Circle Of Honor Part 12

When her fingers pressed where the sword blade had cut deepest, he winced, determined not to call out again. She stood close and he was aware of her scent, lavender and woman. A groan escaped him as her fingers ma.s.saged the tender spot.

Her hands stilled and withdrew, so hastily it was as if she'd touched something hot. "I did not mean to cause you more discomfort. The muscle wasn't severed, my laird. 'Tis a wonder you didn't bleed to death, though. I think if you were to move the arm beyond where it pains you, you might extend the amount of activity it will tolerate."

She must have become uncomfortable with their closeness, because she retreated up the steps even as he rose so quickly he nearly knocked her down.

He steadied himself and reached for her, but she shrank from his touch. Adam wondered if her aversion resulted from the attack she'd suffered, or if she avoided him for some other reason. He softened his voice in an effort to rea.s.sure her. "I will try your suggestion."

Although she stepped back, still she pinned him with an unflinching gaze. "You would honor our vows even if you weren't injured."

Not wanting to see the conversation take this turn, he tried to divert her. "How do you suggesta""

"It's true, isn't it? For that is the kind of man you are."

She spoke with such conviction. What had he done to deserve such allegiance?

"You honor me, Gwenyth, with your confidence in my character."

"Then know that while I appreciate your character, I would not deny you Nathara's company, my laird. Since we two are married in name only."

"As it must be."

She nodded. "Oh, aye. It must. Then we are agreed?"

"Agreed on what?"

She looked at him as if he were thickheaded, which of course, was exactly how he was acting in order to prolong the verbal joust and the pleasure of her company.

But when she bowed her head, his enjoyment ceased. He saw her s.h.i.+ver and draw the shawl closer.

He raised his hand, thinking to touch her chin and bring her head up, but at the movement she startled, and he quickly withdrew. "Look at me, Gwenyth."

When she did, he saw pain and confusion in her eyes.

"You need not fear me, Gwenyth. I do not wish to be your enemy, nor to have you cringe at an innocent touch. I know well enough that you'd not welcome any man just now, and rightly so." s.h.i.+fting his weight, he studied her a moment. "Come, it is late." He followed her down the stairs, escorting her to her chamber.

At the door, he placed his arm across the opening to halt her. "You are safe with me. And I will keep the vows, Gwenyth."

"Why?"

He shrugged. He hadn't told Gwenyth, or anyone else for that matter, about the tavern wench that night in Dalry. But he would never again cheapen that sacred act just to satisfy his needs. "I told you, my word is all I have right now. And to be honest, I was glad for a means to break off with Nathara."

Her eyes grew wide at his confession. And a wisp of a smile caressed her lips.

He forced his features to be stern. "You find that amusing, do you?" By the saints, he wanted to kiss her, to make that smile ripen and bless him. But it would only frighten her and cause him frustration. Because one kiss would not be enough . . .

"Try swimming, my laird."

"What?"

A warm but tentative smile graced her face. "For your arm." With a whispered goodnight, she entered her room, and he breathed a sigh of relief that the encounter was over.

She is your wife, you fool. Why will you send her away?

The question hung in the air, unanswered.

CROUCHED UNSEEN in a corner of the hall, Nathara watched as Adam stared at Gwenyth's closed chamber door.

Unable to hear the conversation, still she'd seen for herself that he slept alone this night. Nathara stormed to her small cottage, cursing Adam and his blasted sense of honor. She'd been so certain there on the parapets that the lure of moonlight and her charms would make him succ.u.mb. But instead he'd sent her away.

Then he'd showered his attention on the wench, even allowing her to touch his wounds, the very wounds Nathara had healed. And from her hiding place at the bottom of the stairs, she'd watched Adam stare at her with longing, with hope, with desire. Enough. The wench must be driven from Castle Moy.

ELEVEN.

ADAM PAID LITTLE ATTENTION to the food placed before him as the castle inhabitants broke their fast the following morning.

Visions of Gwenyth's hair s.h.i.+ning in the moonlight, her lovely skin, the way her eyes sparkled, held far more appeal.

"Good morrow, son."

Eva chuckled when he nearly fell off the bench.

He righted himself. "Mother, I didn't see you there."

"Nay, I don't suppose ye did." She examined him before continuing. "When Angus learns ye were walking in the moonlight with yer wife, ye can expect a summons. And I'm warning, he'll not take no for an answer."

"And this walk I supposedly took, 'tis the talk of the keep already this morn?"

Eva grinned. "When her guard returned to his post he found ye outside her chamber, but he wouldn't say if ye were going in or coming out."

Blast the man. "That wee bit of tact is all that stands between him and dismissal."

"Aye, well. Not much happens in this place without someone knowing of it. And, as I said, yer da will hear of it and demand to meet her now she's well enough to leave her room."

"She's not stayinga"why must he interfere?"

"Because he's yer father."

As if that explained it, Eva took her leave, and Adam made a halfhearted attempt to eat. The summons from his father came before he'd finished his meal. No sense putting it off. His father would badger him until Adam brought Gwenyth to him. He went to Gwenyth's chamber to retrieve her.

She faced him, confused and fearful. "But why?"

"Just humor him, Gwenyth. We both know you'll not be here long enough to make a difference or to give him the grandchildren he's been demanding."

"Don't your sisters have children?"

"Aye, five girls between them. Da says 'tis my duty to give him the grandson."

For a moment, Gwenyth's features were wistful, and the sight warmed Adam. A grandson for Angus, a child for Adam. He stepped toward her, and she retreated swiftly.

"Why do you run from me, little one? I wish you no harm."

"I fear we will forget our promise to separate, Adam. Please, no matter how our feelings may change, it is best if we don't act on them."

Thinking she still feared a man's touch, encouraged by her admission that her feelings toward him were warming, he made no further effort to touch her. Perhaps she would come to care more for him than for her cousin.

Adam smiled. "Well then. We'd best go tell Angus he'll have to wait a bit longer."

THE KNOCK AT HIS DOOR aroused Angus from dozing, and Adam ushered in the woman at his bidding. Angus watched them walk toward him, apprehension written clearly on the girl's face. Adam must have sensed her discomfort, for he leaned down to whisper in her ear. Did the boy care for her, or did he just show empathy to an injured being like himself? An interesting question that begged an answer.

"You may leave us, Adam."

Anger crossed his son's face. "Buta""

"Leave us."

Looking none too pleased, Adam gave the girl's hand a squeeze and said something that made her smile before he stalked out of the room, shutting the door a bit harder than necessary.

Angus pushed his son's displeasure aside and indicated the stool beside the bed. "Come, la.s.s. I don't bite."

She gave him a weak smile as she sat on the edge of the stool, head bowed. She'd recovered from the attack, but it angered him to think of such a wee la.s.s being mistreated. "Ah, la.s.sie, ye've had the worst of it, haven't ye? Ye didn't deserve such treatment, and it grieves me that ye've suffered at the hands of Clan Chattan."

"You don't believe in beating women?" she asked, her voice a cross between sarcasm and hopefulness.

He grinned, testing her reaction. "Well now, there may be times a good thras.h.i.+ng is needed."

She raised her head and her features hardened.

"This is not a laughing matter for ye, nor should it be." He paused. "There are better ways to woo a la.s.s."

"Even if the woman is a servant?"

Ah, she had spirit. Good. " 'Tis no way to treat any woman." He studied her. "Do ye wish me or mine ill?"

She fiddled with the ends of her belt, twisting them back and forth. "Except for the man who a.s.saulted me, I wish you and yours no harm. But my kinsmena""

"Yer kin served those who oppose Robert the Bruce. And they've paid dearly."

"With their lives."

"Aye, and the suffering of their kin." As he approached death, Angus saw more clearly that the sins of the father were too often visited on the child. He himself had married an heiress and done all he could to unite two mighty clans. Now Adam would have to deal with the festering dissatisfaction Angus's own actions had brought about. Angus was certain Adam could accomplish this, if only he believed in himself.

"So, la.s.s, where do yer loyalties lie?"

"In England, with my family. And until I join them, with you and your son. I am most grateful for Adam's protection. I shall not remain long, only untila""

"Aye, I know all about yer plans. Do ye truly wish to leave yer home?"

Her back straightened. "I have no home. All has been taken from us."

"If ye have life, ye have all ye need to begin again."

She met his gaze, and the stab of pity in her eyes revealed her knowledge of the gravity of his illness.

"I know I'm dying, la.s.s. 'Tis to yer credit yer face didna light with glee when ye realized it."

She looked away.

Gently he repeated his earlier question. "Do ye truly wish to leave Scotland?"

"In all honesty, my laird, I don't know what I want except to be reunited with my kinsmen." Her eyes glistened as she whispered, "And to feel safe again."

Her pain moved him, and suddenly he felt very old and tired. And useless. He offered his hand. "Come here, la.s.s."

She rose and, standing close, took his proffered hand.

He fought his drowsiness. "I consider myself a good judge of character, and I see strength in ye. Under other circ.u.mstances, I would consider ye a good match for Adam."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "If I weren't a servant, or if I were still a maid?"

He studied her as his weariness tugged at him. "Your innocence was stolen from you, child. I do not hold it against you, nor would Adam or any man worthy of the name." He rubbed his eyes in an effort to rub away the fatigue. "I'm too tired to debate any more today. Come back tomorrow, and we'll talk of this some more."

She seemed about to argue, then thought better of it.

As she turned to leave, he asked, "Do ye by any chance have the gift for storytelling, la.s.s?"

With a puzzled frown, she answered, "I know the old legends, aye."

"Then ye will recite to me after ye've broken yer fast on the morrow."

She regarded him, then rewarded him with a small smile. "As you wish, my laird." The door closed quietly behind her.

A fine day's work, he thought as he drifted off to sleep.

THE DAY BEGAN as all her mornings began of latea"waiting for Daron and praying he was well and as anxious as she to be gone. Hoping to help the time pa.s.s quickly, she made her way to Angus, only to be turned away from his chamber this morning by an obviously troubled Eva.

"He's worn himself out."

"I am most sorry, Lady Eva. I hope he is soon recovered."

" 'Tis in G.o.d's hands," she replied and walked away, leaving Gwenyth to wonder if Eva blamed her for the old man's weariness. She had enjoyed the last several mornings with him.