Defended by a Highland Renegade

by Vonda Sinclair

  Father Bhradain met them in the bailey, at first wearing a stern frown. But his eyes widened and his mouth dropped open when he spotted Darack, walking around healthy and strong like everyone else.

  Mairiana worried about what he would say. Thankfully, Lady MacGregor quickly approached him before he could say anything. "Could I speak with you, Father Bhradain?"

  "Aye."

  They disappeared into the chapel. Mairiana hoped Darack's mother could smooth the priest's ruffled feathers and convince him 'twas truly the love of God which had healed Darack and not some other force he might find unacceptable. Ewan, Dugald and their men proceeded into the great hall.

  "Can I speak to you in private?" Darack whispered to her.

  "Aye, of course." A renewed thrill of exuberance spun through her.

  Taking her hand, he led her up the steps and into the great hall. "We'll go onto the ramparts."

  When they emerged on the roof, the refreshing wind blew her hair back. The two guards stationed there, on opposite sides of the castle, acknowledged their presence with brief bows and then ignored them, pacing away and focusing on the hills in the distance.

  Darack led her to a small alcove, out of sight of the guards and sheltered from the wind.

  "I'm so thankful you're recovered," Mairiana said.

  "As am I, and I thank you for taking such good care of me," he murmured, then drew her close and kissed her forehead.

  She looked up into his handsome face, craving his lips on hers. Sliding his hand along her cheek, he complied. 'Twas a gentle, healing kiss so filled with emotion her eyes burned with tears. Soon, she was needing more and more of him. Her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer, burying her fingers in his thick, dark hair. He lifted her and pressed her against the wall and the kiss grew deeper and more forceful. He flicked his tongue into her mouth, to taste her. Her entire body burned with the passion and need for him.

  When she was near mad with wanting him, he drew back abruptly and pressed his forehead against hers. "Saints!" he hissed. "Do you ken what you do to me?"

  "You do the same to me," she whispered, stroking his cheek above his short beard and looking into his fathomless, dark eyes.

  "I brought you up here to talk to you about something important." He gently set her to her feet.

  Despite her weak knees, she forced herself to stand. "What is it?"

  Clasping her hands, he kissed each of them, as if searching for the right words. He met her gaze. "I want to thank you for all your help while I was recovering. I know you rarely left my bedside."

  "I was so worried about you."

  "I'm sorry I put you through that."

  She shook her head. "Do not apologize. You were injured while protecting me."

  "Well, I've come to care for you a great deal, more than I ever thought possible. I—" He coughed as if suddenly choked.

  She gripped his hands tighter, hanging on his every word.

  His gaze intensified, looking deeply into her soul. "Lass, I want you to know… I love you. And, if you would have me, I would like to ask for your hand in marriage. I ken I have naught to offer you. Neither title nor—"

  "Darack," she interrupted. "If you will be silent for a moment and let me speak."

  "Aye."

  "I love you, too," she whispered. "And I have since you risked your life for me. I saw then what a selfless, caring man you are. But 'tis more than that. We have shared some sort of bond since the first time we met years ago."

  "'Tis true. I thought about you often, but I also realized… I have nothing to offer you. No land. I'm not a chief or laird. Who knows if your brother will agree to it?"

  "If he is doubtful, I will convince him. But he already likes you as a friend."

  "He has always seemed a fair and honest man to me."

  "He is. And his bark is worse than his bite."

  "I'll be sure to tell him you said that." Darack grinned, lowered his head and kissed her briefly.

  "Nay! Do not tell him." She chuckled.

  "I was but jesting. So, will you marry me?"

  "Aye, with pleasure."

  After another delightful kiss, Darack pulled himself away. "We must join the others, else they'll wonder what we're up to." He winked.

  She blushed. "Aye, you're right. But I must tell you in all seriousness, Father Bhradain was against us taking you to the enchanted loch."

  Darack nodded. "I can well imagine. Is that why Ma wanted to talk to him in the chapel?"

  "I think so. Hopefully she can calm him."

  "Did you give her the brooch?" Darack whispered in Mairiana's ear.

  "Nay, of course not. I wanted you to give it to her."

  He nodded. "We will tonight, together."

  ***

  Upon joining the other men in the bailey, Darack learned that Ewen had sent out several of his best soldiers to scour the wood for more Lindsays. Alec had already said his father was with them. By noon, the guards brought in six more Lindsay clansmen, including their chief, Angus.

  "I demand that you release my son and my men at once!" Chief Lindsay said, his face dark red above his short gray beard.

  "After we negotiate. Bring him into the library," Ewan told his guard.

  Darack followed Ewan into the library, and the guard brought in Chief Lindsay.

  "Please, have a seat." Ewan motioned to the chairs, then sat at the head of the table. Darack sat beside him.

  Ignoring his congenial words, Chief Lindsay remained standing. "I'll not negotiate with a man who harbors outlaws, murderers and kidnappers!" he yelled, glaring at Darack.

  Refusing to be pulled into an angry shouting match and name calling, Darack merely raised a brow, then leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. He knew if he said anything, Chief Lindsay would simply get more riled.

  "Your son is the murderer and thief," Ewan said calmly. "If necessary, I'll take him before the king myself."

  "Of course, you would believe your outlaw cousin over me." Chief Lindsay's face reddened further. "You are mad, the lot of you!"

  "Lady Mairiana was a witness to your son murdering his own guard. That's why she chose to leave him and now refuses to marry him. There was no kidnapping," Ewan said. "The lady asked Darack to protect her on her journey and that was all he did. As a baron, I'm well within my rights to arrest a murderer—Alec—and have him escorted to London."

  Chief Lindsay hung his head, then dropped into the chair at the other end of the table. After a dejected sigh, he said, "That is my heir you're talking about."

  "Aye." Ewan leaned back in his chair. "My father considered you a close friend and a good man. What's happened? You've now lowered yourself to Alec's level?"

  Chief Lindsay released a long breath and shook his head. "Hugh was a great friend to me. I miss him sorely. What would it take for you to release my son?"

  Ewan eyed him for a long moment. "Do you really want someone of his character leading your clan one day?"

  "I have another son, you ken. One who would make a better chief, in truth. I will deal with Alec. If he does not change his ways, I'll turn him in myself."

  Darack could not believe his ears, but indeed the man did look sincere… and also disappointed in his son.

  "Alec threatened to report to King James that I'm harboring MacGregors. No one here claims that name. If some of their ancestors were MacGregors, that is no fault of their own. Some of my family members live here—including my cousin, Darack—but there is no law against that."

  "Aye, none of us will be reporting MacGregors," Lindsay conceded.

  "If any of you do, I'll immediately report Alec's crimes," Ewan said, a glint of warning entering his eyes.

  "I agree with that," Lindsay said.

  To Darack, the man seemed sincere as he shook their hands. But what if Alec refused to go along with the agreement?

  Chapter 13

  While Darack was in the meeting with Ewan and Chief Lindsay, Mairiana found her brother in the courtyard. She
could not wait to tell him the news about Darack wanting to marry her. She rushed toward him, lest someone else call him away for some other duty. "Could I talk to you, Dugald?"

  He turned, observing her closely with green eyes so like their father's. "Aye. What are you so happy about?"

  Well, aye, she was indeed beaming. "'Tis what I want to speak with you about. Let's go into the garden." She rushed around the side of the castle to the spot beside the kitchen garden which contained a small orchard and roses climbing on the stone wall.

  "What is it?" Dugald tilted his head and grinned. 'Twas so unlike him she was startled for a moment.

  "First, a question," she said. "Why are you in such a good mood?"

  "Why shouldn't I be? My sister is safe."

  She narrowed her eyes. "Something is very different about you now than when I last saw you a month ago."

  "Oh, well." He shrugged. "I did get married."

  "What?" she yelled. "Married? When? To whom? You had best not be jesting with me."

  He laughed. "Nay. 'Tis true."

  She was shocked, for she had never seen him so happy. Did he have a love match? She had never thought to see the day. "When were you planning to tell me?"

  "This is the first opportunity I've had. She's a beautiful, sweet, French fireball named Camille."

  She could see the love in Dugald's eyes when he spoke of her. "When did you meet her? How? I want the whole story."

  He snorted. "I'm certain she will enjoy telling you the story of our meeting far more than I would. Suffice it to say, she makes me happy… and she's amazing. Now, what were you wanting to tell me?"

  Mairiana grinned, her joy and love for Darack rising to the forefront. "Darack is going to ask you for my hand in marriage."

  "What?" Dugald's eyes widened. "Although, I don't know why I'm surprised."

  "Indeed. Isn't it exciting?" Unable to stay on the ground, she bounced on her toes. "And you must tell him aye. I love him!"

  Dugald sighed as if tired. "Mairiana, 'tis the same thing you told me about Alec."

  His words brought her firmly back down to earth, though she did not allow this to dissuade her. "I was wrong about him. But you know Darack. He's a friend of yours and a good man. He was incredibly generous in protecting me on the journey here. And he was so grievously injured, I feared for a while that he would not survive." Tears burned her eyes as she remembered how she'd felt over the past several days. "He is the son of the last MacGregor chief."

  "I ken it," Dugald said. "And if things were different, he would be a chief."

  She nodded, wiping her tears away.

  "I'm not concerned about his social status. Are you certain 'tis wise to marry so soon after you've broken off the engagement with Alec?"

  "It does not seem soon to me. I was naïve when I thought I loved Alec. 'Twas only infatuation with his handsome face and charming ways—a false front. He and Darack are like night and day."

  "I agree with that," Dugald admitted.

  "Though it has only been a fortnight since I left Lenor Castle and Alec, I've been through so much it seems like half a lifetime. I have gotten to know Darack well during that time."

  Dugald frowned, observing her for a long moment. "Has he compromised you?"

  A shock went through her. "What? Nay!" Her face burned. "How can you ask such a thing?"

  "Because I know men. I am one, after all."

  She was tempted to tell him Darack was not like him, but she didn't want to insult him, lest he become unreasonable. Instead, she said, "Darack respects me."

  Dugald crossed his arms over his chest. "I will think on it."

  "Do you love your new wife?" she blurted, hoping to somehow convince him.

  He glanced away, as if a bit uncomfortable discussing feelings. "Indeed."

  "Well then, you understand how Darack and I feel about each other."

  "We will see." Her brother then turned to leave the garden.

  "Dugald!"

  "There is naught more you need to say, sister," he said obscurely and strode away.

  Blast him! What was he about? She followed him from the garden, but when she reached the courtyard, he was already talking to some of the men.

  Surely he would approve of Darack as a husband for her, wouldn't he? Her stomach knotted with worry.

  ***

  Hours later, after a nap where she did little but toss and turn, Mairiana descended the steps to the great hall. Because of being awake the night before, Darack had convinced her to try to sleep.

  Now, he strode toward her. "How do you feel?"

  A thrill shot through her upon seeing him. "Better now."

  "You still look tired." Darack frowned but kissed her cheek. "Would you like to help me give the brooch to my mother before the cèilidh starts?"

  "Aye. I can't wait." Though she wished she could spend several hours alone with him instead, that would have to wait.

  "Come. I've asked her to meet us in her sitting room."

  Once the three of them were seated, Nora said, "Do not worry over Father Bhradain. I've explained your healing had naught to do with heathen practices, Darack. I told him Ewan led a prayer beforehand."

  "I'm relieved," Mairiana said. "I did not want him to be angry with us."

  "Not to worry, lass. I'm sure he will be only too happy to perform your and Darack's wedding ceremony soon." She grinned.

  Mairiana chuckled, for she could hardly wait for said wedding ceremony, and could not believe it when Darack's face reddened.

  "'Tis not what we're here to discuss, Ma."

  "What is it, then, dearest?"

  "We have something to give you."

  Nora's eyes widened as she glanced back and forth between them. "What?"

  He reached into his sporran and, with the brooch hidden in his hand, he brought it out. "Hold out your hand." When she did, he placed it in her palm.

  She gasped. "My brooch!"

  "Aye." Darack smiled.

  His mother leapt up and embraced him. "How on earth did you find it? I thought it was gone forever. Wait a minute…" She stepped back, her expression turning troubled. "That's why you were at the Lindsay's castle! You risked your life for this brooch? Are you mad?"

  "I have no regrets." Darack grinned at Mairiana, then moved closer to her on the settle and took her hand.

  His mother blew out a calming breath and reclaimed her seat. "All right." Tears welling in her eyes, she studied the brooch for a long moment, then lifted her gaze to Mairiana and Darack. "Everything worked out in a grand way, and I'm thankful for that. But please, son, promise me you will never risk your life for a material possession again. If I had lost you…" Tears dripped from her eyes.

  Mairiana's eyes burned as well.

  "Would you two please stop with the tears? You didn't lose me. As you may have guessed, 'twas not my time to go. My life has only just begun." He again looked at Mairiana and winked.

  Happiness filled her and she couldn't wait to start her new life with Darack.

  His mother wiped her tears away and a smile broke over her face. "I always wanted a daughter. You chose well, Darack." She came forward and hugged Mairiana.

  "In truth, you have Mairiana to thank for your brooch being returned," Darack said.

  "What do you mean?" Nora sent a questioning look toward her.

  "Alec Lindsay gave me the brooch as a wedding gift," Mairiana said. "I had it with me when we escaped. Once Darack told me the brooch had been yours, I gave it to him so he could return it to you, the rightful owner."

  "Oh, lass," Nora whispered. "What a dear you are, but you don't have to return it to me."

  "I want to. I have no need for any of Alec's gifts. I want naught that reminds me of him. From now on, my sole focus will be on your son." She squeezed Darack's hand, hoping and praying her brother would approve his request once he asked for her hand.

  ***

  "Could I speak to you in private?" Darack asked Dugald over the loud music and dancing of
the cèilidh in the great hall later that night.

  "Aye. I need to talk to you, anyway."

  While climbing the steps, Darack wondered what the man wished to speak to him about. He hoped it was naught which would conflict with the question Darack wished to ask him.

  Dugald's coloring was much like Mairiana's in that they both had green eyes and dark hair, but everything else about them seemed opposite. Mairiana was slender, petite and feminine, whereas Dugald was a tall, muscular warrior. One thing Darack wondered about was that Dugald did not appear as short-tempered and ornery as he'd been in the past. That had to be a good sign, since he intended to ask for his sister's hand in marriage.

  "We'll go into the solar." Once inside, he closed the door to block out some of the noise from below. "A dram of whisky?"

  "Indeed." Dugald took a seat. "I must thank you again for rescuing my sister from that swine. I wish to offer you a reward for helping so much."

  Now was his opportunity, Darack realized. It was such a momentous occasion his thoughts deserted him for a moment.

  "If I can afford it." Dugald grinned, accepting the whisky Darack offered.

  "Aye, there is something I would value above all things."

  "I hope 'tis not my dagger," Dugald quipped.

  "Nay. Your sister."

  "Indeed?" Dugald's brows lifted, but thankfully he remained even-tempered. In truth, he did not seem surprised.

  Darack drew in a deep breath. "I want to ask you for Lady Mairiana's hand in marriage. I would be greatly honored if you would consider my suit."

  Dugald studied him, then sipped the whisky. "Why do you wish to marry her?"

  "I love her." Though he did not feel comfortable telling Dugald of his feelings, 'twas important that he know how much Darack treasured Mairiana. "I know I am not a wealthy chief or laird, but I would protect and cherish Mairiana all the days of my life. Though I hold no land, I earn a good living. Ewan provides me all sorts of assignments and generous wages. Both Ewan and I hope this can form an alliance between your clan and the Grant clan, and of course the MacGregors, what few there are left of us."