Part 31 (1/2)
At the call to arms, Brice glanced across the room to where Meredith stood.
”You will go below now with the women. I have a.s.signed two of my warriors to guard the door. They will protect all of you with their lives.”
She felt the rush of antic.i.p.ation that had always flowed when her father's castle had come under siege. As the eldest daughter she had been a.s.signed the task of seeing to the safety of her sisters. She had been trained to fight. And although there was a knot of fear in the pit of her stomach, she would never back away from the fight.
”For the last time I beg of you, Brice. Set me free. Send me forth to meet my people. They will turn away from this battle, if only they see that I am free.”
”We will speak no more of this thing. My decision is made.”
She decided to try a new course of persuasion.
”If you will not set me free, then let me at least stay here.” Her glance strayed to the weapons atop the mantel, then back to where Brice stood facing her.
”I could a.s.sist those who are wounded.”
A hint of a smile touched his lips.
”Indeed? Help them die faster, perhaps?”
”I cannot stay in the dungeons, Brice. As leader of the MacAlpins I claim the right to be present at the battle.”
”Do you think I could concentrate on the battle at hand, knowing you are vulnerable to attack?”
”The men who ride with Gareth would never harm me. They are my own people.”
”Are you so certain of that?” Brice studied the way the sunlight streamed through the windows, turning the ends of her hair to flame.
He longed to touch it, to feel the silken strands sift through his fingers. Abruptly he pushed away such thoughts.
”What if the men of the MacKenzie clan do not recognize you, and in their l.u.s.t for blood slay the very one they have come to free?”
Such a thing had never entered Meredith's mind. Though she felt a moment of uncertainty, she persisted.
”I am the reason for this attack. If you show my people that I am unharmed, and allow me to return to the Lowlands with them, your life can go on as before.”
”Aye.” His tone hardened.
”And as before, more innocents will be murdered, and their death blamed on the Highland Barbarian. Who is to say that even you will be safe on the journey back to your people?”
She stiffened.
”Are you suggesting that there are those who wish my death?” '” He saw the pain in her eyes and regretted his sharp words. If only they had time. Time to discuss the suspicions he had begun to harbor about those around her. Time to share his thoughts about Gareth MacKenzie and his dead brother. But there was not even time to prepare her for what was to come.
He crossed the room and caught her roughly by the shoulder.
”We will speak no more of this.”
”But...”
His gaze focused on her lips. With no warning he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her with a savageness that left her stunned and reeling.