An Auctioned Bride (Highland Heartbeats #4)(46)

Derek had just taken aim on a massive stag with his bow and arrow. The moment he released his arrow, burying it deep just behind the shoulder and dropping the stag with one shot, they had heard the noise.

An unmistakable noise in the highlands, and most especially from those always wary of the encroachment of warring clans. The sound of a stone hitting another, often inadvertent, caused by a horse hoof, a misplaced step, or even an outright challenge.

Hugh had spun around and stepped in front of his brother, his own arrow nocked in his bow. He recognized two of the bloody Orkney clansmen, both with arrows aimed toward them, ready to let loose. Hugh had let out a shout, released his arrow, watching the satisfaction as it buried itself into the chest of one of them.

Derek, who had been jogging toward the fallen stag, spun around and stumbled with a curse. Hugh quickly reached for another arrow from his quiver, nocked it, drew back, and let that arrow fly before the second Orkney recovered from his surprise—his mistake.

Derek had told him that someday he would repay his brother for saving his life. They both knew and quietly admitted that while Derek was the better hunter, Hugh was the better warrior. His quick thinking, his excellent skills, and his uncanny ability to sense danger had saved them both.

The sun broke over the horizon, bathing the land in a soft, yellow glow.

He inhaled deeply, relishing the scents floating in the air, enjoying the feeling of Dalla's torso pressed close against him, the warmth emanating from Agnarr's back. If it weren't for the fact that Dalla's uncle obviously sought her death, and the fact that unknown clansmen were helping them, he might almost have enjoyed the morning.

He kept Agnarr close to the hills, remaining in the cool shadows of morning, not wanting to leave obvious signs of their passing if at all possible. Toward midmorning, they topped yet another rise. There, way down below, stretched a rocky coastline. The wind blew the scent of salt water into the air. Agnarr blew restlessly, then shook his head.

Dalla roused from her half slumber and, resting her chin on his shoulder, also looked toward the eastern horizon.

“Now what?”

He barely spared a glance in her direction as he pointed toward the south. “I see smoke from early morning fires. There's a town over there. I will find a place for you to hide and then I will ride into town and see what I can find out.”

He felt her stiffen behind him.

“You want to leave me here? Alone?”

This time, he did twist slightly in the saddle to look at her. He nodded. “I will go down alone, into this town. I will find out if I can learn anything of someone hunting a Norwegian captive. And then I will ask about my brother. I will come back for you.”

He had changed his mind about bringing her into the town with him, at least for this first foray into a coastal hamlet. He was hoping that he could mingle with the villagers starting their morning chores, or the seafarers readying their lines and nets along the coast. He wasn't even sure if this town had a dock, but sooner or later, he knew he would learn where his brother had his shipping company. If he was lucky, he was close. If not, well, he would worry about that later.

To his surprise, he felt Dalla squeeze her arms tightly around his waist.

“Hugh, please don't leave me here alone. Not again.”

Her words surprised him. Again, he turned to look at her. “You think I'll just leave you out here in the wilderness by yourself? Let the wild animals or those people after us have you with no fight?”

She shook her head. “No, it's not like that. It's… well, it's…”

He moved his hand and unlaced her fingers from around his waist. Then he grasped her forearm, nudging her over the side of the horse.

“What? What are you doing?”

He didn't like the tremor of fear he heard in her voice. What was happening to her? She'd been so brave up until this point.

“We're just dismounting, Dalla.”

She allowed him to lower her to the ground and he followed. He held onto Agnarr's reins with one hand and reached for her hand with the other.

“What is wrong?”

He couldn't help but notice the way she looked at him, not with hatred or anger, but… concern? He did acknowledge that the two of them had been through quite a time since that moment he bought her, but what was she—

Tentatively, she reached a hand toward him and placed it on the arm holding hers. “I don't want to be left alone again,” she said softly. Firmly. “In that cave, with you so injured, I felt so… so alone.” She straightened her shoulders and looked at him, her expression almost fierce. “I am your wife now.” She gestured with her chin down toward the coast and the distant sight of buildings. “Where you go, I go. I will not open my mouth. But please, don't leave me alone again.”

He frowned. What was this? “I will leave you with a weapon—”

“Hugh, you don't understand.”

No, he didn't, and he wasn't sure, if she didn't start speaking more clearly, if he ever would. What was she—

Suddenly, she took a step closer to him, placed her other hand on his shoulder, then leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. Her lips felt soft and warm against his stubble, and for the first time since he'd acquired her, he acknowledged the stirrings of desire, or least feelings that he was willing to recognize.