by Nicole Locke
Creighton ran up the rest of the hill and stopped eagerly before Flora and Alec. Flora immediately stopped twirling. She gazed worriedly at her brother.
‘Doona stop on my account, Flora,’ Creighton said.
Robert heard Gaira’s cracked gasp even through Creighton’s laughter.
‘You’re funny when you spin!’ Creighton grabbed Flora’s hands and spun her faster than she was before.
Robert could see Flora’s tears flying off her face as she beamed at her twin. Alec was leaping even higher and faster around them.
Gaira was crying and laughing all at the same time. Maisie clapped loudly in her lap. Both of their faces were completely absorbed with happiness. It was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.
He had never met a woman like her. Brave, determined, but happy with her heart still whole. Over the past few days, she had giggled and made funny noises as if she were one of the children, but then she’d turned to stern mother hen making them wash and go to sleep.
He didn’t know how she did it. He knew her heart wasn’t light. Her sister’s death and brother’s deeds had devastated her.
His words to Creighton came spilling out of him again.
Sometimes a boy or man cannot avoid making a hard decision.
Last night, before he had met her by the stream, he had watched Gaira wrap Maisie snugly against Flora. Flora’s face had lit as though she had received a gift and Gaira had smiled tenderly back before bending down and kissing Flora’s head.
The moment had seemed too intimate, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away. These children were not her own, yet she loved them fiercely. And just as fiercely she fought for their protection.
Sometimes there is no other option available, no other person to take on the burden.
Was she a playful child, rescuer or mother? He was certain he had never met a woman like her. Maybe that was the reason he reacted to her so. He wanted to protect her, laugh with her and make love to her all at the same time.
It was his reaction, his emotions compelling him to make the promise to Flora. To them all.
It just comes down to us and what we’re going to do about it.
Over Maisie’s head, Gaira’s eyes locked with his. He recognised most of her emotions in her expressive eyes. Happiness, gratefulness and something else that made his chest fill and lighten.
Last night he had told Gaira he was leaving. Now he needed to tell her he was staying. He wondered, after what they’d shared, how she’d feel about it.
Happy. She would be happy. Creighton was talking now. She couldn’t possibly be angry or hurt with him any more.
* * *
‘Nae.’ She crossed her arms in front of her. ‘You won’t go with us. We’re parting now, just as we agreed last night.’
She was glad she had sent the children off to gather kindling. Robert was not going to see reason.
‘I thought you wanted my help,’ Robert answered.
Aye. She did. Terribly. But not at the risk of his life. She couldn’t believe she had ever demanded his help, but how could she have guessed it would come to this? ‘I’ve changed my mind,’ she said. She could not have him go now. Not after last night; not after she’d realised she loved him. The realisation hadn’t been a surprise. Her heart had been softening for him ever since he’d churlishly agreed to bury her kin. She loved his churlish behaviour. Just not now.
‘I’ve changed my mind,’ she repeated. ‘We do not need you any longer. We have our supplies and ’tis not far to the protection of my brother’s lands. We were just fine before your arrival and we’ll be just fine without you now.’
She hoped he’d listen to her argument. The truth was she still had to go over Clan Buchanan land and she still wasn’t sure what her brother would do with her.
‘I’ll not leave you or the children behind,’ he answered. ‘I did not expect you or the children, but I cannot change that. But what also cannot be changed is I’m here. Even if you did just fine before my arrival, I’m here now and if I’m to help, I’ll start with you.’
Contrary. Stubborn. Why was he arguing with her on this? ‘I am not some project for you to protect.’
‘But I will.’
She felt her anger in every fibre of her body.
‘My brother,’ she enunciated, ‘is a Scottish laird. He will likely kill you.’
‘He could try.’
She added arrogant to her litany of his attributes. ‘Ach, do you not know what they’ll do to you when you get me there? I’m safe, I’m telling you. I know these hills more than I know my own self.’
‘Good, we can get there faster. I’d like to see you protected by your brother’s walls before you tell him you’re not wed, your betrothed was murdered and you brought home four more mouths to feed.’
‘The fact you helped me and the children will nae sway him.’
‘My reputation is my concern.’ He looked at her speculatively. ‘You will be safe within your brother’s walls, will you not? He did, after all, marry you off to get rid of you.’
There wasn’t anywhere else to go. ‘My safety is my concern.’ She repeated his words as haughtily as she could.
He leaned towards her and her resolve began to weaken.
‘It better be safe,’ he said. ‘I can’t take you and the children back to the English camp. It wouldn’t be appropriate, even if you weren’t Scottish.’
‘And what’s wrong with my being Scottish, you thrae trump toad?’
A corner of his mouth went up. ‘I find not even a freckle wrong with it.’
She blushed from her feet to the roots of her hair. With her colouring, she knew she looked like a tall red stick.
What was worse was Robert looked even more handsome to her than he had just yesterday. The sun’s light reflected off his hair, making it that rich brown colour she loved. The dark colour of his tunic made his brown eyes even darker. Although this particular shade of darkness did not hide the devilish light he held in them. She did not find that at all pleasing.
He was enjoying being contrary this morning. Something in him was different. He’d never teased her so before.
She hadn’t been long searching for food this morning. But when she returned, her whole world had changed. Creighton was speaking. And this stubborn, contrary, arrogant man had caused that miracle.
Now, Robert wanted to help them. She wondered about the why of that. She bit down on her hopeful heart. It had no place being hopeful. Not when Robert was telling her he was riding to his death.
‘We are not your responsibility,’ she said.
‘That is a matter of opinion. It was merely chance you reached Doonhill before I.’
‘Chance! Chance had nothing to do with it. I’m Scots and so are they. I was there by God’s will, not by any such randomness. He chose me to take care of them and so I shall!’
‘And so you shall, Gaira, but I’ll make sure of it.’
She narrowed her eyes. ‘Is this about your so-called sense of duty?’
He straightened. ‘The children being orphans are my responsibility.’
She knew it. Her anger scattered in different directions. First at the men who were responsible, second at Robert for his misplaced sense of duty. Third, and more important, towards her heart for being hopeful Robert had motivations other than duty. Her heart wanted him with her. She had even shared herself with him, opened herself to him in the vain hope he’d open to her, as well. But he hadn’t touched her—he’d denied himself what she so freely wanted to give him. He had held himself apart. Now she wanted him gone to save himself and he chose this moment to say it was his duty!
‘You did not kill their parents!’ she said. ‘You were not there.’
‘The men who did were English soldiers, just like myself.’
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‘It wasn’t you. It could never be you.’
‘I have killed—’
She waved her hand in front of her. ‘Not children, not women, not those who are innocent.’
‘How can you be so sure? I am English. Doesn’t that, by your Scottish blood, make me evil?’
‘Doona be foolish. God does not judge by blood, but by our deeds. You’re pig-headed, aye, but not evil.’
Laughter interrupted them. She glanced over her shoulder. Maisie and Alec were running ahead of Flora and Creighton. She’d run out of time to persuade him.
‘This discussion is not over,’ she hissed.
‘I suspect not, but the outcome will be the same.’
‘You infuriating succudrus...man!’ she whispered furiously. ‘Do you not know any better?’
Robert was silent. Not even his eyebrows rose. Nothing she was saying was swaying him.
Clumsy arms grabbed her legs and she stepped forward to keep her balance. Patting Maisie, she gave up. ‘Fine, take me to my brother. What’s it to me if he chops off your head?’
‘Head!’ Maisie squealed.
‘I’m glad you two are in agreement,’ he answered. ‘We may need to ride harder than before. I have a feeling we’ve not much time left.’
Chapter Twenty-Two
Torture. He was torturing himself. It was the damn fog. It covered everything and limited his vision. Every sound was magnified. Black grouse and roe dear were so plentiful he kept stumbling into them. Animals he couldn’t see skittered in the mist.
It was also the unfamiliar territory. The terrain was rockier and steeper, soft grass gave way to more low shrubs. Suddenly and without warning, hills gave way to short cliffs.
Anyone could be hiding just beyond the next hill and he wouldn’t know it until it was too late. Although he continually scanned the terrain, he felt he was heading into a trap.
‘How far do we travel east?’ He slowed his horse to move closer to Gaira’s. Alec immediately leaned in his seat to pet Gaira’s horse. Robert pulled him against him before he fell off.
‘Two, maybe three days,’ she answered. ‘’Tis the only way to avoid getting close to Busby’s land.’
‘Won’t we be too deep into Buchanan land? You told me it wasn’t safe.’
‘I doona think we’ll be too deep.’ She shifted Maisie in her lap. ‘Buchanan land is large. I’ve never been, but my brothers have done a bit of borrowing.’
‘Borrowing?’
‘Stealing sheep.’
‘Hence the reason you don’t get along any more.’ He looked to the sky. ‘If this damn fog does not end, we’ll have to wait on their land to travel. Let’s hope they have some understanding if we’re caught.’
‘We won’t be. The fog is good cover and at least the children have been quiet.’
Quiet, but not silent. The twins, who rode their own horse in the middle of their paltry party, hadn’t stopped talking since Creighton decided to speak again. Riding together, they kept their voices low, but it wasn’t without excited giggles. Alec and Maisie were quiet only because they were separated. He did not expect the quiet to last.
He’d grown accustomed to the children’s natural chattering. No, it was more than that. He wasn’t just accustomed to them; he’d grown protective of them. His promise aside, since he didn’t know how Gaira’s brother would react to Gaira returning with four children, he wasn’t letting them arrive on their own. It risked their safety.
However, he didn’t know how to protect them and not fight her brothers. It was a no-win situation and Gaira would be forced to pick sides. He still could not think of a way to avoid it.
Torture.
Even now Busby’s or Gaira’s clan could be bearing down on them. He had promised Flora he would not leave them. He wondered if she’d understand he might have no choice. He might soon be dead.
‘We’ll need to rest,’ Gaira whispered.
He did not question it. They had travelled long already this morning and Alec was like a puppy in his lap.
She easily dismounted from the horse, keeping her hand on Maisie until she could get the girl down and away from the horse.
‘How is your ankle?’ He dismounted and freed Alec to run after Maisie.
She flexed her foot. ‘I forgot I hurt it.’
She was still wearing the man’s tunic and leggings and her movement shaped and lengthened her leg. So simple and yet his body’s immediate response reminded him he was in a dangerous state of need when it came to her.
She straightened and looked around her. The children had gone into the woods. ‘You should return to England,’ she insisted.
He knew she would not let go of the subject so easily.
‘I will not go, Gaira. No matter how many times you ask.’
She brushed her clothes to wipe the dust. ‘I do not understand your stubbornness.’
He watched her hands against her covered legs. He’d seen her legs; felt their softness as they lay bared to him. Repeatedly on this endless journey, his body painfully reminded him he’d not got to touch them nearly enough.
‘Should be one trait you would understand,’ he replied.
‘Auntie Gaira, I’m hungry.’ Alec emerged from the wood. The long complaint carried in the air.
She quickly stepped to him. ‘Shh, we can’t have noise.’
‘But I’m hungry,’ Alec argued.
The rest of the children returned. They were probably all hungry. He breathed deep to release his wayward thoughts. ‘We have oatcakes,’ Robert whispered.
‘I doona want any more oatcakes,’ Alec whined.
‘Trapping will take too long,’ Creighton chipped in, his voice louder than Alec’s.
‘Sir Robert won’t let us starve.’ Flora’s eyes and comment bordered on hero worship. Her voice was even louder to be heard over Alec, who was now complaining with multiple sounds.
Gaira looked helplessly over her shoulder at Robert. ‘Berries aren’t holding them off.’
‘I’ll see what I can catch.’
He should have purchased more dried meat. They had some, but not enough if they had to wait until the fog lifted. Gaira had blithely informed him it could be a sennight before the fog lifted in this hilly country. Fresh meat would feed them and keep them quiet, but their position would be sacrificed by the fire and smells.
* * *
Walking in unfamiliar territory, with rocky terrain, made hunting difficult. It took him over an hour to kill the feral goat.
The flutter of wings to his left froze him. He could not tell how far they were, but something large had startled them. Another animal? Or something more.
A high-pitched squeal was heard to his right. Maisie.
More rocks being scattered to his left. They sounded closer.
He dropped the goat under a shrub, wound side down. If the body was found, maybe who or what was to his left wouldn’t look too closely.
More scattering rocks, the snort of a horse.
Robert stopped hesitating; he ran in the direction of the children.
When he cleared the tree line, he saw Gaira’s arm waving frantically. Horses coming. He made to the trees just as three riders emerged on the other side of the clearing.
Frantically rubbing dirt along their cheeks, Gaira hunched over Maisie and Alec. Creighton and Flora were behind another tree, their bodies low, their faces already covered in dirt.
The three riders were Scots. Their manner was relaxed as they looked around them, but their horses stepped impatiently. Robert carefully pulled his last arrow out of the quiver.
Suddenly, one of the men pulled his horse away and the other two followed. Robert waited until he no longer saw the swish of a horse’s tail before he replaced the arrow in the q
uiver and walked over to Gaira and the children.
If the three men had been any closer to them or alert to the sounds of other horses, they would have been caught.
‘That was close,’ Gaira whispered.
‘How did you know where to hide?’ Robert asked. ‘I thought they were on my left!’
‘I had to...go into the trees again,’ Flora said.
‘You saw them?’ Robert asked.
Flora nodded.
‘Brave lass,’ he praised.
‘She ran out of those trees so silently, she gave me a fright,’ Gaira added. ‘They must have been nae more than two men’s length away from her. If her eyes weren’t so big, I would have given our position away with a scream.’
They could have all been caught.
‘They made too much noise. Those men were not hunting game,’ he said. ‘Is there any chance your brothers would have alerted them to your disappearance?’
‘I do not know. I can’t imagine them mending relations just to find me.’
Robert would mend relations between God and Satan if it meant he would find Gaira. What kind of brothers did she have that she would have so little knowledge of her worth? ‘We can’t take any more chances,’ he said. ‘From now on we won’t stay in any clearings. It’s too dangerous.’
Chapter Twenty-Three
‘How much further?’ Robert asked.
The nearer they got to her home, the quieter Gaira became. She was worried. Since the moonlit night, he had tried to ignore her, but watching her had become as important as breathing. It was the way her long limbs moved as she rode the horse, the arch of her back, the curve of neck. And her hair. Since the fog had lifted, he felt blinded by the way it caught the sunlight. She had kept it bound, but the wind kept unravelling it and the various shades of red taunted him.
‘Not far.’ She strained in her seat. ‘Look! ’tis my tree!’
Robert saw many trees along the horizon.
‘Which tree, Auntie Gaira?’ Alec scrambled to stand in the saddle. Robert pressed down on his shoulder before he toppled over.
Gaira urged her horse towards a tall lone larch, heavy with branches and leaves only on one side of its trunk. The wind whipping around them had shaped the branches and the trunk leaned precariously.