Highlander's Guardian (6 page)

“Annie.” Elizabeth hastened across the great hall and hugged her niece. “Good morn, my dear.”

“And good morn to you too.”

“Sit here, Elizabeth.” He offered her his seat as he stood. “I must be away. Business to attend to in the city. Watch Annie for me. She’s in an impetuous mood today.”

“She’s always in such a mood.” Smiling, Elizabeth slid into his seat. “Travel safely.”

“I will.” He leaned into Annie’s ear and whispered, “Take care as you ride.”

“That goes for you too.”

He tore himself away from her and crossed to the doors. At the edge of the great hall, he stopped for one last look. ’Twas impossible not to soak in the sight of her. Her smile lit up her face as she spoke to her aunt and Arthur, then she stopped and glanced over her shoulder at him. Her gaze softened and she blew him a kiss.

It hit him square in the chest, like a physical blow that blossomed with heat and spread out to envelope him whole. He was a lost cause.

With that difficult thought consuming him, he left for the stables. He was a captain in his chief’s guard, a warrior who went to war when called to do his duty. He couldn’t take Annie to wife and expose her to his kind of life. Should he not survive a battle, he’d only bring more heartache down on her head. Aye, she deserved so much more than that.

After saddling his destrier, he rode out the gate and along the cobbled road that ran between Holyrood House and Edinburgh Castle, his heart a heaving mess.

At least there was one thing he knew for certain.

His chief awaited his freedom, and he’d make damn certain ’twas granted.

Guilt consumed Annie as Colin strode out of the great hall. She’d kept the finer details of her coming excursion with James from both him and Rory and it grated on her. She’d told James she would go riding with him, and she’d keep her word, but she didn’t care for the mistruth she’d spoken in order to do so.

“What has that frown on your face, my dear?” Elizabeth swirled honey over her oats and ate a bite.

Voice low so Arthur couldn’t overhear, she said, “We’re going riding with James MacDonald this morn. I said aye to him last eve when he asked. Colin and Rory know naught about it.”

Elizabeth shivered. “We’ll have to watch James. Those MacDonalds are a devious bunch.”

“This ride is for me to get to know James a little better, only things have changed since he and I spoke.” She sipped her tea. “There’s a man I’m very interested in, and I dinnae mean James.”

“Oh, do tell.”

“I’m rather close to him already.”

“Hmm, I see.” Fluffing her gown’s mahogany skirts, Elizabeth’s eyes lit. “Now, would that perchance be the strapping young warrior who just left?”

“How did you know?”

“I may have seen how close you two were standing together outside last eve afore I called your name.”

“You should have said.”

“I thought I did when I asked him so blatantly to dance with you.” She propped her elbow on the table and leaned closer. “Some men need a gentle push, and it appears Colin more so than any other. Your mothers were the best of friends and he’s always been there to protect you. His dual guardianship of you though may be an issue for Rory. ’Tis no’ fitting for him to be courting you when you’re his ward.”

“Who I wed is my choice. Rory allowed me that decision.” That’s if Colin could be persuaded to offer for her. He’d kissed her last night and this morning, and the passion simmering between them had flared, although he was still holding back. “I dinnae wish to force his hand and I worry I inadvertently will.”

“Colin adores you. If there is force, ’tis of the right nature.” Elizabeth squeezed her hand. “I can see the indecision worries you. You should speak to him, and afore ’tis too late.”

“What do you mean too late?”

“We both know he’s here for more than one reason.”

“His chief?”

“Aye, if Rory were in the cells, there isnae a MacLeod warrior who wouldnae be trying to free him.”

“What do you think I should do?”

“Follow your heart. That is all any of us can do.” She plucked a wedge of cheese from the breadboard and eyeing her, bit into it. “Are you up for the challenge?”

“I am.”

“Good. Now no more worrying when we need to ready ourselves for this ride.” Elizabeth pushed out her chair and stood. “I do long for some fresh air, even though I must endure James’s company while I partake of it.”

Why did her kin hate James so much? Aye, they hadn’t spent time with him as she had. Mayhap that was all. He certainly wasn’t like his dastardly chief and uncle.

In her chamber, she donned her black riding jacket and boots then emerged from her room to find her aunt in the passageway informing Arthur of the finer details of their ride.

Arthur snorted, clearly not impressed as he eyed her. “I take it Colin isnae aware of what’s happening?”

“Nay, but I’ll have a guard, and we’ll no’ be leaving the king’s land.” She stepped up to him. “Think of this as an enjoyable excursion, naught more.”

“I still dinnae care for it.”

“James has always been polite and kind to me.” She patted Arthur’s arm. “Truly, what harm could there be in a short ride in the park when I’ll have you there protecting me?”

“Aye, there is little harm with the guard you’ll have, and I’d lay my life down for yours.” He gripped the hilt of his sword and stroked the gleaming metal.

“I know you would.”

He slowly nodded. “We’ll go, but you’ll follow my every order, and I will be leaving a message here for Colin should he arrive back afore us.”

“I’d expect naught less.” She’d won the immediate battle. She linked arms with her aunt and together they walked down the passageway and outside into the inner courtyard. At the stables, James and two of his men, along with three of Rory’s guard waited with their saddled mounts.

“Annie, good morn.” James, with his plaid belted low on his waist and a brown leather vest covering his starched white tunic, caught her hand and dropped a kiss on her knuckles. Dipping his head, he acknowledged her aunt. “Mistress MacLeod, I thought we’d ride through the park afore we enjoy a midday meal at one of the countryside’s finest taverns, The King’s Tavern.”

“That sounds lovely.” Elizabeth crossed to her palfrey and a MacLeod guardsman boosted her into the saddle. She arranged her heavy mahogany skirts around her then grasped the reins.

James steered Annie toward her horse then with his hands on her hips, lifted her up. “Thank you for agreeing to this outing. I know I made it a little difficult to say nay.”

“Aye, but I’m looking forward to the ride and being outdoors.” How could Colin not see James’s true personality? He was nothing like his warring uncle. Certainly ambition drove him, but not in a menacing way.

“We’re Highlanders,” he said as he mounted his destrier. “We shouldnae be closeted up at court but riding free across our great land.”

“Well, of that, I’m in agreement.” She slapped the reins against her horse’s neck and side-by-side they rode out under the arch with the others following in a steady stream behind. Arthur rode next to her aunt a horse length behind, his gaze a targeted one on James’s back. She shook her head at him, but he paid her no mind.

“Dinnae frown so. Your guard simply watches you as he should.” James leaned closer. “Although, the MacLeods and MacDonalds have agreed to a truce, even as uneasy as it currently is. I’m just glad MacLean isnae here.”

“Colin had other business to attend to, and I also thought it rather prudent no’ to tell him.”

He chuckled. “Aye, your prudence is much appreciated.”

They trotted down the trail, entered the depth of the forest and left the imposing sight of Holyrood House behind. The palace’s park, a vast expanse of land stretching for hundreds of acres held glens, lush rolling moors, rocky crags and hidden lochs. ‘Twas wonderful to be surrounded by such seclusion mere minutes after leaving the castle.

James too grinned, his shoulders wide as a look of pure pleasure crossed his face. His mop of unruly red curls gave him a youthful look, although the two-handed sword strapped in a baldric across his broad back, stated he was a warrior, born and bred. “Tell me more about yourself, Annie. I’m aware you grew up on Mull afore your father joined the MacLeods at Dunvegan.”

“Aye. I was a mischievous bairn, climbing trees and hunting from high in my tree hut.” Well, it had been Colin’s tree hut, but as he’d grown older and left his youth behind, he’d visited it less often, so she’d claimed it for herself.

“I too had a favorite tree I climbed and hunted from. One day I shall have children and ensure they enjoy such things. Do you desire bairns, Annie?”

“Very much.” She yearned to have children, and had since losing her parents. “I will have as many as my husband gives me.”

“Then you’ll make a wonderful wife, and I only hope mine.” A twinkle lit his blue eyes.

“I—” A drop of water splashed her cheek. The skies had darkened overhead, obliterating the clear skies as low cloud rolled in. “The weather changes as fast here as it does in the isles.”

“Aye, it does.” James glanced toward the hills ahead. “Those storm clouds look particularly heavy that way. Mayhap we’ll ride straight to The King’s Tavern. An earlier meal willnae hurt us, and I dinnae wish to see you get wet.”

“An early lunch sounds wonderful.”

He changed their course and veered south-west toward the edge of the park. “You’ll like this tavern. I’ve enjoyed the proprietor’s hospitality many a time and the cook makes a hearty stew.”

“Then let’s race. I feel the need for even more fresh air.”

“Aye, what the lady wishes, the lady will have.” With a shout, he slapped his mount’s flanks with his heels and took off.

Annie raced after him, his exuberance encouraging her own.

* * * *

Dark and ominous clouds gusted in as Colin rode toward his meeting place in the congested heart of Edinburgh. As thunder boomed and lightning slashed, he opened his saddlebags, pulled his heavy black cloak out and slung it over his shoulders before tucking himself lower and picking up his speed.

The heavens opened and rain pounded onto the cobbled road. It streamed downhill, sending the pungent scent of the city from the streets and into the gutters. Along the roadside, two lively children squealed and dashed barefoot into their home while a lanky brown-haired dog chased after them.

At the end of the street, The White Dover Inn with its boarded two-story facade appeared and he pulled up in the courtyard, tossed his reins to a waiting stable hand and dashed indoors.

The inn’s crowded main room held a score of patrons seated at small tables, all enjoying a tankard and a meal. Leaving his hood pulled low, he walked toward Ian who sat hunched in the far darkened corner. His man was bereft of his clan plaid, his identity hidden under a hooded cloak as his was.

He slid in beside his man where he’d have a good view of the room. “Is all well?” he asked, keeping his voice low so as not to be overheard.

“Aye, Murdock waits in the forest. We’ve set up camp in a quiet spot near the park’s faerie stones, up on the ridge.”

“I know the place. You’ve had no problem keeping out of sight?” He didn’t need the king or his men discovering there were more MacLean warriors in Edinburgh other than himself and Arthur when the possibility of surprise might be needed.

“No one’s been able to identify us.”

“Good.”

A barmaid flounced toward them, a tray of tankards in hand and her bountiful breasts almost spilling from her brown kirtle’s low neckline. “What would ye like to quench your thirst, my lovelies?”

“Ale will do, lass.”

Raising an appreciative eyebrow, she set a drink before him. “A big man like ye must have a ferocious appetite. Should ye need aught more, holler out.”

“I’ll no’ be hollering, but thank you all the same.” The cheeky lass. Colin swatted her bottom and sent her on her way. It had been three long years since he’d last flipped a lass’s skirts. Far too long, but he’d yet to meet a lass lately who appealed.

“You never holler, no’ since the day you became Annie MacLeod’s guardian.” Ian took a swig of his ale and eyed the serving girl as she served other patrons at a nearby table. “Is Annie at court as you heard she was?”

“Aye, and seeking a husband.”

“You dinnae wish her for yourself?”

“I have a chief to free.”

Ian scratched his bristly jaw. “How do the talks between Lachlan and the king go?”

“They’ve disintegrated. Lachlan now seeks his freedom from the tower, however we can arrange it.”

“And he’ll have it. What do you need?”

“Lachlan will be waiting for us at midnight on the night of the masquerade.” He took a gulp of ale. “I’ll meet you and Murdock at the rear of the stables on the morrow’s eve. Sneak in amongst the other guests and keep your identities hidden.” Suspicion would naturally fall on him and Arthur once they’d escaped with their chief, but there was naught he could do about that, not when his course was now set.

“Will do. The clan will be pleased when we return with our chief.”

“Which will also be when the battle truly begins. The king will send his men after us, of that I have no doubt.”

“The king needs to leave us be to settle our disputes as we see fit.” Ian’s words rumbled fierce and low.

Like his men, Colin too detested the king’s desire to stamp his mark of ownership on the isles, to control them as he did the rest of Scotland. “Lachlan will be freed, and very soon.” He clapped his man on the back. “We shouldnae linger here for long.”

“Aye, Captain. I’ll see you the night of the ball.” Ian stood and quietly snuck out of the inn, his hood pulled low.

Giving Ian time to ride clear, Colin finished his drink. As he was about to stand, the front door opened and a gust of wind tore in along with two hulking warriors. Both wore the MacDonald plaid, the man at the head none other than Hugh, Donald’s nephew and James’s cousin. The warrior was hard to miss with his oily black hair plastered to his head and red bulbous nose. Only what was Hugh doing so far from Holyrood when he too awaited word of when he could speak to his captured chief?

Intrigued, Colin tugged his hooded cloak lower and slid deeper into the shadows.

Hugh and his man eased into the screened compartment in front of him. The MacDonalds spoke in hushed tones, though with their deep Erse brogue, he could still make out their conversation.

“The MacLeod chit is out riding with James. I saw her and a contingency of Rory MacLeod’s guardsmen leave with my cousin and his men. I dinnae know what James intends, but she’s no’ for him.” Hugh thumped his fist on the tabletop.