Page 77 of When a Highlander Vows
She did not understand why fate was so cruel, and a tear dropped as they listened to the groans of men and the clash of metal.
No one. There was no one. A messenger had ridden in that morning to the castle, Archie said, delivering the message that Lucas was needed at the border again. The message was from Laird MacGregor, claiming that McDougall men had broken through the borders again, and frustrated, Lucas had ridden off, determined to meet with the laird at long last to deal with this once and for all. The fact that the laird’s message had interrupted a lovely morning with the woman he loved more than anything else in the world did not help the fury inside of him as he rode to meet him.
But once he arrived on MacGregor land at the appointed place, there was no one there to meet him. The border he’d created was still in place, and there was no sign of recent problems. He jumped down from Searbas’ back, looking around in confusion until he heard the distinct sound of a sword being unsheathed.
He turned again to see two cloaked strangers, without colors, walking toward him, pulling their swords from their sheaths ready for battle.
“Time for it to come to an end, Laird McDougall,” the one man said, his face hidden underneath his dark hood.
“Aye, a message from Laird MacGregor,” the other said, and before Lucas could respond with words, they lunged for him, growls in their throats, their swords held high.
But Lucas was not quelled by two men. His sword had come out the second he’d seen the men, and his dirk was at the ready as well. The fight was quick, over in seconds, and Lucas was glad that this time, Caitlin was not there to witness it, hiding from her place in the bushes.
Once he’d felled the men, he stared down at them as the lay mortally wounded on the ground. He removed their cloaks and saw with stark disbelief, that they were wearing the MacGregor colors.
“What is the meaning of this?” he asked the one who was still looking at him.
“He is takin’ yer land as we speak. His Clan demands power,” the man continued, choking a bit. “Ye willnae defeat him now.”
With a scoff, Lucas stood, his heart hammering away in his chest. “Just ye wait.”
Hopping on Searbas’ back again, he kicked the horse into speed as they galloped away. His mind flew instantly to Caitlin, and he hated the thought of what fear she was going through in that moment. He could just imagine her there. Shuddering. Sitting there wondering where he was, wondering if he left her again. Wondering if all the happiness they’d suddenly found would be gone in a moment.
There was one thing he knew for certain. As he rode back toward his castle, the castle that was his birthright, the castle that he earned through blood toil. He knew that he would burn it to the ground. Let it go. He would do whatever he had to do, give everything up and Caitlin would be safe.
That was his greatest concern now. But Jack Webster learned about McDougall Castle and somehow knew that Caitlin was his woman. And somehow would find a way to take his gravest revenge.
39
At least the border was not far away. But it was far enough for any army to prepare for battle. For the first time Lucas was truly terrified. His father had attempted to beat the fear out of him, making his life unbearable. But nothing could touch him. But nothing terrified him. Until now. Was she hurt, the person most precious to him?
It reminded him of why he’d never grown attached before. Why he tended to keep people at an arm’s length. Even though he tried desperately in that moment to muster up regret falling in love with Caitlin, he could not. It still seemed to him to be the rightest thing in the world.
And then he came upon the castle. The mystery was explained, making him lose his breath. He pulled on the reins, stopping the horse within seconds. They knew each other so well that the horse made no sound and they turned to hide behind a section of trees.
So many soldiers. There were so many men on their feet and on horseback surrounding his castle. His own men stood on the ramparts, showering arrows down upon those in front. The gates had been shut and barred. You could tell that Archie had kept the rest of the soldiers inside. There had not been time to prepare for battle.
So now Lucas had to decide what to do. If he ran forward, he would most certainly be attacked and killed and then where would the castle be?
His mind worked as he tried to think of a solution. He turned his face to the west and saw the outline of the closest village. He would go there. Wait and plan. Perhaps even gather a few men. Taking a long way around, he left for the village. A plan in mind.
As soon as he arrived, he went straight to the village chief, an older man. He was getting on in years, but still quite wise. He did not wait to be allowed in, but burst in through the door to see them, a lady sitting at his knee.
“Me Laird!” the man said, sittin up, surprised. His wife too stood at his arrival, and Lucas shook his head.
“Forgive the intrusion, Liam, but there is a battle afoot. Ye should protect the village as best ye can, but the neighboring clan MacGregor has come to lay siege to me castle. To all of us, if we arenae careful.”
“The bastard!” Liam said, pounding a fist into the wood. “He was always makin’ plans to expand, ever since I’ve kenned him.”
Lucas was kicking himself in that moment. He’d known too, had remembered his father speaking of it often, but when he’d searched for someone who would send killers after him he did not think of Jack Webster. He had been too prideful, thinking Webster was far too old to consider fighting against him now. In Lucas’ mind, having strong clans near by only bolstered their strength against the English together. He had forgotten that some desired only power and would do anything to get it.
“I need to send a message to me men. To help them make a plan of action. If I approach now, all will be lost.”
“Aye, true enough.” The old man walked toward him. “We will wait until the cover of night, and I have just the person who should take yer message, Me Laird.”
“Night?” Lucas asked. “What if they get through the walls by then?” He could hear the fear thread through his voice, and it made him sick.
He had to be strong, or all was lost.
