page16 (1/2)
“If the baron finds the treasure before anyone else, he will receive a great reward He’s reed,” she explained “Still, I don’t think he knew for certain that Christen was given the box when she left England or he surely would have intensified his search for her”
Brodick interrupted her concentration when he lifted her plaid and wrapped it around her shoulders “You’re shivering,” he said gruffly
Surprised by his thoughtfulness, she stammered her thank-you
“Continue,” he ordered, shrugging off the gratitude as inconsequential
“The baron has learned that Christen does indeed hide in the Highlands”
“And where did he get this information?”
“Frohlander who came to him with a proposal Remember,” she hastily added, “over the years the baron has sent inquiries to all the clans, but none responded until about a hlander arrived He told the baron he knehere Christen was and that he could give the baron the infor for him”
“And what did this Highlander want done?” Brodick asked
“He wanted Laird Ramsey’s brother taken from the festival to draw Ramsey out so he could kill him He wants both of them dead”
Dylan couldn’t keep silent “But the Maitland boy was taken”
“Yes, they stole the wrong child”
Their questions began, one following another until her head throbbed The sound of Alec’s laughter carried fro him occupied, she knew, so he wouldn’t interfere with Brodick’s inquisition
“Where do you fit in this puzzle, Gillian?” Brodick asked
“I was told to findboth back to the baron before our fall festival begins”
“And if you fail?”
“My Uncle Morgan will be killed” Her voice broke on a sob that took her by co her emotional, she decided, and she willed herself to calm down “He is the dearest hter I love him and I will protect him at all cost”
“The baron isn’t related to you?”
“No, he isn’t Are you alet Alec settled for the night It’s late”
“I’hlander who made the pact with the baron”
“I cannot give you the name, for I never heard it”
“Are you telling me the truth? Surely the baron or one of his friends said the man’s name,” he said, his frustration palpable in the sudden stillness
“Why would I lie? To protect a traitor?”
“But you did see hihlander from the hill”
“Yes”
“And you would recognize hiain?” Dylan asked
“Yes,” she answered “Alec and I ell hidden on a knoll with a path just below I saw him clearly as he rode toward h,” she added “Alec said there were twomaybe threewho took him from the festival” So weary now she could barely hold her head up, she whispered, “You do knohy the Highlander was returning to Dunhanshire, don’t you?”
“To infor boy,” Dylan answered “And then Alec would have been killed Isn’t that right?”
“Yes”
“Milady, ere you beaten? Did the bastard give you a reason?” Dylan asked
“A man who strikes a woman is a coward, Dylan, and cowards don’t need reasons to justify their actions” Brodick’s voice radiated anger
Gillian pulled the plaid close “Our first attempt to escape failed, and the baron wanted to punish Alec and me”
“The boy said you threw yourself on top of him to protect him,” Dylan said “It was a brave act, milady”
She disagreed “I wasn’t brave; I was terrified they would kill him I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared I had just heard the Highlander was on his way, and I knehy, and I was in such a panic to get Alec away before—” She stopped suddenly and took a deep breath “SoThey could have separated us or hidden Alec away from me, and every time I think what could have happened, I becoain Brave? I think not”
Brodick and Dylan shared a look before Brodick continued “Who specifically inflicted the punishment? Was it the baron or one of his soldiers?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“Answer me”
“The baron”
“Alec said that another man struck you Is that true?” Brodick’s voice was low and frightfully
“I don’t remember”
“Yes, you do,” he snapped “Tell me”
Startled by his curt tone, she stiffened her spine “As a matter of fact, one of his friends struck h It’s over and done with”
“Nay, lass,” he said softly “It’s only just begun”
CHAPTER NINE
Beneath the steely exterior of a warrior beat the heart of a true gentleh Brodick obviously wanted to be solicitous, it quickly became apparent he didn’t have the faintest idea how When he finally called a halt to the questioning, she hastily stood up before he could change his led up in the plaid, and she sturabbed her by her shoulders to steady her, which was a very thoughtful thing to do, of course, but he didn’t stop there Once he had her, he decided to keep her As though he had every right to do so, he threw his ar her to the ground, and hauled her up against hi him away, but that didn’t work, and so she looked up at hi for her, and, Lord, the i eyes, filled with such compassion and tenderness, made her heart quicken and her knees tremble
Did he have any idea of the effect he had on her? The warle closer to him His heat felt better than ten blankets piled on top of her And his voice, too, so rich and gruff, onderfully sensual Why, even the way he walked, with such unbridled arrogance, as though he believed he owned the world, his hips hs of his
She blocked the unsees ’Twas the truth she’d never known any h, or felt this kind of reaction All she wanted to do was put her head down on his shoulder for a few minutes and close her eyes When she ith him, she didn’t feel so vulnerable and unsure of herself Brodick see Did he think he was invincible? And did thinking it ance and confidence come from, she wondered, and, oh, how she wished she could borrow a little of both
Exhaustion was surely taking its toll She glanced up at him and smiled Odd that she’d known hih she’d been with hi into one another like old friends, comfortable with the closeness and the silence, but also like lovers, she iht come
Aye, his effect on her was quite strange He made her believe she wasn’t alone Would he help her slay the monsters? No, she immediately decided She couldn’t, and wouldn’t, involve him in her battles She understood her responsibility She would fight the dragon alone, and if she failed
“Are you cold, Gillian?”
“No”
“You’re shivering”
“I was thinking about my uncle I worry about him”
“Is he worth your worry?”
r />
“Oh, yes, he is”
He leaned close to her ear “Can you do anything about your uncle tonight?”
“No,” she answered, trying to ignore the caress of his warainst her sensitive skin
“Then let it go for now Worrying won’t help him”
“That’s easier said than accomplished”
“Perhaps,” he allowed
Alec ran past the a stick behind him The child was barefoot and bare-chested and obviously having a fine tih the trees