Page 47 of My Highland Love

His father's mouth thinned. “We should beat them both.” He glanced in the direction of the kitchen where Winnie worked.

“Aye,” Marcus said, agreeing with his father for the first time since he'd returned home an hour ago. “Beat her, I will. If I don't get the chance, I will take it out of your hide, Father.”

Cameron took a large swig of the ale sitting before him, then set the mug on the table. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “The lads will return with her soon.”

Marcus shot his father another unforgiving look. “So you have said a dozen times the past hour.”

His father's expression hardened. “I realize you are upset, lad, but you aren't giving me enough credit. Do you believe I would sit here drinking ale if I thought she was in danger?”

Marcus hesitated.

“She will arrive safe.”

Tramping feet approached the postern door. Marcus whirled as the door opened and Daniel entered, followed by half a dozen men.

“Where is she?” Marcus demanded.

The men parted to reveal Elise, head downcast, hair damp. Marcus frowned, his first thought was Why had she not been given a tartan? But she raised her head and the fire in her eyes ignited an answering fury in him. He strode to her, grabbed her by the shoulders, and began shaking her.

“What do you think you were doing?” He shook her harder with every word.

“Marcus!” Cameron's sharp voice cut through the haze. “You'll shake her to death.”

“Or mayhap shake some sense into her.” He shoved her away from him and raked his hand through his hair.

“Laird,” Daniel said.

Marcus looked at Daniel, who tossed a small pouch to him. He caught it and the clink of coin rattled inside the leather.

“'Tis Elise's—”

Marcus jerked his gaze onto his captain.

“The money she received from the pawnbroker,” Daniel finished.

Marcus loosed the tie and emptied the coins into his palm. He counted five sovereign. A small fortune. He looked at Elise. “What were you selling?”

She remained mute. He turned to Daniel.

Daniel cleared his throat. “A wedding ring, according to the bill of sale.”

Marcus watched dumbfounded as Daniel produced a piece of paper from within his sporran. He strode to the table and laid the bill of sale on it.

Marcus looked at Elise. “A hefty sum, even for a gold band.”

She lifted her chin a fraction. “How did you find me?”

He slipped the coins back into the pouch, then tossed it on the table. “The MacGregor can track you, remember?”

Her cheeks colored and he knew she remembered that day in the meadow when she had threatened him with the MacGregor fury should he harm her and the children. 'I tracked these children. You think he cannot track you?' she had said.

He broke eye contact. “Go change into dry clothes.” Silence followed and he looked to see she hadn't so much as twitched a muscle. Marcus narrowed his eyes. “I warn you, Elise, do no' try my temper any further. Go upstairs. Now.”

She remained motionless. He lunged forward and scooped her onto his shoulder. Whoops and cheers rang throughout the room.

“Marcus MacGregor!” She thrashed.

He answered with a hard squeeze to her legs. The men responded with more raucous laughter. Applause followed as he strode across the room and bounded up the stairs. She twisted in his grasp, but Marcus ignored the futile effort until he reached her bedchamber, where he kicked the door open and, in three paces, tossed her onto the bed. She landed on the mattress and immediately made to scramble to her knees. Marcus leapt forward, one knee on the bed, and planted his hands on each side of her.