Highlander's Guardian

by Joanne Wadsworth

  Rory’s gaze swept over him. “Ha. You are the last man I’d expected to see dressed as a monk. You love to war, no’ make peace.”

  “Colin, you are a surprising sight.” Elizabeth smiled, the feathery fairy wings at the back of her white gown fluttering in the breeze from the open balcony doors. “Have you seen Annie now all have unmasked? There are so many here, and the costumes so wonderful, but I dinnae even know what my own niece wears.”

  “She’s outfitted as Cleopatra, but she grew tired and retired to her chamber.”

  “Then I shall go and check on her.” Elizabeth leaned in, her voice low as she continued, “I’ve no’ heard any rumors circulating about her and James. Have you?”

  “James is still at the tavern. He took ill.”

  She gasped. “Oh, how terrible, but what a stroke of good luck for us.”

  Rory crossed his wide arms. “Aye, and glad I am too to see James has no’ been able to cause a stir.”

  “I had Annie back afore dawn.” Colin tipped his head toward Arthur. “Go with Elizabeth and ensure Annie is well. Tell her I’ll be there soon to talk to her.”

  “Will do.” Arthur offered Elizabeth his arm and led her away.

  Colin rubbed his chest. His heart still wasn’t beating right, not since the moment he’d discovered Annie had been the maid delivering the spiked ale. They would have words, and Annie was about to learn he’d never allow her to attempt such a thing again.

  “You look worried, Colin.” Rory’s brow drew down. “My captain passed on your message that the MacDonalds are scheming, although that isnae unusual. We’ve always maintained vigilance around them.”

  “Aye, but there’s far more we need to speak of than just the MacDonalds.” Now he had the chance to inform Rory of his handfast vows with Annie, he’d needed to do so. Aye, it would be best if the news came from him, and afore too much time had passed. Motioning toward the doors, he said, “If you dinnae mind, we need privacy.”

  “Of course.” Rory strode from the hall.

  Colin followed him down the shadowy passageway and into a private antechamber. He sat in the lavishly upholstered burgundy chair next to the window.

  Rory took the seat opposite him and planted his elbows on his knees, his hands pressed together and his battle-axe glowing blood-red at his side from the fire’s flickering flames.

  Patting his ever-present side sword, Colin hoped like hell he wouldn’t need to raise it. “Annie has found herself a husband, a man I heartily approve of.”

  “Then it cannae be a MacDonald.” Rory tapped one foot. “You look uneasy. If you heartily approve then who is it? And why has she no’ said a word to me?”

  “Because I’m the man she wishes to wed.”

  Rory’s fingers twitched and his nostrils flared. “That’s impossible. You’re her cousin, her guardian. She cannae wed you.”

  “Third cousin, and there is no law against such a union.”

  “Nay, her father entrusted you with her safety and welfare, as he did me. Guardians dinnae marry their wards, you included.” Rory stood, his chest pumped out.

  Colin rose and stood eye-to-eye with the warrior he’d always called a friend. “We’ve already spoken vows. She’s my handfast wife, and I willnae give her up.”

  “Damn it, Colin. You’ve abused my trust. You and Annie grew up together and you’re as close as siblings.”

  “The feelings I have for her are far removed from that of a brother toward his sister.”

  “Then they are feelings you need to ignore, and if you’ve taken advantage of her and consummated the handfast, I’ll kill you, right here and right now.”

  “Rory,” Elizabeth cried his name from the doorway, her hand fluttering wildly over her chest. “How could you say such a thing?”

  Arthur urged her inside and shut the paneled door behind them. “I have news.”

  “Then it’ll have to wait.” Rory slammed Colin into the plastered wall behind him. The wall rattled and shook at the brutal impact. Squeezing his throat, Rory rasped in his ear, “Did. You. Bed. Her?”

  Colin thrust his knee into Rory’s groin and took him down to the floor. “That’s none of your damn business.”

  “Oh goodness.” Elizabeth plopped into the chair. “Rory, Annie loves Colin. They make a perfect match.”

  “Arthur, get Annie in here now.” Rory rolled Colin off him and came up on top. “I want to hear all of this from her own mouth.”

  “She’s wasnae in her chamber. Her cape was gone and there was no sign of her.”

  “Hell.” Colin bucked Rory off and jumped to his feet. “Arthur, rouse Rory’s men to aid you and check the great hall, the private rooms, anywhere and everywhere. She has to be here somewhere.”

  “Aye, Captain.” Arthur raced out the door.

  Colin was right behind him.

  Rory caught him up as he sprinted toward the stables. “She cannae have gone far. My warriors would know.” Rory grabbed one of the stable hands as they flew inside. “Have you seen Mistress MacLeod?”

  “Aye, my laird. She rode out the gate a few minutes ago with Hugh MacDonald and his warriors. She went willingly enough. They ride for Skye.”

  “She would never have gone willingly.” Colin whistled to Arthur as his man ran across the bailey with a half dozen of Rory’s warriors. “Hugh MacDonald has her. We’re riding out now,” he bellowed to Arthur.

  Colin mounted his steed and galloped out the gates. Every moment counted. There could be no delay.

  Rory pounded in beside him, his gaze fierce as they raced through the city streets and along the route toward Skye. “At any time Annie could’ve called out and the palace guards would have prevented MacDonald from leaving with her. This makes no sense.”

  “MacDonald has to be holding something against her. She’d never leave otherwise.”

  “And what could that possibly be?” Rory demanded.

  Annie was an innocent, although one embroiled in his endeavor to free his chief. Aye, and the timing of her kidnapping was too coincidental for it not to have something to do with him. “My chief is locked away and needs to be freed, something which would have happened this eve.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I discovered, and far too late, that Lachlan intends to capitulate to the king’s demands for the return of his land on Islay.”

  “And Annie knew about your plans?”

  “There is little she does no’ find a way to learn.”

  “Then this is your fault. You led her straight to danger’s door. You gave MacDonald some form of control over her. Naught else makes sense.” Rory’s hair whipped about his shoulders.

  Colin could say nothing to defend himself. He’d allowed this to happen, and if Annie was harmed in any way for his terrible mistake, he’d never forgive himself.

  Their party of warriors left the city behind and rode hard across the moors.

  “Fresh tracks,” Arthur shouted.

  Aye, several hoof prints were embedded deep into the soil, easy to spot now the dawn’s rising sun had lightened the skies. Ahead, the forest lay with a silver tinge along the treetops, and somewhere within, Annie rode, captured by his enemy.

  “I’m coming,” he whispered to her, his heart a pounding mess. “I’m coming.”

  * * * *

  The rising sun sent the night’s frosty air to ground, although the welcoming warmth did little to ease the deep chill in Annie’s bones. At her back, Hugh MacDonald was a solid presence as he galloped down the forest trail scattered with autumn leaves, his men pounding behind them. She wriggled and tried to stretch as her muscles protested the hours of confinement. She’d repeatedly requested a stop, but he’d not once accommodated her. Now she ached, everywhere, her heart included.

  “Fergus,” Hugh called to his man. “Ride ahead to the burn and check all is well. If it is, we’ll stop and water our horses there.”

  “Aye, Captain.” Fergus rode past then disappeared around a bend in the trail. />
  “You’re rather quiet,” Hugh rumbled in her ear.

  She wriggled forward, instilling whatever space she could between them. “I’ve naught to say to a man who thinks ’tis acceptable to abduct an innocent lady.”

  “An innocent lady who’ll soon be my wife. Watch your tongue, Annie. I willnae abide being spoken to like a common thief. A quiet and accepting demeanor in a wife would be appreciated.”

  “Then you abducted the wrong lass. My tongue is rather forthright.” She wanted to hit him.

  Fergus rode back and Hugh slowed his mount after the warrior motioned all was well.

  “It appears you’ll be granted a short respite.” Hugh pulled his horse to a stop next to Fergus’s near a gurgling stream. He jumped down, looped his destrier’s reins over a low branch and held out his hands to her. “Allow me to aid you.”

  “Your kind of aid, I dinnae require.” She dismounted on the other side, and even though her legs shook, she rubbed her lower limbs and brought the sensation back.

  “Are you all right?” Arms crossed, Hugh loomed over her.

  “Some water to quench my thirst and a walk to loosen my legs would be appreciated.” Her freedom even more so, not that MacDonald would be granting her that. Watchful of her step, she negotiated the rocky bank then on her knees at the edge, scooped the chilly water and drank. The cold liquid hit her empty belly and she shuddered.

  “It would pay for you to drink slowly.”

  “Leave me alone. You dinnae need to hover.”

  “There are dangers in the forest.”

  “And I’m well aware of them.” Colin had drummed all the possible pitfalls into her since she’d been old enough to walk. She knew how to take care of herself.

  “Lass, you must keep an open mind about our forthcoming marriage.” The idiot perched on the moss covered rock next to her, kicked his booted feet out and arched a brow. “I dinnae care for your behavior.”

  “Too bad.”

  “We should speak, and afore we make Dunscaith.” He scrubbed his bearded jaw. “I have a wee daughter. She’s eight and lost her mother a year past. Her name is Beitris and she needs a firm hand. I’m afraid I’ve allowed her to get away with too much of late.” He stared back down the trail. “I’m a hard man, lass, but I dinnae wish to be hard on you. For this alliance to work, I need you to accept what will be.”

  “I’m already wed.”

  “No’ for long. You will repudiate your handfast vows afore we reach Dunscaith.”

  “I’ll do no such thing, and you cannae intimidate me. I’m a MacLeod in case you missed that.”

  “I’m well aware, and one I intend to bed very soon.”

  “No’ with my permission.” She pushed to her feet. “Excuse me. I presume you willnae wish to stay for long and I must have some privacy to tend to my needs.”

  “You have five minutes, and remember, I will be watching.”

  “If you are, I’ll clobber you.” She hoped the threat worked, but regardless, she trod through the thick grass until she found a suitably dense bush to crouch behind. She sniffed and squeezed her eyes shut. Nay, she wouldn’t cry. She had to remain strong. “I’m so sorry, Colin,” she whispered as a tear escaped.

  Leaves and bracken crackled behind her. She stiffened and held perfectly still.

  Surely MacDonald wouldn’t actually follow through on his threat to keep this close of an eye on her.

  She cocked an ear as a pretty bird’s trill reached her on the breeze, its precious chirps making her catch her breath. She’d know that call anywhere, had heard it countless times on Mull.

  From behind a tree, Colin slithered out and along the grassy trail, his expression holding fierce determination. He eased in beside her, pressed one finger to her lips then rasped, “In the future, when I say to remain in your chamber, you will do so.”

  “Are you really here?” She clutched his face. Aye, he was real. “How did you find me?”

  “We discovered you were missing mere minutes after you left.”

  “We? Is Rory here?”

  “He and his men are moving into position to take care of the other MacDonald warriors. Why’d you leave with him?”

  “He knew you’d been at the tower, was aware of your attempt to free your chief. He said he’d tell the king of your involvement if I didnae go willingly.”

  “I’m sorry, Annie. I never intended for you to get caught in the middle of this war. Never again.” He tipped his head toward the path he’d snuck along. “Arthur awaits farther back. I need you to stay as low as possible and crawl straight to him.”

  “You’re going to battle Hugh alone?” She clung to him. “Please, even though he abducted me, I dinnae wish for the feud between the clans to escalate because of me.”

  “Are ye finished yet, my lady?” Hugh grated. He was close, too close.

  “Go.” Colin turned her by the shoulders, tipped her onto her belly and slid his sword free. “Now.”

  “He has a daughter and the child has no mother. If you kill him, she’ll be without parents.”

  “The lass is of no concern to you, Annie.” He pressed a soft kiss on her lips and nudged her to go.

  “I grew up without my parents and I dinnae wish for his daughter too as well. Please, be careful.” She had no choice but to leave. “And I mean no’ one scratch, or I’ll be very angry. You dinnae want to see me angry, Colin MacLean.”

  “Aye, scamp. I’ll take care.”

  She scuttled through the underbrush, hating that she had to leave him.

  “Come here, lass.” Arthur stepped out from behind a trunk and scooped her into his arms.

  “Put me down. I can find my own way to safety. Stay with Colin.”

  “Nay, I have to get you away from here afore I can rejoin the captain. Hold tight.” He lifted her higher against his chest and she seized his shoulders as he ran through the trees. Everything blurred and her head spun.

  Colin’s fierce battle cry rang out, and the chilling sound reverberated throughout the forest as her MacLeod kin joined in with his roar. So many men fighting, and all because of her.

  As steel rang loud against steel, the grating clang had her shoving against Arthur’s chest. “Put me down here. This is far enough. You have to go back, now.”

  “Aye, this should do.” He glanced up into the dense foliage of a tree then boosted her into the safety of the wide bow, her position hidden.

  “Go, please. I cannae lose Colin as I lost my parents. I’d never survive it.”

  “I’m going. Stay here.” He dashed away.

  Chapter 7

  Colin thrust his sword high and blocked Hugh MacDonald’s swift blow. The urge to kill the warrior for stealing Annie from him throbbed with deadly menace deep inside him. The MacDonalds were a thorn in his side, a constant threat against him and his kin.

  “Where is she, MacLean?” Hugh’s gaze glinted with animosity.

  “Safely away, so I might end your life and then join her.” He slammed his blade into Hugh’s side.

  Grunting, Hugh fell back a step. He grasped his side and eyed the long slice in his steel-studded war coat, a cut that hadn’t quite drawn blood. “She’s agreed to be my wife.”

  “Like hell she has.”

  “She’s your cousin and ward.”

  “Third cousin, and as my ward, I’ve well and truly ensured her future.”

  “Fergus,” Hugh shouted.

  “Here.” Fergus jumped the low brush and came in beside Hugh. “Rory MacLeod is here with as many warriors as us. The men fight.”

  “MacLean must die. He stands in my way.” Hugh twirled his blade and softened his footing. Fergus did the same, the two of them coming around either side of Colin.

  “You’re a blood-thirsty lot.” Colin rocked on his heels as battle lust roared through him. “I’ll enjoy ridding Scotland of the two of you.”

  “Strong words, MacLean. But futile,” Hugh snorted.

  Both MacDonalds advanced.

 
Hugh struck first and Colin spun and blocked the fierce blow. As Fergus attacked, Colin dropped low, kicked the warrior’s shin and sent Fergus sprawling into a thorny bush.

  Fergus shoved to his feet. “A dirty move, MacLean.”

  “And what do you call two warriors battling against one?” Colin fought, his claymore clashing against Hugh’s blade and then Fergus’s. Their blows were well-timed as they worked together against him.

  “I’m here,” Arthur yelled as he bounded into the fight.

  “Is Annie safe?”

  “Aye, Captain.” Arthur shoved his back against Colin’s then fought Fergus as he swung his sword. “I tossed her into a tree.”

  “She can scramble up and down trees in her sleep.”

  “Colin!” Annie shouted his name as she ran toward him, her white-blond hair streaming behind her. “No’ a scratch. Do you hear me?”

  “Get back.” Damn it. He had to end this battle before she got any closer. He glared at Arthur. “Next time, tie her down.”

  “There willnae be a next time,” Hugh smirked as he struck Colin’s ribs.

  Pain ricocheted and rattled his teeth from the brutal blow. Hell. He should’ve been paying attention to the fight and not his wife.

  Annie screamed as Hugh swung again.

  Colin barely caught the next blow. It knocked him onto his knees, their two blades crashing together a mere breath from his nose.

  “You’ll never wed my wife.” Arms shaking, Colin shoved his two-handed sword hard against Hugh’s and heaved to his feet. He sprang forward and fought. Annie needed him alive, and there was no greater incentive than to fight for her and their future together. He slammed his blade into Hugh’s arm and blood spurted.

  Hugh gripped his wound and yelled at Fergus for aid, except his man was of no use since Arthur had him on the ground, his knee planted into Fergus’s back as he bound his arms with his leather belt and restrained him.

  Colin slid his claymore tight against Hugh’s throat. “You’ve lost the fight.”

  “Colin, nay.” Annie clenched her midnight-blue skirts. “Please, I had to watch my parents die, and Hugh too has a child. Let the king decide their punishment.”

  “I prefer to hand out my own punishment.” He pressed until blood oozed. “And I believe I shall make it as painful as possible.”