Page 3 of His Secret Highland Bride

At the last second, her lips formed the name of her feckless maid instead. “Cameron.”

The man winced. The Camerons were enemies of the MacPhersons. As soon as she’d spoken the name, she worried he might very well pull his sword again and bring it across her throat, but he made no move to harm her.

She held back a smile as he shook off his disgust and nodded.

“A Cameron,” he whispered. “Even still, any woman should be safe on MacPherson lands.”

“From what I’ve seen, the former laird and his lady care only for riches and allow their people to fend for themselves. The guard doesn’t have enough money to care for themselves, let alone a family, so they find their comforts wherever they can, willing or no.”

It was her turn to give him a look of distaste. Looking through the trees at the sun on the horizon, she sighed her reluctance to leave. “I imagine I must return.”

Without answer, he stood, and at his command, his horse moved forward so he could take the reins. Rather than mount or suggest they ride together—something she wouldn’t consider—he walked beside her through the forest. “Do ye mind if we make a stop here?” He nodded to a cottage at the edge of the woods. The roof was in good repair, but the building had an air of abandonment about it.

“Your home?” she asked.

“My brother’s, but he said I could stay, since he is not using it.”

She waited as he stabled his horse in the small building behind the house and then went inside. He left the door standing open and pushed out the shutters on the two small windows. She imagined he wanted to let the fresh air in.

He came out carrying a dusty bucket before returning to her side.

“Shall I see you home?”

“You may see me to the hovel where I am living at the moment, but I shall never call this place or this clan my home.”

“I remember a time when it was not so bad. When the MacPherson name was something to be proud of.”

Shane looked so distraught it was as if he was responsible for his clan’s disgrace himself. She might have said more, but the thought of being forced to bear the name MacPherson sent a shot of fear through her.

She couldn’t allow such a thing. She needed to find a way to get home without disappointing her father yet again.

Chapter Two

Lindsay’s face flamed with embarrassment as they approached her uncle’s home. The roof needed rethatching, and the door wouldn’t close properly. Even Shane’s cottage, which had sat dormant for some time, was in better repair than the shack she was currently living in. It was little wonder why her aunt had gotten ill and died while exposed to the elements and vermin.

Lindsay knew she would be spared this life if she would only present herself to the new laird at Cluny Castle. But then arrangements would be made for her to wed the MacPherson heir, and she’d rather take her chances on the vermin in the cottage than become a member of this clan.

No, she planned to wait until her family arrived so they could see for themselves what they agreed to marry her to. She would write to them and tell them what happened here today. That she was attacked by the very men who were sworn to protect their clan. Surely, her father would see the error of his plan and take her home immediately. She only needed to wait until her escort arrived.

Except she had already returned home once before rather than marry the man her father had arranged, and at great cost to her clan. She didn’t know if he would allow her refuge a second time, but she had to try. She couldn’t stay here.

“Ye live here?” Shane asked as he stood beside her, a deep frown on his handsome face.

She hadn’t been certain he was truly as attractive as she’d thought at first. Anyone would seem appealing when stepping in to save one from harm as he had. His face had not seen a blade in a while, but as they’d walked from his cottage to the village, she’d had a few chances to steal a better look at him. His body was large and honed by battle. His green eyes were kind, despite his displeasure at what he was looking at now.

“Aye, it’s my uncle’s home, but I’ll not be here for long. I will be returning to my home soon enough.” She prayed that was true.

“And how soon is that?” he asked.

Before she could answer, Doran rushed out of the house yelling at her.

“Do ye know what time it is? Ye’re late making our supper. Da is going to be angry when he gets home and finds us wasting away because ye haven’t fed us.”

He was only fourteen, but he stood eye to eye with her tall frame as he yelled. It wasn’t until Shane put a hand on his chest and pushed him back that the boy stopped screeching at her.

“Watch how ye speak to yer kin, lad.” Shane’s voice had turned low and threatening. Had she not already seen his kindness, she would have been alarmed.

“Who are ye?” Doran glowered at Shane, not seeming to realize the other man was larger than he. His narrow gaze flashed back to her. “Are ye selling favors to men now, cousin?”