Highlander's Choice

by Annis, Dawn

  “Aye, ye can try, but I suspect the French sent the bastard to Scotland,” Michael reasoned.

  “Where is the pompous prig now?” Timothy asked Callum.

  “The MacDonald clan have him. I dinna ken for sure, but I suspect Dame Flora is helpin’ him out o’ the country. He gave me a priggish wave while we were escorted out. I wasna given the privilege o’ speakin’ with the horse’s arse. We were no given much more than the skin on our backs. If we were to try and retrieve Prince Charlie, I feart we would lose.

  Callum hugged Thea to him.

  The skin on our backs. The only reason she’d made it home at all was Callum. She loved him more each moment they were together. He’d found her. He protected her, loved her. The man she’d loved as a lass had come home to lead his clan regardless of his doubts. And she knew he’d had doubts. They were clear if she watched the man, his face, his shoulders set. But he had led his clans with clear objective, to stay out of the fray, to keep his clans safe. She’d led him to the battle and would always regret that fact, and she hoped her actions did not come back to haunt her clan. Fendrel, dead along with his compatriots, was no longer a threat. The Sassenach were.

  “The MacDonalds? That bitch has the Bonnie Prince Charlie with her? Hidin’ him?” the MacNichol roared as he stood, kicking the bench with his heel.

  “Da . . .” Thea started.

  “Nay, lass. I will be hearin’ from the MacLeod what he plans to do about it,” he sputtered.

  Callum stood slowly, his fists on the table. “Anthol—”

  “Nay, if ye intend to allow the prig to leave these shores, then ye will address me with my proper name.”

  “If ye insist. I am yer laird, the MacLeod, and ye, as my sept MacNichol, will listen to what I have to say. Like it or no, I expect the respect my position demands. Understood?”

  Anthol MacNichol took a breath. Seething, he bent down to a knee and bowed his head. “Aye, ye are my laird.”

  Callum strode over to him and grabbed his shoulder. “Come, friend, there is much to say and much more to do. Let us no be at odds. I will explain.”

  Anthol stood and clasped Callum’s forearm. With a manly tug back and forth, they let go and Anthol returned to his seat, scrutinizing his laird.

  “The battle was fierce and gruesome. When the Scottish ranks fell, Sassenach soldiers followed them into the woods. I found Thea bound by a rope. I grabbed her, and we watched the battle between forces sorely outmatched. We escaped and were threatened by the Sassenach several times. I feart o’ the clans, but I had a horse and a woman, both coveted possessions.

  “Dougal MacDonald stepped out o’ the trees, addressin’ me by name. He had three men with him, two horribly injured.”

  “Had we no helped they wouldna made it,” Thea offered.

  Callum glanced at Thea, tenderness on his face. “Thea is right. Dougal gave a proposal. He and a MacDonald clansman by the name o’ Edmund agreed to help fight our way out o’ the area with the promise we would see them back to the MacDonald clan seat with their injured. I agreed, or I should say Thea and I agreed. I took her views into account.”

  Thea looked at Callum. “They fought alongside us in time o’ need.”

  “Were ye in danger, compromised?” Timothy asked, his usual jolly face grave.

  Thea reached over and patted his hand. “Danger yes, compromised no.”

  Timothy sighed, took her face in his rough hand, and moved his thumb across her cheek. “I couldna bear it.”

  “Aye, I ken. I am bonnie.” Thea gave him a reassuring smile. No need to tell him about the sleeping arrangements with Callum the night before.

  “We delivered her men to Dame MacDonald. I wasna sure she would let us leave. I suspect she had bigger ends to meet.”

  Simon scowled. “If Charlie is with the MacDonalds, I say we take him. He needs to pay for what he has done to the Highlands.”

  “Nay, we canna get ourselves any more involved with the man, his politics, or his war. ’Twill surely bring woe down upon us,” Callum said.

  “Are ye feart lad?” Anthol challenged.

  Callum bristled. “I am no a lad any longer, and ye will no call me one agin. I am yer laird, and ye will do as I see fit. I invite yer council, but mind me well, I make the decisions how we proceed. And aye, I am God damn feart. We havena idea what is comin’, but I wouldna doubt the Sassenach will be a part o’ it.”

  “I mean no further disrespect,” said the man thirty years Callum’s senior. “I want to see the prince pay for his arrogance. While the clans who followed him were foolish to a great degree, they were Highlanders. The whoreson has brought the enemy to these shores, and we will have a devil o’ a time gettin’ them to leave.”

  “Aye, Anthol, I agree. They mayhap will no distinguish between those who fought for the prince and those who dinna.”

  Thea and her brothers watched closely as Callum and Anthol argued. None entered the conversation to voice an opinion. Even Simon, tapping his foot, would not say another word. This was the MacLeod. A laird more formidable since the day he had arrived on the island. They would not speak against him.

  “The prince must leave the bosom o’ Dame Flora at some point. Soon, I would imagine. He will make his way out o’ the country. ’Tis my guess the French helped him get here. Because o’ his loss, they may no be so accommodatin’ to see him back on their shores. I havena doubt he will leave, but by what means, I dinna ken. I dinna think he has many friends.”

  “All the more reason to seize the moment.” Anthol pounded his fist on the table.

  “And see men o’ our clan die in the process? Dame Flora will no let her king go easily.”

  “Mayhap a spy or two would be called for. One or two men. To keep us informed o’ the situation,” Hadrian suggested.

  “If ye ken, what will ye do with the knowledge?” Michael said. His words always quiet but this time heard.

  The men were silent, no good answer coming from any of them.

  The tension high in the room, Thea drew back and leaned against the wall, shutting her eyes. She tried to block herself from the frustration and anger that surrounded her. Callum was trying to do what was best. Her family had not seen the horrors of Dame MacDonald’s cunning.

  Thea put her hand on her father’s shoulder.

  She didn’t like Callum and her father arguing.

  She squeezed with gentle force.

  “Mayhap the best course o’ action is to wait.” Callum glanced at Hadrian. “I will give ye yer spies. For no other reason than to ken the way o’ it. Knowledge is power. We may need power.”

  “’Tis time for Thea and me to get cleaned up and have a good sleep. We have been on the road for quite some time. Nothin’ will happen over the night. In the morn, let us meet agin.” Callum touched Thea’s shoulder.

  He brought Thea to her feet. Anthol called for the horses as Fiona and Lettie rushed up to Thea to tell her goodbye. She was reluctant to part from them. Fiona made her promise she would come the next day with her family for a visit, and Thea agreed. She kissed Fiona’s cheek and lifted a hand in farewell as she left with her father and brothers. She was anxious to get home.

  Thea rode atop her father’s horse in front of him. He had not said a word to her in anger since their arrival to the MacLeod seat, but she could feel the tension in his body. She knew her evening was not at an end regardless of her wishes. She only hoped her reprimand would not last long, though she deserved whatever came her way. She expected her brothers would have something to say, too. Bugger me.

  They arrived at Scorrybreac manor, Thea swaying in her seat, exhaustion and valerian tea taking over.

  “Michael, fetch Mary and help yer sister to bed.”

  Michael picked her off the horse and carried her in the hall and up the s
tairs to her room, yelling for Mary.

  Thea roused, surprised by Michael’s raised voice. “I can walk.”

  “Nay, ye will no.” Michael shifted her in his arms. “A bath for ye. Ye stink.” He smiled. “Aye, a bath and a night’s rest will have ye bonnie in the morn.”

  Thea sighed. She was fortunate to be surrounded by men who cared for her and would postpone the lecture to see to her comfort.

  They arrived at Thea’s chamber, and Michael turned her over to the ministrations of Mary. She set to work. Providing a hot bath to soak in, Mary washed Thea’s hair three times to remove the dirt and grime clinging to her dark mane. She soaped and rinsed Thea, declaring her clean.

  Thea sank into the soft bed and was asleep with no more than a “good night” to Mary.

  The next morning came too soon. As Thea savored a sweet fruit bun, her family surrounded the table. The hall cleared out. She slowly glanced at each in turn as they found seats around her, and she put the bun down.

  With no preamble, Anthol started, “What possessed ye to leave yer family?”

  Hadrian jumped in, “Yer lovin’ family. We care for ye.”

  Michael opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Simon.

  “Ye have worried yer family beyond measure. ’Twas selfish to put yerself in such danger.”

  “Nonsensical,” Timothy chimed in.

  Geoffrey slowly shook his head from side to side. “Ye have gravely disappointed me, lass.”

  Michael stood, the bench scraping against the floor. “If I may defend our sister, the one ye have painted selfish, Thea had come to me havin’ overheard a plan. I was the arrogant one. I told her to wait, that I would take care o’ it. I was wrong.”

  “Aye, ye were,” Anthol said to Michael, then turned to Thea. “But ye shouldna have gone.”

  Simon stood nose to nose with Michael. “Ye are a fool along with her.”

  “There will no be winnin’ here.” Michael grabbed Thea by the arm, helping out her out of the chair, and whispered in her ear, “Off ye go. Take Destiny with ye.” He pushed her toward the door.

  As she left the hall, the men’s voices grew louder.

  Hell and damnation.

  She hurried to the stables. One of the lads saddled Destiny for Thea and helped her onto the horse’s back. Cantering out of the yard and through the grove of trees, Thea turned him toward her favorite spot, Ship Rock. Once there, she dismounted and dropped Destiny’s reins, letting him graze as he would.

  Sitting in the sun, Thea turned her face toward the sky, letting its heat draw the cold still residing in her bones. The chill would remain for a long time, despite her happiness at being home.

  She heard movement in the copse of trees below and open her eyes to see Callum dismounting and heading toward her. He smiled as he climbed the rocks to sit with her.

  “I hoped I would find ye here.”

  “Aye, Michael sent me awa’ from the others. They wanted explanations I couldna give.”

  “I am sorry ye were by yerself.” Callum patted her leg.

  “I wasna alone.” Thea raised her hand against the sun. “Michael tried to defend me. He told them I had explained John Fendrel’s perfidy.”

  “We canna change the way things ended up. I am happy we both are home and safe, whatever the future brings.” Callum took her hand and pulled her over until she was nestled against his chest. “Ye are important to me. Thea, I would see ye safe.”

  Callum slipped her hand in his. “Come with me.” Helping her stand, he then led her down to the grassy area. “I have brought a bite o’ food for us. Let me lay out the blanket. I was hopin’ to spend some time with ye rather than runnin’ for our lives.”

  Thea beamed as she folded her legs under her and sat down on the blanket with him. He opened the basket, and she plucked out a handful of the small strawberries. She bit into the fruit.

  Juice flowed down Thea’s chin before she wiped it away. He licked his lips and shifted his seat. Callum finished unpacking the basket, laying down bread, cheese, and fruit. Raised on an elbow with his knee bent, he broke the bread in half.

  “I dinna ken o’ anythin’ carefree we can talk about,” Callum said, his eyes on her.

  Thea gave him a sidelong glance. “I dinna think we are in the mood to talk about trivial things.”

  “Aye.”

  They ate their food, brushing hands when reaching for the bread or cheese.

  “D’ye think the prince will escape?” Thea flicked crumbs from her lap.

  “Aye, I do,” said Callum. “And I believe the Sassenach will come.”

  “I feart the day.”

  “Dinna. Ye are stalwart, Thea. We are braw together.”

  Callum tugged Thea toward him, the picnic forgotten. He brushed her hair from her face and kissed her lightly. Thea deepened the kiss. Having rested in his strong, safe arms, she was ready to truly feel Callum, to love him.

  Laying her down, Callum kissed her neck and nibbled on her ear. She giggled.

  “Now ’tis what a man wants to hear, a woman gigglin’ as he is tryin’ to make love to her.”

  “I canna help it. Yer ticklin’ me.” She rubbed her ear.

  Callum grinned. “Well now, let us see what else I can tickle.” He ran his finger down her ribs.

  Thea guffawed so hard she snorted.

  “Ah ha!” Callum laughed.

  Thea put her hand on his chest, her face warm. “Och, Callum, I am embarrassed.”

  “Never with me, my love. Never with me.” Callum bent over her and followed her collarbone to her jawline with tender kisses.

  Thea put her uninjured arm around his neck, bringing him down to her, meeting his lips with a kiss of her own. When he responded, her confidence grew, and she explored his mouth with her tongue as he had explored hers. He tasted of strawberries and summer fields.

  With a gentle touch, his hand moved to her shoulder. She ran her fingers around his wrist, up his muscular arm, feeling each sinewy line.

  His fingers caressed her cheek.

  Callum whispered, “Ye have a complete hold on me, Thea. Ye need only to tell me to cease.”

  Thea’s heart skipped a beat. “I dinna want to.”

  Sighing when Callum rubbed her neck and shoulder with his thumb, she relaxed. He left her wanting more.

  Callum kissed her cheek, his breath hot in her sensitive ear. There were no giggles.

  With a firm hand, he moved up her ribs, palmed her breast and rubbed her nipple until it peaked.

  Warmth pooled between her legs. She ached to be filled.

  “’Tis new to me. I ken ’tis no for ye,” Thea said, her voice catching on each word.

  “I havena cared for a woman as I d’ye.” Callum kissed Thea deeply.

  Thea arched her back, and Callum caught her and held her to him. “I have always loved ye, even as a wee lass,” Thea confessed.

  “Thea, I dinna think o’ ye as a wee lass. Ye are a woman, my woman.”

  She’d dreamed of this moment when she’d been young and truly had not known what it meant, but her infatuation had made her heart ache for him. On the road fighting for their lives he’d been her savior. Gentle and kind, giving. She felt cared for and safe in his arms.

  “Love me,” she whispered.

  Chapter 15

  Callum kissed Thea’s forehead as she snuggled against him. If for no other reason than her in his arms, the decision to come home had been the right one. The past few weeks had shown him to be a strong leader and laird of his clan. His father had taught him well. The woman next to him had given him strength in her love. Much, much more than he had ever found in England.

  “When I left to go ridin’, my mother mentioned if I saw ye I should ask ye to come to Dunv
egan for a visit.”

  “I would dearly love to see yer maw and sister.” Thea sat up. “Shall we go?”

  “Only if ye are ready, my love. Although, yer mouth has me intrigued.”

  Thea leaned over and kissed Callum. “Aye, but we could be here all day.”

  He stood and helped Thea straighten her woolen dress. Bringing the horses up from their grazing, he handed her the reins to Destiny. They ambled hand in hand.

  “Will yer da and brothers forgive ye?” Callum asked.

  “Michael will, no doubt. The others will take time, but they will eventually.”

  They strolled along, arms touching, enjoying each other. Callum wanted to ask her about her preferences, her passions, her life, but no questions came to mind at the moment. He would ask eventually; he wanted to know.

  They arrived at Dunvegan Castle. Lettie met them in the courtyard. “Ye have had enough time with my friend.” Lettie offered her arm to Thea. “Will ye take a turn with me?”

  “Aye, o’ course.” Thea took Lettie’s arm in hers. She looked back at Callum, and he followed them into the castle. The two women smiled at one another and made their way inside to the far end of the hall.

  Fiona greeted her son with a buss on the cheek and handed him an envelope. Victoria’s flowing handwriting adorned the ivory vellum. He ripped the offending paper open.

  Callum,

  My love, my thoughts are filled with you. I can no longer bear being apart. Tell me you have decided to come home. My heart will float on the highest cloud when I hear of it. My soul aches with sorrow. Ease my pain, dearest one.

  You fill me with need, and then conquer it. I am yours for the taking. Come, my love, give me your arm. Let us ride to our destiny. Let our yearnings and desires be fulfilled.

  Victoria

  Callum read the missive once. He read it twice. He balled it up and threw it into the fire with such force he could hear it bounce against the grate. He growled and stomped from the hall.