Highland Abduction Read online

  What had happened? Had someone truly attacked her?

  As if she could read her daughter’s mind, her mother repeated her thought, “What happened? Where did you go, Anna? Was it a man? Was it David who did this to you?” Her mother kneaded her hands, something she did often. Jean MacGruder was a beautiful woman, but she was timid, especially around her own husband.

  That made little sense to Anna because she adored her sire. He had treated her like a princess when she was young, though she had long since come to the conclusion her parents did not have a strong marriage. She rarely noticed any sincere affection between them, unlike David’s parents, who appeared to be more in love every day. Her sire only spoke to her mother about the running of the keep or Anna and her brothers. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d seen them hug or kiss, though she knew her mother was shy by nature. Her mother was also very religious, and her sire often scoffed at her devotion, something Anna privately thought was horrible.

  She vowed that her marriage to David Drummond would be different. He would never scoff at something of such importance to her. They knew how to communicate in a way that brought them closer rather than pushed them apart.

  Being neighbors, she’d occasionally seen David over the years, but they’d never spoken much until he and his parents joined them for the midday meal one day. The Drummonds had visited because they’d had recent trouble with cattle thieves. Her mother had decided it was time for her to start traveling along with them. Her brothers had stayed outside, but David and his brother Daniel had joined them at the dais. Sitting across from him had been intimidating since she didn’t often speak to older lads. He’d asked her what she thought of whatever they were eating and she’d been so stunned, she hadn’t known how to answer at first. Her sire never asked her mother such questions.

  She recalled the conversation well.

  “Are you so shy you won’t answer?” He’d waggled his brow at her, something she hadn’t known how to interpret.

  “I…I…I’m not so shy.” She’d squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I’m not afraid of men either.”

  “Why would you be? You have two brothers.”

  His answer puzzled her, but no more so than why she’d offered the information in the first place. She had no idea why it had popped into her mind.

  He glanced off to the side to be certain he wouldn’t be overheard before he whispered, “Then mayhap you’d allow me to kiss you someday.” His mouth curled up at the sides.

  The dolt had stymied her, having never been approached in such a way before, but she wouldn’t allow him to get the best of her. “Now why would I do that?” she asked, glaring at him.

  He leaned toward her and whispered, “Because you might enjoy it. You still haven’t answered my question. How is your stew?”

  She stared at the brown trencher of food in front of her. “My stew is boring, much like you, my lord.”

  He broke into gales of laughter. That marked the end of their conversation that first day, but David and his sire had begun visiting a bit more often after that. Each time they came to the keep, he would manage to whisper something in her ear about kissing. Then he’d chuckle and she’d respond with a deep blush, repeating the same pattern again and again.

  One day she decided she’d had enough of his teasing and shoved him into an alcove while their parents chatted. Her maid had told her all about men using their tongues when they kissed, so she’d decided to try it for herself. Perhaps he’d stop teasing her if she kissed him first. She promptly settled her lips on his and teased him with her tongue. He stood back with a stunned expression on his face.

  “Not so shy now, am I, my lord?”

  He made the strangest sound in his throat and set his hand on the back of her neck, tugging her close so he could kiss her again. Kiss wasn’t a fair term. He nearly devoured her, slanting his mouth over hers, invading her senses with his taste and the feel of his chest against her breasts, something she’d seared into her brain so she could recall the feel of David Drummond at will. When he ended the kiss, they were both panting as if they’d run around the curtain wall five times. Not knowing what else to do, she’d spun on her heel and left him, but this time, there was no echo of laughter following her down the passageway. All she heard was his heavy breathing.

  Two moons later, he’d offered for her.

  How she adored David. She spent all her time wishing the next moon away so they could marry sooner, only now…

  “Anna?” her mother whispered, shaking her out of her thoughts. “Was it David?”

  Anna replied with a vehement shake of her head, which caused a pounding directly behind her eyes. “Nay, Mama. David would never hurt me.”

  “Then who did this to you? How did you end up in the middle of a forest alone? Who was the beast…”

  Both of her hands moved up to her temple, which was now pounding from all the questions. The memories still refused to come back. “Mama, I don’t know. I cannot recall anything at all. How long was I gone?”

  “One night. We have no idea when you left your chamber. Were you hit over the head?”

  “I don’t remember being hit. How could I lose my memory of everything? Is that possible, Mama? I don’t understand what happened.”

  When her mother sat on the bed beside her and wrapped her in an embrace, Anna could no longer hold her tears back. “How could something like this happen to me? I was in my own chamber,” she sobbed, the tears now gushing from her eyes. “Did no one see an intruder at the gates, in the courtyard?’

  They sat huddled for a while, her mother patting her shoulder as she cried. “I don’t understand any of it either,” her mother said. “I am baffled. I don’t know who could have come into our keep and stolen you away without being seen. It seems impossible to me.” She fell silent for a moment, worrying her lip with her teeth, then added, “If you do not remember, then perhaps it was David.”

  “Nay!” She tried not to shout at her mother, but the very idea that David would hurt her was abhorrent. “David would never, ever, do such a thing. He loves me. He is not capable of hurting me.”

  “Hush, lass. Calm down. Rest for a moment until the tub is here.” She patted her hands in a small demonstration of affection for her only daughter, also her youngest child. “My dear, do not get yourself upset. You need your rest. You must have been awake most of the night.”

  A knock sounded at the door, so her mother left her side to answer it. Two guards carried the metal tub into the chamber while several maids followed them in with buckets of steaming water. “There,” her mother instructed. “By the hearth.”

  She leaned her head back onto the soft pillow and closed her eyes, trying as hard as she could to remember anything about the previous night. Nothing. David’s face popped into her mind unbidden—his dark hair, his warm green eyes, and his wide smile. Just thinking about him calmed her. He’d told her he was off to Edinburgh, or she’d send a messenger to him at once. How she wished he were here…

  She would never forget the day they’d fallen for each other. Anna had always loved flowers, the brighter and more complicated the bloom the better, and one day David had happened upon her and her maid while they’d been collecting bouquets in a meadow. She’d spotted a gorgeous pink bloom atop a ravine, and she and her maid were discussing whether it would be too dangerous to fetch it. He’d immediately volunteered, and even though his face went pale as he climbed to the top of the great height, he’d emerged victorious. They’d laughed and laughed together after he revealed the truth to her—he had a slight fear of heights. To this day, he always helped her gather her bouquets.

  David would know what to do, and she would feel safe and protected and loved in his arms. His touch often started a fire in her that she didn’t know how to handle, but soon they would be husband and wife, and they would finally be able to share everything…including the act of love. How she looked forward to that.

  He took his heirship very seriously, an
d he vowed to act only as a future laird should. Though they’d shared many passionate kisses, he would do naught to disrespect her and their relationship. She sighed, as she often did when she thought of her handsome betrothed. She’d never seen another man as good-looking as David Drummond. All the lasses in the land pined for him.

  But David was hers, all hers.

  The maids and guards finished their work and took their leave. Her mother moved to her side and helped her to stand so she could get out of her surcoat. They struggled to pull the outer garment over her messy hair, but finally managed without yanking out too many of her long hairs.

  Her mother’s ramblings matched her thoughts.

  “Who would have dressed you in such clothing? These two do not match. I know better than to ask you if you chose these things, Anna. You would never don such an awful combination.” Her mother’s gaze narrowed as she fingered the surcoat, carefully checking the condition of the garment before she tossed it over a nearby chair. As soon as she set the ruined surcoat aside, the door burst open.

  Anna’s father, Lorne, stood there with a look on his face she didn’t at all like. His flared nostrils spoke of anger, as did the way his elbows jutted out to his sides when he joined his hands together in front of his chest, cracking his knuckles.

  The man’s wrath was evident. She fell back onto the bed in her undergown and chemise.

  “What is it, my laird?” her mother asked, using his title as she often did in front of the servants. Anna had started to believe it was a gesture intended to placate and calm him.

  He never took his eyes off Anna. “Ossian said he noticed blood, but I did not see any.”

  “Where? I didn’t notice any blood,” her mother said, her gaze going to their daughter on the bed, perusing her from head to toe.

  Anna looked at her sire, unsure of how to answer him. This was not the man she knew. Her sire was calm and loving, not harsh and judgmental. What had transpired over the course of one day to change so much—her memory, her safe life, and her loving father?

  As if he could read her thoughts, her father patted her hand, his concern palpable, and addressed her in a calmer tone. “Have you remembered aught, lass?”

  This was the sire she adored, so she answered him with a whisper, because she knew the truth would not please him. “Nay, I’m sorry, Papa, but I don’t recall aught before I awoke in the forest.”

  He moved around the bed, looming over her and staring at her clothing, his hand pushing the folds of her undergown around, something that puzzled her. What was he searching for?

  “Stand up, please.” His tone had changed again, and she did not like it.

  She did as she was bidden, though her legs trembled. He grabbed the back of her gown and lifted it, turning her from side to side.

  He pointed to her chemise in back. “There. That is blood.”

  Her mother gasped, her hand rising to her mouth, almost covering her one word. “Nay.”

  Her father tossed her undergown back down and said, “You lost your maidenhead. Who?”

  She froze, unable to believe what he’d suggested. Could it be true? And the way he’d asked it…it sounded like he believed she was lying about her lack of memory. That she’d had something to do with the attack. Or was he merely angry at her attacker? She had no idea, having never seen him like this before.

  He put a hand on each of her shoulders and shook her. With a furious look in his eyes, he repeated, “Who did this?”

  ***

  By the time he reached Drummond land, David’s usual calm demeanor had completely fallen away. Frantic at the thought of what might have happened to his love, he left his horse at the stables and raced toward the keep, ignoring everyone who attempted to talk with him. Sweeney, who knew what he needed, stayed behind to take care of his mount.

  Barging into the hall, David spotted his sire sitting on the dais with a goblet of mead in his hand. “What happened?” he shouted. “Where is she?”

  His mother descended the dais and strode toward him, her hands in front of her in a gesture meant to placate. “Now, David, calm down.”

  The words only inflamed his nerves. “Calm down? My betrothed is missing, and I’m supposed to calm down? What the hell, Mama?”

  “David, do not speak to your mother in that tone,” his sire warned over her shoulder. He, too, had descended the dais.

  He took a deep breath, realizing his father was right. “Forgive me, Mama. Please tell me what you know. I feel like a broken man.” He placed his hands on his hips as he awaited their response. A strange thought crossed his mind as he looked at them.

  He’d finally surpassed his father in height.

  “Ossian MacGruder was here earlier,” his father said, “as I’m sure Sweeney told you. Apparently, Anna disappeared last night. They don’t know the exact time because no one realized it until just before dawn when the maid noticed her door was ajar. They’ve sent several patrols out in search of her.”

  “And they thought I stole her out of her own castle?” Rage and terror warred inside of him.

  “I don’t think so, David,” his mother said softly. “Ossian’s never been the friendliest lad, but he seemed fraught with worry. He asked about you. We told him you were off to Edinburgh and may not return for a few days. Clearly he could not cast any suspicions your way. You were not here. His sire is beside himself, and no wonder. We all know how he dotes on Anna. They have no idea where she is. There are no missing horses, and no one was seen entering or leaving the gates.”

  He rubbed his hand across his forehead in frustration, brushing the long hairs out of his face. “I’m going over there to see if they’ve found her. If not, I’ll prepare my own search.”

  His father, Micheil, said, “I’ll go with you. ‘Tis the right thing to do.” He leaned over to kiss Diana’s cheek. “We’ll return before nightfall, my sweet.”

  David grabbed a goblet and threw down several swigs, then grabbed a chunk of cheese sitting out on a nearby platter. He had not eaten in several hours and needed sustenance to see him through the challenges that lay ahead. “I’ll meet you near the stables, Papa. Sweeney stayed behind to round up some guards.”

  “However many you need, son,” Diana said with a nod. “And Godspeed to you. I’ve been so worried about poor Anna. You know I adore her, but she’s not tough like so many of your cousins. That Maggie…”

  David couldn’t argue with his mother’s reasoning. There weren’t many like his cousins. Maggie’s childhood had been difficult before his aunt and uncle adopted her, but she’d come through it as one of the strongest women in his acquaintance. In fact, she had better skills with a dagger than most men. And yet…his mother wasn’t altogether right either. When he’d suggested that he and Anna practice throwing daggers one afternoon, he’d doubted it would amount to anything. His love certainly didn’t seem capable of violence. But she’d grabbed the weapon from him and hurled it with vehemence. Anna MacGruder continually surprised him, but that counted as the day she’d surprised him most. She had a gentle nature, but beneath it she was as tough as the stones that hid beneath the flowers she loved to collect.

  With proper training, she’d be a definite marksman with the dagger.

  “If I need to, I’ll contact my cousins to assist us.” He twirled around and headed out the door, running into Sweeney in the courtyard. “We’re headed to MacGruder land.” He tossed a hunk of the cheese to his friend.

  He yelled to the stable lad to find him another horse since his favorite was in need of a rest. All he could do was pace while he waited.

  What the hell could have happened?

  It felt as if the future he’d dreamed of was slipping out of his grasp. Up until now, David had lived a bit of a charmed life as the heir to the Drummond land. His parents were wonderful, and other than the one major event that had happened many years ago—something he tried, and failed, to forget—he and his younger brother Daniel had lived a happy life. Loving Anna had improved it i
n so many ways.

  Up until three moons ago, he’d still thought of her as a wee lassie with red pigtails, but everything had changed between them after her parents unexpectedly invited them over for a midday meal. Anna’s wit had delighted him.

  Whenever they were together, they laughed over everything and anything. It was one of the things he adored most about her. And her connection with nature was so powerful he encouraged it just so he could witness her joy—riding carefree across a meadow, stopping to locate the most beautiful flower, or climbing through the forest to find the source of the most unusual birdcalls. She loved to ride horses as much as he did, so they’d gone out riding together frequently in their courtship, stopping now and again to collect flowers. She looked like a goddess out there among the high grasses, the pop of bright colors in her hand, her dark red hair and hazel eyes glowing. While they’d often had a guard or Filib along to chaperone them, nothing had mattered except that they were together.

  The stable lad brought a saddled horse to him, bringing him back to the present moment. His father, no doubt sensing his distraction, began barking orders to the Drummond guards, while he did his best to focus on the present. It was on his shoulders to determine the best way to search for Anna once they reached MacGruder land.

  They mounted and headed out the gates, his sire and Sweeney riding on either side of him.

  About an hour later, close to MacGruder land, David’s sire pulled his horse up next to him. “David, we shall just ask for news of Anna and offer our support. Please do not do aught to set Lorne MacGruder off. If he hasn’t found her yet, he’ll be frantic. He may not be here, but her mother is sure to be upset, too.”

  “Mayhap they’ll not allow us in at all,” Sweeney said from the other side of David.

  “Aye,” David said. “If she’s still missing, MacGruder should have the place locked down tight. No one in, only guards out.”

  His sire added, “‘Tis a possibility, especially if they have no idea how she was taken from her own chambers. Many of their guards are likely out searching for her, which is another reason for them to be careful.”