Never Kiss a Highlander

by Michele Sinclair

  It was that silent mutual agreement that enabled them to leap past the previous afternoon’s events and onto safer subjects. And once they started talking, their conversation easily flowed from one topic to the next. She loved that he laughed at her warped sense of humor and in return he showed his own droll wit. They seemed to be able to talk about anything . . . with one exception. And each was privately grateful that the other did not want to explore it at this time.

  Hamish looked at the last two men coming into view. “Any more after them?”

  Mairead gave a quick shake of her head. “They are all that is left and neither are Ulrick’s men. They lack skill and discipline. I don’t know why Ulrick kept them as part of the guard.” Hamish knew. Ulrick needed men to leave behind. “Now that you know who the moles are, what are you going to do?”

  Hamish barked out a laugh. “You will never give up, will you?”

  Mairead rolled her eyes. “I don’t think I can,” she admitted. She was no longer trying to trick him into revealing anything for it was no longer necessary. She knew where to go for answers but would not betray his trust. He would show her when he was ready. But that did not mean it was in her nature to ignore secrets. She hated not being included.

  His elbow nudged her knee. “Remember—I like a persistent woman.”

  Mairead produced a small smile and raised her brows high. Then with a smirk she said, “As long as she trusts you.”

  “Aye. As long as there is trust.” He chuckled softly. Then signaled for the two men to spar. As expected, the two were more of a danger to themselves than to others. Hamish quickly halted them and told them that the weather was causing him to end things faster. Both men looked relieved and began the trek back to Foinaven.

  Mairead watched them leave, somewhat sad that their afternoon was over and that there was no longer any reason for them to spend so much time together. “What are you going to do about Ulrick’s men?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Nothing?” Mairead repeated incredulously. Then wondered why she was surprised. She would have been looking for potential “accidents” to send a message to anyone else who was thinking about squealing to Ulrick. So of course Hamish intended to do just the opposite.

  Without thinking, Hamish grabbed her waist and helped her down off the wall. “I never did intend to do anything. I just wanted to know who not to trust when the time came.”

  A loud crack of thunder followed by a long rumble filled the air. Hamish went to go get his horse. He had hoped to have time after they were done to ride out to the valley before nightfall, but the weather had other plans and was growing colder. Lightning lit up the sky and the following boom was almost deafening. “We need to get back before one of those finds us,” Hamish said, and without asking for permission, swung her onto his horse and then jumped up onto the saddle.

  Mairead shivered and Hamish pulled her back into his arms. They felt wonderful and she wanted nothing more than to lean back and nestle into his chest. She needed to focus on something else. “With Jollis, that makes four.”

  “Aye, that’s one more than I expected.”

  “Do you think we caught them all?”

  “Most likely. Three of them I was already suspicious of. If there are more, we will discover them now that we know who most of them are.”

  Mairead nodded, loving the vibration as he spoke. She wanted to hear more and thought of just the question to ask—something she had been dying to know most of the afternoon. But before she could even utter the first word, Hamish urged the horse into a gallop and talking became impossible.

  They had left for Foinaven about five minutes late. They were still outside the gates when the rain, which had been blissfully absent the past couple of days, seemed to be making up for lost time. By the time they reached the stables, they both were soaked.

  Hamish swung his leg over and then helped Mairead down, who immediately dashed back into the courtyard toward the keep. He handed Adiran his reins and gave the lad a few instructions before heading in the same direction. He entered the main keep entrance and stopped short when he nearly ran into Mairead. He had thought she had gone to her room to dry off and get into warm, dry clothes. It was what he intended to do, but she was clearly waiting for him.

  Mairead hugged herself. Having grown up in the north, she was acclimated to the cold and it normally did not bother her, but the combination of being wet and the wind hitting her in the face as they rode back had chilled her to the point her teeth were chattering. She had been dashing toward the keep when she realized that she had yet to ask her question. And she wanted an answer to it more than she wanted to be warm again.

  “Wh-wh-what were you g-g-oing to say ab-b-out w-women using swords?” she finally got out. She was not sure why it mattered so much to her, but it did.

  “You need to go upstairs and get dry clothes on.”

  Mairead squeezed herself tighter. “I w-w-ill, but f-f-f-first I w-w-w-ant to know what you were g-g-going to say.”

  Hamish blinked. He had no idea what she was talking about. “When?”

  Mairead rolled her eyes in exasperation. “You said that I had s-s-some skill with a sword, that y-y-you like women who know how to use a w-w-weapon. Then y-y-you said ‘however.’” Her hazel eyes glared at him. “I now hate that w-w-word by the way.”

  Hamish pointed to the stairwell. “Get dry. We can talk about this later tonight.”

  Mairead gave a single but violent shake to her head. “T-t-tell me now.” She did not want to wait until dinner for chances were high that Selah and little Rab would be there and Hamish had already told her that she would have the great hall to herself. “Tell me,” she pressed.

  Hamish thought about carrying Mairead up to her room, but the stubborn glint in her eyes spoke volumes. She would just march back out. Answering her was the quickest way to get her warm. “It is nothing to freeze over,” he huffed. “I think women should know how to use a weapon, but . . .” He looked at her. His brow furrowed deeply as he debated his next words, but he was also cold and wanted to go change. “. . . listen. Don’t get mad, but why the sword?”

  Mairead’s eyes became wide with indignation. Her jaw dropped. “You don’t think a woman can wield a sword?”

  “Not a claymore.” Hamish knew of only one woman—Colin McTiernay’s wife—who was decent with a sword, but it had also been especially made for her. Even so, Hamish had always thought the idea of women and swords ridiculous. “Most men find them difficult to use, but that is not my point. Even if you could become proficient, when would you use such a skill? If you are going to put energy and time into mastering a weapon, why not one that you would use, such as a bow and arrow? It’s not my strength, but lucky for you, it is Davros’s. I’m sure he would be willing to teach you.”

  Mairead’s gaze narrowed and he knew that she did not welcome the suggestion. “Just think about it. What’s the point of learning a weapon if you can never apply your skill?”

  Mairead shivered again and he pointed to the stairs. “Get dry and warm, lest you become like Robert.” This time his voice brokered no room for disagreement.

  Mairead spun on her heel and rushed up the stairs. She ran to her chambers, glad she had seen no one. It was still a couple hours before nightfall, but the heavy clouds made it seem like it had already arrived. The small fire was struggling to remain alive and Mairead quickly tossed a couple more logs into the hearth before stripping.

  Her mind was no longer even thinking about being wet and cold. What Hamish said rattled her far more than being caught outside in the rain. He had been trying to be nice, but she still heard what he meant. Even if I could get proficient. She had never thought herself an expert with the sword, but she had thought herself decent. She had held off several men for quite a while. But now she wondered if that just indicated they were even worse than she knew. What did she know of a true warrior’s skill? The only time she had seen one in action, besides Ulrick was Hamish, when he disarmed Ja
ime. But if she really was not any good, that meant she was vulnerable.

  And that was the last thing she needed to be.

  All this time she had been wanting to know what Hamish had planned for Ulrick, hoping she might be protected as well. She had even considered marrying a stranger so that he might keep Ulrick from coming after her. Even last night, she had dreamed that Hamish stayed at Foinaven, shielding her from harm.

  She had it all wrong. She didn’t need someone else to protect her. She needed the ability to protect herself.

  Hamish was right. She had been training on the wrong weapon. A sword, even a bow and arrow—these were for offense, to hunt or attack.

  Knives, however, were different. Ideal for close-quarter fighting, the biodag was a stabbing weapon and the perfect means to defend oneself. If she was going to learn how to use another weapon, it would be the dirk and there was only one person she wanted to train her.

  But how was she going to convince Hamish to work with her and teach her what she needed to know without telling him why?

  * * *

  Selah helped move the pillow to a more comfortable position behind Robert. “You sound better, but you don’t look any better.”

  Robert nodded, his eyes closed. He was exhausted, but they both knew from past years that he was finally on the mend. His fever had broken in the early morning hours and he had been able to eat food and drink a good bit of water. He opened his eyes and when they fell on Selah, they softened. “What has been happening?”

  Selah sat down next to him. “Little Rab is his normal self. He is worried about you, but I have assured him that you will be better soon.”

  Robert sighed and successfully fought the need to cough. His throat felt like it was on fire whenever he did. “I miss him.” He took comfort in Selah’s loving gaze. “Is that strange to miss your five-year-old son?” Selah smiled and shook her head. “He is so creative and sees the world through such innocent eyes. Eyes I once had.” His throat constricted and the coughing spasm he had fought finally won.

  Selah laced her fingers with his and tried not to look worried. “Your fever broke, but you still have a ways to go before you are better. Remember that before you decide to jump out of bed. That healer we sent for a couple of years ago was very clear. This cough will go away, but it becomes deadly if you do not allow yourself to completely heal.”

  Robert squeezed her hand. “‘Deadly’ is such an unbecoming word for you, dear.”

  “I’m not waffling on this, Robert.”

  He smiled, hearing her serious tone. “You must admit that the timing of my illness has worked in our favor.”

  A short, exasperated breath escaped her. “In your favor, not mine. I do not like to hear you in so much pain.”

  Robert took back his hand to cover a cough. He relaxed against the pillows. “It’s worth it if my plan is working.”

  Selah pursed her lips in frustration. “That is because you did not see Hamish tonight. Something is bothering him.”

  “I think you mean someone.”

  “Well, it is to the point that I think he might decide to leave.” Robert looked at her then, the intensity of his eyes growing. Selah nodded. “We might be forced to tell him everything we know to keep him here.”

  Robert’s gaze relaxed. “Not yet.” His tone was filled with assurance, but Selah was not comforted. “Listen to me. Hamish will do what is right. He did twelve years ago and he will do so again. He is too honorable to do anything less.”

  “He is an honorable warrior, I agree, but this is different.”

  “Nay. It is the same, Hamish has just demonstrated it more as a warrior.”

  “You are just as honorable, Robert.”

  He gave her a reassuring smile. “I can lift a sword and wield it to defend my home, but I am a MacBrieve. We are builders, farmers, and judges and we are good with money, but Hamish is like the McTiernays. That is why I know he will do what is right. Trust me. My plan will work.”

  Selah bit her bottom lip. “What about Mairead?”

  “I thought you said she was in love with him.”

  Selah wringed her hands. “Aye, she is. You only have to look at her to see just how much she loves him, but she refuses to admit it. And Hamish is just as bad. Why do you think I’m afraid he might leave? They are both doing everything they can to resist their feelings, not succumb to them. I . . . I . . . I think it just happened too fast.”

  Robert cocked a brow. “It only took one look for me,” he reminded her.

  “And for me, but we accepted it. I doubt if either Hamish or Mairead has admitted the truth to themselves, let alone each other. They will still be in denial by the time Ulrick arrives.”

  Robert took a deep breath and waited for Selah to look at him once more. He needed her to remain hopeful. “Hamish and Mairead may deny what they feel, but if they are really in love, they will not be able to resist for long. And when they finally do admit their feelings, are you ready for what will happen? You and she will no longer be living together at Foinaven. It is even possible you might not see Mairead for a long while.”

  Selah swallowed and then stood up. She went to the window and looked down into the courtyard. The rain had persisted for hours but had finally stopped an hour ago. “We knew when we started this that things would change for everyone. I want my sister to be happy.”

  “She will be, my dear. I promise. And it won’t be much longer. Another week, I suspect. By then, hopefully I will be out of this bed and attending a wedding. Then we can focus on our true goal.”

  Selah pulled her eyes from the courtyard and shifted her gaze back to Robert. “I wish I had your faith, but right now I am not sure if any of our goals will be achieved. You were not at dinner. You did not see them.”

  Robert patted the spot next to him on the bed. “There is always a messy stage when building anything, but out of that mess comes the most beautiful creation. And what we are about to create, sonuachar, is something beautiful and long lasting. I am doing this for all of us.”

  Selah sat down and when he opened his arms, she leaned into his embrace. “And if we are wrong about Mairead and Hamish? What then?”

  Robert shrugged. “Then I will tell him the truth. Mairead will be protected. I promise you.”

  Selah said nothing and took comfort from once again being in Robert’s arms. She hoped he was right. If they had to tell Hamish the truth, it would change everything. Aye, Mairead would be protected physically, but her heart would be destroyed.

  “Tha gaol agam ort,” Robert whispered. “Trust me, my love.”

  “I do, a ghrà mo chroì, I do.”

  Chapter Nine

  Mairead licked her lips and closed her eyes in an attempt to strengthen her resolve. She rapped her knuckles lightly on Hamish’s door afraid to knock any louder. It was very early and no sound was coming from the courtyard, but that would change if anyone heard her.

  She feared getting caught, but it was more important that she speak to Hamish. If she did not catch him before he left, she might not see him all day, and dinner was questionable. The man was determined to avoid her. She had hoped that had changed yesterday afternoon, but his chilly demeanor at dinner made it clear that if anything, he was more determined to keep her at a distance.

  Mairead knocked again and then stopped to listen but did not hear any movement. Hesitating for only a moment, Mairead put her hand on the door and pushed. She gasped when it nudged forward for she had expected the door to be barred from the inside.

  Mairead stepped inside and shivered. The room was dark and very cold. No embers glowed in the fireplace, which meant he had either not lit a fire or it had gone out hours ago. Had they not restocked his wood?

  “Hamish?” Her tone was soft, but it should have awoken him, and yet there was no response. The man was either the heaviest of sleepers or he was awake, wondering what she would do next. He certainly could not be watching her. Without any windows or light from a fire, she could see only a
round the entrance and even that was difficult as shadows created from the torches hid more than their light revealed.

  Mairead took another step, remembering that there was a table with some candles. Feeling around, she found both. Grabbing a candle, she went out, used a torch to light it, and came back in, closing the door behind her. No one was up yet, but they would be soon and she did not want to answer questions if someone decided to be curious.

  Holding the candle in front of her, she looked around the room. Hamish was not a heavy sleeper. He was not even there. The room was empty. The bed was mussed, proving he had slept there, but at some point in the night he had risen and left. She did not wonder where he went. Mairead was almost certain that if she rode out to a certain valley, she would find him there.

  Mairead sighed. Hamish not being here answered several questions. The man must leave and return in the middle of the night, because he always emerged from this room in the later morning hours. If she was right, he would be back any minute.

  Mairead found a holder for the candle and then looked around for something to sit on. Seeing nothing, she sat down on the edge of the bed to wait. If Hamish was mad finding her in his room, she would just tell him that it was his own fault. She had been prepared to ask him for dirk training after dinner, but they were not even halfway through the meal before he excused himself. She and Selah had just gaped in silence as he loaded up his plate, grabbed a mug full of ale, and then headed out the door, stating it was time he ate with the guards. Mairead suspected that this was going to happen every night going forward. And since he was also refusing to meet in the great hall, she had little choice but to corner him this early in the morning.

  A cool breeze swirled around her, causing Mairead to shiver. She glanced back at the door and verified that it was closed. So where was the breeze coming from? She rubbed her arms and again felt the movement of air. It felt like it was coming from the hearth. Mairead stood up and again felt the air stir. Grabbing the candle she went to go stand by the fireplace. It flickered and almost went out till she put up her hand to shield it.