Highlander's Rebellious Love (34 page)

Hunter stared at her speechless, his mouth hanging open.

“He looked at me the same way you are looking at me right now,” she said with a laugh.

“What did your father do?”

“He was furious, but James came to my defense. He told my da that if I had enough courage to do as I did that I deserved to train with his warriors, and so my training began.”

“I am curious as to what was James’s weakness?” Hunter asked.

“Me,” she said with a thump to her chest. “He made the mistake of thinking of me as the lass that was like a daughter to him, instead of a foe that was out for the kill.”

“You are more than worthy of being laird of your clan... you deserve the title and all that goes with it,” Hunter said. “And I will make that clear to your father.”

“I do appreciate that, but it will be my father’s decision as to who becomes the next laird of the Clan Macinnes.”

“But if not you, who?”

Patience shrugged. “Possibly you or whoever weds Heather, since I think my father would put more stock into the laird being a man rather than a woman.”

“My father spoke highly of your father, insisting he was a fair and good man. And since he sent you to settle this dispute, I would say he has confidence in you and respects your abilities. I would not be so quick to judge that he would deny you what you have earned.”

Patience smiled and took hold of her husband’s hand. “No matter the circumstances, I am truly glad I wed you.”

Hunter leaned in close. “As I have repeatedly said, wife, “We think much alike.” He kissed her slow and easy and she melted against him.

A shout of her name brought them apart.

“I will be so glad when we are finally home,” Patience said, annoyed at being interrupted again.

“Again we think alike, wife,” Hunter said with the same annoyance.

She stood, releasing his hand reluctantly. “Later we will spend time together?”

“Aye, we will and I will kill anyone who interrupts us.”

Patience laughed. “I think your threatening look alone will frighten them off.”

“Then I will wear it the rest of the day, so all stay clear.”

Patience’s soft laughter continued as she shook her head. “You are far too congenial to wear a scowl all day.”

Hunter stood and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Are you telling me that I am not a feared warrior?”

“You are not the common warrior,” she said, laying a hand to his chest. “You do more damage with words than you do with weapons and that in itself is a remarkable talent.”

He grinned. “My tongue is talented.”

She punched him softly in the chest. “There you go tempting me again.”

“It does not take much to tempt you. I sometimes think that I only need look at you and you become aroused.”

“You know me well.”

“I intend to get to know you even better,” he said, nuzzling her neck with tender kisses.

Her name was shouted again and she cursed softly.

“My sentiments exactly,” he agreed and stepped away from her, fearing if he lingered he would not let her go.

“Later, husband,” she said as if declaring a declaration and hurried off before she changed her mind or before he stopped her.

Hunter watched her go, wishing that tomorrow was here and they were on their way home. He intended to make certain that they kept a fast pace, for once home they would have privacy and she would be all his. At least that was his hope, though he feared that somehow his brother might find a way to interfere.

Chapter Thirty-one

The small troop left the Dark Dragon’s land at sunrise the next morning, each and every one of them, including Beast, keeping keen eyes on the changing landscape around them. Few exchanged words, most too intent on what might lurk beyond the bend or over the small rise to be occupied with idle chatter.

Ewan had agreed with Hunter that Una should leave with his sons and return to his home where she would be safe until this matter was finally settled. Una had not been the only one to disagree, Ewan’s sons did as well and so it was settled that they would stay and lend their swords should it prove necessary.

Hunter had no doubt it would prove necessary. His brother would not allow this opportunity to pass, though when the ghost warriors made themselves known Greer would have second thoughts, and that worried him even more.

“Your silence and scowl tells me it is you who is now having troubling thoughts,” Patience said, breaking the silence that hung heavily around them.

“I am concerned over Greer’s response when he discovers that the Dark Dragon’s warriors will come to our defense.”

“If he wishes to stay in good graces with the infamous warrior, he will have no recourse but to retreat.”

“Then his anger will spark and ignite into a fiery rage, and there is no telling what he will do to see his plan reach fruition.”

“One thing at a time,” Patience cautioned. “Once home, we can seek my father’s council on the situation. After all, with the both of us safely home, what could Greer possibly do that would be serious enough to plunge us into war?”

“That is what concerns me most... what would he do?”

They continued traveling, though mostly in silence and when they camped that night, neither slept well. The next day was more of the same and by the third day, only a day away from reaching home, anxiousness and determination prevailed thanks to the speech Patience had given her men at sunrise.

She had not dwelled on an impending battle, but rather on how good it would be to get home and see loved ones again and finally have tasty food to eat, which had brought laughter. She talked about how the crops would be sprouting, gardens flourishing, animals giving birth and a clan that would be overjoyed to welcome them home. She had given them a taste of home and the determination to get there.

It was when they approached a forest, thick with foliage, that everyone grew apprehensive, for it was a good place for an attack.

Hunter turned to his wife riding beside him. “Stay close.”

Patience smiled. “Do not worry, I will protect you.”

“I have no doubt you will, wife, since we have only one day before your bedchamber welcomes us for a full day, perhaps two.”

Patience was about to respond when Edward approached them.

“Ghost warriors have been spotted, many of them,” Edward said.

Patience was not surprised. “They want not only us to know they are about, but they want Greer’s men to know as well. Hopefully, their presence will ward off an attack.”

They day passed without incident and by the time the group was camped for the night apprehension had dissipated and excitement was high that they would arrive home tomorrow.

Patience and Hunter joined Una, Ewan, and his sons to enjoy fish caught in a nearby stream. They talked and laughed at Noble’s humorous tales and just as Patience and Hunter were ready to seek their blanket for the night, Beast started whining and pacing. Before anyone could discover what bothered him, he took off into the woods as if the hounds of hell were on his tail.

Una went to go after him, but Hunter stopped her. “Leave him, Mum, we do not know what he senses out there in the dark. It would be dangerous for any of us to go after him.”

Suddenly vicious barking ripped through the air.

Hunter saw the look on his wife’s face and knew what she was about to do, so he blazed ahead of her into the woods. Ewan and his sons followed.

Patience was already on the move, silently berating her husband for being faster than her to react, as she summoned a few warriors and headed in after them.

They all followed the dog’s continuous barking. He sounded as if he was trying to keep a foe at bay. It hit Patience then, could he have sensed her sister and was keeping the ghost warriors away from her? She picked up her speed and she was glad her warriors had had the good sense to light torches, the darkness suddenly pierced by the glowing flames.

Her heart slammed against her chest when she saw her husband bent over the body of a woman and Beast continuing to bark and warn off the ghost warriors who attempted to approach the prone woman, as if they also were anxious to learn her identity.

Patience hurried to her husband’s side as he turned the woman over.

“Saundra?” Hunter said shocked, and gently brushed her hair away from her pale face.

Once again Patience felt her heart slam against her chest only this time in disappointment.

Beast’s barking halted abruptly and when Patience looked up, she saw the ghost warriors receding into the darkness. They had been curious as to her identity, which lead Patience to believe that they did continue to search for Heather.

Hunter lifted Saundra into his arms. “We need to get her back to camp.”

Beast trotted protectively beside Hunter, growling now and again if anyone else got too close to him and his master.

Una hurried over to them once they entered camp to see to Saundra’s care and directed her son to place the unconscious woman on the blanket by the campfire. Beast lay beside his master, daring anyone with a snarl to move him.

With some tender ministrations by Una and Beast licking her face, Saundra’s eyes began to flutter open.

A gentle smile crossed her face as her hands reached out to grab the large dog around the neck and pull him to her to bury her face in his fur. “Please do not let this be a dream,” she murmured.

“It is not a dream; you are safe now,” Una said.

Saundra’s eyes opened and tears gathered in them. “Una, I am so relieved to see you.”

“What are you doing here and however did you get here?” Una asked perplexed.

“Aye, we are all curious to know what happened to you,” Patience said, dropping down beside Una.

Hunter hunched down by Beast. “We are all pleased to see that you are well, Saundra, and are eager to learn of your ordeal.”

Patience looked at her husband and realized it was not only charm he possessed, but a caring heart.

Saundra stretched her hand out to Una and the woman took firm hold of it. “About a day after you all left, Greer summoned me and wanted to know why he had not seen Beast around. I got the impression that he was looking to harm him and I was so relieved that I had sent him with you.”

“What did you tell him?” Hunter asked.

She turned tear-filled eyes on him. “I told him that Beast had taken off and had not returned.” She shivered. “He smiled as if I had given him a wonderful gift, and then he told me that I was to go with a group of warriors and find him and not come home until I did.”

“Rab never objected to Greer sending me away and I knew why. My husband knew I would never return home. It was when I heard the warriors talking one night when they thought I was asleep that the deed could not be done until they reached Macinnes land.” She quieted a moment, then continued. “They talked about the fun they would have with me and that night I made my escape. My only choice was to seek refuge with the Macinnes clan.”

“And you have it,” Patience said. “You are now under the protection of the Macinnes clan.”

A tear fell from the corner of her eye and Beast was quick to lick it away.

“Oh, how I have missed you, Beast,” Saundra said and hugged the dog again. He whined and licked her face some more, letting her know he felt the same.

“You rest,” Patience said. “We reach my home, now your new home, tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” Saundra said her arms firm around the big dog, his head resting on her chest. She would be going nowhere without him.

Patience stood and asked before leaving, “How did you ever avoid the ghost warriors?”

“I traveled at night after having observed that they traveled mostly during the day.”

“You did not meet up with anyone else along the way, a blond woman perhaps?”

Saundra shook her head. “I saw no one; I did not want to. I felt safer that no one could see me at night, especially with there being no full moon yet.”

“Sleep well,” Patience said. “I will see you in the morning.” Patience gave a nod to her husband to let him know she wanted to talk with him.

Hunter exchanged a few words with Saundra, and then bid her good-night and joined his wife.

“Your brother was not taking any chances. Besides having us killed, he would also make it seem as if his brother’s wife had been abused and killed by the Macinnes clan. He is intent on declaring war on my clan.”

“And it makes one wonder what he will do when he discovers that both plans failed.”

~~~

The Macinnes warriors woke with smiles and an eagerness to be on their way. Today they would arrive home and the sooner the better.

Patience approached Ross McCuil. “You are a fine warrior Ross McCuil.”

“I thank you, Patience Macinnes, and I am honored by the compliment from such a skilled and honorable warrior.”

Patience acknowledged his tribute with a nod. “I need a favor of you.”

“Anything.”

Patience smiled. “Your response proves you are not only a superior warrior but a confident one.”

“He only lacks confidence with the lassies,” Noble said, walking up to his brother and giving Ross’s shoulder a firm squeeze.

Ross shook his head and yanked free of his brother’s grasp. “Go away, Noble, this does not concern you.”

“Anything that concerns my little brother concerns me.”

“Not this,” Patience said. “Now leave us.” Noble’s brow went up and he was about to speak when Patience held her hand up. “Do not waste your words or time on me. This matter is between me and your brother. Take your leave now.”

Noble looked to Ross as if waiting for him to come to his defense. Ross folded his arms across his chest and glared at him. Noble walked off mumbling.

Ross turned to Patience with a smile. “How may I help you?”

“Saundra has suffered a terrible ordeal and she needs to feel safe and protected. I would like you to see to keeping her safe and also to let her ride with you on your horse for the remainder of the journey home.”

“I would be pleased to help her in any way I can.”

Patience held her hand out to him. “I am indebted to you.”

Ross gave her hand a shake, surprised by the strength of it. “Then perhaps when the time is right we can talk about me joining your elite warriors.”