She half turned toward him then slapped his chest. “Hey, you shouldn’t look at me like that. Your mother is right there.”
“You’re a temptation I never expected.”
“And you are a nuisance, even though an adorable one. Get this horse moving.”
Chuckling, he nudged his horse’s flanks. “I’ve never been called adorable.”
“Because that’s my job to state so.” She adjusted her skirts then gasped as they rode beyond the moors and into the forest. “The colors of the trees are beautiful. It must still be autumn even though winter is close. What month is it?”
“You still believe you’re from the future and dinnae know the month or year?”
“It’s fifteen-ninety. Mary told me.” Her cheeks flushed as he rode deeper along the hunting trail. “Please, tell me. What month is it?”
She was so insistent she came from the future. Last night, he’d even found himself swaying a touch when he didn’t fully discourage her talk of it. Even now, his mouth opened as if to spill what she wished to hear.
“Oooh, you’re almost there.” She rubbed her bottom against his groin. “Come on. I’ll reward you later if you tell me.”
His cock hardened. His bride was such a tease. “’Tis late October, and my reward shall be sought the moment we return to the castle.”
“You have a deal.” She eased the back of her head onto his shoulder. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to make love outside in a secluded meadow? Since you’re so big and warm, I probably wouldn’t even feel the cold.”
“Anne.” His cock jabbed into her lower back. Not a tease, but a tormenter. “We’re on a hunt, with a score of men.”
“I wanted you to know how much I crave your company too. Life is short, and I’ve been without anyone for so long. Now I have you, even though my future is so uncertain.” She patted her pocket. “I brought the letter, and this probably isn’t the right time to speak of it, but I can’t give up on my quest to get this missive to the Chief of MacLeod. I’ll always keep it on me should you change your mind. Annie did mention she couldn’t defy Rory, and now I’m aware of the year, that would make her cousin and chief Roderick MacLeod. He’s a legend in the history books, and known as Rory. He even marries a MacDonald, although not for a few more years. I think. I studied what I could before I traveled.”
“There isnae a chance Rory MacLeod will wed a MacDonald. He will seek an alliance elsewhere, where he can expand on his lands. And we spoke vows. You will remain as my wife, regardless of what you say.”
“You’re a stubborn man, although I’m glad I handfasted with you, and that it wasn’t Annie.”
“As am—” He shook his head. “I mean—”
“I would love it if you believed me, but it’s enough you’re not locking me away. Your reward just doubled. Now let’s enjoy the hunt. Will I get to use the bow and arrow?”
“Mother is a fine teacher.”
“You won’t teach me?”
“Nay, I will only want to drag you behind the bushes and have my wicked way with you. We’ll water the horses soon, and you can take some time to practice with Mother’s bow.” He wanted more than his wicked way, and her idea of making love in a meadow, would happen as soon as he could arrange it.
* * * *
“The arrow needs to arch before hitting its target, so allow for a higher degree of aim.” Mary stepped back from Anne and nodded. “You can do it.”
“You’re a patient teacher.” Alex had wet and slapped a mound of moss into the crook of an ash tree, a good thirty feet away. Four guardsmen remained with them in the clearing near the stream where they’d stopped. Though Alex had left soon after their arrival, taking the remainder of his men with him to begin the hunt. “When will Alex be back?”
“Soon. Focus on your target. He will want to see you can hit it afore he allows you to try and take down a rabbit or other small animal.”
She placed her cheek to the side of the arrow as she pulled the bowstring back, and then carefully, she lifted the arrow tip a fraction and let it go. It flew free, arching beautifully as it sailed. On her tiptoes, she followed its flight until it speared the mossy mound dead center. “I did it.” She jumped in a dizzying circle.
Mary clapped and beamed. “That’s perfect. Now you must practice for an hour each day, and build your skill.”
“I wish Alex had seen that.”
“I will tell him. Oh, listen. I hear horses.” She cocked her ear then shot a worried look at Alan. “They’re moving at speed.”
The pounding hooves became deafening, as if dozens of horses thundered down the trail.
“Mary,” Alan called. “Take Anne and wait within the trees.” He and the other guardsmen stationed around the perimeter mounted their horses and moved into a tight group.
“Come.” Mary dragged her into the woods and shoved her behind a thick trunk. “Shh, no’ a word.”
She peeked through the foliage. A roar went up as a score of warriors on horseback galloped into the clearing and pulled up before their guard.
Alan drew his claymore, eased his horse forward and addressed the man atop the largest destrier. “Rory MacLeod. You are some distance from your lands.”
Leather trews hugged his thick legs and a buckskin vest molded his broad chest. His dark blond hair, tied with a strip of leather, trailed over the tip of a claymore holstered across his back. No wonder Rory MacLeod was a legend. His size alone stated it so.
“We’ve yet to reach Dunscaith, and here I find a party waiting within a meadow. Who have you been left to guard, MacDonald?”
“No one. We stopped to water our horses.”
MacLeod eyed their mounts. “You must have stopped for some time. Your rides appear well-rested. Come, there’s nay need to lie. I’m in your neck of the woods seeking my cousin. Annie disappeared, and we have scoured the isle and no’ found her. Mayhap you have?”
“Or mayhap we have no’.” Alan remained resolute in his stand, his weapon propped across his lap, but held firmly in hand. She didn’t doubt he was ready to strike. Only why the lie? James had been sent to Dunvegan to inform the chief of hers and Alex’s handfast. He should impart the truth now.
“The lass has blue eyes and hair of white-gold. She was promised in handfast to Alex MacDonald, though I had yet to bring her to him.” MacLeod circled one finger in the air and his men followed his unspoken command and surrounded their guard. To his man on his right, he ordered, “Search the area for whom they protect, but dinnae harm them.” To Alan, he said, “There’s no need for bloodshed if my cousin is returned safely into my hands.”
“You said yourself she was promised to Alex.”
“Aye, but ’twas an agreement I had no choice to enter into because of your chief. If you have no’ heard, he now enjoys the king’s hospitality, within his dungeons. The contract between us is void. My cousin shall be returned to me.”
Anne clutched Mary’s hand. Oh, without Alex, she was a sitting duck. Although, not to her own clan. She dug into her pocket to ensure her parents’ letter was safe.
This was her chance. “Mary, I need to go,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry, but I have to.”
“Nay.” Mary seized her. “You’re my daughter and Alex has become attached to you.”
“These men are armed, and I won’t have anyone harmed because I didn’t step forward.”
“Found her. There are two women.” She jumped as a MacLeod guardsmen loomed over them. He offered her his hand. “Annie, come.”
Mary bolted in front and pushed the man away. “She and my son have handfasted. You cannae take her away. She is Alex’s wife by right.”
“Mary, no.” She grasped Mary’s hands. “No bloodshed.”
“You have to stay. Alex will fight this.”
Which was what she didn’t want. Alex getting hurt because of her wasn’t an option. “I’m going. Tell him this was my choice.”
“Once you leave Dunscaith and return to your kin, your handfast vo
w ends. You took Alex as your husband for the next year and a day, or until you no longer resided in his home. That was your vow.”
“Is that right, Annie?” Rory MacLeod appeared and towered over her. “’Tis good to see you are well. I have feared for your safety.”
“Roderick?” The legend stood before her.
He frowned. “Lass, am I in trouble because it took so long to find you?”
“Ah, no. I’ve been well looked after, Rory. Alex has been kind and considerate.”
“Well, you need no’ worry about him. You are back under my care. Come, we return now.”
“Dinnae leave like this.” Mary threw her arms around her.
She hugged Mary back. “I have to go. This is my chance.”
“Ladies.” Rory eased between them and set Mary to one side. “My apologies, Mistress MacLeod, but we must be away. Pass onto Alex my gratitude for his care of my cousin. The current sins of his chief are in no way reflected upon him.”
“Alex willnae let this rest.” Mary stood up to him.
“He has no choice. Anne is a MacLeod and their handfast has come to an end. You said yourself her vow will be broken once she leaves with me.”
“If you take her, then allow me to visit.” Mary clearly had no intention of backing down. “Anne and I have become exceedingly close.”
Rory heaved a sigh as he turned his gaze on Anne. “You have a champion. I should no’ be surprised.”
“Can she visit? Please, Rory.” Yes, she had to get his promise, to have hope she’d at least see Mary again.
He slowly nodded at Mary. “You’re welcome at Dunvegan. My hospitality extends to you.”
“Thank you.” Her breath rushed out.
“Good day.” Rory bowed, pressed his hand against Anne’s back and steered her toward his horse. “I’ve searched for you everywhere, lass. This was the last place I expected to find you.”
“It’s the last place I expected to end up too.”
“Your words sound strange.”
“I—I—”
“Here. I’ll give you a lift.” Rory hoisted her onto his horse, slid in behind her and gripped the reins. He eyed Alan. “I appreciate the ease in which you’ve handed over Anne. Inform MacDonald their handfast is done.” He nudged his horse’s flanks and they rode out, his men following behind them.
Goodness, she’d done it. She had her letter in hand and now the ear of the MacLeod chief. Her accent was off, but she’d deal with it. She’d give anything to have her parents back.
Her spirits soared then quickly plummeted. Alex. If only she hadn’t had to leave him like this, or so soon. Though he was still out here within this forest.
Autumn leaves lined the trail, and ash and elm trees grew tall either side. They rode for half an hour, until finally the ocean and its rhythmic crashing reached her on the breeze. No Alex. She missed him, but the task before her was set and he’d remain safer this way.
“I’m so sorry, Rory.” She turned to the warrior behind her.
“You’re safe and well. I only wish you hadn’t left for Dunscaith as you did. The way things have turned out, ’twas an agreement I could have easily withdrawn from now the MacDonald of Sleat enjoys the king’s accommodations.”
“Alex was truly honorable.”
“As you’ve said, although I have no intention of allowing another match to occur between you and him. How did you sneak away without a guard?”
Now wasn’t a good time to tell him when one of his men could overhear. No, she’d explain it all once they were alone. Only what excuse could she use? “I paid one of the villagers.” That seemed plausible, hopefully.
He grunted. “Then that villager will be punished as nary a soul came forth to admit such.” He drew his horse up along the shoreline. The waters of the loch glistened, and a birlinn rocked where it’d been partially beached. Two warriors waited near the vessel. “Stretch your legs but dinnae wander far. Dunscaith’s village is over the rise, and I need only return these horses then we can set sail.” He jumped to the ground then swung her down.
“Thank you.” She scrambled along the rocky shoreline toward a small stream that ran into the loch. On her knees, she scooped water and splashed her face. What was Alex thinking? Surely he would know by now what had happened.
No, she couldn’t think of Alex, not when she had a mission to complete.
She gripped the letter within her pocket. It had been easy enough to write, but now she had to convince Rory of where she’d come from, and that he held her parents’ lives in his hands.
Would he listen when the time came?
* * * *
Damn. Alex had returned to find his mother in tears and his wife gone. He raised his sword and swung it at Alan. His man whipped his weapon up to counter his move. Their blades crashed, the violent clang booming across the meadow. “You let her go. I’ll take your head off for it.”
“I had no choice. Anne no longer resided within Dunscaith’s walls, and we didnae need to aggravate MacLeod when we were so outnumbered. You should have wed her proper if you’d wanted more than what you’d spoken of in your vows.”
“I never intended for MacLeod to get his hands on her.” He should never have brought them on this hunt.
“They left an hour ago and rode toward the shore.” Alan sheathed his blade and mounted his horse. “We’ll follow their tracks.”
A guardsman hoisted Mother onto her horse. He wouldn’t place her in any further danger. Alan had been right not to antagonize MacLeod with the women so near, yet he was in no mood to say so. “Mother, you’ll have three escorts to take you home. No diverting from the path.”
“MacLeod willnae hand her back, and they can reach the shore in half that time.” She wiped her wet, blotchy cheeks. “I secured an invitation to Dunvegan.”
“You did?” He rubbed his jaw.
An invitation. Hmm, he could retrieve his wife from right under MacLeod’s nose if he played his cards well. Certainly he hadn’t wished for anyone to see how much he cared for Anne, but his vow still stood, and he wouldn’t allow it to fall.
He called out to his men, “We return to Dunscaith then sail for Dunvegan. I want my wife. Arm yourselves well.”
Chapter 6
After almost two days of icy wind in her face and a night on the cold ground, the long sea journey to Dunvegan Castle was almost done. Anne huddled within a thick MacLeod plaid as Dunvegan rose like a fortress ahead, its massive gray towers and fortified walls topped with battlements and guardsmen roaming the ramparts. From the multitude of square windows, candlelight flickered in welcome.
Her clansmen plunged their oars into the depths, speeding their birlinn toward the sea-gate. So close.
“Not long, Annie,” Rory called from his seat where he directed his men.
At the edge of the sea-gate, two large men waded into the water. Each seized a side of the birlinn as they came abreast of them. Hearty welcomes from the two warriors rang out as they guided the birlinn the last few feet and nestled it next to the stone stairs.
One of the men offered her his hand, and she grasped hold. “Watch your step, my lady. The rocks are slippery.”
Her legs shook from being confined to one position for so long, but with his aid she climbed out. “Thank you.”
Another warrior gripped her arm and kept her steady. His eyes glinted with specks of yellow from the flickering torch he held. “Follow me.”
He moved forward, the soft glow from his torch providing enough light to guide her along the rocky path winding upward. She slogged along, her feet frozen within her shoes.
Rory took her elbow as he caught her up. “You’ll rest well tonight.”
“Will I ever.” She tramped through a darkened passageway and into an inner courtyard, Ahead, the stone entry of the keep beckoned.
She was here. Over four-hundred years in the past, but still, here.
Taking a deep breath, she slowly turned around. Her clansmen surrounded her. They stood tal
l and strong. “Thank you all for coming for me.”
These men didn’t know her, even though they presumed they did. Regardless, they were her kin. She blinked, pushing back tears. Home. She hadn’t had one in so long.
“Annie!” A young woman tore from the keep, her pale hair billowing behind her. She darted through the men and wrapped arms fiercely around her. “I’ve missed you terribly. Where did you go? How did Rory find you? Are you—”
“Margaret, allow Annie inside before you begin questioning her so thoroughly.” Rory ruffled Margaret’s hair as if they shared a close bond.
Hmm, Annie had said if she hadn’t agreed to the handfast, it would have been Margaret, Rory’s sister who would have been bound to Alex.
“Have a bath drawn and a meal sent to her room,” Rory continued. “Then you may catch up.”
“Aye, I’m so sorry.” Margaret looped her arm through Anne’s then tugged her into the keep.
They entered the great hall, and the men she’d traveled with poured into the room behind her. Those at the tables rose and crowded around them, welcoming Rory, her and the men home. Margaret passed along Rory’s order to one of the maids, then guided her through the throng of well-wishers and up the curved stairs to the second floor.
“I should have had your fire lit when I heard the call Rory’s birlinn approached. I knew he’d found you. He promised he wouldnae return until he had.” Margaret shoved open a chamber door. “Your journey must have been arduous. Where have you been?”
“At Dunscaith, with Alex MacDonald.” Annie’s chamber held a queen-sized bed with a thick canopy drawn around the sides. The rich blue velvet swept onto the polished wooden floors. Gorgeous.
“You were?” Clapping a hand to her mouth, she barely hid her gasp. “That must have been awful. When you first disappeared, Rory scoured the nearby countryside. No one saw you leave, nor was it time for my brother to deliver you to Alex MacDonald. How did you find your way there?”
“It’s hard to—”
A maid hurried in and lit the fire. Two barefoot lads with sooty imprints on the knees of their breeches heaved a tub into the room. Another maid arrived with a drying cloth and bar of soap, and behind her another servant carried a tray. She set it on the side table then one-by-one they left.
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