Page 13 of Falling for His Cousin’s Betrothed

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Laila reached in her pocket for a handkerchief. “What now?” she muttered then blew her nose as she walked along the road. “Is this the way?” Although she had been down to the Glencoe Valley once before, it didn’t look the slightest bit familiar to her. She couldn’t even remember where the sheep had been when she and Bradley had been out this way last year. It was as if her memory wasn’t functioning properly, perhaps out of fear. She wondered if this man’s name was Robert and shook her head. If there was one way for a man to make her upset, it was to throw punches and lose all manner of self-control.

“Ma’am,” said a short man with woolen suspenders that was coming towards her. He carried a brown bag and a pipe hung loosely from the corner of his mouth. She had just crested the hill and was about to drop down into the valley when he called for her attention.

“Hello.” Her reply, though curt, was still polite. She had been raised to show proper manners, and even in the heat of her dissatisfaction, she remained calm and composed.

“What’s a dame like yourself out wandering the hillside all alone?” the man asked her.

Laila, though innocent and demure, was not naïve.

“I’m quite all right,” she said, holding her head high and walking forward. She could make out a signpost that indicated Glencoe Valley wasn’t far away. She estimated it might be another few hundred feet before she reached the post office, and after that, the town square. If she could just keep inching along at this pace, she would hopefully make it there before nightfall.

“I think you might need some company,” said the man.

Laila frowned, then looked over her shoulder. Next to the man in the red woolen overalls was the man from the farrier stable. He must’ve followed her after she had run from Robert.

“I do not need company.” Laila tossed her hair over her shoulder and maintained her composure. “In fact, I’ve just about reached my destination.” She folded her arms across her chest as she walked, eager to get into the town square, where she would be in the public eye. The man with the greasy hair grabbed her arm and halted her in her tracks.

“I think a woman like you needs a man by her side, especially out here in this countryside,” he said with a laugh. The other man snickered.

“I’m just fine, I tell you.” For the first time on her walk, Laila was worried. Would she be able to ward off their advances if they kept after her? She squinted and could make out the lights of the village below. Just a few feet more, she thought, and I’ll be near the dairy farm. Then, I’ll be able to make a run for it to the post office. The man reached for her other arm in an attempt to get her to face him completely, but Laila fought him off.

“No!” Her cry resounded across the valley.

“I say yes!” laughed the taller man.

Laila’s heart raced.

“Get off her!” As if she had prayed at precisely the right time, Robert bounded from the bushes, a pointed dagger in his hand, and leaped in front of the town clock. “Now!” His face, ruddy and firm, spoke volumes. He lurched forward and grabbed the taller man by his wool shirt pockets.

“Ugh!” The man in red overalls took a swing at Robert but lost his balance.

“You need to go!” Robert’s voice, guttural and firm, echoed throughout the valley. Laila backed up and watched as he punched first the shorter man, then the taller man, in the face. “Laila!” he called to her, and she took his hand as both men lay motionless on the cobblestone path. “I’m relieved that no dagger was needed. But next time, they won’t be so lucky.” Robert took her by the hand and tugged her forward until the two of them were back on the road that led to the post office.

“Thank you, Robert.If that’s your real name” Laila clutched his arm and looked forward. A tear came to her eye but she fought it back. “I didn’t want to leave you back there but I just…” she shook her head and pushed her hair away from her face. “I don’t like seeing people fight. I grew up seeing too much of it because of people who surrounded themselves by my father. He was such a good man but had so many who wanted to turn him into something else.”

“I’m glad I heard the commotion. You needn’t thank me. This man helped me regain some of my memory. I am Robert MacFarlane” Robert smiled and ran a hand through his tousled hair.

“You saved me, Robert and I’m glad that you know who you are.” Laila gave his hand a squeeze and looked up at the sky. “I think rain is coming.”

“Indeed.” Robert strode with confidence, Laila right by his side. “I have another horse that we will ride if you choose to come with me. She’s tied up over by the heather, right where we’d been standing before you ran off.”

“I wonder now if we even need a horse.” Laila chuckled. “We’ve made it to the valley already.”

“True. But you still need to find your way back to the castle. Or have you changed your mind about your destination?”

Laila shrugged. “I don’t really know what to do. I have many reasons for not wanting to go back. My father is no longer there to protect me.” Laila looked down and held back tears once again.

“But I am.” Robert stopped walking. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Laila felt a rush of warmth travel through her heart.

“I can understand now why such men truly do need to be punished.” Laila held Robert’s hand and bit her lower lip.

“I didn’t want them to hurt you.” Robert frowned and shook his head. “I don’t like fighting, but…” He threw his arm to the side in a dramatic motion.

The two traveled by foot until they reached the stable where the mare was located. Once there, Robert settled up with the farrier, saddled up the mare, and led her onto the path.

“She’s a beauty,” said Laila as he mounted her.

“That she is. Here. Get on behind me.” Laila proceeded to mount her and held onto Robert’s waist. “I believe we will find a tavern down here. He’ll give us a place to stay.” Robert had such confidence that Laila spent no time worrying that she was safe. “You’ll stay with me. Yes?” he asked.

Laila leaned in and nuzzled the nape of his neck, the scent of cedar intoxicating her senses.

“Yes,” she said. While she desired to be with him, she was also a bit apprehensive. After all, it had been years since she had expressed romantic feelings toward anyone. As Robert had regained his memory, the tavern was close to where they were, and the innkeeper already had one chamber to offer to them. “I’m so thankful that I have a place to lie down. I need rest.”

Laila walked gingerly inside at Robert’s coaxing and sat on the bed. Robert moved beside her. Their eyes met, and Laila lowered her glance. She felt a pattering inside, a trepidation, and a desire all rolled into one. How could she express all of it at once, other than to reach for Robert’s hand and hold it tight?

“Lie down and rest,” he said, his giant stature casting a silhouette across the room. Still holding his hand, Laila leaned back and pulled him near. “But not before I say goodnight with a kiss to the woman who saved me.” Robert knelt down by her side and ran a hand along her arm. She shuddered with desire. He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. For a moment it was only breath—that soft, sensuous sound of breathing and the warm, dew-like air in between.