Highlander's Guardian (Highlander Heat #4)

“I also visited a healer and purchased a vial of sleeping potion. She insisted ’twas very potent. One drop in a man’s ale will send him to sleep for an hour.” Arthur removed it from his pocket and passed the vial across. “I’ll spike the ale and have it delivered to them.”


“Aye, there are few men who’d turn down a celebratory drink.” He handed it back. “Ian and Murdock will meet us at midnight at the rear of the stables. I’ll collect them while you see to the ale.”

A knock sounded and he opened the door.

Annie’s maid stood with a tray in her hands. “Mistress MacLeod requested I bring a meal to you.”

“Then give her my thanks.” He motioned for the lass to set the steaming bowl of stew and the trencher of meat on the side table. “I have a request in return. I need a single white rose delivered to your mistress. Tell her ’tis a gift from me.” Every time he’d sailed from Duart to Dunvegan, he’d always taken her a rose from one of the wild copses she and her mother had planted along the forest trail near their home. She adored white roses.

“There are some bushes with late blooms in the garden. I shall fetch one and take it to her immediately.” She bobbed her head and closed the door behind her as she left.

Arthur chuckled. “’Tis grand to see you so smitten.”

“I only wish I could court Annie proper. Instead I’m leaving her when ’tis the last thing I wish to do.” He stripped off his tunic in favor for a good luck charm. He donned his darkest shirt of coal black with exquisite embroidery around the cuffs and neckline. Annie had made it and stitched it herself, a gift for his last birthday. He touched the fine sapphire-colored thread she’d sewn in a swirling Celtic design around a tiny symbol of a castle tower and the words Virtue Mine Honor, his clan’s motto. “Annie and I spoke handfast vows this morn.”

Arthur grinned. “Well, about damn time. Good to see you came to your senses.”

“Once we’ve returned to Duart with Lachlan and all has settled, I’ll sail for Dunvegan and collect her.”

Arthur clapped him on the back. “Lachlan will be well pleased by the match you’ve made. Strengthening the bonds between the MacLeans and MacLeods holds great importance to him.”

“I didnae marry her for that reason.”

“Aye, I’m well aware.” His grin widened.

“I only hope Rory will come to see so as well.” It should be his task to inform Rory of their vows, except he couldn’t take the risk of speaking to him this day when he needed to be away within mere hours.

He sat at the side table and picked up his spoon. The mouth-watering scent of seafood stew wafted around him. Annie adored seafood, particularly fresh fish.

From his wrist sheath, he removed his dagger, speared a sliver of beef from his trencher and bit into it. “I’ll need to ensure Rory is warned about the MacDonalds. At the inn, I overheard a conversation between Hugh and one of his warriors. They were the ones following her.”

“I suspected a MacDonald would have been behind her stalking.” Arthur rolled his shirtsleeves up. “You might be interested to hear James has yet to return.”

“He should have by now.”

“Aye, I shall see if I can uncover his whereabouts. The fact he’s still missing does no’ sit well.”

“Check if his warriors have returned.”

“Will do.”

Arthur left and Colin fetched additional weapons from his trunk and afterward, left in search of Rory. After hunting down his captain, he discovered Rory remained behind closed doors with the king. He paced the antechamber near the great hall as Rory’s man closed the door. “I’ve learnt of a threat to Annie by the MacDonalds. I want one of your men watching over her at all times.”

“Of course. I’ve no’ long returned from assigning a guard to her for this eve’s ball.” Rory’s captain palmed the hilt of his sword. “The MacDonalds are always scheming. We’ll remain vigilant.”

“Make sure you do.” Still on edge, regardless her safety was assured, he left the man and returned to his chamber to dress. He donned the black robe, slipped the white mask in place and opened his door to find Arthur waiting in the same attire, his green gaze watchful behind his mask’s eye cutouts. “Is there any sign of James?” he asked Arthur.

“I overheard one of his warrior’s speak of a chest illness. He remains at The King’s Tavern to recover.”

“The longer James stays away, the better.” Colin slid his hood over his head. “Now I need to find my wife.”

They joined an excited and raucous crowd of extravagantly costumed guests heading along the passageway. In the great hall, hundreds and hundreds of people swarmed the area, double or triple the usual number. Hell, finding Annie in this gathering wouldn’t be easy. So many women wore wigs, and half those here now sported his wife’s distinctive long white-blond hair.

“This is interesting.” Arthur muffled as he gripped the lower edge of his mask. “Where is your lady? What does she wear?”

“I’ve no idea, and I should have asked. Let’s separate, and if you find her first, signal me.”