Highland Hope (Wild Thistle Triology Book 1) (6 page)

BOOK: Highland Hope (Wild Thistle Triology Book 1)
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Her maid followed her gaze. “’Tis sorry I am, lass,” the older woman said as she wrung her hands. “I’ll build it right up.”

She waved away Nora’s concern and steadied herself before she moved out of the bed. “I can tend my own fire.”

By Saint Amelia her body ached as if the entire clan had trampled her. Each movement strained her muscles and pulled at her joints, plus she felt as weak as a mewling kitten. In all her years training with the men, she’d suffered a numerous bruises, minor cuts, and sometimes a tarnished ego. But never such a debilitating injury.

And now the injury was interfering with her finding her sister.

“Tell MacKerry to look for the lass. Yer too soon on the mend.”

Hope glanced at the older woman with a grimace of ire. Ask MacKerry? “Nay. ’Tis my duty.”

Nora rolled her eyes heavenward and scoffed. “Lady Honor should have given ye more tisane.”

“I’ll be giving all my food to MacKerry then.” She held out her hand for Nora to pass her a cloth.

She wobbled as Nora aided her by quickly cleaning her wound and in slipping on clean clothing. With each task, the aches and pains began to lessen. Yet, her thoughts circled around the stormy circumstance of her life and tension coiled her neck. She’d herself to blame, she should have been firmer with Faith. And MacKerry? Why did she approach MacKerry? Why not allow the council to select a new laird? Then she’d be done with the worry.

“Remember, lasses. Through Hope, Faith, and Honor, ye can rule.”

She sighed. Her promise was why.

“’Tis madness, lass,” Nora argued. “Ye need to rest.” Nora kept tutting as she busied herself with picking up the discarded clothing.

Hope ignored her as the thoughts pestered her mind. Deep down she knew she could never forsake a vow made to her father, even one made at the age of ten and two. ’Twas a great privileged her father bestowed on her. And in the throes of war she kenned there was no one he could trust save his wife and daughters. Och, many people didn’t understand, but she didn’t have the time or patience to explain. It was a need within her. It drove her to inexplicably feel responsible for every clansmen from a wee bairn to the eldest.

Now she had to make her presence known and lead the search for Faith. She wouldn’t allow the council or the clan to think she was weak and one wee cut would keep her confined to bed.

“Lass?”

Hope blinked and looked to Nora. She patted the maid’s arm and led the way out of the chamber. As they slowly descended the stairs, a crowd greeted her, asking of her injury and expressing concern of her sister’s whereabouts. Aye, they were a good clan, caring and willing to lend a hand when there was need, and loyal to her father, mother, and now her. Except the council, blast their hides.

Bannock buns, porridge, and rashers of bacon flooded the tables in the main hall. Her stomach rumbled knowing Nora and Honor had nursed her back to health with broth and mayhap some soaked bread. Yet, she’d have nothing to break her fast this morning. Luckily, she’d sipped a bit of the chocolate before leaving her chamber.

“They’ve begun searching the outer bailey and even past the palisade.”

“Grand.” Hope turned at the smooth tenor of MacKerry’s voice and took in his handsome face. He looked rested, blast him, and clean in his tartan and white
liene
. ’Twas amazing how a bath transformed a man. She watched him take a slow drink of his ale. He wiped the foam from his lip with the back of his hand as his eyes sparkled with mischief. Why was he so happy on such a dire occasion?

She cocked a brow at him. “And why aren’t you helping them?”

“Ah, weel, I came back when a lad said you had awaken.” He smiled. Dimples pierced his chiseled face. It was something short of heaven and just endearing enough for her to grant him the pleasure of her company. Damn him.

His brow quirked upward. “’Twouldn’t be seemly if I was to leave without my betrothed, when she has finally left her sick bed.”

Summoning a look of displeasure on her face, Hope nodded. “Or your laird. We need to make haste. Faith is bent on adventure and mishap always accompanying it.”

He nodded. “Since there was no sight of her yesterday, I kenned we needed your help.”

“Aye, I usually know where she’s hiding.”

MacKerry chuckled. She frowned as she tried to block the soothing sound from her thoughts. This man was befuddling her in the most aggravating way. If she didn’t guard herself, she’d be lured in by his charm and strong, good looks.

“From what I could gather from the clansmen, she does this often. Mayhap, she is hiding in the caves.”

Hope’s gaze snapped up at him. “How do you ken the caves?”

“Just what the clansmen told me. Come, let’s find your sister. The sooner we look, the sooner she is safely in the keep.”

She tossed a scowl his way and headed out of the main hall.

Aidan marveled at the children and clanswomen who clustered around their laird, as they made their way to the bailey. A little ruffian ran forward and grabbed onto her arm. “Laird MacAlister, watch me toss me stone,” he begged as he jumped up and down.

“Aye, Tadge. I’ll watch ye and then I have to look for Faith.” Each word was said with a motherly kindness, which surprised Aidan. Her smile seemed to enthrall the lad, and Aidan as well.

They stopped and watch as the boy struggled with a large stone and catapulted it from shoulder height. A brave effort, Aidan had to admit. Tadge would be a fierce lad for sure.

Hope clapped and patted the boy on his tawny head. “What a braw man you’ll become. I’d want you to lead my men anytime.”

Redness stained Tadge’s cheeks with pride as he ducked his head.

“We best search for your sister.”

“I ken, MacKerry.” Hope continued toward the gate that led outside the palisade. “Men are already searching for her.”

He hid a grin at her agitation. In the days to come, he’d surely vex her more and more, as his plan unfolded with the help of the council.

“Did ye hear what the laird said?” he heard the lad brag, “she said I’ll be braw enough to lead her men.”

The appreciative comments from the other children brought a grin to his face. Aidan glanced at Hope to confirm she’d heard the admiration from the lad. A satisfied gleam in her eye indicated she had. But he also noticed strain around her mouth and eyes. Her injured arm lay against her side. He stepped toward a few women folding laundered clothing. He took one of the pieces of linen and with a tip of his head of thanks toward the befuddled woman, he folded it into a triangle.

He touched Hope’s elbow and steered her through the gate. “How is your shoulder?” Without waiting for her to answer, he took matters in his own hands. Aidan gently moved her arm and slipped the cloth beneath it. He felt her glare and her breath against his neck, the slight tremble of her hand. He secured it behind her neck. ‘Twould cradle the injury. He quickly glanced at her.

Anger flashed in her green gaze. Fiery rage.

“I can take care of myself.”

Aidan withheld a chuckle. He knew it would only incense her that she didn’t intimidate him. In fact, she proved a challenge. The idea of getting close to her, infiltrating the clan until he could make his claim, enticed him. Unfortunately, the more time he spent with her, he realized tricking Laird MacAlister wouldn’t be easy. She was intelligent and compassionate. The way she watched each person when they spoke, her attention fully on them, was endearing and honorable. And God help him, her beauty was unsurpassed. Fiery in spirit with a glint in her eye which shifted from humor to fury within a thrice. And when fire filled her gaze, he felt it to his cods.

“Thank you,” she mumbled without an ounce of genuine gratitude. In fact, it looked as if it pained her to say the words.

Aidan stopped watching her as he focused on the lay of the land to rid his mind of her image.

Outside the entrance of the keep, green and red tartans speckled the distance, obviously searchers. They needed to aid in the search. Mayhap if he helped find her sister, she’d trust him a bit more.

The morning was crisp with a bracing wind kicking up the foliage. Aidan surveyed the path toward the creek he remembered from his childhood. Although he had been young when he last lived in Wild Thistle, he kenned every nook and cranny, every path and little hideaways in the glen. In his gut, Aidan knew Faith would be ensconced in one of the caves hollowed out of the cragged hills. And when he’d mentioned it the day before, a few of the clansmen said they’d already looked in the caves.

He should have looked himself, damn it.

’Twasn’t easy exploring the caves as they were carved from the stony earth just below the keep. Steep paths led them along a sheer cliff. One misstep could mean death.

Hope walked toward a small group of men shouting and making angry gestures. They stilled as she approached. Aidan held back, curious to see her interaction with them, exhibit her leadership abilities.

She spoke, her harsh demanding tone gained their attention. He noticed a strain in her features and cursed himself for not insisting on horses. She was too soon out of the sick bed. Aidan stayed put and watched as Hope gave directions and the men dispersed. He admired how she led them. She’d strength, courage. And the men listened, they followed her.

“They will search the opposite side of the keep. The men will blow their horn if she is found.”

“This way,” he called. Not waiting for her compliance, Aidan walked toward the path he kenned would lead to Hope’s sister.

“And who are you, MacKerry?” she said as he walked away. “Ordering me about as if
you
were laird?”

Aidan chuckled, it echoed off of the woods and he knew Hope heard it. “In due time. In due time.” This he spoke softly, with steely determination. Finding the laird’s sister was a step in the right direction. A way to prove himself and show an allegiance to the clan by delivering her safely home. He turned toward Hope. Anger not only sparked in her eyes, they fairly glowed with animosity. Aye, she was fierce, a fierce leader. The moment they wed, the moment his lips touched hers, she’d be his. Aye, she’d surely appreciate his skills as a lover, then as her laird. Damn, he wanted to be laird, not have Hope MacAlister be his—truly, the woman would only complicate matters.

“I’m here to help, Hope. Do you want to be finding your sister?”

Hope glanced warily at him as he deepened his brogue. Intentional, of course.

“Aye, lead the way, MacKerry.” The way she said the words indicated she didn’t trust him. But it would come. He’d find her sister, then make his mark with the men on the training field. Step by step.

“I should have secured a horse. You’re too soon from the sick bed.”

Her brows furrowed and then she shook her head. “They would slow us. ’Tis craggy land near the caves.”

He nodded. Aidan made his way over the path and headed toward the nearest cave, all the while aware of Hope’s determined, but weakened strides behind him. He stopped to help her a time or two, but his only reward was a scowl. ’Twas a mite disconcerting. He hadn’t thought he’d have to tangle with a woman over the lairdship, but if need be, he would. Aidan counted on the endless hours hearing his father’s tirade against Clan MacAlister to spur him on. He tucked his head inside the cave entrance and waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. The cave was dank, dreary, and clearly uninhabited.

Lady Faith wasn’t there. Aidan continued on ahead to the next cave, assisting Hope along the rough terrain. He peeked into the cave. A smoldering fire lit the center of the cave and a tartan and tin cup sat beside it. They belonged to Lady Faith.

“She’s been here.”

Hope pushed him aside, surprising him with her strength. Her hackles were raised, and ego a wee bit tattered, he surmised. A deep furrow creased between her finely-arched brows and her fist nestled at her waist.

Aye, fire. The laird had fire.

“And where is she?” She glanced at the cave and then back at him. “How did you know the caves were here?”

Bollocks
.

Aidan crossed his arms before his chest. “What kind of man do you think I am? I scouted the keep before I approached.”

Truth of it was, he’d approached and had been trounced by Duncan. Och, to go back a fortnight and start over. ‘Twould be different, to be sure.

She eyed him suspiciously; her thoughts of distrust clear in the green of her eyes. “Let’s continue searching,” Hope said with a low tone.

“Did you play in the caves as a lass, m’laird?”

She glanced at him in surprise, then chuckled. “Aye. Did you have caves such as these near your clan’s keep?”

He frowned, and when she glanced back at him, he nodded. A conversation was good. Talk about their youth, learn about each other. It would lead to the trust he needed. “Aye, ‘twas a secret place for me and the lads. We played in them, hid from the lasses and most importantly, I had my first dram of whiskey in a cave.”

“Ah, seems we have a wild lad on our hands.”

He chuckled. “Lads will be lads.”

She laughed along with him and despite the circumstances, he felt as if he’d learned something about her. She’d a sense of humor when she wasn’t trying to be the brooding laird. Aidan kenned he hadn’t revealed too much of himself. Any keep along the shore boasted caves. ’Twas a safe story to tell.

“My sisters and I would pretend we were searching for pirates in the caves. And we’d stumble onto their treasures.”

“What type of treasures were those, laird?” If he had her talk about herself, then she wouldn’t focus on him.

“Och,” she said with a smile. “Sweets, to be sure.” Laird MacAlister shook her head and seemed to be thinking of pleasurable memories. “My mother had hidden tarts and buns in the caves just for us to find them.”

“A smart mother, to be sure,” he said.

BOOK: Highland Hope (Wild Thistle Triology Book 1)
4.96Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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