“This is harsh and unforgiven land and what little we can grow has not done well. And this situation has not helped, since the people fear hunting and fishing the stream with the McLaud warriors lurking about.”
“Have they harmed any of you?” Patience was quick to ask.
“One lad took a beating from a couple of them for protecting one of our lassies, and I complained bitterly about it to Greer. He assured me he would see the warriors punished, but he never had any intentions of doing anything. He knows his warriors outnumber ours and it would take weeks for the Macinnes warriors to reach us, and by then,” —he shrugged— “most, if not all, of us would be dead.”
Patience’s anger grew and though she was tired from her long journey, it was still early in the day, enough time for things to be seen to. And since she was not one to wait, she said, “Take me to these McLaud warriors who encroach on our land.”
~~~
“How much farther?” Patience asked McFarden after they had traveled about an hour.
“Not long now, just over that rise,” he said, pointing not far in the distance. “We will stop at Lyall’s croft to rest the horses a bit and quench our thirsts. She is a bit of an odd one, though harmless. Many believe her a witch, but she is just a bit different and a good soul.”
Patience nodded, glad they would be stopping briefly before she dealt with the McLaud warriors. She had already instructed her warriors at what might need to be done, but it was always good to go over the plans again.
It was not long before they came upon the small croft. To Patience’s surprise it was better maintained than the places in the McFarden village. She did wonder how the woman could live here alone in such barren surroundings, empty land stretching as far as the eye could see. But then McFarden had remarked about her being a bit odd.
McFarden rode ahead and had already dismounted when Patience and her warriors reached him. He was not far from the cottage door when a woman and a man, both half-dressed, stumbled laughing out of the cottage in each other’s arms.
The woman was attractive and had a robust figure. Her flaming red hair was a mass of curls that looked as if they refused to be tamed, and she was quick to pull up her blouse to cover her plump breasts when she caught sight of her visitors.
The man on the other hand made no move to hide the fact that he was aroused beneath his plaid or cover his naked chest with the shirt he held in his hand. His strong features caught the eye. He was a good-looking man, but there was something more about him that appealed than just his attractive features. Maybe it was his muscles that rippled over his lean frame or his dark hair that just about touched his shoulders or the brash look from his alluring blue eyes. Whatever it was, it was obvious that he was a man confident with himself... and women.
Patience noticed that McFarden was hesitant to speak and when he did, she understood why. “Hunter,” McFarden said, acknowledging the youngest of the McLauds with a nod. “Have we interrupted you?”
“Yes, you have,” he said, turning to give Lyall a hungry kiss while squeezing her backside. “I promised to take this beautiful woman to the stream for a swim.”
“There is still a chill to the spring air,” McFarden said.
“Hunter will not let me get chilled,” Lyall said, running her hand over his naked chest.
Patience watched as passion soared in Hunter’s blue eyes for the woman. He looked ready to devour her with unrelenting lust. He seemed like a stallion after a mare in heat. And curiosity had her wondering just how powerfully he would ride the woman. And damn if her own body did not flare to life. She silently scolded herself for such a foolish reaction.
“Do not let us delay you,” McFarden said, then turned to Lyall. “I just stopped to see if you were faring well.”
Lyall’s smile widened. “I fare quite well thank you, Craig McFarden.”
“Then we will be on our way,” McFarden said with a nod.
“What? Leave without introducing us to your friends,” Hunter said, his stark blue eyes turning to Patience. “That is not mannerly.”
“Nor is it any of your concern, Hunter McLaud,” McFarden said tersely.
Hunter shrugged. “It matters not to me, though the McLaud warriors over the rise will find your small troop amusing, especially the scrawny woman.”
Patience refused to lash out at the arrogant warrior, since he was obviously baiting her. He was insignificant when it came to the problem. Let him go poke the willing woman while true warriors settled the issue.
She signaled her men, then turned and rode off without a word or a backward glance at the one McLaud who was not worth sparing her breath on.
McFarden joined her after a few moments, echoing her thoughts. “Hunter McLaud is a worthless warrior and will give us no trouble.”
“Still, you did not want him to know who I was.”
“Blood ties run deep. There is no point in taking a chance he would alert McLaud warriors to our arrival.”
“I surmised as much. Are you sure he will not hurry to warn them?”
McFarden laughed, shaking his head. “That fool is only interested in one thing.” His cheeks heated red. “Excuse my ill-manners once again.”
“There is no need for an apology when you speak the truth.”
Patience signaled her men to be on alert as they approached the rise. Once they reached the top, one glance told her she could disperse the motley group without a problem. There seemed to be no leadership. The warriors, if they could be called that, roamed or lazed around with no purpose and the camp itself had been poorly established.
McFarden rode up beside her. “As I feared, Greer has moved more men here. They have twice the men you have.”
“And not a warrior among them,” she said and signaled her men to follow. Her warriors were trained well and would take these men down without much effort.
Patience led the group as they entered the camp, some of the men getting to their feet, others remaining as they were, and most all of them snickering.
“Who leads this poor excuse for warriors?” Patience called out.
A barrel-chested man lacking height stepped forward. “What foolish woman dares to enter my camp and dares to make a demand?”
“The woman who is going to throw your sorry arses off Macinnes land.”
“This is McLaud land,” the man shouted his face flushing red.
“This is, always has been, and always will be Macinnes land,” Patience said her voice raised loud enough for all to hear.
The man went to speak.
“Spare me your ignorance,” she snapped. “I have no patience for it. Now gather your men and get off my land.”
Another warrior who stood at least two heads over the barrel-chested one approached, laughing.
“Make us,” he challenged.
Patience dismounted and approached the big warrior. Snickers, laughter, and rude remarks followed every step she took. “I will give you one last chance to leave with your honor intact. If you do not take my offer, then I will send you home defeated by not only fewer warriors than yourselves, but a woman as well.”
The warrior threw back his head and laughed. Patience did not wait. She lowered her head and rammed it with such force in the man’s stomach that he went flying back off his feet, landing on his back with a heavy thud, grasping for breath. She then let loose with a battle cry and her warriors descended on the unprepared group and had them rounded up with hardly a weapon being drawn.
“Your name,” Patience demanded of the barrel-chested man, so red in the face with anger that she thought he would explode.
“Dunn,” he spit out as he got to his feet. “And you are going to pay for this.”
She took a quick step at him and he stumbled away from her almost falling to his knees. “You dare threaten me?” She turned to McFarden who had not moved off his horse, so stunned was he by what had happened. “How far to their home by horse?”
“And hour or more.”
Patience turned back to Dunn. “You will be walking home.”
“You cannot steal our horses?” Dunn said and his men began to grumble.
“I will return them when I come to speak to Greer McLaud tomorrow. And let him know that I expect a warm welcome, for if any harm befalls me or my warriors, the Macinnes and MacClennan wrath will fall upon the McLauds.”
Brows furrowed and eyes turned wide at the mention of the two strong clans being united.
“Now douse the fires and clean your mess before you take your leave,” Patience ordered.
“Do it yourself,” Dunn snapped.
Patience was on him in an instant, her dagger drawn and at his throat. Color drained from the man’s face and sweat sprang from his brow.
“You learn much too slowly, Dunn. Shall I leave you with a small reminder of what happens when you disobey my command and treat me rudely?”
“You would not be so brave if your men were not here to protect you,” Dunn challenged in an attempt to save face in front of his men.
“And did her men help her get that dagger to your throat?”
Patience did not turn to see who had spoken, she recognized that mocking voice.
“Her troop surprised us,” Dunn said.
“A liar as well as a slow learner,” Patience said and went to prick his skin with the tip of her dagger. Her wrist was grabbed quick, a band of steel feeling as if it coiled around it.
“I cannot let you harm one of my clansmen, though useless as they may be,” Hunter said and yanked her hand away from Dunn’s neck.
Patience glared at him. “Let go of me.”
“You promise to be nice?” Hunter said with a grin that warned and titillated at the same time.
“I promise that if you do not release me, you will be sorry,” Patience threatened.
Hunter lowered his head so that his nose almost touched hers. “And I promise you that when I have hold of a beautiful woman, I am never sorry... and either is she.”
He released her so quickly that she stumbled.
Hunter turned to Dunn. “Do as she told you. Douse the fires and clean your mess, then start walking. Let Greer know to prepare for an important guest tomorrow.”
Hunter turned back to Patience after Dunn angrily nodded and walked off grumbling. His blue eyes seemed to capture her in a soft caress and for a mere moment she felt a flutter in her stomach.
Annoyed at herself for letting a rogue like him affect her, she said, “This is Macinnes land and you McLauds will do well to remember it.”
“My brother seems to think differently, though I daresay there is an easy solution to the problem.”
“And what might that be?”
“Marry me and unite the clans.”
Chapter Three
Patience stared at Hunter in disbelief. He was insane. He had to be to suggest that she wed him. “I would keep better control of that tongue of yours and stop speaking nonsense.”
His eyes heated to a fiery blue. “Trust me, Patience, I have absolute control over my tongue and there are many who would attest to that.”
“Women no doubt.”
“Jealous?” Hunter whispered.
Patience took a step back, her imagination suddenly wondering exactly what his wicked tongue could do. “You are insane.”
Hunter took a step closer, his expression turning serious. He kept his voice low when he said, “What I propose is far from insane and after you meet my family you may very well realize that and think again about my proposal.”
Patience gave him a quick jab in the chest. “Let me be clear about this, Hunter McLaud. There is no way in heaven or hell that I would ever wed you.”
“Careful,” he said with a smug grin, “you may wind up having to eat those words.”
“I would starve first.”
“You would not last long. You are too skinny.”
Her green eyes blazed with fury. “Go along with your men, McLaud, with your tail tucked between your legs and tell your brother I will be settling this matter tomorrow with him.”
A low rumble of laughter echoed deep from his chest. “Oh, mo chridhe, you got the length of what is tucked between my legs right, and if you are lucky I may just show you how proficient I am with it.” He walked off, his laughter growing louder.
Patience had all she could do to stop from going after him and leaving a mark on him he would never forget. How dare he speak so rudely to her and how dare he call her my love. She was not his love and never would be.
She was glad when she finally watched the motley group leave the area, Hunter having ridden off before they had finished with their task. She wondered what he would tell his brothers. From his remark about his family, she surmised that perhaps he did not get along well with them. But then she could see why. His family probably had no use for his cavorting ways.
When the McLaud men could no longer be seen, she took her leave, a few of her men lagging behind to make certain no one followed them.
Patience wondered why McFarden made no mention of stopping at Lyall’s cottage on their return, but realized why when they passed the place. Hunter’s horse was in the lean-to, appearing as if it had been bedded down for the remainder of day. She had assumed Hunter would rush home to warn his family of her impending visit, evidently McFarden knew better.
Of what she saw today of the McLauds, they would prove little trouble, though she would still use caution. She never took any enemy for granted, for it could prove a fatal move.
When they arrived back at the McFarden village, her warriors were quick to let her know that they intended to hunt for their supper and prepare it themselves. She called them all cowards and they laughed, knowing she wished that she could join them. But it would be an insult not to join Craig McFarden for supper, though she made the men promise to save her some of their food.
Patience walked through the small village, thinking of how Emma would be appalled by it. The thought of her sister had her missing her home and feeling guilty that she was here dealing with this mess while she should be searching for Heather. She missed her sisters terribly. They had been inseparable and going so long without seeing either of them left her feeling terribly lonely. There was no one to share, or more importantly, to trust with her concerns. The three of them had always shared their worries with each other, and it had made all concerns less worrisome.
She had been relentless in her pursuit of Heather and had followed so closely behind her abductors that she had thought for sure she would have caught up with them. But Heather’s abductors had been talented in eluding Patience, splitting in two different directions, misdirecting tracks, and more. Their one failure had been not to realize the strength of her resolve. There had been no way she would stop searching for her sister. She had remained dogged on their trail until the trail had suddenly disappeared. What she learned after that had upset her badly and only turned her more determined.
Patience still could not believe that the Dark Dragon had been responsible for abducting Heather. She could not understand what he wanted from her or perhaps she did not want to admit what he wanted from her.
She kicked at a small stone in the dirt as she kept walking. She did not know how she was going to do it. She only knew that nothing, and no one, would stop her from rescuing Heather from the Dark Dragon’s lair. And she knew there was one person she could count on to help her... her sister Emma. Together they would get their sister Heather back. And God help the dark Dragon if he had hurt her.
“My lady.”
Patience stopped and turned so abruptly that the soft-spoken woman who had annoyed her by referring to her as my lady, took a quick step back. “Patience. Please call me Patience.”
The rail-thin woman with pure white, plaited hair nodded. “Forgive me for not being here to greet you earlier, Patience. I am Edna, Craig’s wife, and I wish to welcome you to our meager home.”
Guilt fell heavily on Patience’s shoulder for having been snappish with the woman. She lo
oked as worn as Craig and Patience reminded herself that these people were part of the Clan Macinnes and she owed them the respect they showed her.
“Thank you, Edna, I am pleased to be here to help.”
Edna sighed. “We can use all the help you can give us. My husband is a proud man and proud to be part of the Clan Macinnes.”
“Too proud,” Patience asked, “to let my father know that you need more help here than just this skirmish with the McLauds?”
Edna smiled and Patience could see the beautiful woman she had once been.
“Edna, hurry and see that all is ready for the meal. Our guest must be starving,” McFarden called out as he approached.
Edna leaned in close to Patience and whispered, “He worries what I will say to you, for he knows I do not mind my tongue like I should.”
“Then we share something in common,” Patience said with a smile.
“What are you two whispering about?” McFarden asked anxiously when he reached them.
“Women stuff,” Patience said, which was what she and her sisters would say to their father when he caught them whispering.
“Well, it can wait,” McFarden said and turned to his wife. “Is our cottage ready for Patience?”
Patience spoke up. “I will sleep where my men camp.”
McFarden went to protest.
Patience raised her hand. “Please take no offense to my sleeping arrangements. It is a rule that is strictly followed when on a mission.”
“Then come and at least let us give you a fine meal and good drink before you retire for the night,” McFarden said.
Patience smiled and walked with the couple to the longhouse.
~~~
Patience woke before dawn and impatiently waited for the sun to rise. She had not slept well. She did not know if it had been the tasteless food that had not settled well in her stomach or her concern for this small village. The people were kind and generous and in need of help in more ways than just this problem with the McLauds. She intended to speak with her father on her return home to see what could be done.
When she had returned to camp last night, her warriors had complained bitterly about the poor conditions of the McLaud horses they had brought along with them. Her warriors had insisted that the horses not be returned to them, at least until their conditions improved. As much as Patience agreed with them, keeping their horses could start a much bigger problem for all concerned.
Highlander's Rebellious Love Page 2