Winning the Highlander's Heart

  The maid Elizabeth said to them, “I will inform my Lord Earl you are safely here. Once the baron and his men are seated in the great hall, I will return and take you to the stables.”

  Before anyone could say a word to the young woman, she slipped back into the great hall.

  Anice paced, hating to wait, hoping not to get caught. Though she knew the earl would not allow the baron to harm any of them while they remained at his castle, she wanted to deal with this matter on her own, once and for all. If the baron and his men left for Brecken with them, might the baron still try to kill Malcolm and his brothers? When she arrived home, her own men and the MacNeill’s would be a force to reckon with. But the three MacNeills would be no match for an overwhelming number of the baron’s men on the road there.

  Malcolm said, “Anice—”

  “I am fine.”

  He smiled. “Aye, that you are.”

  “I would feel better if I had my bow and quiver of arrows.”

  Dougald chuckled.

  She frowned at him.

  He gave her a devilish smirk. “The baron is not only the one who better watch out for you and your bow and arrow. The gate guard this morning warned Malcolm to be careful how he treated you in the future. The word is you must have been awfully hard on your last four betrothals.”

  “Mayhap if the baron knew this he would reconsider wanting to marry me.”

  The maid scurried back into the kitchen, her cheeks flushed. “There are fourteen men, including the baron, milord, lady.”

  “Fourteen.” Too many for the brothers to handle by themselves—well, and for her of course also. But still too large a number to consider fighting. Her stomach clenched when she headed toward the kitchen garden entrance, but the maid halted her.

  “I’ll show you the way, milady.”

  “’Tis not necessary, good woman. I used this verra path only several hours earlier—”

  The maid bolted ahead of her. “Oh no, milady, I will be able to tell all the courtiers what happened. I would be part of your adventure then.”

  Anice smiled at the poor deluded girl. Their adventure was far too dangerous to romanticize. Anice knew the baron wouldn’t recognize her as the Lady Anice, but he would know Malcolm as being the laird who stole his horses. She’d love to hear the tale he told the earl about this horse-stealing Scottish laird. Between them, the earl’s courtiers were being well entertained. Only she preferred the entertainment to be less dangerous.

  When they reached the stable, the maid told the man in charge, “The word must be given Lady Anice has not been here, nor has Lord MacNeill. I will inform the soldiers on guard duty.”

  “Also,” Malcolm said as several stablemen began saddling their horses, “Baron Fontenot wishes his horses taken into the village to be reshod.”

  Anice stifled the urge to laugh.

  “But, milord, he gave orders to have the horses fed and watered and—”

  “Tell him when they come to get their horses a man who says he was one of the baron’s knights was ordered to take the horses to be reshod. He will find them in the village.”

  The man glanced at the maid who nodded. “Aye, His Earl Lord wishes to help Lord MacNeill and his bride. Lord MacNeill saved the Earl Lord’s life.”

  “Aye. Very well then. We have removed their saddles and gear to wipe them down.”

  “They will not need their saddles.”

  The party rode out of the bailey and the maid hurried after them shouting well wishes.

  Anice glanced back at the baron’s horses, wondering what the baron would say when he found out. The earl would not allow him to harm his marshal of the stables. “Will His Laird Earl be upset with us for taking the baron’s horses?”

  “Nay, lass. The earl has a great sense of humor. If the roles were reversed, he would have done the same.”

  “The baron will get tired of walking, do not you agree?”

  He chuckled. “Aye.”

  But it would not help them verra much to leave them in the village so close by. “You are really no’ going to leave them in town are ye?”

  “Nay, somewhere along the way to Carlisle. But far enough he will not have an easy time of it.”

  “When he sees you at Brecken—”

  “He will not know I released his horses here. He will only know I let them go at the farmhouse. But it will be easy to explain as the winds were blowing so hard, and we did not close the byre’s door tight enough.”

  Tickled by his explanation, she chuckled. “You have the devil in ye.”

  “Actually, I have never had the opportunity to do such a thing. Young Kemp has taught us a thing or two already...that there are more ways to win a battle than causing bloodshed, though I am certain it will get to that. The baron will not like it that I have taken you for my bride once he learns you are Lady Anice.”

  She took a deep breath. “Let us hope he doesna learn this, until after we have proof of his murdering my uncle, then the king can deal with him.”

  Malcolm smiled, seemingly in good spirits this morn, despite the troubles they’d had that eve. Though, she’d been disconcerted to see he’d left the kitchen storage room before she rose for early mass. She’d wondered then if he were angry with her still over her not allowing him to make love to her, or for trying to leave the castle on her own. Confused about her feelings for him, and his for her, she was torn between talking to him or letting the subject be.

  Twice she’d awakened in the middle of the morning to find him stroking her arm. What went on in that head of his? As tired as she’d been, she’d fallen asleep and not given it another thought.

  But now she wanted to ask him if he were mad at her for last night. Then she thought about his saving the Laird Earl’s life and decided to talk to Malcolm about this less volatile subject instead. “Were you in a verra terrible battle when you saved the earl from an arrow?”

  Malcolm smiled. “Nay, lass. ‘Twas only a hunt. A young laird nearly hit him by accident. I galloped in front of the earl, but was not sure why I did it afterwards. It hurt like the devil.”

  She smiled, loving his sense of humor. “You are a verra brave man, milaird. That’s why. Where did the arrow strike ye?”

  “My left arm. ‘Twas good, too, as I could still wield my sword with my right. But I was nay good at the hunt for a long while.” He studied her for a second. “Do you hunt often?”

  “Aye, with both my bird and bow. Though I enjoy the bow more.”

  “To show your skill?”

  She smiled. “Some say I’m no’ too bad.”

  His lips curved up. “Then the gate guard was in serious trouble this morning.”

  “Certainly. Though as close as he was to me, I could not have missed.”

  He laughed. “Mayhap we could have an archery contest.”

  “A contest?”

  “Aye. Of course you being a lass, I would have to make allowances.”

  “You are a gentleman to be sure.”

  “I have my reason, lass.” His smile broadened and his eyes glittered with intrigue.

  The devilish look in his eyes fascinated her. “What have you in mind, Malcolm?”

  “A goodly wager. To sweeten the pot, you see?”

  “Money?” She raised her brows. She wasn’t used to making wagers. But she knew others who did and that was usually the bargain.

  “Nay, lass. You is what I want.”

  The idea he wanted her thrilled her, but she couldn’t succumb to his devilish charms. Was he like her king? Because she said no to allowing his having her, he desired her even more?

  She turned to study Dougald some distance ahead of them, keeping a vigilant lookout for danger. She would not agree to consummate the marriage if that was what Malcolm had in mind. Not until the king approved and she was certain Malcolm truly wanted her and no other. “What exactly do you wish from me?”

  “You have said you will play the role of my wife, and pretend no’ to be Lady Anice. But your people
must be made aware we are indeed married.”

  She sighed. “Aye, I will tell them this. Is this the bargain you have in mind?”

  “Nay, this must be done anyway.”

  She frowned, not sure she was going to like his wager. “Why?”

  “Because it is so. If for some reason we have to ‘pretend’ to be married, I want your people to know we truly our wed. If I have to kiss ye, or show some affection toward you in some other way to prove to the baron and his men we are indeed married, I want your courtiers to know we really are and ‘tis acceptable.”

  “Aye, I see your meaning. So what is it you wish of me in this wager of yours?”

  “You said you would sleep in Lady Anice’s bedchamber but would no’ allow me to. I wish to be able to come to you and share your bed.”

  She ran her reins through her fingers as she thought of his request, not liking the idea. Not that she didn’t want his arms around her, the feel of his hard body against hers, but the baron concerned her. “But what if the baron is in residence and he discovers you are visiting me in the mistress’s chamber? It would no’ be allowed.”

  “Would not cause much speculation. We are husband and wife already. The lady herself should no’ mind because she is not in residence at the moment.” He turned away from her, but the smile still lighted his face. “Besides, she owes me.”

  “Owes you?”

  He turned to her. “Aye. A backrub.”

  She couldn’t help smiling, the memory of his massaging her muscles and...and so much more. Even now, the ache renewed between her legs, the thought of his fingers penetrating her womanly folds, making the blood rush to her face. “And if I win the match?”

  “Anything you wish to ask of me.”

  Taking a deep breath, she considered the matter further. “An English lady is one of my ladies-in-waiting, a baron’s daughter who intended to marry my uncle’s former steward, only he died before they wed. She stayed to serve me because she was unhappy with her da, but her grandfather on her mother’s side intends to leave the lass his estates.” Anice tilted her head to the side. “She will have her own castle near Westminster and would make a lovely bride.” An English bride, Anice wanted to emphasize. “You will dance with her after the evening meal.”

  The smile left Malcolm’s face. “Think you the lady would change my mind about you because she is English?”

  “She will have estates and is verra agreeable. No’ like me.”

  He shook his head. “’Tis a deal. If I should lose, I will dance with the lady.”

  “For every dance that eve.”

  He glowered at her. “I have never danced with ye, and you are my wife now. It would no’ be proper if I danced all the dances with another maid to exclusion.”

  “’Tis the wager. Just dancing one dance with her wouldna be like my taking you to my bed.” Tilting her chin up, she waited for him to agree.

  “Verra well, then I shall have to win.” He rubbed his beard. “Though had I known the wager, I wouldna have agreed to giving you allowances.”

  She loved the way he was. “You are a good man, milaird. You would have done so anyway.”

  “No’ under the circumstances, lass. I mean to bed ye.” This time he wiggled his dark brows at her.

  She chuckled, knowing she had a very good chance at beating him. “I am verra good with a bow. Even without allowances made, you might no’ have won.”

  “Then mayhap we should have the same target placement, nay allowances.”

  “Nay, you have already given me your promise.” She laughed to see his humor return and the notion he wanted to best her no matter what to be able to sleep with her again.

  Three hours after they began their journey, they released the baron’s horses at the River Eden, watered their own, and took a break.

  When they arrived at the timber castle of Carlisle, Anice was gladdened they had less than ten miles to travel before they reached Scotland.

  “I know you want to travel on to your home, milady, but we should rest the horses a bit and mayhap eat with the laird who runs the place.”

  “You do not know him?”

  “Nay. I know that William Rufus built the castle and Henry had to rebuild it, but no’ who is running it at present.”

  “I do not wish to bother this laird then. I want to reach my home before long. We will eat salted pork as before and continue on our way.”

  ‘Twas only another couple of hours into their journey when the worst concern plagued Anice. Even Malcolm noticed her anxiety and turned to study her. Her stomach tightened.

  Chapter Twelve

  How could she let him know she could sense the future, that in the worst way she wanted to run and hide, that if they did not, he and his brothers could die by the sword, and only God knew what would become of her?

  “Anice, lass, are ye feeling ill?”

  “Malcolm, we must…” She faced forward again and stared at the hills hiding the view of the threat ahead. “I…” How could she tell him they must find a place to hide without revealing her ability? He would think her a witch for certain.

  “Lass,” Malcolm said, pulling his horse closer to hers. “Ye have lost the color in your face. What ails you?”

  Malcolm’s heart was wrenched in two when he saw how scared Anice was. Her lips trembled and her wide green eyes searched the horizon for signs of danger. Was she capable of seeing danger unseen by others? He’d noticed on other occasions she seemed to have an uncanny ability to recognize a threat before there truly was one. He’d seen the same thing with soldiers on the battlefield who’d had an eerie ability to see peril before it presented itself. Even his three brothers and he had a pretty good awareness of threatening situations. But this went beyond seeing a hazard and recognizing it for what it was. She oft predicted one before it was even in sight.

  Now, she pursed her lips and said not a word, yet she’d pulled back on her horse’s reins and slowed to a walk.

  “Dougald, wait up!” Malcolm hollered, bound to find out what frightened Anice before they ventured any further.

  Dougald pulled his horse to a stop, then turned to see the matter.

  Angus continued to follow behind them with the boy trying to see around him to find out what was going on.

  “Anice,” Malcolm said again, trying to curb his annoyance that she seemed afraid to tell him what concerned her. “What is it, lass?”

  “There is…is danger up ahead.”

  “Aye, I sensed that was what concerned ye, but pray tell, what see you?”

  “Edgar Atheling’s men-at-arms. Mayhap thirty.” Her eyes filled with tears. “My uncle intends to fight alongside Robert Curthose. They hide Edgar’s standard, but ‘tis them. His steward, Laird Robertson, rides with the men. There would be nay fighting betwixt us, if we ken not what they were up to. But Torq Robertson, brother to the man I killed, would recognize me at once. He would realize I would know he sided with Henry’s brother. They would slay us all to keep their whereabouts secret. Some of the lowlanders would hide Edgar’s men, many of them being Saxon lairds who fled when William of Normandy invaded. King Malcolm gave them safe haven, including Matilda’s mother, Princess Margaret, whom he wed. Some of the lowlanders are Normans who would be loyal to Robert Curthose.”

  Malcolm stared at Anice, disbelieving she could know the men were her uncle’s without even seeing them. “How…” Tears spilled down her cheeks, and he quickly dismissed the question. “They may not wish to kill ye, milady, but take you hostage and use you for ransom.”

  She shook her head. “Laird Robertson hated me for the death of his brother. Without my uncle to stop him, he may seek revenge.”

  Malcolm would let no harm come to the lady, but before he could speak, Dougald whipped his horse around and rode back to them, his countenance highly agitated.

  Looking from Anice to Malcolm, Dougald said, “What is the problem, Malcolm?”

  “Trouble up ahead.”

  “I see nor hear an
yone,” Dougald argued

  Malcolm looked steadily into Dougald’s eyes, his brother’s doubts noted. “Nevertheless, we will have to ride--”

  “Farther east to avoid the men,” Anice quickly said.

  “What men?” Dougald asked, shifting his gaze from Malcolm to Anice.

  “Men who align themselves with Robert Curthose.” Anice stiffened her back, as if she were readying for the joust.

  “You ken this how?” Dougald asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

  She glanced at Malcolm, then raised her chin higher and spoke to Dougald. “I saw Edgar Atheling’s standard, flown by his steward, Laird Robertson, and Robertson and his clansmen are headed in this direction.”

  Malcolm stared at her. Had not she just said the standard was hidden? She had not seen the men at all, or Dougald, who had been riding farther ahead, would have spied it.

  “I saw nay sign of anyone up ahead, milady. Ye must be mistaken,” Dougald argued.

  “Ye cannot fight them, Dougald. There are too many.”

  “Why would they fight us, milady? They would have nay idea we are loyal to King Henry, nor would they wish to begin a battle here in Scotland.”

  “I ken Laird Robertson. He kens me. If he sees me, what think you will become of us? Queen Matilda and I are Edgar’s nieces, but I am the only one who is unmarried.”

  Malcolm cleared his throat.

  Dougald’s knowing look exchanged between the brothers. Now everyone knew their marriage had not been consummated. They were married all right, but the marriage could easily be annulled if Malcolm didn’t bed her.

  Anice’s cheeks turned brilliant red, and Malcolm frowned at her. ‘Twas not his brothers’ business and a situation he meant to rectify as soon as he was able.

  “My uncle might want to ransom me to Henry because he wishes to marry me to a loyal Norman laird. Then again, Edgar might wish to give me away to someone loyal to himself. But you see, I killed Laird Robertson’s brother, and he has always wanted revenge.”