Part 13 (1/2)
Disappointed at not having Angus's company, Gwenyth retired to her room, resigned to sewing and needlework as a means to pa.s.s the time. She took the midday meal there, alone with her thoughts.
A rap on the door signaled the servant's return to remove the tray, and Gwenyth was startled to see Adam standing in the doorway after the girl had gone.
He held his bonnet in front of him, looking for all the world like a pet.i.tioner for alms or some other favor. ”My lady?”
”Aye?”
”I thought, well, my father thought you might like to ride today.”
Gwenyth glanced out the winnock at the bright suns.h.i.+ne, a welcome contrast to the past several days of gloom. A ride and the chance for fresh air would be wonderful.
”I believe my ribs are sufficiently healed. Aye, I should like that very much, especially if you will accompany me.”
Adam actually blushed at her words, and Gwenyth suddenly felt more free and at ease than she had in some time.
He tipped his head. ”We'll ride outside the castle walls, if you wish.”
”That sounds wonderful. I'll need to ask your mother for suitable clothes. And Adam, I prefer to ride astride, if that won't offend you.”
”Well, then. So you shall. Meet me at the stables when the sun is straight overhead. I could use some exercise myself.”
He turned and left, and Gwenyth called for a maid to help her change into the skirt Eva sent at her request.
Gwenyth met Adam as agreed, and soon a lovely dun mare was saddled and bridled for her. Gwenyth loved to ridea”loved the tangy smell of horseflesh and the gentle sway as they walked. This ride must surely prove more pleasant than her journey to Moy, when she'd been wounded in body and soul. Within moments of crossing the drawbridge, she felt the weight of her situation depart, and her heart lightened.
They rode through the forest and came to an open meadow. Adam seemed disinclined to converse, and she was happy to ride in silence, observing a golden eagle making lazy circles on the air currents, rabbits scurrying for cover, and the fine, sunny day that had emerged from this morning's fog.
The desire to urge her horse to a canter, to fly over the ground and lose her melancholy in the fleet hoofbeats of the animal, came over her. But remembering her companion, she thought better of her impulse. Unhappy with the necessity to placate her keeper, she drew alongside of Adam.
”I should like to cantera”will you join me?”
”Nay, la.s.s, go on ahead.”
She couldn't believe what she heard. ”You trust me, then.”
He looked her straight in the eye. ”Until you give reason to do otherwise, aye. Go on, I can see you're impatient with this pace. Stay within sight, la.s.s, and I see no harm.”
Flas.h.i.+ng him her brightest smile, she set her heels to the mare's side and broke free of her worries as the horse flew along the ground. She glanced back and saw Adam gently lope after her. Heeding his words, she circled her horse back around, staying within his view, grateful for this bit of freedom.
When her animal tired, she slowed it to a walk and drew up next to the other horse. They rode up a hill, and reaching the top, she stopped at an overlook of the loch and the castle in its midst.
”This view is even more lovely than the one from the path.”
”Aye, it is.”
”What is that building there on the smaller island?”
” 'Tis a prison.”
Gwenyth suppressed a gasp, wondering if that's where he would put her if he learned her ident.i.ty. Quickly she changed the subject, wis.h.i.+ng to leave this place for the relative safety of the keep. ”I don't mean to keep you from your duties.”
”I can take the time.” He pointed ahead. ”We'll walk about the locha”cool the horses.”
They walked the horses slowly down the hill and around the loch toward the castle entrance. The sun glinted off the water's surface and a cow lowed in the distance, but the lovely setting did nothing to calm her nerves.
Adam cleared his throat. ”My father wanted me to thank you for saving my life, Gwenyth. 'Twas a brave thing you did, defying Leod that way without knowing me from, well, from Adam.” He grinned, and she felt her heart leap at the beauty of his features.
She must direct their conversation toward duty, both his and hers. ”I may have saved your life, but Leod can still use our marriage against you, can't he?”
”Leod will use whatever leverage he can find. But I don't think marriage to a servant will harm me much. They've called a council meeting three weeks from now to vote.”
”And you will have to defend yourselfa”convince them you aren't a rapist.”
”Aye.” He was quiet a moment. ”Best way I could do that is to have a true marriage with the woman who accused me.”
Panic welled in her, panic born not in fear of a man touching her, but of this man's healing touch. She schooled her features and voice to portray a severity she did not feel as she exclaimed, ”You don't mean that. I'll be gone by then, Adam.” She hoped it was true, for the longer she stayed the more she was drawn to him and away from her hatred. Memories of Edward faded fast in the glow of Adam's smile.
”Aye, you'll be gone.”
She halted her horse and Adam's mount stopped beside her, so close their knees brushed. ”Will they believe you? About the a.s.sault, I mean?”
”Some will, some won't.”
Adam pointed to a pile of rocks shadowed by shade trees. ”Come, there are things you should know.”
They dismounted and, being a good horseman, Adam exchanged their bridles for halters. Then he tethered the horses loosely so they could enjoy the lush gra.s.s. Adam led her to a place where they sat with their backs to the sun-warmed rocks. A breeze fondled the leaves, making them glimmer in the sunlight. The peaceful setting belied the nervous twitch in her stomach as she wondered what more Adam had to say.
She didn't have to wait long.
”Angus has told you that I was betrothed?”
She nodded. ”Aye, he mentioned it the other morning.”
”Aye. Suisan, her name was. She was very young, but I was besotted with her. And Angus wanted the alliance to strengthen my claim to be chief. We were to marry when I returned from serving Bruce.”
”But you were wounded at Dalry.” By her kinsmen. The thought that someone she knew had wounded Adam saddened her.
”Oh, aye.” He picked at a c.o.c.klebur on his woolen stocking. ”I came home more dead than alive. Praise be, Nathara was there to tend me from the start, or I'd be dead, not just maimed.”
No wonder Nathara felt possessive of the handsome young laird. She'd saved his life. ”Nathara did an excellent joba”the muscle has healed well. And I've seen you fight.”
Adam raised an eyebrow. ”When?”
Gwenyth smoothed her skirt before admitting, ”I can see the lists from my room. Even with your arm, you fight better than many men.”
He studied her. ”You're quick to come to my defense.”
”You have earned my admiration.”
”Then I'm a lucky man.”