Highlander's Guardian

by Joanne Wadsworth

  Her sark swirled around her legs, hindering her a touch when she usually only wore an old shirt in the water, but still, she should be able to make that ledge before her minute was up.

  “Sixty,” Colin yelled.

  “Nay, you cheated.” He’d counted to ten and no more. She was certain of it.

  His golden eyes shone with laughter as he caught up and passed her. She nabbed his feet and held on. Using his arms alone, he powered them both the last twenty feet to the wide overhanging ledge. Then with his hands on the rock, he hauled himself up, reached down and lifted her onto the flat stone beside him. “You’ve always been a tricky lass. Were you going to hide up here?”

  “How could you even think I would?” Water dripped from her dangling feet into the loch.

  “Because I know you too well.” He caught her hand and pressed it against his thumping heartbeat. “Spending such time with you is always tiring.”

  “Yet you love it.” He’d been her closest kin growing up, and they’d had so much fun, no matter the years separating them. Gently, she spread her fingers over his solid muscle. His wet shirt, almost transparent, showed a smattering of dark chest hair. She slid one finger into the gap between two loosened ties and as his muscles flexed under her touch, a strange heat surged through her.

  Now she’d touched him, she couldn’t stop, and since he hadn’t moved to halt her, she trailed her finger down over each of his rigid abs and swished along his trim waist. Oh, being this close to him was glorious. New and needy emotions reared to life within her. She wanted, and more.

  * * * *

  Colin’s heartbeat thumped as Annie’s blue eyes darkened and her breathing quickened. Her wet sark was pressed against her chest, showing the roundness of her full breasts and a tease of pink nipple. The sight sent wicked thoughts racing through his mind, although thoughts he wasn’t permitted to have.

  He closed his eyes, shoved what he’d seen into the darkest recesses of his mind then opened his eyes and grabbed her wayward hand. She was his ward, and had been since her father had passed away three years ago. “Annie, stop.”

  “Please, no’ yet.” She wriggled her fingers free and let them drift over his belly.

  “We’re cousins.” Damn it. He had to stop her before she encountered his rising cock.

  “Nay, our grandparents were cousins. We’re far removed from being first cousins.”

  “Third cousins still shouldnae touch each other so.”

  “Then you might like to inform the king, because there’s currently no law against it.”

  Ever since she’d lost her parents, she’d sought comfort from him on a greater level, and he’d done all he could to provide whatever she’d needed. Except she was no longer a child and as her guardian, he had a responsibility to ensure her future was secured. To the right man, and that would never be him when he had to lead his clan during this current feud. Aye, he needed to push her away, except they’d always been so close, their bond one he adored. Hurting her was impossible. Tenderly, he caught her face in his hands, traced his thumbs over the dusting of freckles covering her tiny nose and cheeks. “I’m no’ the man for you, but I will aid you in searching for one. Tell me what you’re looking for in a husband.”

  “In truth, I’d like someone just like you.” She skimmed her hands over his. “I’d also love to return to my MacLean roots and be closer to you and my kin. If you’re adamant there is naught between us, then I would like a man from Mull.”

  “You dinnae wish a husband of rank? You can only find that here at court.”

  “Rank means little when it is what’s inside a person that counts.” She released him and tapped her chin. “Hmm, what of Arthur?”

  “My second isnae looking for a wife when the last lass who took his fancy married another.” A small lie, but he’d never be able to stand aside and watch his right-hand man wed her. “He’s also here to aid me, no’ to woo the lasses.”

  “Of course. I’m sorry. How long until the king approves your request for a visit with Lachlan? You said yesterday you were waiting.”

  “That all depends on how accommodating the king is. With the feuds raging, he has little patience with the MacLeans.”

  “Then you need to be careful and no’ aggravate him. I dinnae want you being thrown behind bars right along with your chief.”

  “I’ll be careful, but should I end up in the cells, I expect you to come and visit me.”

  A teasing smile lifted her lips. “I guess I could bring you your daily bread and water.”

  “Imp.” He swung her into his arms and tossed her into the loch with a resounding splash.

  She came up spluttering and laughing, her waist-length hair floating like a lily pad of white-blond around her. “Are you using your strength against me again, Colin MacLean?”

  “You need to learn when to hold your tongue.”

  “I was trained to banter at a very young age, and by the very best. You.” Her gaze traveled down his body and she gasped.

  Hell. He plucked his wet shirt from his groin, but his stiffened cock was still easy to see. Just when he’d diverted her mind, now he’d gone and brought her thoughts roaring right back on him.

  “Colin?” She jerked forward, swam to the ledge and held out her arms for him to lift her up. “Please.”

  Why couldn’t she be like the other lasses and more reserved in her manner? An interrogation was sure to come. He hunkered down, gripped her hands and lifted her. Gently, he set her on her feet beside him as he remained standing. “I want you to forget what you just saw.”

  “I should, but…” She swayed closer, grazing his chest with her hard nipples. “If you feel aught toward me then we need to speak of it.”

  “Nay, I feel naught but the love of one cousin for another.” His heart ached at the mistruth, but speaking honestly on this subject would do neither of them any good, not when he’d chosen to live by his sword as the captain of his chief’s guard. She deserved far more than a warrior whose death might come at any time.

  “Do you truly speak the truth? I willnae abide any lies between us.”

  “Neither will I, and I’ve no reason to lie to you.” And now ’twas time to end this conversation before things between them led down an irreversible path. He strode along the ledge toward the bank. “’Twill be dark soon and we need to return afore you’re missed. Should Rory discover you’ve left the palace on your own, he’ll send out a search party.”

  “Nay, he’ll know I’m with you.” She chased after him. “I’m no’ done talking with you, Colin.”

  “What we need to do is to find you a man who can handle your constant need to talk.” He bounded onto the grassy bank and held out his hands. “Jump.”

  She did and he caught and swung her down next to him. “Stop jesting with me.”

  “I’ll aid you this eve in finding the right man.” He led her to her clothes then dressed as quickly as he could. “It willnae be an easy task, but I’ll manage it, somehow.”

  “You are a stubborn man, third cousin of mine.” She wrung her hem then donned her burgundy gown and jacket over top of her wet underclothes.

  “Thank you.” He ran his fingers through her long locks, tidying her hair as best he could.

  “That wasnae a compliment, you dolt.” She grasped her skirts and tramped back down the thin forest trail toward the palace.

  Hell, he desperately wanted to drag her into his arms and see what their future could possibly hold, but instead he allowed her to walk ahead until they emerged from the woods and the thick stone walls of Holyrood House rose like an impenetrable fortress in the descending dark.

  Ahead of him, Annie hastened toward the two-story gatehouse where battlements topped fortified walls and guardsmen patrolled the barbican. Beyond the arch, the north-west tower housing King James VI’s apartments rose high and overlooked all. The king who’d imprisoned his chief, and the king he sought an audience with.

  He caught Annie up, and with a hand on her
lower back, steered her across the inner courtyard toward the side entrance near the service quarters. ’Twas best they bypassed the great hall and surrounding rooms which would be abuzz with people so close to the dinner hour. The less people who saw their damp hair and clothing, the better.

  Annie slipped through the open doors and peeked down the corridor. “’Tis clear. I didnae realize ’twas so late. Aunt Elizabeth will have already left her chamber and joined the guests for the evening meal.”

  “Then we’ll change quickly and find her.” He led her down the gloomy passageway lit by the odd candle in an iron wall sconce. Along the darkest section, he stopped outside her paneled door next to her aunt’s chamber and nodded at her. “I’ll wait here.”

  Annie tipped her ear up. “I hear something.”

  The heavy clomp of booted feet traveled toward him. Quickly, he nudged her out of sight into the recessed alcove beside her door. “Shh,” he whispered in her ear. “No’ a noise.”

  “I cannae believe you lost track of the MacLeod chit in the woods. I gave you one simple task, to follow her,” a man rasped as he stormed past them with another man, their tall, shadowed bodies blending into the dark.

  “I watched her for a mite,” the other man said, “until she stumbled upon MacLean and the two vanished into the woods. I couldnae find where either of them had gone.”

  “Are they talking about me?” Annie hushed as she slid her hands around his waist and tucked her head under his chin.

  “Aye.” Colin wrapped his arms around her as the men disappeared around the far corner. “This is what I’ve been warning you about. Your cousin is the Chief of MacLeod. Not only is he deeply favored by the king, but any alliance formed with you brings with it Rory’s might.” Frustration burned through him. “Did you recognize their voices?”

  “Nay.” She stared down the corridor. “And ’twas too dark to see. You should follow them, discover who they are. There’s time if you hurry.”

  “I cannae leave you alone after what I just heard. If there is one man seeking you, there could well be another. All here are aware you seek a husband.” He opened her door and stopped in the pitch black. “Why has your maid has no’ lit your fire or a candle?”

  “I told her that could wait until I retired for bed. I thought I’d be back in plenty of time to dress afore it got dark.”

  “Wait here. I’ll find us some light.” He strode down the hallway to the last lit candle, collected it and returned. Annie stood shivering and rubbing her chilled arms. He set the candle in the holder on her side table and ushered her across to her curtained ambry. “Choose something warm and change, as quickly as you can.”

  “Is your tunic drying out, or will you need another for the evening meal?” She selected a pale blue gown and stepped behind the silk dressing screen next to her four-poster bed with its sweeping navy velvet canopy and golden tassels.

  “I’ll need to change.” Although, he wouldn’t be leaving her alone, not after what he’d heard in the hallway. “We’ll stay together.”

  “When the maid returned with my laundry this morn, by accident she left one of Rory’s tunics behind. Rory will never know if you wish to borrow it. It’d save you a trip to your chamber.”

  “Aye, I’d appreciate it.” Changing here would be far more preferable than having to sneak her to his wing which housed so many of the single men.

  “You’ll find his tunic on top of my trunk under the window.”

  “I see it.” He tugged off his shirt, donned the white tunic and retied his black doublet.

  “It appears I shall need a hand.” Annie stepped out from behind the screen holding her gown’s low-cut silk neckline to her chest. The full swell of her breasts rose on a deep inhale as she turned and gave him her back. Over her shoulder, she smiled. “You dinnae mind?”

  “I’m no maid but I’ll manage.” Bare skin, so creamy and smooth, beckoned. He brushed aside her glossy blond locks, picked up the ties and laced the stays as quickly as he could. Finished, he ran her comb through her hair until the pale strands curled around his fingers like a silken web. “You’re presentable.”

  Now they needed to go. His desire for her deepened with each moment they spent together, something he couldn’t allow.

  Finding her a husband was imperative, and soon.

  * * * *

  Annie wandered down the passageway, Colin at her side and his crisp outdoor scent swirling around her, a delectable tease of pine and fresh water she’d always adored.

  “What has that smile on your face?” He pressed a hand to her lower back and warm tingles raced across her skin.

  “Thoughts of you.” If only she had more time to choose a husband, but Rory expected her to secure an engagement before they left Holyrood.

  “You shouldnae be thinking of me.” Colin stopped at the entrance to the great hall.

  She took a deep, fortifying breath. The massive vaulted room held a sweeping crown of rafters rising to an impressive height more similar to a small cathedral. Beautiful tapestries, of hunting and landscape scenes, hung with pride around the vast room filled with a merry and hungry crowd. “Well, finding Aunt Elizabeth and Rory in this gathering willnae be an easy task.”

  “But find them we will. Come.” Colin weaved around the perimeter and she followed in his path around the mingling groups. A serving girl approached with a tray and he accepted two goblets of wine, handed her one then continued on through the doors leading into a side room where pipers played a lively tune.

  Music flowed around her as she sipped. “Can you see them?”

  “Nay, no’ yet. Mayhap we should eat afore attempting a more in-depth search.” He stopped before a side table with a white embroidered tablecloth fluttering in the breeze from the open balcony doors. The table was laden with platters of meat and succulent roasted vegetables. Colin set his goblet down and selected a sugared plum, one of her favorite fruits. “Try this.” He slipped it between her lips.

  The sweet ripeness burst over her tongue and she licked his trailing fingertip, not wanting to miss a drop of the delicious juice. “Mmm, wonderful.”

  He groaned and cleared his throat. “Next time you can feed yourself.”

  She grinned. “All I heard was next time.”

  “Good evening.” Arthur, Colin’s right-hand man, eased past a group of guests and joined them. Wearing a forest-green silk tunic and black leather trews, the striking colors matched his vivid green gaze and midnight-black hair to perfection. “Annie, you’re looking bonny this eve.”

  “Thank you. And you look dangerously dashing.”

  “Ah, lass, you’ll make me blush.” He took her hand and pressed a kiss against her knuckles.

  “Enough.” Colin knocked Arthur’s shoulder. “No dallying with Annie when you’re still distressed about the lass you lost.”

  “What lass is that?” Arthur frowned, his expression perplexed.

  Oh, Colin had been telling fibs again. Well, two could play at that game. She set her goblet down and faced Arthur. The warrior stroked the hilt of his belted sword and the blade swayed and glinted in the candlelight. Aye, Arthur appealed, and she’d always felt so protected whether he or Colin were nearby. Certainly the man’s towering height and powerful bearing showcased the depth of his MacLean ancestry, that of their Gaelic clan born of a king. Arthur had also always had a kind word for her. “How have you been of late, Arthur?”

  “Better if our chief were no’ locked behind bars.”

  Colin rested his hand on her lower back, stroked his thumb in a small circle. “Aye, I’m still awaiting word on when I may see Lachlan, but I hope soon.”

  Unable to help herself, she inched closer to Colin. His little touches always soothed her. “Why is the king taking so long to approve a visit?”

  “He inserts his control, and none may gainsay him.” Colin eyed his man. “We’ve been looking for Rory and Elizabeth. Have you by chance seen either of them this eve?”

  “I passed Elizabeth
only a moment ago.” He motioned over Annie’s shoulder toward a group of chattering women.

  Her aunt’s back was to her, but her unmistakable auburn hair, piled high atop her head, gave proof ’twas her. “Oh, how did I miss her?” She squeezed Colin’s arm. “Stay and talk to Arthur. I willnae be long. I must see my aunt so she knows I’ve arrived.”

  “A sound idea. Save your first dance for me.”

  “I will.” She clutched her skirts and eased around the dancers toward Elizabeth.

  “Well, well, if it isnae Annie MacLeod.” James MacDonald, attired in a great plaid fastened across his chest with a silver pin, stepped directly into her path. “You’re the very lass I was after.”

  “James, how are you?” She fluttered her hand over her chest. Goodness, should Colin see her with his greatest enemy, a battle would certainly ensue.

  “I’m well, but you’ve not yet been to Dunscaith Castle to see Anne.” He crossed his arms and lifted one bushy red eyebrow. “My brother’s new wife misses you.”

  “As I miss Anne, but I thought it best to give her some time to settle into her new home and married life afore I asked Rory if a visit might be permissible.” Something she had no idea how she’d arrange when the relationship between their clans was so on edge. A truce had been achieved by the marriage of one of her kin, Anne MacLeod to Alex MacDonald, but ’twas still a very uneasy truce. “How is Anne?”

  “Enjoying wedded bliss, as is my brother. ’Tis why I’ve come to Holyrood House in Alex’s stead. Tearing him away from his wife right now would be impossible.”

  With Donald, his chief and uncle, currently in the cells, James would also be here for the same reason as Colin, to see his laird. Certainly no warrior left his chief to fight his battles alone.

  “I’m also here because you are, Annie.”

  “Pardon?”

  “Word reached me on Skye that you’d traveled to court to seek a husband. Is the king still demanding you make a significant match?” Dozens of candles in the circular overhead chandelier highlighted the spark of interest in Donald’s eyes.

  “Aye, but this time the choice is mine, a wish Rory granted me.” She and James had spoken honestly with each other during her short stay at Dunscaith.