My Brave Highlander

by Vonda Sinclair

  "Damnation, Isobel. Be quiet," Dirk growled.

  "Whose body is this?" She placed her hand on her chest and looked him in the eye once again.

  "Don't be ridiculous. 'Tis your body."

  "But I have no say over it. I have no say over who touches or claims my body. So it must not be mine own. In truth, it is my brother's to give to whomever he sees fit."

  "I didn't make the laws," Dirk muttered.

  "I wish…"

  Silence reigned.

  Isobel's words gutted Dirk. To hear her hopes and dreams laid bare before him, such intimate thoughts. No one ever spoke to him this way. He knew not how to respond, especially since he wished more than anything that he could be the one to give her everything she wanted.

  Though it made him daft, he could not resist asking. "What?"

  "I wish I could do what you did… pretend I died, change my name and become someone else. Someone that no one would look for. I could be free to do what I wished."

  He shook his head, letting the obvious go unspoken. She couldn't disappear and change her name without wealth of her own… or a man to take care of her.

  He muttered a curse under his breath. Aye, he wanted to be the one to take care of her but… Apparently he was begging for an attack from the MacLeods. And they'd be well within their rights since he'd absconded with the chief's bride. Aye, 'twas a rescue but they'd not see it that way.

  He couldn't send her back to them, especially with the brutal Nolan still alive. Not only that, he couldn't imagine her marrying the MacLeod chief, or any other man for that matter.

  From the first moment he'd seen her, his gut instincts told him that she should belong to him. But he knew not how that could be. If only he'd come back earlier, or gone to her father years ago. But he hadn't, and it was too late now.

  Damnation, he still craved the taste of her mouth, so sweet and feminine, like milk and honey, food of the gods. He had never tasted anything so spellbinding and addictive. Dirk squeezed his eyes closed and muttered a curse. He wanted naught more than her silky bare skin brushing against his. He grew harder, imagining how it could be with her. Like heaven on earth.

  "I can see what I want matters not to you either," she said.

  It mattered to him a hell of a lot, but she need not know that. "You belong to another man." That was the bottom line.

  "I belong to no man," she growled, her fervent words inflaming his need even more, awakening his possessive instincts he was fighting so hard against.

  "The betrothal. The contract," he said in a firm, harsh tone. Anything to restrain himself, when all he wanted to do was carry her to his bed, toss her smock aside and ravish her lush body.

  The door opened and he spun to face it, even as his body instinctively launched into an attack stance. His sword lay by the bed, too far away to grab if he were to remain standing between Isobel and the intruder.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Dirk glared at the person who dared to enter his bedchamber at midnight without knocking. Any leftover arousal drained away, leaving icy warning in its wake.

  Aiden stood just inside the closed door. What the devil was he doing bursting in at this hour?

  His young brother's wide-eyed gaze darted between Dirk and Isobel. "Pray pardon," he mumbled. "I knocked but 'haps you didn't hear."

  Dirk inhaled deeply, trying to calm his rapid heartbeat and forcing his warrior side back into submission. He was now glad he hadn't obeyed his instincts where Isobel was concerned or Aiden might have seen something truly shocking, considering Dirk had forgotten to bar the door. And now, thankfully, Isobel again had the blanket wrapped around her.

  "What is it, Aiden?" Dirk asked.

  "'Tis mother. She's sent Haldane to find McMurdo and bring him here."

  McMurdo, the murderous highwayman. "Why?"

  "She didn't say, but she wants to meet with him behind the church. And it has something to do with you."

  "When?"

  "Whenever Haldane finds him and brings him back. I know not how long that will take."

  "Damnation," Dirk muttered. "What else did she say?"

  "That she would not allow the imposter—you—to take my inheritance."

  Dirk shook his head, his heart near breaking at Aiden's precarious position. "I thank you for warning me."

  "You are my brother. The eldest. I wouldn't wish to take what is rightfully your inheritance."

  "You're a good man, Aiden."

  His brother gave a brief grin and stood straighter, but then he grew serious again. "I wasn't in the great hall when Ma arrived, but one of the other men told me what you revealed. Was Ma the one who tried to have you killed twelve years ago?"

  "Aye. The only proof I have is that the assassin said, 'Lady MacKay sends her regards.' And after what you've just told me about McMurdo, it makes me believe he was the man she hired."

  "I was afraid of that." Aiden shook his head. "She's near mad with desperation to stop you. I must talk to her."

  "That might not be a good idea," Dirk said. "If you defend me, you'll likely anger her."

  Aiden shrugged. "She would never harm me. She's doing all of this for me." He gave a brief bow. "I'll be on my way now."

  "Oh and Aiden," Dirk said. "If you please, don't tell anyone you saw Isobel in my bedchamber."

  His face flushed, but he grinned. "Of course not." He disappeared out the door.

  "Oh heavens," Isobel whispered.

  "I knew the witch would start scheming again," Dirk muttered. "She must be planning to have McMurdo try to kill me again."

  "What will you do?" Isobel asked.

  "Catch him and make him confess everything."

  ***

  Dirk and Keegan slipped along the south wall that surrounded the cemetery and the church. Rebbie and the rest of the men had circled around the north wall to lie in wait. The moonlight glinting off the thin layer of snow made hiding in the night more difficult. Gusts of wind off the sea made hearing at any distance near impossible.

  The wall around the church was low enough to climb over. Dirk rose up slowly and peered over the top to see if McMurdo waited behind the church. Or would he meet with Maighread inside? Nay, there was some movement in the shadows of the stone building.

  Dirk crouched behind the wall again, out of the wind. "He's there. I'm going inside the church to hide," he whispered to Keegan.

  "He might hear you."

  "We need to listen in on his conversation with Maighread. 'Tis not possible in this wind."

  "No telling if she'll even come out in this cold to meet him. She may make him wait until the morn."

  Dirk shook his head. "She's a tough old nag. I wager she'll meet him as soon as possible. She's desperate to be rid of me."

  "Once she goes through the gate, we can block her exit and we'll have her captured," Keegan said. "I'll have the rest of the men surround the wall, and they'll capture him if he tries to jump over and escape."

  "Aye, but no proof as to what they're doing. I must hear her tell McMurdo that she wants him to kill me. When I hear that, I'll have solid proof. Then mayhap, once we capture him, McMurdo will confess. If you're beside me and hear the same thing, you're also a witness."

  "Very well."

  They crawled across the frozen ground to the corner. The east side of the wall contained the gate. "I have a better idea," Keegan whispered. "We'll wait here and once Maighread arrives and enters the gate, we'll slip in behind her."

  "That might work." Dirk glanced at the sky. "A few clouds are rolling in. They'll help conceal us."

  A lone figure exited the church gate silently, then ran toward the beach.

  "That's him," Dirk muttered, standing. "McMurdo is escaping. Come on." At the north side of the wall he whistled to the other men and waved them toward the beach. The outlaw's dark cloak disappeared behind a sand dune as he crested the ridge above the beach on the other side of the castle.

  "Hurry," Dirk yelled, running to catch up with the bastard. Once h
e reached the ridge of sand dunes he could see no evidence of the outlaw. "Light the lantern," he told Erskine. "Surely he has not gone out to Faraid Head." Ice ran in his veins. He had not been to Faraid Head since that fateful day twelve years ago. He didn't wish to return now but he would if he had to. "Damn McMurdo," he muttered.

  "I wager he's gone to Smoo Cave," Aiden said, breathing hard. "He hides out there sometimes."

  Dirk spun to face his brother. "Where did you come from?"

  "I was watching from the bushes by the stream."

  "'Tis too dangerous for you. Go back to the keep."

  "Nay. I'm still the chief and I'll do what I want as long as I am." He smiled, his teeth visible in the moonlight.

  Dirk muttered a colorful curse.

  "Smoo Cave, you say?" Rebbie asked.

  "Aye," Aiden said.

  "That makes sense," Dirk said. "He's probably trying to throw us off by doubling back."

  Once Erskine had the lantern lit, the footprints in the freshly blown sand and the trace of snow were evident. But the tracks headed toward Faraid Head, which was naught but a maze of sand dunes, and at the end, cliffs.

  Ignoring the tracks, Dirk headed the men east as Aiden had suggested, in the direction of Smoo Cave. Soon they came upon more fresh tracks in the snow-dusted sand.

  "Aha. You are a canny man, Aiden." Dirk paused and lightly slapped him on the shoulder.

  His younger brother smiled proudly. Once Dirk was made chief, he was going to have to find a position that would be perfect for Aiden, one that paid well. He didn't want the lad to feel he was losing anything. Of course, he was a talented musician, but he was so intelligent, he deserved another position.

  The cloud cover grew more pronounced and the strong wind off the North Sea buffeted them as they left the sand dunes and moved closer to the rugged coastline again. They increased their speed. Within a half hour they neared the towering embankment over Smoo Cave.

  "Careful you don't fall," Dirk warned Rebbie as they descended the narrow path that switched back and forth down the steep hillside toward the sea inlet. The other men followed. The wind was not as severe in this protected ravine because of the tall cliffs on either side.

  After reaching the bottom of the trail, Dirk halted, held up his hand for quiet, and listened. He heard naught but the waves of the incoming tide and the squawking of a few disturbed sea birds.

  "You stay out here, Aiden. We'll go in and look for McMurdo," Dirk said, keeping his voice low.

  "Nay, I'm going in to help. I'm no longer a child so cease ordering me about."

  "'Tis for your own good. I don't want you hurt," Dirk muttered in a harsh tone as he visualized McMurdo easily overpowering his much smaller brother.

  "I blame myself for the strife you're having now with my mother and I want to do something to make it right."

  "'Tis not your fault, brother. Besides that, you have been helping. He may have men waiting inside. Do you know how many in his band of thieves?"

  "Nay," Aiden said. "I think most of them were killed a few years ago when Da and his men hunted them down. McMurdo was the only one who escaped. But he may have recruited more men by now."

  "Very well. Let's approach quietly." Sword in hand, Dirk crept through Allt Smoo, the wide, shallow river that flowed leisurely from the cave. The icy water did not penetrate his oiled leather boots but he still felt the cold of it.

  A small fire burned low in the back corner of the cave but he saw no one. They had to be lurking in the inner cave which was only accessible by boat. Dirk moved toward the narrow entrance to the cave's second room. A waterfall poured inside, its roar diminished because of the time of year. One boat waited at the mooring. It would hold five men.

  Dirk turned back to the others. "Who wants to go with me to the inner cave?"

  "I'm going," Aiden said and moved forward. "The earl should stay here because he has no experience with this cave."

  "Aiden, you truly do try my patience," Dirk said, irritation twisting through him. "You and Rebbie stay here and guard. Keegan, Erskine and Flynn will come with me."

  But Aiden didn't listen. He climbed aboard the boat. "I have rowed this boat dozens of times."

  Dirk rolled his eyes, vexed that the lad wouldn't listen nor did he care that Dirk was trying to keep him safe. But he couldn't exactly haul his arse out of the boat now. "If the bastards try to escape, Rebbie, you and Flynn stop them."

  Rebbie nodded. "Have a care. I detest caves and that one does not look inviting in the least."

  "You have the right of it." Dirk had explored all parts of this cave many times in his youth.

  After Dirk and Keegan climbed aboard with Aiden, Erskine followed with the lantern and released the boat from its mooring. Aiden rowed across the water-filled cavern.

  Although Dirk could hardly get accustomed to the idea, Aiden truly was a man now. Not a helpless little boy. But he still had that thin, lanky lad look about him. And within minutes he was huffing and puffing from the exertion.

  "Get up, Aiden, and let me row," Keegan said, rising. The boat rocked.

  "Careful you don't overset the boat," Erskine said, his voice echoing from the cave's ceiling. The lantern cast eerie reflections onto the wet walls.

  The two cousins carefully switched positions and Keegan, with his brawny upper body strength, started rowing and the boat moved much more swiftly. They stayed to one side of the cave and avoided the waterfall. He was glad the water flow was low. In spring, the waterfall was so exuberant that taking a boat across was dangerous.

  Within a couple of minutes, they arrived on the opposite side of the cave. Keegan jumped out and tugged the boat onto the bank and secured it to the mooring beside another boat. Someone was definitely here.

  Dirk could hear no sounds, save the waterfall, and no light shined from within the third, much smaller, chamber of the cave. Taking the lantern, and his sword, he advanced toward the narrow opening.

  A man rushed from the darkness. Dirk only saw the glint of light off a blade the instant before it swung toward him. He lifted his own weapon just in time, his blade taking a hard strike.

  He handed the lantern off to Keegan. Dirk stood in the guard stance, his blade poised and ready to strike. Now he could see his opponent was McMurdo. His hair, once dark, was now long, gray and stringy. But physically, he still appeared strong and robust.

  "How long have you worked for Lady MacKay?" Dirk asked.

  "I work for no one but myself." 'Twas the same voice that had said those hated words twelve years ago… Lady MacKay sends her regards.

  "I understand you bought yourself a crypt in the new church," Dirk said.

  "Aye, the former Laird MacKay was a good man."

  "But you are not. Do you think your donation makes up for all those people you murdered?"

  "I have never murdered anyone." He grinned. "And you are an imposter."

  Dirk returned a sinister smirk. "You say this because you still want to believe you killed me twelve years ago when you pushed me off that cliff."

  "I know not what you mean." He lashed out with his broadsword, but Dirk easily blocked the move. Again and again their swords clashed.

  The man may have been a great swordsman in his day, but he was now several years past his prime. His sword arm was growing shaky.

  Dirk struck just the right way, and the other man's sword went flying.

  "Aha." Dirk held the tip of his sword near the other man's throat. "Now, we're going back to Dunnakeil where you will spend some time in the dungeon. Tie his hands," he said to Erskine.

  His future sword-bearer did as he asked and shoved McMurdo toward the boat. All five men climbed aboard and this time Erskine rowed while Keegan and Dirk kept their swords pointed at the criminal.

  McMurdo sat quietly, glaring at each of them in turn. Midway of the cave, he leaned back and kicked toward Aiden. His booted foot stuck the lad solidly in the shoulder and he toppled from the boat and into the water.

  "You ba
stard!" Dirk yelled and shoved McMurdo face down in the boat. "Sit on him, Keegan!"

  "Help!" Aiden thrashed about in the water, his arms flailing. His head went under, then rose to the surface again. He gasped for breath.

  "Damnation, Aiden. Calm yourself! Row the boat closer to him," he instructed Erskine.

  Aiden sank. Hell, the lad couldn't swim.

  Dirk pulled off his cloak and scabbard but didn't have time to remove anything else. He feared Aiden would drown in a matter of seconds. He jumped into the water. The icy cold was a shock to his body. He swam to the spot where Aiden had gone down. Where the hell was the lad now? He ducked beneath the surface, but could see naught in this midnight, peat-tinged water. Kicking to the surface again, he heard someone yell.

  "Help!"

  Flinging the water from his eyes, he found Aiden a short distance away. Dirk swam toward him then grabbed him so he wouldn't sink again. "Hold on. We'll get you back to the boat."

  Aiden clung around Dirk's neck. A ruckus broke out on the boat. Keegan swung an oar at McMurdo, who had somehow managed to free his hands. The bastard grabbed the oar and fell backward onto Erskine, dragging Keegan with him.

  "Damnation!"

  Keegan hung onto the oar with one hand and slugged McMurdo with his other fist. Erskine slid his arm around McMurdo's throat from behind, choking off his air. McMurdo kicked Keegan in the groin and sent him groaning onto the other end of the boat. "Bastard!"

  McMurdo pushed the oar behind him, jabbing it at Erskine's head.

  Dirk swam with Aiden toward the boat. "Hold onto the side."