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Chapter Two
Angus’ face showed his concern, and he held out a hand to Charlotte, who was breathing hard, clutching her hands to her skirts. He could tell she was nervous and afraid, but she hadn’t cried, and that surprised him. He waited, his heart practically beating out of his chest with fear. “Come, lass. Are ye all right?”
He looked to the side to see the man stirring awake. He ran to him, kicked him in the stomach, and then knelt close, his sword at his throat. He could see the kilt now that his mind wasn’t filled with Charlotte’s safety, and he nearly toppled over with surprise.
He pressed the point of the blade into the skin of the man’s throat. The man was trembling and held up his hands. Angus practically growled, “Did John Campbell send ye? Why are ye here upon our isle, hurting our women, ye bastard?” Angus spat on the ground next to him as Charlotte watched in surprise from afar.
The man was nervous, but he was not repentant. “I’m a Campbell, aye, and John sent me tae report back how the clan was doing, thinking ye might nae have survived the winter. He didnae forbid me from tasting what wares ye have tae offer.” Angus threw a punch into the man’s face, his rage taking over his self-control.
The man turned back slowly to face Angus, his lip cut and bleeding. Angus said in an angry voice, “Ye return tae that bastard and tell him that Angus MacLean says if he sees ye again on our land, he will kill ye and send yer body tae the bottom of the loch.”
He moved away then and returned to Charlotte. The man stood hesitantly and then turned, running back towards a small boat on the edge of the shore. Then, Angus turned and held out his hand again, which Charlotte took gratefully, and he helped her to stand. “Lass, I’m so sorry ye had tae go through that. The people of our isle are peaceful and kind. I dinnae know how the watchmen missed the entry of that man.”
Charlotte smiled weakly. “Well, the trees make this part of the shore quite remote.” Her voice was shaky, and she struggled to calm it. Angus could feel his heart twinge in pain at the sight.
She said, “Thank you, Angus. You were here before...anything happened. You always seem to be nearby, as I have mentioned before.”
Angus nearly collapsed with relief. Julia would be pleased that nothing had happened to her dear cousin, and he was pleased as well. For her, of course. And, she’d said that last sentence without the malice and anger her words usually carried. He knew she hated his constant control and watch over her.
But he knew that he had to keep an even better eye on her now. At a slight pull from Charlotte, he noticed he hadn’t let go of her hand. He dropped it quickly, as if afraid of it, and then moved to assist her to mount her horse. He grabbed her at the waist and hoisted her up. His fingers wrapped around the hard layer of her corset, feeling the thinness of her waist. For such a small woman, she had borne the attack well. Angus would report this immediately to Julia and Calum.
Once Charlotte was astride her horse, she turned back to Angus, gripping the reins tightly in her hands. Her beautiful golden-red hair had come loose and was now wrapped around her as the breeze blew over the shore. Despite the fact that leaves and sticks were knotted throughout her locks from the tussle, for a moment, Angus was frozen with the sight. He swallowed. No, this would not do. She was absolutely stunning, to be sure, but he had no business thinking about his sister-in-law’s cousin this way. He had to stop himself from imagining her reaching out for him, her pale skin glowing in the firelight of his room.
He tried to shake off the image. She had just been through a terrible ordeal, and he was thinking about getting her into bed? What kind of man was he? Charlotte cleared her throat and said, “Angus, I would appreciate it if you did not mention the attack to Calum or to Julia. Now that it is passed, and the man is gone, there is no need to worry. They will wish to confine me to the castle walls or send me back to my father if they hear of it.”
As do I. The voice in his head had come through strongly, knowing that he had to do something to protect her. No, he would have to tell them. He would need support on his side, for she would fight tooth and nail against him. Of that, he was completely certain.
He didn’t say anything but merely stared up at her, concern etched on his face. “Lass, I dinnae think…”
“Please,” she begged. “My father has allowed me to stay thus far, but if he hears of this...” She trailed off. In the few months that he had known this wild woman, he had never seen her so vulnerable or pleading. It was strange, but his mind was made up. He could either tell them and risk her anger or simply protect her even more. Even though he wouldn’t really have the time once Calum left.
He nodded tersely, and Charlotte smiled. He then grabbed the reins from her and swung up behind her, to her surprise. He felt her back tighten, and he said, “I need tae accompany ye back tae the stable. I was nae with my horse when I heard yer cry.”
Charlotte nodded but said nothing, her back remaining stiff as he wrapped his arms around her, taking the reins and kicking the horse into stride. They rode in silence towards the stables next to the castle, and Angus felt the wind on his face and the tickle of Charlotte’s free hair. It smelled like honeysuckle, and his stomach clenched with the sweetness and freshness of it and the longing it threatened to inspire. This was dangerous. They were too close. He could feel the shape of her on his chest, and it felt too good. He was glad to arrive at the stables and help her down, giving the reins to the stable boy.
He helped her down, his hands on her waist once again, but this time, she faced him. As she stared into his face, her light green eyes changed from pleading to scrutinizing.
What was she thinking?Angus asked himself; he found Charlotte Andrews’ inner world, both confusing and intriguing at the same time. He knew that many of the men on the Isle of Mull were cream in her hands, taken in by her alluring, mysterious stare.
She pushed away from him gently. “Thank you again, Angus. But I will be able to take care of myself from here.” She looked away and started walking towards the castle. Angus followed her with his eyes before turning to the stable boy.
“Lad, keep an eye out for the mistress. Whenever she comes tae take her horse out for a ride, ye will send me word. Try tae figure out her destination as well.”
The stable boy nodded and then grinned. “Willnae be hard tae keep an eye on her, Sir. She’s a bonny one.” Angus threw the young boy a dark look, and the boy moved away into the shadows of the stone stables.
Aye, she was bonny. Too bonny.
* * *
Charlotte returned to her room, and once she was safely inside, she felt like she could release her breath. She took herself to the chair by the hearth and sat in shock for a while, still breathing heavily. She found the decanter of red wine in her room that she had requested when she had first arrived and poured herself a hearty glass to calm her nerves. She drank the whole glass down in two swallows.
She sat down again, feeling better from the effects of the alcohol. She had almost been raped. Never before had she envisioned such a thing happening. She knew it happened to low prostitutes in the streets, but she always imagined it occurring in alleyways, where one was never meant to be walking.
This had nearly happened on an island that she had explored far and wide, a place where she had always felt safe. Charlotte liked to think that she was well-experienced with men. Many a time, she had moved onto balconies or walked in gardens in the moonlight with men during a society ball, earning a forbidden kiss. But now, she wasn’t so sure. If Angus hadn’t come when he had...she shuddered to think about what would have been the result.
Angus MacLean. For once in the whole time that she’d known him, she was grateful for his constant presence. It was like he knew that she would be in trouble, and he’d hurried to her side. His face as he looked down at her, his hand outstretched, was burned in her memory. He was as handsome as ever, with his brown hair tied back at the nape of his neck and a light beard covering his strong jaw, but this time, he looked afraid for her. The concern was obvious as he called her name. He was kind to her and, for a moment, had lost that stony look of his, which was unusual. At the sight, Charlotte had felt a frisson of happiness that seemed totally separate from being happy to be rescued.
And when she watched him threaten her attacker, she felt safe, watching the strength of his arm as he punched the man and pushed the blade near his throat. He towered over the cowering figure, and she was so unutterably grateful to be safe once more that she was afraid she’d rush up and kiss him once he came back to help her.
