Scoundrel’s Redemption (Highlander’s Pact #3)

Chapter Eighteen

G reer could say without hesitation that the more she got to know Teagan, the more she loathed him putting himself at the head of all incoming danger.

“Blast it, I need to learn to wield this better,” she cursed, clutching her dagger as they awaited word from Teagan, who’d just crept toward the front of the cave.

“Me, too,” Besse whispered in agreement. “At least yer ma doesnae say nay, ye’re too young.”

“Shh,” Ada hissed, watchful, her gaze glued to the cave entrance. She kept a hand hovered just over Besse’s mouth lest she speak again.

Greer barely breathed. Was this it? Had they come all this way only to be stopped at the threshold of true escape? Seized at the onset of their grand adventure?

Even as she feared for their lives, her mind wandered to what that kiss last night had felt like.

“’Twas wonderful, was it not?” Margery would have whispered, keeping Greer’s mind on the kiss, rather than the stark fear she felt watching Teagan await a possible enemy. Perhaps even impending death. “I told you years ago that someday we would kiss a man like that. We would feel what you felt. And just look, you did, so I was right!”

Yes, she was.

More than she could ever know.

There weren’t enough words in any storyteller’s arsenal to describe it either. To convey how all-encompassing his kiss had felt. Intimate and loving. Passionate and lustful. When his tongue slipped into her mouth, a myriad of sensations coursed through her body. A heaviness in her breasts. An aching throb betwixt her thighs.

“’Tis all right,” Teagan called back, interrupting her thoughts. “’Tis Edmund.”

“Oh, thank Goodness,” Cecille exclaimed, breathing a sigh of relief.

“Aye,” Ada agreed. She kissed the top of Besse’s head before she pulled her children close. “Though I never thought I’d say it of the Sassenach, praise God indeed.”

“Aye, lassie, and ye best not forget it,” Edmund called out, evidently hearing as well as Teagan.

Besse scratched her head. “The Sassenach sounds just like us.”

“Aye.” Ada rolled her eyes. “’Tis offending, to say the least.”

Yet Greer didn’t miss the twinkle of interest in her friend’s eyes when Teagan and Edmund ducked into the cave and joined them.

“’Tis good to see you again, friend.” Cecille smiled at Edmund. “So very good.”

He nodded graciously at Cecille and winked at Ada. “Where else would I be?”

“Dining with yer fellow Sassenach.” Ada muttered a vague thanks under her breath before peering out the cave entrance. “Have ye men with ye then?”

“Aye, lass.” He clearly looked forward to goading Ada every step of the way. “Like myself, a mixed lot. A wee bit o’ Scots and an Englishman or two.”

“A mixed breed, then?” Duncan got out before Ada put him in his place.

“Dinnae talk like that, lad,” she scolded. “Count him blessed to be Scottish and do what ye can to help him grapple with his Sassenach blood.”

“Bloody hell, but ye’re a sharp-tongued lass.” Not offended in the least, Edmund smiled broadly, switching effortlessly to sounding English. “Might we travel then? Off to the wilds of Scotland and more sharp-tongued women like you?”

“Oh, I dinnae think ye’ll find lasses quite like my good ma,” Besse began before Ada shooed her along, scowling at Edmund in passing despite him being her savior.

“Ah, but ’twas worth all this for that wee lass alone.” Edmund admired Ada’s backside before his smile fell, and he turned his attention to Teagan, Greer, and Cecille. “What happened? Based on Randolph and Bartholomew’s men already scouring about, I assume things did not go as planned.”

“Nay.” Teagan shook his head and filled him in. “We must leave straight away and get over the border as soon as possible.”

“Aye, you did what you must, and I agree with your decision.” Edmund shook his head. “This does not change our plans any. I will still say I caught word of your betrayal and pursued you.”

“Whilst I appreciate yer help, ye need not go further than the border.” Teagan doused the fire, and they headed outside. “Ye could just as easily head home, lest risk yer good name.”

“And leave you to get these women and children to their final destination alone?” Edmund shot him a look that he should know better than to suggest it. “’Twill not happen, friend. ’Tis equally dangerous territory north of the border.” He shrugged as they joined the others. “Besides, you know I’m not much worried about my good name.”

Ada gestured in the direction of Randolph’s castle and eyed Edmund. “So what happens when that lot catches up with us? I’d think more than just yer good name would be at stake.” Her eyes narrowed. “Unless ye take us prisoner and hand us over.”

“That willnae happen.”

“Then ’tis truly yer good name on the line.”

“’Tis nothing for you to worry yourself over, lovely. ”

“Dinnae confuse worry with simple curiosity, Sassenach,” she replied a bit too quickly. She glanced at the Englishmen he had with him. “So, if I am nae mistaken, ye might have verra well sentenced these lads to certain death.”

“We understand the risks,” one of the men replied. He issued a loyal nod to Edmund. “And we came willingly.”

“Aye?” Ada’s gaze narrowed on the man. “Whilst ye’ve my deepest thanks, ye ken ye’re riding into hostile territory? ’Tis dangerous up that way, especially for a Sassenach.”

“They ride to the border and no further,” Edmund clarified. “From there, they will go in a different direction in hopes of confusing our potential pursuers.”

“A move just as risky.” Ada eyed the men dubiously. “And surprising.”

“As you well know, having met Greer and her mother, not all English are your enemy, lass.” Edmund glanced from her children back to her. “Far more than you think would not approve of Randolph owning Scots and their wee bairns, never mind splitting them apart.”

Though Ada only offered a non-committal grunt in reply, she seemed less wary.

Edmund looked at Cecille. “The gem has been delivered to your brother, but I doubt ’twill be enough.”

“With men like Randolph, ’tis never enough.” Teagan shook his head. “Betwixt his wounded pride that his Scots got away and the jewels I’m sure he suspects Cecille still has, ’twill be surprising if he doesnae pursue ye straight into Scotland.”

Cecille sighed and nodded in agreement, her concerned gaze on Edmund. “What did Randolph say when the gem was delivered?” Her brows tugged together. “Assuming, of course, he allowed your messenger to leave.”

“He did, but then he was in quite the stir over receiving the gem,” Edmund replied. “I think he was less concerned, at the moment, about his niece or escaped Scots. Rather, his mind was on what that jewel could do for him.”

She shook her head. “Which, naturally, did not last long.”

“No,” he agreed. “Which is why we must leave soon.”

“What of Bartholomew?” Worry lit Ada’s eyes when she looked at Greer. “Mark my words, as long as he’s still breathing, that man willnae let ye go.”

“Then may God bring his neck to my blade sooner rather than later,” Teagan muttered.

Having a bad feeling about this, Greer frowned.

Moreover, she understood why he might not want such a thing to happen.