Part 21 (1/2)

”I know how a cruel mind works. And I know how to make an innocent man look guilty. We need to get to the lady quickly before they harm her.”

”Lead on,” Lochlan said.

But Kestrel didn't move. ”We could do that, my lords. But truthfully, I have a much better plan.”

Chapter 12.

”Where the devil is Sean?” Graham snarled, as he and his brother waited by the fire like two unholy demons plotting an attack. ”Lochlan should be alone by now. I don't understand what's keeping him.”

Cat let out a slow breath. She had to get away from them. The sooner, the better.

She paused as a thought occurred to her. Smiling, she started speaking around her gag.

The two of them glared at her. With a snarl contorting his face, Graham came forward to remove her gag.

She forced herself to appear sweet and innocent. ”I realize that this is probably an inconvenient time, but I fear you must loosen me.”

Graham snorted. ”And why would we do that?”

”So that I don't soil my clothing”--she glanced toward a clump of bushes--”if you take my meaning and being as intelligent as you are, I'm sure you do.”

Graham curled his lip at her. ”You deserve the death I'm going to give you.”

Cat didn't respond as he moved forward to loosen her feet so that she could stand. The urge to kick him was so strong, she wasn't sure how she curbed the impulse, but kicking him would only get her feet tied again and that wouldn't allow her to run from him.

She held her arms toward him. ”What of my hands?”

”What of them?”

”I can't very well hold my gown while tied like this, now can I?”

His brother raked her with a speculative sneer. ”We could send her naked.”

Graham laughed before he grabbed at her skirt.

Cat shrieked in outrage and tried to push him away. He grabbed her by the hair and wrenched her head as hard as he could.

She drew back to kick him, then paused as an arrow went whizzing past her head, straight into Graham's shoulder. Screaming, he fell back. She ducked and headed in the opposite direction.

But she didn't get far before a man stopped her. She growled low in her throat, intending to fight until she looked up.

Her heart stopped as she met Lochlan's gaze. The relief and adoration there stole her breath. He crushed her against him before he kissed her with more pa.s.sion than she'd known existed. She savored the taste of him for as long as she could before he pulled away and left her with a curse so profane it made her blush.

She turned in time to see Graham coming at them with a raised dagger. Faster than she could blink, Lochlan was around her. He caught Graham's wrist and in one fluid movement, he twisted the dagger from his hand and punched him straight in the face.

But that wasn't enough for him. Lochlan threw the dagger to the ground and continued to beat Graham, who was no longer able to defend himself from the forceful blows that kept him reeling.

It was so uncharacteristic of Lochlan that all she could do was gape. He was always so controlled, so proper, that this side of him actually frightened her.

”Lochlan!” Stryder snapped before he pulled him back. ”He's had enough. You're going to kill him.”

Still, Lochlan kicked out at Graham, catching him against the ribs before Stryder forced him away.

Lying on the ground, bleeding profusely, Graham spat at him.

Lochlan lunged for him, only to have Stryder and another man block his way.

”See to Catarina,” Stryder ordered fiercely.

His breathing ragged, Lochlan continued to glare at Graham as if he could tear him to pieces. He pulled out a small dagger and cut the rope from her wrists.

Her entire body shaking, Cat placed her hand on his shoulder. Lochlan turned toward her then and the feral light in his pale eyes made her s.h.i.+ver. Without a word, he picked her up in his arms and held her so tightly that she could barely breathe.

An unbridled giddiness filled her at his actions. He didn't care that the others were watching or that what he did was highly improper. He was glad she was safe and he didn't mind showing it to all of them. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and buried her face against his neck so that she could inhale his warm scent.

”d.a.m.n, who tore him up?” She heard Simon's voice from behind them.

Stryder snorted. ”That would be Lochlan. Apparently he didn't like the way they'd treated his lady.”

Simon laughed. ”Then let me mark upon my memory to always treat the fair Catarina with only the highest regard...and very gentle gloves.”

Cat placed a light kiss to Lochlan's cheek. ”Are you going to set me back on my feet?”

His arms tightened around her. ”Nay, la.s.s. Every time I set you loose, you find nothing but trouble. 'Tis a wonder your uncle didn't put chains on you.”

She laughed at his words. It was true. Bavel had threatened her with such repeatedly. ”I fear your arms will eventually tire of me.”

He pulled back from her and the look in his eyes said that he'd never tire of her. But for the first time he became aware of the other lords staring curiously at them.

She swore she could feel his reluctance as he finally put her feet on the ground and released his hold. An inexplicable emptiness filled her.

At least until he quietly took her hand into his. That single action brought tears to her eyes as tenderness flooded her heart and made it pound ever harder.

Stryder cleared his throat. ”We're going to see these b.a.s.t.a.r.ds into custody. Why don't you and Catarina go on ahead. We'll rendezvous at the boat in Honfleur later today.”

She was surprised when none of the men made an effort to come with them. Rather they all followed after Stryder while Lochlan gently pulled her toward their horses.

The men left so quickly she would have thought the devil himself was after them. ”How very odd.”

Lochlan didn't seem as perturbed by their behavior. ”More astute, I'd say.”

”How so?”

His answer came in the form of a kiss so hot it melted her and left her clinging to him. She couldn't think as he literally devoured her mouth. She buried one hand in his hair to steady herself as his tongue danced with hers.

Lochlan knew he shouldn't be kissing her like this. She was a princess, but honestly he didn't give a flying monk's a.r.s.e. All that mattered to him was that she was safe and in his arms.