"How long have you been on the run?" Neacal asked.
"Almost two years."
"I vow I'll protect you from the swine. You said his name is Blackburn?"
"Aye, he's the bastard cousin of my first husband. His name is Ranald Blackburn, but when he took over as chief, he told everyone to call him Blackburn MacCromar. His father was my husband's uncle, also a MacCromar."
"I see." Neacal wanted to ask more about her first husband, but now was not the time. He had to take her to a hidden and protected area further up the mountain.
***
Anna perched in the saddle as Neacal led the horse toward a small thatched stone cottage nestled in a high grassy meadow between two mountains. They had traveled this way for more than two hours, up the steep and rugged mountain and along a treacherous trail.
Although she was aware of their surroundings, most of her attention focused on Neacal. His long dark hair lay upon his broad shoulders. He turned his head, listening for those who might be following. His pale blue eyes were hawk-sharp and alert. Cunning. The jagged scar down the side of his angular face was like a warrior mask.
Heavens! She did not deserve his protection. He was far too good for her. Too selfless. How could she ever repay him? Even after knowing she had a so-called husband, Neacal didn't give up on her. He'd refused to turn her over to the MacCromar henchmen.
Neacal was a treasure and 'twould be her fondest wish to sayayeto his proposal of marriage. If it could be so, she would cherish Neacal all the days of her life.
"This is a shieling the crofters use in summer while their cattle and sheep are grazing high on these mountains. The rest of the year 'tis empty. I stayed here for a while last fall and winter," he said. "'Tis warmer here than on the island, and the red stag and rabbits are plentiful."
No doubt he also liked the isolation of this location. She turned and gazed back at the view between the mountains all the way to the sea in the distance. Although dark gray clouds rolled in from the west, obscuring the setting sun, it was a lovely view. "'Tis beautiful up here."
"Aye." He lifted her down from the horse, focusing his arrow-sharp gaze upon her. "I want you to tell me everything."
She cocked her head and lifted a brow. "Ifyouwill tellmeeverything." There was plenty she didn't know about him, and she was keen to learn every detail.
"We'll see." He released her and headed toward the entrance to the shieling. The door was shorter than he was, forcing him to bend in order to enter. She followed him inside and found he could stand to his full height within because of the pointed thatched roof.
The bare stone walls were thick and tightly dry-stacked. The beige thatch had been replaced recently.
A fire pit with a large, black hanging pot occupied the center of the slate floor.
"I helped the shepherds bring the slate up here and put it in place. They bragged 'twas a manor house after that." His lips quirked as he glanced up at the ceiling. "They re-thatched it in May."
"A very cozy and well-kept shieling," she said softly, wishing impulsively this could be her new home… with Neacal, of course. She'd spent most of her life in castles, but living in a wee cottage such as this wouldn't be so bad, as long as they had everything they needed.
"They thought I might stay here again this fall and winter," he said.
"Were you planning to?"
"'Haps. If my brother hadn't been killed."
"And now—blast it all—you have to be chief."
His gaze flew to her and she smiled. Amusement crept into his eyes, but his lips had hardly moved. His intense gaze lingered upon her for long seconds, caressing her soul. She could scarce breathe, hoping he would kiss her.
Abruptly he turned away. "I'll go back down the mountain and cover our tracks. Hopefully divert them, if they should have a tracker. Clouds are drifting in. 'Twill most likely rain this eve. I'll hide amongst the rocks of the crag above the trail and pick them off one by one if they take the trail through the pass as we did."
Alarm raced through Anna. "In truth? That will be dangerous."
He shrugged. "But easy. They're unfamiliar with this area. I've been all over these mountains many times."
"But you're only one man against dozens."
"That matters not. I'm also supposed to be dead now, or an invalid. I'll leave Dunn with you. He's a skilled guard dog. I've taught him well to alert me to any prowlers. He's also a good fighter."
As he started out the door, she grabbed his hand. Instantly, he paused.
