Heart of a Highlander_Scottish Historical Romance

by Tammy Andresen

  “Ye talk wit my da an awful lot.” Her eyebrows rose as some of the color returned to her cheeks.

  Colin relaxed at the sight. This was his Fiona. “Aye, that we do. Do ye have a maid that ye can call upon to help ye bathe and change?”

  “Aye, there is one on staff who has been helping me.”

  He gave her a perplexed look. “Why didn’t ye bring yers?”

  She shrugged. “This trip has been humilatin’ enough without more witnesses.”

  Nodding, he kissed her one more time. “Just tell her ye fell in the mud.”

  Her hands tightened in his shirt again. “Where will ye go?”

  “I’m not leavin’ ye if that’s what yer askin’. I’ll be right outside the door and once yer ready, we’ll spend the day in the library. Much as I’d like to, I can’t stay in yer room.”

  A ghost of a smile passed her lips before she crossed the room and rang the bell.

  An hour later she came out of the room, bathed and coiffed. Colin caught his breath. Fiona had always been beautiful, but as she matured, he swore she grew more and more lovely.

  He reached for her hand. “Ye look radiant.”

  “Radiant?” One corner of her mouth curled up, but she gave his hand a squeeze.

  He tucked her hand in his elbow. “I meant what I said earlier, Fiona. We’re partners now, always have been. We’ll not be separated again.”

  Chapter 11

  It wasn’t the declaration of love that her heart cried for but it was something that she needed to hear all the same.

  No one made her feel safer than Colin. She only hoped he truly did mean the words, because he’d told her that once before. And after what had happened by the river, she was too fragile for broken promises. “I don’t want ye to say it, if ye don’t mean it.”

  “I mean it,” he assured her.

  “Colin,” she took a breath. “Ye’ve said it before.”

  He grimaced. She watched, and for a second she held her breath expecting him to turn and leave. But he didn’t. “I ken. I’m sorry.”

  “Thank ye,” she replied giving his arm a squeeze as they set out for the library.

  They passed by several members of the summit who gave them curious glances, but no one openly asked any questions and Fiona was content to cast her eyes to the floor and let Colin stare them into submission.

  There were days when she was strong, able to conquer the world, but today was not one of them and, she had to admit, it was so nice to have Colin to depend on in those times. She hadn’t expected that—to like being cared for. But now, when she was so vulnerable, his strength was a buoy.

  They sat in the library as others came and went. They attended lunch together and then returned to library. Fiona nearly laughed several times because it was the longest time they’d spent sitting still their entire lives.

  She kept glancing over to Colin to see if he’d grown restless but each time, he only winked at her.

  By dinner, any fear Fiona might have had after the attack had been replaced with absolute boredom. Her legs bounced with the need to move and her fingers itched to plant themselves in Alastair’s face.

  Neither was likely to happen. Alastair had been carted off to his bed, while Colin insisted they stay confined in the house. People were whispering quietly about his beating as they glanced toward her and Colin, but Colin pointedly ignored it and she followed his example.

  Just before it was time to return to the dining room, Keiran strolled into the library. He was wearing his usual devil-may-care expression and Fiona heard Colin give a low rumble at the sight of the other man. She glanced over to see Colin’s face set in menacing lines, which made her realize she hadn’t explained to Colin that it had been a ruse.

  One of Keiran’s eyebrows shot up and his stance widened at the sight of Colin’s dark expression.

  Jumping to her feet, she stepped between the two men. There had been enough fighting for one day.

  But Colin didn’t seem to think the same. “I hope ye’ve a good explanation fer yer behavior.”

  “Which behavior is that?” Keiran asked, his voice dropping low and menacing.

  Fiona knew Colin could take on nearly any man, but Keiran was broad and strong and a soldier fresh off the battle lines of India. Besides, Keiran had been helping.

  “He didn’t do anything, Colin.” She turned toward him as she spoke, appealing to him silently to listen. “He was only trying to help me.”

  “Help ye with what?” Colin’s voice softened as he spoke to her but his face remained dark and rigid.

  “Convince ye to court her already,” Keiran replied, sounding irritated. “Seems to have worked.”

  Colin started toward the other man, trying to go around her, but Fiona jumped in front of him again. “The only thing it did was open Fiona up to attack,” Colin ground out between his teeth.

  Fiona said a silent prayer the other occupants of the library had left for dinner.

  “Attack?” Keiran asked stepping closer to her. He lifted his hand to touch her shoulder, but Colin batted it away, the sound of flesh smacking flesh filling the quiet room.

  “What were ye thinkin’?” Colin’s voice grew louder with every word as he stepped loser to Keiran.

  “Colin,” Fiona appealed again. “I just wanted…that is to say…I was trying to make ye jealous.”

  Fiona bit her lip. If Colin needed an excuse to flee, she’d just given him one. It wasn’t her finest moment, trying to trick him, but then again he hadn’t made it easy.

  “Ye did what?” Colin searched her face.

  Taking a step closer, she reached up her hand to lay it on his chest. Swallowing a lump in her throat, she decided to follow the advice she’d been given a great deal lately. Everything that had happened in this past day had laid her open and she couldn’t hide anymore. As much as Colin drove her mad, he was also the one person who was always there when she needed him. “I love ye, Colin Campbell. And I wanted to try and make ye jealous so that maybe ye’d see that ye wanted me in return.”

  Colin’s mouth fell open as he stared at her. He tried to step around her again but she grabbed his arm. He wasn’t going to leave again.

  “Let me go.” He halfheartedly tried to jerk free of her grasp and she took that to mean he didn’t really want to go.

  “Nae,” she took a breath. “Ye’re not running away this time. I might be scared but I am still Fiona and I’m tired of the sight of yer back.”

  He stopped, his breath sucking in. “I wasnae going anywhere except to punch McKenna in the face.”

  Her own stomach fluttered but she went on. “It was yer idea to kiss in front of Alastair. I’m not blamin’ ye. Ye didn’t ken what he’d do, but ye can’t blame me either.”

  “I don’t blame ye,” Colin grated out. “I blame Alastair and I blame him.” He jabbed his finger toward Keiran. “I’d never set up a plan that left ye alone and vulnerable.” Colin glared at Keiran.

  Keiran coughed behind her and she turned to see a dismayed look, rather than a cocksure one on his face. “Is anyone going to tell me what happened?”

  Fiona shook her head. “I cannae. Ye have to tell him, Colin. I need ye to hold my hand when ye do.”

  She heard his breath hiss out but then he did as she requested and took hold of her hand. In clipped tones, Colin told Keiran what had happened down by the river.

  With each word, her spine stiffened, until his arm came around her. She held back the tears that formed, there was no use in crying now. But she was glad Colin was next to her. It helped her to be strong. Once Colin was finished, Keiran cleared his throat.

  “I’m so sorry our plan put ye in that position.” Keiran scrubbed his face with his hands.

  Colin squeezed her tighter. “Ye should be. If ye hadn’t left her—”

  Keiran stepped closer. “Fiona is my friend. So I am going to tell ye that ye have left her far more exposed than I ever did with yer indecision and yer little games.”

&nb
sp; It was Colin’s turn to look stricken. Fiona took a deep breath. Normally, she’d lose her temper with both of them, but instead, she stepped between them once more. “Enough blame. We’ve all made mistakes.” Biting her lip, she turned back to Colin. “I told ye how I felt, in front of him, no less. Does it really seem like I have feelings for Keiran?” She ignored the voice that complained he hadn’t returned the sentiment. Right now, she needed to right things between the two men. Keiran was her friend and Colin was…

  Best not to finish that thought.

  Colin sighed, “I suppose not.”

  She gave his hand a squeeze. “He is my friend.”

  Collin grunted again. “I’m yer friend. Look where that has gotten—”

  “And as Dumfries is married to my closest cousin, we’re bound to see each other on occasion.”

  Another low grunt.

  “Besides, he’s in love with Agnes.”

  Colin chuckled at the same time Keiran made a guttural noise low in his throat.

  “I am not,” Keiran protested.

  Fiona raised her eyebrows. “Protest if ye must.”

  “Or don’t,” Colin cut in. “I’m tired of yer voice anyhow. If yer in love with the woman, what are ye doin’ here?”

  Keiran snorted then. “Look who’s flappin’ his gums. Ye’ve been runnin’ away from yer feelings since I met ye.”

  Fiona started, looking to Colin to see how he might react. Would he declare his feelings?

  He didn’t. Instead, Colin looked ready to spit. Sighing to herself, Fiona declared the situation hopeless. There was no hope for men who wanted to tussle and Colin Campbell in particular was as thick-headed as they came. “Let’s go to dinner, shall we?”

  She turned without waiting for Colin’s response. It stung that he hadn’t returned her sentiment of affection. If he had been anyone else, she would have given up on him. But he’d been in her life for as long as she could remember and she was a fighter. Even when it was foolish.

  Colin watched her walk through the library door. He knew he’d made a mistake. She’d told him that she loved him. And instead of saying it back, he’d grown angrier at Keiran. Mostly because it was easier.

  It was one thing to admit his feelings to himself. But to say them out loud, that was another matter entirely. And to say them to her… Well, he’d be officially rejecting his father’s lifelong advice and Colin felt like a traitor.

  But how was he going to propose to Fiona in a way that she’d accept? He hadn’t done a very good job of wooing her up to this point.

  Walking past Keiran he gave the man a shove. Keiran’s eyes narrowed and he fell in step behind Colin.

  Colin was just congratulating himself on getting a lick in without Fiona seeing, when a foot tangled with his, nearly sending him crashing to the floor.

  He heard Keiran chuckle behind him. “Anytime ye want to tangle, ye let me ken.”

  Colin cocked his head to the side. “Think ye can beat me?”

  “Ye look big enough, but aye, I’ll beat ye,” Keiran replied behind him.

  “Ye’re on,” Colin crowed, a glint in his eye. In all seriousness, hearing that Keiran had feelings for Agnes, and knowing that Fiona had declared her love in front of this man, made Colin feel a lot better. At this point, a little fighting was a bond of friendship.

  Entering the dining room behind Fiona, Colin stopped for a moment and turned to Keiran. “I’m asking Fiona to marry me. But until I do, I’d appreciate it ye’d help me keep an eye on her.”

  Keiran nodded. “Why not just ask her?”

  Colin’s eyebrows rose. “I thought ye ken Fiona. I already did and she said no.”

  Colin could tell the Keiran was attempting not to grin. “Why would she do that?”

  “I didn’t ask right.” Colin watched as Fiona took her seat at the table. He saw several men watching her. “My life would be so much easier if I could find a simple woman who didn’t push me so hard.”

  “Aye,” Keiran nodded. “I’ve thought the same.” He shook his head. “Why does it have to be so hard?”

  Colin winked. “Because then it wouldn’t be fun.” The truth was he needed a woman like Fiona to box his ears when he was being an arse.

  Both he and Keiran took their seats and Colin watched as men around the table attempted to attract Fiona’s attention. By the end of the meal, Colin was as tight as a violin string after watching them flirt with her.

  Fiona was subdued and her eyes travelled to him often, which was the only thing that kept Colin in his seat. He’d better figure out how to ask her soon, because otherwise he might go mad.

  At the end of dinner, Haggis appeared at her side to escort her upstairs. She glanced over at him, her eyes pleading and fearful, he knew she didn’t want to be alone.

  He mouthed a single word later and then headed for the smoking room. He wanted to hear what the other men were saying.

  Stationing himself in a dark corner, it didn’t take long for the conversation to turn to Fiona.

  “She gets more beautiful by the day,” one man called out.

  Another snorted. “A handful, that one.”

  “Did ye see Alastair’s face? Did she do that or did Campbell?”

  “Those two should marry already. He can’t stand another man lookin’ at her.”

  “He’s likely ruined her, anyhow. Haggis allows him too many liberties.”

  Colin’s fists clenched at his sides. Gossiping women, the lot of ‘em.

  “I’d like to take a few liberties,” another jeered.

  But another snorted. “Do ye like yer face? I wouldn’t tangle wit that lass unless ye’re ready to have it beaten. Did ye see Alastair beaten to a bloody pulp? Colin’s gonna get the filly and the title.”

  There were grumblings at that until another piped in. “If he wanted either, he’d likely have them by now. That means she’s still fair game.”

  His fists tightened. She was a person, not a horse or a deer. And she certainly wasn’t just a title. And he was to blame for this. In his attempts to keep her safe, he’d made the entire situation worse. How could he not have seen this sooner?

  Suddenly he knew how to ask her to be his wife. It would take nothing less than bearing it all.

  Once the subject of conversation had moved onto other things, he slipped back out to the hall. Making his way to the back door, he crept outside and walked around the house until he was beneath her window.

  It didn’t take long before he saw her scanning the night and he waved his hands.

  She motioned him forward.

  In an instant, he scaled the wall and swung himself in through the window.

  She stood staring at him and, though the words crowded his mouth, he couldn’t seem to push them out. She was so lovely and all the emotion he’d been holding back came rushing to the forefront.

  Finally, she stepped closer to him and simply said, “I’m glad yer here.”

  Chapter 12

  Fiona stepped into his arms. She was determined today to not think about what Colin hadn’t given her.

  Instead, she wanted to focus on what he had. He’d kept her safe. He’d made a promise to stay by her side. It had to be enough for now.

  “I’m glad to be here.” He wrapped her in his arms. “I want tae talk tae ye.”

  Fiona swallowed the lump in her throat. Did anything good ever follow those words? She doubted it. “I don’t want tae talk. Not today.” She pressed closer to him. “Please.”

  He sighed, long and heavy. “It’s important that we do, but I’ll wait a bit if ye really want tae.” Then he picked her up in his arms and crossed the room.

  Sitting on the bed, he snuggled her close, letting her legs drape across his lap and her head rest on his chest. Nuzzling her face into the hollow of his throat, Fiona knew this was where she wanted to be always. Her arms wrapped around him and her eyes fluttered closed. It was safe and warm.

  She wouldn’t tell him so. She’d already shared too much. In
stead, she relaxed against him, drawing from his strength. “I thought dinner would never end. Has my father told ye when ye’re goin’ home?”

  “I’ll talk tae him tomorrow.” He laced his fingers through hers. “Then we’ll have to decide if we want tae have the ceremony at yer family’s church or mine.”

  “What?” Her body had started that tingling again. Starting low in the pit of her stomach and spreading outward until every inch of her felt alive.

  “Fiona,” he cleared his throat. “I’ll cherish ye like no other man in Scotland ever will. Not because of yer title but because ye are who ye are. I wouldn’t want ye any other way.” He kissed her then, tilting her chin up with a gentle touch. “Please say yes.”

  Fiona caught her breath. It still wasn’t a declaration of love, but it was close enough for now. Colin wouldn’t try to change her, she’d be free to be herself. Perhaps, in time, he’d return her feelings.

  She ignored the voice inside that cried for him to love her. In time perhaps, he would. And for now, this was more than she hoped for. “Yes,” she said and then she kissed him again.

  This kiss was tender but underneath that was the passion that had been burning between them, held at bay. Here they were alone in her room, engaged to be married. Fiona didn’t want to hold back anymore.

  Colin fell backwards, landing on the mattress with her on top of him. Sliding up his body, her hands rested on his cheeks as she deepened the kiss. Opening her mouth to him, their tongues tangled together until they were both breathless.

  “Fiona,” Colin gasped. “I don’t want tae frighten ye after what happened today.”

  She lifted her head then to look down into his eyes. She wanted him to know how deeply she meant these words. “I could never be frightened of you. This is where I am safest.”

  His hands came to her cheeks and they held each other as he kissed her long and slow. Then he slid them down her neck as he began to undo the buttons of her dress. She’d expected him to be more frantic. This moment had been building for a long time. But today had taken a toll on both of them and his movements were slow and steady. Soothing as well as sultry.