Page 7 of Bride of the Merciless Laird
“Aye. I share yer suspicion that me abductors were his minions. If that is so, then I can only assume he is seeking revenge for the manner in which he was disgraced and banished from MacNeacail lands.”
Mackenzie looked at her squarely, meeting her gaze. As she met the blue depths of his gaze, searching his eyes for reassurance, her heart flipped. Although her instincts screamed at her to withhold her trust until she came to know him, she felt the stone walls guarding her heart loosen just a little.
“Ye’ve nae told me where yer journey was taking ye.”
Lord, there is something about this man that jolts me heart. Yet I still seek reassurance that I would be safe in his company.
“Fergive me, milaird, fer addressing ye in this manner, as ye have just saved me life. But I cannae help but wonder why ye think it yer business tae ken me plans?” Tyra asked, her cheeks coloring as she did.
He nodded slowly at her words. “I am aware of the predicament ye find yerself in now, milady. And I comprehend yer misgivings, so I willnae push ye to reveal yer movements if ye dinnae care tae dae so. But without soldiers guarding ye it will nae be possible tae continue yer journey, fer it would be both foolish and dangerous. Mayhap, even returning to Skye would put ye in danger.” He shrugged, a half-smile quirking his generous mouth as if he was pondering a solution to her problem. “Besides, the inclement weather makes the roads altogether impassable.”
I am nay fool. Of course, I am well aware of me parlous situation.
“Aye. I have been contemplating me situation Laird Mackenzie, and I ken me options are limited.” She spoke more sharply than she intended. “Mayhap I should accompany me brave lads on their way back tae Skye and take me chances on the road.” A shiver ran through her as she recalled the evil threats she’d received.
Mackenzie said nothing for a few moments, as if considering what she’d said.
“I can offer ye another possibility.”
“Oh? And what would that be?”
“Me castle is but a short ride from this inn. Ye would be most welcome tae shelter there until a message can be sent tae Skye and yer braither is able tae send more men-at-arms tae escort ye on yer journey.”
She was at once grateful for his generosity and at the same time seized by a wave of misgiving. Although his offer was tempting, she was still uncertain whether she could trust him. His timely appearance during the attack suddenly struck her as more than a coincidence. What if it was planned, so that he could take her to Harris MacDonald after all? She knew that what she was thinking did not really make sense. Her head whirled with confused thoughts, believing in Mackenzie one second, mistrusting him a moment later.
“There is one thing I’ve been curious about, Laird Mackenzie.” Her tone bristled with suspicion.
“And what might that be?”
“How was it that ye came upon meself and me attackers? It was a most fortuitous happenstance. Had ye nae come when ye did, I could well have been taken. Yet we were in a place remote from the village where nay passerby would be.”
He ran long fingers through his short dark hair, shaking his head.
“I understand ye are wary, milady. That I happened tae be there was, indeed, fortuitous. I had been visiting one of me tenants regarding feed fer me livestock, and was returning tae me home,Castle Eilean Donan. Crossing the burn and going through the woods is the shortest route and one I frequently take.”
She nodded. What he said made sense. Her shoulders loosened slightly, alleviating the painful knots. “I ken ye were nearby, but how was it ye found me?”
“I was riding nae far from where ye were when I heard yer scream and the lads’ shouts. It was clear there was something amiss and, from the sound of it, I kent a lass was in grave danger and screaming fer help.” He gave a serious look. “And, there’s nay possibility I could ignore the sound of a lass in distress, especially when that lass was on Mackenzie land.”
The more he spoke, the more sense he made.
There seemed no reason not to believe him, yet her nature since the debacle of her betrothal to Harris MacDonald, was to find trust elusive. If not impossible.
Allowing herself the hint of a smile she toted up the reasons to believe in him. Hehadcome to her rescue and slain two of her attackers. The landlordhadaddressed him as “laird,” giving her no reason to disbelieve that he was the Laird Ewan Mackenzie and this was his land. As the laird, it made sense hewouldtake the shortest route to his home. His story fitted with everything that had taken place.
Clenching her lower lip with her teeth she sucked in a nervous breath. Now he was offering her an answer to her predicament. She could rest at his castle while a message was conveyed toEdmund. She had no doubt her half-brother would send men to guard her. In the meantime, she would be safe at Mackenzie’s castle and, when the weather improved, she would be able to continue her journey.
With no reason not to accept his truth, she would be foolish indeed to refuse his offer. She dipped her head and nodded gratefully.
“Thank ye. That is most generous of ye.” Then, taking a deep breath, she made up her mind to reveal her plans. It would be foolish now, to hide them.
“As I have decided tae trust ye, and given I will be a guest in yer home, I feel I should tell ye me story, fer ye have a right tae ken exactly whom ye are offering hospitality tae. I was journeying tae the Priory at Pluscarden. I am tae take refuge there with the nuns while me dear braither seeks a suitable match fer me and negotiates a satisfactory betrothal.” She found it difficult to keep the mournful tone out of her voice. “It is nae something that pleases me.” She sighed. “Yet there is naught else fer me, fer right now I feel me life is in danger. That has become evident taenight. So thank ye fer what ye are daein’.”
He shrugged, slanting her a grin.
At that moment the landlord, a harried expression on his face, came bustling over and they turned their attention to him.
“Ye room is ready, as always, milaird. I trust ye’ll bide wi’ us overnight, fer the weather has taken a turn fer the worse.”
