“I can ask for no more.”
“See that you do not,” she warned, though her tone was tender.
“I will take only what you wish to give and I believe you are a very giving person.”
A smile tickled at the corners of her mouth. “Working your charm on me will not get you the results you desire.”
“But it has... it brought color back to your cheeks and a smile to your face.”
She did feel much better and she let her smile grow as she said, “Thank you.”
“Never do you need to thank me, mo chridhe, I am your husband and it is—”
“Your duty,” she said, wondering why it should disappoint her. After all, they did not love each other. They barely knew each other.
He stroked her chin and corrected, “My privilege.”
“Married but minutes and already he seduces you with his lying words,” Rona said with angry belligerence as she approached them. “You will regret the day you agreed to marry him. He will promise you everything and give you nothing and take his pleasure where he will. He ruts like an animal and cares not who he harms.”
“How would you know he ruts like an animal?” Patience asked, raising her brow and a smile.
Rona’s anger mounted, flushing her cheeks bright red, and she stumbled over her words. “He is th-the talk of th-the women in the village.”
“So I married a man that every woman in your village desires.” Patience nodded. “That would make me believe that for so many women to want him, his rutting must be exceptional.”
Rona looked ready to spew fire from her mouth, and she raised her hand to shake a finger at Patience. “Mark my words, you will be sorry.”
Patience took a quick step toward her and Rona stumbled. Patience grabbed her arm to stop her from falling, then whispered close for only her to hear. “Does your husband know you desire his brother?”
Rona gasped and the heat in her face drained away, leaving her ghastly pale. “I will see you suffer for speaking so sinfully to me.”
“And how will you do that?” Patience challenged.
Confidence along with color returned to Rona’s face as fast as it had vanished, and it was with a smug smile that she said, “I will see that you are made a slave of the Dark Dragon just like your sister.”
Patience did not hesitate. She let her fist fly and knocked the woman out cold with one punch to her jaw.
Hunter jumped in front of Patience as Greer came charging at her. “I will kill you before I let you lay a hand on my wife.”
“She laid a hand on mine,” Greer screamed with such rage that the veins in his neck bulged near to exploding.
“Do you truly want to know why?” Hunter challenged.
Patience wondered over the unspoken message between the two. And she wondered if Greer actually believed that Hunter had coupled with his wife. From the way Greer growled and muttered beneath his breath, it seemed like a logic conclusion, but from Rona’s angry reaction and insulting words, Patience did not believe it to be so. She also could not believe that Greer, nor anyone else had bothered to come to the aid of the unconscious woman. She laid there like a discarded sack no one wished to touch.
Greer shook a beefy fist at Hunter. “It is done; you are wed. Leave at first light, and I promise you that you will never lay claim to McLaud land.”
“McFarden,” Hunter called out and the man who had stood witness to their union stepped forward. “Take my wife and mother and wait outside for me.”
Patience was about to step around her husband and tell him that she was not going anywhere. Then she thought better of it. She did not want him interfering with her and her sisters. So, she would not interfere with him and his brothers... unless they left her no choice.
Hunter was glad his wife respected his stance and went without a word with McFarden. As soon as the doors to the Great Hall closed behind them, he looked from Greer to Rab, and said, “Hear me well, brothers, you both will rue the day I return.”
Rab shuddered, but Greer let out a hardy laugh.
Hunter’s blue eyes darkened and his brow narrowed as he glared at each man. “You have my word on it.”
Greer’s laughter died instantly. “And you, the fool that you are, have just given me what I need to start a war that will give the McLauds more power than anyone thought possible.”
Hunter’s smile was slight and so ominous that Greer drew back away from him. “Be careful, Greer, you were never wise enough to see what was right in front of you.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Greer demanded.
“Time to take my leave,” Hunter said and turned and walked to the door, though called out, “Until next time, Greer, when I finally make you pay for what you did.”
A loud, vicious string of oaths followed Hunter out the door and he hurried down the keep steps to the three people waiting for him.
Patience stepped toward him. “I do not think we should remain here another moment. If we leave now we can make it to the McFarden village before it retires for the night.”
“I thought the same myself,” Hunter said.
“I will go alert my warriors,” Patience said.
Hunter nodded and turned to his mother. “Come, mum, we will gather our belongings and be on our way.”
Una went to her son’s side and he wrapped his arm around her. “Do not worry, all will be well.”
Patience and McFarden hurried to where the Macinnes warriors were camped. She spoke with Edward, instructing him to have the men ready to leave upon her return.
“Where do you go?” Edward asked.
Patience did not object to Edward questioning her. It was, after all, by her instructions that he did. She had made it clear that she was to know where her warriors were at all times when on a mission, and they were to know the same of her. It was a way to make sure that all remained protected.
So, she did not hesitate to answer him. “I intend to speak to Rona McLaud. She may know something about Heather’s whereabouts.”
“I could go with you,” Edward said, stepping forward.
“No, it is best I go alone. If I do not return shortly, then come look for me.” With that she took off for the keep, determined to get answers from the angry woman.
~~~
“Hunter.”
The soft, familiar voice had Hunter turning with a smile. “Saundra.”
The beautiful, though delicate woman stepped out of the shadows beside Una’s cottage with tears in her eyes. “You must do me a favor. You must take Beast with you. You cannot deny me this, Hunter. You know what will happen if you leave him without you to come to his defense. Greer will kill him and my heart breaks enough as it is. I would die, knowing I failed to save my best friend. And perhaps you can find him a more fitting name than the one Greer bestowed on him.” Saundra turned to the shadows behind her. “Come, Beast.”
A good-sized, black dog stepped out of the shadows to stand at her side. She bent down to hug the animal and he licked her face. “I love you, Beast, but now you must go with Hunter. He will always protect you.” She looked up at Hunter, tears streaming down her pale cheeks.
Hunter wanted to reach out and insist she come with him, but he knew that was not possible. She would not go with him, for she knew her departure could start a war. Instead, he did the only thing he could for her.
“Come here, Beast, you are going with me,” he ordered.
Beast looked to Saundra and she threw her arms around his neck, hugged him tight, kissed his head, and commanded, “Go, and stay with Hunter.”
The dog went to Hunter’s side and when the animal turned to look to his master, she was gone, a soft, sobbing thank you drifting through the night air.
Hunter looked down at the animal, who whined softly for the person who loved him as much as he loved her. “I will see that you are returned to her, but for now you must stay with me.”
The dog seemed to understand and he followed Hunter into the cottage.
&
nbsp; ~~~
Patience could not recall the last time she apologized to someone. It was something she barely did, since she rarely had reason to do so. She was not, however, averse to apologizing on those rare occasions if it served a higher purpose. This was one of those uncommon occasions.
“Where are you going?”
Patience turned at the top step of the keep, her hand on the hilt of her dagger to see Saundra staring wide-eyed at her. “To apologize to Rona.”
Saundra grabbed the sides of her gown and lifted it so that she could hurry up the stairs to Patience. “Though I may seem too delicate to most, I am no fool. You are not sorry you struck Rona. So, why apologize?”
Patience was prepared in case that question was asked, but before she could respond the door to the keep flew open and Rab walked out. When he caught sight of his wife, he hurried toward her.
He grabbed her wrist and twisted it back. “Where have you been?”
Patience saw panic and fear fill Saundra’s eyes and she had no doubt that Rab was a husband who raised his hand probably all too frequently to his wife.
“Answer me,” Rab demanded, giving her wrist a twist and causing his wife to wince in pain.
“She came to get me,” Patience said, fighting to contain the urge to stick her dagger in the vile man.
Rab turned dark, angry eyes on her, and snapped, “Why?”
“She reminded me that I was a guest here and had been treated with respect,” —she paused a moment, worried that she would betray her false words— “and in return I had been ill-mannered and disrespectful to Rona and that was not what was expected of a Macinnes. She insisted that I owed Rona an apology. And after a bit of a debate, I agreed. I am here to apologize to Rona.”
Rab released his wife’s wrist and grinned at her. “You are not as useless as I thought.”
Patience moved her hand off the hilt of her dagger, the temptation to use it on him too great.
Rab turned to Patience. “My wife will show you to Rona’s room. She required rest after your vicious assault.” He turned back to Saundra. “See her out of the keep as soon as she is done.” With that he walked down the steps without another word to either woman.
“Whatever reason you returned here, hurry and be done with it,” Saundra said, rushing ahead of Patience.
The Great Hall was empty, not even servants lingered about, though the room could use tending. Patience’s stomach roiled at the disgusting sight and she shook her head.
“When Kevin McLaud was alive and Una in charge of the keep, it was a lovely place,” Saundra said. “Not so since Greer has become chieftain.”
Patience followed her up a narrow, curving staircase, the wooden steps creaking with each footfall that fell upon the worn boards. “Is Greer with his wife?”
Saundra laughed softly. “Rona cannot get with child because Greer barely touches her. He is too busy finding his pleasure elsewhere. Faithfulness was one trait the McLaud men did not inherit from their father, but then I never saw a man love a woman as Kevin McLaud loved Una. I had hoped that Rab and I would love at least half as much as his parents, but that is not possible.”
“Why?” Patience asked curious.
“He loves another. He always has and he always will. I feel terrible for him, stuck with me when he wants to be with her, which is where he probably is right now.” Saundra wiped at the tear that trickled down her cheek. “Come and be done with this so you can take your leave from this hideous place.”
Patience grabbed her arm, stopping her. “How do you know we leave?”
“It would be the wise thing to do and I believe you are a very wise woman.” Saundra tugged at Patience’s arm, pulling her along.
They stopped at a closed door and before Saundra knocked, she said, “Do you wish privacy?”
Patience nodded.
“Then I will wait out here for you.” With that Saundra knocked on the door and opened it once Rona bid her to enter. Saundra was quick to tell a startled Rona that Patience was there to apologize, then she took her leave to wait outside the closed door.
Rona sat in bed, pillows piled behind her back and her chin tilted up as if purposely displaying the dark purple bruise along her jaw. “I never expected a woman who was more like an uncivilized brute to apologize for her crude manners.”
“You would be right about the apologizing part.”
Rona’s eyes widened and not with anger, but with fear.
Patience walked over to the side of the bed.
Rona drew back away, gripping at the blanket. “I will call out for my husband.”
“He is too busy poking another woman.”
“How dare—”
Patience drew her dagger and pointed it at Rona. “I dare anything when someone suggests that they will have me enslaved like they did my sister. What do you know of my sister’s abduction?”
Rona paled and was quick to explain. “I know not why the Dark Dragon took your sister or what he does with her.”
“Then why threaten me as you did?” Patience moved closer, the point of her dagger not far from Rona’s face to make certain the woman understood she would have no trouble using it.
“I will not say, since I fear Greer more than I fear your blade. You may leave me with a scar or two, but Greer will see me dead.”
“There is no one here but you and me.”
“Fear has given Greer ears everywhere,” Rona said with a shudder. “You will learn nothing from me.” Her chin went up a notch higher.
Patience shrugged and slipped her dagger in its sheath. “You already have.”
“I have done no such thing,” Rona argued.
“You confirmed what I just heard, that your husband has allied with the Dark Dragon.”
“Then word has finally come,” Rona said joyfully.
“So, you still wait for word from the infamous warrior,” Patience confirmed.
Rona glared at Patience with fury. “You tricked me.”
“As you did me, claiming you were acquainted with the Dark Dragon. Did you truly believe I would not seek the truth?”
“Seek all you want, but in the end it is my husband you will deal with, for he is friends with the Dark Dragon and the infamous warrior will ally with the McLauds. Then it will be my husband who will decide if you ever see your sister again.”
Patience’s dagger was in her hand and at Rona’s throat in an instant while her other hand gripped a handful of hair on the top of the woman’s head. “If you ever threaten my sister’s return or safety, I will show you why you should fear me far more than your useless husband.”
“You do not frighten me,” Rona said, though she trembled.
Patience swung her blade and Rona shut her eyes tight and yelped.
After a moment of feeling no pain, Rona opened her eyes and let out a scream.
Patience stood over her, holding long strands of hair she had chopped off Rona’s head.
Rona’s hand went to the top of her head and rage sparked in her eyes along with tears. “I will see you pay for this.”
“And I will see you pay for the havoc the McLauds have brought upon my family and this whole area.” Patience walked to the door, though turned before opening it. “I will return here and see this finished once and for all. On that you have my word.”
Saundra jumped out of the shadows when Patience walked out of the room.
“Poor woman is pulling her hair out of her head from worry,” Patience said and handed Saundra the thatch of hair. “You best see to her. I will see myself out.”
“And take your leave quickly,” Saundra warned.
“My plans exactly,” Patience said, hurrying down the corridor, to the stairs, and out of the keep.
Chapter Eight
The Macinnes warriors were mounted and ready to leave when Hunter, his mum, and Beast arrived at the dismantled campsite. He glanced around and grew concerned when he did not see his wife. He was about to ask Edward where she was when she suddenly app
eared.
“Time to leave,” Patience announced and without help from anyone mounted her horse.
He was not surprised by her strength. Though tall and slender, her body was well-defined and he imagined it was from strenuous training. Her warrior skills were well-known and she could have only achieved such talent by constant practice.
She took the lead, Edward following alongside her, though not for long. He cut away from her and he joined with another warrior and they took over the lead, several feet in front of her. Hunter had taken count of her warriors and two were missing, which meant she had sent them to scout ahead.
He rode up beside her and though he knew she would not like him questioning where she had been, he had every intention of finding out.
“Is the dog yours?” she asked, nodding done at the big black dog trotting alongside his horse.
“For now,” Hunter said and seeing her brow knit he explained. “I am keeping him for a friend until such a time I can return him to her.”
“Friend or lover?” Patience asked, not liking the annoyance she heard in her own voice.
“He belongs to Saundra. She fears for his safety with me gone, since Greer has a habit of abusing the animal and I have a habit of protecting him. He was the runt of the litter and Greer wanted strong dogs, so he ordered him destroyed. Somehow Saundra managed to save the weak pup and care for him, and she and the animal became inseparable much to Greer and Rab’s dismay. He will grow into a fine dog soon.”
“Grow into?” Patience asked. “He is not fully grown yet?”
Hunter laughed. “Beast is a pup, only six months old.”
“Beast?” She laughed. “A fitting name since he is already a size.”
“Where did you go off to?”
Patience glared at him. “If you think by abruptly changing the subject you would catch me off guard and I would answer without thinking, you are sorely mistaken.”
“It does not matter if you smile or scowl, you are still beautiful.”
She laughed. “Flattery or that sinfully delicious smile will not get you an answer to your question.”
“Sinfully delicious?” he repeated. “I am pleased you find me so tasty. It will certainly make for a delightful union between us and no doubt many children.”
Highlander's Rebellious Love Page 6