Grant Clan 06 - My Desperate Highlander (16 page)

“You are thinking about our lovemaking,” she whispered.

“Aye,” he winked again. “I cannot help but recall such wonderful memories. You are so beautiful. Do you wish to know my favorite part of your curves, wife?”

“Och, Micheil! How I wish I had something to throw at you. Stop teasing me.”

He chuckled and said, “Only if you promise to tell me later.”

“I will. Now cease your incessant blather.” She arched her chin into the air and spurred her horse ahead.

And that is when disaster struck. Near dusk, somewhere between fifteen and twenty horses came out of the forest headed straight for them.

Gwyneth almost choked on her own saliva when she first noticed the warriors on horseback headed toward them. Baron Gow’s men. They had to be his, since they wore no plaid and seemed to be undisciplined.

Moments before, she had been listening to Micheil and Diana’s charming banter, but now that idyllic moment had been shattered.

Everything happened at once. Two horses headed straight for Diana. One rider grabbed for her reins while the other reached for her and threw her over his horse. Four others flanked them to prevent Micheil or Logan from reaching her, forcing them to fight through them first. Though she wanted nothing more than to immediately ride into battle, Gwyneth was worried for her own family’s safety. She lowered Molly onto the ground and rode in front of Logan, drawing her sword to protect him and the girls as he lowered Maggie to the ground and placed Sorcha into her arms. The girls ran into the forest, Sorcha yelling a bit, but Gwyneth sighed when they ducked behind a large rock off to the side.

Gwyneth swung her sword at one horseman and caught him in the side, enough to send him sailing off his horse. The rest of the Grant guards riding behind them jumped into the melee, and the clashing of steel on steel rang through the land as the two groups battled. Logan headed into the middle of the fight while Gwyneth hung back, another move they had planned ahead of time. Logan wanted her to be far enough away from the enemy forces to use her bow and arrow.

The horseman with Diana took off. Micheil rode directly behind him, which prevented Gwyneth from being able to hit the fool, but she would not have taken the chance anyway with Diana on the horse. Four Grant guardsmen rode alongside Micheil, killing two of Gow’s men easily on the way, and the remaining six held back to fight with Logan.

Gwyneth found a spot away from the group, nocked her arrow and released. She caught one man square in the chest. A big ugly one took her arrow between the eyes, falling off his horse in a matter of seconds. Logan took on the next one, stabbing him in the leg, then catching his sword arm and pulling him off his horse. Two Grant men ran through one warrior each. Only five were left, and one took off without a backward glance, choosing to flee instead of face death.

Gwyneth shot one of the men in the belly, while Logan speared another in the side of his chest. The last two were taken down by the Grant fighters. Logan headed off after Micheil.

Gwyneth glanced at the lassies, who were still behind the huge rock in front of a copse of trees. Molly peeked out and left the cover of the rock once she saw things had quieted. Maggie followed, Sorcha happy in her arms.

Emerging from the trees at a full gallop, one of Gow’s men headed straight for the girls. Gwyneth screamed, but she forced herself to steady her hands enough to nock an arrow and release it. She missed the lout. Her heart sat in her throat as she watched him reach down and pluck Sorcha out of Maggie’s arms, holding her in front of him so Gwyneth couldn’t fire another arrow at him.

He headed toward Gwyneth before rotating back around, Sorcha screaming in his lap. He chuckled and headed back toward the group of trees, the same direction from which he had come. Gwyneth, sick with fear over her bairn being kidnapped, set herself to fire another arrow. A fear like she had never felt before gripped her, but she pulled another arrow from her quiver and nocked it. She noticed Logan was returning from the other direction, but he was still too far away to use his sword.

The brute was still within range, thankfully, and she waited until he gave her the square of his back before she released, hitting him on the left side near his kidney. Her next arrow struck him on the other side of his back and he froze. Lifting the bairn off his lap, he held her by her arm so that she dangled off the side of the horse, her legs flailing.

Gwyneth held her breath and spurred her horse, all the while haunted by visions of the fool dropping Sorcha onto the ground before falling on top of her, crushing her. Logan charged in the same direction.

What neither of them had expected to see was a wee fairy with a mass of dark curls charge out from behind the rock like a bolt of lightning just as the warrior was about to pass her. She reached up to tug Sorcha out of his weakening grasp just before the fool fell off his horse.

Logan, who was closer, yelled, “Wife, she’s fine.” Sorcha’s screams changed to laughter as soon as Molly righted the bairn in her arms.

With a sigh of relief, Gwyneth headed toward the girls.

“Sorry, we’re so sorry.” Molly’s breath hitched over and over as she glanced from Logan to Gwyneth.

Logan reached down and picked up Sorcha, placing her back in her sling after he kissed her into a fit of giggles. “She’s fine, wife, no wounds.”

Molly stood crying between the two horses, clutching at Maggie. Gwyneth jumped off her horse and moved toward the sisters. “Well done, lassies. ‘Tis naught for you to apologize. You saved our bairn, and you have our thanks.”

Molly finally let go of her sister and ran into Gwyneth’s arms, burying her face in her tunic.

“You ran like a deer, my sweet. We are grateful for your quick thinking.” Maggie ran over and grabbed Gwyneth’s leg. She kissed both of their heads and held them close. “Now I can relax. I have my three daughters back safe.”

***

Micheil made death quick for the two fools who sat between his sword and his wife. As soon as he cut them down, he spurred his horse into greater speed, leaving the other two for the Grants and his brother. Why had he relented? He should never have allowed her to ride alone.

The bastard took a different route through the trees, and Micheil held out his arm to prevent the branches from taking one of his eyes out. Daylight was near gone, and he did not know the area, but he could hear the fool ahead of him. He thought Diana had her dagger in the folds of her skirt, so he wondered why she hadn’t used it yet. The fool must have her completely pinned and unable to move.

“Diana, keep talking and yelling so I know where you are. I’m right behind you.”

Diana’s bellows echoed in the trees, and he couldn’t help but smile at her gusto. His wife was one strong woman, and she wouldn’t let Baron Gow’s men get the best of her. He prodded his horse until they broke free of the forest, and he realized he had gained ground on his adversary. Another short distance and he would try to leap far enough to knock the lout off his horse.

Diana was a strong enough horsewoman to right the horse once he set her free. He would pummel the brute until his last breath for daring to touch his wife.

Fired with enough fury, he managed to gain even more ground. Soon he was almost riding alongside Diana and the man. A couple more feet and he would have him. As soon as he could, he leapt sideways, catching the lout with all his weight, sending them both tumbling to the ground. His fist flew into the fool’s face first, followed by another uppercut to his jaw. Images of the man’s hands on Diana fueled his ire even more. He grabbed his dagger and planted it in the guard’s neck, only then noticing that another dagger jutted from his belly.

Well done, wife.
It had not killed him, but it had slowed him enough for Micheil to catch up to him. As soon as he was able, he pulled himself off the dying man, only to feel the vibration of a herd of horses headed in their direction. His wife had slowed the horse she was riding and righted herself. Headed in his direction, she turned her head to see the massive number of warriors riding toward them.

Micheil yelled, “Diana. Come here. Do not stop for anything.” His horse seemed discomfited by the approaching force, but he came to him when summoned with a whistle. Diana was riding fast toward him, close enough for him to see the panic in her face.

The Grant warrior whoop echoed across the meadow, and Micheil breathed a sigh of relief as he helped his wife down from the horse and wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her hair. Her posture sat rigid in his arms until he said, “‘Tis the Grants. Do not worry.”

She melted into his arms and whispered his name. “I was so frightened. I will ride with you forever. No more strange men. Please.” Her breathing still ragged from the stress of the kidnapping, she clung to him.

“You’re not hurt? No wounds?” His gaze searched her face for anything, running his hands over her body to make sure there was no reason for concern.

“Aye, I am fine. Micheil.” She buried her face in his chest. “No more, please. I wish to go home to my sire and my clan. No Baines, no Gow. When will it stop? And what of the weans? We have to check on them. They may need your assistance.”

“Logan and Gwyneth had six guards with them. Alex will be here in a moment.” He held her, not yet willing to let her go.

Alex Grant pulled away from the herd and found his way over to them. “Are there others?”

“Aye.” Micheil pointed. “Send a few back to assist Logan, though I hope he is not in need of assistance by now.”

Alex nodded, splitting his warriors up. “Congratulations are in order. ‘Tis true? Another Ramsay has married into the Grant family?”

Without releasing her from his arms, Micheil swung her around until she faced Alex. “Aye. We married at Edinburgh Castle with the king’s blessing. Did you not receive his missive?”

“Aye, we did, but Baron Gow burned his without reading it, claiming the seal was broken. As soon as he heard you were in Edinburgh, he dispatched a group of his men to bring Diana home. That done, he left for Drummond Castle, a priest by his side. He hopes to annul your marriage and claim you as wife as soon as you arrive home.”

“And my sire?” Her gaze was hopeful enough to break Micheil’s heart. How he wished he would have the opportunity to meet the Drummond Chieftain.

Alex shook his head. “He is still alive, cousin, but he does not speak. He is close to death, and I fear Baron Gow will encourage it if given the chance. I left Robbie and a few others as his guard in hopes we could find the two of you and return you to his side before he passes. Baron Gow will not make this easy. Though with all of us there, he will not be able to refute the missive as he attempted to do when we left.”

Diana nodded and leaned into her husband. “Please take me to my father.”

Micheil kissed her cheek. “Of course. We will leave as soon as we have ensured Logan and the lassies are safe. Alex, will you spare a few more men to accompany us to Drummond land? Your warriors have been indispensible. Logan and Gwyneth joined us in Edinburgh, but now he needs to get his new family home. He is traveling with many lassies, and I want to ensure they are safe.”

Alex quirked a brow. “Aye, my guards go with me to Diana’s sire, but I am happy to send some as protection for Logan’s family. I have enough to guard both. New family?”

“He and Gwyneth adopted two lassies along with their new bairn, Sorcha.”

Micheil helped his wife mount, then climbed behind her, eager to check on his brother now that Diana was safe.

“We need to see how they fare. They had to battle a few of Gow’s men on their own.”

They found their family settled in a clearing, cooking rabbits that Gwyneth and the guards had caught. All were safe, much to Diana’s relief. The large group of guards and little lassies sat around the fire while the men cooked the meat.

Molly and Maggie both hid behind Logan as soon as they saw Laird Alexander Grant stroll into the clearing. His voice bellowed his greetings. Once both sides shared their stories, a plan was agreed upon for the morrow—one group would break off to Lothian and the Ramsay keep by midday while the rest headed to Drummond land.

Diana had not left her husband’s side. She huddled next to him on a tree stump, so thankful to be with him after yet another brush with danger.

As soon as they finished eating, Alex strolled over to Gwyneth, who was holding Sorcha on her hip, and said, “May I, my lady? I miss my own wee lassie.”

Molly and Maggie peeked out from behind Logan at the tall Highlander as he picked Sorcha up and settled her in his arms so she could face out and look at everyone. He sat on the ground and set her down on his lap, wrapping his plaid around her as she watched all the antics of the crowd.

Finally able to sneak away, Molly and Maggie ran off to the opposite side of the clearing and clung to each other, whispering in frantic tones. She wondered what they were about, but felt it was not her place to ask.

Some fell asleep on their plaids, but Molly and Maggie still held each other, their faces agonized. No matter what Gwyneth said to comfort them and convince them that they were not in trouble, that she was proud of them for acting so quickly to save Sorcha from the bad man who had threatened her, it did not seem to work.

Finally, Molly stood and marched off into the trees, leaving behind a sobbing Maggie. A few minutes later, Molly returned with a branch in her hand. She strode over to Logan and Gwyneth with a purposeful expression, then halted in front of Logan, her eyes cast downward.

Logan gave Gwyneth a puzzled look. The entire area quieted as their curiosity about what wee Molly had to say got to them all. The agonized look on the girl’s face broke Diana’s heart.

Diana reached over and squeezed Micheil’s hand as they watched the wee lass.

Logan spoke first. “Molly, what is it? Why do you carry a branch?”

Molly’s face, never more serious, scrunched together as her wavering chin lifted a bit. She held the branch out in front of her. “Here is the switch. I wish to take my sister’s punishment now if I may.”

Logan, a shocked expression on his face, uttered, “What?”

Molly stared at the ground. “I know we are to wait until morning for our beating, but I wish to have Maggie’s now so she will not cry all night in waiting.”

Logan turned to Gwyneth. “I know not what to say.”

“Please, may we do it quickly?” Molly asked, her hand trembling as she held out the branch.

Logan took the branch from Molly and said, “Lass, I told you before, I do not beat people smaller than me, especially not lassies.”

Molly glanced at him, her eyes bright with hope.

Gwyneth held her hand out to Maggie, who was now sobbing loud enough for all to hear. The wee lassie rushed over to her and allowed her to pull her close. Rubbing a gentle hand over her shoulders, Gwyneth turned to look at Molly while she consoled Maggie. “You saved wee Sorcha. Why would you think we would beat you?”

“Because I was holding Sorcha when he took her.” Maggie sobbed. “I was not holding her tight enough, or he would not have been able to grab her. It is all my fault, not Molly’s. But I don’t like the switch.” She tipped her head back and wailed. “It hurts when I get hit. I’m sorry. I did not mean to let go of her. Please don’t send us back. You can hit us both.”

Logan pulled Molly into a hug while Gwyneth comforted Maggie.

“Shush,” Logan said. “I will not use the switch on either of you.” He took the tree branch and broke it over his knee, throwing it over his shoulder. “There,’tis gone. Now cease your crying. I cannot tolerate lassies crying.”

Maggie gazed up at him. “Truly? You will not hit either of us?”

“Nay, lass. Did you not hear me tell the king I would not beat you?”

Molly whispered, “But Lady Raines told my sire they would not hit us, and they used a switch on us all the time, and they made us wait until morning.”

“No beatings. Ever,” Gwyneth said. “Now cease crying and play with your sister. She’s getting upset over there on Laird Grant’s lap listening to you two cry.”

They all looked at Sorcha’s contorted face and broke into peals of laughter, Sorcha joining them once she sensed the change in everyone’s mood.

Logan crouched down until he was level with Molly. “You had a choice. You could have stayed behind that rock and protected Maggie, your own sister, or you could have run out, putting yourself and Maggie in danger to try and save Sorcha. Which did you choose to do?”

Molly hung her head, but not before they noticed the smile on her face. “I wanted to save Sorcha from that mean man.”

Reaching over, Logan smoothed her wild dark curls. “And you saved our daughter’s life. I will never beat you or your sister. We don’t beat our daughters, and you and Maggie are now as much our daughters as Sorcha. I promise.”

Molly and Maggie grinned at each other, gave their new parents big hugs, and ran over to play with Sorcha.

When they scampered over to pick up Sorcha, Alex Grant told them, “And if anyone else tries to beat you, you let me know. I’ll take care of them.” Alex’s expression was the most serious Diana had ever seen on him. “Do you hear me, lassies?”

The two looked at him and nodded, breaking into giggles.

Diana leaned over to her husband. “What a soft-hearted man Alex is, though you would never guess it to look at him.”

“‘Tis true. You should see him with his own daughter.”

“I have. He is so wonderful with his bairns.” She smiled.

Micheil stood and held his hand out to his wife. “Come, we have a long day ahead of us. ‘Tis time to rest.”

Diana followed her husband behind a tree, where he had found a soft, grassy spot for them to sleep. They arranged their furs and settled onto the ground, and he wrapped his arms around her.

“Husband, I know what you like to do, but there are too many nearby tonight.” She glanced at him, an anxious set to her eyes.

“Diana, tonight I wish to just thank the Lord for our good fortune and hold you tight. May I do that?”

“‘Tis naught I would rather do.” She tucked her head under his chin and fell asleep in a manner of seconds.

***

It was just after dark when they arrived on the Drummond lands. Alex and Micheil ensured Grant warriors protected Diana on all sides. Baron Gow had proven over and over again what a stubborn old fool he was. Diana’s heart pounded in her chest as they neared the portcullis. She prayed to God that her dear papa was still alive. Though she knew he wouldn’t be well, she at least wanted him to meet Micheil. She wanted her sire to know she was happy and to be proud of her chosen husband. It would mean so much to her if he blessed their union.

Or was she too late?

The guards at the gate were the baron’s, not her father’s. This did not bode well for the status of her castle.

“Micheil, do you think he has overtaken all my father’s men?”

“I hope he has ordered them at the portcullis to advise him of your arrival, and we’ll see your guards elsewhere.”

“Do you still possess the missive from the king? I fear I will be yanked from your arms in short order.” She glanced over her shoulder at him, then at Alex Grant seated on his destrier to her left, the largest sword she had ever seen strapped within his grasp.

Micheil whispered in her ear. “Sweeting, he will need to strike me dead to tear you from my arms.”

“Micheil, I love you.”

“I love you, too. I will not give you up.” He wrapped his hand around her to calm her trembling. Knowing Baron Gow, she was certain this would be a trial. He was not about to give up her or the Drummond land. Clearly, he was already attempting to stake his claim.

Unfamiliar stable lads rushed over to take their horses. At the last moment, her favorite stable boy ran up to her and whispered in her ear. “My lady, he lives. Do not believe him. He is not well…”

An arm reached out and yanked the lad away from her. A burly man she had never seen before cuffed him, and he ran off a distance, stopping to give her a nod. “Be off with you, you scum. Do as you are bid.”

“Do not hurt him. He is my stable lad. Fergus?” She reached for him but the man stepped in the way.

“He is no longer your stable lad,” the man sneered with contempt. “He will do as I direct him, or he will find himself out of a home
and
a job.” He reached for Diana, but Micheil’s sword stopped him.

“Do not touch her if you wish to keep your hand,” Micheil said.

The man snarled and stalked off, muttering to himself as he went.

“Grant, this is not going to be easy, is it?” Micheil glanced at his friend.

“Nay,” Alex said, but a smirk danced across his face. “I think we will quite enjoy ourselves. Naught would please me more than to put Baron Gow in his place. I have the king’s missive giving you and Diana rights to the castle. Gow doesn’t hold any rights at all. We’ll see how foolish a man he is since to continue this pursuit of Diana will mean going against the king’s edict. If so, we will just have to remove him in the name of King Alexander.”

“But do we have enough warriors?”

“I have around fifty, and I sent for two hundred more the moment I received the king’s missive. They’ll get here in at most a day or two. I think we can handle Gow’s paltry guard without them, but I was eager to guarantee my cousin and her husband get all that is theirs, not to mention that Gow will get his just due.” Alex smiled and winked at Micheil. “Trust me, we will enjoy this one.”

Diana stared at her cousin in awe as he sat on his now prancing destrier. She sensed he would not give up his horse until the last possible moment, reminding them all who was in charge.

“Remember, Gow does not treat his men well. They will be quick to run.” Alex finally dismounted and patted his mount to calm him.

Diana watched as the huge Highlander took an apple from his sporran and fed it to his fine horse. “Aye, Maddie sent you your sweets. Now behave, Midnight.” The horse nuzzled Alex’s hand before chewing on his apple. He glanced at Diana. “Maddie spoils my horse, always promising him treats if he brings me home safely. I try to explain to her that the horse doesn’t comprehend a word she says, but she does not believe me. ‘Tis easier to humor her.” He patted Midnight’s muzzle one more time before handing him over to Fergus. “My wife thinks Midnight has magical powers.”

He held his arm out for her and she grasped his elbow, holding Micheil’s arm on the other side. “Shall we, cousin?”

They strode across the courtyard and up the steps to the great hall. Alex stepped inside the first, his sword drawn. As soon as ten warriors had filtered into the room, he allowed in Diana and Micheil. Then they turned to face Baron Gow, who was standing on the dais with his arms crossed, silently watching them, two guards on each side of him.

Micheil whispered, “Do you see any of your guards?”

She shook her head. “Nay. What has he done to them?”

“Unhand my betrothed, Ramsay,” Gow bellowed.

Micheil and Alex moved in front of the dais, surrounding by Grant warriors. Micheil addressed him. “She is my wife, Gow. I’m sure you have received the king’s missive by now declaring Diana as my wife, relieving you of your obligation.”

Diana was anxious to hear if he would deny receiving the missive.

“I have received a missive with a broken seal and burned it since it was false. The Drummond is dead, and he blessed this union. No one can put our marriage asunder. The king was set to arrive for the ceremony, but we will marry first.”

“Papa?” Diana’s legs buckled at the words she most feared.