Page 39 of The Runaway Bride and the Highlander
Looking about him, the realization that they were losing became clear, and yelling across the castle, the man called out. “Retreat. Retreat.”
Confusion ran across the faces of Johnson’s men, but once they watched the soldier Maxwell had grabbed running from the castle, it did not take long for the rest to follow like rats running from a sinking ship. Those who remained looked as bewildered as that same soldier, discovering that Skylar now belonged to Maxwell. MacTavish and Maxwell men stood side by side, blood-spattered and weary. The confusion soon fell away, however, quickly replaced with expressions of relief.
Maxwell understood their feelings. Johnson’s men had breached the castle, and things could have been much worse. While their thoughts might have been on the slaughter of their own, Maxwell could only think about Skylar. She was all he had thought about since the battle began, and as he stood there now, his sword hanging loosely in his hand, the idea that his feelings were far deeper than he could ever imagined terrified him more than any battle.
He had sworn that he would never allow himself to feel so deeply for anyone again. And yet, it was clearly evident he had broken his own promise. The last time he lost someone he loved, it had nearly destroyed him. He simply could not bear such heartache again. The suffering was too much for any man, and once in a lifetime was enough.
I need tae stay away from her. ‘Tis the only way tae protect myself.
It took the entirety of the day to put the castle back into any order, and Maxwell remained in his study while others in the castle worked hard. When he had returned to his bedchamber earlier to clean himself up and change his garments, he was relieved to discover Skylar was no longer there. Caelan informed him that when he had organized a guard, he had thought it best she was moved to her own chambers. Maxwell had agreed it had been the right decision.
Sometime in the afternoon, Bram came to see him and, after dropping into a high-backed chair in front of the fire, asked why Johnson’s men had retreated so quickly.
“I told them I was now married tae Skylar, and she belonged tae me.”
“And he believed ye?” His brother looked a little surprised.
“He had nae reason nae tae,” Maxwell replied, dropping down into the chair beside him. “He’ll run back now and tell Johnson what he kens.”
“And ye think that’ll stop the bastard from attacking again?” Bram snorted with disbelief.
Maxwell shook his head. “Nae, I dinnae, Bram. I was only trying tae protect those in the castle at the time. I ken Johnson, as do ye. Any other laird might honor my union with Skylar, but we both ken Johnson takes what he wants without any consideration for any other. He’ll come again. I ken it.”
* * *
That night, Maxwell did not ask Skylar to his chambers. In fact, for the next few days, he slept alone. During the day, he avoided her, and when they did speak, he remained distant.
“Are ye well, my laird?” she asked when meeting him in the corridor one morning. Her expression was a mixture of concern and confusion. Knowing what had happened, she likely wanted to talk about the battle, but he had not spoken to her since it had occurred. He imagined her confusion was her trying to understand why.
“I am,” he replied bluntly, hardly looking her in the eye.
“Were ye injured?” Skylar pressed, her eyes roaming around his body, trying to decipher the answer for herself.
“There is much I have tae be getting on with,” Maxwell said, avoiding the question. He had sustained a few scratches but nothing of concern. He could have told her that, but he did not want to get into a deeper conversation than necessary. “I must attend tae such things.”
He turned from her without another word and strode down the corridor. It took all his strength not to turn around and look at her, for even now, his heart battled with his mind. The last three nights, he had ached for her to be by his side again. He had missed her immensely, and yet, he could not voice it. To protect himself and to protect her, he had to stay away.
“What’s going on with ye?” Bram asked when the two found themselves out in the courtyard sparring the following day.
Maxwell launched forward with his wooden dagger, catching his brother on the arm. “I dinnae ken what ye mean,” he replied, a little breathless from the exertion of their pretend fight.
“Ye ken exactly what I mean,” Bram said, blocking another strike. “Ye’re avoiding Skylar like she’s carrying a plague again. I thought ye were over this. Surely, she being yer wife now, ye’re nae afraid of yer feelings any longer.”
Maxwell frowned. “I’m nae avoiding her,” he lied. He didn’t know why he lied; it was pointless. Bram was neither blind nor deaf. Maybe it was the only thing he could think of to say in the moment. He needed time to think.
“Ye ken the maids talk, Maxwell. Ye also ken, when I take any tae my bed they tell me everything. Though they hardly need tae be telling me ye have nae laid with Skylar since that first night. I have eyes in my head, and I ken ye’ve been avoiding her since Johnson’s attack.”
“And ye ought tae ken why, Bram. After what happened last time, I…” Maxwell didn’t finish. Even the thought of talking about what he had suffered brought him pain.
“I ken, Max,” his brother said, taking the need for an explanation from him. “But how ye’re treating Skylar, isnae right, brother. Ye could at least tell her what’s going on in that head o’ yers. Give her a chance tae understand.”
“I dinnae need her pity,” Maxwell growled.
“Och, for god’s sake, Max. This isnae just about ye. Swallow yer pride and put yer stubbornness to one side for once in yer life. The poor lass is wondering what she’s done wrong.”
“She’s said that tae ye, has she?” Maxwell bit back. “Ye and she have had a nice little discussion about me behind my back.” It was a petty and childish thing to say, but it was out of his mouth before he could stop it.
“Nae, ye silly fool,” Bram countered. “I’m telling ye what the maids are saying. I’ve told ye, when they’re in my bed, they like tae gossip. Skylar hasnae said a word tae me. In fact, I’ve nae spoken tae her at all.”
