Her Broken Highlander (Highlanders 0f Cadney Book 3)

by Fiona Faris

  “That was,” she began, and without allowing her to finish, he kissed her softly.

  “Yer beautiful, lass,” he said, “and yer mine.” A warm, pink blush crept across her chest before climbing her neck to reach her cheeks, and Gavin had never seen anything more welcoming. He wanted to lose himself in her again.

  She nodded her agreement, before looking down at his body, still fully clothed, the evidence of his unsatisfied erection still evident in his trousers. “What about you?” He couldn’t help but smile.

  “Lass, tonight was nay for me. The pleasure was all for ye. Nothing else matters.” He kissed her forehead before rising from the bed and covering her tightly with the woolen blanket. His urge to care for her, protect her, and keep her was overwhelming, but not upsetting. He was at peace with her like this.

  “Are you still planning on leaving?” she asked. He could hear a slight worry in her voice.

  “Aye, but only for a small while. We need passage an’ horses on the other side. ’Tis still best for us to leave before first light.” She let out a yawn and closed her eyes. He walked toward the door, giving her another glance. He hadn’t loved anything in a long time, perhaps he never had. At least until this moment, because he knew that the golden-haired, brave lass who now slept soundly on the bed was changing all of that. Hope was a feeling that was foreign to him, yet hope was the only feeling coursing through him that he could define. With a heavy sigh, he left the room. Best to get on with what needed to be done. The sooner they met with Laird MacLeod, the sooner he could take Amelia home.

  Chapter Eighteen

  "Lucas MacGille, I thought we were past all the lyin’ an’ th’ secrets in this family?” Milly rushed into the library at Cadney. Her long red hair was windswept and tussled from the ride over from her own home at MacKenzie Castle on the other side of the loch.

  “Milly,” Lucas said, rising from his chair. He loved his sister dearly, and knowing she had not long ago given birth to a small bairn of her own, he was shocked to see her so full of life and anger in his home. “Tae what do I owe th’ honor, sister?”

  He embraced his sister and realized just how angry she was when she pushed him away and crossed her arms tightly across her chest.

  “Ye might want tae wait until ye claim my visit is an honor, big brother. Where th’ hell is Gavin? I’ve not seen or heard word in weeks. Th’ last I kent he was on his way here tae see tae Amelia. Then nary a word, until I reach yer gates and Kelly tells me he rode off tae Cabduh’s lands weeks ago an’ nay one has heard from him since? And Amelia is gone as well? Taken captive by that mad old man? So ye tell me, Lucas, what is going on?”

  Och, Lucas ran his hands through his hair. His siblings have been nothing but trouble. He was a fool to think that running the clan would be easy, but he didn’t anticipate that most of his challenges would come from Gavin and Milly.

  “Milly, lass, ye may want tae sit down. Let me tell ye a story,” Lucas led his sister over to the sitting area beside the large, stone hearth. He took a deep breath. How many difficult conversations has he had to have just within the last year at this hearth? He wondered if being laird of the MacGille clan would ever get easier.

  He started to explain Gavin, Amelia, and Cabduh. He only left out the one small detail that Gavin bade him keep secret, and that was Amelia’s quest for her long-lost brother. He couldn’t risk Milly telling Ella. It was too close to her time, and without proof that the lad existed, he would not risk his wife or his new bairn’s health. He went slowly, purposefully, he didn’t want his sister to speak until he was finished. He loved Milly dearly, but she was a determined lass, and if she thought she knew better than he about anything, she would not hesitate to take matters into her own hands. That worried Lucas.

  Of course, Milly had been right about Gavin being alive when everyone else, himself included, had thought the lad dead in the battle of Dunkeld, but that certainly didn’t mean the lass was right about everything. And now she had a family of her own to worry about. He couldn’t allow her to go off and try to solve this for Gavin and Amelia, not when she had a wee bairn at home and a husband, who was a laird in his own right, to care for.

  “You let him ride alone to th’ Cabduh Keep?” Milly asked as soon as Lucas finished his story. He could tell his tale distressed her more. It wasn’t his intention, but Milly’s relationship with Gavin was one Lucas had to admit even he didn’t fully understand. Twins born under a full moon, his two younger siblings had always had a special bond. “Lucas, ye could’ve sent Magnus or any other man with him. Ye could’ve sent word, and Nathan would’ve gone with him.”

  “Aye, but there was nay time,” Lucas said. “Gavin’s thought of a diplomatic solution was a good one. There was no reason tae send men.”

  “And how long ago was that?” Milly responded. “Something is wrong, I feel it.” She looked so much like their mother, her emerald eyes shining with unexpressed emotion.

  “Aye, I think th’ same. I’ve sent a man to scout th’ Cabduh keep and report back. But for now, we have tae trust Gavin. He kens what he’s doin’ lass.”

  “Why on earth would ye think that?” Milly stood up and began pacing. “Gavin doesnae ken how off Cabduh is. Ye ken and I ken. He’s mad with hatred of th’ English. I cannae believe ye even allowed Amelia tae go.”

  “I couldnae have stopped th’ lass, Milly. She’s grown, and she had th’ skills. Ye ken we would tae turn our backs on a clan in need. I sent her with Derek, I didnae ken it would go south. Ye doona ken everything, lass. Understand the lass would’ve gone with or without me permission. She had another motive I was unaware of until Gavin told me.”

  “What motive could she’ve possibly had with th’ Cabduh?” Lucas didn’t want to betray Gavin’s trust, and he didn’t want Ella to worry, but he couldn’t keep Amelia’s secret from Milly any longer.

  “Amelia and Ella have a brother. A brother they thought died as a wee bairn, but Amelia discovered that the babe lived. She’s been in Scotland goin’ on four years tryin’ tae find the lad and reunite th’ family.” Milly sat back down, shocked.

  “And Cabduh has th’ boy?” Lucas and Milly both turned. Ella stood in the doorframe. She looked as if hearing the revelation that she had a long-lost brother was just a casual inquiry after cook’s dinner recipes.

  “Ella,” She waved Milly off. Lucas knew his wife, and, somehow, she had known all along what her sister had been up to, yet it seemed she allowed every to keep her in the dark.

  “Amelia seems tae think so. Or if he doesnae, she thinks he kens where the lad is. So ye see, she would’ve gone anyway. And now that things have turned bad I couldnae hae stopped Gavin from going to her, any more than I could’ve stopped Nathan from savin’ yer own arse.” Lucas continued his conversation with his sister while wrapping his arms around his wife’s pregnant waist. Milly gave Lucas a huff and a sharp gaze, and the Laird could not help but smile. He was worried about Gavin as well, but he also trusted his brother knew how to handle himself, and he would do anything to protect Ella’s sister. “How long have ye known, love?” he asked his wife.

  “For a while now, I overheard Amelia and Gavin one day in the garden. It was important for Amelia to feel she was protecting me, so I’ve kept quiet. But I wish you would’ve told me about Laird Cabduh. I’m worried.” A knot formed in Lucas’ stomach. Ella’s worry was exactly what he had been hoping to avoid. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and lifted her chin to face him.

  “Och, lass, it’s exactly what I didnae want. Please, doona fash. I’ll send word tae th’ Cabduh and call Gavin an’ Amelia home. He’ll comply, or he’ll have th’ war we’ve been tryin’ tae avoid.” Ella leaned up and kissed Lucas lightly.

  “No, husband. Let’s let Gavin and Amelia figure this one out. Remember when we needed time alone. Perhaps that is what causes their delay. Let us not make matters worse by sending men just yet.”

  “Aye, but I’ll still send a scout. I would verra much like tae ken
what th’ Cabduh is up tae.”

  “I agree, a scout is a fine idea,” Milly said. “Brother, do ye think Gavin has feelings for Amelia?”

  “Aye, I do. But I doona think he kens, not yet.” The women shared a secret smile, and Lucas would bet good coin that they were remembering the dangerous beginnings of their own loves. Gavin’s feelings for Amelia may still be unknown to Gavin himself, but Lucas knew well what love looked like, and his brother had become smitten with Amelia in a desperate way. Lucas could only hope that was enough to keep them both safe.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “There are two roads we can take past Stornoway, that would lead us tae th’ MacLeods’ keep. One is easy tae traverse and the other nay, but less used.” Amelia couldn’t help but notice how green Gavin appeared. His face was drawn, and a sheen of sweat covered his brow.

  “Gavin, are you ill?” she asked. The water was choppy, and Amelia was just as unfamiliar with being aboard a boat as she assumed Gavin was, yet she felt fine. Invigorated even. She loved the way the rise and fall of the small vessel made her feel like she imagined flying would. The crisp sea spray stung her cheeks, and salt settled in her hair, causing her light waves to curl up around her face.

  “I’ve never been great on th’ water, lass,” he replied with a sheepish grin. She looked down at his hands, gripping the small wooden bench so tightly that his knuckles, usually tanned from working in the sun, were pale white.

  “How can that be? You didn’t fish on Loch Cadney when you were a boy?”

  “Aye, I fished. But that was done from the land. I can swim as well, but the boat. That’s different, isn’t it? All the rockin’ and roilin’. ‘Tisn’t natural, unless yer a fish. I prefer th’ land an’ a horse.”

  She turned her head to hide her smile. Gavin was the largest, most masculine warrior she’d ever seen, it was sweet to see him felled by a little rocking on the water.

  “Can we focus on the task at hand, lass?” he asked through gritted teeth. “It will help take me mind off the rollin’.”

  “Yes, yes, of course. Do you really think Cabduh’s men are that close to us?”

  “I canna ken for sure, but the Laird is like a dog with a bone. He thinks ye a witch and yer English. Ye didnae see him.”

  “Should we take the faster road? Would we be under Laird MacLeod’s protection as guests?”

  “If we reach th’ MacLeod Castle before any Cabduh men, perhaps.”

  “We aren’t even sure Cabduh knew where I was headed. I only revealed it to Tristan, and by your own words, he would not betray us.”

  “Lass, when I left the keep the Laird had gone completely mad. Whether he’s driven by madness or grief doesnae matter. He seeks revenge on ye, above all else. I’d nay be surprised if he came for ye himself. Tristan can hold his tongue, but for only so long, and the Laird doesnae trust me and kens I am friends with his son. We have tae assume we are found out.”

  “Yes, I guess we do.” She moved toward the rail of the vessel and looked into the dark blue water. A shiver of fear crept down Amelia’s spine. She had never imagined her quest to find her lost sibling would result in her life being threatened by a deranged clan chieftain. She was not prepared for how that made her feel.

  She felt Gavin move behind her and wrap his arms across her middle. The movement was at once familiar, and she found herself leaning into him. He was clearly seasick, yet still, he tried to comfort her. She rested her head back against the hard strength of his chest and let out a sigh. “I don’t know what to do. I feel like we’ve come so far. We are so close, but am I selfish? Should we turn back?”

  “Lass, we are close. Let’s finish this. When we return tae Cadney, Lucas and Nathan will help us deal with Cabduh. Until we reach the MacLeods, we will be on our guard. I think we should take the longer road. It will be more difficult, but we’ve horses in Stornoway, and I think it’ll be safer.”

  She turned to face Gavin as he kissed into her hair.

  “Lass, all will be well. I will keep us safe. Ye’ve my word.”

  She nodded. Us. She liked the way he paired them together. They were truly one. She also liked how safe sounded. When would she truly feel safe again?

  * * *

  The horses turned out to be a godsend as far as Amelia was concerned. She could not imagine trying to hike or walk through the unforgiving craggy black rock that seemed to make up the land of this harsh place. The only plants that grew here were the hard gorse that covered the hills just beyond the docks at Stornoway. The plant seemed to sprout right out of the very rock itself, covering the vast islands with a yellow haze. The occasional tree seemed to sprout, but never growing tall and thick like they did surrounding Cadney. There were no soft, green meadows. It occurred to Amelia she was wholly unprepared for the type of harsh, roughened people that would call such place home.

  Gavin had been riding ahead of her, but now he turned his horse and circled back coming up alongside her. She couldn’t help but noticed how commanding he looked astride the large animal. She could easily see how he led armies into battle. She couldn’t help but be reminded of how he had made her feel the night before in the inn. A warm blush colored her cheeks.

  “We’ll stop after we crest this next hill, lass. We need tae water the beasties, and you could use a rest.”

  The sun had emerged from the clouds, and it was low in the sky before Gavin was able to find them a comfortable place to stop. Amelia’s very bones hurt from the arduous riding. She practically cheered when a small copse of trees emerged next to what appeared to be a freshwater stream.

  “This looks good, lass, we should camp here for the night.”

  She tried to get down from the saddle, but unaccustomed to riding astride, she struggled. Gavin was next to her, offering her a steadying hand, and she was grateful. “It’s very different from riding side-saddle,” she explained, and he gave her a small smile.

  “Aye, that it is lass, are ye in much pain?”

  “No, but grateful to be down just the same.” They tended to the horses in silence. Amelia wondered why Gavin had been so closed off since they exited the boat on the docks of the Stornoway. Gone was the passionate man from the night before, as well as the comforting strength he showed her on the boat. In his place, was this new version of Gavin, tactical, precise. Amelia wasn’t sure how to approach this version of him.

  “How many days will we be on the road?” She had to break their silence. She knew they had packed enough supplies, but she still worried about what Gavin had told her on the boat about Cabduh and his men. The entirety of their ride she was frequently looking over her shoulder, worried that some unknown villain would emerge from the shadows to threaten them. She would feel much more secure once they were off the road.

  He looked up from his horse and gave the beast a gentle pat, allowing the animal to meander toward the stream, before approaching her gelding and doing the same.

  “I think if what the innkeeper and harbor master said was true, we should approach the MacLeod Keep by this hour on the morrow.”

  She nodded. “Will there be more hills?”

  “Aye, lass. This is truly the part of the land where the highlands get their name. These hills run as deep as the blood of the men who would die defendin’ them.”

  He led her to the grass of the meadow and set to the work of building a fire. Amelia was amazed at how quickly he set the blaze with very little in the way of kindling.

  “Where did you learn how to set a fire like that?” He smiled up at her, and the Gavin from the night before had returned.

  “Och, ’tis nothin’. When we were lads, our Da used tae kick us from the keep, Lucas and I. Along with Nathan MacKenzie, Milly’s husband, we would roam the fields around our two castles and spend our nights under the stars. I doona ken exactly how I learned tae set a fire, but I’ve kent it as long as I can remember.”

  “I would have loved to sleep under the stars,” she sighed. “Our father would have never allowed Ella
and I to sleep out of doors when we were children. We were always kept to the nursery. Little girls raised to be seen and not heard. That’s the English way. It was only our daily walks in the garden and our riding lessons that allowed us to foster a love for nature.” She picked up a small twig and tossed it into the fire, thinking how different she and Gavin were.

  “If ye doona mind me, sayin’ lass, the English way sounds boring.” She laughed.

  “Sometimes it was, indeed. I’ve had more adventure since crossing your path that day in Perth, than in my whole life leading up to it.”

  He handed her a chuck of bread and some dried meat. “Ye should eat lass, we’ve a long day ahead, and ye’ll need yer strength.”

  She accepted happily, her stomach letting out a low growl to show him her thanks. He responded by cocking an eyebrow in her direction and giving her a hearty laugh. She blushed. “I guess I am hungrier than I thought,” she said.