Page 54 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

Rascal growled, and Bryce silenced him and bid him to stay so he wouldn’t give away their position as a dozen warriors wearing McCurdy plaid rode leisurely across the meadow.

Cam and Bryce stepped in front of Lach, protecting their laird despite being hidden in the shadows of the trees.

“Should we run them off?” Cam asked, pulling his sword.

“Nay. They outnumber us,” Lach reasoned. “And we’re not armed for battle.”

Bryce looked down at the simple hunting bow in his hand and agreed they were not up for a fight with the McCurdys.

“They look to be scouting,” Bryce said with a frown.

“Do you think they intend to take us over?” Cam’s brow creased.

“We should already have moved on them and taken them down. Now they pose a danger.” Both Bryce and Cameron had wanted to take a more aggressive approach, but Lach wouldn’t put his men in harm’s way. Not unless he could ensure a victory.

“They’ll not act yet,” Lach said. “I’ve word from Kenna’s brother that clan Fletcher raided them recently. The McCurdys are hurting for supplies. Their already dwindling coin is now in even shorter supply. My guess is they are on the search for men and just passing through.”

“I need to go to the Campbells to secure allies so we can take over their clan and gain the access we were promised.”

Lach let out a breath.

Bryce knew he didn’t want a war. As laird, Lach didn’t want to risk losing any of his clan. Their safety was his responsibility. But it was time. They couldn’t continue to hide in the bushes while these blighters rode across their lands.

Lach nodded in agreement. “Go to the Campbells and see to an alliance. I’ll write to the Fletchers, and we’ll send for the Stewarts. I think they will aid us since Cam and Mari helped the laird’s daughter last year. I want as many men as we can find on our side so it’s a quick victory with the least amount of bloodshed.”

“Should we watch this group or eliminate them?” Bryce asked.

Lach looked out over the field and nodded once. “See it done.”

Bryce and Cam exchanged a glance, showing their surprise. This was sure to cause the McCurdys to launch a counterattack and start a war.

“Let’s gather the men.”

Chapter Eighteen

Something was clearly going on. Not only did Dorie notice a number of men rush past the door to the solar, but she could feel the tension building in the castle.

Kenna and Mari must have noticed it, too, for they left the children with the nurse and headed down to the hall which was filled with the sounds of orders and clanking weapons.

“Oh, no,” Dorie said, realizing what was happening.

Battle.

“What is it?” Kenna asked Liam.

“McCurdy men were spotted on our lands. The laird has given the order to…uh…remove them, mistress.”

Despite his reluctance to clarify, Dorie understood exactly what he meant. She also knew there was rarely a battle launched that didn’t have the war chief at the lead. Which meant Bryce was here somewhere, preparing to leave. She stood on a bench to search him out and headed straight for him when she found him.

She said nothing when she stopped in front of him, but it didn’t matter. Her fear must have been written on her face.

“Don’t start with your worrying, Dorie. I already have the worry of twenty other wives on my shoulders. I don’t need any more.” He softened his order with a smile and bent to kiss her on the forehead.

How could he be smiling and teasing her when he was readying for battle and might not see the next day? Men confounded her. Even the bloody dog was excited.

Of course she knew the answer. None of these men would be able to step onto the field with a sword drawn if they thought in detail about what could happen. It was better for them to focus on this moment of readiness.

She offered a smile. Though it shook and lacked sincerity, it was the best she could summon with her heart pounding the way it was. She needed to do something so he’d not be thinking of her here worrying over him.