Highland Barbarian Part 11

He stood and held a chair as Meredith seated herself beside him.

"You may serve, Cara," he called.

The young serving wench came forward with a tray of steaming meats, followed by other servants bearing trays of warm bread and biscuits and platters of sweet puddings.

Meredith's stomach was in knots. The very thought of what she was about to undertake had her hands trembling, her insides turning over.

But she must eat all she could in order to sustain her energy for what lay ahead.

Brice watched as she loaded her plate with meats and breads. Each time he looked away, she slipped some of the food onto her lap and hid it among the folds of her gown.

Jamie, busy feeding the hounds who lurked beneath the table, thought it amusing that the lady's hands were also working beneath the table.

Odd that she had befriended the hounds so quickly.

"So ye be the MacAlpin now, la.s.s?" A burly man in coa.r.s.e woolen garments addressed her.

"Aye."

"Alastair MacAlpin withstood many an attack from the English," he said, tearing off a strip of meat with his hands. "He was a clever warrior."

"You knew my father?"

"We met from time to time. He sat on the king's Council, as did Brice's father. The Campbell clan and the MacAlpin clan were part of the king's own guard."

She knew that. Knew also that there had been little trust between the Highlanders and the Borderers. She'd been raised to believe that the Highlanders were a breed apart from other Scots. "Then you know that my father was a man of peace."

"The English who raided his lands would not agree with you, la.s.s. The man was the devil himself when his land or people were threatened."

"Aye," Brice added.

"He wielded a sword with the best of them. But the la.s.s means that Alastair MacAlpin argued for peace among the clans. He said it was our only weapon against the mighty English."

"Some would call his cry for peace a cowardly act."

Meredith's hand balled into a fist.

"What would you know about the world beyond your fortified mountains?

Do you know what it is to live on the Border? To be raided constantly by hordes of English hoping to steal your flocks, your cattle, even your women?"

"More meat, my lady?" Cara stood beside her with a tray. In her eyes Meredith could read a warning.

Meredith bit down on the words that she had been about to hurl. What good would it do to goad these savages?

Without a word she filled her plate. Beside her, Brice bit back a smile. The lady was not above speaking her mind.

He marveled also at the amount of food the lady was capable of eating.

Just moments ago her plate had been piled high with bread and meat.

Where did such a tiny little la.s.s put all that?

"You were blessed with a healthy appet.i.te, my lady."

"Mayhaps all the Borderers are taught to eat quickly, before the English can steal it," Angus said.

She heard the thread of laughter in his tone and bristled.

"If I must remain a prisoner in your castle, my lord Campbell, then at least I shall indulge my palate."

"By all means. Would you like some pudding?"

She shook her head a little too quickly. The thought of sticky pudding running down her gown nearly caused her to choke.

"I thank you but I have had sufficient."

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jamie watching her. She rolled the excess material of her gown around the food and prayed that she could escape the room without being caught.

When they were finished Brice pushed back his chair. "Angus, you will be responsible for the woman until I return."

Meredith was careful to grasp the folds of her gown, hugging the food to her bosom. The ends of the shawl were the perfect cover.

"I.

implore you one last time," she said softly.

"Take me with you."

"You will remain here." His eyes were cold, his manner implacable.

As he turned away she muttered,

"You will regret that decision."

He turned back and caught her by the arm. In that instant he felt the jolt and cursed himself for his foolishness. To touch this woman was to invite feelings that had no place in his life. Abruptly he dropped his hand to his side.

"I already regret having brought you here. But here you will stay until I decide to return you to your people."

Meredith wondered if the trembling deep inside her was caused by his touch or by the fear of having her plot discovered.

They all looked up at the sound of horses. While Brice and Meredith stared out the window, his men took up their weapons and prepared to defend the castle.

Peering through the opening, Meredith saw a company of riders led by a dainty, auburn-tressed young woman. On her wrist perched a falcon.

Behind the woman there were at least a dozen men and women in elegant dress.

Meredith glanced at Brice in time to see his grim look melt into a warm smile. What a truly handsome man he was when he was not glaring at her. She was startled by the wave of alien emotion that washed over her. Jealousy?

What nonsense. How could she possibly be jealous of the effect this stranger had on Brice Campbell?