Nonetheless, the long hours they spent on horsebackthe day they left the ship were a bit much. Having left the greatsailing vessel in the narrow bay at the mouth of the Spey River,the dozen riders had worked their way down the winding rivervalley. On both sides, but more and more to the south as they rode,the gray green mountains of the Highlands rose jaggedly above them.The air was clear and cold, but by late afternoon, Tess wasbeginning to wonder if she would ever be able to walk again.
She knew it was her own fault that the Macphersonmen had made so few stops. They asked often enough if she’d like torest. Since she didn’t complain or say she wanted to, theyobviously were ones to take her at her word. And so they pressedon.
At one point, the valley—Speyside, Colin calledit—stretched out like a long, broad trencher between round-toppedgray mountains to the north and rising forestland of fragrant, redlimbed pines to the south. The sparkling River Spey itself woundlike a jeweled serpent along the wide floor of the valley. Tess’sbreath caught in her chest at the beauty of the scene. Farms andpastures adorned the hills and many crofters came out of theircottages—children and dogs around them—shouting their welcome tothe passing riders.
As the sun kissed the western hills in its descent,Benmore Castle came into sight. At the crest of a hill, Colintouched her arm and pointed to the great castle perched atop amound overlooking the river. Groves of tall pines rose on the northside of the edifice at some distance, and drawbridges crossed anumber of ditches and moats that protectively encircled the highstone walls. To the left, a stone bridge spanned the river on sevenarches. She gazed for a moment at the tidy village of wood andstone buildings that sat comfortably along to the south bank of theSpey.
A few moments later they rode through the archedentry and into Benmore Castle. Tess slowed her horse and fellbehind the others.
Suddenly images rushed through her mind of anothertime. Another castle. Images of a child looking back from anotherarched entryway at night. Darts of flame shooting from windows. Menand women screaming and running in every direction. The girl cryingand wanting to run back to the keep, but strong hands hold herback. Tess reined in her horse as she felt the grief rising in herchest.
“Are you coming?”
She blinked and saw Colin on his horse beside her.She looked down at his outstretched hand. She reached out and tookit.
“I…I was back in time. For a moment, it felt like‘twas yesterday.” She let out a shaky breath. “The visions. Thenightmares. I was in another castle. And ’twas nothing like thisone. There is peace here. There, chaos reigned and…” She becameflustered, embarrassed even to have made the comparison.
“You are safe here, Tess.”
“I know. I know. I am sorry, I shouldn’t have—”
He shook his head. “After so many years away, ‘tisonly natural that a certain smell, a look, a shadow should bringback memories of what you once knew.” His thumb softly caressed theback of her hand. “’Twill get better, Tess. Trust your heart andyour judgment. You have the strength to see this through.”
Colin’s words of confidence touched her deeply. Shetook a deep breath and let his assurance flow over her. She trustedhim as she had never trusted anyone.
“How did you become so wise at so young an age?” sheasked.
“And is that all that you find interesting in me? Mywisdom?”
Tess smiled shyly at the suggestive gleam in hisblue eyes. She didn’t try to fight the feelings that he brought outin her with a single word or a look or the mere touch of his hand.What was right and wrong was no longer muddled for her. She couldno longer fight her attraction and her growing affection. Shequickly realized, though, that there were others waiting for them.Blushing, she snatched her hand away and nudged her horseforward.
As they rode into the courtyard, Tess paused at themovement and the colors of men and women scurrying about to theirtasks. The close was ringed with buildings huddled beneath thecurtain walls. All around her people bustled about, obviously happyand safe and content.
Her gaze traveled upward. On the wall of a greatbuilding across the close, a large stone medallion displayed theMacpherson family crest. Her eyes were drawn to the lion at the topof the shield.
She stole a glance at Colin riding beside her andcouldn’t help but say her thoughts aloud. “I see the resemblance,”she whispered. “Blond, blue eyes, majestic, untamed, fierce...”
“And hungry!” His low growl made Tess blushagain as she quickly looked away.
To calm herself, Tess surveyed the entire interiorof the castle courtyard. With its three towers, Benmore Castle wasfar more impressive than she could have imagined.
Colin was reading her face. “From theoutside, it has the look of a fortress. But inside—you’ll see foryourself—Benmore has many comforts.”
Tess heard the pride in Colin’s voice. She longedfor that sense of belonging that had always been lacking in her ownlife.
Sitting astride her horse, though—here in the heartof the Highlands—Tess promised herself that it would not be likethat anymore. She would face the nightmares. She would discover herpast, and she would belong.
A group of people were gathered by a stone stairwellleading up to a large doorway. She saw Alexander already there, anda moment later Colin joined them, as well. A stunningly beautifulredheaded woman embraced him, and a tall, distinguished looking manwith graying hair enveloped both Colin and the woman in hispowerful arms.
“It does not matter how old, or tall, or broad webecome, our parents have no reserve in showing theiraffection.”
“’Tis a privilege to witness it.” Tess looked downinto the smiling face of the man who had spoken the words. He wasstanding beside her horse, ready to help her down.
“I am James Macpherson, mistress. Younger thanAlexander by two years and older than that whelp Colin by four, butsmarter than both of them and able to whip the two of themtogether.” His smile was contagious.
“I am Theresa Catherine Lindsay.” She had never saidthose words before, and the sound of them fell so strangely uponher own ears. It took great effort to say them without breakinginto tears. She accepted the Highlander’s help and dismounted.“Thank you.”
“And you prefer to be called Tess. I know.” Hegently pulled her arm into the crook of his arm. “In fact, I don’tbelieve there is much that I haven’t been able to learn aboutyou.”
