This is going tae be harder than I thought.
The man waiting with her father at the entrance to Gregor Keep was certainly big and rough-looking enough to live up to the rumors she’d always heard regarding Laird Murray’s warriors. He was tall, with heavily defined muscles and wide shouldersthat made it clear he’d have no problem handling the long hand-a-half sword strapped across his back. His face and arms were marked with multiple scars, including a particularly painful-looking one that cut down one side of his face. It was old, but the sharpness of it, so clear after what had likely been years of healing, indicated that it had been deep, and likely agonizing, when it was made.
Had such a scar been on the face of one her father’s soldiers, she would have felt sorry for him. As it was, she dismissed it after a moment to focus on the rest of his face.
His nose looked slightly crooked, as if it had been broken at least once, and been roughly reset. Despite that, and the scars, he wasn’t too bad looking. His chin was firm and angular, under squared off cheekbones, and his eyes were a deep, enticing blue, the color of a loch on a summer’s day. His face was surrounded by locks of medium-length wind-blown raven black hair, giving him an earthy, tousled look. Had it not been for the coldness of his expression and the Murray colors of his kilt and tartan sash, she might even have called him handsome.
His eyes met hers for a moment, and Reyna gasped. There was something oddly familiar about his gaze, but he dismissed her and turned away before she could grasp ahold of the thought properly.
Beside her, Tessa gasped. “Oh nae…”
Reyna turned to her sister at once. “What is it? Are ye well? Is the babe…?”
“The babe’s fine, and I am as well. But Reyna... och, I was hoping ye’d have some chance fer freedom between here and Murray Keep, but if that’s yer escort, then ye’d best be twice as cautious as ye would with anyone else.”
Reyna frowned. Yes, the man looked rough and stern and not at all kind, but none of that was a reason for Tessa to look so alarmed. “What dae ye mean?”
“I ken that man. See the silver torc he uses fer his cloak pin? ‘Tis Brutus Murray, a cousin o’ the Laird. He’s reputed tae be a fierce fighter, and near as bad tempered as Laird Murray himself. They say he’s nay issue with solving any problem that vexes him with violence, whether it’s an enemy in battle, or a minor disagreement with another o’ his clansmen. Tis whispered he doesnae care whether it’s a man or a woman he’s disagreeing with either.”
Reyna patted her sister-by-marriage’s hand. “Then I’ll be careful. But I’ll nae be intimidated intae becoming some meek little mouse. If he thinks he can dae that, he’s in fer a surprise.”
At that moment, her father came stalking up, his expression tight with anger. “They’re saying they willnae release Finlay under the terms they originally promised. Despite our agreement that he’d be freed fer the ceremony and return home with us, now this man is saying Laird Murray intends tae keep him captive until after the wedding.”
Reyna whirled around to look at the warrior. “Is this true?”
“Aye.” His eyes were expressionless as he gazed back at her. “Laird Murray wants tae be sure yer faither keeps his part o’ the bargain.”
Reyna sniffed. “He’s a fine one tae demand honor, considering he’s holding me braither ransom tae make this marriage happen.”
“Aye. It would serve Laird Murray fair well if I refused tae bless the marriage until I saw me son. Then all the Highlands would ken his dishonor.” Ewan was scowling.
“Ye can dae as ye like. I’ve told ye what me laird’s terms are. Agree or nae, but if ye want tae see yer son again alive and well, it will be on Laird Murray’s terms, or nae at all.” The warrior’s deep voice was cold, and he might have been talking of the weather for all the emotion evident his face.
Her father looked ready to argue, or draw his blade, but Reyna reached out and put a soothing hand on his arm, even as she waved one of the servants to take her packs out and tie them to the warrior’s horse. “Be at ease, Faither. I ken ye’re angry, and rightly so, but either way, I’ll see Finlay freed and sent home once I’m Laird Murray’s wife. Ye ken I’ll dae that, nae matter what me new husband tries tae say, or nae say.” She glared at the man who was supposed to be her escort. “And ye’d best be understanding that tae.”
He raised an eyebrow, his eyes drifting between her and her father before he shrugged and turned away. “As ye like. Fer now, we’ve a journey tae make, so hurry up and finish yerpreparations fer traveling. I’m not minded tae stand around here fer much longer.”
Reyna bristled at his offhand manner. “Ye can always go on ahead, if ye’re so keen tae be leaving. Otherwise, ye can give me a moment tae say farewell tae me kinfolk.”
“Ye’ve had plenty o’ time fer that.” He opened the door and turned to regard her from the threshold. Reyna stared back at him, daring him to do something. For an instant, she thought she saw a smirk tug one corner of his stern mouth. Then he shrugged massive shoulders. “Suit yerself.”
Before she could respond or react, he moved. Large hands caught her gently but firmly around the waist and lifted her off the ground. She yelped and hit him with her fist, but he didn’t even seem to notice the impact. Without any fanfare, he carried her through the door and into the courtyard, then lifted her and set her on the back of his horse. Reyna yelped again and clung to the saddle, too off-balance to even think about trying to reach the ground. “Ye brute!”
This time, she definitely saw the smirk as he swung himself into the saddle behind her. “Well, ye’re almost right. Me name is Brutus Murray, at yer service.”
With that, one massive arm wrapped around her waist to hold her securely, he kicked his horse into a trot and guided it through the gates, leaving her home behind.
