Dugan, the Cameron leading the contingent of twenty guards was glad to see that Bridget was safe. As soon as he neared, he halted the men and spoke to Blair. "Laird MacGreagor wants her home. They believe they have found the Englishman."
Blair nodded and then waited. One man swung down, gathered their belongings and then got back on his horse. Blair was grateful, and after the guards surrounded them, he turned to Dugan, "How did you find us?"
"Thomas said this is where he would take her. If you had not been here, we would have gone north until we found you. I am pleased Charlet is alive, Thomas wasn't sure she would be."
Blair heard her softly say, "Bridget." Together, the men began to walk their horses back across the meadow. "Why did Thomas send so many?"
"You have not heard? The clans decided they would not let the English have her. Unmarried lairds from all over the Highlands have asked for her hand."
Bridget closed her eyes and let her head fall to her chest. When she finally looked up, Dugan was smiling at her.
"You are as handsome as I have heard."
Bridget sat straight up and glared at him. "If you say that again, I will shove Blair's sword right through your middle!"
"She is fiery too, I like her, Blair."
Blair was not impressed and his glare made Dugan quickly move away. He wasted no time glaring at any of the other men who were gawking at her and the twenty-man guard soon spread out. He could see now what she meant; they all wanted her. When she finally relaxed against him, he tried to relax as well. "Are you happy to be going home?" He noticed she didn't nod as quickly or as enthusiastically as she could have.
"How far?"
He leaned close to her ear. "You will spend one more night with me and then you will be home."
Bridget closed her eyes. One more night, and then she would lose him -- maybe forever. She tried to think of a way to let him know she would miss him without his men seeing. But then she realized she had no idea how he felt about her. He did kiss her once, but she was burning up with fever and maybe he just felt sorry for her. Maybe that's how some men expressed their sympathy. Duff kissed her once, but that just made her mad. Blair's kiss was nothing like that. His kiss was soft and tender. He once put his arms around her too. But he could have done it just to comfort her. Besides, she was the one who didn't want to let go.