Page 2 of The Best of Madeline Grant

Alex appeared at the edge of the stream, his presence taking her off-guard again. She stared at him until she recalled where she was at the moment. “Turn around, please! I am only in my shift,” Maddie shouted.

“Your pardon, my lady,” Alex said as he obliged. “We have a day or two travel ahead yet.”

Madeline sighed with resignation. She looked at the tall highlander, his back to her. She wished there was another woman to call upon for help, but she had no choice except to trust him in this, too.

“Laird Grant, I need help getting the fabric out of my wounds. Will you assist me?”

“Of course, but you may prefer to turn your back to me. I will need to doff my plaid. I only have an extra tunic with me, and cannot soak all of my clothes.” She watched Alex strip off his boots and quickly turned before he tossed aside his plaid. There was a splash as he hit the water, and then she could sense him surfacing directly behind her. She trembled beneath the water.

“Lass, I will try my best no’ to hurt you,” he said softly. As he pulled on the material, she winced. “I am afraid this will hurt a bit,” he whispered.

Maddie braced herself and said, “Go ahead. Be done with it.”

Alex worked carefully to free the material from the dried blood. His hands were so gentle, Madeline could not stop herself from sneaking a peek at the tall laird from over her shoulder. He was even more handsome now that he had washed the black soot off his face. He had the broadest shoulders she had ever seen, and his torso was all muscle. She unconsciously licked her lips as her eyes caressed his bronzed skin.

When he caught her staring, she blushed and snapped her head back around. He continued to work carefully on her back, his warm breath washing across her neck. She jumped as he freed part of the cloth from her lash marks. Suddenly it occurred to her that he might think she had done something horrible to warrant such treatment from her own kin.

“My stepbrother is demanding that I marry Niles Comming,” she offered quietly.

“And this was his way of forcing you?” Alex asked. “Niles Comming is known for treating women poorly. While you should not normally refuse your laird, you were wise to say nay.” When he finished pulling the chemise free, he said, “Hand me the bit of soap, lass, and I will wash your back.”

Madeline handed him the soap and bit her lip as she waited for the pain. But his touch was so gentle, his ministrations only burned a bit. He washed her entire back, and she melted beneath his touch. A soft moan escaped her lips.

His gruff voice pulled her back to reality. “I think ‘tis done, lass. I will leave you to finish now.”

“Thank you, Laird,” Maddie said as he turned away.

She finished bathing as quickly as possible and returned to the bank. Holding the ruined gown in her hands, she sighed. Another gown ruined, but it was the best she had for now. She managed to tie the back enough to make it decent.

Maddie returned to the clearing with her wet, ripped gown. She tugged on the sides in an attempt to prevent it from clinging to her, but she caught most of the men staring at her, including Alex and his brother. Alex made a barking noise and his guardsmen all turned away. She blushed and bowed her head, realizing what they must think of her threadbare clothing. When she returned her gaze to Alex, she noticed his face had turned dark and his lips were pressed into a grim line. He abruptly stepped away from her and busied himself with his horse. What had she done to make him so angry? She noticed the laird’s brother was looking away from her, too, his attention focused on the rabbit he was roasting over the fire. What was wrong with them?

“Come have something to eat, lass.” Brodie waved her to the log next to him.

Madeline balanced herself on the far end of the log and reached for some of the meat Brodie tore off for her. She didnot wish to offend him, but she could not sit next to him. Her stomach growled at the sight of the roasted meat. She bit into it, blushing as juice trickled down her chin. The tasty morsel was better than anything she had eaten in a sennight. The heat of the fire washed over her, warming her wet gown. She shivered as she thought of her circumstances.

Alex dropped down next to her on the log. Instant sweat beaded on her forehead as his scent reached her nostrils, and a swarm of butterflies fluttered in her belly. Why did he have to sit right next to her? She didn’t want him so close, but how could she remove herself without being rude? If he reached his hand out, he could grab her or hit her. She swallowed a lump in her throat, forcing her eyes away from him.

She was familiar with the anxiety that overcame her when men were near, but this strange feeling in her stomach, this extra pounding in her veins—this was all new to her. Why was he different? Abruptly she stood. She grabbed another piece of meat to cover her awkwardness as she wandered over to a log on the other side of the fire. Her brow furrowed as Brodie glanced at his brother, a teasing grin curving his lips.

“I do not bite, lass,” Alex said as he tore into a piece of rabbit meat.

“At least not you, lass,” Brodie added with a chuckle as Alex continued to rip through his food.

“Forgive me, Laird, but the smoke bothered me,” Madeline said, lowering her eyes. She needed to change the subject quickly. “When do we move on?”

“Right now,” Alex stated as he jumped up. “Brodie, take care of the fire and get ready to move. We cannot wait around in case MacDonald has sent men after us.”

“Mayhap I should ride with Brodie this time, Laird. I do not wish to be a burden to you.” Maddie glanced from one brother to the other, sweat breaking out on her face again as she thoughtof having to be so close to one of them. At least Brodie did not appear to be angry with her. He always had a smile on his face. Truth was, Alex frightened her, especially these strange feelings he brought out in her. Perhaps his brother would be safer.

“Whatever you wish, my lady.” But there was a strange tone in his voice. Could it be disappointment?

Once they had cleared the site and retrieved all their belongings, Maddie waited patiently by Brodie’s horse. Alex finally strode over, lifted her as if she were a feather, and placed her in front of his brother.

“Be careful, Brodie,” Alex ground out before he turned.

“What did he mean by that, Brodie? I won’t break,” Maddie whispered.

Alex barked loud enough to startle her. “It means I am watching my brother, not you, my lady.”