Healing the Highlander

by Melissa Mayhue

  Something in the older woman’s chatter had caught her ear. “Wait. What did you say?” Surely it couldn’t have been what she thought she’d heard.

  “Pay no attention to her,” Sallie reassured, a hand to Leah’s knee. “I told you no to listen to half of what she says. She meant nothing against you, did you, Anabella? It’s only that she and my mother have always had this wee rivalry stemming from bad blood between them that dates back to a time when they were but girls themselves. Dinna take her words to heart.”

  As if she cared one bit what that grumpy old woman thought of her. Her concerns were much larger than her own little ego. Perhaps she’d only imagined she’d heard the words because the name was in her thoughts.

  “Did you say Dun Ard?”

  “Aye.” Anabella laid Baby Ana on her stomach on the rug and rose to her feet, a hand at her lower back. “Dun Ard is the seat of the MacKiernan clan. Andrew’s home.”

  Rosalyn. It was the name Mairi had told her to ask for. Mairi’s Rosalyn was Drew’s mother?

  No wonder he knew the way to Dun Ard. It was his home.

  A heat rose to Leah’s face and her heart pounded in her chest, but this time it had nothing to do with embarrassment or fright. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this angry.

  He’d all but lied to her! Here she’d gone out of her way to confess everything to him and he’d hidden this most important of all information from her. Even knowing her grandfather’s life was on the line, he’d not told her he was a member of the family whose help she sought. He’d said nothing. Nothing!

  Then, as if to plop the proverbial cherry on top, he’d had the unmitigated gall to accuse her of being Fae. Him, of all people. Knowing all the while what he was.

  Oh, did she ever have a thing or three to say to Mr. Andrew MacAlister, not a single one of them fit for the ears of Baby Ana.

  Dropping the mending back into the basket at her feet, she slowly rose to stand.

  “Where exactly would I find these lists you mentioned?”

  Fifteen

  Thrust. Withdraw. Defend.

  Drew sent a silent thanks to the Fates for his wickedly good ability to wield a sword. That gift allowed him to participate in sword training without putting any real thought into it, even with an opponent as worthy as Moreland was turning out to be.

  Moreland. The man had quickly become a thorn in Drew’s flesh.

  There was no way he could allow the knight and his men to accompany them to Dun Ard. His laird might well insist that the MacKiernan retain their neutrality in the troubles that rocked their land, but it was words only. They all of them knew it.

  Half the men living at Dun Ard had fought against the English at one point or another. Hadn’t Colin been held for ransom by an English sympathizer just last year? Hadn’t the laird himself been taken captive by the same man?

  Drew held no illusions as to what might result from a company of English soldiers marching into Dun Ard.

  As if the patterns his feet followed were written somewhere in his unconscious, he feigned a move to his left, then twirled to his right to strike.

  Moreland stumbled backward but quickly regained his balance, following with a nod of respect, which Drew returned.

  Here they could be civilized. Here the threat was lessened. But at Dun Ard, where his brother and the men who’d followed him into battle against the English lived, things might well be different. Especially once Moreland realized they’d deceived him.

  No. Under these circumstances, he could not lead these men to his home. He would not.

  This time the pattern his feet followed led him to drive straight in, backing Moreland up a step or two. Automatic. Done without needing to think. It simply happened as if the hand of the Fates guided his own, allowing nothing to distract him.

  “Andrew MacAlister! I’d speak to you now, if you please.”

  Nothing except Leah’s voice. Her presence drove everything else from his mind.

  “I’m somewhat occupied here, dearling. Can it no wait?” He ducked and twirled, lifting his sword at the last second to deflect Moreland’s blow.

  “Now,” she insisted, her arms crossed beneath her breasts. She had the look of a woman who intended to say more, but, for the moment, her soft mouth drew down into a line as hard as her glare.

  “Yer woman’s learned to sound like a wife quickly enough,” Ran quipped, laughter from the men gathered around drowning out other comments.

  “Now,” she repeated.

  He could ignore her demand. Could allow her to wait and fume, but then he risked her speaking what was on her mind. From the looks of her, that seemed anything but an intelligent course of action for him to take.

  “You’ll excuse me if I end our round early?”

  Moreland nodded his assent, his usual smirk surprisingly absent. Drew passed the practice sword he held to one of the waiting men, each of them eager to try his mettle against the English knight.

  Once outside the practice yard, he stopped to grab up his shirt, wiping the perspiration from his face and chest before approaching Leah.

  She’d stepped a short distance away, and though she maintained her resolute silence as he approached, her eyes sparkled dangerously with her anger.

  Whatever had set her off must have been something to have witnessed indeed.

  “I can only assume it’s a serious matter that brings you out here?”

  “You bet your ass it is. You lied to me, you hypocritical bastard,” she hissed.

  This definitely was not shaping up to be a conversation he wanted to hold within hearing distance of an eager audience.

  Taking her by her upper arm, he led her out into the center of the bailey, far enough from everyone that they couldn’t be overheard. Far enough into the open, no one could approach without his notice. Far enough the walk might give him a chance to bring his own temper into check.

  More than her anger, her accusation caught him unawares.

  “I’m no a man who perverts the truth to anyone, least of all you. You’d best be explaining yerself.”

  “Me?” Her cheeks had turned a mottled red. “If anyone has any explaining to do, it’s you. Why didn’t you tell me Dun Ard is your home? What did you think? I’d be so happy to be shown the way there, it would never occur to me that you’d lied about it?”

  So that was it. He should have guessed one of the women would let it slip sooner or later. His money was on the ogress herself, Anabella.

  “You accuse without just cause, my lady. You never asked if Dun Ard was my home, only if I could show you the way to get there.”

  Not a lie. At most, no more than a sin of omission.

  “That’s a fine line of crapola, and you know it. I told you why I needed to find the MacKiernans. I told you my grandfather’s life depended on it. I told you who had directed me to them. You had every opportunity to tell me you are them. Especially when you were telling me you wouldn’t help me if you were them.” She gulped air as if her indignation could not wait. “Not to mention the unmitigated gall it took for you, you of all people, to accuse me of being Fae and then have the nerve to get angry when I wouldn’t own up to it.”

  Proof that she well knew his family’s bloodline. Progress at last.

  “Does that mean you are admitting what you are now?”

  The sound she made in answer was something like the growl of a trapped boar. Best he keep his hands away lest she decide to take a few of his fingers.

  He shrugged, noting that Moreland and two of his men watched them closely. “Nevertheless, I’ve no ever lied to you. No yet.”

  Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as he spoke. “What’s that supposed to mean? Not yet?”

  Perhaps this wasn’t the best time or place, but he’d have to break the news to her sooner or later. Might as well get it over with.

  “I canna take you to Dun Ard, Leah. Surely you can see the danger it would present to my family.”

  “What?” Her voice actu
ally rose an entire octave. “Danger to your family? My grandpa Hugh is going to die if I don’t get help. Die as in dead. I can’t think of much worse danger than that.”

  Somehow he had to make her understand that there were many more lives than just one old man’s at stake here.

  “Do you see that man over there?” He nodded his head in Moreland’s direction. “He obviously suspects our story. Wherever we go, he’s determined to go as well. I’ve kinsmen at Dun Ard who fought at Wallace’s side against men like Moreland. Can you no understand what could happen if I lead him to Dun Ard and he realizes we’ve been lying about who you are? I’d be putting my entire clan at risk. Yer grandfather’s life wouldn’t be the only one forfeit.”

  Her lips tightened back into that thin, hard line. “My whole family is already at risk. Without your clan’s help, they have no hope.”

  Impossible. She was absolutely impossible to reason with.

  “Would you truly have my people fighting hardened soldiers like these?”

  “I would. You have no concept of what Hugh and Margery MacQuarrie have done for me. I’d have anyone, anywhere, do anything necessary to save my grandparents. Anything.”

  He hadn’t much time to convince her. Moreland and his men even now headed in their direction.

  “And what of you? What are you personally willing to risk?”

  “I already told you. Anything.”

  “Aye? Well, lassie, are you ready to offer up the rest of yer life, married to me? Because if we lead that man to Dun Ard, in order to convince him yer no the one he seeks, we’ll be forced to speak our vows on the steps of the church to see him gone without a battle. I’m convinced he’ll leave with no less.”

  Her eyes opened wide, the anger instantly replaced by an emotion he found hard to read. Fear? What in the name of the Fates could the woman fear in him?

  “Even that,” she stated at last. “For Hugh and Margery, I’d even go so far as to wed you.”

  “MacAlister!”

  Time was up. Moreland and his men approached.

  He grabbed Leah’s shoulders, pulling her close as he bent his head to hers.

  Only to give Moreland pause and to give himself time to think. Certainly he had no other reason.

  Her lips were soft to his touch. Soft and warm, like her body that leaned into his embrace. Those lips parted on a tiny sigh and his tongue darted inside, as if the taste he’d had once before had only whetted his appetite.

  The world around him ceased to exist; his only thoughts were of the woman he held in his arms. Of her hands that fluttered up to cup the sides of his face. Of her heart pounding against his chest. The taste of her, the feel of her.

  “MacAlister!” Moreland called again, shattering the spell.

  “I’ve had quite enough of that man today,” Leah murmured, her lips hovering under his.

  He couldn’t agree more.

  “As you wish, my lady.”

  With one arm behind her back and another behind her knees, he swept her from her feet in a movement that didn’t even require him to move his lips from hers.

  “MacAlister!” Moreland called a third time, only feet away.

  “Apologies, again, Sir Knight. I’ve found myself embroiled in a marital dispute that requires my immediate attention to resolve.” He grinned at Moreland as he turned on his heel, striding toward the main keep.

  “You know exactly what that man is going to think we’re headed to do right now, don’t you?” Leah linked her hands behind his neck and laid her head on his shoulder.

  “Exactly what we want him to think, my lady.”

  It felt right to hold her in his arms, as if she belonged there. As if he had every right to be carrying her thus.

  Good thing, come to think of it. Once they entered the gates of Dun Ard, the die would be cast and her in his arms was something they’d both better get used to.

  Oddly enough, he had a sneaking suspicion that it might not take a great deal of effort at all.

  Sixteen

  No turning back now. His path might as well be written in stone.

  Drew braced his feet against his stirrups, stretching his leg in an attempt to find some relief. They’d been hours in the saddle this day, with more to come. He normally made the journey between MacPherson Hall and Dun Ard in one long, nonstop stretch. Traveling as slowly as they did with this large group would require at least two days.

  A full day on horseback always aggravated his leg.

  Spending his last two nights on the hard stone floor hadn’t helped much either.

  Once the decision to travel to Dun Ard had been made, something had happened between him and Leah. Some indefinable shift in their relationship. Whether it was the knowledge that riding into the courtyard of Dun Ard, a pack of English soldiers in tow, meant a formal marriage, or something else, he couldn’t be sure. He knew only that he felt different around her now.

  If anything, his attraction to her had grown. As a result, each of the past two nights he’d taken his blankets and slept across the room from her. Foolish, perhaps, but the only way he could be sure he kept his hands off her.

  She would be his wife.

  It was the only way to guarantee that Moreland and his men would leave Dun Ard. And the English leaving was the only way Drew could insure the safety of everyone there.

  He glanced over his shoulder at the wagons and horses that followed.

  The first wagon was piled high with all it took to transport a household for an extended period of time: foodstuffs, clothing, whatever the women had determined needed to go. Once his sister had set her mind to making the journey, she’d been a veritable whirlwind, impressing him with her ability to organize everything so quickly.

  If only the wagons could travel as fast as Sallie made things happen.

  Leah rode in the second wagon along with Anabella, Sallie, and two youngest children. As he watched, Leah lifted her hand in a little half wave.

  He marveled at her calm. He’d been so sure of her reaction when he’d confronted her with what would have to happen if they went to Dun Ard. As sure as he’d been of his own. And yet, neither had been even close to what he’d expected.

  To his surprise, she’d agreed to the wedding without argument. As for his own feelings, amazingly enough, he wasn’t the least bit hesitant. In fact, now that the decision had been made, he found himself viewing the coming event with growing anticipation.

  Ahead of him, his two older nephews rode on horses next to their father, the whole lot of them surrounded by Moreland’s men.

  Drew swiveled his head to note the positions of the soldiers. Seven, eight, nine . . .

  Ten. There’d been ten before, hadn’t there? He was certain of it. And yet, a second count confirmed it was nine who accompanied them now.

  “There’s a small glen no far ahead. Close to the water, sheltered by trees. A good spot to set up camp for the night.” Ran kept an eye on his boys as he spoke, pulling his horse closer. Moreland joined them almost immediately.

  “We’ll respect your knowledge of the area, MacPherson.” Moreland directed his mount forward, passing the word to his men to prepare to stop for the night.

  “Leg bothering you?” Ran looked straight ahead as he asked.

  Of all his family, only his brother-in-law actually spoke of his injury. The others seemed to take pains to avoid the subject, as if they feared upsetting him. It was his suspicion that his brother-in-law harbored guilt deep in his soul over the side he’d been on in the battle that cost Drew full use of his leg. Not that Ran had any reason to feel guilt. He’d been a pawn as much as Drew. More so, in fact. The Faerie responsible for it all had controlled Ran’s every move.

  Drew shook his head, denying his pain even as he pushed back the memories of that time. Nothing to be gained in adding to the weight Ran carried. He of all men knew well the burdens memories of the past brought with them.

  Another glance back to the wagon where the women rode showed him Leah watch
ed him still.

  There was one bright spot in this convoluted situation. At least his marriage to Leah would eliminate the problem of his injury. As his wife, she could hardly refuse to share the secret of her healing ability.

  “That’s it!” Ran called out, urging his mount to catch up with Moreland. “The entry to the glen is through those trees, there on the right.”

  It was as Ran had said, a perfect spot to make camp for the night.

  Drew directed his horse away from the others, turning so he could dismount next to a large tree. He counted on using his mount’s body to hide the stumble he knew would come when he dismounted. Once he could place his weight fully on his leg, he made his way to the wagon to assist Leah down.

  She came immediately into his uplifted arms, hooking her hands behind his neck as he swung her down.

  “Whatever possessed me to trade riding horseback for a seat bumping along in that torture wagon is beyond me, but, truly, I have learned my lesson this day.”

  “Perhaps it had something to do with the horse you rode belonging to the priory. I sent it back as soon as we reached MacPherson Hall.” The steed and a healthy donation to thank the prior for his generous assistance.

  “All the same.” She paused, one hand still cupping his neck. “I’d rather crawl the entire way on my hands and knees than to climb back in that thing.”

  He stared down into her eyes imagining her on her hands and knees and he was lost, his mind wandering off, filled with visions that did not stop there.

  “Drew? Will you agree?”

  Damnation. He’d completely missed what she’d said, lost in the deep, molten pools of her eyes. Lost as if he’d been beckoned to enter and lose himself in wicked play.

  “Drew?” she repeated, sliding her hand to his cheek.

  “Yes,” he agreed, with not the slightest idea of what her request might be. Her touch turned his skin hot with wanting her and he cared for nothing else in those moments.