“Hell,” she muttered.
Chapter Five
If not for his piss poor mood, Aaron might’ve laughed at her mumbled curse. Instead, he glared at the woman. “You must’ve hit your head harder than I imagined if you think I’d let you leave in a blasted snowstorm.”
Her beautiful, blue eyes narrowed in anger. She lifted her chin in a direct challenge, a reaction that hardly surprised him.
She bit out, “I refuse to stay here a moment longer.”
With a measured step forward, he sneered. “Oh, and where shall you go?”
“Home,” she spat out.
He lifted a brow. “Just how do you plan to get there in this weather?”
“On a horse, it would seem.” Color bloomed in her pale cheeks.
He could not help but goad her. “One of my horses, you mean?”
Weariness wavered into the glittering anger of her gaze. No doubt, the day’s jaunt with Connor had exhausted her. Add the freezing cold and their unappealing encounter in his bedchamber, and she had to stand on the precipice of her breaking point. Hell, he’d not contended with a fraction of what she’d endured throughout the day, and his fraying restraint teetered since she’d kneed him in the cods.
“Why should you care?” Her frustration bubbled over into outrage. “You do not want me here at all!”
His stomach lurched with the shouted remark. ’Twas true, he did not want her there, but not for the reasons she might’ve imagined.
“Lady Mairi,” Connor, who’d followed Aaron into the stables, spoke up over his brother’s shoulder.
Mairi transferred her heated glower to his brother. “Do not speak to me, Connor. I shall never forgive you for your deception.” She accused, “How could you allow me to think he was dying?”
Kate’s eyes rounded and she lifted a hand to cover her parted mouth.
His brother moved closer, undoubtedly searching for any manner possible to excuse his actions. Unfortunately for the lad, no amount of reasoning would justify his deception.
“You would’ve never agreed to accompany me,” he said.
“Of course, I would not have,” she snarled, moving in Connor’s direct path. “Did you even consider the strife you’ve caused me? Or my family?” She shoved at his chest. “My kin are probably out in this accursed weather searching for me as we speak. What of them? Did you give a shred of thought to their welfare?”
Distress crumpled her comely features while tears swam in her expressive eyes.
Bothered by her words, Connor rubbed the back of his neck. “Lady Mairi, I never meant to endanger you or your family. I merely wished…I’d hoped…Saints, forgive me, please.”
A sob tore from her throat and she spun on her heel, darting to the nearest stall to lean against the gate.
Christ, her distress tore at Aaron’s heart. He’d no wish to remain within close range of the woman any more than he welcomed a skin flaying, but the lass had borne enough for one day.
“Everyone leave. Now,” he demanded of the others.
With her chin tucked to her chest, Mairi shuffled to join Connor, Niall, and Kate, but Aaron grabbed her upper arm. Despite the layers of clothing and pelts covering the woman, the slight feel of her sent a jolt through his hand. “Not you.”
Her wide, red-rimmed gaze shot to his. “What? Why?”
He muttered, “One moment is all I ask.”
“Aaron,” Connor warned.
He glanced over his shoulder where his brother lingered with Niall and Kate at the stable entrance. “Later, Connor. Make sure Kate gets inside safely, Niall.” When Connor hesitated to leave him alone with Mairi, he raised his brows to accentuate the single word. “Go.”
As soon as the three stepped outside, and his brother and Niall secured the doors against the wind, he faced the woman he’d tried to forget in the last year.
Biting her lower lip, she stared at the closed entrance, while he absorbed the sight of her. Between the fresh odors of horseflesh, fodder and hay, the unique scent of Mairi pervaded the air and drifted up his nostrils. Akin to the woman herself, the bold, sweet aroma slipped in his head.
When she refused to look at him, he strung together enough words to mumble, “I did not mean the words I spoke in haste to you earlier.”
’Twas then she met his gaze, snaring him with her enthralling, light blue eyes. “Why did you say them?”
Without a ready answer, he floundered for an excuse, but his overtaxed mind betrayed him. “’Tis just…”
How could he explain that seeing her again, the sudden influx of unwanted feelings, bombarded him all at once and sent him reeling over the edge toward resentment. Not that he resented her but rather the future they could never have. Her appearance merely served as a harsh reminder. Aye, he’d lashed out at her in anger, misplaced or not. Between his momentary shock and the painful kick to his bollocks, his weary mind responded in defense.
“’Twas unexpected,” she supplied in a quiet murmur and ducked her head.
Unexpected? More like staggering disbelief. He echoed, “Aye, unexpected.”
He studied the furs and cloth blocking her hair from his view. He longed for naught more than to sweep away the covering and run his fingers through her shining raven tresses, to pull her into his embrace and steal a kiss from those pursed, pink lips. Saints, she shoved him closer to madness. With a hard shake, he thrust aside his ridiculous desires.
Battling his waning restraint, he spoke between clenched teeth. “I’ll send a messenger ahead and see that you’re taken home as soon as the storm breaks and the pass is safe to travel.”
The statement gained her full attention, jerking her gaze to his. “But, what of my family?”
Aye, he wondered the same. How long before MacGregor darkened his doorstep? They’d not parted on the best of terms the last time. Somehow, Aaron suspected the man would not take kindly to fetching his sister from the enemy in a snowstorm.
“’Tis too dangerous to risk travel now. Your brother’s a man grown, Mairi. I’m certain he shall make prudent decisions where he and his men’s safety are concerned.”
“Will you not allow me to at least try? I merely ask for the use of a horse. I’ll gladly see that my brother returns the favor in gracious measure.”
Her pleading prodded at his anger. Was the thought of remaining in his keep that unbearable? She’d rather rush into death’s waiting embrace than endure his presence?
“Are you barking mad? What am I to do?” He flung an arm toward the entrance. “Stand aside and let you rush out there in this mess? You’ll do naught but plummet over the edge of the cliff or freeze to death in the snow. Is that what you wish? To die? For your brother, or mayhap even me, to find your stiff, lifeless corpse?”
That sobered her in a flash. Her wide, startled gaze watched him while she absorbed the callous words. Granted, ’twas a bit harsh of him but he knew no other way to get through to the stubborn woman.
“Saints, if I could return you myself right this instant, I would damned well have done with it, but there’s naught outside those keep walls but certain death. Do I have to lock you in my bedchamber to make you understand?”
A hard, affronted glint entered her blue eyes. “You would not dare.”
Aaron leaned his head closer, his face a mere inch from hers. “Try me.”
He anticipated the challenge would send her in a rage. Instead, her delicate features fell in defeat and her chin wobbled. Without a doubt, the taxing day had left her overwrought and vulnerable to her emotions. Saints, he understood the sentiment well.
“I just want to go home.”
The bare whisper cleaved at his chest. He balled his hands to keep from pulling her closer because the action would surely shatter his resolve. The lass craved comfort but he had none to give. Not without carving out his heart and handing the worthless, wretched organ over to her on a platter.
Distance. ’Twas what he desired—nay, demanded. A healthy measure of distance was the on
ly thing that might help him maintain his self-preservation. He retreated a step from the gilded temptation of Mairi MacGregor.
“I wish it were truly that simple.” As soon as the vile words left his mouth, he regretted them.
Then again, mayhap ’twas best she thought him naught but an arse. When she left him for good, it would make matters easier for both of them.
Her gauging stare met his. “What has happened to you, Aaron MacRae? When did you become so cruel and full of loathing?”
Taken aback, the words rattled him on a deeper level, one she could not possibly understand. Damned right, he was full of loathing—loathing for himself and the man he’d allowed himself to become. A man far too similar to his bastard of a father.
As for cruel, he did not particularly label himself as cruel. Mayhap, indifferent at times but if she thought him cruel, then ’twas probably for the better as well.
The close confines of the stables closed in around him. Desperate to get away from her, he spun on his boot heel and stalked toward the entrance. When she made no move to follow, he tossed her a wry glance over his shoulder.
“Mayhap, you never truly knew me.”
’Twas a bold falsehood if he’d ever spoken one. Aside from his brother and, at times, Niall, Mairi was the only other person he’d felt such a close kinship with. Her bold spirit and kind heart sucked him in from the start. The sheer goodness of her shone through with such a blinding clarity. But, he would never truly deserve her light. ’Twas safest for him to remember that.
“Mayhap, I did not. Nor shall I ever.”
Her muttered words quashed the foolish inkling of hope he’d somehow managed to cling to in the past year. Aye, just as well. Hope was a useless fantasy for men such as him.
He jerked his head toward the doors. “Give me a hand, will you?”
Without another word, she followed him out into the blustery cold and helped him secure the stable doors from the onslaught of wind. He followed close behind her as they trudged through the pelting snow, careful to remain within arm’s length to catch her should she slip or fall. Once they reached the keep’s icy front steps, he grabbed hold of her elbow to steady her and she shot him a quick frown. To his surprise, she said naught and allowed him to guide her up the stairs, into the safety of the keep.
Alain and Lachlan wasted no time barring the doors to shut out the bitter, winter wind swirling in behind them. Shaking off snow, he turned and noted his brother, Niall, and Kate stood near the main stairway, awaiting their return with anxious expressions plastered over their countenances.
For the love of God, what did they take him for? A blasted lecher intent upon stealing Mairi’s virtue? Granted, considering their last encounter in his bedchamber, mayhap they had a valid argument.
Ignoring their expectant stares, he tipped his head at Kate. “Please see that Lady Mairi is settled in my bedchamber for the eve, Kate.”
Mairi glanced at him in surprise. “I thank you, but ’tis unnecessary. I shall have no trouble bedding down in the hall with the rest of your clan.”
Well, the notion damned well troubled him. Many of the clan had claimed a warm spot close to the massive hearth blazing in the hall for the eve. Whatever empty space remained in the hall might leave her shivering on the cold, stone floor, a prospect he was unwilling to consider.
He opened his mouth to snap out as much, but Connor interrupted. “You are more than welcome to use my chamber while you are in residence, Lady Mairi.”
Affixing a pretty smile to her lips, she lifted that stubborn chin of hers. “Though I’m not speaking to you, in truth, you have my thanks. But I shall decline the offer. The hall shall suit my needs for the eve.”
Lord above, spare him.
Aaron ground his teeth in frustration and grasped her elbow. ’Twas the sole part of her that he trusted himself enough to touch. “I thought we’d reached an understanding in the stables.”
Torchlight glimmered off the fire dancing in her piercing, crystalline eyes. “Aye, we did. I plan to leave on the morrow.”
In the span of a heartbeat, his threadbare patience nearly rent in two. Nay, ’twas not the agreement they’d struck at all.
He clenched his teeth with such a hard gnash he expected them to shatter into pieces. Not in the mood to continue arguing with the woman, especially with an audience, he swallowed the cutting rebuke on the tip of his tongue. Striving for a semblance of composure, he changed tactics.
“Would you do me the honor of accepting the use of my chamber for the eve, my lady?” With a flourish of his hand, he nearly choked on the words.
A slow, amused smile curved her lips, though the humor did not quite reach her eyes. “Aye, thank you. That would be lovely.”
The false sweetness in her mocking tone rankled him to the bone.
With their gazes locked and neither of them willing to yield, the unsettling tension in the thick air increased by tenfold.
’Twas a mercy Kate stepped closer, eager to defuse the situation. “Come, Lady Mairi. Allow me to fetch you a fresh gown and help build the fire for you.”
“Thank you, Kate. ’Tis kind of you.” Narrowing her gaze, Mairi glanced away from Aaron. With a proud lift of her chin, she fell into step with Kate, climbing the main stairway.
Despite the pounding of blood in his temples and his teetering control, Aaron could not help but admire the rhythmic sway of her hips. ’Twas too simple to recall the blissful feel of her long, shapely legs against his palms. His body tightened in response and his hands clenched into fists at his sides. By the blasted Saints, the woman would be the death of him—in truth.
As soon as the two women turned on the landing and disappeared from sight, he shifted to face the others, unsurprised that the men’s gaze watched the stairway. He cleared his throat, gaining their attention.
“I’ve a task for the pair of you,” he spoke to Alain and Lachlan. “I need the two of you to watch each set of stairs this eve. Please, ensure that Lady Mairi does not decide to attempt an early jaunt to the stables on the morrow.”
Both men exchanged smirks but nodded in assent.
“Aye, Laird.” Alain nudged Lachlan’s arm. “I’ll take watch at the rear.”
The light-haired soldier bounded down the corridor to assume his post at the servants’ stairs near the buttery and kitchens.
The blasted title vexed Aaron to no end, but he allowed the young guard to escape without a sharp reprimand. His short, heated encounters with Mairi had utterly drained him.
Apprehensive, he turned to Niall. ’Twas not a kind chore he truly wished to request of his old friend, with the weather in such a state, but…
He winced. “I’m loath to ask…”
“Just ask.” Niall grunted. “There are few times I deny anything you request of me.”
’Twas true. If Aaron could depend on anyone, ’twas the large redheaded warrior. Loyal and honorable to a fault, Niall had often looked after him since childhood.
“Would you check the state of the pass at dawn? By all means, do not attempt to venture down the cliff, just ensure the trail is still intact.”
“You do not have to worry. I have intention of stepping foot on that bluff.”
Aaron added, “There’s no doubt in my mind MacGregor shall arrive soon. Though, I hope the man has enough sense not to attempt such a treacherous feat, but I fear the man’s as determined as his sister.”
“That I do not doubt.” Niall snorted. “I’ll see it done.”
Aaron cuffed his friend’s shoulder. “You have my thanks.”
“We’ll speak in the morn.” Nodding, Niall lumbered off in search of his bed for the few hours left before dawn.
“Aye, well, ’tis been a long day.” Connor yawned in his hand. “I believe I shall seek out my bed for the eve.”
As soon as his younger brother turned to climb the stairs, Aaron caught the nape of his collar. “Not so fast.”
Connor tossed a quick glance over his shoulder. “Wha
t’s amiss?”
Aaron pasted on a mocking smile. “You shall have the honor of bedding down in the hall with the rest of the clan.”
“What?” his brother squawked in dismay and spun to face him. “Why the devil would I do that? I’ve a perfectly good chamber awaiting me above stairs.”
“Had,” Aaron amended. “Since I’ve graciously handed my chamber over to Mairi, I shall require the use of yours for the eve.”
His brother’s head snapped back. “Surely, we can share a bedchamber. We’ve done so plenty of times as lads.”
Aaron shrugged and sidestepped his brother to mount the stairs. “We’re not lads anymore, Connor. Besides, I’m in need of peace and quiet. You know, since I’m ailing on my deathbed, after all.”
His words delivered, he left his brother gaping after him.
Chapter Six
Resounding cracks and snaps of snow and ice-covered rock further up the cliff passage, followed by an unsettling rumble of the ground beneath his stallion’s hooves, sent a frisson of alarm through Calum’s taut frame. ’Twas the earth warning him not to proceed. It was a warning only a damned fool would disregard.
“Halt!” he bellowed over the blustery blasts of wind howling from the sea. “Damn it, halt!”
At once, he reined his mount to an immediate stop, unwilling to drag his men, or himself for that matter, toward certain doom. With the rock face to one side and a sheer drop-off on the other, he dared not peek over the edge.
His men followed suit, pausing high on the bluff behind him. The pelting snow and wailing wind almost drowned out the series of small cracks and pops, but the sound was unmistakable.
With dawn’s fast approach, he’d angrily goaded Liam, Patrick, and a handful of his men up the side of the steep, perilous, frozen rock face, despite his cousin’s adamant protests cautioning him to abandon the pursuit. And damned if his cousin had been right. If they continued, the horrid passage would splinter apart and send them plummeting to their deaths.
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