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She probably could have said anything, and it wouldn’t have mattered. He was so taken by this girl that nothing else seemed important than the moment he was spending with her. Then, before he could talk himself out of it, he leaned over and gently pressed his lips against hers.
Like honeyed mead, her mouth tasted sweet. Her lips were as soft as the gossamer wings of a butterfly. Alastair cradled her chin in his hand, not wanting to do anything to hurt her. His thumb brushed against her flushed cheek, her skin feeling hotter than he expected. It was odd, but he swore he felt a connection to this woman, just like he had when he’d saved her life three years ago. It was as if, somehow, they belonged together. Fia was fragile like a child, yet in some ways as strong as a warrior. She seemed to take in every aspect of life, finding the joy in every little thing. Everything about her from the way she talked to the way she blinked held his interest. And she wore that damned heart pin that had haunted his dreams since he’d almost died on the battlefield.
He would have dared to kiss her again if she hadn’t lowered her head and turned away.
“What’s the matter?” he asked. “Didna ye like that?”
“I did,” she said with a shy smile, holding her hand to her mouth. “It was verra nice.”
“Fia, I have to say guidbye,” he told her, putting his hand on her shoulder. Her back was toward him. She reached up and covered his hand with hers.
“I understand,” she said in a breathy whisper. “Ye need to get back to the Highlands where ye belong.”
“Ye never told me where yer family resides in Scotland,” he said, wondering about her background.
“I am Fia Douglas,” she said, turning around.
“Aye. Ye are the daughter of the English king’s bastard. I ken.”
“My faither was raised as a Douglas, no’ knowin’ he was spawned by the English king until he was twelve years old. After Burnt Candlemas, he lived with Ross Douglas in the Highlands with the MacKeefes.”
“Aye, I ken the MacKeefes. Their chieftain, Storm MacKeefe is well honored throughout the Highlands as well as the Lowlands. So, ye grew up there as well?”
“Nay, I didna. My faither married a Scot. Her name is Maggie Gordon. That is where my family resides now.”
“Did ye say Gordon?” he asked, feeling his blood boil just at the mention of the clan’s name.
“Aye,” she said with a slight smile. Do ye ken the Gordon Clan?”
“Och, I ken them,” he said, wanting to spit at hearing the name. His hands balled into fists. “They are strong allies of Clan Grant.”
“Aye, that’s right. The Gordons and the Grants are guid friends.”
Clan Grant was the clan that the MacPhersons had been feuding with for years. They also held his father, Duncan, in their dungeon in the Highlands right now. Alastair had been trying to rescue him but had been unsuccessful. Everything he ever tried had turned out badly. They had never been able to penetrate the walls of the Grant keep.
“Fia? Fia, are ye here?” came shouting from in the secret garden.
“Losh me, it’s Morag,” mumbled Fia, running for the door. “I should have kent she’d follow me here.”
Fia ranout into the garden with Alastair right behind her. She wasn’t happy to see Morag, Willow and Maira, and furious when she realized they brought with them two of the castle guards.
“Morag, what did ye do?” She ran over to meet them as they rode into the garden.
“Fia, we thought ye were in trouble when we found ye missin’,” said her sister.
“Nay, ye fool. Why did ye bring the guards to the garden?”
“Don’t be angry with her,” said Maira. “When the Highlanders snuck into the castle and released the prisoners, a battle broke out.”
“What? The prisoners escaped?”
Willow relayed what happened. “Aye, they were rescued by members of their clan that snuck in through the old postern gate. When they left and we couldn’t find you, we figured you might have come here.”
“The guards wouldna let us leave without them. We had no choice, Fia.” Morag had tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry, but we were worried about ye and had to do it.”
“Get him,” said one of the guards to the other.
“Nay! Leave Alastair alone.” Fia turned around to find Alastair atop his horse and leaving through the garden gate.
