Page 40 of The Highlander’s Kilted Affair

Killian threw him a glance, a shared look of knowing that, no matter how many of them they were, the two were about to advance into battle.

“We’re outnumbered,” Benedict yelled, as they continued their approach.

“That’s never stopped us ‘afore,” Killian growled back breathlessly. “Let’s get the bastards.”

Launching themselves from their horses, the cousins drew their swords. Holding them high in the air, they ran at the men screaming an attack.

Benedict punched the first one so hard, he flew backwards. The next came at him wielding a sword, and a thrashing battle commenced. The sound of clashing metal drowned out anything else, as he fought one after the other, but from the corner of his eye, Benedict noticed that Evelyn had pushed herself off the horse, and was struggling with the ropes that bound her.

Killian had disabled two more and ran towards her, and knowing she had Killian by her side, Benedict turned to concentrate all his attention and strength on the remaining two. Seeing the carnage that surrounded them, the panic and fear evident on their faces, they turned and ran into the woods, leaving their horses behind them.

Relief flooded through Benedict, but there was no time for celebration, and turning, he ran over to where Evelyn and Killian stood. He expected her to be quaking with fear, but as delicate as Evelyn Sinclair appeared, she had a hidden strength about her, for she was not fearful, but angry.

“…and they came out of nowhere,” she was saying to Killian.

“Evelyn,” Benedict breathed, throwing his arms around her and not caring a wit what Killian might think about it. Pushing her back from him, and searching her body, he continued. “Are ye injured? Did they hurt ye? Are ye all right?”

“Benedict, I’m fine,” she said determinedly.

Killian flinched and gawped at him.

“Aye, she kens.” Benedict nodded. “She’s kenned all along.”

“Killian!” Evelyn suddenly shrieked.

Benedict jerked his head to discover her pointing at Killian, and when he looked at where she was pointing, Benedict’s eye’s flew wide too. “Ye’re injured.”

Clearly, Killian had been too busy fighting and saving Evelyn to notice, but when he looked down at the blood soaking into the side of his tunic, he simply said, “Och.”

“We need tae get ye back tae the castle,” Evelyn said hurriedly.

“I’m fine,” Killian said, waving a dismissive hand. “Besides, I think those two,” he jerked a head towards the two guards, “need more help than I.”

The two guards who had accompanied Evelyn, and had evidently been knocked out, were only now, coming round from their unconscious state.

“Get back tae the castle,” Benedict said to Killian. “I’ll help the guards.”

“Indeed, I willnae,” Killian replied stubbornly. “We dinnae ken if those two ran off tae more o’ there clan. They could be on their way back here with reinforcements. And if ye think I’m leaving ye here fer ye tae have all the fun, ye can think again.”

Killian was smirking, but Benedict didn’t smile back. “Then at least get up on yer horse. If ye collapse from bleeding, it’ll save me having tae lift yer hefty lump ontae it.”

“This is all me fault,” Evelyn said, as Benedict walked towards the guards who had now managed to get themselves onto their feet. “I’m so sorry, Killian.”

Killian was brushing off her worry, when the guards approached Benedict.

“I’m so sorry, me laird. They came out o’ nowhere. There wasnae any warning,” Jared said.

“We tried tae fight them off, me laird, but they were too many,” Peter added.

Both men looked ashamed and disappointed, but Benedict couldn’t fault them. Six against two was an unfair fight by anybody’s standards.

“It isnae yer fault,” Benedict said calmly. “Get yersel’s together. We need tae head back tae the castle before they return.”

“Aye, me laird,” the men replied in unison.

By the time they reached the healer’s cottage, Killian’s tunic was soaked in blood, and Benedict was worried. Helping his cousin off the horse, Killian protested.

“Ye are making a fuss over nothing. I feel fine.”