‘It’s safe, Mairi. Climb all the way out now, lass.’
Mairi climbed the rest of the way without pause. The brightening light from above quickening her every step. Only as her head broke free of the hole she was climbing out of did she stop and search her surroundings.
Grassy tufts sprouted at eye level from the earth around the opening and a large boulder, too heavy for one man to move alone, sat on the ground close by. A fine row of trees circled around the edges of the small clearing, the only other foliage was a scattering of squat bushes here and there. Her father stood peering at her, one finger held against his mouth signalling silence, the other outstretched to assist her.
Mairi placed her fingers in his, and climbed the rest of the way out. She squeezed his hand in thanks, released her hold and turned about to take a better look at where she now stood.
By the moon’s glow, she could vaguely make out Gordon Castle through the thin line of trees to the east, the flaming torches of the corner towers showed like beacons in the night. For a few moments she stood staring in silence. She’d been impressed, proud of the secret passages within the Great Tower, as if she had something to do with their existence. But now, standing here, having travelled from inside the tower into the west forest, she was in awe.
A wave of her father’s hand drew her back to why she’d needed to use the passage beneath the moat in the first place. Mairi turned to see her mounted protector emerging quietly from the forest to the south.
‘I will speak to the guards to see if they noticed anything unusual and then spread the word so your attacker believes you are alone and unprotected in your chamber,’ her father said softly, as they waited for her protector to draw nearer. ‘I believe whoever it is will strike again, but this time I will be ready.’
Mairi couldn’t contain another shiver. She looked at her sire. ‘Please be careful, Father.’
‘It is you who needs to have a care, Mairi,’ her father said, as her protector drew his horse to a halt before them.
‘I will protect your daughter with my life, Laird Gordon.’
‘I know it, Duff.’ Her father’s words were for her protector, but he continued to stare at her. When he finally looked away, Mairi felt as if she’d been released from his physical hold. ‘Did anyone see you?’
‘Aye,’ Duff replied. ‘Several people.’
‘Good. And you have all you need?’
‘Aye.’
‘Then it’s time for you to go,’ he said, his gaze once again settling on her. She nodded and accepted the hand he held out to her. He pulled her close and she gladly went into his arms. ‘Trust yourself, Mairi,’ he whispered in her ear before releasing her. Mairi nodded and stepped up beside Duff’s mount.
‘Place your foot on mine,’ Duff instructed.
She did, but her mind was still contemplating her father’s words. Trust yourself.
Duff offered his hand and pulled her up onto the horse in front of him, her bottom sinking into the groove between his thighs. Her feet hanging over one side. She looked down at her father.
‘I will find you when it’s safe to return.’
She nodded, even though she had no clue how he was to find her if he didn’t know where she would be.
‘Ask Balfour,’ she said softly, as the horse started forward. Her father nodded. He stood in the same place watching her leave and Mairi’s gaze remained on him until the trees thickened and stole him from sight.
***
Duff felt the instant Mairi’s attention shifted from her father. Her slender figure no longer rested against his chest. The cheek that had almost settled on his shoulder, as she stared at her father’s fading form, now turned away.
It was for the best, he told himself. She was a Highland laird’s daughter and he was her protector. Nothing more.
‘You will need to guide me to your safe place.’ He kept his voice soft and low so as not to startle her.
‘Of course.’ He heard her swallow. She straightened further and with a half turn back to face him she whispered her directions. ‘We need to go all the way around the loch through the forest and then head east.’
‘Is it far?’
‘Nae, we will reach it sooner than you might think.’
A good thing. The less time they sat so closely together, the better.
Duff held Duncan to a slow walk. It was dark within the forest, but sound travelled far and he didn’t want to alert anyone to their presence, especially if the one who had attacked Mairi was anywhere near.
The blood pumping through his veins flowed faster at the thought of Mairi being attacked. His muscles began to harden and lock into place as they did before a fight. Duff told himself her father would catch him and the tension tightening his body eased.
He had so many questions he wanted to ask her about the attack, but now was not the time. He’d wait until they’d reached Mairi’s safe haven. Although asking questions about the attack would only make her relive it, and Duff didn’t want her to suffer more than she already had. It was her father’s duty to catch Mairi’s attacker. It was Duff’s duty to safeguard her until he was caught.
With a gentle pull on the leather reins, Duff steered his mount slightly east. He’d ride the edge of the forest and determine if they’d come far enough around the loch or if they needed to head deeper into the forest in a northerly direction for a while longer.
Through the thinning trees, the moon’s light shimmered on Loch Gordon’s surface fifty yards to the right. They’d reached the point where they’d entered the forest to hunt with Ewan. A small twitch of his fingers was all it took to alter Duncan’s direction to the north again for a while longer.
His saddle companion didn’t make a sound. Duff knew she wasn’t asleep, for she’d maintained the rigid posture she’d adopted moments after he’d pulled her across his thighs. Was she thinking about the attack?
Duff leaned forward and whispered close to her ear. ‘You are safe.’
Mairi didn’t reply, but she did turn a fraction and offered him a nod.
Duff hoped she believed him, but could understand if she doubted his word. He’d failed to protect her once this night and he vowed he wouldn’t fail again.
Duff lost sight of the loch, and in return those patrolling the castle walls would no longer be able to see them if they left the trees. Duff altered their direction once more and they were again heading east. Night creatures scurried beneath the decaying foliage and every now and then something high in the branches overhead let them know they weren’t completely alone.
‘It’s time to leave the forest and head south for a short time.’
Duff knew Mairi had been about to speak, for his skin, his very being, was so alive to her presence.
With a twitch of the reins, Duff followed her instructions. He sensed they’d almost reached their destination and he had to take control of this unfamiliar want he had for Mairi before they arrived. Never in his life had Duff been concerned about doing the wrong thing. He always did what was right. But the sweet smell of her womanly scent and having her close enough to take her into his arms wasn’t helping his current struggle.
The ground took on a gentle downward slope. How long would it take for her father to capture her attacker? They had food enough for several days. But no matter how long it took, Duff needed to ensure he kept Mairi safe, while keeping his feelings and his wants hidden.
‘We’re almost there,’ Mairi whispered. ‘Just a little way down to the right.’
Duff straightened and sent a silent Thank the Almighty above. He nudged Duncan to the right, and by the moon’s light carefully steered them out of the trees and down the grassy slope. A scattering of stones and larger boulders, partially overgrown by thick, green grass or disguised by moss clinging to the granite surfaces, began to appear. A wall of birch trees grew along a small ridge in the direction Gordon Castle would be and just below it, a gathering of alder bushes hid part of a low crumbling stone wall from view.
Duncan managed the gentle slope with ease and as the ground evened out, evidence of more crumbling walls and grass-covered stones appeared all around.
‘Over there,’ Mairi said softly, indicating to her right where another cluster of alders huddled about what appeared to be an old entrance. Duff sensed a shift in Mairi’s demeanour. Whether due to anticipation or fear he wasn’t certain, but something about this place touched Mairi. ‘We should dismount here,’ she said, as they neared the partially hidden opening.
Duff drew Duncan to a halt and scanned their surroundings to ensure they were alone. When he was satisfied they were, he leaned forward a fraction. ‘I will lower you to the ground first.’ Mairi nodded and half turned toward him. ‘Take my hand and hold my arm with the other,’ he instructed quietly.
One small hand slipped into his without hesitation and the other barely curled halfway about his wrist.
‘Ready?’
‘Aye,’ she whispered and tightened her hold.
Duff tensed the muscles in his arm in preparation of her scant weight and lifted her to the ground. He could see her form by the moon’s light, but not her face. ‘Are you alright?’
‘Aye,’ she said, releasing his arm. She then took a step back to allow him room to join her.
The moment he did, she said, ‘When I visit here, I leave my mount by the entrance, but you’d best bring Duncan through with us.’
‘Aye, once I’ve ensured it is safe.’
Duff grasped the hilt of his dagger, but did not draw it from his waistband, and knowing his sword was at the ready on his back, he turned and said, ‘Stay behind me.’ With a long stroke down Duncan’s nose, his command to stay, Duff approached the leaf-covered archway, Mairi’s footfalls following.
On the other side, the entrance stones butted up to a wall that ran parallel to the birch-lined ridge to the west. Gordon Castle lay in that direction, but couldn’t be seen due to the ruins and the trees. An outcrop of stones sheltered a small area further along the wall and Duff determined it would be a good place for Mairi to sleep.
The rest of the small area was open to the elements, and although his view was limited to only the moon’s light, he could smell the sweet scent from the wild flowers, feel the thick grass beneath his booted feet and make out the sheltering line of Scots pines to the east that curved down and around to the south.
Whatever this place used to be, it was a safe and protected place for Mairi to stay for a few days. And nights. He turned and found her standing close behind him. Close enough to take in his arms.
Once again, he reminded himself that Mairi didn’t need his embrace, she needed his protection. He’d already failed her once.
‘This will do,’ he said. ‘I’ll fetch Duncan and prepare a place for you to sleep.’
Chapter Twenty-Four
Mairi wasn’t tired.
She held the thought silent and watched her protector stride back out through the entrance for his horse. Then slowly, she turned her head and drank in the darkness that was now her not-so-secret glade.
A ripple of exhilaration for finally being here rushed through her. She’d never been here at night. The darkness lent her the privacy she usually found during her solitary daylight visits. With a quick glance at the entrance, she slipped her leather slippers free and curled her bare toes into the thick, inviting grass. A refreshing tingle rushed up her legs and a smile curved her mouth.
It had been so long since she’d been here and the urge to tug loose the tie holding her cloak closed and letting it fall from her shoulders was strong. Another part of the routine she followed when coming here. But considering she wore only a nightgown beneath her cloak, and the fact that she wasn’t alone, she quenched the need by drawing a deep breath of night air and started wandering about the glade, the next step in her ritual.
Whenever the chance to visit arose, she usually came first thing in the morning after the sun had breached the horizon for an hour or two and its light splashed the stones in gold and began to sip the dew from the grass. With only the half-moon’s glow to guide her now, Mairi still knew where every scattered patch of yarrow grew and could imagine, as if it were indeed full daylight, the clusters of flower heads growing freely, without restraint.
A sight she often lingered over. A freedom she longed for but due to her station, her duty, a freedom she knew could never be.
She grasped the end of her long, thick plait and twirled the ends of her hair between her fingers. But the habit failed to soothe. This visit was different. Balfour hadn’t accompanied her and didn’t wait for her outside the entrance arch guarding her mount. He was still recovering from a wound sustained while going to her father’s aid. She wasn’t alone inside her glade, the only place she left all sense of duty at the archway and for a little while wandered about unwatched, unguarded. Not Mairi Gordon, Clan Gordon’s heir. Just Mairi.
But she wasn’t here now simply for the joy of it, she was here because someone had attacked her. Her steps faltered. And Duff was only here with her to protect her.
The chill that had subsided from her bones suddenly returned. Did the attack have something to do with the announcement she was to make in the morning stating who she’d chosen to marry? A decision she still hadn’t made. A decision she wasn’t ready to make.
Mairi suddenly didn’t want to be alone.
She glanced over her shoulder to find her protector standing near the stone outcrop, his masculine frame turned slightly sideways, enabling her the privacy she thought she’d craved, giving her the protection he’d promised.
The powerful urge to be near Duff swept over her like a storm lashing the land. She held herself still against the tempest and waited for it to ease. She would move closer, but she mustn’t let Duff know how strongly he drew her.
The memory of their almost kiss in the basement suddenly returned. The slide of her cheek on the underside of his granite jaw. The anticipation that had sent her heart racing and her hungry lips searching. She’d sensed the same want in him, but her protector had been stronger of will than she. Her protector had saved both of them their honour, but the almost kiss was something she’d always regret, because it never happened.
Mairi tossed her plait over her shoulder, slowly turned about and forced her feet to amble toward where Duff stood. As she neared, she saw that he’d prepared her a place to rest, as he said he would. Both of the fur rugs they’d taken from her father’s chamber were positioned beneath the sheltering stone, against the wall. Where was Duff going to sleep?
‘My thanks,’ she said, hoping she sounded calm and in control.
‘You should get some rest,’ he replied.
His deep voice was a rumble that washed over her, reassuring her. She wasn’t tired, but since he’d gone to so much trouble, she’d use the place he’d arranged for her.
Settling onto the rugs, she pressed her head up against the wall at her back and peered into the dark sky. The moon was already halfway through its downward arc. She looked at her protector, still standing in the same place, staring out into the night.
Mairi wanted to ask if he was going to remain standing there for the rest of the night, but instead she said, ‘Do you think my attacker will return tonight?’
Duff turned and looked at her. ‘I will not let anyone attack you. You’re safe here.’
She stared up at him, and even though she couldn’t see his eyes, she knew he watched her. ‘I know.’ The feel of his attention upon her heated a notch. She wanted him to hold her. ‘But do you think they’ll go looking for me at Castle Gordon tonight?’
‘If they do, they’ll not find you. You’re here and you’re safe and your father will deal with them.’
‘Aye. Father trusts you.’
‘I am the only one your father trusts because I was with him when you were attacked.’ Anger roughened his voice.
‘The attack was not your fault,’ she said, sitting straighter. ‘If I had remained in my room, where you and everyone else thou
ght I was, then it would never have happened.’ Annoyance at herself for causing the problem in the first place sharpened her tone.
‘Castle Gordon is your home, your father’s domain,’ Duff said. ‘You should be free to wander anywhere you will, without fear.’
It was another kind of fear that had sent her up to the battlements. The fear of making the wrong choice. And it would be wrong, for the man she wanted wasn’t one of her options.
‘Balfour is almost fully healed,’ Duff said, breaking into her dangerous thoughts. He must think her silence and her fear only stemmed from tonight’s attack. ‘He will soon be back protecting you.’
‘Aye.’ And you will be gone. She swallowed. ‘I have missed him.’
‘As he has missed you.’
She had missed Balfour. ‘What will you do?’
After being so still, he shifted. ‘Return to Clan Elliot in the Borders.’
‘I’m certain they will be happy to have you home.’
‘Aye.’
But there was no hint of happiness in the lone word. Was there no one from the Elliot clan who had missed Duff? God knew she would miss him. The sound of his voice, his dark, knowing gaze. The way he made her feel when he entered a room; warm, her heart beating as if she’d climbed a thousand stairs. Or when he left a room; cold, alone, wanting to run after him.
Wanting him.
Mairi closed her eyes and shifted lower on her makeshift bed. She had a duty to her father and her clan to choose a husband from the three men she’d spent the last sennight getting to know. Seven days to learn all about them, a lifetime to live with her choice.
Duff made her feel so much, yet she knew so little about him. All she knew was they could never be.
Her jumbled thoughts danced about in her head and she knew she’d never sleep. But she had this night to find out all the things she wanted to learn about her protector.
Her eyes slowly opened.
***
Duff’s hands curled into fists at the thought of returning to the Borders without knowing his origins, but his fists shook knowing he’d be returning alone, even after finding the woman he loved.
The Protector Page 25