Page 12 of To Claim His Highland Bride

“You refused?” The last word was drawn out as Alastair’s fists became as tight as his scowl. “I thought you loved Rowena?”

Instinct screamed for Marcus to step back, away from the danger, but he kept himself straight, drawing on the courage he’d gained over the past several months. “I cannot offer Bryce something that is not mine to give.”

The anger on Alastair’s face dropped to surprise. “You found treasure, did you?”

“And lost two-and-thirty men in the process. I cannot do anything with my share of the treasure until I make settlements to all the families those men left behind.”

Alastair’s fists relaxed. “That is admirable. Though I dare say that doesn’t help Rowena. What did Bryce demand? Would he accept payment from the MacLeods instead?”

“He did not remain long enough for me to ask him.”

“Then you saw him leave?”

“He is heading west.”

Alastair turned and strode towards the closest horse, throwing himself up in the saddle. “Grab a horse and let’s go after him.” To his men he said, “Those with horses come with us. The rest stay here and monitor the shoreline.”

Marcus mounted, then turned to his men. “Stay here. Keep watch with the MacLeods.”

Alastair and Marcus headed for the gate when a young, white-haired woman waved her hands above her head from the tower above, signalling them to stop. “A swimmer approaches along the shoreline.”

Alastair was off his horse in a heartbeat. As soon as his feet hit the ground, he ran to the sea gate. Marcus followed. The laird threw the gate open, pounded across the rocky beach, and into the water just as the swimmer approached.

Instead of watching the laird as he apprehended whoever dared to approach the castle, Marcus’s gaze lifted to a boat in the distance with three men inside. Bryce’s unmistakable red hair shone like a beacon. His cousin held a pistol aimed at the swimmer’s back as the sodden mass started to rise from the water. At the threat of danger, Marcus raced into the water. “Get down!” he yelled at Alastair as Marcus crashed into the creature chest first, taking the two of them below the water.

He caught the bedraggled mass, hauling the creature to him. Marcus nearly drew in a lungful of water when instead of hard muscle as he’d expected, softness pressed into his chest. A woman?

When he was certain he’d foiled Bryce’s shot, Marcus broke the water’s surface, taking the woman with him. His gaze returned to where Bryce’s boat had been. He and his men were rowing away. “This isn’t over, Cousin,” Bryce yelled, his teeth showing as his mouth pulled back in a snarl.

The woman in his arms pushed against his chest, forcing Marcus to release his hold. She stood in the waist-deep water and pushed the wet hair from her face.

Marcus startled. Rowena.

Her sodden dark gown pressed against her body, revealing every nuance of her soft curves. Her hair, which was usually a glory of lustrous dark brown silk, was a mass of disarray with kelp sticking out at odd angles. Her pink lips were slightly parted, and her hazel eyes filled with annoyance that quickly turned to joy.

“Marcus. You came back for me.” She threw herself into his arms.

He brought his hands up to caress her back, the muscles in his belly knotting as the scent of heather and sunshine radiated from her skin. Six months away suddenly seemed like only yesterday as a need as strong as it had ever been washed over him. He inhaled sharply at its impact. How could he have forgotten his body’s response to this woman when he held her in his arms?

He closed his eyes and allowed himself this one small indulgence before he set her from him. His response mattered not. He still had to break things off with her because he didn’t want to make Rowena wait any longer while he went off to find the families of his men. He suspected that task could take many months, if not years. It was a task he had to accomplish without Rowena at his side. The thought stung, but instead of pushing away the pain he latched on to it. The discomfort would help him recall his goals when he remembered the feel of her body wrapped in his arms.

*

Heat surrounded her, invading her senses, piercing the heavy veil of loneliness that had held her in its grasp for the past six months. Then the heat vanished as Marcus released her.

Rowena’s gaze flew to Marcus’s face. How many lonely nights had she lain awake waiting for his return, wondering what had happened to him, longing for him to be by her side? His dark eyes met hers and she saw surprise, pain, then the most gut-wrenching emotion of all, apathy.

Tightness gripped her chest, making it hard to breathe. “What’s wrong? What is it?”

Alastair rose up from the water beside them, interrupting the moment. After checking to see the danger was past, he looped his hand about her waist, guiding her back to the beach. “Are you well? We know Bryce MacDonald kidnapped you.”

“I am unharmed. Bryce held me hostage on Gairbh Eilein.”

Alastair gazed over his shoulder to the isle in the distance. “None of us thought to look for you there.”

“That’s what Bryce expected,” Rowena said as the three of them broke through the surf to stand on the shoreline, soft waves lapping at their feet.

“How did you escape?”