Even though she needed him more than he needed her, she realized that the struggle to keep her family’s home was her fight. Angus was caught in the middle of the conflict, although he didn’t need to be involved. In all actuality, there was no reason for him to stay with her.
His lips tightened into a thin line as he scanned her face. “I willnae go back on my word,” he said, finally. “We’ll need tae get new supplies before we begin our search.”
Elspeth was relieved when he changed his mind, but at the mention of supplies, a new concern struck her. “I dinnae realize we would incur added expenses in seeking the outlaw,” she said, frowning.
“I’ll take care of the costs.”
His generous offer made her feel relieved. “I’ll pay ye back,” she promised.
“’Tis nae necessary.”
She laced her fingers together in front of her as emotion overwhelmed her. “Once again, ye have come tae my aid,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.
Angus waved his hand dismissively and led the way to the nearby town. After an hour, they gathered their supplies, and their small group set out again.
“Who’s Tam Roy?” Jon asked.
“’Tis an outlaw that we must capture for the Earl of Freemond,” she said.
Until now, the brothers were unaware of the new expedition. Their eyes widened with enthusiasm, and they fired one question after another.
“We might nae have the answers, but we’ll find out more once we start our search,” Angus said.
“And I’m certain we’ll easily find the outlaw,” she said confidently.
But they learned firsthand that the Earl’s territory was vast. Tam Roy could be anywhere, but they, at least, had a starting point. Unfortunately, as they crossed over long stretches of moorland, Elspeth’s confidence started to wane.
Chapter 17
By midday, they passed through a village. Even though the lads wished to stay, Elspeth pushed them onward. They now had information on Tam Roy, and she didn’t want to waste any time trying to locate him.
The sky darkened, suggesting that a storm was heading their way. The strong wind ripped through the heath, flattening the long grasses and causing the few trees to shake under the violence of the gusts. From the corner of her eye, she saw a clump of dried branches blow past them. She quickly bent her head and pressed an arm to her stomach. At the same time, the cold air pierced her clothing, causing gooseflesh to form on her arms.
She felt Angus’s gaze fall briefly on her. A flash of sympathy crossed his face before he turned to survey the land.
“We’ll stop over there.” His thick black hair lifted in the wind as he pointed toward a cluster of boulders a short distance away. “Those rocks will protect us from the elements.”
“All right,” she said.
Elspeth tried to hide her disappointment, but she ultimately failed. The last time it rained, they were lucky to find refuge in a cave, but now there was no guarantee that they would find a similar shelter. None of them could predict what lay ahead. In retrospect, they should have found a place to stay in the community they passed. Regrettably, she had pushed everyone to ride.
A few minutes later, they approached the rocky outcrop and led the horses to the tallest structure. The craggy formation provided a semi-protective area where most of the wind was cut off.
They settled in a spot that provided the most protection. Every so often, the wind howled past them. There was no telling whether the coming storm would bring heavy rain. And if that happened, it would be foolish to go farther. Not only would it get dark soon, but they also risked being in the open with no refuge in sight.
Elspeth knew this, but she still couldn’t help but be disappointed. She wanted to catch up to Tam Roy and bring him back to the Earl as soon as possible.
The four of them split up to gather twigs and dry brush. When they returned, they had enough fuel to start a small fire. There was no way that they could hunt for game since the clouds were becoming more ominous. Fortunately, they had adequate supplies to create a basic meal.
As the wind picked up, they huddled by the fire, expecting the punishing rain to hit them. But it never came. Although the strong gales swept away the threat, the day was fading, and they couldn’t continue their journey. They settled in the natural wedge between the rocks. As the smoke rose from the firepit, Elspeth watched Angus, and the lads play a game with the pebbles they found on the ground. At first, their playful exchange amused her, but then she became restless.
She quietly got up and walked to the area where the boulders converged. Since her companions were still occupied, she climbed over the smaller rock and slid down the other side. Her mind drifted to her family, and she wondered how they fared. She had delayed their problems, but this venture had yet to yield results. If they couldn’t locate the outlaw, her problems would only increase.
Elspeth stood with her back against the rock, staring at the sky. Now that the storm had passed, the land was still. The moon shone brightly like a silver jewel, obscured on occasion by a stray cloud.
She folded her arms over her chest. Though the wind had settled, it still felt cool. But she was content to be out in the open. Laughter sounded behind her, and for a moment, she was envious of the carefree nature of the brothers.
“Sae, this is where ye are hiding.” The deep voice caused her heart to skip a beat.
“Angus.” She lifted her head only to see the outline of his magnificent form.
He jumped down from the rock. “Why are ye here?”
“I needed tae think,” she said, shrugging.
“I noticed ye seemed preoccupied at supper,” he said, moving to stand next to her.
“I have much on my mind.”
He turned his face to her, and the moon ray partially lit his rugged features. “’Tis your family, isnae it?” he asked.
“Aye,” she admitted. “Fiona has always annoyed me, but I miss her.”
“I recall she can be difficult,” he said. “Likely, she disnae ken how much ye have done for her, but she’s fortunate tae have ye as a sister.”
His sympathetic tone surprised her and caused her guard to slip. “When my mother died, all the responsibilities fell on my shoulders.” She blinked at the memory. “I tried tae help my da as much as possible. And since Fiona was young, I cared for her too. Of course, I wasnae Mother...”
Angus put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. “Ye are a strong lass,” he said.
His comforting gesture felt natural and genuine. She was always the strong one in her family, and for once, she allowed herself to lean on someone else’s strength.
Her emotions tightened in her throat. “Ye have helped me sae much. I dinnae ken what I’ll do when ye leave.”
“I willnae be leaving,” he said.
His simple answer confused her. She tilted her head and looked at him. “I thought ye are going tae continue your quest.”
“I think that after we finish with the Earl, I’ll go stay at the farm.”
“Ye will?” she asked as she felt a surge of happiness. On impulse, she went on her tippy toes and hugged him tightly. “Da will be grateful if ye stay tae help us. Certainly, ye will have a place tae stay, and we’ll pay you handsomely once our debts are settled.”
“’Tis nae the farm that compels me tae return tae the farm,” he said, a corner of his lip curving. He pulled back slightly and peered down at her. “’Tis ye.”
“Och.” The air between them became charged just as the meaning of his words penetrated her mind. Suddenly, she became acutely aware of his unique scent. Her eyes dropped to his masculine lips, and she remembered all the things that he conjured in her. “Will ye kiss me again?” she whispered.
“Gladly.” Without any hesitation, he bent his head and kissed her.
When their lips touched, her heart felt as if it would escape from her chest. He started out slow, but her response emboldened him. The previous kiss had awakened a stirring of
passion, but with this kiss opened the floodgates. His hand roamed along her back, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. Suddenly, she could no longer feel the chill in the air.
One hand stopped at the small of her back, pressing her closer to him. His arousal was unmistakable. Living on a farm, she knew what that meant, but she didn’t care. She had never felt such recklessness, yet she felt no desire to block it.
He started to pull back, his expression turning regretful. “We should —”
“Nay,” she said, tightening her arms around him. “Dinnae stop.”
Conflict clouded his dark eyes, and he searched her face. “Are ye certain?”
“Aye,” she said.
Angus let out a low groan, and in one movement, he lifted her and wrapped her legs around his waist. He took a couple of steps toward the rock. With her back supported against the stone wall, he gathered her skirt to her waist and pulled aside his great kilt.
Elspeth felt the searing heat of his manhood pressing against her, and she let out a gasp. But before she could recover from the contact, he was sliding his engorged member back and forth across her clitoris. And with each pass, she became wetter and wetter.
His lips found hers, and his tongue entered her mouth, mimicking the movements of his hips. He tore his mouth from hers and ran his hot tongue along her neck. Her breathing became erratic. Helpless rapture overwhelmed her, and all she could do was tilt her head to the side and allow him more access.
But then she became impatient, and she wanted to kiss him again. She raised her hands to his head, tugging him up.
She became lost in the haze of desire. When he entered her, she gasped at the sharp intrusion. But her shock was soon over, and new sensations took over. Indeed, their intimacy intensified her pleasure. She met his passion until the growing pressure inside her exploded abruptly in an array of colors and bliss.
Angus sensed the change in her body. And a growl rumbled in his chest even as his lips were still locked on hers. He pulled her tightly against him and groaned as he released his seed in her.
A moment later, his body relaxed. He touched his forehead to hers. “Thank ye,” he said.
“I should thank ye,” she said as she finally caught her breath.
Her heart rate had slowed, and the feeling of contentment spread over her. Elspeth knew she wanted something more, and she finally found it in Angus.
***
When they set out the next morning, they came across a farmer heading in their direction. In the hours that passed, they hadn’t met a single soul.
“Ho, guidman, is there a town nearby?” Angus asked, hollering to the farmer before he could ride past them.
The man halted his horse and looked warily at them. “Aye, continue on this path for another three miles, and ye should come tae it.”
With his instructions finished, the farmer urged his horse forward and didn’t see the nod Angus sent him.
“Have we reached the southern region yet?” she asked Angus, sidling her horse next to his.
“Nay,” Angus said. “’Tis unlikely from what I can gather.”
“Then why are we going tae this town?”
“We need tae make more inquiries and get fresh supplies,” Angus said.
“Inquiries, I understand, but why do we need fresh supplies?” she asked. “I thought we brought enough with us.”
Her mind raced as she tried to calculate how much more they needed to spend. And once again, she was conscious that she had no means to pay for the provisions.
Angus reached over and covered her hand with his. “Cease your worries, lass. I’ll handle it.”
“Ye paid the last time,” she said.
He merely shrugged. “We need tae stock up on food for the horses.”
“I’m sorry ye have tae do this,” she continued, her voice laced with regret. “We owe ye still for the work ye did on the farm. I promise, when we claim the reward money, I’ll make sure ye are properly paid.”
“’Tis fine. Ye dinnae have tae pay me.” He started to say something else, but he shook his head, and one corner of his masculine lips curved slightly.
But there was something else reflected in his eyes, and it moved her. His sincerity was genuine, and she started to feel choked up. She had never met a man who was as kind, generous, and selfless as Angus.
As they got closer to the town, anticipation began to flutter in her chest. Likewise, the lads were also excited about visiting a new place.
Only the excitement didn’t last. The town bustled with people like any other settlement, except the residents were different here. Many eyed them with suspicion as they rode down the main street. Elspeth smiled at a few townspeople; however, none of them bothered to acknowledge her greeting. It was clear that they weren’t welcome.
Elspeth fixed her gaze in front of her and decided to brush aside the hostility. Her mission was to find Tam Roy, not to make friends.
“We should split up,” Angus suggested as they neared the town square. “We can gather information more quickly if I go one way, and ye three go in another direction.”
Jon looked at Angus and seemed to understand the unspoken arrangement. “We’ll protect Elspeth,” he said.
“Aye,” Alec said, puffing out his chest. “We practiced all that ye showed us, and we’re ready for anything.”
Angus nodded his approval. “Meet me by that tree when ye are done,” he said, pointing to the lonely ash tree that stood in the middle of town.
The settlement was big enough that they had much ground to cover. They wandered into the shop district. Today wasn’t Market Day, but the town center was still busy with folks traveling to and fro from their various errands.
A stray cat streaked past them in pursuit of a mouse. It then circled around a man who was trapped in a pillory.
“His crime must be terrible,” Alec said, nodding to the imprisoned man.
It was evident that the townspeople disliked the prisoner. Food splatters stained the wooden contraption, and near his feet were scattered remains of rotten fruits and vegetables.
As Elspeth considered where to go, an elderly woman turned a corner and came into view. She carried a basket and appeared to have many laugh lines on her wrinkled face. While she walked, a hound nipped at her heels. She stopped and rummaged through her basket and took something out to give to the dog.
Almost immediately, Elspeth felt relief rushing through her body. Here was someone who seemed less intimidating and reasonable.
“I’m going tae ask whether that woman can help us,” Elspeth said, allowing herself to feel more optimistic.
She approached the stranger and struck up a conversation with her. The old woman looked puzzled as to why anyone would address her. But Elspeth forged on and inquired about Tam Roy.
At the mention of the outlaw’s name, the woman paused, the treat forgotten in her hand. The hound didn’t appreciate being ignored and barked at them.
“Why do ye want this information? Do ye work for the sheriff?”
“Nay,” Elspeth said. “But we’re looking for the outlaw.”
“What reason do I have for revealing where he is?” the woman said.
“The Earl of Freemond has asked us tae capture him.”
“He’s sent ye, and the lads tae find Tam Roy?” she asked incredulously. “I’ll tell ye now that ye willnae find the man. He’s too guid at hiding.”
“As far as I understand, he has committed many crimes. The Earl says he’s a menace tae everyone. Ye will only be harming yourself if ye harbor the criminal.”
The old woman scanned her face as if to see whether Elspeth lied.
“Well, there’s a rumor that he lives in the forest yonder, but ye will need tae find him first. He willnae show himself willingly.”
“I was told he was further south of here,” Elspeth said.
“I’m only repeating what I heard. Perhaps he was in the southern region, or perhaps he’s in the forest.”
Elspeth w
asn’t sure about trusting the widow, but she felt they needed to investigate the lead. After they left the old woman, they approached other individuals in hopes of gathering more details, but their efforts were brushed aside. She fought down her frustration and wondered how Angus fared.
Since there were no other places to go, they decided to circle back to the designated spot and wait for Angus. But more than an hour passed and there was no sign of him. Fear and worry began to gnaw at her. People weren’t friendly here. What if, in the course of making inquiries, something violent happened to him?
“We have tae find Angus,” she told the lads and moved away from the spot.
“Do ye think he’s hurt?” Jon asked, his young face pinched with concern.
Elspeth hurried in the direction where Angus had disappeared. The brothers quickened their pace to match her stride.
“I think I see him,” Alec said, pointing to the mercenary’s familiar frame by the well.
“’Tis him,” she said, relieved.
Angus seemed to be fine, although he wasn’t alone. A bonnie lass stood next to him as he drew a bucket of water for her. His sleeves were pulled back and showed off the corded muscles on his arms. He set the bucket on the ground, and the maiden smiled as she gazed up at his handsome face. Another woman approached the well and also watched the Highlander with open admiration.
Any relief Elspeth felt evaporated in an instant, and her body began to shake with anger. She was such a fool. Her assessment of him was wrong, and he wasn’t who she thought he was. Probably he didn’t care about her as much as she believed either. While she and the lads raced around town trying to find leads, Angus was equally engaged in flirting with the local lassies.
Chapter 18
The fury in Elspeth continued to rise to her chest and it made difficult for her to breathe. She took a couple of steps forward, but when she saw Angus leaving the well with the lass, Elspeth spun on her heels and went in the other direction. As much as she wanted to confront him, she knew her bruised ego wouldn’t be able to handle hearing any of his excuses. Instead of helping her, it was clear that he preferred the company of the other woman.
The Highlander's Quest Page 12
