Fraser 03 - Highland Homecoming

by B. J. Scott

  “I lost my older and youngest brothers, along with both my parents at the hands of the English swine so I understand your loss.” Alasdair cupped Jayden’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

  “If you are oldest surviving son, why are you not laird of Clan Fraser? I heard your younger Brother Connor was chief.”

  “Aye, I believed Connor was better suited tae lead than I was at the time. The clan elders offered me the seat in my father’s place, but in the end it was Connor who accepted the title.”

  “You’re right. A lot has changed in twelve summers.” Jayden raised his tankard in the air, then finished his drink. “This was not the happy reunion I had planned. Drink up and we can be on our way. I promise once we get tae Sinclair Castle there will be plenty of food and wine, enough tae take your mind off your mystery lass.”

  “You go on ahead. I’m going tae search the woods around the croft again and wait until morning, in case she comes back. If she doesna return, I’ll join you on the morrow.”

  Jayden stood and stretched. “Suit yourself, but I think it a fool’s errand.” He extended his arm in Alasdair’s direction. “Dinna wait too long. I’ll have Cook prepare a feast for your arrival.”

  Alasdair rose and grasped his friend’s forearm, giving it a hardy shake. “Be sure and have two places saved at the table. I plan tae have the lass with me.”

  Jayden shook his head and exited the croft, leaving Alasdair very much alone.

  Alasdair took another sip of whisky, but he’d not sit idly by and wait for her to return. He retrieved his sword and prepared to resume the search. He’d scour every inch of the woods and area around the croft until he found her.

  She crouched in the bushes at the edge of the woods. Her legs cramped and she shivered from sitting on the damp ground, but she had to remain hidden. Her heart hammered against her ribs and she’d suppressed the urge to sneeze more than once. But she had to remain perfectly still. She’d overheard Alasdair and Jayden talking, and if she could hold out until morning, Alasdair would give up the search and leave. She’d then have time to decide her next move. Returning to her clan was not what she intended to do. Her goal was to remain hidden until Alasdair left. If he found her, he’d expect an explanation for her actions. The fact that she’d withheld the truth about her identity and her injuries would come to light. Why had she kept her dreams a secret? She wished now she’d taken the risk and explained all she’d remembered. Now if he found out the truth, he would never trust her again.

  Seeing Jayden had prompted an array of emotions she didn’t want to deal with. They had always been close and she could share her innermost thoughts without fear of ridicule. She missed him very much while living with her aunt. The one good thing, mayhap the only good thing, about her return to the mainland was a reunion with her brother. But the fact that he’d sided with his father on the matter of her marriage to Duncan Sutherland, knowing full well she’d object, was a hard blow to handle.

  She’d escaped the confines of the croft just in time to avoid discovery and she silently thanked the Almighty for boons rendered. If she managed to get away, she could restart her life. One in a priory was not entirely out of the question. At least if she took her vows, she’d not be forced to marry a man she dinna love. If she was found and returned to her clan, duty dictated she go along with her father’s wishes. Out of respect for her sire, she had no intention of disgracing him or her people.

  But they would have to find her first.

  Her legs were asleep and she wanted to stretch them, but any movement of the bushes could give away her hiding place, so she had no choice but to persevere. Her stomach growled and her lips were parched, but those basic needs were also things she had to put out of her mind until Alasdair was gone and she could return to the croft.

  “Lauren!” His deep voice echoed in the clearing and seemed to bounce off the cliffs. Her heart sank at the thought of him spending fruitless hours searching for her, but to no avail. The fact that he was worried about her safety was touching, but she could not give in to the temptation to ease his mind by letting him know she was safe.

  She peered through the thick bracken, shocked to see his trew-clad legs only an arm’s length from her hiding spot. Did he know she was here? She closed her eyes and offered up another silent prayer. When she opened them again and saw him trotting into the woods, she blew out a ragged breath.

  He’d been too close for comfort and the slightest movement or noise would have alerted him to her presence. Why didn’t he just give up and leave with Jayden?

  Thorns pricked her skin and one of the bushes caused her eyes and nose to itch. She brought her hand up to stifle a sneeze, but she was not able to stop it.

  Had he heard her? Her heart raced when he reappeared in the clearing beside the croft. Alasdair craned his neck, peering in all directions, then stalked toward her. She chomped down on her lower lip and waited with bated breath for him to pounce.

  Chapter 10

  Alasdair shoved his hand into the bracken, latched onto her shoulder, and tugged. She offered no resistance, and when she was free of the thicket, collapsed at his feet. “What are you doing in there? I’ve searched for hours and was certain you had met with foul play. I demand you explain.”

  She rose to a wobbly stance and brushed the leaves and dirt from her nightrail. “I’m a woman grown and I answer tae no man.” She raised her gaze, her chin held high.

  “When I returned from hunting and you were gone, I thought you’d been abducted or wandered off, mayhap had gotten lost or injured. What demon possessed you tae do such a foolhardy thing?” He crossed his arms over his chest and glared down at her. While he was relieved to find her unharmed, rage twisted his belly. She had been hiding only a few feet from the croft and had deliberately ignored him when he called out to her. Not to mention she’d had Jayden thinking he’d lost his mind.

  True, she didn’t belong to him and never would, but she was in his care, and until such a time that she wasn’t, he felt responsible for her.

  “You’d best have a good reason for your careless actions. What have you tae say for yourself?” he badgered.

  She stiffened her spine and glared back at him. “I dinna have tae answer tae you, but if you insist, I needed a breath of air and decided tae take a wee walk.”

  “Fresh air? You left the safety of the croft for some damned air? You could have opened the window shutters.”

  “Last night, you appeared so intent on leaving. I thought it best I stretch my legs and see how my ankle fared. I—”

  “Are you daft?” He threw his hands in the air. “Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for a lass tae be out on her own without an escort? You could have gotten lost in the woods, met with a wild animal, or worse, strangers meaning tae do you harm.” The thought of these prospects made him shudder.

  “I’m no fool, Alasdair Fraser, and you are making more of this than necessary. I needed some air and you were nowhere around. I had no idea how long you’d be gone this time or where. You never bother tae say.”

  “Och, you’ll not be turning this around onto me, lass. When I leave the croft, I do so for a guid reason. I am hunting, fishing, or fetching wood for the fire.” He felt the heat of anger rising in his face and the pressure building in the veins of his neck. He opened and closed balled fists, inhaled deeply, then silently summoned his last bit of restraint.

  “When I leave, it is necessary, but I know you are in the croft and safe. Or so I thought until today,” he said through clenched teeth.

  “I had my reasons also. I’ve been cooped up with nothing but four walls to look at for over a sennight. If I dinna get out for a bit, I thought I might go mad.”

  Lauren wrung her hands and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She was no longer making eye contact when she spoke. What was she hiding?

  “You may feel your jaunts away from the croft are warranted, Alasdair, and I have no doubt they are for the most part, but you are oftentimes gone
from before dawn until dusk. I have no idea when or if you will return.” She tried to move around him, but he blocked her path with his bulk.

  “I dinna wander far and kept the croft in sight at all times, so dinna know why all the fuss.” She sidestepped him and began to limp back toward the croft.

  He lunged forward, clasped her upper arm, and spun her around to face him. “You’ll leave when I say, and not until. We are not finished with this discussion.” He tightened the grip on her arm.

  She released a soft whimper and squirmed in an attempt to free herself of his grasp. “Let go of me, you’re hurting my arm.”

  He lightened his touch, but refused to release her. Not until she told him the truth. She was hiding something and he meant to find out what that was. “I dinna mean tae hurt you, but you willna be going anywhere until you explain yourself, Madame.” He took hold of her other arm and yanked her against his chest. “If you dinna wander far, why did you not answer when I called for you? What’s more, why were you cowering in yonder thicket like a frightened kirkmouse? It is clear you could hear me shouting out your name, yet you dinna reply. I find that curious.”

  She bit down on her lower lip, still averting her eyes. When she didn’t answer his question, he softened his harsh tone of voice and asked again, “Tell me why you were hiding in the bushes, lass?”

  “Why do you care what happens tae me? You have made it clear more than once that you are anxious tae leave, tae pawn me off on your friend and his clan so you can rejoin the cause. I’d think you’d be happy tae be rid of me.”

  “You’re wrong.” Unsure what had possessed him to put aside his ire, he dropped his head and in a fury took possession of her mouth with a ravenous kiss. Her plump lips parted, allowing him to taste her sweetness. She fisted her hands in his tunic and he wanted nothing more than to fall to his knees, taking her with him, and find his pleasure. He had no doubt she’d surrender.

  But he came to his senses before he could take things any further. He broke the kiss, and held her at arm’s length. He gave his head a sharp shake. “Forgive me. I promised that wouldna happen again. But it doesna change what took place today.”

  “But you did kiss me and it must not happen again,” she blurted out when she managed to steady her rapid breath enough to speak. “I canna do this . . . we canna do this. Is it any wonder I felt the need to get away?”

  She was talking in riddles, but had managed to catch herself up and he narrowed his brow. “So you admit you were planning tae run away?”

  “I’ll admit tae naught. I told you, I needed tae stretch my legs if you planned on leaving for Sinclair Castle. Why is that so hard tae understand?”

  His head started to spin. He’d never met a woman who could talk in circles, twist his words, and distract him the way she could.

  He released one of her arms, cupped her chin, then raised it until her eyes met with his. “My friend Jayden thought me daft when I told him about you and then you vanished.”

  His heart twisted when she clasped his hand and glared at him with narrowed eyes.

  “What did you tell him? I must know.”

  He immediately picked up a tremor in her voice. Was she frightened of Jayden for some reason?

  “I told him I found you on the beach a sennight ago and brought you here tae take care of your injuries.”

  “What else did you tell him?” she asked, then sucked in a short, sharp breath.

  “I told him your name, but it meant nothing to him. I insist you tell me what is going on, Lauren. Why did Jayden’s presence make you feel threatened? Was he the man who assaulted you on the ship? I demand to know.”

  She shook her head and said nothing.

  “Tell me. Was he the man who attacked you?”

  “Nay. Jayden is not the man who attacked me.”

  “It is obvious by your reaction that you know him. Tell me how.”

  “He is my brother.” She broke free of his grasp, spun around and ran toward the croft.

  He stood there momentarily, his mouth gaping open in disbelief as she sprinted off like there was nothing wrong with her ankle. Had she lied to him from the start about everything?

  His heart thundered in his chest as he raced after her, reaching the back door as she slammed it shut in his face. He tried to open the latch, but she was holding on to it from the inside and it wouldn’t budge. He pounded on the wooden plank with his fist. “Open the door Lauren. Or should I say Edina?”

  “Please go away and leave me be, Alasdair.”

  Her voice shook and he was certain she was crying.

  “Open up. Now. You canna hold on tae the latch for long. Let go and step away or I’ll break the door down,” he ordered.

  When she didn’t answer, he pressed down on the latch with all his force then shoved the door open. He stumbled forward when it gave way with ease and stormed inside.

  She sat on a stool before the fire, her entire body trembling. He stared at her in disbelief. This striking woman could not possibly be Edina Sinclair. The same homely, freckle-faced lass he’d known as a bairn. If so, Jayden was right, she’d grown into a stunning beauty. No wonder he didn’t recognize her. But that didn’t matter. He would take her to her father and do his best to forget her.

  She might have a good explanation for her actions, but he didn’t want to hear it. She’d lied to him, deceived him for her own gain, and he’d been made a fool of by yet another woman. He’d not feel sorry for her and had every intention of taking her to Sinclair Castle immediately, even if they had to travel all night.

  “Get up,” he growled. When she didn’t respond, he took her by the wrist and dragged her to her feet. He felt no remorse for his roughness, nor would he let her manipulate him again.

  “Where are you taking me?” She tried to dig in her heels.

  “Home tae your clan, where you belong. The sooner we leave, the better. I’ll find you something tae wear and we’ll be off.”

  “Alasdair, please I canna go home. Let me tell you why I—”

  He held his hand in the air before she could finish. “I’ll listen tae no more lies from you. I dinna know how you managed tae fake your head injury, but everything since the day I found you has been a deception. A jest at my expense. Hell, you dinna even tell me your real name.”

  “I wasna lying. I did hurt my ankle, and I dinna know my name.”

  “Then why did you tell me it was Lauren?” he snapped.

  “I never did. When I woke up, I honestly dinna remember who I was or how I came to be on the beach. You asked, and Lauren was the only name that came tae mind, but I never said it was mine. I swear on all that is holy.”

  He spat on the floor. “You wouldna know the truth if it jumped up and bit you in the arse. I saw the way you ran back tae the croft. There was no sign of a limp, yet last night I had tae carry you tae the pallet because you couldna stand.” He made no effort to hide his ire. “Do you take me for an idiot?

  “I admit that my ankle is much better than it was.” She dropped her chin and studied her feet. “Mayhap I should have told you sooner, but I was afraid tae say anything for fear you would insist on taking me tae Sinclair Castle.”

  “When did you remember your real name? How long have you been playing me for a fool?”

  “I dinna recall my name until I saw my brother today.” She placed her hand on his forearm. “Please, you must believe me.”

  “Why did you run rather than greet him? He told me your father was devastated when he thought you’d died. To know his daughter was alive would bring him great joy.”

  “His four sons were my father’s whole life. I’ve done my best tae equal my brothers on horse, with a sword, bow, and when hunting. I can outride and outshoot all but Jayden. Yet my da has never shown any interest in me. Aside from what he stands tae gain from a well planned betrothal tae the laird of a neighboring clan.”

  “You are betrothed?” He slammed his fist on the table. “Is there no truth in anything you’ve tol
d me?”

  “My father has promised my hand in marriage tae the future laird of the Sutherland clan. He is hoping to forge an alliance, but I havena given my consent. I dinna wish tae marry Duncan Sutherland and hope my father will reconsider.”

  “He doesna need your consent and he’ll not repudiate his decision if the union will benefit the clan. I know your father and he is not the type of man tae be easily swayed.” He paused and studied her blanched face for a moment. “When did you remember you were betrothed, or have you known all along?” She’d been lying to him from the start so why should this be any different. He clenched his fists at his side, waiting for her reply.

  She lowered her gaze and twisted her hands. “Yesterday. I had another dream while you were away and I—”

  “So you saw fit tae hold back that information from me as well,” he growled. “You really must think I’m a damned buffoon. I fell for your ruse of being injured and you almost had me believing you were sincere and honorable.” He spun around and stomped toward the door, intent on putting some much-needed space between them.

  “Where are you going?” she asked. “Will you not let me explain?”

  “There is no point in discussing this any further. I canna believe a word you speak.”

  “Alasdair, please.” She moved toward him.

  He held up his hand to stay her advance. “I have nothing more tae say. You’ll find a pair of trews and a tunic in a canvas sack by the hearth. I’d suggest you put them on, lest you wish tae be presented tae your da in your nightrail. I’m going tae ready Odin. Be prepared tae leave when I return.” He yanked open the door and hurried out of the croft.

  Chapter 11

  Edina retrieved the canvas satchel from beside the hearth and opened it. Inside, she found clothes that were far too large for her petite frame and bound to hang on her like a grain sack. But Alasdair was right. She didn’t want to travel on horseback wearing only a nightrail, nor was it how she wished to be presented to her father.