Page 50 of Highlander’s Evil Side

Chapter Twenty-One

Fraser

Fraser rode hard towards the castle. The sun was setting. The darkest was swallowing the highlands, and still, he hadn’t found Beitris. He wanted to remain, search for her, but he knew in this darkness, he wouldn’t be able to find her. They needed more men, more torches to guide their way. His frown deepened at the gate to Castle Dunnegan. It was open rather than closed.

“Laird MacClery!” his men on the wall called as he entered the courtyard. “Lady MacClery has returned.”

His gaze fell on Beitris, standing in the middle of the courtyard, her eyes wide as if she was staring at a specter.

“Where have ye been?” Fraser shouted while jumping down from his horse and stalking towards her, ignoring the guard at her side.

He grabbed her shoulders gently and looked her over. There wasn’t a single bruise nor scratch on her face. His hands slid from her shoulders, and he grabbed her wrists, looking at her hands, yet they were unmarred and silky smooth. There was only some dirt staining her palms. His gaze lowered to her skirts, finding the hem muddy. She was fine. Nothing terrible had happened to her. His gaze jerked towards the guard, who flinched in response. He took a step back, his mouth opening and closing while his face flushed.

“I was with Hamish,” Beitris said simply.

Fraser’s gaze snapped to hers, the worry dissipating, quickly being replaced by anger. He had been worrying himself all day, searching the villages with Scott and asking strangers where she could be. But, according to Beitris, she was absolutely fine. She had the audacity to looked up at him with confusion marring her brow.

The guard at her side fidgeted before bowing quickly. “I-I ensured her safety, my laird,” he stuttered. “I assure ye, she was cared for greatly in my company.”

“To the barracks with ye,” Fraser said angrily without looking at the guard. He heard the guard move, but his scowl remained on Beitris, growing darker as she frowned up at him and crossed her arms.

“Gather Hamish’s apprentice,” Beitris said gently to the guard, ignoring Fraser. “Inform him of Hamish’s whereabouts and ensure he arrives safely to the cottage.”

“Aye, my lady,” the guard said with a curt bow.

“Did ye not receive my missive?” Beitris asked while turning to Fraser, her gaze narrowing in irritation.

“Missive?” Fraser snapped. “What missive?”

Beitris’s frown softened, and she turned from side to side as if she was searching for something or someone. “I told a pair of guards that I went with Hamish.”

Fraser ground his teeth. “Aye, that’s what I heard, but to where, nae one knew. Was that the missive ye wished to leave me with?”

Beitris stilled, fire growing with her gaze, yet she did not say a word as he continued. He didn’t think there was anything she could say to stop the flames lurking within him.

“What were ye thinking?” he breathed, unable to wrap his mind around her foolery. “How could ye—” he stopped himself, biting down on his tongue to keep himself from speaking of his double in front of everyone in the courtyard. Fraser did not know what eyes and ears belonged to him and which belonged to the other. “Ye know there are brigands in these lands,” Fraser said between clenched teeth, his hands fisting.

“I know, which is why I told yer men and took yer guard,” Beitris rushed out, her voice slightly shrill. “I thought of the risks.”

“Did ye?” Fraser shouted. “And so ye decided to take them anyway?”

Fraser couldn’t believe her foolishness. There was a man running rampant, disguised as the laird, and she thought it would be a swell idea to go on an adventure with Hamish? An old man who couldn’t even defend himself?

“I will not be treated like a child,” said Beitris while grabbing her skirts and striding briskly past him.

Fraser chuckled bitterly, not caring who in the courtyard was watching and what they thought. He followed his fiery bride into the keep, scowling at her back while she entered the kitchens.

“Where are ye going?” Fraser asked sternly.

The top of Beitris’s head tipped back, her gaze looking heavenward while she pinched the bridge of her nose. “If ye must know, my laird,” she spat, “I am gathering food. I have hardly eaten anything all day.” She slowly turned around, her eyes narrowing while the grip on her skirts turned white-knuckled. “Or must I ask yer permission for everything?”

“Only when yer being careless.”

Beitris scoffed, her mouth hanging open as she stared at him. “Ye don’t even know why I went.”

“I don’t need to know. Whatever the reason, no matter how dire it was, ye should have remained in the castle walls.” Fraser crossed his arms, grinding his teeth while he watched her turn away from him and gather leftover bread and cheese from nearly empty platters on the large table. Whispers fluttered to his ears, and his gaze darkened as he turned to the servants casting him curious looks. The maids to the left flinched under his angry scowl and quickly halted their whispers and resumed their work. He turned to his right and found two maids already flittering away, still whispering to themselves. They were completely alone in the kitchens. Perfect, Fraser thought.

“Ye don’t understand,” said Beitris, turning away from the platters and stalking past him towards the door. He followed her out to the corridor. “Hamish was needed at once. He required aid.”