She trusted him. She did. The realization brought tears to her eyes. She knew without doubt he meant only to help her, and her heart swelled with gratitude.
Words stuck in her throat. There was nothing she could say that would reveal her appreciation.
But there was something she could do.
Chapter Fourteen
The lie was becoming his cross—and with every untruth he spoke, another nail drove deep into his soul.
That look in her eyes, that trust she had placed in him, weighed heavily upon him now. He couldn’t keep the truth from her forever. He knew that. Soon she would have to know, but he wanted to be certain she would no longer be in danger once he let her go.
She would loathe him, he realized.
As soon as the words left his lips, she would never again look at him that way and he dreaded that moment more than he’d ever dreaded anything in his life.
What was he supposed to do now?
She wanted him to speak to her brother, to bring him to her. How was he going to manage another lie without Elizabet discovering the truth?
And where the hell was he supposed to go now? Certainly not to Piers. But he needed to confide in somebody. Not Iain—he couldn’t involve Iain. Not Colin—he couldn’t place Colin in such an untenable position. Nor Seana—he couldn’t ask her to lie to her new husband.
Christ, never in his life had he felt so alone.
If he confided in Iain, Iain would take his side but insist they hand Elizabet over to Piers. Broc couldn’t just hand her over to her murderer. It would be Broc’s word against Tomas’s, and who would believe him?
Not Elizabet.
And God’s truth, that seemed to be the only thing that mattered right now.
For now, Elizabet was safe enough in the hovel. No one could tell her anything so long as no one knew where she was. He just needed to be certain Seana would not stumble upon her. And with that in mind he decided to pay a little visit to the newlyweds.
“Do ye realize we’ve no’ had five moments alone since before the wedding?” Colin Mac Brodie complained to his wife when they were behind closed doors at last.
It was Seana’s first time in Colin’s bedchamber—their bedchamber—as she’d remained with Meghan until their nuptials and then they had spent their wedding night under Montgomerie’s roof. Tonight, for the first time, Colin had brought her home, and she looked curiously about the room he had called his own, examining all he had chosen to surround himself with—the most apparent, an elaborate bed, which raised her brows. It was obvious what importance he gave the single piece of furniture, for it was ornately carved and polished to a shine—made strong to withstand the most passionate encounter. She cast him a chiding glance, and he seemed to understand precisely what she was thinking.
“I have never brought a woman here,” he assured her. I had that bed built for you and me.
“Truly?” She peered back at him, both surprised and moved by the gesture.
“It is my wedding gift to you,” he disclosed, and smiled that brilliant Colin smile she so adored. Only her husband could manage to look so blessed mischievous and innocent at once.
He came up behind her as she stood running her fingers over the soft blankets that covered the oak monstrosity. “My beautiful wife,” he whispered at her ear.
“’Tis lovely.”
“You are lovely,” he countered, embracing her tightly. Like a wee child hugging his favorite toy, he squeezed and rocked her gently. But then his hands wandered to her breasts, and he squeezed softly, sucking in a breath in appreciation. Seana laughed at his playful gesture.
“Och, I love your body, woman!”
She loved his, as well, and she reached back to tweak him where she knew he would most appreciate it.
“Wicked wench!”
“I intend to remove every memory of every woman from your mind, Colin Mac Brodie!”
He chuckled at her threat and tickled the back of her neck with his tongue. “What women?” he murmured, and she turned in his arms to face him.
She arched a brow. “You know verra well what women we are speaking of.”
“You are the only woman for me, wife.”
Seana tilted him a coy glance, enjoying his attentions. She knew he spoke the truth, but she still wanted to hear it from his lips again and again—and again.
“The only woman?”
He kissed her again with meaning, closing his eyes. “Aye, my love.”
“And there aren’t any other women still on your mind?”
“Hmm…” He opened his eyes suddenly, “Well, mayhap just one.”
Seana gasped at his candid reply.
“Wretch!”
He laughed and pushed her back upon the soft bed, then pounced on her, pinning her beneath him.
Seana pushed at his chest. “Get off me, husband!”
He grinned down at her. “You ask me an honest question, my dear, you get an honest answer.”
Seana narrowed her eyes at him, hardly thinking him amusing. “Who?” she demanded to know.
He wiggled his brows at her and pushed his pelvis against her, teasing. “You really want to know?”
Seana glared up at him. “Aye!” He opened his mouth to speak and she lifted a finger to hush him. “Nay!”
Laughing, he seized her about the waist and rolled so that she sat atop him. “Silly wench! God’s truth, the only other woman I have on my mind is Piers’ cousin.”
Seana sighed in relief. “Och!” She gave him a pretty pout. “You knew what I meant.”
His gaze turned sober then, and he curled his hand about her nape. “Believe me when I tell you, Seana, from this moment forward, no woman exists for me but you.”
She kissed him again, sighing with contentment. “I love you, Colin.”
“I know,” he replied with a roguish grin, and Seana could only smile at his cocky answer. He was absolutely intolerable, her husband, but she loved him fiercely—everything about him from his wicked smile to his unabashed arrogance. She plopped herself down upon the bed beside him, staring at the ceiling.
They had searched again all day but had found no sign of the lost woman. Everyone had been shocked by the abduction, and the clans had all united in their efforts to find the girl. It was a heartwarming sight to see, Montgomerie riding with the Brodies, and the MacKinnons had joined, as well.
“Will you search again tomorrow?”
He slid a hand beneath her back and lay beside her, staring at the ceiling as well. He sighed heavily, and she understood his sentiments precisely. If it were Seana who went missing, she would like to think everyone would do the same for her.
“Aye, we’ll search again tomorrow.” He turned to face her, holding her close. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.”
Seana reached out to brush the hair from his face. It was the most beautiful face she’d ever seen on a man, and she never tired of looking at him. “You will never lose me,” she promised.
“Seana,” he said, sounding distressed at the possibility. “It took me a lifetime to find you again, and I vow I’ll never let anyone harm you.”
She smiled at him, hoping he could see the love in her eyes. “I know, my darling.”
Something thumped twice against the window, the sound, like two strikes of a small stone, caught both their attentions.
Colin looked up at the window with narrowed eyes. “What the hell was that?”
Seana cast a wary glance at the window.
“Damned cats!” her husband said, evidently deciding it was her father’s cats. “I swear to God they seem to know precisely when to appear. If I didn’t know better I would think their presence was deliberate!”
She looked at him. “Colin,” she said, “cats don’t knock!”
He pushed himself off the bed. “You’ve a point, wife.” He was halfway to the window when the thump sounded once more. “I’ve waited all day for this moment. Whoever is out there had better have a damned good reason
to be rapping at our window!”
Seana smiled at his use of the word “our” and watched him tear open the shutters with a vengeance. She felt sorry for whoever was calling on them. Just for an instant, she worried it might be one of his old lovers, despite his assurances that he’d never brought any to his own bed. In any case, no one would disrespect her so, not on the second night of her nuptials, and she had every faith that if anyone did, her husband would set things straight.
Colin peered down into the courtyard, leaning over the sill to better see into the darkness. She knew at once when he began to curse who it was that stood below.
“You damned whoreson bastard!” Colin barked. “I dinna see you all day when your arse was needed most, and now you show up when I’m about to enjoy my wife!”
Seana’s face heated. It was only Broc, but it still embarrassed her. Men were crude, and these two were insufferable together. She had long ago resigned herself to that.
“What the hell do you want?” Colin railed at him.
“I didn’t realize how late it was,” Broc shouted in apology.
His tone seemed overly somber, and Seana knew something must be wrong.
“I figured you’d had more than enough time with Seana, you damned heathen, and I wanted to ask you about the search efforts.”
“I’ll never have enough of my wife,” Colin assured, and that, too, brought a smile to Seana’s lips. “Find yourself a good woman and quit sleeping with mangy hounds, then you’ll understand what I mean.”
Seana could hear Broc’s husky laughter drift up through their window, but it was strained and lacked his usual fervor. She wondered what had brought him here so late.
“Och, but ’tis a mean blow,” Broc proclaimed, “as I have no more dog, no woman, and no longer any friend since he’s gone and gotten himself a wife!”
“Bluidy right, you sorry bastard! Come calling when that bright yellow sphere is high in the sky, and I might not be so ornery!”
“You’re always ornery,” Broc argued.
Seana rose from the bed, adjusting her skirts, giving her husband a warm glance. She could still scarce believe he was her husband now. “I’ll go see if Alison has ale on hand.”
Colin turned to wink at her. “I love you, wench.”
A secret smile turned the corners of her mouth. “I know.”
He laughed, and then pointed a finger at her accusingly and said, “Dinna even think you’ll come back up and go to sleep without me, wife. I intend to make you sit right at my side.”
“Who, me?” she asked immodestly and lifted her skirt playfully, teasing him with a glimpse of what he could not have at that instant. “Never!” she proclaimed, and hurried to the door, giggling, when he took a step toward her.
“Wicked wench,” he muttered, and turned again to the window as she left the room. “I’ll be down in a damned moment!” he told his long time friend. “To strangle you with my bare hands!”
Chapter Fifteen
Colin knew something was wrong.
It wasn’t like Broc just to show up and throw stones at his window. In fact, he didn’t think either of them had done any such thing since they had been children together. He hurried down the stairs and opened the door, allowing Broc entrance. He looked weary and apprehensive, almost as though he regretted his visit.
“Seana’s gone after ale. So tell me quickly, what brings you here so late, my friend?”
Broc scraped his boots on the doorsill before entering, leaving behind a thick sheet of peat and mud. “I heard the rumors upon my return… about the Sassenach wench gone missing. I came to see what you knew.”
Broc closed the door behind him, and Colin led the way into the hall, talking as he went. “Not verra much,” he said. “She’s a distant cousin of Piers, though it seems he didn’t even realize she was coming. He was furious she crossed the border with such inadequate escort.”
The restrained anger in Broc’s voice was unmistakable. “I, too, wondered why the bluidy hell they sent a woman essentially alone and unprotected!”
Colin lifted his brows at the fervent declaration. “Apparently her father feared Montgomerie would turn down his request to take them into his wardship and didn’t wish to give Piers the opportunity. He sent the girl along with her brother, escorted by his brother-in-law and three men in hopes that he would see her and not be able to send her away. Come, sit down,” he commanded his friend.
Broc hesitated, and Colin turned to face him. “Will Seana blast my arse?”
Colin chuckled with genuine good humor. “Now you think to ask?” He reached out and slapped Broc upon the back. “Come in and stay a while.” Without another word, he led the way to the high table and took his seat, offering Broc the one next to him.
“So how is wedded life?”
Colin’s grin widened. “I wouldn’t know yet—thanks to missing wenches and ill-mannered friends.”
Broc seemed to sober at that remark.
“I was only jesting,” Colin assured him.
Broc nodded. It was unlike him to be so staid, and Colin leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows upon the table as he regarded his friend.
“I wouldn’t have come—”
“What is it, Broc?”
“I canna say precisely, and it would serve us both better if ye dinna ask.”
Colin gave him a sober look. “I see.”
Broc hadn’t intended to reveal even that much, but he trusted Colin without fail. Still, considering that his sister was wed to Montgomerie, he didn’t wish to put his best friend in the awkward position of knowing more than he should.
Colin’s brows collided. “Och, I’ve known you long enough to know there is something you need from me so dinna beat about the bush. What is it?”
This wasn’t going at all as Broc had intended, but Colin was right. Out of respect, Broc came directly to the point. “What’s do you know of the brother?” he asked, eyeing the door to be sure no one entered the hall whilst they spoke.
For an instant, Colin’s expression remained pensive. And then he began. “There are at least two witnesses who claim a giant, fair-haired”—his eyes narrowed as he regarded Broc more closely, obviously coming to the right conclusion because he averted his eyes an instant before saying, “They say he was attacked by one of our own.”
Broc remained collected under Colin’s careful scrutiny and even managed a smile. “Giant, eh?”
“Aye.” Colin’s tone remained sober. “They claim he accosted them without provocation, murdered two men, one of them being the woman’s half-brother, and then took the girl and fled with his knife pressed to her throat.”
Broc had little respect for liars and less for those too craven to defend their fellows. His tone was full of contempt when he spoke. “Two witnesses, ye say?” He lifted a brow. “Two men against one?”
“Against a giant,” Colin reminded him. “And he threatened to kill her if they followed.”
“Damned chicken-hearted bastards!”
“Aye,” Colin agreed, and seemed suddenly thoughtful.
“If she had been my mistress, I would have plucked out the man’s tongue,” Broc said. “He never would have had a chance to have his knife at her throat in the first place!” Anger surged through him.
He twined his fingers together between his knees and stared down at the floor, trying to compose himself. Though he had the most overwhelming urge to defend himself, to tell Colin why he had done what he’d done, it was in no one’s best interest for him to confess right now—not Colin’s, not Seana’s, not his own, and most assuredly not Elizabet’s.
What the hell was he going to do?
At the instant, he felt the weight of his deception bearing down upon him. It was nearly as heavy as his obligation to Elizabet.
He shook his head, clenching his jaw in torment.
Never in his life had he found himself so torn. The lines had always been so clearly drawn for him—right was right, wrong was wrong, and h
is loyalty lay solely with his clan. This time, he could not even see the forest for the trees. No matter what choice he made, someone innocent was bound to suffer. God’s truth, if he could have sacrificed himself and no one else, he would do so without hesitation.
But that wasn’t the case.
If he turned himself in, he would place Elizabet in danger. After all, who would protect her and who would believe him? Certainly not Piers against the word of two witnesses. Not even Elizabet, for he had lied to her about her brother. If he revealed himself to Colin, then Colin would be forced to betray either his sister or his best friend. If he swore Seana to secrecy, he would be asking her to break faith with her husband. If he told Iain, he would oblige Iain to side with him against every other clan in the region—and Iain would do so, but Broc couldn’t allow it.
No matter how he looked at it, he felt completely alone. And the only thing he knew of a certain was that he would never forgive himself if he allowed any harm to come to Elizabet.
She trusted him… as Colin did… as Iain did.
Colin’s tone was grave when he spoke. “Is there aught you wish to share with me, Broc?”
Broc shook his head, his gut wrenching. He couldn’t even look Colin in the eyes. “I just need time,” he said, and the simple statement said far more than Broc should have provided.
Silence fell between them—a long impenetrable silence. Colin seemed to understand precisely what Broc could not say. When Broc peered again into his friend’s eyes, they were sullen and distressed.
Seana came into the room just then, bearing a tray with beverages for the three of them. Along with the ale, she brought bread and cheese to snack on. With a heartwarming smile for her husband and another for Broc, she placed the tray on the table between them. Neither of them responded, with the mood between them as morose at it was.
She placed her hands upon her hips. “The two of you look as though you’ve been sentenced to death! What could be so wrong?”
She looked from one to the other, waiting for an explanation.
Highland Brides 04 - Lion Heart Page 11