The Protector

by Allison Butler

  ‘I might,’ Duff said, halting directly before him. ‘But you’ll be there first. Again, why are you here?’

  ‘Should have taken what we wanted back then.’ The intruder growled in anger and pain. His weapon fell from his grasp and he sank down onto heels. ‘Should have killed the bitch along with the others.’

  Duff stiffened and placed the tip of his sword at the man’s heart. The man was losing blood fast and wouldn’t survive much longer. Duff needed to find out as much as he could before he met his fate. It was obvious the man wasn’t working alone. ‘What are you talking about? Who should you have killed?’ Even as he asked the questions, Duff knew who he meant. He needed to get to Mairi.

  The attacker sneered up at Duff and said, ‘See you in hell.’ He then lurched up onto his knees and drove his upper body forward into Duff’s blade, which sank into the killer’s heart.

  Duff placed his foot against the dead man’s chest and dislodged his sword. He wiped his blade clean on the body, sheathed his dagger at his waist and retrieved the fallen man’s weapon. He then turned and headed for the secret entrance.

  He needed to find Mairi. He needed to make sure she was safe. He prayed he wasn’t too late.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Mairi recognised who the voice belonged to before he spoke again, despite not being able to see him. Part of her wasn’t surprised, but then another part of her couldn’t believe this was happening.

  ‘I suggest you both climb down the last few stairs, slowly. I’d hate the thought of either of you toppling to your deaths.’

  Mairi shivered and accepting her father’s arm, allowed him to lead as they descended to the basement floor.

  ‘Good. Now, Alastair, I suggest you remove your sword and carefully toss it over there.’ He indicated the consuming darkness to his left.

  ‘How dare you,’ her father said, easing his arm from her grasp and throwing his weapon to the ground. ‘You were invited here as one of my guests of honour, Ewan Strachan. Might I suggest you stop this … ill plan now, before someone gets hurt?’

  A flare of light momentarily blinded Mairi and added to the light from the candle her father still carried. She blinked and searched their surroundings.

  ‘It seems it is too late for that,’ Ewan said, as the flaming torch he’d set alight illuminated Balfour’s prone form.

  ‘Balfour.’ Mairi gasped her old protector’s name and stepped toward him. ‘What have you done to—?’

  ‘Stop!’ She stilled at Ewan’s abrupt command. ‘You seem to favour your protectors, Lady Mairi. Some, I fear, more than others.’ Mairi tensed at the reference to her closeness with Duff. ‘I would have taken the position years ago and saved myself so many years of waiting, if I’d but known.’ He glanced down at Balfour before his gaze once more settled on her. ‘This one yet lives, hence his bonds. He tumbled down the stairs when I surprised him leaving through the doorway above.’ He paused. ‘But his fate rests with you.’

  Fear for Balfour held her still, but not silent. ‘What is it you want, Ewan?’

  He smiled an evil smile. ‘I want to be laird. But I realised long ago, given my dutiful mother bore more than one son to my esteemed father, I will never be Laird of Strachan. I then decided being laird of my neighbouring clan will suffice.’

  ‘Your brother knows of this?’ her father asked in disbelief.

  ‘Nae, and there’s nae need for him to find out precisely how I persuaded you to wed me.’

  ‘You expect me to choose you after—’

  ‘You,’ Ewan roared. ‘Are fortunate that I will settle for used goods.’

  Mairi flinched at his outburst and then straightened. She was used goods, and was glad of it. Ewan obviously wasn’t. She also wondered how Ewan knew.

  ‘My bastard brother said we should have killed you all and taken the castle when we had the chance, but I didn’t listen.’ He slowly shook his head. ‘It would have been easier and quicker if I had.’

  ‘What are you saying?’ her father asked in a strangled voice.

  ‘I’m saying, old man, I should have allowed Morgan to kill you and your daughter along with your wife and son.’

  ‘You?’ her father rasped. ‘I will kill you.’

  ‘I doubt it,’ Ewan scoffed.

  ‘I will never marry you,’ Mairi said quietly. ‘I’d rather die than have you touch me.’

  ‘That can be arranged, My Lady.’

  ‘I am not your lady and never will be,’ Mairi bit out. She was furious for spending time with the man who’d ordered her mother and brother to be slain. She’d been frightened for most of my life, but from this moment on she was determined her fears would not rule her and her regrets would be no more.

  ‘I have lain with Duff, the man I love,’ she said with pride in her voice, and watched his mouth grow thin and hard. She had no plan, but wanting to draw his attention away from her father, she took several steps towards him, careful to stay away from where Balfour lay senseless. Ewan turned in her direction at her approach and held the flaming torch higher, his other hand clutching the hilt of his sword, its point rising further off the dusty ground the more she spoke. She kept her gaze away from the blade. ‘And I have known the greatest pleasures in his arms.’

  ‘He had you and then he left you,’ Ewan snarled, stabbing the air to deepen his point. ‘Your protector isn’t here.’

  Mairi’s steps faltered at the truth of his words.

  ‘Aye, he is.’ A masculine voice spoke loud and clear from the shadows.

  Mairi’s heart tripped and soared at the sound of Duff’s voice.

  ‘But if you’re expecting your bastard brother Morgan, you’ll be waiting a long time.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Ewan said, spinning around to where Duff remained hidden in the darkness.

  ‘Morgan is dead, Ewan.’

  ‘Nae, you lie. Morgan is the best swordsman I know.’

  ‘And yet I have his sword,’ Duff said holding out the bladed weapon, revealing where he was. ‘Drop your sword, Ewan,’ Duff instructed.

  ‘So you may kill another unarmed man?’ Ewan spat.

  ‘It is not my place to kill you, Ewan,’ Duff said.

  ‘Nae,’ her father said. Having made use of Duff’s distraction, he scooped up his sword from where he’d tossed it. ‘It is mine.’ He threw the flaming candle high in the air. Ewan turned, holding his sword in one hand and the torch in the other, but her father’s wrath was swifter, stronger and the blade of his sword sank deep into Ewan’s heart.

  As the younger man fell to his knees, her father followed him down, his face but an inch from the dying man’s. ‘This will not bring my wife or son back, but I will die content knowing I have finally avenged them.’ He took the flaming torch from Ewan’s hand, pulled his sword from chest and sent him tumbling backward with one powerful kick.

  ‘Father.’ Mairi dashed to her father’s side and relieved him of the torch. Each breath he took wheezed in and out and he bent double, resting one hand on his knee, the other leaning on his sword. ‘Oh, Father.’ Mairi placed one arm about him in an effort to help him stand.

  ‘Never fear, Daughter, I need but a moment to catch my breath.’

  Mairi’s heart clenched at the strength of his words and the lie beneath. She stood beside him and held him while he took a few moments. Holding the torch aloft, she watched Duff crouch and release Balfour from his bonds. The older man groaned and sat up, tentatively rubbing one side of his head. Relief that he was alive rose up to form a lump in her throat.

  Her gaze drifted to the man lying on his back, cold and alone. A shudder rippled through her at the pain and loss he’d heaped upon her family because of his selfish desires.

  ‘The scum is not worth your time or thoughts, Mairi,’ her father said softly. He straightened, and taking hold of the arm she’d had about him, linked it with his. ‘I am sorry I put you in harm’s way by inviting him here.’

  ‘Nae one suspected his evil intentions, Father.�
�� Mairi squeezed his cold hand, while in her heart she was relieved that of all her suitors, Ewan had been the one she least preferred.

  ‘Something I must endeavour to explain to Ewan’s older brother.’ His frown proved it wasn’t a task he looked forward to but something that must be done.

  ‘I am just thankful you were here to end it before he could cause anymore suffering.’

  ‘While I am thankful your heart guides your choice in men.’

  Mairi smiled at her father. ‘It might have been easier had I listened to my heart from the start, instead of resisting.’

  ‘Little of true import comes easily, Mairi, and the struggle only makes it more worthwhile.’

  ‘I can’t believe he came back,’ she whispered.

  Her father’s hand closed tightly about her fingers. ‘I can. Not once did he plead for his life, though he expected to lose it. His words were all in defence of you. He loves you, Mairi.’

  She smiled at the memory of him confessing his love. ‘I know, as I love him.’

  ‘Have you told him?’

  Her smile fell. ‘Nae.’

  ‘Then go tell him now,’ he said softly, and released her hand. ‘And let an old man help another from this godforsaken basement.’ He spoke loud enough for the others to hear.

  Duff steadied Balfour on his feet and both men turned at the sound of her father’s raised voice.

  ‘Balfour,’ Alastair called. ‘Lend a man a hand.’

  Mairi’s old protector hobbled to her father’s side, and using the torch she held lit the candle her father had thrown into the air and handed it to her. He then took the torch as her father continued, ‘I’ll send someone to see to this refuse once we’re above. Duff, take care of my daughter.’ Not waiting for a response, he turned and together with Balfour, the two men climbed the stairs to the Great Hall.

  Mairi stood holding the flickering candle, while watching them leave. They’d almost reached the door above when a warm tingling sensation ignited at her nape. She closed her eyes and savoured the feeling she’d believed she’d never feel again. ‘You came back.’

  ‘Aye.’

  The tingle spread down her back. ‘I was coming for you.’

  A slight pause. ‘I should never have left.’

  ‘But you came back.’ The tingle surged down her arms and legs. She turned and saw him in the candlelight. The most wondrous sight she’d ever seen.

  ‘I didn’t believe I was worthy. I still—’

  ‘Yet my father chose you to protect me, twice.’

  ‘He didn’t know then that I have nae name.’

  Silence reigned as they stared at one another. ‘Ewan had a name,’ she finally said. ‘A man’s worth shouldn’t be judged by a name, but by his actions.’ She stared into his dark eyes. ‘I have recently learned that a man of noble birth does not make him noble. I have also learned that a man skilled with a sword does not make him a beast, it makes him a skilled swordsman.’

  Mairi licked her lips and continued. ‘I have been given the choice of whom I wed. I am stubborn and determined and sometimes think I’m better off alone, but thanks to you, I am learning I don’t need to be. I ride a horse well and although my skills are a little stiff, with practise, I will be able with a bow. I have a strong castle complete with secret passages and clansmen I adore.’ Stepping closer, she placed her hand over his heart. ‘I have a name and would be honoured to share it with you. I love you, Duff.’ The tingle filled her heart and sent it soaring with a freedom she had never known before.

  ‘I love you, Mairi.’ His husky voice and the powerful words made her heart shiver. ‘I fell in love with you the first day I caught you and you commanded me to let you go.’ His fingers speared into her hair. ‘I did not want to release then, and now I have you, I’ll never let you go.’ His mouth took hers in a flaming kiss. The candle toppled from her hand as she reached up and pulled him closer.

  Epilogue

  Thwuump!

  Duff heard the unmistakable sound of an arrow flying through the air and embedding its point into something solid. But he couldn’t bring himself to look away from the golden-haired beauty standing an arm’s-length away, wearing a winning smile. This woman, Mairi Gordon. His wife.

  He’d woken every day for nigh on a sennight and every day, she was there in his arms, in his bed, in his heart, and not just a dream he didn’t want to wake from. She was real. She’d chosen him. She really was his wife.

  ‘I win,’ she cried. ‘Look.’

  He’d already won in every other way. He finally dragged his gaze from her mesmerising face and stared at the arrow waving back and forth from the centre of the target they’d been aiming for. ‘A lucky shot,’ he teased, knowing it wasn’t. She was the best archer he’d ever seen.

  ‘Huh!’ she scoffed. A husband for five days and nights. They’d wed the day after she’d said she loved him in the basement and Duff hadn’t minded the haste. The invisible wound caused by the sadness and loss he’d suffered all his life from not knowing his name had healed. He now shared his wife’s name, along with her duties, and had never been happier.

  Duff had accompanied Alastair when he’d spoken with Ewan’s brother, the Laird of Strachan, who had been apologetic, but unsurprised to hear the situation surrounding his younger brother’s death and the killings eleven long years ago. It seemed Ewan had always believed he deserved better and had never been happy with his situation in life.

  ‘And what will I gain if I land another lucky shot, husband?’

  ‘You will gain your husband’s undying admiration,’ he said.

  She turned her smiling blue eyes on him. ‘But I already have that.’

  He loved her growing confidence, and seeing her smile so often when she’d been so serious made him feel like the mightiest of men. ‘Aye, you do. My undying love, then.’

  ‘But I already have that, too.’ She set her bow and arrow on the ground and stepped before him. ‘A kiss is the only reward I need.’

  ‘A reward I happily give,’ Duff said, taking her in his arms and gifting her with her prize.

  When they finally came up for air, Duff continued to hold her. ‘Are you looking forward to our journey to Braemar tomorrow?’

  ‘Aye, I am pleased Ranald and Angus are staying to keep my father company while we’re gone.’ She smiled. ‘And I look forward to meeting your friends.’

  ‘They are good men and deserve nothing but happiness. I hope they have had been as fortunate as I in their quest to find their origins.’

  Duff stared down at the woman who’d made him believe in himself, believe in his worth. He’d been alive before, but because of one woman’s courage to love, now, he lived.

  Thanks for reading THE PROTECTOR. I hope you enjoyed it.

  If you’d like to know more about me, my books, or to connect with me online, you can visit my webpage www.allison-butler.com, follow me on twitter @AllisonButler17, or like my Facebook page Allison-Butler-Author.

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  You’ve just read a book in my HIGHLAND BRIDES series. The other books in this series are coming soon.

  If you liked this book, you might like the books in my Borderland Brides series—THE HEALER and THE THIEF.

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