Sworn to a Highland Laird

by Sky Purington

  “And the English?”

  “Quite a bit more,” he relented, not sounding all that worried. “Somewhere close to three thousand cavalry and uncountable infantry. Mayhap as many as fifty thousand.”

  “Holy shit,” she whispered.

  “Aye,” Adlin replied. “’Twould be better odds if the Earl of Lennox and James Stewart, the High Steward of Scotland, were a sure thing rather than hovering on the outskirts of the battle with a troop of cavalry.”

  She kept frowning. “And why are they doing that again?”

  “Because the bloody arses dinnae think their countrymen stand a chance and they dinnae want to risk their forces,” Adlin said. “’Tis said to spare the annihilation of their fellow Scots, they approached the Earl with the initiation that they parlay, but Wallace and Moray didnae agree.” He shook his head. “And ‘tis good considering what we know about the outcome of this battle that they stood their ground.”

  “You mean the potential outcome of this battle,” she reminded.

  Adlin nodded, his confidence much improved after the last battle.

  “You know I’ve never read anywhere that a woman had anything to do with tomorrow’s battle,” she remarked. “Which makes me wonder, wouldn’t we be altering history with what Lindsay is about to do?”

  “My guess is her ring may play a part in that.”

  “How so?”

  “Well, her ring led her to the enemy when she first traveled back in time,” he said. “So I’d say that is part of her journey. Like your ring will likely do for all of those who saw you here, hers will leave everyone none-the-wiser once she leaves.”

  “Ah,” she whispered. “That’s pretty unbelievable.”

  “’Tis,” he agreed. “But ‘tis most beneficial, wouldn’t you agree?”

  “Definitely.” She scanned the encampment as Adlin cared for his horse. “Speaking of Linds, I hope she’s okay. I should go find her.”

  “She’s just fine,” came a familiar voice from behind. “You know Linds.”

  “Jim.” She smiled and embraced him. “Good to see you’re okay, sweetie.”

  “How else would I be with Andrew Moray protecting me?” He grinned and shrugged. “When he didn’t want time alone with Aðísla that is.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me.” She chuckled. “I’m surprised you’re here saying hello to me when you could be swooning over Blair some more.”

  “Swooning? Yeah, call it that if you want to.” His eyes scanned the encampment, proving to her that he had been looking for Blair from the start but ran into Milly first. “How is she anyway? She doing okay?”

  “She’s fine,” Milly assured as she eyed him. At first, she was not going to say anything but realized she had to. She owed it to him. So she touched his arm, met his eyes and spoke softly. “Thank you for supporting Adlin and I after I said his name so many times in my sleep.” She shook her head. “That couldn’t have been easy for you...any of it.”

  Surprise flickered in his eyes, and though he had to know Lindsay had shared, he didn’t blame her but focused on what mattered. “It wasn’t easy at first, but then I wasn’t too worried about it. After all, who had a name like Adlin? So he was no real threat. Not really.” A wry grin tugged at his lips. “Turns out someone did have that name, and I’m glad because...”

  When he trailed off, clearly thrown, she urged him to continue.

  “I’m glad because I always knew whoever he was, he loved you like you deserved to be loved.” His eyes stayed with hers. “You always woke up smiling after dreaming about him and that made it okay.”

  “Not if you loved me.” She shook her head. “That had to be awful for you.”

  “Naw.” He pulled her close and rested his chin on top of her head like he always had before. “Because I loved you it wasn’t awful. Sure, it made me jealous on occasion but mostly just happy that he, whoever he was, made you happy.”

  “You’re one of a kind, you know that?” she murmured as she rested her cheek against his chest. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so glad you’re with me and a part of all this.”

  “Aye, part of it in a way I didnae anticipate considering ye lay with my cousin last night, Milly,” Blair muttered from somewhere nearby. “But if Adlin is fine with ye in the arms of yer former lover, who am I to complain?”

  She heard the grin in Jim’s voice. “Good to see you again, Blair.”

  When Milly went to pull away, Jim kept her close and whispered in her ear, “Go with it, all right? Then we’ll be even.”

  Milly grinned and winked at Adlin as he watched the whole exchange with amusement.

  “Adlin doesn’t seem all that worried.” Jim shrugged and planted a kiss on top of Milly’s head. “So all’s good, right, Blair?”

  “That depends.” Blair sauntered over, eying Jim up and down.

  “Depends on what?” he rumbled, using the special tone he reserved for flirting.

  Milly’s eyes widened when Blair came up behind Jim and grabbed between his legs, her tone overly seductive. “How much ye want to spend another night in my tent.”

  Milly smirked and backed away, mouthing, “Sorry, but I’m out.”

  Blair didn’t say another word, but she did not have to based on the pleasure that flashed in Jim’s eyes. Meanwhile, Adlin grabbed Milly’s hand and whipped her into their tent before she could go too far.

  “That was arousing, aye?” he murmured as his lips ran down the side of her neck.

  “Being held by my ex while he was molested by another woman?” Her eyes widened as his mouth latched onto her nipple through her clothing. “Not so much...”

  Those last words were a strained whisper as he started to lower her to the ground only to stop short when a voice rang out. “Adlin MacLomain, ye and yer lass have been summoned.”

  “Bloody hell,” Adlin muttered before he kissed her soundly then shook his head. “I’d ignore it if I didnae know who it was from.”

  Milly understood when they stood in a tent with William Wallace, Andrew Moray, Grant and Lindsay a few minutes later. Grateful to see her friend, she embraced her. “Glad you’re all right, hon.”

  “Oh, sure,” Lindsay said softly, eying William with appreciation. “Hard not to be, wouldn’t you say?”

  Hell, if Lindsay didn’t adjust well to just about any situation.

  William, naturally, was by no means immune to Lindsay as he offered her a small smile and urged everyone to sit and recount what had happened south of them. He frowned as Adlin finished telling him the same thing Grant likely had.

  “So no sign of the Bruce?” William said. “I thought for sure I’d see him at this battle. Or at least the better version of him from the future thanks to time travel.”

  “Nay, no sign of him.” Adlin shook his head. “But I didnae think he would arrive at this battle.” He tilted his head. “The next ones, however, ‘tis far more likely.”

  “And what battles are those?” William asked, his eyes settling on Milly’s ring as he saw what everyone else did. Light blue. The color of Adlin’s eyes.

  “Ye know I’m not going to say, lad.” Adlin shook his head. “Any more than I would tell ye the details of yer upcoming battle.”

  William sighed and looked to Moray. “Are yer men ready then?”

  “Aye, and as eager as yers,” Moray assured.

  “We’ve heard what Lindsay endured and what she is willing to do on behalf of the Scottish cause,” William said as his eyes went to her friend. “Are ye truly prepared for what yer aboot to face, lass.”

  Though William’s brogue was thicker than ever, Lindsay seemed to follow him just fine and nodded. “Yes, I am.”

  “And what is yer reasoning again?” Andrew said softly, his wary eyes on Lindsay. “Seeing as ye were held prisoner by the Sassenach for days.” He fingered a lock of her hair as he walked around her. “Yet ye came out unscathed and for all appearances untouched.”

  Milly narrowed her eyes as she realized what thi
s was really about. They wanted to know that Lindsay truly was who she said she was. Hell, they thought she might be a spy.

  “I told ye well what the lass did for me,” came a deep rumble before Bryce ducked into the tent.

  “Ye werenae invited,” Moray started, but Bryce stopped him mid-sentence.

  “I was invited the minute I knew ye were talking about my protector.” Dressed in the MacLeod tartan, he took up position beside Lindsay and rested his hand on the hilt of his blade. “I am alive now because of this lass, and I will die before I allow any, even men so great and beloved as ye, to doubt her good name or honor.”

  Lindsay said nothing but kept her eyes on William as he did the same with her.

  “I do believe ye mean it,” Wallace murmured. “But not nearly as much as the Hamilton who has an arrow trained on Moray from thirty yards outside this tent without one of my bloody men being the wiser.”

  Milly’s brows perked. Conall?

  The corner of Moray’s mouth twitched. “Though I have one of my men with an arrow aimed at the Hamilton.”

  “And I have a lass with an arrow aimed at yer man,” Grant said, his tone dangerous and his eyes cutting. “Ye’ll want to start trusting in Lindsay, more so us, her protectors, and have yer man stand down Moray, or ye willnae like what I do next. Ye will not like the feeling of those that admire and support ye turning away when ye will need us the most.”

  William’s eyes never left Lindsay’s as he murmured, “Moray, have yer man stand down then everyone leave so I can have a word with Lindsay alone.”

  When Milly glanced at Lindsay and frowned, her friend nodded. “I’ll be fine, sweetness.” She winked and pursed her lips in such a way, Milly knew she was about to wrap Wallace around her little finger like all the rest. “Promise.”

  If she did not genuinely like William Wallace, Milly would have refused to leave. He might be capable of many things but pressuring a woman who said no was not one of them. Moray said nothing as they exited the tent, but made a gesture she knew called off the man with an arrow locked on Conall.

  Conall never made an appearance, but she could almost sense his turmoil. His angst over Lindsay remaining in that tent with Wallace.

  “’Twill happen to you more often as time goes by,” Adlin said softly, his hand to the small of her back as they walked. “You will sense my kin more and more because they’re close to me.”

  “You were right about Conall.” Milly frowned. “He’s pretty into Linds, isn’t he?”

  “Aye,” he said. “The morrow willnae be easy for him.”

  Milly sighed and joined Adlin and his family around a small fire to eat. Little was said, and she supposed that made sense given what was about to happen. The Battle of Stirling Bridge. She still couldn’t believe that she was sitting amongst the warriors who would fight in such a famous battle tomorrow...tomorrow. A few scant hours away and it would happen with men and women she knew charging the way.

  Later that night, despite how smoothly everything was falling into place, she lay in Adlin’s arms worrying. “What if something goes wrong? What if they shoot Linds with an arrow before anyone sees it coming?”

  “Rest assured, Lindsay will be well protected not only by many on this side, but I suspect the other as well,” he said.

  “True,” she murmured. He was absolutely right, and his reminder allowed her to relax enough to enjoy several hours worth of killer sex before they both dozed off. She didn’t waken until she heard a whisper outside her tent.

  Lindsay.

  “Hey,” she whispered, wrapping a fur around her shoulders as she ducked out into the blue-black light of pre-dawn. “Are you all right?”

  She started to pull Lindsay back into her tent, but Linds shook her head and spoke softly. “I’m perfectly fine. Come walk with me, Milly.”

  “Sure, okay.” Milly joined her as they veered away from the main encampment into the foggy forest. “What happened last night? Please tell me William didn’t do anything bad to you.”

  “William Wallace?” Lindsay’s brows shot up in surprise, and she shook her head. “Absolutely not. Why would you ask such a thing?”

  “Because he demanded that you stay behind in his tent,” Milly reminded.

  “Demanded?” Lindsay made a flippant gesture with her hand. “Good God, no. He asked, and I accepted.”

  “And why did he ask.” Milly did her best to take Lindsay’s dismissiveness in stride. “Because it seemed like he was interested in you.”

  “Not in the least,” Lindsay said casually as they stopped and sat on a rock. Her amused eyes went to Milly. “If anything, he wanted to know about you and Adlin. Why your gem changed colors.” A knowing smile curled her lips. “Were the rumors true? Had you found love with Adlin and was there no hope for him?”

  Milly wasn’t sure what to say to that other than, “You’re so full of it.”

  “I’m not, and you know it.” Lindsay nudged her shoulder. “What’s it like knowing the infamous William Wallace has a crush on you?”

  “Had,” Milly said, a little embarrassed and not sure why.

  “Has,” Lindsay retaliated before she wrapped an arm around Milly’s shoulder. “He knows you’re in love with Adlin, darling, so no worries, aye?”

  Milly perked her brows. “Did you just say ‘aye’”

  “When in Rome,” Lindsay said absently before she focused on other things. “William also wanted to know about Moray and Aðísla. What sort of sway she might have over him seeing how smitten he seems.”

  “And what’d you say?”

  “What could I say?” Lindsay looked perfectly innocent. “I barely know either of them.”

  And she did not. Or she shouldn’t. Yet Milly got the feeling her friend might have gathered quite a bit on their tryst north along the River Forth.

  “A man like Moray is a tough egg to crack,” Lindsay murmured. “But he has a weakness.” Her eyes went to Milly’s. “He cares about Aðísla. Enough to let his guard down.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know,” Lindsay said softly. “Yet.”

  If Milly didn’t know better, she would think Lindsay had some sort of witchy gift too. “I see you’re not wearing it but did you get your ring back from Grant?”

  “Yes,” she replied, her eyes trained on the south. “I’ve got it and will keep it safe.”

  “You should wear it, Linds.” Milly recalled what Adlin had said. “It’ll keep you safe.”

  Lindsay shrugged and appeared less than convinced.

  “Aren’t you the least bit concerned by what it might mean?” Her eyes dropped to her own ring. “What it does mean?”

  “Not really and certainly not right now.” Lindsay took Milly’s hand. “I woke you early to make sure you’re okay. I know you’ve been going through a lot.”

  “No more than you,” Milly replied. “But yes, I’m fine. Happier than I’ve ever been actually.”

  “Good.” Lindsay smiled warmly. “You deserve it, Milly.”

  Milly eyed her friend. Why did this suddenly feel like goodbye? “You’re going to be okay today.” She shook her head. “Adlin and his cousins aren’t going to let anything happen to you.”

  “I know,” Lindsay said softly. “I have absolute confidence in them.” Before Milly could continue, Linds stood. “People are starting to wake up. We should head back.”

  “How do you know that?” she started to say before Bryce melted out of the woods and fell in beside Lindsay. “You’re up early, lassies.”

  “We are,” Lindsay conceded as she held out the crook of her elbow to him. “Always good to see you, Laird MacLeod.”

  She nearly rolled her eyes as Lindsay sauntered ahead with Bryce, flirting all the while. Milly was about to enter the main area of tents when she sensed something behind her. When she turned and scanned the forest, she saw nothing but knew who had been watching and protecting them from afar, more so Lindsay.

  Conall yet again.

>   Where Bryce had seemed a little disheveled as though he had just awoken and realized Lindsay was roaming, she would bet Conall had already been waiting. She bit back a chuckle when Graham staggered out of a tent ahead, dropped to a knee in front of Lindsay and lowered his head. “Good morn, lassie. I hope ye slept well.”

  Milly might have thought he was buzzed if she didn’t see the woman sneaking out of the back of his tent. Graham was not drunk but overtired from having sex all night.

  Bryce grunted and shook his head at Graham’s antics as Milly’s eyes were drawn to who leaned against a tree eying her. She smiled, and her heart skipped a beat as her eyes met Adlin’s. He might seem relaxed and happy-go-lucky, but she knew he had been watching her and Lindsay as avidly as Conall had been from the moment they left.

  She was about to rush into his arms despite how silly it might seem, but low bird-like whistles began, and everyone sprang to life. Men poured out of their tents, weapons in hand and started through the forest.

  “’Tis time,” Adlin murmured as he took her hand and they started walking.

  Her eyes widened as she followed. “Like...time.”

  “Aye, lass.” His eyes met hers. “The Sassenach are awakening, and the battle is nearly upon us.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  ADLIN WAS SOMEWHAT surprised Wallace allowed Lindsay to leave his tent considering how important she was to this endeavor. Then again, if he had learned nothing else about the woman, it was that she had a remarkable way with men. They didn’t even need to love or lust after her. Because he knew as William exited his tent and his eyes went first to Milly, that Wallace would have loved her before all else if given half the chance.

  “Are ye ready then, lass?” Moray asked as he appeared out of the fog beside Lindsay. “Will ye get them to cross the bridge?”

  “I will,” Lindsay vowed, a reassuring look in her eyes as they met Milly’s. “It’s going to be okay. Like you said, I’ve got a lot of brave men backing me up.”

  Again, Adlin got the impression she was playing a part. This time it was not just for Milly but all of them. Most especially Moray.