Snared in the same wild frenzy, Christy scored his back with her nails as he thrust forcefully, again and again. Her blood caught fire. She was being torn apart, twisted and swirled in a tempest of erotic pleasure, reaching for rapture with each surge of his shaft inside her center.

Sinjun knew he was dying. Those tiny, trembling contractions he felt inside her milked his shaft, bringing him closer to the edge of fulfillment. He caught her wail of ecstasy in his mouth, her spasms spurring his own, and then all thought fled, leaving nothing but the hunger driving him and the woman in his arms. His body stiffened; a ragged cry ripped from his throat and his seed erupted, hot and scorching, from his body into hers.

Unable to speak, much less breathe, Sinjun waited several long minutes before he was able to move. His heart was still pounding against his rib-cage when he lifted himself off and away, settling next to her on the bed.

"Do you still want to leave, love?" he whispered into the tense silence.

"No," Christy said on what sounded suspiciously like a sob. "I never want to leave you, Sinjun, but I have to. Try to understand my position."

"What about your position as my wife?"

"I'll always be your wife. You must know that. Leaving Niall is ripping me apart. Please reconsider your ultimatum. I swear I'll keep Niall safe for you."

"You're not taking Niall and that's final." His voice was grim with determination, thick with anger. "We've gone through this before, Christy. I haven't changed my mind. I was hoping you'd change yours. The only way I'll let Niall leave is if we all go to the Highlands together."

"That's out of the question," Christy argued. "The situation can be solved without English interference. I already explained that bringing English soldiers to Glenmoor will cost innocent lives. I'll leave Gavin and Effie behind to see to Niall's welfare in my absence."

"Blast you!" Sinjun spat. He was beyond understanding, beyond patience, beyond caring. He leaped from bed, gathering his scattered clothing and muttering imprecations beneath his breath.

"Remember one thing, madam. Whatever happens now is your doing. You cannot blame this parting on me. 'Twas your choice to leave Niall."

"No! Blast you, Lord Derby, for not understanding a d.a.m.n thing about Highlanders. Leaving Niall behind is not my choice. I am not abandoning my son. I will return to him and I will be with him, no matter what you say."

"Like h.e.l.l!"

She continued on as if he hadn't spoken. "Trust Effie to find a wetnurse for Niall."

Bitterness dripped from his words. "Anything else?"

She searched his face, then looked away as if the sight of him was painful. "There's one more thing you should know before I leave."

He yanked on his breeches and shirt, impatient now to get as far away from Christy Macdonald as possible. He'd done everything but get down on his hands and knees and beg her to stay, and he had too much pride for that.

"What is it? Make it fast, my patience is exhausted."

"I know you don't care, but I feel compelled to say it anyway. I love you, Sinjun. I've loved you for a very long time. There, 'tis done. Take care of my bairn."

Speechless, Sinjun stared at her. Was this another of her lies? Why would she tell him such a thing now? "I sincerely hope you don't mean that, Christy."

He picked up his boots and headed for the door. With his hand on the doork.n.o.b, he paused and grinned at her over his shoulder.

"Perhaps I put another babe inside you today."

His laughter followed him out the door.

"I love you, Sinjun," Christy whispered into the cold emptiness of the room. "Feeling as you do, I pray G.o.d you haven't put another bairn in my belly."

Christy left the following morning after an emotional parting. Niall was too young to understand and waved her off with a gurgle of laughter. Christy couldn't have left if she hadn't known Niall would be in good hands. She even delayed her leaving until Effie found a wetnurse for her son. The baker's daughter had just given birth to a child and had abundant milk to spare. Her husband had been injured in an accident, and she eagerly accepted the wages Sinjun offered.

Betsy agreed to move into the townhouse with her son and injured husband in order to be on hand for Mall's feedings. It wouldn't be for long, Christy thought, for Niall was already accepting mashed foods and nursed less frequently.

Christy didn't expect Sinjun to be on hand to bid her good-bye, and he wasn't. Truth to tell, she didn't think she could bear to see him.

"Go with G.o.d," Effie said as Rory handed Christy into the coach and four that would carry them to the Highlands. "If anyone can prevent bloodshed between the clans, 'tis ye, Laird Christy Macdonald. Dinna worry about Niall. I'll keep him safe for ye until ye return."

Gavin echoed Effie's promise and warned Rory to take care. Christy knew the journey was not without danger, for there was always the threat of highwaymen and accidents. Fortunately Rory was well armed. He had two flintlock pistols hidden beneath the seat and a claymore beside him. And, of course, the dirk he carried in his boot.

Much to Christy's relief, the only enemy they encountered on the road was the incessant rain that pounded down upon them. She felt sorry for Rory, who was perched high in the driver's box, bearing the brunt of the cold, raw rain while she huddled inside the jostling conveyance beneath a blanket. Twice the wheels became mired in mud and she was forced to leave the coach while Rory worked to free them.

The disreputable posting inns offering shelter for the night left much to be desired. Christy sometimes found herself sharing a room with up to four women while Rory made do with a pile of straw in the stables.

Christy missed Niall desperately. Though she had bound her b.r.e.a.s.t.s tightly to stop the flow of milk, they still ached. She couldn't ever recall being so uncomfortable. The journey to the Highlands was made even more miserable by the enforced solitude she had to endure. The empty hours gave her ample time to dwell on those last moments she'd spent in Sinjun's arms.

If only she could have made him understand that she took her responsibility to her clansmen as seriously as she took her responsibility to Niall. Leaving Niall behind had been the hardest thing she'd ever done. Had Sinjun not been so adamantly opposed she wouldn't have had to leave her bairn behind. Her greatest fear now was that Sinjun would not let her become a part of Niall's life when she returned. After peace was restored in the Highlands, Christy planned to explain everything to Sinjun and hoped he would understand and forgive her.

A wave of relief washed over Christy when they crossed the border into Scotland. The rainy weather finally gave way to blue skies and sunshine, and Christy grew excited when she saw heather blooming on the hillsides. She heartily disliked London, with its sooty buildings, crowds, and stench of raw sewage. One day, she vowed, she would bring Niall home and raise him in the invigorating, clear air of the Scottish Highlands.

They spotted the pall of smoke hanging over Glenmoor village before they reached it. Christy's heart plummeted when she realized what it meant. Rory stopped the coach at the top of a hill while Christy hung out the window, staring with dismay at the smoke curling upward from burning cottages.

"We must get down there," Christy cried. "They may need help."

Shouts of welcome heralded their arrival as the coach rolled into the village.

"'Tis The Macdonald!"

"The laird has returned!"

"Praise G.o.d!"

The first thing Christy noticed as she stepped down from the coach was that every able-bodied man carried a weapon-either claymore, pistol, dirk or stout stick. She gazed beyond them and saw the frightened faces of women and children peeping out from the doorways of those cottages not consumed by fire. When they saw Christy, they rushed out to greet her.

"What happened here?" Christy asked.

Big Murdoch Macdonald stepped forward. "The Camerons and Mackenzies," he spat. "They came at us at dusk. We turned them back, but they still managed to burn down two more cottages."

"Any dead?"

"Nay. Three wounded, not seriously, and two children trampled in the melee. They'll recover."

"And the Ra.n.a.lds?"

"They're having the same problems we are. The Ra.n.a.ld chieftain said half their herd have turned up on Cameron land."

"We'll rebuild," Christy said.

"We're glad ye've returned, Christy," Murdoch said. "Maybe ye can talk some sense into the Camerons. Clan wars have always divided the Highlands, but rarely among allies. I canna understand it."

Christy understood. Only too well. 'Twas Calum's way of repaying her for fleeing. He knew she'd return once she learned what was happening to her kinsmen-had counted on it, in fact. But he couldn't make demands on her this time. She was a married woman, Sinjun hadn't gotten the annulment, and her son was safe with his father. She'd make Calum understand there was nothing to gain and everything to lose from this senseless feud. Once he understood the dangers involved should war break out in the Highlands, things would settle down and she could return to London and make things right with Sinjun.

"If anyone needs lodging they're welcome to stay at Glenmoor," Christy offered.

"Thank ye, Christy. Those women and children without homes will be glad for yer offer, but the men will remain in the village to prevent further pillaging."

Christy left a short time later, determined to put a stop to the feud before it involved every clan in the Highlands and erupted into a war requiring the intervention of English soldiers.

Margot flew out the door to greet Christy before the coach rolled to a stop at the front entrance of Glenmoor.

"Where is yer wee laddie?" Margot asked as she embraced Christy warmly.

"I had to leave him behind. Sinjun wouldn't allow me to bring him."

"Ah, la.s.s, 'tis sorry I am. Dinna worry, he's in good hands with his sire. I'm glad Rory found ye. Yer letter reached us a few days before he left for London. We were surprised to learn ye were living with his lordship. What happened?"

"I'll tell you later. Go greet your husband. Rory has missed you and his wee laddie something fierce."

"No more than I've missed Rory," Margot said. "I'd best greet him before he feels neglected. We'll talk later, Christy, after ye've rested."

"Aye, I've yet to meet your bairn," Christy said.

Walking into the house was like greeting an old friend, Christy thought as she entered the main hall. Glenmoor may not have been what it was in its glory days, but it was still home. Mary came from the kitchen and threw her arms around Christy, bemoaning the troubles that had plagued them since Christy had left.

"I intend to take care of things, Mary," Christy said, returning her kinswoman's hug.

"Where is yer bairn, Christy? I canna wait to start spoiling the wee darling."

"I left him with Lord Derby," Christy explained. She put on a bright smile to conceal her breaking heart. "Sinjun thought the Highlands were too dangerous for his son."

Mary pulled a wry face. "Englishmen! Bah! Yer room is all ready, la.s.s. Go take a rest, ye must be exhausted."

"I am, but before I do, I should warn you that I invited the homeless crofters to move into Glenmoor until their homes are rebuilt. Glenmoor has plenty of empty rooms to spare."

"Aye, I'll see to it, Christy. Go on with ye, now."

Christy mounted the stairs on wooden legs. She couldn't recall when she'd been so tired. After a good night's sleep she'd be better able to cope with the situation at Glenmoor. The bed looked so inviting that she flopped down fully clothed and closed her eyes. Margot arrived a few minutes later to show off her son.

"I've brought my wee Angus," Margot said, sitting on the edge of the bed and holding the tiny boy up for Christy's inspection.

Tears formed in Christy's eyes as she took Angus into her arms and cradled him against her breast. "He's a fine braw bairn, Margot."

"Ah, la.s.s, dinna cry," Margot said. "I know ye must miss yer own wee laddie something fierce. Lord Derby was wrong to make ye leave him behind. Yer letter dinna explain much, only that his lordship learned about his son and that ye were living with him in his townhouse."

"Sinjun was angrier than I've ever seen him when he discovered he had a living son," Christy explained. "He wanted to take my bairn away from me and banish me to Glenmoor."

"Ye dinna mention the annulment. Are ye no longer married to Lord Derby?"

"We are still very much married. For some unexplained reason Sinjun failed to file the annulment with the courts. It's been difficult. I finally convinced him that Niall needed me and he let me stay. I don't know what's going to happen now," she said on a sob. "Sinjun thinks I care more for my clansmen than I do for my bairn."

"What did the English b.a.s.t.a.r.d do?"

"He told me if I left London I'd never see Niall again. He doesn't understand, Margot. No one but a Highlander can understand why I had to leave."

"Dinna he want to come with ye?"

"Oh, aye, but I told him his presence here would only aggravate an already explosive situation. I couldn't let him come, Margot! I love him too much to risk his life."

"So ye do love him," Margot said sagely.

"Even though I know he hates me, there is a bond between us that defies explanation. 'Tis something I feel in my heart. The attraction that drew us together is still as strong as ever. Sinjun recognizes it but refuses to acknowledge it."

"If he doesna, he's a bigger fool than I gave him credit for," Margot said. "I'll take wee Angus to his bed so ye can rest. Will we see ye at dinner tonight?"

"Aye. Ask Rory to send riders to the Macdonald and Ra.n.a.ld strongholds. They're to summon the chieftains to Glenmoor for a meeting tonight. We must decide on a way to stop this senseless feud."

"Calum Cameron isna going to be satisfied until he has what he wants, and we all know what he wants," Margot muttered as she left the chamber.

Christy's clansmen crowded into the hall, waiting for the laird to speak. Christy gazed into their hopeful faces and knew how much they depended on her to end this senseless feud between allies.

"We dinna want to fight our own clansmen," Murdoch Macdonald shouted over the din of the crowd. "We want our sheep and our cows back, and our families safe in their houses."

"I know what you want," Christy said, raising her hand for silence. "'Tis why I've returned from London. I've already dispatched a message to the Cameron and Mackenzie chieftains, asking for a meeting of the clans at Glenmoor four days hence. If this feud continues, lives will be lost. You've already suffered the loss of livestock and homes."

"Aye, and we're prepared to retaliate in kind," Rory said, garnering a roar of approval. "The Macdonalds are no cowards."

"Before you do anything, I intend to make a plea for peace. Wait four days," Christy pleaded. "If no agreement can be reached, we'll decide what to do next. The last thing we need is a full-blown clan war, and I think the Camerons realize that bringing British soldiers to the Highlands would be disastrous for everyone."

"We'll wait, Christy," Murdoch said, speaking for the Macdonalds. "But if the Camerons attack our village again, we willna sit on our hands."

"Fair enough," Christy agreed. "You must defend yourselves. Return to the village. Set patrols to guard the livestock and remain alert. I'm hopeful that once The Cameron receives my message he will call a halt to the attacks."

The crowd dispersed. Even Rory left to take his turn at patrol duty. Christy and Margot remained alone in the hall.

"Perhaps I should have asked Rory to stay," Christy mused.

"Calum willna attack Glenmoor," Margot predicted. "He wants it too badly to destroy it."

"Aye, 'tis my belief, too."

All was quiet during the next two days. Neither the Camerons nor the Mackenzies replied to Christy's invitation to meet, and she began to fear they would defy her. At least they hadn't renewed their attacks or stolen any more livestock. A tenuous hope for a peaceful solution sprouted in Christy's breast. She began to think that her return to Glenmoor had encouraged the quiet that had prevailed for the past two days. She went to bed that night feeling that everything could be worked out.

Her dreams for peace among the clans were shattered when she awoke in the darkest part of the night to the terrifying feeling that she wasn't alone. Her worst nightmare became reality when the swath of moonlight piercing through the window revealed the hulking form of Calum Cameron looming over her bed. She opened her mouth to scream, and immediately a rag was stuffed between her teeth.

"Did ye ken I wouldna come for ye? Ah, la.s.s, ye wound me deeply. I waited a long time for ye to return to the Highlands."

Christy reached up and pulled the foul rag from her mouth.

"Dinna scream if ye wish to avoid bloodshed," Calum warned. "I'm not alone, la.s.s, and this is a household of women and children."

"How did you get in?"