“Come on, Dalma. Three days willnae hurt.”
He hoped.
The mercenaries would be stopping overnight, taking their time and likely plundering any settlements they’d come across, whereas he had ridden hard and barely slept to catch up with them. He’d be able to track them down again.
His revenge would have to wait. A certain pair of blue eyes drew him back to the castle.
By the time he’d made it to the village, most of the women and children were hard at work, seeing to the animals and sweeping out their huts. The young child she’d protected the previous day scurried across his path as he chased after a chicken. A heavy thud in his chest reminded him of his lack of family. He’d given up that chance when he’d chosen to dedicate his time to fighting for freedom.
A few of the women regarded him warily but he cared little what they thought of him. Only one woman mattered.
“Where is Ceana?” he asked one of them.
“Down by the loch doing some washing.” She thrust a finger toward where rocks jutted out into the water.
Blane urged the horse in the direction of the rocks, circled the castle and moved away from the huts. He spotted her crouched on the rocky outcrop, beating some garments against the stone. Should she even be there alone? What if she misstepped and slipped into the loch? Damn woman was too headstrong for her own good. Did her family not care about her welfare? If he was her father, he’d never let her be alone.
If she were his...
He shook his head. Three days, that was all he was offering. He slowed the horse and came to a stop quite some distance away. Certain she hadn’t spotted him, he wanted to ensure he didn’t frighten her as he had upon his arrival.
Ceana continued to beat and scrub the clothes, slopping water over her skirts and rubbing them furiously until lather spilled into the water. Her ferocious attempt at getting the gown clean brought a smile to his face. Was she taking out her anger at him on the poor item?
“Ceana,” he said softly.
The slap of the fabric upon stone and the splash of water covered his voice so he stepped closer and said her name again. Wary of making her jolt and mayhap spill into the water, he gave up when she ignored him and came close enough to touch her shoulder.
She whirled, dropped the clothes and clenched her fists. He held up both hands in surrender, unable to prevent his grin expanding at the sight of those tiny balled hands and skinny arms. Her blue gaze ran over him and they shimmered with unshed tears.
“Blane!”
Blane had been a warrior most of his life. He’d fought the English and even other clans. At a moment’s notice, he could be counted upon to be at the ready to defend his life.
But nothing prepared him for those fragile arms wrapped around his neck and her soft face buried against his skin. He stiffened and let her hold him, aware of every part of her sweet body against his. Gradually, he eased his arms about her and held her close. Hell fire, he really could snap her in two. How could he leave her to fend for herself? A breath of wind could blow her over.
Ceana sniffed and drew back, her gaze searching his face. How much of him she saw, he knew not, and it unnerved him. Because while she did that, he took in every part of her. Long, dark lashes, the scar across her forehead, the narrow pout of her lips. The way her damp gown clung to her frame and emphasised tight nipples. Desire coursed along his veins, hot and pounding. But while he’d been lusting after her, she hadn’t even been able to see him. Had he misread every scant moment they’d had together so far?
“Yer staying?”
“Aye,” he said gruffly. “For three days, no more.”
She nodded and swiped her nose. “Aye, I understand.” Her fingers curled around his forearm. “I thank ye, Blane. Ye cannae know—”
He withdrew his arm. If she didn’t want him laying her down on these rocks and taking her here and now—and he suspected she had no idea what she was doing to him—he needed to put some distance between them.
In truth, he needed miles to cool this increasing lust but he’d settle for a nice stone wall between them while he checked over the defences of the keep.
“’Tis well enough.”
Her gentle smile wavered. “If I can ever repay ye...”
Blane clenched his jaw and forced away thoughts of how she could repay him. “I’ll take Dalma to the stables. She’ll be glad of the extra rest.”
“Of course. Ye can sleep in the guest chamber again. Ye might as well make use of it. I’ll finish up my chores then ensure there’s enough food for this eve.”
“Ye need not go to any trouble.”
Ceana tilted her head, sending dark curls spilling about her shoulders. He itched to thrust his fingers into them and ease her head back so he could taste her skin again.
“Ye’ve gone to trouble for us. A decent meal is but a small repayment.”
“As ye will.” He turned and paused to look back at her. “Do ye need aid? I dinnae think ye should be—”
“I may not be able to defend my people, Blane, but I can clean a few rags. Be gone with ye.”
No annoyance tinged her tone. Instead she beamed at him—the first genuine smile he’d seen from her. It was his return that had produced that look and he didn’t know whether to be thrilled or to pay attention to the sinking feeling in his gut. He didn’t want her beaming at him, not when he knew the sort of man he was.
A man with blood on his hands—and innocent blood at that.
Chapter Five
Blane scraped a hand across his hairy jaw. Time spent travelling had meant no chance to shave and the foolish notion that he should do so struck. Ceana couldn’t even see him properly, so what did it matter?
He did a circle of the room and paused by the open shutters. The room looked out over the side of the keep and he saw the loch on one side and the village on the other. Candlelight flowed from the windows of the small huts and he heard a woman singing a mournful tune. Uneasiness ate into his gut. What had he been thinking, offering his protection to these people? It was only another chance for him to fail them.
Like his own village, they would look to him for protection. Here he was, this strong, bold warrior. What more did they need? But that reliance had made his people weak. He should have encouraged them to defend themselves, to learn the skills they needed. The survivors had learned the hard way that their fighting skills were sorely lacking.
But what could he teach a blind woman, a crazy old lady, a rebellious sister and a bunch of women?
Blane snorted to himself. Nothing. He had nothing to give but three days of his time. He only hoped it was enough.
“Is all well?”
He swivelled to see Ceana in the doorway. Her gaze was upon him so he didn’t know if the candles were enough to help her see where he was or if she’d heard him. Observing her, he’d seen how she cocked her head and appeared to be listening intently most of the time. Though she did indeed move with caution, he’d marvelled at how she behaved as though it was no hindrance. Would he be the same without his sight? He could hardly fathom her courage.
“Aye, very well.”
She stepped into his room but paused when he released a curse and came around the bed to pick up his boots. He shoved them under the bed.
“My boots,” he explained. “Didnae want ye taking a fall.”
“I’m not usually so careless.”
Guilt scythed at his insides. It had been his fault she’d taken tumbles. A wee fragile thing like her could surely do serious damage to herself if she wasn’t careful.
Or he could. He’d have to tread carefully around her.
“Ye’ll forgive my carelessness. I will be more cautious.”
“Ye’ll no’ get my forgiveness for ye dinnae need it,” she replied firmly, crossing her arms over her chest. “Ye will have my gratitude though.”
To see her with her chin raised, her skinny arms crossed and her brazen blue eyes burning into him, he’d be forgiven for thinking he’d met
a warrior woman.
“I dinnae need yer gratitude,” he countered.
He didn’t want it either. Not yet. Once she was safely under the protection of her kin, then he’d take it. Until then, he’d do his best to protect her.
“Is there anything ye do need?”
Revenge.
“Nay.”
“The servants brought ye up fresh water? And that clean plaid and shirt?”
“Aye.” He didn’t want to ask where the clothing had come from. One of the men taken by fever mayhap or even her father. Or someone important... “Ye shall have to pass on my thanks to whoever they belong to.”
“I cannae do that, I fear. My husband has been long dead.”
Husband. She’d made no mention of one being away at war but the word incited two reactions inside him. Jealousy—raw and painful. After that, rolling desire—hot and heavy. If he took her, there’d be no barrier, no stealing of innocence.
“I am sorry.”
“’Twas a long time ago.” She lifted her face to stare at him head on. “What of ye? Do ye have a wife? Children?”
“Nay. I never had the chance. Too busy fighting the English.”
“That seems to be the way of it these days,” she mused. “We’re all too busy fighting to actually live.”
“And ye, what are ye fighting?”
She lifted one shoulder. “To survive, I suppose. There are those who fear my eyes.”
“Why should someone fear ye?”
“There are those who talk of me being able to see other things—other worlds mayhap or ungodly creatures. I’ve even heard tell of people claiming these creatures help me see. That is how I find my way around, it seems.” Her lips quirked.
“Yer villagers say these things?”
“Nay. They are good people and they know me. They would never wish me ill. Few people outside of our village know and I dinnae share my troubles with strangers if I can help it, but these words have been spoken to me before.”
“Whoever has said these things is a fool.”
“Aye, but the words of a fool hold weight with other fools. It puts me in a dangerous position if I dinnae act with care.”
He inched closer, not even sure why, only that she seemed to draw him in. “Why did ye risk telling me?”
“Desperation and...and I know ye are no fool.”
“I dinnae know.” Blane reached out and skimmed a finger across one smooth cheek. The cool softness of it twisted his gut. He shifted closer still. The need to kiss her burned through his body. One kiss. What harm could come from that? “Mayhap I am a fool.”
Ceana lifted her chin. Did she know what he wanted? Regardless, he took the movement as his invitation. He moved a finger to under her chin and held it lifted so he could stare into those alluring eyes. Somehow he felt as though he could reach through to her if he just looked long enough.
But her lips tempted him and he could look no longer. Nay, he needed to taste. He lowered his mouth to hers and felt a soft shudder run through her body while her breath skimmed his lips. He daren’t touch her anymore than with the one finger or else he’d do something more than kiss, but he had to find out if she needed to taste him as badly.
Blane saw her lids flutter closed and lowered his m—
“Ceana!”
He jerked upright and Ceana spun in the direction of the door. “Mamaidh!”
Her mother, clothed only in her shift, hurried into the room and gripped Ceana’s arm. “’Tis Kate. She’s out again.”
“Oh no. She’ll be going to see Fraser again.”
Blane raced to the window and peered out. Sure enough, a cloaked figure scurried past the huts in the direction of the other side of the loch where he’d spotted a single, neglected hut. Fraser’s home, he presumed.
“She shouldnae be out there alone.”
“Aye,” Ceana agreed, “but she willnae listen to me.”
He came back to her side and put a reassuring hand on Aileen’s arm. “Go back to bed. I’ll bring her home.”
“Och, I told ye he’s here to win ye, lass,” Aileen said to her daughter. “Ye bring our Kate back safely now, won’t ye?”
“Aye, I will.”
“Thank ye, Blane.” Ceana took her mother’s arm. “I’ll take mamaidh back to bed and meet ye in the hall.”
“Dinnae thank me yet,” he muttered.
If Kate was at all like the few young lasses he’d known, she’d not be happy about having her dalliance interrupted. Particularly by him. For some reason, Kate had taken a strong disliking to him.
Blane took the winding steps down to the hall and headed out into the night. The quiet, empty castle set him on edge. How vulnerable these women were out here alone.
Enough stars lit the sky for him to sprint past the huts and make his way around the loch with ease. The howl of a wolf sent the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. While he’d been travelling, he rarely slept during the night for fear of a wolf attack...or the English. He took his rest when and where he could in the daytime where no creature could sneak up on him.
But he didn’t have his weapon and wolves could slip by in the dark easily enough. He imagined returning to Ceana with the news of her sister having been mauled. It made him quicken his pace.
“Kate!” He caught up with her not far past the village but knew full well she couldn’t outrun him. She must have known the same as she came to a stop, her posture slumping. “Kate, ye shouldnae be out here.”
The lass spun on him, eyes narrow, lips tight with anger. “’Tis none of yer business what I do.”
“’Tis yer sister’s business so ‘tis mine.”
“Aye,” she spat. “Yer very interested in my sister’s business. Dinnae think I dinnae know what yer up to.”
He folded his arms and stiffened at the sound of the wolf again. “What am I up to?”
“Yer going to take advantage of her. Ye think because she cannae see, ye can do what ye will with her. I’m no fool.”
Blane hadn’t realised Ceana had told Kate he’d known of her troubles. They didn’t seem close enough to share these things. With such an age gap between them, Ceana seemed to be more of a mother to her than their real mother. It didn’t surprise him Kate refused to follow Ceana’s commands. No young lass or lad wanted their moves dictated to them. He recalled being the same, even going so far as to sneak into a battle his father hadn’t wanted him to join.
He’d soon proved himself, though.
However, this was different. Kate couldn’t fight her way out of trouble.
“Yer no fool, Kate, I can see that. Yer desire to protect yer sister is admirable, but do ye no’ see she’s trying to protect ye too?”
“Aye, from the man I love. She cannae stand that I might want happiness.”
Blane fought the urge to snatch her and throw her over his shoulder. He wanted her behind those stone walls without hesitation. “I cannae claim to know yer sister that well but I think she only ever wants others to be happy. But she wants ye safe too.”
Kate folded her arms and snorted. “Oh, aye, Ceana’s so unselfish,” she said bitterly. “Everyone says so.”
He drew in a long breath and shook his head to himself. Had he ever been like this? Skipping from one emotion to the next? Kate wanted to protect her sister, but resented her. She thought herself in love yet was filled with anger. Though he often lamented his lack of a family, he wasn’t so sure it was a bad thing now.
“Yer sister wants ye safe. And ye want the same for her. If ye dinnae trust me, ye had better come back to the keep. Who knows what I might do?” He held out a hand. “Let us return. There’s a wolf on the prowl.”
“Och, I can handle a wolf and if ye touch my sister, I’ll handle ye too.”
Blane couldn’t help smile at her fierce words. He suspected if this lass had been trained with a sword, he’d be in danger. She was more warrior than some men he’d met.
“I dinnae doubt it.”
She glare
d at him for several moments and not for the first time, he wished he had the ability to understand lasses better. His skin pricked when he saw movement behind her.
“Kate,” he growled a warning. “I want ye inside the castle. Now.”
“Ye cannae co—”
His arms coming about her waist cut her off. He flung her over his shoulder with ease and fell into a sprint. She weighed no more than a few grains of sand and was almost as skinny as her sister. Blane glanced back and saw his instincts had been right. A lone wolf, its eyes glinting in the moonlight as it prowled closer.
He didn’t wait to see if it followed but that it wasn’t part of a pack at least gave him a better chance of fighting it off if needs be. The creature had to be hungry indeed to come so close to the settlement.
Kate spat words of annoyance at him and wriggled in his hold but such a scrawny lass was no match for him. He sprinted toward the village, the light from the huts tauntingly close. Once they reached the first hut, he released her and pressed her back against the building so he could peer around.
“Ye cannae—”
“Shhh. There’s a wolf on the prowl.”
She clamped her mouth shut.
Sure enough, the creature had come to a stop not far from the village edge. Blane hoped the candlelight spilling from the windows would be enough to persuade the wolf to turn around but if he was hungry, he might risk coming into the village.
And that meant they were all in danger if he didn’t warn them.
“Kate,” he whispered, “can ye get to the castle and sound the warning? I wouldnae want someone coming out of their home and being attacked.”
“I...” The fierce warrior seemed to have vanished and in her place was a trembling young lass.
He gripped her shoulders. “If ye can fight me, ye can do this.”
“Aye.”
When she lifted her chin, he saw Ceana in her. That same determination to protect their people, to win every battle. He doubted Kate realised how like her sister she was.
“When I say, run. I’ll distract the wolf and follow ye once yer safe.”
“But—” He tightened his grip on her. “Aye, as ye will.”
Her Highland Defender Page 4