The Highlander's Dangerous Temptation

So why had the hostility between her father and Athdar started? As she had watched the scene resolve, she tried to remember any clues about the beginning of the bad feelings. Then her father had returned and Athdar left the hall and she knew she would not see him again on this visit. As her father bade them go with him back to their cottage in the village, she knew that, unless she did something, Athdar would always wear the expression of grief in his eyes. And that she simply could not accept.

As she had lain in her bed, seeking sleep while finding a restless night, Isobel realised that the only way to make that happen would be to get her mother on her side. Lady Jocelyn’s support would be a good thing because her father would listen to the lady. Plans and ideas had come and gone as the hours did and soon the weak light of a cloudy dawn had begun to seep into her bedchamber.

* * *

Dressing quickly and quietly, she made her way through the dark cottage, trying not to wake anyone. If her luck held, she could be back, in her bed, before the rest of her family rose. Already some of the villagers were about their daily tasks and she nodded as she passed them. Uncertain of why she wanted to speak to him now, she accepted it and continued walking towards the main gate.

She wrapped her shawl tightly around her shoulders to fight off the early morning chill and lifted her head to watch as those gates opened. A small group rode through and in her direction, so she stepped back off the path to let them pass. The lead rider waved the others on and drew his horse to a halt before her.

‘’Tis a bit early to be out this morn, lass,’ Athdar said in a quiet tone. ‘Does your father know you prowl about the village alone?’ His voice was deeper after sleep than it usually was, sending shivers through her for some reason. She tried to ignore the reprimand.

‘I have an errand to see to with Lady Jocelyn, if you must know,’ she said. Turning towards the keep, she walked around him, now hesitant to say too much to him.

Why and how could he do this to her?

The poise and self-confidence that her parents often praised in her deserted her, leaving her feeling like a halfwit in his presence. Instead of carrying on a reasonable conversation—as she could with most any of her kin or those who visited the MacLerie laird—she turned into a babbling fool who could not utter a bit of sense.

Even now when she wanted to speak to him about his journey or his duties as laird, to ask sensible questions or offer a sensible suggestion, she could only blush and stammer.

‘I would not keep you from your duties to my sister.’

He turned his horse once more so that he was headed down the path through the village and out to the main road. Before he spurred it on, he nodded and smiled to her and she wanted to melt into the ground beneath her feet.

‘Go on now, lass. I will wait until you go inside,’ he said.

Athdar was making certain she was safe before leaving.

‘Safe journey, Laird MacCallum.’

‘My name is Athdar, lass.’

She had never called him that to his face—he was older than she was and held a higher position, as well. But...

‘Safe journey, Athdar,’ she repeated with a nod.

The edges of his mouth curled and a rough smile changed his entire countenance from foreboding and serious to wickedly handsome. Her breath caught at how very handsome it did make him. Grasping for some of the boldness that would have caused her father’s brow to rise, she called out once more, ‘And my name is Isobel.’

His laughter rang out in the quiet of the early morn and a ripple of satisfaction pulsed through her at the sound. ‘Good day, Isobel!’ he called out as he turned his mount and rode off down the path to join the rest of his men.

Isobel walked quickly in the gate, greeting those on guard duty as she did and fighting the urge to turn and watch Athdar with each step. Winning that battle but not having a specific errand in mind, she decided to seek out the lady and begin her campaign to fight for Athdar.

Chapter Three

MacCallum Keep—Two months later

Athdar rode back through the gates and called out to his men as he approached the stables. He’d spent two days riding his lands, overseeing the end of the harvest and the laying in of the crops for the coming winter. Though he’d lived through many changes of seasons, this one felt different somehow and he wondered if the winter storms would come through the mountain passes sooner than usual.

‘Laird.’

Athdar turned to find the steward walking in his direction. ‘Broc,’ he said, waiting for the man to reach him. ‘The preparations look well in hand...as you said they were.’

‘There is still the butchering to be seen to, but that will be done in the next weeks.’

‘Will this be a quiet winter, then?’

Padruig MacCallum had a habit of sneaking up on people, having perfected a silent, light step. It helped many times in dangerous situations, but he could drive Athdar to madness with the habit, too.

‘The MacLerie has strengthened his control and his influence over the entire south-west of Scotland since the king does not act. Connor predicted no outbreak of hostilities...yet.’

From the expressions on the faces of the two men who served him most closely, he could not tell if they were joyful or saddened by this news. He liked a good fight the same as any man. Yet, now that this clan and its welfare was his responsibility, and now that supplies, crops and food were ready, he could admit a quiet winter had its appeal. Well, he could admit it to himself.

‘What other news do you have for me, Padruig? How is training coming along? Has your son mastered swordplay yet?’

A good way to change the direction of his friend’s talk was to bring up his son. Padruig doted on the boy, now almost a man, and his skills and talents. As he watched the man’s usually dour face brighten, he knew the conversation would turn and braced himself for the pain he brought on himself once more.

And it did.

It took Broc only minutes to utter about things to do and leave and return to his duties, as Athdar wished to do. With each passing moment and with every word Padruig spoke, another dagger plunged into his own heart. But Padruig was his friend, in addition to being the commander of the MacCallum warriors, and it was not long before he realised what he’d said and the price of it to Athdar’s heart and soul.

‘Did Broc tell you?’ he asked while kicking the dirt at his feet.

‘About the cattle?’

‘Nay, about your sister. Lady MacLerie,’ Padruig said.

‘Broc!’ he shouted as he walked towards the keep. Padruig grabbed his arm to stop him.

‘Jocelyn is on her way here. An outrider brought the message.’

‘Why is she coming here now?’ he said, tugging free and continuing to head for the keep...and some answers. He paused. ‘Send two men out to meet them.’

‘Dar.’ Padruig let out an exasperated breath.

If Jocelyn was travelling, and Connor knew about it, she would be well provisioned and well guarded. Connor would never allow it any other way. So, his sister’s safety was not an issue. ‘Never mind.’

Still, he needed to know more so he walked into the squat, stone keep and searched for his steward—the one who’d conveniently forgotten to tell him of the visit. When he found him, Broc stood in the corner in one of the storage rooms under the kitchens.

‘My sister?’ he called out, trying to gain the man’s attention.

An unexpected visit could be because of a problem or not. His sister and her husband did journey here several times a year, sometimes to see him and sometimes as they travelled onwards to other places, so there was no way to know. Except for Broc, who had not answered him.

‘Broc!’ His shout echoed through the small chamber and caused the servants in the kitchen and corridor to stop and stare. Finally, his steward straightened and turned to face him.

And that was also when a comely young woman stepped out from behind Broc’s shadow and made her way out of the chamber and past Athdar. Damn, but Broc moved quickly with the lasses. From the smile on her mouth and the blush in her cheeks, he knew Broc had another conquest.

‘Laird,’ she said quietly with a nod as she passed him.

‘Ailean.’