Page 2 of Intrigued By A Highlander

“Dru?” the big fellow asked as he stepped forward and caught the blanket.

Dru couldn’t believe her luck, or lack of it. Nothing ever seemed to go right for her. When he went to wrap the blanket around her, she yanked it out of his hand and wrapped it around herself, relieved to no longer be naked in front of him. Though his own nakedness didn’t seem to bother him.

“Put your garments on, sir,” Mother Abbess ordered. “And you both will come with me to the abbey.”

“I am sure this man?—”

“Knox. My name is Knox.”

If she thought she just might get lucky, he confirmed luck avoided her at all costs. He was the one searching for her.

“I am sure Knox wants to be on his way,” Dru finished.

“I have need of you, Dru,” Knox said.

“I am sure you do,” Mother Abbess said, “but it will not be settled here. It will be settled at the abbey. Dru, go behind the bushes and put on that robe I sent with you. And you, sir, be decent and cover yourself.”

Knox kept his eye on Dru as he went to retrieve his garments and weapons he left behind a rock. He never left his possessions in the open where someone could steal them while he took a swim. He had seen it happen to many men, and he had no intentions of sharing such a ridiculing fate.

He used part of his plaid to dry himself before dressing and slipping his weapons, two knives and a sword, in place. His boots were the last to go on and as he stepped from around the rock, he released a strong whistle, startling the two women.

It wasn’t long before a beautiful chestnut mare appeared and made her way to Knox. He caressed her neck, and whispered, “Found her, Star.”

Dru was surprised how, for such a big man, and a mercenary at that, he was so gentle and loving with his mare. You could see in his eyes how much he cared for the animal.

Knox, seeing she still shivered, held his hand out to her, offering a ride.

“I’ll walk,” she said and hurried past him, her foul-smelling garments wrapped in the blanket and tucked under her arm.

Dru did not have a good feeling about this. In Mother Abbess’s eyes she was now a fallen woman, and it didn’t matter that it wasn’t true. She was caught naked in a naked man’s arm, so she was a fallen woman. She would not be allowed to stay at the abbey unless she repented, and she had no intention of repenting for something she didn’t do. Then there was Knox. How did she convince him that she wouldn’t be of any help to him? The only good thing that came from this ridiculous incident was that she could now return to Clan MacLeish and spend the coming winter there. Still, she couldn’t shake the bad feeling she had and that worried her.

Dru wasn’t sure about entering the abbey when she reached it. Her bad feeling grew, settling heavily around her. She feared once she entered the place nothing would ever be the same again and not in a good way. She was glad for the small reprieve of being left to herself in the refectory, Mother Abbess excusing herself for a few moments and Knox busy finding shelter for his mare.

She scooped up a small bench and placed it in front of the fireplace to get warm, a chill having yet to leave her. She rubbed her arms to warm them as she continued to contemplate her situation. Quint would help her if needed. He was presently overseeing Clan MacLeish until Chieftain Ryland was well enough to resume his duties, having been badly wounded in the battle between his clan and Torrance’s clan. Quint was one man most people feared. He was a fierce mercenary known as The Monk, for a good reason, and he had once saved her life. They had become friends. She had done many a favor for him in his search for the truths that had caused him much suffering and had finally been put to rest. He would help her if necessary.

“Dru.”

Frightened upon hearing her name spoken with such strength, Dru jumped up from the bench.

“I mean you no harm, no fright,” Knox said and approached her. “I have an offer for you.” His eyes roamed over her, and he shook his head. “The road is no place for a wee one like you.”

“I have no need of your opinion,” Dru said, “and I have no interest in an offer from you.”

Knox couldn’t take his eyes off her hair. He had never seen such a strange color. It appeared to rage red one moment then blonde another. And it fell in soft waves around her face, and a pretty face at that. He chased the interfering thoughts away. He had a mission to accomplish, a mission that would get him what he always wanted.

“I can pay you.”

“Still not interested,” Dru said firmly.

“You have the skill I need,” he persisted.

“Are you deaf?” Dru snapped. “I am not interested.”

Knox stared at her for a moment. Even with her face twisted in anger, she was pretty, and he got annoyed with himself for thinking so.

“You have a skill for acquiring information,” he said with untended sharpness. “Help me find who I search for, and I will pay you a generous sum.”

She knew who he searched for but asked anyway. “Search for who?”

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