With a low moan, Bridgette grabbedboth sleeves of the gown very slowly, and Marion instantly felt the tug on thematerial. “Knot your hands in the gown and try to slide toward the edge.Perchance there is rock you can put your foot on to aid you.” She hoped therewas.
The minute Bridgette started movingon the branch, Marion’s whole body was jerked forward. She bit down on her lip,and the taste of blood filled her mouth. Spitting it out, she leaned backwardand pulled the material tight,prayingto God that it would not rip.
“I see some rocks I can use!”Bridgette cried from below. “I’m going to let go with one hand and grip one ofthe rocks, and then I’ll pull as ye pull.”
“I’m ready,” Marion answered, herwords a pant from the exertion. Sweat dripped down her brow and into her eyes,and suddenly the pull on the material increased, making Marion’s bodyphysically move. She dug in her heels harder and pulled back. Her arms and legsburned, her lip stung where she had bitten it, and her head throbbed. She heardBridgette’s grunts, and she knew every time the woman latched onto anotherstone because she could move a little farther away from the ledge. Finally, shesaw Bridgette’s head crest over the edge of the cliff.
Marion gave a great tug, andsuddenly Bridgette was lying on top of her and they were laughing, crying, andpanting. After a few minutes, Bridgette pushed herself off Marion and rolledonto her back.
Marion turned her head to look ather friend. She frowned whenshe realizedBridgette’s forehead was cut. “You’re bleeding.”
“So are ye,” Bridgette said.
Marion raised a shaking hand to hersore lip and pressed a finger to it. “I suppose we better return to thecastle.”
Bridgette snorted. “I suppose yebetter put yer clothes back on, unless ye want to see what yer husband is likein a temper.”
“I’ve seen his temper,” Marionsaid, thinking of how he’d looked when he’d come toward the men who had held hercaptive at the river, “and I’d rather not see it again.” She shivered as sheforced herself to stand and put on her gown. It had been filthy before but nowthe garment was a ripped, ragged mess. When she put her arm in the sleeve, shenoticed only a few threads kept it attached to the dress.
“Dear God above,” she murmured,thinking about what could have happened and what Iain would say if he saw herbefore she managed to get to her appointed bedchamber and change into one ofBridgette’s gowns. “Iain cannot see me like this!”
“Dunnae fash yerself,” Bridgettereplied as she held out a hand to help Marion. “I dunnae want to get caught anymore than ye do. My brother is already angry with me for refusing an offer ofmarriage. Come”—Bridgette grabbed Marion’s hand—“Let us make haste. But morecarefully this time.”
Twelve
Iain strode ahead of Alex into the torchlitcourtyard, anxious to see Marion. He’d not intended to train with Alex’s menfor so long, but every time he had tried to leave, another man challenged him,and Iain could not let a challenge go unanswered. He knew very well his pridewas a sin, and the sin had cost him precious private time with Marion. She’dlikely been fretting waiting in her bedchamber as he’d commanded her to do.
A vision of her asleep on the bed,perhaps not dressed anymore, filled his head and made him ache for her, so whenhe suddenly caught a glimpse of her coming out of the woods with Bridgette,Iain squeezed his eyes shut, certain he was imagining it. Yet, when he openedthem again, she was still there.
Iain thought immediately of hisconversation with Alex earlier when they had agreed that Bridgette and Marionlikely needed minding when together. Iain stopped walking, and Alex came upbeside him.
“What is it?” Alex asked, confusionfurrowing his brow.
Iain did not remove his gaze fromhis wife, who had just passed by a torch and looked directly at him. Her eyeswent wide, and she had tried to duck back into the shadows, her hand dartingout to grasp Bridgette’s.
“I believe Bridgette and Marionfound trouble,” Iain said dryly as he pointed toward the two women. Angerstarted to simmer as he watched his wife try to crouch behind a tree.
“Bridgette MacLean,” Alex roared.“If ye dunnae come out from behind that tree and bring the MacLeod’s wife withye, I’ll break my vow to our mother and marry ye to the Campbell tomorrow.”
Bridgette immediately popped up,yanking Marion up with her. He’d give it to the lass, he thought grimly, atleast she knew when she’d been caught, which was more than he could say for hiswife, who was trying to wrench free of Bridgette’s hold. But though he didn’tdoubt Marion was strong, apparently Bridgette’s fear of marrying the Campbellgave her superior strength at the moment. ShedraggedMarion forward and then paused after a few steps, the women whispering fiercelyto one another.
“It appears yer wife may be afraidto come to ye,” Alex said, amusement in his voice.
“Aye,” Iain agreed, irritated thatMarion was apparently fearful of him. True, he was angry, and there be wouldconsequences for disobeying his orders, but any sort of punishment would neverinclude hurting her. He was a reasonable man, after all, and not quick to angerthe way her father had been.
When Marion tried to tug her armaway from Bridgette again and the right shoulder of her gown suddenly slid downher arm to expose her skin, all reason fled Iain and anger flared brightorange. Beside him, Alex cursed under his breath.
Iain stalked toward Marion, his gutclenching as he stopped in front of her and took in her appearance. Bloodstained her lips and her exposed right arm was streaked with crimson. Bridgettedidn’t look much better.
Iain gripped Marion by the arm,intending to pull her to him, but when she winced, he immediately loosened hishold. “What happened to ye?”
She shot a worried glance atBridgette, and Iain’s mind leaped to a dozen vile possibilities, all of whichended with him killing whatever man had hurt his wife. A haze descended on him,his vision almost blurring.
He raised his sword. “Point me inthe direction of the man who defiled ye. I’ll bring ye his heart, I vow it.” Hecupped the back of her neck and drew her toward him, pressing his lips to herear. “I’m sorry, Marion. I’ve failed ye. I’ll nae ask forgiveness.”
Her eyes grew wide, and her handcame to his cheek. “Iain, no. You do not understand.” She bit down on her lipand winced again. “I need to askyourforgiveness. I disobeyed yourorder, and well, the truth is I do hate to be ordered about,” she said quickly.“But I should have restrained myself and—”
“I compelled her to come with me,”Bridgette blurted, glancing beseechingly from Iain to Alex, who had come tostand by them.
