Page 8 of Highlander's Captive Bride
“And all the rest—kidnapping me, scaring me half to death, and murdering me escort in front of me eyes, nae to mention manhandling me.”
He shook his head irritably, like a horse annoyed by flies. “Ye see, there ye go again! Can ye nae let it drop? Take the deal.”
“At the risk of repeating meself, do I have a choice? It’s hardly a deal, since ye kidnapped me, and ye’re forcing me to do yer will. And I dinnae require anycompensationfor me services, thank ye. I’ll do it for the child, nae because ye’re forcing me.”
Even as they sparred, and despite his irritation, Bellamy felt his excitement rise again as every quiver of indignation, every tiny movement of her leg muscles behind him passed from her body to his. It was deliciously distracting, and he secretly reveled in it.
And despite her continued feistiness, he felt her relax against him. The stiffness of before had left her body as if she’d given up hope of escape.
She leaned against him like it was the most natural thing in the world, her hands clasped loosely around his belly. They were moving as one atop the horse as the beast kept up a steady canter homewards.
Like lovers out on a tryst.
3
The sight of his home was always a welcome one. Spurred by a mixture of relief and anxiety, Bellamy urged his steed into a gallop across the final stretch of the open moor before they reached the edge of Loch Murdoch.
Ignoring the squeaks of protest coming from behind him and the tightening of the healer’s arms around his waist as they thundered forward over the springy, heather-covered earth, he guided his horse onto the stones of the causeway that reached out over the waters and into his family’s stronghold.
As the ancient stones of the castle called to him, he felt strength flowing into him—the strength of generations of Murdochs who he was proud to say made up his bloodline.
The party crossed the stone traverse and approached the enormous gates of the high-sided, looming edifice. Shouts came from within, and Bellamy heard the portcullis being raised on its massive chains before the guardhouse gates swung slowly open. Men came out to greet them, hailing their Laird heartily in welcome.
The first to greet him as they rode into the courtyard was Jamie, his brother in all but blood.
“Och, ’tis grand to have ye back!” Jamie exclaimed as Bellamy pulled his horse to a halt before the keep and slid front-wise from the saddle to the cobbles. A stable lad approached and silently took the horse’s reins.
“I see ye got what ye wanted,” Jamie whispered to Bellamy as the pair embraced and clapped each other on the back in greeting, looking over his shoulder at the woman still seated in the saddle.
“Aye, it’s her, all right, and a trial she’s been, lad, ye wouldnae believe it,” Bellamy whispered back before the pair broke apart. “How’s it been while I’ve been away? Any trouble?” he asked in a more normal tone.
“Nay, quiet as mice,” Jamie replied, staring up at the woman again. “Do ye nae think ye should help her down?” he asked, gesturing with his eyes towards her. “Ye dinnae want to upset her too much, or she might refuse to help the bairn,” he added, lines of concern appearing on his tan, youthful face.
Bellamy sighed and turned to do as Jamie suggested. “Come on,” he told the healer sternly, offering her his arm.
With a haughty glare, she took it, allowing him to help her down to the ground. She smoothed her hair and her skirts, but she kept her chin raised, looking challengingly from him to Jamie.
“This is the healer, Daisy Winfrey,” Bellamy said, holding onto her arm and presenting her to Jamie. “Meet Jamie Blair, me man-at-arms and friend,” he told her drily.
Jamie smiled at Daisy and then bowed gallantly. “Good day to ye, Daisy. I hope ye had a comfortable journey.” He examined her with curiosity in his keen, bright-blue eyes.
For some reason, that irked Bellamy. He frowned, pulling the healer closer to his side. “All right, that’ll do for now,” he told his friend, but before he could speak further, the healer piped up.
“A comfortable journey?” she scoffed, her tone incredulous. “Do ye nae ken that I was kidnapped and me entire escort murdered by this mad man? He’s dragged me here by force! Will ye nae do any—”
Her words became muffled as Bellamy clamped his hand over her mouth. Murmurs came from the gathered crowd, but he ignored them.
“Shut up,” he hissed in her ear.
Eventually, she did, but when he took his hand away, she glared at him sulkily, though she remained quiet.
Bellamy turned to Jamie and instructed urgently, “Tell the council I want a meeting right away, will ye? I have things to discuss.”
“Aye, I’ll round them up. I’ll see ye in the council chamber, then,” Jamie said. Then, he nodded to the healer. “I hope ye enjoy yer stay here, Daisy, and that I might have the pleasure of yer—”
“Go and do as I bid ye, will ye?” Bellamy snapped, glaring at Jamie warningly.
Jamie just grinned. As he left to go and carry out Bellamy’s orders, he looked back at his friend and said, “I’ve got a feeling things just got interesting around here.”
