The Highlander Who Saved Me (Heart of a Highlander Collection Book 2)

by Allie Palomino

  “Nay.”

  “Is she happy? Hale?”

  “Aye. Verra happy and verra hale.”

  “Is she a sweet young girl? Quiet, shy, docile? Anne was verra much like that.” Menzies said almost wistfully, eagerly wanting to know about his daughter.

  Connor smiled and laughed for the first time since he walked into Menzies’ holding. “Nay, she isna.”

  Menzies head perked up a little. “What?”

  Connor continued to laugh and Iain joined in. “Hellfire she is, Menzies. Sweet, aye, as the sweetest honey. Docile? Shy? Obedient? Nay.” Connor shook his head, laughing. Tears nearly welled in his eyes and Menzies also began to laugh. “That would be the furthest from the truth and I would do ye injustice by telling ye anything less. She is intelligent, witty, cunning, and utterly magnificent.”

  Connor looked away thinking about his wife. He missed her greatly. Dear God, how he looked forward to returning home.

  “So, she is safe?” Menzies asked. “She is not with Wynton?”

  “Verra safe, as safe as I can keep her because the biggest threat to her is herself,” Connor jested, laughing again. He turned serious. “Wynton was abusive towards her.”

  Menzies’ face grew red. Connor told him about Wynton’s lies to Maddie about saving Anne and herself from purgatory. He also divulged the information about Binouix.

  “Bastard!” he roared.

  “Aye, he is a bastard. He knows that if he ever returns, he will die at my hand,” Connor spat, nodding. Menzies and James saw the satisfied look that came across Connor’s face.

  “Where is she?”

  “Keisealle. My mother and sister are verra much fond of her. My mother thinks of Maddie as her daughter, and my sister calls Maddie her sister.”

  “Maddie,” Menzies said, testing the name on his lips. “She always loved the name, my Anne. Always wanted a girl, she said.”

  Sadness crept into the laird’s eyes again.

  “How is it that ye know so much? She no longer has to be a burden on ye. I want her here with me,” Menzies said. He looked at his son. “With us.”

  “She isna a burden, Menzies, and I wouldna allow her to leave Keisealle. She lives there now, and there she’ll remain.”

  Two pairs of cold yellow eyes glared at Connor. “She is my daughter, Ramsay. I want her here, under my protection.” Menzies’ tone was curt and almost hostile.

  “I wouldna allow any harm to befall her, Menzies. I would barter my life, my soul, for hers. I canna and willna allow her to live elsewhere. Daughter she may be to ye, but wife she is to me.”

  Menzies stared at Connor for a long while. Connor thought Menzies would rage against him but he was surprised. Menzies nodded his head.

  “Then I am satisfied and relieved that my daughter has an honorable chieftain and clan behind her, even if ye tried to kidnap and ransom her.” He paused and gave Connor a look of disdain. Inhaling, he continued. “Grateful to ye I am, Laird, for keeping her safe. I am elated that I shall have Anne’s daughter to look upon as my eyes weaken in my age. It is my desire to see her, speak to her, and to form a bond with her.”

  Connor nodded his head. “Absolutely, Menzies. This is why I am here. I needed to first know that ye would accept her. I could not tell her and then have another disappointment like she experienced with Wynton.”

  “She doesna know?”

  Connor shook his head at James.

  “Nay. I needed to make certain that both of ye were men of honor before I chanced my wife’s emotions and feelings being trampled upon again.”

  Menzies nodded approvingly. “‘Twas clever of ye.”

  “I will tell her about ye and send word once she knows. Ye will always be welcome at Keisealle. It is my expectation that clans Ramsay and Menzies will be the strongest of allies.”

  Menzies nodded. “We shall be.”

  After some additional talk of clans, Connor told Menzies that he would send word so that he could meet his daughter.

  It was then that Connor had returned to his clan and faced the anguish of discovering his precious wife missing. Connor never sent word to Menzies for him to come meet his daughter. Instead, he’d sent a message informing him of her death.

  Coming out of his memories, Connor looked at his sleeping wife, swollen with their child. He’d have to send word to Menzies that Maddie was indeed alive. The problem was, how did he tell his Maddie about her real father? She was in such a delicate state and he feared telling her. What if she cramped? What if she lost the bairn, or worse, her life?

  Mayhap he should hold off on telling her. He would delay word to Menzies as well.

  Connor would have to think more on it. He wasn’t convinced that keeping the truth would be the best option. Connor was told by the messenger whom he’d dispatched to tell Menzies of Maddie’s death, that he had fallen to his knees in devastation, cursing the fates for never having met his daughter. Connor’s messenger had stated that the laird had tears in his eyes.

  Nay, he would have to find some way to tell her delicately. God-willing, she would be hale and safe.

  He kissed his wife on her forehead.

  Connor marveled at the little woman in his bed. How could one mite of a woman mean so much to a man? To men, he acknowledged, thinking of Menzies and James.

  For so long he felt dead without her. Now, she was blessedly in his life again and carrying their bairn. Connor felt lighter than he’d felt in months.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Maddie was outside when she heard a dog bark. She turned around, pausing as she spoke to Gretchen, and saw the hound running towards her. She cried out in glee and clapped, her smile wide. She looked behind the hound and saw Connor’s face. It was a mixture of annoyance and horror.

  “Maddie, step back before the hound tramples ye!” Connor bellowed.

  Connor stopped running, and so did the men behind him. He cursed under his breath.

  “Ramsay!” she yelled, laughing. She stuck her palm out and the dog immediately flattened his front paws, stopping, and sat panting in front of her. He barked at her and then his long tongue hung down the side of his mouth. Drool began falling from it.

  “Such a good boy.” Maddie patted him as he licked her.

  “Damn woman will be the death of me, I know it,” Connor said, as Iain slapped him on the back, laughing.

  “Aye, she will, willna she? But ‘twill be a sweet death.”

  Connor gave his brother a caustic stare and returned his gaze back to his frustrating, yet delicate, wife.

  “He’s one ugly hound, isn’t he?” Iain asked, looking at the dog. He was grey with spots of white. His hair stood up as if he was in perpetual fright. He had brown eyes that, at the moment, were loyally focused on Maddie.

  She continued to pet Ramsay when she saw booted feet next to the hound.

  “Thank ye, Con-”

  She was interrupted by Ramsay’s growl. Not her husband’s, but he too, looked as if he would growl. Ramsay immediately turned on Connor and barked at him, pushing Maddie behind him.

  “What the…?” Connor asked, exasperated. “Maddie, I swear this hound better learn who’s master.”

  “Oh, Connor, he’s just used to being wary of strangers. He’ll get to know you and love you like I do,” Maddie said, telling Ramsay to calm down. The dog immediately obeyed but kept a stern eye on Connor.

  Katie ran up and began petting Ramsay. Ramsay automatically took to Katie, Gretchen, and the other children. He became as docile as a small lamb. When Connor approached Maddie, however, the dog began barking and growling at him.

  “Good Lord above, give me patience,” Connor said, swatting the dog away so that he could kiss Maddie. Maddie laughed and shooed Ramsay away.

  “He’s used to protecting me, Connor,” she whispered. “How did you get him?”

  “We brought him on the way back home. Ye were so tired, ye didna even wake and see him.”

  She hugged him tightly. “Thank you, Connor. I c
ouldn’t stand the thought of him staying there.”

  “I know,” he said to her, loving the feel of her lushness pushed up against him.

  Ramsay’s growl reached a crescendo.

  “Protection, hmmm? Well, he better understand that I protect ye and that I’m not the enemy,” Connor said, looking down at the hound. Ramsay’s brown eyes were staring up at Connor.

  “I’m going back,” Connor said, still looking down at Ramsay. “I’ll see ye tonight.”

  Maddie gave him a kiss. “Thank you, Connor, for bringing him home.”

  Connor harrumphed and walked away from Maddie’s giggles.

  *****

  It was late that evening when Connor went up to their chamber after having a quick meal. He knew Maddie would be there, nice and warm in their bed. He almost growled as he envisioned her. He didn’t ask that she stay downstairs waiting for him in her condition.

  Her condition.

  While she had a few months remaining of her pregnancy, she was verra, verra large. It could be that it was due to her being really, really small. He often just looked at her, studying her, her beauty, and the light that radiated from her. Her belly was large, unusually so. Could she be carrying two?

  He shook his head as his blood turned cold.

  Although that would be a blessing, he hoped not. He feared that it would be too much for her tiny body. He didn’t think he could handle the anxiety. As it was, he didn’t think he would get her with child again.

  Aye. This would probably be the first and last bairn. He’d be grateful for the one bairn and his wife. He wouldn’t push fate. He shook his head as he approached their chamber door. He couldn’t risk her precious life, not when his bairn made her belly grow to such proportions.

  Connor walked in quietly. Maddie was asleep. The small candle by her bed cast a faint glow that made her look more ethereal. Reluctantly, he moved his gaze away from her peaceful face and began stripping off his plaid. Finally, in the buff, he eased the covers back and he kneeled on the bed.

  Then he stopped. Connor heard it and felt his ire rise again. He stood next to the bed.

  That damn growl, and loud it was.

  Connor began to whisper curses, not wanting to wake Maddie. Then he heard her giggle.

  “Ramsay, stop that. Connor is my husband, and he’ll not hurt me,” she said sleepily.

  “Madeleine, what is this hound doing in our bed, on my side?” Connor grumbled. Maddie’s answering laugh made him smile.

  “Ramsay,” she whispered scathingly. The hound whimpered. “No, Ramsay. You must respect Connor.”

  Connor stood there in his glory, shaking his head. Did his wife actually believe that this hound would understand her?

  “I’d like to get into bed with my wife,” he said annoyed.

  “Ramsay, you’ll have to sleep on the floor until I can make a cozy bed for you.”

  “Maddie, do ye honestly believe this hound understands ye?”

  As he said that, Ramsay whimpered, got up, and jumped off the bed. Maddie’s laugh was all that was heard. That, and Ramsay’s sigh as flopped down in front of the fireplace.

  “My castle, my rules,” Connor said as he slipped into bed next to his warm, soft wife.

  Ramsay barked in response. Connor sighed. That damn dog needed to be disciplined. He had one thought as he drifted off to sleep- he hoped that the barking hound would be the only excitement and rough waters for a while.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  “Ramsay! Ye had better come out an explain yerself! Ye have something that is mine!”

  “Who is that man, Mother?” Katie asked, looking out of the window.

  “I believe I know who it is,” Miriam said, running to get Malcolm.

  “Mother! Tell me,” Katie said, wanting to run behind her mother but looked out of the window again. The man standing next to the yeller was handsome. With one last look, Katie groaned and followed Miriam.

  Maddie had just rounded the corner of the castle. She was walking to the front entrance with Ramsay by her side, when she looked to her left. She inhaled sharply.

  There were at least twenty massive highlanders mounted on enormous horses. They were wearing a different plaid, Maddie noticed, but she had no idea who they were.

  They didn’t notice her, though.

  “Ramsay! I want an audience with ye, now! Ye have kept something that is mine!”

  Alarmed, Maddie rushed over to the shouting man who she believed was the laird of the group. What if these men wanted to fight her Connor? No. She had to avoid bloodshed.

  “May I help you, sirs?” she asked, stepping in front of the leader’s horse. She rested her hands on her belly protectively. They were intimidating.

  All of the warriors looked down at the pint-sized woman with child and inhaled collectively.

  “Lord above,” the man next to the leader said.

  “Sir?” she asked, looking at them skeptically. She noticed the front two men had dark hair and golden eyes.

  Like her.

  She felt her heart seize in her chest.

  “Madeleine, step back. Come here. Now!” Connor bellowed.

  Maddie looked back at Connor, confused at the tone of his voice and the hostility of his stance. He was rigid, and his hands were fisted at his sides. She looked at his face and saw his jaw was clenched. She immediately walked over to him while thinking of her father and brothers, and those two men. She couldn’t help but compare them all to herself.

  When she reached Connor, he gently tugged her behind him while he remained facing forward. He flashed a threatening scowl towards Menzies and he turned around to face Maddie. He passed his hands over her- her face, shoulders, arms, and belly. She was safe and whole. Relief flooded him.

  “What is the matter?” she asked, looking concernedly at him as if he’d grown ill all of the sudden.

  “Maddie, please go with mother inside the castle. Wait for me there.”

  “But Connor, who are those men?”

  He kissed her forehead. “Maddie, please. Go inside and I shall explain it to ye. I promise.”

  Maddie nodded and walked towards the castle with one last questioning backward glance. Miriam was waiting for her and she went inside along with her.

  Enraged, Connor charged over to Menzies, who at seeing Connor’s face, dismounted.

  “I apologize, Laird. ‘Tis that just months ago, ye mentioned that Laird Menzies would be welcome whenever he visits without prior notification of his impending travel, and-”

  Connor held up his hand to stop his warrior’s explanation. “Aye, I did. I told Laird Menzies, however, that the first time he comes to meet my wife-”

  “My daughter!”

  There was a collective inhale from the surrounding warriors at Menzies’ angry words.

  “He would need to first arrange said travel with me,” Connor growled over him as if Menzies hadn’t spoken.

  “Ye didna tell me she is alive!”

  “How dare ye come here unannounced. What did ye think to gain by upsetting my wife who is expecting my bairn?” Connor roared. The vein in his temple twitched.

  “She’s my daughter and ye sent word to me that she died!” Menzies barked. “I had to mourn the life and death of a daughter I always wanted from the only woman I ever loved in the span of a fortnight. Then days ago, I hear that she lives! And ye’ve not told me!” “Menzies, I only found out about it myself recently,” he said calmly. It was clear to Connor that Menzies meant no harm to Maddie, and meant no disrespect to him. He understood how the laird must be feeling. Connor hurriedly told Menzies all that had transpired. “I havena had the time to let ye know.”

  Menzies seemed satisfied and nodded his head in understanding. “I apologize, Ramsay. Is my daughter well?”

  Connor shook his head sharply. “No. She is experiencing pains randomly. It is too early in her condition for this. It is a verra sensitive time, Menzies. I canna risk her well-being.”

  “I agree, Ramsay.
Perhaps ‘tis best we wait to tell her-”

  They both looked up to the castle as the petite fire came out.

  “Are you my father?” she yelled, asking from the castle steps.

  Connor turned back to Menzies. “She is a verra intelligent woman but she isna a well-behaved lass.”

  Menzies grinned. “She’s perfect.”

  Connor snorted and he felt the jabbing of a finger. He rolled his eyes and Menzies stifled his laugh.

  “I beg your pardon, husband?” she asked sweetly.

  “Ye are my daughter,” Menzies said in awe. His eyes glided down the length of her shiny hair and moved to her eyes. Dear Lord, he could no more deny that she was his daughter than he could deny the sky was blue.

  “Easy,” Connor warned. He hovered protectively over Maddie.

  Menzies approached Maddie and found he could not breathe. “Ye have my coloring, but ye look just like my Anne,” he whispered, almost painfully.

  “Like mother?” she asked, half-afraid to hear anything about her mother because of the pain it would bring her.

  “Yes,” Menzies said shakily.

  Connor had never seen a man of such stature besieged by strong emotions at the presence of a woman. This laird, a man with enormous power, was humbled by this tiny woman. Being a bit more insightful, Connor realized that when he looked at Menzies, he was seeing a reflection of himself. So this was how he looked every time he saw his little wife.

  Connor was nearly felled with laughter.

  His mite of a wife had the power to make the greatest of men fall to their knees with emotion. His wife was certainly special, but he’d known this since first she’d rested her golden eyes on him.

  “Menzies, join us inside,” Connor said, beginning to usher his wife towards the castle again. “Yer horses will be taken care of and yer men given food and drink. James, come. It is a hot day and my wife is verra round with child.” The stress on the word ‘verra’ was clearly purposeful. Maddie elbowed him and both Menzies and James laughed.