Highland Deception (Highland Pride) (15 page)

He wanted to continue, wanted to forget about the world and get lost in her, but he pulled back. This was not the place; his Maggie deserved better than this. Swaying into him, she giggled. Dipping his head, he lightly kissed her forehead then coiled his arm around her and slowly started back toward the keep.

As she leaned into him for support, another hiccup escaped. If she would open up to him, she just might be the one lass in all of Scotland that he could fall for. He didn’t like the thought of plying her with drink for answers, but since she had done this to herself, he wouldn’t let the opportunity slip through his fingers.

It was better to leave any angry feelings outside—he didn’t want to invite them back to the bedchamber—so he guided her to a bench and pulled her down beside him.

A cool breeze blew the rebellious ringlets of her dark hair back into her face. He took it between his fingers and brought it up to his nose to sniff. She smelled of smoke and whisky mingled with the fresh night air.

“Maggie, why will ye no tell me where yer home is, and what it is ye are running from?” His other men would be back soon, and he didn’t want to hear the truth from someone else.

“I cannae.” She sighed. But she didn’t immediately jump up and run; she shook her head and maintained eye contact. A glimmer of tears misted her eyes and swirled around her fear-laced pupils, but he couldn’t be sure, as the moon went back behind a cloud. “I cannae go back.”

“Trust me. Ye belong here with the Camerons.”

“That is what ye say now, but ye are a man of power and position. I ken what is truly important in yer world. Yer clan, yer people, and I amnae one of them. Ye would have no choice.” She looked away. “Please, let’s enjoy the time we have together while we can.”

His talk had not gone as planned, and a new worry niggled at the back of his mind and took root. Had Dougal been wrong? Her words didn’t indicate she was the mere orphaned niece of a priest, but that she had ties to a family of some consequence in the Highlands.

She took his face in her hands and pleaded, “Take me to bed, Lachlan. I want to ken ye are real. I want to feel ye inside me again. I dinnae want to dwell on what we cannae control.”

He wanted that, too, had wanted it from the motherent he had woken with her in his arms. She did things to him no woman ever had. He stood and looped his arm around her waist to lift her to his chest. His feet returned them to the hall and toward his chamber as his head told him,
’Tis too late to give her back what ye have taken.

She truly believed him capable of tossing her aside for political gain, but she was wrong, so wrong. He would not be sending her anywhere.

Chapter Twelve

Several nights had passed, and with each one, Maggie and Lachlan had slept wrapped in each other’s arms. But he had started spending more time behind closed doors with his men on some secret clan business he didn’t speak of, and he came to bed later each night. Although he continued to lavish her with attention during the night, he seemed more distracted with each day, which fed a creeping apprehension that warned her all was not well.

Even this morning as she’d been on her way to meet Lorna at the stables, she’d been walking through the great hall and had overheard Conall’s name and then Glenn’s. Her complacency had shattered and her insides had trembled as the false sense of security she’d erected came tumbling down. Lachlan was a strong leader, but if Conall came for her, there would be nothing he could do to save her.

She climbed onto the steed she’d chosen from the stable and moved her horse over to Lorna’s, the thrill she felt at having a companion again bubbling inside her chest. She loved having friends and Lachlan’s affections, but as her time at Kentillie passed, her conviction that Conall might find her had become stronger.

Throat tightening, she looked to her new friend. What had she done? The clan could all be in danger because of her. First thing tomorrow morning, she would find a map and be on her way before it was too late.

“Lorna, this is a wonderful idea. I havenae ridden with a friend in ages.” She forced a smile, determined to enjoy her last day here as she attempted to let thoughts of the danger and what she’d be leaving slip away.

Wallace, the stable master, had tried to steer her toward Freedom, but she had wanted to feel the wind rush across her face, and she needed a horse bred for speed. Mayhap some distance from her growing fondness for Lachlan would force her to make the right decision.

As they rode through the gatehouse and the purpled heather and majestic mountains came into view, Maggie couldn’t contain her smile. The scenery and the company seemed surreal and magical, like a dream to have friends again, to wake and have hope for the future, and to be free to ride as she pleased. But her pleasure had been ripped away with just the mention of the snake’s name.

Lorna had become important to her in such a short time, and while the days here had gone by fast, the seeds of friendship had taken root. Lachlan had been busy during the days, and if Lorna and Elspeth hadn’t been there, she would have gone insane with boredom. She had formed an unbreakable connection with these ladies and dreaded the thought of going to the convent, where she would spend her days poring over books and living a life of silent solitude.

“Oh, I have lots to show ye. Since Donella is with child, her husband willnae let her go and I have missed riding.” Lorna’s infectious smile cut into her thoughts.

Maggie hadn’t ridden since the day Lachlan had taken her to the loch.

She gladly let Lorna lead the way. It was sunny, a welcome break from the seemingly endless drizzle and being stuck inside with sick and unhappy people. The days had not been so bad—she’d helped deliver a child, her first. Maggie had met many people, and Coira, the midwife, had knowledge of herbs and remedies she had not known. Coira had listened with real interest to Maggie, valuing her advice and skills, which felt good. No one had ever appreciated that part of her life. Her training had almost been a secret she was never allowed to use back home. Putting it into practical experience was rewarding.

The fresh air and sun lightened her spirits, and despite the lingering concerns over being discovered, she had not been this carefree since she had been a child. Mayhap if she told him the truth, Lachlan would let her remain at Kentillie. Och, she wanted to stay—she would be useful and would not have to spend the rest of her life locked away in a stuffy convent. But with the way his men spoke in hushed tones about Glenn and Conall, she feared Lachlan would never endanger his family for her. Her father concerned himself only with the greater good for his clan, and Lachlan would be compelled to do the same.

As they trotted through an empty field, she imagined this could be her new home, her new people. They were all accepting of her despite not knowing where she came from. Maggie could forget the person she had been and be whom she wanted without the daily fear of her father’s condemnation or of being sold to that monster. Her thoughts continued to meander back and forth as she struggled with what she should do.

Confiding in a friend for the first time in years, she asked, “Do ye think Lachlan would protect me from danger if it meant putting the clan at risk?”

Lorna drew her horse to a stop, and she was forced to come to a halt alongside her friend. “Aye, can ye no’ see how he feels about ye? And ’twould be the whole clan defending ye if need be.”

“I have been told he will be done with me before the month is out,” she said, hoping to squash the silly ray of hope that had blossomed somewhere deep in her belly. She didn’t want to acknowledge the emotion.

“Who would tell ye something like that?”

“Arabella.” Just saying the woman’s name grated on her nerves.

“Och, she is jealous. Our laird is smitten with ye.” Lorna waved her hand in the air dismissively.

The confidence of her friend was reassuring, but doubts remained. Despite all the blissful nights she had shared his bed, Lachlan hadn’t promised her a future, and he still didn’t know she might bring war to his clan if she stayed. But mayhap, if Lachlan wanted her, she could convince her father the match was good and he would break the contract with Conall. Even so, how could she attach herself to a man who didn’t love her? She was left with a poor choice—leave or tell Lachlan the truth and hope he would let her stay on Cameron lands with her tortured heart.

“My mother killed herself because she gave her heart to a man who didnae return her love. I couldnae abide that situation.” It was odd how easily the words flew out and how they relieved the burden that had pressed on her chest since her mother’s passing. If she’d known how it would free her, she would have spoken of it earlier, but then she hadn’t had people she could confide in until now.

“Ye arenae her.”

“Nae, I would never leave my children.”

They continued to ride and talk until, around noon, Lorna suggested they get back for a meal. Not quite ready to return, Maggie allowed her horse a burst of speed as they entered the meadow closest to the keep. Riding hard and fast, she relished the thrill of the ride, jumping a few obstacles and flying like she was part wind. It was exhilarating as the pace pushed the fears from her head.

Lost in the motherent and the beautiful land with its deep greens and mountains in the distance, she reveled in having a true friend, a man she cared for, and the possibility of freedom. Lorna had remained at the edge of the field and she pulled up next to her, out of breath and energized.

“Where did ye learn to ride like that, Maggie?” Her mouth was ajar.

“I have three brothers. My mother never cared what I was doing, so I ran wild with them.” The words came in gasps as she fought to control her breathing. Her eyes still watered from the sting of the wind.

“Ye arenae afraid? I dinnae think I could ever ride like that.” Lorna sounded both astonished and admonishing at the same time.

“Nae, it makes me feel free.” She laughed.

The beat of horse’s hooves coming toward them diverted their attention.
Lachlan.
Maggie was reminded of the first time she had seen him on his horse by her home and how he had looked like a god. He still did.

Knowing him now only drew her closer to him. So far he showed no signs of tiring of her, but she was out of time and had decisions to make—tell him the truth, or gather her few things and leave before first morning’s light.

Lachlan had saved her, and she would always be grateful, but ’twas time she left to ensure the clan’s safety. She could no longer put the Camerons in danger, and she couldn’t risk him acting as a noble laird and sending her home.

Today would have been her wedding day.

…

Lachlan pulled up beside them and with a deceptive calm he didn’t feel said, “Lorna, go on back. I need to speak with Maggie.”

Once they were alone, his tranquil facade imploded, although he tried to keep his tone even when he said, “What the devil were ye doing, woman? Ye could have broken yer neck.”

Or been captured or killed by my enemies.
He’d been looking for her and Lorna for what felt like hours. Ice had been churning through his veins from the motherent he’d been alerted that they had left the fortified walls of the keep.

She just stared at him, which only fanned the flames of his worry. “Can I trust ye to do anything without putting yerself in danger?” He tried to hide the critical tone in his voice, but he knew it came across as more than annoyed.

“’Twas just a couple of jumps.” She sat up straight and returned his icy glare.

Although he wanted to scream at her lack of caution, he had sworn as he galloped out to meet her he wouldn’t scold her too hard, because he’d not told her of the true danger that could be lurking in the woods. The idea of bending her over his knee and swatting her came to mind, but if he touched that sweet ass, it wouldn’t be long before he was undressing her, and here did not seem like the proper place.

“Ye dinnae ken that horse. What if he has a bad temperament?” Lachlan tried to coax her out of her stubborn response. But, damn, what was he supposed to do? She drove him mad with all the reckless things she was doing and it was imperative he find a way to talk her out of her foolish behavior without causing her to turn stubborn and rebel.

It had been over a week since Conall’s man disappeared, and there had been no sighting of him or the bastard on his land, but chills ran down his back when he thought of Maggie out there without protection. Christ, he still didn’t even know how many men Conall would bring with him.

“He seems fine to me.” She patted the horse and rubbed behind his ears.

He couldn’t help but notice her reddened cheeks and still labored breathing, and images of her, naked and panting beneath him, floated through his mind. He was going mad for sure.

“Last time ye rode like that ye nearly fell off.” He chastised himself for not heeding his own advice to watch his temper, but he couldn’t help the retort.

Her back stiffened. “My head is better now. I will be fine. I am accustomed to horses,” she protested.

“Mayhap I would trust ye if ye told me where ye came from. Why ye are so accomplished with both bow and horse.” The old betrayal and distrust returned, and suddenly he was wondering if Maggie had been riding out to find Conall, and if she was the spy he’d first thought her to be.

Lachlan again pushed the subject to the back of his mind because he still had that niggling feeling he wasn’t going to like the answer. Maybe tonight he would ply her with whisky until she couldn’t hold her tongue. He was so frustrated at this point he was truly considering it. “Let’s go back to the keep.”

At the stables, Lachlan climbed down, then helped Maggie from the horse she’d chosen to ride. He was glad to have her off the beast, even more so that it was Brodie’s prized steed, and it had only been in the stables because his cousin was off somewhere with a lass. It was almost as large as his warhorse, and she had no business being on it. Now that she was off the massive creature, he had to acknowledge that she had probably picked the best stallion in the stables. Like its master, it was steady and reliable.

Lachlan had apologized to his cousin, but he still felt bad for attacking him. Despite the lecherous way Brodie chose to live these days, he was one of the best men Lachlan knew, and he could depend on his cousin with his life.

“Go on back to the keep, I will get them settled.” He had something he wanted to take care of but didn’t want her to know.

Once she left, he tracked down Wallace. The beefy man was as big as a mountain but as gentle as the rolling hills, and because he had several daughters Maggie’s age, Lachlan was confident the man would understand.

“Dinnae let Maggie take out a horse unless ye have talked to me first.”

The man gave him a blank stare, then his brows shot up, and he dipped his head.

“She is wild and careless, and I cannae have her putting herself in harm’s way.”

“She willnae like it.” Wallace pursed his lips and shook his head disapprovingly.

“I ken that, but ’tis for her own safety. Ye are aware the Covenanters are a threat right now as well.” Wallace had been instrumental in developing a plan should they all come under attack.

“Aye, I am, but ye should let her ken the truth.” He laughed. “Ye’ve never dealt with a determined lass, have ye?”

Lachlan had no response. He’d never been overly concerned with Aileen’s nor any other lass’s comings and goings. But this wench, Maggie, was different.

“I will keep her off the horses unless ye say, but ye will be the one she blames. ’Twill no’ be pretty when she finds out.” The stable master took the steed Maggie had been on and directed him into the stables.

Lachlan would rather deal with Maggie’s wrath than another injury or worse. Mayhap her head was no longer giving her trouble, but he couldn’t help the image that had played through his head as he watched her ride wild in the field or the strange need he felt to keep her safe.

Conall’s men, likely Conall himself, would be here soon, and the last thing he wanted was for them to find Maggie. Some of the other local lairds would soon arrive to review the letter, and he didn’t want her out on display for them, either.