Highlander's Guardian (Highlander Heat #4)

“Then this is your fault. You led her straight to danger’s door. You gave MacDonald some form of control over her. Naught else makes sense.” Rory’s hair whipped about his shoulders.

Colin could say nothing to defend himself. He’d allowed this to happen, and if Annie was harmed in any way for his terrible mistake, he’d never forgive himself.

Their party of warriors left the city behind and rode hard across the moors.

“Fresh tracks,” Arthur shouted.

Aye, several hoof prints were embedded deep into the soil, easy to spot now the dawn’s rising sun had lightened the skies. Ahead, the forest lay with a silver tinge along the treetops, and somewhere within, Annie rode, captured by his enemy.

“I’m coming,” he whispered to her, his heart a pounding mess. “I’m coming.”



The rising sun sent the night’s frosty air to ground, although the welcoming warmth did little to ease the deep chill in Annie’s bones. At her back, Hugh MacDonald was a solid presence as he galloped down the forest trail scattered with autumn leaves, his men pounding behind them. She wriggled and tried to stretch as her muscles protested the hours of confinement. She’d repeatedly requested a stop, but he’d not once accommodated her. Now she ached, everywhere, her heart included.

“Fergus,” Hugh called to his man. “Ride ahead to the burn and check all is well. If it is, we’ll stop and water our horses there.”

“Aye, Captain.” Fergus rode past then disappeared around a bend in the trail.

“You’re rather quiet,” Hugh rumbled in her ear.

She wriggled forward, instilling whatever space she could between them. “I’ve naught to say to a man who thinks ’tis acceptable to abduct an innocent lady.”

“An innocent lady who’ll soon be my wife. Watch your tongue, Annie. I willnae abide being spoken to like a common thief. A quiet and accepting demeanor in a wife would be appreciated.”

“Then you abducted the wrong lass. My tongue is rather forthright.” She wanted to hit him.

Fergus rode back and Hugh slowed his mount after the warrior motioned all was well.

“It appears you’ll be granted a short respite.” Hugh pulled his horse to a stop next to Fergus’s near a gurgling stream. He jumped down, looped his destrier’s reins over a low branch and held out his hands to her. “Allow me to aid you.”

“Your kind of aid, I dinnae require.” She dismounted on the other side, and even though her legs shook, she rubbed her lower limbs and brought the sensation back.

“Are you all right?” Arms crossed, Hugh loomed over her.

“Some water to quench my thirst and a walk to loosen my legs would be appreciated.” Her freedom even more so, not that MacDonald would be granting her that. Watchful of her step, she negotiated the rocky bank then on her knees at the edge, scooped the chilly water and drank. The cold liquid hit her empty belly and she shuddered.

“It would pay for you to drink slowly.”

“Leave me alone. You dinnae need to hover.”

“There are dangers in the forest.”

“And I’m well aware of them.” Colin had drummed all the possible pitfalls into her since she’d been old enough to walk. She knew how to take care of herself.

“Lass, you must keep an open mind about our forthcoming marriage.” The idiot perched on the moss covered rock next to her, kicked his booted feet out and arched a brow. “I dinnae care for your behavior.”

“Too bad.”

“We should speak, and afore we make Dunscaith.” He scrubbed his bearded jaw. “I have a wee daughter. She’s eight and lost her mother a year past. Her name is Beitris and she needs a firm hand. I’m afraid I’ve allowed her to get away with too much of late.” He stared back down the trail. “I’m a hard man, lass, but I dinnae wish to be hard on you. For this alliance to work, I need you to accept what will be.”

“I’m already wed.”

“No’ for long. You will repudiate your handfast vows afore we reach Dunscaith.”

“I’ll do no such thing, and you cannae intimidate me. I’m a MacLeod in case you missed that.”

“I’m well aware, and one I intend to bed very soon.”

“No’ with my permission.” She pushed to her feet. “Excuse me. I presume you willnae wish to stay for long and I must have some privacy to tend to my needs.”

“You have five minutes, and remember, I will be watching.”

“If you are, I’ll clobber you.” She hoped the threat worked, but regardless, she trod through the thick grass until she found a suitably dense bush to crouch behind. She sniffed and squeezed her eyes shut. Nay, she wouldn’t cry. She had to remain strong. “I’m so sorry, Colin,” she whispered as a tear escaped.

Leaves and bracken crackled behind her. She stiffened and held perfectly still.

Surely MacDonald wouldn’t actually follow through on his threat to keep this close of an eye on her.