Chapter Eight

What had he done?

Stupid. Stupid.

Did he feel badly about what had occurred between him and Freya?

Did he have regrets?

He did not was the answer to both questions.

It went against every instinct to even consider that making love to Freya was wrong.

Each moment had been beyond belief. It had been the best lovemaking he'd ever experienced. He should not sully it by even considering it as a bad decision.

However, it had been.

That it felt almost impossible to take her again, proved it even more.

He was on his back with his arms around the beautiful woman. Everything in him was unwilling to release her, even though she'd suggested twice already that they should go.

It was true, someone could happen upon them. If it was the men who were attacking the people of Clan Ross, it would prove deadly. And yet.

The woman he held was like no other and in that moment he vowed to protect her up until his last breath.

Was he in love? No, he wasn't so na?ve to think that because the interlude had been so powerful, it meant more than it had. The desire they'd both felt for one another was the reason their physical interaction had been so powerful.

Then again, he'd desired women before. Some he'd wanted so much he'd physically ached. Yes, he had enjoyed the bedding. But curiously, he'd never felt as satisfied as he did in that very moment.

What was it about Freya? Why did this woman call to his every instinct, every thought and every part of him?

She lifted her head and pushed up to sit on the ground, next to him fumbling with the ties of her blouse.

"We really must go."

Gavin studied her. Lips swollen from his kisses, skin flushed and raven black hair loose from its pinnings, she presented the most enticing picture. At his regard, she began to fumble with her hair, loosening it and then braiding it quickly before pinning the tresses back up.

There was no prolonging their time alone. Gavin got to his feet and pulled Freya to stand. "What made ye so upset in the village?"

She closed her eyes as if pained. "I thought to have seen someone familiar, someone from my past." When she opened them, they were filled with something akin to desperation.

"Tell me the truth Freya. I cannae help ye otherwise," Gavin said taking her upper arm and guiding her toward the horse. "What do ye fear?"

Peering at the ground, she seemed dejected. "I am so sorry. I cannae trust anyone. I did in the past and because of it, I lost everything."

Her expression hardened and she lifted to look directly at him. "Because of me my family is dead. Everything is gone. My home… everything." She whirled away crossing her arms.

Gavin wasn't sure what to think. A part of him knew she told the truth. However, by keeping secret who she was and where she came from made it hard believe everything she said.

"Those who killed yer family. Do ye think they search for ye?"

Freya shrugged. "I dinnae know."

Turning her to face him, Gavin tried to get more information. "Would it benefit them if ye were dead?"

Silence stretched until finally Freya shook her head but said nothing. Her shoulders slumped and the fiery woman he'd held in his arms, had made passionate love to seemed to disappear to be replaced with one who'd lost all hope.

"Freya tell me. Are they a threat to the clan?" It felt wrong to ask the question; however, his overall loyalty was to Clan Ross.

"He is a cruel man. But nae a threat to yer clan. It is only him."

When he reached for her, she tensed. It did not feel right to allow the conversation to overshadow what had occurred. He reached for her again and this time, she allowed it.

"I will do what I can to keep ye safe, Freya," Gavin reassured her, glad when she wrapped her arms around his waist. "Just come to me if ever ye feel threatened."

Freya let out a long sigh but said nothing.

The sun was setting as they made their way back. "I hope Flora has nae raised the alarm that we are missing." Gavin said looking toward the road.

"That is why I kept insisting that we leave." Freya sounded worried.

"I am sure we will come upon our guardsmen at any moment. I will explain ye felt ill and we had to stop until yer stomach settled." He pressed a kiss to the side of her neck. "Ye were very, very, ill, so it took much too long before we could continue forth."

When she shivered, he smiled against her ear.

As expected moments later a group of guardsmen, including Knox, appeared. Gavin gave them the explanation and by the worried glances toward Freya, they seemed to believe him.

Upon arriving at the keep, he helped Freya dismount. She insisted on going to her cottage alone, so he remained back with the men.

It didn't surprise him in the least when Knox gave him a pointed look. "Convincing explanation," his cousin quipped. "The others believed it." He motioned to the others with his head.

"What if she comes to be with child?" Knox asked.

Gavin pushed past him. "I am hungry." He headed inside to the great room and instructed the first servant he saw to ensure a meal was taken to Freya.

When Cynden approached, his brother's hazel gaze raked over him. "We didnae tell Mother ye were out alone. Are ye unharmed then?"

When Knox cleared his throat, Gavin didn't bother lying. "I rode back from the village with Freya, she was feeling unwell. We stopped by the creek and lingered."

"Ah," Cynden said. "I am glad nothing was amiss then."

"There were a pair of men on the road, which is why I went into the forest. I waited to reach the bend near where old MacTavish keeps his cows. Knowing they could nae see me, I rode into the trees and waited."

His brother and cousin exchanged looks.

"Did they continue toward the keep?" Knox asked.

"They never rode past the bend. Although they were a bit far, I could see them, and they were nae Clan Ross. It was just a pair of them, dinnae look like warriors. I could nae see any swords."

Something about the men had bothered him, they did not look familiar in the least. But at the same time, they didn't seem to be warriors as they'd not worn any kind of weapons. Looking past the others, he glanced toward the house. Was it possible they were who'd frightened Freya? Were they part of her past?

During last meal, he couldn't stop thinking about Freya. Several times, he missed what someone said as his mind kept wandering. He didn't need the distraction of a woman. Too much was at stake at the moment, and he needed a clear head.

Once he finished the meal, he went to find his mother. As expected, she sat with Ainslie. They'd finished eating and were in conversation, which stopped at his approach.

"Is something wrong son?" his mother asked, although she didn't seem at all worried.

"Nae. I have a favor to ask of ye both." He wasn't sure how to approach the situation, especially with so much unknown. At the same time, he couldn't allow Freya to continue to work as a servant.

"Can ye find another place for the woman Freya that's not the laundry. I am convinced she is highborn, and should her family come, it would be a slight if they found her working as a servant."

His mother motioned for him to sit, and Gavin lowered into a chair next to her.

"It is obvious that she comes from a background of privilege. While we traveled, I spoke to Alex about her. He does nae feel comfortable for her to be part of the household," his mother stated.

"And I dinnae feel she should be a servant." He did his best to keep his tone even, but his message was clear.

His mother nodded. "She can be Ainslie's companion if Cynden agrees. Alex may be against it upon his return."

Ainslie smiled. "I have no objections." She looked to where Cynden sat, and a silent message seemed to pass between them because his brother walked over.

Their mother spoke. "Gavin would like the lass, Freya, to be removed from her chores and be given a different role. I suggested that she become Ainslie's companion."

His brother's brow furrowed. "I dinnae see why her being in the laundry or with Ainslie makes much of a difference."

Cynden looked at his wife, his face softening.

Instantly Gavin wondered at the wisdom of putting Ainslie in danger. Although he believed Freya when she'd said not to think anyone would bring danger, he had the responsibility of assuring everyone's safety.

"Perhaps a different role," Gavin said.

"The lass requires shelter and our hospitality," his mother stated. "Now, go on yer way. Ainslie and I will speak with Freya and find a fit for her in the household."

Partly because they preferred not to argue with their mother and also because they had more important matters, Gavin and Cynden returned to where the warriors remained.

There was a crudely drawn map on the table and Knox gave assignments for each group of warriors. Every portion of the lands surrounding the border would be searched, even those by Munro's. Whoever the band of attackers were, they had to be along the border.

Once decisions were made as to who would ride where, Gavin went out. He told himself he wished to ensure his horse was fed and watered, but upon walking past Freya's cottage, he hesitated.

After a look over his shoulder to be sure no one saw him, he rapped on the door.

"It's me, Gavin."

Freya opened the door and moved back to allow him in. "Why are ye here?" She glanced past him. "Someone will see ye."

"I wanted to see ye and ensure all is well. How do ye feel?"

If possible, she was even more beautiful in the dim light of the single lantern in the tiny cottage.

"I am well. Ye dinnae have to see about me. I dinnae expect…"

He kissed her deeply fighting the urge to lift her into his arms and take her once again. Instead he stepped away. "I just want to ensure ye have calmed. Ye were upset."

Her gaze shifted away from his face and then back to look at him. Whatever she would say, he knew it was not entirely the truth. "I am well."

It was best not to linger, the last thing he wished was for there to be whispers about Freya. She was without protection and just the inkling that she allowed men into her home could bring unwanted attention.

"Come to me if ye need anything, if ye are in fear."

Freya placed both hands on his chest and peered up at him. In that moment, he wanted nothing more than to throw caution to the wind and remain with the beauty.

"I will. I assure ye." Her voice was devoid of emotion, but her eyes devoured him. She felt exactly the same way he did.

It was early morning the next day when Gavin and several men rode back to where he'd seen the strangers the day before. The morning haze had yet to dissipate, giving the hilly lands an eerie appearance. They didn't speak as they continued toward a wooded area.

Clan Ross guards had split into groups to patrol as much of the lands as possible. Each group had a pair of archers, who remained a short distance behind in case they were needed. The men required enough room to shoot their arrows.

Rustling from forest creatures scampering away was soon gone, leaving a silence only broken by the sounds of their horses and occasional birdsong.

"Someone has been here," one of the men whispered.

They continued on while searching the foliage and surroundings. Whoever had been there was gone. They could tell that by the fact no animals had been about when they'd arrived. Then again, it didn't mean anything as the creatures could have heard them approach.

Gavin considered that remaining in bed this morning would have been preferable to the chilly morning outdoors. The more time passed, the more he wondered if perhaps whoever the attackers were had gone.

Suddenly the unmistakable sound of horses cut through the silence. Whoever rode was in a hurry. Gavin held up his right hand, signaling for them to stop and listen. The closer the riders came, the more he wondered just how many there were.

Finally, through the trees, the riders were visible.

"Our men," Gavin said urging his horse forward. The riders hesitated upon seeing them, but only one slowed while the others continued on.

"What it is?" Gavin called out.

"The keep," the one who slowed replied. "Bìrlinns are headed there, they look like fighters and are nae slowing to announce their presence."

"We are about to be attacked," the warrior called out.

No other words were exchanged as Gavin and his men galloped to catch up with the others.

Things had just gone from bad to much worse.