He still saw her as the enemy, no matter what she did. And she was so very tired of trying to help when he would not change his opinion of her.
She stood and opened the shutters, though there was little sun to illuminate the space. “Do you think I don’t see their suffering? And I’m to stand about and pretend it isn’t happening.”
“You cannot help.”
“Aye, I can. And so can my father’s men. Give them a reason to help you, and they will. Put aside your differences and join together.”
“It isn’t that simple.”
“Yes, it is. Let them be a part of this fortress. They cannot fight for something they have no connection to.”
His face hardened. “I already know the Normans, Isabel. They are the ones who made me a king when they sank their sword into my brother’s heart. I watched Liam die in battle, and I couldn’t do anything to stop them.” Rage and pain lined his voice.
“The battle is over.” She reached out to touch his hand. The cut upon his forearm was raw and exposed, like his spirit. “But you have another chance to save your tribe. Bring the men together as one. You’ll double your forces and have the men you need to defend Laochre against your enemies.”
“The Normans did nothing when the Ó Phelans attacked.” He shook his head, denying her proposition.
Isabel lowered her hand. “And have you seen the way your men treat them? They don’t speak to the Normans, nor offer any hospitality.”
“My men do not speak the Norman tongue,” he pointed out.
“Your men also provoke them at every turn. That day when I came to Laochre for the first time, I saw their bruises and injuries. I can well understand why they wouldn’t fight for you. They’re too busy fighting against you.”
She drew closer to him, her heart racing. “But we could change it.” Isabel placed her palms upon his tunic, half-wondering if he would pull her hands away. “Yesterday, I was prepared to kill the Ó Phelan men if I had to.”
His eyes grew hooded with intensity. Beneath the linen tunic, his hardened muscles flexed. “You’ve never killed a man before.”
“No. But I could.”
“Would you slay one of your own kinsmen, for our tribe?”
“Would you slay one of yours?” She didn’t wait for a reply, but before she could move her hands away, he trapped them around his waist. “I don’t want to be your enemy,” she whispered, “and yet you treat me the same way you do the others.”
“Not last night, I didn’t.” He drew her against his length, while his hands moved over her spine in a soft caress.
Deep longings rose within her, and she lowered her chin. “I am your wife, Patrick. And I am trying the best way I know how, to become one of your tribe.”
He cupped her jaw, his hand warming her cheek. “You’re the most frustrating woman I’ve ever met.”
“I could say the same for you.”
A glint of amusement rose up in his eyes. “I’m not a woman,a stór.”
Isabel bit her lip. And wasn’t she well aware of that? “You know what I meant. A frustrating man.” He expelled a low laugh, and she was caught up by the rumbling sound. “I didn’t think you knew how to laugh.”
His palm lowered to the back of her neck. Gently, he massaged the knots at her nape, and she grew still. The sensation of his hands upon her skin, the feeling of surrender, made her long to break free of his grasp. “I know many things, Isabel.”
“What do you want from me?” she asked softly. His body was so close, she fought her own feelings. He made her desire more, though she could not understand what it was she needed.
“I know well enough what I want,” he said huskily. “But it isn’t what either of us needs.”
Abruptly, he released her. “I won’t see you for a few days. I’m going to meet with Donal Ó Phelan on the morrow.”
“He tried to kill you,” Isabel protested. Why would he want to risk his life meeting with the chieftain? A sudden coldness swept over her conscience. He wouldn’t be going to see the chieftain, were it not for what she’d done.
“I owe himcorp-dire, a body price for his injuries. I’ll pay the fines and restore peace.”
She couldn’t believe what he’d said. The King of Laochre intended to lower himself to that thief? “He was trying to steal your cattle! He doesn’t deserve peace.”
