Chapter 7 #2
He nodded, searching her face, looking as if he wanted to say more.
Instead, he pulled her close and lowered his mouth to hers.
His lips were warm, firm and gentle at first. Her heart thumped against her throat as she slipped her hands into his hair, needing him closer.
With a sudden jolt, the kiss turned torrid and all-consuming.
Good heavens! This kiss was even more toe-curling than the one the night before, and she could not get enough of his addictive mouth.
With an abruptness that shocked her, he pulled away and faced the door. "Damnation! 'Tis why I must stay outside."
She did not know what to say to that. His kiss had left her speechless.
"Bolt the door and do not allow anyone inside, save me." Finally, he glanced back at her, his dark eyes smoldering with suppressed passion.
She swallowed hard and nodded.
He exited and closed the door.
***
AS THEY SAILED ALONG the North Sea, Darack stood outside the captain's cabin door.
The slight overhang protected him only marginally, for the strong winds whipped the light rain into his eyes.
He kept the cowl over his head, concealing his identity, while he scanned every male passenger who strode by.
He must protect Mairiana at all costs. During the night, something had changed—she'd become someone more important than simply his friend's sister.
The kiss they'd indulged in last night had shifted his view of her, and then the one a short time ago...
it had near scorched his nerve endings. She had been so vibrant and passionate in his arms, a tantalizing combination of innocence and arousal.
Each time, she accepted his kisses so damned eagerly.
Arousal burned through him yet again, and he growled.
The memories kept fogging up his mind, but he couldn't afford any distractions at the moment.
Two men approached, snagging his attention. One of them, heavy-set with a long brown beard, narrowed his eyes on Darack and subtly elbowed his lanky, blond comrade.
Damnation! Two of Alec's men—he recognized them from the ferry. When had they boarded the ship?
They continued on, pretending to ignore him, and disappeared around a corner.
But they'd obviously recognized him, despite the cowl.
He muttered a curse under his breath. Knowing they would return, Darack yanked the cloak off and out of his way, then drew the sword he'd borrowed from Felix.
No other passengers roamed about in this misty rain, so the Lindsays had to be searching.
Just as he'd expected, the two charged around the corner toward him, swords drawn, then halted a few feet away when they saw he was well armed. "Where is Lady Mairiana?" the bearded man demanded. "Inside?" He motioned at the door. "We ken you kidnapped her."
Holding his sword in the guard position, raised and ready to strike should either of them make a move, Darack shook his head. "She left Lindsay because she chose to. She decided she didn't want to marry that murdering thief."
"How dare you besmirch the honorable name of the future Lindsay chief?" long-beard growled through his teeth. "You are naught more than a full grown stable lad."
Darack gave a bitter grin. "Call me what you will. Clearly, 'twill take more than two Lindsays to best me."
"Take him down, Calloway," long-beard ordered the younger man, then stood back.
"Aye, easy pickings, Hay." The tall, skinny blond launched himself from his guard stance and struck in the direction of Darack's neck.
Darack stepped forward and deflected Calloway's blade with his own, knocking it away.
Lightning fast, he swirled his sword around and jabbed the tip toward the man's neck.
The move was precise and powerful... and it met its mark.
Calloway jumped back, screaming in pain, blood spurting from his wound.
He collapsed to the deck with a thump and lay still.
Hay's eyes bulged and his mouth hung open. He seemed unsure what to do.
"Not a wise move to underestimate me," Darack told him.
"Darack!" Mairiana yelled from inside.
"I'm well," he called back. "Stay inside. Alec's men are on board."
She responded but he couldn't understand the words.
Lifting his sword and aiming straight ahead, the Lindsay guard named Hay charged. Darack merely dodged aside and sliced his blade across the man's shoulder as he barreled past him. Hay squawked in pain and spun about.
"What the hell?" The yell came from a man who rushed from the other end of the stern. A second man ran behind him, feet pounding the deck.
Damnation, how would Darack defeat three of Alec's men at the same time? He didn't know how, but he had to do it to protect Mairiana. He would die before he'd allow her to be dragged back to Alec Lindsay.
"He killed Calloway!" Hay yelled, nursing his shoulder wound.
"In a fair fight," Darack stated. "I don't want to kill the rest of you, but I will to protect the lady."
"I remember him from the stables," one of the newcomers said.
"Aye. His name is Grant." Hay pointed at the door. "The lady is in the captain's cabin."
"I'm taking her home to her brothers," Darack said.
"Ha!" Hay smirked. "You're heading far north of Chief MacKerrick's holdings. Toward the Grant lands, I'm thinking."
"I ken the way to Rornoch from either direction. Chief MacKerrick is a friend of mine."
"You lie! Why would a stable hand know a chief? Did you work for him?"
"Nay." Darack knew the man was trying to distract him, and he had no time to say more anyway.
The man to the far left lunged forward, stabbing his weapon toward Darack's gut.
He deflected the blade with a clang and shoved the bastard into Hay.
The two toppled to the deck in a melee of plaid and clashing blades.
The third man, the only one still standing, engaged Darack in swordplay, and he easily kept up with the thrusts and blocks.
The other two men regained their feet and stood by, their weapons raised. "Have no worries, m'lady," Hay yelled at the door. "We've come to rescue you from this knave."
"Nay, leave Darack be! I won't go back to Alec!" she shouted.
Darack parried and thrust, then found an opening. His blade sliding between the man's ribs, Darack made quick work of his opponent who howled and thudded to the bloody, rain-soaked deck.
The remaining two men converged on him at once, both of them smashing their blades against Darack's.
Hay's blade sliced deeply into Darack's left arm, since he had no targe to protect it.
The burning pain shot fury through him. He shoved Hay backward toward the rail.
When he slammed into it, Darack lifted the man's legs upward and tossed him overboard.
He shouted on the way down to the rough North Sea.
Now, only one enemy remained. Darack ground his teeth against the pain tearing through his arm. Fortunately, his sword arm had not been injured.
His foe charged him, his blade low. Darack leapt out of the way, but not quickly enough.
The man crashed into him, knocking Darack to the deck.
His head slammed painfully against the wood, disorienting him.
The bastard stabbed the tip of his blade into Darack's side.
A new pain consuming him, Darack retained enough sense and self-preservation to shove the other man's feet and legs upward, hoisting his enemy over the railing and sending him flying into the sea. The man screamed all the way down.
Still lying on the deck, Darack quickly glanced about to make sure no more Lindsays waited to attack him. Thank God, the deck was empty. He pushed himself to his feet, but darkness, dizziness and the pain in his head overcame him. He slumped back to the deck.