The Firebrand by May McGoldrick

Author:May McGoldrick
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, brave historical romance diana gabaldon brave heart highlander hannah howell scotland, Historical
ISBN: 9780451409423
Publisher: Onyx
Published: 2000-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

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Thundering past them, Wyntoun raced ahead along the stony spit of sand and sea grass. As he drew near the walls of the castle, he shouted for the iron-banded portcullis to be raised. Frowning fiercely, the Highlander turned to watch Adrianne approach, Gillie perched precariously in front of her. Wyntoun didn’t know which of the two he was more furious with.

The gate was open by the time Adrianne neared the castle, and as the two horses passed side by side beneath the low arch, Wyn could hear Gillie murmuring under his breath about protecting his mistress.

Leaping off his horse at the foot of the steps into the east entry to the keep, the knight reached up to take Gillie from her arms. The courtyard was empty but for a couple of half-asleep grooms trotting over from the stables to tend the horses.

Gillie’s head dropped back, revealing his sadly afflicted face, now pale and deathly looking in the moonlight. The lad must have left the castle on foot after seeing them ride out. In the middle of winter, on foot at night, dressed as poorly as the boy was and then crossing a half-frozen stream…he deserved a whipping to beat some sense into him.

By the devil, Wyn cursed himself, he never should have gone out riding with Adrianne. And he should have known that the lad would try to follow them. Gillie had barely taken his eyes off her from the time they left Barra.

He shot her a glare. Concern was evident in her face, but not a trace of guilt over her impulsiveness. Instead of staying out of the water and having a dry garment to wrap Gillie in, she’d simply wrapped her cloak around him as he’d crouched in the stream. And then she’d just ridden off before Wyntoun could take the lad back! Why, Gillie weighed nearly as much as Adrianne herself, and yet she’d gone off at a gallop across unfamiliar terrain in the middle of the night…without even a passing thought as to the possible consequences! ‘Twas only by some miracle that she’d been able to keep them both atop that horse.

Striding toward the keep, he ground his teeth together. He would deal with her later. She had to learn a lesson from this, but he didn’t quite trust himself to broach the subject now. Forcing his temper back, he told himself that first they needed to get Gillie situated. He would discuss Adrianne’s actions with her later. Aye, that was the better course of action.

“I’ll have a talk with Gillie after he awakens,” she said, running up the steps beside Wyntoun as he carried the boy into the building. “There is no reason why he should worry about me so much when I am here.”

“If he awakens!” he growled under his breath, glancing at the still form in his arms.

“Surely, he will awaken!” she cried out in alarm. “He must!”

“A wee bit late to show your concern.” Wyntoun shifted the boy in his arms and pounded his fist on the huge oak door.

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