And soon, very soon, he planned to make all of it up to her, to see her so happy she might forget her difficult past. Between Malcolm and himself, it shouldn’t be impossible.
Duncan brought up the rear,as always, and watched these silly boys wrap their hearts around the little finger of this unsuspecting girl. No, she was a woman now. He and Leland had seen her gown go flying. The deed was done.
It was lucky he hadn’t allowed Jamie to accompany them all the way to the meadow when they’d heard Tearloch’s whistle. Otherwise, the youngster might have attacked his commander and paid dearly for it.
Duncan’s own reaction had been far too emotional for a man of forty. When they had heard the lass’s first screams—genuinely fearful cries for help—he’d been easily convinced to backtrack. They were all such fools, flying to the aid of a woman they had all but hated the night before.
When he’d reconsidered, remembering that Tearloch was perfectly capable of keeping her safe, no matter what his plans for her, Duncan had tried to slow the men and give their heads time to cool. He’d finally stopped them altogether when they’d heard the whistle, but it was no reason to panic. After all, there had been but one call, and for all they knew, the man had been summoning his horse.
To regain the loyalty of his men, their commander would need to do something quite drastic. That loyalty had been tried, tested, and proven unshakeable…until a woman came between them.
Would wonders never cease?
They had all indulged in the spoils of war at one time or another. They knew she belonged to him if only by right of conquest, even if they did not know the full of it. Tearloch was within his rights to claim her if she had been anyone but the king’s sister.
There was no telling what Malcolm’s reaction might be…
For Tearloch,the last straw fell but a few leagues from home. Kenna had been silent for a long while but suddenly cried out. He turned in his saddle as his horse slowed.
“She was sleeping,” Jamie shouted. “The lady is fine.” Indeed, she was sitting up straight now and moved the blanket from her face to prove Jamie’s words.
All eyes turned back to Tearloch as if he were to blame for any nightmare.
Grumbling, he prodded his horse back to Jamie’s side. “Give her to me,” he demanded and reached for Kenna.
Jamie had the impudence to look at the woman for permission! Luckily for him, she gave it with a nod, and the lad lifted her down to Tearloch’s lap.
“Thank you, Jamie.”
The lad’s kind smile was all for her, then he looked ahead, to the road, waiting for orders he might or might not follow.
Aye, damage had been done. None of them could have foreseen the price this errand might cost. But so be it. It was difficult to regret anything when he now had her warm form across his lap, in his arms, and all his for a wee while longer.
He tightened his grip on her and she hid her face but leaned against him. He hid his smile against her trappings as he turned back toward home, no longer so anxious to get there.
Duncan eyed him warily as he fell back to the rear. Tearloch ignored the man and reveled in the fact that he once again held the prize. He absently kissed Kenna’s head and gave her a gentle squeeze to let her know she’d done well to hold her tongue. It was an unconscious reaction, a natural gesture that had felt quite normal until he saw the open wonder on Duncan’s face.
Had he grown another head out of his ear?
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Kenna sighed aloud when she caught sight of Lochahearn. It was no prison, as she had expected it to be, belonging to such a warlord. The structure was backed against a loch and faced south. The late afternoon sun painted the walls of wood and stone a golden pink.
A carpet of purple heather, also lit with golden sun, covered the moors to the west, and the far shores of the loch were covered in lush green forests. All in all, it was a colorful sight that greeted them as they arrived from the southeast.
“Sir Tearloch?” she whispered.
“My Lady?” he whispered back.
“By what name are ye called, besides Tearloch?” she turned to ask his neck.
After a pause, he said, “The king will answer all yer questions anon.” He spurred his horse, rushing them to the front where he held up his arm. Everyone stopped immediately. He then lifted her, left her in the saddle alone, and dropped to the ground. The reins, he tied to Kenna’s horse, which Kincaid had been leading, and all six men moved to the rear, stood in a circle, and conferred where she could hear not a word.
After a few moments, the rest returned to their mounts, leaving Tearloch and Duncan to speak alone. Though Kenna looked into the eyes of each of the other four, they gave nothing away. She’d forgotten she was supposed to be humiliated, until she realized Leland was staring. Frazier moved closer, however, and shoved the man out of his saddle. The laughter of the others broke the spell, and Tearloch and Duncan ended their business.
Duncan mounted, paused to shout orders she didn’t understand, then rode off. The rest followed suit at an unhurried pace. Tearloch rejoined her, took the time to resecure her saddle, then mounted her horse, and left her on his. He took the time to offer her a drink and see that she was comfortable before setting off again. The men were far ahead of them, but he was in no hurry to catch them.
She wondered if Duncan was riding ahead to warn the household that Tearloch was bringing home his new harlot. Maybe they would send away the old one. Maybe they would find a way to sneak her into town unnoticed. Or perhaps he had sent the men ahead to do as he’d planned, to spread the word that she was a ruined woman who had nothing left with which to barter.
