Page 52 of Her Accidental Highlander Husband

Cam sheathed his weapon and reached for her. The girl’s mumbled scream tore at Mari’s heart. He ignored her struggling and pulled her to her feet. He steadied her when she leaped away and stumbled.

Mari came closer and removed the cloth from her mouth. “What’s your name?” she asked as she took Cam’s dirk to remove the bindings around the girl’s wrists. The ugly marks beneath the cloth spoke of the length of time they’d been there.

“Evelyn,” the girl answered in a cracking voice.

“What clan are you from?” Cam asked. His tone, though calm, caused Evelyn to flinch.

She didn’t answer. Tears welled in her eyes, and she began to sob against Mari. The girl was filthy…and so was Mari, for that matter. But it wasn’t the dirt that bothered her most. It was the scent of the men that lingered on her from their touch.

She smelled it on the girl, as well.

“Let us wash in the creek. Let’s wash them away,” she suggested softly.

Evelyn’s eyes snapped toward Cameron.

“Go on,” he said. “I’ll stand guard to make sure you’re safe.”

At the creek, Mari tugged off her gown and shift. Stains and filth covered the girl’s only garment. She had no gown, and her shift was ripped and thin, barely covering her. She drew off the rag and settled in the cool water, dunking her head to wet her hair.

Mari did the same, wanting to cleanse away the bad memories. “My name is Mari MacKinlay. The man who saved us is my husband, Cameron.”

“Saved” might not have been the most accurate word. It was clear vengeance had been the only thing on his mind when he’d rushed the men. The result, however, had been their safety.

“He’ll not harm you,” she added. “He’s not like those other men.”

Evelyn said nothing but seemed to relax.

They spent more time in the water than was necessary for bathing. They were both chilled and shivering when they finally emerged. When Evelyn picked up the rag she’d been wearing, Mari couldn’t bear to see her in it another minute.

“Hear, take my shift. We shall burn yours. It’s filthy.”

Evelyn made no argument as she slid Mari’s shift over her thin body. Mari put on her gown, and they went to find Cameron.

He was also clean and dripping water. His shirt was bunched in his hand, and he offered it to Evelyn. “It’s not exactly clean, but it will cover you.”

She nodded and took it, quickly scooting out of reach to don the large shirt. Once she was covered, she picked up her old shift, took it to the fire, and tossed it in.

With a nod of approval, Cam gestured in the direction of the castle. “Come. Let’s go home.”

Chapter Twenty

Cam, Mari, and Evelyn had just made it inside the hall when Kenna saw them and came running.

“What’s happened? Are you injured?” she asked Cam when she saw the blood staining his kilt.

Lach was right behind her. Cam met his eyes, silently communicating that he was whole.

“It’s not our blood,” Mari explained. “It’s a rather long story, and we’re exhausted. Can we tell it in the morning?”

Cam wanted nothing more than to spirit Mari off to their room so he could check her over thoroughly and hold her close. But there was the matter of their visitor.

“This is Evelyn,” he told Kenna. “She was being held against her will. She hasn’t given us the name of her clan yet. Mayhap in the morning. For now, can ye fetch her some food and drink and find her a safe place to sleep?”

“Aye,” Kenna said, and called over a serving girl to request food be brought to her solar. “I’ll put you in my solar. It’s next to my room, so I know you’ll not be disturbed there.”

“Thank ye,” the girl croaked, still trembling.

Kenna frowned and wrapped an arm around her. “You’re safe here. We’ll take care of you.”