Page 20 of Taken by the Highland Villain (Breaking the Highland Rules #2)

The morning sun shining through his curtains—Jude hadn’t fully shut them—woke him from a troubled sleep. He rose, stretched to ease the strain in his crippled leg, then went to the window, frowning out at the sunlit gardens and the moors beyond the wall.

He and Valerie hadn’t spoken a single word to each other after their encounter in the gallery. When she hadn’t come back after leaving, he’d eventually retired to his study under the pretense of working.

There was certainly plenty to be done, but he’d managed little, too busy turning over the events of the gallery and the days before in his mind.

He’d eaten supper in his study, then retired to his room, his thoughts still churning until he’d managed to drift off to a fitful slumber.

Valerie was promised to another man. She was also, based on her outburst after their pleasurable encounter, not particularly interested in marriage of any kind. And he…

He had failed his family once, and then he had been whole and healthy. Now, he dared not risk it.

A knock on his door made him turn away from the window, and he made his way across to admit Craig.

“What do ye need?”

One corner of Craig’s mouth quirked upward. “I was plannin’ to ask ye that, My Laird. Ye ken I’m escorting Miss Blackwood to Lady MacAllister’s today, and I wanted to see if there were any other errands ye wanted me to run while I was gone.”

Valerie was going to see Lady MacAllister.

Jude growled under his breath. He’d forgotten about the message that Craig had delivered to her over the morning meal two days ago.

A part of him was tempted to say he’d changed his mind or invent some excuse as to why she needed to stay.

Another part whispered that a day apart would give them both a chance to cool their passion and think about their relationship—or whether there was anything between them other than a moment of shared passion—more clearly.

Och, and here I am thinkin’ she’ll let me decide the matter for her.

Did she nae make it clear yesterday how little she appreciates men doin’ such things?

Besides, it is nae as if I have any real reason to keep her from visitin’ Clan MacAllister.

We’re nae allies, but neither are we formal enemies or feudin’.

Jude took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “There’s nothing I need, save for ye to keep the lass safe and make sure she returns on time. She only has seven to ten days here, after all, and a fair amount of work remains to be done, from what I ken.”

Craig raised an eyebrow. “Och, I ken ye’d suggested a seven-day trial, but when did it change to a ten-day trial? And why do ye speak as if ye’re certain she’ll be leaving as soon as the trial period is over?”

Jude scowled. “Never ye mind about that. ‘Tis the decision I made. Can ye make sure that she’s back on time or nae?”

Craig nodded. “Aye, I can do that, My Laird. I’ll have her back afore the gates close tonight, or send a messenger ahead if there’s trouble.”

“Good.” Jude stretched a little, pacing his room as he thought.

On the one hand, he had no desire to watch Valerie leave his castle. On the other hand, having her leave without saying farewell seemed churlish. Then again, if he couldn’t even let her go visit a neighboring clan, how then would he manage to let her go when the trial period was over?

I could ask her to stay, to be my official seamstress. Mayhap even…

Jude bit the inside of his cheek until he tasted blood, determined to stop the wayward thought that tried to sneak into his mind.

Nay. It is nae fair to ask her to stay as a seamstress, with both of us kenning I’d want more than just clothing mended.

Sooner or later, what happened in the gallery would happen again.

And it is nae fair, nor honorable, to ask her to stay as my lover, when I ken I’ll never offer her more or do right by her.

The fact that I’m even thinkin’ such thoughts…

He turned back to Craig. “Afore ye go and break yer fast, please stop by the kitchens and tell Moira that I’ll be taking my mid-seven day ride early today, and ask her to pack me somethin’ to eat later.”

He was tempted to scold Moira for her machinations, but he knew from experience that it would do little good.

The older woman had taken the role of a mother-figure after his mother perished, and they both knew he hadn’t the heart to dismiss her.

Besides, he knew exactly what she would say if he confronted her.

“I only want what is best for ye, My Laird. Mayhap I am meddlin, but can ye really say the results werenae worth the trouble?”

Then she’d give me a raised eyebrow—or that look, the one every maither seems to ken—and I’d feel like a lad caught stealin’ honey cakes again.

Jude banished the thought with a huff of annoyance and turned his attention back to Craig. “Tell Moira I’ll be leavin’ within half an hour.”

“Aye, as ye wish. But, are ye nae stayin’ to see Miss Blackwood off?” Craig raised an eyebrow.

Jude forced himself to turn away with a shrug.

“Why should I? She’ll be back soon enough.

” He waved a hand in dismissal. “I’ll be ready to ride within the hour or less, so ye’d better hurry and speak to Moira.

Besides, we both ken that Miss Blackwood is an early riser, and she’ll likely be ready to go as well. ”

He could feel Craig’s questioning gaze on his back, but he forced himself to ignore it.

Finally, Craig spoke. “As ye will, My Laird.”

Seconds later, the door clicked shut, and Jude was free to lean against the fireplace and close his eyes.

I ken I’m doin’ the right thing—I’m certain of it. But by God, I wish it werenae so difficult!

Jude hadn’t come down for the morning meal. Valerie noted his empty chair with a pang of regret and relief. After their encounter yesterday, she wasn’t sure she could face him again—not without some time to think about the emotions that simmered between them like one of Lily’s cauldrons.

Craig met her at the front doors with two saddled horses as soon as she finished eating—porridge with cream and honey, as well as a fruit tart and strong tea. “The Laird asked me to accompany ye.”

Hope leapt in Valerie’s heart, and despite her best efforts, she couldn’t help scanning the courtyard for a sign of Jude. Although there were plenty of dark-haired, broad-shouldered warriors, the Laird of Clan MacFinn was nowhere to be seen. Her heart sank in disappointment.

Dinnae be foolish. He’s nae obligated to see me off—and why should he, in any case? Despite what happened in the gallery, I’m only his seamstress… and that’s temporary, as he’s reminded me afore.

“If ye’re lookin’ for the Laird, he goes out riding along the borders once every seven days. He usually leaves early in the day.” Craig’s soft voice startled her out of her thoughts.

She flushed and moved to mount her horse, embarrassed at having been caught. “Why would I be lookin’ for the Laird? It isnae as if there’s aught between us.”

The arch of Craig’s eyebrow and the expression on his face said that he didn’t believe her as they guided their horses through the gate and down the road. Once they’d left the walls of the castle behind, he spoke again.

“Lass, ye and I both ken there’s somethin’ between ye and Laird MacFinn. A blind man could tell it—by the way, he speaks of naught else.”

Valerie frowned. “What do ye mean?”

Craig sighed. “Ever since the… incident that led to his injury, the Laird has been moody and withdrawn. For a while, his mood was so dark that none of the servants were willing to go near him, save myself and Moira. But after ye came…”

He shook his head. “He’s still gruff as a winter-awakened bear, I’ll give ye that, but he’s begun taking proper care of himself again, and he’s nae so short-tempered as he was before.

There’s nae a man nor a woman within the castle walls who cannae tell that it’s yer influence that’s soothed him and lightened his mood…

brought him back to life. And in my experience, a lass cannae affect a man that way unless there’s somethin’ between them. ”

His words were well-meant, Valerie knew. They were meant to give her hope. Even so, hearing them stung, like salt in an open cut.

“Ye say that, but whatever is between us, it will come to nothing.”

“Because ye’re promised to another?”

Valerie shook her head. “Because he doesnae want it to come to aught. Even if I were of a mind to marry—and I’m nae, nay matter what sort of arrangement Laird MacOlley has forced upon me—Laird MacFinn isnae.

He doesnae want me, nae enough to wish to keep me beside him.

I’m simply a new presence in his life, and it intrigues him. Nay more.”

“Ye dinnae truly believe that.” Craig’s statement was simple but heartfelt. “Lass, ye ken full well there’s more to his feelings than that. And more to yers as well.”

“Mayhap.” Valerie shrugged her shoulders. “But sometimes, feelings alone arenae enough.”

Craig steered his horse closer. “And sometimes they are. The question, Miss Blackwood, is whether ye and the Laird wish them to be or nae.”

Valerie bit the inside of her cheek. Craig was right. That was a good question, even though she wished otherwise.

I only wish I kenned the answer—for my heart or Jude’s.

She couldn’t afford to think of that, however. It hurt too much, especially when the last time she’d seen him had been in the wake of their shared pleasure.

She cast her mind about for something else to say, and spoke the first words that came to mind. “What about ye?”

Craig blinked. “What about me?”

“Do ye have a lass ye favor?”

Valerie caught the slight shift in the man’s expression and grinned in delight, her troubles momentarily forgotten in light of her new discovery.

“Ye do! Would ye like me to make her a pretty dress while I’m stayin’ with ye? I have plenty of fabric, including some lovely silk Laird MacFinn purchased for me…”

“Nay. That’s yers to make somethin’ for yerself, if I understand the Laird’s meaning in purchasing it aright. And in any case, I didnae say I had a special lass…” Craig tried to sound nonchalant, but the flush in his cheeks gave him away.

“Ye didnae have to say it. There are some things a woman can tell.” Valerie smirked at him.

“And there are some things a man can tell as well as a woman,” Craig retorted. “Like the fact that something distresses ye, and nae just whatever is between ye and the Laird.”

Valerie bit her lip. “’Tis nothing.”

“Is it nae? I’ve heard rumors about a man who was troublin’ ye at the market.” Craig raised an eyebrow in inquiry, making her flush in turn.

She didn’t want to talk about Laird MacOlley. In fact, she had no desire to even think about the man. So she decided to address something else.

She breathed deeply and allowed herself to speak of another concern, a source of heartache she felt whenever she traveled. “’Tis nae that. ‘Tis that I havenae spoken to my sisters since I left home, and I miss them.”

“Tell me about yer sisters. How many do ye have?”

Valerie smiled. “I have three, all different in temperament. I’m the second eldest.”

“Och, that’s a large family. I am an only child. What is it like? What are they like?”

Valerie laughed. “Like I said, they’re all different. My elder sister, Lily, is quiet, and she studies herbs. She practices as a healer in the nearby villages, and she’s always taking care of all of us. After our parents passed away, she became the head of our family.”

Craig nodded encouragingly. “And what of yer younger sisters?”

“The next youngest after me is Megan.” Valerie chuckled.

“Faither used to say that she ought to have been born a lad, for all she takes after them.

She loves to hunt and does leatherwork as well.

‘Tis rare to see her in a skirt—she favors trews and shirts, and the leather vest and belt she made herself.”

“She sounds fair interesting. I wager she caused yer parents endless vexation.”

“Aye, though Faither was proud of her just the same—he valued any skills he could use for his folk and didnae care that Megan was a lass, if ‘twas what she wished to do and she was good at it.”

“Yer faither…”

Valerie grimaced. “Magnus Blackwood. A pirate. I ken most folk think poorly of him, but he was a good faither to us. We were his little treasures, and nay matter how harsh he was to others, he was always kind to us and proud of who we were.”

“A good faither is a good man, nay matter what else may be said of him.” Craig nodded. “But… ye said three sisters?”

“Aye. Brigid’s the youngest. She’s the light and laughter of our family.

Always innocent and smilin’ and reachin’ out to others, even when folk in the village teased her and treated her cruelly.

” Valerie shook her head. “I was fair terrified for her—we all were—when our grandfaither used her as a bargaining chip with Laird MacKane, but looking back, we should have realized that her kind heart would touch his.”

Craig blinked. “I heard that Laird MacKane married a Blackwood lass, but I didnae hear all the details.”

Valerie smiled. “’Tis a long story, but the short version is that our grandfaither—our maither’s faither—wanted to use us to secure a peace treaty after he killed Laird MacKane’s braither.

He forced my sister to go to Laird MacKane as a potential bargaining chip—a bride for a braither.

It didnae go his way, but in the end, the two of them fell in love. ”

And I wish I could have such good fortune, but ‘tis nae meant to be.

She pushed aside the thought and smiled softly. “I didnae tell them much beyond that I was leavin’ to take on a job, and I havenae written to them since I arrived. I was thinkin’ I should do so when we get back—at least, I should let them ken I arrived safely.”

“Aye. Sounds like a bonny idea.” Craig’s voice was soft with understanding. “In the meantime, there’s a fair amount of time left on the road. Why nae fill it with stories? Ye can tell me more about yer sisters, and I’ll tell ye more about life in MacFinn Castle.”

Valerie grinned. “I’d like that.”

“Tell me a story from yer childhood, then.”

Valerie laughed. As she began recounting a story about one of Brigid’s childhood escapades, she felt far lighter than she had a short while ago.

I may nae ken what is to come in regards to me and Jude, but at least I have my sisters to stand beside me, nay matter what path I may walk.