She didn’t believe him.She jabbed the axe forward again.
He took a judicious step back.
“Why do you want the coo?”he demanded.
She clamped her lips shut.She didn’t have to tell him.He wouldn’t understand anyway.
Then he gave her a quizzical look and asked, “Do you know these lads?”
She paused, then gave him a subtle nod.
Then he raised his voice so the Boyles could hear.“These two,” he asked, “do they belong here?”
Carenza hesitated.She had a choice.
She could admit that the Boyles were indeed welcome on her father’s land.Though they’d always been a source of annoyance to Carenza, especially lately, they were amicable enough neighbors.
But they were up to some sort of mischief.Skulking around in the dark.Messing about with her father’s cattle.Bullying people half their size.
If they’d known who she was, they would have been mortified.But they didn’t.So she could command their fate as she willed.
She shook her head.Nay, they didn’t belong here.
The Boyles sent up a loud protest.
“Are ye goin’ to believe a cateran?”the beardless one complained.
His brother added, “When our da hears what ye’ve done—”
Hew silenced them with an upraised hand and spoke to her.
“I’ll make you a trade,” he offered, stepping forward.
She shoved the axe quickly toward him again, forcing him back.
He bit out a frustrated curse.Then he nodded toward Hamish.“Take the coo.Just give me that rope from around his neck.And leave me my axe.I’ll tie these two up.The laird can find them on the morrow.”
“What?”Herbert squeaked.
“Nay!”Gilbert bellowed.“We’ll freeze to death.”
“You can cuddle with the cattle,” the warrior called back over his shoulder.“They’ll keep you warm enough.”
The Boyles weren’t going to linger long enough to be tied up.They beat a hasty retreat, heading back toward the woods.
He turned to Carenza.“Are we agreed?”
His offer was tempting.He had an honest face.A noble bearing.Earnest eyes that seemed to pierce her soul.
She blinked.She shouldn’t trust him.Why would he simply let her go?
He nodded as if reading her mind.“I know you don’t trust me, lass,” he murmured.“But I’m a knight of Rivenloch, and I swear on my honor I will keep my word.”
She considered his oath.She believed the illustrious Rivenloch tournament champion, Sir Gellir, was probably a man of honor.But she knew nothing about the rest of the clan.They could be a pack of wild savages for all she knew.
Still, the passionate sincerity in his gaze…
“Pray make haste,” he urged.“They’re getting away.”
