Highland Sword

  He hadn’t planned this. But now that his mouth was on hers, there was no turning back. He was completely lost in the enticing taste of her.

  As for Allegra, she couldn’t think. Couldn’t form even one coherent thought. All she could do was curl her fingers into the hair at his chest and hold on as the room seemed to dip and spin in lazy circles.

  Why was her heart racing so? What had happened to her will? Why was she content to lie here in this man’s arms and allow him to take such liberties?

  Lost in his kiss, she sighed. She’d never known a man’s lips could be so clever, With just the slightest movement on hers, they caused her blood to heat and her bones to melt. She could feel her pulse racing, and wondered that her poor heart could continue to keep up such a heady pace without simply bursting from the effort.

  When he continued to kiss her until she was breathless, she let out a whimper. In reply he moaned and took the kiss deeper still, until both their hearts were thundering.

  Slowly, ever so slowly he found the strength to lift his head, breaking contact.

  “What have you done to me?” He stared down at her as though thunderstruck, and was reminded of his cousin’s warning. “Woman, you’ve bewitched me.”

  Tossing aside the furs, he swung away from her and got unsteadily to his feet.

  At the door he paused. “I’ll have Mistress MacDonald send a servant with a meal for you and the lad.”

  “And a horse,” Allegra shouted back when she managed to find her voice. “For I’ve done your bidding, and now you must keep your promise and return me to my family.”

  “I’ve told you I’m a man of my word. A horse will be made ready.” He turned and strode down the hall, furious with himself for forgetting, for even one minute, how dangerous this woman was. Even now, with distance between them, he wanted her. His hands were trembling. He clutched them firmly at his sides as he stormed away.

  If he allowed her to entice him, she would soon use her powers to control him. It was absolutely essential that he summon the strength to resist.

  Still, it was easier to tell his mind than his body. With but a single kiss, he’d been completely aroused. There was something so innocent, so sweet about Allegra Drummond. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear she’d never been with a man. And he’d wanted, more than anything else, to be her first. He’d wanted, in those few moments, to fill himself with all that goodness, that innocence. To take and give until they were both sated.

  But how could he know if she was truly a maiden, or if this was all a clever plan on her part to entrap him?

  It was magic, pure and simple, and he’d be well rid of her this day.

  With his mind in turmoil, he snarled at a servant, bellowed at poor Mistress MacDonald and soon had the entire household scurrying about, eager to see to the lord’s needs.

  In Hamish’s chambers, Allegra paced in front of the fire, trying to figure out what had just happened. One minute Merrick MacAndrew was kissing her until she was dizzy. The next he was storming out of the chambers accusing her of bewitching him.

  In truth, she was the one who’d been bewitched. By a surly, headstrong warrior. These strange feelings he’d awakened in her had her trembling with fear. She’d never known a man’s touch, his kiss, could affect her in such a manner.

  For those few moments he’d had a power over her that had left her own powers diminished to the point that she was helpless. It wasn’t a feeling she liked.

  And yet... She touched a fingertip to her lips. Even now she could taste him. Could feel the tingling where he’d touched her. Could feel the strange liquid warmth deep within. What was this power? What was it called?

  He was a strange one. He’d brought her here against her will. Had bullied her, called her witch and watched her as one might watch a villain. Yet this same man had spent the night in her bed, warming her with his own body, bringing her back, by sheer determination, from the very brink of darkness.

  She was grateful to him, of course. But now they were even, for she’d spent herself bringing his son back from the brink, as well.

  His son. She turned away from the fire and knelt beside the lad’s pallet. His color was good, his breathing normal. She was about to turn away when she sensed something disturbing. She touched her fingertips to his temples and went very still. In his mind was great torment. She could sense murky, whirling clouds that obliterated the light.

  Something had happened to the lad. Some conflict that left him terribly afraid. Whatever it was, it had not yet been resolved. And until it was, the darkness would continue to cloud his mind.

  She got to her feet and, crossing her arms over her chest, became lost in thought. The lad’s demons were not her problem. With the love of all these people around him, he would find resolution, given enough time. Besides, she was a healer, not a reader of minds.

  She had done what his father had demanded. She had brought the lad back from the brink. Now without further delay she must return to the safety of the Mystical Kingdom, and the love of her family. Especially in light of that kiss. She needed to escape Merrick MacAndrew and his strange power.

  “I’ve brought biscuits and ale.” Mistress MacDonald hurried into the chambers, and directed a serving wench who carried a tray.

  Allegra whirled to face them, then managed to compose herself. “Thank you, Mistress MacDonald.”

  As the tray of food was uncovered the old woman turned. “How did our lad sleep last night?”

  Allegra nodded toward the figure in the nest of furs. “He slept well, as you can see.”

  “Aye.” The housekeeper’s face softened into a beatific smile. “The household buzzes with happiness at our lord’s good fortune, especially since both father and son have suffered so much pain.”

  “Pain?” Allegra arched a brow.

  “Of course. Ye wouldn’t have heard.” The old woman was quick to dismiss the servant. When the door was closed she lowered her voice. “The lad’s mother was found dead, after falling from her balcony.”

  “How could such a thing happen?”

  The housekeeper clutched her hands together. “There’s no explanation for it.” Her voice sank. “At least, none that is acceptable.” The old woman’s head lifted in an unusual act of defiance for one so humble. “I know what others think. That the lord caused this unspeakable thing.”

  “But why?”

  The old woman shrugged. “Some say when he became weary of his wife’s strange behavior and threatened to lock her away for her own good, she chose to end her life rather than submit. Others whisper that he simply was pushed to the limit of his patience and took matters into his own hands.”

  Allegra’s hand went to her throat. Such a thing was unthinkable in her enchanted land. But she had heard tales from her mother and grandmother, of the dark spirits that roamed the earth, enticing mortals to embrace their evil. “Do you believe such a thing, Mistress MacDonald?”

  The old woman shook her head. “I know what others call him. The Sword of the Highlands. A cruel, hardened warrior. But it wasn’t always so. When he was a lad like Hamish, he was kind and loving. But he changed. Both he and his wife changed.”

  “In what way?”

  Again that shrug of shoulder. “The lady became... odd. Some said she was mad. She often roamed the castle at night, or the gardens, as though driven by demons.”

  “What of young Hamish?” Allegra glanced over at the sleeping lad. “How was he affected by all this?”

  “We’d believed him to be fine, at first. But I see him changing, as well. With his father often away at war, there have been...spells.”

  “Spells?”

  The old woman lowered her voice. “Times when the lad seems to slip away from us. He seems to go somewhere in his mind, and then he has no recollection of things he’s said or done.” She began wringing her hands. “Lady Catherine’s death left both the lord and his son alone. For more than a year now, the lord has been away, fighting one battle after anothe
r. And though his countrymen are grateful, those of us here in Berkshire Castle can see what his absence is doing to the lad. Not that we blame the lord, ye understand. For he must see to the safety of all his people. And perhaps he chooses to stay away because when he returns and looks at Hamish, he sees his beloved Catherine. That’s reason enough for a man to put distance between himself and the one who causes him pain, until he can find some sort of peace.”

  “Do you really believe the lord can ever find peace if he caused the death of his own wife?”

  “That’s not for me to know.” The old woman straightened her shoulders, aware that she’d given away far too much to this stranger. But it was easy to talk to this witch. To tell her things so long kept inside. Now it was time to be sensible. “I’ve had ye’r gown cleaned, in preparation for ye’r journey home.” She gave Allegra a long look. “The servants are whispering about it, for it’s finer than anything they’ve ever seen.”

  “My mother works the loom, weaves the cloth and sews the gowns my sisters and I wear. She learned from her mother, whose work was once commissioned by royalty.”

  “’Tis no wonder it’s so grand.” Mistress MacDonald turned away. “Ye’re to summon a servant as soon as our lad wakes. The lord has ordered his most trusted warriors to escort ye back to ye’r home.”

  “Thank you, Mistress.”

  When the old woman was gone, Allegra ignored the food and resumed her pacing, her mind in sudden turmoil.

  The tale of mysterious death had touched her deeply. Hadn’t she sensed the darkness when she’d first set foot in Berkshire Castle? She had no way of knowing if the lord had been involved in it, for it was impossible to see into his heart. But what of the lad? She paused to study him. He was so young. So sweet. And without a mother in whom he could confide.

  Allegra tried to imagine her life without her mother and grandmother. Such strong, wise women. There was nothing she couldn’t tell them. She knew her family was grieving the loss of her, as she was missing them. She could feel it in her soul. She yearned to be with them. And if she said nothing more about the lad’s troubles, she could be back in the Mystical Kingdom by this time on the morrow.

  Of course, if she were to leave now, the lad would have to deal with his demons on his own, for he had only a father now. A father who had been absent for much of his young life. Still, Merrick MacAndrew was strong and capable. A seasoned warrior who knew everything there was to know about fighting his enemy on the field of battle. A fair man who had stayed with her through the night, bringing her back from the Valley of Mist. Even now he was preparing to keep his word and return her to her home.

  But could he deal with a little boy’s inner demons? Was he equipped to teach his son how to face down the terrors that came in the night?

  Perhaps, if she hadn’t heard about his mother’s fate, she wouldn’t now be suffering such anxiety about leaving Hamish alone with his problems.

  She pressed her fingertips to her own temples, hoping to calm the turmoil within. Why did she have to care so deeply about others? It had always been her greatest weakness. And it always ended up causing her such conflict.

  After more pacing she gave a sigh of resignation and removed the night shift. Slipping into her gown, she began preparing for the journey home.

  Chapter Six

  “Here ye are, lad.” Mistress MacDonald bustled about the chambers, directing a serving wench. “I was given orders by the lord himself that ye were to eat sufficient to gain back ye’r strength. Mara has brought you gruel laced with honey.”

  As the young servant placed the bowl on the table, the old woman hovered over the boy’s pallet. “Are ye strong enough to sit at the table?”

  “I think so.” As Hamish leaned on the old woman’s arm and crossed to the table, he glanced at Allegra, who stood across the room. “Who is the beautiful lady?”

  “The healer.”

  “Healer?” His eyes rounded as he made his way slowly to the table. “Have you a name?”

  “Allegra Drummond.” She walked close and offered him a smile.

  “Allegra.” He thought a minute. “That means joyful. Are you filled with joy?”

  “I suppose I am. At least most of the time. How is it you know the meaning of my name?”

  “My mother taught me the meanings of many names. She said mine meant heavenly gift.” When he was seated, he indicated the chair across from him.

  Allegra sat and accepted a goblet of hot mulled wine from the servant. “You’re fortunate to have had such a wise woman for a mother.”

  “Was your mother wise?”

  “She is.”

  “She’s still alive?” He helped himself to a bite of gruel, eating slowly, like one who had forgotten how, and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “Does she tell you stories and sing to you until you fall asleep?”

  “She did when I was younger.”

  He thought about that a moment, then said casually, “Father said I fell from a tree.”

  Allegra nodded, delighting in the way his mind seemed to leap from one thought to another. Perhaps she had worried in vain. The lad seemed bright and strong and cheerful.

  “How old are you, Hamish?”

  “Five.” He glanced at the housekeeper. “Or am I six?”

  “Ye’re still five, lad.”

  He turned to Allegra. “Why did I need a healer?” “You were hurt. You fell into a deep sleep, and those who love you feared that you might not wake without my help.”

  He paused and blinked, remembering just for a fleeting moment that face, and that soft, musical voice, breaking through the darkness that had surrounded him. Then the image was gone. His mind became a blank canvas.

  He ate in silence before looking up at the housekeeper. “Is Father truly home, Mistress MacDonald? Or was that only a dream?”

  “’Twas no dream, lad. The lord seems truly glad to be home with ye.”

  Hamish ducked his head, but not before Allegra caught sight of the smile of happiness that lit his eyes. He ate several bites of gruel before pushing the bowl away.

  The housekeeper clucked like a mother hen. “That’s not enough to keep a bird alive, lad.”

  “I’ll try again later, Mistress MacDonald.” Allegra drained her wine and looked up when Merrick MacAndrew came hurrying into the room, trailed by his cousins.

  “Mordred and Desmond have offered to return you to your home.”

  Allegra felt a chill pass over her. She glanced at the balcony, wondering if a storm threatened. Seeing no clouds, she turned back. “I thank you, my lord. But why do you not send a company of warriors?”

  Mordred’s tone was haughty. “My brother and I need no warriors.”

  She tried a smile, though it was strained. “You’re to be commended. There aren’t many men who would consent to travel to the Mystical Kingdom without benefit of an army.”

  Mordred gave a short huff of breath. “Our cousin did so, and seemed none the worse for it. Besides, Merrick has assured us that he already slew the dragon that stands guard at the banks of the Enchanted Loch.”

  Allegra couldn’t help asking, “What makes you think there was only one dragon?”

  She saw Mordred’s self-assured smile fade. Merrick gave her a measured look. “Will you give me your word that my cousins will not be mistreated when they arrive at your kingdom? There will be no sudden storms? No monsters rising up out of the loch?”

  “I can assure you that once I arrive at my home safely, my family will be there to greet me. They’ll see my escorts rewarded with a feast before sending them on their way.”

  Merrick drew a quiet breath. “That eases my mind considerably.” He brightened as he looked at his son. “I see you’ve eaten, Hamish.”

  “Aye, Father.”

  Merrick turned back to Allegra. “He seems fully recovered from his injury.”

  Allegra ignored the tiny ripple of disquiet. “We had a grand visit while he ate. The lad has a quick mind.”

  “So I
’m told.” That brought a smile to his Ups as he handed Allegra a hooded cloak. “This was my wife’s. I asked Mistress MacDonald to fetch it for your journey home.”

  “Thank you. That was most generous of you, my lord.” As Allegra accepted it, their fingers brushed.

  The jolt of heat was like a lightning bolt that had them both pulling back. Merrick wondered whether there had been sparks, or if it had been his imagination. Whatever had just happened, it had him more uneasy than he cared to admit. His fingers were still tingling from the contact.

  Allegra turned away, her hands trembling as she slipped into the cloak and tucked her hair beneath the hood.

  When she turned back, she had her features composed. She wouldn’t let herself dwell on this strange magic that Merrick MacAndrew possessed. Instead she would think about the journey home.

  Oh, Mama. The danger is behind me now. Tell Gram and Kylia and Gwenellen that by this time on the morrow, I’ll be with them.

  Merrick bowed before her, careful not to touch her again. “I thank you, Allegra Drummond, for healing my son. And now I wish you safe journey.”

  “And I thank you, Merrick MacAndrew, for keeping your word to me. May you and Hamish stay well.”

  At the mention of his name the little boy called out to her, “Healer, am I allowed to walk in the gardens?”

  She smiled. “I don’t see why not. Though I do think you should stay close to the keep until you’re a bit stronger. And perhaps you should lean on a servant, at least for today.”

  “I will.” He pushed away from the table and laughed when Mistress MacDonald offered her arm. “Are you going to walk with me?”

  The old woman was beaming. “I’ve been waiting for this day, lad. There’s no chore that could be more important than spending an hour with my young Hamish in the garden.”

  Before they could take their leave, the old woman paused to press a gnarled hand over Allegra’s. Though she was still frightened of this witch, making her words awkward and halting, they needed to be said. “Bless ye, my lady. Ye’ve brought the sunshine back into all our lives.” As she started away she called, “Safe journey, my lady.”