Page 7 of Lady and the Scot

Men stood around a large fire in the center of the courtyard, some keeping guard and others resting.

At a loud moan from a wounded man, several of her household staff made their way over to him with water, cloths, and no doubt, whiskey. Her father had availed all his whiskey to be used to dull their aches.

Never again would she take the tranquility of Moriag for granted. It would be a long time until she dared ride out alone even for a short time.

"Do you need to sit? You look about to faint." Ian McRainey studied her. He'd walked up without her notice. The man moved like a cat. On silent feet.

"Nay. I am worried about our people. Our town," she confessed. Although at first meeting him she'd been taken aback at the man's handsome face. Elsbeth now considered him a friend. Comfortable around him, she felt at ease to speak freely. He never chastised her lack of decorum, not did he judge her for not acting like a lady at all times.

"I am too." He leaned on the wall next to her. "Although I am not surprised that someone would considered this region to be an easy target."

She let out a long breath. "We have the Campbells, and Aiden Stuart has always been a type of sentry who oversaw the security of our lands. I suppose it wasn't enough."

"No. The lands are vast and men who wish to have more power would consider it perfect to settle here and move either north or south to fight." Ian yawned. "I need to sleep. At dawn, I go to Moriag."

With the grace of a seasoned warrior, he sauntered across the courtyard. Ian was tall, incredibly handsome, and his body was built for war. With a broad back that tapered to a slim waist. Well-defined muscular legs from years of riding, he stood out amongst most men. His dark golden hair was an unruly mess after the day of fighting and distress. Absently she wondered who his woman was. Elsbeth had never asked him about his private life. Although friends, they didn't share more than necessary about their life outside the superficial things. How did he look unclothed?

At the picture in her mind of him undressing, her hand went to her chest and she gasped. Where had those thoughts come from? She ran her other hand across her brow. It was the excitement of the day. She was overly tasked and addled by it.

Her mother neared. "Ah, there you are. You've done enough, Elsbeth, come inside and let us rest."

"I agree." She followed her mother. Just as she was about to enter the keep, she looked to the large tent Ian had headed to. They were only friends, as a laird's daughter; her husband would be someone of higher stature than Ian McRainey.

They'd patrolled all night. It was almost dawn before the men disbanded and set up camp near the loch on Declan Gordon's lands. Restless at not finding the attackers, Aiden went to his guardsmen. "I am going to circle the area once more on foot. Take care to leave one man on duty at all times."

The men agreed, knowing how good of a tracker he was and would not come to harm. Once he ensured his horse was settled, Aiden made his way into the forest.

The smell of smoke got his attention first and he turned toward Ian's cottage. They'd been there several times in the past year while hunting. Could it be possible the men were using it to hide? At once a stupid mistake and a wise choice being no one would expect them to be so close.

He drew his sword and went toward it. No horses were nearby, which didn't make sense. Careful to not make noise, he peered through the narrow window. Unable to make anything out, other than a fire in the hearth, Aiden decided whoever was hiding could not be a warrior. One would never start a fire.

Although a small table blocked the door, he easily shoved it out of the way. Sword held high, he burst into the room.

"No!" In the cot along the wall, Breena sat up, her hair streaming past her shoulders and rounded eyes searching his face. "Don't kill me."

Aiden lowered his sword and neared the bed. "What are you doing here?"

She looked past him to the doorway. "Did Robertson send you to fetch me?"

"Nay. The village was attacked again, we are searching for the men responsible."

Her shoulders lowered and she pushed her tresses back, the motion jutting her breasts out. Through the sheer fabric of her shift, he couldn't help but notice tantalizing nipples. "So you escaped? Why are you so intent on leaving? It is too dangerous right now for you to be alone."

"I won't go back. I'll kill myself first." She stood and rushed to him, her hands clenching the front of his tunic with both hands. "Help me, please."

As if by instinct, he wrapped his arms around her and held her. It surprised him when she relaxed into his chest and laid her head upon it.

Her voice shook. "I do not understand why, but I feel you will protect me. I feel safe with you. Please, stay with me."

Not exactly sure why, but it was true, he wanted nothing more than to ensure she was never harmed. "Come, let’s get some rest. In the morning I'll take you to my keep. I will protect you, but we need to talk. I need to understand the circumstances."

It would stretch his willpower to keep from making love to the beauty. Lying with her was a mistake he soon realized when she continued to cling to him once they settle into the narrow cot.

Aiden gritted his teeth when her full soft breasts flattened against his side. "I can't sleep." He made to get out of the cot when her hand reached for his face.

"Make love to me. I want to feel alive again."

His body screamed for release at her words and Aiden tried to fight the urge to climb over her and take what he needed from her body, but he hesitated. "You are frightened and don't know what you say."