A Hellish Highlander

by McQueen, Hildie

  Moments later, he lay beside her, chest heaving and Ceilidh reached across and ran her hand down his chest. “I am visiting Kildonan in the next day or so. Do ye think it safe to travel?”

  Lifting his head, he studied her face. “Take guards with ye.”

  “I do not have that privilege. I am but a companion.”

  “Invite Elspeth then.”

  Ceilidh kissed his jawline and sat up. “She is with child and Malcolm does not allow her to travel. I will ask Ruari if the young stable lad who also has family there can go with me.”

  When Ian stood, she helped him fasten his breeches and they walked out of the room together. He pulled her close and kissed her once again.

  “Wait until I return. I can take ye.”

  She bit her bottom lip. “If ye do not return in four days, I will ask Elspeth to get me an escort. But I really must see my family.”

  Ceilidh could tell Ian was torn. It wasn’t that she wished to defy him, but more to set some ground rules. She was not the kind of woman to be ordered about or to be constantly protected. All her life, she’d been independent. That wasn’t about to change because of marriage.

  She walked with him as he headed out to the courtyard where his mount and several guards waited. Within minutes, he would be mounted and gone. It was preferable not to watch his departure, so she headed inside the kitchens to find Moira.

  The woman beamed upon spotting her. The warm smile made Ceilidh glad to have gained such a wonderful second mother in Ian’s.

  “Did he leave already?” Moira asked as she stirred a large pot. “I would have thought he would have volunteered to remain.”

  “It’s not in his nature,” Ceilidh said, peering into the pot. “I had hoped he would. We’ve yet to discuss any wedding details.”

  Laughter rang loudly from both Moira and another of the kitchen maids. Finally, Moira was able to calm enough to speak. “Darling girl, men care little of what it takes to plan a wedding. All they care about is the wedding night.”

  Wide-eyed, Ceilidh felt her face heat. Did Moira think her a virgin?

  Moira gave her a knowing look and turned to one of her helpers. “They were too impatient. They didn’t wait, did they?”

  Ceilidh’s eyes rounded and her cheeks burned hot.

  “Nay. I’ve seen him sneak out of her room in the wee hours,” a maid replied, sending everyone back to hysterical laughter.

  “And she out of his,” another piped up.

  While everyone laughed, Ceilidh pressed her lips together, doing her best not to tell them to mind their own business. However, a few moments later, she was having a difficult time not joining in.

  “I do think it is rude to spy on people,” she finally said with as much indignity as she could muster.

  “Oh, girls, don’t be upset.” She then smiled. “However, I am sure he will be looking forward to me and he remaining in the same bed all night.”

  Chuckling, Moira shook her head. “Besides, ye’re both horrible at keeping secrets. Like now,” Moira pointed at Ceilidh. “Yer laces are half-undone.”

  Slowly, she looked down to her chest. It was true, the laces were loose, leaving her breasts half-exposed. Before she could think of something to say, blonde curls fell from pins and cascaded over her face.

  This time, she had to join in when the maids dissolved into loud guffaws.

  *

  Ian returned late that night. His horse had a limp, keeping him from continuing with the rest of the guards.

  He was grumpy and tired after a day of hard riding and sat in a chair in front of the hearth with a tankard of ale on a table at his elbow. He managed to brighten upon Ceilidh nearing, his clear gaze following her every move. Never had any man made her feel so alive, so alluring. It was as if with Ian, a new Ceilidh had been born.

  She lowered to a chair next to his.

  “Ye have questions?” he asked, meeting her gaze.

  Ceilidh bit her bottom lip. “It hardly seems the appropriate time, but I have to visit mother and require an escort.”

  “Yer visit can wait until I can take ye. Right now, I cannot.” His stern reply was so unlike him that her eyes rounded and her mouth fell open.

  “What do ye mean? I know there is much to be done, but our wedding is something that cannot be put off for long.”

  He softened somewhat, but Ceilidh could tell his mind was on what his men were doing and the matter of Gisela. She understood. However, what if she came to be with child? She’d not shame her family.

  Was this to be her life? That everything, including their own wedding, came far behind his tasks as guard to Laird Ross?

  She gave him a long look. “With or without ye, I will travel to the village. And,” she paused, sinking her pointer finger into his hard chest. “We will be married before fall.”

  Ceilidh raced away, not wishing the tears that spilled to ruin the façade that she’d portrayed.

  “Stop,” Elspeth called from behind Ceilidh. “Where are ye going?” Her friend walked closer, barely able to catch her breath.

  “Ye are getting quite large. I wonder if there aren’t two,” Ceilidh teased, wiping at her tears. The last thing she wanted to do was worry her friend who, despite everything, remained strong.

  “Walk me to my chambers,” Elspeth said with a sigh. “I grow tired early these days and it is quite bothersome.”

  “That is because ye try to be everywhere at once and maintain the busy schedule of a laird’s wife. Ye have to rest,” Ceilidh scolded as she took her friend’s elbow and walked down the corridor toward the last door.

  “Ceilidh,” Ian said, coming up behind them.

  Elspeth turned and looked up at the tall warrior. “If ye do not keep my friend happy, I will ensure she finds a man who will.”

  She slid a look to Ceilidh. “What do ye require? Why were ye upset?”

  “I wish to visit Mum and asked for an escort to Kildonan.”

  Her friend turned to Ian. “Ensure four guards are set to escort Ceilidh to Kildonan, remain two nights and bring her back.” Once again, Elspeth’s gaze moved to her. “I do not wish for ye to be away much longer than that. I would like ye here with me…in case.” She didn’t need to explain further to Ceilidh. Elspeth had been overly sensitive since becoming pregnant.

  Ian lowered his head just a bit in acquiescence. “Of course, Lady Ross.”

  “And see that they bring my mother back.” Elspeth waved a hand. “Go now. I require private time with Ceilidh.”

  With a furrow between his brows, he looked to Ceilidh. “I will escort ye.”

  Ceilidh shrugged. “It is not required.”

  Upon Ian turning and walking away, he gave a low growl.

  Elspeth slapped both hands over her mouth and hurried into the chamber. Once the door closed, she chuckled. “He is quite angry, wouldn’t ye say?”

  “Oh, he is,” Ceilidh replied, unable to keep from frowning. She’d not meant for Ian to be directed by the laird’s wife. It had just happened.

  “Tomorrow during the travel to Kildonan, ye will have plenty of time to talk and set things straight. Ensure ye are always truthful and explain how ye feel without making him feel as if ye’re placing blame.”

  Ceilidh studied her friend. “Ye have always been so strong and intelligent. As if ye were meant to be Laird Ross’ wife.”

  *

  In the kitchen, Ian’s mother sat at the table, her feet up on a stool and a cup of warm cider in her hand. As part of her routine, Moira enjoyed quiet time alone in the evenings while sitting in front of a cheery fire.

  When Ian entered, she motioned to a small pot next to the hearth. “Pour a cup and join me, Son.”

  “Women are complicated creatures,” he said upon sitting. “I never know if Ceilidh is happy or…” he circled his hand in the air, not sure what word to use. “She wishes to go to Kildonan even now when the other woman was stolen away.”

  Moira gave a soft chuckle. “Life is hard, dear one. Th
ere is always something horrible happening in a large clan like this one. If ye wait for all to settle, yer marriage will never take place.”

  “I am certain that I wish to marry Ceilidh and have her as my wife.” He gave up and looked into the fire. “Some days, I wonder if it will be a mistake.”

  Moira’s expression remained calm, as if she didn’t have a care in the world at the moment. Ian loved the woman with all his heart and knew his mother felt the same. In that, he had never had any kind of uncertainty.

  However, when it came to Ceilidh, he always felt as if it were too good to be true. His chest ached each time her expression became pensive or solemn. “Is it common to have doubts?”

  His mother chuckled. “Aye, it is.”

  Scowling into his cup, Ian stared into the fire. “Ye have always been a good mother to me. Never once did ye complain about the lot life gave ye. When Da died, ye worked harder to ensure I never wanted for anything. For this, I admire ye most.”

  Moira’s soft smile when she met his gaze made Ian’s heart swell.

  “Ye will one day be a good father as well. I know ye love me, Son. And I am willing to guess ye feel strongly for Ceilidh and it scares ye, for ye have only known her a short while.”

  Covering his mother’s hand with his, he met her gaze. “I could never love someone more than ye, Mum.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Moira said, laughing. She pulled her hand from his and cupped his face.

  “Tell me, Son. Can ye picture yer life without the lass?”

  He let out a long sigh. “Nay, I cannot.”

  “There’s yer answer then. Marry the girl and be happy. I will always be here for both of ye and any bairns that will soon follow.”

  Ian chuckled. “Ye’d better be.”

  *

  Elspeth woke when Malcolm entered their quarters. The bed dipped as he slid under the covers and let out a tired breath. By the time he came to bed lately, her husband was exhausted. Elspeth wasn’t sure if he did it on purpose to keep from taking her physically or because there was always so much happening.

  Snuggling as close as her protruding stomach would allow, she placed her head on his shoulder. “Is it always like this? So much strife and danger?”

  “Nay,” he replied and kissed her forehead. “Do not fret.”

  “I am not fretting,” she explained. “I’m just needing to understand. What was it like before the battles between our clan and the McLeod?”

  “Peace for long periods. We did have some problems, feuding families, missing people and always a need to guard our borders.” He hugged her closer. “With each day that passes, I admire my da more.”

  “Would ye send people away from the borders if they came with needs? Tried to feed their children?” Elspeth asked. She was about to continue to speak, but stopped when Malcolm shook his head.

  “There are ways for them to seek asylum, Elspeth. They should petition the laird for permission. If they truly have a need, they are not turned away or run off our lands. However, most people hide and attempt to settle without permission because they do not wish to swear fealty to our clan.”

  “I understand.”

  “And yet ye continue to worry.”

  “I cannot stop thinking about what is happening. Poor Gisela, out there somewhere, frightened and alone.”

  Malcolm pulled her closer. “My men are out there, Kieran as well. She will be found.”

  “Ethan McLeod is an evil, vile man. I do not wish to imagine how he is treating her.” A tear trickled down her cheek and she allowed it to fall. “What do ye think will happen?”

  “I do not know what to think.” He was pensive for a long moment. “It surprised me that Kieran would go after her. But then again, he does have a vendetta that eats at him.”

  “Ye do not suppose he left so hastily because of Gisela then?”

  Malcolm sighed. “I do not know. But it does seem my brother is taken with her. He may not even realize it yet.”

  Elspeth shuddered. “And for him to find out now, it is horrible. Ethan McLeod will not touch his heart when it comes to taking a life. That poor girl.”

  “Aye, she may not survive being held captive by him. My hope is that, for Kieran’s sake, she is found alive.”

  Through the window, a lonely bird’s song seemed to echo their current mood and Elspeth let out a breath. “I will hold on to the hope that she lives. I cannot imagine how it will affect yer brother otherwise.”

  “Like ye, I cannot fathom my brother’s reaction if Gisela Munro meets her demise. Already, he blames himself for our father’s death. No matter what anyone says, he holds to the belief he failed our father.”

  Malcolm shifted. “If I am to be honest, I, too, have wondered if things would have been different if, instead of Kieran, I would have been there.”

  Not that it mattered after the fact, however. Elspeth felt sad for Kieran in that his thoughts were probably echoed by both of his brothers. That, indeed, he was partly at fault for their father’s death for not being alert enough to stop Ethan McLeod.

  “There is no use in placing blame or in pondering different outcomes to what has already happened. Feeling that way can only add to Kieran’s burden.”

  Malcolm nodded and pressed a kiss on her lips. “How fortunate I am to have such an intelligent wife. I do believe ye to be a gift from God.”

  Her heart melted at his compliment and she let out a long sigh.

  Elspeth considered that her aloof brother-in-law was probably crazed with fury at the moment. The last thing Kieran Ross needed was additional reason to be bent on revenge. The man would no doubt lose what little control he had if something happened to Gisela.

  “I pray for that poor woman and that God gifts Kieran with her for a wife. She is gentle and kind, but with enough fortitude not to allow him much leave.”

  “Aye, my brother deserves happiness.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  The sun rose high in the sky, heating his back. Kieran looked across the wide field, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. Cursing under his breath, he urged Laith forward toward a small slope. From atop the slope, a small village came into view and, past it, hills and valleys, plush and green.

  Already, he had made a lethal mistake. In his haste to go after Gisela, he’d left his bow and quiver behind. All he had with him was the broadsword Elspeth’s father had made for him and not enough coin to purchase weapons.

  “Where are ye?” he asked the wind, his eyes squeezed shut. The wind whispered back, but nothing that made sense. It was a jumble of his fears with just a hint of hope. Kieran shook his head, aware of how mad he was acting in that moment.

  He directed the horse to a faster gallop to the village. Once there, he’d make inquiries and hopefully hear something. It was doubtful Ethan would go into any establishment, especially with Gisela in tow. The lass would not be silent and demand rescue.

  There were a few people about, everyone turning and watching as he rode past the rustic buildings. When he noticed four men huddled around an entryway, he guided the horse closer. It seemed the men were without means and depended on charity to eat. Bowls were passed out to them and they hurried to a tattered table to eat.

  Kieran waited patiently until all the men were gone and neared the doorway. An older woman’s sharp gaze swept over him. She shrugged and ladled mutton into a bowl and held it out.

  “No, thank ye,” Kieran said. But when she shoved it into his hands harder, he held it. In truth, it smelled good and he was hungry.

  “May I ask if ye have seen a man who had a woman with him? They would be on horseback.”

  The woman shook her head. “Nay. No one, but I remain indoors most of the day. I have mouths to feed, with much cooking to do.”

  She turned to a young lad who sat on a three-legged stool and ate. “Jon, what about it? Have ye seen anyone new about?”

  The young lad looked up for the first time, noticing Kieran. He put the bowl down so hard that food plopped out
of it. Delighted at the new find, two pups hurried over and gobbled up what was left in the bowl. The woman chuckled and ladled more into the bowl.

  Ignoring what had happened, the boy approached Kieran, his shrewd eyes narrowing and a slight lift to the corners of his lips. “Information is not just given,” he said, studying Kieran. “What are ye willing to pay for what I know?”

  Kieran drank from the bowl and handed it back to the woman. “Thank ye.” He pulled two coins from a pocket in his tunic and handed them to the woman who smiled, showing several missing teeth.

  He then pulled out two additional coins, which he held just out of the lad’s reach. “If I pay ye, it depends on how useful what ye know is.”

  The boy took his time, acting as if what he had to say needed special formulation. “I don’t know anything about a man and a woman, but I do know about two who came into town just this morning. A peddler and an archer.”

  Moments later, Kieran entered the tavern. There at the bar was a man with a bow and quiver strapped to his back. He didn’t recognize the man. However, when the man sensed his regard and met his gaze, it was obvious he was a warrior.

  Kieran walked straight to the man who tracked his progress. He motioned a woman over. “Ale,” he said and motioned to the man. “Ye?”

  The stranger nodded. “I’ll have one as well.” He then motioned for Kieran to sit. Upon lowering to the chair opposite the man, he ensured to know who surrounded them. The stranger had the more preferable spot, with his back to the wall. Kieran sat with his left side to the wall, not the best, but good enough.

  Two tankards were placed in front of them and the stranger took a long draw. “What do ye want?” He asked, eyes flat. “I am not for hire.”

  “I just need information, tis all.”

  “About?”

  “Have ye seen a man traveling with a woman? They would be traveling north. He is about my age, the woman a bit younger. Dark hair, large eyes.”

  The man scanned the room, remaining silent as he seemed to consider what to reply. “I traveled from the north. I saw many people traveling. Am I to assume the woman is traveling unwillingly?”