Highland Devotion (The Band of Cousins Book 7)

by Keira Montclair

  Linet’s eyes lit up at the mention of Merewen. “I so need to see my dearest sister. She is happy with Gavin?”

  “Aye, verra happy. Try to calm down so I can get us away from here. We can talk later. Can you peek over my shoulder again and tell me how many men are still following us?”

  She did as he asked and she clung to his shoulders. “Four. There are four horsemen still following us.”

  “Then we must make this horse go a wee bit faster.”

  “Gregor, hurry, they’re gaining on us.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Despite the men following fast behind them, Linet had never felt so safe and protected before. Gregor had come for her, whisked her away from the nasty world of fighting. He cared about her and would help her return to a happier life.

  If she only knew what that might look like.

  Or where she might find it.

  She certainly couldn’t go back to her awful life on Ramsay land, so she would have to speak with Gregor about where he would take her. Of course, first they would need to lose Earc’s men.

  Her heart jumped into her throat as she glanced back again. “Gregor, they’re almost upon us.”

  “Hang on, Silver will have to go faster.”

  “What if they catch us? What will they do?”

  “I’ll protect you! I have my sword, my bow, and my dagger.”

  “Closer…they’re closer. Wait. Now they’re all abreast, but one doesn’t see…oh!”

  “What is it?”

  “One fell back. The horse’s leg buckled and he tossed his rider. And the others…I cannot see them through the trees.”

  “Keep watch for me. ’Twill be better if I only have to fight two instead of four. Fool probably pushed his horse too far and broke its leg.”

  “Poor horse.” She had a death grip on his bulging forearms, but it didn’t seem to bother him. Afraid she’d fall off, and desperate for the reassurance of his strong body, she pressed herself as tightly to him as she could. “I think I see them again. They’re still coming.”

  “How many?”

  Linet peered over his shoulder again and said, “Three. We lost one, but two are coming faster. I fear they will catch us.”

  Gregor said, “I need to put an end to this because Silver may not be able to handle this pace with both of our weights. I see a perfect spot up ahead. I’m going to set you down, then I’ll deal with the bastards. You can stand and hide in the trees, aye?”

  “Aye.”

  While she had a bit of fear, she trusted him completely. If anyone could take on three men at once, it was Gregor Ramsay. When he reached the area he’d pointed to, he helped lift her down from his horse. She nearly fell, but she caught herself enough to scramble off into the bushes.

  Once she was satisfied she was well hidden, she peeked out. Gregor had hidden his horse behind a group of trees. When the first two horses came barreling through the trees, Gregor swung the flat of his blade against the rider in lead, forcing him to fall off his horse in a heap. The second horse reared, and its rider fought to contain the beast.

  Gregor caught him with his sword the moment the horse settled, and the bastard fell off onto his back, writhing in pain. The third horseman came along cautiously, having caught on to the ambush. To her surprise, Gregor snuck his horse around the trees and came up behind the third rider, who only had enough time to turn his horse before Gregor sliced him across his middle and he, too, fell off his horse.

  When Gregor came back, he dismounted, checked to make sure the three men would not be following them, then cleaned his sword, sheathed it, and helped her back onto his horse before mounting up behind her.

  She leaned against him, his arm now tight around her waist. He leaned in to whisper to her. “There’s a cave not two hours from here. We can spend the night there. I don’t want to go back to Edinburgh without reinforcements. Nari will get to Will and Maggie and they’ll come for us on the morrow. I’m sure of it.”

  “Aye. Anything to get me away from them. My thanks to you, Gregor.” She leaned back, her faith in this man indisputable. He hadn’t given up on her—she’d sent him away, but he’d come back.

  Something else was indisputable, too—she could no longer deny her feelings for Gregor. She’d enjoyed their kiss back in Edinburgh and she had a sudden desire for more. What would it be like to lie in his arms, be cradled in his warmth, his gentle touch?

  Would she hate it? She feared she might, but a spark of hope lit inside her.

  This desire to be closer to Gregor, to talk with him, to share her deepest feelings with him, was it because of what they’d been through or was it borne of the closeness they’d shared all those years ago? Had Merewen experienced the same thing with Gavin?

  She kept glancing over his shoulder to be certain they were alone, but no horses had appeared.

  After another hour, she had to hope no one else would follow them.

  She was free.

  She was free of the fighting, the whoring, the locked chambers, and the constant supervision. Free, also, of the demands that had been made of her at home. It felt like the first time she’d ever been truly free.

  And she owed it all to the man on the horse seated behind her. Why had he risked so much for her?

  Gregor eventually slowed his horse, pointing to an area off to their right. “There’s a well-hidden burn and a cave over there. Will knows it well. We’ll stop here for the night.” He led the horse to the burn, then dismounted before he assisted her down.

  When she found her footing, she let her hands linger on Gregor’s arms as she took in their surroundings. The landscape was simply gorgeous. The burn fell from a small cliff over multiple rocks, which sent its spray in many directions. The small pool at the bottom glistened in the moonlight. Surrounded by a heavy forest, she felt so protected and special.

  There was nowhere else she’d rather be, no one else she’d rather be with. If she could make this moment stretch on forever, she would.

  Gregor whispered, “What is it? Do you hear something?”

  The only sounds were the music of the water hitting the stones and the rare song of a bird in the trees.

  “Nay, Gregor, ’tis just so beautiful here. I’m in awe of it. How did you know of this place?” She stepped away from him so she could get a better look at everything—the thick trees, the meandering of the water as it left the waterfall, and the lovely stars of the night sky peeking through the tree canopy above them.

  “Will and Maggie told us about a few caves not far from Edinburgh, just in case we would ever be in need. They’ll know where to search for us.”

  He watched her as he settled his horse, his gaze following her movements.

  She would be well-protected this night. “Many thanks to you for assisting me.”

  “I wish you had come with me when I visited you earlier, but nevertheless, I’m glad you’ve changed your mind. Those are not good people.”

  “I know. I was foolish. ’Tis hard to explain.” She stared at the carpet of leaves and pine needles at her feet. Perhaps the time had come for her to tell all, but the thought of the look on Gregor’s face when he learned the truth stopped her.

  Not yet.

  He pulled something out of his saddle bag and held it out to her. “I have an extra plaid if you’d like to don it over your garment.”

  She glanced at her outfit. In her haste to escape, she’d forgotten all about the tight, inappropriate garment. She brought her gaze up to Gregor, who was wearing a slight smirk, which caused her to blush the shade of the ripest apple at the top of an autumn tree. “You look fine in it, lass. Do not be embarrassed, but others may not see it that way.”

  “I’ll take the plaid and don it after I see to my needs around the side of the cave.”

  He handed it to her. “I’ll be right here.”

  Once she finished, she found Gregor rooted to the same spot. Men could just turn around and take care of everything, could they not? She watched him
bend over the burn, rinse his hands and wash his face. He filled a skin with fresh water, then offered her a sip.

  “I hate to hunt because I don’t wish to start a fire this eve. I have a few oatcakes if that will suit you. I may have a chunk of cheese left, too. I’ll leave our horse off to the side, then we can get settled in the cave.”

  “Do you really think they’ll be along on the morrow?”

  “I do.”

  “You trust that wee lad to find people he’s never met?”

  He tied his horse to a tree, ensured the animal had enough to eat, and took her hand and led the way up the small incline to the cave. Despite the other things she’d been made to do, she’d never held a man’s hand like this—the warmth and heft of it made her feel cherished. The area was well-hidden in the middle of the forest, and there was no snow to show tracks. She felt safe here, with Gregor by her side.

  “Aye, he’s a wee sprite, quite resourceful, and we’d already explained about Will and his falcons. I told him to find the Wild Falconer and send him northwest. They’ll find us.”

  His confidence bolstered her own.

  Once they reached the opening to the cave, he held his hand up. “Allow me to go in first to make sure there are no creatures or bats inside.”

  She shivered and nodded, praying he wouldn’t send anything large or slithery her way.

  “Naught here,” he said a moment later, taking her by the hand again. He led her around a corner into a large area not visible from the outside. There were several rocks arranged in such a way that they could sit on them to eat or even use one as a table. He put two furs down and pointed to them. “Go ahead and sit down.” She sat on the warm furs, grateful that he was so prepared. “Here are two oatcakes for you.”

  They ate in silence for a moment before he said, “So I must ask you a few things, Linet. We knew each other fairly well when we were young, and the lass I knew would never have agreed to stay with Sela, as a fighter or as a healer. Do you wish to share anything? Why didn’t you wish to come home?”

  Linet fought the impulse to shed a few tears at the question, which was a fair one coming from the son of the previous chieftain. From her friend and one-time confidante.

  She stared at the far wall of the cave. “There are things you don’t know about me.” Her gaze dropped to her lap.

  “I would love to hear about them, not to pry into your life but because I want you to be happy. I care about you, Linet. If you’d have me, I wish to court you, but it bothers me terribly that you don’t like Clan Ramsay enough to return to us. I know my brother strives to lead us well.”

  “’Tis not Clan Ramsay. ’Tis just…” She shivered at the memories coursing through her.

  Gregor wrapped an arm around her shoulder, tucking her in close to give her his heat. “Would it be easier if you did not have to look at me?”

  She gave him a small push away from her. “Nay, I’d prefer to be able to look at you. I don’t wish to be that close. ’Tis distracting.”

  She bit her tongue, not wishing to tell him the true reason she hated Clan Ramsay and feared the touch of a man. Before she’d been stolen from her home, she’d tried to tell Winnie about her problem. She’d always been told not to mention the visits to anyone, but she’d gotten to an age where she’d realized what was happening to her was not normal. It was not something that was done to every lass. It was wrong. And so she’d tried to tell Winnie.

  She’d never gotten the chance to tell her sister. Perhaps it would be wise to tell Gregor. He was in the laird’s family, after all—he could help her. If she wanted any chance at happiness in her future, she had to tell someone.

  She trusted him.

  “Will you promise not to force me to return to Clan Ramsay if I tell you?” She fiddled with the fuzz on the wool of the plaid, pondering what she was about to tell him.

  “I won’t force you to do anything, Linet. Ever. You have my word on that,” Gregor said. “If you have been abused or mistreated in any way, you would not be the first lass who has been forced to endure such atrocities. Aunt Maddie was treated abominably by her own stepbrother before she met Uncle Alex. I could go on, but you understand what I mean. ’Tis not your fault if someone took advantage of you.”

  Tears burned her eyes. She didn’t want her abuser to know how much he’d hurt her, how he’d stolen not just her innocence, but her self-worth. Sometimes the memories were so painful she wished to drown in misery and never speak to another soul.

  The way it made her feel…

  How could she explain that to anyone?

  “Who, Linet? Who hurt you so badly that I can see the pain in your face? In your gaze? In every single move you make?” He moved closer and caught the first tear that meandered down her cheek with his finger, then placed a soft kiss where her cheek was still wet. “Who would treat you in such a way?”

  She lifted her gaze to stare at him.

  It was time to tell all, and tell all she would.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Which of you fools lost her?” The man strode into the chamber, slammed the door shut behind him, and motioned for Earc to vacate the one chair at the table. “She was one simple-minded, trembling female who was frightened of her own shadow. How could she have left this building on her own?”

  Earc stood opposite the man with several of his guards, all of them silent.

  “No answer? Well, you’ll pay for your mistakes when I send you to the Borderlands for your punishment just the way I did Sela.” He slammed a dagger down on the table for emphasis, pleased to see about half of the men jump in fear. This was exactly what he needed—fear. Nothing was a more powerful motivator. He knew that from experience—he’d used fear to control Sela, various warriors, and even Linet, although she was his favorite. Which was exactly why he was so furious she’d gotten away. “Earc reports to me on a daily basis, so keep that in mind. I have eyes that will keep me informed, and I can banish or punish any one of you fools.”

  “Sela will be punished for this?” one man asked, his voice carrying a slight tremor.

  “Aye, she should have scared that twit silly, but instead she favored her. I could tell even from a distance. Linet is not smart enough to find a way out on her own. Someone must be at fault, and I will find out and punish them.”

  “She ran toward one of the spectators after two fights and left with him,” Earc said. Sweat beaded on his brow. Good. “Though I didn’t see the man myself, from the descriptions I was given, I suspect it was Gregor Ramsay.”

  “Shite. First Merewen with Gavin Ramsay and now Linet with Gregor? When the hell did they become close? Never mind. I know the answer to that question, although I thought that fancy had passed long ago. I warned her to stay away from him.”

  “It may have naught to do with any connection the two shared in the past. She wanted her freedom. Is that so hard to believe?” Earc said, glowering at the man behind the table.

  “Aye. She’s mine, and I’ve spent a good amount of time intimidating that lass into submission. Now I want her back. You are to do whatever you need to secure her.”

  “Why do you like her so much? ’Tis a sickness, I think.”

  The man reached across the desk and grabbed Earc by his tunic. “Say that again and you’re a dead man. I’m not the only one who wants her. I just received a missive from the head of our operation in the Borderlands.”

  “Is he not in charge of everything in the Channel? Why should he care about one lass?”

  “Aye, he is, but he needs a healer quickly. Linet is the only one we have, so I’m telling you all that you need to find her. If you don’t, I’ll be deciding your punishments.”

  ***

  Linet peered into Gregor’s eyes as she spoke. “My brother came into my chamber one night when I was two and ten. Merewen was sleeping with Mama because she was sick. He said ’twas a brother’s duty to let his sister know what would be expected of her when she grew up, to prepare her for marriage. Said he would s
tart to teach me once I was a bit older.” She peeked at Gregor to see if he doubted what she said, but she could not read anything in his gaze.

  She couldn’t stop her chin from quivering as the memory of that first night assailed her. Mal hadn’t said anything else other than to tell her it was to be their secret. She’d never been more confused or frightened than after Mal had left her, but she’d done as she was told. Just like she always had. As her mother had oft said, she was a good lassie.

  No longer.

  “I don’t think I need to say anything else, other than that it continued. I was miserable over it, but I didn’t think there was aught I could do. I was young and didn’t know any better. He insisted it was his duty and his right. I did ask lasses I met in Inverness, and they confirmed what I already suspected, that it was indeed my brother who was wrong, not me. But you know my family, Gregor. My sire thinks Mal is the best son of all, Struan is his best friend, and I would be condemned for saying anything against my own brother. But I can’t live that life any longer. I wish to be free of him and never see him again.” She stared at her hands in her lap, finally letting herself cry. Her tears had been held in for so very long. “I can’t and I won’t ever go back.”

  “Does Merewen know?”

  “I don’t believe so. I’ve never confided in her, though I’ve thought of it many times. I was trying to tell her the night I was stolen, but she had personal issues, so I decided to wait.” She waited to see what Gregor would say, because she honestly had no idea.

  “May I wrap my arms around you? I wish to do something, anything, to comfort you for being treated so abominably by your own family member.” His gaze locked on hers. She wanted his arms around her—his touch felt warm and safe and so very different from Mal’s—and yet, she struggled with wanting the touch of a male, any male.