A Hellion at the Highland Court (The Highland Ladies #9) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,94
had never driven him in battle before that day. He’d always had a healthy respect for the fragility of life. Trepidation came to every warrior, and it kept them vigilant. Duty spurred Brodie to act when the Lamonts attacked the last time and took his first wife’s life. As he watched David Lamont draw closer to Laurel, terror unlike he’d ever imagined possessed him. He would later understand it came from love, but as he fought to make his way to Laurel, it was heart-pounding, lung-crushing fear. He swung his sword indiscriminately at any man or beast who thought to keep him from his wife.
As he charged forward, the scene before his eyes flashed to the one where David Lamont rode for Eliza, and he watched his first bride cut down. He was certain he was about to witness the same scene played out but with Laurel this time. His chest would surely explode as he witnessed Laurel pitch sideways from her saddle. Brodie called her name, convinced her horse’s hooves would pummel and kill her.
“She did it!” Monty cried. Brodie spared Monty a glance and saw the determination that formed when they entered the glen be replaced by beaming pride. He couldn’t process what he saw, so he turned back to Laurel. He watched in horror as her steed reared, convinced the gelding would throw her. Fear took a moment’s reprieve as astonishment took hold. He’d never imagined Teine would be so ferocious as he witnessed the animal attack David Lamont’s mount. Teine’s stamina and speed had impressed him, but he hadn’t foreseen the animal’s strength and tenacity. It matched his owner. Brodie swore he would give Teine the best stall in his stables and the choicest treats.
Laurel’s name died on his lips as he watched David fall from his horse. He heard Laurel’s commands as he drew nearer. She ordered the horse to step over and over as her billowing copper mane gave her the appearance of a warrior goddess. No other moment in their courtship had ever given him the surety that he’d chosen the right woman to lead his clan alongside him. He would forsake his lairdship, his clan, and his life if there was a better way to protect Laurel as he battled to reach her. But rather than panic and attempt to flee, she defended herself without a weapon. He chided himself. Teine was the most powerful weapon she could wield. As he called out Laurel’s name, he had a moment of clarity. Deeming her the warrior goddess he saw wasn’t a mere similarity. It was in truth. His hellion had been born of the Highlands and drew her strength from the earth that surrounded her, just like the thistle. This was where she was meant to be. This was her home. Not the rigidity and insincerity of court. It was the wildness that set her free.
“Laurel!” Brodie bellowed again as her head whipped toward him. She turned Teine toward her husband and brother, spurring the horse again. His men and the Rosses had remained together despite how the Lamonts fought to break through their ranks. He looked at Monty. “Lead.”
Laurel fell into place at Brodie’s right, away from the oncoming Lamonts. The Ross and Campbell warriors surrounded Brodie and her. She kept low over Teine’s withers as arrows continued to fly toward them. She heard more men cry out, but she didn’t dare shift her attention as she rode in the pack. She’d breathed a moment’s ease when she watched Donnan fall into the lead alongside Monty. Blood soaked his sleeve, but he appeared to maintain his strength as that arm controlled his horse while the other was ready to slash and stab with his sword.
“We lose them at Ben Lui!” Monty called back. Brodie shared the same thought, even though hours earlier they’d decided to avoid the mountain. But it would offer them safety that the flat land would not. It would be dangerous traveling along the ridges and over the peaks, but he and the others would fan out and evade the Lamonts. His men knew the mountain, climbing it in spring and summer for training and hunting. Brodie prayed there was no early autumn snow and that none would come. He would order no one into the hills during winter because of the precariousness.
Laurel watched her brother and friend as they guided them toward the mountain. She’d never had reason to witness them lead as they did now. She’d never