewan. Isla and Ewan knew they could have waited to meet at night during the celebrations, but they couldn’t have been as open as they were in the forest, thus making it difficult to be happy.
Isla had been missing Ewan quite a lot lately, as everyone around her was busy. Aunt Agatha had been busy planning the feast, Ewan had been busy preparing for his announcement, and her father was busy dealing with political matters.
She was mostly left alone save for the time she spent with Sophie’s daughter Rachel, who was just a year or so younger than Isla. Isla really liked Rachel, as she was trustworthy and a kind person. She never treated Isla differently for being a princess and for that Isla was grateful.
Isla reached the castle and handed the horse over to the waiting stable boy before heading inside to search for Rachel. She found her in the kitchen, getting a scolding from Sophie.
“How will ye learn if ye don’t even try?” Sophie said to Rachel who stared at the floor.
“Sophie please don’t scold me friend,” Isla interjected, pouting.
“Sorry, Princess.” Sophie quickly said but not before giving her daughter a stern look. “Next time ye mess up the baking I’ll gie ye a skelpit lug!”
“Sorry, Mama,” Rachel apologized as Isla snickered.
“Princess, yer father was looking for ye,” Sophie told Isla who turned pale.
Could he be upset about her sneaking out to meet Ewan? Isla doubted it, but still she couldn’t help but feel scared.
“I’ll go meet him later,” Isla said, delaying the meeting for now.
Sophie nodded before exiting the kitchen and Rachel turned to give Isla a thankful smile.
“Ye saved me,” Rachel breathed out, wiping her face with her handkerchief.
“That’s what friends are for!” Isla stated, shrugging.
“How was yer morning?” Rachel teased.
Rachel was the only person Isla had told about Ewan and she always knew what the two were up to.
“Magical!” Isla gushed, smitten.
“Is he going to ask Laird Duggal for yer hand?” Rachel questioned, seriously.
“Aye after his announcement. Everything will be perfect then,” Isla told her, excitedly.
“I hope it works out, Princess,” Rachel remarked, hugging Isla.
“I’ll go meet Da,” Isla announced before exiting the kitchen. She searched for her father in the Great Hall first before heading to his office, where he sat engrossed in some parchment papers, reading them with all his focus.
“May I come in?” Isla asked, knocking once on the half open door.
“When do ye ever ask?” Fergus chuckled, giving his daughter a reluctant smile.
His eyes fell on Isla’s face and a sense of melancholy spread through him. Whenever he looked at Isla, he was reminded of his late wife. Isla had all the same features except the eyes, which were like his blue and piercing.
Over the years, Fergus had gotten quite old and exhausted. He knew he should take a step back and relax, allow himself time for rejuvenation. Yet, his work was the only distraction from his loneliness. He didn’t know what else to do to save himself, if it is not to lead his people.
His only responsibility now was Isla, and he had found a suitor for her. Luckily, he had managed to find the perfect match for her. Someone strong and powerful, who would look after her even when Fergus was gone.
“Sophie said yer looking for me,” Isla spoke, sitting down in front of her father.
“Aye, I wanted to discuss something with ye,” Fergus started, hesitantly.
“What is it, Da?” Isla asked, perplexed by his tone.
“Ye know I recently won land in war,” Fergus stated, simply.
“Aye, Ewan says ye were so brave on the battlefield,” Isla said, proudly.
“He is too kind.” Fergus chuckled. “How is he? We’ll go to the celebration tonight.”
“He is good and aye, we will,” Isla said, surprised that her father was not being awkward.
Perhaps he was going to understand their love easily.
“I was hoping we could move to the new castle, to settle there for the winter, at least,” Fergus told her, casually.
“What…why?” Isla queried, turning pale.
She didn’t want to move away to anywhere, as it would take her away from Ewan.
“To make sure the castle isn’t taken over by nomads or other enemies,” Fergus said, waywardly.
“Why not ask someone from yer men to stay there?” Isla retorted, not willing to skip out on her plans.
“It’s our castle. We’ll move back soon enough.” Fergus said, “I want ye to meet someone there.”
“Who?” Isla asked, suspiciously.
“The Earl of Edinburgh,” Fergus informed her.
“Why do I have to meet him?” Isla asked, confused.
“Because he is a dear friend of mine and an important figure with the British troops,” Fergus explained and Isla felt her blood boil.
Why was her father being like this? Did he not understand that she wanted to stay here and didn’t want to move, not even for a bit? Her whole life was in these lands, she had never lived anywhere else. How could she think of going to a place without her home, Aunt Agatha, and worst of all, Ewan?
“I don’t want to meet him,” Isla snapped, feeling furious.
“Isla, this is not a discussion. We are moving there for the winter season, and that is it. I expect ye to be prepared to depart in three days,” Fergus ordered, himself feeling angry.
Isla gave him a broken look before turning and leaving the room. She didn’t look back as she carried on towards her chamber and fell on her bed, breaking down in tears. What had suddenly gotten into her father? He knew how close she was to Ewan and Aunt Agatha. Then why was he asking her to leave them behind?
Even though her father had not said it out loud, Isla understood why he wanted her to meet the Earl of Edinburgh. It seemed Isla had assumed everyone saw hers and Ewan’s love. Her father clearly didn’t notice it, and perhaps that’s why he wanted her to meet the Earl, a British man. Unlike her father, Isla didn’t favor the British. Whenever that argument came up, Isla would side with her Uncle Jon and Ewan about the British and that they were using the Scottish to acquire land and power.
Isla knew her father was too naïve to see it, but she didn’t give in herself. Except now, he was being completely absurd. Isla racked her brain to try and find a way to stall her father. She would have to talk to Ewan tonight and ask him to talk with her father about their marriage. In that way, Isla would not have to leave her home nor leave Ewan. Everything would be perfectly fine then.
Little did Isla know that things were already taking a turn for the worse without her knowledge.
* * *
Ewan raced his horse through the grounds of the castle, galloping towards the stables as he racked his brain to figure out a way to end his dilemma; his dilemma being the only one. How to convince Isla’s father for marriage? Ewan knew the task would not be easy as rumor had it he was searching for an English man to wed Isla to gain the favor of the British troops.
Ewan loved his Uncle Fergus; everything about him was admirable except his naivety about the British, who were clearly using the Scottish and him to gain power and land. Ewan had had multiple conversations about this with his father, who had merely stated Fergus would never change his mind. Ewan wondered if this would cause hindrance in his union with Isla, something he waited so long for.
He knew he didn’t have much time before her father would find someone and hence decided to act fast by proposing in a day or two. Ewan halted the horse at the entrance of the stables, leaving it with the stable boy and walking to the castle. He reached the castle and immediately decided to seek out his parents, to discuss his plan with them.
The most difficult part in all this was lying to Isla, making her believe that things were going to be perfect. Ewan doubted she even knew about the British man her father was searching for as her husband. Ewan could feel his blood boil at the thought of his Isla with another man, a man who would only use her to gain her father’s vote.
Sometimes, Ewan couldn’t understand how foolish Fergus was being, but then again, he couldn’t stop respecting his uncle either. That much his mother had taught him. Ewan continued inside the castle, up to the second floor, where the private parlor was. He found his parents seated on the plush ottomans, talking together and it made him smile.
His parents were the perfect example of true love and compatibility. He had never seen them quarrel. They were always supportive and taking care of one another. Ewan aspired to become like them, to have a marriage like theirs. He knew if someone like him could get a happily ever after, it would only be with Isla, a woman that understood him completely, inside and out.
Ewan was difficult sometimes when he would lose his anger or be stubborn. Yet Isla would never give up or get tired. She would always be patient with him. This is why he couldn’t lose her. He loved her too damn much to let her go. Happiness and Isla were synonyms for Ewan. Taking one away meant taking the other away. He just couldn’t bear it, and he didn’t want it to come to that either.
