Page 40 of Bewitching her Highland Savior

“What’s so funny?” Liam asked.

“I dinnae ken,” Muriel said with a shrug. “I’m just happy, I suppose.”

And it was true. She was happier than she had been in a long time, and she felt as if nothing could ever take that away from her. Macleod, like her father, was a distant memory. Her happiness was too intense for her to consider anything other than Liam and everything he had given her.

“Are ye noo?” Liam asked. “Could it have anythin’ to do with me?”

Muriel laughed; shoving him away playfully. “I guess ye could say so,” she said. “I… I really liked what ye did to me.”

“Weel, once ye’re me wife, I’ll do this to ye every day if ye want.”

Muriel had no doubt about that. Liam seemed to have plenty of stamina and it wouldn’t surprise her if she ended up being the one who couldn’t keep up with him. Still, the thought was too appealing to refuse. “I do. I cannae wait to marry ye,” she told him.

“Neither can I, mo ghràdh,” Liam said, and those words made Muriel giddy with love. “Get some rest noo. We’ll leave first thing the morrow. We must get to Barra as soon as possible.”

Muriel had no reason to resist. For the first time in a while, she fell into a comfortable sleep with ease; feeling safe with Liam by her side. She didn’t wake up until the next morning, when she felt Liam’s hand teasing her, starting her day in the best possible way. But before she could open her eyes and pull him into a kiss to begin a repeat of the previous night, Liam’s hand stilled and she felt his stiffen by her side.

“What is it?” she asked; cracking one eye open.

Liam was looking out to sea. Muriel followed his gaze, and her stomach dropped when she saw them.

“Are they Macleod’s men?” she asked. The boats were approaching rapidly but they were still far enough away for them to make an escape — or so she hoped.

“I think so,” Liam said. “There’s many of them. Either way, it’s best if we leave right noo.”

Muriel nodded and stood, now suddenly awake at the threat of getting captured. She dressed in a rush and Liam did the same before they started to run toward the nearest town.

“How far must we go?” she asked.

“Nae far,” Liam said. “The next town is verra close and once we’re there, we can find some horses. It will take them a while to get here. We still have time but we must hurry.”

As the two of them ran, Muriel put every ounce of her strength into it. She wouldn’t allow anyone to capture her or Liam. She was determined to escape. And if they didn’t make it, if they ended up being surrounded, she wouldn’t go down without a fight.