Part 74 (1/2)

At the sight of Meredith being held at knife point, Brice's blood froze.

Gareth found himself staring at a ghost.

”You are dead. I killed you.”

”And I have come back to haunt you,” Brice said through gritted teeth.

”Nay. It cannot be. I plunged my sword through your heart. I watched the lifeblood spill from you. As my father did before me with your father.”

At his words everyone went deathly quiet.

It was Brice who broke the silence.

”Was it also your father who spread lies about my father?”

Gareth gave an evil smile.

”Aye. He coveted his wealth and t.i.tles.

And he taught his sons well. Once a man's name is muddied, it is never clean again.”

”And the lies spread about me in the French Court?”

Meredith suddenly realized what heartache Brice must have suffered in a foreign land, with enemies such as the MacKenzies.

”Aye.” Gareth laughed.

”The queen mother felt that you were exerting too much influence on the young queen. It was my task to see that you were--encouraged to leave.”

”Release the woman.” Brice's words were deadly soft. ”This fight is between the two of us.”

Gareth tightened his grip on Meredith's throat.

”You will drop your weapon or my dirk will find the woman's heart.”

The other women stood in stunned silence in the doorway. Their faces mirrored their shock as they watched and listened.

For a long moment Brice's gaze held Meredith's. He thought of all the battles he had fought, the victories he had savored. How simple life had been when he'd had nothing to lose except his own life. But it was Meredith's life that hung in the balance. And he would gladly pay any price, even death, to save her.

He made a move to toss aside his sword.

As his hand moved to his scabbard Meredith gave a cry. ”No, Brice. I cannot let him kill you.”

In a panic Gareth pressed the blade tightly to Meredith's throat. She gave a sudden cry of pain. Blood spilled down her bodice.

At the sight of her blood Brice lost all reason. Like a man possessed he lunged, catching Meredith by the arm and yanking her free of Gareth's grasp. With one fluid movement he plunged his sword through Gareth's heart.

For a moment Gareth stared at his a.s.sailant, his eyes round and unblinking. Then, with a cry bubbling in his throat, he dropped to the floor.

As Meredith slumped to her knees Brice caught her and lifted her in his strong arms. With blood streaming from her wound she clung to him and whispered,