Page 46 of Highlander’s Quest of Desire

Chapter Eighteen

They left a little after dawn, their horses well fed, coats brushed to a shine, saddlebags filled with provisions, and replenished medicinal stores from Master Faraday’s stock. Bruce felt just as stuffed as the saddlebags. Laird Labert had insisted they have second and then third helpings of breakfast before they left.

Bruce didn’t mind the leisurely pace at which the horses descended the hill. His urgency to reach Falkirk and possess the Honors had diminished considerably since he had arrived at Balquhidder. It didn’t mean that he wasn’t anxious to get the Honors and then make it out of Scotland alive, but he didn’t feel chased or hounded as he had before.

The fact that his alliance with the Laberts was still strong gave him confidence and security that he wasn’t friendless in Scotland.

“At this pace we will reach Falkirk day after tomorrow,” Elspeth said, leaning forward to pat Willow’s strong neck. She was smiling, a genuinely happy smile, and her tone was teasing. It gladdened his heart to see her so.

“Truth be told I’m not so anxious to reach Falkirk as I was before. I was just thinking that a visit to Balquhidder has done me good.”

“Ye should have taken my word for it sooner.”

“I’ll nae make that mistake again.”

Bruce was piqued by her words though and thought on them long after they had left the hills of Balquhidder, and the sun had advanced on its journey in the sky. Elspeth had been right all along about Laird Labert and his clan being a true friend to the Grants and Buchans. The alliance their fathers had forged remained true to this day.

Was Bruce such a bad judge of character that he could not recognize this on his own? Didn’t this highlight his greatest fear – he was incompetent for the throne? The Bishop of Orkney had wished it, and trained him for it, but that did not make it his birthright. And now he had serious doubts at his ability to lead if he couldn’t recognize friend from foe in his close circle.

They hadn’t exchanged much in way of conversation except when they came by Beatrice’s inn and decided they were too stuffed from breakfast to go in for lunch.

The day grew warmer as they traveled on the road, and Bruce noticed Elspeth patting her forehead and neck with a handkerchief to wipe off the sweat. They were still half a day’s ride from Falkirk, but Bruce decided they could finish the journey tomorrow.

“There’s a stream up ahead,” he said. “We should make camp for the night.”

“I think we’ll be safe as we’re still near Balquhidder. Charles told me the English troops stay away on account of Laird Labert’s friendship with General Foster.”

They turned their horses into a small path that was lined with strawberry bushes. A lot of them had been picked. Elspeth dismounted and picked a few. Cleaning a large one on her skirt she took a bite. Bruce swallowed as he saw the juice linger on her lips, and her expression of ecstasy. She sighed with pleasure and offered it up to him.

“It’s very sweet.”

Bruce took the strawberry in his mouth and bit off a little. It was sweet, but not as sweet as her. His desire to nibble on her earlobes and lick the long column of her neck grew by the minute.

“I’ll take the horses ahead. Ye can come by when yer done picking strawberries.”

It distressed him to admit it, but he still didn’t feel worthy of Elspeth Buchan. She had proved, time and time again, that she was brave, resourceful, insightful, and trustworthy. And he had paid her with nothing but unkindness and suspicion. His heart had been in his throat when he had asked her to come along. He hadn’t planned on doing it; it had never crossed his mind. But seeing her on Laird Labert’s arms walking away from him had triggered the question.

Nonetheless, he was pleased that she had said yes. Was it for the reason she said, or had he hope for affection? There were times when he had observed her looking at him, and he had hoped that the admiration he had seen in them wasn’t a trick of the light. But he couldn’t encourage it. Elspeth deserved more than a life on the run even if it would destroy him to know she was wed to another.

A group of trees provided a shaded canopy, and Bruce made camp there. He pulled a few stones from the stream and set them out to dry in the sun. By the time he came back with some firewood he found Elspeth by the stream, washing her picked prize. “I picked far too many,” she grinned. “I do get a little greedy for strawberries.”

“Their fresh, and therefore irresistible,” Bruce said. “I donae blame ye.”

“We can have them after supper,” she said, oblivious to his heightened desire. “Fresh cream and some honey would have been nice, but beggars cannae be choosers.”

“I had nae thought ye to be so affectionate of food.”

“Delicacies and rich cuisine are a luxury on the road, Laird Labert,” she said, her mouth twisting in a teasing smile. Her green eyes sparkled as they reflected the snippets of the light on stream water. “Or did ye nae ken that?”

“Nae,” Bruce said, feigning seriousness. “I expect a full feast to be ready for me for supper, woman!”

Elspeth laughed. “Aye, Laird. Anything else for yer pleasure?”

Bruce’s mouth was dry. She looked bewitching in front of the stream, on her knees, her eyes looking up at him, large and inviting. “That’ll be all,” he said, clearing his throat and moving toward the trees. He cleared a patch in the grass and placed the stones from the stream around the edge. He built a fire and stoked it. The day was warm but the night would be cold and they would need all the warmth they could find.

Elspeth brought out some of the food Laird Labert had instructed to be packed for them. They had their fill of fresh bannocks, butter, and smoked beef.

“Now for the best part.” Elspeth brushed crumbs off her skirt and pulled at the handkerchief filled with strawberries. Pink stains bloomed on the white cloth, and the berries glistened in the last of the sunlight.