Page 24 of Only a Highlander Will Do

The scene was so idyllic and tranquil it might have been painted on canvas, except that the muted rustling of the waterfalls told her it was real. “Now having seen the Fairy Pools for myself, I can understand how they are seen as mystical, but I cannot believe there is no myth or legend associated with them.”

“Well, there are rumours within my family that the pools are called such because of the fairy princess who married a MacLeod in ages past.”

“The fairy princess who left behind the Fairy Flag?”

“Aye. It is also said that the Fairy Pools attract selkies. These mythological creatures, disguised as seals during the day, are said to come to the beach at the foot of Glen Brittle where they shed their skins and change into human form for the night so that they might bathe in the pools under the light of a full moon.”

“Seals? Like the ones from last night?” she asked with a start.

“Nay, those seals of Dunvegan are just as they seem. I have watched them for years, never to see any of them change into human form.”

He’d watched the seals on the jetty for years. Had he been trying to escape the conflict with his father for those same years? “I’m sorry for that.”

“Don’t be.” He laughed, once more bringing out the dimple in his right cheek. “We have enough fairy lore and now ghosts associated with our clan. It would be confusing to add selkies to the mix.” He set down his boots on a rock and headed back into the water. “This pool is much warmer than the other.”

“What? Barely above freezing instead of frigid?” She liked this side of him—the barefoot, relaxed, midge-bitten, fun-loving Tormod. He seemed so much more at ease now that he was away from his home, despite the fact that danger was still an ever-present threat.

In the water, he kicked up his foot, sending a spray in her direction. As icy cold droplets hit her skin, she shrieked. “Why you—”

“How quaint to find you frolicking in the countryside, MacLeod,” a voice boomed from behind them.

Fiona spun to her left. The very air around her seemed startled into silence as a large man dressed in a green and blue tartan that was belted at his hips emerged out of nowhere. From that belt hung a huge knife and a sword, and a pistol glinted in his hands.

A sharp whistle rent the air. “Alex MacDonald.” Tormod was beside her in the span of a heartbeat, his sword drawn. Two men stood before her and Tormod. With the Fairy Pools at their backs, they had nowhere to go.

Fiona heard Tormod say the name of the man but it didn’t fully register as her eyes moved instead to the man beside him. A strange smile curled up the corners of her father’s mouth. She’d never seen him look like that before. She might say he looked desperate.

“Fiona, you better have a damn good explanation for making the young laird-to-be spend the better part of a day looking for you. He still wishes to marry you,” her father said. “Come over here and take your place at Alex’s side where you belong.”

Tormod stepped in front of Fiona, blocking her from both men and their army. He widened his stance and instantly appeared to grow twice as large as he held his sword at the ready. “It would be difficult for her to become Alex MacDonald’s bride when she is already mine.”

Chapter Nine

“You lying bastard!” Alex bellowed, pointing his pistol at Tormod. “The Fraser woman would never willingly marry you when she could have me.” His gaze shifted to Fiona. “Tell me it isn’t true.”

Tormod’s senses were on high alert as he waited for the MacDonald to make his move. The longer Tormod delayed, the better chance Graeme and his men had of joining this conflict.

Fiona pressed closer against Tormod’s back. He could feel her trembling. Even so, she straightened. “I married Tormod MacLeod last night,” she said in a calm, clear voice.

A shot fired.

Tormod deflected the iron ball with the blade of his sword. It was a skill he’d learned in the West Indies as pistols made their way into the enemy’s artillery. He waited for the men to make their move. Instead of attacking, the grey-haired man beside Alex stepped forward with no weapon. “I must speak with my daughter.”

Her father? Tormod let the thought register as he kept his gaze trained on Alex. Instead of reloading his pistol, Alex pulled his sword.

The grey-haired man continued forward until he stopped before Tormod, sizing him up and down. “I’ve heard tales of you, MacLeod. You took my daughter as your bride without considering her future.”

“I was very concerned for her future, sir. Which is why I took her as my own. She will flourish as a MacLeod, whereas she would have died as a MacDonald.”

The old man frowned. “How can you say such a thing? The MacDonalds are a noble family. They help the other isle clans when there is need.”

Tormod frowned. “My brother Alastair is trying to do the same, with all the isle clans, including the MacDonalds.”

“How would you know anything of the situation? You and your brothers abandoned the isle years ago.”

“We had our reasons to leave,” Tormod replied with his eyes still trained on Alex. “Now we are back.”

“To the detriment of us all,” the man grumbled. “Please move aside so that I might speak to Fiona in private.”