Defended by a Highland Renegade

by Vonda Sinclair

  Mortified that he was completely aware of her erratic physical responses to him, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to calm herself. "Nay, I'm well."

  "I've been thinking," Darack said. "Alec knows you're heading for Rornoch, aye?"

  "He does."

  "We'll have to go someplace else."

  His words startled her, although they made perfect sense. She simply hadn't considered not going home. "Where?"

  "As I mentioned, my cousin is Chief Ewan Grant of Glenmoriston. Some of the MacGregors secretly joined his garrison in exchange for protection, and some are crofters, tilling his land. 'Tis where my mother lives and I stay there often. You would be safe hiding at Dunmoris Castle for a short time. The castle has thick walls and Ewan has a large garrison."

  Uncertain, she shook her head. "Your cousin might not want me or my problems there."

  "He would want to help you. He's a goodhearted chief, and he trusts my decisions."

  Well, she certainly did need the help until she reached her brothers. "How far would we have to travel?"

  "We would take a ship to Inverness. Dunmoris is easy to get to from there by galley."

  "How would I then get to Rornoch?" she asked.

  "I could send a missive to your brothers and have them bring a large guard to take you to Rornoch, or I could escort you there myself, with the help of a Grant garrison. Either way, you need several men protecting you should Alec and his men show up."

  She saw no other option at the moment. She couldn't hide in a cellar for the rest of her life. "Whatever you think best. I trust you, Darack, but I hate to put you to so much trouble and impose on the Grants."

  "You wouldn't be imposing. Just promise me something."

  "What?" She held her breath.

  "That you won't willingly go back with Alec, no matter what."

  "Of course, I won't. I never want to see him again. I don't know why I was so drawn to him in the first place. Mayhap his handsomeness blinded me."

  Darack snorted. "In truth? You put that much stock in looks?"

  Her face felt flushed with heat. "Now, I know 'twas shallow and immature of me. But I've learned my lesson."

  "Next time, you'll be drawn to the ugliest man in the room." His teasing tone gave her a renewed tingle.

  She smiled. "I wouldn't say that at all." Nay, indeed. Darack was just as handsome as Alec, if not more so, just in a different way—Darak's hair and eyes were dark as midnight, whereas Alec was blond with blue eyes.

  Being in such close quarters with Darack, she continued to experience a powerful animal attraction to him. Something she hadn't even realized existed. Was this normal? Was this magnetism what she was supposed to be looking for in a husband? She had no inkling. Most ladies looked for wealth and social station. Those things were important, but she now knew they would not make her happy. 'Twas all so confusing.

  "You're thinking so hard, I hear the wheels turning in your head," Darack murmured.

  "Humph. You're mad," she said, but because he'd been right, heat rushed over her. She wished he wasn't so perceptive.

  He chuckled.

  The sudden scraping sound of the trunk being dragged aside, outside the door, startled her.

  Saints! Had Alec found them?

  Chapter 5

  With the loud noises outside the priest hole door, Marianna's heart vaulted into her throat.

  Darack leapt up and maneuvered her around. "Stay behind me," he hissed.

  She sensed from his movements and rigid posture that he had drawn his dirk. Her fingers trembled as she fisted them into the back of his plaid.

  The door was yanked open, piercing the pitch blackness with lantern light. Felix stuck his head in. "They have left the building. After they searched the kitchen and our family apartments upstairs, Lindsay commanded his men to search the entire town. He says he will not give up until he finds his lady."

  Mairiana squeezed her eyes closed, unable to believe she'd gotten herself into this terrible predicament.

  "You can come out now, but stay in the back. If he or any of his men return to the public room, I'll let you know. We will keep the back door bolted."

  After the men helped her out, Mairiana was glad to be free of the tight confines of the tiny room, but at the same time, she missed Darack's close proximity. She was growing too accustomed to the delicious feel of his hard body against hers.

  "Come, break your fast," Felix said, motioning toward the small dining room.

  Once she sat down, Mairiana realized her stomach was aching with hunger. Not just anxiety. She should give Felix some coins for his trouble and for the meal. She dug into the pouch attached to her belt.

  "Darack," she said once the proprietor had left the room.

  She held up two coins. "Pay him with this."

  "Nay, keep it. MacGregors help their own," Darack said.

  "Still, I will pay my own way… as long as my money holds out, anyway. I don't have much with me."

  "We'll need it later along our journey. The ship will be more expensive than the ferry."

  "I hadn't thought of that." She did not often contemplate money or whether there was enough. Her brothers had always taken care of the finances, and before them, her father.

  Darack disappeared into the kitchen where the proprietor had gone while she sat on a small bench at the table.

  She opened the pouch again and counted the coins. She might have enough for one fare, but not two. The jewels of the brooch Alec had given her last night glittered and winked in the cloudy daylight filtering through the narrow window. She took the brooch out and swiped her thumb over the rubies, sapphires and emeralds. 'Twas beautiful beyond words, but looking at it reminded her fully what a low-down liar and murderer Alec was. It only gave her a sinking feeling of dread. The brooch had to be worth a small fortune, and it could pay her way home.

  When Darack stepped into the room, carrying two tankards of ale, she closed her fingers over the brooch. Mayhap he would know a jeweler where they could sell it for a good price.

  He sat down at the table across from her, gave her one of the ales, then sipped his own. "They will bring our food soon."

  "We can sell this to pay our passage on the ship," she said, holding the brooch out to him in her open palm.

  "Where the hell did you get that?" The words exploded from him. His hand shot toward the brooch, but she snatched it back, out of his reach.

  What the devil was wrong with him? Her eyes narrowed at his look of outrage. "'Twas a wedding gift from Alec," she snapped. "He gave it to me last night. What is it to you?" She'd heard the MacGregors had to steal everything from jewelry to cattle in order to survive. Was it true or only a rumor? "There is no need to steal it from me. I intend to sell it to benefit us both."

  His jaw clenched so hard she heard his teeth grate. "I had no intention of stealing it," he growled, his face darkening. "The fact is Alec Lindsay stole that brooch from my mother a couple of months ago. 'Twas why I was there at Lenor Castle, trying to reclaim it for her."

  Shocked by this information, Mairiana frowned. "In truth?"

  "Aye. Why would I lie about such a thing?"

  "Because 'tis valuable and you ken it. The jewels are real."

  "Of course they are."

  "Describe it to me," she charged, testing his knowledge. He had only glimpsed it for a second in her palm.

  Darack blew out a breath, fury glinting in his hard, dark eyes as he glanced away for a moment and then back to her. "'Tis a thistle. It has four leaves, each formed by four small emeralds, for a total of sixteen stones. The flower is made of a cluster of nine rubies. In the background is a loch formed by twelve sapphires."

  Could he be so accurate? Opening her hand, but shielding the piece from him, she frowned down at the brooch and counted the jewels in question. Indeed, he was correct. He had to be telling the truth. She observed him and his midnight eyes. The lingering anger lowering his brows convinced her.

  "I'm righ
t, am I not?" he asked.

  Humbled, she felt her outrage drain away. "Aye."

  "I looked at the brooch often when I was a lad. Every night, my mother wore it at supper at her brother's castle. The jewels sparkling in the firelight always fascinated me. 'Twas the most colorful and brilliant thing around, aside from the stained glass windows at the kirk."

  Mairiana stared down at the brooch again, trying to imagine a wee dark-eyed lad studying the jewels, counting them. Perhaps the most valuable thing anyone in his clan possessed, and Alec had stolen it. No doubt on a lark, simply to see if he could. Something he could sell or give as a gift which would make him look wealthy and extravagant. But, in truth, it had meant nothing to him. Like giving a pebble he might have picked up beside the road.

  Closing her hand around the brooch, she held it out toward Darack. When he didn't immediately lift his hand, her gaze darted up to him. His midnight eyes held questions and a bit of astonishment.

  "Take it," she whispered.

  His expression lightened and changed, as if she mystified him. As if what she did was completely unexpected.

  Slowly, he lifted his open palm and she deposited the brooch there, her fingers grazing his hot skin. She drew her hand back while he held the brooch and studied it for a moment. Was he reassuring himself 'twas the right brooch?

  "Take it to your mother," she said.

  He lifted a brow, eyeing her suspiciously. "Are you certain you won't accuse me of theft?"

  "Nay." Annoyance twisted through her. "What sort of person do you take me for?"

  "One who usually gets whatever she wants."

  Perhaps in the past she had, but she had never been manipulative. His distrust left a bitter taste in her mouth. "Well then, what I want now is for your mother to have it, with my blessing. 'Tis hers, after all. Besides, I want naught that reminds me of Alec."

  Darack gave a wry, twisted grin.

  "You think me spoiled?" she demanded. "If so, 'tis my brothers' fault for giving me whatever I wanted. And before them, my father."

  "Not at all," Darack said lightly, which completely negated his words.

  "I don't believe you, but what of it?" she muttered. "I don't have what I want now." She glanced away, painful emotion constricting her throat. "I'll never have what I want. Things couldn't have worked out any worse."

  "What? You don't relish going on the run with an outlaw MacGregor?" He smirked.

  She narrowed her eyes, taking in his teasing but self-deprecating expression. Of course, she didn't relish it, but should she tell him that and risk insulting him? Nay, he was helping her. If not for him, where would she be? Still trapped at Lenor Castle.

  "It could be worse," she admitted. "But I would've never imagined it would turn out like this, with me running away just before the wedding. I've heard of brides doing so before, but thought they were mad. I always wanted to grow up and be a bride, since I was a wee lass. From the moment I met Alec, I thought him the epitome of a charming, honorable Scotsman."

  Darack snorted, his gaze filled with disgust and derision.

  She well knew now how wrong she'd been in judging Alec's character. How foolish. She could still hardly believe his betrayal, that he would steal Dugald's priceless dagger, have someone sell it for a pittance, as if it was so much rubbish, and commit murder over it. Then to steal Darack's mother's beloved brooch… what kind of idiot was Alec? He had not even a smidgen of principal or honor. He didn't need to steal to feed his family. Theft was simply a risky pastime for him, something he did for fun. And to top it off, murder. Had he killed anyone before or was the poor guard his first victim?

  Darack nodded. "Next time, you will not allow the wool to be pulled over your eyes so easily. You've always been an intelligent woman. Now, you are a wise one. Don't trust so quickly."

  "I shan't. You need not worry," she snapped. Aye, she'd learned a lesson, a painful one. She couldn't trust herself, much less anyone else. But she was trusting Darack right now, wasn't she? Else why would she be here, on the run with him? Did he deserve her trust, or would he abandon her at first opportunity now that he had what he'd come for? He hadn't known she'd possessed the brooch; that much was obvious to her because of his reaction when he'd first seen it in her hand. Therefore, he'd helped her escape because he'd wanted to. She could imagine no other reason, unless it was something she hadn't considered.

  "Why are you helping me?" she asked.

  "I already answered that last night. Why would you ask again? You didn't believe me before?"

  "Aye, I did. I just want to be sure you won't abandon me."

  He frowned. "Of course, I won't. Do you think I lack honor?"

  "Nay, certainly not."

  The serving maid brought in a tray containing bowls of porridge and trenchers of bacon, sausage, scones and eggs. She placed one before each of them.

  "I thank you," she told the maid.

  "M'lady." She curtsied and hastened out again.

  With her small knife, Mairiana cut off a bite of warm bacon, took it into her mouth and chewed the delicious morsel. She hadn't realized how hungry she was. After swallowing, she said, "Well, now that you have the brooch, which you will return to its rightful owner, what will we do about paying for the ship fare?"

  "I'm not a pauper." He sent her another of those hard looks.

  "I didn’t say you were. I meant no insult. After all, I'm near penniless at the moment, myself. I left everything I own back at Lenor Castle. I hope Alec doesn't burn all my possessions for leaving him at the altar."

  "I'm sure your brother will buy you more fine gowns, direct from Paris," Darack said with a bitter undertone.

  "Aye, no doubt he will," she said in a defensive tone meant to strike back at him. She understood that he and his clan had no wealth since they'd been outlawed, but did that mean he had to snip at her every time money and possessions were mentioned? "Being resentful of Dugald's wealth will not make you wealthy."

  Darack clenched his jaw, his glare turning more hostile.

  "I ken that's why you dislike me as well," she said. "But I have little at the moment. Not a pound to my name."

  "I don't dislike you." His tone softened but his frown remained. "And no doubt your dowry is worth a king's ransom."

  "What of it?" she demanded. "'Tis not mine to use or spend as I see fit. It was going to be Alec's. But now Dugald will keep it until he can use it to pay some old laird to take me off his hands." Above all, she craved happiness, not material possessions. And she'd thought Alec would make her happy. She was but a fool.

  Darack frowned down at his food for a long moment and stirred absently at his porridge. "Do not fash," he said in a subdued tone. "I have enough for the ship. Since you've so generously returned the brooch to me, I'll make certain you arrive at Rornoch safely and I'll cover the expenses until my coins run out. You've saved me from having to return to Lenor and continue my search."

  What had changed his mood so quickly? He was a mystery to her, and she wished she could read his mind. Regardless of what had caused the shift, relief flowed through her for a few seconds.

  "I thank you," she said. 'Haps she'd paid him for his services, then. Good. Hopefully he was a man of his word. If not, no doubt her brothers would have something nasty to say—or do—about it. What would they do to Alec? Good lord, she hoped this didn't spark a clan war.

  "What is it?" Darack asked, drawing her from her tragic thoughts. "You are pale as a fine linen sheet."

  "I was just thinking… I hope my brothers won't attack the Lindsays over this, or vice versa. I would never wish any bloodshed or violence because of me."

  "If I know Dugald, he will be furious and determined to seek justice for the dagger's theft. As for the way Alec is hunting you down now, I couldn't say. 'Haps Dugald would want revenge for Alec's deception."

  Her skin chilled. "Aye, I fear you're right. Dugald has an irrational temper, and he will feel that Alec duped him into agreeing to the betrothal." She prayed her brother
didn't get himself killed because of her.

  Chapter 6

  Felix sent his grown sons and kinsmen out to secretly watch the Lindsays to see where they'd gone and report back. For hours, Alec and his men searched from one end of town to the other and back again. Mairiana and Darack could not venture outside, lest they be seen. Felix's son had told them that, at dark, Alec and his men had retired for the night at an inn some distance away.

  At the tavern, Mairiana and Darack lay on separate pallets a few feet apart on the kitchen floor near the hearth, the low flames the only light in the room. Felix and his wife had offered to give up their bed for her, but she'd refused. She would much rather stay near Darack at all times, in the event they had to flee at a moment's notice.

  Too restless to sleep, she lay watching Darack. His eyes were closed, his face shadowed by his dark hair. Was he asleep? She wished she knew him better, but at least she knew him well enough to trust him… she thought. When she remembered how long and completely she'd trusted Alec, she felt sick to her stomach.

  Her heart still ached because of his lies and false front. Questions ran through her mind constantly. Had she truly loved Alec? What was love, anyway? He had told her countless times that he loved her, but he'd obviously lied from the outset. She no longer knew what was true and what was false. Never in her life had she doubted herself so much.

  She would never marry… never have a family of her own. Never know what true love was. Tears burned her eyes. She had always believed herself fortunate, for the most part. 'Twas true she had lost her parents too young, which had been devastating to her because she'd been so young, too. But her brothers had filled the gap, and—she now knew—mollycoddled her. No doubt her father had ordered them to. Although, she was sure they loved her.

  Still, she didn't want to live at Rornoch Castle the whole of her life with Dugald and his family and Tòmas and his family, once they eventually married… unless Tòmas moved out. She shook her head. What did it matter? She closed her eyes and tears dripped onto her makeshift pillow. If she could have a warm bed and food to eat, what did it matter about the rest of it? She would have the basic necessities, even if she had no other reason to live. No purpose. Mayhap she could find happiness in helping care for her brothers' children.