Page 59 of Highland Jewel
“Lieutenant?” Searc repeated, his black eyes peering at Niall from beneath bushy eyebrows. The diminutive general slipped a hand inside his coat, and Niall wondered if he planned to draw a weapon.
“Retired.”
“What regiment?”
“The 42nd Royal Highlanders.”
Searc’s brows drew together fiercely. “Why did he choose you?”
“Henry Brougham has known me for years. He entrusted me with the safety of these men. And here we are, safe at your door.”
“Take their weapons, Blair,” Searc barked at the fighter sitting beside them. “Even you, Rainey.”
Niall said nothing but handed over his pistol, sword, and the dagger in his boot.
When the task was done, the little man glowered athim for a moment longer, then abruptly yanked the head of his horse around. “Let’s go, then.”
The road to the castle led steadily upward through forests and meadows, following the river. Eventually, they rode through a tidy little village with a kirk at the center. Beyond it, the towers of Dalmigavie Castle loomed up protectively.
Inside the castle walls, a broad courtyard surrounded the keep, and Niall ran his gaze over a small stable and a smithy, a brewery, a number of other outbuildings. A walled garden and a training yard were visible as well. As they dismounted, he caught a glimpse of a movement on the parapet of a tower overlooking the courtyard. This was a place built to defend itself, and that was if an army could even make it up that forest track from Inverness.
A ghost of a wizened man wearing clothes that hung loosely about his wasted body had been inspecting a fine Arabian steed by the stables when they rode in, and he approached them immediately. Searc introduced the laird, Lachlan Mackintosh. When he greeted them, Niall saw that the old man’s body might be fading, but his eyes were still clear and sharp.
As they started across the courtyard, Blair quickly moved ahead of them, and Niall saw a dark-haired figure emerge from a door into the keep. From the response of the Highlanders around him, he had no doubt that this was Cinaed Mackintosh, the son of Scotland.
“What do you think of Dalmigavie?” Rainey asked, walking beside him. “You might just be the first soldier of the Hanovers to enter the castle.”
“A fine, stout stronghold,” he answered curtly.
Niall didn’t care for the fact that Searc insisted on introducing him as “Lieutenant Campbell of the Royal Highlanders,” drawing a sharp glance from Cinaed. The man was as tall as Niall, and even broader across theshoulders. He moved with the supple, muscled power of a large cat. His dark hair matched the queen’s, so did his blue eyes. He had the weathered face of many a seafaring man. This son of Scotland had clearly not spent his life loafing about in some foreign court.
The laird led them all into the keep. As they moved along, he noticed that Blair was staying close to Cinaed and keeping an eye on all three of the outsiders. No one was going to get too close to the son of Scotland.
Once they reached the laird’s study, the door closed behind them, and Searc took charge of the meeting as the laird settled into his chair. Cinaed moved to a place off to the side by a window. He appeared to have only a moderate interest in the proceedings, but Niall could see that his alert eyes were taking in everything.
Owen Woelk, fulfilling his position of an ambassador from the queen, began a speech he’d prepared, but he’d no sooner started when the door burst open.
Niall’s gaze followed everyone else’s to the newcomer, and suddenly he couldn’t breathe.Maisie. What was she doing here? He’d left her in Edinburgh. She was now in the Highlands. Stepping in behind her was her sister. The doctor.
Niall rose from his chair, his heart drumming. His fingers ached to touch her, to make sure she was real. She moved in like a whirlwind, a goddess of war. Her blond hair streamed down around her shoulders. Her eyes brimmed with tears as they stared into his.
He wanted to rush to her, take her in his arms, but then a warning shot of dismay paralyzed him. He recalled what he’d said to her on their last night together. He had no doubt that she recalled every single word as well.
He stared at her, unable to move. He couldn’t. He had a promise to keep, a task he needed to finish.
Every eye was on her, and anticipation charged the air.
Maisie crossed the room and stood in a direct line between him and Cinaed.
“You can’t do this. I won’t let you,” she said, forcing out the words. “I know why you’re here. Cinaed Mackintosh is my sister Isabella’s husband. I can’t let you do it. I’ll not let you kill him.”
Everyone in the room stood frozen for a moment, but Niall only saw her. His Maisie. The woman he loved. He thought of how vulnerable she’d be now by her association with him.
Suddenly, Blair and Searc were darting toward him, but Niall paid no attention. He focused only on her. The blow to his head from the fighter staggered him slightly.
He heard Maisie scream, and then Niall was being forced backward away from Cinaed.
“No! Don’t hurt him.” Her cry rang with pain.
