“On MacGregor land?” The prospect of riding all the way to Fletcher didn’t appeal to her, not without Jamie nearby, but it would take most of the day to get off Alasdair’s holding.
“Aye. Married across a generation ago. ’Tis no’ so far, now.”
Caitrin nodded and kept her attention on their route. She’d hoped to spot some familiar landmarks. But this did not seem to be the way they’d come from Fletcher. The trees were thicker than she remembered. Though by the time they’d approached MacGregor, she’d been tired and eager to get off the horse, so perhaps her recollection failed her.
She wondered if MacGregor yet realized she and the Lathans had left his stronghold. If so, men would be on their trail soon. Perhaps that was why Jamie and her father had not joined them before now. They’d gone another way, hoping to draw off pursuers. Aye, that had to be it. She relaxed slightly. They would meet at the cousin’s and go on from there.
At that moment, she became aware of the sound of horses, still distant, but converging with her group. “Will!” She kept her voice to a hiss, but he heard her and stopped, so the rest of their group did, too. Could it be Jamie? Or MacGregors, who would return her to the keep—and their laird? Both of those possibilities had the same effect. Caitrin’s heart pounded in her chest as they waited. Would the riders pass by, unaware of their presence?
Caitrin crushed the reins in her hand, fighting the urge to flee. She hated the helpless feeling that stole the breath from her body and the strength from her limbs. But Will and the others sat silently waiting. They appeared unworried. Of course, if the need arose, they could draw their longswords and fight. She could not defend herself against mounted attackers with only the smallsgian dubhMadeleine gave her. If only she had a dirk.
Then the riders emerged from the trees off to the side of their group and she sucked in a breath. Jamie! Relief made her giddy. But Will signaled for silence and let Jamie and Kyle approach.
“Well met,” Jamie said, nodding to her escort. But his gaze lingered on Caitrin and her pulse beat faster again.
“Were ye followed?” Will’s question gave her pause.
“Nay. Fletcher and Lady Madeleine are making for Fletcher territory. They’ll leave a good trail for MacGregor’s men to find. ’Twill be up to us to see the Lady Caitrin safely on from here.”
Uilleam nodded. “We’d best be on our way. If Laird Fletcher’s ruse fails, MacGregors will scatter like hornets all through this forest.”
“Aye,” Jamie answered. “Take yer men and head roundabout into the far hills to confuse the trail even more. Caitrin will come with me…”
“But…” Uilleam attempted to interrupt.
Jamie held up a hand. “Nay. Ye ken I’m right. They’ll have realized who is gone and signs made by many riders will draw them off. I’ll cover our tracks and get us there before nightfall.”
“I dinna like leaving the lass with only ye for protection.”
“I’ll be fine, Will.” Caitrin’s words were out before she considered them. But truly, hadn’t she been thinking only moments ago she’d be much happier with Jamie? She had no doubt he could protect her. “Do as he says.”
Uilleam gave a curt nod of the sort one gave to his laird’s daughter with whom he disagreed, and kicked his horse into motion. Malcolm and the other men followed.
“Ye, too, Kyle,” Jamie added after they’d gone out of sight. “Stay on their trail. Find us if there’s trouble. Otherwise, just keep an eye on them.”
“Aye.” Kyle’s mount responded as he lifted the reins, and in moments, he, too, was lost from view in the trees.
“Ye do ken where we’re headed?”
He gave her a long, measuring look. “Aye, I do.”
“I’m glad, since I dinna.”
Jamie chuckled. “I kent that, too.”
“So, if something were to happen to ye, I’d be lost in these woods.”
That seemed to bring him up short. He stiffened then shook his head. “If ye keep going as ye were,” he said, gesturing forward, “ye’ll be there in an hour or so.”
“Another hour?” Caitrin bit her lip. “I could use a wee bit of privacy before we go on. Once we heard ye coming, the waiting to ken if it was MacGregor men come to return us to the keep near frightened me to death.”
Jamie nodded and dismounted, and then he helped her down from her mount. “Dinna go too far,” he ordered as he released her hand.
“I willna.” A memory of stumbling around in the dark, supposedly on the same errand, but in truth looking for Jamie, came back to her. The night the wildcat clawed her back. Jamie’s raised eyebrow told her he thought about the same thing.
Caitrin took care of her needs and returned to find Jamie lounging against a tree, arms crossed over his impressive chest, holding the reins of both horses. He looked so confident, so commanding, with control of two powerful beasts in the palm of one hand. Yet, the grin he gave her was pure temptation.
“The betrothal negotiation is over. And we’re alone,” he told her, invitation, rather than command, clear in his deep voice.
