To Dream of a Highlander(14)
“Cease, ye daft lass,” he commanded roughly and hauled her up the brow of the hill.
His hold on her remained strong while he tried to pin her hands to both sides. She ended up entirely enveloped by him, unable to move let alone breathe.
“Pray…let me…go…” She pushed the words out against his chest.
The Viking’s arms loosened marginally and she sucked in a deep breath. Tears dripped down her cheeks.
“What is this?” he asked gruffly. “Why do ye cry? Why do ye run? Lass, ye need not fear. Yer safe with me.”
“How… how can I be safe with ye?” She peered up at him to see a flash of genuine hurt flicker across his face.
“I know ye have experienced things no lady should but surely ye know that I am not like that man. I wouldnae harm ye. I am here to protect ye.”
“Protect me? How so?”
His brows almost knitted as he stared down at her. Something in his eyes reflected her own sense of vulnerability. It forced her to relax. Powerful strokes of his hands across her back warmed her skin and soothed her racing pulse.
“I dinnae know how the attack has affected ye, Katelyn.” His voice was low and as soothing as the palms on her gown. “But ye can be assured until we reach my sister’s, no man shall touch ye.”
“Ye… ye are touching me,” she whispered. Then she scowled. “Yer sister’s?”
“Aye, Lorna shall be sure to look after ye well. Until then, ye shall be under my care.” His jaw tensed at the words.
Catriona blinked. “Why do ye take me to yer sister’s?”
He drew back and skimmed a thumb over her head. “Ach, ye are more addled than I thought. Forgive me, lass, I—”
The dark haired man came up behind them and bent double to catch his breath. When he straightened, he slapped a hand to the man’s shoulder.
“Finn…”
Catriona scowled at the man’s name. She hadn’t even known it. But Finn… that was no Viking name.
“What is it?”
“Norsemen… over the hill. They may be looking for the lass. Likely they travelled through the night.”
“Damnation.” Finn skimmed his gaze over her and slowly released her. “Will ye stay calm now, my lady? I wouldnae have ye run into the arms of the Vikings.”
“The Vik—” Her legs trembled beneath her and she brought a hand to her mouth.
“Aye, they must have discovered yer absence. I suspect they would look to ransom ye, should they get hold of ye.” He turned to the other man. “How many heads did ye count, Logan?”
Logan? Another Highland name. Who were these men? Catriona skipped her gaze from man to man, taking in their clothing, considering their behaviour.
“Some half a dozen, mayhap more.”
“Ach, I like our odds but I dinnae want the lady caught in battle. What say ye, do we run or fight?”
Logan dipped his gaze to Catriona’s bare feet. “I dinnae think we’ll outrun them.”
“Aye, ye may be right.” Finn peered around and motioned to a nearby rocky outcrop with his sword. “My lady, ye must take shelter. Dinnae come out and dinnae be seen. We must see off these men if we are to take ye safely to Lorna’s.”
“Lorna… Lorna inghean Chaluim?”
Finn shook his head and eyed her again as if she had lost her mind. Mayhap she had. “Aye, lass. My sister. Go now, make haste.”
Nodding, she snatched her skirts and scurried over to the rocks, pausing to stare at Finn. Lorna inghean Chaluim. She knew that name. Katelyn had been intending to stay with her before she married Laird Gillean mac Dhomhnaill. Sweet Lord, Finn was no Viking any more than she was. He had not captured her, he’d rescued her. These were the men who were meant to fetch Katelyn on Laird Gillean’s behalf. No wonder she did not think him to be vicious and cruel like the man who attacked her.
His blue gaze latched onto hers briefly as the breeze ruffled his golden hair. His stark expression made her gut clench tight and something echoed between them across the open hills. Then he turned and ran. The other men had come up behind them quickly and they sprinted, swords drawn toward the encroaching attackers who, until now, were hidden behind the dip of the hill. Battle cries rang out and Catriona shuffled behind the rocks, gripping onto the cool stone, hoping to draw strength from it. If only she could cast her courage in stone—along with her heart. But her heart would not listen. It raced with fear for Finn and his men.
Her rescuer. How did she not see it? Yet he took her without a word dressed as a Viking. What else was she to believe?
Her thoughts scattered to the winds when she spotted the men clash. She ducked down briefly, closing her eyes to the savagery of battle, but a need to see Finn’s fate drew her back up. The danger had not yet passed. He might still be killed. Or he could survive and discover her true identity. Then she might be cast aside when he learned the real Lady Katelyn was dead. And Gillean would turn his attentions to Bute once more. It was weak. Even if her father managed to retake the castle, until the King’s men got there, they’d have little chance against Laird Gillean and his army.