The bandits laughed, and Creighton walked up to an astonishing scene. The bandits did indeed have Kylie surrounded, but she was sitting on a tree stump, a bowl of stew in hand as she told a story. The rough and dirty men sat around her, enthralled. As she shifted her gaze toward him, the men looked over their shoulders and stood.
“See,” one of them told her, “I told ye he would be back. He seemed like a man of honor.”
“A man of honor would not have left her to begin with,” another snarled. “We should keep her.”
“Over my dead body,” Creighton said softly.
With a sigh, Kylie put down her bowl and stood. “There is no need to fight, Laird Armstrong. These men were simply wagering to see if ye would return, but they have proven yer point. I do need an escort, and since they have already made camp and arenae going where I would like to go, then I will accept ye as an escort.”
Brushing off her skirts, she and the others looked at him expectantly, and he growled under his breath. How neatly she had boxed him in. If he denied her and left her here, she would be trapped with the bandits.
“‘Tis clear that someone needs to keep an eye on ye,” he said finally. “Aye, we will escort ye.”
The bandits cheered and put away their swords, and Kylie smirked as she hopped from the tree stump and sashayed his way. “I will be no trouble at all.”
“Ye are already trouble.”
4
Even though Kylie didn’t dare admit it, she was still a little rattled by the bandits, and was so relieved that Creighton had returned to her that she’d nearly fallen to her knees despite her courage.
He knew it. She knew that with every bone in her body. He knew how terrified she’d been, but he hadn’t said a word as he helped her back on her horse. They had to be behind schedule and rode for a few more hours before they stopped for the night.
The lecture she was expecting never came. Instead, they rode in silence, and it was worse. Instead of fuming at him for his high-handedness, her mind just played all the scenarios in which her experience could have gone wrong. It was just her luck that they had decided to gamble on her rather than ravish her, and even more lucky that she could charm them with the stories her father used to tell her. Of course, she’d embellished quite a bit and made the stories crasser, as they probably were before her father had watered them down to tell her.
The thought of him made her heart ache. It had been years since she’d heard stories like that. She used to beg Marcus to tell her stories, but he would gruffly tell her that he knew of none.
Not wanting to be useless and needing something to distract her from the sadness burrowing in her chest, she collected wood for the fire while the men cleared space for their bedrolls. After striking a fire, she sat by it and closed her eyes as she wrapped her cloak tighter. The sun was gone, and the mountain chill had settled in for the night.
“How long had ye been telling stories?” Andrew asked finally as they ate their dinner. She was still full from the stew the bandits had shared and feared even that wouldn’t stay down for the fear that still rattled her.
It was a topic she didn’t want to discuss, but it was rude not to answer his question. “They were wagering about whether ye would return and arguing about what to do with me then. I offered to make them a meal and tell them some stories to pass the time. They thought the idea was ridiculous, of course, but I strung together a few of my father’s stories, adding in cliffhangers so they would listen and forget about what they really wanted to do.”
“Ye were lucky,” Creighton said bitterly.
“And the stories? Where did ye learn them?” Clement asked.
Kylie smiled. “My father used to tell them to me when I was young. Of course, after he died and Marcus took me in, there were no more stories, so I used to make some up when I could not sleep at night.”
“Would yer father or Marcus approve of the stunt that ye pulled today?” Creighton demanded. From the look on his face, it was apparent that his anger toward her had been building all evening, and now it threatened to burst out.
“I dinnae remember much of my father, but probably not,” she said calmly. “Marcus always taught me to be independent, so he would not have batted an eye at it.”
“And of yer reputation?” Creighton snapped.
“Since they are both dead, they no doubt know by now that I have already been compromised and have no intentions of marrying.”
Her confession was met with stunned silence, but it didn’t last nearly long enough.
“Who?” Creighton demanded. “Who would dare take yer virtue and not marry ye? Does Graeme know?”
“None of that is any of yer business.” Rising, she went to her mare and kissed her nose before she unpacked her bedroll and laid it out by the fire. “If ye gentlemen will excuse me, I must see to my business, and then I believe I will get some sleep. It has been an exciting day for me.”
When she was confident that she was alone in the woods, she let the tears fall and wrapped her arms around herself. In the back of her head, she could hear Marcus’s disappointment with her, that she was taking things too far again, risking too much to discover the truth.
But it was all she had left now. Out here, with Creighton and his guards, she didn’t even have any friends. All she had was her need to know what happened, to see justice.
When she’d finally pulled herself together, she finished her business and returned to camp to see that the men were already retiring for the night. Creighton was taking the first watch shift. He leveled an unsympathetic stare at her.
They had doused the fire, and she laid down on her bedroll and wrapped her cloak around her tighter. It wasn’t the first time that she had felt alone, and it would not be the last. Still, sleep did not come until Creighton woke up Andrew to keep watch. Lying down next to Kylie, he threw another blanket over her, and although he didn’t touch her, just knowing that he was near helped lull her to sleep.
As they neared the small village of Loch Moran, where they were meeting Laird Theo MacDougal and his wife Gemma, Creighton returned to his normal snarling self as he laid down the rules. Because there was no keep at the loch, the men would bed down in the barracks reserved for the patrolling guards at the loch. Previously, the small village was constantly under attack because of its rich resources, and when the king granted the land, previously under MacSeaver rule, to Theo, the new laird took his duties seriously in protecting the village. Now, only an idiot would invade, especially since Theo was close to all of his allies. None would think twice of coming to his aid, even Graeme, who was not happy that his predecessor had lost the land.
As an unmarried woman, Kylie could not stay in the barracks. She’d planned on staying in one of the guest cottages by herself, but Creighton was making it clear that she would have a guard at her door, and she was not to leave without permission.
Although she kept quiet and nodded her head, Kylie seethed inside. How was she to pose her questions to Theo if Creighton was constantly breathing down her neck?
“Tell me that ye understand,” Creighton snapped as they rode through the village close to the barracks and the home that Theo had made for Gemma when they visited. The patrols had been expecting them and let them in with apologies that Theo hadn’t been able to meet them at the border.
“I understand,” she parroted and rolled her eyes.
Honestly, the man really can be a bear.
When they arrived at the barrows, it was apparent why Theo hadn’t joined them at the border. He was far too busy trying to chase down a toddler, although, from the laughter on his and his son’s face, it was obvious that he wasn’t trying hard.
Upon seeing Creighton, he immediately swooped up his son and straightened. “My apologies, Creighton,” he said as he held out his hand in greeting. “The morning has gotten away from me.”
“No apologies needed. We were meant to arrive yesterday, although we were delayed. Allow me to introduce my men, Andrew and Cleme
nt, and Miss Kylie MacSeaver whom we are escorting to Sinclair lands.”
Theo looked surprised, but he hid it well as he greeted. “Welcome. Ye and yer men are welcome to the barracks. We can prepare the guest room in our house for Kylie, but I am afraid that she wouldnae find it very peaceful with this little lad running around.”
“‘Tis no worry,” Kylie said airily, seizing on the chance at resting her head close to the MacDougal laird. “And what a strapping lad ye have there. What is his name?”
“His name is Kier,” Theo said with a grin. “And he is strapping indeed.”
Creighton glowered at Kylie. “Theo, there is no need for Kylie to stay with ye. She will stay in one of the guest cottages, and I will stay in the one next to hers.”
Irritating man! Kylie fumed.
With a frown, Theo looked back and forth between the two in confusion. “So, that is the way it is. No problem.”
Embarrassed, Kylie realized that Theo assumed she was Creighton’s mistress. Apparently, Creighton was the kind of man no one would think twice about if he showed up with a mistress when trying to choose a bride. She was about to set the record straight when Creighton shot her another dirty look.
“There he is!” A sweet young lass rushed around the corner and stopped short with a smile. “I am sorry, Laird. I turned my back for one moment, and he rushed off.”
“‘Tis all right, Elizabeth. He wanted his father,” Theo said with a touch of pride in his voice. “I will take him back to his mother. Would ye please see Miss Kylie and Laird Creighton settled in the two guest cottages in the back?”
The lass nodded, and Kylie and Creighton dismounted. Elizabeth shot them both curious looks, but Kylie didn’t dare try to befriend the woman while Creighton was there. He didn’t trust her, and that infuriated her even more.
“We have community dinners outside,” Elizabeth explained before she departed. “‘Tis a tradition we’ve had for many years, and although ye are welcome to stay in and eat, ‘tis always a good time. I hope to see ye there. We rarely get to meet new people.”
“We will be there,” Kylie said quickly before Creighton could reprimand her. He might have his mission, but she had hers, and she wasn’t about to let one distrusting man keep her from it.
5
Six bonfires roared around the small area, providing an astonishing amount of light and warmth in the cold darkness. Kylie had been uncertain about dining outdoors, but now she could see why the village had made it a tradition. Close to the loch, the waters seemed alive as it reflected the orange of the fire and the brilliance of the sky above, and the villagers danced and laughed as they played music. Children shrieked gaily as they chased each other around, and some couples were huddled together for warmth but showed no shame in their open affection.
Theo and his wife and Elizabeth and her husband were no exception. They were so at ease with each other and their love so apparently that Kylie felt a moment of jealousy that she would never feel anything quite like that.
As she and Creighton approached, the couple immediately untangled from each other, and Gemma stepped forward to introduce herself when her son bellowed at the first given opportunity of freedom and made a run for it.
“I am so sorry,” Gemma sighed and raced after him, although it was obvious that no harm would come to the boy. Wherever he went, someone picked him up and bounced him around while he gurgled with excitement. Here was a child who would only know love.
“Laird Creighton, if ye wouldnae mind getting me a plate to eat?” Kylie asked plainly as she turned to him. By now, his glower was nothing unusual, but he could not refuse her without seeming like an ass, so after a moment of hesitation, he bowed his head.
“Perhaps ye would accompany me and let me know what ye like,” he said, his voice tinged with warning.
She just gave him a bright smile. “I amnae a picky eater, and I trust yer judgment. I am so weary after the journey that I believe I will wait here and keep Laird Theo company.”
With a grumble, Creighton turned and stalked away. Seizing an opportunity she wasn’t certain she would get again, Kylie turned. “I apologize that I didnae say much to ye in the way of greeting, Laird Theo. Laird Creighton can be overly protective of me.”
“‘Tis all right,” Theo said as he cocked his head and studied her. “He tells me that ye are making yer way to Clan Sinclair. Are ye a relative of his?”
“No, I have no relatives left. He is kind enough to escort me.” Kylie took a deep breath. “While I have ye here, I was hoping that I might—”
“Forgive me,” Theo said as he stood. “A situation has arisen that needs my attention. I will return in a moment. Oliver.”
Immediately, the man holding Elizabeth stood, and Kylie watched in annoyance as the two strode away to break up a fight between their guards. Afterward, when it looked like Theo had forgotten her entirely and was walking in another direction, she started toward him only to have a firm hand at her elbow stop her.
“Yer dinner,” Creighton said coldly as he offered her the plate. “And since ye are so fatigued from the journey, I expect that ye will stay right where ye are and eat it. One of my men will escort ye back to yer cottage when ye are done so ye may go to bed early.”
“I am not a child,” Kylie snapped as she took her plate. “I am perfectly capable of seeing myself to bed, thank ye vera much.”
“Not a child, but still not to be trusted. Now, if ye will excuse me, there are business matters I must attend to. I warn ye, Kylie, dinnae do anything to anger me, or ye will never make it to yer destination.”
Had he just threatened her? Shivering, she clutched her plate and watched as he stalked off. She’d been so certain that she could handle Creighton, but the more time she spent around him, the more she could see the darkness inside of him.
A few of the villagers, mostly the guards, stopped by to try and strike up a conversation with her, but she kept her sight trained on Theo, and the moment he and Creighton separated, she made her excuses to the man who was trying to talk to her and made her way through the crowd toward him. When the laird stopped to speak to Andrew and Clement, Kylie cursed her bad luck and turned, running headlong into Gemma and Elizabeth.
Cocking her head, the English beauty stared at her with a strange look in her eyes. Belatedly, Kylie realized that it must have looked like she was chasing the woman’s husband around the crowd and trying to get him alone.
“I amnae trying to seduce yer husband,” Kylie said quickly before Gemma thought to tell Creighton on her. “I just want to have a word with him.”
To her surprise, Gemma threw her head back and laughed before she stepped forward and hugged Kylie. Instantly, Kylie stiffened. She was not one for physical contact, and it still surprised her when Jillian and Alexina embraced her.
“I was not thinking that at all. Jillian used to speak of you frequently in her letters,” Gemma explained. “I had meant to greet you right when you got here, but being a mother is time-consuming. I am curious about a number of things, but wondering if you mean to tempt my husband is not one of them. Jillian would never send you our way if you wished any of us pain. Still, she did not write about your visit now, and I happen to know that Creighton is no relation to you, and yet he is your escort. Graeme would never have allowed this.”
Looking around furtively, Kylie realized that she was going to need some help if she was to ask her questions without Creighton looking over her shoulder. “Jillian and I only came up with this plan a mere hour before we executed it, so she did not have time to write. She may have told Graeme by now, but he certainly did not know of my plans.”
Her eyes dancing with delight, Gemma took Kylie’s hand and led her away from the group out of the earshot of any others but still close enough to feel the warmth of the fire. “Jillian once came up with a plan that saved our lives, so I trust that whatever she’s done for you is necessary,” Gemma said softly.
“Not lifesaving,” Kylie sighed. Quickly, s
he explained her mission to find out what happened to her parents. “I could not pass up this opportunity to speak to the other lairds in the alliance and see what they know of Erksine, but Creighton doesnae trust me.”
“And why is that?”
“I have been to the Armstrong keep several years ago with my guardian, but I found myself in a less-than-ideal situation, and Creighton found me. When he demanded my identity, I lied about it. He doesnae remember that now, but he does know that he has seen me somewhere before, and so he doesnae trust me. If he connects me to Erksine, he may send me back to MacSeaver lands, and I’ll never find the truth.”
“I know something about keeping information from a man who might keep you safe, but I know little of Creighton except that the betrayals in his life are still fresh and continue to cut deeply,” Gemma sighed. “I can still see the pain in his eyes. You may be right. Deception is necessary. You will not be able to speak to Theo tonight, but tomorrow, we will discover what we might know. Elizabeth, do you think your father might know something?”
“Most certainly,” Elizabeth said with an enthusiastic nod of her head. “But I dinnae know if he will return in time. If he doesnae, we will ask him after ye are gone and send a message ahead to yer next destination.”
Relief swept over her at the thought that she might have help. “I cannae thank the two of ye enough.”
“We will talk more tomorrow,” Gemma said as her eyebrows rose. “Laird Creighton is on his way over here, and he does not look happy.”
“Nay, he never looks happy when it comes to me. Remind me to tell ye tomorrow what happened when he discovered that I was trying to follow him.”
“Laird Creighton,” Gemma said brightly. “We were just getting to know Miss Kylie, and I can not wait to spend some time with her tomorrow.”
“Is that a fact?” Creighton murmured as he narrowed his eyes at Kylie. “I am afraid that ‘tis time for Kylie to retire for the evening. She has promised not to be a bother while she is here, so please dinnae think that ye need to entertain her tomorrow.”
Highlander’s Elusive Bride: A Scottish Medieval Historical Romance Page 3
