“He lies. He wants ye in his clutches.” Hagan spat.
“I know.”
“Ye canna go.”
She covered her mouth to stop her from gagging. “I must. All isn’t over. Send word again to Alec but be smarter. For now, he needs me alive and that is my chance.”
Hagan chased after her as she left the battlements. “I canna let ye leave here. The laird will have my head.”
“I must.”
Hagan shook his head. “I shall not allow this.”
“I am your lairdess. You will obey.”
“I will disobey.” He held up his hand. “Whatever punishment ye can afflict upon me woold be nothing compared to da laird. So I will bound ye and tuck ye away.”
“Very well but there is one thing I need you to do.”
After she gave instructions to a vexed Hagan, she made one stop before she turned herself over to the devil, all the while praying her savior came soon.
Chapter Sixteen
MacKintosh bastards! Alec roared the Cameron war cry as he rode up on Quinlan’s forces. A small contingent fled. What was the rest of MacKintosh’s plan? Attack the castle or cut them off as they rode home.
Quinlan dragged a dying MacKintosh. “What is your laird’s plan?” He punched him in the chest when the man smiled.
Blood spurted out his mouth. “He’s with the baron at Cam—” he choked and Quinlan flung him aside.
“Portia. Gather the men!” His men knew what to do and he had left orders with Hagan to protect Portia and that meant not letting one man, woman, child or bird beyond the castle’s thick walls. Even with his numbers chopped down, he could regroup and be victorious but nothing stop the white terror nearly shattering his body.
The damn horse didn’t gallop fast enough. If he lost Portia, he would scour the land until he killed the Sassenach bastard.
Riding home, he came upon the road leading to the castle. He had to get there before she was harmed. A man stepped into the road. Alec yanked back his reins.
“The castle is under attack.” Brus grabbed the bridle.
“MacKintosh has joined with him.”
“I’ve gathered men, ready ta fight,” Brus screamed as Alec rode off.
* * * *
Portia continued forward between the column of men. She disregarded their curious stares and fixed her attention on the man at the tent’s opening. A smile graced his handsome face.
She grimaced, remembering ladies waxing on about his golden looks and striking blue eyes that twinkled when they caught the candlelight. Portia had been fooled in the beginning, but soon learned the evil they held.
She locked her eyes on him, refusing to cower. He cradled her hand and stroked his thumb over the back of it. His leather glove provided no protection against the sickening sensation churning within her.
“You look like a heathen.”
Portia snatched her hand away, upset she reacted to his goading. He chuckled then sucked his teeth.
“I love how you respond to me. Never stop. I wouldn’t like it.”
MacKintosh sauntered over. “Lairdess Cameron.”
“I see you have made a deal with the devil. Does your back pain you?”
“Nay.” Confusion deepened his burr.
“Forgive me. He hasn’t driven your sword in it yet.”
“Portia, naughty.” He stroked the back of his hand along her cheek then slapped her.
She fell to her knees. Her teeth rattled. Her neck cramped from being wrenched. Her cheek, eye and lip throbbed and she began to feel them swell.
“Portia, this is for the better. He will release you in a year to live your life away from him and with your father. I vowed not to harm you.” He shook her when she gave no response.
She pinned him with her gaze. “Never call me by my name. I am Lairdess Cameron.”
“Raze this hell to the ground.” With all the courtesies of a knight of the realm, de Mowbray held out his hand to her. Portia took it even allowed the man to assist her on his horse. He patted her leg.
She sent a last look at the castle. Soon, her plan would start.
* * * *
Alec hovered a distance away from the castle. His mind raced, formulating plans of attack, plans interrupted by his fears for Portia. Duncan told him lead or rule.
But he couldn’t do either without Portia. “Ten men with me. Hurley and Ronan lead the men and get back to Cameron Castle. If you can, kill MacKintosh.”
With men at his side, Alec rode off to get the woman he loved.
He drew his sword at the sound of approaching men. Duncan appeared. Gone was the amicable man in his place was Black Duncan the man who set the highlands trembling.
“I have come to kill some English men. I have sent some men to Cameron Castle.”
A red spread across his vision. He’d kill the man slowly.
Alec reached the shores of Loch Lochy to see the English on the shore. Ten ships dotted the beach. Men scurried onto boats while others hurried to load the horses. Among the chaos, he couldn’t find Portia. He charged ahead.
MacLeans and Camerons rode at his side. The army stopped their fleeing and picked up their weapons and rushed to protect their lord.
The cowardly baron was in the rear. He ran to the boats, dragging Portia along. She threw herself to the ground. Alec cut and slashed his way through the men. He heard Portia call to him but couldn’t see her. He cut, parried and struck the men before him. Yet he never seemed to get close enough.
Then they were fewer men as they defended themselves against Cameron and MacLean blades.
The baron pushed Portia before him and held his sword aloft. “Stay back. I will kill her.”
“You need her dowry.”
“She is my wife. I will let you have her after I get her dowry.”
“I let you have my claymore now.”
Alec leapt from his horse. He had to get her away from him. He almost thought to put down his sword until he saw her wiggling her fingers.
Alec shifted just as she stabbed the baron in his thigh. He shoved her aside.
“Run,” Alec bellowed as he swung his sword. The baron jumped out of the way. Alec did not press his advantage.
“I’ll show you how an honorable man kills someone.” Alec kicked a sword over to him.
The baron picked it up. “Stupid.” The man rushed him. Alec kicked out at his wounded leg. He toppled, clutching his gushing thigh and cried out in pain.
“Get up.”
The baron cried out as he climbed to his feet, keeping pressure off the one with the dirk sticking out of it.
Mowbray lifted the sword. Alec punched him in the face with the pommel. He fell backward. Blood, teeth and bone scattered in different directions. Something scraped across his face.
“Come on, coward.” Alec buried the hilt of his blade in his shoulder. He dropped the sword. “Fight and die like a man or I’ll kill you like the vermin you wish you were.”
The man rose, throwing sand at Alec’s face. His closed his eyes then he put all his force into the arc and cut the man’s head off. It rolled in the surf, tossed about in the foam.
Portia leapt into his arms. She wiped dirt and blood from his face and planted kisses all over. He held her close, smelling the wildflower scent of her soap and her sweat that reminded him she was unharmed and back with him.
“Is that the welcome we all will receive?”
Alec looked up to see Lachlan standing over them. Duncan was at his side.
“Nay, we must return to home.” She yanked at Alec’s arm. “MacKintosh—”
“Aye, we know.”
Holding Portia’s hand, he returned to his horse. The ride back home passed quicker than his ride to save Portia. Riding up, he spotted a fireball rolling from the castle gates. MacKintosh and his men were gone and Camerons and MacLeans stood in their place.
Hagan ran to him. “My lady’s plan worked. Some men snuck from the castle ta circle them. Some men rushed forward to fig
ht the fire while others fled. And we cut down their forces.”
Alec hugged her tight. He calmed at the solid, lively weight of his wife. He gawked at Portia. “What did you burn?”
The men looked to the lairdess.
Portia cringed. “The woodcarver’s things. He did a great deal of work. Sadly, nothing remains.”
Alec kissed her on the temple. “I love you.”
She leaned back in his arms, secure he would not let her fall, not that he would. “Truly?”
“You have stolen my heart and filled me with a peace and happiness I have yearned for. I love you and wish you to be at my side and help me lead this clan and bear my children.”
“More than one?”
“The way I plan to love you, there will be children. Children who will share our love.”
“A good thing you kidnapped me. Imagine otherwise.”
“A hell I cannot fathom.”
Epilogue
Portia rode Alec’s horse from the bailey to the training fields. She had another plan. She came upon the training fields as men moved rocks across the expansive space and plopped them down again
Some men wrestled each other and others struck a stake driven into the ground with a thick wooden sword, resembling a blunt claymore. It smelled of men.
She was pleased that she wasn’t a soldier. Why men sought out a good fight she’d never understand. She liked being a woman.
“Husband,” she said.
“Why do you have my horse?” He grasped the harness.
She patted his neck. The horse tossed his head. “I have come to kidnap you.”
He swung up behind her. “What do you plan to do to me?” he whispered in a wicked tone.
“I cannot tell you, otherwise it wouldn’t be a surprise.” She liked being wicked.
“Hmm, I’m enjoying your surprises. Lead the way, woman.”
She rolled her eyes as she set the horse to a walk. Alec pushed her hair out of the way and began nibbling and kissing her neck. She slapped his leg.
“Alec, behave.”
“I am. I’m behaving like a man who loves his wife. I love you, Portia,” he mumbled against her neck.
Her heart swelled. “You have told me every day, multiple times a day. But I love you too, so I will let you tell me again and again.”
“Good, for I will never stop.”
“That pleases me. I also love how you corner me for kisses. Hurley now huffs each time he sees us.”
“I know. I also know that you wager that I will kiss you more times in a day than he will Leah. What is the wager?”
“I will get twenty kisses and he won’t get the same amount.”
“So that is why you come looking for me so much.”
She shrugged. “I like to win.”
“I have a bet for you. I wager I know where you are stealing me away to.”
“I will not take it because I don’t want to lose.”
“Ah, Portia, you take the fun out of this. Banquo’s Walk is right over there and with plenty of trees to hide behind so I can love you.” He nipped at her shoulder.
Reaching their destination, Alec dismounted first then helped her. Once her feet touched the ground, he claimed her mouth. She lost herself in the kiss, no need to stop this deliciousness.
He pulled away then came back for a quick peck. He linked his hand in hers. They walked in silence for a while, just enjoying being together. These were some of her favorite moments. Her prayers had been answered. She only needed faith and to be kidnapped by the right man. Oh, she was so happy. The world was bright and she couldn’t stop grinning. Her face cramped from her happiness.
After a while, she stopped him with a touch to his arm. “Alec, we have so much love between us and soon we will be able to share that with our child.” She laid her hand over her belly.
A glint shined in his widening eyes. He covered her hand. She felt him shaking.
“Our own bairn.” He yanked her close. Her chin struck his shoulder. He yanked her back an arm’s length away. He got down on one knee and kissed her belly.
“You cannot leave me.”
She combed her fingers through her hair. “I have promised before and will again. If I am dying, I promise to use the last of my strength to run a sword through you.”
He climbed to his feet and put an arm around her shoulder and the other one on her belly.
“Alec, this isn’t the easiest way to stroll.”
“It’s a laird’s right.”
*The End*
About the Author
An Air Force brat, Mageela Troche landed in New York City and wanted to leave the same day she arrived. Yet, with her stubbornness, she learned to like the place and the libraries were the main reason. Once she learned to read and write, she decided to be an author and an actress. Once in college, she changed her life plan in the pursuit of money. After all, college loans must be repaid.
With life's twists and turns, she returned to writing and focused on the romance genre. Her debut novel The Marriage Alliance was release in April 2013. She lives in a cramped Big Apple apartment with her lovebird.
http://MageelaTroche.com
Other books by Mageela
The Marriage Alliance
Sweet Cravings Publishing
www.sweetcravingspublishing.com
Table of Contents
WARNING:
Dedication
Other books
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
About the Author
Other books by Mageela
The Laird's Right Page 17
