Page 41 of Never Kiss a Highlander

“Finn, we all make mistakes. Some results are more serious than others, but, since we canno’ change the past, we canno’ let that hang o’er our heads for the rest of our lives.”

He smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Then ye are telling me that ye no longer feel ye canno’ trust a mon?”

She smirked. “Is that what I said?”

Chapter Seventeen

David Sinclair rolled off the plump alehouse maid and attempted to catch his breath. The lass wore him out more than any other he’d bedded in a long time.

He and his brothers had been at the alehouse in Tongue for a few days, watching Lady Alison and Finn to see when they normally rode out in the morning.

What they’d needed was a plan to get Lady Mackay to defy her husband’s orders and go by herself.

The last time the brothers had all been together, with them sharing the lass in the bed now, they’d been close to coming to a decision on how they would finish up the assignment and head for home.

He grew restless to have the snatch over with and return to Sinclair Grinigoe. He glanced over at the flushed lass, her hair a mess. Now that he’d had his fill of her, he was anxious to leave her bed and meet with his brothers downstairs. But, like all the lasses, she wanted to cuddle and talk.

He let his mind wander as she blathered on about things that didn’t concern him.

In the time they’d been at the alehouse, they’d shared drinks and meals with some of the villagers. So far, none of them hadbeen at the castle when the wedding disaster had taken place, so they didn’t recognize any of the brothers. They did, however have quite a bit to say about the ruin of the bride, even though most had defended her. It seemed Lady Alison was well liked in the village.

Like most people in small towns, they were free with their information.

When the lass finally took a breath, David slapped her on her fine bare arse and climbed from the bed. “Thank ye, lass. If I ever come though this way again, I’ll be sure to look for ye.”

Suddenly modest, she sat up and covered her naked body with the bed covers while he dressed. “Ye’re leaving?”

“Aye. My brothers and I need to move on.”

“Oh.” She looked disappointed, but he’d been through this before. He didn’t understand why every lass he bedded seemed to believe he wanted to keep her forever.

As if he would marry a woman who allowed any man who came through Tongue to tup her. He shook his head and, before this could go any further, he leaned over, kissed her on the forehead and left.

Completely forgetting her as he reached the bottom of the stairs, he headed to where Miles, Archie and Enoch sat at one of the tables finishing up bowls of stew.

“Get yer belly filled,” Archie said as David drew out a chair. “We’re about to move out.”

He waved at one of the maids to bring him a mug of ale and a bowl of stew. “Then the plan has been made?” he asked Archie.

“Aye. There is a verra small village about thirty minutes north of here. At first light tomorrow ye and Enoch will go to the village and set a few fires. Try no’ to kill anyone or force one of the lasses as is yer way because I doona think Da can get The Mackay to agree to no retaliation from grabbing the lass if some of his clan people are killed or assaulted.”

David nodded as he shoved bread into his mouth. “I say we go tonight before it gets dark. The earlier we do this the better.”

“’Tis a good idea,” Archie said. “Miles and I will wait in the woods near where the Mackay woman rides every morning. With Finn gone and how stubborn Lady Alison is, ‘tis no doubt she will go on her own.”

Once we grab her, we’ll head directly to Castle Sinclair Grinigoe. I suggest once the fires are good and set ye send someone from the village to alert the laird. He no doubt will send Finn since The Mackay has just about given up any of his duties. Just make sure ‘tis verra early since Lady Alison takes an early ride.”

“Will that seem strange that the mon setting the fires is sending for the laird?”

Archie sighed. “With the chaos no one will be sure who set the fires, and there isn’t anyone at that small village who kens any of us. For all they ken, ye are men riding through the village and stopped to help.”

Alison looked out the window of her bedchamber. ‘Twas a cloudy day, but she would wear her warm cape so she wouldn’t miss her morning ride.

She was still amazed that Finn greeted her every morning to keep her from riding alone. What had seemed to be a chore for him when he first joined her, it was apparent he actually enjoyed the riding, and it gave them time to discuss things that they never seemed to get around to when they retired to their bedchamber each night. Once they settled in, they reached for each other and no conversation ever took place.

She arrived at the stable with no Finn in sight. Old Kilmead limped out and said, “I’m afraid there’s no riding today, my lady. There is a fire north of here and yer husband took a group of his men to deal with it. He said he was sorry and would make up for it tomorrow.”

She refrained from behaving like a spoiled child, as much as she wanted to stamp her foot. “Is there no one else who can accompany me?”