Part 23 (2/2)

He trusts me.

She could slit his throat and be gone before anyone disturbed the newlywed couple. But she wasn't even tempted, for the thought of any harm coming to this compa.s.sionate man tied her stomach in a knot.

Ignoring the knife, she touched his flaxen hair, something she'd often thought of doing. From the tightness of the curl, she'd expected it to feel tough and wiry. But it was surprisingly soft, and the curls sprang back into place.

Tonight she would learn what drew a man and woman together and the secrets that bound a husband and wife. Somehow, she would force her mind to forget Leod's actions and think only of Adam. And the ways he touched her heart.

But Adam kept his word and Gwenyth learned yet again that this man was a man of honor. They talked deep into the night and gave each other consolation without becoming lovers.

Sometime near morning, Gwenyth awoke to the unfamiliar feeling of Adam's big bodya”her husband's bodya”curled around her like a protective s.h.i.+eld. As she dozed back to sleep, she knew she had never, in all her life, felt safer than she did in this man's arms.

NINETEEN.

SLEEPILY, Gwenyth pulled her head from under the pillow and answered a knock on the door. No doubt a servant bringing breakfast. ”Come in,” she responded. She had slept like the dead, and yet languidness filled her this morn. For the first time in a long while, she was tempted to remain abed and take a late meal in her room.

The woman cleared her throat and Gwenyth opened one eye. Then both eyes, as she bolted upright, clutching the covers to her. Her action elicited a grunt and a swiping of the blanket by Adam.

Adam! Heat rose to her face as she looked from the man in her bed to his mother.

Eva's gaze was tender and bittersweet. ”I see I need not have worried. My son is safely in bed. With his wife.” A troubled frown creased her face and was gone. ”Best to wake him slowly, childa” he's a bear first thing in the morning.”

Gwenyth could only starea”words refused to form in her mind.

”I'm sorry to disturb you, but there are things to be done for the funeral. Would you send him to mea””

”I'm awake, Mother. Now go away.” Adam's voice was m.u.f.fled by the bedclothes, but there was no mistaking his bad humor.

”Some things never change.” And with that Eva quietly left Gwenyth to deal with Adam.

Gingerly, Gwenyth left the bed and retrieved her tunic and kirtle from the hook where she had hung it. She hastened to her wooden chest and picked up the polished mirror, inspecting her face. Not a trace of a bruisea”Adam's touch had been gentle and it frightened her.

But Adam didn't frighten her. Her reaction to him did.

He'd once spoken of the bond that was formed between husband and wife. With growing alarm, she realized that unless she fought that bond, she was in danger of throwing away everything she'd come to think she desired. And for what? For the love Adam promised?

Papa, what shall I do?

For too long she'd worked to avenge her father's cruel death. Edward Balliol had offered her the means to do that. But Edward couldn't promise a home and security. And such dreams couldn't compete with the reality of Adam and the attachment she feared could be formed with him.

She wiped her tears on the sleeve of her chemise and became aware of a presence standing behind her.

Adam cradled her in his arms, his chin resting gently on the top of her head. ”Hush, now. We will find a way through this, Gwenyth, I promise.”

He turned her to face him, and wiped away a stray tear with his thumb. ”Last night . . . Gwenyth, if you were never to lie with me, I think I'd probably die for wanting you. But there is more, much more, to marriage than bedsport. Marriage must also be about loyalty and commitment.” His thumb rubbed her mother's ring.

She swallowed. ”What about love?”

His smile was tender now. ”I believe love comes about as a result of those other things. You'll remember I once spoke of a bond?”

”Aye.” She remembered well.

He took a deep breath. ”Just being with you, holding you in my arms. You are my true wife, Gwenyth. I say it is so, and I dare any man to say otherwise.” He shoved his fingers through his unruly hair. ”I would defy the hounds of Hades if they tried to take you from Moy.”

Safety. Commitment. Home. Could she find it all here? With Adam?

His words were fierce, but in his eyes she saw a wounded man whose betrothed had rejected him. An honorable man who would marry an enemy to protect his king and then defy that same king rather than harm a frightened woman.

Did she dare to hope that love would grow out of loyalty and commitment as Adam believed? Could she trust him with her battered heart? And until she answered those questions, how would she stop herself from falling in love with Adam Mackintosh?

Perhaps it was too late.

NEWLYWED OR NOT, duty called and Adam was glad they would both have time to consider his words. He'd made his feelings clear to her, except for one detail. Of all the things he'd sought from her last night, never had he expected to glimpse the very gates of paradise. But that's exactly what he'd found, and he had no intention of stepping through them without Gwenyth.

Somehow, some way, he would make her his in every way.

But first, the care and feeding of his people still had to be seen toa”work didn't wait on births or deaths or the longings of a new bridegroom. And along with the daily details the impending funeral loomed.

At midmorning he found himself in the surgery of Castle Moy, where several of Daron's men had been sent for Nathara to treat. Their time in the makes.h.i.+ft shelter and exposure to the elements had caused a number of them to take sick.

He stepped into the room, surprised to see Daron among those waiting for Nathara's attention. She glanced up at Adam's arrival, and he could have sworn her complexion paled. When she knocked over a vial of her medicine, Adam's amus.e.m.e.nt turned to suspicion.

”Good day to you, Nathara. I see you have no lack of patients.”

”Aye, my laird.” She dropped her gaze. ”I am sorry about Angus.”

”Thank you, la.s.s. Do you need one of the kitchen girls to help here?”

”That would be most appreciated.”

Adam noted her stiff speech, as if they had never been anything but laird and va.s.sal. It was a good performance, he'd give her that.

Daron left his place in line to stand beside Adam.

They spoke quietly as Nathara took care of the others. Soon it was Daron's turn, and she approached them, directing a glare at Daron. ”What's your ailment?”

”Nothing. I just came to see to my men.”

”Well, they're finea”nothing serious.” She appraised the wound on his temple. ”Someone did a terrible job of st.i.tching that for you.”

”Aye, well, it was either Dougal's unsteady hand or bleed to death.” Daron smiled at her, and from the look on his face, Nathara's charms weren't lost on him. But her recent behavior didn't sit well with Adam, and he considered warning Daron off. Then again, perhaps he should encourage a relations.h.i.+pa”Daron might learn something useful.

But Nathara's next words didn't bode well for such a plan. ”Too bad Dougal was competent, if sloppy. We'd have one less Comyn to deal with.”

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