Loving Her Highland Enemy

by Samantha Holt

  Which meant she needed to find out for certain who set the blaze.

  The door behind her squeaked open. She sucked in a breath, preparing to face Tavish but with little idea how to gain his forgiveness. Before she could turn, the world went dark. Fabric covered her face, muffling her scream and stifling her next inhale of breath. She went to snatch the bag from her head, but someone grabbed her wrist.

  A man to be sure. His fingers were thick, rough and strong. She tried to wriggle from his grip and lash out with her other hand, but he snatched that one too and bound both wrists together, ropes pinching into her skin. She screamed again but she might as well have been screaming into the wind. The sound had little impact.

  Hauled along by her wrists, Leana stumbled down the steps, nearly spilling onto the ground. Her captor dragged her upright, her arms burning in their sockets. She pulled furiously against his hold. Someone would spot her soon, surely?

  Cold seeped through her boots and clung to the hem of her skirts. She tried to picture where they were but could only conclude they were still in the bailey. This had to be because of what she had told Tavish. Which meant no one would come to her aid.

  She pulled harder against her bonds and her captor, kicking out and only hitting air. She heard a grunt of annoyance and an arm banded about her, crushing her to a solid chest.

  Behind the sack, the world remained dark and breathing grew difficult. With the added weight of his arm crushing her chest, she became light-headed. The man moved her easily now, dragging her feet through the snow.

  The roar of the sea soon echoed in her ears and her heart pounded fiercely. Mayhap this was it. This was how she would die. Flung into the sea after admitting her darkest truths to a man she had foolishly come to care for.

  It would serve her right, she supposed. All her talk of revenge had been for nought.

  The movement stopped. She braced herself for the splash of water, for a fight to get to the surface, but she landed hard on her rear, dampness seeping through her skirts from what felt to be cold stone. She drew in a stifled breath and tried to make out any sounds that could indicate her surroundings. The sea still roared but it was dulled. Footsteps moved about her and her wrists tugged briefly.

  “I know who ye are.”

  She jolted at the voice. So close. But gruff and unrecognizable.

  “Ye’ll no get in the way of my plans,” he warned. “Everything is going to change soon.”

  She jerked forward but came to a quick halt when her bonds pulled. “Bastard,” she hissed but the words were lost to the heavy fabric of the sack.

  He chuckled. “Yer a fierce lass but ye’ll die here, and no one shall find ye, not even Tavish. I’d resign yerself to yer fate.”

  Her heart gave a little jump at his name. That meant he wasn’t involved in her kidnapping. And if this man thought she’d resign herself to anything, he was an idiot. She hadn’t survived a deadly fire to die of starvation in what she had come to conclude was a cave.

  Footsteps splashed away. She waited a few moments, listening for sounds of movement over the plopping of water droplets and the rush of sea. Once she was convinced he had gone, she tried to wriggle out of the sack but with no luck. She pulled hard against her bonds. He must have tied her to something.

  She yanked harder, twisted her wrists this way and that. The ropes chafed and tore her skin but she couldn’t give up. Whoever had done this to her must know more about the fire. How else would they know of her identity? They could even be the person responsible. They had plans. Whatever those were she needed to put a stop to it and warn Tavish.

  Leana froze at the feel of water seeping into her skirts. Bile rose in her throat. The water clung to her clothing then ebbed away. Then again, feeling deeper this time. He hadn’t intended to leave her here to starve. He’d meant for her to drown.

  A clever move really. Tossed into the sea, her body might float and be spotted. Here, tied up, no one would find her.

  She had to get out of here, and fast.

  She twisted her wrists more furiously, gritting her teeth at the feel of the ropes breaking skin. At least the toughened, smoother skin on her arm might be of use. She concentrated on moving that arm back and forth until the ropes loosened. Stickiness that could only be blood aided her in slipping the one wrist free.

  She flung off the sack and gulped down several breaths while her eyes adjusted to the darkness of the cave. Sea water flooded in and out, now up to her hips. The tide came in fast.

  Her shaking hands made it hard to free her other wrist. She fumbled with the ropes until finally free. Snatching her skirts, she dashed out of the cave and spotted uneven steps carved into the side of the rock. The thought of climbing such a sharp incline without having gathered her breath made her head swim but she had to get to Tavish and warn him.

  If everything was going to truly change that could mean he was in danger too.

  ✽✽✽

  “WHERE’S YER BONNY lass?” Tavish’s father asked. “I thought I saw ye both sneaking off together.”

  Tavish ran a hand over his face. What could he say? That he’d left her in disgust when she’d admitted the real reason she was here? That she wasn’t even Leana? That he had little idea who she really was?

  Oh aye, don’t forget that he also kissed her, and still wanted to kiss her, which made him the biggest fool in Scotland.

  “I cannae say,” he said with a shrug.

  His father frowned, rising from his chair by the fireplace. “Ye know this match is important, aye?”

  “I know,” he muttered.

  “If she’s not acquiescing to ye, we cannae force it but ye’d do well to charm her.”

  Tavish glanced around. Not many people were in the hall at present, choosing to be in their chambers for a rest or attending to their duties. His mother was likely sleeping after dancing into the night and he certainly didn’t want to involve her in this mess.

  Truth be told, he wasn’t sure he wanted to involve his father either. The man could go from being as calm as the seas on a mild, sunny day to being whipped up into a tempest of fury. Leana hadn’t done anything—yet. He didn’t want to risk the almost peace between the clans for a deed that hadn’t been done.

  Or perhaps he wasn’t as strong a warrior as he thought if he could be brought to his knees by a scheming lass.

  “If she doesnae wish to be charmed, there’s little I can do, Da’.”

  “Ye were as keen on this match as I was.” He rubbed his stubbled chin. “Is she no’ as ye’d expected?”

  It wasn’t a lie. He’d been happy to make the match. He’d known Leana as a child and it would ensure the clan’s survival against the Campbells. He’d been too busy fighting these past years to worry about lust, let alone love, so why not marry for duty? It was only a bonus that she was bonny and spirited.

  He suspected if he married Leana it wouldn’t be simply for duty anymore. There was no denying there was a horde of lust involved too. Just thinking about their kiss had him aching.

  “She’s no’ as I expected,” he confirmed.

  His father put a hand to his shoulder. “I’ll no’ force a match between ye but we cannae send her home with a dislike of ye. We still need to mend the rift between the clans.”

  “That might be too late,” Tavish muttered. “The Sinclairs still blame us for the fire.”

  “Aye, I suspected as much. The wee lass is angry still?”

  “Something like that.”

  “I swear on yer grandfather’s life, the Macleans didnae do such a thing, but I dinnae suppose that will help convince yer lass.”

  He lifted a shoulder. “She said some things...” He blew out a breath and turned away. “I dinnae know how she feels now.”

  “Och, as much as I’m loath to suggest such a thing, ye might wish to speak with the woman. The lasses like that sort of thing ye know. Sometimes, ‘tis the only way to deal with yer mother.”

  Tavish smirked. His father might be famed a
s a warrior, but he had a soft touch when it came to his mother, and it was greatly needed at times. But he didn’t think talking would do much. After all, he’d likely want to do more than talk. He’d want to take her in his arms again, feel her lips against his...Reveal that bare, mark-less shoulder that he knew existed and more.

  It wouldn’t much help him with getting to the truth of the matter. She’d admitted she was wrong about them yet talked of revenge. And even if she no longer planned to go through with it, it meant she’d been lying to him.

  “I’m going to go for a ride, check the borders,” he said finally.

  A ride in the biting cold might get rid of any lingering desire and help him to think with a straight mind. Lord knew, he wasn’t used to things being so complicated.

  He fought, he ate, he drank and he occasionally bedded a lass or two. He had meant to marry a Sinclair, end the rift, have a few babes and likely continue fighting the Campbells. With the arrival of Leana, that simple idea seemed preposterous. There was nothing simple about her.

  He made his way to the stables, taking his time in saddling the horse. He frowned while he pulled the leather strap through. A more loyal clan member would have told his father everything so why the devil was he protecting the woman?

  “Tavish?”

  He twisted at the sound of her voice, his jaw set.

  He widened his eyes. “God’s wounds.”

  Leana staggered a few paces toward him, her clothing soaked and filthy, blood dripping from one wrist, landing on the snow in stark crimson droplets.

  He grabbed her wrist first, eyeing the raw skin. “What happened?”

  “Someone took me captive. Tried to kill me.” Her gaze met his. “They know who I am. And I think they mean ye harm.”

  Chapter Seven

  Maggie’s face paled and Leana grimaced. She didn’t want Maggie involved in this at all.

  The maid clapped hands to her ashen cheeks, making little slap noises. “What happened?” She grabbed Leana’s wrist from where Leana had been carefully cradling it while Tavish aided her to her chamber. “Oh sweet Mary, yer bleeding.”

  “It looks worse than it is,” Leana assured her.

  “Why do ye no’ get some clean cloths and water so we can clean it?” Tavish suggested, a hand to Leana’s waist as he guided her to sit on the bed.

  Maggie glanced between them, seeming frozen, then jolted into action when Leana hissed out a breath of pain. Her wrist had been rubbed raw and stung like the devil. Blood dripped down her fingertips, landing in gory wet splashes on the wooden floor. She dabbed her arm against her kirtle in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

  “Aye, I’ll do that.” Maggie snatched her skirts and hastened out of the door, her footsteps thudding away until a door slammed.

  Leana managed a weak smile. “She cares deeply for me.”

  “That I can see.” He tapped the door shut with a foot and kneeled in front of her, taking her wrist in his huge hands with a surprisingly gentle touch and then turning it over, this way and that. “Someone bound ye.”

  “Aye, and I escaped.”

  He used the sleeve of his shirt to dab away the blood and held it there. She sucked in a breath through her teeth.

  “Where did they take ye?”

  “One of the caves. I cannae say which one. I scarce looked back when I fled but the tide was coming in.”

  Tavish’s mouth thinned into a tight line. “I know which one and ‘tis not easily visible from the sea. Only the clan knows of its existence.” He pushed a damp, bedraggled strand from her face. “I fear someone in the clan did this to ye.”

  She nodded. “I know they did. And somehow they know of me.”

  “What happened? What did they say?”

  “They threw a bag over my head and bound me.” She frowned. “I couldnae see a thing but they were taller than me and strong.” She made a disgusted noise. “That doesnae aid us much, does it? All of yer men are stronger and taller than me.”

  “Well, we know ‘tis no’ a lass,” he said with a grim smile.

  “Aye. His voice was deep and gravelly. I didnae recognize it.” She pressed her lips together. “He said I wouldnae get in the way of his plans and that no one would find me there. I’m certain he hoped I would drown there.”

  He nodded. “Those caves fill at high tide. What the devil sort of plans could he have meant?”

  “I cannae be sure but I think he meant ye and yer clan harm. He bound me to a rock. I wouldnae have been found.”

  He muttered a curse. “I shouldnae have left ye.”

  Leana met his pained gaze. “Ye couldnae have known that was going to happen and I lay no blame at yer feet for leaving me.”

  “Ye were honest with me and I couldnae ask for more than that. I could never understand what it felt like to lose all yer family.”

  She bit down on her bottom lip, eyeing the bloodstains on the white of her skirts. “I still want revenge, but I dinnae believe I want it against yer family.”

  “I’d like ye to get it.”

  She lifted her gaze to his. His eyes were warm against the strong features of his face, the little white scars revealing his battle history and the dimple in his chin softening the harsh line of his jaw. His lips remained pulled into a fierce line of determination, but she gained comfort from it all. If she couldn’t get revenge on her own, Tavish would aid her in finding out who truly killed her mother and ensure they paid the price for it.

  “I thought I wanted blood spilled but it seems I didnae have the heart.”

  “Because ye knew ye were wrong,” he reminded her.

  “Aye. I dinnae think a man who could burn women and children could sire a son like ye.”

  “Och, yer flattering me now.”

  She let her mouth curve upward. “Well, dinnae get used to it.”

  The door burst open and Maggie entered in a flurry, waving strips of fabric in the air. The strips trailed behind her like streaming banners and tangled around one of her legs. She stumbled, cursed and dropped the jug she carried onto the table before untangling herself.

  “Och, I’m all a fluster.” She poured out the water. “How is she, my poor lamb?”

  Tavish’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “She’s well.”

  “Is she in pain?” Maggie dipped a cloth in the water. “Can she feel her fingers? Should I get her a dram of whiskey?”

  “Maggie, I’m here ye know and am no’ senseless.”

  “Aye, aye.” Maggie smiled. “That ye are.”

  Tavish moved his sleeve from the wound and Maggie dabbed away the dried blood.

  “Och, what happened to ye? Did ye fall?”

  Leana glanced at Tavish, who shrugged. She had little idea how much to tell Maggie, but if there was someone wishing Leana harm, Maggie might be in danger too. “Someone wishes me harmed, Maggie. I think we have an enemy in the castle.”

  Her eyes widened. “Why would someone wish to hurt ye? ‘Tis Yuletide!”

  Leana shook her head with a smile. “I dinnae think Yuletide bothers anyone who might wish harm to others.”

  Maggie began binding Leana’s arm, but her fingers shook as she did so, and the fabric kept slipping loose. “I’m all fingers and thumbs. How could anyone wish to hurt ye?”

  Tavish took the bandages from Maggie and started winding them around Leana’s arm with a tender touch.

  “Yer good at that,” Maggie commented.

  “Aye, I’ve had practice on the battlefield.”

  Leana couldn’t shift her gaze from Tavish’s, even as Maggie fussed about her, drawing blankets around her shoulders. All she could think on was the fact they had been kissing not so long ago and now the pain had abated, she’d quite like to experience it again. She’d never met a man so fair-minded and honorable as he.

  He tucked the end of the bandage in, his gaze lingering on hers. “All done,” he murmured.

  “Aye,” she whispered.

  “Well, I think ‘tis time Leana had some rest,
” announced Maggie. “Ye best be gone.”

  ✽✽✽

  GONE? HE COULDN’T be gone. Not when Leana was still in danger.

  And mostly not when he wanted to press her back against the bed, not even caring if her maid was still present, and kiss her until she was warm beneath his fingertips, until she writhed against him and begged for more.

  Och, but he was a heathen.

  She’d just been captured and nearly drowned, not to mention her daring escape had left her injured, and here he was picturing stripping off her clothing and discovering the lithe body beneath the fabric.

  “I should stay,” he said swiftly.

  Leana nodded. “You should.”

  He released a long breath. He didn’t think he could leave her even if she wanted him to. Unless he wanted to spend the night tossing and turning and shifting between worry and pure, unfettered desire.

  A crease appeared between Maggie’s brows. “Stay? I dinnae think—”

  “Ye’ll stay too, Maggie. It isnae safe for ye to be on yer own,” Leana assured her.

  Curses. She wasn’t wrong but he’d rather been hoping to get her alone again.

  So they could speak of what occurred without worry of course. Not because he wanted to kiss her again. Which he did. But he wouldn’t.

  Hellfire, he’d met many a woman he’d desired before and survived without pouncing on them. Surely he could manage one night without throwing her over his shoulder and taking her again and again?

  What the next night might bring was another thing...

  He shook away the thought. “I’ll sleep by the door.”

  “We should make it known I’m alive and well.”

  Tavish scowled at Leana. “Nay.”

  “Aye.” Chin lifted, she rose to her feet. “If they know I’m alive, they might try to get to me, in which case, ye’ll be here and we’ll be able to discover who did this to me.”

  He shook his head and folded his arms. “Nay. Not a chance. I’m no’ using ye as a lure.”