by Alisa Adams
Gillis’s heart was beating furiously. She never dreamed this would happen to her. This beautiful, good, kind, exquisite man loved her! A smile formed on her lips and spread up into her cheeks and then crinkled her eyes. She reached up and tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled on his head until his lips were against hers.
Gillis kissed him deeply, slowly, lingeringly as her lips teased at his. She sucked his top lip in between her lips, then gave the same treatment to his full bottom lip. She heard his groan as she touched the tip of her tongue between his lips. His mouth opened and welcomed her as their tongues tangled.
Rane slanted his mouth over hers again and again to get better access and to deepen the kiss.
Slowly, he pulled away and gazed into her eyes.
“Ye dinnae answer…” he whispered as his eyes showed just the hint of nervousness.
Gillis smiled. “That was an aye. Aye, I love ye. Aye, I will stay and be yer wife. And a vera loud aye that ye are mine!”
Rane shouted to the heavens, “She said aye!” He hugged her tightly to him. “Hengeron!” he said to his big, brown stallion, “let’s find shelter for our lady.”
Rane nudged the big stallion into a walk as he scooped up Wort’s reins.
Gillis patted the brown stallion's neck. “Ye named him after King Arthur’s stallion? That is lovely.” She twisted on his lap to look back at him as they walked along. “I heard that Mr. Nisbit couldnae save yer favorite horse?” she asked gently.
Rane stared ahead of them, guiding Hengeron through the thick heather and rocks. He had an idea where they could go for the night.
“Aye, ’tis true. Hengeron had a sister. A once-in-a-lifetime brave mare I named Llamrei.”
“King Arthur's other horse!” Gillis said in a rush.
Rane smiled. “Of course. We dinnae find her in time tae see tae her injuries. She had lost tae much blood,” he finished quietly.
Gillis studied his face. She reached up to run her fingers along the bristles showing on his jaw. “I will find this man. No more horses shall suffer at his hands.”
Rane held her hand to his cheek. “We will find him together, my love. I read the last page of Alexander Nisbit’s book. He wrote that the horse injuries were his fault and that he knew who the killer was, but the name, or names, he wrote was nothing but a blot of ink. I couldnae make it out. Tell me everything he said tae you. Dinnae be afraid. We dae this together.”
So Gillis repeated all the man's vile threats, how he had said that Alexander Nisbit demanded part of the treasure for his silence which was why Alexander felt that the worst injuries to the Kinloch horses were his fault. She told him that her captor had confessed that he had killed Alexander when hurting more of the horses did not work and Alexander had threatened to tell Laird MacLeod. She told Rane of his demand that she find the treasure of the San Gabriel or her aunt would die. She added that he had said he preferred that she die in the cave so that she was out of his way, and that the authorities would not like to find out that she was the acting healer at Kinloch.
Rane listened quietly. The only indication of emotion that showed on his face was his steely jaw, and the tick that worked there.
He nodded when she was done, but said nothing.
Instead, he guided Hengeron down a grassy bank and onto a pebbled shore. From there, he turned and followed a small stream that trickled into the sea from the inland. He walked the big horse back towards a cliff at the farthest end of the beach, following the stream to its source. A space opened up between the cliffs and then widened and opened up further. The stream flowed out of a large cave.
“Another cave?” Gillis whispered with dread.
Rane dismounted and led the two horses into the cave with a reassuring smile up at Gillis. “This is Smoo Cave, ’tis not just a cave,” he said with a crooked grin as he led her inside the giant cavern.
Gillis watched as he stopped and moved off into the darkness. She heard him rummaging around in the dark, then the scratch of tinder. He came back, holding a torch that lit up the enormous cavern. Gillis looked around in awe. She could make out a waterfall pouring through the ceiling at the far end of the cavern. The waterfall filled a small pool where the stream originated from.
“Come,” Rane said as he led the horses further inside. “There is fresh water and a roof over our heads.”
Gillis hesitated. “We must get back to Kinloch,” she told him.
“Aye, but a short rest and food first.” Rane saw the set of her mouth and knew what would get her to eat something. “The horses need rest and water, my love.”
He watched as she nodded and patted the horse.
He placed the torch in a crack in some rocks and walked over to her. He held his arms up to where she sat on his horse. His large hands spanned Gillis’s small waist, and he squeezed her gently, loving the feel of her in his hands. He lifted her down and set her carefully on her feet as he smiled softly down at her. Rane could not resist placing a lingering kiss on her lips. He heard her soft sigh when he pulled away and kissed her quickly again with a happy smile.
“Come, my future wife.” He walked over to Hengeron and reached up to untie the leather bags attached to his saddle. “I have some grain in my saddlebags for the horses and some food tae ease our own hunger.”
Gillis helped him unpack and feed the horses. As Rane started to walk towards a dry sandy area with some blankets and the food, she stopped him.
“Someday, I would like tae return here. I should dearly love a swim in that freshwater pool, under that waterfall,” she said wistfully, as she gazed from him to the water.
Rane walked back to her. His lips tipped up into a crooked smile. “Ye like Smoo Cave, do ye? It has a long history of lovers coming here and smugglers hiding their treasure within its many hidden holes.” His eyes twinkled as he looked into her eyes.
“Ye dinnae need to tease me, I know yer treasure is not within these rock walls.” She smiled up at him.
“Are ye sure of that?” he asked her with a hint of surprise in his voice.
Gillis reached up and kissed him, hard. She smiled and said over her shoulder as she turned away from him, “Aye, I am vera sure that yer treasure is not here.” She winked and took the blankets and food from his hands, and spread them out on the sand.
He came over and sat beside her on the blanket. Gillis dug into the leather pack and handed him some bannocks and oatcakes, then she found some dried meat and milk meats. There was also a flask of cider to be shared.
“Arenae ye going tae try tae get me tae tell ye where the treasure of the San Gabriel is?” he asked her as he ate his meal.
Gillis laughed softly and shook her head. She changed the subject. “Ye are descended from someone who survived the shipwreck, I assume?”
“Aye, my great-grandfather was Spanish, and the owner and captain of the ship. He met and married a beautiful Highland lass of Kinlochervie. Many of my men are descended from his men, who served on the ship.” He took a long drink from the flask of cider as he studied her curiously. He lowered the flask. “Why dinnae ye ask where the treasure is hidden, Gillis?”
Gillis tilted her head at him. She spoke softly as her eyes twinkled at him. “I dinnae need tae know.” She held her hand out for the cider and drank thirstily. When she had had her fill she handed it back to him. She smiled and looked around the firelit cave. The lulling sound of the waterfall was pleasant and relaxing. She sighed deeply. “I meant it when I said I would like tae return here someday.”
“Then we shall return when all this is over. I promise ye, we will return, my love,” Rane said. He started putting the food back in the leather bag. “Are ye feeling rested enough tae get back on Wort? We will be riding through the night back tae Kinloch.”
Gillis stood up and brushed off her trews. “Aye, I am eager tae get back there. If the scunner has done anything tae my aunt or more of the horses, I shall kill him myself.”
Rane stood up as well with the blanket in his han
d. “Can ye remember anything about him? His voice, anything?”
“I couldnae see him, but his voice was muffled, like he had something over his mouth tae disguise his voice,” Gillis said as she thought carefully while she closed her eyes and tried to remember. She snapped her fingers and looked at Rane. “His horse! The tack—it jingled.”
“Jingled?” Rane asked slowly with narrowed eyes.
“Aye, as if it was a harness horse. Not a riding horse.”
Rane was quiet as he stared thoughtfully at her. Then he sighed and shook his head in frustration. He tied the blanket and leather pouch of food to his saddle that he had put back on Hengeron.
He helped Gillis get Wort tacked back up and lifted her up into the saddle.
“Twill be a long ride,” he said carefully to her. “Are ye sure ye are up tae it?”
“I want tae get back tae Kinloch,” she said fervently. “Take me home, Rane.”
Rane smiled up at her. “Home,” he repeated. “I like the sound of that on yer lips.” He jumped up onto Hengeron’s back and moved the big horse sideways over to Wort. He reached over to Gillis and captured the back of her head. “I love yer hair down like this. I love ye in these leather trews, but mostly, I love that ye said ‘take me home.’” He kissed her deeply and most satisfyingly. Then he whispered against her lips, “I love ye, Gillis Ross. Let us go home.”
16
They rode through the night under the enchanting lights that flowed in eerie and brilliant colors across the sky.
Rane marveled at how she kept up with him over craggy peaks and wet bogs and up and down the hills of the Northwestern Highlands.
Late that night, Rane saw that Gillis was struggling to stay awake on her horse. He pulled her off of Wort to sit across his lap. She grumbled a bit, insisting she was not tired. He smiled and kissed her forehead, whispering “I love ye,” to her.
Gillis sighed and nuzzled her lips against his neck, under his chin. “I love ye tae, Rane.” She sighed again, leaned against his chest, tucked her head in the space between his shoulder and his neck, inhaled deeply, and fell asleep within moments.
Rane cradled her there in his arms as he rode under the night sky. His tartan was still wrapped tightly around her. He smiled again. Though he had a madman back at Kinloch, right now, right here, in his arms, everything was perfect.
Rane rode Hengeron up to the gates of his castle just as the dawn sky brightened. Wort was following close behind. Gillis still slept peacefully in his arms.
Rane looked down at the two men he had left to guard the gates.
“Tom, Bernard.” He nodded quietly to the men as he halted within the gates.
“Ye found our lady,” Large Bernard whispered in a gruff voice as he stared at Gillis in his laird’s arms. He saw her raw and bloodstained wrists and the cut to her head that had left rusty bloodstains throughout her hair. Then his eyes went to Wort, seeing the injuries to the big draft stallion.
Tom hissed out a breath, seeing what Bernard was looking at. “The blaggard hurt her,” Tom said in an angry whisper, “and her horse!”
Rane nodded curtly. “Take Wort for me, Tom. Get the saddler, Ari, tae see tae his injuries.” Rane looked around the courtyard. “Anyone come in or out while I was gone?”
Tom shook his head and Bernard made a growling noise deep within his beard.
“What did ye say, Bernard?” Rane demanded in as quiet a voice as he dared. He stared at the large man with the massive grey beard that covered his mouth, making it hard to hear the deep rumble of his words.
Bernard brushed down his beard and spoke again. “Only the men coming and going tae the practice field, and the grooms dumping the manure wagons, M’Laird.”
“Aye, all the usual. Nothing and no one out of the ordinary schedule,” Tom added.
Bernard stepped closer. “Can I help ye, M’Laird? Tae get her down so that she doesnae jostle her head and have it start bleeding again?”
“Her head?”
Tom nodded and pointed to Gillis. “Aye, M’Laird. She has a wound on her head. Just there.” He pointed to the side of Gillis’s head.
Rane gently turned her head and looked down.
The two men heard the deep growl come from his throat. They stepped away from him.
“I will kill the man when I find him,” Rane said huskily. He nudged Hengeron into a trot once inside the gates and through the large courtyard, right up to the steps, and halted at the doors of the great hall.
His men rushed forward to hold his horse or to take Gillis, but he would not give her over to any of them. He managed to dismount with her still in his arms. He strode to the door and pushed them open with one swift kick.
“Aunt Hextilda!” Rane’s voice boomed in the great hall as he looked up the stairs, hoping Gillis’s aunt was in the keep.
Gillis jumped in his arms. “Rane! What…?” She struggled out of his arms and lunged to his side, ready to take on any attacker before she looked around and realized where they were. She sighed and relaxed. “We are home,” she said with a smile of exhaustion.
Rane turned her to him. “Ye dinnae tell me ye hit yer head, Gillis!”
Gillis’s eyes widened as she reached up to the side of her head. “’Tis fine now,” she said nonchalantly.
He pulled her to him in a hug.
Just then Aunt Hexy came tottering down the stairs. She hurried over to them with Duke yipping at her heels. He passed Hexy and came running up to Rane with his tiny tail wagging. He stopped at Rane’s booted feet and stood on his hind paws as he stretched up to put his front paws on Rane’s boots. He looked up adoringly at the big Highland laird as his tail wagged furiously.
Rane looked down at Duke with a chuckle and pulled his arms from around Gillis. He bent down and scooped up the little dog with delight, using only one big finger to stroke Duke’s little head.
Hexy stopped in front of Gillis. “Are ye hurt, Niece?” she said as she wrung her hands fearfully.
“Nay, Aunt,” Gillis said as she hugged her aunt tightly. She gave her a quick kiss and then held her at arm’s length. “Has anyone tried to hurt ye or threaten ye, Aunt?”
Aunt Hexy looked confused for a minute and then her wise old eyes narrowed. “Not a one. But has someone threatened to hurt me if ye dinnae dae what they tell ye, Niece? Dinnae let that ever stop ye! We are strong!”
Gillis smiled and kissed her aunt on the cheek again. “Och Auntie, I am sae happy ye are here with me!” Then Gillis spun to Rane, who was engrossed in the tiny dog in his arms.
“Ahem!” Gillis said with a small grin to get his attention.
Rane looked up, startled. Then he smiled bashfully. “I am sorry, my ladies. I find this little one irresistible. Look at how his tiny tail wags. ’Tis sae small! Have ye ever seen such a wee dog?”
Hexy grumbled, “Of course I have because I have one.” Then she smiled at the big laird and gently took Duke out of his arms. “Ye can hold him later, Laird.”
“Rane, did you ask yer men if they have seen anyone come in through the gates while we were gone?” Gillis asked with great interest.
Rane shook his head. “Tom and Bernard said it was only the men scheduled tae work on the practice field, the same men as usual. And of course, the stable hands and grooms leading the manure wagons back and forth as they cleaned out the horse stalls.”
Gillis went quiet as she stared hard at the floor. “Alexander wrote in his book that it was one of the Kinloch men.” She looked up at Rane, who nodded in agreement as his eyes narrowed. “I know that is hard tae hear, my love, but who was on the practice field—and were they there all day? Also, did they all come back through the gates after their training, or did anyone come in late last night?” She looked at Rane in anticipation, waiting for some clue as to who their guilty culprit was.
He shook his head and sighed with frustration. “They said that nothing was out of the ordinary.”
“Who was in charge of these men?” Gillis asked, think
ing hard.
Rane’s jaw tightened. “’Twas Gaufid. He was training a group of our best men that I have selected for the Troop of Horse Guards.”
Gillis snapped her fingers. “And the men leading the manure wagons?”
Rane looked at her. “That would not be my men, but the stableboys and grooms, mucking the stalls. Nisbit’s book said it was one of my men.”
Gillis sighed in frustration.
Hexy put her hand on her arm. “Gillis, I just asked for a bath for myself when Rane, er, hollered my name. Come, it should be ready. Ye must have a bath, and I shall wash that blood out of yer hair. Once ye are dry, ye can put one of yer gowns back on. Ye remind me of yer Aunt Agnes, traipsing around in trews all day.” Hexy tsked as she started to lead Gillis up the stairs to her bedchamber.
“Aunt Hextilda?” Rane called out.
Hexy turned to look at the big laird, who was smiling. He held her little dog in his arms once more.
“Och, I forgot me wee Duke!” Aunt Hexy said as she hurried back over to Rane.
Gillis watched as Rane bent over and whispered something in her aunt’s ear. She watched as her aunt smiled, kissed him on the cheek, and then clapped him on the chest as she nodded vigorously. Then she turned and hurried back toward Gillis.
“What about Duke?” Gillis asked curiously.
“Och, Rane can watch him while I help ye in yer bath.”
Gillis raised her eyebrow as she smiled at her petite aunt. “Rane, is it? Not Laird MacLeod?”
Hexy made a dismissive motion with her hand. “Och noo, he is tae be my newest nephew once he marries ye, which he says will be as soon as possible if I would allow it, and I dae. He is Rane now because he is family.” Then she leaned closer and whispered, “Does he know how large our family is, dear?”
Gillis laughed softly and let her aunt lead her up the stairs for a lovely bath. It would not be under a waterfall in the beautiful and mysterious Smoo Cave with the man she loved, but she knew that would come one day soon.
