The Highlander's Destiny (Highland Rogues #2) - Mary Wine Page 0,27

be rid of ye…

Oh, aye. He’d made no excuses.

So why couldn’t she dismiss him as easily in return?

*

Even in the dark, the McKay stronghold was formidable.

The clouds cleared away enough for moonlight to show Cora no less than five towers. There was a huge curtain wall running between them. She could see the flicker of lanterns along the top of the wall. The gate was open, allowing Faolan to ride through.

The inner courtyard was brighter thanks to several fires burning. A large cart of peat cakes was waiting to keep those fires going through the night. The scent of manure from those cakes wasn’t pleasing, but the light was welcome indeed.

“The laird did no’ send for ye, Chief.”

Faolan had dismounted before the McKay Retainer spoke.

“Aye,” Faolan replied as he turned to help Cora off her mare. “I’ve a matter which required me to ride down.”

“Ye should have sent a massive first.”

“With the snow beginning so early, I did nae care to risk getting stuck,” Faolan continued.

Cora felt a tingle touch her nape. There was clearly tension between the Retainer and Faolan.

Had Faolan been banished to the remote tower for some crime?

She really should have pondered that question before. Now though, she discovered herself annoyed by the tone the Retainer was using. Faolan had rough edges, but he had seen to her care.

Faolan held onto her upper arm. He guided her up the steps and into the largest of the towers.

“Here now.” The Retainer chased after them. “Ye will be waiting on the laird’s permission before ye come into the hall.”

Faolan made a sound under his breath before he was turning and heading toward a small passageway. It led to a long room built into the base of the curtain wall. There were some chairs and a few tables inside it but most importantly, there was only the one opening which allowed any persons in or out of it. If the heavy door was closed, they’d be sealed tight inside it. Such a place was common in strongholds, for it served as a good receiving room where whoever arrived might be kept until their motivations for entering the castle might be examined.

“Stay here, Chief McKay,” the Retainer warned ominously.

He disappeared a moment later.

“And I thought the weather was icy up at yer tower,” Cora remarked. “It seems far more frigid here if ye ask me.”

“Do nae get involved, lass.”

Faolan’s tone was brittle. He’d stopped a few paces from her, placing himself between her and the doorway. His frame was stiff, and he had his jaw set as he waited.

“Are ye condemned to that tower for some reason?” Cora asked in spite of the warning.

He turned his head so he was looking at her. “Isn’t it a bit late to be asking me that question, lass?”

“Do nae sound so condescending,” Cora admonished him. “What would it have served to think ill of ye when I was tossed at yer feet shivering? Should I have been so naïve as to not see ye pulled me back from the grip of death?”

He walked closer. Once again, she noticed how silent his steps were. In the dark, she’d never hear him, never know he was closing the distance between them until he was too close for her to escape.

Cora shook her head. She was being ridiculous.

But there was a glint in his eyes when he took that last step, and their gazes met. “You would have done better to remain in the Mackenzie stronghold and wait for yer brother to arrange the details of yer marriage.”

Cora felt her temper warming. “So, I’d arrive to me new home a weakling who did nae have a clue as to how to stand up for meself?”

Faolan tilted his head slightly. “A man should take care of a bride.”

Cora snorted. “A man strong enough to maintain his hold on a Highland clan lairdship would no’ need some sniveling kitten for a wife. Why do so many men make that error? Ye are always praising the timid, when such a girl will never be able to stand on her own when ye are seeing to yer responsibilities. All that will get ye is a whimpering wife who will nag ye the moment ye have a spare moment for her. I am proud to no’ be like that.”

“I suppose ye have a fine point at that, lass.”

Faolan grinned. She watched the corners of his mouth twitch. Cora drank in the sight. There was something about the moment that made her tingle.