Cowboys and Highlanders

by Scott, Tarah

A close snigger told her Rory was among the men bedding down nearby. Her stomach wrenched. She glanced heavenward. Dawn was no more than four hours away. MacGregor territory lay southeast of Campbell land. They had ridden approximately fifteen hours. She could reach Brahan Seer by tomorrow afternoon. Marcus might not welcome her back, but she had to make sure he knew who was responsible for Allister's death. She thought of the wedding band sewed to the lining of her shift. She had planned to go from Michael's to Glasgow and catch the first ship away from Scotland. But Allister deserved recompense just as much as Amelia and Steven.

  When snores at last told Elise the men had fallen asleep, she crawled from beneath her blanket. The biscuit had settled her stomach, but the trembling deep within persisted.

  "Where are ye going?"

  She stopped at the sound of William's voice and twisted to look over her shoulder. He still sat on the rock, back to her.

  "I-I need a moment of privacy."

  "There are guards," he said.

  "What?"

  "Out there." He motioned with his head to the blackness beyond their camp.

  Her blood chilled, but she forced her body into motion and crawled around the rock.

  * * * *

  Marcus tensed at sight of a figure moving in the shadows where the Campbell horses were tethered. "Did you notice any of the guards returning to camp?" he demanded of Michael, who squatted beside him on the hill from which they watched.

  "Nay," Michael whispered.

  Marcus strained to make out the figure's form in the moonlight, but the hill cast too dark a shadow on the valley. "God damn it," he muttered. "If anyone has given away our presence—" The loud neigh of a horse broke the quiet. "What the bloody hell?"

  "The horses," Michael hissed as the Campbell horses bolted.

  Shouts rose, and the Campbells sprang up and after their mounts.

  "What are they up to?" Marcus yanked his gaze back onto the figure in the shadows near the horses. He leaned forward in the saddle and was riding to the left of the camp.

  "Take two men and bring back that rider," Marcus said. "Be careful not to alert the others to our presence."

  Marcus turned his attention onto the Campbell men running through the trees in an effort to retrieve their scattered horses. Then waited.

  The light sound of a boot treading close came from the darkness and Marcus jerked his head around.

  "Laird," one of his men said, "come quick. We have the rider."

  He pulled his breacan close and backed away from the crest of the hill, jumped to his feet, then hurried downhill at a near run. At the bottom, he broke through the circle of his men, hand on the hilt of his sword.

  "Nay! Laird, stop!" came a chorus of low voices.

  Marcus felt his sword arm jerked back, but he saw the prisoner even as someone grabbed his other arm. He went stock still. "Elise?"

  "Yes," she replied.

  Even in the shallow light of the cloudy darkness, he could discern her drawn expression. "Are you unharmed?"

  She smiled, her mouth quavering a little. "I have a blazing headache, but I'll live."

  Marcus started forward, but two of his men seized his arm. "Release me." He yanked free, then took two steps and halted before her. "You are the rider?"

  "Yes."

  She swayed. Marcus caught her to him.

  Elise clutched at his shirt, burying her head in his chest. She didn't move for a long moment, then took a shuddering breath and mumbled against him, "If I could sit down."

  He whipped off his cloak and wrapped it around her. Marcus slipped an arm beneath her and she threw her arms around his neck when he lifted her into his arms. He knelt and gently settled her in a seated position on the ground. Her arms remained tight about him for a moment, then finally relaxed.

  Marcus straightened, his gaze falling on her bare feet. "Where are your shoes?"

  She glanced from her feet back at him. "I took them off. What woman attempting an escape would go barefoot?" She gave him a hopeful look. "Sensible, don't you agree?"

  "Sensible?" he repeated.

  Elise abruptly grasped her stomach. Marcus held her head to the side as she wretched violently. The convulsion ceased and he wiped her mouth with the tartan.

  She sat up. "Had to happen eventually," she croaked.

  "Will you be all right?"

  She nodded but averted her face. "I'm much better."

  Marcus stood. "Michael, you, Brian, and Finn remain here. Get the horses," he said to the remaining men, then looked at Elise. "I assume you freed their horses?"

  She nodded.

  "Marcus," Michael said. "We stumbled upon two Campbells. They were the guards west of the camp. Seems we were wrong. They had moved. Probably the only ones who had horses."

  "Dead?"

  The older man nodded.

  Marcus's men returned with the horses.

  He took Alexis's reins and mounted, then said to Michael, "It may take some time, but I won't leave before catching every last one of the bastards. If so much as a shadow flickers, get out."

  Michael nodded, and Marcus reined his horse around, his men following.

  * * * *

  Marcus stood, legs apart, staring down at Elise. She sat on the couch, head bowed, her gaze on the carpeted floor of his library. He took a deep breath and seated himself beside her.

  "A day on the trip home and I held my tongue," he said. "Then a day here at Brahan Seer. You're well enough now to answer to me. What in God's name were you doing?"

  "I promised Michael I would come."

  "Michael would not hold you to any such promise."

  She lifted her chin and met his gaze. "I didn't go alone, as you know."

  "You took a boy, Elise."

  Pain flickered across her face. "I will not make that mistake again."

  "Nay, you will not, but that doesn't explain why you insist upon going. Bloody hell, Elise, no one but you is a risk-taker."

  She stiffened. "I am sorry you had to come for me—"

  "Sorry I had to come for you? You little idiot. It wasn't the coming for you that you need be sorry for, but the fact you nearly got yourself killed. It's a miracle you survived the fall from your horse."

  Marcus shifted his gaze to her right cheek where the light yellow of a severe bruise peeked out from beneath her thick hair. He was well aware of the gash that lay hidden beneath her hair. She had taken great pains to hide the wound. What else did she hide?

  "What of the Campbells, Elise?"

  She frowned. "I don't understand why they took me."

  "Nay?"

  She started. "I'm not a complete fool. I understand their intentions. But why make off with me? Why not attack me there?"

  A mental picture of them attacking her there rose on a tide of a fury that forced Marcus to his feet. He strode to the sideboard, poured a whiskey, drank it in one gulp, then set the glass down and faced her. He leaned against the sideboard and folded his arms across his chest.

  "They like to savor their victims."

  Her lips parted in a soft gasp.

  "Did you think otherwise?" he asked.

  "The beady-eyed one, Rory, would have taken me there, but their leader, William—"

  "William?" Marcus interjected savagely. He started toward her. Her eyes widened when he closed the gap between them. He yanked her from her seat. "What did William want, Elise?"

  "He stopped Rory from…"

  "Did he now?" Marcus shoved her onto the couch, pivoted, and returned to the sideboard. He poured another drink and emptied the glass as he had the last, then faced her again. "It didn't occur to you he didn't want a woman who was used up?"

  Her cheeks reddened, then her expression hardened. "There had been no sign of Campbells for weeks. How long am I supposed to let your fears rule me?"

  "Until I say otherwise. Just be glad I don't tie you to your bed."

  Her eyes narrowed. "What sort of threat is that?"

  "The kind I will enforce with relish."<
br />
  Elise jumped to her feet. She swayed slightly. Marcus started forward, then stopped when she fisted her hands at her sides.

  "Ooooh." She drew the word out in a long frustrated breath. "You are an arrogant knave, Marcus MacGregor, not to mention foul natured. Does it give you pleasure to threaten me?"

  "Threaten you?" He gave an exasperated laugh. "I haven't given you even a small sample of my power."

  "I advise you to keep such threats to yourself," she said through clenched teeth.

  "God help me, I should turn you over my knee—which is what I planned in the beginning."

  Elise took a step back and he advanced. "In fact, if you have any defense, say your piece now, for you shall receive the only recompense your sex allows."

  "I have nothing to tell you." She retreated another pace.

  Marcus halted. Bloody hell, were his suspicions right? "What are you hiding, Elise?"

  Her eyes flashed but not before widening enough to tell him he'd caught her off guard. "What could I possibly—"

  "You're a fool if you expect me to believe you simply want to visit Michael. We both know he is well. Who do you meet when you leave Brahan Seer?"

  Her eyes lit with indignation.

  Feminine fury. Had he hit the mark? Had she taken a lover?

  The blood pounded in his ears. "You would risk death—or worse—for a common liaison?"

  Her expression flashed to hauteur. "Any assignations I have are none of your concern."

  Relief rammed through him. Womanly pride drove her, not fear of discovery. Why, then, the insistence on going to Michael's?

  She turned, but he caught her wrist and whirled her around. "What are you hiding?"

  Elise clenched the hand he grasped. "Is it so hard to believe someone might care enough about another human being to take a risk?"

  "You expect me to believe you are so foolish?"

  She gave a harsh laugh. "Believe what you will."

  "I believe you are lying."

  "Why bother coming for me, then?"

  For the thousandth time, Marcus saw Elise as Katie MacGregor had been when she was found raped and beaten. He yanked Elise to him, his mouth crashing down on hers. She shoved at his chest, but he only tightened his arms around her and roughened the kiss. He thrust his tongue inside her mouth and felt her body stiffen in surprise then slacken against him. Her breath quickened. Marcus remembered the couch only a few feet away, but she abruptly wrenched her mouth free. He hugged her close, burying his head in her hair.

  "Elise," he whispered hoarsely. "When I think—" his voice caught. "They had their hands on you." He hugged her even closer. "Never again."

  He kissed her neck, placed gentle kisses behind her ear and down to where neck met shoulder. She gasped, and he lifted his head to look down into her wide eyes. He lowered his mouth to hers, tenderly this time, moving slowly until her lips softened beneath his. She gave a sudden small gasp, then pushed away, her hand going to her lips. He focused on the action.

  "Ohhh," she drew out the word on a soft breath.

  Marcus stepped toward her. She backed up until the chair before his desk barred her retreat. He halted, his body inches from her. She gripped the top of the chair, then stepped aside, shoving the chair toward him. Marcus reached for her. The chair hit his shin. Pain shot through his leg, but he stumbled forward, grabbing for her. His fingers closed around thin air as she dashed for the door and disappeared down the corridor.

  Chapter Six

  Movement to his left caused Marcus to jerk his head in the direction of the woman emerging from the kitchen into the hall. She was not Elise. The woman's brown hair had fooled him for an instant. He shoved his chair back, rose from his seat, and strode to the kitchen. He stepped aside for another serving maid as she hurried past into the hall with a plate of food in hand. He scanned the kitchen. Elise wasn't among the women serving the evening meal.

  By God, she was avoiding him.

  Why she was avoiding him, he knew; how she had managed to do so for a day and a half, he suspected could be answered by Winnie, who, oddly enough, was also absent. He turned and headed for the postern door, wincing at the ache in his knee. Once in the quiet of the brightly lit courtyard, he veered north toward the cottages.

  "Marcus."

  Marcus glanced over his shoulder at the sound of his father's call and stopped at sight of the MacLaren warrior walking alongside Cameron. They halted in front of Marcus.

  "Brian here has brought a message from Declan." Cameron looked at the man. "Go ahead, lad."

  "Declan wanted ye to know there's been Campbells on MacLaren land."

  "When?" Marcus demanded.

  "Three days in a row now."

  "You haven't caught any of them?"

  Brian snorted. "The bastards are getting better at running."

  "They are," Marcus agreed, then asked, "You will stay the night?"

  "Aye."

  "Good. Be ready at first light. I'll travel back with you. Have some supper." He motioned toward the great hall, then looked back at his father. "Cameron, I wish to speak with you." Marcus waited until Brian was out of earshot, then said, "Have Elise moved into the castle while I am gone."

  Cameron showed no surprise at the request. "What reason should I give?"

  "Ask if she plans on living with Winnie the rest of her life."

  His father gave an approving look. "I will put her in the west wing's private suite."

  "Nay," Marcus said. "The east wing, the room nearest mine.

  Cameron frowned. "'Tis hard on you, her sharing a cottage with Winnie, but to put her in the lady's quarters next to yours is going a bit far the other direction."

  "The guest room, Cameron," Marcus said. "Not in the adjoining room—at least, not yet."

  "At least, not yet?" Cameron exclaimed.

  Two men passing turned their heads at his raised voice.

  He glanced at them, then leaned in closer to Marcus. "That's a bit obvious, don't you think, lad? A man doesna' flaunt his mistress."

  Marcus raised a brow. "Aye."

  His father blinked. "What? Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

  "I am."

  Cameron rubbed his chin. "I have never known you to take advantage of a woman under your protection."

  "I have no intention of doing so now," Marcus replied, though he couldn't help the mental image of how much he would relish taking advantage.

  Cameron regarded him. "I thought you would not marry again. 'Tis ten years since Jenna died."

  "I hadn't planned on remarrying."

  "You have a son and, at your age, you need not marry."

  Marcus gave a short laugh. "I needn't do much of anything, Father."

  Cameron gave a single nod. "Your marriage to Jenna wasn't one of love." His mouth turned down wryly. "You always were the politician. You should have told King George to go to the devil when he insisted you marry the wench."

  "I have no regrets," Marcus replied. "And I shall have none now."

  "Tiring of the demimonde?"

  He gave a slight smile. "'Tis not the same."

  Cameron grinned. "I thought you would want the lass, but I hadn't realized how badly."

  Marcus exhaled. "No one is more surprised than I."

  * * * *

  Marcus and his men dismounted in the outer bailey of the MacLaren holding. He tossed his horse's reins to a MacLaren guard and waited. A few moments later, Declan entered the bailey.

  Marcus stepped forward and caught Declan's hand in a firm grip. "Good of you to allow us entrance."

  Declan's eyes twinkled. "Aye, considering your treatment of me when last I visited Brahan Seer."

  "I recall your night ended well."

  Declan grinned. "Aye, a fine night it was. What brings you here? Have I ruined the MacGregor lasses for you? Josephine cried when I left."

  "I heard she got rather feisty," Marcus remarked.

  Declan laughed. "Aye, she's a sassy one, but nothing like your
Ceasg."

  Marcus gave a rueful grimace. "Elise's temper is much like the Highland mermaid's."

  "A resemblance? If the lass were a Highlander, she could grant the mythical three wishes." He gave Marcus a shrewd look. "Perhaps she has already granted yours, eh?'

  Marcus snorted. "I suspect granting any wish I have is the furthest thing from her mind."

  "Ahh," Declan intoned. "You haven't exactly endeared yourself to her?"

  "Not quite."

  "Mayhap, you should have let me teach her a lesson after all." His brows lifted. "Break her in, so to speak."

  "I would have had no sympathy for you when she broke you."

  Declan grimaced. "Aye, well, 'tis best, then, that I leave you with the taming."

  "God help me," Marcus said under his breath, then gave him a serious look. "I hear you have had Campbells on your land."

  "Aye." Declan led Marcus toward the great hall.

  "Elise was kidnapped by the Campbells six days ago," Marcus said.

  "Kidnapped?" Declan gave Marcus an appraising look. "You don't look broken up like you were with Katie. Is the lass…?"

  "She is well, though only by the grace of God. We need to talk."

  Marcus shook his head at the serving girl who offered to refill his dinner plate, and she moved to the man sitting to his right.

  "They never touched her?" Declan asked.

  "Nay."

  "Can you be sure?"

  "Bruised a bit, but nothing like Katie."

  "Aye, well," Declan said, "I suppose if she wasn't in the same shape as Katie…"

  "She wasn't," Marcus replied. "Which is damned lucky for the entire Campbell clan."

  Declan leaned back in his chair. "Too close for comfort."

  "They were within half a mile of Brahan Seer."

  "Jesus, they've grown bollocks of late. I am surprised they didn't do the deed right there." His mouth twitched. "You don't suppose they suddenly got religion?" He laughed, giving the table such a slap it rattled the plates.

  "Nay," Marcus replied, his mouth twisting into a grim frown. "But they did meet their maker."

  "Good. You have been too soft with them in the past. Aye," he went on when Marcus started to interrupt, "ye made them pay for Katie, but there have been other times."

  Declan reached for his mug and took a long draught. He set the mug on the table while watching the serving woman who approached from the far end of the table. She looked up and Declan winked. His gaze remained on her as she passed. He took another drink of ale, then turned back to Marcus.