The Angel and the Highlander (16 page)

L
achlan knew this wouldn’t be easy, but in the last two days he had gotten a taste of why Alyce Bunnock had been labeled a shrew. She snapped and barked at him and his men and no attempt he made to assuage the situation helped.

She had made every excuse not to spend a moment alone with him. All her time had been spent with the women she had, out of necessity, forged a sisterhood with, which made this parting all the more difficult.

He had maintained his patience with her, reminding himself that this was not an easy thing he asked of her. It would take time for her to adjust, and he was confident that once they had time alone together, and she became aware that being wed to him meant that she would retain the freedom she so strongly desired, she would be content.

Until then…he jokingly reminded himself not to strangle her.

They would be leaving in a couple of hours and Lachlan knew this would be the most difficult time for her and the other women. He wished there was some
thing he could do to ease the pain of their parting, but he knew there wasn’t.

Lachlan kept out of her way, seeing to last minute details and saying his own good-byes to Andrew and Evan.

“She’s going to be missed,” Andrew said, casting a quick glance to where Alyce stood with the other women. “She truly is a strong woman who leads with confidence and wisdom.”

Evan nodded. “Piper insists that Everagis won’t be the same without her.”

“Show them that because of Alyce’s leadership Everagis has grown and will continue to thrive,” Lachlan said. “Make them see they do this in her honor.”

Andrew smiled. “The people would be pleased to know that.” His smile disappeared. “But what of you?”

Lachlan grinned. “Have you ever seen me incapable of handling a woman?”

“That’s true,” Evan said.

“Maybe so,” Andrew admitted, “but you’ve never loved a woman the way you love Alyce.”

“That’s true too,” Evan said.

Lachlan patted each of them on the back and maintained his grin. “Faith, me lads, faith.”

Andrew’s smile returned. “You’re going to need plenty of it.”

Alyce kept a brisk and confident tone with her good-byes, though tears pooled in her eyes. She refused to shed them, for if she did, they would all be crying like
fools and she didn’t want the women to remember her that way.

“You’ll all do well, and I will return to visit,” Alyce assured them.

“Promise?” Megan asked, fighting her own tears.

“You have my word on it,” Alyce said and saw that Lachlan approached. The time was here; she truly was leaving her home and family.

“He comes for you,” Hester said sadly.

Alyce gave the slim woman an exuberant hug and whispered in her ear, “You must be the big sister now. Watch over them as I would and love them all as I do.”

“I will and thank you, thank you so very much for all you have done for me and the others.”

Alyce turned to the pint-sized Piper next and with a quick hug and a kiss to her cheek, she said, “You are an amazing wonder in the woods. I would never have survived them without you. Love and be happy with Evan, you deserve it.”

Piper was so choked with tears that she could only nod her head.

It was Rowena’s turn and the two hugged and smiled, and Rowena whispered, “You take care of yourself and the babe.”

“And you have a good life with Talon,” Alyce said and turned to Megan.

Megan threw herself into Alyce’s arms and cried. “I will miss you. You have been so good to me. You gave me my life back.”

“You took your life back,” Alyce said and looked around at the women. “We did well. We faced ad
versity together and grew stronger. We built a home with hard work and plenty of love and welcomed with open arms those who needed the same. Continue the good we have done and Everagis will continue to prosper along with all of you. And know that you all will remain in my heart.”

She turned quickly and walked away, her heart feeling as if it were breaking in pieces and didn’t stop when she reached Lachlan, she walked past him to the waiting horses and, without anyone’s help, mounted the mare Lachlan had ready for her and rode off without looking back.

Lachlan caught up with her a few moments later, which she had no doubt he would. She waited for him to chastise her, but he didn’t. He simply brought his horse alongside hers and rode in silence beside her.

His men caught up with them, a few moving in front to take the lead and the others trailing behind.

The ache still bit at her heart, though she knew it would fade. Her heart had pained her when her father had sent her away. She had felt betrayed, but eventually she healed. Did she really have any choice in the matter? She could either make the most of what life dealt her or surrender to what? Misery? Anger?

No, she had refused to do that. She had forged a new life with new people and now it seemed that she was about to do that again. And once again against her will. Would she ever truly be able to decide her own fate?

But if she were honest, hadn’t she decided her fate when she had fallen in love with Lachlan?

“If you grow tired, let me know and we will stop and rest,” Lachlan said.

She turned and stared at him for a moment before turning away from him to look straight ahead. There was love there in his eyes for her. It shined like a radiant beacon that reached out to her with tender concern and empathy and oddly it helped ease some of the ache from her heart.

“I am sorry I have caused you such pain,” he said.

His sincere concern continued to help heal her hurt, and she felt a twinge of guilt for the way she had been treating him, though not enough to forgive him.

“In time—”

She didn’t let him finish. “I do not wish to speak of it.”

“It would be better if we discussed it.”

“I don’t wish to discuss it.”

He opened his mouth and she interrupted him again.

“If you intend to tell me I’m being obstinate, you’re wasting your time.”

He smiled and she wanted to smack it off his face, for he had used it as a weapon against her these last two days. No matter what she had said or done; he had smiled. But then why wouldn’t he; he knew he would have his way.

“I know and you know that you’re obstinate. There’s no need to remind you.”

“Then what did you intend to say?” she asked curious.

“Anything that would allow for a conversation without argument.”

“I told you I didn’t want to talk,” she reminded him.

“We always talked,” he reminded in turn. “I often wondered how we found so much to talk about. We never lacked for conversation unless of course we were making love.”

She didn’t fight or prevent her smile. He was right. They had talked endlessly and had never grown bored with each other. Truth be told, she missed that time with him.

“I’ve missed talking with you,” he admitted.

While she wouldn’t admit the same, she said, “We had good talks.”

“We could have them again.”

She threw his own words back at him, though felt a shrew for doing so. “In time.”

He simply changed the subject. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine,” she answered curtly and turned her attention to the road ahead.

“The babe hasn’t made you ill? Cavan’s wife Honora suffered some illness when she carried the twins, though Zia, Artair’s wife, suffered not a day and will probably have delivered the babe before we reach home.”

“Please tell me we will not be living with your family in the keep,” she said.

He gave a low laugh. “I knew that might be a prob
lem so I left orders for a sizeable cottage to be made ready for us.”

“Close to the keep?” she asked.

“No, a distance.”

“By woods?”

“We live surrounded by moors,” Lachlan said.

“Desolate land,” she claimed with a shiver.

“Beautiful land, if you look at it differently.”

“I prefer the woods.”

“There’s a small cropping of woods not far from the keep, though most stay clear of it, claiming it’s enchanted; Honora being the exception. She frequently visits there. I’m sure she’ll take you there if you wish.”

“This is all so easy for you,” she said suddenly angry. “You return to a loving family to live as you choose and you expect me to do the same. How rude of you!”

She snapped the reins to ride past him, but he grabbed hold of them and forced her mare to hold firm.

“You will remain beside me,” he ordered sternly. “You can snap at me and disagree with me, but when I give an order regarding your safety you will obey.”

She sneered. “I have and will continue to look after myself.”

“That is no longer necessary,” he said sharply. “That is a husband’s responsibility.”

“I didn’t ask for a husband.”

“Well, you have one.”

“Not by my doing,” she reminded.

“That makes no difference. You’re stuck with me.”

“We’re stuck with each other.

Lachlan shook his head. “Not true. I chose to wed you. No one forced you on me. I didn’t even know you carried my child at the time, so that wasn’t a consideration. I wed you because I love you, therefore, I am not stuck with you.”

Her heartache had taken on a different pain and she voiced it. “I wish I had the same right to choose.”

“I believe love made the choice for both of us.”

“I don’t doubt you love me, but I wish you would understand me,” she said.

“I think I understand you better than you realize.”

She disagreed. “I don’t believe so.”

“Then perhaps it is you who needs to understand me.”

A shout from one of his men had him riding off, leaving her to ponder his remark. She believed she understood him. Was it possible she didn’t? Was she missing something?

She had two full months before they reached his home, perhaps there would be epiphanies along the way.

The disagreeable weather made for a miserable journey. Rain haunted them as well as constant gray skies. They were caught in more than one downpour and had to seek what shelter they could.

Alyce spent much of the journey alone since Lachlan was constantly busy seeing to all the problems caused
by the weather. The small cart that carried essentials got stuck in mud more often than not and some of the horses had to be directed around thick mud holes. By evening when camp was finally settled everyone except those on watch slept.

It was a grueling journey and one Alyce couldn’t wait to see end. She was tired and irritable and at times angry and not even sure at what. One day it was her father her anger settled on, then another time it was Lachlan and sometimes she was angry with herself. She berated herself for refusing to accept her marriage to Lachlan and be happy, after all she loved him. What more did she want?

As selfish or shrewish as it might sound, she wanted her life, her way. Everagis had given her a taste of freedom and she loved it. It hadn’t only been difficult and painful to say farewell to the women, it had been heartbreaking to leave Everagis. She felt as though she had left a part of herself there, a part she’d never get back again.

Her musings were interrupted by shouts and she halted her mare. It was raining hard, the ground turning muddier and her cloak soaked through. She saw the men dismount and begin to lead their horses, which meant a mud hole ahead. She didn’t wait for help, though she knew Lachlan expected her to. It would only hold them up some more and she wanted this journey to end as fast as possible.

She dismounted and her feet sunk into the thick mud. She shook her head and took the reins to lead her horse.

“Slow and steady, girl,” she said and with some difficulty they moved along.

They were doing fine when suddenly she heard a shout from behind her. She turned to see that one of the men had lost control of his horse, the animal’s one hoof having become stuck in the mud. She was frantically trying to free herself, but she only managed to bury herself more. The man’s angry shouts didn’t help and were beginning to upset the other horses around him.

Alyce couldn’t stand watching the man’s stupidity and after consoling her horse and tethering her to a branch; she went to take control of the dangerous situation.

“Stop shouting,” she ordered the man.

“Get away from here,” he yelled and waved her away, which frightened the already frightened horse more. “Go! I know how to handle this idiot animal.”

Alyce booted the man in the leg, grabbing the reins from his hands as he went tumbling into the mud. “You’re the only idiot animal around here.”

He wiped the mud from his face, his eyes flashing wide and he made ready to get up.

Alyce made a tight fist and shook it in his face. “Try it. Just try it and I’ll knock what teeth you have left out.”

She didn’t wait to see what he would do; she turned to help the horse. First, she calmed the mare with a soft voice, so the mare would stop fighting and digging herself in deeper. Then she gently tugged on the
reins and the horse slowly inch by inch began easing herself out of the mud.

Alyce was familiar enough with animals to know that if the horse wasn’t free soon, she would panic again and sink even deeper. She needed a good shove to help her take that last step.

She continued talking to the mare while bracing her hands on her chest. She pushed easy at first and then she urged the horse to backup putting all her weight into pushing against her.

“You can do it,” she encouraged and urged, “Go. Go. Go.” And she shoved hard against the mare’s chest and with one sudden step the horse was out, and Alyce fell facedown in the mud.

L
achlan couldn’t believe his eyes and wiped the rain from his face twice to make certain it wasn’t an apparition he witnessed. His pregnant wife was attempting to free a horse, and not even her horse, from the mud when she suddenly fell forward.

He hurried as fast as he could, though the thick mud slowed down his steps. He cursed and muttered as he watched her face disappear into the muck. By the time he reached her she was struggling to get up.

Grabbing her under the arms, he yanked her up and turned her around. He was struck silent by her laughter and the brilliance of her wide eyes that resembled bright moons in a pitch black sky.

“Did you see that? Did you see what happened?” she said through her laughter.

“I certainly did,” he snapped. “And it was a foolish thing to do. You could have been hurt.”

Her laughter dwindled. “But I wasn’t, and the horse is free and I—” She poked his chest with a muddy finger. “Got to play in the mud.”

“You fell in the mud,” he corrected.

“It’s the way you perceive it,” she argued with laughter. “Besides I knew perfectly well what I was doing unlike your idiot warrior who caused the problem.”

“It wasn’t your concern,” Lachlan said and almost smiled, for while she was covered in mud there was an appeal to her that Lachlan had a hard time ignoring. Perhaps it was her tenacious ability to find humor and courage in adversity.

“Don’t even think of restricting me from helping a poor animal in distress,” she said, mud and rainwater flying off her hand as she shook a finger at him. “Your dictate will fall on deaf ears.” She hefted up her mud-soaked, rain-drenched cloak and skirt and headed to her horse.

Lachlan followed on her heels. “My concern is for you and the babe.”

Alyce didn’t answer until she reached her horse and had the reins in her hand. “Don’t for once think that I would do anything to harm our child. He is nestled safe inside me and I will keep him that way. I will always protect him, with my life if necessary.”

“By falling in the mud?” he accused.

“Mud provides a soft, protective cushion.” She shook her head. “Don’t you think I considered that before I took action? How can you claim to love me when you don’t truly know me?”

“I could claim the same, since you knew full well your actions would upset me.”

“Then perhaps neither of us knows each other.”

“Then it’s about time we learned,” he said and took hold of her waist to swing her up on her mare. “Now stay there until we make camp.”

He didn’t wait to hear her protest. He marched off, though his steps were anything but firm and confident. The mud made him appear the complete opposite and he could almost hear her snicker.

How did he allow her her freedom, when it cost him his sanity? She was a strong, courageous and capable woman, but she was also his wife. While he didn’t wish to limit her, he also didn’t wish to live with a constant pit of worry in his stomach.

There was no telling what she would do. She was accustomed to being answerable to no one and being in charge. How could he expect her to change her ways in only a few weeks? Angus Bunnock had repeatedly warned him, after the marriage papers had been signed and sealed, that his daughter was much like him, a leader. Angus had wished Alyce had been born a male, for he confided to Lachlan that she would make a better laird than he had. And while Angus had grown angry with his daughter for failing to accept the men he had offered in marriage, he understood why she refused every one of them. But it was his duty to see her wed, while he would have much rather seen her lead.

Lachlan wiped the rain from his face in frustration. This return trip home was not going at all as he had planned. He had thought for sure they would have plenty of time to talk and settle some if not all the problems between them. It didn’t look as if that was going to happen.

They would reach home in a couple of weeks and if the weather continued as it had, it would leave them no time to spend together. There were no answers to his dilemma. It would be slow and steady steps for them both and in time…

He shook his head. She had warned that time would change nothing but then…

He smiled. Alyce truly didn’t know how charmingly persistent he could be.

They arrived at the Sinclare keep a tired, frustrated, rain-soaked troop all relieved and grateful to be home; all but one.

Rain followed them right to the front door of the keep, it serving only to help Alyce find fault with her new home. She didn’t care for the desolate moors that surrounded the village and tall keep that blended in color with the gray skies. From what she could see of the village, it looked prosperous and well tended, and she was surprised by the flurry of villagers, all with generous smiles, who braved the torrential rain to welcome the warriors home.

She was dismounting when Lachlan’s hands closed around her waist and helped her off her mare.

“Let me have the pleasure of—”

“Playing the gentlemen?” Alyce finished.

Lachlan pressed his cheek to hers and whispered, “No, just the opposite. I want the pleasure of touching you.”

His seductive whisper sent a shiver racing through her, especially since his remark conjured up visions
of his hands intimately roaming her body.

“Tonight, we’ll finally have time alone,” he murmured and placed his hand in the lower curve of her back to guide her up the steps to the keep.

She got angry at her traitorous body for responding to his suggestive words and simple yet intimate touch and she lashed out at him. “I’m hungry, dirty, and tired.”

“I’ll feed you, wash you, and with gentle touches lull you to sleep,” he whispered.

She attempted to protest, though why she couldn’t say, since his offer was excitingly tempting, but he was quicker.

“You can berate me later, preferably while I’m washing you,” he teased with a smile. “Right now, prepare to meet my family.”

He pushed open the heavy wooden door and they entered the great hall. There was a bustle of activity and it took a moment for them to be noticed. Once they did, the women rushed to them.

“Thank God you’re home,” a tall, slim woman cried out.

Alyce could see the resemblance to Lachlan and knew the woman had to be his mother.

“We were worried with the weather being so bad,” a petite beauty toting a lad not yet a full year in her arms acknowledged.

“I told them you would be fine,” a red-haired beauty with startling green eyes and a babe swathed in a blanket cradled in her arms commented.

“You’ve had the babe, Zia,” Lachlan said, thrilled, and peeked at the sleeping child.

“I named her Blythe, after my mother,” Zia said proudly.

A man that Alyce reluctantly admitted to herself was handsomer than Lachlan, and definitely his brother, slipped his arm around Zia.

“Your wife looks exhausted. Introduce us so she can sit, rest, and eat.”

“My brother Artair, the only sensible one among us,” Lachlan said, both men reaching out to lock hands.

“Good to have you home,” Artair said and turned to Alyce. “Welcome to the family, Alyce.”

Lachlan began introducing each one. His mother Addie, Cavan’s wife Honora, and Tavish, the twin named after Lachlan’s father. Zia and Artair and a yapping Champion, a loveable dog who came bouncing in the room from what Addie explained was his favorite haunt, the kitchen.

“You need food, a bath, and rest, in that order,” Addie said and took her hand.

Addie had Alyce seated at the table before the hearth with food in front of her before she could say a thing, and she didn’t hesitate in assuaging her hunger. Besides, she would rather her mouth be full, since she wasn’t in the mood to converse with Lachlan’s family.

They were his family, not hers, and seeing them content and happy only made her miss
her
family more.

“We are so pleased to have you as part of our family,
Alyce,” Addie said, refilling her tankard. “We couldn’t wait for Lachlan to bring you home.”

“This isn’t my home,” Alyce said bluntly.

The table turned silent.

“I do my duty as my father wishes,” Alyce explained.

“That is good. You will be an obedient wife to my brother,” said the strong and commanding voice.

Alyce turned expecting to face Cavan, laird of the clan Sinclare, and ready to speak her mind. However, the impressive height and width of him coupled with the way he tenderly cradled his sleeping son in his arms stunned her silent.

Honora rose to take the child from him and placed him in the cradle beside his sleeping brother.

Cavan went to his brother Lachlan and greeted him with a firm hand to his shoulder. “It is good to have you and your wife safely home.” He turned to Alyce. “Welcome to our family.”

“I really didn’t have much choice in the matter,” Alyce said tartly.

“Not many of us do,” Cavan said and slipped his arm around his wife as he nestled beside her.

“You didn’t wish to wed your wife?” Alyce asked, knowing full well their story and expecting the laird to take insult.

Honora laughed. “Neither of us wished to wed the other, but we found ourselves stuck.”

Lachlan playfully poked Alyce in the side beneath the table.

She jabbed him back and said, “And you accepted this fate without question?”

“I had a duty,” Cavan said, “and so did Honora, and I thank the heavens everyday that in honoring my duty, I was blessed with the perfect wife.”

“I have the perfect wife,” Artair challenged with a grin.

“That’s true he does,” Zia agreed happily.

“I hate to disappoint all of you,” Lachlan said and thumped his chest. “But my wife is perfection.”

The three brothers raised and clanked their tankards together and gave a roar.

The weight of the journey suddenly descended over Alyce and she found it difficult to keep herself upright. She soon had no choice but to rest against Lachlan and his arm went quickly around her.

“You’re tired,” he said with concern.

“It’s been too long of a journey,” Addie offered.

“Especially since she is with child,” Lachlan said with pride, though concern remained.

Addie clapped with joy. “More grandbabies. I’m so very blessed.”

Everyone else took turns offering congratulations while Alyce was overcome with a longing for her home and her sisters. She wanted their comfort not these strangers, and damn if tears didn’t threaten her eyes. She fought them, but she was so exhausted it took the last bit of strength she had to keep them locked away.

Addie stood as did Honora and after Zia handed Blythe to Artair, she stood as well.

“We’ll get you washed and settled in bed,” Addie said.

That did it for Alyce. She didn’t want strangers tending her. She wanted the women who had faced the roughest of times with her and remained strong and ready to care for each other.

Alyce bolted up, tears clearing paths down her muddy cheeks. “I don’t need your help, nor do I want it.” Hit with a sudden pain, her hand flew to her stomach. Her eyes turned wide, and she didn’t know what to do or who to turn to.

Lachlan had her up in his arms in seconds.

Zia was quick to order Lachlan to take his wife up to their bedchamber.

Lachlan hurried out of the hall with his wife in his arms. “Zia is an excellent healer. She will take care of you.”

Alyce kept silent until they entered his bedchamber. “Put me down,” she commanded sharply. “The pain has passed, I’m fine.”

He eased her to her feet. “Perhaps but it is best—”

“I need a bath and sleep.”

“After Zia has a look at you,” he said calmly, but firmly.

Zia entered just then followed by Addie and Honora.

Alyce was quick to make her wants known. “I don’t need your help, a bath and bed is all I need.”

Lachlan looked ready to object, but his mother spoke first.

“I’ll see to having a bath made ready,” Addie said and Honora offered to help, leaving only Zia.

“Have you had pains before this?” Zia asked, remaining by the open door.

“A good healer and friend told me what to expect. I do not need another opinion,” Alyce said coldly.

“Zia is—”

“Going to leave you to enjoy your bath and rest,” Zia finished. “If you have a question or care to talk I’m here for you.”

“That was rude,” Lachlan said as soon as Zia closed the door behind her.

“I don’t need, nor want their help,” Alyce said, guilt stabbing at her. Zia seemed like a good woman as did the others, and she knew she was being prickly but she was annoyed.

“You’re not even giving this a chance,” Lachlan accused. “I understand your anger and that you miss your home, but it’s time to create a new home for you, me, and our babe.”

“That’s easy for you to say when you have your family around you.”

Lachlan rubbed the back of his neck. “Give my family a chance. You may find you like them.”

He was right. Alyce knew he was right and yet she would continue to argue with him if she didn’t hold her tongue. The need to lash out remained strong, though she knew it would do little good. She should simply accept her fate…

She shook her head and almost screamed aloud. She had forged a different life for herself and one she favored. She loved Lachlan, but how could she be
someone she wasn’t? What now was she to do with her days?

“Go away!” she yelled at him.

“Let me help—”

Alyce groaned, grabbing the sides of her skirt. “Don’t you understand I don’t want your help? I beg of you. Go away and leave me in peace.”

“You are my wife—”

“Not tonight,” she said bluntly. “Tonight I sleep alone.”