Part 52 (1/2)

For one long minute Mackay could only stare at her. Then he leaped up with a look of fire in his eyes.

”I need some ale.” He stepped to the door, intent upon calling to a servant. From below he heard the sound of laughter drifting from the great hall, where his men were gathered before the fire.

Below stairs, his men would not make him feel foolish for having nearly been beaten by a woman. Below stairs, there was the comrades.h.i.+p of men who had gone to battle together and had tales of bravery to share.

As a servant stepped forward, Mackay shook his head and sent her away.

For one long minute he turned and stared at the little female who taunted him, who infuriated him. With a look of menace he hissed,

”Much as I would enjoy watching you bathe and dress, I would enjoy a tankard or two with the men more.” He strode to the door, then turned with a gleam of laughter in his eyes.

”Besides, my lady, I will have the pleasure of undressing you myself in just a very short time. And then we shall see who is the victor and who the vanquished.”

He pointed to the white gown on the bed.

”Remember, woman, I want her to look like the bride Brice Campbell abducted from the altar. The bride Brice Campbell will never have for himself.”

His words brought a terrible shaft of pain. But she must not let him see how easily he could hurt her.

Mackay gave a hollow laugh and turned away.

Through narrowed eyes Meredith watched as the door closed behind him.

In that brief moment she had noted the guards, whose presence would make her escape more difficult. But she was not about to despair.

There were still the windows. And if that attempt failed, she would find another means of escape.

As Holden Mackay's booming voice rang through the hallway, she vowed that he would never hold her in this prison of horrors.

She touched a hand to the dirk hidden at her waist. And no matter what, she would never again allow him to sully her with his touch.

Chapter Eighteen

Brice and Angus lay on their stomachs on a ridge that afforded them a view of Holden Mackay's fortress. For nearly an hour they had noted wery sign of movement outside the castle.

They had watched with great interest as a horse and rider approached the courtyard. The rider, a stooped old crone in a dark, shapeless cloak, had slid from the back of the horse and had been greeted warmly by the guards. A bundle had been removed from behind the saddle.

Within minutes the doors to the castle were opened to admit the rider and bundle.

While Angus continued to lie and watch, Brice got to his knees and kneaded the stiffness in his shoulders.

”I tell you the best way to attack is simply to storm the courtyard and kill the guards.” Brice's tone was harsh with determination.

Angus grimaced.

”The doors will be braced from within. ”Twould take a battering ram to force them open.”

”Every minute we wait is another minute of agony for Meredith.”

”Aye.” Angus noted his friend's drooping shoulders. ”Do you think I do not know? But there are only ten and two of us. There could be many more times our number within the castle walls. If we can surprise them, we have a chance.