Page 33 of Highlander’s Quest of Desire

Chapter Thirteen

Elspeth was glad to be back in her clothes. The previous evening had been a nice respite from being Lady Elspeth Buchan. For the first time in her life Elspeth had been an ordinary village girl. She had stayed at an inn, dined in the company of strangers, and even worn clothes she never would have dreamt of.

And she had been in the arms of a man who had made her feel wanted.

Try as she might, Elspeth couldn’t stop her mind from going back to the kiss. She had awoken from deep slumber to find the pillow barrier pushing into her back and restless kittens under the covers. Then she had realized the kittens were Bruce.

He was struggling against the covers, his arms flailing as he fought off some invisible enemy. Elspeth felt his forehead. It was cool, but he was sweating profusely. The hair on his chest was glistening with it. She had only gotten a glimpse of him earlier, her curiosity getting the best of her. She had never seen a man completely naked before.

Instinctively, she ran her fingers over his chest. His handsome face was one thing, his body another. Looking at Bruce, one could immediately have noticed his square jaw, his straight nose, his mercurial hooded eyes, and mane of dark hair. One also got the impression of strength. He was tall, and well built, but the details of his form were only visible when one got up close, like Elspeth was now.

It was as if her hand had a mind of its own. She ran a finger around his nipples, marveling how taut they were, then her curious fingers tripped along the line of hair that traveled down his navel where a thin scar sliced just above his belly button, and disappeared under the cover of his plaid.

“No!” Bruce had moaned.

Elspeth had snatched her hand away and started stammering an explanation when she had seen that Bruce was still in the clutches of his nightmare. She shook his shoulder to rouse him. “Bruce.” she called. “Bruce!”

He had come to with a start and pulled her to him, and Elspeth’s heart had leapt out of her chest. Before she had known what was happening he was kissing her. The way he had caressed her, held her close as if she were his shelter from a storm; it had made her feel wanted, needed, desired. She had flown high on the emotions he had evoked in her.

And the very next minute he had dashed her to the ground. He had pushed her away, horror and pain etched across his face and said the detestable words that had pierced her with the pain of a thousand knives.

“I was dreaming of someone else.”

Elspeth wondered if her change of clothes had prompted Bruce’s embraces. Something had triggered his nightmare, and maybe she was the reason. Goodness knew she riled him up the previous evening.

All things considered, Elspeth was glad to be back in her own clothes, and her own skin, even if it wasn’t the one Bruce desired.

Tying her hair into a sensible bun, she washed her face one last time. Bruce had already left when she had awoken, her laundered clothes at the foot of the bed. It would be foolish to keep him waiting. Toilet complete, she stood up and walked out of the room.

She found Bruce outside with Jimmy the innkeeper. They were arguing over a saddle.

“I insist!” said Jimmy.

“She can ride my horse,” Bruce said.

“Will ye just take the help we offer ye?”

Elspeth turned to see Beatrice marching toward them, exasperated. She was carrying a large bag in her arms and looked like she was headed into battle. Jimmy stepped away from Bruce, leaving him carrying the saddle. He looked suitably terrified of his wife.

“Ye seem like a noble man,” she said to Bruce. “It’s the pride in ye, and I respect a man who has pride. But we all need help some time. Allow us to be God’s vessel in providing ye aid.”

Elspeth watched the play of emotion on Bruce’s face. Then he finally conceded and bowed his head. “Thank ye,” he said. “For everything. I will repay ye in time.”

Beatrice waved her hand, conveying it wasn’t necessary. She handed the bundle to Jimmy. “Make sure ye pack this in their saddlebags.”

“Aye, dear,” Jimmy said, and got to work.

Bruce started to saddle up Willow. He had not spared a glance for her though she knew he had seen her. The night had created a wall between them, and Elspeth wasn’t sure if they could ever reach the comradery they had shared on Inchmurrin. That night was magical, but it already felt like a dream from a long time ago.

“Now,” Beatrice said to Elspeth. “Ye be careful on the road.”

Elspeth took Beatrice’s hand. “Yer the best of Scotland, Beatrice,” Elspeth said, and kissed her hands. They were rough and calloused from all the work she did every day. “May ye receive every happiness.”

“And may ye receive marital bliss,” Beatrice said. “Yer husband’s a handsome one, but he doesnae seem to appreciate what a beautiful wife he’s been blessed with. Then some men never could see God’s gift even if it was right under their nose.”

Elspeth laughed. It had a bitterness to it, but she found Beatrice good for her heartache. Then Willow was saddled, the food had been packed away, and they were ready for the remainder of their journey. Bruce was itching to leave. They could reach Falkirk by early evening if they raced the horses without stopping.

Reluctantly, Elspeth mounted Willow. Her heart ached to be with Bruce, but her mind insisted that she should cut her losses and ride for Balquhidder. Bruce had never wanted her on this journey in the first place. What had possessed her to follow him, and what a fool she was to fall in love with him. He had given her no encouragement, no sign that she should expect him to return her feelings.