Jake (The Highland Clan Book 4) (13 page)

For her!

It wasn’t long before she and Magnus came upon the horses, and moments later, Jake and the four others joined them.

Magnus barked at Jake. “Grant, I know you’ll not listen, but ‘twould be better if she rode with me.”

Aline suddenly found herself launched into the air by a pair of large hands around her waist. She flailed but landed square on the back of a horse. Magnus was indeed a powerful man, his arms the size of tree trunks.

“Nay, she rides with me.” Jake’s tone brooked no argument. A few seconds later, Magnus lifted Jake into the air with as little apparent effort as he’d used to move Aline. Before Aline knew it, he was sitting behind her.

“Hellfire, Magnus, I can get on a horse by myself.”

Magnus mounted his horse, turned him around, and flicked the reins while bowing his head toward his friend. “Just trying to assist you, Jake.” He grinned and took off through the trees, Jake following close behind him.

Once they cleared the area and slowed the horses to a trot, the conversation amused her. The lad—Kenzie, he’d proudly declared—who looked to be seven or eight summers, was quite pleased with their journey. He spoke to Loki without stopping. The other lads, it turned out, were Jake’s cousins, Gavin and Gregor.

Aline glanced at Jake and whispered, “Thank you, Jake, for saving me and trying to save Maisie.”

“You’re welcome.” He kissed her on her forehead. “I promise we will return for your sister.”

She believed him, but at the moment, everything in her mind swirled together. Finally recognizing it as sheer exhaustion, she asked, “Will I hurt you if I lean back?”

He winked at her and said, “Never,” then tugged her back against him, his one arm wrapping around her waist. She gripped onto him as if she were afraid he would disappear. After all, she’d nearly lost him a couple of times. She did not want to leave him again, so she relaxed against him as they rode, enjoying the feeling of his cheek nestling next to her hair.

“Papa, did you see that one pig-nut I got square in the forehead?” Kenzie squeaked. “He fell right over.” The lad giggled as Loki shook his head.

“You’ve got a great aim, lad,” Magnus said.

“Aye,” Gavin chuckled, “I think you may be better than your sire.”

Someday she’d ask about this. But for now, she was content to be in Jake’s arms. Any man who was this persistent to save her would definitely return for Maisie.

She had to believe it. She just had to or she’d go daft.

Chapter Fifteen

Hew bolted toward the stables as soon as he heard the first sound of an arrow flying past him. Hellfire, he was not going to be taken down over a foolish lass. Grant, if that was his true name, was welcome to the lass. She’d been naught but trouble. Mayhap he would run to his chamber to fetch her, but first he wished to find his chief. The man that was his chief, who’d given him the name MacNeil, was possibly MacNiven, wasn’t that what Grant had said? He recalled some gossip about a MacNiven, but the details escaped him for now.

“Gordon, stay where you are!” A booming voice echoed around him.

Hew spun around to find the chief headed straight toward him, his helm back in place. He decided to confront him, see what he was hiding.

But MacNiven appeared to have other ideas.

“The Grant heir? ‘Tis the man you beat? What kind of fool are you?” MacNiven shoved him off to the side of the stable, out of the range of the arrows still being shot from the wall. “What the hell is wrong with you? Did you not know that kidnapping and harming any Grant would bring the wrath of all the Grants and Ramsays down on us? Alexander Grant will not stop until we are all dead for attacking his son. We are not prepared to do battle yet.”

“I had no idea he was truly a Grant. He showed up here with Aline.”

“Then kill Aline. Take away his reason for visiting.”

Though he’d been willing to hand the lass over moments before, he did not like being ordered about by his chief, whether MacNeil or MacNiven. “She’s in my chamber awaiting me. I like her, and she’ll not go away.” Hew crossed his arms, refusing to give the chief the upper hand.

“You need to follow my instructions. Look what’s happened out there because of you.” MacNiven’s arm swung in an arc, pointing to all the men still running or injured.

“My fault?”

“Aye, the archers would not have been here if not for you and your foolish way of kidnapping lasses and keeping them against their will. Can you not get one on your own instead of forcing them?”

Hew lost it, flying at MacNiven and going for his throat. He knocked him over and landed on top of him, his fists flying. But it wasn’t long until MacNiven showed his true character, kicking him in his ballocks, forcing him to roll off him. He’d be heaving any moment, and once finished, he’d return the favor.

Instead, he found a dagger at his throat and MacNiven at the other end of it, gasping for air from their wee tussle. “Here’s what I’ll tell you,” MacNiven whispered. “You’ll do what I say or you’re a dead man.”

Gordon replied, “And where will you get the coin you need to purchase all your weapons? You need my wealth and my knowledge of the area. Take your dagger from my throat.” He glared at MacNiven for several moments before he finally released him. Hew choked a couple of times and then forced himself to stand up.

“Where do you get your riches?” MacNiven whispered.

Hew chortled. “You think I’ll give up my secrets so you can kill me? I do not think so. I have my hidden wealth, and more than plenty to finance your needs. Your part of the bargain, if you recall, is to protect me and stay away.”

“Aye, but ‘twould be much easier if you were not here to cause me trouble. Look at how many of my new men are now useless to me.” He glanced over the courtyard. While the activity had slowed, the injuries had not.

“Aye, and ‘tis your fault because everyone knows you wish to take over the Highlands. All your men talk of nothing else. Do they not know how to control their tongues?” Gordon shook his head. “You are the one who continues to bring men here from the Lowlands. You think Grant is not aware of your intentions? You do know that one of the king’s favorite spies is in his family.”

MacNiven stared at him. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Logan Ramsay. You’ve heard of the Ramsays, have you not? Everyone knows of Logan Ramsay, all of England knows him. Grant’s sister married a Ramsay. Trust me that Logan Ramsay knows exactly what you’re doing and is probably at the Grant keep. ‘Tis his family who keeps deadly archers like the ones we just encountered. You’ve caused us this trouble. My operation is small, they would not bother with me. But look at what you’ve done.” He ran his hand down his beard as he scanned the area, searching for any of his men, just now realizing the impact of all that had taken place.

“What are you looking at?”

Hew let out a deep sigh. “He killed two of my best men. I’ll need two of your men.”

“You are not getting them. I need every one of them, and if what you say is true, then Grant is on his way here now.”

“Nay, Grant doesn’t go on the offense. He is too loyal to the king. He’ll wait for you to attack.” Hew continued to rub his beard, more and more thoughts churning through his mind. His plan seemed to be falling apart. After his sire had passed away, leaving him all his wealth, Hew had decided it was time to create something special.

His dream was to have his own castle where the traveling men could stop for a bite and a bit of pleasure in exchange for the right amount of coin. He just needed a few lasses trained in the art of giving pleasure—trained by
him
. His lust for women made it simple. He’d heard of that sort of thing being done in the burghs, why not on the main paths? And if his plan were successful, he’d move closer to the burghs where he could find more patrons, gain even more wealth. His sire had held on to every coin he’d ever made, all to Hew’s benefit. Once he passed on, it all became Hew’s, and he would decide the best use for his riches.

Recognizing that his plan would not suit everyone, he’d chosen to start his venture quietly, working out of his sire’s castle. Unfortunately, he’d discovered he would need protection, something his few guards could not supply. Then this fool came along with his men. Their agreement had seemed like a perfect solution for both of them.

It was easy to steal women in the Highlands, where feudal law only extended to the more populated areas. Many lone cottages he’d found held more than one lass, and he’d taken the ones who pleased him. He’d decided to train Lorna to be in charge of them—the bitch would be perfect. Aline and Effie would be the first lasses he’d sell to patrons, and Cedrica could help train them in the bedroom arts.

But now the Grant was involved, and everyone in the Highlands knew Alexander Grant’s reputation for treating women properly. There was no hitting or abusing a Grant lass—not unless a lad wanted to be lashed in turn. He was not the type to take kindly to Hew’s proposal of a small castle in the Highlands designed strictly for the pleasuring of men. Hew had to get himself back into a safe position.

“I need men for protection. This is exactly the kind of trouble that we discussed in our original agreement.”

“You’ll not get any. You owe me.” He stared off to the side, assessing the guards in the area. The Grants must have left because all had calmed outside, allowing the wounded guards to help one another.

“I owe you naught, MacNiven.”

MacNiven spun around, his eyes going wide.

“You think I did not hear what the Grant called you? Who are you? Why do you keep your face hidden?”

“It is immaterial. I’ll tell you only what you need to know.” His gaze narrowed through his helm as he took a step closer to Gordon.

“And I’ll make sure and pass your true name on to the next minstrel who passes through, have it get to a Grant or Ramsay, or better yet, mayhap our king.” He smirked, knowing by the expression on MacNiven’s face that he’d finally gotten his attention.

MacNiven turned the deepest shade of red Hew had ever seen, expecting to see smoke leaving his ears. “You’ll have your men, and you’ll keep your mouth closed, or I’ll have my men tear you apart limb by limb. And you’ll call me chief, and naught else.”

Hew chuckled as he strode off toward his keep. Now he had the bastard right where he wanted him.

Ranulf MacNiven would do as Hew Gordon wished. All he had to do was remember what he’d heard about MacNiven.

***

They decided to head to Loki’s since it was closer, and his sire could be there already. As they approached the gates of Loki’s keep, Jake was surprised to hear his father’s war whoop. He’d recognize it anywhere. Saints above, he did not have the energy to respond to him, so Magnus did instead. Most were afraid of his friend because of his intimidating size, but Jake knew how soft his heart could be. A more loyal friend he’d never find.

Loki led the way through the gates, and Jake’s sire came abreast of him. There was a questioning look on his face when he noticed his son’s condition, but then his face twisted with fury—the kind of look all of his sons hated to see.

His father rode on one side of him while Magnus rode on the other. He figured he was about to get his arse kicked for riding out after Aline in the middle of the night, but one word from his sire changed his mind. “Who?”

Jake hesitated, his mind a bit fuzzy. Magnus said, “I know what you’re thinking, but did you think he would take it lightly? I pity the man who dared to touch one of Alexander Grant’s offspring. Answer him.” Magnus nodded toward Alex Grant.

“Hew Gordon’s men. Three held me while a fourth delivered his orders.”

His sire said naught, just continued to ride, his jaw clenched and a slight tic near his right eye. “You’ll soften this for your mother. We’ll see it through soon.”

Jake nodded. He’d intended to soften it for his mother. He’d done enough to disappoint her.

“Aline. Welcome back.”

Jake had to commend his father. Alex covered the fury on his face when he spoke to her.

She nodded to his sire. “My thanks. Forgive me for the troubles I’ve caused your clan.”

Jake squeezed his arm tighter around her waist, but his sire spoke to her first. “You’ve caused no trouble for my clan. ‘Tis for the honor of my ancestors that we rid the Highlands of scum the likes of Hew Gordon.”

When they reached the stables, Uncle Brodie and Braden moved over to their horse to assist Aline down. Uncle Brodie didn’t speak, but Jake could see him carefully assess the group that had returned from Castle Dubh.

“Grandsire, you should have seen all the warty hedgehogs we got!” Kenzie piped up. “Gavin and Gregor with their bows and Papa and me with our slingers. Those men were mean.”

“You can tell me all about it later, Kenzie,” Brodie said, reaching down to ruffle his hair. “Let’s get Jake and Aline inside.”

Jake heard Kenzie whisper to his grandfather Brodie, “Look at Jake. He looks terrible, does he not? He must be sore. I saw those men punching him.”

His sire dismounted and waited for Jake to join him. “Papa, I did not expect to see you here.”

“We moved many of the women here. Word is they now plan to attack this castle first. And soon. Jamie stayed behind with your sisters, plus Robbie and Caralyn are there with their family and three hundred guards. I have not decided yet where I shall go. I wish to hear about your journey first.”

“Gordon told us they would be attacking here first.” Jake was surprised at how mumbled his words sounded, but his jaw did ache. He had to admit his legs were beginning to feel like jelly, but he continued toward the steps, his arm around Aline. He noticed his sire had moved closer to him, and Magnus was walking directly behind him. Hellfire, his aches were finally screaming at him, and he could tell he hadn’t eaten much in a while.

His mother was at the top of the steps, but his vision was a wee bit blurry. The only reason he was sure of it was because of her gasp. He must look a sight. She ran forward to greet Aline and wrapped her in a warm embrace. “Welcome back, Aline. I am so pleased to see you again.”

“Maddie, I know you wish to soothe Jake and take care of his wounds, but we need to meet in Loki’s solar first.” Alex held the door for all of them to step into the great hall.

Alex, Brodie, Loki, and Magnus strode toward the solar off the great hall while Aunt Celestina ushered the younger lads away. Uncle Logan flew into the great hall a moment later, making haste for the solar. True, Jake knew his sire expected him inside the solar, but he would not go until Aline was settled, and since he could feel her fine tremors, he doubted the solar and war strategizing would be the right place for her.

While the others settled, he whispered in her ear. “Trust me that we shall make plans to go back for Maisie.”

She nodded, her gaze catching his and he could see the moistness there, her eyes blinking rapidly to stop her tears.

“How long has it been since you have eaten?” He kissed her temple and she leaned toward him, swaying in her stance and gripping the front of his plaid.

“I do not recall. I want to know your plans, but I agree it best I do not go in with you. Your sire and your uncle…”

“I will take care of everything. Recall the promise I made to you. Why do you not sit and get something to eat?”

As soon as he took a step toward a trestle table, Aunt Celestina returned and held her hand out to Aline, a warm smile on her face.

Jake held fast to Aline’s hand, but his mother whispered in his ear. “To freshen and feed her, please.” He did not wish to let her go, but she nodded to him, letting him know she was comfortable going with Celestina. Before joining the others in the solar, he watched Aline walk away with his aunt. She paused once to look over her shoulder at him, and he felt his heart swell within his chest. Then he and his mother joined his sire in the solar.