group and sending her to Kilchurn with the Rosses. There were only two score of them, including Monty, Donnan, and the men who’d been at Stirling with Laurel. But neither did he relish bringing her near the inevitable battle.
Ultimately, the choice was taken from him. Before dawn on the third day, Brodie sent Graham and three men to scout from Crianlarich, or Ben More mountain. The path was steep, rising over a thousand feet in less than three miles, so the men went on foot. He was certain they would summit just as the sun rose, and they would have an unobstructed view in all directions. It was the highest point in the southern Highlands. They’d made camp at the base of the mountain, but they’d only kept a fire going long enough to cook what they’d hunted. Brodie didn’t want the plume of smoke against the clear autumn sky to signal their location. He’d held Laurel close the entire night, barely sleeping because he was unable to relax. He remained vigilant now that Laurel was back where she belonged—in his arms. Now, she huddled against him as they stood together, his broad back shielding her from the wind whipping down the mountain face.
“I see them.” Donnan pointed toward four shadowy figures moving down the path. It was only a few minutes before Graham and the others returned to camp, winded and flushed.
“It’s nay good,” Graham warned. “There’s a camp to the other side of Ben More. It looked like Lamonts, but mayhap a score or two. There’s another northwest. Lady Campbell and the Rosses would have to ride through the hills to Ben Lui to avoid them.”
Brodie shook his head. The mountain didn’t have a clear pass for riders. It had five ridges with four corries, or deep valleys, between them. Even though it was early autumn, it wasn’t unheard of for there to be snow already.
“What else?” Laurel asked quietly. She shifted nervously, not yet convinced that any of the men besides Brodie welcomed her voice. But he’d encouraged her to contribute to the conversation the night before, and it had been her idea to send scouts up Ben More.
“We saw smoke toward Inverarnan. That’s where they last attacked,” one scout added.
“Damn it,” Brodie hissed. When Laurel turned questioning eyes to him, he explained. “If we pursue them, we have to contend with the Falls of Falloch.” At Laurel’s blank gaze, he continued. “They’re a few miles from here. The land is hard for men to traverse, but it’s not ideal for horses. We face losing at least one mount or leaving them behind and approaching on foot. The latter isn’t worth considering now that the sun is rising. Without darkness to hide us, they’ll spot us before we can surprise them.” Brodie scrubbed his hands over his face. He looked at Monty, who’s grim expression matched his own. He shifted his eyes to the top of Ben More, and Monty nodded.
“Donnan, take Laurel up,” Monty instructed his partner.
Laurel looked between Brodie and Monty, then Monty and Donnan. Her eyes widened, but she nodded. She stepped forward and embraced Monty. She knew he would lead the Ross warriors while Donnan took her to safety. She didn’t relish watching her husband or her brother ride into battle. When Monty released her, she stepped in front of Brodie. His brawny arms lifted her off the ground, bringing them to eye level.
“Be careful,” Laurel choked. She still couldn’t bring herself to confess her feelings, partly because they were too raw to express. She kissed him, hoping he would understand. When his deep gray eyes looked into hers, he nodded. It was the closest either came to professing their love, but they understood one another.
“I trust Donnan. Stay with him no matter what happens.”
“I ken, mo chridhe.” My heart. Laurel kissed him once more.
“I will return to you,” Brodie stated emphatically. He cast a long, wistful look at Laurel’s upturned face. He held her chin between his finger and thumb. Brushing his lips against hers in the barest hint of a kiss, he whispered, “mo chluaran, mo ghaol.” My thistle, my love. Laurel nodded her head as she swallowed. Then he was gone. Laurel watched as his plaid swished against the back of his muscular thighs before he mounted and rode east.
“Laurel, we need to start the hike. It will be harder for you because of your skirts. I want you out of sight and out of reach before the sun casts