Page 58 of Highlander’s Quest of Desire

“Hmm,” Elspeth said, pulling back and looking him up and down. “Ye are handsome, but I donnae see wings.”

“Impertinent woman!” Bruce growled. “Ye dare suggest yer husband is nae God’s appointed laird for his wife? Ye shall be punished for yer insolence.”

He lunged forward and pulled her in his arms, his fingers digging into her sides, tickling her mercilessly. Elspeth squealed. She squirmed in his arms, laughing until tears slid out of her eyes and down her cheeks. Bruce’s hands stopped their teasing, and he kissed her. Elspeth caressed his hardening passion.

The kiss deepened, and Elspeth could sense her senses slipping away. She ceased being a woman; she was only lips and limbs. Her spirit was untethered, sailing away to unknown heights with Bruce.

They were so engrossed in their embrace they only heard the approaching horses when they were right on top of them. They parted, eyes wide. Six horsemen towered over them. Elspeth was still bewildered from her kiss, and it took her a moment to comprehend what was happening.

“It’s nice to see ye two have gotten so close,” Leo Sinclair smiled down at them from his horse.

“Leo!” Bruce stood up, looking elated. With a flick of his arm, he threw one of the saddle blankets on the Honors.

Elspeth stood too, straightening her skirts, and her hair, embarrassed to be found in such a compromising position by Bruce’s men. Leo was smiling lasciviously at her. She felt dirty under his gaze. She looked to find friendlier gazes of Drew, Emory, and Big Nate but didn’t see them. In fact, she didn’t see anyone she recognized except Leo, and Simon Drake, the spy they had met in Edinburgh.

“How did ye find us?” Bruce asked. His thrilled response had tempered a little. He must have spotted the unknown men with Leo as well.

“We never lost ye,” Leo laughed. “Simon here’s been following ye since Bass Rock.”

Simon saluted them, a rakish smile across his pale gaunt face. “You’ve dragged me half way across Scotland. The prize better be good.”

“What is the meaning of this, Leo?” Bruce demanded. “Why are ye here?”

“I’m here to claim the Honors ye have been so kind to find for me.”

Elspeth paled.

“Donnae look so shocked,” Leo laughed. “Did ye think ye could keep secrets from me in the same castle? I’ve been reading yer journals since I was a child, Bruce. Everything the Bishop taught ye I learned from yer notes. The Honors will be the last triumph I need to cement my place with the English, and the crown for Scotland will be all but mine.”

“Stop this nonsense!” Bruce thundered. “Do ye ken what yer saying? Yer speaking of selling our heritage, our God given right to sovereignty away!”

“What sovereignty?” Leo snarled. “This nearsighted approach has been yer downfall, Bruce. The sooner ye realize that might is right, the better it will be for ye.”

Elspeth swallowed her intense disgust. “Ye betrayed Bruce, did ye nae? Ye sent the English to John O’Groats.”

“Clever as ever, Lady Buchan.” Leo dismounted, and unsheathed his sword. His men did the same. “Aye. I tipped the English so I could gain control of Dunnottar. Ye’ve grown smarter I see. And bolder,” he said, eyeing her shoulders.

Elspeth straightened her bodice, but she was too furious to care what she looked like. Because of Leo Sinclair, Dunnottar had been snatched from Bruce and he had suffered humiliation, and physical torture at Bass Rock. His wounds kept coming before her eyes, the deep gash of it, the blood and puss, the weeks it had taken to mend and heal.

“And ye’ve grown more repulsive since we met last.”

She stepped back a little, trying to get to the Honors discreetly. Bruce glanced at her, and they exchanged a meaningful look. She understood what he wanted of her. It broke her heart to do it, but the circumstances had changed drastically. They couldn’t risk the Honors falling in Leo’s hands.

“I wouldnae do that if I were ye,” Leo warned.

But Elspeth paid him no heed. She lunged forward and grabbed the saddle blanket, sweeping up the sword, scepter, and crown. They were heavier than she had anticipated, and she stumbled a little.

“Elspeth, run!” Bruce thundered.

She turned to see him lung at one of Leo’s men and wrest his sword from him. Heart in her throat, Elspeth hugged the Honors to her and ran for the road. One of the men came after her. She pushed him aside, but he was stronger. He gripped her arm and twisted it.

“Let her go, ye mongrel!” Bruce roared. He swiped at one of the men, cutting him from shoulder to hip. Lunging forward he thrust the blade in another of the men.

“Nae harm must come to Lady Buchan!” Leo yelled, stepping forward to challenge Bruce. “I want her alive.”

Her captor turned her so she could see the fight properly. The Honors were gripped to her chest, but her arm went slack. Bruce was surrounded by three men, each looking murderously at him. Leo snarled fiercely, and Simon prowled like a hungry hyena.

“Why, Leo?” Bruce asked. “Why would ye betray me? Did we nae give ye everything ye wanted?”