Page 50 of A Dangerous Highland Affair

“The last thing we want is to lead any o’ them dunderheads towards the settlement!” exclaimed Robbie, his excitable eyes flashing.

Avidly, Teasag surveyed the small gang, observing their raggle-taggle attire and wondering who they might be. They were modestly dressed, all in various multi-colored plaid, with their long hair falling either loose or in bandanas. It was hard to tell if they were men of standing or mere bawdy vagabonds. But after observing them for some time, Teasag realized they were most likely the latter.

“Oh, ye’ll nae lead anyone there, that’s for sure,” said Robbie, his confident tones ringing out across the green landscape. “We’ve got well hidden. Nae fash, laddie, nae one can find this place… come on…!”

Robbie beckoned to Neacal to follow him along the dirt track path, but, Neacal pursed his lips and let out a loud, tuneful whistle.

“Teasag?” he called, his voice faltering across the green vista.

Teasag did not need any prompting. Out of nowhere, she suddenly sprung, gazelle-like, hurtling as fast as she could through the wet grass -her soaking skirts chafing at her bare legs.

“Thank God yer alright,” said Neacal, admiringly. He came closer to her and was not the only one watching.

From behind, she was aware of a posse of men, gawping - their eyes boring deeply into her.

Shyly, she approached, trying to keep her head down and not make eye contact with the men. Although they seemed friendly enough, she wanted to be sure.

Neacal embraced her, bringing her tightly into his arms. For a moment or two, they stayed like this, together and close. At the first sensation of his touch, Teasag broke out in shivers.

“It’s alright,” he said soothingly. Neacal stroked down the surface of her hair as it lay against her shoulders. “They’re gone, noo…”

“But…what if they come back?” she asked, her voice coming in gasps, as she turned to look at him. But Neacal just smiled and shook his head.

“Nae lass, they’ll nae come back, at least. At least not as long as I an’ the lads have the use o’ our arms!”

An immediate ripple of laughter spread through the men as Teasag viewed them silently. Who were they? she wondered. Although it seemed like they were their saviors, a little voice inside her warned against trusting them too much.

“But they were the laird’s men, Neacal,” added Teasag, standing firm. She looked at him with her penetrating blue eyes, determined for the truth.

Neacal shook his head awhile, but a little shifty look that he shared with the red-haired man betrayed him.

“Neacal, I’m nae simple, they were soldiers, nae brigands,” insisted Teasag, her voice running hot with emotion. Despite her anxiety and fear, she was not going to be fobbed off. “Well, they are, aren’t they?” she demanded.

With a quick shrug of the shoulders, Neacal was forced to admit it.

“Aye,” he said, with a quick look to the leader of the group. “Aye, but I’ll promise ye, ye’ll be safe for noo… although…”

Here Neacal’s voice trailed off as he thought better of finishing the sentence. His pale blue eyes shone as he stroked her hair. And despite her misgivings, Teasag began to feel reassured.

However, she was still not completely satisfied. She didn’t know what was going on, but as she looked into Neacal’s eyes, it was impossible to believe that he was not sincere.

Sensing her uncertainty, Neacal brought his arm around to her uncovered shoulders and rubbed them gently.

“You’re cold,” he said, finding her wrap, which had fallen on the roadside, and bringing it over to her.

Teasag let him hang the heavy woolen plaid brat around her and arrange it on her shoulders until it was comfortable.

Then, he gave a silent glance to Robbie.

“We shouldnae stay here so long,” Neacal said, looking edgily to the darkening skies above. Robbie nodded in agreement and glanced at the small brood stood opposite.

“Aye,” he said, smiling faintly at Teasag. There was something intense in the red-haired man’s eyes, which made her look away.

Instead, Teasag turned her attention to the skies, where the graying cloud heralded the end of day. Casting her face anxiously into the oncoming night, she pursed her lips. Time had passed with no warning, and, suddenly, it was dark.

“But Blackness is nae far noo, surely,” said Teasag, looking anything but sure. Her eyes darted anxiously around the vista. In the encroaching darkness, it was getting hard for her to see any of her vantage points.

In fact, glancing about, she couldn’t see anything that she recognized on the horizon. In front of them was a heavily wooded area, and try as she might, she could not recall it being on the route to Blackness that she was familiar with.