The Accidental Highland Hero (The Highlanders #2)

Chapter Seven

“I want five men ready to go now,”

James told Fergus as he jerked his tunic on, ready to end this business with Dunbarton and his men once and for all. Never had they done anything so low as to steal a child. “Five volunteers. But not Niall.”

“Aye, my laird.”

Fergus hurried out of the chamber.

James had barely made it down the stairs when Niall waylaid him. “You cannot mean to take on Dunbarton’s men with only five of our own.”

“We are slipping in and out with the girl, naught more at present.”

“But Fergus said I cannot go.”

James grabbed his cousin’s shoulders and gave him a firm squeeze. “While my brothers, Eanruig, and I are away, you have to be in charge, Niall. The clan is counting on you. ‘Tis your place.”

Niall’s eyes widened. “Let me go in your stead then.”

James rushed down the stairs. “Nay. Not this time. Stay and make sure Eilis does not run away again.”

“She tried again?”

Niall asked, keeping up with his quickened pace.

“Aye.”

James headed outside the keep. “Fergus was guarding her chamber, but he will come with me. Have someone else take his post.”

“Aye.”

Niall slammed his fist into the palm of his hand, itching for a fight.

James knew Niall would do right by them if he was needed to govern the MacNeill clan in his absence.

“She is sneaky, Niall,”

James cast over his shoulder as his cousin followed him to his saddled horse.

In all seriousness, Niall nodded. “You have my word I will keep the lass here. You can see for yourself upon your return.”

James and his men mounted their horses and, with well wishes from the men on guard, the party slipped beyond the curtain wall into the pitch black night. James and his men knew the land, whether it was night or day, and made their way to where Dunbarton’s men had fled across the MacNeill border.

No one spoke a word, the only sounds the horses clopping on the ground and a cool breeze stirring the heather. In the distance, peat smoke burned in a dwelling. When they grew closer, James recognized it as the croft where the girl had been taken.

The men separated from one another, making bird sounds to keep in touch. ‘Twas not too far into Dunbarton’s land that James heard the raucous peal of laughter from a bunch of drunken men. Had they believed themselves invincible from the MacNeill at this late hour? That James and his men would not track them and thwart their evil deed?

Fergus cawed to James, and he signaled him back as they drew closer to the peat smell of a campfire. The light danced in the dark from the crackling flames. Six men sat drinking while a seventh struggled with the girl, no more than twelve summers old.

‘Twas the redheaded girl James and his companions sought.

With his men in place, James galloped into camp, signaling the beginning of the battle. “Buaidh Na Bas!”

he and his men cried out.

The startled Dunbarton men scrambled to gain their feet before they could unsheathe swords.

Instantly, James’s men clashed with the brigands while James targeted the one holding the girl. His black eyes hard, the man held his sword to the girl’s throat, threatening to cut her.

“Do and all your kin are dead men,”

James warned, drawing closer, as the steel of swords striking one another rang out in the woods.

The girl sobbed and shrieked.

“I will let you go, if you release the lass unharmed,”

James conceded, although he didn’t wish to make any such concession with the brigand.

“And the others.”

The woods had grown still, deathly quiet. James glanced back, but his men had already dispensed with the others. “They have met their Maker. What of you?”

The man peered around James and, seeing his claim true, shifted his gaze back to James. “You will let me go?”

Aye, you coward.

“I said I would, and know you I always give a man my word and keep it.”

The man threw the girl at James and ran off into the dark.

“You cannot let him go, Laird James,”

Ian said, stalking in the direction of the swine.

“Aye, lad. Stand down. I gave my promise. Anna’s life was more important.”

James pulled her onto his horse. “There now, lass. We shall return you to your da’s croft and give you and your family safe passage to the keep in case Dunbarton’s men plan further mischief this eve.”

The young girl clung to him, her body trembling, but the tears had finally ceased. Anna’s fear made James reconsider how worried Eilis was about her family knowing her whereabouts. If ‘twas a betrothal she didn’t wish, he could do little about it, he feared.

Before long he was certain someone would make mention of the lass they’d plucked from the sea. Surely, someone would have been looking into the matter. And the way tales spread, no telling how far the stories would have traveled.

****

Much later that eve, James and his party had escorted Anna and her family and all their sheep to Castle Craigly. Niall hurried to greet them, his face brightening to see James return whole.

“Who is the guard for Eilis?”

James asked, as he made his way to her chamber door.

“I was keeping vigil.”

His heart skipping a beat, James glanced at his cousin.

Niall gave him a shrug. “She did not escape.”

“But you came and greeted me upon our arrival and left the door unguarded.”

“For only a wee bit.”

Clenching his teeth, James shook his head. “The lass would only need a wee bit o’ time. Fetch a guard for what’s left of the eve.”

Neill hurried off down the hall. James grabbed a lighted candle and peeked into the chamber. Not being able to see the ladies in bed for the dark, he walked into the room.

“Tavia,”

he whispered.

Silence.

He couldn’t help but feel the lass had managed to slip away.

“Tavia,”

he said a little louder, to no avail. He drew closer to the bed, until he was able to see Eilis, her covers down at her waist, her arms bared in the sleeveless chemise, the fabric so sheer he could make out her enticing breasts. He stared at the rounded soft mounds and the rose-colored nipples standing out against the fabric, knowing he should look away but could not.

Tavia stirred, and the ropes holding the mattress creaked.

He glanced in her direction.

“My laird,”

she whispered, her eyes rounded. “What is the matter?”

“The door was left unguarded. I called out to you, but you did not wake. I had to ensure Eilis was still here.”

Tavia looked over at Eilis then raised her brows. “All of her appears to be here, my laird.”

The tips of James’s ears grew hot.

Tavia smiled. “The herbs I plied her mead with will not wear off ‘til late in the morn.”

“Aye.”

He meant to keep his eyes averted and return to his chambers, but he couldn’t help himself and glanced down at the lass’s angelic look. And a little lower, at the treasures she possessed.

“Good night, my laird,”

Tavia said, yawning then she rolled onto her side with her back to James.

“Night, Tavia,”

James muttered, and to ensure a guard was posted, he returned to the hall instead of going through his chamber door.

Ian greeted him with a boyish grin. “Niall gave me guard duty for the lady, my laird.”

The lad was excellent at horsemanship, keen with the blade, and a tremendous spy, but when it came to women, they easily got their own way.

James gave him a warning look. “You will not let her pass.”

“Aye, my laird. Niall warned me she is as slippery as a pearl.”

James shook his head and made his way for his bedchamber. “That the lass is.”

But after this despicable business with his neighboring clan, another raw concern came to mind. What if the Dunbartons waylaid Catriona’s escort?

She and her escort would know the troubles he was having in the land. He rubbed his whiskered chin. He would send some of his men to meet and escort her safely to Castle Craigly. ‘Twas the only way he’d be assured of her safe journey.

****

Late the next morning, James found Eilis getting a piece of brown bread from the cook in the kitchen to break her fast, although the rest of his people had done so much earlier in the day. He smiled at her, glad the herbs had worked. “Did you have a good sleep this morn?”

She gave him a scalding look like he’d better not say another word.

He hadn’t given the order for Tavia to drug Eilis so she’d sleep the rest of the morning, although if he’d thought of it, he might have done so to keep her from attempting another escape.

As annoyed as she acted, he assumed practicing their charade that she was interested in his hand in marriage would not work this day. Although the way he had mishandled her the night before made him realize he needed to ensure he was never left alone with the lass again.

The swollen knot on her temple had faded considerably, and the skin around her eyes was more of a yellow-greenish color now. Again, he was reminded of the girl he had rescued a couple of years earlier from the incoming tide before she’d been swept into the cave and drowned.

Eilis looked up from the table, and her face blanched. Turning to see what concerned her, James found one of his mother’s ladies-in-waiting staring at Eilis. Lady Allison quickly looked at James, curtseyed then headed for the kitchen garden.

“Hold,”

James said. “You look as if you have seen my father’s ghost, Lady Allison. What ails you?”

The woman cast a glance in Eilis’s direction, looked at James, turned her gaze to the floor, and quickly shook her head. “Naught, my laird.”

“You seem to recognize the lady. Do you know her?”

“Nay, my laird. ‘Twas just that I had not expected anyone to be in the kitchen since the meal has been eaten sometime past. Forgive me, my laird.”

If it were not for the fact that Eilis seemed just as distraught to witness Allison as the maid was to see her, he would have assumed the woman was just flighty the way so many of them were when they were in his presence of late.

Even now, Eilis wrung her hands and seemed ready to take wing.

He nodded. Mayhap his mother could speak with the woman when she seemed unwilling to speak with him.

“Verra well, Lady Allison. Continue with whatever you were about.”

He turned his attention to Eilis. “Come, you and I have work to do as well.”

Eilis looked faint, and James smiled. Teach her to keep secrets from him. Before long he would know all about the lovely lass.

“A moment of your time, lass.”

James offered his hand to Eilis.

She looked cross but took his hand and rose from the bench. “Tavia had no need to drug my mead last eve.”

James cast her a sardonic smile. “Tavia needed her sleep. If you had sent her to fetch for you all night long…”

He tsked. “Surely, wherever you are from, you did not mistreat servants thusly.”

She scowled further at him.

“I want to know the truth about you, lass. You seem to be recalling some memories. Know you your clan’s name now?”

“Nay.”

Her eyes challenged him to disagree with her. She appeared to be telling the truth. He led her out of the kitchen and into the garden and took a deep breath of the lavender scenting the air. “But you recognized Allison.”

Eilis looked at the ground.

“How do you know Allison?”

“I do not.”

“Eilis…,”

he said, unable to curb the exasperation in his voice.

“I do not,”

Eilis said sharply, her green eyes spitting fire. “She seemed somewhat familiar, but I do not remember her. I think ‘twas the way she looked at me that startled me most. As if she knew me and yet, although I sensed the same about her, I could not capture the reason. How would you feel if you have some memories and some of them are missing? The situation is more than frustrating, my laird.”

“Call me James. If we are to pretend you are smitten with me and are boldly pursuing me, we must dispense with proper protocol.”

Her eyes rounded.

Aye, he wouldn’t mind in Eilis’s case if she initiated a kiss or two. “Do you object?”

“In calling you…James, nay. I must learn to get used to it is all.”

“Aye, that is the right of it, lass. Do you have a favorite color?”

She glanced down at the green dress she was wearing then looked at James’s tunic. Reaching out, she touched it. “Blue like the cloudless sky.”

She ran her hand over her gown. “And green like the pine needles in the forest.”

“Who did you stay with in Glen Affric? You know the area too well not to have been there on frequent occasions. But Eanruig believed you did not live permanently in the area, or he would have remembered you better.”

She shook her head and observed the flowers, but if he could read her mind, he imagined her thoughts were elsewhere.

“You know your da is dead. What about your mother?”

“Aye,”

she said softly. “I do not recall how or why I remember they are both dead, but only that they are.”

“Who is your guardian?”

“I do not know.”

“An uncle?”

She shook her head.

“What about brothers or sisters? Have you any? Mayhap an older brother who is your guardian? A cousin?”

“I do not remember.”

Then she turned her chin up and asked, “What about yours? I should know more about you also.”

“Aye. Malcolm is a year younger than me, then Dougald, and lastly Angus. My brothers are helping Lady Anice with the troubles she has had at Brecken Castle.”

“Some of her staff disappeared.”

Surprised, he stared at her. “You know of this?”

“I do not remember who, but just that an urgent missive was sent to King Henry since she had become his ward when her uncle died.”

“How do you remember some things and not others?”

She shook her head.

“Tavia said you were tossing and turning overmuch in your sleep.”

The vision of Eilis’s near naked breasts came to mind, and James reluctantly forced the memory from his thoughts. “Do you recall any nightmares?”

“I was drowning. ‘Tis easy to know why I would have a nightmare like that.”

“Who were you with on the ship? Family? Servants?”

“My laird…”

“James.”

“James. I do not know. All I remember was clinging to…”

Her words hung in the air, and she quickly looked away.

“What Eilis? You were clinging to…?”

“Bits of the ship’s wreckage. Then Eanruig and Niall rescued me, although I do not remember how.”

He was certain she’d remembered something else. She was clinging to what? Someone on the ship? Someone she loved?

The ship was being tossed about in a turbulent sea. Wouldn’t she have been below deck or in the captain’s quarters if her family had paid enough for her voyage?

Most likely the turmoil would have upset her stomach.

“Were you ill? When the ship was being tossed about in the storm?”

“Aye.”

So she remembered more than clinging to the ship’s remnants after it went down. “Who was with you?”

“I do not recall.”

Didn’t she? This time he didn’t believe her.

He took her arm and started back to the keep when she pulled him to a stop.

Tears glistened in her eyes, and she swallowed hard. “I do not know who the woman was, but she…she said I would bring shame to our clan if I jumped from the ship.”

James stared at her then touched her pale cheek. “What did you fear, lass, that you would consider ending your life?”

She broke eye contact and looked at her shoes. “I truly do not remember.”

A betrothal, he was certain.

He lifted her chin and met her gaze. “You are too much of a woman to let whatever ails you get the best of you. I promise, I will aid you in anyway I can in dealing with your family.”

He leaned down and kissed her full lips. This time she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her mouth against his. In gratitude? Inwardly, he groaned at the feelings she stirred in him. With the way she leaned her body against his, his shaft grew rigid, and his skin heated. He’d been so intent on kissing the lass in return, he’d forgotten they’d quit the garden and stood now in the middle of the inner bailey where many of his staff were carrying on their chores for the day.

Until he separated from the lass and found nearly every servants’ eye upon him and the lady. He cleared his throat while she avoided looking at anyone as he walked her the rest of the way to the keep.

Eilis’s cheeks were beautifully colored as she watched her feet all the way back.

He cast her a small smile. “You are getting into the spirit of our ruse, Eilis. I warrant even my own people believe I might have changed my mind about Catriona.”

“But you cannot.”

She quickened her step into the keep.

“And why not? I can make my own choice.”

She turned and looked at him as though he’d lost his mind. “My laird, you do not know me, where I am truly from, or anything. Thinking that you would consider me as a bride choice would be foolishness.”

“You are calling me foolish?”

He quirked a brow and watched her cheeks blossom with color anew. “I thought not.”

She touched his chest and traced the embroidery stitches on his tunic. “Aye, you are foolish if you think you have a chance with me.”

Loving the challenge in her words, he smiled. But the way she touched him sent a signal straight to his groin. “Be sure to press your fingers against me like that in front of Catriona, and you will no doubt get her attention.”

At least, she certainly had his, and he didn’t want her to stop.

Horses entering the inner bailey distracted him, and turning, he saw his Aunt Beatrice and her daughter, Nighinn—the cousin he thought to inspect in a month if Catriona would not agree to marry him. Whoever told the lass he wished to see her now?

He would wring whoever’s neck was responsible for the difficulties this could cause. With Eilis, the problem did not exist because she had no real plans to wed him. But Nighinn could cause a scene with Catriona. If this was Niall’s doing, he’d thrash him soundly.

Releasing Eilis to his mother’s care, he turned and headed out to deal with Nighinn and his Aunt Beatrice, hopefully to send them back home at once where they belonged.

****

The look on James’s face when he saw the matronly woman in blue, a younger woman, just as plump in tow, reminded Eilis of…

For a fleeting instant, she nearly had it. Then the elusive memory was gone but not James’s glum expression. Although once he released her to his mother’s care, he had put on a false smile and joined the women in the inner bailey.

Lady Akira motioned to Tavia. “Accompany Eilis to her chamber. I will have Fergus sent right up.”

She headed outside, and Eilis got the distinct impression the lady was not too entirely pleased to see the arrival of the other women either.

“Who are they?”

Eilis asked Tavia, not caring whether she breeched protocol. She still had no intention of staying, especially when James’s rakish charm made her whole person burn with desire. ‘Twas good he didn’t intend to bed her or she no doubt would offer herself as a wanton without a care.

Mayhap she had already thoroughly disgraced her family and was being sent away to wed the man who compromised her. Yet, she couldn’t summon any recollection that she’d ever been kissed so…thoroughly.

Tavia followed Eilis into the bedchamber then shut the door. “The older woman is Laird MacNeill’s aunt, Beatrice. A verra shrewd woman and determined that her daughter marry James now that he is earl. She waited until he had turned down the other lassies, but seeing as how James was unable to draw Lady Catriona here, the word must have reached his aunt. I cannot imagine he would have invited her here when Lady Catriona is on her way. I am sure His Lairdship is not pleased about it.”

“But mayhap his cousin will force Catriona’s hand, and she will agree to marry His Lairdship. Then I will not truly be needed.”

Which relieved her to think if she could leave, James could still encourage Catriona’s concession. On the other hand, the thought of not being needed weighed heavily on her, like the ship’s anchor tossed into the Irish Sea. The notion she didn’t belong anywhere was beginning to bother her as much as not knowing why she was afraid her family would discover her.

“Not Nighinn. I dare say Lady Catriona will find it a mockery,”

Tavia said.

“Why?”

Eilis sat on a cushioned bench and pulled her embroidery work from a table. ‘Twas generous of Lady Akira to have had a maid fetch Eilis strands of blue, green, and yellow silk and wool threads to use in designing a lion to embroider a cloth to hang on the wall. Although, she had not had much time to work on it.

Tavia said, “I…”

A knocking at the door made Eilis jump.

Tavia answered it, and after listening to a servant, she said to Eilis, “I must see to a lady in childbirth. Fergus is here so if you need anything, let him know.”

Eilis nodded, although she assumed if she needed anything, Fergus would not oblige her if it meant leaving her alone for even an instant. When Tavia shut the door, Eilis jumped from the bench and rushed to the window. Although clouds covered the sky, making for a gray day, she didn’t think she could slip out of the keep unnoticed.

Then again, if everyone was busy with James’s kin and they thought someone was with Eilis in her bedchamber…

She glanced at James’s chamber. And smiled. Aye, she could slip out that way and make her way through the keep, mayhap.

Without wasting another moment, she hurried to his chamber, yanked the door open, and froze.

Standing in the center of the chamber, James was utterly naked from his broad shoulders and dark-haired chest trailing all the way to his shaft. She blinked, never having had seen a naked man before or at least not that she could recall.

Then like a flash of a dream, like one of her strange memories that was there then was not, James’s glorious body vanished along with the chamber and everything else as if the flame of the lighted candle of her mind suddenly was snuffed out.