A Hellion at the Highland Court: A Rags to Riches Highlander Romance (The Highland Ladies Book 9)

by Celeste Barclay

  “Brodie, I don’t understand,” Laurel said, her voice tinged with fear.

  “I noticed little things aboot them, and it struck me more like an auld married couple than friends or brothers. I thought it would bother me. I suppose it should. But I decided before we even left Stirling that if they protected you before they did themselves, I couldn’t care less what they do in private. You will always be more important. Let God and St. Peter decide their fate. That isn’t time I want wasted when it can be spent on you.”

  Laurel swallowed as she nodded. “You’re very sage. It must be your auld age.”

  “I shall show you just what an auld mon can do with a lively young lass.” Brodie swept in for another kiss, but this one was passionate and lusty rather than passionate and tender. Laurel moaned softly against his mouth as her hands roamed over his back and down to his buttocks. She pressed his hips to hers, glad he’d pushed his sporran out of the way. She felt her skirts fall loose from her belt, and a breeze soon brushed the back of her legs.

  “I ken it’s only been a few days, bear. But it’s felt like a lifetime.”

  “I ken, thistle. I would sink into you and remain there. It is the closest to heaven on Earth that I shall find.”

  “Do we dare?”

  “The Lamonts will not find us here. I noticed Monty and Donnan already found the healing supplies and the barrel of oats for the horses. If the horses remain quiet, and none of us are too loud, we remain safe. Can you keep from screaming my name this time?”

  Laurel gasped and playfully slapped Brodie’s chest. “You shall have to test me to see.” She squeaked when Brodie’s hands slid along her bare legs before he lifted her off her feet. She snatched the front of his plaid and drew it up before wrapping her legs around Brodie’s waist.

  “I ken there will be nay finesse.”

  “I don’t need it. Just you. Now.” Laurel’s forehead fell against Brodie’s shoulder as he thrust into her. His cheek rested against her shoulder, and neither moved as the sensation of joining was their first wave of bliss. Soon desire took control as they moved together. Laurel pressed Brodie’s mouth to hers as she tipped over the precipice. He swallowed her silent scream before kissing along her jaw and throat, while his fingers bit into her backside. He wouldn’t have lasted any longer, even if they’d had true privacy and no unrelenting threat. His release crashed over him as he grunted with two more thrusts. He felt depleted as the euphoria waned, but despite the wave of fatigue, he wasn’t ready to release Laurel. He turned them so his back was to the wall and eased them to the ground. Laurel sat straddling his hips. She rested her head against the hard planes of his chest as his cheek rested on her crown.

  “I could fall asleep as we are,” Brodie whispered.

  “So could I,” Laurel admitted. Her eyes drooped closed, but a male throat clearing made her groan. “I don’t want to get up.”

  “I know, mo ghràidh.” My dear. “Neither do I. But it would be better if we waited together.”

  Laurel knew Brodie was right. If the enemy found their hiding place, which she supposed they could, the men needed to be prepared and alert. Clasping her hand, they stepped out of the shadows in time to see Monty and Donnan release theirs. Neither man looked in their direction, looking decidedly uneasy and regretful. Laurel lifted her skirts above her ankles and dashed to Monty. She threw herself into her brother’s outstretched arms, while she waved in Donnan’s direction. The men embraced her, and Brodie noticed how tiny she looked between the two towering Highlanders. She may have been tall, but she looked delicate in contrast. He noticed the care the men took as they returned her embrace, careful not to crush her. He witnessed the familial bond he shared with Dominic, and it gladdened him to see it between Laurel and Monty at last. They’d been at odds too many times over the past month.

  “Thank you,” Laurel whispered. “You led your men into battle, and it wasn’t your fight.”

  “You will always be my wee sister. Any danger you face is my fight,” Monty rasped. “Laurel, I haven’t been the brother you deserved for years. I’ve taken the easy way-out time after time, but I will always protect you. Always. And not just because you’re my sister. Because I care deeply for you.”

  “I love you, too,” Laurel said, putting into words what her brother was too embarrassed to say in front of the other two men. “I’ve been a harridan for years, unidentifiable as the sister you once knew. I couldn’t unleash my anger at Father to him, so you became the scapegoat. You look so much like him; at times, it was almost possible to forget you are not him. We’ve made many mistakes over the years, and we’ve both been cruel. I’m sorry for what I’ve done.”

  “I’m sorry too, Laurel. I don’t want you to think you’re no longer a Ross. I want you to know that maybe not today, but one day, you will receive the warmest of welcomes at Balnagown. Our story shall change as of today.”

  Laurel nodded and looked at Donnan. “Thank you for protecting me. I can’t imagine the grief I would feel if I lost Brodie, and we have only been together a short time. I don’t know that my brother would survive losing you. You have been a friend for as long as I can remember. There were times at court when I was certain you were my only friend. Thank you for loving me and my brother.”

  “Laurel,” Donnan smiled. “You are as much my sister as you are Monty’s. I’ve known you your entire life. You’ve kept our secret and protected us. It’s my honor to return the loyalty. You’re stronger and more loveable than you realize. And I think you’ve found someone who can finally show you that in a way I never could as your friend.”

  “I love you, too.” Laurel embraced them both once more before she turned back to Brodie. She didn’t know what to make of his contemplative expression. She realized that she’d spoken of love with ease to her brother and her friend. But, while the sentiment was even more powerful toward Brodie, the words didn’t come as easily. Brodie stepped forward and caught her hands in his. They gazed at one another, understanding passing between them. They both knew it wasn’t enough. “I’m too scared to say it,” Laurel confessed.

  “But I crave naught more than to hear it,” Brodie responded. “I never want you to fear telling me aught. If I am to have your trust, I know I must show I am worthy of it. Laurie, I love you.”

  “Brodie,” Laurel sobbed as tears streamed down her cheeks. “I love you. I didn’t know I could. I never thought I would find a mon to love or who could bear to love me. But I have, and I do. I love you.”

  “Wheest, thistle.” Brodie lifted her off the ground, cradling her in his arms. He glanced at Monty and Donnan, offering them a fraternal smile. He supposed he’d gained two brothers rather than just comrades in arms. He settled on the floor once more, and Laurel leaned against him. She dried her tears and relaxed. “Sleep, mo ghoal.” My love.

  “I ken I’m safe with you, mo ghoal.” Laurel was soon asleep, her rhythmic breathing comforting to Brodie as he held her.

  Brodie nodded at the two men. “We need to talk.”

  Thirty

  “We can wait out the night here,” Brodie explained as he nodded to the stacked supplies. “There're oats for the horses and dried beef for us along with dried fruit. Once it’s dark, I’ll slip out to a stream near here to fill our waterskins and buckets for the horses. The Lamonts are likely still moving through the mountains searching for us. My men know caves and overhangs throughout the peaks and valleys where they will hide with your men. Just like I will at dawn, they’ll send out scouts to see where the Lamonts are. They’re too far up now, and likely too lost, to find their way down before nightfall. We’ll need to remain until at least late tomorrow afternoon, if not the next morning.”

  “Do you think the Lamonts will push forward and go down the other side or turn back?” Monty asked.

  “If they were smart, they would go back. As rough as today’s going was, the descent is far worse. I worry more aboot that for Laurel than aught else. The slopes are nearly vertical in some parts. With
her skirts, leading Teine, and not being used to hiking so long, I’m scared for her.” Brodie felt no shame in admitting his fear. If anything, he felt better for it. He didn’t worry that the two men sitting across from him would think him weak. He didn’t worry that it made him weak.

  “Laurel was surely part goat when she was a wean. She’d climb the crags along the Cromarty Firth and explore the caves. She would give our mother fits,” Monty explained, laughing at the end. “Granted, she would do it in her chemise or steal a pair of my breeks. They’ll be too long and too loose, but I’ll give her a pair of mine in the morn. I brought them for court but blessedly never wore the damn things. She can belt them under her arisaid.”

  “I’d feel better with her in them. I have a spare leine for her. It may as well be a gown, but I ken she’ll make do,” Brodie nodded. “With the descent as it is, if we encounter Lamonts, there won’t be any way to evade them. And we can’t fight lest we die instead of them. There’s also nowhere for Laurel to hide. We must be on the lookout for them. The best I can do is put distance between us and them. But I would prefer to avoid them altogether. They won’t have planned for this detour, so the MacFarlanes may be at Kilchurn before we arrive. The MacDougalls won’t know what to think when the Lamonts don’t show at their meeting place tonight. The MacGregors and MacArthurs won’t make a move without being sure they aren’t facing my forces without the others.”

  “What aboot the dam?” Donnan asked.

  “I’ll send three of my men to relay the message. I need to see Laurel safely at Kilchurn, and I need to be there to coordinate the other branches I summon to the battle. The Lamonts and MacDougalls have declared war. I am not interested in a feud, where we raid one another and bicker. The moment they set their sights on Eliza, they set us on this path. Now that they’ve made Laurel their target, I won’t settle until I grind them under my boot heel.”

  “You ken I sent a mon to Balnagown,” Monty mentioned.

  “Aye. Will your father come?”

  “I didn’t ask him to, and I don’t think you need him or the Rosses. But will you accept his help if he does?”

  “I’d be a fool not to. More sword arms on my side is for the better. And I don’t wish to slight your family or your clan. I heard what you said earlier. I hope one day Laurel wants to visit Balnagown. I don’t need the alliance any more than your clan does. But I want it for Laurel’s sake. I want her to be at peace with your family.”

  “We want that too.” Monty glanced at Donnan, who nodded. “Father and Laurel may not like one another, but neither does he wish her harm. He’s been a fool to turn his back on her, to refuse to acknowledge what life at court is like. He’d rather assume she lives a life of luxury, swanning around the royal castle than accept that he erred in sending her there. His pride has been his downfall with my sister. But she’s still his daughter.”

  “And she’s still the Earl of Sutherland’s niece,” Donnan pointed out. “Laird Ross and Lady Sutherland aren’t close, and neither are Laird Sutherland and Laird Ross. The cousins aren’t friends like the Sutherlands are with their Sinclair relatives. But Laird Sutherland will raise all his forces in defense of his family, close or extended.”

  “In all likelihood, all will be said and done before my mon reaches home. We’ll probably be back at Balnagown before Father can reach Kilchurn. But the MacGregors, MacArthurs, MacDougalls, and Lamonts have made powerful enemies by making this personal with Laurel. Every major clan in the northern Highlands is connected to the Sutherlands or Sinclairs.”

  Brodie considered what Monty said. He didn’t exaggerate. The Sutherlands and Sinclairs, were bound, via marriage, to the Rosses, the Mackays, the MacLeods of Lewis, the Camerons, the Mackenzies, and the Frasers of Lovat. Now they were indirectly tied to the Campbells. Brodie chuckled but shook his head when Monty and Donnan stared at him.

  “I was just thinking that it took the Bruce years to rally such a force, to convince the clans to stop the in-fighting and to band together against a common enemy. It’s taken a few wee women with spirits fiercer than any mon, and they’ve accomplished more than the Bruce. He’d do well to remember who the real peacemakers in the Highlands have been, and who he owes a debt of thanks to.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right.” Monty nodded at his sleeping sister. “I can think of several husbands and brothers who would disagree, but I say my sister is the fiercest of them all.”

  “I think so,” Brodie agreed as he looked down at Laurel’s peaceful visage. He looked back at the couple who sat across from him. “Rest now. When I go to scout, I need you awake in case you must defend Laurel.”

  “Aye. And I’ll take the first watch tonight,” Monty announced. He looked at Donnan and lowered his voice. “I’ll check your arm again, but you need to sleep, mo ghaol.”

  Brodie looked away, giving the men as much privacy as he could. He supposed he would never understand it, but he reminded himself that it wasn’t his to reason why. He just prayed the men didn’t one day lose their lives for it.

  “Laurie,” Brodie whispered as he nudged Laurel awake. Her blue-hazel eyes fluttered open, a tired smile spreading across her face. She squeezed her arms around his waist and sighed. “I don’t like disturbing you, but I need you to eat something. It’s dusk. I’m going out to scout.” Laurel jerked away and shook her head. “Wheest. Dinna fash. I need to fetch water for us and the horses, and I need to see if we can leave tomorrow. I’m the only one of us who knows where we are and what to look for.”

  Laurel looked doubtful, but she nodded her head. She knew he was right, but her chest burned with anxiety. She forced her smile back into place, but she knew it was hardly convincing. Drawing in a fortifying breath, she nodded again. “What do you need me to do?”

  Brodie cupped her cheek. “I love you something fierce, Laurie.”

  “I love you.” Laurel’s smile was dazzling in the dim light. “But that doesn’t answer my question.”

  “I ken. But I love you, nonetheless. This isn’t the first time you’ve asked what you can do to help rather than asking for aught for yourself or avoiding a challenge. It makes me so proud to be your husband.”

  “I want you to be proud, Brodie. I’m so proud to be your wife.”

  “You don’t have to try, Laurie. Being who you are is enough.”

  “You’ve told me that before. It feels odd and right all at the same time. I don’t know how to describe it, but after so many years knowing I wasn’t, it—” Laurel shrugged. “Thank you.”

  “You’ve always been just right, thistle. You just weren’t around the right people.”

  “Mo mathan.” Laurel canted her head. “You looked angrier than a bear with a bee sting when you rode toward me. But you looked just as powerful.”

  “I was angry,” Brodie frowned playfully, able to feel calmer about the morning’s events now that they were past them. “You and your horse. By God, lass. I thought my heart would beat out of my chest watching you leaning along Teine’s side. Then when he reared. By all the saints, I might have wet myself. I was certain Teine’s hooves would kill you. I never imagined the beastie would put an end to David Lamont. I’m rather jealous of your horse! I wanted to mete out justice, but your loyal steed did it for me.”

  “He didn’t appreciate David cutting his ear or the bastard’s horse nipping his rump.”

  “Remind me to stay on the right side of your horse’s temper.”

  “He’s like his mistress,” Laurel purred. “A few treats and a few rubs and pats in the right place. That’s all it takes.” Laurel winked at Brodie.

  “You shall get all of that and more once I get us home in one piece.”

  “Aye.” Laurel sighed and got up. She reached out a hand to Brodie, pretending to tug unsuccessfully. “Come on, auld mon.”

  Brodie was on his feet in one agile move, and Laurel stood blinking at her imposingly large husband. His muscles bunched and rippled as he moved, and she was hypnotized. “I�
��ll never make it out of this cave if you keep looking at me like that.”

  Laurel nodded but didn’t look away. Instead, her tongue darted out to swipe across her lips before she grazed her teeth over her bottom lip.

  “Lass.” The word came out as a strangled groan as Brodie gripped her hips and gave her a searing kiss. They pulled away, knowing that lingering would only lead to more. Brodie stepped away and opened a barrel of oats that he poured out for the horses. He showed Laurel the stash of dried beef and dried fruit before he woke Monty and Donnan. He took two buckets and the waterskins with him and slipped out of the cave.

  “Did you sleep well?” Laurel looked at Monty and Donnan.

  “Aye. And you?” Monty asked as he ran his hand over his hair, which stuck out in all directions.

  “Better than I expected. I feel rested for the first time in days. I suppose it is the first time I really rested.” Laurel pulled out strips of meat and offered them to the men, who eagerly thanked her. They sat in silence as they chewed. There was little to talk about as they waited for Brodie to return. As the minutes ticked away, and the sun sank below the horizon, Laurel grew uneasy. Monty and Donnan assured her that Brodie was fine, but she didn’t believe them until she saw his hulking form enter the cave, a sloshing bucket in each hand. She hurried forward to take one to the horses, letting two drink at a time while Brodie handed back the waterskins.

  Brodie took her hand when they finished their tasks and led her back to where Monty and Donnan waited. The four sat together as Brodie recounted what he saw.

  “The closest band of Lamonts is aboot a mile and a half to the south of us. There’s another group three miles west. But I have men near them, so they don’t concern me as much as the ones to the south.”

  “How do you know that?” Laurel asked.

  “I used a birdcall when I noticed the group. I got immediate responses, so I know where at least a dozen men are. I went further north and saw naught. But I called out and got responses there. Some men are already ahead of us. I hope to join them in the morning and work our way out of the mountains together sooner than I expected. But I’ll scout again in the morning to make sure the way is still safe. If it is, we’ll go. If aught has changed, we wait. My men will go on ahead if it’s safe for them and your men.”