Highlander Unmasked Read online

  He couldn’t explain it, but he needed to see her for himself. Perhaps it was better if he didn’t try. But this time, his unreasonable concern for Meg was rewarded. He couldn’t believe it when he’d walked into the solar and heard the information he’d been most eager to hear casually bandied about in conversation. Thanks to wee Lizzie, Alex now knew when the ships were leaving. Sometime in mid-August, the Fife Adventurers would set sail for Lewis.

  And he would be waiting for them.

  Alex approached the inn from the rear. He hoped Robbie hadn’t had any problem finding the place; he wanted to pass on the missive and return to court as soon as possible. He didn’t like the idea of leaving Meg alone. He would stay long enough only for his mount to be watered and to pass Robbie the wax-sealed note for his brother. The badge of MacLeod—the boar head emblazoned with the clan motto, “Hold Fast”—would prove to his brother that the carefully worded message indeed came from him.

  The message should reach Skye well in advance of Rory’s departure. In less than two weeks, Rory and Isabel were due to arrive in Edinburgh to satisfy the yearly obligation for the Island chiefs to present themselves before the Privy Council. Allegedly, it was to ensure their continued good behavior, but in reality it was a humiliating reminder of the king’s new authority over the “un-civilized” Highlands.

  Alex looked forward to their arrival. It would be the first journey for Isabel in some time, as she had only recently delivered their third child in as many years. His two small nieces and the newly arrived, much anticipated nephew would remain at Dunvegan.

  With any luck, Alex hoped to have more detailed information to report to his brother when he arrived. There wouldn’t be much time to formulate a plan of action if they were to beat the Fife Adventurers to Lewis, but Alex knew that whatever action Rory and the other Island chiefs decided to take, he would play an integral part. And this time he would not let his kin down.

  Alex battled the inclination to leave for Lewis immediately. But he must not act precipitously. He would leave nothing to chance. There was time yet. So he would stay, waiting patiently for Rory to arrive so he could receive his orders and coordinate their plans. Until then, he would see what further information he could discover. Including what had brought Dougal MacDonald to court. Alex suspected that the arrival of a MacDonald at court was not a coincidence. If the MacDonalds intended to double-cross the Island chiefs, Alex intended to know about it.

  And in the meantime…

  There was Meg to consider. Once Jamie returned, Alex would forgo his temporary role of protector. Until then, he knew he’d have to tread carefully. He’d come dangerously close to compromising her the last time they’d been together. But it wasn’t just his lust that he was worried about. Thinking back on their chess match, Alex realized just how easy it would be to grow complacent. He’d enjoyed matching wits with her. Far too much.

  Dismounting, he glanced around the stable yard and was glad to see Robbie coming toward him from the stone-and-thatch inn. Except for a bit more dirt, the lad appeared no worse for the wear. He clapped Robbie on the back in greeting. “I see you’ve managed to stay in one piece.”

  Robbie grinned. “So far, my laird.”

  Alex lowered his voice. “Any problems?”

  The boy shook his head.

  “Good. We have much to discuss. But not here. Inside.”

  Robbie took the reins and led Alex’s destrier into the stables. After putting the fear of God in the stable lads, he left them with specific instructions for tending the prized mount. They’d crossed the yard and were just about to enter the inn when Alex felt the unmistakable weight of eyes upon him. Someone was watching him.

  He tensed and quickly scanned the surrounding countryside. The sight that met his eyes flooded him with a swift rush of anger—nay, with rage. A party of riders was heading for him, led by none other than Meg Mackinnon. He swore, causing Robbie to immediately reach for his dagger. Alex clenched his fists at his sides, trying to rein in his emotions. He recalled her earlier challenge: I’ll discover the truth, don’t you doubt it.

  She’d followed him. And her stubborn foolishness could put his entire plan in jeopardy. God’s blood, he’d warned her….

  Meg Mackinnon was about to learn that he was a man of his word.

  This was exactly what she’d needed. As the imposing shadow of Holyrood House faded into the distance behind them, Meg and the party of guardsmen she’d brought as an escort wound through the copse of trees that banded the palace and headed deeper into Holyrood Park—the vast expanse of land that extended for hundreds of acres south of the palace. James V had enclosed the park only about fifty years ago, but for hundreds of years this land had been the hunting ground of kings. Now it was mostly green stretches of moors and glens with breathtaking vistas of dramatic rocky crags.

  It felt like another world, yet she was barely beyond reach of the palace walls.

  Meg took a deep breath, inhaling the freshness that surrounded her while relishing the rare moment of freedom from the rigidity of court. God, how she missed Skye. The quiet, the seclusion. This little piece of the Highlands tucked into a small corner of Edinburgh reminded her of all that awaited her at home.

  Just as soon as she found a husband.

  On that note, she decided it was time to return to the palace. Taking one last glance around, she caught a flash of gold shimmering in the sunlight ahead through a break in the trees. She could just make out the solitary figure of a man on horseback, riding toward a small building. Meg had to look twice just to make sure she hadn’t imagined him. But the golden brown hair and tall, muscular form had become achingly familiar to her.

  Alex. But what was he doing this far from the palace? Strange that he hadn’t mentioned anything earlier, especially as he knew that her plans to go riding had been canceled. Unless he didn’t want her to know. Meg debated for a moment—though in truth it wasn’t much of a debate—and decided to follow him. She needed answers. Answers that would enable her to quiet the persistent voice in her head challenging her resolve.

  Jamie would return to court soon, and when he did she wanted to be ready.

  She and her guardsmen had just crested the hill behind the building when a tall, lanky man came out to greet Alex. Meg’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she recognized the newcomer. He was one of the band of warriors who’d helped rescue her party in the forest. At the time, he’d struck her because of his youth and comparatively less fierce visage.

  I knew it, she thought. Let Alex try to deny it now. But why had he lied? Why did he not want anyone to know it was he who’d come to their rescue that day in the forest?

  Alex must have the instincts of a wolf. She had only just come into view, but he sensed her immediately. His head snapped around, and piercing ice blue eyes locked on to her. Even from a distance, she could feel the force of his anger. Anger that sent a shudder of trepidation reverberating through her body.

  Which she promptly ignored.

  Meg would not allow fear to get in the way of discovering the truth.

  However, a bit of her bravado faltered under the ferocious onslaught of fiery rage. He really was quite menacing. She thought for a moment about returning to the palace, giving his anger time to dissipate, but she had a feeling he would follow her anyway. No, it was best not to show weakness, Alex would only smell blood. Stiffening her spine, she informed the guardsmen that they would take refreshment at what she now realized was an inn. Meg rode into the yard, pretending not to notice the fierce glare of the man waiting for her.

  He looked different. It took her a moment to realize that he was dressed as he’d been the first time she’d seen him—in the traditional garb of a Highlander. He wore a fine woolen plaid of the softest blues and greens over a saffron linen tunic, secured at the waist with a thick leather belt and impressive dirk attached at his side. After weeks of being surrounded by colorful silks and satins, the breacan feile and leine that had fallen out of favor among the L