Marion nodded, an eager look on herface. “We can go to the side of the keep and scale the wall, but then we’llhave to carefully descend the hill, swim the ditch waters, and cross the baileyto get back to the chapel.”
Iain studied her. “The water isfilled with snakes.”
She bit her lip and nodded. “Iknow. It will be dangerous.”
“Aye. So will crossing the baileyin the dark. Yer father’s men may shoot arrows at ye, never kenning they are assaultingye.” Iain’s blood rushed through his veins as he stared at Marion. He had toprotect her. He could not fail to protect a woman that was his again. Hegrasped her chin gently. “If ye dunnae listen to everything I say, I’m going toflay yer bottom when we’re away, ken?”
“I ken,” she replied, surprisinghim by mimicking him.
He chuckled at her cheekiness.“Stay by my side. Dunnae speak. No matter what.”
“But you may need my help if weencounter one of my father’s knights. I may need to influence them to—”
He shook his head. “I doubt ye’d beable to influence them to do anything now, and I will nae need help defending myselfagainst a weak Englishman.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Pride is one ofthe seven deadly sins.”
“I’ll keep my pride and chance thatit will nae be the thing to kill me,” he replied and started them on thejourney.
“I see living in England all these years has naelessened the craftiness of a MacLeod,” Iain said, surveying the blazingbuildings from his crouch near the wooden wall Iain and Marion had just scaled.
“If it is indeed Angus,” Marionmurmured as she twisted the dripping skirts of her gown.
Even soaking, the woman was so beautifulhis body hummed. With her wet hair slicked away from her face, her perfect bonestructure was even more striking, but what he truly found enticing was thebravery she continued to display. She’d not batted an eyelash when they’d sliddown the steep hill and then swam the freezing waters, only to have to climbthe wall.
“I dunnae think any man here wouldset fire to yer father’s home besides Angus, do ye?”
She shook her head, her teethchattering. “No, I don’t. Do you think that means—”
“I think it means Angus needed toredirect the knights’ attention to get to the priest in the chapel. What Idon’t ken is whether he has him or if they are still in there.”
“So how will we find out?” sheasked as she vigorously rubbed her arms.
The desire to wrap her in hisembrace and give her the heat from his body swept over him, but he couldn’tallow himself to be distracted. They could both pay for the folly with death.“We’ll have to get to the chapel, but in this frenzy”—people filled the bailey,helping to smother the kitchen fire—“we should be able to get there unseen.”
“And then if Angus and the priestare not there, or if they are and we need to help Angus, we will triumph, andthen we will all simply go back over the wall and swim the moat to freedom.”Her voice trembled slightly, showing the tiniest hint of concern at what theywere facing.
Iain took her hand for one briefmoment and squeezed. “Dunnae worry,” he soothed. “Are ye ready?”
“No,” she said with a laugh. “Butlet us go anyway.”
“Follow me,” he said, staying nearthe wall to keep to the shadows. They came to the chapel quickly, but battle-readyknights flanked the door. Iain was certain Angus had to be in there. He neededto draw their attention away, so he could cast aside one knight and then theother. He looked at Marion and knew he had to forget his pride and ask for thehelp he’d boasted he’d not need.
When he leaned close to her andslipped his hand around her neck to pull her near for a whisper, she startedbut did not make a sound. From inside the chapel came a roar, followed by abellow.
“Angus,” Marion breathed, turningher head toward Iain’s so that her lips accidentally brushed across his. Hereyes flew open wide, and a strangled sound escaped her. The burning desire toclaim her mouth swept through Iain and almost took his senses, but he foughtthe primal craving and instead leaned toward her ear.
“I need yer help,” hewhispered.
“You needmyhelp, you say?”she whispered back, suppressed laughter in her hushed tone.
“Aye, I am resigned. Now, will yehelp me or nae? If ye dunnae, I’m going to have to kill more knights to get toAngus and the priest.”
“You leave me no option,” shegrumbled.
“Aye,” he agreed with a grin. “I’ma Scot, Sassenach. There’s nae need to give ye an option because I ken what’sbest, but I do speak the truth. Either ye can draw away the knights or I’llhave to charge through them with my sword.”
“I will do it,” she hastilyreplied. “How do you suppose I should proceed?”
