Highland Barbarian Part 57

In a tone meant to soothe he said softly,

"You are safe now, Rowena.

Holden Mackay is dead."

He watched her shoulders slump as she seemed to let go of the terrible tension that had held her in its grip. A sigh rose up from deep within her.

"What has happened here? Where is the lady Meredith?"

Rowena stared into his dark eyes. He had always been so kind to her.

She wanted to return the favor. But it was hard to think.

"Holden Mackay sent for me to dress the lady." She stared down at the bloodstained gown she was wearing. "He chose this gown. He said he wanted her to look like the bride you would never have."

Brice's eyes narrowed. In his jaw a little muscle began working.

"Did he touch her?" His hand curled into a fist.

"Did he harm her in any way?"

She shook her head.

"You are certain?"

Rowena met his gaze, then slowly nodded.

He felt as if a band around his heart had suddenly been removed. With a rush of relief he asked softly,

"Why are you wearing the gown, Rowena?"

Why indeed? She shook her head, as if to erase the pain of Holden Mackay's fists. Slowly, haltingly, her mind cleared.

"When we were alone, the lady Meredith asked me to change clothes with her. I put on her gown."

"Why?"

"So that when she opened the door, the guards outside would think that she was still seated by the fire."

"Why would they not recognize her when she opened the door?"

"The lady Meredith was disguised as me."

Brice could only stare in silence as the meaning sank in.

"The lady wore my cloak and carried my bundle of gowns."

Brice turned to Angus, who stood listening.

"The old crone outside the fortress."

Angus let out a moan.

"Brice, she is hours ahead of us on the trail."

"Aye." Brice glanced down at Rowena.

"And this dazed, b.l.o.o.d.y creature has taken a beating for her kindness."

"Had it not been for the lady Meredith's thoughtfulness, I feel certain I would not have survived."

Brice's eyes narrowed.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because the lady kindly bound my hands and covered my mouth, saying that unless Holden Mackay was convinced that I had been forced into this, he would kill me."

Brice and Angus surveyed the rubble that had once been Holden Mackay's sleeping chamber.

Brice's tone was low with wonder.

"From the looks of all this, the lady made a wise decision." He turned to Angus

"a.s.semble the men.

We ride to the Lowlands. And pray we catch up to Meredith before Gareth MacKenzie gets news of what has happened here this day."

Rowena caught Brice's hand. Her eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g with ^ like ice. Love was what drove him. It was what caused him such pain. ^ "Pray I do not fail her," he murmured.

"Or I may as well join Holden Mackay in the fires of h.e.l.l."

He felt as if a band around his heart had suddenly been removed. With a rush of relief he asked softly,

"Why are you wearing the gown, Rowena?"

Chapter Twenty

Q^nrs^Q JVleredith was hopelessly lost.

The route from Kinloch House had been difficult enough to follow. But now that she had managed to escape Mackay's fortress, she could locate no familiar landmarks. Plunging blindly through thickets and woods, she urged her mount onward, praying that eventually she would find a river or stream that would point the way homeward.

; The only thought that gave her the strength to go on was the knowledge that she had persuaded Brice to remain in his Highland home where he was safe. Whenever she felt the fear begin to engulf her, she would cling to her belief hat Brice was out of harm's way. She closed her eyes, itrying to picture him as she had so often seen him, lounging in a chair drawn up before the fire, a tankard of ale in his hand, his men cl.u.s.tered about him and Jamie hanging on his every word.

She experienced such a crus.h.i.+ng sense of loss, she felt tears mist her eyes.

As she pa.s.sed beneath a low-hanging branch, it clawed i at her cloak and snagged her hair. She ducked low in the saddle, then noted over her shoulder that the bundle of gowns had pried open. Bare branches suddenly bloomed with brilliant scarlet satin, rich ruby velvet and s.h.i.+mmering tears she whispered,