Page 82 of The Highlander's Pirate Bride

The old man shook his head. “Dinnae risk yerself fer me, lass. I will stay here. Go while ye can. I will take me chances here.”

“I cannae leave ye, Da.” She took her father’s arm.

Maxwell pshawed. “Nay while there is breath in me body will I leave ye here, lass.” He turned to Everard. “Can we make room in our boat fer this wee man?” He turned to Everard, his lips quirking in a hint of a grin.

“Aye. He weights naught more than a dandelion. He’ll come wi’ us tae Barra.”

Everard joined Aileen, taking Barclay’s other arm, and together they assisted him to the entrance of the tent. Two of the guards he’d dealt with lay still. A third lay groaning and holding his bloody arm.

From the encampment came rallying shouts. The men would be upon them swiftly.

Maxwell gripped his huge claymore. “Ye three go ahead. Make haste, I’ll follow in case they come fer us.”

They were almost at the shore when the first of the men appeared on the trail behind them.

Maxwell stepped forward, brandishing his claymore in both hands. “Who will be first among ye tae meet his laird in the hereafter?”

They paused. The man in the lead stepped forward. He was a big fellow, matching Maxwell for size. The others fell back as their man prepared for the clash with Maxwell.

“Go. Aileen. Everard,” Maxwell ground out. “Dinnae wait fer me.”

“Lass.” Everard urged a reluctant Aileen to continue down the path. “Dinnae fash. Ye should ken me braither by now. None of these wretches, nay matter their size, can best him.”

It took little more than a few moments before the man was kneeling at Maxwell’s claymore, begging for mercy. His own sword, flicked out of his hand with one swift blow, was descending over the rocks below with a series of loud clangs

Maxwell pushed the man aside with his boot. “Is there another who wishes tae meet the same fate?”

The men remained where they were. Not one was prepared to meet Maxwell’s might.

“In that case, since none of yer men dare tae fight, I’ll spare this foolish knave.” He searched the group but there was nothing but defeat in their slumped shoulders and downcast eyes. “Should any of ye come after us, ye’ll meet the same fate as yer laird.”

The man stumbled to his feet and the remainder of the group lowered their weapons. Maxwell waited until they had turnedand trudged some distance up the hill before he spun around and followed the path down to the beach.

Aileen was seeking him with anxious eyes as he appeared, stepping lightly across the rocky foreshore.

“Hurry lass, dinnae wait fer me. The men have retreated, but there are many more of them in the camp. Who kens how long it will be before it dawns on their addled brains that they outnumber us?”

With an amused huff, she waded into the water and across to the boat, Maxwell following close behind. Arne held the boat steady as Everard gently lifted Aileen’s father into the boat.

As Aileen tumbled over the side, Maxwell gave the boat a hefty shove, heaving himself on board as it moved off. He grabbed an oar and squeezed into the tiny seat beside Everard, who was already using his oar to turn the boat in the direction of home. As Arne unfurled it, the little sail billowed in the wind and Aileen settled into the stern, cradling her father in her arms.

Within minutes they were skimming the waters of the Isle of Canna, on their way to Barra.

They were safe. Aileen was his.

EPILOGUE

One Week Later

Aileen looked around at the gathering on the slipway. Everard and Maxwell were there of course, along with Finn and Séamus, Ranald Dunbar and the men he commanded. It was a bright day, the sunshine and a hint of warmth in the air signaling the end of winter was not far away. These were good omens for sailors.

Raven, her long dark hair whipped by the breeze, hugged Aileen tightly. “I ken things will go well fer ye here.”

Aileen sighed. “I shall miss yer company. Mayhap ye will visit Kiessimul again soon, before yer bairn comes.”

Raven grinned, casting a knowing glance at Maxwell. “Ye never ken what celebrations might be in store before long.”

Aileen pshawed, her eyes automatically turning toward him. “We shall see, milady.”

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