Page 84 of In Bed with her Highland Foe

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Gilchrist could smell Kyven’s hair. It was that familiar scent of vanilla and pine. He was wrapped up in it, his arm close around her. He buried his head deeper into her neck, hearing her sigh in contentment.

It was the second night in a row they had slept together in this large bed in his brother’s castle. Everything felt safe here, free, far from the worries that had been in Kyven’s clan. Even though they had spoken at length that night before they went to sleep about how they would soon have to return to the McDowell land, Gilchrist knew deep in his heart, he would be sorry to leave this place.

I have only just grown close with me brothers again, and back in that clan… the council may nae want me this close tae Kyven.

Across the room stood the canvas, drying. The night before, Kyven had painted him late into the night, before he’d grown impatient with her eyes on him. It was sensual enough to have her eyes raking over him in such a way, but when she had walked toward him, her fingers running over his bare skin, he’d lost control. They’d made love in the paint cabinet he had shown her, a hiding place from his childhood, and then again in this bed, and when they had woken up and walked down to breakfast together, to Gilchrist’s relief, his brothers didn’t question the fact they had emerged from the same room.

He kissed her on the neck, his lips moving softly against her skin, listening to her sleeping deeply.

Sudden loud footsteps echoed somewhere in the castle. There was a shout, a holler of some kind, then a battle cry.

Gilchrist lifted his body slowly from Kyven’s. He sat up in the bed, straining to listen. She hadn’t yet heard it and was still peacefully asleep.

The footsteps were getting nearer. Without debating his actions, Gilchrist threw the covers off his bed. He pulled on a pair of trews and moved to the window, looking out on the castle lands.

“Nay,” he whispered in horror.

In the moonlight, glinting, was an army. They must have crept up on the castle in the darkness, determined not to be seen by the scouts and guards, but now they were close enough to be visible in the moonlight, lighting torches. The great flaming orbs were passed between the group, until the effect was of of vast fire. Men carrying shields had the light glinting off the metal. Other streaks of light reflected off the butts and of guns.

The door burst open.

“Michael!” Tynan’s voice erupted in panic.

“Who are they?” Gilchrist said, turning to face his brother.

“Laird Shay’s flag can be seen in the torchlight,” Tynan said coolly, hurrying to Gilchrist’s side and looking out of the window too. “Guards have been shot down in their place, more than one man injured already.”

“What?” Kyven was now trying her best to climb out of the bed, whilst keeping the blankets around her to mask her body.

“They are coming fer ye,” Tynan said, turning to point at her.

She blanched, falling still, her skin paling.

“Ye ken it, Michael, as dae we,” he turned back to face Gilchrist. “And ye have me word,” Tynan took his shoulder, “he willnae get near yer love this time. Our men are being roused fer battle. Join us?”

“I’m coming,” Gilchrist nodded, reaching for his shirt and throwing it over his body.

“Good, then meet us down in the hall,” Tynan called, already running back to the door. “The injured are being taken there now.” Then he was gone, disappearing fast.

Gilchrist turned his head to look out of the window as wild gunshots began. They flashed and cracked, the sparks from the barrels lighting like hissing fires in the darkness. Some men still preferred the crossbow, and Gilchrist could hear the whistling sounds of bolts escaping the weapons as people hollered and jeered at one another.

He pulled on his clothes as fast as he could, latching a weapons belt around his hips that Brayden and Tynan had given him.

“I’m coming too,” Kyven called. She’d dropped the sheet from around her body and was now wearing a gown, not bothering to waste time putting a chemise on beneath.

“What? Nay!” Gilchrist turned to her with sudden volume.

“Ye going tae start ordering me around now?”

“Never.” He pulled on his boots as haphazardly and as quickly as he could. “I am nae risking yer life, Kyven. If he gets his hands on ye…” He shuddered with horror, cursing and looking away. “That bastard of a man.” There were awful images in his mind, horrible pictures of Shay forcing Kyven not only the altar, but into his bed too.

Nay man will touch her like that. Nay man will ever force her. I’d sooner kill him with me bare hands first.

“Aye, I ken that.” Kyven stood straight, her red hair wild about her head. “But I am nae cowering in a corner being useless. I shall go and help the healer.” She reached for the door, but he caught her elbow and swung her back around to face him.

“Nay,” he said again.