Highlander's Guardian (Highlander Heat #4)

“You look worried, Colin.” Rory’s brow drew down. “My captain passed on your message that the MacDonalds are scheming, although that isnae unusual. We’ve always maintained vigilance around them.”


“Aye, but there’s far more we need to speak of than just the MacDonalds.” Now he had the chance to inform Rory of his handfast vows with Annie, he’d needed to do so. Aye, it would be best if the news came from him, and afore too much time had passed. Motioning toward the doors, he said, “If you dinnae mind, we need privacy.”

“Of course.” Rory strode from the hall.

Colin followed him down the shadowy passageway and into a private antechamber. He sat in the lavishly upholstered burgundy chair next to the window.

Rory took the seat opposite him and planted his elbows on his knees, his hands pressed together and his battle-axe glowing blood-red at his side from the fire’s flickering flames.

Patting his ever-present side sword, Colin hoped like hell he wouldn’t need to raise it. “Annie has found herself a husband, a man I heartily approve of.”

“Then it cannae be a MacDonald.” Rory tapped one foot. “You look uneasy. If you heartily approve then who is it? And why has she no’ said a word to me?”

“Because I’m the man she wishes to wed.”

Rory’s fingers twitched and his nostrils flared. “That’s impossible. You’re her cousin, her guardian. She cannae wed you.”

“Third cousin, and there is no law against such a union.”

“Nay, her father entrusted you with her safety and welfare, as he did me. Guardians dinnae marry their wards, you included.” Rory stood, his chest pumped out.

Colin rose and stood eye-to-eye with the warrior he’d always called a friend. “We’ve already spoken vows. She’s my handfast wife, and I willnae give her up.”

“Damn it, Colin. You’ve abused my trust. You and Annie grew up together and you’re as close as siblings.”

“The feelings I have for her are far removed from that of a brother toward his sister.”

“Then they are feelings you need to ignore, and if you’ve taken advantage of her and consummated the handfast, I’ll kill you, right here and right now.”

“Rory,” Elizabeth cried his name from the doorway, her hand fluttering wildly over her chest. “How could you say such a thing?”

Arthur urged her inside and shut the paneled door behind them. “I have news.”

“Then it’ll have to wait.” Rory slammed Colin into the plastered wall behind him. The wall rattled and shook at the brutal impact. Squeezing his throat, Rory rasped in his ear, “Did. You. Bed. Her?”

Colin thrust his knee into Rory’s groin and took him down to the floor. “That’s none of your damn business.”

“Oh goodness.” Elizabeth plopped into the chair. “Rory, Annie loves Colin. They make a perfect match.”

“Arthur, get Annie in here now.” Rory rolled Colin off him and came up on top. “I want to hear all of this from her own mouth.”

“She’s wasnae in her chamber. Her cape was gone and there was no sign of her.”

“Hell.” Colin bucked Rory off and jumped to his feet. “Arthur, rouse Rory’s men to aid you and check the great hall, the private rooms, anywhere and everywhere. She has to be here somewhere.”

“Aye, Captain.” Arthur raced out the door.

Colin was right behind him.

Rory caught him up as he sprinted toward the stables. “She cannae have gone far. My warriors would know.” Rory grabbed one of the stable hands as they flew inside. “Have you seen Mistress MacLeod?”

“Aye, my laird. She rode out the gate a few minutes ago with Hugh MacDonald and his warriors. She went willingly enough. They ride for Skye.”

“She would never have gone willingly.” Colin whistled to Arthur as his man ran across the bailey with a half dozen of Rory’s warriors. “Hugh MacDonald has her. We’re riding out now,” he bellowed to Arthur.

Colin mounted his steed and galloped out the gates. Every moment counted. There could be no delay.

Rory pounded in beside him, his gaze fierce as they raced through the city streets and along the route toward Skye. “At any time Annie could’ve called out and the palace guards would have prevented MacDonald from leaving with her. This makes no sense.”

“MacDonald has to be holding something against her. She’d never leave otherwise.”

“And what could that possibly be?” Rory demanded.

Annie was an innocent, although one embroiled in his endeavor to free his chief. Aye, and the timing of her kidnapping was too coincidental for it not to have something to do with him. “My chief is locked away and needs to be freed, something which would have happened this eve.”

“What are you saying?”

“I discovered, and far too late, that Lachlan intends to capitulate to the king’s demands for the return of his land on Islay.”

“And Annie knew about your plans?”

“There is little she does no’ find a way to learn.”