Did he not know who she was? That his laird had imprisoned her in the abandoned tower? “I am Kali Bane,” she said.
“Who?”
“Kali Bane,” she offered again.
He rubbed his chin in puzzlement. “The beekeeper’s daughter?”
Kali stepped out of the water to get a closer look at the guard. He must be older, considering he remembered her father. “Aye.”
The confirmation of her identity made the man chuckle. “And what are ye doing on MacKay lands, lass? Yer holdings are far from here.” He edged closer to her now, his features clearer in the bright moonlight. He had the attractive features of a MacKay. “Though I cannot regret setting eyes on ye, for ye are a beauty.”
How much should she tell the guard? Should she say anything at all? Adam hadn’t counseled her on how to proceed in such a situation, for he hadn’t expected her to be prowling about in the dark like this! Curse her need to wander.
“I am a guest of yer laird,” she said.
The guard shook his head. “Since when, lass? Yer arrival would have caused a stir, and ye would have been seated at the high table in a place of honor. Nay, ye are a pretty little liar if anything.” He lurched for her arm, but Kali jumped back in time for him to miss and stumble, landing on his knee.
“Ye wee bitch,” he cursed her, surging to his feet once more. “Give me a proper welcome and I might let ye go free.”
Should she run or stand and face him as she had other men who’d made lewd demands of her?
“If ye deny me…”
He never had the chance to finish his statement, for someone or something attacked from the guard’s left flank, knocking him to the ground, and then a hard kick to his ribs followed. The guard growled in pain and anger.
“Come here, lass.” The welcome, familiar voice wrapped Kali in warmth and safety as she ran to Adam’s side, where he wrapped a protective arm about her waist, pulling her close to his body. “Are ye hurt?”
“Nay.”
“Did the bastard touch ye?”
“Nay.”
He gazed at her with concern, then looked back at the man on the ground. “Ye are here to protect, not ravage innocent women ye encounter in the night.”
The guard scrambled to his feet. “I didna know she was yer guest, Master Adam.”
“Did the lass no’ tell ye?”
The guard looked at her, then back at Adam. “Aye.”
“And ye didna believe her?”
“How could I? She was splashing about in the water, her gown pulled above her knees, spinning and screeching like a spirit—casting a spell on me.”
Adam’s dark laughter stirred Kali’s fear even more.
“Never have I heard such shite before. Blaming the lass for yer lack of morals. Admit it, Philip, ye would have forced yerself upon the lass if I hadn’t stopped ye.”
Philip shook his head and spit on the ground, casting a bitter look at Kali. “A wee embrace and a kiss, nothing more.”
Adam exhaled with apparent disgust. “Still trying to take what doesna belong to ye.”
Philip kicked at the rocks on the ground, unwilling to say more.
“Ride back to the keep and inform the captain that I have taken ye off night duty. If ye ever approach Lady Kali, even look upon her again, it will be the last thing ye do.”
The guard bowed his head, then rushed to his horse, mounted, and galloped off.
