Page 9 of Lady and the Scot

"What are you thinking?" She looked up at him.

"That I will do my best to protect you always."

He pushed to sit. "Go to sleep. Use the coverings and wait for me. Do not light another fire. Someone may come to investigate."

She made a beautiful sight, the coverings held against her chest, kiss swollen lips and long tangled hair down her shoulders as she watched him dress. "Must you go?"

" I have to return or my men will come looking for me." Aiden stood over the cot and cupped her face. "Breena, promise me. You will wait for my return."

She studied him for a long moment, her brows lowered. This was not a woman who trusted men. "Aye, very well."

The entire way back to the camp, he wondered if he should have remained with her. If anyone found Breena, he shuddered to think what they'd do to her. If it happened to be Robertson's men, he had no doubt the man would punish her severely.

He made a bird call to let his men know he neared and they'd not pierce him with an arrow. Once the call was returned, he joined them.

His first guardsman Calum neared and looked him over. "You were gone a long time."

"Aye. I found a wench at Ian's cottage."

"Is that so?" The man's lips curved. "Comely?"

"Very much so."

"Can I go see her?"

"Nay. She is one of Ian's, but she allowed me in her bed with a warning to not tell anyone," Aiden lied.

Calum frowned. "It’s best we don't say anything. The archer is not one I wish to cross."

"Smart man." Aiden chuckled. "But I did promise to ensure she was safe in case the attackers come this way. I warned her not to use the hearth until I return." Calum was a good warrior. If anything happened, he could trust the man to go see about Breena. But for now he would not tell him who she really was.

"The man should care for his woman," Calum grumbled.

"Aye. I will ensure he knows she needs his protection," Aiden replied. "I will escort her back in the morning."

"’Tis a good idea. It's not safe for her to be alone out here."

Chapter Five

Breena woke to the sounds of horses. She'd slept better than in many nights, trusting that Aiden would return for her, take her to his home where she could keep from marrying Robertson.

Although she'd expected him to come alone, she hurried to dress just as two men burst into the cottage.

Robertson's men.

"We've been looking for ye." A gruff man stepped forward, his narrowed gaze sliding over her body. "Laird Robertson is not pleased with ye."

The understatement almost made her burst into hysterical laughter. Instead she finished pulling on her dress. "I do not wish to return."

"That is not a choice for you to make, Lady McGalen." Another man entered the room and gave it a once-over. "Has anyone else been here? Who helped you escape?"

She considered if Aiden had gone to Robertson. It would not surprise her. "Nay. If you are not going to allow me to remain, then let us be on our way."

When she went toward the door. One of the men grabbed her upper arm. "Or we could wait a bit." He looked to the other man. "Whose to say we didn't find her after being ravished by the attackers?"

A cruel lift of the other man's lips twisted her stomach. "Aye, ‘tis true."

"If you dare touch me, I will tell him what you did," Breena told them, her body stiff in a desperate show of bravado. "You would not get away with it."