‘He’s known as a Galloway Nag.’ Mairi heard the note of pride in Duff’s voice.
‘Renowned for their surefootedness and their hardiness.’
‘Aye.’
‘Do you intend to ride or spend the daylight hours talking about horses, Ranald?’ Her father asked.
‘Forgive me, Alastair. Forgive me, Lady Mairi,’ Ranald said, a hint of colour staining his cheeks as he rose from his bow.
‘There is naught wrong with being passionate about something, Ranald. You have your horses and I have my weapons,’ he smiled. ‘But if you wish to impress my daughter with your riding skills, I suggest you waste not a moment more simply talking about the beasts.’
‘You’re right, Alastair. I can show off my skills and impress her with my knowledge about them while we ride,’ Ranald said.
He stepped in front of her and gave a gallant bow. ‘My Lady, please allow me to assist you to mount.’
‘Thank you, Ranald,’ Mairi replied feeling her own cheeks heat at his gallantry.
Ranald placed his hands about her waist and easily lifted her into her saddle.
She peered down at the men surrounding her in time to see a look pass between her father and her personal guard. She wanted to tell her father she was safe on Gordon lands and Duff’s company wasn’t required. But she’d already questioned him, something she never did, but seemed to more often of late, about her needing a chaperone. He’d given his reasons and she told herself she had to be content.
Ranald and Duff both mounted, and with a farewell nod from her father they rode out of the bailey.
Once they’d crossed the drawbridge, Ranald took up position riding beside her and Duff dropped back behind them.
They followed the same invisible path her father had taken them over a few days before when he’d proudly shown all that was his, but the conversation veered in a different, yet expected, direction.
‘Are you fond of horses, Lady Mairi?’
‘I am, Ranald. They are a beautiful animal and one we would struggle without.’
‘I am pleased you recognise their importance.’ Mairi could hear the delight in his voice at her response. ‘I have already begun breeding horses, but hope to expand it in the near future. I believe there will always be a need for horses of good quality, and with time I’m hoping any laird who requires a new mount, or several, will come to me.’
‘It is a clever plan, Ranald, and one I hope you get to fully realise.’
‘My thanks, Lady Mairi. Your opinion matters to me.’
Especially if it is me you choose as your husband.
The words didn’t need to be spoken to be heard.
Would he be her choice?
Mairi watched Ranald from the corner of her eye as he elaborated on his plan. They slowly rode along the edge of Gordon lands and she noted he sat atop his mount with an ease that said he was born to ride. His wheat-coloured hair was liberally sprinkled with silver, his blue-grey eyes returned to her often. His voice was soothing and she felt comfortable in his presence.
Despite her comfort, she couldn’t help wondering what Duff thought about Ranald’s horse breeding idea. Duff obviously liked horses, for he’d given his mount a man’s name.
What would he think about her choosing Ranald for her husband?
She wanted to turn and ask him his thoughts, for although she couldn’t see him, as always, she knew he was there. Behind her. Not too close, but not far away. Duff’s presence made her feel things that were very different to comfort.
Warm. Jittery. Capable. Apprehensive. Safe.
Such a jumble of mismatched feelings, and all in a matter of moments.
Confusion.
She turned her face up as an offering to the gentle breeze and allowed Ranald’s calm voice to reach her. She really needed to pay him the attention he deserved and not let her mind wander to the man who was protecting her temporarily and had no future here.
‘Would you care to rest for a while?’
Mairi opened her eyes and found Ranald studying her.
‘Although I am enjoying our ride immensely, a short rest sounds wonderful.’
The concern tensing his square jaw eased. ‘Then we will rest here,’ he said with a relieved smile.
A lone oak stood at the edge of the clearing, arms wide and searching. Mottled shade shifted beneath its shadow as the leaf-cluttered branches swayed slightly with the breeze.
Mairi forced herself to keep her attention on Ranald as he dismounted and, reaching up, lifted her from her saddle.
‘Shall I fetch the rug from my sack?’
‘Nae. I’d rather stand.’ She smiled and walked across the lush green grass until she stood just under the tree’s jutting limbs. She stared out over the neighbouring valley below. Over the ridge to the right was where her father and his men had recently been attacked. Her chest tightened a fraction.
A little to the left of the ridge was where she’d ridden for her life and had been captured by Duff. A warmth that had nothing to do with the bright summer’s day ignited deep in her belly. Duff’s hands on her. His strength. Her shivers at the sound of his voice in her ear. Hot breaths on her cheek as he gave her instructions on how to defend herself. His arm around—
‘Clan Gordon is blessed with such great and beautiful lands.’
Ranald Barclay’s voice cut into her thoughts as he stopped beside her. Dear God, she’d forgotten where she was. Forgotten who she was with. She searched her muddled mind for the words he’d said so she could respond. Clan Gordon lands. Beautiful. Blessed.
She stared out over the landscape, pushing the heated memories aside and willing herself to appear at ease when she felt nothing of the sort. But she’d played this part often and it didn’t take long to show an outward calm.
‘Aye, Clan Gordon is certainly blessed.’
In lands, if not in all other things.
She’d much prefer to have her mother and brother still with her. There were so many missed moments that would never be. So many things she’d imagined sharing with each of them and with them both.
But such thoughts were futile. She pushed them aside, along with her warm thoughts regarding Duff, and focussed on now and what was.
‘Come and we will explore more of Clan Gordon’s lands.’ She smiled at Ranald and turned toward her horse, careful to avoid looking directly at Duff. But when Ranald lifted her onto her mount once more, she couldn’t help wondering why Duff’s hold lingered in her memory even after days had passed.
She inwardly groaned and sat straighter in the saddle. It didn’t matter. She had to stop the foolish questions and comparisons leaping into her head. She had to cease thinking about Duff and concentrate on her suitors.
‘How many horses do you have for your breeding venture, Ranald?’ His horse fell into the space beside hers as they slowly rode the Gordon perimeter.
‘My scheme is fairly new, so only six at present.’
Mairi nodded. Six was still a good number of horses to start with and to own.
‘Flint isn’t one of them,’ Ranald added.
She turned and looked at the grey horse Ranald had ridden today, the horse he’d named after something not someone. She willed her gaze to remain on the animal instead of straying back to where Duff rode quietly guarding her. It wasn’t easy. But she managed.
A small win.
‘Why isn’t Flint part of your venture?’
‘Flint is a horse suited more to riding, rather than a mount bred for numerous purposes. A horse bred for several uses will be more sought after than a mount limited to one.’
‘It sounds as if you have planned well, Ranald.’
‘I hope so, Lady Mairi. As a third son I’d rather have something planned to support myself than to rely on the charity of others.’
Mairi met Ranald’s gaze for a moment before looking forward. Ranald was here to win her hand in marriage, as with two older brothers he had no chance of gaining the running of his family’s keep. If
she did choose him as her husband, he would be bringing something more to Clan Gordon, something that would add to securing her clan’s future. His idea and the reason behind it impressed her.
Ranald Barclay made her think of comfort and security. Was it enough?
A short time later, they stopped by the side of a small burn that filtered down into Loch Gordon. Ranald assisted her to the ground, the memory of his touch disappearing the moment he released her.
Once Ranald had spread the rug on the grass alongside a cluster of alders, he tethered the horses by the water, while Mairi removed the food and beverage contents from the sack. Just as the sun reached its peak and began its downward slide, she and Ranald settled down to eat the ham and cheese and brown bread Cook had packed for them at the Gordon steward’s request.
Mairi accepted the wooden cup half filled with watered wine from her suitor with a smile and as she searched for a flat spot to set it down, she managed to sneak a look to see where and what her protector was doing. She hadn’t laid eyes on him for some time and was pleased with her efforts. She told herself she only wanted to ensure Duff didn’t go hungry, despite knowing he had his own sack containing food and water.
***
Once they’d eaten and Mairi and Ranald were ready, Duff mounted Duncan and fell into his place at the rear. He followed Mairi and Ranald as they continued to ride around the borders that marked Clan Gordon lands. At one point they paused to admire the surrounding scenery and Duff was sure he glimpsed a look of wistful longing pass over Mairi’s bonny face. But it was gone as quickly as it had come and it made him wonder if he’d seen it at all.
But not for long. It was the small things he noticed, things others missed. A look as brief as the blinking of an eye. A tremor in an otherwise steady hand. A tensing of muscles as swift as a heartbeat. He knew he hadn’t imagined her look of yearning. And he knew Mairi was a master of hiding what she felt.
What he didn’t know, and what he desperately wanted to know, was what caused such a look?
But more importantly, he needed to convince himself that he didn’t need to know, nor was it his place. Her safety was all that should matter to him.
He hadn’t planned on showing her how to defend herself without a weapon, but the instant the candlelight hit the steel dagger, all the colour had drained from her face and he’d wanted nothing more than to distract her from the fear of blades she was too afraid to admit she had. He couldn’t help wondering what had caused such a fear. But she’d done well. And so had he, considering he’d fought the urge to hold her even closer and kiss her, and he’d won.
Duff slowly exhaled and watched Mairi and Ranald converse as they rode, their bodies swaying with their mounts’ relaxed gait.
She is not for—
Wild flapping wings and a cacophony of squawking burst from the cluster of alder bushes to Ranald’s right. His mount reared up on hind legs and then crashed back to the ground unevenly, stumbling sideways as it tried to gain its footing.
Before it gained its balance, the frightened horse collided flank to flank with Mairi’s mount. Mairi’s horse buckled momentarily with the unexpected collision, but the moment the two horses separated, Mairi’s mount dug in its front hooves and leapt forward into a full gallop.
Duff was prepared for any reaction and he was already lying low along Duncan’s neck in full pursuit.
The sound of rumbling hooves drowned out all other noise, and Duff’s gaze and every part of his being was focussed on catching up with Mairi and keeping her safe.
Her green skirts rippled and fluttered in the wind created by the speed of her horse. Her hair of gold resembled a plaited rope that bounced and jostled against her spine intermittently.
Relief that she rode astride rather than side-saddle briefly flashed through Duff’s mind, then was gone. Her skill as a rider provided another positive spark, and watching her, knowing she was doing well, despite the frightened animal beneath her, fanned the flames of Duff’s growing admiration.
As he closed the distance between them, Duff realised this was the second time he’d been in fast pursuit of Mairi Gordon in the short time since he’d known her. He hadn’t known her name the first time and she hadn’t realised he was trying to save her then. She’d done her best to outride him but he’d caught her in the end. Just as he would now.
Duff steered his mount to the left of the frightened horse and continued to gain ground. As they drew even, Duff shouted her name. ‘Mairi.’ She turned her pale face toward him briefly before looking down at the leather reins wrapped about her bloodless fingers, and pulled back more. Her mount didn’t slow, too terrified to realise the danger had already passed.
Duff peered ahead and saw how the land fell away into a shallow valley before rising back up over the crest of a small rolling hill. He needed to rescue her now.
‘Let. Go.’ Again she turned at his shout. The frown marking her forehead told him she’d heard what he said. Her hesitation proved she wasn’t happy about following those particular instructions. He shouted, ‘We’ve done this before,’ and lifting his hand, he beckoned her to come to him with a flick of his fingers.
Her eyes met his and in that silent moment he promised her she would be safe. He would protect her.
She unwound the reins from about her fingers, but never looked away from him. Duff coaxed her toward him with his hand and leaning over Duncan’s side, he clung to his mount with his knees, wrapped his arm about her slender waist and lifted her from her saddle and onto his lap.
Mairi was safe. Duff had done what was expected of him. A rush of relief surged through his veins and quickened his heartbeat. The feel of her in his arms, and the sense that she belonged there, ignited a knowing heat deep inside him.
Duff slowed Duncan with a gentle tug on the reins. Mairi’s horse ran ahead but started slowing before the valley, as if it realised the danger had passed.
He inhaled deeply and held it. Duncan ambled to a stop. The lack of movement seemed to sensitise Duff’s skin, highlighting the feel of Mairi against him. The warmth seeping from her body into his rendered his shirt and leather vest useless. The arm wrapped about her waist ebbed and flowed with her breath. He held her closer, tighter with relief. Her scent. God help him. He exhaled. He needed to stop such thoughts and feelings.
‘Let. Me. Go.’
Her voice so quiet, yet sharp.
‘Please!’
Pleading? Did she feel the strange connection too?
A rush of hope filled him at the thought that Mairi shared the same uncontrollable feelings for him as he did for her.
‘Please, let me go.’
‘I’ll dismount first.’ Duff lifted his left leg over Duncan’s neck, moved his arm from around Mairi’s waist and slipped it beneath her thighs. Cradling her rigid back with his other arm, Duff slid from the saddle to the ground holding Mairi close. His feet had barely hit the lush green grass when she broke from his hold, found her feet and spun back to face him. She looked as if she wanted to shout at him but she said not a word. She looked frightened. Of him?
Something shifted within Duff’s chest. Before he had time to determine what it was, Ranald caught up to them.
‘I beg your forgiveness, Lady Mairi,’ Ranald said as he dismounted and rushed toward her. ‘Are you alright?’
‘I’m fine,’ Mairi said turning toward her concerned suitor. The words flowed so easily and calmly from her mouth that Duff almost believed her. ‘Are you alright, Ranald?’
‘My only wound is to my pride.’ Ranald slowly shook his head as if he couldn’t believe what had happened. ‘Without Duff here to protect you, I loathe the thought of what might have happened.’
‘I’m unhurt, so please do not dwell on things that might have happened. All has turned out for the best.’
‘Do you want to continue riding?’ Ranald asked.
‘Of course.’ Mairi smiled at her suitor. ‘I just need a moment to catch my breath.’
‘Come then, I wi
ll escort you to your horse,’ Ranald said, offering Mairi his arm while taking his mount’s reins with his other hand.
Duff followed the pair to where Mairi’s horse had stopped at the valley’s edge and mounted once they’d found their saddles. He needed to quell the foolish emotions twisting his insides. A long breath expanded his chest. Again, he held it for a moment, wondering how it would feel to be one of the chosen men trying to impress her.
He believed it would be an honour and a privilege. He imagined a man would feel powerful and determined. He knew he’d do everything he could to win.
He could never win. He wasn’t one of her suitors. His fingers clenched about the leather reins. Mairi Gordon wasn’t for him.
But as Duff followed in Mairi and Ranald’s wake, a tiny naked flame of want deep inside him refused to die.
Chapter Fourteen
The rest of the day passed without further mishap, but by the time they rode over the drawbridge Mairi was tired of horses and wanted nothing more than to turn and run to her secret glade.
She’d peered in the glade’s direction when they’d passed by earlier in the day. It seemed so long since she’d been there when it had only been a matter of days. The thought of wandering about the small grassy space alone created such a sense of need she had to stop herself from going. She didn’t wait for assistance, but dismounted the moment she drew up beside the stable.
She couldn’t go to her glade. She had duties to fulfil. Promises to keep.
She’d been doing so well. She’d managed to concentrate solely on Ranald, had managed to pretend Duff wasn’t there. Right up until Ranald’s horse had collided with hers and sent hers running in fear. Her personal guard had rescued her, again.
Dear God, the look in his eyes the moment before he lifted her from her saddle had heated her from the inside out and reminded her of how much she’d missed looking at him. She’d read the promise in the rich, warmth of his gaze and she’d wanted him to hold her. And when he had, the memories of being held so carefully, as if she were precious, returned one hundred fold and had banished all her efforts to forget Duff existed.
Now she seemed attuned to his every move, his every breath, and it was getting harder to ignore him.
The Protector Page 13
