Forbidden Highlander.

by Donna Fletcher.

Chapter One.

Dawn listened to the tolling bell with a sinking heart. Crees future bride would soon be entering the village. There had been a flurry of activities in preparation of her arrival the past week. And a light snow that had fallen a few days ago had some worrying that she would be delayed.

The villagers were probably gathering now, lining up along the entrance to the Village Dowell just as they had done when Cree had been captured and strutted before the village a couple of months ago, though he had not been greeted with joy, but rather fear and trepidation.

While Dawn had been as eager as the other villagers to get a look at the infamous warrior Cree; she was not as anxious to see his intended. And if she heard one more whisper of sympathy for her plight she would scream... if only she could.

There were so many times she wished that she had a voice, that she hadnt been born unable to make a sound. She would love to laugh as others did, even cry, though most of all shed love to scream out in pure pleasure when Cree made her climax over and over.

She shook the sorrowful thoughts away. She would never have a voice so why dwell on the impossible. What mattered now was that she carried Crees child and he knew nothing about the babe. She had managed to avoid him this past week by feigning illness after having learned that he was to marry, though she hadnt been able to avoid Elsa. Cree had insisted that Elsa tend her, and she had been relieved when the woman claimed that she suffered from a sour stomach and suggested a light fare and rest for a few days.

How long she could keep Cree at a distance when their appetites for each other were ravenous, she didnt know. She missed him already but then she had foolishly fallen in love with the mighty warrior... a mistake. One, however, she had no control over. She could not stop loving him no matter how hard she tried. And he had told her that he would never let her go, that she belonged to him and always would.

She wondered if he would feel the same when he discovered she carried his child.

A knock sounded just before the door opened and she prayed it wasnt Cree. She didnt want to see him now even though she missed him terribly.

Old Mary shuffled in the cottage, a light dusting of snow covering her hooded cloak. The snow will be heavy by nightfall. It is good the bride arrives soon.

Dawn nodded, though didnt smile and motioned Old Mary to join her at the table filling a tankard with hot cider for her.

The old woman sat, her gnarled hands eagerly seeking the warmth of the tankard. Tongues are wagging so fast about the pending arrival of Lucerne Gerwan that it makes my head hurt. I hear tell that her father and mother will be arriving soon as well. I have also heard that Lucerne is beautiful and thought you might want to have a peek for yourself.

Dawn raised a brow.

Dont tell me you dont want to see what she looks like? Old Mary whispered conspiratorially. How could you not want to see the woman who will wed the man you love?

Dawns eyes turned wide. She had not dared tell anyone how she felt about Cree. It had been her secret or so she thought. Was it that obvious that she loved him?

Old Mary nodded, as if answering her silent question. Anyone would have to be a fool not to see how much you love him. She reached out and patted Dawns hand. But then I see more than most.

Dawn shook her head and circled her finger over and over again at her temple.

You most certainly are not crazy for falling in love with him. Love is the crazy one. I sometimes think that love is a prankster that enjoys playing tricks on people until finally love stops its antics and brings two people happily ever after together.

There would be no happily ever after for Dawn, though she had to agree with Old Mary... love was certainly a prankster.

You should go take a peek at the woman who thinks to steal Cree from you.

How could the woman steal what rightfully belonged to her? An arrangement had been made and Cree would honor it. She had been irrational to think that she would be anymore to Cree than what she was... a kept woman.

Go see for yourself that you have more to offer him than she ever would, Old Mary encouraged.

Even if she wanted to, and there was a part of her that did, everyone thought her ill and resting. Lila had stopped to see how she was doing and had told her that many villagers inquired as to her well-being. Dorrie had even delivered her meal one evening and had fussed over her as had Flanna. And then there was the warrior who stood guard outside the cottage door. If she dared step foot outside Cree would be informed of it immediately.

Old Mary eased her bony frame out of the chair and slipped off her cloak to hand it to Dawn. Pull up the hood and hunch yourself over and no one will be the wiser. Go observe from the covering of the big pine by your old cottage. No one pays me heed so you will be ignored. Have your peek and satisfy your curiosity.

A gleam sparked in Dawns eyes. She was tempted. She had been secluded in this cottage too many days and while she had savored the solitude, it would be good to get out and feel the crisp bite of the cold and hear the snow crunch beneath her feet.

Go see, and then hurry back and I will take my leave and no one will ever know.

Why did Dawn doubt that? Cree seemed to know everything that went on in the village, though with the arrival of his bride Dawn doubted he would be thinking of her today. And the thought annoyed her. She wished his mind was as burdened with thoughts of her as her mind was burdened with thoughts of him.

She stood, suddenly eager to sneak out, and draped Old Marys cloak around herself tucking the hood down so that it concealed her face. She hunched over and shuffled to the door. She turned and smiled at the old woman then walked out.

Dawn bobbed her drooping head at Neil standing stoically beside the door and wasnt surprised that he didnt acknowledge the nod. Old Mary was right; people simply ignored her as if she wasnt there.

Flurries fell with considerable enthusiasm and children chased them, their small hands reaching up to get them as they hurried with their parents toward the entrance to the village. Villagers were lined up two rows deep and there was a joy in the air and on peoples faces that had long been absent from the village.

Flanna had talked about how busy she had been getting the brides bedchamber ready and how Turbett had his hands full preparing for her arrival celebration. There would be food and drink aplenty, music and merriment, and the whole village was looking forward to the festivities.

All except Dawn; she hadnt been invited, but that hadnt surprised her and besides she had no want to take part of the celebration.

She made her way slowly to the small cottage she had once called home and concealed herself under the snow-covered branches of the large pine that nearly hugged the side of the house. It gave her a good view of the procession that would pass yet kept her hidden enough so as not to be noticed.

A cheer went up and Dawn tensed. The procession approached the village, though from where she stood she could not see it. Cree no doubt had ridden out to meet his intended so that they could enter the village together. It would not be long before they passed in front of her and her stomach churned at the thought of seeing Cree with another woman.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited anxiously. Part of her was curious to have a look and another part of her kept urging her to run... run as far as she could and not look back. Curiosity won out; she kept her feet firmly planted on the ground, though her legs turned weak when she caught sight of the couple who would soon wed.

Cree was strikingly handsome as always and intimidating attired in all black. He sat his stallion tall and proud, though he wore a scowl, not unusual for him. And as expected the sight of him flared her passion. It never failed. All she had to do was lay eyes on him and she grew wet with the want of him. It was sinful how much she ached for him. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined she would enjoy coupling so much, though never could she imagine making love with anyone other than Cree.

She finally turned her attention on the woman who rode beside him and Dawn felt a catch in her heart that stole the breath right from her. The woman was beautiful. She had long luxurious dark hair that fell in generous waves around her flawless face and down over ample breasts. And she had the most startling blue eyes even at this distance. Never had Dawn seen such beauty.

Dawn gave one last look to Cree before she would turn and hurry back to the cottage, her heart heavy with the thought that he would no longer find her appealing. His scowl had deepened and his eyes searched the crowd anxiously, and she wondered why.

Her eyes widened. Could he possibly sense that she watched? His head turned her way and she hastily moved to conceal herself behind thicker pine branches. It didnt stop him from focusing his attention there and when his dark eyes narrowed and remained steady on her hiding spot, she felt as if shed been caught.

Dawn didnt wait. She rushed off even though her movements caused the branches to rustle. He knew. He knew shed been hiding there and she knew him well enough to know that he would confirm for himself what he suspected. And that meant he would go to her cottage.

She hurried behind the cottages and wished she could continue that way, but she would have to approach her cottage from the front as Old Mary or she would be caught. She didnt have much time before the procession reached the spot on the path she would need to cross to get to her cottage. She approached the area with caution. It was clear, though villagers had already started to gather there as they followed ahead of Cree and his bride.

Dawn gave a quick glance and saw that Cree had turned to speak with Lucerne. She bobbed her head and then he took hold of his reins to guide his stallion away. Could he be coming to see if she was in her cottage? She didnt wait; she hunched over, and walked a bit faster than Old Mary would usually do. When she reached the cottage she kept her shoulders and head stooped and entered without knocking.

Old Mary took one look at her and paled. He knows?

Dawn nodded and slipped the cloak over Old Mary and shooed her to the door.

Old Mary shook her head though kept the cloak on and pointed to her snow covered boots. Put your boots by the fire so the snow will melt and then sit and warm your chilled hands on the tankard. I will stand by the hearth so that it appears as if I have just entered.

Dawn hurried to do as Old Mary said amazed by her quick, sharp wit in judging the situation.

Just as they took their positions, the cottage door flew open.

Chapter Two.

Cree stood in the open doorway glaring at the two women. He couldnt explain it but he knew that Dawn had been watching as he rode through the village with Lucerne, yet here she sat, her feet bare. And Old Mary, her cloak with traces of snow, warmed herself by the fire.

He closed the door and looked from one woman to the other.

My lord, Old Mary acknowledged him respectfully and bobbed her head.

Leave us.

Old Mary bobbed her head again and did as ordered leaving without further comment.

You are feeling well? he asked approaching the table and grew annoyed when he watched as Dawn slowly drew her body back away from him.

As well as can be expected after I discovered that you will wed and bed another woman. It was good that she could not speak for she would have blurted out how she truly felt. Instead she turned her hand from side to side.

Yes and no?

She nodded and grew wary when he slowly rounded the table.

Elsa says that a few more days of rest and you will be fine.

Dawn froze when he stopped to stand directly behind her, then placed his chest against her back and planted his hands palms down on the table to either side of her, in a sense, imprisoning her.

Do you agree? He leaned down and with a husky whisper in her ear said, I want to feel your answers.

A tingle shot through her so strong and hard that she thought she would climax. It had been a week since they had last made love and with his body nearly wrapped around hers and the warmth of his breath against her cheek, her body was bound to respond.

She swallowed hard and was relieved that he could not see her reaction and answered him with a light tap to his arm.

I am glad to know that you agree. He pressed his lips to her temple for a moment then said, No fever and yet I taste heat.

Damn, why did she always have to burn for him.

Do you feel the heat, Dawn?

She wanted to deny it, but how did she deny what he could taste, touch, and see for himself. She tapped his arm harder than she intended.

Are you angry with me? he asked pressing his cheek to hers.

She was angry, though she wasnt sure who to be angry with. Was it her station in life that placed her out of his reach or was it herself for dreaming the impossible? Was it him for not caring and not loving her even more than she loved him? She had no answer so it was easy for her to tap his arm twice for no.

Have you missed me?

With all my heart, she thought but kept her answer to a single tap.

He grabbed her chin and turned her face as he brought his down. Do you want me to kiss you?

She turned his question on him by poking him in the chest and then poking herself.

He scowled. Ive ached to kiss you all week.

He had missed kissing her, which meant he had missed her. Everything drifted away at that moment. There was simply the two of them and a need that burned deep in them both.

She pressed her fingers to his lips then to hers.

Im glad you want me to kiss you, for I want desperately to kiss you.

And he did, his lips settling over hers with a rough hunger that Dawn understood since it gnawed at her as well. Neither could get enough of the other. They were starved for the taste of each other and so they feed off the kiss.

Cree ended it abruptly, placing his brow against hers and giving himself a chance to recover his breath before he spoke. I have to go... but I will return later tonight.

He was returning to her. The thought was like a slap in the face. This would be the way it was from now on, he returning to the woman who would be his wife while she was left alone. Her stomach turned at the thought or perhaps it was the babe. That reminder had her paling, for there would come a time she would have to tell Cree that she carried his child.

Youre not feeling well, he said anxiously.

She pressed her hand to her cheek and closed her eyes. It wasnt a lie that she needed rest. She had found that the babe depleted her of strength now and again but a good rest always restored it.

Yes, you should rest, he agreed and kissed her lips lightly lingering, as if reluctant to stop.

The strange ache that constantly took hold of her whenever he took his leave grasped at her now, though more tightly than ever before. Did she worry that he would not return to her now that his future bride was here? And then she thought of the babe she carried and the revelation that it would bring and she worried over her future.

He ran a tender finger down her cheek. You grow paler. You will rest that is an order.

Before she could confirm with a nod, he scooped her up in his arms out of the chair and carried her into the other room to place her gently on the bed. He grabbed the blanket at the bottom of the bed, though before he pulled it up over her he took hold of one bare foot, raised it and glared at her. You will wear stockings; the weather grows colder.

She yawned and he quickly covered her tucking the blanket tightly around her. He gave her a quick kiss and then went to the hearth and added more logs. He stopped before leaving the room and turned a scowl on her.

I cannot prove it but I know without a doubt that you left this cottage today without protection. And if I was not in a generous mood I would not only punish you but I would see Old Mary suffer for her part in it. Do such a foolish thing again and youll taste my wrath.

Dawn did not take a breath until she heard the door close. He was much too aware of all things going on in the village and she feared that it wouldnt be long before he realized that she carried his child. What then? The question haunted her and too often turned her fearful of the future.

She yawned again and turned on her side and drifted off to sleep as soon as she closed her eyes.

Cree would have preferred to crawl in bed with Dawn rather than take part in this farce of a celebration, but then she would get no rest if he did. And he had his duty to keep to his men and now the villagers.