The Highlander's Vow (Loch Moigh #4) (23 page)

He sobered, and his expression closed. “If only what?”

“If only we had met under different circumstances, or . . . at a different point in time.” Her throat tightened. “My kin and I will do everything we can to see that you return safely to Gordon Hollow.”

“Without you?” Struan’s gaze bored into hers. “Will you send me away, Sky, while you remain here? Am I so easily discarded?”

“How can you think that after everything we’ve been through together? I dinna wish to be parted from you at all . . . ever,” she whispered, her heart pounding. “Will you stay here with me if I ask it of you?”

“I’d prefer it if
you
would return to Gordon Hollow with
me
. Think of all the advantages, princess—modern medicine, the freedom to choose your own path . . . a future together.”

“I have a duty and an obligation to serve my clan. I’m—”

“I ken well enough who you are,” he snapped. “If I agreed to stay, your father would never allow me to take you to wife. I’m a blacksmith. You, on the other hand—”

“You canna say what my father will or willna allow.” She kept her voice low to avoid being overheard. A sudden wave of shame pulsed from him, and he turned his face away from her. “What is it you’re hiding from me, Struan? Does it have aught to do with your ties to the Sutherlands? I can sense—”

“I’m nobody to the Sutherlands now or in the past,” he hissed. “For God’s sake, let it go.” He grabbed a handful of food, gulped his ale down and rose. “I’m going to see the hostler about purchasing a horse. ’Twould be best if you remained here.”

Stunned, she sat back and gripped the edge of the table. He’d once again gone from easygoing to brooding and angry. Whenever the Sutherland name was mentioned, he closed himself off from her and stomped away. If only he would share what plagued him, she might be able to ease his anguish.

Ah, but ’twas not only mention of the Sutherlands that upset him this time. Was it just yesterday he’d revealed his dreams for their future together? He’d asked her to return to Gordon Hollow with him, forsaking her family, her home and her proper place in time—as he’d done for her. Could she forsake all for Struan? She’d always been the dutiful daughter, the one who shied away from adventure and risk. Could she change her nature?

She blinked as the table and everything it held blurred before her. She couldn’t think on it now. First they had to get to Moigh Hall in one piece, and then mayhap the answer would come to her.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

S
truan nudged his gelding into a trot and surveyed his surroundings as they approached Meikle Geddes’s keep—one of the MacKintosh holdings. Sky had told him her cousin Robley and his family lived there. Though well fortified, the rectangular castle was small by fifteenth-century standards. Two towers, one on the east end, the other on the west, rose above the crenellated top. Narrow windows for archers dotted the various levels of the turrets. The land around the outer curtain wall had been cleared of any impediment, and the stronghold’s catwalks were fully manned.

The heavy steel bars of the portcullis were down, and two guards, crossbows in hand, stood within the barbican above, watching as he and Sky rode closer. Were they expecting trouble?

Sky nudged her mare ahead. “Ho, the keep. ’Tis I, Sky Elizabeth, your liege lord’s daughter and cousin to Lord Robley,” she called, lowering the hood of her cloak. “And this is Sir Struan of clan Sutherland.”

Struan didn’t miss the way the two guards exchanged glances. He could only imagine what might be running through their minds, what with he and Sky unaccompanied by guards or a matron to protect her virtue. Had news of Sky’s disappearance reached Meikle Geddes? The portcullis began its noisy ascent, and the guards called out their greetings and bid them enter.

He and Sky hadn’t caught any sign of Erskine men as they’d traveled south from Nairn. Perhaps their enemy had already passed through, or perhaps he and Sky managed to evade the Erskines by taking less-traveled routes. Still, Struan kept a wary eye open, even as they rode through the hamlet bordering the narrow lane to the castle.

The MacKintosh holding was rich and fertile, with plentiful water, being situated by the river as it was. Perfect for raising kine, horses and crops. The hamlet they’d passed through reflected the care and prosperity of the clan. The cottages were well tended, and the villagers content.

Sky kicked her horse into a canter through the gate, and he followed upon her heels, staying a short distance behind to play the part of her guard, rather than her consort. They passed through the outer ward, continuing on to another gate leading to the inner bailey. He breathed easier than he had in days once he heard the gates lowered behind them. They were inside two tall stone walls guarded by a garrison of MacKintosh warriors. A lad of seven or eight ran from the stables to take the reins of their mounts. Struan dismounted and helped Sky from her horse.

“Is Lord Robley at home?” Sky asked the stable hand. She took her rucksack from the saddle and handed it to Struan.

“Aye, my lady.” The lad grinned, exposing a gap where his two front teeth should have been. He bowed and led the horses away to be cared for.

Just as Struan set foot upon the bottom step to the heavy, steel-girded doors into the castle, a man’s voice resounded through the air. “Sky! By the saints, lass. Can it truly be you?”

Sky gave a cry and ran toward the middle-aged man who had called out. Laughing and crying at the same time, she threw herself into his open arms, and he hugged her tight and spun her around. A younger version of the man stood by, a wide grin on his face.

The older man stopped midspin, his gaze catching upon Struan. His eyes widened as he stared. He set Sky down. “By God,” he said, striding toward Struan. “If I did no’ ken my cousin’s offspring well, I’d swear this lad was one of Elaine and Dylan’s brood.”

“My lord.” Struan tipped his head slightly.

“Robley, Will, this is Struan of clan Sutherland,” Sky said. “Sir Struan, this is my cousin Robley and his eldest, Robert William, whom we call Will.”

“Och.” Robley clasped forearms briefly with Struan. “The resemblance to Dylan when he was a younger man . . . ’Tis quite remarkable,” he said, flashing Sky a questioning look. “Do we have this young knight to thank for your return?”

“Aye,” she said, her eyes misting. “He saved my life, Rob. I have so much to tell you. Is Erin here?”

“Nay.” Will stepped forward. “Ma went to attend Lady Meghan for the birthing. She’ll be there for a fortnight yet, along with Hannah.” He glanced toward Struan. “Hannah is my younger sister. Meg and Hunter’s bairn was born four days ago. We just received word this morn.” Will held out his hand to Struan. “Welcome, Sir Struan. Our thanks to you for bringing Lady Sky home safe.” They too clasped forearms for a brief moment.

“My, how you’ve matured, Will,” Sky said, tousling his tawny blond hair. “Last I heard, you were on your way home for good to train under your da.”

“Aye.” He straightened his posture, a look of pride suffusing his features. “I’ll be ten and seven soon, and I’ve earned my spurs. ’Tis time I learn what will be expected of me once I become seneschal to the earl. I’m helping Da, so we can both spend more time with the horses.”

“Are your younger brothers home?”

“Nay, but they’ll be returning with Ma for a visit.”

Robley hadn’t taken his eyes off him since they’d been introduced, and Struan desperately wished for a distraction. He’d had enough of the man’s scrutiny.

“Last we heard, you’d . . . disappeared, lass,” Robley said. “The MacKintosh guards who followed you into the wood at Kildrummy said you were in quite a state and wouldn’t even wait for them to saddle their horses. They said you were in a hurry to find your da and brother.”

“Can we move inside to your solar, Rob?” Sky scanned the bailey. “There is much to tell, and I would very much like to sit with a glass of wine whilst relating all that has happened.” She shot her cousin a pointed look. “Though to you it has been less than a fortnight since I left, I have been gone for almost three months’ time.” She met her cousin’s knowing gaze. “I’ve been on
quite
a journey.”

“Ah, I see.” Robley swept his arm toward the doors into the keep. “Will, lad, see to it that wine and something to eat are sent to my solar before you join us.”

“Aye, Da.” Will ran up the broad stone stairs and disappeared into the keep.

“You will join us, Sir Struan, for I would hear your accounting of what has transpired as well,” Robley commanded. “Then you may billet with my garrison below the great hall.”

Struan cringed inwardly. It had been a long time since he’d been ordered around by a noble or told where to lay his head, and already he resented being treated like an inferior. Stifling the growl rising in his throat, he followed, once again reminded of the gulf that separated him from the woman he loved—in this century, anyway.

He and Sky hadn’t talked about the day he’d marched out of the inn, angry at her refusal to see things his way. Nothing had changed. The qualities that drew him to her still drove him nuts. Stubborn woman.

They went up a flight of narrow stone stairs and down a short corridor to the lord’s solar. The chamber was well lit with a single glass-paned window against the southern wall. A table of oak, surrounded by four chairs with leather seats and carved oak armrests, took up most of the space.

“Sit.” Robley gestured toward the table.

Struan pulled out one of the chairs for Sky before taking a place himself. How should he play this? Just how much should he reveal about himself? At least the MacKintosh were familiar with time travel. Robley himself had been to the twenty-first century.

“The day I disappeared,” Sky began, twisting her hands together in her lap, “I overheard Oliver talking to his lover, the baron Lumsden’s daughter. My
betrothed
revealed to her his plans to murder me within a year of our wedding so that the two of them could wed and live in comfort upon my dower lands and fortune. I feared they caught a glimpse of me as I fled from the door. ’Tis why I was in such a hurry to find Da.”

“Bloody hell!” Robley strode to the window and stared out. “After your disappearance, your family stopped here on their way home to Moigh Hall. True said she’d sensed something sinister afoot all along, but she had no’ been able to put her finger on what it might be.” He turned back to face her. “’Twas she who insisted your family and guards leave Kildrummy under cover of darkness that very night. ’Tis also why you find my outer and inner gates closed at present.”

“There is more to the tale, Rob,” Sky said. “Oliver is dead. He had the faerie ring where I fell through time watched for my return. He meant to force me to go through with the wedding, and threatened to starve and beat me into compliance. He said none of my kin kent of my return, and so it made no difference to him if I died. He’d already planned to demand Helen’s hand in my stead. Then, Oliver bade his guards to kill Struan, and—”

“Wait,” Robley ordered, pulling out a chair and taking a seat. He fixed his stare upon Struan. “Who
are
you, and how is it you came to be with our lass?”

“Uh, that’s a long story,” Struan said. “She fell at my feet in the middle of a jousting match at a Renaissance fair in New York.”

“Do you wish to tell the tale, Struan, or would you prefer that I continue?”

“You go ahead.” Struan leaned back and folded his arms across his chest. “But first, I want to make something clear to your cousin.
I
am not accustomed to being ordered about or told where to sleep. I am my own man and have not sworn fealty to any
lord
.”

Robley barked out a laugh just as the door to the solar opened, and Will came through, followed by servants bearing food and drink. Robley turned to one of the servants. “Have a chamber prepared for Sir Struan and another for Lady Sky. I trow that will suit you?” He arched a brow at Struan before turning back to the servant. “At opposite ends of the hall, mind. In fact, put Lady Sky in our wee Hannah’s chamber. ’Tis next door to mine.” He shot Struan a pointed look.

“Aye, milord,” the young woman answered. “I’ll see to it anon.”

Struan didn’t bother telling Robley his efforts were wasted. He and Sky had been sleeping together since that day by Gordon Lake. Still, he didn’t wish to push things. He caught a glimpse of Sky and frowned at the expression of mortification darkening her lovely face. The servants set the repast on the table, curtsied and left, and Will took a seat at the table.

“Struan and I met in the twenty-first century at a fair like the one where you met Lady Erin,” Sky began. “Struan had come to the twenty-first century himself but a decade before. He fought in the battle of Halidon Hill alongside his da when he crawled through a wavering light he saw in the bog.”

“For certes?” Will leaned toward him. “Tell us what—”

“Later, lad.” Robley shot his son an affectionate look. “Go on, Sky.”

Sky took a swallow of her wine and continued. She told her cousins all that had transpired from the moment she’d fallen into the portal, to the present and their arrival at Meikle Geddes.

“The McGladreys helped us immensely, and Struan trained with Connor for weeks as we waited for my passport to arrive.” Sky sat up a little straighter. “You should see Struan wield a sword, Rob. He oft defeats Connor whilst they train.” She glanced at Struan through her lashes. “My champion makes defeating Connor appear effortless.”

“Ah, I wouldn’t say ’tis an
easy
feat to bring the man to his knees.” Struan winked at her.

“By the saints!” Robley cried, letting out another laugh. “Did Connor and Katherine come with you? Are they here as well?”

“They walked through the portal with us, but we were separated.” Struan shook his head. “There’s no telling where they are now. I only hope the two of them remained together.”

“Och, but I’d love to lay eyes upon them again. Mayhap they’re with Meghan, aye? Surely their hearts led them to their daughter, no matter what they kept fixed in their minds.”

“’Tis our hope,” Sky agreed.

Then she shared what Struan had told her about his own journey to the future. The way she spoke about the Gordons warmed his heart, and a pang of longing to be home shot through him. He missed his kin and he missed his forge. The only thing Sky didn’t touch upon was her relationship with him, and though he understood why, the slight still stung.

Did her loyalty extend only as far as blood kin? A knot formed in his stomach, but he forced himself to be rational. She’d said she didn’t wish to part with him, and he’d planted the seed, suggesting that she return with him to Gordon Hollow. That discussion was not over by a long shot. No decisions had been made.

“Sky and I plan to continue on to Loch Moigh tomorrow, and I’d appreciate it if you’d lend us a few of your best guards to aid me in seeing to her safety,” Struan said.

“Aye.” Robley rubbed his chin, his expression pensive. “The Erskines may have already laid siege to Moigh Hall if that is their intent. To be safe, you should travel ’round to the south side of the loch under cover of the forest. Our clan keeps a few boats hidden there. Sky kens where they are. Wait for nightfall before crossing to the island.

“We’ve no’ seen any Erskines passing through, but ’tis likely Lord Robert will have kept to the main road, especially if he’s traveling with a large contingent of soldiers,” Robley continued.

“If the two Erskine guards I fought are any indication, the earl of Mar’s men are poorly trained. Lord Oliver was only slightly better.”