Page 33 of Dark Side of the Laird
He nodded. “With me gone, our enemies are very likely to descend upon this place. But ye will be safe. My men have safeguarded Gealach for over a decade. No one has ever defeated us.”
“No one has ever defeatedyou.”
He smiled up at me, a sad edge to the curve of his lips. “There have been times when I’ve not been present, and Ewan has always defeated the enemy. I have every confidence he will continue to impress me.”
“Ewan is remaining behind?” Just the knowledge of that made me feel better.
“Aye, lass. He’ll take care that no harm comes to ye.”
“And Lady Isabella? What will she be doing?”
He glowered again, any humor in him instantly gone with the mention of her name. “No doubt getting into trouble.” He looked up at me, worry crinkling his eyes. “Dinna believe anything that bitch says, Emma.”
His words were spoken fiercely, so much hatred in them I took a step back.
“I won’t,” I whispered.
“She’s hell in female form,” he ground out, standing up. “Drugged two of my guards, possibly more…” He trailed off, and I had the sudden sinking sensation that there was something he wasn’t telling me. Something important.
“I would have avoided her at all costs without your warning,” I murmured. I’d had enough dealings with her to last me a lifetime and I wouldn’t be unhappy to see her go.
Logan gave a curt nod, and pulled me into his arms. “I’ve tarried long enough now that my men may begin to search for me. I’d not want them to think I’d come up here for a last minute bit of warming before I leave when I’d forbidden them to do so.”
“Why would you forbid them?” I asked, looking up into his darkly handsome face.
“A man who yearns for home, comes home.”
“Will you not yearn for it?” I asked.
“Desperately so.”
10
Logan
Every man paused before urging his horse through the gates of Gealach and onto the waiting moor. Leaving the safety of the stone fortress was a concern, but I thought more, each man feared what we’d find upon our return.
To stand a moment in prayer for safety beneath the gate was custom, and a tradition not one man would forget.
I trusted Ewan explicitly. But, I thought, as I turned back, the arching gate over my head, taking in the towering turrets, the wall walk and the window to Emma’s chamber, catching a glimpse of her fiery hair, there was more to worry over than what would happen while we were away. Would Emma be there when I returned? Or would the miracle of time-travel have sucked her back to whatever life she’d led before me?
Would Isabella harm her? Torture Emma with how she’d drugged me, used me? No doubt, she’d make it into something well beyond what it was. God, I should have said something to Emma. I completely ignored Isabella before leaving. Didn’t want to speak with her and have her taunt me, but I also hoped by ignoring her, she’d feel that her plan didn’t work. By all means I should have come barreling in on her, and I did not.
A gentle breeze beckoned me. Calming in its caress. How many demons now waited in the trees beyond the moors, watching as we departed?
It was almost enough to make me turn back. But then I recalled what had occurred—or rather what I didn’t know transpired—in my library. The blood on my cock. The drugs in my whisky. A flash of memory I’d not recalled before jarred me. Isabella’s triumphant grin as she nudged my shoulders. I was on the ground and she grabbed onto my belt. She said something, but I couldn’t hear it, only saw the movement of her lips. And then it was gone in a whisper of smoke.
Bloody fucking hell!
Anger shredded my insides and I bared my teeth, turning back to the road ahead. I’d been defeated within my own walls by a conniving bitch and I couldn’t let her get away with it. I had to give my demands to the king and make him see reason. And I prayed hard that my mind would recall every minute or at least enough of it that I could piece together what had happened. Even knowing what happened, wouldn’t relieve me of the tremendous guilt of having betrayed Emma.
I’d told her that she was to be mine and that I’d not love another, not touch another. Isabella had taken away that choice. There was only one other person who’d ever been able to take away my choice and it was my brother, the bloody king. I’d promised myself long ago that there would be no one else to decide my fate for me. And I meant it.
If worse came to worse, I would take fate into my own hands and see that Isabella disappeared forever.
When I returned from seeking the king’s audience, I would tell Emma everything. Pray that she still accepted me. It was too great a secret to keep from her. But telling her before I had spoken to the king wouldn’t have helped anything.
I had to leave her behind in order to grasp onto her forever. Had to trust that the four foot thick walls of the castle and my men could protect her. Had to trust the safety of Gealach and its inhabitants to Ewan’s very capable hands.
