Highlander's Bride (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 1) (11 page)

Alexander chuckled. "Faith, lass, 'tis just a
song. And 'tis sure I am, you'll never have a lad leave you to weep by the
sea."

Gillian smiled brightly then turned to face Ian.
"Laird MacGregor, I beg yer pardon. 'Tis a travelin' tinker in the
courtyard, beggin' yer leave to speak with Lady Katherine and Lady Gordon. He
seeks to show them his wares, seein' how a weddin' will soon take place
here."

Ian looked at Angus and winked before he turned to
Monique and Katherine. "Ah, ladies, do you wish to inspect the tinker's
wares? If you dinna wish to be bothered, I will have him sent on his way
posthaste."

Katherine could still feel Alexander's gaze.
"Oh, Laird MacGregor, please don't send him away."

Angus grinned at Ian. "Faith, old friend,
have you e'er known a lass who didna wish to see a tinker's wares?"

Chuckling in return, Ian replied, "Nay. I
dinna think 'tis such a lass in all of Scotland. Or anywhere else for that
matter." He nodded at his sons. "Alexander, William, play us a bold
march while we wait for the ladies. 'Tis sure I am, they will lighten the
tinker's load and Angus's purse before they return."

Katherine turned to her mother. "Please,
Maman
,
will you go with me?" Seeing her nod, she rose gratefully and hurried from
the hall.

The tunes of Glengarry's March and the March of
the Highlander drifted out of the open window and followed Katherine across the
courtyard. Gripping her skirts in her hands she quickened her step. Could she
not even escape him there?

Chapter Seven

Katherine awoke at dawn, feeling restless. Her
dreams had been plagued with visions of Alexander. One moment he was the
pleasant gentleman who spoke sincerely of his parents' love, and the next, a
cruel, demanding one who tried to force himself on her. She shuddered and rose
from her bed, wanting no more such visions.

This morning, the lovely chamber held no
attraction for her. Faith, she didn't wish to look at the garden. No. She'd
been there all night in her dreams. All she wanted was to escape any reminder
of things to come and bitter dreams of unfulfilled passion and anger. She
dressed quickly and walked to the stable.

Sounds of snoring greeted her as she entered.
Looking about, she saw a young groom still dozing on a pallet in an empty
stall. She smiled as she walked up to her horse. That wouldn't stop her.

Patting her horse's neck, she gazed at the dozens
of cumbersome saddles lined against the nearby wall. She doubted she could lift
one of the men's heavy ones but the sidesaddles set aside for the women were
uncomfortable and confining.

Another quick glance around the stable assured her
no one else was about. She grinned. None would know if she rode bareback.
Leading her mare over to an upended barrel, she stepped on it, mounted her
horse and smiled down at the young groom who slept on, unaware of her presence.

She straddled the animal's firm back easily, just
as she often used to ride when she was younger. Until
Maman
had learned
of it and told her a true lady never rode without a saddle. 'Twas then Da
taught her to ride and use a dirk. He'd insisted she be able to harness, saddle
and mount her horse on her own before he allowed her the freedom to ride about
their lands as she wished.

 How many times, when she was young, had she heard
the reason for his lessons? She smiled, remembering when he was not within
earshot, how she'd repeated his advice, trying unsuccessfully to mimic his deep
gruff Gaelic.

"Be payin' attention now, daughter. Every
good Scotswoman knows how to ride well and defend herself."

She would end up in a fit of giggles as she
stomped around the paddock, with her thumbs hooked into the armholes of her
tunic, copying his proud swagger and attempting to sound like him, only to have
her voice come out in a high pitched squeak.

Ah, then there was the time he'd caught her
practicing throwing a knife after she'd been told she was too young to learn.
It had always been her habit to go to the fields and watch the older children
train with their daggers as they aimed at a log or piles of peat squares drying
in the sun.

But once, when a sennight of wet weather had kept
her from the fields, she had slipped away to the oats shed, alone, to practice
with a knife she'd taken from the kitchen. Her inexperienced aim had gone a
little wild and the razor sharp blade embedded in the shed door frame just as
Da had walked in, looking for her.

The memory was as strong as if it were yesterday.

Da had automatically drawn his own dagger as he
looked up from the quivering blade embedded in the doorframe mere inches from
where he stood. Silently he sheathed his dirk, worked the other knife free and
walked over to her. "Your mother is lookin' for you, lass." He looked
down at the knife lying in his hand. "Your aim is a wee bit high."

"Oh Da! I'm sorry. I didn't see you coming.
I'd never forgive myself if I hurt you. I have been content just to watch the
others practicing in the fields but 'tis been too wet now for days to do
so." Her bottom lip quivered.

"Shh, lass. No harm's been done. Dinna fash,
Katy. You'll have your mother worryin' over your red eyes. Och, I trow she
willna mind waitin' a bit longer. Here, take this and watch me. I'll show you
how to hit what you mean to. Remember, a good Scotswoman—"

"Can ride well and defend herself. Aye,
Da."

"Aye," he said. "And 'tis best you
be rememberin' that. Look here, lass. 'Tis the way you need to be throwin' your
dirk. Bend your knees and crouch down. Dinna hold it so tight. Loosen your grip
a wee bit. Aye. Balance the weight of the handle in your hand."

He stood beside her, demonstrating, as he
explained. "Now, look to your target. Get it sure in your sight. When you
are ready, pull your arm back, straighten your legs and rise up as you let the
dirk fly. 'Twill put force to your throw."

Pointing to a dark knot in a beam of the shed, he
went through the steps he'd explained and sank his knife in the center of the
spot, almost faster than she could watch. He cocked an eyebrow and locked his
thumbs in his plaid. "And that, Katy, is how 'tis done. Now, you
try." He retrieved the blade and gave it to her.

She bent low and stared at the spot for a moment,
holding the small kitchen knife gently in her fingers.

"Aye, that's it," he prompted. "Now
come up quick and throw hard."

She popped up and slung her knife at the same
time. It landed just short of her target. Disappointed, she stuck out her lip
and stamped her foot.

"I dinna remember showin' you that
part," he said and ruffled her hair. Smiling in encouragement, he added,
"It takes time to learn to be good with a dirk. Great skill doesna come in
a day. Remember that. And from now on, Katy, see that you practice the way I
showed you. For I fear there willna be a shed safe in all of Scotland 'til you
master it."

Katherine smiled remembering all her da had taught
her and patted her mare's neck. "All right, girl. Let's go."

Determined to enjoy a few moments of freedom, she
rode out into the bright morning sunlight. Blinking to accustom her eyes after
the dimness of the stable, she looked across the bailey toward the front of the
castle.

Oh no. She'd not thought of that. The drawbridge
and portcullis were still closed. Here she'd managed to get away for a ride
without an escort and now she couldn't leave the castle grounds. 

Impatient, she pulled sharply on the reins. Her
horse pranced about in a tight circle. "Ah, Fraoch, you act as if you've
been trained to the dance. That's it! We'll ride on the training field. 'Tis
early yet. No one will be there, so we can enjoy a wee run." 

True enough, the large area was empty. She smiled.
It would seem the MacGregors didn't arise as early as she was wont to do.
Leaning forward, she whispered into her mare's ear. "Come, Fraoch, let's run
with the wind whilst we may." 

Tapping the horse's side with her reins, she flew
down the field, her mare's hooves pounding across the open land. She laughed in
delight as the wind blew her hair back from her face and lifted her skirts up
around her calves. Dust flew from beneath her horse's hooves as she urged it
on. "Faster, Fraoch, faster." 

Katherine galloped the full length of the practice
field then turned and cantered back. Ah, how she enjoyed such moments of
freedom. As she neared the end of the run, she leaned over her horse's neck and
patted it. "That was grand. Perhaps on the morrow we—"

A noise startled her and she looked up. She was no
longer alone. A tall broad shouldered man stood beside the gate, holding the
reins to a large black horse.

Riding closer, she recognized Alexander and slowed
her mare to a gentle trot.

He smiled at her and spoke in a pleasant tone as
he swung into his saddle. "Good morrow. I didn't mean to disturb your
ride. I thought myself the only one who would be riding here so early this
morn."

Katherine chewed her bottom lip and smiled
nervously. "Do you oft ride here? I didn't mean to take it from you."

He nodded, then shrugged. "I rise early each
morn and exercise with Tursachan whenever I can. Usually, I ride outside the
castle grounds. 'Tis more fitting a course for us." Smiling, he added,
"You are a good horsewoman, lass. Would you care to ride with me this
morn? I was headed for the drawbridge when I heard your horse." He
motioned toward it and then looked back at her.

She glanced longingly toward the entrance gates to
the castle. "Aye, I would love to ride beyond the castle. But then
everyone would discover my dark secret."

His eyes narrowed and his words came out in a low,
clipped tone. "What dark secret?"

An impish smile lit her face. "That I enjoy
riding bareback. You have caught me riding when I didn't expect to be seen. I
fear I'll be in disfavor with
Maman
when she hears of this. Oft has she
told me no true lady rides without a saddle."

A muscle quivered at a corner of Alexander's
mouth. Then his lips smoothed into a devastating grin. The grin widened into a
smile and he threw back his head and laughed.

The deep pleasant rumble made Katherine's heart
race. Not only was he handsome, but also when he laughed, his friendly manner
wrapped itself around her heart like a warm glove. She found herself wishing
dreamily of a long and happy life with him.

Alexander nodded. "Well now, I wouldn't wish
to be the man responsible for you being in disgrace with your mother. And as to
being a lady, it takes more than fancy manners. A true lady is at ease with
others and puts others at their ease. Perhaps you were thinking of your horse's
comfort when you left your saddle in the stable," he said, grinning once
again. "If you truly wish to ride with me, I'll saddle your mare for you
and none here need know."

Katherine smiled back. Once again she was enjoying
his company. "That would be most kind of you, Alexander."

"Ah, lass, we MacGregors have been known to
show an act of goodwill from time to time, especially if it should also bide us
well. And riding out on a sunny morn with a bonnie lass by my side doesn't
cause me to grieve. Come along then. I'll saddle your mare before your dark
secret is discovered."

Turning his horse, he trotted off in the direction
of the stables. 

She nudged Fraoch and followed close behind.

After he dismounted, Alexander walked over to her
and held out his arms to help her down from her perch.

She leaned toward him, felt his strong hands
around her waist, and slid off her mare's back into his arms.

For the space of a heartbeat, she felt him hold
her close before he set her down. She turned away quickly and looked at his
horse, fearing her face would betray her thoughts. The closer she came to
Alexander, the more she found herself wanting his touch and to touch him in
return. Part of her felt shy. Another part sought out the wild daring of his
strength, his independent nature. Perhaps, in time, they would create a happy
life together for themselves.

Alexander left Tursachan standing where he'd
dismounted, took the reins to her horse and led it into a stall to saddle it.
The skittish animal pranced about for a moment, unused to his touch. "Shh,
easy lass," he whispered and rubbed the mare's neck. "I won't hurt
you. Aye, there now. You're a bonny lass, aren't you?" He stole a quick
glance at Katherine. "And as for your mistress, och, but she's a very
temptin' lass too. Aye?"

As he whispered to the mare, Katherine's voice
called out. "Alexander, shall I hold your horse's reins? Or do you wish
for me to tie them to a stall?" Without waiting for his answer, she walked
up to Tursachan and picked up the stallion's reins.

When he turned to answer, his smile vanished
instantly. "Lass, don't move! Let go of the reins slowly and step back.
Tursachan takes to none but my hand. Many a man has been injured trying to ride
him." He hurried over to her, astonished by what he saw. Apparently not
only was she not afraid of his high-spirited horse, but neither did Tursachan
show the usual display of wild-eyed nervousness that it always did with anyone
other than himself. "Lass, you surprise me yet again. Never have I seen
Tursachan so calm with anyone else. 'Twould seem you've found an ally. As to
your question, I never have to tie him. He's as firm to stand as the great
circle of stones of our ancestors for which he was named. He obeys only my
command."

Katherine smiled. "Ah, that explains why he
has the name he does. Tursachan in Gaelic means standing stones. I did wonder
why such a name had been given to your horse."

Before he could stop her, she pulled an apple from a
small cloth bag tied at her waist and held it out to the stallion. She rubbed
the side of the horse's neck and crooned quietly to him as he ate from her hand
as docile as a lamb.

**

The early morning sunshine filtered into the stable
through small windows high in the wall, lighting the scene before him.
Alexander watched in amazement. Tursachan ate the apple from Katherine's hand
and stood calmly as she stroked his long mane. The woman's poised beauty
created an enchanting image. She seemed to take on an almost ethereal quality
as she stood bathed in the glow of dancing motes of sunlight. The pleasing
image settled in his heart, creating a home for itself.

"Ah, lass, it would seem I have no need to
fear for you around Tursachan. Unless it were to be the fear of losing him to
you." He gifted her with a smile, then returned to saddling her mare and
led it over to her.

Her smile seemed to offer open friendship.
"You have no need to worry about that. While I'm glad he seems to abide
me, I don't think I could ever control his spirit. He has a sense of
independence that I think he would never surrender to me."

Alexander found himself not only doubting she had
won his stallion's favor, but his as well. He bowed to her. "By your
leave, lass." He reached out and wrapped his hands around her small waist.
How easy it was to lift her to her saddle. For the briefest of moments, his
hands lingered. Then he stepped back. 'Twas strange how empty his fingers felt
without her. He mounted Tursachan, led the way out of the stable and called for
the drawbridge to be lowered.

**

She couldn't remember a more pleasant ride.