Page 8 of Intrigued By A Highlander (Highland Revenge Trilogy #2)

CHAPTER 8

T hunder rumbled promising rain before nightfall that wasn’t far off.

“Take that narrow path to your right up ahead,” Dru said. “It will take us to the Wynn croft. They’re hard-working people with four bairns. If I’m nearby when it rains, they let me shelter in their barn. If you have a coin or two to spare, they could use it. They’re good people.”

Knox nodded and took the path. Dru claimed she had no friends, but with how easily Hennie and Birdie talked with her, and how freely Dugan and his wife Hannah spoke with them, and how glad the old blind man, Albert, had been to see her, she had more genuine friends than she realized.

He cast a glance at her and could tell that something troubled her. She gazed off, her brow scrunched, and her lips slightly pursed, as if she was deciding if she should pucker them for a kiss or not. They reminded him of a rosy, ripe berry ready to pluck.

Would they taste as warm and delicious as a fresh plucked berry?

Where had that thought come from? He wasn’t attracted to Dru, though she was entertaining. He fought a smile. Life had become far more interesting since meeting her.

He pushed the interfering thoughts away and asked, “What’s wrong, Dru?”

“Like I said, the Wynns are good people.”

“But?” he asked, hearing hesitation in her voice.

She sighed softly. “I don’t think they will let us shelter for the night unless they know we’re wed.”

“Then we tell them we’re wed,” he said and wondered why it didn’t seem to appease her. “You don’t agree.”

She looked directly at him and noticed the slight scar near the corner of his right eye and the sliver of a scar along a small section of his jawline. They weren’t noticeable unless up close, so close that he could hide nothing from her. Every detail of his face was revealed to her.

Then it struck her.

He could see the same about her. She shook her head, fearing what he might see.

“Why don’t you agree, Dru?” he asked.

It took a moment to think back to what he was referring to and she recalled it quickly. “Word will spread that we are wed.”

“That’s not an immediate worry. Right now, shelter is our priority. Besides, it is inevitable that people will find out.”

“I have made it clear to many I would never wed.”

“Cleric Freen probably is letting everyone know that he didn’t leave you much choice.”

Dru was appalled at her sudden thought. “Are you saying the cleric will tell everyone that we were caught naked together?”

It didn’t bother Knox. “A cleric’s duty is to save souls, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they enjoy boasting about the souls they save. It gives them more credence with the people.” He nodded toward the distance. “There it is up ahead. We need to hurry. Rain isn’t far off.”

Dru remained silent, worried over the tale Cleric Freen might be spreading. Her suspicions were confirmed with how they were greeted upon their arrival at the croft.

“But they’re wed, Argus. It’s all proper,” the slim woman pleaded.

“Proper? You heard Cleric Freen when he stopped here. She was caught naked in his arms. I’ll not have a fallen woman stay here, and I’ll hear no more about it, Coline,” Argus ordered. “Now both of you leave.”

No one saw it coming. Knox reached out and grabbed Argus by his shirt and swung him away from the cottage to land on the ground, his booted-foot coming to rest on Argus’s chest, keeping the man locked there.

“Tarnish my wife’s name like that again and I will see you dead,” Knox threatened with a deadly calm. “Dru did nothing wrong. She is a good woman and a good wife.”

“Aye. Aye, Dru is a good woman,” Coline said, turning pleading eyes on her husband. “Do you forget how she has brought us food when we had none? Or how she keeps herself sloven so men will avoid her?”

“Like it or not, we are staying in your barn for the night. We’ll be gone by sunrise,” Knox said and reached into the fold of his plaid and extracted two coins and removing his foot, dropped them on Argus’s chest. “For your generosity, and if I ever hear that you’ve spoken badly of my wife again, I will return and slit your throat.”

Argus scrambled to his feet, making sure to swipe up the coins.

“I will bring you food,” Coline said, a tremor in her voice.

“Nay, we need nothing from you but shelter,” Knox said and turned to Dru, stretching his hand out to her.

She didn’t hesitate—she took hold of it. His fingers closed around her hand firmly and he held tight as they made their way to the barn, his mare trailing behind them.

Dru lowered herself to a pile of fresh hay as Knox tended to Star. Many would believe, like Argus, that she was a fallen woman, leaving her that more vulnerable once she was on the road alone again.

“Your true friends will know the truth. Those who condemn you were never a friend,” Knox said, dropping down beside her in the hay.

She shook her head. “It is all different now. People will not see me the same and once we part, I will be to blame for it, and face scorn.”

“I will see that you are safe before we part.”

She scoffed. “Believe that if you will, but I know better. I have seen how women are blamed while men remain blameless even when it is obvious it is the woman who was wronged.” She shook her head. “There is nothing that can be done to fix this.”

“There is always something that can be done, and I will see it done. Now worry no more on it. We eat, sleep, and leave at first light.”

Dru didn’t argue with him. She had learned that some things couldn’t be fixed and when that happened, one choice was left to you… survive however possible.

The rain drummed steadily against the barn’s roof, the scent of hay and horses thick in the air. Dru shifted on the pile of straw, enjoying a piece of bread and cheese from the sack of food that was still plentiful. She passed the sack to Knox, who sat close, his arm nearly touching hers and his legs stretched out in front of him.

She chewed slowly, letting the quiet settle for a moment before saying, “Dugan and Hannah were more helpful than I expected.”

Knox took a bite of bread and chewed considering her words before he spoke. “Aye. Travelers talk when they think no one’s listening. And Dugan listens more than he lets on, though I don’t blame him. It’s better to be guarded than let your mouth run to just anyone.”

Dru traced her finger absently over the worn fabric of her cloak. “Hannah heard the same as Hennie that Autumn was dead.” The words lingered in the air, heavy despite the casual way she had spoken them.

Knox didn’t react right away, finishing another bite before replying. “A tragic ending is always an easy story to spread and for people to believe.”

She met his gaze, brow lifting. “You don’t believe it?”

There was an edge to his tone when he said, “If she were dead, Phelan wouldn’t be hunting her.”

Dru considered that. It made sense. Bounties weren’t placed on the dead—unless, of course, someone wanted proof. “You think someone’s trying to make sure people think she’s dead.”

Knox nodded, his fingers idly turning a piece of bread between his fingers. “The question is—why?”

Dru leaned her head back against the wooden slats behind her, staring up at the dim beams overhead. “Maybe to keep people from searching for her.”

“Or to cover up something bigger,” Knox suggested.

“You think there may be more to it than marriage as to why Lord Torrance searches for his half-sister?”

“Someone wants her alive and someone wants her dead.” He turned quiet for a moment, rolling around a thought in his head. “What if they are somehow connected?”

Dru’s eyes turned wide. “Then the question isn’t just who wants her alive or dead. It’s what either stand to gain from it.”

Knox nodded, agreeing. “Dugan mentioned a healer who was close to Autumn’s mother.”

Dru nodded, shifting to sit more comfortably. “Hannah said the same and so did Hennie. But neither woman knew her name.” She pulled her knees up, resting her chin on them. “The healer may be the only one who knows the truth.”

Knox ran a hand over his face, his weariness showing in the tight set of his shoulders. “Then we find her.”

Dru huffed a quiet laugh. “You say that as if it’ll be simple.”

“It’s simpler than chasing rumors.”

She couldn’t argue with that.

The rain outside continued, the steady rhythm filling the silence between them. Dru let her eyes drift toward the barn doors, the edges of her mind turning over everything they had learned.

After a long pause, she said, “Many will join the search for Autumn with a bounty on her.”

Knox didn’t answer at first, but when he did, his voice was grim. “Phelan will eliminate them easily enough, either convincing them Autumn is dead, or threatening them.”

Dru shivered despite the relative warmth of the barn, a feeling settling deep in her gut. “Will he try to eliminate us?”

“Not yet,” Knox said. “He’ll wait. Have us followed to see if we’re getting closer to finding Autumn or wait until we do find her.”

“Then he’ll eliminate us?” Dru asked, the gruesome thought sending a shiver through her.

“He’ll pretend to bargain first.”

She understood. “A ruse to see us dead.”

“Aye, But no worries. I’ll see him dead first.”

He spoke with such a confident, yet icy tone, that it caused her to shiver again.

“With no fire to keep us warm, we’ll need to share our body heat,” he said.

She chuckled. “An excuse to get me in your arms.”

“It’s no chore. You fit quite nicely there.”

Dru waited. “And?”

“And what?”

“Your compliments are always followed by a belittling remark. I’m waiting for it.”

“There is none.”

She tilted her head. “So, you like how I feel in your arms?”

“I believe I said, ‘You fit nicely’ there.”

“Quite nicely if you want to be accurate,” she corrected.

“You should be glad we’re a good fit since you’ll no doubt be spending many nights in my arms while we search for Autumn,” he said.

Her voice dripped with heavy sarcasm. “Oh joy! What a delightful thought.”

“I’m pleased my wife finds delight in my arms.” His sarcasm was almost as heavy as hers.

Dru didn’t know what made her say it. Her response simply slipped from her mouth without thought. “I don’t mind your arms. They keep me warm… and safe.”

A strange feeling, of what he couldn’t say, seemed to settle around him in what he could only think of as a hug. But since he had known no sincere hugs, he couldn’t be sure. He would watch in interest as women hugged their bairns, warriors hug their women on return from battle, but he had never known such an endearing embrace. He felt nothing from the few hugs he had shared with women thus far. Dru hadn’t touched him, but her words had, and he wondered if he hugged her with purpose, would it feel different?

His decision was swift. He stretched his arms out to her. “Then come here to me so I can keep you warm and safe.”

Without a moment of hesitation, Dru slipped into his arms, cuddling up against him as his powerful arms circled her and drew her even tighter against him as if he didn’t intend to let her go.

“Your safe with me, Dru… always,” he said, his hug purposely firm.

The strange feeling returned and lingered and he felt the twinge of a stirring in his loins. Then her rosy colored lips came to mind, and he could almost taste their sweetness.

With those thoughts gnawing at him, he had to wonder how safe she was in his arms.

Dru had no idea what she was doing in his arms. It was foolish of her to rush into them and unwise of her to rely on him. And yet… she found his arms not only safe, but soothing and peaceful as well. It was such a lovely, deep-hearted feeling that she intended to enjoy it while she could. And as much as she didn’t want to admit it, she also couldn’t deny it. She thought as he did that she fit quite perfectly in his arms.

“So, it’s to Autumn’s home we go next,” she said to get her mind off thoughts that would not serve her well.

“There is a stop I want to make first,” he informed her, trying to ignore her sudden appeal.

“Where?”

“Clan MacSheed.”

Her heart hammered so hard against her chest that she worried Knox would hear it.

“Why there?” she asked.

“Chieftain Liam keeps watch on Phelan and his crew, after a wrongful altercation. He might know something. Besides, it will provide us with a warm bed for the night, and I can also get you some decent garments and a cloak that will serve you better than that worn one you wear.”

Her head sprang off his chest to look up at him as her hands landed there to push herself away a bit, but his strong hold kept her close. “I don’t take charity.”

“And I won’t have my wife looking like a homeless urchin.” Knox stopped Dru from objecting with a firm finger to her lips. “It is done. Not a word about it. Now sleep we leave early.”

Weary from the day, and days to come, she dropped her head back on Knox’s chest. Unlike her pounding heart, his heart was steady and calm. It wasn’t wise of her to go to Clan MacSheed and he needed to know why. But would he listen, and would it matter to him?

They left the next morning just as the sun broke on the horizon. How long the sun would remain was anyone’s guess. For now, it was pleasant to see, especially since she was going to deliver unpleasant news to Knox.

“You’ve been fussing in the saddle since we left. What troubles you now?” Knox asked, her fussing not helping the twinge of stirring in his loins that lingered, to his annoyance.

“You need to know that I won’t be welcomed at Clan MacSheed,” she said, finally sitting still.

Knox rolled his eyes and shook his head. “What did you do?”

“I had a run in with the chieftain.”

“Explain, Dru,” Knox ordered.

“You know the wolfhound the chieftain has that never leaves his side?”

“Zain.” He shook his head again. “What did you do, Dru?”

“What any decent person would do when they see an animal is blamed for something he didn’t do. The chieftain hit Zain hard for snatching an oatcake out his youngest son Ethan’s hand,” she hurried to finish, seeing Knox about to agree with the chieftain’s action. “Ethan lied. I saw him give the oatcake to the wolfhound. So, I spoke up and told the chieftain what he did. Naturally, Ethan denied it and called me a filthy urchin and a liar. Claimed he’d never do such a terrible thing to Zain, the lying, little arse.”

“I have a feeling that wasn’t the end of it.”

“Not quite. I stepped in front of Zain when the chieftain went to hit him again and told him in several explicit words that his son was the one who needed the beating for being a liar.”

“What happened then?” Knox asked.

“Chieftain Liam lunged at me and Zain, sensing how I protected him jumped to my protection, snarling and snapping at the chieftain. Knowing things wouldn’t go well from there on, I ran.”

“Chieftain Liam can’t blame you for that and I’m sure an apology will set things right with him.”

“I wouldn’t hold my breath for that apology, and I doubt he would accept it since when I ran, Zain ran with me.”

“You stole his wolfhound?”

“Zain followed of his own accord, and don’t you think that if he wasn’t mistreated, he wouldn’t have left with me?” she argued.

“Where is the hound?” Knox demanded.

She turned a defiant glare on him. “Safe and loved, and I intend to see him stay that way.”

“I’ll see to this when we arrive there,” he said as if it was settled.

Dru lifted her chin in a stubborn salute. “I’m not apologizing for doing the right thing, nor will I tell him where Zain is.”

Knox grabbed her chin and gave it a light squeeze. “He can punish you for stealing his hound and he has the right to. I will see to making this right and you, dear wife, will hold your tongue.”

Dru nodded, not giving it a thought since, to her, only verbal agreements counted.