Page 31 of Bewitching her Highland Savior

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

After the kiss, Liam couldn’t spend any more days at the McAlpine castle with Muriel by his side. Every time he closed his eyes, the kiss replayed in his mind; it was agony being around her while knowing he couldn't have her. He decided it was best to leave as soon as possible, despite the fact that he had planned to stay in Argyll for several more days. He wouldn't have to deal with the pain of having to keep himself away from her if he just took her to Lewis. So they left the next day, accompanied by a small army of men, but all the protection Liam had arranged for Muriel proved unnecessary. They were all on the lookout for assassins, always alert, but there were no further attacks. The extra men only slowed them down but at least he was in good company.

It was better than being alone with Muriel. Ever since they had shared that kiss, he couldn’t get her out of his mind and he didn’t know what would happen if it had just been the two of them. He could tell that she wanted him too despite avoiding him at all costs. He could see the way she looked at him when she thought he wouldn’t notice; the flush of her cheeks when their gazes met. If she really wanted it as much as he did then Liam was certain that neither of them would be able to stay away from each other had they been traveling alone.

Besides, he was glad that there had been no additional attempts on her life. The first two had been enough of a shock for the both of them and he didn’t want her to go through anything like that ever again. Of course, the lack of new assassins meant that he might never discover who had sent them. Had he done a better job with the last one — if he had managed to keep him from escaping then perhaps he could have found out and put an end to it sooner rather than later.

“We’ll be in Lewis in a day,” Lucas said. They stopped in a clearing for a while – to rest and quench their thirst – both theirs and the horses’. “And nae sign of an assassin so far.”

“Aye, I ken,” Liam said. “I was thinkin’ the verra same thing.”

“Ye said the last one told ye there would be more comin’. Do ye think they ken ye brought more men with ye?”

“I couldnae tell ye,” Liam said with a small shrug. “I dinnae understand it meself. Maybe they lost our trail and they dinnae ken where to find us.”

“Verra strange, verra strange indeed,” Lucas said. “Stranger that they’re after the lass.”

“Do ye have any theories?” Liam asked. If anyone could figure it out, it was Lucas but neither of them knew enough about Muriel to know who would want her dead. Muriel herself didn’t know so how could they?

“Nothin’ that I believe to be true,” Lucas said. “One assassin could be from an enemy of her father. But two? And now nae even one in the past two weeks? Someone is after her, personally. And I can only assume that whoever it is — he is watchin’ us closely.”

“Ye dinnae suppose it’s Macleod?” Liam asked. Even though it seemed like a farfetched theory. Why would Macleod try to kill her?

“If he didnae want the weddin’, he could call it off,” Lucas said. “But I dinnae see why he wouldnae want it. The MacNeil clan is rich. Muriel is a bonnie lass. He has nae reason to protest.”

“Let’s be careful around him anyway,” Liam said. “Have ye heard anythin’ about the man?”

“Nae. We dinnae have many dealings with the Macleod clan. Besides, nae one talks much about him.”

That could mean that no one had anything negative to say about the man, which would be a relief. However, it was also probable that people were too afraid to speak about him. A possibility Liam didn't even want to consider.

He would just have to stay alert for one more day and then there would be nothing left for him to do. He doubted he would ever get to see Muriel again but, even if he did, he was certain her husband would more than capable of protecting her.

Liam hardly realized how fast the rest of the journey flew by. They were disembarking on the Isle of Lewis before he knew it; with Macleod men awaiting them. Liam and his own group followed them to the Macleod lands where a keep towered over the valleys below it. It was bigger than anything Liam had seen before, much bigger than his family’s castle, and a clear indication of Laird Macleod’s wealth. It was too much for Liam, and he couldn't help but wonder what Macleod was overcompensating for. He couldn't help but be curious about him now that the seed of mistrust had been planted in his mind.

Liam kept looking at Muriel as they rode up the path to the keep, trying to read her reactions. Her face was a blank canvas, devoid of emotion. He'd never seen her so expressionless before, not even when she was angry at him and refused to say anything for hours on end

What is she thinkin’? I ken that she’s nae happy, but what’s on her mind?

Liam didn't have time to ask before they rode through the gates, and even if he had, he doubted he would have spoken to her — or that she would have spoken to him. All their conversations in the past few days had been kept short and cordial, neither of them saying much to the other.

The inside of the keep was just as impressive as the outside, with plush carpets and tapestries, and furniture made of rich wood with gilt details. So many riches were on display that Liam wondered if there was anything left for the clan.

“Welcome!” a booming voice said and Liam turned to look at a man who was just as richly decorated as their surroundings. Even though he was shorter than Liam and many of his men, he had an undeniable presence about him.

Laird Macleod, then.

“Owen Macleod,” the man said – confirming Liam’s suspicions. “And ye… ye must be Muriel.”

As he spoke, Macleod walked up to Muriel; stopping only when he was standing close to her—a little too close for Liam’s liking. He tried to shake those thoughts out of his head. What good would it do him to be jealous? Muriel didn’t belong to him. Soon, she would be Macleod’s.

Liam watched him carefully as he kissed Muriel’s hand; a searing anger coiling in his stomach. He despised his own mind for betraying him in such a way, and he had to look away to prevent himself from reacting to the sight of Macleod touching her.

Next to him, Lucas stiffened, closing the small gap between them. “Easy, lad,” he said. “Everyone can see ye.”

He hadn’t realised his jealousy and anger were that obvious. With a sigh, Liam plastered a smile on his face; trying to make it look as genuine as possible, just in time for him to greet Macleod.

“Liam Russell, I presume,” Macleod said.