Highlander Unbroken (Highland Adventure Book 8) (15 page)

"Where will you sleep? You said the owner had no more rooms."

"I'll stay in the common room."

She grasped his arm. "Stay here. You may have the bed."

He shook his head, feeling torn. More than anything he wanted to stay, to sleep in the same room with her, the same bed. But 'twas not to be. "I'll be all right below." He opened the door and exited. "Lock the door," he told her before closing it behind him.

He descended the stairs and found the tavern dark. The bench seat along the wall would serve as a place to sleep for a few hours.

"Hurry and do not breathe a word of this to your mother." Korbin's voice was no more than a murmur from just outside the front door, but Neacal heard him clearly.

"Aye," William responded.

What was Korbin keeping from his wife? The man entered, closed and locked the door behind him. When he turned, his gaze landed on Neacal, seated on the bench.

"Ah. Chief! I didn't know you had returned." He proceeded behind the bar. "Did Mistress Douglas like the wine?"

"Indeed. Thank you for it." Neacal crossed the room and placed several coins on the bar. "For the first week. I hope this will cover her lodging and food."

"Your money is no good here. I beg of you, keep it!"

"Nay. 'Tis yours."

Hesitantly, he picked up the coins. "Well then, I thank you. I have to admit, times have been lean here in the village. You are most generous, m'laird."

Neacal gave a brief nod, sorry to hear Korbin was having difficulties, but at the same time, knowing he was too proud to discuss it in detail. Neacal might consider hiring one or two of Korbin's grown sons at the castle, if they had skills he could use. He would have to get to know what kind of men they were first. "A good night to you."

Korbin gave a brief bow. "Good night."

Neacal lay down and used the bedroll for a pillow. The wood beneath him was solid and uncomfortable. His shoulder pained him as it often did. The bench was too narrow and the wall too close for him to lie on his back. He turned to his other side.

Damnation, he shouldn't have asked Anna to marry him. How daft she must think him. Such an impulsive proposal. But he would give anything at the moment to be in bed with her instead of here on this hard bench alone.

Images of her—and the sensations that went along with them—played through his mind. She'd been so amorous and passionate when he'd touched her. Arousal churned through him yet again. Her willing responses to him had been beyond his wildest dreams. She'd enjoyed it and he'd certainly relished bringing her to the height of pleasure. He would've given near anything to have taken her then. But she was not a woman to have a brief tryst with. Nay, she already held his heart.

After the torture and his father's death, he'd never thought to feel joy again. But now he knew he could, and he did every time she looked at him or touched him. And the kisses… saints, he thought each time he kissed her that he'd died and ascended to heaven.

Why would she not agree to marry him? He doubted it was because he was a chief and his clan might not approve. Though 'twas a good excuse, he sensed there was something else… something far worse which held her back. He'd seen it in her tear-filled eyes, felt it in the tension emanating off her. She possessed deep, dark secrets. Why would she not confide in him? Whatever it was, she'd said she did not want to anger him. Could it be something so terrible? Was she an outlaw? Had she killed someone? Was she on the run? His mind went wild with all the horrible possibilities.

He turned onto his back and sat up. 'Twas useless to try to sleep, as was often the case. His gaze traveled over the darkened tavern and up the stairs, then toward the entry door. He'd seen Korbin lock it, but what about the back door? If someone slipped in they could strike him a deadly blow before he even knew they were about.

When he arose, a pain shot down his leg from one of the old injuries. He gritted his teeth, trying to ignore the ache. The kitchen was dark. After lighting a candle from the glowing embers of the hearth, he ventured into the kitchen and found the back door locked too. At least he could rest a bit easier.

He returned to the bench and sat. Leaning his head against the back, he watched Anna's door at the top of the stairs. He hoped she'd bolted it to keep out any intruders. He couldn't help that he was overly vigilant, especially when it came to her.

Sweet, luscious Anna. What was he going to do about her? He should force her to return to Bearach with him. Whatever her past, he could protect her there. She was a good woman and he knew she wouldn't have done something heinous. If she'd killed a man, she'd probably had good reason. Mayhap some brute like Farquar had attacked her before and she'd killed him. If so, 'twas self-defense. Such bastards deserved what they got for abusing those weaker than themselves.

Could that be it? Neacal needed to ask her. Rising from the seat, he paced. He wanted to ask her now, but she was most likely asleep.

He shoved his hand through his hair and paced more.

"Neacal." Someone said in a loud whisper. He glanced up to find Anna at the top of the stairs.

Even though she was still fully dressed, awareness shot through him, stirring his blood. "Aye?"

"What are you doing?"

"Naught. Why?"

She glanced all around, then motioned to him. "Sleep up here, on the pallet in my room."

Hell, he shouldn't. But he could not decline the tempting offer. His heartbeat accelerated. After grabbing his things, he climbed the stairs. 'Twas his opportunity to ask her if she'd committed a crime and, if so, to let her know that didn't matter to him.

Once inside the room, he set his things aside and spread his bedroll on the pallet, but not too close to the hearth fire. He then turned to her. Even though he was curious about why she wanted him to return, he had more important questions. "Anna, I was wondering something."

"What is it?" She appeared hesitant and guarded.

He figured 'twould be best to simply get it out of the way. "Did you kill someone?"

"What?" she gasped, her eyes incredulous. "Nay. Why would you think such a thing?"

"Pray pardon. I meant no offense. But 'tis because of the way you're behaving. You're guarded, as if you hold a deep dark secret. And I thought if you'd committed some crime, like killing someone, you probably had good reason. Self-defense, mayhap."

She shook her head and clasped her hands tightly together. "I've killed no one."

What could it be then? "Stolen something?" he asked.

"Nay," she said firmly.

"God's teeth, Anna. Tell me. You can depend on me. I'll not turn you in. I'll protect you and hide you." Though he hated allowing her to see how vexed he was, he was losing patience with her. How could she be so stubborn?

She paced from one side of the small room to the other. "I regret allowing you in here."

Someone banged on the wall from the next room. "Stop your blathering! We be trying to sleep!" 'Twas a man's voice.

She jumped, then placed a hand over her mouth, her wide gaze darting to him. "Do you think he heard what you said?" she whispered softly.

Neacal shook his head, annoyance boring a hole through his vitals. He couldn't talk to her here. "Come back to Bearach with me," he said in a low tone.

"We've already talked about this. 'Tis time to sleep." She marched to the bed and lay down, fully dressed.

Aye, he was certain she was going to sleep. Ha. He shook his head, his frustration growing.

He lay down on the pallet and stared at the ceiling in the dim glow from the fireplace. Glancing at her, he found her lying still as a stone but she was not relaxed. He felt her tension, taut as a violin string ready to snap.

"You should trust me, Anna," he murmured.

She did not respond. Had she even heard? Was she asleep already? He blew out an exasperated breath. Why the devil had she shown up at his castle and why had she captured his complete and undivided attention? As everyone said, he was mad as a loon. For him to feel this way about her with such haste surely meant his mind was not fully recovered from the torture.

He should not trust his own judgment when it came to women. 'Haps he was desperate. He'd been two years without a woman and the lack had contributed to his lunacy.

Although he didn't think he could sleep, he must have for a few hours. When he next became aware, dawn light shone through the window. After realizing where he was, he glanced at Anna lying, covered up, on the bed with her back to him. Was she sleeping?

His shoulder and arm aching, he pushed himself up from the pallet and rolled his blankets. After collecting his belongings, he glanced at Anna again. Her breathing was still deep and even. Good. He would slip out before she awoke and hopefully before anyone saw him leaving her room. Of course, Korbin would easily figure out where he'd been if he had chanced to look for Neacal in the common room.

He opened the door a crack and peered out. He saw no one about. 'Twas still early. He exited and descended the steps.

The scent of bacon, scones and other foods drifted from the kitchen, making his stomach growl. He was ready for breakfast. He set his belongings against the wall and took a seat at a table. Would Anna join him for the meal? 'Haps he should have woken her. But now 'twould be awkward between them. After all, he'd proposed and she'd refused him. Of all the bad luck… the first woman he asked to marry him and she said
nay
. He shook his head.

And then he'd asked her if she was a murderess or a thief. What kind of man was he? 'Twas no way to sweet-talk a woman.

"A good morrow to you, chief," Korbin said, approaching. "I'll give you breakfast on the house."

"Nonsense." Neacal took a coin from his sporran and tossed it to the man.

"I thank you. I'll bring it right out." He hastened back to his kitchen.

Neacal quickly ate and Anna still had not shown up by the time he was finished. If she was still sleeping, she must have been exhausted.

Korbin returned to his table. "Can I get you anything else, m'laird?"

"Nay. I thank you."

He clasped his hands behind his back and gave a brief bow. "I'm sorry you'll be leaving us today." Korbin did not seem sorry in the least, and his tight smile made him seem anxious. Neacal frowned. Did Korbin plan to take advantage of Anna? He remembered how the man's eyes had bugged out when he'd first seen her. His son had the same reaction. Was it lust? Or had they recognized her? He didn't see how they would know her since she wasn't from this area.

Maybe Neacal shouldn't be so quick to trust them. He had to convince Anna to return to Bearach with him.

"I thank you for the meal and the hospitality," Neacal said, observing the man.

"You're most welcome. I'm honored you stayed with us." Korbin bobbed his head, then glanced at the door. "Do you wish your horse saddled and brought 'round?"

"Indeed. I would appreciate it."

"Very good, m'laird." Trying to hide his smile, Korbin grabbed the empty trencher and rushed toward the kitchen. The man was acting strange. Why would he be so thrilled at the prospect of Neacal leaving? There was no way in hades he was leaving Anna here.

Neacal hurried up the stairs and knocked at her door. Moments later, she opened it, blinking the sleep from her eyes, looking far too adorable and disheveled.

"I'm sorry to have awakened you, lass, but this is important," Neacal whispered. "I need for you to return to Bearach Castle with me."

"Why?" She frowned, blinking up at him in a confused manner.

He glanced down the stairs but didn't see anyone. "Can I come in?"

"Of course." She stepped back allowing him to enter.

Neacal closed the door. "Korbin is acting odd. I think he or his son may be planning to take advantage of you in some way. I find suddenly that I don't trust them."

"Oh." The worried look on her face increased and she paced, biting her nails.

He hoped she would come to her senses and see reason. Surely she knew he wished to protect her. No doubt she also knew he would like to have her by his side always, considering he'd asked her to marry him. He shook his head, knowing many in his clan would think he'd lost what little was left of his mind for asking her, but he didn't regret it. If she would agree to it, he would say his vows this day.

"Could you take me to Glenfinnan?" she asked, surprising him.

"What? Why so far?"

She turned away and appeared to be staring down at her broken fingernails. "I find I must… get away from the other minstrels."

What on earth had taken place back at Bearach? It must have been something terrible, considering the way she wished to flee. "What happened? Did the piper make advances toward you?"

"Nay." Vaguely, she shook her head. "I cannot tell you."

Annoyance rammed through him. "Well then, why should I take you anywhere if you don't trust me?" he demanded. Damnation, he wished he could better control his tone of voice before the words blasted from his mouth.

"I do trust you." Her gaze connected with his, and he felt her sincerity. The honesty and faith in her mossy green eyes near took his breath.