Highlander's Guardian (12 page)

“What’s your plan of attack now?” Arthur asked him.

“We need to find Rory and ensure we’re seen.” Across the hall, a dark blond-haired warrior in full Viking costume with his claymore holstered across his back and his battle-axe belted at his side drew his attention.

“’Tis a good plan. Let’s hope it works.” Arthur rubbed his neck. “I’m no’ keen to have the king’s noose around my neck.”

“Neither am I, and I do believe that’s Rory.” He weaved around the chattering groups and blew out a long breath as Rory turned, his mask swinging from one hand and his face clear to see. Colin grasped Rory’s shoulder. “About time I found you.”

Rory’s gaze swept over him. “Ha. You are the last man I’d expected to see dressed as a monk. You love to war, no’ make peace.”

“Colin, you are a surprising sight.” Elizabeth smiled, the feathery fairy wings at the back of her white gown fluttering in the breeze from the open balcony doors. “Have you seen Annie now all have unmasked? There are so many here, and the costumes so wonderful, but I dinnae even know what my own niece wears.”

“She’s outfitted as Cleopatra, but she grew tired and retired to her chamber.”

“Then I shall go and check on her.” Elizabeth leaned in, her voice low as she continued, “I’ve no’ heard any rumors circulating about her and James. Have you?”

“James is still at the tavern. He took ill.”

She gasped. “Oh, how terrible, but what a stroke of good luck for us.”

Rory crossed his wide arms. “Aye, and glad I am too to see James has no’ been able to cause a stir.”

“I had Annie back afore dawn.” Colin tipped his head toward Arthur. “Go with Elizabeth and ensure Annie is well. Tell her I’ll be there soon to talk to her.”

“Will do.” Arthur offered Elizabeth his arm and led her away.

Colin rubbed his chest. His heart still wasn’t beating right, not since the moment he’d discovered Annie had been the maid delivering the spiked ale. They would have words, and Annie was about to learn he’d never allow her to attempt such a thing again.

“You look worried, Colin.” Rory’s brow drew down. “My captain passed on your message that the MacDonalds are scheming, although that isnae unusual. We’ve always maintained vigilance around them.”

“Aye, but there’s far more we need to speak of than just the MacDonalds.” Now he had the chance to inform Rory of his handfast vows with Annie, he’d needed to do so. Aye, it would be best if the news came from him, and afore too much time had passed. Motioning toward the doors, he said, “If you dinnae mind, we need privacy.”

“Of course.” Rory strode from the hall.

Colin followed him down the shadowy passageway and into a private antechamber. He sat in the lavishly upholstered burgundy chair next to the window.

Rory took the seat opposite him and planted his elbows on his knees, his hands pressed together and his battle-axe glowing blood-red at his side from the fire’s flickering flames.

Patting his ever-present side sword, Colin hoped like hell he wouldn’t need to raise it. “Annie has found herself a husband, a man I heartily approve of.”

“Then it cannae be a MacDonald.” Rory tapped one foot. “You look uneasy. If you heartily approve then who is it? And why has she no’ said a word to me?”

“Because I’m the man she wishes to wed.”

Rory’s fingers twitched and his nostrils flared. “That’s impossible. You’re her cousin, her guardian. She cannae wed you.”

“Third cousin, and there is no law against such a union.”

“Nay, her father entrusted you with her safety and welfare, as he did me. Guardians dinnae marry their wards, you included.” Rory stood, his chest pumped out.

Colin rose and stood eye-to-eye with the warrior he’d always called a friend. “We’ve already spoken vows. She’s my handfast wife, and I willnae give her up.”

“Damn it, Colin. You’ve abused my trust. You and Annie grew up together and you’re as close as siblings.”

“The feelings I have for her are far removed from that of a brother toward his sister.”

“Then they are feelings you need to ignore, and if you’ve taken advantage of her and consummated the handfast, I’ll kill you, right here and right now.”

“Rory,” Elizabeth cried his name from the doorway, her hand fluttering wildly over her chest. “How could you say such a thing?”

Arthur urged her inside and shut the paneled door behind them. “I have news.”

“Then it’ll have to wait.” Rory slammed Colin into the plastered wall behind him. The wall rattled and shook at the brutal impact. Squeezing his throat, Rory rasped in his ear, “Did. You. Bed. Her?”

Colin thrust his knee into Rory’s groin and took him down to the floor. “That’s none of your damn business.”

“Oh goodness.” Elizabeth plopped into the chair. “Rory, Annie loves Colin. They make a perfect match.”

“Arthur, get Annie in here now.” Rory rolled Colin off him and came up on top. “I want to hear all of this from her own mouth.”

“She’s wasnae in her chamber. Her cape was gone and there was no sign of her.”

“Hell.” Colin bucked Rory off and jumped to his feet. “Arthur, rouse Rory’s men to aid you and check the great hall, the private rooms, anywhere and everywhere. She has to be here somewhere.”

“Aye, Captain.” Arthur raced out the door.

Colin was right behind him.

Rory caught him up as he sprinted toward the stables. “She cannae have gone far. My warriors would know.” Rory grabbed one of the stable hands as they flew inside. “Have you seen Mistress MacLeod?”

“Aye, my laird. She rode out the gate a few minutes ago with Hugh MacDonald and his warriors. She went willingly enough. They ride for Skye.”

“She would never have gone willingly.” Colin whistled to Arthur as his man ran across the bailey with a half dozen of Rory’s warriors. “Hugh MacDonald has her. We’re riding out now,” he bellowed to Arthur.

Colin mounted his steed and galloped out the gates. Every moment counted. There could be no delay.

Rory pounded in beside him, his gaze fierce as they raced through the city streets and along the route toward Skye. “At any time Annie could’ve called out and the palace guards would have prevented MacDonald from leaving with her. This makes no sense.”

“MacDonald has to be holding something against her. She’d never leave otherwise.”

“And what could that possibly be?” Rory demanded.

Annie was an innocent, although one embroiled in his endeavor to free his chief. Aye, and the timing of her kidnapping was too coincidental for it not to have something to do with him. “My chief is locked away and needs to be freed, something which would have happened this eve.”

“What are you saying?”

“I discovered, and far too late, that Lachlan intends to capitulate to the king’s demands for the return of his land on Islay.”

“And Annie knew about your plans?”

“There is little she does no’ find a way to learn.”

“Then this is your fault. You led her straight to danger’s door. You gave MacDonald some form of control over her. Naught else makes sense.” Rory’s hair whipped about his shoulders.

Colin could say nothing to defend himself. He’d allowed this to happen, and if Annie was harmed in any way for his terrible mistake, he’d never forgive himself.

Their party of warriors left the city behind and rode hard across the moors.

“Fresh tracks,” Arthur shouted.

Aye, several hoof prints were embedded deep into the soil, easy to spot now the dawn’s rising sun had lightened the skies. Ahead, the forest lay with a silver tinge along the treetops, and somewhere within, Annie rode, captured by his enemy.

“I’m coming,” he whispered to her, his heart a pounding mess. “I’m coming.”

* * * *

The rising sun sent the night’s frosty air to ground, although the welcoming warmth did little to ease the deep chill in Annie’s bones. At her back, Hugh MacDonald was a solid presence as he galloped down the forest trail scattered with autumn leaves, his men pounding behind them. She wriggled and tried to stretch as her muscles protested the hours of confinement. She’d repeatedly requested a stop, but he’d not once accommodated her. Now she ached, everywhere, her heart included.

“Fergus,” Hugh called to his man. “Ride ahead to the burn and check all is well. If it is, we’ll stop and water our horses there.”

“Aye, Captain.” Fergus rode past then disappeared around a bend in the trail.

“You’re rather quiet,” Hugh rumbled in her ear.

She wriggled forward, instilling whatever space she could between them. “I’ve naught to say to a man who thinks ’tis acceptable to abduct an innocent lady.”

“An innocent lady who’ll soon be my wife. Watch your tongue, Annie. I willnae abide being spoken to like a common thief. A quiet and accepting demeanor in a wife would be appreciated.”

“Then you abducted the wrong lass. My tongue is rather forthright.” She wanted to hit him.

Fergus rode back and Hugh slowed his mount after the warrior motioned all was well.

“It appears you’ll be granted a short respite.” Hugh pulled his horse to a stop next to Fergus’s near a gurgling stream. He jumped down, looped his destrier’s reins over a low branch and held out his hands to her. “Allow me to aid you.”

“Your kind of aid, I dinnae require.” She dismounted on the other side, and even though her legs shook, she rubbed her lower limbs and brought the sensation back.

“Are you all right?” Arms crossed, Hugh loomed over her.

“Some water to quench my thirst and a walk to loosen my legs would be appreciated.” Her freedom even more so, not that MacDonald would be granting her that. Watchful of her step, she negotiated the rocky bank then on her knees at the edge, scooped the chilly water and drank. The cold liquid hit her empty belly and she shuddered.

“It would pay for you to drink slowly.”

“Leave me alone. You dinnae need to hover.”

“There are dangers in the forest.”

“And I’m well aware of them.” Colin had drummed all the possible pitfalls into her since she’d been old enough to walk. She knew how to take care of herself.

“Lass, you must keep an open mind about our forthcoming marriage.” The idiot perched on the moss covered rock next to her, kicked his booted feet out and arched a brow. “I dinnae care for your behavior.”

“Too bad.”

“We should speak, and afore we make Dunscaith.” He scrubbed his bearded jaw. “I have a wee daughter. She’s eight and lost her mother a year past. Her name is Beitris and she needs a firm hand. I’m afraid I’ve allowed her to get away with too much of late.” He stared back down the trail. “I’m a hard man, lass, but I dinnae wish to be hard on you. For this alliance to work, I need you to accept what will be.”

“I’m already wed.”

“No’ for long. You will repudiate your handfast vows afore we reach Dunscaith.”

“I’ll do no such thing, and you cannae intimidate me. I’m a MacLeod in case you missed that.”

“I’m well aware, and one I intend to bed very soon.”

“No’ with my permission.” She pushed to her feet. “Excuse me. I presume you willnae wish to stay for long and I must have some privacy to tend to my needs.”

“You have five minutes, and remember, I will be watching.”

“If you are, I’ll clobber you.” She hoped the threat worked, but regardless, she trod through the thick grass until she found a suitably dense bush to crouch behind. She sniffed and squeezed her eyes shut. Nay, she wouldn’t cry. She had to remain strong. “I’m so sorry, Colin,” she whispered as a tear escaped.

Leaves and bracken crackled behind her. She stiffened and held perfectly still.

Surely MacDonald wouldn’t actually follow through on his threat to keep this close of an eye on her.

She cocked an ear as a pretty bird’s trill reached her on the breeze, its precious chirps making her catch her breath. She’d know that call anywhere, had heard it countless times on Mull.

From behind a tree, Colin slithered out and along the grassy trail, his expression holding fierce determination. He eased in beside her, pressed one finger to her lips then rasped, “In the future, when I say to remain in your chamber, you will do so.”

“Are you really here?” She clutched his face. Aye, he was real. “How did you find me?”

“We discovered you were missing mere minutes after you left.”

“We? Is Rory here?”

“He and his men are moving into position to take care of the other MacDonald warriors. Why’d you leave with him?”

“He knew you’d been at the tower, was aware of your attempt to free your chief. He said he’d tell the king of your involvement if I didnae go willingly.”

“I’m sorry, Annie. I never intended for you to get caught in the middle of this war. Never again.” He tipped his head toward the path he’d snuck along. “Arthur awaits farther back. I need you to stay as low as possible and crawl straight to him.”

“You’re going to battle Hugh alone?” She clung to him. “Please, even though he abducted me, I dinnae wish for the feud between the clans to escalate because of me.”

“Are ye finished yet, my lady?” Hugh grated. He was close, too close.