"Is that it?" Lachlan pointed to a trunk sitting just inside the doorway of a bedchamber.
"Aye."
"Take this trunk, Hamish," Lachlan told one of his men.
Moments later, the lot of them rushed from the front door of the mansion, Rebbie carrying Calla, his friends brandishing swords and racing toward the still-closed portcullis.
"Open the gates!" Alasdair commanded.
The guards hastened to do as they were told and disappeared back into their gatehouses, likely thinking that made them safe.
"Bring them with us," Rebbie said. "Someone will need to turn them over to the authorities."
Once the men had rounded upClaybourne'sremaining guards, they proceeded along the road to whereRebbie'sfather and five of his men waited with the horses at the edge of the wood.
"You got her!" his father looked genuinely elated. "Did we lose any men?"
"Nay, but they lost several," Rebbie said. "Claybourne cut Calla's arm right before he died. And a few of the men were cut, but nothing severe."
"I'm sorry to hear you were injured, m'lady."
"I thank you,m'laird." Calla turned to Rebbie, her tormented gaze pleading with him. "See if he will help," she murmured.
"What is it?"Rebbie'sfather frowned, his gaze darting back and forth between them.
Rebbie explained that Claybourne had sent missives by his steward to the parliament about Jamie not beingStanbury'sson.
"Ha. Bastard," his father growled, his dark gaze taking on a maniacal gleam." Begging your pardon, m'lady. I'll intercept the missives personally. Did he say how many there were?"
"Nay."
"No matter. I'll speak to every member of parliament if I have to. I'll tell them 'tis all a grand lie Claybourne fabricated because he wished to blackmail the lady and make her his captive. But first, I want to questionClaybourne'sremaining guards before I turn them in to the authorities." He nodded toward the bound men. "Do you need my help here?"
"Nay. And I thank you, Da."
"Aye, thank you," Calla said.
His father gave a brief bow, then mounted and called out for the dozen of his men to accompany him and to bringClaybourne'sguards with them. He was in his element now.
"You can put me down," Calla whispered as they watched the men ride away.
Rebbie shook his head, staring into her bright gray eyes. Though they were the color of frost, they gleamed with warmth. "I'll never put you down. I want to hold you forever."
She pressed her lips together and blinked back tears. "I love you."
Leaning forward, he kissed her lips, then whispered, "I love you, too."
Putting her arm around his neck, she kissed him again. He suddenly relished everything about her—her light weight in his arms, the taste of her lips. His heart pounded with the realization she was the only one for him. He never wanted to spend a night without her again.
"Aye, that's what we like to see." Lachlan slapped him on the back in passing.
Drawing back, Rebbie flicked a glare at his friend as he walked away, then carried Calla behind a thick tree trunk for a bit more privacy. "Marry me?" He hoped it sounded like a question, and not like the demand he wanted to make.
"What?" Her eyes widened.
"M'lady… Calla, will you marry me?" he forced himself to be gentlemanly, when he wanted to do naught but carry her into the forest and ravish her upon the leaves in a most primal bonding. "Or should I say… will you do me the honor of—"
"Aye! I will marry you." Smiling, she kissed him soundly on the lips.
