Valan’s teeth gritted. “Let’s hope so. If I ever find ye harassing my guest again, I’ll happily remove the hand that touched her. Dae I make myself clear?”
John nodded, never taking his eyes off the threatening blade. “Absolutely! It will nae happen again. ’Twas just a misunderstanding.”
The captain gestured for them to leave and both men ran off down the road. Once they were gone, Bridget allowed herself to exhale. Valan took her by the hand and rushed them both out of the market. He didn’t stop until they were halfway to the cottage and dragged her alongside him. Her breathing was heavy, and she stumbled in the rush to keep up.
When they were at the top of the hill, Valan turned and took her safely in his arms. Bridget eased into his embrace and cried, panting desperately in painful sobs.
“I’m sorry,” he told her earnestly. “That ne’er should have happened.”
Tears came down her cheeks and she nodded shakily, looking up at him with misty eyes. “I thought ye left me...”
Valan kissed her on the forehead. “Ne’er. I will ne’er abandon ye.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Castlebay Village, The Barra
A fter the encounter in the marketplace Valan rarely left her side, and she learned to trust him. He was funny at times, and surprisingly clever. The more she learned about him, the more she enjoyed his company. He and Ailsa were tremendously kind hosts during her temporary stay on the island, and the village was beginning to grow on her.
When the sun dipped low over the hills, he took her back to the Salty Wench for their evening meal. Every table was already full of patrons, there were men playing cards and other games while enjoying Bess’s fresh cooked pies. Bridget looked around, trying to find them an empty seat, but Valan took her by the hand and led her to one of the tables near the back. She smiled at the familiar contact, and for some reason it caused her heart to flutter.
Some of his crew had already gathered for an evening meal and were drinking down cups of ale. She recognized some of their faces and smiled at them politely.
His crew cheered, and Kent lifted his cup, saying, “Good evening, Captain. It’s a pleasure tae see ye. Miss Bridget, nice tae see ye as well.”
“Dae ye mind if we share yer table?” Valan asked them pleasantly.
Iain and Niall shrugged and slid over to make them room. “Nae.”
Valan’s smile widened. “Thank ye. If I recall, Niall still owes Bridget here a drink.”
“Oh, come now!” the seaman groaned.
Bridget grinned, her eyes meeting Valan’s from across the table.
“Sorry, Lad. Ye ken the rules.”
Niall sighed, raising his hand to alert Adrienne the bar wench and ordered them all a round of drinks.
“Should we play another game of cards?” Kent suggested.
“Maybe nae tonight,” Valan told them. “Niall can afford tae lose again, and I dinnae feel much like playing.”
“Why? Are ye afraid I’ll wipe the floor with ye again?” Bridget teased, fixing him in her gaze.
Kent and Niall whooped with laughter.
Valan leaned forward in his chair and eyed her seriously. “Listen here, lass. I could beat ye in a game of cards any time, any place. I merely hoped tae save ye the embarrassment. If ye’re determined tae lose, then by all means I’m more than happy tae prove my point.”
Her mouth fell open in surprise and she decided to encourage him. “Should we have a wager then?”
The others were already pulling up their chairs as he responded. “Aye, so I hope ye’re prepared tae lose. What are ye offering?”
Bridget stuttered, realizing she had no coin or trinket with her to offer. “Er…what dae ye want? My belonging were lost in the capture.”
Valan sat back in his chair, resting his finger against his chin. “I’d forgotten about that. We’ll bet on something else then.”
“We could wager chores,” she proposed.
His eyes twinkled mischievously, and he said, “That seems agreeable. If ye win, I’ll submit tae any chore ye deem fit. But if I win, ye owe me a kiss.”
Bridget stiffened. “A kiss? But I already told ye, I’m betrothed.”
Valan shrugged. “I was nae asking fer yer hand, only a kiss. I think it’s a fair price, and besides that’s only if I win. Of course, ye could always concede the game and give me the prize early.”
Her blush grew deeper as Valan stared at her from across the table. As she gazed into his dark brown eyes something within her stirred. Her heartbeat quickened, and Bridget felt slightly feverish as she took a haggard breath. The rest of the crew was silent, completely enraptured in watching the exchange take place.
“I’m nae worried,” she informed him in a rush. “Because ye’re about tae lose. When I win, ye’ll be helping Ailsa pull weeds out of her garden.”
She hoped the show of confidence would conceal her growing distraction.
“Very well. Niall will deal the cards,” Valan said slowly, “and we’ll proceed from there.”
His crewman hastily retrieved a set of playing cards from his pouch and set them on the table. Valan picked them up and skillfully shuffled the deck between his fingers. Bridget watched him with growing interest as he moved the cards like magic and dealt them each a set of ten. She glanced down at her cards and raised a playful eyebrow once she saw the ones she’d been dealt. Valan picked up his own cards as well and stared back at her with dark, brown eyes.
“Dealer starts,” she said.
Valan grinned, laying his first card on the table.
They went back and forth, taking turns within the framework of rules using imaginative thought and strategy. As the game went on, her cards dwindled, and Bridget’s confidence wavered. Eventually Valan sat back confidently, appearing ready to call.
“What will it be, lass? Ye’re almost out of cards. Dae ye concede defeat?”
There were only three cards left in her hand, and she glanced down at them and shifted in her chair. She went through different outcomes in her head, but to her surprise and horror, Bridget realized no matter which card she played the result would be the same.
He outplayed her.
Valan’s cards were superior by three points, yet her pride kept her from admitting defeat.
“I’m thinking,” she responded sheepishly.
Valan laughed. “Give it up, lass. Ye’ve lost. There’s nothing tae be ashamed of, ye played a decent game.”
Bridget blushed and looked up at him, saying, “Very well, I concede yer victory. But that’s only because ye had a lucky hand. I will kiss ye.”
She glanced around at the others nervously, before coming toward him. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she wasn’t sure if it was from fear or excitement. She imagined what his lips would feel like pressed against hers and her stomach fluttered.
I cannae believe this is happening with everyone watching.
When Bridget leaned in closer, Valan held out a hand to stop her. “Calm yerself, lass. I would nae dishonor ye by actually expecting the kiss. I only wanted tae prove tae ye that I could win.”
The crowd of his shipmates groaned in disappointment and she blinked in shock.
“Aw, rubbish!” Kent teased him. “I thought we were going tae get some action.”
Valan smacked him lightly upside the head. “Shut yer face.”
“Ow!”
As Kent laughed while massaging the back of his head, Bridget relaxed slightly and settled back into her seat. “Truly?”
The captain nodded.
Bridget rolled her eyes at him. “Ye’re insufferable.”
The crew laughed and Valan nodded in agreement. “That I am. And now, we’d better get going. I promised Ailsa we would nae be out late.”
Bridget nodded farewell to the rest of them and followed Valan to the door. He paused in the doorway, looking out to the road beyond, where rain came down in buckets. “Hold a moment, lass. It looks like we may have tae run fer it.”
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sp; She glanced past him to the night sky and pouted, pulling the hood up over her head. When he saw that she was ready, Valan held open the door for both of them and they ran out into the road. Bridget rushed alongside him and laughed in spite of herself. Her skirts splashed in the muddy puddles and eventually they made it up the hill and approached the door to Ailsa’s cottage.
They took shelter under the thatch roof awning and huddled close together before letting themselves inside. Bridget’s heart still raced from chasing him across the village and she looked up at him with a smile.
He rested a shoulder against the wall in front of her, leaning in so they were almost touching. “Now, that wasn’t so bad was it?” Valan teased.
Bridget didn’t respond as she breathed heavily. Valan moved a strand of her rain soaked hair and tucked it neatly behind her ear. The rain poured down and a moment passed between them. Her chest felt tight as she looked up and met his gaze. Valan’s eyes were dark and hungry, as if he felt the same thing she did.
Suddenly, Bridget’s cheeks warmed, and she looked away from him.
“What is it?”
“Nothing,” she lied. “We should probably go in.”
Bridget turned to the door and before she could reach the handle, Valan took her by the hand.
“Bridget.”
She froze. “Aye?”
“I have nae gift fer understanding a woman’s thoughts. Would ye please tell me what’s the matter?”
Bridget swallowed hard. “Why dinnae ye go through with the kiss? Am I unattractive?”
Valan blanched. “Is that what ye’re worried about?”
She nodded.
He sighed, reaching up to place his hand against her cheek. “I would have been delighted,” Valan told her calmly. “But only if ’twas real. I dinnae believe that affection should be bartered. I should nae have teased ye like that, and I’m sorry. My arrogance got in the way. Ye have nothing tae be ashamed of.”
Bridget smiled at him. “Dae ye mean that?”
“Aye. And whoever yer intended is, he’s a lucky man.”
“Thank ye.”
“It’s my curse, I suppose. My brother and I both have a habit of wanting things we cannae have.”
Her gaze turned back toward the rain and she said, “I suppose the rain means I’ll have tae stay in Castlebay longer. Yer men cannae sail in the middle of a storm.”
Valan looked out into the darkness, nodding. “Aye, ye’re right. Dae that bother ye?”
“A little,” she confessed. “It makes me nervous.”
“Why?”
“Because nae one kens I’m here. My intended will have gotten word by now that my ship was attacked—he could think me dead. The same with my family.”
His expression fell. “I’m sorry this happened. ’Twas nae my intention tae bring ye grief.”
Bridget glanced up at him again, and said, “Why would ye apologize? I am more in debt tae ye than anyone. Without ye I would nae even be alive.”
Their eyes met again in the dim light coming from the window, and she felt a shift in her breathing. Valan hesitated at first, but then he came toward her and placed his hand against her waist. Bridget swallowed the lump rising in her throat and wet her lips unconsciously. Her heart was pounding frantically, and she stared back at him wide-eyed, with a flush of warmth across her cheeks.
Another moment, and she was sure they would have kissed, but to her surprise, he reluctantly pulled away. “Come on, let’s go inside and warm ourselves by the fire.”
Bridget trembled, still tingling with desire from the feel of his arms around her. She followed him into the cottage and was overcome with a wave of embarrassment. She felt completely exposed and couldn’t bring herself to look at him.
Ailsa glanced up at the sound of the door swinging open and said, “Valan? Bridget? Is that ye?”
“Aye, Mam. It’s just us.”
When she saw them Ailsa scoffed. “Oooff, but ye’re soaking wet. Go and change into some dry clothes and warm yerself by the fire.”
Bridget fumbled with the clasp as she removed the cloak and hung it on the door. Valan was already removing his shirt as he went into his room, and she felt her cheeks burn. She rushed off into the spare room to change out of her soaking garment. After putting on a clean new gown, she returned to the living space and knelt by the crackling fire.
Valan didn’t speak, but she could sense his presence when he sat down on the ground beside her. An odd, delicious sort of tension resonated between them. It felt as though she was finally complete.
Ailsa brought them each a bowl of broth and then excused herself to bed. Bridget swallowed another mouthful off the steaming liquid and said, “What did ye mean earlier, about wanting something ye cannae have?”
He chuckled dryly. “Did I say that?”
“Aye. Ye also mentioned yer brother. Would ye mind telling me about him?”
Valan sighed, looking down into his bowl. “My brother is a great man, but it’s painful tae talk about it. Another night perhaps.”
Bridget pouted. “Very well, another night then.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Castlebay Village, The Barra
T he rain did not stop coming down for weeks.
Valan gazed out the window to see if there was any sign of it letting up, but dark clouds still lingered overhead, filling the sky with its ominous shadow. It had been three weeks and there was no change in the weather.
He sighed, closing the shutters to keep out the rain and said, “I’m sorry, lass, but it dinnae appear tae be letting up anytime soon. Another storm approaches, and there’s nae telling how long it could last.”
Bridget glanced over at him from across the table. “I’ve been on this isle fer almost two months. What am I tae do?”
Valan frowned, walking over to her slowly. “Ye were right, we should have left when the weather allowed.”
“Well, it’s too late now,” Bridget huffed in exasperation. “I feel helpless. I cannae imagine what Fionn, or Rodrick, must be thinking.”
The captain rolled his eyes and scoffed. “Aye, yer betrothed—how could I forget?”
“Dinnae mock me, Valan!” she snapped.
He sighed, crossing his arms in front of his chest, and said, “We’ll sail as soon as the weather allows, though I have nae idea how long that will be. Ye might as well resign yerself tae staying in Castlebay fer a while longer.” He walked over to where she sat and placed a hand on top of her shoulder. “I did nae intend fer this tae happen when I first brought ye here, but the circumstances are beyond my control. Ye’re welcome tae stay with us as long as ye need.”
Bridget’s eyes misted when she looked up at him. She swallowed hard, saying, “Valan, ye ken this is difficult fer me. I just said goodbye tae one family—I saw my father killed—and now that I’ve finally managed tae find some semblance of a life again, I’ll be forced tae leave that also. The more I allow myself tae care, the more it breaks my heart. I’m afraid that if I stay in this place much longer I might nae have the strength tae leave.”
Valan sighed, taking a seat in the chair beside her. “I’m afraid that is nae something I can help ye with. Castlebay is the only home I’ve ever kent.”
They stared at one another for a moment before he placed his hands on hers and letting their fingers intertwine. “I hate tae see ye cry. Ye’ve become precious tae me.”
Bridget was about to speak, when their moment was interrupted by Ailsa coming in from the stables.
Valan cleared his throat and turned to her saying, “Welcome back. How is the livestock doing?”
His mother sighed. “I was able tae get some milk from Bonnie, but Charlotte was completely dry. I dinnae ken what’s wrong with her.”
“I’ll take a look at her tomorrow and see if some oats help her tae produce.”
Ailsa smiled. “That’s my good lad. Now, which one of ye would like tae come with me tae the spring house? We’ll be needing some water to clean up after su
pper, and I could use an extra pair of hands.”
Bridget stood up, saying, “I’ll go with ye. It would be nice tae get out of the cottage fer a while. Besides, I’m still learning my way around the village.”
The woman set the bucket of milk on the kitchen table, then glanced over at them with a smile. “Sounds lovely, dearie. We’ll need tae get started right away, before the rain picks up again.”
Bridget nodded and stood up from the chair while smoothing out her skirts. She glanced over to Valan and shared a meaningful look before walking over to collect a cloak off a hook on the door. For some reason, he couldn’t shake the feeling Bridget was concealing something. It felt like she wanted to say more, but stopped herself at the last moment.
He wished he knew what was upsetting her. Valan watched them from the corner of his eye as they retrieved two more buckets from the corner. On their way out the door, Ailsa turned back and called over her shoulder, “Keep an eye on Mollie. I dinnae want her choking on the chicken scraps.”
He chuckled at her concern and patted the loyal watchdog on her head, saying, “I think I can handle it.”
As the door fell shut behind them, Valan finished adding some kindling to fuel the fire. Mollie whimpered on the floor beside him and he patted her head softly. “Calm yerself, Mollie. It’s only the rain.”
Just then, the door to the cottage banged open and he turned around in shock. The women had only been gone a short while, and for a moment he wondered if they had forgotten something. When it became clear it was someone else entirely, he grabbed the blade at his side, ready to defend himself. A hooded figured stood in the doorway, their woolen cloak filling the entire entrance. When she pulled down her hood, Valan recognized the face immediately and carefully put away his weapon.
“Hello, Claire. Ye gave me quite a start.”
Mollie growled at her from the floor beside him, clearly alarmed by their intruder.
“Calm yerself, Mollie,” Valan told the animal soothingly. “Claire’s a friend.”
He stroked her on the back of the neck to prove his point, then glanced back up to Claire.
Rescued by Valan (The Pirates of Barra: Highland Raiders) Page 10