Page 49 of My Highland Fling
“Right guys, we’re leaving.Should we take the cook with us?”Isabella asked.
Timur waved a hand and disappeared inside.“If she wishes to leave.”His words floated back as Saber and Ramsay moved nearer.
Ramsay strained forward, desperate to see Gabrielle.She emerged behind Isabella.Leo, Felix, Henry, and Gerrard walked protectively behind her, ready to catch her if she fell.And it was apparent she was hanging on by a single thread.Blood covered her frilly pale blue gown, and she shook noticeably.
Ramsay stepped closer, every instinct telling him to go to her, to soothe his mate and tell her everything would be all right.
“Where are you taking me?”Her fear-filled words reached Ramsay.“I won’t.I can’t return to the palace.My parents will sell me again, and I-I can’t…” Tears dampened her cheeks.
Ramsay saw them, and it wrecked him.He hated to see his brave mate crying.
Saber nudged him, and when Ramsay glanced at him, Saber gave a low growl of approval.
Right.Ramsay hesitated, but would there ever be a suitable time to show Gabrielle his feline?He stalked from the faint shadows and stepped into the light.
“Gabrielle,” Isabella said.“Ramsay is here.”
“Ramsay?”
Ramsay spotted the second she noticed him—his leopard form.He prowled closer, trying to appear unthreatening and failing.She froze, her eyes growing wide.She tried to pull away from Isabella, but Isabella held her ground.Panic slid across Gabrielle’s face, and Ramsay sucked in a breath and called up his human form.He needed his words, his arms to hold her and reassure her.
But would she panic when she saw him?Too late to worry about it now.
He morphed further into his shift and winced when he heard her squeak.Isabella reassured her with quiet words.Ramsay didn’t know what they were but discerned the murmur.Then he stood before them, naked.
“Gabrielle,” he whispered.
Shock colored her face, and she wobbled.Her eyes rolled back in her head, and Ramsay jumped forward to catch her before she hit the ground.
Saber shifted.“Is she hurt?”
“They’re superficial wounds, but we should get her checked out by a doctor once we arrive in Scotland.We’ll travel to Edinburgh.Tilly will tend her on the plane, and I can help,” Isabella said.“She looks exhausted and has bruises on her arms.We’ll find more under her clothing.”
Ramsay scooped Gabrielle into his arms.“Where to now?”
“One of us can get the van and drive closer.The rest of us will walk along the road to meet you,” Saber said.
“I’ll go for the vehicle,” Henry said and set off at a jog.
“I’ll ask if the cook wants to come with us.”Isabella disappeared and reappeared minutes later.“She’s staying.Her husband is here, and they’ll decide together.”
Their departure from the property was down the main driveway and not in the same stealthy manner they’d arrived.Ramsay carried an unconscious Gabrielle, worry nagging him.Had she fainted because of an injury?Or had it been his changing from leopard to human that had done the trick?They reached the van, and she still didn’t stir.
“Give her to me,” Gerard said.“I’ll hand her up to you.”
Five minutes later, they were on their way.After a brief stop to retrieve his and Saber’s clothes, they continued.They saw no one, but still, relief filled Ramsay once they arrived at the airstrip.Henry parked the van, and everyone piled out.Tilly came running when she saw them.
“Is she all right?”Tilly asked, her lined face full of worry.
“She’s breathing.We’re not sure what’s wrong with her,” Ramsay said.
“Why aren’t you wearing clothes?”
Ramsay wanted to roll his eyes but resisted.“It’s a long story.I’ll get Gabrielle settled in the plane, and you can tend her.”He didn’t wait for Tilly to reply but strode toward the plane.
As he approached, the door opened, and steps settled into position.Ramsay boarded, and Tilly and the others followed him.Ramsay set Gabrielle in a seat and strapped her in.“Tilly, you’ll have to sit because we’re leaving straightaway.”
Ramsay scrambled into his clothes and took a seat.Everyone else hustled too.As soon as they boarded, the plane taxied away from the hangar.
