“I dunnae, nae truly,” he said,giving Marion a disgruntled look. “My cousin Angus has been her father’s stablemaster for years, and he recently sent word to me asking me to bring her backto Scotland to the MacDonald clan. It was nae till I got here that he told methe whole of it, that she was to marry Froste against her wishes. He begged meto take her to safety, and I could nae refuse.”
“I’m so sorry,” Marion cried toNeil, dragging the sword behind her as she moved toward them.
Iain turned to help her, but themurderous look she gave him told him she wished to get the sword to Neil on herown. And she did. Her fortitude impressed Iain as she heaved and huffed andfinally lifted the sword toward Neil. “I’m sorry you lost your other earbecause of me.”
Neil tried to take the sword, buthe faltered, and Iain quickly snatched it from Marion. Neil frowned but nodded.“It was nae your fault,” the Scot said to Marion. “It is Froste’s fault. He’swicked.” They all glanced at Froste, who still lay in a swoon. Neil’s gazelocked on Iain. “May I borrow your dagger?”
Iain knew the man wantedretribution, and rightly so. He handed his dagger to the Scot, and then helpedhim hobble over to Froste, releasing Neil when he seemed steady. Marion madehaste behind them.
“What are you going to do?” shewhispered, her voice filled with fear. Did she think Neil would kill a man whocould not defend himself?
Neil paused and glanced back ather. “I’m going to take out his tongue so the man can spew no more evilorders.”
When Marion swayed, Iain reachedout with his free hand and seized her arm to keep her upright.
“Ye should look away so ye dunnaefaint,” Neil commented.
“I assure you I do not faint,” shesaid, sounding irritated, yet the fingers she had lifted to her templetrembled. “Neil.” Her voice had taken on the soft tone that Iain recognized atonce as one of persuasion. “It seems a bit much, almost evil, to take histongue. Is there not another way to get your retribution?”
Neil tilted his head in thought andthen finally said, “I suppose.”
As Neil bent down, Rory Macapproached and gave Iain a questioning look, which Iain answered with a shrug.Suddenly, Neil plunged Iain’s dagger deep into Froste’s favored fighting arm.Froste flinched and howled, and Iain silenced him with a quick punch to theface. Froste fell silent once again, and Marion gasped,turningquickly away. When Neil stood, the three men exchanged a look of understandingand spit as one at Froste’s feet. The man was without honor, and now he wasdefenseless, at least temporarily.
Silently, Marionturned,took the spirits from Rory Mac, and cleaned Neil’s wounds. He hissed and moaneduntil the dressing was wrapped around his head. Then he slumped against RoryMac.
Iain caught Rory Mac’s eye. “I needa minute.”
Rory Mac nodded and led Neil ashort distance away. Uncertainty glimmered in Marion’s eyes as he moved closeto her so they could speak privately. Immediately, her feminine freesia scentsurrounded him. He forced himself to keep his attention on his task.
“How did ye end up here?” he asked,though he’d meant to wait until they were away to have this discussion.
She wrapped her arms tightly aroundherself, looking so vulnerable that he suddenly yearned to enfold her in hisembrace. She notched her chin up as if to tell him she was not sad, or maybenot afraid. “My father is a blackhearted devil who thought to marry me toFroste for the man’s allied knights. To avoid the marriage, I feigned my deathand then made my way here. Neil already told you of our meeting.” Her gaze grewflinty. “But you, sir, will be stunned if you think my father will be happythat we are to be married.”
Iain nodded, relieved there couldbe truth between them. “I ken he’ll nae be happy. Marion, yer king suspects yerfather of plotting to overthrow him.”
“What?” she gasped. “Did KingEdward tell you this himself?”
“Aye. He suspects that Froste andyour father are allying to attempt to take the crown. He wants me to marry yein hopes Froste will abandon their plot if he cannot have land presently.”
“And what is the benefit to you?”she asked, her tone wounded.
“Edward will talk with the Scots todiscuss David’s release.”
Her gaze burned into him. “Marriageto a woman you do not love is a steep price.”
“Aye,” he agreed, his voice gentleas he could make it. “It is, but David is my friend and he needs me.”
She sighed, a long, tired sound. “Iwas coming to you,” she said. “Isn’t that odd?” Her voice had taken on abrittle, almost shaky quality. He suspected she was on the verge of unravelingunder the strain of the day.
“Why were ye coming to me? Ithought ye sought a place in yer uncle’s clan.” There was no need to tell herthat her uncle would turn her away and bind her in marriage to Iain anyway sothat Iain would be bound to the MacDonalds.
“Angus,myfriend, asked meto join your clan. He was certain you’d allow it, and might even find me ahusband.” She laughed, the gentle rumble tinged with the high notes ofhysteria. “I suppose there is no need for you to find me a husband now.” Mariontilted her head back so that her thick pale hair fell over her delicateshoulders.
Long-dormant desire sparked withinhim, and he had the urge to brush her hair off her neck and let his fingersgraze her skin to see if it was as smooth as it appeared. He knew it was notwrong to hunger for a woman who was to be his wife. It did not wipe away hispast. Simple lust never could replace what he’d felt for Catriona, yet guiltfilled his belly. “So ye’ve decided nae to defy yer king and marry me?”
She scowled at him. “I do not havea choice! If I stay here, my father will simply force me to marry Froste, andthen I would be the wife of an evil, cruel man who is also intent to overthrowthe king!” She looked at him dubiously, as if judging how much to say. “I donot think our marriage will stop them.”
Iain nodded. “I dunnae think so,either.”
