There hadn’t been any sign of Ridley, but she remained vigilant.
For this day, though, she wanted to spend it with her husband, being happy while she still could.
“Of course,” she said with a real smile.
She got dressed quickly, the sooner to be on their way in the sunshine. When she was ready, she looped her arm through his, and he led them straight to the stables in silence.
That made her uneasy. Her husband was many things, but silent wasn’t usually one of them. Any time they walked together, he was quick to tell her a story of the place they visited. Something that had happened there when he was a boy, a person or animal he’d encountered.
But now he was uncommonly quiet.
It was a puzzle and was made more so when they headed directly for the forest. After several minutes, he stopped and slid down from his horse, then helped her down. There was a blanket tied to his saddle, but he made no move to get it.
Glancing around, she recognized the same woods she’d been in when the dogs had come after her. Her heart pounded at the memory.
That day she’d run for her life through these trees and bushes, not sure where to go to escape. When she broke free of the forest and saw Cam in the field, she’d run toward him, desperate for help. She hadn’t even considered he might turn her over to the men chasing her. She hadn’t thought for a moment that he would not protect her.
She’d instinctively known him on that day.
And she still knew him today. He was her faithful protector.
Without preamble, he showed her where to hide if she needed to, how to cross from the field without being detected, and where he’d hidden supplies in case she wasn’t able to take anything with her if she had to flee.
“If we’re not together, you’ll need to go alone. The rise there”—he pointed—“that’s where we’ll meet up. Wait for me and I’ll join you as soon as possible.”
Mari nodded, but she knew when the time came she wouldn’t wait for Cam to meet her. She wouldn’t put him in danger by helping her.
He’d done enough for her already.
Chapter Twenty-Four
With his sword raised and sweat on his brow, Cam smiled, ready to beat Lach. They were only sparring, but Cam never missed an opportunity to let his cousin know he was the weaker MacKinlay. Victory was interrupted by a lad tearing into the bailey with a message.
“McCurdys are raiding our cattle along the west border,” the boy cried out, breathless.
Lach lowered his sword and headed for the keep. “Let’s go.”
The call went out, and everyone at the castle was prompted into action. This was not new. It was the normal way his people reacted when intruders invaded their lands with the intention of stealing from their clan.
But this was the first time while collecting his armor he was met by his wife.
“How can I help?” she asked, standing back out of the way as he filled his strap with daggers and grabbed up his ax.
“Can you get my extra flask?” He nodded to where it hung and she hurried to collect it as he affixed the rest of his weapons.
“I’ll see you out,” she offered when he hesitated by the door. She stayed right behind him as he rushed to the stables to mount up. “Cam?” Her voice was quiet in the hustle and clanking of men getting suited up to leave.
He turned and saw the worry and fear in her eyes. He knew what she would say next, before her mouth opened.
“Promise you’ll come back.”
It was unfair for him to make such a promise. These things were out of his control. But it was also unfair of her to ask him to make it, so he nodded and kissed her hard and quick before pulling himself up on his horse.
“I’ll see ye soon, wife.” With that he tore out of the gate to catch up with his men.
He moved to the head of the line with Lach at his side as they strategized and planned for a successful stop to the raid. A ridge on the east side of the field would give them the advantage of sight, but the McCurdys would see them coming before they could do any damage. And if they’d already fled with the cattle, his men would need to give chase. Who knew how far they may have gotten.
There was always a risk, but Cam knew the McCurdys were short on coin so they couldn’t pay for weapons. And their warriors had been reduced in previous battles. This incursion would be an excellent opportunity to eliminate even more of their army. If the MacKinlays made a good showing today, they would be better positioned to take over Baehaven Castle and the whole McCurdy clan.
Cam held his reins tighter in anticipation. He was always the first into a skirmish. It was his duty as war chief. But this time he was also a husband. He’d never had to be both.
Going with his warrior instincts, he did his best to forget about what awaited him at home for the time being. It was not good to be distracted when facing the enemy.
He let out the war cry and descended on the McCurdys spread below them on the field. For a moment he hoped they’d retreat so he’d not need to fight at all. And not risk breaking his promise to Mari.
But the damned McCurdys stood their ground to fight.
And they fought hard.
Cam had taken down six on his own when he saw Liam struggling with two warriors. The boy had only returned the day before from his task of taking the Stewart lass back to her home. He was a good fighter, but his age didn’t give him the strength needed to fight off two grown men, and he was most likely still tired from
