The Highlander's Servant: Book One of the Highlander Possession Series (10 page)

She did, but slowly. Her vision cleared to see hard eyes and, a smile? Lachlan’s hand let go of her chin and he used the back of it to caress her cheek.

“It seems,” he said lowly, trying to control a soft chuckle, “That yer to be punished after all. Unless,” his smile grew, “Ye speak now, but choose yer words wisely.”

Being given the second chance to explain herself, Kirstin made sure not to waste it. She couldn’t help but feel that this was all a game to Lachlan, even though he probably was somewhat upset with her.

“I left something in the field, last eve. I went in search of it.” She said honestly. Lachlan nodded, dropping both hands to his side.

“And did ye find the item?” he asked sternly, but his smile did not fade.

“Nay, it was no’ there.” She answered.

“Mayhap,” Lachlan began to walk towards his sleeping chambers, “I have what
yer looking for.”

Not knowing what exactly to do, Kirstin followed Lachlan after he disappeared into the other room. She barely got a glimpse of him opening a drawer from a side table, taking out the familiar leather-bound journal. She didn’t know what caused her to gasp, if it was the fact that he had the item or perhaps the way he handed her the journal. He opened it to a specific entry, and upon handing it to her, his hand lightly brushed against her own.

“Read,” Lachlan demanded, “Aloud.”

A quizzical look took its place on her brow, and she gave him a questioning look. When Lachlan nodded for her to begin, Kirstin took a hesitant breath and began.

Several winters passed after my mother’s death, and I found myself learning to read and write, learn the accounts, and take control over the land from which my father owned.

One day, when the flowers had bloomed and the skies had turned bluer, I received a letter. It was in this letter that revealed everything, from my father’s death to the corruption between the Ruskin Clan. It was in this very letter, the mentioning of a family who had gone against their own clan to help another. And it was this letter in particular, that gave me answers to the questions I had found myself asking for a long time.

When Kirstin made to turn the page, something fell from the journal. It fluttered to the floor and in one swift movement Kirstin picked it up. Her brows furrowed as she held the piece of paper in her hand, no doubt comprehending that it was the letter mentioned before.

Looking up at Lachlan, she noticed that he was pacing back and forth as if he were nervous. He gave a curt nod to the letter, “Go on, read it.”

She held the fragile sheet in her hand, opening it carefully as not to rip its edges. Scanning the lines briefly, she started from the beginning.

Laird
Bateson,

We have been shunned and exiled from the Ruskin Clan, for Laird Ronan has discovered our disloyalty. He has spared us our lives, but only because he has fallen ill and is soon to be taken by death himself. His son, Graham, will soon become the laird, if he has no’ already.

I fear that ‘tis best I donna reveal to you our exact whereabouts, for if our location gets into the wrong hands, one might want to seek revenge for our past decisions.

Mayhap, ye donna ken the full story. In which case, I will enlighten ye.

Laird
Ronan had been given the idea that he could win a battle against yer clan. At the time, he had prepared his men for many moons to sabotage yer lands, and take yer will and rights as possession. Even after signing the peace treaty between the two clans, Laird Ronan had high hopes to go against it.

We did no’
see it fair; especially after yer father had done so much to keep the peace. My family and I came after dark, the eve of the battle, to warn yer father. Though, it was no’ much time yer father had to prepare for the attack, he held his ground firmly and did all that he could.

Without proper preparations,
yer clan was still stronger than that of the Ruskin Clan. We heard the news much later, that yer clan had won but yer father had risked his life protecting his men.

The tension grew much too fast between the two clans, but no’ much was done to secure the Ruskin Clan and prevent them from attacking again. Although they have failed to make another attack, we fear that
‘tis only because of Laird Ronan’s illness. We canna promise the stability of peace, for when Graham takes the role as laird, he will surely continue his father’s intentions but with much more force.

Take this letter as a hint of warning. We advise ye to be cautious of Graham’s actions, and be aware of the hardships he may stow upon ye. Donna
trust him.

As for my family, we have taken our own precautions and now have a safe home away from the highlands that have caused us many troubles. Though, we have been stripped of any titles and wealth, my wife and daughter are protected, which is all I care about now. Mayhap, we will see ye again and if no’, then we hope that all stays well.

Kirstin’s eyes drifted a little further down the page to see the signature of whom had written the letter.

Payton Croft

             
She immediately dropped the letter as if it were harmful to the touch, taking in a sharp intake of air. It was signed by her father.

             
By now, Lachlan had stopped pacing to watch her reaction. Kirstin looked up at him with a fearful look, as the realizations hit her. There was only one astounding connection that she had made above all the others, and with Lachlan’s intense gaze, she felt that she had no other option but to speak of it, “I was the babe.”

             
Lachlan approached her with wary steps, “Aye.”

             
It was evident that Kirstin was unsettled, her movements shaky and her stuttering constant, “I-I was the babe.” She said once more.

             
She had not realized it, but Lachlan had closed the distance between them, kneeling down to one knee as he did so.

             
“Aye, yer the babe.” He grasped one of her small hands in one of his much larger ones, “And I have never stopped loving ye. When I saw ye, that day in town, I remembered those eyes. Yer eyes. I ken no’ why or how I had come upon ye, but only that I wouldna lose ye as I had once before. Yer parents recognized me, but knew that they had no’ much of a choice but to give into my orders of ye coming here, as they had no’ much money and knew that I had become the most feared and unforgiving highlander of the lands.”

             
Lachlan stared up at her, losing himself in her bright blue orbs, before continuing, “There has no’ been one day I have no’ thought of ye. No’ one day I have no’ loved ye. Yer family has been much too kind, and I fear I have left them grieving for yer leaving, but mayhap I can return them a favor by giving ye a good home, and an even better family. Kirstin,” Lachlan gave a light tug on her hand to emphasize his next words, “Would ye do the honor in becoming my wife?”

             
There was so much emotion in Lachlan’s eyes and Kirstin wondered if this was all a dream. She did not know what to make of all this, her own emotions becoming just as intense and possibly overwhelming. She could not help what happened next as she searched Lachlan’s face for an answer that she could not give.

             
Kirstin fainted.

Chapter Twelve

              A collection of dreams and memories flooded her unconsciousness. They had been so faint that Kirstin could not decipher which had been real and which were only figments of her imagination. So, when these images became faded and she was finally given the strength to open her tightly closed eyes, only then did reality hit her.

             
She made no movement though, but was aware that she was once again alone in Lachlan’s large bed. Kirstin dwelled on his earlier proposal for a long time while lying there. She questioned his motives of revealing his past, present, and even hopeful future with her. This extraordinary highlander, only known for his cruel and merciless ways, was not as he seemed. Lachlan had a past much worse than anyone she had ever come to know, and yet he was so kind to her. He not only showed his love for her by his touch and protectiveness over her, but he had finally admitted his love through words, through a proposal of eternal matrimony.

             
In a way this terrified Kirstin, but in another it only thrilled the excitement that she had become familiar with when it came to Lachlan. He was giving her more than a home, companionship, and a life that Kirstin dreamed did not exist. Lachlan was giving Kirstin his heart.

             
But could she very much as well give him her heart in return? Much less, the devotion and undying adoration that a wife was supposed to provide for her husband?

             
Kirstin did not know, but she did know that she had already begun to do all of these things. She adored Lachlan, enjoyed devoting well spent time with him even if it involved a punishment, and she had even began to take notice to his unreadable ways. She could easily predict what he was feeling and thinking, and this was something that most people lacked when it came to him.

             
Even if Kirstin did not recognize her abilities as heart-felt emotion and the early signs of love, she held no doubt that she could come to truly love Lachlan in time. She felt as if no other man would do as much for her as Lachlan had and she feared that no other would give her his heart as easily. Therefor, as selfish as it may seem, Kirstin had her answer to his proposal. She promised herself that when she gave her answer to him, she would also explain how she feels towards him even if it is not what he expects.

             
She lay against the heavy furs that lined his bed for a few moments longer, taking in Lachlan’s musky scent, before getting up. Once her bare feet touched the floor, she anxiously made her way to his study but only to find that it too, was absent of his presence.

             
Not wanting to waste another minute, Kirstin easily stepped out into the hallway and hustled down the long hallways. She hurried, anxious to find Lachlan and give him the answer she had come up with.

             
However, Lachlan was nowhere to be found within the walls of the great manor. One of the younger servants was walking by with a duster in hand, and Kirstin called out for her, “Have ye seen the laird around?”

             
“Aye, I have.” The servant responded, “He is by the stables with his men.”

             
Kirstin nodded her thanks and quickly turned the corner to the front doors. The sun’s bright beams immediately blinded her but she had noticed that it would soon be setting due to the pink and orange tinted sky from afar.

             
Her shoes were quickly becoming covered in mud and Kirstin regretted not putting boots on. Nevertheless, she stopped walking when she saw a head full of brown hair that could belong to no other than Roderick.

             
“Roderick!” Kirstin shouted almost desperately, “Have ye seen Lachlan?”

             
Roderick snickered, “Mayhap. Why do ye ask?”

             
“’Tis important. I need to speak to him.” She snapped, all the while searching the area with her eyes.

             
“Aye, I got that part, but
why
?” Roderick pushed, now smirking through his playful eyes.

             
Kirstin brought her eyes back to his, “It doesna concern ye! Now tell me where he is or I will find him myself.”

             
Roderick raised both of his eyebrows, “What is so important to tell the laird, that has ye in this state?” he said more so to himself.

             
Kirstin threw her hands up in the air exasperated, “So be it.” After she snapped those last words at him, Roderick watched her storm away. She had barely taken five steps before he bounded after her and put an arm around her shoulders, and began to guide her around the stables, “I will show ye where the laird is.”

             
Kirstin rolled her eyes, even though it was very impolite to do so, “Took ye long enough.”

             
Roderick snickered one more time but said nothing more. As the two of them rounded the stables, Kirstin could easily make out the dozens of men practicing sword fighting on their horses. Many other men remained standing, observing the practicing men and occasionally yelling out words of encouragement.

             
Some of them were clad in lamellar, and others wore thick leather. Each one of the men had a sword in hand. Kirstin stared in awe before she noticed Lachlan’s grand, black horse trot towards Roderick and her, stopping with abruptness only a few feet away. Only then did she take in the sight of a sweaty, muscled Lachlan on top of the stallion. He dismounted and approached the two of them, eyeing Roderick’s arm that was still draped around Kirstin’s shoulders. Roderick quickly withdrew his arm to his side. He noticed Lachlan’s focused stare on Kirstin and not wanting to be a burden, found it best to leave the two alone.