Lowering the candle, the light reflected from a steely blade. He lifted the dagger and studied the shiny surface. The weapon had not been here long. It was far too clean. Perhaps it was simply his own uneasiness, but something about the size and shape of the dagger troubled him. Ruairi stood and listened for any sound of an intruder. After a few moments of complete silence, he was starting to make his way back toward the castle when he stopped mid-stride.
As if he were struck over the head, the shock of discovery hit him full force. No wonder the weapon appeared to be different. Ruairi lifted the dagger closer to the light. His sudden revelation was now confirmed. The object was indeed a woman’s dagger.
And he only knew one woman who carried a blade.
Nine
Ravenna finished Torquil’s lesson early. His demeanor had definitely changed since he found out she would be gone in a few days. The usual smile that crossed his face was sorely missed. When she dismissed the boy from the library, he didn’t bolt out of the room like he always did. He only lowered his head and quietly walked out the door. She gathered her things and stepped into the hall where Ruairi waited for her.
“Why donna we take a ride to the cliffs? Only the two of us.”
She intertwined her arm with his. “I’d love to. I think I’m going to miss the view and the sound of the sea very much.”
The mounts were saddled, and Ravenna followed Ruairi out the gates. As she studied his strong back and his long hair whipping in the wind, she realized she meant what she said. The view would most definitely be missed. She tried to study him and learn him by heart. Although his physical attributes were obvious, she’d actually grown quite fond of the Highland laird, the man himself.
When they reached the steep rocks, Ruairi dismounted and walked over. She didn’t miss the slight touch of his hand as he assisted her from her mount. She closed her eyes as his fingers slowly slid up her outer thigh. When he suddenly stopped, Ravenna opened her eyes to find him reaching for her waist and lowering her to the ground.
“Thank you.”
His arm draped across her shoulders as they walked to the edge of the cliff. She leaned her cheek into his broad chest and sighed. She inhaled deeply, loving the smell of the sea and Ruairi’s spicy scent. Both were very comforting. She and Ruairi continued to stare down at the rolling waves in silence, each comfortable enough to leave the other alone with their thoughts.
“May I ask ye something?” he asked, breaking the quiet moment.
She looked up at him. “Yes.”
“Why do ye carry a dagger?” An inexplicable look of something she could not quite identify came over Ruairi’s face. He stared back, waiting in silence.
Ravenna shrugged to hide her confusion. “Why would you ask me that?” When his eyes narrowed, she quickly added, “My apologies. Your question was just unexpected. The answer is simply my father.”
“What do ye mean?”
“Since my parents were blessed or cursed—well, it depends on how you look at it—with only daughters, my father insisted we know how to defend ourselves. Grace carries a blade also, although she’s not very skilled at using it. When Elizabeth and Katherine are old enough, I’ll make certain they know how to wield one as well. Why?”
“When I saw ye threaten Angus with the dagger, I wanted to take a look at what ye carried. May I see it?”
She nodded, not mentioning that she had lost the one her father gave her somewhere in the tunnels. “I don’t see why not, as long as you give it back. I really don’t want to find myself alone and cornered by your pet without a weapon.” She bent down and turned slightly away from him, blocking his view.
Ruairi chuckled. “I’ve seen much more of ye, lass. There is nay need to hide your bare leg from me.”
“Be that as it may, one of us has to at least maintain some sense of reason.” She lifted her skirts to the side and pulled out the dagger.
There was a trace of laughter in his voice. “Mmm…some sense of reason? That is a rather peculiar choice of words. I seem to remember nae long ago standing with ye by the wall in the garden.” Without warning, he raised his hand and fanned himself like a woman who was far too warm. His voice became higher, feminine, as he continued to speak. “Praise the saints. I donna know what’s wrong with me. I’m only standing here, so handsome, sporting my kilt.” His eyes lit up as he jested with her, and his mouth lifted with a subtle tenderness. “I still cannae believe ye said those words.”
“Oh, I know you think you’re very amusing.” She handed Ruairi the blade, hilt first. “But keep that up and you may find the pointy end sticking in your gut, my laird.”
“That’s one thing I will definitely miss about ye, Ravenna. Ye do make me laugh. I can honestly say I’ve ne’er known a lass to be so forthcoming with what’s on her mind.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “Then let me strongly suggest that it would be wise for you to change the subject if you know what’s good for you. I don’t need to be reminded of my foolish words.”
Not that she’d ever forget. She still shuddered when she remembered that day when Ruairi had confessed he understood every word she said.
She was an idiot.
***
Ruairi had deliberately rubbed his hand over Ravenna’s skirts before he had assisted her from her horse. At the time, he had felt some relief when he found the weapon still sheathed underneath her dress. Now that he had an opportunity to openly study the blade, he saw that it didn’t look anything like the dagger he’d found in the tunnel. The weight, the shape—nothing was the same. Although Ravenna was the only woman he knew who carried a dagger, the two weapons were not alike. But now he had another problem. Someone other than him had trod around in the tunnels.
“What’s the matter? You look troubled.”
He tapped the blade in his hand. “Nay. I was only wondering if ye knew how to use it.”
“Of course I know how to use it.” She lifted an eyebrow. “If you stand over there and remain perfectly still, I’ll be more than happy to demonstrate.”
He chuckled. “I donna think so, but I would like to see what ye can do with it. Follow me.”
“Where are we going?”
“Do ye always have to ask so many questions? Grab your mount.”
They walked their horses through the field, the only sound the clomping hoofbeats. Ruairi felt a certain gnawing in his gut now that his time with Ravenna was coming to an end. Although he had told her in a jesting manner that he would miss her, he’d meant it.
When they reached the tree line, he tied off their mounts. He shook his head when he noticed Ravenna’s odd behavior yet again. She was turning her head from side to side, her eyes searching through the brush. There was usually only one reason for her total lack of comportment.
“Do you know where Angus is?”
And there it was.
“Now that’s the one thing I will nae miss hearing from ye. How many times must I tell ye? Angus will nae harm ye.”
She placed her hands on her hips in a defiant gesture. “And how many times must I tell you that—”
Ruairi walked into the trees and didn’t hear the rest of her words. Well, he did, but he chose to not pay them any heed. After all, the lass had been saying the same thing for weeks. He found a thick log and pulled it back through the foliage.
“What are you doing?”
He propped the piece of wood up against a tree. “I am testing your skill with your weapon.”
“You doubt my word?”
“Nay. I merely want to see ye…” He didn’t need to finish his words because he heard the blade whiz behind him and land with a thump. He turned around and approached the log. Fingering the hilt, he shook his head. The dagger had landed dead center in the piece of wood. “That was verra impressive, but luck was on your side.”
Ravenna huffed and brushed past him. “Luck had nothing to do with it. It’s skill, I assure you.” She reached over and pulled the weapon from the targe
t. When she looked up at him, he winked at her. She didn’t seem to care if he was jesting because she quickly added, “Then why don’t you pick where you’d like me to throw it from?”
“Verra well.” He walked a couple of feet back to where she had initially thrown the dagger, and then he stepped to the left—far to the left. “Right here. I wouldnae want to make it too easy for ye.”
“Of course you wouldn’t.” She stepped up beside him and briefly studied the target. She raised her hand and was about to throw the blade when he spoke.
“Now donna let your nerves get the best of ye, lass.”
She lowered her hand. “Truly, Ruairi. No wonder you irritate Fagan.”
He chuckled in response. Without hesitation, Ravenna hurled the dagger at the target. A smug look crossed her face and she raised her brow, folding her arms over her chest.
“From that shot, I don’t think you can say that luck was on my side. I told you it was skill.”
Ruairi pulled the blade from the piece of wood. “Mayhap.”
“Mayhap?” Her voice went up a notch.
“All right. I will admit that ye have a fine aim.”
Ravenna smiled. “That must’ve hurt, my laird.”
“It wasnae nearly as painful as I thought it would be.”
As she glanced over his shoulder, her eyes widened, her jaw dropped, and all color drained from her face.
***
Ravenna stared at the dark hooded figure in the woods. She could not make out a face. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear the still mass was a specter. She’d heard tales of strange occurrences in the Highlands. Perhaps this was one of them. She refused to blink, thinking she was mad. Just when she started to think she’d lost her faculties, the figure disappeared as quickly as she’d spotted it. Her mind had to be playing tricks on her. At least that’s what she believed until she spotted Angus as he turned and retreated through the woods.
She lowered her voice. “Ruairi, there was someone in the trees, watching us.”
He turned around and his eyes searched the woods. “Where?”
“Over there.” She pointed.
His hand reached for the hilt of his sword. “Stay here.”
She grabbed his arm to stay him. “It’s too late. I hesitated too long. He’s already gone.”
“What did he look like?”
“I couldn’t see his face. He wore a dark cloak that covered him from head to toe. I thought I’d imagined someone standing there until I saw Angus. I think he followed the man.”
Ruairi looked at her doubtfully. “I’m nae saying ye didnae see something, but Angus wouldnae be so friendly toward a person he doesnae know. He would’ve growled and wouldnae walk away with the man. Are ye sure of what ye saw?”
She hesitated, already knowing the answer. “Yes. I’m sure.”
As they rode back to the castle, she wondered if Laird Gordon had sent another of his men to spy on Ruairi. Although one would’ve thought that after Ruairi and Laird Munro threatened the man in the bailey, Laird Gordon would’ve left well enough alone.
Ruairi’s thoughts must have been racing because she didn’t think he realized that he had been increasing his pace the whole way home. They arrived in the bailey and she barely had time to dismount before he called to his captain and the men quickly rode back out the gate.
Ravenna walked to her chamber to wash up before it was time to sup. There was a knock at the door, and she knew it was too soon to be Ruairi. She placed the drying cloth on the table, and when she swung open the door, the boy smiled.
“Hello, Torquil.”
He spoke slowly, clearly thinking of every word he said. “Da nae back. I go ye sup?”
“Of course. He should be back soon.”
Ravenna walked out, closing the door behind her. As she walked with Torquil down the hall, she felt a small hand clasp hers. She instinctively felt her mouth lifting with tenderness. She’d known there was something special about the boy from the beginning. All those weeks of being confined with him in the library only confirmed what she already knew. She looked down into those beautiful green eyes and felt her heart fill with love.
***
“And ye say he wore a cloak from head to toe. In this heat?” asked Fagan.
Ruairi shrugged. “I know there is a chance that Ravenna is mistaken, but I’m sure she saw something or thinks she did. Since I found that dagger in the tunnels, I am nae leaving anything to chance.”
Fagan studied the brush, looking for any signs of a cloaked figure. He circled the area and then bent down to touch the ground.
“The grass is pushed down in this spot, but it could’ve been from Angus. ’Tis hard to tell. If it was a man, he’s gone. I will keep an eye on the tunnels from the glade. I assure ye that if someone goes in, they will nae come out. And our men still watch the border. Do ye think the Gordon would be foolish enough to send another man after our cattle?”
“Dressed in a cloak? I donna know. His actions would be unwise since I havenae yet refused his request for us to join Stewart’s son. And ye know I told the arse there would be nay mercy if I found someone else on my lands. I donna understand it, but until we catch this bastard, there is naught we can do but watch the tunnels and make certain the men stay alert at the border. I grow weary of this.”
“Aye.”
They walked back through the brush and grabbed their mounts. As they rode back to the castle, Ruairi felt Fagan’s eyes on him. He knew his captain had something else to say, but he wasn’t sure if Fagan’s words were about the Gordon or another topic so he wisely decided not to ask. When Fagan cleared his throat, Ruairi knew to prepare himself for the battle of wills that was sure to come.
“Do ye still intend to send Ravenna back in a few days?”
Ruairi dropped his chin to his chest and sighed. “Didnae we already have this discussion? But I will tell ye this…” He turned and gave his captain a wry smile. “I leave it to ye to keep up the guard.”
His friend regarded him with amusement.
“What? Why are ye looking at me like that now?” asked Ruairi.
“Och, nay reason.” Fagan shook his head. “Ye just spend every eve with your bonny lass, and I’ll be curious to see if ye let her go.”
By the time they returned to the castle, the meal was already over. They went to the kitchens and raided what was left of the eve’s food. Fagan sat with Ruairi at the small kitchen table and poured them some mulled wine.
“I think I’ll take Angus to the glade with me this eve. He may hear something I am nae able to.”
Ruairi nodded. “’Tis a good idea because if he is with ye, he cannae be stalking Ravenna’s door.”
“He does seem to have taken a certain fancy to the lass like someone else I know. I’m sure ye’ll be taking over watch for Angus and stalking Ravenna’s door yourself this eve.”
“Arse.”
“Aye.” Fagan stood. “Have a pleasant eve, m’laird. If ye’ll excuse me, I’ll be taking watch while ye’ll be taking Rav—”
“If ye know what’s good for ye, ye will nae finish those words,” Ruairi warned.
Fagan held up his hands in mock defense and Ruairi heard his captain chuckling as he walked out into the great hall.
Bastard.
Ruairi finished his meal and made his way to Ravenna’s chamber. He knocked on the door, and when she opened it, he was relieved to see that she hadn’t settled in for the night.
“May I come in?”
“Yes, please.” She gestured him through the door and closed it behind him. “Did you see any signs of the man?”
“There were signs of something, but Fagan wasnae sure if the marks were left by Angus or someone else.”
She nodded. “I see.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I believe that ye saw something.”
“I know I did.”
“Howbeit there is naught we can do until we see him again.” He looked around her chamber. “Do ye h
ave all your belongings in your trunk?”
Her gaze became puzzled. “Yes. Why do you ask?”
Ruairi grabbed her by the hand and opened the door. “While ye are under my roof, ye are my responsibility. I will see ye safe. Ye’ll stay in the bedchamber next to mine.”
***
Ravenna couldn’t say whether she was irked by Ruairi’s blatant command or angry with herself because she wanted to be closer to him. Either way, she wouldn’t give in that easily.
“Do you think that’s wise since I’ll be leav—”
He looked at her and she felt the eager affection coming from him. “I told ye. Donna even think about denying me. Ye want this as much as I do. I dare ye to deny it.”
She remained silent as he led her to his chamber. Once inside, she realized that this was where she’d wanted to be all along. The room was large with a huge bed with four corner posts and a golden coverlet, a fireplace, and a sitting area. Broadswords hung on the wall behind the bed and shields on the opposite wall. She supposed if he wanted to cause her harm, she could grab a sword from the wall in defense—well, from any wall in the castle.
Ruairi pulled back the blankets from the bed.
“What are you doing?” She knew exactly what he was doing. She could see and practically feel the lust coming from him. Being carried away by her own response, she’d failed to notice the look of impatience that crossed over his face.
“What do ye think I’m doing, lass?”
He casually walked in a slow circle around her. She was strangely flattered by his interest. He stopped and fisted a hand in his tunic behind his neck, pulled the garment over his head, and flung it to the floor.
The air suddenly left Ravenna’s lungs. The man was dressed in nothing but his kilt. His long hair fell around his face, and he was so incredibly handsome. As he bent to take off his boots, the muscles in his strong back and wide shoulders reminded her that he was a lot bigger than she was. Dangerous. Captivating.
He stood there, legs splayed, and she licked her dry lips. This beautiful man before her was going to love her, if only for a night or two.
My Highland Spy Page 10