“From the English—aye.” He tossed a leg over the back of the horse and swung himself to the ground. “I was told you played a role in the plan to break me out of there. That it was your idea to bring Father Douglas to mycellso he could lend me his robes.”
She wet her lips. “Yes. And he was happy to oblige.”
“But you shouldn’t have taken that risk, lass. If anyone finds out, therewillbe a price on your head. You could be charged with treason.” His eyes flashed with anger. “What were you thinking? You put yourself in harm’s way, and it makes me want to tie you up again, lass, just to keep you safe and contained.”
Amelia glowered at him. “Contained? Honestly, Duncan, youstillthink I am that naïve, frightened captive who needs your worldly wisdom and protection. Whatwillit take to convince you that I am no longer that woman? I have learned a great deal about the world, and I am absolutely self-sufficient. I left you, didn’t I? I was not afraid to walk out and live my life on my own terms. So do not dare to ask me if I have stones in my head where my brain should be. I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions and doing what I think is best.”
A muscle clenched in his jaw, and his eyes narrowed.
“Woman, you make me wild. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yes, and I don’t real y care. You can be as wild as you wish to be. Iwillnot be afraid of you.”
For a long moment he stared at her as if he was deciding whether or not he should argue; then he strode to the other side of the glade.
“Your plan workedwell,” he said diffidently, and she breathed a sigh of relief, for it was a clear white flag. “Father Douglas was helpful, and he didn’t seem to mind the manacles too much.”
“And Fergus and Gawyn?” she asked, choosing not to gloat over her victory, for she knew how hard it was for Duncan to surrender this way. “Are they safe aswell?”
“Aye. They escorted me out through the main gates, and as soon as we were clear of thevillagewe left the coach behind and each took a horse. We thought it best to separate.”
“So that you’d be harder to track.”
“Aye. But if anyone finds out about this, lass…” He turned to face her, and his eyes communicated a warning.
She smiled. “I know, I know. Therewillbe a price on my head. Have it your way, then. If that happens, Iwillneed protection.”
“From a very powerful man.”
Amelia laughed. “Yes.”
At last he crossed to her and took hold of her upper arms.
“I owe you a great debt, lass. You were very brave, and you saved my life.”
She laughed in tearful disbelief. “And you saved mine.”
Ecstatic, rapturous, too happy to even think, she threw herself into his arms and nearly knocked him backwards onto the grass. “I thought I’d lost you.”
He regained his footing and held her tight. “And I thought I’d never see you again, but you must ease up on my ribs, lass.”
She stepped back, and they stood in the center of the sunny glade, staring at each other for the longest time. Then at last his mouth found hers, and he kissed her hungrily. His hands roamed over her body and ignited her desires.
“I don’t want to ever let go,” she said, holding his face in her hands. “I was miserable without you. It’s why I couldn’t leave Scotland, and why I asked my uncle to remain at the fort. I dreamed of you every night, and I wasn’t sure I had done the right thing when I left you. I wanted to go back and ask if we could begin again. I wanted to talk more about what happened with Richard—but then the news of his head in a bag arrived at the fort, and everyone was talking about the ferocious Butcher of the Highlands. I was confused, and then my uncle knocked on my door, and…” She could not finish the thought.
Duncan kissed her mouth, cheeks, and forehead. “You must know,” he explained, “the reason I was there at the cave that night was to surrender my shield. I told Angus that I wouldn’t do it any longer, that I would never take another life.
The last thing you said to me was that you couldn’t love someone who took a life and felt nothing. I wanted totellyou that Idofeel things. Too much, in fact. Everything I’ve donewillfollowme to my grave. I’ve felt wretched for a long time, but I didn’t know how to change it.”
She touched his cheek. “When I went to Moncrieffe in search of help, Iain and Josephine told me what happened between you and Angus, and I knew I had to get you out.”
She bowed her head. “I am so sorry forallof this. You would never have been captured if it weren’t for me.”
He shook his head. “Nay, lass. I’m not sorry for anything. If it hadn’t happened the way it did, I wouldn’t be here with you now, feeling worthy of your affections.”
She rose up on her toes and kissed him.
“But am I truly worthy, lass?” he asked when she withdrew from the kiss. “I broke the vow I made to you. IkilledRichard Bennett.”
