Page 24 of Highlander’s Evil Side

Beitris sniffed and wiped at her eyes. She straightened her back. The low voices behind her called her attention, and she turned around, narrowing her eyes at the three guards still watching them from behind.

“Is everything alright?” Fraser asked, following her gaze.

Beitris pursed her lips. “Aye, I suppose it is.”

Fraser chuckled. “Ye do not look fine, my lady.”

Beitris frowned, but she kept her mouth closed, not wanting to ruin the short moment they had together that didn’t involve her smacking him nor yelling at him.

Fraser shook his head, his smile widening. “Spit it out, Beitris. I’m sure I’ll hear of it eventually.”

Beitris pursed her lips. She knew he was right. Eventually, she wouldn’t be able to hold her tongue any longer, and she was thankful he cared enough to notice her discomfort. With a sigh, she finally said, “Did ye really need to bring so many guards? I feel as if we are journeying to the next clan.”

Fraser bent forward, his shoulders shaking. Beitris’s frown deepened as a thought ran through her that perhaps something was wrong with him. He turned towards her, tears running down his face as laughter broke through his lips. Her eyes widened, watching him smack his leg while he tossed back his head.

“What is it, my laird?” Beitris asked, not understanding. What was so amusing?

“Is the laird alright?” asked one of the guards, the blonde one, as he pushed his horse to the front.

Beitris shook her head. “I only asked him a simple question.”

The blond soldier raised an eyebrow, and Beitris sighed, knowing she would need to explain.

“I asked him why he brought so many soldiers to tend to us.”

The blonde’s lips twitched upwards, and she watched with disdain as his hand rose, covering his mouth while laughter emerged. “Kenneth!” the blond shouted, waving his hand forward.

The two guards sidled next to him, stopping in front of both Beitris and Fraser. Fraser was still wiping the tears from his eyes. The tall and thin soldier, Kenneth, frowned while asking, “What happened? Why have we stopped?”

The blond shook his head, unable to contain himself any longer as his laughter took over him.

“Scott, stop,” Fraser gasped, clutching his stomach. “Ye will only make it worse.”

Beitris scowled, dropping her reins to cross her arms. “I don’t see what’s so amusing. I only asked why the laird needed to bring so many soldiers for a simple outing.”

Kenneth and the big, brawny man at his side sputtered, their eyes widening while they busted into a fit of laughter. Beitris’s scowl darkened, and she snatched her reins, tempted to turn around and return to the castle. Fraser’s hand on hers made her stop, and she met his wide smile, her heart fluttering once more at the feel of his warm palm gently touching her.

“I did not want ye accusing me of anything improper,” Fraser said while gesturing towards his guards. “Scott, Kenneth, and Gavin are the best men I have. I thought ye will feel safer with them at yer side.”

The blond, Scott, scoffed. “Says ye. I wanted to see her smack ye again.”

Beitris’s scowl melted as she watched Kenneth smack Scott’s back. “Come now. I came to protect the laird.” He gestured towards Beitris and added with a wink, “She may look small, but I suspect she can easily push him off his horse.”

The big man, Gavin, she suspected, nodded his head in agreement. “Small, but feisty.” His smile made the tension ease within her, and Beitris covered her mouth as a giggle emerged.

“I thank ye for considering me,” she said while shaking her head, “but I’d prefer to get to know ye without an audience watching us.”

Kenneth pouted. “We wouldn’t be that much in the way.”

Scott smacked Kenneth’s shoulders. “Come, now. We should listen to the lady. She feels uncomfortable with us watching her.”

Kenneth’s bottom lip stuck out farther, making Beitris chuckle. Her gaze wandered towards Fraser, meeting his wide smile. His head lulled up and down, a hint of shyness in the way he moved, the way he shifted his gaze from her.

“There could be brigands within the wood,” said Fraser. “However, I believe we can have a wee time to ourselves. Scott, Kenneth, Gavin, why don’t ye three wait at the path in the wood.”

“Aye, my laird,” the three said in unison.

Beitris nearly burst into a fit of laughter as she turned to the guards, noting the hint of sorrow in their tones and the disappointed look in their gazes.

Fraser chuckled. “Where we’re going is not far from the path on foot. I’m sure ye three will be able to run to my aid if she decides to push me into the mud.”

Beitris's hands loosened on the reins as she followed Fraser towards the wood, hearing the slow clip-clop of Scott, Gavin, and Kenneth following behind on their horses. Excitement bloomed within her as they entered the edge of the forest—excitement mixed with something else. She didn’t understand this feeling, didn’t understand how she could go from hating Fraser one day to enjoying his company the other.

Beitris winced. Fraser had asked the men to join them not only for her protection but for his own. She wished she could take back her accusations, knowing now she had been too hasty. He was always thinking of her, yet she couldn’t rid herself of her worry. She couldn’t let it go, but she wanted to.

What’s done is done, she told herself.

They continued deeper into the wood, following the dirt path streaked with light seeping into the treetops. Birds sang their songs from above while a breeze rustled the leaves around them. At the sound of trickling water, Fraser held up a hand, and his men stopped instantly.

Beitris watched Fraser jump down from his mount, tying the reins to a tree before offering her his hand. She took it tentatively, his grip gentle on her wrist as he tugged her towards him. He kept his attentions fastened to her face rather than the skirts twisting around her ankles as she slid down from her horse. His hand didn’t release hers, and she followed him deeper into the trees away from the path, allowing him to guide her through the thick bushes and the sticks littering the earthen floor.

And Beitris realized with both worry and joy: she didn’t want him to let go of her hand.