Highland Faith

by Hill, Madelyn

  “Nothing,” she said as she moved to the bookshelf. She shifted through the tomes, ignoring his presence. Nigh impossible to do with the man himself standing so close.

  “Hmm. You perplex me, darling.”

  Her gaze snapped to his and she nearly lost herself in the depth of blue. “Aye?”

  “One moment you are retching and the next you are asleep at my feet.” He paused for a moment, pulled at his chin, and took a step closer. “And now you are dancing around my cabin.”

  Did he think her mad? Would it help her if he did? She laughed and his gaze turned from one of amusement to one of caution. Aye, he did think her a bit mad.

  “’Twasn’t dancing,” she countered, determined to defend her practice.

  He went to his desk, sat, and kicked up his long legs onto the top. His tartan slipped to reveal legs hewn from oak. She nearly chastised him as Hope would if she did the same. But, ’twas his ship, his cabin, and she was merely his captive.

  He cocked a brow at her. “Then pray, what were you doing?”

  She shrugged, not wanting to tell him and assumed he’d laugh when she did.

  “Come on, darling. Tell me.” His voice took a lilting tone as a smile played upon his mouth.

  A mouth which had kissed hers. The thought startled her for a moment as the kiss replayed in her mind. Warm tingles chased through her blood. She rubbed her hands along her arms to hide her physical reaction to the man.

  He leaned back and rested his head upon the back of the chair. “Admit it, you were dancing in case I asked you to do so—with me.”

  “With you? My captor?” She narrowed her gaze him. Was the man daft? “I’d sooner dance with the Devil himself.” Her bravado slipped when he rose, but she quickly straightened her shoulders and met his ardent gaze.

  He stood within a breath of her. “Aye, soon you’ll be begging to dance with me.”

  His meaning was not lost on her, but if Captain Ross thought she’d do that with him, his senses had all fled. “One kiss and you have grown too bold.”

  “Bold or no, you’ll be begging.” Captain Ross tipped up her chin and moved toward her.

  His gaze held steady with hers. His bright eyes seemed to shimmer in the low light from the window. Her breath quickened as her pulse beat against her throat. Nay, she couldn’t allow him to kiss her. He’d been clear: her purpose entailed securing the ransom.

  She set her hand on his chest, drew in a deep breath, and pushed.

  His gaze narrowed as confusion filled his blue eyes.

  “Nay.”

  He jerked back as if she’d hit him. Mayhap she should have. The man took liberties he had no right to. If she slapped him, he’d realize the truth of it.

  He fisted his hands at his waist and a muscle ticked in his jaw. “You didnae mind my kisses last night.”

  Of course not. ‘Twas her first kiss. “I was curious.”

  “Curious?” he said as his pitch rose. “Curious about what?”

  Now she’d piqued his curiosity. How did a lass admit she’d never been kissed? At her age, wasn’t it unusual that a lad hadn’t tried to sneak a kiss at one time or the other? But in her case, the lads hadn’t wanted to kiss her. They wanted to learn how to hunt and how to make arrows that sped through the air and landed square on their target. Hope and Honor had often teased her for acting like a lad. But she hadn’t seen it that way. She had a gift and albeit the gift wasn’t feminine, it helped the clan. Helped her be part of the clan after her father’s death.

  While the Clan Council had fought her mother and Hope, the clan depended on the sisters to lead them. They realized what her father had said and they agreed with his parting words—no matter what the Council decided. And when Aidan MacKerry had arrived—well, his arrival had added another complication to the mix that both the Council and Aidan had tried to take advantage of. Luckily for the clan, her sister Hope had a different plan and acted as a stalwart force against the Clan Council and became even stronger when she and Aidan joined forces.

  Faith had worked the entire time to make sure to fill the larder with fresh meat to be eaten, smoked, or cured. They had cattle, but with a large clan, more meat was needed. And they needed the cattle for breeding, milk, and cheese.

  The time she spent hunting and teaching the lads and many of the older men was time away from worrying about her hair and clothing, as well as gaining the interest of a lad.

  “’Twas my first kiss,” she finally admitted.

  Captain Ross scoffed. “Your first kiss? A lovely lass such as yourself?” he said with awe and a hint of humor. “I’m honored, to be sure, m’lady.”

  Heat raced up her neck and over her face. She looked to the floor and cursed the day she met Captain Ross and his crew of men.

  “Dinnae be,” she said tartly. “I was merely curious.”

  “Aye, m’lady,” he said, but his gaze held doubt and she wanted to wipe the smug smile off his face.

  “’Tis your only kiss from me,” she warned. “You’re my captor.” And she would make sure the man kept his distance so she’d not be tempted.

  He considered her words for a moment as he gazed at her. “Aye, and as my captive, you are mine to do with as I wish.”

  His to do with as he wishes? She tensed when Captain Ross took a step closer. Did the man think he was going to try to kiss her again after she warned him not to? Men were amadans. Where the hell were her bow and arrows? With them she was protected, could protect. Without them, she felt as if she were lost.

  He glanced at her hands and she realized she was clenching and unclenching her fist. His brow rose in question, but she didn’t owe him an explanation. He’d never understand.

  “Try, Captain Ross. Try to kiss me one more time.”

  He winked. “Oh, I’ll do more than try, darling. But only if you are begging me to do so.”

  Heat now surged through her despite her best effort to push the tingles of sensual awareness aside. The arrogance of the man, making her feel this way. She loathed the burgeoning attraction for this man. Aye, the way he spoke, full of charm and too much innuendo. The way he watched her as if she were the most important person in the world. How he leaned in when she spoke. Even when she taught the lads at home, they found her more of an annoyance than interesting. Mostly because they hated having a lass teach them how to hunt.

  Regardless, she must retain some boundaries, even on the ship.

  Captain Ross reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. His grin widened when she shivered.

  “Please do not touch me,” she said with little conviction.

  Did he realize she’d be able to pin him against the mast of the ship at fifty paces with an arrow? Did he know she could gut and skin a deer in less time than it took for a man to do the equal job? He sorely underestimated her if he thought she was one of those lasses who made securing a husband an important goal.

  Certainly there were many a lass who’d be enthralled with his attention. And certainly he’d conquered many a lass as he traveled the seas. Mayhap in New Guinea or India.

  His conquests could be littered around the world, his for the taking and kissing whenever he chose. But she had no interest.

  “I’ll leave you be, darling.” He bowed in her direction. “For now.”

  Captain Ross left the chamber, ignoring her tension.

  She thought of one thing for certain, one thing he’d have to understand; she wasn’t his to kiss.

  ~ ~ ~

  “Captain?” Colin called as he strode past him.

  “Not now.” He shifted past his boatswain.

  “Captain?” Alec said, then the smile vanished from his face as he passed.

  And he didn’t give a damn. The lass vexed him. To be honest, the lass had vexed him since the m
oment he saw her leave the keep unprotected. Irritation festered deep.

  He kicked lines out of his way and headed to the bow. He was an arse for feeling as he did. He’d endangered her. He’d hunted and snared her. But, ’twas necessary.

  Bram limped toward him. He held up his hand to stop the man before he even spoke.

  It plagued him that her clan thought so little of her safety they allowed her to venture on her own and remain in the forest for so many days. A few years ago, it may not have bothered him. He would have seduced her when he encountered her in the wood, the lad he’d been. The man he’d become thought and acted differently.

  But she’d acted as if she were kidnapped every day. And now she did little to show any fear of him. The sea, aye, the sea scared the shite out of her. But him, the man who’d stolen her from her family was more of an annoyance.

  Bollocks, she was vexing.

  And beautiful. And beguiling. And surprisingly innocent.

  When she’d said their kiss was her first, lust shot straight to his loins. He wanted to be her first man in all matters of seduction. He wanted to throw her upon his bed and ravish her until the next new moon. Show her how a man made love to a woman and sated her curiosity. He envisioned those lean legs of hers, strong from moving about the wood, wrapped around him. He nearly lost control and pivoted to head right back to his cabin.

  “Get control of yerself, lad.”

  He glared at Dougal, but the man stayed by him.

  Dougal tipped his head. “She’s a lovely lass, but ye need to remember yer goal. Dinnae take something you’ll regret.”

  His goal remained clear, regardless of what Dougal thought.

  The man had the audacity to wag his finger at him. “If ye compromise her, they’ll no’ pay the ransom.”

  “’Tis the truth of it,” he admitted. But, damn if he didn’t want her regardless. Dougal slapped him hard on the back. He laughed and playfully punched at the man. Men understood each other and each member of his crew would agree with his assessment.

  He surveyed the mainland. Amit had yet to appear. He wanted to hear what the Lairds MacAlister had to say almost as much as he wanted to see his friend from India. See him safely onboard. The man had suffered much in his life, and he worried Amit had met with a bad fate. He hoped the ransom would be transferred safely. The plan entailed sending the note to the lairds, then waiting beyond the gates. If Amit saw anyone but Lady Faith’s sister approaching, he’d leave immediately.

  Then row back to the Blue Boy.

  Thankfully, the water remained calm, or as calm as the sea managed to be. Amit would have no problem traversing the waves, but as evening tide approached, his instincts told him to worry. He raked his fingers through his hair and continued watching the shoreline.

  “The lad will be fine,” Dougal said as if reading his mind.

  The first member of his crew, the sailing master tried to bluster, but his amiable charm warmed many hearts. A smart hire by him and a needed one by Dougal’s neck, which would soon have been in a noose. Dougal had helped him navigate the treacherous seas for the last few years, trying to gather enough funds to save his family. He trusted the man with his life, as he’d told Faith. And he sought Dougal’s advice above anyone else's.

  He grunted and crossed his arms. “Aye, too stubborn to die, that one.”

  His mate chuckled, then shifted his weight, then turned serious. “She needs a bit of freedom. Let her move about the deck.”

  Not likely. If given the chance, Lady Faith would leap over the ship’s bulwark and plunge into the water. “And if she decides to escape?”

  Dougal tipped his head back and laughed. “The lass would rather die than go into the sea.”

  Considering what his mate had said, he nodded. “You’ll guard her?”

  “Nay,” he said as he held up his hands. “Nay, Captain.”

  He shrugged, then grinned. “If I guard her . . .”

  “Yer a bastard,” Dougal groused. He nodded his head. “But if she becomes a pain in me arse, she’s yers.”

  He slapped him on the shoulder. “Heave away. I want to go farther from shore. Then see to Lady MacAlister.” Something nettled him, instincts he’d honed over the years and during his travels. As he scanned the landscape, no ships or boats bobbed in the distance. The blue sky had nary a cloud in sight. But danger could be lurking just inside the forest.

  He pulled out his spyglass to take a closer look. No matter where he directed the lens, he didn’t see Amit. Even if they moved farther from shore, Amit would find them. Better to be safe than overrun by a clan of angry Highlanders.

  “Trouble, Captain?”

  He rolled his shoulders, trying to ease the tension. Was there? “I’m not certain. Tell the men to be alert.” He’d have Colin and Alec take turns watching the shore and Wee Will could take over their duties.

  With a mocking salute, Dougal turned to leave. “After this, ’twill all be settled.”

  Finally, he thought. They’d have enough to approach the creditor and repurchase his family castle.

  The look on his father’s face motivated him. Aye, he’d be proud. And that thought pushed him to make tricky runs with Blue Boy and now, forced his hand to kidnap a lass from a prosperous clan.

  At times, he thought his plan madness. But his crew had rallied behind him and taken the challenge with enthusiasm. With their support, he’d set sail to many a place to secure funds, transfer cargo, and aye, he admitted, a wee bit of thievery. He paid his men, then the rest he added to the castle fund.

  Success so close, he could taste it. Just at the tip of his tongue, the sweet taste sat there ready to savor.

  He’d practiced what he’d say to his father hundreds of times. He’d pour him a tumbler of ale and set him at the table. And when his father had quenched his thirst, he would present him with the key. Aye, his father would bluster, not know what to say, but in the end, he’d be proud of his son.

  In order to have enough funds, he needed Lady Faith. He smiled a bit at the thought of her. The flash of spirit when he’d tried to kiss her, the proud tilt of her head when she refused him. Aye, a mysterious woman—a brave lass, but a mystery regardless. A woman had never challenged him, crossed him, or refused his kisses in the past.

  And he didn’t like it. Nay, it festered in his gut though he didn’t have a right to be angry or even think that Lady Faith should be beholden to him. The lass had every right to hate him within an inch of his life. And if she were his sister, he would hunt down the very bastard who’d stolen her from his very land.

  The quest for funds hadn’t started with the idea to kidnap a lass. But as time passed and his desperation grew, the large bounty became the only solution. And Lady Faith would provide a bounty. He shrugged and then continued to watch the shore. He originated with the idea to buy and sell goods with enough profit. ’Twas why he headed to lands far from Scotland, and when he secured goods from both New Guinea and India, he thought they’d sell well enough in England. But they’d fallen short. And the creditor had allowed him only so much time to secure the funds to recoup their land.

  Time dictated his actions. “Colin, Alec,” he called.

  The men stopped their duties and came forward. “Aye, Captain?”

  The two of them stood waiting for direction. Once again, he glanced toward the shore and tried to will Amit to appear. He set his fist at his waist; there were things to attend to, and worrying over his mate wasted time. Amit would fulfill his duty.

  “Dougal will be with the lass.” Bollocks, she’d be walking around the deck in her britches. He pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn’t need the distraction of her delectable backside. More so, his men didn’t need the distraction. Before he’d allow her to roam the deck, she’d have to be appropriately clothed. “Go belowdecks and gather
some gowns we’ve yet to sell to the London merchants for Lady MacAlister to wear.”

  Colin’s eyes widened as he took a step backward. “Go belowdecks?”

  “Find a gown?” Alec repeated as he stared at him. The scar running down his face shone white as the rest of his face reddened.

  A man as braw as Alec shouldn’t be afraid of looking for a gown. He sighed. “Were my orders not clear?”

  The men shook their heads and quickly scrambled to the hull.

  He headed back to the wheel. He nodded toward Wee Will. The man knew all trades; he stepped in when needed. He’d no idea what had robbed the man of his speech. But the poor man had lived at his father’s estate and loyalty dictated he look after Wee Will. He’d tried to find him some work after they were booted from the castle, but when he’d traveled back to Ross territory, the innkeeper threatened to turn him out. The innkeeper grew tired communicating with a man who didn’t speak.

  He took one look at the lad who’d surpassed his own height by at least a head and felt he had no choice but to invite him to be a member of the crew.

  Wee Will had surprised him. He could read and write. Where Wee Will learned, he had no clue, but it helped with communication and the man had a good sense of numbers to boot.

  “Dougal will help with the lass. I’ll need you to keep lookout for Amit—or trouble.” He hated thinking his friend had met trouble or worse, been harmed, but he couldn’t shake the foreboding that had settled within his thoughts.

  Wee Will nodded and gave a salute as he headed starboard to start lookout.

  Colin and Alec burst from the hold, arguing, but each carrying at least two gowns. They’d settle down; ’twas their usual habit of bickering.

  Now, he just had to wait for Amit and then the ransom.

  With that, all of his problems would be solved.