“I frighten myself. They don’t happen too often.” He caught her hand, held it to his cheek like a child’s toy. “Don’t leave me again, Elizabeth. You were given to me; you are mine.” With that often repeated refrain, he slipped away into sleep.
That had been four days ago, a mere short four days ago, but now he was planning to leave her alone for three days while he and Stephen went boar hunting. Perhaps Miles didn’t sense her feeling of dread. Perhaps he was just sure enough of himself that he thought he could always keep her at his side. But Roger was on his way to Scotland and when he arrived with his army, what would she do? Could she stand by and see the MacArrans fight her brother? Could she watch a personal fight between Roger and Miles? Would she hold Kit in her arms and watch Miles die or would she hold Miles at night and taste the blood of her brother?
“Elizabeth?” Bronwyn asked from the doorway. “Miles said you’re not going on the hunt.”
“No,” she said with some bitterness. “I’m to stay here and surround myself with men. Men behind me, men beside me, men watching my every move.”
Bronwyn was silent for a moment, watching the blond woman. “Are you worried about Miles or your brother?”
“Both,” Elizabeth replied honestly. “And were you ever worried about bringing an English husband into the midst of your Scotsmen? Did you wonder if you could trust him?”
Bronwyn’s eyes danced with mirth. “The thought crossed my mind. All Stephen wanted was for me to admit that I loved him. But I was sure there was more to love than just some undefinable feeling.”
“And is there?”
“Yes,” Bronwyn said. “For some women I think they love a man in spite of what he is, but for me I had to know Stephen was what my clan needed as well as what I wanted.”
“What if you’d loved him, loved him deeply, but your clan hated him? What if your staying with Stephen meant you would have alienated your clan?”
“I would have chosen my clan,” Bronwyn answered, watching Elizabeth intently. “I would give up many things, even my own life, to keep from starting a war within my family.”
“And that’s what you think I should do!” she spat. “You think I should return to my brother. Now, while Miles is gone, is a perfect time. If I could have a few of your men I could…” She stopped as she locked eyes with Bronwyn.
At last Bronwyn spoke. “I honor my husband’s brother. I will not help you to escape.”
Elizabeth put her arms around Bronwyn. “What am I to do? You saw how Miles acted when I said I should return to Roger. Should I try to escape again? Oh Lord!” She pushed away. “You are my enemy as well.”
“No.” Bronwyn smiled. “I’m not your enemy, nor are any of the Montgomerys. We’ve all grown to love you. Kit would follow you to the ends of the earth. But the time will come when you’ll have to choose. Until that moment arrives, no one can help you. Now come downstairs and kiss Miles goodbye before he starts wrecking more of my furniture. We have little enough as it is. And, by the way, how did that tapestry get on the floor?”
Elizabeth’s red face made Bronwyn laugh loudly as they descended the stairs.
“Elizabeth.” Miles laughed, pulling her into a darkened corner where she kissed him enthusiastically. “I’ll only be gone for three days. Will you miss me so much?”
“You are the lesser of evils. If you come back and half-a-dozen men have their toes broken, it will be your fault.”
He caressed her cheek. “After Sir Guy’s experience, I don’t think they would mind.”
“What do you mean?”
“Bronwyn put that ugly giant in the care of some little flirt and now the two are inseparable. She has him fetching water for her and no doubt if he could hold a needle, he’d embroider her shirt collars.”
Elizabeth almost kicked Miles at that because the shirt he wore under the Scots plaid was one she’d embroidered for him.
“Here, my little captive, behave yourself or I’ll send you home.”
Her eyes hardened at that, but Miles only laughed and nuzzled her neck. “What you feel is in your eyes. Now kiss me again and I’ll be back very soon.”
Minutes later she stood with empty arms and a heavy heart. Something was going to happen and she knew it. Her first impulse was to hide in her room, to remain there for three days, but she knew Miles was right. Now was a good time to try and overcome some of her fears.
By early afternoon she’d arranged an expedition of her own. She and Kit would ride out with ten MacArran men, Tam included, to a ruin Bronwyn had told her about. Kit could go exploring and she could work on swallowing her fear.
By the time they reached the ruin, Elizabeth’s heart was pounding but she was able to smile at Tam as he helped her from her horse. When she heard a man behind her, she didn’t turn quickly but tried to act in a normal manner. As she turned to face Jarl, she was rewarded with a smile of great pride from the young man, and Elizabeth let out a small laugh.
“Does everyone know about me?” she asked Tam.
“My clan has a great respect for you because you can slip about the woods as well as any Scotswoman, and we like people who are fighters.”
“Fighters! But I have submitted to my enemies.”