Beloved Highlander

“Oh, no,” she gasped.

One of her men snatched at her arm and ran with her, all but dragging her back toward the door and safety. As they reached it, Airdy drew his horse to a rattling stop and slid to the ground.

“Barbara!” he shouted. “Come out, Wife! I know you are here, hiding like the cowardly baggage you are!”

Meg placed her hand on her man’s arm to stay him, and turned to face Airdy. He was staring up at the windows, his head tipped back, and despite the lack of blood in his cheeks and the fact that he was relatively sober, he was still just as frightening as he had been outside the Clashennic Inn.

“Barbara isn’t here,” Meg said carefully. How would she tell him the truth? What would he do? A man like Airdy was capable of anything.

And then, in an instant, a plan blossomed in her mind, complete and perfect. Gregor would not be happy with her; he would probably be very angry. But Meg knew she couldn’t stay here, waiting for his return…If he returned. It was not in her nature. She had been her own woman for too long, and she was used to making decisions and carrying them through.

Gregor needed her, and she must not fail him.

Airdy had lowered his black gaze to her and was frowning. “I’ve followed her trail,” he explained, as if she should know what he was talking about. “My uncle the Duke of Argyll has given me the post of military commander at the pass, and when I came down to take over I heard she had been through there. She’s here, now, I know it. You are lying!”

Airdy, taking over from Major Litchfield? Gregor would be horrified, and Meg was not much happier. Still, that was something to consider for later.

“No, Airdy, I’m not lying. She was here, but she was taken prisoner by the Duke of Abercauldy.”

He looked at her as if she were the mad one, and Meg didn’t blame him. It sounded mad. Airdy turned to the house, considered it, and then looked at her again. “Where has he taken her? I want her back. I willna rest until I have her back.”

Meg hesitated a moment more, staring into those relentless black eyes. Airdy wasn’t rational; was it fair to set him on this road? But then she remembered what he had done to Gregor. Yes, it was fair, and she would do it!

“Come inside, Airdy, and we will talk.”

He came toward her, shooting a narrowed glance at the man by her side, as if to warn him not to try anything. “I know you,” he said to Meg, as he reached her. “Ye were at the inn at Clashennic, with that bastard Gregor Grant. This is his house. Barbara came running to him, dinna she?”

“Yes, she did, and yes, I was. I am Gregor Grant’s wife, Airdy. We are wed.”

He looked shocked, his white face completely blank, and then he grinned, showing her several gaps where teeth used to be. “You are Gregor’s wife?” His gaze slid down and up her again, and he opened his mouth as if to say something insulting.

“This is the Lady of Glen Dhui,” the man at her side said warningly, his hand on his sword. Airdy’s own men shifted closer, watchful.

“This is Airdy Campbell,” Meg said, giving her man a long warning look. “He has come to help us, so we must treat him accordingly.”

Airdy grinned at that, and then his smile faded. “Where is he?”

“Gregor? He’s gone after Barbara and the Duke’s men. He’s gone to try and save her. But he needs help. Barbara’s in danger, Airdy. That is why I want to speak to you. Barbara is in grave danger, and we have to save her.”

“We?” he asked, a certain slyness creeping into his manner. Perhaps he was not quite so crazy after all.

“Yes, Airdy, you and me.”

Doubt and questions flickered briefly in his black eyes, and then he seemed to make up his mind. Just like that, without any answers to his questions, without hearing her plan, without even knowing her other than through one brief meeting. Airdy Campbell was clearly a man of simple instincts and a single-minded determination to get his own way, and Meg thanked God for it.

“Tell me what to do,” he said, and followed her into the house.

Chapter 27

The air was warm and calm. Beside them, Loch Dhui reflected the color of the sky, reminding Meg of the day she and Gregor had swum here and lay naked in the sun. Today the loch’s shores were deserted, and the hills ahead looked ominous.

Where was Gregor? He must have reached Abercauldy’s castle by now. Why was he not on his way home? Why had she heard nothing? Did he lie at night, wrapped in his plaid, thinking of her? Was he still able to think at all…

Please keep him safe, Meg offered a silent prayer. Keep him safe until I can reach him.

Airdy Campbell rode behind her, and seemed content to take second place. Meg didn’t trust him. Even though he had agreed to her plan and seemed quite happy to do as she told him, she still did not trust him. There was something cunning about Airdy, something devious. And there was the memory of Clashennic, when he had seemed liable for any mischief. She could not help but wonder whether Airdy was quite mad.

But at least he was sober.