Page 6 of A Highlander's Vow

Chapter Three

Gregory read thepanic in Lady Sinclair’s eyes. He had no intention of leaving the lass here to be shuffled off to an old man. His honor was at stake as well as his care for the lass.

The six warriors who came with him were still down in the great hall. Trying to grab her now and making an escape was not a good idea. The lass could be hurt in the battle that would erupt.

“I’m no’ going to fight ye,” he said. When he heard Megan’s sharp intake of breath, he turned and winked at her. Hoping she was a bright woman, and had already sensed his honor, she would understand this was not finished.

Gregory turned and left the room and headed downstairs. He waved at his men with him and they followed him out the door.

“What about the lass?”

“We will get her, but we have to make some plans.” He led them to the stables and, making sure the grooms heard them, he talked to the men about the best way to return to Castle Leod.

They fetched their horses and rode off. After a few miles, Gregory held up his hand, and the men stopped. “What’s going on, mon?” Francis, one of the men with them asked. “I thought we were bringing the lass back with us.”

Gregory swung off his horse, Apex, and led him to a small creek. The men followed him and once the horses were watered andhobbled, they all sat in a circle.

“’Tis not going to be as easy as I would like.”

Francis huffed and pulled a blade of grass and bit into it. “Most things are no’ easy.”

“There is an uncle there. The new Laird Sinclair. He has plans for the lass to marry the head of the Gunn clan. I ken the mon myself. He’s old, never misses a meal, and I canno’ imagine, nor allow, The Gunn to climb into bed with Megan Sinclair.”

“Robert’s widow?” John asked.

Gregory nodded.

“But ye can imagine yerself crawling into bed with the lass?” Callum, another warrior on the journey, said with a grin on his face.

Gregory smacked him in the back of his head and frowned. “We need a plan. The Sinclair is leaving at first light tomorrow to bring the lass to Clyth Castle. For as anxious as The Sinclair is to marry the lass off, I imagine they will perform the ceremony the minute they arrive.”

“So we must get her out of there as quickly as possible,” Alexander said.

“Aye. It’s either that or try to take her on the road, to Clyth Castle where there would be a chance of her being hurt. After seeing Robert’s uncle’s determination, and how quickly after his nephew’s demise this is all happening, there must be something big in it for him.”

“Do ye think he had something to do with Robert’s death?”

Gregory shrugged. “Unfortunately, we won’t have time to dwell on that. After Lady Sinclair and I are married, I might look into it, but no’ until the lass is safe from the uncle.”

After Lady Sinclair and I are married.

It amazed him how smoothly and quickly that statement came out. He’d never thought to be a married man.

*

Once Gregory leftthe castle, Uncle Anthony ordered Megan to her bedchamber. He followed her and stood in the middle of the room with his hands on his hips, scowling. “I doona believe that message for one minute. The man is an outsider opportunist. And, how did he even get that piece of parchment?”

Megan hadn’t given that thought any consideration. She had heard Robert speak of Gregory Mackenize, but since she’d never met him, this man could be an imposter who just made this up.

Now neither one of her choices seemed safe. Be hauled off to Clyth Castle and married to an old, smelly man, or rescued by a man she’d never met before, and had no reason to trust.

Even if he was the handsomest man she’d ever met.

In between bouts of anger, she’d been taken by his wavy, dark brown hair, deep blue eyes, and warrior’s body.

Anthony turned toward the door. “Pack yer belongings, lass. Ye will remain here until morning when we leave. I will have one of the maids bring yer supper.”

He and his two warriors left the room, slamming and locking the door.