Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
A nnabelle, Jamie and the others met up in the courtyard at first light. She was anxious to get going and impatient as they headed out at a slow pace. She wished once again that she knew this land as well as they did. She wanted to move faster. She wanted to track these killers down and save Maeve before it was too late. She pressed the sides of her horse and urged him to go faster.
“Annabelle!” Jamie called, his voice sharp.
She reined in, and turned in her seat. “What!” she said, her voice filled with frustration.
“You donnae know where you’re going, lass, you need to let me lead.” Jamie’s brow was furrowed as he watched her. “If you cannae do that, then I will have Artair return you to the fort.”
Annabelle wanted to scream at him, but held her tongue. “Fine,” she bit out as she turned her horse and moved in behind him and Eamon.
Jamie gave her another look, but she couldn’t read it as he and Eamon picked up their pace. Two hours later, they came across an area on the moors that looked like an abandoned campsite. The ashes of a long-extinguished fire lay cold and lifeless, bearing witness to days of neglect. The absence of any signs of recent human activity raised the stakes of their mission, amplifying the sense of urgency that hung in the air.
Annabelle was frustrated as she meticulously combed the area for any trace of a clue. She needed to find something, anything that would tell them where the bandits had gone, but nothing stood out to her. She stood near the burnt out pit where a fire had once roared and stared at the ground as Jamie approached.
"Annabelle," Jamie's voice carried a gentle tone, the faintest hint of remorse in his Scottish brogue. "I'm sorry that I spoke harshly to you before. I didnae mean to upset you.”
Annabelle, her face etched with both weariness and understanding, nodded. She turned to him, her eyes meeting his with a flicker of vulnerability. "It's not your fault," she admitted with a sigh. "I suppose I am just being triggered by what’s happened to Maeve. I think it’s just reminding me of how my old boyfriend, Edward, treated me."
“That is understandable, lass. I just care too much about you to let you ride off willy nilly. I donnae want you to get lost as well and the moors can be dangerous if’n you donnae know where you are going.”
“I know. Thank you.” Annabelle smiled.
“Come, let us continue the search.”
* * *
Under the vast Highland sky, the search party rode forth across the moors. The landscape stretched out before them, a patchwork quilt of emerald fields and rolling hills, kissed by the golden rays of the sun. The air was crisp and filled with the earthy scents of heather and brine, a scent Annabelle really enjoyed.
Another hour passed before the searchers stumbled upon the remnants of another old camp; a mere ghost of a temporary refuge abandoned by the elusive bandits. Annabelle figured this camp was prior to taking Maeve, as there was nothing left behind that told of her being with them and it felt as though it had been abandoned long before they’d taken her.
Jamie, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a seasoned vigilance, spoke in hushed tones. "These bandits, they're clever," he noted, his voice carrying the weight of their elusiveness. "They donnae stay in one place for long, it seems. That must be why we’ve not come across them in our patrols." He rubbed his chin as he spoke.
“Tis getting late, Jamie. Should we camp here for the night?” Eamon suggested.
“Aye, tis a good idea, Eamon.” Jamie nodded.
As twilight cast its enchanting hues over the Highland landscape, tents were pitched, and a flickering campfire was kindled, its dancing flames pushing back the encroaching darkness. The scent of cooking meat wafted through the crisp evening air as they gathered around the fire, seeking warmth and solace in its comforting embrace.
Amidst the crackling of the firewood and the low murmurs of conversation, a sudden commotion broke the tranquility. Shouts of alarm and surprise rang out among the guards as a lone messenger on horseback came thundering into their camp. The sudden arrival sent ripples of tension through the gathering as they all jumped to their feet and pulled their swords.
Annabelle did the same, standing up and pulling her dirk, ready to battle to the death if she needed to. Jamie swiftly stepped in front of her, guarding her with his own body. “Who comes here?” he called out to the new arrival.
“Tis Seamus,” the messenger called out, breathless and disheveled from his haste as he rode forward, dismounted and presented Jamie with a sealed letter. “I brought a letter from the Chief.”
Jamie broke the seal and read the letter. He gave a frustrated sigh and crumpled the letter in his hand.
“What is it?” Annabelle asked.
“A group of Campbell guardsmen have set up camp at the bottom of the hill from the fort. They’ve demanded we find these bandits within a fortnight’s time, or the Campbells will bring forth an army and raze the fort.”
The gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over their camp. Fort Donald, their sanctuary Annabelle now called home, now stood under a dark and looming threat. The very survival of the Donald Clan rested upon their shoulders, and the urgency of their mission took on an even greater significance.
Their mission to find Maeve Campbell and uncover the truth had taken on a new urgency. As the weight of Cam's dire message settled upon the camp, the atmosphere grew increasingly somber. Disgruntled murmurs permeated the air, and a heavy cloud of worry hung over the guards. Each one wore a furrowed brow, and an expression marked by concern, their thoughts drifting to their families left behind within the protective walls of the fort.
Annabelle put her hand on Jamie’s arm. “What are we going to do?” she asked.
“Find her, tis all we can do, lass.” Jamie headed for the tents and was gone for a couple of minutes and then returned. He handed Seamus a letter. “Take this back to the fort. Give it to the Chief.”
“Aye,” Seamus replied as he remounted his horse.
Annabelle watched him go, a shadow moving through the darkness until he blended in with the landscape and she could see no more.
* * *
The night was draped in a heavy silence, broken only by the soft snores of the weary search party, save for the vigilant guards on their nocturnal watch. Annabelle lay in her own tent on her bedroll, her thoughts a tumultuous whirlwind of concern for the fort and the expectations that rested squarely upon her shoulders.
Unable to bear the silence any longer, Annabelle rose from her bedroll. She had seen Jamie’s face when that letter was delivered. He was more upset than he’d let on and she wanted to comfort him. She couldn’t sleep knowing he was probably sitting in his tent fretting over all of this.
"Are you awake, Jamie?" she whispered as she knelt at the entrance to his tent.
"Aye, lass, I am. Tis everything all right?"
Annabelle crawled in and sat down next to him. “Actually, that’s what I wanted to ask you. I know you’re worried about the clan, about your home. I thought maybe I could…” she let her voice trail off, unsure of what she could do, or rather what he’d allow her to do.
“Aye, that I am, lass. I cannae let the clan down. Tis not in me.”
“It’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself. Let me share the burden,” she said, moving closer to him. “We can do this if we work together.”
A smile quirked his lips. “Aye lass, I like the thought of you sharing my burdens as long as you allow me to share yours as well,” he said.
Annabelle met his gaze and licked her lips. She drew in a shallow breath that caught in her throat as he leaned forward. His lips captured hers in a tender kiss and his hands moved to her waist. The world outside their tent faded away, leaving only the two of them.
Annabelle's heart quickened as she drew closer to Jamie, her fingers tracing the contours of his face with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. In the soft, flickering glow of the lantern, his eyes held a depth that sent shivers down her spine. It was a gaze that promised both solace and passion, a silent invitation to unburden themselves.
Their lips met once more, this time with a hunger that mirrored the dance of the lantern’s glow. Jamie's kisses were a revelation, each one sparking a blaze of desire within her. Annabelle felt herself surrendering to the exquisite torment of his mouth on hers, their breaths mingling in a wordless exchange.
Their hands moved with purpose, fingers tracing patterns on each other's skin as they ventured into uncharted territory. The rustling of fabric underscored the crescendo of their desires, layers of cloth and pretense slipping away.
Jamie's touch, both gentle and fervent, explored her body. Annabelle gave into him.
Jamie pulled off his tunic and belt and disrobed until he lay naked before her. Annabelle gasped at the beauty of his body. Beneath his tunic and kilt he had a six pack of abs and all hard muscles that made her mouth water.
"May I, lass?" he said reaching for her top.
Annabelle nodded, yes. Jamie made quick work of the top and pants she wore until Annabelle was naked. Jamie cupped her breast, and the warmth of his hand was instantly comforting. He kissed her passionately, first her mouth, then her neck, until his mouth was clasped on her nipple. Annabelle arched her back.
"I want you, Jamie," she moaned.
"And I you, lass," he whispered.
Jamie maneuvered between her thighs and placed the tip of himself inside of her. Annabelle wrapped her legs around his back and drew him to her. He entered her and both reacted with a moan of ecstasy. As though they both had been waiting to be satiated from such hunger.
Jamie moved his hips slowly, romantically making love to her. Whispers of romantic words slipped from his lips. Annabelle had never been with a man like this. Edward was always a taker and expected her to do all the work. He was nothing like Jamie. It was unusual to have a man lock eyes with her as he made love to her, trying to connect with her.
Annabelle reached a height and stifled a loud moan, remembering that they weren’t alone in the camp. She pushed her mouth into Jamie's shoulder, biting to keep from screaming. Jamie responded with his own release as his body tremored on top of hers.
Annabelle nestled her head against Jamie's broad chest, finding solace in the steady rhythm of his breath. His strong arms wrapped protectively around her, drawing her closer in a tender embrace. In his arms, she felt secure, cherished, and loved.