Highlander Unmasked (41 page)

They’d made love again, in the crisp early hours of dawn, as the first rays of light penetrated the darkness of night. Perhaps it was wrong, knowing the uncertainty of their future, but Alex could no longer fight what was between them or his own need for her.

He woke her with a kiss, rousing the slumber from her eyes with the gentle persuasion of his mouth and tongue. The fierce, hungry passion of the night before transformed into the languid, sensual exploration of lovers. Naked, limbs entwined, he caressed her velvety soft skin until she heated under his touch and then stroked her with his fingers until she arched against his hand, her lovely full breasts straining to the sky.

He circled his tongue around her nipple, pulling her with his teeth and lips until she writhed beneath him. She was so damn sweet, her response eager and honest with an intensity that matched his own.

He entered her slowly, watching her face, wanting to remember the pink flush of pleasure that spread across her cheeks as she took him into her body. Gripping him tight, until he dissolved in heat and sensation.

He stilled for a moment, savoring the sensation of being buried deep inside her, of filling her, of being joined together in God’s heavenly embrace. He held her gaze and pushed deeper, shuddering with a wave of pure tenderness. The look in her eyes stripped him to the core. He couldn’t move, wanting to preserve the moment, wanting never to forget how it felt to experience perfection.

He drew out slowly, lengthening his stroke, building the rhythm gently and then with increased urgency. When her eyes closed and she started to come, he let himself go, surging hard against her until he sank into her full hilt and came with a violence that shocked him. It was the most profound climax of his life. Drawn slowly from the deepest part of him, his entire being consumed by the force of his love for this woman.

It was the most beautiful, bittersweet experience of Alex’s life. He cradled her in his arms with all the tenderness of a man who’d been given his heart’s desire, only to realize that he could lose it in the amount of time it took an arrow to fly or a sword to fall. He wished it could have lasted forever, but not even the force of his considerable will could hold back the sun from its determined rise.

Reluctantly, he let her go, sending her back to her pallet before the others woke. Though he doubted they were fooling anyone. Jamie, he was fairly sure, knew exactly where Meg had spent the night. In his old friend’s gaze, Alex read censure, but also reluctant acceptance.

The hours passed quickly. With the battle looming, he and Neil had spent most of the day planning a new strategy of attack. He kept Meg within his view at all times. When occasionally their eyes would meet, he knew she was remembering, just as he was, but there was little time for conversation. What had needed to be said had been said last night. Their future, if any, rested in God’s hands now.

He loved her more deeply than he’d ever thought possible. But something kept him from telling her. Perhaps he thought it would be easier for her to move on if he did not return. Or perhaps it was because when he told her he loved her, he wanted to be free to do so.

When it was time to load the
birlinn,
he ordered Robbie and two of his most trusted warriors to accompany the party of Mackinnons. He could not spare them, but neither would he take any chances with Meg’s safety. Meg objected, but he would not be gainsaid.

Finally, it was time.

She stood to the side on the rocky shore, alone, watching the men load the boats. Alex approached her, steeling himself for what he’d been dreading since the moment she’d arrived. Saying good-bye.

When he looked at her face, the ache in his chest tightened. She was trying to be brave, but her eyes gave her away. Wide and luminous, they reflected the depths of her fear in the glistening shimmer of unshed tears. He knew her strength, but she looked so heartbreakingly fragile, it took everything he had not to wrap her in his arms and soothe her fears. But he knew he could not.

God’s breath, he had no intention of being killed or taken prisoner. Or of losing, for that matter. He’d fought too damn hard for this moment. Every warrior knew each battle could be his last. He never dwelled on it but accepted it as a price of the life he’d chosen. But never had Alex had so much to live for. And he was just as aware as she was that they might never see each other again. He shook off the morbid reminder. He would not let that happen.

He wanted a life with Meg. To protect her. To ease her burden. To help her clan. His throat tightened. To hold their first child in his arms. He wanted that more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life. But he had to finish what he’d started. While there was a breath left in his body, he would fight against the king’s injustice. And deep down, he knew he could not have the life he wanted to have with Meg until he’d put the past behind him.

He stood before her, taking her hands in his. They were shaking slightly and cold, despite the warmth of the morning. “It’s time, lass.”

The color slid from her face. The flash of panic in her eyes hit him hard.

“Let me stay with you,” she pleaded.

He stilled. She was killing him. Didn’t she know how difficult this was for him? He didn’t want her to leave, either. He wanted never to let her go. But he’d weighed the risks, and it was far more dangerous for her to stay. He shook his head. “No.”

“Neil’s wife is here, as are many of the other wives,” she protested.

“They have no choice; this is their home. Their battle. It’s not yours.”

“I don’t care,” she said fiercely. “I don’t want to leave you.”

And I don’t want you to leave
. It would tear out his heart a second time to send her away. “But you will,” he said in a voice that did not bode argument.

She held his gaze, pleading with her eyes, but Alex would not be persuaded. Not in this. He wanted her safely away. Only then could he focus on the task at hand.

“Come,” he said, leading her toward the boat. “It is time.” He was relieved when she followed him without further objection.

His feet felt like lead; each step claimed a little of his heart. He helped her into the boat and looked at Jamie. “I appreciate what you did for us,” he said, realizing he’d been remiss. “Thank you. I know what it might have cost you.”

Jamie nodded.

“Take care of her,” Alex said.

“I will,” Jamie answered. “Until your return.”

Alex turned back to Meg. His eyes scanned her face, trying to take in every last detail. He wanted to memorize everything about her, from the spattering of freckles on the bridge of her nose to the golden light that sparkled in her green eyes. She was so tiny and yet so enormously precious.

Night was falling, and the wind had just begun to pick up, carrying with it a stray lock of her hair. Unthinkingly, he tucked it behind her ear, allowing his thumb to stroke the soft curve of her cheek. She pressed her face into his hand.

“I’ll see you…” Her voice fell off, and she started to cry. Softly. Bravely. In a way that broke his heart.

The tightness in his chest was almost unbearable. Each tear that fell ate a bigger hole in his heart. Heedless of those around, he kissed her gently, but with a sharp poignancy that could not be denied. His mouth lingered for a moment, savoring the taste of her, wanting to remember it always.

Finally, he lifted his head. Tilting her chin, he looked deep into her eyes. “You will, my love. Soon.” He could not doubt it.

The boat pushed away. Her hair blew wildly around her face in the wind. Tears fell unchecked down her pale cheeks.

He wanted to turn away but forced himself to stand and watch, though the pain intensified with each minute that she slipped farther away.
To safety,
he reminded himself.

If only they’d met at a different time. Before his life had been inextricably entwined with the fight to free Lewis. Before the series of events that had been set in motion that day long ago on the corrie in the shadows of the mighty Cuillin mountain range, when his cousins had lost their lives.

His jaw locked as he fought the swell of emotion as Meg vanished from his view.
Soon, my love.

It was time to put the past to rest.

Chapter 24

Fortunes were made on luck and perseverance, and Dougal MacDonald had both.

The sun had all but disappeared beyond the western horizon. Night was falling fast, and with it came the gray veil of mist that would aid Dougal in his plan tonight, preventing those on shore from seeing what was happening at sea. He smiled. Again, luck.

There was just enough light left to make out the activities taking place on the rocky shore below him. From his vantage point hidden in the trees that lined the southern point of the inlet, he watched Margaret Mackinnon and her clansmen climb into the waiting
birlinn
and prepare to push back from shore.

Ironic, he thought. Their ship was going out, yet his had just come in.

By sending the Mackinnon chit away with the messenger, Alex MacLeod had unwittingly given Dougal the means to salvage a nearly disastrous situation.

The king’s men had been increasingly impatient with his inability to provide them with any useful information. The MacLeods had kept him so well contained, he couldn’t even direct the Fife Adventurers to the rebel encampment.

Dougal hadn’t expected Alex and Neil MacLeod to discover his perfidy so fast. The first time, their false information had successfully prevented him from arranging their capture, making him look like an idiot before the king’s men. The second time, he’d been sent on a fool’s errand while Alex intercepted a shipment of supplies. It was then that Dougal knew he’d been discovered.

He should have taken MacLeod out at court when he had the chance. But Dougal had been in a precarious position. He couldn’t do so without betraying himself, limiting his usefulness on Lewis. Now that he knew the MacLeods were on to him, it was no longer a concern.

Alex had forced him to choose sides. And Dougal had done so. The rewards offered by the king were too hard to refuse.

Knowing he would not get any information from the MacLeods, Dougal had realized he’d have to find it on his own. So he’d focused his efforts on intercepting their messengers. Who would have guessed that the next messenger would also bring Meg Mackinnon?

Now he would have them both—Alex and the Mackinnon chit.

The bitch had refused him. Even three weeks later, he still couldn’t believe it. And now with the knowledge of his perfidy surely spread throughout the Highlands, he doubted that she could ever be persuaded to accept his offer of marriage. Which was why he’d been doubly lucky today. Once he had her in his possession, her acceptance was immaterial.

She must fancy herself in love with the bastard. Her rejection of his offer had only made Dougal more determined to get rid of Alex. And Meg Mackinnon would be just the means he needed to bring Alex MacLeod to his knees.

Impatient, he turned and vaulted onto the powerful stallion waiting beside him. He enjoyed breaking spirited animals, just as he would enjoy breaking Alex MacLeod.

He’d done so before; unfortunately, he’d not finished the job.

Now it was only a matter of time. And Dougal could be a patient man, a
very
patient man. The reward would be well worth the wait. He’d serve his chief by helping the Fife Adventurers defeat the MacLeods, and he’d finally have the means to take care of an annoying loose end from his own past.

He galloped toward the
birlinn
of armed MacDonald clansmen who waited just on the other side of the small inlet, sniffing deeply of the morning air. There was nothing like the promise of a good hunt to stir a man’s blood.

I will not fall apart,
Meg vowed. Even though she felt as though her heart were being wrenched out of her body and torn to bits. The
birlinn
pulled farther away from shore, and the tall man standing immovable at the water’s edge melded into the shadows of the falling night. Not willing to let him go, Meg kept her eyes locked on the place where he stood, wanting to hold on to him for as long as possible. Her chest squeezed with longing. She understood why he was sending her away, but it did not make their parting any easier.

She straightened her spine, refusing the urge to curl into a ball and give way to the desolation ripping her apart. She would be strong, a worthy mate to the courageous, honorable man who’d won her heart. Every bone in her body resisted leaving Alex, but she would do her duty, just as Alex must do his. She was proud of him, and she would not shame him by doubting him.

“He’ll be fine, mistress.”

Meg turned to Robbie, who sat protectively to her left, Jamie on her right. She’d tried to argue against the need for Robbie and the other warriors accompanying them, but Alex had been adamant. It made her feel all the worse for coming to Lewis. She was only too aware that she had left Alex even more undermanned. She wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand and took a deep breath. “Indeed he will be, Robbie.”