Chapter Fourteen

In the torch-lit bailey, Neacal motioned to his sword bearer and war leader, Matthew, then waited for him near the thick stone wall so they could talk privately.

"I'm glad you've returned, chief," Matthew said. "I sent out two parties of a half dozen men each, searching for you."

"I thank you, but there was no need. Are they supposed to return soon?"

"Aye, tomorrow."

"Good. We'll need all the men we can get for the upcoming battle."

Matthew frowned. "Is Sleat on his way?"

"I have no inkling about him. 'Tis Blackburn MacCromar and his men."

"Who's that? We've never had conflict with them before."

Neacal glanced toward the kitchen doorway where Anna had disappeared. "The man who thinks he is married to Mistress Douglas."

"Thinks?" Matthew looked thoroughly confused now.

"Aye, 'tis an illegal marriage. MacCromar forced her to marry him against her will." Neacal explained the whole situation as quickly as possible. "If he gets his hands on her, he'll beat her and abuse her as he has done in the past."

Matthew's assessing eyes searched his, then he nodded. "We've added several soldiers over the past few weeks, and Colin brought dozens with him."

"Aye." Neacal was not concerned now that Colin had his back. "What about Parlan, Roy and the other three clan traitors? Have you discovered more?"

"Nay. When you disappeared, I thought they had something to do with it, so I locked them in the dungeon."

"I'm glad. When Blackburn shows up, I'll need to trust all the men fighting beside me."

Matthew nodded. "I don't know if I rounded up all the traitors or if there are more. But I figured we couldn't risk them running around free."

"'Tis something we'll have to figure out as we go along. If you hadn't already locked them up, I would be forced to now, anyway."

"What if this MacCromar chief should inform the king you've taken his wife hostage?"

A new spark of anger lit within Neacal. "Then I shall send a missive to the king, telling him the truth. Or pay him a visit." Neacal would not be deterred in this. Brutes like Blackburn had to be stopped. And he was just the man to do it. "Inform the men. Make sure all our weapons are repaired, sharpened and ready."

"Aye, chief." Matthew gave a decisive nod and strode away, while Neacal headed toward the entry steps.

He was glad he'd gotten Anna behind these castle walls where he and his clan could protect her properly. Even though he missed having her by his side now, he hoped she would eat and go to bed early. She needed the rest. As for him, he had a lot to do before he could retire for the night, and even when he did, he doubted he would be able to sleep. Too much was at stake and he had to deal with these problems head on. He thought of his father often, hoping Da would help guide him in making the right decisions.

After entering the great hall, Neacal proceeded across the crowded room to the high table where the three visiting chiefs, along with their wives and daughters, sat finishing their supper and sipping ale. Most of the conversations around him quieted.

"A good eve to you." Neacal nodded to his guests, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible. His gaze scanned those seated around the table. "Ladies, I apologize for my disheveled appearance and for interrupting your meal, but I need to meet with your chiefs in the library forthwith."

The women stared in wide-eyed shock, taking in his muddy clothing, while the men frowned.

"Now?" Hamilton asked.

"Aye. As soon as you're finished with your meal. I'll await you there." Neacal proceeded to the library and added peat to the fire. He wished he'd had time to bathe and change his clothing, but what he had to say to them was far more important. And it wouldn't take long.

Once the three men filed into the library, Neacal closed the door and motioned for them to sit.

"Where have you been the past few days?" Observing him with speculation, the ginger-haired Chief MacGill took a seat at the table.

Neacal held no fondness for the man and wished he had already vacated the place. "I had some unforeseen business to attend to. I'm sorry I was unable to be here. Before my absence, I enjoyed your company—all of you—but now we're expecting trouble, perhaps even battle. For the safety of your ladies and your retinues, I have to ask you to return to your homes."

"Battle?" MacRury asked. "With whom?"

"The MacCromar clan."

"They're from the east, far from here. What is your conflict with them?" Hamilton asked, his dark brows lowered.

"I cannot discuss it. Nor do I want you to get involved. If our castle is attacked, your ladies could be in danger. 'Tis best you leave as soon as possible. We expect them to come overland."

"When will they be here?" MacGill asked.

"In a day or two." Neacal did not know for a certainty how long it would take the survivors of their skirmish to reach Blackburn and report they'd located Anna and that the MacDonalds sheltered his estranged wife. But Neacal wanted the chiefs and their daughters gone from here forthwith. "I suggest you leave at daybreak in the morn."

"Aye. I'll have my servants start preparing." Chief MacGill leapt up and hastened out of the room.

Thank the saints, Neacal didn't have to convince him.

The other two chiefs glared at each other and then fixed their eyes on him. "I've met MacCromar," Hamilton finally admitted. "'Haps I can act as a go-between so you can avoid violence."

Neacal frowned, remembering that Anna had said she was trying to prevent Chief Hamilton from seeing her when she'd left because he had visited Blackburn. "You're a friend and ally of his, are you not?"

"Nay, neither," he said gruffly. "But I've had dealings with him."

Suspicious, Neacal ground his teeth. "Tell me what you know about him."

"In truth, he is malicious. He has a large garrison. And if I were you, I would not want to cross him."

Neacal's hackles rose. If Hamilton didn't wish to cross Blackburn, then he would never be on the side of the MacDonalds.

"Then you are his ally," Neacal said.

"Nay," Hamilton said, but the flare of panic in the man's eyes was obvious.

"'Tis clear to me you fear him. You'll do me no good. 'Tis best you leave in the morn." Neacal knew he was calling the man a coward, but the truth was the truth. He was not one to mince words.

"What is your quarrel?" Hamilton demanded, a scowl on his face.

"As I said, I cannot reveal this."

"Not only will I stay and fight beside you, I'll send for reinforcements… if you'll agree to marry my daughter afterward," Hamilton pressed his case.

"Nay," Neacal said with calm confidence.

"Are you…" The man snapped his mouth closed, his face reddening as his words hung in the air.

"Mad?" Neacal asked. "Aye, most likely. And I have no need of your help."

"I'll help you, lad," Chief MacRury stated with quiet self-assurance. "With or without a marriage to my daughter. Your da often helped me. I owe it to him and to your clan."

Hamilton glared at him.

Neacal held a new respect and fondness for MacRury. "You have no idea how much I appreciate that," Neacal said. "Hopefully, we can maintain the alliance of friendship that my father began."

"This is lunacy," Hamilton muttered, then shoved back from the table and left the room.

"I hope I have not made two enemies in them," Neacal said. He already had enough enemies.

"I wouldn't worry over it." MacRury arose from the table. "I'll send some of my men south for two dozen more of my soldiers. They should arrive within a couple of days."

"You're most generous. I'll owe you a grand favor."

"Nonsense. I owed your father a favor from many years back."

"You're a good man," Neacal said. "I can see why my father considered you a genuine friend."

"Well, I believe in doing the right thing. Do you truly think the ladies will be in danger?"

"We intend to stop the MacCromars before they breach the walls. With the help of your clan and the Camerons, I trust we'll be successful."

MacRury nodded. "I'm glad to hear it. Can you at least give me a hint as to what this is about?"

Neacal didn't want to tell him, but if the man was going to assist him, he deserved to know. "How do you feel about men who abuse women?"

"I detest them. Why?" MacRury growled.

"How do you feel about a man who would force a woman to marry him against her will by holding a dagger to her sister's throat?"

MacRury's face reddened. "He deserves a dungeon… or death. He is no man of honor, that's a certainty."

"That's the conflict. And the abused woman in question is a guest here at the castle, Anna Douglas."

"Are you related to her?"

"Nay. I've made her cause my own. She's a good woman, an honorable lady, and she deserves to be protected."

"Of course. Any woman deserves protection."

Neacal nodded. "I'm glad we see eye to eye. She has no male relatives still living willing to help her, and Blackburn MacCromar murdered her first husband. I intend to help her."

"You're much like your father, lad. 'Tis very admirable of you."

"I thank you." Neacal gave a brief bow. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go speak to my foster brother, Colin Cameron, about a plan of action."

"I'll send my men south on a swift galley in the morn." MacRury shook his hand as they exited the room.

"I appreciate your help more than you could know." Neacal just hoped the reinforcements arrived in time.

On his way through the great hall, Neacal asked the housekeeper to send the kitchen maids with supper for him and Colin to the solar. He needed to talk to him and didn't wish any eavesdroppers.

He had told Colin a few things during the ride, but nothing detailed with Anna and so many of his soldiers listening.

Once he'd asked Colin to come in from the courtyard where the men were preparing for battle and the maids had served their supper, they sat down at the small table.

"What is your plan in dealing with Blackburn MacCromar?" Colin asked between bites.

"I'm going to kill the bastard," Neacal said in no uncertain terms.

"Ah. Don't you feel you're being a bit too lenient?" his friend asked drily.

Neacal smirked. "Aye. He deserves torture worse than I suffered, but I'll spare him." Neacal chewed and swallowed a bite of the venison. "I have no doubt he'll show up here."

"What if he wants to negotiate?"

"Negotiation happens when there is a hostage. Anna is here of her own free will and I won't hand her over to him. Of a certainty, she won't choose to go with him. I expect that he'll grow hostile and attack once I tell him nay . 'Haps we should await him along the cliffs."

"'Twould give us the advantage. He won't ken how many men are lurking in the wood. He might become cocky and attack. Then we thrash his garrison."

"Hamilton and MacGill are leaving, but MacRury is going to stay and help us. He even said he would send for more of his men in the morn."

Colin frowned. "Don't tell me you agreed to marry his daughter."

"Nay. He said he owed my father a favor."

"'Tis great to have allies like that."

They ate for a few moments in silence. Neacal hadn't realized how hungry he was.

"Do you intend to marry Anna?" Colin asked, mischief lighting his eyes.

"Of course."

Colin chuckled. "Damnation. You've become decisive of late."

Neacal felt a faint smile slip out. Something he was not in the habit of doing. "I've always been decisive."

"What on earth happened to her?"

"At knifepoint, Anna was forced into marriage with the murderous whoreson."

"Marriage?" Colin frowned, pausing in his eating.

"Aye. Blackburn MacCromar murdered the previous MacCromar chief, his cousin, Anna's first husband."

"Saints!"

"The marriage is not legal but I'm certain he won't give up. 'Tis why I'll have to either take the matter before the king or kill Blackburn. In a fair fight, of course."

"Of course." Colin eyed him closely in the firelight. "You love her," he charged.

Neacal focused on eating. He didn't enjoy discussing such raw and intense emotions. Aye, he most likely did love her, but that didn't mean he wanted to talk about it. 'Twas all so new and personal. He hadn't even told her yet.

"Do you not?" Colin grinned.

"I am drawn to her."

His friend snorted. "You used to be drawn to a lot of women… before. But this is different."

"Anna is different," Neacal admitted. "She gives me peace as I've never had."

"Are you certain 'tis peace? Or a raging storm of desire?"

Neacal shrugged. "If you must know… both."

His friend chuckled. "Aha. The storm, then the peace."

"She helps me forget the torture."

Colin sobered. "I'm glad for that, my friend. None of us can truly understand what you suffered, even if you tell us. 'Tis something only you know the full extent of."

"Anna has suffered, too—'haps more than I have—and I mean to protect her from that demon. He not only murdered her husband, he also caused her to have a miscarriage because of his abuse."

"Damnation," Colin hissed.

"He cut her younger sister's face."

"Why?"

"When he was forcing Anna to marry him, the only way she would agree was if he threatened her sister with a knife. He cut her face, then held the knife at her throat. After that he shoved her down and her head hit the stone wall. She is blind because of it."

"Hell," Colin growled, pure fury crossing his face. "I hope he arrives soon. I want to personally run him through."

"Not if I get to him first."

***

Late that night, Neacal turned over in bed and stared into the darkness. Thousands of thoughts and images chased through his head. Some good, like thoughts of Anna, and some bad, like the upcoming battle he would wage with Blackburn MacCromar. He did not fear the man or his garrison. He simply wanted to stop him from his evil rampage. He had already hurt and killed too many people.

Anna was Neacal's angel, and he was never letting her go. He would prove to her he would be a protective husband, and prove to the clan he would be a strong chief.

'Twas useless to try to sleep. He arose and added peat to the fire. Dunn awoke enough to peek at him once, then his eyelids drifted shut again. Neacal envied the dog his peaceful slumber.

The problem was Neacal needed Anna beside him. She helped him sleep like nothing else on earth. How terrible would it be if he went to find her and secretly brought her to his chamber? He knew which room she was using, for he'd visited her there a few days ago. Everyone else was abed. No one would see him. Excitement surging through him, he quickly belted his plaid about his waist over his long-tailed shirt.

Carrying a candle, he opened the door and was thankful to find Leith asleep, sitting on the floor and leaning against the wall. Smirking, Neacal closed his door back, stepped over the burly bodyguard and proceeded silently down the corridor.

Hearing footsteps further along, he paused. All became still and he saw no one. When he took another step, someone ran away, down the stairs. He caught only a blur of movement. Who the devil was that and why were they fleeing? More traitors? Someone slipping toward his chamber to assassinate him? Although some of the traitors were in the dungeon, no doubt several in the clan still opposed him.

Taking out his dirk, Neacal followed quietly down the steps to the bottom, but whoever it was had vanished. All was quiet and dark beyond the glow of his candle. After listening for several minutes, he climbed the steps again.

Up two more flights and he reached the room Anna shared with the other female singer. A loud snore came from behind the door. Not Anna… he hoped. Nay, she hadn't snored during the time they'd spent together. When he remembered those amazing nights, excitement raced through him. He tapped as lightly as possible on the door.

While he waited, he glanced back to make sure the mystery person hadn't followed him.

A moment later, the door opened a crack and Anna peered out at him. He held the candle so she could see who he was.

"What are you doing here?" she breathed.

"I had to see you. Come with me," he whispered. "Put on your arisaid first."

She nodded, returned to the room for a moment then came back wearing the thick plaid belted around her waist.

Harriet's snores continued.

After Anna exited, he closed the door. "How do you sleep with so much noise?"

"I've grown used to it." A smile was evident in her voice.

He took her hand, helped her descend the stairs and led her to his chamber. They stepped over the sleeping guard, entered and shut the door. Dunn merely lifted his head for a second, then turned to his side, and closed his eyes.

"Did you get any sleep?" He quietly barred the door.

"Aye. A few hours," she said.

"Good." He took in her sensual, bedraggled appearance in the dim glow of the candle and firelight. "I hope you can help me sleep."

"How? Are you in pain?" She pulled his hands into hers, her concerned gaze searching his face. "I didn't bring the salve."

He kissed the knuckles of each of her hands. "Nay. I just want to hold you."

"Oh." She grinned. "Very well. That will be most pleasant."

He savored her smile for a long moment, enjoying how it made him feel, as if he were lazing about in the warm summer sunshine, so soothing and comforting. He could not wait until she was his wife, so they wouldn't have to slip along dark corridors to be together. 'Twas not himself he was concerned about, but how the clan would perceive her.

"No one must ken you're sleeping here," he said.

"They won't hear it from me."

"I don't like for you to sleep in the room with Harriet. You're a lady. I must see that you have better lodgings."

"Nay. I want no special treatment," she rushed to say. "And I don't wish anyone else to know my status."

"Well, they will ken soon enough when Blackburn arrives."

She inhaled deeply and gave him a troubled look. "I must talk to you about that. I've decided… I have to leave."

Denial and dread slammed into his stomach. "What are you talking about?"

"I cannot put your clan in such danger. The last thing I wish is a battle fought because of me."

"Nonsense," he grumbled. "Where would you go? No place will be safe from Blackburn but behind castle walls."

Anna shook her head. "I don't want anyone to be killed because of me, certainly not you. Nor anyone in your clan. I but wish to live out my life in peace as an anonymous minstrel."

"But you're far more than that." Could she not see that she had become everything to him, his whole world? He now realized his life had been naught but barren wasteland before. "You must stay here and let me protect you," he urged. "'Tis the only logical thing for you to do. You cannot defend yourself out there alone, especially now that the whoreson kens your whereabouts. You could never outrun him, and even if you did, he would still arrive here at our gates. He would not believe us if we said you had gone. You'll not be sparing us anything by leaving, so you may as well remain here. Aside from that, winter is approaching and you cannot survive out in the elements. I wish to give you a warm place to stay."

She nodded, staring down at her broken nails. "You're right, of course, but…"

"But what?" He took her hands and rubbed his thumbs over her palms, trying to calm her. "You have no more sound arguments."

When her eyes finally met his, the glimmer of tears ripped at his heart. "How will I ever repay you and your clan?"

"No repayment is necessary, mo ghraidh," he said softly.

"Aye. I must," she insisted.

He stroked his hand along her silken cheek, catching a tear and wiping it away. "Your song is a gift to everyone who hears it. Will you sing for us? 'Tis all we ask in repayment."

"Of course. You ken I will."

Needing to feel her body pressed to his, he pulled her into a close embrace and kissed the top of her head. He felt her shake with sobs and drew back to look into her troubled eyes as best as he could in the firelight. "What is it?" he whispered.

"I don't deserve you."

"Humph. I think 'tis the other way around. I'm unworthy of you."

She shook her head. "You are the most giving and heroic man I've ever met… and the one who has been through the most pain."

"You make me forget all that, whether you're singing or kissing me. You and evil thoughts cannot coexist in my head. You drive all the demons out."

She gave a rueful smile. "I can perform no such miracles."

"Aye, you have." He drew her tightly to him again, wrapping his arms around her.

Anna did not understand how she'd found a man like Neacal. A man who had suffered more physical abuse and pain than she had. More than anyone she knew. And yet, he was the most caring and compassionate man she had ever met. How was this possible? She would've expected torture to harden his heart and chill his soul, but the opposite had happened.

She relaxed and simply felt him, inhaled his clean, masculine scent that was only him. His soul's warmth filled her with joy.

"I feel the same way," she whispered. "When I'm with you, I forget the many losses of my past and I live in the here and now."

Had a higher power sent her to his castle? How else would she have found him?

But what if Blackburn took him away from her? A chill shook her. If she gave her heart to Neacal and Blackburn killed him, she could not survive the loss, added to what she'd already endured. She pressed her face to his chest, cherishing him, holding him tight.

Pulling back, she gazed up at him, giving him what she hoped was her most solemn look. "You must not fight Blackburn."

He frowned. "Why on earth not?"

"Because… I don't want to lose you."

He shook his head, his blue eyes reflecting her own emotions. "You won't be losing me. I intend to kill him honorably on the field of battle."

Oh, if only such a thing could be true, but the risk was too great. "Nay, I don't wish you to put yourself in such extreme danger because of me. Blackburn is vile and evil. He kens naught of honor. He might have a mob of his soldiers attack you alone."

Neacal smirked. "Have you already forgotten what happened at the shieling and at the tavern? I bested several of his men."

"Aye, but what if they all come at you at once?" She could visualize the horrid scene.

"I am no fool, Anna. If I wanted to die I would be dead already. I've developed skills of battle and survival that most men do not even think of."

"I know you are a great warrior with amazing skills, but still… I worry."

"Well, I know not how to take away your worries, except by proving I'm right." After unbuckling his belt, he tossed his plaid on the chair. Keeping his long-tailed shirt on, he led her to the bed and lay down, leaving room for her in front. "Come sleep with me," he murmured, holding out his hand. In truth, he looked exhausted and she did want him to sleep.

After removing her arisaid , she crawled onto the bed and snuggled against him. He covered them with the woolen blanket and wrapped his arms around her. Pressing her nose to his chest, she inhaled his wondrous masculine scent mixed with lavender soap. In his arms, she felt safe and protected, for the first time in a very long time, but also cherished and excited. She loved how strong his arms felt around her.

Her arousal was at a slow simmer but she drifted toward sleep as she listened to his soft breaths.

A loud thump startled her fully awake. Something crashed just outside the door and a man yelled.