Page 36 of Married to the Highland Devil
Arran laughed as Duncan bent over to grab the head of his sword. They launched right into another round of fencing after that, and Duncan did not tire out even thirty minutes later.
His heart pounded, and every thrust of his blade and fast swing to dodge Arran’s blow eased some of his tension away.
After a long time, his muscles had started to feel sore, and he was tiring out, finally. Duncan was breathless when they both dropped their swords to the ground and panted.
He dropped his hands to his knees, so he could catch his breath for a while, and when he stood straight again, he said to Arran, “I feel so much better.”
“Ye do?” Arran asked, flashing him a strange smile.
Duncan’s forehead creased because of it, and when Arran chuckled a bit, he looked around them and realized why he was smiling.
Amelia was walking in their direction with her maid, Dahlia.
“I dinnae think ye will feel relief for long, my friend,” Arran teased him and burst into a loud laugh. The chortle filled the air, making Duncan stare at him in annoyance.
“I shall head to my cottage in the village… I expect to see ye at the pub down the castle later?”
Duncan did not think he could object to that invitation. As it stood, his muscles had tensed up again, and the rush of desire pumping through him now was massive.
He only realized he had clenched his right hand tight when Arran touched his shoulder.
“Perhaps just tell her how ye feel?” Arran whispered in his ear. “Ye care for everyone, Duncan; perhaps it is time ye took somethin’ for yourself?”
Duncan said nothing as he watched his friend walk away then he focused his gaze on Amelia again. The golden reflection of the sunrays bounced on her figure and made her look even more beautiful.
Her hair was let loose now, and the wind picked up the lovely blonde waves. The shade had a bit of red in it that reminded him of strawberries. Thinking about that now, he could nearly inhale her scent.
She was not close to him, but she made him feel this way.
What would happen if she were by my side?
Amelia and Dahlia approached him now, but their steps were slow, and Duncan knew he could walk away before they even reached him.
He weighed his options. He could stay because he wanted to speak with her, or he could run off because he feared being around her would make him cave in to his feelings.
Duncan was still contemplating what to do next when he heard the neigh of a horse nearby and turned to see the galloping horse heading in his direction.
“My Laird!” Matthew yelled even before he brought his horse to a full stop and jumped off it. He bowed his head in a rush and spoke in rapid Gaelic. “There’s been an attack in Bune. I have sent men there, but they are outnumbered. The bandits came out of nowhere. I have reason to believe that they have lived amongst the villagers for some time, and so they ken their way around.”
Duncan glanced back at Amelia briefly for a split-second while admiring her, and he wondered how different their lives could be if the threat of danger did not loom above his head at every turn.
The old woman’s words in the village the other day came to his mind.
This weddin’ will only be yer doom.
Duncan did not believe those words for a second. If anything, he was the one damning Amelia by subjecting her to his life of danger.
He looked away sharply and focused on Matthew, every part of him charged and ready for the fight laying ahead. “I am comin’ with ye,” he said in a rush, and Matthew stepped aside, so he could grab the reins of his horse and mount.
The ride back to the castle was a quick one as Duncan galloped at his horse’s fullest speed and strength.
His armor and weapons were readied once he got to the main keep. He donned them all and tucked his sword into the sheath by his side again.
Arran showed up just as he was about to head out. He was also dressed in a black tunic and bearskin cap just like the other guard riding out with Duncan.
It was not the first time Arran was charging into battle with Duncan against his own father. Duncan did not think he could ever repay him for everything.
This is the greatest debt I owe.
