Highland Barbarian Part 20

"My father feared for the safety of the young queen. He wanted her to be surrounded by friends who would remain loyal. Also, he argued that I could get a better education in France than I could here in Scotland." Brice gave a bitter laugh.

"I did receive a fine education at the French Court. I learned that not all animals stalk the woods.

Some dress in fine clothes and pa.s.s themselves off as aristocrats.

And wait for a chance to attack unknowing prey."

Meredith heard the venom in his tone and wondered about it. What had happened to him in France to make him so bitter?

For long minutes he stared broodingly into the flames, before pulling himself from his dark thoughts. He set down the goblet on a low table and summoned a servant.

"Accompany the lady to my chambers," he said.

"And fetch Angus and Holden to stand guard over her until I return."

Meredith turned, about to protest his latest order. But one glance at the tight set of his mouth convinced her to hold her tongue. Brice Campbell was in no mood to answer to her. Or to anyone.

The aroma of wood smoke mingled with the lingering scent of roasted meat. Two men lounged outside the door of Brice's chambers.

'"Twas truly a banquet fit for the queen," Holden Mackay said thoughtfully.

"Aye."

"Plovers and partridges by the dozen," Holden taunted, watching his friend's mouth water.

"Not to mention rabbits, geese, venison. But the plump partridges were my favorite."

"I wonder if Mistress Snow has any partridge left," Angus said, stretching out his long legs.

"You cannot be thinking of food after all we ate this day." Holden grinned. It was common knowledge that Angus Gordon, thin as a rail, was always hungry. The mere mention of food made him salivate.

Besides, the young widow Snow, who worked in the kitchens along with Cara' s mother, was as appetizing a little morsel as the food she prepared. Angus spent an inordinate amount of time in her presence.

"I could eat a bite or two. But Brice wants us here until he returns."

"Brice will probably be gone until dawn. You saw the look on his face.

When those black moods come upon him, he rides the woods for hours."

"Aye." Angus stood and began pacing.

"But I intend to be here when he returns. I have faced his anger before when his orders were disobeyed."

Holden leaned back on the bench, stretching his hands above his head.

"Mistress Snow makes a fine pudding. And her scones are the envy of every woman in the Highlands."

"Stop talking about food." Angus turned and paced the other way.

"If you wish, I will stay here and keep watch." Holden glanced at the closed doors.

"There has been no sound from within for an hour. I'll wager the girl has fallen asleep."

"Aye." Angus stifled a yawn. '"Tis late enough. If I do not eat something soon, I'll not be able to stay awake."

"Go then." Holden was on his feet and turning his friend in the direction of the stairs.

"Coax some food from Mis n tress Snow. And when you've had your fill--" he gave an evil leer "--of both partridge and Mistress Snow, come back here and we'll keep watch together."

"You do not mind?" Angus paused at the head of the stairs.

Holden shook his head and waved him on.

"Nay. Go, old friend."

With a laugh Angus was gone.

When the sound of footsteps died, Holden peered about, then walked to the door of Brice's chambers. With his ear to the door he listened intently for several minutes. Then, taking a last glance around, he pressed a shoulder to the door and entered without a sound.

Meredith had decided to take matters into her own hands. Since Brice had seen to it that guards were posted outside the door of the chambers where she was being held, she would simply have to find another way out of her prison.

She knelt on the floor tying strips of linen together. Because there were still servants moving about the courtyard below from time to time, she was unable to drop the rope of linens from the window of her upper room to test its length. But she had determined that when these last three strips were attached, she would have enough to at least get her close to the ground. Under cover of darkness, with the servants snugly in their beds, she would slip from the window to the courtyard. If the rope was too short she was prepared to drop the rest of the way and pray that she broke no bones in her fall.

In preparation for her escape she had removed her soiled wedding gown and, having rummaged through Brice's wardrobe, had donned tight breeches and a shirt of lawn. On the floor beside her lay a tunic and warm cloak, which she intended to pull on just before she made good her escape.

As she knotted the linen strips her hair swirled forward in a wild tangle of curls. There was no time to plait it. With one hand she brushed the tangles aside and continued working.

The only sound in the room was the occasional hiss and snap of the burning logs on the grate. It was not until a shadow fell across her that she looked up in surprise.

"So. What is this?" Holden reached down and s.n.a.t.c.hed the linen from her hands. Studying the knotted rope he arched a brow and looked down at her with sudden respect.

Meredith sprang to her feet with the agility of a cat. Another chance for escape was slipping through her fingers.

"Give it to me," she cried, her voice low and husky. As she made a grab for it his fingers closed around her wrist, holding her still.

"Brice's anger will be a fearsome thing when he sees this."

He studied the way her hair streamed down her shoulders and across her bodice. His gaze fastened on Brice's saffron shirt fastened snugly against her high, firm b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Even if he had not been sufficiently aroused, the strange sight of a woman in tight breeches was more than he could endure.

"By all that is holy you are the most beguiling woman I have ever seen."

At the look of hunger in his eyes she was gripped by a sudden, paralyzing fear. She tried to step back but he kept his hand firmly around her wrist.

"Perhaps," he said in a voice meant to seduce,

"Brice need never know what you had planned."

"You would keep this from him?"