Heath’s version of slow wasn’t what she expected. Lillia couldn’t wait to get off the horse. Her bottom hurt, her legs stiffened, and she doubted she could stand straight when they finally stopped. Her back throbbed and she rubbed her hips, certain she’d be forever bent over.

By early evening, she’d had enough. Heath took pity upon her and insisted they cease for the day. The men made camp and Lillia hobbled around, trying to lessen the tenseness of her body.

“Are we near Fraser land?”

Heath stood after setting a good amount of branches and twigs on the fire. “We just crossed our border. We’re safe now.”

“I need privacy. May I go and …” She turned and peered at the thick woods adjacent to the clearing, blushing at the reason why she needed to go off.

“Don’t go too far, Sweetness.”

“I shan’t be long.” Lillia crept into the woods. The terrain was hilly and she tread carefully lest she end up at the bottom of a ravine.

After finding the perfect spot to take care of her needs, she crossed a small stream. Parched from the long ride, she drank for several seconds until her thirst abated. A sound came and she thought she heard someone call out. Lillia considered going back for the men but then a shout for help came. It was a woman’s voice, and she was certain it was one filled with despair.

She hastened to the hillside and lay flat on her stomach so she might peer over the edge. The land sloped and it practically went straight down. Queasiness hit her and she swallowed hard at the drop. Her eyes roamed the hillside, but dusk shadowed a good portion of it. Nothing moved and she caught no sight of the person.

“Hello? Is someone there?” She couldn’t locate whoever called for help. “Are you there?”

“Over here,” the voice came.

Lillia turned toward the sound and she spotted a light garment. A woman held onto a loosened tree root. “Oh my. Hold on. I shall toss my tartan to you. Take hold and wrap the fabric around your hand.” When she unfolded the fabric, it was at least ten feet in length. She hoped the makeshift rope would reach the woman. The lady wasn’t too far down on the slope.

She crawled to the spot above the woman and threw her fabric over the edge. “Can you reach it? Take hold.”

“Almost, but not quite.” She woman grunted in her efforts.

A gust of wind fanned out the fabric and the edge caught a branch that stuck out of the hillside. Lilla pulled the length back up and tore a good rend, but not enough to weaken the fabric. She knotted the bottom and tossed the swath back to her and held the other end tightly.

“I have it.” The woman struggled and finally had a good grip.

“Wrap the fabric around your hand and I’ll pull you up.” She waited until the lady gave word she was ready. Lillia began pulling and it took all her strength to get the woman to the top. Her arms shook with the struggle. Winded, she lay back. The woman lay besides her panting.

When she caught her breath, she sat up. “Are you hurt? I should go and get my husband.”

“Nay, please … I thank you, but I am unharmed. Truly.” The woman pressed her hands on her legs and arms. “Nothing hurts. I’ve but a few scrapes is all. I am thankful you came along.”

“I’m Lillia Hunter … ah, Fraser now. Please let me get help. At least let us take you home.”

She smiled, but didn’t agree. Her face quite pretty with perfectly arched brows colored the same as her honey-colored hair. “You’re married to a Fraser?”

“Aye, Heath Fraser, the laird’s son.”

The woman’s eyes widened, but she quickly hid her upset. “I cannot be here … I must go. You see, I’m Fiona MacKintosh. The Frasers are sworn enemies of my clan. If they find out I’m here on their land there will be hell to pay.”

Lillia closed her mouth when she realized it hung open. “Why are you afar from your home? If you need help, my husband would gladly aid you regardless if your clan is an enemy or nay.”

The woman took a deep breath before answering, “I was foraging for penny bun mushrooms. These woods have the best and I am infringing on the land. The Frasers wouldn’t take kindly to that and I’m certain my husband will be wrath. I should go before they look for you.”

“Fear not, I won’t speak a word. Will you be well getting back?” Lilla was concerned for the lady, especially traveling by herself through the woods.

“My escort awaits not too far from here. Nothing hurts. I’m certain I shall be all right. I cannot thank you enough for your aid. If you hadn’t come, I might’ve fallen.”

“I’m pleased you are safe. Now I must go before the men search for me.” Lillia stood and helped the lady to her feet. She picked up the basket the woman dropped when she’d fallen over the hillside and handed it to her. “Be safe on your trek home.”

“Farewell, Lilla Fraser. I am indebted for your aid.”

 

*****

Heath was about to search the woods for Lillia when she bounded from the trees. She’d been gone too long, and he began to worry something happened to her. Relieved, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her long and hard.

“Really, I know not why you greeted me so, but I’m gladdened to see you too.” She laughed and sat upon the bedding he’d placed.

“What took you so long?”

She snatched a piece of bread from Brodin. “I got turned around and … a wee bit lost. But I saw the fire …”

“Let us rest. We’ll start out early and should reach the keep by mid morn.” Heath pulled a tartan over them, but would get no rest. Likewise, neither would Brodin. They were too close to MacKintosh land and until they reached the keep, they’d be vigilant.

In the morning, they set out and rode hard for a few hours. Once again sentries lined the lane leading to the gatehouse. The gate was closed and as soon as the guard spotted him it was raised. Heath didn’t like that his home was on alert. There was a time when they needn’t be as cautious.

At the keep, they entered and Heath approached his da who sat at the long table by himself. His father gave no greeting.

“Da …”

His father startled. “Ah, Heath, is that you? ‘Tis glad I am you arrived.”

“Aye da, I’ve come as you asked. Did you not see me enter?” Heath tilted his head, perplexed by his da’s inattentiveness.

“My old eyes aren’t working well these days, which is why I sent for you. Before I depart, I want to settle the matter with the MacKintoshs. I’ve a writ that I want you to take to their laird. You must be the one to attend to the truce.”

“Da, you could’ve sent any number of Fraser men, even Uncle Andrew. Why send me?” Heath kept his conversation low so Brodin and Lillia couldn’t hear. They stood by the hearth warming themselves and were content to await him.

“When ye take over as laird, I don’t want you to have to fight my battles. I caused this riff and shouldn’t have …” His da’s gaze seemed to go off as if he envisioned the event.

“It matters not, Da. Whatever you did, I’m sure it was necessary.” Heath tensed at his father’s words, but he wouldn’t speak his rebuke to becoming laird or settling the truce with the MacKintosh clan. “I will go and ensure the MacKintoshs receive your writ. Lillia will stay here, but I’ll take Brodin with me, no others. I don’t want to be deemed a threat and if I take more men with me, it might give the wrong impression.”

His da nodded. “Ye see that is why I want you to become laird. You’re sensible, Heath, and will do what’s best for the clan.”

He took the parchment from the table and set a consoling hand on his father’s shoulder. Heath took a moment to tell Lillia that he’d be gone for a few hours and bid Brodin to attend him.

“Be careful,” Lillia said.

He kissed her cheek and nodded, but said nothing more on his way out of the keep.

On the ride to the MacKintosh’s keep, Heath read the writ. He was astounded by what his father offered for the truce—his hand in marriage. His father hadn’t known he’d wedded Lillia, and he should’ve told him as soon as he arrived. They’d jested about him marrying Lillia when they were last at home, but perhaps his father didn’t deem he’d go through with it. Heath would need to substitute his name with another. Only no name came to mind. He chuckled to himself thinking of his Uncle Andrew. His uncle was a widower, but he was a contentious old bugger. No woman in her right mind would want to be wed to him.

When he arrived at his clan’s enemy’s keep, he expected hostility and that’s exactly what he received. He hadn’t envisioned standing upon the gate’s threshold with numerous swords pointed at him. Even so, he maintained a composed mien.

“Fraser to see Laird MacKintosh.” He’d say no more to the laird’s underlings. While he waited for MacKintosh to be fetched, he gave a silent command to Brodin to keep from pulling his sword. His comrade wasn’t one to stand by idly whilst be threatened. He relaxed when Brodin seemed to accept his signal. The plan was simple; he intended to have a peaceful meeting even if it killed him, which was improbable given his reception and the legendary temperament of the MacKintosh laird.

A large robust man with the reddest hair he’d ever seen tromped toward the gate. “Ye be a Fraser?”

“Laird Simon Fraser’s son, Heath. I have come at his behest.” Heath stepped back when the gate opened.

“We will speak on the keep steps for I won’t allow my own enemy within my home.”

Heath followed the man. As they reached the main steps, the man turned. “Laird Osgar MacKintosh. Tell me, young Fraser, why you have come.”

He maintained a relaxed stance and as amiable an expression as he could. “My da is dying. He wishes to put an end to the feud. He wants peace before he departs.”

Osgar firmed his lips, his eyes scrunching. “I am sorry to hear that. Your da has been a great adversary. Och I don’t understand why he sent you.”

“I’m to be laird and his hope was to wed me to one of your lassies. But I’ve already wed unbeknownst to him.”

The MacKintosh laird laughed hard, his shoulders moving with his mirth.

Heath smiled, for his jovial mien infectious. “I will leave it to you to offer a solution, one we may both agree upon.” Heath reasoned by giving the MacKintosh the upper hand would assuage him to supporting the truce.

“Nothing, no one comes to mind. I shall consider your truce and will think on it. If I feel a treaty should be set, Fraser, I will come. If not, then we shall continue to feud.”

“If your clan members—”

“My clan follows my rule and command. They will do as I say. Will yours? You’re a mite young to be laird. Have ye the backing and support of your clan?” Osgar crossed his arms, his face reflecting his disbelief with the set of his brows.

“I will have their support when the time comes.”

Osgar laughed. “We shall see.” He turned when a woman approached and stood next to him.

“I didn’t know we had guests. Shall I have cook put more food on?”

“Nay, my love. This is no guest, but a Fraser.”

Heath bowed. “My lady, Heath Fraser.”

Her eyes widened, but he had no time to wonder why she seemed surprised by his visit. He was certain he’d never met the woman.

Osgar turned her and gently shoved her to the door. “He was just leaving. See to my supper.”

Heath tilted his head in respect and walked down the steps. He left MacKintosh land as quickly as he could. He wasn’t wont to be caught by the sentry should Osgar MacKintosh change his mind and decide to cut him down.

Safe on Fraser land, Heath considered what he’d tell his da. The keep was quiet when he entered. He ambled to the chamber he used as a child and found Lillia there resting upon the bed.

He sat upon the bedding defeated.

“It’s only me, Sweetness. Go back to sleep.”

She smoothed a hand over his back. “I take it your meeting didn’t go well?”

“Not particularly.”

“I’m sorry. Do you want to talk about it?”

Heath shook his head. “Nay, but I want to discuss you staying here when I leave.”

He was taken aback by her anger. Lillia scowled fiercely. “I will not. You married me, Heath Fraser, and now … now you’re stuck with me.”

His shoulders rose from the harsh sigh he let out. Nothing went as planned this day. Not the meeting with the MacKintoshs or his plan to keep Lillia safe from James. He might as well get on with explaining the setback with the MacKintoshs. Heath had hoped to give his father favorable news, but it wasn’t to be.