Highlander's Guardian (10 page)

“As he’s looking for you.”

“Pardon me, my queen.” A warrior wearing sandals with iron studs and armor made of metal strips over a red woolen tunic bowed before her. “May I have this dance?”

“Nay, you may no’,” Arthur bit out as he whisked her onto the dance floor. “Where is your guard?”

“Near the balcony doors, dressed in the same fashion as you.” At least two score of the men here were attired in domino. “Colin was supposed to be dressed as a monk but I’ve no’ seen him.”

“A change of plans. Blending in with the crowd seemed a better choice. He wears what I do.” Frowning, he peered over her shoulder and she followed his gaze. “Is that the king?” he asked, astounded.

“Aye, whispers are running rampant he’s dressed as Ares, the Greek god of war.” King James VI was richly costumed in full body armor, a shield and sword in hand and a magnificent red-plumed iron nasal helm adorning his head. “He looks magnificent with that full mask of white and gold.”

“Dinnae let Colin hear you say that.” Arthur led her through the dance’s intricate moves with practiced ease. “Did you hear about James?”

“Aye, he’s taken ill. One of his warriors gave my maid his apologies. I was told he does no’ wish to spread his sickness about, but that he’ll return as soon as he’s able to ride. What of you? Have you heard any gossip swirling about the time I spent alone with James at the tavern?”

“Everyone is too excited by the ball to worry about such a thing. You’re very fortunate with the timing.” He leaned forward. “Colin told me of your handfast. My congratulations.”

“Thank you.” She couldn’t hold back her smile. “Is everything sorted for this eve? I’m aware of your plans.”

“Aye, but for one last matter. I need a maid to deliver the tower guardsmen a celebratory tankard of ale at midnight.”

“Whatever for?”

“Stirred into the brew will be a sleeping potion.”

“If there’s no danger to the servant, then I could ask my own maid. She’d no’ speak a word of what she’s done.”

“Can she wear a mask? Most of the serving lasses have done so this eve and I had intended to ask one of them under the guise that the Captain of the Guard had made the request.”

“Of course she can wear a mask. I have more than one in my trunk. Where do you need her to meet you?”

“Your chamber would be best, a quarter afore twelve and no later. I’ll procure the ale now and leave it hidden in your room. When she delivers the drinks, I’ll be watching over her. I’ll no’ leave her alone.”

“I know you—” Someone brushed against her from behind then slid his large hands over her hips. Colin. She would know his touch anywhere. “Oh, it appears our dance is done.”

“Aye, your Caesar is here.” Arthur bowed and moved away into the crowd.

“I’ve missed you.” Warm words whispered in her ear. “Let’s take a turn outside.”

“I thought you’d never ask.” She slid her hand through the crook of his arm and as she walked past her guard, stopped and whispered to him, “’Tis my guardian. You may wait here.”

Her MacLeod guard nodded.

Colin steered her outside and into the dark recesses of the palace’s moonlit garden. He pressed her against a wide trunk, tipped his mask up and stared into her eyes. “I never would have guessed you’d have worn a wig.”

“I couldnae find you either, no’ when I searched for a monk.”

“A change of plans.” Slowly, he traced a finger down the deep V of her bodice then leaned in and nuzzled her neck. “I cannae believe you are wearing something so risqué. You cannae unmask with this costume on and bring your good name into question.”

“No one’s good name is brought into question once the masks are removed.” She slid her mask off, wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him. “Thank you for my gift. The rose was beautiful.”

“I wish I could give you one each day.” He nipped her skin then laved it with his tongue.

“Mmm, so do I.” She more than wished it.

“Dance with me.” He slipped his arms around her waist, tucked her cheek against his chest and swayed slowly to the gentle melody of the tune drifting on the breeze.

“This is no’ how one dances.”

“’Tis the way I wish to dance with you.” He rubbed his body against hers.

“Oh, I like it.” She stroked down his arms and tangled her fingers with his. “Are you ready for this eve?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

“How will I know all has gone well?”

“There’s no way for me to send you word.” He backed her deeper into the shadows where thick bushes rose either side of them. He eased one finger under her shoulder strap and slid the flimsy chiffon down her arm. Her nipple puckered in the cold and she ached for the warmth of his mouth on her. “You are barely dressed.”

“And you are making it more so.”

“I long to touch you.” He cupped her breast, rubbed his thumb sensuously over the peak then dipped his head and drew the bud deep inside his mouth. He laved it with attention, until her knees wobbled and she clutched his broad shoulders. He was so big and strong, and all hers.

“Colin.” She caught his face and brought his mouth to hers. She kissed him, one breathtaking kiss she hoped he wouldn’t forget as he headed out on his mission. “Come back to me once all is done.”

“I will.” He slid her shoulder strap back into place. “I wish I never had to leave.”

“I wish it too.” A shooting star flew in a wide arc across the sky and she closed her eyes to claim a wish on it. “I wish we were no’ about to be parted. And I wish for a honeymoon, where there are no chiefs to rescue and no’ a soul to disturb us.”

“You shall have your honeymoon, the moment I come for you.” He kissed her closed eyelids. “’Tis time. I must be away.”

“You’ll be careful?” She opened her eyes, slid her mask back into place as he did the same with his.

“Always.” He guided her down the trail and back inside to where Arthur waited next to her guardsman. Colin nodded at Arthur. “Take Annie back to her chamber.” To the guardsman, he said, “Ensure you collect Mistress MacLeod from her chamber in the morn. She’s no’ to roam Holyrood’s halls without a guard.”

She squeezed Colin’s fingers. “I promise to be careful.”

“And ’tis my job to ensure you do so. Take care, scamp.” He dipped his head and left. Weaving through the crowd, he disappeared, and well before she was ready to let him go.

“We too must leave.” Arthur took her elbow and steered her from the hall. “Let’s find your maid.”

They passed a stream of servants carrying trays with goblets of wine to be raised at midnight to celebrate the unmasking. Picking up her pace, she hurried to her room, only her maid wasn’t there as she should have been. “Mayhap she’s in Elizabeth’s chamber.”

“I’ll go and check.” Arthur left and returned moments later shaking his head. “Where else could she be?”

“There’s a possibility she got called away to aid the palace staff.”

“Then I’ll have to deliver the ale myself. I’m running out of time to find another maid who might deliver it for me.” He picked up the tray holding the pitcher and tankards from her side table.

“Will they accept it from you?”

“I can all but try.”

“Arthur, nay. Allow me to deliver it. I’ll change into my simplest gown. I have a plain white mask I could exchange for this one.” She wouldn’t be the cause of Colin, Arthur, or his men getting caught. “I willnae be recognizable, and no one will guess the maid was me.”

“That’s—”

“Surely ’tis best for the guards to slumber rather than for you and Colin to take the tower by force. Turn around.” He did and she removed the gold-plumed headdress from her wig then slipped behind the screen and changed into a navy kirtle with a knotted belt. She tossed a black and gray plaid over her shoulders and in the looking glass, placed the new mask over her face. “All right. What do you think?”

Arthur turned and studied her. He slowly nodded. “You do look like one of the maids, although Colin will kill me if he discovers I involved you and no’ a servant.”

“I’ll be in and out in no time, and he none the wiser.” She raced past him before he could change his mind. “Come.”

He mumbled as he joined her, clearly not liking what he’d had to agree to.

Around the perimeter of the bailey, they crept until they reached the circular tower. Four guardsmen walked out the door, and she and Arthur slunk into a darkened corner along the midnight-shrouded stone wall.

“That’ll be the change of the guards,” Arthur whispered in her ear. “Tell the new guardsman you’ve brought a celebratory drink. That the Captain of the Guard requested it from the kitchens. Set the tray down and leave, immediately. I dinnae want you in there any longer than the time it takes for you to do that. Are we clear?”

“Very, but what if they dinnae partake of the ale?”

“That’s no concern of yours. In and out. Make it quick.” He glanced across the bailey toward the stables where something within the shadows caught his eye. Three men crept toward them. “Damn. ’Tis Colin with Ian and Murdock. Go now, lass, afore the captain arrives.”

She draped her shawl over her head, took the tray from his hands and walked into the tower. The first pull of air into her lungs had her gasping for breath. The air was so rotten, her stomach heaved. Ignoring the stench as best she could, she stepped up to the barred door. Goodness, how on earth did Colin expect to get through here if not by ensuring the guards’ compliance first?

“Excuse me,” she called out. “I bring refreshments.”

A warrior in a padded leather war coat scraped the steel door open and leered at her through stringy black hair. Behind him, a single candle-lit lantern hooked on the wall cast an eerie glow over the blackened gray-stone. “What do ye want, lass?”

“The Captain of the Guard sent me with ale. He thought you too might like to celebrate the king’s masquerade.”

“Over there will be fine.” He jerked his head toward the table near the stairwell.

“And the other guardsmen?” No matter what Arthur had instructed, she couldn’t leave without ensuring the guards had all been served. Colin’s life could well depend on it.

“Above-stairs.” He closed the barred door and turned the lock with a loud clunk, enclosing her inside with him. “I’m right thirsty. Pour me a tankard.”

“Could you call the others? The captain insisted you all partake.” She set the tray down with a rattle, poured him a mug and handed it across.

“Aye, I can call them.” He ambled to the stairs, took a hearty gulp of his drink and bellowed, “Lads, we have us some ale and a fine lass to serve it, compliments of the captain.”

She stepped around the wonky-legged table, putting it squarely between her and the coming guards as she poured another three drinks. Across the station, something moved beyond the slots in the barred entrance door. Golden eyes glinted from under a dark hood. Colin. Drat. Arthur must have told her she was the maid.

“What is ye name, lass?” The guard leaned one shoulder against the grimy wall nearest her.

“Lizzie,” she uttered, choosing the most common name amongst the staff. “Is there just the four of you then?”

“Aye, is that nay enough for you?” Suggestive words, ones that made her shiver with revulsion. Oh goodness, what had she gotten herself into?

Footsteps pounded down the stairs and two chainmail-clad warriors strode in. The walls of the guards’ station encroached in on her as it filled with large men. Swiftly, she handed each of the warriors a drink and waited as they bumped their tankards together and drank.

“Thank the captain for us, lass,” one of the warrior’s grunted as he wiped his top lip, his gaze on her.

“I will.”

“We’ll take these drinks upstairs. We’ve our duties to attend to.” The two disappeared the way they’d come.

Alone again with the first warrior, she said, “There’s still one guardsman I’ve no’ served.”

“He’ll be busy, otherwise he would’ve come.” The guard plopped down on an overturned crate and yawned. He kicked out his legs and the keys looped around his belt clinked.

She itched to grab them, to toss them through the bars to Colin so he’d have no issue getting inside. Instead, she held her place. “Could you open the door then? The kitchens are busy with the ball in full swing and I’ll be needed in the great hall.”

“Aye, in a moment.” Groggily, he lifted his head.

“Please, open the door. I dinnae wish to get in trouble.” She stepped up to the door.

“I—I—” He staggered to his feet and swayed. “I’m com—” He tripped and toppled into her, squishing her between him and the hard wall. He mumbled as he tried to push himself upright. “I cannae keep my…” His eyes slid shut and he fell in a crashing heap to the floor.

“Annie,” Colin rasped. “Get. Here. Now.”

“I’ll find the key.” She shoved against the hefty warrior’s side and rolled him from his front onto his back to free the chained keys from underneath him. The man was like a rock.

“Hurry.” Colin fisted the bars. “I’m going to kill Arthur for allowing you in here.”

“Nay, he told me to get in and out quickly. This isnae his fault when ’twas I who stayed.”