Rescued By the Scot

by Laura A. Barnes

  “I was in the wrong. A regret I will always live with.”

  “How am I to trust you now?”

  “Of that I have no answer for. I only hope you can consider my actions from here on out and base your trust on those. I promise to be honest with you from this day forth.”

  Skye listened to his words, wanting to believe him, but knowing there was a great deal of misplaced trust on both of their parts. She knew he could have counteracted her lack of faith in him, but he didn’t. For she trusted him no more than he did her. They both kept secrets from each other. Secrets which might have helped the other, but only harmed them instead. Throughout her talk of trust, he never asked for hers in return. He only offered his, sacrificing what should be offered to him, in hopes she would give him hers.

  She turned her back on him, not wanting to show him any more vulnerability. His honesty towards her unsettled her. She wanted to trust him with all her heart, but to achieve that she would have to give him her love. While he wasn’t offering his heart only his trust and honesty. A far cry from what she desired from him. She trembled with overwrought emotions. She wanted them both to leave the room, so she could cry. Her body began to shake, and tears moistened her eyes.

  “Skye,” he whispered.

  She heard him coming towards her as Raina’s arm circled her shoulders shielding him from his touch. While she was grateful for the intervention, her heart ached. She longed to be held in his arms. For him to whisper the words to help her heal.

  When she turned from him, Zane felt his heart drop to his stomach. She couldn’t even stand the sight of him. He knew he botched the entire conversation, she strung his emotions all over the place. He wanted to hold her, and she turned away from his touch. When she continued to keep her back to him and he saw her body shake, he wanted to fall to his knees to cry with her. He wanted to shed his tears with her for everything she lost.

  “Please, both of you leave,” she whispered between her tears.

  All they could do was leave her. They owed her that much respect. He escorted Raina back to Charles holding his emotions in check the entire way. He saw the glances Raina passed to him. Pity. He needed no pity.

  Chapter Thirteen

  MAXWELL WENT TO THE bar in Thorn’s cabin, he grabbed his best whiskey and drank a shot straight from the bottle. He carried the bottle as he punched the wall. Over and over until his skin peeled away from the knuckles dripping blood. Mallory and Thorn tried to stop him, but he threw them off with punches towards them. Only when his anger waned, did he slide down the wall he had beaten and got himself stinking drunk. He drank half the whiskey before he realized it was only him and Thorn in the cabin. Charles removed Raina from his drunken stupor. He would behave as a gentleman and apologize to her in the morning. For now, he would remain the scoundrel they believed him to be. The one of the rottenest core.

  “Are you going to share your drink?” Thorn asked.

  Maxwell raised the bottle, offering it for him. Thorn shook his head; his comment was only spoken to drive him to stop his drinking. Maxwell didn’t feel the need to halt his misery. So, he drank another long swallow. He realized he was in for a lecture, one he didn’t want to hear. Nonetheless, he would endure for he was on the man’s ship and under his gratitude.

  “Out with it.”

  “With what?” Thorn inquired.

  “With your speech.”

  Thorn laughed, “I have nothing to say my friend.”

  “Are we?”

  “What?”

  “Still friends?”

  “Yes, Maxwell. While I have not agreed with your decisions of late, we are still friends. Or so my wife tells me I must be with you.”

  “She has forgiven me then.”

  “Yes, though she was never mad, only disappointed in you.”

  “Well, I guess I have given her more to be disappointed in.”

  “Yes, I will agree with you.”

  “What am I to do?”

  “First, you can inform me why you have betrayed us and what is your connection to the missing heir.”

  “I never meant to betray any of you, I had to make it appear as if I had switched sides for Shears to trust me. He had information I needed.”

  “What kind of information?”

  “He knew the location of the missing heir.”

  “What is your relationship to this child?”

  “She is my sister.”

  Thorn stared at Maxwell in disbelief; the shock on his face apparent. The expression would adorn many faces of the ton after they are made aware of the scandal. For the heir to be his sister, it would mean his mother betrayed his father with the King.

  “How?”

  “Why the usual way a man would acquire a sister,” Maxwell drawled in sarcasm.

  “Don’t be a smart ass.”

  “The King seduced my dearly devoted mother. My parent’s marriage was a sham, only to the ton’s eyes were they devoted to each other. My father no longer bedded my mother after he obtained his heir. He didn’t even want a spare, so he carried on with his mistresses. While, my mother sought her revenge and bedded the King. Only to everybody’s despair nine months later a small baby was born.”

  “From what I understand, the heir is a boy.”

  “That is what they led you to believe, but she is a girl. She should be fourteen now. I know because I was present the night my mother gave birth, the same night they seized the baby and disappeared. The whole ordeal was covered up of course.”

  “Did you divulge this information to Skye?”

  “Only the part where I searched for the missing heir. The same child her brother searched for when he became lost. Shears told her the truth.”

  “Did Shears inform you where you can locate the heir or Logan MacKinnon?”

  “No, his final words were, he would never divulge to us where our loved ones were. He got his ultimate revenge on us. He led me on a wild goose chase for months, only to die with his secrets.”

  “I have Jake and Sammy searching his ship for any clues he might have left behind.”

  “You will find nothing, I never could. He kept them all up here.” Maxwell pointed at his head.

  “Nonetheless, it doesn’t hurt to search.”

  “So, what becomes of me when we dock? I understand I am a wanted man.”

  “You are no more a wanted man than I am. You received a full pardon.”

  “How?”

  “Another reason you can pay your gratitude to Ivy for.”

  “It appears the lady will be forever in my debt.”

  “As long as that is all she remains.”

  “Still jealous, are you?”

  “Never was to begin with.”

  Maxwell humphed his reply. They both recognized the lie to be a line of crap, but he wouldn’t bait the man who graced him with his help.

  “Do you love her?” Thorn questioned Maxwell.

  “Who, Ivy?”

  “No, Skye.”

  Maxwell didn’t answer him. Love? How do you describe the agony he suffered right now? He felt so helpless. Did love ache as if your heart ripped in two and the only way for it to become whole again was for your other half to love you too? He understood what Thorn was playing at.

  “Well do you?”

  “Did you ever find the meaning of love I described to you with Ivy?”

  “Yes, believe it or not, thanks to you. You helped me envision what Ivy meant to me and what I meant to her. It took me a while to look past the green monster, but eventually I saw reason. Do you believe in your meaning with Skye?”

  “More than I ever thought possible I could with another soul.”

  “So, what shall you do about it?”

  “What am I to do? She won’t let me touch her, let alone be with her in the same room without a guardian.”

  “She only needs time Maxwell. After she has had time to recover, how will you gain her love in return?”

  “I ache for what she is enduring. I f
eel her pain as if it were my own.”

  “Then I would say yes you are beyond in love with her.”

  “As for your answer. I will leave her be, I am not good enough for her.”

  “Bull.”

  “You didn’t see her reaction towards me.”

  “Then I will need to search for a groom to protect her honor. I think I can find her somebody worthwhile.”

  Maxwell came off the floor rushing towards Thorn, but Thorn was ready for him. Thorn grabbed the bottle out of Maxwell’s hand and knocked him across the cheek with his fist. Maxwell slid backwards, caught unaware. His drunken stupor delayed any reaction he might have took, for Thorn held up his hand halting him from any advancement.

  “I deem that was sufficient payback.”

  “What the hell did you do that for?”

  “I have been waiting to punch you for a long stretch. Does not sit well, does it my friend?”

  “What?”

  “Knowing another man might touch your love and you have no power over stopping it.”

  Maxwell cringed at those words. He owed Thorn an apology for making a play at Ivy. He only acted out of jealousy of losing their close friendship and held disappointment in Thorn for upsetting Ivy. Zane realized he was wrong when he kissed her, but the temptation of giving into a desire overtook him at that moment. The feelings he held for Ivy, were friendship and nothing more. He was a fool for even crossing that line.

  Maxwell walked over to Thorn holding out his hand, “My humblest apologies for attempting to seduce your betrothed.”

  “You are forgiven, now let us begin again. What are your plans for Skye MacKinnon?”

  “She refused my offer of marriage.”

  “When has rejection ever stopped you before? You need a game plan, before we find her brother and he hunts for you.”

  “Have you met her brother?”

  “Yes, he has helped me on many occasions. My allegiance with him is how I met Skye. She operated the Edinburgh War Office.”

  “She is a spy?”

  “Yes, a very clever one at that.”

  “How come I wasn't made aware of her?”

  “We all had levels of intelligence with the War Office, which required us to identify with only who or what they wanted you to know. I am assuming with your connection to Shears, they didn’t want to leak out any information on her. You might have heard of her though, she is called Fionnlagh.”

  Maxwell sat in silence as he acknowledged the information. Fionnlagh means “white warrior” and her last name MacKinnon meant son of the fair born. She was clever to combine the two meanings and disguise herself as a man. From what Isobel told him about Skye, that was how her father raised her; to be a man. He heard of her, but her name never meant anything to him, so he never pondered over her. Also, he didn’t know her to be a woman. Her name was known to have completed many missions for the War Office, so he presumed she was a man. Not a lady with long red hair and generous curves. A lady he bedded only to be betrayed by.

  “Yes, it seems I was kept in the dark on much needed information.”

  “That is what happens when you act as a double agent. Even a double agent with instructions from the Crown.”

  “What is her brother like?”

  “Exactly like her, but much bigger.”

  “Bigger as in?”

  “Bigger as in, if you don’t make an honest lady out of her, before his return, there will be no way for us to save you this time.”

  “So, I am a dead man then.”

  Thorn laughed, “This shall be fun to watch, I will truly enjoy watching you squirm.”

  “Friends, huh?”

  “Yes, and I will offer you the same advice, I think you were trying to offer me, but I was to pig-headed to listen to.”

  “Which is?”

  “Show her you love her.”

  “Easier said than done.”

  “Oh, I think you will find a way,” Thorn replied as he left the cabin.

  Maxwell sat staring at the spot where he left, pondering the hidden meaning behind his words. He searched for the bottle, only to discover Thorn had taken it with him. Which was probably for the best. He was no longer thirsty, anyway.

  How do I tell her what she means to me when she didn’t even want the sight of me around her? Although, Thorn didn’t say tell, he said show. Then new ideas came to Maxwell on how he could show her he cared. The first was to give her space. The rest would fall in place. He started to plan his seduction of Skye MacKinnon.

  Chapter Fourteen

  SKYE TRAVELED IN THE carriage through London with Raina. The men didn’t join them, providing Skye the privacy she needed. They rode their horses as outriders alongside the carriage. When they docked, Thorn obtained guards to seize Shears’s men into custody. They would proceed straight to Newgate where they would hang for their crimes. They were questioned by Thorn and Mallory on Shears’s agenda. Most of the prisoners talked, hoping to save their lives. It was to no avail, most of what they learned from the men, they had already gathered intelligence on. So, their information was of no use to them.

  Skye gazed through the window at the passing scenery. It was early yet, dawn only breaking the surface. Early morning vendors were out, yelling to sell their wares and prostitutes were finding their way home. Occasionally, they passed a carriage of the gentry; rogues returning from their late-night card games or visits to their mistresses.

  Now and then her glance found Maxwell riding near the carriage. He looked magnificent on a horse. His gaze never left the carriage, their eyes would meet, with Skye always looking away from him. His eyes held sorrow, reflecting his pain for her. She did not want his pity. He didn’t speak to her when Mallory helped her and Raina board the carriage. He only stood silent regarding her, his stare unnerving. Skye wouldn’t let him see how his presence affected her. She knew Raina also watched her. Raina understood how to be there, but not to smother her. She was grateful for the woman. Skye wondered how her host, Ivy Thornhill would act. Skye's curiosity was piqued on meeting her, but also left her nervous. This was the woman who truly held Maxwell’s heart. How would Ivy treat her?

  The carriage turned into Mayfair; gone were the storefronts, loud vendors, and noisy streets. Large townhomes surrounded the neighborhood welcoming the aristocracy home. Skye felt uncomfortable in this environment. She was used to large open areas where she could roam free, and a welcoming castle bustling with her loved ones. Now she would be surrounded by proper lords and ladies drinking tea and gossiping on the ton’s latest scandal. Which would be her. She realized it was the best choice for her to finish her recovery here and wait for word of Logan. Would she be able to endure this prim life, or would she cause more disgrace by acting as herself?

  The carriage stopped in front of the largest townhome Skye had ever seen. The house was surrounded with iron fencing with the same iron decorating the windows balconies in splendid design. The townhome took up an entire block with its grand décor. The front lawn welcomed you with an array of beautiful flowers inviting you into their home. Skye’s nerves were settled as she soaked up the comforting atmosphere. When the carriage stopped, Mallory assisted Raina out and up the stairs to the townhome. Thornhill waited patiently for Skye to exit. When Skye alighted, she saw Maxwell hung back from them at a distance. Her eyes met his, they begged for her to ask for him, but Skye diverted her gaze to Thornhill where he waited with a smile of patience. She tipped her head for him to lead her inside his home. When they entered the house a flurry of activity greeted her.

  A lovely woman with long flowing blond hair, was greeting Charles and Raina, wrapping each of them in hugs. A young boy rushed forward throwing himself at Thornhill, who in return wrapped him in his arms and lifted him above his head. The young lad let out a whelp of glee. Everybody laughed at the young child. The lady chided Thorn on putting Tommy down, which only led to Thornhill throwing the lad up again.

  He then carried the boy over to Ivy, sliding the lad to
the floor. Tommy ran over to Charles and Raina asking them tons of questions about their adventure. He appeared a much-loved child for the attention they bestowed upon him. She observed the tender exchange Thorn shared with whom Skye assumed was his wife Ivy. He bent to kiss her gently on the lips pulling her tenderly in his arms. He whispered words to her where Ivy smiled in return.

  Skye glanced over at Maxwell leaning against the wall taking in the scene of his friends being welcomed home by their family. She expected to see jealousy at the scene between Marcus and Ivy Thornhill, but the only expression gracing his face was a smile of amusement. When he caught her scrutinizing him, he raised his eyebrow in his silent mockery he only displayed towards her.

  Skye glanced away, and her eyes met Ivy’s. Ivy glanced between both her and Maxwell viewing their interaction with each other. She smiled secretly as if she noticed something that neither one was aware of. When Skye looked back at Maxwell, he saw Ivy’s smile too. He shrugged his shoulders at Skye telling her, who knows.

  Ivy came forward and wrapped her arm around Skye’s shoulders, leading her up the stairs. She never spoke to her, waiting for the privacy of Skye’s bedchamber before she addressed her. She could tell the happy greetings overwhelmed the girl. Ivy also saw Maxwell eating Skye up with his eyes. The rascal would have devoured her if there were not so many souls present. She would speak with him after she had Skye settled. For now, she needed to place the young lady at ease.

  They walked into the bedchamber decorated in many shades of green. Skye glanced around and saw the bedroom was small but held a soothing charm. A small writing desk sat in the corner and a divan rested against the window overlooking the garden. A small fire was lit, warming the room to a cozy atmosphere and fresh flowers graced the nightstand. Red roses overflowed a dark green vase, their fragrance graced the air with a light perfume. Skye wandered deeper in the room, looking out amongst the garden. She stared as Thornhill chased the young boy through the maze. Ivy joined her at the window watching the two.

  “I don’t know which one the child is.”

  “Your husband acts like a different man.”