True to the Highlander(99)

“Let her come. She will no’ take you.” His hold around her waist tightened. “You have no faith in me,” he accused.

“Ditto.”

“Sleep, Alethia. ’Tis a long ride home.”




Malcolm prayed never to experience that kind of fear again as long as he lived. He couldn’t bear it when his wife placed herself in harm’s way. When he’d seen her peering over the rail of the minstrels’ gallery with bow in hand, his heart had stopped. When she’d called for help, he feared arriving too late. He’d aged a decade in the seconds it took to reach her.

“Does she sleep?” Robley asked as he brought his mount closer to his.

Malcolm checked. “Aye. She’ll likely sleep the entire journey.”

“There is something you should know.” Robley spoke quietly beside him. “Giselle is in Inverness. She resides in a small cottage at the edge of the village.”

“How do you come by this information?” Malcolm’s protective instincts leaped within him. His hold on his wife tightened.

“I saw her with my own eyes when I went to Inverness for supplies for Meikle Geddes. I tell you, Malcolm, there is something uncanny odd about that old hag. ’Twas a decade ago she told your fortune, yet she has no’ aged one bit. ’Tis unnatural.” Robley pointed to True. “She is right to fear her. And you would do well to take heed. Has True no’ proven herself to us many times over?” He gave Malcolm a hard look. “I think you are too hard on the lass. She deserves your gratitude, no’ your wrath.”

“I’ll no’ argue, Robley. I confess, I’ve never been so afraid as when I saw my wife in the keep of our enemies. I spoke harshly out of fear for her.” Truth be told, he felt awful. It galled him. He should be protecting her, not the other way around. “I vow, the woman is going to be the death of me. ’Twas utter foolishness on her part.” He leaned closer so none but Robley would hear him. “I canna bear the thought of losing her.”

Robley grinned. “That is what you must tell her, Malcolm. I pray one day to find a woman as braw and canny as True. I am considering a journey to her land to see if there might be more like her there. I would gladly accept a worry such as the one you hold in your arms.” He placed his hand on Malcolm’s shoulder and gave it a shake. “Hold her close. Put your pride aside, man, and thank her.”

“Humph.” He’d have to work on his pride. Just once he wanted to be the one doing the rescuing.

Robley laughed and dropped back. Malcolm turned his thoughts to the fate of the villagers they’d left behind. A pang of regret shot through him. He spurred his horse ahead to ride alongside Liam and his lady. “Liam, will you introduce us?”

Malcolm saw her flinch at the sound of his voice, as if she expected recrimination, or worse. Even by the light of the half moon he could see the fading bruises on her face and neck, her split lip. His heart went out to her. She’d suffered brutality at the hands of the very man who should have protected and cherished her. Her hands trembled as she held the reins.

“Aye. I’m sorry we had no time to do so earlier.” Liam reached to cover Mairen’s hands with his for an instant. “Mairen, this is my cousin, Malcolm. Malcolm, may I present my betrothed, Mairen.”

Mairen’s voice quavered with emotion. “I owe you my life, my lord. My thanks to you and your lady wife. May God bless you both.”

“My wife says you are well loved by your people. What will become of them?” Malcolm asked.

“I dinna ken their fate. They are good folk and had no knowledge of my father’s treachery.”

“But you did?” Malcolm asked.

“Aye, I did. And if he hadna been so certain of victory this eve, I would be dead now. ’Tis only because he wished to use me for his own gain that he let me live. Dinna blame my people for his black heart, for they had no hand in it.”

“I bear them no ill will. ’Tis their future that concerns me now. They will discover their laird’s death on the morrow. Your warriors died with their swords to hand. ’Twas a fair fight, though they did no’ deserve fairness.” Malcolm watched Mairen closely, gauging her reaction to his harsh words. She nodded and averted her gaze. He could see she felt shame on behalf of her clan.

Malcolm turned to his cousin. “I have been giving this some thought, Liam. What say you to the notion of joining those Comyns remaining at Castle Rait with our clan? There may be some who are willing.”

“We can offer, Malcolm. Though ’tis unlikely. Our clans have been enemies for far too long.”