Part 10 (1/2)

She thought about wrapping herself in a fur and 'sleeping with the dogs in front of the fireplace. But she was so weary. So drained.

Before she finally fell asleep, she spent a very troubling night wrestling with the dark thoughts that plagued her. And all of them centered on the man who slept as peacefully as a bairn beside her.

Chapter Four

JVLeredith clung to the safety of sleep. Outside the windows a breeze whispered through the trees. A chorus of birds filled the morning with song. Water splashed. A nearby waterfall, Meredith thought, rolling to one side. Her hand encountered a warm spot among the bed linens. Instantly she opened one eye. The place beside her was empty.

But the warmth of Brice's body still remained. She fought a sudden chill. She had spent the night in his bed.

The splas.h.i.+ng grew louder. A waterfall inside the room? She looked up to see Brice was.h.i.+ng his face and arms in a basin of water. Her gaze fastened on his muscular shoulders and she felt her throat go dry.

He was terrifying. He was magnificent. Never had she seen a man to match him. His shoulders were wide, corded with muscles. His waist and hips were narrow beneath the bit of cloth tied about his lower torso. She watched as he lifted his head and shook it, sending a spray of water into the air before pressing a linen square to his face. He turned. She studied the mat of dark hair that covered his chest and disappeared below the cloth tied at his waist.

He caught her watching him. G.o.d in heaven, she was lovely. Her dark auburn tresses spilled across the pillow and framed the most beautiful face he'd ever seen. Though she had modestly pulled the bed linens to her chin, he could still recall the lush young body beneath the sheer night s.h.i.+ft.

”I trust you slept well.” ' ”Nay.” She avoided his eyes.

”I am not accustomed to sharing my bed with a man.”

She saw the frown on his lips before he turned away and began pulling on his tunic. He did not bother to add that her presence in his bed had cost him more than a little sleep as well. He'd been forced to wage a terrible battle with himself over her.

The hounds had been sitting, watching Meredith from across the room.

Now they began timidly approaching the bed. One by one they pressed their noses to her. And though she told herself they were big ugly brutes, she found herself scratching behind their ears, rubbing their thick coats. Two stayed beside the bed, enjoying her tender ministrations. The others turned away, having satisfied their curiosity about this strange female.

”Cara has brought your clothes.” Brice indicated the neatly folded pile of garments.

”I will leave you to your privacy. We will break our fast as soon as you join us below stairs.”

Meredith watched as he pulled on his brogues and tossed a length of plaid over his arm. His strange manner of dress, leaving his limbs bare, was appealing to her. The sight of his muscular legs was oddly arousing.

”Will I dress for traveling?” she called to him.

He paused in the doorway. The dogs milled about his feet. His tone was sharp.

”Where would you be traveling?”

”Home.” She tossed aside the fur throw and sat up. He caught a glimpse of thigh before she slid the night s.h.i.+ft down modestly.

”I.

had hoped that you would return me to my people.”

”And why would I do that?”

”Last night you said that I had no part in your plan for revenge.”

”Aye. But I also told you that now that you are here, you will become the bait.”

He saw the frown that darkened her features. She clamped her mouth shut on whatever angry words she was about to hurl.