by D. K. Combs
Her purpose.
Gertrude.
The Callahan’s.
Harold.
At the thought of his name, the image of a demon crawling through the shadows haunted her.
Like that, the spell threatened to break around her. She wanted so badly to get lost in this man’s gaze, in his touch. But with the impending threat he had no clue about…she couldn’t.
She might not want to marry him, but that did not mean she wanted to see him attacked.
The temptation to tell him right then was overwhelming, so much so that she couldn’t help but tempt the waters.
“My lord, say I knew something was—“
“Would marriage really be so bad?” he asked, speaking over her even though his voice was low. The words drew her up short.
“I—I have told my mother from day one that I wish not to marry anyone.”
“Lass, I’m no’ like anyone you’ve ever met before.” If the words hadn’t come from him, she would have thought the man behind them were pompous and arrogant. But he wasn’t. Alec was simply…honest; brutally and painfully honest.
His thumbs moved in circles around her neck, and her eyes fluttered.
“It is not you,” she murmured, letting her head loll under his touch. Her forehead pressed against his chest and his chin rested on top of her head. “It is…myself.”
“Lass,” he said with a deep chuckle. “I’ve proven to you that I am no’ like him, that I can care for you and pleasure you better. If we could have nights like that every night, wouldn’t you want to stay?”
A frown hinted at her lips.
“I would not stay for the pleasure, my lord. I hold more merit to a man than how good he can make me feel in the heat of passion, than how well he performs between the sheets.”
“We have more than pleasure, lass. We have…our equal sense of smarts. Well, not entirely equal. I know that because of my deducing abilities, I am superior to you in more ways than you can count, but that is no’ the point.”
He pat her head, even though she frowned. Surely he had meant that as a compliment?
“I realize now, that even with yer short stay here, that I will no’ find another woman who matches with me so well. Aye, your rebellion is vexing, but I enjoy challenges—and that is exactly what you are, Blay. Unlike so many women, yer soft yet strong, stubborn but smart. And at heart, yer as much a warrior as yer father.”
She pulled back with a raised brow.
“So you have a desire for my father’s heart?”
He rolled his eyes. “Nay, lass. I have a desire for the strong, highlander blood that runs through a beautiful, smart, and passionate woman. Ye’ve been through hell and back, and yet ye’ can still smile at me with those crystalline blue eyes, and ye’ can still laugh at the easiest of jokes. Yer resilience is worth respecting.”
Her cheeks went red, so red that she felt they would burst.
To hear that coming from him… It made her nearly want to cry.
Especially since her mind was not changed on the matter, and because she still had other duties to attend to tonight—like the Callahan’s.
Still, thoughts of that vanished when he tilted her head back, their gaze meeting.
“I want to marry ye’ for a lot more than yer name, lass,” he said roughly, before dragging her lips to his. The kiss lasted a lot shorter than she wanted it to, but when he pulled back to grin at her, there was a mischievous glint to his eyes that made her smile in return.
No, she thought to herself. No smiling—no falling for the trap that was this enticing conundrum of a man. He only wanted marriage out of her, nothing else.
And she was more than a woman made for marriage.
“Come with me,” he said, releasing his grip on her to take her hand. “The keep is at rest and we have time for a midnight dip.”
“A midnight dip?” she asked, frowning, unable to do anything but follow behind him.
“Aye. There is a creek that runs behind the keep, you know this. I’ve seen you sit by the shoreline with a wanting look. Why not take a swim under the moonlight?”
Her heart melted. If she were any other woman, this man would have been perfect.
“My lord,” she said, unable to stop herself from laughing. “It is cloudy out. Not much light to swim under.”
“Just as well,” he said sternly. “That means less chance of wandering eyes catching a glimpse of my woman.”
She gave him a stern look. “Now, my lord, I do not consent to being ‘your woman.;’”
He shrugged. “That’s too bad, my lady. I’ve already declared it so.”
“You are most irritating when you’re determined,” she muttered, following behind him as he led her out of the room. The dim hallways were lit by candelabras, the flames flickering to cast an almost ominous shadow.
She wanted to take joy in this, but her heart was heavy. She couldn’t possibly go swimming with him. By that point, she would miss her chance to escape with Gertrude to talk down the Callahan’s. If she didn’t leave tonight, then there would be all out war in the coming days. Lord, mayhap even sooner.
The thought, the reality of it all, stole her breath.
Alec was so happy to be doing this with her, to be giving her a chance to play in the creek. And she will admit—his assumption of her thoughts when she sat on the shoreline had been correct. She had always thought about dipping her toes into the cool water, of stripping down to nothing and letting the rush of water slide over her.
But tonight…was not that night. And somehow, she had to slip out of his grasp long enough to meet Gertrude. It would hurt him, aye, but it was for a good cause.
Lives would be saved.
Even if she was putting hers in danger, lives…would be saved.
Telling Alec would put a stop to all the plans, would put a stop to everything except the impending death of hundreds. And if he demanded to accompany her to the Callahan’s, then that would result in immediate bloodshed.
Nay, she had to go, and she had to go on her own.
The two of them were silent as he led her through the keep and out the back doors of the kitchen. If she hadn’t known what to look for, she wouldn’t have noticed the hooded figure standing off to the side of entrance, right next to the gate that kept the ring for the horses. Though the moon didn’t give enough light to illuminate, she could still make out the familiar figure of Gertrude.
She nodded, hoping the redhead would see it. Hoping Gertrude would know that she wasn’t going to abandon this mission. She couldn’t, not if she wanted the people in this keep to see another day.
Alec must have noticed her hesitation, because he stopped, turning to look at her. Lord, the look in his eyes, the way he stared down at her. So much happiness, from a man who had probably never relaxed enough to let himself enjoy it, and here she was…taking it away.
But only for a little while, she told herself. She doubted the Callahan’s would do anything rash, knowing who her father was. And even if they did try something, she would fight back tooth and nail. There was no way she was going to get caught up in a foolish squabble between clans, between men and their fight for power and revenge.
“What is wrong, lass?” he asked, tugging her against him. She stiffened, knowing that Gertrude was watching them. She was not ashamed of her feelings for him, but to have someone else witness the one man who had the power to sway her decisions… It was daunting.
“Nothing, my lord. I—I’ve just never been bare before, in a river. It will be—“
“Fine, my lady. It will be fine. You’ll be safe with me, and it’s no’ like I haven’t seen ye’ before.” He gave her a quick grin that would have soothed her nerves, had she not been planning to sneak away. How she was going to manage it was beyond her, but…she had to.
Mayhap she should start a fight. The two of them had never had a real argument in their life, though—surely he would see right through it. Nay, a fight was the last resort.
&n
bsp; Either way, in the end, she was leaving for the Callahan’s tonight—even if it meant lying to him.
Heart hurting, she put a hand to her forehead and sighed, feigning weakness.
“I’m not so sure tonight is a good night for this,” she said quietly, pretending to wobble on her feet. He instantly took her by the elbow and helped to support her.
“The fresh air will help whatever ails you, lass. We can lay by the creek if yer not up to swimming.”
She shook her head. “Oh, no, I’m not sure it would help. Mayhap we can just go back inside, and I can rest my eyes. Just for a spare second, my lord, please.” From the corner of her eye, she saw Gertrude start to turn away. Was she giving up? Was she not catching on that Blay still wanted to follow after her? Hadn’t she seen the nod?
“Woman,” Alec said, his deep voice washed with concern. “Are you sure you do not wish to go to the creek still? I will carry you—“ He bent, most likely meaning to slide his arm under her knee, and she jerked away. Gertrude was nearly out of sight now.
“No,” she snapped, frustration settling over her. It curled in her gut, the power behind the urgency to leave so strong it nearly had her cramp. “No, I want to go inside, Alec. I do not wish to go to any damn creek with you.”
He pulled back, glowering down at her. The confusion in his face had the power to make tears spring to her eyes, but she forced them down. She had to leave with Gertrude—there was no other way to keep him safe.
“Lass, I donna ken what’s gotten into ye’—“
She held up a hand, silencing him. Lord, if she could just use that same hand to hold his and go to the creek like she preferred… She swallowed down her nerves before letting the frustration of the situation come over her. That’s all she could do, all she had the power to do. She didn’t want to hurt him, and it was killing her.
So she channeled that pain right into doing the last thing she wanted—getting him to leave her alone in the only way she could.
“What’s gotten into me? I do no’ want to go to the creek—and I most certainly do no’ want to go with a man such as you, if ye’ cannot even respect my wishes!”
Blay slashed a hand through the air, cutting him off and backing away. She spoke loud enough for Gertrude to hear her, which meant she had to snap. And with every action she made, she saw the regression in his eyes.
All of that happiness from seconds ago came crashing to a stop and she could physically see it happening before her eyes. The man she had first met, the one who was always angry, always cautious, always…guarded, was back.
And she knew right then that she had made a horrible, terrible mistake.
But there was no going back. And he could hate her as much as he wanted, but this was for his own good. For their own good. Mayhap after it was all said and done, he would forgive her.
“Do ye’ at least want help to yer room?” he grated. She could hear the resistance in his voice. All he wanted to do was storm away from her, but for some reason…he still wanted to help. Feeling her throat close up, she shook her head.
Yes, she wanted to cry out. But no. As he stormed away from her, his back rigid and his face void of the emotions she had come to adore, she looked for Gertrude—and found her standing in the shadows. Watching. Waiting.
Ready.
“I am sorry,” Gertrude whispered, handing her a similar dark cloak to the one she was wearing. Thank the Lord she had thought ahead. In the midst of everything that had happened so far tonight, the one amenity had slipped her mind.
Blayne wiped her cheeks, shrugging the cloak onto her shoulders. It served as a good shield as the tears came unbidden. “I’m fine. He wouldn’t have let me leave otherwise. It…had to be done.”
“He will forgive you, my lady,” she said as the two of them started walking. Taking horses would have been too noticeable, so by foot it was. It was better this way. The dark cloaks would help them blend into the shadows, whereas horses would have made them stand out. Not only that, but their trek would be quieter.
Not as quick, but definitely safer.
“I wish you were right,” Blay said, hating the crack in her voice. “He… He turned back into the stranger I first met. The unfeeling, cold, and dangerous stranger. He’s not the man I made love to anymore.”
“He is,” Gertrude said soothingly. “He’s just hiding and…protecting himself. When we return back, and the Callahan’s realize what a mistake they are making, then he will see why you did it. If I were him, I would be grateful.”
Blay huffed a short, bitter laugh. “Grateful? Him? He will take this to mean that I couldn’t trust his abilities as laird, that I had to undermine him because I felt he was weak.”
“Nay, my lady!” Gertrude said, aghast.
“Aye!” She threw her hands up. “But that’s not the case at all! He would have instantly locked me in the keep, and sent an attack for the Callahan’s. I know him, Gertrude. I know how he thinks, how he will react to things such as this. There was no way I could have warned him of the coming attack without him turning everything into dust, when we both know there is another way.”
Blay grabbed the hem of her cloak and held it up, wading through the tall grass. The rest of the trek was silent, until they reached the edge of the forest. There, with the moon shining down on the castle like a gateway to the end of all her troubles, was the Callahans' keep.
“There it is!” she said, pointing excitedly. “There they are. We should reach them soon.”
“Yes, my lady,” Gertrude said with a small laugh, strolling forward with her when Blay looped an arm through her elbow.
When they finally happened upon the gates, there were only a few guards. To the left of the keep were several pitched tents and a few tied up horses, but she paid no mind to them. Probably nothing, she thought. There was no way Charles had made it here before them. Lord, not even a few hours before had they decided to abandon their plans of an ambush!
Gertrude kept her head down while Blay handled the guards and entering.
“What business do you have, my lady?” one of the men called from the other side of the gate.
“I’ve come to speak to Grant Callahan,” she replied, folding her hands in front of her. This would go quickly, she assured herself. Aye, so quick that mayhap they could be escorted back to Alec by nightfall. Then, when he woke up, she would explain everything to him.
Her cruel words, what she had accomplished there tonight…He would know of it all in due time, and they would be all the happier. Hmm, she thought, pursing her lips. Mayhap she would even consider his proposal.
No, wait. She kept her laugh to herself at that one. Nay, she was not a marriageable woman—but that didn’t mean Alec couldn’t come to terms with it! That didn’t mean that the two of them couldn’t enjoy each other, right?
“What is your name, my lady?”
“Blayne Shaw. Now, please. Do let me inside—Lord Grant will not be happy to know an ally of his is being kept in the cold.”
There was a lull, and then the groaning of the gate had the two women stepping backward. It rose out of the ground, the spikes pointed down and ready to slam down at any given moment, but she cared not. No, she had business to attend to—business with Grant that would save her life, Alec’s clan, and hopefully Gertrude’s heart.
She strode into the keep. Though she had met Grant Callahan a time or two, it had always been at events held in their keep. Her father, though fearless and brave, did not like to leave his keep anymore—partially because he was too quick to kill someone for looking at his family the wrong way.
He would never admit to it, but she knew the truth.
“Hello,” she greeted a man as he strode up to her. Another one followed closely behind, seeming to come out of the shadows. “Would you be so kind as to take me to your Lord Grant?”
“Aye, I’ll take ye’ to him,” the closest man said, laughing under his breathe. She frowned, backing up. Gertrude was close behind. Something about tha
t laugh had been off, in such a way that a shiver went down her back.
When she saw the second man reach for the sword at his hip, the feeling was confirmed. Blay let go of Gertrude’s elbow, shoving her back.
“Go,” she hissed, right as the men charged. “Take one of the horses right on the outside of the gate and go.” Her companion was already some ways back from the shove. Blay tried to move just as quick, but it was useless. The first guard grabbed her, leaving the guard that was farther behind to try and cover the distance.
Gertrude, had she been a weaker woman, would have stayed frozen in her spot. Instead, she did exactly as Blayne said and took off, sprinting to the gate just as the guards from above released the lever. She kept running, just barely making it to the other side before the spokes in the gate slammed home.
Gertrude was free…but Blayne was not.
As she watched Gertrude disappear to the side of the gate walls, alarms from the watch tower began to ring in the cold night air.
The man who had grabbed Blayne dragged her against him, trapping her arms to her sides with his own. Fighting now would be useless. She was surrounded, the gate was closed, and now she had words for Grant Callahan that didn’t involve a truce.
Alec poured himself another tankard of ale, downing the majority of it in one take.
Damn her.
Damn her for breaking down his guard, just to make him regret it. If he were a better man, he would be setting down the ale and doing something productive with his day to put her out of his mind—but he wasn’t.
Not even two days ago had he said he wanted her hand in marriage. And now…now, she had run away from him? After they had made love in the dark hours of night?
Now, that wasn’t to say that Alec was a man who equated sex to marriage in every case—but Blayne had been different. She had a fire to her, a quick wit that matched his own. Not only that, but they would have worked.
The thought of them being married was not so horrible an idea because they were of the same station, and even without that, they would have been perfect together.
He slammed the tankard onto the table, leaning forward with a groan.