A Hellion at the Highland Court (The Highland Ladies #9) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,101

and a half to the south of us. There’s another group three miles west. But I have men near them, so they don’t concern me as much as the ones to the south.”

“How do you know that?” Laurel asked.

“I used a birdcall when I noticed the group. I got immediate responses, so I know where at least a dozen men are. I went further north and saw naught. But I called out and got responses there. Some men are already ahead of us. I hope to join them in the morning and work our way out of the mountains together sooner than I expected. But I’ll scout again in the morning to make sure the way is still safe. If it is, we’ll go. If aught has changed, we wait. My men will go on ahead if it’s safe for them and your men.”

“Then take the last watch,” Donnan said. Brodie nodded, glad that he would stay beside Laurel for most of the night. He knew it was selfish, but he wanted to hold her. Once they ate, Monty slipped from the cave. Brodie explained where to position himself, so Monty would remain hidden but could hear anything that approached before it appeared. He could slip back to the cave and warn the others with no one seeing him. Donnan listened attentively, so he was prepared for his shift. Laurel felt useless as she watched the men discuss how to divide the night’s hours among them.

“Laurie.” Laurel nodded as Brodie waved her over and took her to the cave’s entrance. “Do you see the bush just yonder? If you need privacy, you can go there.”

“Thank you.” She led him to where she’d laid out their bedrolls. Donnan was already snoring lightly, and Laurel marveled at how easily the man had always fallen asleep anywhere. He’d been like that since they were children. Smiling, she laid down with Brodie’s chest against her back. But she rolled over to lay her head on his shoulder and drape her arm over his waist. She needed to hold him as much as he longed to hold her. Brodie stroked her hair as her body relaxed, feeling boneless.

“What’re you thinking aboot?” Brodie wondered aloud.

“Naught in particular. Just glad to be with you. You?”

“The same. I shall make this up to you.”

Laurel lifted her head, her brow furrowed. “You say that as if any of this is your fault. There’s naught to make up to me. You didn’t do aught wrong.”

“I trusted the wrong men with your care.”

“They were your men. You shouldn’t have needed to doubt them. That is their sin, not yours. Michael paid for it with each bump and hit as he fell down Ben More.”

“But you’re a target because of me.”

“Mayhap. Or you’re a target because of me. I ken the MacDougalls would rather put a rift between the Campbells and Rosses than allow an alliance. Mayhap they and the Lamonts continue this because you married me. Mayhap they would have let things go if you’d married someone else.”

“Possibly. But it doesn’t mean I don’t feel guilty.”

“I wish you didn’t, but I ken you do because you take your duty seriously.”

“This isn’t just aboot duty as your husband and as a laird. This is aboot the woman I love being in danger, and I can’t stop it. I can’t protect you the way I want, the way I should.”

“Brodie, cease.” Laurel’s voice was laced with authority, and Brodie’s chin jerked back. “We can want everything under the sun, but we rarely get more than a taste. I’ve known since I was a wean that I would likely marry a laird one day. As I grew aulder, I understood the danger that comes with being a clan’s lady. Whether I married you or some lesser chieftain, I could still be at risk. That isn’t your fault. That is life among Highlanders, and the price we pay for our position. As for what you should or shouldn’t do, cease your blathering. I’m alive and at your side, the only place I want to be. If you didn’t make me feel the way I do, I wouldn’t have been strong enough to survive. I would have given up. You’ve given me more than you realize, and that’s kept me alive.”

“Laurie…” Brodie didn’t know what to say. His wife’s philosophical perspective made simple work of what felt complicated.

“Hush, husband. I was exceedingly comfortable a moment ago. I’d like to go back to that.”

“I am ever your