Mhàiri’s Yuletide Wish by Cathy MacRae

Author:Cathy MacRae [MacRae, Cathy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Short Dog Press
Published: 2018-10-21T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Mhàiri yearned for a rest. She wanted to demand they turn around and ride back to the keep so she could throw herself into Michaell’s arms, into the safe, blissful spot that was hers alone. But he was no longer at Siller Stane. He would have wasted little time ordering the defense of the keep before traveling to Claver Hill to protect her grandfather. William’s plan—he called it hers, but she knew she would not have been able to execute it so thoroughly on her own—demanded they strike both threats as quickly as possible. Retrieve Gregor Scott before he met his untimely end at the length of a hangman’s noose, and hold Claver Hill against Richard Henderson’s ire.

What manner of man threatened to hang a man during Yuletide?

Her fingers and toes were numb, the tears created by the cold air had dried to ice crystals on her cheeks. She buried her hands beneath her pony’s thick mane, barely able to feel the warmth of his furry hide, and struggled on, missing Michaell more with every thump of her pony’s hooves on the frozen earth.

She had loved him fiercely as a child, following in his wake as often as permitted, slowly growing immune to the derision of the other lads who did not relish having a young girl—Muckle Alan’s child or not—in their midst. Michaell had never failed to make her welcome. He’d tolerated and encouraged her, and listened to all her joys, challenges, and woes.

He loved her. Even after all this time, his foremost thoughts and actions had been for her benefit. The knowledge excited and humbled her, for though she’d thought of him often enough, she’d never dreamed they would cross paths again.

How strange to think she’d believed he’d betrayed her family. She absently rubbed the brooch in its bag beneath her kirtle. Calm settled over her, bringing a sense of well-being to her thoughts. Michaell would protect her, love and cherish her. And she would do her best to remind him of her love every day. Blissful warmth swept out from her heart to her toes, making the path she traveled away from him bearable, giving her hope she would find a way to abolish the betrothal and marry Michaell.

Darkness arrived too early, clouds promising more snow crowded out the lingering light of sunset. There was still much terrain to cross before they reached de Percy’s holding, but William called a halt, the men busying themselves with setting up camp for the night. Mhàiri struggled to dismount, pain stabbing through her legs as her feet touched the ground. She gripped the saddle pommel until she was certain she would not fall, then attempted to untie the stiff leather girth.

“Damn St. Andrew’s cold ears!” Mhàiri stuck the fingers of her right hand in her mouth to warm them, glaring at the unyielding saddle strap.

William’s bark of laughter startled her. “I dinnae know the good saint had cold ears, or that wee lasses could damn them. But I’ll bow to yer greater knowledge.

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