by Nicole Locke
And the sword.
There was not enough space to recover her balance. She was stumbling, flailing and, at the angle it was at, she’d impale herself on the sword’s tip.
It was a nightmare.
‘Gaira!’ Robert shouted. ‘Run another way!’
Alec looked up, the log still in his hands. He grinned when he saw Gaira, but then he began to scream.
At Alec’s scream, Gaira stopped trying to fix her balance and increased her pace. She didn’t even know she was the one in danger. She slipped again, her arms splaying out in all directions, her feet coming up from under her on the muddy slope.
Robert lunged forward and knocked her out of the sword’s path. But his body was too large and too close. The sword effortlessly sliced his tunic and his ribcage.
At the sharp pain, Robert’s fear quickly turned to anger.
Chapter Fourteen
Gaira didn’t spare him a glance, but went straight to Alec and wrapped the sobbing boy in her arms.
‘Ach, now, it’s all right, baby, it’s all right.’ She wrapped him even tighter and the sobs turned from hysterical to great gasping gulps of air and tears. ‘’Tis fine now. You’re not hurt, are you, now?’ Her hands and eyes hurriedly inspected Alec’s clothes and body.
‘The boy is fine.’ Robert grabbed the sword’s hilt and moved away from the mud.
She was cradling Alec’s face, her trembling hands wiping briskly over Alec’s wet cheeks. ‘But he’s scared to death, though, isn’t he?’ Her head nodded emphatically.
Alec nodded along with her.
Robert raised the blade. Satisfied it was only muddy and not nicked by a random stone or, worse, the boy himself, he said, ‘The boy should be scared. He almost hurt himself and you.’
‘Me? Not hardly. I slipped a bit, but my ankle feels fine.’
He searched for the scabbard. ‘I’m not talking about your damn ankle. He could have decapitated himself on this sword, and you!’ Robert’s anger tightened. ‘You tried to impale yourself on it in your rush to get to the boy.’
She clamped her hands against Alec’s ears. ‘What are you trying to do, scare him even more? He’s a child. He doesn’t need such graphic nonsense.’
‘Nonsense?’
Her brows were drawn inward and she looked...stubborn. She actually believed what she was saying.
‘He was just trying to help us. Couldn’t you see he was trying to make kindling for our fire?’
He found the scabbard. It was damp from the grass and he laid the sword next to it. Both would have to be cleaned before he put them together again. ‘I don’t care what the boy was trying to do, what he did was wrong.’
Robert walked over to them and crouched down so he was almost eye level. ‘Do you understand it was wrong to take someone else’s property without asking permission first?’
The boy looked with his huge brown eyes and said nothing. Robert felt his frown deepen. The boy did not understand.
‘Never. Never do that again. You could have killed yourself. Dead.’
Alec kept his wide-eyed stare, but didn’t say anything. Gaira glared at him. He didn’t care.
His anger was coiled so tight now, the barest addition of an irritation would make it flare. He’d never lost his temper and the fact he was so close now, and the fact that a five-year-old boy was bringing him to the edge, only further angered him.
He stood to give himself some distance. He’d already explained to the boy about death and property, but Alec gave him no acknowledgement. Now he was forced to ask for an apology. From a five-year-old boy. If only King Edward could see him now.
He pointed his finger at the boy. ‘I demand you explain why you would take my sword and scare Gaira terribly—’
‘I’m sorry,’ squeaked Alec.
Robert stopped.
Alec was worriedly looking at Gaira and back to him. ‘I won’t do it again.’ Alec gave quick shakes of his head. ‘I doona want to scare Auntie Gaira again.’
The boy had apologised. But to Gaira. That did it. Everyone in this motley family was mad. That he had agreed to travel with them was a serious lack of judgement on his part.
Gaira stood and patted Alec on the back. ‘Why doona you return to the camp? There’ll be some food for you there.’
Alec dragged his feet through the grass as he climbed the slope and disappeared over the ledge.
‘Now look at what you’ve done.’ Gaira turned to him. ‘You doona need to shout at him. He’s only a child.’
‘I didn’t shout.’
‘Aye, you did, and you scared him to death, too. All that talk about hurting me. He’s already lost his parents. He dinna need the scare of losing me, too!’
So that was the reason the boy had suddenly apologised, but that didn’t change the truth. ‘He did almost hurt you! He almost killed you.’
‘That’s ridiculous.’ She gave a soft snort. ‘How could he have hurt me? You were the one pushing me into the mud.’
He took a step closer and pointed to the sword. He was not in the wrong here. He couldn’t believe he even felt defensive. ‘You were hurtling towards a sword pointed right at your heart. I pushed you out of harm’s way. I saved your life!’
By her expression, he knew she hadn’t been aware of her own danger. She had been so focused on the boy’s safety, she’d disregarded her own. He should not have been surprised. Since he’d known her she had done nothing but sacrifice herself for others.
She straightened to her full height and leaned towards him. ‘Even if that is so, it is hardly the boy’s fault. He doesn’t deserve you glowering at him.’
He couldn’t believe what she was saying. Just the mere thought of what had almost happened made his anger swirl with fear. ‘Not his fault!’ If he shouted now, it was only because this stubborn woman made no sense at all. ‘It’s entirely his fault. He took my sword. He hid in the woods. He used sharp steel as some sort of axe. He could have cut his head off! And you!’
He took a quick breath. ‘You were just as careless as he! Crying out, running through mud, slipping right towards the sword tip. You could have been cut in half!’
Her face flushed, her eyes flared and she poked him in the chest. ‘Ach, I had nae caution, you brastling gaupie! What about you? You recklessly left the sword out when there are children around!’
Anger crackled in every fibre of her body. He felt it. He saw it in the flash of her hair, the light of her eyes. But she was standing right in front of him and she was so very whole.
‘Reckless!’ He grabbed her arms and yanked her to him. ‘I’ll show you reckless!’
He felt satisfaction in the widening of her eyes and the slight parting of her lips. But satisfaction was quickly swamped by the stronger feeling of how she felt against him. She was all slender, tall limbs, moulding to his body.
If she had pushed him away, if she had protested, even if she had just kept her anger, he might have been able to pull away. But her eyes turned to clouded whisky and he didn’t stand a chance.
Gaira had felt his hard male body when she had accidentally slid into him. She had even felt his arms support her before, but she hadn’t felt his intent before. His desire swept over her in great rolling waves and she knew she would have drowned if he hadn’t locked his arms around her.
Then his lips captured her mouth and she knew she was drowning, swimming in liquid heat. Hot, feral and so very greedy.
Reaching around his waist, she leaned further into him. She felt his breath, felt the firm pressure of his mouth, the insistence to open. She did.
The feeling of his tongue upon hers, tracing the inside of her lips with a light, wet caress, pooled across her heart and lower. She pressed against him, wanting to be closer.
He complied. Lifting her, curving his hand around h
er, pressing her against him. She gasped at the sweep of heat to her breasts and she dug her fingers into his sides.
He growled and pushed her away. She felt the panting of breath fill her chest, the cool air brush across her breasts and a warm sticky wetness covering her right hand.
Looking down at her hand, she blinked through her haze at the bright red covering her fingers.
‘It looks worse than it feels,’ Robert said.
‘You’re hurt!’
‘In more ways than one.’
She grabbed his tunic and pushed his arm roughly out of the way.
‘I’ll not like further injury,’ he added.
‘Oh!’ She dropped his arm. ‘Does it pain you?’
‘It does now.’ He laid a hand on her shoulder. ‘But I think it has more to do with my mind being occupied with the wound rather than with other...thoughts.’
Her face flamed.
He took a step back. ‘I should not have done that.’
She swallowed to cover the sudden lump in her throat. ‘Aye, your...lecture to Alec was unconventional, but he is a child and I’m sure he has recovered.’
He glanced at her. Already, the heat in his eyes was cool, distant, but she saw something swirling there before he turned his head away. Anger?
‘That is not what I meant.’
She nodded. She knew that. She just didn’t want to discuss why he shouldn’t have kissed her. She wanted to be kissed. She didn’t want to hear he hadn’t wanted it, too. ‘We should take care of your wound.’
‘I brought thread for stitching and cloth for bandaging. It will be fine.’
‘I’ll help you.’
‘No, I have done it before and it won’t take me long.’ His voice was level and so removed. ‘If I need further ministrations, I’ll find some when we reach the next village.’
‘But you could go into fever. At least let me stay with you until we are sure.’
‘There won’t be the time.’ He turned and picked up his sword and scabbard. ‘This scratch changes nothing. Once I get your supplies and a horse, I will be gone.’
So he still planned to leave them, even after they’d kissed. Had she imagined she felt something for him when he’d held her?
And what about Alec? She thought he had been genuinely concerned for the boy’s safety.
He was not even looking back to see if she followed him up the hill. It was as if he was already getting ready to leave them.
How could he change so fast? She still reeled from the feeling of his kiss. He’d left as if he felt nothing.
She pressed her lips and felt the tender, swollen feel of them. He had roughly kissed her, his arms and hands had shoved and pressed her to him, as if she was his air, food and shelter.
She had not imagined that. Nor had she imagined the worry in his features when he’d raced down the hill and lectured the boy. He had been worried for Alec and worried for her.
He did have feelings. She knew with her heart he wasn’t being cold and distant because he didn’t feel. It was because he didn’t want to feel emotion for a five-year-old boy and didn’t want to feel anything for a woman with gangly legs.
But he had displayed both just moments before. And that thought made her feel just a bit lighter.
She swung her single plait over her shoulder and followed Robert back to camp.
Chapter Fifteen
It was late in the day when they reached the village. It took some time for Robert to clean and stitch his wound and even longer to clean his sword and scabbard. She argued with him to help, but he wouldn’t let her touch him.
The road into the village was not much wider than the two horses and at first there was nothing more than a few crofters’ huts surrounded by gardens. When the road narrowed even more, the huts became tightly built buildings sharing common walls. Taking the reins of Creighton and Flora’s horse, Robert slowly manoeuvred them through people and farm animals until they reached the square. The busiest building was a little taller than the others, with dark slits for windows. The doors were open and a din of voices echoed.
‘This isn’t a mere village,’ Robert remarked. ‘Did you stay here?’
‘Nae.’ Gaira relaxed her tight hold on the reins. It was more of a town. When she’d fled, she had avoided the many huts and buildings. But now she was relieved it had accommodation. Storm clouds were moving in from the north and they needed the protection.
He soothed the side of the horse’s neck. ‘I thought you travelled this way before.’
‘I dinna spare the time for rest.’
He looked at her a moment longer and shrugged. ‘’Tis late now. We’d be lucky if they have rooms available for the night.’
Relieved at a change of subject, she rushed her words. ‘I’ll see to it. Despite your using our tongue, you are still English. At best they’ll quote you a higher price, at worst they’ll lop off your head.’
He spoke to her in Gaelic. ‘But you are a woman and it’s not safe for you to go in alone.’
She smiled. ‘You doona stand a chance with that pronunciation.’
‘Even so, I think it’s—’
Loud laughter poured out of the inn. Three large Scotsmen, wide grins plastered on, came stumbling out.
Blinking rapidly, one of them waved. ‘Ho, ho, greetings, welcome, welcome on such a happy day!’
Gaira laughed and inclined her head. ‘It is a happy day with such a welcome.’
One of the men stumbled and another clutched his waist. The more sober, but no steadier, man answered back. ‘Ach, lass, it is a happy day with your fair face, but we have great news!’
‘Great news!’ one of his comrades chimed in.
Gaira’s horse shied. ‘What news is this?’
‘Haven’t you heard?’
‘Nae, we just arrived,’ she answered.
‘“Black Robert” is dead!’
‘Dead! Deaded, deader.’ Stumbling, the Scot landed in a heap on the ground and he took his comrade with him.
‘Dead!’ Maisie clapped her hands in front of her face. Alec giggled into Gaira’s back.
The two fallen comrades were failing to right themselves again. They were both as big as oxen and looked just as graceful. Gaira swivelled her attention to the still-standing man.
‘Black Robert?’ she asked.
‘Doona you know the dirty Englishman? Fights as though he’s possessed, he does. Must’ve sold his soul. He’s black as night, bigger than any Scotsman and has eyes that...glow. Yellow. And worse, he’s taken the Scotsmen’s right arm, the claymore, and can wield it with just the...tips of his fingers.’ The man rubbed his fat belly. ‘Too many good Scots have been gutted by that English scourge.’
‘I see,’ Gaira answered. She was unsure what to say. To be polite she added, ‘What happened?’
‘None sure, fair lass. Wasn’t there. Too far east. The English dog King and his army were there, to which...’ The Scotsman belched. ‘Sorry to say... Lost many... None were victors. But we received vital news, vital news. Black Robert’s men were there, but nae Black Robert. A couple of days this battle took place, but he never. Showed. His beard.’
‘Was he found afterward?’ Gaira asked. ‘You know...’ She gestured towards the children, hoping he’d tell her without details.
The man rocked precariously. ‘Nae, nae body, miss, but he’s never missed a battle, has he now? He would’ve been by the King of side Edward.’ He gave a wide grin again. ‘He’s a bloody mess dead, he is.’
The two fallen comrades came unsteadily to their feet and stumbled down the road.
The one talking to Gaira swivelled his head, swayed and seemed to lose focus before he shouted, ‘Ho, ho, to home they go!’
He gave Gaira a cheeky grin and a wink
. ‘Can’t hold their drink, they can’t.’
Gaira watched as the man took a stumbling step, righted himself and walked after his comrades. She turned her attention to Robert, Creighton and Flora. Creighton and Flora watched the men with rapt interest, but Robert averted his head and his hands were tight on the reins.
With the three men gone, the sounds from the inn roared out to them again. She moved her horse closer to them. Leaning over, she whispered, ‘We at least know their feelings on the English if they celebrate one of their deaths. Can you agree now, it’ll be better if I go and see if rooms are available?’
‘You’ll go,’ he whispered in Gaelic. ‘You’ll go and see if there’s a room. But I’ll be leaving this night.’
She gave a snort. ‘Ach, now, nae reason to be afraid, I’ll protect you, I will. You should stay.’
He glanced up at her, his eyes blazing with an emotion she could not name. ‘No,’ he answered.
She ripped her eyes from his. He was acting too strangely to argue with. Without a word, she handed him Maisie and helped Alec dismount.
* * *
When she walked out of the inn, Robert was holding the horses and Alec and Maisie were jumping up in front of him to gain his attention. Alec was laughing, but Robert’s face was turned away from her and she couldn’t tell what he thought of their play.
She looked around the square. Creighton and Flora were at the opposite side, watching the blacksmith work.
Robert, his shoulders rounded, his face lowered, wasn’t even watching them. Perhaps he was only spooked by the celebrations. But Robert spooked over anything was worrisome.
Whatever was happening with him, they still needed his protection. He had told her he’d help her only to the nearest village, but she’d hoped he’d help her some more. She dared not travel further west or they’d be too near Busby’s keep. In order to avoid that, they had to go east and over Buchanan land. Since the Buchanans and Colquhouns had been fighting for years, she would not be a welcome sight on their land. The children needed his protection.
‘Good news.’ She ruffled Alec’s hair. ‘The innkeeper says he has one room large enough for our party. We’ll only need one room anyway, since we have children.’
