Part 73 (1/2)

”I was merely curious,” she replied.

In a low whisper he said, ”You belong to Iain, don't you?”

”I don't converse with pigs.”

He laughed then. Douglas was too ignorant to know when he was being insulted. She told him so.

”It's too fine a day to take insult over anything,” he announced. ”I've captured Graham for my father, and you for myself. Aye, it's a fine day all right.”

G.o.d help her, she was actually related to this barbarian. She didn't speak to him again for a good hour or more. Curiosity got the better of her intention to ignore him, however, and since they now rode well ahead of both Graham and Patrick, and wouldn't be overheard, she decided to find out what she could about her father.

”What is Laird Maclean like?”

”Mean.”

She heard the amus.e.m.e.nt in his voice. ”And?”

”And what?”

”Never mind.”

”Why are you so interested?”

”It's good to know as much as possible about one's enemies,” she explained. ”Why will your father be pleased to see Graham?”

”He has something to settle with him,” Douglas answered. ”The hate goes back long years. Aye, my father will be happy to see Graham again.”

They didn't speak again until they had reached Maclean land. Judith was given a few minutes privacy. She returned from the shelter of the trees, ignored Douglas's outstretched hand, and gained her own horse before he could stop her.

Patrick kept trying to get close enough to talk to her. The Dunbars weren't letting him. Those warriors took their leave when additional Maclean soldiers surrounded them, obviously intent on returning to their own holding.

Judith knew Patrick wanted her to keep silent. He didn't want the Macleans to know they'd captured the laird's wife to use as bait to draw Iain out. Douglas had only been fis.h.i.+ng for the truth when he'd suggested she was Iain's woman. He couldn't be sure until someone who knew the truth verified it.

None of it mattered. Iain would come anyway. Surely Patrick realized that. The two brothers had always looked after each other, and Iain would come to Patrick's aid now, Judith told herself, even if she weren't involved.

There could be a bloodbath. Judith didn't have any doubt about that. Iain wouldn't be reasonable when he retaliated, and just thinking about what would happen made her stomach ache.

She didn't want anyone to die. She didn't know what she could do to prevent the war, but she was determined to try.

She could try to get her father alone and tell him who she was. Then she would have to beg his mercy. If he proved to be compa.s.sionate, he might let Graham and Patrick leave before Iain came after them.

Judith had never begged for anything, and in her heart she doubted it would work anyway. She didn't think her father would welcome her. He hadn't bothered to come after her or her mother... why would he change his att.i.tudes now?

And if she told him who she was, she would certainly lose everything. Iain would never forgive her. She couldn't blame him. She should have told him the truth, should have insisted he listen to her.

She thought about all those warm, dark nights when they had held each other close and whispered their thoughts to each other... oh, yes, she could have told him then.

She'd been too afraid, of course, and all because deep inside she knew he wouldn't love her anymore.

Judith's mind was so consumed by her fears, she didn't notice they'd ridden into the courtyard of the Maclean keep. She looked up, caught sight of the ma.s.sive stone structure and immediately straightened her shoulders