Page 17 of The Veiled Wish of a Highland Bride

“If ye dinnae mind,” Archie said, “I would like to have me horse now. I need to get some rest,” he explained, but he could not help but think back on exactlywhyhe had gotten no rest.

Lady Murray.

Her perfect body and face haunted him. He had wanted her so badly that he had barely caught a wink of sleep. That was not all, of course. More than his desire, he was worried about who his attackers had been.

He had been successfully pushing the thoughts away, but with Lady Murray gone from his sight he had no one to distract him anymore.

The stableman finally handed him the reins to his horse, and Archibald went on his way, ignoring the man's gleeful parting words.

The moment Archibald stepped into the tavern where they had taken their lodgings, Lennox bellowed his relief. Some of their allied clan warriors stood to attention, awaiting orders. It seemed that Lennox had rallied the men to go searching for his Laird. After seeing him, he dismissed the men with a simple wave of his hand.

“Where have yebeen, Archibald?” Lennox cried, his nose crinkled.

Archibald collapsed into the chair in front of him, surprised at how quiet the tavern was. “Ye will nae believe what I have to tell ye, and ye will nae like it. I was abducted.”

Lennox rushed to his side, dismissing the serving girl that came to take their orders.

“What are ye saying, my laird? Are ye all right?” When Archibald nodded, Lennox sagged back into a chair. “By whom were ye taken?”

Archibald could not help but laugh. “I do nae ken who the men were. It was like they kent precisely where I was and were waiting, though. They came to Buckham after I slipped out and knocked me out right outside. They were too many of them to fight off.”

Archie felt ashamed. Despite his injuries, he could not afford to let his men know that he had been bested by only four men. It was bad enough that he would have to tell Lennox that he had been saved by awoman.

“I am certain this is Dallas's doing,” Lennox said, deep in thought.

“Aye.”

“Are ye hurt, Archie?”

Archibald sucked his teeth. “Just a few bruises here and there, and a pain in my back. Naething a hot bath cannae fix.” He looked tentatively at Lennox. “There is something else ye should ken.”

The man braced himself. “And what might that be, my laird?”

Archibald got off the chair and dipped his voice low. “The woman who came to the tavern yesterday was Lady Murray. She was the one who saved me from the men who took me away.”

Lennox’s eyes widened. “How did a woman—nae, aladysave ye from fighting men?”

“She witnessed the attack and took after them on horseback. They left me tied up in their camp and were distracted. She helped me free and we rode away on her horse.”

“Ach, that's a kind thing to do, and brave too. I’ve never met a lass who readily walks in the face of danger. She’s a good one, the Lady of Clan Murray,” Lennox said.

Archie was beginning to feel uncomfortable. He knew he had to tell Lennox what he had agreed to with Mia, he was his closest friend.

He hurriedly spat the words out before his cowardice made him say nothing. “I may have agreed to school her in the art of seduction so she can win her husband over in return.”

Lennox froze. He had been pacing the room, probably trying to figure out how they could get rid of Dallas once and for all, but now he was starting at Archibald.

“Ye didwhat?”

Archie shrugged.

“She is a married woman, man,” he hissed, making sure no one could hear. “Married to the Laird of Murray Keep, one of the fiercest men I have ever met. Have ye lost yer mind, Archie?”

“Well… the lass is doing it for her husband, is she nae?” Archibald said in his defense. “I did nae bed Mia if that is yer concern.”

“Mia? Nae, nae. This is nae a good idea. It is a terrible idea, Archibald. I can already see yer head on a spike. I ken this will nae turn out well. Ye will probably fall for the lass, ye ken.”

“Och, come on. Ye ken I cannae. My heart is made of stone, Lennox. Be at ease, friend. It is going to be fine.”

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