Romance Peggy Gordon

A few murmured words and exclamations of relief sounded behind the woman before him and he grinned broadly. Another shape came forward and he looked down to see a young girl clasp the older woman around the waist. She stared up at Connor with large dark eyes and he guessed that this was Peggy's sister.

"Mama?" She whispered. "We can go home now?"

The woman patted her daughter's shoulder while studying Connor's face carefully. Finally she smiled, a tight, grim smile, and nodded once. "I suppose we can."

"Connor!" Someone from outside hissed urgently through the doorway.

"There isn't much time," Connor said. He deftly slid his sword into the scabbard strapped to his back and gestured towards the woman and girl before him. "How many are you?"

"There are only eight of us," Peggy's mother replied softly. "And my name is Deirdre."

"I am more pleased than you can possibly know to meet you, Deirdre," Connor said sincerely.

"I'm Shonna," the girl at her side piped up with a smile.

"Pleased to meet you, Shonna," Connor added with a kind look. "Now we have to hurry. Everyone, please come quickly!" He urged Peggy's family outside and waited until the others huddled in the back corner made their way out as well.

Once outside, Connor drew his sword forward again, scanning the surrounding land with narrowed eyes. Seamus was at his side and they stood in silence, watching the hostages disappear across the field towards the forest. Then they closed up the outbuilding where the hostages had been held to make it look as though nothing had changed and they darted off after the others.

Later, Connor sat down near the fire and smiled at the excited sounds of the recently freed hostages. His eyes swept over them all and he met the amused gaze of Seamus who was currently at the mercy of an elderly gentleman who was regaling him with tales of their capture and the days that had followed. He watched them for a moment before hearing the sound of someone sitting down next to him.

"How is it that a man of Clan Laoghaire came to the rescue of Connelly hostages?" The voice of Deirdre interrupted his silent regard.

He turned to look at her and had to fight to keep the amazement from his face. They were so alike; aside from the signs of age, Peggy was the spitting image of her mother. Evidently, he didn't keep his surprise completely hidden.

"Do we know each other?" She asked a second later, the barest smile touching her lips.

"No," he replied.

"Then why did it seem as though you recognized me before?"

Connor glanced over at her and was thankful for the dim light around the campfire that kept his blush from being visible. "I know your family," he replied vaguely.

"My family? How do you know them? Do you mean my daughters?" She asked, the questions coming quickly now.

"Aye, I've met Imogen and Kendall," he told her with a nod. He paused, staring into the fire and flicked a small rock away with one finger. "And Peggy."

"Are they all right?" She asked.

"Yes, they're all fine. And your husband as well. They are all at the Connelly stronghold, waiting for you to return."

For a moment Deirdre said nothing. She sat silent beside Connor for a moment without speaking and suddenly lifted her hands to her face, drawing in a long, shuddering breath.

"I am so relieved," she said after she'd collected herself again. "I spent most of my time in captivity worrying about them."

"And they worried for you as well," Connor assured her though in his heart he knew only Peggy truly concerned herself with their well-being.

Deirdre laughed softly and shook her head. "You are a terrible liar, Connor," she said.

"Why do you say that?" He asked.

"I know my daughters and I know my husband," she answered. "Imogen and Kendall probably spent the time chasing boys and my husband would have barely lifted his face from the brandy long enough to wonder where I'd gone. Peggy would have been the only one to worry."

Connor found himself smiling and nodding in agreement. He didn't have the heart or inclination to argue with the older woman. Deirdre regarded him quietly, a knowing smile on her lips.

"I can't imagine you got to know my Peggy very well," she remarked after a few minutes of companionable silence.

Glancing over at her, Connor shook his head slowly. "Not very well, no. She is rather..." he allowed his sentence to drift off, unsure of what words would accurately describe her.

"Prickly," Deirdre supplied and laughed at Connor's expression. "Don't look so upset, Connor. She's a wonderful girl; from the moment she was placed in my arms, she has brought such light into my life. But she is not the easiest woman to know."

Connor nodded slowly. "I think she is amazing," he said quietly, surprising even himself with the admission. It had been a hard several days, being without her in sight and wondering the entire time if she was thinking of him at all. As with the battle between the clans, he was almost relieved when the time for real action came.

"Oh Connor," Deirdre murmured from beside him and second later he felt the gentle weight of her hand on his arm. "Don't give up. If Peggy allowed you even the slightest glimpse of who she really is, and she must have for you to think of her so, you can't give up."

Connor looked over and smiled, patting her hand over his arm. "It isn't in me to give up, my lady," he told her. "But this has been given up for me."

She said nothing more, only sat with him in silence. Eventually the time came when everyone was huddling together for warmth as they relaxed into sleep. Deirdre moved away to gather her youngest daughter, Shonna, and left Connor alone with his thoughts.

Having never experienced it firsthand, Peggy couldn't say for certain that it was torture but it felt that way to her, the days following Connor's departure. She didn't know if they would even find the hostages, let alone get them out alive and unharmed and without hurting themselves in the process. It all added up to several sleepless nights and even less human contact since she snapped at everyone and anyone who approached her.

Her sisters Imogen and Kendall gave up immediately after their first encounter with Peggy's bad temper and Cillian didn't even try. By the end of a week, the only person who could tolerate Peggy's sour mood was Aiden, Bowen's youngest son at only two years of age.

One morning Peggy rose before the other women in her room and wandered out to the yard for some quiet and fresh air. The nights were still very warm and as she strolled the length of the courtyard, she counted the days until Samhain. As she was lost in her calculations, which turned to thoughts of their eventual journey back to their farm, a row of figures appeared on the horizon beyond the main gates.

A shout rising from the guardhouse above the gates roused Peggy's attention and she looked over with a frown to see several men running out the gates. Curious, she wandered closer to see for herself what was going on; it hadn't been a warning shout after all.

"They're back!"

Oh gods, Peggy thought, feeling her strength drain from her. She paused by the gate post and leaned against it, breathing hard. And into her rapidly blurring vision strolled her long lost mother and youngest sister.

They all spotted each other at the same moment and Peggy gave a ragged cry before bolting from the stronghold walls towards her family, her shawl tumbling to the dust behind her. Across the field, Deirdre and Shonna broke loose from the group of hostages and heroes and ran towards her as well. They met in a clash of fierce embraces and teary kisses and laughter.

"Reagan, my dearest Reagan," Deirdre cried, clutching her eldest daughter to her chest, calling her by her full name in her joy.

"Mama!" Peggy cried in response and laughed raucously when Shonna practically leapt into her arms.

The three of them stood together, crying and laughing and not letting go. Finally one of the other hostages gave a shout and ran off for the stronghold to meet with their own family. Peggy looked over to see several clan members spilling out of the stronghold. Eventually they all made their way back into the fort and Bowen greeted them all heartily, welcoming them back to their homes and families.

"Mama! Mama!" Kendall's voice rang out amongst the crowd of people and Peggy turned to see her sisters running towards them.

Deirdre turned as well and happily greeted her other two daughters with as many hugs and kisses as they would allow her. Shonna was welcomed home as well and for a few minutes, the daughters all danced happily around in a scattered circle, falling in a joyous heap together. It was then that their father approached with an anxious look on his face.

"Deirdre," Cillian spoke his wife's name softly and the woman looked up at him, her eyes still bright with tears.

Peggy watched the exchange between her parents with her breath held. She released it in a rush when Deirdre stepped forward into her husband's embrace.

"Don't trouble yourself, Cillian," Deirdre murmured to him, words Peggy was certain she wasn't meant to have heard.

Her attention was drawn back to her sisters where they were all still settled in a pile on the ground together. Flushing, Peggy stood up and bent to help first Imogen and then the others to their feet. Then she turned, her heart stopping for a split second when she spotted a tall form on the edge of the crowd.

Connor.

As though she'd shouted the name out loud at the top of her lungs, the tall man turned slowly until he was facing Peggy and her family. He held Peggy's gaze for a long moment, during which Peggy wasn't sure she breathed at all, and then he dropped his head and led his horse towards the stables with the other men.

"Peggy," her mother's gentle voice spoke near her shoulder and she turned, tears filling her eyes to face Deirdre. "Why don't you go speak to him?"

Peggy gasped and then laughed between sobs as they escaped her. She turned and threw her arms around her mother, hugging her tightly. "Not right now," she murmured for her mother's ears alone. "Not right now."

Her mother nodded, understanding as she always did.

That night there was a feast, even more grand and raucous than the week before. Families were made whole again and even though it didn't make up for the lives that were lost in the conflict that year, it was genuinely a cause for celebration. Bowen stood up before the entire gathered crowd and spoke proudly of the courage of the few men who'd infiltrated the very stronghold of the enemy to restore the hostages to their loved ones.

Connor stayed out of sight for that, holding a cup filled with rich liquor and wishing with all his heart that he could just get drunk and forget all about Peggy. As he downed the remainder of the brandy in his cup, he turned from the cheering crowd and escaped to the cool dark of the nearly empty yard. The few people occupying the space were either watching the front gates or strolling from one building to another.

He walked away, heading for nowhere in particular and planning his departure the next day. He'd decided almost immediately upon his return that he just couldn't stay any longer.

It had pleased him to no end to see Peggy's family reunited. He'd watched, his heart swelling within his chest as they'd embraced and cried and expressed their joy so fully. Then he'd had to look away, wishing he was able to sweep Peggy into his own arms for a reunion he desired.

Sighing heavily, he wandered over to the main gates and stopped, spotting something on the ground nearby. As he bent over, he saw that it was a woman's wrap and he stood fingering it for a moment, wondering who it belonged to.

"That's mine," Peggy said from behind him, startling him into dropping it again.

Spinning around, Connor faced her and tried not to show how he struggled with her closeness. She was smirking at him and holding her arms tightly about herself. Connor could see the bumps rising on her arms from the chill of the night air. Stooping, he picked up the shawl and held it out towards her.

"Will you put it around me?" She asked, not moving any closer.

Connor swallowed as he looked at her, taking in her sparkling dark eyes and the genuine smile on her face. He stepped forward once, twice and stopped before her, reaching up to lay the shawl delicately across her shoulders, careful to not actually touch her skin.

She raised her eyebrows at him and, still smiling, she took hold of the edges of the shawl to draw it snugly against her shoulders. "You are a strange man, Connor," she told him, turning on her heel and striding casually away from him.

Connor watched her go for a moment before frowning and following, his curiosity getting the better of him. Strange man? He thought to himself. Where is that coming from?

"Why do you say that, lass?" He asked, as he reached her side easily in a few strides.

"You offer your life and skills to defend a people that are not your own," she replied slowly, not looking at him. "And then you repeat the offer days later. You speak of honor and duty and what is right and yet you cannot bring yourself to celebrate when it has all paid off."

Connor didn't know what to say to that. He walked silently beside her, matching his steps to hers.

"I suppose I understand," she went on when he said nothing. "I couldn't join the festivities tonight either."

"Why not?" He asked. "You have more cause than most to celebrate."

"Do I?" She replied with a sigh.

The longing in her voice tugged at Connor's heart and he had to fight to keep his hands to himself.

"I find myself unable to celebrate without everyone I love around me," she said softly as a shadow descended over them.

Glancing around, Connor realized they'd walked toward the stables and were now in the slender doorway of one of the smaller barns. He didn't think anything of it until he looked over at Peggy and saw the smile on her pretty face. She didn't say a word, merely kept on walking until she was inside the barn, completely encased in the shadows within. Connor followed, unable to stop himself.

"You have your family back," Connor said thickly as he walked beside Peggy, his eyes adjusting slowly to the dim light. It was a full moon outside and the silver light split the darkness at intervals, sliding between the boards of the roof and walls. "Is there someone else you've lost?"

"I hope not," she replied softly, finally stopping. "He's alive and well."

Connor's heart seized inside his ribcage and he had to force himself to breathe slowly and carefully. Of course there's someone in her life, he thought bitterly. All this time and I can't believe it never occurred to me that she was in love with someone else.

"Don't you want to know?" Peggy was saying, interrupting his painful thoughts.

"Know what?" He asked shortly.

"Who is missing from tonight's celebration?"

His mind quickly sorted through the eligible men he'd come across in the past several months but couldn't place anyone with her. He'd only ever seen her speaking with her father or the other women of the clan.

"If you wish to tell me, lass," he said finally.

She tilted her head back to look up at him and after struggling with himself to not look, Connor relented and looked down. She was smiling and it was breathtaking.

"I wish to tell you, Connor," she whispered. "You left too quickly for me to tell you before now."

He blinked, his mind not comprehending. "I left?"

"Yes, you said all those things to me before riding off to rescue the hostages and didn't even give me a chance to tell you what I thought."

"About what?" He was thoroughly confused now.

She laughed, a beautiful, melodious sound and Connor fought to keep from embracing her then.

"About the placement of my gratitude," she told him. "And affection."

Oh.

The realization swept over Connor and he flushed, feeling his face and neck grow warm in the darkness.

"I can't apologize enough for my behavior, Peggy," he told her.

"So don't," she replied.

"What?"

"Don't apologize. I don't want you to. I don't accept."

Connor frowned and shook his head. Now she was making no sense at all. "Peggy, tell me plainly, what do you want with me? Why are we speaking here now?"

"Because I wanted to tell you my side of things, Connor," she said softly. "I am grateful for what you've done, returning my mother and sister to me. I truly am. But that wasn't why I kissed you that night."

The memory of it rushed through Connor and he shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

"I haven't been the easiest person to know," she continued, still looking up at him. "I know that. And it was partially because I was worried about my family. Mostly though, I was...uncomfortable with how you made me feel."

"Me? What did I do?" He wanted to know.

She only shook her head, sending her wide curls sliding over her shoulders. Connor watched the movement and swallowed hard, ordering his blood to slow. Here in this dark barn, alone with Peggy, he found it an extremely difficult task.

"You...you just showed up one day and you were so handsome and gallant and I couldn't help liking you," she said, the words coming out in a rush. She spun away, leaving Connor staring at the back of her dark head with his mouth hanging open in surprise. "Everyone liked you and I liked to watch you...fight and ride. It's foolish and I knew it and that's why I was angry and...mean to you. I'm so sorry, Connor," she added as she turned back to face him.

"Sorry for what?" He asked around a breathless laugh. His mind was reeling. Seamus was right! He thought silently.

"Sorry for making you dislike me," she answered, lowering her head and taking a step back. "I can tell now that I've messed it up for good, haven't I?"

Connor didn't say anything. He looked over her form, taking in her lowered head, her words and the rapid rise and fall of her chest with each breath. Then he threw caution to the wind and stepped forward, sweeping her up into his arms.

"Connor!" She gasped his name, making his blood pound hard.

He buried his face in the crook of her neck, breathing her in and then he kissed her, lightly pressing his lips to the skin just under her ear.

"What happened to not wanting to take advantage of me?" She asked breathlessly and Connor pulled his head back to look into her face.

"I suppose we're just taking advantage of each other now," he replied quietly and with a broad smile.

"I like the sound of that," she whispered and leaned her head forward until she was kissing his lips.

It was just as tentative a kiss as it had been the first time and Connor had the same reaction. His arms tightened around her waist and he kissed her back. He ran his tongue along the seam of her lips, groaning when she sighed and opened her mouth to grant him entrance. He plunged inside, tasting her, his mind spinning at the sensations she awoke in him. She slid her tongue along his, lightly at first and then more firmly when Connor met her tentative exploration with his own.

He wrenched his mouth aside when he thought his lungs would burst and their eyes met, both of them breathing hard. She laughed lightly at him and lowered her head until her forehead was resting against his.

"I think I enjoy this," she murmured, her voice husky.

Connor felt his body respond to her words and the tone of her voice and he looked around them, searching.

"What are you looking for?" She asked, seeing his roving gaze.

In response, he turned his face back to hers while cupping her head with one hand. Slowly he slanted his mouth over hers, easing his tongue between her open lips and teasing the corners of her mouth as she clung to him weakly. As he kissed her, he moved his feet, taking careful steps until they were inside one empty stall. A window split the wall halfway up and the moon shone brightly through, illuminating them both in an otherworldly blue glow.

"Connor, I love you," she whispered against his lips as he moved until she was pressed against the stall wall.

He pulled back to see her face and look into her eyes. She smiled at him, straining forward until she could press a light kiss to his lips. He kept it short, however much his blood sang in his veins, wanting her to know how he too felt.

"I love you, Peggy," he replied softly. "I have loved you from the moment I first saw you. I never stopped. I will never stop."

"Are you saying you want to marry me?" Peggy asked with one eyebrow arched.

He laughed and shook his head. "I think it's you taking advantage of me now in my weakened state, lass."

She only smiled and rested her head back against the wall. He felt her legs move then, sliding up his thighs and hooking awkwardly around him. He met her eyes again and watched as she bit her lower lip, lowering her lashes shyly.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Connor shushed her with another kiss. And then another and another until they were both breathless and ready to topple over to the dirt floor. Carefully, Connor lowered them both until he was kneeling and holding Peggy before him. She watched his face and one small hand came up to cup his cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned into it, turning his head after a moment to press a kiss to the soft palm of her hand.

She inhaled sharply at that and his eyes opened to see hers, so close and so luminous. Bringing both his hands up, he cupped her face and drew her close, kissing her softly. Her arms went around his neck and she sank onto his lap, her skirt billowing around them. It was Peggy who opened her mouth and licked his lips this time and he groaned, dropping one hand to her back and pulling her more tightly against his body.

Several long, heated minutes later, Connor drew back, breathing heavily and staring at her with hooded eyes.

"Can you feel what you do to me, Peggy?" He asked, his voice deep with desire.

She wriggled against him and he stilled her with both hands on her hips.

"I wouldn't do that, lass," he told her, in a mock warning tone. "Make a mess of both of us."

Raising her eyebrows, she moved against him again and he bit back a curse. She felt so warm on his lap, so soft in his arms and so willing against his lips. He surrendered to her, kissing her again and again, licking her lips and sinking in her warm mouth again. Her hands were moving on his shoulders, massaging and tickling the skin at the back of his neck. Then he felt her warm finger slide under the collar of his shirt, pushing into the front of his shirt and over his broad chest.

Reaching up, he caught her wrists in his hands and pulled away, breaking the kiss in spite of her groaning protest.

"Peggy, lass," he spoke softly. "We shouldn't."

She raised her eyebrow at him and smirked, a look he was rapidly coming to know and love. "I think you dragged me down here and set me on your lap because we should."

"Peggy-"

She cut him off with a kiss, leaning forward and taking hold of his lips with hers. He broke the kiss even as his body rose to meet hers, longing for the contact of flesh on flesh.

"I love you Connor," she told him breathlessly. "Not because you saved my mother and sister or because you are the handsomest man here, and you are."

He grinned at her and she smiled impishly back at him.

"I love you and that's that."

"You've a way with words, Peggy," he told her, releasing her wrists and allowing her to hug him close again. His own hands he settled low on her waist, holding her body against his.

"And you've a way with your mouth," she whispered in reply, planting a light kiss on his lips.

Sighing, Connor gave in; to her kiss, to her straining body and to her love. He loved her too, after all.

Sensing his surrender, Peggy pressed her chest against his and he could feel her breasts through the fabric of both their clothing. Pulling back, he looked down and drew a hand up to cup one side of her chest. She trembled under his touch and he grinned wickedly at her. She flushed, the color a strange silver-rose in the moonlight and Connor watched it spread down her neck and across the creamy expanse of her chest.

Leaning down, he kissed her just where the bodice of her dress sliced across her skin. She breathed deeply, tipping her head back and enjoying his attentions. He kissed her again, letting his tongue dart out and taste her. Slowly he drew a hand up until he was rubbing the tip of her breast, drawing her nipple into a taut peak beneath the fabric. She gasped and her fingers tightened on his shoulders.

Chuckling, Connor pulled at the dress until it slipped from her shoulders, dropping over her arms and releasing her breasts to his loving gaze. He held her upright as he bent his head, sucking an erect nipple into his mouth. He licked the tip, loving the way she shuddered under his touch. Not wanting to neglect any part of her, he switched to the other breast, caressing it with a feather-light touch before kissing the nipple.

"Connor," she breathed his name, her voice sounding very far away. She moved on him, settling her legs on either side of his and bringing that part of her that was so heated right up against the part of him that was hard for her.

"Peggy," he groaned, his hands dropping to her hips. He dug his fingers into her flesh as her lips meet his ear lobe.

She sucked it into her mouth and nibbled on it and Connor felt his passion really take control. Gathering her skirt in his hands, he bunched it up, lowering his head to her chest again. She sighed and held him tightly as he slid his hands against her now bare legs. Gently he slipped a hand between her legs and cupped her, eliciting a surprised squeak from her.

Lifting his head, he kissed her already swollen lips, lapping at her with his tongue. She moaned, kissing him back and stroking his tongue with hers, a skill she was learning frighteningly quickly. And all the while, Connor stroked her moist lips below, teasing her, playing with her until she was arching away from him, gasping for air.

Sensing her need was reaching the same level as his, he fumbled with the ties at his waist until he could release himself, hot and hard against her. She felt the weight of his straining cock against her thigh and looked down at him. Her eyes were dark with lust and her lips were just slightly parted and wet from being kissed. Looking into her eyes, Connor took himself in his hand and stroked the head up and down her soft, inviting core. She trembled, her legs tightening against his side but she wasn't resisting.

"I love you, Peggy," he murmured against her lips and thrust into her, swallowing her cry of shock and kissing her deeply.

Slowly, he eased himself inside of her, the most careful restraint he'd ever exerted over himself. She was breathing hard, kissing him hard and her fingers were tight against the muscles of his shoulders. Connor held himself still for a moment, letting himself really feel her, really feel how soft and wet she was around him.

Then she moved, only the slightest shift but it brought her pelvis right up against his and they both groaned. Their eyes met again and Connor smiled, murmuring broken words of love as he began to slide into her again. Then again. She gasped for air with each thrust and he kissed her, sucking her lower lip into his mouth.

He moved faster when he felt her relax in his arms, really falling into the sensations. She was writhing over him, arching and pushing back to meet him each time he pushed into her. She was luscious and open and so soft all around him. Her lips, her arms and her legs all drew him in, bringing him so close to the edge.

Feeling it gathering, he reached down, thrusting a hand between them as he kissed her exposed throat. He rubbed at the tiny nub over their joint bodies and she moaned, her body jerking against him. He stroked again, and again, faster and harder in time with his thrusts until she was crying out and bending like a bow over him. Holding on to her with one firm arm around her back, his mouth at her throat, Connor pushed into her, slamming their bodies together roughly until he felt himself explode within her.

Gradually, his movements slowed and he lifted his head from her neck to press a gentle kiss on the corner of her mouth. He smoothed a hand over her mahogany curls and kissed her again, delighted when she smiled under his mouth and hugged him to her. Smiling himself, Connor buried his face in her hair and breathed her in, the new musky, womanly scent of her.

"I love you," he murmured into her hair.

"And I you," she replied simply, stroking his back and resting her head on his shoulder.

"Shall I go ask your father for permission to wed you proper?" He asked after a long quiet moment and shivered when he felt her gentle laughter reverberate through him.

"Aye, but not yet," she replied. "I just want to stay like this for a little while longer."

So they did. Connor held Peggy reverently against him for as long as she desired it. It was much later when they told her family that they wanted to be married as soon as possible. And in the weeks leading up to their nuptials, Connor and Peggy found every opportunity to be alone together, whispering words of love and sharing mind and body in love.

O Peggy Gordon, you are my darling
Come sit you down upon my knee...​