Page 68 of Bride of the Beastly Laird

Dahlia looked up at Arran. “As soon as ye’re strong enough tae travel we’ll be on our way into me clan’s lands, where we will all be safe from the Laird Mackinnon.”

Arran and Emilia exchanged glances and he recognized the fear in his mother’s eyes and inwardly cursed Bairre for what he’d done.

“Mayhap ye’d like tae try tae walk, Maither?” Arran suggested, holding his arm for Emilia.

She smiled. “I’d love tae go outside and breathe the air and listen to the breeze in the trees and watch the birds flying overhead. It’s been too long I’ve been deprived of such small but enduring delights.”

He helped her rise. She was tall, like he was, her grey hair wound around her head in tight braids. Even though her beauty had faded, her green-gold eyes were bright and the smile she wore brought back a faint glimmer of her youthful looks.

With Dahlia holding her hand and her other hand in Arran’s arm, she shuffled to the door. Once she was outside, she closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. “I had almost lost hope that I’d ever feel the sun and the breeze on me face again and listen to the sounds of the woodlands.”

They did not stroll very far from the bothy before Emilia declared that was as great a distance as she could manage. “But by tomorrow I’ll be stronger.”

The large stewpot hanging over the fire contained a fragrant rabbit stew with neeps and carrots, sufficient for them all to partake of a hearty meal. There was no need to touch the bannocks and oat cakes and hard-boiled eggs Nell had insisted on them taking when they’d departed from the village at first light. They would save those.

Once they’d eaten enough to satisfy their hunger, they joined Dahlia and Emilia at the table and listened to her stories of being held prisoner. She had made several attempts to escape and, as a consequence, Bairre had added a second man to guardher, afraid that she might make her way down the mountain to safety.

“And those ruffians kept me under watch day and night. Even when I needed tae relieve meself, one of them would accompany me.”

Arran’s fury grew as he listened to Emilia relating the indignities and privations, she’d been forced to suffer at the hands of Bairre Mackinnon.

“Never fear, Maither. Ye’ll be safe soon enough. As soon as ye regain yer strength, we’ll be off.”

While Arran was reassuring his mother, Craig signaled to him that he wished to speak with him privately. Arran rose, excused himself and followed his friend outside.

“It seems yer maither is too poorly fer us tae ride with her today.”

“Aye. She’ll need a wee rest and another chance to stretch her legs before her strength returns enough fer her tae ride. I fear we’ll need tae wait here overnight and head off down the mountain at dawn tomorrow.”

Craig nodded, a scowl drawing his brows together. He shook his head. “I’m sore afeared Bairre and his men will be upon us afore then.”

Arran nodded. “I believe we’ve bought nay more than one day ahead of them. Just as the storm slowed us down it will have been the same fer them. Me guess is that they are close behind us, mayhap already in the village. They could even be close enough that they could be upon us in the night.” He rubbed his arm, “I’m guessing they will wait till morning before they make their final push.”

Craig nodded. “We’ll need tae leave before dawn tomorrow and ride like the wind if we’re tae have any chance of outpacing them. “Ideally, we should be on our way within the hour.”

“Maither needs more time.” There was desperation in Arran’s voice. He paced across the clearing to the spot where the horses were now tethered, cropping the grass. He turned back to Craig. “D’ye have an answer?”

“I’ve been giving it a great deal of thought, Arran. Travelling with Emilia will be slow. We will risk being caught by Bairre and his men. That will mean a fight.”

“Aye. I’m ready tae fight and Nicol understands what’s at stake. I can call on him tae defend us. And ye?” He looked questioningly at Craig. “Ye’re Bairre’s War Chief. Would ye dare tae stand against him?”

“Ye’re me friend and I’ll fight tae defend ye whether the enemy is Bairre Mackinnon or nae. But, truth tae tell, I’d rather avoid a fight with the laird.”

Arran flung his arm around Craig shoulders. “Ye’re a good and true friend.”

Craig studied Arran’s features. “Ye say ye and the Lady Dahlia are lovers now?”

“Aye. That is so. I’ve loved her these many years since I tried, without success, tae free her from the clutches of James Mackinnon when he had her incarcerated in his dungeon.” He shook his head, his eyes full of regret, a rueful smile on his face. “And she almost made it. But that swine recaptured her. I was fortunate tae escape with me life fer all me trouble.”

A snort of laughter came from Craig, who was shaking his head in amazement. “T’was ye! By all the saints, I never kent it was ye. Me and me men searched high and low fer any sign of the foolhardy villain who had almost whisked away our prisoner.” He scratched his head. “And all the time it was ye.”

“D’ye forget I spent me boyhood in the castle. I kent every nook and cranny and during me exile I came and went many times, escaping the notice of the guard and renewing me acquaintance with many of the lads. That was how I learned that the Laird James was holding a beautiful lass prisoner, trying tae force her intae marriage with him.”

Craig nodded his agreement. “Me guess is that Bairre will care more about recapturing yer lady love than he will care about taking Emilia again. The Lady MacLeod represents money and status with King Robert, and he’ll nae relinquish that without a fight. Tae the death if needs be.”

Arran shuddered, his thoughts flying to the fate awaiting Dahlia if she should be recaptured by Bairre. The beast would show her nae mercy.

As they walked through the woods Arran allowed his thoughts to roam. There was no doubt in his mind Bairre would be hell bent on finding Dahlia and making her his prisoner. In a matter of a few days from now, the period of grace before their marriage allotted by King Robert would be spent and Bairre would claim her. They would be wed regardless of Dahlia’s objections.

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