Page 76 of The Burden of a Scottish Chieftain
“I did not promise you anything. I will not marry you.” She took two steps forward and lifted her chin. “I’ve already committed myself to another.”
“Then that will be annulled. The one who owns you made me an oath, and I expect it to be honored. Just stop talking, Margret. Your words have no bearing on this conversation. This is between men. Your job is to follow instructions.”
She didn’t know what else to say, but the baron’s attention wavered, turning to the side as a group of horses came down the path.
Lennox approached, a line of guards behind him, quite regal in their green plaids, looking far more impressive thanthe unsightly baron standing in front of her. Could Lennox discourage the baron?
“Who the hell are you?” the baron bellowed.
“I’m Meg’s protector. Chieftain of Clan MacVey, the name is Lennox.”
“I will be her protector as her husband,” the baron growled.
Lennox laughed and said, “She’ll never be yours. She handfasted with me. Meg does not wish to marry you. I heard her tell you so twice.”
Meg’s heart swelled listening to the man she loved defend her. Would the baron listen?
“Handfasting,” the baron said, spitting off to the side. “A practice used by savages that won’t stand up in the English courts. You’re a bigger fool than she is, whoever you are. You Scots do not intimidate me.” He made a motion for his men to cross over to the other side of the moat. “Bring her to me.”
Lennox moved his horse in front of the bridge, and Thane joined him. Their two horses were wide enough to keep anyone from crossing.
Meg’s hands began to sweat because she wished this to be over, and she surely did not want anyone hurt because of her. But she would not go with the baron. The way his eyes raked over her body made her feel dirty, unsavory.Eighty-one, eighty-two, eighty-three… Her fingers ticked away, but her sister reached over to still her. Meg glanced at Tamsin, so beautiful and strong, a testament to how much a woman could bear. Her sister was an inspiration.
Lennox’s men surrounded the baron’s men, though he was so pompous, it didn’t seem to faze him. “Do as you wish. I’m not leaving without her.”
“I’ll return your coin, but she’s not going with you. She’s much too intelligent for you.” Lennox dismounted, his hand now on his weapon’s hilt.
The baron laughed, throwing his head back. “You have not seen her with her hands in the dirt pulling weeds like I have. She’s a woman, and women’s brains are smaller than men’s. Everyone knows that.”
Lennox’s sword came unsheathed so quickly that Meg jumped. “That is my wife you are insulting.”
“You know nothing of her. She’s half daft and will service me well. I have my king’s writ giving her to me. Hand her over or my men will attack, killing anyone who tries to stop me. Margret, get yourself over here. Do as I say or pay the price for your insubordination to your master.”
Lennox moved closer until the point of his sword was at the baron’s throat. “You will apologize for insulting her. Meg, not Margret, is the most intelligent and caring woman I have ever met. She has an uncanny understanding of how to deal with bairns and warriors alike. You are not worthy of eating the crumbs that fall from her bread.”
The baron said, “Bertram, get my betrothed so we can be on our way.”
The thunder of horse hooves echoed from both sides of MacQuarie Castle, and Lennox let his sword fall from the baron’s neck. A sea of red plaids surrounded the baron and his men, a sea that kept coming and coming, a few blue plaids mixed in.
Alasdair and Alaric led the charge of guards. Alasdair said, “I believe you were told to leave MacQuarie land, and we’re here to escort you.”
The baron glared at the man, then headed across the bridge, pushing everyone out of his way. “I’ll get the fool myself.”
He shoved at Lennox’s horse, an act that caused his beast to dance. As Lennox was forced to calm his horse first, the daft fool was able to get past him, but once Lennox had the beast settled, he chased after him and grabbed the baron from behind,throwing him to the ground. He set his foot on the man’s chest and placed his sword at his throat. “You will not touch my wife.”
“Fine. You may have her. She’s just another whore to me.” He glared at Meg, his fists clenching by his side.
Lennox stepped back, making sure Meg was still behind him, when he allowed the man to his feet, though it was a trial. Once the baron finally made it to standing, his face was reddened and swollen, but he said nothing. He turned and headed toward the beach, and the group broke apart.
As soon as Lennox turned toward Meg, he caught the lying bastard out of the corner of his eye. The baron whirled and ran straight for Meg, a dagger held high enough to strike her heart.
Lennox swung his sword and cut off the man’s hand.
“You fool! Look what you’ve done!” The baron held up his arm, then grabbed the end in a futile attempt to stem the flow of blood. “Help me, Bertram!” His scream echoed across the area as he fell to his knees in agony.
A man appeared at de Wilton’s side, removing his coat to wrap around the baron’s bleeding stump, but it was too late. He’d lost too much blood, enough for him to crumple to the ground. Bertram barked orders at two other men who came along to lift him and carry him back to his galley.
Meg heard one soldier ask another, “Shouldn’t we attack since he attempted to kill the baron?”
