The Highlander's Bride

by Donna Fletcher

  Whispers and stares followed them, and Cullen saw one of McHern’s warriors hurry into the keep before they reached it. He wasn’t surprised to see Donald McHern rush out, his face bright red, his eyes bulging with anger.

  Cullen dismounted and went directly to his wife, reaching up to grasp her around the waist and whisper as he lowered her to the ground. “Something is very wrong.”

  “Agreed,” she murmured before they turned to face her father.

  “How dare you bring the Earl of Balford’s wrath down upon the clan,” McHern spat out, pointing an accusing finger at his daughter. “You knew he was a wanted man when you wed him, didn’t you?”

  Sara stood tall and confident. “Aye, Cullen’s wanted by me. I love him.”

  McHern shook his fist at her. “Then you’ll join him when the earl’s soldiers arrive to take him away.”

  Cullen stepped forward. “When do they arrive?”

  “From the message I received from a neighboring clan, two days at the latest, and I sent word promising the soldiers your presence, so do not think to run,” McHern said with a nasty glint.

  “You would turn us over to them?” Sara asked incredulously.

  Her father’s face glowed like a hot cinder. “You would have me place the clan at risk for you and him?” He shook his head. “The McHern clan has survived because I fight battles I know I can win. No one wins against the Earl of Balford. He has strong ties to the king. You put the clan in danger, now you’ll rid us of that danger.”

  Cullen grabbed hold of Sara’s arm when she moved to protest. “We’ll do what’s right for the clan,” he said.

  “You damn well will,” McHern said with a shake of a fist, then turned and stomped off into the keep.

  Cullen and Sara made their way to their bedchamber, with far too many accusing stares following them. Even with the door safely latched against curious ears and eyes, Cullen still spoke in a whisper. “We leave tonight. We can carry little since we’ll have Alexander to consider.”

  Sara nodded. “Teresa will see that you have food to last, and I’ll not let Father know of Alexander’s absence until much later, so the earl doesn’t make the connection.”

  Cullen grabbed hold of her arms and squeezed tight, as if he feared she would escape him. “You’re coming with us.”

  Sara shook her head. “Why?”

  “If the Earl of Balford gets to you before I get to him, he will see you tortured for information and then executed. And even if I can eliminate him as a threat, his cohorts may seek revenge in his name. There is no way I will allow that to happen. You’re going with Alexander and me to America.”

  “And if I don’t want to?” she said defiantly.

  He grinned and yanked her up against him. “You have no choice, wife. You’re going with us. Start getting your things together, but remember we must travel light. I’m going to see that the horses are looked after and made ready for us tonight. There’s no time to warn your sister of our plans. Your father won’t let us leave here.”

  “Teresa will help us,” Sara said with certainty.

  “I don’t doubt that, but it’s best she know as little as possible. We will stay to ourselves today. The villagers will assume we’re repentant of our actions, and it is best they think that. They will not suspect us of attempting an escape.”

  Sara agreed with a nod. “We will need to be careful if the soldiers are only two days from here.”

  “We’ll skirt the border of McHern land and keep away from nearby villages. We can’t be seen. The soldiers have probably already made the surrounding villages aware of who they’re searching for and made certain the consequences if they help us.”

  “We’re on our own,” Sara confirmed.

  He hugged her, holding her close, letting the warmth of her seep into him and aching to touch her more intimately, yet knowing there was no time. “We have each other, wife.”

  Sara leaned back against the closed door after Cullen left and placed a hand to her rolling stomach. She was glad she hadn’t eaten this morning for she would have never kept the meal down. She had hoped, though never thought it possible, of going to America with Cullen and his son, but that hope was born of a love she prayed would be returned.

  Her prayers had been answered in a strange manner, and while she was glad she was going with father and son, she couldn’t help speculate over the future.

  She shook her head and pushed away from the door. There was no time to waste. She had to gather her things and be ready; ready to leave her home and family, probably never to see them again.

  It was a double-edged sword she faced, leaving the only way of life she knew and a sister she loved dearly, and while her father would deliver her into the hands of Balford, she was aware he did it for the benefit of the clan and not because he didn’t love or care about her.

  She would have no chance to speak with him before she left, to speak the truth to him and let him know she never intended the clan harm. She would tell Teresa and have her tell her father.

  Her heart ached when she thought of saying good-bye to her sister, so she pushed the painful thought from her mind and got busy sorting through her garments and personal belongings. Night came fast enough when you didn’t want it to, and soon enough her time here would be finished.

  As much as she ached to cry, Sara contained her tears and did what was necessary. She’d be ready to leave, though her heart would be hurting in more ways than one.

  Cullen rubbed the horses down, fed them, and looked over the saddles. He purposely took his time, not rushing, appearing withdrawn in troubled thought, so that curious eyes assumed his repetitive actions were born out of worry.

  “Preparing to go somewhere?” McHern asked, entering the stable.

  “Needed my hands active to calm my concerns,” Cullen said, prepared to play his part in this charade.

  “And concerned you should be,” McHern bellowed, and sat on an upturned barrel, gave a gruff cough and lowered his voice. “I don’t like that Balford fellow, a devious and mean man, takes pleasure in hurting people.”

  Cullen glanced at him suspiciously.

  “A leader’s duty is to protect his clan, all of his clan.”

  Cullen nodded slowly, waiting for him to explain further.

  “Protecting the clan sometimes means keeping them unaware of the truth for their own safety. So that when torture is threatened by a mean bastard of a man, the people have nothing to hide.”

  “That takes a wise and courageous leader.”

  “It takes—” McHern sniffed and rubbed at his nose with his sleeve. “It takes a coldhearted man.”

  Cullen smiled. “No, it takes a man with a brave heart.”

  McHern stood and held out his hand.

  Cullen took it and McHern grasped tight hold while placing a firm hand on his back. “You take good care of my little girl. She’s a lot like me, God help her.”

  “I—”

  McHern threw his hands in the air and walked away. “Don’t want to hear anything. Know anything. You best be ready for Balford’s arrival.”

  “I’ll be ready,” Cullen said.

  McHern turned before walking out the door. “Don’t disappoint me.”

  “You can count on me, sir.”

  “Good, I’ll remember that—always.”

  Cullen wasn’t surprised by the man’s actions. McHern admired his daughter more than he let anyone know. He knew how difficult it was for her, since she was so much like him—only she was a woman. And that made things more difficult, since women didn’t have the same rights as men.

  McHern had purposely made it known in front of the clan that his daughter and her husband where to remain and face their fate at Balford’s hands to keep the clan from danger, thus protecting his clan from the truth—that he expected Sara and Cullen to escape.

  Cullen was pleased that he’d be able to tell Sara how much her father truly loved her and in the end protected her even at the risk of having her thin
k otherwise.

  While Cullen looked a burdened man, his footfalls heavy, his shoulders slumped, his head down as he returned to the keep, he actually felt relieved. Though he would take precautions when he and Sara took their leave tonight, he knew no extra guards would be posted or extra measures taken to prevent their escape.

  And once on the road, he would have only the soldiers to contend with, since McHern would send no warriors in search of them.

  Cullen entered the bedchamber to find Sara sitting in a chair by the hearth, staring at the fire. He went to her, kneeling and placing a hand on her knee as he knelt before her.

  “Are you all right?”

  She nodded. “I’m ready.” She placed her hand over his. “Father sent word that he preferred we didn’t join him for supper this evening. He must truly hate me.”

  “That’s not so,” Cullen said, and proceeded to tell her of his encounter with her father in the stable.

  Tears glistened in Sara’s eyes. “He said I was like him?”

  “Proud of it too.”

  She hugged her husband. “You don’t know how wonderful that is to hear. I always thought I disappointed him.”

  “No, if anything, I believe your father wished he could have done more for you, though he was limited because you were a daughter, not a son.”

  “I always believed he wished I was born male.”

  “Only because he could have provided more easily what you needed,” Cullen confirmed.

  “I’m happy I can leave with good memories of him and knowing he loved me.” She sighed. “There’s only one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “What are we to do until we leave late tonight?”

  “We’ll rest,” he said.

  “But I’m not tired.”

  Cullen laughed and scooped her up into his arms. “I promise you will be.”

  They stole quietly out of the keep hours after everyone retired. Not a soul stirred or a sound was heard. They walked the horses into the woods before mounting and riding off, Cullen halting beside his wife as she gave one last glance back at her home.

  “I’ll never see it again, will I?” she asked sadly.

  “I’m afraid not. You’ll have a new home now with Alexander and me.”

  “Because it’s necessary,” she confirmed.

  Cullen nodded, relieved it was necessary. He hadn’t wanted to leave her behind, hadn’t wanted to bid her good-bye, never to see her again. He had feelings for her, confused as they were, or perhaps clear as they were and he just refused to acknowledge them. Whatever the reason, he was glad she had been forced to join him.

  They woke Teresa and Shamus and explained that it was time to take Alexander and that for their own safety it was best they didn’t ask any questions.

  Teresa quickly got Alexander’s things together and advised Sara of his care, though Sara had become familiar with it, having spent much time with her sister since her arrival.

  It was a heart-wrenching good-bye for all, Teresa hugging a sleeping Alexander tightly before Shamus took him, did the same, and then handed him to Cullen, who was already mounted on his horse.

  “No sense in warning you to keep him safe, I know you will,” Shamus said, and the two men shook hands.

  Sara and Teresa hugged tight.

  “I am glad you go with them,” Teresa said, wiping a tear off her cheek. “Cullen will keep you from harm.”

  “I will miss you so much,” Sara said, her own tears too difficult to hide.

  The sisters hugged tight again, and Teresa shoved her away. “Go, it’s time.”

  Shamus helped Sara to mount.

  Cullen looked at the couple who had cared so lovingly for his son. “Words can’t express my gratitude for what you’ve done for Alexander,” he told them. “I will be forever grateful. If you ever wish to visit or leave Scotland for America, go to St. Andrew Harbor and inquire about a Longton ship. You will be provided with free passage and brought to our home in the Dakota Territory.”

  “Thank you,” Shamus said, hugging his weeping wife.

  Cullen led the way, knowing Sara would wave to her sister until they were out of sight. He hugged his sleeping son snuggled contently in the crook of his arm.

  I have our son, Alaina, he’s safe and I will keep him that way. And forgive me, my dear Alaina, but I believe I have fallen in love. I didn’t mean to. I wasn’t looking for it and never expected it. But I cannot

  fight it and I know Sara will make a good mother to Alexander.

  Forgive me, and know that I will always love you.

  All was good now. They would reach the ship and set sail for America, but first he had one last thing to see to. He would kill the Earl of Balford.

  Chapter 32

  Night was not made for travel, and if it wasn’t for the near full moon, Sara was certain they would not have gotten very far. Distance was necessary in their situation; however, so was sleep.

  Sara was relieved when Cullen decided to settle down for a few hours sleep, especially with Alexander’s schedule of waking shortly after dawn. They couldn’t remain exhausted, continue to travel, and at the same time look after the lad.

  Remarkably, or perhaps it was a babe’s lot to sleep soundly, Alexander hadn’t stirred and remained asleep when she and Cullen cuddled around him to keep him warm, since a campfire was prohibited in their situation.

  Sara cherished the feel of her husband’s arm draped across her waist and Alexander nestled comfortably between them. She felt they were a family, even though she had been forced upon them. They belonged to her, and just as Cullen intended to keep his wife and son safe, she would do anything to keep her husband and son safe.

  She expected sleep to claim her soon enough, and it did, but not for long. Anytime the lad stirred, she woke, which created a fitful slumber. But it wasn’t only the babe that disturbed her sleep. She also worried over the immediate future.

  They had a rough road to travel, though the terrain didn’t bother her. It was the Earl of Balford’s compelling need to see this child dead, along with his father, that concerned her, and that powerful men usually got what they wanted. The soldiers’ orders were clear, and if not obeyed explicitly, they would face punishment, and so they would be determined to find father and son at all costs.

  Sara didn’t believe the earl considered her important, and that could prove beneficial. But she also wouldn’t underestimate the earl. He was a sly one. She had seen that firsthand with what he had done to his daughter. The man was pure evil.

  “You should sleep.”

  Her husband’s whisper made her smile, and she looked over to see that he too lay awake. “I have.”

  “But not enough.”

  “It will do,” she murmured.

  He reached out and stroked her cheek gently. “I would have missed you.”

  Her voice failed her.

  He grinned, tracing her lips slowly with his thumb. “A miracle, I silenced you.”

  She nipped playfully at his finger. “You’re not that lucky.”

  “Yes,” he said quietly. “Yes, I am that lucky.”

  Sara felt her heart slam against her chest and thump wildly. Was he attempting in his own way to tell her that he cared for her, could even possibly love her? He had admitted he would have missed her, and what of him claiming he was lucky? What was he truly saying?

  “I’m married to a good woman who will make a wonderful mother for my son.”

  This time her heart dropped and her stomach tumbled. Her hope had been short-lived. To him, she simply was a good mother for his son, and she had no doubt she would be. She had fallen in love with Alexander as fast as with his father.

  “Have no doubt about that,” she confirmed.

  “I want so badly to kiss you right now.”

  Her heart softened again and she silently admonished herself. This time wasn’t for wondering if Cullen would ever love her. This time was for making certain father and son were kept safe. Time enough
later to work on love or to accept what she had—a good husband and a fine son.

  “I could do with a kiss—and more,” she teased with a hushed whisper.

  He squeezed her chin. “Be careful what you ask for.”

  “I know exactly what I want from my husband.” She sighed gently. “Pleasure beyond reason.”

  “You truly enjoy our lovemaking?”

  “You need to ask?”

  “I had assumed, though I’d prefer to hear it from you,” he murmured.

  Sara obliged. “I love your gentle touch, your considerate actions, your eagerness to bring me to pleasure, and I love when you’re impatient and take me fast and furious and how we’re both drenched in sweat afterward. And…” She smiled wickedly. “I love the taste of you.”

  “As much as I love knowing that, now was not the time to tell me.”

  She grinned along with him and they locked hands, resting them across Alexander.

  “Sleep,” he ordered.

  She gave a whispered laugh. “Do you think that is possible?”

  “You mean you suffer the need for me as I do for you right now?”

  “A powerful need,” she emphasized.

  “Soon,” he whispered. “I promise soon I will pleasure you.”

  “I’ll hold you to that promise.”

  “You won’t have to.”

  They drifted off to sleep, their eyes closing simultaneously.

  Sara had worried that Alexander might be upset when he woke to find her and Cullen in place of the only parents he had known. Fortunately, all the time she and Cullen had spent with him was their saving grace.

  Cullen scooped his son up in his arms as soon as he woke, and while Alexander looked around, he spoke to the lad, explaining that Da was taking him on a trip. His little lower lip quivered but Cullen was quick to distract him with food and the wooden horse that had fast become a great distraction.

  “He’ll adjust,” Sara said.

  “I know, but it hurts me to have to hurt him like this.”

  Sara placed a comforting hand to his arm. “He won’t even remember this time.”