Part 3 (1/2)

She only prayed she could use that uncertainty to move him to her side. It would be much easier to find her family if she had someone with her. A lone woman traveling through the countryside invited much undue speculation and attention.

Not to mention danger. There were numerous thieves and outlaws hiding in the forests who would love nothing more than to lay hands to an unguarded n.o.blewoman.

”The guards are dead,” she said softly. ”No one will know you helped me. I can a.s.sure you that I will certainly tell no one. Please, Lochlan. All I want in life is to answer to no man. Surely you can understand that. My father would saddle me with a crown and a husband that I don't want. If you have any compa.s.sion inside you, then I beg you to be merciful. I would sooner you run me through with your sword than hand me over to them.”

Lochlan didn't speak as he debated with himself. He knew the yoke she feared. There were times when it was oppressive and harsh and it weighed like an iron door on him. There wasn't a day in his life when he hadn't felt it choking him at some point.

Catarina was like a feral beast that would sooner gnaw its own limb off than be caught in a trap.

A prince or king would demand complete obedience from her and if she failed to give it, her husband could, and most likely would, imprison her just as the English king had done his queen.

For that matter, her husband could demand her life.

At the very least, she'd be beaten into submission. It was something he'd wish on no person. Not even her.

”Very well, Catarina. I will help you find your uncle and cousin, but first I must needs travel to Normandy to see a man about my brother.”

She looked at him suspiciously. ”Swear you this isn't a trick?”

”No trickery. I swear it on the souls of my brothers. I will stand by you and see you to Viktor and Bavel. What happens after I deliver you to them is your business.”

Her eyes dazzled him with her spirit and happiness. ”For that I would kiss you...if you weren't a cad.”

In spite of the insult, her words amused him. ”You do remember what happened the last time you insulted me, do you not?”

”Aye, but you did come back for me, didn't you?”

”Mayhap next time I won't.”

”Perhaps...” She kicked her horse on ahead of him.

Beguiled by her spirit, Lochlan watched the way she rode. Her spine was straight and she moved in perfect synchronization with her horse. Her regal bearing was hard to miss and yet he'd been stupid enough to not catch on to it the first time they'd met. Of course, he'd been a bit preoccupied with Ewan and the mess his brother had gotten himself into with Canmore when Ewan had run off with the man's daughter...

Still, Lochlan should have seen it.

Now there was no mistaking her birthright and yet there was also a feral quality about her. This was a woman who loved life and she didn't try to hide that fact. While other n.o.blewomen conducted themselves with the utmost care for what others thought of them, she lived with abandon. If she was happy, she laughed. If she was angry...

She bit.

G.o.d help whatever fool ever gave his heart to such a woman. He'd never have peace in his home. She would ever argue and fight until her husband either gave up or gave in.

Shaking his head, he caught up to her and forced her to slow a bit. ”We need to spare the horses as much as possible.”

”Should we walk then?”

He was taken aback by her suggestion. ”Are you willing?”

”Should I not be?”

Most women of his acquaintance weren't. While beautiful, the countryside was a bit jagged. It was tiring to walk for very long. ”Nay.” He reined his horse and slid to the ground. Before he could make his way over to a.s.sist her, she was on the ground herself, stroking the horse's forehead as it nuzzled her shoulder.

She cast a smile in his direction before she began making her way down the road on foot. He was mystified and captivated by her sudden turn of temperament.

”You are of a merry mood.”

She threw her arms out and leaned back as she walked. ”I'm free--at least for another day. That alone is cause for celebration.” She straightened to look at him. ”Do you never celebrate the fact that you're here, right now, alive and well with the sun on your face and the birds singing around you? That the sky above is a particularly striking shade of blue?”

He was beginning to wonder if the woman wasn't possessed of moon-poisoning. ”Nay. I have to say that I've never considered such.”

She frowned at him. ”Do you not dance when you hear music?”

”I'm laird of my clan, la.s.s. 'Tis unseemly for me to do such. Besides, whatever woman I choose to partner with immediately a.s.sumes more to my intention than a mere dance.”

Cat paused as she heard his emotionless words. Poor man to fear something so simple as a dance. ”I can't imagine a life without dance. 'Twould be like living without laughter.” She c.o.c.ked her head to look at him as she remembered her brief stay with him in Scotland. ”You don't laugh either, do you?”

”When the occasion calls for it.”

”Rarely you mean.”

He let out a long breath as if exasperated by her and their conversation. ”If you are wis.h.i.+ng to list my shortcomings, you needn't bother. I a.s.sure you, I'm quite aware of each and every one of them.”

Cat heard the pain behind his tone and decided to give him a reprieve. It was obvious that someone in his past had spent a great deal of time telling him what his shortcomings were.

”I wasn't listing your shortcomings, Lochlan. My intent was only to make conversation with you to pa.s.s the time. If you'd rather we walk in silence, then I shall try to manage it.”

He inclined his head to her in a manner that was so n.o.ble it was all she could do not to chide him for that as well. ”Forgive me for my a.s.sumption, my lady. Please, by all means, continue on with your interrogation.”

Cat c.o.c.ked a brow at his unexpected retort. ”Was that a jest?”

”A poor one apparently if you must ask.”

She laughed. ”But it was an attempt and for that I'm proud of you.” She watched him for a moment as he walked slightly ahead of her. He held a powerful, manly gait. It was c.o.c.ksure and straight--as if he expected to have to defend himself at any moment. It was a warrior's gait, not n.o.ble. His gaze continually searched the area around them as if looking for threat.

There was something unbelievably compelling about that. And she found it strange that he was here without a servant or guard.

”Have you been alone on your entire journey?”

He glanced back at her. ”For the most part. Aye. Pagan left my company before I boarded the boat to leave England.”

She smiled at the reminder of her old friend. Pagan had left the company of her and her family while they were in Scotland to look after personal matters. He'd been a churlish man, but still she'd valued his friends.h.i.+p. ”Oh how I miss him. He was always so caustic and morbid.”

”And you miss that?”

”Aye. He could be quite amusing with his rancor.”

Instead of responding, Lochlan drew up short and motioned for her to stop and remain quiet.

Cat would have asked him what was wrong, but by his actions, she could tell that silence was the better part of valor.

He peered into the trees around them and tilted his head as if listening for something.