Journey to the Highlands: Robbie and Caralyn (Clan Grant Series Book 4) (10 page)

She was asleep in seconds.

Chapter Nineteen

Robbie quite liked the feel of Caralyn in front of him on his horse. Her curves fit perfectly in his arms. Everything had worked according to plan so far, and he trusted that Logan and the others would traverse the Highlands without difficulty and get the lassies safely to his clan.

What worried him was Malcolm.

He could tell by the hard glint in the man’s eyes that he didn’t give up easily. Everything was a competition to him, and he would follow Caralyn. His musings were interrupted when she repositioned herself in the saddle in front of him. Saints above, but every time she moved her bum, his shaft snapped to attention. He knew she was no innocent and could feel him against her, but she ignored it. Just as well. There was naught they could do while on horseback.

A few hours later, she awoke abruptly, grabbing his arm as if to make sure he was still there. He squeezed her lightly, and she instantly relaxed. After a moment of silence, she tipped her head back over her shoulder at him. “Tell me about your clan.”

He smiled and nodded. “Aye, my brother, Alex, is laird and is married to Maddie. They have two lads about the same age as Gracie and a wee lass named Kyla. My other brother, Brodie, is younger than I am, but he is recently married and his wife, Celestina, is tied up in the Scottish and Norwegian politics. He lost her, then found her again, but that’s a long story.

“My sister, Brenna, is a healer and usually lives in West Lothian with her husband, Quade Ramsay, but they are presently at the Grant keep in the north.”

“Is he related to Logan?”

“Aye, Quade is Logan’s brother and laird of the Ramsay clan, but many of his clan not old enough to fight are currently in residence at Clan Grant to be certain they were far away from the battle scenes. Quade and his men were called to fight, as were many clans, because the king had no idea how many Norse would be here. He sent Logan and his other brother, Micheil, in his stead and stayed back to protect his family. Brenna convinced him to head north to her home.”

“Is it Brenna and Quade’s bairns that are sickly?”

“Nay, Quade has two bairns by his first wife. They were verra sick, but Brenna has helped them. Now, they are well and hearty. They must be careful with what they eat. ‘Twas before Brenna treated them that Logan helped take care of them. One of the other traits Logan also is known for is wandering off into the wilderness, and Quade believes ‘tis the only way he could handle his niece and nephew’s illness. He loves them both something fierce.”

“How old are they?”

“Torrian would be about nine or ten summers and Lily around four. Brenna and Quade just had a daughter they christened Bethia. So the five of them are at Clan Grant for safety and because Alex asked Brenna to help any of the Grant warriors injured in the war. So you see, there will be many bairns for your two lassies to play with.”

Caralyn rubbed her gloved hand over his big hand, which was wrapped around her waist. “Is there enough room for all of them?”

“Och, the Grant keep is huge. Our great hall handles everyone in the winter. My brother had another kitchen built just off the back of the hall with a covered walkway to protect the women from the snow. They needed more space to handle all the food. He feeds everyone he can in the winter. ‘Tis cold up there and we get snowed in many times. But the keep has three stories full of chambers, and the wee girls all sleep together. I also have a younger sister, Jennie, and she is at the age to watch over the bairns, though not old enough to marry yet. Quade has a younger sister, Avelina, who is close to Jennie’s age, and the two are oft in charge of the wee ones.”

“Your brother and his wife must be verra busy.”

“They are, but I promise they will welcome you and your weans with open arms. We all pitch in to help wherever we are needed. The warriors work in the lists, aye, but we also hunt and chop wood. The lasses do their needlework and make woolen socks and plaids to keep us warm. Even though the soil is not the best in the Highlands, we have been more than productive with our fields. We grow some oats, have an orchard of apple and pear trees and many gardens of grain. Our cook makes the best pastries. Ask my sister Jennie. She is in love with sweets.”

“Robbie?”

“Aye?” He rubbed her arm and nuzzled her hair.

“I don’t think we’ll fit in.”

“Och, do not be daft. Of course, you will. We even have dogs in the great hall, though Maddie and Brenna restrict them to certain areas only. But Jennie has three and Torrian has a big deerhound that helped him learn to walk again after his illness. The lassies will love the dogs.”

“But what can we do to help out? I have no skills.” She peered over her shoulder to gauge his reaction to her statement. “I don’t know how to cook or sew.”

“My sisters will teach you. Maddie does beautiful drawings as well, and is a wonderful storyteller. The bairns all love her.”

Robbie patted her arm, but he could tell she didn’t quite believe him. “Why don’t you rest your eyes a bit? In a couple of hours, we’ll stop again, but there is no reason for you to stay awake. I think you’re tired.

She tucked her head under his chin, but didn’t have much to say. He knew she was still awake, staring ahead with her eyes open, and he couldn’t help but wonder what her thoughts were. He knew why she was concerned. Her life couldn’t have been very normal with Malcolm in it, and she worried about how she’d adjust. Surely she would, though, with Malcolm gone.

He had to ask himself what exactly he wanted from this relationship. Something inside him was still unsure. Their one night of lovemaking had been wonderful. She had two daughters, but that didn’t bother him. At nine and twenty summers, he was too old to try to find a virginal bride. Did he want her to stay at Clan Grant? His definite answer to that question was aye. But did he want her enough to consider marrying her?

He had often been jealous of what Maddie and Alex shared. When Brodie had told him he had found someone, it had taken him completely by surprise. Robbie was a year older than Brodie, so he had always expected to marry first. But Robbie hadn’t found anyone yet, and his priority had been as Captain of the Highland warriors. He could be needed again, and what would he do with a wife if that happened?

He just didn’t know.

***

A few hours later, they stopped just before dawn. Robbie and Tomas searched for food while Angus and Rory, two of his warriors, searched the area. Caralyn headed off into the bushes to take care of her needs.

When Robbie returned to the area where they’d left their horses, he froze. He had only left her for a moment, but that was all it had taken.

Malcolm stood in the clearing, his back against a tree with his arm around Caralyn and a knife pressed to her throat. An armed man stood on either side of him. “You don’t take verra good care of your hostage, Grant. Wandering off while she tends to her needs in the bushes. It gave me the perfect opportunity to grab her. I knew you would fail.”

Robbie stepped closer. “Let her go, Murray. She doesn’t want you.”

Malcolm grinned. “Och, but I want her. And I want her lassies, too. They’ll be valuable property to me soon. Where are they?”

“The lassies are far, far from here. You’ll never catch them. They are two days ahead of us.”

“Then I guess we shall follow. They are my property.”

“Take your hands off the lass, Murray. If you don’t do as I ask, I’ll drive my sword through your throat.”

“Och, by the love-sick look in your eyes, Grant, I am guessing my little Cat never told you much about herself, did she?”

Robbie didn’t react to the words, but glanced at Caralyn’s face for a second, just long enough for time to see the blush of embarrassment rush across her features. What could the blackguard mean?

“I know all I need to know about Caralyn.” Robbie held a death grip on his sword.

“Is that true? Did she tell you what she does for me? Did she tell you how she has been my whore?”

Murray was trying to get in his head, and Robbie knew he had to ignore him. Still he glanced at Caralyn to see if Murray’s words were true. She averted her eyes.
No matter, deal with the issue as your brother has taught you. This man is no threat to the Grants, just a daft fool who believes he holds the power.

“Didn’t she tell you she was the whore of South Ayr for a time?”

Robbie tried the best he could to mask the look of shock on his face, but he failed.

Malcolm chortled. “She didn’t, did she?” He wrenched her hair and pulled her face back so she was forced to look Robbie in the eye. “You haven’t told him that you worked on your back? That you did whatever I wanted with whomever I wanted?”

Robbie’s vision tunneled. He wanted to choke the man with his bare hands. He wanted to cut out his insides and stuff them in his mouth. How could he be so vile in front of her? And was it true? Had she been a whore? Nay, he quelled such thoughts. Without a doubt, whatever she had done, she had done it only to guarantee the safety of her daughters. No other reason. She had been forced by the bastard who stood in front of him, and the man would die for his crimes.
Focus, Grant. He is no threat.

“Gus and Sorley will follow you to find the lasses and I’ll take my sweet one with me. She has work to do now that she has been disobedient.” He whistled and five more brutes came out of the trees.

Tomas emerged from the woods and stood behind Robbie.

Malcolm shouted, “The odds are not in your favor, lads. Hop on your horses and lead the way to the lassies. Or mayhap first, we’ll tie you up and take your weapons.”

Tomas chuckled. “The odds look in our favor, Grant. What do you think?”

Robbie laughed as his four guards appeared from the cover of the trees. “Six of us and eight of them makes it almost too easy.”

Malcolm yelled, “Get them!”

No one moved. His hired men looked at each other in confusion. Malcolm lowered the knife from Caralyn’s throat for a second to chastise his men, and she kicked his shin.

Robbie charged, Tomas right behind him.

The six battled Malcolm’s seven men, while Malcolm ran off with Caralyn in tow.

Tomas yelled, “Go after him, Grant. We’ve got this.”

Sorley lunged for Robbie just as he was about to make his way over to his horse. The clash of striking steel echoed in the still morning. Sorley parleyed with Robbie, but he didn’t stand a chance against a Grant. When Robbie saw him gasp for a breath, he plunged his sword into his heart, then pulled it out and climbed onto his horse without delay. Malcolm and Caralyn were already a few minutes time ahead of him.

Robbie charged out of the clearing and found the path Murray had taken. He was one person on a destrier pursuing two people on a small horse. He would catch the bastard. Riding his horse low, he forced himself to slow his breathing. All pumped and ready to fight, he had to regain control of himself. Alex had always taught him that. If he wanted to win, he had to keep control.

He was losing the battle. His gut clenched at the thought of Caralyn being in Malcolm’s clutches once again. Blood raced through his body, sweat drenched him even in the cool air of the Highlands night. Caralyn was his. He could not lose her now, not after all they had been through, and he couldn’t even bear the thought of giving bad news to her daughters. Caralyn’s strength had brought the three of them this far; he wouldn’t let her down.

He noticed small clouds of dust ahead, evidence that he was gaining on him. He and his horse tore through bushes and tree limbs, around curves and up small inclines. He pulled his bow out with an arrow, hoping to get the chance to use it.

Finally, the opportunity arrived. He was on a straight path, Murray clearly visible in front of him. He fired his first arrow and missed. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he aimed his second arrow and let it fly. The jerking movement in Malcolm’s right shoulder indicated the arrow had flown true. A bellow followed the movement, and someone tumbled off the side of the horse.

As Robbie came closer, he realized Murray still sat on the horse. Caralyn must have fallen off. Now he faced a choice.

What would he do? Follow Malcolm and finish this or make sure Caralyn was alive?

Chapter Twenty

Caralyn hit the ground hard and a shock of pain shot up her leg from her previously injured ankle. The speed of her fall sent her careening down an embankment, rolling through bushes, branches tearing the tender skin of her face. She buried her cheeks in her gloved hands as best she could, but then she needed her hands to stop her fall.

When she finally landed at the base of the small incline, she opened her eyes slowly, afraid to see where she was. Though she wasn’t certain, she thought Malcolm had been hurt right before he shoved her off the horse.

Another horse’s hooves echoed as they went by, flying after Malcolm. She had no idea if it was one of Robbie’s men or one of Malcolm’s lackeys. She braced her hand down into the scrub and pushed herself to a sitting position. Whoever had just flown by stopped and retreated, heading back in her direction. Though she was unable to see who it was, she heard the voice at the top of the hill as the rider dismounted.

“Caralyn?” Robbie shouted. “Caralyn, are you unhurt?”

She glanced up and gave a weak answer. “Here. I’m fine, I believe.”

Robbie scrambled down the hill, sending small stones ricocheting toward her. She covered her face again and turned away.

“Och, sweeting, I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to make things worse.” He slowed his steps and dropped to her side as soon as he found her. His hand brushed the tangled curls away from her face. “Are you sure you’re good?”

“I think so. I may have hurt my ankle again.”

“The same one you hurt before?” He reached for her leg and lifted it. “Och, ‘tis swelling again.”

He turned his head back to her and she caught herself staring at him.

“What is it?” he whispered.

“You came for me.” She could barely get the words out, choking on her sobs. When Malcolm threw her over his horse, she had thought her life was over. After what Robbie had learned about her, she was sure he would want nothing to do with her ever again.

“Of course, I came for you.”

She gazed into his eyes, lost in the warmth she saw there. So, he didn’t hate her for what she had done?

He set her leg down and took her hands in his. “Och, I understand. You thought I would stop caring about you because of what Malcolm said about your past?”

Unable to speak, she nodded her head as she swiped at the tears burning her cheeks.

He lifted her chin and held it. “Did you allow them to use your body because you wanted to?”

“Nay!” she shouted.

“I didn’t think so. My guess is you were forced to do his bidding, though I do wonder why your clan didn’t do a better job of protecting you.”

She could not stop her breath from hitching. “We were so far away, and they were having their own trouble with a neighboring clan. So many died in our wee area. There was no one left for us. I didn’t know what to do.”

“And you had a daughter to protect. Is that how he got you to go along with him from the start? He threatened to take your lassie from you?”

“Aye. I only had…” she hiccupped. “…Ashlyn. I had Gracie after.” She hiccupped again. “I don’t know who Gracie’s father is and that makes me the worst mama in the world.”

Caralyn wailed, unable to hold her emotions in any longer. “I hated everything he made me do. I hated him. I hated every…” hiccup “…man…” hiccup “…he made me touch. They were disgusting men. That’s why the girls are afraid of men. Except for you.”

Robbie picked her up and settled her in his warm embrace, kissing each cheek before he kissed her forehead.

“Malcolm won’t come back, will he?” she whispered, clinging to him.

“If he does, I’ll take care of him. I haven’t heard any other horses head this way, so my warriors must have taken care of his men. Malcolm is alone now and he won’t come back to fight without more men. He is foolish to try to go against the Grants.”

She buried her face in his chest and sobbed. The most important thing about this man? He never let go. He held her until she had no more tears. She drenched his tunic and he still held her, rubbing her back and kissing the top of her head. How she wished they could stay this way forever. Nowhere in this land felt safer than his arms.

When her crying slowed, he leaned down and cupped her cheeks. “I don’t fault you for doing what you needed to in order to protect yourself and your lassies. Now is there aught else you need to tell me?”

She swiped the tears from her eyes, finally able to see again. What she saw took her breath away. Robbie was gazing at her with a warmth and concern she had never seen before.

She shook her head.

“Then we move forward.” He kissed her lips and she sighed. His tongue swept inside her mouth and she melted into him. When he ended the kiss, she couldn’t move.

He set her off his lap and stood, holding his hand out to her. “Come, let’s go find your lassies.”

She gave him her hand and she stood, but stumbled on her weak ankle. Without a word, Robbie swept her up into his arms and carried her up the small incline before settling her on his horse.

They headed back to the small clearing. Tomas and his men stood in the middle, smiles on their faces.

Robbie reined his horse in. “Och, you made quick work of the rest of them?”

Tomas chuckled. “Next time, leave us with a bit of a challenge, would you? This was too easy. Did you take care of Murray?”

Robbie sighed. “Nay.”

“What? What in hell happened? You couldn’t handle one man?” Tomas asked.

“Aye, he has one of my arrows in his shoulder, but he pushed Caralyn off his horse and she rolled down an incline. She was my first concern.” Robbie squeezed her arm as he talked.

Had he truly chosen her? He had been concerned enough to save her instead of going after Malcolm. Her mind was totally overwhelmed by everything that had just taken place, and she couldn’t even consider the implications. Malcolm lived, so fear still crawled in her, too. She leaned into him and closed her eyes, searching for mindless bliss.

Robbie nodded to Angus. “Bring two of their horses. We may need them since we‘ll soon be deep in the Highlands.” The men mounted their horses and they headed back to their original route. All she could do was lean back against Robbie’s rock hard torso and close her eyes. She was so tired, but she couldn’t get Robbie out of her mind. Malcolm was still out there and would probably cause more trouble. What would they do?

The one night in the priory she and Robbie had shared crept back into her mind. The time they’d shared together was the best she had ever experienced with anyone. She had gone in with the intentions of letting him know how much she appreciated all he had done for her, but the night had ended up proving something to her. There was a reason she had hated all those other men. And while she had appreciated her husband, she now understood that she hadn’t loved him.

But Captain Robbie Grant? Everything about Robbie was different, and there was no sense trying to lie to herself. She loved him, without a doubt.

But how could they have a relationship after everything she had done? He wouldn’t marry a woman who had been a whore, but would he be willing to keep her as his mistress?