"Bolt the door and do not allow anyone inside, save me." Finally, he glanced back at her, his dark eyes smoldering with suppressed passion.
She swallowed hard and nodded.
He exited and closed the door.
***
As they sailed along the North Sea, Darack stood outside the captain's cabin door. The slight overhang protected him only marginally, for the strong winds whipped the light rain into his eyes. He kept the cowl over his head, concealing his identity, while he scanned every male passenger who strode by. He must protect Mairiana at all costs. During the night, something had changed—she'd become someone more important than simply his friend's sister.
The kiss they'd indulged in last night had shifted his view of her, and then the one a short time ago… it had near scorched his nerve endings. She had been so vibrant and passionate in his arms, a tantalizing combination of innocence and arousal. Each time, she accepted his kisses so damned eagerly. Arousal burned through him yet again, and he growled. The memories kept fogging up his mind, but he couldn't afford any distractions at the moment.
Two men approached, snagging his attention. One of them, heavy-set with a long brown beard, narrowed his eyes on Darack and subtly elbowed his lanky, blond comrade.
Damnation! Two of Alec's men—he recognized them from the ferry. When had they boarded the ship?
They continued on, pretending to ignore him, and disappeared around a corner. But they'd obviously recognized him, despite the cowl. He muttered a curse under his breath. Knowing they would return, Darack yanked the cloak off and out of his way, then drew the sword he'd borrowed from Felix. No other passengers roamed about in this misty rain, so the Lindsays had to be searching.
Just as he'd expected, the two charged around the corner toward him, swords drawn, then halted a few feet away when they saw he was well armed. "Where is Lady Mairiana?" the bearded man demanded. "Inside?" He motioned at the door. "We ken you kidnapped her."
Holding his sword in the guard position, raised and ready to strike should either of them make a move, Darack shook his head. "She left Lindsay because she chose to. She decided she didn't want to marry that murdering thief."
"How dare you besmirch the honorable name of the future Lindsay chief?" long-beard growled through his teeth. "You are naught more than a full grown stable lad."
Darack gave a bitter grin. "Call me what you will. Clearly, 'twill take more than two Lindsays to best me."
"Take him down, Calloway," long-beard ordered the younger man, then stood back.
"Aye, easy pickings, Hay." The tall, skinny blond launched himself from his guard stance and struck in the direction of Darack's neck.
Darack stepped forward and deflected Calloway's blade with his own, knocking it away. Lightning fast, he swirled his sword around and jabbed the tip toward the man's neck. The move was precise and powerful… and it met its mark. Calloway jumped back, screaming in pain, blood spurting from his wound. He collapsed to the deck with a thump and lay still.
Hay's eyes bulged and his mouth hung open. He seemed unsure what to do.
"Not a wise move to underestimate me," Darack told him.
"Darack!" Mairiana yelled from inside.
"I'm well," he called back. "Stay inside. Alec's men are on board."
She responded but he couldn't understand the words.
Lifting his sword and aiming straight ahead, the Lindsay guard named Hay charged. Darack merely dodged aside and sliced his blade across the man's shoulder as he barreled past him. Hay squawked in pain and spun about.
"What the hell?" The yell came from a man who rushed from the other end of the stern. A second man ran behind him, feet pounding the deck.
Damnation, how would Darack defeat three of Alec's men at the same time? He didn't know how, but he had to do it to protect Mairiana. He would die before he'd allow her to be dragged back to Alec Lindsay.
"He killed Calloway!" Hay yelled, nursing his shoulder wound.
"In a fair fight," Darack stated. "I don't want to kill the rest of you, but I will to protect the lady."
"I remember him from the stables," one of the newcomers said.
"Aye. His name is Grant." Hay pointed at the door. "The lady is in the captain's cabin."
"I'm taking her home to her brothers," Darack said.
"Ha!" Hay smirked. "You're heading far north of Chief MacKerrick's holdings. Toward the Grant lands, I'm thinking."
