Текст книги "My Fierce Highlander"
Автор книги: Vonda Sinclair
сообщить о нарушении
Текущая страница: 18 (всего у книги 18 страниц)
A sob clogged in her throat. Not because Huntley was dying. But because she had been forced to kill a person. “I had to,” she told Alasdair. She’d had to protect the man she loved. And her son.
“Aye, you did good, my wee warrior.” Alasdair gathered her to him and pressed her face to his shoulder. But his wound was bleeding badly.
“Your chest,” she gasped. “And your arm.”
“Don’t worry. I’m well.”
Angus barged into the room. “Donald MacIrwin is dead!”
Alasdair turned. “I thank you, Angus. ’Twas an act of justice. My father will no doubt rest in peace now.”
Gwyneth whispered a prayer of gratitude that they were safe at last.
Rory tugged at their arms and Alasdair picked him up.
Tears of happiness, gratitude and a hundred other emotions burned Gwyneth’s eyes.
“I knew you would come,” Rory said. “I knew you would!” He buried his face against Alasdair’s neck and hugged him tight.
“Och, lad. You are like a son to me.” He drew Gwyneth against him once again. “My family has been returned to me.”
***
Four days later, Gwyneth rode pillion behind Alasdair, her arm around his waist. The thick cushion beneath her derriere made the ride quite comfortable.
The blueness of the sky hurt her eyes, and the crisp, hay-scented air soothed her senses. To the north, ridges and hills foretold of the majestic Highlands to come. Indeed, she was going home with the man she loved.
Home with my fierce Highlander.
When she could not contain her joy, a chuckle escaped. I am the luckiest woman on earth to be blessed with such a man. She slipped her fingers between the buttons of Alasdair’s doublet and, below his healing wound, gently stroked his chest through the linen shirt. She could scarce go five minutes without touching him to reassure herself he was truly here with her.
He cast a sly glance back at her. “You’re a naughty lass,” he murmured too low for the others to hear.
A thrill shot through her. “Maybe so, but you taught me to be that way.”
He chuckled.
She turned to see if anyone was watching. Rory rode with Angus. And the rest of the clansmen traveled along with them, too, some in front and some further back. She’d also brought a governess and a tutor for Rory. Losing her maid had been a terrible blow. She was a sweet woman who had been so good with Rory. When Maxwell Huntley had broken into their darkened room, he’d probably thought Anna was Gwyneth and slit the maid’s throat.
With these dark thoughts, Gwyneth fought back the fear that gripped her and reminded herself it was over. Huntley could no longer hurt any of them. Nor could Donald.
It had taken four days to deal with the authorities and the dead bodies, a funeral and proper burial for Anna. None of the MacGrath clansmen had been killed, thank God, though she’d had to see to their many wounds.
Two of her MacIrwin cousins had survived the skirmish in the inn. Before they’d been hanged, they confessed that Maxwell Huntley had known Gwyneth was traveling to Edinburgh to testify against Donald MacIrwin. He knew Alasdair would be there and that this was his last chance for revenge before he planned to flee to Spain with Rory. Huntley’s wealthy friends in London had helped him escape the Tower. He’d sailed north and bribed the guards to free the MacIrwins.
“And where is Lachlan?” Gwyneth asked Alasdair.
“You haven’t heard?” He laughed. “You won’t believe what a tangle Lachlan has gotten himself into.”
“Tell me.”
“Och! ’Twould take all day.”
“You can tell me tonight, then, in our tent.”
“I will be too busy to speak of Lachlan tonight.” He winked.
She pinched him. “Are you certain? Mayhap I will be too sore from riding to move tonight.”
He sent her a wicked grin. “I ken well how to soothe your aches, m’lady.”
The End
Look for My Wild Highlander, (Lachlan’s story) next in the series.
About the author: Vonda Sinclair’s favorite indulgent pastime is exploring Scotland, from Edinburgh to the untamed and windblown north coast. She also enjoys creating hot, Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. She is a past Golden Heart finalist and Laurie award winner. She lives with her amazing and supportive husband in the mountains of North Carolina where she is no doubt creating another Scottish story. Please visit her website to learn more.
http://www.vondasinclair.com
