Free Highlander's Guardian by Joanne Wadsworth Page B

guards. I’m no’ sure know how long it’ll take them to reach her, and now ’tis so dark outside.”
    “Did the guardsmen who returned with you ride back out again?”
    “They did, immediately.”
    “Then I’ll try to catch them up and find her.” Rain slashed the window and a chilly blast of air whistled down the chimney and sent the embers flaring. He tossed another log onto the fire and strode to the door.
    “Colin, wait. She does no’ love him.” Tears pooled in Elizabeth’s eyes. “Dinnae let MacDonald find a way to take her away from us. I fear that will happen with them being left alone.”
    “I’ll find her and bring her home. Let Rory know I’ve left but will return with her afore dawn. No one will take her from me. Of that I can assure you.” He stormed from her chamber, gathered his satchel and all he needed for the ride and galloped out the gates.
    Riding hard, he urged his destrier through the forest, keeping as close as he could the river’s winding path. The storm waters surged over its sides, a murky black in the dark abyss of the night. As the rain beat down on him, his thoughts plagued him. Annie thrived on the outdoors, would take any challenge and dare another to join her.
    Throughout his life, she’d issued challenges to him countless times. The first had been not long after he’d built his tree hut. She’d insisted she could take down the first small creature with her bow, so side-by-side they’d sat on the front platform of his hut high in the treetops, his long legs swinging over the edge next to her tiny feet.
    He’d spotted the half-hidden rabbit in the brush first, released his arrow and taken down his prey. Annie had squealed her delight for his win, and from that day forth, she’d issued challenge after challenge in the hope of beating him.
    Thunder rumbled across the night sky and lightning hit the tree behind him with a sizzling crackle. His mount reared on its hind legs then crashed down and bolted into the river. The waters swirled and surged around him. He shoved his knees into his destrier’s flanks and forced the animal to swim with the flow rather than risk going against the turbulent current. The white-capped rapids carried them downstream and at the river bend, he jerked on the reins, caught leverage on the stony bed and with a heave and splash, slogged to the other side. Colin roared his victory as he made solid ground.
    Now to rescue Annie.
    Riding hard, he tore down the trail toward The King’s Tavern, galloped into the courtyard and woke a groggy-eyed stable lad. “I’ve come from Holyrood House in search of Mistress MacLeod. I’m her guardian, Colin MacLean. Can you tell me where she is?”
    “Aye, ye’re the first from the traveling party to arrive. She’s upstairs, the last chamber at the end of the passageway. My sister, Milly, remains with her as her chaperone.”
    Good. Annie had been wise to ensure such a thing.
    “Is there a way inside without waking the proprietors?” He’d rather get Annie clear of here before he confronted James. MacDonald could wait, whereas Annie and her reputation couldn’t. Sneaking her out and returning her to Holyrood before the castle awoke was imperative. Aye, the less who knew what had happened this day, the better.
    “Ye can use the back door near the kitchen.” The lad lugged a key from his breeches pocket and handed it across.
    “I’ll return soon, and should my man, Arthur MacLean, or any of her MacLeod guardsmen arrive in that time, tell them to wait for me.”
    “Aye, sir.”
    “If you’ve time, give my horse some oats and rub him dry.” He paid the lad, used the key and slunk inside the inn.
    Water dripped and pooled at his feet as he snuck across the kitchen and around the center wooden bench piled high with cleaned pots. He ducked under the low doorframe and keeping to the shadows, whisked up the side stairwell to the landing. All was quiet above-stairs, each door leading off the darkened