“If you do not allow her to return with me,” Tomas interjected, his lip curving into a smirk, “I will be certain to tell Geoffrey you took the word of a Scots bastard over that of his daughter and two witnesses. That man murdered his son, and you refuse even to punish him for his crime. The least you can do is let this poor girl go home to her father. She has been abused more than enough.”
Piers sighed, relenting. It was clear he didn’t wish to let her go, but Elizabet was determined. He ignored Tomas’s ultimatum and said to her, “Are you certain ‘tis your wish to go, Elizabet?”
Elizabet nodded, grateful that he would consider her request. “I cannot stay here,” she assured him and began to sob. “I cannot stay!” she cried out and left the table.
If she didn’t leave their presence at once, she was going to disgrace herself with tears. She ran to the staircase, weeping, desperate to be away from so many pairs of eyes.
“We will leave in one hour,” she heard Tomas say to Piers as she raced up the stairs. “Ready yourself, Elizabet!” he shouted after her.
Broc sat in Colin’s hall, surrounded by the three brothers. They’d convinced him to leave Elizabet in Piers’ care, but he was afraid they would let her go with Tomas.
He buried his face in his hands, trying to block the image of Elizabet’s accusing face from his memory. His heart felt near to bursting with grief. And he kept seeing the pain in her expression as she’d turned from her brother’s grave to face him. She’d swooned then,and he’d lifted her up at once and carried her to Piers’ hall.
Tomas, the bastard, had demanded his immediate arrest, and they’d rent her out of his arms.
As long as he lived, he would never forget that look of betrayal upon her face.
He’d promised not to let her down, and he had done far worse than that. He’d lied to her and more... he’d left her in Tomas’s hands.
He’d recognized the man at once as the bowman in the woods. There was no doubt in Broc’s mind that Tomas intended her ill. But he hadn’t been able to convince anyone else of that fact, not when Tomas and his lackeys all pointed their fingers at him in accusation.
He was going to kill the whoreson with his bare hands!
He stood up, ready to do battle. “I have to go back!” he told them. “I canna leave her with him! Dinna ye understand?”
All three of them stood in his way: Leith, Colin and Gavin, ready to stop him if they must.
“We believe you,” Leith assured him, “but ’tis the word of three against one, Broc. What would you have had me do?”
“If you return there, you will force Piers’ hand,” Gavin explained.
“Be patient,” Colin said. “Piers gave his word he would not allow Elizabet to leave, and he willna betray his word. Sassenach he may be, but he is an honorable man.”
Broc slammed his fist upon the table. “Do ye honestly believe he will go against his own kin and countrymen to keep his word to me?”
Leith reasoned with him. “I know only this, Broc, if ye return against his wishes, we canna defend ye any longer.”
“Listen to Leith,” Colin demanded of him.
They had him trapped behind the long table and surrounded on all sides. He felt like a caged lion, savage and angry, desperate to be at Elizabet’s side.
What good did it do him if his friends believed him yet he couldn’t protect the woman he loved?
Fury boiled up inside him, turning his vision black. By damn, no one was going to keep him from what he knew he must do. “She’s my wife!” he roared, and kicked the table before him with all his might. Its massive weight toppled from the dais, leaving the way clear for him to go.
He ran toward the door.
Only Colin was quick enough to block his exit.
“If ye know what’s good for ye,” he told Colin, “you’ll move the bluidy hell out of my way!” His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides.
Colin drew himself up to do battle with him, though Broc was far bigger than he.
Leith and Gavin were there at once at his side.
Broc looked his best friend square in the eyes and said simply, “What if it were Seana?”
They stared at each other, deadlocked, and for an instant, Colin didn’t reply. His jaw clenched with indecision. He blinked then and put up his hands for Leith and Gavin to back off.
