Page 36 of A Laird and a Gentleman

“If that’s what it takes.”

Keith sighed and shook his head. “You are a good man, Sinclair. I’m not sure I would risk as much.”

“Then let us hope it doesn’t come to that.” Cameron pushed his horse into a faster gait, forcing the others to do the same. The sooner he returned to Mariam, the better. He still had to help her figure out her past, and possibly her future.

He had tried his damnedest to ignore the power she had over him—and he’d been successful for the better part of a year. But lately, no matter how hard he tried to remove himself from his feelings, she pulled him back. There was no other woman like her in all of Scotland. Cameron smiled wistfully at the memory of how she’d been able to put out the fire that had threatened the castle. Truly she was one of a kind.

He cared for her. Probably more than a guardian should care about his ward. Her guardianship was another topic he intended to discuss with the king. He could keep Mariam safe from attackers, but how much longer could he keep her safe from himself? He and Alexander had talked not too long ago about how Quinn, Reid, and Lachlan Douglas had married and were still able to serve the king as members of his special guard. The seven of them took turns attending the king personally, and all lived within several hours of Falkland Palace. They could form a battalion with their own guardsmen within a few hours, if needed to support the king and queen.

That was their call to service, but could they also have a life apart from protecting the royals? Could they have more of a life outside of what the king demanded?

In that moment, Cameron had never wanted anything more. He had never seen Mariam as an “evil” Swinton as many of his own people did. For all of last year, he had only ever looked upon her as a woman in need of guidance and protection. But now he wanted something more—something far more intimate. He wanted a relationship with her not as a guardian and a ward, but as a husband and wife.

Cameron clenched the reins in his hands. At Bucephalus’s irritated whicker, Cameron relaxed his grip. He didn’t know when or how it had happened, but over the past few days he had let his defenses down and had let Mariam fill the emptiness he never realized was inside him.

The sudden sound of hoofbeats broke him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see four riders and eight men on foot coming toward them. Cameron pulled his horse to a stop. They carried no swords, only scythes and axes. They were still worthy weapons if this came to a battle.

Beside him, Keith drew his sword, followed by the others in the caravan.

“Surround the wagon,” Cameron ordered. From behind he could also hear the thundering of hoofbeats. He turned to see six more horsemen, equipped with similar weapons. He did not pull his sword. He would listen to them first, and try to reason with them before this ever became a battle, which the villagers could not win.

Cameron had faced worse odds in battles past, and had spilled his share of blood. Those battles had been against enemies of the crown, and of Scotland, not his own people. Diplomacy was the only answer here.

The challengers stopped both ahead of and behind the caravan. As soon as they did, another horseman appeared from the group to the south. This man’s clothing was finer than the rest and he had a sword strapped to his side. The man removed his hat and offered Cameron the first sight of his face: he was none other than Peter Mason.

“What is the meaning of this, Mason?” Cameron asked, waiting calmly for the man to make his next move.

“These gentlemen have some unfinished business with the man you are transporting.”

Cameron narrowed his gaze. “Why are you here? It’s not as if you support their cause.”

“I’m an opportunist. Your men cannot guard Swinton and their leader at the same time,” Mason said, a taunting smile curving his lips. “A skirmish will be the perfect cover-up for what I intend to do to you.”

“Why?” Cameron asked.

“Because I find I want more compensation for the loss of Mariam than you were willing to provide.” His features tightened. “I saw the way you looked at her last night. You sent Sibbald and me away so that you could have the woman for yourself.”

“I sent you away because the woman in question decided she didn’t want to marry yet.”

Mason laughed. “Who said anything about marriage? I have other plans for the girl if what these men say is true. I do find it rather amusing that the witch pricker’s daughter turned out to be a witch.”

Cameron wasn’t going to argue with the man about Mariam’s abilities. He kept his expression neutral. “You think killing me will get you what you want?”

A flicker of anticipation lit Mason’s face. “Aye.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to bargain with me? I am on my way to see the king. Once I tell him what you attempted here against a ward of the crown, your life will alter, and not for the better.”

A cold, hard edge crept into Mason’s voice. “You’ll never get that chance to see the king.” He drew his sword and charged forward on his horse.

The moment Mason engaged, the others advanced on the men surrounding the wagon. Cameron wasn’t concerned about his men’s ability to protect their prisoner. They were highly trained, and he knew they would do their best to safeguard Swinton without harming those who attacked—those who were his own people. Cameron, however, had no idea of Mason’s skills. He’d learned many battles ago never to underestimate an opponent.

He drew his sword and focused all his attention on the man who charged. Cameron’s horse held steady though he could feel Bucephalus’s muscles flex and bunch beneath him. They’d been through many battles together.

As Mason’s blade came down, the clangor of steel rang in the air. Cameron easily blocked the strike and pushed his own blade forward, unseating his attacker from his horse. Cameron’s easy victory proved the man had very little skill with a blade.

A grunt followed by a howl of fury punctuated the air. Mason staggered to his feet.

Cameron slid from his horse and moved to Mason’s side. “We could end this now before you get hurt.”