Shoving down her excitement upon seeing Torrin, she swallowed hard and said, "I cannot convince him to get out of bed and join us in the great hall for the meal."
Torrin frowned. "Is he ill?"
She shrugged, though she didn't think he was physically ill. She was certain 'twas more of an emotional ailment.
Torrin entered the room and stood beside her. When his arm brushed hers, a hot shiver traveled over her.
"Aiden?" he asked.
"I'm not hungry," her brother muttered.
"Erskine was asking about you," Torrin said.
Jessie sent him a questioning look.
Torrin nodded. "'Tis true. He wanted to make sure you were rescued from Haldane—Erskine was passed out, if you recall—and he wants you to come play a tune on your flute."
Aiden turned onto his back and frowned up at Torrin, searching his gaze. "I don't believe you."
"Och. You think I would lie about such a thing?"
Without answering, Aiden rolled over again, facing the wall.
"Very well, then," Torrin said, his tone resigned. "Erskine will be mightily disappointed that you refused to entertain him. Music soothes the soul and heals the body, you ken."
Aiden didn't respond.
"Maybe we should leave him to his rest," Torrin told Jessie, then winked at her.
What was he up to? Regardless, his mischievous look and that wink sent her pulse tripping along.
"Aye. Have a good nap, Aiden," she said, and followed Torrin out.
The guard closed the door behind her.
Once around the corner, Torrin grabbed her hand.
"What are you about?" Jessie demanded in a quiet tone.
He tugged her into his guest chamber and pushed the door almost closed, but he left a crack and peered out.
"What are you doing?" she whispered.
"I want to see if Aiden leaves his room and goes to visit Erskine."
"Do you think he will?"
Torrin shrugged.
"Did Erskine truly ask him to come and play a tune?"
"Indeed. I asked him if he would like to hear Aiden play and he said aye."
"Sneaky devil," she muttered, but she loved the way his mind worked.
Torrin sent her a quick smile, then continued watching out the door. A moment later, a wide grin spread across his face. He opened the door and stuck his head out.
"What is happening?" she whispered.
He drew back into the room and softly closed the door. "Aiden is headed in the direction of Erskine's room. I could not tell if he had a flute with him or not."
"Let's follow him and see if we hear music," she suggested.
Torrin nodded. They exited the room and slipped along the corridor. A few yards from the open door of Erskine's room, they halted. The two men and Nannag talked within the room, though Jessie couldn't understand their words. Then, the soothing sounds of flute music floated out into the corridor. Jessie smiled.
She knew Erskine didn't blame Aiden for being injured, but Aiden had no doubt blamed himself. Now that he saw Erskine would likely recover, mayhap he could forgive himself for his poor decisions.
"Come," Torrin whispered. Taking her hand, he led her back along the corridor. His big hand surrounded and warmed hers, soothing her and giving her shivers at the same time.
"I thank you for helping Aiden," she said. "I've never seen him so upset. Hopefully, he's back to his old self again."
"I hope so." Torrin pulled her into his guest room and closed the door. Considering the attentive way he watched her, he was no longer thinking of her brother.
"And now what are you about, MacLeod, bringing me to your chamber?" She placed her hands upon her hips in a mock severe posture.
"I wish to speak to you," he said mysteriously.
"About?"
"Are you avoiding me?"
"Nay," Jessie said, although, in one way, she wished she could avoid him; in another, she wished to tackle him to the bed right now. "Why would you think that?"
"You didn't break your fast in the great hall, even though there was an empty seat beside me."
"I simply don't want everyone to think… you know… that we're…" She paused, refusing to say the words.
"We're what?" He lifted a brow.
He knew what she was trying to say, blast him.
His expression turned troubled. "You're ashamed of me," he said, somewhere between a statement and a question.
"Of course not! The clan will gossip. They will think we're…"
"Lovers?" he supplied.
A mixture of heat and excitement washed over her. "Aye."
"Well, they will think the truth, then."
She blew out an exasperated breath. "I don't wish everyone to know that."
"You won't avoid me tonight, will you?" he murmured. "I woke up last night and you were gone. I missed you."
"We cannot be caught together again. Uncle Conall already—" she broke off, not wanting to discuss the M word with Torrin.
He sent her a mischievous look. "Conall told me he intended to have a discussion with you. Did he give good advice?"
"I have no need for anyone's advice," she said firmly.
"Ah, well, I figured as much," he said in a mild tone, and was obviously squelching a grin.
She glared at him. "You put him up to that, did you not?"
"Nay! 'Twas all his idea. He confronted me about being in your chamber. I told him the truth—that I wish to marry you." Torrin crossed his arms over his chest and raised a brow.
"And I told him the truth as well—that I cannot marry you. Now, if you will pardon me, I must get to the great hall." She eyed the door, hoping he would let her pass.
"What if you are with child?" he whispered.
Her gaze flew to his, lit brilliant green by the midday sunlight slicing in through the narrow window.
"I'm not." She would know it if she was with child, wouldn't she?
He tilted his head. "How do you know?"
She narrowed her eyes. "If that happens, I'll tell you. In the meantime, there is no sense discussing it." And getting her hopes up. Aye, she would like naught better than to have children of her own… with him… but she couldn't tell him that. 'Twas like a sweet tart dangling before her nose, while she starved, unable to reach it.
Slowly, he moved toward her, and though she knew she should back away, she couldn't. The sensual look in his eyes was too tempting by far.
He stroked a finger along her jawline, sending tingles traveling down her neck to her breasts, then he leaned in and kissed her lips. The light, sweet kiss urged her to latch herself onto him and demand more… demand all the heat and passion she knew he could unleash on her. She fisted her hand in his plaid and tugged. With a moan, he slipped his arm around her waist and drew her closer. This time, he consumed her lips, flinging her scattered thoughts to the wind like thistledown. He slipped his hands lower, over her hips, and pulled her tight against him. The hard length of him, obvious behind his plaid, made her recall how splendidly he'd made love to her, giving her pleasures she'd never imagined before him.
"I want you," he whispered, then sucked her earlobe into his mouth, before nibbling down her neck.
She shivered. "They're expecting me in the great hall," she whispered.
"Who cares? I need you more. And 'tis obvious you need me, too."
"If we're both… missing," she said, trying to gather her broken thoughts, "they'll know we're together."
He growled and stepped back, his eyes much darker now. "I want to see you tonight. I'll slip to your room after everyone's abed."
The passion in his demanding tone sent spikes of excitement through her. She looked forward to their trysts as much as he did, and she could not deny him.
"How does that sound?" he asked.
"Very well," she said modestly, trying to hide her own enthusiasm. "But we must keep it a secret."
Lifting a brow, he gave her a wee smile. "I'm good at keeping secrets."
If only she could keep her heart out of the mix until she was with child. But that was impossible. She already loved him so much, just the thought of him abandoning her near gutted her.
***
As Jessie and everyone was gathering for supper, a guard stormed down the stairs and into the great hall, startling her. "Three large galleys are being rowed into Balnakeil Bay!" he announced.
Jessie hurried toward him, excitement buoying her steps. "Is it Dirk and the MacKay party?"
"We're not certain."
She quickly followed the guard onto the battlements to take a look, Torrin behind her. Shading her eyes, she did indeed see the three sizable galleys in the distance. "They didn't leave on galleys," she said.
"Nay, but the MacKenzie chief promised Chief Dirk a galley as part of Lady Isobel's dowry."
"'Tis true," Torrin said.
As the galleys drew nearer, she could see more detail. Their plaids looked familiar and she thought she saw Dirk's red hair shining, and their fair-haired cousin, Keegan, beside him. "I believe 'tis the MacKays." She noticed five castle guards striding purposefully toward the beach. "Are those guards going to warn them that Haldane is lurking about?"
"Aye."
"I'll go down and meet them." Torrin gave her hand a squeeze, then rushed down the stairs.
As the galleys drew nearer, she recognized more of the people aboard—Lady Isobel, Lady Seona—both with dark hair—and her aunt, Lady Patience. What on earth were they doing returning? Part of the reason for the journey was to take Seona and her aunt to their home near Inverness. No matter. She was thrilled to see Seona, for Jessie considered her a good friend. And of course, Isobel, being her sister-by-marriage, was almost like a true sister to her.
Thankfully, Dirk stood proudly in the bow of the galley, as tall and imposing as always. Happy tears filling her eyes, she was grateful he had survived the arrow wound.
Jessie also noticed a couple of Isobel's brothers aboard, along with Dirk's friend, Laird Rebbinglen, or Rebbie, as his friends called him.
Minutes later, some of the guards on board the galleys leapt into the shallow surf and tugged the boats further onto the beach. Luckily, high tide was in. Or maybe they had waited off-shore until high tide.
She watched as the ladies and their maids disembarked and guards escorted them toward the castle. Jessie rushed down several flights of steps and across the great hall so she might greet them in the courtyard.
Torrin waited by the portcullis with Iain, as did several clansmen and guards. When the women were escorted inside, Jessie hurried toward them.
"Oh, Isobel, I'm so glad you've all returned." Jessie embraced her, then turned to Seona. "And I'm happy to see you and your aunt again." 'Twas half true anyway, she was indeed thrilled to see Seona. Her aunt, not so much, for she was a harpy, but the older woman's face didn't appear near as pinched and annoyed as it used to.
"I'm now your cousin-by-marriage. Keegan and I are wed." Seona smiled so brightly, 'twas nearly blinding, and her blue eyes gleamed with happiness.
"In truth? Congratulations! I'm so pleased." Jessie embraced her. "You will have to tell me how this came about when we have more time."
"I will. And this is my younger sister, Talia." Seona motioned to a petite, dark-haired lass of about eighteen summers who stood behind her, a shy smile on her face.
"Welcome, Lady Talia. I'm glad you've come," Jessie said. "Let's go inside where you can rest. I'm sure you're all exhausted from the journey."
The women proceeded across the courtyard, but when shouting and a loud commotion erupted outside the gates, they halted.
Jessie turned to see Torrin and the others bolting through the portcullis. She ran toward them, but one of the burly guards blocked her path.
"Stay back, m'lady! Get them inside," he commanded another guard.
The only thing she could see through the closing portcullis was Torrin withdrawing his sword and dashing toward the beach.
"Torrin!" she yelled, but he didn't even look back. "What's happening?" she demanded of the guard.
"Haldane and his men charged down from the hill."
"Nay!" Isobel tried to get past the guard. "Let me pass!"
"Nay, m'lady. With all due respect, you must go inside. Chief Dirk will have all our heads if you're injured."
"Haldane, that bastard," Jessie said. "Come, ladies, we can see what's happening from the ramparts."
The other ladies followed her into the great hall and up the turnpike stairs to the area she'd been watching from earlier.
A large force of men, all wearing similar plaids rushed the beach.
"Oh, saints," Jessie hissed, dread kicking her in the stomach. "Haldane didn't have that many men." Although she saw Haldane among them. "Who are they?" And then she saw Gregor. "MacBain, you bastard!" she yelled.
"Who is he and why are they attacking?" Seona asked, anguish in her voice.
"He is the man I was in the trial marriage with. He returned a few weeks ago, trying to force me to marry him. He even tried to kidnap me. Torrin MacLeod rescued me and had him escorted off MacKay land. He's returned with his army." She watched as MacBain engaged Torrin in a sword battle not too far from the castle. "This is my fault."
"Nay, 'tis not. Please, God, protect them," Isobel prayed.
Closer to the water, Dirk was engaged in a sword dual with McMurdo. All the men were involved in hand-to-hand combat. Wind blew the kicked up sand from the beach, creating dust clouds.
"Is Dirk well enough to fight?" Jessie asked. "We'd heard he was shot with an arrow."
"He is better but still limping," Isobel said, her face white. "Kill him, Dirk," she growled low.
Three of the MacBains had already fallen and another of Haldane's men, thank the saints.
When Jessie's frantic gaze shifted back to Torrin, she saw that blood had saturated his white shirt. But he still battled MacBain.
One of MacBain's men slipped up behind Torrin.
"Torrin! Behind you!" Jessie shouted, unsure if he could hear her with all the wind and noise of battle.
The bastard knocked him on the head with his sword hilt and Torrin fell. MacBain stabbed his sword toward Torrin's stomach.
"You bastard! I'll kill you!" Jessie rushed down the steps, tears blurring her vision.
"Jessie! You can't go out there!" Isobel yelled after her. But she had no time to answer. She was determined to pull Torrin to safety. Please don't let him be dead.
She checked that her Highland dirk was in the sheath on her belt.
If Torrin is dead, so help me… MacBain would die by her hand this day.
She ran outside into the bailey, to the closed portcullis. "Let me out!" she ordered the young guard left in charge of the gates. Apparently, all the seasoned guards had joined in the battle.
"Nay, I cannot m'lady. The other guards would string me up."
Jessie pretended to head back inside the castle, but when the guard turned his attention elsewhere, she dashed along the side of the castle toward the small back postern gate. With shaking hands, she opened it with her key and locked it back. Taking out her foot-long dirk, she hurried along the outside of the curtain wall, trying to stay low and hidden behind the grasses and bushes, her stomach aching more with each step. What would she find when she reached Torrin? Would he be dead from some horrid sword wound? Wiping the tears from her eyes, she approached the place she'd seen him fall. The rest of the fighting had moved to the beach.
Torrin was pushing himself up on his elbow. Saints, his shirt and doublet were drenched in blood.
"Torrin, thanks be to God you're alive! I have to get you inside the walls."
"What the hell are you doing out here?" he growled. His face contorted in pain, he glanced about.
"Helping you, you daft sheep. The faster you come with me, the faster we'll get behind the gate."
Grimacing, he pushed himself to his feet, his sword still in his right hand. She gently placed an arm around his waist, careful to avoid h
is injuries, and helped him. Glancing around, she didn’t see anyone nearby. She helped him closer to the portcullis. Almost there.
Someone shoved them both from behind, and they crashed to their knees.
Mo chreach!
She tried to get her dirk turned to stab their attackers.
"Grab her! Come on!" That was Haldane's voice.
"Bastard!" Jessie yelled. She would gut him if she could get her blade in the right position.
She was still on her stomach when someone dragged her by the feet, away from Torrin.
"Release her!" Torrin shouted.
"Kill him," Haldane growled.
"Nay! Leave him be and I'll go with you." Shoving the hair out of her eyes, Jessie saw 'twas McMurdo that Haldane was ordering about.
Loud clashes and curses echoed as Torrin fended off McMurdo's blade.
She sat up, intending to stab Haldane's leg. But he kicked the knife from her hand and yanked her to her feet. She thrust her fist toward his face. He ducked and slapped her hard across the cheek. Pain lanced through her face and neck, and she swayed.
The earth spun as he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.
"Put me down!" she ordered, beating her fists against his back.
"Shut your gob," he said, breaking into a run.
Dizzy, she watched the ground speed by underneath her. Haldane's solid shoulder slammed painfully into her stomach with each step he took across the hard-packed sand, near knocking the breath from her. Coming to her senses, she kneed and elbowed him. If only she could get to one of the knives strapped to her calf or thigh, but 'twas impossible to reach them now.
"Are you mad, Haldane? Release me!"
Haldane merely laughed as they headed away from the battle on the beach and through the massive sand dunes.
She noticed someone chasing along behind them. McMurdo. Nay! Had he killed Torrin?
Please, God, let him live.
Chapter Thirteen
Torrin pushed himself to his feet, hot pain lancing his side and abdomen from the two sword wounds. Blinking and trying to wipe the sand from his eyes, he saw his archer some thirty or forty feet away, an arrow aimed at one of the MacBains.
"Sim!" Torrin yelled.
When he turned, his eyes widened and he came running. "I'll get you inside the gates, Chief."
My Notorious Highlander (Highland Adventure 5) Page 18
