The Imposter Part 5

"Oh, Martha!" Immediately, I felt bad. I hadn't even asked her name. "She was wonderful!" I exclaimed. "She washed my hair, and ma.s.saged my back, and....."

"I thought ye might enjoy her attentions," he chuckled.

"And to think that I almost sent her away!"

"Ye what?" he exclaimed. "Do ye ken what it cost me tae get her?"

I smiled. "But, I didn't send her away, and I'm thankful for that. She was wonderful. Thanks again."

"So, am I forgiven? I think that I must ask ye tae doubly forgive me, once for being an a.s.s while ye were st.i.tchin' me up and again for abandoning ye in the forest."

"Forgiven," I a.s.sured him. "For both, I mean. But, you are most definitely not forgiven for kissing me," I said coolly, looking straight ahead.

"I didna ask for yer forgiveness for kissing ye. I'm not sorry that I did it, in fact, I think that ye liked it," he said boldly.

"I most certainly did not like it," I responded, knowing full well that I was lying.

"Then why did ye kiss me back?"

"I did not kiss you back," I lied.

"Sorry to break it to ye la.s.s, but ye most definitely did kiss me back. And ye liked it."

"Just don't try it again," I warned, knowing that I was fighting a losing battle.

"Where are we headed?" I asked, opting to change the subject before I further embarra.s.sed myself.

"Forever asking questions, ye are. And me wanting tae bask in yer forgiveness!" he laughed. "Be patient, la.s.s, and ye'll see."

"I'm not patient by nature, but you haven't led me astray yet. You have dumped me in the forest, but you haven't led me astray," I joked, and settled myself more firmly atop his thighs, feeling their strength beneath mine as he gently guided Stanley. I felt the muscles of his thighs tense beneath my own.

"Sae kissing ye was not leading ye astray?" he asked boldly, bringing the subject deftly back to our encounter in the forest. He was clearly enjoying chiding me about our kiss.

"I'm changing my mind about this surprise," I warned, refusing to talk about the kiss.

"Hold on!" Was all the warning that I received as he spurred Stanley forward into a full blown run, the mare trailing behind us.

I'd never gone so fast on a horse in my life. It was scary at first, but I was confident that Devon's capable arms would keep me safe. My body gradually became less tense and I found myself quite exhilarated by the speed. The ground was a blur beneath us and the rhythmic beating of Stanley's great hooves striking the Earth filled my ears.

Devon transferred the reins to his right hand and slid his left arm around my waist. Clearly he was less than satisfied with my ability to hold onto the swiftly moving horse, thinking it best to provide me with added security. He gathered me soundly against his chest and I was thankful for his strong body. I felt free. I also felt utterly and completely safe held against his chest. The wind whipped against my face and my unbound hair cascaded out behind me.

Oh my. His close proximity made my blood rush.

Devon bent down and lowered his cheek against mine. I felt the stubble of his day's growth of beard against my sensitive skin. "Close yer eyes," he whispered into my ear.

I did as he commanded, without question. I surrendered to the sensation of freedom and safety. With my eyes closed my other bodily senses were heightened. Devon's masculine smell mingled with the smell of lathered horse and damp Earth, overtaking my senses. My ears were flooded by the whistling wind and the rhythmic pounding of Stanley's hooves on the ground. My sense of touch was overwhelmed with the rigid strength of Devon's body around me, supporting me. My fingers dug into the cool leather of the saddle. I felt Devon tug the reins ever so slightly, slowing Stanley's pace. As the giant horse slowed down, I came back to reality and opened my eyes. What I beheld was breathtaking.

"Surprise," Devon whispered into my hair, arm still encircling my waist.

The harsh beauty of this place was unmatched by anywhere I had ever seen before. Stanley had stopped in a large gra.s.sy clearing that was surrounded by forest. The colors were vivid and full of life. Beyond the trees there were tall, craggy peaks so high that they seemed to defy all possibility.

"Beautiful, is it no?" he smiled proudly. I'd planned tae take ye here the other day after our lunch, but ye ken, the bells didna allow for it."

"It's wonderful," I agreed. "Not quite as picturesque as the forest that you abandoned me in, but nice none the less," I joked.

"Not fair, la.s.s. Ye said I was forgiven for that."

"You are forgiven. You only did what you had to to keep me safe."

"And that is exactly why I brought ye here. I need a.s.surance that ye can keep yerself safe. I'm going to teach ye to fight."

I started blankly at him. "Teach me to fight?"

He must be joking.

"With a dirk," he gave me a look of encouragement that was meant to steady me.

I laughed at him. Or more, I laughed at the craziness of his intention.

"Alright, teach me," I said, still giggling. "I promise to be a good student."

"And I promise tae be a good teacher. I'll not have ye defenseless again." It was evident from Devon's expression that to him, this was not a laughing matter. He was dead serious.

He helped me down from the giant horse and withdrew a dagger from the saddlebag, offering the hilt of the weapon to me, green eyes encouraging me to take it. I tentatively wrapped my fingers around the hilt of the dagger, weighing it in my hand, surprised by its unexpected weight. Devon reached down and drew his own dirk from his belt.

He moved to stand beside me and began my impromptu lesson. "Mind, ye hold it like this, la.s.s," he instructed demonstrating the correct grip on the hilt of his dagger.

I adjusted my grip to match his and held the weapon out for his appraisal. He used his other hand to adjust my fingers and nodded in approval. "As a la.s.s, yer best tactic using a dirk is the element of surprise. Most likely, yer attacker will be stronger than ye are, and more experienced, sae hide yer weapon under yer skirts and use the element of surprise as ye plan yer attack. Ye may only get one chance. Use it wisely."

I could not imagine using this weapon on another human being, and I noticed how foreign the dagger felt in my hand. Having always been surrounded by my father's well trained guards, self defense was not a skill that I had previously required.

"The dirk is best used for stabbing someone in close combat." He instructed matter-of-factly, as if this was something that happened every day. "There are a few places that ye can try to aim for, but always remember that ye may only get one opportunity, so wait, calculate yer chances and use it wisely. If yer face tae face with the enemy the neck is always a good target. There is a large artery that runs right here," he demonstrated using his own body, turning his head to the side and tracing the line of his carotid artery with the tip of his dirk. His ill.u.s.tration made me shudder.

I was unsure if I could slit another human being's throat, no matter what the circ.u.mstances. The dirk suddenly felt heavier in my hand and I tightened my grip.

"Mind ye that it will take some force tae inflict a fatal wound. Ye must slash deeply. Use the side of the dirk in order tae make it count. Doona stab at the neck, slash," he instructed, again demonstrating the correct motion with his own dirk against the skin of his neck.

"Give it a try?" he questioned, looking at me encouragingly as if he were giving a simple lesson in mathematics.

I held the dirk up, using the grip that he had shown me and raised it cautiously towards his neck. I turned the dirk on its side, placed it against his skin, and mimicked the motion that he had shown me.

"Good, la.s.s," he encouraged. "Another good place to aim for is the liver, doona try for the heart. It's too protected by the sternum and the ribs. Ye'll never get at it if ye don't ken what yer doing. Plus, ye have tae pretty much bury a dirk in a man to get at his heart. Most women are not likely tae do that. The liver is more exposed, ken, it's on the right side of a person's body, partially protected by the ribs, but partially exposed. Remember when yer takin' aim at yer enemy that their right side is the opposite of yours when they are facing ye. Take yer dirk and aim it up, strike hard and bury it deep into the liver. Move the dirk around inside of the man's body if ye can tae increase the chances of a fatal wound."

I mimicked his motion, pointing the tip of my dirk towards his right side, thrusting it firmly up, imagining that I was going under the ribs and striking the vulnerable liver beneath.

"Use both hands, la.s.s, for a more powerful attack," he said, grabbing my other hand and placing it on the hilt of the dagger. "Like I said, ye will likely only get one shot, sae make it count."

Devon was in his element and it was a beautiful sight to behold. I was in awe of his controlled strength, his knowledge and his grace with a weapon. My attraction to him almost caused me to forget that he was a deadly Highland warrior. To see this warrior in action was both alluring and intriguing.

"Now, if ye are attacking someone from behind, say they turn their back on ye and ye have a chance tae make a move, yer best bet is tae go for the kidneys or tae slit their throat from behind. The kidneys are located in the lower back, here and here, he demonstrated by turning around and placing his fists in the small of his back. Be careful not tae stab too low or ye might hit the pelvis. Mind ye that a kidney strike would can be fatal, but not immediately. If ye must go for the kidney, make yer move and while yer a.s.sailant is stunned, run like h.e.l.l. Don't forget tae retrieve yer dirk if ye can."

"Alright," was all that I could think to say, still stunned by the fact that Devon thought that this was information that I would need. I tried to be a good student, but the possibility that I might someday have to use this information scared me to death. This lesson was overwhelming and I knew that it showed in the expression on my face.

"Need a break, la.s.s?" Devon questioned, again seeming to read my thoughts.

"Yeah," I said with relief, dropping right where I stood and settling to my knees on the ground.

"I hate pus.h.i.+n' ye sae hard, but I'll feel better when I ken that ye can defend yerself," he confessed, sheathing his dagger in his belt. He walked over to the horses and retrieved a jug of ale and two mugs from the saddlebag. He joined me on the ground sitting cross-legged, then poured us each a mug of ale.

He's worried about me?

My heart raced as I contemplated why this beautiful warrior was so concerned with my safety.

I took a sip and it tasted wonderful, cool and refres.h.i.+ng.

"So, what is yer plan, Kate?" Devon questioned as he took a dreg of ale. "Do ye plan to go home tae yer family, or will ye stay here and find another match?"

His direct approach surprised me. I took another drink of ale, swallowing it down in an unpleasant gulp as I pondered how best to respond to this question. I hated living a lie.

I want to stay here. I'm safe here, here with you.

My subconscious cringed as I admitted to myself the truth. I wanted to stay here because of Devon.

"I've been thinking about staying here... to see what might happen." I ventured, knowing full well that I couldn't go "home" to Ms. Berks.h.i.+re's family. Staying here was currently my only option as I bided my time, knowing that I should escape and set my own course in life.

"Ye will be safe here, Kate," he said, as if reading my mind. "I'll see tae yer safety for as long as I can," he promised. "I still owe ye a debt of grat.i.tude for what ye did for my men, for me. Ye saved Brennan's life for sure."

"I don't want to go home," I added for good measure, fearing that I would be sent to Katherine's home and be exposed as an imposter. I was far safer with the McClains for now, it was unlikely that my father would ever find me here, even if he suspected that I might have survived my dive into the ocean.

"Leti will be pleased," he continued. "Nathan too. I'm not sure what ye did there, but ye've got Nathan wound right round yer little finger."

Will you be pleased if I stay?

I knew that he was attracted to me, but I was unsure just how interested in me he was. Was he thinking that he might be the match for me? Or, was he just thinking that I might be a lively conquest that would give him another notch in his bedpost?

"Ye'll need to speak with Collin, ken? Now that he's Laird he'll want tae know yer intentions so as tae find a suitable match for ye."

"I get the feeling that Collin doesn't like me," I confided. "I won't look forward to having that conversation with him. He makes me nervous."

"That's his manner. Collin has always operated by intimidation. Makes him feel powerful, ken? Da never gave him the responsibility that he craved, so Collin developed a liking of exerting his power on those he perceives as weaker than himself."

"Have you ever gotten along with your brother?" I asked.

"Not really. He has a different Mam than Leti and I do. There's always been jealousy between us. I wish that it could have been different. I think that Collin has always felt as though Da tried to replace his Mam when she died by marrying our mother. When Leti and I came along as bairns, Collin felt like an outsider tae Da's new family."

"Do you feel sorry for him?"

"I've never really thought of it in those terms," Devon's eyebrows knit together as he churned over my question, twisting some gra.s.s between his fingers as he thought. "Yeah, I guess that I do. It must have been difficult having his Mam die while he was so young, and I can see how he would feel as though Da had tried tae replace her."

"That explains a lot about how Collin treats you now, I've seen the scowl on his face when you enter the room."

"Our relations.h.i.+p is strained at best. We've learned to tolerate each other, mostly at the insistence of our father. Da was not fair tae Collin and even though he knew that Collin would rightfully succeed him as Laird due to his birthright as the eldest son, father went tae great lengths tae ensure that I would remain the war-chief, even after his death."

"So Collin is jealous, even now?"

"Aye. He never had a knack for leading men and Da knew this even when Collin was quite young. He began training me tae be a warrior, and it came easily tae me. Father knew that our clan needed a war-chief tae defend what is ours, and he trained me tae do just that. I am proud of my position and secure in the knowledge that even Collin canna take it away from me, although I'm sure that he will try."

"Now that he is Laird, can't he just remove you from the position?"

"Da figured that is what he would try, but had legal papers drawn up, bequeathing me the position as war-chief and limiting Collin's job as Laird tae everything except war and defense of the clan. Da was a smart man, always looking into the future tae do what was best for his people."

Devon rose up so that he was supporting himself on his elbow and played idly with the small pile of gra.s.s that he had made on the plaid between us. He toyed with the strands of gra.s.s as he spoke, as if he needed something to busy his hands with so that his thoughts could flow freely.

He chuckled slightly, "I'd like tae see Collin try tae remove me, it would most likely end in his overthrow by my men. Most of the men only tolerate his presence as Laird out of respect to Da. They hope that I will someday replace him and lead our people."

"No wonder he looks at you the way that he does. You're a threat to him, a threat to his power and control of the Clan."

"d.a.m.n right, I am. I am a threat, and he knows it. I'd never displace him from his Lairds.h.i.+p out of respect for our Da. However, I am not fool enough tae believe that he holds the same moral commitments that I do. I am forever keeping one eye open out of distrust for my brother. I'd not put it past him tae have me killed so that his claim to the Lairds.h.i.+p is secure."

I thought for a moment about Collin, and indeed, I felt sorry for him. I knew what it felt like to lose your mother.

"My mother died when I was eight." The words came out, surprising me. I generally didn't like to talk about my parents. I hoped that this unintentional tidbit of information would not compromise my rouse as Ms. Berks.h.i.+re. I had to be more cautious. I could not allow my guard to drop. Devon was so easy to talk to. I would have to be more careful.

"I'm sorry la.s.s," Devon said, his eyes meeting mine, eyebrows furrowed and drawn together in sympathy. "It's no right for a la.s.s to be left without her mother."

"It was hard. You go on, but you never forget. I grew up wondering what she would have been like, wondering if she would have approved of the things I did and the choices that I made."

Devon grabbed my hand, and met my eyes with intensity. "She would have approved, Kate."

"I also wondered if she would have protected me from things," I confessed. "My father didn't always have my best intentions at heart. I was a p.a.w.n in his empire."

"Do ye mean that she might have protected ye from marriage? Fought tae let ye choose who ye might marry?" Devon said softly, still holding my hand.

"Yes," I said sincerely, amazed by Devon's uncanny ability to read my thoughts. "I had always hoped that she might have swayed my father into giving me some choice in the matter."

"So ye were not happy with the match that was made tae my Da?"

Devon's statement brought my thoughts cras.h.i.+ng back to my web of lies. He thought that I was Katherine Berks.h.i.+re, betrothed by my father to marry his father. Letting my guard down, I had been thinking of my real father and the way that he had sold me into marriage to a man twice my age. A man that I had never met.

I bit my lip, unsure of how to continue. Devon's eyes were searching my face, his thumb brushed against the back of my hand, causing my blood to rush in my veins in response to his touch. I pulled my hand away from his and settled it in my lap.

"I'm sorry if I have pressed ye tae much. I've overstepped my bounds," Devon said, raking his hand through his hair and standing.

"Can we get started again?" I asked, uncomfortable with the silence that had fallen between us.

"I'd not expected ye tae be such an eager student," he said raising his eyebrows approvingly. "Maybe it's just that I'm a superior teacher?" he chided as he stood and unsheathed his dirk. "If ye must slit someone's throat from behind, ye must move quickly. The instant that they sense yer movement, they will react. Reach around in front of them and slice with all of yer might. Turn around. I'll show ye the motion."

I did as he instructed and turned my back to him. In one swift move, his arm was around in front of me and the dirk was at my neck. He showed me the slicing motion that was necessary, drawing the dirk quickly across the front of my body. s.h.i.+vers ran down my spine.