“Aye. Revenge I understand. I had not thought of it. You believe this man is responsible somehow for your brother’s death, aye?”
“Aye. He is.”
“And you know this.” It was a statement of doubt. But why would he have reason to question her?
“Of course I know this. If he had left my brother with me, he would not have been where he was. He would not have sickened and died.”
“If that is true, then it is my fault my father died because I was not where he was, to fight at his side. My clan should rightfully hold me responsible for my father’s death.”
“It is not the same. You cannot be blamed when someone else was responsible.”
He mulled it over for a moment then his brows lifted a little. So did the corners of his mouth. “No. How silly of us both.”
She huffed. “MacPhersonwasresponsible.”
“How so?”
Where had she gone wrong? He tugged on the lacings again, but she hardly noticed.
“I vowed to kill him if he didn’t return my brother to me. Ivowed. Can a knight not understand a vow?”
That did it. His fingers released the ties again. Thankfully, she had a second layer of clothing, so more time to convince him. After that he probably wouldn’t see reason. Fia said Peter always seemed to lose control when she had not much on. Now Kenna wished she would have spied on them more instead of sneaking off to ride horses.
“Aye. I can,” he said begrudgingly. “And as soon as ye’ve finished speaking with the king, ye can decide whether or not ye wish to see The MacPherson killed. If ye still demand it, I vow it will be done.”
“IfI still want it? You think I will change my mind.”
“I can hope.”
She couldn’t help smiling. “That does it, then. If there is a chance that I will not want him killed, then there is no reason to pay you now.” Given his current disdain for her, he should be as relieved as she.
“Aye. Ye should not pay me now,” he said, then whipped her gown up over her head and tossed it aside. “But we will make certain my men believe ye have.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but the words would not come. Hewantedher humiliated. What irrevocable sin had she committed to earn such treatment?
She finally found enough breath for a single word. “Why?”
“I told ye. We shall arrive at Lochahearn come dark. I will not risk ye hiring some other man to do the job when I am bound to be distracted. And I tell ye now, braggin’ or not, The MacPherson cannae be killed save I will it so.” He kicked his boots off, obviously pleased about working this all out to his satisfaction. “And ye have all but admitted ye cannae be trusted.”
She started to protest again, but he did have a point.
“Lie down.”
She inhaled deeply, then shrugged. “I do not believe I can.” She folded her arms, both to show him she was still unwilling and to keep him from removing her shift.
“Ye will do it, or I shall help ye do it,” he warned.
“Why must I, if I all you need is for your men to believe you have. No one is here. Can you not lie to them? They will believe you.”
“I do not lie to my men.”
“That makes no sense. You will not lie to them, but you want them to believe a lie.”
“Aye. Ye’ve got it a’right. If they believe ye have paid me, I need not tell them otherwise.”
“And that is not lying?”
“No,” he said as he turned her shoulders and pressed them down to the plaid, then hovered over her. He didn’t move in to kiss her, but she was ready to fight him when he did.
