Ann Carr (20 page)

“Of course! I’m not a baby” Ewan murmured, and even though it lacked most of his usual conviction, Duncan couldn’t help the subdued chuckle from escaping his lips, Ewan smiled weakly at his father and enjoyed being enveloped in Elizabeth’s warm embrace. He wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but when he had seen Mrs MacTavish hold the knife in his father’s back he had been truly terrified.

"Are ye sure
yer alright?" Duncan reached out to gently cup Elizabeth's face in his hand, she was pale and her eyes huge and bright, but she still managed a shaky nod in answer. He needed to get them back to the castle where they would both be safe.

It was the loud thud behind them which first alerted them to trouble. The second was Colin’s squirming body lying next to
Mrs MacTavish’s on the hard, cold floor of the cabin.

Duncan jumped to his feet and hopping over Colin raced out of the door and into the dark forest surrounding them.

Elizabeth too ran to the door, but by the time she got there she could see nothing no matter how hard she strained her eyes, she couldn’t even tell which direction he had gone. Tilting her head she listened, for any sounds of the men but all she heard were the typical night sounds of the forest, wind whistling through the trees, limbs creaking and groaning under the movement, leaves rustling in an eerily soothing manner. The occasional sound of an owl hooting broke the rhythm of the trees and sent shivers racing up her spine. She didn’t know how long she stood there, waiting. “Duncan!” she screamed into the darkness, her desperation and despair ringing through his name.

“Elizabeth?” she turned, Ewan stood behind her with a pale and drawn expression. Quickly he glanced behind him to the man groaning on the ground. Reassessing her priorities Elizabeth rushed to Colin’s side and immediately saw the dagger sticking out of his arm.

“Shh!” she soothed while hurriedly tearing material off the bottom of her dress to use as a make shift bandaged, “I know it hurts right now but you’ll be fine” she reassured as she checked his wound. “We’ll have to get that dagger out, then I’ll bind the wound and we’ll have to return to the castle where you can be tended to properly”.

“I
shouldnae have let my guard down!” Colin was furious with himself, “I know better! But I turned away from him, took my eyes off him for a moment. I deserve everything I got!”

“Don’t be daft!” she scolded, “you didn’t know he was going to stab you in the arm! How could you?” she didn’t have much patience for his self-pity when she was so worried about Duncan. He hadn’t returned yet. Not wanting to think about why he hadn’t returned, Elizabeth busied herself with the task at hand. Before long she and Ewan were helping a staggering Colin mount his horse, with little success. Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief as a pair of strong hands reached around her to hoist him up into the saddle with seemingly little effort. Turning around Elizabeth
wiped the perspiration off her brow with her arm and almost collapsed with the relief of seeing Duncan standing before her in one piece. She reached out eager hands to check, to make sure he was uninjured, and to feel his heartbeat pulse with life.

"I
dinnae find him" Duncan explained, "he'll no doubt make his way to yer brothers for safety". He threw Ewan up onto his horse, "come on!" and jumped up behind him. He reached down and Elizabeth passed him the reigns of Colin's horse, before mounting her own and without wasting any more time they set off home.

Chapter Forty-One

Elizabeth stopped dead in the doorway blinking her tired eyes, and knew that she must be hallucinating. When her eyes opened again and the image refused to disappear she wasted no time in rushing across the room to wrap her arms around the forlorn man standing there gazing out of the window and into the night sky. She marvelled at the speed which her tired, aching body managed to cross the room when only moments before all it had wanted to do was melt into the soothing comfort of her bed.

“Duncan” she murmured, burying her face into his hard,
chiselled chest and squeezed her arms tightly around his waist as if she alone could hold his weight and support his tired body.

She squeezed her eyes closed tightly and immediately the image of him, standing in front of the window as he had been when she’d walked into the room only seconds before pooped into her mind’s eye. The image of her strong, self-assured husband leaning tiredly, one shoulder supported against the wall, his usually erect figure slightly bent as he stared unseeing out of the dark window. Elizabeth had never seen him looking like this before, and doubted if he had ever allowed anyone else to witness his vulnerability. She loved him all the more for not hiding this side of his character from her, it induced in her a powerful need to protect, support and offer strength to him. She showed this now in her actions, knowing that he would never accept a verbal acknowledgment. Her lips kicked up with contentment as his arms squeezed her back, in his silent answer.

“I’ve never felt more terrified in my life as when Richard brought me the news this morning” he breathed, almost without sound.

“I’ve never felt so helpless in my life then when we figured out the truth about William!” Elizabeth sighed, and paused before adding, “I guess we make a fine pair!” This produced the desired rumble in his chest, the sound didn’t quite make it past his lips but she had felt his amusement.

“I dinnae know what I’d have done if anything had happened to ye or Ewan!” he hugged her until she could hardly breathe!

“Duncan!” she exclaimed as she tried to suck air into her restricted lungs.

The moment he relaxed his hold she reached up to wrap her arms around his neck, looking up at him she couldn’t help the silly grin on her lips or the band of love around her heart making itself felt with every beat. “I love you!” she blurted without thinking, without regretting.

“I love
ye too!” all energy seemed to return to him as he lifted her off the ground and spun her around the room amidst laughter and joy from both of them. He was amazed that this small, delicate creature in his arms had held the power to transform his life so enormously! He had never in his wildest dreams believed he could be this happy! That it was a woman who would bring him such happiness, and an English one to boot, befuddled his brain as nothing else could. There was no point in questioning it he had come to realise, the only way to deal with it was take it in both hands and accept it wholeheartedly as what it was. Love! He, Duncan Campbell was in love!

As he followed her down to the bed, his heart overflowed with joy, he wanted to
savour this moment forever! No! His body overrode him; he wanted to demonstrate just how much he loved her!

Elizabeth wasn’t sure how much time had passed since Duncan’s lips had claimed her own, but her toes positively curled as she replayed the ardent lovemaking which had resulted from it. She couldn’t control the colouring of her cheeks as the images flashed through her mind and she rolled onto her stomach, throwing one arm over his belly, with a groan. This was met by a chuckle as though Duncan knew exactly what she had been thinking and was amused by her thoughts. What Elizabeth didn’t realise was that Duncan’s own thoughts had been running the exact same images through his own mind, he could feel himself growing hard just thinking about it!

Wanting to change the subject, not yet ready to discuss what had just happened, Elizabeth stated, “I didn’t expect to see you tonight. I thought you would be with your men planning for tomorrow.”

“Ye mean today!” he stated on a sigh, wishing the early summer morning sun would stay hidden, at least for a while, to offer him a reprieve. The first rays of the new day, however, were not cooperating and were already making their appearance known. On another groan, Duncan rolled on top of Elizabeth, burying his face into the pillow beside her. He was very reluctant to start this coming day knowing all that it would bring.

“Duncan!” she laughed at his play.

Knowing when he was defeated he sat up and looked towards the rising sun. “My plans were made before I returned here last night” he said evenly, “I talked with my men and then left the preparations in John’s capable hands!”

“With Colin grumbling on the sideline!” she stated dryly, remembering how it hadn’t taken long after returning before Colin had been back on his feet, much to the doctors disgust.

“Exactly!” Duncan smiled, and turned towards her, “so I thought I’d take the opportunity to come and spend some time with my lovely wife!” He leant down.

“Nothing wrong with that, my love!” coming to her knees she wrapped her arms around his neck,
savouring his touch, his taste.

Very gently, Duncan broke the kiss, leaning away from her, trying to resist temptation, “ye do know that all of
yer brothers might not walk away from here unscathed” he needed to get this off his chest.

Nodding, Elizabeth didn’t glance away, “that will be their decision to make Duncan. All you can do is what you must! All I want is for you to come home safely” she trusted him, trusted that whatever today brought with it Duncan would act in total fairness. Whatever he had to do, his hand had already been forced by her brother’s
behaviour. All she could do was hope that they would come to their senses and pray that Duncan would return unscathed.

Giving one last lingering kiss, Duncan left the bed to dress for the day ahead, his heart lightened by her answer, he was anxious to deal with the English so that he could return swiftly to her side.

Chapter Forty-Two

It was the chattering of excited voices which lead Elizabeth to Duncan later that morning. A crowd had gathered and it seemed that everybody had something to say, eagerly gossiping with the person standing beside them. They had managed to reclaim the village, largely due to the fact that the English had camped outside of the outer castle walls, leaving only a handful of men to defend the land which they had just recently taken. It hadn’t taken long for Duncan’s men to deal with them before he had ordered the drawbridge to be firmly closed and locked before the rest of the English army had been alerted to his presence.

Struggling through the crowed, Elizabeth finally managed to make her way to the front, and only just managed to stop herself from falling flat on her face at her husband’s feet. “What’s happening?” she blurted, eager to hear the news.

“Henry’s called Duncan onto the field to talk!” John supplied over his shoulder, the men were huddle together, discussing strategy.

“No!” Elizabeth shouted, rather too loudly, and gained annoyed glances from each and every single one of the men present. She couldn’t blame them because as far as they were concerned it was not her place to interfere. Well the Devil
take her! she thought, this was her husband! she was going to interfere!

Before she lost their attention she quickly ploughed ahead, “you can’t go Duncan! I know my
brother, Henry only wants to meet you outside so that he can offer a challenge!”

“Which I’ll not hesitate in taking!”
Duncan boomed, already prepared and eager to meet that bastard with his sword!

“No you can’t go Duncan! Please?” she begged, fear gripping her as it never had before.

“You dinnae have faith that yer husband will win?” Duncan questioned, advancing slowly to where she stood. She couldn’t see any fear in him, in fact he seemed almost light hearted!

“I have plenty of faith in your abilities Duncan. But
non that my brother will give you a fair fight!” she all but whispered, Duncan was now close enough to hear her words but none of the others could.

Not caring who was looking on, Duncan hoisted her up into his arms, “
Dinnae worry for my safety Elizabeth, I promise ye I’ll be coming back, why wouldnae I when I’ve got such a bonnie wife waiting here for me!” he grinned at her, trying to ease some of the worry in her that was plain for all to see.

On a sob Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck as if she’d never let go. She didn’t want to let him go, she wanted to keep him safe in her arms forever, but knowing she couldn’t she tightly squeezed her eyes shut and
savoured the feel of him.

It wasn't long before she could hear the men behind them scratching around, obviously impatient for some action. On a smile she leaned back to whisper, "I'll hold you to that promise,
please don't disappoint me!" Then with a quick kiss on the lips, another fierce hug and a whispered 'I love you' she turned and quickly disappeared into the crowed leaving the men behind.

Chapter Forty-Three

“Are ye ready for this?” John asked quietly so that none of the gathered crowd could hear.

Nodding that he was, Duncan pulled himself up onto his horse, now eager to get the coming confrontation over and done with.

Earlier this morning he had been in high spirits, for he had known that this day would bring him face to face with Henry, just the place he wanted to be!  He’d known that he would have the opportunity to mete out his revenge. Not just for the situation they now found themselves in, or the abduction of his son, in fact he very much doubted Henry’s involvement in that scheme, believing it to be William’s own twisted plot. Indeed the main reason why he was craving revenge was because of the injury inflicted upon his wife at her own brothers hands; fair enough, Henry had not personally sent that arrow sailing into her but it had happened under his command and Duncan had no doubt that if he had been in the position to carry it out himself then he would have! Just thinking about it, he could feel the bubbles of rage begin to boil beneath his skin again. Not long now and then it would be all over, he thought.

“Let’s go!” he called over his shoulder. Both John and Colin had demanded that he let them meet the English at his side, and while he had paused a moment at Colin’s request he couldn’t think of two other men that he would want to accompany him at this time.

Leading the way, Duncan lead his horse through the crowd of his people. Lost in his own thoughts he took no notice of the prayers and well wishes cast in his direction, his eyes quickly scanned the many faces surrounding him, but the one that he most wanted to see was not there to greet him. Probably for the best, he thought, what was about to take place outside should not be witnessed by his wife! He would find her when he returned and make her understand why it had all been necessary, but for now he must try and put her out of his mind.

“How will we be able to trust the English?” Colin remarked quietly to John. The two were following behind Duncan, side by side, waving and acknowledging the comments directed their way while talking quietly to each other so that they wouldn’t be overheard.

“We
cannae trust them!” John whispered back, dark eyes serious while he smiled down at the people around them, “and what’s more, Duncan has no intention of making any deals with them! He’s hoping Henry will challenge him and I’d wager that he’ll do everything in his power to provoke such a demand from that black hearted bastard! And what’s more, I hope he succeeds!”

“I agree! Once Henry is taken care of then the rest of them will retreat quickly enough without their leader to push them!” Colin smiled at the image this statement provoked.

“Aye, but hopefully not too quickly!” John inserted, and rolled his shoulders in anticipation of the coming confrontation.

“Speak for
yerself!” Colin sourly threw back, “if this turns into a full blown battle then I’m not sure that I’ll last too long” he too rolled his shoulders, but winced and sucked in his breath at the pain that that slight movement sent shooting through him.

Ignoring his friend’s pain, for he knew that Colin would not want him to witness his weakness, John turned his attention back to the crowd surrounding them. However, his attention quickly shifted as he noticed a streak of animation behind the people. Instantly alert, he reached for his sword, but before he had time to unsheathe it he dropped back into his saddle, now deathly pale as recognition dawned and he realized that he was the only one to have noticed; and he was the one who was going to have to break the news to Duncan. Heaven help him!
he sent up a prayer as he spurred his horse on to cover the distance between himself and his friend.

Duncan sensed his friend’s presence beside him but didn’t turn. He was in no mood for company right now; wholly focussed on the job before him he wanted no distractions. John, however, was in no mood to comply with this and blurted out, “yer wife has just left the castle gates on her horse!”

“
Dinnae be stupid man! She’d never do that!” Duncan spun, his whole attention now directed at John.

“
Wouldnae she?” John questioned, “I think we both know that this is exactly something that she
would
do!” Before he’d finished his sentence Duncan had sped off towards the gates, a string of unmentionable curses floating from his lips. Acting quickly John followed in his wake with Colin close on his heels.

Duncan had already given the command to lower the drawbridge and as the three men quickly advanced towards it they were clearly able to see the horse and rider gracefully jump off the end of the bridge and safely onto the gently sloping hill on the other side of it. Duncan’s heart felt as though it had stopped beating in his chest as he watched his wife ride off towards his enemy. Spurring on Shadow to move even faster, Duncan knew that he would never be able to catch her in time, he had no way to stop her headlong flight towards danger and the panic set in. Jesus! But he didn’t know what he would do if anything happened to her.

The panic quickly turned to terror as he watched the drawbridge rise all too quickly into the air. Not willing to give in he kicked his horse and forced him to run up the steadily raising bridge, John and Colin still very firmly at his side, willing to follow him blindly.

As they neared the edge of the bridge Shadow baulked, swiftly bringing Duncan back to his senses. There was no way he would be able to jump the distance to land now, the gap was too wide, the bridge too high. Cursing his own misfortune he tried to sooth the dancing horse beneath him and quickly turned to retreat back inside of the castle walls.

“Who gave the orders to raise the bridge?” he bellowed as soon as he was within shouting distance of the guards on the gate.

Not able to reply to such blatant anger directed their way the guards merely stared out over the wall in the direction of their mistress. They heard his curses but this time knew that they weren't directed at them and hastily complied with his order to lower the bridge, keeping one eye pinned on the circling man below them as they did.