Page 15 of The Highlander's Pirate Bride

By the time he and the others fell asleep, cocooned in their woolen cloaks on the damp oak decking, he was too tired to spare a thought for Aileen or even escape, before his eyelids slammed shut and he was claimed by a deep, dreamless sleep.

Already awake and stretching his tired limbs, Maxwell looked up in surprise as Finn approached in the shadowy early dawn light.

“I bid ye good morrow, MacNeil.”

He nodded his response. “What de ye wish of me lass?”

She hesitated, studying him briefly as if sizing him up in some way. “There’s a wee market nae far from where we’re anchored. The captain is going ashore to purchase supplies.”

“What concern is this to me?”

“She doesnae trust ye to stay on board without attempting to flee and she doesnae wish ye tae be tied while she’s ashore.” She narrowed her eyes. “Because of this she wishes ye tae accompany her.”

This set his mind reeling. An opportunity presenting itself for him to either spend time at Aileen’s side or to leave her side and make his way back to Barra. He chuckled. “Thank ye, lass. Please tell the Captain I welcome the opportunity that affords me to stretch my legs again on land.” He grinned wryly.Dammit, if nae fer Aileen I’d never have left dry land in the first place. “And I appreciate her wish to spare me from being bound again.”

He gathered his cloak and tied his boots around his neck to ensure they stayed dry and when Aileen appeared along the deck, he was ready. He caught his breath as she neared. Her hair had been combed and floated in a bright cloud around her face and flowed over her shoulders almost reaching her trim waist. She was clad in a fur-lined tunic covering a blue linen blouse. Under this, she had on the same plaid woolen skirt she had worn when they met. He gave an imperceptible nod. She was a fair sight, her beauty shining in her green eyes.

He went swiftly over the side as she waited and descended the rope ladder. As they’d anchored close by rocks, he was able tostep from the ladder onto a large rock where the waves lapped and crashed below it.

He rolled up his plaid at his belt, slung his cloak around his neck and when Aileen descended, he took her in his arms. Using the rocks as stepping stones he carried her toward the shore. She stiffened as he tightened his arms around her and he sensed that accepting his assistance did not sit well with her. She was a woman of independence and self-reliance and leaning on his broad shoulders this way would not be something she’d relish.

Yet he delighted in the unexpected opportunity to hold her, to feel her breath on his cheek and feel the rise and fall of her breasts against his chest.

Once he’d left the rocks behind and was knee-deep in the icy water, he was able to wade across to the pebbled shore. Despite her obvious distaste at accepting his aid, she thanked him.

“I’m grateful fer me dry boots, me cloak and skirt fer our foray into the little market. It is never wise to draw attention to the fact that we’ve come from the sea. All these shore-living folk are wary of raiders.”

Maxwell was well aware that years of ruthless raiding, first by Vikings and then by generations of pirates, had resulted in hatred and suspicion from fishermen and others who dwelt by the sea toward any stranger’s vessel. Aileen was wise to keep her profession securely hidden.

Although the storm had passed over, it was a blustery day, with clouds scudding across a forbidding grey sky as they set out along a rocky path on their walk to the small village. They’d not progressed far when Aileen opened the satchel she’d slung across her shoulders and took out a length of fine chain.

His eyes on the chain as she unwound it, Maxwell drew in a sharp breath.

“Are ye planning to shackle me again, Captain? If so, ye’ll need to knock me senseless as ye did before, fer I’ll nae stand still while ye confine me.” He gave a hollow laugh. “Foolish lass.”

He ignored her answering growl.

“Have ye forgotten I can best ye? Why, I could throw ye over me shoulder and make off wi’ ye even as we speak. Ye’re nae match fer my strength and guile. It’s already proven.”

Aileen uttered a frustrated huff. “Dinnae tell me, MacNeil, that ye’re nae thinking of escape.”

“Aye. It has crossed my mind that I could leave ye here and make my way. I’m certain there’d be one or two villagers willing to assist a MacNeil to return to Barra.” He gave her a withering look, a frown drawing his brows together. “Especially if I informed them I was running from a pirate’s ship.”

She paused. “Ye wouldnae…”

“Oh yes I would, Aileen. Ye’d best believe it. But I’ll bargain wi’ ye now. If ye leave me unchained I give me word I’ll nae take flight.”

She looked at him with suspicion dancing in her yellow-green eyes. “I cannae believe ye, MacNeil.”

He had no intention of revealing that he wanted to protect his brother from whatever it was Sutherland had in store, and the best way of doing that was to continue with Aileen and her crew to Castle Dunrobin. Once he found out the nefarious laird’s plans, he could make his own to thwart them.

Not only that. He had closely observed Aileen at every opportunity. Although it was clear enough that she was in command and her crew followed her every direction without hesitation, there were moments when he detected a bleakness in her, a sense that this was not what she wished for herself. He’d noticed both Sea and Finn regarding her with worried eyes. He’d calculated that whatever it was that caused her gaze to cloud over with sadness and despair was linked to Sutherland.

Against all his better judgment, he’d made his mind up to find out more about this bold lass who was like no other.

He snorted. “I’ve given ye me word, Captain. And the word of a MacNeil is as binding as any of those wee shackles ye might restrain me wi’.”

With a reluctant nod, she shoved the length of chain back into the satchel which she flung over her shoulder. “I’ll accept yer word, War Chief. Dinnae make me regret it.”

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