Capturing The Reluctant Highlander (Lasses 0f The Kinnaird Castle Book 3)

by Kenna Kendrick

  She spent a few moments in thought, while Dougal and Darin continued to laugh and whisper together. They both called for another ale, and Ruth silently thanked God for the extra time. Dougal did not attempt to touch her again, but Ruth knew that it would happen soon enough if she did not make her escape. She touched Dougal on the shoulder, and he turned around abruptly. “What?”

  “I need to do as nature intended. Please excuse me.” Ruth tried to use her best ladylike voice, but she felt it quiver, and she hoped he wouldn’t notice. This was her moment. He nodded, and she left the room, heading to the back of the building. Once she exited the inn, she leaned back against the cold wet stone, taking a breath.

  She hadn’t a moment to lose. Despite their drunkenness, they surely would come after her or send someone after her if she did not return soon enough. She spotted the outhouse, but she hurried past it towards the stables, the hard rain pelting her anew. Once she arrived, a young groom stood up hurriedly, shocked at the sight of a young woman, and one so...soaked.

  “Aye, Miss? How can I help ye?” This did not look the common wench, he thought. This was a lady. She smiled, grateful for his innocent youth.

  “Sir, I would very much like to take a horse. There is an…” her mind searched for a believable excuse. “Emergency!”

  “Emergency?” He looked confused.

  “Yes, yes. I have received word that a family member is ill, and I must hurry back to my home! But, unfortunately, our carriage was burned, and we must wait for repairs.”

  Recognition crossed his face. “Ah, aye. That’s right. Ye came with two gentlemen, miss?”

  She hesitated. “Uh...yes. You are correct, Sir. May I take a horse and then return it on the morrow? With payment of course.” She smiled her best smile, and she reminded herself of the women in church who preened themselves, fluttering their eyelids in the congregation so that Troy would look at them.

  Troy. Damn him! Forget him. The boy chewed on his lower lip, considering. “Ye’ll bring the horseback, aye?”

  She nodded furiously. “Of course! Please, you must take me on my word. I have not a minute to lose!”

  He seemed satisfied and nodded. “Come, I’ll grab ye a horse. Are ye a rider, Miss?”

  “Yes, I am. You will not have to worry about my skills with a horse. You may give me whichever one you choose.”

  He nodded once more and disappeared into the dim stable to return with a gray mare who looked calm enough. Ruth was pleased and reminded of her dear Emerald. How could I have left her behind? She chided herself and promised Emerald silently that she could have as much sugar as she wished, if God would help her get out of this place.

  The horse was already saddled, and the groom held onto her, so that Ruth could mount her. Before she did though, she leaned in and placed a quick kiss on the young boy’s cheek. She pulled back and said, “You have helped me more than you know.” He blushed and touched his cheek, grinning widely.

  “We Scotsman like tae help ladies in distress, Miss.”

  “And thank God for it!” she called out as she rode away, guiding the mare into the dark and rain.

  * * *

  Troy kept laughing, and William thought maybe he’d lost his mind. He approached the kneeling Troy. “Are ye well, lad?” He asked confusedly. “What has made ye so bloody pleased that ye laugh like a mad man?”

  Troy calmed and moved the object in his hands towards William’s face. “Look here, lad.”

  Even though it was dark and raining, the moonlight was strong enough for William to see the glint of jewels in a cross formation.

  “What am I looking at?”

  “This is it!” Troy yelled. “This is the cross that Dougal stole back for revenge! He must have dropped it after the carriage accident and not noticed. What a bloody good stroke of luck!”

  William slapped him on the shoulder. “Excellent news, lad! But have ye forgotten that there’s a bloody lass lost somewhere that we need tae find?”

  “Och, nae! I just was tickled at the thought of Dougal’s face when he finds out that he lost it.”

  “Tickled? I think ye’ve lost it, man.” William looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

  Troy moved back into action, refueled with energy to find Ruth. “Come! Let us get to the inn.” William mounted his horse, but Troy’s had moved farther away, sniffing at the old, burned carriage. Troy began to move towards him, when suddenly there was the sound of galloping, and the neigh of a horse as it reared up before Troy and lost its rider.

  * * *

  Ruth fell and hit the ground hard, losing her wind. She laid back, groaning in pain, but she was grateful for the rain, as it had softened the ground slightly. Someone rushed to her side, and said, “Och, forgive me! I seem tae have the inclination tae scare horses in the rain.”

  A hand reached out to lift her, and she held onto it, her eyes closed as she concentrated on bringing herself to her feet. Once she rose, she found herself face to face with a pair of green eyes. Eyes that she had imprinted in her memory. Eyes that had promised so many things but had fallen short. Unutterably short.

  She pushed away and then slapped him hard across the face. “You bloody bastard!” she yelled, and William began laughing.

  Troy winced, holding onto his cheek. “Aye, so ye’ve taken up our vocabulary, have ye?”

  Ruth was furious. The alcohol and the fatigue and the adrenaline mixed together to make a rage she had never known before. “What are you doing here? Haven’t finished betraying me and want to continue on?”

  Troy put his hands up to placate her. “Ruth. We are here tae find ye. Tae rescue ye.”

  “And why in the bloody hell would you want to do that?” She enjoyed the way the curse words felt on her lips. They helped to get the anger out, to propel it onto the object of her fury.

  William watched with amusement from his horse as the two people struggled to communicate.

  “Because Dougal told me ye went with him, and he told me what he wanted tae do with ye.”

  Ruth’s hands were on her hips. She would punish him for as long as was necessary. “And did ye not think that perhaps I wanted tae be here? Tae be with him?”

  Troy nodded, the rain falling over his face, creating droplets at his chin. “Aye, I thought of that, lass. But I could not in good faith, let ye go with a man who is known for his treatment of women. His very poor treatment.”

  “In good faith? You care about morals and doing the right thing, do you? How about how you told me nothing of your past? How you told everyone about our trysts? How I was nothing but a conquest to you?”

  Troy looked confused. He also noted how the rain had soaked through Ruth’s garments, and despite the anger that she was spewing at him with every word and every motion, he couldn’t help but yearn for the slim body that was so accentuated by the wet gown. To have Ruth in his arms again would be bliss itself.

  Ruth threw her hands up. “Are you even listening to me?”

  “‘Tis a bit hard in this deluge, but aye, I’m listening. Ye are right, lass. I was wrong tae keep things from ye. But...I was afraid ye’d reject me if ye knew. That the whole village would reject me.”

  Ruth looked at Troy’s wet face, trying desperately to fight against her heart that was softening towards him.

  “And I told no one about our trysts. That was none of their business.”

  “But, Dougal told me…”

  Troy rolled his eyes. “Aye, Dougal told ye a pot of lies in order tae convince ye tae go with him, the blaigeard. He’ll feel the weight of my sword.”

  Ruth hesitated. “You did not tell anyone about what happened between us.”

  Troy’s voice softened. “Nae, lass.”

  “And…” Ruth began to ask.

  “Excuse me, lovebirds, but is it possible we could find another setting for this discussion? My cock is as wet as a marsh in spring.”

  The two of them looked up at him, and Ruth wiped away the mixture of rain and tears that were str
eaming down her face. Then she began to laugh. “Well we certainly wouldn’t want that.”

  * * *

  After about half an hour, Dougal and Darin noticed that Ruth still not returned. “Where is that English bitch?” Darin asked.

  Dougal looked around. “Easy. She’ll be my bitch, not yorn. And I dinnae know. But let’s go and look for her. Make sure she hasnae done a runner.” He stood and finished his ale in one swallow. He motioned to Darin, and the two of them stumbled towards the front door of the inn. Before they could make it there, the door swung open, and a wet Ruth, William Fraser, and Troy Ferguson entered. Dougal stayed still but wavered on his feet. “What in the Hell are ye doing here, Ferguson? Come back tae take revenge against me?” he taunted.

  Troy moved closer. “Aye.” Those that were already in the inn were all silent and wide-eyed with interest. Even those at the bar paused mid-pour to hear what was about to happen. The landlord thought, Maybe good for business.

  Troy removed his sword. “Ye will listen tae my blade for what ye were about tae do tae this woman.” He noticed Dougal’s glazed over eyes and swaying body.

  “I’ve done nothing. Not yet.” Dougal smirked.

  “Well then, for what ye were thinking about doing tae her, ye blaigeard.”

  When Troy did not continue, Dougal continued tae taunt. “And what about yer cross? Think ye not on that?”

  Troy smirked himself but chose not to reveal Dougal’s foolish error. “This lady means more tae me than any jewels.” He placed the point of his sword against Dougal’s neck. “Would ye like tae feel cold metal through yer throat tonight?”

  Silence fell in the room. Dougal smiled, but then his eyes rolled back in his head and he fell onto the floor. Darin and Troy looked at Dougal’s limp body with surprise. Then Troy’s eyes snapped up to Darin, and once he noticed, he began to back away, his arms up. “Yer quarrel is not with me, lad.” And he ran out of the inn, to the amusement of Troy and William. Ruth had knelt down to check Dougal.

  “He’s simply drunk,” she said. “Let’s leave him.”

  The crowd moved back to their original occupation, and Troy nodded at Ruth’s request, knowing that if he took any violence against Dougal in front of the crowd, he would be headed straight for gaol. He was reluctant to leave, but he agreed. “Let’s go, then.” At Ruth’s sharp look he said, “If ye’d like.”

  William chuckled at Troy’s submissive behavior, thinking of himself as well. What besotted lads we are, he thought.

  Ruth nodded and followed them out the door, relieved to leave the inn, but desperate for sleep, worrying that her legs would not support her the whole journey. Because she was too tired to argue, she accepted Troy’s arm that slid around her waist, helping her out of the building. She felt warmth surrounding her as she drifted off into slumber. Before she did, she whispered. “Don’t forget to return the gray mare to the stable boy. I promised.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Ruth woke up to bright sunlight. She sat up, surprised at her surroundings. She was in her old bed, in Brechin, and her clothes were changed. She felt rested and happy, but her mind worked to try to put the pieces together. What had happened? She leaned back and rested her braided hair on the pillow.

  All she could remember at the moment was darkness, riding, a fall. She rubbed the back of her head and felt a slight pain. And then it hit her. Troy. Troy was there. He had come to save her? She chuckled. Foolish. She did not need saving, but she could not help feeling a warmth in her heart at his kindness. Being back in her own bed felt like a dream. It was what she had so earnestly wished for that evening after learning of Dougal’s plans and motives.

  She got out of bed, realizing that she had slept unusually late, and while that was to be expected after such an adventure, she wanted to see Marianne. She wanted to explain. She stopped at the doorway, her dressing gown tied around her. Perhaps she should dress first, especially if her father was still in residence. She hurriedly dressed, not bothering to call for help from Margrete. She needed to see Marianne.

  She rushed downstairs to find Marianne and William eating together, smiling. William noticed her first. “Och and look who decided tae join us. ‘Tis nearly noontime, wild sister.”

  Ruth smiled and said, “Well I do like to make a dramatic entrance.” She rushed around the table to meet Marianne, wrapping her arms around her and placing a kiss on her cheek. “My dear Marianne, forgive me. I do hope you weren’t too troubled.”

  “Hmm...my only sister agreed to go with a dangerous man to an unknown location and attempted to return alone in the middle of the night in a storm. Aye, I do believe I deserve to have been a bit concerned.” She winked at William, and Ruth hugged her again. “But I am so glad you are back, Ruth. Please do not say you will leave us again, until you know where and how you will go.”

  Ruth agreed. “Very sensible, Marianne. Where is your sense of adventure?” She sat down, grinning mischievously.

  “Ruth! Do not try my patience.” Ruth chuckled. Marianne softened. “Are you well?”

  “Yes, after a night’s sleep, I am very well. But, William, you will have to tell me all that has happened, for I’m afraid in my fatigue and desperation, I have forgotten some details.”

  William laughed. “Aye, ye fell asleep as soon as Troy brought ye up to ride with him.”

  Ruth colored. “I rode with that man? My tired self has betrayed me.”

  William laughed again. “Ye wanted tae ride with me, but I wouldnae have it. ‘Twould not make sense, two lovebirds not riding together.”

  Ruth clenched her teeth. “We are not---”

  William waved away her denial. “Forget it, lass. Ye love him more than ever. There was just a miscommunication, which ye’ll resolve shortly, I hope. I’ve asked him tae come.”

  “You’ve what?”

  “Aye. ‘Tis foolish for lovers tae not admit their feelings.” He looked knowingly at his wife.

  Marianne smiled. “William Fraser. You have turned into the matchmaker after all. Amelia would be so proud.”

  William made a pained expression. “Good God, dinnae tell her, I beg ye. She and Jamie will never let me hear the end of it.”

  * * *

  Ruth hurried back to her room and waited nervously for Troy’s arrival. She sat in front of the looking glass, trying to figure out her own mind. After her long night of rest, things had cleared, but she was still a little confused. Or perhaps she was just afraid of the truth.

  She took a sip of the warm drink Margrete had brought for her discreetly and smiled. It was hot whiskey, and although Margrete used the excuse that it was for medicinal purposes after Ruth had ridden so long in the rain, she had winked at Ruth, letting her know she might need a bit of strength to meet Troy.

  Downstairs she had not inquired about the absence of her father, but the lightness of the room and the people in it told her that he had gone. She was grateful, but she felt sorry for Marianne and would discuss it with her later, once this meeting with Troy was finished. She sighed and began to brush her hair, looking for anything to busy her hands and mind.

  What was she going to say to him? ‘I forgive you’? Could she really do that after all the things they’d been through? After all the hurt she’d received at his hand? Then there was her father, fighting to get her to marry a man in London, and there was Dougal, playing one character but being another with his devious plans. She shuddered to think of what might have happened if she hadn’t decided to flee. If the stable boy hadn’t agreed to let her take a horse, what would she have done? She could have found herself lost or dead amidst the muddy paths and the forest, bemoaning her thoughtlessness of going on such a venture.

  But he had come. Even though he knew that she had left him. Even though he knew that she had gone with Dougal, he still came for her. She thought briefly an unjust thought. Maybe he was just coming after the cross? Maybe that’s all he cared about. But where is the cross?

  Ruth stood and paced around for a lit
tle while longer before a young maid came in. “Miss Ruth, Mr. Ferguson has arrived. I’ve been told tae fetch ye.”

  “Thank you,” Ruth said, and she felt all of the blood leave her body. Her heart quickened, and she took one last sip from her whiskey. “Do I still love this man?” She said to herself in the mirror before she turned away and left the room. She knew the answer. She still did. Undyingly, and that’s why she felt as though her heart had escaped her chest.

  Troy was in the main hall, walking back and forth. He had dressed well, and in more of the English style, with tall boots, and cream breeches, with a gray woolen waistcoat over a white shirt. He had attempted to trim his dark beard that morning, even though his hands were shaking. He didn’t sleep. All he could think about was what Ruth had wanted to say before William had interrupted him, and they’d needed to take Ruth back home. How wonderful she had felt sitting in front of him, her head leaned back against his chest. It had given him hope that there could be a reconciliation.