Highland Hellion (Blades of Honor #1) (10 page)

Obviously her mother was not about to surrender until she agreed to her request. Rather than entering into a battle she had no hope of winning, Arya nodded. “Garrett is right. I answer to no man. But I will give your request some thought if you promise to get some rest.” She tucked the pelt around her mother’s shoulders. “
Now.
”

When Scotia shut her eyes, Arya moved away from the bed.

“You have no intention of going with us, do you?” Alastair asked so only Arya could hear.

“I willna leave my mother. She needs me.”

“It isna safe for you to remain here,” Alasdair warned. “You are a fugitive, and the Campbell will have his men scouring the countryside. It is inevitable they will search here first.”

Garrett placed his hand on Arya’s shoulder. “He has a valid point. It isna wise for you to remain here for long. As much as I hate to admit it, you will be safer if you go deeper into the Highlands with the Frasers.”

“Are my ears deceiving me? I dinna fear the Campbell, Garrett. But if you do, be on your way. All of you can leave. I dinna need any of you.” Arya motioned with a wide sweep of her arm to include everyone in the room. “If found here, the blackguard will know you conspired against him and planned my escape. He will see you hanged,” she snapped. “I have taken care of my mam since my
father
died and willna abandon her when she needs me the most. Mam is too weak to travel, so neither of us is going anywhere.”

A man Arya did not recognize burst into the croft, the wooden door slamming against the wall with a loud thud.

“Alasdair, Connor, we must ready the horses and prepare to be on our way. I’ve no doubt the Campbell’s men are hot on my heels. They will be here soon. We must make haste.”

“Wait. Let me guess. You are yet another Fraser,” Arya said as she faced the man. She did not bother to hide the disdain in her tone.

“Bad enough we risked our lives to rescue her, but do we have to put up with her loose tongue?” Bryce asked. “Now she is at home where she belongs, I say we get out of here while we can. I just hope she has the God-given sense to stay out of trouble from now on.”

Connor shook his head. “Nay. She is going with us.” He faced Arya. “And, you are correct, Madame. This is our youngest brother, Bryce.”

“You canna be serious?” Bryce snapped. “You dinna fall for Scotia’s ruse, did you? This lass is no more our sister than that woman.” He pointed at Isla.

Isla stood and crossed her arms over her chest. “Scotia wouldna lie. If she says Arya is your sister, then she is.”

“It doesna matter what they think or say, Isla. I am not going anywhere. My mother needs me. I willna desert her again,” Arya declared.

“See, she has no intention of going with us,” Bryce grumbled. “I say we be on our way. Ian, John, and Collin are waiting outside with the horses. If we depart now, we can escape before the Campbell’s men arrive and Roderick will never know we had anything to do with her escape.”

“She coming with us,” Connor replied. “Even if I must toss her over my shoulder and carry her out of here kicking and screeching. Until I have a chance to speak to Robert the Bruce and have her crimes admonished, she is in danger. I willna let our father down.”

Arya raised her chin in defiance. “I dinna screech, sir, and no one will carry me anywhere. I am not leaving my mother, so best you listen to your arrogant brother and get while you can. I am grateful for your help thus far, but can handle things from here on my own.”

Connor raked his fingers through his hair. “You are trying my patience, lass. We can stand here debating this all day, but the outcome will be the same. You will accompany us to Fraser Castle, and I’ll hear no more arguments.”

“Arya,” Scotia called out.

“Aye, mam.” Arya raced to her mother’s bedside.

“I want you to go with Connor and his brothers. You are not deserting me. I know you promised your da to take care of me, but he wouldna want you to put yourself at risk. By going with them, you are but granting me my request. If anything happened to you because you remained here, I wouldna forgive myself.”

“I’ll stay with her, Arya,” Isla said. “I promise not to leave her side. Do as your mother asks.”

“And I will guard her with my life if necessary,” Garrett announced. “Go, Arya.
Now
.”

Completely outnumbered, Arya had no choice but to surrender. She didn’t like it, but loved her mother more. “Fine, I will go with them. But I will return as soon as it is safe to do so.” She faced Connor. “I want your word on that.”

Connor offered a curt nod. “Agreed. Get your things and let’s be away.”

Arya smoothed her hands down the front of her trews, then combed her fingers through her tangled hair. “I have what I need.”

“Do you always dress like a lad?” Bryce asked.

“I find my attire quite serviceable. Especially when I am to ride for a long distance. Have you ever tried to sit a horse in a gown?” she replied, grinning.

Alasdair laughed. “She has you there, brother. Unless of course she knows something about you that we dinna know. I have a feeling this trip will prove most amusing.”

Bryce grunted. “I’ll be outside, readying the horses.” He left the croft, slamming the door behind him.

“I love you, Mam, and will be back soon. I promise.” Arya bent and kissed her mother’s cheek. “Let’s get out of here before I change my mind,” she said to Connor then bolted outside.

“Arya, wait!” Garrett sprinted after her.

“What do you want?” She stopped and turned around.

“We’ve tarried long enough. We dinna have time for this,” Connor said.

“I need but a minute alone with her,” Garrett replied.

Connor held his finger in the air. “One minute and no more,” he conceded, then stomped off.

“I canna believe you are sending me away. With the enemy no less. Please let me stay.” Arya hoped to convince Garrett to reconsider, but before she could protest further, he hauled her into his embrace. Despite her attempt to break free, he held on tight.

“If I dinna think this was for the best, I would move heaven and earth to keep you here.” Garrett gazed into her eyes.

“Then send them away, and together we will face the Campbell. If we make it through this, I promise to try to be more ladylike. I vow to let the men handle the raids from now on.”

Garrett stroked his knuckles along her cheek. “You are the bravest woman I have ever known, but it would be a huge mistake for me to let you stay. You willna sway me on this. Not this time.” He dipped his head and captured her lips with a kiss that stole her breath and for a moment made her forget everything but him.

“Let’s go!” Bryce called out, shattering their moment of bliss.

“Give them a chance to say goodbye,” Alasdair said. “Or have you forgotten what it was like when you and Fallon fell in love and had to be apart from each other?”

“He’s right.” Garrett broke the kiss and released his hold on Arya. “As much as it pains me, you must go.”

“Please.” She clung to his tunic. “I thought you loved me and wanted us to marry? Was it all a lie?” She’d try anything at this point to get him to let her stay, even challenging his honor, which she knew to be steadfast and true. But he pried her fingers free.

“I do love you, more than life itself, and that is the reason I must let you go. I will take care of Scotia. Now be off with you. There is nothing left for you here.” Garrett gave her a quick kiss, turned on his heel, and returned to the croft.

Chapter 11

Arya blinked several times in disbelief as she stared at the closed door to her mother’s croft. Garrett was going to allow her to accompany their enemy.
Alone
.

“Are you coming?” Connor asked. “We’ve tarried long enough, and we need to cover as many miles as we can before nightfall. I will ride with you for a while, but then I must go and meet with the Bruce. See if I canna get this mess straightened out and your name cleared.”

“You are wasting your time and your breath,” Arya replied. “Had the Bruce not given our land to a tyrant like Campbell in the first place, there’d be no reason to take what we need to survive, or what was rightfully ours.”

“That is debatable,” Bryce grumbled.

Connor cast his brother a glower, reflecting his disapproval, then returned his attention to Arya. “Respect the man or despise him if you wish, but Robert is your only hope for exoneration, and I intend to see it happen. I promised your mother. And like my da, I am a man of my word.” Connor pointed to Arya’s palfrey. “I’d suggest you mount.
Now.
”

“Pick her up and throw her on the beast if necessary, and let’s be away,” Bryce said. “I canna believe you have coddled her this long.”

“Patience, brother. We’ll get home soon enough,” Alasdair said. “Give the lass a chance to get accustomed to the idea of leaving her mam behind and to the prospects of her new life at Fraser Castle. There are a lot of changes to accept all at once.”

Arya stomped to her palfrey, grabbed a fistful of mane, then hauled herself atop the animal’s back. She glared at Bryce. “As you can see, I am quite capable of mounting on my own. And the only prospect I intend to consider once we arrive at your castle, is how long it will be before I can return to my real home.”

“Let’s get you there first,” Connor said, then pressed his heels into his destrier’s sides, the horse lunging forward.

“Do you think that wee mare can keep up with the warhorses?” Bryce asked.

“She has more stamina and can outrun any horse in the territory,” Arya replied, then kicked her mount into a swift trot, leaving Bryce and Alasdair racing to catch up. And even when they did, she managed to stay a few feet ahead of them, which suited her just fine. While she could not tune out their annoying chatter, at least she didn’t have to acknowledge them.

“Connor is going to have his hands full,” Alasdair said while chuckling. “Sorry I won’t be there to see it.”

“Where in damnation will you be going?” Bryce asked.

“Once we arrive at Fraser Castle, I must head home immediately. Edina is due to give birth any day. If she hasna done so already.”

“So you plan to leave me alone with the lass while Connor is trying to square things with Robert the Bruce?”

“You’ll have Fallon and Cailin to help you, so there should be no problem. Provided you hold your temper and give the lass a chance.”

“With a woman as ornery and outspoken as that one, keeping my wits about me will take a bloody miracle,” Bryce replied.

“Perhaps she dinna have a choice,” Alasdair said. “The war hardened all of us, but the man who raised her treated her like a lad. Then to make matters worse, she was forced to take on the role as head of her household and was responsible for the care of herself and her mam when her da died. Without that fighting spirit, they may not have survived.”

Arya heard the conversation between the brothers, but bit back the urge to respond. The thought of being left alone with Bryce held about as much appeal as being hurled into a pit with a venomous snake. But, Lord willing, she’d not be there long enough for it to matter. She might have agreed to accompany them, but she had no intention of staying any longer than was necessary.

The further they rode into the Highlands, the rougher the terrain. After several hours in the saddle, her legs cramped and her back ached, but she’d not give Bryce the satisfaction of knowing she was tired. The ordeal at Campbell’s Castle had taken more of a toll than she’d realized, however, despite all she’d been through, she was determined to press on.

Connor left the party a few hours earlier, but the Almighty had been merciful and she’d not been forced to listen to any more of Bryce’s bellyaching.
Yet
. But just as those thoughts crossed her mind, they stopped at a stream and Bryce dismounted.

“We’d best water the horses and give them a chance to rest before going on.” Bryce lifted the right front foot of his destrier and inspected it for pebbles. Thor was limping, and I don’t want to push him.”

Alasdair slid from the saddle and after taking a moment to stretch, he sauntered over to where his brother stood. “See anything?”

“Nay, he might have bruised it on a rock. I’ll walk him into the stream and soak his hooves, then see how he fares.”

“We could make camp for the night and give all the horses a chance to rest,” Alasdair suggested.

“Do you think it wise? Connor said not to stop before dark and only if we were certain no one was following us.”

“We’ve covered quite a few miles, and it will be dark soon,” Alasdair said. “There has been no sign of the Campbell or his men. I think we can rest easy. If we leave before first light, we’ll be well into the Highlands by midday. On Fraser land by sundown the following day.” He glanced over his shoulder in Arya’s direction. “Besides, I am sure the lass is exhausted.”

“Dinna stop on my account. I am not tired,” she said.

“We’re not.” Bryce loosened the cinch on his saddle, before tugging it from Thor’s back, then set it on a nearby log. “I suppose this place is as good as any to rest for the night. But we must be up and on our way before sunup. Agreed?”

Alasdair nodded. “You cool Thor’s feet, and I’ll see to the other horses.” He waited until Bryce walked the horse into the stream, then returned to where Arya waited. “If you’ll get down, I take care of your mare and see she is fed and watered.”

Arya dismounted. “I can see to Sable.” She tugged the saddle from her horse’s back, placed it on the log with the others, then sat. “Why is it you are not laird of Clan Fraser, Alasdair?” She’d wondered this from the time she met the brothers and decided it was time to ask.

“Connor is a fine laird,” he replied.

“That may be, but you are the oldest brother.”

“It was never my destiny to be the laird of our clan. I was the second son, and until our father and oldest brother were killed, being a chieftain was the farthest thing from my mind.”

“It was your birthright,” Arya pointed out.

“True, but Connor was always the sensible, levelheaded brother. He was organized, set goals for himself, and achieved them. He may be a bit too serious at times, but had the brains and cunning to be laird. I was just a big, clumsy oaf and had no desire for such responsibility. So when we return to Beauly, Connor was the logical choice for chief.”

“Returned to Beauly?”

“Aye. After our father’s death, we could have returned to Beauly, but none of us were old enough or had the necessary skills to take over as laird. So we went to live with our cousin Simon. He raised us as his own until we were ready to return to Fraser Castle.”

“But you chose to leave again.”

“While I was still fighting for the cause in the north of Scotland, I reconnected with a lass I knew when I was a lad. We fell in love and after conquering a few obstacles and several misunderstandings,” Alasdair chuckled, “I decided it was time to settle down. I asked Edina for her hand, and lucky for me, she accepted.”

“And you decided to stay with her clan and not your own?”

“Connor offered to step down as laird, but I said nay. Edina’s father was getting on in years and wanted me to help her brother, Jayden, run his estate. So we built a castle and have lived there ever since. We have two sons, and our third is expected any day. So I am anxious to get you settled and return to home.”

“So let me see if I understand. You should be laird, but chose to pass the duty on to Connor. Bryce was named tanist and takes over as laird in Connor’s absence?”

“Aye. But only until Connor’s son, Andrew, is old enough to assume his place as laird.”

Arya lifted Bryce’s saddle and peered under it.”

“What on earth are you doing?” Alasdair asked and cocked a brow.

“Looking for burrs. Anyone as cantankerous as you brother must have something under his saddle,” she replied, but did not crack a smile.

Alasdair tossed back his head and laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Bryce asked as he stomped toward them.

“Nothing.” Alasdair snickered from behind the hand he used to cover his mouth. After regaining a modicum of composure, he squared his shoulders and looked his brother in the eye. “If you set up camp and start a fire, I will see if there are any fish in this stream. I’m starving.”

“When aren’t you hungry, brother?” Bryce glanced at Arya, frowning. “Are you planning to sit there or are you going to help me set up the camp?”

Arya stood. “I’d rather do the fishing. I have quite a knack for it,” she said. “Where is it written that a woman must tend to the task of setting up a household or camp while the men hunt and fish?”

“Alasdair can handle it. You can assist me.”

“Fine. Then I’ll gather some wood for the fire.” Before he could protest, she sprinted toward a grove of trees. A good place to tend to her needs and far enough away from Bryce to avoid his nagging and sarcastic remarks.

“Dinna wander too far. If you get lost, I willna come looking for you,” Bryce shouted after her.

While a snide rebuttal burned on her lips, and it wasn’t in her nature to hold her tongue when challenged, she opted to refrain from comment. This journey was stressful enough without antagonizing Bryce any further. Instead, she offered a polite little wave, then disappeared into the woods, seeking some privacy and a chance to relieve herself.

Arya returned a short time later with several small logs, some bits of bark, and a few broken branches. She dumped them in the middle of the clearing, then brushed the dirt and leaves from her tunic and trews.

Bryce piled the kindling, then repeatedly struck two stones together until he managed to create a spark. Once he had the fire started, he added some peat and wood.

Alasdair entered the clearing, carrying two fat salmon. “It won’t be a feast, but it will fill our bellies,” he said. “Arya, why don’t you collect some berries, and see if you can find any herbs to season the fish. I noticed a few bushes over there.” He pointed to the bracken at the edge of the clearing.

Arya offered a curt nod. “Of course, I dinna mind. It is woman’s work after all.” She didn’t bother to hide the sarcasm in her voice. When she reached the berry bushes, she removed her cap and used it to carry the fruit. She picked some sage and other herbs, then returned to the fire.

“Thank you.” Alasdair took the berries and greens, then pointed to spot near the fire. “It won’t take long to cook the fish, but you must be tired. Why not use this chance to rest up before the meal?”

“That willna be necessary. If you give me the wineskins, I will take them to the stream and fetch some water.” To lounge beneath a tree with her feet up sounded glorious, but she’d not show signs of weakness. Besides, going on this errand provided her with a chance to wash the dirt off her hands and face and the opportunity to cool her feet in the water. If water was revitalizing for the horses, it would be good for her too.

Garrett crouched in the bushes outside of Scotia’s croft. The sight of the Campbell’s men milling around, upending carts, and dumping barrels of water and grain, infuriated him, but Scotia was right when she insisted he wait outside where he would not be seen or captured.

After what seemed like an eternity, the door to the croft swung open, and a tall man in a heavy dark cloak emerged.

The Campbell
.

Garrett slid his hand over the hilt of his sword, prepared to leap into action should the need arise. He narrowed his eyes, watching intently as the Lord of Argyll approached his men.

“Did you see any sign of her?” Campbell asked one of his warriors.

“Nay.” The man shook his head. “I’m guessing she has fled the area, along with the other MacDougall and MacEachan swine who attacked the castle and managed to escape. Did her mother give you any clues as to her whereabouts?”

“The old woman is on her deathbed and scarcely coherent. She could hardly manage to put two words together in a sentence, and when she did, she made no sense at all,” Campbell replied.

“She has left her mother alone in that state? Either her daughter is a heartless wench or she is lurking close by, waiting for us to leave,” the warrior said. “You’d have thought this would be the first place they’d run.”

Campbell scrubbed his hand across his bearded chin. “I believed so too at first. But there was another woman caring for the mistress of the croft. She swears they havena seen MacEachan’s daughter or the others since the day they left to ransack the castle.”

“She is likely telling a lie.”

“Perhaps. But I think the sickly one is so close to death, there was not much point in the daughter remaining and running the risk of capture.” He walked toward the horses. “The more I ponder it, they’d be fools to run to the first place we’d look. But that is not to say she willna show up eventually. When you searched the area, did you find anyone else?”

“We found no one, m’lord. There are several abandoned huts and tents scattered throughout the woods, but it looks like the entire lot of them left. Or have moved higher into the mountains.”

“Here you are,” a man mumbled in a hushed voice.

Startled, Garrett jumped, then grabbed his cousin by the neck of his tunic and dragged him to the ground. “Damnation, Logan, do you have a death wish? Never sneak up on me like that.” His heart hammering, he rocked back on his heels.

“When I heard the Campbell’s men were here, I thought you might be skulking in the bushes and keeping an eye on Scotia’s hut,” Logan replied. “You are a fugitive like the rest of us. Why did you
na
flee into the hills like everyone else when we got word they were headed this way?” Logan whispered.