Page 27 of A Knight To Call My Own
Calum took a fist full of Lachlan’s tunic, bringing them nose to nose. “I believe, dearbrother, ’tis not me who is the bastard.”
Lynet wondered at the significance of theirbrotherly affectiontowards one another, since the two brothers hardly looked related at all. Mayhap, ’twas the cause of Lachlan’s anger, that he was not a legitimate heir. ’Twould explain the animosity between them.
The two men began a shoving match afore Lachlan landed in the dirt with Calum towering over him. “Never, and I mean never, question my authority again. Especially in front of the men, lest you wish to end up like your friend over there. Now, get out of my sight, and mount up. We are wasting daylight.”
Lynet’s attention returned to Calum when he put his foot in the stirrup and swung his leg over the saddle. ’Twas unnerving when she became uncomfortably aware of every inch of his body once he settled her upon his lap again and held her close. Calum turned to reach behind them to grab something from the leather bag attached to the rear of the horse’s tack. She was hardly surprised when he took hold of her wrists and bound them together with the rope in a tight knot.
“’Tis not necessary to bind me,” she declared in a huff of righteous indignation. “Where do you think I will run to on foot that you could not easily catch me, as you did but a while ago?”
“I take no further chances with you, nor do I plan to leave you in the care of others.” He leaned forward, causing Lynet to gasp, not knowing his intent. His brow rose as if he knew she thought he would steal a kiss. “Do not think I am not tempted, lass.”
She looked at him with enough skepticism to doubt his honor that he would not harm her. She could not for the life of her figure out why he had not already taken advantage of her and lay claim to her maidenhood. “Then why tie my hands? Surely, you can see the meaning of this foolishness if you continue to keep me hostage.”
“Precisely why I will leave you unharmed, lest you test me further. Think you Dristan of Berwyck will be lenient if he knows I do not return you in the same exact condition as when you left his keep?”
“Take me home,” Lynet demanded.
He paid her no mind as he reached for the reins. With a tap of his heel into the side of his horse, the animal bolted into motion. His men followed close behind.
“Nay,” he at last answered her with a tone that clearly implied he would not change his mind.
“I will tell my kin no harm befell me, my laird,” she pleaded. “Just take me home to my family.”
“I told you, nay. I would have taken you to wife, if I could have won your hand. But I could not stand by, watching you give your affection and dowry to the MacGillivray laird.”
“And who are you to tell me where my affections should turn. I never said they went to Ian, or any other man!”
“The fact you speak of him by his first name tells me you cared enough for the man. He won plenty of matches to prove he would have you, no matter the cost. I could not afford to lose what you would bring to fill my coffers. Instead of a dowry, I shall now claim a ransom. I am sure Dristan will pay any amount I ask to have you returned to his protection.”
“Only a fool would take something belonging to the Devil’s Dragon,” she sneered meaningfully, “or are you so witless you are not aware of his reputation?” She gave him a knowing grin that her rescue was imminent.
“Hence, therein lays my need to put as much distance as possible between us. Now, shut your trap, else I will find something to gag you with so you no longer bore me with your ranting.”
They rode hard the entire day with only a few short breaks to rest their steeds. With each mile they traveled, she left Berwyck farther and farther behind. The lowlands of Scotland had disappeared hours ago. Dismay filled her as the terrain became unfamiliar to her. She was never left alone, and she cursed her foolishness this morn, for now she was guarded more diligently than ever afore.
Dusk began to fall. Lynet would have marveled at the brilliant color of the sky with the setting sun, but there was nothing to rejoice about, even with the beauty of God’s work afore her eyes. She was too tired, and yet, she was anxious, as well, for she knew ’twas only a matter of time afore Ian found her.
They made camp that night beneath the sparkling stars. Her wrists were chaffed from the rubbing of the rough rope. Trying to find some form of relief, she tore strips of linen from her tattered gown to put between her bleeding skin and the irritating cords ensuring her captivity. She was eventually thrown an even rougher blanket made of coarse wool, and Lynet made herself as comfortable as possible on the hard ground. Calum settled himself next to her…as always…keeping her within his reach and never out of his sight.
Her eyes darted to the shadows of the evening air, wondering if Ian was out there, even now, searching for her and hopefully looking in the right direction. She began to pray that once he did, they would remain unscathed from the violence surrounding Calum’s demeanor and his cause. He would not take it well that his prize was stolen from beneath his constant vigil and by one whom had already claimed her heart.
Chapter Fourteen
Rolf briskly rubbed at the stiffnessof his sword arm, trying to get some circulation into his numb limb. He flexed his fingers into a fist and felt a renewed anger that he was still incapacitated and not up to his normal standard for fighting. He knew ’twas stupid on his part to be out searching for Lynet whilst still recovering from his injury. With only a few of Dristan’s garrison to guard his back, he had left the keep, not caring for his own wellbeing, but to find the one woman who he cared for, beyond all others.
’Twas a pointless endeavor. He knew that, deep inside his soul. The minute Ian MacGillivray had shown up at Berwyck, he had known any chance for Lynet to learn to love him had vanished. He could still remember the exact moment she had espied the man waltzing across the Great Hall, as if he owned the place…and her! Her face had become radiant with joy afore she hid her feelings behind a mask of triviality. She had looked so lovely, and Rolf had become jealous, for she had never looked at him in such a manner. Still, he felt determined to find the lady who had all but stolen his heart.
At least, he could say he had tried his best to win some form of her affection. Yet, fate continued to thwart his desires to have the fair Lynet as his bride. Rolf had not been fooled, nor had he been misled by her kiss, no matter how much effort she had attempted to put into it. He may have been the first to taste her innocence, but he knew who would be her last. Surly, ’twould not be him.
Bloody Hell!What was he doing out here, anyway? ’Twould be sheer blind luck if he came across whoever had stolen Lynet. Dristan and Amiria had tried to reason with him to await further word from the scouts they had scattered across the countryside in search of her. But, no…he let his common sense play no part in his decision to find Lynet himself. Mayhap, he was a fool, after all.
There was no doubt in his mind that another would be fast on his heels in search of the lady, and, perchance, this was the true reason behind his reckless behavior to find her first. He wanted to make an effort to change her mind, no matter how futile such an endeavor would be. Yet, Kenna’s prediction continued to haunt and cloud his judgment. ’Twas evident, Ian had more of a claim on the lady than he did.
In frustration, he threw a stick into the fire afore his feet as his thoughts were consumed with the gall of that man. Yet, such a scenario, he had certainly not seen coming. Who in their right mind would have thought the couple wouldhandfastto one another? If he had thought Lynet capable of such a feat,hewould have suggested the arrangement, as well, instead of wanting a proper wedding with friends and family as witnesses to their union. He supposed if he thought about it rationally, there would be no chance in hell Dristan would have ever let them handfast whilst Lynet was under his protection. Small wonder his liege lord had been ready to choke the very life from Ian. He had had the very same similar thoughts himself.
The sound of approaching riders brought Rolf and the guards to attention with hands firmly clasped on the hilts of their swords. There was only one sort who would be out at this hour of the night, and he did not care to waste all his energy fighting off a bunch of worthless thieves.
The outline of the first horse hovered in the shadows of darkness afore the steed moved into the light of their campsite, followed closely by two others. Rolf cursed to himself at whom he espied, for the man who emerged afore him like a vision, had the appearance of an avenging angel righting the wrongs of mankind.
