page23 (1/2)
“Alec, did you hear all the names?” Brodick asked
The little boy leaned against his father’s chest and slowly nodded “Yes,” he said “I heard all of the names, but I don’t remember the other twojust the man who hurt Gillian”
“That’s the name I most want,” Brodick said softly “Who is he, Alec?”
“Alec, please,” Gillian began
“Tell me, Alec Who is he?”
“Baron,” Alec whispered “His name is Baron”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The screaht Judith Maitland awakened with a start, realized she was hearing Alec’s bloodcurdling cries, and threw the covers off, but before she could get out of bed, Iain had already reached the children’s chamber
Graha up on theirand scratching The boy was trapped in his night him back His son’s tormented screams were unbearable, and Iain didn’t knohat to do to make him stop
Judith sat down next to her son, took him into her arms, and rocked him After several ainst his ain
“Dear God, what hell did h?” Iain whispered
Tears streamed down Judith’s face She shook her head, her sorrow so overwhel she couldn’t speak Iain lifted Alec from her lap, kissed the top of his head, and then put him back into bed Judith covered him with his blanket
Within the next hour they were awakened twice more by their son’s screams, and both ti Alec into their bed, and Iain proain, he would let Alec sleep with them
It took a long tiet back to sleep, but when they finally did, they weren’t disturbed again They both slept late, past dawn, until their older son, Graha into their chamber He went to his father’s side of the bed, touched his shoulder, and whispered, “Papa, Alec’s gone”
Iain didn’t panic Assu his son was already up and about, he motioned for Grahaot out of bed, washed and dressed, and went out into the hallhere Graham waited with Michael
“He’s probably downstairs,” Iain whispered as he pulled the door closed behind him
“He wouldn’t go downstairs, Papa,” Graham blurted
“Stop worrying,” he ordered “Alec hasn’t disappeared”
“But he did before, Papa,” Graha more fretful by the second
“Both of you, go downstairs and find Helen and have your breakfast Let me worry about Alec”
Neither boy moved Michael’s head was bowed, but Grahaht in the eyes when he said, “It’s dark down there”
“And you don’t like the dark” Iain tried his best not to sound perturbed
“I don’t like the dark neither,” Michael adaze still directed on the floor
The main door opened, and Brodick and Ramsey came inside As was their preference, they had both slept outside under the stars They didn’t like being cooped up alls pressing in on the lulled to sleep with the scent of pine and the brisk wind surrounding them ’Twas a fact, the only time they liked beds hen they had woh with any of their female companions
Michael spotted his brother and went running down the stairs “Raone”
“What do you one?”
“He’s not in his bed”
Iain careat hall and pulled the tapestries back froht flooded the room
“He’s around here so not to become alarmed
“The guards would have seen him if he’d ventured outside,” Ramsey said “Where the hell is he?”
Ramsey was obviously concerned, but Brodick, on the other hand, wasn’t the least fazed
“He’s with Gillian”
Both Ramsey and Iain looked at their friend “Why would he be with Gillian?” Iain asked as he rushed back up the stairs
“He feels safe with her”
Iain whirled around “And he doesn’t feel safe with his mother and his father?”
Brodick started up the stairs “Of course he does, but he knows she’ll let hi in her room unless I’m with you”
“For the love of” Iain didn’t finish his thought He strode down the hallway, and without bothering to knock, opened Gillian’s door The room was dark Brodick brushed past him and went to theHe lifted the tapestry, tied it with the cord hooked to the wall, and then turned around
Alec was in her bed all right, just as Brodick had predicted He was cuddled up against her, his head resting on her shoulder Gillian was sleeping on her back with her right ar to protect him, even in sleep Her other arht, the scars and raw abrasions were startling to see
Rah usually diplomatic, he reverted to the days when Brodick’s manners had rubbed off on him “What the hell happened to her arm? It’s a mess”
Fortunately, he’d whispered the comment and hadn’t disturbed Gillian or Alec
Brodick pulled the tapestry back in place so that the sun wouldn’t bother theed Iain to leave
Iain didn’t budge “One angel protects another,” he whispered He turned then and went into the hallway “We will do what she asks,” he told Ramsey
“We wait to retaliate?” Ra over that possibility
“Yes, ait”
Brodick was still in the bedchamber He’d spotted his plaid on the chair, picked it up, and covered Gillian and Alec with the Buchanan colors He looked at her once again as he was pulling the door closed and felt a strange contentment wash over hi to let her go
Like it or not, she was going to belong to him
Gillian awakened an hour after dawn and felt thoroughly rested She washed and dressed with care in her own clothes The servantsthem in front of the fire, for they were dry and spotless
The tunic she wore over her pale yelloas a deep, ereen that her uncle had often told her enhanced the color of her eyes After securing the braided cord around her waist so that it would droop just so on the tilt of her hips, she brushed her hair, pinched her cheeks for color, and went downstairs
She ate breakfast with Judith and the boys Grahaed his mother to let him take Michael and Alec to the field to watch the soldiers training, and after she gave her perrabbed the wooden swords they would spar with and went running out the door
“Noe can talk,” Judith said “Did you sleep well? You’re up early I was sure you’d stay in bed until noon at the very least You have to be exhausted”
“I did sleep well,” she replied “And I wanted to get up early I must leave today”
“Leave us so soon?”
“Yes,” she replied
“Where are you going?”
“Home with Ramsey”
Judith’s eyes widened “Does Brodick know?”
“Not yet Do you knohere he is?”
“He’s down at the stables with Iain and Ra? I really would like to see Brodick’s reaction to hearing you want to leave with Ramsey”
“Why would he object? He knows I have to search for my sister, and he also knows she’s a MacPherson, so he surely understands I have to go to
the Sinclair holding to look for her”
“With Ramsey”
“Why do you look so incredulous? Do you know Winslow acted the very sa home with Ramsey today He also asked me if Brodick knew about my plans It was most peculiar”
“I can see I’ to have to explain”
“Yes, please,” Gillian said
“Raan “And they are extremely loyal to one another But surely you’ve noticed in the time you’ve been with Brodick that he’s a very possessive man All the Buchanans are,” she added with a nod
“What are you trying to tell me?”
Judith sighed “When Iain and I were newly married, my husband didn’t like it when Ramsey was near me”
“Why? Didn’t he trust him?”
“Oh, yes, he trusted hiht, and so does Brodick, but woot to admit he’s a handsome devil”
“Yes, but so are Iain and Brodick”
“Iain was a bitinsecurebut after a while, he caled to hi to be difficult about you leaving with Ramsey”
“He won’t be difficult,” Gillian assured her
Judith laughed “You think you know him so well, then?”