Highland Guardian

by Melissa Mayhue

  The child tightened his grip on her hand, calmly watching her with big eyes. “And you’ll come to say good-bye before you leave?” Ian stopped, giving the child his full attention. “We promise.”

  “Okay, Uncle Ian. It’s a deal.”

  They had reached the garden and soon heard voices. Daniel and a young woman appeared around the first bend in the mazelike path.

  “Look, Nancy, you only have one thing to do for the next few days. Is it too much to ask that you do it? He’s only six. With your training, I’d think you could maintain surveillance on one small six-year-old.” Daniel ran his hand through his hair, which was already quite disheveled, as if his hand had followed the same path many times in the last few minutes.

  “Daddy!” Will ran to his father, who bent to pick him up, hugging him close.

  “Wills came out to the cottage for a visit.” Ian exchanged a look with Daniel as his friend handed the child over to the nanny. “But he’s promised no to do it again without his nanny. Isna that right?”

  “Absolutely.” Will grinned at all of them. “You’ll remember to come say good night?”

  “Absolutely,” Ian echoed back as the boy and his nanny turned toward the house.

  Ian dropped back beside Daniel on the narrow path, leaving Sarah to walk alone in front of them. She could hear them talking quietly behind her. Even when it sounded as though the men had halted, the buzz of their whispered conversation becoming too indistinct to follow, she continued forward, drawn by the sound of laughter ahead.

  Coming to the end of the path, Sarah moved onto the terrace before she stopped to survey the scene in the garden courtyard. It was beautifully set up, delicate chairs in groups of twos and threes around a small central pond. Large iron stands held multiple candles, which, along with strings of lights, shed a subtle illumination over the gathering. Soft music floated through the night air, delivered by unseen speakers.

  Nessa stood at a food-laden table on the opposite side, speaking to two women. Sarah suffered a small twinge of embarrassment when she saw the other women wearing dresses, but pushed it down in favor of practicality as she realized the temperatures were already dropping.

  To her left, at the far end of the pond a bar had been set up, complete with a smiling bartender. In front of it stood two men whose backs were to her, their heads lowered, deeply involved in a discussion. They turned, drinks in hand, and one of them raised his head, glancing her direction.

  She froze, unable to look away, recognition jolting through her.

  His eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed as he sauntered her direction.

  “Oh, shit,” she breathed, feeling her stomach drop. Her worst fear had come to pass. Her ex-husband was here.

  * * *

  Ian scanned the group from the edge of the courtyard. He listened to Daniel’s initial assessment of the men who had arrived—the men whose files they had discussed in detail earlier today. But his friend’s words faded into background noise as he watched Sarah standing several meters in front of him.

  The rounded neckline of the cream-colored sweater she wore exposed just enough skin to emphasize how soft and feminine she looked. Very touchable. Especially with her loose curls brushing right above her shoulders. Like spun gold. His fingers flexed as he thought of running them through that hair.

  Stay focused.

  She distracted him and that was dangerous. For all of them. He couldn’t afford to let that happen.

  Centering himself, he was immediately aware of a difference in her. The unnatural rigidity of her stance telegraphed her tension across the distance. He wondered that the entire group didn’t see it, but no one else seemed to notice. He tracked the direction of her gaze. The man she watched smiled as he approached her, but there was nothing friendly in his expression. He reminded Ian of a fox stalking its prey—not particularly large, but quite fearsome for its sly behavior.

  Ian studied him. He was a fit-enough-looking man, probably in his mid- to late-forties, with light brown hair. He exuded the type of confidence that comes from years of controlling other people.

  Ian held up a finger to stop Daniel’s running commentary. “Who’s that? The one headed toward Sarah.”

  “Bradley Tanner. He’s the one I was telling you about.” Daniel frowned. “Why? What is it?”

  “I’m no sure.”

  Lowering his head, Ian blocked out his surroundings and concentrated. The distance was no challenge for someone with his abilities. Enhanced hearing was only one of the gifts of his Fae blood. Once he blocked out all other distractions, he could hear their conversation clearly.

  “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the Ice Queen herself.”

  Ian jerked his head up in time to see Sarah’s face color and her arms tighten around her middle in the self-protective gesture he’d come to associate with her.

  “Brad.” Her tone was tight and clipped.

  “I must say, I’m surprised to see you here. Are you with someone?” He took a drink from the glass he held, his smile turning malicious. “Hard to believe anyone here would want something like you to warm his bed.”

  “I can see you haven’t changed at all.” Sarah glared at the man.

  “Why should I? I wasn’t the nutcase. You were. So, have you found yourself some ancient Brit who’ll put up with your crazy nonsense?”

  A wave of resentment washed over Ian and he started forward. A waiter passed and he snagged two glasses of champagne off the tray. Whoever the bloody bastard was, he wasn’t going to get away with speaking to Sarah like that. It might not be fashionable to challenge the bugger to a duel in this day and age, but there were other ways to handle him.

  “I take it that’s a no? As I recall, you weren’t comfortable with people, didn’t want them touching you.” He took another drink and then sneered. “Oh wait. I remember now. It’s only men you’re no good with.”

  “Really?” Ian interrupted. Catching Tanner’s eye, Ian flashed a humorless smile as he joined them. “And here I was thinking she was quite good.”

  He moved close behind Sarah, ignoring her flinch when he pulled her back against his chest. A shiver passed through her as he carefully wrapped his arms around her, both glasses held out in front of them.

  “Sorry I’m late, luv.” He leaned down to kiss her neck, just below her ear, nuzzling for perhaps a moment longer than necessary. Never taking his eyes from the other man’s, he inhaled deeply, enjoying the feel and the scent of her. “I stopped to get yer champagne. Who’s yer…friend?” He continued to stare at the man as she accepted the glass with a trembling hand.

  Before she could answer, the man extended his hand. “Brad Tanner, chief financial officer for EHN International.”

  Ian met it with his own. “Ian McCullough.”

  “Lord Ian McCullough,” Daniel interrupted. “Earl of Dunscore.”

  Focused on the man in front of him, Ian hadn’t even noticed his friend join them. He smiled as Tanner’s eyebrows rose. Titles occasionally served their purpose. Especially with men like this one.

  “And how exactly do you know my Sarah?” He emphasized the word, watching as the other man’s jaw muscle twitched. Sarah stiffened in his embrace just before Tanner answered.

  “Because she used to be my Sarah. We were married. Briefly.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes.

  “Not briefly enough,” she muttered.

  Ian tightened his arm around her, allowing his fingers to caress her shoulder. Better that than allowing his fingers to squeeze the man’s neck, which is what he’d prefer to do right now. Ladies were not meant to be treated so thoughtlessly, particularly not in public.

  “Well.” He shrugged carelessly, though it took effort. “We all make mistakes.”

  He’d made one, for instance. He’d judged Sarah to be naïve, unsure of men based on lack of experience. It appeared he’d been wrong. She was unsure of men based on bad experience. Now that he’d met the man she’d been married to, it made perfect sense. If s
he’d ever had any self-confidence, this idiot had done his best to destroy it.

  The pain and embarrassment he’d seen in her eyes the one time she’d looked up ate at him still. He slid his hand from her shoulder up to her bare neck, tightening his grip so she couldn’t pull away, using his thumb to stroke small gentle circles under her ear-lobe. The exact spot where he’d kissed her.

  Finishing his champagne, he concentrated on serenity, on how much pleasure he found in touching her. He allowed it to fill his mind, ignoring the conversation around him. Henry had judged her to be a Sensor, and Henry was rarely mistaken. If that were the case, the emotions would flow through his fingers into the very core of her. He knew the instant she felt it. The trembling stopped and she relaxed against him, her head tilting away, allowing his thumb greater access. He doubted she even realized she’d moved. But he was acutely aware of it.

  As was Brad Tanner, if his stony expression was any indication.

  The second man had joined them, Daniel introducing him as Paul Stephenson, chief operating officer for EHN. Ian shook his hand, but didn’t relinquish his hold on Sarah. The man was older, with gentle eyes. Ian was almost willing to bet this man wasn’t connected in any way to what they were looking for.

  But Tanner? Ian would enjoy his being involved.

  “So, McCullough, what kind of work do you do?” Tanner’s eyes flicked from Ian’s face to his hand on Sarah’s neck and back again.

  “My properties take up most of my time. At least the time I’m willing to devote to work.” Tanner seemed like a man easily influenced by wealth and title. Ian was willing to use that.

  “My wife, Marlena, is over there.” Pointing at the appetizer table, Stephenson spoke quietly to Sarah. “Would you like me to take you over and introduce you?”

  “No,” Ian answered for her. “Thanks, but I’ll do that. We’ve neither of us had anything to eat since morning, so that looks like the spot for us. If you’ll excuse us, gentlemen?”

  The grateful smile Sarah gave him as he steered her across the courtyard disappeared when they saw the men following a short time later.

  Nessa had already started introductions, beginning with Marlena Stephenson, a tall matronly woman with a ready smile. She turned toward her other guest, a statuesque young woman with long blond hair and pouty red lips.

  “And this—”

  “This,” Brad interrupted, putting his arm around the younger woman as he arrived at the table, “is my wife, Nicole.” He smirked as he brought his gaze up from his wife to look at Sarah. “Isn’t she lovely?”

  “Oh, Bradley…stop it,” Nicole giggled. “Call me Nicki. Everyone does.” She turned and batted large brown eyes in Ian’s direction, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Nessa here tells us you’re an honest-to-God duke.”

  “Earl, actually,” Ian corrected, pleased at the irritation that flashed across Tanner’s face. He decided that Sarah must have noticed it as well since she discreetly smothered her chuckle in a cough.

  “Daddy will really get a kick out of that.” Nicki smiled at the group, allowing her hand to drop to her side. Exchanging her empty champagne glass for a full one as the waiter passed by, she favored the whole group with another of her blinding smiles.

  “Daddy?” Ian turned a questioning look toward the woman’s husband.

  “Alexander Storey,” Brad filled in. “Nicole’s father is the founder and CEO of EHN. He and Mr. O’Dannan arrive tomorrow.”

  “Mr. O’Dannan?” Ian had begun to feel a bit like a parrot, but he had his own part to play. After all, as a social guest of Daniel’s, he wouldn’t have any reason to know who these people were, even though Daniel had briefed him on all of them when he’d first arrived. All except this O’Dannan.

  “Personal executive assistant to the chairman of the board. I’ve only just heard from him this past hour,” Daniel added. “If all goes well, Mr. Servans, the chairman himself, might even join us for our big dinner event.” He smiled at everyone gathered and lifted his glass in a toast, playing his role to the hilt. “Even on such short notice, several willing donors have already agreed to attend. And I’ve offered to up my own donation if the chairman joins us.”

  “Money’s about the only thing that’d bring that man out,” Marlena muttered under her breath, and her husband frowned in her direction. She shrugged and turned away from the group, refilling her plate from the selection at the table.

  Ian held back his smile, thankful for his superior hearing.

  “We’re so excited about your little weekend, aren’t we, Bradley?” Nicole gushed. “When I heard we were going to be spending four days partying with real royalty here, I simply agonized over which designer to wear.” She handed her empty glass to her husband. “Bradley, honey, could you find me another one of those?” She turned back to the others as her husband headed to the bar. “But then I figured it really wouldn’t matter ’cause none of y’all shop in Dallas like I do, so I’m bound to be wearin’ somethin’ different from what all of y’all are.”

  Airhead. Wasn’t that the term he’d seen used on Henry’s telly? This particular version of airhead couldn’t be over twenty-five if she was a day. He studied Brad as the man brought back his wife’s drink and handed it to her, a smug look on his face.

  The topic of conversation had changed to the availability of challenging golf courses in the area, with the women discussing shopping in the nearby towns. Sarah remained quiet, his arm still around her shoulders.

  “Ian, what say we take these two over to Mendip for a round of golf first thing tomorrow? We can be back before the ladies are even up.” Daniel grinned at him, knowing how much he hated the game.

  “Of course. Ring me up at the cottage in the morning.” It would be a good opportunity to see what they could learn about the rest of the board of EHN from their guests.

  Ian felt Sarah rise on her toes and lean into him. He tilted his head down to her.

  “When does Will go to bed? We did promise to say good night,” she whispered, her breath flowing warmly over his ear and down his neck.

  He could have simply responded, but he caught Brad watching them and chose instead to pull her close. Answering into her opposite ear gave the impression he was embracing her and, in fact, gave him the opportunity to do exactly that. An opportunity he found himself more than willing to seize.

  “We’ll go now,” he whispered back.

  He wasn’t sure if he was more pleased with the way she shivered in his embrace or by the expression of irritation that passed over Brad’s face.

  He looked up and smiled at the group. “Sorry to leave such good company, but Sarah and I need to call it a day. We’re both tired from our long drive down.”

  “Oh, but it’s still early,” Nicki protested.

  “I’m sure that, unlike you, my dear, Sarah needs her sleep.” Brad squeezed his wife’s shoulder, a victorious half smile on his lips.

  “It’s no sleep she’s leaving for,” Ian murmured just loud enough for Brad’s benefit. He grinned as they walked away. It felt good to see the smile wiped right off that smug face.

  * * *

  Will had been waiting for them when they’d reached his room, determined not to fall asleep until they arrived, as if he feared they might not come. By the time they’d tucked him in and given him good-night kisses, his little eyes had closed and his breathing was slow and even. Sarah had never seen anyone go to sleep so fast.

  She took a deep breath as they walked slowly across the plush carpet of lawn, Ian holding tightly to her hand. Her mind swirled with the tumult of emotions she felt. She should pull away, but the contact gave her comfort and she wasn’t willing to give that up just yet. It had been an unsettling evening. Unsettling? It had been horrendous. Seeing Brad, hearing him again had opened old wounds she’d thought long closed. All the humiliation she’d felt so many years ago flooded back.

  Only Ian’s presence had saved her tonight. He had been there for her through the whole of it, smooth
ing her path. Sooner or later she would need to deal with what had happened, answer the questions that would surely come.

  “I’m sorry for all that…scene tonight, Ian. I know it must have been uncomfortable for you.”

  She attempted to pull her hand away, but he held on to it, using it to pull her closer to him. Tucking her under his arm, he stopped and looked down at her.

  “I dinna feel at all uncomfortable.” There it was, that devastating smile again. The one that made her breath catch in her throat. “In fact, I rather enjoyed myself.”

  “Enjoyed yourself?” She shuddered. “Well, I want you to know that I appreciate your stepping in like that.” They were walking again, his arm still around her. “I was so shocked to see Brad here, I couldn’t think at first. I had heard that his wife was somehow connected with EHN, but I had no idea he worked for them, let alone was one of their executives. Had I known, I wouldn’t have come.”

  “Then it’s my good fortune you dinna know. I’m grateful to have you with me, regardless of what happened back there. That’s no yer fault.”

  “Still, you pretty much saved me from making a complete fool of myself.”

  Ian chuckled, tightening his arm in a little hug. “It took no great effort on my part. But you do realize the consequences of what we’ve done, do you no?” He looked down at her again, his hand moving from her shoulder to her neck.

  “Consequences?” Did that come out as a squeak?

  “Everyone assumes we’re a couple now.”

  “Oh.”

  “So I’m afraid we’ll have to continue our little pretense.”

  “Oh.”

  He’d done it again. Robbed her of her ability to make conversation that consisted of more than one syllable. Must have something to do with his thumb moving in that little circle under her ear as it was now. As it had earlier. Relaxing her. Calming her.

  The cottage was directly ahead. Hadn’t she wanted to ask him something about the cottage this afternoon?

  Wait a minute.

  “Is this the Caretaker’s Cottage?”

  “Aye. That’s what it was used for long ago, so they continue to call it by that name.”