Highland Barbarian Part 6

She strode toward the fireplace and stood, deep in thought. The next time Brice Campbell came for her she knew what she must do.

When the door to the sitting chamber opened, Meredith's hand automatically moved to the dagger at her waist as she swung around to face her captor. In her eyes was the look of a warrior.

"I brought you food, my lady."

Upon seeing the serving girl Meredith let out a long hiss of breath.

The girl was nearly as tall as a man, with blond hair neatly plaited and twisted about her head. As she set the tray on a table near the fireplace, Meredith noted that her hands were large and work worn.

"What is your name?"

"Cara."

"Have you served Brice Campbell long, Cara?"

With ease the girl pulled a ma.s.sive chair in front of the table and waited for Meredith to seat herself.

"I was born here in Kinloch House while my lord Campbell and my father were in France. When my father died in France, my lord arranged for my mother and me to stay on here."

"And you do not object to being forced into service?"

"My lady, it is a fine life for us. If my lord Campbell had turned us out, where would we have gone?"

"Have you no family?"

"My mother has two brothers, but both had already taken wives. We would have become a burden to them, and in time they would have resented us. Knowing that, my lord Campbell provided for us."

Meredith noted the warmth in the girl's tone whenever she mentioned Brice Campbell's name.

"How can one so cruel elicit such devotion?"

"Cruel?" Cara gave a sweet laugh.

"My lord Campbell is a good and fair man. I have never known him to be cruel." She lowered her voice.

"But he is cursed with a quick temper. Mother has often said that Father told her he would the'er be the one to cross swords with him in battle."

Meredith recalled his curses in the darkness, low and savage, and felt herself s.h.i.+ver. Aye, the man had a temper.

"But he is quick to forgive and forget as well. A kinder, fairer man there is not in all of Scotland. His kindness even extends at times to his enemies."

"I do not understand."

Cara gave her a level look.

"Jamie MacDonald's father was a Lowlander."

"I had thought the lad to be Campbell's son."

"Son?" Cara smiled at the thought. "ian MacDonald and his wee son were all that was left of a clan that had been burned and looted in the dark of night. Blaming Brice Campbell, ian MacDonald journeyed to the Highlands to seek his vengeance."

"What happened to ian?" Meredith asked softly.

"He was killed in battle. When Brice learned that there was no one left in the Lowlands to raise the lad, he took him in. And Jamie MacDonald is like a son to Brice."

Cara swallowed suddenly, dismayed at the looseness of her tongue.

"I.

pray I have not betrayed a confidence by telling you this, my lady.

But let no man call Brice Camp- bell an unjust man." She avoided Meredith's eyes, fearing that she had overstepped her bounds.

"I will leave you to your meal. When you have finished I will return with warm clothes." She stared pointedly at Meredith's gown. "Though there is nothing wrong with the clothes you wear. You look as lovely as a bride."

The food, which only minutes ago had seemed so inviting, now tasted like ashes in Meredith's mouth. She pushed the plate aside.

"I was a bride. For a moment."

Seeing the bleak look on Meredith's face, Cara cried, "Oh, my lady.

What happened?"

Meredith's voice held a dreamy, far-away note.

"He was hardly more than a lad. Doing what his family ordered. As was I." Her tone hardened.

"He was killed at the altar." Meredith sc.r.a.ped back her chair and crossed the room to stand in front of the roaring fire. She was suddenly cold. So cold. The scene played once again in her mind and she gripped her hands together so tightly they were white from the effort.

"Killed by an arrow from Brice Campbell's longbow. The same Brice Campbell you claim is an honorable man."

"I am sorry, my lady."

Meredith was so deep in thought she didn't even hear the door close as the serving girl took her leave.

In the great hall Brice paced back and forth before the fireplace while Angus and Holden emptied their tankards. Though Jamie MacDonald's eyes were heavy, he resisted the urge to go to bed. The need to be close to Brice, to hear all that had transpired in the Lowlands, was more compelling than the need for sleep.

The hounds lay in a circle before the fireplace, their eyes firmly fixed on their master.

"How could I have made such a blunder?"

"The MacKenzie brothers are nearly identical. From so great a distance it was a natural mistake." Angus added softly,

"Do not fret, old friend. We will kill Gareth next time."

"Next time." Brice whirled on his friend, his eyes blazing.

"Do you think I can ask my men to risk their lives going down to the Borders again, just to honor my good name?"