The Highlander's Secret Vow

by Eliza Knight

  As it was, with her hands bandaged, she wouldn’t be able to lift her own skirts to squat down. Tears welled in her eyes as she panicked about the fact that she was very nearly in danger of soiling herself. All she could think about was standing helplessly over the water as her body gave out.

  Liam settled her on the ground. He hovered close as she stretched out her legs, feeling tingles in her toes from lack of use.

  “I’ll hold up a plaid so no one can see ye.” His gaze shifted away, before she could explain her worries. “My lady,” he called to her mother. “Your daughter has need of ye.”

  Again, he’d thought of her needs before she had a chance to voice them.

  When her mother complained of having a greater urgency and should therefore be taken care of first, Liam kept his eyes locked on Cora’s as he held up the plaid to shield her mother. He winked at Cora, which left her confused about what it meant and why she liked it.

  Maybe it was because she felt she had someone on her side.

  How long had it been since she’d had an ally? If ever?

  When her mother finished her own necessities, she pulled Cora behind the shield and helped her to see to her own business, complaining the entire time, only glad that Cora needed to simply urinate versus the other…

  Cora’s face flamed with heat, and she dared not look behind her to see if she could spy Liam’s face, though she was certain he would be looking away rather than at her in this mortifying position. But it mattered not, the fact was that he could hear everything that was happening between her and her mother. That was enough to send her through an opening in the earth, if only one would appear.

  What would happen when she needed to…do that other thing her mother didn’t want to voice but pointed out all the same? Her mother would never help her, not if she was giving such a fuss about holding up Cora’s skirts so she could pee…

  Cora let out a great sigh.

  When they’d finished and Cora stood, her skirts falling back into place, her mother rushed over to the creek to scrub at her hands as vigorously as if Cora had a contagious disease. Cora stood there stunned, wondering how she ever would have survived as a child without the help of servants.

  “Are ye hungry, lass?” Liam asked, while he folded up the plaid and then returned it to his horse, as she followed behind at a slow pace. He held out a strip of jerky. “Take a bite.”

  Cora nodded, gratefully leaning forward to take a bite of the dried meat. Liam followed her bite with his own, and they chewed in silence.

  Liam’s eyes shifted toward her mother and back. “Once we get to Stirling, I’ll see that ye get a maid to help ye.”

  Cora felt the ebbing heat that had touched her cheeks return. She nodded, taking another bite of proffered jerky and chewing to keep from having to say anything. Did her mother not realize how she’d just mortified her child? Or was she so concerned with the idea of having to act as a lady’s maid that she didn’t think about how embarrassing it must have been for Cora?

  “I’d help ye myself, lass, but I doubt ye’d let me.” He smiled in a way that made her think he was serious.

  Cora sucked in such a quick gasp that she almost choked on the jerky. “No, no. I thank ye, but I shall manage.”

  He winked at her again. “The offer stands.”

  He was serious? “I am grateful, but I assure ye, I’ll be fine.”

  They got back on the road shortly thereafter, stopping only once more before they made their final stop for the night at another tavern. Her mother protested about helping Cora so much that when they arrived, Liam paid the tavern’s daughter an extra few coins to step in as lady’s maid to Cora—and thank goodness, because she was certain she could not deal with her mother’s antics one more moment before exploding.

  “You see, Sir Liam, this is how a lady ought to be treated,” her mother scoffed. “You’d do best to hire this girl to come along with us the rest of the journey to see to my daughter’s needs.”

  Cora was ready to run away. Didn’t matter where, or that she didn’t have the current use of her hands. She just wanted to go. To not be subjected to any more of her mother’s embarrassing remarks.

  And if Liam gave Cora one more sympathetic look, she might scream…or kiss him, she wasn’t really sure which.

  Chapter 10

  Liam took Lady Segrave’s advice about hiring a maid for Cora—but not for the reasons she’d listed. Nay, he hired someone to care for his wife because it was clear that her mother was not up to the task, and because though he’d offered, he was fairly certain Cora would not let him help her with her personal needs.

  He was quite shocked at Lady Segrave’s antics about caring for her only daughter. He knew it wasn’t a Sassenach tendency, for his own mother was practically a saint when it came to caring for her own children, and she’d grown up in a very English household with her very English parents.

  Aye, as the Countess of Sutherland, his mother had had help raising her children, but she was as hands-on as any of the servants, often shooing them away in preference of caring for her offspring on her own. He’d always taken for granted how much his mother cared. When he saw her again, his thanks would be the first thing on his lips.

  In the Highlands, they took care of their own, which was why he’d be willing to help Cora any way he could. Despite his suspicions about her, she was his.

  His wife, his responsibility.

  And beyond that, there was always human decency. The lass couldn’t use her own hands to lift her bloody skirts out of the way. What person wouldn’t offer their help? Well, he supposed he knew exactly who now.

  The sun had barely risen, and it took effort to rouse the women, but it was best they left early for safety’s sake, so they could reach their destination with the most use of daylight. The lass he’d hired as Cora’s maid took up a seat on one of the other warrior’s laps as they rode out.

  “You didn’t have to do that,” Cora whispered when he wrapped his arms around her soft middle.

  Liam tucked her closer, the overwhelming urge to protect her strong. “Aye, my lady, I did. Ye need help, and I’ll not be listening to another word from…your mother.” He was about to say something not so nice, but he decided at the last moment to curb his tongue for Cora’s sake. After all, it wasn’t her fault her mother was acting the way she was.

  “I am even more in your debt.”

  Her head fell forward a little, and Liam’s heart twinged, certain that whatever expression she had on her face was quite wretched.

  “Nay, lass, ye owe me naught for doing my duty. Ye’re my wife, and I am to see to your needs in all things.”

  She didn’t argue about it anymore and settled back against him, comfortable in her seat, which made him smile. She was more relaxed today than yesterday, and he hoped it was because her hands were starting to feel a little better, though he wasn’t certain how much better they could truly be. He’d caught a glimpse of them when Lucas had wrapped them that morning, and the ghastly sight was enough to bring a man to his knees.

  Perhaps it was the herb-laced whisky Lucas had given her before administering to her wounds that had Cora behaving with such strength? It didn’t really matter, for the bravery he saw in her caused him to admire her all the more.

  Liam slanted a glance toward Tad, who was having a heated argument with his charge. His friend sent him a glower reserved only for the battlefield. Holy hell, but he was glad it wasn’t him catching an earful from that termagant. Liam was going to owe him a debt of gratitude for having to take care of the wench. How was it possible that she and Cora were related? They were so incredibly different.

  He’d taken the older woman for a frail thing, but it turned out she was as much a curmudgeon as the crankiest of crones, and not in the least bit unnerved by a warrior strapped with weapons from head to toe.

  They made limited stops along the way, staying in various traveling inns and taverns at night. Liam kept to his men, leaving Cora in the hands of th
e maid and her domineering mother. At each stop, Ughtred was left tied in a cellar, though his basic needs were met. They couldn’t risk him dying along the way.

  “Sir, one of our scouts believes we may have a follower,” Tad reported when he found Liam in the stable tending his horse and avoiding Lady Segrave.

  Liam wasn’t surprised. He’d suspected they’d be followed as soon as they left the initial village across the border of England. Word traveled fast, and he was certain that messengers had been sent out to all those who might be interested. They could have the whole of the English army on their tail, or a rebel crowd of traitors. Either way, there was someone coming after them. It was doubtful his scouts were wrong. He’d trained them himself.

  Right now, Liam and his men had the upper hand. They were on Scottish soil, and by tomorrow night, if all went well, they’d be behind the thick walls of Stirling Castle, the king’s army adding a layer of defense to his own. Cora would be settled in a room with a soft mattress, and a hearth that kept her cozy. Her belly would be full of good wine, and delicious food. And he’d be able to take a few moments to think about his next steps.

  That was, if all went well. But right now, it would appear things were not going according to plan.

  “Send out a few scouts to get a better look at the riders advancing. I’ll need to warn those at Stirling of a possible attack, if we dinna catch up with our enemies upon the road.”

  “Aye, sir.” Tad hurried out of the stable, leaving Liam to stare into the large black eyes of his mount. The horse nickered, stomped his foot and swished his tail, and Liam stroked a hand over his sleek coat.

  He knew nothing was ever easy, but for once, he would like not to have a complication.

  He was sincerely worried about what he’d say to his king on the morrow, and he had hoped to get more answers from Cora upon the road. So far, she’d not done much beyond sleeping, so any questions he would have put forth to her had to wait.

  He should make a better attempt now that they were settled for the night.

  Liam finished brushing out his horse and then returned to the traveler’s inn. Inside was dimly lit by a few half-melted tallow candles wedged into wooden candle sticks on the tables. Tables that had more than one charred mark from a drunken customer knocking those same candlesticks over.

  He nodded to the proprietors, a husband and wife, who glanced up at him from where they were both serving his men ale and stew. Before eating, he needed to make his way up the rickety stairs to the rooms they’d rented above—one for Cora and one for her mother. He didn’t so much care to see the latter.

  The guard standing outside of Cora’s chamber nodded to Liam at his approach. The single tallow candle in a sconce on the wall let off little light at all. In fact, it gave way to more shadows than illumination. The hall smelled of the food being cooked and served below, along with the remnants of many meals passed, and underlying all that was the musty scent of rotting wood.

  “At ease, lad. Ye may go and find some supper.”

  The guard nodded his agreement and headed down the stairs. Liam raised his hand, only to pause when the door was wrenched open and he was faced by Lady Segrave herself. What was she doing in her daughter’s chamber?

  Her hands went to her hips, and she glowered at him, looking down the corridor in an accusing fashion. “Where is our guard?”

  Liam drew in a deep breath, steadying himself so that he did not have to yell at her. “Madam, I have come to speak with my wife privately.”

  “Anything you have to say to my daughter, can be said in front of me.” The woman attempted to stare down her nose at him, but she only managed to look pinched and tired.

  “I respectfully disagree.” Liam took a step toward her, offering his hand. “I made arrangements for ye to have your own chamber right down the hall.”

  She took a step away from him, which only made Liam want to yank her out of the chamber.

  “I will not allow you to defile my daughter.” Her words were in hushed tones, but the chamber was so small there was little doubt Cora had heard.

  It took quite a good amount of effort not to lift the woman up and toss her on her rear. “I assure ye, as she’s my wife, there will be no defiling.”

  “You know what I mean. I still believe we can remedy this ridiculous marriage.”

  The muscles in Liam’s jaw tensed. “I’m certain ye’re not the first parent to be opposed to a marriage their child has made.”

  “What does that mean?”

  He shrugged and wiggled his fingers. “Madam, I would like to escort ye with all that is due your station, which would be taking your arm as I lead ye down the hall. However, if ye dinna get out of my way, I’m not opposed to tossing ye over my shoulder. I’ve spent enough time away from my wife. I’ll not spend another minute.”

  Lady Segrave’s mouth fell open, and she took a step back, making a motion to slam the door in his face. But he pressed his hand to the wood planks stopping her from breaking his nose when she slammed it shut.

  “Is that your choice, then, my lady, to be carried like wee Ughtred below stairs?”

  “You wouldn’t dare!”

  Liam looked her right in the eye, not wavering an inch. “Try me.”

  The lady cringed, gritting her teeth and visibly fighting back the anger she felt at what she would most certainly characterize as his impertinence. But he didn’t care. Not in the least. He’d been dealing with her impertinence for days.

  Their eyes were locked in a deadly battle, and just when he thought she might make him actually put his threats into action, Cora’s soft voice reached them both from within the small chamber.

  “Mother, it’s all right. Sir Liam and I have much to discuss. Have young Alice go with you and have her see that a bath is drawn. Take some time to relax and go to bed knowing the road’s filth has been washed away.”

  “I could never leave you alone with him,” her mother argued, taking a step back, enough so that Liam could stride into the room. From the sharp glance she gave him, that had not been her intention.

  Cora met his gaze, and though there was no smile on her somber lips, there was the barest hint of a twinkle in her eyes. Damn, but she was mesmerizing.

  “It will not be the first time, Mother, and I assure you, he may look the part of a brute, but Sir Liam is quite a gentleman.”

  Without taking his eyes from his wife, he said, “Aye, my lady, I’m a gentleman when it counts.”

  Cora narrowed her eyes slightly at that, perhaps trying to decipher his exact meaning. Her mother gasped as if he’d said something completely inappropriate. But he was a gentleman when it counted, because a man’s behavior mattered most in the bedchamber, did it not? And he was nothing if not a gentleman of a lover—in that he always made certain his bed partners got their pleasure first. And when it came to his wife… Liam’s gaze raked over her.

  Well, Cora would not know that yet, but the very idea of it sparked a craving in his blood—far more so than he’d had with her sleeping in his arms the last two days, and more so than that simple kiss they’d shared all those years ago.

  In the dim light of the hearth and candles, her skin glowed golden, and her lips looked pink and dewy. A trick of the light no doubt, but it made him want to march over to her and claim her mouth. To taste what was his.

  “Well, I never,” Lady Segrave blustered, drawing his attention back to her.

  “Alice,” Liam said, ignoring the older woman’s ire. “If ye would see to the lady’s bath, and make sure she’s comfortable and settled in the chamber I’ve obtained for her.”

  “Aye, sir.” Alice rushed forward, eyes wary as she approached Lady Segrave.

  He expected the older woman to give one last push to try and get her way. Instead, she lifted her chin and marched out of the chamber as though there was nothing left there for her but piles of horse manure.

  “Thank ye, Alice,” Liam said to the lass, who blushed as she murmured in reply and hurried aft
er her charge.

  As soon as the maid had cleared the door, Liam shut it and put the bar in place. He waited for the sound of Lady Segrave’s fists banging on it, but she surprised him when none came.

  “She will be glad to have a moment without me, I think,” Cora said generously from behind him. “She is still in mourning.”

  “Is that what ye call it?” He closed the distance between them, pausing when he was only a foot away from her.

  Cora stared up at him, her face void of any fear, only curiosity. He didn’t know whether to admire her for that, or to ask why she wasn’t afraid of him.

  Liam slid easily into the chair opposite Cora and studied her. Her eyes were no longer as glassy as they’d looked when they’d arrived, meaning the herbs had worn off. Her calm demeanor, her quiet interest, the teasing glint that had occasionally shown itself since he’d barged into her space—that was all her.

  “How is your pain?” he asked.

  Cora glanced down at her hands and shrugged. “I am getting used to it.”

  He grimaced. “’Tis no way to live.”

  “I’ve little choice. Besides, it is better than not living at all.”

  “Aye, that is true.” A glimmer of pride lit in his chest at her being so strong, so willing to make do with what she had. More women needed to be like her. Hell, he’d met grown men who would have lain down and given up.

  Cora tilted her head as she watched him. “Have you any pains from battles past that still plague you?”

  Liam sat back farther in the chair, letting his legs spread out before him. “Aye, a few.” He rubbed his chest. “One here, and I’ve also a piece of an arrow lodged near my spine. The healer was too afraid of removing it.”

  Cora sat forward, eyes a little wide. “Why did they not take it out?”

  “They were afraid to do further damage. It doesna pain me most days, but it does others.”