Darack laughed, glad to see his mother happy. He guzzled the water, finding he suddenly was extremely thirsty. And why shouldn't he be? He couldn't remember the last beverage he'd consumed… probably that horribly bitter tea. But this was the best tasting water he'd ever had.
He took a bite of the scone, his gaze finding Mairiana again as he chewed. How he wanted to hold her close, kiss her and show his profound appreciation. A sudden memory blasted into his mind, at least he hoped it was a memory—she had told him she loved him, only moments ago as he was waking up. Was it real or only a dream? He had to talk to her alone as soon as possible.
As they headed back toward Dunmoris, Darack felt his legs growing stronger with each step he took. He had assumed at first that he would soon grow weak again, but he didn't. In fact, he felt invigorated.
Mairiana walked beside him. After he finished the scone she'd provided him, he took her hand and tucked it around his elbow. She smiled shyly. Damnation, how he wanted to kiss her!
A sudden noise and movement from the wood caused him to halt in his tracks. A garrison of a dozen or more soldiers on horseback emerged from the trees. They were indistinct silhouettes in the moonlight and Darack thought it was another fevered dream. But when Ewan and his guards drew their swords and surrounded Darack and Mairiana, he knew everyone saw the soldiers.
"Halt where you are!" Ewan ordered the newcomers.
The men stopped ten yards away. "We've come to arrest this murderer and bride-thief!"
Damnation, 'twas Alec's voice and he pointed a sword at Darack.
"That's Alec Lindsay," Darack told Ewan.
"I thought as much," Ewan said. "I'm baron here and you have no authority."
"My father is a baron. He's with us. And he has authority where Darack MacGregor's crime was committed."
Mairiana moved in front of Darack. "You stay back, Alec! Darack did naught except rescue me and save my life. You and your men are the ones who endangered me."
"Mairiana," Darack said low, grasping her upper arms lest she venture too close to Alec. "You need not defend me. I'm the one who's supposed to defend you."
"You have not yet fully regained your strength," she whispered. "I will do whatever I have to in order to keep you safe from him and his men."
Alec forced out a laugh. "Lady Mairiana, I see the murderer has been very convincing and persuaded you to his side."
"Nay! Darack is a good man. I heard you murder your guard in the stable."
"You are a madwoman!"
In the moment of silence, Darack heard more horses' hooves pounding against the ground. Saints! Had Alec brought a small army? If the Grants were outnumbered, Ewan's guards might not be enough to fight them off.
"Get behind me Mairiana," Darack whispered in her ear.
"Nay."
"Who is that?" Ewan demanded as they all watched several torches approaching from the direction of the castle.
Alec didn't answer, but he and his men backed away several yards and observed, as the Grants did. Darack knew then that Alec had no inkling who was advancing toward them. Darack wrapped his arms around Mairiana. If he had to, he would draw her around quickly and shield her with his body. She placed her hands around his arms, caressed him and kissed him beneath the jaw, completely distracting him… arousing him. He realized again how profoundly he craved kissing her, but that would have to wait. He focused on the approaching garrison.
The hoof beats grew louder and louder as the dark silhouettes and torches grew near. In between the Lindsays and the Grants, the newcomers drew up.
"What the hell is going on here?" The leader dismounted, as did several other men, while those remaining on horseback surrounded the Lindsays.
In the flickering torchlight, Darack recognized Mairiana's brother a second before she spoke.
"Dugald! What are you doing here?" she asked.
Relief flowing through Darack, he released her. Thank the saints. Another miracle this night.
Dugald joined them and embraced his sister. "I'm glad to see you are unharmed."
"Chief MacKerrick." Darack stepped forward.
"Please, Darack, you ken 'tis Dugald," he said in a lighthearted tone and they shook hands.
