Page 184 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

Blinking back her memories, she tried to compare him to then; she remembered a handsome youth, but not as heavy set as he was now. Maybe there were a few lines around the eyes, and a deeper tan, but all in all, he looked the same.

Only better.

For half a moment, Ainslee's eyes met Malcolm's. She wished they hadn't, because she instantly saw him, and got sucked into his gaze.

Watching her, Malcolm answered James.

"Aye," said Malcolm, supping his dram, and never quite taking his eyes off her. "Together, we saw off auld Captain McGivern. The auld rascal... an' nae looked back...!"

Marisse's blue eyes widened, and Ainslee looked on, despite herself. She glanced briefly to James, who confirmed this with a nod.

"Aye, the auld demon who dragged ye aboard, all those years ago - we abandoned him, to his fate - for some privateers to rescue...!" James wore a satisfied look, as he set about refilling all their drams.

"Dragged ye aboard?" said Marisse, her head tilting to James. "That makes it sound as if he kidnapped ye?"

Ainslee found herself listening closely. James shook his head.

"Nae me, Malcolm. He was sold to us wi' the ship!"

This seemed to amuse James greatly, and he began laughing, which turned into a cough. Pretty soon, he was doubled over, barking for breath.

"What ails him?" said Marisse, her eyes appealing to Malcolm. Malcolm just shrugged, banging his friend on the back, until finally, the coughing abated.

"Ah, I'm braw," said James, after finally getting himself straight. Ainslee's eyes shifted between the floor and the door. She did not want to look at Malcolm. But all the same, the nagging thought had entered her head.

For the first time she wondered about what had really happened to Malcolm, all those years ago.

She did not need to ask questions. Marisse got in there first. As another rumble of thunder let rip, Malcolm confirmed what had been said.

"Aye," he said, wearily, taking a dram. "Aye, I was dragged an' bound, an' thrown into the boat. An' dragged off to sea by these mad bastards!"

He was smiling, but Ainslee saw a seriousness in his eyes. She had not meant to look, but her eyes had caught his, and now, she was stuck.

"Och, nae fash, lad, ye've nae done badly oot o' it!" quipped James, and the pair of them descended into laughter.

Ainslee, who had been worried, felt her temper rise.

"Whit, ye were dragged off... for ten whole years?"

A silence descended over the group. The rest of the room roared and laughed, but Ainslee glared sharply at Malcolm.

He fell silent. She repeated again. "Ye mean, ye couldnae get back, for all this time?"

She started to get up. Incensed, Ainslee felt her heckles raise.

He had made it sound as if he had been abducted, and yet, there he was; hale and hearty, and with a big sack of coin for his trouble.

"Ainslee," murmured Marisse, pulling her down. But Ainslee would not listen. Throwing off her arm, she shook her head.

"Nae," said Ainslee. "It's nae true, is it, Malcom? None o' it. Ye were nae abducted, nae pulled aboard a ship! Ye left, o' yer own will, to go off adventuring... !"

"Ainslee!" this time it was Malcolm. He met her eyes, standing up in front of her. She damn near pushed him over, and his drink.

Her cheeks heating, Ainslee grabbed Marisse. "Come on, hen, we're leaving...!"

Marisse opened her mouth, but stopped the sound. Glancing ruefully at James, she nodded.

Wrapping her arms around Ainslee, she helped her up from the room.