Highland Barbarian Part 59

"I will tell no one."

Within minutes Brenna had returned with their youngest sister. At ten and four Megan was already as tall as Meredith and still growing.

Her hair the color of ripe wheat and gold-flecked eyes in a small oval face promised a rare beauty when she grew to womanhood.

She pulled her arm free of Brenna's grasp and stamped her foot.

"What is it you cannot tell me?"

"This." Brenna stood aside and allowed the youngest to peer into her sleeping chamber.

Megan's eyes grew round before filling with tears. In quick strides she was across the room, locked in her sister's embrace.

"Oh, Meredith. We thought you dead."

"Aye. I have heard the rumors of my death. Though I must confess there were many times when I thought they would be true."

"Why must you keep your presence here a secret?"

"I am here to unmask Gareth MacKenzie as a liar."

Megan turned to stare at sixteen-year-old Brenna, who looked stricken.

Seeing her shock and pain Meredith placed an arm about her sister's shoulders.

"What is it, Brenna? What have I said to cause such pain?"

"Gareth has been courting me." Brenna thought of the uneasy hours she had been forced to spend in the company of Gareth MacKenzie.

"Thankfully I have never been alone with him. Old Mora saw to that,"

Brenna said with a smile. Her smile suddenly faded.

"Gareth has already sought the approval of the clan to wed me when he returns from Edinburgh."

"He is not here then?"

"Nay."

At her words, Meredith felt a wave of relief. At least for now she was safe.

"He left only yesterday with a large party of MacKenzie men to seek an audience with the queen. He intends to ask Her Majesty to declare you dead."

"And to declare you the next of kin." Meredith stroked her sister's hair before asking,

"Do you love Gareth MacKenzie?"

"Love him?" Brenna trembled and Meredith drew her close. Against her cheek the young woman murmured,

"I do not love Gareth. I fear him.

But Duncan and the others urged me to accept his offer of marriage in order to secure our borders."

"They said Brenna could do no less than you, Meredith, if she were truly the MacAlpin." Megan's tawny eyes flashed.

"We knew that you did not love Desmond. Yet you agreed to wed him for the sake of the clan."

"Aye. Poor Duncan," Meredith said softly.

"He was so certain that Gareth would be as good as his word. He is like all the others.

Fooled by Gareth's charm, and unable to see what he really is."

"Enough about Gareth MacKenzie. How did you manage to escape from the Highland Barbarian?" Megan asked.

Meredith suddenly realized how much had happened since her abduction at the altar. Her own sisters did not even know about the man who had stolen her heart.

"Come," Meredith said, catching Megan's hand.

"Find me a night s.h.i.+ft.

We will all climb into Brenna's big bed and whisper and giggle as we did when we were children. I will tell you everything."

"I will go below stairs and fetch some biscuits. I've heard those Highlanders eat raw meat." Mora studied the slender girl and added, "It's a wonder you haven't faded away in that barbaric place."

Meredith laughed at her old nurse's words. But as Mora started for the door, Meredith's words stopped her.

"Not a word that I am here."

"Not even to Bancroft?"

"Nay. Not even to him. For a little while longer no one must know that I am still alive. Do you understand?"

"Aye."

Mora put her hand on the door but Meredith again stopped her. With the beginnings of a smile she added, "Bring meat and cheese as well. And mayhaps a goblet of ale."

"Ale?" Brenna turned to study her sister.

Meredith laughed.

"Aye. Ale. I have learned to like the taste of it.

Besides it will warm me."

"I will fetch a night s.h.i.+ft," Megan called.

"Hurry back. There is much to tell."