The Rogue

by Allison Butler

Her gaze wandered over the vegetable gardens and the stable and the ale shed that still held heated memories inside. She stepped inside and closed the door, before turning about in the kitchen that had suddenly lost the warmth she’d felt a short time ago. She touched the wall of the home that had brought her so much peace and a sense of belonging, but all she felt was cold, hard stone.

  Chapter 23

  Adair pushed Demon and the riderless horse to their quickest pace as they travelled past the ruins of Rory’s still-smouldering cottage and across the river where Adair had washed the dirt and blood from his shirt and body after burying Leith. The sooner he completed his errand, the sooner he could return to the Borders and begin his life.

  He’d succeeded in finding out everything he’d come to the Highlands to discover. He’d met his father and despite his high status, Adair found him lacking. He’d learned that a man’s worth had naught to do with his origins but who he was as a man. He’d have Rory as his father over the earl every time.

  Rory had been a man of courage and had died a hero, but for Adair, Rory had been a hero long before he’d saved Janet from the flames. Adair owed Rory much, for it was the second time he’d rescued his mother and he’d been caring for her and protecting her for more than twenty years. And thanks to Rory, Adair now had the chance to know the woman who hadn’t abandoned him all those years ago, but had risked everything to keep him safe.

  He’d take his mother to the Borders to live and introduce her to the people she’d entrusted with his care, and together they could get on with their lives.

  By the time he rode Demon down from the ridge through the forest of birch and pine, the tower guard’s horn blaring his arrival, he dismounted at the edge of the trees as this day’s ebbing sunlight glinted its last on the waters surrounding Lochindorb Castle. Other than the lad standing beneath the lean-to, there were no people about on the mainland and only two horses needing to be tended under the weatherworn shelter. Wallis walked to the end of the lean-to to meet Adair.

  ‘Sir Adair and Demon, ’tis good to see ye,’ the lad said with a smile that slipped as his gaze shifted to the second horse.

  ‘Sir Wallis,’ Adair said with a small bow.

  The boy’s gaze lifted to his. ‘Is that my da’s horse?’

  Adair nodded and quietly said, ‘It’s yours now. Your father is dead, Wallis.’

  Wallis searched Adair’s eyes. ‘Was it ye who killed him?’

  Again Adair nodded. ‘Aye.’

  The lad drew a long breath and glanced down to Adair’s bloodstained shirt and back up. ‘I thank ye for telling me.’

  Adair guided Leith’s horse forward. ‘I’ve also brought you his sword and his dirk.’ He held out the reins in one hand and offered the small blade he’d used to kill Leith in the other. ‘His sword is strapped to the saddle.’

  Wallis glanced at the sword secured in its leather sheath. He accepted the reins and the dirk, looking at the weapon in his hand for a moment before he slid it into his waistband. He then leaned down and pulled the dirk Adair had given him from his boot and held it out to him. ‘I’ll return yers now I have my own.’

  Adair took back his dirk and settled it at his waist, waiting to see what else Wallis might say in regards to him killing his father.

  ‘The earl went to Atholl the morning after ye left.’

  ‘’Tis good to hear.’ The further Alexander Stewart was from Drummin House, the better for Keila.

  ‘Is the earl yer da?’

  As much as Adair didn’t want to admit he was, he had to tell the truth. ‘Aye.’

  A thoughtful expression crossed the lad’s face. ‘Then that makes ye my uncle.’

  Adair stared at the courageous, clever lad beaming up at him, as a slow smile claimed his own face. ‘That makes us family.’ He’d never had any blood kin and was proud to have Wallis as his nephew. ‘But I’ve nae just come to give you what is rightfully yours. I’ve come to ask you if you’d care to return to the Borders with me and stay with my Clan Elliot family. They have a stable full of fine horseflesh that could do with your good care.’

  Wallis’s dark eyes widened. ‘Ye want me to come with ye to live in the Borders?’

  Adair remembered Wallis’s mother had died giving birth, but he had no clue if the lad had other kin. ‘Only if you have naught better planned.’

  Wallis lifted his hands palms up. ‘I have nae plans and nae one waiting for me.’

  Adair’s chest constricted, but he shook off the momentary sadness knowing Wallis’s difficult life was about to change. ‘Come then,’ Adair grinned. ‘We’ll make a start for Drummin House before nightfall. I’ll tell you why once we’re on our way.’

  The lad looked to where the two remaining horses stood under the shelter. ‘They belong to the guards and will be fine here until they come to fetch them.’

  ‘Let’s away then, lad.’ Adair waited until Wallis had climbed into his saddle before he found his own.

  They rode for Drummin House until the last rays of the setting sun splashed across the land. Part of Adair wanted to continue on, his need to see Keila wrestled with his good sense. But he wasn’t making this return journey alone and much of the land they travelled was made up of hills and valleys and the ground was uneven and unsafe to ride over when it was dark. The rest of Adair never wanted to arrive at Drummin, for once he did he’d be saying goodbye to Keila. Forever.

  Adair chose a place that offered both shelter and security for them to spend the night and discovered that although Wallis’s days were spent caring for horses, he rarely had the opportunity to ride them. The lad and his rear welcomed the night’s overlay.

  They shared the loaf and cheese and drank from Adair’s skin of water as he shared his reasons for coming to the Highlands with Wallis. The lad listened to his tale of finding his father and then thanks to a man named Rory, a man of courage and kindness, Adair had found his mother and she would be returning to the Borders with them. He spoke of his laird Lachlan Elliot and his lady wife, Kenzie, of his friends Lundy and Ailsa and Duff and Callum.

  And when he was done and they settled down to sleep for what was left of the night, Adair wasn’t certain if the telling of his tale was for Wallis alone or if he was reminding himself of all he had, even without Keila.

  ***

  Adair woke from a fitful sleep before dawn. Eager to be on their way, they set off at first light. Having covered nigh on half the distance to Drummin House the afternoon before, they’d reach their destination, and Keila, by midmorning. Adair planned to leave for Braemar by noon.

  As hard as he tried not to think about her, the thought of returning to Redheugh Castle without Keila, without the woman he’d fallen in love with, was like a blade scoring his soul. How was he to begin his life, as he’d promised his laird he would, when Keila played a part in everything he longed for, in all he envisioned?

  He loved Keila with a fierceness he’d never known. But how was he to love her and protect her when she would be so far away? Did she love him? He’d witnessed the softening in her eyes when she looked at him across a room. He’d felt her hands and fingers on him as if the need to touch him was something she couldn’t control. He’d seen desire sparkling in the emerald depths as he’d made her his. Yet she wasn’t.

  Adair had taken the chance and told her he loved her. Twice. But Keila had never spoken of love.

  Dejection bit deep and slashed across his heart. But he’d learned at an early age to bury the pain and go on. He had his mother and young nephew to care for now. He’d give everything to ensure their protection and happiness and he could only hope that his heart would one day feel whole.

  They crossed the River Livet and Adair slowed their pace and stopped near the remains of Rory’s cottage. ‘This is where Rory lived,’ he said to Wallis. The lad looked over the ruins that no longer smouldered. ‘This is also where I buried your father.’

  Wallis’s chin lifted and then dipped as he stared down at the windblown ashes for sever
al moments. He looked at Adair and held his gaze. Adair wasn’t sure what the lad was searching for, but he hoped he saw the admiration he felt for Wallis and his promise to protect him in his eyes. Whatever it was, he must have found it for he said, ‘Is it far to Drummin House?’

  ‘Nae. Ready?’

  Wallis inhaled and nodded. ‘Aye.’

  ‘Come then, lad.’

  They turned their horses and continued riding east, but on this particular journey, Adair’s first glimpse of Drummin House inspired a feeling of dislike rather than the sense of excitement he’d always experienced before. How was one to feel when the woman he loved had chosen stone and mortar over him?

  Adair drew Demon to a halt at one corner of Drummin House and dismounted. ‘You can tie your horse here,’ he said, pointing to the sturdy wooden framework jutting out of the ground. As he waited for Wallis to dismount and secure his horse, his gaze wandered over the near-empty gardens where he’d helped gather the vegetables for market and then brushed over the ale shed where he’d made love to a woman and given her his heart. A stab of pain pierced his chest.

  He looked toward the rear door that led inside the house and noticed the litter he’d made for his mother was leaning against the wall, along with the small sack that contained little more than his change of shirt. Someone must be eager to see him on his way. But where were they all?

  Adair shifted to one side and looked around the stable to the bend in the river and the shadows beneath the trees. He saw no one. Where could the women be? His pulse spiked a notch as his dread at the thought of saying goodbye was replaced by his concern. He turned back to the house just as Moira stepped outside.

  ‘Adair, you’re back,’ Moira stated, sounding sincerely pleased to see him. She then looked down her nose at Wallis. ‘Who is this you’ve brought with you?’

  Adair hid his smile at the hard note she added to her tone. ‘I’m glad to see you, too, Moira. The lad’s name is Wallis. He’s my nephew.’ Moira gave Adair a swift glance then studied the lad more closely. ‘He’ll be returning to the Borders with my mother and I. Wallis, this is Moira.’

  Moira nodded and said the lad’s name, ‘Wallis,’ but continued to look down the length of her nose at him.

  ‘Moira,’ Wallis offered her a stiff bow, and turning to look up at Adair as he straightened, asked in a loud whisper, ‘Is this the dragon or yer lady love?’

  Adair was helpless to prevent the half-smile forming on his lips. He cleared his throat. ‘This particular dragon has been tamed,’ he said just as loudly, and saw Wallis staring at Moira warily as if expecting to see signs of scales and long, dragon’s teeth. ‘And—’

  ‘Not likely,’ Moira said, cutting him off in a sharp, no-nonsense tone that had the lad’s dark eyes widening, only to shift to the left before his mouth fell open.

  Adair followed the direction of Wallis’s gaze to where Keila had stepped outside into the sunlight. He could well understand the look of awe on the lad’s face. Keila’s hair glowed like golden fire under the sun and her smooth creamy skin only highlighted the beauty of her emerald eyes and the rose-hued lips he’d savoured, lips that tasted of life itself.

  ‘Adair.’

  She spoke his name and broke the spell he’d fallen under at the sight of her and sent his heartbeat thundering inside his chest.

  ‘Is this … her?’ Wallis’s obvious awe only made his whispered words even louder.

  Adair stared at the woman he loved more than anything, the woman he would gladly die for. The woman he must leave.

  She stared back with what looked to be a glint of the yearning he longed to see in her eyes, as if his response to Wallis’s query was important to her. But she’d already made her choice and his well-known and well-used self-preservation took over. ‘This is Keila.’ A light in her eyes seemed to dim, but Adair had enough sense to realise both the sun and his heart were only teasing him. ‘Keila, this is my nephew, Wallis.’

  Keila trapped her surprise by making her lips disappear in on themselves, and lowered her gaze to study Wallis as she walked toward them. She stopped and Adair was sure the barely there breeze had captured her scent, of nature and earth and pine, and carried it to him.

  ‘It is a pleasure to meet you, Wallis.’ Her small smile disappeared as she looked from the lad to him and Adair felt the loss like a physical thing. ‘’Tis good to see you, Adair. I have placed your things here ready for you,’ she said, indicating the litter and sack. He clenched his jaw, now knowing it was Keila who wanted him gone as quickly as possible. Before he could speak, she continued. ‘Your mother is well. She is in the healing room and is asking for you.’

  ‘My thanks for caring for her, Keila.’ He struggled to tear his gaze away, but finally did and looked at Wallis. ‘I will see to my mother, lad, and then I’ll make the final preparations to continue to Braemar.’

  With a nod from Wallis, Adair strode to the entrance and walked inside the kitchen. His gaze touched on the long trestle where he’d shared a meal with Rory and the shutter where Moira had caught him eavesdropping. He moved on into the sitting room where wooden boxes of salve pots had once covered the floor, and stopped at the entrance to the healing room where he’d first woken and caught a glimpse of Keila.

  ‘Adair, yer back.’ His mother sat propped up against pillows on the pallet that for a short time had been his.

  ‘How are you faring?’ He entered the room and sat in the chair by the bed.

  ‘I am well, thanks to Keila’s kindness and good care, and now even better for seeing ye.’ She smiled and reached for his hand. ‘Moira and I haven’t ceased talking since ye left.’ She lay his large hand between her two smaller hands. ‘Did ye finish what ye needed to do?’

  Seeing his mother well and happy filled him with relief and gratitude to both Moira and Keila. ‘Aye. There was a lad caring for the horses when I went to Lochindorb.’ His mother nodded, but Adair noted the look of despair that momentarily dulled her eyes. He reversed their hands and held hers. ‘His name is Wallis. He is Leith of Drummin’s son and my nephew. Wallis will be coming with us to the Borders.’

  His mother’s blue eyes searched his. ‘I look forward to meeting Wallis. Keila told me about Leith and what happened.’ Worry for him dimmed the light in her eyes. ‘How is yer wound?’

  ‘’Tis only a scratch,’ he said with a smile to reassure her.

  ‘Yet it needed more than a dozen stitches.’

  Adair ignored his mother’s concern and stood. ‘We’ll be leaving once I’ve prepared your litter.’

  ‘I am ready now.’ She gathered the pillows in her arms. ‘I have discovered a recent craving for the sun. Ye can set me on the grass and go about yer preparations.’

  Adair stared down at his mother for a moment before scooping her into his arms. He was beginning to understand she’d survived her devastating and life-changing accident through her sheer strength of will and, once she’d found it, a powerful desire to live.

  ‘The top side of the herb garden will suit,’ she said as he carried her out into the midday sun.

  He gently put her down, facing the bend in the river with her back to the garden’s edging and arranged her pillows to cushion her body and the woollen blanket to cover her legs. ‘Are you comfortable?’ He asked leaning back to study his handiwork.

  ‘Aye.’ She grasped his hand and squeezed. ‘Now go and settle what’s needing done.’

  Adair nodded, stood and turned to find Keila standing near the single stable door. She was looking at him.

  ‘Keila?’

  ‘If you have a moment.’ She looked strong yet fragile. ‘I’d like a word.’

  ***

  Keila clutched her hands before her as her heart danced and the rest of her bubbled with life, just watching Adair walk toward her. The sun captured his wheat-coloured hair and spun the tips to gold. His two-day-old beard, a shade darker than his hair, softened the hard lines of his jaw and highlighted the shape of his commanding mouth. A mouth th
at had demanded passion and she’d given. Lips that had spoken words of love, to her, and she’d …

  She drew a quick breath and her gaze met his, blue as the summer sky, but there was a glint of wariness in the depths. She knew she was responsible. ‘Your mother is a lovely and strong woman.’

  ‘I am looking forward to knowing her better.’

  Keila smiled as he stopped before her. Her knees quivered. She locked them into place and pressed her arms tight against her sides. ‘Will you walk with me?’ She lifted her hand in the direction of the grassy ground between the garden where his mother reclined in the sun and the ale shed. He nodded.

  Adair walked on her left and Janet offered an encouraging smile and then closed her eyes as they strolled by. Keila grasped her skirts too tightly, but she needed to hold onto something while she said what she needed to say. ‘I know you’ve discovered much since coming to the Highlands.’

  ‘I am a fortunate man. I have found more here in the Highlands than I’d dared to believe.’

  His deep voice rang softly and she drank in the sound. ‘I am happy for you, Adair.’ She smiled. ‘I too have discovered much since you arrived on my doorstep.’ She reached out her right hand and her fingertips trailed across the timbered walls of the ale shed. A feeling of warmth that had been missing in the kitchen unfurled deep inside her. They turned down past the garden and along one side of the house.

  ‘My father’s family taught me so many things when I was a wee lass, like counting and herbals and growing vegetables.’ She searched her memory now. ‘In my mind I can see each of the homes I was welcomed into for two years at a time. Some were made of wattle and daub while others were made of stone. I can even recall the small space within each home where they’d made room for me. My very own place for my few possessions.’ Keila stopped and frowned. ‘But I’ve discovered I cannot remember any of their faces.’ She searched the cloudless sky as if the faces she was trying to remember would suddenly appear. But they never showed. ‘Which is dreadful for they all did so much for me.’

  She lowered her chin and found Adair standing before her, watching her. ‘Forgive me,’ she said, dipping her lashes to hide the sudden misting in her eyes. He must think her a fool.