Page 50 of Kilty Until Proven Innocent
But as always, Her Majesty was correct.
Drum had blocked Avaline’s blow without even drawing his own sword. The Angel fought fast and dirty, the way Brigit had learned, and Drum wasn’t used to the methods. Still, he managed to use his superior size and strength to block her attacks…mostly.
As she spun past him, her cloak billowing in her whirlwind offense, her blade skimmed down the outside of his forearm, causing him to curse and spin away. Brigit jerked forward, and the Queen’s hold tightened on her wrist.
“That bitch,” Brigit hissed, almost hoping she’d be heard and distract Avaline from her attack.
She needn’t have bothered.
Because Drum turned his spin into a crouch, and when Avaline darted forward again, the tip of the dagger poised for blood, he grabbed her wrist, used her momentum to carry her over his shoulder, and tossed her to the ground.
As the knife clattered away, he dropped his knee to her thighs as he grabbed her other wrist, holding her in place. “Stay down,” he snapped.
Bucking beneath him, Avaline screeched, “Coward! Fighting like a man—all strength and nae finesse.” Her control was deserting her as she kicked. “Let me up and fight me fairly.”
“Fairly?” he snorted. “I’m bleeding.”
“Aye, and I’ll make ye bleed worse, ye whoreson!”
Brigit watched Drum’s expression fall into contemplation as he looked at the spitting she-devil beneath him. “I cannae believe I thought myself in love with ye. Was it all an act, Rebecca?”
“I told ye, I’m Avaline now. And aye, ‘twas all an act. Everything. Ye think I could fall in love? I want naught to do with men!”
“Well, ye need one,” he said finally, rocking back and loosening his hold. “Mayhap a husband and a few bairns would change yer outlook on life.”
“How dare ye,” she screeched…just as the door to the chapel swung open.
“How dare hewhat?” boomed a mighty voice, and Brigit’s gaze swung in that direction.
Stepping through the door was the King of Scotland, fully dressed, his crown atop his head, not looking at all like a man caught unawares in bed. As Craig stepped into the chapel at his rear, Brigit smiled in relief, glad that part of the plan had gone off easily.
As the King strode down the length of the chapel, Avaline must’ve been frantically conniving. “Yer Majesty! Oh, thank the Saints! Please, ‘tis yer turn to helpme!”
“Drummond?” the King rumbled, halting just inside the circle of light given off by the candelabra on the altar. “Care to explain?”
“Aye, Yer Majesty,” he said immediately, releasing Avaline to rise to his feet. “I’m protecting ye.”
“Me?” The King eyed the slender woman on the floor. “From?”
“Oh, Yer Majesty!” Avaline cried, struggling to her feet, holding her waist as if she’d been hurt, turning tear-filled eyes to the King. “He—the Hunter…” Her voice caught on a sob. “I confronted him about his attempts on yer life and he said he was on his way to yer chambers now! Thank God ye brought a bodyguard, but dinnae fash…” She struggled to shuffle about to face Drum, as if putting her body between him and the King. “I will protect ye again!”
Oh Lord.
Brigit felt her brows rise. ‘twas…a convincing act. Avaline reallydidlook like a feeble and broken woman. One who was still trying to recover from a brutal attack by a larger man, struggling to maintain her dignity.
“Shite,” Brigit hissed, hoping the King didn’t fall for it.
From behind her, she thought she heard the Queen murmur, “Indeed.”
Luckily, Drummond didn’t seem worried. Instead, he sighed and met the King’s eyes over Avaline’s shoulder. “I was lured here by a letter, Yer Majesty, and can prove it. ‘Twas from someone saying they kenned the identity of the assassin. When I arrived here, Lady Avaline had an interesting story.”
“Dinnae believe him, Yer Majesty,” Avaline insisted, her earlier quaver gone. She balled her fists and, with a deep breath, lifted them as if to fight Drum hand-to-hand. “Ye can trust me. I’m the hero.”
Drum just shook his head, holding her gaze. “She arranged everything, Yer Majesty. The ambush in the corridor, the potion in the wine. Even this. She arranged it so I would appear guilty, so she could save ye at the last moment and gain power and prestige.”
The King hummed. “A woman being manipulative? What a shock.”
But to Brigit’s surprise, Drum gave the King his full attention and spoke with passion.
