Page 142 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

"I-I am sorry, William. It isnae yer fault. But listen, none o' this matters. I didnae go through with it because I couldnae."

Nora's green eyes beseeched him fulsomely. It took effort and poise, but she succeeded in reeling him in. At least partially. But it did not work. William pushed her aside, furious.

"I dinnae believe ye, Nora," he said shortly.

Nora gazed at him in confusion. "I didnae stay to kill ye, William, because I love ye," she said simply.

William jolted, thunderstruck. How could she say something she did not believe? His hackles rising, he scoffed, "Funny way o' showing it by running off an' leaving me!" It was hard for him to look at her there; the sight of her was too tempting.

Nora stood before him, her flaming hair falling around her shoulders.

"God's tooth, William, t'was the only option apart from slaying ye! I did it for the best. Surely ye can see that?"

Nora was in a fury but stood her ground.

"I love ye, William. I did whatever I could to save ye."

Tears trickled down her cheeks. She was stony but affected. Even so, William did his best to ignore her.

"I'm sorry, Nora, but I cannae trust ye. I want to, but I cannae, nae after everything..."

William paced closer. Holding a rope, he indicated her hands. Mournfully, Nora looked at him, her green eyes shining with tears.

"William," she said, "none o' this was my idea. My father is behind all o' it. I swear," she insisted, but William just rolled his eyes.

"I have nay doubt," he said, unable to watch her.

He focused on tying her hands. It took some time, but even when it was done, William did not feel secure.

"But it doesnae change anything," he added. "I am sorry, Nora, but I am taking ye captive, so get on this horse!"

Finally, William stood up, indicating his own horse. It whinnied impressively. Then, slowly, he bound the rope around her wrists, each twist hurting him deeply. It was hard, but it had to be done. William derived no satisfaction from it at all. He needed time to think. William continued binding his chains.

When Nora finally did look around, it was in dismay.

"William," she beseeched him, "I am alone. Cannae we find some way oot o' this?" Nora asked, but William just shook his head,

"Nay, lass, I cannae trust ye. Ye've proven that much, at least. Noo onto the horse!"

Nora glanced up unsurely. But William was adamant. It was true, he did not know what to do with her, but perhaps he would decide on the way. Or one of the counselors would help him decide. Either way, he was taking her back to the castle.

"We're going back to the castle, so ye can save yer words for then."

18

The view from the room was just as before. Lying on the bed, Nora sighed in despondent agony. It had been nearly a day since her disappearance, and she was back again, but this time in abject despair.

Forlornly, Nora sat up on the bed. Hugging a pillow, she glanced through the window. There was not much light, but she watched as it faded behind the hills. Everything was the same here, except the hole in her heart—and the lock on the door.

She was locked in. Nora pressed her head in her hands and hollered. A strange, pained sound came out, but no tears. Like the well in the summer, she had run dry. Her voice ran out, cracked and hoarse, from crying.

Looking about and through the window, Nora pondered. Could she get out this way? Glancing uncertainly, she looked down. It was a long way, and in the dark, almost impossible to climb to safety. Settling back down on the bed, Nora sighed again. She did not blame them. All the same, she entertained some vague hopes of escaping.

It was not that she cared what they did with her. She really had not thought about it. Nor even was she worried about what her father might do. By then, this barely figured, no, she just could not bear to face him again.

William.

The ride back again had been painful. Nora's ties cut as she mounted next to him. But not as his lover, but rather as his prisoner. She could barely think of the time they had ridden together, side by side, with her hoping one day to be in the saddle behind him.