Highland Sanctuary

by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

  having as a friend. As for the dances, I'm willing to teach ye a few on one condition." He raised a finger.

  "Which is?" Serena lifted a dark eyebrow, her green eyes glistening in the sun.

  "Ye give me the first and the last dance at the party."

  7

  Serena rode along the border of the laird's property, pointing out memorable landmarks to Gavin. It included the whole village in the woods, the loch, and the rocky edge bordering the sea where Braigh Castle was situated.

  She glanced over at Gavin. He rode like a warrior upon Sholto's white back, sitting tall, his broad shoulders stretched like an oak mantle. She loved the bright red of his hair and how it tapered down his neck. Gavin glanced in her direction, as if he sensed her studying him. He winked at her, a wicked grin spreading across his handsome face.

  "What was that for?" Her neck heated, numbing her head. She gripped the reins tighter.

  He pulled his horse to a stop and dismounted. They were at a grassy knoll overlooking the brilliant blue-gray sea. Below them, waves crashed against the rocks. The castle walls were high above them to the right. The wind sailed off the ocean, filling the air with the smell of salty seaweed and fish. It was wonderful.

  "Ye're about to receive yer first dance lesson." Gavin strode toward her. "I canna think of a better place—or time."

  What had she agreed to?

  Gunna's voice came to mind, "dearie me."

  The words dissolved from her thoughts as Gavin reached up and swung her down. Serena gasped, holding onto his powerful arms. It took her a few moments to realize she had landed on her feet and could let go of him. His blue eyes touched her face, kindling a spark of tenderness inside. She swallowed, unsure of her feelings.

  He cleared his throat and stepped back, gesturing around them. "Pretend this area is surrounded by people. All of them will form a large circle. The first dance I'll show ye is the ring dance. Everyone will move this way." He stirred his arm like a clock.

  Taking her hand, he skipped, hopped, and turned around. He pulled her along. By the time they completed the imaginary ring, they were breathless from laughing. Gavin pressed his palms to his knees and drew a deep breath. Serena touched her chest, as her fast-beating heart kept a constant rhythm with the roaring ocean.

  "Do people always dance that fast?" Serena asked between breaths.

  "Mayhap, not quite as quick on their feet." He straightened to his full height. "I could use some water." He whistled and Sholto came forward. Gavin unfastened a flask from the animal's saddle and held it out. "Here, drink from this and quench yer thirst."

  Serena accepted the brown container and popped the cork. She lifted it to her mouth and welcomed the cool, refreshing liquid. It slid down her throat like a smooth waterfall. Wanting to save some for Gavin, she forced the tiny fountain from her lips and handed it back, wiping her mouth.

  "Thank ye." The words came out in a breathless whisper. His fingers closed around hers, warm and full of strength as he gripped them. Their eyes met and once again she was struck by the handsome blue depths watching and assessing her.

  "Ye have bonny eyes, the color of peat moss, which gives Scotland its natural beauty."

  The seriousness in his tone broke through the icy walls of her heart, like cracking the surface of a frozen loch. The warmth of his touch melted her fears into a river that shivered throughout her body.

  "I'm sorry, lass. Are ye cold?" His eyes flickered. He leaned closer.

  "Nay." She shook her head. "The air is delightful after so much dancing." She couldn't tell him that he had made her tremble with a mere look. The last thing she wanted was for the man to think her daft.

  He nodded, accepting her answer and raising the flask to take a drink. The corded muscles in his neck moved with each swallow. Once he had enough, Gavin slid the cork back in place and tucked the container away.

  "Shall I teach ye another dance?" He grinned as if he took pleasure in the idea.

  "Aye, but first let's talk a bit." She strolled to the edge and sat upon the grass, overlooking the sea. "Sit down." She patted the spot next to her. "Tell me of yer homeland. I've never been anywhere but here."

  She wanted to know more about him. What was it like where he came from? What did he think of the Village of Outcasts—of her?

  He sat beside her as a seagull flew over them, squealing. The waves below roared in constant motion, easing her into a peaceful state, almost tempting her to lie back and enjoy a nap.

  Gavin crossed his ankles and leaned back on his palms. "MacKenzie lands are a couple hundred miles south of here in an area called Ross. I grew up living at MacKenzie Castle up on a brae."

  "Our wee cottages must seem like a hole in the ground in comparison." Serena kept her eyes on the ocean, afraid of what she might see in his eyes.

  "Some of our people live in similar homes. Ye must remember, Serena, it isn't the house that makes a comfortable, loving home. It's the souls that live in it."

  "Is it better than Braigh Castle? I canna imagine aught larger."

  "Aye." Gavin nodded. "And the stones are more sturdy and smooth. The foundation of Braigh Castle is decaying by the grit of the salt air and the cold, moist winds blowing off the north sea."

  "Ye don't have the sea where ye're come from?" She lifted her knees and folded her arms around them as he shook his head. "That would be sad to me. For I dearly love the sea."

  "We have lochs, plenty of moors and burns. The land isn't as flat as Caithness, and we have more woods. My part of the Highlands has it's own mysteries and beauty. I think ye'd like it if ye ever visited. My step-mither and da are verra friendly. They would treat ye like a queen."

  "Me? A low-born lass?" Serena laughed. "I'm not that innocent, Gavin MacKenzie."

  "But they would. Ye'd have just as much protection under my da's care. Mayhap even a better home. I could build one for ye and yer mither."

  "Gavin! I'm not much impressed by things. We could have lived in a castle if we wanted."

  He paused and leaned forward with a raised eyebrow. She longed to reach out and trace a finger along the golden-red arches above his intense eyes now staring at her, but she refrained, clasping her fingers tight.

  "Aye." She nodded. "When Iain MacBraigh offered me my position, he gave us the choice to live at Braigh Castle. Even though the village is under his protection, he said he could keep us safer if we were behind the castle walls."

  "I'd agree." Gavin's voiced turned rough. He looked away, plucked a handful of grass and tossed it. His lips formed a scowl and his jaw tensed. "Mayhap, ye should have taken him up on his goodwill. There's foul play about—with the cobbler's murdered cow and the kirk fire. I don't like ye walking back and forth to the castle. It's too dangerous."

  "I'll be fine and Phelan is with me most of the time."

  "Why won't ye let me carry ye back an' forth each day?" His thumb traced a circle on her cheek like light butterfly swirls, breaking her thoughts.

  He inched closer. Serena's heartbeat quickened. His gaze lowered to her mouth. Fear of the unknown fluttered through her, along with a fierce curiosity to feel his lips upon hers. The war waging inside her didn't feel right, and she pulled out of his grasp, standing to her feet.

  "Serena?" Gavin clambered to his feet after her. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have allowed myself such liberties. Please forgive me, lass."

  With her back to him, Serena closed her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling immense heat rise to her face. She turned, squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin.

  "I'm not angry at ye, Gavin." She was furious at herself for wanting him to kiss her, knowing that a relationship between them could lead nowhere. How could she be vexed at him for desiring the same? "But our friendship must remain as it is."

  "I don't know that I can do that, Serena. I crave more." Gavin paced before her. He ran a hand through his hair.

  "Let me ask ye a question, Gavin. Ye said that yer parents would welcome me and offer me their protection in
the clan?"

  "Aye." He stopped pacing and watched her.

  "Would someone like me be welcomed into yer family as well as the clan?"

  His gaze faltered, unable to meet her eyes. Serena recognized the guilt in him, but the confirmation of what she already knew sliced through her hopeful heart.

  "I won't lie, Serena. My family would welcome Leith forming such an attachment more so than myself. As the second son, he'll inherit lands, but not the castle estate or the chieftainship of the clan." He folded his arms and stroked his chin. "But that doesn't mean they would outright disown me. And if I were not elected as chief, I would survive."

  Serena smiled. "Ye say that now, but ye might come to begrudge it later. Besides, ye haven't considered that I might not be willing to leave Caithness. I'm safe here. This place is my sanctuary."

  "But I would protect ye." Gavin grabbed her shoulders.

  "Gavin, there are things ye don't know about me. Everyone living in the Village of Outcasts has something different about them—including me. This burden I carry would be a much stronger obstacle for ye to overcome than my being a poor commoner."

  "Whatever it is canna be that bad or I would have already recognized it." He tightened his grip on her shoulders. "It won't matter."

  "Aye, it will."

  "Gavin!" A voice called in the distance.

  Serena stepped away and shielded her eyes. Leith rode toward them. He slowed his mount to a stop as he drew near. "I hope ye've finished touring the grounds. We've been summoned to the castle. The Earl of Caithness would like to meet us."

  While Serena seemed relieved for Leith's interruption, Gavin was disappointed. He wanted to question her further on the secret she had mentioned, but sensed she wouldn't welcome such a discussion in Leith's presence as they rode back.

  The near kiss . . . he couldn't bring himself to regret that action. She was lovely inside and out. He didn't feel compelled to impress her with displays of prowess. Serena made him see things differently. Her satisfaction in such a small cottage with a dirt floor shamed him for his desire of wanting more.

  "Gavin, ye're not listening," Leith said. "Twice I've asked yer opinion of the grounds ye've seen today."

  Springing to attention, Gavin cleared his thoughts. "Iain MacBraigh has a large estate. There's plenty of unused farmland he could rent out to the villagers if he wanted. The soil appears lush and fertile. He has freshwater lochs. It looks like Iain owns the only land in the shire with timber."

  "Aye, that he does." Leith agreed with a nod. He turned to Serena. "Did my brother behave himself? Sometimes he has a way with the lasses that can leave behind many a broken heart."

  "Leith!" Gavin raised his voice, but couldn't help the small grin that slipped through in spite of Leith's mischievous ploy. "The only brokenhearted lasses left behind are the ones ye've left. No one from home, and none of the men with us, would deny the truth in that."

  "Rightly so." Leith lifted a finger and tilted his brown head. "A second son ought to have a wee bit of charm. How else am I to lure the fortune seekers out of yer clutches?"

  "Ye're the third son or have ye forgotten?" A familiar pain shot through Gavin. Over the years, the death of their brother Elliot had diminished, but he refused to allow Elliot's memory to fade. Nor could he forget how different things might have turned out if he had gone with Elliot that day. Elliot had learned some news regarding a murdering traitor in the MacPhearson Clan their sister had married into, but Elliot never returned home.

  "Nay, I've not forgotten, but there are times I wish I could." Leith's tone sobered. "Ye're determined to remind me often enough."

  "I'm sorry." Serena said. "I didn't know ye had another brother."

  "He was killed in a fight a few years ago." Leith said. "I was only a wee lad at the time. Elliot and Gavin were full-blooded brothers, while Akira and I are only their half-siblings through a different mither, the second wife."

  "Who's Akira?" Serena looked from Leith to Gavin.

  "Our sister," Gavin said.

  "Mayhap that would explain why the two of ye look so different." Serena scraped her teeth over her bottom lip with a smile. "Although, ye both seem to have the knack of embellishment from what I can tell."

  "What do ye mean?" The words were out of Gavin's mouth before he could hold them back.

  "Which of us is the handsomest?" Leith leaned forward, no doubt expecting flowery praise. "Don't ye think Gavin has a bit of a rugged look to him?"

  "Och, Leith." Serena shook her head and clicked her tongue. "If I didn't know ye better, I'd think ye were a wee bit jealous of yer elder brother. It's a good thing ye're only jesting."

  Gavin's opinion of Serena grew even more. Most of the lasses back home either fell for Leith's bid for compassion or his charming wit. He could now add intelligence to her growing list of attributes.

  They arrived back at the laird's stables and left their horses in the care of the stable lad. As they walked into the courtyard, Serena stopped. "Thank ye for the dance lessons."

  Turning, Gavin watched her gather her cloak tight around her, as if she was uncomfortable. "Are ye not coming?"

  "Nay. The earl has requested to meet the two of ye. I've no desire to see him, and he didn't ask for me. I've things I must do before the day's end."

  "Mayhap we can escort ye home this evening?" Gavin lingered, not wanting to separate from her just yet.

  "That depends." Serena backed away. "The laird may want ye to stay for dinner since he has guests." She turned and strode toward the opposite end of the courtyard, her brown gown rustling against her legs. Serena's boots crushed the pebbled dirt, fading with each step.

  "Come on, Gavin. They're waiting." Leith prompted him. "Serena has work to do and we have business to attend."

  "Since when did ye become so sensible and able to help me keep my priorities straight instead of the other way around?" Gavin strolled beside Leith, giving him a curious sideways glance.

  "When ye became enamored with an innocent lass who doesn't deserve to be hurt. Ye're forgetting how loyal ye are to the family, the clan, and yer sense of duty. Ye may come to truly care for her and feel torn, but in the end, ye'll choose yer conscience in what ye believe is right."

  Leith pulled open the heavy wood door. It groaned and squeaked. They blinked in the dark hallway, giving their eyes time to adjust. Their heels clicked against the hard floor.

  "So that's why ye tried to make it sound as if I'm like ye, leaving broken hearts everywhere I go." Gavin shook his head in disbelief. He had never known his brother to be concerned about such matters before.

  "That's the difference between us," Leith said. "Ye've always handled yer obligations. For me, it's a mere thought—at least it was until now."

  "What's changed?" Gavin asked.

  "I canna deny our birth order. I'll either have to make my own way or keep depending on yer good graces. I'm getting to an age where I need to make my own way."

  "I'm glad to hear it. Ye're finally coming to yer senses. But as for the lasses, I still think ye'd break every woman's heart for the lust of travel in yer blood, while I could only do so for a moral obligation." He paused, considering his next words. "I'm a man with principles. I still believe a solution is obtainable where Serena is concerned."

  "Ah, but does she? I get the impression she's quite attached to this place."