As they stepped outside, the clean, crisp breeze kissed her cheeks, making her lift her face to greet it. She inhaled deeply, ridding herself of the inn’s stale aroma of weary, unwashed travelers, spilled ale, and food. The inky darkness of the clear sky made the stars seem within reach. “Such a beautiful night. Thank you for this.”
“I thought it might help with the restlessness.” He rested his hand over hers as she held onto his arm. “And also…I wished to ask ye something.”
“What?”
His steps slowed as they neared the stable. “Ye’ve not had a change of heart, have ye?”
“About what?”
“Becoming my wife.”
She turned to him, barring him from moving any farther. “I am more certain of that than anything. You and I…” A rush of emotions made it hard to speak. “I cannot imagine life without you.”
The hesitancy and tenderness in his touch as he brushed his fingers across her cheek made her catch her breath.
“I love ye, my own, and neither can I imagine life without ye.”
Though she knew it to be brazen, she didn’t care. “Might I have a kiss, then, my champion?”
Ever so slowly, he tilted his head and leaned closer, teasing her with his nearness. “Ye may always have a kiss, my love.” The warm softness of his mouth closed over hers, and he tightened his arms around her.
Heart pounding, she gave herself over to every sensation, clinging to him with an urgency that matched his. She could stay like this forever, let the world move around them while she floated along on the joy to be found in his arms.
Then a shot split the air, shattering the night.
Duncan jerked, then grunted and pushed her to the ground as he drew his pistol from his belt and returned fire. “Angus!” His bellow rang out through the clear night. “Angus! Come to me!”
Cowering on the cold, hard ground, Merry started to rise to run for help, but Duncan pushed her down again.
“Stay down till I’ve killed this bastard.”
Another shot rang out, then Angus shouted, “I hit him!”
His breathing ragged, Duncan helped Merry to her feet just as Chance and Malcolm thundered up to them.
“We heard gunfire,” Malcolm said.
Chance caught hold of her. “Are you hurt?”
“No.” So shaken she almost couldn’t stand, she held tight to him. “Duncan pushed me to the ground and made me stay there.” Then she noticed her champion had disappeared into the stable. “In there. Duncan’s man, Angus, said he shot the devil in there.”
“Go inside.” Her brother aimed her toward the inn and gave her a gentle push. “Now. There could be others.” When she didn’t obey, he forcibly walked her a few steps. “Go inside, Merry. Now. We have to check for others and do not need the distraction of watching out for you.”
Even though his words were harsh, good sense told her that he was right. She stumbled the few steps to the inn, but just as she reached the door, her stomach forced her to halt and empty it of its contents. A sob escaped her as she leaned against the wall and wiped her mouth, reliving the horror of that first shot. Duncan had jerked and grunted as though something had hit him with some force. Was he all right? Had he been shot? If he had, it was all her fault. She should never have suggested that she wanted to go for a walk. He had done it only to help her.
“He has to be all right,” she whispered, curling against the wall. “He has to be.”
“Lass.”
She jumped and started to flee before realizing it was Malcolm. “Is he all right? Is Duncan all right?”
“Come inside. If I dinna get ye inside and up to yer room, he’ll skin me alive.” Malcolm gently helped her through the door. “Come along now, lass. I know ye’re overwrought. I’ll have a fine whisky sent to yer room. ’Twill help ye sleep.”
She yanked herself free of his hold and shoved him away. “You did not answer me. Is Duncan all right? I demand you tell me.”
“’Tis but a wee scratch. He will be fine. He endured worse than that in the war.”
“You lie! Take me to him. I want to see him.”
