Page 99 of Taming the Highland Misfits

“Thank you, Father,” she said, “but I am not wise. I merely think we cannot make ourselves miserable fretting about what might or might not happen. The future may be golden, for all we know. But even if it is not, we cannot change anything, so why not enjoy the time we have today? That is not wise, but logical.”

They sat for a few moments in silence, then Freya stood up. When her father also got to his feet, she put her arms around him and kissed his cheek softly. “Whatever happens, I know you will always take care of me, Father,” she said gently. “With you and Alex I can survive anything.”

The Laird kissed the top of his daughter’s head and smiled. “You are right, my darling. Now, I have to go back, and I suppose you need more fittings for your dress.”

Freya sighed dramatically. “Yes, Father,” she said. “Nobody told me that the business of being married was such hard work!”

Then, laughing, they rode back to Kilkenrigg.

* * *

Alex knew that time was of the essence, but he also knew that his horse could not run at breakneck speed for miles, so he kept his stallion, Jack, at a moderate pace. He felt as though every step was taking an hour, and the journey seemed endless. All the while he was riding he thought of Freya, wondering what she had been doing while he had been away. Had she missed him? Was she safe?

He thought about Gerald Patterson and Aidan. Freya’s brother was a weak character, likely to sulk if he did not get his own way, but he was not actively malicious. On the other hand, Alex would not have put anything past Gerald Patterson. There was something that hung around like an evil smell, something unwholesome but evasive. No one could actually say he was a bad man, but everyone could feel it. Freya had never had a good word to say about him as far back as he could remember, and he trusted her judgement implicitly.

He thought of Freya as he drew near the castle. He wanted to see her eyes widen as she saw him, wanted her to throw herself into his arms and bury her face between his neck and shoulder as she always did, giggling. He wanted to inhale her animal musk, the scent of her skin that was unique to her and unlike any other woman.

Alex could not believe how much he had missed her in the short time he had been away from her, and he realised at that moment that he would kill anyone who tried to hurt Freya Murdaugh, without whom his life would not be complete.

He thought back to the first time he had seen her and laughed. It had been such a long time ago, but in some ways, it seemed like yesterday. Her little face had been so fierce and her attitude so aggressive that he had been reminded of a little cat with its fur standing on end, poised for a fight. As she grew, so did he, and when their friendship developed into something more, it had had a feeling of inevitability about it. They were destined to be together.

Alex was smiling as he saw the tops of the castle turrets, but suddenly his mood changed, and he had a terrible sense of foreboding. He could not explain why, since there seemed to be absolutely no reason for it, but he spurred his horse faster and fairly thundered over the drawbridge into the castle.

He dismounted quickly and threw the reins to a stable lad before going in search of Freya, hoping that he did not bump into Aidan or Gerald Patterson en route. He was not in the right frame of mind to deal with either of them at the moment, especially Patterson, who always made him feel like talking with his fists!

He began in the parlour, then the dining room, and then he went cautiously to the Laird’s study in case Patterson was there. Fortunately, the door was locked, and Laird Murdaugh was the only one with a key. He went down to the kitchen and caused quite a stir amongst the kitchen maids, who were delighted to see him and offered him breakfast at once.

“That is very kind of you, Ladies,” he told them. “But I am in search of Freya. Has anyone seen her?”

The answer was no, so he went out quickly, leaving a crowd of delighted, adoring ladies behind him. Alex was without a doubt the most attractive man in the castle.

He went around the rest of the public areas in the castle without success before it occurred to him that Freya might have gone out for a ride, so he began to make his way back to the stables. On the way, he met Bearnard, who greeted him with a wide grin.

“You look terrible,” the young man said cheerfully as he patted Alex on the shoulder.

“Why, thank you!” Alex laughed as he looked down at himself. After his long ride, he was covered in dust and dirt, and he had left in such haste that he had not had time to shave. “I think a bath is in order. By the way, do you know where your sister is?”

“She went out riding with father,” Bearnard told him. Then he asked thoughtfully, “Why are you back so soon? I thought you were staying at the MacNeills for a few days longer.”

“I was,” Alex answered. “But something important came up and I have to speak to Freya and your father. Have they been gone long?”

“About an hour,” Bearnard told him. “Perhaps you should clean yourself up before Freya falls out of love with you!”

When Bearnard left, Alex climbed the stairs to his bedroom. He was bone weary, and wanted nothing more than to lie down and fall asleep for hours. However, as he reached the corridor leading to his chamber, there was a nasty surprise awaiting him.

Gerald Patterson was standing waiting for him, his arms folded and his back against the wall, his expression grim. He looked as though he meant business. As Alex approached, he pushed himself off the wall and drew himself up to his full height, tilting his chin. Alex had never seen him strike such a challenging posture.

“Patterson,” Alex greeted him tersely, about to push past him.

However, Gerald grabbed his arm, and Alex reflexively brought it around to strike him through instinct and force of habit. The other man fell back against the wall, rubbing the shoulder where Alex had struck him.

“What do you want?” Alex demanded, glaring at him.

“ I need to speak with you,” Gerald said irritably.

“Speak then.” Having the other man at a disadvantage, Alex was almost enjoying himself.

“Privately, please,” Gerald said, dropping his gaze to the floor. “I do not want the servants to hear.”