Part 2 (1/2)
”Of course not. Besides, I threatened them first and a.s.saulted them as well.”
”Hmmm and shall that be your testimony on my behalf when your father demands my head?”
She scoffed at him. ”You're not really afraid of my father, are you?”
”For myself, nay, I fear nothing. However, I'm not merely a man, Catarina. I am the MacAllister, just as your father is France. Whatever actions I take affect the lives of every person who looks to me for leaders.h.i.+p. And I will not see my people punished because you are willful and stubborn.”
”What do you mean by that?”
”Simple. I'm taking you to your father.”
Chapter 2.
Cat wasn't sure if she'd heard that correctly or not. ”You're planning to do what?”
”Take you to your father.”
She didn't know what irked her more, his intent or that arrogant look on his face as he said it.
”Why would you do that?”
”To keep him from declaring war on my people for starters. Do not forget that King Philip's sister happens to be the wife to Alexander Canmore. Alexander is one of the few who could do a lot of damage to my people.”
She couldn't believe this. ”So you're just going to cow to my father like everyone else? And to think I thought you were made of sterner stuff.”
His features hardened. ”This isn't a game, Catarina. I hold the responsibility for every person who claims MacAllister lands as home.”
She snorted dismissively. ”Your shoulders are mighty narrow to carry so much weight.”
He looked as offended as she meant for him to be. ”My shoulders aren't narrow.”
She glanced down at them. ”Matter of opinion that. But then perhaps 'tis the bow of your back from stooping to kiss the feet of men like my father that makes them appear so.”
He reined his horse in sharply to glower at her. ”Have you no sense to insult me so?”
”I have plenty of sense to insult you even more. I'm the daughter of the king. What are you going to do to stop me?”
His nostrils flared as those blue eyes snapped fire at her. ”Your father should have bent you over his knee.”
”Violence. How perfectly masculine of you to resort to such a thought.”
Lochlan snarled at her like a feral lion before he laid spurs to the horse's flanks. The sudden motion almost caused her to slip from her seat.
She was forced to wrap her arms around his waist to keep from falling even though the thought of touching him made her ill. ”Are you trying to kill me?”
”Nay, my lady. I'm trying only to calm down before I succeed in killing you.”
Unable to stand it and do nothing, she leaned forward to nip his shoulder.
Lochlan yelped at the unexpected pain. ”Did you bite me?”
”Aye and I'm going to do worse than that if you don't release me instantly.”
”Fine,” he snapped, reining his horse again. As soon as it was stopped, he turned in the saddle to look at her. ”There you are, my lady. You're free.”
She was aghast at his actions. ”What?”
He gestured toward the ground. ”You wish to run? Have at it.”
Surely he wasn't serious...”You would abandon me to the wilderness? Alone?”
”Oh I a.s.sure you, 'tis the bears and wolves I pity should they run into the likes of you.”
Rage filled her as she wished for the millionth time that she'd been born a man. If she had, she'd beat Lochlan MacAllister to an inch of his life. ”You are a louse.”
He looked past her to the guards, who were almost upon them now. ”Here are your new friends.
I'm sure they will be most happy to see you safely home.”
She glared at him before she jumped to the ground. ”You foul...foul thing!” she spat before she gathered her skirts and started running on foot.
Lochlan sat back in his saddle as he watched her run as quickly as she could. She was swift- footed for a maid and his abandoning her was exactly what she deserved for her insults. But his satisfaction ended when he saw the guards catch up to her. The largest man, who was the size of a bear, grabbed her roughly, wrenching her from the ground by one arm before he tossed her in front of him over the back of his horse. She screamed and cursed, kicking her legs and trying to bite the man, who moved his leg out of harm's reach and kept her in place with one hand.
Lochlan cringed at the sight of her riding on her stomach. He'd been forced to do it a time or two and knew firsthand how painful it could be.
What care you? 'Tis her father's business.
But the truth was he couldn't stand to see anyone, even a shrew such as she mistreated.
She bit you.
Again, true. Still, she'd saved Ewan's life...He owed her much for that.
Och now, Lochlan, don't even think it.
It was too late, he was already spurring his horse after them. The men took one look at him and immediately urged their horses faster.
”Wait!” Lochlan shouted. At the pace they were going, they would hurt her for sure.
But they didn't slow.
Unwilling to cause her more injury, he dropped back from the chase to trail them. Sooner or later they would be forced to stop and rest, then he could reclaim her from them and see her home without harm or abuse.
His shoulder twitched a reminder of her small bite. Well, she wouldn't be abused further. The verdict was still out on whether or not he'd be so fortunate.
As if he had time to see her home. He was on a quest to find more information about his brother Kieran, who'd vanished years ago. Since Kieran had left his sword and plaid on the sh.o.r.e of a loch, everyone had a.s.sumed he'd drowned himself after a woman had broken his heart. But no body had ever been found.