“Anne.” His cock jabbed into her lower back. Not a tease, but a tormenter. “We’re on a hunt, with a score of men.”
“I wanted you to know how much I crave your company too. Life is short, and I’ve been without anyone for so long. Now I have you, even though my future is so uncertain.” She patted her pocket. “I brought the letter, and this probably isn’t the right time to speak of it, but I can’t give up on my quest to get this missive to the Chief of MacLeod. I’ll always keep it on me should you change your mind. Annie did mention she couldn’t defy Rory, and now I’m aware of the year, that would make her cousin and chief Roderick MacLeod. He’s a legend in the history books, and known as Rory. He even marries a MacDonald, although not for a few more years. I think. I studied what I could before I traveled.”
“There isnae a chance Rory MacLeod will wed a MacDonald. He will seek an alliance elsewhere, where he can expand on his lands. And we spoke vows. You will remain as my wife, regardless of what you say.”
“You’re a stubborn man, although I’m glad I handfasted with you, and that it wasn’t Annie.”
“As am—” He shook his head. “I mean—”
“I would love it if you believed me, but it’s enough you’re not locking me away. Your reward just doubled. Now let’s enjoy the hunt. Will I get to use the bow and arrow?”
“Mother is a fine teacher.”
“You won’t teach me?”
“Nay, I will only want to drag you behind the bushes and have my wicked way with you. We’ll water the horses soon, and you can take some time to practice with Mother’s bow.” He wanted more than his wicked way, and her idea of making love in a meadow, would happen as soon as he could arrange it.
“The arrow needs to arch before hitting its target, so allow for a higher degree of aim.” Mary stepped back from Anne and nodded. “You can do it.”
“You’re a patient teacher.” Alex had wet and slapped a mound of moss into the crook of an ash tree, a good thirty feet away. Four guardsmen remained with them in the clearing near the stream where they’d stopped. Though Alex had left soon after their arrival, taking the remainder of his men with him to begin the hunt. “When will Alex be back?”
“Soon. Focus on your target. He will want to see you can hit it afore he allows you to try and take down a rabbit or other small animal.”
She placed her cheek to the side of the arrow as she pulled the bowstring back, and then carefully, she lifted the arrow tip a fraction and let it go. It flew free, arching beautifully as it sailed. On her tiptoes, she followed its flight until it speared the mossy mound dead center. “I did it.” She jumped in a dizzying circle.
Mary clapped and beamed. “That’s perfect. Now you must practice for an hour each day, and build your skill.”
“I wish Alex had seen that.”
“I will tell him. Oh, listen. I hear horses.” She cocked her ear then shot a worried look at Alan. “They’re moving at speed.”
The pounding hooves became deafening, as if dozens of horses thundered down the trail.
“Mary,” Alan called. “Take Anne and wait within the trees.” He and the other guardsmen stationed around the perimeter mounted their horses and moved into a tight group.
“Come.” Mary dragged her into the woods and shoved her behind a thick trunk. “Shh, no’ a word.”
She peeked through the foliage. A roar went up as a score of warriors on horseback galloped into the clearing and pulled up before their guard.
Alan drew his claymore, eased his horse forward and addressed the man atop the largest destrier. “Rory MacLeod. You are some distance from your lands.”
Leather trews hugged his thick legs and a buckskin vest molded his broad chest. His dark blond hair, tied with a strip of leather, trailed over the tip of a claymore holstered across his back. No wonder Rory MacLeod was a legend. His size alone stated it so.
“We’ve yet to reach Dunscaith, and here I find a party waiting within a meadow. Who have you been left to guard, MacDonald?”
“No one. We stopped to water our horses.”
MacLeod eyed their mounts. “You must have stopped for some time. Your rides appear well-rested. Come, there’s nay need to lie. I’m in your neck of the woods seeking my cousin. Annie disappeared, and we have scoured the isle and no’ found her. Mayhap you have?”
“Or mayhap we have no’.” Alan remained resolute in his stand, his weapon propped across his lap, but held firmly in hand. She didn’t doubt he was ready to strike. Only why the lie? James had been sent to Dunvegan to inform the chief of hers and Alex’s handfast. He should impart the truth now.