The Highlander's Runaway Bride

by TERRI BRISBIN

  ‘Sir,’ she said.

  ‘Rob.’ He ground his teeth when angry, she noticed. His mouth barely moved as he spoke. ‘I asked you to call me by my given name.’

  ‘Rob, I pray you, give me some time to accustom myself to this marriage. I have left behind my home, my people, everything I’ve ever known.’ She stepped closer, forcing her to look up to watch his face.

  ‘It would not have mattered who stood before my father as part of the marriage he arranged. I would have run no matter.’ She reached up and touched his hand. ‘I ran from the impending marriage.’

  His answer was a sound rather than a word. Something softer than a grunt or snort, she’d heard this quick, shallow exhalation from him before. Almost as though he was saying he would consider her words. The nod he gave then eased her worries a bit.

  ‘Do you wish to finish washing?’ he asked a moment or two later. ‘The sun will set soon and we should return to the others before dark.’

  Not wanting to diminish his gesture of bringing her to the stream, she nodded and walked back to the water’s edge. Kneeling once more, she made quick work of washing her hands and face and all the places she could reach without undressing. The frigid water made her shiver, but it felt good to be clean of the dust of the road.

  When she finished, she held the cloth and soap out to him. Eva thought he would refuse it, but he surprised her and stepped to where she knelt and accepted it. His lower face and neck were covered with several days’ growth of beard, she noticed then. He’d shaved before their wedding, unlike her father, but not since. She suspected that he preferred to be clean-shaven when not travelling.

  ‘How much longer before we arrive at your home, Rob?’ She yet tripped over the use of his name, but she would try.

  ‘Three more days, if the weather holds,’ he said without looking at her. He put the cover back over the small bowl of soap and twisted the cloth to remove the excess water before standing and reaching for her hand. ‘Four if the storms of your northlands follow us.’

  She held on to his arm this time, her legs tired and unsteady. He walked to match her steps. A small thing, but she noticed it. They were almost back down the hill when he drew to a stop, facing her.

  ‘I have a request of you, lady.’

  He stammered a few times, and she feared what he would ask of her.

  ‘When we arrive in Glenlui, I do not wish word of your action to be spread amongst my kith and kin.’

  ‘My action?’ she asked.

  ‘That you ran away rather than marry...me. Some would not understand. My sister...’

  She nodded. ‘It is my shameful behaviour, but if it would please you, I will keep it between us.’ A small thing after all and one she could manage.

  ‘And the girl? Would you instruct her?’

  ‘Nessa?’ He nodded. ‘Certainly.’

  ‘My thanks, lady,’ he said, as he began walking once more.

  They reached the others and set about their usual tasks to prepare for the night. She and Nessa slept in the wagon, nestled between the crates and boxes, while Rob and the men slept around the fire. She did as he asked, trying to make it more about exposing her to derision than at his request, and Nessa seemed to take it seriously. The girl dearly wanted to remain in Glenlui, so Eva knew she would obey.

  * * *

  The terrible storms of spring did not follow them south and, three days later, just before nightfall, they arrived in Glenlui, the home of the Mackintoshes. As they rode down the mountainside opposite of the keep, Eva could see the village spread out below them. Larger than Tongue, it was closer to the keep than their village was. Drumlui Keep rose to the height of several storeys and was enclosed by wide yards and high walls.

  But as they rode through the village, Rob took the reins of her horse and motioned for the others to ride on. He guided them down one of the paths branching off the road and stopped before a modest cottage there. Before they could dismount, the door opened and a woman came out, peering up at both of them before letting out a scream.

  ‘My sister, Margaret,’ he said. ‘God help us both.’

  Chapter Ten

  ‘Robbie!’ Margaret called out after she stopped screaming.

  There was a strong resemblance between the two that marked them as siblings. She stood tall for a woman, but did not come close to his height. Their colouring was the same—auburn hair and brown eyes. His eyes were much lighter than hers, for there were small flecks of gold in his that Eva did not see in Margaret’s.

  Holy heavens, she was noticing his eyes now! When had that happened? When he had gone from bear to man or man to husband? She shook her head, not wanting to consider what this meant.

  ‘Forgive me, my lady. I did not mean to startle the horses,’ his sister said as she approached. ‘I am Margaret Mackintosh, Robbie’s sister.’

  Pushing her disturbing reverie aside, Eva looked down at the woman standing beside her now. Lucky for her, the training of her childhood and position as the heir of the MacKay asserted itself, since the illness and exhaustion had certainly muddled her wits and made her forget even the simplest of polite behaviour.

  ‘Margaret, I am pleased to meet you. I am Eva, daughter of the MacKay,’ she introduced herself as she had always been called.

  Rob had dismounted and now reached up to help her down. His hands spanned her waist, and he lifted her easily to her feet. He did not release her for several seconds, allowing her legs and foot to adjust to standing after hours of riding. Margaret’s sigh, loud enough to be heard by her and the small, gathering crowd, misread the situation but somehow made this easier.

  They thought Rob held on to her as any newly married man would his wife. Eva knew why he did it. Once she felt steady, he stepped away and stood at her side.

  ‘Rob had told me much about you on our journey, Margaret. I am glad to finally meet you.’ She held out her hand to the woman in greeting and was surprised to find herself pulled close to Rob’s sister and wrapped in a strong hug.

  ‘Well, he hasna told me a thing about ye, my lady,’ Margaret said, shooting a dangerous glare at her brother. ‘So, once yer settled in, we must have a chat.’

  A glance at Rob made her want to laugh. He looked at his sister with such love and caring, but a dash of fear and nausea entered his gaze at her invitation. He did not want her to speak to Margaret. What could she learn about her new husband in a chat with his sister?

  ‘We are sisters by marriage now, Margaret,’ she said, stepping back from the embrace. ‘You must call me by my given name. Eva.’

  Margaret searched her face, taking a closer look at her features, and then glanced over her, head to toes.

  ‘You have been ill, my l... Eva?’ she asked. Glaring once more at Rob, she continued, ‘Was there a fever?’

  How had she known? Ah, she was a healer, familiar with such things.

  ‘Margaret, there is no time for this now. I have not yet introduced her to Brodie, so let it be.’ Rob turned to Eva. ‘I wanted you to meet her first, lady,’ he explained in a whisper. ‘I thought it would ease your arrival here to meet family.’

  ‘I thank you for your consideration,’ she said in the same tone. ‘Margaret, I look forward to making your further acquaintance, but my husband must see to his duties.’ Leaning over to his sister, she whispered, ‘I was ill. A fever. But I am well now.’

  Looking placated, Margaret hugged her once more and then nodded at Rob before moving aside to allow them room to mount. Only as Rob walked to his horse did she see the exchange of glances between brother and sister. Odd those, it was as if they were speaking in some silent language only they understood. And, from their expressions, not all of the exchange was happy.

  Margaret Mackintosh would have some choice words for her brother when they were alone, Eva could tell, and she look
ed forward to such disclosures. She nodded to Rob and urged her horse to follow his towards the keep.

  ‘Will your laird be insulted that we stopped to greet Margaret before him?’ she asked when they were away from listening ears.

  ‘Nay,’ he said, nodding to someone who greeted him as they rode past. ‘Brodie knows better. Margaret served him well and faithfully in his fight to protect the clan. So, he will understand.’

  Strange, that.

  Her father would punish any slight or insult, perceived or real, with a firm and sometimes ruthless hand. The slap she’d got in her bath, even the strapping, was not the first time her father raised his hand or a belt to her. Or to anyone who served him. The way of things, the way of things between nobles, demanded that her husband present her to the laird first. Not kith or kin and certainly not to a woman.

  She rode the rest of the way in silence, taking in the sights and sounds of this village and clan. Many men, and women, called out words of greeting as they passed, nodding in respect to her. Eva wished she’d had time to wash and change her gown before arriving, but with night coming quickly, it was more important to finish their journey than worry over appearance. Rob assured her that Brodie and Lady Mackintosh would take no offence over it.

  They passed through the gates and thick wall and into the yard that surrounded the keep. Almost as big as the village without, it was filled with people going about their duties. Seeing their wagon and the others ahead, they rode on. Nessa’s face lit with delight at everything she saw.

  That should be her. She should be thrilled to be here, newly married with a husband who stood high in his laird’s regard and concern. Instead she’d counted every mile crossed with sadness and despair. Nessa’s excitement simply made her sadder for her failure to feel it, too.

  ‘Rob!’ a loud, deep voice called out.

  Glancing up, she watched as a man who could only be the new laird of the Mackintosh Clan strode down the steps and pulled Rob from his horse. They tussled like boys would for a few moments and then exchanged some serious words. All of that ended with them staring at her.

  Rob seemed to remember she needed help and walked to her side, lifting her once more to the ground and holding her while she got her balance. The laird missed nothing but stood with his arms crossed watching everything they, she, did.

  ‘Her leg was injured...’ Rob began.

  ‘I hurt my leg...’ she also began to say.

  ‘So that was the cause of your delayed return, then?’ the Mackintosh asked.

  ‘Nay,’ Rob said.

  ‘Aye, my lord,’ she started. ‘Nay.’ Brodie Mackintosh looked from one to the other as he heard what she had—an attempt to come up with something to say and failing.

  ‘So what caused the delay? We expected you over a week ago, and Arabella wanted to send me north to find you,’ he said.

  ‘The weather, my lord. The spring storms were earlier than expected and slowed travel,’ she said smoothly. Rob had cursed often and virulently about the weather and the constant conversation about it. It seemed the right thing to say now. His barking laugh confirmed it. The chieftain’s dark eyes brightened and he laughed, too, surely sensing the lie but allowing it to pass.

  ‘Well, whatever the reason, you are here now. Come inside or my lady will have my bollocks for keeping you from her,’ he said.

  Eva realised her gaffe and curtsied before him then, afraid that he would be angry over such an affront to his dignity and title. Strong hands took her by her shoulders and drew her up straight.

  ‘You are kin now, lady,’ he said. ‘And neither Robbie nor his wife will ever bow to me.’

  There was such warmth and welcome in his voice for her and such respect for her new husband that she almost burst into tears then. She felt Rob’s arm around her waist and allowed him to assist her on the steps. The laird led the way into the keep and into a huge hall.

  Half again as large as her father’s hall, it was decorated with large tapestries and banners along each wall. Eva looked to the front and saw a large raised dais with a table that ran from one side to the other. A huge hearth covered the back wall behind the dais and heated the whole chamber. As they approached the dais and climbed the steps to the table, she also noticed a small grouping of some chairs in one corner, near the hearth.

  A woman sat in one chair with her legs supported by a cushioned stool. Brodie walked to her and crouched to speak to her. Only then did Eva realise that the woman was sleeping. The huge warrior raised his hand and stroked the woman’s cheek until she woke. The laird stood and held out his hand, helping the lady, obviously his wife, to her feet.

  Arabella Cameron, the woman called the most beautiful woman in Scotland, took her husband’s hand and walked with him to the table. Eva was caught unaware at the sight of the lady’s huge, pregnant belly. Before she could stop herself, her own hand went to her belly, remembering the feel of carrying a bairn within. She dropped it quickly, hoping no one had noticed the gesture.

  Now she felt completely unprepared as the lady approached. Though heavily pregnant, the lady was stunning in appearance. Her blonde hair was intricately arranged and her gowns were of the highest quality. The lady’s skin and face were glowing and not sallow and swollen as her own had been at that point in carrying. While Eva had suffered through the pregnancy, Lady Arabella clearly thrived through it.

  ‘Arabella, may I present my wife, the Lady Eva MacKay to you?’

  She began to curtsy before the lady, since she held a higher position as Lady Mackintosh, the wife of the chieftain, than Eva did as daughter to one. This woman would also control her life, for as lady of the house, she would see to the women living there. The lady stepped to her and pulled her up. Their gazes met, and all Eva saw in her eyes was warmth.

  ‘Welcome to Drumlui Keep, Lady Eva,’ she said. ‘’Tis about time Rob brought a wife here.’

  ‘Arabella!’ both men whispered. The lady looked at each of them and then back at Eva.

  ‘’Tis the truth! If we had not forced his hand, we might never see him married and settled.’ Something in the lady’s tone told her that this was the truth, but a genuine concern for him, as well.

  ‘The same could be said about you, Arabella,’ Rob countered. ‘If we had not kidnapped you, you would have married another.’

  ‘And I thank the Almighty every night that you did, Rob.’ What Rob had meant as a teasing remark grew serious then as the three shared some remembered thought. ‘And I am glad you are here. Safe and sound?’

  ‘The lady injured her leg before I arrived in Tongue. It slowed our journey here, Arabella.’

  ‘Has Margaret been called? She will be here for the feast on the morrow, but you should seek her out if you are in pain, Lady Eva.’

  ‘We saw Margaret on our way through the village. I expect she will come in the morning.’

  ‘God help you both!’ Brodie said under his breath. The same thing Rob had said. Margaret must truly be a force to be reckoned with among this clan.

  ‘Come. Sit. We have prepared food for you and the others. Something plain and filling. Then you can rest after your journey,’ the lady said. ‘We will have a feast to celebrate your marriage and the alliance on the morrow.’

  ‘A feast?’ Eva asked. She touched her gown.

  ‘Worry not. We can see to all that once you’ve rested.’

  Rob escorted Eva to the table where platters of roasted meats and other foods had been placed. The men who’d travelled with them and Nessa were directed to a table below them covered with the same fare. She waited until the lady and laird had taken their seats before sitting herself.

  Food was served. Wine was served. Other than listening to Rob speak with his laird, who did most of the talking, Eva did little else. The lady sat on the other side of her own husband, adding a comment or question fo
r Rob here and there. She was more tired than hungry, so she ate a little and then found herself drifting off even as she sat there.

  ‘Lady?’

  She startled at Rob’s voice. Opening her eyes, she realised she had fallen asleep and now rested against him. Straightening up, she began to apologise.

  ‘Men!’ Lady Arabella pushed her chair back and lifted her bulky body to her feet. Several men, including her own husband and the lady’s, jumped and moved to help her. ‘You can continue this in the morn. Can you not see the lady is exhausted and needs to seek her bed?’ Arabella looked at her. ‘Your maid?’

  ‘Nessa.’

  ‘Nessa,’ Arabella called out to the lower table. ‘See to your lady.’ With a nod and a few gestures, other servants rose to see to her needs. Nessa went ahead with another woman.

  ‘My chamber is not that way,’ Rob said, as he watched as the servants were led to one corner and down a corridor there.

  ‘Your chamber is not suitable for a wife. I had your things moved to the larger chamber in the western tower.’ Arabella could be quite the commander, and Eva found herself enjoying the way the woman had everything, and everyone, under her control. Then the lady pulled her into an embrace and patted her back.

  ‘I know that I am not his true sister, Lady Eva,’ she whispered. ‘But he is like a brother to me. I wish you both much happiness.’

  Brodie watched Bella’s face as Rob took his wife to their chambers. The expression there on her face did not please him, for it spoke of worry and concern. She walked back to the table, and he knew his own expression concerned her, too. Though he would deny it, he was worried, too.

  ‘She is not what I expected,’ she said, sitting down on his lap.

  With her body growing this way and that with each passing day, she found him to be more comfortable than any chair, and he liked having her close. He slid his hands around her girth and placed them on her belly. The bairn within calmed as he did that and he smiled.

  ‘How so?’ he asked, as he nuzzled her neck.