Knight of the Highlander (16 page)

"The Laird is dead?"

"Yes. Rian knew he fell and left two guards to tend him, but rode on with the rest of the men south, thankfully away from us. But by nightfall, they will circle back and find out their Laird is dead."

Arywnn let the truth of Colin's revelation sink in. Her father was gone. Both sorrow and relief flooded her. Sorrow for the man who loved no one but himself, and relief that she was now free from any family bonds to the man she feared. It was a bittersweet freedom to no longer have the fetters of a tyrannical father Laird, but at the same time, it meant she had no kin.

Both parents were in the hereafter. She alone remained. An intense desire to rightfully claim her clan as heir filled her for a moment. But to do so meant she would have to leave Colin. Something she knew was impossible. Irrevocably, her heart was attached to his. To leave would surely cease her heart's rhythm.

"I'm sorry, Sweet Arywnn, about your father. I know he wasn't a good man, but he was still your sire."

"Aye, tis true. Tis strange tae be without family," Arywnn spoke softly.

Colin tipped her chin up till her gaze met his, his firm fingers bringing comfort. "Arywnn. Ye may not have your blood relations, but you will always have family in me. I promise you together we'll make a family. One you can be proud of. One that will be a blessing to you, not a burden." Colin gazed at her intently, his eyes echoing all he had declared.

"Aye." Arywnn nodded.

Colin gathered her in his strong arms surrounding her with the scent of cedar and peppermint bringing peace to her lonely heart.

"Rian will take his place," Arywnn whispered after a moment, her mind looking toward the future.

"Yes."

"And he'll continue tae search, won't he?" her voice dropped to a lower timber.

"I believe so."

"We musn't rest. We must ride thro' the night. Tisn't worth the risk, ye ken?" She gazed at Colin, trying to convey the urgency that filled her own breast.

He squeezed tenderly and reassurance covered her.

"That we do… are ye ready then? We can linger a moment longer…" Colin spoke tenderly as he cupped her cheek with his warm palm.

"Aye, "Dinnae' fash yerself. I'm the least of yer concerns." Arywnn reached up and traced his jawline with her fingers, the wiry texture of his beard teasing her senses. She forced her mind to think of sweeter things, and immediately she remembered what Colin had said.

A family with Colin!
She had known from the moment she had walked away from her clan that she was committing her life to him, yet so far he hadn't mentioned his own commitment to her in as many words. To be fair, they hadn't the time to speak of such things, and actions did speak louder than words. But as a woman, Arywnn wanted, needed, those words from Colin. She wouldn't press him. It would be worse to have the words prodded out of him, rather than to never hear them at all. Yet when he spoke of their own family.
Bairns!
Born of the love between them. Was there a sweeter promise? Surely not! A huge grin split Arywnn's face even through the veil of her father's departing from this life. Focusing on the joy, she gazed up at Colin, tugging the whiskers at his chin.

"Tis' growing quite long. Ye look quite the highland warrior."

"Yes. I tried to keep it as trim as possible without seeming out of place, but I don't have that luxury on the road." Colin rubbed his palm over his face and shook his head. A slight smile bending his lips.

"Yer as handsome as ever."

"You're as flattering as ever."

"Then again, I tho' ye were handsome when I dinnae' see yer face, so ye cannae' take my word," Arywnn teased.

"True, I'll take my chances through." Colin leaned forward, and warmed Arywnn's lips with an exquisite kiss that left her tingling.

"We must go. I want to be as close to Aberdeen as possible. We need to be out of Scotland quickly. The sooner the better, and the safer you'll be."

After pausing for a quick rest after dark to eat a quick meal, Arywnn continued to follow Colin as he wove through the trees, up hills, and down into low valleys. The call of night creatures echoed through the night air, and Garten had his ears constantly perked listening to the strange noises.

Thankfully, none of the noises of the forest included the sound of pursuers.

Colin continued to glance behind him, concerned that the night journey was too strenuous for Arywnn. As each hour passed, his admiration for her grew. When dawn broke and they arrived on the outskirts of Aberdeen, Colin wanted to dance and shout, if not for his own fatigue.

"Is tha' Aberdeen?" Arywnn asked in a husky tone that set Colin's blood to boiling. It was the same tone she used when she had awoken in his arms that sweet night.

"Yes." Colin cleared his throat trying to reign in his passionate response.

"Tis a beautiful sight." Her wistful tone echoed his sentiment.

"Yes, indeed it is. It's still early, and if we make our way to my contact's residence we should be able to rest for a few hours. He will arrange our sea journey. We'll remain out of sight."

"Do ye think we'll leave today? Or must we wait for a ship…"

"I'm not sure. We'll find out soon though. Make sure you stay close to me. Though it's early, the streets will begin to fill up with peddlers."

"Aye."

"Aberdeen is quite the bustling city. As the sun rises, you'll see why it's famous for its granite."

"It shines," Arywnn finished.

"Indeed. It does. The high mica content makes the granite glisten," Colin continued on, silent for a moment.

"Yer contact, do ye know him well?" Arywnn asked lightly, yet there was a delicate strain to her words.

"Yes, and I trust him with my life, as well as yours. He's been a friend ever since I began working for the crown. He's an old bachelor, so don't mind his… eccentric behavior."

"Eccentric?"

"You will see." Colin chuckled then sobered as they entered Union Street. Arywnn's eyes were wide as she took in the large stone structures and smooth pillars. In the distance, spires looked as if they pierced the sky. Had she ever been away from the highlands? Judging by her wide-eyed wonder, he assumed not. If Aberdeen's glory held her in awe, he worried about her reaction when they arrived in London society.

He led her down a side street and turned down his contact's road. The townhouses grew larger, more exquisite, till he arrived at the right one. Dismounting, he glanced back to Arywnn. She was staring at the building, and hadn't noticed his approach. He reached for her to dismount. She took his hand, and slid into his waiting arms. Colin grasped her hand firmly, and led Garten to the iron fence and tied his lead. After he secured his own mount, he took a deep breath and glanced to Arywnn. She was watching him with a curious expression. He gave her a reassuring grin, and proceeded up the stairs. At the first knock, the butler answered.

"Aye? Ye are?"

"Yer master's associate. Please tell him that the highlands are in bloom, and there's none to pick the flowers." Colin watched as the butler nodded, then disappeared into the house.

"The highlands are in bloom?" Arywnn's confused expression had Colin trying to keep from grinning.

"It's a ciphered phrase. It means that I'm no longer in hiding, and I've come to report and make my way to England."

"And he'll ken all that from the flowers?"

"Yes, Sweet Arywnn." He reached up and tugged a loose strand of hair and teased her nose with it.

"The master will see ye. This way." The butler returned, and opened the door wide. Colin released Arywnn's lock of hair and walked into the town house.

"Colin!" An elderly man rose from his large desk strewn with papers. The large wood-paneled room was filled with potted plants in various stages of life and bloom. Some boasted large flowers, while others bore fruit. Another seemed almost dead. Silas had an obsession with botany. Colin wondered what Arywnn would think of their host.

"Silas! You're a welcome sight!" Colin embraced his friend.

Silas was a tall and exceedingly thin man with a white beard that needed a good trimming. His eyes were the color of warm earth, and radiated a keen intelligence. Colin considered his aged friend. Their acquaintance was through Colin's deceased father who had been chums with Silas at Eton. When Silas had chosen to move to Scotland just a few years ago to continue his research on botany, Colin had missed him terribly. It was a true pleasure to be with him once again, for however short of time.

Silas soon turned to Arywnn, giving Colin a questioning glance.

"And who is this highland rose?"

"This is Arywnn. My intended."

Arywnn nodded and smiled wide. Silas blushed a deep crimson, and cleared his throat before reaching out and waiting for Arywnn to extend her hand. She did, and he placed a very proper kiss to the air above her wrist. Colin watched with amusement, as Silas seemed to fall over himself. It would seem that she had already won him over.

"A lucky man indeed." Silas cleared his throat once more. "Please sit. Will you have tea?" he asked with his bushy eyebrows raised.

"Please, and if you have anything to eat, we'd surely appreciate it. We didn't stop for supplies, but hastened our way to Aberdeen because we were being hunted."

"Hunted you say?" Silas cast him a sidelong glance as he rang for tea. "By whom?" Silas' expression grew far more intense as he studied Colin with narrowed eyes.

Colin explained their situation, and soon the butler arrived with hot tea, scones, a selection of meats and cheeses along with pastries. Colin's mouth watered at the scent of their feast, but he made sure Arywnn had first selection of everything.

His heart pinched with regret as he saw Arywnn's eyes widen as she took in the spread before them. Never again, he vowed, would she do without. Life had dealt her a harsh hand. That ended now. He was going to make sure of it. Never again would she run for her life. Never again would she be in danger for his sake, or any others for that matter. The running, the deception ended now. Tonight he would come clean with his final secret, tearing down the final wall that could be between them. Surely she wouldn't care? Surely it wouldn't matter to her? Yet his heart whispered the thought he was afraid to recognize. What if she did care? Could his heart survive rejection at her hand? He doubted it.

As they ate their fill, Silas asked pointed questions about their departure, and what necessities they would need to procure before they left. Silas made a list and rang for a maid. When she arrived he handed it to her, asking for each item to be procured before nightfall. Next, a footman was sent off to retrieve information on the next ship sailing for London. With all the basic needs met, Colin was thrilled to escort Arywnn to room where she could take the rest she surely needed.

Upon quitting the room, Arywnn's eyes widened as she took in the glorious appointments of Silas' grand house.

"I've never seen the like," she whispered breathlessly.

"It is quite grand," Colin spoke quietly, his eyes fixed on her face.

Arywnn tried to cover her yawn as they ascended the large curved mahogany staircase, but Colin caught it. Seizing the opportunity, he swept Arywnn into his arms.

"Colin!" Arywnn gasped then glanced around to see if anyone had seen them.

"You're tired love, I'm merely being a gentleman… after all Knights are chivalrous, are they not?"

"Indeed they are… but I think ye are bein' more of the rogue tha' the Knight." She narrowed her eyes even as her hands came around his neck and held fast.

"Perhaps." Colin chuckled.

He strode forward, savoring the welcome burden of Arywnn's body. As he opened the door Silas had spoken of for Arywnn's use, he fought against his own traitorous thoughts, and struggled to resist the temptation to bolt the door behind him. Locking them in the room, alone, with the large bed all for the taking.

"I see it in yer eyes, I do. Dinnae' you think tha—"

"It was but a fleeting thought—"

"A rogue and a liar?" Arywnn teased as she brushed back his overgrown hair as it started to cover his eyes.

"Ah, sweet Arywnn, a rogue and a lover… not liar." He captured her lips with his own, inhaling her soft surrender as her arms tightened around his neck. It had been too long since he tasted her, and his body trembled with the power of the addiction he had to her flavor. Unable to resist his desire, he devoured her mouth. The weight of the situation, and the gravity of all that was about to happen in such a short time, caused a fierce desire to own the moment. They were on the cusp of change, and once that change occurred, things wouldn't ever be quite the same. He wanted one last taste of it.

Reluctantly, he broke the seal of their lips. Hovering just beyond temptation, he closed his eyes, inhaling the windswept scent of her, memorizing the weight of her in his arms, committing to memory the soft sigh she breathed. If there ever was a perfect moment in eternity, surely this was it. But like all moments, they passed and life continued.

"Lover indeed," Arywnn whispered, a smile teasing her lips and illuminating her gaze.