Once Upon a Highland Moon (The Highland Moon Series)

by Gwyn Brodie

  "I trust you, lass," Galen said, then swung onto the back of his stallion. "Don't let me down."

  Sorcha smiled and nodded. Let him down? Wasn't it only yesterday he kidnapped her? 'Twould serve him right if she raced off in the opposite direction. But then she might run into the Archibald, and heaven forbid, she'd not wish that to happen.

  As they rode away from the tavern, Galen fell in beside her. They traveled for some time in silence, then he spoke. "So you do believe he'll come after you?"

  Sorcha raised a brow. "Who? Alexander, or Archibald?"

  "Campbell."

  "Aye, he'll come," she answered him matter-of-factly.

  He shook his head. "For the life of me, I can't understand why he would treat you as he did and then come after you."

  Sorcha shrugged. "In Archibald's way of thinking, I belong to him. And upon our marriage, he will receive a substantial dowry—which he covets greatly. Once he learns you abducted me, he'll come after you, and he'll not give up until he has me, of that you can be certain. I don't wish to see any harm come to you—or any of you for that matter." During the short time she'd been with Galen, she'd grown rather fond of him.

  Galen snorted. "Let the bastard come," he said, patting the hilt of his broadsword.

  Sorcha sighed. "If Alexander breaks the marriage contract, which I pray he will, he'd do well to keep a watchful eye out for some sort of retaliation from Archibald, because he will retaliate."

  They rode most of the morning, stopping only long enough to water the horses and give them a few minutes to rest, before continuing on toward Ravenskull. Then somewhere around mid-day, they stopped for a bite to eat.

  As Galen lifted Sorcha from her horse, her chest brushed against his. Desire flashed through him like a bolt of lightning. He wanted her so badly his bones ached.

  "Umph, we'll all starve to death before you get the food," Duncan teased.

  The corners of Galen's mouth lifted into a smile and he winked at her before untying the sack of food and handing it to Sorcha. Then he looked over at Duncan, who stood well over six and a half feet tall, every visible inch of him muscle. "As much food as you shoved into your mouth at the tavern this morn, I don't think you would starve if you didn't eat for a month."

  Cinead burst out laughing. "I'd have to agree with him, Duncan. That poor servant girl was close to tears when you asked for that third plate of bannocks."

  Sorcha could no longer contain her laughter. The three of them stared as she laughed until tears ran from her eyes. She enjoyed the friendly banter between them, and it felt good to laugh. She'd not realized, until then, how little she had laughed while she'd been at Clifftower. On the other hand, the brief time she'd been with Galen, laughter seemed to come easily. Smiling, she followed him to a large rock, then sat down and divided the food between the four of them.

  After a few moments of eating in silence, Galen was the first to speak. "My friends, I'm afraid we may see battle before we reach Ravenskull."

  Cinead swallowed his mouthful of bannock and his eyes narrowed. "The three of us have fought many battles together. What of this one?"

  He turned to Sorcha. "My lady, I must tell them all you have told me, so they may be prepared as well."

  She nodded.

  "Lady Sorcha is betrothed to Archibald Campbell, a man many years her senior. He is a tyrant who treated her badly during her stay at Clifftower Castle, while waiting to be wed. Besides being physically abusive to Sorcha, he uses his position to bed his servants, abusing them as well when they refuse him." Galen took her hand and gently pushed up her sleeve, exposing the numerous bruises marring her skin.

  Cinead winced. "The bastard."

  "No man should treat a woman so," Duncan said, slowly shaking his head.

  "With the aid of Campbell's own guards, her small party was able to escape. She was on her way home when they were accosted by the highwaymen."

  "Och, he's coming for her, is he then?" Cinead said, crossing his arms over his massive chest. "Let him. We'll be ready for Archibald Campbell and whatever garrison he brings with him."

  Duncan growled and shook his fists. "If I ever get my hands around the devil's neck, I'll be sure and teach him a thing or two about mistreating ladies."

  Sorcha was touched as she listened to the three men bent on protecting her. She glanced back and forth between them, and saw no fear in any of their handsome faces. They were Highland warriors through and through, not only in their strength and prowess, but in their hearts as well. "Much thanks for caring, but I don't wish to see any of you lose your life because of me."

  Galen blew out a long breath. "Sorcha, you ken I can't let you go until your brother frees mine. Besides, I'd be giving you a death sentence if I let you walk away now. As you ken firsthand, these forests are full of highwaymen. I promise as soon as we reach Ravenskull, I'll send your brother a missive. But either way, I'll not be handing you over to the Campbell."

  A knot rose in Sorcha's throat and tears stung her eyes. Galen hardly knew her, yet he was willing to stand up for her against Archibald, whatever his motive might be in doing so.

  Galen looked up at the sky. "'Tis yet a few hours before gloaming. The closer we get to Ravenskull before we stop for the night, the better."

  When he went to lift her onto her horse, Sorcha stood up on her toes and kissed his cheek.

  His brows raised in surprise. "What was that for?"

  She smiled. "For caring."

  Before lifting her onto her horse, Galen slid his fingers beneath her chin and gently tilted her face up to his. "I care, lass, more than you ken," he said, his eyes dark with passion.

  Sorcha shivered. He affected her like no man ever had. Not that she had much experience with men, but the ones she had been around, including John and Archibald, had made her feel naught. A word, a glance, a touch from Galen sent her insides into a spin.

  A string of icy fear twisted around her heart. Archibald would kill him if given the chance. That thought tore at her insides. When had Galen MacKinnon become so important to her? She fought to control her emotions as she reined her horse in-between the three warriors.

  Galen glanced her way. Saints above! The lass had put a spell on him. Nay, Campbell would never have her. He would see to that, even if he had to kill the man to keep her from him. He rode close behind Sorcha, impressed by the skillful way she handled her horse. Her hood slipped from her head and her long red hair spread over her shoulders and down her back like a fiery mantle. She was beautiful, inside and out. And she was strong of both will and heart. She'd had the strength to leave Campbell before marrying him, hadn't she?

  Galen shook his head to clear it. His mind should be on the task at hand. Instead, 'twas Sorcha that was on his mind. How his body had ached for her the previous night as he lay on the floor beside her bed, listening to her steady breathing while she slept. It'd seemed he'd but closed his eyes when that blasted rooster began to crow.

  He listened for any sound out of the ordinary. Naught would get past Cinead and Duncan up ahead. Gloaming settled around them, seemingly giving life to the shadows as they passed through the glen.

  Cinead brought his horse to a halt. "'Tis a good place to stay for the night. There's a stream close by and the rocks will provide protection against the wind and rain, or an attack, should that happen. We'll not be easily seen here—even by someone searching for us."

  "Good," Galen swung his leg across his horse and jumped down, then reached up for Sorcha. She placed her hands on his shoulders and slid down the length of him as he set her on the ground. Hellfire! His whole body ignited. He had to control himself. After all, he wasn't some green lad. He'd had his share of women, well, more than his share, actually.

  Sorcha followed, as he led her horse and his to the burn for a drink.

  Cinead kept watch, while the others knelt upstream, and drank their fill of the cool water.

  Sorcha climbed to her feet. "I didn't realize how thirsty I was."

  Ga
len grabbed the sack from her saddle and peered inside. "Och, there's not much food left, but enough to hold us over until we reach Ravenskull," he said, dividing the bits of tarts and bannocks between all of them. "With Campbell, and perhaps MacPherson as well, after us, I don't think we should risk a fire." He glanced up at the full moon hanging high in the clear night sky. "On a night such as this, the smoke would be seen for miles."

  Cinead and Duncan nodded.

  "I'll do first watch," Duncan said, rising to his feet and heading toward a high point on the rocks. "Cin," he called over his shoulder, "I'll be waking you in a couple of hours."

  "Aye," Cinead nodded, and with his broadsword within easy reach, he laid down on a patch of grass with his back to the rocks. He drew his plaid around his shoulders and the night air was soon filled with soft snores.

  Galen moved to sit beside Sorcha.

  She gave him a quick smile and looked down at her hands, neatly folded in her lap.

  "Is something amiss?" he whispered.

  "Where shall I sleep?"

  "There's no need to fash yourself, lass. I've found just the place for you, there, beneath the low hanging branches of that pine," he said, pointing a few feet away. He untied a blanket fastened to the back of his saddle. "This, along with your cloak, should keep you warm enough."

  "What about you? Will you not be in need of it?"

  "Nay, my plaid will be enough," he said, spreading the blanket out on the thick bed of pine needles.

  "Much thanks." She knelt on the blanket and drew her cloak tightly around her.

  "Good night, then. I'll be nearby, if you should need anything." Galen left her there, when what he really wanted to do was lie down beside Sorcha, and show her how much he desired her.

  He located a soft bed of moss several feet away, then pulled his plaid about his shoulders and lay down with his weapons close by. Listening to Sorcha's steady breathing and the call of the night birds, he managed to fall asleep. He was soon brought wide awake by her pitiful cries.

  Chapter Five

  "Nay, you're hurting me, Archibald," Sorcha cried softly in her sleep, while thrashing about on the blanket.

  A sharp blade of anger stabbed through Galen's chest. Campbell would pay dearly for the pain and suffering he'd caused the lass. He knelt beside her on the blanket and gently shook her shoulder. "Sorcha," he whispered, "'tis I, Galen."

  She stopped thrashing, then sat up and buried her face against his chest. Sobs racked her body, as she trembled in his arms.

  "Shhhh." Galen swallowed hard and wrapped his arms tightly around her. "'Twas but a dream. You're safe, lass." He gently smoothed back her hair and kissed her forehead.

  After a time, her trembling subsided and she stopped crying, but he didn't want to let her go. And she didn't move away. A short time later, he reluctantly released her.

  "Try to get some rest," he said. "We've a long day ahead of us." When he got up to leave, Sorcha grabbed his hand.

  "Don't go."

  He was startled by her request, but more than happy to oblige. "Then I'll not." Galen sat down on the blanket beside her. "Would you mind if I asked you a question?"

  "Nay, what is it?"

  "What made your brother choose Campbell as a husband for you?"

  "'Twas a strange thing, the way it happened. Archibald, and several of his guards, suddenly appeared at Blackstone, requesting to see Alex. I did not attend the meeting, but I later learned he was very much interested in having me as his wife."

  Galen frowned. Sorcha would be a prize for any man, but something seemed amiss. "Did you ken him?"

  "Nay, I'd never heard his name mentioned. As you might have guessed, I was quite surprised. But as I had already seen twenty-one summers, and after having spent some time with Archibald, who seemed most attentive, I encouraged the union."

  "Why is that?"

  "I don't believe I understand your question."

  "Why have you not wed before now? You're breathtakingly beautiful, witty and clever, as well as a skilled rider. I would have thought suitors would be coming through every door and window of Blackstone Castle, asking Laird MacPherson for your hand."

  Sorcha laughed and Galen's heart was near to bursting with an emotion he couldn't quite put his finger on.

  She sighed. "'Tis my fault, I suppose." She hesitated. "I don't ken why I should be telling you any of this, but I will. When I was a naïve lass of eighteen summers, I fell madly in love, or thought I had, with a young man called John Lamont. He was very handsome and seemed to always ken just what to say. John had accompanied his father to Blackstone to discuss business with my own father. Their party ended up staying nigh on a week and John took every opportunity to court me. I truly expected him to ask for my hand, but he never did." Her voice held an unmistakable note of pain.

  "What happened, if you don't mind my asking?"

  She was silent for so long, Galen thought she wasn't going to tell him, but then she spoke.

  "One night, after everyone had gone to sleep, John sent a missive for me to meet him at the abandoned crofter's hut not far from the castle. I didn't even consider his intentions, as I said before, I was very naïve. But to make a long story short, I waited all night, but he never appeared. Just before dawn, I slipped back into the castle. I never saw him again. After that, I swore I'd never trust another man."

  Galen chuckled. "Does that include me, lass?"

  "Especially you."

  Sorcha was right not to trust him. He hadn't acted much better himself where the fairer sex was concerned. Galen didn't consider himself unscrupulous. He just wasn't interested in settling down—not yet anyway.

  "What about you, Galen?"

  Galen chuckled. "I haven't yet found the right woman." He wasn't about to tell her of his reputation for lifting the skirt of any lass who gave him a come-hither smile, whether it be a milk-maid or a chieftain's daughter.

  "Enough talk for tonight. Get some sleep. The morrow will be here before you ken it."

  She lay down, with her back toward him, and he settled behind her, their bodies mere inches apart. Galen wondered what she'd do if he slipped his arm over her waist and drew her back. He imagined how the shapely curve of her hips would fit perfectly against him. He suddenly realized if he wasn't careful, Sorcha would be well aware of just how much he desired her.

  She suddenly rolled over onto her back.

  Galen raised himself up on one elbow and peered down at her.

  Sorcha's eyes sparkled in the pale moon light as she gazed up at him. She brushed her fingers against his cheek.

  He closed his eyes, fighting his overwhelming desire for her.

  "Kiss me," she whispered softly.

  Galen brushed his lips across hers, savoring their soft fullness. He'd never wanted anyone as badly as he wanted Sorcha at that moment. He moved his hand down her side and over the curve of her hip, drawing her against him. He groaned against her mouth, prepared to deepen the kiss, then remembered through a haze of desire—they weren't alone.

  He lifted his head. "You make me daft, lass, and I'm afraid I may have just given us away." He reluctantly released her and jumped to his feet. Duncan had heard them, of that he was certain. The man's ears picked up sounds no one else could hear. Galen looked up at Duncan's silhouette, clearly outlined against the moonlit sky. Hell! He'd left his post and was now making his way down the hillside to see what had caused the noise. Galen sighed and waited for his approach.

  Duncan stopped where Galen had been sleeping. "Galen?" Duncan whispered.

  "Aye? I'm over here."

  "I heard a moan. 'Twasn't Cin, he's fast asleep."

  "Lady Sorcha had a nightmare. I came to check on her and she wished me to stay—for a wee bit."

  "Aye, I heard the lass. I'll be returning to my post then. You'd best get some sleep yourself. You've got last watch."

  "Duncan?"

  "Umh?"

  "Let me be the first to praise you on your keen hearing," Galen said with a
hint of sarcasm.

  Even in the pale light of the full moon, Galen could see Duncan's mouth spread into a wide, toothy grin.

  "Aye, it serves me well," he said, then left.

  Galen could have sworn he heard Duncan chuckling. He returned to the blanket beside Sorcha.

  "Does he ken?" she whispered.

  "He probably thinks I was doing more than comforting you. By the morrow, Cin will ken as well. Those two are thicker than thieves."

  "Saints above! I'll not be able to look at either of them.. They'll think me naught more than a wanton."

  He brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek. "I promise, they'll not think badly of you. More than likely, I'll receive a good scolding for taking advantage of you."

  "Nay, 'twas I who asked you to kiss me."

  "Sorcha, I'm afraid I was very close to doing just that, even before you asked me to. Now, 'tis time we got some sleep."

  She rolled back onto her side, and Galen slipped his arm over her waist, pulling her against his chest, then tucked his plaid around them both. He lay awake for some time listening to each breath she took, and marveled at just how right she felt in his arms. He'd been asleep for a short while when someone grabbed him by the shoulder. He quickly rolled over and reached for his broadsword.

  "Easy, Galen, 'tis I, Cin. 'Tis your turn to stand watch." Grinning, Cinead glanced down at Sorcha. "It appears, you had far better sleeping arrangements than I, my fortunate friend," he whispered.

  "Och, Cin, stop your teasing." Reluctantly, he eased his plaid from around her and got to his feet. Before taking up his post on the rocks, he glanced over his shoulder at Sorcha, wishing he was still beside her on the blanket.

  From atop the rise, Galen watched dawn break into morning. Sunlight spilled over the glen like a golden waterfall. He looked down into the small clearing, where his friends and Sorcha lay sleeping. He would wake them soon. If they left now, they ought to reach Ravenskull by evening. In fact, they were no more than a couple of hours ride from MacLachlan land as it was.

  Galen scanned the countryside. A flurry of movement on the horizon caught his attention. He squinted to get a better look. A small garrison, still some distance away, was heading in their direction. He quickly scrambled down the hill. "Duncan, Cin, wake up. A garrison fast approaches."