Her Highlander's Promise (3 page)

Chapter 4

Angus charged toward them with the ferocity of a wild boar.

“Wait, you must listen to me.” Laurel raised her hands and stepped into his path.

“Clear the way, m’lady. I’ll teach this brigand what happens to men who accost young women,” he growled, then came to an abrupt halt when she stood her ground.

“You’re making a huge mistake,” Blair said, then gently moved her aside. “I did nothing to harm the ladies. In fact, I came to their assistance. I—”

“Save your explanations for the Almighty when you arrive at his gates.” Angus swung his sword in a large arc above his head while taking a menacing step forward.

Blair gripped the hilt of his weapon and stood fast.

“He speaks the truth, Angus. Three men attacked us. Blair came to our aid. He drove the blackguards off. Thanks to his actions neither of us was harmed. You must believe me,” Laurel shouted. She had to make him understand.

Angus lowered his blade and glared at Blair. “That isna what it looked like to me. I see no one but this scoundrel.” 

“What m’lady said is true. Lord Cameron chased the attackers away with their tails tucked between their legs. He deserves a reward for his bravery. Had he not come along when he did, there is no telling what might have befallen us.” Isla placed her hand on Angus’ forearm.

“Cameron? Be you one of John’s sons?” Angus asked.

“Aye. The youngest.”

“Your da is a good man and was a friend of Brandon MacClay.” Angus sheathed his weapon, then turned to face Laurel. “Are you certain you are all right?”

Laurel nodded. “Aye, I’m fine.”

“I was in the middle of a throw when I heard some ladies were accosted in the market square. I came as quickly as I could. Thank God you are unharmed.” Angus raked his fingers through his tangled red hair. “I should have known better than to leave you alone.”

“Please dinna blame yourself. You had no way of knowing this would happen, and we need not speak of it again.” Laurel glanced at Isla. “We still need to purchase the goods we came for, if we return empty-handed, Deirdre willna be pleased. Best we do so now, then prepare to head back to the keep.”

“Must you leave so soon? I was hoping I might show you around the festival.” Blair made no attempt to hide the disappointment in his voice.

“Aye. The cook will be waiting for the supplies we’ve come to fetch and I gave my word that I would return by noon. As it is, we will be late.”

“You stay here and speak with Lord Cameron. Angus and I can go for the vegetables.” Isla smiled, then took Angus by the arm and tried to tug him in the direction of the vendor tents.

“Given what happened, I’m not sure that is a good idea.” Angus dug his heels into the dirt and refused to move. “I dinna think it wise to let either of you out of my sight again.”

“Dinna fret, I am sure she will be in good hands.” With that, Isla dragged him away.

“Mayhap Angus is right and I should go with them.” Laurel made an attempt to follow her friends, but stopped when Blair placed his hand on her upper arm.

His touch sent a surge of excitement coursing through her veins. Her heart thundered against her ribs as she fought to catch her breath. Suddenly weak in the knees, she struggled to remain on her feet. She experienced the same unfamiliar swell of emotions on the day they first met. A bairn of ten summers, she was too young to understand her body’s reaction. But today, she found the passion and desire too powerful to ignore.

“Please dinna go, Laurel. I have come to the festival every fall hoping to see you, but you never attended before today.”

“Deirdre doesna like me to stray too far from the keep,” she replied.

But she could not bring herself to look him in the eye for fear she would give away her feelings. He was not her husband, and she might never see him again. By all rights, she should be furious with him. It had been many years since they’d met, and during that time, he’d made no effort to contact her, despite his promise to court her when he came of age. To let her guard down now was only setting herself up for further disappointment.

“Is that old battle-axe still giving you grief? I thought by now you’d have assumed your place as mistress of the castle and lairdess of Clan MacClay.”

“Soon, but I am not yet eight and ten summers. Until then, my cousin Murray is acting laird. But I hope that will change in a little over a sennight, after my eighteenth Saint’s Day. Then, I will be old enough to fulfil my father’s decree.”

“You are not married?” he asked.

“Nay.”

“Betrothed?”

She shook her head. “And you?” She dreaded the potential answer, but had to know.

“I have been waiting for the right lassie.” He wiggled his brow, then took her hand. “Do you still have the ring of intent I gave you?”

“Aye, but when I never heard from you, I assumed you were no longer interested, thought that perhaps you were already married or betrothed.”

“I am betrothed.” He grinned and brought her hand to his lips, pressing them to her palm. “I made you a promise, Laurel. One I intend to keep.”

“If that’s true, why have you not come to see me?” She fought to keep her voice from trembling.

“You were never far from my thoughts. Many times I considered coming to Thistledown Castle. I wanted to ask Murray for your hand, but my father convinced me to wait. Da was certain that your cousin wouldna agree and believed it was better for me to postpone my visit until you could decide for yourself.” He kissed her knuckles one at a time before he continued. “If it pleases you, Laurel, I would like to court you, now.”

Her chest tightened, and thinking clearly was suddenly next to impossible. But while there was nothing she’d like more than to be his bride, Deirdre and Murray would never give their consent. She withdrew her hand and turned away, hiding the tears that trickled down her cheeks.

“I am honored and flattered, but dinna think it would be possible. Your da was correct. Mayhap you should forget about me.” She wiped her damp face with the back of her hand and squared her shoulders.

He spun her around to face him. “I could no more forget about you than I could forget to breathe. The dirk of love found its mark on the day we met and the wound hasna healed. I fear my heart willna mend until we are man and wife. We are meant to be together, Laurel, and I willna give up hope.” He drew her into his arms, lowered his head, and kissed her.

Her pulse thundered in her ears and all logic vanished into a fog of euphoria she’d never before experienced. Her legs buckled, but Blair was there to keep her from falling.

“I’ve dreamed of this moment,” he whispered, threading his fingers through her hair. Then he gently kissed her cheek, her jawline, finishing with a playful nip at her earlobe. When she gasped with pleasure, he slid his tongue between her slightly parted lips, took possession of her mouth, and deepened his kiss.

Aware she should resist his advances, she tried to regain control of her emotions, but could not bring herself to move. Instead, she leaned against his broad chest, responding to his kiss with equal enthusiasm. She wished the moment would go on forever and was surprised when he suddenly released her and stepped back. “Is there something wrong? I—”

Blair pressed two fingers to her lips, nodding in the direction of the market tents. “Kissing you is as amazing as I always knew it would be. Were circumstances different, nothing could tear me from your side. But I think it would anger Angus to find us embracing.”

Laurel backed away. She nervously slid her hands down the front of her gown as Angus and Isla approached.

“When can we meet again, Laurel? Mayhap tomorrow? I can call on you at the keep, and at that time, speak to your cousin Murray.”

Her heart clenched. “Och, I dinna think that will be possible, Blair. At least not until after I turn eighteen. Murray and Deirdre wouldna permit us to see each other, let along agree for us to wed.”

“Then we will meet in secret.”

“I canna. She keeps watch over me like a hawk does its prey. Maybe it would be better if you did forget about me,” she replied softly and dropped her chin.

“Nay. There must be a way. She canna watch you every minute. I’m sure there is a time when she is busy with her duties around the castle. When does she retire? Tell me and I will meet you then.”

“What good would it do? They will never agree to our union, and we are only fooling ourselves to think otherwise. As long as I am under their guardianship, they control my every move.”

“We could run away together. If you are agreeable, we can marry, then return after you come of age. They will have no choice but to honor your father’s wishes, and once you are lairdess of Clan MacClay, they can no longer tell you what you can and canna do.”

He spoke so fast it made her head swim. The offer to run away, while tempting, was sadly not an option. “Things are not that simple. Deirdre is a force to reckon with when angered,” she replied. “But more importantly, I promised my da on his deathbed that I would mind Murray. Defying them would dishonor his memory.”

Blair swept his knuckles along her cheek, then lifted her chin. “I’m sure he would understand, but your sense of honor would make him proud. However, I canna return to my home without seeing you again. I will come to Thistledown Castle tomorrow evening. Meet me at the postern gate when Deirdre retires for the night. I’ll wait for you as long as it takes. We will make plans for the day you turn eighteen.” He clutched both her hands, bringing one to his lips. “Please, Laurel.” He kissed her palm, then placed it over his heart.

“I will try, but canna promise,” she finally agreed.

“I live in hope, m’lady, and count the minutes.” He bowed, then stepped aside when Angus and Isla arrived.

“We must be on our way, Lady Laurel,” Angus said.

Laurel nodded and accompanied her friends. When Blair moved forward to assist her into the carriage, Angus stepped between them.

“That willna be necessary, laddie,” Angus grumbled. “I will see to the ladies and think it best you leave.”

Once seated, Laurel glanced down at Blair and smiled. “It was lovely seeing you. I pray we meet again.”

“Count on it, m’lady. You have my promise,” Blair replied with a grin. “Until then, I bid you farewell.”

Isla waved as the carriage pulled away, then quickly turned to Laurel. “What a
braw
young man.” She lowered her voice. “Did you have a nice visit?”

“Aye, he is verra handsome and we had a good chat.” Laurel peeked over her shoulder at the festival grounds. Blair had yet to move.

“Did he ask to see you again? Did he kiss you?” Isla badgered. “Your cheeks were flushed when we arrived. And the way he was looking at you . . .” She pressed her hand to her chest and released a deep sigh. “You must tell me everything.”

Laurel raised her finger to her lips, hoping to silence her friend. She was not ready to share what happened and did not want Angus to overhear. “It was nice to see him, but you are letting your imagination run wild. There is nothing between us.”

“If you say so.” Isla grinned and leaned back against the seat.

As with most journeys, the trip to the festival seemed to take forever, but the one home was over in the blink of an eye. As they entered through the raised portcullis, Laurel spotted Deirdre standing at the top of the castle steps. Her stomach twisted with dread at the thought of facing her cousin’s ire.

Angus brought the carriage to a halt, helped the ladies down, then retrieved their purchases and approached his mistress. “If it pleases you, m’lady, I will take these to the cook before feeding and watering the horses.” He bowed before Deirdre, then shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he waited for her answer.

“It doesna please me. You’re late,” she snapped. “I gave specific orders that you were to return by noon and that time has come and gone. What have you to say for yourself?”

“It wasna Angus’ fault.” Laurel stepped around the carriage to confront Deirdre.

“And who is to blame?” Deirdre’s brow creased and her face reddened as she studied Laurel’s appearance. “Look at you! What in the name of St. Stephen happened to your gown?” She reached over and tugged at the ripped fabric, making the tear even worse. “Not only are your clothes ruined, you look like you have been rolling around in the dirt with swine? Is this the way you conduct yourself when I graciously grant you time in the village? How dare you disgrace the clan name?”

“I did nothing to be ashamed of or to disgrace the clan. I can explain if you would but give me the cha—”

Deirdre threw both arms in the air in a fit of anger. “I dinna want to hear another word from you,” she hissed, then whipped around to confront Angus. “If I recall correctly, your orders were to escort the ladies to the festival, to supervise their every move, and return as soon as they completed their errands. Obviously, none of you are to be trusted.” She stomped toward the castle. “Mairi! Gordon!” She shouted for two of the servants before continuing her tirade. “I refuse to discuss this any further at this time. You will each be dealt with accordingly, once I’ve decided how.”

“You called for us, m’lady?” Gordon asked.

“Aye. I want you to help Angus with the horses, then see that he returns to his room and stays there. I will deal with him and Isla later. Mairi, take Laurel to her chamber and make certain she cleans up. When she is presentable, bring her to the great hall. And be quick about it.”

Mairi bobbed a curtsy. “Aye, m’lady.”

“Please, I wish you would let me explain.” Laurel made a final attempt to get her cousin to listen, her plea falling on deaf hears. Frustrated and uncertain what sort of reprimand Deirdre had in mind, she held her tongue as the woman stormed away.

“I’m sorry, Isla. I hate to think you will be punished because of me.”

“There is no reason to apologize. The old witch has no heart and doesna need a reason to take her anger out on the servants. I do hope she is not too hard on you.”