Page 21 of Only a Highlander Will Do

“Nay.” Alastair glanced at Fiona, and back again. “I understand you had no choice but to bring her here. Marrying her was the right thing to do in order to provide her with the protection of our clan.”

Tormod nodded his agreement. “I’m glad you agree because I will need the protection of the clan’s warriors to go to Glen Brittle tomorrow.”

Alastair’s gaze narrowed. “After the attack on us tonight, can you honestly think it wise to leave the security of Dunvegan?”

Tormod didn’t want to throw salt on a wound that had barely healed, but in order for his brother to agree to this plan, he must. “While Dunvegan is a fortress, you and Gwendolyn must be the first to admit it has not always been secure even against the MacDonalds.”

Alastair’s gaze turned stormy.

Graeme, seeing Alastair’s building anger, came to his defence. “Your brother has safeguarded the walls, the sea gate, and barricaded any secret passages Garrick MacDonald used to exploit. This castle is as secure as anyone can make it.”

Tormod’s stomach tightened with guilt that he’d hurt his brother with his words and at the mention of the man who’d terrorised Gwendolyn and her siblings for five years. “I did not mean to imply that you hadn’t. I’m saying that I’ve never had a castle to keep me safe. I’ve always been out there on my own. I feel safer with an army like ours around me. That way I control the situation and no one else.”

Alastair’s brows came together. “Why is it so urgent for you to go to Glen Brittle?”

Tormod dropped his gaze. “I made Fiona a promise to find a solicitor who can draft a contract, eventually giving her ownership of her home. She has a fondness for Ulster Castle. I must prove I am worthy of her trust, now and in the future.” Their marriage was based on an agreement he must fulfil if it were ever to be more than just a marriage in name only. He wanted so much more. She was territory he had yet to conquer. At the thought he paused, chastising himself for thinking like a warrior. Fiona was a flesh-and-blood woman, not a prize to be won.

“Get Geordie to draft the contract,” Graeme said.

Tormod brought his gaze back to settle on Graeme then Alastair. “That’s why I must go to Glen Brittle. Geordie left for there this morning.”

“I never thought I’d see the day,” Alastair said with a smile. “The day you were more concerned about the emotions of a woman than about finding your next battle.”

Tormod furrowed his brow. “I’ve changed in the last five years, as have you, and Orrick. None of us are the same as when we left here so long ago. We are all in a new phase of life and it’s time to look forward, not back.”

“Agreed,” Alastair said. “Take Graeme and half of the men with you tomorrow, leaving a hundred behind in case the MacDonalds return.”

“Thank you, Brother.”

“I hope Fiona knows how lucky she is to have you as her husband,” Alastair said as his gaze moved across the chapel to the woman Tormod had married.

Tormod’s gaze followed. At the sight of his bride, an unfamiliar warmth gathered in his chest. He’d agreed on companionship until he could secure the necessary legal documents, but in that moment it became painfully obvious he wanted Fiona in every way a man could want a woman.

He’d faced many a lethal foe in his life, but none had ever held so much power over him as the slip of a girl he’d found in the forest earlier that day. He hardly knew the woman, yet he was turning himself inside out to prove to her she could trust him.

It would be hours yet before they could leave. She would go to her chamber and prepare to retire while he went to his. He pictured her sliding between the sheets and pulling the covers over her body. He released a groan, picked up another mug of ale, and drank deeply. This was going to be the longest night of his life.

*

Alex MacDonald ordered his men to return to their boats. They had failed this night to breech Dunvegan’s walls. Somehow the MacLeods had known they were coming and had fended off what was supposed to be a surprise attack. As they rowed away from the shoreline, Alex seethed.

He was a hunter. One of the best in the MacDonald clan, yet tonight his prey had escaped him. His father had taught him from an early age how to hunt for anything he wanted: money, lust, revenge, and many other things. He knew how to get what he wanted. Except when it came to the MacLeods.

Alex drew his dagger, tossed it up and caught the hilt in his hands as a sharp pang of disappointment settled in his gut. Tonight the blood hunger had been upon him as it always was when the kill was close at hand. He’d wanted to plant his dagger deep in Tormod MacLeod’s chest for stealing the Fraser woman from him. He’d had plans for her.

Alex lovingly traced the blunt edge of his lethal blade with his left index finger. He was going to enjoy marrying the woman then see how long he could make her last with both pleasure and pain as he had his wife before her.

Alina had disappointed him, lasting only a few months in his bed before she begged for release. Alex frowned down at his blade. He’d released her all right, into the great beyond.

Fiona was supposed to take her place. Eventually she would. He simply needed to be patient and wait. The MacLeods always underestimated him and his father. The right moment to strike down his enemy and take what was his would present itself soon. Of that he was certain. He simply had to watch and wait.

Chapter Eight

At dawn the next morning, Fiona, dressed in her riding habit as she’d been instructed to wear before retiring, met Tormod in the castle’s foyer. “Where are we going?”

“You wanted a solicitor to draw up an agreement, so we are heading to Glen Brittle to find Geordie. He has gone there to visit a relative. If we make good time, I also have a surprise for you.” Tormod opened the door and waited for her to walk past him before he joined her.

A hundred men, a black charger and a white mare waited for them. He led her to the mare. “This is Seaspirit. She is very gentle.”