Highland Defiance (The MacLomain Series- Early Years) (14 page)

Mildred’s body shook harder against his and he did all he could to protect her.

When Bruce’s head turned in their direction he thought they were done for. He held his breath, ready to summon all the power he had.

Long, tense seconds passed.

As Bruce’s eyes peered into the darkness, wind whipped up, strong and sure. A sudden storm rolled in, impatient and angry, its turbulent intent wicked and twisting. The tide began to push forward at an alarming rate, creating vicious, white-tipped waves within a minute.

This storm was not born of magic.

No, it was born of the old gods.

Adlin never stopped watching Bruce as the water started to rush past their feet. And it seemed Bruce never stopped watching him either.

“My laird, we must go!”

The cry came from one of his men. Bruce, already knee deep, continued to stare. Adlin, already knee deep, did the same. Oddly enough, in that singular moment, Adlin wondered if his new God would make an appearance or would it always be the old gods who came to his rescue?

Even though he knew it a silly thought, aggravation reigned.

Mildred shook, her head buried against his chest. The waves now lapped at their thighs. Still, the MacLeod laird stared. But Adlin knew though Bruce searched, he didn’t see. Not really. Not yet.

“My laird, now!”

With a mad scowl, Bruce waded out of the water, gave the coast one last miserable sweep with his brooding eyes then followed his clansmen off the beach. Adlin waited several minutes until he knew they were gone.

But even that was too long for Mildred. Her frigid body went limp in his arms. If magic was an option right now he’d have her to Iosbail’s chambers in a second. Regrettably, it wasn’t and her core body temperature had fallen dangerously low. Regardless of his fear, five hundred years of life taught a lad a few things. Grabbing her around the midriff he dragged her out of the cave and onto the shore.

Once he had her onto a dry piece of land he took her face in one hand and said, “Mildred, wake up, now.”

Totally unresponsive, he lowered and leaned her against a rock. Supporting her back, he shook her face a little. “Mildred, listen to me, now!”

A few muscles jerked in her arms and her cheek twitched. “No, Jim.”

Adlin rocked back and stared. Jim?

But he already knew who Jim Seavey was.
Her friend from New Hampshire.
Her friend from back home.
That she mentioned Jim now told Adlin much. Jaw clenched, he shook his head.

Saving Mildred was so very important.

Adlin glanced around. He had nothing to warm her with and couldn’t use magic to create something.

Unless.

He laid her gently against the rock face, then ran over and scooped up his dry clothes. Bless the gods they’d been blown back by the wind after he undressed. Her clothes were nowhere to be seen. Their fur cloaks were gone. He quickly stripped off her wet garment and pulled his tunic over her head. Once he had that in place he wrapped her lower half in his tartan.

He’d have to remain nude.

The next trick was to give her body some sort of exercise and get it out of this blasted, Highland wind. Lifting her under the arms, he hoisted her up against the rock,
then
flung her over his shoulder. Forty steps later, he had her around the first bend up the pathway. Bruce and his men were long gone, driven away by the weather.

Adlin would like to say he was surprised to see Bruce gave in so easily but in truth, the laird had a warm castle to return to and even warmer women. His attention span had always been notoriously haphazard. Here’s hoping that didn’t change now.

Eventually he lowered her and leaned her against the rock wall. “Mildred, are you awake?”

Her eyes lolled.
“Mmm hmm.”

Adlin crouched and ran his hands over her arms rapidly then cupped her cheeks. “Mildred, I need you to look at me.”

“I know,” she whispered, drowsy eyes tried to focus.

“Do you?” he said sternly and shook her head a little. “You
have
to stay awake while I get you back to the castle, Mildred. If not, you’ll die.”

“Mmm hmm,” she murmured and closed her eyes.

He slapped her cheek.

“Ouch!”

“That’s right,” he responded. “I slapped you and will do so all the way.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “No, Adlin.”

Good, she said his name.

With a quick lurch forward, he gently scooped her up again, this time in his arms. She grunted and flailed slightly. As he climbed the path, Adlin kept to the shadows. At long last, he made his way into the back of the stables. Laying her down, he again took her head between his hands and whispered, “Mildred, are you awake?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

Good girl. But he knew she was only half awake and time was limited. Moving quickly, he snuck into the nearest stall and made his way down to his horse. He grabbed another tartan from his pack, wrapped it around his body and returned to Mildred.

Only to find her gone.

Chapter Six

“Shhh, say nothing, Mildred.”

Confused, discombobulated, she felt a warm finger press against her lips. Mildred opened her eyes and tried to focus.

“’Tis me, Iosbail.
You’re safe in a chamber in the MacLeod’s castle.”

Mildred tried to respond but Iosbail shook her head. “No, you must get some rest.”

Before she could say anything, the room began to fade then vanish.

The next thing she knew the sound of heavy, pounding rain drove her awake. Covered with thick blankets, a small stone chamber greeted her. Though wind whistled and screeched through a small arrow slit of a window, she was warm and safe.

What had happened to Adlin? The last thing she remembered they were on the beach. Frigid and petrified, the world had become a bleak place. Made especially dismal by the fact she’d so recently felt amazing. Her cheeks warmed at the thought of what she’d done with Adlin, or almost done. What was she thinking? She barely knew him!

Or at least that’s what she thought.

After the things they’d discussed and the way he’d made her feel, Mildred could concede to the concept that they’d possibly known each other much longer, even if only in dreams. He’d felt so incredible right and looked so amazingly handsome.

And she
was
human.

Rubbing her forehead, Mildred remembered how loosely she’d behaved with him in the water, nevermind on the shore. She should be ashamed of herself. But she wasn’t. And that couldn’t be good…or moral.

When she sat up slowly, Mildred realized she felt quite well. She thought for sure the room would spin or at the very least she’d find a few toes missing. But all was intact and despite the room being chilly, her body seemed in pretty great shape. Had Adlin or Iosbail used magic on her? They must have.

Careful, she swung her legs over the side of the cot and stood. Though the floor was icy cold, her legs worked well and she made her way to the clothes that’d been left on a chair in the corner of the room. After she slid into the chemise, dress and strange shoes, she grabbed the odd comb left for her and did the best she could to brush out her hair. With no mirror, she had no way of knowing how she looked. Not so great, she imagined.

When she stuck her head out the door, Mildred yelped in surprise.

Of all people, Laird Bruce leaned against the hallway wall.

Before she had a chance to say a word, he grabbed her arm. Petrified, she stumbled after him down the hallway then up a small set of stairs to a much larger chamber than the one in which she’d awoken. Though she tried not to, Mildred shook slightly as he somewhat forced her to sit in a chair.

He said nothing for several minutes as he paced in front of the fire, his eyes cutting her way. Eventually, he stopped, arms across his broad chest, and asked, “Where were you last eve?”

Mildred crossed her arms over her chest, not so much in defiance but to keep from shaking.
Please don’t let my voice waver
. “Here.”

“No,” he barked. “You were not.”

“Yes, I was… I mean, aye.”

Oh, Mildred, pull
yourself
together!

Bruce’s eyes narrowed. “You lie.”

“Nay.”

“Why do you lie?”

“I don’t lie.”

Bruce stalked her way, his hands falling on the arm rests at her side, his face dangerously close. “I want to know about your relationship to Adlin.”

Not Iosbail, but Adlin?

“I barely know him.”

She’d never told the truth so well.

His face was within inches of hers now. “Then why were you seen with him last eve?”

Mildred released a small, careful breath and gave a safe answer.
“Because we were at the same wedding.”

Bruce’s gaze intensified.
“Aye.
During and after.”

“I have no idea what you mean. I went to sleep after the wedding.”

His eyes stayed locked on hers for an uncomfortably long amount of time. By the grace of God, she didn’t flicker a lash, but held his gaze. At last, his eyes slowly left hers and traveled down her body. Mildred remained perfectly still, much like she imagined she would if faced with a grizzly bear. No sudden movements.

When Bruce finally pulled back, Mildred felt as if she’d passed a very important test. What exactly that was, she had no idea. At the very least, it seemed he’d been bluffing about them being seen together.

“You’re a bonnie, lass,” Bruce muttered as he paced toward the fire. “Adlin’s always had a good eye for the lassies.”

Even though his back remained turned, she gave no visible response to the declaration, mostly because she truly believed this man had eyes in the back of his head. As if he sensed her deceit, he turned sharply and again crossed his arms over his chest. “You’ve a wee bit o’ magic in you too, lass. He’d like that.”

Mildred nodded. “So my mum has said. As to Adlin, I don’t think I’m much his type.”

Bruce chuckled.
“Nay?
Why is that?”

She shook her head and fingered her hair.
“Too dark.”

“Your hair?”

“Aye.
Not fair at all.”

Bruce seemed perplexed. “How would you know?”

Mildred did her best to look a bit deflated. “I asked his sister.”

“Ah, so you admit you find him a sight.”

Time to be realistic.
Without missing a beat she replied, “What lass would not?”

Though his expression turned sour, Bruce seemed far less angry. Instead, his eyes took on a new edge, one that seemed to blend lust with cunning. It gave her not only the chills but a new level of fear.