Stolen by the Highlander

by TERRI BRISBIN

  ‘Where are the others?’ she asked, peering over his shoulder.

  ‘I came alone. Your father had to leave Mackintosh lands and took the others with him.’ Alan stepped back and held out his hand. ‘I have been waiting and watching for the chance to get you out of here. Come. Now.’

  If he’d been able to sneak in, he might be able to lead her out. She reached out to take his hand when the oath she’d given echoed in her thoughts.

  ‘You have to get out of here, Alan!’ She pushed him away and pointed back at the path. ‘If you hurry, they’ll not see you.’

  ‘I am not going without you,’ he said, taking her hand and tugging.

  She held her breath when the sound of metal scraping metal surrounded them, knowing that swords had been drawn. Brodie stepped forward from the shadows first.

  ‘Neither of you is going anywhere.’

  Alan reached to draw his sword in answer, a gesture she knew would be his last, regardless of his age or inexperience with that weapon. So Arabella threw herself between her cousin and the men now threatening him.

  ‘Nay! He is just a boy!’ she cried out.

  ‘Take him,’ Brodie ordered as he took her by the arm. His hand was like an iron band, pulling her from Alan and holding her still as his men took her cousin prisoner. Then just before Rob left with him, Brodie stopped them.

  ‘Wait. Let me look at him.’

  Brodie’s tone was a strange one, almost choking on the words, as he walked up to Alan and stared at him. Then he examined his face feature by feature and shook his head. ‘Take him. I will be there in a moment.’

  They followed his orders and she watched in silent helplessness as Alan was dragged off. Then, when they were gone, he turned to her.

  ‘Who is he, Arabella?’

  She saw no reason to lie. ‘He is my cousin Alan.’ When he frowned, she added, ‘You met him during our visit. He was forever trailing after...’ She could not finish it, but he nodded his understanding.

  ‘How did he get here?’ Glancing around the area and listening for a moment, he tightened his grip. ‘And where are the others?’

  ‘He tracks. He has since he was a wee one. Animals. People. ’Tis a game for him.’

  ‘And the others?’

  ‘He said he came alone. That my father left Mackintosh lands days ago, just as Magnus told you.’ He released her and she stumbled a few steps away.

  ‘Go, then,’ he said, nodding in the direction of the camp. ‘Be about your day.’ Without another word, he turned from her and began following those who’d taken Alan.

  ‘Wait!’ she called out, running to catch him. ‘What will you do to him?’ Arabella couldn’t help but remember the horrible things she’d heard from Caelan and her father about how he treated those Camerons he captured.

  ‘I will deal with him, lady. ’Tis none of your concern now.’

  What could she do to keep him from torturing the boy and killing him? That would be his fate now that he’d found this place and could tell others. She had nothing to bargain with for his parole or treatment. Then she met Brodie’s gaze and remembered the way he’d looked at her and how he’d kissed her.

  ‘I pray you to treat him with mercy,’ she said softly. ‘If you agree not to mistreat him—’ she looked away for a moment and then met his eyes once more ‘—I will give you whatever you wish.’

  She knew the moment her offer was understood for those brown eyes turned darker and his body shifted. It lasted only seconds before anger filled that heated gaze. She found herself pulled up against his hard body before she knew what happened. His mouth descended on hers and took it in a wicked, hot, possessive kiss. Then he let her go and stepped away. Her body shivered in anticipation and not fear.

  ‘That you question my honour now and in this is disappointing, Arabella,’ he said, his voice as harsh as his gaze now. ‘I do not kill children.’ He leaned in towards her and she thought he was going to kiss her again. His voice dropped low then. ‘And no matter how much I might want you, and I do want you, Arabella, I will not take what is not mine to have.’

  Her body would not draw a breath after hearing the fierce and erotic words spoken. He was gone, yards and yards away from her before the spell was broken. Her legs gave out and she knelt on the ground, forcing air into her lungs.

  She had, once more, misjudged him badly and not trusted him. She had allowed more falsehoods to guide her opinion and not relied on her own judgement of him. Nothing in the way he’d treated her matched the stories she’d heard. Nothing in the way he dealt with his people gave any indication that he was less than honourable. Nothing.

  Again, the world in which she lived became a quagmire, swirling with untruths and rumours, and undermining her sense of everything and everyone. The sound of leaves crunching underfoot brought her back to her senses.

  ‘My lady? Are ye unwell?’

  She turned and found one of Brodie’s men there. She did not know his name, but he held his hand out to her and she took it, gaining her feet.

  ‘I am well,’ she said, brushing leaves from the length of her gown. Glancing at him, she saw only concern in his eyes.

  Had he witnessed her encounter with Brodie? That kiss? A hint of embarrassment entered his green eyes and he glanced away. He had.

  ‘My thanks...’ She looked at him and knew him in that moment. ‘Dougal.’ The bard. Now, though, what purpose did he serve? ‘Are you following me?’ She knew the answer before he spoke.

  ‘Aye, lady. I am to see that nothing happens to you while you are here.’ Said like that, it sounded much better than prison guard or gaoler.

  ‘So you saw my cousin, then?’ He shook his head. ‘And you summoned help?’ Another nod.

  In the tumult of those minutes, she had not heard any voices or cries of alarm. And then she remembered Brodie’s system of communicating with his men in the keep. He must have something similar here so that they could wordlessly signal danger or attack. A begrudging respect for his methods grew within her.

  ‘He is no danger to anyone here,’ she said. He nodded, but doubted the man agreed. ‘Where will they take him?’

  Dougal shrugged. Whether ignorant or wilful, he would not tell her. But now, she accepted that Alan would not be harmed.

  ‘Am I free to go?’ she asked. Had the man’s instructions changed since this incursion into their camp?

  ‘You should stay nearer the tents, my lady.’ Just so.

  Arabella walked back towards the centre of the encampment, keeping a watch for any sign of Brodie or Rob and seeing none. She decided to keep busy until she could seek Brodie out, to explain and to apologise. For she owed him that much.

  * * *

  Brodie stood in the shadows as Rob began questioning the boy. Struck by how familiar the boy looked, he first thought he had to be a Mackintosh. Then Arabella named him her cousin and Brodie realised his mistake. Now, though, every time the boy stared over at him, something tugged at his memories.

  To the boy’s credit, he’d said nothing of value when Rob asked. Instead, he glared and shook his head in refusal. But Brodie could read the fear in the boy’s expression—he knew worse was coming and feared it.

  Still, the fact that he had tracked them down and got close to Arabella spoke of his abilities. His dangerous abilities at that. The only thing that had worked in their favour was that he was a Cameron and would report back, or take Arabella back, to The Cameron at Achnacarry Castle rather than to Caelan.

  ‘How many follow you, boy?’ Rob asked in his most menacing voice. Grabbing the boy’s shirt, he pulled him up close and repeated his threat. ‘Do not make me hurt you.’

  Rob would not do any such thing without Brodie’s consent, but using fear to loosen the boy’s tongue was the first step. If he believed the same stories that Arabella believe
d, it should take no time at all to break him. He watched the boy—Alan, she’d called him—tremble, but the lad never answered.

  For a moment then, he saw the lad’s face outlined by the light of a fire. Not here. In the woods. The flames flickered higher and Brodie almost called to him. Then he was gone. Brodie blinked at the apparition before realising Rob called to him.

  ‘Brodie? Are you well?’ At Rob’s call, he shook off the vision or hallucination and looked at the lad as he sat here, his hands tied behind his back.

  ‘Nothing?’

  ‘Nay. He will not tell us anything.’

  Brodie walked forward then, close enough to force the lad to lift his head and look up at him. ‘Are you certain you have nothing to tell us?’

  Alan shivered even more but his lower lip slid out in a stubborn, belligerent gesture that gave his answer. Brodie shrugged and walked out of the cave, leaving the rest of it in Rob’s capable hands.

  One way or another, the lad would share his secrets.

  * * *

  After he’d eaten and given Rob about two hours or so to get the information from their captive, Brodie made his way back to the cave. Unfortunately, the lady stood there on the path, arms crossed and ready for battle. He did not know whether to gird his loins or call for help from her fierce expression.

  ‘I know you have Alan within,’ she said. ‘I want... May I see him?’ Her tone surprised him. He expected fire and brimstone to rain down on his head, so the polite request was a shock.

  ‘Nay. We are not done questioning him yet,’ he answered.

  ‘You have had him for hours. How much can he bear?’

  Tears glistened in her blues eyes and somehow Brodie managed to stand firm, in spite of the need to wipe them away. Damn, but she found his every weakness! If she offered herself to him again, he doubted he could refuse.

  ‘Rob,’ he called out. His friend came out of the cave and nodded. ‘Done, then?’

  ‘Aye. He told us what we needed to know,’ Rob said before he noticed Arabella. Then he saw her and nodded. ‘Lady.’

  Brodie could see her struggling with her need to castigate him and to ask questions. Knowing the stories passed around about him, he understood her fears. He did not like that she believed them, but he understood.

  ‘Go on, then,’ he said to her.

  Arabella bolted into the cave and they followed. Alan slept in the corner. She knelt next to him and touched his face. Brodie fought off the jealousy of such a tender gesture and watched as she whispered the lad’s name several times. Rob nudged him with his elbow and leaned in to tell him what they’d learned.

  ‘He truly did come alone. The lad is quite talented. His uncle may or may not know of this, but he has returned home at Caelan’s request.’

  Just then the lad opened his eyes and greeted his cousin in a drunken, slurred voice.

  ‘Arrrrabelllllla,’ he whispered, tilting his head this way and that and squinting his eyes to try to see the lady.

  Young lads could rarely hold their own against uisge beatha and Rob had used it to loosen young Alan’s tightly sealed lips.

  ‘Are you drunk, Alan?’ she asked, leaning in and sniffing the scent of her cousin’s breath. ‘Whisky? You have been drinking whisky?’

  She sat back on her heels and turned her attentions to him now. He waited for the eruption of anger and accusations from the lady. In preparation, Rob, the coward that he could sometimes be when it involved women, backed away, heading for the entrance to the cave. Her gaze narrowed and she nodded at Brodie.

  ‘That was well done of you, sir,’ she said. ‘Well done.’

  Something that looked like respect filled her eyes and she nodded at him, the slightest curve of a smile appearing on her mouth. Before he could say something foolish, the lad interrupted.

  ‘It would have worked, you know.’

  Then he shrugged and tilted his head again in the other direction as though unable to find his cousin to speak to her. She turned to say something and he shook his head so hard and fast he fell over laughing. The lady helped him right himself as she clearly fought the urge to smile.

  ‘She would not come, you know. It took much time and you found us. If she’d only come when I told her, we would be free now.’

  They would not have escaped, but it somehow made him glad to know she’d kept her word to him. Especially in a situation where he’d have difficulty honouring a promise not to try to escape.

  With that admission, Alan gave up fighting against the effects of the powerful liquor and fell back to sleep. Arabella eased the boy down to the blanket on which he lay and then stood. When she was right in front of him, she looked up at him.

  ‘You thought I would brutalise him to get what I needed.’ The words hung there between them.

  ‘I did...for about one minute. Then I realised that you would not do such a thing.’

  ‘You did?’ he asked.

  ‘I did. Though you tried to make me believe the worst would happen to him.’

  He nodded, having difficulty coming up with words when she gazed at him with respect.

  ‘What will you do with him now?’ she asked, as she led the way outside. Rob stood waiting for him there. When he did not reply as quickly as she’d like, she gave him the answer she wanted.

  ‘You could send him back to my father. Negotiate with him to help settle this.’ Rob turned to look at him. It was not something they had not discussed already.

  ‘Your father will not do that, lady.’

  ‘If I asked him, he would consider it.’ She was lovely in her naiveté about her father, but then she seemed to need to believe the best of her father and the worst of him. ‘If you returned Alan as a sign of good faith.’

  ‘Do you really think he would even speak to the man who killed his son?’ he asked.

  Even if he was the lesser of the Mackintosh evils, there was no way that Euan Cameron would allow him to live. Even without Caelan in the high seat, there would be no peace if Brodie was the one to replace him and rule.

  The truth drew down the wall between them. He saw it in her eyes as she realised it. As it always would stand between them. No matter the respect she might have for him about his treatment of her cousin. No matter the shared desire that he felt every time they spoke or were together. No matter...

  ‘I should not have brought it up,’ she whispered, backing away.

  He reached out, heedless of those watching, and tilted her face up with his finger.

  ‘Nay. I will always listen to your suggestions, Arabella. Just this one...’ He shook his head and dropped his hand.

  ‘I would see to his care this night, if you will permit it?’

  Her soft words stunned him. Most of their conversations ended in anger or distrust. He just nodded this time and she went back inside. Brodie stood silent for a moment and then let out his breath.

  ‘Have a care, Brodie,’ Rob warned before walking off. He gave orders to one of the men to remain on guard there as he left. He did not mistake his friend’s meaning.

  ‘Have a care?’ he said under his breath, to no one but himself. ’Twas too bloody late for that.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The worst thing Alan suffered for his first drunken experience was a bit of an ill stomach and a headache. Margaret, at Brodie’s behest, sent over a noxious-smelling green potion that Alan stared at and refused to drink. For a time. Then when his symptoms became worse, he swallowed it down and complained loud and long about it. But it did help and by midday, he was asking for food.

  * * *

  For two days she did not see him...Brodie. Though her black was in the yard, she caught no sight of him in the camp. Was he avoiding her? She slept in either Margaret’s or Bradana’s tents, helped each of them see to tasks to keep the camp
running, whether repairing garments, preparing food for meals or whatever needed to be accomplished.

  She and Alan spoke many times and he brought word of many things from Drumlui and Achnacarry Castle. Alan said her father had left Mackintosh lands and, fearing Mackintosh aggression, was busy sending soldiers to protect their southern keep, Tor Castle. Worse, he was considering involving the king in this dispute. Although a prisoner, Alan’s youth gained him softer treatment than a man would have received. He was permitted outside several times a day and Bradana saw to his care.

  Arabella remained convinced that her father would help if he knew the truth and decided it was time to hear Brodie’s side of this. If Alan could escape, if he had information to give her father, it might work out. So, she began to look for ways to help the boy escape. After all, he hadn’t given his word as she had.

  All he would need would be a short time undetected to make his way off the mountain and find a way to Achnacarry. Alan said they were about two days’ straight ride to the northwest of Drumlui and almost to the shores of Loch Arkaig, so it would be about three or four days travel to Achnacarry by land. Shorter if they could use the loch and river.

  Although she was in one of the caves visiting Alan, she continued checking the others. She’d noticed that the supplies could be organised a bit differently and it would make it easier to keep track of them as they were used up. And, if they needed to abandon the camp, something everyone she spoke to feared was coming, it would be easier to find and take the most essential items. Planning to take her suggestions to Margaret now that things had calmed, Brodie’s appearance surprised her.

  And the fact that he looked as though he had not slept was more of a surprise. Dark circles smudged the skin beneath his eyes. His face was pale.

  ‘Are you ill?’ she asked, reaching up to touch his face. She stopped herself, but not before he saw the gesture. ‘Have you a fever?’

  ‘Nay, not ill, lady. Nothing to fear,’ he said.