Page 52 of Only a Highlander Will Do

To the men, Tormod raised the blade in a salute. “To our success.”

Every weapon joined his in salute. “To success,” they chanted as one.

*

Fiona hung back while the others positioned themselves along the wall under the cover of dawn. As she waited at the rise of a hill that dropped down to Monkstadt House, she reflected on the past week she’d spent with Tormod. So much had changed in her life and in herself during that time.

Despair no longer settled inside her. She had found contentment and friends amongst the MacLeods once she opened herself to the possibility. She also felt strong for the first time in her life. She was not the warrior that Tormod was, but she was also not defenceless. She had a sharp mind she could use to think her way out of situations. She would need every bit of her wit and strength to see her way through what lay ahead once she made her way inside the enemy’s gates.

As dawn approached and shimmers of golden light worked their way through the hazy clouds above, Fiona started down the hill alone, making her approach as noisy and obvious as she could. Monkstadt was strangely quiet as she approached the gate. There were no signs of Tormod or the others as she stood before the iron gate. She and Tormod had shared parting words earlier. He’d wished her success after he’d given her multiple tips on how to keep herself safe. She smiled at the memory.

Tormod cared for her. He’d told her as much. But did he feel his heart swell with love whenever she drew near? Her smile faded. That she did not know. Perhaps when all this was through, they would finally find the time to say what was in their hearts.

She bit down on her lip. What if he did not feel the same? She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. It did not matter. She was used to her emotions being one-sided—hadn’t that been her relationship with her father all her life?

She opened her eyes. She was strong enough to say the words and not have them returned. There were other things in this life that mattered as well—safety and family.

Straightening her shoulders, Fiona steeled herself for the trial ahead. “Open the gate,” she shouted.

“State your purpose,” a deep voice responded.

Her bravado faltered as the gatekeeper approached. Beady eyes fixed her with a stare that even through the closed gate raised the hairs on the back of her neck.

The slated metal bars were spaced only a fist-width apart. She tried to focus on the man’s face between two of the bars. “I’ve come to see Alex MacDonald. I wish to exchange myself for Rowena MacLeod.”

The red-headed man laughed. “And who are you to request such a thing? You are hardly in a position to demand anything as you stand there alone. The MacDonalds could be upon you in a moment.”

Fiona straightened, regaining her equilibrium. “I am Fiona Fraser. Alex and I were at one time betrothed.”

The man disappeared. All remained silent. A moment later the red-headed man came back in the line of sight, only to vanish inside the gatehouse. After a time, the sound of chains rattling inside the gatehouse and the groan of gears filled the air. As the gate lifted, Alex MacDonald walked towards her.

Instead of waiting for him to reach her, Fiona started forward. With each step, her heart pounded in her ears. Fiona tried to keep her expression unrevealing as she continued forward, then stopped just before the gate so the gatekeeper could not close it behind her.

A flicker of grudging admiration crossed Alex’s face as he studied her. “You are a surprise, my dear.”

“How so?” She had to keep him talking, distract him, until Tormod and the others were ready to proceed.

His thin lips pulled up in a smile. “To have you show up here, to offer yourself to me, in order to save the MacLeods’ sister is a turn of events I didn’t expect.” He came closer. “Not a smart move on your part. What’s to stop me from keeping you both? Or killing you both? That might be far more pleasurable and would certainly wound the MacLeods.”

Fiona drew a slow, steady breath. “Your sense of honour. Despite your reputation, I know you are an honourable man.”

“You do not know me very well if you believe that.” His laughter boomed out in the empty courtyard.

Empty courtyard? Where were all the warriors? How could Tormod’s men attack if there was no one to attack? Her stomach twisted. Had their ruse somehow been discovered? Fiona forced her breathing to slow and her attention to centre on the man before her.

Alex’s smile vanished. “If you want to see Rowena, you’ll have to come with me.”

“If I am to die, then kill me now,” Fiona challenged even as she feared he might follow through.

His gaze narrowed. He drew his sword and brought the tip to rest against her bruised throat. “Never issue a challenge you aren’t prepared to fulfil.”

Fiona palmed the sgian-dubh she had tucked up her sleeve and with the small blade, knocked the tip of Alex’s blade away from her neck as Tormod had showed her. Alex was thrown off-kilter. He stumbled, then regained his balance, roaring in anger.

Out of nowhere, men erupted into the courtyard, flowing from inside the manor house and from every nook in the courtyard. They charged Fiona, their swords high.

Her breathing stopped. Her heart thundered. She held tight to her small blade and prepared for battle. Alex glared at her with his dark eyes. He held his sword before him and prepared to strike.

A single shout of challenge rent the air. Footsteps sounded behind her. Fiona dared not take her gaze from Alex or the men behind him as they charged forward. Before Alex reached her, the man cried out as a blade behind her slashed at her enemy’s chest.