Highlanders Collection. Ann Lethbridge

didn’t meet her eyes; Nairna understood that he was feeling guilty for having lost Laren’s glass.

      ‘Thank you, Dougal.’ She accepted the reins of the horse. ‘And I’m sorry for what happened last night.’

      His mouth tightened into a line. ‘So am I.’

      She touched his shoulder. ‘I know you’re wanting to come with us to free Callum. But we need men to stay here, especially after what happened at Cairnross.’ She forced him to meet her gaze. ‘Please, will you protect Glen Arrin?’ Amid the other men, she caught Alex’s impatience. But this time, she didn’t want Dougal attempting to follow.

      The lad looked down at the ground and nodded. Nairna gave him a slight hug, causing his ears to brighten with embarrassment.

      ‘Good. And there’s something else I need from you.’ She pointed to the doorway of their house, where Caen lifted a sleepy head. ‘Will you watch over Caen?’

      Dougal eyed the dog and Nairna added, ‘He’s quite a fierce animal, really. He’ll tear out a man’s throat if he threatens a MacKinloch.’

      A slight grin perked the lad’s mouth at her sarcasm, when the dog yawned and closed his eyes again. More than likely Caen would sleep through an invasion. But after Nairna finished packing her supplies, Caen woke up and got to his feet, trotting forwards. He sniffed at Nairna as she ordered him, ‘Be good while I’m away.’

      Dougal knelt to pet him, and Caen licked his hand. Satisfied that both would be safe after they left, Nairna mounted her horse and joined the others.

      But as she followed the men, trying to keep in their midst, her husband’s annoyance was palpable and he would no longer look at her.

       Ballaloch Castle, two days later

      ‘Harkirk’s forces are growing stronger,’ Hamish said. ‘He’s been demanding more funds from the clans and few are able to pay anymore. His greed knows no logic.’

      ‘What of your family?’ Bram asked gruffly. He knew it was a continual source of frustration for Nairna that her father had chosen to bribe Lord Harkirk instead of fighting the English forces.

      ‘I’ll admit, I have little left to give.’ Hamish gave a shrug and gestured for them to join him at table. ‘But the MacDonnell clan returned most of Nairna’s dowry from her marriage to Iver. The replenished supplies will help us through the winter.’

      Bram’s knuckles whitened as he thought of Nairna’s previous husband. Although he knew it wasn’t rational, he viewed Iver as the man who had stolen her away from him. He couldn’t stop the possessive feelings, but he was glad that part of Nairna’s life was over.

      His wife had disappeared above stairs, taking food with her and claiming that she was tired. Bram didn’t trust her, and he wouldn’t put it past her to eavesdrop.

      Throughout the two-day journey, she’d said little to him. It was as if she were trying to become a soft-spoken, demure wife. Bram wanted to snort at the idea. Nairna was most definitely up to something, and though she’d convinced Alex she had no intention of interfering with Callum’s rescue, he knew better.

      The false coins had disappeared among her belongings, and he didn’t doubt that she would put them to use.

      Though she claimed it was because she wanted to avoid fighting, he still wondered if it was because she lacked trust in his abilities. He’d done everything he could to rebuild his strength, but Nairna didn’t seem to believe in him.

      His mood grew darker over the next half-hour. He listened to Alex and Hamish discussing Callum’s whereabouts; although his brother was going through each of the possibilities, Bram was growing more distracted. He was tired of waiting and the idea of negotiating a release sounded as if it would only drag out Callum’s suffering. Were it up to him, he’d leave now and get his brother out.

      At last, they agreed that they would speak to Lord Harkirk in the morning, asking for Callum’s release while Bram and Ross infiltrated the English defences. Even if no decision was made, they would then have the knowledge they needed to launch an attack.

      Satisfied, Bram returned to the room he and Nairna had been given. He found his wife curled up on her side, though he doubted she was asleep. He pulled back the coverlet and saw her bare skin. His body responded at the sight of her nakedness and he removed his clothing, slipping into the bed beside her. Nairna rolled over to face him, her expression pensive.

      He waited for her to speak, to ask the questions he knew she was itching to voice. But she didn’t say a word. At last he offered, ‘We’re leaving tomorrow for Harkirk’s fortress.’

      She gave a nod to show she’d heard him, then rolled onto her back to stare at the ceiling. ‘I hope you get him back safely.’

      ‘You don’t want us to fight for him, do you?’

      She remained silent for several minutes. Then she answered, ‘I used to think my father was a coward for not facing them. I wanted him to fight for our freedom, rather than bargaining with the enemy.’

      She reached for his hand and pulled it to her. ‘I understand now why he made the choices he did. I’d rather surrender every last coin, if it meant keeping you safe.’

      The haunted note in her voice gripped him hard, for she spoke as if she knew he would die. Her fear was real and he laced his fingers with hers in quiet reassurance.

      ‘I’ll return to you, Nairna.’

      ‘You don’t know that.’ Her eyes gleamed with unshed tears. ‘There are so many of them.’

      He kissed the corners of her eyes, as if to take the tears away. ‘It won’t be a direct attack. Alex and your father will negotiate, while Ross and I try to find Callum.’

      ‘Promise me you won’t take any risks.’ She traced her fingertips over his jaw, stroking his skin.

      ‘I can’t promise it won’t be dangerous,’ he admitted. ‘But I have a good reason to return.’

      She knew that nothing would keep him from this fight and her fears multiplied until she wondered if this was the last night they would spend together. She thought of the dried flower he’d given her and the gift of Caen. He’d built a house for her and done everything he could to give her happiness.

      Her life with Bram was better than she’d dreamed it could be. And her heart was utterly lost at the thought of losing him.

      ‘What is it, a ghaoil?’

      She turned her head into the sheet, fighting back tears. ‘I’m just afraid because I don’t want you to be taken captive again.’ She touched the scar that ran down his throat and he caught her fingers. ‘I can’t stop thinking about it.’

      ‘I won’t be a prisoner again,’ he swore. ‘I would surrender my life first.’

      She knew it, but the idea of losing him was tearing her apart. She embraced him hard, trying to hold on to him. She didn’t want tonight to end with any distance between them. Her hand moved down, catching hold of his shaft. Slowly, she stroked him, coaxing his erection until he was hard. She moved upwards, easing his length inside her.

      ‘Nairna,’ Bram murmured.

      ‘Just relax,’ she said. She eased up, sinking back down until his length was impaled within her moist walls. The sensation of taking control, of bringing him pleasure, was a way of showing him how she felt.

      His hands held her waist, guiding her up, before he sheathed himself within. ‘You think I can relax while you’re doing this?’

      She rocked against him, forcing him to thrust deep inside. ‘You needn’t do anything. I’ll take care of you.’

      His answer was to withdraw, dragging her down until her stomach rested on the bed, her feet touching the floor. From behind, he spread her legs apart, his fingers probing her opening. ‘No,