Highlander's Guardian (Highlander Heat #4)

“One of the king’s men requested I find you. You’ve been given approval to visit Lachlan. This eve.”


Finally. This was the news he’d been waiting for, except he’d given Annie his word he’d help her.

“’Twill be all right.” Annie nodded in understanding. “You can aid me on the morrow, which might be better at any rate. Hopefully your head will have cleared of all your disapproving thoughts by then.”

“Those thoughts will never clear unless you cease putting them there.”

“You’re impossible.” She giggled and the sweet sound eased a touch of his frustration. He adored her laugh and had since the moment he’d first heard it escape her lips as a babe in her mother’s arms. She found such joy in everything she did.

“Something you shouldnae forget.” He tipped her chin up and looked into her eyes. He couldn’t believe what he was about to say. “Stay with Arthur. I want your promise on that.”

“I promise.”

Voice low, he said to Arthur, “Two men were following her earlier this afternoon, although I’ve yet to discover who they were. If Annie wishes to return to her chamber, then remain outside until I arrive. I want her guarded at all times.”

“Aye, Captain. I’ll be happy to escort the lass wherever she needs to go.” Arthur grinned at Annie. “My lady, would you care to dance?”

“Why thank you. That would be lovely.” She took his offered arm, and Colin grit his teeth and forced himself to walk away.

These irrational thoughts had to go.

He was here to free his chief, not to dance with Annie.



After taking a turn with Arthur, Annie danced with several men, one after the other until her feet ached and her head swam. As the midnight hour struck and she could dance no more, she joined her aunt and Arthur as they waited attentively at the edge of the hall.

“Any new prospects, my dear?” Elizabeth asked as she fluttered her delicate white silk fan. “What did you think of the Campbell chief’s nephew?”

“He was pleasant.” Although none of the men had kept her interest when her thoughts had returned to Colin and his meeting with his chief. “I’m rather tired. It might pay for me to consider my prospects once I’ve had a good night’s rest.”

“A sound idea.”

“If you ladies are ready to retire, then allow me to escort you back to your chambers.” Arthur motioned toward the passageway.

“Wonderful.” Elizabeth linked her arm through Annie’s and they weaved through the throng with Arthur close behind.

At her aunt’s door, Annie bid her a goodnight then leaned against her own door, her hands tucked between her and the solid wood as she faced Arthur. “Colin’s opinion is rather biased at the moment, but I’m curious to learn what you might think of James? James is certain any match made between us will help ease the feud between the clans.”

“Possibly, but he still plays with your emotions as only a MacDonald can do, and I’ve no doubt he’ll use any alliance he made with you against Colin.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Dinnae give up on Colin. He cares for you, and far more than he’s ready to acknowledge, to you or himself.”

“His mind is set, that there is naught between us.”

“His mind is in chaos.” He leaned forward and brushed a kiss against her forehead. “You and I are kin, and should you need an engagement that’s breakable, I’d be happy to oblige. There’s no need for you to tie yourself to a MacDonald when you need to remain close to your own kin.”

“You’d truly marry me?”

“Aye, though I’m certain Colin would never allow us to truly speak vows. His stubborn resolve would break afore then.”

“I dinnae want to break him.” She tapped the door softly then pushed away from it. “Thank you for your kind offer, but I dinnae wish to cause any friction between the two of you and that would happen should I agree.”

“Any friction would be well worth it.” He opened her door. “Think on my offer. ’Twill remain open until you’ve made your decision. Sleep well, Annie.” He eased back into the darkened recess and blended in with the shadows.

“Goodnight, Arthur.” She walked inside and shut her door. Well, two proposals in one night, except neither from the man she truly wished had asked.

“There you are, my lady.” Maggie dusted her hands against her aproned sides as she rose from before the crackling fire. “Would you like help readying yourself for bed?”

“Aye, I would. ’Tis been a long day.”

Maggie loosened the back ties of her gown and after she stepped out of it, hung it in the navy curtained ambry.

“There’s a tunic on top of my trunk that needs laundering. A keepsake. One of my father’s.” ’Twas the only way to explain why she had Colin’s shirt, a man’s shirt, in her chamber. She removed her sark and tugged her nightrail over her head. “Take care with it and return it once it’s laundered.”

She collected the shirt. “Will that be all?”

“Aye, rest well. I’ll see you in the morn.”