Page 30 of Bride of Ice
He nodded back. The hint of a smile graced his lips.
“’Tis time for dinner, Ian,” she choked out. “Come now.”
“But what about Colban?”
She winced. Colban. Apparently, they’d exchanged first names. What other information had they exchanged?
“I’m having food brought up for him,” she said, summoning Ian with a wave of her hand.
“Then I’ll dine here as well,” Ian decided.
“What? Nay.”
Ian raised his stubborn chin. “We can’t just leave him alone, Hallie. His mother is dead. And he doesn’t even know who his fatheris.He told me so.”
The Highlander’s mouth opened in surprise. He was obviously unaccustomed to wee lads who blurted out truths.
“Did he?” she asked.
This was an interesting coil. Perhaps it wasn’t so bad that Ian had had time to interrogate the captive, after all. Colban an Curaidh had confessed he was a bastard and an orphan. Perhaps she could glean more useful information from her little brother.
On the other hand, it made her wonder… What had Ian revealed to the prisoner about Rivenloch, abouther?The possibilities were unsettling.
“I’ve been alone before, lad,” Colban said. “Go on now and do what your sister says.”
He was making a point. Letting her know Ian had indeed revealed he was her brother. It was Colban’s way of telling her he was well aware of the leverage he was giving up by not seizing the lad.
“Willyouat least keep him company, Hallie?” Ian asked as he climbed down from the bed.
“Of course.” She gave the Highlander a grim smile. “I’ll be watching his every move.”
“Fine,” Ian conceded with a sigh. “But I have to put away the chess pieces first.”
“I’ll put them away,” Colban offered. “Ye go on now. Go eat.”
Ian looked crestfallen, but he grabbed his notebook and quill and climbed off the bed.
“I’ll be fine,” Colban assured him. “Besides, I obviously need to practice my game if I can be trounced by a scrap of a lad.”
Ian grinned.
As Hallie ushered her brother to safety out the door, her mind whirled like a tempest.
On one hand, she was grateful for the Highlander’s mercy.
On the other, she knew it gave him an advantage.
Because he had shown restraint, the scales were tipped in his favor. She owed him a debt of honor.
And because she nowknewthings about him, because he’d shown his true colors, she could no longer consider him a nameless, featureless foe.
He was Colban an Curaidh, poor orphan, unfortunate bastard, worthy champion.
She lifted a brow. She was beginning to understand why he was called The Champion. He reallydidlook heroic, standing with proud confidence in the glow of the fire, his arms crossed in challenge.
He was chivalrous enough to confront wolves in her defense. Honorable enough not to harm an innocent child, even when it would be to his advantage.
He deserved her gratitude.
