Page 94 of A Highland Bride Taken
“How could ye expect me to stay back and stew in me worry?” she countered. “Talia told me everything that happened with yer braither and Layla. I cannae… I cannae believe he is responsible for their deaths. I just… I couldnae help but fear he would hurt ye and the boys. I kenned ye would need the men. I only hoped I would come in time, but I see me worry was unfounded.”
That had been her only concern when she had run to his man-at-arms to inform him of the danger her husband was in, and had been her way of convincing the men to let her come along.
They had ridden slower than they would have because she was with them, and all the while her heart had soared for the loyalty they showed to her as well.
While she had been worried about finding Campbell hurt or in danger, she had also been grateful that she had been accepted by his men.
“And ye came? Even though ye kenned ye would be in danger?” he asked, his expression unfathomable. “Yer worry is well founded, but I cannae understand why ye would risk yerself when ye could have let the men come on their own.”
His lovely eyes were ablaze with emotion that winded her and stole whatever pretenses she could have put up in front of him. Warmth spread through her, and her heart soared with emotion. She felt naked before him, as though he could see into the depths of her being, and she didn’t care.
Her love for him had her forgetting any fear she would have felt speaking to his men. Had her ready for battle if the need had arisen.
“I couldnae keep meself from alerting yer men,” she told him, fisting her hands in his shirt. “I didnae want ye any more hurt than ye have been. Aidan and Layla couldnae have been saved, but I wanted to protect ye. Yer grandfaither was?—”
“I have put an end to his threat,” he interrupted, his voice as cold as ice.
Emotions flitted across his face, and even though she was relieved that their little family was finally safe, she knew it could not have been an easy thing to do. Darragh had been an unpleasant, evil man, but he was family, nonetheless.
“It must nae have been an easy task,” Mabel murmured, lifting a hand to her husband’s face. “I am sorry ye had to be the one to do it.”
He kissed her palm and cupped her face in his hand. Her cheeks flushed at the intimacy of the gesture, knowing well that his men were present.
“I am nae,” he sighed, his eyes softening. “I wanted to make sure that ye and the boys willnae live in fear of him again. I already warned him to stay away from me clan. This was a fair judgment.”
She nodded in understanding.
“Is that why ye brought the entire clan?” he asked with a teasing smile.
Her face heated further, and she hid it in his chest, not knowing what pushed her to be so bold.
“I worried that he would hurt ye and…”
His arms went around her, and she didn’t mind the stains the blood would leave on her dress. Her only concern was how hard her heart was pounding as he held her in his arms.
“Me brave little wife,” he murmured into her hair. “Ye were worried about me.”
“Aye,” she answered honestly, sagging into his hold.
His scent was comforting, chasing away the chill that had plagued her as she rode through the Highlands after him.
“Ye are me husband.”
“I am most fortunate to have a wife who cares for me the way ye do,” he sighed. “I thank ye, Mabel.”
She lifted her eyes to his at the emotion in his voice. This would be the first time he had said her name, and the sound on his lips was more beautiful than anything she had ever heard.
How was she to stop loving this man when even the mere breath he took around her had her falling deeper for him?
Her eyes searched his, just as his eyes searched hers, flicking briefly to her lips and then back to her eyes.
For a second, she wondered if he would kiss her.
Campbell was filled with emotion like he had never experienced before. He watched the beautiful woman in his arms, unable to understand why she had put herself in danger for a man so undeserving.
He knew she was reserved, especially with strangers, but she had spoken to his men and had them riding by her side to save him.
He had realized her courage when she had ridden across the Highlands to get to the boys, and now she had done it again just because she worried for him.
