Highlander's Rebellious Love (3 page)

“I cannot let you harm one of my clansmen, though useless as they may be,” Hunter said and yanked her hand away from Dunn’s neck.

Patience glared at him. “Let go of me.”

“You promise to be nice?” Hunter said with a grin that warned and titillated at the same time.

“I promise that if you do not release me, you will be sorry,” Patience threatened.

Hunter lowered his head so that his nose almost touched hers. “And I promise you that when I have hold of a beautiful woman, I am never sorry... and either is she.”

He released her so quickly that she stumbled.

Hunter turned to Dunn. “Do as she told you. Douse the fires and clean your mess, then start walking. Let Greer know to prepare for an important guest tomorrow.”

Hunter turned back to Patience after Dunn angrily nodded and walked off grumbling. His blue eyes seemed to capture her in a soft caress and for a mere moment she felt a flutter in her stomach.

Annoyed at herself for letting a rogue like him affect her, she said, “This is Macinnes land and you McLauds will do well to remember it.”

“My brother seems to think differently, though I daresay there is an easy solution to the problem.”

“And what might that be?”

“Marry me and unite the clans.”

Chapter Three

Patience stared at Hunter in disbelief. He was insane. He had to be to suggest that she wed him. “I would keep better control of that tongue of yours and stop speaking nonsense.”

His eyes heated to a fiery blue. “Trust me, Patience, I have absolute control over my tongue and there are many who would attest to that.”

“Women no doubt.”

“Jealous?” Hunter whispered.

Patience took a step back, her imagination suddenly wondering exactly what his wicked tongue could do. “You are insane.”

Hunter took a step closer, his expression turning serious. He kept his voice low when he said, “What I propose is far from insane and after you meet my family you may very well realize that and think again about my proposal.”

Patience gave him a quick jab in the chest. “Let me be clear about this, Hunter McLaud. There is no way in heaven or hell that I would ever wed you.”

“Careful,” he said with a smug grin, “you may wind up having to eat those words.”

“I would starve first.”

“You would not last long. You are too skinny.”

Her green eyes blazed with fury. “Go along with your men, McLaud, with your tail tucked between your legs and tell your brother I will be settling this matter tomorrow with him.”

A low rumble of laughter echoed deep from his chest. “Oh,
mo chridhe
, you got the length of what is tucked between my legs right, and if you are lucky I may just show you how proficient I am with it.” He walked off, his laughter growing louder.

Patience had all she could do to stop from going after him and leaving a mark on him he would never forget. How dare he speak so rudely to her and how dare he call her
my love
. She was not his love and never would be.

She was glad when she finally watched the motley group leave the area, Hunter having ridden off before they had finished with their task. She wondered what he would tell his brothers. From his remark about his family, she surmised that perhaps he did not get along well with them. But then she could see why. His family probably had no use for his cavorting ways.

When the McLaud men could no longer be seen, she took her leave, a few of her men lagging behind to make certain no one followed them.

Patience wondered why McFarden made no mention of stopping at Lyall’s cottage on their return, but realized why when they passed the place. Hunter’s horse was in the lean-to, appearing as if it had been bedded down for the remainder of day. She had assumed Hunter would rush home to warn his family of her impending visit, evidently McFarden knew better.

Of what she saw today of the McLauds, they would prove little trouble, though she would still use caution. She never took any enemy for granted, for it could prove a fatal move.

When they arrived back at the McFarden village, her warriors were quick to let her know that they intended to hunt for their supper and prepare it themselves. She called them all cowards and they laughed, knowing she wished that she could join them. But it would be an insult not to join Craig McFarden for supper, though she made the men promise to save her some of their food.

Patience walked through the small village, thinking of how Emma would be appalled by it. The thought of her sister had her missing her home and feeling guilty that she was here dealing with this mess while she should be searching for Heather. She missed her sisters terribly. They had been inseparable and going so long without seeing either of them left her feeling terribly lonely. There was no one to share, or more importantly, to trust with her concerns. The three of them had always shared their worries with each other, and it had made all concerns less worrisome.

She had been relentless in her pursuit of Heather and had followed so closely behind her abductors that she had thought for sure she would have caught up with them. But Heather’s abductors had been talented in eluding Patience, splitting in two different directions, misdirecting tracks, and more. Their one failure had been not to realize the strength of her resolve. There had been no way she would stop searching for her sister. She had remained dogged on their trail until the trail had suddenly disappeared. What she learned after that had upset her badly and only turned her more determined.

Patience still could not believe that the Dark Dragon had been responsible for abducting Heather. She could not understand what he wanted from her or perhaps she did not want to admit what he wanted from her.

She kicked at a small stone in the dirt as she kept walking. She did not know how she was going to do it. She only knew that nothing, and no one, would stop her from rescuing Heather from the Dark Dragon’s lair. And she knew there was one person she could count on to help her... her sister Emma. Together they would get their sister Heather back. And God help the dark Dragon if he had hurt her.

“My lady.”

Patience stopped and turned so abruptly that the soft-spoken woman who had annoyed her by referring to her as my lady, took a quick step back. “Patience. Please call me Patience.”

The rail-thin woman with pure white, plaited hair nodded. “Forgive me for not being here to greet you earlier, Patience. I am Edna, Craig’s wife, and I wish to welcome you to our meager home.”

Guilt fell heavily on Patience’s shoulder for having been snappish with the woman. She looked as worn as Craig and Patience reminded herself that these people were part of the Clan Macinnes and she owed them the respect they showed her.

“Thank you, Edna, I am pleased to be here to help.”

Edna sighed. “We can use all the help you can give us. My husband is a proud man and proud to be part of the Clan Macinnes.”

“Too proud,” Patience asked, “to let my father know that you need more help here than just this skirmish with the McLauds?”

Edna smiled and Patience could see the beautiful woman she had once been.

“Edna, hurry and see that all is ready for the meal. Our guest must be starving,” McFarden called out as he approached.

Edna leaned in close to Patience and whispered, “He worries what I will say to you, for he knows I do not mind my tongue like I should.”

“Then we share something in common,” Patience said with a smile.

“What are you two whispering about?” McFarden asked anxiously when he reached them.

“Women stuff,” Patience said, which was what she and her sisters would say to their father when he caught them whispering.

“Well, it can wait,” McFarden said and turned to his wife. “Is our cottage ready for Patience?”

Patience spoke up. “I will sleep where my men camp.”

McFarden went to protest.

Patience raised her hand. “Please take no offense to my sleeping arrangements. It is a rule that is strictly followed when on a mission.”

“Then come and at least let us give you a fine meal and good drink before you retire for the night,” McFarden said.

Patience smiled and walked with the couple to the longhouse.

~~~

Patience woke before dawn and impatiently waited for the sun to rise. She had not slept well. She did not know if it had been the tasteless food that had not settled well in her stomach or her concern for this small village. The people were kind and generous and in need of help in more ways than just this problem with the McLauds. She intended to speak with her father on her return home to see what could be done.

When she had returned to camp last night, her warriors had complained bitterly about the poor conditions of the McLaud horses they had brought along with them. Her warriors had insisted that the horses not be returned to them, at least until their conditions improved. As much as Patience agreed with them, keeping their horses could start a much bigger problem for all concerned.

Patience stretched the soreness out of her lean body before getting to her feet and watching the sun rise. Her warriors had been stirring and were quick to get to their feet and see this task done.

McFarden came to collect her for breakfast, but her stomach had finally felt better and she did not want to chance upsetting it with another poorly cooked meal. She thanked him and explained she was not hungry, but eager to get to the McLauds.

They reached the McLaud keep by mid-morning. The village preceding the keep was a slovenly place. The odor permeating the air around it wrinkled the nose and stung the eyes, though she had seen and smelled worse, which always made her more grateful for the home she had.

When they got closer to the keep, Patience noticed one small cottage that sat off from the others and looked far different. It was neat and well-cared for, with a small garden on the side. She wondered who occupied the place.

McLaud warriors began to gather near the steps of the keep, fanning out on both sides of the unimpressive structure. If they thought to intimidate, they were fools. They had situated themselves badly, for her warriors would easily be able to take them down quickly with a flow of arrows.

The tall narrow doors to the keep opened as Patience brought her horse to a halt, her men spreading out behind her and McFarden at her side. A big man, thick all over and with features that did not attract much attention stepped out along with a thick-boned, attractive woman. At least, she would have been attractive if she did not wear such a deep scowl. Another man appeared, stepping to the big man’s left. He was a bit shorter, with more defined features and whereas the big man’s dark hair fell in scraggily strands to his shoulders, this man’s light brown hair was cropped short. A woman followed him out to stand at his side. She was short in comparison to the others and had plain features, though beautiful, long blond hair. She kept her head bowed and her shoulders were slumped as if she carried to much weight upon them.

Patience was not surprised that Hunter made no appearance, though she had noticed that his horse had not been at Lyall’s when they had passed by her cottage. She remained on her horse, waiting to be greeted properly.

The big man stepped forward. “Did you bring my horses?”

Patient glared at him, but spoke not a word. She assumed he was Greer, the new laird of the Clan McLaud and oldest brother.

“Are you deaf, woman? Answer me,” the man shouted.

Patience kept a steady glare on him.

The man walked down the steps, his face contorted in anger and approached Patience, stopping beside her horse. “Are you too fearful to speak to me?”

Patience looked down at the red-cheeked man. “Not now since you are where you belong, looking up at me.” She did not think his face could grow any redder, but it did.

“I am Greer McLaud, laird of the Clan McLaud. How dare you insult me!”

“I am Patience Macinnes, daughter of Donald Macinnes, laird of the Clan Macinnes, and how dare you encroach on Macinnes land.”

“Macinnes sent his daughter to tend to this dispute?” Greer threw back his head and laughed.

Patience smiled. “Need I remind you that it was a woman who bested your men and sent them back to you without their horses?” That wiped the grin off Greer’s face, though Patience retained her smile.

“You caught them unaware,” Greer accused.

“You admit that your own warriors were caught unaware?” This time Patience laughed. “That does not say much for your leadership.” Before Greer could continue arguing, Patience held up her hand. “I did not come here to discuss your warriors’ lack of skills and laziness. I am here to settle this dispute.”

“Then come inside and let us get this done,” Greer said and turned to walk away from her, then stopped and turned back. “Your warriors wait outside.”

“As do yours,” she said.

His dark eyes narrowed and he looked ready to bark orders at her, when he stopped and said, “They will be keeping an eye on your warriors.”

“Then they better have eyes in the back of their heads,” Patience warned and Greer’s nostrils flared.

McFarden went with Patience into the keep, reminding her in a whisper that she should not trust Greer that he was not a man of his word. She did not need the reminder. She remembered well what McFarden had told her about him.

She and McFarden both wrinkled their noses at the disturbing odor upon entering the Great Hall. With one glance Patience could tell the stench came from the rushes that looked as if they had not been cleaned out in not just days but weeks. Emma would be appalled and would refuse to remain here, but Patience wanted to see this done quickly so that she could return home and at least get to be reunited with her one sister.

Patience, however, was annoyed that Greer along with the other man and two women went to the small dais and took seats there and left her and McFarden to stand in front of it. No seat was offered to them nor drink or food.

“Have your say,” Greer ordered.

Patience could tell from the man’s tone and demeanor that he would be stubborn about laying claim to the land. From what she could see for herself, the McLauds did not have a large contingent of warriors. It did not seem likely that he had intentions of going to war over this... unless. Could the McLauds have joined forces with another clan or two? If that was so, then it could prove a bloody and harsh outcome for all concerned.