The Highlander Who Loved Me (Heart of a Highlander Collection Book 4)

by Allie Palomino

The light from the candle provided little illumination but he saw her features. He saw the pain in her eyes, on her face. He saw her wheat colored hair and honey colored eyes. Fury pumped within him again.

  “He wanted to spoil me. He knew he couldna wed me right away, and he didna want me to run away to find help, or even chance amancoming to champion my cause. So he wanted to spoil me, so that no other would want me,” she whispered.

  Her chest heaved at the memory. She remained detached, though, barely any emotion showing through.

  “He hit me- a lot. They forced me on the floor. He had a mon hold my arms above my head, while another held my legs open, pinning me down. He got over me…” she said, letting her voice stop when it quivered.

  He could only imagine what she went through. How very painful and humiliating, he thought. A bit of rage sparked within him, only this time it was aimed at her cousin.

  “How did ye escape?”

  “My father’s first in command came through the passageway, with great timing,” she smiled sadly, looking down at her hands, grimacing. She bit her lower lip. “Just a second more, and Alistair would have succeeded,” she said, still looking down at her hands. “He was like another father to me and my sisters.”

  “Who?”

  “Bryce,” she smiled, remembering. “He came in through the door, and fought all four men in the room, including Alistair. He told me to run and get out, and I did! I was such a coward. How could I let him meet death like that- alone!” She broke off, calming her emotions. She sniffled and inhaled. “Now I have no one, Gavin,” she said, closing her eyes painfully. “Everything has been taken away from me. My sisters, my mother, my father. Now, Bryce.” She shook her head, opening her eyes again. Her honeyed gaze was tormented. “What have I left? When I left with Riley, Alistair was destroying my clan. Burning cottages, beating clansmen, violating the women.”

  He saw the pain in her eyes. Sad- it made him feel sad. Another feeling? When was the last time he felt anything other than rage and cynicism?

  “Ye’re alive,” he said.

  She shook her head. “Nay. I’m dead. Everything I love is gone.”

  She looked away in sorrow. He saw her face fall again as the memories flooded back to her.

  “I wish I had died with them,” she whispered. His eyebrows furled in surprise. Another moment elapsed, before she said, “I’m sorry I woke ye and Riley. I’ll try to be quiet,” she said, staring at him.

  He nodded, not certain of what to say. “Sleep well,” he said, making his way to the door. He felt awkward with her.

  “Sleep well,” she said quietly, sinking back into the bed again.

  Gavin made his way back to his chamber, thinking about what she had told him. He felt the stirrings of protection come over him and shrugged it off. He would feel the same about any one of his allies.

  Walking back to his chamber and opening the closed door, he stared at his bed. Riley had fallen asleep. He went over, picked Riley up tenderly, and walked to Riley’s room. He placed Riley in his bed and stared down at his son for a moment. Gavin was satisfied that his son looked hale and unhurt. He left and passed by Andie’s room. He slowly and quietly opened the door. She was crying uncontrollably, now that she was alone. She was clutching her poppet.

  How old was she? He tried to remember. He had been, what, how old? Nine? He remembered his father chuckling, finding out that Laird McBride had had another bairn and named it Andie.

  “Finally, an heir. Andie. Named ‘im after ‘imself!” his father had said. That had been nearly twenty years before. She was almost twenty. She was far too young to go through this, he thought. He looked at her again, his heart constricting. Gavin shut out the emotion as he quietly shut her door.

  He walked back to his room, vowing to finally get some sleep now that his son was safely back at home.

  Gavin walked over to his son’s room in the morning. He needed assurance that his son was safe. Once in front of the door, he opened it.

  He wasn’t there.

  Panic seized him.

  She took him. Damn her. She was a traitor.

  He marched to her room and opened the door, stunned silent and motionless at what he saw.

  His son was sleeping with her. She was lying on her side and Riley was in front of her. She had him enveloped in her arms, almost like a mother’s caress.

  Gavin’s heart skipped a beat, flipping in his chest. He quickly steeled himself against that feeling. He knew his son missed having a mother figure. His expression hardened. Rage seethed within him, remembering Riley’s mother, traitorous, conniving bitch that she was. He touched the scar on his chin, remembering that day he saw her for who she really was.

  Andie stirred and looked at the door, covering her arms protectively around Riley. Gavin saw the fear and strength of her protection in her gaze.

  Like a mother wolf protecting her pups.

  Like a real mother would, only she wasn’t Riley’s.

  She relaxed, seeing Gavin. She smiled tentatively, placing her index finger over her lips- her full, plump, bruised lips. Heat flared, centering around his groin.

  Riley stirred awake and he followed Andie’s gaze.

  “Papa!” he said excitedly, and Gavin smiled at him, coming into the room.

  He looked to Andie, his smile fading instantly. “If ye require privacy, I’ll leave.”

  She shook her head no and ruffled Riley’s hair. He giggled. “Nay at all,” she said smiling.

  It looked to Gavin as if they had become fast friends. It was an unusual occurrence because Riley never took to anyone- especially to a woman.

  Not since his mother.

  He studied her face. She had bruised and split lips. Her cheeks were blue and her left eye was bruised. She looked as if she’d been savagely beaten.

  “Papa, did ye know Andie knows how to wield a sword? She has her own!”

  Surprise, mixed with doubt, entered into his eyes.

  “Riley,” she warned.

  “Aye. I didna believe her at first, but she told me her papa showed her since she was young. And she can even use a bow and arrows!” he said excitedly.

  Gavin’s eyebrows rose slightly, mocking her, as if that were absurd. Andie saw the look on his face and her ire grew. Pompous ass! Well, she would prove it to him.

  Gavin spoke to his son. “Why doona we let Andie dress, Riley?”

  Andie shook her head. “‘Tis no needed, Gavin. I have on what I came here with.”

  Gavin nodded, understanding. “I’ll have a servant bring ye something.”

  Riley turned to Andie. “Ye arena going anywhere, are ye Andie? That mean mon is still out there,” he said worriedly.

  “Nay, Riley. I’ll be here, for now, until I return back to my home.”

  Riley smiled, satisfied for the moment. He skipped over to his father.

  “Andie, want to see my chamber? Papa just put a sword on the wall for me. It has a lot of family his-story,” he said.

  “History,” his father corrected.

  Andie smiled. “Aye, I would like that verra much. Give me a minute and I’ll be right there.”

  As Gavin and Riley exited the room, Gina passed by. “Gina, Andie McBride is staying in that chamber. Have a bath brought to the chamber and some fresh clothes. Andie is young, rather small but tall,” he said as an after thought. Gina bobbed her head and curtsied. He hoped that Gina would know what size garments to get her.

  Riley and Gavin were in Riley’s room when Andie entered, still in her battered clothes.

  “Amazin- this is a verra nice chamber, Riley,” she said, smiling at Riley.

  Gavin noticed her curves, her hips, her breasts, her everything. He hadn’t been able to see her all that well last night, but he saw her now and his body responded violently.

  Riley showed her his many small collections- from worms, to butterflies, to other insects Andie found repulsive. Gavin stared at her, noting that although she found these items revolting, she masked it
for Riley’s sake. He almost found that humorous.

  “I think Andie may want to bathe now, Riley. Let her return to her chamber,” Gavin said, eyeing her.

  “Will ye play with me later?” he asked hopefully.

  She didn’t have the heart to deny him. She smiled. “Yes, Riley.”

  “We need to have a talk after ye finish yer bath, Andie. Ye and my men. We need to understand what’s happened to yer clan,” he said, and saw the grimness return.

  She nodded. “For someone who thinks my name is a mon’s name, ye certainly have nay qualms saying it,” she said.

  “In my head, I hear Andrea, nay Andie,” he said and couldn’t help smiling at her look of annoyance.

  “That’s the first time I see ye smile, Gavin,” she said, shocked.

  “‘Tis rare. Doona get used to it,” he countered, his smile falling.

  She left the room and entered her own. She was happy to see a tub there, filled with deliciously warm water. She took a bath, using the soap provided. She washed her face and hair. After what felt like the most luxurious bath she’d ever taken, she felt very refreshed. Now for the clothes, she thought. Walking over to the bed, Andie stopped mid-stride.

  There was a man’s plaid and a large tunic. She started laughing. She shrugged. These would have to do.

  Gavin was seated with his men in the large great room. He was explaining what had transpired the night before for those who didn’t know. Riley was sitting on his lap, as usual.

  Andie stopped at the top of the stairs. The room was so devoid of color. Everything appeared to be grey or brown. Dingy, she thought to herself. There was one massive table, where Gavin sat at the head. The table was off to the right in the back of the room. There was a great opening that led to the sitting area. In the sitting area, swords hung over the massive hearth. Chairs and lounges had been placed in front. There was so much lacking: no colors, flowers, or rushes.

  Gavin noticed all of his men looking over his shoulder as he spoke, and it was annoying him.

  “The meeting is here,” he said sternly, and all of their gazes returned back to him.

  He kept talking and stopped again when he saw their attention drifting. Annoyed, he looked back and almost fell out of his chair.

  She was at the top of the stairs, examining the room below. Andie had men’s plaid on, and Gavin could see her knees! It was really tight on her, showing off her backside. And the tunic! Lord, it looked like a second skin, he thought. She had gathered it into a knot on her side, he assumed, because it was too large.

  Andie turned towards him to descend the stairs. She smiled and he scowled. Gavin’s gaze went to her full breasts. He felt himself heating. Overheating.

  What was his problem, she thought. He never smiled- the louse. Such a pain in the arse, she thought. Not even a day she had known him, and she already had him pegged as a grumpy man.

  By the time she’d descended the stairs, carefully doing so because of her short plaid, he was there waiting. He took her by the arm and pulled her aside.

  “What are ye wearing?” he snarled.

  “This is what was left in my room for me, Gavin. Get yer hands off me!” she said angrily.

  He looked at her up and down, and called for Gina. Gina came in running at his bidding.

  “Gina, what is the meaning of this?”

  “Of what, laird?”

  “I asked ye to give Andie McBride clothes. What is this?” he asked with a wave of his hand.

  “Laird, I thought she was a mon! With a name like Andie,” Gina stuttered, flustered.

  Andy looked indignant.

  Gavin looked amused.

  When Gavin laughed, his men looked over to where Gavin stood, surprised at the noise emanating from their laird.

  “It’s spelled with an ‘ie’ nay a ‘y’,” she said, her face growing red.

  “I’m truly sorry, milady,” Gina said, flustered still.

  “Nay, ‘tis alright. Ye didna know better. What’s yer name?” she replied, laughing.

  Gina tentatively smiled. “Me name’s Gina.”

  “‘Tis verra good to meet ye,” Andie said, taking Gina’s hands and patting them. Gina was taken aback at Andie’s warmness. Gavin was also surprised.

  “What’s the matter? Did I offend ye?” Andie asked.

  Gina immediately turned redder. “Nay, mistress, ‘tis jost that ye’er verra friendly with me.”

  Andie looked confused. “Well, sure. Why wouldna I be?”

  “Well, I am a servant, mistress.”

  “Nonsense, Gina. And I insist ye call me Andie, please.”

  Gavin was surprised by Andie’s gentleness and kindness. The women he’d bedded barely spared a glance at the servants, despite them having been from the same class.

  “But ‘tis a mon’s name,” Gina said, actually perplexed. Then she excused herself.

  Andie blew up air, ruffling her still damp hair. Gavin noticed the curls forming in her rich, wheat-colored hair. He looked at her eyes- her honey-colored eyes.

  Hair of wheat and eyes of honey,

  Defeat will come in stealth,

  Blind ye will be, for she will be bonny.

  Fool you she will, with her lust of title and wealth.

  “We’ll have the meeting now, Andie,” Gavin said, clearing his throat.

  “Yes,” she said, and walked over to where the men sat.

  All of his men were staring at her- her legs, bare knees, her chest, and her backside. Gavin saw pure lust in their eyes. Feelings so unfamiliar to him rose to the surface. He slammed his hand down on the table, getting their attention. Andie looked up at him in surprise. He looked at her and grew angrier. She had no idea that his men were lustily leering at her.

  Andie sat at the table, taking a seat next to his, and waited. She was careful to hide her reaction to Gavin’s outburst.

  Gavin took his seat and looked to his men. Riley walked over to them and Gavin backed up to let him sit on his lap, but it wasn’t Gavin he went to, it was Andie.

  She pulled back unconsciously to allow him to sit on her lap, and wrapped her arms around him, as if it was an everyday thing. Gavin grew pensive. His son was becoming entirely too close to that woman.

  “Men, this is Andie McBride.”

  There were audible grumblings of shock.

  “This is Andie McBride? McBride’s youngest? His son?” Kurt asked.

  Andie pursed her lips together in annoyance. Gavin almost cracked a smile. Riley giggled.

  “Laird McBride,” she corrected.

  They all stared at her as if she’d lost her mind.

  “Ye think ye’re laird? They musta slapped ye hard, hinny, to get those bruises. Knocked all sense out of ye! I can slap some back into ye. ‘Twill be my pleasure tae take ye outta yer fantasy and inta mine,” Harold laughed, leering at her.

  Andie mouth gaped open. Gavin was about to stop his men’s rude behavior, when Andie took Riley off her lap and set him on his feet. She rose up from her chair and looked at them.

  “Let us understand one thing here,” she said, pausing until she had all of their attention. “I willna tolerate anyone’s insults. I am laird of my clan and my father named me so. Anyone who’d like to challenge me, I’m game. Until then, keep yer lips shut. And as for ye,” she stared hard at Harold. “Come near me with yer little dirk and I’ll cut ye down with my sword,” she said through her teeth.

  The men erupted in laughter at Harold’s expense. Gavin wanted to laugh, but he was more concerned about the tension. This wouldn’t do. He thought little of women, but to say something akin to violating one was an entirely different issue.

  “Let us continue the meeting,” Gavin said. He introduced the men seated at the table and then they began, again, reciting the facts of the McBride assault.

  “We’ll have to wait,” Kyle said, after they’d related the details.

  “Nay, we canna. My clan is being murdered. Their cottages are being set on fire. They violate my women
!” Andie said passionately.

  Riley grabbed her forearm in an effort to calm her. She looked down at his face and saw his worry. She took a closer look at his eyes for the first time. They weren’t brown, but hazel. “I’m sorry,” she said. She kissed his forehead and ran her fingers through his brown hair absentmindedly. Gavin saw her actions. She was the nurturing type, he thought blandly.

  “I’m sorry, McBride, but ‘tis nay a good idea,” Kyle defended. “We need to know more about him.”

  “Know what? He’s burning everything. He treats my clan like animals. He treats my women like whores,” she said, covering Riley’s ears now. “He did this to me,” she said indicating her face. “He did this to my sisters! My mother! My women! Violated them! Then, he slaughtered them. I willna let it happen anymore!” she said through gritted teeth, and let go of Riley’s ears. He looked up at her in confusion. She smiled down at him in an effort to reassure him.

  “What makes yer clan so special? Yer clan set our cottages on fire,” Harold grated out.

  “It wasna my clan. It was that devil, my cousin,” she responded, her gaze pinning him in his chair.

  “We canna go immediately. I’ll send for my men. When they get here, we’ll go,” Gavin said.

  “Why canna we go immediately?” she asked, her voice rising.

  “Because I have sent men out to the McArylls and the force I have kept here is solely to protect my clan,” he said almost angrily, not liking her questioning him.

  She paled. “But ye have a thousand men in yer ranks, Gavin. How long will it take then?”

  “I always leave a minimum number of men here, Andie. I have sent many over to the McAryll,” he said, looking at her hazel eyes. “Their land is several days away. It’ll take four or five days to reach them and another day or two to finish helping the McArylls. Then it will take another four or five days to return here. Once here, they must rest for a short time before they’re sent on another march.”

  She looked at him for a long moment. “A fortnight? We canna wait that long, Gavin!” she said, her voice strangled.

  “It has to be so, Andie.” He gave her a harsh look. “Let him think he’s won, and then we’ll come and surprise him,” Gavin said. She looked at him sternly.