Page 29 of The Veiled Wish of a Highland Bride

"He could go over the river here, and he would still reach Castle Ledoch as quickly,” Archibald suggested.

They all nodded in agreement.

Archibald took another look around the sparsely furnished room. If Bram attacked him, he would have nowhere to hide. He could easily picture Bram wrestling him to the ground and slicing his neck open with a dirk the moment he discovered what he had done to his wife—what he still desired to do.

It seemed hypocritical to ally with this man, planning and scheming, when just the night before he had traced the curves of his wife's breast and waist, holding himself back from tearing her clothes away from her body.Again.

She was perfect, his Mia.

He needed to leave Murray Castle as soon as their plan was underway. He could not bear another day of this torture, wanting her but knowing she belonged to someone else.

Suddenly, after a weak knock on the door, Mia came into the room.

Archibald had not noticed Bram saying, "Come in,” knowing just by the sound of the knock that it was his wife.

Wife. That word hurt to think.

"The Lairds in the great hall seem to be getting impatient, my laird," she said to her husband. "I advise that ye go down and speak to them if ye are nae leaving immediately."

Archibald saw the flash of animosity that crossed Bram's face, but it was just as quickly covered up with a small smile.

"Of course." He turned towards the other three. "Shall we go, men?"

As Archie turned to leave with the others, his eyes met with Mia’s, and he knew deep down that she had only come to the study to catch a glimpse of him.

* * *

"Lairds of the Scottish Highlands. We are here yet again to ensure and cherish the strengthened bond between us. I am honored that ye deemed my invitation worthy of being accepted." Bram paused to take a breath. "This hunting expedition will take place solely on the lands of the Murray clan, closing in and around the McCune Forest. We seek to capture a boar on which we shall feast tonight. Our spears are sharp, our guns are filled with powder, and now we will prevail. As one man, we shall move into the woods and snap our prize by the neck."

He finished by thrusting his spear high into the air, accompanied by a loud war cry that the rest of the men echoed.

They promptly began to file out of the keep and towards the hunting grounds, Archibald falling into step with Lennox. They both caught the knowing look that Laird Macnab gave them, and immediately they knew.

The Bonnie Prince Charlie must have begun his next move.

As they ventured around the forest, the snorting sounds of wild boars could be heard around them. Archibald did not care much for the sport. He preferred fighting his enemies armored and on the battlefield.

He recognized quite a few men here, many of which were at the Murray ball. He wondered if any of them were aware of the plans that were underway. He recognized the same Laird MacDougall that he had spoken with at the ball, as well as the lanky man who had interrupted his conversation with Lennox.

Having nothing else to do but to stay on his guard, Archibald decided it was best to distract himself with these lairds, turning to the wiry man before him.

“Greetings, my laird,” he said, placing a hand on the man's back.

The man suddenly spun around, his spear pointed at Archibald's neck.

“Ach, Laird Macnab! Ye're a warrior! Ye should ken better than sneaking up on a man in a hunting game,” the man replied with a frown.

“Och, forgive me. I was but seeking some entertaining conversation to make this game more enjoyable while we wait.”

“I see… I am Laird MacLean. I dinnae believe I have properly introduced myself.” He stretched forth his hand to shake and Archie took it.

For some reason, Archibald did not trust him. He made a mental note to keep a close eye on him, and perhaps ask Laird Murray about him. Not that he trustedhimeither. Stumbling over a tree root, Archie helped the man up. Wild pigs were known to graze here, eating whatever they could find.

“Have ye ever seen a boar, Laird MacLean?”

“Nae.”

“Ach, I see why ye so jumpy. For good reason, however. Some of them are so large that they can fell a grown man with one attack. Ye have got to watch yer back.”

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