Page 37 of Falling for Her Highland Steward
Erin wiped her eyes and squared her shoulders. “We shall muster an army,” she said grimly. “I will kill Michael Oliphaunt myself and take great pleasure in doing it.”
“No,” Caillen shook his head. “It will only take a moment to slay a little boy. If we give him warning—any warning at all—he will carry out his threat. This is something better done by stealth, and we will have to think it through very carefully, Erin.”
“Do you think he is keeping Stephen locked up?” Erin asked desperately. “Do you think he is afraid? I cannot bear the thought of that. He must think I have abandoned him.”
“No, I do not think he is locked up or afraid, Erin,” he said soothingly. “It is not in Michael’s best interests to have an unhappy little boy under his feet, and he always looks after himself first. I think that Stephen is laughing, happy, and playing with his new puppy. I would not worry about his welfare…yet. We must keep Michael thinking that we are going along with his plans, though. If he has the slightest inkling that we are planning something, then the consequences might be dire.” He shook his head. “Although I still have trouble believing that he would harm Stephen. Perhaps it is just a bluff.” Even as he said it, Caillen knew it was wishful thinking.
“Do you think it might be?” she asked hopefully. “Surely he could not be so cruel, Cal?”
“I am beginning to believe he is capable of anything, Erin,” he replied, sighing. “The sooner we get started, the better.”
Somehow Erin plowed through the day. When dinner was served, she was surprised and relieved to find that Caillen had decided to join her, and even though there was little conversation, his presence alone was comforting. Erin could hardly eat a thing, but Caillen wanted her to be ready for anything, so he urged her to eat, and when that failed, he began to spoon-feed her.
“You need your strength,” he told her as he pushed a spoonful of mashed turnips between her lips, wishing he was kissing them instead.
“God knows what we will be doing tomorrow.” Erin sounded miserable.
“We will be rescuing Stephen,” Caillen said firmly. “All will be well if you listen to me, Erin, and do as I say. Now listen…”
He outlined his plan, then made her listen to it and repeat it so that he could ensure that she understood. Erin had listened very carefully and was able to recite the plan back to Caillen almost word for word.
“Good!” Caillen summoned up a smile and stood up. “Erin, he will be back with us soon. I know he will, and rest assured, I will do anything to get him back. Anything.” He looked directly into her eyes and bent his head to kiss her softly.
Once more, Erin breathed in his earthy, manly scent, and despite the desperate circumstances she found herself in, she found it impossible to say no to him. His lips caressed hers, and when his tongue darted into her mouth to tangle with his, she felt sweet pleasure once more darting to her core. Almost at once, a wave of guilt swept over her. She should not be feeling this way when her son’s life was at stake!
Abruptly, she pushed Caillen away and turned her back on him.
“I am so sorry,” he murmured. “That should not have happened. I will wake you at dawn, then we can leave.”
“I will not be sleeping,” Erin replied miserably.
Erin was right. She could not close her eyes, never mind go to sleep, and at last, she got out of bed and stood up. Perhaps there was one solution to her problem. She left her room and padded along to Caillen’s, where she knocked softly on the door.
He opened it a moment later, looking disheveled, half-asleep, and utterly adorable. He was wearing a gray woolen dressing gown and a very confused look. “Erin, why are you here?” he asked, puzzled.
“I cannot sleep,” she answered. “I wondered if I could…if I could sleep with you…” Her voice faded to a whisper.
Caillen felt a leap of joy in his chest. “Of course you can,” he replied, standing aside to let her in.
When she got to the bed, she stood beside it awkwardly for a moment, waiting for something to happen.
Caillen pulled the bedclothes back a little further and said gently: “Get in, Erin. You are going to freeze out here.”
Erin lay down on the mattress, which was still warm from the heat of his body, but to her surprise, he lay down beside her on top of the coverlet. “Come in beside me,” she whispered. “Or you will freeze too.”
“I thought perhaps you might object.” His warm, deep voice was very close to her.
“I invited myself here. Why would I object?” she asked.
Caillen slid under the bedclothes, and immediately, Erin’s arms came around him. He froze for a moment in surprise, but as his arousal sprang to life, he let out a deep sigh of contentment and moved into her embrace. In a moment, they were both asleep.
17
Michael did not own a castle, but his home was almost the same size as one, having thirty bedrooms and an enormous acreage of garden from which the house supplied most of its own food. It did not, however, boast its own garrison of guards, and was defended by only ten sturdy men. Since Michael was not a warrior or a laird, that had always been enough. Now, however, the guards presented a problem, even though there were few of them.
Erin and Caillen arrived outside the house just after noon. Caillen was familiar with Michael’s routine, which was as regular as clockwork. Every Friday and Saturday, he would leave around late afternoon to go to Piper’s Arms, then eat a hearty meal, find a woman to bed, and become absolutely roaring drunk. He was popular at the establishment since he was very free with his silver, and the whores fought each other for his attention. Caillen had never known him to miss a weekend.
Tonight was no different. They waited until a while after Michael had gone out, each perched in a tree on either side of the gate, ready to ambush Michael on his return. Usually, he took one of his guards with him, but he had the element of surprise on his side this time. Caillen only wished it would be enough.
