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“I’ in a few days You’re co home with me to stay”
One of hishis hand up for silence and responding to the man, “You ait to speak until I’ve finished with this”
Finished with this? Apparently, Gabrielle thought, she was the “this” he was referring to
“I thank you for your offer of hospitality,” she said, “but I cannot go with you”
Declining his invitation see to do because she had just coo home with Laird Buchanan The Buchanans could keep her just as safe as the MacHughs
But why hadn’t Buchanan offered?
Colm wasn’t certain how to proceed In truth, he was astonished that she would turn down his protection Didn’t the daft woer she was in? Did she understand what being an outcast meant?
He decided to enlighten her, but before he could explain how precarious and bleak her situation was, she asked, “Why didn’t Laird Buchanan offer his home and his protection? I am related to him”
Collanced over his shoulder, found Brodick in the crowd ofto overhear the conversation, and tilted his head toward Gabrielle
From the look on Col well He crossed the clearing, and with his gaze locked on Gabrielle, he asked, “Why is this taking so long?”
“She’s being difficult,” Colm told him
She iree, Laird I don’t believe I’ in the least bit difficult”
“Then what’s the proble to happen?”
Ah, that’s where he rong He’d told her Brodick’s suggestion instead of co her obedience
“Laird MacHugh kindly offered—”
“I what?” he roared
“You kindly…” she began again
When his eyes narrowed and the creases in his brow deepened, she understood Using the word “kindly” was obviously sohlanders were She would be relieved to be rid of them
She didn’t dare sh offered me his protection, and I declined I politely declined,” she stressed
“She wants to knohy you didn’t offer her your home and your protection, Brodick,” Colm said
“You didn’t fully explain the plan?”
“I never got that far This wo”
“Gabrielle,” Brodick began, using what he believed was his most reasonable tone of voice “I could offer you my home and my protection—and I’ll admit my ould be happy for your company You would be safe—”
“I will be pleased to accept your offer as long as you understand that it will be only for a few days Is that agreeable?”
She hadn’t given hih could do ive her his name Instead, she had accepted an invitation he hadn’t extended
“The wo help,” Colm said
Brodick nodded agreement
Colm addressed Gabrielle “What happens in a few days? What is it you plan to do?”
“First, I er”
“Find him? You don’t knohere he is?” Brodick asked
She shook her head “He was going to King John to give his account of what happened to Monroe, and he was going to catch up with land”
“Do you think to roam the land until you happen upon him?” Colm asked
“Even if you do find hiland You’ve been exiled,” Brodick reht, you’ll be executed, and if you’re captured with your father, he’ll also pay a high price”
They were forcing her to face reality, but she still couldn’t abide the idea of anyone having to rescue her for so she hadn’t done
“My father must be told what happened”
“He’s probably hearing about it even now,” Brodick suggested “Or he will hear soon Bad news travels fast He’ll also hear that ere there,” he added with a nod toward Col for you”
This made sense to her “Yes, that is what he would do, and that is yet another reason I should go home with you”
Brodick sighed in frustration He didn’t kno to make her understand
“You know, in a dire, dire situation…where there is no other possible solution—none at all—and it is life-threatening,” he stressed, “you can come to my home, for you are my wife’s cousin However—”
Colh time here, Brodick If you don’t tell her, I will”
Frowning, she asked Colm, “Tell me what, Laird?”
Brodick answered “If you go near your father, you’ll put him in harm’s way Is that what you want, Gabrielle?”
“No, no, of course not, but I…”
And then it struck her The enormity of the situation finally penetrated Dear God, as she going to do? No one was safe with her Even the Buchanans and the MacHughs were at risk
MacHugh’s first in command, Braeden, called out to hi to Braeden, and both were staring at Gabrielle Then Brodick’s commander, Dylan, joined their discussion
“What is it?” Colm shouted
Braeden explained as he walked toward hilanced at Gabrielle before he continued “Both barons are searching for her, and both have small armies with them”
Brodick asked, “Are they heading this way?”
“No, Laird,” he answered “One of the barons leads histoward the Monroes”
“Eventually, when they can’t find Gabrielle, they’ll backtrack and come this way,” Brodick said
Colive him orders and finally turned back to her
“Now do you understand?” He asked irritably
Apparently she didn’t “Why would they be looking for me? You were there You heard what they calledJohn’s naer exist?”
“You’re now vulnerable,” Brodick explained
Col enough to fight off the others can have you now Need I be more explicit?”
Horrified, she frantically shook her head
“Since you no longer answer to any king nor belong to any country, you have no one to protect you from predators,” Brodick explained, his voice much kinder than Colm’s had been
She bowed her head while fighting the terror inside “Hoill I protect uards? They’ll kill them” She whispered her fears
“You worry about others instead of yourself?” Brodick asked
She didn’t answer Instead, she took a deep breath and looked at the lairds “You must leave im now, deter as you are with me Go Leave me now”
“Did she just dismiss us?” Colm looked incredulous
“Aye, she did,” Brodick said “I don’t think she knows any better”
After a ht, Col the that they would run at the first hint of trouble Both he and Brodick welcolish, but neither would give in to the te as Gabrielle was in their care
Exasperated, Colm said, “Gabrielle, you will not question my authority in the future”