Highlander's Rebellious Love (35 page)

Patience nodded. “That we can.”

“One other thing,” Ross said, “I do not lack confidence with the lassies. It is that I show no interest in the lassies Noble tries to force on me that leaves him believing his own foolish words.”

Patience laughed. “Come, I will introduce you to Saundra and let her know that you will look after her as long as necessary.”

Hunter caught up with them, his arm catching his wife around her waist. “What did you do to Noble? He tells his father that you have turned Ross a trader.”

“He is upset because he has come to realize that his little brother is not his little brother any longer, but a grown man,” Patience said.

Ross stopped for a moment, his eyes wide, then hurried along with them. “I never thought of that.”

“I am guilty of the same myself,” she admitted.

“You are?” Hunter and Ross said in unison.

“I am,” Patience repeated. “I was overly protective of Emma, my youngest sister, and when I found out she married, I was furious. I feared she was stuck in a forced marriage. My father told me she was very happy and loved her husband, but at first I did not believe him. It took me a while to realize that it was not my father I did not believe, for Emma would never lie to him about a thing as important as her marriage. It was the fact that I had lost my little sister. She was a married woman now with a loving husband and a babe on the way. I will miss her greatly, for she has been, and will continue to be, my loving sister.” She sighed. “Life changes whether we want it to or not.”

Hunter hugged her close. “You have me now.”

“Not the same as a sister,” —she grinned—“though there are some advantages.” Patience eased out of his arm to walk ahead and speak with Saundra.

“You are a lucky man, Hunter,” Ross said with envy. “She is a fine woman.”

“Aye, I am and one day you will meet a fine woman as well.”

The two men joined Patience and she turned to Ross. “Ross, I would like to introduce you to Saundra McLaud.”

“It is a pleasure,” Ross said with a bow of his head.

“It is kind of you to take on the unfortunate task of protecting me,” Saundra said.

Ross stepped forward, closer to Saundra. “It is not unfortunate and not a task, but an honor to help such a lovely lady in distress.”

Patience stepped back, tugging her husband along with her. When they were a few feet away, she said, “He charms a woman almost as skillfully as you do.”

“I always knew I liked Ross the best,” Hunter said with a laugh. “Now I know why.”

~~~

Anticipation grew as the day wore on and they got closer and closer to home. Patience could not wait and it was not only because she would have her husband alone to her in her bedchamber, but also because she missed home and her clan.

She was surprised that they had not come upon warriors from the MacTavish clan or that they had not met up with Macinnes warriors, but time had been limited.

By late afternoon the village and keep came into sight and relief and joy spread throughout the group. Their pace was quickened without an order from Patience.

Patience felt her heart swell as soon as she passed through the gates.

“Finally home,” Hunter said, seeing her face light with joy.

She stretched her hand out to him and he grabbed it. “All is well now.”

Hunter nodded, though did not feel as confident as she was. Greer had not gotten the chance to successfully attack them, but he was not finished with them yet.

Chapter Thirty-two

It was the usual chaotic scene when warriors returned home after a long absence. Loved ones rushed to greet the warriors and tears of joy that all returned safely flowed freely.

Patience had duties to see to before she went to see her father. While she was looking forward to seeing him, she also had the task of introducing her new husband to him, and she was not sure how he would react to that, especially since she had married Hunter out of duty to her clan, something she had been adamant about not doing. She had told her father repeatedly that she would wed who and when she wanted to.

She instructed servants to prepare rooms for the guest and more permanent quarters for Saundra and to let them know that Beast was welcome in the keep at all times. But first and foremost, a good, tasty meal needed preparing since most would come to the Great Hall to celebrate the warriors’ return.

After orders were given and guests settled, Patience found her husband sitting at the table by the large hearth in the Great Hall with Ewan and his sons.

“It is time for you to meet my da,” she said.

“A good man,” Ewan said, raising his tankard of ale and his sons joining in the salute.

Hunter raised his as well, took a swallow, and stood. “Then it is best we do not keep him waiting.” He went to his wife’s side and, with hands clasped, they left the room.

“I am not sure how my father is fairing, so—”

“We will take it slow,” Hunter said and knocked on the door they had stopped at.

Maura opened the door and greeted them with a smile. Patience quickly introduced her to Hunter, then asked, “How is my da feeling?”

“He is feeling well and has been eager to see you since learning of your arrival,” Maura said and stepped aside for them to enter.

“Finally,” her father called out from a chair by the hearth and stretched his arms out to her.

She hurried over to him and threw her arms around his neck and was so happy when he hugged her tight. It meant his strength was returning and it also reminded her of when she was young and how tight he used to hug her and make her feel so safe and protected. And it was wonderful to feel like that little lass again, if only for a moment, and have all her troubles melt away.

A tear tickled at the corner of her one eye, but she refused to let it fall. She reluctantly left his arms and stood tall, her shoulders drawn back. “Da, there is someone I want you to meet.” She held her hand out to Hunter.

He stepped forward, taking his wife’s hand and gripping it firmly.

“Da, this is Hunter McLaud—”

“Kevin McLaud’s youngest son,” her father said his brow knitting slowly as he looked to his daughter.

“And my husband,” she said.

Her father looked back and forth from her to Hunter. “What has happened to bring this marriage about?”

“Possible war with the Clan McLaud,” Patience said.

Her father looked to Hunter. “Please leave us while I speak with my daughter.”

Hunter was about to do as he asked when Patience said, “Hunter is a good husband and an honorable man, and surprisingly I have fallen in love with him. So whatever is to be said, will be said with him by my side.”

Hunter was shocked speechless. His wife loved him even more than he imagined she did. He quickly found his voice and said, “It is the same for me, sir. Your daughter stole my heart and I love her more than words could say, and I would give my life to keep her safe.”

Patience turned to him. “Did I not tell you I would protect you? I do not need you giving your life for me—as gallant as the gesture is—I am more than capable of taking care of myself and further more—”

Hunter grabbed her around the waist and swung her around in front of him to kiss her soundly. He was pleased when he heard her father chuckle.

Patience was not as amused, though his kiss had aroused her. “That is not proper—”

“Proper or not,” Hunter said interrupting her, “I wanted to show your father that I could silence you when necessary.”

She was about to explode at him when his teasing grin surfaced. She smiled herself and stepped to his side, his arm remaining around the back of her waist. “As you can see, Da, he makes not only a good husband, but a wise one.”

Her father laughed. “He does at that and I am pleased you are happy with him.” He extended his hand to Hunter. “And I am pleased to welcome you to the clan and call you son.”

Hunter took the man’s hand and was surprised by the strength of it as they shook. With her father having been so ill, Hunter had not expected him to be so strong. “Thank you, sir.”

“Donald,” her father offered and Hunter nodded.

“There are important matters we need to discuss, Da,” Patience said.

“Can they not wait until you have eaten and rested?” her father asked.

“I am afraid not,” Patience said. “One matter concerns Heather.”

Her father’s hand went to his chest. “Do not tell me—”

“No, Da, it is not what you think,” Patience assured him quickly. “The news is good. We believe Heather has escaped the Dark Dragon and hopefully she is making her way home.”

“What?” he said, bolting out of his chair.

Patience stepped back, forgetting what an impressive size her father once was and still was.

“Are you telling me that Heather is out there all on her own?” he shouted.

“I believe she is, though I cannot be sure,” Patience said, staring at her father and seeing the strong, imposing man she remembered he once was, then suddenly he faded before her eyes, his face growing pale and his body slumping.

Hunter got to him before he could collapse and helped him to sit in his chair.

Her father shook his head. “Heather will never survive on her own.”

That had been Patience’s fear and while she still feared for her sister’s safety, Hunter had made her see that Heather possessed the same unwavering strength as Patience and Emma.

“I am confident that Heather can survive on her own,” Patience said, “though I intend to search for her after a day’s rest.”

“You are not going anywhere,” her father ordered sharply.

She was startled by his adamant response.

“You have much to tell me. Why you wed Hunter? Why a guest has been given permanent quarters in the keep along with her dog? Why Hunter’s mother is also here? And why Ewan McCuil and his two sons are with you.”

Patience was not surprised that her father knew all that was going on in the keep since her return. His eyes and ears had always been everywhere and that had not changed.

She went to speak, but her father silenced her with a raised hand. “I have not the strength or desire to speak any longer. I would worry, but I would have no doubt that you or Emma would survive if either of you were out there on your own. But my heart is heavy with concern for Heather. Now leave me to rest. We will speak in the morning.”

Patience felt as if she had disappointed her father, but then she had disappointed herself by not finding her sister. It was her fault that Heather was out there somewhere on her own, confronting danger with no one to help her. At the moment, there was not much she could do to make it up to her father, but she did feel the need to ask, “Is there anything I can do for you, Da?”

Her father shook his head. “Maura will see to my care.”

His response stung Patience’s heart, for she would have done anything for him. “I will see you in the morning.”

Hunter took his wife’s hand and walked with her to the door.

“Patience,” her father called out and she turned eagerly. “Make certain you see to the care of our warriors and make certain to offer a salute to their service while I speak with Hunter privately for a moment.” He scowled when she looked about to speak. “Do not argue with me on this.”

Patience’s green eyes blazed with fury and she left the room, slamming the door shut behind her.

Hunter went over to her father.

“Make certain that she does not leave here tonight and begin searching for her sister.”

“I would never let her put herself in such danger,” Hunter said.

“Good.”

“I would go with her if she chose to go.” Hunter held up his hand to ward off any response. “Patience has sacrificed much for you and her clan, so heed me well, sir, when I say not now or ever will you again speak to my wife as if she was a child. She is a strong warrior deserving of your respect. Now I will take my leave and join my wife who should be the one deserving of the recognition you expect her to give your warriors, though it was not necessary to tell her so, she would have honored them with a toast anyway.”

Hunter turned and left her father staring after him.

Hunter fought back the fury stirring inside him. How dare her father speak to his wife that way, if the man had not been so ill he would have called him to task for it. He made his way downstairs and into the Great Hall, entering just as Patience finished her speech to the packed room and raised her tankard high.

Cheers rang out, and then she ordered everyone to enjoy the delicious food they had sorely missed while away. Not a one of them hesitated, they dug into the numerous platters with gusto.

Patience walked over to her husband as soon as she caught his eye, wrapped her arm around his and walked with him to the dais. Once they were seated, their tankards filled, she turned and looked at him.

They had come a long way in a short time in trusting each other. His wife knew without asking that he would tell her what her father had to say to him, just as she knew he would not stop her from searching for her sister, though he would join her.

“You father wanted me to make certain you would not go off this evening in search of your sister. I informed him that I would never let you do that.”

A fire sparked in Patience’s green eyes, then she smiled. “Of course not, you would go with me.”

Hunter laughed. “You know me too well, wife.”

“Well enough to know you will share with me what more was said.”

He took her hand. “Know that I will defend you whether it is your father, sisters, or warriors who dare treat you wrongly.” He shook his finger at her when she went to argue. “Do not ask me to hold my tongue when it comes to your family, for I will not do so. I will speak my piece whenever necessary.”

“Why was it necessary?” she asked with resignation.

“Your father spoke to you as a child when he should have addressed you with the respect a true warrior deserves. I let him know that I would not tolerate him speaking to you like that ever again. I think he understands now how devoted we are to each other.”

“I appreciate and admire your courage in defending me against my father,” —she smiled—“but you may find yourself doing it often since I often do as I please and deal with the consequences later.”