Page 76 of The Highlander's Pirate Bride

He reached his big calloused hand across to take hers. “Could ye find it in yer heart tae come tae love me one day?”

A tiny laugh issued from her lips. “Why, ye foolish lad, I’ll nae come tae love yeone day. I’ve loved ye long and strong ever since I first took ye on board me birlinn as me prize. Ye won me heart at the tavern when I first felt yer lips in a kiss.”

Heart flooding with joy, she stood and took a pace toward him, leaning in, winding her arms around his neck and weaving her fingers in his hair breathing in the salt tang of his hair. He reached up, his strong arms encircling her waist, and lifted her onto his lap so that she straddled him. He held her tight, layering her cheeks with gentle kisses that sang with pleasure

“Yer words are a salve tae me wounded heart.” He kissed her some more. “I was afeared ye belonged tae that piece of slime. When Dunbar came and told me ye’d set sail, it was as if me heart had been ripped from me body.”

She lifted her mouth, closing the space between them, seeking his lips, silencing him with a deep, luxurious, kiss that spoke of their love far more persuasively than any words could ever hope to.

His hands found her thighs and pressed them, so that she held him tight. Entwined together she savored their passion. The night before she’d feared his kisses were lost forever and she would never again feel his lips and tongue and the pressure of his arms as they held her tight, lighting a fire in her body that would never die.

When they broke apart for want of breath, Aileen gave herself a moment to gather her thoughts and steady her ragged breathing. The words she spoke were like acid on her tongue.

“There is still the matter of Laird Andrew Sutherland and his quest fer revenge.”

He tightened his grip on her, offering a grim smile. “Mind this, Aileen MacAlpin. There’ll never be a time when ye will go tae him and implore peace. That was an ill-judged, reckless, scheme of yours. Surely ye ken the man well enough tae see he’d never give up his quest? I ken little about him, yet I’ve learned he is nae only powerful, but implacable.”

She sighed, leaning her head against his shoulder, feeling the familiar rough weave of his tabard and his soft breath in her hair.

“Ye are right. Yet I am fearful of ye meeting him in battle. He has more men, more ships, and more rage than ye and yer braither.”

“Mayhap ye are right. Yet a man defending his own is as strong or even stronger than his attacker. Our men have purpose. They will defend their homes and the ones they love tae the last dropof blood inn their veins. Whereas Sutherland’s men are paid mercenaries, their families held hostage fer their loyalty.”

“Those are wise words.” She let this settle in her mind, recalling her crew’s loyalty. It was not to Sutherland, it was to her. “I cannae imagine me crew fightingferSutherlandagainstme.”

Reluctantly, he lifted her from the affinity of his lap, deposited her on her feet and stood beside her. He was smiling encouragement as he reached for her hand.

“Come, we must speak with Everard. He’ll be waiting tae hear the outcome of what passed between us.”

Taking his hand, she allowed him to lead her out of the room and along the passage leading to the solar, taking comfort from the leashed power in the calloused fingers holding hers so lightly. Entering, they found Everard beside the fire with Raven and Arne.

She turned to Everard and curtseyed. “Milord.” She dipped her head before turning to Raven and Arne. “And good morrow tae ye both.”

Leaving her chair, Raven walked over to them, dropped a soft kiss on Aileen’s cheek and a squeeze to her arm. “We’re happy tae see ye unharmed.”

Everard glanced at Aileen and Maxwell’s entwined hands and raised a questioning eyebrow. “It seems ye have found a way tae reconcile.”

“Aye, braither.” Maxwell grinned and snaked an arm around her waist. “I understand. She intended nay harm tae us.”

Arne scrambled to his feet, offering his seat to Aileen while Maxwell sought two oak chairs from beside the table and brought them to join the others by the fire.

Once they were all seated, Arne spoke. “Me messenger has brought word that there is a contingent of MacLeod men and several ships are already being assembled at Dunvegan. They will sail within a matter of days.”

Maxwell grunted, getting to his feet. He faced them, his back to the fire. “Good news, indeed, Arne. Yet it will take them at least two further days tae sail here. We can expect nay real relief or support within a week.” He glanced at the others’ upturned faces, grimacing. “Me guess is that Sutherland will be expecting us tae find assistance from Skye and his spies will be watching Dunvegan. If he is alerted to these preparations, then I daresay he willnae sit quietly, twirling his thumbs. He’ll attack the castle before our support arrives, hoping tae take us by surprise.”

A gasp escaped Aileen’s lips and she nodded her agreement blinking twice to dislodge the image of Sutherland’s cruel features surging into her mind.

Striding toward the door, Maxwell gestured to Arne and Everard. “We should make ready in case we find ourselves under siege before the MacLeod’s arrive.” He bowed to Raven and Aileen as the others joined him. “Pardon us, ladies. It’s time we saw that our own plans are in earnest.”

“They’ll be sending someone tae the village so they will make ready. The folk and their children will move inland as far as they are able, carrying their foodstuffs and goods and warm clothing. The shepherds and cattle minders will take their flocks into the hills and put as much distance between themselves and the bay as time will permit.”

Aileen’s heart was pounding. The news sat heavily. The belief that she was responsible for landing this trouble on the heads of Maxwell, Arne and Everard clung to her with tenacious claws.

“What of the fishermen and their families along the shore?”

“The fisherfolk will be our patrol, keeping an eye out fer any movement of ships.” Raven smiled reassuringly. “They will warn us of any strangers approaching. They will abide with us here in the castle and their families too, if they are prepared tae weather a siege wi’ us.”

Aileen gave a despairing sigh.

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