Chapter Fifteen
Brightened by the fine spring day, Liam whistled a bawdy tune he’d learned with the lads in his youth as he strolled through the courtyard. He nodded and waved to clan members as he made his way to the stables to meet Calum and John. Though, he lingered abed a mite longer than he’d planned. No doubt, his cousin would have something to say.
However, after his encounter with Nora the day before, naught could dampen his mood. The memory of her soft lips and sweet moans stretched his grin wider.
The sun peeked over the treetops in the forest to the west as the bright ball began a slow ascent in the cloudless, blue sky. If they were fortunate, the mild weather would afford them prime hunting. Several of the clan’s men arranged to spend the morning gathering an assortment of game for the upcoming harvest feast on the morrow.
Grinning like a fool, he nodded at the head groom as he entered the stables. “Good day to you, Colin.”
“Your horse is saddled and ready, my lord.” The groom smiled. “The others rode out earlier.”
“Thank you.” Liam cuffed his cousin’s shoulder as he sauntered past to his gelding’s stall. “And a good day to you, Calum.”
His kin aimed a scowl at him. “You’re late.”
“Aye, but what does it matter? Let us enjoy the fine day.”
Calum snorted. “Saints, Nora’s truly gotten to you, has she not?”
On his cousin’s other side, John poked his head around to glance at Liam. “Our Nora, truly?”
There was no our Nora. She was his Nora, Liam thought with an unreasonable spike of jealousy, but he failed to comment on the matter.
“Aye, it would seem he’s fallen for the lass.” Calum chuckled as he adjusted his saddle’s stirrups.
Liam reached inside the stall to brush a hand down his roan’s nose. He cast a sideways grin at his cousin. “So what if I have?” He peered past Calum to the blond Fraser soldier. “Frankly, I’m astounding your wife has not shared the information with you.”
John grunted. “I assure you I love my wife and sons more than anything. But when the woman starts up her babbling and carrying on about some female drivel, my hearing tends to grow faulty. Trust me, after a few years, the pair of you shall learn.”
Liam tossed his head back and laughed. “Somehow, I doubt I shall have that trouble with Nora. The lass is not prone to idle chatter. In fact, ’tis likely I prattle on far more than the lass ever will.”
Calum barked out a laugh. “That’s the God’s honest truth.”
Stepping around Liam, the head groom unlatched the stall holding Liam’s gelding and swung open the railing for him to enter. “I think a good stretch of the legs will suit him well, my lord.”
“Aye, you’re right, Colin. I’ve been remiss with my lad lately.” Liam moved inside and brushed a gentle hand over the animal’s muzzle.
John led his gray mare from the stall. “Here’s to a successful day of hunting.”
Grasping the reins of the bridle, Liam moved to lead his gelding from the enclosure but the beast snorted out a loud whinny. Shaking his head, the beast backed away until his hindquarters bumped the rear timbers of the stall. His hooves stamped at the ground in agitation.
“Ho, lad. Easy there,” he coaxed in a calm tone.
Frowning at his mild-mannered steed’s unusual behavior, he moved closer and stroked the roan’s head, scratching behind his ears, in a bid to soothe the beast. When the horse settled, he led his mount from the stall.
Tightening the girth around his stallion’s flank, Calum peered over the top of the saddle. “Is something amiss?”
“He’s a bit skittish for some reason.” Liam ran his hand over the horse’s withers and the animal sidestepped. Usually as docile as an old nag, the sturdy gelding never put up much fuss. He checked the bridle to ensure the bit did not pain the animal.
Calum and John mounted their horses and plodded toward the entrance. His cousin halted his stallion at the doors and glanced over his shoulder. “Is he all right?”
“He’ll be fine.” Liam lulled the beast with soothing strokes along his neck. He leaned in closer. “Come on, old friend. You’ll enjoy a bit of fresh air.”
After several long moments of wheedling, the animal ceased his agitated motions. The gelding nudged Liam’s shoulder with his nose, seeking attention. Liam obliged with more scratches behind the ears, a show of affection the horse enjoyed.
Circling his gelding, he inspected the beast from nose to tail, affirming the horse had not suffered an injury in some fashion. Certain the beast had calmed, he adjusted the stirrups and stuck his booted foot in the rung. He gripped the pommel to hoist himself upward. As soon as he swung his leg over the saddle to seat himself, the gelding released a shrill, hair-raising neigh.
At once, the animal began an agitated dance around the stables. His movements grew wild and unmanageable as Liam struggled to bring the roan under control.
“Ho, lad! Settle down.”
What the devil was the matter with the beast?
Calum twisted around in the saddle. “Dismount, Liam.”
The more he pressed the horse’s flanks and tugged at the reins to restrain the animal, the more untamed the horse grew. The head groom darted ahead to try to grab ahold of the bridle, but the gelding jerked to and fro over the stable floor, threatening to trample the man. Colin ducked for cover on the opposite end of the stables and shouted to the other grooms for aid.
Pawing and stomping at the hard-packed earth, the animal tossed his mane back and forth as he swayed with unsteady movements.
“Liam, get off now!” Calum yelled as he dismounted his stallion in one swift motion.
By the blasted Saints, he was trying.
Yanking his feet from the stirrup irons, he attempted to jump from the saddle, but the roan bucked his rear legs with sharp kicks that sent a jolt of alarm through Liam. His heart thundered to the same tune as the gelding’s enraged clomps. He gripped the pommel for dear life while the animal kicked his legs, endeavoring to toss his rider. Another abrupt, strong kick of the horse’s rear legs and the powerful jerking motion unseated Liam, sending him sailing over the gelding’s head.
“Liam!” His cousin’s panicked bellow resounded throughout the stables.
He landed flat on his back with a hard smack. The base of his skull cracked on the hard-packed dirt floor of the stables. The jarring impact shoved the air from his lungs in a painful whoosh of air. Black dots swam before his eyes while he labored to draw breath. Every blasted muscle and bone in his body screamed in protest.
Thin leather straps tapped at his cheeks and heavy, heated snorts warmed his face. The gelding lowered his nose to nuzzle Liam’s splitting head just as darkness blessedly claimed him.
*
Humming a tune her mother used to sing when Nora was a child, she arranged the last of the flowers she’d plucked into large bouquets to place among the trestle tables with the fare. Smiling, she ran her fingers over the delicate blooms, struck by the notion the blossoms appeared a shade brighter than usual. Then again, ’twas most likely her good mood.
Since Liam’s passionate kisses and his touching words the day before, she’d drifted along on a cloud of bliss. Her chest swelled with feelings for the man. Of all the men she might’ve given her heart to, ’twas almost laughable she’d chosen Liam MacGregor—charmer, a bit of a lecher, and as silly as ever.
Of course, he was also caring and warm. Steadfast and clever. He was unlike any other man she’d encountered. The flutters in her belly started each time the man aimed that foolish, handsome grin of his at her. ’Twas odd but, in his company, she’d never felt more comfortable with another male, aside from her brother.
Thankfully, Will had not teased her after discovering her and Liam together. At first, she’d worried her brother might disapprove but he’d embraced the knowledge with delight.
The shout of her name wrenched her from her musings. Outside the cottage, the groan of the gate whined a scant moment before the door swung open and her brother filled the doorway, panting to catch his breath. His tawny hair clung to the beads of sweat on his brow, while a red tint filled out his cheeks, as if he’d run a great distance.
“Nora.”
The tone of the single word, paired with the concern plastered over his features, sent her mild curiosity plummeting into dismay. The flowers in her hands dropped on the table and she pushed upright, shoving her chair backward. “What it is?”
“You have to…” He bent at the waist with his palms on his knees, panting to draw in air. “Liam’s hurt.”
Panic gripped Nora by the throat, pressing with a firm squeeze. Her stomach plunged to her toes. When she recovered enough to move her limbs, she darted for the entrance, wedging in between Will and the door. She spared not a moment for her brother to follow.
Without another thought, she pushed her legs as fast as they’d carry her through the village, over the small, wooden bridge, and through the courtyard. Nora sprinted up the keep’s front steps and shoved open the main doors. As soon as she stepped over the threshold, she slammed into a solid mass with a smack.
Laird MacGregor gripped her elbows to steady her. His stern, scarred features softened the moment he recognized her. “I was on my way to find you, lass.”
Winded from her run, she gasped for air. “Is he all right?”
He nodded. “Calm yourself, Nora. Fraser and my aunt are with him.”
Her gaze darted to the stair landing. “What happened?”
“Come along.” He offered her his arm which she accepted. “I’m sure the sight of you shall please him when he awakens.”
Her fingers dug into his forearm. “Awakens?”
The big man shortened his pace for her benefit and, for a moment, she considered urging him to hasten along. She’d keep up with him, even if her chest burst open by the time they reached the third level. Alas, she held her tongue and allowed Liam’s kin to guide her up the stairs.
Midway down the corridor, Calum paused to rap on a chamber door. A feminine voice bade them to enter. He unlatched and pushed the door wide, gesturing her in with a sweep of his thick arm.
Disregarding the ball of anxiety churning in her stomach, Nora held her breath and stepped inside. At once, her gaze immediately sought out Liam’s still form lying beneath a mound of furs on the bed. Heedless of anyone else in the chamber, she rushed to his bedside. She pressed the back of her hand to his warm cheek and forehead as she inspected his slumbering features.
“Oh, Liam,” she whispered.
“Do not fret, lass. He’ll be just fine,” Laird Fraser assured her.
She glanced to the opposite end of the bed to find the older man and his lady wife, standing together, hand in hand. MacGregor passed by the pair, squeezing his aunt’s shoulder, as he moved to seat himself in the high-backed chair near the bedside.
Lady Fraser offered a gentle smile. “He’s taken a hard knock the head, but I felt no swelling. He’ll have a lump for a few days, but he should improve with a good night’s rest.”
Air pushed from Nora’s lungs in a shaky gust and her body slackened with relief. Overwhelmed by a torrent of emotion, she bit her bottom lip to stop the sting of tears burning her eyes.
The elegant older woman rounded the bed and enfolded her in a comforting hug, patting her back in a maternal fashion. “Ah, you’re a sweet lass.”
Starved of motherly affection for years, Nora leaned into Lady Fraser’s embrace, clinging to the other woman. ’Twas far too simple to envision her own mother’s arms comforting her, reminding Nora that things shall look up on the morrow.
Grateful to Elena, she murmured, “Thank you.”
The older woman pulled away, grasping Nora’s shoulders in her hands, and grinned. “’Tis glad I am to see how much you care for my Liam. He’s a good lad with a big heart. Be patient with him, Nora.”
Oh, Saints. Her cheeks heated at the other woman’s suggestion. The last thing she wished at the moment was to delve into her feelings for Liam with his mother.
“I—I…” she stammered out. “We’re merely friends, my lady.”
“Of course you are, dear.” Beaming, Lady Fraser winked.
Speechless, she glanced to Laird Fraser then to Calum, gauging their reactions. Humor crinkled the corners of the men’s eyes as they attempted to stifle their amusement.
Shoving aside her awkwardness, she asked MacGregor, “How was he hurt?”
Features drawing with a frown, Calum leaned forward, resting his elbows on the chair arms. “We’d just mounted our horses to ride out with the rest of the men for the hunt, but Liam’s gelding acted agitated. As soon as Liam mounted the animal, the beast threw him from the saddle. The gelding’s usually docile as a lamb.”
The blood rushed from Nora’s cheeks, the information arresting her. ’Twas as if a massive stone plummeted in her belly, pulling her down to the timber floorboards at her feet. She struggled against the feeling and strove to remain unmoved, but Calum’s light blue gaze sharpened on her.
His frown deepening, he opened his mouth to comment but Lady Fraser spoke first.
“Would you mind watching over him for a short while, lass?” Elena sauntered to the foot of the bed beside her husband.
“Nay, my lady. Not in the least,” she blurted the words in a rush, then sucked in a deep gasp of air.
By all means, please leave. She desperately required privacy to collect her frantic thoughts before they ran away from her.
Elena grasped Laird Fraser’s hand. “Let us go below stairs and fetch a bite to eat for Liam. If I know my lad, he’ll awaken famished.”
With a faint smile, Fraser grunted and wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist, steering her toward the entrance. He glanced over his shoulder at MacGregor. “Are you coming, lad?”
Nora held her breath, silently beseeching the man to join the older couple.
“I’ll be along in a just a moment.” Calum pushed to his feet and paced across the chamber, pausing inside the doorway.
Nora’s breathing sped to pants while one prevalent thought blared in her mind. She watched MacGregor with trepidation, awaiting his next words.
He pushed the door just enough to deter prying eyes and ears. His unnerving gaze landed on her, honing in on her uneasiness. “Is there something I should know, Nora?”
Saints, her knees wobbled as dread besieged her tense frame. Everything she’d built for her and Will threatened to topple down around their ears.
Swallowing the fear lodged in her throat, she spoke in a flat tone. “Check beneath his saddle.”
Calum’s gaze narrowed with suspicion, but he spared her accusation. With a single nod, he departed the chamber, sealing the door shut after him and leaving Nora to wade through a host of chaotic thoughts in her troubled mind. One predominant fact flashed as bright as the sun outside the window.
On wooden legs, she dragged her feet to the chair at Liam’s bedside and slumped down, her limbs weak from the burden of truth.
For once, her brother was wrong. ’Twas no coincidence in the least. Tavish MacNab had located her and Will.