Page 4 of When A Laird Loves A Lady
Fear tightened her lungs, but sheswallowed. “I didn’t even bid anyone farewell.” Not that she really could have,nor did she think anyone would miss her other than Angus, and she would beseeing him again. Peter and Andrewhadbeen kind to her, but they wereher father’s men, and she knew it well. She had been taken to the dungeon bythe knights several times for punishment for transgressions that ranged fromher tone not pleasing her father to his thinking she gave him a disrespectfullook. Other times, they’d carried out the duty of tying her to the post for athrashing when she’d angered her father. They had begged her forgivenessprofusely but done their duties all the same. They would likelybesomewhat gladthey did not have to contend with such thingsanymore.
Eustice was both kindandthankful for Marion teaching her brother how to read, but Eustice lost allcolor any time someone mentioned the maid going with Marion to Froste’s homeafter Marion was married. She suspected the woman was afraid to go to the homeof the infamous “Merciless Knight.” Eustice would likelyberelievedwhen Marion disappeared. Not that Marion blamed her.
A small lump lodged in her throat.Would her father even mourn her loss? It wasn’t likely, and her stomach knottedat the thought.
“You’ll come as soon as you can?”she asked Angus.
“Aye. Dunnae fash yerself.”
She forced a smile. “You arealready sounding like you’re back in Scotland. Don’t forget to curb that whenspeaking with Father.”
“I’ll remember. Now, make haste tethe cliff te leave yer cloak, then head straight for Newcastle.”
“I don’t want to leave you,” shesaid, ashamed at the sudden rise of cowardliness in her chest and at the wayher eyes stung with unshed tears.
“Gather yer courage, lass. I’ll beseeing ye soon, and Neil will keep ye safe.”
She sniffed. “I’ll do the same forNeil.”
“I’ve nay doubt ye’ll try,” Angussaid, sounding proud and wary at the same time.
“I’m not afraid for myself,” shetold him in a shaky voice. “You’re taking a great risk for me. How will I evermake it up to you?”
“Ye already have,” Angus saidhastily, glancing around and directing a worried look toward the drawbridge.“Ye want te live with my clan, which means I can go te my dying day treating yeas my daughter. Now, dunnae cry when I walk away. I ken how sorely ye’ll missme,” he boasted with a wink. “I’ll miss ye just as much.”
With that, he swung up onto hismount. He had just given the signal for his beast to go when Marion realizedshe didn’t know what Neil looked like.
“Angus!”
He pulled back on the reins andturned toward her. “Aye?”
“I need Neil’s description.”
Angus’seyeswidened. “I’m getting old,” he grumbled. “I dunnae believe I forgot such adetail. He’s got hair redder than mine, and wears it tied back always. Oh, andhe’s missing his right ear, thanks te Froste. Took it when Neil came throughthese parts te see me last year.”
“What?” She gaped at him. “Younever told me that!”
“I did nae because I knew ye wouldtry te go after Neil and patch him up, and that surely would have cost yeanother beating if ye were caught.” His gaze bore into her. “Ye’re verracourageous. I reckon I had a hand in that ’cause I knew ye needed te be strongte withstand yer father. But dunnae be mindless. Courageous men and women whoare mindless get killed. Ye ken?”
She nodded.
“Tread carefully,” he warned.
“You too.” She said the words tohis back, for he was already turned and headed toward the drawbridge.
She made her way slowly to the edgeof the steep embankment as tears filled her eyes. She wasn’t upset because shewas leaving her father—she’d certainly need to say a prayer of forgiveness forthat sin tonight—but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d never see Angusagain. It was silly; everything would go as they had planned. Before she couldfret further, the blast of the fire horn jerked her into motion. There was notime for any thoughts but those of escape.
Two
Iain MacLeod strode out of Odiham Castle and towardthe stables without a backward glance. He was in a foul mood. He’d been inEngland for a fortnight, and it was a fortnight too long. And now he had tomake a stop along the way home to marry some Sassenach he’d never met. And fora man who had no desire to ever marry again, the impending wedding did notinstill any warmness in his gut.
He stalked past King Edward’sguards, who still gaped every time they saw him, in spite of the fact that he’dbeen here several days trying to work out the terms of David II, King of Scot’srelease. Iain scowled at the sacrifice it required, as marrying once more wasindeed a sacrifice for him. But he’d do it for David, as they were longtimefriends. The last guard flinched, then his eyes widened as Iain strode past. Hewasn’t sure what fascinated the young guards more, his size or the size of hissword. Either way, he was tired of being stared at, weary of bland Englishfood, and annoyed with the politics between David and King Edward.
He continued walking, paying nomind to their stares, until he reached the stable, where he found Rory Mac—hisfriend, companion on this trip, and council member of his clan—napping in thehay by their horses. Iain shook his head. He’d not had a decent night’s sleepsince David’s missive had arrived at Iain’s home, Dunvegan Castle, over afortnight prior. The letter had implored him to depart at once for England, andsince the letter had been unclear and simply stated that David needed Iain’s helpto persuade King Edward to negotiate his release, Iain’s mind had not allowedhim to rest. There had been many possibilities of what the letter mightsignify—war, murder, an attempted escape, though unlikely given theimpossibility of an escape without attack. Of all the possibilities, however,Iain had never once considered that the way he was to help was by marrying aSassenach.
Rory Mac snored loudly, and Iainstared down at him with annoyance. The man seemed to be able to sleep anywhereat any time, unlike Iain. Of course, that was not Rory Mac’s fault. Iain nudgedhis friend in the leg to wake him.
Rory Mac slowly opened his eyes andgrimaced, then stretched his arms above his head and rolled his shoulders. “I’dhoped to be home today. Alanna will be angry that we’ve been gone so long.”
