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Brian despised his father for forcing him to attend a Jacobite meeting at the house of Nairne. Murtagh could barely look him in the eye while they travelled, and was avoiding him like the plague now they had arrived. It was like a dagger had been driven into his gut. Brian didn’t mean to betray his friend, nor could he control the depth of his feelings for Ellen Mackenzie. She was on his mind constantly and he was always fearing for her safety, something that was slowly driving him insane. Who knew what could happen to the woman he loved if someone was to discover what they had done together in that church. The feel of her in his arms was something he could never forget. The sounds she had made when he’d touched her, he would cherish until his death. Brian didn’t know when he would be able to see her again and his heart ached not to behold the sight of her fiery red hair, her kind eyes and her soft smile.
Feeling defeated, Brian entered the large meeting room, taking his place within the sea of men. There was an air of excitement as the men chattered, waiting for the meeting to start. Rob Roy made his way to the front of the crowd and began to speak animatedly. Silence fell, though Brian could hear whispering towards his right. He looked over and was stunned to see a woman with long, wavy red hair whispering to Dougal Mackenzie. A shiver ran down his spine as excitement soured through him. Ellen turned at that point, as if his gaze was a magnet and their eyes locked from across the room. Ellen’s mouth parted slightly in surprise and her eyes widened, frozen to the spot. The words of Rob Roy were drowned out, and Brian couldn’t bring himself to look away from Ellen’s face, from her soft lips. How he wished he could go to her, whisk her into his arms, mount the nearest horse, and gallop far, far, away from this place.
Brian’s fantasies were short lived as the meeting was interrupted by a group of English soldiers. Tension stole the air from the room and every highlander straightened where they stood, alert and ready for action. Fear crept into his belly as Brian made eye contact with Ellen again and sensed her apprehension. Nothing good ever came from an interaction with English soldiers and they were at a Jacobite meeting no less! The lot of them were traitors to the crown. Brian slowly reached for his gun, as he monitored all of the potential exits out of the room. A distraction was needed if any of them had any chance of leaving the room without being arrested or killed. He needed to ensure no harm would befall Ellen. It was the only thing he could think to do.
‘BANG!’ The gunshot went off and chaos erupted in the room. Brian launched himself into the crowd, that fiery red hair a beacon in the chaos. The sea of men pushed each other towards the outside exit, and Brian was shoved and elbowed as he crossed the room. Until finally, he reached Ellen and grabbed for her waist, pulling her back against his front. Ellen gasped in surprise, her instinct being to pull away immediately. Brian held her firmly to him acting as a shield against the onslaught of men.
Ellen struggled until Brian put his mouth to her ear. “Hush” He whispered and she immediately relaxed against him, calmed by his voice. Dougal was long gone, having already made his way outside. Brian saw from the corner of his eye a room to his left and he made his way towards it, pulling Ellen along with him. No one seemed to notice them as the crowd continued to head towards the exit of the building. Brian opened the door to his left and they hurried in, slamming it closed behind them. They seemed to be in a broom cupboard of sorts with dim light shining through a high window. If it was only seconds before they were discovered, Brian would take any time he could get with her. Brian pulled Ellen towards him, until their foreheads touched.
“Brian, what are you doing here?” Ellen asked, her voice high with panic.
“My father made me come. I didnae have a choice. He threatened my mother.” Brian said, his breath coming fast.
“Brian.” Ellen whispered, her breath was shaky and Brian realised as he lifted his head and looked into her eyes that she was scared. The shouting and grunting of men could be heard from outside as the English soldiers rounded up the highlanders.
“Dinna fash. It’ll be over soon. You need not be scairt, so long as I’m with you.” Brian said, reaching for a lock of her hair and tucking it behind her ear.
Ellen watched him, eyes wide and then she grabbed his face pulling it down to hers. Their lips crashed together, desperately seeking out each other's comfort. The yelling and commotion from outside was dimmed only for a moment as Brian’s hands moved from Ellen’s face to the small of her back, pressing her closer to him. God, he needed her. He’d needed her for weeks. He’d imagined kissing her like this, craving the taste of her on his lips.
“Ellen!” Dougal’s below could be heard from outside and Ellen pulled back from the kiss sharply, grabbing Brian’s arms instead.
“I have to go.” Ellen said insistently.
“I cannae let you go again lass.” Brian said in despair, holding her waist even tighter than before.
“You have to. You have to have faith, we’ll see each other again.” Ellen looked at him pleadingly.
“We could run away. Start our own family. Away from this madness.” Brian said desperately.
“We can’t! My brothers will come looking for me and they willnae stop. Not until they find me and then they’ll kill you!” Ellen implored.
“No.” Brian said, shaking his head and reaching for her hands.
“Ellen!” Dougal yelled, and Ellen jumped sharply. A burning rage and a pit of unease descended upon Brian at Ellen’s reaction to Dougal’s voice. Brian would kill Dougal if he let any harm come to her. He didn’t like it one bit, but there was no alternative. Ellen would have to return with the scoundrel.
Ellen kissed him again quickly, holding his hand until the very last minute. “I love you.” She whispered before she wrenched the door open and took off through it. Then she was gone. Ellen Mackenzie had slipped through Brian Fraser’s fingers yet again.